The Seawanhaka Sports Rundown is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in sports news at the local, state, national, and international levels.
By: JOSEPH SIMILE / CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LIU Sharks Volleyball Take Home Inaugural NEC Volleyball Championship
The LIU Sharks men’s volleyball team defeated top-seeded Saint Francis University to win the first ever Northeast Conference Championship. LIU toppled St. Francis 25-23, 25-22, and 25-20. Three Sharks made the all-tournament team, #9 Livan Moreno, #22 Caden Satterfield, and #1 Luke Chandler, who took home the tournament Most Valuable Player award. The Shark’s overall record on the season was 19-11. The NEC does not yet have an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Max Scherzer Ejected, Suspended
Mets ace Max Scherzer took the mound against the Dodgers on April 19 and walked three batters in the first two innings, recording one strikeout. Despite the spotty control, umpires had asked Scherzer to wash his hands following the second inning. Scherzer washed his hands with alcohol under the supervision of an MLB official. Umpires also demanded Scherzer change gloves. First base umpire Phil Cuzzi inspected Scherzer once again in the fourth inning, and threw Scherzer out of the game. Since instituting mandatory substance checks, only three players have been ejected from a game due, Scherzer, Hector Santiago, and Caleb Smith. All three players were ejected by Cuzzi. Scherzer maintains that all he had on his hand was rosin, which is legal and provided on the mound in Major League Baseball games. As a result of being ejected for a “sticky substance”, Scherzer is currently serving a 10-game suspension. Scherzer, a representative of the player’s union, went on the show Foul Territory literal days before he started speaking out against sticky stuff. Former leader of the MLBPA, David Cone did an experiment on ESPN showing how washing hands with alcohol, as supervised by the MLB official, can make rosin even stickier, potentially setting Scherzer up for failure.
Aaron Rodgers Traded to Jets
Legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been traded to the New York Jets, per Adam Schefter. Rodgers has spent all of his 17 seasons in the NFL as a Green Bay Packer, but as tensions grew between Rodgers and the team, Rodgers made it clear he wanted out, even naming his preferred destination on the Pat McAfee show, the New York Jets. The deal was finally completed Monday night, with the Jets sending the 13th pick in this year’s draft, a second and sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, as well as a conditional 2024 second-round pick (which converts to a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ snaps) in exchange for the four-time MVP, superbowl champion, as well as the 15th overall pick and a fifth-round pick. The Jets had a surprise season this past year, earning a 7-4 record at one point before a treacherous end of the season. The Jets have lacked quarterback stability and talent for the last decade, and they now have one of the all time greats. Rodgers will be joining a young core spearheaded by the reigning offensive and defensive players of the year, Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, respectively. Former Packers teammate Allen Lazard will also be reunited with Rodgers on the Jets, joined by Mecole Hardman, Corey Davis, and Denzel Mims in the receiving room. The Jets are also hopeful Breece Hall can be healthy for next season, the rookie looked like a lock for offensive rookie of the year before tearing his ACL. Rodgers is joining a high-end defense that lacked serious offensive production last year, and this move makes the Jets a contender in the AFC. Rodgers has recorded 4,000 yards in 10 of his 14 seasons as a starter, including four of the last five seasons, and is two years removed from a 48 touchdown season that netted him his 3rd MVP in 2020.
Hawks Guard Dejounte Murray Suspended for Game 5
Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is suspended for game five of the first round series between the Hawks and Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The NBA launched an investigation into the incident, and found not only did Murray make inappropriate contact with an official, but also verbally abused him. The incident happened at the end of game four, as Murray and the Hawks began to leave the court. Murray began heading towards the locker room, bumping into official Gediminas Petraitis. Murray muttered something to the ref before walking away, later turning around angrily, pointing and yelling, having to be restrained by teammates before leaving the court. The Celtics currently lead the series 3-1.
Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen Wins Most Improved Player While Serving In Military
The 7th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, prior to this season, Lauri Markkanen has had a solid, but underwhelming career compared to his expectations after being drafted. Markkanen averaged 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in his first five seasons, the first four of which were with Chicago, spending last season in Cleveland. After being dealt to the Utah Jazz this past offseason in the Donovan Mitchell trade, Markkanen was able to receive an increased role and better opportunities, which, in conjunction with his hard work, paid off dividends. Markkanen averaged 25.6 points per game, along with pulling down 8.6 rebounds and dishing out 1.9 assists per game, shooting a career high 49.9% from the field, as well as 39.1% from three on over 7.7 attempts per game. This leap from last year, which saw Markkanen average 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, led Markkanen to being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Going from being seen as a disappointing draft pick to All Star starter has been a wonderful development for Markkanen, however he isn’t around to enjoy his new accomplishment. His native Finland has a mandatory military service requirement for able-bodied men, with basketball players getting no exemption. It is common in hockey for Finnish players to serve in the military as well, such as Carolina goaltender Antti Raanta, who did so early in his career and detailed his experience in The Players Tribune. So, Markkanen shaved his luscious locks and is currently at the Finnish Defense Forces Sports School in Helsinki, Finland. Markkanen had previously postponed his service multiple times, including while he was in college at the University of Arizona and while he played for the Finnish National team.