newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Baseball Hall of Fame 2020: Legends welcome Derek Jeter to Cooperstown

Derek Jeter was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday night , stunningly missing out on the unanimous Hall of Fame election by one vote .
Nonetheless , the stars waiting for him in Cooperstown are already welcoming him to their exclusive club .
“ Derek Jeter is one of my favorite — if not my favorite — players since I ’ ve been out of the game .
Not only was a he a great player , but he conducted himself as a consummate professional through his entire career .
To do what he did in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he just did things the right way .
I can ’ t tell you how happy I am to have him coming to the Hall of Fame .
I never thought there was any question he would get there and on the first ballot .
He ’ s a slam dunk .
Being a part of that Core Four and that dynasty , they were one of the great teams in history .
It was fun watching him play .
I can ’ t imagine it won ’ t be unanimous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he is , he ’ s the guy who certainly is as recognizable as anybody that has played the game .
Obviously accomplished a lot of great things , and deserves wholeheartedly to be a first ballot Hall of Famer and maybe a 100-percent guy .
“ For a guy who played his whole career in New York it ’ s pretty impressive he did what he did on the field , but also largely kept himself out of the newspaper off the field , which is not an easy thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played up there and lived up there understand how that life can be , and how easy you can get sidetracked and get caught up in trouble but to his credit he never did that .
He played the game the right way .
He played hard , showed up every night and did his job and had so much success .
It ’ s refreshing to see guys at that level , play for so long and play the game the right way night in and night out .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time and for a guy of his stature to do that , that ’ s a huge credit to him.
” “ This was only a matter of time .
I think he was a Hall of Famer the last three to five years of his career .
Once he went by Lou Gehrig ( as the all-time Yankees hits leader ) , and the World Championships and the Captain and all the leader of probably the team of the decade .
“ I guess the competition would be ( Tom ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up there with Brady .
Brady has won six times and Derek has won five championships and that ’ s kind of what you measure the stuff on .
The guy had a great career , played 157 , 159 , 158 and so forth and so on , so that is kind of what stood out to me the most .
“ Great players seem to be able to will themselves to not get too sick to not play .
I ’ m sure he came to the ballpark with a flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a headache , or this and that but it had to be a broken bone for him not to play .
So the respect you have for him as a guy who answered the bell , answered the post .
How many did you post ?
And he posted in the regular season and October .
So that is where you earn your respect , for me .
He posted .
No time off .
Play every day .
Let ’ s go , let ’ s go .
And the same level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day.
” “ Derek , congratulations on being selected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame !
It is well deserved , and I ’ m looking forward to this summer in Cooperstown when we will celebrate your incredible career.
” “ Derek was so successful on a number of levels .
The leadership he showed , even on a quiet front , he wasn ’ t the most vocal guy but he showed leadership by example .
He was definitely the glue to those great teams of the ‘ 90s .
So it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honor for him , no question.
” “ I watched Derek ’ s first Major League home run in Cleveland , and not only did I think he was going to be a great player , but when you spoke to him , you knew he had a lot of class .
His class has carried on to this day and I ’ m thrilled he ’ s joining the Hall of Fame.
” “ I first met Derek in 1996 , and he became our starting shortstop only after Tony Fernandez got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ ll be OK. ’ It turned out he was ( AL ) Rookie of the Year .
It all started then , and he never quit !
” “ I am excited to see another shortstop entering the Hall of Fame , especially someone like Derek .
He played on the biggest stage in the world and always seemed to rise to the occasion .
Derek represented his team , the city and the game in such a great way .
I enjoyed competing against him and getting to know him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooperstown in July .
”

Derek Jeter was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, stunningly missing out on the unanimous Hall of Fame election by one vote. Nonetheless, the stars waiting for him in Cooperstown are already welcoming him to their exclusive club.
Goose Gossage:
“Derek Jeter is one of my favorite — if not my favorite — players since I’ve been out of the game. Not only was a he a great player, but he conducted himself as a consummate professional through his entire career. To do what he did in New York and to not have any controversy, he just did things the right way. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have him coming to the Hall of Fame. I never thought there was any question he would get there and on the first ballot. He’s a slam dunk. Being a part of that Core Four and that dynasty, they were one of the great teams in history. It was fun watching him play. I can’t imagine it won’t be unanimous. He deserves it.”
Tom Glavine:
“He is what he is, he’s the guy who certainly is as recognizable as anybody that has played the game. Obviously accomplished a lot of great things, and deserves wholeheartedly to be a first ballot Hall of Famer and maybe a 100-percent guy.
“For a guy who played his whole career in New York it’s pretty impressive he did what he did on the field, but also largely kept himself out of the newspaper off the field, which is not an easy thing to do.
“Those of us who played up there and lived up there understand how that life can be, and how easy you can get sidetracked and get caught up in trouble but to his credit he never did that. He played the game the right way. He played hard, showed up every night and did his job and had so much success. It’s refreshing to see guys at that level, play for so long and play the game the right way night in and night out. It’s something you don’t see all the time and for a guy of his stature to do that, that’s a huge credit to him.”
Reggie Jackson:
“This was only a matter of time. I think he was a Hall of Famer the last three to five years of his career. Once he went by Lou Gehrig (as the all-time Yankees hits leader), and the World Championships and the Captain and all the leader of probably the team of the decade.
“I guess the competition would be (Tom) Brady. He is in that class up there with Brady. Brady has won six times and Derek has won five championships and that’s kind of what you measure the stuff on. The guy had a great career, played 157, 159, 158 and so forth and so on, so that is kind of what stood out to me the most.
“Great players seem to be able to will themselves to not get too sick to not play. I’m sure he came to the ballpark with a flu or a virus or a fever or a headache, or this and that but it had to be a broken bone for him not to play. So the respect you have for him as a guy who answered the bell, answered the post. How many did you post? And he posted in the regular season and October. So that is where you earn your respect, for me. He posted. No time off. Play every day. Let’s go, let’s go. And the same level of effort and the same contributions every day.”
Edgar Martinez:
“Derek, congratulations on being selected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame! It is well deserved, and I’m looking forward to this summer in Cooperstown when we will celebrate your incredible career.”
Mike Piazza:
“Derek was so successful on a number of levels. The leadership he showed, even on a quiet front, he wasn’t the most vocal guy but he showed leadership by example. He was definitely the glue to those great teams of the ‘90s. So it’s going to be a befitting honor for him, no question.”
Jim Thome:
“I watched Derek’s first Major League home run in Cleveland, and not only did I think he was going to be a great player, but when you spoke to him, you knew he had a lot of class. His class has carried on to this day and I’m thrilled he’s joining the Hall of Fame.”
Tim Raines:
“I first met Derek in 1996, and he became our starting shortstop only after Tony Fernandez got injured. I thought, ‘Hopefully he’ll be OK.’ It turned out he was (AL) Rookie of the Year. It all started then, and he never quit!”
Cal Ripken Jr.:
“I am excited to see another shortstop entering the Hall of Fame, especially someone like Derek. He played on the biggest stage in the world and always seemed to rise to the occasion. Derek represented his team, the city and the game in such a great way. I enjoyed competing against him and getting to know him and looking forward to seeing him in Cooperstown in July.”
— Collected by Ken Davidoff, Kevin Kernan and Dan Martin


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Derek Jeter elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, stunningly misses unanimous vote

Get ready to smell other straphangers from several subway cars ...

The Captain is officially headed to Cooperstown.
Derek Jeter, the greatest shortstop in Yankees history, was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, the BBWAA announced. He fell just short of joining former teammate Mariano Rivera as a unanimous selection, but Jeter will forever be enshrined among the game’s best nonetheless. Jeter got 396 out of 397 votes.
Jeter is joined by former Rockies outfielder Larry Walker in 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame class.
Jeter was in his first year on the ballot, five years after retiring in 2014, which capped off a 20-year career spent entirely in pinstripes. The 14-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove shortstop, five-time World Series champion and 2000 World Series MVP was a lifetime .310 hitter and finished with 3,465 career hits — good for sixth all-time.
The Yankees’ No. 6-overall pick in the 1992 MLB draft arrived to the big leagues in 1995 for 15 games before winning AL Rookie of the Year in 1996. That season, which he began at the age of 21, he hit .314 with an .800 OPS in 157 games before winning his first World Series that October against the Braves.
“Thanks to Derek, we reached the pinnacle of the baseball world five times, and he will forever be a defining player of his generation,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said in a statement. “Congratulations on an honor well-earned.”
Previous 1 of 14 Next Advertisement Derek Jeter throws out Jeremy Giambi at home with a flip to keep the Yankees ahead in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS. Derek Jeter celebrates after a walk-off hit in his final Yankee Stadium at-bat on Sept. 25, 2014. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Advertisement Derek Jeter hits a home run for his 3,000th hit on July 9, 2011. Charles Wenzelberg Derek Jeter became Mr. November with his walk-off home run in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series. New York Post Derek Jeter making a diving catch on a Trot Nixon fly ball on July 1, 2004. EPA Advertisement Derek Jeter hit a home run on the first pitch of the game in Game 4 of the 2000 World Series against the Mets. New York Post Twelve-year-old Jeffrey Maier checks out his front page headline in the NY Post. Bolivar Arellano Yankees Derek Jeter breaks Lou Gehrig's record and becomes the Yankees All-Time Yankees Hit Leader, Sept. 11, 2009. Anthony Causi Advertisement Derek Jeter hits his first career home run on Opening Day in 1996 in Cleveland. Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima Derek Jeter makes a jumping throw to throw out Travis Fryman in Game 1 of the 1998 ALCS. AP/Ron Frehm Advertisement
Born in Pequannock, N.J., and raised in Kalamazoo, Mich., Jeter was named the Yankees’ captain in 2003, their first since Don Mattingly retired in 1995.
Jeter became the Yankees’ all-time hits leader in 2009, surpassing Lou Gehrig’s mark of 2,721. Two years later, he joined the 3,000-hit club on a home run off David Price, which was part of a memorable 5-for-5 day at the plate. His final at-bat at Yankee Stadium was a walk-off single in 2014 against the Orioles.
Jeter also recorded a slash line of .308/.374/.465 across 158 career postseason games and was known for his clutch play in October — and November, when the World Series went long.
The Yankees retired Jeter’s No. 2 in 2017 as he was rewarded his spot in Monument Park. Now, Cooperstown awaits in July.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--New Lady Gaga song ‘Stupid Love’ leaks, her fanbase rejoices

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Over the past few years , Lady Gaga has focused largely on her acting career , leaving many of the little monsters — her beloved fanbase — thirsty for new music .
Days after reports indicated a new single would be coming in February , new track “ Stupid Love ” has leaked to the masses , and Gaga fans can ’ t stop talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the song is Gaga ’ s — real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta — first single from thew 33-year-old ’ s upcoming sixth album .
The upbeat bop is reminiscent of the high-energy , disco-influenced tunes of her early career .
Lyrics to the leaked tune include , “ You ’ re the one that I ’ ve been waiting for / Got ta quit this crying / Nobody ’ s gon na heal me if I don ’ t open the door / Kinda hard to believe ( Got ta have faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaga serving gay bop , heavenly vocals , born this way nostalgia , disco pop , 80s synths in one song … yeah everyone freaked out , everybody got down , everybody wants STUPID LOVE , ” wrote one fan on Twitter .
“ I ’ m not embarrassed to say I was excited when I heard Lady GaGa was releasing a new song , ” added another .
“ But after my son played Stupid Love I dropped my lasagna in amazement !
” Another monster thinks the song is already worthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Year at the 2021 Grammys — or possibly this year ’ s — while others are happy to simply have new material from the songstress .

