Justin Verlander hadn’t won a start since September 28 last season. The San Francisco Giants hadn’t scored nine run in back-to-back games since May 18, 2024. Both those streaks ended as Rafael Devers homered twice as the Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves, 9-3.
After dropping the first two games of the series to the American League West rival Texas Rangers, the Athletics hoped to rebound for game three tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Taking the mound for the A’s tonight was 29-year-old lefty JP Sears. Patrick Corbin got the call for Texas.
In a matchup in which both starting pitchers proved too strong to handle, the two bullpens played a game of chicken, and the Dodgers, who came within one strike of a rather deflating loss, instead beat the Twins in walk-off fashion. Freddie Freeman was the hero with a two-run single in the ninth to seal this 4-3 win.
And yet, most folks in other parts of the United States will say "sloo" when using the word to denote a swampy area; "sluff" if you're talking about a snake shedding its skin.
I do not find that surprising. About 38 years ago, I talked to an insurance man in New Mexico who had an unusually thick accent. When he answered the phone, it sounded like his name was "Jawn Dill". Actually, his name was John Dale.
ESSEN, Germany – California men's gymnastics' Matteo Bardana, a rising sophomore who posted a standout rookie campaign for the Golden Bears and earned a spot on the Canadian Senior Next Gen National Team in February, continued his streak of success by helping his native Canada clinch a silver medal at the FISU World University Games this week. This is the first time in history that Canada has won a men's artistic gymnastics medal of any color on this particular stage.
If there was one thing Ari Manrique always looked forward to at school growing up, it was recess.
For about 30 minutes each day, Manrique – a former captain for the Cal women's soccer team – was free to run around and express herself. It was an opportunity for her to take a break from learning in the classroom to have fun, spend a little quality time with her friends, and prove that she belonged athletically on the playground.
But recess doesn't mean the same thing to every child.
Recent graduate Velize King of the California women's soccer team signed her first professional contract to play for A.E. Kifisia WFC, the Greek club announced earlier this month.
"We are so happy and excited for Velize in achieving her goal of signing professionally," head coach Neil McGuire said. "She is a top-level player and terrific person who will bring great style to Greece."
Michael Kim lingered near the ropes following a runner-up finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where a couple approached him – not for an autograph, but to thank him. Kim had offered free tickets to the tournament through a giveaway on his X account earlier that week, and the two fans won. Now they were face to face with the PGA Tour pro and California men's golf alum who made it happen.
California rugby opened the gates of Witter Rugby Field this past weekend for its 28th-annual summer camp for boys. 163 campers between the ages of 14 and 18 took to the pitch in Strawberry Canyon for world-class instruction from the Golden Bears' coaching staff.
Trump EO addresses homelessness, vagrancy, and drug abuse. I'd like to think this is him helping society, but I suspect this is another pogrom against people he doesn't like.
Apparently, Ghislane Maxwell has asked to see her grand jury testimony. Am I too cynical to assume she wants to see what she said in order to set up her lie?
South Park season premiere (19/19 Comedy Central). The season premiere episode is incredible. I haven't regularly watched in a very long time. This episode is full scorched earth against Trump and Paramount.
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE
Wanna buy John Hancock's house?
https://www.landvest.com/commercial/int/ma4941/10-marshall-st-boston-ma-02108
Another fun link from the MIT Technology Review: Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train on xylophones played by school kids.
https://x.com/awkwardgoogle/status/1948151640508572090?mc_cid=e3662e2cf0&mc_eid=34ed9ebff0
PRO
It took 17 tries, but Kate Upton's husband got his first win of the season
https://fieldlevelmedia.com/mlb/justin-verlander-breaks-winless-slump-as-giants-down-braves/
Nobody on the Giants outfield roster is more than 2" taller than Kate Upton
Verlander gets first victory as Devers bombs Braves
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2025/7/23/24473332/verlander-gets-first-win-devers-bombs-braves-9-3-recaps
Justin Verlander hadn’t won a start since September 28 last season. The San Francisco Giants hadn’t scored nine run in back-to-back games since May 18, 2024. Both those streaks ended as Rafael Devers homered twice as the Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves, 9-3.
RIP Hulk Hogan
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/24/sport/hulk-hogan-death
Middle school me is devistated.
Ballers lose to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 5-4
The Athletics fall again to the Rangers 2-1
https://www.athleticsnation.com/2025/7/23/24473449/athletics-fall-again-to-the-rangers-2-1
After dropping the first two games of the series to the American League West rival Texas Rangers, the Athletics hoped to rebound for game three tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Taking the mound for the A’s tonight was 29-year-old lefty JP Sears. Patrick Corbin got the call for Texas.
Tyler Glasnow dominant with 12 strikeouts, Freddie Freeman walks off Twins in 9th
https://www.truebluela.com/2025/7/23/24473322/dodgers-twins-freddie-freeman-walk-off-tyler-glasnow
In a matchup in which both starting pitchers proved too strong to handle, the two bullpens played a game of chicken, and the Dodgers, who came within one strike of a rather deflating loss, instead beat the Twins in walk-off fashion. Freddie Freeman was the hero with a two-run single in the ninth to seal this 4-3 win.
