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Parker Meadows sparks the Tigers in his season debut after an arm injury

CHICAGO — Parker Meadows had a big smile on his face. He had waited a long time for this moment.

Meadows sparked the Detroit Tigers in his season debut after being sidelined by a nerve issue in his upper right arm. Playing center field and leading off for Detroit once again, he had two hits, scored three times and made a terrific catch in a 13-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

“I think I speak for everybody when I say that we missed watching him play baseball, especially for us,” designated hitter Kerry Carpenter said. “He’s super special.”

The major league-leading Tigers activated Meadows from the 60-day injured list. Infielder/outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after a 1-0 victory at Kansas City, and right-hander Ryan Cusick was designated for assignment.

“I didn’t sleep much last night, just thinking about the day,” Meadows said. “Excited to be here.”

Meadows got right to work in his first game back. He robbed Andrew Benintendi of a run-scoring hit with a diving catch for the last out of the first.

Meadows doubled and scored on Gleyber Torres’ single in the fourth. He raced around the bases on a leadoff triple in the sixth and scored on Torres’ grounder to shortstop. He also walked and scored in a three-run eighth.

“What he was able to do there at the top of the order and the defense that we know he brings out there and just what he’s able to do, it’s good to have him back out there,” Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty said.

Meadows was injured in Detroit’s spring training opener Feb. 22 on a throw from center field. He appeared in eight rehab games in the minors beginning on May 21, batting .259 with a homer and five RBIs.

“He’s a glue guy, and the guys love him,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He played at an incredibly high level for us on both sides of the ball, and we have missed him. Our guys have done a really good job of kind of picking up the pieces and being able to adjust to life without him, but we’re better with him.”

Meadows, 25, hit .244 with nine homers and 28 RBIs in 82 games for Detroit last season. He also batted .269 (7 for 26) in seven postseason games, helping the Tigers reach the AL Division Series.

The road back to the majors took longer than Meadows expected when he first got hurt.

“It was tough, but just put my head down and worked every day,” he said. “We’ve got a really good training staff here. Keep a good head on my shoulders and they got me right.”

One of the last steps for Meadows before rejoining Detroit was trying a couple of hard throws during his rehab stint.

“At first it was a little eh,” he said. “But the more throws I made, the better it felt. It feels good now.”

The return of Meadows gives Hinch another option on a versatile Tigers team that is 22-9 in its last 31 games.

Javier Báez, who played an impressive center field while Meadows was out, started at shortstop before moving to second base in the seventh inning of the opener of a four-game series at Chicago. Hinch said Báez is going to move around the diamond.

“I told Javy, ‘Don’t take the outfield glove (and) throw it away. You’re still going to need it,’” Hinch said.

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Jerar Encarnación returns to Giants after March surgery on his broken left hand

SAN FRANCISCO — Bob Melvin has been waiting for the chance to write Jerar Encarnación’s name into San Francisco’s lineup.

The versatile Encarnación came off the 60-day injured list and made his season debut in a 1-0, 10-inning loss to the San Diego Padres in the opener of the four-game series at Oracle Park.

Encarnación went 0 for 3 after replacing Mike Yastrzemski in the sixth and lined out to end the game against flame-throwing Padres closer Robert Suarez in an at-bat that impressed his manager.

“First day back you’re pushed into some pretty tough opportunities,” Melvin said. “It looked like he was more comfortable as the game went along.”

Melvin hoped that he could start next — whether that’s at first base or in right field.

Encarnación underwent surgery in March on his broken left hand after he was injured trying to make a diving catch during spring training. He batted .302 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in Cactus League play after hitting .248 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 113 at-bats last year.

“We know he can give us some power and he’s got power to all fields,” Melvin said. “We saw it at the end of last year, we saw it in spring training. When we were about to leave spring training there were going to be a lot of at-bats for him.”

The Giants could use a big boost at the plate, and Encarnación hopes to deliver.

“I’m just going to do what I’m able to do to contribute to the team,” said Encarnación, a Dominican Republic native who made his major league debut with Miami in 2022 and joined the Giants as a free agent last May.

