Welcome to Thursday's Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
THURSDAY'S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:MLB: Boston at Minnesota, 1:10 p.m. (NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7)MLB: NY Mets at Colorado, 4 p.m. (MLB Network)MLB: Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati, 7 p.m. (MLB Network)MLB: Toronto at LA Angels, 10 p.m. (MLB Network)NBA: NBA Draft, 7 p.m. (ESPN, NBA)
AROUND THE WEB:
-- ESPN has hired former referee Jeff Triplette as Monday Night Football's new rules analyst and many are not thrilled.
Notably, the NFL was involved in ESPN's decision to hire Triplette.
"Nearly six months off his retirement, Jeff Triplette is slated to join ESPN as a rules analyst along with newcomers Joe Tessitore and Jason Witten in the Monday Night Football booth, according to officiating and network sources. Football Zebras has also learned that the NFL specifically steered ESPN to hire Triplette. He will be replacing former referee Gerald Austin, who has served on the MNF team since 2012," Football Zebras reported.
Triplette will replace Gerald Austin, who left ESPN for a consulting position with the Raiders.
And fans are not thrilled with the move.
— Mike Ravese (@mikeravese) June 21, 2018 — Enrico Pallazzo (@GMoneyELITE) June 21, 2018Blind leading the blind pic.twitter.com/uTNl6rc4Nz
— Nelson (@CLEdiehard) June 21, 2018 — jaragon (@jaragon81) June 21, 2018Triplette spent 22 seasons in the NFL and retired after last season. He worked 11 postseason games, including the 2007 AFC Championship Game, and served as an alternate ref for Super Bowl XLI.
-- Phil Mickelson apologized on Wednesday after breaking the rules during the U.S. Open when he hit his moving putt back toward the hole.
"I know this should've come sooner, but it's taken me a few days to calm down," Mickelson texted reporters. "My anger and frustration got the best of me last weekend. I'm embarrassed and disappointed by my actions. It was clearly not my finest moment and I'm sorry."
On the 13th hole on Saturday, Mickelson chased his ball as it was about to roll off the green and hit it back toward the hole while it was still rolling. He was given a two-stroke penalty under Rule 14-5, while many believe he should have been disqualified.
Pray for all of those affected by Phil Mickelson's actions. Hopefully they can find strength during these tough times pic.twitter.com/wSZd0QH6lz
— Digs (@Digz) June 17, 2018"At that time I didn't feel like going back-and-forth and hitting the same shot over. I took the two-shot penalty and moved on... I don't mean any disrespect."Phil Mickelson on why he hit a moving ball on the 13th green at the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/M0psTf0D6k
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 16, 2018After the round Mickelson told those offended by his move to "toughen up."
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I was lucky enough to work at a network where we covered that stuff. It's like when you're cooking pasta, you know how it is, you grab the noodles and you throw them at the wall. Some of them stick and some of them don't stick. I think that's the way it works honestly." -- Alex Cora, with D&K, on trade rumors
