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Happy Saturday! We’ve got some good stuff today, especially if you like reading stories about massive organizational enforcement failures and/or laughing at poor baserunning.
In Mariners news...
- Good news on Evan White and Dylan Moore:
Evan White and Dylan Moore are currently taking batting practice with the Rainiers at Cheney Stadium. Not in the lineup tonight but will presumably start a rehabilitation assignment soon.
— Mike Curto (@CurtoWorld) June 4, 2021
- Nine years ago yesterday!
the Mariners drafted Mike Zunino 9 years ago today https://t.co/n4uI2lis9s
— Jordan Shusterman (@j_shusterman_) June 4, 2021
- Former Mariner alert:
The Orioles claimed infielder Domingo Leyba from Arizona and sent him to Norfolk, activated Hunter Harvey off the 60-day IL, and DFAed right-hander Shawn Armstrong and lefty Brandon Waddell.
— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) June 4, 2021
Also, Travis Lakins Sr and Ramón Urías were recalled. Pat Valaika to bereavement list.
- Former Mariner alert, part 2! Fare thee well overseas, Sam.
Texas has sold the contract of Round Rock RHP Sam Gaviglio to the SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Gaviglio was signed as a minor league free agent during the off-season.
— John Blake (@RangerBlake) June 5, 2021
- The USA-Canada game last night was bizarre — featuring umpires leaving the field for 20+ minutes and a total misapplication of the rules — but Eric Filia had himself a decent little night:
.@EricFilia brings in Jarren Duran and #TeamUSA gets on the board first #ForGlory | @WBSC pic.twitter.com/4gdO8neqRP
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) June 5, 2021
Around the league...
- RE: that last point, when I say “bizarre” I mean it:
A tournament official came out to talk to the umpires after the final out. The umpires, who have to walk out the same exit as Team Canada, are being escorted by security. pic.twitter.com/9EyedzFhYt
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) June 5, 2021
- The big story of the day revolves around illegal substances — although this time, we’re talking sunscreen and glue.
One ball was so sticky players could pick it up with their palm. Another had visible fingerprints. One pitcher’s fingers were flagged at airport security.
— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) June 4, 2021
“This should be the biggest scandal in sports.”
With @alex_prewitt: https://t.co/l2Mj8amxyx
- For those of you with ESPN+ access, here’s a fascinating piece that combines all the trending topics (which is to say: Reddit, spin rate, and Driveline).
- Do we think there’s ever been a “2-Unassisted” that’s happened between second and third? I highly doubt it:
This is the worst baserunning in Major League Baseball since... last week.
— Shaun Nestor (@shaun_nestor) June 5, 2021
Travis Jankowski, the game-tying run, gets caught on a ball in the dirt and gets rundown by the CATCHER.
Coulda went back to the bag. Coulda tried to steal third. Instead he just stood there#Phillies pic.twitter.com/VOUDuTMjn0
- I appreciate Vladito’s honesty, but c’mon, the dude is hitting .335/.440/.665. Give yourself some credit!
This rapid-fire with Vladdy Jr. never gets old @chica_deportes | #LaVidaBaseball pic.twitter.com/tDahyaVRTc
— La Vida Baseball (@LaVidaBaseball) June 4, 2021
- Amidst a slight bounceback season for Andrew Benintendi, the return has finally gone from “to be named later” to “named yesterday.” All in all...predictably underwhelming.
Around the world...
- This one’s for our resident gymnastics nut, Amanda:
The history of the Yurchenko: From the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don to Simone Biles’s revolutionary vault https://t.co/V7iHrh1NhK
— Emily Giambalvo (@EmilyGiam) June 4, 2021
My pick...
For someone who was selected with the #1 overall pick, Jewell Loyd has had a disappointing career. When I think of top draft picks, I think of the Ken Griffey Juniors, the Alex Rodriguezes, or, well, the Breanna Stewarts. Loyd, meanwhile, has always been a shoot-first-and-often guard with wildly inefficient numbers. At least, that’s how it’s felt to me — until this year.
But here we are in 2021, and while I’m out here congratulating myself for routinely getting up before my alarm in the morning, Loyd is casually putting up the best numbers of her life. She’s averaging 20.1 points per game on 47% shooting (44% from three), all career highs.
And last night, against the Dallas Wings, Loyd decided it was her chance for a star turn.
JEWELL. LOYD. DID. THAT. #StormWins@jewellloyd x #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/66PyaeSjUe
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) June 5, 2021
The four-time WNBA champs are 7–1 in no small part due to Jewell Loyd’s growth this season. Pretty fun to watch.