Sports

A’s pick up contract option on manager Kotsay

Published

2 years ago

November 8, 2023

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Associated Press

Nov 7, 2023, 02:09 PM ET

OAKLAND, Calif. — As the losses piled up for a second straight season under his watch, Mark Kotsay regularly walked through the Athletics‘ clubhouse after games to check in with players, encourage them and even turn the music on to lift everybody’s spirits when needed.

The Athletics believe in Kotsay’s leadership through all of the challenges and changes, exercising the manager’s contract option for 2025.

The club made the announcement Tuesday about Kotsay’s future following a 50-112 season that followed a 60-102 record for Kotsay’s first season in 2022.

That ability of Kotsay to pull a player aside and share his own expertise has been so beneficial for the young A’s.

“Mark comes from a unique background in terms of having experienced so many different things in the game as a player and being a first-round pick and highly decorated and coming up to the big leagues and struggling and being part of a team that lost 100-plus games,” general manager David Forst said during a conference call. “From there going on to being an All-Star, being part of playoff teams but also finishing his career as kind of a journeyman, bouncing around from team to team, so he’s had all these experiences.”

A former major league outfielder who turns 48 next month, Kotsay signed a three-year contract through 2024 with a club option for ’25.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this process with David and build a contending team with him,” Kotsay said in a text message to The Associated Press. “We’re committed to seeing this through together. I’m also thankful to have the support from ownership and commitment they’ve made to me.”

Despite the 110-214 record, Kotsay has helped navigate a positive outlook inside the clubhouse even amid dwindling crowds largely due to owner John Fisher’s efforts to relocate to Las Vegas as well as fans seeing their favorite stars leave for years via trades and free agency. That relocation plan could be approved during next week’s owners’ meetings.

“I talked after the year about the job I think Mark has done the last two years in leading this group and managing the clubhouse and really establishing himself as the leader and kind of the face of the franchise on the field,” Forst said. “I couldn’t be happier with the work he’s done there so this was easy from our end.”

Kotsay was granted permission to interview with the Mets and did meet with New York, but Forst said discussions were underway months ago about picking up the option.

“Opportunities come and I think it’s important employees are committed to where they are and that they explore things,” said Forst, reiterating that Kotsay has chosen to stay put rather than further pursue other positions.

Forst expects a couple of changes to the A’s coaching staff.

Sports

Panthers handle Leafs, seal 3rd ECF trip in row

Published

5 hours ago

May 19, 2025

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Panthers handle Leafs, seal 3rd ECF trip in row

ESPN News Services

May 18, 2025, 10:22 PM ET

TORONTO — A three-goal second period broke open a tight game, quieted a raucous crowd at Scotiabank Arena, and powered the Florida Panthers past the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series on Sunday night.

Though it wasn’t the typical marquee names you see on the Florida scoresheet, Seth Jones, Anton Lundell and Jonah Gadjovich combined for those tallies, giving the Stanley Cup-champion Panthers a 3-0 lead headed into the third period. It was plenty of room for Florida to shut the door in the third period and seal a berth in the Eastern Conference finals for the third consecutive season. Florida will take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 3 beginning Tuesday.

The Maple Leafs, 2-0 winners in Game 6 Friday night in Sunrise, Florida, could not find enough time and space to operate in the Panthers’ zone. With 10 minutes left in regulation, Toronto had just 14 shots on net, with its season on the line, as boos rained down from the capacity crowd.

Eetu Luostarinen and Sam Reinhart chipped in with third-period goals for Florida, giving the champions a 5-1 lead after Toronto’s Max Domi scored at 2:07 of the final frame to briefly give the home team hope. Florida’s Brad Marchand added an empty-net goal to conclude the scoring.

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” Marchand said during the game broadcast on SportsNet. “We’re having fun, enjoying the moment, that’s all you can do. You don’t get a second chance at these opportunities. You just have to embrace and enjoy it.”

Goaltender Joseph Woll, who authored the shutout in Sunrise on Friday, struggled at home, looking out of position on several Florida goals. Anthony Stolarz, Toronto’s regular starter who had been sidelined since Game 1 with an undisclosed injury, was active and on the bench as Toronto’s backup for Game 7, but he was not called upon.

Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was much sharper on the other end of the ice, allowing only Domi’s goal off a wrist shot on a clean entry into the zone. Bobrovsky, who has started every postseason game for the Panthers this season, was playing in his first Game 7 since he led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup last June with a victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the series’ last game.

Jones, in his first season with Florida and seeking his first shot at the Stanley Cup, opened the scoring with his third goal of the postseason.

“I’m just happy with the situation I’m in,” Jones said on TNT’s postgame show. “Hopefully, my game can grow, and I’m just trying to bring what I can to the table with this team. I’m playing with a lot of great players, and these guys know what it takes to win.”

The game was delayed in the second period, just before Florida’s goal-scoring spree, after referee Chris Rooney, widely considered to be one of the top officials in the NHL, was bloodied and had to leave. The longtime referee was hit by an inadvertent stick to the face.

The play happened 13 seconds into the second period, when Florida’s Niko Mikkola was jousting for the puck and his stick went into Rooney’s face. Rooney skated off with some assistance and with a towel covering much of his face as he was brought to the locker room area for further evaluation and treatment.

The NHL has stand-by officials at playoff games, and Garrett Rank took over as one of the two referees following Rooney’s injury, joining a crew that also included referee Jean Hebert and linespersons Devin Berg and Jonny Murray.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sports

Referee Rooney leaves Game 7 after stick to face

Published

5 hours ago

May 19, 2025

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Referee Rooney leaves Game 7 after stick to face

Associated Press

May 18, 2025, 09:12 PM ET

TORONTO — Referee Chris Rooney, widely considered to be one of the top officials in the NHL, was bloodied and had to leave Game 7 of the Florida Panthers–Toronto Maple Leafs playoff matchup Sunday night after taking an inadvertent stick above one of his eyes.

The play happened 13 seconds into the second period of the Panthers’ 6-1 win when Florida’s Niko Mikkola was jousting for the puck and his stick hit Rooney’s face.

The game was stopped for several minutes and a stretcher was brought onto the ice, but Rooney skated off with some assistance and with a towel covering much of his face as he was brought to the locker room area for further evaluation and treatment.

Rooney got stitches and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The NHL has standby officials at playoff games, and Garrett Rank took over as one of the two referees following Rooney’s injury, joining a crew that also included referee Jean Hebert and linesmen Devin Berg and Jonny Murray.