Leadoff batter Anthony Seigler and cleanup hitter Willson Contreras both had to exit the Boston Red Sox's game against the Chicago White Sox before Wednesday night's game was even three innings old.
Seigler was hurt in the top of the third inning due to a collision with White Sox catcher Kyle Teel. Seigler scored on a wild pitch, but remained down after colliding with Teel and appeared to be in considerable pain.
He was replaced at second base by Andruw Monasterio.
Contreras fouled a ball off his foot in the same at-bat in which Seigler was hurt.
Willson Contreras has exited the game for the Red Sox after fouling a ball off his foot pic.twitter.com/jIjXAPx28w
â Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 9, 2026
He flied out to center to end the inning and eventually exited in the bottom of the third when the Red Sox returned to the field. He was limping heavily when he exited.
Both Willson Contreras and Anthony Seigler are out of the game. Incredibly bad luck.
Contreras was limping heavily out at first base before pulling himself. Last time we saw him during the first half? pic.twitter.com/vOyZMuZcri
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 08: Dylan Cease #84 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the eighth inning at Oracle Park on July 08, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Baseball has a funny way of sticking with you. Some plays, some moments, some games, some players, just latch onto certain segments of your brain and Iâm not fit to diagnose why.
Iâve consumed thousands and thousands of San Francisco Giants games in my life. Some through paper box scores, and others through digital ones; many through the speakers of my bright yellow boombox that my parents got me in my youth, and many more through god knows how many different car stereos; some I watched on TV, some I watched on a computer, and some I watched on my phone; a few were in person, and plenty have been followed through social media or the play-by-play data online.
And Iâve forgotten most of them, of course. Countless memorable games and canât-miss highlights that have been labeled as you wonât ever forget that have been, ironically, thrown out in my annual spring cranial cleaning.
What we forget is rarely weird. What we remember, however, always seems so strange.
I remember, for instance, July 2, 2013 vividly. The Giants, seeking to repeat as champions, were mired in quite a slump. A once promising season had fallen by the wayside. Theyâd lost five of their last six games, and scored one run in three of their last four. They were flailing and feckless. They were inventing new ways to lose.
In a word, they were pathetic.
I was in Yosemite on that day, spending time with my parents for the first time since I had moved out and attempted to start life as an adult. Thereâs a cafeteria/bar/pizza parlor/patio in the valley, where we would stay on our then annual vacations, and they throw sports on the television, which is quite good of them. In 2013, the glorious pre-streaming era, they played the Giants, because the Giants were on the station they got.
And so I wandered with my dad to check in on the Giants game, eager for a glorious battle between Tim Lincecum and Homer Bailey. Excited for a chance for the Giants to right the ship. The game was only a few innings in when we got there, and we werenât planning on staying long.
But I had to stay and catch the first hit. My dad, less patient, wandered back to the cabin. Every now and then Iâd roam back between innings to fill him in: still no hit. Occasionally heâd meander back to the cafe and poke his head in: still no hit.
Finally and mercifully, the game ended. Nine no-hit innings by Bailey. I remember remarking, I think to my dad but perhaps just in my head, that at least the Giants had finally hit rock bottom. A brutal June swoon that began with getting blown out in both halves of a June 1 doubleheader had reached itâs climactic moment. The Giants had been bounced off the bottom of the riverbed, and had nowhere to go but up. They had been no-hit, and things could not, and would not, get worse.
I was thinking about that game today, as the Giants lost 10-0 to the Toronto Blue Jays. The thought first popped up in the third inning, when Dylan Cease struck out Bryce Eldridge, Drew Gilbert, and Eric Haase in dominant fashion, ending his first turn through the order with emphasis. It was perhaps too early to contemplate a no-hitter, especially given that the Giants, for all their woes, possess baseballâs fifth-best batting average. They struggle to spin hits into runs, and really struggle to spin runs into wins, but they do get their dinks and their doinks and their grab bag of miscellaneous singles.
