Few souls know better than Travis Mills that life can change in an instant.
While on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, the United States Army Staff Sergeant was having a “normal day at work” when, while at a resting stop, an improvised explosive device detonated. Six seconds later he came to and found all of his limbs had been blown off.
“My baby girl — am I ever going to see her again?” he asked as a medic tied tourniquets on both of his arms and legs.
Four days later, he woke up in the hospital: He’d become one of five soldiers from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars to survive a quadruple amputation. Despite all odds, Mills was still alive, but he was now missing his left arm below the elbow, his right arm below the shoulder and both legs above the knee.
He was unsure if he could still be a good husband and father. “I told my wife she should leave me,” he recalled to The Post. “But she stayed.”
Mills (left) before he lost his limbs. Only four other soldiers from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars have survived quadruple amputations.The Travis Mills Foundation
‘I used to hate this day, but I realized how grateful I am to celebrate, because those injuries should’ve ended my life.’
Travis Mills
Mills informed his doctors he’d be out of the hospital in 10 months — he needed to get back to his family, he explained.
“It was one task at a time. Someone had to feed me, and then I got my own arm to feed myself, and then I was able to start walking again, and get my life back,” he said. He and his infant daughter ended up learning to walk at the same time.
“Now she’s 10, and she doesn’t remember me with my limbs,” said Mills.
A decade has now passed since April 10, 2012, when Mills miraculously survived the IED blast: This weekend, the now 34-year-old celebrated his tenth annual Alive Day.
“For me it’s a day of reflection on what’s happened and how far we’ve come since my wife got that phone call not knowing if I was going to live or die,” said the now-retired Mills, who has since become a motivational speaker, author and business owner. “I used to hate this day, but I realized how grateful I am to celebrate, because those injuries should’ve ended my life.”
Mills with his wife, Kelsey, and their two children.The Travis Mills Foundation
In the years since nearly dying, Mills has committed himself to sharing his experience as a testament to the incredible human ability to survive even the most horrific ordeals.
“I tell people the two life lessons I’ve lived by are: Don’t dwell on the past, but reminisce it, and you can’t always control your situation but you can always control your attitude,” he said.
In addition to telling his tale through his 60-odd annual speaking gigs across the globe, Mills has also written a book and starred in a documentary about it. As well, he started the Travis Mills Foundation, a non-profit which, among other resources and programs, offers an all-expenses paid healing retreat to veterans injured in active duty or as a result of their service to the nation. He also owns a restaurant in central Maine, not far from the custom smart home he shares with his wife, daughter and four-year-old son.
“I’m grateful that i’m still here for my family and friends,” said Travis. The Travis Mills Foundation
Mills gives a seminar on self-motivation and overcoming adversity. The Travis Mills Foundation
He was even the inspiration for local Maine beer-maker Baxter Brewing Co.’s Limb-It-Less blonde ale.
Fate did not deal Travis Mills an easy hand and yet, in the 10 years since he stood at death’s door, he has not just reclaimed his life but turned it into a beacon of resilience for anyone and everyone who hears his story.
“At some point you figure they’re not growing back, so you can mope about it or get better — I try to live my life as if it’s nothing different to not have legs. I don’t dwell on it,” he told The Post. “My whole job is to get people to look past the injuries and see me for me.”
Mills began walking again just seven weeks after his injury.The Travis Mills Foundation
LAKELAND, Fla. — Cheered by many fans who came just to see her make history, Rachel Balkovec debuted with a win Friday night as the first woman to manage the affiliate of a Major League Baseball team.
Balkovec guided the New York Yankees’ Class A Tampa Tarpons over Lakeland 9-6.
“I’ve never heard my name chanted like that,” she said. “It was so much fun. Again, I just see, it’s like I see me sitting in the stands, whatever 15, 20 years ago, and so it’s just really cool.”
In the postgame high-five line, Balkovec hugged each of her players and was given the ball from the final out. She provided some mementoes, too — her jersey and hat were headed to the baseball Hall of Fame.
