Sports
Arianna Fontana: Italian phenomenon wins 13th Olympic speed skating medal
While an unknown teenager in Turin, she is one of the faces of this year’s Games 20 years on. Fontana carried the Italian flag at the opening ceremony at San Siro, leading the home nation as tens of thousands of compatriots cheered in the crowd.
It was the second time Fontana was honoured to be the opening ceremony flagbearer, having also carried the flag at Pyeongchang 2018.
On how she has kept winning Olympic medals and maintained her place at the top end of speed skating since before Instagram was invented, Fontana says it comes down to a love of the sport – and a love of herself.
“I do have experience, but I have the same drive I did when I was 15. I never get on the ice just to show up,” she added.
“With time, I have been able to understand my body, and my mental fitness – I have taken more time off from racing, more breaks, because mentally it can be tough.
“Elite athletes, we put pressure on ourselves easily, we have high expectation and it can be hard mentally.”
She needed that mental fortitude in the build-up to the Games as a series of injuries – including a hip issue in October – hampered her preparations.
It put paid to Fontana’s plan to also enter long track events, forcing her to concentrate on her signature shorter disciplines.
It was a decision she took with her coach and husband Anthony Lobello after spending four years travelling the world to various competitions.
“We understand each other, he understands exactly what I need,” said Fontana. “We do try not to talk about work at home.”
Sports
Use DraftKings promo code to get $300 bonus bets by targeting Mavericks-Lakers, Thunder-Bucks on Thursday
The current DraftKings promo code gives new users $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. Thursday features a three-game NBA slate that features LeBron James in action as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks at 10 p.m. ET. Although James will play in the NBA All-Star Game, he’ll have time to rest after Thursday, which could lead to more minutes and larger usage. With James active and the Mavericks without multiple players, including Cooper Flagg (foot), the SportsLine Projection Model backs the Lakers to cover as 7.5-point favorites as one of its Thursday NBA best bets at DraftKings. The over/under for Lakers vs. Mavericks is 235.5, the highest total on Thursday’s NBA odds board.
The model is also backing the Oklahoma City Thunder to cover as 13.5-point favorites against the Milwaukee Bucks in a 7:30 p.m. ET matchup that will not feature Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal) or Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). One of SportsLine’s top experts has also locked in a college basketball bet for Northern Iowa vs. Belmont at 9 p.m. ET. Claim the latest DraftKings promo code, where new users get $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
Check out our DraftKings promo code review for full details.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model enters the week before the NBA All-Star break on a sizzling 38-17 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Thursday best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook
- Thunder (-13.5) vs. Bucks (-112)
- Northern Iowa (+5.5) vs. Belmont (-118)
- Lakers (-7.5) vs. Mavericks (-112)
Combining the three picks into a Thursday parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +541 (risk $100 to win $541). Bet it at DraftKings here: (Odds subject to change):
Thunder (-13.5) vs. Bucks (-112)
The Thunder certainly aren’t the same team without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the lineup, but they are still 3-2 over their five games with the reigning NBA MVP out with an abdominal injury. They’ve won two of those three games by at least 27 points, with an average margin of victory of 24 points in the three wins. Oklahoma City is coming off a 136-109 win over the Suns on Wednesday to improve to 42-13 this season. Meanwhile, the Bucks are 4-4 in their eight games with Giannis Antetokounmpo out, but 1-3 against teams with a winning record. The model projects the Thunder to cover in 64% of simulations. Back the Thunder to cover at DraftKings here:
Northern Iowa (+5.5) vs. Belmont (-118)
“Belmont saw its nine-game win streak snapped in an OT loss at Bradley, and now the Bruins return home to face a Northern Iowa team they dismantled by 13 in Cedar Falls,” SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein said. “But Northern Iowa is playing much better now. The Panthers just destroyed Murray State, the MVC’s second-place team, 89-60 on the road, for their third straight win. None of Northern Iowa’s last four opponents has scored more than 60 points. While the Bruins are highly efficient offensively, the Panthers hold opponents to 26.5 percent from deep. Northern Iowa has been an underdog six times this season. The Panthers have covered five of those — the miss coming by 1.5 points at Bradley — and beaten market expectations by an average of 8.2 points.” Back Northern Iowa to cover at DraftKings here:
Lakers (-7.5) vs. Mavericks (-112)
This Dallas Mavericks lineup is certainly not what NBA fans expected to see on display at the start of the season. The Mavericks still haven’t seen Kyrie Irving this season, who remains out with a knee injury. They traded away Anthony Davis. And now, No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who has dominated lately, is out with a foot injury. The Lakers aren’t at full strength either, with Luka Doncic (hamstring) out, but only Doncic and Deandre Ayton (knee, questionable) are on the LA injury report. Meanwhile, Dallas has eight players on its injury report as either questionable, doubtful or out. LeBron James should be additionally rested, as he hasn’t played since Monday, and could take on a larger role with the upcoming break. The Lakers are 32-21 compared to the Mavericks at 19-34 this season, and the model projects the Lakers to cover in 67% of simulations.” Back the Lakers to cover at DraftKings here:
Want more NBA, college basketball picks on Thursday?
