NOTE: Management is flying flags at half-staff today, in homage to Team USA losing to Team 51st State.
PORT JEFF, NY – Welcome to the weekend. Let’s delve into the recent events. Injuries Hit Mets and Yankees, NBA All-Star Weekend, St. Johns vs UConn
METS
We shall commence today’s proceedings by discussing the injuries affecting our favorite baseball team, the Mets. After a season that left them just two games short of the World Series, the Mets will begin the regular season without one of their key free-agent signings, as Frankie Montas will be sidelined with a lat injury. Starting pitching was already an area of concern coming into this season. Fortunately for the Mets, it is still February, and there are familiar names still available to potentially fill the void. Jose Quintina, who was outstanding in the postseason last year, remains a free agent, and there are reports that both sides have mutual interest in a reunion.
YANKS
In a not so shocking but disappointing development, Giancarlo Stanton has sustained an elbow injury and will likely miss opening day. After losing Juan Soto, the Yankees had done a commendable job in fielding a team that likely to be first or second in the AL East. The loss of Stanton is obviously a significant blow, but with the addition of former NL MVP Cody Bellinger, as well as Paul Goldschmidt, who is expected to have a strong bounce-back season in that ballpark, I think the Yankees be able to withstand a few weeks without Stanton.
What happened to the NBA All-Star Weekend?
Watching the festivities this weekend with my brother, we discussed how we used to eagerly anticipate the three-point contest and especially the Dunk Contest. Growing up, watching players like Nate Robinson, Gerald Green, and even stars like Dwight Howard, made the event must-see. Now, it has become an afterthought How to fix this problem is beyond me, but if I had one suggestion it would be to provide greater incentives for stars like Ja Morant or Zion Williamson to participate.
St. Johns vs UConn
St. John’s is aiming for a Big East regular season championship for the time since 1985. With a record of 23-4 and a conference record of 14-2, the Johnnies control their own destiny. Coming off two consecutive wins over a strong Creighton team and a struggling DePaul team, the Red Storm have a significant opportunity to sweep two-time defending national champion UConn in a must-see game at noon on Sunday at MSG. There is still a lot of work to be done in the regular season, and frankly, plenty of time for things to potentially go sideways. However, with a second win over the Huskies, the Johnnies can all but secure a Big East regular season championship.
