Martin St-Louis and his Montreal Canadiens were wrapping up their regular season with an away game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. While the Habs could still improve their chances of securing home-ice advantage, they chose to rest some players. Josh Anderson, Phillip Danault, and Mike Matheson all got the night off, allowing Brendan Gallagher, Joe Veleno, and Adam Engstrom to re-enter the lineup. For the alternate captain, it was his first game since April 5.
Meanwhile, there was nothing on the line for the host aside from two points. Rick Tocchet opted to rest a lot of his key players: Trevor Zegras, Dan Vladar, Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, Travis Sanheim, Jamie Drysdale, and Cam York all had the night off. It meant that rookies Hunter McDonald and Oliver Bonk got to play their first NHL games, that Porter Martone kept up his tremendous start, and that former Noah Juulsen got to play for the first time since April 3.
Despite not seeing a lot of ice-time, he had spent 8:38 on the ice after 40 minutes, and Gallagher made the most of his few opportunities. He opened the score for the Habs in the second frame, completing a good passing play from Alexandre Texier and Kaiden Guhle, cutting the Flyers’ lead in half. Then, later in the same period, he went to the front of the net as Arber Xhekaj was unleashing one of his booming shots. While he didn’t tip it, his simple presence created a diversion that led Samuel Ersson to let the puck escape his equipment, allowing Jake Evans to score thanks to his best Superman impression.
While there’s no denying that at times the game is too fast for the veteran, when he’s in the lineup, you know that he’s going to give you everything he still has at all times. Meanwhile, his linemate on the night, Joe Veleno, got an assist on Evans’ goal, his first point in 21 games. However, as he’s done very well in the last part of the season, he dished out five hits in the first 40 minutes.
As the Canadiens get ready to enter the playoffs, one has to wonder what role Dach actually plays on this team. His play since coming back from injury hasn’t been good enough to warrant him staying on the top-six, and he doesn’t play the kind of game that is suited to the bottom six.
Granted, at times, he can have some nice offensive flashes, but too often, he’s not noticeable at all in games. He may be a former third-overall pick and have the right pedigree, but the results are just not there. He’s six-foot-four and 221 pounds, but he doesn’t play like he is, and in the playoffs, you need to use your size and your weight. He spent 11:08 on the ice on Tuesday night and had no shots, no blocked shots, and no hits.
On The Road Again
The Canadiens will come back to Montreal before the start of the playoffs, but they’ll need to hit the road to start the first round in Florida against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That 4-2 defeat sealed the deal for the Bolts, who will finish in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division.
While much has been made about how important home-ice advantage can be in the playoffs, this is not a disaster for the Habs; they had the league’s second-best record on the road (24-7-8) and got 56 of their 106 points on the road and had a plus-19 differential away from the Bell Centre. Defenseman Lane Hutson was plus-35 away from home and only plus-one in Montreal.
Speaking about Hutson, he was held off the scoresheet on Thursday night. He was therefore unable to beat Larry Robinson’s record for most assists in a season by a Canadiens’ blueliner. Still, he put his name alongside Big Bird’s in the record book, and that’s still an amazing feat for such a young rear guard. In any case, it feels like it’s only a matter of time until he does it. As for Cole Caufield, he didn’t find the back of the net and therefore couldn’t catch Nathan MacKinnon in the race to the Rocket Richard Trophy.
Despite the 4-2 defeat against what could be described as the Flyers’ B or C team, the Canadiens end the season with a 48-24-10 record, and 106 points, eight more wins and 15 more points than last season. Furthermore, several players had career years, and numerous milestones were reached. Overall, the regular season was a resounding success. It remains to be seen if they’ll improve as much in the playoffs, given their limited experience, but Canadiens fans can’t be blamed for being optimistic.
Although his sophomore season was largely considered a lost cause just weeks ago, Philadelphia Flyers starlet Matvei Michkov has completely changed the tune on his year, and the Flyers' turnaround and playoff berth has coincided with that.
By now, we've probably heard it all. Coming into training camp out of shape, the left wing vs. right wing debates, the quality of linemates, and the lackluster skating.
Despite all the noise, Michkov, 21, has played his best hockey for the Flyers at the apex of the playoff push, and that is ultimately what matters most.
Since the Flyers returned from the Olympic break in late February, the Russian phenom was Philadelphia's most prolific player, scoring seven goals and 22 points over the final 26 games of the regular season despite ranking sixth in total ice time amongst Flyers forwards, per Natural Stat Trick.
Excluding the power play and 4-on-4, Michkov is still king, having produced four goals and 14 points to pace the Flyers down that same stretch.
Penalties are and have been an issue for the youngster, yes, but Trevor Zegras actually took 14 minor penalties over the Flyers' last 26 games while being less productive offensively than his Russian counterpart.
For as much noise as there was around Michkov and the way he was being treated and utilized by Tocchet--which culminated in an impromptu media availability from GM Danny Briere--the kid wasn't fazed at all.
Michkov put his head down, worked with the tools he was given, and dragged his team to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in six years.
If we go back to the NHL standings from Feb. 22, the Flyers were 25-20-11, sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 3-4-3 record in their last 10 games.
At that point, only the New York Rangers (151) and New Jersey Devils (146) had found the back of the net less than the Flyers (167) did among teams in the East.
Fast forward to today, and the Flyers wrapped up their season on a 7-3-0 run and are a more modest 10th in the East in scoring.
The late addition of Porter Martone helped, to be fair, but the rest was Michkov and his center, Noah Cates, strapping on their work boots and going for the gusto.
And with that, the debate is settled: 2025 training camp is a thing of the past, and Michkov is a star right winger in the making for the long haul.
