Latest news with #Shusterman
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bar-B-Cast on Red Sox's struggles and ugly season: 'Alex Cora is going nowhere at least this season'
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) Based on the conversation between Yahoo Sports' Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman in this episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," it's clear that while things look bleak for the Red Sox, the season isn't over — but there's a lot of frustration and concern. Advertisement The Red Sox aren't mathematically eliminated, and there are still scenarios where they turn things around, especially if prospects contribute and some injured players return and perform. But the path forward is "complicated" and hope is fading, reflected in Boston's big drop in playoff odds. The team's flaws are showing, and unless things change quickly, they're at risk of falling out of the race for good. Here are the key points Shusterman and Mintz discussed on the show: Poor performance, bad breaks The Red Sox have struggled recently, particularly with a five-game losing streak entering Friday, lots of one-run losses (6-15 in one-run games), and multiple walk-off defeats. There have also been key injuries — especially to Alex Bregman and Tristan Casas — and some roster inflexibility. Advertisement Their playoff odds have plummeted from preseason hopes of 56% down to 18%, according to Fangraphs, as Shusterman mentions. This drop reflects their poor play and the surprising strength of other teams. Why manager Alex Cora is safe this season Mintz and Shusterman discussed some odd roster choices and poor communication, especially around locking Rafael Devers into the DH spot. However, neither Mintz nor Shusterman believe Cora is on the hot seat, and they think he's handled the chaos relatively well. "Alex Cora is going nowhere at least this season," Mintz said. "If I had to rank baseball operations juice amongst MLB managers he would be toward the top of that list. Yeah, he just signed a new contract. The organization believes in him and frankly I think he has done a fair, good enough job keeping this thing from going completely off the rails because it is not his fault." Advertisement Despite the mess, there's still hope in the farm system, with top prospects like Roman Anthony pushing for a call-up (though the front office seems reluctant for a mix of service time and roster jam reasons). The "Bar-B-Cast" wouldn't pick Boston to win the division at this point. Shusterman still gives the Red Sox a chance to sneak into a playoff spot, though his confidence is shaken. For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Biden cancer diagnosis spurs free prostate screenings in NYC — 8 tips for first-timers
News that former President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an 'aggressive' form of prostate cancer sent shockwaves across the nation this week. While the overall five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is an impressive 97%, that number plunges to just 37% once the disease spreads to other parts of the body, according to the American Cancer Society. In the wake of Biden's bombshell announcement, Dr. David Shusterman, a board-certified urologist and founder of Modern Urologist, is offering support to New Yorkers. Advertisement 4 Doctors found a 'small nodule' on Biden's prostate during a routine medical exam. AFP via Getty Images Shusterman is providing free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests — a key screening tool for prostate cancer — at his Midtown East office through the end of June. Patients don't need insurance for the initial test, though follow-up care may be necessary if PSA levels come back elevated. Advertisement Men interested in getting screened can call (212) 991-9991 to book an appointment. 'In the time it takes to check your phone, your provider can perform a screening that could make a significant difference to your future health,' Shusterman told The Post. 'Take pride in taking that step.' Prostate cancer 101 Biden's diagnosis was front-page news, but prostate cancer is no rarity. It's the second most common cancer among men in the US, with 1 in 8 expected to face it at some point in their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health. And it's deadly serious, ranking second only to lung cancer in cancer-related deaths among American men. Advertisement 4 Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. Peakstock – While prostate cancer can strike at any age, the risk climbs with every birthday. Most cases are diagnosed after age 65. Some men face even steeper odds. Black men are disproportionately affected and are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age with more aggressive forms of the disease than other racial or ethnic groups. Advertisement Adding to the danger? Prostate cancer often grows slowly and has no symptoms in the early stages, meaning many men go years without knowing they have it. When symptoms do emerge, they can mimic other common prostate problems, like an enlarged prostate or prostatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Possible early warning signs include: Blood in the urine or semen Frequent