Latest news with #Tucker
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Justin Tucker suspension: Everyone loses as ex-Ravens kicker penalized
And, yeah, some rookie you've never heard of is going to benefit from the fact that Baltimore had already cut ties with Tucker, creating an open job to compete for in training camp. But there are no winners from this sad saga. There are most definitely losers, though, and they are as follows: Justin Tucker Duh. On the one hand, he ought to be grateful the NFL's announcement was, per usual, devoid of details regarding his violation of the league's personal conduct policy. And unlike the penalty the league levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson three years ago, in what can only be described as similar circumstances - at the time, 24 women had filed civil suits against him involving allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions - Tucker has not been fined nor ordered to undergo treatment or an evaluation. Watson was and had to pay $5 million. But Tucker is radioactive. Last season was decidedly the worst of his 13-year career. Still the most accurate kicker in NFL history, he converted a career-low 73.3% of his field-goal attempts. It gave the Ravens a convenient excuse to cut a 35-year-old who was at the top of his positional compensation scale. And in light of the sexual misconduct allegations made by Baltimore-area massage therapists for incidents that reportedly occurred between 2012 and 2016, no team was likely to touch Tucker before the league completed its investigation into the matter - and there will undoubtedly be less consideration for him now given he won't be eligible to return until Nov. 11. But this runs deeper. Again, the NFL didn't offer details as to why it had suspended Tucker, though The Baltimore Banner reported them in spades. All the while, Tucker, a practicing Catholic, has denied them, characterizing the website's reporting as "unequivocally false" - yet also won't appeal his suspension. Take that for what it's worth. At this point, it seems unlikely Tucker plays in the NFL again. And what appears to be the final chapter of his once enviable career has probably delivered a fatal broadside to his Hall of Fame candidacy given the high bar his position already demanded. In a statement issued last month and attributed to executive vice president and GM Eric DeCosta, he said, "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," when explaining why the Ravens released Tucker with three years left on his four-year, $22 million extension. Anyone paying more than a scintilla of attention knew the move involved far more calculus than that, but that's how the Ravens chose to frame it. They missed the mark. This is the same organization that was spotlit by the Ray Rice situation in 2014, when the team's top running back was seen on video assaulting his fiancee in an elevator. He was eventually released and never played another NFL snap after being indefinitely suspended. Following the issuance of Watson's penalty in 2022, head coach John Harbaugh said of the Ravens' stance about player misconduct, "Basically, we're kind of zero tolerance. You have to know the truth, you have to try to understand the circumstances, but we've stayed away from that particular situation - when we draft players, when we sign them as free agents. "I'm glad that we have that policy." (For what it's worth, the Ravens just spent a second-round pick on linebacker Mike Green, who's been accused of sexual assault multiple times in the past.) More: Opinion: NFL's suspension of kicker Justin Tucker is essentially a guilty verdict Any profession has people who are less-than-savory characters. The NFL is no different, but its scandals make headlines that members of Fortune 500 companies (or far less notable ones) rarely draw. It's just baffling the Ravens - a well-run, first-rate organization by nearly every other measure, on or off the field - would further jeopardize their brand. They undoubtedly carefully parsed their announcement signaling Tucker's departure. DeCosta also thanked him for his "many contributions" to the franchise (meaning its win total). It's fine that the club took its time before cutting the cord while doing its own due diligence on the matter. But given the circumstances, "The Ravens have released Justin Tucker" always seemed to be about the extent of what he deserved. The victims In the event crystal clarity is needed here, victims are not "losers." But the NFL's verdict offers further credence that they've lost too much. According to The Banner's reporting, 16 massage therapists from eight local spas shared horror stories about Tucker's alleged misconduct. It's important to note he has not been charged with a crime, and the statute of limitations in Maryland to file a civil action against him is long past. Sadly, this is often how it goes whenever women are exploited. They won't see a penny in the aftermath of their trauma, which could be very difficult to escape for the balance of their lives. Nobody's lost more than them, and that can't be forgotten. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Hamilton Spectator
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Smith and Diaz hit 3-run homers as Astros beat Cubs 7-4, extend win streak to 5 games
HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night. Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games. The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center. Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston's lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs. Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save. Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago. Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings. Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame. Key moment Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck. Key stat Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month. Up next Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 4.91) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list and start for Houston. ___ AP MLB:
Fox Sports
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Smith and Diaz hit 3-run homers as Astros beat Cubs 7-4, extend win streak to 5 games
Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night. Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games. The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center. Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston's lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs. Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save. Jeremy Pena exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago. Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings. Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame. Key moment Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck. Key stat Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month. Up next Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter. ___ AP MLB: recommended
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Smith and Diaz hit 3-run homers as Astros beat Cubs 7-4, extend win streak to 5 games
HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night. Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games. The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center. Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston's lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs. Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save. Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago. Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings. Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame. Key moment Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck. Key stat Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month. Up next Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter. ___ AP MLB:
San Francisco Chronicle
9 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Cubs' Kyle Tucker, Ryan Pressly return to Daikin Park for first time since Astros traded them
HOUSTON (AP) — Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly returned to Daikin Park on Friday for the first time since the Houston Astros traded them to the Chicago Cubs during the offseason and were greeted by a video tribute before the start of the game. The two stepped out of the Cubs dugout and tipped their caps to the fans while getting a standing ovation. 'Obviously, we are here to do our job and win some games, but it's nice to at least catch up with some of the guys over there that I played with for awhile and been around, so it is cool in that sense' Tucker said earlier. A three-time All-Star right fielder eligible for free agency after the season, the 28-year-old Tucker is hitting .287 with 16 home runs and 49 RBIs. He was swapped in December for outfielder Cam Smith, infielder Isaac Paredes and right fielder Hayden Wesneski. Pressly, a 36-year-old right-hander, is 2-2 with five saves and a 3.90 ERA. The two-time All-Star closer was dealt in January for minor league right-hander Juan Bello. Tucker was part of Astros teams that reached six straight AL Championship Series and caught the final out of the 2022 World Series against Philadelphia. 'There's a lot of really good memories here,' Tucker said. 'We had a lot of success playing in this city and on this field. It's cool. The biggest thing is being around the guys in those moments.' Pressly earned the save in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series. 'A lot of memories were made out on that field,' Pressly said. 'A lot of lifetime friendships made on the other side as well. I always root for these guys. They were great teammates. I was super fortunate and blessed to share a clubhouse with a couple of those guys who are pretty much legends over there in this city.' Houston entered an AL West-best 48-33 record, identical to the record of the NL Central-leading Cubs. 'Every time they lose someone, they always seem to replace them with someone who is really good and kind of pick up the baton right behind them and keep winning. It's what they've been doing for the past decade now," Pressly said of the Astros. "It was fun to watch when I was on the team, but now that I'm not on the team, it's not fun to watch. It's always been a good team. It's going to be fun.'