You’ve seen some of the model’s Thursday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for all games, including the NBA, college basketball, NHL, and more, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times.
One of the most valuable freshmen in the sport may have played his last game in college.
North Carolina announced Thursday afternoon that stellar freshman forward Caleb Wilson suffered a left hand fracture during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 75-66 road loss against Miami on Tuesday.
“X-rays taken during the game were negative, and he returned to play later in the second half vs. the Hurricanes, but additional imaging done in Chapel Hill revealed the fracture,” per the school. “The evaluation process is ongoing to determine the timetable for Wilson’s return.”
Wilson played 26 minutes against Miami, his fewest against a power-conference opponent this season. He also logged a season-low 12 points.
Impact on UNC’s lineup
Broken hands can sometimes lead to extended absences, so there is no telling whether or not Wilson will be able to suit up in the near future, or if the injury and subsequent rehab will force him to sit deep into March. Wilson has been one of the best freshman performers in what’s increasingly considered the deepest one-and-done class in college basketball history.
At 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, Wilson has doubly proven to be among the best freshmen in Carolina history. His 17 20-point outings are the most by any first-year player for the program. Wilson played all 40 minutes in UNC’s instant-epic win over rival Duke on Saturday, scoring 23 points to go with four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. North Carolina also notes Wilson’s 66 dunks are the most of any player in college basketball.
Without Wilson, UNC loses formidable inside defense, scoring, flexibility and recovery. There is no replacing his motor or stamina, either. UNC ranks outside the top 40 in defensive efficiency at KenPom and has relied on Wilson’s unrelenting hustle and playmaking to make a jump this season after barely making the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
UNC has been playing an eight-man rotation for the majority of the year. The Heels’ four starters will remain Henri Veesar in the middle, Jarin Stevenson in the frontcourt (likely moving from the 3 and replacing Wilson as the 4-man), veteran shooting guard Seth Trimble and freshman Derek Dixon, a rising star running the point in the backcourt.
The most likely tweak to keep UNC with some viable size in its most common lineup will be to inject 6-6 swingman Luka Bogavac into the starting five. The 22-year-old from Montenegro started 13 games earlier in the year.
Backup shooting guard Jonathan Powell and point guard Kyan Evans (who’s started 17 times) will see their roles increased as well. Everyone else has played spot duty. Can UNC go seven-deep as it turns toward the month-long stretch to Selection Sunday?
NCAA tourney seed outlook TBD
Thursday’s news makes North Carolina one of the most interesting teams to track over the next month.
There’s a wide spectrum of outcomes in play because the loss of Wilson will be problematic for a 19-5 Heels crew that is ranked 11th this week but doesn’t have an NCAA seed projection that harmonizes with its AP ranking.
The Tar Heels are currently hovering between the 6- and 7-line in CBS Sports’ most recent NCAA Tournament bracketology outlook. Depending on how the Tar Heels play in the weeks ahead without their most talented player, the committee will evaluate (but not necessarily punish) UNC with and without Wilson. Now, if UNC can win way more often than not without its most vital player, the committee will reward the Heels accordingly.
