Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Teams

  • Pirates ‘bummed’ after young collector, who scored one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes card, declines team’s offer

    Pirates ‘bummed’ after young collector, who scored one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes card, declines team’s offer

    Earlier this week, a young collector pulled the coveted autographed MLB debut patch card of Paul Skenes from the market. 

    An 11-year-old collector from Southern California, who nabbed a one-of-kind baseball card featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher, decided to turn down a trade offer from the MLB franchise.

    The card was featured in the 2024 Topps Chrome Update set. On Friday, the trading card and collectible manufacturer confirmed the collector had “chosen to send the card to auction with @FanaticsCollect instead,” Topps wrote in an Instagram post.

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    Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field May 17, 2024, in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

    The Pirates offered a package of perks in exchange for the card. A pair of premium Pirates season tickets for three decades, an opportunity to play a softball game on the field, a meet and greet with Skenes and autographed jerseys were among offerings from the team.

    LIVVY DUNNE EXPLAINS AWKWARD MOMENT WITH PAUL SKENES AFTER HE WON NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

    LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, who is dating Skenes, also offered an incentive to the owner of the card.

    Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne

    Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne on the set of ESPN “College GameDay” at the LSU Quad Nov. 9, 2024, in Baton Rouge.  (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

    “Let’s raise the stakes…the person who finds this card can sit with me at a Pirates game in my suite,” Dunne wrote in a post to her Instagram story.

    While the collector wrote in a journal entry shared by Topps that nabbing the card was a “dream come true,” apparently that dream did not include spending time over the next 30 years attending games at PNC Park.

    The Pirates admitted they were “bummed” after learning of the collector’s decision but offered to have the fan at a game sometime during the 2025 season.

    A general view of PNC Park

    A view of PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Philadelphia Phillies June 21, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)

    “Well…we’re bummed that we won’t be seeing you behind home plate for 30 seasons. But we’d still love to bring you to Pittsburgh for a special day at PNC Park this season,” the team posted on X.

    Fanatics Collect, which will handle the auctioning of the card in March, said it will donate its proceeds from the sale to fire relief funds in the Los Angeles area.

    Skenes delivered a season to remember in 2024, finishing 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. Before winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award, he was named to the MLB All-Star team. Skenes was the top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and made his big league debut in May 2024. 

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    Rookies have worn MLB debut patches on their jerseys since 2023. Topps acquired the patches and created the unique cards. The card could hold pretty high value considering the potentially bright future ahead for the 22-year-old, who finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting.

    Skenes said over the weekend he hasn’t thought about the potential of signing a long-term contract to remain with the Pirates, saying instead his focus is on helping the Pirates take a step toward contending in 2025. He is eligible for free agency after the 2029 season.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

  • Jaguars ‘respectfully separate’ from general manager Trent Baalke as other teams fill similar roles

    Jaguars ‘respectfully separate’ from general manager Trent Baalke as other teams fill similar roles

    The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to have to make up for some lost time.

    With the season ending over two weeks ago, the team announced Wednesday it has parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke.

    “Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately,” owner Shad Khan wrote in a statement.

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    Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke walks off the field during the third day of training in the summer of 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA Today Network)

    “Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons. … I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that happen for our players and fans alike.”

    After winning the AFC South in 2022, it’s been a tough couple of seasons for the organization. The Jags choked what would have been a second-straight division win in 2023. This season, in Trevor Lawrence’s first year of one of the most lucrative contract extensions of all time, he took a step backward, and the team finished 4-13.

    Baalke joined the Jags in 2020 as their director of player personnel but was quickly promoted to general manager the following year. His first selection in the draft was Lawrence.

    Trent Baalke in conference

    Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke speaks during a press conference April 26, 2024, at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.  (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)

    Jacksonville went 25-43 in his tenure.

    The separation comes after the Titans and Raiders hired new general managers.

    Reports say that, after the Jags fired Doug Pederson, potential head coaching candidates did not want to work under Baalke. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson chose the Bears, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn went with the Jets and Bucs OC Liam Coen decided to return to Tampa Bay instead of going to Jacksonville.

    Trevor Lawrence and Trent Baalke

    General manager Trent Baalke talks with first-round draft pick Trevor Lawrence. (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union/USA Today Network)

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    Jacksonville holds the fifth selection in the NFL Draft.

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  • New Year 2025 Celebrations: Delhi Police Roll Out Extensive Security Measures, Deploy Quick Reaction Teams Across City

    New Year 2025 Celebrations: Delhi Police Roll Out Extensive Security Measures, Deploy Quick Reaction Teams Across City

    New Delhi, December 30: Ahead of New Year celebrations, the South West District Police of Delhi have rolled out extensive security measures to ensure public safety and maintain order. With large gatherings expected, the police have intensified vigilance, focusing on crowd management and swift response capabilities, according to a press release.

    Surendra Choudhary, IPS informed that the key security initiatives include 27 traffic checkpoints equipped with breath analyzers to ensure road safety and 57 fortified pickets monitoring vehicular movement and suspect activities. Additionally, 14 Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) and 16 Police Control Room (PCR) vans have been stationed at strategic locations for rapid response. “Special attention is being given to 35 celebration venues and 15 popular spots, including malls, motels, and cinema halls, which will be under strict surveillance. Security staff have also been deployed at 21 bus stops, on 60 motorcycles patrolling vulnerable routes, and in eight prominent hotels. Hauz Khas Village, a popular party destination, will see a high-visibility police presence to ensure safety,” said an official release. New Year 2025 Lucky Food: From Grapes to Long Noodles, Bring Good Fortune to Your Table With These 5 Foods.

    In total, the police force comprises seven Assistant Commissioners of Police, 38 Inspectors, and 329 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, alongside 161 female officers. Regular beat and vehicle patrols will bolster visibility and quick response mechanisms. Authorities have appealed to residents to celebrate responsibly and cooperate with the deployed personnel. Any suspicious activity should be promptly reported to nearby officers or through the helpline number 112. Mathura Gears Up for ‘New Year’ Celebrations, Police Authorities Announce Security Measures.

    Dhal Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Traffic said, “Connaught Place and India Gate are the main points in New Delhi district, which always witness huge crowds on New Year. To manage this, the traffic police will impose restrictions in Connaught Place after 8 pm, wherein we enforce diversions at around 12 points on roads leading to Connaught Place. “We will allow only those who have a valid parking label. Apart from this, we will divert the rest of the vehicles. Around 400 of our traffic police personnel will be deployed. Apart from this, there will be around 48 bike patrolling teams in the area. Along with this, our team will be deployed with alcohol meters to check and prosecute drunk drivers,” Singh told ANI.

    (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)