rookie

Orioles’ Trey Mancini wins AL Comeback Player of the Year, Ryan Mountcastle named AL Outstanding Rookie in Players Choice Awards

By Elsie A. Dotson 1 month ago

From the moment he stepped back onto the field in spring training to mark the beginning of his comeback from colon cancer, Orioles star Trey Mancini has been warmly welcomed by his peers.

Their admiration for his return to play after missing all of 2020 for chemotherapy and treatment earned him American League Comeback Player of the Year in the 2021 Players Choice Awards, while fellow Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was named the league’s Outstanding Rookie. The winners were announced during Wednesday night’s “SportsCenter” broadcast.

“It means the world. I’m so honored and humbled to receive this award,” Mancini said on ESPN. “When I got my diagnosis, I wasn’t totally sure that I’d be playing baseball again, so to be able to come back and play a whole season and receive this award means everything to me.”

Mancini, 29, played an entire season this year despite not having stepped

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NFL Week 4 rookie QB grades: Mac Jones looks serviceable; Zach Wilson, Justin Fields flash

By Elsie A. Dotson 2 months ago

Contrary to what a dictionary might tell you, “rookie” is actually spelled P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E.

Through three weeks, the 2021 NFL rookie quarterback class looked extremely average at times. The kids took a big step forward in Week 4, with Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Mac Jones putting forth their best efforts. Elsewhere, Trey Lance and Davis Mills played about how well as you’d expect, given their situations.

MORE: SN’s NFL power rankings heading into Week 5

Fields had the biggest mountain to climb coming off a poor starting debut in Week 3. He and the Bears would pick up a much-needed win over the Lions, pushing their record to 2-2 and giving the Chicago faithful a small peek into the future

The rookie QB class course-corrected some in Week 4. Here’s how it shook out:

Week 4 rookie QB grades

Davis Mills: F

Stats: 11/21, 87 yards, no touchdowns,

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New Charlotte sports card shop opens today with beer and a 100K LaMelo rookie card

By Elsie A. Dotson 2 months ago
New Charlotte sports card shop opens today with beer and a 100K LaMelo rookie card

Photo: Courtesy One Stop Sports

Michael Graff

One unexpected flower re-blooming in the shadows of the long pandemic winter: sports trading cards.

Yes, the things kids in the 1950s and ’60s put in their bike spokes, and kids from the 1980s and ’90s stuffed into protective casing, are popular again in the 2020s.

Driving the news: Our city will get a card store for the modern Charlottean today when One Stop Sports opens in South End. It’ll have a bunch of cards, of course, but it’ll also be a place to hang out and have a cold drink and watch sports.

  • They’ll have a LaMelo Ball rookie card valued at $100K at the store today for the grand opening, which starts at noon today.

Why it matters: The sports trading card industry exploded during the pandemic, as people cleaned out their homes and rediscovered old joys like this buried in an attic

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Warriors Have Unusual Plan for Rookie Jonathan Kuminga

By Elsie A. Dotson 3 months ago


Getty

Jonathan Kuminga of the G League Ignite during a G-League game against the Westchester Knicks in February.

The Golden State Warriors snagged what many considered a steal in Jonathan Kuminga, with the No. 7 overall pick possessing the potential to bloom into an NBA star.

But his rookie year could look a little unusual, the Warriors revealed this week. The team’s newest coach opened up about the athletic wing, saying the team could experiment with him at some different positions in order to find playing time in what looks to be a crowded rotation. In doing so, Kuminga would be following in the footsteps of one of his veteran teammates.

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Kuminga Could Slide Into Familiar Role for Dubs

As Grant Liffman of NBC Bay Area noted, the Warriors may

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