Hawks fans get their first look at Kingston Flemings and the rest of the young players as they start their three-game Summer League stretch against Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz.
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Start Time: 5:00 PM EDT
TV: ESPN U
Radio: N/A
Streaming: Prime, Fubo
It’s been a long time since the Nets had this much to look forward to at Summer League. No matter how you want to look at it, they have a ton of stock in the players playing in Sacramento.
We had a late edit to today’s thread as fans anticipated Mikel Brown Jr’s (6th overall) first game as a Nets — particularly in a fun matchup against Darius Acuff Jr. (7th overall). Roughly 20 minutes before tip, Brian Lewis provided an update:
Drake Powell joins the team after missing last year’s summer league. It’ll be important for him to carve out a leadership role while in Sacramento. Nolan Traore is out for the summer.
Enjoy the fireworks!
Share your thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.
Time/Place: 4:05 p.m., Globe Life Field
SB Nation Site:Lone Star Ball
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Jack Flaherty (1-8, 4.97 ERA) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (2-6, 3.83 ERA)
| Player | G | IP | K% | BB% | GB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flaherty | 16 | 70.2 | 26.7 | 11.3 | 29.5 | 3.90 | 1.3 |
| Rocker | 16 | 80.0 | 20.3 | 9.0 | 47.5 | 3.89 | 1.3 |
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Does it fit Quentin Dolan being named president, chief operating officer and alternate governor of the Rangers?
Here's how his dad, Garden boss Jim Dolan, defends the very decisive Blueshirts developments:
"Since Quentin's arrival overseeing our Player Performance and Science Department, he has made a strong impact on the Rangers and Knicks organizations," says James Dolan. "As a result we are pleased that he will step into this elevated position."
The Rangers and Knicks are part of the expanding Dolan enterprises. That includes theaters such as the Beacon on Broadway and the Sphere in Las Vegas, among others. The Rangers need help and young Dolan has completed his basic training:
James Dolan: "Quentin has quickly become an incredibly valued member of the Rangers franchise and played a key role behind the scenes with the Knicks during their championship run. I look forward to seeing the positive influence he can make in this expanded and critical role."
The Knicks have obliterated the Rangers on the Garden landscape. Quentin's appointment is a necessary component in upgrading the Blueshirts to the lofty position of the Knicks.
The Mariners have scored one run, on a bases-loaded walk, in their last 20 innings of baseball.
Logan Gilbert takes on the Blue Jays today approaching a career milestone – he’s nine strikeouts away from his 1,000th career K. That’s a heavy lift for a day’s work, but it would be so special if he could hit that milestone in front of the fans at home, especially since there hasn’t been much to cheer about for Mariners fans lately.
Lineups:
News:
While today was originally scheduled to be a Gilbert/Hancock piggyback, instead the Mariners are going back to a six-man rotation until the All-Star Break in order to get the starters some extra rest. Hancock will pitch tomorrow, and the rest of the rotation will continue to slot in as normal.
Injury updates:
Julio Rodríguez was at the park today and did some light jogging on the treadmill but is still experiencing concussion symptoms (headache, nausea, lightheadedness).
Brendan Donovan was also at the park working on baserunning and fielding drills. He’ll go out on a rehab assignment when the Mariners are out of town next week; unfortunately, the Rainiers and AquaSox are both out of town as well, so Donovan will head to Arizona to get in some work at the complex. Thoughts and prayers to the 18 year old complex kids getting to pitch to Brendan Donovan.
Today’s game information:
Game time: 1:10 PT
TV: Mariners TV with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryan Rowland-Smith
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.; ESPN radio with Roxy Bernstein and Madison Shipman
Nick Blankenburg's late-season stint with the Colorado Avalanche appears unlikely to continue, with the defenseman now headed to unrestricted free agency and little expectation of a return.
Acquired from the Nashville Predators in March for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, Blankenburg arrived as a depth addition to strengthen Colorado's blue line for the stretch run and postseason.