Before the game, the 34-year-old Balkovec signed some autographs, drew a nice ovation when she was introduced and posed for a picture at home plate.
Then it was time to get to work. She had a game to run.
A lot of those in the crowd, however, felt the moment called for even more recognition.
Rachel BalkovecAP
So as she ran from the dugout to coach first base before the top of the second inning, a chant broke out at Joker Marchant Stadium.
“Let’s go, Rachel!”
It came from a group of girls as the Tarpons played the Flying Tigers in the Florida State League.
The Detroit Tigers Foundation — the Lakeland club is an affiliate — donated tickets to female athletes in the Polk County Schools, and 1,200 were distributed.
“They’re here in this moment and maybe they don’t even fully understand it right now, but I think obviously in the future when they get into their professional careers and maybe hit some brick walls that they’ll reflect on this moment,” Balkovec said.
“Strangely, it’s like I’ve always had a very strong vision, not specifically this maybe, but I’ve always had a strong vision for my life and understood I could make a really huge impact no matter area I’m in,” she said. “I felt that from a very young age.”
Tampa broke a 4-all tie in the seventh inning on a grand slam by Anthony Garcia. The last of Balkovec’s five pitchers for the night closed out the win.
The night ended with a scheduled fireworks show, and Balkovec signed autographs for around 20 minutes afterwards for all the remaining fans who wanted one.
“100%, I’ll never forget this game, never,” Yankees highly rated prospect and Tarpons center fielder Jasson Dominguez said.
Rachel Balkovec signs autographs for fans before winning her managerial debut for the Tampa Tarpons.AP
Earlier in the day, Balkovec spoke at the Yankees’ complex at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa about her journey. Her parents were in attendance as she talked to reporters.
“It’s been 10 years of just working to this point,” she said. “Things have evolved. I was blatantly discriminated against back then. Some people say not to say that, but it’s just part of what has happened, and I think it’s important to say because it lets you know how much change has happened.”
“So, blatant discrimination, that was 2010-ish, and now here we are 12 years later and I’m sitting here at a press conference as a manager,” she said.
Balkovec and the Tarpons made the 40-mile bus trip and arrived at the stadium around 90 minutes before game time.
Clad in Yankees’ road gray pants and blue Tarpons jersey and hat, Balkovec signed autographs along the right-field line and next to Tampa’s third-base side dugout as planes from the nearby Sun ‘n’ Fun Aerospace Expo buzzed overhead.
Rachel Balkovec talks with pitchers Juan Carela (left) and Yon Castro during her managerial debut.AP
She was cheered by the crowd during the on-field pregame introductions, and shook hands with umpires Chris Argueza and Conor McKenna and Flying Tigers manager Andrew Graham during a lengthy lineup card exchange and ground rules review.
After the foursome posed for a group photo, the Flying Tigers took the field and history was made.
Balkovec has broken several barriers on her way to the position. She was the first woman to serve as a full-time minor league strength and conditioning coach, then the first to be a full-time hitting coach in the minors with the Yankees.
The Yankees announced her hiring as a minor league manager in January.
Balkovec, a former softball catcher at Creighton and New Mexico, got her first job in professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals as a minor league strength and conditioning coach in 2012.
Balkovec joined the Houston Astros in 2016. She was hired as the Latin American strength and conditioning coordinator and later was the strength and conditioning coach at Double-A Corpus Christi.
She joined the Yankees organization as a minor league hitting coach in 2019.
Balkovec, who missed out on her spring training managerial debut after being hit in the face by a batted ball during a drill March 22, arrived 10 minutes early for Friday’s media session.
“Overall I feel really excited,” Balkovec said. “I feel excited because it’s like, thankfully, I’m in the best-case scenario to accept a role like this because I had a lot of these players last year and I already know them.”
“I’m excited for the night because of what’s going on but also just excited for the season because it’s like, these are my guys,” she said.
