Mike Piazza On Our Beautiful, Meaningful Heritage

Washington Nationals Shun 'Very Catholic' Player?

Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams is a faithful Catholic. On social media, he describes himself with the beautiful phrase “Servus Christi”— Servant of Christ.   According to a disturbing report, a senior Washington Nationals executive was caught on camera saying the team does not use Williams in certain social media content because of his Catholic faith and his public defense of Catholics against anti-Catholic mockery.   What was his crime to deserve this punishment? Williams stood up when the Los Angeles Dodgers chose to honor a group infamous for mocking Our Lord, Our Lady, the Eucharist, priests, and religious sisters. You know that because you probably were there, supporting CatholicVote when we decided to publicly confront and call out the Dodgers.   And now a Nationals executive has reportedly admitted that, because Williams is “very Catholic” and spoke out, “we don’t use him on social.”   If this is true, this is religious discrimination.   As Terry Schilling, President of American Principles Project, said on X, this is important because such things can happen anywhere: on sports teams, on school boards, and the boards of corporations nationwide.   CatholicVote is demanding answers and immediate action from Washington Nationals owner, Mark Lerner.   But I also want all of us to do something more; something unmistakably Catholic...   Let’s stand with Trevor Williams.   Amplify his voice by following him on social media:   On Instagram: @mellamotrevor On X: @MeLlamoTrevor   Then leave him a strong message of solidarity and encouragement: You are not alone. Millions of Catholics are grateful for your courage. And we are praying for you.   This is how Catholics respond: We demand justice…and then we build something good.   The message to the Washington Nationals is clear: Catholics will not be quietly pushed out of public life.   Go forward bravely,

Kelsey Reinhardt President & CEO CatholicVote

Mets Dump Jewish Heritage Night: Out Of Fear?

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:

The New York Mets – one of the flagship teams in a city that is still home to one million Jews (1.4 in the New York metro area) – has not had a Jewish heritage night since 2023, while continuing to hold events celebrating the heritage of numerous other New York ethnic groups. 

The Mets have remained silent about their reasons for eliminating Jewish heritage nights this year. In 2024, the Mets gave the unconvincing excuse that they were moving towards events reflecting communities collectively. But this “collective” celebration rationale is belied by the Mets’ actual schedule of individual cultures’ heritage nights.

The Mets’ 2026 “Theme Games and Heritage Nights” schedule includes heritage nights for Italians, Puerto Ricans, Black legacy, Japanese, the Dominicans, Koreans, Irish and Mexicans, as well as nights for dogs (“Bark in the Park”), Hello Kitty, Star Wars, medical services appreciation, backyard baseball, Naruto (a Japanese anime ninja), women and Pride (LGBTQ).

The decision to jettison Jewish heritage night was likely made out of fear that anti-Israel groups might violently demonstrate or riot. But that’s absolutely the wrong approach. When antisemitic groups succeed in eliminating Jewish heritage events, it only emboldens the antisemites to increase their attacks on the Jewish community.

The Mets and its Jewish owner need to do better for the New York Jewish community that has long supported their team.

A Beautiful And Remarkable Story . . .

 

The flag that Rick Monday rescued 50 years ago today is headed to Cooperstown! 

On this date  in 1976, Monday, a Cubs outfielder and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, grabbed an American flag from two protesters who had run onto the field at Dodger Stadium and attempted to burn it. Monday, the longtime Dodgers broadcaster who played 19 years in the Major Leagues, was a two-time All-Star and a World Series champion, has often been asked about the moment. 

 “If that’s all you’re ever remembered for, that’s not a bad thing at all,” Monday told MLB Network in 2016. Monday still owns the flag and it will be on loan to the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration. In addition, Monday will be honored on July 25 during induction weekend.

One Of These Events Related To The Other?

The New York Mets haven't won a game since Mr & Mrs Met hugged Zohran Mamdani pic.twitter.com/VI0zqnoHRt

— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) April 15, 2026

 

This Phony Oughta Be Ashamed Of Herself

 . . . And she would be if she had any sense of shame at all . . . but she doesn't!

Italian American Heritage Month: Donna Lopiano

Donna Lopiano is a pioneering American sports executive, advocate, and educator best known for her groundbreaking work in advancing gender equity in athletics. Born in 1946, she was a standout softball player who went on to become one of the leading voices for women’s sports in the United States. Lopiano served for 18 years as the Director of Women’s Athletics at the University of Texas at Austin, where she built one of the most successful women’s athletic programs in the nation.

Lopiano later became the Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King, where she worked to expand opportunities for girls and women in sports at all levels. Lopiano has also consulted widely through her organization, Sports Management Resources, advising universities and athletic programs on gender equity and compliance.

Throughout her career, she has been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into multiple halls of fame and being named one of the “Most Powerful Women in Sports.” Her lifelong advocacy has helped shape the landscape of modern women’s athletics and ensured lasting progress toward equality on and off the field. 

