Welcome to Tuesday’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.
TUESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS: NHL: Bruins at Islanders, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN, NHL Network) College basketball: Indiana at Minnesota, 7 p.m. (ESPN) College basketball: Memphis at Xavier, 7 p.m. (ESPN2) College basketball: Auburn at Alabama, 7 p.m. (ESPNU) College basketball: Towson at George Mason, 7 p.m. (CSNNE) College basketball: Florida at Tennessee, 9 p.m. (ESPN) College basketball: Nebraska at Wisconsin, 9 p.m. (Big Ten Network) College basketball: Wake Forest at Florida State, 9 p.m. (ESPNU) MLB preseason: Yankees at Phillies, 1 p.m. (MLB Network) MLB preseason: Diamondbacks at Angels, 4 p.m. (MLB Network)
AROUND THE WEB:
♦ With Curtis Granderson out for an estimated 10 weeks after breaking his arm, the Yankees are looking for outfield help. Former Yankee (and Red Sox) Johnny Damon is eager to return, but he isn’t expecting he’ll get a call.
“I don’t think it will [happen],” Damon told the New York Post. “They’ve had plenty of opportunities since 2009 and it hasn’t happened. But if they call, I’m ready to go.”
Damon was released by the Indians after hitting .222 in 64 games last season. He lobbied for a chance to prove his worth to the Yankees, for whom he hit 24 home runs during their 2009 World Series championship season — although even then he was moved to a DH role as his outfield skills deteriorated.
“I would play for the minimum [$490,000 one-year deal] for six weeks,” Damon said. “If Granderson returns, I would leave. If there’s no room for me, I am gone.”
♦ The Jets added to speculation that they want to part ways with cornerback Darrelle Revis when they avoided contact with Revis’ camp at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to a New York Daily News report.
Jets general manager John Idzik, coach Rex Ryan and owner Woody Johnson reportedly had no contact with Revis’ representatives, who were staying at a hotel a few blocks from the Jets brass before departing Monday. Meanwhile, the Jets executives met with representatives of a number of other Jets players.
Revis suffered a season-ending knee injury after playing just two games last season. He is scheduled to earn $6 million in 2013 and is looking for a long-term deal, ideally to remain in New York.
♦ Dennis Rodman and three members of the Harlem Globetrotters are part of a group heading to North Korea as part of an HBO show. Rodman, the controversial former NBA star, is visiting the country that is in a state of war with the United States two weeks after North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test in defiance of a United Nations ban.
“Is sending the Harlem Globetrotters and Dennis Rodman to [North Korea] strange? In a word, yes,” said Shane Smith, VICE media company founder who is host of the upcoming series. “But finding common ground on the basketball court is a beautiful thing.
“These channels of cultural communication might appear untraditional, and perhaps they are, but we think it’s important just to keep the lines open,” he said. “And if Washington isn’t going to send their generals, then we’ll send our Globetrotters.”
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On Feb. 26, 1994, Patriots fans bought 5,968 season tickets, a team single-day record, following the previous day’s announcement that Robert Kraft had purchased the team from which man?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was huge. Whatever that was, it was the best win of the year for me. To go into overtime and still have enough to win.” – Celtics coach Doc Rivers, after Monday’s 110-107 victory over the Jazz in Utah
STAT OF THE DAY: 4.82 — Manti Te’o‘s surprisingly slow time in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine Monday
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): The Raptors are the latest team to come out with a “Harlem Shake” video.
TRIVIA ANSWER: James Busch Orthwein
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Johnny Cash, who died in 2003, was born on this day in 1932.
Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.
On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.
In the latest edition of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with Will Carroll. Injury expert and lead writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report. They talk about the injury to Rob Gronkowski and what his back surgery could mean for his season.
Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.
Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.
Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.
John Farrell postgame press conference
Dave O'Brien talked to John Farrell before the last game of the Baltimore series. The skipper said that the Sox have played tough through this stretch of long games.
Jonny Gomes talked to Joe Castiglione & Dave O'Brien after the third game of the Baltimore series. The Sox slugger hit a homer and scored two runs in the win.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.
Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.
Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.
Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.
The guys opened the show discussing the Bruins' dominating Game 3 win over the Blackhawks. Gerry thinks the series is over.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.
Andy Brickley joins Mut and Merloni in studio to take phone calls from the listeners and to preview Game 3 of the Stanley Cup.
We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for game three and beyond.
Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. TO visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.
We talk about the Bruins big showdown with the Blackhawks tonight at the Garden with the lovely and knowledgeable Kathryn Tappen of the NHL Network.
Mikey gets a surprise call from Bernie Carbo, they talk about old time baseball and Bernie's new book.
Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, Plimpton! and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything Plimpton accomplished during his life.
Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.
You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.
The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.
You ask, we answer... anything!
The guys opened the show discussing ESPN's NBA coverage and how Bill Simmons has lost his edge in recent years. Gerry praised Bill for anti-ESPN tweets following the coverage of Game 4.
More from this showStephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.
More from this showShawn joined the show to discuss the Bruins' OT win in Chicago. Shawn said that there was a heated discussion during the first intermission Saturday night in Chicago after the team's poor first period.
More from this showThe guys opened the show discussing the rumors regarding Doc Rivers being part of a deal between the Celtics and the Clippers.
More from this showBoth Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo punctuated their strong 2013 seasons with head-turning events on June 13. On that day, Bogaerts, the Red Sox' top prospect, was promoted from Double-A Portland Pawtucket, with the 20-year-old becoming one of the youngest position players in the affiliate's history. On that same day, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo punched out 13 batters for Double-A Portland, the most strikeouts by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Jon Lester in 2005. They joined Minor Details to discuss both those accomplishments and their seasons to date.
More from this show