But Cease cruised through the fourth on just nine pitches. And while a two-out walk drawn by Willy Adames broke up a perfect game in the fifth inning, Ceaseâs immediate rebuttal â overpowering Eldridge for another strikeout â made it clear that the other historic bid remained intact.
It was hilariously emblematic of the Giants season that Logan Webb was matching Cease bar for bar, but only after stalling out of the starting gates. Webb allowed back-to-back singles to open the game, followed them up with a one-out walk and a single to score a run, and then ceded the first grand slam of his career to Kazuma Okamoto.
By that point the had thrown 25 pitches, allowed five runs, and retired one batter. And then, in typical Webb fashion, he retired the next 13 batters consecutively, and needed just 46 pitches to do so. In all, Webb would make it through seven innings, giving up just a single and a walk after that fated stretch to open the game.
Cease, meanwhile, would not live up to his verb comprising his surname. He gave in with another walk in the sixth â this time a leadoff bases on balls to Gilbert â then struck out Haase, struck out Ramos, and induced a weak groundout from Luis ArrĂĄez. The no-hitter watch was well and firmly on.
It highlighted how useless the offensive display was â and how dominant the pitching was â that no one started to question the no-hitter until the seventh inning, when it became apparent that Cease was headed for squeamish manager pitch count territory, which wasnât helped by his third walk of the game, this time to Rafael Devers. But he worked through it, and entered the eighth inning with a no-hitter intact.
In that frame, he got the two things he needed: a nine-pitch inning, and a highlight play from his defense. The former was necessary for John Schneider to feel comfortable sending his ace out to finish the job. The latter â a 396-foot fly ball from Eldridge that Daulton Varsho tracked down â was mandatory for the no-hitter. According to rule 109.3 in the Big Book of Baseball Rules, and I quote, âEvery no-hitter must feature at least one (1) highlight defensive play in which you think a hit will be achieved, but it is instead stolen by a defender, resulting in a pitcher celebration that serves as the first on-field acknowledgement of the historical achievement at hand, and which will be uploaded to MLBâs YouTube channel within 30 minutes of the final out, to be replayed in perpetuity by millions of fans, at least 5,000 of which, annually, will be mandated to claim that they were in attendance even though they were not.â
At that point, the no-hitter felt like a given. The Blue Jays had their play. Cease had made it through eight innings with only one scare, only four balls hit harder than 90 mph, and 11 strikeouts.
But the Giants had a cheeky trick up their sleeves. They had tried everything to knock Cease out of rhythm: taking pitches, swinging at pitches, looking blankly at pitches, making jokes while watching pitches go by them ⌠you name it, theyâd tried it. But late in the game they tried a new tactic: ice him out.
It started in the top of the eighth inning, when Spencer Bivens replaced Webb, and an oh-so-long inning ensued. Bivens loaded the bases with one out, and then induced a double play ball, only to watch as Devers flat out dropped a pitch thrown right to his chest. A run scored, the inning lived on, and then another run scored on a single. They had kept Cease, now into triple figures with his pitch count, sitting in the dugout for a long time.
Was it any coincidence that when he took the mound in the eighth, he immediately threw a pitch that Eldridge tattooed deep into the night, even though it was ultimately caught?
Apparently the Giants didnât think so, because they doubled down on their efforts in the ninth inning, with a man who has been honing this craft all season: Ryan Walker. If a laboriously long inning is what Tony Vitello is after, then he knows just the man to call. And indeed, Walker took his time issuing a leadoff walk to Nathan Lukes, then followed it up with back-to-back home runs issued to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, both on teed-up hangers placed perfectly into the wheelhouse of the respective sluggers.
Walker mixed in a single and a few other long counts, ultimately throwing 28 pitches in the inning, the perfect amount of time for Cease to sit, grow cold and stiff and bored, and then get called on once again.
This time it worked. Cease took the mound for the ninth inning, and the third pitch he threw caught too much plate, with too little movement. Ramos jumped on it, lining it sharply into center field.
