Good morning to everybody however particularly to…
SCOTT ROLEN
The wait is over and the meteoric rise is full for Scott Rolen. He is heading to the Baseball Hall of Fame after his sixth 12 months on the poll. He’ll be a part of Fred McGriff, who was voted in by the Contemporary Era Committee in December, within the two-man 2023 class.
Over his 17-year profession with the Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Reds, Rolen racked up seven All-Star Game nods, eight Gold Gloves, the 1997 NL Rookie of the Year and the 2001 Silver Slugger. He additionally received the 2006 World Series with St. Louis.Rolen’s 70.1 profession WAR is tenth all-time amongst third basemen.Rolen acquired simply 10.2% of the vote his first 12 months on the poll, lowest ever by a participant ultimately voted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He acquired 76.3 % this time round, 5 votes above the 75 % threshold.
Rolen is not sure whether or not he’ll select a Phillies or Cardinals hat for his plaque… or if he’ll don’t have any brand in any respect. With 10 years eligibility accessible to gamers, it isn’t all about who makes it. Gaining votes is a big storyline, too — as evident by Rolen’s story — and several other notable names did effectively there:
Todd Helton — 72.2 % (11 votes shy of induction) in fifth 12 monthsBilly Wagner — 68.1 % in eighth 12 monthsAndruw Jones — 58.1 % in sixth 12 months
Carlos Beltrán garnered 46.5 % of the vote in his first 12 months on the poll, usually a stable quantity however, on this case, one difficult by his position within the Astros‘ dishonest scandal. Where Beltrán’s vote share goes from right here will probably be one of many greatest tales of the 2024 poll, and our Matt Snyder examined what that poll will appear like right here.
As for energetic gamers with Hall-of-Fame potential, Matt took a have a look at greater than 50 names and famous seven locks, together with Mike Trout. Here are all of Matt’s takeaways from this 12 months’s vote.
Honorable mentions
Not so honorable mentions
Bill O’Brien is Patriots’ new OC, leaving Alabama with one other large gap 🏈
Bill O’Brien is heading again to the NFL, filling a giant want for one of many league’s premier franchises and leaving large footwear to fill at considered one of faculty soccer’s premier applications. On Tuesday, O’Brien agreed to turn into the Patriots‘ offensive coordinator, the identical position he had crammed for Alabama over the previous two seasons.
This was a vital rent for New England, and O’Brien’s observe file — particularly with Bill Belichick — speaks for itself.
O’Brien spent 2007-11 with the Patriots, working his method up from offensive assistant to offensive coordinator. The Patriots went 64-16 throughout these 5 seasons and ranked first in scoring offense and second in complete offense.O’Brien then spent two years as Penn State‘s head coach earlier than returning to the NFL with the Texans. He gathered a 52-48 file in Houston — the one coach in franchise historical past to complete with a profitable file — however was fired after an 0-4 begin to the 2020 season.During O’Brien’s time at Alabama, the Crimson Tide ranked within the high 5 in yards per recreation, factors per recreation and touchdowns, and he coached Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.
Now, he’ll be tasked with serving to one other former Alabama quarterback — Mac Jones — take a giant leap after a making an attempt second season. The Patriots’ offense averaged simply 18.2 factors in 2022 and was the league’s worst pink zone group.
As for the flip aspect, Nick Saban now should exchange each coordinators in the identical offseason for the fifth time in his Alabama tenure (defensive coordinator Pete Goulding left for a similar place at Ole Miss earlier this month). Add that to stars like Young and Will Anderson Jr. leaving for the NFL, and Saban has his work lower out for him, writes our David Cobb.
Potential touchdown spots for Aaron Rodgers with Packers anticipated to discover trades 🏈
USATSI
It’s wanting like a 3rd straight offseason of hypothesis relating to whether or not Aaron Rodgers will play once more — and the place he’ll play if he does. According to experiences, the Packers are anticipated to no less than take into account buying and selling Rodgers this offseason, with Jordan Love getting nearer to being able to take over in Green Bay.
There’d be no scarcity of potential suitors for the four-time MVP, writes our Cody Benjamin, who lists 9 groups that might be . A Hall-of-Fame icon from a type of 9 has already given his endorsement.
Mike Clevinger accused of home violence, beneath MLB investigation ⚾
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White Sox starter Mike Clevinger is beneath MLB investigation after allegations of home violence and youngster abuse from Olivia Finestead, the mom of Clevinger’s 10-month-old daughter.
On her Instagramp age, Finestead detailed a number of alleged incidents, together with Clevinger choking her final June when he was with the Padres. Weeks later, in line with Finestead, Clevinger slapped her and threw used chewing tobacco at their youngster.
Clevinger agreed to a one-year, $12-million deal with the White Sox in November. The workforce turned conscious of the allegations after the deal.The league’s collectively bargained home violence, sexual assault, and youngster abuse coverage permits commissioner Rob Manfred to self-discipline gamers no matter prison fees.Seventeen gamers have been suspended beneath that coverage because it got here into impact in 2015.
Tommy Paul, unseeded American, is into the Australian Open semifinal 🎾
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No American man has received a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick on the 2003 US Open. Tommy Paul is 2 matches from altering that after beating fellow American Ben Shelton within the Australian Open quarterfinal, 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, late final night time. Paul will face Novak Djokovic within the semifinal.
The trio of Paul, 25, Shelton, 20 and Sebastian Korda, 22, led a powerful exhibiting by the American males Down Under. It was the primary time three American males made a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Andre Agassi, Robby Ginepri and James Blake did so at the 2005 US Open.
Paul is at present thirty fifth in ATP Rankings and has been as excessive as 28. Shelton, in the meantime, is 89th on the earth and simply months faraway from profitable the 2022 NCAA singles championship at Florida.
What we’re watching Wednesday 📺
🏀 No. 13 Xavier at No. 19 UConn, 6:30 p.m. on FS1
🏀 Nets at 76ers, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Grizzlies at Warriors, 10 p.m. on ESPN
⚽ USMNT vs. Serbia, 10 p.m. on HBO Max, Peacock
