Leading Off: New Money and Bats in the MLB
Torpedo Bats, by Stephen Zaglin
As always in the MLB, teams and players will do whatever they can to gain an advantage over opponents. After a 20-9 rout over the Milwaukee Brewers, where the New York Yankees hit nine home runs, news started to spread about torpedo bats that some players on the team were using. What exactly is a torpedo bat? How much of an advantage does it give the players, if at all? Are they even legal? Let’s find out.
In simple terms, torpedo bats are customized to shift the wood of the bat to a certain hitter’s sweet spot. For example, if a player often gets hits off the middle of the barrel, then the majority of the wood is moved there, making the barrel bigger but the rest of the bat lighter. The thinking is that if a player has a bat tailored to their hitting style, it’ll improve their hitting overall.
According to Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo Sports (who looked at MLB statistical database Baseball Savant), Anthony Volpe, Cody Bellinger, and Austin Wells, who are all on the Yankees and are all using torpedo bats, have increased their average bat speed by 1.4-2 mph (as of April 9, 2025).
While it may disappoint any MLB conspiracy theorists/Yankees haters, torpedo bats are completely 100% legal. The MLB has confirmed as much. The bats don’t violate rules. According to rule 3.02 in the MLB Rules Handbook, “the bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length.” It will be interesting to see how the discussion around the bats evolves throughout the season, especially if more players start using them.
Recent Contract Extensions, by Aidan Lavin
BRINKS trucks are being backed up around Major League Baseball. Before and a few days following opening day, teams are making their best efforts to lock up their cornerstone pieces.
The Arizona Diamondbacks handed out big contracts to second baseman Ketel Marte and starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt. Marte agreed to a six-year $116.5 million contract and Pfaadt signed for five years, $45 million. Arizona is proactive with extensions, recently locking up right fielder Corbin Carroll and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo while signing starting pitcher Corbin Burnes during free agency.
The Diamondbacks currently are multiple games above .500 but are in a deep and competitive NL West; the contracts allow for team-friendly deals while also giving their players around the top-market value that they deserve.
On the opposite coast, the Boston Red Sox got in early on top prospect utility Kristian Campbell and signed their massive trade chip starting pitcher Garrett Crochet to a long-term deal. Crochet’s deal amounted to $170 million over six years, and both the deal and the offseason trade, which the Red Sox gave up two top prospects, are paying early dividends as the southpaw is a frontrunner for the American League Cy Young award. Campbell, meanwhile, is getting his arbitration years bought out for a much larger pay at eight years, $60 million. Campbell’s current production looks like the Red Sox could have gotten a steal for the long haul.
San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill is another player who may have been signed for a steal of a contract at nine years, $135 million. Through his early career, Merrill is looking like a future star of the league.
Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners agreed on a six-year, $105 million deal, rewarding one of the league’s top catchers. Following a Platinum Glove award, Raleigh got the money he deserved as an excellent two-way catcher. “Big Dumper” recently surpassed 100 career home runs in his fifth season, hitting at least 30 in the past two while accumulating 12.0 WAR over his career.
The Cleanup Spot: NBA Playoffs
Coach Firings Before the Playoffs, by Max Moughan
Two playoff teams made drastic changes just days before the season ended.
On March 28, the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins, their head coach since the 2019-20 season. Memphis just had a disappointing 48-win season after three straight playoff appearances. Suspensions and injuries contributed to this, but he reportedly “lost the locker room,” and there was a clear lack of direction.
The team has been struggling on defense and not properly utilizing Ja Morant. Since Jenkins’ firing, Tuomas Iisalo has taken over as interim head coach, and Morant has been on a scoring tear, averaging over 28 points in seven games, leading to the play-in.
There is much more drama going on in Denver. The Nuggets fired Michael Malone on April 8, tying the record for the closest to the postseason a playoff team has fired their coach. Malone is the winningest coach in Denver’s history, adding to it an NBA championship in 2023.
The Nuggets were on a four-game losing skid before the firing, losing their chance for a top-three seed in the West. The Nuggets have also struggled on defense this season, ranked No. 22 in the NBA, a steep drop-off from their spot at eight last season. Despite this, the firing has left many fans confused.
Reports say some players felt Russell Westbrook received special treatment from Malone, while others say Malone did not feel there was enough effort from certain players on the team, which he vocalized following an embarrassing loss to the Trailblazers on March 21. He also had a reportedly rocky relationship with GM Calvin Booth, who the team also fired. Upper management hopes these moves will provide a spark to the team heading into the playoffs, putting full faith in former assistant coach David Adelman, now serving as the interim.
NBA Playoff Matchups – Marley Pope
The NBA Playoffs begin in full on Saturday after the Play-In tournament concludes this week. So far, the Warriors have earned the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference to face the Houston Rockets. In the East, the Orlando Magic won their play-in game to matchup with the Boston Celtics. Then, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings and the Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls to stay in contention for the No. 8 seeds. Let’s examine each playoff series.
