O’s Mancini still snubbed as rivals get more stars
News item: Over the past few days, three position spots opened up on the American League All-Star team and Orioles star Trey Mancini remains on the outside looking in during a season in which he ranks among the AL’s top four outfielders in runs, hits, batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez and shortstop Xander Bogaerts, as well as New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres were added instead.
My take: That’s totally understandable, since something had to be done to address the gross under-representation of the large-market teams. The Yankees and Red Sox still account for only 21% of the AL roster.
News item: Competitive eating champion Joey Chestnut wolfed down 71 hot dogs in 10 minutes Thursday to win his 12th title in Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Coney Island boardwalk, but fell three franks short of his own record. In the women’s competition, Miki Sudo downed 31 dogs to win her sixth Nathan’s title. Each took home the top prize of $10,000. My take: And to think of all the times I ate 71 hot dogs in a single sitting and didn’t even get a free “Mustard” T-shirt at Oriole Park.
Free Orioles plug: Of course, you can get a free Hot Dog Race T-shirt at the ballpark when the Orioles celebrate National Hot Dog Day on July 17.
News item: Yahoo Sports reported recently that Peyton Manning resisted overtures from ESPN to join the Monday Night Football crew because he doesn’t want to be in the uncomfortable position of analyzing the play of his brother Eli during the two games the New York Giants have scheduled on MNF this season.
My take: That’s an inspiring display of family loyalty, but by the time the Giants play their first MNF game — against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 4 — it might not be a problem. Can’t believe they drafted Duke quarterback Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick to hold a clipboard all season.
News item: Somehow, the New York Knicks managed to miss out on all of the top free agents while they were figuring out how to use Google Calendar. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both signed with the Brooklyn Nets and the Knicks never got around to meeting with Kawhi Leonard.