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Column: Should MLB turn off the pitch clock in the postseason? Thrilling WBC games suggest time limits aren’t needed.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Steve Trachsel chimed in Monday night on Twitter after watching Japan’s epic comeback win over Mexico in a World Baseball Classic semifinal.“Another great WBC game with no pitch clock, shift bans, bigger bases or pick off rules,” Trachsel wrote.For the generation of baseball fans unfamiliar with the name, it should be noted that Trachsel was renowned for being among the slowest-working pitchers in the game, referred to by some as the “Human Rain Delay.” Writers loved talking to him because he always had something interesting to say, but we hated the days Trachsel started because his games took forever.Trachsel later told former Cubs media relations head and blogger Chuck Wasserstrom “there was probably a good five-year period where my infielders probably thought it was painful for them” to play whenever he took the mound,.“I know it was painful for some umpires as well,” he said. “There would be ...

Red Sox Notebook: Masataka Yoshida makes World Baseball Classic history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

Major League Baseball and the World Baseball Classic are a Venn diagram, not a circle.There are plenty of differences between the league and the tournament, even more so now that MLB has instituted a pitch clock, shift restrictions, and larger bases, none of which are used in the WBC.But one thing has become clear throughout this year’s tournament, and that is that Masataka Yoshida lives up to the hype.He hasn’t just been good, he’s been historic.Entering the Tuesday night final, he’d already collected 13 RBI, setting a new record for most runs batted in by any player in WBC history. He also set a new Japan WBC record when he reached 10 RBI.The Red Sox drew criticism for signing Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million deal, the largest contract for a Japanese position player in MLB history.So far, he’s doing a good job of quieting that noise.Sale bested by BaltimoreChris Sale’s early struggles put the Red Sox in a hole from which they couldn’t c...

110-foot tree in Balboa Park topples amid gusty winds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Strong and damaging winds are expected to continue into Wednesday from the coast to the deserts after a pleasant Tuesday afternoon that prompted many to exit their homes for a glimpse of some sunshine. Gusty winds did damage in Balboa Park, knocking down a 110-foot eucalyptus tree along the train tracks near the carousel.“We're just keeping an eye out on a lot of those trees especially the ones near heavily trafficked areas, either vehicle or pedestrian," said Jose Ysea with the City of San Diego. More rain moves into San Diego It's a place where 800 out of the park's 18,000 trees foreshadow a collapse like the one in Balboa Park, as saturated turf and gusty winds pack a punch. “We’re coming off the heels of a drought. During that time, a lot of tree roots will die, and that compromises the roots, they are dead now, and not holding onto the soil like a live root, so you got that coupled with very wet soil conditions along with heavy winds, it’s almost like a perfect ...

2 charged in violent carjacking after man chased down, stabbed in Toronto’s west end

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

Toronto police have charged two men, aged 18 and 19, in a violent carjacking after a driver was chased down and stabbed by the suspects in the city’s west end.Officers were notified of a carjacking in the Rogers Road and Old Weston Road area just after 8 p.m. on Monday.Police tell CityNews the victim, a man in his 50s, pulled over to the side of the road to park when he was approached by two suspects who demanded his keys.It’s alleged that the two men began to assault the victim, and after he tried to flee, they chased him down and repeatedly stabbed him. The pair then fled in his vehicle.The male driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Investigators were able to locate the stolen vehicle and the knife used in the attack. They determined that these two men were involved in a previous carjacking on Sunday, March 19, in the Bernard Avenue and Spadina Road area in the Annex.In that incident, the suspects allegedly approached a vehicle, and when the...

Muslim authorities say Ramadan fasting to begin Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Muslim authorities in Saudi Arabia and several other Middle Eastern countries say this year’s fasting month of Ramadan will begin Thursday based on the expected sighting of the crescent moon.Clerics across the region said the moon was not visible Tuesday night, meaning it will almost certainly appear the following evening, heralding the start of the monthlong observance.During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset. Even a tiny sip of water or a puff of smoke is enough to invalidate the fast. At night, family and friends gather and feast in a festive atmosphere.The fasting is aimed at bringing the faithful closer to God and reminding them of the suffering of the poor. Muslims are expected to strictly observe daily prayers and engage in heightened religious contemplation. They are also urged to refrain from gossip, fighting or cursing during the holy month.Fasting is one of the...

