OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 5: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In Tuesday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Detroit beat Cleveland, 111-101, while Oklahoma City knocked off Los Angeles, 108-90.
Tyrese Proctor got another DNP, but it’s the playoffs, and he’s a rookie, so no big surprise.
In the nightcap, Luke Kennard finished with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist.
For his part, Jared McCain finished with 12 points, including 4-5 on his three-point attempts. He also had 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
On Wednesday, Mason Plumlee and the San Antonio Spurs take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2. The teams played on Monday, but Plumlee didn’t get any time, so we didn’t think it justified a full post.
1961: Adrian Smith #10 of the Cincinnati Royals poses during a mock action portrait session in 1961. 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 1961 NBAE (Photo by NBA Photo Library/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The University of Kentucky is mourning the loss of a true legend. Adrian ‘Odie’ Smith, a cornerstone of Kentucky’s storied history and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, passed away on April 28. He was 89 years old. The university released a statement Monday announcing the passing.
Smith leaves behind a legacy that stretches from the bluegrass of Lexington to the Olympic podium in Rome, and all the way to the NBA record books. So, if it’s a name you are unfamiliar with, here is everything you need to know.
A champion in Lexington
Smith transferred to Kentucky from Northeast Mississippi Junior College and made a huge impact. Playing under Adolph Rupp during the 1957-58 season, Smith was a beloved member of the iconic ‘Fiddlin’ Five’ that captured the 1958 NCAA National Championship.
He was a steady presence, averaging 10.2 points across 51 total games. When the lights were brightest, Smith delivered, elevating his game to average nearly 14 points per contest during UK’s four-game run to the national title.
UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart released a statement honoring Smith’s profound impact on the university:
“Odie holds a special place in the history, and the treasured heritage, of Kentucky Basketball. His accomplishments on the court – the NCAA championship at UK, two gold medals representing the United States in international competition, and his 11-year pro career – speak for themselves. What I remember most about Odie is that he had such a positive presence. He was a bright light wherever he went, always smiling, always cheerful, and most of all, so incredibly proud that he had played for the Wildcats.”
Military service and Olympic gold
Smith’s path to professional stardom was anything but conventional. After a brief, unsuccessful stint with the Cincinnati Royals, who drafted him in the 15th round, Smith joined the US Army.
While serving his country, he was selected to represent the United States at the Pan American Games in Chicago, winning a gold medal. That earned him a spot on the legendary 1960 U.S. Olympic Team. Playing alongside future icons like Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Jerry Lucas, Smith helped secure a gold medal in Rome.
Following the gold medal game, Smith climbed onto the shoulders of teammate Darrall Imhoff to cut down the net. It is a keepsake that the University said he kept his entire life.
A unique piece of NBA History
Smith eventually found his footing in the NBA, rejoining the Cincinnati Royals in 1961 to form a dynamic backcourt duo with Oscar Robertson, dubbed the “Big O” and the “Little O.”
During the 1965-66 season, Smith averaged a career-high 18.4 points per game, earning him his first and only selection to the NBA All-Star Game. Playing in front of his hometown Cincinnati crowd, Smith stole the show. He scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds, outshining 16 future Hall of Famers to win the All-Star Game MVP award.
To this day, Smith remains the only player in NBA history to win All-Star MVP honors in his lone appearance in the game. He received a Ford Galaxie 500 convertible for the achievement, a car he proudly owned for the remainder of his life.
The only other Kentucky player to win the NBA All-Star MVP is Anthony Davis.
A life well lived
Smith wrapped up his 11-year professional career on the West Coast with the San Francisco Warriors and spent his final season in the ABA with the Virginia Squires, sharing the court with a rookie named Julius Erving. He finished with 8,750 career points.
Following his playing days, Smith transitioned into a highly successful banking career in Cincinnati. His home state of Kentucky never forgot his contributions; he was an inaugural member of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006, and his hometown dedicated the Adrian ‘Odie’ Smith Highway in his honor in 2015.
He is survived by his son, Tyler, and his brother, Kenny.
Big Blue Nation has lost a champion, a patriot, and a pioneer of the game. Rest in peace, Odie.
Ødegaard takes ‘massive confidence’ from semi-final
Arsenal will travel to Budapest for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich with no trace of an inferiority complex, according to Leandro Trossard, who knows that anything is possible in a one-off game.
The Arsenal winger and his teammates drank in the euphoria after Tuesday night’s 1-0 home win over Atlético Madrid in the semi-final second-leg for a 2-1 aggregate triumph, savouring the achievement and the sense of history. Arsenal have only contested one previous final in the competition, losing to Barcelona in 2006.
Who will win Dodgers vs Astros today: Astros moneyline (+180)
Lance McCullers Jr. is trending up at exactly the right time, generating 13 swings and misses across six innings against Baltimore last week.
The Houston Astros have also been the hotter offense over the last seven days, posting a 107 wRC+ while theLos Angeles Dodgers rank 14th with just two home runs and a .085 ISO.
Nearly 2/1 underdogs with an offense this dangerous is too much to pass up.
COVERS INTEL:Alvarez ranks in the 89th percentile, with a 51.3% hard-hit rate across 117 batted-ball events.
Dodgers vs Astros Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-112)
Glasnow is excellent but has surrendered four home runs this season, and the wind blowing out at Daikin Park on a hot, humid afternoon turns warning-track shots into runs.
The Astros bullpen ranks among the worst in baseball over the last seven days, posting a 5.88 ERA with a 15% home run rate.
Alvarez is a genuine threat to go deep against anyone, and once both starters exit, neither pen inspires confidence.
The Over is 6-4 in their previous 10 meetings, and this total is begging to be cleared.
Phil Naessens' 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 5-9, -3.05 units
Over/Under bets: 5-7, -3.16 units
Dodgers vs Astros odds
Moneyline: Dodgers -194 | Astros +186
Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (-117) | Astros +1.5 (+113)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-117) | Under 8.5 (+108)
Dodgers vs Astros trend
The Astros are 7-3 in their previous 10 games with the Dodgers. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Astros.
How to watch Dodgers vs Astros and game info
Location
Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Date
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
First pitch
2:10 p.m. ET
TV
SportsNet LA, SCHN
Dodgers starting pitcher
Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.56 ERA)
Astros starting pitcher
Lance McCullers Jr. (2-2, 6.32 ERA)
Dodgers vs Astros latest injuries
Dodgers vs Astros weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) attempts to take a shot under pressure from Lakers Austin Reaves (15), Marcus Smart (36) Deandre Ayton, center with arm raised, and LeBron James (23) during Game 1 of their second-round NBA playoff series Tuesday in Oklahoma City. (Kyle Phillips / Associated Press)
You held Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to fewer than 20 points for the first time since Game 3 of the Western Conference finals last May 24. You forced him into a season-high seven turnovers. And — get this, this part is really wild — you afforded the man who basically lives at the charity stripe only three free-throw attempts.
