usatoday--2020-10-09--'They're holding the mail hostage': Town in vote-by-mail Utah lost its only post office

ST. GEORGE , UTAH – In the final month before the 2020 U.S. general election , the 400-or-so residents of a Utah town just outside Capitol Reef National Park are preparing to mail their ballots in , like so many others across the country .
On New Year 's Eve last year , the Torrey Post Office and former town hub shut its doors as the private owners could n't renegotiate their contract with the United States Postal Service , due to a multitude of factors , but mostly , debt .
No post office means no home delivery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy stamps and no place to send mail .
Since then , those living in Torrey have relied on the post office in Bicknell , eight miles away and a 20-minute drive round trip to get their mail .
For some who live in the outskirts of Torrey and neighboring towns , it could take two or three times as long .
On top of that , residents have to make the drive to Bicknell at certain times since there are not enough post office boxes there for the residents of Torrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former office in Torrey had , so while Bicknell 's lobby is open for post office boxes 24 hours a day , virtually no one in Torrey has a box there due to the short supply .
That means Torrey citizens have to pick up their mail at the window by 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays .
Torrey has one collection box , but the last collection time is also 2:30 p.m. and the only other option to Bicknell is Teasdale , an out-of-the-way stop much less popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding the mail hostage , '' Torrey Mayor Scott Chesnut said .
`` I take time off work to get the mail .
It does affect the working people . ''
The solution ?
Torrey must take out a loan to build their own post office .
The townspeople are even going to come together and paint it themselves .
All the United States Postal Service has to do is supply a postal worker .
Even as construction began on Monday , the new post office will not be complete until at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully functional until Nov. 14 .
Facing the upcoming election , citizens , clerks and postal workers in Utah are gearing up for a mass of mail-in ballots in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Do you know the candidates ?
: Here 's a 2020 voter guide for St. George and southwest Utah The Utah Legislature attempted to help rural Utahns with a bill passed in late August asking rural counties to work with their postmaster closely and add ballot drop boxes .
Even so , some rural Utahns and county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but ultimately was n't enough .
`` The Wasatch Front doesn ’ t understand rural , '' said Utah Sen. Ralph Okerlund , a Republican who represents Torrey despite living more than an hour away in Monroe .
`` There are urban legislators who are more concerned about what ’ s going on in the big cities and not in a little place like Torrey . ''
The rural necessity for the USPS Okerlund said that while he understands both sides , he does n't think the USPS is fully grasping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The post office is trying to be as efficient as they can with funds , I understand that .
But I do n't know if they understand how important rural post offices are , '' Okerlund said .
Rural America is a slice of the seemingly forlorn American dream .
People living off the land , growing in tight-knit communities and feasting on devotion .
Above all , there is an undeniable air of respect for the terrain , as unruly as it may be .
Some stores , services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The most vital however might be pharmacies .
`` The emphasis needs to be on making sure people have the ability to get their medication , '' Okerlund said .
Agreeing , Sam Van Wetter , Field Organizer of the advocacy organization Rural Utah Project said `` The USPS is important to rural Utah because many folks make their livelihood through the mail , '' noting paychecks , prescriptions , bills and packages come in the mail .
Without regular postal service , as Mayor Chesnut also noted , bills run past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line in more ways than one .
The deal with the USPS Last year , the United States Postal Service tried to find another retailer to house the local post office , but were unsuccessful as nobody had any extra room , Chesnut said .
The past year has been marked with hard negotiations as town members want their post office and meeting place back , but the USPS does n't want to lose money either .
Finally , a deal was struck this summer — the USPS would supply a postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial burden of building the post office themselves .
Bill Barrett , Torrey resident and organizer of the new non-profit `` Friends of Torrey '' specifically aimed at aiding the town with this post office situation , has been working with the town on finding a solution since the very beginning .
`` I can ’ t understand why people can ’ t make this damn thing work , '' he said .
`` The post office is a community center .
It was a gathering point .
It really was the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re going to do all the painting ourselves .
There are tons of people here that are happy to help . ''
Where 's the town going to get the money ?
They 're going to take out a loan from a local bank and hire a local contractor , Hanky Panky Construction , LLC to build it .
On Monday , Chesnut said he 's glad it 's getting going but is ultimately unsatisfied with the deal with the USPS .
`` It 's a bandaid , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we go to Bicknell forever . ''
When asked for a statement on the situation in Torrey , USPS spokesperson Floyd D. Wagoner wrote in an email , `` The U.S .
Postal Service is currently finalizing plans with Torrey , UT , officials that includes accommodation for the delivery of mail and packages to a permanent and secure location within the community .
The USPS anticipates announcing the opening of this new location by the end of the year . ''
Before the post office shut its doors in Torrey , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Utah 's state constitution still includes slavery , but voters could change that Last year , locals went about counting how many boxes were in each locality in Wayne County , and their data claims Torrey used to have most boxes in the county , second only to the county seat in Loa .
However , the USPS was unable to verify this immediately .
While some plans and mockups for the new Torrey Post Office are still in the air and not yet released to the public , Barrett and Chesnut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ready to have this vital building for their community back .
That is , not until after the election .
Even if they wanted to vote in-person , the nearest polling location and ballot drop-box for Torrey residents is at the county seat in Loa , 17 miles away from Torrey and 64 miles away from one of the furthest east towns in Wayne County , Hanksville .
Where for some in urban areas might only take few minutes to vote and or only a few feet from their door , voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half hour round trip drive for some residents of Wayne County .
And , the only ballot dropbox in the county is also at the Wayne County Sixth District Court and Clerk 's Office also in Loa .
With that in mind , mail-in voting is the only option for some residents of Wayne County and other rural counties .
But even while facing the drive and the limited time when the post office is open , locals and officials do not think the inconvenience will impact the election or turnout .
Ricky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of the Utah Association of Counties said voters are expected to wade out some inconvenience .
`` The challenge that I see for voters in Torrey is I ’ m wondering what they had to do before vote-by-mail .
There ’ s some expectation for voters that they ’ re going to have to drive to a polling place and then they ’ re going to have to wait once they get there , '' he said .
Hatch said he is not as concerned about this year 's election because Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mail-in vote state for years .
`` In Utah , we ’ ve been doing vote by mail for a long time .
We ’ re good at it .
We ’ re in a great position .
Fraud is virtually nonexistent , '' he said .
Van Wetter also said the lack of the postal service in rural areas `` will only change the election for us in that the folks who care about voting will use tools other than the USPS . ''
Republican Rep. Stephen Handy , who co-authored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made to this election due to the pandemic , said now is the time to rebuild the reputation of the USPS .
`` There has been a considerable amount of unnecessary damage done and concerns about the validity of the USPS , '' he said .
`` The postal service has high integrity .
This is not their first vote by mail rodeo . ''
Handy 's bill in August called for county clerks to work with their local postmasters and put in more drop boxes where they could .
However , advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that without enforcement , the bill offers little help to rural Utahns .
`` It definitely seems like the bill was not written with rural voters in mind .
It doesn ’ t really address the issues rural voters are dealing with , which is disheartening to see , '' Rural Utah Project Deputy Director Drew Cooper said .
Hatch , who is also a member of the Utah County Clerk and Auditor Association , participated in crafting the bill passed in August on behalf of and with Utah county clerks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re not excited but we ’ re not upset , '' Harch said .
He felt as though the legislature had made some compromises when they could have helped county clerks more when it comes to this particular election .
`` The clerks wanted to be able to mail out ballots 28 days before election day .
That way if the postal service had slower service , this would help with that , '' he said adding that the ballots have to be quarantined once received .
The clerks also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tally of votes after the election , instead of the standard two .
Neither request was granted .
`` We know rural Utah is different than the Wasatch Front , '' Handy said .
`` We understand the extreme necessity of getting ballots out on time and getting them back on time . ''
When rural Utahns are n't fretting about the election , there 's the other worrisome factor of this year — the economy .
Torrey is less than 10 miles away from Capitol Reef National Park , one of Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A gateway town , Torrey is the entrance that funnels visitors from all over the world into the red canyons on national acclaim .
As a consequence , the town relies heavily on the tourism economy to sustain its citizens and businesses .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , tourism to all national parks has taken a significant hit this year as people have canceled much of their planned travel .
Though some parks bounced back for a month or two , visitation is still a fraction of last year 's .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff with NPS 'Fashion Week ' on social media Capitol Reef saw 1.23 million visitors last year .
Even with over half a million visitors this year so far , that 's still only 70 % of what the park and Torrey are used to .
`` With a million and a half visitors a year , they all want to send a postcard home and they have to go to Bicknell now to do it , '' Mayor Chesnut said .
`` We 're a gateway to a national park and everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the USPS ) doing . ''
Fewer visitors mean less money .
End of story .
The key to a thriving tourism economy in gateway towns is getting people to come and stay .
Stay in the hotels , eat in the restaurants , buy goods in the shops and yes , mail postcards , trinkets , gifts and extra luggage back home .
Without the post office , Torrey has missed out on countless opportunities to make more money because visitors do n't stay and mail .
And until the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the trek to Bicknell , longing for their community 's core — the post office .
K. Sophie Will is the National Parks Reporter for The Spectrum & Daily News through the Report for America initiative by The GroundTruth Project .
Follow her on Twitter at @ ksophiewill or email her at kswill @ thespectrum.com .

