Johnny Manziel will be back

Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will reportedly soon be "Johnny Football" once again in a new startup league.

Manziel, 28, told ESPN he's agreed to join Fan Controlled Football, which is scheduled to begin play in February. The new league will reportedly have 7-on-7 games in which fans set rosters, call plays and interact in varying other ways.

"The more I heard about what this was going to be, the more I felt it was going to be something that was just very fun," Manziel said. "It's going to be very fan-oriented and something I could get behind without being extremely, extremely, extremely serious, the way that my football career has been in the past."

The former first-round draft pick said he connected with FCF co-founder and CEO Sohrob Farudi through a mutual friend, comedian Bob Menery, to discuss joining the league. Manziel hasn't played football since 2019, when he appeared in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football league for the Memphis Express.

The former Texas A&M standout had previously appeared in the Canadian Football League as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Aloutettes, as well as The Spring League, following a disappointing NFL tenure that only lasted two seasons.

Manziel was selected No. 22 overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft after a decorated collegiate career. However, multiple off-field incidents coincided with lackluster play and the Browns released the quarterback in 2016.

Manziel had previously told TMZ in September that he was retired from playing football, but wouldn't completely rule out his options when asked if he planned on joining the XFL after it was purchased by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and a team of business partners.

"I think football is a little bit behind me…Football for me is not at the forefront of my mind," Manziel said. "Listen, anything ‘The Rock’ touches is gonna be gold as always."

FCF will begin with four teams, each of which currently have celebrity owners including current NFL stars Richard Sherman, Austin Ekeler and retired legend Marshawn Lynch, as well as Migos rapper Quavo and boxing legend Mike Tyson.

2020 University of Hawaii Football

12/24/20 - Hawaii defeats Houston 28-14 in New Mexico Bowl held in Texas

12/18/20 - Aloha Stadium moratorium impacts Rainbow Warrior football

12/16/20 - Muasau named All-Mountain West

12/16/20 - Miles Reed enters transfer portal

12/13/20 - Hawaii accepts invitation to play in New Mexico Bowl against Houston

12/12/20 - Hawaii runs over Nevada 38-21 to finish 4-4

12/5/20 - Hawaii falls to San Jose State 24-35

12/2/20 - San Jose State game moved to Aloha Stadium

11/28/20 - Hawaii stops Nevada 24-21

11/21/20 - Hawaii comeback falls short against Boise State 32-40

11/14/20 - Hawaii falls to San Diego State 34-10

11/7/20 - Hawaii scrambles back to beat New Mexico 39-33

10/30/20 - Hawaii run over by Wyoming, 31-7

10/24/20 - Hawaii broke the rock in defeating Fresno State 34-19 in Graham's debut

10/22/20 - Calvin Turner faced uncertainty

10/18/20 - Hawaii will play in empty Aloha Stadium (I mean actually empty)

10/18/20 - Todd Graham's salary ranks 10th out of 12 MWC teams

10/18/20 - Kim McCloud joins Hawaii staff

10/17/20 - Hawaii PPV will be $69.99 per game (no discount for the whole season?)

10/15/20 - Kody Cooke wants to be able to take people into the fifth quarter

10/13/20 - Only two Hawaii games to be nationally televised

9/30/20 - Four players test positive, team activities suspended

9/30/20 - Todd Graham says Chevan Cordeiro is our quarterback

9/25/20 - Mountain West approves season starting October 24

8/10/20 - Mountain West cancels fall football season
8/6/20 - University of Hawaii's current schedule has 10 games starting on September 26
7/23/20 - Hawaii picked to finished third in the West Division
7/19/20 - Rico Bussey picked as Mountain West newcomer of the year
7/13/20 - Robert Morris replaces Fordham on Hawaii's schedule
7/10/20 - U.H.'s three games with Pac-12 opponents are cancelled
6/28/20 - Kody Cooke is involved in everything
6/25/20 - Trent Figg has a plan
6/23/20 - Hawaii game with Fordham in jeopardy
6/21/20 - Why was Brennan Marion called 50-50?
6/19/20 - Todd Graham looking forward to training camp
6/19/20 - Abraham Elimimian sets the tone
6/18/20 - Sam Bennett has seen all the angles
6/14/20 - Laiu Moeakiola is trying to keep pace
6/12/20 - Tony Hull likes to figure how things work
6/11/20 - G.J. Kinne's move to Hawaii was a no-brainer
6/10/20 - Victor Santa Cruz and the war dogs
6/9/20 - Dan Phillips skill is the grill
6/8/20 - Bo Graham will be the eye in the sky
5/31/20 - Rico Bussey Jr., WR, transferring from North Texas
5/31/20 - Preliminary depth chart taking shape
4/20/20 - Armani Edden, QB, College of the Canyons, commits to Hawaii
4/15/20 - Adam Stack (Kamehameha 2017), K, to transfer from Oregon to Hawaii
4/2/20 - Zelly Henderson, WR, verbally commits to Hawaii
3/16/20 - Hawaii lands Jake Farrell, QB from Arizona
2/6/20 - Hawaii gets seven on signing day: Zion Bowens WR, Quin Bright WR, Cameron Lockridge CB, Sergio Muasau C, Jalen Perdue CB, Logan Taylor S, Riley Wilson WR
2/5/20 - Hawaii signs two receivers: Zion Bowens of Long Beach City College and Riley Wilson of Prestonwood Christian in Plano Texas
1/29/20 - Cameron Lockridge, DB, Reedley (CA) College and Logan Taylor, DB, El Camino College commit to Hawaii
1/5/20 - Isaiah Mays, DB, City College of San Francisco accepts scholarship offer
12/19/19 - Hawaii signs 10: Ezra Evaimalo DE, Kilohana Haasenritter SB, Dae Dae Hunter RB, Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala SB, Sterlin Ortiz S, Matt Shipley K, Kemon Smith DT, Micah Soliai Howlett OL, Maurice Ta'ala DT, Calvin Turner WR
12/18/19 - Dae Dae Hunter, RB, Chandler (Ariz) accepts scholarship offer
10/3/19 - Maurice Ta'ala to join brother at Hawaii
9/10/19 - Micah Soliai Howlett, OL, Kahuku, pledges to join Hawaii in 2020
8/22/19 - Isaiah Tufaga to transfer from Oregon State
6/30/19 - Matthew Shipley, K, Liberty Hill High, Texas to sign with Hawaii
6/18/19 - Kilohana Haasenritter, WR, Hilo High, accepts offer from Hawaii
6/10/19 - Jake Tuatagaloa, OL, Mililani, commits to Hawaii
5/9/19 - Ezra Evaimalo, DE, Kamehameha, orally commits to Hawaii for 2020
1/24/19 - Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala, DB/WR, Campbell commits to Hawaii

MLB reclassifies the Negro Leagues as major league

NEW YORK >> Willie Mays will add some hits to his record, Monte Irvin’s big league batting average should climb over .300 and Satchel Paige may add nearly 150 victories to his total.

