Morning Jolt: Strasburg's Nats call-up on hold?
Wednesday, May 26
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Have June 4 in the office pool? General Manager Mike Rizzo reiterated the Nationals have not set a date for Stephen Strasburg's first major league start, bristling at the fact that several media outlets, including The Post, have floated June 4 as a potential and/or likely date for the debut. "That hasn't been decided yet, although you did announce that he's pitching on the 4th," Rizzo said. ... "There are factors that will be involved when we announce it. And even when we announce it, it's not going to be settled on until after a couple days after he starts his last start in Triple A." Strasburg will make his next minor league start Saturday at Class AAA Syracuse. (The Washington Post)Comment
Nets prez not trying for Jackson
Nets president Rod Thorn reacted Tuesday to reports that he's working to land the Lakers head coach. "I have not reached out to anybody about Phil Jackson through any back channels, front channels, side channels or any channels," Thorn said. ... Speculation is that new Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is desperate to make a big splash and that would certainly be the case if he could get Jackson to switch coasts. "You can't contact guys under contract. But I'm sure given Mr. Prokhorov's stature, anytime something comes up with money involved, he'll be discussed," Thorn said. Jackson is in the final year of his Lakers contract and owner Jerry Buss wants him to take a pay cut from the $12 million he is making this year. (New York Post)Comment
Boise State's president, Robert Kustra, takes great exception to the BCS notion that "every game counts." But how do Boise State's games count under the BCS when four of the past six years we went undefeated in the regular season, and yet never even came close to having an opportunity to compete for the national championship? How did all of those games, and all of those perfect records, count under the BCS? In fact, in two of those four undefeated regular seasons, Boise State was foreclosed from even playing in a major bowl. ... This is not a point unique to Boise State. Auburn in 2004, Utah in 2004, Boise State in 2006, Utah in 2008, and Boise State in 2009 all went undefeated but were denied a chance at a national championship by an injurious and fundamentally flawed system. (Boise State)Comment
Must-See Photo
Umpire Bob Davidson and Rays manager Joe Maddon exchange a few choice words (Cliff Welch/Icon SMI).
Must-See Video
Phil Jackson blamed the Lakers' two losses in Phoenix on poor D. After watching this, it's easy to see why.
Game To Watch
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic, Game 5 -- 8:30 p.m. ET
- Boston Celtics
- Orlando Magic
SI Vault: More Canseco
This Day in Sports
- 1993 -- Carlos Martinez fly ball bounces off Jose Canseco's head for home run.
- 1988 -- Oilers sweep Bruins in four games to win Stanley Cup.
- 1973 -- Indians and White Sox begin game that lasts 21 innings and wraps on May 28.
- 1972 -- Joe Frazier TKOs Ron Stander for heavyweight title.
- 1959 -- Pittsburgh's Harvey Haddix pitches 12 perfect innings before losing in 13th.
- 1925 -- Ty Cobb collects his 1,000th extra-base hit.
