Welcome to Friday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
FRIDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
MLB: Angels at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI-FM)
MLB: Rangers at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. (MLB Network)
NBA playoffs: Cavaliers at Hawks, 8:30 p.m. (TNT)
NHL playoffs: Rangers at Rays, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)
AROUND THE WEB:
Stephen Pagliuca
— Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca is the new chairman of the group looking to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Boston.
Pagliuca replaces John Fish, the construction magnate who helped the group land the United States Olympic Committee bid in January. However, support in Boston has dipped since the initial excitement, with some questionable leadership decisions creating mistrust among local residents, many of whom are wary of the expense.
Pagliuca, who had been a vice chairman of the bid, expressed confidence that the Games would be a positive experience for the city.
“I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Massachusetts and for Boston,” Pagliuca said. “It’s a pretty exciting project. I haven’t seen many projects that are that impactful for cities.”
Red Sox president Larry Lucchino and Boston advertising executive Jack Connors were added as senior advisers, and Northeastern athletic director Peter Roby was named a vice chairman.
“Today’s announcement adds to an already impressive team at Boston 2024 and showcases the incredible support the bid enjoys from Boston’s business, civic, educational and political leadership,” USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said in a statement Thursday. “I look forward to working closely with Mayor Walsh, Steve Pagliuca and everyone committed to this bid to successfully finish what we’ve started, and bring the Games to the U.S.”
The USOC initially showed support for Boston but recently indicated it could switch gears and back one of the cites that finished behind Boston (likely Los Angeles) when it submits a formal bid to the International Olympic Committee in September.
Other cities expected to vie for the 2024 Games include Rome; Paris; Hamburg, Germany; and Budapest, Hungary.
— Two of the Patriots’ AFC rivals received bad news Thursday, as key defensive players deal with off-field issues.
Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was suspended for the season opener for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. It’s related to his arrest May 5 in Alabama, when the 25-year-old was found in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
The two-time Pro Bowler, who was drafted third overall in 2011 out of Alabama, will miss the Sept. 13 home game against the Colts, returning for the Sept. 20 game against the Patriots.
“I apologize to my family, my teammates, the entire Bills organization and Bills fans that I will miss one game as a result of my mistakes,” he said in a statement Wednesday. “I will work intensely that week and will be extremely happy to contribute to a win in Week 2 for the Bills.”
Meanwhile, Broncos defensive end Antonio Smith is being investigated for an incident in Texas. The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation, which it said centered around allegations of child abuse. Later in the day, Sheriff Troy Nehls said a complaint was made against Smith in November and it was “sexual in nature.”
“Last night, we became aware for the first time of an allegation involving Antonio Smith,” the Broncos said Thursday in a statement. “We are now in the process of gathering more information.”
Smith, 33, joined the Broncos as a free agent in April, signing a one-year deal with $2 million. He played for the Raiders last season, starting all 16 games. He previously played five seasons with the Texans and his first five seasons with the Cardinals.
— Former Ravens running back Ray Rice, who was videotaped knocking out his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City hotel elevator last offseason, had his domestic violence charges dismissed by a New Jersey judge.
Rice completed a pretrial intervention program, and as part of his deal with the state, he will not be prosecuted. Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain has come under fire for allowing Rice to participate in the program, which is a rarity for domestic abuse cases.
Rice remains a free agent after the Ravens elected to part ways with him following the release of the videotape. Rice had been suspended two games by commissioner Roger Goodell, but that suspension was increased to indefinite after the video was made public. However, Rice appealed, and an arbitrator reinstated him.
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On May 22, 1988, the Celtics and Hawks staged one of the most memorable playoff games in history, with Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins trading baskets in the fourth quarter of a 118-116 Boston victory in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Lost in the performance of Wilkins (47 points) and Bird (34), a guard for each team finished with a double-double. Which Hawk had 16 points and 18 assists, and which Celtic had 13 points and 10 assists?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The Yankees have a well-founded legal position.” – MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, on New York’s decision to not pay a contract bonus to Alex Rodriguez because of his past use of performance-enhancing drugs
STAT OF THE DAY: .198 – The Red Sox’ batting average against left-handers this season, after Thursday’s 3-1 loss to southpaw Wandy Rodriguez and the Rangers
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): Brewers pitcher Will Smith is ejected for having pine tar on his arm, and he’s not happy with the Braves for calling him on it.
Cardinals center fielder Randal Grichuk makes a diving catch and then doubles up a Mets baserunner at first.
Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner rips a home run off Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Sean O’Sullivan of the Phillies and Boone Logan of the Rockies have a standoff after the national anthem and before the start of their game in Colorado.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Catie Curtis was born on this day in 1965.