Josh Gibson, the greatest of all Negro League sluggers, might just wind up with a major league record, too.

The statistics and records of greats like Gibson, Paige and roughly 3,400 other players are set to join Major League Baseball’s books after MLB announced today it is reclassifying the Negro Leagues as a major league.

MLB said today it was “correcting a longtime oversight in the game’s history” by elevating the Negro Leagues on the centennial of its founding. The Negro Leagues consisted of seven leagues, and MLB will include records from those circuits between 1920-48. The Negro Leagues began to dissolve one year after Jackie Robinson became MLB’s first Black player with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

Those leagues were excluded in 1969 when the Special Committee on Baseball Records identified six official “major leagues” dating to 1876.

“It is MLB’s view that the Committee’s 1969 omission of the Negro Leagues from consideration was clearly an error that demands today’s designation,” the league said in a statement.

The league will work with the Elias Sports Bureau to review Negro Leagues statistics and records and figure out how to incorporate them into MLB’s history. There was no standard method of record keeping for the Negro Leagues, but there are enough box scores to stich together some of its statistical past.

For instance, Mays could be credited with 16 hits from his 1948 season with the Alabama Black Barons. Irvin, a teammate of Mays’ with the New York Giants, could see his career average climb from .293 to .304 if numbers listed at Baseball-Reference from his nine Negro League seasons are accurate. And Paige, who currently is credited with 28 major league wins, should add at least 146 to his total.

While some have estimated Gibson slugged over 800 homers during 16 Negro League seasons, it’s unlikely that enough records exist for him to officially pass Barry Bonds for the career record at 762.

Depending on what Elias and MLB rule, though, Gibson could wind up with another notable record. His .441 batting average in 1943 would be the best season mark ever, edging Hugh Duffy’s .440 from 1894. Gibson’s line came in fewer than 80 games, however, far short of the modern standard of 162.

“The perceived deficiencies of the Negro Leagues’ structure and scheduling were born of MLB’s exclusionary practices, and denying them major league status has been a double penalty, much like that exacted of Hall of Fame candidates prior to Satchel Paige’s induction in 1971,” baseball historian John Thorn said. “Granting MLB status to the Negro Leagues a century after their founding is profoundly gratifying.”

MLB said it considered input from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Negro League Researchers and Authors Group and studies by other baseball authors and researchers.

“All of us who love baseball have long known that the Negro Leagues produced many of our game’s best players, innovations and triumphs against a backdrop of injustice,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We are now grateful to count the players of the Negro Leagues where they belong: as Major Leaguers within the official historical record.”

2021 University of Hawaii football commitments

12/17/20 - Hawaii adds seven signees: Joshu Bartholotte LB, Colby Burton DB, Jordan Johnson RB, Tariq Jones DL, Solomon Turner LB (Baylor), Sonny Semeatu LB (Mililani), Kolby Wyatt TE (Georgia)

8/26/20 - Tariq Jones, pass rusher, McDonogh 35 Senior High School (New Orleans) commits
8/6/20 - Josh Bertholotte, LB, Landry High (New Orleans) commits
7/21/20 - Tyriek Bell, LB, Saddleback Community College (Mission Viejo, CA) chooses Hawaii
7/19/20 - Brayden Schager, QB, Highland Park High (Dallas TX) accepts scholarship
7/14/20 - Jordan Johnson, RB, Allen (TX) commits
6/23/20 - Sonny Semeatu, LB, Mililani commits
6/14/20 - Peter Manuma, U, Campbell commits
5/15/20 - Cinque Williams, DB (TX) commits
4/7/20 - DQ James, RB, Lancaster High (TX)

Bill Duffy pays back Anthony Carter

Everybody makes mistakes. Not everybody makes a $3 million mistake. And very few people have volunteered to fix such a big mistake after making it.

That’s what Bill Duffy did. In 2003, he was a sports agent representing Anthony Carter, a journeyman N.B.A. player on the Miami Heat. Carter’s contract allowed him to opt into a $4.1 million contract for the next season, much more than he could have made as a free agent. Unfortunately, Duffy failed to submit the paperwork in time, and Carter lost more than $3 million as a result.

In response, Duffy promised to reimburse Carter for the lost money. As The Times’s Sopan Deb wrote, “It was an unusual and virtually unprecedented move.”

“I wasn’t even mad, to tell you the truth,” Carter, who’s now back with the Heat as an assistant coach, said. “I didn’t say, ‘What happened?’ Because I knew what type of person he was. Things happen.”

Duffy has just finished making the payments to Carter, and Sopan has told the full story — including how the mistake helped the Heat win a championship.

***

By Sopan Deb

Dec. 14, 2020

Anthony Carter is one of the most consequential figures in Miami Heat history. And it was all because of a mistake.

Sure, any Knicks fan will tell you that Carter came out of nowhere to beat their team at the buzzer in Game 3 of the 2000 Eastern Conference semifinals. But Carter was never a star. Far from it: He spent the first four seasons of his 13-year N.B.A. career as a reserve for the Heat, averaging between 4.1 and 6.3 points a game.

And as great as the Knicks shot was, it was something that happened years afterward that forever enshrined Carter in Heat lore.

After the 2002-03 season, Carter, then 27, was planning to exercise a $4.1 million player option to remain in Miami. Picking up the option was a no-brainer. Carter was coming off a disappointing season in which he averaged 4.1 points on .356 shooting in 49 games. For a player with that stat line, $4.1 million was a fortune.

Except Carter’s agent, Bill Duffy, failed to notify the Heat by the June 30 deadline that Carter was coming back. Instead of locking in another season in Miami, Carter accidentally became a free agent.

The mistake cost him at least $3 million. Carter had to settle for a minimum contract with the San Antonio Spurs — roughly $750,000 — the next season, rather than the $4.1 million he would have locked in by exercising his option.

As criticism rained down on Duffy, the agent offered to make it right. He would pay Carter $3 million out of his own pocket — through an agreed-upon payment schedule — to make up for the mistake, essentially the difference between his Spurs contract and the Heat salary he had forfeited. It was an unusual and virtually unprecedented move.

This year marked the last of those payments, with Carter confirming in an interview this week that Duffy made good on his promise.

That was hardly a surprise for Carter, who said he never considered firing Duffy in the wake of the incident.

‘I wasn’t even mad, to tell you the truth. I didn’t think anything of it until lawyers and stuff called. I didn’t jump to any conclusions.’

ANTHONY CARTER, WHO COACHED IN THE N.B.A.'S DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE BEFORE JOINING THE HEAT AS AN ASSISTANT, ON HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS AGENT.

“I wasn’t even mad, to tell you the truth,” said Carter, who is now back with the Heat as an assistant coach. “I didn’t think anything of it until lawyers and stuff called. I didn’t jump to any conclusions. I didn’t say, ‘What happened?’ Because I knew what type of person he was. Things happen.”

It was a blunder that had cascading effects.