Apr 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Nico Daws (50) looks on as defenseman Simon Nemec (17) and Boston Bruins forward James hagen (44) go after the puck during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
The season, mercifully, is over. This mess of a campaign ends with a 4-0 loss to the Bruins. The Devils end the season with 87 points and a 42-37-3 record. [Devils NHL]
Nico reacting to this disappointing season: [Devils NHL]
“Fitzgerald wasn’t the worst GM you could have. There are worse; just look at the Vancouver Canucks or Rangers. Though he’s no longer the Devils’ GM, Fitzgerald did some good things in his time leading the front office. Unfortunately, the cons outweighed the pros. Let’s look back on his best and worst moves as Devils GM as the organization prepares to move into a new era.” [Devils on the Rush ($)]
“Examining what John Chayka may bring as a possible candidate to take over the New Jersey Devils’ now-vacant General Manager position.” [Devils’ Advocates]
Hockey Links
“‘The Great 8’ skated off into the great unknown Tuesday. Alex Ovechkin insisted again that he’s unsure what the future holds for him following the Washington Capitals’ 2-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets in their season finale at Nationwide Arena. But the 40-year-old left wing seemed to leave the door open that this wasn’t the end of his NHL career.” [NHL.com]
Jonathan Quick is retiring:
After 19 NHL seasons between the Kings, Golden Knights and Rangers, three-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Jonathan Quick is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 season. pic.twitter.com/bZxd4G77pw
“Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness questioned his players’ commitment to winning after an uninspired season-ending loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.” [ESPN]
“Before we turn the page to the playoffs for some teams and the offseason for others at the end of next week, The Athletic asked its NHL staff for the player who provided the very best on a nightly basis (our 2025-26 MVPs) and the player who emerged as most disappointing on each team this season. Here’s who our writers picked.” [The Athletic ($)]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 17: Michael Grier #25 of the Buffalo Sabres is stopped on a third period scoring chance by Tuukka Rask #40 and Matt Hunwick #48 of the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HSBC Arena on April 17, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
With Tuesday night’s win over the New Jersey Devils, the Bruins clinched the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and set up a first-round match-up with the Buffalo Sabres.
After missing the playoffs for 382 years, the Sabres won the Atlantic Division with either 108 or 110 points, depending on how their last game of the season shakes out.
Buffalo will close out their regular season tonight against the Dallas Stars in a game that means absolutely nothing to either side, so it should be a real barn-burner.
The match-up will be a meaningful won for some segments of the Sabres fanbase, as the Bruins were a boogeyman of sorts for Buffalo for the better part of a decade.
Some very wise, excellent, good person wrote a post for this site a while back about how the Bruins essentially broke the Buffalo organization back in 2011, sparking a downward spiral that continued until just about this season.
It’s kind of fitting, then, that Buffalo will have to go through the Bruins to continue what has been a pretty remarkable story to this point.
The Bruins and Sabres last squared off in the playoffs in 2010, a first-round series that the Bruins won, 4-2.
Buffalo was the higher seed in that series and took a 1-0 series lead, only for the Bruins to win three games in a row then hold off Buffalo in Game 6.
That series was notable for a variety of reasons, from Tuukka Rask’s Superman save on Mike Grier to Johnny Boychuk tomahawking Thomas Vanek to Miroslav Satan’s 2OT heroics.
(The best part of this is that while all of these occurred just yesterday to me, many of you will read that sentence like it’s from some ancient Sumerian papyrus.)
The best highlight from that series will be obvious to those of you who have been around here long enough:
Big Money Wides at his best.
If you want to tie that series to the present day, there are a couple of interesting threads with the current coaches of the Bruins and Sabres.
Lindy Ruff was the Sabres coach then, just like he is today. He had a few other gigs between then and now, but he’s back behind the Buffalo bench.
Marco Sturm was playing on Patrice Bergeron’s wing for the Bruins during that series, though he went pointless in six games, so it might not be his happiest memory.
This season, the Bruins took three out of four from Buffalo, with two of those games going beyond regulation.
It’s worth pointing out that two of those four games (two Bruins wins) came back in October, before the Sabres figured it out and went on their big run.
We’ll keep you posted as a schedule gets released, but I’d imagine this series won’t start until Saturday or Sunday.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 18: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers on March 18, 2012 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
With the Battle of Pennsylvania poised to resume in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, what better time than now to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the highs and lows from when the Penguins and Flyers have squared off against one another in the postseason?
2018 – Jake Guentzel scores 4 goals to eliminate Philadelphia
The last time the Penguins and the Flyers met in the postseason was in 2018 as Pittsburgh was trying to become the first time to win three straight Stanley Cup titles in 35 years at the time.
The Penguins were the two-time defending champions and opened the series with a bang, defeating Philadelphia 7-0.
The series managed not to feature many close games as the Flyers won Game 2 by a score of 5-1 and the Penguins snatched a 3-1 series lead with 5-1 and 5-0 wins in Games 3 and 4.
Philadelphia stayed alive with a road win in Game 5, sending things back to Philadelphia for a pivotal Game 6.
In that sixth and final game of the series, Jake Guentzel put on a show, scoring a natural hat trick, including two goals in 10 seconds en route to an 8-5 win.
2012 – Chaos reigns in the Battle of Pennsylvania
It’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years since the Penguins and Flyers stole all of the headlines in the 2012 season.
The Penguins were Stanley Cup contenders and going into the postseason, the only thing people knew to expect was chaos following the late-regular season contest between the two cross-state rivals.
From teams unable to keep pucks out of their own nets to all-out brawls on the ice leading to fines and suspensions, it was must-watch television while being hard to watch at the same time.
We even got to see Sidney Crosby pass the baton to Claude Giroux, what would become a running joke for quite some time.
2009 – Max Talbot’s ‘shh’ moment and a Pens comeback for the ages
Seventeen years ago, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup and their first round opponent that year was none other than the Philadelphia Flyers.
During that opening series of the postseason, the Penguins had gotten out to a 2-0 lead and a 3-1 series lead before the Flyers sent things back to Philadelphia for a Game 6.
Things didn’t start out well for the Penguins that game.
