James Reimer is set to make his first start for the New York Rangers on Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings after signing a one-year, $850,000 contract over the weekend.
With Igor Shesterkin suffering a season-ending injury and Joonas Korpisalo being placed on injured reserve, the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, brought Reimer in on a PTO.
In the wake of Shesterkin’s absence, Dylan Garand started seven consecutive games, with Spencer Martin only making one appearance in relief of Garand during the team’s 7-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 15.
Garand, who started the season off hot, giving up just four goals in his first four starts of the season, is beginning to show cracks in his game as he’s continued to shoulder a heavy workload.
After Garand gave up 10 goals through the Rangers’ most recent two-game road trip, Reimer was brought in to help take some pressure off Garand, providing a steadier goaltending presence in place of Martin.
Despite heading into a six-day break following Monday’s game, Mike Sullivan and the coaching staff deemed it beneficial to give Garand a rest and get a look at Reimer in game action.
"Well, I think we're asking a lot of Dylan,” Sullivan said. “He just had seven starts in a row, and there's a certain attentional focus that's required with the goaltending position. As I said yesterday, it's the only position where you're on the ice for the full 60 minutes, and even if the play is down the off ground of the rink, it still requires attentional focus.
“And so I think there's a physical challenge to it, but there's also a mental challenge to it. And so we feel just based on our discussions with our goalie coaches, both in Hartford and here, that Rhymes is in a position to go in the net and help us win. So those are the main reasons why we made the decision today."
Reimer has 16 years of NHL experience, having played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators.
The 38-year-old goaltender most recently played for the Senators during the 2025-26 season, recording a 7-4-2 record, a .886 save percentage and a 2.42 goals-against average.
“He obviously has a significant body work in the league,” Sullivan said of Reimer. “He’s been a quality goalie. It’s never easy to get thrown right into the fire, but if anyone can handle it, it’s a guy like him that has the experience level and understands the position and how he can have success.”
Korpisalo skated for the first time on Sunday since being placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury as he inches toward a return to the lineup.
At 38 years old, Reimer has done everything he’s wanted to at the professional-hockey level but is still excited about what might come of this opportunity with the Rangers.
“I'm really content with my NHL career,” Reimer said via Vincent Mercogliano of The Athletic. “I don't need to play. I want to play. I love playing this game, and so if the situation is right and it works for my family and whatnot, then it's something you stay ready for and you make it happen. That was kind of my mindset.”
The catwalk system suspended beneath Tropicana Field's roof has already played a role during Tampa Bay's postseason run. During Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, a high popup by Spencer Jones struck one of the catwalks in shallow right-center field and remained in play, allowing the Rays to record an out.
That unusual scenario is one of several Tropicana Field ground rules that could affect the World Series and become a factor in determining a world champion. The Rays return home trailing 2-0 after dropping the first two games in Milwaukee, but Tampa Bay will host the next three games, giving baseball's only fixed-roof stadium a chance to become part of the World Series.
Here's a look at Tropicana Field's one-of-a-kind ground rules as it gets set to host the Rays and Brewers for three-straight games, including what happens when a batted ball strikes the catwalk system.
Tropicana Field has a catwalk system beneath its non-retractable roof and there are four circular steel rings to help stabilize the structure. They are considered part of the field of play over fair territory and there are specific ground rules in place for all MLB games at the stadium.
MLB ground rules for Tropicana Field state that a batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks (known as the 'C-Ring' and the 'D-Ring'), or any lights, suspended objects or support rods attached to the catwalks, is considered a home run in fair territory.
A batted ball that strikes either of the upper catwalks (known as the 'A-Ring' and the 'B-Ring'), or any support rods or masts attached to them, is considered in play if in fair territory. If the ball is caught by a fielder, the batter is out and runners advance at their own risk.
A batted ball that is not judged by an umpire to be a home run and remains on a catwalk, light or suspended object is considered a ground rule double.
If a batted ball strikes a catwalk, light or suspended object over foul territory, it is considered a dead ball, according to MLB.
Bullpen area
Tropicana Field features throwback bullpens that sit outside either foul line and could be part of the field of play if a ball is batted down the line or if there's a wild throw to first or third base.
MLB rules state a "ball lodging on, under or in the bullpen seating area" is considered out of play. A ball is deemed to be lodged when it goes in or behind equipment or seating or, in the umpire's judgment, is deemed otherwise unplayable.
If a ball enters the bullpen seating area and rebounds out of the seating area, it is considered in play.
As the Detroit Red Wings wrap up their four-game road trip Monday night against former head coach Mike Babcock and the Edmonton Oilers, the deadline for RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson continues to inch closer.
Edvinsson has emerged as Detroit's second-most important defenseman behind Moritz Seider, yet he remains unsigned 11 games into the 2026-27 season.
Edvinsson must sign a contract with Detroit (or another team if the Red Wings trade his rights) by the afternoon of Dec. 1. Otherwise, he will be ineligible to play for the remainder of the season.
Recently, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Red Wings are "disappointed and surprised" that they've not been able to make any headway with Edvinsson, who is back in North America and recently met with interim GM Shawn Horcoff in person.
"I think they're a little bit disappointed about how they haven't been able to budge Edvinsson to this point," Friedman said on his recent '32 Thoughts' podcast. "I think they're a bit disappointed and surprised."
Edvinsson reported to Training Camp last month despite not having a contract in hand, and participated in on-ice drills with his teammates sans scrimmages.
But once the preseason began and he still didn't have a contract, his frustration reached a point where he returned to his native Sweden - a move that Horcoff said that he didn't anticipate.
"I didn't expect that," Horcoff said on Oct. 2. "We were excited when he came over, it was encouraging. I would say that's not that common, so we were excited when he came here.
Of course it's disappointing when he went back, but, he's a priority for us."
The fact that Edvinsson met in person with Horcoff days ago and that no contract has been signed, combined with the Swedish blue liner's alleged preference to be traded, isn't encouraging for the prospects of a deal being hammered out before the Dec. 1 deadline.
That said, there is still time for the two sides to reach a new agreement that would keep the physically imposing defenseman with the Red Wings.
One positive that has emerged from the contract standoff is that it's given a chance for youngsters Anton Johansson and William Wallinder to showcase their skills on Detroit's blue line.