The most noteworthy ripple was that it gave Pat Riley, the Heat’s president, an unexpected amount of cap space that summer, which he used to sign Lamar Odom as a free agent. One year later, in 2004, Odom was the centerpiece of a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O’Neal.

Two years after acquiring O’Neal, Miami won its first N.B.A. championship. It was Duffy’s clerical error that, at least in part, allowed the championship to happen. That turned Carter’s contract situation with the Heat into one of the all-time “What Ifs?” in league history.

“I should’ve got one of them rings, too,” Carter, 45, joked.

Riley declined to comment for this article.

While Carter’s loyalty to Duffy may seem baffling to some, it was a result of Duffy’s previous faith in Carter.

Carter’s making it to the N.B.A. at all was a long shot. He dropped out of Alonzo A. Crim High School in Atlanta after his freshman year. He spent the next three years traveling around the city and playing basketball games for money to make a living. At one of those games in 1994, an opponent offered to send a tape highlighting Carter’s game to the coach at Saddleback College, a junior college in California. With some help of friends and family, Carter got his high school equivalency diploma and headed west. Two years later, he transferred to the University of Hawaii, a Division I program.

In 1998, months after he injured his left shoulder before his senior year at Hawaii, Carter damaged it more seriously on the first day of a camp ahead of the N.B.A. draft. The injury required surgery and other agents stopped pursuing him, assuming that his N.B.A. hopes were dead. All of them, that is, except for Duffy, who stuck with Carter and arranged for him to sign with the Heat after he went undrafted. He spent four years with the team.

Duffy’s mistake could have been as damaging to his future as it was to Carter’s. But in promising to pay back Carter, his loyalty instead became a selling point for his services.

“When this happened, I was hearing from a lot of people because I took responsibility,” Duffy said. “I took ownership of it and took care of it and he was taken care of.

“I’ve had Wall Street people call me and say: ‘Man, that happens all the time. Everybody tries to hide from it. They try to pass the buck. You stood up for it. You took care of it.’ I actually gained a lot of respect from people.”

‘When this happened, I was hearing from a lot of people because I took responsibility. I took ownership of it and took care of it.’

BILL DUFFY, AN AGENT WHOSE CLIENT LIST NOW INCLUDES LUKA DONCIC AND RAJON RONDO.

At the time, it took days for the news of the filing error to reach Carter. Duffy, who declined to go into the specifics of how the oversight occurred, first learned about it from the team. Llew Haden, Carter’s close friend and financial adviser, said he heard about it on July 4, when a reporter called looking for a comment.

“I know my emotion wasn’t anger,” Haden said. “First, I was just astounded. ‘How in the hell could something like this happen?’ And then it was, ‘What are we going to do next?’”

N.B.A. agents are known to be hypercompetitive. Yet both Carter and Haden said they did not receive any calls from Duffy’s competitors. Instead, Haden theorized, they may have been celebrating a rival’s apparent professional downfall.

“I think most of them were just dancing up and down in the halls,” Haden said. “They were going to be able to get clients who would be tempted to go with them.”

In fact, from the day they received the news, the only calls that Carter and Haden received were from lawyers offering to represent Carter pro bono to sue Duffy — offers they never seriously considered.

Duffy flew to Atlanta that week to meet with Carter and Haden and work out their financial arrangement: a series of payments — a sort of annuity lasting until 2020 — that would make Carter whole.

“He was there for me from Day 1,” Carter said. “I just knew I was going to stick with him regardless, and to this day, we have a close friendship.”

Duffy’s business survived the mistake, too. Today, he has a stable roster of N.B.A. clients, including Luka Doncic, Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic.

After leaving the Heat, Carter stayed in the league for nine more seasons. He developed a reputation as a hard worker and was a key player on the 2008-2009 Denver Nuggets, who went to the Western Conference finals. According to Basketball Reference, Carter’s N.B.A. earnings — not including the $3 million restitution from Duffy — are estimated at $17 million, less than what many current players now collect in a single season.

Carter and Duffy have maintained an enduring relationship. Duffy has given Carter guidance on his children, including his son Devin, who is a high school basketball player currently committed to the University of South Carolina. Duffy also still looks over Carter’s contracts.

Carter says he has never brought up the filing error with Duffy, not even to joke about it. Nor has he joked about it with Riley since returning to the organization as a coach in 2016. But he says he is at peace with how things worked out.

“I got my name in the history books in two different ways,” Carter said, referring to his buzzer-beater and the contract-that-wasn’t. “I wouldn’t change anything.”

Carter is known for two things: the clerical error that cost him more than $3 million, and this buzzer-beater against the Knicks in 2000.Credit...Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

***

The Miami Herald story by Anthony Chiang

2021 NCAA Football

 12/13/20 - McKenzie Milton to transfer to Florida State

All-Time Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team

ALL-TIME WARRIORS: THE OFFENSE
By Lance Tominaga

There are some major questions about the upcoming University of Hawaii football season: Will the Rainbow Warriors play a full 13-game schedule? Will fans be allowed at Aloha Stadium? Will there even be a season at all? (The answer to the last question has to be “yes,” right? RIGHT?) But one thing that isn’t a question is this: The UH football program has had its share of outstanding players in its proud history. From college football record setters to All-Americans and even a Heisman Trophy finalist, Hawaii fans have been able to witness the talents and grit of many gridiron greats.

But which players are the best of the best? Who would comprise the All-Time Rainbow Warrior football team?

Selecting such a team is nearly an impossible task because there are so many deserving players to choose from. For example: Colt, Timmy or Michael Carter? Lelie, Bess or Murray? Woodcock, Noga or Sopoaga? Even attempting to put together a list like this can be considered c-r-a-z-y.

But being sheltered in place for two months makes you do crazy things.

So here’s my All-Time UH Offense. We’ll focus on the Defense later this week.

A brief explanatory note: In selecting my team, I went with a traditional football lineups. (Sorry, no run-and-shoot or spread offense here.) Also, my memories of UH football only date back to the tail end of the Dave Holmes years, so unfortunately you won’t find a Larry Sherrer or Tommy Kaulukukui on this team.

Here we go:

OFFENSE:

Quarterback: COLT BRENNAN. In his junior season in 2006, he shattered numerous UH records, including single-season passing yards (5,549) and total yards (5,915). He also set the NCAA single-season record with 58 TDs. The next season, Brennan led the program to a perfect 12-0 regular season and it’s first-ever Sugar Bowl berth. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy race.

Running Back: GARY ALLEN. Hawaii’s career rushing leader, with 3,451 net yards. More importantly, he was an electrifying centerpiece of the Rainbow Warrior teams that brought “Saturday Night Fever” to the Islands in the late 1970s-early 1980s. A UH Sports Circle of Honor inductee.

Running Back: JOEY IOSEFA. Iosefa would line up at fullback on this team. A punishing runner with nimble feet, he finished his career No. 5 on the school’s all-time rushing list (2,218) before having a brief stint with NFL’s New England Patriots.