K. Sophie Will, St. George Spectrum & Daily News

'They're holding the mail hostage': Town in vote-by-mail Utah lost its only post office
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
ST. GEORGE, UTAH – In the final month before the 2020 U.S. general election, the 400-or-so residents of a Utah town just outside Capitol Reef National Park are preparing to mail their ballots in, like so many others across the country.
The only problem?
They don't have a post office.
On New Year's Eve last year, the Torrey Post Office and former town hub shut its doors as the private owners couldn't renegotiate their contract with the United States Postal Service, due to a multitude of factors, but mostly, debt.
No post office means no home delivery, no mail pick up, no place to buy stamps and no place to send mail.
Since then, those living in Torrey have relied on the post office in Bicknell, eight miles away and a 20-minute drive round trip to get their mail. For some who live in the outskirts of Torrey and neighboring towns, it could take two or three times as long.
On top of that, residents have to make the drive to Bicknell at certain times since there are not enough post office boxes there for the residents of Torrey.
Bicknell has even fewer boxes than the former office in Torrey had, so while Bicknell's lobby is open for post office boxes 24 hours a day, virtually no one in Torrey has a box there due to the short supply.
That means Torrey citizens have to pick up their mail at the window by 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Torrey has one collection box, but the last collection time is also 2:30 p.m. and the only other option to Bicknell is Teasdale, an out-of-the-way stop much less popular for Torrey residents.
"They're holding the mail hostage," Torrey Mayor Scott Chesnut said. "I take time off work to get the mail. It does affect the working people."
The solution? Torrey must take out a loan to build their own post office. The townspeople are even going to come together and paint it themselves. All the United States Postal Service has to do is supply a postal worker.
Even as construction began on Monday, the new post office will not be complete until at least Nov. 1, and won't be fully functional until Nov. 14.
Facing the upcoming election, citizens, clerks and postal workers in Utah are gearing up for a mass of mail-in ballots in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do you know the candidates?: Here's a 2020 voter guide for St. George and southwest Utah
The Utah Legislature attempted to help rural Utahns with a bill passed in late August asking rural counties to work with their postmaster closely and add ballot drop boxes.
Even so, some rural Utahns and county clerks felt this was a good try, but ultimately wasn't enough.
"The Wasatch Front doesn’t understand rural," said Utah Sen. Ralph Okerlund, a Republican who represents Torrey despite living more than an hour away in Monroe. "There are urban legislators who are more concerned about what’s going on in the big cities and not in a little place like Torrey."
The rural necessity for the USPS
Okerlund said that while he understands both sides, he doesn't think the USPS is fully grasping the vitalness of a post office in Torrey.
"The post office is trying to be as efficient as they can with funds, I understand that. But I don't know if they understand how important rural post offices are," Okerlund said.
Rural America is a slice of the seemingly forlorn American dream. People living off the land, growing in tight-knit communities and feasting on devotion. Above all, there is an undeniable air of respect for the terrain, as unruly as it may be.
Some stores, services and goods are sacrifices for the wide-open space. The most vital however might be pharmacies.
"The emphasis needs to be on making sure people have the ability to get their medication," Okerlund said.
More: AP: Utah candidates square off to replace retiring GOP House Rep
Agreeing, Sam Van Wetter, Field Organizer of the advocacy organization Rural Utah Project said "The USPS is important to rural Utah because many folks make their livelihood through the mail," noting paychecks, prescriptions, bills and packages come in the mail.
Without regular postal service, as Mayor Chesnut also noted, bills run past due and people's lives are on the line in more ways than one.
The deal with the USPS
Last year, the United States Postal Service tried to find another retailer to house the local post office, but were unsuccessful as nobody had any extra room, Chesnut said.
The past year has been marked with hard negotiations as town members want their post office and meeting place back, but the USPS doesn't want to lose money either.
Finally, a deal was struck this summer — the USPS would supply a postal worker if the town took on the financial burden of building the post office themselves.
Bill Barrett, Torrey resident and organizer of the new non-profit "Friends of Torrey" specifically aimed at aiding the town with this post office situation, has been working with the town on finding a solution since the very beginning.
"I can’t understand why people can’t make this damn thing work," he said. "The post office is a community center. It was a gathering point. It really was the one place where people went every day... We’re going to do all the painting ourselves. There are tons of people here that are happy to help."
Where's the town going to get the money? They're going to take out a loan from a local bank and hire a local contractor, Hanky Panky Construction, LLC to build it.
On Monday, Chesnut said he's glad it's getting going but is ultimately unsatisfied with the deal with the USPS.
"It's a bandaid," he said. "It's either that or we go to Bicknell forever."
When asked for a statement on the situation in Torrey, USPS spokesperson Floyd D. Wagoner wrote in an email, "The U.S. Postal Service is currently finalizing plans with Torrey, UT, officials that includes accommodation for the delivery of mail and packages to a permanent and secure location within the community. The USPS anticipates announcing the opening of this new location by the end of the year."
Before the post office shut its doors in Torrey, there were 383 mailboxes managed inside.
More: Utah's state constitution still includes slavery, but voters could change that
Last year, locals went about counting how many boxes were in each locality in Wayne County, and their data claims Torrey used to have most boxes in the county, second only to the county seat in Loa. However, the USPS was unable to verify this immediately.
While some plans and mockups for the new Torrey Post Office are still in the air and not yet released to the public, Barrett and Chesnut are excited for the new building and are ready to have this vital building for their community back.
That is, not until after the election.
The vote
Even if they wanted to vote in-person, the nearest polling location and ballot drop-box for Torrey residents is at the county seat in Loa, 17 miles away from Torrey and 64 miles away from one of the furthest east towns in Wayne County, Hanksville.
Where for some in urban areas might only take few minutes to vote and or only a few feet from their door, voting in-person is a potential two and a half hour round trip drive for some residents of Wayne County.
And, the only ballot dropbox in the county is also at the Wayne County Sixth District Court and Clerk's Office also in Loa.
With that in mind, mail-in voting is the only option for some residents of Wayne County and other rural counties.
But even while facing the drive and the limited time when the post office is open, locals and officials do not think the inconvenience will impact the election or turnout.
Ricky Hatch, the Weber County clerk and chair of the Utah Association of Counties said voters are expected to wade out some inconvenience.
"The challenge that I see for voters in Torrey is I’m wondering what they had to do before vote-by-mail. There’s some expectation for voters that they’re going to have to drive to a polling place and then they’re going to have to wait once they get there," he said.
Hatch said he is not as concerned about this year's election because Utah is a postmark state and has been a mail-in vote state for years.
"In Utah, we’ve been doing vote by mail for a long time. We’re good at it. We’re in a great position. Fraud is virtually nonexistent," he said.
Van Wetter also said the lack of the postal service in rural areas "will only change the election for us in that the folks who care about voting will use tools other than the USPS."
Republican Rep. Stephen Handy, who co-authored the bill allowing for changes to be made to this election due to the pandemic, said now is the time to rebuild the reputation of the USPS.
"There has been a considerable amount of unnecessary damage done and concerns about the validity of the USPS," he said. "The postal service has high integrity. This is not their first vote by mail rodeo."
The bill
Handy's bill in August called for county clerks to work with their local postmasters and put in more drop boxes where they could.
However, advocacy groups like the Rural Utah Project say that without enforcement, the bill offers little help to rural Utahns.
"It definitely seems like the bill was not written with rural voters in mind. It doesn’t really address the issues rural voters are dealing with, which is disheartening to see," Rural Utah Project Deputy Director Drew Cooper said.
Hatch, who is also a member of the Utah County Clerk and Auditor Association, participated in crafting the bill passed in August on behalf of and with Utah county clerks.
"We’re ok with the bill, we’re not excited but we’re not upset," Harch said.
He felt as though the legislature had made some compromises when they could have helped county clerks more when it comes to this particular election.
"The clerks wanted to be able to mail out ballots 28 days before election day. That way if the postal service had slower service, this would help with that," he said adding that the ballots have to be quarantined once received.
The clerks also wanted a three-week canvass, or official tally of votes after the election, instead of the standard two. Neither request was granted.
"We know rural Utah is different than the Wasatch Front," Handy said. "We understand the extreme necessity of getting ballots out on time and getting them back on time."
The national park
When rural Utahns aren't fretting about the election, there's the other worrisome factor of this year — the economy.
Torrey is less than 10 miles away from Capitol Reef National Park, one of Utah's "Mighty Five" national parks.
A gateway town, Torrey is the entrance that funnels visitors from all over the world into the red canyons on national acclaim. As a consequence, the town relies heavily on the tourism economy to sustain its citizens and businesses.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism to all national parks has taken a significant hit this year as people have canceled much of their planned travel. Though some parks bounced back for a month or two, visitation is still a fraction of last year's.
More: Utah national parks strut their stuff with NPS 'Fashion Week' on social media
Capitol Reef saw 1.23 million visitors last year. Even with over half a million visitors this year so far, that's still only 70% of what the park and Torrey are used to.
"With a million and a half visitors a year, they all want to send a postcard home and they have to go to Bicknell now to do it," Mayor Chesnut said. "We're a gateway to a national park and everything. I'm very frustrated with what (the USPS) doing."
Fewer visitors mean less money. End of story.
The key to a thriving tourism economy in gateway towns is getting people to come and stay. Stay in the hotels, eat in the restaurants, buy goods in the shops and yes, mail postcards, trinkets, gifts and extra luggage back home.
Without the post office, Torrey has missed out on countless opportunities to make more money because visitors don't stay and mail.
And until the new one is finished, residents will continue to make the trek to Bicknell, longing for their community's core — the post office.
K. Sophie Will is the National Parks Reporter for The Spectrum & Daily News through the Report for America initiative by The GroundTruth Project. Follow her on Twitter at @ksophiewill or email her at kswill@thespectrum.com.


usatoday--2020-10-10--Live updates: Delta weakens to tropical storm; 780K without power as heavy rains, winds continue to