The no-hit bit was over, and it honestly felt anticlimactic. You almost found yourself rooting for a little bit of history. Maybe itâs the memory of Chris Heston influencing me, but thereâs something magical about how a no-hitter stands as an outlier in a playerâs performance, which allows it be viewed as separate from a run of the mill great outing. Great pitchers throw them, yes, but mediocre pitchers throw them as well. Sometimes players throw a no-hitter, and the next week get rocked. It feels less like a sustainably great performance by a sustainably great player, and more like the sportâs version of an eclipse: a perfect confluence of magic, skill, luck, and destiny bestowed upon a pitcher some random weekday from the baseball deities.
But eight innings of one-hit ball by an ace who was available this winter but the Giants didnât even try to sign, followed by three quick outs from Tyler Rogers, an elite reliever who was available this winter but the Giants didnât even try to sign? Well, that just feels like a baseball team thatâs run better than yours and coached better than yours, using their players who are better than yours to win.
And with that, the Giants fell to 16 games below .500 for the first time in eight years. It wasnât a no-hitter like the one Bailey painted all those years ago, but it sure feels like rock bottom all the same.
Then again, the day after Bailey no-hit them 13 years ago, the Giants got walked off in the 11th inning, and would lose six of their last seven. So maybe itâll get even worse.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 3, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on July 3, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Dodgersâ longest homestand of the year â 10 games â to take them into the All-Star break features all National League West opponents. First came the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies to Los Angeles, and now the Arizona Diamondbacks are in town for a three-game series beginning Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles really distanced itself from the division in June, and Arizona has lost 10 of 16 games entering Wednesday night.
Shohei Ohtani takes the mound in his final pitching start before the All-Star break. Heâs lasted at least six innings in 13 of his 14 starts this season, including each of his last six starts, averaging 6.12 innings per start this season with a sparkling 1.79 ERA and 2.70 xERA.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 20: Victor Mederos #58 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates defeating the Miami Marlins 9-1 at loanDepot park on May 20, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Prior to todayâs game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Atlanta Braves recalled right-handed pitcher Victor Mederos and optioned lefty Conner Thomas to Triple-A.
Mederos appeared in one game back in late May for Atlanta, covering two innings in a victory against the Miami Marlins. He had pitched in a dozen games across three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels prior to his Braves debut. Thomas appeared for the Braves last night, allowing four runs in 3.2 innings pitched in his debut with Atlanta.
The Braves continue to churn pitchers on an almost daily basis. On a related note, the teamâs transaction page shows the Carlos Carrasco has resigned on a minor league deal again.
Mederos has had middling results with Gwinnett this year, but can cover multiple innings, when needed.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 22: Jordan McLaughlin #0 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on January 22, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spursâ team for the 2026/27 season is mostly set. San Antonio extended Julian Champagnieâs contract, brought back Harrison Barnes, signed Tobias Harris in free agency, and added two rookie big men from the draft. All those moves got them close to the tax line and filled up 13 of the 15 roster spots available.
With the big transactions out of the way, all thatâs left is deciding what to do with those two last roster spots. The Spurs could go in different directions there, so letâs take a look at some of their options.
The continuity path: Jordan McLaughlin and Bismack Biyombo
Arguably the least exciting path, but we are talking about the fringes of the roster, so thereâs nothing wrong with making choices that focus on stability instead of upside
McLaughlin arrived in the DeâAaron Fox trade and impressed the Spurs enough that they brought them back on a minimum contract for the 2025/26 season. He suited up for 44 games, mostly in garbage time, but on the opportunities he got, he showed he can be a good deep bench guy who provides solid game management and steady spot-up shooting. The 30-year-old is a finished product, but he can play and fits San Antonioâs culture.
Unlike J-Mack, Biyombo shouldnât really see the floor unless a game is decided at this point in his career. His athleticism is gone, and he was never known for his skill. What he brought to the table last season was leadership, as he was clearly respected by everyone in the locker room, including Victor Wembanyama. With how many big bodies the Spurs have, he could continue to be more of a coach than a player.
