LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Edwin Díaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Los Angeles Dodgers added closer Edwin Díaz this offseason, they locked down the back end of their bullpen, which was an issue for them at times during the 2025 season.
They also set the stage for one of baseball’s most dramatic entrances shifting to the West Coast.
Díaz made his Dodgers debut on Friday night, entering in the ninth inning to close out a 5-4 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and his entrance was as electric as ever. Not only did he come out of the bullpen to Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco,” the song Díaz used while closing games for the Mets at Citi Field, but he was accompanied by a live trumpet player, Los Angeles artist Tatiana Tate:
After the game, both Díaz and manager Dave Roberts talked about the entrance, and the save.
“I was surprised a little bit,” said Díaz about Tate’s performance. “I heard a trumpet sounding before I was coming out. I said, ‘No way, they got a live trumpet.’ It was pretty fun. I enjoyed it, and I know fans enjoyed, too.”
“I got word that there might be a trumpet player,” said Roberts. “That was great. I was hoping to get him in there, and it worked out, and he performed. I think the fans got what they were hoping for.”
Friday night, Dodgers fans got exactly what they were hoping for, and more.
Jan 26, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) makes a slam dunk against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Sixers are coming off a blowout WIN (haven’t been able to type that much this season), taking down the Chicago Bulls 157-137. Now they head to Charlotte to take on one of the hottest teams in the league in what could be a pivotal matchup with real long-term stakes.
Why does a regular-season game in March carry this much weight? The Sixers and Hornets have already met twice this year, splitting the series 1-1, making this the decider. Whoever wins clinches the tiebreaker between two teams hovering around the same spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte sits one game back right now, and with how close these records could finish, that tiebreaker is very much in play. A Sixers win adds cushion. A loss pulls the Hornets right into striking range.
Charlotte has quietly become one of the better stories in the league this season, and a lot of that starts with Kon Knueppel. The rookie has put together one of the strongest freshman campaigns we’ve seen in years, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists on a near 50-40-90 clip. Tonight he’ll go head to head with VJ Edgecombe, another rookie who has looked just as far beyond his years on the other side. Two first-year players, taken back to back in the draft, squaring off in a game with actual playoff implications — that’s a pretty compelling subplot.
Since the new year the Hornets have been one of the better teams in basketball. Their offense has jumped to fifth in the league, with their defense sitting 12th. The rough record is mostly a hangover from a brutal first half, but they’ve clawed their way back to the point where they’re not just a play-in team anymore — a real playoff spot is on the table.
The usual names round out the roster: LaMelo Ball, still one of the most talented players in the league even if the consistency comes and goes, alongside Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner as strong rotation pieces. This will also be our first look at Coby White in a Hornets uniform since the trade deadline.
For the Sixers, things finally feel like they’re trending in the right direction. The Bulls aren’t exactly a measuring stick team this season, but putting up 157 points with Joel Embiid and Paul George combining for 60+ is still a statement. Both guys looked fresh, moved well and put on offensive clinics. George in particular was excellent on both ends. Four steals and a block to go with his scoring output, and having that kind of smooth, versatile wing back in the lineup has been a desperately needed addition.
Edgecombe has kept his strong play going too. It wasn’t his biggest statistical night, but he did a nice job navigating life with Embiid and George back in the rotation, letting them operate while still making his own impact. He shot 7-of-9 from the field, which tells you how clean his opportunities were playing off two stars drawing all the attention. That load-sharing role suits him well, but tonight is a different test. The Hornets have no shortage of guards, so Edgecombe will need to be sharp on both ends.
There are some notable injury statuses to keep an eye on heading into this one. For the first time since his injury, Tyrese Maxey isn’t listed as out — he’s questionable with a finger tendon strain, which is an encouraging sign. Kelly Oubre Jr. is also questionable but told beat reporters yesterday that he expects to suit up. That leaves Johni Broome as the only Sixer potentially sitting out. On the Charlotte side, former lottery pick Tidjane Salaun is the only player listed outside of G League assignments.
