newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Pete Buttigieg to drop out of 2020 presidential race

Former South Bend , Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg has decided to drop out of the 2020 presidential race , a campaign aide told The Post on Sunday .
Buttigieg , 38 , plans to give a speech in his hometown of South Bend , Indiana , formally suspending his campaign later Sunday , the aide said .
Buttigieg ’ s decision followed his dismal performance Saturday in the South Carolina primary , where he came in a distant fourth place among Democrats with around 8 percent of the vote .
It also came two days before the “ Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates will be at stake in states including California , Texas , Virginia and North Carolina .
Earlier Sunday , Buttigieg had told NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” that he “ knew South Carolina was going to be a challenging state ” but added , “ I think the most important thing right now is to look at what we can do to make sure that we put forward a campaign that is going to end the Trump presidency.
” Buttigieg also said he was still fine-tuning his strategy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Well , we believe that there are places from coast to coast , in districts across different states , where our message is resonating particularly well , ” he said .
“ We ’ ll be looking at the math as we continue to push and make the most of the resources that we have.
” Buttigieg — a Harvard grad , Rhodes scholar and Naval Reserve intelligence officer — shot from obscurity as the two-term mayor of South Bend with a White House bid that scored him a surprise victory in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary .
But his inability to connect with African-American voters — which mirrored problems he had with South Bend ’ s black community — led to just 3 percent support from that crucial constituency in South Carolina .
Buttigieg ’ s campaign raised nearly $ 83 million , spent more than $ 76 million and had $ 6.6 million on hand as of Jan. 31 , according to the most recent figures available from the federal Election Commission .

Kenneth Garger, Ebony Bowden, Bruce Golding

Former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg has dropped out of the 2020 presidential race — telling supporters Sunday night that the path to victory “has narrowed to a close.”
“We were never supposed to get anywhere at all,” Buttigieg, 38, said while announcing his decision in South Bend.
“Today is a moment of truth … the truth is the path has narrowed to a close.
“So tonight I’m making the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the presidency,” he said.
Buttigieg’s surprise move followed his dismal performance Saturday in the South Carolina primary, where he came in a distant fourth place among Democrats with around 8 percent of the vote.
It also came two days before the “Super Tuesday” Democratic primaries, in which 1,357 delegates will be at stake in states including California, Texas, Virginia and North Carolina.
While Buttigieg is no longer in the race, he assured his supporters Sunday night he will continue fighting to help Democrats defeat President Trump.
“I will do everything in my power to ensure that we have a Democratic president come January,” he said.
Earlier Sunday, Buttigieg had told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he “knew South Carolina was going to be a challenging state” but added, “I think the most important thing right now is to look at what we can do to make sure that we put forward a campaign that is going to end the Trump presidency.”
Buttigieg also said he was still fine-tuning his strategy for competing in the Super Tuesday contests.
“Well, we believe that there are places from coast to coast, in districts across different states, where our message is resonating particularly well,” he said.
“We’ll be looking at the math as we continue to push and make the most of the resources that we have.”
Buttigieg — a Harvard grad, Rhodes scholar and Naval Reserve intelligence officer — rose from obscurity as the two-term mayor of South Bend with a White House bid that scored him a surprise victory in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus and a strong second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary.
He cited those accomplishments Sunday night.
“In a field in which more than two dozen Democratic candidates ran for president — senators and governors, billionaires, a former vice president — we achieved a top four finish in each of the first four states,” said Buttigieg.
He also made history as the first openly gay man to run for president.
But his inability to connect with African-American voters — which mirrored problems he had with South Bend’s black community — led to just 3 percent support from that crucial constituency in South Carolina.
Buttigieg’s campaign raised nearly $83 million, spent more than $76 million and had $6.6 million on hand as of Jan. 31, according to the most recent figures available from the federal Election Commission.


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--76ers may already be looking to move on from Al Horford

Al Horford has become a $ 109 million problem for the Philadelphia 76ers , and they may try to rid themselves of it .
The Sixers might look to trade Horford this offseason , USA Today reports , amid a frustrating first season for Horford in Philly .
The 33-year-old was supposed to be part of a dominating frontcourt with Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris , but it hasn ’ t worked out thus far .
Horford was taken out of the starting lineup for a three-game stretch last month before returning to the starting five on Feb. 24 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is his lowest average since he had 11.5 points per game in 2008-09 , his second NBA season .
The Sixers fell to 37-24 with a Sunday loss to the Clippers , falling to 9-22 on the road .
They ’ re the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and are just a half-game ahead of the Indiana Pacers .
If they can ’ t catch the Miami Heat to take the No .
4 seed , they ’ ll have to start a first-round playoff series on the road , which could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell to the eventual-NBA champion Raptors in the second round last year .

Al Horford has become a $109 million problem for the Philadelphia 76ers, and they may try to rid themselves of it.
The Sixers might look to trade Horford this offseason, USA Today reports, amid a frustrating first season for Horford in Philly.
The 33-year-old was supposed to be part of a dominating frontcourt with Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, but it hasn’t worked out thus far. Horford was taken out of the starting lineup for a three-game stretch last month before returning to the starting five on Feb. 24.
Horford’s 11.7 points per game is his lowest average since he had 11.5 points per game in 2008-09, his second NBA season.
The Sixers fell to 37-24 with a Sunday loss to the Clippers, falling to 9-22 on the road. They’re the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and are just a half-game ahead of the Indiana Pacers. If they can’t catch the Miami Heat to take the No. 4 seed, they’ll have to start a first-round playoff series on the road, which could spell an early exit. The Sixers fell to the eventual-NBA champion Raptors in the second round last year.


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Kelly Stafford, Matthew Stafford’s wife, pregnant a year after brain surgery

Matthew Stafford and wife Kelly are adding another member to their offensive line .
On Sunday , Kelly announced the couple is expecting their fourth child , revealing the newest member of the Stafford family will arrive before the Lions quarterback reports to training camp .
“ Got to enjoy one of the most magical places with my husband and 3 of our kiddos .
Not pictured : our middle baby girl , Huntie.Baby stafford # 4 due this summer ( no worries , well before training camp ) , ” Kelly captioned a family shot on Instagram .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know whether the stafford kids will continue as a girl squad or if a little brother will enter the craziness until baby is here .
Excited and exhausted !
# staffordpartyof6 # madeindetroit # nomoresedans # staffordstrong.
” The proud parents welcomed twin daughters , Sawyer and Chandler , in 2017 , with daughter Hunter arriving a year later .
Kelly also quipped on her Instagram story that the Staffords will soon “ stay a party of 6.
” The news follows a harrowing ordeal for the Stafford family , as Kelly revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a lot to go through for anybody , especially a mother of three and wife to somebody who ’ s got a high-profile job like myself , ” Stafford previously said .
“ She ’ s doing a heck of a job , keeping it all together .
Had a lot of family and friend support , too.
” With the offseason in full swing , Kelly has already gone to bat for Stafford amid mounting trade rumors .
On Saturday , she made it clear the 32-year-old quarterback @ @ @ @ @

Matthew Stafford and wife Kelly are adding another member to their offensive line.
On Sunday, Kelly announced the couple is expecting their fourth child, revealing the newest member of the Stafford family will arrive before the Lions quarterback reports to training camp.
“Got to enjoy one of the most magical places with my husband and 3 of our kiddos. Not pictured: our middle baby girl, Huntie.Baby stafford #4 due this summer (no worries, well before training camp),” Kelly captioned a family shot on Instagram.
She continued, “We won’t know whether the stafford kids will continue as a girl squad or if a little brother will enter the craziness until baby is here. Excited and exhausted! #staffordpartyof6 #madeindetroit #nomoresedans #staffordstrong.”
The proud parents welcomed twin daughters, Sawyer and Chandler, in 2017, with daughter Hunter arriving a year later. Kelly also quipped on her Instagram story that the Staffords will soon “stay a party of 6.”
The news follows a harrowing ordeal for the Stafford family, as Kelly revealed her brain tumor diagnosis last April.
“It’s a lot to go through for anybody, especially a mother of three and wife to somebody who’s got a high-profile job like myself,” Stafford previously said. “She’s doing a heck of a job, keeping it all together. Had a lot of family and friend support, too.”
With the offseason in full swing, Kelly has already gone to bat for Stafford amid mounting trade rumors. On Saturday, she made it clear the 32-year-old quarterback is content in Detroit.


