Championship roundup: Southampton topple leaders Coventry but Boro fail to take advantage

  • Coventry 1-2 Southampton

  • Bristol City equalise in sixth minute of added time at Boro

In-form Southampton ended Coventry’s six-match winning run with a 2-1 victory at the CBS Arena. Flynn Downes pounced on a rebound to open the scoring shortly after half-time before Kuryu Matsuki doubled Southampton’s lead with five minutes remaining.

Victor Torp’s stoppage-time penalty gave the leaders hope but they fell to their second home defeat of the season and Southampton extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12.

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Despite a solid first start for the Washington Nationals, Zack Littell wants more from himself

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Zack Littell #52 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ryan Levy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

After signing with the club a few days ago, Zack Littell made his first start of the spring last night. His three innings of work gave Nats fans a taste of what they should expect from him. There was some hard contact, but he pounded the zone, was efficient and fired three innings of one run ball.

For a guy who signed just a few days ago, Littell looked sharp. His velocity was down by about a tick, but that is not very surprising to me. He signed late and still needs time to build up. 

Littell is confident that his velocity will be in a good spot by the time the season is under way. He said, “As I continue to get everything in sync, the timing gets better, the body continues to organize itself better, everything should continue to get sharper”. The way he talked about his mechanics and getting his body aligned is very interesting to me. It shows the importance of mechanics and the way a pitcher moves.

From talking to him, it is clear that Littell is very hard on himself. Despite using his splitter effectively last night, he was not happy with his signature pitch. He actually thought the splitter was his worst pitch last night. Littell thought his command of the pitch was solid, but he did not love the movement profile of his splitter.

That splitter is a big part of why Littell transformed from a middling reliever to a solid middle of the rotation starter. The Rays had him bump up the usage of the pitch, and it has become his best offering. He does a great job killing spin and getting that downward tumble. 

For his part, Blake Butera thought Littell “threw the ball well”. Butera loved how much his right hander was pounding the zone and getting ahead of hitters. After all, those are the attributes that make Littell such a solid pitcher. However, Butera knows that Littell’s mind-set, calling him “A perfectionist who expects really good stuff out of himself”.

While Littell may not have been satisfied, I think this was a good first start. He got through three innings and threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen to continue his ramp up. As we get closer to the season, I would also expect his stuff to keep ticking up. It can be tough to sign late, but I think Littell came just in time to have at least a somewhat normal spring.

Honestly, Littell is an optimized version of what the Nats want in their pitchers. He can throw any pitch in any count and has a deep arsenal. Last year, Littell’s two most used pitches were his slider and splitter. That matches well with the Nats new pitching approach.

Littell actually got his two strikeouts on those offerings. He struck out the first batter he faced by freezing him on a slider. There is actually a cool video I found from behind home plate of that pitch.

By the deadline, Littell may be trade bait, but he should stabilize the rotation while he is around. He is a no-nonsense righty who pounds the zone with a variety of different pitches. Littell got through three innings on just 39 pitches, which is something I love. Being efficient and getting deep into games is something he excels at despite being a reliever only a couple years ago. 

Of his 39 pitches, 28 were strikes. He did not walk anybody and only got into one three ball count. Littell may give up some extra base hits, but he will give the Nats length while keeping them in the game. That is exactly what this team needs and why I think he is a great signing for the Nats.

Puerto Rico vs Italy Prediction, Picks & Odds for Saturday's World Baseball Classic Game

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Team Italy has been the surprise of the World Baseball Classic.

The Italians upset Team USA in pool play, putting the Americans' chance of advancement at risk before Italy's own rout of Mexico helped keep Team USA alive on a tiebreaker.

The Italians are one of the three classic teams remaining unbeaten. That might end, however, against a Puerto Rican team that has the potential to shut them down. 

My Puerto Rico vs. Italy predictions and World Baseball Classic best bets have Puerto Rico advancing to the semis.

Puerto Rico vs Italy prediction

Puerto Rico vs Italy best bet: Puerto Rico -1.5 (+140 at DraftKings)

Italy has not scored fewer than seven runs in its four WBC games. Puerto Rico has allowed a total of six in its four games. Team P.R. has a WBC-low 1.22 ERA so far.

The Puerto Ricans are starting 10-year MLB veteran Seth Lugo, who is 1-0 in the WBC and 1-0 in two pre-WBC spring games with a strikeout per inning. He should help keep a Team Italy order that has hit 12 home runs in check.

Puerto Rico has been to the knockout round of all six WBCs. Italy is making its first trip.

Puerto Rico vs Italy same-game parlay (SGP)

img src="https://images.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/811/draft_kings.png" alt="DraftKings Logo" loading="lazy" width="194" height="62"

Puerto Rico -1.5 runs

Under 8.5 runs scored

Seth Lugo 5+ strikeouts

+700 at DraftKings

Team Puerto Rico has not had a WBC game with more than seven total runs scored and is averaging a run total of 5.5 in its games. Including two MLB exhibition games against the Twins and Red Sox, Puerto Rico has averaged 6.5 runs per game in six games. 

Team Italy has been tearing it up, but has been slowed somewhat when facing pitchers with MLB experience. They strike out 9.75 times per 9 innings compared to 6.75 and score nearly a full earned run less, with five and a half fewer hits.

Lugo had four innings of three-hit ball in the WBC opener against Colombia. He's not a big strikeout pitcher, but he should be able to hit five against an Italian team making its first appearance in the knockout stage.

Heliot Ramos star player prop

Heliot Ramos best bet: Anytime home run (+550 at DraftKings)

Heliot Ramos has 43 home runs over the last two seasons. He had a 1.836 OPS in six pre-WBC spring games but has struggled in the classic so far.

Facing Italian starter Sam Aldegheri, who allowed 2.0 home runs per nine innings for the Angels last year, should help light a fire. 

