Thinking out loud…while wondering what’s really in that ol’ rosin bag on the bump behind a pitcher…
• Former PC athletic director and Big East Commissioner John Marinatto’s sudden passing last weekend at age 64 surely hit home for many in the extended Friar Family.
• John was one of the first people I had the privilege to meet with after arriving in Rhode Island 33 years ago, as WPRI-TV Channel 12 (my employer at the time) held the local TV rights to Providence basketball.
• We discussed much, including our coverage of the Friars through the creation and production of the Rick Barnes Show, but we also discussed much more – career, family, getting used to the northeast winters (since I had come from working in Texas) – and loyalty.
• I knew he was hoping we would support his program, and that of Coach Barnes’, rather than use whatever journalistic advantages we might have with ‘inside info’ to skewer them if the opportunity ever occurred.
• It never did. And while we upheld our journalistic standards while producing that TV show (in front of a live studio audience, which was a blast), I understood what he was looking for. Fairness. Honesty. Integrity.
• Those were all hallmarks of John Marinatto’s personality as I knew him, even if he could also be described as aloof or, let’s say, not exactly warm and fuzzy.
• John took particular interest in my fate when my contract at Channel 12 wasn’t renewed. That’s when he told me I’d “always have a home with PC” since he knew I’d be on the job hunt. It meant so much then, back in 1991, and it means as much – if not more – today.
• It is a major reason why I’m privileged and honored to be at the mic starting on Season 33 this fall. A major reason I stuck around is because John made me feel appreciated, and I felt strongly about returning his sense of loyalty.
• His story of student-basketball manager-to-student assistant-to-SID-to-Athletic Director-to-Conference Commissioner is a remarkable tale. You’ve probably heard he once considered joining the priesthood.
• For someone so unassuming, really, he was directly involved in two of the most emotionally charged sports stories surrounding Providence College athletics.
• One was the demise of the very successful Friar baseball program, and of course, the break-up of the original Big East Conference. Neither was his fault. But he took the bullets, along with much of the scorn and criticism and stoically advocated for those left behind…and he rebuilt the Big East before it ultimately changed into what we have today.
• Thoughtful. Courageous. Loyal. Caring. Good. Kind. He also learned from the absolute best – Dave Gavitt, Mike Tranghese and Lou Lamoriello. They thought a lot of John, but perhaps you didn’t think much of John Marinatto and his tenure at PC or the Big East.
• And that’s really the point. You didn’t have to. He shepherded over his flock as much as he led them and challenged them to achieve for themselves, for the school and for the league.
• We had a doozy of an April Fools’ joke ready to roll out on TV one year back in the early ‘90’s…as John initially loved my idea of suggesting we work up the return of Providence football at the varsity level after a 40-year absence at the time.
• It was all planned out, written and scripted, and he was very much in on it – yet he asked to ‘postpone’ the faux-announcement because he thought it might upset some to know it wasn’t the truth.
• He cared. John Marinatto always thought of others…if nothing else.
• The Athletic made some way-too-early Big East hoop predictions this week- and pegged the Friars for 8th. EIGHTH. Nova, UConn and Xavier were 1-2-3, and no real argument there.
• But eighth? With four returning starters? Seems to me…there should be some boulders on the shoulders of the Friars throughout the summer and into the fall, based on last season’s finish and the lower expectations out there. We’ll see.
• The Friars added perennial America East/NCAA contender Vermont to the non-league schedule this week, hardly a cupcake. Ex-Hendricken Hawk Justin Mazzulla and Northeastern grad transfer Tomas Murphy (from Wakefield, RI) are on the Catamounts’ roster.
• PC’s David Duke has been invited to the NBA Draft Combine, which starts next week at DePaul’s Wintrust Arena in Chicago. He’s still slated to go anywhere between 29th and 56th in the several mock drafts out there.
• Duke is one of six Big East players expected to participate at the Combine (out of 69 total invites) along with Marcus Zegarowski, James Bouknight, Julian Champagnie, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
• Former Friar Bryce Cotton is now a 3-time Australian NBL MVP. As a member of the Perth Wildcats, Cotton won the ‘Andrew Gaze’ Trophy for 2021, his second straight and third in four seasons.
• And former Friar all-American Ryan Gomes is rumored to be a new coaching staff addition within player development, pending official word from the school. Nothing like having a former all-American and NBA player on staff, teaching and mentoring, if you can get one.
• Great for recruiting and retention. See who we have on our bench? Instant street cred.
• Always fun to see the locals land a spot on one of our collegiate rosters – it doesn’t happen often enough. 6-2 guard Sebastian Thomas from Bishop Hendricken is headed to play at URI, the first local high school product to sign in Kingston in 17 years. He’ll join the Class of 2022.
• 6-foot-9 ex-UMass star Tre Mitchell announced he will play at Texas next season, further loading up new coach Chris Beard’s Longhorn lineup…with five transfers who played for other teams last season now on their roster.