The 27-year-old split the season between the two clubs, recording 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 49 games with Nashville before adding three points (two goals, one assist) in 12 regular-season appearances with the Avalanche.
He also suited up in five playoff games, scoring his first career postseason goal in memorable fashion. Blankenburg buried a cross-seam pass from Valeri Nichushkin past Jesper Wallstedt during Colorado's 9-6 victory in Game 1 of its second-round series against the Minnesota Wild. The celebration quickly became one of the defining moments of Colorado's postseason, as Blankenburg launched himself into the glass before Gabriel Landeskog, Brock Nelson, and Cale Makar piled in.
Like Nichushkin, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this offseason, Blankenburg appears headed for a new opportunity.
Well... maybe.
There are still a few scenarios worth considering.
A reunion with Nashville is among the most logical.
Blankenburg quickly became a fan favorite with the Predators after earning his opportunity following time in the AHL. His skating, puck-moving ability, and willingness to play much bigger than his 5-foot-9 frame made him an easy player to appreciate, and he rewarded that confidence with the most productive offensive season of his NHL career.
Then there's the Chris MacFarland factor.
The former Avalanche general manager has made a habit of bringing familiar faces to Nashville since taking over the organization. At this rate, you might as well start calling them the Nashville Predalanche.
Already this offseason, MacFarland has acquired Ross Colton, Isak Posch, Jack Drury, and Chase Bradley in separate trades. He also signed former Avalanche defenseman Jack Ahcan to a two-way contract, continuing to fill the organization with players he already knows well.
A return to Nashville would make sense for more than just hockey.
Blankenburg has been open throughout his career about the importance of his Christian faith, often crediting his relationship with Christ as the foundation of both his life and career. During his time in Colorado, he spoke about sharing that bond with teammates Josh Manson and Brent Burns, relationships that helped him quickly settle into a new organization.
From a hockey perspective, the fit is just as sensible. MacFarland wanted Blankenburg badly enough to trade for him just a few months ago, and Nashville could certainly use an affordable, dependable depth defenseman capable of filling a third-pairing role while providing competition throughout the lineup.
There's also another possibility.
If Blankenburg values familiarity over a fresh start, returning to the Avalanche organization on a two-way contract can't be completely ruled out.
Colorado’s AHL affiliate has undergone significant turnover this offseason. The Eagles lost head coach Mark Letestu after he joined the Vegas Golden Knights as an assistant coach, while T.J. Tynan signed with the Springfield Thunderbirds. Ahcan’s departure to Nashville also opens another spot on the blue line, potentially creating an opportunity should Blankenburg continue his career within the Avalanche organization.
Whether that door is actually open remains to be seen.
For now, though, Nashville feels like the cleanest fit. The organization already knows exactly what Blankenburg brings, MacFarland has shown he's more than willing to reunite with former Avalanche players, and the opportunity to compete for NHL minutes could be more realistic there than with many other clubs.
One thing is certain: wherever Blankenburg signs, he'll be bringing the same relentless motor, underrated offensive instincts, and infectious energy that made him a fan favorite in both Nashville and Colorado in a relatively short amount of time.
How quickly does one get hit in the face with a reality check? Why don’t we ask the San Diego Padres, a team that, when it faced the Dodgers for the first time this season, trailed in the race for the NL West by just half a game? And no, this series didn’t occur so early in the year as to make this point irrelevant—it happened on May 18th, well short of two months ago. Now, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets ready for a second straight matchup against the Friars, the Dodgers possess a 14-game lead, one that sounds like a lot, but it’s even bigger when you put it into a certain context.
If the Dodgers were to beat the Padres tonight, their lead over the Padres—who are currently tied with the Diamondbacks for the second spot in the NL West—would represent the second largest lead any team has against any opponent in their own division. As things currently stand, the Padres are much closer to the Rockies and the worst team in baseball (Royals) than they are to the Dodgers—the numbers show that, even if reality often brings much closer games such as Friday’s night one-run win thanks to a Teoscar Hernández grand slam.