The next game is manageable: UNC hosts lowly Pitt on Saturday, then has back-to-back road tests against North Carolina State and Syracuse. Home games against Louisville and Clemson still await (both are pacing toward healthy tourney seeds) and of course there’s the season finale at Duke.
An Atlanta native, Wilson projects as a top-five draft prospect. North Carolina hasn’t had a player drafted in the top five since Marvin Williams went No. 2 in 2005.
J.D. PicKell of On3 picked Oregon as the program best set up for success in the next 3 years in the country.
His confidence in the Ducks is well-founded, but is it too much?
On today’s episode of Locked On Ducks, I discuss incoming 5-star freshman safety Jett Washington and what his role could be.
Plus, names to know in the 2027 class. Oregon Basketball is having its worst season ever under Dana Altman, heading to a potential last-place finish in the Big Ten.
How can he avoid that next year?
06:37 Playoff Hurdle for Dan Lanning
13:19 Oregon’s Defensive Depth and Talent
14:09 Oregon Secondary Development Praised
18:09 Jett Washington vs. Kingston Lopa
26:15 Dana Altman Must Adapt
28:50 “Challenges in Oregon Recruitment.”
32:11 Facing Talent and Style Gaps
The original golf course at Trump Turnberry, on Scotland’s southwest coast, has some years on it: 125 to be exact. But that’s nothing compared to the age of one of the course’s famous neighbors: the uninhabited volcanic plug that stands sentinel in the Firth of Clyde about 10 miles off Turnberry’s shoreline.
The origins of that wind-battered granite dome, which rises more than 11 stories out of the sea and is visible from nearly every hole on Turnberry’s Aisla course, have been traced back 600 million years, to those lonely days when the continents were barren and the only signs of life came in the form of bacteria and eukaryotes.
Anyone who’s played at Turnberry — or, for that matter, Royal Troon or Prestwick, about 25 miles up the coast — will be familiar with the island for the magnificent backdrop it provides. Same goes for golf-watchers who’ve tuned into any of the four Open Championships that have been conducted on the Aisla course since 1977, most recently in 2009 when Tom Watson nearly claimed the Claret Jug at 59 years young.
The Aisla Craig featured prominently in all of those broadcasts, just as Torrey Pines’ hang-gliders or Pebble Beach’s harbor seals do when the PGA Tour visits those storied venues. The rock is a staple of the Turnberry experience: an eroded magmatic pluton that not only inspires awe but also just so happens to play an essential role every four years in the Winter Olympic Games.
;)
getty images
***
Ricky English isn’t much of a golfer. “I’ve tried it before, it’s quite hard,” he told me earlier this week in a Scottish accent thicker than a pint of Belhaven Black. “It’s one of those games where one hole you can play like Seve Ballesteros, and then the next hole it’s in the woods and you’ve lost your ball.”
Besides, English spends most of his days thinking about another sport: curling. If you’re even just a casual Olympics viewer — perhaps you’ve been following the action in Milan over the past week — you’re surely familiar with the pursuit, which has been awarding Olympic medals since the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. Curling, in the most basic terms, involves a “thrower” pushing a roughly 40-pound stone down a 150-foot-long sheet of ice, with the aim of stopping the stone as close as possible to the center of a target (aka “the house”) on the far end of the ice. Aiding in the process are two of the thrower’s teammates who flank the stone as it slides down the ice, using “brooms”, as needed, to reduce the ice’s friction.
English knows a thing or two about those stones because he oversees the process of making them, as the operations manager of Kays Scotland, which since 2006 has been the exclusive manufacturer of curling stones for the Olympics. “We’re kind of servicing the whole sport,” English said of his small but mighty factory about a 45-minute drive north of Turnberry. “There’s only about 50 workers in here. We’re really busy.”
It likely will come as no surprise from where Kays harvests its materials for the stones: yes, Aisla Craig her good self.