And while both players have showcased positive aspects in their young careers, the Red Wings would be best served by having their established defenseman back in action as quickly as possible - or, if that bridge has been burned beyond repair, to recoup as many assets as possible for him in a deal.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 30: Joel Payamps #34 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Saying “I told you so” seems like it might be cathartic… but really, most of the time you end up saying it, it’s because something bad — foreseeable, but bad — happened. Wouldn’t you rather just not have the bad thing happen in the first place?
That’s how I feel about Joel Payamps. The Braves apparently felt confident enough to give him a guaranteed, non-league minimum deal in the offseason, and I just didn’t get it. Payamps barely made it to May with the Braves, and after they cut bait, no one else bothered. Sure, I told you so… but it’d have been better if they just went in another direction in the first place.
How Acquired
The moribund 2025 Atlanta Braves claimed Payamps on waivers during the twilight of their horrible season. Though Payamps could have been retained given his lack of service time, the Braves opted to remove him from the 40-man roster in November, and he elected free agency. But, about two weeks later, the Braves handed him a one-year, $2.25 million contract.
What were the expectations?
A 32-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, Payamps has been well-traveled as a journeyman relief arm. He was originally signed as an international free agent by the Rockies, released and signed by the Diamondbacks, had a stint in DFA/waiver limbo with the Red Sox and Blue Jays, got traded to the Royals, got claimed by the Athletics, oh, and somewhere in there he found an opportunity to be involved in the yes-some-people-are-still-super-mad-about-it trade that sent Sean Murphy to the Braves and William Contreras to the Brewers. (Payamps went from Oakland to Milwaukee in the deal.) The Brewers held on to him for a few seasons, including a post-trade breakout, but moved on late in 2025.
When you have a transactions log like Payamps, it suggests that there’s enough to draw interest, but not enough for a team to really fight to keep you. His career stats suggest the same: Payamps came into the 2026 season with 2.2 fWAR in 269 career innings and an 81/95/100 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-). That’s actually a pretty solid line for a low-leverage arm, but as you can see, no one was really all that invested in permanently employing it.
Perhaps the bigger issue was that of that 2.2 fWAR, over half came in a 2023 breakout as the Brewers worked their magic. Payamps hurled 70 2/3 innings in 2023, earning 1.5 fWAR with a 59/79/83 line. 2024 was notably worse, but still solid… but the worm turned in 2025, which is why the Brewers eventually just sent him packing in September.
Put all this together, and Payamps was projected for somewhere between replacement level (Steamer) and “playable but below average” (ZiPS). I don’t really know what about any of this convinced the Braves to give him a guaranteed major league deal, but that’s what happened. (I won’t pretend it was the two outings he had for the Braves in very late 2025, either.) I guess the Braves expected him to be a middle reliever, but the why of it all is still pretty hazy.
2026 Results
Payamps made it just about a month with the Braves. He made his season debut in the second game of the season, and was designated for assignment on May 1. In that span, he appeared in 12 games, completed 7 2/3 innings, bled -0.1 fWAR and was saddled with -0.58 WPA while pitching to a ghastly 196/138/116 line. His performance included one shutdown and four meltdowns: basically, he was used in something other than low leverage five times, and four of those went really poorly. (The Braves went 2-3 in those five games.)
I’m honestly not really sure what else to say here — Payamps just wasn’t around long enough, but that was sort of a blessing given how bad he was during the month that he hung around in the bullpen.
What went right?
His sweeper command was non-terrible? His four-seamer had a .191 wOBA-against and .247 xwOBA-against with a pretty high whiff rate?
It’s hard to say anything goes right when you melt down a bunch in the span of a month, and no one even gives you a minor league shot after you get DFAed.
I guess we can talk about Payamps’ sole shutdown of the season. He worked the eighth with the Braves holding a two-run lead over the Phillies on April 24, and got three flyouts to right, with an Alec Bohm single in there too.
What went wrong?
It’s hard to really diagnose issues in detail in the span of 12 outings. Payamps’ sweeper had crazy spin deflection, and he threw it at the bottom edge of the zone. However, its shape was lacking, and that may be why it didn’t miss many bats: when your sweeper both sweeps and drops less than average, it may not work as well. That said, he probably could’ve survived past May given the success he was having with his four-seamer despite some pretty terrible mechanics on the pitch… but the specific sequence of the batters he faced and the pitches he made (or didn’t make) gave him an ugly line without any really blatant markers in his plate discipline stats or otherwise for why things were so bad so fast.
In the end, there’s no question that a walk rate of 11 percent is pretty much unlivable unless you’re a strikeout demon, and that a combination of poor shape on one pitch and awful command of another is a combination worthy of a one-way ticket to DFAVille, and that’s pretty much what happened. The fact that Payamps couldn’t luck his way through more than one of his higher-leverage outings just made that ticket get issued faster.
Payamps’ worst outing WPA-wise was his last. He came into the eighth with a one-run lead. Kerry Carpenter greeted him with a barreled triple. Matt Vierling followed with a weak roller of a double. Payamps walked a guy, then struck out a guy. That was it — Aaron Bummer and Jose Suarez made things even worse from there, and the Braves lost 5-2. Payamps got shown the proverbial door the next day.
2027 Outlook
It’d be one thing if Payamps had signed a minor league deal somewhere and worked on getting back to his 2023-2024 form in Triple-A somewhere. But, that didn’t happen. As such, it’s not clear whether this is it for the journeyman, or whether he’ll try to latch on somewhere ahead of Spring Training or whatever its equivalent is next season. His situation isn’t really that much worse after 2026 than it was after 2025, and he was able to get $2.25 million from someone (the Braves) after 2025, so… there’s probably a path to at least short-term employment for him somewhere if he wants it. He just shouldn’t expect anyone to pony up a guarantee this time.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 27: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals tosses his bat after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The offseason will begin next week, and it will likely be a sprint on transactions until the collective bargaining agreement expires and transactions cease at the beginning of December. The Royals will have to make some moves to upgrade a team that took a disappointing step back in 2026, and that could mean creative trades to reimagine the roster.
One way the Royals could reshape their roster is by trading veteran first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Writing for MLB.com, Perla Paredes raised the possibility last week.
Pasquantino remains the club’s primary first baseman, but he could be among the position players Kansas City considers moving if a trade provides an opportunity to address its pitching needs. Such a move could open the door for Caglianone to return to first base on a more permanent basis.