This is an important matchup for both squads and could end up being the deciding factor depending on how the playoff and play-in picture shapes out. Edgecombe now has the reinforcements he needs for the Sixers to come out on top. Let’s see if they can win the first of what could be several pivotal matchups in their playoff pursuit.
Game Details
When: Saturday, March 28 2026, 6 PM EST Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
The Ottawa Senators are in the thick of the Eastern Conference Wild Card chase, and still in distance of a Top 3 spot in the Atlantic as they battle the Tampa Bay Lighting on Saturday afternoon.
My Senators vs. Lightning predictions and free NHL picks have these two high-scoring teams lighting the lamp with frequency on March 28.
Senators vs Lightning prediction
Senators vs Lightning best bet: Over 6.5 (+110)
It’s a battle of two teams in the Top 10 in scoring.
The Ottawa Senators dropped a 4-3 shootout to the Penguins last time, but it’s another game where they’ve picked up points – 18 times in the last 21.
The Senators are down five defenseman, including standouts Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, and that will be tough against the league’s second-highest scoring team.
The Tampa Bay Lightning boast five players with at least 20 goals on the year.
The Over has hit in four of the last five between these teams, and it appears they’ll stay on trend today.
Senators vs Lightning same-game parlay
Jake Guentzel has been on fire for Tampa of late, scoring four times in his last five games. He’s tallied six times in his last 10 against Ottawa.
Tim Stutzle is coming off a two-assist game against Pittsburgh, and he’s been a solid setup man against the Lightning, recording at least one assist against them in nine of the last 10 games.
Senators vs Lightning SGP
Over 6.5
Jake Guentzel anytime goal
Tim Stutzle Over 0.5 assists
Senators vs Lightning odds
Moneyline: Senators +150 | Lightning -180
Puck Line: Senators +1.5 | Lightning -1.5
Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
Senators vs Lightning trend
The Senators have won 11 of their last 12 day games against East opponents. Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Lightning.
How to watch Senators vs Lightning
Location
Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Puck drop
1:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN5, The Spot
Senators vs Lightning latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Christopher Jackson sings the National Anthem at Citi Field, Thursday, March 26, 2026. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Vidal Bruján and Ben Rortvedt were sent through waivers for the Mets, while Bryan Hudson was claimed by the White Sox.
Around the National League East
Chris Sale had a strong first start and the Atlanta bats socked three homers en route to a 6-0 opening day win for the Braves over the Royals.
Sandy Alcántara pitched seven strong innings to help lead the Marlins to a 2-1 victory over the Rockies in their first game of the season. Don’t look now, but the National League East is undefeated in 2026.
The Michigan State coach was once again reflective on his 31-year coaching career and the topic of retirement following the 3-seeded Spartans' loss to 2-seeded UConn in the East Region on Friday, March 27, saying he has bigger goals yet to chase.
"Trying to win a national championship, plain and simple," Izzo said March 27 when asked by a reporter where he sees himself in five years. "That's it. Those things usually start after your last loss. Nowadays, it's a little more screwed up, but not at Michigan State."
Tom Izzo on retirement speculation. 👀
“I’m feeling good. We’ll talk about retirement—why? What the hell am I going to do? The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD, president, or school every ounce of energy I have every day… you won’t have to… pic.twitter.com/TEaKNlJFGc
Izzo coached in his 17th career Sweet 16 on Friday, where his record dropped to 11-6. The Spartans coach has led Michigan State to 28 consecutive March Madness trips, the NCAA Division I record for most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. The Spartans, who were looking for their second consecutive trip to the Elite Eight, have not advanced to the Final Four appearance since 2019.
The Hall of Fame coach said he's still "feeling good" at 71 years old.
"We all talk about retirement. Why? What the h--- am I going to do? The minute I don't feel good, the minute I don't feel like I'm giving my (athletic director) or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day, or that energy drops, you don't have to worry about it. I don't steal money. I won't steal anybody's time. But it's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said.
"I've got some things to accomplish."
Michigan State ends the season 27-8, its fifth straight season of at least 20 wins under Izzo, and its 25th overall season reaching that win mark.