You should be so proud.
You should also know now for sure: It’s not happening.
You held SGA, the reigning league MVP, to 18 points and you lost Game 1 of this Western Conference semifinal series by 18 points, 108-90.
And now you know you’re not mounting a monumental upset and dethroning the defending NBA champions.
You can play a bit better in Games 2, 3 and 4, sure. Austin Reaves could shoot better than three for 16. Marcus Smart should shoot better than four for 15. Luke Kennard ought to shoot more than four times.
But unless, by some miracle, Luka Doncic’s ailing hamstring is healed by Game 2 on Thursday, the Thunder are just much too much for these Lakers.
Oklahoma City gave them a rusty, tin-man version of SGA for a game and continued playing without his injured co-star Jalen Williams. And still, the Thunder were too talented, too deep, too well-coached.
They’re also too aggressive, too confident, too experienced, too together, too clever.
Oh, but I’m going on too long, let the Smart take it from here …
Thunder guard Jared McCain, driving to the basket against Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, had 12 points off the bench in Game 1, making four of five three-point shots. (Kyle Phillips / Associated Press)
“No matter what, they're relentless in their pursuit,” he said. “They're constantly on the move, they're constantly downhill, putting defenses on their heels. So when you got guys like that, that's constantly putting pressure, not only on you just offensively, but defensively, it is tough. And they come in waves, right? And when they get hot and get going, they can really get going. So they're tough in that aspect.
“[And they’re] defending champs. They've been here, they understand it. They grew up together, and they have a different type of chemistry that most teams probably don't have.”
That includes even this get-along gang that is this season’s Lakers.
Winning this best-of-seven series against the Thunder was already an impossible dream. Game 1 illustrated that it’s more like a foregone conclusion.
If the NBA issued intentional walks, they’d put Oklahoma City on base and save the Thunder fans’ voices for later in the playoffs.
If it was possible to simulate the rest of the series, video-game style, it would be worth considering.
Not that there isn’t still value in this series for the Lakers. Not so much in the inevitable result, but for the result of the test: Who on this team is built for this?
Who on this roster measures up against the barometer that is Oklahoma City?
Who will best slot in alongside Doncic, the heliocentric star who everyone knows thrives when paired with defenders, shooters and lob threats?
Is Reaves — as delightful a character and player as he’s been in regular-season action — really a reliable second option beside Doncic when the physicality ratchets up in the postseason? Is he durable enough to count on late in a season?
Does anyone on the Lakers besides 41-year-old LeBron James — who had a game-high 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting in Game 1 — have it in them to throw a few scoring punches?
Final grades aren’t in yet, but let’s assume many of the current Lakers would want to hide the report card when it came — even though they tried, they really, really did.
But against Oklahoma City, the Lakers’ lulls became an invitation for the Thunder to strike. A few miscues got compounded exponentially.
Sometimes you have little room for error. And then there’s playing against the Thunder, when there is none: “Once you make a couple mental mistakes,” Reaves said, “it seems like they take advantage of every one of them.”
Thunder center Chet Holmgren beats Lakers forward Rui Hachimura to a loose ball during Game 1 on Tuesday night (Joshua Gateley / Getty Images)
And they don’t have to be perfect.
SGA doesn’t play to par? So what! They shoot only 12 free throws? Forget about it.
Because Chet Holmgren still goes for 24 points and 12 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell adds 18 points. Jared McCain chips in with 12 off the bench. They shoot 13 for 30 from three-point range. They put the clamps on during the second half, when they held the Lakers to 37 points.
They took care of business, the team that has all the answers — and for whom the Lakers have none.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 04: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Sixers’ second-round opener against the Knicks was about as tired and lop-sided as it could have been. A sub 48-hour turnaround after beating Boston left the Sixers with minimal time to recover and go against the Knicks at full throttle, and it showed. The Sixers lost 137-98 in Game 1 on Monday, and there’s a whole array of things that need to change if Game 2 is going to play out differently.
First and foremost, the simple stuff: the Sixers need the Knicks’ shooting cools off. New York were red hot from three all night, finishing 19-of-37 (51.4 percent) from deep.
As Paul George said very simply to reporters after the game, “yeah, we had breakdowns tonight. But they also shot the s*** out of the ball.”
“But you know, it’s a game of adjustments,” George added. “We’ll make adjustments; see what we need to get better at.”
George is right of course. There were some breakdowns in communication that led to open looks. There were plays like the below that simply can’t happen at this stage to allow open buckets in the paint, not just from three.
— Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) May 5, 2026
But the Sixers’ defense and switching was far sharper than this for other spells of the first half. Generally speaking, the Knicks were just on fire. They were frequently burying well contested threes like it was nothing, and chances are that doesn’t last all series. Hopefully for the Sixers, that calms down straight away in Game 2.
Offensively, the Sixers simply need far more from Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Apart from shooting a cool 3-of-9 overall in his 26 minutes, Maxey mainly needed to be more aggressive. Both in terms of actively hunting for threes (he only attempted three) and seeking driving lanes to the rim.
While Embiid didn’t score much himself with only 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting (and that needs to change), there were still flashes of how the Sixers could create off his gravity. He was able to generate some open looks from three with kick-out passes from the post and elbows, and found Kelly Oubre Jr. on some neat baseline cuts (Oubre’s cutting has been good in general these playoffs). More of that paired with sharper shooting from Embiid and Maxey would do wonders for turning Game 2 into a competitive one.
No double team on Embiid this time, and he wins the drive pretty cleanly against Mitchell Robinson.
— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 5, 2026
Paul George’s play was one of the few positives on Monday. He’s been terrific at both ends of the floor all postseason. He may not have lit up the scoreboard in Game 1, but George yet again brought plenty to the table at both ends. He finished with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting (4-of-6 from three) and three assists, finding success creating off the bounce from range and getting into the lane to either pull up for himself or set up others.
Again, more typical nights from Embiid and/or Maxey with this version of George will allow the Sixers’ offense to really punch back in Game 2. George continuing to operate well as a playmaker also makes it easier for Maxey to spend more time time as an off-ball scorer and movement shooter, which is what he needs a healthy dose of to be his absolute best.
VJ Edgecombe was also a bright spot. He was fairly aggressive with his limited shots and minutes, and didn’t hesitate from three, adding 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting and a pair of triples.
The Sixers’ stars attacking Jalen Brunson more could be one way to find some extra success, which we didn’t see much of in Game 1. Put Brunson to work by running him through more pick-and-rolls as the point-of-attack defender and exploit his lacking size and defense where possible. Getting him mismatched onto bigger players like George, or simply having to guard the more explosive Maxey and Edgecombe flying through the paint, could help.