Western Conference
No. 1 OKC Thunder vs Memphis/Dallas
The Oklahoma City Thunder won 68 regular-season games behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber season and the best defensive rating in the NBA. The Thunder should beat either of these teams comfortably, but Memphis offers a spicier matchup with their depth. OKC dominates on both ends, consistently winning the turnover battle and has a top-five rating offensively and defensively.
No. 2 Houston Rockets vs No. 7 Golden State Warriors
A classic young versus old matchup unfolds here. The veteran Warriors face a hungry Rockets team that surprised the NBA community with their season. The combination of young players like Jalen Green, Alperun Şengün and Amen Thompson and veteran presences like Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and head coach Ime Udoka offers a stiff first-round matchup for Stephen Curry and co.
We know Steph, Jimmy Buckets and Draymond Green will be on their game, but GS needs more scoring from others. Houston’s main issue is their lack of efficiency on offense, too often relying on grinding wins and out-physicalling everyone. That can certainly happen here, but the Warriors are so skilled and experienced that it will take more to advance.
No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Lakers are a dangerous entity with Luka Doncic and LeBron James playing together. JJ Reddick has done a fine job in year one, piecing this roster together to be a clear threat. Minnesota is a solid team led by Anthony Edwards and may have issues with LA’s smaller lineups, putting Rudy Gobert in bad matchups, or forcing him off the floor. The T-Wolves also cannot rely on Ant to do everything on offense; this is where Julius Randle can exercise some playoff demons with a good series.
No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers look the best they have all season with a healthy Kawhi Leonard and a fantastic season from Ivica Zubac. Norman Powell and James Harden can get their own shot while Ty Lue dials up the defensive pressure. Despite firing their head coach, the Nuggets simply have Nikola Jokic, meaning anything is possible with them. Jamal Murray’s health is a key part of this series, as is Denver’s bench players like Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami/Atlanta
The Cleveland Cavaliers, in year one under Kenny Atkinson, torched the East with hyper-efficient offense, ranking top three in several offensive categories. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are All-NBA players, and the emergence of Ty Jerome has added another layer to this offense. Miami is the tougher matchup as Erik Spoelstra is the best coach in the Association, but they and Atlanta do not match up well to compete in a series with Cleveland.
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs No. 7 Orlando Magic
The Boston Celtics are the defending champions and are in a great place to make another run. They can spread the floor, defend and shoot a high volume from the perimeter with the same roster as last season. Jaylen Brown’s injury does throw a wrench in that, but their ability to win without him, at least in the first round, has little doubt. Orlando can give them problems with their size and length, with multiple players able to clog the paint and disrupt offense. Even so, the Magic struggle mightily shooting from the perimeter, placing dead last in 3PT%, giving them an uphill battle to beat Boston.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs No. 6 Detroit Pistons
Detroit has turned some heads this year with a significant win improvement from last season and making the playoffs. Cade Cunningham is a top-three guard in the conference and heads Detroit’s offense. Malik Beasley is potentially the Sixth Man of the Year and is their most dangerous shooter. The Knicks have a spectacular starting five with Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns frying opposing defenses on high efficiency.
The Pistons’ best bet here is to frustrate this Knicks team and wear them down throughout several games. New York head coach Tom Thibodeau is not afraid to play his starters super-heavy minutes, leaving them vulnerable to fatigue and injury once the playoffs come around.
No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks
Indiana is no joke and after reaching the conference finals last season, they are confident to make a similar run in 2025. Tyrese Haliburton is on a heater and heads a fun, high-tempo offense with numerous playmakers.
This series is a rematch of last year’s first round, but with a different outlook. Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play a second in last season’s playoffs, and is healthy for the postseason for the first time in three years. He’s ready to wreak havoc on the Pacers’ defense as a bulldozing ball-handler and sharp passer.
The Bucks are the best 3-point shooting team in the league and will need their secondary scorers to show up. This week, news broke of Damian Lillard’s recovery from deep vein thrombosis progressing to having him return during this series possibly. His health is a major factor in how this series goes, but it may be too little too late as the Pacers are deeper, younger and healthier.
The Starting Pitcher: The Masters
Rory McIlroy wins the Masters, by Ryan Eichem
Rory McIlroy’s finally done it. He’s won The Masters and completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, The U.S. Open, The PGA Championship, and The Open (British).
McIlroy, who hails from Northern Ireland, led the field by two strokes entering the final day and paired up with known rival Bryson DeChambeau. DeChambeau, an American, defected from the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Tour back in 2022.
The two had very opposite Sundays. DeChambeau went +3, shooting a 75 and falling to tied for fifth. McIlroy shot a 73; not much better, but still good enough to hang on to a lead.