With no retirement plans on the horizon just yet for Izzo, Michigan State will head into the 2026-27 season once again looking to end the program's national championship drought, having last won it all in 2000.
"I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven'tgotten back. We'll get back," Izzo said.
CHICAGO – They were coming at the Tennessee men's basketball team like no one else had this season, Rick Barnes said afterwards. Iowa State players were hounding anyone wearing orange all over the United Center court, and the Vols were heaving shots at the end of the shot clock as their NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Sweet 16 game began Friday, March 27.
But when freshman Nate Ament launched an errant 3-pointer, Felix Okpara grabbed the offensive rebound. Then J.P. Estrella grabbed another miss. Then Ament grabbed one more miss. A minute later, Okpara corralled an errant shot attempt. Then Estrella did, too. Another offensive rebound sent Estrella to the free throw line. Before the first media timeout, once Okpara snagged yet another offensive rebound, Tennessee had somehow grabbed seven of its first 10 missed shots of the game.
Never mind that this only led to one basket. The tone had been set, one that carried the sixth-seeded Volunteers back into the Elite Eight for the third year in a row after a 76-62 win over shorthanded No. 2 seed Iowa State that felt more like a bludgeoning because of the manner in which the beating was delivered.
Tennessee demoralized an Iowa State team already playing without All-American Joshua Jefferson because the biggest plays of the game revolved around offensive rebounds. Of course they did. It’s perhaps the best explanation why Tennessee, with just one player in the lineup Friday who played in last year’s Elite Eight game, gets another chance to earn its first Final Four appearance in Sunday’s Midwest Region final against No. 1 seed Michigan.
The Volunteers have the nation's best offensive rebounding percentage this season, according to KenPom, and there really isn’t anyone close to them left in the bracket. Tennessee grabs an offensive rebound on 45% of its missed shots. For comparison, none of the seven other teams left in the NCAA Tournament bracket grab more than 40% of their missed shots.
“It’s our identity. That’s our best offense. That’s what coach Barnes always says,” Okpara said.
Tennessee corralled 16 more offensive rebounds against Iowa State and turned those extra possessions into 14 second-chance points, part of a 43-22 rebounding advantage the Vols enjoyed on the glass to offset their 17 turnovers.
They advanced mostly through brute force, not finesse.
“We stayed in the same set pretty much the entire second half,” Barnes said.
But what had been accomplished was still sinking in as he answered questions about it late Friday. This was the deep frontcourt he envisioned deploying last offseason after Houston ended last year's NCAA Tournament run. He also thought this team should have won more games than it did during the regular season.
Then Ament, the Vols' freshman projected NBA draft lottery pick, hurt his ankle last month. Barnes hoped this would all come together in time for March Madness.
Suddenly this has, largely because these Volunteers can suck the life out of teams with each wayward shot attempt.
Mar 27, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Sorry for the miss on the Game Thread last night, y’all. We had a miscommunication on the game coverage sheet, and I was working one of my other jobs last night, so I couldn’t just jump in. Anyway, enough apologies, on to the game.
The Houston Rockets got a win last night, dowing the Memphis Grizzlies 119-109 in a solid performance. The team was led by Kevin Durant, who finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists on 8-for-14 shooting from the floor and 3-for-7 from deep. He helped Houston on a 14-3 run in the fourth quarter that put the game away for the Rockets.
Houston also had a good night from Jabari Smith Jr., who bounced back from an ugly game with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was 7-for-16 from the field. In fact, all five Rockets starters finished in double figures, as the Rockets got 18 points and 8 boards from Amen Thompson, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks from Alperen Sengun, as well as 15 points, 5 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals from Reed Sheppard, who continues to remain in the starting lineup. Seems like Ime may have finally gotten his head out of his ass on that one.
The Rockets got hit with the Rampaging Rando (trademark Xiane) last night, as Olivier-Maxence Prosper went off for 31 points on 12-for-15 from the floor depsite just averaging 9 points per game on the season, but the rest of the Grizzlies shot just 36 percent on the night. The Rockets also won the rebounding battle to help bring home the win.