McLaughlin would likely command a guaranteed minimum deal, like last season, while Biyombo could likely be had for a partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed minimum.
The maximum depth path: sign the best veterans available
Signing the best talent available might seem like the obvious best choice, but the Spurs donât really have a lot of minutes to offer, so the expectations of anyone coming in should be managed to avoid any potential locker room issues. Guys like McLaughlin know how things work in San Antonio. A talented veteran who is trying to get his career back on track or end it on a high note might want a bigger role than Mitch Johnson can offer them. But if Johnson is open to having everyone but the core guys earn their minutes through competition, it could work.
Now, we are talking about players who would take the minimum or close to it, since thatâs all the Spurs can offer, which rules out any big names. But guys like Bruce Brown, Jordan Clarkson, or Cole Anthony, among others, could be in play. They would probably prefer a destination where minutes are readily available, but if they are assured they will have a chance to earn them, they could be interested in being in a contender.
Those guys could carve out small roles for themselves, but could also be unhappy if they donât end up doing so. There is some risk attached to them, but they could help in case of an emergency.
The youth and upside path: no one over 25 allowed
Essentially, the opposite of the continuity path. The Spurs have their main guys, and with Barnes back and the Harris addition, they have their veterans. Why not use the last roster spots to try to find the next Champagnie?
A simple way to do it would be to canvas the undrafted free agent and G League talent pools. Summe League is perfect for it. While most teams would likely only offer Exhibit 10 (training camp) contracts, the Spurs could be more aggressive and offer a non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed standard contract to someone who shines. At this point, itâs hard to come up with a lot of names, but there are always standouts. San Antonio has a lot of youth already on the main roster, but they have a good developmental system in Austin that they can always rely on.
The issue with this direction is that it both hurts the overall reliable depth of the team, as by nature the signings would be somewhat risky and target players who could develop into but are not currently NBA talents, while also costing money and flexibility. And most projects donât turn into Champagnie. Still, if the Spurs think they can get the veterans they are interested in to wait until after Summer League is over, they could be patient before making their signings and potentially use one or both of their spots on young players with potential.
The savings and flexibility path: keeping a roster spot open
Teams are allowed to carry just 14 players on their roster, so thereâs no need for the Spurs to sign two more guys. They could simply elect to add someone and keep an open spot heading into the season, something theyâve done in the past.
The reason for doing that is to maintain some roster flexibility. They donât have much room under the tax to take on money for assets, but they could do a two-for-one deal or eventually convert a two-way contract into a standard one without having to waive anyone. They could also have a spot in case someone theyâre interested in gets waived. Essentially, theyâd save up some money that otherwise would be going to someone unlikely to contribute until they feel they can find the right use for the spot.
The downside is the Spurs wouldnât be able to add depth at two positions in this scenario. They would have their two-way guys to help in case of emergency, so anything other than major absences shouldnât present a major problem, but thereâs a case to be made for having a set roster that can work together and develop chemistry heading into the season. It would also be unwise to use the one roster spot with someone like Biyombo, who only provides leadership, instead of likely focusing more on potential productivity.
What path do you think the Spurs should pick? Could they mix and match, going for a veteran and a young player? What are some names you would like to see them pursue? Let us know in the comments.
Something about coaching in the Atlantic Division seems to agree with former Detroit Red Wings bench boss Derek Lalonde.
Lalonde, who spent last season as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, wasn't retained by the club after they hired former Red Wings forward Daniel Alfredsson.
But it didn't take him long to land a new position. According to NHL Insider Eric Engels, Lalonde is joining the coaching staff of the Montreal Canadiens following the departure of Trevor Letowski.
The Montreal Canadiens are hiring Derek Lalonde to join their coaching staff as an assistant. He will be replacing Trevor Letowski, who's decided to step off the bench to have more time with his family. It's the Canadiens' desire to keep Letowski in the organization.
The Maple Leafs completely reshaped their coaching staff under new general manager John Chayka, who was hired to replace Brad Treliving (fired on March 30).
