Latest news with #ModernEra
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Book Uncovers America's Forgotten Bond Between Bourbon and Cigars--And Introduces the First-Ever Pairing Wheel
MIAMI, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Cigar Press announces the release of Smoke & Oak: The Shared Legacy of Bourbon and Cigars – An American Story of Craft, Culture & the Science of a Perfect Pairing, the groundbreaking new book by author, researcher, and entrepreneur Sebastian Saviano. Following the success of his acclaimed America's Cigar Story: The History, Politics, and Legacy of Cigars from 1762 to the Modern Era, Saviano returns with an ambitious cultural work that reveals how two of America's most iconic traditions—bourbon and cigars—grew in tandem, shaped national identity, and today offer a sensory experience rooted in heritage and science. "Where America's Cigar Story traced the journey of a single tradition, Smoke & Oak explores what happens when two iconic legacies converge," said Saviano. "This book is about rediscovery—of rituals, regions, and relationships that were never meant to stand apart." Smoke & Oak Redefines the Pairing Experience Spanning over four centuries, Smoke & Oak takes readers from colonial tobacco fields and frontier stills to modern lounges and rickhouses—especially in Kentucky, where bourbon's identity was forged, and Tennessee, where whiskey traditions run equally deep. The book blends deep historical research with cutting-edge flavor science, offering the first-ever full-color Bourbon & Cigar Pairing Wheel—a visual tool that demystifies the art of flavor harmony, balance, and contrast. Far more than a pairing manual, the book presents a cultural, scientific, and sensory journey through America's most enduring crafts. Inside the Book: A sweeping dual history of bourbon and cigars, from colonial roots to the boutique revival Prohibition and the Cuban Embargo: twin crises and how both industries reinvented themselves Scientific insights into fermentation, barrel aging, and molecular flavor interactions Regional terroir profiles: Kentucky bourbon country meets global cigar-growing zones A complete pairing guide with tasting methods, setting strategies, and the first-of-its-kind Pairing Wheel Richly designed and intellectually grounded, Smoke & Oak is essential reading for bourbon and cigar lovers, hospitality professionals, cultural historians, and anyone who appreciates the art of intentional living. AVAILABILITY Title: Smoke & Oak: The Shared Legacy of Bourbon and Cigars – An American Story of Craft, Culture & the Science of a Perfect Pairing Author: Sebastian Saviano Publisher: The American Cigar Press Publication Date: May 28, 2025 ISBN: 979-8-998-51170-7 Available through major booksellers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and at MEDIA & REVIEW COPIES Journalists, reviewers, or event curators interested in Smoke & Oak may contact:395763@ | 305.770.8099 About The American Cigar Press The American Cigar Press is committed to publishing works that preserve, explore, and celebrate the craftsmanship, industry, and cultural legacy of cigars and related traditions. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The American Cigar Press
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs host historically bad Rockies in Memorial Day matinee to begin 3-game series at Wrigley Field
CHICAGO — After a wild weekend in Cincinnati, the first-place Cubs return home to take on the worst team in baseball. And, to this point, the worst team in modern MLB history. The Cubs open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on Monday with a 1:20 p.m. Memorial Day matinee. Advertisement The Cubs enter Memorial Day, traditionally viewed as a good marker to start really looking at the standings, with a 32-21 record and a two-game lead over the white-hot St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs are coming off a crazy three-game series in Cincinnati, rallying twice from big deficits in the final innings to take two of three, including Sunday's 11-8 come-from-behind win — with two homers from a most unlikely source. Chicago leads all of baseball with 321 runs scored behind an offense that's generated some of the highest production in Cubs history through a season's first two months. The Rockies? Well, they're on the completely opposite end of the spectrum. Advertisement García hits a big 2-run double as the Rangers stop a 6-game slide by edging the White Sox 5-4 Colorado enters the series a dismal 9-44, on pace for a worse record than even last season's White Sox, who set a Modern Era MLB record with 121 losses in a season. The Rockies were 8-42 through their first 50 games, the worst 50-game start in MLB's Modern Era (since 1900). They've allowed the most runs in MLB so far this season and scored the second-least. So, on paper, this is a series the Cubs should win easily and probably sweep. But it is baseball, so