Houston now moves to 44-29 on the season and sits in sixth place in the Western Conference. They are one game back of the Minnesota Timberwolves for fifth and are four games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for seventh place. They will return to action on Sunday versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
WORCESTER, Mass. – Roger Clemens arrived as the Guest of Honor for WooSox Opening Day with core memories of the 40th anniversary of a special season.
The 1986 campaign started a run of over two decades in the majors as one of the best starting pitchers in the sport. From learning from Hall of Famer Tom Seaver to earning a World Series trip, “The Rocket” hit the ground running in Boston.
“Great memories,” Clemens said Friday at Polar Park. “For me, Boston being my home, getting drafted out of the University of Texas, winning the Eastern League. And before I actually went back to Texas after that season, the Sox had me come. That’s the first time I got to see Fenway Park. So I thought it was amazing. And actually, the game, still remember it, was Dennis Eckersley against Jim Palmer. And so I got to see those two guys work. And so that was a treat for me.”
It was April of 1986 when Clemens introduced himself as a star in the league with a 20-strikeout effort against the Seattle Mariners, the first such game in MLB history, on a night to remember at Fenway Park. Clemens matched the feat 10 years later in Detroit, though the first instance means just as much four decades later.
“Both 20 strikeout games were really cool,” Clemens recalled. “The first one that stands out, basically it was early in the year and I was proving to my teammates and to the ball club that I was healthy.”
The Red Sox right-hander gave plenty of credit to the late Bill Fischer, Boston’s pitching coach in 1986, for guiding him and persistently prioritizing the ability to fill up the strike zone..
“So I was able to get a lot of knowledge from him and he always stressed not to walk guys,” Clemens explained. “Both 20 strikeout games when you’re throwing that high rate of speed and you’re striking guys out, I didn’t walk a guy. So I think I’m most proud about that. That’s probably why I never threw a no-hitter.”
Clemens took control on the mound from the jump, where he believes he called up to 95% of the pitches he threw to catcher Rich Gedman, who caught his old starter’s ceremonial first pitch Friday afternoon. In the modern era of PitchCom and MLB’s adoption of the ABS system, Clemens brought his own context to pitching in 2026.
“Yeah, I love it,” Clemens shared. “You know, I love that they also are featuring the high strike. They pinch you a little bit east and west now. And of course, with the ABS system, makes you say, I don’t think the pitcher should be allowed. … I think it should be the hitter and the catcher. They have the best look. Even if you’re a mitt looker, you’re a pitcher that stares at the mitt the entire time, you still lose sight of the baseball, flight of the ball at some point. But yeah, I love it.”
Clemens reached the World Series with Boston before a heartbreaking loss to the New York Mets. The 2026 Red Sox look to find their way to the Fall Classic for the first time in eight years. Clemens gets his first look at the squad when Boston visits his home state to take on the Houston Astros next week.
His keys to the season? Renewed chemistry in the clubhouse after dramatic stretches of 2025 in addition to the ability to lean on established pitching depth to counter the summer months.
“I think there’s a lot of team chemistry,” Clemens said. “That’s very important, which if you guys were around me last year when I came up here on radio and TV, the first baseman (Triston Casas) got hurt and I thought that would be a perfect scenario for the third baseman (Rafael Devers) at that time to move over to first. He’s a very good player, he’s in San Francisco now. So that didn’t work out. Your team chemistry has to be there.”
The 63-year-old entered the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014. He’s yet to hear his name called in Cooperstown due to steroid scandals, though he knows his performance landed him among the best to ever throw a major league pitch.
“For me, which I’m hoping to do something really cool that you guys will see, my son’s gonna go with me,” Clemens shared, alluding to new projects surrounding his baseball career. “I’m not even gonna tell you what it is, but I gotta go to Ohio for something. This Thurman Munson Award, which I had the privilege to win that. But I’m gonna do something else that deals with Cy Young. And when you’re mentioned with guys like Cy Young or Babe Ruth or ahead of Willie Mays and guys like that, you’re in pretty good company. So that’s good enough for me.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: A general view of UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium during the national anthem flyover prior to the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Charley Steiner returned to the Dodgers broadcast booth on Thursday, calling the first three innings of the opening day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on radio.