Theologian Henri Nouwen wrote, “In true love the smallest distance is too great and the greatest distance can be bridged.”
In the latest installment of “90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days,” we watched as the idealistic and potentially unhinged cast attempted to bridge those distances and differences, all in the name of love.
Author’s Note: There are a few cast members who do not appear in this list. Rest assured that I went far into the interwebs trying to find Johnny Chao and Mahogany Rocas star signs and twelve years deep into Hamza Moknii’s Facebook feed looking for his birthday to no avail, though I can confidently report that Hamza’s Mom is a Gemini, Mahogany has deleted her Instagram account and Johnny once caught a fish in Lake Michigan.
Alina is disqualified for obvious and aforementioned reasons. Now, on to the rest! Read along to discover more about the astro identities of the remaining cast and which star your zodiac sign aligns with the most.
CANCER June 21 – July 22
Ben Rathbun
Ben is a kitten loving, chest baring, romantically crippled Cancer.Discovery
In terms of the physical body, Cancer rules the torso. Fittingly, it was the image of Ben’s bare chest that prompted Mahogany to reach out to the former pastor/current fitness model and begin their fraught affair. Debilitatingly romantic, Cancers crave love; particularly the feeling of being needed and the security of being coupled. This desire often supersedes reason or reality, a fact made evident in Ben’s history of being catfished. When wounded emotionally, Cancer’s often retreat inward to the quiet safety of themselves and their metaphorical shells. As Ben admitted in the most Cancerean Instagram post of all time, “Taking a little break from social media for a bit. Best way to find your center is finding a quiet place, devotions with God, being in nature, thought provoking music, and kittens. Lots and lots of kittens.”
LEO July 23 – August 22
Jasmine Pineda
Jasmine is a proud Leo prone to jealousy, dramatics, false eyelashes and baby talk.Discovery
Symbolized by the almighty lion, Leos are born to shine and to be seen, themes evident in Jasmine who describes herself as “hot, beautiful, intelligent and untamable.” Though she sees herself as a wild animal, Jasmine keeps Gino on a short leash. Because Leos insist on being the top priority of everyone in their lives from their electrician to their significant other, they don’t take kindly to competition and their formidable pride is often undercut by a deep jealous streak. Cue Jasmine insisting Gino keep her fully apprised of his whereabouts and interactions with waitstaff lest any lusty checkout girls fall prey to his dad jeans and maniacal laughter.
VIRGO August 23 – September 22
Memphis Smith
Virgos like Memphis see the potential for improvement in all things and all people. Discovery
Undeterred by obstacles, Virgos like Memphis see the potential for greatness in all things and all people, most notably themselves. We see this dedication to personal betterment reflected in her overcoming her difficult childhood and finding success in her medical career and her role as a single mother. Virgo is an earth sign and despite their reputation as punishing perfectionists, they will forgive much if they have skin in the game and a skin game to play. Cue Hamsa and Memphis not really understanding much beyond “sexy time” in terms of language but deciding to make a go of it anyways. A practical sign suspicious of surprise, it tracks that a Virgo like Memphis would count “consistency” as Hamza’s best quality.
Caleb Greenwood
Virgo Caleb is into physical fitness and spiritual expansion. Discovery
Virgo is ruled by Mercury, planet of communication and mental processing and VirgBro Caleb is into communing in all forms, even the metaphysical. From tarot cads to intuitive intention setting by bonfire, Caleb flexes deep Virgo vibes. Add to this his very Virgo commitment to bodily health which includes packing a suitcase full of condoms and protein shakes for his trip to Turkey.
LIBRA September 23 – October 22
Usman “Sojaboy” Umar
Usman is a deeply charming and slightly duplicitous Libra. Discovery
Libra is ruled by Venus, planet of love, beauty, attachments, entanglements and music. Enter Nigerian singer Usman whose megawatt smile, smooth sounds and considerable charms are all emblematic of his sign. The influence of Venus makes Libras particularly susceptible to flattery and praise which explains how Kim transitioned from online fan to potential girlfriend. Libras can be duplicitous in their attempts to find love which may be why Usman was chatting it up and laying it on thick with two American women at once.
