Browsing: closer

LOS ANGELES — It takes just four words on repeat and a thumping beat to electrify Dodger Stadium.

Báilalo, Rocky. Suéltale, Rocky. Dance, Rocky. Let loose, Rocky.

It wasn’t long ago that the ninth inning was a time of apprehension for the Dodgers, who experienced the extremes of bullpen volatility this year. They were walked off in four of their last seven regular-season losses, and the other three were charged to relievers who gave up the lead in the eighth inning or later.

Sasaki has changed that, converting three saves and allowing only one run in eight innings as the unlikely postseason closer. No longer is there an air of malaise as the bullpen gate opens ahead of the ninth. As “Bailalo Rocky” blares over the speakers, the Dodgers’ faithful is swept up by the music, rife with anticipation to see Sasaki lock down a win.

The energy is so contagious that it spreads to those in the Dodgers’ dugout, who can typically be seen pounding the rail in time with the beat as Sasaki warms up on the mound.

As many have asked where this resurgent version of Sasaki came from, seemingly out of nowhere, still others have been curious about why he chose his entrance song.

“That was actually MiggyRo’s idea,” Sasaki said in Japanese on Thursday. “Iâ€m really happy the fans are enjoying it.”

An electric entrance song is not the only thing Miguel Rojas has given Sasaki. The veteran infielder also gave up his No. 11 for the rookie when Sasaki chose to sign with the Dodgers this past offseason, hoping it would help him feel comfortable in his first year in the big leagues.

Back in February, the remix of “Bailalo Rocky” by Dj Roderick and Dj Jose Gonzalez was released. Rojas would play it around Sasaki during Spring Training, urging him to use the song as his entrance music.

It took a couple of months, but Sasaki actually did warm up to it once while he was still in the rotation. It was April 26, which ended up being his last home start before he sustained the impingement in his right shoulder that kept him out of big league action for more than four months.

The Dodgers’ dugout loved it, just as they do nowadays. But it felt like a jarring choice at the time, a little incongruous with the version of Sasaki who was working with diminished velocity, command and confidence.

It much better suits the version of Sasaki who returned from injury and shifted seamlessly into a new relief role in late September.

“It’s been special,” Rojas. “I feel like it just fits him really well.”

Besides the fact that “Rocky” sounds like “Roki,” the song matches the attitude that Sasaki brings to the mound. With his four-seamer blazing and his splitter dancing, he all but dares opposing batters to hit his best stuff (and most of the time, they can’t).

It’s a far cry from how Sasaki looked early on, when he showed flashes of elite stuff but often pitched as if he were simply trying to find his footing. He didn’t make it out of the second inning in his first home start and was shown looking visibly emotional in the dugout afterward.

Sasaki is in command now, in multiple senses. He has a hold over those in the crowd, who often keep the energy going when his music dies down by chanting his name.

“I hadnâ€t been able to pitch well at Dodger Stadium before, so honestly, I didnâ€t have the best memories of it,” Sasaki said. “But now that Iâ€m getting results as a reliever, the view from the mound looks completely different.”

Sasaki’s move to the bullpen is not permanent, so as the Dodgers vie for four more wins to defend their World Series title, we may be seeing the last of him as a closer for the time being.

It’s been a brief stint in relief for Sasaki, but his impact has been such that Rojas wants to see even more hype to go along with “Bailalo Rocky.”

“I think he deserves a video and the lights go down and all that stuff,” Rojas said. “I think that’s the next step for him.”

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With the 2025 MLB regular season behind us, itâ€s time to review what we learned from a fantasy perspective and how we can apply it to next year.

In the coming days throughout October, weâ€ll be breaking down the standout seasons, the breakout candidates, the prospects to know, and our early 2026 rankings. You can see our catcher breakdown here, and our first base breakdown here.

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In this edition, weâ€ll cover the 2025 closer position and take a look at some situations to monitor this winter, as well as some relievers on the rise.

2025 POSITION BREAKDOWN: RELIEF PITCHER

The closer position remains volatile as we chase saves in drafts and on the waiver wire. This season, about half of the top 20 closers by ADP failed to match their draft value. Emmanuel Clase, the top closer in drafts, finished with only 24 saves and was suspended in late July. Devin Williams, usually second drafted, managed just 18 saves for the Yankees before losing the job to Luke Weaver and David Bednar. Mason Miller and Ryan Helsley, other top-10 draft closers, were traded to setup roles.

On the other hand, Josh Hader had an incredible season despite missing the final two months. Edwin Díaz enjoyed a successful bounce-back season. Andrés Muñoz and Jhoan Duran elevated their game to new levels. And we got some incredible values from the likes of Aroldis Chapman and Emilio Pagán. With a total of 215 different pitchers recording a league-wide 1201 saves, securing the category early in drafts will always have its merits, while examples like Chapman and Pagán prove that waiting remains viable if you can identify the right situations.

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2025â€s Top Ten Closers

1. Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox)

61 1/3 IP, 1.17 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 85/15 K/BB, 32 SV

Year 16 in the majors may have, incredibly, been Chapmanâ€s best yet. There was some ambiguity over who would emerge as Bostonâ€s closer this season, and in the end, it was the 37-year-old left-handed veteran proving he had plenty left in the tank. Chapman was still averaging 98.5 mph on the fastball, still generated an elite whiff rate, and displayed some of his best control with a career-low 6.6% walk rate in a full season. The Red Sox rewarded Chapman with a one-year contract extension for 2026 at $13.3 million.