The island’s Blue Hone granite is used on the stone’s running edge while its Common Green granite, which is resistant to heat transfer and splintering, composes the body of the stone. It’s a formula Kays has spent the last 175 or so years perfecting, with granite that can be found nowhere else on earth. The factory, which is open four days a week, manufacturers about 12 stones a day or 48 per week with a sticker price of approximately $1,000/per (shipping not included). That might sound steep, but when you consider most stones last about 30 years, the cost also might sound like a bargain.
;)
getty images
“We have to keep our own quality standards up for every stone,” English said. “Whether we make a stone for the Olympics or we make a stone for a [curling] club in Alabama, it’s the same quality control, the exact same way of making it goes into it. There’s no difference.”
Kays ships stones all over the world, from the U.S. to China, Japan and South Korea to Mongolia and New Zealand, even to . . . Antarctica. “They’re using it as a kind of luxury experience type thing,” English said. “It’s like minus-36 degrees, so I wasn’t sure with the temperature and the conditions how the stones would be, but they seemed to be fine.”
***
While the Aisla Craig’s granite is uniquely suited for curling stones, it also has found its way into Turnberry’s golf shop in the form of ball markers and other granite-based memorabilia. Kays also commissioned a St. Andrews clubmaker to build four hickory golf clubs into which Kays incorporated Common Green granite into the bases. They sold quickly. “So, yes,” English said of his team’s handiwork, “there’s wee ties to golf.”
English said he also sees some crossover between the skills required in both curling and golf, and, indeed, it’s not hard to see the parallels between sliding a stone down a slab of ice and rolling a ball across a slick green. “There are a few curlers that we know of that are actually really good golfers,” he said. “They’ve got the type of skills from curling, with the touch and feel, and they kind of took that into golf.”
But English has little time to work on his own swing or stroke. He has emails to answer and orders to fill, especially in this busy window during which his stones are enjoying their every-four-years moment in the international spotlight. To capitalize on the publicity, Kays’ online shop has been selling Olympics-themed giftware (coasters, drink cubes) made from Aisla Craig granite. The majority of orders thus far have come from the U.S., and English suspects that’s at least partly due to a certain rap legend on NBC’s coverage team in Milan.
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The World Baseball Classic is right around the corner, and FOX Sports just announced the broadcast schedule.
There are five teams in each pool, and each team will play four games across six days during pool play. The tournament begins on March 4 and ends on March 17.
The FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports App and Tubi will combine to air all 47 games of the World Baseball Classic.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
A general view during the opening ceremonies of the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game between Team USA and Team Japan at LoanDepot Park. The event took place in Miami, Florida, on March 21, 2023. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Eight of the 20 teams will advance to the quarterfinals, which are single elimination. The semifinals begin a day after the quarterfinals end, with the final on Tuesday, March 17.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama and Colombia are in Pool A. They will play their pool games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil are in Pool B. They will play their pool games at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Japan, Australia, Korea, Czechia and Chinese Taipei are in Pool C. They will play their pool games at the Tokyo Dome, in Tokyo, Japan.
Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua are in Pool D. They will play their pool games at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
DEREK JETER RECALLS THE ONLY TIME HE PLAYED AGAINST YANKEES TEAMMATES – AS TEAM USA’S SHORTSTOP
Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (16) of Japan celebrates hitting a three-run home run in the fifth inning during the World Baseball Classic exhibition game between Japan and Hanshin Tigers at Kyocera Dome Osaka. The game took place in Osaka, Japan, on March 6, 2023. (Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
Here is the schedule for the tournament:
Wednesday, March 4
Chinese Taipei and Australia – 10:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Thursday, March 5
Czechia and Korea – 5:00 AM ET – FS1/FOXD
Australia and Czechia – 10:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Friday, March 6
Japan and Chinese Taipei – 5:00 AM ET – FS1/FOXD
Cuba and Panama – 11:00 AM ET – FS2/FOXD
Netherlands and Venezuela – 12:00 PM ET – Tubi
Mexico and Great Britain – 1:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Puerto Rico and Colombia – 6:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Nicaragua and Dominican Republic – 7:00 PM ET – FS2
USA and Brazil – 8:00 PM ET – FOX/FOXD
Chinese Taipei and Czechia – 10:00 PM ET – FS2
Saturday, March 7
Korea and Japan – 5:00 AM ET – FS1/FOXD
Colombia and Canada – 11:00 AM ET – FS2/FOXD
Nicaragua and Netherlands – 12:00 PM ET – Tubi
Brazil and Italy – 1:00 PM ET – App
Panama and Puerto Rico – 6:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Israel and Venezuela – 7:00 PM ET – FS2
Great Britain and USA – 8:00 PM ET – FOX
Chinese Taipei and Korea – 10:00 PM ET – FS2
Sunday, March 8
Australia and Japan – 6:00 AM ET – FS1/FOXD
Colombia and Cuba – 12:00 PM ET – FS2
Netherlands and Dominican Republic – 12:00 PM ET – FOX/FOXD
Great Britain and Italy – 1:00 PM ET – Tubi
Panama and Canada – 7:00 PM ET – FS2
Nicaragua and Israel – 7:00 PM ET – Tubi
Brazil and Mexico – 8:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
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Trea Turner (8) of Team USA hits a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning during the 2023 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game between Team USA and Team Venezuela at LoanDepot Park. The game took place in Miami, Florida, on March 18, 2023. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Monday, March 9
Korea and Australia – 6:00 AM ET – FS1/FOXD
Colombia and Panama – 12:00 PM ET – FS2
Dominican Republic and Israel – 12:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Brazil and Great Britain – 1:00 PM ET – Tubi
Cuba and Puerto Rico – 7:00 PM ET – FS1
Venezuela and Nicaragua – 7:00 PM ET – FS2
Mexico and USA – 8:00 PM ET – FOX/FOXD
Tuesday, March 10
Czechia and Japan – 6:00 AM ET – FS1/FOXD
Canada and Puerto Rico – 7:00 PM ET – Tubi
Israel and Netherlands – 7:00 PM ET – App/FOXD
Italy and USA – 9:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Wednesday, March 11
Canada and Cuba – 3:00 PM ET – FS2/FOXD
Italy and Mexico – 7:00 PM ET – Tubi
Dominican Republic and Venezuela – 8:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Friday, March 13 – Quarterfinals
Tokyo Runner-Up and Miami Winner – 6:30 PM ET – FS2/FOXD
San Juan Runner-Up and Houston Winner – 8:00 PM ET – FOX/FOXD
Saturday, March 14 – Quarterfinals
Houston Runner-Up and San Juan Winner – 3:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Miami Runner-Up and Tokyo Winner – 9:00 PM ET – FOX/FOXD
Sunday, March 15 – Semifinals
Semifinal #1 – 8:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Monday, March 16 – Semifinals
Semifinal #2 – 8:00 PM ET – FS1/FOXD
Tuesday, March 17 – Championship
Championship Game – 8:00 PM ET – FOX/FOXD
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
And the early frontrunner for Olympic gold in men’s hockey is… the Latvian video coaches?
Thanks to reviews initiated by Latvia, two goals by Team USA were wiped off the scoreboard during their preliminary-round opening game on Thursday: One for offside and one for goaltender interference, both in the first period.
The early offside challenge on Quinn Hughes’ goal was fairly standard — Brock Nelson entered the zone before the puck — but Latvia used it to their advantage to tie up the game on the ensuing shift.
It was the goaltender interference call just under five minutes later, however, that left some fans scratching their heads.
Nelson thought he had scored the go-ahead goal for the Americans with some commotion in front of goalie Elvis Merzlikins. But Latvia called for goaltender interference and, after a review by on-ice officials, the goal was called back as a result of contact made by American forward J.T. Miller on Merzlikins in the crease just prior to the goal.
While that goal might have stood had it occurred in the NHL, the IIHF has a zero-tolerance policy for contact in the crease. Per rule 69.1 of the IIHF rulebook, goals will be disallowed if:
I) an attacking Player, either by their positioning or by a “relevant contact,” impairs the Goalkeeper’s ability to move freely in their Goal Crease or defend their goal; or
II) an attacking Player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a Goalkeeper, inside or outside their Goal Crease
Furthermore, the rule states that the referee has the power to blow down play if an attacking player enters the opposing crease and does not immediately leave.