The Giants optioned outfielder Luis Matos to Triple-A Sacramento so he can further develop and play regularly.

San Francisco returned home having dropped five of nine games on its road trip to Washington, Detroit and Miami. The Giants have scored only 30 runs over their last 16 games — the club’s fewest in such a stretch since also being limited to 30 runs from June 23-July 8, 2014 — then were shut out for the seventh time this year and third in their last nine games.

“That’s the good thing about him is he can play multiple positions, he can pinch hit,” Melvin said. “It’s nice to have him back. Spring training we were talking about how impactful he was going to be. He was having a great spring and next thing you know he’s out for a while. He feels good at the plate, he hit some home runs the last couple days, he’s ready to go.”

Encarnación has been eager to rejoin the Giants, but embraced his faith and that it took the time it did for him to fully recover and come back. He missed the first 59 games, then made seven rehab appearances with Triple-A Sacramento, playing three games at first base, starting two as designated hitter and two more in right field.

“I’m so happy and content that I’m here,” he said, before adding with a smile a few minutes later that he’s “great, muy bueno.”

Pitcher Logan Webb is thrilled to have that spirt from Encarnación back in the clubhouse and on the diamond.

“My favorite thing about Jerar is the enthusiasm and smile, the energy he brings to the dugout every day,” Webb said. “I’m very excited to have him back and I think everyone in here is excited as well.”

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NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Sabres' JJ Peterka And Predators' Jonathan Marchessault

Most of the recent rumors regarding the Buffalo Sabres focused on Bowen Bryam, with recent reports claiming they're gauging the 23-year-old RFA defenseman's value in the trade market. 

Some believe the Sabres would put the cap savings from shipping out Byram to re-sign forwards like JJ Peterka.

However, recent reports suggest the Sabres could face some difficulty signing Peterka. The 23-year-old right winger is completing his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli has Peterka atop his latest NHL Trade Targets Board. He claims multiple teams made significant offers to the Sabres for Peterka at the trade deadline, but GM Kevyn Adams considers him part of his club's core. However, Seravalli believes they have less of a choice with the threat of an offer sheet when free agency begins on July 1.

Chris Johnston of The Athletic includes Peterka among his list of off-season trade candidates and also mentioned the possibility he receives an offer sheet if unsigned on July 1. Johnston also noted that Adams considers Peterka to be among his young core, but it's unclear if the player will make that commitment to the Sabres.

The offer sheet threat could be overblown because the Sabres have over $23 million in cap space this summer. That's more than enough to match an offer from a rival club, especially if they trade Byram.

If Peterka isn't willing to sign a long-term deal, it could change their mind about moving Byram. However, Adam Proteau believes moving on from a rising star like Peterka could be disastrous for the Sabres.

JJ Peterka (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, Seravalli's report last week that Jonathan Marchessault might welcome a trade from the Nashville Predators raised conjecture over possible landing spots for the 34-year-old right winger. The Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils were mentioned, along with a reunion with his former club, the Vegas Golden Knights. 

The Tennessean's Alex Daugherty examined what a Marchessault trade might look like, pointing out Marchessault's contract is a significant stumbling block. He's signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $5.5 million. Daugherty indicated Marchessault has a full no-movement clause, but if the Predators approach him about a trade, he can submit a 15-team no-trade list.

If the Predators find a suitable trade partner for Marchessault, Daugherty doubts they'll get much of a return. He speculates it would be a low draft pick or low-range prospect at best, plus they might have to add a draft pick with Marchessault to make the deal work.

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Chicago Fire announce plans to build 22,000-seat stadium near downtown

  • The $650m project will anchor an incoming development

  • Stadium would be the 22nd soccer-specific venue in MLS

This Chicago Fire on Tuesday announced plans to build a $650m, soccer-specific stadium in the South Loop of Chicago – a venue that will be part of a large development project called “The 78.”

The club aims to open the stadium in the spring of 2028, with the building of the venue itself requiring no public money, according to an announcement by the team’s owner, Joe Mansueto. It is planned to hold 22,000 spectators.