Addressing tonight’s specific matchup, Yamamoto is still working on fixing what was initially a rather poor track record against the Padres. Despite allowing just three runs in the 15 innings he has pitched against San Diego this season, Yamamoto only has a 4.60 ERA versus the Friars, his second-worst mark against any National League team.
Game number 89…..the season is flying by. Winnning a second game in a row would be nice.
George Springer is still away, moved to the Family Medical Emergency list, but there is no emergency, just letting George have more time with his son.
Unfortunately, it looks like Canada’s time in the World Cup is over. They did great. I would have been good with a couple more wins, but they played well.
Lineups:
Detroit Tigers @ Texas Rangers
Friday, July 04, 2026, 3:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)
The Shed
RHP Jack Flaherty vs. RHP Cal Quantrill
Go Rangers!
Tim Hardaway Jr. is following in his dad’s footsteps on the Heat — but he won’t be wearing his father’s old number.
The younger Hardaway agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal to join the franchise where his father starred for six seasons from 1996-2001.
And while Hardaway Jr. will look to emulate his dad’s sharpshooting in South Beach, the Hall of Famer wants to maintain his “legacy” and keep his No. 10 uniform retired.
“My legacy is my legacy. Even though he likes to wear No. 10, that is not coming down from the rafters,” Hardaway Sr. told WQAM radio in Miami. “That is tough to do. And when it’s up there, you want [it] to stay up there, and you don’t want nobody to touch it.
“I love him. I love him. I’m happy for him. …. Watching him play through college and the NBA, he’d been to three places I’d never been: the Final Four, a championship, and now, he’s going to his hometown team. I never done that, and so, I’m happy that he’s doing it,” Hardaway Sr. continued about his son, who grew up in South Florida.
“But no, he can’t wear No. 10.”
The 34-year-old wing has worn No. 10 for the Hawks, Mavericks and Nuggets, and his father also wore the number in Miami before the franchise retired it in 2009
Hardaway Jr. has also worn Nos. 3, 5, 11 and 8 during his career, though only No. 3 is currently available on the Heat roster.
He had a solid year for the Nuggets last season as he averaged 13.5 points per game and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Now, with the Heat’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to be finalized soon, Hardaway Jr. will look to serve as a complementary piece around the two-time MVP.
As July 1st, 2026, has passed, Cale Makar is available for a contract extension. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and with how much the cap is going up, today's price is not tomorrow's price. Another potential Norris Trophy season for Makar could make what many suggest he might make this summer look like a joke this time next summer.
Though Joe Sakic has stated that a contract will be done this summer, this brings up another potential extension to tackle: Artturi Lehkonen’s. In the last year of his five-year, $22.5 million deal that carries a cap hit of $4.5 million, what number do the Avalanche want and can expect to sign someone turning 32 this season, who has dealt with injuries?
There is no question about how important Lehkonen has been for the team during this time with them. A massive part of the 2022 Stanley Cup run, and despite time and time again dealing with nagging injuries each season, the effort he brings when in the lineup can be irreplaceable, or if so, can be pretty expensive.
As we saw this summer and the following summers, the cap is set to jump exponentially each year. More precisely, the cap ceiling is expected to be $113 million for the 2027-28 season, the first year of their new deals. Every season, the talks between players and management will differ as teams, agents, and players view the rising cap differently and consider how to make the most of it.
Avalanche Sign Veteran Forward Jaden Schwartz To A Three-Year ContractThe Colorado Avalanche's first 2026 free agency signing is forward Jaden SchwartzWhile everyone in hockey is excited about the rise in the cap, especially with how stagnant it has been during the COVID-19 days and how it limited many teams in making many moves, teams like the Avalanche, who are excited to see the cap increase, need to be careful with how much they send out to pending UFAs and free agents.
