Joe Torosian's Outsiders Sports

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

In a dark way, the Mets did something right…they didn’t re-sign Edwin “El Sugar” Diaz.

Literally, it’s the only thing that’s gone right for the Mets since failing to acquire another starter at last year’s trade deadline.

With the NFL Draft looming and the Rams owning the 13th pick, it might be good to remember that all that glitters is not gold.

On this day in 2001, the Rams had the 12th overall pick in the draft, and they took the guy who was supposed to be the next Warren Sapp. Damione Lewis was 6-2/301 and a defensive tackle out of Miami—can’t miss right?…Lewis not only helped Grubhub eat the fees but also turned into a colossal bust for the Rams.

Talked about this on RamView last night…ESPN posted a hypothetical trade that has the Rams sending #13 to Minnesota for J.J. McCarthy, #18 and #97 overall…Would you do it?

I would.

Next Add Dodgers: I got shot down on this a long time ago…And with Blake Snell projected to be out till the end of May, it’s purely speculative… but would the Dodgers ever consider asking Shohei Ohtani to be the closer?

Question for baseball people: Will pitching ever come back to baseball any time soon, or will it continue to be throw as hard as you can, for as long as you can?

Put another way, will there ever be room again for a “crafty-lefty”…? A Tommy John, a Jamie Moyer….? I’ve got the Yankees Ryan Yarbrough in my head, but that’s it.

If the New York Knicks wore uniforms that made them look like the New York Knicks, they might have been able to call on some Madison Square Garden magic before collapsing to Atlanta last night.

The spirits of Willis Reed, Red Holzman, and Dave DeBusschere showed up to help and said, “Where’s my team?”

I never thought it possible for Nikola Jokic to miss a shot in the fourth quarter. But The Joker went one of seven last night, and the Minnesota Timberwolves stole a win in Denver.

Loved the Rod Martin story of John Robinson calling Al Davis late in the 1977 draft. Robinson, who coached Martin at USC, convinced Davis to take Martin in the 12th round.

Ron Jaworski is still having nightmares about Martin, who picked him off three times in Super Bowl 15.

Last Add Baseball: My fantasy team is currently in first with a 76-point lead. And I have total faith in Angels’ starter Jose Soriano leading me to the flag.

#29—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

Last Add Raiders: I’ve never been a Raiders fan, but in the look back at Rod Martin, I realized that in each of their Super Bowl victories (over Vikings, Eagles, Redskins), I was rooting for the silver and black.

I mean, who doesn’t love hearing, “The Autumn wind is a Raider…”

The Dude abides…

1,274
2 Chronicles 7:14
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
“RamView” M-W-F
Follow Joe on X: @joet13b

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

How does the greatest team in MLB history lose twice in Colorado?

I’m sure Dianna Russini will be blamed for it.

Staying in Denver, on the ice, for a moment, I thought the Kings had a shot against the Avalanche.

Not prime time… but you can see them on Prime. Yet Prime only broadcast three of the NBA’s eight playoff games this weekend.

But for some reason, it felt like they were broadcasting all of them.

Of the four NBA playoff games played yesterday, the average margin of victory was 22 points.

If you want to see the Atlanta Hawks against the Knicks tonight in Madison Square Garden, a single ticket in the West Balcony will cost you $355.

I’m trying to remember a time, if ever, I’ve seen Luke Kennard play like the go-to guy he was for the Lakers on Saturday against Houston.

Yes, with all the injuries the Lakers have, he had to be, but I didn’t know he could be. I expected to see the spot up three-point specialist I saw with the Clippers—and every other NBA stop of his.

It was one game, and, yes, he hit threes, but seeing him go and get his own shot against the Rockets, along with everything else, may have changed a lot of opinions on Kennard.

My recent statement about no longer being into sports has nothing to do with the New York Mets losing 11 games in a row, or being eight games out of first place in the third week of April.

It must be Dianna Russini’s fault. (The new Zola Budd)

#28—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

The Cincinnati Bengals making moves? Spending money? I hardly recognize them.

I don’t know if they’re the right players, but the Cincy front office doing anything is a stop the presses event.

Adding, now former New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to their roster in an AFC North that is in flux—to be kind, chaos—to be honest, makes them the favorite.

For the Giants, moving off Lawrence was a good move. They get the 10th overall pick, get rid of a player who is no longer young, his contract, and the headache of dealing with his contract.

In this week’s draft, the Giants could get Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at #5, and USC receiver Makai Lemon at #10. Boom!

This trade definitely has a ripple effect on the Rams at #13.

The Rams need a playmaking receiver, a backup tackle ready to take NFL snaps, and could use an off-ball linebacker in a draft full of off-ball linebackers.

Arizona State wide receiver Jordon Tyson’s stock was rising and being linked to the Rams at #13, but the Giants-Bengals deal creates another obstacle between them, Lemon, and Tyson.

Do they trade up? I think they trade back.

The San Francisco 49ers have given left tackle Trent Williams a two-year, 50-rock extension. That’s great for him, great for them—if he stays healthy. Williams will be 38 when the season starts.

If it all falls apart…they can say it was all Dianna Russini’s fault.

1,273
Luke 5:27-32
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
“RamView” M-W-F
Follow Joe on X: @joet13b