Steiner has battled health issues in recent years, including multiple myeloma and a back injury that made it difficult to walk. His workload for this season is unknown, and will depend on how he’s feeling. At the very least, expect Steiner to be a part of some radio pregame segments with Rick Monday.
This is the 22nd season calling games for the Dodgers for Steiner, who turned the microphone over on Thursday to Stephen Nelson to call the final six innings alongside Monday on opening day.
Every locker in the Dodgers clubhouse on opening day had a Seiko bag from Shohei Ohtani with a note saying “Three Peat!!” Inside was a luxury watch. It’s the third such season Ohtani has given a gift to his teammates before the first game.
“He’s just very generous, very thoughtful,” manager Dave Roberts said Thursday. “I think we’re all very grateful.”
The Vancouver Canucks (21-42-8) kick off a four-game road trip on Saturday against the Calgary Flames (30-34-8). Both these teams are at the bottom of the standings and have won a combined eight of their past 20 games. Vancouver enters the game looking to snap a four-game losing streak, while Calgary is coming off an overtime loss on Thursday.
Saturday is setting up to be an interesting game from a draft lottery perspective. While the Canucks have all but secured 32nd place, the Flames have a chance to finish the season with the second-best odds at first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. Ultimately, Saturday could be called a tank battle as both teams have struggled mightily this season.
As for Vancouver, they cannot have a repeat of Thursday night. Even if the Canucks lose, they need to show that they can play a full 60 while improving areas like shot generation and the penalty kill. At this stage of the season, the process is more important than results, as Vancouver will remain at the bottom of the standings the rest of the year.
Players To Watch
Tom Willander:
Tom Willander is one of the younger players getting more opportunities as the season comes to a close. He played over 21 minutes on Thursday and showed late in the game that he isn't afraid to get involved in a scrum. Even though he is only 21, Willander looks like he is developing into a leader for the Canucks.
Hunter Brzustewicz:
A familiar face will be in the lineup for Calgary on Saturday as Hunter Brzustewicz will patrol the blue line for the Flames. Initially drafted by Vancouver in 2023, the 21-year-old is projected to suit up for his 27th career game. So far this season, Brzustewicz has three points and is averaging 15:07 per night.
Nov 23, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) defends against Vancouver Canucks center Linus Karlsson (94) during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks (21–42–8):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 15–28–43
Filip Hronek: 8–33–41
Brock Boeser: 17–20–37
Jake DeBrusk: 15–18–33
Linus Karlsson: 13–17–30
Goaltenders:
Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1
Kevin Lankinen: 8–25–5
Nikita Tolopilo: 5–6–2
Jiří Patera: 0–1–0
Calgary Flames (30–34–8):
Points:
Mikael Backlund: 16-23-39
Matt Coronato: 16-20-36
Morgan Frost: 17-18-35
Joel Farabee: 16-16-32
Blake Coleman: 17-13-30
Goaltenders:
Dustin Wolf: 21-25-3
Devin Cooley: 9-9-5
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
On March 8th, the Phoenix Suns played the Charlotte Hornets. The Suns won 111-99 behind a combined 78 points from the backcourt trio of Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Green. For most of us, this was a game like any other. We watched, we enjoyed, we went to bed happy that our Suns got another win. It was the second win in a row, and it came against a Charlotte team that is surprisingly hot this season.
But in Phoenix at the Mortgage Matchup Center, in section 108, row 17, there was a special young man and his parents, for whom this game meant so much more.
22-year old Tate Haddock comes from a long line of Suns fans. His mother, Pam, reminisces about the stories her father would tell about the first seasons of Suns’ basketball. Tate himself started really paying attention to the Suns around a decade ago during Devin Booker’s sophomore season.
In August of 2024, the lives of the Haddock family would change forever. Tate was diagnosed with Leukemia. Doctors told him that if left untreated, he had six months left to live.