Puerto Rico vs Italy opening odds

  • Moneyline: Puerto Rico -110 | Italy -115
  • Run line: Puerto Rico -1.5 (+140) | Italy +1.5 (-175)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)

How to watch Puerto Rico vs Italy and game info

LocationDaikin Park, Houston, TX
DateSaturday, March 14, 2026
First pitch3:00 p.m. ET
TVFS1
Puerto Rico starting pitcherSeth Lugo
Italy starting pitcherSamuel Aldegheri

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Snake Bytes 3/14

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the United States in action during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game between the United States and Canada at Daikin Park on March 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Diamondbacks News

Burnes Takes Next Step in Recovery
Arizona’s ace starter made 15 throws in the bullpen yesterday, with results being promising. Burnes could return to the mound for the team around the break. if things continue to go well.

Merrill Kelly Uncertain About Starting Season on Time
It is certainly looking like Merrill Kelly will miss more than just his opening day start.

Gabriel Moreno Scratched, Undergoing Imaging
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno was scratched from the lineup on Friday with right forearm tightness, manager Torey Lovullo said before first pitch against the Kansas City Royals in Cactus League. Lovullo added that Moreno would undergo imaging Friday evening. Reports are that Moreno has had discomfort for a few days now and played through it. But things have come to the point where it is time to find out what is wrong.

Other Baseball News

Cactus League Teams Push Back Starts to Avoid Extreme Heat
Forget hydration breaks. Teams are starting to move their start times back in the Cactus League to play in cooler conditions once the sun goes down.

Team USA Defeats Canada to Punch Ticket to WBC Semi-Finals
Team USA held off a late rally to defeat Canada 5-3 in the quarterfinals of the WBC. Next up is the Dominican Republic in the semi-finals on Sunday, with Paul Skenes taking the mound for Team USA.

Dominican Republic Run-Rules Korea to Advance to Semi-Finals
Austin Wells launched a three-run home run in the 10-0 drubbing of Korea in the quarterfinals.

Clayton Kershaw Replaced by Jeff Hoffman for Semis
Retired lefty Clayton Kershaw will not make an appearance for Team USA in this tournament, having been replaced by reliever Jeff Hoffman on the roster. The injured Kershaw will still travel with the team, despite no longer being rostered.

Hiromi Itoh, Teruaki Sato Expected to be Posted for 2027
One of the NPB’s better right-handed starters and a slugging third baseman are both expected to be posted by their clubs in advance of the 2027 season – if there is one.

Magic vs Heat Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Miami Heat have won seven straight games, their longest win streak in 28 months, while also covering in all seven games.

The Orlando Magic, who visit Miami on Saturday, have won six in a row, going 4-2 ATS. Orlando has also won four straight over Miami, all this year, covering the last two. 

Our Magic vs. Heat predictions and NBA picks like the Heat to continue their streak while stopping the Magic's.

Magic vs Heat prediction

Magic vs Heat best bet: Heat -3.5 (-115)

Both teams enter on win streaks, but the schedules tell a different story. The Orlando Magic's run came mostly against struggling teams, including three games against Washington, two each against Brooklyn and Milwaukee, and one against Dallas.

The Miami Heat's stretch includes wins over top-seed Detroit and No. 3 Houston, stronger opponents than Orlando has faced.

Miami could get Tyler Herro (quad) and Norman Powell (groin) back after recent absences, though Andrew Wiggins remains out. Orlando will be without Franz Walker, Anthony Black, and Jonathan Isaac.

Miami is 8-2-0 ATS in their last 10, and I like them to cover tonight. 

Magic vs Heat same-game parlay

Miami plays at the fastest pace in the NBA, and, despite Orlando's attempts to slow things down, the four games they've played head-to-head have actually been even faster paced than Miami's season average.

Orlando has gone Over in its last three games and on four occasions during its winning streak.

So, Bam Adebayo has had himself a week. His 83-point outburst earned plenty of attention, and the notoriety he gained probably cost us in the odds on this prop. He's stepped up his scoring, however, averaging 24 ppg over the last 22.  

Magic vs Heat SGP

  • Miami -3.5  
  • Over 236.5 
  • Bam Adebayo Over 22.5 points 

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bane Damage!


With Adebayo scoring on the increase and the potential of getting Herro and Powell back for the game, look for Jaime Jaquez to concentrate even more on distributing the ball to the scorers. He's had seven or more dimes in four of the last five games, including the last three.

Desmond Bane has scored 30 or more in two of the last four games. He's boosted his scoring average by 1.4 ppg since being dealt from Memphis at the deadline. Look for him to take on an even larger scoring role, with leading scorer Paolo Banchero tasked with at least helping out defending Adebayo.

Magic vs Heat SGP

  • Over 236.5 points
  • Bam Adebayo Over 22.5 points
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 4.5 assists
  • Desmond Bane Over 22.5 points

Magic vs Heat odds

  • Spread: Magic +3.5 (-110) | Heat -3.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Magic +136 | Heat -162
  • Over/Under: Over 235.5 (-115) | Under 235.5 (-105)

Magic vs Heat betting trend to know

This is just the second time the Heat has been favored in the last seven head-to-head matchups with the Magic. Miami is 4-2 ATS so far in those games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Heat.

How to watch Magic vs Heat

LocationKaseya Center, Miami, FL
DateSaturday, March 14, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN

Magic vs Heat latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Red-Hot Avalanche Visit Jets At Canada Life Centre

The Colorado Avalanche have been on a season-long tear, and today they aim to keep that momentum as they visit the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Center to finish a two-game road swing.

Avalanche Coming Off a Statement Win

Colorado enters today’s matchup fresh off a 5-1 rout of the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Nathan MacKinnon returned after a major penalty and a rescinded game misconduct stemming from a collision with Edmonton’s Connor Ingram, channeling any frustration into a four-point performance (1G, 3A), including the game-winner.

Martin Nečas scored his 30th goal of the season, and Nazem Kadri notched his first regular-season goal for Colorado since April 29, 2022. Scott Wedgewood stopped 28 of 29 shots for his 25th win, a new career high.

The Avalanche maintain a five-point lead over the Dallas Stars and hold a key game in hand.