2. Andrés Muñoz (Mariners)

62 1/3 IP, 1.73 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 83/28 K/BB, 38 SV

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Finally trusted with the full-time closer role, Muñoz enjoyed a breakout 2025 campaign with a career-high 38 saves for the ALCS-bound Seattle Mariners. The 26-year-old right-handerâ€s skills have been incredibly consistent over the last three seasons. A secured role now makes him one of the top closers going into 2026.

3. Edwin Díaz (Mets)

66 1/3 IP, 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 98/21 K/BB, 28 SV

Díaz had a relatively disappointing 2024 after missing the 2023 season with a knee injury. Another year removed, he bounced back in a big way this season for the Mets, going from a 3.52 ERA to a 1.63 ERA with outstanding strikeout numbers. While his skills havenâ€t fully rebounded to otherworldly 2022 levels, mainly behind a 97 mph fastball that has lagged behind the 99 mph mark he was displaying pre-injury, he remains among the best closers in the game. He has the ability to opt out of the final two years and $37 million on his contract with the Mets and become a free agent, which most expect he will do.

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4. Jhoan Duran (Phillies)

70 IP, 2.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 80/19 K/BB, 32 SV

Duran, much like Muñoz, excelled this season as he was trusted with the full-time closer role, posting a career-high 32 saves. The save total saw a boost after he was acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline, converting 16 of his 32 saves over the last two months in Philadelphia. The team has its locked-in closer over the next several seasons with three more years of team control, giving him the job security behind the elite skills that make him one of baseballâ€s top pitchers in the ninth inning.

5. Robert Suarez (Padres)

69 2/3 IP, 2.97 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 75/16 K/BB, 40 SV

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There was some concern going into the season surrounding Suarez and the way he ended his 2024 season. He put those questions to rest with an excellent campaign, leading the National League with 40 saves while maintaining outstanding ratios and an improved strikeout rate. The threat of Mason Miller behind Suarez may keep his draft price suppressed once again, but thereâ€s speculation that Miller could potentially be stretched out as a starter. Still, thereâ€s little reason to believe Suarezâ€s role would be in any jeopardy unless the team decides to cash in on a trade this winter.

6. Josh Hader (Astros)

62 2/3 IP, 2.30 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 86/19 K/BB, 28 SV

Hader mightâ€ve finished atop the rankings had he not suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the final two months, with his last appearance coming on August 8. Before that, he had converted 28 saves while displaying some of the best skills of his career, including a 7.8% walk rate and 21.1% swinging-strike rate.

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7. David Bednar (Yankees)

62 2/3 IP, 2.30 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 86/19 K/BB, 27 SV

Bednar was briefly demoted by the Pirates early in the season before returning in mid-April and putting together a strong bounce-back campaign, following a 5.77 ERA in 2024. He converted 17 saves for Pittsburgh and was the best reliever for the Yankees after joining New York at the trade deadline, converting ten more saves. With another year of team control, Bednar is in line to open the 2026 season as the Yankees†closer.

8. Trevor Megill (Brewers)

47 IP, 2.49 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 60/17 K/BB, 30 SV

After converting 21 saves for Milwaukee in 2024, filling in for Devin Williams, Megill opened the season as the teamâ€s closer with Williams traded to the Yankees over the offseason. He ran with the opportunity, converting 30 saves with outstanding ratios before a right flexor strain landed him on the injured list in late August. Megill made just one more appearance on the final day of the regular season before Milwaukeeâ€s postseason run.

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9. Carlos Estévez (Royals)

66 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 54/22 K/BB, 42 SV

Estévez was a big regression candidate as he seemed to pitch well above his peripherals in 2024. Instead, he posted a nearly identical season, including a carbon copy 2.45 ERA on his way to leading baseball with 42 saves. Still, the red flags remain, as Estévez saw a sharp dip in his swinging-strike rate while issuing more walks, a ratio heâ€ll have to correct if heâ€s to repeat his success next season.

10. Kenley Jansen (Angels)

59 IP, 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 57/19 K/BB, 29 SV

The 2025 top ten is bookended by a pair of 16-year veterans. And like Chapman, Jansen proved he can still get it done with an outstanding 16th season. The 38-year-old right-hander should certainly get another chance to add to his 476 career saves in 2026.

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2026 Rising Relievers

Braydon Fisher (Blue Jays)

Fisher had an outstanding rookie season for the Blue Jays, earning a call-up after posting a 1.62 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings in Triple-A. The 25-year-old right-hander made an impact in the Toronto bullpen, recording a 2.70 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 62/19 K/BB ratio across 50 innings. His 22.3% K-BB rate was the best in the Blue Jays†bullpen. While Jeff Hoffman remains under contract for two more seasons, he doesnâ€t have the longest track record as a closer, and it would not be surprising to see Fisher in the mix for saves sometime in 2026 should Hoffman struggle next season.