Mike Knuble, Joffrey Lupul, and Danny Briere gave the Flyers a 3-0 lead before a Max Talbot fight against Dan Carcillo gave the Penguins a spark.
Five unanswered goals followed with Sidney Crosby tying the game, later scoring an empty-netter to put the game and series on ice.
2008 – Penguins blow past the Flyers en route to the Stanley Cup Final
When the Penguins returned to the playoffs with their new, young core in 2007, it was clearly evident they weren’t ready for what the postseason provides.
The team flipped that narrative in 2008, ripping through the first two rounds against the Senators and Rangers, only losing one game in two series.
Up next in the Eastern Conference Final were the Flyers and the Penguins got off to a hot start there, as well.
The Penguins won the first three games of the series, including in the opening game when Evgeni Malkin infamously ripped a slap shot past Martin Biron on a breakaway.
Philadelphia avoided a sweep with a win in Game 4, but the Penguins put the Flyers away with a 6-0 blowout in Game 6 at the Mellon Arena.
2000 – Philadelphia wins a marathon overtime game
When the Penguins and Flyers met in the 2000 playoffs, it was their third-ever postseason meeting.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 2-0 series lead and things seemed to be going well. Little did anyone know they wouldn’t win another game.
The Penguins forced overtime with a late Jaromir Jagr goal in Game 3, but came up short and then in Game 4, the two teams made history.
Alexei Kovalev and John LeClair each scored goals for the teams, leaving things tied midway through the 2nd period.
The Penguins and Flyers would play a scoreless third period and four scoreless overtime periods, heading a fifth overtime frame before Keith Primeau scored a game-winner in the third-longest game in NHL history.
Philadelphia would win Game 5 and Game 6 to eliminate the Penguins.
1997 – Mario Lemieux gets standing ovation in Philadelphia as he retires
When the Battle of Pennsylvania was held in 1997, Mario Lemieux received a standing ovation in Philadelphia for the second time in his career after being eliminated by the Flyers.
Several years prior, Lemieux received an ovation from Flyers fans when he returned from Hodgkin’s lymphoma and it was the same story at the end of the 1997 playoffs.
The Flyers defeated the Penguins 4-1 in the series and Lemieux said goodbye to the NHL with the world not knowing he would make a comeback a few years later.
After the Penguins were eliminated, a Lemieux farewell message was posted on the scoreboard and the fans in the arena gave Lemieux a proper sendoff to retirement.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Mitch Voit #55 of the New York Mets bats during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Clover Park on March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The good? Jonah Tong struck out 10 batters. The bad? He allowed six runs over 4.2 innings, scattering five hits, walking 3, and allowing 2 home runs. Normally, your starter allowing six runs would put you behind the 8-ball, but not these Syracuse Mets. Despite Tong not having his best, Syracuse did not actually trail at any point in this one, with the 5 spot that the RailRiders put up in the fifth merely tying the game, as the offense already hammered starter Brendan Beck for six runs. The tie did not last long, as Jose Rojas hit a two-run homer to give Syracuse a two-run edge, which they would maintain for the remainder of the contest. Speaking of homers, Hayden Senger launched two more, tying his career high (5) set in 2021 and matched in 2022/2023/2025. If these trends continue, he is still on pace to challenge Joe Bauman’s minor league single-season record of 72 homers, so let’s hope these trends continue!
Binghamton was competitive early on, but a four-run sixth and one more in the seventh doomed them. The team rallied late, plating three runs in the seventh, three more in the eighth, and putting the tying run on base in the ninth, but they couldn’t get it done. AJ Ewing logged three more hits, including another double, and Chris Suero walked three times, but none of the other prospects on the team, hitting or pitching, had particularly noteworthy days.
Brooklyn started the year off on the schneid, but with more games like this, maybe they’ll get into an early season groove. Of the eight games that the Cyclones have played prior to this contest, they scored one or fewer runs in five of them. While it isn’t great that their pitching allowed 8 runs in this one, it is nice to see the team pound out 9 runs on 11 hits and 7 walks. Mitch Voit logged a multi-hit effort, launching his first homer of the season, while Yohairo Cuevas and Daiverson Gutierrez both reached base four times, the former with a triple and three walks and the latter filling up the box score with two singles, a double, and a homer- Daiverson’s first of the year as well. Up by a run, Brett Banks allowed three runs in the top of the eighth, and things were looking grim, but Voit’s three-run homer made the difference and put the Cyclones back in the driver’s seat for the bottom of the inning, which Garrett Stratton threw without issue.
Jose Chirinos, Christian Rodriguez, and Ryan Dollar combined to shutout the Tortugas, starting out this road trip on the right foot. Chirinos did most of the work, tossing five scoreless innings, but Rodriguez threw a decent amount himself, pitching three scoreless, and then Dollar locked it down in the ninth. St. Lucie’s first run came in the second on a AJ Salgado homer, and their second run came in seventh on an Elian Pena RBI single.
BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 26: Jeremiah Jackson #82 and Jackson Holliday #7 of the Baltimore Orioles talk before the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning Birdland,
For a while anyway, last night’s game felt like one the Orioles were destined to win. Vibes were off the charts. Their manager, Craig Albernaz, was sitting in the dugout despite breaking a whole bunch of bones in his face the previous night. Staff ace, Trevor Rogers, was on the mound and sporting a ridiculous home record since the start of 2025. And the entire fan base was still beaming after the team’s ridiculous come back win on Monday.
And the game even got off to a good start! Samuel Basallo homered in the second inning. A bases loaded walk for Leody Taveras in the third inning doubled the advantage. And Jeremiah Jackson led off the fourth inning with a two-bagger, setting the stage for another insurance run.
Things went off the rails shortly thereafter.
Jackson moved to third on a sac bunt, and was then inexplicably picked off by old friend James McCann. What was he doing!? He had simply ventured too far down the third base line, and McCann nabbed him. Even worse, the lineup had just turned over. Gunnar Henderson was at the plate. Putting yourself at any sort of risk of being picked off at third base in that scenario is inexcusable.