Libras are an indecisive ilk that struggle to truly trust themselves or the strength of their convictions which helps explain why Usman wanted his first meeting with Kimberly to include his friends and business associates during a video shoot as he looks to them to measure his own responses. We see this theme continue with Usman’s decision to call Zara after Kim’s departure in order to calibrate his feelings for Kimberly. Libras usually gloss over difficult truths with a wink and a smile and flat out lie to avoid conflict and maintain stasis; this technique inevitably backfires and sometimes ends with them catching a drink to the face.
CAPRICORN December 22 – January 19
Mike Berk
Capricorn Mike wields financial support as a means of control. Discovery
Capricorn is ruled by strict, boundary loving planet Saturn. In terms of archetype, Capricorn is thought of as the builder and the father figure of the zodiac, supportive and strategic at best, punishing and rigid at worst. Enter Mike Berk, a Lego constructing, elder caring Capricorn from the great state of New York. Mike was a fan favorite, earnestly trying to kill the dull ache of loneliness through his relationship with Colombian born model and mother of two. Ximena. Mike seemed committed to supporting Ximena and her children, even buying the boys toys before his trip to meet them.
Things took a turn and the bad dad vibes came a tumbling out when Ximena wanted to end their relationship. Cue Mike’s gaslighting, abject rudeness, sex work shaming and Ximena’s revelation that the couple actually met not on an international dating site, but through her web cam work. Lording his financial support over her in an attempt to maintain power and control is classic toxic paternalism and an example of one of the darker expressions of the Capricorn archetype.
Ella Johnson
Earth signs like Ella are comforted by the outdoors and the company of animals. Discovery
Earth signs seek purpose and find their footing in the tangible and it tracks that a Capricorn like Ella would be into animal husbandry, horseback riding and farm life in general. Capricorn’s have high standards for themselves and punishing expectations of others. When disappointed they go to great lengths and unimaginable low blows as was the case for Ella who stepped out on Johnny when he stood her up for their planned trip to Dubai. The fact that she describes the indiscretion as “my moment of weakness when I decided to get animalistic,” is further evidence of her earth sign nature.
AQUARIUS January 20 – February 18
Geno Palazollo
Gino is a ‘weirder than a bag of hair’ Aquarius. Discovery
Aquarians are the odd balls of the zodiac, enter Geno ‘weirder than a bag of hair’ Palazollo. From his dark web Viagra to his diet of TV dinners, pension for baby talk and electric toothbrushes as love tokens, our man is a strange one. The weirdness and white sneakers seem to be working for Gino as his Panamanian fiance Jasmine cannot get enough of him As she admits, “His unsexiness is sexy to me, I love it.” A fixed sign, Aquarians prioritizes intellect over emotion and tend to wear masks or in this case, hats to mask their vulnerable, authentic selves. They can also lend super villain vibes and Geno is no exception. While he at first seems like a hapless, love struck Doug Funnie everyman, it was later revealed that he shared Jasmine’s nudes with his ex and messaged other women outside of their relationship. Behavior as appalling as microwaveable Salisbury steak.
PISCES February 19 – March 20
Kim Menzies
Kim is a dreamy, optimistic Pisces that sees the best in others.Discovery
Pisces are dreamy, optimistic and romantic to the point of delusion, a trifecta made manifest in Kim whose attraction to complicated men includes a Michael Jackson obsession and a long shot at love with the much younger Nigerian musician Husman. Pisces are painfully optimistic, choosing as they do to believe the best in people, enough to abide the degrading designation of “potential girlfriend.”
A mutable water sign, Pisces often exhaust/martyr themselves trying to be all things to all people. Their love is the self-less variety that knows no bounds, a fact demonstrated by Kim offering Husman the option to take a second wife and father children outside of their relationship.