Over the past few years, Lady Gaga has focused largely on her acting career, leaving many of the little monsters — her beloved fanbase — thirsty for new music. Days after reports indicated a new single would be coming in February, new track “Stupid Love” has leaked to the masses, and Gaga fans can’t stop talking about it.
Many are speculating that the song is Gaga’s — real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta — first single from thew 33-year-old’s upcoming sixth album. The upbeat bop is reminiscent of the high-energy, disco-influenced tunes of her early career.
Lyrics to the leaked tune include, “You’re the one that I’ve been waiting for / Gotta quit this crying / Nobody’s gonna heal me if I don’t open the door / Kinda hard to believe (Gotta have faith in me).”
“lady gaga serving gay bop, heavenly vocals, born this way nostalgia, disco pop, 80s synths in one song … yeah everyone freaked out, everybody got down, everybody wants STUPID LOVE,” wrote one fan on Twitter.
“I’m not embarrassed to say I was excited when I heard Lady GaGa was releasing a new song,” added another. “But after my son played Stupid Love I dropped my lasagna in amazement!”
Another monster thinks the song is already worthy of Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 2021 Grammys — or possibly this year’s — while others are happy to simply have new material from the songstress.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--New subway cars let riders — and smells, and creeps — move freely

Get ready to smell other straphangers from several subway cars away .
The MTA on Tuesday released a sneak peek of its upcoming “ open gangway ” trains , in which all the cars are linked via one long passage .
Images of the under-construction cars show a seamless corridor with wall handles between the cars — instead of the heavy doors and rickety platforms on trains currently riding the rails .
The new design should increase capacity and allow commuters to move freely around trains — but also mean unpleasant smells , sounds and people will no longer be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have benefits and issues — less worry about falling [ in between cars ] but no escape from someone you ’ re trying to get away from in your car — think performers , odiferous and , or dangerous individuals , pizza rats , ” said Lisa Daglian of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA .
“ We ’ re looking forward to test riding them to see better for ourselves how they work.
” The MTA is awaiting a $ 1.4 billion order of 532 of the R211 cars from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not yet clear how many of them will have the gangway design .
Twenty of the R211 models featuring the “ gangway ” design are expected to arrive in 2021 for testing .
Ten other R211 cars are set to be delivered this year for testing .
If the public and the MTA likes the test cars , officials could order up to 1,612 of them for 3.7 billion , to run on lettered lines and the Staten Island Railway .
Train cars without walls between them are already used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including in Tokyo , Hong Kong , Paris and Berlin .

Get ready to smell other straphangers from several subway cars away.
The MTA on Tuesday released a sneak peek of its upcoming “open gangway” trains, in which all the cars are linked via one long passage.
Images of the under-construction cars show a seamless corridor with wall handles between the cars — instead of the heavy doors and rickety platforms on trains currently riding the rails.
The new design should increase capacity and allow commuters to move freely around trains — but also mean unpleasant smells, sounds and people will no longer be confined to one carriage.
“They have benefits and issues — less worry about falling [in between cars] but no escape from someone you’re trying to get away from in your car — think performers, odiferous and, or dangerous individuals, pizza rats,” said Lisa Daglian of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.
“We’re looking forward to test riding them to see better for ourselves how they work.”
The MTA is awaiting a $1.4 billion order of 532 of the R211 cars from Kawasaki Rail Car Inc., though it’s not yet clear how many of them will have the gangway design.
Twenty of the R211 models featuring the “gangway” design are expected to arrive in 2021 for testing.
Ten other R211 cars are set to be delivered this year for testing.
If the public and the MTA likes the test cars, officials could order up to 1,612 of them for 3.7 billion, to run on lettered lines and the Staten Island Railway.
Train cars without walls between them are already used in several subway systems throughout the world, including in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris and Berlin.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--NYPD officers disciplined for alleged on-the-job bathroom sex romp

A half-dressed female NYPD lieutenant was caught cheating on her cop husband in a drunken , on-the-job sex romp with a male sergeant at a Manhattan police building Saturday night , sources said .
Lt. Brandi Sanchez and her unidentified male lover were stripped of their guns and badges for the alleged rendezvous in a department bathroom inside a building used by NYPD personnel at 90 Church Street , the sources said .
The 39-year-old lieutenant is married to the commanding officer of Brooklyn ’ s 79th Precinct , Deputy inspector Timothy Skretch — though that ’ s not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources said .
The NYPD did not deny the allegations and said the incident is under internal review .
A separate NYPD sergeant first noticed Sanchez , who is assigned to the Family Assistance Section , and the man “ occupying a closed stall , apparently engaged in what were believed to be sexual interactions , ” according to a department report obtained by The Post .
Sanchez was caught five minutes before her shift was scheduled to end , the report says .
Family Assistance Section has offices in the Tribeca building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported what she witnessed to another department lieutenant , who entered the bathroom and told the couple to scram .
When the officers who found the pair returned the bathroom shortly after , the alleged lovers were still in the stall , the report noted .
At that point , the lieutenant again ordered the pair to leave and the male sergeant walked out without saying a word .
Once the man left the bathroom , the female sergeant entered the adjacent stall , climbed up on a toilet seat and peered over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanchez identified herself as a cop as she finally left the stall , wearing a black coat , burgundy dress and black shoes .
She was not armed at the time of the alleged rendezvous and was “ unable to be interviewed due to her compromised mental state , ” the department record states .
Sanchez and her paramour were both placed on modified duty , sources said .
Sanchez could not immediately be reached for comment .
The unit where she is assigned offers peer counseling to members of the department @ @ @ @ @ @

A half-dressed female NYPD lieutenant was caught in a drunken, on-the-job sex romp with a male sergeant at a Manhattan police building Saturday night, sources said.
Lt. Brandi Sanchez, 39, and Sgt. Lambros Gavalas, 46, were stripped of their guns and badges for the alleged rendezvous in a department bathroom inside a building used by NYPD personnel at 90 Church St., the sources said.
The 39-year-old lieutenant lives with and has a child with the commanding officer of Brooklyn’s 79th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Timothy Skretch — though that’s not the man she was allegedly caught with, sources said.
The NYPD did not deny the allegations and said the incident is under internal review.
A separate NYPD sergeant first noticed Sanchez, who is assigned to the Family Assistance Section, and Gavalas “occupying a closed stall, apparently engaged in what were believed to be sexual interactions,” according to a department report obtained by The Post.
The pair were caught five minutes before Sanchez’s shift was scheduled to end, the report says. Family Assistance Section has offices in the Tribeca building.
The sergeant left the restroom and reported what she witnessed to another department lieutenant, who entered the bathroom and told the couple to scram.
When the officers who found the couple returned to the bathroom shortly after, the alleged lovers were still in the stall, the report noted.
At that point, the lieutenant again ordered them to leave and Gavalas walked out without saying a word.
Once he left the bathroom, the female sergeant entered the adjacent stall, climbed up on a toilet seat and peered over a partition to find a still-exposed Sanchez.
Sanchez identified herself as a cop as she finally left the stall, wearing a black coat, burgundy dress and black shoes.
She was not armed at the time of the alleged rendezvous and was “unable to be interviewed due to her compromised mental state,” the department record states.
Sanchez and her paramour were both placed on modified duty, sources said.
Sanchez could not immediately be reached for comment.
The unit where she is assigned offers peer counseling to members of the department experiencing stress on the job.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Cuomo budget would steer more money to needy schools, charters

With Governor Andrew Cuomo silent on charter schools in his ...

Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a modest 3 percent increase in state education spending Tuesday that would steer more dollars to poorer public districts and to charter schools.
That translates into New York City getting a $321 million bump in aid under the plan.
Generally, Cuomo proposed an overhaul of the state school funding formula to help equalize gaps between poor and wealthier school districts – something that’s been discussed for decades.
“The current formula is designed to meet political needs, not education equity,” Cuomo said during his budget presentation in Albany.
“It funnels money to a district but not necessarily to the poorer schools. Well, then, use your state funds to equalize the disparity,” he said.
The governor’s spending plan said charter schools would see a 5.3 percent increase in total aid.
Total state education spending would increase by $826 million to $28.5 billion, according to the budget plan.
New York spends an annual average of $23,091 on every public-school student, the highest rate in the country.
But there is a huge gap between districts.
Poorer school districts spend $13,000 per student, while wealthy ones shell out $36,000.
The state provides on average 40 percent of funding to public schools; 60 percent comes from local governments.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office was still reviewing the education portion of the governor’s plan and had no immediate comment, a City Hall spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile Cuomo’s budget says his plan “increases charter-school tuition in alignment with public-school spending and provides New York City charter schools with a total per-pupil funding increase of 5.3 percent.
“This will allow charter schools to continue to innovate, recruit high-quality teachers and staff, and provide strong educational options for New York’s families and students,” according to Cuomo’s budget book.
But James Merriman, CEO of the NYC Charter School Center, said he isn’t popping the champagne cork.
“The [funding] formula is far from perfect, and disparities between district and charter-per-pupil amounts still persist, though they have narrowed over time,” Merriman said.
Charter-school parents and advocates worry that Cuomo is turning his back on them by failing to propose abolishing the state cap that limits charter-school expansion in New York City, as they say he should have during his recent State of the State policy address.
In terms of higher education, Cuomo proposed expanding the Excelsior Scholarship program to provide free tuition to more students at public state colleges. He would increase tuition-free eligibility to CUNY and SUNY students with family incomes up to $135,000 in FY 2020-21 and up to $150,000 in FY2021-22.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--‘Star Trek: Picard’: Which ‘Next Generation’ characters are back, which are new

“ Star Trek : Picard ” is at least a partial family reunion for the cast and characters of the 1987-1994 sci-fi drama “ Star Trek : The Next Generation.
” The much-anticipated series , premiering Thursday on CBS All Access , checks in on the post-retirement life of former Admiral Jean-Luc Picard — once again played by Sir Patrick Stewart , 79 .
When a scared stranger on the run seeks help from a downtrodden Picard , who left Starfleet 14 years prior under troublesome circumstances , the former captain of the USS Enterprise is stonewalled when he seeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He winds up looking for assistance from some new associates who have their own axes to grind , as well as several of his former starship colleagues , who will be quite familiar to nostalgic Trekkies .
The show , which will have a 10-episode first season and was already renewed for a second , takes the franchise where no fan has gone before : into the mind of a normally in-control but now spiraling 94-year-old Picard .
And while Stewart himself has said “ we don ’ t see everyone ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Digital Spy , viewers will get a peek into the post-Enterprise lives of several “ Next Generation ” characters , who have not been seen since the last film installment , 2002 ’ s “ Star Trek : Nemesis.
” ( And , yes , the assimilating alien race The Borg will have a presence . )
One former cast member who won ’ t initially be in “ Picard ” but has been tapped for other Starfleet duty is Wil Wheaton , who played young officer Wesley Crusher in “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Ready Room , ” a weekly , post-episode talk show that will offer a “ deep dive ” into the latest happenings on the series .
Here ’ s a look at some of the returning characters from the original series , as well as new ones shaking up Picard ’ s universe .
Jean-Luc Picard : Yes , fans will hear Stewart ’ s Picard utter his classic command — “ Engage !
” — and he still enjoys a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea .
Just don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacated his chair on the bridge of the USS Enterprise .
His legacy is tarnished and he ’ s wracked with anger towards Starfleet , which abandoned a rescue mission to save Romulans before their home planet was destroyed by a supernova .
But he has a dog , aptly named No .
1 , to keep him company .
Data : The android Starfleet officer , played by Brent Spiner , was killed off in “ Nemesis , ” but he returns to haunt Picard in his dreams — and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” B-4 .
Seven of Nine : Played by Jeri Ryan in the 1995-2001 series “ Star Trek : Voyager , ” she — like Picard — is a former captive of the Borg collective .
The character never actually appeared in “ The Next Generation , ” but that show and “ Voyager ” existed in the same timeline .
And , it turns out , Seven has some animosities toward Picard that will be explored this season .
William Riker : Picard ’ s former first officer , whom he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” is again portrayed by Jonathan Frakes , who is also directing some “ Picard ” episodes , as well as installments of the CBS All Access series “ Star Trek : Discovery.
” Deanna Troi : The ship ’ s alien counselor , played by Marina Sirtis , is still married to former first officer Riker and offers her empathic support to Picard .
Hugh : Former “ The Closer ” and “ Major Crimes ” star Jonathan Del Arco returns as the de-assimilated Borg drone he portrayed in two episodes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former “ Hamilton ” star Isa Briones plays the new character , a mysterious young woman who locates Picard at his family ’ s vineyard in France and drags him into an interstellar adventure that Picard may not be prepared for .
Dr. Agnes Jurati : Alison Pill ( “ American Horror Story , ” “ The Newsroom ” ) plays a doctor known for her work with synthetic humanoids like Data .
All “ synths ” were banned from existence after several rogue androids plotted to stop then-Admiral Picard ’ s Romulan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former intelligence officer , portrayed by Michelle Hurd ( “ Blindspot ” ) , the new character is hesitant to help Picard , who she feels betrayed and abandoned her after she was forced out of Starfleet .
Cristóbal Rios : Santiago Cabrera ( “ Big Little Lies ” ) plays Raffi ’ s associate , an ex-Starfleet officer and renegade pilot who Picard enlists to help him hop around the cosmos .
Narek and Elnor : Narek , a Romulan agent played by Harry Treadaway ( “ The Crown , ” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Romulan refugee portrayed by Evan Evagora ( “ Blumhouse ’ s Fantasy Island ” ) , also join Picard ’ s new crew .

“Star Trek: Picard” is at least a partial family reunion for the cast and characters of the 1987-1994 sci-fi drama “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
The much-anticipated series, premiering Thursday on CBS All Access, checks in on the post-retirement life of former Admiral Jean-Luc Picard — once again played by Sir Patrick Stewart, 79. When a scared stranger on the run seeks help from a downtrodden Picard, who left Starfleet 14 years prior under troublesome circumstances, the former captain of the USS Enterprise is stonewalled when he seeks support from the new leadership of Starfleet. He winds up looking for assistance from some new associates who have their own axes to grind, as well as several of his former starship colleagues, who will be quite familiar to nostalgic Trekkies.
The show, which will have a 10-episode first season and was already renewed for a second, takes the franchise where no fan has gone before: into the mind of a normally in-control but now spiraling 94-year-old Picard. And while Stewart himself has said “we don’t see everyone” return from the first series, according to Digital Spy, viewers will get a peek into the post-Enterprise lives of several “Next Generation” characters, who have not been seen since the last film installment, 2002’s “Star Trek: Nemesis.” (And, yes, the assimilating alien race The Borg will have a presence.)
One former cast member who won’t initially be in “Picard” but has been tapped for other Starfleet duty is Wil Wheaton, who played young officer Wesley Crusher in “The Next Generation.” He will host “The Ready Room,” a weekly, post-episode talk show that will offer a “deep dive” into the latest happenings on the series.
Here’s a look at some of the returning characters from the original series, as well as new ones shaking up Picard’s universe.
Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, fans will hear Stewart’s Picard utter his classic command — “Engage!” — and he still enjoys a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea. Just don’t expect many more familiar traits since he vacated his chair on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. His legacy is tarnished and he’s wracked with anger towards Starfleet, which abandoned a rescue mission to save Romulans before their home planet was destroyed by a supernova. But he has a dog, aptly named No. 1, to keep him company.
Data: The android Starfleet officer, played by Brent Spiner, was killed off in “Nemesis,” but he returns to haunt Picard in his dreams — and in the form of his dismantled android “brother,” B-4.
Seven of Nine: Played by Jeri Ryan in the 1995-2001 series “Star Trek: Voyager,” she — like Picard — is a former captive of the Borg collective. The character never actually appeared in “The Next Generation,” but that show and “Voyager” existed in the same timeline. And, it turns out, Seven has some animosities toward Picard that will be explored this season.
William Riker: Picard’s former first officer, whom he affectionately called “No. 1,” is again portrayed by Jonathan Frakes, who is also directing some “Picard” episodes, as well as installments of the CBS All Access series “Star Trek: Discovery.”
Deanna Troi: The ship’s alien counselor, played by Marina Sirtis, is still married to former first officer Riker and offers her empathic support to Picard.
Hugh: Former “The Closer” and “Major Crimes” star Jonathan Del Arco returns as the de-assimilated Borg drone he portrayed in two episodes of “The Next Generation.”
Dahj: Former “Hamilton” star Isa Briones plays the new character, a mysterious young woman who locates Picard at his family’s vineyard in France and drags him into an interstellar adventure that Picard may not be prepared for.
Dr. Agnes Jurati: Alison Pill (“American Horror Story,” “The Newsroom”) plays a doctor known for her work with synthetic humanoids like Data. All “synths” were banned from existence after several rogue androids plotted to stop then-Admiral Picard’s Romulan rescue efforts.
Raffi Musiker: A former intelligence officer, portrayed by Michelle Hurd (“Blindspot”), the new character is hesitant to help Picard, who she feels betrayed and abandoned her after she was forced out of Starfleet.
Cristóbal Rios: Santiago Cabrera (“Big Little Lies”) plays Raffi’s associate, an ex-Starfleet officer and renegade pilot who Picard enlists to help him hop around the cosmos.
Narek and Elnor: Narek, a Romulan agent played by Harry Treadaway (“The Crown,” “Penny Dreadful”), and Elnor, a Romulan refugee portrayed by Evan Evagora (“Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island”), also join Picard’s new crew.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Brooklyn man registers beer as emotional support animal

It ’ s brews you can use .
Brooklyn resident Floyd Hayes , 47 , registered a pint of beer as an emotional support animal with the USA Service Dog Registration in December , according to Ale Street News .
Brooklyn Paper reports that Hayes aims to use the certification to carry his beverage of choice — like , say , a seasonal IPA — on public transit .
“ I travel from upstate to Brooklyn a lot , and on the bus they say it ’ s a federal crime to smoke or have an alcoholic beverage unless by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wondered where you get that consent , ” Hayes , a creative director originally from England , told the publication .
“ Not that I ’ m an alcoholic , ” he added .
But Hayes tells The Post he simply wants to see if this method will work .
“ It was really just .
.
.
an experiment , ” he says , adding that it was a light-hearted move .
“ I ’ m not trying to make light on anybody who has any emotional issues.
” Hayes took to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his beer as an emotional support dog .
He ticked off “ No Training Needed ” as the training status of the dog and put that it was to help with his “ Social Anxiety Disorder.
” “ I don ’ t mean it in a heady mental health manner , ” the Clinton Hill resident told the Brooklyn Paper .
“ More if you go to a party , and want to break the ice.
” But an unidentified USA Service Dog Registration employee told the paper that Hayes wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commute with a six pack in tow .
“ He can register his beer all day long , it ’ s not going to get him anywhere , ” she said — adding that the use of an emotional support animal on transit or in a business requires medical approval .
But so far , Hayes tells The Post , so good .
While waiting for the bus at a Brooklyn stop yesterday , he says , he had a glass of beer in hand .
“ I was not approached by any @ @ @ @ @ @ @