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Kosciuszko Bridge is vulnerable to terror attack, lawsuit says

A botched job of terror-proofing the new Kosciuszko Bridge has left its cables vulnerable to attack — and bumbling contractors even posted information online that all but provides a blueprint for would-be bombers , a blockbuster suit alleges .
Meanwhile , preventable “ aggressive corrosion ” of the shielding that ’ s supposed to protect the span ’ s 112 cables could cause them to break on their own — or send the metal-and-concrete armor tumbling onto the heavily trafficked overpass connecting Brooklyn and Queens , the court papers claim .
“ These failings create a severe and imminent threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can not be overstated , ” according to the suit .
The alarming claims are part of a suit brought by Maryland-based armor manufacturing company Hardwire LLC alleging theft of trade secrets by its former vice president and program manager of bridge security , Irvin “ Skip ” Ebaugh IV .
The FBI has an active and ongoing criminal investigation into the alleged rip-off and Ebaugh ’ s work on the Kosciuszko or “ K Bridge , ” according to the suit Hardwire filed last month in Baltimore federal court .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in damages from Ebaugh and his company , Infrastructure Armor LLC , for allegedly using Hardwire ’ s technology to underbid the firm and win a contract for the Kosciuszko job — without having the expertise to properly manufacture and install the cable shields .
“ As a result , Ebaugh and IA ’ s armor work at the K Bridge is critically flawed and creates a severe and imminent danger to the public and those that use and work on the bridge spans , ” the suit charges .
Ebaugh — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hooters restaurant near his home in Ocean City , Md .
— is accused of stealing a notebook and thumb drive from Hardwire when he was fired in February 2013 for “ aggressive and arrogant behaviors toward other employees , ” including founder and CEO George Tunis III and his wife , company president and COO Emily Tunis .
Although George Tunis and other Hardwire executives tried to physically prevent the theft , Ebaugh “ broke free with the thumb drive and ran out ” of the company ’ s Pocomoke City headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the suit says .
Hardwire was founded in 2000 to retrofit buildings ’ earthquake protection , but shifted its focus following the Sept. 11 terror attacks to developing armor for military and law-enforcement vehicles — including those of the NYPD — as well as bridges and other critical US infrastructure .
Hardwire , was “ continually awarded sole-source contracts for bridge security ” from 2005 until Ebaugh formed IA in April 2014 and began competing with his former employer , court papers say .
The following August , the suit says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the job of installing and armoring the cables on the first of the Kosciuszko Bridge ’ s new dual spans — part of the state Department of Transportation ’ s $ 873 million project to replace the original bridge that opened in 1939 .
The original , six-lane Kosciuszko carried around 163,000 vehicles a day in 2016 , before being replaced with two spans in 2017 and 2019 that have five and four lanes , respectively .
The cable work was awarded to Freyssinet Inc. , a subsidiary of the French VINCI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suit but is not a defendant .
Freyssinet hired Ebaugh and IA to handle the armoring on the first span , and the team got a no-bid contract for the second to ensure it “ looked the same , ” the suit says .
But Hardwire claims in its suit that Ebaugh and IA “ failed to implement critical details in the manufacturing and installation process ” it perfected .
One example cited in court papers involved Ebaugh allegedly using a “ specific type of metal in the interior of the parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required by state Department of Transportation specifications — to prevent corrosion when it comes into contact with the concrete used to reinforce the shields .
In addition , Ebaugh allegedly also used “ inferior galvanized steel ” that ’ s “ touching other dissimilar metallic parts ” and “ creating hot spots for corrosion.
” The suit claims that “ aggressive corrosion is already visible on the K Bridge armor , ” some of which which is “ severely splitting , delaminating [ fracturing ] , and is in danger of falling off.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear and present danger , but the armor is not providing its intended protection , ” Hardwire alleges in the suit .
“ The large seam created through the severe delamination and separation of the parts leaves significant vulnerabilities for the bridge cable .
This is counter to the entire purpose of armoring the bridge in the first place.
” Hardwire ’ s suit features a series of color photos , shot in July 2019 and January 2020 , that the company claims shows the various defects on armor that was waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place on the bridge .
The state DOT called the claims in the suit “ categorically false , ” “ entirely untrue ” and “ baseless allegations from people who have never inspected [ the bridge ] .
” “ All the materials used to build the bridge as well as the bridge itself have been regularly inspected and deemed compliant with all safety standards at every stage of the construction process by reputable , independent engineering firms and they determined the bridge is without a doubt safe , ” DOT Chief Engineer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ aluminum surface ” in the shields was painted prior to being put in contact with concrete and that an “ independent third party inspector certified that it was built to specifications with photo documentation.
” “ Any defects found in the materials used to construct the bridge were rejected or repaired before being installed – and the bridge is regularly inspected , as are all bridges in the state , and it is 100 percent safe , ” he said .
Albert also disputed the claim regarding the shields splitting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design in order to drain moisture that collects inside the shielding and has nothing to do in any way with the safety of the shields , cable or bridge itself.
” The DOT also released a Friday letter in which HNTB New York Engineering and Architecture — which designed the bridge — said that an inspection of the first span last year resulted in “ a 7 rating ( on a scale of 1 to 7 with 7 being new condition ) .
” “ Based on HNTB ’ s inspection , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance of the bridge as designed to safely carry vehicular loads , ” project manager Seth Medwick added .
Hardwire CEO George Tunis said his company “ stands behind the facts in its complaint.
” It also alleges the construction issues are not the only troubling element of Ebaugh ’ s work .
To tout their work , Ebaugh and Freyssinet created promotional material that was posted online , where Hardwire says it has compromised the bridge ’ s security .
In an online video , Ebaugh “ brazenly ” revealed “ detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the armor recipe , blast testing methods and results , and installation methods ” of the cable armor , the suit says .
“ Worse yet , with Ebaugh , Freyssinet published a technical paper at an international conference and posted the publication on its website that publicly discloses that the K Bridge has armor protection installed and explicitly describes the level of protection , the armor performance , and potential threats to the bridge , ” Hardwire alleges .
The paper also “ contains photographs from IA that reveal test methods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cable , and the aftermath of the test , ” all of which “ reveal critically sensitive security information and constitute a clear violation of security and confidentiality protocols , ” according to the company .
Hardwire contacted the FBI in part over worries that Ebaugh had stolen “ information related to national security infrastructure issues ” in the days leading to his firing , and the bureau raided his home in January 2016 , the suit says .
The investigation determined that Ebaugh swiped more than 27,000 electronic files — including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ security sensitive information about bridges across the US ” — and also trespassed on Hardwire property on Jan. 1 , 2015 , and took photos of the company ’ s “ proprietary technology and hardware , ” court papers say .
“ Ebaugh ’ s photographs clearly appear to have focused on certain attachment methods and design features for bridge armor … that were missing from the 27,000 stolen electronic files , ” the suit says .
Ebaugh told The Post he “ vehemently ” denied the allegations in the suit but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because , “ I ’ m currently not represented by counsel.
” He also said that “ only very recently did I become aware of any issues , ” adding , “ I ’ m looking forward to working with the state to understand what ’ s going on.
” Hours earlier , he acted as his own attorney to file a blanket denial of every claim against him and IA , which resulted in a Thursday court order that said a local rule barred him from representing his company because he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge James Bredar gave IA until March 19 to have a lawyer file an answer to the Hardwire suit “ or the Clerk shall enter an Order of Default ” against the company .
Neither Freyssinet nor its parent company , VINCI , returned repeated requests for comment .