Ronny Henriquez (Marlins)

The Marlins found a gem when they claimed Henriquez off waivers from the Twins before the season. The 25-year-old right-hander had a breakout season in Miami, posting a 2.22 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 98/27 K/BB ratio across 73 innings, earning seven wins and converting seven saves. His 23.4% K-BB rate was tops in the Marlins†bullpen as he collected plenty of strikeouts behind a strong 16.7% swinging-strike rate. Henriquez worked his way into a share of saves in a closer committee and, at worst, should go into the season in the mix for saves once again.

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Connor Phillips (Reds)

Phillips posted an 8.01 ERA across 19 starts in Triple-A in 2024 before reinventing himself as a reliever in 2025 after recovering from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He posted a 2.84 ERA across 38 innings in the minors, earning himself a promotion on June 20. The 24-year-old right-hander went on to record a 2.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 32/12 K/BB ratio across 25 innings in Cincinnati. Flashing a 98 mph fastball and 15.4% swinging-strike rate, Phillips could be in line for a significant role in the back end of the Reds†bullpen next season, especially if the team loses closer Emilio Pagán in free agency.

Matt Svanson (Cardinals)

Svanson is another name to watch for in 2026. The 26-year-old right-hander went under the radar this season despite a breakout performance, posting a 1.94 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 68/20 K/BB ratio across 60 1/3 innings for the Cardinals. Svanson has positioned himself for a pivotal role in the St. Louis bullpen in 2026. And while JoJo Romero and Riley Oâ€Brien finished the season in a closer committee, neither has a large track record in the ninth inning, nor have they separated themselves from a skills perspective.

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2026 Situations to watch

The main things to watch for over the offseason when it comes to closers are the vacant situations left by pending free agents and teams with ambiguous roles without established closers. The biggest name on the market will be Devin Williams. The 31-year-old right-hander had a disappointing season in New York, posting a 4.79 ERA over 62 innings while losing the closer role. Still, his underlying metrics remained strong while he maintained an elite strikeout rate. Thereâ€s a good chance heâ€s given an opportunity to close wherever he lands. Other big names to watch for include Emilio Pagán, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen, Luke Weaver, and Ryan Helsley. Robert Suarez of the Padres can also exercise an opt-out and enter free agency.

2026 Top 12 Closers

1. Andr̩s Mu̱oz РMariners

4. Aroldis Chapman – Red Sox

8. Robert Suarez/Mason Miller – Padres

10. Raisel Iglesias – Free Agent

11. Carlos Est̩vez РRoyals

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UAE will face Qatar on October 14, 2025, needing only a draw to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup/ Image: X With a dramatic win over Oman, the UAE take a vital step toward a long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup. The result not only cements their position at the top of Group A but also sets up a high-stakes face-off against Qatar, with direct qualification within reach.

UAE beat Oman in World Cup qualifier: How the match unfolded

The UAE national football team staged a resilient 2–1 comeback victory over Oman on Saturday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, in their opening match of the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Oman opened the scoring in the 12th minute after sustained early pressure. Forward Issam Al Subhi unleashed a shot that deflected off UAE defender Kwame Atun, wrong-footing goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and handing Oman the lead via an own goal. Oman controlled possession through much of the first half, applying pressing tactics that limited the UAE’s movement and creativity. The Emirati side struggled to find rhythm, with their attacking attempts disrupted by injuries and tight Omani defense. A pivotal moment came in the 32nd minute when UAE’s key winger Yahya Al Ghassani was forced off with an injury following a promising run. Head coach Cosmin Olăroiu brought on Ali Saleh as his replacement. Despite intermittent flashes of individual brilliance from Nicolas Giménez and Fabio Lima, the UAE went into halftime trailing 1–0. Defensive gaps and miscommunication marked their first-half display, while Oman maintained momentum through sharp midfield control and quick transitions.

Tactical shifts and substitutions spark a turnaround

The second half saw a strategic overhaul from coach Cosmin Olăroiu, who introduced three key substitutes — Harib Abdalla, Caio Canedo, and Yahya Nader. The changes had an immediate impact, increasing attacking urgency and opening up the flanks. In the 72nd minute, UAE appeared to have won a penalty when Ali Saleh was brought down in the box. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and play resumed without the spot kick. Undeterred, the UAE continued to press. Persistence finally paid off in the 76th minute. Ali Saleh delivered a perfectly measured cross into the box, where Marcos (or Milos) Miloni rose to head in the equalizer, breaking Omanâ€s resistance and bringing the game level. Just seven minutes later, the comeback was completed. Caio Lucas received the ball outside the penalty area and fired a thunderous long-range shot into the bottom corner in the 83rd minute. The goal, showcasing calm precision under pressure, became an instant viral hit on social media, capturing the joy of both players and fans. The final minutes saw Oman push forward in search of an equalizer, but UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa stepped up, making two critical saves to preserve the lead. His composure in the closing moments sealed the win and solidified his role in the team’s hard-fought victory.

Group A standings and what comes next

This result places the UAE at the top of Group A in the AFC Asian playoff qualifiers with three points. Oman and Qatar, who played out a goalless draw in their opening match, each hold one point. The stakes remain high. The UAE will face hosts Qatar in their next match on Tuesday, October 14. A draw would be enough to secure direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a historic milestone that would mark the UAEâ€s first return to footballâ€s grandest stage since 1990. For Oman, the road is now more complex. With only one point from two games, their path likely leads to the intercontinental playoff, unless results elsewhere swing heavily in their favor.