In terms of what a new Lehkonen contract might look like, what plays into his new extension, and if so, how long of a term and how much do the Avalanche value him?
The unfortunate part of Lehkonen you can compare to is Valeri Nichushkin, and it's the phrase “When he's available, he's at his best,” with “when available” as the major standout.
Avalanche Trade Valeri Nichushkin To Columbus Blue Jackets For Multi-Pick ReturnValeri Nichushkin’s run in Colorado ends as one of the franchise’s most complicated chapters—defined equally by championship impact, constant uncertainty, and a long-running debate the Avalanche finally resolved on Thursday.Since joining the Avalanche in the 2021-22 season, Lehkonen has only played over 70 games twice, and every other season he has missed at least 25% of the regular season. Adding to the two missed games of the second round this season and looking pretty bad in his return during the Conference Finals.
His value is way above the 104 goals and 112 assists for 216 points; those totals, not including the playoffs, could have been way higher, barring some injury luck. His two-way, physical, penalty-killing prowess is crucial to the Avalanche and is even more pronounced during the playoffs.
So injuries are a factor, but beyond that, we know he can produce and raise his game in the playoffs. How does it compare to other wingers based on his age, production, and the cap hit he could be looking for?
His new contract will take him into his mid-to-late thirties; add in some injury history, but don’t discount the level of production he can bring when healthy or his competitiveness in the playoffs.
I think of players like:
You can make the argument that, in Lehkonen's position, he is more important to his team than those listed to theirs. Still, they are all players who can fit the mold of a player with a contract heading into their mid-to-late thirties, with a contract comparable to what Lehkonen can be given.
Among those listed, those cap hits take up roughly just over 6% of the team's cap. The problem is, as I said in the beginning, today's price is not tomorrow's price. Next season, with the cap increase, the amount will be just around 7%. So if you're in Lehkonen’s camp, you could make an argument for north of $5 million AAV for his next deal, when you can make the argument that, when Lehkonen is at his very best, he's well over $6.5 million.
NHL, NHLPA To Increase Salary Cap Significantly Over Next Three SeasonsOn top of the NHL salary cap's upper limit increasing to $95.5 million next season, the cap is expected to jump to $104 million and $113.5 million in the following two seasons.Does $6.5+ million work for the Avalanche? While I think $5-6 million would be a sweet spot, the biggest factor would be the term. How many years do the Avalanche want to keep this “core” together, and do they think they can make a run with them?
There is no denying the importance Lehkonen brings, but considering his age and injury history, getting him a contract with the right term and value, and potentially moving him down the lineup for other top-six wingers as the years go on, might be the best play for the Avalanche going forward.
Leo Carlsson’s $90 Million Deal Just Reignited The Cale Makar Contract Debate — And It’s Missing The PointLeo Carlsson’s $90 million extension in Philadelphia sparked immediate questions in Colorado, but Cale Makar’s next contract was never going to be shaped by it.
Brian Gregory and the Suns have moved with purpose this offseason, securing three of their own free agents and adding Miles Bridges to the mix, but as the dust settles after the opening skirmishes of the offseason, they find themselves with a couple of round holes to fill and a bag full of square pegs.
Adding talent isn’t the same as getting better, and on paper, the fit of the projected starting lineup of Booker, Green, Brooks, Bridges and Williams seems dubious. There’s not a lot of three-point shooting, Brooks is the only plus defender at his position, there’s not a clear answer to the rebounding issues, and there’s only one ball. So while the roster has a lot of scoring options, who’s getting the shots? Or more importantly, who’s giving up their shots?
The Jalen Green mock trades have been flying since he landed in Phoenix. I’ve written about his fit previously.