The idea of trading Pasquantino would have been difficult to imagine a year ago, when he hit .264/.335/.477 with 32 home runs and 113 RBIs. But the 29-year-old took a step back in 2026, batting .249/.333/.428 with 17 home runs in 114 games. The Royals need his bat, but his regression has raised questions about whether he is part of the future of this club, particularly considering he has just two more years before he hits free agency.
The idea of trading Vinnie stems from three arguments.
First, Jac Caglianone has blossomed as a big leaguer. He was originally drafted as a first baseman out of Florida, but moved to the outfield to accommodate Pasquantino. His transition to the outfield has been about as smooth as you can expect for a 250 pound-Adonis, but Caglianone still rated poorly in defensive metrics such as Outs Above Average. Playing the outfield also cost Caglianone playing time due to injuries. He injured his shoulder crashing into the outfield wall in June, reinjured the shoulder making a diving catch in July, then injured his elbow making a throw in September.
However, Caglianone is all of 23 years old and is still learning the outfield. The Royals shouldn’t give up on his development there after one injury-plagued season. His defensive metrics may be poor now, but he has the athleticism to improve with experience. Bobby Witt Jr. was a poor defender in his first year at shortstop and is now a Platinum Glove winner. He has the perfect arm for right field, a cannon that can fire the ball in the high-90s. If he can learn to play with passable range, he could be an asset in the outfield.
The second case for trading Pasquantino is his record of injuries that have kept his bat out of the lineup. He missed the second half of the 2023 season with a torn labrum. A collision at first base cost him the final month of the 2024 season when he fractured his thumb. Back and wrist injuries cost him nearly 50 games this season.
Injuries suck, but Vinnie’s injuries stem mostly from bad luck, not a chronic condition. The fact that the offense fell off so much without him is a testament to how important he is to the lineup. The Royals went into a tailspin in September of 2024 once he got hurt, nearly missing the playoffs. Vinnie’s injuries also illustrate that moving Caglianone to first is not necessarily a solution to keeping him healthy – injuries can strike anywhere.
Another reason why some fans are open to trading Pasquantino is his penchant for getting off to a slow start. Vinnie is a career .207/.300/.382 hitter in the month of April. He has had pretty pronounced first-half and second-half splits.
Pre-All-Star break: .247/.318/.409
Post-All-Star break: .289/.353/.521
The Royals got off to a slow start in 2026, and much of that can be attributed to the lack of offensive production early in the year from Vinnie and Salvador Perez.
However, it is not as if early games count for more than games later in the year. Had Pasquantino reversed his splits and hit well at the start of the season, only to go into a slide in the second half, the Royals’ fortunes would not have appreciably changed. And while Pasquantino’s April numbers are concerning, monthly splits don’t necessarily predict future performance. The Royals shouldn’t trade a productive middle-of-the-order hitter simply because he has historically struggled early in the season. The bigger question is whether his overall production justifies his place in the lineup, not whether he delivers it consistently from April through September.
When judged on a year-by-year basis, Pasquantino has been a steady, above-average bat. Even after his slow start this year, he ended with a line of .249/.333/.428, an OPS+ of 113, perfectly in line with his past two seasons. Despite missing seven weeks, his 2.5 fWAR was 13th among all first basemen.
If the Royals were to trade him, it would leave a hole in their lineup that they would have to fill in the outfield if Caglianone moves to first. Can the Royals find an outfielder that can put up an OPS+ of 113? Only 26 outfielders with 300+ plate appearances did that last year. How many will be available? The team also needs upgrades in left and center field. Can they revamp all three outfield positions in one offseason with a mediocre free agent class and an overall decline league-wide in quality of right-handed hitters?
There should also be something said about the leadership Pasquantino provides on the club. Intangibles can be overrated, but they aren’t meaningless. Pasquantino has been the face of the team, the voice of the players during tough times. After this season, he called the year a “failure” and said the team needed to live up to the expectations placed on it. When the team struggled last year, he took responsibility, saying, “It starts with me.” He addressed the media when Carter Jensen missed a game for oversleeping, saying, “It can’t happen.”
Young players like Caglianone and Jensen need leaders who hold the clubhouse accountable and lead the team through tough times. Bobby Witt Jr. is more reserved, a star who leads by example. Vinnie is clearly the kind of player teammates gravitate toward, making him a valuable presence in the clubhouse beyond what he contributes at the plate.
The Royals should of course, be open to trading anyone under the right circumstances. The Brewers and Rays show how being transactional and unafraid to trade anyone can yield results. Trading Pasquantino might make sense if it brings back a major piece, but moving him just to solve a positional puzzle or capitalize on a down year could create more problems than it solves. Sometimes the best move is recognizing what you already have.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Ryan Ritter #8 of the Colorado Rockies warms up prior to the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday, August 31, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to the 2026 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2026. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.
No. 35, Ryan Ritter (-0.1 rWAR)
Good news! We’ve made it to the final player in the rWAR negatives. From here, we’ve got a couple neutral 0.0 rWAR players before the upswing into positive territory.
The final player toeing the line is 25-year-old infielder, Ryan Ritter. The prospect continues to show sparks at the minor league level but hasn’t been able to translate that into production in the majors in limited chances.
Ritter started 2025 strong, putting up fantastic numbers with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. Over the course of 55 games, he slashed .303/.405/.610, adding 16 homers and 50 RBI on 66 hits. His scorching run set him up for a promotion and his major league debut. In total, he posted 60 games with the Rockies, mostly at second base, missing some time with injuries. His numbers didn’t quite match his minor league output but were still very respectable for a rookie, with a slash line of .241/.296/.337.
Coming into this year, Ritter kept that momentum going with a strong 2026 Spring Training, where he worked to diversify his playing portfolio with some reps in outfield positions. That was not called upon in his regular season appearances given the number of outfielders on the roster competing for time. Instead, he primarily played second base again with the Rockies. Ritter appeared in 13 MLB games in 2026, with 10 games at second base. He also appeared in three games at shortstop and had limited action at third base, shifting there to close out a game after starting at second.
His Triple-A production continues to be strong. He went .323/.430/.460 in 60 games with the ‘Topes. He flashes some power in the minors, with five home runs, 12 triples, and two doubles on 73 total hits. His main struggle is maintaining that power and consistency against major league talent.