Live updates: Delta weakens to tropical storm; 780K without power as heavy rains, winds continue to pound Louisiana

After making landfall as a Category 2 hurricane Friday night in southwest Louisiana , Delta rapidly weakened and by Saturday morning was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved across the state , leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power .
Storm surge and flash floods continued to pose dangers across much of southwestern Louisiana and parts of neighboring Texas .
Mississippi also got its fair share of rain overnight .
After moving across northeastern Louisiana , the storm is expected to cross northern Mississippi and move into the Tennessee Valley later Saturday and Sunday , the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday evening near the coastal town of Creole — only 15 miles or so from where Laura struck land in August , killing at least 26 people .
It then moved directly over Lake Charles , a waterfront city about 30 miles inland where the earlier hurricane damaged nearly every home and building , and where moldy mattresses , sawed-up trees and other debris still lined the streets .
The latest as of 8 a.m .
ET : • More than 780,000 customers were without power Saturday morning in Louisiana , Texas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The center of Delta was located about 45 miles south-southeast of Monroe , Louisiana , and was moving north-northeast at about 16 mph , as of the 5 a.m. National Hurricane Center advisory .
Top winds have decreased to near 45 mph and additional weakening is forecast .
• All watches and warnings for Delta were discontinued in the 5 a.m. advisory .
• The storm will continue to bring tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rains to parts of Louisiana , Mississippi and Arkansas on Saturday .
• The threat for tornadoes remains Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida Panhandle , and western and central Georgia , forecasters said .
Louisiana update : Delta 'worse than we even thought ' in Lake Charles Almost 600,000 customers were without power in Louisiana early Saturday , according to poweroutage.us .
State police were urging residents to remain weather aware and avoid travel in inclement weather .
In Acadiana , about 90 miles east of Creole where the storm made landfall , many traffic lights were out , and trees and power poles had fallen across roads .
In Lake Charles , just north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lafayette was at 16.6 feet just before 8 a.m .
ET .
Flood stage there is 10 feet .
Bayou Vermillion near Carencro is at 16.19 feet ; flood stage is 17 feet , according to the National Weather Service in Lake Charles .
State Sen. Ronnie Johns said early Saturday that Delta is `` worse than we even thought ( in Lake Charles and Sulphur ) again .
We 're getting tore up again .
It 's disheartening , but we 'll be OK. '' Nearly 95,000 customers in Mississippi were without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi Department of Transportation reported trees and debris had blocked lanes of several highways in counties near the western border .
A tree fell on an apartment building in Natchez , WLBT-TV reported , but no one was injured .
Parts of McComb near the Louisiana border lost power overnight , including the Waffle House off of I-55 .
The Waffle House , an informal bellwether of how an area is faring after a storm , remained open , despite the darkness .
Employees used flashlights and cooked with gas to provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Friday sat on the porch of the Under-the-Hill Saloon , a bar that overlooks the Mississippi River in Natchez .
Long , an electrician and construction superintendent , typically works on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico , but he ’ s only worked six days in the past month due to storms and hurricanes .
“ We ’ ve been hit pretty hard here in the last month , ” Long said .
– Giacomo Bologna and Lici Beveridge , Mississippi Clarion Ledger | 8:30 a.m .
ET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana says tarps that were put up to protect buildings damaged six weeks ago by Hurricane Laura were flying off in Delta 's strong winds .
“ Tarps are being blown off all throughout the city , ” Mayor Nic Hunter said by phone after Delta made landfall Friday evening with winds topping 100 mph .
He was hunkered down in a secure location in downtown Lake Charles .
He added : “ I ’ m in a building right now with a tarp on it and just the sound of the tarp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounding with a sledge hammer on top of the building .
It 's pretty intense . ''
He said piles of unsecured debris from Laura are also being tossed about in Delta 's high winds .
He said some of the debris was moving into the streets and floating in water .
Why have Louisiana and the Gulf Coast been magnets for hurricanes in 2020 ?
Louisiana has been a punching bag during the 2020 hurricane season , whether taking a glancing blow from Tropical Storm Cristobal in June , a whiff from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27 and a late-round blow from Hurricane Delta on Friday night .
`` This season has been relentless , ” Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said earlier this week .
Ben Schott , the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service 's New Orleans station , blamed La Niña as a major factor in the record-breaking season .
`` If you go back to the beginning of the season it was forecast to be very active , '' Schott said .
`` La Niña is a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlantic . ''
As for why Louisiana has been a magnet for storms in 2020 , Schott said : `` It 's just bad luck . ''
`` I hate to say it that way , but it 's true , '' he said .
`` I ca n't give you a scientific reason we 've been the target .
It just seems like the atmospheric factors that steer these storms have set up to steer them our way this year . ''