It’s brews you can use.
Brooklyn resident Floyd Hayes, 47, registered a pint of beer as an emotional support animal with the USA Service Dog Registration in December, according to Ale Street News.
Brooklyn Paper reports that Hayes aims to use the certification to carry his beverage of choice — like, say, a seasonal IPA — on public transit.
“I travel from upstate to Brooklyn a lot, and on the bus they say it’s a federal crime to smoke or have an alcoholic beverage unless by prior written contest, and I always wondered where you get that consent,” Hayes, a creative director originally from England, told the publication. “Not that I’m an alcoholic,” he added.
But Hayes tells The Post he simply wants to see if this method will work.
“It was really just . . . an experiment,” he says, adding that it was a light-hearted move. “I’m not trying to make light on anybody who has any emotional issues.”
Hayes took to the service dog registration website to enter his beer as an emotional support dog. He ticked off “No Training Needed” as the training status of the dog and put that it was to help with his “Social Anxiety Disorder.”
“I don’t mean it in a heady mental health manner,” the Clinton Hill resident told the Brooklyn Paper. “More if you go to a party, and want to break the ice.”
But an unidentified USA Service Dog Registration employee told the paper that Hayes wouldn’t have much luck with his goal to commute with a six pack in tow.
“He can register his beer all day long, it’s not going to get him anywhere,” she said — adding that the use of an emotional support animal on transit or in a business requires medical approval.
But so far, Hayes tells The Post, so good. While waiting for the bus at a Brooklyn stop yesterday, he says, he had a glass of beer in hand.
“I was not approached by any law enforcement,” he adds.


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Convicted child molester beaten to death with cane in California prison

An inmate at a California prison beat a convicted child molester to death with a walking cane , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ , allegedly battered the perv , David Bobb , 48 , and another prisoner Thursday @ @ @ @ @ California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran .
Both Bobb and the @ @ @ @ @ and were taken to the hospital .
Bobb — who had been serving a life @ @ @ @ @ of a child under 14 years old in San Diego County — died on route @ @ @ @ @ who wasn ’ t publicly identified , remains in critical condition .
Watson has served @ @ @ @ @ sentence for first-degree murder and discharging a firearm , causing great bodily injury or death @ @ @ @ @ prison beatdowns is ongoing .

An inmate at a California prison beat a convicted child molester to death with a walking cane, authorities said.
Jonathan Watson, 41, allegedly battered the perv, David Bobb, 48, and another prisoner Thursday around 2:30 p.m. at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran.
Both Bobb and the other prisoner suffered head wounds and were taken to the hospital.
Bobb — who had been serving a life sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 years old in San Diego County — died on route. The other inmate, who wasn’t publicly identified, remains in critical condition.
Watson has served 10 years of a life sentence for first-degree murder and discharging a firearm, causing great bodily injury or death.
An investigation into the prison beatdowns is ongoing.
With Post Wires


newyorkpost--2020-01-21--Per Se sommelier: I quit when ‘things became uncomfortable’

Robberies surged on New York ’ s subway system in 2019 — ...

Why blow your paycheck on an elaborate Michelin-starred meal when you could indulge in the star ingredients for a lot less?
That’s the idea behind & Sons — a new charcuterie-focused wine bar in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Or, as proprietor André Hueston Mack, the former beverage director of Midtown’s vaunted Per Se, likes to call it, a “ham bar.”
“The idea hit me . . . seven years ago, after hosting a Thanksgiving dinner that featured hams and wines,” says Mack, 47. Although grapes are his professional specialty, he’s also something of a meat connoisseur, thanks to a 400-pound, decades-old meat slicer he scored on Craigslist for $7,000 in 2013. (“I had a good year and I figured that the pimp s - - t would be to have the slicer in my house,” he says.)
With a menu that focuses on American wines, cheeses and hams, mostly from the South, Mack hopes to rescue stateside pigs from culinary purgatory.
“Everybody talks s - - t about American country ham,” says Mack, who published a book last year, “99 Bottles: A Black Sheep’s Guide to Life-Changing Wines” (Abrams), and owns Maison Noir Wines, a wine producer in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
But after a stretch of “buying the best legs of jambon from Spain” for dinner parties, “I ran into a farmer who told me that he sells hogs to Italy because they can’t keep up with the demand for prosciutto,” Mack says. “So it turns out that our hogs are good enough for prosciutto.”
Though he eventually developed a burning passion for all things porcine, Mack had a different reason for quitting his coveted gig at Per Se in 2006. His then-girlfriend, now-wife, Phoebe Damrosch, was working on a book called “Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter” — a memoir about her stint as Per Se’s service captain.
Previous 1 of 6 Next Advertisement Prosciutto dish at & Sons. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post Smoked pork chop with braised cabbage dish at & Sons. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post Advertisement Mack at work. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post Sopressata plate at & Sons. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post Advertisement
When word of her book started to spread, “things became uncomfortable,” says Mack. “She was once asked to leave the building . . . The staff was told that if we wanted to speak to her it had to be cleared through p.r.”
Things are less uncomfortable now. Mack, his wife and his four sons (the restaurant is named for them) live around the corner from his cozy, 20-seat restaurant. There’s savory, Spanish-style pork from North Carolina; “campfire-smoky” ham from Tennessee; and juicy, nutty prosciutto from Hurleyville, NY. Meats are served in thin cuts — bladed by yet another hand-cranked antique slicer at the front of the bar — on boards with fruit and cheese accompaniments.
As you’d expect from a Per Se wine alum, there are rare vintages on offer — a 1985 cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley goes for $2,500 — but they share the list with $10 by-the-glass pours.
Besides “shining a light on the high quality and good taste of American ham,” the white-tablecloth veteran has another goal: to keep the vibe chill and neighborhood-friendly.
Or, as he puts it: “I want this restaurant to feel like an extension of my living room.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--This dog’s burpee technique gets two paws up

What a workout !
Watch as Tesla , a miniature Australian shepherd , perfectly rolls and jumps along with her @ @ @ @ @ in San Jose , California .
The adorable pup has gained a large Instagram following @ @ @ @ @ If more cuties like Tesla were allowed in gyms , more people might sign up @

What a workout! Watch as Tesla, a miniature Australian shepherd, perfectly rolls and jumps along with her owner’s fitness class in San Jose, California. The adorable pup has gained a large Instagram following because of her tricks. If more cuties like Tesla were allowed in gyms, more people might sign up.
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newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Mutant goat born with ‘human’ face being worshipped like a god

A mutant goat is being worshipped like a god after being born with an eerie-looking human face , say reports .
Images and clips of the oddball beast have quickly gone viral after they were posted on social media in Rajasthan , India .
At first , the oddball animal left villagers in Nimodia baffled as its freakish facial structure make it look just like a grumpy old man .
However , they now reportedly say the unfortunate-looking creature will be “ worshipped as an avatar of god.
” Owner Mukeshji Prajapap , from the village of Nimodia , first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it wagging its tail and stumbling around .
In India , it is common for mutant animals to attract attention as many consider them to be a sign of god , according to local sources .
Experts have suggested the goat suffers from a rare congenital defect known as ‘ cyclopia ’ , where genes which under normal circumstances create facial symmetry fail .
Recently a mutant cow was born in the Bardhaman district of West Bengal which was also worshipped by the locals until it sadly died aged just four months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chimpanzee was born in Cuba with one eye in the middle of its forehead .
In 2017 , a baby goat was born with a single huge eye in India – baffling local villagers .
Vets feared the animal which only had one ear would die within days – but it defied expectations and survived .

A mutant goat is being worshiped like a god after being born with an eerie-looking human face, say reports.
Images and clips of the oddball beast have quickly gone viral after they were posted on social media in Rajasthan, India.
At first, the oddball animal left villagers in Nimodia baffled as its freakish facial structure makes it look just like a grumpy old man.
However, they now reportedly say the unfortunate-looking creature will be “worshiped as an avatar of god.”
Owner Mukeshji Prajapap, from Nimodia, first unveiled his flat-faced goat on film showing it wagging its tail and stumbling around.
In India, it is common for mutant animals to attract attention as many consider them to be a sign of god, according to local sources.
Experts have suggested the goat suffers from a rare congenital defect known as cyclopia, in which genes that under normal circumstances create facial symmetry fail.
Recently a mutant cow was born in the Bardhaman district of West Bengal that was also worshiped by the locals until it sadly died at just 4 months old.
A mutant piglet that looked like a chimpanzee was born in Cuba with one eye in the middle of its forehead.
In 2017, a goat was born with a single huge eye in India, baffling local villagers.
Vets feared the animal, which only had one ear, would die within days — but it defied expectations and survived.


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--All the reasons we’re still not over Brad and Jen

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) It ’ s 2020 and we ’ re STILL wondering if Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have the hots for each other .
We ’ ll break down everything Page Six found out about their SAG Awards reunion .
The Grammys are a mess but are they even worth fixing ?
And Harry leaves his royal life behind and finally joins Meghan Markle in Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans ’ hearts when they reunited at the 2020 SAG Awards , and photos of the pair fueled hope that the stars may one day get back together .
Body language expert Dr. Lillian Glass analyzed Aniston and Pitt ’ s interactions for Page Six , telling us it appears clear to her that their love “ never died ” because of the affection they demonstrated .
“ It ’ s completely mutual and that ’ s what ’ s so beautiful about it , ” Glass said in a phone interview Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Insiders tell Page Six they suspect the Grammys fired its first-ever female boss in an attempt to silence her — after she wrote a bombshell memo alleging misconduct inside the organization , including sketchy voting practices , financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest .
Deborah Dugan took the helm of the Recording Academy — the organization behind the Grammys — in August .
But on Thursday , it announced that she ’ d been put on leave because “ a formal allegation of misconduct [ was made against her ] by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New York Times reported that an assistant — whom she had inherited from previous boss Neil Portnow — had accused her of bullying .
But a source close to Dugan tells us that is iffy , and they suspect that she got the boot after sending a memo to the academy ’ s HR department three weeks ago , in which she said that “ something was seriously amiss at the Academy.
” Prince Harry could barely hide his joy early Tuesday as he landed in Canada , ready to start his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 35-year-old Duke of Sussex beamed as he was filmed by Sky News stepping off a jet and into a waiting car in Vancouver Island at 12:47 a.m. New York time .
The prince had skipped a planned evening event at Buckingham Palace because he was so “ desperate ” to see wife Meghan Markle , 38 , and their baby son , Archie , according to the Sun .
Catch up on all episodes of “ We Hear ” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out every Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .

It’s 2020 and we’re STILL wondering if Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have the hots for each other. We’ll break down everything Page Six found out about their SAG Awards reunion.
The Grammys are a mess but are they even worth fixing?
And Harry leaves his royal life behind and finally joins Meghan Markle in Canada.
Here’s a closer look at today’s stories:
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s love ‘never died,’ says body language expert
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt melted fans’ hearts when they reunited at the 2020 SAG Awards, and photos of the pair fueled hope that the stars may one day get back together.
Body language expert Dr. Lillian Glass analyzed Aniston and Pitt’s interactions for Page Six, telling us it appears clear to her that their love “never died” because of the affection they demonstrated.
“It’s completely mutual and that’s what’s so beautiful about it,” Glass said in a phone interview Tuesday. “They’re completely connected.”
Drama at the Grammys
Insiders tell Page Six they suspect the Grammys fired its first-ever female boss in an attempt to silence her — after she wrote a bombshell memo alleging misconduct inside the organization, including sketchy voting practices, financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
Deborah Dugan took the helm of the Recording Academy — the organization behind the Grammys — in August. But on Thursday, it announced that she’d been put on leave because “a formal allegation of misconduct [was made against her] by a senior female [staff] member.” The New York Times reported that an assistant — whom she had inherited from previous boss Neil Portnow — had accused her of bullying.
But a source close to Dugan tells us that is iffy, and they suspect that she got the boot after sending a memo to the academy’s HR department three weeks ago, in which she said that “something was seriously amiss at the Academy.”
Prince Harry joins Meghan Markle in Canada, leaves royal life behind
Prince Harry could barely hide his joy early Tuesday as he landed in Canada, ready to start his new life free from royal duties.
The 35-year-old Duke of Sussex beamed as he was filmed by Sky News stepping off a jet and into a waiting car in Vancouver Island at 12:47 a.m. New York time.
The prince had skipped a planned evening event at Buckingham Palace because he was so “desperate” to see wife Meghan Markle, 38, and their baby son, Archie, according to the Sun.
Catch up on all episodes of “We Hear” by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes come out every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Core Four weighs in on Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame election

Derek Jeter was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame ...

Derek Jeter’s fellow Core Four members sent their congratulations to baseball’s newest Hall of Famer in statements on the Yankees Twitter account on Tuesday. Jeter entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame, falling one vote short of a unanimous selection by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He received 396 of 397 votes.
Mariano Rivera, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame unanimously last year, said the Yankees captain was a leader they always could count on and that “no moment was too big.”
“It’s going to be a very special day standing next to Derek in Cooperstown this summer,” Rivera wrote. “He had such a deep desire to win, and that singular commitment to his team is what mad him so special. I feel so fortunate that he was a teammate and friend for my entire career, and I congratulate him on this great honor.”
Andy Pettitte said Jeter’s consistent excellence separated him from other great players.
“A couple of things separated you from all the other players with — and I played with a lot of great, great players,” Pettitte wrote. “One was the will to win and the intensity you took to the field every day. Another was how you were always so steady. Being a big-league player can be an emotional roller coaster. … It was an honor watching you prepare each and every single day.
“You were the one player that I played with that never gave away an at-bat. It’s why you’re going where you’re going. I’m proud of you.”
Jorge Posada, now working for Jeter with the Marlins as special adviser to baseball operations, said he knew early on the shortstop had the potential to be a Hall of Famer.
“Derek has done everything that a baseball player should do,” Posada wrote. “He played the game the right way. He played the game to win. He played the game with no excuses.
“I saw it from day one — I thought he would be a Hall of Famer. Congratulations, Derek, you deserve it.”
Some of Jeter’s other long-time Yankees teammates sent their congratulations, too.
“HOF! Congrats my brother,” Robinson Cano tweeted. “One of the greatest to ever do it. Enjoyed every moment on and off the field. #Re2pect”
“Congrats big Bro!” CC Sabathia tweeted. “Hell of a career and undisputed hall of famer. Honored to have played this game with you. Re2pect.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Hall of Famer now unlikely to boycott Derek Jeter’s speech

The animosity from Derek Jeter ’ s ownership decisions with the Miami ...

Derek Jeter’s lifetime streak of avoiding serious controversy appears intact.
The specter of a revered Hall of Famer boycotting Jeter’s Cooperstown ceremony is unlikely to reveal itself. Jeter’s former Yankees teammate Tim Raines, a Hall of Famer himself, told The Post on Tuesday that he expects his great friend Andre Dawson — whose enmity Jeter had earned upon taking over the Marlins — to be on stage July 26 when Jeter makes his induction speech.
“The last I heard, some months back, they spoke to each other and it’s all good and he’s going to come,” Raines said in a telephone interview. “[Dawson] hasn’t mentioned anything to me about it. If he was planning on not coming, I’m pretty sure I would know.”
At last year’s induction ceremony, Dawson, who made the Hall in 2010, informed Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller that he didn’t plan to attend the 2020 event as a protest against Jeter, who fired Dawson — as well as his fellow Hall of Famer Tony Perez — upon taking over the Marlins, without even communicating with either man.
“I don’t have a sense, or feeling, like I want to sit on that stage to hear what [Jeter] has to say,” Dawson said.
Perez, while also critical of Jeter, equivocated.
Last September, Jeter told South Florida-based radio host Craig Mish that he had met with Dawson and Perez in an attempt to clear the air. Dawson confirmed that meeting took place. As for going to Cooperstown, Dawson said, “I’ll contemplate.”
That contemplation seemingly has led to Dawson joining his Hall of Fame fraternity brothers.
Raines, who noted he has been friendly with Dawson “since Derek was in diapers,” said he did not play a peacekeeper role between the two men despite knowing both of them well.
“It’s a great honor to be in the Hall of Fame,” Raines said, “and to have two Hall of Fame players be in a situation like that to where they can’t be in the same place at the same time, I’m hoping that’ll never happen.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Serena Williams joins Coco Gauff in third round of Australian Open

MELBOURNE , Australia — Serena Williams moved a step closer in her bid for a record 24th major title with a 6-2 , 6-3 win over Tamara Zidansek to reach the third round at the Australian Open .
Williams won the last of her seven Australian Open titles in 2017 , but hasn ’ t added a major championship since then .
She took time off the tour to have her daughter , Olympia , and has lost four Grand Slam finals in the last two seasons .
Her title in Auckland , New Zealand recently was her first at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38-year-old Williams dominated in the first set but was slowed down slightly in the second , when the roof was closed because of rain , and the 70th-ranked Zidansek saved the first seven break-point chances she faced .
“ I knew I had to step up , otherwise it was going to be a really long evening for me , ” Williams said .
Earlier , Coco Gauff also advanced to the third round , but it wasn ’ t easy .
Gauff rebounded from a rough start to score 4-6 , 6-3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With the hard-fought win , Gauff has set up yet another Grand Slam showdown against Naomi Osaka , who scored a 6-2 , 6-4 victory over Zheng Saisai .
Less than five months after their memorable meeting at the U.S. Open — Osaka won that one in straight sets , then consoled a crying Gauff on court and encouraged her to address the spectators — the two will meet again .
Like that time , Osaka is the major ’ s reigning champion and Gauff is making her debut at the tournament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ less nervous this time , ” said Gauff , who eliminated seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams in the first round Monday .
“ I think I ’ m more confident this time around .
”

MELBOURNE, Australia — Serena Williams moved a step closer in her bid for a record 24th major title with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Tamara Zidansek to reach the third round at the Australian Open.
Williams won the last of her seven Australian Open titles in 2017, but hasn’t added a major championship since then. She took time off the tour to have her daughter, Olympia, and has lost four Grand Slam finals in the last two seasons. Her title in Auckland, New Zealand recently was her first at tour-level in almost three years.
The 38-year-old Williams dominated in the first set but was slowed down slightly in the second, when the roof was closed because of rain, and the 70th-ranked Zidansek saved the first seven break-point chances she faced.
“I knew I had to step up, otherwise it was going to be a really long evening for me,” Williams said.
Earlier, Coco Gauff also advanced to the third round, but it wasn’t easy. Gauff rebounded from a rough start to score 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Soran Cirstea. With the hard-fought win, Gauff has set up yet another Grand Slam showdown against Naomi Osaka, who scored a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Zheng Saisai.
Less than five months after their memorable meeting at the U.S. Open — Osaka won that one in straight sets, then consoled a crying Gauff on court and encouraged her to address the spectators — the two will meet again. Like that time, Osaka is the major’s reigning champion and Gauff is making her debut at the tournament.
“I think I’ll be less nervous this time,” said Gauff, who eliminated seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams in the first round Monday. “I think I’m more confident this time around.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--What vote results told us about this year’s Hall of Fame ballot

Curt Schilling ’ s time in the penalty box looks like it ’ s running out .
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens do not appear as lucky .
Andy Pettitte , meanwhile , at least lives to fight another year .
Beyond the Baseball Hall of Fame celebrations for electees Derek Jeter and Larry Walker stood those who fell short of the required 75 percent threshold on the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America ballot .
The biggest winner of the non-winners arguably was Schilling , the master commander ( 4.38 strikeouts-to-walks ratio ) and postseason stud who rose from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exceptionally weak class coming aboard next year — pitchers Mark Buehrle and Tim Hudson and outfielder Torii Hunter headline the group — Schilling , who just spent his eighth year on the ballot , will serve as the favorite to gain election .
His candidacy had been hurt by both ballot gridlock and a flurry of hateful comments about different people and groups , yet he should move past both , with two years of eligibility remaining .
• The Steroids Scapegoats , Clemens and Bonds , both in their eighth years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 59.5 and 59.1 percent , respectively , to 61 and 60.7 .
There will need to be some sort of drastic change in thinking — perhaps , as Bob Costas suggested Tuesday on the MLB Network a flurry of voters will flip in 2022 with the thinking that they made them wait until their last shot — in order to get them to Cooperstown .
• The beloved Yankee Pettitte registered an ultra-modest jump from 9.9 percent to 11.3 , a bad sign for him .
He did not benefit greatly from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players , the removal of Fred McGriff ( he used up his 10 years ) or this year ’ s class featuring only Jeter as a guarantee .
• Others , however , did benefit from that combination of forces .
Shortstop Omar Vizquel leaped from 42.8 percent to 52.6 , and with seven years left , he should feel quite optimistic about his prospects .
Third baseman Scott Rolen enjoyed a gigantic jump from 17.2 percent to 35.3 in his third year , the second-biggest gain after Walker .
Former Yankee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gary Sheffield also had a great day , going from 13.6 percent to 30.5 in his third year .
Closer Billy Wagner ( 16.7 percent to 31.7 , fifth year ) , Rockies first baseman Todd Helton ( 16.5 percent to 29.2 , second year ) and center fielder Andruw Jones ( 7.5 percent to 19.4 , third year ) all saw big bumps , too .
• Jeter ’ s Yankees teammate Bobby Abreu was the only other first-year candidate to register any level of success .
With 5.5 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 percent necessary to quality for the next ballot .