Meanwhile as a scorer himself, Brunson was fantastic. He led all scorers by a mile with 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including a 3-of-6 mark from three. The Knicks’ created good looks attacking the paint and firing from three through Brunson’s wave of pick-and-rolls.
From drop coverage that gave Brunson pull-up opportunities to more aggressive coverages like the play below, he found ways to score. Take this possession, where Quentin Grimes stays over the screen (before Mitchell Robinson slips) and Embiid shows high before Brunson rejects the pick and drives into a clear lane.
We're back to aggressive coverages against Brunson.
— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 5, 2026
Moving forward, we’ll see tinkering with different looks through the series to try and keep Brunson in check as much as possible. You can never take away everything all the time, but you have to be adaptable.
To the Sixers’ credit, they did force Brunson into a fare share of difficult looks. Some of his threes and pull-up mid-rangers in particular were well guarded even if he made them regardless. Like this play, where Embiid shows high before recovering to Robinson and George pressures at the arc. A defense that’s reset with Brunson held at the arc against the close contest of a 6-foot-8 defender is a solid outcome… Brunson just buries the three anyway.
Brunson's hot start bringing Embiid higher on the floor. A twist to see the Sixers go with show and recover here. Embiid shows, PG under but Brunson has got it going right now. pic.twitter.com/2G0Dze4f1e
In Game 2, the Sixers can only keep using players who have guarded Brunson well in the past, like Oubre Jr., and Edgecombe who did a fantastic job on him this regular season, to ideally turn more of those difficult makes into misses. Unfortunately, Embiid’s mobility being weakened right now makes it harder to bring him higher against screens. Philly will need excellent individual on-ball defense on Brunson all series to prevent easy opportunities. Die on too many screens against drop coverage and he’ll have open pull-ups. Execute a blitz poorly and Brunson can slice into the lane himself or pass to an open roll man.
If the Sixers at least use different looks to keep Brunson guessing, stay physical on the ball, and be sharper with help rotations and switches, they could see some improvement. Some smaller lineups using a George-Dominick Barlow frontcourt could also be an option for short spells to give the Sixers the agility on the perimeter to show high against ball screens and up their switching. That is, unless Adem Bona gets another shot and has a drastic turnaround from his Game 1 performance. With three fouls in three minutes, it’s safe to say he didn’t look like a viable option.
It’ll be interesting to see how other defensive matchups play out in Game 2 as well. For instance, Embiid started out on Karl-Anthony Towns before taking on more of a paint-roaming role playing off Josh Hart, which could be effective moving forward if the Knicks have to attack the paint more if/when they stop making endless threes. Also, who fares better with the Brunson assignment moving forward? Both Oubre and Edgecombe spent time on him in Game 1, and despite Brunson’s skill as a tough shot maker, they’ve both proven they have the tools to guard him well.
Another smaller note is if we’ll see much more hack-a-Mitch strategy. The Sixers turned to intentionally fouling Mitchell Robinson early on Monday as they struggled to slow down the Knicks elsewhere. Nick Nurse even brought Justin Edwards in to pick up a few quick fouls, and it worked. Robinson missed four straight free throws at one point and is at 40.8 percent from the line this season, and 29.4 percent in the playoffs. Getting him off the floor forces Towns to spend more time on Embiid which bodes well for how effective Jo has been against him throughout his career. Robinson’s rim protection, while not game-changing for Embiid, can make the big fella work a little harder.
One last positive of the Sixers’ heavy loss at least is that Nurse, who’s smartly used a small six-man rotation this postseason to lean heavily on his best players, moved his starters to the sidelines midway through the third quarter. Hopefully for the Sixers, their key players not emptying the tank on Monday will help them enter Game 2 with a little extra energy.
Clearly a lot needs to change in Game 2 if the Sixers are going to win. But it’s not unthinkable changes. From a more aggressive Maxey and an Embiid closer to what we saw in round one, to less lights-out three-point shooting from New Work and scoring from Brunson.
It’s only been 18 days since we watched the Sixers get demolished by 32 points in Game 1 against Boston before they completed their historic 3-1 comeback. Maybe 30-point defeats is just how this 2026 team starts series as the underdog before making a comeback…
Game Details
When: Wednesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Madison Square Garden, NYC Watch: ESPN, NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
These New York food joints are 86ing the 76ers’ hometown sandwich.
Restaurants and bars from Manhattan to Long Island were banning “Philly” cheesesteaks from the menu as the Knicks take on the 76ers in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Empire State spots said they were rebranding Philly cheesesteaks as “the Philly SUCKS cheesesteak,” “the Big Apple cheesesteak” and other cheeky names in response to The Post calling around to see if establishments were ready to dunk on the B-rate city.
Birdie owner and devout Knicks fan Louie Selvaggio. Stephen Yang for NY Post
“Philly needs to understand, New York is the king,” said Louis Cretella, the co-owner of Dario’s Pizza in West Hempstead.
Cretella, who has been a Knicks season ticket holder for more than a decade, personally changed the menu item from Philly cheesesteak to the Philly SUCKS cheesesteak in the restaurant’s computer system.
Hard copy menus have the “Philly” crossed out and “F*** Philly” in black marker written over it.
Dario’s can sell up to 2,500 cheesesteaks and has been featured on “Good Morning America.”
“If Philly is so good at cheesesteaks, then why did ‘Good Morning America’ reach out to us on Long Island and not the guys in Philly?” Cretella said.
“We’ll be renaming one of our original cheesesteaks to be The Appendix Burster — a nod to Embiid’s miraculous recovery from appendicitis,” a business rep told The Post in reference to the center returning to the hardwood 17 days after surgery.
Knicks fans Alexis Rodriguez, 27, waitress, left, and Natalia Magliocco, 20, hostess, right, at Birdie Bar. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Other restaurants were also tweaking their menu names in the beef with Philly during the high-steaks playoff matchup, including:
Slate in Manhattan is dubbing one of their appetizers the Knicks Knockout Philly cheesesteak empanadas, while sister business Clinton Hall is introducing the Knicks Knockout Philly cheesesteak sliders.
G’s Cheesesteaks in Manhattan is planning to change its cheesesteak to the New York Knicks steak on Wednesday.
Birdie Bar in Northport is calling their food item The Big Apple cheesesteak.
“We’re here to not only show you that we’re a better basketball team, but we might make a better cheesesteak than Philly also,” said Birdie owner and devout Knicks fan Louie Selvaggio.
Evan Deitch, part owner of the Chiddy’s Cheesesteaks, which has multiple sites, said at the business’ Farmingdale location Tuesday Philly fans have always been sore losers.
The updated menu at Dario’s. NY Post/Alex MItchell
“It’s not Philly, it’s Long Island cheesesteak,” Deitch said. “Ten times better! New Yorkers demand the best.”
The owners of Italian staple Mama’s in Copiague were giving customers the choice between two names instead of mentioning Philly.
