Latest news with #Felger
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Red Sox manager Cora shrugs off criticism for missing game on daughter's big day
Alex Cora doesn't care what you think of him missing a game to be with his daughter. The 49-year-old former Major League Baseball player, who is in the midst of his seventh season as the manager of the Boston Red Sox, is a dad of three. He shares a recently-graduated daughter, Camila, with his ex-wife Nilda Cora and twin sons, Xander and Isander, with his fiancée, Angelica Feliciano, per the MLB. On May 19, the player-turned-manager had what seemed to be an easy decision to make: coach his team vs. the New York Mets or watch his daughter graduate from nearby Boston College. Cora chose the latter, much to the chagrin of Red Sox fans. One local radio personality, Mike Felger of 98.5 The Sports Hub, described Cora's day off as 'preposterous,' per the Boston Herald, claiming that the graduation was over by noon. 'It's just the tone you set, the example you set,' Felger argued. 'It's just the leadership and optics of the whole thing. It's a very easy chance for him to say, 'Nothing's more important than tonight's game.'' On May 20, Cora was asked why he didn't just 'rush out' of the ceremony to be with his team. 'She wanted me to be with her. It was her day, so this is secondary,' he replied in the news conference, shared by NBC Sports Boston. 'We're in this world for a purpose, and for me, it's to raise her.' Cora further explained that he 'wasn't going to miss' the graduation and wanted to spend the whole day with his daughter. He then laughed off the criticism his decision received online. 'People have their own opinions. I bet those people have families too, and at one point, they'll have to make decisions too. And I bet they make decisions for the best of the family,' he told reporters May 20. 'I made the best decision for my daughter,' he continued. 'For those who don't understand, I'm not going to try to convince them.' Most of the criticism Cora received was due to the graduation taking place in the morning and the game starting at around 6:45 p.m. local time. According to Google Maps, Boston College is roughly four miles west of Fenway Park, where the Red Sox play their home games. On The Sports Hub, Felger argued that Cora could've 'cabbed down the street' to manage the game. But many fans online were a little more understanding of his decision. 'There are 162 games in the baseball season for some reason. His daughter graduates once,' one fan commented under NBC Sports Boston's video of the news conference. 'She wanted me to be there. I wanted to be there. End of discussion,' another fan wrote, while a third fan commented, 'Anybody who has a problem with this can kick rocks. This man has his priorities straight!' Plus, as Cora described it at his news conference, May 19 turned out to be the 'perfect' day. Not only did he get to watch his daughter graduate college, but the Red Sox beat the Mets 3-1 with bench coach Ramon Vazquez serving as the acting manager. The Red Sox went on to beat the Mets 2-0 when Cora returned on May 20.
Boston Globe
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Michael Felger's family-unfriendly stance on athletes consistent, but as bizarre as ever
I can't believe that Felger's viewpoint — whether it's a concocted take or a genuine belief — resonates with too many listeners beyond the stray Neanderthal. It's not entertaining radio, either. Advertisement Yet there he was on Monday, hammering Red Sox manager Alex Cora for missing that evening's game after his daughter Camila's graduation from Boston College earlier in the day. 'It's just the tone you set and the example you set for the team,' said Felger. 'It's not like they need him there to make the pitching change or lay down the bunt. It's the leadership and optics of the whole thing. It's a very easy chance for him to say, 'Nothing's more important than tonight's game.' He just does it by example. Nothing's more important than this game.' I should've seen this coming, but Felger ripping Alex Cora for missing one game for his daughter's college graduation is crazy. He's acting like one baseball game is more important than a major life milestone for Cora's family — Boston Media Critic (@bostonmedia617) Even with the Red Sox plodding along at a mediocre pace, to suggest one game should take priority over a loved one's major life event is absurd. It also overlooks, perhaps intentionally for the sake of Felger's argument, that Cora's greatest strengths as a manager include building trust with his players by acknowledging the importance of their lives away from the field, something that was made evident on multiple occasions in the Netflix series ' Advertisement Cora has his priorities in order. 