Curt Schilling’s time in the penalty box looks like it’s running out. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens do not appear as lucky. Andy Pettitte, meanwhile, at least lives to fight another year.
Beyond the Baseball Hall of Fame celebrations for electees Derek Jeter and Larry Walker stood those who fell short of the required 75 percent threshold on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. The biggest winner of the non-winners arguably was Schilling, the master commander (4.38 strikeouts-to-walks ratio) and postseason stud who rose from 60.9 percent to 70 percent.
With an exceptionally weak class coming aboard next year — pitchers Mark Buehrle and Tim Hudson and outfielder Torii Hunter headline the group — Schilling, who just spent his eighth year on the ballot, will serve as the favorite to gain election. His candidacy had been hurt by both ballot gridlock and a flurry of hateful comments about different people and groups, yet he should move past both, with two years of eligibility remaining.
Other results of note:


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Badgers LB Zack Baun wouldn’t mind being on Giants’ radar

MOBILE , Ala. — The Giants already have one player who made the unusual transition from high school quarterback to standout college linebacker at Wisconsin , and another one could be on the way .
Ryan Connelly was doing big things as a rookie for the Giants before he went down with a season-ending injury .
One of his former Badgers teammates would not mind a reunion .
“ Yeah , that would be awesome , ’ ’ Zack Baun said Tuesday before the first Senior Bowl practice of the week .
“ I think if I go to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s automatically going to help me pick up the defense .
We have a strong bond , connection , being from essentially the same bloodline.
’ ’ Teams in the NFL know all about taking Wisconsin offensive linemen in the draft — it is a smart thing to do .
Lately , though , a specific position on defense is rising on the charts , developed in Madison and spread throughout the league .
“ I think every linebacker that started at Wisconsin since I ’ ve been there is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ Baun said .
“ I think we ’ re the new Linebacker U.
’ ’ Baun said it with a smile , knowing he took a bit of a shot at Big Ten rival Penn State .
But he has a point .
He was teammates at Wisconsin with Joe Schobert , T.J. Watt , T.J. Edwards , Andrew Van Ginkel , Leon Jacobs and Connelly .
All but Edwards were drafted and all are in the NFL .
Baun said he spoke to Giants representatives here and he stands out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to improve .
Baun had 12.5 sacks as a senior and is an interesting edge-rush prospect , a true speed rusher .
This week , he will play at weakside linebacker during Senior Bowl practices .
He had 19 tackles for loss this past season for the Badgers and the label of playmaker is attached to him .
He is 6-foot-3 and weighed in at 240 , five pounds heavier than his final year in college .
It is early in the process and there is some buzz Baun could go late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go no later than the second round .
Not bad for a run-first option quarterback from the very Wisconsin-sounding Brown Deer who arrived to college at 205 pounds .
“ I would have said ‘ You ’ re crazy , ’ ’ ’ said Baun of what his thoughts would have been if this scenario was presented to him coming out of high school .
Turning a quarterback into a linebacker takes time , which is why so many Wisconsin players take a redshirt year .
Baun sees an advantage in being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to chase them down .
“ With the spread offenses nowadays everyone ’ s running the zone read — it ’ s exactly what I ran in high school , ’ ’ Baun said .
“ I was a running quarterback , I was rarely handing the ball off in those zone reads .
Players are so undisciplined in high school , I was keeping it every time .
It taught me as an edge defender to be patient and hold your water.
’ ’ Connelly was a fifth-round pick and it took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way into the starting lineup .
He had interceptions in back-to-back games and picked up his first sack in Week 4 but went down in that game , against the Redskins , with a torn ACL .
He spent the remainder of his rookie year on injured reserve and is expected to be ready to return in training camp .
“ He ’ s doing big things , just shows me a quarterback in high school can make an impact in the league on defense , ’ ’ Baun said .
Baun said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinks he is most similar with the Browns starting inside linebacker .
“ I think I can make the same transition to inside ’ backer as he did , ’ ’ Baun said .
Baun , though , has more pass-rush ability .
The Giants will not take Baun with the No .
4 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but high in the second round , at No .
36 ?
That is in the ballpark .
“ Coming from Wisconsin we ’ re dependable , smart , we ’ re tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We play a hardnosed brand of football and that ’ s very attractive to an NFL team.
’ ’ For more on the Giants , listen to the latest episode of the “ Blue Rush ” podcast :

MOBILE, Ala. — The Giants already have one player who made the unusual transition from high school quarterback to standout college linebacker at Wisconsin, and another one could be on the way.
Ryan Connelly was doing big things as a rookie for the Giants before he went down with a season-ending injury. One of his former Badgers teammates would not mind a reunion.
“Yeah, that would be awesome,’’ Zack Baun said Tuesday before the first Senior Bowl practice of the week. “I think if I go to a team with any other Wisconsin linebacker, it’s automatically going to help me pick up the defense. We have a strong bond, connection, being from essentially the same bloodline.’’
Teams in the NFL know all about taking Wisconsin offensive linemen in the draft — it is a smart thing to do. Lately, though, a specific position on defense is rising on the charts, developed in Madison and spread throughout the league.
“I think every linebacker that started at Wisconsin since I’ve been there is in the league and doing very well,’’ Baun said. “I think we’re the new Linebacker U.’’
Baun said it with a smile, knowing he took a bit of a shot at Big Ten rival Penn State. But he has a point. He was teammates at Wisconsin with Joe Schobert, T.J. Watt, T.J. Edwards, Andrew Van Ginkel, Leon Jacobs and Connelly. All but Edwards were drafted and all are in the NFL.
Baun said he spoke to Giants representatives here and he stands out in one particular area the Giants desperately need to improve. Baun had 12.5 sacks as a senior and is an interesting edge-rush prospect, a true speed rusher. This week, he will play at weakside linebacker during Senior Bowl practices. He had 19 tackles for loss this past season for the Badgers and the label of playmaker is attached to him. He is 6-foot-3 and weighed in at 240, five pounds heavier than his final year in college.
It is early in the process and there is some buzz Baun could go late in the first round and is expected to go no later than the second round. Not bad for a run-first option quarterback from the very Wisconsin-sounding Brown Deer who arrived to college at 205 pounds.
“I would have said ‘You’re crazy,’ ’’ said Baun of what his thoughts would have been if this scenario was presented to him coming out of high school.
Turning a quarterback into a linebacker takes time, which is why so many Wisconsin players take a redshirt year. Baun sees an advantage in being a former quarterback when it comes time to chase them down.
“With the spread offenses nowadays everyone’s running the zone read — it’s exactly what I ran in high school,’’ Baun said. “I was a running quarterback, I was rarely handing the ball off in those zone reads. Players are so undisciplined in high school, I was keeping it every time. It taught me as an edge defender to be patient and hold your water.’’
Connelly was a fifth-round pick and it took him only one game to work his way into the starting lineup. He had interceptions in back-to-back games and picked up his first sack in Week 4 but went down in that game, against the Redskins, with a torn ACL. He spent the remainder of his rookie year on injured reserve and is expected to be ready to return in training camp.
“He’s doing big things, just shows me a quarterback in high school can make an impact in the league on defense,’’ Baun said.
Baun said he modeled his game after Schobert and thinks he is most similar with the Browns starting inside linebacker.
“I think I can make the same transition to inside ’backer as he did,’’ Baun said.
Baun, though, has more pass-rush ability. The Giants will not take Baun with the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but high in the second round, at No. 36? That is in the ballpark.
“Coming from Wisconsin we’re dependable, smart, we’re tough,’’ Baun said. “We play a hardnosed brand of football and that’s very attractive to an NFL team.’’
For more on the Giants, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Knicks’ Marcus Morris unlikely to play vs. Lakers

This is the only chance Knicks fans have to express ...