This game marks the first of two visits to Winnipeg in a two-week span. Colorado beat the Jets 3-2 on December 19 at Ball Arena, with Parker Kelly scoring the game-winner. Tonight, Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start in net after a shaky outing Tuesday.

Thursday’s lineup featured 11 forwards and seven defensemen, debuting Nick Blankenburg, acquired from Nashville. The seventh defenseman logged 9:31, the lowest among the blueline, but will likely get another chance in Winnipeg.

MacKinnon’s four-point night keeps him just behind Connor McDavid for the league scoring lead (108 points to 111), though his 44 goals remain first in the NHL. Nečas is tied with Brock Nelson for second on the team with 30 goals, and Cale Makar is one goal shy of a fourth consecutive 20-goal season.

Projected Avalanche Lineup

Forwards

Nazem Kadri – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas

Joel Kiviranta – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin

Parker Kelly – Jack Drury – Nicolas Roy

Gavin Brindley – Zakhar Bardakov

This is subject to change as Ross Colton's status remains unknown as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. He suffered the injury on Tuesday when the Avalanche suffered a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Colton exited the game in the second period and did not return. 

Defense

Devon Toews – Cale Makar

Josh Manson – Brent Burns

Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski

Nick Blankenburg

Goalies

Mackenzie Blackwood

Scott Wedgewood

Jets Fighting for Playoff Spot

After winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season and seeing Connor Hellebuyck earn the Vezina and Hart, Winnipeg entered 2025-26 with high expectations. But a slow start, injuries, and inconsistent play have left them seven points out of the second Western Conference wild card.

Hellebuyck missed three weeks after knee surgery in November, and Winnipeg lost eight of ten games without him, then 11 of 12 after his return. The Jets are fighting to avoid sinking to the bottom of the Central Division.

Trade deadline moves included sending Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn to Buffalo for Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, and draft picks, as well as trading Tanner Pearson for a 2026 draft pick. Despite these moves, closing the gap on playoff contenders remains a steep climb.

Winnipeg is in the middle of an eight-game homestand. Today’s game kicks off a back-to-back set, with the St. Louis Blues visiting Sunday. The Jets have lost their last two games, 4-1 to Anaheim and 6-3 to New York. Hellebuyck, fresh off Olympic gold with the U.S., is expected to start again.

The blue line will be depleted, with Neal Pionk and Colin Miller out, along with Vladislav Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter.

Mark Scheifele leads Winnipeg with 30 goals, 49 assists, and 79 points; Kyle Connor is second in all three categories (29G, 43A, 72 PTS). Josh Morrissey leads all defensemen with 11 goals, 33 assists, and 44 points.

Projected Jets Lineup

Forwards

Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo

Cole Perfetti – Adam Lowry – Gabe Vilardi

Gustav Nyquist – Jonathan Toews – Isak Rosén

Cole Koepke – Morgan Barron – Brad Lambert

Defense

Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo

Dylan Samberg – Elias Salomonsson

Haydn Fleury – Jacob Bryson

Goalies

Connor Hellebuyck

Eric Comrie

Colorado looks to extend their dominance and maintain a stranglehold atop the Central Division, while Winnipeg hopes a strong home stand can spark a playoff push. Expect a fast, technical showdown in Winnipeg. 

Saturday morning Rangers stuff

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Willie MacIver #47 of the Texas Rangers congratulates Wyatt Langford #36 after hitting a three-run home run against the Athletics during the second inning of the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 12, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, LSB.

Evan Grant’s observations include Josh Smith’s hot streak and the fifth starter competition coming down to the wire.

Kennedi Landry writes about Robert Garcia and the lessons learned from his Mexico teammates while pitching in the WBC.

Grant also writes about Garcia and his goals for 2026, mental or otherwise.

Elsewhere the Rangers are putting a few more opening day tickets up for sale, with a catch.

No. 12 on the Rangers prospect countdown, Elian Rosario, can hit ball far.

And former Ranger great Pete Incaviglia is the latest guest on the SportsDay Rangers pod.

That’s all for this morning. Have a great weekend!

Nets vs. 76ers game preview: afternoon hoops in Philly

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 12: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 12, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Aside from it being the Josh Minott career game, the Nets’ matchup with the Atlanta Hawks was a pretty forgettable bout. With the absence of Michael Porter Jr., Ziaire Williams, and Nolan Traore, Brooklyn was pretty much doomed from the start, especially with Atlanta on a surge to take the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference standings.

Oddly enough, the team they are competing with for said seed is the very opponent Brooklyn will face in this early afternoon I-95 matchup. Today, the Nets will take on the Philadelphia 76ers as they will look to avenge their 22 point loss against the Detroit Pistons and play a matinee in the City of Brotherly Love.

Where To Watch

Catch the early action today at 1:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

Nic Claxton (rest), MPJ (right ankle sprain), Drake Powell (left knee management) will all be out tonight. Egor Demin and Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb UCL tear) are of course out for the season. The two-ways should be available and we may see the NBA debut of combo guard Malachi Smith, called up from Long Island Friday. He’ll be wearing No. 18. If he plays, he’ll be the eighth Nets player to make his NBA debut this season, following the Flatbush Five, Grant Nelson and Chaney Johnson.

Bad news for the 76ers as well.

Joel Embiid (oblique), Tyrese Maxey (right pinkie finger), Kelly Oubre (left elbow sprain) will be out. Adem Bona (back) and old friend Andre Drummond (back) are questionable.

The Game

Today will be yet another Nets game where there is an injury fest. With most of the X factors unavailable, the quality of basketball that both teams play will determine the winner. Early weekend afternoon games are usually not so great either

The 76ers have been under immense pressure as of late with the amount of losses they have accumulated at this point of the season, as well as the decisions of the front office.

Most recently, the President of Basketball Operations decided to let go of former first round draft pick Jared McCain and send him to the Thunder. That decision has led to McCain averaging 11.2 PPG (five points higher) and a higher three point percentage 42.3 % compared to 37.8% earlier this season.