Ximena Morales
Accused of being a gold digger, Pisces Ximena has proven herself to have healthy boundaries and a heart of gold. Discovery
Pisces is ruled by Neptune, planet of dreams and delusions, there to remind us that things, and especially people, are not always what they appear to be. Consider Pisces super babe Ximena, first cast as an opportunist preying on the gullible generosity of Mike, Ximena has proven herself to be the most principled, composed and mentally stable member of the cast by far. Ximena admits that in love, “I always find the crazies.” Indeed, empathetic to a fault Pisceans gravitate towards wounded birds and criminals, skipping towards the banner of red flags with good will, pastel paints and a bubble gun.
On the look out for a dream lover, folks like Ximena easily buy into the fairy tale and are deeply shaken when the prince in question is revealed to be a farting, slut shaming troll who can’t emotionally support them or find a proper receptacle for his snot rag or simmering rage. Here’s hoping our Pisces princess finds true love and a healthy dose of chivalry down the line.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the stars
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girls guide” to strip clubs and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.
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Hollywood’s self-care guru is back with another gift guide just in time for Mother’s Day — and there’s no orgasm-scented candle in sight.
There are, however: eight vibrators, $16,000 worth of jewelry and more nutrient-rich elixirs and serums than one can count.
Gwenyth Paltrow’s lifestyle and wellness company has been churning out thoughtfully curated seasonal gift guides for the past 13 years, and despite the flak its received in the past for its outrageously pricey inclusions (remember the $10,500 Chanel sled?), it’s grown to include a diverse selection of health, wellness and home goods within a healthy price range.
Shop Goop’s full Mother’s Day gift guide here, and check out the best offerings below:
Fry Pan Set
Goop’s own in-house brand for kitchen goods is giving the Always pan a run for its money. These two 10-inch and 12-inch pans from their 10-piece cookware set are the two pieces that will likely get the most daily use, perfect for eggs, sautéeing, veggies and quick sauces. They’re made with GreenPan’s Thermolon Minerals Pro technology for a nonstick, non-toxic and dishwasher-safe finish. Like all things Goop, it looks as luxurious as you’ll feel while using them, finished in creamy ecru with gold finishing.
Every stylish mom is on the constant lookout for a statement sweater. The Segovia is a riff on their best-selling Foster knit, featuring puffed sleeves, subtly pleated shoulders and decadent fisherman’s rib. But comfort comes first for a mom that alway’s doing ten things at once. Luckily, this dreamy piece is made out of Merino wool so soft it’ll be hard for her to change out of it at the end of the day.
Nothing says “I love you” quite like golf-filled jewelry from Foundrae, the buzzy New York-based luxury jewelry boutique frequented by the likes of high-wattage stars such as Michelle Obama, Olivia Wilde and Zendaya. Their celebrity clientele is no surprise given the care that goes into every one of their pieces, each featuring unique and authentic tenets carrying different symbolic meanings. This necklace’s heart token is sealed in a crest-shaped clear quartz, attached to an 18-carat gold paperclip chain for a modern touch.
For the plant mom, this high-tech growhouse makes for a one-of-a-kind gift. Grow herbs, leafy greens, succulents and more from this remarkably stylish box that’s small enough to fit on the kitchen counter. Using full-spectrum LED, it utilizes the unique wavelengths of light to support seed growth, vegetative growth and flowering.
Wether your mom has her own at-home work set up, or is going into the office, this sleek and handy charging tray from Courant is one of those practical indulgences that she won’t be able to imagine not having once you give it to her. The cable-free charging pad is finished in premium Belgium linen, featuring a designated spot for phone charging and a separate spot for her to keep all her hard-to-corral accessories organized in one place.
If your mom starts prepping her sauces for dinner before you’re even awake, then she deserves the best cocotte on the market. You can’t go wrong with this durable and absolutely gorgeous Staub cookware piece, which works for everything from stews and casseroles to soups and roasts. The France-based brand prides itself on its best-in-class heat retention and distribution but its most notable design feature are spikes on the tight-fitting lid which help gather moisture and release it evenly back into your food.