Center: SAMSON SATELE. A four-time All-WAC selection (2x First Team), Satele anchored the UH O-line that protected both Brennan and Timmy Chang.

Guard: JESSE SAPOLU. He would go on to be win four Super Bowl rings as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, but Sapolu was a standout lineman at UH. He was an All-WAC guard for the team before being asked to switch to Center after an injury to Ed Riewerts. “I had never played center before. Taking a step back and snapping your hand back we’re totally new to me,” he once recalled. (Sapolu would become a 2x Pro Bowl selection at that position.)

Guard: VINCE MANUWAI. A standout on June Jones’ earliest UH teams, the Farrington alum didn’t allow a sack in his final 35 games. He was a 3x All-WAC selection, and College Football News named him a First-Team All-American after his senior campaign. He also enjoyed a lengthy NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tackle: LEO GOEAS. Came to UH hoping to be a tight end, but wound up becoming an outstanding tackle for the Warriors in the mid- to late-1980s. He was later a third-round selection of the San Diego Chargers and had an eight-year NFL career.

Tackle: DAN AUDICK. At 6-2, 250 lbs., Audick was a bit undersized for his position, but his smarts and technique made him a key component on the offensive one during the Larry Price era. He was later drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers.

Tight End: JERRY SCANLAN. No, he didn’t have big numbers. He played in the 1970s for Larry Price and Dick Tomey, who emphasized the running game. But the Iolani product was a key member of the offensive line. He played briefly for the Washington Redskins before a neck injury ended his career.

Wide Receiver: ASHLEY LELIE. He’s the only UH receiver to log three 200-yard games, and all three came during his senior year in 2001. Had a combined 547 receiving yards in consecutive games that season (285 versus Air Force, 262 against BYU. Became the highest NFL Draft pick in school history (No.19 overall in 2002).

Wide Receiver: DAVONE BESS. Greg Salas had more yardage, but I’m giving Bess a slight edge because of his ability to score (Bess is the UH career leader with 41 receiving TDs; Salas had 26). He was perhaps Colt Brennan’s most reliable weapon.

*** [5/27/20] ***

Earlier this week, I presented my (very) subjective picks for the University of Hawaii’s All-Time Offensive Team. This time around, I’ll focus on the defense. As you might imagine, it was a thankless and nearly impossible task. Historically, defense has always been the heart and soul of the Rainbow Warrior football program, characterized by bone-crunching hits and goal line stands. It was tough to leave so many great defenders off this roster. But here we go.

Defensive Tackle: LEVI STANLEY. A Second-Team Little All-American selection in 1973. Led UH in total tackles in both his junior and senior seasons. Finished his career as Hawaii’s all-time leader in total tackles (366, since surpassed by Solomon Elimimian and Jahlani Tavai.

Nose Guard: FALANIKO NOGA. Longtime UH fans still remember Noga’s epic battle with Nebraska’s Outland Trophy winner, Dave Rimington. (Rimington remembers it, too.) Noga was an All-WAC honoree for all four seasons he played at UH. Honorable Mention All-American in 1981. The “original 54.”

Defensive End: AL NOGA. “The Samoan Sack Man.” Probably the greatest defensive player in program history. Hawaii’s only First-Team All-American (1986). He was also the school’s first promoted Heisman Trophy candidate. Set single-season UH records for sacks (17), tackles for loss (31) and forced fumbles (6).

Defensive End: TRAVIS LABOY. Used his uncanny speed to become a standout edge rusher. In 2003, he recorded 13 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. The Tennessee Titans drafted him in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Linebacker: MARK ODOM. The program’s all-time leader in sacks (36) and second only to Al Noga in tackles for loss (68). Played his best when the games mattered most. To wit: In Hawaii’s exhilarating 56-14 blowout of BYU in 1989, Odom sacked Cougar QB Ty Detmer four times.

Linebacker: PISA TINOISAMOA. Led the team in sacks his junior and senior campaigns. Finished his career with 15.5 sacks and 38 tackles for loss. Became a second-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams and had an eight-year NFL career.

Linebacker: SOLOMON ELIMIMIAN. Meet the school’s all-time leader in career tackles (434). Led Hawaii in tackles both in 2007 and 2008. Was voted the Canadian Football League’s “Most Outstanding Player” in 2014. Earlier this year, he was elected president of the CFL’s Players Association.

[no Jeff Ulbrich?]

Cornerback: DANA McLEMORE. A First-Team All-WAC selection and Honorable Mention AP All-American In 1981. Snared 7 career interceptions at UH. Later won a Super Bowl ring with the San Francisco 49ers.

Cornerback: JERIS WHITE. Named First-Team All-American by The Sporting News and Time Magazine in 1973. Set the single-season record for interceptions (6, since broken by several players). Was drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins and won a Super Bowl ring with the Washington Redskins.

Safety: BLAINE GAISON. No, he didn’t set any school records. But there wasn’t a better leader or tougher competitor than Gaison. That’s why he’s in the UH Sports Circle of Honor. Started his career as a quarterback before transitioning to safety. Was a First-Team All-WAC selection in 1979. Later played for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

Safety: RICH MIANO. The ultimate rags-to-riches story. Began his UH career as a walk-on and ended up as a First-Team All-WAC selection in 1984. Also an Honorable Mention All-American. Led his team in tackles in back-to-back seasons. Played 11 seasons in the NFL.

*** [6/3/20] ***

In football, a lot of emphasis is placed on the offense and defense, but knowledgeable fans know that special teams play often makes the difference between winning and losing a game. Special teams affect field position and can change the momentum of a contest with a blocked punt, long kick return or costly turnover. University of Hawaii football fans have been fortunate enough to witness some the game’s best special team performers display their talents while wearing a Rainbow Warrior uniform. Here are our picks for the best special teams players in UH history:

Placekicker: JASON ELAM. Can there be any doubt? Finished his collegiate career with 395 points, the most in UH and WAC history, and third in NCAA history. Successfully converted 79 of 100 FG attempts. Set the school record for longest FG (56 yards) against BYU In 1992. Later won two Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos.

Punter: RIGOBERTO SANCHEZ. We went with Sanchez over Matt McBriar, but you could make a case for either. Sanchez tops the list of punters with a career average of 44.84 yards a punt. Was 10th in the nation in punting average during his senior season.

Kickoff Returner: CHAD OWENS. Tops all UH returners with a 29.4-yard average in his collegiate career. Took it to the house twice. Honorable mention goes to Mike Edwards, who had returns of 90-plus yards three times in 2012.

Punt Returner: CHAD OWENS. As good as he was as a kick returner, “Mighty Mouse” was even more electrifying when returning punts. Earned Second-Team All-American honors in 2004, when he set an NCAA record with five punt returns for TDs.

Long-snapper: JAKE INGRAM. Originally a walk-on defensive lineman, Ingram made the switch to long-snapper the fourth game into his freshman season. The Mililani product started every game since then and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Played all 16 games that season for the Patriots.