Delta live updates: Hundreds of thousands without power across South; Louisiana governor urges caution as clean-up begins
Thousands of people were in shelters and hundreds of thousands were without power in Louisiana Saturday evening in the wake of Hurricane Delta, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane Friday night in southwest Louisiana, miles from where Hurricane Laura made landfall six weeks ago.
Damage assessments were underway, and 3,000 National Guard members were supporting emergency operations, Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a press conference Saturday evening. A number of roads were underwater and impassable, and some people had been rescued, Edwards said. The two storms have left about 10,000 people in shelters — many have been there since Hurricane Laura.
"As if Hurricane Laura wasn't enough, we had to have Delta come through last night," Edwards said. "While the storm wasn’t as powerful as Hurricane Laura, it was a very powerful storm, and it caused lots of damage."
Delta made landfall Friday evening near the coastal town of Creole — only 15 miles or so from where Laura struck land in August, leading to the deaths of at least 26 people. It then moved directly over Lake Charles, a waterfront city about 30 miles inland where the earlier hurricane damaged nearly every home and building, and where moldy mattresses, sawed-up trees and other debris still lined the streets.
The highest rainfall totals were in Lake Charles, with 15 inches, Edwards said. Mississippi also got its fair share of rain overnight, and parts of Mississippi and Texas lost power.
"It was pretty disturbing," said Marialisa Wyatt, 54, of the damage to her home in Lake Charles. Just six weeks ago, Laura left a hole in the roof of Wyatt's childhood home. On Friday night, Delta added another two after winds ripped the blue tarp protecting her home off the roof.
Hurricane Delta in Louisiana: These photos show the aftermath
The latest as of 10 p.m. ET:
More than 450,000 customers were without power in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, according to poweroutage.us. Peak power outages in Louisiana were around 688,000, compared to 615,000 customers who lost power in Hurricane Laura. Despite being a weaker storm than Laura, Delta’s bands went over some more populated areas.
No deaths have been reported or attributed to the storm, Edwards said.
The remnants of Delta are expected to drop several inches of rain over western North Carolina and Virginia before moving further northeast in coming days, the National Weather Service said.
Hurricane Delta remains a weather concern as it continues to weaken Delta will bring strong winds, heavy rain and a tornado risk to parts of the central and eastern U.S. this weekend. Accuweather
Edwards said Hurricane Delta had behaved as forecasters had predicted and brought more wind and rain than Laura had. He said the next seven days were expected to bring dry, cool conditions. But it wasn't time to go "sightseeing" the damage, Edwards said.
Of the fatalities attributable to Hurricane Laura, most happened due to carbon monoxide poisoning, injury or heat issues after the storm itself, Edwards said. He urged residents to be cautious.
"Everybody, please be careful, take frequent breaks," Edwards said. "If you’re going to run a generator ... please do it safely."
A tornado watch was issued for eastern Alabama and west-central Georgia until 9 p.m. ET.
There were still several power lines down in Mississippi's Natchez and Adams County, and some communities were still blocked from travel by downed trees, Mayor Dan Gibson said during a Facebook Live video.
Inmates, state workers and a sheriff’s deputy were working to clear the roads in Natchez State Park where a few campers were trapped behind blocked roads.
Vicki Brooks, 68, of Nashville, was about midway through a two-week road trip with her husband. The couple arrived with their camper on Wednesday.
"It was pretty scary," Brooks said of the storm.
– Lici Beveridge, Giacomo Bologna and Justin Vicory, Mississippi Clarion Ledger | 2:30 p.m. ET
A tornado watch has been issued for eastern Alabama and west-central Georgia until 8 PM CT/9 PM ET. A few tornadoes are possible in a broken squall line ahead of Tropical Depression #Delta. pic.twitter.com/FC5mJstRJk — The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 10, 2020
In Lake Charles, just north of Creole, semi trucks were turned over and piles of rubbish from Hurricane Laura were thrown around.
State Sen. Ronnie Johns said early Saturday that Delta is "worse than we even thought (in Lake Charles and Sulphur) again. We're getting tore up again. It's disheartening, but we'll be OK."
As Wyatt surveyed the damage at her Lake Charles home, she was amazed at the progress undone in recovery efforts from Hurricane Laura in just a few hours from Delta.
Stray shingles littered the front yard, along with downed tree limbs and other debris. The remainder of her fence, already wrecked by Laura, was plummeted by Delta. Clean up was ongoing, protective tarps will have to be secured again and belongings will have to be repurchased. But the hopefulness of the city is unwavering.
"The people of southwest Louisiana are very resilient," Wyatt said. "We make it work. We're survivors."
In Delcambre, Catina Dooley walked through the flood water surrounding her home. She and her family had just moved their cattle back to their farm in Intercoastal City last week after having to evacuate the 100 head of cattle ahead of Hurricane Laura. Before Delta hit the area, the cattle had to be moved out again, the third time this year.
"It’s getting exhausting," Dooley said.
Several Delcambre residents were out assessing the storm’s damage Saturday morning, by foot, boat and truck. In comparison to Laura, they said, there was a lot less water, but the winds were far worse. With many of the houses on stilts, neighbors used their boats to help others get to dry land. Many were without power.
– Brinley Hineman, The Tennessean, and Krista Johnson, The Montgomery Advertiser | 11:45 a.m. ET
Nearly 95,000 customers in Mississippi were without electricity as of Saturday morning. The Mississippi Department of Transportation reported trees and debris had blocked lanes of several highways in counties near the western border.
Parts of McComb near the Louisiana border lost power overnight, including the Waffle House off of I-55. The Waffle House, an informal bellwether of how an area is faring after a storm, remained open, despite the darkness. Employees used flashlights and cooked with gas to provide a limited menu.
Nell McDaniel, 47, and her family stood on the front porch of their mobile home in Franklin County outside Roxie, Saturday morning, debating how to tackle the tree limb sticking out of their roof. The power had been out since about 1 a.m.
McDaniel said she heard a loud "pop" overnight when the tree limb from a nearby tree fell and punctured the roof. Water leaked in through the morning, damaging part of the home.
"It was a lotta wind," McDaniel said. "Not that much rain, but a lotta wind."
McDaniel’s family hoisted her brother on the roof, then passed him a chainsaw. After he cut the limb down, he traded the chainsaw for a blue tarp. The family passed him tires to hold down the tarp on the roof as the rain started to pick up.
McDaniel said she rode out Hurricane Katrina in this mobile home. She said she hoped insurance will cover the damage, but she’ll figure out a way to fix it regardless.
"I've been living in a mobile home my whole life, but I’ve never ran," McDaniel said. "This one took the cake a little."
– Giacomo Bologna and Lici Beveridge, Mississippi Clarion Ledger | 11 a.m. ET
Almost 600,000 customers were without power in Louisiana early Saturday, according to poweroutage.us.
"Delta has left hazards like flooded roads, downed power lines and displaced wildlife in our communities that no one should take lightly," Gov. John Bel Edwards said Saturday. "Everyone needs to remain vigilant, continue to listen to local officials and be safe."
State police were urging residents to remain weather aware and avoid travel in inclement weather. In Acadiana, about 90 miles east of Creole where the storm made landfall, many traffic lights were out, and trees and power poles had fallen across roads.
Further east, in Delcambre, the streets of the small town known for its shrimp boat fleet were flooded.
In Delcambre along LA Highway 14, #HurricaneDelta has left a lot of water in this neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/4K7aNzSvAb — Krista Johnson (@KristaJ1993) October 10, 2020
In Lafayette, north of Delcambre, a large section of a law offices wall had fallen away, leaving bricks scattered on the road. The Vermillion River at Lafayette was at 16.6 feet just before 8 a.m. ET. Flood stage there is 10 feet. Bayou Vermillion near Carencro is at 16.19 feet; flood stage is 17 feet, according to the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.
In nearby Crowley, Darrell Segura, 58, was grilling hamburgers on a pit in front of Holy Temple Church Saturday morning. His home lost "one sheet of tin in the front and one mulberry tree in the back," he said.
He rode out the storm overnight that and said the wind overnight reminded him of what he experienced as a teenager during Hurricane Audrey.
"I sit in the front room with the door open," Segura said. "Tin was flying across the street. Sitting in my front room, I refuse to go to the door and stick my head out."
– Barbara Leader, Lafayette Daily Advertiser | 9:30 a.m. ET
Satellite view of Hurricane Delta making landfall This NOAA satellite captures the moment Hurricane Delta makes landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm on Oct. 9. Accuweather
The mayor of Lake Charles in southwest Louisiana says tarps that were put up to protect buildings damaged six weeks ago by Hurricane Laura were flying off in Delta's strong winds.
"Tarps are being blown off all throughout the city," Mayor Nic Hunter said by phone after Delta made landfall Friday evening with winds topping 100 mph. He was hunkered down in a secure location in downtown Lake Charles.
He added: "I’m in a building right now with a tarp on it and just the sound of the tarp flapping on the building sounds like someone pounding with a sledge hammer on top of the building. It's pretty intense."
He said piles of unsecured debris from Laura are also being tossed about in Delta's high winds. He said some of the debris was moving into the streets and floating in water.
— The Associated Press | 8:50 p.m. Friday
Delta radar, path: Map below updates in real-time
Louisiana has been a punching bag during the 2020 hurricane season, whether taking a glancing blow from Tropical Storm Cristobal in June, a whiff from Hurricane Marco in August, a haymaker from Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27 and a late-round blow from Hurricane Delta on Friday night.
"This season has been relentless,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said earlier this week.
Ben Schott, the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service's New Orleans station, blamed La Niña as a major factor in the record-breaking season.
"If you go back to the beginning of the season it was forecast to be very active," Schott said. "La Niña is a good setup for storms to develop in the Atlantic."
As for why Louisiana has been a magnet for storms in 2020, Schott said: "It's just bad luck."
"I hate to say it that way, but it's true," he said. "I can't give you a scientific reason we've been the target. It just seems like the atmospheric factors that steer these storms have set up to steer them our way this year."
– Greg Hilburn, Monroe News-Star


usatoday--2020-10-10--Why do we keep electing people who are twice as old as the average American?

The news that the president and first lady tested positive for COVID-19 made much of the recent events feel like ancient history .
October surprises will be a daily event this cycle , 2020 being what it is .
Joe Biden has gotten the all-clear , for now , and Donald Trump , hopefully , will be back to full strength soon .
In a way , America has been fortunate considering the advanced age of both candidates and nearly all of our leaders .
People over 70 face the highest risk from the novel coronavirus ; we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succumbed .
There are few young people at the top In a nation with a median age of 38.4 , the two presidential nominees are twice that at 74 and 77 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is 78 , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is 80 .
Pelosi ’ s lieutenant , James Clyburn , is also 80 , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is 69 .
The median age of the Supreme Court is over 65 .
All of these leaders are past retirement age .
The only major Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House minority leader and whip , who are in their mid-50s .
Everyone else likely would be a pensioner if they lived in the private sector .
This isn ’ t an ageist argument ; heaven knows , I ’ ll be there soon enough — if I ’ m lucky .
But it ’ s not a great idea for a representative government to be dominated by a group that ’ s three to four decades older than the average American .
Tom Nichols : The only bright spot in Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not working We wish all of these people fine health and 100 more years .
Yet it is concerning to see our democracy evolve into a gerontocracy .
Our political culture would be more innovative , forward-thinking and problem-solving if a wide range of generations were represented at the top .
Even without COVID , this is concerning Baby Boomers get a lot of flak for dominating U.S. culture , business and politics since the 1970s .
But Biden , McConnell , Pelosi , and Clyburn are pre-boomers , belonging to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potty-training before the bombs fell on Pearl Harbor .
If Biden wins in November , he will have reached the average life expectancy just in time for his inauguration .
He ’ ll be the oldest president ever to take office , a record currently held by Donald Trump .
Even without COVID-19 , this is concerning .
Anyone who watched Biden as vice president knows that he ’ s lost several steps .
Since the 2020 campaign began , he regularly loses his train of thought , mangles common words and appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the rich : From Trump on down , people of means have shaped our COVID-19 experience .
That must change .
While Trump has been more physically energetic , his detractors have consistently pushed rumors that he ’ s also in mental decline .
“ If Donald Trump were your father , ” psychologist John Gartner wrote , “ you would run , not walk , to a neurologist for an evaluation of his cognitive health.
” America ’ s come a long way .
The signers of the Declaration of Independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Put all the U.S. presidents together and you ’ ll get an average age of 55 .
Diversity in age should matter , too It ’ s not like voters didn ’ t have other choices .
In 2016 , Sens .
Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz , and Govs .
Bobby Jindal and Scott Walker were all in their mid-40s .
This year ’ s Democratic field offered four candidates in their 40s and two in their 30s .
They say with age comes wisdom , but that ’ s in short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to legislate , using problems as ammo for the next election cycle .
Trump and Biden snipe at each other and flatter their base instead of reaching out to the massive group of Americans who identify as independents or who ’ ve totally checked out of politics .
Perhaps in 2024 , we ’ ll consider a diversity of ages to be as much of a strength as diversity in gender and race .
Jon Gabriel , a Mesa , Arizona , resident , is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originally appeared .
Follow him on Twitter at @ exjon .