“It was very rattling, more than anything,” Tate said.
However, it was neither the diagnosis nor the chemo that Tate said was the worst part of his battle with cancer.
“People don’t talk about watching your loved ones struggle with it just as much, if not more than you do. It was a lot harder on the people that cared about me than it was myself.”
Ever since the diagnosis, Mike and Pam Haddock have been driving four and a half hours every week with their son to St. Louis for chemotherapy. Through it all, Tate and his parents remained strong and hopeful, with the help of their community.
“I had a great support system. My parents, my partner, grandparents. There are a lot of people taking good care of me. My partner stayed with me throughout my entire hospital stay. For better or worse, there were people that cared.”
It wasn’t just his family, either. His small town in Missouri held a golf benefit for him. Pam said, “You don’t realize until you’re in the middle of it and you find the kindness of strangers, how you really are supported and how much people are willing to care and support you if they know what you need and want.”
Even through the last year and a half of treatment, the Haddock family has kept up with their Suns. Ask them about their favorite Suns players of all time, and you will see a trend. Pam immediately chimes in, “I loved Charles Barkley’s bad attitude!” Tate will tell you, “Dillon Brooks, and we love Goodie!”
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 01: Dionte Christmas #25 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half of the NBA game at US Airways Center on November 1, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 87-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The conversation about favorite players led us to his Instagram (@haddock_tate_haddock). “If I’m really locking in, I like Dionte Christmas because one time he reposted my story on Instagram.” Dionte Christmas played his sole 31 NBA games for the Suns in the 2013-2014 season.
That Suns fandom was why, just a few days before Tate’s birthday, the family piled into their car and roadtripped from Missouri to Phoenix to watch the Suns play the Hornets.
But Pam had more in mind than just a good time at the arena. “I tried everything to get him to be able to meet players. Emailing reporters, players. I’ve got to figure this out!”
Eventually, she was able to get a hold of the Sun’s Mercury Foundation. “They said they wanted to make it a night he wouldn’t forget.”
And so it was that before the game, Tate Haddock could be seen, freshly in remission, walking through the players’ tunnel to stand courtside for pregame shootaround.
“I didn’t know how special it was going to be. I was allowed to just walk up to Oso and talk to him.”
In addition to this incredible experience, the Suns gave him a bag full of merch. He even got his hat signed by Royce O’Neale, Amir Coffey, Haywood Highsmith, and Oso Ighodaro.
“It was amazing,” says Pam, “For them to recognize him and make him feel special and for them to treat our whole family like VIPs, it made me feel like I had accomplished something amazing.”
Overall, it was an incredible night for a young man with battles still ahead of him. Though in remission, Tate has to continue chemo until September 2027. He’s happy that during this, the team is moving in a positive direction.
“This is the best I’ve felt about being a Suns fan since 2021,” Tate said.
“We love the culture and scrappiness,” Pam continued.
When Tate was asked about who his favorite young player on the roster was, he said, “I love Rasheer Fleming.”
And why shouldn’t he? Rasheer Fleming is turning himself into a scrappy player, much like his other favorite players Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin. These players exemplify in their games what Tate has exemplified in his heart, a fighting spirit that doesn’t give up.
“When you are facing adversity, try to see the good in things. When it’s hard to find the good, you’ve got some options. You can create it for yourself or look harder. Eventually, you’ll find it, no matter how hard it can be.”
Tate’s story isn’t just about one man’s battle with cancer. It is a reminder of how much more we are capable of when we come together. It is a reminder of the power of a community working together toward a common goal, whether as a nation, a small town in Missouri, or the fans of a basketball team.
The most important thing we can do is take care of one another. So tell the people you love that you love them, go out and get involved in your community, and cheer as hard as ever for the teams you love.
Let’s be honest right up front: The Rockies are not chasing history in 2026. (They might be running from it.)
They’re not chasing Todd Helton and Larry Walker’s 49 home runs. They’re not chasing Andrés Galarraga’s 150 RBIs. They’re not sniffing Walker’s .379. This isn’t that kind of team. But that doesn’t mean this season won’t be worth watching.