The Canadiens are Lalonde's fourth stop in the Atlantic Division after Toronto and Detroit. He began his NHL coaching career as an assistant under Jon Cooper with the Tampa Bay Lightning, helping them win the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons in 2020 and 2021.
He was then hired by the Red Wings as head coach and the successor to Jeff Blashill in the summer of 2022, and was eventually dismissed in December 2024.
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SAN FRANCISCO â Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays took a no-hitter into the ninth inning on Wednesday before the Giantsâ Heliot Ramos broke it up a line-drive single to center field.
Cease was lifted after Ramosâ hit and got a standing ovation from the San Francisco crowd. Tyler Rogers came on and got the last three outs on four pitches as the Blue Jays won 10-0.
The 30-year-old Cease threw a career-high 118 pitches, 81 for strikes, as he sought his second career no-hitter and the first solo no-hitter in the majors since 2024. The All-Star right-hander struck out 11 to increase his American League-leading total to 148.
Cease threw a no-hitter for the San Diego Padres at Washington on July 25, 2024. Eight days later, Blake Snell threw one for the Giants. Since then, there have been two combined no-hitters â including one in March by Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert, Alimber Santa of the Houston Astros â but no pitcher has done it on his own as managers more frequently pull pitchers in the middle of hitless outings because of concern over pitch counts and playersâ health.
Thirty-five pitchers have thrown multiple no-hitters. Mike Fiers of the Athletics became the last to do it on May 7, 2019.
Cease set down the first 14 San Francisco batters before he walked Willy Adames with two outs in the fifth. Cease also walked Drew Gilbert leading off the sixth and Rafael Devers with one out in the seventh.
Torontoâs defense made two solid plays to sustain the no-hit bid. With two outs in the seventh, Adames sent with a grounder up the middle, and second baseman Ernie Clement ranged to the left side of the bag and made a nice pickup and throw to first.
Leading off the eighth, Bryce Eldridge hit a drive to deep left-center. Center fielder Daulton Varsho raced to make an excellent catch before running into the wall.
In Torontoâs 9-3 win Tuesday night, the Blue Jays retired the final 15 San Francisco hitters.
Jun 1, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) reacts as he walks off the field after the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will play the 4th game of their 5-game series this week versus the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday night. Birthday boy Michael McGreevy will get the start for St. Louis while Milwaukee will give the ball to Kyle Harrison whoâs 8-1 on the season with a 2.82 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm at Busch Stadium and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 1: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks smiles during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 1, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Hawks may have declined Jonathan Kumingaâs team option, making him an unrestricted free agent, but they might still factor into his next destination.
With Kuminga being a five-year player with a high upside, multiple teams, including the Lakers, are interested in the wing.
A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakersâ 2032 first-round pick swap â the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer.
Obviously, this is something the Hawks would like. They avoided paying Kuminga by declining his option, and now they are being rewarded with picks and a defensive player in Jarred Vanderbilt if the Lakers agree to this.
If the numbers work, Kuminga could get a better deal than what LA originally offered. The Lakers could acquire him, and the Hawks would gain the assets they want.
Price also reported later in the piece that the Lakers are open to moving Vando or other players in a trade.
âThe Lakers have been willing to trade Vanderbilt, according to multiple sources who spoke with the Post who were granted anonymity so they could speak freely, as well as other players on the roster in order to create more roster-building optionality.â
The key here is that just because the Lakers are willing to move certain players doesnât mean they will do so if the deal doesnât make sense.
A bad move just to land a wing is even worse than not acquiring one at all. The Lakers donât have much money or roster spots left, so they have to figure out how to maximize this opportunity.
Also, with the Lakers trading for Walker Kessler, they have very little draft capital left. A pick swap with the Hawks could be a bad long-term decision if Kuminga doesnât improve with the Lakers.
Still, the Hawksâ willingness to facilitate this is a positive. The goal for Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka at this point should be to structure a deal that benefits the Lakers as well.
Even though Kumingaâs value isnât very high right now, heâs still a solid player. Last year, he averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range.