It’s no surprise that La DoubleJ and 1st Dibs (the eclectic design marketplace) teamed up for a kitchen apparel collection that’s so stunning you don’t even have to make use of it aside from hanging it on the wall as decor. But aside from its mesmerizing geometric pattern, the pot and oven holders get the job done when it comes to efficiently cooking up a meal.
You get a surprising two-in-one use out of this innovative candle, which turns into a hydrating body oil once the wax is melted. The hand-poured candle has relaxing notes of lavender, jasmine and Brazilian rosewood oils. It’s specifically designed to not burn too hot, meaning you can rub the extracts of cocoa-sea butter, baobab, jojoba, rapeseed and soybean oils all over your skin for an instant massage.
The only real secret to making barista-grade coffees from home is a premium milk frother. This one from Zwilling allows you to aerate cold or hot milk with the press of a button that will add an instantly creamy texture to cappuccinos, lattes and any other espresso-based drinks. Thanks to its removable parts, it’s a dream to clean, ensuring that its stainless steel finish is always gleaming.
Bring the beauty of Capri to your mom’s home with this Positano-inspired dinner plate. The hand painted design will make any home-cooked meal look picture-perfect.
Moms have a lot of places to be, and even more things to carry wherever they go — and having a stylish accessory in tow while it’s all happening makes the chaos that much more manageable. Mansur Gavriel knew this when they made this oversized tote that’s roomy enough to hold basically anything they’ll need, but designed in an understated calf leather that can seamlessly transition from the office to drinks.
It wouldn’t be a Goop gift guide without one (or eight) vibrators. If you’re looking to show your appreciation to your partner this year, you can’t go wrong with a gift centered around self-care. And nothing does the job more efficiently than a sex toy. This compact and discreet device is perfect for moms who don’t want the little ones in the house coming across their bedside arsenal. It’s pinpointed for clitoral stimulation with ten distinct vibration modes to play with.
Feeling truly rested can seem like a superpower to most moms. So finding a way to optimize sleep is always important. This set from Deiji studios is perfect for the warmer months, made out of French linen that keeps you covered but allows for a fresh breeze throughout the night.
New moms know the struggle when it comes to finding a baby carrier that’s comfortable for them and the baby. And finding one that’s sleek, to boot? It’s a done deal. Artiepoppe is arguably the best on the market, loved for its breastfeeding-friendly design, and plush, adjustable straps. Plus, it’s large enough to fit babies up to two years old.
It’s never the wrong time to experiment with a new scent. This fresh fragrance is perfect for summer, packed with delicious notes of mangosteen, plumeria, patchouli leaves, blood orange, Italian bergamot, oakmoss and cedar. The new scent made from the Maker hotel founders Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg also comes in a gorgeous vintage bottle that looks chic on any counter.
The only gift better than an appointment to the spa might be the Theragun, which promises spa-level massages at the press of the button — whenever, wherever. The Mini Rose is the best option because it’s small enough to fit in your purse, but doesn’t sacrifice any of the percussive benefits that the advanced gun is known for.
in a battle of two unbeatens, UConn defeated Notre Dame 79-58 to win the national championship. Breanna Stewart lead the way for UConn with 21 points 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
The post This Day in NY Sports: UConn women’s basketball wins ninth title appeared first on REPORT DOOR.
Day one of The Masters has concluded and 2020 runner-up Sungjae Im finds himself atop the leaderboard.
Amongst the other headlines, though, were Tiger Woods posting a one-under 71, Cameron Smith shooting a four-under 68 and Dustin Johnson continuing his strong form at Augusta with a three-under 69.
However, we’re here to discuss the updated betting board as we attempt to find value on players after their opening rounds.
So without further ado, here are my two favorite live bets on the heels of the opening round. Odds are subject to change and are reflective at time of writing.
Best Bet #1 – Tony Finau Top-20 Finish (+100), Draftkings Sportsbook
Although I wasn’t high on Finau entering the tournament, his first round has reassured me he’s capable of another high finish this weekend.
