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Chicago White Sox aim to shake offensive rut amid extended skid: ‘It doesn’t define who we are’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

Luis Robert Jr. struck out swinging against Yusei Kikuchi in the sixth inning Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays.It began a stretch to forget for the Chicago White Sox in which 10 of the final 11 batters struck out in the 8-0 loss at the Rogers Centre. The only batter who didn’t strike out during that period, Elvis Andrus, grounded out to second in the eighth inning.The Sox struck out 17 times Wednesday. They struck out seven times in Thursday’s 14-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Guaranteed Rate Field.Not much has gone right for the Sox, who at 7-19 were off to their worst 26-game start since 1950 (6-20).General manager Rick Hahn said Thursday that while the issues have varied, “I think if I have to touch on one fundamental issue, it would be the command of the strike zone and controlling the strike zone.”Hahn said plate discipline remains a priority.“I know the drills are focused on that, I know (the coaching staff is) pulling guys aside for early...

MBTA inspection finds 283 track defects need repairs to lift slow zones

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

The MBTA completed a systemwide track inspection, a preliminary step needed to begin lifting the plethora of speed restrictions that plague each subway line.This inspection and validation process determined that there are 283 track defects across the transit system that require some type of repair. There are 100 defects on the Green Line, 74 on the Red Line, 69 on the Blue Line, 24 on the Orange Line, and 16 on the Mattapan Line, MBTA spokesperson Lisa Battiston said Friday.As of Friday, 23% of the subway system was speed-restricted, impacting 31.3 miles of track. There are 220 slow zones in place. By comparison, in late February, there were 83 speed restrictions, covering 10.1 miles, or 7.5% of track, according to MBTA data.“From here, we’ll continue to plan out and schedule any corrective actions needed to lift speed restrictions, with priority given to the most impacted areas,” the T said on Twitter. “Much of these repair efforts are already underway on the Red and Blue Lines and...

NFL Draft 2023: Patriots select Georgia Tech DL Keion White in 2nd round

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

After reportedly exploring trades up up Friday morning, the Patriots stayed pat with their first pick in the second round.Their patience was rewarded with another rare athlete to boost Bill Belichick’s defense.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | 2023 NFL Draft | Levis finally picked in second round New England Patriots | Patriots OC Bill O’Brien doesn’t shoot down notion of having quarterback competition New England Patriots | 2023 NFL Draft: 8 potential Patriots picks on Day 2 New England Patriots | Why Patriots believed they could trade back and still draft Christian Gonzalez New England Patriots | NFL Draft 2023: Patriots select elite cornerback with 17th overall pick The Pats selected Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White with the 46th overall pick Friday, a 6-foot-5, 285-pounder with immense power and versatility. White addresses a sneaky need for the Patriots, who have edg...

Dolphins select South Carolina CB Cam Smith in second round of NFL draft

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

The Miami Dolphins made the surprising move of going cornerback with their first 2023 draft pick, taking South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith in the second round, pick No. 51, Friday night.Smith (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) had six interceptions in his four-year career with the Gamecocks, leaving for the draft as a redshirt junior.Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gets a cornerback that could fit the zone-heavy coverages he’s looking to incorporate on the back end of Miami’s defense.Selecting a cornerback was surprising given the Dolphins’ needs at tight end and on the offensive line.Mammoth 6-foot-7 Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, a fan favorite, was available at Miami’s selection, but the Dolphins bypassed him. Florida standout guard O’Cyrus Torrence was also available.Before Miami picked, the team watched potential draft targets in tight ends Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions), Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders) and Luke Musgrave (Green Bay Packers), offensive...

New Chicago Bears OT Darnell Wright embraces expectations that come with being the No. 10 pick: ‘He played at an elite level’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

New Chicago Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright was in the middle of a three-hour stretch of interviews with local sports radio personalities, TV broadcasters and sports writers Friday at Halas Hall when he was asked about the expectations he faces in his new home.After months of buildup around the draft in Chicago, the Bears selected Wright at No. 10 on Thursday night, and he arrived in Lake Forest as the likely starter at right tackle going into his rookie season. As the Bears try to build up their offense around quarterback Justin Fields, general manager Ryan Poles and his staff believe Wright can be a tone-setter on the line.Wright, who started 42 games over four seasons at Tennessee, didn’t back away from those hopes.“I embrace expectations upon myself,” Wright said. “I have expectations upon myself bigger than just football. I have expectations to take care of my family. I don’t know what my role for the team is, but whatever that role is I̵...