Then Rogers struggled in the top of the fifth, coughing up a four spot, including a three-run homer. Albernaz would have to yank him before the inning was out.
Fortunately, the bullpen was great again. Rico Garcia, Grant Wolfram, Yennier Cano, and Nick Raquet (with some defensive help from Colton Cowser) combined for 4.1 scoreless innings and gave the lineup a chance to claw back.
But it wasn’t to be. They did score once more in the eighth inning, and even loaded the bases for Jackson. But he was unable to duplicate his grand performance from the night prior. Instead, he grounded out, and the Orioles fell to 9-8 on the season.
Elsewhere in the AL East:
The Yankees lost 7-1 to the Angels.
The Red Sox lost 6-0 to the Twins.
The Rays beat the White Sox 8-5.
The Blue Jays beat the Brewers 9-7
It’s a quick turnaround today. First pitch for the rubber match is set for 12:35 from Camden Yards.
Links
With 7 cheek fractures and broken jaw, O’s manager Albernaz back at work | Orioles.com I’m glad Albernaz, for the most part, is OK. He told reporters that he does not need surgery, and that he did not suffer a concussion. His diet is going to be a bummer for a while. Apparently all he gets is soft food and smoothies for the next six weeks. It could be worse! Now, please, Craig, let’s stand behind that big net in front of the dugout next time.
Hard to predict what’s happening with Orioles again in 2026 | Roch Kubatko The number of injuries early in the season has, to me, transformed what success looks like for the Orioles at the moment. The overall goal for the season hasn’t changed. They still need to make the playoffs and win some games once in. But for now, they simply need to survive and keep their head above water. Get guys like Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, and Tyler O’Neill healthy. Reestablish some depth in the lineup. If that means going .500 for a bit, that feels OK.
Holliday sidelined from rehab assignment due to sore wrist | MLB.com Speaking of Holliday, he isn’t ready just yet. This isn’t necessarily a surprise. The guy didn’t get a spring training, and he is recovering from an injury. His rehab assignment was always going to be a bit longer than typical. Getting him back in the lineup by early May feels like the goal at this point.
Chris Tillman turns 38 today. The righty came to Baltimore in the Adam Jones/Erik Bedard trade ahead of the 2008 season, and would become a crucial member of the 2010s teams that returned the organization to relevance. Tillman debuted in 2009 as a 21-year-old, and then spent a decade with the Orioles. Eventually, he would rise to be the staff ace, make three Opening Day starts, and earn an all-star nod in 2013.
Michael Aubrey is 44. He played in 31 games for the 2009 Orioles, mostly as a first baseman.
This day in O’s history
1954 – For the first time since 1902, a big league team returns to Baltimore. The Orioles, recently arrived from St. Louis as the Browns, beat the White Sox 3-1 in their debut game at Memorial Stadium.
1987 – The Orioles get no-hit by Milwaukee Brewers hurler Juan Nieves, the first no-no in Brewers history.
2000 – Cal Ripken Jr. records the 3,000 hit of his career, ripping a single off of Twins pitcher Hector Carrasco. Ripken is the 24th major leaguer to reach the milestone, and is only the seventh player to pair that achievement with 400 career home runs,.
Apr 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryson Stott (5) turns a double play against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Interesting decision last night by the official scorer when he assigned an error to Bryson Stott instead of Tim Mayza in the sixth inning. A low throw by Mayza was probably supposed to be caught by Stott, which is likely why they charged it to Stott in the first place, but that felt a little tough. I’d bet we see that changed in the coming days.
Free of charge for the discerning reader.Happy birthday toKing Cole and a mighty host of others, plus more baseball stories, like the Babe turning into THE Babe, Jackie Robinson debut, Hank’s first hit, and California baseball.
Today in baseball history:
1911 – At the age of 24, Grover Cleveland Alexander makes his major league debut, losing a 5-4 decision to the Rustlers on an unearned run in the tenth inning at Boston’s South End Grounds.
2009 – Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers goes 6 for 6 and hits for the cycle in a 19 – 6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. It had been 119 years since Farmer Weaver had been the last big leaguer to go 6 for 6 and hit for the cycle in a nine-inning game.
1493 –Christopher Columbus is received by the Spanish monarchs Isabella I and Ferdinand II in Barcelona upon his return from the New World. Columbus presents kidnapped Taínos indigenous people, plants and items collected from the Caribbean.
1862 – American poet Emily Dickinson first corresponds with author and future literary mentor Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a relationship that lasts the rest of her life.
1877 – World’s first home telephone is installed in Somerville, Massachusetts at the house of Charles Williams Jr.
1892 – General Electric Company formed by merger of Thomas Edison‘s General Electric Company with Thomson-Houston Electric Company, arranged by J. P. Morgan and incorporated in NY.
1948 – F. H. Thornton observes a flash of light in crater Plato on the Moon.
1955 – Ray Kroc opens the first McDonald’s Inc. fast food restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.
2010 -Volcanic ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland leads to the closure of airspace over most of Europe.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on December 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s not a stretch to say this was maybe the best individual season of Mitchell’s career. He scored more points than ever (1,952 total) and the 10th most in a single season by a Cavalier ever. All on an efficient 56.3% effective field goal percentage (82nd percentile).
Mitchell carried the Cavs throughout the season. He had 15 games of 35+ points, in which the Cavaliers went 14-1. Just two of those performances came after the All-Star break, a testament to how vital Mitchell was to Cleveland staying afloat during their slow start to the season.
Some factors hold him back from the A+. This was the highest usage that Mitchell’s recorded since being in Cleveland. That’s because the Cavs needed him to carry a heavier load. Still, it’s not the idealized version of Mitchell. Things have always looked smoother when he’s paired with another lead ball-handler. We didn’t see that for most of the season — not that Mitchell had any control over that.
