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Shaikin: Some questions (and answers) about Mark Walter selling the Lakers

Dodgers majority owner Mark Walter stands at a podium and speaks to a crowd during a Dodgers Foundation gala
Dodgers owner Mark Walter in 2019 (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

In 2012, on the day after Mark Walter and his partners bought the Dodgers, I sat next to Walter in a conference room. To the sports fan, Walter was virtually anonymous: a super rich guy who had made his money running investment and insurance companies.

Walter’s purchase valued the Dodgers and its related assets at a then-record $2.15 billion. That value stunned the sports world. Mark Cuban had bowed out of the bidding, believing the Dodgers were not worth even $1 billion.

I asked Walter why he believed it made business sense to pay three times as much as any major league team had sold for.

“I think you have a few moments in life where you have the opportunity to own an asset and really be a custodian of something that should be multigenerational and iconic,” he said then. “I understand it’s a lot of money. But it’s not as if you can go buy another one tomorrow. … We hope we never, ever are going to sell it.”

Read more:Plaschke: Too many questions, not enough answers. Lakers sale doesn’t pass smell test

That was essentially the point someone who travels within the inner circles of pro sports made to me Wednesday morning, as news broke that Walter had sold the Lakers to Bob Iger, the former Disney chief, and Joshua Kushner.

The Steinbrenner family has owned the New York Yankees for 53 years. Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys for 37 years. The Buss family owned the Lakers for 46 years.

These trophy assets are few and far between. Walter had sold the Lakers after less than one year of ownership ratified by the NBA board of governors — and not through a comprehensive bidding process, but to an inquiring caller during the weekend?

“This has more red flags than a May Day parade,” an industry insider said, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize his professional relationships.

The deal, which valued the Lakers at $12.5 billion, was motivated by the spiraling price for an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. After all, if Iger and Kushner might have to pay $10 billion for a startup team, why not call and see if Walter might accept a bit more for one of the marquee franchises in American sports?

Was this a blind call or was Walter looking to sell?

“It was suggested to us that maybe Mark Walter would be interested in selling his stake in the Lakers,” Iger told the California Post.

What did Dodgers president Stan Kasten have to say about that?

“I never knew that. He never said that to me,” Kasten said. “I think he was surprised by it. That’s what he has expressed to me. Mark had no plan to do this. This just came up, and he thought about it and said yes.”

Why might Walter have been interested in selling?

Mark Walter, chairman and controlling owner of the Dodgers, acknowledges a fan before a game in Chicago on Aug. 4.
Mark Walter acknowledges a fan before a game against the Cubs in Chicago this month. (Melissa Tamez / Associated Press)

Only he can say for sure, but his companies are under federal investigation for failing to disclose and properly account for billions of dollars of loans among related entities. Bloomberg reported Wednesday that Walter’s holding company is trying to raise money that could help pay off or at least pay down those loans, and the Financial Times reported that company assets could be sold or restructured.

No charges have been filed, and investigations can conclude without charges. No allegations of wrongdoing have been made against Walter.

Is there a baseball angle to this?

Among the investment firms Walter’s holding company approached about “deals to raise cash,” according to Bloomberg: the asset management firm owned by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.

Cohen’s firm passed, according to the Financial Times.

When Walter and his partners bought the Dodgers, the runners-up: the bid team of Cohen and Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong.

Read more:Swanson: Bob Iger could be the Imagineer to lead the Lakers back to glory

Does Kasten believe the Lakers sale is related to the federal investigation?

“No, that never came up. And Mark and I discussed it,” Kasten said. “So, no, we don’t have any reason to think that. I certainly have no reason to think that.”

What does Walter’s sale of the Lakers mean for the Dodgers?

“It means nothing for the Dodgers,” someone who speaks regularly with Walter said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He owned them long before the Lakers and will own them long after.”

If Walter should later sell the Dodgers, what might have the greatest impact on the team?

Shohei Ohtani has an out clause in his contract if Mark Walter sells the team.
Shohei Ohtani has an out clause in his contract if Mark Walter sells the team. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers includes an unusual escape clause: If Walter is no longer the controlling owner, or if Andrew Friedman is no longer running the Dodgers’ baseball operations department, Ohtani can opt out of the contract.

Would he?

Way too soon to tell. If major league owners get their way in collective bargaining, the proposed salary cap would mean Ohtani at $70 million could eat up just about one-third of any team’s payroll. And, in his third year with the Dodgers, he has yet to complete a full season as a pitcher, and a left knee in which manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani suffers from “wear and tear” could make him less of a two-way player as the contract winds down.

On the other hand, playing salary might be less of an issue for him than for any other player in baseball. Ohtani is making more than his annual salary — an estimated $125 million this year — from sponsorships and endorsements, and he famously deferred $68 million of each year’s salary so the Dodgers could spend more freely on players that could help him and the team win. After six losing years with the Angels and two World Series championships in two years with the Dodgers, a losing team might not entice Ohtani, no matter how much room it might have under a proposed cap.

Iger used to run Disney. How did Disney’s experience owning the Angels and Mighty Ducks go?

Disney chairman Michael Eisner and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman blow duck calls announcing the name of the team in 1993.
Disney chairman Michael Eisner, left, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL chairman Bruce McNall and Mighty Ducks chairman Jack Lindquist blow duck calls announcing the name of the team in 1993. (Doug Pizac / Associated Press)

Disney dressed the Angels in uniforms derided by one player as “pinstripe pajamas,” put cheerleaders on the dugout roof, and installed a loud “countdown to first pitch.” This all seemed awful at the time but, given the plagues of in-game hosts and teams sporting jerseys in colors far beyond home white and road gray, perhaps Disney was just ahead of its time. And, for the first few years of the franchise, Mighty Ducks gear was some of the hottest merchandise in American sports.

Ultimately, Disney wanted the Angels and Mighty Ducks to launch an “ESPN West” regional sports channel. When that channel collapsed, Disney no longer needed the teams and eventually sold them. The Angels were such a minimal part of Disney’s portfolio that then-chief executive Michael Eisner showed up in the clubhouse and the players had no idea who he was.

Who owned the Angels when they won their one and only World Series championship?

Angels players waive to fans during the World Series title parade in Anaheim in 2002.
Angels players waive to fans during the World Series title parade in Anaheim in 2002. (Jean-Marc Bouju / Associated Press)

Disney. The company hired an investment banker to sell the team in the final month before the Angels won the 2002 World Series and agreed to sell to Arte Moreno in the first month of the following season.

One more try: Why did Walter really sell the Lakers?

“I think it was opportunistic and he found something that made sense to him,” Kasten said. “Mark’s a very sensible guy. But that’s really the only way I can explain it.

“You’ll have to talk to Mark about a more in-depth explanation and good luck.”

Times staff writer Maddie Lee contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Throwback Thursday – Nick The Quick arrives in Dallas – February 21st 2002

SAN ANTONIO - MAY 19: Nick Van Exel #31 of the Dallas Mavericks watches Game one of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2003 NBA Playoffs at SBC Center on May 19, 2003 in San Antonio, Texas. The Mavericks won 113-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

February 21st, 2002 found the Dallas Mavericks swinging a trade deadline deal with the Denver Nuggets. In the move, the Mavericks shipped off Juwan Howard, Tim Hardaway (Sr.), Donnell Harvey, a first round draft pick in 2002 and cash. That netted Dallas Raef LaFrentz, Avery Johnson, Tariq Abdul-Wahad and Nick Van Exel. The centerpiece of the deal at the time was actually Raef LaFrentz, a 25-year-old 6’11” center who was the well-established starter for the Nuggets at the five.

