It took less than a week for Major League Baseball to provide its first wacky play of the season. In the seventh inning of the St. Louis Cardinals’ matchup with the Chicago Cubs, Cardinals pitcher Brett Cecil spiked a curveball in the dirt that catcher Yadier Molina blocked with his chest protector. Cubs hitter Matt Szczur swung and missed for strike three and took off for first base. Molina searched frantically for the baseball, only to make a shocking discovery: The ball was stuck to his chest. Molina’s chest protector essentially is flat, so there’s no way the ball got wedged in anywhere. That pretty much leaves one explana... NESN.com
Sports
Protesters Unfurl Giant ‘Impeach Trump’ Banner After Nationals’ Opening Day Win
Maybe it’s a good thing Donald Trump didn’t throw out the first pitch at Nationals Park after all. The President of the United States declined the Washington Nationals’ invitation to take part in the club’s Opening Day festivities before Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins, forgoing what’s been a tradition since William Taft threw out a first pitch in 1910. But if he had gone to the game, he probably wouldn’t have liked what he saw after the Nats beat the Marlins 4-2, as a group of protesters unfurled an enormous “Impeach Trump” banner painted on a Russian flag. The sign was confiscated for violating stadium policy, and one o... NESN.com
Bruins Extend Winning Streak To Four Games With Win Over Panthers
The Boston Bruins continued their recent hot streak with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday at TD Garden. The Bruins have responded nicely from their four-game losing streak in mid-March by putting together a four-game winning streak to vault them back into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston didn’t play their best hockey Saturday, but it will take the two points and head to Chicago for a Sunday afternoon tilt with the Blackhawks. Hear NESN’s Andy Brickley break down the Bruins’ victory over the Panthers in the video above from “NESN Sports Today,” presented by People’s United Bank. < ... NESN.com
Berkshire Bank Hockey Night In New England: Projected Bruins-Panthers Lineups
The Boston Bruins will be looking to take advantage of a struggling Florida Panthers team when the two clubs face off at TD Garden on Saturday afternoon. After hitting a four-game slump in mid-March, the Bruins finished out the month strong by collecting three straight wins, giving them a slightly stronger hold on the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a three-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The B’s also are only one point back of the Toronto Maple Leafs for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers, on the other hand, are riding a three-game skid into their matchup on Boston’s home ice and are well out of
NFL Rumors: Is Colin Kaepernick’s Vegan Diet Impacting His Free Agency?
There are multiple theories as to why quarterback Colin Kaepernick remains without an NFL job, but the latest rumor takes the (vegan) cake. Although many have pointed to last season’s national anthem protest (and the extra attention attached to Kaepernick for spearheading it) as the primary reason for his lengthy free agency process, Kaepernick’s diet also could be concerning teams, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. On the surface, this sounds rather crazy. Even if a vegan diet doesn’t seem ideal for a professional athlete constantly faced with intense physical demands, it’s wild to envision teams putting so much stock into t... NESN.com
Charlie McAvoy ‘Really Excited’ To Begin Journey To NHL With Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins have agreed to terms on an ATO with former Boston Univeristy defenseman Charlie McAvoy. He’s expected to play in the team’s upcoming game Saturday, and he said he’s looking forward to starting his journey to the NHL. To hear McAvoy explain his decision to leave BU, check out his interview with Emerson Lotzia in the video above from “NESN Sports Today,” presented by People’s United Bank. ... NESN.com
Brad Stevens Knows Celtics Must ‘Find Some Answers’ For Talented Bucks
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics had only seen the Milwaukee Bucks once before their 103-100 loss Wednesday night, but the Bucks clearly present a challenge to the Celtics. Milwaukee’s ability to put rangy, athletic lineups on the floor bothered Boston for most of the night, especially during the first half. And if the two teams were to meet in the NBA playoffs, the Celtics will need to figure out how to attack the Bucks. “They’ve been one of the best teams in the East over the last month and a half,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “So, I’m not surprised by their level and their level is really high. When we go small