Partnered with his higher usage, I’d argue this was the worst defensive season Mitchell has had in Cleveland. The Cavs fell out of the top-10 defensively for the first time since 2021. Mitchell’s inconsistent effort on that end of the floor played a role.
Nevertheless, this was a special offensive season from Mitchell and one of the best in franchise history. I shudder to think of where this team would have finished without him.
Grade: A
James Harden
20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds
Trading for Harden was the shock of the season. We won’t re-litigate the trade today, as only the playoffs can tell us whether or not it was worth it. But as of typing — I find it hard to believe there’s anyone in Cleveland who isn’t bought in right now.
Harden won us over almost immediately. Clutch shot making and some of the best pick-and-rolls the league has ever seen will do that. It became obvious how Harden can help raise this team’s ceiling. His instant chemistry with the bigs, along with not taking anything away from Mitchell’s scoring, is about as exciting as it gets.
Concerns remain. Can Harden play defense at a championship level? Will his turnovers be backbreakers in the playoffs? Or, can Harden step-back his way into leading a deep playoff run? That remains to be seen. Either way, I think he’s earned a little bit of faith. I’m willing to go down swinging with Harden at the helm.
Grade: A-
Jarrett Allen
15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
For years, Allen has been considered an unsung hero. I’m not sure that’s the case anymore. His heroic efforts in the back half of the season were as important as any other member of the team.
Allen averaged 22.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in February as the Cavs relied entirely on him to steady the ship. After multiple injuries and seismic changes at the deadline, it was Allen who kept everything running smoothly. His consistency made him an anchor on both ends of the floor, and it led to the best stretch of Allen’s career.
The only thing holding him back from an A+ or even an A+++ is the first month of the season. He suffered injuries to both hands and as a result, struggled to catch the ball or finish with his usual efficiency.
Grade: A–
Darius Garland
18 points, 6.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds
I think I speak for every Cavs fan when I say my heart sank during Garland’s first game back from the toe injury. The realization that a full summer of recovery wasn’t enough to overcome this setback was worrying.
Garland delivered a number of great games before being traded this year. The issue, of course, is each step forward came with an aggravation that felt like three steps backwards. The Cavs were left with no choice but to cut their losses and pivot to Harden in an attempt to save their season.
Mobley entered the season with dark-horse MVP written all over him. Fans expected another leap. Instead, they got more of the same — with some minor improvements on the margins.
It’s natural to feel disappointed by that outcome. Though, I do believe this was a strong season for Mobley if you can remove those preseason expectations and instead view this year for what it was.
An efficient 18 points per game as the third option on a 52-win team is pretty sweet. Especially considering he stayed at an All-Defensive level throughout the season. His finishing around the rim, as always, was a highlight. And Mobley ended the regular season with an elite stretch, averaging 20.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in his final 20 games.
Still, I have to significantly ding his grade for not living up to expectations. Never fret, there’s more than enough time for him to make up for this in the playoffs.
Grade: C+
De’Andre Hunter
14 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
I still don’t know what happened to Hunter. He checks all of the hypothetical boxes. Great size, good shooter, strong athlete. But none of that translates to the court. He struggled to shoot this season, played some of the worst defense I’ve seen, and overall felt as out of place as you can possibly get.
Grade: F
Jaylon Tyson
13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Tyson might be the Valedictorian this year. Seriously, I can’t think of a Cavalier that has exceeded expectations more than Tyson.
I entered this season unconvinced that Tyson would be in the rotation, let alone a core piece of the team. I just didn’t think he’d be able to put so many things together in such quick fashion. But Tyson’s sophomore season felt like a launching point for an elite career.
The most impressive part of Tyson’s game is how effortlessly he adapted to whatever the Cavs asked of him. He played without the ball, shooting 44.6% from downtown and finishing as one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the NBA. That’s a role he wasn’t super comfortable playing before this season.
That expands to other aspects of the game. Tyson admitted he never played as the roller in pick-and-rolls before this season. Yet, he was a seamless fit as a screening partner with Mitchell and Harden. His below-the-rim finishing and processing speed as a playmaker allowed him to dominate in those actions.
The same goes for his defensive effort. Tyson wasn’t known as a defensive engine in college. But in the NBA? Being a scrappy, hustle player is what he needed to do to earn minutes. That was the initial bar he had to clear before breaking into Cleveland’s rotation and showing the rest of his skills. Check and check.
Most of all, Tyson proved one thing: he’s a winner. This is a dude who wants nothing more than to help his team get to the finish line. That’s going to keep him in the NBA for a long, long time.
Grade: A+++
Sam Merrill
12.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
We all knew that Merrill could bury triples. Still, I wouldn’t take a career-high 158 three-pointers in just 52 games for granted. If he had been more available, Merrill would have easily become just the fourth Cavalier to hit 200+ three-pointers in a season. JR Smith, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are the others.
More impressively, Merrill proved that he isn’t just a three-point shooter this season. He began attacking the basket at a career-high rate, nearly doubling his previous high for two-pointers in roughly 20 fewer games. He also threw in a personal-best 125 assists, using his gravity to backdoor cut opponents and then kick the ball out to his teammates.
All the while, Merrill fought like hell defensively to hold his own more often than not. Effort goes a long way towards juicing your grade.
Grade: A-
Lonzo Ball
4.6 points, 4 rebounds, 3.9 assists
I’m not going to pile on Ball, whose career was totally derailed by injuries. We all saw how much he struggled to be imapctful this season. Whether it be clanking open jumpers or missing transition layups — let’s just acknowledge that this went sideways and move on.
Grade: F
Dean Wade
5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists
This was the most Dean Wade season I’ve seen from Dean Wade. That’s to say, I don’t think we learned anything new from Wade this year.
The Cavs need Wade. They play well when he’s healthy and shooting three-pointers with confidence. Neither of those things happens as often as you’d like, but they’re just common enough to hold onto the dream.