Ultimately, the U.S. was no worse for wear despite the two called-back goals, with three straight second-period goals to give them a comfortable 4-1 lead heading into the third period.
Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics – Snowboard – Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe Final – Livigno Snow Park, Livigno, Italy – February 12, 2026. Choi Ga-on of South Korea in action during run 1 LIVIGNO, Italy — Choi Ga-on of South Korea won the gold medal in the women’s snowboard halfpipe after recovering from a frightening crash in her first run at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday.
Double defending champion Chloe Kim of the United States took silver and the bronze went to Mitsuki Ono of Japan in the Alpine town of Livigno.
Choi, 17, was nearly knocked out of the contest after the first round when she flipped upside down and landed on her head. She sat on the ground for several minutes as medical staff attended to her before standing up and riding down on her own.
In the second round of three, she flubbed a landing and fell backward.
In the third round, Choi put a stunning 90.25 on the board, elevating her above Kim’s leading 88.
Kim, recovering from a recent shoulder injury, had a final chance to grab the gold but fell backward on a landing. Choi began crying when she realized Kim’s misstep guaranteed her the gold.
The halfpipe features riders sliding across a 22-foot-tall, U-shaped ramp and performing acrobatic maneuvers in the air. Kim took halfpipe gold in Pyeongchang in 2018 and at Beijing 2022.
No snowboarder – not even men’s great Shaun White – has been able to win three straight Olympic golds. White, who was in the crowd on Thursday night, claimed three but they were in 2006, 2010 and 2018. He is now retired from the sport. While Kim missed out on a three-peat, she smiled and laughed at the bottom of the halfpipe as she stood with the other medalists.
Kim was competing with her shoulder held in place by a brace and has said she will need surgery soon.
A steady snow fell during the contest. Seven of the 12 riders fell during the first round.
–Reuters, special to Field Level Media
Blue Jays Spring Training (Feb. 12)
Alongside displays of sporting excellence, numerous controversies have flared this week at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. FRANCE 24 takes a look at the biggest scandals.
After almost two years of rumors and speculation, the White Sox finally traded center fielder Luis Robert Jr. last month, sending him to the Mets for utility man Luisangel Acuña and righty Truman Pauley. Considering Robert hit 38 home runs and was a 4.9 WAR player in 2023, it’s an underwhelming return, but his last two years were full of injuries and ineffectiveness.
Acuña is Ronald‘s younger brother and he’s a utility guy who does his best work on the bases and in the field. Last season, he authored a .567 OPS with the Mets, but also went 16 for 17 stealing bases and played four positions (second base, shortstop, third base, center field). The White Sox figure to play Acuña most of the time in center field this season.
White Sox GM Chris Getz has spoken highly of Acuña since the trade, as GMs are wont to do, but there is one small problem: Getz keeps calling Acuña a switch-hitter, which he most certainly is not. He’s a righty bat. Four times — four! — Getz has publicly called Acuña a switch-hitter:
If it happens once, fine. People misspeak. But four times — again, FOUR! — is a bit of a problem. Getz doesn’t know his player and also his staff has not bothered to correct him, which is another problem in and of itself. Things got to the point that Getz issued a statement Thursday regarding Acuña’s handedness as a hitter.
“So I probably have been getting carried away describing his versatility,” Getz told Sox Machine. “Why does it have to stop there? I called Luisangel and told him that even though he’s just right-handed, we still love him.”
On one hand, this is so stupid and silly that all you can do is laugh. On the other hand, the GM had to call a player and mend fences because he didn’t seem to know which side of the plate he hits from. It’s not a great look for Getz. It’s not the end of the world either — this will be forgotten in about a week — but a basic detail like this should not escape the GM.
Getz’s White Sox went 60-102 last season. That represents a 19-win improvement from their modern record 121-loss season in 2024. After trading Robert, the ChiSox used the savings to sign Seranthony Domínguez, Erick Fedde, and Austin Hays.
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