“The Convert” because brothers Adam and Ahmy Sala grew up in Philadelphia as Sixers fans, but have since become Knicks fans thanks to watching point guard Jalen Brunson play at Villanova University and “Trust the Cheesesteak, Not the Process,” in a knock on former 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie’s questionable long-term plan of success.
“Philadelphia has been doing cheesesteaks forever. It’s time New York has a bit of an identity with that,” said Ahmy Sala.
The Lure Group CEO Aristotle Hatzigeorgiou said he did not want Philly mentioned at Slate or Clinton Hall. Robert Miller for NY Post
But for now, the Big Apple isn’t ready to serve Philly any props, especially as the Knicks faithful are reveling in Monday’s 137-98 Game 1win ahead of Wednesday’s game at Madison Square Garden.
Aristotle “Telly” Hatzigeorgiou, the CEO of The Lure Group, which is the majority owner of Clinton Hall and Slate, joked the kitchen staff “exorcised” anything Philly from the griddle.
“We just sat around, and all of a sudden we see the word ‘Philly’ there, and we’re like, ‘ugh!’ Teeth are grinding, and we didn’t want anything Philly that’s weak,” the Queens native said. “We wanted strong NYC grit. Not a weaky Philly cheesesteak.”
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 23: Onsi Saleh holds the Earl Lloyd Trophy 2025-26 NBA Southeast Division Champions before the game between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 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 are still reckoning with a disastrous end to their season, but that ending shouldn’t obscure the progress the organization made in course of the past 12 months.
Despite major in-season roster turnover, the team won 46 games and returned to the playoffs after two seasons of eliminations in the Play-In Tournament. Jalen Johnson earned his first career All-Star nod — and he may yet make an All-NBA team. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the acquisition of the offseason, going from bench role player to key starter and earning Most Improved Player in the process.
It’s one thing for fans and local media to take note of the team’s accomplishments. But it’s another for the league to take notice.
And two bits of news over the last week have now reinforced the notion that the perception of this front office have changed for the better.
The NBA Executive of the Year award has been handed out every year since 1972-73 in an effort to recognize an outstanding front office decision maker over the course of a season. While Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics President of Operations, was recently named the winner for the 2025-26 season, a familiar name finished second in the voting.
Onsi Saleh, Atlanta Hawks general manager, finished second in Executive of the Year voting in just his first year on the job as the top executive in the front office structure:
The voting panel for the 2025-26 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award consisted of basketball executives from NBA teams.
Saleh was recognized, in part, for pulling off a big draft asset transaction during the last draft for a lottery superpick, bringing in Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade using the mid-level exception, and netting key player CJ McCollum in the Trae Young trade — among other successful moves.
Now, the Chicago Bulls have tapped Graham to be, presumably, the top signal caller in their program:
Just in: The Chicago Bulls are hiring Atlanta Hawks senior vice president Bryson Graham as the franchise's new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, sources tell ESPN. Graham spent 15 years in New Orleans before joining Atlanta last offseason, rising from an intern… pic.twitter.com/IyolFrnMGl
Graham was instrumental in the widely lauded superpick acquisition due to his deep knowledge of the Pelicans’ draft assets. Additionally, he’s reportedly had a keen eye for scouting basketball talent, although the Hawks were largely unable to tap into that skill due to his short stint here in Atlanta.
Both of these news tidbits now lend credence toward the notion that the Hawks’ front office is well respected around the league. That hasn’t always been the case, but the new regime has clearly changed views around the NBA for the better.
That’s something to be celebrated — even as the front office loses a key piece in Bryson Graham.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 28: Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs smiles while talking to the media after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When the Spurs won their fourth game against the Portland Trail Blazers, fans went honking. But the fans weren’t alone. Among the hundreds on the road celebrating, a member of the San Antonio Spurs took part in the festivities.
Spurs sharp shooter Julian Champagnie, who finished the first round of the playoffs shooting over 60% from beyond the arc, joined the fans in cheering the victory.
Between when Portland left and the Minnesota Timberwolves arrived, the Spurs had nearly a week to decompress and prepare for the second round of the playoffs. While out and about shopping, they stopped to take come photos.
Jordan McLaughlin was seen in Karolina’s doing some antique shopping.
Meanwhile, Champagnie shopped at Sephora and stopped to take a photo.
It’s hard not to notice a six-foot-plus guy as he’s passing by, but the Spurs are more recognizable than ever. For some, this is their first experience in the playoffs. All eyes are on them. It’s great to see how they have handled the fame with poise and grace.
Plus, they gotta get that Mother’s Day shopping done before they head to Minneapolis for the weekend.
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SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - MAY 05: Detailed view of the draft board is shown following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery at the NHL Network Studio on May 5, 2026 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Should the Devils bet long-term on Arseny Gritsyuk? “Yes, committing long-term after just 66 NHL games carries risk. But there are some strong indicators Gritsyuk is a player worth betting on.” [Infernal Access ($)]
“The Devils aren’t in rebuild mode, so drafting isn’t the priority it would be if they had top-five picks from year to year. Still, they will need some young talent to complement their core in the future, something Fitzgerald failed to properly address as the Devils’ GM.” [Devils on the Rush]
Hockey Links
Calder Trophy finalists:
Introducing your finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy! 🏆 #NHLAwards
The Trophy is presented annually to the player selected as the most proficient in their first year of competition. pic.twitter.com/FRzcWehoYl
“Jim Rutherford plans to step down as the Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations after the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, but will help hire the next general manager first.” [NHL.com]
Scott Wheeler’s latest draft rankings: “Wingers Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg remain my top two prospects, which has been the case on all of my lists. They’re followed by half a dozen defensemen, a trio of centers and another pair of wingers to form a clear-cut top 13 prospects in this year’s class for me.” [The Athletic ($)]
Now that we know a good chunk of the draft order, it’s mock draft season: [Daily Faceoff] [The Athletic ($)]
“Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman revealed Tuesday that his absence in the final weeks of the season was caused by a need to address his mental health.” [Associated Press]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
May 5, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) celebrates after scoring a run in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Good morning Birdland,
Our five-game nightmare is over! The Orioles got back into the win column on Tuesday night, beating the Marlins 9-7. The offense gets the credit for the win. Each time the Marlins would claw their way back into the game, the Baltimore bats would nudge it just a little further away.
Pete Alonso and Samuel Basallo combined to go 5-for-7 with three doubles, a triple, two walks, five runs, and six RBI. They were terrific. Despite that success from Basallo, who was a homer shy of the cycle, O’s manager Craig Albernaz turned to Adley Rutschman off the bench in the ninth inning. That would prove to be a wise decision! Rutschman came through with the go-ahead RBI single that put the game out of reach once and for all.
It was far from a perfect game for the offense. Colton Cowser had three more strikeouts. Coby Mayo went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. What the team does with those two is tough to say. They are trying to get them going, but nothing at the big league levels seems to be working. If there was an ideal alternate solution, it feels like the club would have pulled the trigger on it by now.