'People have their own opinions,' This isn't the first time Felger has fired off a team-over-family take. In 2016, he Ean , in Atlanta. 'I know when you make $30 million a year it ain't much to get a private jet,' he said. ' Wyc [ Grousbeck ] would probably pick it up to fly down at 3 o'clock in Atlanta. It's about a 90-minute flight to Atlanta. Play the game and come right back. 'I would have gone to the game, I would have played in the game. I like my guys to sort of forsake everything for the team.' Felger, to his credit only somewhat, acknowledged some hypocrisy during his Horford rant nine years ago. He admitted then that he missed one day of work — just as Horford did — when his daughter was born. Huh. Why do we suspect he'll take the day off when she graduates from college, too? Advertisement Malone on the ball Former Nuggets coach Michael Malone has been a welcome addition to ESPN's NBA coverage. David Zalubowski/Associated Press Michael Malone , Malone, refreshingly blunt, has been a welcome addition as guest analyst on ESPN/ABC's pre- and postgame playoff coverage, including correctly referring to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as 'a foul artist' for the Thunder star's thespian tendencies while trying to draw a whistle. Malone did cause a stir in Denver during Game 1 of the Western Conference finals when he referred to Gilgeous-Alexander as 'the MVP' before Nikola Jokic . Malone clarified his position during Game 2, saying Jokic was his MVP choice. Not sure why Malone would care what Nuggets fans feel about anything at this point anyway, but here's hoping he keeps saying what he honestly thinks without worrying about public reaction or falling into the habit of deliberately cooking up hot takes. ESPN could use someone like that permanently on its NBA coverage. I'd love to see him give in-game color analysis a shot, given how thin ESPN's depth chart is there. The last word I must admit that 'Around The Horn,' which began its run of more than 4,900 episodes on Nov. 4, 2002, and ended it Friday for reasons ESPN isn't all that interested in explaining, wasn't a show that I ever eagerly anticipated or sought out. I always figured the typical 'ATH' audience was college students burning off a few hours in the afternoon, or late lunch customers at Buffalo Wild Wings watching it on mute above the bar. Advertisement It had legitimate positives. Host Tony Reali , perhaps the most authentically upbeat ESPN personality of this generation, was always good company, and an upgrade on original host Max Kellerman . The show was a TV incubator for promising talent — it was fun to see the likes of Mina Kimes , Bill Barnwell , and Joon Lee get their television bearings on the show. And on a personal/anecdotal note, it was incredibly cool on my first day at the Globe in December 2003 to come into the office and watch Bob Ryan participating in the show in front of the 'ATH' backdrop that was in the sports department in those days. If I remember right, he shared some thoughts on Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker that day. I won't miss the show much, but I'll always miss that. Chad Finn can be reached at
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Rabble-rousing Boston sports radio hosts still think Knicks are ‘trash' after disastrous Celtics losses
Boston sports talk radio host Michael Felger seems to have the same thought as Dave Portnoy. In the wake of the second consecutive game in which the Celtics watched a 20-point third quarter lead evaporate and the Knicks came away with a win, Felger declared on Wednesday that he still wasn't taking the Knicks 'seriously' before doubling down and calling them 'trash.' The Celtics had been heavy favorites coming into the second-round playoff series between the two Northeast rivals, but Boston's back-to-back collapses have shocked just about everyone to the point of some interesting takes. 3 'Felger & Mazz' still don't believe in the Knicks despite their 2-0 lead. @BackAftaThis/X 'I'm not taking them seriously. I'm still not taking them seriously,' Felger said on air on Thursday during the 'Felger & Mazz' show on 98.5 The Sports Hub. 'Me either, I still think the Celtics are winning this series,' Jim Murray chimed in. 3 Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby on the court for the Knicks during Game 2. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post 'If I had to put money, that's where I'd bet it. I'd take the odds and bet the Celtics, for sure,' Felger continued. 'And the Knicks still blow. Don't let the Celtics off the hook by saying, 'Oh the Knicks are…' No they're not, they're trash! You felt they were trash five days ago. You thought they were trash five weeks ago. You thought they were trash five months ago, five years ago. 