To that point, Dallas had two true centers on their roster – Shawn Bradley and Evan Eschmeyer – neither of whom were three-point threats. Head coach Don Nelson loved unconventional lineups (that would look much more like the league norm years later) with a stretch big who was a legitimate deep threat. LaFrentz fit the bill and upon his arrival, he slotted in as the go-to starter (starting 25 of 27 games for the remainder of the regular season). The outbound Juwan Howard played some minutes at center for the Mavericks, but didn’t bring the size or shooting range they were after, so the deal was generally a win/win for both sides in that respect. Little did anyone know at the time, but the trade brought in future head coach Avery Johnson, and the player who would meaningfully change the identity of the Mavericks as he shifted to a sixth man role – Nick Van Exel.

Who was Van Exel before the trade?

As much as the trade was framed about LaFrentz, Van Exel was certainly no slouch. Spending his first five seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers where he earned a single All-Star selection, Van Exel was a staple in the starting lineup throughout his career to that point. Up until his final season in LA, he started every game he played except one, which came in his rookie season. He then started all but two games he played during his time with the Nuggets. The season he was traded to Dallas, he was averaging 21.4 points and 8.1 assists per game across 45 contests with Denver.

Of course, everyone knew the trade meant Van Exel would be shifting roles from a sure-fire starter, to a backup behind Steve Nash. That may have been part of why he wasn’t the featured name of the transaction, but coming off the bench proved to be a role he thrived in. So much so, in fact, that he averaged more points per game as sixth man than LaFrentz did as the starter!

Uncrowning the Kings

In Van Exel’s first Postseason with the Mavericks, he was part of the 3-0 first-round sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves. That series has since become a talking point about the careers of Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett, with some deeming it to be the tie-breaker as to why Nowitzki is the better power forward of the two. In the next round, Dallas got walloped by the Sacramento Kings, 4-1.

That Kings team was relatively stacked with players such as Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and others. Dallas meanwhile had Steve Nash, Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitzki and LaFrentz leading the way as something of a well-matched mirror for the Kings. The similarities between the teams and the frequency of high intensity regular season games between them supercharged a rivalry that was only added to by the Kings’ young hotshot owners from the Maloof family, who were perfect rivals for Mavericks’ then-owner Mark Cuban.

The following season, the Mavericks met the Kings in the Playoffs in the second round once again. Following a game seven win over the Portland Trailblazers in the first round, Dallas dropped game one of the second round series against the Kings, at home. That loss prompted Van Exel to ask Nelson if he could speak to the team. With permission granted, Van Exel told Nash, Finley and Nowitzki that they needed to stop deferring to the Kings and stop believing them to be a better team. Van Exel backed up his words with stellar play of his own. In game two, the Mavericks ran the Kings out of the gym after dropping 83 first-half points on them. Van Exel scored 36 points in that one, then hung 40 points in game three’s double-overtime victory back in Sacramento. For the series, he connected on over 50% of his total field goals and just north of 45% from downtown.

Van Exel’s legacy with the Mavs

Van Exel’s stay in Dallas was relatively short, clocking in at a season-and-a-half overall. He was largely electric in his time with the Mavs, and certainly brought a much-needed grit and attitude to the team. His only full season in Dallas was the first time the franchise won 60 games. His motivational speech in the Playoffs against the Kings was the only series win Dallas had against Sacramento across three-straight seasons in which the two teams met in the postseason. Van Exel then returned to the fold as the head coach of the Mavericks G League team, the Legends, for the 2015-2016 season.

Van Exel’s unconventional free-throw shooting from about two feet behind the line, his post-up game (yes, the 6’1” point guard had a nice back-to-the-basket game) and his quirky spinning hook/push shot were all memorable. His unwillingness to back down and his ability to turn it on when needed should be unforgettable, despite a relatively short tenure in Dallas.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

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What time is MLB Field of Dreams game? Where to watch Phillies vs Twins today

Major League Baseball returns to Dyersville, Iowa on Thursday, Aug. 13 with the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins facing off at the "Field of Dreams" ballpark.

This will be third the Field of Dreams Game and first since 2022, held at a venue inspired by the beloved 1989 film starring Kevin Costner. But the site has undergone major renovations since hosting its last MLB game and those upgrades should be on full display during the broadcast.

The Phillies are wearing road gray uniforms inspired by the ones the club wore from 1939-41. Meanwhile, the Twins will don home whites that harken back to 1961, the franchise's first season in Minneapolis.

More than 25 Baseball Hall of Famers are set to walk through the outfield as part of a cinematic pregame ceremony, before the Twins' Taj Bradley takes the mound, opposed by Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola.

Where to watch MLB Field of Dreams game

Philadelphia and Minnesota will be playing a regular-season MLB game at the "Field of Dreams" ballpark. Here's everything you need to know to watch it.

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (pregame coverage begins at 6:30)
  • Location: Dyersville, Iowa
  • Streaming: Netflix

What time is Phillies vs Twins at Field of Dreams?

First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 13.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What time is MLB Field of Dreams game? Where to watch Phillies vs Twins today

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The Lakers have been sold for a record $12.5 billion. What happens now?

The Los Angeles Lakers were sold for a record $12.5 billion. So now what?

Like every major sports league, the NBA has specific protocols in place to structure the sale of franchises. Those procedures are outlined in Article 5 of the league’s Constitution and By-laws. Yet, given how quickly the agreement came about, and given how much work goes into vetting prospective owners, this is a multi-step process that may take months to resolve, possibly dragging into 2027.

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, Mark Walter agreed to sell the Lakers to businessman Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger in a deal that set the record for the highest amount paid for a North American sports franchise. Neither the NBA nor the Lakers publicly acknowledged the agreement Wednesday because the formal application requesting the transfer of ownership — what is tantamount to a private purchase agreement — hadn’t been filed to the NBA league office.

This is the first step in the process. That document must be filed to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who then has the right to request any additional information from the parties. The NBA, however, has a nine-person advisory finance committee that will oversee the thorough vetting of Kushner and Iger, including potential background checks and a complete review of the finances of each.

This, though, is where the process might be expedited. If the NBA was vetting a prospective owner completely new to the league, there would be more steps to clear to fully understand the financial picture of those parties. But since Kushner and Iger were actively exploring the NBA’s expansion opportunity in Las Vegas, the NBA may have already done some legwork in vetting them in what could be considered a head start.

While this vetting is taking place, Silver and other league executives can receive updates about the process, as needed.

Then, once the vetting has been completed, the advisory finance committee will present a recommendation to the rest of the NBA’s ownership groups (Board of Governors) on whether transfer of ownership should be approved.

At this point, the issue will be put to a vote, with approval requiring 75% of the Board of Governors, or at least 23 of the 30 franchises.

The first date to watch is the Board of Governors meeting that is set to take place in New York in September. While that timeline would appear to be too soon for the matter to be put to a vote — just the process of drafting the detailed private sale agreement takes considerable time — it’s almost certain that an update on the Lakers sale will be an item on the agenda.

Furthermore, Silver will hold a press conference upon the conclusion of the Board of Governors meeting, where he can provide any updates to assembled media.

The following Board of Governors meeting will be in the Spring of 2027, but a vote to approve the Lakers sale does not need to take place in person. There can be a remote session to accommodate the closing date outlined by Walter and Kushner and Iger; Walter’s purchase of the Lakers, for example, was approved unanimously on Oct. 30, 2025 in a virtual session.