Grade: C
Thomas Bryant
6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds
Bryant was the best addition of the offseason. It turns out the bar wasn’t very high, after Lonzo Ball played his way to a podcasting career and Larry Nance Jr. became an end-of-bench veteran. But hey, Bryant earned this one.
Seriously, though. Bryant was super helpful off the bench as a backup big. The Cavs relied on him to bring energy, toughness and even some three-point shooting throughout the year. He isn’t mobile enough to hang in certain matchups — and he gave diminishing returns as his minutes grew higher. But for a last-second addition, this is as good as it gets.
Grade: A-
Larry Nance Jr.
3.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1 assist
I’ll admit, I was bummed that Nance wound up being out of the rotation entirely this season. I fully expected him to be an X-Factor for this team. He had all of the tools to be a glue guy. Instead, it’s clear that Nance isn’t the same player he used to be. His mobility has declined significantly and he doesn’t have the size or fine-skills to make up for it.
It’s still fun to have Nance on the roster. He’s a great locker room guy and fully accepted his role on the bench. Maybe he’ll surprise us in the postseason, should the Cavs elect to break glass and put him on the floor.
Grade: D+
Keon Ellis
8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals
Ellis was a sweet pickup at the trade deadline. A springy, 6’5” guard who can generate turnovers and play without the ball offensively. He’s an efficient catch-and-shoot player who has shown he can do more than stand in the corner. Ellis took strides as a pick-and-roller this season while also finding success as a cutter.
His defensive impact is shakier than we thought it would be. He isn’t an elite one-on-one defender or the type of guy who is going to suppress shot attempts. Ellis is, however, capable of making some incredible defensive plays by recovering and blocking shots, or using his active hands to pick up steals.
Grade: B
Craig Porter Jr.
4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Porter showed that he has more defensive tenacity than previously known. He turned himself into an energizer, darting into passing lanes and embracing the challenge of ruffling his opponent’s feathers. I’m still not sure he has the foot speed to be an elite defender, but this was a strong step in the right direction.
His lack of a jumper holds him back. Porter doesn’t even attempt enough three-pointers to keep a defense honest. That will have to change if his blocks, steals, rebounds and assists are ever going to be properly utilized.
Grade: B-
Dennis Schroder
8.2 points, 4.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds
Schroder was an add-on to the Hunter trade. He doesn’t fit particularly well next to either Mitchell or Harden. That’s because he’s not adept at playing without the ball, and some of his defensive impact has faded as he gets older.
To his credit, Schroder can still muck up a game and make things interesting. He also has a knack for getting to the rim and creating in the pick-and-roll that makes him worth a spot in the playoff rotation. At least he’ll get a chance to play serious minutes depending on the matchup.
Overall, some of the poor shooting and defense hold him back from a strong grade in the regular season.
Grade: C-
Tyrese Proctor
5.4 points, 1.5 assists, 1.3 rebounds
There’s not much to take from Proctor’s rookie season. His minutes were limited and mostly restricted to garbage time.
I’d happily take any stock moving forward. He’s a guard with good size and defensive instincts. Package that with his natural gift for shooting and I can’t see how this doesn’t pan out for him at some point in the future.
Grade: B
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds
Tomlin went from a two-way to a standard contract this season. That’s enough for an A on its own.
Sure, his impact fell off a cliff in the second half of the year. We saw some warts emerge, such as his poor defensive awareness or his total lack of a three-point shot. But he eventually got the wheels back on track to end the season, again using his athleticism to impact games.
Tomlin, at his best, is a frenetic player who crashes the glass and runs forcefully in transition. That’s a lot of fun to watch, even if we understand that can only take a player so far.
Grade: A-
Max Strus
11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Listen, no one wanted to wait until March to finally see Max Strus play basketball again. Even Strus himself was frustrated with the process. But once he returned, it was obvious that Strus still had the juice.
Strus played just 12 games in the regular season. In those games, he hit 6+ three-pointers three separate times. He shot above 40% from downtown and nailed some clutch shots along the way. It was all the evidence you needed to know that Strus can still swing games with his prolific shooting.
It wasn’t all pretty, of course. Coming back from a months long injury takes time. Strus’ foot-speed looks slower than before and his defense is a slight concern. He also reminded us of how streaky he can be, shooting 1-9 and 1-10 in two games before the season ended.
Maryland baseball entered the bottom of the eighth inning of its midweek bout against Towson down by one run.
That was when junior Brayden Martin notched his second RBI of the game, bringing in the tying run. Just two pitches later, sophomore Paul Jones II launched a two-run RBI double that came off the bat at 108 mph to extend Maryland’s lead.
After another batter was walked, Towson put in its second pitcher of the inning with the bases loaded and one out. Left-handed pitcher Ben Nugent proceeded to walk five Terps in a row — each brought in a run.
It was a late demolition for the Terps as they strolled to a 15-7 victory over Towson Tuesday at the Bob.
Right-handed pitcher Nic Morlang started the game for the Terps and recorded three total strikeouts. However, he allowed three hits, allowing the Tigers to take an early 2-0 lead. Morlang closed out the first inning by striking out Towson’s best hitter, Brian Heckelman.
Martin got on base and stole second in the bottom of the first, but he was ultimately stranded after freshman Ty Kaunas popped out to third and Jones II grounded out to second.
After Maryland’s defense recorded its 33rd double play of the season in the top of the second inning, the Terps got an RBI from Aden Hill to halve the deficit, but two runners were left on base.
Towson extended its lead in the third inning after following up a single with three consecutive doubles, bringing in three more runs. Right-handed pitcher Andrew Koshy stepped up to the mound for Morlang with one on and no outs.
A throwing error by second baseman David Mendez brought in another run for the Tigers before the inning ended after a strikeout and two pop-ups.