Because while this roster won’t threaten the franchise record books over 162 games, it absolutely has the kind of young, toolsy, unpredictable talent that can do something ridiculous on any given night.
And at Coors Field, ridiculous still happens.
The Big Records? Not Happening
Before we get to the fun stuff, let’s acknowledge reality.
The Rockies’ all-time season records belong to the legends of Blake Street. Dominant hitters. Video game numbers.
No one here has the power, consistency, and opportunity to touch 49 home runs. No one is getting on base enough to steal 68 bags — stolen bases have never really been a Rockies identity, and that hasn’t changed (the high since 2016 is just 30, from Brenton Doyle in 2024). And no one is driving in 150 runs without a lineup built to feed them.
With Doyle’s speed, Tovar’s all-around game, and Beck’s upside, this feels doable.
Top candidates: Brenton Doyle, Jordan Beck, Ezequiel Tovar
Four-Home Run Game (Okay… Probably Not)
Only 21 players in MLB history have done it, but three did it in 2025. Baseball gets weird.
More realistically, a three-homer game is in play (last done by Michael Toglia in 2024).
Top candidates: Hunter Goodman, Jordan Beck, Mickey Moniak
No-Hitter (definitely not)
The Rockies have one no-hitter ever — Ubaldo Jiménez in 2010. Given this rotation, it’s hard to see that changing. But a dominant, start-to-finish outing? That’s possible.
A complete game is a more realistic benchmark — the last one came in 2022 from Chad Kuhl.
Chase Dollander has the raw stuff to flash something special. The catch? He’s starting in the bullpen.
Still — stuff plays.
Single-Game Records to Watch
If anything is happening this year, maybe it’s here:
These don’t require a perfect season — just one perfect night. And this roster has enough tools to stumble into one.
Takeaways
This version of the Rockies probably won’t give you a summer-long chase for history. The legends of Blake Street set the bar. Those records are safe — for now.
But it might give you a random Tuesday in June where someone hits for the cycle. Or three homers out of nowhere. Or a young arm that puts it all together for a full game. Baseball has always had room for something unexpected.
And this team? It feels like it’s built for exactly that.
In a season where Rockies fans will be looking for smaller wins — and things to celebrate — as roster churn and player development take center stage, the moments will matter more than the standings.
There will be standout performances this year. The only question is how big they’ll be — and where they’ll ultimately land in Rockies history.
So what do you think? Do we see a cycle? A no-hitter? Does anyone on this roster make a real run at a single-game or even a season record?
Tanner Gordon set the tone on Triple-A Opening Day, tossing five strong innings and allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five, helping the Isotopes overcome three errors to secure the win. Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) and Vimal Machin led the offense with two hits apiece, while Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) added a single in four at-bats. Not the cleanest game defensively, but plenty of pitching and just enough offense to get Albuquerque off to a winning start.
In this piece by Maria Aldrich of Sports Illustrated, she frames the Rockies’ offseason as a mix of smart, under-the-radar moves and a few that already look questionable. She points to some low-risk additions and controllable pieces as steps in the right direction, while also highlighting decisions the club might come to regret, like letting Germán Márquez walk in free agency.
In this Denver Sports (104.3 The Fan) piece, the staff fires off bold predictions for 2026 that range from cautiously hopeful to full Coors Field chaos. There’s a clear belief the Rockies will be better than a 119-loss disaster, with breakout buzz around Goodman, Tovar, and Beck. Beyond that, it’s the usual mix of power surges, surprise standouts, and just enough wild takes to remind you how unpredictable this team can be.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: A view of the stadium and a view of Kayakers arriving in McCovey Cove on Netflix branded kayaks are seen during the MLB Opening Night Game: Yankees vs. Giants, at Momo's on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Netflix) | Getty Images for Netflix
Good morning, baseball fans!
Now that we’re back into the groove of the regular season for the San Francisco Giants, it’s time to start checking in weekly to see who everyone’s Player of the Week is!