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Knicks fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after their best season in 25 years

Knicks fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after their best season in 25 years originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Knicks are parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who led New York to their first Eastern Conference finals in decades and four playoffs in five years, the team announced Tuesday.

ESPN Insider Shams Charania first reported the news on X. The team issued a statement from Knicks president Leon Rose confirming the development a short time later.

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction,” the statement began. “We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories.”

“Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward,” it continued. “Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

The Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, leaving them without a championship since 1973. The team went further than they’d gone in 25 years, just not as far as they hoped.

They signaled they were serious about making a run at the NBA title when they traded for Mikal Bridges in the summer and then Karl-Anthony Towns in a preseason blockbuster, adding a top perimeter defender and an All-Star center to a lineup headlined by Jalen Brunson.

Their all-in moves just couldn’t get them all the way there.

After Boston rolled to the 2024 title and brought back all its key players, the Celtics were viewed as strong favorites in the East. Yet after building gradually since Rose’s arrival as team president in 2020, the Knicks weren’t conceding anything to the champions.

They re-signed OG Anunoby to the largest contract in team history, then traded five first-round picks in the deal to acquire Bridges from Brooklyn. Just as they were set to begin training camp, the Knicks dealt two starters in All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who had just set their single-season 3-point record, to get Towns from Minnesota.

The moves made the Knicks good enough to get past the Celtics in the second round. But it turned out to not be the right roster against the deep and speedy Pacers, who knocked them out for the second straight season.

“You make the moves to win, so it hurts to not be able to bring an opportunity to the city for a championship,” Towns said. “We’ve got a bunch of great guys in that locker room and the plan now is just to put ourselves in this position again and succeed next time.”

First, Rose and the front office will have to evaluate just how close the Knicks really are.

Their 51-31 record left them a distant third in the East behind Cleveland and Boston, and they went a combined 0-8 against those teams in the regular season before they finished off the Celtics in the second round after Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 4.

With two All-NBA selections in Brunson and Towns, the starting lineup is one of the NBA’s strongest. The bench could use a boost, as the Knicks lack the solid depth of the Cavaliers and Celtics — and certainly of the Pacers.

Still, after being mostly miles away for two decades, the Knicks have turned themselves into a contender. They have won 50 games in back-to-back seasons and made the playoffs in four of five under Thibodeau. Even after Saturday’s defeat, there was belief that the Knicks will get another shot soon.

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Knicks fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after their best season in 25 years

Knicks fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after their best season in 25 years originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Knicks are parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who led New York to their first Eastern Conference finals in decades and four playoffs in five years, the team announced Tuesday.

ESPN Insider Shams Charania first reported the news on X. The team issued a statement from Knicks president Leon Rose confirming the development a short time later.

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction,” the statement began. “We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories.”

“Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward,” it continued. “Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

The Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, leaving them without a championship since 1973. The team went further than they’d gone in 25 years, just not as far as they hoped.

They signaled they were serious about making a run at the NBA title when they traded for Mikal Bridges in the summer and then Karl-Anthony Towns in a preseason blockbuster, adding a top perimeter defender and an All-Star center to a lineup headlined by Jalen Brunson.

Their all-in moves just couldn’t get them all the way there.

After Boston rolled to the 2024 title and brought back all its key players, the Celtics were viewed as strong favorites in the East. Yet after building gradually since Rose’s arrival as team president in 2020, the Knicks weren’t conceding anything to the champions.

They re-signed OG Anunoby to the largest contract in team history, then traded five first-round picks in the deal to acquire Bridges from Brooklyn. Just as they were set to begin training camp, the Knicks dealt two starters in All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who had just set their single-season 3-point record, to get Towns from Minnesota.

The moves made the Knicks good enough to get past the Celtics in the second round. But it turned out to not be the right roster against the deep and speedy Pacers, who knocked them out for the second straight season.

“You make the moves to win, so it hurts to not be able to bring an opportunity to the city for a championship,” Towns said. “We’ve got a bunch of great guys in that locker room and the plan now is just to put ourselves in this position again and succeed next time.”