On the mound, Chris Bassitt was quite bad. His command, particularly on breaking pitches, was terrible. He was lucky to only give up the four runs in his four innings of work. His season ERA is up to 5.91. The Orioles didn’t expect Bassitt to be an ace or anything, but they need more length and quality from the veteran, especially given their current rotation makeup with Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer, and Zach Eflin on the IL.
Negativity aside, the Orioles won a game. That is a good! Believe it or not, despite all of the awful things that have happened to them recently, at 16-20 they are just one game back of the final wild card spot in a brutal American League. There is time for them to figure things out. Beating an equally flawed Marlins squad was a good step in that direction. Hopefully they do it again tonight.
Links
Basallo flirts with cycle as O’s chase Alcantara before mounting late rally | Orioles.com Here is the MLB version of last night’s recap, which includes some quotes from within the Orioles clubhouse. Albernaz credits the team for being “locked in on every pitch” despite their recent struggles. The offense shows these sorts of glimmers on occasion. The potential is there for them to carry the team. Finding consistency is another matter.
Leftovers for breakfast | Roch Kubatko Roch shares oodles of stats, including some about the decision to pinch hit Rutschman for Basallo. The numbers don’t really back up Albernaz’s decision, but it worked. Ultimately, those are the sorts of decisions that managers’ get paid for. Credit were it’s due.
Top MLB starting pitchers who are candidates to be traded at the deadline | The Athletic This is a pretty straightforward article. Good pitchers near free agency that are on bad teams are candidates to be traded. Rogers is mentioned. Whether the Orioles trade him or not, they need him to be better than he has been. I think he will be. Most of his peripherals are better than his top line numbers.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Yohan Ramirez turns 31 today. The journeyman reliever has played for eight different clubs across seven big league seasons. That includes a five-game stint with the Orioles in 2024.
Gerardo Parra is 39 years old. The Orioles traded for the outfielder at the 2015 deadline, sending Zach Davies to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange. Parra would struggle in his brief time with the Birds, hitting .237/.268/.357 across 55 games.
Mike Kinkade is 53. He came to the Orioles as part of the Mike Bordick deal with the Mets in 2000, but would play in just 64 big league games as a utility bench option before being released after the 2001 season.
Tom Bolton turns 64. The southpaw tossed 23.1 innings for the Orioles in 1994.
The late Leo Burke (b. 1934, d. 2023) was born on this day. A native of Hagerstown, Maryland, Burke began his major league career with 12 games played for the Orioles between 1958 and ‘59.
This day in O’s history
2012 – The Orioles beat the Red Sox 9-6 in 17 innings. Both teams have to use position players on the mound. The Orioles opt for Chris Davis, who goes 0-for-8 at the plate but delivers two scoreless innings. The Red Sox turn to Darnell McDonald, who coughs up a three-run homer to Adam Jones.
Happy birthday to Bill Hands, and a mighty host of others.
Today in baseball history, in 1998, RookieKerry Wood ties the ML record with 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game, pitching a one-hitter to lead the Chicago Cubs over the Houston Astros, 2-0. This and other stories are posted as well, including a trio of examples of stellar excellent sportswriting.
1941 – Hank Greenberg makes his last game before entering the U.S. military a memorable one as he hits two home runs with three RBI helping the Detroit Tigers to a 7-4 victory over the New York Yankees.
1953 – Bobo Holloman of the St. Louis Browns pitches a 6-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia A’s, to become only the third pitcher in majors’ history to fire a no-hitter in his first start. Holloman will win only two more games during a brief one-year career and will never pitch another complete game in the majors.
1955 – Roberto Clemente crashes Willie Mays‘s birthday party at the Polo Grounds, by banging a 430-foot triple over the Mays’s head to lead to a 3-2 Pirate win over the Giants. Jesse Abramson of the New York Herald Tribune reports: “Roberto Clemente tripled so far over Mays’ head that even Willie on his charger, shedding the cap, couldn’t catch it…”
1958 – Exactly three years later, Roberto Clemente again disrupts Willie Mays‘s birthday, if not quite so dramatically. Bob Stevens of the San Francisco Chronicle reports: “Only a spectacular catch by Clemente on a 400-foot blast by Mays in the sixth with the bases loaded prevented San Francisco from making a genuine rout of the thing.” Circus catch notwithstanding, the Bucs suffered a 7-0 defeat.
1960 – As fate would have it, Roberto Clemente‘s first visit to the newly-opened Candlestick Park coincides with the 29th birthday of his one-time mentor Willie Mays, and once again Mays’ student steals the spotlight. While all three Willies – i.e. Mays, McCovey and Kirkland – go deep to power San Francisco‘s 5-1 win over Pittsburgh, it’s Clemente who gets the crowd’s attention with a shot to left center into the teeth of a vicious wind. Arnold Hano, California-based biographer of both Mays and Clemente, witnesses this moment: “Clemente’s bat hit the ball, and the result absolutely clubbed the crowd into awed silence for a long moment. Right into that wet whipping wind the ball carried. Right on through, hit 120 feet high in a long soaring majestic parabola that came down finally over 450 feet away. There is just no way of telling how far Clemente’s home run blast would have traveled had it not been for that wind. Suffice it to say partisan Giant fans suddenly broke their shell-shocked silence and let loose a gigantic roar. For two innings the stadium buzzed. For days the Giants talked about it. Even today if you slip up behind a Giant pitcher and suddenly whisper in his ear: ‘Remember the home run Clemente hit?’ he’s likely to jump as high as if he’d been caught putting spit on baseballs.”
2005 – Preserving a 6-5 win over the Cardinals, Trevor Hoffman becomes the third pitcher in ML history to save 400 games, joining Lee Smith (478) and John Franco (424) to have also reached this milestone.
2010 – The Texas Rangers manage to blow an 8-0 lead to the Royals, but come back in dramatic fashion for a wild 13-12 win. Texas scores the tying and winning runs on back-to-back solo homers by Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero off Royals closer Joakim Soria with two outs in the bottom of the 8th.
2012 – Both teams end up having to use position players on the mound when a game between the Orioles and Red Sox goes into extra innings. O’s manager Buck Showalter turns to DH Chris Davis to take the mound in the 16th inning with the score tied at 6-6. Davis gives him a pair of scoreless innings. The Sox turn to OF Darnell McDonald. However, he surrenders a three-run homer to Adam Jones; he then grounds into a double play against Davis to end the game in the bottom of the frame. It is the first time both teams use position players to pitch in the same game since October 4, 1925, when future Hall of FamersGeorge Sisler and Ty Cobb both got to pitch on the last day of the season.
2019 – Pablo Sandoval becomes the second MLB player since 1900 to throw a scoreless outing, hit a home run and steal a base in the same game in the Giants’ 12-4 loss in Cincinnati. (Also Christy Mathewson in 1905.)
