Happy Sunday, friends! Ear ya go: 7 little kernels of joy from the world of sports, including a couple Matts who welcome sacrifice.
— Kal
⚾️ Quote
“I couldn’t help but laugh.”
— Sacramento State baseball player Matt Masciangelo, after getting hit by pitch seven times in one day during a double-header against Loyola Marymount
“None of [them] felt malicious,” Masciangelo told MLB.com. “Baseball is a strategic game, and sometimes in the heat of the moment pitches get away from even the best pitchers. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt and focus on how I can use each opportunity to help my team win games, even if it means taking a few for the team.”
🏉 Story
In 1972 a Uruguayan rugby team and some family members chartered a plane to Chile for a competition. It crashed in the Andes Mountains, killing 12 and leaving 33 stranded. They fought subzero temperatures, lack of food, an avalanche, and life-or-death dilemmas while search efforts failed. Sixteen survived the 72-day nightmare.
Society of the Snow, now on Netflix and up for an Oscar as Best International Feature Film, is their story.
🏀 Highlight
The NBA received criticism for its players’ half-ass effort in last Sunday’s All-Star Game, which saw the East win 211-186. But Damian Lillard put both cheeks in to sink 11 treys and win MVP honors. He even hit two half-court shots — proving two heaves can make a hole!
🏊🏼♂️ Stat
30.5° (-0.8° Celsius): water temperature for swimmers competing at a frozen lake in northern Vermont
Some 180 participants braved the 10th annual Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival in Newport, Vermont, about 80 miles northeast of Brrrrlington.
🏒 Groaner
What advice did Sydney Crosby give to Jaromír Jágr as the Pittsburgh Penguins retired Jágr’s #68 jersey?
Mullet over!
One day you’re a teen winning back-to-back cups in 1991-92 with Mario Lemieux (left).
The next you’re 52, being honored for a stellar career.
That’s still going! With your hometown Czech team that you bought to keep it alive.
🌊 Song
O Tahiti E
Olympic surfing is coming to Tahiti. Locals struggle to protect their way of life. This one is by them and for them.
🏈 Trivia
Who holds the record for most Pro Bowl appearances as a special-teams player?
Devin Hester
Brian Mitchell
Matthew Slater
Steve Tasker
Answer below.
It’s Matthew Slater! The son of Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman Jackie Slater made 10 Pro Bowls and won 3 Super Bowls with New England. He retired last week.
Said Bill Belichick, his only pro coach: “He is a once in a lifetime person, and the best core special teams player in NFL history. His daily, weekly, and yearly work ethic, paved the way for his unsurpassed performance. Matthew is the finest example of what an intense competitor and human being should be. ... Matthew is exceedingly kind, and supremely loved and respected by all his peers. I am one of many who feel incredibly blessed to be his teammate, coach, and friend.”
Aw shucks. 🌽 That’s it for this week. Thanks for stomaching Corny Sports. May we channel a couple Matts and be good team players. But keep our cheeky selves out of frozen lakes!