Latest news with #MattBlake
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Isle of Wight Literary Festival returns with sequel to it's line-up announcement
The Isle of Wight Literary Festival has announced a sequel to it's lineup announcement for October. Among the big names already listed, including Cath Kidston and Sue Barker, the new highlights include Lissa Evans, known for her role in Father Ted and productions such as Have I Got News For You, who will discuss her book Picnic on Craggy Island. Football enthusiasts can look forward to hearing from Francis Benali, the Southampton FC legend, as he shares insights from his autobiography. Matt Blake, crime writer and journalist will speak about his book Hearth of Darkness. Lissa Evans brings Picnic on Craggy Island to 2025 Isle of Wight festival (Image: Isle of Wight Literary Festival) In it, he discusses his own home which was once a notorious criminal's lair. Harriet Cullen's Lady Pamela Berry – Passion, Politics and Power is about her titled mother, who had a long affair with Malcolm Muggeridge. Travel writer Jamie Lafferty will speak about his exploration of penguins in An Inconvenience of Penguins. READ MORE: Wet Leg release second album moisturizer today Historian Tracy Borman will talk about the time after Elizabeth I's death in her book The Stolen Crown. Suzanne O'Sullivan, a neurologist, explores the journey of modern illness in The Age of Diagnosis. Nick Trend, an art historian, will discuss the ties between culture and romance. Maggie Ankers, festival chair, said: "The latest announcements show the breadth of subjects we cover. There will be some fascinating talks which will cater for all tastes." Tickets go on sale in August.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Yankees' Clarke Schmidt leaves game with forearm tightness. Who could they replace him with?
TORONTO — The New York Yankees' rotation may have taken a hit. Clarke Schmidt left Thursday night's start against the Toronto Blue Jays after three innings and 55 pitches. The Yankees announced that Schmidt exited with right forearm tightness. Since his 103-pitch outing against the Baltimore Orioles a few weeks ago, Schmidt had been experiencing difficulty in recovering between his outings. As of publication, it is unclear if his forearm tightness is related to his recovery issue. Advertisement If Schmidt has to miss time on the injured list, the options to replace him in the rotation are grim. The Yankees could recall Allan Winans from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but the club would have two starters in their rotation in Winans and Marcus Stroman, who are among the league's worst in Stuff+. They could accelerate the timeline for Cam Schlittler, who the club is high on. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake recently told The Athletic that Schlittler could be an option in the second half of the season, but he might be the best in-house option if needed. The Yankees could also stretch out JT Brubaker, who is in the bullpen. Brubaker was brought in as a starter from the Pittsburgh Pirates and was building a starter's workload during his rehab assignment earlier this year. Ryan Yarbrough, who is on the injured list with a strained oblique, has not begun throwing and it doesn't appear like he'll be back before the All-Star break. Luis Gil, who has yet to make an appearance in 2025, is expected to throw another live batting practice early next week. But the Yankees could expedite his return and begin his rehab assignment from a strained lat instead of throwing another live batting practice. Still, Gil is not expected to return by the end of the month. If Schmidt has to miss significant time, the need for a starting pitcher at the trade deadline may become a necessity. Schmidt has pitched to a 3.32 ERA through 14 starts and made franchise history with a 28 1/3 innings scoreless streak. Although the Yankees are looking at Gil as a 'trade deadline acquisition,' it's impossible to predict what the Yankees could get out of Gil this year because lat injuries are tricky. The Yankees must hope that Schmidt's injury is nothing serious. Otherwise, their rotation might be in trouble. This story will be updated. (Photo of Clarke Schmidt: Mark Blinch / Getty Images)
New York Times
27-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
With Marcus Stroman struggling, Yankees fans wonder when Cam Schlittler will debut
CINCINNATI — The New York Yankees have not committed to Marcus Stroman returning to their rotation after his latest rehab assignment start, which was expected to be his last. Stroman was uninspiring Tuesday night with Double-A Somerset, allowing 10 hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings. He has a 6.97 ERA over three rehab starts, but even more alarming than the poor results is Stroman's lack of precision with his command. Advertisement At this stage of his career, if Stroman can't command his pitches, it's nearly impossible for him to have success in the major leagues. Since the start of 2024, Stroman's Stuff+ ranked fourth-worst among all MLB starters with at least 150 innings. A waning ability to hit his spots combined with underwhelming stuff wouldn't inspire much confidence every fifth day if he were to return to the Yankees' rotation. The Yankees are weighing this decision after Ryan Yarbrough was placed on the injured list Sunday with an oblique strain, which will likely sideline him through the All-Star break. But the Yankees have yet to say Stroman will return Sunday versus the Athletics — they're listing the day's probable starter as 'TBA' — so it's possible the veteran remains in Somerset, delaying his comeback. 'It's a conversation to see where we're at,' Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said earlier this week. 