1626 – Dutch colonist Peter Minuit organizes the purchase of Manhattan Island from Native Americans for 60 guilders worth of goods, believed to be the Canarsee Indians of the Lenape
1733 – First international boxing match: Local fighter Bob Whittaker beats “The Venetian Gondolier”, Tito di Carni at James Figg’s academy amphitheatre in Marylebone, London
1837 – US blacksmith John Deere creates the first steel plough in Grand Detour, Illinois
1889 – Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris opens with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance arch; the lifts in the tower are not ready, so intrepid visitors have to climb 1,710 steps to reach the top
1937 – German airship Hindenburg explodes in flames at Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 35 of the 97 on board and one on the ground
1954 – English athlete Roger Bannister becomes the first to run a sub-4-minute mile, recording 3:59.4 at Iffley Road Track in Oxford
1960 – US President Eisenhower signs Civil Rights Act of 1960
1994 – Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait sets fire to the guest chair on NBC’s “The Tonight Show”
1994 – Nelson Mandela and the ANC, finally confirmed winners in South Africa’s first post apartheid election
You might be thinking, “Didn’t we just celebrate 50 years of Brewers baseball a few years ago?”
Technically, yes. The Major League Baseball team that is the Milwaukee Brewers turned 50 in 2020. But the name, as many know, has been around for a lot longer than that. Since 1901, to be exact.
Other smaller clubs used the name Brewers, but none were on the professional level. The first professional Brewers club was a part of the inaugural season of the American League. And let’s just say it was a season to forget for Brewers fans 125 years ago — they finished dead last, 35 1/2 games back of first place, behind powerhouses like the Chicago White Stockings, Boston Americans, and the Detroit Tigers.
125 years ago today in 1901 the Milwaukee Brewers were born, facing the Chicago White Sox. The team would end up leaving to St. Louis to become the Browns and then end up becoming what we know now as the Baltimore Orioles. pic.twitter.com/f5fuYsxcu7
Before there was American Family Field and County Stadium, there was the Lloyd Street Grounds, the first home of Brewers baseball. The ballpark was constructed in 1895 on the south end of West Lloyd Street, between North 16th Street and North 18th Street. It was praised for several things, most importantly, the accessibility. Milwaukee, at the time, had a world-renowned streetcar system, which dropped off pedestrians in front of the stadium. The cost of construction was $7,400, according to sabr.org, which, in today’s dollars, would be about $291,000.
Following the conclusion of the 1901 season, the Brewers were moved to St. Louis amid financial distress. Thus, the Browns were born.
It didn’t take long for baseball to return to Milwaukee, as a new edition of the Brewers joined the American Association and played in town from 1902 through 1952. The Crew began as a Class-A ballclub before becoming a Double-A team for almost 40 years. They saw a ton of success in the American Association, winning league titles in 1913 and 1914, and then not again until 1936.
For most of their time in the American Association, they weren’t affiliated with anyone, operating as an independent ball club. However, there were a few short years they spent with some big league clubs. Their first affiliation was with the same team that left Milwaukee the first time around, the St. Louis Browns. From 1946 until their final season in the American Association, they were associated with the Boston Braves. During their time with the Braves, they won two championships, one in 1947 and another in 1951.
During this time, Borchert Field was the home of Brewers baseball, which was located between North 7th, North 8th, West Chambers, and West Burleigh Streets. This ballpark was built in 1888 and stood for nearly 70 years before being demolished after the opening of County Stadium. Today, in its place is I-43, which was built on top of it.
The 1952 season would be the last time the world saw the Brewers until the Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee before the 1970 season, giving the Brewers another life.
Through all the ups and downs of professional baseball in Milwaukee, the Brewers have been the mainstay, and it continues to be over 125 years later.
After last night’s rainout was announced, I scoffed and thought, what’s there to do now. Well, it just means I have more time to write about the Cardinals! That and, of course, it becomes apparent that the Cardinals aren’t meant to play many games vs their NL Central counterparts this early in the year. Today will only be the 6th game vs our own division, out of 35 games so far. Blink, and you will miss the 1/4th point of the season, coming up this weekend.
The Cardinals are 5-0 against their own division. Pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty good! A list of teams that have a better record than the Cardinals include only one NL Central team, the Cubs… and other first place teams like the Dodgers, Braves, and Yankees. Add to that list the Rays, who we battled with gloriously to begin the season back in late March. Our entire division is still over .500, including our current opponent, the last-place Brewers.
How are we this good? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I think a lot of it has to do with the defense. Since we are in a good division, how does Cardinal defense stack up with the NL Central?
The Cubs along with having probably the best offense have arguably the best defense with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner being extremely valuable freaks of nature by Fielding Run Value on baseball savant. The two account for a +14 FRV! To compare to the Cardinals, that’s more than JJ Wetherholt, Pedro Pages, Nolan Gorman (+3 FRV, surprisingly), Masyn Winn, and Nathan Church put together! Now, I don’t really trust this stat completely, but that says something. The Cubs really do have an elite defense. Michael Busch is also really good on defense, and Seiya Suzuki ain’t bad either.
As for the rest of the NL Central, they cannot really hang with all of that. The Brewers are the next-best defensively, with the Reds and Pirates not-so-good on defense, outside of Ely De La Cruz.
Tiering NL Central Batters (using bat speed)
EliteDestructive Force (average bat speed over 78 mph)
Jordan Walker
Oneil Cruz (Pirates)
These two are tearing it up this year. You might be surprised to hear that Cruz is making slightly more contact than Walker. Cruz is taking more competitive swings and has a .262 BA so far this year, which for him seems quite high. These two might be a fun comparison going forward, with their similarities in extreme power hitting.
Terrible Force (ave bat speed 75-77)
Garrett Mitchell (Brewers)
Jake Bauers (Brewers)
Konor Griffin (Pirates)
The young Konor Griffin already showing off extreme bat speeds. Had no idea those two Brewers were swinging that hard!
Swinging So Very Hard (ave bat speed over 74 mph)
Ely De La Cruz (Reds)
Ivan Herrera
Pete Crow-Armstrong*
I notice the Cubs are not present here at 74+, in the top tiers of bat speed. I guess they don’t need to swing hard at Wrigley! heh heh heh. I’d like to point out here a stat called swing length, and that Walker and Herrera have the largest swings in the NL Central. The hardest swinging Cub? Pete Crow-Armstrong, who finishes at 73.9 average swing velocity, but figured I’d round up to be nice.