Why do we keep electing people who are twice as old as the average American? Even without COVID-19, the age gap between our top elected leaders and the average American is concerning.
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump, first lady test positive for coronavirus President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 and "will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately." USA TODAY
The news that the president and first lady tested positive for COVID-19 made much of the recent events feel like ancient history. October surprises will be a daily event this cycle, 2020 being what it is.
Joe Biden has gotten the all-clear, for now, and Donald Trump, hopefully, will be back to full strength soon.
In a way, America has been fortunate considering the advanced age of both candidates and nearly all of our leaders. People over 70 face the highest risk from the novel coronavirus; we’ve been lucky more politicians haven’t succumbed.
There are few young people at the top
In a nation with a median age of 38.4, the two presidential nominees are twice that at 74 and 77. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is 78, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is 80.
Pelosi’s lieutenant, James Clyburn, is also 80, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is 69. The median age of the Supreme Court is over 65. All of these leaders are past retirement age.
The only major Washington figures not included in this cohort are the House minority leader and whip, who are in their mid-50s. Everyone else likely would be a pensioner if they lived in the private sector.
This isn’t an ageist argument; heaven knows, I’ll be there soon enough — if I’m lucky. But it’s not a great idea for a representative government to be dominated by a group that’s three to four decades older than the average American.
Tom Nichols: The only bright spot in Trump's Soviet-style COVID-19 strategy is that it's not working
We wish all of these people fine health and 100 more years. Yet it is concerning to see our democracy evolve into a gerontocracy. Our political culture would be more innovative, forward-thinking and problem-solving if a wide range of generations were represented at the top.
Even without COVID, this is concerning
Baby Boomers get a lot of flak for dominating U.S. culture, business and politics since the 1970s. But Biden, McConnell, Pelosi, and Clyburn are pre-boomers, belonging to the Silent Generation. The last three were potty-training before the bombs fell on Pearl Harbor.
If Biden wins in November, he will have reached the average life expectancy just in time for his inauguration. He’ll be the oldest president ever to take office, a record currently held by Donald Trump.
Even without COVID-19, this is concerning.
Anyone who watched Biden as vice president knows that he’s lost several steps. Since the 2020 campaign began, he regularly loses his train of thought, mangles common words and appears adrift.
Focus on the poor, not the rich: From Trump on down, people of means have shaped our COVID-19 experience. That must change.
While Trump has been more physically energetic, his detractors have consistently pushed rumors that he’s also in mental decline. “If Donald Trump were your father,” psychologist John Gartner wrote, “you would run, not walk, to a neurologist for an evaluation of his cognitive health.”
America’s come a long way. The signers of the Declaration of Independence had an average age of 40. Put all the U.S. presidents together and you’ll get an average age of 55.
Diversity in age should matter, too
It’s not like voters didn’t have other choices.
In 2016, Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, and Govs. Bobby Jindal and Scott Walker were all in their mid-40s. This year’s Democratic field offered four candidates in their 40s and two in their 30s.
They say with age comes wisdom, but that’s in short supply around the Beltway. Congress refuses to legislate, using problems as ammo for the next election cycle. Trump and Biden snipe at each other and flatter their base instead of reaching out to the massive group of Americans who identify as independents or who’ve totally checked out of politics.
Perhaps in 2024, we’ll consider a diversity of ages to be as much of a strength as diversity in gender and race.
Jon Gabriel, a Mesa, Arizona, resident, is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor to The Republic and azcentral.com, where this column originally appeared. Follow him on Twitter at @exjon.


usatoday--2020-10-10--Opinion: Even though Lakers lost Game 5, LeBron James made the right call on final play

The Los Angeles Lakers ’ star seemingly did anything he wanted when he attacked the rim and shot from deep .
Therefore , it only seemed natural that LeBron James would have the ball on the final play .
That play did not end with James taking the final shot , though .
Instead , the play ended with James passing to Danny Green before missing an open 3-pointer and Markief Morris throwing an erratic pass that went out of bounds .
Moments later , the Lakers finished with a 111-108 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 5 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only did that extend the series to a Game 6 on Sunday .
Not only did that deny the Lakers a chance to cement their 17th NBA title and their first in 10 years .
And not only did the outcome dampen James ’ masterpiece that included 40 points while shooting 15-of-21 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3-point range along with 13 rebounds , seven assists and three steals .
The ending also brought up both an equally tired and unfair criticism pertaining to when James declines to take the final shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s best player .
“ I 've always played the game the same way since I was a kid and I 've had success doing it , ” James said .
“ I wo n't let a play here or a play there change my outlook on the game and how I play the game.
” James caught flak for making a similar play in Game 1 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals between Cleveland and the Detroit Pistons .
Then , James drove to the basket with the Cavs trailing by two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a double team .
So he dished the ball to a wide-open Donyell Marshall behind the 3-point line .
Marshall missed , but James made the right play because he found the open man .
Nearly 13 years and three NBA titles later , James did the same thing .
He first received Green ’ s inbounds pass near halfcourt with the Lakers trailing , 109-108 , with 16.3 seconds left .
After Green set a screen on Jimmy Butler , James drove to his right .
But Butler stayed with James just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged toward the basket , only for Bam Adebayo to greet him while Butler leaped in the air .
So while facing a near triple team , James zipped the ball to Green .
After bobbling the pass , Green ’ s shot fell short .
Morris grabbed the rebound , but his poor pass to Anthony Davis inside went out of bounds with 2.2 seconds left .
“ It 's one of the best shots that we could have gotten , I feel , in that fourth quarter , especially down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” James said .
“ It just did n't go down .
I know he wishes he can have it again .
But I wish I could make a better pass.
” Still , James rightfully does not wish he had taken the shot instead because it would have been much harder to make through a triple team .
For those who contend that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant would have still taken the shot because they were more dominant scorers who lived for these moments ?
They sound idiotic because both of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same way James did in Game 5 against Miami .
With the Bulls leading by two with under a minute left in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals against the Lakers , Jordan drove the lane , met a double team and found an open John Paxson to drill what was essentially a game-sealing jumper .
Six years later , Jordan did it again .
With the Bulls tied with the Utah Jazz with 11 seconds left in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals , Jordan met a double team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game-winner above the free-throw line to win the series .
Bryant took a similar approach .
With the Lakers and Orlando Magic tied in Game 4 of the 2009 NBA Finals with 34.1 seconds left in overtime , Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson double teamed Bryant in the post .
So Bryant whipped the ball to Derek Fisher for the go-ahead 3-pointer .
In Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics , Bryant navigated a double team and found an open Ron Artest for a 3-pointer that gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining .
Therefore , it makes absolutely zero sense to praise Jordan and Bryant with trusting their teammates while criticizing James for trusting his .
“ He was ready to take on the whole team , ” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said of James .
“ He had two guys on him .
A third defender came .
So with three guys on you , he made the right play .
Danny is one of our best shooters , he had a great look , and we live with the results.
” Besides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results for reasons that have nothing to do with the final play .
Butler remained unstoppable with 35 points , 12 rebounds and 11 assists .
The Lakers disputed Davis ’ foul that rewarded Butler a pair of foul shots that gave the Lakers a 107-106 lead with 46.7 seconds left .
Though Davis still had 28 points , 12 rebounds , three assists , three steals and three blocks , he looked hobbled while nursing an aggravated right heel .
Morris , Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo combined for 0-of-7 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Dwight Howard inexplicably committed a Flagrant Foul 1 on Butler .
And yes , Green and Morris screwed up on the final play .
But don ’ t blame James for trusting them .
Blame Green and Morris for not living up to the moment the way Paxson , Kerr , Fisher and Artest did .
“ They ’ re vets .
I do n't think too much needs to be said to them , ” James said .
“ I believe they will be much better and I 'm not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everybody in the lineup tonight that got minutes gave the effort .
We just had some mental breakdowns at times.
” One thing is clear : James ’ pass on the final play was not a mental breakdown whatsoever .
It captured James ’ intent to play the right way , which put the Lakers in a position to begin with to cement an NBA title .
They will try again in Game 6 on Sunday .

Opinion: Even though Lakers lost Game 5, LeBron James made the right call on final play
Show Caption Hide Caption NBA Finals: Heat stay alive with Game 5 win, set sights on more SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon breaks down what was easily the most entertaining game of this NBA Finals, which saw Jimmy Butler and the Heat out-duel the Lakers and force a Game 6. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
The Los Angeles Lakers’ star seemingly did anything he wanted when he attacked the rim and shot from deep. Therefore, it only seemed natural that LeBron James would have the ball on the final play.
That play did not end with James taking the final shot, though. Instead, the play ended with James passing to Danny Green before missing an open 3-pointer and Markief Morris throwing an erratic pass that went out of bounds.
Moments later, the Lakers finished with a 111-108 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Friday. Not only did that extend the series to a Game 6 on Sunday. Not only did that deny the Lakers a chance to cement their 17th NBA title and their first in 10 years. And not only did the outcome dampen James’ masterpiece that included 40 points while shooting 15-of-21 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3-point range along with 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
The ending also brought up both an equally tired and unfair criticism pertaining to when James declines to take the final shot even if he remains the team’s best player.
“I've always played the game the same way since I was a kid and I've had success doing it,” James said. “I won't let a play here or a play there change my outlook on the game and how I play the game.”
James caught flak for making a similar play in Game 1 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals between Cleveland and the Detroit Pistons. Then, James drove to the basket with the Cavs trailing by two with 12 seconds left. He met a double team. So he dished the ball to a wide-open Donyell Marshall behind the 3-point line. Marshall missed, but James made the right play because he found the open man.
Nearly 13 years and three NBA titles later, James did the same thing. He first received Green’s inbounds pass near halfcourt with the Lakers trailing, 109-108, with 16.3 seconds left. After Green set a screen on Jimmy Butler, James drove to his right. But Butler stayed with James just as Duncan Robinson switched.
James still charged toward the basket, only for Bam Adebayo to greet him while Butler leaped in the air. So while facing a near triple team, James zipped the ball to Green. After bobbling the pass, Green’s shot fell short. Morris grabbed the rebound, but his poor pass to Anthony Davis inside went out of bounds with 2.2 seconds left.
“It's one of the best shots that we could have gotten, I feel, in that fourth quarter, especially down the stretch with two guys on me,” James said. “It just didn't go down. I know he wishes he can have it again. But I wish I could make a better pass.”
Still, James rightfully does not wish he had taken the shot instead because it would have been much harder to make through a triple team. For those who contend that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant would have still taken the shot because they were more dominant scorers who lived for these moments? They sound idiotic because both of those players operated in the NBA Finals the same way James did in Game 5 against Miami.
With the Bulls leading by two with under a minute left in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals against the Lakers, Jordan drove the lane, met a double team and found an open John Paxson to drill what was essentially a game-sealing jumper. Six years later, Jordan did it again. With the Bulls tied with the Utah Jazz with 11 seconds left in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Jordan met a double team and found Steve Kerr to drill the game-winner above the free-throw line to win the series.
Bryant took a similar approach. With the Lakers and Orlando Magic tied in Game 4 of the 2009 NBA Finals with 34.1 seconds left in overtime, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson double teamed Bryant in the post. So Bryant whipped the ball to Derek Fisher for the go-ahead 3-pointer. In Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Bryant navigated a double team and found an open Ron Artest for a 3-pointer that gave the Lakers a six-point lead with a minute remaining.
Therefore, it makes absolutely zero sense to praise Jordan and Bryant with trusting their teammates while criticizing James for trusting his.
“He was ready to take on the whole team,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said of James. “He had two guys on him. A third defender came. So with three guys on you, he made the right play. Danny is one of our best shooters, he had a great look, and we live with the results.”
Besides, the Lakers have to live with the results for reasons that have nothing to do with the final play.
Butler remained unstoppable with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The Lakers disputed Davis’ foul that rewarded Butler a pair of foul shots that gave the Lakers a 107-106 lead with 46.7 seconds left. Though Davis still had 28 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks, he looked hobbled while nursing an aggravated right heel. Morris, Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo combined for 0-of-7 from deep. The Lakers committed 21 fouls, while Dwight Howard inexplicably committed a Flagrant Foul 1 on Butler.
And yes, Green and Morris screwed up on the final play. But don’t blame James for trusting them. Blame Green and Morris for not living up to the moment the way Paxson, Kerr, Fisher and Artest did.
“They’re vets. I don't think too much needs to be said to them,” James said. “I believe they will be much better and I'm not saying they even played bad tonight. Everybody in the lineup tonight that got minutes gave the effort. We just had some mental breakdowns at times.”
One thing is clear: James’ pass on the final play was not a mental breakdown whatsoever. It captured James’ intent to play the right way, which put the Lakers in a position to begin with to cement an NBA title. They will try again in Game 6 on Sunday.
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-10-10--High school football is the new battleground of COVID-19 school reopenings