Mendez quickly redeemed himself, though, launching a breaking ball on the 2-1 count over the left center wall. His sixth home run of the season brought in three runs for Maryland, making the score 6-4 Towson.
“It was really helpful for me being able to pick up my guys,” Mendez said. “We knew we weren’t out of the game, so I knew that big swing was what we needed in that moment to take over the game.”
Maryland’s bullpen was able to hold the Tigers until the eighth inning, recording six more strikeouts and not walking a single batter.
In the bottom of the fourth, Martin’s sacrifice fly brought in another run for the Terps. Kaunas brought in the tying run with a solo home run shortly after.
Just one run was scored between the fifth and seventh innings — a sacrifice fly by Jones II in the bottom of the sixth gave Maryland a one-run lead.
In the top of the eighth, Towson’s catcher Coy Allman reached first on a throwing error by right-handed pitcher Jake Yeager, who had relieved Koshy two innings previously. The error allowed a run to score, tying the game once again. Sophomore right-hander Ryan Bailey entered the game and kept the Tigers scoreless for the remainder of the contest.
“We’re really going through it injury wise,” head coach Matt Swope said. “It was really good for those guys to try and stabilize that after not the best start.”
Maryland didn’t allow the tie to last for long, exploding for seven runs.
Towson went through three pitchers throughout the bottom of the eighth inning — Nugent was relieved by the Tigers’ third pitcher of the inning, who allowed a Martin sacrifice fly that brought in the Terps’ eighth run of the inning before recording the last out.
The Tigers only recorded one strikeout while throwing 58 pitches and walking eight Terps — five while bases were loaded — to give Maryland an eight-run lead.
“If you’re disciplined at the plate and you don’t swing at balls, you will be in college baseball games,” Swope said. “It’s my number one thing we’ve been good with all year.”
Bailey recorded one strikeout in the top of the ninth, while Martin and center fielder Nate Hawton-Henley claimed the remaining two to take the 15-7 victory.
Three things to know
1. Easy bases. Maryland recorded 15 RBIs on Tuesday — its third most this season and most since March 31 against Richmond. The Tigers out-hit the Terps 11-8, but it wasn’t enough, as two of Maryland’s hits were home runs and the remaining six brought in a run. Tuesday also marked the most walks the Terps have been dealt (12) since the Richmond contest, which also ended with 12 walks.
2. Base robber. Martin stole two bases Tuesday, bringing him to a season total of 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts — the most in the Big Ten. The junior also ranks first on the team and the Big Ten with the most walks (36), while Maryland ranks first in the Big Ten with 233 walks.
3. Support in the stands. The Bob was packed Tuesday, with the football, softball, field hockey, gymnastic, cheer, and women’s soccer teams coming out to show support. There were over 1300 fans in attendance for the midweek match.
“I love it. This is a lifestyle for me, it’s not a job,” Swope said. “I appreciate those guys coming out.”
Mar 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) splits the defense of Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and guard Reed Sheppard (15) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The NBA Playoffs are coming up quickly now that the regular season is over. The Rockets came in fifth, therefore they will play the Los Angeles Lakers, who came in fourth, in a best-of-seven series. The higher-seeded team (Los Angeles) will host the first two games, as usual. After that, the series will go to Houston for games three and four, then back to LA for game five, back to Houston for game six, and finally back to LA for game seven.
The Lakers won three games in a row to finish the season. The Timberwolves ended Houston’s eight-game winning streak, but the Rockets beat the Grizzlies on Sunday.
One main plot point of the series is the continuing battle between Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Even though their most famous battles happened years ago in the NBA Finals, there is a sense of nostalgia and excitement as they meet again, this time in the first round. At this point in their careers, both players may still dominate games, but they are under quite different kinds of strain. Durant plays for a Houston team that is deeper and more balanced. LeBron is now in his 40s and is supposed to be the Lakers’ main offensive player, especially with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves hurting.
If the Lakers don’t let their ailments get in the way too much before the series, they might have a better chance of making it further in the playoffs. Reaves, an important guard, and Luka Doncic, who was brought in to be LeBron’s co-superstar, are both up in the air for this series. When the game is mostly one-on-one, LeBron has to score a lot because the rest of Los Angeles can’t make baskets or set up plays for other players when they aren’t there. Without those parts, the Lakers can’t afford to make as many mistakes.
The Rockets, on the other hand, are in good shape and ready for the playoffs. Houston has quietly become one of the best teams in the conference because they emphasis on being tough and disciplined on defense. Alperen Şengün’s frontcourt gives them a reliable inside scoring threat, and their perimeter defenders enable them to alter up their defenses and mess with their opponents’ offenses. Durant can score in a variety of different ways, and Houston has numerous other players that can also score (Sengun, Thompson, Sheppard etc), so it will depend on how well Houston’s supporting cast does.
The Rockets play a slower, more organized game, employing their size and skill to rebound to keep the ball. The Lakers, on the other hand, perform best when they get ahead early and make the game go faster. It’s harder to do this when Doncic isn’t in charge of the half-court. If Houston can keep the game moving at their tempo, they can keep the Lakers from getting easy points and put them in tough situations at the end of the game.
One of the most important things in the series is whether or not Doncic will feel better and how much. The Lakers wouldn’t simply be a top-heavy team; with him on the roster, they would be a big offensive danger straight away. Los Angeles would have to rely on role players to step up, which would be risky against the Rockets’ at times well-organized defense. It will be a tough and close series, but Houston has the upper hand with the L.A. injuries unless the Lakers get well soon.
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 20, 2026: Seth Hernandez #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park on March 20, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ top pitching prospect, Seth Hernandez, is looking strong in his first season of professional baseball with the Bradenton Marauders
Hernandez was drafted sixth overall by the Pirates in 2025 as the top high school pitching prospect in the class. He was named the California Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year, The Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and the Enterprise Varsity Player of the Year. He decided to forgo his commitment to Vanderbilt and signed with the Pirates for $7.25 million.