I think Jalen Green is a number one option on a team. He’s not going to be a guy who thrives being the second, or in the case of last year, the third option. He’s been consistently Jalen Green throughout his career, and I think it’s unlikely that he would be effective in or even open to accepting a different role. It may be mutually beneficial for Jalen Green and the Suns to part ways this offseason. I’ve taken the time to help expedite the process by coming up with five mock trades that I would like to see in the event the Suns move off of Jalen Green.
So Brian Gregory, if you’re listening, this is how you fix the Suns.
The first option I see for constructing a Jalen Green trade is to package him with the recently signed Mark Williams to upgrade the center position. In these scenarios, we would improve at center but also open up a spot in the starting five for Collin Gillespie.
Suns Get:
Bucks Get:
Projected Starting Lineup: Booker, Gillespie, Brooks, Bridges, Turner
Turner is a stretch five who could open up the floor so that Booker, Brooks, and Bridges can go to work. The Suns also get Kyle Kuzma, a 50% shooter who can guard 1-5, according to Kyle Kuzma, on a $30 million expiring contract, as well as Gary Harris. Milwaukee gets the new engine of their offense as they work to rebuild their team after Giannis’s departure. Mark Williams and Ryan Dunn are two more young players who may better fit their timeline.
This trade addresses any issues Phoenix might have with spacing in their starting lineup. Myles had a tough year last year, but he’s only one year removed from being a core piece in the Pacers’ run to the Finals. He is a better rim protector than Mark Williams, averaging two blocks a game over his career. Personally, I feel he’s a better long-term fit with Devin Booker than Mark Williams, and if Ishbia and crew are serious about building a contender around Booker, they could do much worse than a player like Myles Turner. However, one drawback is Turner isn’t a great rebounder, which remains an area of concern for the Suns going into the 2026-27 season.
Suns Get:
Kings Get:
Projected Starting Lineup: Booker, Gillespie, Bridges, Fleming, Sabonis
In trade two, we take a huge cut, trading away Green and Brooks.
Jalen Green has always seemed like a King to me, so the fit seems natural as the Kings move to rebuild around their recent lottery pick. Dillon Brooks would give the young team a veteran who’s proven to be a leader who can help establish a culture. They’ve been openly shopping Sabonis for a while now, but he carries a large contract. He would, however, be a great fit for Jordan Ott’s offense, as a strong screen-setter and playmaker at center. He’d also immediately impact the Suns’ rebounding woes. He’s long been one of, if not the best, rebounders in the league.
I really like the fit of Sabonis and Booker. It would give Booker an outlet for when teams try to press him off the screen. He could also act as a connector, in ways similar to how Oso operates in the offense. He would be a clear upgrade over Mark Williams on the offensive end and on the glass, but the Suns would sacrifice some length inside. In addition to Sabonis, the Suns would add Malik Monk to replace the bench scoring of Grayson Allen, and Collin Gillespie, who would be moving to the starting lineup.
The second option I see for trading Jalen Green is to replace him with another guard who is more complementary to Devin Booker’s game. The following trades will involve three different types of guards: a ball-handling combo guard, a two-way guard, and a playmaking guard.
Suns Get:
Mavs Get:
Projected Starting Lineup: Irving, Booker, Brooks, Bridges, Williams
The most common response I’ve heard to fans asserting that Devin Booker needs a point guard to take the ball out of his hands is that there aren’t any point guards left and that, beyond being a table-setting point guard, CP3 was a Hall of Fame, top 75 player. Where do you find another guy like that?
In Dallas.
Kyrie has a similar skill set to Jalen Green in that he can put downhill pressure on the rim, but that’s where the similarities end. Kyrie is one of the best finishing guards ever. He’s great with the ball in his hands, but he’s also been successful in the number two role next to LeBron and Luka. He’s older and coming off an injury, but if he makes a healthy return, he’d give the Suns what they really need to free up Devin Booker: a second offensive threat the defense takes seriously.
Teams will not be able to take Devin Booker out of the game if it means giving up space to Kyrie Irving. This trade would also give the Suns a closer in the fourth quarter who is a great ball handler and good in tight spaces and big moments. It would take some of the pressure off of Booker and give the Suns more options to attack at the end of games.