It’s tricky to gauge a timeline, as each sale has its own considerations. Using Walter’s purchase of the Lakers as an example, the agreement was reached in mid-June 2025, putting the timeline at four months until NBA ownership approved the sale in late October of that year.

Once approved, the NBA would then issue a statement announcing the decision, though the transaction would still need to close. That step is typically a formality and requires all documents to be signed and all money to be wired. Only then can ownership be fully transferred, and only then can the transaction become fully binding.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Lakers have been sold for a record $12.5 billion. What happens now?

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Dodgers vs. Brewers: Who has the edge? Position-by-position breakdown

A sneak preview of the 2026 National League Championship Series might be set to unfold at Dodger Stadium starting Thursday night, Aug. 13.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers, both still vying for the best record in baseball, will begin a four-game series. It will feature Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani at the plate, Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski on the mound, and the requisite turnout of LA celebrities.

Last year, the Dodgers swept the Brewers in the NLCS on the way to their second straight World Series title. The Brewers are among the biggest obstacles preventing the Dodgers from a three-peat.

To assess who’s got the better team – at least before they play – it’s best to determine who has the edge at each position.

Dodgers vs. Brewers: Who has the edge?

Stats entering Wednesday's games.

First base (edge, Dodgers)

Jake Bauers, the Brewers’ primary first baseman, is having a career year with a team-high 21 homers and a team-best slugging percentage of .499. Dodgers stalwart Freddie Freeman has suffered a slight dip in HRs − and had a big scare Wednesday night − but leads the team with 135 hits and a batting average of .305 while remaining an asset on defense.

Second base (edge, Brewers)

Tommy Edman has been productive for the Dodgers since returning from a right ankle injury in mid-June. But Milwaukee’s Brice Turang has been instrumental for the Brewers, leading the team with 121 hits, including 16 home runs and 28 doubles, and a team-best 76 RBIs.

Shortstop (edge, Dodgers)

As bad as things have gone for Mookie Betts, he’s still slugged 14 homers and provides power the Brewers lack at this position. Cooper Pratt, a promising, 21-year-rookie for the Brewers, is out with a hamstring injury, forcing Milwaukee to plug in third baseman David Hamilton.

Third base (edge, Dodgers)

Max Muncy remains a power threat for the Dodgers. His 22 home runs this season are second best on the team, behind only Shohei Ohtani’s 26. Meanwhile, the Brewers’ lack of power at this position is almost as notable as what Muncy supplies.

Catcher (edge, Brewers)

Will Smith appears to be on his way back for the Dodgers from a neck injury. But until then, it’s duct tape, glue and staples holding together this position. The Brewers’ William Contreras is having a subpar year at the plate, but this season he still made the All-Star Game for the third time in five years.

Left field (edge, Brewers)

For the Dodgers, it’s become left field by committee because no one’s good enough to win the job. By contrast, Jackson Chourio, a rising star for the Brewers, is batting .275 with 17 homers and slugging at a .480 clip.

Center field (edge, Dodgers)

For the Dodgers, Andy Pages is batting .270 with 19 home runs and his WAR is a team-best 5.2. The Brewers have yet to find a player who merits the full-time job.

Right field (edge, Dodgers)

The Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal and still are waiting for the payoff. But Brewers’ speedster Garrett Mitchell is more underwhelming at the plate than Tucker and his potential upside.

Designated hitter (edge, Dodgers)

Shohei Ohtani is batting .290 with a team-best 26 home runs, .392 OBP and .929 OPS. Christian Yelich, a three-time All-Star, has struggled so much this year that he slipped in the batting order as low as No. 7.

Starting rotation (edge, Brewers)

The Brewers have the best pitcher in baseball in Jacob Misiorowski − his fastballs have been clocked as high as 105.5 mph − and ample talent around him. The Dodgers’ rotation should be world-class with the addition of Tarik Skubal, but it remains a work in progress.

Bullpen (edge, Brewers)

The trumpets are blaring again for Edwin Diaz, but elbow surgery did not solve his early-season struggles. Trevor Megill is an elite closer for the Brewers.

Manager (pick 'em)

The Brewers’ Pat Murphy is the back-to-back National League Manager of the Year. Dave Roberts has guided the Dodgers to back-to-back World Series titles.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers vs. Brewers: Who has the edge? Position-by-position breakdown

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The Dodgers' biggest October threat just arrived in LA

Existentially, the biggest threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers is the Dodgers. Sometimes they look to be strolling when they should be sprinting after a third straight World Series title.

But with October baseball in mind, the Dodgers have another problem: the Milwaukee Brewers. And those Brewers are in Los Angeles for a four-game series at Dodger Stadium that starts Thursday, Aug. 13.

The Brewers manifested from small-market magic. The Dodgers consume almost endless resources in the second-largest media market.

The two teams met in the National League Championship Series last year, when the Dodgers swept the series 4-0. It would be no surprise if the Dodgers and Brewers met in the NLCS yet again.

So with the regular season about 75% complete and October looming, now might be the perfect time for the Dodgers to size up their most formidable foes.

Jacob Misiorowski vs. Dodger hitters

Last week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted his team is struggling to hit fastballs. That could not be more troubling than with Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski in town. He’s scheduled to start Saturday in Game 3 of the series, and at times the 6-foot-7 right-hander has been almost unhittable.

Start with the triple-digit fastball that has reached speeds of 105.5 mph. He’s also been sharper in his second year in the big leagues and leads all pitchers in ERA (1.76), strikeouts (204) and WHIP (0.74).

But Misiorowski isn’t unbeatable, as the Dodgers know firsthand. In Game 3 of the NLCS last year, for example, Misiorowski struck out nine batters in five innings and gave up just one earned run during his appearance. Yet the Dodgers still won, 3-1.

It's nothing to count on. The Dodgers faced Misiorowski once during the 2025 regular season. He struck out 12 batters in six innings and allowed just one earned run while the Brewers won, 3-1.

This will be an optimal chance for Dodgers hitters to prove they can hit the fastball.

Misiorowski and Brewers staff vs. Dodgers pitching conundrums

No one else on the planet sets off a radar gun like Jacob Misiorowski does. But the Brewers pitching staff goes beyond Miz -- far enough that the Dodgers hitters will have to be locked in.

Milwaukee has the fourth-best ERA (3.54) in the majors, and Kyle Harrison has been a strong No. 2 starter. But on Monday, Aug. 11 he gave up eight earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in an 11-2 loss to the Padres. The Brewers rotation is mortal, and World Series favorites led by Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman would capitalize.

Lucky for the Dodgers, they'll just miss Harrison, who is scheduled to pitch next Tuesday vs. Seattle.

The loss of Ohtani from the Dodgers pitching staff because of knee inflammation clearly has impacted the team. He was 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA after his last start, July 3.  

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has looked strong as the Dodgers' No. 1 starter. But the team still is trying to figure out its rotation with Blake Snell back from elbow surgery and Tyler Glasnow expected to return soon from back spasms.

The Brewers will help test Roki Sasaki, the Dodger pitcher who's set to start Thursday and has made notable progress over the past month. The Dodgers' trade for Tarik Skubal hasn’t paid off immediate dividends, but he'll get another chance with a scheduled start Sunday.

Fire vs. Ice?

Brewers manager Pat Murphy has yet to put his signature stamp on the 2026 season. Which is to say he has not been ejected.

Murphy, when disappointed with the umpires, has a penchant for expressing himself forcefully. It resulted in two ejections in 2025 and five ejections in 2024, the year he took over as the Brewers manager. He also had five ejections in 2015, during the 96 games he spent as manager of the San Diego Padres.

