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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Matt Vautour: Fenway Franks and Moneyball - What a French sportswriter saw at his first Red Sox game
BOSTON — From his seat high in Fenway Park's right field bleachers, Azad Rosay leaned forward, focused on the action he was only beginning to understand as the ball sailed off Pete Alonso's bat in the top of the first inning. Jarren Duran barehanded the carom off the wall, whirled and threw a strike to David Hamilton at second, who slapped the tag on the runner. Advertisement Azad turned to me, looking excited. 'People said this was going to be boring,' he said. 'There's more going on than I thought there was going to be.' Coming to the park that night, we had related concerns. Azad had never seen a baseball game before. Not even on TV. He'd been warned that the game was going to be slow. I was worried he'd think that baseball was boring. We were both pleasantly surprised. Azad is a part-time basketball blogger and podcaster who lives in France. He writes about the Celtics in English for the CelticsBlog and podcasts about the entire NBA in French for The Dreamcast Show. The growing number of fans in both countries, who are interested in X-and-O breakdowns and analytics, like his work. Advertisement I'd never met him until April 23 when we were eating at the same table in the media room before Game 2 of the Celtics-Magic series. Sportswriters are usually curmudgeons, so his enthusiastic energy and his French accent stood out. A native of Grenoble in the French Alps, Azad was in Massachusetts, staying with relatives to cover the Celtics playoff run. Someone asked him what else he hoped to in Boston while he was here. He said he wanted to go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, but knew nothing about baseball. 'Since I'm a big sports fan, people said 'you should go watch a game.' The Red Sox are a historic franchise,' he said. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when you come from Europe. You never know when you could be back.' Advertisement I saw an opportunity, too. What would baseball and its unique and complicated rules look like to a sports fan who had never seen it? 'I'll take you to the game if you let me write about it,' I said. Azad liked the idea. We decided to pick a game based on how quickly the Celtics eliminated the Knicks (oops). The Celtics' collapse in six games meant Azad's trip was getting cut short. So with no Game 7 on Monday, May 19, we decided to go to Red Sox-Mets that night instead. You don't have to love baseball to enjoy a late spring night at Fenway Park when the weather is warm and the sun is setting behind third base. Those nights are like sitting at an outdoor bar. Advertisement But May 19 was cloudy, cold and windy, the type of night when the demand for hot chocolate at the Dunkin' under the right field grandstand is much greater than for the helmet sundaes just across the concourse. Baseball would have to sell itself, and that worried me a little. What if he hated it? What if he was bored? What if the popular criticisms of our former national pastime stood out? But as Azad walked up the ramp from the dark tunnel and was greeted by Fenway Park's sea of green, his pace slowed as his eyes surveyed the scene in front of him. He smiled, took out his phone and snapped a picture to capture the moment. Advertisement That was a good sign. I bought two standing room tickets. Anytime the game-time temperature is below 65 degrees, there are lots of open seats. My plan was to bounce around, sitting in different sections so he could see the game and Fenway Park from lots of different angles. If someone showed up for the seats we were sitting in, we'd find new ones. Azad was on board with the plan and we started with two seats in the loge boxes between home and first base during the pregame. The pregame plan was to discover if Azad had picked up anything about baseball in his first 29 years. American ex-pats brought the sport to France before even World War I, but it hasn't caught on. Advertisement I asked some basic questions. Azad knew what a home run was and that the MLB championship was decided by the World Series. He knew there was a pitcher, but wasn't sure who that was. 'I know there are some players who throw balls and some players who use a bat to tap the ball,' he said. 'I know you can do a home run and keep running.' The only current major leaguer he knew was Shohei Ohtani. His knowledge of former players was only slightly larger — Billy Beane, Jason Giambi, Scott Hatteberg and David Ortiz. That list gives away that Azad had seen 'Moneyball.' At first, it seemed odd that he'd intentionally picked a movie about the inner machinations of a sport he knew nothing about. But for a guy who sees basketball, at least partially, through an analytical lens, 'Moneyball' wasn't advanced baseball, but a starting point. Azad not only saw the movie but liked it enough to have watched it several times, including the day before his Fenway trip as preparation. Advertisement From the film, he knew the Red Sox had gone a long time between championships and that when they eventually won, they did so with a team that used their version of Moneyball philosophies. 'Billy Beane ended the curse,' Azad said matter-of-factly, oversimplifying the epilogue text at the end of the movie. We spent part of the pregame in those first base seats and the rest atop the Green Monster for Mets batting practice. Before going up to the right field roof for a beer, the national anthem and the first pitch, we stopped in the bar/museum tucked one flight up behind the right field bleachers. Azad studied the locker replications and then was immediately drawn to the Fenway Park replica in the back. The intricate model that's about 24-by-24 inches around and nine inches high has players on the field, making it perfect for asking baseball questions. Advertisement The game immediately made way more sense to Azad as soon as he realized the batter and pitcher were adversaries. 