I cannot tell you what makes someone a good pitching coach. But it seems pretty clear that Mel Stottlemyre was a good pitching coach. He worked as such for a decade on the Mets and a decade on the Yankees, working with some great pitchers on both teams and winning five World Series rings. He was also the ace of the Yankees as a pitcher during their one stretch of bad ball in the 60s and early 70s, and by all accounts a gentleman. His death at age 77 after a long battle with cancer is mourned by Mets fans, Yankees fans, and baseball fans of all stripes.
Elsewhere…
- It might be the end of the line for Andy Murray’s storied tennis career
- It is the end of the line for Rick Nash’s underappreciated NHL career
- It is not the end of the line for Tom Brady or Drew Brees, both of whom are still in the hunt to be oldest QB to win the Super Bowl. Even as Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff look to be among the youngest.
- Kyler Murray declares for the NFL draft. Personally, I think anyone who chooses football over any non-bloodsport is making a mistake, but the money and the lifestyle will no doubt be better than several years in the minors.
- LeBron is still hurting. Clint Capella is out for six weeks. And is something really wrong with Draymond?
As ever, all sports chat welcome.