She received her bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California and is the recipient of five honorary doctoral degrees. She has coached men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s basketball and softball and the Italian national women’s softball team. As an athlete, she participated in 26 national championships in four sports and was a nine-time All-American at four different positions in softball, playing on six national championship teams. She is a member of the National Sports Hall of Fame, the National Softball Hall of Fame and the Connecticut and Texas Women’s Halls of Fame, among others

Phillies Ball Hog 'Karen' Now Identified!

 

Just In Case You HAVEN'T Seen It Yet . . .

Sometimes, A Real, Incandescent Star Emerges!

We're not sports fans -- never have been, for whatever reason.

But we do know this: We LOVE Bryce Harper. There's just something about the guy and, trust us, it's way more than his incredible athletic talent. He's refreshingly real, down to earth -- by all accounts, an astonishingly fine fella. Oh, yeah -- we know he's shown a ferocious temper from time to time, but he seems to have matured into a true leader on and off the field -- someone worthy of that MVP prize that's been his more than once. And what's wrong with being passionate in pursuit of a win, anyway?

Plus, to have Philadelphia fans take you to their heart and accept you as one of their own, well -- that's no small feat and Harper has managed to accomplish that, and then some. In these parts, the guy is actually beloved. And obviously, we wish him and the team all the best as they appear to be headed toward exciting post season match ups and more accolades.

From a prodigy and a boy with dreams of becoming the number one outfielder of all time, Harper has now officially become the immortal soul of Philadelphia sports. In fact, he's bigger than the game itself. He's a true pop hero in the best sense of the word. And, far as we can tell, it couldn't happen to a finer guy!

Now, This Looks Like Lots Of Fun!

 

FRIDAY FUN: Savannah Banana Cheerleaders

When you dont make the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, there's always the Savannah Bananas!😬 Sorry about this. pic.twitter.com/g9IuqudQ2e

— 🇺🇸Steve2A🇺🇸God🇺🇸Family🇺🇸Country🇺🇸 (@lakemonstercl1) June 27, 2025

Trump Pardons Rose: Put Him In Hall Of Fame!

 

On Friday, Let's Show Some Class, Philly!

Its beloved Eagles (aka Iggles) have won the Super Bowl. And Philadelphia is in a state of sustained, giddy glee. The whole city is bathed in green and people are already festooned in Eagles gear in the lead up to Wednesday's Big Parade.

Yes, the Eagles have won. But can Philly and its denizens really begin to feel and act like genuine winners? Put another way, does the Eagles' drubbing of Kansas City finally make Philly a winning town?

We ask this because Philadelphia, stuck between those behemoths of New York and Washington, has always felt overshadowed by the nation's center of commerce to the north and its center of power to the south. When a town that normally would be able to stand tall on its own merits finds itself woefully eclipsed like this, you can understand how it might develop an inferiority complex -- the kind that leads to a hard luck mentality and triggers periodic bursts of feigned bravado laced with resentment. 

Consider 1980 when the Phillies won their first World Series victory in decades. It was a magical moment, yet Tug McGraw still felt the need to proclaim: “New York can take this championship and stick it!”  Then again in 2018, at the Eagles Super Bowl celebration Jason Kelce sang "nobody loves us, we don't care" and gratuitously dropped the F bomb, just as Phillies player Chase Utley did in 2008 at his team's World Series celebration. And who can forget the 1972-73 Flyers hockey team that proudly donned the monicker "Broad Street Bullies," embracing its pugnacious (and arguably, violent) ways. At moments such as these, you have to ask yourself: what kind of message does this send?

The other night the bullies were out again on Broad Street, this time in the form of young hooligans who "celebrated" by lighting fires in the middle of the street and tearing down traffic lights (see video). Just two weeks prior when the Eagles won the NFC championship a college student tragically died when he fell from a utility pole during that night's Broad Street antics.

When it comes to winning pro sports titles (baseball, basketball, football and hockey) Philadelphia comes in at number six, behind Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and, you guessed it, New York. The Big Apple is the undisputed champ with 54 titles. But then again, it has twice as many teams. Boston (a smaller town than Philly) has an impressive 40 titles. The numbers then drop off into the 20s with Philly at exactly 20 championship titles so far, easily distancing Pittsburgh at 17. That's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. In fact to be just shy of the top five among 12 major cities (even way ahead of Washington and arch enemy Dallas) should be a source of immense, genuine proud -- the type of pride that can and should speak for itself.

So starting now, let's chuck the thuggery, Philly. Ditch the vulgarity, too. Knock that chip off your shoulder and do yourself proud. Show some class and act like a winner! You'll be better -- and stand taller -- for it.

It Premiers December 12 On MLB Network

More, Upon The Passing Of PETE ROSE

 

Pete Rose was a credit to Cincinnati, to the state of Ohio, and to everyone who loves America’s pastime. My prayers are with his family at this difficult time. His passing is a reminder that legends live forever and that he belongs in the Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/ws0P6VDi1j

— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 1, 2024

We'll Just Leave This Here For Now . . .

 

Ya Want Dollar Dogs, Philly? Ya Got Dollar Dogs!

 

New MLB Uniforms Showin' A Bit Too Much?

 

This Is REALLY GOOD NEWS For California!