Indians ace Corey Kluber earns AL Player of the Week

Corey Kluber Indians (2013 photo by Keith Allison via wikipedia commons)

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending June 25th.

In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Corey Kluber will be awarded a watch courtesy of Rockwell.

Outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall (.417/.458/.500) and Ramírez (.393, 6 R, 6 XBH) supported their ace last week with impressive performances. Cleveland’s offense scored 12 runs during Kluber’s shutout last Monday, the most runs by any team in the Majors in a shutout this season. Ramírez logged a nine-game multi-hit streak from June 14th-21st, leading the Tribe to a 7-2 record. During his torrid stretch, José slashed .548/.578/1.048 with 12 runs scored, 10 doubles, a triple, three home runs and seven RBI. Other noteworthy performances last week included outfielder Josh Reddick (.500, 8 R, 6 XBH) of the Houston Astros; outfielder Carlos Gomez (7 R, 4 HR, 8 RBI) of the Texas Rangers; outfielder Ben Gamel (.346, 6 R, 4 XBH) of the Seattle Mariners; and starting pitcher Daniel Gossett (1-1, 1.42 ERA, 11 SO, 12.2 IP) of the Oakland Athletics.

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Hot Dodgers 1B/OF Cody Bellinger earns NL Player of the Week honors

Cody Bellinger (courtesy MLBpressbox.com)

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending June 25th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Outfielder Michael Taylor (.444, 7 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI) of the Washington Nationals was also impressive last week. The 26-year-old recorded his first multi-homer game of the season on Saturday, and second of his career (also June 19, 2016), while matching a career high with four hits. Starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (2-0, 0.64 ERA, 14.0 IP, 12 SO) of the Atlanta Braves logged two outstanding starts last week, posting 7.0 innings and six strikeouts in both outings. Other noteworthy performances last week included Cody’s teammate Justin Turner (.455, 9 R, 4 XBH, 6 RBI); outfielder Curtis Granderson (.455, 7 R, 6 XBH, 5 RBI) of the New York Mets; starting pitcher Gerritt Cole (1-0, 1.38 ERA, 13.0 IP, 10 SO) of the Pittsburgh Pirates; and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (.417, 8 R, 3 XBH, 8 RBI) of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In recognition of his National League Player of the Week Award, Cody Bellinger will be awarded a watch courtesy of Rockwell.

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NFL releases Roster of 2017 Officials

Referees September 12, 2008 by Illegitimate Barrister - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

EIGHT FIRST-YEAR NFL OFFICIALS AMONG 2017 CLASS

The NFL roster of game officials for the 2017 season will include eight first-year NFL officials among the group of 124, the league announced today.

Line judge BRIAN BOLINGER (Big Ten), line judge MIKE CARR (Big Ten), side judge RYAN DICKSON (Pac-12), down judge DAVID OLIVER (SEC), field judge MEARL ROBINSON (Pac-12), field judge BRAD ROGERS (SEC), line judgeDANNY SHORT (ACC), and umpire STEVE WOODS (Big Ten) will make their NFL officiating debuts this season.

All 17 referees from 2016 will return in 2017 and lead seven-person on-field officiating crews, led by the dean of NFL officials, WALT COLEMAN, who enters his 29th season.

An instant replay official will work as part of each of the 17 officiating crews, including TERRI VALENTI, who becomes the first female replay official in NFL history. Valenti has worked in instant replay for the NFL for the past five seasons, serving as a replay communicator from 2012-15 and a replay assistant in 2016 before being promoted to her current position. Prior to turning her focus to replay, Valenti was an on-field official at the high school, collegiate and professional level (Arena Football League, United Football League), as well as in various international football leagues.

Five officials will not be assigned to crews and will work with different crews throughout the season. In addition to these five officials, there will be more rotation of officials among the crews to ensure the most consistent officiating across the league.

Twelve officials will work at new positions this season in an effort to capitalize on the particular strengths of each official as well as balance the needs of the overall officiating staff.

In addition, the position formerly known as “head linesman” will be called “down judge” beginning this season to more accurately depict the primary responsibility of the role — ensuring the correct down and distance — as well as to eliminate the gender-based classification of the position.

Three sets of fathers and sons are included among the roster of officials — Coleman and his son, WALT IV; ED HOCHULI and his son, SHAWN; and STEVE FREEMAN and his son, BRAD — and four sets of brothers – ALLEN andRUSTY BAYNES; JEFF and JERRY BERGMAN; CARL, DINO & PERRY PAGANELLI; and GENE and TONY STERATORE.

Steve Freeman and PHIL MC KINNELY are the only current game officials to have also enjoyed NFL playing careers. Freeman played for 13 seasons, including 12 as a defensive back with the Buffalo Bills from 1975–86. McKinnely played for seven seasons on the offensive line from 1976–82, including five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons from 1976–80.

The following is the complete 2017 NFL roster of officials, including crew assignments, which may change during the season due to injury, schedule conflicts, etc.:

*Denotes new position for 2017

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY NFL MEDIA RELATIONS; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

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Red Sox manager John Farrell served one-game suspension this week

John Farrell 2013 photo By Keith Allison - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https commons.wikimedia.org

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell has received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his actions during an argument with Umpire Bill Miller in the top of the seventh inning of his Club’s Saturday game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Joe Torre, Chief Baseball Officer for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.

Farrell served the suspension, on Tuesday, June 27 when the Red Sox played host the Minnesota Twins at Fenway.

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY MLB MEDIA RELATIONS; COURTESY MLBpressbox.com

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Twins-Indians to play two-game series in Puerto Rico, April 17-18, 2018

Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Ric, 2010 by Bryce Edwards; via wikipedia commons

Games mark the fifth time MLB regular season games will be played on the island

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