Myles Mooyoung was eager to start the fall football season at Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago .
The 17-year-old senior defensive back needed updated recordings of his plays to attract college scouts and vie for an athletic scholarship .
But by the start of school , it was clear that was n't going to happen in Illinois .
After Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and the state health department ordered high-risk school sports such as football pushed to spring because of COVID-19 concerns , Mooyoung and his family made a quick and unusual decision : Mooyoung moved four hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , which is allowing interscholastic football competitions this fall .
Instead of sitting out the season , he 's playing for Wylie E. Groves High School in the Detroit suburbs .
He had six tackles and two interceptions Oct. 2 to help his new school win 36-26 ; the team lost 35-28 Friday .
Mooyoung is an elite athlete — and an example of the steps parents with resources will take to support their children 's dreams .
But his story is the latest flashpoint in the national debate about how schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic : Is it safe to hold high school sports , regardless of whether students are in school ?
And if so , what modifications are families willing to accept ?
Across the country , some parents have waged protests and filed lawsuits to pressure politicians , health officials and state sports associations to resume competitive fall sports , particularly football .
The efforts ' leaders are many of the same parents who have battled schools ' decisions to hold class online .
`` Sports and school are intertwined , '' said David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban Chicago .
He brought a lawsuit this month against the Illinois High School Association in the hopes of restarting football .
`` Who are we helping by keeping sports closed ? ''
According to the Illinois Department of Health : a lot of people .
`` There is higher risk of COVID-19 infection associated with high contact sports , '' said Melaney Arnold , a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health .
In states where sports such as football are underway , Arnold said , COVID-19 positivity rates are double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to infection information from those states .
She pointed to cities like St. Louis , Dallas , and Danbury , Connecticut , where coronavirus infections and the death of a young coach have been traced back to youth sports .
Even in Michigan where Mooyoung is competing , some high schools have had to cancel football games and quarantine entire teams recently because of COVID-19 infections and exposure .
Nevertheless , parents and students in Illinois and around the country have protested postponing football and other fall sports until spring .
They 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stress the mental and physical benefits of interscholastic competition , particularly since many students returned to online learning this fall instead of fully in-person classes this fall .
But even for districts allowing fall sports to proceed as normal , it has n't always been easy .
Some parents have resisted schools ' safety measures , like mask mandates in the stands .
That 's caused some districts to beef up security or stop games — or in one instance , tase a parent for trespassing .
`` It 's messy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Federation of State High School Associations , which represents the 51 associations running activities at about 20,000 high schools nationwide .
The decisions to play or postpone sports can look different even between neighboring school districts , she said .
`` People desperately miss activities .
They want their kids back in school , '' Niehoff said .
`` But the reality is different from place to place . ''
Given football 's esteemed place in American culture , it 's no surprise families and fans have fought hard for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 infections have been high .
In all , 31 states have modified fall sports competitions because of the pandemic , according to the national federation .
Fourteen states are carrying on as normal .
In Virginia , North Carolina , Oregon , Nevada , California and Washington , D.C. , all fall competitions have been postponed until late winter or spring .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine , a Republican , announced in mid-August he would allow fall youth sports to proceed , provided all athletes followed strict safety protocols .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Columbus and Cincinnati , started their seasons later due to high infection rates in their areas .
Those districts also started the year with all students learning remotely .
Parents and athletes in Cincinnati protested that pause , saying low-income students especially relied on sports to give them focus and a safe place to go after school .
In New York , Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said low- and moderate-risk sports such as soccer , field hockey and cross country could practice and play , but high-risk sports such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — because of concerns about spreading the virus .
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association then announced it would push fall football to spring , along with volleyball and cheerleading .
Then in late September , a parent of a high school senior quarterback in Niagara filed a class-action lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court .
Postponing the season , the lawsuit said , amounted to discrimination against senior football players who would not have the same chance to be scouted for scholarships as their peers allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ruggles , the suburban Chicago parent , tried a slightly different tactic .
He filed a lawsuit against the Illinois High School Association , on the grounds that it did n't follow its bylaws in adjusting the season .
A judge ruled against the parents , which means the Illinois COVID-19 sports guidance still stands : Students can practice and compete in lower-risk sports this fall , such as golf , cross country and tennis .
Students are prohibited from competing in medium-risk sports like soccer and volleyball , and high-risk sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this is the restrictions we have from our governor , '' said Craig Anderson , executive director of the IHSA .
Now the Illinois parents and students have doubled down on in-person protests .
Student athletes marched to the governor 's house in Chicago last weekend and continued their protests this week .
Ruggles said sports provide a recreational and social outlet for children , which is important for their mental health .
He said Illinois ' rates of positive COVID cases are not much different than Indiana , a state where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids get the virus , they do n't get that sick , '' Ruggles said .
`` They 're out and about anyway .
The flip side if they do n't play is anxiety and depression . ''
Is it safe to play sports ?
Medical and education experts are split on what 's best for students .
The physical and mental benefits of sports are paramount for students ' development , especially after being cooped up for months because of the pandemic , said Dr. David M. Smith , director of youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health System .
Mask requirements and other safety measures , such as social distancing , washing and sanitizing your hands , playing outside and limiting shared sports equipment can lower the risk of spreading infection , he said .
`` I think we ’ re safer on the field , honestly , '' Smith said .
`` Youth are still going to get together with their friends , '' even if practices and games are canceled .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says administrators of youth sports organizations should consult with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if practices and games can be held .
The CDC 's considerations for youth sports includes safety measures such as social distancing and the limited sharing of sports equipment to mitigate the spread of the virus .
Meanwhile , some education experts are questioning the push to resume athletics .
“ If it 's too dangerous to hold classes in-person , including physical education , and if other meaningful extracurricular activities such as theater and band have been put on pause , why should sports resume ? ''
asked Christine Ashby , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , Ashby said , some districts are playing competitive fall sports allowed by the state , while others have postponed them .
The cancellations fall hardest on lower-income students .
Their districts face greater financial and logistical challenges to implementing new safety measures , Ashby said .
Schools ' next struggle : What to do with misbehaving fans Some districts hosting fall competitions have struggled to enforce safety restrictions with fans , such as mask mandates .
In Ohio , a mother who refused to wear a mask and then refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was tased when she resisted the school resource officer .
The mother said she did n't wear a mask because she had asthma .
In Idaho , anti-government activist Ammon Bundy recently tried to attend a high school football game but refused to wear a mask .
When he also refused to leave the vicinity of the field , officials reportedly shut down the football game .
The school district later said the game was ended early because of a threat called into the school .
In Nebraska , where fall sports have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced backlash for restricting fans to only those rooting for the home team .
Tawana Grover , the superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools , said she and the school board made the move to limit crowds , as the region had been a coronavirus hotspot in the spring .
But when some parents started protesting on social media and encouraging visiting teams ' fans to ignore the safety protocols , Grover announced the district would beef up security at games and order anyone without a ticket to leave .
`` Every district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safest for them , '' Grover said .
Grover said she and the board are weighing whether to allow visiting team fans for the last home game on Oct. 16 .
After that , Grand Island will have to decide how to handle fans in an even more concerning environment : indoors , when basketball season starts .
Contact Erin Richards at ( 414 ) 207-3145 or erin.richards @ usatoday.com .
Follow her on Twitter at @ emrichards .