On the offensive side of the ball with Colorado this season, he had 19 at-bats that were mostly ineffective. He logged three hits (all singles), scored two runs, and notched one RBI. With no extra-base hits, his batting average and his slugging percentage were both only .158. He ended the year with more strikeouts (eight) than hits. He was ultimately optioned back down after a short stint with the big-league club.
Reviewing Ritter’s season at the end of last year, the big question for Paul DePodesta was whether Ritter had made a strong enough case to stay on the roster. That question remains, and perhaps is even bigger, after 2026. Ritter has shown that he has the talent and he’s also shown that he’s willing to adapt and grow. Unfortunately, it is seems like that talent might have a minor-league ceiling. With his strong on-base production in Albuquerque providing some encouragement, Ritter remains an intriguing depth option for the Rockies and may earn another look, but his path to a consistent major league role is becoming less clear.
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 13: Jared Thomas #2 of the Salt River Rafters looks on during warm ups prior to the game between the River Rafters and the Desert Dogs at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in Glendale, AZ United States. (Photo by Norm Hall/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Jared Thomas (No. 8 PuRP) played in the Arizona Fall League last year and hit .302/.343/.524 through 17 games despite battling a hamate bone injury discovered late in the season. After the season ended, he got it repaired but then hit a snag with his recovery, resulting in him not making his 2026 debut until July 6 with the ACL Rockies.
Thomas played four games for the ACL team, including the championship game, before finally making his way back to Double-A Hartford. There, he played in 28 games and managed to hit .270/.341/.405 with seven extra-base hits (three doubles and four homers), 15 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
That proved to be highlight of his season.
“The highlight was getting back up and playing,” Thomas said. “When the clock reset a couple times, you never see the light at the end of the tunnel. At least I didn’t. It’s the most I’ve ever spent away from the game, so I learned a lot. But the highlight was definitely getting back out and being in a good environment, going back to a clubhouse with a bunch of guys that I know. It was fun.”
During his recovery, Thomas had a lot of downtime. But it made him realize, “The game doesn’t stop for you.”
“The game doesn’t stop, no matter who you are, no matter what you’re going through,” he emphasized. “So just being diligent, going about your business every single day and really trusting the process — I think that was one thing that I learned. There’s a lot of time to think bad or good things. The more you can keep telling yourself the good, the easier it is. So I think patience was a big thing, and just a positive attitude.”
Luckily for Thomas, he had other rehabbing players to sympathize with and help him get through everything. Infielder Blake Wright was someone he leaned on.
“He was going through his own stuff, too, but he kept a great attitude about it and that forced me to do the same thing,” Thomas recalled. “So being able to have guys like that and other guys around the Complex going through the same struggles, I guess, really helped me out. So just being present in the moment and finding people who care.”
Coming into his second Fall League, Thomas had a clear plan.
“First and foremost, just getting back to being comfortable in the box,” he said. “[I’m] still going through a couple hiccups, but just getting more at-bats under my belt — some that I missed at the beginning of the year when I was out. So just feeling like myself in the box, just being more comfortable and then getting out of here healthy and good into a good offseason.”
This was something that Rockies senior director of player development, Chris Forbes, also emphasized about Thomas.
“Jared Thomas needs the at-bats desperately,” Forbes said in September, “and I know it’s kind of a relapse back into that league, but we just asked him, ‘Do you want to go to Puerto Rico? Do you want to go to the DR or Mexico? Or do you want to stay here?’ Because he really wants to lock in with our strength coaches, too, and we’re hosting on our side, so I think that’s huge.”
So far through 14 AFL games, Thomas is hitting .239/.327/.457 with three doubles, two triples, a home run and five stolen bases. Many of those stats were added this past week, as he went go 5-for-13 with four runs scored, two of his three doubles, both triples, nine RBI, two walks, four strikeouts and a stolen base. That was enough for him to be named among the AFL’s top performers for Week 3.
In addition to getting his swing back, Thomas is also having to adjust to the new outfield positioning rules that are being experimented with at Salt River Fields.
“It’s different, man. I think they’re trying to make the game more offensive, which is interesting to see,” he said.
“The gaps are bigger. Obviously, we’re playing a lot more shallow in the outfield, so it makes you definitely work a little bit harder in the outfield. You’ve got to be on top of your game. Everybody in center, right, left… they’re all going to be center fielders at the end of the day. You’re going to have to have some speed and have good reads on the ball. It’s cool that they’re experimenting with different rules like that. I don’t really have any good or bad feelings about it.”
Thomas is also looking forward to getting back on the field and interacting with fans, as he’s very “personable.”
“I enjoy having conversations with people, especially kids when they come up to [me],” he said. “I was one of those kids. I loved the game growing up, and I loved being able to have a chance of talking to a kid that was playing professional baseball, so I look forward to those conversations. I’m a pretty open book. I like when guys come up and ask questions.”
There’s one fan in particular that he’s built a great relationship with in Hartford.
“There was this guy – I don’t really recall his name – in Hartford, even last year and going into this year when I showed back up, I always did a really good job of signing for him. And he would trade me Josh Hamilton baseball cards,” he said. “That was my hero growing up. So (I’ll) sign a couple cards for him, give him some broken bats, and he’s always tightening me up with some Josh Hamilton cards.”
But most of all, Thomas is, “excited to feel good again in the box.”
“I know I’m close. I feel like I’m getting closer by the day. So just being able to go up there with, like, uber confidence and going up there (with) just I mean true belief in what’s going on. I’m ready to feel really, really, really good again.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 25: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 25, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After averaging 24 points (84.6% shooting), 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 1.5 steals through the first two games of the season, Walker Kessler struggled mightily during the Los Angeles Lakers’ comeback win Sunday against the Utah Jazz. In 28 minutes, he had two points (1-of-2 shooting) and seven rebounds, and committed four fouls.
The matchup marked Kessler’s return to Utah, where he spent the first four years of his career before joining Los Angeles this summer. Afterward, Kessler admitted emotions may have played a role in his poor performance.
