What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
Prairie High School grad and Washington State product Taylor Ard received a shoutout from ROOT Sports during Sunday’s telecast of the Mariners-Cubs game.
Playing first base for the Mariners’ Class A Clinton (Iowa) LumberKings, Ard had a string of four consecutive multi-hit games (Wednesday through Saturday) including a 3-for-4 effort against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class A Brewers affiliate) on Thursday.
For the four Midwest League games, Ard went 9 for 15 with a home run and five RBI.
The streak ended on Sunday when Ard went 0 for 4 against the Quad Cities River Bandits (Class A Astros affiliate).
Through 67 games this season, Ard is hitting .247 with 14 doubles and 30 RBI.
2
Perhaps taking a page from outgoing NBA commissioner David Stern, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman did not shy away from a cascade of booing at Sunday’s NHL Draft.
Stern played with a booing crowd on Thursday inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn during the NBA Draft. (See Friday’s Talking Points.)
Not to be outdone, Bettman — who might be “loved” even more by NHL fans — was drowned out by boos whenever he appeared at the podium in the Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils.
Bettman was able to turn the tide when he came up to announce a trade. “I think you guys are gonna want to hear this,” Bettman told the crowd.
Then cheers came after it was announced the Devils traded the ninth pick to Vancouver for much-needed goalie Cory Schneider.
3
The round of 16 at Wimbledon began this morning minus a whole lotta top seeds having vacated the premises.
Two unseeded players are guaranteed a men’s quarterfinal singles spot and one on the women’s side.
But sanity might still prevail.
As Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim put it, “This tournament has the vibe of one the those NCAA tournaments when the early rounds are filled with bracket-busters, and yet the favorites still win.”