BLOG: Vallas, Johnson face off in WGN's Chicago Mayoral Debate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

CHICAGO -- The two election runoff candidates for Chicago's Mayoral race faced off in their third debate ahead the April 4 election.The Your Local Election Headquarters: Chicago Mayoral Debate took place on Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at WGN's studios on Chicago's North Side.You can watch the entire Chicago Mayoral Debate in the video player below: Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson meet for their third debate since they were announced as the runoff winners from the Feb. 28 election. Finalists for Chicago mayor layout their plans for city’s future During the February election, Vallas received 33% of the votes compared to Johnson’s near 22%.Since then, Vallas has been endorsed by at least 20 council members and three of his rival candidates, including Ja'Mal Green, along with the FOP and a number of trade unions.Johnson’s endorsements include national leaders, like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Illinois' Attorney General Kwame Raoul...

Residents deliver first reviews of Project Connect's 5 light rail options

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Austin unveils a first look at the future of light rail services in the city, residents sharing their thoughts on the designs on the table — as well as considerations they hope project heads consider moving forward.The Austin Transit Partnership debuted the light rail designs for Project Connect, the multi-billion-dollar mass transit system city voters approved in November 2020. At the core of that system is the promise of light rail, a first for the Texas capital.The light rail design options residents saw Tuesday evening are different in magnitude from those shown the past two-and-a-half year. They come after ATP hit pause on light rail designs last summer, amid skyrocketing costs attributed to real estate valuations, construction-related inflation costs and scope changes.Austin Transit Partnership has unveiled five options for Project Connect's light rail system. (Courtesy: Austin Transit Partnership)Austin Transit Partnership has unveiled five options for Proj...

How much has Austin's future light rail project already cost?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly two-and-a-half years after they approved a massive transportation plan called Project Connect, Austin voters got their first look at five design options for the city's future light rail system. Before these new designs were unveiled, however, millions of taxpayer dollars had been funneled to the project. In 2020, voters opted to increase the city's property tax rate, dedicating 8.75 cents per $100 of property valuation to Project Connect. The vote also created Austin Transit Partnership, or ATP -- -- the entity created to oversee the project -- which began operating jointly with CapMetro and the City of Austin before passing its first, independent budget in September. LATEST: Project Connect debuts 5 scaled down light rail options According to ATP's Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget, these property tax funds will provide $159 million in revenue for its group this year, in addition to other revenue streams such as contributions from CapMetro's budget. That marked...

Filip Gustavsson steps up to lift Wild to thrilling win over Devils

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. — Filip Gustavsson didn’t look himself on Tuesday night at the Prudential Center. He was fighting the puck and couldn’t seem to catch anything cleanly with his glove hand. His positioning in the crease proved to be his saving grace as pucks continued to bounce off of his pads.As the game between the Wild and the New Jersey Devils wore on, however, Gustavsson slowly found his rhythm between the pipes. He made a few big saves to get himself going and started to look like the star goaltender he has been for the Wild all season long.In the end, Gustavsson stood on his head down the stretch to force overtime, and the Wild earned a 2-1 overtime win over the Devils. Matt Boldy scored the game-winner in the final seconds of overtime at the end of a marathon shift.The win put the Wild (41-22-8, 90 points) in first place in the Central Division for the time being, with the Dallas Stars (38-19-13, 89 points) still in the middle of a game with the Seattle Kraken.N...

Local Tuskegee Airman honored during deceased veterans ceremony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:24 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Saratoga County officials honored a fallen Tuskegee airman on Tuesday during a deceased veterans ceremony. Clarence Dart is from Saratoga Springs and was drafted into World War II in 1942. He entered the U.S. Army Corps later that year and served as a member of the 332nd fighter group based in North Africa. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! He flew 95 missions during his time and was shot down twice. After the war, he served in the New York Air National Guard before retiring. His son, Warren, also spoke at the event."It's nice that the county has recognized the fact that my dad fought so hard for this country," Warren said.Dart married his wife Mildred in June 1950 and settled in Saratoga Springs where they raised their nine children.