The fiery nature is cited as part of Murphy's success, and the Brewers respond. During Murphy's three years in Milwaukee, the Brewers have won two NL Central division titles and last year finished with the best regular-season record in baseball. Murphy is now the reigning two-time National League Manager of the Year.

If Murphy is fire, Dodgers manager Dave Robert is ice. Well, maybe less scorching. He’s calm and cerebral, and his demeanor won’t ever be confused for Murphy’s.

Since taking over as manager of the Dodgers in 2016, he’s been ejected at least once each season -- with the exception of 2026. But the next time you see Roberts implode and humiliate an umpire will be the first.

At times, Dodger fans have yearned for more fire from the Dodgers manager. In fact, that might have been the case when the Dodgers recently lost eight of nine games. But Roberts seems especially adept at keeping his team from panicking – such as while guiding the team to back-to-back World Series titles and three World Series titles in the past six years.

Slumbering bats

Not all of the bats are slumbering, but some expensive ones are.

Christian Yelich, the Brewers’ highest-paid player, hardly resembles the three-time All-Star he is. He has a meager eight home runs and is batting .231. Also struggling is All-Star catcher William Contreras, who in his seventh big-league season is having one of his least productive years at the plate.

Breakout performances from either of them could help separate two well-matched teams.

Los Angeles has a similar situation. Mookie Betts, in the middle of a 12-year, $365,000 contract, has returned to action after missing 35 games due to an oblique strain. But what happened to his bat?

He’s hitting just .235, but he showed signs of life Tuesday, Aug. 11, when he went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double in the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory over the Royals in 10 innings.

It’s been a similar story for Kyle Tucker, who’s in his first year of a $240 million, four-year deal with the Dodgers, underdelivering while batting .241. But two homers in his past seven games offered a glimmer of hope – especially for a team trying to separate itself from the Brewers.

Suddenly the Dodgers are getting back on track, and the Brewers have lost three in a row. With about two months before the playoffs begin, two juggernauts head into a four-game homestand from which they could emerge with a better sense of who they are and how far they can go.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Dodgers' biggest October threat just arrived in LA

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Over/unders for Blake Lizotte and the Penguins’ depth players in 2026-27

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 08: Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins skates against Blake Lizotte #46 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 8, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

We continue our PensBurgh over/under series this week with a look at some of the Pittsburgh Penguins depth players and what they might be capable of this season.

Among the many surprises the Penguins had in 2025-26 was the emergence of their fourth line, specifically as it related to Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar. Both players played well enough to earn long-term contract extensions with the team, that are not only reasonable salary cap numbers, but also appropriate term lengths that should not make them liabilities long-term.

Here is a quick look at the other over/unders we have looked at so far:

Let’s get into today’s players and potential numbers.

Blake Lizotte: Over/under 1.5 shorthanded goals

Lizotte has been one of the Penguins’ top penalty killers since arriving in Pittsburgh, and has also had a knack throughout his career of producing offense on the penalty kill. Entering the 2026-27 season he has seven shorthanded goals in 434 career games, and has scored at least one in five of his seven full seasons in the league. That includes each of the past three seasons where he has accounted for four of them despite playing in only 176 games.

Over that time period 132 forward have logged at least 250 minutes of shorthanded ice-time, with Lizotte’s 0.75 goals per 60 minutes ranking 24th among that group, while also producing 0.48 individual expected goals per 60 minutes in that time. He gets his chances, and he creates some opportunities.

Had he not missed so much time over those three years it is not a stretch to think that he could have potted at least one or two more.

With Noel Accairi now playing in Philadelphia, it seems logical to assume that Lizotte’s PK role will take on even more importance, and if he can manage to stay on the ice you have to figure he is going to get some opportunities.

Will it be enough, and will he be dangerous enough to score two shorthanded goals this season?

Connor Dewar: Over/under 12.5 goals

When the Penguins traded a fifth-round pick at the 2024-25 NHL Trade Deadline to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Dewar and defenseman Connor Timmins it did not really register much for me. It just seemed like a, “okay, that happened,” type of move, and perhaps something to just fill out a roster for the rest of the season and give them some options for the 2025-26 season.

It has turned out to be a sneaky win for Kyle Dubas.

Dewar has become an extremely effective fourth-liner.

They flipped Timmins and organizational depth piece Isaac Belliveau to Buffalo for defenseman Connor Clifton and, more importantly, a second-round pick in 2025 that turned out to be defenseman Peyton Kettles, who is now one of the organization’s top prospects. Pretty strong value for a fifth-round pick and AHL roster fodder.

Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Dewar has scored 18 goals in 95 regular season games, while also adding two goals in six playoff games. Those 20 goals in 101 total games round out to an 82-game average of 16.2 goals. That’s closer to third-line production than fourth-line production.

That jump in goals has come with a spike in shooting percentage, going up 13.1 percent with the Penguins after being just 8.0 percent during his time with the Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild. Had he shot at 8 percent over those two seasons with the Penguins his 20 goals would have gone down to about 12 goals. That would average out to 10 goals per 82 games played, which is probably more in line with what you would expect from a fourth-line depth player whose focus is more on defense than goal-scoring.

Is he simply a better player now in Pittsburgh with more opportunity?

Will the two extra games in the regular season help him get a little more shot volume?

Will all of that add up into more than 12.5 goals for the season?

Justin Brazeau: Over/under 41.5 games played with the Penguins

In the first part of the 2025-26 season Brazeau was one of the Penguins’ biggest surprises. He scored 12 goals in his first 24 games through the end of December, and rapidly emerged as a steal of a free agent signing at just $1.5 million per season. He brought size, physical play, and a surprising scoring touch to the lineup, while also displaying some shockingly good hands for a player of his size. He has always been a late-bloomer at every level he played at, and it seemed to be happening again for the Penguins.

But he cooled off considerably in the second half of the season, scoring just five goals over his last 40 games of the regular season.

Injuries no doubt played a role in that, but you also had to expect some sort of a regression. It happened.

Here is the problem I see for him this season: Where, exactly, does he fit in the lineup on a regular basis? The Penguins have 16 or 17 NHL-caliber forwards right now at a minimum, including the proven top-six veterans (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell), the other depth players (Lizotte and Dewar), a lot of younger/new players that figure to be regulars in the lineup (Egor Chinakhov, Nicholas Robertson, Ben Kindel) and a lot of younger players that will be competing for games and playing time (Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty, Elmer Soderblom, Hendrix Lapierre, Avery Hayes). Including Brazeau, that is 16 forwards. Only 12 forwards are going to dress. Is Brazeau one of the best 12 forwards? Is there another trade to be made to open up a roster spot? You figure some of those younger players are going to end up in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the start. Could Brazeau himself be a potential trade piece given the roster and the fact he is in the last year of his contract and an unrestricted free agent after this season?

I like Brazeau as a player. I like what he brings and potentially brings. There will also inevitably be injuries and some of the younger players starting in the American Hockey League, all of which will create some sort of a roster opening for Brazeau at times. But I am just having a hard time seeing where he fits at the moment.

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Islanders News: Of Fishermen and the Whale

Sutter The Elder vs. Turgeon The Elder, in a different time. | Getty Images

Another good morning (Rick!), afternoon or evening from our quiet summer where the Islanders added Matias Maccelli and subtracted Anders Lee, leaving us to view the return from season-ending injuries of Alex Romanov and Kyle Palmieri as the proverbial “like a new signing.”