A botched job of terror-proofing the new Kosciuszko Bridge has left its cables vulnerable to attack — and bumbling contractors even posted information online that all but provides a blueprint for would-be bombers, a blockbuster suit alleges.
Meanwhile, preventable “aggressive corrosion” of the shielding that’s supposed to protect the span’s 112 cables could cause them to break on their own — or send the metal-and-concrete armor tumbling onto the heavily trafficked overpass connecting Brooklyn and Queens, the court papers claim.
“These failings create a severe and imminent threat to public safety, the implications of which cannot be overstated,” according to the suit.
The alarming claims are part of a suit brought by Maryland-based armor manufacturing company Hardwire LLC alleging theft of trade secrets by its former vice president and program manager of bridge security, Irvin “Skip” Ebaugh IV.
The FBI has an active and ongoing criminal investigation into the alleged rip-off and Ebaugh’s work on the Kosciuszko or “K Bridge,” according to the suit Hardwire filed last month in Baltimore federal court.
The suit seeks more than $39.6 million in damages from Ebaugh and his company, Infrastructure Armor LLC, for allegedly using Hardwire’s technology to underbid the firm and win a contract for the Kosciuszko job — without having the expertise to properly manufacture and install the cable shields.
“As a result, Ebaugh and IA’s armor work at the K Bridge is critically flawed and creates a severe and imminent danger to the public and those that use and work on the bridge spans,” the suit charges.
Ebaugh — who was served with the suit at a Hooters restaurant near his home in Ocean City, Md. — is accused of stealing a notebook and thumb drive from Hardwire when he was fired in February 2013 for “aggressive and arrogant behaviors toward other employees,” including founder and CEO George Tunis III and his wife, company president and COO Emily Tunis.
Although George Tunis and other Hardwire executives tried to physically prevent the theft, Ebaugh “broke free with the thumb drive and ran out” of the company’s Pocomoke City headquarters in Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore, the suit says.
Hardwire was founded in 2000 to retrofit buildings’ earthquake protection, but shifted its focus following the Sept. 11 terror attacks to developing armor for military and law-enforcement vehicles — including those of the NYPD — as well as bridges and other critical US infrastructure.
Hardwire, was “continually awarded sole-source contracts for bridge security” from 2005 until Ebaugh formed IA in April 2014 and began competing with his former employer, court papers say.
The following August, the suit says, Hardwire and two corporate partners were underbid for the job of installing and armoring the cables on the first of the Kosciuszko Bridge’s new dual spans — part of the state Department of Transportation’s $873 million project to replace the original bridge that opened in 1939.
The original, six-lane Kosciuszko carried around 163,000 vehicles a day in 2016, before being replaced with two spans in 2017 and 2019 that have five and four lanes, respectively.
The cable work was awarded to Freyssinet Inc., a subsidiary of the French VINCI Construction company — which is identified in the suit but is not a defendant. Freyssinet hired Ebaugh and IA to handle the armoring on the first span, and the team got a no-bid contract for the second to ensure it “looked the same,” the suit says.
But Hardwire claims in its suit that Ebaugh and IA “failed to implement critical details in the manufacturing and installation process” it perfected.
One example cited in court papers involved Ebaugh allegedly using a “specific type of metal in the interior of the parts” without painting it first — as required by state Department of Transportation specifications — to prevent corrosion when it comes into contact with the concrete used to reinforce the shields.
In addition, Ebaugh allegedly also used “inferior galvanized steel” that’s “touching other dissimilar metallic parts” and “creating hot spots for corrosion.”
The suit claims that “aggressive corrosion is already visible on the K Bridge armor,” some of which which is “severely splitting, delaminating [fracturing], and is in danger of falling off.”
“Not only does this present a clear and present danger, but the armor is not providing its intended protection,” Hardwire alleges in the suit.
“The large seam created through the severe delamination and separation of the parts leaves significant vulnerabilities for the bridge cable. This is counter to the entire purpose of armoring the bridge in the first place.”
Hardwire’s suit features a series of color photos, shot in July 2019 and January 2020, that the company claims shows the various defects on armor that was waiting to be installed and on sleeves in place on the bridge.
The state DOT called the claims in the suit “categorically false,” “entirely untrue” and “baseless allegations from people who have never inspected [the bridge].”
“All the materials used to build the bridge as well as the bridge itself have been regularly inspected and deemed compliant with all safety standards at every stage of the construction process by reputable, independent engineering firms and they determined the bridge is without a doubt safe,” DOT Chief Engineer Wahid Albert said.
Albert said that the “aluminum surface” in the shields was painted prior to being put in contact with concrete and that an “independent third party inspector certified that it was built to specifications with photo documentation.”
“Any defects found in the materials used to construct the bridge were rejected or repaired before being installed – and the bridge is regularly inspected, as are all bridges in the state, and it is 100 percent safe,” he said.
Albert also disputed the claim regarding the shields splitting, saying, “The gap is by design in order to drain moisture that collects inside the shielding and has nothing to do in any way with the safety of the shields, cable or bridge itself.”
The DOT also released a Friday letter in which HNTB New York Engineering and Architecture — which designed the bridge — said that an inspection of the first span last year resulted in “a 7 rating (on a scale of 1 to 7 with 7 being new condition).”
“Based on HNTB’s inspection, no conditions were observed that would impact the performance of the bridge as designed to safely carry vehicular loads,” project manager Seth Medwick added.
Hardwire CEO George Tunis said his company “stands behind the facts in its complaint.”
It also alleges the construction issues are not the only troubling element of Ebaugh’s work.
To tout their work, Ebaugh and Freyssinet created promotional material that was posted online, where Hardwire says it has compromised the bridge’s security.
In an online video, Ebaugh “brazenly” revealed “detailed armor design elements, key materials used in the armor recipe, blast testing methods and results, and installation methods” of the cable armor, the suit says.
“Worse yet, with Ebaugh, Freyssinet published a technical paper at an international conference and posted the publication on its website that publicly discloses that the K Bridge has armor protection installed and explicitly describes the level of protection, the armor performance, and potential threats to the bridge,” Hardwire alleges.
The paper also “contains photographs from IA that reveal test methods, how to place specific threats around the cable, and the aftermath of the test,” all of which “reveal critically sensitive security information and constitute a clear violation of security and confidentiality protocols,” according to the company.
Hardwire contacted the FBI in part over worries that Ebaugh had stolen “information related to national security infrastructure issues” in the days leading to his firing, and the bureau raided his home in January 2016, the suit says.
The investigation determined that Ebaugh swiped more than 27,000 electronic files — including technical data, bridge armor designs and “security sensitive information about bridges across the US” — and also trespassed on Hardwire property on Jan. 1, 2015, and took photos of the company’s “proprietary technology and hardware,” court papers say.
“Ebaugh’s photographs clearly appear to have focused on certain attachment methods and design features for bridge armor … that were missing from the 27,000 stolen electronic files,” the suit says.
Ebaugh told The Post he “vehemently” denied the allegations in the suit but didn’t feel comfortable discussing them because, “I’m currently not represented by counsel.”
He also said that “only very recently did I become aware of any issues,” adding, “I’m looking forward to working with the state to understand what’s going on.”
Hours earlier, he acted as his own attorney to file a blanket denial of every claim against him and IA, which resulted in a Thursday court order that said a local rule barred him from representing his company because he’s not a licensed attorney.
Chief Judge James Bredar gave IA until March 19 to have a lawyer file an answer to the Hardwire suit “or the Clerk shall enter an Order of Default” against the company.
Neither Freyssinet nor its parent company, VINCI, returned repeated requests for comment.
The FBI declined to comment.
Additional reporting by Reuven Fenton


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Nothing can cripple Mookie Betts and the Dodgers

It was a long four years in Boston for David ...

PHOENIX — The Yankees have had enough early injuries to raise concerns about organizational depth and if they can find their inner Urshela again.
The Astros lost Gerrit Cole and all goodwill. How will they handle the duress of being the villain in every baseball city except Houston?
Then in the superpower division there are the Dodgers. The 106-win team of last season acquired Mookie Betts, the equivalent of the 73-win Warriors adding Kevin Durant. Veteran leader Justin Turner nevertheless cautioned, “You don’t play the season on paper.”
True.
But think about what can make the paper crumble? Injury? The Dodgers have the deepest 26- and 40-man rosters in the majors, plus a bountiful farm system to provide answers internally or via trade. Their backups would start in many places, so would the backups to the backups.
“There is depth, there is talent, there is how we go about playing the game of baseball,” manager Dave Roberts said. “For me, that is an easy bet on how this season is going to play out.”
Can complacency get them? Doubtful. This is a team tired of having to watch replays of Kirk Gibson gimp the bases to symbolize the franchise’s last championship in 1988. They have been eliminated by the eventual champion in each of the past four years, and if that were not motivating enough, they think they just might have been cheated in the 2017 World Series by the Astros and the 2018 Series by the Red Sox.
“It will not happen,” Roberts said about his team losing focus.
So can anything keep the Dodgers from winning an eighth straight NL West title? How about awkwardness?
MLB is not expected to announce findings from its illegal sign-stealing investigation into the 2018 Red Sox this week, but the plan is before the regular season. Word is that the scheme was not as systemic or widespread as that of the Astros, thus, the penalties are not expected to be as severe. Still, Betts and David Price were part of the team that beat the Dodgers in that World Series, and they are Dodgers now. And you might remember how early this spring many Dodgers went off on the Astros, including 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger saying Houston’s Jose Altuve was not the 2017 AL MVP, runner-up Aaron Judge was. Betts was the 2018 AL MVP.
The Dodgers, though, asked MLB if it should be concerned about acquiring Betts and were assured not to worry.
“I know with our front office, we do a lot of our due diligence before we make a deal,” Roberts said. “We have no questions or any concerns, none at all.”
He also said the Dodgers have no awkwardness about having Brusdar Graterol, Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling — all of whom were supposed to go elsewhere as part of the Betts trade. The Red Sox backed out on Graterol due to apprehension about the health of his shoulder, so he was redirected from Minnesota to Los Angeles.
As a way to partially counter taking on the salaries of Betts and half of Price and still stay under the $208 million luxury-tax threshold, the Dodgers were sending Pederson and Stripling to the Angels. But Angels owner Arte Moreno grew annoyed with how long a reconstructed deal to get Betts to the Dodgers was taking and pulled his team out of talks. Still, Pederson and Stripling are aware they were excess payroll for the Dodgers.
Turner said, “No, no” when asked if any of the awkwardness would impact the Dodgers. The third baseman said, “Our goal is to win a championship and everyone in the room is going to contribute to that.”
Roberts added, “It is very fair, but I do believe if you spend any extended time with our guys that question would be answered. Our guys have really come together pretty quickly.”
And in many ways, Pederson and Stripling define the Dodgers. Put them on the Angels, and maybe that helps find the extra few wins to climb from 84 to 88 and be a factor for the second wild card. For the Dodgers, they make the deepest roster even deeper.
There are no automatic bids to the postseason, but even with the Diamondbacks thickening the quality of their roster and the farm-rich Padres upgrading their bullpen, the Dodgers are the biggest lock to win a division. The judgment will come with whether they can finally prevail in October.
“It’s kind of measured by championships and winning a championship,” Roberts said. “So that is where the bar is at.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Central Park carriage horse euthanized after collapsing

A New York City carriage horse was euthanized after collapsing in Central Park — in a caught-on-camera incident that sparked a protest on Sunday and calls for an investigation .
The animal , a 12-year-old mare named Aisha , suffered a cardiac emergency around 12:30 p.m. Saturday , officials said .
Heartbreaking video posted on social media shows the animal stumbling on her hind legs and slumping down to the ground as handlers attempt to pull her up .
The horse had gone on a single ride and waited at a 7th Avenue carriage stand for about an hour-and-a-half before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Historic Horse-Drawn Carriages of Central Park , a trade group that represents owners and drivers .
Since she couldn ’ t stand , the mare was slid into a horse trailer and taken to her stable on 52nd Street , where she was checked out by her veterinarian within an hour .
But she was never able to stand up and her owner decided to put her to sleep , the officials said .
Animal activists shared the clip of Aisha ’ s collapse on social media , spurring outrage .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Central Park yesterday is painful and says so much about a persistent problem , ” Mayor Bill de Blasio , who has long tried to ban the hansom cabs , tweeted on Sunday .
Other pols , including City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Comptroller Scott Stringer , also decried the video and called for an investigation .
Dozens of black-clad demonstrators turned up to the stable Sunday afternoon to protest the carriage industry .
“ This video is just the latest disturbing piece of evidence we ’ ve seen showing how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they go through on these busy city streets , ” Edita Birnkrant , the executive director of NYCLASS said in a statement .
“ New York City ’ s carriage horses are in a crisis .
They are overworked , under cared for , and put in dangerous situations every day with no accountability when things like this happen , ” the statement said .
The advocates claimed the horse was recklessly tied up and shoved into the trailer instead of being checked-out by a vet at the scene .
Historic Horse-Drawn Carriages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ exploiting this tragedy to further their anti-horse agenda during our time of grief and shock.
” The association said it followed large-animal rescue protocols and that the horse received “ immediate attention from expert equine veterinarians.
” “ This medical emergency appears to be something that could happen to any horse… under a wide variety of conditions , ” the association said in a statement , adding that lab work is still pending .
“ Unfortunately , despite doing everything we could for this horse , we did not get the outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wondering what happened.
” The mayor said the NYPD ’ s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad was looking into the incident .