First, Rose and the front office will have to evaluate just how close the Knicks really are.

Their 51-31 record left them a distant third in the East behind Cleveland and Boston, and they went a combined 0-8 against those teams in the regular season before they finished off the Celtics in the second round after Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 4.

With two All-NBA selections in Brunson and Towns, the starting lineup is one of the NBA’s strongest. The bench could use a boost, as the Knicks lack the solid depth of the Cavaliers and Celtics — and certainly of the Pacers.

Still, after being mostly miles away for two decades, the Knicks have turned themselves into a contender. They have won 50 games in back-to-back seasons and made the playoffs in four of five under Thibodeau. Even after Saturday’s defeat, there was belief that the Knicks will get another shot soon.

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Christian Yelich and Milwaukee Brewers continue momentum

CINCINNATI — A bruised right hand didn’t have any effect on Christian Yelich.

The Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter — named the National League’s Player of the Week before the game against the Cincinnati Reds — was back in the lineup and continued his hot streak with a solo home run in the third inning to lift the Brewers to a 3-2 victory.

“Sore hand or not, he crushed two balls tonight. So, he’s living up to his Player of the Week (honor),” manager Pat Murphy said.

Yelich left a game against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning after being hit by a sinker from Ranger Suarez in the first inning. Once he found out X-rays were negative, the 2018 NL MVP was preparing to make sure he wouldn’t have to take a day off.

“Worked on it the rest of the game (yesterday) did some stuff on the flight (from Philadelphia to Cincinnati) and came in early today. It was fine,” he said. “Once I knew it wasn’t broken it was like yeah, we’ll get back out there. It’s something we all take pride in, showing up for each other and being able to play.”

Yelich is a pivotal reason why the Brewers have won eight straight games. He has a nine-game hitting streak — the second-longest active run in the majors — and is batting .450 (18 for 40) with six home runs and 14 RBIs.

It is the sixth time Yelich has been the NL Player of the Week, but the first since April 2019. He had three homers last week, including his first walk-off with a grand slam on May 27 against the Boston Red Sox.

Yelich extended his hitting streak when he drove Brady Singer’s slider on a full count 417 feet to straightaway center and off the batter’s eye.

“It was a 3-2 count, not really knowing what was going to happen there. He threw a couple sliders that I swung over, so I knew there was a chance it could show up,” Yelich said.

Yelich also lined a ball to center in the sixth inning that looked like might fall for extra bases, but Cincinnati’s TJ Friedl made a leaping grab.

The 33-year-old is a two-time NL batting champion, but missed 81 games last season due to a lower back injury. Yelich was batting .184 on May 21 but has raised his average 49 points during his streak. He has 13 homers on the season, which is tied for eighth-most in the National League.

“I know he’s worked at it. I mean, he takes it really personally,” Murphy said. “He’s been doing it a long time. He feels that responsibility to his teammates. He never gives himself enough credit.”

While Yelich is on one of his best streaks in six years, he is trying to maintain his focus on the present.

“Each year is its own year, they’re all different,” he said. “You just try to stay focused on your work in the day-to-day. You know, flush the previous day whether it is good or bad, and have good focus on what you want to do and your approach that day. Kind of stay locked in and put blinders on.”

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Everything to know about the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to NHL playoff MVP

Everything to know about the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to NHL playoff MVP originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Lord Stanley isn’t the only piece of hardware that will be awarded in the Stanley Cup Final.

One player from the Edmonton Oilers or the defending champion Florida Panthers will be honored as the most valuable player in the 2025 NHL playoffs with the Conn Smythe Trophy. And the rare Cup Final rematch could see a repeat award winner.

Oilers star Connor McDavid earned the 2024 Conn Smythe in a losing Cup Final effort, and the three-time Hart Trophy winner enters this year’s NHL championship round with a playoff-high 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists). McDavid’s co-star, Leon Draisaitl, is also a Conn Smythe Trophy contender as he sits second in points with 25 (7 goals, 18 assists).

