Trot Nixon: “I told Brianna (Wakefield) that she has about 40 uncles here …
We told Brianna when (some) guys asked for her hand in marriage, he’s gonna have to go to the next room and look at 40 guys.”
Among Tom Brady's greatest accomplishments was that in the three Super Bowls he "lost," he handed the Patriots defense a lead in last 2:30 of each of them Easily could've been 11-0 in Super Bowls.
Patriots drafted Jimmy G.
"Disrespected," Brady went on to four Super Bowls, winning three.
Packers draft Love.
"Disrespected," Rodgers goes to NFC title, loses to Brady at Lambeau Field, wins NFL MVP. Blames coaching decisions. Blames GM for drafting Love. Demands trade.
Expecting to hear Gordon Hayward to Indiana for Myles Turner and, possibly, Doug McDermott. Gives the Celtics help at center and veteran help off the bench. Hayward goes back home. Unless Atlanta wants him long-term, and decides to do that without Celtics. Stay tuned.
This is a tough one. The woman in this photo, in the middle, Rosemary Burt, my hero, passed away yesterday in her sleep. Had seven kids in eight years. Never complained about anything or anyone. She was all about God and family.
Just got this from Tim Thomas on Tuukka's Rask's great, diving-across-the-crease save last night:
"My wife told me Tuukka must have learned learned something from me.
"I told her he's graduated from my tutorship long ago and that save was all his own ... Great job Tuukka!"
Don't know what to say.
Lost great one today - Mike Muldoon - one of my best friends and co-worker at Eagle-Tribune for 3-plus decades, and one of nicest, caring diligent and detail-oriented people I know. Loved covering athletes. But really loved inspirational stories. RIP MM!
One of my fave stories. 20 years ago, in my opinion, was the birth of that dynasty. Yup, the “Snow Bowl” game, the “Tuck Rule,” Brady’s first playoff game and, of course, Vinatieri’s kick. But Jermaine Wiggins was every bit as good as anybody that night.
…
With a heavy heart, just heard my friend and long-time Merrimack College men's basketball coach Bert Hammel passed away last night. Great, great man. Tears will be flowing at Lawrence Boys Club, his home away from home. Say a prayer for his wonderful family, please.
FYI: Haverhill at Lowell football game is on for Thanksgiving Day at Cawley Stadium at 10 a.m.
Why wasn't it changed like all the other area games?
"Because it's supposed to be played on Thanksgiving," said Haverhill High AD Tom O'Brien.
Couldn't have said it any better myself.
Nice pregame tribute for our fallen soldier, Sgt. Johanny Rosario, of Lawrence, for giving her life in service of our country in Afghanistan. Very nice.
One of nicest guys in our business, Ch. 5 lead sports anchor Mike Lynch, a long-time member at Indian Ridge C.C. in Andover, announced he's retire from his full-time gig in August. Will remain on as a part-timer, hopefully keeping his popular High-5 segments honoring HS athletes.
Big congrats to ex-Lawrence High and
@HerdBaseball
(Marshall U) star Elvis Peralta. Guess what he did in his pro debut last night? On his first pro swing? Dude hit HR. Batting leadoff. Starting at SS. A's 26th rd pick is on AZL Athletics Gold team in Az Rookie League. Stay tuned.
My dad's B-day today. Would've been 81.
Had 7 children in 8 yrs. I was oldest.
Shared lots together, including passion following his grandson around few parks/hoop courts.
I think about him a lot. Wish I told him a bit more how impressed I was by him. When in doubt, let dad know.
"She got into her dream college but her dream college offered her no scholarships, just loans."
Rep.
@AOC
shares story of young woman she mentored who faced $250,000 of debt in order to attend her dream college.
Just got this from local hockey referee:
"Andover HS administration should be embarrassed the way they have handled hockey coach Chris Kuchar and his staff! I have officiated many AHS hockey games over past 5 yrs and you won't find a better guy on the bench. Chris is all class."
Great lesson for all athletes.
Nate Eovaldi's greatest, defining moment was in a game he lost.
It's not really winning that defines us, but the effort in trying win.
Congrats to Nate.
Great interview with Robert Parish on NBA radio. Asked about playing against Joelle Embiid he said: "He's out of shape. I would have run his jockstrap off." ... Great stuff
Note to North Andover town officials. Your baseball team just had its greatest seasons ever, despite having one of the worst fields in the state. Borderline embarrassing. Baseball is a go-to sport in this town, and you better do a better job of showing the townspeople that.
Leave it to my mom, not feeling great in a nursing home, to throw positive spin on what’s happening around the world as we speak:
“Maybe this bad thing will turn into something good. Maybe we will all come together because of it.”
NBA Finals emotions
Game 1: Oh my God, the Celtics are better.
Game 2: Oh no they’re not.
Game 3: LOL, yes they are! A future dynasty. Tatum future of NBA.
Game 4: LOL, No they aren’t. Steph still best. By far.
Ernie Adams sighting! That's right, former Pats background "guru" is still in the game, as a volunteer for Phillips Andover, his alma mater. Great stuff from a legend from Pats dynasty.
A waitress at The Loft Restaurant in No. Andover received $1,000 tip. It gets better: She's single mom, works 2 jobs (7 days/week) and despite struggling to make ends meet sometimes, loves her life and son. Can't wipe smile off face aft incredible gesture!
Folks from North Andover, your baseball team did something extra special tonight. One of the greatest championships in North Andover High history. Yes, that big. And you don’t win this with one superstar. What a team. Congratulations NAHS!