‘A Nationâ€s Dream’ rekindled after 35 years

The UAEâ€s only World Cup appearance came in 1990, during the tournament held in Italy. Since then, qualification has remained elusive. Under the leadership of Romanian coach Cosmin Olăroiu, appointed earlier in 2025, the team has demonstrated new tactical cohesion and resilience. Olăroiu has managed to maintain an unbeaten streak so far, blending experienced internationals with younger talents like Harib Abdalla and Yahya Al Ghassani. Support for the team is swelling. Thousands of UAE fans made the trip to Doha, turning the stadium into a sea of white shirts and flags. After the wign, prominent voices, including Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, congratulated the team online. “Congratulations to our national team on their well-deserved victory, and hard luck to our Omani brothers†team,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The viral video of Caio Lucas†goal, now circulating widely across social platforms, has become emblematic of the UAEâ€s campaign: focused, spirited, and ambitious. With one final step remaining, the UAE are within touching distance of rewriting history. All eyes now turn to Tuesday, as they prepare to face Qatar, and potentially seal their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed the club want to reestablish links with UEFA and rejoin the European Football Clubs (EFC) in a move which will come as a blow to the European Super League project.

Relations between UEFA and Barcelona broke down in 2021 when the Catalan club emerged as one of 12 founder members of the Super League, a rival competition to the UEFA-organised Champions League.

Barça also left the EFC, known as the European Club Association (ECA) until this week, at the same time.

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However, after attending an EFC event in Rome on Wednesday, Laporta said the Spanish champions want to improve relationships with both organisations again.

He stopped short of saying that means Barça will leave the Super League project, which also still includes Real Madrid, but a renewed relationship with UEFA and the EFC would complicate the club’s involvement.

“We are committed to building bridges between the Super League and UEFA,” Laporta said at an event in Barcelona on Thursday.

Joan Laporta (left) is seeking to rebuild ties with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (centre) and PSG president and EFC chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

“Barça’s position is clear. Those affected and those concerned are already aware of that. We are in favour of pacification because there is a way forward for the clubs in the Super League to return to UEFA.

“We feel very close to UEFA and the EFC. It is important that we are there and that we implement everything that can be improved, both in UEFA and in the EFC.”

Asked if this week’s developments would eventually end the Super League, a source at Barça insisted the idea is to find a way to move forward which is beneficial for all parties.

The Super League quickly unravelled after its launch four years ago. The six English teams withdrew, followed by Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus, leaving just Madrid, whose president Florentino Pérez fronts the project alongside the company A22, and Barça.

It rebranded itself as the Unify League in 2024 but has received little support following the restructuring of the Champions League last season.

UEFA, whose president Aleksander ÄŒeferin has met with Laporta several times in recent months, is the governing body for European football and, in addition to the Champions League, also administer the Europa League and the Conference League.

The EFC is an organisation that is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA as the sole, independent body for football clubs within Europe.

It is chaired by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who met with Laporta this week, and includes around 800 clubs from around the continent.

Barça were among the 16 clubs in the ECA when it was founded in 2008, but left the organisation on the back of the failed Super League launch in 2021.

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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen will be down another arm entering Game 4 against the Philadelphia Phillies, as former closer Tanner Scott was removed from the active roster.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Scott had undergone an abscess excision somewhere on his lower body on Wednesday night, describing it as urgent matter but not ruling out a return should the Dodgers reach the World Series.

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“As I understand it, it was an abscess excision, some type of lower-body minor procedure,” Roberts said. “I don’t know a whole lot about it, to be quite honest with you, but I do know he’s recovering well and it took place last night.

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Left-hander Justin Wrobleski will replace Scott on the active roster. MLB rules mean Scott will now be ineligible for the NLCS if the Dodgers are able to put the Phillies away in either of the next two games.

Roberts had previously alluded to Scott having an issue after Wednesday’s Game 3 loss, saying it was something “personal” and that the southpaw was “completely unavailable.”

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If this is the end of Scott’s season, 2025 will be cemented as a profoundly disappointing first year with the Dodgers for him. Scott was the team’s second-most expensive addition last offseason at four years and $72 million, money spent with the hope that he could be a shutdown reliever for a team already stacked in other areas.

Instead, Scott performed below replacement level in a campaign that both started and ended badly. He hit the injured list in July with elbow inflammation and posted a 6.92 ERA in the second half, with the Dodgers continuing to use him in save situations.

Clearly, the club believed Scott’s stuff would eventually come around and he would become the pitcher that had Shohei Ohtani in knots during last year’s postseason, when he was with the San Diego Padres. That time never came, and he went completely unused in the Dodgers’ first five games of the 2025 playoffs.

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Barring some sort of salary dump, Scott will be back for the Dodgers next year, though, with plenty to work on.

Tanner Scott’s 2025 season might already be over. It was one to forget. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

(Chris Coduto via Getty Images)

Scott’s struggles have been a major part of the Dodger bullpen’s woes over the past month, which the team seems no closer to fixing. The one bright side is the emergence of previously hyped rookie Roki Sasaki as a late-inning arm, but nearly every other reliever used this postseason has seen at least one ugly inning already.