The one-time champion Panthers, meanwhile, could have their first Conn Smythe Trophy winner in franchise history. Captain Aleksander Barkov (17 points), forward Matthew Tkachuk (16) and center Sam Bennett (16) lead 10 Florida skaters with at least 10 points entering the Cup Final. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is putting together a strong Conn Smythe Trophy resume as well, as he sports a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

So, how is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined? And has there ever been a back-to-back winner? Here’s everything to know about the NHL playoff MVP award:

What is the Conn Smythe Trophy and when was it first awarded?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is a postseason award given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. It debuted in the 1965 postseason.

Historically, most Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the team that also won the Stanley Cup. Though, there have been a handful of instances where a player who lost in the Cup Final was awarded the trophy.

The award is named after former Toronto Maple Leafs owner, president, general manager and coach Conn Smythe. It was under Smythe’s ownership that the Leafs changed their name from the St. Pats and that the Maple Leaf Gardens arena was constructed. A mini replica of the venue and a Maple Leaf are among the trophy’s features.

How is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Seventeen PHWA members were included in the 2024 vote.

When is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner announced?

The winner is both selected and announced following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.

Who won the first Conn Smythe Trophy?

Hall of Fame center Jean Béliveau won the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965. Béliveau tallied eight goals, including four game-winners, and eight assists over 13 games as the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.

Who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024?

Connor McDavid was a near-unanimous Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2024 despite Edmonton falling to Florida in the Cup Final. McDavid earned 16 of 17 first-place votes after racking up the most assists (34) and points (42) in the postseason. He was also the leading scorer in the Cup Final with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists).

McDavid is one of only a handful of players to ever take home the Conn Smythe Trophy without also winning the Stanley Cup.

Who has won the most Conn Smythe Trophies?

Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy owns the most Conn Smythe Trophies with three. Roy won two with the Canadiens (1986, 1993) and one with the Colorado Avalanche (2001).

There are five other multi-time Conn Smythe Trophy winners: defenseman Bobby Orr (1970, 1972), goalie Bernie Parent (1974, 1975), center Wayne Gretzky (1985, 1988), center Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992) and center Sidney Crosby (2016, 2017).

Have there been a back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophy winner?

Parent, Lemieux and Crosby were all back-to-back winners, and McDavid has a chance to do the same this year.

How many Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the losing team?

There have been six instances where the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient was on the team that lost in the Cup Final.

Who are the Conn Smythe Trophy winners from losing teams?

Four of the six Conn Smythe winners from non-champions were goalies:

  • 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
  • 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
  • 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings

How many goalies have won the Conn Smythe Trophy?

The Conn Smythe Trophy has gone to a goalie 17 total times,with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning being the position’s most recent winner in 2021.

List of Conn Smythe Trophy winners by year

Here’s a full look at every Conn Smythe Trophy winner:

  • 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers*
  • 2023: Jonathan Marchessault, center, Vegas Golden Knights
  • 2022: Cale Makar, defenseman, Colorado Avalanche
  • 2021: Andrei Vasilevskiy, goalie, Tampa Bay Lightning
  • 2020: Victor Hedman, defenseman, Tampa Bay Lightning
  • 2019: Ryan O’Reilly, center, St. Louis Blues
  • 2018: Alex Ovechkin, winger, Washington Capitals
  • 2017: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2016: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2015: Duncan Keith, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
  • 2014: Justin Williams, winger, Los Angeles Kings
  • 2013: Patrick Kane, winger, Chicago Blackhawks
  • 2012: Jonathan Quick, goalie, Los Angeles Kings
  • 2011: Tim Thomas, goalie, Boston Bruins
  • 2010: Jonathan Toews, center, Chicago Blackhawks
  • 2009: Evgeni Malkin, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2008: Henrik Zetterberg, center, Detroit Red Wings
  • 2007: Scott Niedermayer, defenseman, Anaheim Ducks
  • 2006: Cam Ward, goalie, Carolina Hurricanes
  • 2004: Brad Richards, center, Tampa Bay Lightning
  • 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
  • 2002: Nicklas Lidstrom, defenseman, Detroit Red Wings
  • 2001: Patrick Roy, goalie, Colorado Avalanche
  • 2000: Scott Stevens, defenseman, New Jersey Devils
  • 1999: Joe Nieuwendyk, center, Dallas Stars
  • 1998: Steve Yzerman, center, Detroit Red Wings
  • 1997: Mike Vernon, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
  • 1996: Joe Sakic, center, Colorado Avalanche
  • 1995: Claude Lemieux, winger, New Jersey Devils
  • 1994: Brian Leetch, defenseman, New York Rangers
  • 1993: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1992: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 1991: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 1990: Bill Ranford, goalie, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1989: Al MacInnis, defenseman, Calgary Flames
  • 1988: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1986: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1985: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1984: Mark Messier, winger/center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1983: Billy Smith, goalie, New York Islanders
  • 1982: Mike Bossy, winger, New York Islanders
  • 1981: Butch Goring, center, New York Islanders
  • 1980: Bryan Trottier, center, New York Islanders
  • 1979: Bob Gainey, winger, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1978: Larry Robinson, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1977: Guy Lafleur, winger, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1975: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1974: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1973: Yvan Cournoyer, winger, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1972: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
  • 1971: Ken Dryden, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1970: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
  • 1969: Serge Savard, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
  • 1967: Dave Keon, center, Toronto Maple Leafs
  • 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
  • 1965: Jean Beliveau, center, Montreal Canadiens
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Mike Trout bounces back from injury with 3 more hits and his 2nd career homer at Fenway Park

BOSTON — It hasn’t taken Mike Trout long to regain his form after missing a month with a bruised left knee.

Trout had three more hits, including a 454-foot homer that was the longest at Fenway Park this year, in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox — his second three-hit game in three starts since returning from the injured list.

“Anybody that knows Mike Trout shouldn’t be surprised,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Mike Trout can still do a lot of things that a lot of people can’t do. And he’s showing that.”

Trout hit a three-run homer in the first inning and singled in his next two at-bats. In the seventh, he grounded into a double play but said he had no problem with his left knee as he tried to beat the relay.

In all, the 11-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP is 8 for 14 since coming off the IL to raise his batting average from .179 to .225. It was only his second homer in 35 career games at Fenway Park.

Trout, 33, said he was able to work on his swing while he was out, though he was limited to 30-40 swings per day. The break helped him reset some bad habits he had developed, he said.

The three hits gave Trout 1,675 in his career and moved him into second place on the franchise list, surpassing Tim Salmon. Garret Anderson holds the Angels record with 2,368.

Zach Neto homered leading off the game, Trout added a three-run shot and Jo Adell put one over the Green Monster to make it 6-0 — all in the first. It was the first time in the 114-year history of Fenway Park that a visiting team has hit three homers in the first inning, according to MLB.com.

“Anytime you set records in a stadium like this, it’s pretty special,” Trout said. “It’s pretty crazy.”

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Giants' Ray named NL Pitcher of the Month for stellar May stretch

Giants' Ray named NL Pitcher of the Month for stellar May stretch originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While the Giants’ offense has struggled immensely as of late, the pitching has been phenomenal.

Many of San Francisco’s arms have pitched well this season, but one in particular was recognized for his strong performance in the month of May.

Giants left-handed starting pitcher Robbie Ray and Kansas City Royals lefty Kris Bubic were awarded National League and American League Pitcher of the Month honors, respectively.

Ray’s 1.38 ERA across six May starts solidified the veteran lefty as a co-ace alongside Logan Webb atop the Giants’ 2025 rotation.

Overall, the 33-year-old is 7-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 78 strikeouts to 30 walks in 70 1/3 innings pitched this season.

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In Hindsight, Maybe The Maple Leafs Are Even Further Away From Winning A Championship

Now that the dust has cleared and everyone's had time to calm down, what is the perception of how things ended for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Was that Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers as bad as we initially thought? Or did the fact that the defending Cup champions rolled past the Carolina Hurricanes change anyone's opinion?