The Knicks may not have Marcus Morris again to face the Lakers.
After spraining his right ankle in a starring role in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day victory over the Cavaliers, Morris is being listed as questionable for Wednesday’s showdown versus the purple and gold. Morris, who has emerged as the Knicks’ best player, hobbled out of the locker room late Monday night and was reevaluated Tuesday.
Earlier this month, after starring against the Clippers, Morris had to miss the Lakers game on Jan. 7 — a 30-point defeat at Staples Center.
The Knicks called off practice Tuesday to attend the David Stern memorial service at Radio City Music Hall.
“It’s pretty sore,’’ Morris said after Monday’s game. “Obviously everyone saw I twisted it. Just see how I feel and go from there.’’
In a highlight to his 19-point outing versus the Cavs, Morris executed a four-point play, draining a 3-pointer and then landing on Kevin Love’s foot — an infraction that was ruled a flagrant foul. Morris crumpled to the court and came up limping, but stayed in the game after having his ankle taped.
It would be a blow for Morris to miss another chance versus James.
“Yeah for sure, anytime guys like that come into the Garden, it’s going to be jumping,’’ Morris said. “Definitely looking forward to it. I wasn’t able to play in LA. Hopefully the ankle feels better and I can give it a go.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Michael Pittman Jr. would love to reunite with Sam Darnold

MOBILE , Ala. — One of the Jets ’ priorities this offseason is finding some weapons for quarterback to Sam Darnold to throw to .
How about one he already knows well ?
Michael Pittman Jr. is at the Senior Bowl this week , trying to impress teams and move his name up draft boards in a loaded year for wide receivers .
The USC graduate would welcome the chance to play with Darnold again for the Jets .
“ That would be great , ” Pittman said .
“ Sammy D was like one of the best quarterbacks I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just a straight gamer .
He is a young quarterback that has 10-15 years left .
That would be nice to have that run with him.
” Pittman played his first two seasons with the Trojans with Darnold .
He became a starter midway through that second season and caught plenty of passes from Darnold .
Pittman said he tries to leave the Jets quarterback alone now .
“ Because he ’ s such a busy guy , ” Pittman said .
“ I don ’ t want to be nagging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole franchise to worry about .
Me and him are friends .
We ’ ve always been cool .
Next time I see him it will be like we never missed a beat.
” Pittman is an intriguing prospect .
He is 6-foot-4 and had a highly productive senior season at USC , catching 101 passes for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns .
ESPN draft expert Todd McShay called him a top-five receiver in this year ’ s loaded class while McShay ’ s colleague Mel Kiper has Pittman ranked as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he has a lot to offer whatever team drafts him .
“ I can be a big-play guy for them , one that ’ s not afraid to go across the middle or go up for balls or block backers .
I can do all of that , ” he said .
The NFL life won ’ t be that unexpected for Pittman , whose father Michael played 11 years in the league with the Cardinals , Buccaneers and Broncos .
He rushed for 124 yards in Tampa Bay ’ s Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pittman said his father has been giving him guidance through the draft process .
“ He ’ s giving me advice at every step , ” he said .
“ He ’ s been really great in helping me navigate this new territory.
” Pittman Sr. was a compact running back at 6-foot , 220 pounds .
His son does not look like his father with his long limbs .
“ I ’ m tall and long .
Yeah , I don ’ t know why that is .
Maybe I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joked .
Pittman showed how he could take over a game this year against Utah when he had 10 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown in a 30-23 win .
Despite his production , there are some doubts around Pittman .
He believes people are underestimating his speed .
“ I ’ m actually faster than they want to give me credit for , ” he said.
” I don ’ t want to put numbers on it , but let ’ s just say I think people are going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scouting Combine will be big for Pittman as he tries to show he belongs near the top of this receiver class that is believed to be one of the deepest in years .
He is the top senior wideout here this week , but there are plenty of underclassmen who are expected to go early in the draft , starting with Alabama ’ s Jerry Jeudy .
“ We ’ re all just trying to separate , ” Pittman said of the receivers .
“ Everybody is so talented that they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to keep doing things to put yourself forward and focus on working yourself.
” Where does Pittman rank himself ?
“ I don ’ t want to start ranking guys , ” he said with a smile , “ but I think that I ’ m pretty well off .
”

MOBILE, Ala. — One of the Jets’ priorities this offseason is finding some weapons for quarterback to Sam Darnold to throw to. How about one he already knows well?
Michael Pittman Jr. is at the Senior Bowl this week, trying to impress teams and move his name up draft boards in a loaded year for wide receivers. The USC graduate would welcome the chance to play with Darnold again for the Jets.
“That would be great,” Pittman said. “Sammy D was like one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever played with. He’s just a straight gamer. He is a young quarterback that has 10-15 years left. That would be nice to have that run with him.”
Pittman played his first two seasons with the Trojans with Darnold. He became a starter midway through that second season and caught plenty of passes from Darnold. Pittman said he tries to leave the Jets quarterback alone now.
“Because he’s such a busy guy,” Pittman said. “I don’t want to be nagging at him because he’s got a whole franchise to worry about. Me and him are friends. We’ve always been cool. Next time I see him it will be like we never missed a beat.”
Pittman is an intriguing prospect. He is 6-foot-4 and had a highly productive senior season at USC, catching 101 passes for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns. ESPN draft expert Todd McShay called him a top-five receiver in this year’s loaded class while McShay’s colleague Mel Kiper has Pittman ranked as the No. 8 receiver overall.
Pittman said he has a lot to offer whatever team drafts him.
“I can be a big-play guy for them, one that’s not afraid to go across the middle or go up for balls or block backers. I can do all of that,” he said.
The NFL life won’t be that unexpected for Pittman, whose father Michael played 11 years in the league with the Cardinals, Buccaneers and Broncos. He rushed for 124 yards in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl win after the 2002 season.
Pittman said his father has been giving him guidance through the draft process.
“He’s giving me advice at every step,” he said. “He’s been really great in helping me navigate this new territory.”
Pittman Sr. was a compact running back at 6-foot, 220 pounds. His son does not look like his father with his long limbs.
“I’m tall and long. Yeah, I don’t know why that is. Maybe I’m adopted or something,” Pittman Jr. joked.
Pittman showed how he could take over a game this year against Utah when he had 10 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown in a 30-23 win. Despite his production, there are some doubts around Pittman. He believes people are underestimating his speed.
“I’m actually faster than they want to give me credit for,” he said.”I don’t want to put numbers on it, but let’s just say I think people are going to be shocked at the combine.”
The NFL Scouting Combine will be big for Pittman as he tries to show he belongs near the top of this receiver class that is believed to be one of the deepest in years. He is the top senior wideout here this week, but there are plenty of underclassmen who are expected to go early in the draft, starting with Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy.
“We’re all just trying to separate,” Pittman said of the receivers. “Everybody is so talented that they’re making that pretty hard. You just have to keep doing things to put yourself forward and focus on working yourself.”
Where does Pittman rank himself?
“I don’t want to start ranking guys,” he said with a smile, “but I think that I’m pretty well off.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Rangers’ David Quinn gives Kaapo Kakko top-line minutes

This was not good enough .
With or without Artemi Panarin , ...

How’s that for giving the kid a chance?
Kaapo Kakko got season-high 19:33 of ice time (by one second), playing most of the second period and all of the third on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad during the Rangers’ 4-2 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday night at the Garden.
Yet the 18-year-old Kakko, taken No. 2-overall in June’s draft, couldn’t register a point, going into the 10-day break for the All-Star Game and the bye week riding an eight-game pointless streak. In his first 44 NHL games, he has seven goals and 16 points, going without a point in 15 of his previous 16 games.
“I thought he did have extra tonight,” said coach David Quinn, who moved him off his kid line with 20-year-old Filip Chytil and 21-year-old Brett Howden. “I’ve kind of liked his game for a while here. It was something that I contemplated doing earlier. But I’ve liked that young line together, and I just didn’t love them tonight as a group. But I did like his game, so I put him up there.”
The move sent Brendan Lemieux down from that top line, where he started his second game back from almost a month-long absence due to a broken hand, to play with Chytil and Greg McKegg. Brett Howden got only two shifts in the third period and played only 8:24.
There has been a thaw in the relationship between Rangers and Lias Andersson, The Post has learned. Andersson and team president John Davidson have been communicating directly for about the last 10 days, following the 2017 No. 7 pick demanding a trade and then being suspended by the Rangers when he left AHL Hartford to return home to Sweden just before Christmas.
Andersson, 21, has begun to skate/practice with Division II Kungälvs IK, with the Rangers’ approval.
Goalie Igor Shesterkin was sent back to AHL Hartford for the break, with the Wolf Pack playing Friday and Saturday at home. Shesterkin, who played in three NHL games since his recall on Jan. 6, will not participate in the AHL All-Star Game, set to take place in Ontario, Calif., on Monday.
Shesterkin was a healthy scratch Tuesday while Alex Georgiev stopped 14 of 18 shots to end his winning ways against the Islanders, having taken four of the first five contests against the rivals in his short career. Henrik Lundqvist backed up for the seventh time in the past eight games.
Vinni Letteri was named as a late addition to the AHL All-Star Game, putting up 18 goals and 35 points in 42 games for the Wolf Pack this season after having played 46 NHL games, all with the Rangers, including 27 this past season.
Winger Phillip Di Giuseppe was sent back to AHL Hartford without getting into a NHL game following his call-up on Jan. 12.
— with Larry Brooks
For more on the Rangers, listen to the latest episode of the “Up In The Blue Seats” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--When it looked like Patrick Mahomes could take baseball route

Patrick Mahomes was committed to Texas Tech , but not yet to football .
When the future NFL MVP graduated Whitehouse High School in Texas , ESPN didn ’ t list Mahomes among the top 300 football recruits in the country .
247 Sports listed him as the 47th best quarterback in the class .
His future could have belonged to baseball , where the pitcher/outfielder was long predicted to follow the footsteps of his father , Pat Mahomes Sr. , who pitched 11 seasons in the majors , including two with the Mets .
Just before the 2014 MLB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was concerned he could lose the intriguing quarterback prospect to a massive signing bonus .
“ With his dad having that history of being a professional player , it does [ concern me ] , but we ’ ll see how it shakes out.
, ” Kingsbury said then .
“ I know he wants to come to college , but you never know how that money ’ s going to be.
” Mahomes admitted as much .
But when 10 rounds and two days passed without his hearing his name , Mahomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would soon begin .
Many MLB teams were scared off by Mahomes ’ passion for football , fearing he could eventually spurn them for the NFL .
“ I ’ m not gon na lie , that played a little into Patrick , ” Tigers scout Tim Grieve said .
“ If I give him this big bonus , is he gon na stick it out ?
I ’ m not saying Patrick was gon na quit , but it ’ s something you think about in the back of your mind that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was probably a figure you could have signed him for .
It would ’ ve been a really high amount .
“ If Patrick had told everybody , ‘ I ’ m all-in on baseball , ’ I think somebody probably takes him in the third- , fourth-round range .
It ’ s possible he goes better than that .
That ’ s the kind of abilities he has .
He was a good prospect , a little rough around the edges because he was a kid who was focusing on another sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing .
Football was his passion.
” So , Mahomes slid — all the way to the 37th round , when the Tigers grabbed him .
“ You ’ re thinking , maybe this kid goes off to Texas Tech and football doesn ’ t work out , ” Grieve said .
“ Maybe he keeps playing baseball and realizes baseball ’ s what he wants to do , so let ’ s be the club that starts building that relationship , get your foot in the door a little bit in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall back on.
” The 24-year-old who has led the Chiefs to the Super Bowl didn ’ t start at quarterback until his junior season of high school , primarily playing safety his first two years .
He was a three-sport star who eventually averaged 19 points and eight rebounds and was deemed talented enough to play college basketball .
He was a right-hander who could throw 95 mph or a strong curveball .
He was a right fielder who intimidated countless base runners ; a power hitter who struck fear in so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every position but catcher .
As a senior , Mahomes pitched a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in front of dozens of scouts , while winning a duel against future first-round pick Michael Kopech .
The same day , he went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double .
“ What you see as a football player , that talent , creativity , athleticism , that ’ s what he showed you , ” Grieve said .
“ If you polled 30 teams , you ’ d probably get a split .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some liked him as a position player.
” Mahomes appeared in three baseball games at Texas Tech .
Twice , he was a pinch hitter .
Once , he appeared out of the bullpen .
He then turned all his focus to football .
It was clear it would be his future .
“ If he chose to focus on baseball , he would ’ ve been really good , ” Grieve said .
“ Maybe not as good as he is at football , but he was gon na be successful.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to the latest episode of the “ Gang ’ s All Here ” podcast :