A New York City carriage horse was euthanized after collapsing in Central Park — in a caught-on-camera incident that sparked a protest on Sunday and calls for an investigation.
The animal, a 12-year-old mare named Aisha, suffered a cardiac emergency around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, officials said.
Heartbreaking video posted on social media shows the animal stumbling on her hind legs and slumping down to the ground as handlers attempt to pull her up.
The horse had gone on a single ride and waited at a 7th Avenue carriage stand for about an hour-and-a-half before the medical incident, according to the Historic Horse-Drawn Carriages of Central Park, a trade group that represents owners and drivers.
Since she couldn’t stand, the mare was slid into a horse trailer and taken to her stable on 52nd Street, where she was checked out by her veterinarian within an hour. But she was never able to stand up and her owner decided to put her to sleep, the officials said.
Animal activists shared the clip of Aisha’s collapse on social media, spurring outrage.
“The video of a horse collapsing and dying in Central Park yesterday is painful and says so much about a persistent problem,” Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has long tried to ban the hansom cabs, tweeted on Sunday.
Other pols, including City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Comptroller Scott Stringer, also decried the video and called for an investigation.
Dozens of black-clad demonstrators turned up to the stable Sunday afternoon to protest the carriage industry.
“This video is just the latest disturbing piece of evidence we’ve seen showing how poorly these horses are treated and what they go through on these busy city streets,” Edita Birnkrant, the executive director of NYCLASS said in a statement.
“New York City’s carriage horses are in a crisis. They are overworked, under cared for, and put in dangerous situations every day with no accountability when things like this happen,” the statement said.
The advocates claimed the horse was recklessly tied up and shoved into the trailer instead of being checked-out by a vet at the scene.
Historic Horse-Drawn Carriages of Central Park accused the activists of “exploiting this tragedy to further their anti-horse agenda during our time of grief and shock.”
The association said it followed large-animal rescue protocols and that the horse received “immediate attention from expert equine veterinarians.”
“This medical emergency appears to be something that could happen to any horse… under a wide variety of conditions,” the association said in a statement, adding that lab work is still pending.
“Unfortunately, despite doing everything we could for this horse, we did not get the outcome we hoped for, and are left wondering what happened.”
The mayor said the NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad was looking into the incident.


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Chinese man sentenced to death for killing 2 people at coronavirus checkpoint

A Chinese man was sentenced to death after he stabbed two people at a coronavirus checkpoint in a southwestern province @ @ @ @ @ Ma Jianguo was ordered to death row Sunday following the double murder at a roadblock @ @ @ @ @ Yunnan province , the Xinhua News Agency reported .
The incident occurred Feb. 6 when @ @ @ @ @ passengers tried to move a roadblock to allow the vehicle to pass through the checkpoint @ @ @ @ @ a member of the checkpoint team who whipped out a cellphone to film the incident @ @ @ @ @ He also stabbed to death another person who rushed to the victim ’ s aid @ @ @ @ @ various checkpoints to evaluate travelers for symptoms of the deadly virus as more than 78,000 @ @ @ @ @ the country , mostly in the Hubei province , where the epidemic emerged in December @

A Chinese man was sentenced to death after he stabbed two people at a coronavirus checkpoint in a southwestern province, state media reported.
Ma Jianguo was ordered to death row Sunday following the double murder at a roadblock in Honghe County in the Yunnan province, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The incident occurred Feb. 6 when one of Ma’s passengers tried to move a roadblock to allow the vehicle to pass through the checkpoint.
Ma then fatally slashed a member of the checkpoint team who whipped out a cellphone to film the incident, the report said. He also stabbed to death another person who rushed to the victim’s aid.
China has set up various checkpoints to evaluate travelers for symptoms of the deadly virus as more than 78,000 cases have sprung up in the country, mostly in the Hubei province, where the epidemic emerged in December.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson chasing this Wilt Chamberlain NBA record

Mitchell Robinson officially leads the NBA in field-goal percentage now that he has made enough shots this season to qualify for the title .
More astounding , the second-year big man appears to have a legitimate shot at surpassing one of the biggest names in league history by setting the all-time record in that category .
After Robinson ’ s 11-for-16 showing from the field and 23 points in Saturday ’ s win over Chicago , he stands atop the NBA this season with a 73.2 percent conversion rate from the field .
With 22 games remaining beginning with Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robinson has a chance to eclipse the single-season record of 72.7 , set by legendary center Wilt Chamberlain for the Lakers in 1972-73 .
“ For real ?
I don ’ t know what to say about that .
That ’ s crazy .
Damn .
That ’ s amazing .
I didn ’ t know that , ” Robinson said after practice Sunday in Tarrytown .
The 21-year-old admits he doesn ’ t “ really know much ” about Chamberlain — who led the league in field-goal percentage 10 times and averaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA career , including a record 50.4 ppg in 1961-62 for the Philadelphia Warriors .
The 72-73 season — in which Chamberlain established the mark for the Lakers — was the final year of his career .
“ I don ’ t really watch old-school basketball .
I don ’ t even know why , it ’ s just not me , ” Robinson said .
“ We don ’ t even play like that anymore , so what ’ s the point of watching ?
” Still , when Knicks interim coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chamberlain ’ s mark , he replied , “ That ’ s some kind of company , huh ?
That ’ s some high-level company there , for sure.
” Of course , no one is comparing Robinson , a second-round pick of the Knicks in 2018 , to Chamberlain , who ranks second in scoring average and seventh in total points scored in NBA history .
Though Robinson and the Knicks have hinted about the center working on his outside shot all season , he ’ s hoisted just two shots from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his array of acrobatic dunks and put-backs from offensive rebounds , however , Robinson has made 227 shots from the floor through 56 appearances ( seven starts ) .
He needs to average 3.3 made shots per game to reach the minimum 300 field goals necessary to qualify for the title .
Still , Miller reiterated Sunday there is no current plan to move Robinson , who is logging 23.0 minutes per game , into the starting lineup ahead of veteran big man Taj Gibson .
“ If we collectively as a staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be more productive starting , we would do that , ” Miller said .
“ But he ’ s playing so well in this role , and on top of that , using he and Taj kind of as that 1-2 punch , that was pretty good again yesterday .
“ So if we get to a point where we need to for whatever reason , then we ’ ll certainly look at it and consider it and see if we need to do it .
Right now , the way he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep trying to move that forward.
” In addition to Chamberlain , the only other player in league history to post a single-season field goal percentage of 70 percent or better is Nets center DeAndre Jordan , who accomplished the feat three straight years for the Clippers from 2014-17 .
Two Knicks have led the NBA in that category in one season : Ken Sears , who did it in consecutive years in 1958-59 and 1959-60 , and Tyson Chandler in 2011-12 .
“ Great .
I didn ’ t know that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really get a lot of shots up , but when I do they ’ re most likely going to go in , ” Robinson said .
“ It means a lot .
I put in the hard work and it paid off .
”

Mitchell Robinson officially leads the NBA in field-goal percentage now that he has made enough shots this season to qualify for the title.
More astounding, the second-year big man appears to have a legitimate shot at surpassing one of the biggest names in league history by setting the all-time record in that category.
After Robinson’s 11-for-16 showing from the field and 23 points in Saturday’s win over Chicago, he stands atop the NBA this season with a 73.2 percent conversion rate from the field.
With 22 games remaining beginning with Monday’s home game against Houston, Robinson has a chance to eclipse the single-season record of 72.7, set by legendary center Wilt Chamberlain for the Lakers in 1972-73.
“For real? I don’t know what to say about that. That’s crazy. Damn. That’s amazing. I didn’t know that,” Robinson said after practice Sunday in Tarrytown.
The 21-year-old admits he doesn’t “really know much” about Chamberlain — who led the league in field-goal percentage 10 times and averaged 30.1 points per game over a 14-year NBA career, including a record 50.4 ppg in 1961-62 for the Philadelphia Warriors. The 72-73 season — in which Chamberlain established the mark for the Lakers — was the final year of his career.
“I don’t really watch old-school basketball. I don’t even know why, it’s just not me,” Robinson said. “We don’t even play like that anymore, so what’s the point of watching?”
Still, when Knicks interim coach Mike Miller was asked about Robinson approaching Chamberlain’s mark, he replied, “That’s some kind of company, huh? That’s some high-level company there, for sure.”
Of course, no one is comparing Robinson, a second-round pick of the Knicks in 2018, to Chamberlain, who ranks second in scoring average and seventh in total points scored in NBA history.
Though Robinson and the Knicks have hinted about the center working on his outside shot all season, he’s hoisted just two shots from outside the paint this year.
With his array of acrobatic dunks and put-backs from offensive rebounds, however, Robinson has made 227 shots from the floor through 56 appearances (seven starts). He needs to average 3.3 made shots per game to reach the minimum 300 field goals necessary to qualify for the title.
Still, Miller reiterated Sunday there is no current plan to move Robinson, who is logging 23.0 minutes per game, into the starting lineup ahead of veteran big man Taj Gibson.
“If we collectively as a staff looked at it and felt like he could be more productive starting, we would do that,” Miller said. “But he’s playing so well in this role, and on top of that, using he and Taj kind of as that 1-2 punch, that was pretty good again yesterday.
“So if we get to a point where we need to for whatever reason, then we’ll certainly look at it and consider it and see if we need to do it. Right now, the way he’s playing, I think we keep trying to move that forward.”
In addition to Chamberlain, the only other player in league history to post a single-season field goal percentage of 70 percent or better is Nets center DeAndre Jordan, who accomplished the feat three straight years for the Clippers from 2014-17.
Two Knicks have led the NBA in that category in one season: Ken Sears, who did it in consecutive years in 1958-59 and 1959-60, and Tyson Chandler in 2011-12.
“Great. I didn’t know that. It’s good. I don’t really get a lot of shots up, but when I do they’re most likely going to go in,” Robinson said. “It means a lot. I put in the hard work and it paid off.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Christian college recruiter made kids line up by skin color, ‘nappiest’ hair