anything can happen. Here's a look at the teams going into Monday's Memorial Day matchup: Advertisement Colorado Rockies (9-44, fifth in the NL West) vs. Chicago Cubs (32-21, first in the NL Central) MONDAY'S PITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Carson Palmquist (0-2, 11.88 ERA, 2.52 WHIP, two strikeouts); Cubs: Jameson Taillon (3-3, 4.13 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 44 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cubs -345, Rockies +274; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: Chicago is 32-21 overall and 15-10 at home. The Cubs have the second-best team slugging percentage in the majors at .459. Colorado has gone 3-22 on the road and 9-44 overall. The Rockies have a 2-10 record in games when they hit two or more home runs. The teams meet Monday for the first time this season. Advertisement TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Tucker has 12 home runs, 36 walks and 37 RBI, while hitting .279 for the Cubs. Seiya Suzuki is 16-for-39 with seven doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI over the last 10 games. Jordan Beck leads the Rockies with eight home runs while slugging .536. Ezequiel Tovar is 16-for-35 with two home runs and five RBI over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Cubs: 7-3, .316 batting average, 4.18 ERA, outscored opponents by 37 runs; Rockies: 2-8, .237 batting average, 5.73 ERA, outscored by 34 runs INJURIES: Cubs: Carson Kelly: day-to-day (illness), Miguel Amaya: 10-Day IL (oblique), Porter Hodge: 15-Day IL (oblique), Tyson Miller: 60-Day IL (hip), Eli Morgan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shota Imanaga: 15-Day IL (leg), Javier Assad: 60-Day IL (oblique), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow) Advertisement Rockies: Chase Dollander: 15-Day IL (forearm), Kris Bryant: 60-Day IL (lumbar), Ryan Feltner: 15-Day IL (back), Thairo Estrada: 60-Day IL (wrist), Victor Vodnik: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Austin Gomber: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jeff Criswell: 60-Day IL (elbow) UP NEXT: This series begins a six-game homestand for the Cubs. They'll have a day off at home on Thursday before hosting the Reds for a weekend series. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Fox Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Kurt Busch headlines 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class as first-ballot honoree
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kurt Busch earned a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection with stats that show him as one of the sport's greats. Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick — all three former NASCAR Cup drivers — will comprise the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. "I've been through a lot, and to have this is a nice icing on the cake so to speak, from how my career finished in the car versus where we are today, it's a nice feeling," said Busch, who has not raced in NASCAR since July 2022 when concussions sidelined him. "It's fun to reflect back on all the different moments now." A panel of 48 voters plus one combined vote from fan online voting determined the 2026 Hall of Fame class. The two top vote-getters from the 10 Modern Era nominees and the one top vote-getter from the five Pioneer Era nominees earned spots in the 16th induction class. Busch had far and away the most prolific career when it came to results: 34 Cup victories, one Cup title, a Daytona 500 win, finishing top-5 in more than 20 percent of his starts, winning in 19 different seasons at 18 different tracks. But two suspensions — one race in 2012 for threatening a reporter (this reporter) and three races in 2015 after a civil no-contact order was issued against him for alleged domestic abuse — and several run-ins with media and competitors were considered a hurdle for Busch to get in on first ballot. "The late [NASCAR public relations director] Jim Hunter, said it best to me once when I was in some trouble, and he said, 'Son, you can get as much trouble as you want because you have that much talent to dig yourself out of these holes you keep putting yourself in. But wouldn't it be better if you didn't dig those holes, and you could just stay on top riding with your talent?' Busch said. "Took a lot of lessons, but this was a fun announcement, and I can't wait to tell more stories to everyone on what this sport has meant to me and how I'll still be around." He made my ballot — his achievements on the track were significantly stronger than any of the other drivers nominated — as did Gant. Gant won 18 Cup races, including twice in the tough Southern 500. He also is the oldest driver (age 52) to win a Cup race. Similar statistics as the other drivers nominated as well as his toughness and his appearing in several racing movies pushed him onto my ballot. I felt people came to watch "Handsome Harry" Gant, and