Jul 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A general view of Busch Stadium after St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Nelson Velazquez (not pictured) hit a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers, winners of seven straight against the Cardinals and four straight overall, are looking to extend both those streaks on Wednesday night as theyâll take on St. Louis for the fourth game of their five-game set. Left-hander Kyle Harrison is set to start for the Brewers, with righty Michael McGreevy starting for the Redbirds.
Harrison, 8-1 with a 2.82 ERA and 99 strikeouts this season, had a short start on Friday night in Arizona, as he exited after just 2 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk, striking out three on 72 pitches. That marked his third consecutive and fourth start in his last five allowing at least two runs â heâll look to buck that trend in St. Louis tonight.
McGreevy, 3-7 with a 3.12 ERA and 60 strikeouts this season, has lost each of his last four decisions despite a still-solid month of June â across five starts, he went 0-2 with a 3.41 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 29 innings, allowing two runs or fewer in four of those five games.
In roster news, Brandon Woodruff had an MRI in Milwaukee, but the news is not good: he has a new injury to the anterior shoulder capsule. His surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, will provide a second opinion before determining a timeline. Another big âoofâ for the Brewer veteran.
Additional info from the Brewers is not good: Brandon Woodruffâs imaging showed a new injury to the anterior shoulder capsule. Waiting on a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister before determining a timeline.
Tonightâs lineup once again features Christian Yelich in the leadoff spot as the DH, followed by Jackson Chourio and Jake Bauers. William Contreras, Garrett Mitchell, and Luis Lara make up the middle of the order, with Cooper Pratt, Joey Ortiz, and Greg Jones (at second base!) rounding things out.
First pitch is at 6:45 p.m. CT on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
The Islanders are letting fans design the teamâs alternate jersey for the 2027-28 season, down to the tiniest details like shoulder patches and trim â and the winner gets to be there in person to see their product debut on the ice.
âIn the end, youâre going to end up with a jersey that the fans like, and the players like â and hopefully thatâs the one that you want to win a Cup in,â Isles president of business operations Kelly Cheeseman told The Post.
The team launched an online portal, islesjerseybuilder.com, where diehards can begin with a jersey-style layout in familiar formats like the 1990s-revived fisherman wave and classic NYI style.
It also introduces fresh takes on former looks, like repurposing the font format from the teamâs fan-panned black, gray and orange jerseys circa 2011.
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders celebrates after scoring a first-period goal against the Nashville Predators at UBS Arena on January 31, 2026 in Elmont, New York. NHLI via Getty Images
There were more than 11,000 entries in the first four hours of going live Wednesday, well ahead of the July 24 deadline.
Cheeseman said fans have been rabid with âconspiracy theoriesâ about the Islandersâ jersey future and past â like the teamâs sweaters that featured only an âNYâ without the backdrop of Long Island â well before the contest launched.
âYou see a lot of debate about an all-orange jersey, and whether that should be back,â added Cheeseman of the popular mid-2000s alternate.
âI just love all that chatter. It just brings the passion of the fan base forward. When thereâs that irrational talk about anything in sports, thatâs what real fan bases dream about.â
Unusual hues of gold, red, green and purple are up for grabs, in addition to the Islandersâ usual blue-and-orange palette and its variations.
Cheeseman, who had similar success with the fan concept in 2013 with the MLSâ LA Galaxy, doubled down on the point that team staff and the athletes will have a final say as a fail-safe against any popular but outlandish submissions that receive high votes.
âI think really getting the players involved, so that theyâre picking what they want to wear, thatâs to me always the most important part of the jersey uniform process,â he said.
Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho (25) and New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) celebrate the goal by New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at UBS Arena. USA TODAY SportsThe Islanders used to wear an orange sweater in the 2000s. neil miller
âWhen theyâre putting it on, theyâve got to feel like, âAll right, I want to win a gameâ and not to feel all goofy.â
Thatâs not to say creativity isnât encouraged, according to Cheeseman, who called the contest âkind of a teaseâ to the teamâs hometown remix jerseys for this upcoming season.