urination Trouble starting to pee Waking up often at night to urinate 4 Many symptoms of prostate cancer involve changes in urination habits. Evgeniya Primavera – Once the cancer advances, symptoms can get more serious: Accidental leaking of urine Back or bone pain Erectile dysfunction Extreme fatigue Unexplained weight loss Weakness in the arms or legs Advertisement Doctors diagnosed Biden after he began experiencing 'increasing urinary symptoms,' according to his personal office. A physical exam revealed a 'small nodule' on his prostate, leading to further evaluation. When to get checked Prostate cancer can be stealthy, but early screening gives doctors the best chance of catching it when it's most treatable. Once the disease spreads to the bones, as in Biden's case, it becomes incurable. 4 PSA tests measure prostate-specific antigen in the blood, which can indicate cancer. Alexander Raths – Advertisement Experts recommend men start screening conversations with their doctors at age 50. But if you're black or have a family history, start those discussions at 40 or 45. Most health organizations don't advise screening past 70 because the potential benefits are unlikely to outweigh the harms. A prostate cancer screening typically includes a PSA blood test — elevated levels can be a sign of prostate inflammation, enlargement or cancer — and a digital rectal exam. 'This is the part that causes the most anxiety, but it's brief and generally painless,' Shusterman said. Advertisement 'An ultrasound tech inserts a small, lubricated probe into the rectum to visualize the prostate gland for the exact size and shape and any irregularities, such as prostate growth, into the bladder.' Tips for first screenings 'It's completely normal to feel uneasy about your first prostate exam — but it's a sign of maturity and self-care to go through with it,' Shusterman said. Here are his tips for men undergoing their first screenings. Don't overthink it: It's a quick exam that can yield life-saving information. Express any concerns to your doctor: A good provider will explain each step and help reduce fear of the unknown. Schedule wisely: Choose a time when you're not rushed or stressed, such as earlier in the day. Wear comfortable clothing: It makes undressing and redressing easier. Empty your bowels beforehand: This can make the prostate exam more comfortable. Bring support : If allowed, have a friend or partner come to the appointment to ease tension. If allowed, have a friend or partner come to the appointment to ease tension. Practice deep breathing : Even a few calming breaths in the waiting room can lower stress levels. Even a few calming breaths in the waiting room can lower stress levels. Focus on the facts: Millions of men go through this. It's routine, and medical professionals do it all the time without judgment.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The pope is a White Sox fan: Baseball and the conclave collide in the holiest fandom twist
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) Every so often, baseball and the outside world collide in ways that feel more mythic than real. On the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman reveled in one such moment: when the brand-new pope turned out to be a Chicago White Sox fan. Let's break down why this story became instant baseball legend. A new pope is big news. But this one hits different. As Mintz says, 'All of religious history has led up to this. Yes, my dear friends, the pope is a White Sox fan.' It's the sort of news that, as podcasters, you can't wait to get behind the mic for. 'There just isn't a better feeling,' Shusterman notes, than being gifted 'so much incredible stuff to talk about.' When news broke that Pope Leo XIV hails from Chicago, speculation erupted: Cubs or White Sox? Initially, reports — and even the Cubs' own social media! — leaned Cubs, but then the story pivoted. It wasn't until the pope's own brother appeared in an interview that the truth emerged. 'He's always been a White Sox fan,' the brother declared. Despite the family split (mother: Cubs; father: Cardinals), the pope stayed loyal to the South Side. Mintz summarizes the stance: 'He's not just, yeah, he liked the White Sox, and then they move on. He's like, yeah, I don't know where all this Cub stuff is coming from. He's always been a White Sox fan.' As Shusterman adds, 'This man is not just, you know, grew up and thought Luis Aparicio was cool. This guy … has been into the Sox for a long time now.' The ultimate proof? A photo from the 2005 World Series featuring His Holiness at a White Sox game, Nokia phone in hand, basking in the glory of Chicago's first championship in generations. 'Going to a World Series game as a fan is an expensive thing to do," Mintz says. "... This is someone who had opinions on Mark Buehrle. Now he's the pope.' Does it fit? Jake and Jordan think so. 'The White Sox are what you would call a poverty franchise," Mintz says. "And what is the pope supposed to do if not take care of the poor?' They laugh, but there's truth there: A team starved for hope and leadership now has a weird, cosmic link to the Vatican's top spot. The hosts muse about what this could mean for the franchise. 