Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 1d

I witnessed the greatest single baseball performance of all time Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani pitching 6 innings of scoreless, 2 hit ball with 10 Ks, plus hitting three homers. Here's my story for @sportico.bsky.social

Shohei Ohtani Went Where No Player Has Ever Gone Before

“Six innings of shutout ball and three home runs? That’s crazy,” Dodgers owner Mark Walter said after LA clinched a second straight World Series spot.

bit.ly

1 6

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 2d

Ohtani's not hitting, but he has the Dodgers' clinching the NLCS on his pitching arm in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium Friday night. Let's see what happens. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Ohtani, Dodgers’ $700M Man, Takes the Mound to Clinch Amid Hit Slump

Ohtani, the Dodgers' $700 million man, will start Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Friday while working out of an untimely hitting slump.

bit.ly

1 1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 4d

Here's my take on the state of baseball in Canada today: Tough slog for the Blue Jays to win the ALCS. Even tougher slog to bring an expansion Expos team back to Montreal. My latest column for @sportico.bsky.social

Blue Jays Remain Canada’s Team Though Expos Still on the Mind

The Blue Jays, carrying the weight of a nation as Canada's only baseball team, face long odds to reach the World Series, down 2-0 to the Mariners.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 7d

The Yankees know they have a lot of work to do to get back to a championship level. Boone or no Boone they need to build a much better support system around Aaron Judge for the $325.5m they spend. My latest column for @sportico.bsky.social

New York Yankees Know They Must Revamp to Win the World Series

Aaron Boone and Aaron Judge have one thing in common: Neither of them have won the World Series yet.

bit.ly

2

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 8d

How life goes around in a circle:I knew Mark Davis's famous father, Al, very well. From "just win baby" after their Raiders won the 1984 Super Bowl to "can you do it again?" after his Aces won their third WNBA title in four years Friday night. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Mark Davis’ Aces Win 3 Titles in 4 Years, the Antithesis to His Raiders

The Las Vegas Aces are the antithesis to Davis' Las Vegas Raiders, who have only made the NFL playoffs twice since losing in the 2003 Super Bowl.

bit.ly

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 10d

Aces' Wilson hit a tough shot at the end to thwart a 17- point Mercury comeback in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. They trail 3-0 and could be eliminated Friday. Win or lose the future of the Mercury looks bright I write in my latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Mercury on Brink of Finals Loss but See Bright Future for Franchise

The Las Vegas Aces now have a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series over the Phoenix Mercury heading into Game 4 in Phoenix on Friday night.

bit.ly

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 11d

I covered it. Danny was a nice guy, but it took Dallas and Pete Rose to push the 1980 team over the top. If I'm Middleton and Dombrowski I'd fire Rob and hire Boch to take this team over the top.

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 11d

Doc said they don't practice the wheel play. That was pure Mookie instincts. Another example of what a great player he is.

2

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 11d

First things first. Mercury face uphill battle against Aces down 0-2 in WNBA Finals. Afterward, lockout over collective bargaining negotiations loom. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Mercury Players Chasing Finals Comeback as CBA Negotiations Loom

The Mercury must climb out of an 0-2 deficit against the Aces in the WNBA Finals before turning their efforts to the CBA negotiations.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 11d

Phillies face elimination by Dodgers in an NLDS with manager Rob Thomson's job possibly on the line. My latest column for @sportico.bsky.social

Phillies Face Playoff Exit and Potential MLB Manager Carousel

Down 2-0 in an NLDS to the Dodgers, the Phillies could be the latest team to jump into the MLB manager carousel.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 15d

Won at least my 10th San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award and third as Sportico senior writer in 2025 for best sports story and/or column. The subject will be revealed Oct. 28 at the annual awards ceremony in San Diego. 👍❤️⚾️💯

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 16d

I have an English Lit BA. MA in Broadcast Journalism.

Bob Hille @bobhille.bsky.social · 16d

Profound point, @aallyahpatrice.bsky.social: "You don’t have to have a journalism degree to become a journalist. Some of the most valuable knowledge comes from lived experiences—and that's what makes your perspective powerful and unique. I wish someone told me that years ago." Take that AI + LLMs!