âThereâs even areas where fans can add notes at the end of their jersey. If you werenât able to completely capture your concept and idea, tell us what notes you have,â he said.
âItâs the jersey of the people â and the team of the people.â
It feels like dĂŠjĂ vu. We've been here before. To be exact, it was 16 years ago.
A then-25-year-old LeBron James stopped the sports world as he sat down with longtime reporter and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jim Gray as he announced which team he would sign with as a free agent in a 75 minute-long special broadcast on ESPN titled "The Decision."
It was the birth of a infamous phrase uttered by James when he announced as a free agent in 2010 that he would sign with the Miami Heat.
"In this fall, man, this is very tough, in this fall I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat," James said in 2010.
That fateful day rocked the entire Cleveland, actually, Ohio fanbase. Tears were shed and No. 23 jerseys were lit to flames.
It wasn't so much the decision announcement, and where, but rather how it was orchestrated that really ticked some people off. Some called it a waste of time, others said it was attention-seeking and self-centered, despite the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, being the benefactor of $2.5 million that the show raised.
Now 16 years later, at age 41, James faces another free agency decision.
For those keeping record, it's like the fourth decision, not counting the one to skip college and go straight to the league.
So, "The Decision" was a TV special on ESPN in 2010.
Years later in 2014, he went to print. He informed the sports landscape that he'd leave Miami and go back to Cleveland in quest of bringing an NBA title to the city by penning a first person essay titled "I'm Coming Home" published by Sports Illustrated on July 11. But for sequential purposes, we'll call it "The Decision: Part II."
Another four years passed and in 2018, James would leave Cleveland for Los Angeles to play for the Lakers. This decision surprised everyone as it came on the first day of free agency. It was a different route from the usual stalling, anticipation tactics fans that were expected in previous years. He informed everyone, taking a page from Michael Jordan's book with a simple press release statement through his agency, Klutch Sports Group. It's unofficially "The Decision: Part III."
After eight seasons with the Lakers, James is set to make another decision yet again, "The Decision: Part IV," as he decides which team he'll play for next season and potentially, the remainder of his career, whenever that'll be.
It's not really a matter of when but moreso, how? We've got a TV special, a sports magazine excerpt and a press release statement. We've got some ideas for how the fourth could even be better. So LeBron or Rich Paul, if you're reading this, consider these options:
How LeBron James should announce his free agency decision
It could be done through a basic press release again. But that's no fun. A social media post is more personable, but still kind of bland. A TV special is a bit too much, although the charity proceeds aspect is highly commendable. Shameless pitch but the offer to pen an essay via USA TODAY Sports is always an option, too.
But let's have fun with it. Here are a few ways LeBron James should consider making his announcement to the sports world about his next team.
Let "Air Corgi" decide
Completely hit everyone from the blindside and allow the fluffy, viral sensation oddsmaker "Air Corgi" to make the decision. Whatever the dog decides is the team James chooses. It's kind of roulette style.
Scavenger hunt in every potential city
Organize a scavenger hunt in all of the cities that James could potentially play in for fans to participate in. How would it work? Leave certain clues, have them solve riddles for answers that will ultimately let them know whether their city is chosen or not by the time the hunt is finished.
Put it on a blimp
Remember in Ice Cube's "It Was A Good Day" how he read his name on the lights of a Goodyear blimp? Yeah that's what James should do. Have a Goodyear blimp cruise the air of whatever is the destined city and have the lights caption: "LeBron James: Coming to an arena near you." Now if you really want to ruffle some feathers, do it for all 30 NBA teams, but have the phrase blink for the team you intend to play for.
Make a commercial
Everybody wants to know. Put a together a fun commercial with family and friends that tell a story of James' career. In the commercial, have a collage of videos asking where James will go. Do it like he's being drafted all over again, or a highly recruited high school standout that's going to choose his college. Have him in a suit, lay out different hats or jerseys and make the selection. Make it a Nike or NBA commercial, so everybody eats.