'If the White Sox, along with his guidance … can rise,' Jordan says, 'maybe some divine influence will help.' The White Sox themselves quickly embraced the connection. They sent a custom jersey and hat straight to the Vatican and invited the pontiff to his 'cathedral' at 35th and Shields. Well, would you look at that... Congratulations to Chicago's own Pope Leo XIV — Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 8, 2025 Don't expect the pope to be rocking a fitted cap from the balcony or tossing out a first pitch, at least not according to precedent. But Pope Francis (a fan of Argentina's San Lorenzo) held up plenty of soccer scarves and jerseys, so maybe we'll see Pope Leo XIV do the same. Mintz can't resist asking: 'If the pope comes out here and is like, 'I don't want robo umps,' does that move the needle?' But as Jordan and Jake both note, the larger point is the narrative: 'Some things are bigger than baseball,' the White Sox said in a statement, 'and in this case, we're glad to have a White Sox fan represented at the Vatican.' This intersection of faith and fandom is the kind of bit that only baseball can provide. The new pope is a White Sox fan — documented and witnessed. Cubs fans might grumble, but for a franchise starved for miracles, this moment offers hope, humor and maybe, just maybe, a prayer for the South Side. For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The pope is a White Sox fan: Baseball and the conclave collide in the holiest fandom twist
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) Every so often, baseball and the outside world collide in ways that feel more mythic than real. On the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman reveled in one such moment: when the brand-new pope turned out to be a Chicago White Sox fan. Advertisement Let's break down why this story became instant baseball legend. First American pope bleeds black and white A new pope is big news. But this one hits different. As Mintz says, 'All of religious history has led up to this. Yes, my dear friends, the pope is a White Sox fan.' It's the sort of news that, as podcasters, you can't wait to get behind the mic for. 'There just isn't a better feeling,' Shusterman notes, than being gifted 'so much incredible stuff to talk about.' When news broke that Pope Leo XIV hails from Chicago, speculation erupted: Cubs or White Sox? Initially, reports — and even the Cubs' own social media! — leaned Cubs, but then the story pivoted. The family speaks out: Sox over Cubs It wasn't until the pope's own brother appeared in an interview that the truth emerged. 'He's always been a White Sox fan,' the brother declared. Despite the family split (mother: Cubs; father: Cardinals), the pope stayed loyal to the South Side. Advertisement Mintz summarizes the stance: 'He's not just, yeah, he liked the White Sox, and then they move on. He's like, yeah, I don't know where all this Cub stuff is coming from. He's always been a White Sox fan.' As Shusterman adds, 'This man is not just, you know, grew up and thought Luis Aparicio was cool. This guy … has been into the Sox for a long time now.' The ultimate proof? A photo from the 2005 World Series featuring His Holiness at a White Sox game, Nokia phone in hand, basking in the glory of Chicago's first championship in generations. 'Going to a World Series game as a fan is an expensive thing to do," Mintz says. "... This is someone who had opinions on Mark Buehrle. Now he's the pope.' Advertisement The pope of the poorly run Does it fit? Jake and Jordan think so. 'The White Sox are what you would call a poverty franchise," Mintz says. "And what is the pope supposed to do if not take care of the poor?' They laugh, but there's truth there: A team starved for hope and leadership now has a weird, cosmic link to the Vatican's top spot. The hosts muse about what this could mean for the franchise. 'If the White Sox, along with his guidance … can rise,' Jordan says, 'maybe some divine influence will help.' The White Sox themselves quickly embraced the connection. They sent a custom jersey and hat straight to the Vatican and invited the pontiff to his 'cathedral' at 35th and Shields. Will the pope show his Sox colors? Don't expect the pope to be rocking a fitted cap from the balcony or tossing out a first pitch, at least not according to precedent. But Pope Francis (a fan of Argentina's San Lorenzo) held up plenty of soccer scarves and jerseys, so maybe we'll see Pope Leo XIV do the same. Advertisement Mintz can't resist asking: 'If the pope comes out here and is like, 'I don't want robo umps,' does that move the needle?' But as Jordan and Jake both note, the larger point is the narrative: 'Some things are bigger than baseball,' the White Sox said in a statement, 'and in this case, we're glad to have a White Sox fan represented at the Vatican.' This intersection of faith and fandom is the kind of bit that only baseball can provide. The new pope is a White Sox fan — documented and witnessed. Cubs fans might grumble, but for a franchise starved for miracles, this moment offers hope, humor and maybe, just maybe, a prayer for the South Side. For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The hottest start of the 2025 MLB season belongs to ... the Los Angeles Angels??