he played a role in increased exposure of the sport. Busch and Gant each earned 30 votes among the 49 panelists on the Modern Era ballot. Former driver and current broadcaster Jeff Burton was third, followed by former crew chief Harry Hyde and former engine builder Randy Dorton. Hendrick earned the spot reserved for the Pioneer Era with 15 of the 49 votes, indicating a heavy split among the voters (former driver Bill Welborn was second). Hendrick was on my ballot last year and kept that spot this year. Winner of more than 700 short-track races and named one of the top-10 modified drivers of all time, Hendrick had respectable results when racing in top divisions against those who did it regularly. Former Charlotte Motor Speedway president Humpy Wheeler earned the Landmark Award for contributions to the sport. The 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 23. Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and IndyCar for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. recommended Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick selected to 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class
CHARLOTTE — Former Cup champion Kurt Busch headlines the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class that was selected Tuesday. Busch and Harry Gant were selected on the Modern Era ballot. Modified racer Ray Hendrick was selected on the Pioneer Era ballot. Track promoter Humpy Wheeler was selected as the Landmark Award winner. Advertisement Busch and Gant each received 61% of the votes on the Moderan Era ballot. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Hendrick received 31% of the votes on the Pioneer Era Ballot. Bob Welborn finished second. There were 49 ballots. Forty-eight voters and the fan vote. The fan vote had Ray Hendrick from the Pioneer Era and Kurt Busch and Harry Gant from the Modern Era. Busch, Gant and Hendrick — who will be inducted Jan. 23, 2026 — will join 67 others in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and represent the Hall's 16th class. The mercurial Busch was known as much for his success as his temper. He competed in Cup from 2000-22. Busch won at least one race 10 consecutive years. He had a streak of nine consecutive seasons with at least a victory when he was forced out of the car due to a concussion he suffered in a crash at Pocono in July 2022. Advertisement Busch scored 34 career victories, including the 2010 Coca-Cola 600 and 2017 Daytona 500. He had memorable run-ins with Jimmy Spencer, NASCAR officials and media during his career, adding to his reputation as a fiery competitor. This was the first year on the ballot for the 46-year-old Busch. This was the sixth year on the ballot for the 85-year old Gant. He won 18 races, including two Southern 500s and was known as 'Mr. September' for winning four consecutive Cup races in 1991. Gant finished third in balloting for the Class of 2025, a class that had Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards.
NBC Sports
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick selected to 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class
CHARLOTTE — Former Cup champion Kurt Busch headlines the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class that was selected Tuesday. Busch and Harry Gant were selected on the Modern Era ballot. Modified racer Ray Hendrick was selected on the Pioneer Era ballot. Track promoter Humpy Wheeler was selected as the Landmark Award winner. Busch and Gant each received 61% of the votes on the Moderan Era ballot. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Hendrick received 31% of the votes on the Pioneer Era Ballot. Bob Welborn finished second. There were 49 ballots. Forty-eight voters and the fan vote. The fan vote had Ray Hendrick from the Pioneer Era and Kurt Busch and Harry Gant from the Modern Era. Busch, Gant and Hendrick — who will be inducted Jan. 23, 2026 — will join 67 others in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and represent the Hall's 16th class. The mercurial Busch was known as much for his success as his temper. He competed in Cup from 2000-22. Busch won at least one race 10 consecutive years. He had a streak of nine consecutive seasons with at least a victory when he was forced out of the car due to a concussion he suffered in a crash at Pocono in July 2022. Busch scored 34 career victories, including the 2010 Coca-Cola 600 and 2017 Daytona 500. He had memorable run-ins with Jimmy Spencer, NASCAR officials and media during his career, adding to his reputation as a fiery competitor. This was the first year on the ballot for the 46-year-old Busch. This was the sixth year on the ballot for the 85-year old Gant. He won 18 races, including two Southern 500s and was known as 'Mr. September' for winning four consecutive Cup races in 1991. Gant finished third in balloting for the Class of 2025, a class that had Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards.