A recruiter for an Oklahoma Christian college has been fired after being accused of grouping students by the color of their skin — as well as those with the “ nappiest ” hair , according to a report .
The unidentified white recruiter from Oklahoma Christian University so disgusted everyone at Harding Charter Preparatory in Oklahoma City last Monday that some teachers were left in tears , according to KFOR-TV .
“ He was like , ‘ Let ’ s play a little game , ’ ” 11th-grade pupil Korey Todd told the station of the recruiter .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line up from darkest to lightest skin complexion.
’ ” Never once giving justification for his requests , the recruiter also told them to order themselves by kinkiest hair .
“ He told us nappiest hair in the back and straighter hair in the front , ” another pupil , Rio Brown , told the station .
“ Teachers left .
They were crying because they were offended .
It ’ s just horrible.
” The university confirmed to KFOR that the recruiter had been fired .
“ OC admissions leadership did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has communicated closely with Harding administration since the visit , ” the university said in a statement .
“ Admissions staff are scheduled to visit the academy Monday to apologize to Harding students and staff on behalf of the University.
” The principal at Harding Charter Prep , Steven Stefanick , also confirmed the “ inappropriate and hurtful ” event that left everyone “ stunned and distraught , ” saying the school “ does not condone any behavior and/or language that undermines our community ’ s values.
” “ Over the years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university and have never encountered events as such , ” he said on Facebook .

A recruiter for an Oklahoma Christian college has been fired after being accused of grouping students by the color of their skin — as well as those with the “nappiest” hair, according to a report.
The unidentified white recruiter from Oklahoma Christian University so disgusted everyone at Harding Charter Preparatory in Oklahoma City last Monday that some teachers were left in tears, according to KFOR-TV.
“He was like, ‘Let’s play a little game,’ ” 11th-grade pupil Korey Todd told the station of the recruiter. “He said, ‘Okay everyone, now line up from darkest to lightest skin complexion.’ ”
Never once giving justification for his requests, the recruiter also told them to order themselves by kinkiest hair.
“He told us nappiest hair in the back and straighter hair in the front,” another pupil, Rio Brown, told the station. “Teachers left. They were crying because they were offended. It’s just horrible.”
The university confirmed to KFOR that the recruiter had been fired.
“OC admissions leadership did not approve the inappropriate activity in advance and has communicated closely with Harding administration since the visit,” the university said in a statement.
“Admissions staff are scheduled to visit the academy Monday to apologize to Harding students and staff on behalf of the University.”
The principal at Harding Charter Prep, Steven Stefanick, also confirmed the “inappropriate and hurtful” event that left everyone “stunned and distraught,” saying the school “does not condone any behavior and/or language that undermines our community’s values.”
“Over the years, we have had a strong relationship with the university and have never encountered events as such,” he said on Facebook.


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Medicare should cover cost of coronavirus vaccine, Schumer says

Sen. Chuck Schumer called on Sunday for the coronavirus vaccine currently in the works to be fully covered by Medicare and made available to senior citizens as part of the upcoming federal legislation to fight what is possibly becoming a global pandemic .
“ The novel coronavirus shows us it ’ s critical to make vaccines available to susceptible groups quickly .
The more you dither , the more people delay , the more people say ‘ I don ’ t know if I ’ ll be able to come up with the money ’ the greater the danger of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vaccinating seniors will help deter the spread of the virus among the rest of the population , Schumer said , adding that the elderly shouldn ’ t have to “ make the choice between shelling out and going without.
” “ I think all vaccines should be covered by Medicare because they save the overall health system money .
But that ’ s a bigger and longer fight , ” Schumer said during a press conference at his Manhattan office on 3rd Avenue .
“ To have this vaccine covered needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress for $ 2.5 billion for its effort to stem the spread of the virus and treat people who may become infected , while Schumer proposed allocating $ 8.5 billion .
The senator said the emergency spending bill could be unveiled as early as Monday or Tuesday , and hopes that it will pass the House and Senate within the next two weeks .

Sen. Chuck Schumer called on Sunday for the coronavirus vaccine currently in the works to be fully covered by Medicare and made available to senior citizens as part of the upcoming federal legislation to fight what is possibly becoming a global pandemic.
“The novel coronavirus shows us it’s critical to make vaccines available to susceptible groups quickly. The more you dither, the more people delay, the more people say ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to come up with the money’ the greater the danger of the coronavirus spreading.” Schumer said.
Vaccinating seniors will help deter the spread of the virus among the rest of the population, Schumer said, adding that the elderly shouldn’t have to “make the choice between shelling out and going without.”
“I think all vaccines should be covered by Medicare because they save the overall health system money. But that’s a bigger and longer fight,” Schumer said during a press conference at his Manhattan office on 3rd Avenue. “To have this vaccine covered needs to be done immediately.”
The White House asked Congress for $2.5 billion for its effort to stem the spread of the virus and treat people who may become infected, while Schumer proposed allocating $8.5 billion.
The senator said the emergency spending bill could be unveiled as early as Monday or Tuesday, and hopes that it will pass the House and Senate within the next two weeks.


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Jarrett Allen shows Nets glimpse of what he can become

MIAMI – Kevin Durant and the Nets both have steadfastly ...

MIAMI — Nets coach Kenny Atkinson challenged Jarrett Allen to show more aggressiveness and consistency.
Saturday in Miami, the younger center gave the former. Now he’s got to develop the latter.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s the Jarrett Allen that we need,” Atkinson said. “I really thought he had a good response coming off [Friday] night’s game.”
Allen had 17 points and a team-leading 11 rebounds Saturday, shooting 7-of-8. And though Brooklyn suffered a tough three-point loss at Miami, to call it a step forward from Friday is an understatement.
“Totally different,” Spencer Dinwiddie said of an aggressive Allen. “I’ve said J.A. has a chance to be a top-five center in this league. When he comes with that aggressiveness, he shows that type of talent, and he shows what he’s capable of.”
Allen had been held to just five points Friday, when the Nets got humbled 141-118 by the cellar-dwelling Hawks.
As with many young players, consistency has eluded Allen. He admits he’s been up and down, and told The Post that keeping a high level on the court has required him to learn better habits off it.
“Recovery. In some areas I think I could get better. That’s just me having to learn what my body is used to and just coming out with the same intensity,” Allen told The Post — citing things like ice tubs, rub downs, diet and everything else to take care of his body.
“Stuff like that, eating the right way. I still like my chicken wings every now and then — who doesn’t — but taking all of that to a lesser extent.”
The questions surrounding Allen at Texas, leading up to the 2017 draft, were about how much he loved the game and how intense he’d be. They led to a potential lottery pick falling to Brooklyn at No. 22 in the draft.
The Nets have been intoxicated with Allen’s potential since the day he arrived. But they’re prodding him to fulfill that potential.
“He has the good and the bad like everybody,” Atkinson said. “Of course we always want him to play more aggressively and dominate more. But I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed in him.
“Jarrett, it’s always a case of assertiveness. How assertive is he going to be? When he’s assertive and aggressive, he’s a hell of a player. When he has that hit-first mentality, he’s a hell of a player. … I always tell him he’s a world-class sprinter when he’s running the court, he’s a hell of a player.
“When he’s rebounding for us, he’s a hell of a player. There are moments when that energy [is key]. And he’s 21-years-old. That’s the hard thing in this league is to do it over and over, and do it consistently, and he still has his ups-and-downs. When that energy is high, he’s one of the best centers in the league.”
Allen has had more ups than downs this season — averaging 10.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and shooting 65 percent over 26.1 minutes. But he’s been in a funk that stretches back to before the All-Star break.
With the Nets needing more physicality and aggression than he’d provided, he’d seen his minutes slashed to 20.4 over his previous 10 games before Miami. He’d averaged 7.6 points, 8.9 boards and 60.8 percent shooting.
He got held scoreless in Philadelphia and to single digits six times. After fouling out with just five points Wednesday in Washington, he had another five in Atlanta before bouncing back.
Now Tuesday in Boston gives him a chance to build on that.
“Tried to go out there with an aggressive mentality in the first quarter and carry it through the whole game,” Allen said. “Just try to put those past games behind me. The game I fouled out, I was frustrated, and the next game I just couldn’t get back into a rhythm. And just having to find my way back out of the slump and playing slow.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Shayna Baszler to face Asuka on WWE Raw at Barclays Center

Ronda Rousey ’ s ideal WWE return wouldn ’ t be at WrestleMania or ...

