St. John’s Clinches Big East
The St. John’s Red Storm accomplished something that their program hasn’t accomplished in 40 years — winning the Big East title outright. On Saturday, March 1, the Johnnies clinched the conference title after their 71-61 win over Seton Hall.
St. John’s basketball’s program is also re-learning how to exist as a national powerhouse. Its current No. 7 ranking is its highest since 1991-92, the same year they last won the regular-season title — or at least a share of it. The Red Storm went 17-2, the most conference wins ever in a single season, while their 26 wins was the most for the program since 1985-86.
Madison Square Garden has been sold out for four straight St. John’s games, which further provides a nostalgic feel for a program that has not been this good in four decades.
Read more on St. John’s historic run here
Yankees bitten by the injury bug in Spring Training
The New York Yankees announced on Saturday that the 2024 ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton will begin the season on the Injured List after injuring both elbows. Stanton flew back to New York City last week to deal with a personal matter; while he was there, he received PRP injections in his elbows and is expected to rejoin the club in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is expected to miss some time after pulling himself from a Friday bullpen session where he experienced discomfort in his right shoulder. And infielder DJ LeMahieu, making his spring debut on Saturday, tweaked his calf in his second at-bat. Yankee manager Aaron Boone said that LeMahieu’s injury is “at least a little concerning.”
Mets’ starting rotation depth already being tested
Within the first three weeks of spring training, the Mets are already down two starting pitchers. After Frankie Montas was shut down with a lat issue — one that will keep him out until late May, early June — Sean Manaea was shelved with a right-oblique strain that will keep him on the IL through Opening Day.
While Jose Quintana might be an option to bring in to bolster the starting-pitching depth, David Stearns opted to sign Jose Urena instead. The veteran righty will likely serve as a swingman, or a pitcher who can serve as either a multi-inning reliever or a spot starter.
Meanwhile, Clay Holmes continues to look good as he transitions from Yankees closer to Mets starter and top pitching prospect Brandon Sproat showed “electric stuff” in his first-ever big-league-camp start.
Rangers’ Lindgren trade moves club’s focus to next season
The day after their 3–2 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers traded Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Calvin de Haan and Juuso Parssinen.
The trade comes in the wake of Adam Fox’s upper-body injury, which he suffered in the club’s 5–1 win over the New York Islanders on Feb. 25 and landed him on the injured reserve.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Rangers sit four points out of a playoff spot.
Read more on the Adam Fox injury here.
NYCFC falls to LAFC
After a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami on opening night, NYCFC headed to California for a tough match-up against LAFC on Saturday. Despite having a man advantage for most of the game versus Miami, NYCFC conceded a late equalizer.
At LAFC, late dramatics saw NYCFC commit a similar sin. Though they had defensive control for most of the match, a late moment of magic from Denis Bouanga saw the men in blue collapse in the final moments, giving LA the 1-0 win.
Saturday night’s match in Los Angeles now leaves NYCFC with one point through two games played this year. Next up, the Pigeons will head back to New York for their home opener against Orlando City.
Red Bulls take home opener over Nashville
Mohammed Sofo, a 20-year-old Ghanaian forward thrust into the lineup for his first-ever MLS start following an injury to Lewis Morgan, scored seven minutes in, and the New York Red Bulls took down Nashville SC 2-0 on Saturday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Captain Emil Forsberg scored what he described as his best goal yet in MLS — a 20-yard curler in the 30th minute to double the host’s advantage.