In hindsight, maybe the Leafs should not blow things up. Maybe fans should take solace in the fact that the Leafs took a (baby) step forward in the playoffs went further than they have in the past two decades.

Maybe they should re-sign not only Matthew Knies, but also Mitch Marner and John Tavares. Maybe they should roll things back.

That is what Toronto Sun columnist suggested, arguing that the current Leafs might be the third-best team in the NHL. But if it is what GM Brad Treliving is also thinking on the eve of the Stanley Cup final between the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, then he isn’t the right man for the job.

Which teams, right now, are better than the Toronto Maple Leafs?

You can start with the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers, then move to the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers.

But after that, who? The Carolina Hurricanes? No. The Washington Capitals? No. The Tampa Bay Lightning? No. The New Jersey Devils? No. The Ottawa Senators? No. The Montreal Canadiens? No. You move to the Western Conference and you can’t feel good about how the Dallas Stars played against the Oilers. You can’t feel good about the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets or the ease with which Vegas lost to Edmonton in the second round of the playoffs.
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Who's better than the Leafs?

Florida and Edmonton are. Same goes for Washington, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Vegas, Colorado and even St. Louis.

Why? Because those teams actually went all the way to the final in recent years. And in most cases, they won. That's something that the Leafs haven't done. They haven't even reached the third round.

Yes, the Maple Leafs got closer to winning a Cup than they have in the Auston Matthews-era. But they are still so far, far away when it comes to getting the job done.

After all, there is a difference between getting close to beating an opponent and actually beating that opponent and then winning another two rounds for a championship.

What Could Morgan Rielly's Next Year With The Maple Leafs Look Like?What Could Morgan Rielly's Next Year With The Maple Leafs Look Like?The Toronto Maple Leafs need to look deeply at who’s bringing the team closer to success and who isn’t.

Roll things back? Isn’t that what they’ve done for the past nine years.

This wasn’t the first time that the Leafs lost to a team that reached the Stanley Cup final. In 2019, they lost in the first round to Boston, which then lost to St. Louis in the final. In 2021, they lost in the first round to Montreal, which then lost to Tampa Bay in the final. A year later, they lost in the first round to Tampa Bay, which won in the final. The next year, they lost in the second round to Florida, which then lost in the final to Vegas.

Rinse. Wash. Repeat.

This year, they did it again. After losing to the Panthers, the Leafs then watched as the defending champs beat Carolina in five easy games. So, of course, the thinking is that had Toronto won Game 7 then the Leafs could have been looking at a Stanley Cup final match-up against the Oilers.

Except for one thing: the Leafs didn’t beat the Panthers in Game 7. They lost. And like their previous close calls, they lost big.

Stanley Cup champions don’t get embarrassed at home, as they Leafs did in Games 5 and 7 to the Panthers. Their superstars don’t go MIA when the team needs them the most. They don’t point fingers or make excuses. They don’t blame the media, the fans and their opponents.

They just win.

NHL Rumor Roundup: McDavid's Future With Oilers, And Marner To The Golden Knights?NHL Rumor Roundup: McDavid's Future With Oilers, And Marner To The Golden Knights?As hockey fans await the start of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, some pundits are pondering Connor McDavid's future in Edmonton. 

That’s why the Leafs need to change their DNA, as Treliving put it in last week's season-ending news conference. That means breaking up the core and making the kind of significant change that could in theory cause the Leafs to take a step backwards in order to take a step forward.

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Knicks' to-do list for 2025 NBA offseason

The Knicks are back to the drawing board after a season of accomplishment. The club won 51 games, its most since 2013, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a quarter century.

But the NBA rarely slows down. Now, it’s time for the Knicks to look at how to rebound for next season. Despite being limited by salary cap constraints, it seems like there’s still endless possibilities this offseason. There’s talk of pursuing stars on the trade market and signing potential free agents.

Here are a few areas of focus the Knicks could have for the 2025 offseason.