Islanders & Isles-Adjacent News

  • Reminder to expressly agree to share your personal data to vote in the Islanders’ 3rd-jersey poll. [Isles]
  • Here is a very brief medley of Islanders players reacting to jersey designs. Good to see Romanov proof of life. [Isles]
  • And former Newsday Fisherman-era beatwriter Alan Hahn of course has thoughts on the Fisherman being in the running. [Newsday]
  • Brock Nelson is back in Da Beauty League, reflects on a crazy season of Olympic gold while falling short of Cup dreams with Colorado. He turns 35 in October — when did our little Reverend become an ol’ man?!? — but probably will continue to improve or at least age like fine wine. [NHL]
  • The Islanders will face the Hurricanes in Whalers unis this season. (The picture at the top of this post is from a bygone era, that’s Duane Sutter battling Sylvain Turgeon.) [THN]

Elsewhere

  • Twelve under-the-radar acquisitions from this summer (including Jordan Kyrou and Mavrik [sic] Bourque, who weren’t exactly under the radar, but whatever). [Sportsnet]
  • A 32-in-32 look at the Kings, who are Peter Laviolette’s seventh team. Dude is one team away from coaching a quarter of the 32-franchise league. [NHL]
  • Carey Price reflects on life and the Canadiens as he prepares to enter the Hall of Fame as the Canadiens’ all-time leader in goalie games played and victories. [NHL]
  • Seth Jarvis brought the Stanley Cup to Winnipeg, which is something that…oh no need to fill in any cruel punch lines. [NHL]
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Banner Years: 1966, one final victory cigar

NBA history spans 80 seasons, and as CelticsBlog readers well know, the Boston Celtics have won a league-high 18 championships. This month, we are recapping each of those title years.

He was a kid born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., whose parents ran a deli. He went to college in Washington, DC, and continued to live there for the rest of his life. He also wound up spending nearly six decades in Boston as the architect of the greatest basketball franchise of all time. He coached 20 seasons and won more than anyone in the NBA at the time he retired, holding records that still stand. He invented the victory cigar. The Coach of the Year trophy is now named after him. As a team executive, he pulled off legendary trades and led the franchise to endless achievements. Throughout his career he was an influencer on civil rights. And he was associated with winning 16 NBA championships.

Red Auerbach shown in a familiar pose, coaching the Boston Celtics, clutching a rolled up program and smoking a victory cigar on the bench during a game played at the Boston Garden. Copyright 1965 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Yes, that was the real life that Arnold “Red” Auerbach lived during his 89 years. So, when he decided to step down from coaching and go to the front office full-time after the 1966 playoffs, that got people’s attention.

Auerbach announced his plans in preseason and literally told his opponents that they had “one last crack at me.”

Red Auerbach coached 20 NBA seasons, the last 16 in Boston. He won 938 regular season games and 99 playoff games. His overall record was 1,037-548, equaling a .654 winning percentage. His eight consecutive titles with the Celtics is an unbreakable record.

The regular season

For the first time in 10 years, Boston did not win the Eastern Division. Their record was 54-26, with uneven results throughout the schedule. Their longest win streak was during the last six games of the season, but the Philadelphia 76ers edged them by one win. Many of the original core were now retired or moved on. And the Sixers were improving.

The Celtics still had the league’s best defense, but the offensive rating ranked next to last. While they were motivated to win one for Red on his way out, that sort of pressure can wear you down too. On top of that, going for an eighth straight title was even more draining.

A new roster addition was Don Nelson, entering his fourth NBA season. Nelson was on the Lakers when they were run off the court at the end of the 1965 Finals. He was cut after the season. Boston signed him as a free agent. “Nellie” would go on to play more than 1,000 games, win five titles, then become a head coach with five teams spanning three decades. He ranks second all-time with 1,335 wins, as well as earning Coach of the Year three times. Don Nelson passed away this past Sunday at age 86. Rest in peace, champ.

K.C. clips

We haven’t mentioned K.C. Jones enough in this Banner Years series, so let’s pause and correct that with this short video.

Eastern playoffs

Because they finished second, the Celtics finally had to play a first-round, best-of-five series, versus the Cincinnati Royals. All the aforementioned motivation must’ve been forgotten because the Royals won Games 1 and 3 in Boston. Only a fourth-quarter comeback fueled by 42 points from Sam Jones in Game 2 saved the Cs from a catastrophic sweep.

Game 4 was in Cincinnati, but the Royals missed their chance to end the dynasty when Sam and Satch Sanders combined for 60 points. Oscar Robertson almost drove the Royals to victory in Game 5 with 37 points. However, Sam Jones once again nearly matched him with 34 points and Boston won, 112-103. It was the only game won by the home team.

The Sixers were next, and this time they had home court advantage – which the Celtics immediately stole by blowing out Game 1 there, 115-96, and Game 2 at home, 114-93. The latter contest featured an actual fistfight between Boston’s Larry Siegfried and Philly’s Billy Cunningham, which led to Russ and Wilt going nose-to-nose. No one backed down!

(no audio)

Chamberlain’s 31-point, 27-rebound effort saved face and saved Philly from doom in Game 3. Temporarily. The Celtics refused to allow the Sixers to close out Red’s career. Game 4 at home, 114-108, and Game 5 away, 120-112, and it was over. A gentleman’s sweep, almost like the regular season never happened. Chamberlain went for 46 and 34 in the closeout, but John Havlicek and Sam Jones combined for 62 points. Russell’s line was 18/31/6.

The matchup

Chamberlain’s various teams had now faced Russell’s Celtics in five playoff series. Wilt’s record: 0-5.

NBA Finals

Auerbach and the Celtics moved on to their 10th straight Finals appearance. Their opponent was another regular foe, the LA Lakers. But before the series began, the Celtics announced that Bill Russell had accepted the coaching job as Red’s successor beginning next season. Russell would serve as player-coach and would be the first black head coach of a major professional sports team in the United States.

The first black draft choice, black and white players rooming together on the road (at that time, teams customarily assigned two players per room), the first all-black starting five, and now the coach. Another milestone action by the franchise.

<p>Bill Russell was named as new coach of the Boston Celtics and became the first black coach in the NBA. Russell and Red Auerbach pose after the announcement. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)</p>

The push for integration and equal rights versus the segregationists who resisted had created a volatile situation in the U.S. Sports were not excluded. Russell had a big job ahead of him. But first, there was one more series to play.

And the way it unfolded was frustrating for the Celtics and their fans. If it happened like this today, Twitter would melt down.

Game 1 in Boston began with the Celtics running out to a 14-point advantage, but LA cut it to one by halftime. A tight second half led to overtime and the Lakers pulled it out for a 1-0 series lead. Russell, Sam Jones and John Havlicek combined for 72 points, but Elgin Baylor – healthy this year – and Jerry West compiled 77 points, plus rookie Gail Goodrich added 20. Most noticeable was the 39 of 55 free throws for LA, compared to Boston’s 27 of 34, especially since the final score was close, 133-129.

Series turning point, part 1

Game 2, West and Baylor combined to shoot just 12 for 34 and 34 points. No one on the Lakers scored more than 18 points. Final: 129-109, Boston, series tied and momentum beginning to build.

In Games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles, Boston appeared to settle matters by winning both, 120-106, and 122-117. In each game, the Celtics had a trio of players combine for nearly 80 points. Now up 3-1, it’s back to Boston Garden for Red’s anticipated celebration.

Series turning point, part 2

Not so fast. The Lakers delayed the party by winning Game 5, 121-117. Baylor and West got hot again with 72 combined points. Russell’s 32-point, 28-rebound effort wasn’t enough. Game 6 in LA also went to the Lakers, 123-115, thanks to a fourth quarter in which they pulled away down the stretch.

