Welcome to Friday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
FRIDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA playoffs: Knicks at Celtics, 7 p.m. (CSNNE, ESPN; WEEI-FM)
NBA playoffs: Pacers at Hawks, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
NBA playoffs: Thunder at Rockets, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA playoffs: Clippers at Grizzlies, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
NHL playoffs: Senators at Canadiens, 7 p.m. (CNBC)
NHL playoffs: Islanders at Penguins, 7 p.m. (NBCSN)
NHL playoffs: Wild at Blackhawks, 9:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
NHL playoffs: Sharks at Canucks, 10 p.m. (CNBC)
MLB: Red Sox at Rangers, 8:05 p.m. (NESN; WEEI-AM)
MLB: Cardinals at Brewers, 8 p.m. (MLB Network)
AROUND THE WEB:
‘¦ An Associated Press-GfK poll of more than 1,000 adults conducted in mid-April shows that despite recent attempts to pressure the Redskins to change their name, the majority of Americans do not think the team should be forced to give in to the politically correct movement. Only 11 percent said the name should be changed, with 8 percent unsure and 2 percent not answering.
A national poll in 1992 showed the name had 89 percent support, so this poll indicates a 10 percent drop.
The team made reference to the poll on its website.
“While much of the world has changed over the last three decades, the loyal support for the Washington Redskins remains unwavering,” the website said. “It is also suspected that at least 50 percent of those in dissent are Dallas Cowboys fans.”
Responded Susan Shown Harjo, one of five Native American petitioners who is trying to get the courts to take away the team’s federal trademark protection: “This is a really good example of why you never put racism up to a popular vote, because racism will win every time. It’s not up to the offending class to say what offends the offended.”
‘¦ Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez met the media Thursday, less than a week after the team drafted West Virginia QB Geno Smith early in the second round, and said he still considers himself the starter and future of the franchise.
“If we’re competing for the job, I’m going to do my very best to compete,” Sanchez said. “I expect to play. That’s just the way I am.”
Sanchez said new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg called him after Smith was selected and told Sanchez to to “go win the job.”
There’s a little fire going and that’s good,” Sanchez said. “I’m cool with that. I think it’s good for everybody.”
Added Sanchez: “It’s an exciting time. I’m thrilled to compete. It will bring out the very best that I have, and that will help the team.”
‘¦ Major League Baseball handed out fines to umpire Tom Hallion and the Rays players who were involved in a public dispute earlier this week.
Pitchers David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore were fined $1,000 each after tweeting comments questioning Hallion’s integrity. Hallion was fined an undisclosed amount after he called Price a “liar” for saying Hallion swore at him during Sunday’s game.
Price, who had said he only wanted an apology from Hallion, said Thursday he had no more comments on the matter.
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On May 3, 1999, which Red Sox catcher made his first major league hit count, hitting a grand slam in the first inning against the A’s in a game the Sox would lose in the 10th despite have a 7-0 lead after two innings?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “To me, that’s clueless on his part. If he knew anything about Buchholz, he knows how nasty he is. His ball doesn’t dance all over the place. The guy paints. He’s got nasty stuff. [Morris] should know that, and he’s gotten carried away. It becomes about Jack Morris almost.” — NESN Red Sox analyst Dennis Eckersley, responding to accusations from Blue Jays analyst Jack Morris that Clay Buchholz is doctoring baseballs
STAT OF THE DAY: 6-0 — Red Sox right-hander Ryan Dempster‘s record in the 10 games he’s started in his home country of Canada, after Thursday night’s 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): Canadiens forward Lars Eller is destroyed on a hit by Senators defenseman Eric Gryba that cost Gryba a game misconduct.
A comedy group at Syracuse performs “Boeheimian Rapsody.”
The MLS’ Portland Timbers (who played the Revolution on Wednesday night), hosted a game against a local youth soccer team as part of a Make-A-Wish event, allowing 8-year-old cancer patient Atticus Lane-Dupre to be the star in front of 3,000 fans.
Here’s a creative alley-oop pass from a charity dunk contest.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Creighton Gubanich
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Frankie Valli was born on this day in 1934.