Patrick Mahomes was committed to Texas Tech, but not yet to football.
When the future NFL MVP graduated Whitehouse High School in Texas, ESPN didn’t list Mahomes among the top 300 football recruits in the country. 247 Sports listed him as the 47th best quarterback in the class.
His future could have belonged to baseball, where the pitcher/outfielder was long predicted to follow the footsteps of his father, Pat Mahomes Sr., who pitched 11 seasons in the majors, including two with the Mets.
Just before the 2014 MLB draft, then-Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury was concerned he could lose the intriguing quarterback prospect to a massive signing bonus.
“With his dad having that history of being a professional player, it does [concern me], but we’ll see how it shakes out.,” Kingsbury said then. “I know he wants to come to college, but you never know how that money’s going to be.”
Mahomes admitted as much. But when 10 rounds and two days passed without his hearing his name, Mahomes announced on Twitter his college football career would soon begin.
Many MLB teams were scared off by Mahomes’ passion for football, fearing he could eventually spurn them for the NFL.
“I’m not gonna lie, that played a little into Patrick,” Tigers scout Tim Grieve said. “If I give him this big bonus, is he gonna stick it out? I’m not saying Patrick was gonna quit, but it’s something you think about in the back of your mind that it’s a possibility. There was probably a figure you could have signed him for. It would’ve been a really high amount.
“If Patrick had told everybody, ‘I’m all-in on baseball,’ I think somebody probably takes him in the third-, fourth-round range. It’s possible he goes better than that. That’s the kind of abilities he has. He was a good prospect, a little rough around the edges because he was a kid who was focusing on another sport. Baseball was something that he liked doing. Football was his passion.”
So, Mahomes slid — all the way to the 37th round, when the Tigers grabbed him.
“You’re thinking, maybe this kid goes off to Texas Tech and football doesn’t work out,” Grieve said. “Maybe he keeps playing baseball and realizes baseball’s what he wants to do, so let’s be the club that starts building that relationship, get your foot in the door a little bit in case it’s something he wants to fall back on.”
Mahomes always had options.
The 24-year-old who has led the Chiefs to the Super Bowl didn’t start at quarterback until his junior season of high school, primarily playing safety his first two years. He was a three-sport star who eventually averaged 19 points and eight rebounds and was deemed talented enough to play college basketball.
He was a right-hander who could throw 95 mph or a strong curveball. He was a right fielder who intimidated countless base runners; a power hitter who struck fear in so many on the mound. He played every position but catcher.
As a senior, Mahomes pitched a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in front of dozens of scouts, while winning a duel against future first-round pick Michael Kopech. The same day, he went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double.
“What you see as a football player, that talent, creativity, athleticism, that’s what he showed you,” Grieve said. “If you polled 30 teams, you’d probably get a split. Some liked him better as a pitcher. Some liked him as a position player.”
Mahomes appeared in three baseball games at Texas Tech. Twice, he was a pinch hitter. Once, he appeared out of the bullpen. He then turned all his focus to football. It was clear it would be his future.
But….
“If he chose to focus on baseball, he would’ve been really good,” Grieve said. “Maybe not as good as he is at football, but he was gonna be successful.”
For more on the NFL playoffs, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-22--Joe Judge gets high marks from another Bill Belichick disciple

MOBILE , Ala. — Matt Patricia gained a reputation as having a fertile mind for defense during his time with the Patriots , and that expertise convinced the Lions two years ago he was worthy of being their head coach .
Patricia , though , started out his NFL coaching career working with the offensive line , so he does have some experience on both sides of the ball .
Patricia for six years worked with Joe Judge on Bill Belichick ’ s staff , considers Judge “ a good friend and a great coach , ’ ’ and sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as being especially beneficial for Judge ’ s transition to running the entire on-field football operation with the Giants .
“ Joe was someone in the special teams role who presents to the entire team , ’ ’ Patricia said Tuesday at the Senior Bowl , where he and his Lions assistants will coach the North squad .
“ Offensively and defensively , a lot of times we ’ re just working on our side of the ball and coaching our side of the ball , unless you cross-trained at all .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the entire team .
He ’ s very much used to being up in front of everybody , commanding a room that way , drawing their interest and respect and trying to get players to play better .
From that aspect , when you see that and you see his natural ability to do that in front of the team , you say ‘ OK , this guy can handle coaching the entire team.
’ ’ ’ Judge and Patricia were on the New England staff together from 2012 through the 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has gone 6-10 and 3-12-1 , learning the difficulties of repairing a franchise from the bottom up .
The Giants have nowhere to go but up with Judge , considering their last three miserable seasons produced a record of 12-36 for two different head coaches .
“ There will be challenges that will come up that are unique for him and his position , ’ ’ Patricia said .
The Patriots Way , or , more specifically , The Belichick Way , will not travel from Foxborough to East Rutherford .
Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the concepts and philosophies he learned from Belichick and incorporate them into the Giants ’ new way of doing things .
Patricia was a serious candidate in 2018 for the Giants job that went to Pat Shurmur .
The Giants hope Judge can turn the Giants around .
Patricia has yet to do that with the Lions .
“ I think the hardest thing … if you ’ ve been in one organization for a long time where there ’ s probably a preestablished culture or preestablished way of doing things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you go into a new building or a new organization and you ’ re trying to implement some of the things that you think are important from that aspect of it there are just a lot of things that come up that are a challenge .
A lot of ’ em , you really don ’ t know what they are , because you just haven ’ t experienced , you haven ’ t seen it , you don ’ t know what it is .
“ There obviously is a reason you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought you in .
If it was an organization that didn ’ t need a lot of change or didn ’ t need some improvement you probably wouldn ’ t be there.
’ ’ Patricia , 45 , believes Judge is up to it .
“ A hard-working guy , ’ ’ Patricia said .
“ He ’ s really smart .
He ’ s one of those guys who just invested in learning all three phases and how they work together .
Joe has that background of special teams but then branched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of questions offensively , defensively , grew his knowledge this past year working on the offensive side of the ball .
He understands how that all fits together .
He spent a lot of time learning about the roster , how to build that , how to put the team together , so I ’ m excited for him .
I think it ’ s a great opportunity .
It ’ s obviously a great organization.
’ ’ For more on the Giants , listen to the latest episode of the “ Blue @ @ @ @

MOBILE, Ala. — Matt Patricia gained a reputation as having a fertile mind for defense during his time with the Patriots, and that expertise convinced the Lions two years ago he was worthy of being their head coach.
Patricia, though, started out his NFL coaching career working with the offensive line, so he does have some experience on both sides of the ball. Patricia for six years worked with Joe Judge on Bill Belichick’s staff, considers Judge “a good friend and a great coach,’’ and sees Judge’s background on special teams as being especially beneficial for Judge’s transition to running the entire on-field football operation with the Giants.
“Joe was someone in the special teams role who presents to the entire team,’’ Patricia said Tuesday at the Senior Bowl, where he and his Lions assistants will coach the North squad.
“Offensively and defensively, a lot of times we’re just working on our side of the ball and coaching our side of the ball, unless you cross-trained at all. But he, from Day 1, it was the entire team. He’s very much used to being up in front of everybody, commanding a room that way, drawing their interest and respect and trying to get players to play better. From that aspect, when you see that and you see his natural ability to do that in front of the team, you say ‘OK, this guy can handle coaching the entire team.’ ’’
Judge and Patricia were on the New England staff together from 2012 through the 2017 season. Patricia was hired in Detroit and has gone 6-10 and 3-12-1, learning the difficulties of repairing a franchise from the bottom up. The Giants have nowhere to go but up with Judge, considering their last three miserable seasons produced a record of 12-36 for two different head coaches.
“There will be challenges that will come up that are unique for him and his position,’’ Patricia said.
The Patriots Way, or, more specifically, The Belichick Way, will not travel from Foxborough to East Rutherford. Judge, 38, will surely take some of the concepts and philosophies he learned from Belichick and incorporate them into the Giants’ new way of doing things.
Patricia was a serious candidate in 2018 for the Giants job that went to Pat Shurmur. The Giants hope Judge can turn the Giants around. Patricia has yet to do that with the Lions.
“I think the hardest thing … if you’ve been in one organization for a long time where there’s probably a preestablished culture or preestablished way of doing things,’’ Patricia said. “When you go into a new building or a new organization and you’re trying to implement some of the things that you think are important from that aspect of it there are just a lot of things that come up that are a challenge. A lot of ’em, you really don’t know what they are, because you just haven’t experienced, you haven’t seen it, you don’t know what it is.
“There obviously is a reason you’re there and a reason they brought you in. If it was an organization that didn’t need a lot of change or didn’t need some improvement you probably wouldn’t be there.’’
Patricia, 45, believes Judge is up to it.
“A hard-working guy,’’ Patricia said. “He’s really smart. He’s one of those guys who just invested in learning all three phases and how they work together. Joe has that background of special teams but then branched out. He would ask a lot of questions offensively, defensively, grew his knowledge this past year working on the offensive side of the ball. He understands how that all fits together. He spent a lot of time learning about the roster, how to build that, how to put the team together, so I’m excited for him. I think it’s a great opportunity. It’s obviously a great organization.’’
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