“Obviously Utah was the first four years of my career. It’s a special place for me. Kind of jump started my career,” Kessler told reporters. “A lot of good memories, but definitely just let my emotions get the best of me and kind of hype myself up more than I usually do and kind of got too amped and then just couldn’t find the ball. Couldn’t find the rhythm. Just kind of was off. A couple fouls that were tough. A couple of blocks I usually just [get to]. One of those nights, but, fortunately, basketball is not a one-man sport. I’ve got really good teammates and I’m very thankful.”
As Kessler labored through a lackluster outing, the Lakers’ star backcourt pairing led the charge. Luka Dončić dazzled with 52 points (17-of-30 shooting), 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals while Austin Reaves continued his strong start to the year, dropping 29 points (7-of-12 shooting), four assists, two blocks and one steal. Matisse Thybulle added 11 points (3-of-7 beyond the arc), three steals and one block.
“I think going to the game, I definitely let my emotions get the best of me. But you got to learn in those moments and move on,” Kessler told reporters. “But, yeah, I’m glad we got the win tonight. I’ve got a lot of thanks to give to my teammates. All of them. They all played their roles and did a great job even though it wasn’t my best night. So I really, really appreciated them.”
Kessler will have a chance to bounce back Tuesday night at 8 p.m. when Los Angeles hosts the Portland Trail Blazers in a clash between undefeated teams.
Plans to slash games by half and prize money criticised
‘Hard for players to build and sustain a doubles career’
More than 150 doubles players on the men’s ATP tour have signed an open letter addressed to the ATP board and management imploring the men’s tennis governing bodies to reconsider controversial doubles reforms and “protect” the format in professional tennis.
The subject of potential reforms to the ATP has been a significant issue since players were informed in a meeting during Wimbledon that the ATP was conducting a review of its doubles regulations and potential changes could see doubles draws being halved at the ATP events in 2028. Under these proposals, ATP Masters 1000 events would host only 16 doubles teams and the main draws at ATP 500 and 250 events would accommodate only eight teams.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s that most exciting time of the year when we guess what the Guardians will do in arbitration decisions! Who will they tender a contract to? Who will they trade? Who will they bid a fond adieu? Strap in, this is gonna be a wild ride!
MLB Trade Rumors’ arbitration projections are usually pretty accurate, so they are basis for these projections. I think Adell’s is high by $1-2M, but the rest seem about right to me. Without further fan-fare, here’s how I see things shaking out by Friday, November 20th’s 5PM ET non-tender deadline:
Sure Tenders:
Jo Adell – $9.6M Steven Kwan – $11.3M Colin Holderman – $2.3M Patrick Bailey – $2.3M Gavin Williams – $4.8M Hunter Gaddis – $2.2M Tim Herrin – $1.3M Brayan Rocchio – $3.1M Cade Smith – $5.5M
Analysis: Even if the Guardians are not interested in keeping Adell, Herrin or even Holderman, these players would have too much trade value to non-tender them at these amounts. I expect every player on this list to be back with the Guardians in 2027, but, if you had to guess which could be traded… you know, I wonder if Rocchio might have some potential in that line. I think the team really likes Genao, and there are probably some teams out there who like the idea of a good defensive shortstop who MIGHT be an average hitter. Something to monitor… otherwise, I think Kwan is the most likely trade, but still pretty unlikely. With a lockout making the number of games for 2027 uncertain, I don’t think a team will offer the Guardians enough value to move on from a player who should be their centerfielder for 2027 (with folks like Aaron Walton and Jaison Chourio trying to earn next look there in 2028).
Unsure Tenders:
Slade Cecconi – $2M David Fry – $1.3M Matt Festa – $1.5M
Analysis: IF the team sees Cecconi as a likely middle-reliever, I think he’s either traded or non-tendered. If they see him as a potential high leverage guy or have a plan to get him back to starting, than $2M makes sense. If I had to guess, I think Fry and Festa are probably non-tendered. Fry has had basically two and a half seasons to prove he can be that lefty masher while mostly failing. It’s probably preferable to let the next version of what they tried in Rhys Hoskins for 2026 in free agency (Ty France, Ryan Mountcastle, Alec Bohm, Gary Sanchez, etc) try this role, or let Kody Huff see if he can provide a fascimile of Fry’s output. Festa is a serviceable middle relief arm, but I think they’ll probably want this money to pursue at least one more relief arm with a higher ceiling.
Clear Non-Tenders:
Blake Perkins – $900K
Analysis:
Farewell, Blake, we hardly knew ye.
What are your thoughts and predictions on this group? Let us know in the comments below.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - CIRCA 1997: Manager Lou Piniella #14 of the Seattle Mariners looks on during a Major League Baseball game against the San Francisco Giants circa 1997 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. Piniella managed for the Mariners from 1993-2002. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wanted: a manager for 25 adorable childrenbaseball players who occasionally act like children
In Mary Poppins, the two Banks children put together a list of what they’re seeking in a perfect nanny: someone who is sweet and kind, never cross nor cruel, and who doesn’t smell of “barley water” (which seems to be less of a requirement and more a forced rhyme for “son and daughter”). The children, of course, are spoiled and greedy in their demands, but then rewarded with the perfect nanny anyway, because apparently they are Dodger fans. For those of us who live in the real world, we can’t just draw up a list of ideal characteristics and hope to find someone who hits every one – certainly no one who’s ever swiped through a dating app would tell you that – but there are some traits at the top of our list for the next Mariners manager. Here’s what’s most important to the members of the LL staff:
Kate: A clear communicator who takes initiative
So many of the 2026 Mariners’ many, many problems came down to miscommunications. The way the piggyback was handled is the most obvious example, causing sturm und drang amongst all the starting staff. There was the clubhouse leadership vacuum when Cal Raleigh and Brendan Donovan were both sidelined for parts (or all) of the season, and Luis Castillo was traded. Players spoke postseason about waiting for something to happen, rather than taking initiative themselves. In John Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, interpersonal or emotional intelligence is often coded as a “female” trait, which is part of why I think it’s often lacking in professional sports environments – not that I think there aren’t tons of people with strong emotional intelligence quotients working in sports, just that those voices aren’t always at the forefront. Last I checked, the Ivy League and their counterparts didn’t have an emotional intelligence module.
