Friday Four-Pack 7.26.24
Alex Cora gets extended. A big change for Pats preseason coverage. Bad night for racing fans in MA. Friday Notes!
At around 1:30 PM EST on Friday, the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympics will commence in Paris, launching this year’s summer games. In a different world, they might have been taking place somewhere in Massachusetts, like Boston. Maybe even Foxborough.
Thankfully, they are not.
And I say that as someone who would have gotten PAID if the Olympics had landed here. The shooting competitions were tentatively scheduled to take place in Billerica, one town from where we live. Rowing, canoeing, taekwondo, and fencing would have been right next door in Lowell. I could have rented my house to the highest bidder and moved in with my mother-in-law for a few weeks.
Given some early Saratoga betting, that money would have come in handy.
You can walk from our neighborhood to where they would have potentially handed out the gold medal for rowing. I read Boys in the Boat. Loved it. Does that mean I would have traded the insane headaches of having the games in the Bay State for a chance to see that sort of action up close?
Hell, no.
The Boston Globe (shocker) disagrees. They did a deep dive on Boston missing out on the 2024 games and the potential for ever getting them in the future. And columnist Shirley Leung wrote a sad column complaining about all the things that would have been ‘fixed’ by hosting the games in Boston.
We shuddered at the idea that taxpayers might be on the hook for billions of dollars in cost overruns. Some cheered the decision — as if they drove the British from Boston. How much celebrating are we doing today? Can our claim to fame really be the City That Said No?
Oh, I’m cheering the hell out of it today and thrilled we said no. I think most of us are. Because it would have been a disaster.
First, the cost. From the Globe story, you have the co-founder of the No Boston Olympics group Chris Dempsey explaining in the simplest terms the size of the financial bullet that was dodged by not getting the summer games.
In a recent phone interview, Dempsey was ready with the quick math that ultimately doomed Boston 2024. It costs about $15 billion to host the Olympics, his group found, and the International Olympic Committee kicks in about $5 billion. The rest is up to taxpayers — and every Olympics since 1960 has come in over budget.
So a cool TEN BILLION from the MA taxpayers for stadiums and event sites that might never get real use after the Olympics. Like this pool, built for the 2016 games in Rio.
Given the history of overbudget projects in this state (see the Big Dig), I can only imagine how bad this would have been financially, especially given the global pandemic that hit in 2020.
So cost is a clear #1.
A close #1A would have been the traffic.
93…95..495…Route 3…they’re all busy now. Both directions. At almost any peak time. It sucks. Add to that the expected 300,000 visitors the Summer Olympics can bring to a city. They are calling for a traffic disaster in France this weekend.
Saturday, July 27: drivers should expect some of the most difficult road conditions of the year. In particular, it warns that “traffic will be very difficult from dawn until the evening on the major north-south motorways (A7, A10, A75)”.
There would be as many columns on the horrific traffic as there’d be on the games themselves.
And the reality is all those promises of new housing and an improved MBTA and fixed roadways…some of that would have happened. But there would have been a lot of over-promising and underdelivering. Here’s an AP headline from Friday morning, “They expected an Olympic boon. But some Paris businesses are experiencing a bust.” There will be dozens of these stories about the games for days, weeks, and months.
I’ll watch the basketball. And the track and field events. You can bet on some of the events in Massachusetts, but not all. I’ll probably do that.
But will I lament the games not being in Boston? Not for one millisecond.
Meanwhile, the Patriots have revamped their preseason TV booth. Horse racing in Massachusetts has a lousy night. And some loaded notes to wrap up the work week.
All part of today’s Four-Pack.
TODAY’S FRIDAY FOUR-PACK IS PRESENTED BY THE BROOK CASINO
On the new-look broadcast booth for Patriots Preseason games…
Give them credit for trying something new, even if we are talking about preseason football.
The ‘them’ in this case is Kraft Productions + Entertainment, who along with WBZ, produce the Pats preseason games that air on television locally in New England.
The ‘something different’ is a shakeup to the usual broadcast booth, where radio partners Bob Socci and Scott Zolak have led the local TV broadcasts for the last six years.
This year Zolak will slide into the lead chair, along with twin brothers Devin and Jason McCourty, in a booth made up completely of former Patriots.
From the team’s announcement this week.
"We are always eager to try new things during the preseason broadcasts," said Matt Smith, senior executive producer of Kraft Sports + Entertainment. "Last year, we introduced an alternate broadcast with 'The McCourty TwinCast' and I thought they were excellent together. They are both such great conversationalists and provide such interesting insight. I look forward to pairing them with Scott Zolak. I am sure Patriots fans will enjoy their banter throughout the games."
There will be two games this preseason with the new-look booth, with the third game broadcast nationally on NBC.
The idea of a more conversational and less formal broadcast booth is a good one. I don’t remember watching The McCourty TwinCast last summer, but the ManningCast and other alternate broadcasts have worked locally and nationally.