That continued in Game 3, when Clayton Kershaw — coming out of the bullpen in his final MLB postseason — allowed a 3-1 lead to balloon into 8-1, which could have a significant repercussion for the Dodgers in Game 4.

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Tribe is one of two Glamorgan players to be selected for the tour, alongside Ben Kellaway.

The Jerseyman found out about the news on Friday – although he said it took him a while to work out if the call from England Lions coach Andrew Flintoff was genuine after a series of missed calls between the two.

“I had to check, because I didn’t have the number saved, so I had to check that it was definitely Freddie, and that took a couple of goes before I recognised his voice.

“Then I was mightily stoked and really happy to get that phone call because I spoke to Ben Kellaway at lunchtime, and in the morning he found out so I found out a bit later on but very, very happy.

“My mum and dad were present with me when I made the phone call,” he added.

“He phoned me at 11 and I was on the field, so I didn’t see that I’d had a missed call until the end of play.

“Then I tried phoning him back, he didn’t pick up, he then phoned me back and I didn’t pick up – so it was the fourth call that we had between each other that he picked up and mum and dad were listening, I had it on in the speaker in the car, so they were very happy.”

Tribe had never played a game outside of Jersey until he left the island to study in Cardiff when he was 18.

While he was known as a talented player on his home island, he says he would have never believed that he would have got to where he is now when he first left home.

“If I was looking in the future and you told me this would be where I am, even if you told me that six months ago, I’d still be surprised,” he said.

“It was only sort of the last month where I heard, not concrete evidence, but people saying ‘you’ve got a pretty good chance’.

“I think everything has led up to this point and it’s not just been that in the here and now that’s got me here.

“It’s those periods of bad form where I’ve made a lot of learning, it’s been periods of good form that have got me noticed and all the journeys got me here.

“It’s not one clear point that’s made me the cricketer I am now, it’s hard work over that long period of time.”

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Liam Trevaskis and Chris Wright sliced through Northamptonshire’s top order as Leicestershire closed in on a victory that would sign off their County Championship Division Two title triumph in style.

The Foxes, already confirmed as champions last week, declared and set Northamptonshire an improbable 501 to win at Wantage Road following Rishi Patel’s 76 and an unbeaten 30-ball half-century by Ben Cox.

Left-arm spinner Trevaskis took three wickets, with seamer Wright – playing his final game prior to retirement – capturing the other two to reduce the home side to 120 for five before bad light halted play.

Northamptonshire’s Rob Keogh top-scored with 42, passing 10,000 runs across all formats in the process, but his side’s slim hopes of staving off defeat largely rest on Saif Zaib, unbeaten on 20 at stumps.

Leicestershire resumed with an overall lead of 326 and eight wickets in hand, but they were initially stifled by a tight spell from George Scrimshaw, who found some movement in both directions.

However, it was a straight delivery from the seamer that removed Lewis Hill, leg before for 38 and Patel then took command, punching a series of boundaries and bringing up his half-century with a straight drive off Stuart van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe was also slog-swept for six by the Foxes opener, but there was success for his fellow rookie Nirvan Ramesh when Stephen Eskinazi reverse-swept the off-spinner and deflected onto his stumps.

Although Patel’s hopes of another century to back up his 114 against Kent last week were dashed shortly before lunch when he nicked Zaib behind, the champions chose to bat on into the afternoon session.

Yet Cox’s lightning half-century ensured that the innings continued for only five more overs – enough time for Leicestershire to pile up another 53 runs and extend their advantage to exactly 500.

Cox bludgeoned the vast majority of those, scooping Scrimshaw for six and then flicking Ben Whitehouse over square leg and out of the ground before a booming four over the bowler’s head signalled both his 50 and the declaration.

Logan van Beek and Wright gave away very little at the start of Northamptonshire’s second innings, with the ball rolling across the boundary rope just once during the first 11 attritional overs.

Wright, bringing down the curtain on a 22-year professional career, dismissed both openers as Arush Buchake was caught behind pushing at a ball that left him before Lewis McManus drove straight to gully.

Having edged Wright to the third man boundary to reach his career landmark, Keogh gained a life soon afterwards when he nudged Josh Hull through the slips for four more, but settled down as he and James Sales steered their side to tea.

The partnership progressed to 67, but Keogh’s good fortune ran out soon after the restart as he aimed an ambitious drive at Trevaskis and this time Patel safely pouched the chance at slip.

Sales departed in the left-armer’s next over, caught behind off a bottom edge and Trevaskis then trapped Justin Broad lbw in a prolonged spell – partly enforced by the darkening clouds which restricted Leicestershire to slower bowling.

Patel came on to deliver a single over of leg-breaks before the deteriorating light brought an end to proceedings, with Leicestershire needing five more wickets to wrap up victory on the final day of the season.

Match report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network, supported by Rothesay

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Daniel Ståhl stayed calm and collected in a trying rain that vexed the field. Then he let loose the winning throw and a flood of emotion. (TAKASHI ITO/AGENCE SHOT)

IN A LAST ROUND of drama on a rain-slickened ring that for most of the competition would have served better as an ice skating rink, Daniel Ståhl returned to the venue where he won his Olympic title 4 years ago and stole the gold from under the nose of World Record holder Mykolas Alekna. In doing so he defended the title he won in Budapest also on his final attempt.