I want a manager who understands people – how to regulate bigger and brasher personalities, how to draw out quieter voices, how to empower people to lead, how to make everyone feel safe and seen – and how to get their people to be the best versions of themselves. Usually that means pushing someone into a space they’re not ready for, and dealing with the pushback from that. It can mean deputizing by force leaders who might otherwise stand on the sidelines, or changing a role for someone to make a better fit. It feels counterintuitive, but a lot of times good leadership means making people feel momentary discomfort in order to eventually settle into their best selves. I want someone who is unafraid to make those hard changes to make those things happen, but who is a skilled enough communicator to be able to make the affected parties feel like not only is the change for the best, but it is in their best interest.
Isabelle: Waiter, there’s a pop fly in my soup
The perfect manager hails from a small, unobtrusive state not traditionally associated with baseball but which has birthed two Hall of Famers. As a player, he will have experienced historichighs and been felled by his own body. He will have garnered respect beyond his playing career from some of the most recognizable leaders in the game, will have proven success as a big league manager and a compelling, daddyish air. He will have played for a beloved franchise legend, whom he credits for shaping his managerial style, and he will like horses. Most importantly, the perfect manager has a sense of humor, and can roll with the nonsense that comes from being in charge of a clubhouse of quasi adults.
(In all seriousness, I maintain that managers are like waiters: You only notice if they make magic happen for your meal or if they make a total mess of things, and otherwise you’re more likely to remember the food than you are the service, and that’s how I’d like to take in my baseball. But Kate doesn’t want Rocco, and she’s wrong for that.)
[Ed. note: with apologies to Isabelle, Kate will not have the opportunity to find out how wrong she was, as Baldelli reportedly removed his name from consideration]
Eric: First name Joey, last name Votto
Joey, hear me out. You’ll love Seattle. It’s right next to Canada so you’ll never be too far from the homeland. We have great food. Some of the best sushi and seafood in the country and an array of fine dining options that rival San Francisco and Los Angeles. We have art. We have music of all kinds EVERYWHERE you go. Seattle folks are CHILL. No one will bother you here. If they happen to recognize you, the most you’ll get is a head nod or “go Mariners” maybe. You can be yourself. You’ll thrive here in spite of being here to manage the most cosmically cursed baseball franchise in MLB. It’s okay, no one here expects you to be a miracle worker. Just do your best to make the team entertaining, keep the players loose and happy, and competitive throughout the season and hang in playoff contention as long as possible. A playoff birth is pure gravy, but not expected. You’ve been killing it on MLB TV spots, so just keep dropping analysis and insights like that in your pre and post game interviews and all the most online Mariners fans will love you forever. Do not listen to sports radio. Ever. Okay, good talk, see you at T-Mobile Park.
John: Tempest in a Seapot
The role of manager in Major League Baseball has transformed dramatically in recent decades. Once seen as the field general, the fiery leader tactically utilizing their roster to outfox and maneuver past their opponents. The last two and a half decades have been an all-out bombardment on this role, ceding centrality up the organizational chain to the general manager, president of baseball operations, or whatever other title bloat takes place. In this world, the manager is less a centerpiece to the team’s style or productivity, and instead a particularly important sheepdog. But baseball is meant to entertain, and bring joy, which comes in many forms. I would like a manager with excellent player management skills, of course, as well as an understanding of development and bullpen maintenance. But the manager is also capable of something more heartening: being an avatar for fan and player sentiment. Get out there and hurl some bags, hoot and holler on your team’s behalf. Huff and puff like the big, bad seawolf. That doesn’t mean just popping off constantly, but being willing to speak frankly and intentionally in public and in private in the way Brewers manager Pat Murphy has demonstrated the capacity for, allowing for one of the most analytical front offices in the league to credibly deliver its guidance with a hand at the helm that earns trust above and below through talk and action.
Ezra: Someone with experience both as a player and on the bench
Dan Wilson’s lack of experience created a perfect cocktail of failure for the 2026 Mariners. The team started out slow and stumbled at every opportunity to turn it around. I think a key part of that was that Wilson was still getting his feet wet as a manager; every mistake or stumbling block was the first time he’d faced that barrier. Even with a capable and experienced coaching staff, an inexperienced leader will have a difficult time managing these situations well, and often for the first time as a manager. What worked for him as a player may not work for the current Mariners team, or it may not be communicated in a way that lets the players use it. The Mariners need a manager with experience in tough situations, big-game situations, and the playoffs. Someone who’s there to lead the team and clubhouse, not just babysit the player personalities and allow the analytics guys to make the calls, but someone who will make the tough decisions when the situation on the field calls for it. If I had to suggest someone, I think Kristopher Negrón would be a great choice to lead this team.
Ryan: Macho Men Need Not Apply
The ideal manager can convince players who are hurt that it’s OK to be hurt and go on the injured list instead of macho manning the season into the toilet. The ideal manager can convince players who are bad that it’s OK to be bad and change roles instead of macho manning the season into the toilet. The ideal manager can convince players that “rah rah we want to win” platitudes in Spring Training aren’t sufficient on their own but require selfless action throughout the season. The ideal manager agrees to split their salary with me because of this wisdom I’ve bestowed.
Nicky V: A true gentleman
The perfect manager is like the perfect boyfriend. He’s kind, smart, and warm. He’s likable and quickly impresses your parents, no matter how cold they were ready to be after the last guy you brought in. He’s good at answering direct questions; he doesn’t a) talk in circles until you forgot what you asked, or b) give the same boring platitude when you’re mad at him. All of your friends will not be talking behind your back about how long it will be until you dump him.
At this point, you probably don’t want someone you already have history with, especially if they’ve turned you down in the past. You also should avoid someone who was recently a player – find a grown adult who acts like one! It’s time to move on from your pool of old friends, exes and co-workers. A friend of a friend would be perfect, though – someone you haven’t met directly but that you can see has a good track record of dating successfully. If their exes still really like them? Even better.
James: Middle Manager, but like the cool kind
As many before me have said, the manager of an MLB team, in the modern interpretation of the role, functions as a middle manager. They serve to squeeze as much production as possible out of a roster as it is constructed, regardless of the financial restraints placed on the front office by ownership. How do they effectively accomplish this goal? For starters, they would manage the team the way it is designed to be managed; a square peg doesn’t fit into a round hole, and while you do want to consider different perspectives, the right candidate should match the overarching philosophy of your organization.