*** 6/10/20 ***

Ranking the U.H. coaches

Since joining the ranks of NCAA Division I, the University of Hawaii football program has seen its share of highs and lows – including a Sugar Bowl appearance (Yay!) and a winless season (@&#%!). During this span of time – 46 years – the program has had nine different head coaches, including current head coach Todd Graham. We thought it would be fun to rank the coaches from best to worst. Take a look and see whether you agree with our ranking. (Note: Graham, for obvious reasons, is not included on this list.)

1. JUNE JONES. (1999-2007). Hawaii’s all-time winningest coach in the Division I era, with a 76-41 record over nine seasons. His run-and-shoot offense put up gaudy numbers and made Hawaii relevant again in college football. His signature achievement, of course, was the 2007 season, when UH went a perfect 12-0 in the regular season, captured its first outright WAC championship and appeared in its first-ever major bowl game – the 2008 Sugar Bowl. That “sugary” season ended on a sour note, with the Rainbow Warriors getting pummeled by Georgia and Jones leaving for SMU. But no head coach has taken the program to greater heights. That’s why he’s our No. 1.

2. BOB WAGNER. (1987-1995) “Wags” did something even Jones could not do: win a bowl game on the mainland. The Rainbow Warriors’ 27-17 victory over Illinois in the 1992 Holiday Bowl remains one of the milestone moments in Hawaii football history. Wagner, who was 58-49-3 as UH head coach over nine seasons, also was the man who broke the “BYU Curse.” In fact, his teams beat the rival Cougars three times. Upon replacing Dick Tomey in 1987, Wagner brought in Paul Johnson to install the triple-option spread offense, which was as effective as JJ’s run-and-shoot system.

3. DICK TOMEY. (1977-1986) One of the most beloved coaches in UH history. Tomey arrived on campus during a tumultuous time in the football program. Hired during the summer of 1877, he didn’t have the benefit of spring practice, but was able to cobble together a unified team that went 5-6 on the season. Although known as a conservative coach, he delighted the Aloha Stadium crowds with the occasional “muddle huddle” plays, no-huddle drives and platoon substitutions. Attendance soared under his tenure, as Hawaii took on national powers the likes of USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Tomey was 63-46-3 in Hawaii over ten seasons. In 1981, he also led the program to its first-ever national ranking. He never won a conference title, and that’s because BYU always stood in his way.

4. NICK ROLOVICH. (2016-2019) Like his mentor and former coach, June Jones, Rolovich inherited a program that was in shambles. He led the Rainbow Warriors to an admirable 7-7 season in his first year, including a convincing win over Middle Tennessee in the 2016 Hawaii Bowl. In his four seasons in Hawaii, “Rolo” went 28-27 and made three Hawaii Bowl appearances. His 2019 team captured the Mountain West Conference’s West Division.

5. GREG McMACKIN. (2008-2011) Coach Mack had the unenviable task of following June Jones and Hawaii’s Sugar Bowl season. He also had the misfortune to make his head coaching debut against the No. 5 team in the country, against Tim Tebow and Florida in Gainesville. He was 29-25 in his four seasons at the helm, leading UH to a pair of Hawaii Bowl appearance (both lopsided losses). His best season was 2010, when the Rainbow Warriors won nine of their final 10 regular-season contests and captured a share of the WAC title.

6. LARRY PRICE. (1974-1976) Price’s tenure as UH head coach ushered in the school’s entry into the NCAA Division I level. Noted for his “Hula-T” offense – a veer option attack that featured a running QB – Price also employed an attacking defense that the local fans appreciated. The installation of the Hula-T serendipitously led a young QB named June Jones to transfer to Portland State, where he became an eager disciple of Mouse Davis’ run-and-shoot offense. Price went 15-18 in his three years as head coach.

7. NORM CHOW. (2012-2015) His UH tenure began with “Chow Time” and ended with “Ciao Time.” His four seasons leading the UH program – his record was 10-36 – lent credence to the adage that great assistant coaches don’t always make great head coaches. Twice went winless in the Mountain West. The low point was the 2013 season, when the Rainbow Warriors lost their first 11 games of the season before posting a win over Army in the season finale. (Note: Chris Naeole was named interim head coach after Chow was fired during the 2015 season and went 1-3.)

8. FRED VON APPEN. (1996-1998) As bad as Hawaii’s 2013 campaign was, it was still better than Von Appen’s 1998 season, when UH went 0-12. The former San Francisco 49ers assistant spent three miserable years in Hawaii, posting an overall record of 5-31. His best moment in Hawaii was the 1997 season opener, when UH defeated Minnesota, 17-3. Wrote Honolulu Advertiser columnist Ferd Lewis after the game: “Now that the Rainbows have 1996 behind them, there is, indeed, a lot to look forward to.” The best thing about the No. 8 coach on this list was his firing led to the hiring of our No. 1 on this list.

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6/17/20 - When June Jones was the enemy

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7/17/20 - Ten best players from the Wagner era

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8/27/20 - Top ten UH quarterbacks

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11/27/20 - Top ten UH receivers

MLB 2021

2/18/21 - Fernando Tatis gets 14 year $340 million extension from Padres

2/18/21 - Tim Tebow retires from baseball

11/16/20 - Kim Ng becomes MLB's first female general manager

MLB 2020

11/13/20 - Freddie Freeman and Jose Abreu win MVP Awards

10/27/20 - Dodger win World Series

7/27/20 - Two games cancelled after Miami Marlins outbreak
7/22/20 - Mookie Betts signs 12 year, $365 million extension
1/13/20 - Astos fire GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch for sign stealing
1/11/20 - Cody Bellinger agrees to take $11.5 million for one year
1/11/20 - Mookie Betts agrees to $27 million for one year deal
12/17/19 - Rangers acquire Corey Kluber from Indians for Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase
12/15/19 - Madison Bumgarner signs with Arizona for $85 million, 5 years
12/11/19 - California signs Anthony Rendon for $245 million, 7 years
12/10/19 - Gerrit Cole signs with Yankees for 9 years, $324 million
12/9/19 - Stephen Strasburg signs with Washington for 7 years, $245 million

2020-2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors basketball

10/22/20 - Big West schedule features back-to-back games

5/28/20 - James Jean-Marie transferring from University of San Diego
5/13/20 - Casdon Jardine (Utah Valley State) and Noel Coleman (University of San Diego) complete 2020 recruiting class
4/5/20 - JoVon McClanahan accepts scholarship offer

