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By Marc Lawrence
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Tuesday, May 5, 2026 |
"YANKEES WIN!
THEEEEEEEEE
YANKEES WIN!"
John Sterling, the longtime Yankees announcer who once called 5,060 straight games, has died. He was 87.
He died from heart failure in Englewood, New Jersey. WFAN Sports Radio, which broadcast Yankees games, announced the news. He had recently dealt with health issues, including a heart attack earlier in 2026 and heart bypass surgery.
He leaves behind his long-time partner, Suzyn Waldman.
She joined him as color commentator in 2005 on WCBS Radio (later moving to WFAN). Waldman brought sharp analysis, reporter experience, and a strong on-air chemistry with Sterling.
Together, they were the soundtrack for countless Yankees games on the radio, especially for fans listening at home, in cars, or away from TV.
Sterling was known for his theatrical style, booming voice, and personalized home-run calls such as: "All rise. Here comes the Judge (Aaron Judge)... Another A-bomb for A-Rod! (Alex Rodriguez)... A thrilla from Godzilla! (Hideki Matsui)... and It’s a Soto photo! (Juan Soto)."
Sterling began calling Yankees games in 1989 and retired at the start of the 2024 season.
Rest in peace, John Sterling. The legendary “Voice of the Yankees” will be greatly missed. |
ON TODAY'S SCORECARD
On Thin Ice
Following the NFL Draft and an active free agency to date, it’s time to take a look at some of the bigger names whose roster spots are currently on thin ice, per USA TODAY’s Nate Davis ...
QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals — The Cards could turn to another capable understudy, Gardner Minshew II, if not third-rounder Carson Beck – who should get a long look at some point as this team assesses its QB plan for 2027 as well.
RB James Conner, Arizona Cardinals — He’s been the heartbeat of this team in the past. He’ll also be 31 this season, is coming back from a season-ending ankle injury and is probably ticketed for No. 3 on the depth chart following the signing of Tyler Allgeier in free agency and, certainly, the selection of RB Jeremiyah Love, maybe this draft’s best player, at No. 3 overall.
WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles — As if the acquisitions of veterans Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks didn’t signal EVP/GM Howie Roseman’s intent to move on from Brown – likely next month, when the salary cap softens the team’s contractual hit – then certainly the trade up for Makai Lemon in Round 1 of the draft did.
CB Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers — His age (29 by Week 1) and lame duck status with his contract set to expire make Nixon the most vulnerable Pack corner – certainly in terms of his standing in 2027 – with talented Brandon Cisseonboarding via the second round.
OLB Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers — Once the 35-year-old stops taking one-year deals, the nine-time Pro Bowler’s Hall of Fame clock will start ticking.
QB Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders — The soon-to-be 38-year-old knows he’s keeping the QB1 seat warm for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The only question is for how long.
QBs Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns — Regardless, given the amount of talent GM Andrew Berry has provided this year, both in terms of a radically revamped offensive line and new wideouts in the draft – KC Concepcion (Round 1), Denzel Boston (Round 2) – one of these QBs better have a standout season if they’re going to dissuade Berry from taking another passer in the 2027 draft. |
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GRINDING OUT THE PROFITS
Come Out, Virginia, Don't Let Me Wait
With the 2026 PLAYBOOK Football Preview Guide coming July 11, take a look at what we’ve got now...
Virginia – NIL CASH SPELLS
PORTAL SMASH
Coming off a program-record 11-win surge, Virginia refuses to stall. Tony Elliott launched a ruthless portal assault to seize the lone prize absent from last season’s resume: an ACC crown. The Cavs struck gold at quarterback, landing Pitt’s Eli Holstein and Missouri’s Beau Pribula—both proven starters. After losing ACC rushing king J’Mari Taylor, they restocked the backfield with three portal runners. Most impressively, they imported eight defensive backs to inject depth and playmaking into a leaky secondary. Fueled by NIL riches, Elliott is constructing a contender—one elite piece at a time. The chase is on.
STAT YOU WILL LIKE: The Cavaliers held 5 of their final 6 opponents to season-low yardage.
Order yours today before they are gone!
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QUOTE OF THE DAY |
"Fall if you will, but rise you must."
- James Joyce |
STAT OF THE DAY
43-5 |
The ATS record in the first round of this year’s NBA payoffs
of teams that own the game outright.
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Marc is hot in this postseason
currently ranked No.1 by the
Sports Monitor in Oklahoma. |
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TRENDING TODAY
Where Are You, Florida?
The Canadiens beat the Lightning, 2-1, on Sunday in a Game 7 like none other, punching the eighth and final ticket to the second round — and keeping Canada's title hopes alive for at least another week.
Survive and advance: It's been 33 long years since a Canadian franchise hoisted the Stanley Cup. That drought could have easily been extended on Sunday when Montreal managed just nine shots on goal against Tampa Bay, the fewest ever (by any team) in a postseason victory. The Lightning, by comparison, had 29.
With Edmonton and Ottawa eliminated, Montreal entered the weekend as Canada's lone survivor. A one-goal loss in Game 6 was followed by a one-goal win in Game 7.
This was the ultimate see-saw affair: Seven one-goal games, with each team alternating wins and losses. A few different bounces of the puck, and it could have been The Sunshine State in yet another final eight.*
Title odds (via BetMGM):
Avalanche (+190)
Hurricanes (+195)
Golden Knights (+600)
Canadiens (+900)
Sabres (+1000)
Wild (+1500)
Ducks (+2000)
Flyers (+4000)
*End of an era: For the first time since 2019, the Panthers and Lightning will both miss the Stanley Cup Final. This snaps a six-year run of at least one Florida team making it to the final two. |
Percolating
Go To The Head Of The Class
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The Cavaliers are not the 64-win edition from last season, when they lost in this same second round of the playoffs.
That group boasted the NBA’s best offense and a top-10 defense. This version was rated sixth on offense and just 15th on defense.
It prompted the front office to make a major shakeup ahead of the trade deadline. First, they flipped De’Andre Hunter for both Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder, a brilliant depth-bolstering move. Then, they traded Darius Garland for James Harden, a riskier move that swapped youth for veteran durability.
Harden’s backcourt partnership with Donovan Mitchell, alongside fellow recent All-Stars Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt, bore immediate fruit, though a honeymoon stage with Harden was to be expected. They looked, for a spell, like a favorite in the East once again,
Remember this, though: Harden missed the first three meetings against Detroit, and Mitchell missed the last two, so Cleveland’s backcourt did not play a minute together against the Pistons all season.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s starting lineup — Cunningham, Thompson, Robinson, Harris and Duren — was outscored by five points over 51 minutes against Cleveland this season.
A Cavs series win would be no surprise. |
ASK MARC
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David K. from Henderson, NV shared with us this interesting note ... Came across some interesting info regarding Golden Tempo's amazing race. According to Equibase, here are Tempo's quarter fractions:
First 8 furlongs: 25.25
Next 8: 49.51 (24.26)
Next 8: 1:13.75 (24.24)
Next 8: 1:37.75 (24.00)
Final 8: 2:02.27 (24.52)
He ran at a very consistent pace. After the first quarter, every quarter thereafter was run between :24.00 and :24.52. So, although it appeared that he was really turning it on for that last 1/2 mile or so, he was actually maintaining the same speed throughout... while almost the entire rest of the field was just slowing down.
Marc Says –Great observation. David. Nice job. |
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Coffee In One Hand. Confidence In The Other. The Coffee Club Way.
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