1 1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 16d

Yankees and Dodgers both make a statement by winning their Wild Card Series. It's still a long way to go, but my pick to meet again in the World Series for the 14th time since 1941. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Dodgers-Yankees Rematch Still on Offer as Division Series Begin

The Yanks got a dominant performance from rookie Cam Schlittler to close the Wild Card Series. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani is slated to open the NLDS.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 18d

This is not new news, but it was time for Stu Sternberg to sell the Rays and the club to move on. Next up a new ballpark on the Tampa side of the bay. They'll have three years to get it done when their lease expires at the Trop after the 2028 season. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Tampa Bay Rays Sale to Patrick Zalupski Closes

The MLB club announced the long-awaited sale to a group led by Jacksonville, Fla., developer Patrick Zalupski for about $1.7 billion.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 18d

Ryne Sandberg was essential to the Cubs-Padres rivalry and in Game 5 of the NLCS in 1984 he did something that caused his club the game and NL pennant. Read on. My latest column for @sportico.bsky.social

Cubs-Padres Evokes Memories of 1984 and the Great Ryne Sandberg

The last time the Cubs and Padres played each other in the playoffs was 1984 when Sandberg was a key figure at second and the National League MVP.

bit.ly

1 2

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 18d

Ohtani waits in wings as a pitcher with Kershaw on the outside as Dodgers open World Series defense against Reds at Dodger Stadium in a WC match. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Stacked Dodgers Staff Opens Playoffs Without Kershaw

The Dodgers’ playoff rotation is so deep that Shohei Ohtani isn’t officially in it, and Clayton Kershaw isn’t on the Wild-Card roster.

bit.ly

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 20d

Yankee Stadium will be rockin' tonight as Yankees-Red Sox resume rivalry that goes back more than 100 years. From Ruth to DiMaggio to Dent to Boone to Rivera to Judge. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry Stirs Epic Memories as Wild Card Series Begins

The Red Sox had gone to the playoffs once since winning the 2018 World Series. The Yanks were in the playoffs seven times in the last eight years.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 20d

Mets out, Yanks lose AL East title tiebreaker, Raleigh fails to break Judge's homer record, Kershaw goes out in style, Guardians come back from 15.5 out to take AL Central from slumping Tigers. All this and more as hectic 2025 season ends. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Playoff Window Slams Shut on Mets as Hectic 2025 Season Ends

The Mets went home despite the second highest payroll in MLB. The Yanks tied for first in the AL East, but lost the season series to the Blue Jays.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 21d

As MLB regular season ends look who has the best record and home field advantage through the World Series: The Milwaukee Brewers. And no one predicted that. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

‘Smarter’ Brewers Overcome Payroll Cuts in World Series Quest

How do the Brewers compete with the big payroll teams for a World Series berth? “We just have to be smarter,” owner Mark Attanasio said.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 25d

Despite spending $1.57b on players since he bought the team , Steve Cohen's Mets find themselves in a familiar position: hanging on for dear life just to make the playoffs with five games left to play. My column for @sportico.bsky.social

Steve Cohen’s High Payroll Can’t Guarantee Mets Success

On June 12, the Mets had the best record in Major League Baseball at 45-24 with a 5.5 game lead over the Phillies. It has been all downhill since.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 26d

The robo ump challenge system will be coming to an MLB ballpark near you in 2026. Tap your cap or helmet to challenge. Should be fun. My short explainer on @sportico.bsky.social

MLB to Launch Ball-Strike Review Challenges in 2026 Season

The ABS system was tested with some positive response from players this past spring training in Arizona and Florida.

bit.ly

1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 27d

Here's a dive into what Kyle Schwarber has to look forward to in free agency and the NL MVP race. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Kyle Schwarber’s Career Year Perfectly Timed for Free Agency

Schwarber, with his 53 homers, is only the second member of the Phillies ever to reach 50 homers. Ryan Howard holds the club record with 58 in 2004.

bit.ly

1 1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · Sep 17

Taking an off day from baseball I write about the WNBA playoffs and how Liberty coach Sandy Brondello has a chance to eliminate her former Mercury squad with a win in Brooklyn tonight. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

WNBA Playoffs: Liberty’s Brondello Can Knock Out Her Old Team

From the Phoenix Mercury to the New York Liberty, all coach Sandy Brondello does is win. She's led both WNBA teams to titles.

bit.ly

2 1

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · Sep 15

Always a treat to sit down with Trevor Hoffman, this time talking about the current great Padres bullpen and his slick recent save at Petco for the Bananas. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Hoffman Emblematic of Great Padres’ Bullpens Past and Present

The Padres lead Major League Baseball in saves, ERA, WHIP and lowest batting average by opposing hitters and are tied with the Angels in wins.

bit.ly

2

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · Sep 11

Riz caught the last out of the 2016 World Series at first base on a peg from third baseman Kris Bryant. He stuffed the ball in his back pocket. I'll always remember being there to cover that.

The Athletic @theathletic.com · Sep 10

◽️ 14 seasons
◽️ 3x All-Star
◽️ 4x Gold Glove winner
◽️ One 108-year World Series drought ended

Thanks for the memories, Anthony Rizzo 👋

1