The giant Swede — who measures 6-7½ and weighs in at over 350 pounds — miraculously secured enough footing to unleash a monster throw of 231-2 (70.47) that surely shocked Alekna.

The Lithuanian had led the way since managing a second-round 222-7 (67.84). That throw in and of itself had looked miraculous in what was a dark comedy of lost footing, slippery wet implements and an army of towel-wielding officials failing at the impossible task of drying the ring.

Yet Alekna had no answer to StÃ¥hl with the last throw of the competition. He fouled while going for broke, knowing that heâ€d thrown farther than the â€19 and â€23 championâ€s seasonâ€s best no fewer than 10 times this year.

Once again, Alekna — now transferred to Oregon for his grad student senior season — had to settle for 2nd, just as he had in Budapest two years ago and Paris last summer — not to mention at the â€22 and â€25 NCAAs as a Cal Golden Bear. He finished 3rd at the â€23 NCAA.

Just after 11pm, due to the delay driven by the deluge, StÃ¥hl became the very last champion of Tokyo25 to be crowned, almost 2 hours after Noah Lyles had anchored the U.S. 4×1 quartet to victory in the penultimate event.

“This was my first rainy championships ever,†said StÃ¥hl, whose body language throughout telegraphed a light mood as so many others fumed in frustration. “I tried to focus today as much as possible, focus on not giving up and just staying positive. Sometimes things like this happen. There are delays, the competition takes time. I just tried to reboot my energy.â€

He continued, “Mentally, I was ready for the last throw. I prepared myself for it. You have to be ready and focus. You have to have this different mentality. Today wasnâ€t slippery for me at all because I have really good shoes. This is my favorite arena of all time. It was special in 2021, and it has been special again tonight.â€

The competition started as originally scheduled but after only two throws in a drenched circle, the last of which saw Australiaâ€s â€24 OG bronze medalist Matt Denny skid over badly, the officials wisely waited for a break in the weather and, they hoped, a drier circle before restarting the competition.

No one could go over 210-ft/64m in the first round, but Alekna opened the second stanza with 222-7. For much of the competition that looked as though it would hold up as the winner.

Ståhl secured 2nd with 215-3 (65.60) in the third round and closed further on Alekna with 221-4 (67.47) one throw later but few expected his howitzer closer, which eventually produced the biggest-ever World Champs winning margin of 2.63m (8-foot-7).

Behind the leading pair, Michigan native Alex Rose, who has represented his fatherâ€s country, Samoa, since â€13, moved into the bronze medal position in the fifth round, overtaking Denny with 219-8 (66.96). Rose, who works a full-time day job, got his countryâ€s first ever World Champs medal after both men fouled in the last round.

The U.S. trio of Reggie Jagers, Sam Mattis and Marcus Gustaveson all failed to progress from the prelims.

MENâ€S DISCUS RESULTS

FINAL (September 21) (torrential rain)

1. Daniel Ståhl (Swe) 231-2 (70.47)

(f, 209-1, 215-3, 221-4, 219-8, 231-2) (f, 63.74, 65.60, 67.47, 66.97, 70.47);

2. Mykolas Alekna (Lit) 222-7 (67.84)

(206-4, 222-7, 216-6, f, 211-10, f) (62.91, 67.84, 66.00, f, 64.57, f);

3. Alex Rose (Sam) 219-8 (66.96)

(190-0, 212-0, f, f, 219-8, f) (57.93, 64.63, f, f, 66.96, f);

4. Matt Denny (Aus) 215-1 (65.57)

(193-10, 207-3, 215-1, 214-0, f, f) (59.09, 63.18, 65.57, 65.23, f, f);

5. Mario A. Díaz (Cub) 212-3 (64.71)

(f, 212-3, 196-8, 202-1, 207-3, 208-9) (f, 64.71, 59.95, 61.61, 63.16, 63.62);

6. Andrius Gudžius (Lit) 208-1 (63.43)

(f, 208-1, f, f, r) (f, 63.43, f, f, R);

7. Martynas Alekna (Lit) 207-10 (63.34)

(206-10, 207-10, f, 204-11, f) (63.05, 63.34, f, 62.47, f);

8. Kristjan ÄŒeh (Slo) 206-11 (63.07)

(181-0, f, 206-11, f, f) (55.18, f, 63.07, f, f);

9. Lukas Weißhaidinger (Aut) 204-3 (62.26)

(204-3, f, f, f) (62.26, f, f, f);

10. Connor Bell (NZ) 196-9 (59.97)

(179-6, 195-1, f, 196-9) (54.73, 59.46, f, 59.97);

11. Mika Sosna (Ger) 192-3 (58.60)

(f, 192-3, f) (f, 58.60, f);

… 3f—Henrik Janssen (Ger).

