Latest news with #Gallen
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former UNC pitcher named amongst ESPN's Top 50 MLB Trade Deadline candidates
Don't be shocked to see this former Diamond Heel on a new MLB team come August. Athletes will struggle, even at the professional level. Just ask Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen, the former UNC standout who is mired in the worst season of his MLB career. Gallen, who finished top fiv ive in NL CY Young voting for the 2023 MLB season, currently sports a 7-10 win-loss record with a 5.40 earned run average. Despite striking out 110 batters, good enough for 30th amongst all pitchers, Gallen just gave up six runs in a Saturday loss to the sub-.500 Los Angeles Angels. Sometimes, players just need a change of scenery to rediscover their talent. Such could be the case for Gallen, whom ESPN recently named a Top 50 Trade Deadline Candidate. "Gallen was excellent for the past three seasons but now, in a contract year, is posting career-worst numbers in almost every category," Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote. "His stuff looks similar, but he's allowing much more damage when hitters make contact. That said, his strikeout-to-walk ratio is back to normal in his past five starts, at 29-to-5, despite a 6.04 ERA in that span. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said the team does not plan to deal away players at the deadline, but if Arizona doesn't make a run, it could reap a huge return with all its impending free agents." Arizona is in a comfortable spot itself, sitting at .500 and eight games out of first place in the NL West, with a deficit even closer in the wild card race. I'm sure the Diamondbacks want the former Diamond Heel for their playoff push – and they have until July 31 to decide. Gallen compiled a 14-13 win-loss record at North Carolina, compiling a 3.36 ERA and striking out 231 batters. Gallen was part of Arizona's World Series run in 2023, starting Game 1 as its staff ace, then followed that season up with a 14-6 campaign in 2024. Will Gallen stay put in the desert or join a World Series contender? You'll know by Thursday, July 31, better known as the trade deadline. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs Predicted To Trade For Two Stars In Huge Mock Deal With NL Club
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. FanSided's Zachary Rotman recently pitched a blockbuster trade proposal that would send Arizona Diamondbacks stars Eugenio Suárez and Zac Gallen to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Ben Brown, Jaxon Wiggins, and Jonathon Long. "Acquiring Suárez and Gallen in one trade could be as good as it can possibly get for the Cubs. Suárez was an All-Star this year, ending the first half with 31 home runs and an OPS just a shade below .900," Rotman wrote. "He can play third base the rest of the way, giving the Cubs a major upgrade and allowing struggling top prospect Matt Shaw to get a much-needed reset in Triple-A. "Gallen is less of a sure thing, as he's in the midst of a down year, but his track record is exceptional, and he's got as much upside as any starter available. Replacing the injured Justin Steele for this season is a near-impossible task, but Gallen gives them the best chance to do so if he can revert to his former Cy Young-caliber form." NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 30: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on from the mound with teammates Eugenio Suarez #28 and catcher Gabriel Moreno #14 prior to leaveg a game against... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 30: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks on from the mound with teammates Eugenio Suarez #28 and catcher Gabriel Moreno #14 prior to leaveg a game against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citi Field on May 30, 2024 in New York City. MoreThis time of year, there are a lot of trade rumors circulating. Some of them don't always make a lot of sense, but this hypothetical deal seems to have the groundwork of a potential trade this month. The Diamondbacks will likely trade all of their expiring players, including Gallen and Suárez. The only issue here is that it's likely Arizona will land more for this pair of stars than what's suggested in the trade. Suárez is expected to be the best third baseman on the market and will likely require a haul to land by himself. Pair that with Gallen, and the Diamondbacks should be landing quite the prospect return. For the Cubs, acquiring both of these players in one deal would be the best-case scenario. Suárez and his potential 50-home run bat are the dream replacement for Matt Shaw at the hot corner. Gallen hasn't been incredible this season, but adding his arm to the rotation would certainly be an upgrade. More MLB: Luis Robert Jr. Trade? Why Latest Reds Trade Rumors Make Perfect Sense
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why boxing chumps move the needle more than champs
Tim Tszyu and Jai Opetaia, potentially both world champions by the end of the weekend, are Australia's best boxers. Both have had to lean on Paul Gallen at various stages of their career for relevance locally. When Tszyu and Gallen fought on the same night, the stories about the former footballer generated more clicks. For the purists, it's an indictment of the fight game, that a footballer can attract more attention than genuine pugilists competing against the world's best. However, that's the harsh reality in a celebrity-obsessed age, where punters would rather fork out $70 to watch two footbrawlers than a genuine championship bout. Gallen's controversial split-decision win against Sonny Bill Williams at Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday night lasted just 16 minutes, but lined their pockets with paydays of up to $1 million each. In their pomp as professional footballers on the field, it would take an entire season to earn as much. The event was shown exclusively on Stan which, like this masthead, is owned by Nine Entertainment. The pay-per-view sales remain a heavily guarded secret, but the early indications suggest it was a success. 'This was a massive moment,' said Stan's director of sport Ben Kimber. 'Two giants of Australian sport, a decade of talk, and it all exploded on Stan Pay-Per-View.' Sport thrives on controversy and Williams and Gallen brought bucketloads into their grudge match. Nobody sells quite like the Cronulla captain, who has leant into his role as the pantomime villain in much the way Anthony Mundine did before him. People love a circus and are prepared to pay for admission. Which is why the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul 'fight' became the most streamed event in sporting history, attracting 108 million viewers on Netflix.