High school football is the new battleground of COVID-19 school reopenings
Show Caption Hide Caption Infectious disease expert warns against playing football in non-bubble, pleads for sports leaders to confront governors SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon connected with one of Yale's top infectious diseases experts to get his take on the NFL and college football's attempt to play in a non-bubble format. He also pleaded for the leaders of the sports world to confront their local governments. USA TODAY
Myles Mooyoung was eager to start the fall football season at Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago. The 17-year-old senior defensive back needed updated recordings of his plays to attract college scouts and vie for an athletic scholarship.
But by the start of school, it was clear that wasn't going to happen in Illinois. After Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state health department ordered high-risk school sports such as football pushed to spring because of COVID-19 concerns, Mooyoung and his family made a quick and unusual decision: Mooyoung moved four hours north to live with his father in Michigan, which is allowing interscholastic football competitions this fall.
Instead of sitting out the season, he's playing for Wylie E. Groves High School in the Detroit suburbs. He had six tackles and two interceptions Oct. 2 to help his new school win 36-26; the team lost 35-28 Friday.
Mooyoung is an elite athlete – and an example of the steps parents with resources will take to support their children's dreams. But his story is the latest flashpoint in the national debate about how schools should reopen in the middle of a pandemic: Is it safe to hold high school sports, regardless of whether students are in school? And if so, what modifications are families willing to accept?
Week 2 highlights https://t.co/rnRFC6XHc3 6 tackles 2 INT 1 PBU — Myles Mooyoung (@showtimemoo) October 4, 2020
Across the country, some parents have waged protests and filed lawsuits to pressure politicians, health officials and state sports associations to resume competitive fall sports, particularly football. The efforts' leaders are many of the same parents who have battled schools' decisions to hold classes online.
"Sports and school are intertwined," said David Ruggles, a father of five in suburban Chicago. He brought a lawsuit this month against the Illinois High School Association in the hopes of restarting football. "Who are we helping by keeping sports closed?"
According to the Illinois Department of Health: a lot of people.
"There is higher risk of COVID-19 infection associated with high contact sports," said Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In states where sports such as football are underway, Arnold said, COVID-19 positivity rates are double what they are in Illinois, according to infection information from those states. She pointed to cities like St. Louis, Dallas, and Danbury, Connecticut, where coronavirus infections and the death of a young coach have been traced back to youth sports.
Athletes testing positive: With games canceled, some parents debate hiding COVID-19 results
Even in Michigan where Mooyoung is competing, some high schools have had to cancel football games and quarantine entire teams recently because of COVID-19 infections and exposure.
Nevertheless, parents and students in Illinois and around the country have protested postponing football and other fall sports until spring. They've used the social media hashtag #LetUsPlay to stress the mental and physical benefits of interscholastic competition, particularly since many students returned to online learning this fall instead of fully in-person classes.
But even for districts allowing fall sports to proceed as normal, it hasn't always been easy. Some parents have resisted schools' safety measures, like mask mandates in the stands. That's caused some districts to beef up security or stop games – or in one instance, tase a parent for trespassing.
"It's messy," said Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, which represents the 51 associations running activities at about 20,000 high schools nationwide.
The decisions to play or postpone sports can look different even between neighboring school districts, she said.
"People desperately miss activities. They want their kids back in school," Niehoff said. "But the reality is different from place to place."
Tensions flare over fall football
Given football's esteemed place in American culture, it's no surprise families and fans have fought hard for its return, even in places where COVID-19 infections have been high.
In all, 31 states have modified fall sports competitions because of the pandemic, according to the national federation. Fourteen states are carrying on as normal. In Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Nevada, California and Washington, D.C., all fall competitions have been postponed until late winter or spring.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, announced in mid-August he would allow fall youth sports to proceed, provided all athletes followed strict safety protocols.
But some of Ohio's urban districts, such as Columbus and Cincinnati, started their seasons later due to high infection rates in their areas. Those districts also started the year with all students learning remotely. Parents and athletes in Cincinnati protested that pause, saying low-income students especially relied on sports to give them focus and a safe place to go after school.
'Let us play':Cincinnati Public Schools parents, athletes organize protest rally
In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo said low- and moderate-risk sports such as soccer, field hockey and cross country could practice and play, but high-risk sports such as football could only practice – not compete – because of concerns about spreading the virus.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association then announced it would push fall football to spring, along with volleyball and cheerleading.
Then in late September, a parent of a high school senior quarterback in Niagara filed a class-action lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court. Postponing the season, the lawsuit said, amounted to discrimination against senior football players who would not have the same chance to be scouted for scholarships as their peers allowed to play in other states.
In Illinois, Ruggles, the suburban Chicago parent, tried a slightly different tactic. He filed a lawsuit against the Illinois High School Association, on the grounds that it didn't follow its bylaws in adjusting the season.
A judge ruled against the parents, which means the Illinois COVID-19 sports guidance still stands: Students can practice and compete in lower-risk sports this fall, such as golf, cross country and tennis. Students are prohibited from competing in medium-risk sports like soccer and volleyball, and high-risk sports such as football.
"The heart of this is the restrictions we have from our governor," said Craig Anderson, executive director of the IHSA.
Now the Illinois parents and students have doubled down on in-person protests. Student-athletes marched to the governor's house in Chicago last weekend and continued their protests this week.
Thornton’s Jonny Rodriguez, Solorio Academy’s Lizbeth Barajas & Plainfield Central’s Kaylie Dahms held a press conference Thurs morning w/ media, announcing they are requesting a face-to-face meeting with Gov. Pritzker, IDPH director Jesse Ruiz and Dr. Ezike. #IHSA #LetUSPlay 1/2 pic.twitter.com/GZQPA6BJYD — Trost (@TrustTrost) October 8, 2020
Ruggles said sports provide a recreational and social outlet for children, which is important for their mental health. He said Illinois' rates of positive COVID-19 cases are not much different than Indiana, a state where fall football has resumed.
"When kids get the virus, they don't get that sick," Ruggles said. "They're out and about anyway. The flip side if they don't play is anxiety and depression."
Coronavirus at school? Florida schools reopened en masse, but a COVID-19 surge didn't follow
Is it safe to play sports?
Medical and education experts are split on what's best for students.
The physical and mental benefits of sports are paramount for students' development, especially after being cooped up for months because of the pandemic, said Dr. David M. Smith, director of youth sports medicine at the University of Kansas Health System.
Mask requirements and other safety measures, such as social distancing, washing and sanitizing your hands, playing outside and limiting shared sports equipment can lower the risk of spreading infection, he said.
"I think we’re safer on the field, honestly," Smith said. "Youth are still going to get together with their friends," even if practices and games are canceled.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says administrators of youth sports organizations should consult with state and local health officials to determine if practices and games can be held. The CDC's considerations for youth sports include safety measures such as social distancing and the limited sharing of sports equipment to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, some education experts are questioning the push to resume athletics.
“If it's too dangerous to hold classes in person, including physical education, and if other meaningful extracurricular activities such as theater and band have been put on pause, why should sports resume?" asked Christine Ashby, a Syracuse University education professor.
In central New York, Ashby said, some districts are playing competitive fall sports allowed by the state, while others have postponed them.
The cancellations fall hardest on lower-income students. Their districts face greater financial and logistical challenges to implementing new safety measures, Ashby said.
Schools' next struggle: What to do with misbehaving fans
Some districts hosting fall competitions have struggled to enforce safety restrictions with fans, such as mask mandates.
In Ohio, a mother who refused to wear a mask and then refused to leave a middle school football game was tased when she resisted the school resource officer. The mother said she didn't wear a mask because she had asthma.
Woman tased after refusing to a wear mask at school football game Police in Logan, Ohio say the woman was arrested and tased only after refusing to leave for not complying with school policy to wear a face mask. Storyful, Wochit
In Idaho, anti-government activist Ammon Bundy recently tried to attend a high school football game but refused to wear a mask. When he also refused to leave the vicinity of the field, officials reportedly shut down the football game. The school district later said the game was ended early because of a threat called into the school.
In Nebraska, where fall sports have resumed competitions, one district superintendent has faced backlash for restricting fans to only those rooting for the home team.
Tawana Grover, the superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools, said she and the school board made the move to limit crowds, as the region had been a coronavirus hot spot in the spring.
But when some parents started protesting on social media and encouraging visiting teams' fans to ignore the safety protocols, Grover announced the district would beef up security at games and order anyone without a ticket to leave.
"Every district has to think about what's best and safest for them," Grover said.
Grover said she and the board are weighing whether to allow visiting team fans for the last home game on Oct. 16.
After that, Grand Island will have to decide how to handle fans in an even more concerning environment: indoors, when basketball season starts.
Contributing: Steven Blackledge, The Columbus Dispatch; Scott Springer, The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Contact Erin Richards at (414) 207-3145 or erin.richards@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @emrichards.


usatoday--2020-10-10--Opinion: Mike Brosseau powers Rays into ALCS by getting revenge vs. Yankees' Aroldis Chapman