* = progression of the leading throw; ¶ = athleteâ€s best of the day

first 3 rounds

Mykolas Alekna
62.91*
67.84*¶
66.00

Denny
59.09
63.18
65.57¶

ÄŒeh
55.18
f
63.07¶

Ståhl
f
63.74
65.60

Díaz
f
64.71¶
59.95

Bell
54.73
59.46
f

Janssen
f
f
f

Gudžius
f
63.43¶
f

Sosna
f
58.60¶
f

Rose
57.93
64.63
f

Martynas Alekna
63.05*
63.34
f

Weißhaidinger
62.26¶
f
f

round 4

Bell
59.97¶

Weißhaidinger
f

ÄŒeh
f

Ma. Alekna
62.47

Gudžius
f

Rose
f

Díaz
61.61

Denny
65.23

Ståhl
67.47

My. Alekna
f

round 5

ÄŒeh
f

Ma. Alekna
f

Gudžius
r

Rose
66.96¶

Díaz
63.16

Denny
f

Ståhl
66.97

My. Alekna
64.57

final round

Gudžius
p

Díaz
63.62

Denny
f

Rose
f

Ståhl
70.47*¶

My. Alekna
f

QUALIFYING (September 19; auto-qualifier 218-2/66.50)

Qualifiers: Ståhl 229-4 (69.90), Čeh 223-4 (68.08), Ma. Alekna 220-4 (67.16), Denny 218-7 (66.63), Janssen 218-1 (66.47), Weißhaidinger 216-3 (65.91), Díaz 215-5 (65.66), My. Alekna 214-6 (65.39), Gudžius 213-10 (65.18), Rose 213-8 (65.13), Bell 213-6 (65.09), Sosna 213-2 (64.99);

Non-Qualifiers: Steven Richter (Ger) 210-2 (64.06), Reggie Jagers (US) 208-7 (63.59), Lawrence Okoye (GB) 208-4 (63.50), Tuergong Abuduaini (Chn) 207-10 (63.34), Ruben Rolvink (Neth) 207-7 (63.28), Lolassonn Djouhan (Fra) 207-1 (63.13), Chad Wright (Jam) 206-3 (62.87), Sam Mattis (US) 206-3 (62.86), Diego Casas (Spa) 205-2 (62.54), Dimítrios Pavlídis (Gre) 205-0 (62.49), Shaquille Emanuelson (Neth) 203-6 (62.04), Victor Hogan (SA) 201-9 (61.51), Juan José Caicedo (Ecu) 199-11 (60.94), Alin Alexandru Firfirica (Rom) 199-5 (60.78), Mauricio Ortega (Col) 198-8 (60.57), Fedrick Dacres (Jam) 198-7 (60.54), Claudio Romero (Chl) 198-5 (60.48), Wellington Filho (Bra) 194-1 (59.16), Marcus Gustaveson (US) 193-11 (59.12), Marek Bárta (CzR) 189-0 (57.60), Nick Percy (GB) 187-3 (57.08), Emanuel Sousa (Por) 186-11 (56.97), Ralford Mullings (Jam) 186-5 (56.82), Jordan Guehaseim (Fra) 185-10 (56.64), Masateru Yugami (Jpn) 185-0 (56.40).

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Image credit:
Danny Graves (Photo by Aaron Doster/Getty Images)

Danny Graves arrived at the University of Miami in the fall of 1991 as an undersized righthander surrounded by a deep recruiting class of standout arms and wondering what heâ€d gotten himself into.

“Not that I had any lack of confidence, but (what are) the odds for a little freshman—I looked like I was about 12, and I was a little chubby,†Graves said. “I canâ€t believe that I signed to go here, and all these pitchers are here. Turtle Thomas, our recruiting coordinator back then, was infamous for doing that, bringing in a lot of arms and seeing what sticks. And, thankfully, I stuck.â€

Graves did more than stick. He cemented himself as a mainstay in the Miami bullpen from day one, posting a 0.89 ERA with 21 saves as the Hurricanes’ closer on their 1994 College World Series-bound team.

Just three years removed from wondering if he could stick at Miami, Graves was at the top of his game. He had set himself up to vault into pro baseball, as the Indians selected him with their fourth-round pick in the 1994 draft, and he arrived in Omaha looking to end his college career with a bang.

Instead, he tore his ACL during the College World Series, throwing that future in doubt.

“The first thing I thought was, ‘There goes all the money,â€â€ Graves said. “At the time, I was
thinking I might have to go back to school.â€

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His fears wouldnâ€t come to pass, however, as the Indians honored Graves†pre-injury bonus request. They were quickly rewarded. Graves was just as lights out in the minor leagues as he was at Miami, and he debuted with the big league club in 1996 before being flipped to the Reds in a trade deadline deal as a part of the package for Jeff Branson and John Smiley.

Graves took his lumps early in his big league career, learning that he needed more than just good life on his pitches to get MLB hitters out.

“I felt like for so long I would get by with stuff,†Graves said. “When people donâ€t see a lot of you,
especially in the minor leagues, your stuff can dominate for a little while. When you get to the
big leagues, you need more than just stuff.â€

Graves set about not just fine-tuning his arsenal, but learning how to effectively use it. By his age-25 season, heâ€d earned the Reds’ closer job and made his first all-star team in 2000 at age 26. Even with the ACL setback in college, the game had brought Graves nothing but joy, and he relished shutting things down in the ninth.

However, in 2003, Graves’ toughest professional year coincided with his toughest year off the field.

