The 2024 MLB All-Star game wasn't that interesting but Paul Skenes sure was
Paul Skenes is an absolute draw
This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Goooood morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win! Thanks so much for reading today. We certainly appreciate you giving us a bit of your time.
Like most All-Star games these days, the MLB All-Star game didn’t feel that interesting.
The American League beat the National League 5-3, with eventual MVP Jarren Duran’s 2-run homer in the 5th inning being the big difference in the game.
There were some fun moments, like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto’s reactions to Shohei Ohtani’s homer. Mason Miller’s 103.6 fastball also became the fastest pitch in All-Star game history, which was pretty cool. But, for the most part, the game felt kind of blah.
By the way, I don’t think that’s the game’s fault. I think that’s on us. The general viewing public seems largely disinterested in All-Star games these days. The internet has desensitized us to the spectacular. But that’s another conversation for another time.
Because, whew boy, was I on the edge of my seat watching Paul Skenes pitch to some of the best hitters in baseball. That was a moment.
The Pirates rookie was named the NL starter after just 11 starts in his young career. It was easy to see why after one lone inning. We didn’t get his best stuff, but he went against the American League’s best and didn’t flinch. Steve Kwan, Gunnar Henderson, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Save for a walk on Soto, his inning was nearly clean. Some of the best bats in baseball couldn’t get a hit on this guy.
I guess that’s the point of the All-Star game, right? These are the best players on both sides. Skenes is supposed to be this good.
It’s one thing to know that. It’s another thing to see it. And, even then, it’s another thing to contextualize it. Skenes won Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series just over a calendar year ago. Yesterday, he was the National League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star game.
That’s special. It doesn’t happen. What he’s doing is unprecedented. That’s what makes you want to watch every single moment of it, regardless of the outcome.
As a fan of the game, I’m glad we got to watch this one together.
Alex Sarr can’t hit anything
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
What’s that one Dion Waiters quote that’s actually a Kobe Bryant quote? I’d rather go 0-for-30 than 0-for-9 or something like that, right?
Yeah, I think Alex Sarr took that to heart. The No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft went scoreless after going 0-15 from the field through an entire game. He also missed both his free throws and all seven 3-pointers he attempted. That’s, uh, not good, guys.
It was a performance of history proportion, according to ESPN’s stats team. Here’s more:
“It was the most field goal attempts by a player without a make in a summer league game since at least 2017, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. If it had been a regular-season game, Sarr’s 15 attempts without a field goal would be tied for the second most in NBA history.”
Is this hilarious? Yes. Is it concerning? Maybe just a bit but probably not as much as you think. Summer League is typically not a big man’s game. He’s playing on a team with many guys who probably won’t be there in the fall. It’s fine.
Plus, it’s not like Sarr was drafted to score — he was primarily drafted to be a defender. Sarr also had nine rebounds, three blocks and three assists. When you look at it like that, 0-15 isn’t that bad.
It’s still bad, though. Don’t get me wrong.
The WNBA is cashing in
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The WNBA is about to break the bank, according to reporting from The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov.
The NBA reportedly agreed to a new $76 billion broadcast deal with Amazon, NBC and ESPN last week. According to Vorkunov, the WNBA’s media rights were also part of the package, with the league receiving $2.2 billion from the deal over the next 11 years.
The W also has room to add more partners to its broadcast package.
“The WNBA’s current media deals, valued at roughly $50 million annually, are set to expire after the 2025 season, with Disney, Ion, CBS and Amazon as its media partners. The new rights fees could have as much as six times multiple of the league’s current media rights fees since the new deals leave room for the WNBA to bring in new partners. The league anticipates it will sell two other rights packages in addition to the ones it has already made agreements for, and projects to bring in another $60 million annually in total in those additional deals.”
This would be such a massive win for the W. Things aren’t finalized yet with Turner Sports still able to evoke matching rights with the NBA on its deal. Once Turner makes a decision, things will be finalized.
Regardless, the WNBA will come out much richer from this.
Quick hits: Best of both worlds with Cam Brink … Brandon Aiyuk on the move? … And more
— Cameron Brink is proving that ball is, in fact, not life. Or at least not everything, anyway. Here’s Meg Hall with more.
— Here’s Robert Zeglinski with five teams that should absolutely trade for Brandon Aiyuk right now.
— Michelle Martinelli has a guide to the best athletes at the Paris Olympics ready for you.
— The Aces shielding Kate Martin like this is so heart warming. Here’s Meg again.
— Here’s Blake Schuster with the best bets for the Open Championship.
— Livvy Dunne cheering for Paul Skenes is so wholesome. Here’s Cory Woodroof with more.
That’s a wrap, folks! Thanks so much for reading! Appreciate you. Let’s do it again tomorrow. Peace.
-Sykes 