Aaron Judge
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day was Thursday. The New York Yankees started their season Friday and did so without a contract extension for Aaron Judge. General manager Brian Cashman said that the team offered the All-Star right fielder a seven-year, $213.5 million extension, plus the $17 million the Yankees offered in arbitration.
Judge has said, and continues to say, that April 8 was the last day he’d participate in negotiation talks. Happy baseball, Yankee fans!
J.P. Crawford and the Seattle Mariners
Seattle may have lost its quarterback, but J.P. Crawford has signed a five-year deal with the Mariners. The two are unrelated, but I’m trying to add sunshine to those Seattle rainclouds. Per ESPN, the contract is worth $51 million. That’s a lot of umbrellas.
As one of Major League Baseball’s best defensive shortstops, Crawford was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019 and batted .273 with nine homeruns and 54 RBIs in 2021.
LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a disappointing season, and that’s putting it mildly. They are out of postseason contention, and the team announced that LeBron James will miss the final two games of the season with an ankle injury.
James first injured his ankle on March 27, returning to the lineup on April 1 after missing a couple games. He then missed three more, and now his season is done. As a result, James will not have played in enough games to qualify for the NBA scoring title. In his 56 games played, James averaged 30.3 points per game.
The Masters
It’s a tradition unlike any other, and it’s back in its normal form for the first time since 2019. I am, of course talking about The Masters. After a car accident in February 2021, in which he sustained serious leg injuries, Tiger Woods had a fantastic Day 1, carding a one-under 71. He struggled with a tough Day 2, but his ability to play in the tournament after the crash is incredible.
At the time of posting, Scottie Scheffler is in the lead, with Shane Lowry, Joaquín Niemann, Charl Schwartzel and Im Sung-jae all tied for second in the second round.
Devon Allen and the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are adding an Olympian to their receiving corps, as they signed former Oregon Ducks wide receiver, and Olympic hurdler, Devon Allen, to a three-year contract. The 27 year-old last played football in 2016 when he was at Oregon. Allen participated in track and field in the past two Olympic games, finishing fifth and fourth in the 110-meter hurdles.
Allen participated in Oregon’s pro day earlier this month and ran an unofficial 4.35 in the 40-yard dash.