Further, the ideal manager for the Mariners in 2027 and beyond would serve as a liaison between the players and the upper management. Using years of experience (preferably having made similar data-driven decisions to those they would inevitably have to make in Seattle), they would work toward the goals set by the organization and communicate to the players how their managerial decisions could be beneficial for both the team and the individual(s). They wouldn’t throw their players into a new role and leave them to speak to reporters about it before a proper conversation ever took place.
Jokes aside, the ideal manager would lead with love and passion in their heart. As a player, you want a manager who will have your back in the face of adversity. Maybe that means they’ll wear their emotions on their sleeve, or even get thrown out of a game when one of their players is wronged. A manager needs to be someone their players want to go into battle for — someone who is direct, honest and accountable. Our world is filled with middle managers, but the best ones toe a fine line with a number of interests at play.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Robby Ahlstrom #54 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the seventh inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on August 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the offseason underway, we are taking a look at every player who appeared for the Texas Rangers in the 2026 season.
Today we are looking at lefthanded relief pitcher Robby Ahlstrom.
Ahlstrom was another pitcher who made his major league debut in 2026, although he’s been on the radar for some time before that. Acquired on the eve of the 2022 season from the New York Yankees, along with Albert Abreu, in exchange for Jose Trevino,* Ahlstrom made it to Frisco in the second half of the 2023 season. At that point, he started being discussed a possible major league bullpen option in the future.
* That was a trade that worked out poorly for the Rangers. That offseason, they had acquired Mitch Garver from the Twins for Isiah Kiner-Falefa (who ended up then being sent to the Yankees, where he was teammates with Trevino). Trevino and Jonah Heim competed that spring for the job of backing up/sharing time with Garver. At the time, it seemed like the smart move, given Garver’s injury history (and Trevino’s, for that matter) would have been to send the player who didn’t win the backup job to AAA, as Heim and Trevino both had options remaining. Instead, the club sent Trevino to the Yankees, with the organization indicating that they wanted to send Trevino somewhere he could play in the majors.
Garver, as it turned out, only played 42 games at catcher for the Rangers in his two seasons with the club, and Texas ended up playing Heim more than was probably ideal, with guys like Meibrys Viloria and Sam Huff and Sandy Leon and Austin Hedges getting more playing time than you’d probably have liked in those two seasons. Trevino had a really good 2022 season for the Yankees, putting up a 2.3 bWAR, being named to the All Star team and winning a Gold Glove. He was middling the following two seasons, was traded to Cincinnati, and is currently about to start the third year of a 3 year, $15M deal he signed with the Reds. In retrospect, the Rangers could have used him.
Along with Ahlstrom, the Rangers got reliever Albert Abreu, who was a Ranger for two months and one day before being traded to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Yohanse Morel. Morel was released after the 2023 season by the Rangers, Abreu was waived by the Royals and claimed by the Yankees, was released by them after 2023, and other than a brief stint in AAA for the Reds in 2025, has been out of affiliated ball since then.
Ahlstrom split 2024 and 2025 between Frisco and Round Rock, putting up sub-2 ERAs for Frisco and sub-4 ERAs for Round Rock. His command problems, though — he had an 11.5% walk rate in the minors in 2024, and a 13.8% walk rate in the minors in 2025 — meant he didn’t get a look on the big league roster, and was left exposed to (and went unselected in) the Rule 5 Draft after both seasons.
Improved command at Round Rock to start the 2026 season — in the first two months of 2026, he walked just 8 of 116 batters faced for Round Rock, while striking out 33, allowing a .185/.241/.269 slash line — made him a more viable option than he had been in the past. And with the Rangers’ overall bullpen struggles, opportunities abounded for relievers to get chances in the big leagues. Ahlstrom was called up on June 1, when Gavin Collyer was sent down and Chris Martin went on the injured list, and got his first opportunity two days later, when he retired all four Cardinals hitters he faced — two on strikes — in a 5-3 Rangers loss.
Ahlstrom got off to a great start — he didn’t allow a run until his sixth major league appearance, and allowed just one run in 9.1 innings over his first nine appearances — but was not able to sustain that level of success. In an eight game stretch in late June and early July, he allowed multiple runs in five outings, ballooning his ERA up to 7.07.
Ahlstrom went on a heater after the All Star Break, with his first 13 post-ASB appearances being of the shutout variety. Things then went sideways again, as he allowed 13 runs over 7.1 innings over 8 outings, including allowing five home runs.
The last of those outings saw him give up three runs, including two home runs, in an inning of work against the A’s on September 2. Ahlstrom pitched just four more times in the majors the rest of the season, being bounced up and down between Arlington and Round Rock, though he only pitched one more time in AAA.
For the season, Ahlstrom allowed a 6.08 ERA in 37 innings over 42 appearances, though with a 4.31 xERA and 5.18 FIP. From June 26 through the end of the season, Ahlstrom put up a 7.81 ERA and 5.88 FIp in 27.2 innings, walking 12, hitting three batters, striking out 28 and allowing seven home runs.
The gopher ball issues that cropped up late in the season are particularly notable, as Ahlstrom did a good job of keeping the ball in the park in the minors — even in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Ahlstrom has allowed just 0.7 HR/9 in his 103.1 career innings. I’m not sure if it was a matter of Ahlstrom trying to be more aggressive in the zone to cut down on walks, or if something else was at work there.
Ahlstrom had significant platoon splits, with righthanded hitters pounding him to the tune of .257/.388/.514, though he wasn’t good enough against lefties, either, as they put up a .270/.299/.419 slash line against him. His control issues, though, manifested primarily against righthanders — he walked 13 and struck out 15 in 85 plate appearances against righthanded hitters, while he struck out 19 and walked 2 lefties in 79 plate appearances.
The good news is that Ahlstrom appears to have suffered from some bad luck in facing lefthanded hitters — he has a .250 xwOBA against lefties, compared to his .313 wOBA, and a .322 xSLG versus a .419 actual SLG. That would suggest that, surface numbers aside, he’s someone who should be able to be effective against lefties going forward. He had a .382 wOBA/.384 xwOBA against righties, so the whole spread between his expected and actual numbers comes from southpaws.
