Connect with us

Published

on

Florida added one of the top defensive players in the transfer portal Sunday, with Penn defensive tackle Joey Slackman announcing his intention to play for the Gators.

Slackman was the 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year after posting 50 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. He has one year of eligibility remaining and felt as though Florida was the right fit for his final season.

“They did the best job of building that relationship with me and explaining to me how I would fit into their defense and how I can help them not just win on the field with my football play, but as a leader,” Slackman told ESPN. “I can come in, even though it’s only a year, and really help change the program for the better and set them in the right direction over this next year.”

Slackman said he believes in what coach Billy Napier is trying to do and that he will have an opportunity to play on college football’s biggest stage. The Florida staff has been looking for help on the defensive side, and Slackman has the ability to come in and be disruptive right away.

“When I called Coach Napier to let them know that I committed, that was something that he reiterated, what he told us when we were there on the visit,” Slackman said. “He just said, ‘Look, we need guys that can come in and lead, not just play.’ They went through a very diligent process in the portal with recruiting and expressed to me that I was the guy that, aside from the play on the field, had leadership qualities that were intangible, and I agreed with that.”

He has had success the past few years at Penn, but Slackman is ready for the challenge of the SEC. He said playing for Florida will help him accomplish his goal of making it to the NFL.

“It was the place where I felt like every aspect of myself as a player and a person could be developed,” Slackman said. “Getting to the draft next year is a goal of mine — obviously winning comes first — and Florida is a place where I feel like can get everything out of a place and give everything that I have to a place in a year.

“I feel like they’re going to help me get to where I want to be, and I’m going to help them and us get to the promised land, where we want to be, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to get started with them.”

Continue Reading

Sports

D-backs star Marte’s home robbed during break

Published

on

By

D-backs star Marte's home robbed during break

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.

Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta.

Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occurred.

Police said the home is “reportedly” owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL’s win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings.

The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes across the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.

The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes.

A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area.

Continue Reading

Sports

Cubs icon Sandberg ‘continuing to fight’ cancer

Published

on

By

Cubs icon Sandberg 'continuing to fight' cancer

Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him.

He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram.

“I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis.

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.

“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.”

He threw out the first pitch, surrounded by fellow Cubs greats, before the home opener on April 4.

In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread. He vowed to “continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”

Sandberg spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs, along with 13 games at the start of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).

Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP, when he batted a career-high .314 with a major-league-leading 19 triples and 114 runs scored as well as 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

The second baseman also earned the second of his nine career Gold Glove awards that year. He was a 10-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Silver Slugger honoree, batting .285 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs in his 2,164-game career.

Sandberg, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, also spent parts of three seasons (2013-15) as the Phillies’ manager.

Continue Reading

Sports

Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

Published

on

By

Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.

Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.

Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.

Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.

The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.

Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.

Continue Reading

Trending