'Because you know why? They're trash. They're garbage.' The comments come after Portnoy took to social media to post a video in which he expressed that there was 'just no way they're going to lose to the Knicks' after the Celtics' Game 2 defeat. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Other Boston sports media members have also been quick to dismiss the Knicks' role in the entire situation, though a bit less dramatically. Chris Forsberg had to rein in his NBC Sports Boston Postgame Pod co-host, Kayla Burton, who started to say after the game that the Celtics were 'handing it to them!' 3 Mikal Bridges is mobbed after stealing the ball from Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as time expired and the Knicks beat the Celtics in Game 2. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The one media personality who seems to be willing to eat his words is Colin Cowherd, who ended up praising the Knicks on his show on Thursday. 'A lot of this is just the Knicks being a team that never quits,' Cowherd said. 'They're never afraid of the moment. Mikal Bridges and OG [Anunoby] on the wing are dudes. [Jalen] Brunson and Josh Hart, classic Villanova overachievers.' The Knicks and Celtics series continues with Game 3 on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
Boston Globe
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
98.5 The Sports Hub should dominate winter radio ratings, but WEEI might be closing the gap slightly
Advertisement ▪ The Jones and Keefe Show is working: I've referred to the almost comically negative Adam Jones as 'JV Felger' and worse over the years, and he earned it. But being reunited with Rich Keefe , with whom he previously worked on the Sports Hub's evening show, has brought out his sense of humor, and the show is a consistently fun listen. They come across as real friends. ▪ No one argues both sides of a topic like Michael Felger : Hardly a news-flash there, but I couldn't help but laugh this week when Felger and co-host Tony Massarotti were talking about the Red Sox' trade of Triple A pitcher Quinn Priester to the Brewers. Felger, a Brewers fan who probably still has a Jim Gantner baseball card in his wallet, managed to complain about the Red Sox' decision to trade Priester, who threw five shutout innings in his second start with the Brewers, while also acknowledging he watched him pitch and wasn't impressed. Felger, and Massarotti too, are masters of telling you why someone or something stinks from all angles. Advertisement ▪ The Greg Hill Show carries WEEI, but it's not an easy listen: Sometimes, as the sports media columnist, I feel like I'm pulling off a gambit, getting paid to listen to sports radio. And then Chris Curtis speaks, and I think I should ask for hazard pay. Channel 5 has it covered Channel 5 always gives the Boston Marathon the thorough coverage it deserves, and that will be no different with the race's 129th running. The station's pre-race coverage Monday begins at 4 a.m. with reports from 'WCVB EyeOpener' anchors Antoinette Antonio and Doug Meehan and chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon , and continues through the race until concluding with a special edition of 'Chronicle' at 7:30. Related : Anchors Maria Stephanos and Ed Harding will host the professional race from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. from the finish line photo bridge. They will be joined by ESPN's Hannah Storm , with the national, out-of-market broadcast airing on ESPN2. John Anderson , who retired as a 'SportsCenter' anchor in 2024 but still host's ESPN's marathon and track and field coverage, will call the race, along with 2014 winner Meb Keflezighi , former Olympian Carrie Tollefson , and Paralympic medalist Amanda McGrory . A welcome return It was a pleasant surprise this week to discover that Paul Flannery has launched a newsletter via Substack, named 'Hoopology.' Flannery, who covered the Celtics for WEEI when the station started taking its website seriously a decade and a half ago, was always a joy to read on the NBA. But after taking a buyout from SB Nation in 2020, he hasn't written about the league regularly, focusing on his Substack 'Running Probably' in recent years. Good to have him back just as the Celtics begin their postseason run … The Pawtucket Red Sox had a long history of sending excellent play-by-play broadcasters to the big leagues, among them Don Orsillo , Dave and Will Flemming , and Dave Jageler . The pipeline seems to be continuing since the Triple A club's move to Worcester, with Cooper Boardman sounding like another fine play-by-play prospect when he filled in on a couple of Red Sox radio broadcasts last weekend. Boardman, a Syracuse product (speaking of broadcasting pipelines), is in his fifth season calling WooSox games, and also has hosted pre- and postgame Red Sox shows on WEEI. He will call more big-league games along the way this season, including a couple on the next road trip … I have one request for ESPN decision-makers when it comes to 'College GameDay' once Lee Corso retires following the first game on the upcoming season on Aug. 30: please do not allow Pat McAfee , who has the all the charm of a leaf blower outside your window at 7 a.m., to take over Corso's amusing schtick of donning the mascot headgear of the team he is picking to win. Consider this a thank-you for common sense in advance. Advertisement Chad Finn can be reached at