There are some concerns about Kyrie’s age and just Kyrie in general, but if the Suns want to compete for championships over the next three years, an all-time great like Kyrie next to Booker would put them in contention.
Suns Get:
Blazers Get:
Projected Starting Lineup: Holiday, Booker, Brooks, Bridges, Williams
Holden Sherman from Bright Side has already posted an article about a hypothetical trade with Portland to put Jrue next to Book. At the time of the article, it didn’t seem likely to happen, but Portland just added Ja Morant and Dame Lillard is returning from injury with a no-trade clause.
Portland has said they are not shopping Jrue, but they still have some questions to answer about their roster and some of their young guards. If they choose to move on from players like Henderson or Sharpe, then a player like Jalen Green might give them back some of the pop they’d be giving up. While a Jrue trade may still be unlikely, the fit next to Booker is unquestionable.
Jordan Ott could field a different type of defense with this hypothetical lineup. A defense more aligned to his desire to create turnovers and extra shot opportunities. At the same time, Jrue is an opportunistic scorer, capable of huge games, but not needing to put up a lot of shots to make an impact. I think for the Suns this makes a lot of sense, but it may not make as much sense on Portland’s end.
Suns Get:
Bulls Get:
Projected Starting Lineup: Giddey, Booker, Brooks, Bridges, Williams
This trade has been making the rounds on Twitter for a while now. I don’t like this trade. Giddey is a young star ascending and would add playmaking and rebounding to the Suns. He can handle the ball and allow Booker to work in more of a traditional shooting guard role. But that defense…that defense looks so awful I can’t stand it.
For all of Green’s faults and ill fit on the offensive end, I feel like he has the potential to be a really disruptive defender. Maybe not the guy you match up on the other team’s best player, but more of the impact we saw in the Golden State play-in game where he gave the Suns 3 blocks and 2 steals. Giddey would only add to the Suns’ defensive woes, which saw team after team cutting through the Suns’ defense off the drive, like paper through uncalloused fingers. You can’t win games when you can’t stop the ball. Giddey is a no-go. Shame on anyone out there who thought the Suns should trade for him.
All of these trade ideas are hypothetical. I’m not an insider. I just know center is a really impactful position on the court, a position where the Suns have, at least since I’ve been in Phoenix, always been a little shaky.
We need to get more production there, and I’m not sold on Mark Williams being able to stay healthy, and the fact that they signed him to three years makes me think that Khaman Malauch is not close to starting. I don’t think they signed Williams to be a backup at that price, not when they have Oso, who Ott turned to last year in the fourth quarter over Mark. Before the Suns signed Mark, if you had asked me whether I think we should trade for Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis, I might have said, “No, it would interfere with Khaman’s development.” I’m not so sure about that now.
If the Suns were to trade Green, I’d prefer them to package him with Mark for a center.
Let me know in the comments what return you would like for Jalen Green or if you think the Suns should keep him. If anyone has a good Hornets trade, let me know. I looked there first and couldn’t find anything, but I’m sure Gregory could cook something up.
The Braves are exiting a June that was absolutely miserable, but they finally hit a handful of homers on Friday night, hosting the Mets. They’ve got another favorable matchup here, with Chris Sale on the mound and facing the imminently hittable Sean Manaea for New York. We’ve got a national TV matchup on the 250th anniversary of this great country’s founding. The Braves have lived up to expectations, despite their horrid June, but FOX will be a bit disappointed in the Mets, relative to what they expected before the season when this matchup was scheduled.
Chris Sale has been brilliant of late, and really all year, but the struggles of Atlanta’s offense have prevented the team from capitalizing on that in the form of wins since May. One would think that this would be a game that the Braves could put some runs up against Manaea at home, perhaps building on the power they showed Friday, but this is the type of game they have frequently been losing lately. Sale may figure out a way to score a run off the pitching mound out of pure fury if he doesn’t get any run support today.