Tease it in a movie or TV show
Remember the days when prominent figures such as athletes, musicians and entertainers made cameos on sitcoms. Yeah, let's get back that for this decision. Get creative.
Put it in a song
Hop on the track and give us 16 bars about the next destination. Jay-Z is your boy. Link with 2 Chainz. Or get with the artist or artists that best represent whichever city you choose. Thinking Cleveland? Phone Bone Thugz N Harmony, maybe Kid Cudi, or how about your guy Al Fatz (if you know, you know). Thinking Miami again? Tap in with DJ Khaled and Rick Ross. Philly? Grab Meek Mill. Let's get creative. Going to the Bay? It's only right that you hit E-40 or Too $hort, but consider Larry June.
Hop on stream
Hop on someone's stream and announce it. There's plenty of streams James could join. Pick one. Kai Cenat, he's back by the way and James has been a guest on his stream before. Neon just had Giannis Antetokounmpo on his stream, so maybe that's an option. Whether James chooses the 76ers or not, hopping on Jaylen Brown's stream for the announcement would definitely create buzz.
Banana Boat trip
We all remember the "iconic" banana boat trip. Take another banana boat trip, this time, with select individuals that represent a particular destination. Have someone snap a picture and let the narratives fly.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 07: Alejandro Osuna #19 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with Ezequiel Duran #20 after hitting a three run home run during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field on July 07, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Britainâs Paralympic dame is quitting after a stellar career that began in the swimming pool as a 14-year-old before five Games hoovering up cycling gold medals
âThis is the first time that I will speak about the next chapter,â Dame Sarah Storey says in a quiet corner of a busy cafe in Macclesfield as, after a remarkable career in which she won 74 world and Paralympic medals as the most successful British athlete, she prepares to announce her retirement from elite competition. Itâs a seismic moment for Storey and for Paralympic sport but the 48-year-old is in a relaxed and cheerful mood.
âIâve always shied away from the word âretirementâ because as an athlete you have to plan for the next chapter,â she says. âIt certainly isnât doing nothing and sitting with your feet up. I started planning for what life might look like as soon as I became an international athlete.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo is introduced to the new Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor by owner Mat Ishbia during the NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 126-104. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you grew up on Suns basketball, this one hits different.
Jerry Colangelo, the man who built this franchise from a 1968 coin flip loss into a Western Conference institution, is officially back in the NBA ownership game at 86 years old.
Jerry Colangelo back in the NBA business? Yes! From his group's release: Colangelo, Vinny Del Negro, media executive David Levy, finance chairman Scott Colangelo, CEO Jonathan Thomas and former NBA No. 2 overall pick Jay Williams pursue NBA franchise in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Jacks unveiled their leadership group Wednesday, headlined by Colangelo, former NBA player and head coach Vinny Del Negro, media executive David Levy, finance chairman Scott Colangelo, CEO Jonathan Thomas, and former NBA player Jay Williams.
âBasketball has become a global sport to levels never seen before,â said Jerry Colangelo. âWith the five top MVP vote-getters being all internationally born, the game is reaching unparalleled heights. My excitement for this project and for our Jackâs vision is right up there in terms of my career. We are all committed and working as hard as we can to bring the league, owners, and the fans the best proposal and end product possible to Las Vegas.â
The money is real. The group has set an asset target of $12.5 billion to $13 billion, with $5 billion already committed and another $3 billion formally indicated, and Levy says they plan to pay the expansion fee in cash. In the short term, they would play at T-Mobile Arena while developing a basketball-centric venue.
The competition is stacked. Magic Johnsonâs MAGI group, Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, and former Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry are all in the mix, and Adam Silver hopes to have an expansion answer by the end of the year.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA â APRIL 09: Former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo (R) hugs broadcaster Al McCoy during a halftime ceremony honoring McCoy's retirement during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Footprint Center on April 09, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. McCoy will retire after 51 years as the Suns radio announcer. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Are you all ready for Phoenixâs newest rival to be built just 4 hours and 30 minutes (by car) down the road?