Meanwhile, the tank — excuse us, playing the probabilities — continues. The Nets are two and a half games out of the top spot in the Draft lottery. If they lose to Philly, they’ll be tied once again with the Wizards for third, at least until this evening when Washington plays Boston starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. Brooklyn has 16 games left.

Player to Watch

Even though his light is not as bright as it was in the beginning of the season and both Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have taken the spotlight, V.J. Edgecombe is still a name that must be talked about in this rookie class. With averages of 15.3 PPG, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, Edgecombe just has that “it” factor you can’t teach. Blessed with extraordinary athleticism and feel for the game, Edgecombe also has a competitive nature that allows him to rise to the moment, hence All Star Weekend.

If they want to keep the playoff hunt pushing, the 76ers will have to rely on this young rookie to ball out against Brooklyn.

The Vault

I can’t talk about Philadelphia without using one of the city’s main anthems. This one is for the rap lovers.

More reading: Liberty BallersSB Nation NBANew York PostNew York Daily NewsClutch PointsNets WireSteve’s Newsletter

What the Celtics learned against the West’s best, despite two losses

Nobody celebrates losses, let alone ones in the dog days of March. But if you’re looking for signs about where this Celtics team is headed, this road trip provided plenty of those.

The Celtics beat Cleveland to kick off the road trip, but then fell to the top two teams in the West. They gave one away in San Antonio after Jaylen Brown’s ejection and fell two points short in Oklahoma City without Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. Nikola Vučević continues to recover from his right ring finger fracture, so he missed both games as well. 

In the standings, these are just two losses. Zoom out, though, and this was about as encouraging an 0–2 stretch as Boston could have produced. The road trip won’t satisfy anyone’s appetite for wins, but this time of year is more about figuring out what you actually have, and whether it will be enough when the games start to really matter.

If the point of this trip was to learn how Boston stacks up against the best of the West, the Celtics came away with plenty to like. They were short-handed, still integrating Tatum back into the mix versus San Antonio, and asking a lot of role players and young guys in high-leverage spots. Even so, they looked competitive, deep, and annoyingly resilient against two teams that could absolutely be playing in June.

The Celtics did not leave San Antonio and Oklahoma City with wins, but they did leave with evidence that this group might be sturdier and deeper than many of us thought — and capable of making elite teams uncomfortable even when the circumstances are far from ideal.

San Antonio tested the Celtics’ composure

The Spurs game could have unraveled in a dozen different ways, none of which would have involved Jaylen Brown being ejected.

Boston was already without Payton Pritchard and Vučević, then lost Brown in the second quarter on a double technical that everyone in green seemed to find absurd. Joe Mazzulla had his principal-versus-hall monitor line ready postgame. Derrick White called the second tech “bulls—.” Jayson Tatum made it clear he thought the officials were too eager to make themselves part of the show.

Once Brown got tossed, the Celtics had every excuse to fold. Instead, they kept playing like they have all season.

That might have been the most useful takeaway from the Spurs loss. Not that Brown got a rough whistle or that Victor Wembanyama is still a basketball glitch. Not even that White had a season-high 34 and Ron Harper Jr. dropped a career-high 22. It was that Boston got hit with a game-altering event against one of the hottest teams in the league and still made San Antonio work for everything.

Despite the early chaos, the Celtics were tied 58-58 at halftime. White then detonated for 19 points in the third quarter just to keep Boston within reach while Wembanyama kept answering everything with another three, another dunk, another reminder that he is somehow both enormous and fluid. Tatum, still on a minutes restriction and still feeling his way back into game shape, had a personal 7-0 run in the fourth that briefly made it feel like Boston might pull it off.

The loss exposed the margin for error against elite teams, sure, but it also showed how Boston tends to respond when things go sideways.

This group did not get shell-shocked or turn inward when they got thrown a curveball. They did not start playing like a team waiting for somebody else to save it. White kept cooking. Harper kept firing. Tatum kept competing. Mazzulla kept searching for answers, even if some of those answers involved getting weird with matchups and asking more from Garza, Walsh, and the rest of the rotation.

There was also something instructive in how Boston chose to defend Wembanyama. Mazzulla admitted afterward that, “against a player like that, you are constantly deciding what you can live with”. The Celtics clearly decided that if Wembanyama was going to beat them, they preferred him doing more damage away from the basket. That gamble burned them because he hit eight threes, but it wasn’t a crazy gamble. Sometimes a seven-foot-five alien buries your process anyway.

The bigger takeaway was that Boston stayed connected enough to make the game matter into the final minutes even after losing Brown and dealing with Wembanyama with his chaos dial turned up to eleven.

Yes, there was plenty of frustration afterward about the officiating and how the game unfolded. That was unavoidable, and arguably warranted. But underneath that frustration was something else: the Celtics sounded like a team that believed they had let a winnable game slip away.

That’s actually a pretty healthy sign.

Oklahoma City showed how real Boston’s depth might be

If the Spurs game felt like a bar fight, the Thunder game felt more like a high-speed chess match.

Boston went into Oklahoma City without Tatum, without White, and still without Vučević. The Thunder were also missing pieces, but they still had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and the best record in the league. 

The Celtics still came within one missed Payton Pritchard three of stealing the game entirely.

In fact, that might be the biggest reason this road trip felt so encouraging. The Thunder game turned into a showcase for all the players Boston will need when the games start to tighten up later in the spring. Brown was excellent, pouring in 34 points and seven assists while basically dragging the offense through long stretches. Pritchard looked like exactly the kind of bench guard every contender wishes it had, fearless and twitchy and apparently born to attempt impossible late-clock shots. Baylor Scheierman kept knocking down big threes. Hugo Gonzalez gave meaningful minutes, as did Jordan Walsh. Garza stretched the floor. Queta battled. Ron Harper Jr. kept doing Ron Harper Jr. things.

That’s a lot of useful contributions from a lot of different places.

For most of the season, Boston’s depth has been discussed as a nice story. Against Oklahoma City, the ‘young wolves’ looked more like a bunch of useful playoff assets. Not because Mazzulla is going to run 10 deep in a Finals game, but because the Celtics have a real collection of players who can hold up when a matchup or injury situation demands it. In last year’s playoffs, we saw just how severely injuries can change things in an instant.