That is, until Justin Rose had his say. Rose shot a final day 66, going -6 and finishing at -11, the same as McIlroy. The pair of Brits (Rose is English) battled on the 18th hole in a playoff, with McIlroy birdieing to beat Rose’s par and take the title. Mcllroy missed a short put on 18 to clinch the title, sending himself into a nerve-wracking playoff, but prevailed anyway.
A few notable players missed the cut, including Dustin Johnson (+3), Tony Finau (+4), Brooks Koepka (+5), Phil Mickelson (+5) and Will Zalatoris (+8).
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the defending Masters champ, finished -8 on the weekend, good for fourth. Ludwig Åberg finished seventh at -6, and Xander Schauffle, Zach Johnson, Jason Day, and Corey Conners all tied with -5.
Conners was -8 through the first three days and looked to be making a run until two bogeys in the first four holes derailed his campaign.
McIlroy became the sixth player ever to win the career grand slam, and is one of two active players to hold it. Tiger Woods, the other active winner, accomplished it three times. As did Jack Nicklaus, who is on the list alongside Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Gene Sarazen.
Call to the Bullpen: Changes in the NFL
NFL Rules Changes, by Max Moughan
Many changes occurred in the NFL this offseason. Some are small, while some will greatly alter how the game is played.
Minor changes include increasing the number of games teams wear alternate jerseys from three to four. The NFL can now flex games with three weeks’ notice rather than the previous deadline of four. Touchbacks moved to the 35-yard line rather than just the 30, likely to decrease the number of touchbacks, allowing for exciting kick returns.
The league is responding to recent officiating criticisms. For the first time, they will not solely rely on the “chain gang” and will electronically measure first downs. They also expanded the number of calls replay assist can be used. New plays that allow for replay assist are hitting a defenseless player, face mask penalties, horse-collar tackles and roughing the kicker.
These may be the biggest and most widely supported changes in recent years. Countless games have been decided by unreviewable calls or incorrect down markings in recent seasons.
Perhaps the biggest topic this offseason was the “Tush Push,” the famous play coined by the Philadelphia Eagles. Many coaches and fans want it banned, citing possible safety issues, while others stress there is no issue, and it is a legal, safe and fair football play.
The play consists of the quarterback being shoved through or over the offensive line, and was effective enough to be a key part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl run. When discussing its expulsion from the NFL, the vote was split. The discussion was tabled until May to give the owners more time to think.
The Closer: WNBA
Recapping the WNBA Draft- Dan Aulbach
The 2025 WNBA draft had some familiar women’s college basketball stars walk the orange carpet on April 14, but all eyes were on University of Connecticut standout Paige Bueckers, drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the least shocking fashion possible.
It’s been back-to-back years of no-surprise No. 1 overall picks (Caitlin Clark last year) and the top two years in viewership for the W’s draft night. Headlining 2025, Bueckers had a storybook ending to her Huskies career, winning a national championship during a dominant tournament run and overcoming an ACL injury in the 2022-23 season, which caused her to miss nearly two years of her collegiate career.
Bueckers shot the lights out in her final two seasons at UConn, averaging 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 53/41/88 shooting. ESPN reported that WNBA general managers see Bueckers as a “high-IQ player who isn’t simply a three-level scorer but a willing passer who can impact the game in a multitude of ways.”
A lesser-known name to most, the Seattle Sound drafted Dominique Malonga with the No. 2 overall pick, which experts believe to be the steal of the draft. A 6-foot-6-inch center from France, Malonga is one of the most unique WNBA prospects of all time. Immediately, one factor separates Malonga from anyone in the W: she dunked at age 16. Her size and physical ability are why she is one of the most alluring young stars in women’s basketball.
The French star enters the league at age 19 (most draftees must enter at age 22, but international prospects may declare if they turn 20 during their first season in the league) already possessing three years of FIBA experience at ASVEL Feminin, averaging an 18/11 double-double in 14 games played during the 2025 season. She also joined the French national team roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics but averaged only 7.1 minutes on the floor throughout the competition.
With a plethora of draft control, the Washington Mystics bolstered three of the first six draft picks, selecting Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron at No.3, USC forward Kiki Iriafen at No. 4 and Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore at No. 6. With Citron’s catch-and-shoot play, Amoore’s offensive upside and Iriafen’s post play, the Mystics reinvented their roster entering the new season.
Big 12 Player of the Year Hailey Van Lith, who reinvented her draft profile after becoming a standout for TCU, got the call from the Chicago Sky at No. 11. She’ll be reuniting with former LSU teammate Angel Reese, making the two a potentially dangerous duo for the rest of the league.
Edited by Marley Pope and Aidan Lavin
Graphic from Cara Lacey
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