The great Mariano Rivera retires and the Big Apple welcomes two studs in his place. And New York Yankees roll on.
The off-season signing by the Yankees of Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka was met with a little skepticism in some quarters, but through the first half of 2014, it appears the Yankees knew what they were doing when they opened the vault and handed Tanaka $155 million over seven years and paid another $20 million up front just for the right to bid for the right-hander, who posted a remarkable 30-0 record (counting the post-season) in Japan last year.
And in the bullpen - although he hasn't been given the closer's job (yet) is Dellin Betances, whose first-half numbers lead many to believe he is Rivera reincarnate. A native New Yorker who probably grew up dreaming of wearing the Yankee pinstripes, Betances has been so effective it's just a matter of time before he takes over the closer's role from David Robertson, who probably shuddered all last winter at the thought of trying to replace the superhuman Rivera, a closer without equal.
Betances, 26, put up decent numbers with Scranton-Wilkes Barre in the AAA International League last year, but he has posted Rivera-like numbers this year - a 1.50 ERA in 31games, only 19 hits allowed in 42 innings and 70 strikeouts and only 11 walks. Manager Joe Girardi will soon be rehearsing the 'see you later' speech he will undoubtedly make to Robertson, explaining why he's being replaced as closer.
Tanaka, meanwhile, became the Big Leagues' first 11-game winner in mid-June. His 11-1 record must lead to MVP consideration because without Tanaka's gaudy numbers, the Yanks would be four or five games under .500. Because of him, they're four or five games over and in contention in the American League East.
Say what you will about the quality of play in Japan, but a professional pitcher in any league with a two-year combined record of 41-1 is worth every penny a team is willing to throw his way.
Tanaka and Betances won't make Yankee fans forget about Rivera, but they're certainly filling the gap.
Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald, on Donald Sterling suing the NBA for $1 billion: "If Sterling wins, the cost of an NBA arena hot dog will climb to $19,000."
Headline at Fark.com: "World Cup referees run six miles during a match - two additional miles after making a game-ending call against the home team."
Craig Ferguson, on President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel's wager on the their countries' World Cup match: "The loser keeps Hasselhoff."
Headline at TheOnion.com: "Report: John Calipari offered Cavaliers $20 million to leave him alone."
Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle: "If it's any consolation to (co-owner Steve) Coburn, California Chrome did receive the Triple Crown's coveted perfect-attendance award."
Janice Hough of LeftCoastSportsBabe.com, on the Spurs' roster featuring players from the Virgin Islands, France, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Canada and Australia: "It's like watching the World Cup, without soccer."
Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: "What do you get when you cross the World Cup and 'The Waltons'? Ghana defender John Boye."
Keith MacKenzie on Facebook: "Canada would be great in the World Cup if it weren't for that ridiculous ban on hockey sticks and skates."
Another one from Dickson, after a Royals ball boy fielded a fair ball and threw it to a fan: "The next day, he became the first ball boy ever optioned to Omaha."
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: "Montreal Canadiens assistant Gerard Gallant is the new Panthers' coach. Not sure if it's a great hire, but am sure his surname lends itself to a million awful headline puns."
Comedy writer Jim Barach: "Oakland A's starter Drew Pomeranz broke his hand hitting a chair after a 14-8 loss. People were just amazed that after allowing eight runs in three innings he was able to actually hit something he was aiming at."
RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: "The Winnipeg Blue Bombers started the preseason with a loss. It's nice they haven't let all this strike talk spoil last year's momentum."
Janice Hough again, on England being close to elimination after two games in the World Cup. "To put this in perspective for Americans, it's like the USA being eliminated in the first round of the Nathan's hot dog eating contest."
Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: "After six years where they were almost unbeatable, Spain has come under harsh criticism following their World Cup losses. In short, the reign of Spain ended mainly with disdain."
Dickson again: "The U.S.-Ghana match got a 7.0 TV rating while Game 5 of the NBA Finals got a 6.8 rating. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver immediately proposed a rule allowing players to hit the ball into the basket with their heads."
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