Going star hunting

One way the Knicks can shake up the roster is acquiring a superstar-level talent. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Phoenix Suns veteran Kevin Durant are among the high-caliber players coming up in the trade rumor mill.

Antetokounmpo specifically is intriguing. He finished third in MVP voting this year and causes constant problems for opponents. But the Knicks don’t have much to trade for the star compared to other teams.

It’s hard to envision Milwaukee having interest in Karl-Anthony Towns. Even if New York is able to cobble together the salaries and draft picks, does the franchise want to further cannibalize an already thin roster? That will be what they have to weigh going into the offseason.

Figure out the coaching situation quickly

Despite support from star Jalen Brunson, Tom Thibodeau’s status as head coach remains one of the largest questions the Knicks will face this offseason. Thibodeau was criticized heavily for rotations, minutes, and strategic decisions throughout the season.

But the results also speak volumes too. New York advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. The club has won four playoff series in the last three seasons. Before this stretch, the Knicks had won one playoff series from 2001 to Thibodeau’s arrival in 2020.

Also, several players including Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Isaiah Hartenstein, Julius Randle and Nerlens Noel have all had career years under Thibodeau. Whatever decision the Knicks make on Thibodeau’s future will be a difficult one.

Find a perimeter playmaker

The Indiana Pacers’ full-court pressure, aggressive defense, and frenetic style of play clearly wore on Brunson throughout the Eastern Conference finals. Though he shot well enough (50.4 percent), Brunson turned the ball over 25 times, the most he’s ever had in a series.

One issue the Knicks had was the lack of another perimeter playmaker to alleviate the pressure on Brunson to initiate everything. Especially with Cameron Payne benched in favor of defensive options like Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, it left New York without a reliable ball-handler and playmaker.

Tyrese Haliburton has Andrew Nembhard. Donovan Mitchell has Darius Garland. Brunson could use that kind of help so defenses can’t just load up and guard him every possession.

Given their salary structure, the Knicks can’t break the bank. The Knicks most likely will have their taxpayer midlevel exception ($5.7 million). There are some guards that could fill the role who are free agents like Tyus Jones and Dennis Schroder. Both players could likely capture more on the market, and that leads us further down the chart to options like Spencer Dinwiddie.

Youth movement

If the Knicks aren’t able to snag a playmaker as a free agent or on the trade market, internal improvement should be a priority for the club. Despite having four picks in last year’s draft on the roster, New York’s contributions from its rookies were limited.

Ariel Hukporti and Tyler Kolek both saw spot rotation minutes due to injury. First round pick Pacome Dadiet spent some time in the G League, and Kevin McCullar Jr. was rehabbing from a knee injury for much of the year. In all, the rookies played just 653 combined minutes.

Thibodeau has often been reluctant to play the younger players on the roster. But for a Knicks team approaching the second apron, drafting well and developing young talent is a differentiating skill that separates winners from losers in the NBA. This might be one of the more important summers for the Knicks’ young players.

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England set to face Fiji, South Africa and Argentina in inaugural Nations Championship matches

  • First three games ‘away’ but Fiji want to play in Europe

  • England would host Australia, NZ and Japan in November

England are set to begin their inaugural Nations Championship campaign in just over a year’s time by playing Fiji – potentially in Europe – as well as away matches against the back-to-back world champions South Africa and Argentina, the Guardian understands.

The 12-team competition, which will be held every two years and replaces traditional tours, is set to break new ground next year in the northern hemisphere summer and while the fixture list is yet to be announced, the Guardian has learned current proposals put England in line to face the Springboks in South Africa for the first time since 2018. A return to Argentina – where Steve Borthwick’s side will face two Tests this summer – is also on the cards.

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Former world No 5 Max Homa carries own bag at US Open qualifier after split from caddie

  • American parted ways with caddie in recent weeks

  • Homa misses out on US Open after fading down stretch

Max Homa stood out more than usual on Monday in a US Open qualifier filled with PGA Tour players. He was the only one carrying his own bag.

Homa didn’t have a caddie and didn’t feel like talking about it, regardless of how much attention it was getting on social media.

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