2025 only saw Hernandez get time with the Florida Coast League Pirates, so this is his first year of pitching in the minor leagues. With Low-A Bradenton the 19-year-old righty has made two starts so far this season, with both being very impressive. In his first career start against the Dunedin Blue Jays Hernandez largely dominated the opposing hitters. In just three innings pitched he accumulated eight strikeouts. He would give up one earned run and allow three hits, but for his first professional start, it doesn’t get much better.
Pirates 2025 first-round pick Seth Hernandez looks UNHITTABLE right now 😳
Against the Palm Beach Cardinals on April 10, Hernandez was once again dictating the pace from the mound. In four innings Hernandez struck out seven batters, while not allowing any hits or earned runs while he was pitching. Bradenton would go on to lose the contest and the series to Palm Beach, but it certainly wasn’t because of Hernandez.
Hernandez was given a prospect rating of 55 overall, with a 70 graded fastball and a 60 graded curveball. At 6’4” he has an athletic build which will bode well for a power pitcher, but he also has incredible body control to repeat his delivery on the mound consistently. He has a lot of potential given his physical skills and the fact that he has great stuff, working with a solid four pitch mix. Hernandez is in line to be another great velocity focused starter in the Pirates rotation.
Seth Hernandez is ranked as the Pirates’ second overall prospect and is ranked 24th in the top 100.
April 15 is celebrated across Major League Baseball as a commemoration of the day that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. And for the Los Angeles Dodgers — the team that Robinson debuted went onto play his entire 10-year career with — that day always carries a little more weight.
Every year on Jackie Robinson Day, a hold a pregame moment of reflection is held with both the Dodgers and the visiting team (in this year's case, the New York Mets) gathering at the eponymous player's statue in the centerfield plaza at Dodger Stadium.
"This is not a one-day situation," Roberts said at last year's ceremony. "It's Jackie Robinson's day for breaking the color barrier, but this is like an everyday sort of mindset, appreciation."
Members of the Robinson family and other invited guests usually attend as well; NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spoke at the gathering in 2025. This year's scheduled guests include Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars and Robinson's granddaughters, Sonya Pankey and Ayo Robinson, along with Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick.
In addition to wearing Robinson's iconic No. 42 like all 29 other clubs, the Dodgers take it a step further by swapping out their interlocking LA for the Brooklyn B on their hats.
Even the Dodgers' opponent on Wednesday, the Mets, holds significance as they were created to fill a void left after two former New York teams — Dodgers and Giants — relocated to the West Coast in the 1950s.
How to watch the Dodgers vs. Mets on Jackie Robinson Day
The finale of the Dodgers' homestand vs. Mets will be televised nationally on ESPN on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:10 p.m. PT. In another cool wrinkle for Jackie Robinson Day, the game will be called by Joe Buck, who left FOX Sports to helm the "Monday Night Football" booth at ESPN in March 2022.
Here's how to watch the Dodgers play the Mets on Jackie Robinson Day:
Mark Walter and his ownership group bought the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012. Not long after, he called Rachel Robinson, widow of Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson, said Della Britton, president and CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
“Literally Mark supported us from day one when he bought the Dodgers,’’ Britton told USA TODAY Sports. "One of the first meetings he had, he called Rachel and Rachel and I went out to Los Angeles (from New York) and he said, ‘I want you to know this is part of your legacy and I very much feel the importance of this legacy to the team's history. We're partners...''
Jackie Robinson Day (Wednesday, April 15) will help spotlight the partnership between the Dodgers' current ownership group and Robinson's legacy.
In December, Walter and Thomas Tull, director of the movie "42" about Jackie Robinson, announced a $20 million to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which along with the Jackie Robinson Museum is in New York.
“I remember Mark calling me,’’ Britton said, “and saying, 'Della, what do you need? You’ve worked so hard on this museum. We're so proud. Can we be helpful?'"
The Jackie Robinson Museum opened in 2022. When Walter learned a bridge loan on the museum project needed to be paid off, he came through, according to Britton. She also said Walter believes in a key part of Jackie Robinson’s story – the power of sports.
“It's an amazing equalizer, but it can also be an amazing force for change, for good,’’ Britton said. “And that's another thing that Mark Walter talks about, how he realizes how important sports is to bringing people together and for implementing the whole notion of egalitarianism.’’
'A bigger celebration'
On Wednesday, Rachel Robinson plans to be at the Jackie Robinson Museum, where she celebrated Jackie Robinson Day last year, too.
Britton planned to be at Dodger Stadium for the league-wide commemoration Major League Baseball started in 2004.
Jackie Robinson died in 1972. But Rachel Robinson has been around for all of the league-wide Jackie Robinson Day tributes held in honor of her late husband and Rachel Robinson's work, too.
She is 103 and lives in New York, home of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Jackie Robinson Museum. Of the foundation, Britton said, "We're a 53-year-old college scholarship program that Rachel started the year after Jackie died.’’
The Dodgers Foundation has supported dozens of Jackie Robinson scholars, according to Britton, who also said Walter hired some “very smart Jackie Robinson scholars.’’
Major League Baseball also supports the scholarship program, and preparation for Jackie Robinson Day has been underway, according to Britton.
“So it would start with the 30 teams,’’ she said, noting that Major League Baseball also has donated “generously’’ to the museum. “Each team, thanks to Major League Baseball by the way, supports a Jackie Robinson scholar..."
Several teams will honor scholars at the ballpark on Wednesday. Then there are the Dodgers.
“First of all, they embrace the fact that they support 10 Jackie Robinson scholars and they invite them all to the game and they put them on the field at the beginning,’’ Britton said. “So they have a big celebration. But then throughout the game, the Jumbotron gives stats and figures about not just Jackie Robinson, but also the foundation, his living legacy, if you will. So it's a bigger celebration. … It's wonderful.’’
(Editor's note: In an earlier version of this story, the name of Thomas Tull was misspelled.)
