Jose Fernandez Saved His Mother From Drowning While Defecting From Cuba

Share this: One of Major League Baseball’s brightest young stars is gone much, much too soon. Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez died early Sunday morning in a tragic boating accident off the coast of Miami Beach. The shocking news hit the baseball world hard, not only because the 24-year-old was one of the most electric pitchers in the game, but also because of the incredible journey he took to reach the sport’s peak. Fernandez defected from Cuba in 2007 at just 15 years old, surviving harrowing conditions to reach the United States and pursue a professional baseball career. His journey from Cuba to the U.S. was detailed three years ago in an excellent feature on the now-defunct Grantland, and that story includes an

Can Free McNuggets Help Texans Fans Cope With Loss To Patriots?

Share this: Fans of the Houston Texans can take solace in their team’s running game, if nothing else. Houston rushed for 109 yards Thursday in its 27-0 loss to the New England Patriots. While the Texans’ rushing total wasn’t enough to win the game or even put points on the scoreboard, a McDonald’s promotion gives Houston-area fans a reason to celebrate: free McNuggets. Running back Lamar Miller ran for 80 yards on 21 carries. Quarterback Brock Osweiler and running backs Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes added another 29 yards on six carries combined. Many responses to the Texans’ tweet suggest fans would rather have seen a better performance than save a few dollars on a snack. Here’s hoping the new and improved McNuggets

Patriots Smother Texans With Special Teams In Dominant Thursday Night Win

by Zack Cox on Fri, Sep 23, 2016 at 1:11AM 1,550 Share this: FOXBORO, Mass. — Jamie Collins was the MVP of the New England Patriots’ Thursday night victory over the Houston Texans, racking up 14 tackles to go along with one interception and one pass breakup. But Ryan Allen was a very close second. Yes, the punter. Allen was phenomenal in New England’s 27-0 win, pinning Houston inside its own 20-yard line on each of his seven punts. In fact, the Texans finished the game without a single punt return yard — zero. Five of Allen’s punts were fair-caught, and two were downed by the Patriots’ coverage team, including one at the 5-yard line with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. “Man, that was unbelievable,” Patriots special

Patriots Pick Six: Jamie Collins, Malcolm Butler Star Vs. Texans In Win

Patriots Pick Six: Jamie Collins, Malcolm Butler Star Vs. Texans In Win

FOXBORO, Mass. — It turns out the New England Patriots were just fine without Jimmy Garoppolo. Oh, and Tom Brady, Dont’a Hightower, Dion Lewis, Sebastian Vollmer and a good 80 percent of Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots embarrassed the Houston Texans 27-0 with rookie Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. The nicest thing one could say about the Texans’ offense is they crossed the 50-yard line. And it took them until late in the third quarter to do so. This Patriots team could be historically good when Brady returns. Here are the Patriots’ six stars of the game. LB JAMIE COLLINSCollins had a huge game on a big, primetime... NESN.com

Here Are Some Highlights Of Julian Edelman Playing QB At Kent State

Share this: The New England Patriots could enter Thursday night’s game against the Houston Texans with the understanding that wide receiver Julian Edelman might be called upon to play quarterback. It would take an unfortunate set of circumstances, as the Patriots are expected to hand the quarterback keys to rookie Jacoby Brissett with Jimmy Garoppolo injured and Tom Brady still serving his Deflategate suspension. But New England hasn’t added a quarterback and Garoppolo might not dress for the game, leaving Brissett as the only legitimate quarterback on the Patriots’ roster. If that ends up being the case, Edelman likely will serve as New England’s backup quarterback. The Patriots’ hope surely is that Brissett stays healthy and on the field, eliminating the need for

Rob Gronkowski ‘Feeling Decent,’ Unsure Of Status For Game Vs. Texans

Rob Gronkowski ‘Feeling Decent,’ Unsure Of Status For Game Vs. Texans

by Zack Cox on Tue, Sep 20, 2016 at 5:36PM 1,859 FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski again was limited in practice Tuesday. Afterward, he gave an update on the condition of his injured hamstring. “I’m feeling decent,” Gronkowski said. “We’ll see. Definitely going to be a coach’s decision, trainer’s decision. We’ll all come together. But I’m just doing everything I can right now to be as healthy as I can be. I’m improving every single day, and basic... NESN.com

Rick Porcello Sets Manny Machado’s Record Straight After Hit By Pitch

Share this: Rick Porcello didn’t make many mistakes Monday night, but Manny Machado clearly didn’t like one of them. Porcello pitched a brilliant outing for the Boston Red Sox, throwing just 89 pitches over nine innings to lead his team to a 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The right-hander was highly efficient, walking no one while striking out seven. He temporarily lost control in the fourth inning, though, hitting Machado in the shoulder with an 0-1 fastball. Porcello had no reason to throw at Machado, but the Orioles third baseman surprisingly took offense, glaring at the Red Sox pitcher before jawing at him as he made his way down to first base. Porcello understandably was perplexed by Machado’s reaction. After