Boston led 59-56 at halftime largely because the bench had 27 points and the ball was popping. They were up 83-80 after three, with the young guys continuing to make winning plays against one of the league’s most disciplined teams.

Oklahoma City is not the kind of team that accidentally lets role players feel good. The Thunder pressure every decision, make simple actions feel crowded, and turn “decent” into “a little rushed”. That slight rush is often enough to throw a wrench into any offense, but Boston handled it better than I expected.

Not perfectly, of course. The fourth quarter got sloppy and the turnovers were an issue all game. Shai got to his spots and looked, as always, like a man operating under different laws of physics. But the larger point remains: Boston looked like it belonged in that game, and it looked that way while missing two starters.

There is another layer to this, too. The Thunder seemed relieved to survive. Their fans were talking about a Finals preview, while their players and commenters were praising Boston’s shooting and toughness. That is usually a decent clue – great teams know when another great team has made them feel uncomfortable.

The Celtics did that.

And they did it while still very clearly having room to grow. Tatum, White, and Vučević were all out, meaning Brown had to do too much at times. Pritchard had to create more than usual. The rotation bent in ways that probably will not be necessary in a healthier, more settled playoff version of this team.

But Boston still nearly won anyway, and for a loss, that is about as useful as it gets.

Two losses, one pretty good reminder

Maybe the cleanest way to put it is this: the Celtics did not look overmatched against the Spurs or the Thunder.

San Antonio and Oklahoma City are two wildly different problems. One can throw Wembanyama at your entire offensive ecosystem and dare you to solve advanced geometry in real time. The other makes every possession feel sped up and slightly cruel.

Boston lost both games, but never looked out of place. In March, when you’re trying to figure out what kind of team you actually have before the playoffs arrive, that matters.

Because if these two games showed anything, it’s that the Celtics still look like a team nobody is going to enjoy having to beat four times out of seven.

Former Celtics star reflects on Jayson Tatum return, early Jaylen Brown impressions, and more

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics react during the first quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

These days, Gordon Hayward doesn’t watch a ton of NBA basketball. The former NBA All-Star prioritizes family, hanging out with his five children. In his free time, he golfs, a hobby he picked up after retiring from the NBA in 2024. 

But the former Celtic has paid enough attention this year to be thoroughly impressed with what the Celtics have pulled off en route to the East’s second-best record.

“You’ve got to credit Joe Mazzulla and how he’s gotten the boys playing,” Hayward told CelticsBlog. “And JB and Payton Pritchard – and Derrick White’s a winner. And, all the guys that are just playing their roles.”

Hayward was on the Celtics from 2017 to 2020, signing with Boston just months after Jayson Tatum was drafted. Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, was beginning his second season in the NBA. 

And, from the jump, both young forwards impressed Hayward, who was fresh off his first All-Star appearance and in the prime of his career.

“I can remember playing in a pickup game in the fall the year I got there, and like JT had every shot that you could have, at however young he was, 19 years old, which was really impressive,” Hayward said of Tatum. “Like most of the time, you have some deficiencies early on, but he could score at three levels in a pickup game against pros.” 

Brown impressed Hayward in his own right; right away, Hayward was struck by the 21-year-old’s natural physique.

“I had worked my whole career, my whole life, to get up to be – I was about 6’7, 6’8 – 225, 230 pounds,” Hayward said. “And JB was, like, walking into the league, basically around that. And so it’s like, ‘Wow, this dude is a specimen.’ Unreal athleticism, smart. He’s playing at an MVP [level this] year.”

Still, the now 35-year-old can’t say he saw this level of success coming. Together, Tatum and Brown have been to five conference finals and two NBA Finals. They’ve won a championship and accrued a collective 11 All-Star appearances (Tatum has 6, Brown has 5) before either has turned 30.

“I knew they were good,” Hayward said. “I didn’t know they would be this good.” 

(Hayward spoke to CelticsBlog as part of his partnership with Colgate: “I’ve got five kids, and teeth brushing and oral hygiene is big in our family,” he said. “It’s a fight, it’s a struggle every night to try to get these kids to prevent bad things from happening. I try to tell them, ‘Don’t be like your dad and get cavities and root canals.’ So, let’s brush our teeth. Let’s use the toothpaste.”)

Gordon Hayward recalls watching the Celtics from the sidelines

Just six minutes into his Celtics debut, Hayward suffered his infamous leg injury, fracturing his tibia and dislocating his ankle. He missed that entire 2017-2018 season, one that culminated in a 20-year-old Tatum leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in his rookie season.

“One thing I remember sitting out is that there wasn’t a moment that was too big for him, even at such a young age,” Hayward said of Tatum. “We went to the Eastern Conference [Finals] that year, and he played a major role. Kyrie got hurt, and it was like, ‘Okay, I think we got something here.’”

Hayward has enjoyed seeing Tatum and Brown’s growing success over the past decade.

“It’s been cool to see them grow into the players that they are, the leaders that they are,” Hayward said. “I still look back to those days and had some really good conversations with both of them. I sat right next to JT on the plane, on our road trips, and so there were many times where we had great talks – and talks not about basketball, but just about life and growing up. And so it’s been fun to watch those guys.”

But this year, he’s seen Tatum live out a reality that, unfortunately mirrored the one he had to endure in that first year in Boston in some ways. Up until last week, Tatum had to watch the Celtics put together a successful season while being unable to play as he recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last spring.

“There was a moment where the team won – when I wasn’t playing – where they had won like, 13 or 14 straight or something,” Hayward said. “It was a ridiculous record that they started off with. And you’re like, man, like, I just wish I could be out there. Like, that should be me out there.“

For Hayward, that era is still painful to reflect on.

“It’s really tough, one of the toughest two years of my career,” Hayward said. “For me, I’m coming off the best year that I’ve ever had in the NBA. I’m an All-Star. And then, your first game, you’re hurt, and it’s just not the way that you see your career going when you decide to make the jump and go play for the Celtics.”