The Age
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Why boxing chumps move the needle more than champs
Tim Tszyu and Jai Opetaia, potentially both world champions by the end of the weekend, are Australia's best boxers. Both have had to lean on Paul Gallen at various stages of their career for relevance locally. When Tszyu and Gallen fought on the same night, the stories about the former footballer generated more clicks. For the purists, it's an indictment of the fight game, that a footballer can attract more attention than genuine pugilists competing against the world's best. However, that's the harsh reality in a celebrity-obsessed age, where punters would rather fork out $70 to watch two footbrawlers than a genuine championship bout. Gallen's controversial split-decision win against Sonny Bill Williams at Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday night lasted just 16 minutes, but lined their pockets with paydays of up to $1 million each. In their pomp as professional footballers on the field, it would take an entire season to earn as much. The event was shown exclusively on Stan which, like this masthead, is owned by Nine Entertainment. The pay-per-view sales remain a heavily guarded secret, but the early indications suggest it was a success. 'This was a massive moment,' said Stan's director of sport Ben Kimber. 'Two giants of Australian sport, a decade of talk, and it all exploded on Stan Pay-Per-View.' Sport thrives on controversy and Wiliams and Gallen brought bucketloads into their grudge match. Nobody sells quite like the Cronulla captain, who has leant into his role as the pantomime villain in much the way Anthony Mundine did before him. People love a circus and are prepared to pay for admission. Which is why the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul 'fight' became the most streamed event in sporting history, attracting 108 million viewers on Netflix.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
'Just so happy it's over': Paul Gallen quits all sport after beating Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny Bill Williams won't get a rematch after Paul Gallen has announced his retirement from all sport following his split points win over the former All Black in their boxing bout in Sydney. The former Australian league legend was judged the winner by a single point, with two judges giving him the bout and another scoring in favour of Williams last night. After much mud-slinging between the pair before the fight, they shook hands afterwards, with Williams, 39, offering the chance for a post-bout coffee. "I'm just so happy it's over. That's it, that's my sporting career done," Gallen said. "I'm really relieved it's over and have come away with a victory - which is what we intended to do." The 10-year animosity between the pair had been so deep that Gallen had said he wouldn't shake hands with Williams, but did so as soon as the fight was over. Gallen said he was impressed by Williams' gesture of reconciliation and would take up a coffee invite. "You've got to respect a man for that. What has happened is in the past. I am 44 years old in less than a month and I'm too old to be having gripes with other grown men. "I'm happy to break bread with him and he said do you want to have coffee, and I said 'yeah'.'' Williams declined interviews after the bout, but his supporters were critical of the verdict. Two judges gave the fight to Gallen with 77-74 and 76-75 margins, while a third scored in favour of Williams, 77-74, leaving Gallen the victor by a point. A crucial factor was referee Les Fear deducting a point from Williams in the seventh round for persistent holding. 'Ridiculous' result Former super-middleweight world champion boxer Anthony Mundine called the result "ridiculous'', believing that Williams had won six rounds to two. "It just takes away from everything when you put so much hard work and dedication into a fight when you come off not the winner and you really did win,'' Mundine told Stuff. "He outboxed him. Boxing is hit and not be hit. Look at his face, that tells the story." Gallen said he was nervous about the verdict, after feeling he definitely lost two rounds. "At the end of the day I got the win, that's what we came here to do. There's no point in whinging or carrying on about it - I won and that's all that matters.'' Gallen said Williams' point deduction for persistent holding was deserved. "It was pretty clear he was holding me." But he said he was happy to end the grudge against Williams. "I don't know him very well, I don't him at all to be honest. But I have seen him with his kids and I know he is a fantastic father and highly devoted to his religion so you have to respect him for that." In one of the lead-up bouts, double Commonwealth Games gold medallist David Nyika from New Zealand had a fifth-round TKO win over compatriot Nikolas Charalampous.