Boston Globe
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Milton Williams tanking Michael Felger's Patriots take was some delightful sports radio comeuppance
Felger's way of delivering the point was downright hilarious. Advertisement 'Where are they going to put everyone?' he said, annoyed at the impossible logistics. 'Ferns on Route 1?' Ferns, as folks who zipped along Route 1 North the last few decades likely noticed, was a … let's say outdated motel in Saugus. Seedy also works. It was demolished back in 2015, but I still chuckle at the recollection whenever driving past where it once stood. Would have been a good place to put Roger Goodell and friends for the week. I mention this for two reasons. A great line deserves to be remembered (and hey, so does Ferns). And it's no longer atop the list of moments from that show to have made me laugh. Perhaps you saw on Monday's program, in the midst of the NFL's 'tampering period' that doubles as a free agent frenzy. Related : The Patriots had agreed to terms with several free agents, but missed out on coveted wide receiver Chris Godwin (who returned to the Buccaneers) and appeared to be whiffing on Eagles defensive tackle and Super Bowl stalwart Milton Williams, who was reported to be heading to the Panthers. It wasn't exactly a disappointing day for the Patriots to that point, but it did feel incomplete. That was enough for Felger to do what he and Massarotti do best: Tell you why this thing you're excited about as a fan is or will be a failure. Advertisement 'Have you extended yourself? No,' said Felger in a rant/monologue about the apparent failure to attract coveted players to Foxborough. In part, Felger claimed, because of an unwillingness to pay the going rate for stars. 'Have you convinced someone to come here who has no reason to be here? Categorically, not. So, like, you haven't really done anything other than improve the team at the margins,' he continued. 'And in the aggregate, when you add up all the money, you're going to be able to say, 'They spent.' ' That's when he was interrupted with news that would hilariously halt his narrative. 'I guess we have breaking news,' he said, before producer James Stewart announced that the Patriots had agreed to terms with Williams, swiping a player regarded as potentially the best available in free agency out from under the Panthers. Related : 'So that is one,' said Felger. 'So that's going to stop me in my tracks. Because that is one guy that they targeted at the top of the market, and it does feel like they've beaten out some other teams. 'He was earmarked for the Panthers earlier in the day, and apparently the Pats got in there at the end. So that one does feel different to me. 'That is a big splash signing, and if that's what you wanted them to do today, then you have to give them credit for it.' When you have a show to do today, sometimes you have to morph your a little bit — 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) It was laugh-out-loud funny and a pure delight to have to listen to Felger scramble to reverse course in real time, because those situations when he is stopped in his tracks are so rare. He and Massarotti have the this-thing-you-like-stinks-and-here's-why approach perfected. They mix in just enough calculated nuance — brushing off a tough Celtics loss when you expect them to tell you the sky is crashing to Earth, for instance — to keep the show from becoming totally predictable. Advertisement As frustrating as their approach can be to the more reasonable among us, a decade and a half of The station's midday 'Zolak and Bertrand' show actually set the negative tone on Monday, mockingly calling the Patriots the 'kings of interest' approximately 15 minutes into the tampering period, after Godwin returned to Tampa Bay. It was the Felger and Mazz formula in full effect, a few hours early. For Patriots fans that anticipated their negativity, it was annoying to endure right up until that glorious moment when Williams committed to the Patriots and Felger's argument turned into a Ferns-like pile of rubble. Gut punch The Advertisement Chad Finn can be reached at