In this case, the fans tuning in locally to these preseason games are Patriots fans…probably more like super fans. You serve that audience much better by treating the games like a team talk show or podcast rather than a formal broadcast. I’d prefer a top-shelf play-by-play voice leading say, a Super Bowl broadcast, but for these games, this is a great fit.
My only minor nitpick in this case is Zo running the show.
Zo is very entertaining. Zo is full of energy. Zo is a character. Listening and watching him for over a decade, Zo is not a ‘host.’
How about Marc Bertrand in that spot with Zo and one of the McCourty brothers? Probably a better ‘talk show,’ but I can see Kraft Sports wanting to keep the McCourtys together after their alternate broadcasts last season. And Zo, Bertrand PLUS the Twins would probably be one voice too many.
Zolak addressed the booth changes on his show Wednesday.
"People are like ‘What you’re not doing games with Bob?’…of course I’m doing games with Bob. Love Bob. He’s the best play-by-play guy I’ve ever worked with. I worked with Gil Santos. Bob’s the best, most prepared. The preseason is eventually going to go away, that’s where this thing is headed. And after about a quarter of football, real play-by-play, it’s a bleep show. That second, third and fourth quarter...people are not tuning out but you kind of lose focus in that second half. Not that we did..we’re trying to get as many football guys as we can. So it’s gonna be me, the two McCourtys…Brian Hoyer will be in studio. We’ll throw it to him when (Drake) Maye is up and say ‘Hey, what are you seeing on this drive?’
“I am not a play-by-play guy…I’m gonna run point on it. I don’t know how it’s gonna go yet but we’re gonna have fun.”
Again, I like the idea. We’ll see how Zo does in that ‘point’ chair for three-plus hours of directing traffic and conversation, but even if it’s messy it will probably be entertaining. And having a second former quarterback in Hoyer standing by to break down Drake Maye’s play is a smart move: his progression is the biggest summer headline for this team by a wide margin.
When NBC grabs that last preseason game against the Commanders, Socci and Zolak will call it on 98.5 The Sports Hub. As for the other two preseason games on the radio side, no official announcement yet, but we could get that news as soon as next week.
On Alex Cora’s three-year extension with the Red Sox…
As recently as June 26, Alex Cora said he would not talk contract extension with the Red Sox during the season.
Asked by Jones and Mego on WEEI if there was a number that would get him to at least start the conversation, Cora said matter-of-factly, “No. We’re not talking about contracts.” He made similar comments to the Sox media a month prior.
So it was surprising Wednesday when the team announced Cora had signed a three-year extension, reportedly making him the second-highest-paid manager in baseball behind only Craig Counsell. Some thoughts.
Well-played by Cora. Some team was going to pay him. The poor results of the last few Sox seasons are more a reflection of the team’s roster and lack of spending than of Cora’s performance. He is considered one of the best managers in baseball and has the World Series rings to prove it - he was going to get paid.
I’m willing to bet the offseason discussions between Cora and the Sox were nowhere near what he eventually got paid this week. He gambled on himself to the tune of $7 million per.
But because the money would have been similar elsewhere after the season, this has to be about more than just that. It’s clear Cora was not interested in managing a rebuild at age 48. I don’t think it’s wishcasting to say this deal means the team plans to compete for championships over the next three-plus years. Why else would Cora do an about-turn so quickly? Well, besides the money. Cora had this back-and-forth with the Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy on Thursday.
Me: “Have you been assured ownership will resume spending like a big market team?”
Cora: “My only two goals: winning and taking care of my family.”
Me: “Can I take that as a ‘yes’?”
Cora: (heart emoji)
The three-year deal allows him to get paid again at the age of 52, either by the Sox or someone else.
It’s a smart deal for the team. A good deal for Cora. And hopefully for the fans, a sign that after seasons of dragging their feet on big deals and big spending, the Major Market Red Sox are back.
Trade deadline is Tuesday. The needs (starting pitcher, a right-handed bat, one+ more reliever) are obvious. You committed to your manager, now go out and make some deals and show a commitment to this roster. And your fans.
On an ominous sign for the return of thoroughbred racing to Massachusetts…
"I can assure you that the racing industry has nothing to offer sustainable agriculture in Massachusetts," she said. "If you really want to go to races, go to Saratoga – this is bad for Gardner."
Those were the words of Robin Prouty, a Hardwick, MA resident who went all the way out to Gardner, MA on Tuesday to voice her opposition to Bay State Racing, LLC’s attempt to bring thoroughbred racing back to Massachusetts for the first time since 2019.
We wrote extensively about this here two weeks ago, where I made it 30-1 odds the proposal would be approved. On Tuesday, there was a public hearing in Gardner to get community input on the issue.
It’s now looking more like 3000-1 we see a deal ever get done in The Chair City.
Tuesday’s meeting was a three-hour affair, with both sides having a chance to speak and Bay State Racing, LLC getting the opportunity to talk about their plans. According to reports, those opposed brought up everything from increased traffic to the potential to pollute Gardner’s water supply.