It’s the match and opponent that has eluded Shayna Baszler — until now.
The former MMA fighter took part in the first Mae Young Classic tournament in the summer of 2017 with Asuka in the midst of her undefeated NXT women’s championship reign. The two never got to cross paths in the ring as Baszler debuted on NXT television in August that year and Asuka went to Raw in late October after relinquishing her NXT title because of injury. Baszler went on to beat Ember Moon for the belt and eventually became the first two-time NXT women’s champion, holding the the title for a combined record of 556 days.
“When I came in and Asuka was still there and I was kind of sitting and waiting and waiting, waiting, that was the match I wanted from day one,” Baszler told The Post in a phone interview. “Who doesn’t want to chase the champ? That unfortunately didn’t happen.”
That changes Monday when the two best NXT women’s champions ever will finally have a match on this week’s “Monday Night Raw” from Barclays Center (8 p.m., USA Network). They will then be part of an Elimination Chamber match with four other women at next Sunday’s pay-per-view (7 p.m., WWE Network) with a shot at Becky Lynch’s Raw women’s championship on April 5 at WrestleMania 36 at stake.
In Baszler’s mind, this match isn’t about who is the best NXT women’s champion ever.
“That’s been decided,” and it’s her, as far as she’s concerned. Baszler, a trained catch wrestler, is still reveling in the chance to end the debate as far as the audience is concerned. Having a match with Asuka — who uses a strong-style approach with submissions mixed in — is getting Baszler’s “creative juices flowing” because she gets to think of “new ways to make people bend in ways they’re not supposed to.”
“I think for my own selfish reasons I love this and I think it will shut all the fans up for sure,” she said.
The Winnipeg fans at last week’s Raw had a palpable reaction when Baszler and Asuka, currently holding the WWE women’s tag team championship with Kairi Sane, came face to face during the contract signing for Elimination Chamber. To Baszler, it was recognition of what both women have done in their careers. Her match with Asuka is part of a Raw that includes Beth Phoenix giving an update on her husband Edge, who was attacked by Randy Orton after the WWE Hall of Famer returned at the Royal Rumble.
“Whether it was then or later, it [this match] was going to happen either way,” said Baszler, a close friend of former Raw women’s champion and UFC great Ronda Rousey. “It just shows that both of us and our accomplishments are known enough to the fans that that’s something they want to see now.”
This is Baszler’s second run on Raw and SmackDown, the other coming during the build in the fall for Survivor Series, where she beat Lynch and Bayley to close the show and clinch brand supremacy for NXT that night. After that Baszler took part in the Royal Rumble and appeared on Raw in February. That night she attacked Lynch, bit her in the back of the neck and came up with a face full of blood. The polarizing reaction it received from the WWE audience proved to Baszler that “people are watching.”
Despite the opportunities in front of her with Raw, Baszler is still listed as a member of the NXT roster on WWE’s website. NXT boss Triple H joked on a conference call in early February that the other brands would have to “make a deal for her to go someplace else.” As far as Baszler is concerned she could show up anywhere and didn’t rule out wrestling under the NXT banner again.
“Wherever there’s a body long enough to break in half that’s where I go. It doesn’t matter the letters behind them,” Baszler said. “If there is something I feel needs to be done there, I’ll go and do what I need to do. Right now I have this. Plan all the way to the end. That’s one of the laws of power. I have this going on and we’ll see what happens when this is done.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-01--Delta, American Airlines suspend flights to Milan amid coronavirus outbreak

Delta and American Airlines will suspend all US flights to Milan in the wake of an elevated travel warning issued @ @ @ @ @ the companies announced this weekend .
Delta said Sunday that it will halt flights between @ @ @ @ @ s financial capital until early May .
The last Milan-bound flight will depart Monday , @ @ @ @ @ to the US will be on Tuesday , the company said .
Meanwhile , American @ @ @ @ @ suspend travel from New York and Miami to Milan through April 24 , blaming a @ @ @ @ @ airline said its final flight will return from Milan on Sunday .
The changes come @ @ @ @ @ its travel alert to “ Level 4 — Do Not Travel ” for Lombardy and @ @ @ @ @ to the level of community transmission of the virus and imposition of local quarantine procedures.
@ @ @ @ @ than 1,100 cases of the coronavirus with at least 29 deaths since an outbreak in @ @ @ @

Delta and American Airlines will suspend all US flights to Milan in the wake of an elevated travel warning issued over the spreading coronavirus, the companies announced this weekend.
Delta said Sunday that it will halt flights between the US to Italy’s financial capital until early May.
The last Milan-bound flight will depart Monday, while the final return trip to the US will be on Tuesday, the company said.
Meanwhile, American said Saturday that it will suspend travel from New York and Miami to Milan through April 24, blaming a reduction in demand.
The airline said its final flight will return from Milan on Sunday.
The changes come after the US government raised its travel alert to “Level 4 — Do Not Travel” for Lombardy and Veneto in Italy “due to the level of community transmission of the virus and imposition of local quarantine procedures.”
Italy has reported more than 1,100 cases of the coronavirus with at least 29 deaths since an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Top adviser to Iranian supreme leader Khamenei dies of coronavirus

A close adviser to Iran ’ s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died Monday of the coronavirus at the age @ @ @ @ @ member Mohammad Mirmohammadi died at a Tehran hospital , becoming the first top official to @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic Republic , which has the highest death toll outside China .
As of @ @ @ @ @ died of COVID-19 in Iran , where there are more than 1,500 confirmed cases .
@ @ @ @ @ come down with the illness are Masoumeh Ebtekar , a vice president better known as @ @ @ @ @ who served as spokeswoman for the students who seized the US Embassy in Tehran in @ @ @ @ @ Iraj Harirchi , the head of a government task force on the coronavirus who initially @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We will have two difficult weeks ahead , ” he said .
Iran @ @ @ @ @ by its Foreign Ministry , whose spokesman Abbas Mousavi dismissed an offer of help from @ @ @ @ @ .

A close adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died Monday of the coronavirus at the age of 71.
Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi died at a Tehran hospital, becoming the first top official to succumb to the illness in the Islamic Republic, which has the highest death toll outside China.
As of Monday, 66 people have died of COVID-19 in Iran, where there are more than 1,500 confirmed cases.
Other key officials who have come down with the illness are Masoumeh Ebtekar, a vice president better known as “Sister Mary,” who served as spokeswoman for the students who seized the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979.
Also ailing is Iraj Harirchi, the head of a government task force on the coronavirus who initially tried to downplay the pathogen.
Government spokesman Ali Rabiei, who addressed reporters by teleconference amid concerns over the virus, acknowledged the challenges remaining for the country.
“We will have two difficult weeks ahead,” he said.
Iran also held an online-only briefing by its Foreign Ministry, whose spokesman Abbas Mousavi dismissed an offer of help from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Gymnastics coach catches tiny tumbler in epic midair save

This coach ’ s superhero-like reflexes saved a lil ’ gymnast from a big fall .
At a youth gymnastics @ @ @ @ @ , Justine Ramos ’ daughter flipped sideways on the vault and slipped off the roughly @ @ @ @ @ her coach swooped in to catch her .

This coach’s superhero-like reflexes saved a lil’ gymnast from a big fall. At a youth gymnastics competition in Nashville, Tennessee, Justine Ramos’ daughter flipped sideways on the vault and slipped off the roughly 4-foot-high mat. Fortunately, her coach swooped in to catch her.
Subscribe to our YouTube!


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Chinese doctors perform world’s first double-lung transplant for coronavirus victim

Doctors in China have performed the world ’ s first double-lung transplant on a 59-year-old coronavirus patient , according to a report .
Dr. Chen Jingyu , vice president of the Wuxi People ’ s Hospital in Jiangsu Province , and his team performed the five-hour operation on a man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Jan. 26 , the Global Times reported .
It took seven hours to transport the lungs from a brain-dead donor to the hospital aboard a high-speed train , the news outlet reported .
The lungs have been working well since the Saturday surgery and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable , Chen told the Global Times .
The man eventually tested negative for the disease , but had suffered irreversible pulmonary damage during his illness .
“ The next step is to closely observe the patient , explore the perioperative management of the patient , perform anti-rejection and anti-infection follow-up treatment , and summarize the treatment experience for such advanced COVID-19 infection cases , ” Chen told the outlet .
“ It was a highly risky surgery since all surgeons had to stay in a negative pressure room during the entire operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
The surgeon noted three important prerequisites for lung transplantation in coronavirus patients .
First , the person ’ s breathing must have been maintained by a ventilator while undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , or ECMO , via a machine that replaces the function of the heart and lungs .
Second , the patient ’ s repeated nucleic acid tests – which diagnose COVlD-19 – must be negative .
Finally , the patient ’ s other organs have to be functioning normally .

Doctors in China have performed the world’s first double-lung transplant on a 59-year-old coronavirus patient, according to a report.
Dr. Chen Jingyu, vice president of the Wuxi People’s Hospital in Jiangsu province, and his team performed the five-hour operation on a man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Jan. 26, the Global Times reported.
It took seven hours to transport the lungs from a brain-dead donor to the hospital aboard a high-speed train, the news outlet reported.
The lungs have been working well since the Saturday surgery and the patient’s vital signs were stable, Chen told the Global Times.
The man eventually tested negative for the disease, but had suffered irreversible pulmonary damage during his illness.
“The next step is to closely observe the patient, explore the perioperative management of the patient, perform anti-rejection and anti-infection follow-up treatment, and summarize the treatment experience for such advanced COVID-19 infection cases,” Chen told the outlet.
“It was a highly risky surgery since all surgeons had to stay in a negative pressure room during the entire operation wearing whole-body protective suits,” Chen added.
The surgeon noted three important prerequisites for lung transplantation in coronavirus patients.
First, the person’s breathing must have been maintained by a ventilator while undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, via a machine that replaces the function of the heart and lungs.
Second, the patient’s repeated nucleic acid tests — which diagnose COVlD-19 — must be negative.
Finally, the patient’s other organs have to be functioning normally.


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Police find 25-year-old alligator living in Ohio man’s basement

Police were recently called to an Ohio home to remove a large alligator that had been living in the basement for 25 years .
Ohio police see a lot but rarely , if ever , do they encounter an alligator , especially one measuring 5 feet , Fox 28 Columbus reported .
“ I ’ ve been a police officer 17 years , and I ’ ve never come across an alligator , ” Madison Township Patrol Commander Darrel Breneman told the station .
Breneman said police got a call Friday from paramedics saying they had just responded to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe what they saw in the basement , the station reported .
The alligator was living in a tub-like structure with water and a sump pump .
Its owner Dusty Rhoades told WBNS-TV that he got Alli at a reptile flea market .
“ I just got him when he was about a foot long .
I ’ ve had him ever since , ” he said .
Rhoades was in possession of the alligator without an exotic animal permit but avoided being cited after agreeing to voluntarily surrender the alligator to state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The alligator was checked out and found to be in average health for an alligator living in captivity , according to the station .
Alli will eventually have a new home at an alligator sanctuary in Myrtle Beach , S.C. “ They kind of grow to the size of the enclosure that they ’ re in , so he ’ s not reached his full potential , and I think it ’ s pretty exciting to know that he ’ s going to an alligator sanctuary in a warmer climate where he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Breneman told the station .

