The Boston Red Sox never were in the running to sign Shohei Ohtani last offseason. After a bizarre recruitment saga, the 23-year-old eventually signed with the Los Angeles Angels. However, the Japanese pitching-hitting phenom nearly joined the Red Sox organization in 2012, according to a piece published Monday by WEEI’s Rob Bradford. Ohtani, then a high-school sensation, was one of the hottest names on the international market. And a pair of Red Sox scouts — Jon Deeble and Eddie Romero — were hot on his trail. “After (meeting with Ohtani), we thought we had a good chance to sign him,” Romero recently told Bradford. When ask... NESN.com
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Bucks Broadcaster Lost His Marbles After Khris Middleton’s Epic Shot Vs. Celtics
If you’re familiar with Gus Johnson, then you know he frequently gives ecstatic, over-the-top calls during basketball games. He took things to another level, however, during Sunday’s NBA playoffs game between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. During the closing moments of Game 1 at TD Garden, Bucks forward Khris Middleton drained buzzer-beating 3-pointer near halfcourt to send the game to overtime. And Johnson, who does broadcast work for FOX Sports Wisconsin, nearly suffered an emotional meltdown on the play. Check this out: Broadcasting 101: When something amazing happens, scream your brains out for 10 seconds. Johnson, of c... NESN.com
Jake DeBrusk Looking Forward To ‘Crazy’ Environment In Toronto For Game 3
If the Maple Leafs have any hope of getting back in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series with the Boston Bruins, they’ll need their fans to bring their all in the next two games in Toronto. The Bruins have outclassed the Leafs in the first two contests, but as Jake DeBrusk noted in an interview with NESN’s Alex Kraemer, those games are behind the B’s. Now, Boston has its focus locked in on Game 3, and DeBrusk is expecting a “crazy” atmosphere at Air Canada Centre on Monday. For more from DeBrusk, check out the video above from “NESN Sports Today,” presented by People’s United Bank.
Ryan Donato On First NHL Postseason Game: ‘Best Atmosphere I’ve Ever Played In’
BOSTON — Ryan Donato has played on some pretty big stages throughout his hockey journey. But his first career NHL postseason game tops them all. “Best atmosphere I’ve ever played in,” Donato told NESN.com following the Boston Bruins’ 7-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs’ first round Saturday night. “It’s something I grew up dreaming about and obviously it’s a dream come true and a blessing to be able to have that opportunity to play in front of the crowd like this,” Donato — who led Team USA in scoring with five goals and an assist at the 2018 Winter Olympics — added. Since ... NESN.com
Red Sox Vs. Orioles Lineup: Hanley Ramirez Returns, Eduardo Nunez Sits
Hanley Ramirez’s absence from the Boston Red Sox’s lineup was short-lived. The first baseman left Thursday’s game against the New York Yankees after being hit by a Sonny Gray fastball on the wrist. Ramirez sat out Friday’s victory over the Baltimore Orioles, but is back Saturday for the second leg of the three-game series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox will look to continue their winning ways, as their 11-2 record is the best in the American League. The Orioles, meanwhile, will hope to right the ship after falling to 5-9 on the season. Boston infielder Eduardo Nunez will get the day off after clubbing a three-run homer in Friday’s win.... NESN.com
NBA Rumors: Warriors’ Stephen Curry Targeting Round 2 Return From Injury
The Golden State Warriors will be without two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry for the first round of the playoffs, but he is expected to return at some point during the Western Conference semifinals. Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania reported an update Friday on Curry’s knee injury, which forced him to miss the last month of the regular season. The Warriors’ title defense begins Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. Golden State shouldn’t have too much trouble beating San Antonio — as long as injured Spurs star Kawhi Leonard doesn’t play — but a potential second-round matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers or New Orleans Pelicans could ... NESN.com
The Bruins Bounce Back From Tough Regular Season End To Take Game 1 From Toronto
After a rough end to the regular season, the Boston Bruins seem to have their mojo back after a dominant 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 on Thursday night. Head coach Bruce Cassidy claims his team needed a few days of productive practice to get the B’s back on track. Cassidy was right because the Bruins came out with a fierce intensity and never let up until the final horn sounded.For more from Cassidy, check out the “Bruins Overtime Live” video above, presented by Ace Ticket. ... NESN.com