AROUND NYC BASEBALL
When the New York Mets arrived in Port St. Lucie, their starting rotation was scheduled to be led by Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. That threesome has combined for 18 starts (14 by Senga). The fact that the Mets are currently in playoff position is a tribute to first-time All-Star David Peterson (18 starts, 3.06 ERA) and former All-Star reliever – turned starter – Clay Holmes (19 starts, 3.31 ERA). The Mets also got great efforts from their now injured spot starters Griffin Canning (16 starts, 3.77 ERA) and Tylor Megill (14 starts, 3.95 ERA). With Senga, Manaea, and Montas back in the rotation, the Mets are set up for the second half of the season.
With the trade deadline coming up in 16 days, and no super team emerging in either league, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman is expected to “go for it”. We agree in theory, as long they take their top two prospects off the table. On Saturday, George Lombard, Jr, 20, had a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored while playing both second and shortstop for the American League in the Futures Game. On Sunday, CF Spencer Jones, 24, hit his seventh homer in just 14 Triple A games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Jones ETA is this September while Lombard is at least a year away.
AROUND NYC BASKETBALL
There’s panic among diehard New York Knicks’ fans after their collection of rookies and second-year players fell to 0-2 in the Las Vegas Summer League. Bad news includes PG Tyler Kolek being 0-11 from deep in his first chance to show the new/old coaching staff that he has improved his shot. Good news includes G Kevin McCullar Jr’s breakout 30-point game on Sunday. Perhaps the best news is the health of Ariel Hukporti, who flashed at times in his rookie season before injuring his knee in his lone start on February 26. In two games, Hukporti has averaged 21 minutes, 9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 7.5 points. Knicks are back in action Tuesday (7-15-25) against the Brooklyn Nets at 4:30p ET (ESPN2, ESPN+).
Considering the Brooklyn Nets had five first round draft picks, an NBA record, it’s amazing that their most talked about Vegas Summer League player is an undrafted 24-year-old. F Drew Timme bounced around the G League until he emerged last season with the Long Island Nets. Brooklyn signed him down the stretch and he averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in 9 games. Now, in two summer league games, he’s been the Nets best player averaging 26 points, 6.5 rebounds while shooting 23-37 (62%). As mentioned above, the Nets face the Knicks Tuesday (7-15-25) at 4:30p ET (ESPN2, ESPN+).
If you haven’t checked out New York Liberty basketball yet this season, Wednesday, July 16 would be the perfect night. The defending champion Liberty are the only New York metropolitan area sports team in action. Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart will lead the Liberty against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at 7:30p ET (CBS Sports Network) at the UBS Arena in Brooklyn. It’s the final game for both teams before Ionescu, Stewart and Clark play in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday night at 8:30p ET (ABC).
AROUND NYC FOOTBALL
The New York Giants officially open training camp next Wednesday, July 23. The national media attention will be on the QB room led by veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, rookie first round pick Jaxson Dart, and Tommy DeVito. However, our take is that their first two regular season opponents, the Washington Commanders (9-7-25) and Dallas Cowboys (9-14-25), are more concerned about their pass rush. Will HC Brian Daboll and DC Shane Bowen find a way to put Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter on the field at the same time?
The New York Jets’ new regime got off to a good start with Head Coach Aaron Glenn exhibiting a commanding presence during OTAs. Plus, GM Darren Mougey’s draft and free agent signings received positive reviews. BUT nothing earns the players trust more than management putting their money where their mouth is. After stating that Garrett Wilson is a building block and will remain the focal point on offense, the Jets delivered. Signing him to a 4-year, $130m extension, making him the fifth highest paid WR in the NFL. Player secured, message sent.
AROUND NYC HOCKEY
Rumors persist that the New Jersey Devils are exploring trade options for D Dougie Hamilton. It makes sense considering Hamilton is the highest paid player on the Devils ($9m AAV), is 32 years old, and has only been healthy enough to play more than 64 games once in his last six seasons. Plus, the Devils have two other veterans (Jonathan Kovacevic and Brett Pesce) and two kids (Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec) as right-handed defensemen. On the flip side, now that we are into the summer, the Devils need to show patience. A scoring defensemen with term (his contract doesn’t expire until July 1, 2027) will have tremendous value at the NHL Trade Deadline. They shouldn’t settle.
Mathieu Darche certainly wasn’t timid in his first offseason as the New York Islanders Executive Vice President and General Manager. He selected ready-made D Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Then added two more first rounders (Swedish F Victor Eklund and OHL D Kashawn Aitcheson) plus F Emil Heineman in a trade with the Montreal Canadians for the Islanders former top D Noah Dobson. They locked up shut-down D Alexander Romanov for 8 years, $50m, brought back D Tony DeAngelo on a one-year deal, and took a big swing by signing former #2 overall pick F Jonathan Drouin to a two-year contract. Finally, in a move that earned him even more respect on Long Island, he beat out the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers for the services of Russian KHL free agent forward Maxim Shabanov.
The Third Annual Shoulder Check Showcase is scheduled for next week, July 24, at Terry Connors Rink in Stamford. Inspired by the life of Hayden Thorsen, the event promotes mental health and checking in on your family, friends and teammates. It’s an intimate setting to see NHL players up-close. Current New York Rangers expected to play include future Hall of Famer Jonathan Quick and Matt Rempe. Plus, ex-Rangers, and current Anaheim Ducks, Chris Kreider, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano. Limited tickets are still available by clicking here.