The two-time PGA Tour winner posted a one-under 71 Thursday and should receive more favorable conditions when he tees off Friday morning. Overall, Finau ranked ninth in the field in both strokes-gained: tee-to-green and strokes-gained: approach, so we know we don’t have to worry about Finau’s ball-striking.
He also performed very well on the Par 5’s, playing those four holes three-under par. But perhaps most importantly, Finau improved his putting drastically on his pre-tournament ranking. Over the last 50 rounds, Finau ranked 67th in the field in strokes-gained: putting but was 39th in the field for Thursday’s round.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
If Finau can be average with the flat-stick this week, I believe his approach play can vault him into a solid finish. Pre-tournament, he was 15th in the field in strokes-gained: approach over the last 36 rounds and and 16th over the last 24, a stat that is more closely correlated with finishing position than SG: Putting, per datagolf.com.
Add in that Finau has posted three top-10 finishes in four starts at The Masters and I believe this price should be closer to -120.
Best Bet #2 – Tyrrell Hatton Top-20 Finish (+120), DraftKings Sportsbook
The only way I know how to describe Hatton’s opening round is….odd.
An even-par 72 is nothing to hate, but the underlying strokes-gained data was all over the place. Hatton ranked first in the field in SG: T2G, fifth in SG: approach and 23rd in SG: around-the-green. However, he was simultaneously 90th of 91 players in SG: putting for the first round.
That is uncharacteristically bad for Hatton, who entered the week 14th in the field in SG: putting over the last 36 rounds. Plus, in his two most recent rounds at Augusta National, Hatton gained 0.9 strokes on the field on average and 1.72 strokes total.
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If Hatton can improve on a distatrous putting round, I think he could himself on the first page of the leaderboard by the end of day two. Plus, much like Finau, Hatton was able to take advantage of the Par 5’s, posting three birdies and one par across those four holes.
That represents a consistent trend for the Englishman, who arrived at Augusta National this week fifth in SG: Par 5’s over the last 24 rounds and eighth over the last 36. Assuming that continues, expect Hatton’s short game to catch up as he (hopefully) posts a third top-20 in his last four starts.
Thirteen years after starting his first Opening Day game in the Yankees’ farm system, Kyle Higashioka is expected to finally get his chance to do it with the big league team on Friday.
The 31-year-old catcher, who debuted with the Yankees in 2017 and has mostly served as a backup to Gary Sanchez in parts of five seasons since, is set to start the season by catching Gerrit Cole against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s been my goal every year that I’ve been playing,” Higashioka said this week before the Yankees broke camp. “It’s something everybody dreams about as a kid.”
The Yankees’ seventh-round pick in 2008 has long been known for his defense and strong receiving skills, which have earned him more playing time and important starts over the past two seasons, including playoff games.
But his first Opening Day start in the majors will mark another milestone for Higashioka, who has had a fan in Cole since the ace arrived in The Bronx in 2020.
Kyle Higashioka is set to start at catcher on Opening Day. AP
“Quite magical, right?” Cole said Thursday. “Going into 2020, I don’t know where people had him on their depth chart or whatnot. To see him really take on one of the toughest catching roles in the league, if not the toughest, is pretty [impressive]. I think everybody’s a fan of Kyle, so it’s really exciting for all of us.”
At the onset of spring training, the Yankees opened the door for Higashioka to take on a bigger role by trading Sanchez — who had started each of the past five Yankees Opening Days at catcher — to the Twins.
Higashioka then went on to enjoy a power surge in Grapefruit League play, with seven home runs while batting 11-for-26. His first priority is still defense and working with his pitchers, but the Yankees would certainly benefit from a more consistent Higashioka at the plate.
“I know it’s there,” said Higashioka, a career .183 hitter with a .619 OPS and 20 home runs in 139 games. “I’ve shown it in spurts. But the good offensive players know how to do it on a consistent basis. That’s what I’ve been lacking in past years, just that consistency where I can perform on a day-in, day-out basis. That’s definitely something I’ve been trying to work on and improve at.”