On the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," the hosts discussed the only team that hasn't lost a series in 2025 (This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) The start of the 2025 MLB season has been a roller coaster for many teams, but few have begun their campaign quite like the Los Angeles Angels. In the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman dive in to how the Angels have managed to capture the baseball world's attention. The Angels are the only team yet to lose a series this season. "I don't believe in this franchise," Mintz said. "And yet, so far this season, this team, at the very least, has provided reasons for optimism." "Let us recall that this season began for the Angels with Nicky Lopez pitching on Opening Day against the White Sox," Shusterman noted. "And we were like, all right, here we go again. We're on our way to 100 losses. This is the most embarrassing franchise in baseball." And yet, through two weeks, the Angels stand out with their surprising achievement: They've won all four series they've played, albeit without sweeping any of them. Despite their success, the 8-4 Angels find themselves trailing the 9-4 Texas Rangers by a half-game in the AL West. This embedded content is not available in your region. A standout story for the Angels is the unforeseen rise of Kyren Paris, who boasts an impressive 1.485 OPS, a 1.000 slugging percentage, five home runs and four steals so far. Paris, 23, was drafted by the Angels out of high school in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft. As Mintz noted, "None of this is sustainable for even the godliest of men, but there does seem to be something interesting brewing here with Kyren Paris." Paris' journey through the minors was fast-tracked, as the Angels like to do, and then he struggled massively upon arriving in the big leagues in 2023. "And then last year, it's even worse," Shusterman explained. "He hit .167 in 60 minor-league games. He had some injuries. They were still putting him in the big leagues for some of it. He hit .118 in 21 big-league games. "He was 22, so it's not like you were dooming him forever. But this seemed like a case of, 'Oh, the Angels. They got too aggressive with one of their players that seemed to be on a decent track, and now he's paying the price.'" But starting this spring, Paris has looked like a different player. As the hosts noted, Paris worked in the offseason with Aaron Judge's personal hitting coach, Richard Schenck, and has made some apparent adjustments to his stance in the batter's box, which are clearly paying off. "Which is most compelling because Kyren Paris is not a big dude, you know?" Shusterman said. "To see kind of applying some of the same methodology, the same physical moves that have helped Aaron Judge — it's not a perfect replica, but it is maximizing and making the most of athleticism that Kyren Paris has always had." Will Paris slug 1.000 for the rest of the season? Almost definitely not, but as the hosts pointed out, he also brings defensive versatility that will continue to benefit the Angels. What else is going right in Anaheim? The hosts took a look at the rest of the lineup, highlighted by new right fielder Mike Trout, who has also hit five home runs. And the Angels have seen some improvements in their starting pitching, thanks to Kyle Hendricks and Jose Soriano stepping up early in the season. Lastly, the Angels have Kenley Jansen anchoring the bullpen and closing out games. Shusterman summed it up well: "We're talking about 12 games, and when you have a couple good starting pitchers and an offense that's hitting a bunch of homers, you're going to win a decent number of games." It's important to note that the Angels have played the Rays, White Sox, Guardians and Cardinals — not exactly the most daunting slate of opponents. Also, the Angels have started strong through April a few times in the past few years, yet they've always fallen off before the second half. As such, the hosts aren't buying this Angels team quite yet. "I'm glad they're playing well right now," Shusterman said. "I am loving the Kyren Paris breakout. I'm loving Mike Trout. But they would just need to be doing it for so much longer and so many other ways for me to believe." To listen to the full episode and more, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