Two closeout games lost, LA forcing Game 7 in Boston – the motivation probably changed from “let’s win for Red” to something like “we cannot let this happen.”

The Celtics immediately made a statement, jumping out to a 10-0 lead. They stretched it to 16 after three quarters, but the Lakers rallied to within a few points. In response, Sam Jones banked one in from what was called 40 feet, and Russell’s drive and dunk made it 10 with 30 seconds left.

The Garden crowd was jubilant and Red lit his cigar, with Massachusetts Gov. John Volpe handling the lighter. The celebration had begun, but the game wasn’t over, and the chaos of fans getting in the way nearly caused a disaster in the last three minutes. The desperate Lakers patched together an 8-0 run, still with time on the clock. Auerbach had never lit his cigar too soon, but on this night, of all nights, he almost did. It’s all in this amazing video.

WHEW!

The heroes we needed

Russell was masterful with 25 points and 32 rebounds in Game 7. His dunk with 30 seconds left triggered the celebration that nearly backfired. Sam Jones added 22 points.

It wasn’t over until…

…Literally the last second of the final minute of the series. Boston had been right there to end it in five, then found themselves barely able to run out the clock to survive Game 7. LA simply ran out of time. The Celtics were great enough to win eight straight titles, but the perception that they strolled to those titles with no competition couldn’t be more wrong.

The matchup

This was the fifth time the Lakers had faced Russell and the Celtics in the Finals. The Lakers’ record: 0-5.

Notable facts and stats

  • Russell may not have been a scorer but he led Boston in the series with 23.6 points per game, while adding 24.3 boards, 3.7 assists and ridiculous numbers of blocks, which we know even though they weren’t counted.
  • Sam Jones and Havlicek each averaged 23 PPG.
  • Jerry West averaged 33.9/6.4/5.1.
  • With hindsight, we know the title streak ended here, but the new coach Russell wasn’t finished.

And finally…

Banner Years continues tomorrow with a review of the 1967-68 season and the road to winning Banner #10.

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Dave Roberts sounds off on Dodgers hate, legacy and LA intensity | Exclusive

PHOENIX — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, sitting in the visiting office with the door closed, leans back in his chair behind the desk, momentarily shuts his eyes, and listens to the quiet, before starting to talk.

It’s 3 ½ hours before game time and for the time being there is peace, before the turbulence sets in beginning Thursday with the Milwaukee Brewers and their league-best record coming into town – followed by the pennant race, the push for the top seed, the September clinching celebrations and then the sheer madness of October.

It’s become a rite of passage for Roberts, who has been in the postseason all 10 years of his managerial career, winning three World Series championships, five National League pennants and reaching 1,000 victories quicker than any manager in history.

There are times he still can’t believe it. A journeyman player who will be remembered for his stolen base with the Boston Red Sox in their historic comeback in the 2004 ALCS against the New York Yankees, Roberts is already acclaimed as one of the most successful managers in the history of the game.

“Never in my wildest dreams," Roberts says, “did I think this would happen. And now, to be talked about with some of the greats that led their organizations to championships, my goodness."

Aug 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Roberts breaks into a slow smile and exhales, wondering himself how he’s been able to survive this grind for a decade, and still have the same energy and enthusiasm as if he’s a teenager who got a free pass to Disneyland.

The grueling seasons, the relentless demands, motivating a team all year, staying in constant contact with the front office, answering questions from the largest media throng in baseball and managing 162 regular-season games – all before going under the postseason microscope – could chew up and spit out the best in the business.

If the Dodgers win the World Series as they have the past two years, Roberts simply has done his job.

If the Dodgers aren’t the last team standing, the season is a failure.

It’s hardly fair, but it comes with the job as manager of the richest and most powerful team in the sport, where the pressure can be relentless.

“The best part of my day," Roberts quietly says, “is the national anthem. All of the prep, the conversations, and everything else is over. But once I hear the national anthem, then it's just about a one-game competition: us versus them.”

There will be precious free time for Roberts these next two months, but for 45 minutes, he carved out time to bare his feelings in a wide-ranging interview with USA TODAY Sports.

He talks about a book that he’s writing, how long he plans to keep managing, his exasperation from those underestimating his managerial and tactical skills, his gripes with the Manager of the Year award, potentially coaching in the Olympics, the debate on whether the Dodgers are ruining baseball and the legacy he wants to leave behind.

Locked in on three-peat

Roberts, who signed a four-year, $32.4 million contract extension through 2029, originally intended to manage just through the contract, and walk away as one of the few to go out on his own terms. Now, he has changed his mind. He wants to keep going. For how long, he doesn’t really know, but he wants to make an indelible impact, not only with the Dodgers, not only in baseball, but in life.

It’s this desire that has Roberts writing a book that will be released next spring, “Relentlessly Positive."

“It’s not a memoir, Roberts says. “There’s no top-secret stuff. It’s just an opportunity for me to kind of have my voice in something positive, and something that people in all walks of life could pull from. There’s so much negativity in the world, but I want this to be something that touches executives, regular people, leaders, people that want to be leaders. Things that are not always tangible or you can quantify, but matter. It’s just my overarching thoughts on cultured leadership."

Thhe son of a Black father, a career United States Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant, and Japanese mother, Roberts has been relentlessly positive his entire life.

He was a 28th-round draft pick from UCLA who had a 10-year career. He overcame Stage II Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2010. He spent six years in the San Diego Padres front office and coaching staff before anyone would even interview him for a managerial job. The Dodgers called – but their first choice was Gabe Kapler. Roberts won the job for 2016.

While the Padres have since gone through six managers, Roberts is already the Dodgers’ fourth-longest tenured manager in franchise history.

“This is a tough job managing us with all of the personalities in here," Dodgers World Series hero Miguel Rojas tells USA TODAY Sports. “He deals with so much stuff, but he keeps things under control. This is the only clubhouse I’ve been a part of that everybody is happy with their job. You know how hard that is to have 26 guys on the same page, and guys who want to play every day. But he does a really good job of making everybody understand where they are. He always has a good touch on when and how to send a message."

Roberts called out his team Monday during their 1-8 stretch, imploring them to wake up if they want that first-round bye. He had a private meeting a week ago with their position players reminding them that what they’ve done winning the past two World Series doesn’t mean a damn thing this year.

“He told us that he’s happy and proud and really fortunate that he had the opportunity to manage back-to-back championship teams," Rojas said, “but he also said that he could care less about the last two years. He wants to win so bad. That’s the motivator he is. He’s still hungry to win this year, and wants everybody else to be hungry.

“He told us that we have the opportunity to do something historic, so let’s take advantage of it."

The Dodgers could become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series championships, a feat accomplished only by the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics in the American League.

Who knows, maybe a third consecutive title will get folks’ attention that perhaps Roberts will be mentioned in the same breath as Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda before him. He has the greatest winning percentage (1,015-624, .619) of any manager in history, is the only National League manager to reach the postseason in each of his first 10 seasons, and has the third-most postseason victories (69), behind only Hall of Famers Joe Torre (84) and Tony La Russa (71).

“It’s interesting because when you’re a focus, when you’ve had success, there’s always going to be people that try to minimize things," Roberts says, “or downplay or hate on what you do. But I think for me, I think it’s more of just focusing internally on the things that are important."

Shohei Ohtani joined Roberts' Dodgers for the 2024 season.

No Manager of the Year love?