NBA 2019-2020 / NBA draft

9/28/20 - Doc Rivers out as Clippers coach after seven seasons

9/24/20 - NBA owners and political contributions

9/19/20 - Giannis repeats as MVP

9/16/20 - Bradley Beal snubbed from All-NBA team

8/28/20 - Lakers and Clippers voted to end playoffs, then change position
8/27/20 - Kenny Smith walks off set in solidarity with player protests
8/26/20 - NBA postpones games after Milwaukee boycotts in protest of shooting
8/26/20 - Pacers fire Nate McMillan after being swept by Miami
8/24/20 - 76ers fire Brett Brown after being swept by Celtics
8/19/20 - Barkley says Blazers will sweep the Lakers in the first round
8/16/20 - New Orleans dismisses Alvin Gentry
8/15/20 - Vlade out as Kings GM
8/14/20 - Bulls fire Jim Boylen
8/10/20 - The NBA's virtual fans
7/31/20 - Day 2 re-open highlights: Popovich and Isaac stand, Dirk in the stands
7/27/20 - Knicks to hire Thibodeau as head coach
6/26/20 - 16 NBA players test positive for COVID-19
6/25/20 - Vince Carter retires after 22 seasons
3/9/20 - Clippers sign Joakim Noah
3/7/20 - Kenny Atkinson out as Brooklyn head coach
2/24/20 - Lakers sign Markieff Morris, waive DeMarcus Cousins
2/19/20 - Reggie Jackson to join Clipper after buyout with Pistons
2/19/20 - John Beilein leaving Cleveland as head coach
2/6/20 - NBA trade ticker
2/6/20 - Andre Drummond traded by Detroit to Atlanta
2/6/20 - Marcus Morris headed from New York to Clippers in multi-team deal
2/6/20 - D'Angelo Russell traded from Golden State to Minnesota for Andrew Wiggins
2/6/20 - Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson headed from Golden State to Philadelphia
2/5/20 - Miami lands Iguodala from Memphis
2/5/20 - Clint Capela headed to Atlanta, Robert Covington headed to Houston
10/19/19 - Siakam signs 4-year $130 million max extension
10/7/19 - Kyle Lowry signs $31 million one-year extension
9/13/19 - Shaun Livingston is retiring
8/29/19 - Jeremy Lin signs with Beijing
8/24/19 - Kuzma ankle injury decides Team USA roster for FIBA World Cup
8/24/19 - Dwight Howard planning to sign with Lakers
8/22/19 - NBA rookie survey
8/22/19 - Tyronn Lue to become Clipper's top assistant
8/3/19 - Draymond Green signs four-year, $100 million extension
8/1/19 - Lance Stephenson signs with Liaoning (China) for $4 million
7/31/19 - C.J. McCollum agrees to three-year $100 million extension
7/24/19 - Pau Gasol to sign with Portland
7/22/19 - Tim Duncan to rejoin Spurs as assistant coach
7/20/19 - Kyle Korver signs with Milwaukee
7/12/19 - Tyson Chandler agrees to one-year deal with Rockets
7/11/19 - Oklahoma City trades Russell Westbrook to Houston for Chris Paul, 2024 first round pick, 2026 first round pick, and pick swaps in 2021 and 2025
7/11/19 - Kelly Oubre to return to Phoenix for $30 million, two years
7/11/19 - Marcus Morris headed to New York instead of San Antonio for $15 million / Spurs signs Trey Lyles instead
7/8/19 - LeBron to move to point guard
7/8/19 - Jabari Parker signs with Atlanta for $13 million, two years
7/8/19 - Jerami Grant traded from Oklahoma City to Denver for 2020 first round pick
7/8/19 - Lakers have become nearly unbeatable with the signing of Avery Bradley for $9.7 million, two years
7/8/19 - JaMychal Green re-signs with Clippers for $10 million, two years
7/9/19 - Alec Burks leaves Oklahoma City for Golden State who is trading Damian Jones to Atlanta for Omari Spellman
7/6/19 - Marcus Morris headed from Boston to San Antonio for $20 million, two years
7/6/19 - After being rejected by Kawhi, Lakers sign DeMarcus Cousins ($3.5 million), Danny Green, Quinn Cook, Rajon Rondo ($2.6 million, two years)
7/6/19 - Clippers to acquire Paul George from Oklahoma City for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and at least four first-round picks (five)
7/6/19 - Kawhi Leonard decides on Clippers for $140.6 million, four years
7/5/19 - Wizards trade Dwight Howard to Memphis for C.J. Miles
7/4/19 - Boban headed to Dallas
7/3/19 - Jimmer leaves Golden State
7/3/19 - Phoenix trades Josh Jackson, De'Anthony Melton, 2020 second-round pick, 2021 conditional second-round pick to Memphis for Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter
7/3/19 - Markieff Morris to sign with Detroit for two years
7/3/19 - Jake Layman leaves Portland for Minnesota for $11.5 million, three years
7/3/19 - Memphis trades Chandler Parsons to Atlanta for Solomon Hill and Miles Plumlee
7/2/19 - Willie Cauley-Stein to join Warriors
7/2/19 - Noah Vonley to Minnesota for $2 million
7/2/19 - Jared Dudley to join Lakers for $2.6 million
7/2/19 - Luke Kornet from Knicks to Bulls
7/2/19 - Jeff Green to Utah for $2.5 million
7/2/19 - Glenn Robinson to Golden State on two-year deal

7/1/19 - July 1 roundup
7/1/19 - Knicks sign Elfrid Payton for $16 million, two years
7/1/19 - Isaiah Thomas joining Wizards on one year deal
7/1/19 - Boston adds Enes Kanter for $10 million, 2 years
7/1/19 - Seth Curry signs with Dallas for $32 million, four years
7/1/19 - Miami trades Hassan Whiteside to Portland for Mo Harkless and Meyers Leonard / Harkless on his way to Clippers / and now Goran Dragic to stay with Miami
7/1/19 - Kevon Looney returning to Golden State for $15 million, three years
7/1/19 - Jordan Bell agrees to join Timberwolves for one year, $1.6 million
7/1/19 - Troy Daniels signs with Lakers for one year, $2.1 million
7/1/19 - Corey Joseph signs with Sacramento for $37 million, three years
7/1/19 - Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham on the move to Minnesota
7/1/19 - Frank Kaminsky to sign with Suns for $10 million, two years
7/1/19 - Iguodala to sign with the Lakers?
7/1/19 - Barea to stay in Dallas for another year
7/1/19 - Wesley Matthew signing with Milwaukee for the minimum
7/1/19 - Austin Rivers to return to Houston with a 1+1 contract
7/1/19 - Patrick Beverly turns down Kings to return to Clippers for $40 million, three years