Jets select Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann at No. 43 overall

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

On Monday, the Jets re-signed veteran center Connon McGovern to a one-year, $1.915 million contract, including a $750,000 signing bonus.Four days later, Gang Green drafted his potential future replacement. At No. 43 overall, the Jets selected Wisconsin center Joe Tippmann.Last season for the Badgers, Tippmann played in 12 games as he registered the offensive line’s best run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus [78.0]. He also only allowed one sack and five pressures during 338 passing snaps.This is a developing story. Check back for details. ()

Giving inmates back the vote moves ahead

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

A proposal to amend the constitution to restore the right to vote for incarcerated felons was favorably reported by a legislative committee bringing it closer to the 2026 statewide ballot.The bill, pushed by state Sens. Liz Miranda and Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, would remove the constitutional amendment that was added in 2000 when voters approved a statewide ballot question making it illegal to vote from prison while serving a felony sentence.Similar bills have been filed in the past, but this week’s Election Laws Committee vote marks the first time the proposal was favorably reported out of a committee, enabling it to move on in the legislative process.Miranda, Uyterhoeven and other supporters say this is a racial justice issue, as people of color represent about 18% of the population in Massachusetts, but 58% of people in the carceral system. Uyterhoeven said 1.5% of African Americans in Massachusetts are serving time for felonies and therefore cannot vote under the Constitutio...

After being snubbed the first night of the draft, Will Levis goes to Titans at No. 33 overall

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

Every draft, there seems to be that one player who slips down the board.This year, it was Kentucky quarterback Will Levis who didn’t get selected at all during the first round Thursday night. After waiting 24 hours, Levis didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called during the second night of the draft.The Arizona Cardinals traded the No. 33 and No. 81 overall picks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 41 and No. 72 picks and a 2024 third-round pick. After moving up, the Titans selected Levis at 33rd overall.Entering the 2023 draft, there were mixed opinions about Levis and his potential at the NFL level. He was once the betting favorite to be selected second overall to the Houston Texans.After completing 65.4% of his passes and throwing for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, Levis was not an elite prospect despite what some of the talking heads on networks said. Simply put, what Levis put on film during the 2022 season never matched the hyped he had du...

Home Showcase: Cambridge townhouse delights

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

The happy middle between a single-family and apartment living, the townhouse, isn’t a compromise. After all, you’re getting the best of both worlds. To wit, unit 466 at 466 Putnam Avenue in Cambridge. The gut renovated townhouse lives like a single family with just under 2,500 square feet inside, an 800 square-foot private garden, and parking.Easily accessible to recreation at Magazine Beach, the Charles River Esplanade, schools, restaurants, highways, bike paths, and public transportation, the home’s location is among its star features — of which it has many more.On the main floor, the window-filled open floor plan includes a dining nook, living area, and a high-style kitchen. Here, two-toned cabinetry, a crisp subway tile backsplash, and a massive eat-in waterfall island open to a large, private deck — definitely on the checklist for summer cookouts and entertaining. Find more room for fun on the finished lower level. Den, media room, Celtics playoff cave?When it’s time to rest, h...

Former Lawrence mayor’s chief of staff federally indicted on child pornography charges

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

The case of the former chief of staff to the mayor of Lawrence accused of child pornography possession has been kicked up to federal court.Courtesy / City of LawrenceJhovanny Martes-Rosario. (City of Lawrence)Jhovanny Martes-Rosario, 48, pleaded not guilty to charges that he possessed dozens of images of child pornography on his iPad — a discovery for which he was fired — when he appeared for arraignment in Lawrence District Court in February.On Friday, the U.S. District Court in Boston unsealed a federal grand jury indictment returned the day before charging him with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.Both charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison followed by at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.According to official Lawrence municipal election results in 2021, Martes-Rosario finished a distant second in the race for city councilor for District E, finis...