Round of applause:
Methuen's Dom Keegan, a Central Catholic grad, went 3-for-6 today in
@VandyBoys
DH sweep of Georgia State. He cracked his third HR of the season, a grand slam in Game 2. He has 12 hits in 21 at bats (.571), with 3 HRs, 5 doubles, 7 walks and, get this, 13 RBI.
Travis Roy‘s death really hurts. He was a special, special young man who turned into a special man. I covered two of his lectures, one to a group of women fighting drug abuse. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Me included. I will be doing something this weekend to honor him.
A couple of Merrimack Valley dudes meeting at second base at George Steinbrenner Stadium. Methuen’s
@domkeegan12
and North Andover‘s
@Maxburt14
. Yes, it’s pretty cool.
FINALLY. Gov. Baker allows driving ranges to open tomorrow (Monday). As for why it took this long, that’s a story for another day. But Sarkisian Farms (Andover), Whirlaway ((Methuen), and Garrison Golf (Haverhill) will be ready with their bucket of balls. Please check them out.
If anybody runs into Rob Oppenheim tonight make sure you congratulate him. He just qualified for the 2020 PGA Tour, appearing to finish 21st in points -- out of 25 spots -- in the four-tourney qualifying.
5 things you should know:
1. Lawrence 10U team plays at noon in Lynn.
2. With win goes to Pop Warner nationals in Orlando next wk.
3. 15 mos. ago, program almost disbanded due to lack of funds.
4.
@McCourtyTwins
heard about story, donated $10K.
5. Another great Lawrence story.
We are losing a great ambassador and coach in the Merrimack Valley when John McVeigh leaves Brooks School on June 30 to become Head of School at Holderness School. Great lesson here. Enjoy your life. Don't make so many plans. And let the rest fall to fate.
Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there. Lost my dad in September 2017. Great guy. Worked tirelessly hard to raise 7 kids. Never went hungry. Only mini-regret is I wish I told him how much I admired him a little more.
#HappyFathersDay2020
Nice tribute to sportswriting legend around here, Mike Shalin, who passed from cancer four months ago. A New York guy who loved Boston. Encyclopedic knowledge of Sox and Yankees. Was official scorer at Fenway for two decades. RIP Mike. Miss you.
I got a little emotional thinking about my dad yesterday, having no idea
@Maxburt14
looked above for a little extra help during yesterday's draft. Great story by
@MullyET
.
Lamar Jackson is a winner. A leader. Seems like great guy.
Now rest of story:
He was talking Super Bowl before game w/ TEN. This is hard enough man. Don’t make it tougher than it is. Never won playoff game.
Ravens Dynasty over before it started. These losses not easy to overcome.
Governor can pick and choose when to open certain industries, etc. But it's time to stop calling businesses essential and non-essential. They're all essential right now.
Incredible story by
@KGaud123
on the commitment of Lawrence's legion coach to field a team. Had to raise money. Even had to drive Uber to pay umpires. This coach and this team deserve our praise. State final tonight in Milford.
This death in Afghanistan hit me hard. A Lawrence young lady. Elite personality. Adored by many people I know. Same age as my son. And then murdered senselessly. Hearing politicians make excuses sickens me. Wanted to visit her gravestone. A true American hero. RIP Johanny!
Is Jake McElroy greatest athlete ever at NAHS? Debatable.
But there is no debating that he is THE most accomplished athlete at NAHS in modern area — QB of Super Bowl champs, PG of final 8 hoop team and SS for Super 8 champion baseball squad. Scared of nothing. Clutch. A winner.
A couple of Merrimack Valley dudes meeting at second base at George Steinbrenner Stadium. in Methuen when’s
@domkeegan12
and North Andover‘s
@Maxburt14
. Yes, it’s pretty cool.
My plea
Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to act soon on stay-at-home orders. For most part, we've done great job. And will continue to. But one area that should, I believe, reopened is golf. Some 37 states have opened golf courses, incl. NY. Let's do this!
May 18 is 8 hrs away.
Here's hoping Gov. Baker steps up and opens up society, businesses, etc. that makes sense, as in common sense.
The essential/non-essential garbage is over. It's all essential.
Anything outdoors, where adults are able to make adult-decisions, is a no-brainer.
@GeorgesNiang20
just got paid! And it was earned. The Methuen native said the money is nice, but nothing changes in his life. Basketball still is a game he adores and family and friends are what makes him happiest.
Patriots: Won 3 playoff games last January and February.
Cowboys: Won 3 playoff games (all Wild Cards) in 20 years.
Moral of the story: This is great theater for media, but fact owner has press conference about football stuff after every game might be part of problem.
Just saw former Central Catholic great Dom Keegan win a homerun hitting contest for the Nashua Silver Knights, a tiebreaker in extra innings. He hit 11 bombs versus 10 for Brockton Rox player. Great stuff.
I took this photo last night just before the boys basketball game: Andover versus Central Catholic. An Andover parent watching their child play a JV or freshman game from outside. Sort of sad. But the message is parents really want to see their kids.
Just heard from Tom Brady Sr.
Said retirement announcement is very premature and “fake news.” Will be a decision maybe next week or next month. “This is all conjecture from the press.”
Lawrence High student-athletes apparently have had enough as the rest of area schools are playing sports while they aren't allowed to even practice. Great story (
@writerallisonc
) and photos (Carl Russo) on their fight.
Fact:
Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures League averaged 500 fans for games ... EIGHT MONTHS AGO!
Not one Covid case -- including fans, coaches and players -- was traced to the league.
Fact:
College sports in Massachusetts are not allowing fans at games/events this weekend.
For second week in a row, our neighbor Lee Babb has stacked his trash in front of house few days earlier than normal Monday pick up. Of course, being nosy, I asked his wife about it. Lee's been walking Rte. 125 picking up trash. Unsolicited. No bragging. Just thought it was cool.