'I didn't expect that getting on first base would be so difficult,' he said. 'It's not just about a guy sending the ball and another guy trying to hit it with a stick. There's a matchup between the pitcher and the hitter.' Calling the officials 'umpires' was a source of amusement. 'Umpire? That sounds like Star Wars,' he said, chuckling and later referred to the guy calling balls and strikes as 'Darth Vader.' After we each grabbed an obligatory Fenway Frank (he opted for mustard/I'm a barbecue sauce guy) in the big concourse, we took the stairs up to the right field roof and bought beers. Advertisement We spent an inning in the bleachers, one on the right field roof, two in the pavilion boxes next to the press box and the rest of the game in the second row of loge boxes on the third baseline. Azad leaned in and paid attention from the first pitch and reacted when Francisco Lindor hit the game's fifth pitch in the air for a lazy fly out. Alonso's ill-advised attempt to stretch his single to a double came two plays later. The Red Sox scored twice in the bottom of the first. After Duran doubled, Azad, a novice Billy Beane disciple, appreciated Rafael Devers' ability to 'get on base' with a walk. The early action continued as both players moved up on a wild pitch and eventually scored. Azad asked smart questions and caught on quickly. Basketball and 'Moneyball' were the tentpoles for his questions and many of my explanations. Advertisement I explained to Azad that the game's devotion to analytics had evolved from and in some ways away from Beane's core Moneyball principles. Home runs and all the factors that contribute to them (launch angle, exit velocity, etc.) have changed the approach of many hitters. 'Trying for home runs is like shooting a lot of 3-pointers in basketball,' he said. He took new pictures at each new spot, admiring the park. 'It's beautiful. I love that you can see the city and the sky,' he said, motioning toward the Prudential Tower lit up beyond right field. 'There's a vibe that you know you're somewhere special.' Advertisement He was surprised to learn that ballparks didn't have uniform dimensions. 'Home runs are not always the same?' But his appreciation of the evening went beyond the venue. He liked the strategy. 'I like how much power the defense has,' he said, noting that it doesn't really happen in sports where the offense has the ball. He asked about defensive positioning when Trevor Story lined up directly behind second base and then was impressed when a ball was hit right to him. I explained the idea of a double play and why the second baseman and shortstop were playing back in the sixth. He spent the rest of the game looking for them. Advertisement When we moved to our seats off of third base for the final innings, it gave us a great look at the pitcher and batter up close. Azad got into a rhythm of watching the pitch, then looking for the velocity on the scoreboard. He was perplexed at why a camera or a computer didn't determine balls and strikes. 'It surprises me that it is just evaluated by the umpire guy behind the catcher, who says if it's good or not,' he said. 'It's based so much on human decisions.' In the bottom of the eighth, I pointed out Aroldis Chapman warming up in the bullpen and I explained the concept of a closer. 'What a great job,' he said, admiring the nature of a guy whose job it was to come in, shut down the opponent and end a game. 'I close.' Advertisement Chapman did his job, earning the save in the 3-1 win. He loved that the home team doesn't bat in the bottom of the ninth if they're winning. 'It's like a mic drop.' As the traffic-beating fans departed in the eighth, thinning the Monday night crowd, Azad was surprised to see them go. He was in for all nine innings. 'If I was watching on TV, I don't think I would have been hooked, but I can see why people love baseball,' he said. 'Like they said in Moneyball: 'How can you not be romantic about baseball?'' Read the original article on MassLive.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Baylor Scheierman on Jayson Tatum welcoming him to Boston Celtics
Baylor Scheierman on Jayson Tatum welcoming him to Boston Celtics It was not all that long ago that star forward Jayson Tatum was the new guy on the team, soaking up the advice from Boston vets on the roster and alumni around the team. Now, the St. Louis native finds himself with the tables turned, Tatum having helped the incoming players to the Celtics at the start of last season. One such player, shooting guard Baylor Scheierman, opened up about how that went in a recent interview with Celtics Blog's Noa Dalzell. "The first day I stepped foot into the practice facility, he was there signing his new contract," said Scheierman of his experience meeting the Duke alum. "And just from the jump, he was always there for me to talk to." "I asked him about Summer League and what to expect, and he shared everything and gave me some advice on how I should go about it," added the Creighton alum. "And it's just how he's been the whole year." Tatum may need to shift into something of an extremely well-paid assistant coach for much if not all of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles sustained in the 2025 East Semis if he wants to help his younger teammates grow into the best versions of themselves with his on-court capabilities currently suspended. But from the sounds of things, the Celtics star was already doing that to begin with.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown on his knee, future with the team
Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown on his knee, future with the team Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has been in the news a lot of late thanks to the injury to his meniscus he has been dealing with, the injury to teammate Jayson Tatum's Achilles tendon, and the future of their franchise with regard to their historically large payroll and tax bill in a season they may not be able to contend for a title. But with regard to what might happen with his health, or his thoughts about next season and how it might go with him at the helm, there is no one better to comment on these issues than the man himself. Brown recently took some time to sit down with Celtics Blog's Noah Dalzell to touch on these concerns and more, and Dalzell in turn talked about it at length on the most recent episode of her CLNS Media "You Got Boston" podcast. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Celtics Make Surprising Prediction For Next Season Without Jayson Tatum
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Celtics' plan to become the first repeat champion since the 2018 Golden State Warriors already looked tenuous during the waning minutes of a Game 4 road clash against the New York Knicks. With Boston trailing by nine points, six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum was almost singlehandedly keeping his team's hopes of avoiding a 3-1 hole alive. He had scored 42 points, and seemed to be on track for a 50-point masterpiece when he went down with a non-contact injury. The Celtics eventually lost Game 4, 121-113, and did fall into a 3-1 series hole. The ailment was eventually revealed to be an Achilles tendon tear, and the 6-foot-8 former Duke Blue Devil quickly went under the knife to treat it. He could miss most or all of Boston's 2025-26 season. Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on February 9, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on February 9, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo ByWithout Tatum, Boston rallied around four-time All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown in Game 5, blowing the doors off the Knicks in a 127-102 blowout at TD Garden. But it turned out to be the last gasp of a proud champion, as Boston got obliterated in a 119-81 Game 6 Knicks victory. New York advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, and the Celtics were sent home to face an offseason of roster uncertainty. Per Noa Dalzell of SB Nation's Celtics Blog, Boston's players — unlike a lot of pundits — still think the team as currently comprised has a chance to compete for a title next season. More Boston Celtics News: Celtics President Brad Stevens Shares Massive Update on Meeting with Cooper Flagg Sixth Man of the Year point guard Payton Pritchard asserted that the Celtics could emerge as a solid contender in the Eastern Conference. "We will put a good team together — a lot of competitors, and people will go out there and lay it all on the line every night," Pritchard said. "And I believe people will elevate their games and have bigger roles, especially with JT being out [and] until he comes back, and they should take full advantage of it and be ready for those opportunities. And we will compete." Free agent forward Torrey Craig thinks Boston could still conceivably have title aspirations next season — even if Tatum does not return at all. "Even without JT, this team could still compete for a championship," Craig told Dalzell. "They're talented. You just have to find a way to play basketball a little differently. But this group is way more capable. I have the utmost confidence." More Boston Celtics News: Warriors Are Reportedly Already Preparing to Trade for Celtics Star A buyout market signing who fell out of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla's rotation by the playoffs, Craig will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. "We still have a really, really great opportunity and a great window to be successful and win the championship again," six-time All-Defensive Team guard Jrue Holiday said. "I think the talent that we have in this team, not only on the court, but the coaching staff, all the way up to [general manager] Brad [Stevens], has been amazing. The opportunity to win is now, and I still want to be part of it." Anchored by Tatum, Brown and two-time All-Defensive guard Derrick White, Boston appeared in two NBA Finals between 2022-24, winning in '24. The team has also posted 60-win seasons across each of the past two years. More Boston Celtics News: Celtics Predicted to Move Jaylen Brown in Massive Trade Idea Celtics' Cooper Flagg Decision Sparks Trade Rumors More Details Emerge on Celtics' Jayson Tatum Achilles Injury, Surgery Celtics President Brad Stevens Breaks Silence on Expected Offseason Changes For more Boston Celtics and general NBA news and rumors, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Playoff Game Thread: Knicks at Celtics, Game Five, May 14, 2025
The Knicks head to Boston tonight with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to eliminate the Shamrocks on their home floor. Jalen Brunson continues to dominate, carrying New York's offense and controlling the tempo, while OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Mitchell Robinson have anchored their defense. With Jayson Tatum injured, the pressure falls on Jaylen Brown and Boston's supporting cast to keep the season alive. Game time is 7:00 p.m. EST on TNT. This is your game thread. This is CelticsBlog. Please don't post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Enjoy yourselves. And go Knickerbockers! Advertisement More from