He tries not to let it bother him, but it’s frustrating knowing that unless the Dodgers suddenly go in the tank one year or dramatically slash their payroll, it’s virtually impossible for Roberts to win the NL Manager of the Year award ever again. He won it in 2016, and only once has finished higher than fourth place since 2017. He won the last two World Series, and finished seventh in the balloting in 2024 and didn’t receive a single vote last year.

“In all honesty, I felt Pat Murphy [of the Milwaukee Brewers] should have won the last two years," Roberts says. “He deserved to be the National League Manager of the Year. But the thing that drives me crazy is that I'm not even considered in the top five. I think that's absurd.

“It just speaks to what people feel that it's a turn-key operation."

It’s also infuriating that just because you’re considered a "players’ manager," you can’t also be a shrewd tactician or strategist.

The Dodgers were on the brink of elimination in 2024 in their NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres and had no available starters. They went with a bullpen game, used eight different relievers, won 8-0, and then won the World Series having only three healthy starters.

“He’s the best I’ve ever seen the way he runs a bullpen," Dodgers veteran reliever Evan Phillips said. “He knows when to deploy a guy, what role is suited for a guy that particular day, protecting guys, and challenging guys too. That’s why you see guys like Tanner Scott and Edwin Diaz who sign here wanting to be a part of this."

It was no different than with future Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker, the only manager to lead five different teams to the postseason, while winning 2,183 games and a World Series championship.

“It was so frustrating," Roberts said, “to hear people always say, 'Dusty is a great players’ manager. He’s so fun. He’s so positive. He can relate so well to his players. What a great guy.'

“I don't know if it's the color of his skin or what, but no one ever talked about good of a tactician he was. That always bugged me."

'I'm a steward of this game'

Roberts, who along with Baker and Cito Gaston are the only Black managers to win a World Series, wants to be known not only as one the game’s finest managers – but also someone who left the game in a better place.

This is why he has changed his mind and wants to continue managing after his contract expires. He’s still young, and why leave when he can make a difference?

“From the studies I’ve seen, I think the male brain is continuing to excel and be sharp until you're in your early 60s," Roberts says. “So, for me, at 54, I still think I'm on an upward trajectory with my enthusiasm, my positivity, my brain, my sharpness. That’s why CEOs are in their 60s and they still have that ability.

“So I don’t want to close that door."

Besides, as long as Roberts enjoys the gig, and still has the passion, why leave?

“I love people and I love this game of baseball," Roberts says. “I love it more than my first day in Jamestown, N.Y., in 1994. I feel that I'm a steward of this game, and I want to see it grow. I want to move this game forward. When you hear me, I don't just speak specifically to the game, I try to speak beyond the game.

“That’s what I’m chasing."

And what better way to grow the game, Roberts believes, than having major-league players participate in the 2028 Olympics for the first time.

And he has the perfect guy for that Olympic managing job.

He sees him in his mirror every day.

The Olympic Games will be at Dodger Stadium where he has an office. He played in the Pan Am games in 1999 that qualified the USA Team for the 2000 Olympics with Tom Lasorda leading the minor-league players to the gold medal. And there’s not a more successful manager in the game.

“I know there are a lot of great candidates out there," Roberts said, “but that would mean so much to me. I would love to do that, wear U-S-A across my chest."

That Olympic dream, of course, is two years away.

In the meantime, he’s got another World Series or two to win.

“This is the golden era of Dodger baseball, and to win it again," Roberts said, “this core group of people will be talked about forever. You could put it up against the ‘27 Yankees, and that era, and debate it forever."

Is Dodgers hate good for baseball?

Just like now, fans all over the sports landscape can debate whether the Dodgers are good or bad for the game. Is it good to have a team that has a brilliant front office, a future Hall of Fame manager, and a payroll four times the size of some other teams?

Or is it good to have a villain, just like the Yankees during their dynasty, the New England Patriots in their Super Bowl run, or the Boston Celtics in their golden era?

“When I hear people debating that," Roberts said, “I think that’s a great thing for the game. It’s great for fans. At least they’re talking about baseball and not football. I’d rather them hate us than be talking about the Cowboys.

“I remember going in with a small winery (Red Stich Wine) in 2007, and we’re going over the blend, I asked my winemaker, 'Is there any competition. Is there another brand like ours that people may drink?’ He says, 'Dave, let me tell you something, in the wine business, if people are drinking wine, we all win.’

“So if you love baseball, you talk about baseball. You can philosophize on it. Theorize on it. Debate it. Sure, I would love for them to love the Dodgers, but man, even if you hate us, you're talking about baseball, and that’s a win for all of us."

Maybe one day, as the playoff berths and championships keep mounting, they’ll be talking about Roberts, too.

You don’t see him throwing temper tantrums on the bench, getting into the face of umpires, or putting on a show to make it about him.

He just quietly leads, and not only is beloved by everyone in the game, but respected by every player in his clubhouse. He doesn’t take the credit nor does he ever throw his players under the bus, he simply demands professionalism.

“I tell myself every day, 'Please, Lord, don’t make it about me,'" Roberts says. “Really, I fight that every single day because I don’t want my ego to bleed into decision-making. That was the great thing about Dusty, his humility. He just always made it about the players, but some people get some notoriety and success, and they want to make it about themselves.

“I’m very mindful of stuff like that. Be positive. Stay humble. Don’t change."

He never will.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dave Roberts sounds off on Dodgers hate, legacy and LA intensity | Exclusive

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What do you expect from Giancarlo Stanton the rest of the season?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees looks on during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium on June 20, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As the Yankees have continued to squeak by thanks to elite pitching, the question has only grown louder: when will the bats wake up? The answer, for the most part, is whenever the triumvirate of Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton recover (or, perhaps, last night). Bellinger and Stanton have both been working out on the field at Yankee Stadium and seem to be getting somewhat close to a return. Aaron Boone opined earlier this week on the potential order of return for these big veteran bats, indicating that Bellinger -> Stanton -> Judge was the likely order of operations here.

There are no sure things in baseball, but we have a solid idea of what to expect from two of these guys when they return. Bellinger is a fairly safe bet to provide his usual above-average offense and high-level defense as part of his well-rounded game, and Judge, if fully healthy, should still be among the game’s best once he steps back in between the lines. The situation with Stanton, however, feels less predictable. As the fearsome yet fragile slugger prepares to make yet another return from injury, what do you expect from Stanton the rest of this season?

I’m not sure there’s a single outcome from Stanton that would shock me down the stretch. First, we can consider the more fun scenarios, and we need only flashback to last year to remember a time when a healthy Stanton found his stride and pushed the Yankee offense to new heights. Stanton famously missed nearly the first three months of 2025 with injuries to both elbows, and looked sluggish in his first month back. Then, Stanton hit a pinch-hit home run to spur a scintillating comeback from down 5-0 against the Mariners on July 10th, kicking off one of the hottest stretches of Stanton’s career. Over the next month, Stanton hit .360/.433/.837 with 13 homers, helping carry the Yankees through a period where Judge went on the IL with elbow issues of his own. That run, and more broadly his 156 OPS+ on the year, were proof that even at his age, Stanton could rake when he found his groove.

On the other hand, there’s the bearish case on Stanton’s bat. Stanton had anuninspiring 103 wRC+ when he went on the injured list early this year with what was a described as a “minor” calf problem, and he was hitting even worse in the weeks leading up to the injury. Stanton had started the year hot, racking up a strangely high amount of singles during the season-opening road trip, but in April, Stanton hit just .186 with two homers and a .579 OPS before hitting the IL. Stanton obviously has his slumps, but there’s also a chance that at 36-years-old, he’s just cooked.