'I think that's the two main guys (Allan Winans and Stroman) in conversation for that spot with Yarbrough on the IL. As a group, we'll figure out what makes sense for us from an inventory standpoint, when is Marcus ready to come back, all of those things. I don't think we know for sure what we're going to do after this outing.' On Wednesday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone echoed Blake's uncertainty about Stroman coming back Sunday. Winans pitched Monday in the first game against the Cincinnati Reds. He was outstanding the first time through their order, getting through three innings unscathed at just 24 pitches. But he unraveled the second time through the order and finished with four runs allowed in 4 1/3 innings. Winans has been spectacular this season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, pitching to a 0.90 ERA across nine starts. Blake said the biggest difference for Winans this year has been the command with his changeup, his best pitch, particularly against left-handed hitters. Like Stroman, Winans doesn't possess elite stuff. His fastball sits 89 to 90 mph. Yarbrough also doesn't come equipped with overpowering velocity, but he has success because of a funky arm slot that is deceiving to opposing hitters. Advertisement One pitcher who is not in consideration for a call-up soon to fill the vacancy in the rotation is Cam Schlittler, whom The Athletic's Keith Law ranked as the Yankees' No. 8 prospect before the season. After being promoted in early June, the tall righty is catching the attention of evaluators and the Yankees organization with his results at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In his most recent outing against Boston's Triple-A team — which includes Kristian Campbell, whom the Boston Red Sox recently demoted — Schlittler struck out nine (including Campbell three times) across six scoreless innings while his fastball touched 99 mph. Schlittler has a 1.69 ERA over four starts in Triple A, and each of his five pitches has graded above average in Stuff+. Get out your Camera. 📸 #Yankees No. 10 prospect Cam Schlittler matched a career-best with nine strikeouts over six shutout innings. 6.0 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 1 BB | 9 K#WhereLegendsRise #RepBX — SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) June 26, 2025 Blake said Yankees fans will 'probably not' see Schlittler in the big leagues in the 'real near term.' But given that he's pitching in Triple A with above-average stuff, he is closing in on making his major-league debut. Blake said there's a legitimate possibility Schlittler could be with the Yankees in the second half of the season. 'I think so,' Blake said. 'Obviously, it's a bigger conversation with the front office and our development group about how he's really handing Triple A, but I just thought his presence in our minor leagues and in spring training games, having to take four or five starts against 'A' lineups, he held his own and has kept getting better as the season has gone on. As he keeps posting starts and keeps showing that he's commanding the ball the way he needs to — obviously, the stuff is good. I think he's putting his name in the mix if we need a starter in the second half.' Schlittler is not on the 40-man roster yet, so the Yankees would have to create a spot for him if they wanted to call him up before rosters expand on Sept. 1. Advertisement If Stroman does return to the big leagues and continues to pitch poorly, the Yankees may have to consider designating him for assignment and eating the rest of the $18.5 million salary he's owed. Stroman has an option for 2026 that vests if he pitches 140 innings this season, but that is no longer a possibility because of missed time. The Yankees actively tried to trade Stroman last offseason but were unable to do so. They can try again before the July 31 trade deadline, but there is no statistical evidence that indicates Stroman is still an effective starter. His fastball velocity, already one of the slowest in the big leagues, decreased last season. His ground-ball rate, the main selling point of Stroman, was the lowest of his career. His strikeout rate was also a career-low in 2024 — and it was even worse this season before his knee injury in April. Yarbrough going down with an injury is a sneaky loss for the Yankees because of his consistency. For the past two months, the Yankees rotation's 3.08 ERA has been the best across MLB. Despite how sluggish the offense has been in June, the starting pitching has kept the Yankees in almost every game. But now they are facing the possibility of having an uninspiring starting pitcher every fifth day. (Photo of Cam Schlittler: George Kubas / Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Yankees Coach's Telling Comments on $18 Million Veteran's Future Role
Yankees Coach's Telling Comments on $18 Million Veteran's Future Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Marcus Stroman pitched two innings in a simulated game Saturday before the Yankees took on the Los Angeles Dodgers. He threw 33 pitches against live hitters and while manager Aaron Boone called it 'really sharp,' a potential return to the Yankees rotation is more uncertain than ever. Advertisement Pitching coach Matt Blake's comments were telling. 'We've got five starters currently, so you're starting to talk about roster decisions,' Blake told Bryan Hoch. 'You want to give yourself as much information as possible to get to that point and make sure he's ready to go. Then we'll have a better idea of where it all fits together.' Stroman, unhappy with the trade rumors that swirled around him last winter, made it clear that he refuses to fit in the bullpen. He came into this season as an extra after the Yankees could not find a trading spot for him, but became part of the starting five when injuries hit the rotation. Without Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery), Luis Gil (strained lat) and Clarke Schmidt, who was slow getting ready this spring, Stroman became a fourth starter. New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus StromanVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images But Stroman's 2025 has been rough, with an 11.57 ERA in limited starts before he went on the injured list with knee inflammation. Advertisement The Yankees have managed, even improved, without him. Ryan Yarbrough has stepped in as the fifth starter and done an admirable job. Schmidt is back healthy and rookie Will Warren has started to establish himself. With a vesting option for 2026 in Stroman's contract, the Yankees