Police were recently called to an Ohio home to remove a large alligator that had been living in the basement for 25 years.
Ohio police see a lot but rarely, if ever, do they encounter an alligator, especially one measuring 5 feet, Fox 28 Columbus reported.
“I’ve been a police officer 17 years, and I’ve never come across an alligator,” Madison Township Patrol Commander Darrel Breneman told the station.
Breneman said police got a call Friday from paramedics saying they had just responded to a home in Groveport and they could not believe what they saw in the basement, the station reported.
The alligator was living in a tub-like structure with water and a sump pump.
Its owner Dusty Rhoades told WBNS-TV that he got Alli at a reptile flea market.
“I just got him when he was about a foot long. I’ve had him ever since,” he said.
Rhoades was in possession of the alligator without an exotic animal permit but avoided being cited after agreeing to voluntarily surrender the alligator to state wildlife officials, Fox 28 reported.
The alligator was checked out and found to be in average health for an alligator living in captivity, according to the station.
Alli will eventually have a new home at an alligator sanctuary in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
“They kind of grow to the size of the enclosure that they’re in, so he’s not reached his full potential, and I think it’s pretty exciting to know that he’s going to an alligator sanctuary in a warmer climate where he can reach his full potential and experience that,” Breneman told the station.


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--‘Judge Judy’ will end after 25 seasons, as Judy Sheindlin preps new show

Case closed : Judge Judy Sheindlin is ending her blockbuster first-run syndicated series “ Judge Judy ” after 25 seasons , Variety has confirmed .
Sheindlin is set to make the announcement on “ Ellen ” this Monday .
The final full season of “ Judge Judy ” is yet to air , which means it will remain in originals through the 2020-2021 TV season .
After that , CBS Television Distribution will continue to offer “ Judge Judy ” repeats to stations , while Sheindlin told “ Ellen ” host Ellen DeGeneres that she plans to launch a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t reveal details about “ Judy Justice , ” including where might end up , if it is another syndicated strip show , or even if the format will be the same as “ Judge Judy.
” But as one of the highest-paid stars on television , clocking $ 47 million a year for “ Judge Judy , ” the end of the show represents a major cost savings for ViacomCBS .
But it ’ s also perhaps the most seismic shift to happen in the syndication business since Oprah Winfrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve had a 25-year-long marriage with CBS , and it ’ s been successful , ” Sheindlin told DeGeneres .
“ Next year will be our 25th season , silver anniversary , and CBS , I think , sort of felt , they wanted to optimally utilize the repeats of my program , because now they have 25 years of reruns .
So what they decided to do was to sell a couple of years ’ worth of reruns.
” But , Sheindlin added , “ I ’ m not tired .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a year later… ‘ Judge Judy ’ you ’ ll be able to see next year , full year , all new shows .
The following couple of years , you should be able to catch all the reruns that are currently carrying Judy , and ‘ Judy Justice ’ will be going elsewhere .
Isn ’ t that fun ?
” Sheindlin has presided over the Emmy Award-winning “ Judge Judy ” since its debut in 1996 .
In addition to “ Judge Judy ” being the No .
1 first-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers daily , it is also the highest-rated court program for every season it has been on the air .
The broadcast was recognized with Daytime Emmy Awards for legal/courtroom program in 2013 , 2016 and 2017 .
Last year , Sheindlin was given the lifetime achievement award at the Daytime Emmys .
The announcement also comes a year after Sheindlin brought on former Twentieth Television president Greg Meidel to head her Queen Bee Prods .
Sheindlin sold her show ’ s library to CBS in August 2017 for a reported $ 95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of that deal , for more than 5,200 hours of the show , Sheindlin ’ s contract was extended to a 25th season .
She was later sued for allegedly withholding a portion of the proceeds — $ 4.75 million — from two producers who helped launch the program more than two decades ago .
Given how much CBS spent on the “ Judge Judy ” library , the show wasn ’ t expected to continue beyond Season 25 — but Sheindlin had kept mum on her plans and the fate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Variety has reached out to CBS Television Distribution for comment .

Case closed: Judge Judy Sheindlin is ending her blockbuster first-run syndicated series “Judge Judy” after 25 seasons, Variety has confirmed. Sheindlin is set to make the announcement on “Ellen” this Monday.
The final full season of “Judge Judy” is yet to air, which means it will remain in originals through the 2020-2021 TV season. After that, CBS Television Distribution will continue to offer “Judge Judy” repeats to stations, while Sheindlin told “Ellen” host Ellen DeGeneres that she plans to launch a new show, “Judy Justice.”
Sheindlin wouldn’t reveal details about “Judy Justice,” including where might end up, if it is another syndicated strip show, or even if the format will be the same as “Judge Judy.” But as one of the highest-paid stars on television, clocking $47 million a year for “Judge Judy,” the end of the show represents a major cost savings for ViacomCBS. But it’s also perhaps the most seismic shift to happen in the syndication business since Oprah Winfrey announced her departure.
“I’ve had a 25-year-long marriage with CBS, and it’s been successful,” Sheindlin told DeGeneres. “Next year will be our 25th season, silver anniversary, and CBS, I think, sort of felt, they wanted to optimally utilize the repeats of my program, because now they have 25 years of reruns. So what they decided to do was to sell a couple of years’ worth of reruns.”
But, Sheindlin added, “I’m not tired. So ‘Judy Justice’ will be coming out a year later… ‘Judge Judy’ you’ll be able to see next year, full year, all new shows. The following couple of years, you should be able to catch all the reruns that are currently carrying Judy, and ‘Judy Justice’ will be going elsewhere. Isn’t that fun?”
Sheindlin has presided over the Emmy Award-winning “Judge Judy” since its debut in 1996. In addition to “Judge Judy” being the No. 1 first-run syndicated program, averaging 10 million total viewers daily, it is also the highest-rated court program for every season it has been on the air. The broadcast was recognized with Daytime Emmy Awards for legal/courtroom program in 2013, 2016 and 2017. Last year, Sheindlin was given the lifetime achievement award at the Daytime Emmys.
The announcement also comes a year after Sheindlin brought on former Twentieth Television president Greg Meidel to head her Queen Bee Prods.
Sheindlin sold her show’s library to CBS in August 2017 for a reported $95 million to $100 million. As part of that deal, for more than 5,200 hours of the show, Sheindlin’s contract was extended to a 25th season. She was later sued for allegedly withholding a portion of the proceeds — $4.75 million — from two producers who helped launch the program more than two decades ago.
Given how much CBS spent on the “Judge Judy” library, the show wasn’t expected to continue beyond Season 25 — but Sheindlin had kept mum on her plans and the fate of “Judge Judy” until now.
Variety has reached out to CBS Television Distribution for comment.


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Man who designed image used in sexually graphic Greta Thunberg sticker speaks out

An Argentinian tattoo artist who illustrated the picture used for a sexually explicit Greta Thunberg sticker has slammed the Canadian oilfield company that allegedly altered the image .
German Gabriel Canalla — who designed the image of a naked woman , shown from the back with a man ’ s hands pulling her braids — posted on Instagram that the design had been plagiarized .
“ They stole my design !
I never make my drawing with that purpose , ” Canalla wrote .
Canalla then shared his 2016 image — which shows the design without the “ Greta ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the sticker .
“ That sticker X-Site made was originally a tattoo design made by me .
Of course it was never meant to be used for that purpose .
X-site not only stole my tattoo design and made it a logo/sticker , but also used it for that disgusting purpose … It sucks , ” he wrote .
Thunberg , 17 , also responded to the sticker Saturday , saying that her critics were getting “ desperate.
” “ They are starting to get more and more desperate… ” the teen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ’ re winning.
” However , the Alberta-based oilfield company ’ s general manager , Doug Sparrow , has claimed the company had nothing to do with the decal .
“ It ’ s not from X-Site or any employee , someone has done this .
That ’ s all I know , ” Sparrow said , CityNews reported .

An Argentinian tattoo artist who illustrated the picture used for a sexually explicit Greta Thunberg sticker has slammed the Canadian oilfield company that allegedly altered the image.
German Gabriel Canalla — who designed the image of a naked woman, shown from the back with a man’s hands pulling her braids — posted on Instagram that the design had been plagiarized.
“They stole my design! I never make my drawing with that purpose,” Canalla wrote.
Canalla then shared his 2016 image — which shows the design without the “Greta” text or X-Site Energy Services logo included on the sticker.
“That sticker X-Site made was originally a tattoo design made by me. Of course it was never meant to be used for that purpose. X-site not only stole my tattoo design and made it a logo/sticker, but also used it for that disgusting purpose … It sucks,” he wrote.
Thunberg, 17, also responded to the sticker Saturday, saying that her critics were getting “desperate.”
“They are starting to get more and more desperate…,” the teen activist tweeted Saturday. “This shows that we’re winning.”
However, the Alberta-based oilfield company’s general manager, Doug Sparrow, has claimed the company had nothing to do with the decal.
“It’s not from X-Site or any employee, someone has done this. That’s all I know,” Sparrow said, CityNews reported.