Unsurprisingly, projection systems peg Stanton to fall somewhere between these two extremes, ZiPS putting Stanton’s slash line at .228/.301/.459 with a 111 wRC+. And even beyond this range of outcomes, there’s the straightforward possibility that Stanton comes back and just gets hurt again.

What do you think? Does Stanton have one more legendary run in him? Do you expect there to be nothing left in this bat, or will he succumb to injuries yet again before he even gets a chance to get hot?

We’ve got a matinee to close out the series with Seattle today, so this morning, check out Peter’s recap of last night’s American League action, as well as Matt’s profile of a pseudo-legendary figure in Yankee history, Jay Buhner. Also, Josh will provide some trenchant commentary on the Yankees’ deal with the private equity firm Apollo, and Michael opines on Gerrit Cole’s chances of getting back onto a Hall-of-Fame track now that’s re-established himself post-injury.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners

Time: 1:35 p.m. EST

TV: YES Network, Mariners.TV

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

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Pirates Paul Skenes continues to struggle, velocity at all time low

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) leaves the mound after the fifth inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, August 11, 2206 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ season is plummeting back down to earth with each passing day, with no end in sight that does not result in a crash landing. Worst of all, their ace Paul Skenes is looking worse and worse with each start.

Tuesday’s contest against the Miami Marlins was Skenes’ most recent start. Safe to say it was one of the most peculiar starts that the reigning NL Cy Young award winner has had to this point in his career. After just 65 pitches, Pirates’ Manager Don Kelly decided to pull Skenes, despite the fact that his pitcher had only allowed the Fins to score two runs.

Kelly insisted that the decision to pull Skenes was strategic in nature.

“Anybody this time of year is not injured, but guys in August aren’t 100%,” said Kelly. “It wasn’t injury-related that he came out. Just thought it gave us the best chance to win there.”

Skenes echoed that sentiment.

“Kelly walked me through everything and it all made sense,” Skenes said. “I wish I could have gone more, but you know, it kind of is what it is. You see guys yell at the manager when they’re coming out for a mound visit, and I’ve never done that. There probably will be a point in my career when I do do that, but I’m always straight with him. He’s always straight with me.”

Despite the comments that were made postgame, it’s fair to say that Skenes has not looked like himself all season. There’s been speculation that he’s pitching hurt, or that he’s fatigued from starting his season early in the World Baseball Classic. There’s been a change in his windup mechanics since the beginning of June, that directly coincides with his drop in velocity.

Skenes’ drop in velocity has been something noteworthy all season. The team and Skenes have maintained that the reason for the drop in velocity is a change in approach on the mound. Management wants Skenes to be more efficient in locating his pitches versus the alternative of giving it all he has on every pitch and sacrificing control. With that being said, it has not translated to the kind of results that fans have expected out of one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Kelly called it an adjustment for his ace.

“The league is adjusting back. Paul’s gonna have to fight to make the adjustment back to the league,” Kelly said. “Yes, the velo is down. I think command has been a bigger thing, at least for me. That could come from multiple things. Trying too hard to be too perfect. Well, you can’t just go and try to get it. So how does Paul make the adjustment back?”

Unfortunately, there have been more questions than answers. This season, Skenes has a 9-11 record and a 3.88 ERA. He’s 3-4 over his last nine starts with an uncharacteristically high 5.79 ERA in that span. The velocity has taken a steep nosedive, as his fastball averaged a career low 95.7 mph against Miami. His average velocity for his fastball this season is sitting at 96.8 mph, after averaging 98.1 mph in 2025 and 98.8 in 2024. His most recent start also saw him with a career low 12% whiff rate and he did not register a single pitch over 97 mph. This season, he has not had a pitch register at 100 mph, and has only had three pitches at 99 mph.

Skenes has recognized that his pitch volume could be attributing to some of his struggles.

“I know the innings total isn’t super high right now,” Skenes said. “I think I’ve probably had more 30- to 35-pitch innings this year than I have probably in the last two years combined, so that doesn’t help either. It’s still volume, even if it doesn’t show up on the innings total. That’s probably part of it too.”

The Pirates are quickly falling out of playoff contention. The team is 9-16 when Skenes starts. It’s becoming clear that he’s not at his best this season. The delivery has changed. The approach has changed. The velocity is down, he looks sluggish and out of shape, and the Pirates are not doing themselves any favors as the odds of making the postseason get lower and lower. Perhaps it’s time to go nuclear and just shut down Skenes for the remainder of the season to try and address the shortcomings ahead of the offseason.

Have Skenes’ best days already come and gone, or is this just a freaky Friday kind of season? Let us know what yinz think in the comments.

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The Pistons represent a good Opening Night test for the Celtics

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 26: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons steals the ball from Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena on February 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The NBA released their opening week and Christmas Day schedules on Tuesday and the Celtics are featured a good bit.

They have a weird opening game in Detroit on Tuesday, October 20th at 3pm on NBC — it will be the first game played of the season.

However, it represents a good first test for the new look Celtics, who added Paul George, Mitchell Robinson, Mike Conley Jr. and Chris Cenac Jr. this summer, while seeing Jaylen Brown head out the door in the process.

Detroit also shook up their team, seeing Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart and Caris LeVert depart while adding John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Gary Harris, Taurean Prince, and first round pick Ebuka Okoire. They’re also still waiting on Jalen Duren, who remains a restricted free agent but is expected to be back in Detroit next season.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: John Collins #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers brings the ball up court during the second half of an NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome on April 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I like the Joe addition and LeVert subtraction for Detroit and did not mind them moving off of Stewart. Paul Reed outplayed him in the playoffs, but I didn’t like the Collins move. This is a team that needed an upgrade as a secondary scorer and creator and Collins is a downgrade from what Harris gave them in that regard. He will also hurt their spacing if he slots in at the 4-spot. Duren and Ausar Thompson are bad shooters and adding another bad shooter is a weird move.

I still expect the Pistons to win a lot of games next season though. Maybe not the 60 they won last season, but this is a very good team.

Both these teams are going to be defined by their elite defenses. For the Celtics to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference playoffs, they are going to need to be built around one of the best defenses in the NBA — the same goes for Detroit.

This will be a good spot for both sides to show off their elite defenses and for each team’s best player to show off their offensive games.

Cade Cunningham has broken out over the last two seasons and has become one of the best players in the NBA. He has made the All-Star team the past two years and on All-NBA the last two years, including First Team last season. He is the guy that defenses try and stop on the Pistons and he still gets going anyways. I would expect that Paul George gets the first crack at guarding Cunningham.

In his first season back from a torn Achilles, the Celtics have become Jayson Tatum’s team. With Brown’s sudden departure, there is no more debating who the guy the Celtics are building around is, Jayson Tatum is the guy.

We all know how Tatum’s return was last season, perfect until he missed Game 7 vs. Philadelphia with left knee soreness. I expect Tatum to be awesome in his first full season back from the torn Achilles he suffered.

In the season series a year ago, the Celtics went 1-3 against the Pistons — Tatum did not play in any of the four games — and they will look to change that for the 2026-27 with an Opening Night win against Detroit.

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This week’s soccer questions: is the Premier League wide open and should Barça avoid Rodri?

We look at the many contenders for the English title this season, one of the big potential moves of the summer and chaos at Fifa

It’s difficult to recall a Premier League season starting amid such widespread uncertainty as this one. Half the division, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, is under new management. The Pep Guardiola era is over and, as Jonathan Wilson put it, the Premier League has no alpha manager possibly for the first time ever.

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