Higashioka’s teammates have taken notice, making him an “easy guy to root for,” DJ LeMahieu said.
“He just looks like he’s in a really good place right now,” LeMahieu said. “He hits a lot of fly balls, so he’s probably not going to be an average guy. But if he has elite defense — which he does, everyone likes throwing to him — if he can hit 20-25 homers, what more can you ask?”
Opening Day has arrived and Kenny Ducey of The Action Network is here to give two best bets across the first slate of the MLB season (video above).
The first matchup interesting Ducey is the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Angels, which enters as a slight favorite.
For Ducey, he believes it’s a good spot to back the host Angels.
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Astros vs. Angels prediction
“Anthony Rendon coming back into the Angels lineup is going to be massive – he has a .901 career OPS against lefties,” Ducey explains.
Plus, Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez posted back-to-back five earned run appearances in the World Series. As a result, Ducey likes picking on him in this spot, especially considering the Angels possess a lot of talented right-hand bats.
Anthony Rendon #6 of the Los Angeles Angels doubles during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee StadiumGetty Images
For those reasons, Ducey expects the Angels (-120) to notch a home victory as it kicks off the season.
Padres vs. Diamondbacks prediction
As for his second play, Ducey is backing the Arizona Diamondbacks against the San Diego Padres, which is deploying Yu Darvish on Opening Day.
Just like the Valdez with the Astros, Ducey believes this is a good spot to pick on Darvish.
Betting on the 2022 MLB Season?
Yu Darvish throws a pitch for the Padres in 2021Getty Images
“Last season after the spider tack crackdown, we saw Yu Darvish’s numbers spiral out of control,” Ducey says. “This guy was all over the place allowing home runs left and right and wasn’t a reliable guy to bet on.”
Although Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner has “seen better days,” Ducey doesn’t believe he’ll be intimidated by the right-hand bats in the Padres lineup.
For those reasons, back the Diamondbacks (+140) as underdogs Thursday night.
There’s trouble in paradise for one “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days” couple.
Gino Palazzolo admitted that he sent a nude photo of fiancée Jasmine Pineda to his ex-girlfriend as a way to “get back at her.”
“So, this happened a couple of months after I met Jasmine because I was excited about meeting Jasmine,” he said in a preview for the upcoming tell-all episode, obtained by People.
“Now my ex, she rubbed me the wrong way when we broke up, and she was saying a lot of stuff to me about her new boyfriend and stuff. So, what this was, was my immaturity and trying to get back at her. Revenge.”
While Palazzolo claimed “it wasn’t nude pictures, plural,” Pineda believes he actually sent over three topless snaps.
It all went down when Palazzolo – who appeared on season 5 of the TLC spinoff – took Pineda on a romantic getaway to San José Island.
While there, Pineda received messages from Palazzolo’s ex about the private image(s) he had sent over.
Pineda maintained Palazzolo sent three separate images on different occasions.TLC
“Now what happened was, I selected a group of pictures on my phone, and one of the pictures I accidentally sent was a topless photo,” Palazzolo alleged, seemingly backtracking on his earlier comments.
“And it was one time, and it was meant to be a one-time thing only, but I didn’t send a nude photo on purpose to her.”
The Michigan native later claimed he sent the snap accidentally.TLC
Pineda, however, claimed he sent three photos on separate occasions.
“I mean, Gino, you sent at different times three different topless pictures,” she chimed in, as the rest of the cast looked visibly shocked.
The pair met online before he traveled to her native Panama.gpalazz2/Instagram
“No, no. This was one time only,” Gino responded, to which she said, “So, you’re telling me, Gino, that you made the same mistake three different times by texting three different texts?”
Pineda also claimed her future husband “never showed [her] his texts” and “deleted” them because he was “scared.”
The “Before the 90 Days” tell-all episode airs Sunday on TLC.