“I was going through a divorce at the time,” Graves said. “Itâ€s really hard to have a family when youâ€re a big league player. People think itâ€s all glory because you make a lot of money, but you have a family because you love your family and you want to be with your family. When theyâ€re not with you all the time, you get lonely.â€

Things at home were difficult, and after being converted to a starter by Reds management,
things on the mound werenâ€t much better. Years of elite performance in the bullpen were replaced
by a season of struggling in the rotation.

“I would have some good starts, but then have one or two bad innings that just blew stuff out of
proportion,†Graves said. “I went back to the bullpen the next year and made the all-star team,
but it still wasnâ€t fun. It was a struggle to pitch.â€

By 2007, Graves was on the wrong side of 30, pitching with diminished stuff for the independent
Long Island Ducks. He was a long way from being a big league all-star, but unwilling to let go of being a
professional baseball player.

“Thatâ€s what my identity was in my eyes,” Graves said. “I was nothing else but a baseball player. What happens if I donâ€t play anymore? If I say no to the Long Island Ducks, then Iâ€m not going to
play, and then what am I? Who am I? Thatâ€s why I kept trying to play, even knowing in the back of my
mind I had no shot of getting back to the big leagues.â€

After stints in the minor leagues and with Navojoa of the Mexican League, Graves walked away
from baseball, leaving behind the game and any joy associated with it.

“I took a couple years away from the game completely,” Graves said. “I was just a dad at home. I got
remarried to a wonderful lady. I wanted nothing to do with baseball.â€

That mightâ€ve been it for Graves and the game he loved—if baseball hadnâ€t come back for him.

Graves was approached about broadcasting, an opportunity he has since parlayed into stints with Reds Radio Network and his current role calling ACC baseball for ESPN. With a new job behind the mic instead of on the mound, it allowed Graves to find an identity in the game that had nothing to do with getting hitters out.

“All of a sudden, I get this opportunity to get back in the game on the media side,†Graves said.
“And thatâ€s when I knew, ‘Now I can be a former player and be ok with it.’â€

In the broadcast booth, Graves has rediscovered the baseball joy from his Miami and early Reds days. In 2023, he capped both journeys on a high note, going back to complete his Miami degree
and being inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame the same year.

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Nottinghamshire are within 300 runs of securing the County Championship crown after bowling out Warwickshire for 258 on day one at Trent Bridge.

Needing to secure a maximum of 10 points from the final round of matches to lift the title for the first time since 2010 after their victory over holders Surrey last week, Notts fulfilled their first requirement by taking all three bowling bonus points, led by Brett Hutton’s 4-46 and Mohammad Abbas’s 3-33.

And Surrey’s failure to take any of the five batting bonus points potentially up for grabs against Hampshire at Southampton, means they require just two more points in this match to be certain of becoming champions.

If they can muster anything above 300 with the bat within 110 overs in their first innings, the title will be theirs even if they were to lose and Surrey win.

They might have been on the field in pursuit of those runs already if Dan Mousley had not defied difficult batting conditions by scoring 74 to drive Warwickshire’s recovery from 127-5.

Mousley shared a 117-run sixth-wicket partnership with Ed Barnard, who exactly matched Will Young earlier in making 48 from 104 deliveries.

After choosing to bowl first, Nottinghamshire presumably would have hoped to send Warwickshire to lunch in a more precarious position than 70-1.

As it was, in an opening session limited to 25 overs after a wholly unforecast stoppage for rain, the visitors lost only Alex Davies, who was leg before to the 10th ball of the match as Hutton found some early movement through the air.

Abbas, returning from a minor back issue, bowled seven overs that on another day might have generated two or three wickets. Young and Rob Yates played and missed several times and edged other deliveries past the slips.

More rain delayed the afternoon session by 50 minutes but it began with another early wicket, Yates well held at second slip by Freddie McCann in Abbas’s second over.

Though the sky cleared, batting remained a challenge, although patience and some nifty footwork appeared to be paying off for Young.

Having saved himself on 35, managing to kick the ball away a sa delivery from Dillon Pennington squirmed under his bat towards the stumps, he was nearing a half-century against his former county, but he then he unexpectedly wafted at a ball from Hutton outside off stump and paid the price.

With Surrey already dismissed by Hampshire for just 147, a first bowling point for Nottinghamshire was enthusiastically applauded by the home crowd.

Two more wickets followed before tea as Sam Hain and Zen Malik were caught behind in consecutive overs, the latter from a ball from Lyndon James that moved late to find the edge of his defensive bat.

The middle session thus belonged to Nottinghamshire, yet Mousley and Barnard resisted and then fought back in the final session, Mousley becoming more confident and aggressive as the partnership grew, accelerating to a half-century from 62 balls, which he celebrated by going down the pitch to hit James back over his head for six.

In the final half-hour, though, the pendulum swung back to Nottinghamshire, left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White claiming the second bowling point with a caught-and-bowled to remove Barnard before Abbas, bowling fast and straight with second new ball in hand, dismissed Michael Booth and Ethan Bamber in consecutive deliveries.

Hutton wrapped things up by bowling Tazeem Ali before Mousley holed out to long off, leaving Nottinghamshire within touching distance of the prize.

Match report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network, supported by Rothesay

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