DUSTY BAKER OUT AS NATS SKIPPER
Last Friday, Dusty Baker was ousted as Washington Nationals manager. Even-tho President Mike Rizzo wished him retained. 'Twas ownership that flew in the face of said Prez, whom's contract's up next-year. Yes, I do sense a second shoe-drop.As to Baker: two seasons, two NL East Division pennants. Still, it's my feeling that another skipper may-be better-luck'd in getting them over the hump wherest they stalled a tick. It was a matter of refusing to accept any culture deemed less than desire-some. As for pennants, the players won 'em. Players vastly locked-in through '18. Baker's playoff decidings were oft ill-conceived.
RON GARDENHIRE IN AS TIGERS SKIPPER
The established 1901 Detroit Tigers, Friday named Ron Gardenhire their franchise's 38th manager. This agreement replete with three-year contract.
Gardenhire spent his 2017 campaign as Arizona Diamondbacks bench-coach. Priorly, managing the Minnesota Twins for 13-years to six post-seasons. He was let-go from that position after 2014, but rejoined Minnesota as GM Terry Ryan's assistant in 2016. He went a-board the Dbacks before the start of 2017.
The 64-98 Tigers will be in post fire-sale mode, hopefully then onto re-building; trading J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton and Justin Verlander this year. Gardenhire's a players' manager and mentored first-year Arizona skipper Torey Lovullo.
SAUNDERS-LEMIUEX SET FOR DECEMBER
Saunders is fresh-off two WBO belt defences, which he lifted off Andy Lee in 2015. He's also tallied victories over Chris Eubank Jr., Gary O’Sullivan, and Willie Monroe Jr. Lemieux is an infamously thunderous puncher. This year alone, putting to sleep Curtis Stevens in a knock-out of the year candidate. Then came a unanimous-decision win over Marcos Reyes. HBO shall air these festivities.
ROSADO BEATS UP ON TAPIA
The same night Dem Bums toppled the Cubbies, Lost Wages hosted middleweights vying contenderships. Gabriel Rosado (24-11, 14 KO) walloped Glen Tapia (23-5, 15 KOs), marking Tapia's fourth in-a row loss.Cautious beginnings, with Tapia jabbing, became combos post-haste. Many landed up-on Rosado, culminating in some attention at second-stanza's end. Then, the war of range went Rosado's way, working his man's head-and-gut. Third: Tapia's nose bled, followed his man 'round looking for glove'd Lady-Luck. Both still landing, Heavy-swelling grew on Tapia's noggin. Fifth: Tapia in survival-mode. Sixth: Tapia's tuchus met canvass. He regained vertical-alignment, but Ref. Robert Byrd deemed 'nuff.
PULMONARY ANEURYSM TAKES EFFINEX
Daily Racing Form reported that Grade 1 winner Effinex, runner-up to American Pharoah's 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic -- died Wednesday night. This news coming via Dr. Russell Cohen, veterinarian/breeder. The good doctor relayed that a fellow veternarian whom lives above the barn apparently heard a noise akin to a horse plotzing. He ran downstairs to find the six year-old dead.
Effinex stood at Questroyal North. The late-bloomer son of Mineshaft zenith'd in 2015, earning an eventual $3.3M with nine wins in 28 starts. He was trained by Jimmy Jerkens, a surname which 'couples' hilariously with an ode to an ex.
IRAP EUTHANIZED
Son of Tiznow and Graded Stakes multiple-winner hisself, Irap -- was Euthanized Friday. This weeks after an operation to attempt-fix at a fracture suffered during September's Pennsylvania Derby saw laminitis set-into the colt's front-left leg. Though an early prognosis was positive re: his fused ankle and meta-plated supports, owner Paul Reddam said the horse began taking a turn for the nurse days later.Trained by Doug O'Neill, the three year-old went from upstart to consistent runner this campaign. Irap recorded three wins in 13 starts, and earnings of $1,672,600. His only outside a' show-finish came in the Kentucky Derby, finishing fourth.
TWISTED TOM TRIUMPHS IN EMPIRE CLASSIC
The 1 1/8-mile $300K Empire Classic Handicap crown-jewel'd Saturday's Belmont's Empire Showcase Day. Therein, Twisted Tom, a three year-old from Creative Cause tried his hand 'gainst the older fellas to much success. Amongst them more mature beasts were last-year's winner Royal Posse and runner-up Governer Malibu. Ah, but success: Twisted Tom, the even-money favorite, ran-down the pace-setting Control Group and finished three-lengths ahead a' him. The clock stopped at 1:49.38. The gelding has an overall record of seven wins from 10 starts, and six of his last seven, for life-time earnings of $680,131. Can You Diggit finished third.
BONUS POINTS TAKES MARYLAND MILLION CLASSIC
Nik Juarez notched three stakes victories on Saturday's Maryland Million Day. Most notably a-top Bonus Points in the MM Classic Stakes.The 11 Maryland-sired/bred ponies were led outta the gate by three in-side: Admirals War Chest, John Jones, Jerandson. JJ was eased off on the first-turn. Jerandson was pulled up top a' back-stretch*. Thusly, Admirals War Chest sat in the lead. Through this all, Bonus Points coaxed time under hot-handed Nik Juarez. Southside Warrior moved up, as AWC fell away. Then Bonus Points rallied from five-wide -- passing Southside Warrior in mid-stretch, culminating in a 2 3/4 length victory.
*fractured rear-right ankle.
"Too Wet to Burn"