Morning Jolt: Friday August 2, 2013
Friday August 2, 2013
Today's must-see content delivered straight to you.
Count on Tebow making Patriots
While a more subdued brand, Tebowmania has a new home. [Here's] a news flash for anyone who thinks Tim Tebow is battling for a roster spot with the Patriots and may not make the team come September: Tebow isn't going anywhere. The Patriots would never say it, of course, but when they signed him in June he all but had a roster spot locked up barring some sort of catastrophe. ... Keeping three quarterbacks used to be the norm until 2009, when Bill Belichick started going with just one backup for Tom Brady (although they kept three as recently as 2011). The Patriots can cut Tebow before the regular season with no penalty, of course -- his two-year, minimum salary deal doesn't have any guaranteed money -- and he might end up being inactive most weeks, perhaps all 16 games. But all logic points to Tebow staying a Patriot for at least 2013 season. (The Boston Globe)Comment
Samardzija could go on trade block
The Cubs wound up not moving Jeff Samardzija at the deadline, and GM Jed Hoyer explained why on Thursday. "We love having him on the team," Hoyer said. "He brings the right swagger and the right competitiveness to the club. His stuff is obviously good. He'll keep getting better. He deserves a ton of credit and (pitching coach Chris Bosio) deserves a ton of credit." ... Samardzija said Saturday he doesn't play for money, and only needs $25 for a fishing license. He wants to remain with the Cubs, but is hoping to prove his worth on the field before signing a new deal. If the arbitration-eligible starter doesn't agree to a deal over the winter, however, the Cubs likely will shop him actively instead of just listening, as they apparently did this year. (Chicago Tribune)Comment
At long last, former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden may make his future plans known. [Oden] plans to choose his new team Friday, according to sources close to the situation. Sources told ESPN.com that Oden, after showing off his skills for several teams over the past few weeks, has not yet ruled out any of the six teams chasing him but is most likely to select his destination from the trio of Miami, San Antonio and Dallas. New Orleans, Sacramento and Atlanta are the other known suitors for Oden. One source close to the process said Thursday night that the Pelicans are the only team from that group still "in the mix." Every team from the final six but Dallas sent a representative to Indianapolis last week to watch Oden work out. (ESPN.com)Comment
Must-See Photo
Jonny Gomes, who knocked in the tying run in ninth inning, is doused with water as he is being interviewed after defeating the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on Thursday. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Must-See Video
Pacers center Roy Hibbery experiments with Google Glass while practicing his moves.
Game To Watch
Rangers at A's, 10:05 p.m. ET
SI Vault: More Thurman Munson
This Day in Sports
- 1970 -- After attending a tryout camp, Frank White is signed by the Royals as an amateur free agent.
- 1979 -- At the age of 32, Thurman Munson is killed when the Cessna Citation I/SP jet he is learning to fly clips a tree and crashes 1,000 feet short of the runway at Canton-Akron Airport. The
- 1987 -- Eric Davis becomes the seventh and earliest player to join the 30-30 club when he hits a walk-off home run in the Reds' 5-4 victory over the Giants at Riverfront Stadium.
- 2011 -- In the Yankees' rain-shortened 6-0 victory in Chicago, Mark Teixeira homers from both sides of the plate for the 12th time to set a new major league record.
