The world of sports is ever-changing. From record-breaking free agent contracts to new world champions, sports draw us in based on their entertaining, yet unpredictable qualities. As such, this column is intended to briefly recap key sports stories that have recently emerged. Here are some of the more important ones:
Rosters in turmoil at NFL’s midway point
By the end of October and the beginning of November, NFL teams begin to look different thanks to the trade deadline and, unfortunately, injuries. The Jets, Giants, Vikings and Colts have all lost their starting quarterbacks due to injury. Several other all-pro caliber players like Nick Chubb, Matt Milano and Trevon Diggs are all out long-term, too. At the deadline, the NFC East saw two major sellers in the Commanders and Giants. The Commanders traded away star pass-rusher Chase Young to the 49ers and veteran Montez Sweat to the Bears for draft compensation. The Giants received 2nd and 5th round picks for Leonard Williams. The Vikings, who needed a spot-starter quarterback, got Josh Dobbs, and the Bills also helped fill a damaged defense with Rasul Douglas. There were other potential deals, like Davante Adams and Mike Evans going to the Jets, but neither materialized.
Information from NFL.com and ESPN.
Rangers thwart D-Backs, claim club’s first title
Two teams that few around baseball expected in the World Series, the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, faced off in this year’s Fall Classic. The Rangers won the series four games to one to clinch their first title in franchise history. Star shortstop Corey Seager won his second career World Series MVP, becoming only the fourth player ever to accomplish this feat. His most noteworthy moment came in Game 1, when he hit a ninth inning, game-tying home run off Arizona’s closer, Paul Sewald. That was followed by a walk off home run from Adolis Garcia, who was another important cornerstone to Texas’ success this fall. These late-inning heroics helped the Rangers secure a 6-5 win in extras. Aside from Games 1 and 4, this World Series was reliant on the backs of each pitching staff, as both sides had noteworthy performances. As for Arizona, it was an incredible journey for them to get as far as they did, and this season kicks off a bright future thanks to Rookie of the Year front runner Corbin Carroll.
Information from MLB.com.
Mets snag crosstown rival coach to lead dugout
The New York Mets announced that they hired Carlos Mendoza as the next manager of the team on Nov. 6. The news was a bit of a twist, considering early reports from multiple sources saying that the Mets were making a strong push for Craig Counsell, former manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. News surfaced about Counsell being hired by the Chicago Cubs just moments before the Mets hired Mendoza. Mendoza, 43, spent the last 15 years on the other side of New York with the Yankees. From 2011 to 2012, he managed the minor league teams for the Yankees and spent the past four seasons as the bench coach under Aaron Boone. Mendoza is taking over a Mets team that had a disappointing season in 2023. Their team had World Series aspirations prior to the start of the regular season, but finished in fourth place in the National League East Division at 75-87. Mendoza takes over for Buck Showalter, who was fired this off-season due to the mediocre performance. Mendoza will work with the new President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, as they look to bounce back from its 2023 campaign.
Information from MLB.com and ESPN.