SAN DIEGO — The Tampa Bay Rays refused to leave Friday night , partying on the field , smoking cigars and staging a dance-off .
They also mocked and trolled the Yankees , dancing to “ New York , New York , ’ ’ and even going so far as to ridicule Frank Sinatra .
Oh , yeah , they were in their own “ Empire State of Mind , '' and loving every single second .
The Rays , getting the ultimate revenge , knocked off the powerful Yankees in the most satisfying way possible , winning the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , 2-1 , on a home run by Mike Brosseau .
They advance to the ALCS to play the Houston Astros .
“ I don ’ t know that anybody who follows the game of baseball could be happier for us , ’ ’ said Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks , “ especially getting revenge when he almost got decapitated.
’ ’ Yes , he ’ s talking about that Sept. 1 game at Yankee Stadium when Brosseau went to the plate and Chapman fired a 101-mph fastball towards his head that barely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A nasty exchange of words followed , and Chapman received a three-game suspension that was never served .
“ I got a whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98 !
’ ’ Rays manager Kevin Cash said that night .
“ Period ! ''
Now , five weeks later , with Brosseau facing Chapman with one out in the eighth inning , Brosseau battled Chapman for 10 pitches , sending the last one , a 100.2-mph fastball , over the left field fence .
“ Hands down , ’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve ever been part of in baseball.
’ ’ The Rays went nuts .
They jumped over the dugout railing .
They pounded fists .
Screamed until their lungs burned .
And looked over at the Yankees ’ bench , and saw nothing but silence .
“ I blacked out , ’ ’ Rays starter Tyler Glasnow said .
“ No way .
No way .
…That was the most memorable moment I ’ ve ever been a part of.
’ ’ Glasnow took a deep breath , composed himself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he just witnessed .
“ That was like very much storybook , ’ ’ Glasnow said .
“ That was crazy .
To have that long of an at-bat , to battle that long , all of the history we ’ ve had , and for Brosseau to hit a bomb off Chapman , that ’ s just nuts.
’ ’ Said Rays outfielder Austin Meadows , who homered off Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the fifth inning : “ You can ’ t script it .
For that to happen early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it at the end , you just can ’ t script it .
Very special moment .
Being part of that game , being part of that moment with Brosseau , you really can ’ t put that in words .
The Rays , knowing they couldn ’ t celebrate the way they normally would – spraying champagne and being intoxicated in a matter of minutes – instead shot off confetti in the clubhouse , had beers , and took their celebration onto the field , where they posed for pictures , danced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could during a pandemic .
“ Just a lot of emotion , ’ ’ Glasnow said , “ a lot of sounds that I haven ’ t heard grown men make for sure .
We can ’ t have champagne , but the emotion and everything that happened just made up for it.
’ ’ Yeah , and considering the way they have been bullied by the Yankees since the franchise was born before finally beating them up this year ( 11-4 in their 15 games ) , they couldn ’ t help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them for their taste of music by blasting Sinatra ’ s “ New York , New York.
’ ’ “ I prefer happier music than Frank Sinatra , ’ ’ Fairbanks said .
“ That song kind of gets on my nerves to be honest.
’ ’ Yep , kind of like the Yankees did , until Brosseau took care of that with one swing of the bat .
“ The baseball gods answered that one , ’ ’ Fairbanks said .
“ You watched it .
I watched it .
We watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of itself on the field the way it was supposed to.
’ ’ Brosseau , 26 , undrafted four years ago out of Oakland University in Rochester , Michigan , entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning .
But he insists he was not thinking about revenge when he stepped to the plate .
It never crossed his mind , he said .
Well , at least that ’ s his story , and he was sticking to it .
“ The revenge aspect was not a thought on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his teammates were on the field playing , Jay-Z ’ s “ Empire State of Mind . ''
“ It was a business trip .
At the beginning of the year , we knew they were going to be in our way where we wanted to be.
’ ’ Really , the only sweet revenge on Brosseau ’ s mind was the fact that 29 other teams in baseball could have signed him out of college , but only the Rays showed interest .
“ To have the Rays give me a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did , ’ ’ Brosseau said , “ certainly made it a little more special .
We have a lot of guys who have been overlooked early in their career .
The combination of everybody having a little bit of a chip on their shoulder , coming to the park , and doing their part , is a dangerous combination.
’ ’ The Rays are awfully scary .
They not only have tremendous talent , but the guts to do anything , and everything – like having their starter go on two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the third inning , employing four-man outfields , and using ace Blake Snell as nothing more than a decoy .
It ’ s a team that no one outside Florida knows , but now they are making sure you know how to pronounce their names and spell them right .
And they are chiding ESPN and every national media outlet for not giving them the love they deserve .
“ We beat their Golden Child ( in the Yankees ) , ’ ’ Fairbanks said of ESPN .
“ After last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit we were on the brink ( of a championship ) .
So we might as well ruin their day up there in Connecticut .
Oh , how they ’ re proving just that , loud and clear .
“ The Rays kind of fly under the radar a little bit , ’ ’ pitcher Nick Anderson said , “ and don ’ t get the publicity that big markets get .
“ I think everybody should know who we are now .
And the Rays are sitting atop of it .

Opinion: Mike Brosseau powers Rays into ALCS by getting revenge vs. Yankees' Aroldis Chapman
Show Caption Hide Caption ALCS: Rays bring big bats and arms to matchup with Astros SportsPulse: The Tampa Bay Rays dispatched the New York Yankees and will now face the Houston Astros in an ALCS which promises to feature a lot of fire power. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
SAN DIEGO — The Tampa Bay Rays refused to leave Friday night, partying on the field, smoking cigars and staging a dance-off. They also mocked and trolled the Yankees, dancing to “New York, New York,’’ and even going so far as to ridicule Frank Sinatra.
Oh, yeah, they were in their own “Empire State of Mind," and loving every single second.
The Rays, getting the ultimate revenge, knocked off the powerful Yankees in the most satisfying way possible, winning the American League Division Series in the decisive Game 5, 2-1, on a home run by Mike Brosseau. They advance to the ALCS to play the Houston Astros.
“I don’t know that anybody who follows the game of baseball could be happier for us,’’ said Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks, “especially getting revenge when he almost got decapitated.’’
Yes, he’s talking about that Sept. 1 game at Yankee Stadium when Brosseau went to the plate and Chapman fired a 101-mph fastball towards his head that barely missed, prompting the benches to clear. A nasty exchange of words followed, and Chapman received a three-game suspension that was never served.
“I got a whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98!’’ Rays manager Kevin Cash said that night. “Period!"
Now, five weeks later, with Brosseau facing Chapman with one out in the eighth inning, Brosseau battled Chapman for 10 pitches, sending the last one, a 100.2-mph fastball, over the left field fence.
“Hands down,’’ Cash said, “the greatest moment I’ve ever been part of in baseball.’’
The Rays went nuts. They jumped over the dugout railing. They pounded fists. Screamed until their lungs burned. And looked over at the Yankees’ bench, and saw nothing but silence.
“I blacked out,’’ Rays starter Tyler Glasnow said. “No way. No way. …That was the most memorable moment I’ve ever been a part of.’’
Glasnow took a deep breath, composed himself, and still was trying to grasp what he just witnessed.
“That was like very much storybook,’’ Glasnow said. “That was crazy. To have that long of an at-bat, to battle that long, all of the history we’ve had, and for Brosseau to hit a bomb off Chapman, that’s just nuts.’’
Said Rays outfielder Austin Meadows, who homered off Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the fifth inning: “You can’t script it. For that to happen early in the year, and then to face it at the end, you just can’t script it. Very special moment. Being part of that game, being part of that moment with Brosseau, you really can’t put that in words.
“It couldn’t happen to a better guy.’’
The Rays, knowing they couldn’t celebrate the way they normally would – spraying champagne and being intoxicated in a matter of minutes – instead shot off confetti in the clubhouse, had beers, and took their celebration onto the field, where they posed for pictures, danced, and partied as much as you could during a pandemic.
“Just a lot of emotion,’’ Glasnow said, “a lot of sounds that I haven’t heard grown men make for sure. We can’t have champagne, but the emotion and everything that happened just made up for it.’’
Yeah, and considering the way they have been bullied by the Yankees since the franchise was born before finally beating them up this year (11-4 in their 15 games), they couldn’t help but troll the Yankees, even chiding them for their taste of music by blasting Sinatra’s “New York, New York.’’
“I prefer happier music than Frank Sinatra,’’ Fairbanks said. “That song kind of gets on my nerves to be honest.’’
Yep, kind of like the Yankees did, until Brosseau took care of that with one swing of the bat.
“The baseball gods answered that one,’’ Fairbanks said. “You watched it. I watched it. We watched it.
“The game took care of itself on the field the way it was supposed to.’’
Bronx boogie pic.twitter.com/7wD5wOVcb5 — Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 10, 2020
Brosseau, 26, undrafted four years ago out of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. But he insists he was not thinking about revenge when he stepped to the plate. It never crossed his mind, he said.
Well, at least that’s his story, and he was sticking to it.
“The revenge aspect was not a thought on my mind,’’ said Brosseau, as his teammates were on the field playing, Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind."
“It was a business trip. At the beginning of the year, we knew they were going to be in our way where we wanted to be.’’
Really, the only sweet revenge on Brosseau’s mind was the fact that 29 other teams in baseball could have signed him out of college, but only the Rays showed interest.
“To have the Rays give me a chance four years ago when nobody else did,’’ Brosseau said, “certainly made it a little more special. We have a lot of guys who have been overlooked early in their career. The combination of everybody having a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, coming to the park, and doing their part, is a dangerous combination.’’
The Rays are awfully scary. They not only have tremendous talent, but the guts to do anything, and everything – like having their starter go on two days’ rest, bringing in their closer in the third inning, employing four-man outfields, and using ace Blake Snell as nothing more than a decoy.
It’s a team that no one outside Florida knows, but now they are making sure you know how to pronounce their names and spell them right. And they are chiding ESPN and every national media outlet for not giving them the love they deserve.
“We beat their Golden Child (in the Yankees),’’ Fairbanks said of ESPN. “After last year, I thought we felt as a unit we were on the brink (of a championship). So we might as well ruin their day up there in Connecticut.
“We’re fine. We love it. We’re a good ballclub.’’
Oh, how they’re proving just that, loud and clear.
“The Rays kind of fly under the radar a little bit,’’ pitcher Nick Anderson said, “and don’t get the publicity that big markets get.
“I think everybody should know who we are now.
“It’s crazy how the world works.’’
And the Rays are sitting atop of it.
Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale