Raise Your Banners, Los Angeles
Today was Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, and the World Series Champions raised the championship banner and had their ring ceremony in front of the 11,000 fans in attendance. It was epic, says the very biased Dodgers Fangirl writing this.
The Dodgers’ home opener was against the Washington Nationals, which is ironic, since the last time Dodgers fan were at Chavez Ravine was to see the boys in blue lose to the would-be World Series Champion Nationals, but let’s not talk about that.
Before tomorrow night’s game, the Dodgers will have a tribute to Tommy Lasorda and Sunday night will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fernandomania.
Meanwhile, the world champion Los Angeles Lakers will raise their banner before their final regular season home game on May 12. It is their 17th championship banner. Tinseltown meet Titletown.
The Masters
A rose by any other name is Justin (Sorry. I couldn’t help myself). The Masters is back in its rightful month of April and Augusta is just as tough as everyone remembers. After day one, Justin Rose had a 4-stroke lead.
Seven holes in, Rose was 2 over par before making seven birdies and an eagle, at Augusta National. Who does that? Justin Rose does that.
Now that day two is in the books, Rose leads by 1 at 7 under par with Will Zalatoris and Brian Harman trailing closely, both at 6 under par. It’s looking tight heading into the weekend!
Deshaun Watson
After 22 women have filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior against Houston Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson, Nike has put its endorsement deal with Watson on hold, while ESPN is reporting that Beats by Dre is ending its relationship with the quarterback.
The NFL has launched an investigation into the allegations, while the Houston Police department is also investigating Watson.
On Thursday, Watson’s attorney Rusty Hardin filed motions for emergency hearings, asking that Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the accusers, be forced to identify all the women who have filed suits. Two of the motions were granted, and this morning orders by a pair of judges effectively require 13 of the 22 women who have anonymously filed lawsuits against Deshaun to come forward publicly.
Watson has denied the allegations against him, and in a news conference earlier today, Hardin said the Houston Texans quarterback did engage in sexual activity during massage sessions, but the encounters were consensual.
Eduardo Rodriguez
Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez returned to the mound on Thursday, after missing the 2020 season with heart inflammation. Rodriguez pitched five innings, allowed three runs and got the win, as the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles, 7-3.
A week into the season and the Red Sox and Orioles are tied for first in the AL East, with the New York Yankees ½ a game behind them. The Red Sox have won four in a row, which is their longest winning streak since August of 2019.
Tragedy in South Carolina
Earlier this week in South Carolina, former NFL player Phillip Adams shot and killed five people, before killing himself.
The victims of the shooting are Dr. Robet Lesslie, his wife Barbara, their grandchildren Adah and Noah and James Lewis, who was working in the Lesslie home. Another man by the name of Robert Shook was shot and is in critical condition.
Today York County Coroner Sabrina Gast told McClatchy Newspapers that she received approval from the Adams family to test Phillip’s brain for CTE, and the procedure will be included as part of his autopsy, per ESPN.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.