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Chas McCormick’s Struggles Raise Questions for the Houston Astros

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OAKLAND, Calif. — Everything that makes Chas McCormick unlucky in 2023 betrays him in 2024, whether it’s his ability to catch balls, adjust the length of his swing or simply trying to win for the Houston Astros.

McCormick, named an everyday player this winter, worked in a part-time role. Manager Joe Espada started him Monday for the third time in Houston’s last nine games. According to Baseball, he entered the Oakland Coliseum with 0.3 innings before batting twice more against the Oakland Athletics.

“I’ve never had that fight,” McCormick said before the game. “I’ve never felt that way at the plate. Mentally you just have to be strong. You just have to enjoy the game and take every pitch seriously.”

“Rehan, it goes to your head, but at the same time, we are at the end of the season and I have to find a way to help the team win. I don’t need to be mentally exhausted playing this game.”

McCormick’s illness raises concerns about his roster spot and Houston’s bench situation. Espada is far more prone to hitting his shots and creating platoon matchups late in games than his predecessor, meaning every spot on the 26-man roster needs more attention.

The Astros tried to add one of those on Monday by adding reliever Aledmys Diaz, a right-handed hitter from Espada, to see how he fits in. How much they can afford to carry McCormick alongside him is a legitimate question that won’t be answered until Kyle Tucker returns from the injured list next month.

There may be more clarity by next week’s trade deadline, but one has to wonder how much McCormick’s performance has reduced his value.

Firing him after 163 dreadful at-bats also seemed short-sighted, but Houston’s lack of capital and top-notch outfield make him hard to dismiss. A more realistic approach might be to acquire another right-handed hitter to replace McCormick on the bench and send him to Triple-A in hopes of a mental checkup.

“My job now is to find a way to help this team win every time I get in the lineup, every time,” McCormick said. “We’ve been playing good baseball, so there’s no time to talk about it or be sad. That’s life. Life is going to be tough at times. I’ve got to do a good job to help this team win and start playing better.”

McCormick has a .570 OPS after 179 plate appearances. A groin injury limited him earlier this season, but he has made 30 appearances in 96 appearances since being activated off the injured list on May 21. Two more hits Monday night raised his season hit rate to 29.8 percent.


Chas McCormick is pitching at a faster rate than he did in the 2023 season. (Greg Fium/Getty Images)

“My at-bats haven’t felt like that,” McCormick said. “I was behind on hits. It’s normal when you struggle.”

Of the 16 hits he has gotten since returning from the disabled list, only six have gone for extra bases. McCormick has just nine extra-base hits all season and enters Monday with a .306 slugging percentage. The implied slugging percentage of .357 shows some bad luck, but it’s misleading to blame him.

McCormick’s problem is much simpler and somewhat surprising. Last season, he established himself as one of the best fastball hitters in baseball. This season, fastballs are contributing to his downfall. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

According to Baseball Savant, McCormick had 22 strikeouts against four-hit balls last season. Only Atlanta Braves slugger Matt Olson was one higher. McCormick hit .358 and .745 against the 528 four-seamers he faced.

McCormick entered Monday’s game hitting .157, slugging .275 and sporting a minus-3 earned run value against four-seamers. His 33.3 percent field goal percentage against them is 7 percent higher than what he posted last season.

McCormick had 11 catches against four-seamers last season. He has three extra strikeouts against them this year, the result of a long swing and too much movement in his setup.

“I’ve always been very good at fixing and shortening, and I had a hard time doing that. There are so many different moves in my rotation that it takes me a while to get into the warm-up,” McCormick said.

“If I’m short, I know I’m still a good fastball hitter. It’s not necessarily about starting earlier or later, it’s just about simplifying the motions: getting down low and then getting ready to hit, getting behind the ball. There’s no plan, but I’m ready to jump because I know I’m late.”

The arrival of Joey Loperfido, the elite exit velocity of Trey Cabbage and the contact ability of Mauricio Dubon have coincided with McCormick’s decline, and he can now only be deployed against left-handed pitching by a bench of Espada. McCormick has a career .889 OPS against lefties, so the skipper gave McCormick four such at-bats. He lost three of them.

Espada threw 55 hits in Houston’s first 99 games, a result of his modern style and the absence of Tucker and the first baseman. For reference, the Astros had 72 total hits last season and 76 during their World Series-winning campaign in 2022.

“It’s not been years since we had some guys that were in established positions,” Espada said Monday. “Right now, we’re just moving some pieces around and trying to put players in the best positions to be successful.”

Entering Monday’s series opener, Diaz had played in 30 major league games all season. He had three singles and seven walks before Oakland designated him for assignment. Houston signed him to a minor league contract earlier this month and did not expose him to an offseason affiliate before promoting him Monday.

Doing so doesn’t automatically strengthen the Astros’ bench. Diaz has an 86 OPS+ in 316 games since 2020, but it allows for at least a higher ceiling than Gray Kessinger has ever used.

Now, the question is: can anyone else do the same for McCormick?

(Foto superior: Thomas Shea/USA Today)

2024-07-23 14:45:06
#Astros #revamp #bench #Chas #McCormicks #woes #continue #mount

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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