Manaea has been ever so slightly above average in most things other than ERA this year, getting the opener treatment frequently and starting only 4 games. His elite extension props up a pretty uninspiring arsenal of primarily a four-seamer, sinker, and sweeper, with a cutter and changeup sprinkled in. His four-seamer and sinker have a lot of arm-side run, while the rest of his pitches have quite average movement with well-below-average velocity. He’s perhaps been getting some HR/FB rate luck this season, so hopefully he gets some regression in favor of Atlanta’s bats.
Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 4, 8:08 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: FOX
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
The Atlanta Braves have made handful of moves this July 4th, with the team placing struggling shortstop Ha-Seong Kim on the injured list with right middle finger inflammation. Taking his place on the roster is utility man Kyle Farmer, who was activated from the IL.
Additionally, the team re-called pitcher JR Ritchie and opted reliever Anthony Molina back to Gwinnett.
Kim’s roster spot has become increasingly precarious as his struggled continued to mount after a late start to the season. He’s hit an unfathomable .239 OPS in 27 games with Atlanta. Shortstop Jim Jarvis was recalled from Gwinnett and started in his first game in Atlanta, with Jorge Mateo getting the call at short in last night’s contest.
Farmer, who saw limited action earlier this season on the end of Atlanta’s bench, does give the team roster flexibility with his ability to play infield, outfield and catch – something he worked on while rehabbing. His ability to the the team’s 3rd catcher – he spend time behind the plate early in his MLB career – provides late-inning flexibility.
Ritchie returns as a rotation and long-man in the bullpen option, but doesn’t resolve the team’s bullpen issues, which is short at least one dedicated reliever. Molina has pitched three times for Atlanta in 2026.
1911
Ty Cobb brought a 40-game hit streak into a game facing Ed Walsh, and the White Sox sace shut him down at 0-for-4 in a 7-3 win over the Tigers. Walsh earned his 14th win and chiseled his ERA down to 0.55 (!). Interestingly, he gave up 10 hits in his complete-game win — just none to the Detroit center fielder.
1928
With the White Sox floundering at 32-42, but more importantly after squabbling with owner Charles Comiskey over his salary, Ray Schalk resigned as White Sox manager.
Lena Blackburne took over and managed at a .500 clip for the rest of the season, spurring the team to a 72-82 finish. The 1929 season was not so kind, however, as the White Sox sputtered to a 59-93 record. Blackburne, an ex-infielder for the White Sox, even inserted himself into a game that season, getting one out — as a pitcher!
Blackburne would begin the most famous phase of his baseball career the next year, as the purveyor of rubbing mud from the Delaware River, which he sold to MLB to rub the shine off of new baseballs (and which to this day is the mud used to treat league baseballs).
Schalk finished his career with a 102-125 record and -0.1 mWAR as a manager. Blackburne turned in a 99-133 tally, and -4.7 mWAR.
How about even MORE manager news? Well also on this very day, future White Sox skipper Chuck Tanner was born.
1939
In the category of great feats by players you’ve never heard of, this one ranks near the top. White Sox third baseman Eric McNair finished the best run of at least 10 plate appearances in club history: 12-of-13 (.923) with a home run and five RBIs.
McNair started the run in an 8-3 win over the Browns on July 3, going 5-for-5 with five singles. The win kicked off a five-game winning streak and pushed the club back over .500, at 33-32.
In the opener of the July 4 doubleheader, McNair led off the third inning with a solo homer (a blast to left that curved around the foul pole and caused St. Louis to protest the game, feeling the third-sacker’s blast was a foul ball) and then singled three more times. Not only did that run McNair’s streak to 9-for-9, he drove in three runs in Chicago’s 7-3 win.