• However, of the more than 1670 transfers listed in the portal to date, more than one third of those athletes do not yet have a new destination. It’s one thing to have the ability to take flight…and another entirely to find a safe place to land.
• NIL updates – Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a collegiate NIL (Name, Image, Likeness)
bill into law this week that will take effect July 1, making Texas the sixth state in the country to enact the new laws in just a matter of days…and the 19th state to pass such legislation overall.
• Rhode Island? Massachusetts? The NCAA? Rhode Island’s House passed its’ version of an NIL bill this week (making RI state #20), which was then sent onto the Senate for approval and an eventual Governor’s signature.
• If all goes through, it will become law in RI and allow the state’s college athletes to potentially begin earning income for the use of their names, images and likenesses by 1/1/22. Massachusetts’ pending legislation would also take effect January 1st of next year.
• Connecticut apparently has the legislation on Governor Ned Lamont’s desk for signing. As the days go by with individual states queuing up their NIL laws, recruiting advantages could still potentially exist for states that have passed them over states that have not…unless the NCAA rallies and figures out “rules for all” in the next 10 days.
• Yeah, who’s betting on that last one?
• This bears watching – but ESPN reports some college athletes could earn up to $1 million through social media. In non-revenue sports, it’s more like $1K-$3K.
• There will always be “haves” and “have nots.” And hammers will always have nails to hit.
• Legendary Mount Saint Mary’s College hoop coach Jim Phelan passed away Wednesday at the age of 92. Forty-nine seasons, 9th on the all-time DI wins list (830 overall), oversaw Mount’s move into DI back in 1988, coached in 18 NCAA tournaments and led Mount to a DII national title. Coach Phelan retired in 2003.
• Two track and field notes, on the precipice of the Olympics in Tokyo…39-year Rhody coach John Copeland has announced his retirement, after winning his 25th Atlantic-10 T&F title…and PC’s Jordan Mann, Emily Sisson and Millie Paladino are all in Trials’ competition this week for Olympic team spots.
• It’s a no-brainer. Yes, the Patriots need Stephon Gilmore to be an improved, even elite, defense next season. Their Super Bowl seasons have all been punctuated by shut down play from shut down corners.
• But be prepared for this being his last rodeo in Foxboro.
• Gilmore is what, 31? He makes, what? The 7th highest annual salary at his position in the NFL? I’d say he’s making about the right amount…regardless of what he thinks or what he’s done in his past.
• Could the Patriots give him a new deal with incentives to reach his monetary goals, whatever they are? They could. But they don’t have to. He’s under contract. It depends on their tolerance for his staying away from training camp – if it gets that far.
• BB didn’t come into town riding on the back of a cord of wood, ya’ know. Amiright?
• Sorry, but I like Cam Newton. Love his attitude. Love his media interviews. Smart guy. Knows more than you think. Understands more than you think, too.
• If he can throw the ball a little bit, we might have something here (again) next season. But if Mac Jones proves he’s better to start, he certainly should.
• Anyone else getting a little worried over Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith staying healthy? The heavy stuff won’t come down for some time now, and both already have ‘nagging’ injuries.
• NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted this week that – finally – more than half of NFL players had received at least one vaccine shot, and that all but two teams had more than 90% of their Tier I and II personnel (players, coaches, support staff) vaccinated.
• With so many schools and employers requiring vaccines as a condition to return to classes or to the workplace, why hasn’t the NFL asked its’ work force to do the same…for their own good, and ours as well?
• The next best thing – may be the new protocols released this week that will prohibit some unvaccinated players from team travel, unsupervised workouts and in-person team meetings. If you can’t get on the bus to go to work with everyone else…you’re probably SOL.
• And good to hear fully vaccinated media will be allowed to conduct in-person interviews again for the first time in nearly two years. It’s a step closer to the customary privileges provided within football coverage and allows reporters the access needed to do their jobs – for you.
• Fans will also be allowed to attend training camp if you are vax’d, but can’t be within 20 feet of players, so autographs are likely out. But…at least you’ll be there.
• Very cool to hear from the retiring Ernie Adams this week as the Patriots wrapped up mini-camp. Coach? Consultant? Confidant? Yes to all.
• But is he still a bit of a ‘man of mystery’ after 21 years in New England, and a 50-year relationship dating back to Andover Academy with Bill Belichick?
• Perhaps, but he was never mysterious to those inside Gillette Stadium…where it counted most.
• If the new 12-team College Football Playoff plan comes to fruition, estimated payouts to schools will soar into the stratosphere…up more than 200% – or to $1.9 billion in TV rights fees for an 11-game format as opposed to the current 3-game format.
• C’mon, man. And you thought college football was increasing opportunities for more teams to win? They are…for their bank accounts. And college presidents will see to that.
• The College Football Playoff is, in a typical year, the most-watched non-NFL event on the sports calendar. Yes, that’s hard to believe around here, but more than the NBA, the NHL or MLB.
