Latest news with #Biggio
Fox Sports
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 MLB All-Star Game Odds: 'It Really Is A Coin Flip'
Annually, this week is one of the slowest on the calendar in sports. Thankfully, sports betting helps make up for that, in this case on Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game odds. And in a game rated a toss-up, Caesars Sports is still waiting to see where the wiseguys land. "There's no real sharp action on either side. As of right now, we need the American League but just slightly," Caesars head of baseball trading Eric Biggio said Monday afternoon. Biggio helps break down MLB All-Star Game odds and action for Tuesday's 8 p.m. ET start on FOX. Two-Way Play Over the past 11 All-Star Games, the American League is a dominant 10-1 vs. the National League. The lone NL victory: a 3-2 win in the 2023 Midsummer Classic. The AL immediately bounced back last year with a 5-3 victory. But Biggio still rates this year's matchup a pick 'em, with both teams -110 in MLB All-Star Game odds. That means it takes a $110 bet on either side to win $100 (total payout $210). "In All-Star Games now, it really is a coin flip," Biggio said. "There's been a stretch of American League dominance. But the consensus now is that the National League is a little better. "Still, the matchup seems to be pretty even this year." The bulk of action will come in on Tuesday afternoon or evening, ahead of the first pitch at Truist Park in Atlanta. That said, Caesars has seen notable wagering in alternate markets. "There's been some sharp money coming in on the first three innings' Under. We opened at 2.5 (Under -140) and are now at 2.5 (Under -170)," Biggio said. So the smart bettors are banking on each team's pitching staffs getting off to a strong start. MVP Market MLB All-Star Game MVP odds are always popular, and bettors were quick to jump on board at Caesars Sports. "We opened the MVP market on Sunday, and that's been pretty busy. Cal Raleigh is our biggest liability, at 12/1," Biggio said of the Seattle Mariners catcher. A Raleigh MVP would represent a nice payout. At +1200, a $100 bet would profit $1,200 (total payout $1,300). But a few players are above Raleigh on the MVP oddsboard. The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is the +550 favorite, followed by Yankees star Aaron Judge at +650. Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are both +1000. Rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski was a late addition to the NL roster, despite having just five starts since getting called up to the Milwaukee Brewers on June 10. But Misiorowski is 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA in those five outings. "One of the more polarizing storylines is Misiorowski getting named a late replacement," Biggio said. "We've seen some MVP tickets on him at +12000 (120/1). It'll be interesting to see if he gets to pitch and if he has success." Those flier MVP tickets would certainly pay out well. In the unlikely event of the rookie starter winning the MVP award, a $100 bet would profit $12,000. Patrick Everson is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and senior reporter for He is a distinguished journalist in the national sports betting space. He's based in Las Vegas, where he enjoys golfing in 110-degree heat. Follow him on X: @PatrickE_Vegas. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 1 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Over 40 World War II veterans sign historic rifle at The Highlands at Wyomissing
Andrew Biggio never met his great-uncle, but he's gotten to know him well. 'My uncle was killed in World War II — I'm named after him,' Biggio said. 'He didn't make it home from his war, and I did. I felt compelled to connect with him.' Biggio of Boston served as an Marine infantry rifleman in Iraq and Afghanistan. His uncle, also Andrew Biggio, died at 19 fighting in Italy during World War II. 'He wrote a letter home, how much he loved the M1 Garand Rifle,' Biggio said. 'So I bought this rifle, just from a regular gun store. I began to take it to World War II veterans to see what they remembered.' The rifle was standard issue for U.S. infantry during the war, but in the hands of the ex-soldiers, it may as well have been a time machine. 'By putting that rifle in their hands, it just unlocked so many happy memories, sad memories,' Biggio said. 'I realized I was holding something special.' He started recording their stories and took their signatures on the rifle. Seven years have passed since Biggio's first signature. The tales he captured from the hundreds of vets who signed the rifle — tales of resilience, survival and finding purpose after the war— birthed a pair of bestselling novels. 'It became a very therapeutic journey on how to live a successful life after combat, how to move on,' Biggio said. 'It's something I was able to learn a lot from and convey to a lot of younger veterans who were in my shoes.' The legacy of Biggio's rifle grew a bit more on Saturday. Over 40 veterans signed the weapon at an event honoring World War II veterans at the Highlands at Wyomissing. Andy Biggio, a Marine veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, displays the M1 Garand rifle that over 40 World War II veterans gathered Saturday at the Highlands in Wyomissing will add their signatures to before it will be sent to the Smithsonian Institution. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Albright College student Tyler Boland helped bring together a group of local World War II vets for the event. Boland, who majors in American history and business marketing, said he has been interviewing veterans as a passion project for the past few years. Like Biggio, Boland had relatives who fought in the war, and his interest in the subject was spurred by those connections. 'I had two great-grandfathers (in the war),' Boland said. 'I never met them so I was always kind of intrigued.' Boland has built steadfast friendships with many elder veterans over the years. He refers to the group fondly as 'my guys.' 'The World War II veterans just really stick out to me,' Boland said. 'I really enjoy that era of history.' Albright University student Tyler Boland helped gather 40 veterans to sign an M1 Garand rifle during a World War II memorial event at the Highlands at Wyomissing. (Courtesy of Tyler Boland) Saturday's event was the latest of several get-togethers for veterans that Boland has orchestrated. The goal, Biggio said, was to pass the 500-signature milestone. After that, Biggio plans to send the rifle to the Smithsonian or another museum, where he hopes it will help keep the memories of those who fought alive. 'We only have a couple years left with these guys who helped save the world,' Biggio said. 'The further we get away from World War II, it's almost like history repeats itself. World War II had hundreds and hundreds of sets of brothers killed, guys who were killed at age 18, 19 … guys whose names we'll never know, who gave everything for our way of life.' One of those men was Biggio's great-uncle, whose death still stirs strong emotions in him. 'Those guys never even got to start their life,' Biggio said. 'He (my uncle) probably never even got to have a serious girlfriend.' Norman Wilikofsky was among those fortunate enough to live a full life after the war. He was also one of the 40 veterans who signed Biggio's rifle Saturday. Wilikofsky was drafted in 1944 and served as an armorer on the B-29 bomber 'Rat Poison' in Okinawa, Japan. He served until 1946. Norman Wilikofsky holds an M1 Garand rifle that he signed during a World War II memorial event at The Highlands at Wyomissing. (Courtesy of Tyler Boland) 'I prepared the plane for combat,' Wilikofsky said. 'It was all very hectic. We were waiting for a win.' Wilikofsky said he remembered a time when it was uncommon for vets to share their experiences. 'Unfortunately, after the Vietnam War, people did not consider veterans until much later,' Wilikofsky said. '(During my service) I was 20 years old, still just a kid. We just wanted to get home and get on with our lives, which is what we did.' Biggio said one quality of World War II veterans was how well they hit the ground running post-service. 'When they got home they got jobs and hobbies, had families, went to school,' Biggio said. 'They always stayed busy and just kind of kept their mind off the negative.' Like the veterans whose stories he records, Biggio was also able to move on after the war. He still serves, only now as a police officer in Boston, a nonprofit founder and a father of two sons. 'I think that's one of the keys to success is not to sit and dwell on things, not to peak at your military service, peak after,' Biggio said. Wilikofsky said he appreciated the event Saturday. 'We were treated very much like human beings,' Wilikofsky said. Over 40 World War II veterans gathered on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Highlands in Wyomissing to add their signatures to an M1 Garand rifle that will be sent to the Smithsonian. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
New York Times
04-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Houston Astros to retire Billy Wagner's No. 13 in August
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros will retire Hall of Fame closer Billy Wagner's No. 13 in August, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon. Wagner was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame last month in his final year of eligibility. He will become the third player to wear an Astros cap on his plaque, joining longtime teammates Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. Advertisement Wagner's No. 13 will be the 10th number retired by the franchise. The team had paused retiring numbers upon unveiling the Astros Hall of Fame in 2019. Houston had not retired a number since hanging Biggio's No. 7 in the rafters in 2008. Biggio, Bagwell, Nolan Ryan, Jim Wynn and José Cruz are among the other Astros with retired numbers. Wagner's number will be retired during a series against the Baltimore Orioles from Aug. 15-17. Wagner accrued 225 of his 422 career saves with the Astros, who chose him in the first round of the 1993 draft. Wagner had a 2.53 ERA across his nine seasons in Houston and three of his seven All-Star appearances came with the Astros. (Photo of Wagner as an Astro: Bob Levey / Getty Images)