Hayward also said he had never really thought about just how isolating it was to go through rehab until he experienced it firsthand.

“When I was a rookie, I remember we had veterans go down, and you don’t really think about it until it’s you that goes down, and then you kind of realize, like, ‘Oh man. Like, that’s what that guy was going through,’” Hayward said.

Last week, Tatum made his emotional return to the floor in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks. And Hayward was thrilled to see that unfold, especially given that he experienced his own version of that game seven years earlier.

To this day, his return game against the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the most meaningful moments of his career.

“The fans were just so supportive of me, and probably similar to how Jayson felt when he was announced back in the starting lineup,” Hayward said. “That was a moment I’ll never forget, because at the time, with the way my injury worked, and how it all happened, I was thinking I might not run again. I might not be able to run and jump, like I don’t even know if I’m gonna be able to play basketball. And then to work your tail off and get all the way back to have a chance to play basketball on an NBA court again, and have the fans… Boston fans are so passionate. To have them, the whole city behind me there, that was a very special moment.”

Hayward’s Celtics tenure didn’t pan out as he’d hoped.

Still, he smiles as he reflects on the current team’s success.

“Boston fans are super spoiled, man,” he said. “They just get so much — so [many] good teams. And certainly, they’ve had some good ones with JT and JB.”



Public Skate: Bruins vs. Capitals

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 7: Viktor Arvidsson #71 of the Boston Bruins watches the loose puck against Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 and Logan Thompson #48 of the Washington Capitals at the TD Garden on March 7, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Welcome back to another riveting edition of the Preview Skate! Public Preview?

In any case, here we are, with another Saturday afternoon game for the B’s. This time, they’ll be facing the Washington Capitals in D.C.

  • When: 3ish PM
  • Where: Capital One Arena – Washington, D.C.
  • How to follow: ABC, 98.5 The Sports Hub
  • Opposing perspective:Japers’ Rink

The Capitals remain on the edge of the playoff picture, sitting at 73 points. That’s five points behind the Bruins, with three teams (Columbus, Ottawa, and Philadelphia) in between the two.

They’re also six points behind both the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division, so they’re not quite out of it, but time is running out for them to make up ground.

We’ve got another national TV broadcast for this one, this time on ABC. Adjust your viewing plans accordingly.

The B’s and Capitals have played each other twice this season, once in October and once last Saturday. The B’s won both of those games, 3-1.

Not much has changed since these two teams played at TD Garden last Saturday. Same players, no major injuries to report, etc.

The Caps earned themselves a good win last time out, beating the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1.

That game was in Buffalo and ended the Sabres’ eight-game winning streak, so that’s a nice momentum-builder for the Caps.

The Bruins will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing result against San Jose while also improving their road record, which currently sits at an uninspiring 11-14-5.

You’d imagine the B’s turn to Joonas Korpisalo today, but I guess we’ll find out in a few hours.

For those who want to watch the standings as well: Ottawa will play at 1 PM, while Montreal, Columbus, and Detroit will all play tonight.

The Blue Jackets will play the Flyers, who are just four points behind them in the standings, so that’s a big one for both teams.

Should be an interesting Saturday!

Also, in case you missed it, Boston College won their Hockey East playoff game last night, so HagensWatch is on hold for now.

Bruins! Capitals! Played in a federal district, not a state/province!

Discuss.

Orioles fans are looking for a six-man rotation to start the season

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Zach Eflin #24 and Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles smile during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

On Friday morning, the Orioles announced their Opening Day starting pitcher: Trevor Rogers. Still unknown is in what order the pitchers will line up behind him. It’s not even clear at this moment whether the Orioles will stick with a five-man rotation or if they will push it to six. The team has stayed mum about the possibility.

In this week’s survey, I asked Orioles fans about their feelings on what the team should do about this. As we know, behind Rogers, there’s also Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Dean Kremer, and Zach Eflin. If they’re all healthy on Opening Day, that’s six guys. Here’s how fans responded to the question of whether the Orioles should go with a six-man rotation:

That’s a stronger majority than I expected for what I continue to think is a bad idea. Unless the starting pitchers are all going at least six innings per start, which is increasingly uncommon in baseball today, there’s just no way to keep managing a bullpen with seven guys.

Eventually, the Orioles will tip their hand and we’ll know what they are planning to do. Until then, we can only guess.

This week’s survey brought to you by FanDuel.

Mariners News: Dane Dunning, José Berríos, and Caleb Ferguson

Feb 20, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Dane Dunning (27) throws in the first inning against the San Diego Padres during a Spring Training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the weekend!

Though the Mariners lost to the Dodgers 10-7 in yesterday’s spring bout, we saw the first Cactus League homer of the year from Colt Emerson in the latest stages of the contest. It’s been a sleepy spring so far for the young infielder, but it’s good to see him get some opportunities.

What are you most looking forward to this weekend? Got any plans? Hoping to just relax and watch some sports? Or, do you have any major obligations such as work or activities with the kids?

In Mariners news…

  • With Bryce Miller likely to start the season on the injured list, Brent Stecker thinks the Mariners should try to bring James Paxton out of retirement.
  • Daniel Kramer provided an update on his projection for the Mariners’ 2026 Opening Day roster.
  • Michael Clair spoke to Mariners right-hander Dane Dunning about his experience repping his mother’s home country of Korea in the WBC.

In the World Baseball Classic…

Around the league…

Mets 2026 Season Preview: Tobias Myers has the potential to be a key contributer this season

Mets fans were abuzz in January when David Stearns pulled off a trade to acquire ace Freddy Peralta from the Brewers. Not to be overlooked, however, was the other pitcher acquired in that deal, Tobias Myers. The 27-year-old served as both a starter and reliever in Milwaukee and he certainly made an impression on the team when he pitched five scoreless innings in Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the Mets in 2024.

The confidence Milwaukee showed in him to start that game came from their development of the righty after he bounced around in the minors for a few years. Most notably, they allowed him to effectively use his four-seam fastball which rates as one of the highest in active spin. While it is not overpowering, the movement fools hitters enough to keep them off balance.