• PC’s Hockey Friars will take part in the inaugural Holiday Face-Off tournament at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum next season – which also is home to the Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Golden Eagles. Bowling Green, Wisconsin and Yale will be the other teams in the Dec. 28-29 event.
• Northeastern hockey coach Jim Madigan has been promoted to athletic director at the school, with associate head coach Jerry Keefe taking over the program, sez the Boston Globe.
• The Bruins’ Game Six TV rating against the NY Islanders was up 70% over the bubble last year, and NESN telecasts were overall up 18% over last season – the highest since 2014-15.
• Local ratings throughout the NHL have been up 15% across the league (NBA local ratings down 4%), but national network ratings have been down slightly as the NHL transitions from NBC to Turner/ESPN next year.
• Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum – in the wake of missing out on a $32 million bonus he could have received for being named all-NBA, which he wasn’t – will quickly put it all behind him.
• That he’s making himself available for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo may be the one of the most selfless things he’s done. Certainly, that we’ve seen since he’s been here. Smaht.
• And it just never worked out for Kemba Walker with the Celtics? Why? 1) Had a huge salary, couldn’t stay healthy. 2) Not a true PG. The Green Team Transformation begins for Brad Stevens.
• Novak Djokovic > Roger Federer? Rafael Nadal? And no Nadal or Naomi Osaka for the return of Wimbledon? What say you, Edward in East Providence?
• Best wishes to Yianni Kourakis, who is leaving WPRI Channel 12 so his wife can take a good gig, and he’ll keep working at WPBF in West Palm Beach, FL. Local boy has made good…and now gets to make good in warmer weather, year-round.
• Yankee Stadium is back to allowing full capacity this weekend, which now makes it just over half of Major League Baseball teams returning to their stadiums with potentially large, or sellout crowds.
• Very happy to hear Jerry Remy is out of the hospital after having to leave his NESN booth last week due to shortness of breath.
• He’s had a pretty good season thus far. I still don’t trust Matt Barnes. Not sure I ever will.
• Don’t look now, but Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow’s partial UCL tear and flexor strain may be the Red Sox’ ticket to stay in the AL East race this summah. At least for a bit longer.
• And Glasnow said this week his injury is “100%” because of the crackdown on using sticky stuff. Whoa.
• “Your favorite pitcher 50 years ago was probably using something, too,” Glasnow told reporters. Uh huh. But I already knew that.
• Zen Question I: Why didn’t MLB institute these ‘changes’ over use of sticky stuff BEFORE the season began?
• Zen Question II: Does every ex-major leaguers’ son now play for the Toronto Blue Jays?
• Not for nuthin’, but Vladdy Guerrero, Junior? He can hit them as far and as forceful as his daddy – aka “The Impaler” – once did. He got game.
• Now THIS is a negative nugget – from MLB.com: “For 35 years (1986-2020), no team lost 19 consecutive road games. Now two teams (Baltimore & Arizona) have done it in the first two-and-a-half months of 2021 – and both had that unfortunate streak begin right after the excitement and glory of throwing a no-hitter.”
• Baseball’s sticky situation ain’t goin’ anywhere. Pitching substances have been a part of baseball for more than half a century. Once the current buzz dies down, or an enterprising mind figures out another way to “do it,” you’ll see ‘spin rate’ and spit balls return.
• The sport can’t – or won’t – completely shut it down. “Gaining an edge” in baseball is as American as the Pledge of Allegiance. This is simply telling pitchers to ‘knock it off’ for a while.
• Think of policing the sport now as pitchers getting ready to walk through a security checkpoint, like when you go to the airport.
• “Sorry sir, could you please remove that stickum before going through the x-ray?”
• Is it me, or is it a coincidence that offense has suddenly returned to baseball in the, oh I don’t know, last two weeks? And as a consequence, that pitchers (including Boston’s) suddenly can’t seem to get anyone out? Just sayin’.
• One thing to keep in mind – if a pitcher gets popped with a 10-game suspension for using sticky stuff, he can’t be replaced on the roster. That edict, above all else, might keep baseball on the straight-and-narrow.
• For a while, anyway.
• And Happy Father’s Day to Dad’s everywhere – including my oldest son Ryan, who is a Dad to three-year-old John Ryan…making me one proud Pop Pop, too.
• Tom in Florida emailed to say: “You can wake me up when the Olympics are over. Ranks behind the NBA and MLB for my sports viewing priorities…it’ll be just more NBC wokeness shoved down our throats. And to think back in the day I was excited to attend the Lake Placid Games. How times have changed!”
• Tom, I’ll admit it seems as if much of the Olympic movement has succumbed to worldwide political correctness. Part of that has been with the inclusion of ‘professional’ athletes into the competition. The term ‘amateur’ will never again be what it once was – especially in Lake Placid in 1980 – but having caught the Olympic spirit working for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee in 1984, it will always be an event I’ll look forward to watching, if not covering.
Interested in having your questions on local Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions, comments and local stories to jrooke@weei.com. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Would appreciate the follow on Twitter, @JRbroadcaster…and join in on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...
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