In the wake of Troy's new Knickerbacker Aquatic Center opening on Thursday, Albany is opening their city pools today as the current heat wave is winding down.
Just the site of Mayor Carmella Mantello and others jumping into the pool, fully clothed, may have made for an amusing photo op, but I guess Madame Mayor forgot her swimsuit.....!
CBA reserve defensive back Gunnar Felton likely will be a starter as he enters his senior season, especially after making a commitment to Army earlier this week, the 3rd member of Bob Burns' defense to make a pre-season college commitment, after JT Vogel (Princeton) and Chase McIntyre (Fordham). The Brothers' embarrassment of riches continues.
We were incorrect in reporting that the Carolina Blaze's game at Utah was to air on ESPN2 last night. It didn't, and instead streamed on the MLB app. The Blaze won the game, 4-2. Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) didn't start, and was inserted as a pinch runner late. Apparently, Ana is on the bench due to her recent struggles at the plate. It happens to everyone eventually. The series continues tonight at 9 pm on CBS Sports Network.
Local viewers will get to see the Mets at Atlanta for the 2nd straight night, this time on Fox's Baseball Night in America tonight at 8, the late start being due to World Cup coverage. I am reminded that 41 years ago today, the two teams played a marathon game at Fulton County Stadium, won by the Mets, 16-13, in 19 innings.
As you can tell, the late John Sterling was part of the Braves' broadcast team back then.
The Tri-City ValleyCats split a doubleheader with Brockton Friday at Bruno Stadium. The Rox won the opener, 7-5, thanks in large part to Cat-killer Derek Bender, who was 2-4 with 3 RBI and a run scored. Bender (Albany Academy/Coastal Carolina) seems to love playing at The Joe. Tommy Kretzler (Colonie) was held in check, as he went 1-7 in the doubleheader. Bender went 2-2 with a walk in game 2, as a thunderstorm cut the nightcap to 5 innings, with the ValleyCats gaining a split with a 14-5 laugher. Aaron Whitley (Niskayuna) played only in game 2, and went 1-3 with a 3 run homer. The teams meet again tonight at 6:30.
If you're a commuter, plan on finding alternate transportation, as the CDTA #85 line will be on Sunday schedule today, with the last bus heading north at 8:30 pm.
Max Mandler hit 2 homers in the nightcap, including a grand slam, to lead the 'Cats.
Well, let's say this for NYRA. They got through opening day without having to cancel the card due to heat. However, there was a spill involving 4 horses that sent jockey Javier Castellano to the hospital. Local star Dylan Davis was involved in the spill, and scratched from his mounts for the rest of the day. Paco Lopez, who was also involved in the spill, came back to lead Harper's Corner to victory in the featured Schuylerville Stakes.
Defending riding champ Irad Ortiz, Jr., Katherine Davis, and Kendrick Carmouche are among 5 jockeys serving out suspensions for careless riding to start the season. Ortiz's brother, Jose, has the early lead after winning 3 races on Friday. Veteran John Velasquez has 2.
11 races again today, with first post at 12:35 pm.
For the 2nd straight night, rain cut short a game between the Tri-City ValleyCats & Ottawa Titans.
This time, however, the 'Cats gained the measure of the Titans, 11-3, in 6 innings on Wednesday. David Glancy homered for the 'Cats, who close the series tonight.
Today, the Knickerbacker Aquatic Center opens in Lansingburgh with grand opening ceremonies starting at 10 am. The new venue boasts an Olympic level pool, among other amenities.
Now, the onus is on Lansingburgh High to add swimming & diving to the athletic curriculum, ASAP. By the way, the center will be managed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area. With the current heat wave, they should see plenty of early business.
When George Regan was relieved of his duties as event organizer of the Turkey Trot last year, there were some questions as to the abruptness of the decision.
Now, we have answers, and they're not good.
File photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.
Regan turned himself in to Troy police on charges of fraud as it relates to past races, and radio reports include last year's race, which led to the change in organizers a few weeks before the race. Regan has also previously coordinated the Freihofer's (now Delightful) Run For Women.
Just when you think you know someone......!
Maybe Ana Gold needs a break.
The Ballston Spa native was 0-3 Wednesday as the Carolina Blaze fell to the Oklahoma City Spark, 9-3. The Blaze begin a series at Utah tomorrow (9 pm, ESPN2). Gold's batting average fell below .200 with the oh-fer.
Kahnle was designated for assignment by the Red Sox after an 8-1 loss to Washington Tuesday night. Kahnle, through Tuesday, as a plump 8.00 ERA in 8 games.
Fellow Shaker grad Jeff Hoffman has yet to see the mound vs. the Mets as Toronto closes out their series with New York today (3 pm, SNY). Maybe today will be the day?
Rain forced an abrupt end to the Tri-City ValleyCats' game at Ottawa on Tuesday after 8 innings. Former Blue Jay Eric Pardinho was perfect through 8 innings before the rains came. The Titans, understandably, won by a count of 4-0.
Weather permitting, the series continues tonight.
The current heat wave may put a damper on opening weekend at Saratoga when the summer meet starts Friday. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90's all weekend, and that could force postponing the races until the temperatures drop to more comfortable levels. It's not the first time this has happened, and probably won't be the last.
Speaking of Saratoga, trainer Cherie DeVaux is pointing Kentucky Derby & Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo toward the Travers in late August, and bypassing the Jim Dandy due to a recent illness.