7/1/19 - Reggie Bullock signs with Knicks for $21 million, two years

6/30/19 - Winners and losers from day 1
6/30/19 - New Orleans trades assets to Utah for Derrick Favors
6/30/19 - Bobby Portis to sign with Knicks for $31 million, two years
6/30/19 - Jamal Murray agrees to $170 million, five year extension with Denver
6/30/19 - Golden State to acquire D'Angelo Russell from Brooklyn for $117 million, four years
6/30/19 - Golden State trading Andre Iguodala and draft picks to Memphis
6/30/19 - Patrick Beverly to remain with Clippers for $40 million, three years
6/30/19 - Al Horford headed to Philadelphia from Boston for $109 million, four years
6/30/19 - Jimmy Butler reportedly headed to Miami from Philadelphia, Josh Richardson headed to Philadelphia from Miami, Goran Dragic headed from Miami to Dallas
6/30/19 - J.J. Redick leaves Philadelphia for New Orleans for $25.6 million, two years
6/30/19 - DeMarre Carroll agrees to join Spurs for $12 million, 2 years
6/30/19 - Khris Middleton to remain with Bucks for five years, $178 million
6/30/19 - Terry Rozier headed from Boston to Charlotte for three years, $58 million
6/30/19 - Tobias Harris to re-sign with Philadelphia for $180 million, 5 years
6/30/19 - Rodney Hood agrees to return to Portland for 2 years, $16 million (or $11.7 million)
6/30/19 - Jeremy Lamb leaves Charlotte for Indiana for $31.5 million, three years
6/30/19 - Milwaukee re-signing George Hill for $29 million, three years
6/30/19 - Milwaukee signs Malcolm Brogdon for four years, $86 million then trades him to Indiana for a first round and two second round picks
6/30/19 - Bojan Bogdanovic headed from Indiana to Utah for $73 million, four years

6/30/19 - Ricky Rubio signs with Phoenix for $51 million, three years

Jeremy Lamb

6/30/19 - Terrence Ross re-signing with Orlando for $54 million, four years / Orlando also signs Al-Farouq Aminu away from Portland for $29 million, three years

6/30/19 - Rudy Gay returning to San Antonio for $32 million, two years
6/30/19 - Milwaukee signs Robin Lopez too

6/30/19 - Milwaukee re-signs Brook Lopez for four years, $52 million
6/30/19 - Damian Lillard to re-sign with Portland for five years, $196 million
6/30/19 - Thaddeus Young signs with Chicago for $41 million, 3 years
6/30/19 - Trevor Ariza to sign with Sacramento for $25 million, 2 years
6/30/19 - DeAndre Jordan to join Kyrie and Durant in Brooklyn for $40 million, four years
6/30/19 - Kevin Durant to depart Golden State for Brooklyn
6/30/19 - Kemba Walker to sign with Celtics for $141 million, four years
6/30/19 - Derrick Rose to sign with Detroit for $15 million, two years
6/30/19 - Dallas wraps up Kristaps Porzingas for $158 million, five years
6/30/19 - Knicks signs Julius Randle for $63 million, three years and Taj Gibson for $20 million, two years
6/30/19 - Harrison Barnes to stay with Sacramento for $85 million, four years
6/30/19 - Valanciunas to return to Memphis for $45 million, three years

2019 free agent tracker

6/29/19 - Denver picks up $30 million option to retain Paul Millsap
6/29/19 - Vucevic to remain with Orlando for $100 million, four years
6/29/19 - Klay Thompson to remain with Warriors for five years, $189.6 million
6/29/19 - Darren Collison surprisingly retires instead of joining the Bulls
6/28/19 - Lakers trade Mo Wagner, Isaac Bonga, Jemarrio Jones, and 2022 second-rounder to Wizards to open up cap space
6/24/19 - Portland trades Evan Turner to Atlanta for Kent Bazemore

NBA draft winners and losers

undrafted - Taco Fall
44 - Miami (to Denver) Bol Bol, C, Oregon

30 - Milwaukee (to Detroit to Cleveland) - Kevin Porter Jr., SG, USC
29 - San Antonio - Keldon Johnson, SF, Kentucky
28 - Golden State - Jordan Poole, SG, Michigan
27 - Brooklyn (to Clippers) - Mifondu Kabengele, C, Florida State
26 - Cleveland - Dylan Windler, SF, Belmont
25 -  Portland - Nassir Little, SF, North Carolina
Boston to trade Jerome to Phoenix for future first rounder
24 - Philadelphia (to Boston) - Ty Jerome, PG, Virginia
23 - Utah (to Memphis to Oklahoma City) - Darius Bazley, SF, United States
22.  Boston - Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee
21.  Oklahoma City (to Memphis) - Brandon Clarke, PF, Gonzaga
Oklahoma City trades 21 to Memphis for 23 and a future pick
20.  Boston (to Philadelphia) - Matisse Thybulle, SF, Washington
Philadelphia trades 24th pick and 33rd pick for Boston's 20th pick
19.  San Antonio - Luka Samanic, PF, Croatia
18.  Indiana - Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia
17.  Brooklyn (to Atlanta to New Orleans) - Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Virginia Tech
16.  Orlando - Chuma Okeke, PF, Auburn
15.  Detroit - Sekou Doumbouya, PF, France
14.  Boston - Romeo Langford, SG, Indiana
13.  Miami - Tyler Herro, SG, Kentucky
12.  Charlotte - P.J. Washington, PF, Kentucky
11.  Minnesota (to Phoenix) - Cameron Johnson, SF, North Carolina
10.  Atlanta - Cam Reddish, SF, Duke
9.  Washington - Rui Hachimura, PF, Gonzaga
8.  Atlanta (to New Orleans) - Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas
7.  Chicago - Coby White, PG, North Carolina
6.  Phoenix (to Minnesota) - Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech
5.  Cleveland - Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
4.  Lakers (to New Orleans to Atlanta) - De'Andre Hunter, F, Virginia
3.  New York - R.J. Barrett, SG, Duke
2.  Memphis - Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
1.  New Orleans - Zion Williamson, PF, Duke

6/20/19 - Minnesota trades no. 11 pick and Dario Saric to Suns for no. 6 pick
6/20/19 - Suns trade T.J. Warren and no. 32 pick to Indiana for cash
6/20/19 - New Orleans to send no. 4 pick, Solomon Hill, no. 57 pick, future second-rounder to Atlanta for no. 8 pick, no. 17 pick, no. 35 pick.
6/19/19 - Mike Conley traded from Memphis to Utah for Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, Grayson Allen, 23rd pick and future first rounder
6/18/19 - Houston reportedly shopped Chris Paul
6/15/19 - Anthony Davis traded from New Orleans to Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks (including no.4 this year) / oops
6/11/19 - Memphis to hire Bucks assistant Taylor Jenkins as head coach
6/7/19 - Nets to trade Allen Crabbe (and his $18.5 million salary), 2019 first round pick, 2020 first round pick (lottery-protected) to Atlanta for Taurean Prince and a 2021 second round pick
5/22/19 - Michigan hires Juwan Howard as head coach in five-year deal
5/13/19 - Michigan Wolverines' ​John Beilein has agreed to a five-year deal to become the next coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers
5/11/19 - Frank Vogel agrees to become Lakers head coach / Jason Kidd to join Lakers as assistant
5/4/19 - Monty Williams agrees to become Suns head coach

Lou Brock

Hall of Famer Lou Brock, one of baseball's signature leadoff hitters and base stealers who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win three pennants and two World Series titles in the 1960s, has died. He was 81.