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--North Korea launches ‘unidentified projectile’ amid coronavirus fears

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles into its eastern sea on Monday , South Korea said .
The launch came just days after leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills and convened a meeting aimed at preventing an outbreak of the coronavirus , South Korea ’ s defense ministry said .
It was not immediately clear what type of projectiles were launched and how far they traveled .
Kim on Friday held a meeting with officials of the Workers ’ Party to discuss stricter enforcement of “ top-class anti-epidemic steps ” in the country amid the global coronavirus outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not confirmed any cases of the deadly virus , but according to state media , people exhibiting symptoms have been subject to a month-long quarantine .
“ In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country , it will entail serious consequences , ” Kim was quoted as saying at Friday ’ s meeting .
“ No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system.
” Friday ’ s military drill was to “ judge the mobility and the firepower strike ability ” on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
KCNA released photographs showing Kim not wearing a surgical mask during the meeting or at the military drills .

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles into its eastern sea on Monday, South Korea said.
The launch came just days after leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills and convened a meeting aimed at preventing an outbreak of the coronavirus, South Korea’s defense ministry said.
It was not immediately clear what type of projectiles were launched and how far they traveled.
Kim on Friday held a meeting with officials of the Workers’ Party to discuss stricter enforcement of “top-class anti-epidemic steps” in the country amid the global coronavirus outbreak, state media KCNA said.
North Korea has not confirmed any cases of the deadly virus, but according to state media, people exhibiting symptoms have been subject to a month-long quarantine.
“In case the infectious disease spreading beyond control finds its way into our country, it will entail serious consequences,” Kim was quoted as saying at Friday’s meeting.
“No special cases must be allowed within the state anti-epidemic system.”
Friday’s military drill was to “judge the mobility and the firepower strike ability” on the frontline and eastern units, KCNA said Saturday.
KCNA released photographs showing Kim not wearing a surgical mask during the meeting or at the military drills.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Igor Shesterkin could return to Rangers ahead of schedule

This was not Willie Mays falling down in center field ... .

Some unexpected good news came out of the Rangers’ 5-3 loss to the Flyers on Sunday afternoon at the Garden, as coach David Quinn said that presumptive No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin may be closer to returning from his broken rib than most thought.
The 24-year-old Shesterkin suffered the non-displaced fracture when he and teammate Pavel Buchnevich were in a car accident in Brooklyn last Sunday. Shesterkin, who had won nine of his first 10 NHL starts before the injury, was supposed to be reevaluated in “a couple weeks,” but that timeline seems to have shortened.
“He feels a lot better,” Quinn said. “He’s been on the ice, taken some shots — nothing high. So he might be back sooner than we envisioned.”
Since being called up on Jan. 6, Shesterkin had gotten the bulk of the starts when he was healthy — missing three games with a minor ankle injury. Alexandar Georgiev had started the previous three straight games, but Henrik Lundqvist got his first start on Sunday since Feb. 3, and just his fourth start since Shesterkin had been called up.
It’s hard to guess when Shesterkin might be ready to practice with the team — and then play — but it could be sooner than originally suspected.
“It’s an injury that you’re going to have to monitor daily,” Quinn said. “But he has made a lot of progress in a week.”
Ryan Strome, whose 58 points is good for third on the team, was benched for all of the third period after he had taken two bad penalties in the opening 40 minutes. The first resulted in a Sean Couturier power-play goal, the second in a power-play goal from Travis Konecny, which made it 5-1. Strome was also on for Michael Raffl’s shorthanded goal late in the first.
“Two penalties that he can’t take, and I just didn’t like his game,” Quinn said.
Quinn said there was “no timetable yet” regarding the fractured foot that Chris Kreider suffered while blocking a shot in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia. A broken bone normally takes about four-to-six weeks to heal, and the regular season ends in just under five weeks, on April 4.
For most of the first two periods, Quinn had Phillip Di Giuseppe in Kreider’s spot on the left side of the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. He juggled the lines a lot in the third, and the Artemi Panarin-Zibanejad combo was prevalent.
Panarin also collected two assists, extending his career-best points streak to 13 games (he had another 12-game points streak early in the season). He is the first Rangers to have a points streak of at least 13 games since Scott Gomez in 2007-08.


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Seth Lugo takes big step in road back to Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE — Seth Lugo surrendered two homers to Yoenis Cespedes during live batting practice Sunday , but from the Mets pitcher ’ s perspective one should came with an asterisk .
“ The first one , that was a good swing , but I wouldn ’ t pitch him that way in a real game , so I knew what I was getting into before I stepped up there , ” Lugo said .
The important part was Lugo had progressed to the point he was allowed to face hitters for the first time this spring .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early in camp that had sidelined him .
Lugo expects his next step will be pitching in an exhibition game .
“ I felt really good , ” Lugo said .
“ The ball was coming out well and I threw a lot of strikes , so that is exactly what I was looking for in live BP.
” Lugo mixed in fastballs and curveballs , according to manager Luis Rojas .
“ Hopefully we can see him a game soon , ” Rojas said .
Edwin Diaz rebounded from a rough Grapefruit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inning in the Mets ’ 3-1 victory over the Nationals .
The right-hander allowed a double to Ryan Zimmerman , but retired the next two batters to escape .
“ Diaz was great , ” Rojas said .
“ I thought the slider , which is one of the things he ’ s been working on the most , wants to finish it , wants to make it break the way he wants to instead of backing up a little bit like it did a lot in the past , he got some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think he helped in the inning , commanding it , throwing it for strikes and then the fastball had more ride and run.
” Diaz allowed two earned runs on three hits against the Astros last Wednesday .
Rojas indicated he did not have information about Matt Adams , who was scratched from Thursday ’ s lineup to undergo cardiac tests .
Michael Conforto celebrated his 27th birthday with a solo homer in the sixth inning of the Mets ’ 3-1 exhibition victory over the Nationals in Port St. Lucie .
The homer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stephen Nogosek walked three batters in the eighth inning and was removed with two outs .
He was charged for the only run allowed by the Mets .
Justin Wilson struck out the side in the fifth inning .
In his two appearances this spring the left-hander has not allowed a baserunner .
The complex is closed and players have the day off .
Grapefruit League action resumes Tuesday for the Mets with Noah Syndergaard facing the Marlins in Port St. Lucie .

PORT ST. LUCIE — Seth Lugo surrendered two homers to Yoenis Cespedes during live batting practice Sunday, but from the Mets pitcher’s perspective one should come with an asterisk.
“The first one, that was a good swing, but I wouldn’t pitch him that way in a real game, so I knew what I was getting into before I stepped up there,” Lugo said.
The important part was Lugo had progressed to the point he was allowed to face hitters for the first time this spring. The right-hander sustained a fractured left pinkie toe early in camp that had sidelined him.
Lugo expects his next step will be pitching in an exhibition game.
“I felt really good,” Lugo said. “The ball was coming out well and I threw a lot of strikes, so that is exactly what I was looking for in live BP.”
Lugo mixed in fastballs and curveballs, according to manager Luis Rojas.
“Hopefully we can see him a game soon,” Rojas said.
Edwin Diaz rebounded from a rough Grapefruit League debut by pitching a scoreless fourth inning in the Mets’ 3-1 victory over the Nationals. The right-hander allowed a double to Ryan Zimmerman, but retired the next two batters to escape.
“Diaz was great,” Rojas said. “I thought the slider, which is one of the things he’s been working on the most, wants to finish it, wants to make it break the way he wants to instead of backing up a little bit like it did a lot in the past, he got some good finishes on his slider. I think he helped in the inning, commanding it, throwing it for strikes and then the fastball had more ride and run.”
Diaz allowed two earned runs on three hits against the Astros last Wednesday.
Rojas indicated he did not have information about Matt Adams, who was scratched from Thursday’s lineup to undergo cardiac tests.
Michael Conforto celebrated his 27th birthday with a solo homer in the sixth inning. The homer was Conforto’s first this spring.
Stephen Nogosek walked three batters in the eighth inning and was removed with two outs. He was charged for the only run allowed by the Mets.
Justin Wilson struck out the side in the fifth inning. In his two appearances this spring the left-hander has not allowed a baserunner.
The complex is closed Monday and players have the day off. Grapefruit League action resumes Tuesday for the Mets with Noah Syndergaard facing the Marlins in Port St. Lucie.


newyorkpost--2020-03-02--Florida declares public health emergency after two coronavirus cases

Two cases of the deadly coronavirus were identified in Florida late Sunday — prompting Gov .
Ron DeSantis to declare a public health emergency .
The patients , both adults from the Sunshine State ’ s Gulf Coast , tested “ presumptive positive ” for COVID-19 , Florida health officials said .
That means the cases were confirmed by a public health laboratory , but are awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The first patient , from Manatee County , had no history of travel to a country identified for restricted travel by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Korea , Italy and Japan .
The other patient , a resident of Hillsborough County , has traveled to Italy , though health officials didn ’ t say when .
Both “ are isolated and being appropriately cared for , ” the state ’ s health department said .
Shortly after the announcement , Gov .
DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency , releasing resources to tackle the virus .
He said he ’ ll be in Tampa and Miami on Monday to speak with the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rivkees , about the response to the outbreak .
The announcement of the Florida cases came after New York announced the first patient in the state to test positive for the flu-like illness .
Rhode Island also reported its first case on Sunday .

Two cases of the deadly coronavirus were identified in Florida late Sunday — prompting Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a public health emergency.
The patients, both adults from the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast, tested “presumptive positive” for COVID-19, Florida health officials said.
That means the cases were confirmed by a public health laboratory, but are awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The first patient, from Manatee County, had no history of travel to a country identified for restricted travel by the CDC, a list that includes China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan.
The other patient, a resident of Hillsborough County, has traveled to Italy, though health officials didn’t say when.
Both “are isolated and being appropriately cared for,” the state health department said.
Shortly after the announcement, DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency, releasing resources to tackle the virus.
He said he’ll be in Tampa and Miami on Monday to speak with the state surgeon general, Dr. Scott Rivkees, about the response to the outbreak.
The announcement of the Florida cases came after New York announced the first patient in the state to test positive for the flu-like illness.
Rhode Island also reported its first case Sunday.