So far this spring he is repeating the, albeit limited, success he found with the Brewers. As of this writing, he is 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA in 8.1 IP during Grapefruit League action. He has struck out nine and has a WHIP of 0.96. Last season he appeared in 22 games and started 6 of them. As a starter he went 1-1 with 5.64 ERA and as a reliever he went 0-1 with a 1.91 ERA.

Manager Carlos Mendoza has already confirmed that Myers is making the team but he did not confirm what his role will be. He will most likely serve as the team’s swingman, a role that was last effectively filled by Trevor Williams, who also happened to be the extra piece in a blockbuster trade. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding the rotation, having someone who can be a bridge to the backend of the bullpen is a crucial weapon for the Mets to have. Last year, Mets starters only pitched 796.0 innings which was good for 27th in the league. That averaged out to only 4.91 innings per start. This under-performance led to an overtaxed bullpen, as the team did not have a reliable swingman to pitch those innings. Myers now fills that role for the 2026 team.

Stearns’s trade back in January helped acquire both an ace and a swingman and, while Peralta will continue to get headlines, Myers has the potential to be just as crucial in getting this team back to the playoffs.

Yankees Birthday of the Day: Butch Wynegar

NEW YORK - CIRCA 1984: Butch Wynegar #27 of the New York Yankees poses with two catchers gloves prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game circa 1984 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Wynegar played for the Yankees from 1982-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Butch Wynegar had such exciting potential when the Twins traded him to the Yankees in 1982. A Rookie of the Year runner-up and already a two-time All-Star catcher at the age of 26, he should have been a foundational piece of the offense alongside Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield, and later Rickey Henderson. Instead, the end of his tenure in pinstripes serves as a crucial reminder of the prominent role mental health plays in professional sports and indeed in life, reinforcing the attention and care that must be paid to it if we want to perform at a desired level in any of our pursuits.

Harold Delano “Butch” Wynegar Jr.
Born: March 14, 1956 (York, PA)
Yankees Tenure: 1982-86

Harold Delano “Butch” Wynegar Jr. was born on March 14, 1956, in York, PA, to Harold D. Wynegar Sr. and Dorrea L. “Dee” Wynegar. He earned his nickname “Butch” from an aunt on account of his chubby appearance as a baby. A multi-sport athlete at Red Lion High School, Wynegar idolized Mickey Mantle growing up, crediting the Yankees legend as the inspiration for Wynegar to become a switch-hitter when he was nine. He was a star football center and third baseman, but moved behind the plate for his final two years of high school, batting .370 as a senior.

Those performances his senior year caught the eye of the Twins, who drafted him in the second round of the 1974 MLB June amateur draft. He began his professional career with the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins of Tennessee and led the Appalachian League with a .346 batting average while also leading his team with eight home runs and 51 RBIs. This earned him a promotion to the Class A Reno Silver Sox of the California league in 1975, where he would again lead the team with 19 home runs and 119 RBIs to go along with a .314 average, his contributions leading the team to win the pennant.

In 1976, the Twins fired manager Frank Quilici and replaced him with Gene Mauch, previously of the Phillies and Expos. Unimpressed with the catching options at his disposal, Mauch surprised Wynegar by inviting him to spring training despite the young catcher never having played a game above Class A. After an owner lockout delayed the start of spring training, Wynegar came out on a tear including a grand slam in his first spring exhibition. Though he cooled off to bat just .187 that spring, Mauch was impressed enough by his all around game to allow Wynegar to break camp with the big league club, praising his new catcher’s maturity:

“When spring training opened, I had no right to expect he’d be as polished behind the plate as he is. He looks like he’s 15, plays like he’s 25, and has the maturity of a man of 30.”

Wynegar made his debut on Opening Day, April 9, 1976, against the Rangers, collecting his first big league hit and RBI with a single off Gaylord Perry in the sixth inning. A week later at Yankee Stadium, Wynegar slugged his first big league home run — a game-winning solo shot in the ninth inning off Catfish Hunter. The next night, he homered off Jim Palmer in a game against the Orioles in Minnesota, meaning in the span of a week, the rookie had amassed his first big league hit and first two big league home runs off three future Hall of Famers.

His strong performances continued that year including an impressive ability to throw out runners — he had an almost 50-percent caught-stealing rate in those opening months — earning the rookie an All-Star selection alongside Rod Carew as the Twins’ representatives. At just 20 years old he was the youngest ever participant in an All-Star Game at that point, earning a pinch-hit appearance in the seventh against Luis Tiant and drawing a walk.

He finished his rookie year batting .260/.356/.363 with ten home runs and 69 RBIs to earn a runner-up finish in AL Rookie of the Year balloting behind Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych. He followed that up with a nearly identical sophomore campaign, slashing .261/.344/.370 with ten home runs, 79 RBIs, and an AL-leading 60 runners caught stealing to earn his second consecutive All-Star nod in his first two seasons in the bigs. He suffered a downturn in form the following season but rebounded to again lead the league with 64 runners caught stealing in 1979, finishing with a .270/.363/.351 triple slash line, seven homers, and 57 RBIs.

Wynegar retained his grasp on the starting catcher job into the ’80s, earning a five-year, $2 million extension in 1981. This made him a target for cost-cutting owner Calvin Griffith as the Twins floundered in 1982, and Wynegar found himself traded alongside Roger Erickson to the Yankees for Larry Milbourne, John Pacella and Pete Filson on May 12, 1982. Thus, Wynegar found himself playing for the team of his childhood hero, but little did he know the perils that come with playing for the Yankees teams of that era.

He more than acquitted himself in that debut Yankees season, batting .293/.413/.393 the rest of the way. The following season, he found himself in a platoon with Rick Cerone behind the plate. He appeared in just 94 games but was one of the Yankees’ best hitters that season, slashing .296/.399/.429 with six home runs and 42 RBIs — good for a 136 wRC+. Despite having his playing time reduced for the first time in the bigs, that season featured one of the most memorable moments of his career, Wynegar catching Dave Righetti’s no hitter at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox on Independence Day.