caught a break with his extended time on the injured list. He needs 140 innings pitched this season for the $18.5 option to kick in. Without that option, Stroman could be more attractive as a veteran innings eater in a trade – if he's healthy. After speculation in a column from the New York Post's Joel Sherman earlier this month questioning Stroman's Yankees future, it seems more and more likely that he may never pitch for the Yankees again. Blake was cautious: 'We're building the pitch count up a little bit, making sure the knee is responding well.' But this slow grind and a full spring-like rebuild in the middle of the season suggest the Yankees aren't banking on a quick fix. Advertisement Related: Yankees Announce Giancarlo Stanton News Before Dodgers Series Related: Dad Says Cody Bellinger's Dodgers Title Was Great But Yankees Pinstripes Mean More This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Jealous mums started a witch hunt on me after finding out I was an ex-Playboy model & they banned my son from sports
A WOMAN has claimed her son was banned from joining a sports team after locals found out about her racy online career. Ex-Playboy model Sara Blake, her husband Matt and their four children have been so ostracised that they decided to move 2,000 miles away because of a 'witch hunt' by 'jealous' mums. 4 4 4 Sara, who now works as an OnlyFans model, has always tried to keep things under wraps in the small town she lives in. But when the news got out, the consequences were severe. 'I was banned from my kids' football and hockey organisations,' Sara told NeedToKnow. 'I had built a huge social media presence predicting college football,but a local radio host saw a video of me at a game and talked about it on air. 'It brought attention to who I was and that I did OnlyFans. 'Since it's a small town with the same parents being involved in all sports locally, the hockey mums also followed with banning my kids. 'My kids were better than their kids at sports, so they eliminated our family all together. 'It was an all-out witch hunt of jealous miserable mums who didn't want me around because of my looks and blamed it on me having an adult content account. 'It wasn't like I was just doing OnlyFans – I had a career in the sports industry, and I was modelling for brands, companies, and magazines. 'These small-minded people only focused on 10% of what I did and tried to make that the issue.' Sara, who lived in Florida with Matt and 12-year-old Chandler, 11-year-old Camden, Corey, nine, and Carson, five – upped sticks and moved to Las Vegas, where she was offered a job with a sports network. She said: 'It wasn't a hard decision to move because we weren't happy constantly dealing with jealous mums who took their emotions out on my kids. 'We weren't forced away – trust me, I could have stuck it out – but why would I when I had an opportunity to grow my career and give my kids something better? 'Moving to Vegas has been the best decision I've made so far. 'I went from being banned by insecure mums to now being the director of the youth cheer program out here. 'My husband coaches football, my sons are happy – nobody cares [about my work]. 'Maybe it's because everyone is about their hustle and worried about their own kids, or because all the mums are hot and happy.' Sara says it is a common misconception that she is a 'privileged white blonde bimbo', saying she has worked hard for all that she has. She said: 'Even before modelling and using my looks, I had to prove my knowledge in the sports industry harder than most because of my looks. 'I wasn't born with a silver spoon, I came from nothing and I've never slept with anybody to get where I'm at either. 4 'I didn't marry an athlete. This is all pure drive and determination. 'I used my income from OnlyFans to give me time to expand my career in other industries. 'So when people look at me, they don't see the hustle and grind day in and day out.' A recent survey by Supercreator, who specialises in management and AI for creators on OnlyFans, revealed that only 0.001% of average creators make $300,000 (USD) (£233,000) per month. While Sara hasn't shared her earnings, she warned that it takes a lot of work to reach the top. She added: 'A lot of people see my story and think, 'Well I'm a hot mum, I can do this', and make that money for you and your family. 'But to be successful at it, it's not easy – especially now that everyone thinks this is a career path. 'This job has nothing to do with you and everything to do with how you connect and treat people at the end of the day. 'When your heart is in something and you commit to the ultimate goal – mine was getting my family in a better position – it's a sacrifice.' Pros of being a young mum Tracy Kiss, who fell pregnant at 19, has revealed what she beleives are the pros of being a young mother. The personal trainer and blogger, from Buckinghamshire, believes women who give birth in their teens make BETTER mothers than those in their 30s. She claims young mums snap back into shape quicker, have more energy and relate more easily to their children, meaning they're better behaved and happier. Tracy told Fabulous: "Women who become first-time mums in their teens make better parents than those in their 30s or 40s. "I believe if I'd been 10 or so years older before becoming a mother then I wouldn't have the relationship I have with my children now. "For a start, being older I would have had less energy and therefore less patience. "I wouldn't be as enthusiastic to speak to people after months of sleepless nights as I was in my teens. "My body snapped back to its pre-pregnancy size through fitness post-birth, which in turn gave me the confidence to date and find love again. I've never been happier than I am now at the age of 30 with two children. "If I'd have been alone at 40 with a newborn baby I'd be more tired, less happy with my body, less energetic and far more stressed from the shock of living my life for myself instead of putting others first. Sometimes age and the innocence of ignorance is a good thing. "As a teen mum I just got on with it, found my feet and became responsible and capable because at the time I didn't know any different."