In talking to someone familiar with the proposal, there is potential that racing would be held at the proposed facility “just a few days a year,” but that it might allow the track to team up with a mobile sportsbook and offer sports betting year-round. Massachusetts has set aside sports betting licenses for tracks in the state.
As part of their presentation, Bay State Racing, LLC said they were projected to spend $25M on the new facility. The project would also create almost 30 full-time jobs and pay the City of Gardner $500k in tax revenue annually.
None of that seemed to move the Gardner City Council.
Per WBZ Boston, “The city council held a non-binding vote to check the pulse of council members. Each of them voted against the potential racing track. The official vote will come next month.”
Not great.
The date of that next meeting is Monday, August 5. I’ll have more to say about this once we get that final vote.
But unless there is a major change of course from the council, Robin Prouty will get her wish and New England racing fans will have to continue to go 300 miles north to Saratoga, NY for live racing.
On your Friday MutStack Notes…
Barrett Media published a long profile on Audacy’s Mike Thomas on Thursday. Thomas has had a lengthy radio career that saw him help build 98.5 The Sports Hub into the ratings monster it is today. Thomas currently oversees the Boston market for Audacy, including Hub rival WEEI. In the spring ratings period, the programs that Thomas put together in the most recent WEEI lineup change got beat by a combined score of 15.9 to 6.1. Year-to-year, since those Thomas changes, midday is down 55%. Afternoon drive down 49%. Nights - down a whopping 74%. Somehow, none of this is mentioned in the uber-friendly profile. There is zero mention of WEEI ratings outside of hitting on The Greg Hill Show’s resurgence. Good deal for Mike Thomas!
As we are finding out more and more about ‘media’ in 2024, check the source.
Speaking of 98.5 The Sports Hub, former WEEI talker and current NBC Sports Boston host Michael Holley has been filling in there over the last year. This week he’s been in for a vacationing Fred Toucher. Had someone clued in this week tell me that there was potential for Holley to land more of a full-time gig and he was interested, but a deal never got done.
Betting on Sports and Winning is Hard - Volume 1: On Tuesday, BetMGM offered their customers boosted odds on the combination of Paul Skenes and Chris Sale both registering 7+ strikeouts.
Skenes did his part and struck out eight. Sale’s start against the Reds was postponed due to rain. Rather than carry that part of the bet over until his next start (which also ended up being rained out), BetMGM voided the bet and refunded players like Adam Kaufman, who hosts the solid sports betting show The Gambler weeknights at 10 PM on WRKO in Boston. Meanwhile, Sale racked up 9 Ks Thursday, meaning the bet would have it. There should be a better way for the books to handle this. Reduced odds payout? Keep the bet alive until Sale eventually pitches? Kaufman and others were technically right and still didn’t get paid out. Tough game.
Our friends at Mohegan Sun’s FanDuel Sportsbook have officially opened their seating reservations for the entire 2024 NFL season. Seating goes fast for NFL Sundays. If you’re starting to plan, you can book your seating right at this link. Hit the orange “RESERVE A SEAT” button in the middle of the page and select your dates. They also have fantasy football draft party deals on that same page. Football!
It does occur to me that with Bill Belichick gone, we will not be treated to the electricity that was the Belichick/Steve Burton halftime interview on WBZ for those Pats preseason games.
Saratoga! Pumped to join Mr. Ice and Turk on Sunday morning for the Barstool Sports Saratoga Doubles show. We’ll try and nail the early double and start a Sunday at the Spa with a win. I’ll post the link on X.com or follow Elio to get the show live on Sunday morning.
Speaking of Saratoga, hell of a field for the Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun. Full-card selections and some racing opinions here tomorrow in the Saratoga Stack. And to celebrate joining the Elio and the Saratoga Doubles Show, let’s do a Sunday Sararoga Stack, too. Great weather and some solid racing await at The Spa.
We have for sure said it all on this Friday.
Good luck with all your bets. Enjoy the Olympics. Hopefully, I’ll see some of you at The Brook Saturday night for a cool event with Ray Bourque.
And thanks for reading.
Good weekend.
Another well considered edition of the FFF, Mr. Mut.
Sitting here, eagerly awaiting video of your intro for Ray Bourque to be posted online later tonight.
The Ty Law intro was a banger.
I guess I am really the only one who isn't a fan of Cora. I know he is good at his job but, I will always have a bad taste in my mouth because of Houston. He made some real bonehead decisions last year and truthfully, I have been completely tuned out of baseball this year. I am surprised how good they are doing but.... What do I know? Just a fan who is sick of disappointment.
Unfortunately, most of Gardner is against the horse racing, while they did here the opinions, I do not think it will pass, which is disappointing. We did just open an Aldi's, which is amazing. So, I guess this town isn't all bad.
WEEI is a travesty, sportshub is sportshub. Castiglione is the best on EEI right now lol.
Good looks