Statcast shows Ahlstrom as being excellent in regards to average exit velocity allowed and hard hit rate, though that would be more encouraging if his K and walk rates weren’t both below average. With a 94.4 mph average fastball velocity, he’s in the 49th percentile. He is a five pitch pitcher — unusual for a short relief guy — though his curveball and changeup both got pounded, with xwOBAs over .400. Not surprisingly, those are pitches he uses almost exclusively against righthanded hitters. His slider also got pounded by righthanders. Maybe Ahlstrom should see if he can try throwing a cutter — really, he needs something to neutralize, or at least not get hammered as hard by, righthanded hitters.
Ahlstrom is 27 and should have three options remaining. He showed enough, I think, that he’s going to get the opportunity to stick around for a while as an optionable bullpen arm, assuming he doesn’t fall apart. The ideal role for him in 2027 is to be in Round Rock as one of the first guys to get called up when the pen needs reinforcements. Unless he takes a big step forward, though, he’s not someone you want making 60 appearances in your big league pen.
The first few weeks of the season always see dramatic moves in the NBA Power Rankings. Some teams are better than we thought, others are worse, but mostly it's small sample size theater — if the Knicks dropped three straight games in January, the NBA would just shrug.
Still, we have a fair amount of ground to cover in our first edition of Stock Up, Stock Down, looking at the teams that are the most dramatic risers and fallers in the NBC Sports NBA Power Rankings. Here are the teams to keep an eye on.
Stock up
• The Oklahoma City Thunder move up two spots to take over No. 1, although the gruesome leg injury to Jalen Williams has put a dark cloud over any celebrations of the team's fast start.
• The Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets each move up four spots to take over the No. 2 and No. 3 spots in the power rankings.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves jumped up seven spots from outside the top-10 to No. 4. We knew their LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards offense would be good, but the defense has been near the league's best to start the season.
• The Toronto Raptors jumped up seven spots to be No. 7 in this week's rankings, another team with an elite defense — when Kawhi Leonard is healthy.
• The Memphis Grizzlies jumped up eight spots to No. 17 after an unexpected 3-0 start, behind the equally surprising but unstoppable Ty Jerome, who is averaging 34.7 points a game so far.
• Shout out to the Charlotte Hornets, which climbed seven spots up to No. 19 behind a fast start from Brandon Miller, while still missing some key players (such as Kon Knueppel).
Stock Down
• Nobody's stock fell faster than the New York Knicks, who fell a dozen spots from No. 1 all the way down to 13th. Losing to East contenders such as Philadelphia and Boston is one thing, but losing to a Banchero-less Orlando is another. Physicality and shooting seem to have gone missing in NYC, but nobody there is panicking. Yet.
• The winless Miami Heat fell 10 spots down to 23rd in the latest power rankings. The Heat have trailed by at least 20 points in every game, and the defense that was supposed to anchor them is bottom-five in the league. There might be a little panic in South Beach.
• The San Antonio Spurs fell six spots to No. 8, and Victor Wembanyama has looked almost human to start the season. Expect that to change.
Joe Maddon, the manager who helped guide Tampa Bay's baseball franchise out of its woebegone Devil Rays phase and into an era of enduringly surprising success, will throw out the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series Monday, Oct. 26 at Tropicana Field.
Maddon, 72, managed in Tampa Bay from 2006 to 2014, a stint that began with a 101-loss season in 2006. By 2008, the club shed the "Devil" from its nickname, debuted a rookie named Evan Longoria and won 97 games and the AL East. It was a stunning rise: A club that had never posted a winning record, never lost fewer than 91 games, boxing out the behemoth New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox to win the East and, ultimately, the AL pennant.
Maddon eventually posted a 754-705 record in Tampa Bay before following club president Andrew Friedman – who left to run the big-market Los Angeles Dodgers – out the door following the 2014 season. Maddon chose Chicago as his destination and, in his second year managing the Cubs, led them to their first World Series championship since 1908.
Maddon, who lives in California, went on to manage the Los Angeles Angels for three seasons before he was fired during the 2022 campaign. He's maintained ties to the Tampa Bay area, continuing to host a "Thanksmas" event to benefit the unhoused at an Italian restauarant he co-owns in Tampa.
The Rays have advanced to two World Series behind Maddon's successor, Kevin Cash, who led them to the 2020 World Series during the pandemic-shortened season that culminated in a neutral-site Fall Classic played in Arlington, Texas.
It’s been an excellent weekend for the Montreal Canadiens. They picked up four points in their first two games without captain Nick Suzuki and stayed focused, even as an outdoor game brought its fair share of challenges and distractions.
Still, it wasn’t all work and no play for the Canadiens, and after Saturday’s practice, they held a family skate with friends and families. Kaiden Guhle skated with his parents on the outdoor rink; the Xhekaj brothers did the same, and other players brought their wives and kids.
Paoloa Anderson and Daryanne Montembeault showed off the custom winter clothes the kids received, and both wore the special jackets the players’ wives and girlfriends received. As always, the Canadiens organization takes care of its own, and they made sure everyone got mementos from the event.
Credit: Paola Anderson InstagramCredit: Daryanne Montembeault InstagramCredit: Paola Anderson InstagramCredit: Marie-Pierre Danault Instagram
The most impressive looks, though, were the goalie gear worn by both Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler. Their masks were once again very well done and painted by the talented Sylvie Marsolais from Sylabrush. Unfortunately, only one goalie got to show off his gear in-game, but that’s how it goes. Still, Dobes’ mask, a tribute to both Ken Dryden and Jose Theodore, the first netminder to wear a toque over his mask at an outdoor game, was spectacular and matched his red, beige, and blue gear. You could really tell the top part was a toque. As for Fowler, his featured his nickname in the same stitching used on the Heritage Classic jerseys, along with the Canadiens’ logo for the event and the team’s nickname.
Meanwhile, the coaches wore some very nice vintage attire, jackets and hats that looked like someone had gone back in time to grab them. Overall, some great looks were on display, but nobody lost sight of what mattered, and St-Louis’ quote about being 100% in the moment from Saturday clearly resonated with his crew. They were all in when it was time to have fun with friends and family on Saturday night, but by the time the puck dropped, they were focused on winning an important game and had forgotten the unusual setting.
Full quote from St. Louis: “My favourite people are the people that are 100 percenters. In anything you do in life, you’re only going to be the best if you give it 100 per cent. You want to be a good dad? It’s not about being 100 per-cent present, but when you’re present you have… https://t.co/sWl13XVzX4