The nightcap dispensed with any tension over McNair’s streak, as he was retired in his first at-bat. From there, however, the righty slapped another three singles, including an RBI single as part of a five-run flurry in the top of the ninth that flipped the game from a 3-2 deficit to 7-3 margin.
1960
Bill Veeck’s exploding scoreboard was featured in a night shot on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The headine read: Fireworks at Comiskey Park.
1972
White Sox catcher Ed Herrmann was involved in three double plays, which tied the record for most involving a catcher in a single game. (In fact, he tied former teammate J.C. Martin for the honor.) The three included Herrmann in the middle of a pitcher-catcher-first base double play, a strike out-caught stealing twin killing, and an out at home/out at second double play. The Sox turned five double plays in the game against Baltimore — but lost, 2-1!
1978
At the urging of new manager Larry Doby, the White Sox brought up Tony La Russa to become the club’s new first-base coach. La Russa cut his teeth managing Knoxville with success in the minor leagues, and was deemed ready by Doby and others to take the next step.
La Russa would soon be named White Sox manager and led the Sox to the 1983 Western Division title, then win numerous pennants and championships as a manager of the A’s and Cardinals. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014 with 2,728 wins over 33 seasons.
In 2021, he came out of retirement to lead the White Sox to a division title, and moved into second place all-time on the managerial wins list. He was forced to resign from the club in September 2022 due to a heart condition.
2000
Ray Durham and José Valentín led off the White Sox half of the first inning in Kansas City with back-to-back home runs. It was the second time in team history a game started that way, and the first since 1937. The game also marked the major league debut for Jon Garland, who only lasted three innings in a 10-7 loss.
The loss was the end of a 12-game road winning streak. The last 10 of those 12 road wins came against teams with records of at least .500, making the White Sox the only team since 1900 to accomplish that feat.
2022
Fundamentals win (or lose) games, and for years the White Sox had suffered because they don’t execute those fundamentals. On this night, though, what they did made the record book.
In the seventh inning of a tie game against the Twins, AJ Pollock hit a long drive to right-center field that was caught on the warning track by Byron Buxton, who immediately threw the ball back to the infield.
What happened next had never happened before in the history of baseball.
Adam Engel and Yoán Moncada both lost track of the ball, assuming it hit the wall and was in play. Engelwas already at third base but had never tagged up, whileMoncada was right motoring right behind him in hopes of scoring from first. As Buxton’s throw bounced in to the infield, Twins third baseman Gio Urshela was in perfect position between third and second base to field the ball and tag Moncada for the second out, then run to touch second base to put Engel out.
It was an 8-5 scored triple play — the first in baseball history. The White Sox would lose a key game, 6-3, in 10 innings, with the triple play helping to cost them an important win.
2025
Colson Montgomery was one of Chicago’s top prospects, and his major league debut in Colorado was one for the record books.
In his first plate appearance, which came in the second inning, he was awarded first base because of catcher’s interference. That made him the first player in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to do so in his first MLB plate appearance, per the Elias Sports Bureau.
Then in the last of the second, Montgomery made a full-out diving catch, with his back to home plate, of a flare off the bat of Ryan Ritter that saved a run. After making the incredible catch, Montgomery — a 6´3´´, 230-pound shortstop — turned from his face-down position in the outfield grass and showed that he had the baseball:
Quite a first game from the youngster.
Also on this day Bobby Jenks, a larger-than-life figure with a triple-digit fastball, died at the age of 44 from a form of stomach cancer.
Jenks closed out the White Sox first World Series title in 88 years, then went on to save 173 games in a six-year South Side career. But on this day he became the first member of the 2005 club to pass away.
Jenks was called up from Double-A in July 2005 and stabilized Chicago’s bullpen down the stretch. He became an All-Star in 2006 and 2007 and at one point retired 41 consecutive batters, which tied the major league record at that time. He posted a 3.40 ERA across 329 relief appearances, and those 173 saves are the second-most in franchise history behind Bobby Thigpen (201).