“It was one of my biggest thrills, no doubt about it. Raggsy and I were close, having had a pitcher-catcher relationship… If I remember right, if Raggsy shook me off that day, it wasn’t very much. We seemed to really be on the same wavelength. When you’ve got a guy who has four pitches working for him, it’s a lot of fun, so there wasn’t a whole lot of thinking that had to be going on. We stayed hard, just mixing enough soft stuff in there to keep them off balance.”

Wynegar won back the full-time starting catcher role in 1984, but would never again reach the heights on offense of his first year-and-a-half in pinstripes. He batted .267/.360/.342 with six home runs and 45 RBIs, playing in 129 games for the first time since 1980. But then came the 1985 season and the beginning of Wynegar’s loss of desire to play baseball.

The season started on inauspicious terms, the Yankees firing manager Yogi Berra — a decision Wynegar says caused many of his teammates to throw things in anger in the clubhouse — replacing him with the volatile temperament of Billy Martin. That offseason also brought a contract dispute with Wynegar entering the final season of his five-year contract, Wynegar initially being offered a three-year extension with a fourth year option. However, when his agent proposed that the fourth season be converted to a guaranteed year, George Steinbrenner angrily pulled the offer off the table (though he would eventually sign for three years and $2.2 million at the conclusion of the season).

His performances suffered at the plate as he dealt with the lingering effects of being struck in the head by a foul ball while he stood in the on-deck circle early in the season. He also could not adjust to Martin’s confrontational style of managing, rankled by Martin’s habit of frequently embarrassing his pitcher and catcher in front of the whole team with an expletive-laced tirade when opposing batters found success. Martin certainly didn’t help matters with his confrontational style with umpires, Wynegar confirming that several umpires confided in him that they intentional called close calls against the Yankees as a result. His .223 average also made him a target for Steinbrenner, the owner demanding an explanation when Wynegar had a bad night at and behind the plate. The lone bright spots that season for Wynegar came when the backstop caught both the 300th win and 3,000th strikeout from Phil Niekro.

Already falling out of love with the game, things reached a head in 1986. The Yankees fired Martin and replaced him with Lou Piniella, and though Wynegar had a good relationship with him when he was hitting coach, he saw Piniella transform into a carbon copy of Martin once he took the helm of the team. Wynegar fell into a deep depression as his performances plummeted, creating a brutal reinforcement loop as both Piniella and Steinbrenner became increasing critical. He finally realized he needed help when, on July 29th, he rejected a hug from his 17-month-old son:

“I had goose bumps all over. It just hit me that I had brushed off my little boy, the pride and joy of my life, one of the only people who really matters. I just wanted to get home and get out of there so badly. I thought I’d been dealing with my depression, but then I said to myself, ‘Holy cow, you’re really taking your work home with you now.”

Earlier that day, Wynegar was the starting catcher in a 6-4 loss against the Brewers. He was in a haze during his pre-game routines having gotten into an argument with Piniella, which reached full blown apathy by the first pitch:

“That was pretty much the last straw. I was back there calling signals and not caring what I was calling. I’d call for a curveball or a slider and have no idea why. I was watching the scoreboard. I was watching the innings tick off. That was the only thing that mattered, not whether we won or lost. It was like I was in a fog. When I got back to the hotel, I realized I’d never want to go through that again.”

Scott Nielsen was the pitcher that day and gave up five runs while recording just one out, leading to his demotion to Triple-A. Two days later, Wynegar called GM Clyde King and begged to be given time off. King needed permission from Steinbrenner, who initially advised Wynegar to see a doctor in Cleveland before acquiescing to a single day off. However, the issues ran much deeper than that.

“I don’t even want to see my glove or a baseball. I’m not going to see some strange doctor in a strange city. I want to go back home. I’m not doing the team any good. This is not a one-day thing. I’m not coming back.”

Wynegar eventually resolved to take the rest of the season off. He saw seven different doctors including two psychiatrists, and was eventually prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. In response, Steinbrenner added Wynegar to the restricted list, enabling him to withhold the remaining $250,000 owed to Wynegar for the rest of the season. Wynegar filed a grievance at the season’s conclusion, which unfortunately for him killed a trade the Yankees had agreed to send him to the Angels. However, Wynegar followed through with his resolve to not play another game for a team from New York, thus forfeiting the $1.4 million remaining on his contract for the 1987 and 1988 seasons.

Just when it seemed like his career was over, Wynegar found new life after withdrawing his grievance and earning the trade to California for pitchers Ron Romanick and Alan Mills on December 19, 1986. Key in his decision to keep playing was his old manager from Minnesota, Gene Mauch, now at the helm of the Angels. Wynegar considered Mauch to be a father figure, the man who gave him his first shot and his second wind. In a far more peaceful environment and playing for a man who always supported him, Wyengar was happy to be backup to Bob Boone, and he played 58 games across his final two seasons before retiring at the age of 32.

Wynegar put together an admirable career as a major league backstop, with a pair of All-Star appearances, an impressive 40.3-percent caught stealing rate, and 626 walks drawn against just 428 strikeouts. However, his greatest legacy is the courage to put his family and mental health before the game and the courage to seek professional help in an era when mental health was heavily stigmatized, especially for professional athletes. He may not have achieved the on-field results that his first few seasons presaged, but he can be more than proud of the human results he achieved.

References

Butch Wynegar. Baseball-Reference.

Butch Wynegar. Baseball Almanac.

Wancho, Joseph. “Butch Wynegar: From Single-A to the Major League All-Star Game in One Year.” The National Pastime: Baseball in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. 2024.

Weyler, John. “Big Apple Turned Sour for Wynegar : Angels’ New Catcher Had to Get Out of New York Before He Lost His Mind.” Los Angeles Times. March 26, 1987.

Verducci, Tom. “This Yankee Goes Home.” Reading Eagle. December 10, 1986.

Laurila, David. “Prospectus Q&A: Butch Wynegar.” Baseball Prospectus. September 21, 2008.


See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.