This week is a bit tough, especially for me because I have to pre-write these. Which means the team has only played exactly one game as of the time I am writing this and that was their semi-disastrous loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday.
So if I had to make a pick from just that game, I’m giving it to Aaron Judge! This might be a first in Player of the Week history (given that we only started doing these last season), since we usually try to give that out to a Giants player. But YOU try picking someone from the Giants in Wednesday’s game that made fans happier than Judge did when he struck out four times.
We may not remember the details of that game as time moves forward, but we’re going to remember Judge getting the league’s first golden sombrero of the year!
Who is your pick for Player of the Week?
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants conclude their series against the Yankees this afternoon at 4:15 p.m. PT.
The Mud Hens took an early lead in their International League opener in Lehigh Valley, but the offense ran out of gas and the Hens bullpen floundered late to lose it.
Sean Guenther got the spot start and had to pitch through a minor jam in the first. He did so, and then put the Pigs down in the second inning. Meanwhile, Trei Cruz got the Hens started in the top of the second with a single, and then took second on a wild pitch. Outfielder Corey Julks singled him in for a 1-0 lead.
Max Clark walked and stole second in the top of the third, but no rally followed him. Ricky Vanasco handled the third, issuing a walk but punching out a pair of hitters.Vanasco gave up a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth, but punched out two more swinging and then Tomas Nido challenged a ball call to get his pitcher a third strikeout in the inning. Impressive outing from Ricky Vanasco, but still some control issues. The stuff is strong.
Max Clark drew 94 walks and stole 19 bases in 2025. He picks up one of each in the 3rd inning tonight. pic.twitter.com/pSgZDuwRT3
Clark walked again in the fifth, but was also stranded again. Lefty Konnor Pilkington pitched around a two-out double in the bottom half. The Hens got two-out singles from Julks and Nido, and then a walk from Gage Workman, but Clark grounded out to end the top of the sixth.
In the bottom half, Pilkington got into trouble, loading the bases with a pair of walks after a leadoff double from the Pigs’ Felix Reyes. Brenan Hanifee got two outs without a run, as Workman took a grounder at third and cut down the runner at home plate. And then Hanifee walked in a run anyway to tie the game 1-1 before getting out of the inning.
A leadoff double from Wenceel Pérez was squandered in the top of the seventh. Tanner Rainey took over in the bottom half and was a mess, leaving Matt Seelinger to take over with a run in and runners on first and second. Seelinger walked Carter Kieboom to load the bases, and then followed up with a wild pitch and a pair of hits that made it 5-1 Pigs.
The rest of the game the Hens just couldn’t string anything together. Pérez stayed hot with a solo hot in the ninth to make it 5-2, extending his late spring hot streak, but overall the Hens bullpen was pretty sloppy in this one.
Wenceel Perez gets a low changeup and launches a 359-foot homer just over the wall in right. pic.twitter.com/cGcZPwnVwo
Prior to the game, the finalized Mud Hens roster was released. There weren’t too many surprises. Right now it’s a four-man rotation with Keider Montero, Ty Madden, Bryan Sammons, and Lael Lockhart Jr. Prospect Jake Miller and Sawyer Gipson-Long should be taking spots within a few weeks, but on Opening Day they went with a Sean Guenther-led bullpen game.
Toledo will host ten members of the Tigers’ 40-Man Roster: RHP Brenan Hanifee, RHP Ty Madden, LHP Jake Miller, RHP Keider Montero, LHP Drew Sommers, C/1B Eduardo Valencia, INF Jace Jung, INF Hao-Yu Lee, UT Trei Cruz and OF Wenceel Perez.
No game Friday. Today Cade Horton matches up against our old friend Miles Mikolas, trying to put a bow tie on the series. Mikolas isn’t quite what he used to be, but he still has moxie and tenacity.
We have plenty of videos to watch and some good articles to get you revved up for baseball, if that’s a need. Jason Heyward retired. He might do more for the community than the game, in the end.
“Having Pete on our side and having him around is important to our success, and a guy like that, it’s wins. He’s got another challenge ahead of him now, but he’s ready for it.” — Craig Counsell.
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