Ok enough of that bat speed nonsense! Swinging hard isn’t everything. Who is actually barreling the ball the most in NL Central? Rookie sensation Sal Stewart of the Reds! He is #5 in all of MLB at barrels %. Our good buddy Jordan Walker is #2 in the Central after Stewart in barrels %. More Reds players Spencer Steer and Ke’bryan Hayes are also really good at this. How about other Cardinals good at barrels/pa? Nathan Church (good sign!) and Lord Alec Burleson. And another Reds hitter Elly De La Cruz. Maybe that Reds offense is nothing to scoff at.
Are all these NL Central offenses for real? It looks like the Brewers and Pirates will stay about the same. The Reds and Cardinals could be in for some improvement, going by xwOBA, while the Cubs could come crashing down to earth a little bit. What could be a very interesting stat: the Cubs offense might not be a ton better than the Cardinals or Reds lineups. Their xwOBA is .336 with the Cardinals and Reds at .331.
So we are looking at three awesome offenses here. The Cubs and Reds are tied in home runs and the Cardinals are only two home runs behind. If you thought the Cardinals would be tied for 6th in home runs in MLB, on May 5th, you probably are Nostradamus (or related to him).
Forget the Cubs, they’re getting old. The Cardinals have the edge on the NL Central in hard hit %, and the Reds have been the team with the highest barrel % in the National League.
Most likely NL Central hitter to cool off: Seiya Suzuki
Best overall hitter in the NL Central so far: Brice Turang… so I guess I should not write off the Brewers just yet… what an interesting division
Who could end up being the best hitter in the Central: Jordan Walker ain’t far behind where Turang is at right now!
Best DH in the NL Central: Cubs’ Moises Ballesteros, so far anyways… currently the best DH in the NL
Best NL Central Hitters by Position
C Ivan Herrera (or Carson Kelly if you think he can keep up a .382 wOBA… obviously another hot start for Kelly this spring)
RF Jordan Walker (honorable mention Seiya Suzuki)
LF Ian Happ
CF Oneil Cruz
SS Ely De La Cruz
1B Sal Stewart
2B Brice Turang
3B Nick Gonzalez
DH Moises Ballesteros
So as good as some of our guys are, we are in a stacked division. JJ is of course #2 best hitting 2b in the Central, but the Pirates made a pretty good move of bringing in Lowe so Gonzalez could move over to 3b. The Pirates organization probably did just enough to keep them in the race this season. You know what’s the opposite of the NL Central? the AL Central! Their best team is at .500.
One more thing before I get to the music, I wanted to take a look at the Cardinals splits so far…
Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn have been killing left handed pitching in 2026. Vs righties? Jordan Walker hits them too, and so does Ivan Herrera and Alec Burleson. Masyn Winn is not faring too well vs RHP but not terrible at 88 wRC+. The award of worst splits goes to Alec Burleson however, who absolutely looks awful vs LHP so far.
Home Field Advantage: Jordan Walker and Nathan Church love hitting at Busch Stadium
Road Warriors: Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson, and JJ Wetherholt have been tearing it up on the road
The big takeaway: Alec Burleson while hitting so well on the road is a below average hitter at Busch
High leverage hitters: Wetherholt, Herrera, Winn, and Gorman up their numbers in high leverage situations so far in 2026!
RBI Hog: Alec Burleson ups the ante with runners in scoring position and has 24 RBI, Clutch Burly
Walker and Gorman also have over 20 RBI, which means Gorman has been quietly productive with his +3 Fielding Run Value and RBI production when needed. JJ Wetherholt rounds out the top 4 Cardinals RBI guys.
1989
1988 set a fire in the music scenes of North America and around the world, and 1989 was the evidence of its mounting flame of change and intense rock n roll as well as advancements in musical technologies and new forms of music. I am constantly amazed at how the transitional times between decades yields so much classic, good music, but I’m here to talk about it and well, this year ended up being ridiculous in the quality finds. I usually do 20, or maybe only 10 albums, but for this year it has doubled. I bring to you, whoever is reading this blog, 40 albums of can’t miss music!
Top Tier Albums of 1989
Ministry – ‘The Mind is a Terrible Thing To Taste’ Chicago industrial scene mavens reach the beginning of their peak state and release this masterpiece, a defining sound for 1989
Cows – ‘Daddy Has A Tail’ this could very well be my favorite punk rock album of all time, it grows on me with every listen, must be listened to LOUD, and is full of catchiness, humor, and a huge wall of rock n roll barely contained by expert lo-fi production
Melvins – ‘Ozma’ I view this as sort of a sequel to Gluey Porch Treatments, its predecessor, but it’s just as good, if not better… a refining of the sound introduced a couple of years before and part of a huge year of grunge music catching fire into what would be a nationwide cultural movement a few years later
Skinny Puppy – ‘Rabies’ while grunge was starting to catch fire, industrial music was also coalescing into a near mainstream movement, and Rabies by Skinny Puppy was a close second to the genius on display with Ministry’s ‘Mind…’ album. The primary difference being Skinny Puppy was less metal/punk oriented and more goth/techno. Both albums are extremely important in understanding where music tech was at in 1989
Nirvana – ‘Bleach’ for a minute I had this as album of the year in 1989, and it is not a bad pick… the best Nirvana album, I would argue. Something about this album’s mix of lively but dirty tones and hyper-catchy song structures began to reinvent the wheel of rock music. Not to mention the amount of energy brought here… If Melvins were the spark for the grunge movement, Nirvana and the next band were the fuel for the fire…
Soundgarden – ‘Louder Than Love’ Soundgarden entered their prime years with this album, which is one of their best and defining of the pacific northwest grunge movement… Chris Cornell would become the ultimate voice of rock n roll for a while, and this is the roots of that and maybe his most powerful vocal performance! or just listening to the pure fire, subtle bass playing throughout this album
Sepultura – ‘Beneath The Remains’ thrash death metal at its best, riding that creative wave in 1989 from down in Brazil, Sepultura would become legends because of this masterpiece of an album, should be higher but this year is just absolutely stacked
Beastie Boys – ‘Paul’s Boutique’ here’s another album that should be higher on the list! one of the best hiphop albums ever made, capturing that NYC sound
Dog Faced Hermans – ‘Every Day Timebomb’ actually THIS album could be #1 on the list! How many times am I going to keep saying this about 1989? Don’t sleep on this one, they’re on to something here, something highly unique and memorable, inventive even
Morbid Angel – ‘Altars of Madness’ many would argue, the best death metal album ever made… defining masterpiece of the genre. If you like horrific sounds beyond the limits of the human world and ultra fast precision, look no further… a defining album in the heavy metal canon (honestly had this one as #1 for a minute, too!) florida metal
#11-20
Nine Inch Nails – ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ if you haven’t heard it, what are you waiting for!? Another genre-defining classic for industrial music in 1989, the ultimate soundtrack for an industrial dance club setting
Faith No More – ‘The Real Thing’ sure you have some absolute bangers in songs like “Epic” and “From Out of Nowhere” but this album is a great full album listening experience, classic rock at this point! “Zombie Eaters”, “The Morning After”, “Surprise! You’re Dead”, and “Falling To Pieces” some of the more underrated songs on the album
Vasilisk – ‘Acqua’ here is my big find of my music deep dive into 1989… the big discovery… soundtrackish
Carcass – ‘Symphonies of Sickness’ defining moment for grindcore here! Carcass re-defined the whole relatively new genre that Napalm Death started, taking it in a new “gore-grind” direction. Aside from that, this album sounds absolutely disgustingly heavy, next level, even…
Kool G Rap – ‘Road To The Riches’ while the Beastie Boys were putting out the definitive hiphop album in 1989, Kool G Rap along with other innovators was starting new sounds, is this the first gangster rap album?