SLOW/SLO/SLOE/SLOUGH
Remember when slow motion was considered high tech in sports?
If you're wondering what the "slow ferry to Chapel Hill" means...
https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/chapel-hill-ferry-outer-banks
One of those is not like the others.
Slough (slaow) - as in swamp rather than shed (sluff) - gets pronounced pretty similarly to "slow" in eastern Carolina where the swamps are.
And yet, most folks in other parts of the United States will say "sloo" when using the word to denote a swampy area; "sluff" if you're talking about a snake shedding its skin.
I do not find that surprising. About 38 years ago, I talked to an insurance man in New Mexico who had an unusually thick accent. When he answered the phone, it sounded like his name was "Jawn Dill". Actually, his name was John Dale.
NOTED: the English language is weird.
I talked to a Ms..Shelly Hee-Yeah-Ull to get my mailbox replaced. Her last name was spelled "Hill"
CAL
[MGYM] Bardana Wins FISU Silver With Team Canada
https://calbears.com/news/2025/7/23/mens-gymnastics-bardana-wins-fisu-silver-with-team-canada.aspx
ESSEN, Germany – California men's gymnastics' Matteo Bardana, a rising sophomore who posted a standout rookie campaign for the Golden Bears and earned a spot on the Canadian Senior Next Gen National Team in February, continued his streak of success by helping his native Canada clinch a silver medal at the FISU World University Games this week. This is the first time in history that Canada has won a men's artistic gymnastics medal of any color on this particular stage.
[CAM INST] Recess Matters
https://calbears.com/news/2025/7/23/cameron-institute-recess-matters.aspx
If there was one thing Ari Manrique always looked forward to at school growing up, it was recess.
For about 30 minutes each day, Manrique – a former captain for the Cal women's soccer team – was free to run around and express herself. It was an opportunity for her to take a break from learning in the classroom to have fun, spend a little quality time with her friends, and prove that she belonged athletically on the playground.
But recess doesn't mean the same thing to every child.
[WSOC] King Signs With A.E. Kifisia WFC
https://calbears.com/news/2025/7/23/womens-soccer-king-signs-with-a-e-kifisia-wfc.aspx
Recent graduate Velize King of the California women's soccer team signed her first professional contract to play for A.E. Kifisia WFC, the Greek club announced earlier this month.
"We are so happy and excited for Velize in achieving her goal of signing professionally," head coach Neil McGuire said. "She is a top-level player and terrific person who will bring great style to Greece."
[MGOLF] An Inside Look
https://calbears.com/news/2025/7/23/mens-golf-an-inside-look.aspx
Michael Kim lingered near the ropes following a runner-up finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where a couple approached him – not for an autograph, but to thank him. Kim had offered free tickets to the tournament through a giveaway on his X account earlier that week, and the two fans won. Now they were face to face with the PGA Tour pro and California men's golf alum who made it happen.
[RUGBY] Cal Rugby Hosts 28th-Annual Summer Camp
https://calbears.com/news/2025/7/23/rugby-cal-hosts-28th-annual-summer-camp.aspx
California rugby opened the gates of Witter Rugby Field this past weekend for its 28th-annual summer camp for boys. 163 campers between the ages of 14 and 18 took to the pitch in Strawberry Canyon for world-class instruction from the Golden Bears' coaching staff.
POLITICS
YouGov Poll: Trump's approval rating has dropped with Gen-Z voters over the last eight months by [checks notes]... 62 points.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/poll-reveals-gen-zs-buyers-remorse-over-trump/
Trump EO addresses homelessness, vagrancy, and drug abuse. I'd like to think this is him helping society, but I suspect this is another pogrom against people he doesn't like.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/ending-crime-and-disorder-on-americas-streets/
[Narrator] "He did not, in fact, save College Sports"
https://x.com/on3sports/status/1948476618436952403?s=46&t=fwgmryeTanENut7u28ScCA
DOJ subpeens Ghislane Maxwell. Am I too cynical to assume there will be a lie-for-pardon quid pro quo?
Apparently, Ghislane Maxwell has asked to see her grand jury testimony. Am I too cynical to assume she wants to see what she said in order to set up her lie?
I agree that seems to be thought process, but the idea is totally insane
I think everyone assumes it, so any statement she makes will not be believed except by the faithful.
Some say cynical. Others say realistic.
DBD AV CLUB
RIP Chuck Mangione
Hulk Hogan dies. I am sure he has fans, but I for one, will not cry for him.
South Park season premiere (19/19 Comedy Central). The season premiere episode is incredible. I haven't regularly watched in a very long time. This episode is full scorched earth against Trump and Paramount.
A little amuse-bouche [totally NSFW, but I guffawed like a guy-dude-bro).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afetnw70S04
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
Columbia has no principles.
https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-7-23-2025