Games to watch:
AUSL: Carolina @ Oklahoma City (ESPN2, tonight at 7).
MLB: Mets @ Atlanta (WTEN, Friday at 7).
AUSL: Carolina @ Utah (ESPN2, Friday at 9).
A quick reminder that TNA takes over the Broadview Center at UAlbany tonight & tomorrow to tape episodes of Impact & Xplosion. Current ticket prices start around $20, way cheaper than WWE has been of late.
Saratoga will begin its summer season this Friday, the 2nd straight year they'll be open on the 4th of July. As an added incentive for fans, the track announced last week that they will have World Cup soccer matches on their television monitors, especially in the clubhouse during the card, for the balance of the tournament.
The meet will run until Labor Day, September 7.
The Carolina Blaze used a 5 run rally in the 5th inning to overtake the Oklahoma City Spark, 5-4, Monday night. Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) was 0-3. After a night off, the series continues tomorrow at 7 pm on ESPN2.
Shenendehowa grad Kevin Huerter will stay in Detroit.
Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.
Huerter signed a new deal with the Pistons Monday night, when it'd been assumed he'd test the free agent market.
Meanwhile, Andre Jackson, Jr. (Albany Academy/UConn) is a free agent after his rookie contract with Milwaukee expired. You can bet Knicks fans would love to see Jackson in orange & blue, playing for the NBA champs.
Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) was dropped to 6th in the batting order Saturday as Carolina hosted Utah. The Blaze salvaged the final game of the series, 6-1, as Gold 1-3 with an RBI & a run scored. The Blaze are back in action tonight, traveling to Oklahoma City to play the Spark (7 pm, ESPN).
By the way, if you were watching the series vs. Utah, you'd notice the games were moved to the home field of minor league baseball's Durham Bulls. I think Duke had a previous commitment on their field over the weekend.
Viewers tuning in to WCWN, expecting to see the pre-show of NXT's Great American Bash, got screwed by the station Sunday night.
First, an episode of the syndicated World's Funniest aired at 6 pm. Then, an infomercial for Curtis Lumber followed at 6:30.
Now, why is this? The easy answer is that WCWN sold the air time for the infomercial days, maybe even weeks in advance, but didn't plan on one spot being last night at 6:30 pm. That the wrestling that followed was a hot card with one good match after another made up for the station's gaffe.
NXT's next "PLE" on CW is Heatwave on August 30.
The Tri-City ValleyCats took down Schaumburg, 7-2, Sunday. That was the good news. The bad was the attendance, just under 2000 fans after fireworks the night before. Dylan Broderick, Ian Walters, & Josh Leslie homered for Tri-City.
The 'Cats head north of the border to Ottawa to play the Titans starting tomorrow, before returning home to play Brockton in a 4 game series starting Friday. Bring your sunscreen, as temperatures are expected to be in the 90's.
Former CBA star Jack Donohue, about to enter his senior season in a Boston prep school, is looking to figure out where he'll go to college.
Donohue will visit Siena next week. This report comes the day after former teammate JT Vogel had committed to Princeton.
Speaking of Siena, they'll have one less opponent in the Metro Conference (formerly MAAC) after next season.
That's because Fairfield is leaving the Metro for the Coastal Athletic Alliance (CAA) for the 2027-8 season and beyond, starting in July 2027.
Will the Metro Conference fill the vacancy next year? Stay tuned.
The Carolina Blaze have hit the skids in the AUSL, having lost the first two games of their series with Utah. The Talons shut out the Blaze, 3-0, on Friday. Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke), dropped to 5th in the batting order, went 0-3, as she is fighting a mini-slump.
The series finale begins at 2 pm on ESPN.
After getting swept by the NY Boulders, the Tri-City ValleyCats took it out on the Schaumburg Boomers, 9-0, on Friday with just over 2000 fans in attendance at Bruno Stadium. Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) went 5 innings to pick up the win.
Dylan Broderick, Aaron Whitley, & Josh Leslie homered for the 'Cats, who continue their series tonight at 6:30 pm.
Former Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa hockey standout Tommy Bleyl was drafted by the Nashville Predators in Friday's NHL draft. Bleyl left the Spartan Scotties to play in the juniors before being drafted. The hockey equivalent of the prep school route. Best of luck to Tommy in the pros.
After getting swept in embarrassing fashion by the Chicago Cubs, the Mets return to WTEN tonight, hoping to extract some payback from the Philadelphia Phillies. First pitch is at 7:10 pm.
Speaking of getting swept, the Tri-City ValleyCats were swept by the NY Boulders the last three nights.
Thursday's game was cut short due to rain, with the Boulders picking up a 7-2 win. Tri-City opens a series tonight vs. the Schaumburg Boomers at 6:30 pm.
CBA's multi-sport star, JT Vogel, has committed to Princeton, per the Albany Times-Union, prior to starting his senior season with the Brothers. Vogel starred for CBA in basketball as well as football the last couple of years.
Shaker is losing another piece of their Class AAA women's basketball title team.
Malia Jackson is going the prep school route, transferring to the Darrow School this fall. Best of luck to Malia.
The Albany Times-Union released their softball all-star teams on Thursday, and, aside from the predictable pandering to the Suburban Council, Troy High got dissed again.
Junior Kaylee Kussler & sophomore Gabby Hansen were named to the 2nd team.
Bottom line, the system needs to change. Yesterday.