Meat Beat Manifesto – ‘Storm The Studio’ speaking of sonic innovators, Jack Dangers and Meat Beat Manifesto started a new sound, melding industrial music with hip hop! Band leader and producer Jack Dangers would go on to become one of the best music producers of all time, in my opinion
Coroner – ‘No More Color’ absolute thrash masterpiece i just discovered, give me some time
Bolt Thrower – ‘Realm of Chaos’ if anyone used to play any table top RPG like Warhammer 40k, I guess this album was advertised in White Dwarf, a magazine for table top war gamers. The cover art of this album even looks like some of the art for these games. Absolutely THE soundtrack for wargames.
Pestilence – ‘Consuming Impulse’ dare I say it again, this band was ahead of their time, with their technical death metal skills right up there or ahead of Death, perhaps the godfather of technical death metal skills
Godflesh – ‘Streetcleaner’ it feels wrong to rank this here, but 1989 is just a ridiculous world… many would probably rank it higher, but then again, many wouldn’t even listen to it, so there’s that… defining industrial metal classic, at the very least; opening track “Rats” is my favorite but it’s a banger start to finish
Tim Berne – ‘Fractured Fairy Tales’ best jazz album of 1989! absolutely fantastic listening experience
#21-30
De La Soul – ‘3 Feet High and Rising’ the third defining hiphop album on the list, perhaps the first “alt-hiphop” album? My brother loves this album, it is super catchy and fun after all
NoMeansNo – ‘Wrong’ punk rock classic and peak moment for NMN! sick and tired of the same old thing? check this album out! so underrated
Terrorizer – ‘World Downfall’ an early defining moment for grindcore which just so happens to feature the rhythm section and singer of Morbid Angel, but owning the grindcore world in another band! Florida metal
The Work – ‘Rubber Cage’ avant garde rock n roll similar to This Heat ten years ago, not to compare them to another band because this is highly unique, but only band I can think of similar
Negativland – ‘Helter Stupid’ one of the greatest conceptual art pieces of all time, in the form of edited audio snippets arranged in perfect composite… this album might make you go insane, or heal all your wounds
Schizo – ‘Main Frame Collapse’ the first true obscurity on the list, if you want to enter the realms of underground metal, this is a pretty good entry point! early and defining extreme metal sounds here, black metal at its best
Bitch Magnet – ‘Umber’ classic noise rock probably a bit ahead of its time, precursor to Helmet?
Branca – ‘Symphony No. 6’ explore the album, but here’s an excerpt on the outer limits of the guitar sound
Toxik – ‘Think This’ absolutely phenomenal heavy metal thrash album, just be prepared for the old school power metal thrash vocals which are actually done pretty tastefully, an overlooked classic of the metal genre
The Cure – ‘Disintegration’ understated, beautiful sounding album that sounds like it could have been released at any time in the 1980s but just barely eclipsed the end of the decade
#31-40
Mudhoney – ‘Mudhoney’ no 1989 list talking about early grunge sounds could possibly leave this album off a listing, it’s way better than you might expect, rock n roll legends
Caspar Brötzmann Massaker – ‘Black Axis’ art rock, noise, a new form of jazz? you’ll enter new zones here
Bad Brains – ‘Quickness’ Bad Brains begin to crossover: hardcore punk to metal… perhaps their perfect blend between the two, with their best production so far in their career but not as polished as the ones after… guitarist Dr Know goes next level here with his solos and super tight rhythm playing
Tad – ‘God’s Balls’ I got to see this band live when i was in high school and it is still one of the heaviest bands I’ve ever seen, so tight… and always just as punk as it was metal, another early grunge movement gamechanger
Fugazi – ‘13 Songs’ album opener would be on my college soundtrack album, awesome live band!
Saw Throat – ‘Indestroy’ crazy primitive crust punk sounding heavy caveman metal, wild stuff! heavy psychedelic insanity proto black metal and sludge
Repulsion – ‘Horrified’ insanely fast early grindcore that sounds like it was recorded in a sewer!
Death Side – ‘Wasted Dream’ awesome Japanese hardcore punk!
Thinking Plague – ‘In This Life’ ending my 1989 list with this album because there isn’t much streaming online from it, you’ll just have to buy it but it’s well worth it, I bought a digital copy years ago, one of the best prog rock albums from the 1980s! Bandcamp with a couple more songs streaming or purchase option
BINGHAMTON, NY - MARCH 31: Will Watson #17 of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies poses for a photo during the Binghamton Rumble Ponies photo day at Mirabito Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in Binghamton, New York. (Photo by Dave Garrett/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Ryan Clifford drove in a run in the bottom of the first to give Syracuse the initial lead, but it wouldn’t last long. In the top of the fourth, the newly signed Jack Weisenburger allowed three runs, giving the Red Wings a 3-1 lead. Christian Pache got Syracuse within a run in the sixth with an RBI single- had Nick Morabito not been thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double, he would’ve tied the game- but they quickly ran out of time. Rain began falling, and the umpiring crew decided to call things off there.
It was a disastrous start for Will Watson, who came into the season with high expectations but has fallen far, far short of them so far. The right-hander did not even get out of the first, recording just two outs. He labored, throwing 20 of his 37 pitches for strikes, and allowed four runs on three hits- one of which was a grand slam- and two walks. His replacement, Tanner Witt, did not fare much better, allowing 4 runs in 1.1 innings. Suffice to say, down by eight runs in the second inning, the Rumble Ponies failed to make this one a competitive ballgame. Of note, Wyatt Young pitched not just one, but two innings, and did not allow a run, scattering three hits. This is, unbelievably, the third game that he’s pitched this season, and has a 2.25 ERA on the year, allowing one earned run in 4.0 innings over three games. Move over, Nolan McLean!
St. Lucie already had the lead thanks to a Chase Meggers RBI in the second, but a five-run fourth gave them plenty of extra room. In the inning, JT Benson hit a two-run homer and Elian Pena a three-run homer. Tyler McLoughlin allowed a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, breaking up the shutout that R.J Gordon, Daviel Hurtado, and Ryan Dollar had going, but outside of that blip, the Flying Tigers never really threatened at any point.
COVERS INTEL: 