Dick Zitzmann, Brock's longtime agent and friend, confirmed Brock's death on Sunday, but he said he couldn't provide any details. The Cardinals and Cubs also observed a moment of silence in the outfielder's memory before their game at Wrigley Field.

Brock lost a leg from diabetes in recent years and was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

"Over my 25-plus years of being his agent, he was perhaps the happiest Hall of Famer I've ever encountered," Zitzmann said.

"I think he led a life that will never be duplicated," he said.

The man later nicknamed the Running Redbird and the Base Burglar arrived in St. Louis in June 1964, swapped from the Cubs for pitcher Ernie Broglio in what became one of baseball's most lopsided trades.

Brock stole 938 bases in his career, including 118 in 1974 — both of those were big league records until they were broken by Rickey Henderson.

Brock's death came after Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver died Monday. Brock and Seaver faced each other 157 times, the most prolific matchup for both of them in their careers.

Along with starter Bob Gibson and center fielder Curt Flood, Brock was an anchor for St. Louis as its combination of speed, defense and pitching made it a top team in the '60s and a symbol of the National League's more aggressive style at the time in comparison to the American League.

The Cards were World Series champions in 1964 and 1967 and lost to the Detroit Tigers in seven games in 1968. Opposing teams were warned to keep Brock off base, especially in the low-scoring years of 1967-68 when a single run often could win a game. But the speedy left fielder with the popup slide was a consistent base-stealing champion and run producer.

A lifetime .293 hitter, he led the league in steals eight times, scored 100 or more runs seven times and amassed 3,023 hits.

Brock was even better in postseason play, batting .391 with four homers, 16 RBIs and 14 steals in 21 World Series games. He had a record-tying 13 hits in the 1968 World Series, and in Game 4 homered, tripled and doubled as the Cardinals trounced Detroit and 31-game winner Denny McLain 10-1.

Brock never played in another World Series after 1968, but remained a star for much of the last 11 years of his career.

He was so synonymous with base stealing that in 1978 he became the first major leaguer to have an award named for him while still active — the Lou Brock Award, for the National League's leader in steals. For Brock, base stealing was an art form and a kind of warfare. He was among the first players to study films of opposing pitchers and, once on base, relied on skill and psychology.

In his 1976 memoir, Lou Brock: Stealing is My Game, he explained his success. Take a "modest lead" and "stand perfectly still." The pitcher was obligated to move, if only "to deliver the pitch." "Furthermore, he has two things on his mind: the batter and me," Brock wrote. "I have only one thing in mind — to steal off him. The very business of disconcerting him is marvelously complex."

Brock closed out his career in 1979 by batting .304, making his sixth All-Star Game appearance and winning the Comeback Player of the Year award. The team retired his uniform number, 20, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 in his first year of eligibility.

After his playing career was over, Brock worked as a florist and a commentator for ABC's "Monday Night Baseball" and was a regular for the Cards at spring training. He served as a part-time instructor while remaining an autograph favorite for fans, some of them wearing Brock-a-brellas, a hat with an umbrella top that he designed.

Tom Seaver

 NEW YORK >> Tom Seaver, the Hall of Fame pitcher who steered a stunning transformation from lovable losers to Miracle Mets in 1969, has died. He was 75.

The Hall said today that Seaver died Monday from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. Seaver spent his final years in Calistoga, California.

Seaver’s family announced in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with dementia and had retired from public life.

He continued working at Seaver Vineyards, founded by the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and his wife, Nancy, in 2002 on 116 acres at Diamond Mountain in the Calistoga region of Northern California.

Seaver was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 1991, and it reoccurred in 2012 and led to Bell’s Palsy and memory loss, the Daily News of New York reported in 2013.

“He will always be the heart and soul of the Mets, the standard which all Mets aspire to,” Mike Piazza, a former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer, tweeted when Seaver’s dementia diagnosis was announced.

Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year. For his career, from 1967-86, he had a 311-205 record with a 2.86 ERA, 3,640 strikeouts and 61 shutouts. He became a constant on magazine covers and a media presence, calling postseason games on NBC and ABC even while still an active player.

“He was simply the greatest Mets player of all-time and among the best to ever play the game,” Mets owner Fred Wilpon and son Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

Seaver was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 when he appeared on 425 of 430 ballots for a then-record 98.84%. His mark was surpassed in 2016 by Ken Griffey Jr., again in 2019 when Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous selection by baseball writers, and in 2020 when Derek Jeter fell one vote short of a clean sweep.

His plaque in Cooperstown lauds him as a “power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes.” He changed not only their place in the standings but the team’s stature in people’s minds.

“Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of our national pastime,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He was synonymous with the New York Mets and their unforgettable 1969 season.”

“After their improbable World Series championship, Tom became a household name to baseball fans — a responsibility he carried out with distinction throughout his life,” he said.

Seaver pitched for the Mets from 1967 until 1977, when he was traded to Cincinnati after a public spat with chairman M. Donald Grant over Seaver’s desire for a new contract. It was a clash that inflamed baseball fans in New York.

“My biggest disappointment? Leaving the Mets the first time and the difficulties I had with the same people that led up to it,” Seaver told The Associated Press ahead of his Hall induction in 1992. “But I look back at it in a positive way now. It gave me the opportunity to work in different areas of the country.”

He threw his only no-hitter for the Reds in June 1978 against St. Louis and was traded back to New York after the 1982 season. But Mets general manager Frank Cashen blundered by leaving Seaver off his list of 26 protected players, and in January 1984 he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox as free agent compensation for losing pitcher Dennis Lamp to Toronto.

While pitching for the White Sox, Seaver got his 300th win at Yankee Stadium and did it in style with a six-hitter in a 4-1 victory. He finished his career with the 1986 Boston Red Sox team that lost to the Mets in the World Series.

“Tom Seaver was one of the best and most inspirational pitchers to play the game,” Reds Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said in a statement. “We are grateful that Tom’s Hall of Fame career included time with the Reds. We are proud to count his name among the greats in the Reds Hall of Fame. He will be missed.”

Supremely confident — and not necessarily modest about his extraordinary acumen on the mound — Seaver was a 12-time All-Star who led the major leagues with a 25-7 record in 1969 and a 1.76 ERA in 1971. A classic power pitcher with a drop-and-drive delivery that often dirtied the right knee of his uniform pants, he won Cy Young Awards with New York in 1969, 1973 and 1975. The club retired his No. 41 in 1988, the first Mets player given the honor.

“From a team standpoint, winning the ‘69 world championship is something I’ll remember most,” Seaver said in 1992. “From an individual standpoint, my 300th win brought me the most joy.”

Seaver limited his public appearances in recent years. He did not attend the Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner in 2019, where members of the 1969 Mets were honored on the 50th anniversary of what still ranks among baseball’s most unexpected championships.

Five months later, as part of a celebration of that team, the Mets announced plans for a statue of Seaver outside Citi Field, and the ballpark’s address was officially changed to 41 Seaver Way in a nod to his uniform number.