1. I’m a person who believes that if you’re an athlete, it’s fair to deal with a certain amount of stupidity from the fans. That’s just part of the gig. People will make fun of you, people will tell you you’re crap, and people will criticize your performance. It’s just the nature of the beast.
Of course, social media has made this all much worse because athletes can read everything people say about them if they choose.
And even when fan criticism doesn’t cross the line, the entirety of it can be overwhelming for some athletes.
That seems to be the case for Yankees shortstop Joey Gallo, who opened up like we’ve rarely seen from an athlete. in a new interview with NJ.com.
Gallo has been a complete disaster for the Yankees since coming over from Texas last season. He is hitting .159 this season with 12 home runs, 24 RBIs. He has struck out 106 times in 233 at bats.
You can’t blame Yankees fans for being unhappy with that performance, but it’s also hard not to feel for Gallo after hearing how the awful season affected him.
Gallo deserves credit for agreeing to a one-on-one interview right now, and NJ.com’s Randy Miller deserves credit for asking all the right questions and getting Gallo to share what this difficult time has been like for him.
This exchange from the Q&A was particularly striking:
Randy Miller: What was it like for you when Yankees fans notice you in the streets? Are they hard on you and away from the field?
Joey Gallo: I don’t go out on the streets.
RM: That’s sad.
JG: Yes. I really don’t want to show my face too much here.
Gallo was just getting started on his experience. “I went through a lot of adversity and really had to challenge myself a lot,” she said. “My confidence suffered. I’d say I hit rock bottom for the big leagues.”
The eight-year veteran revealed that Royals players tried to give him some encouragement when he was in New York for a weekend series. However, the kind words backfired.
“The Kansas City guys reached out to me over the weekend,” Gallo said. “A bunch of guys. Makes me feel like a piece of s—, honestly. I remember playing here with Rangers watching the guys get booed off the field and thinking, ‘Holy—! I feel bad for this guy.’ Now it’s me. I appreciate people reaching out, but it makes me feel like I’m a problem.”
The trade deadline is Tuesday night at 6 p.m. ET. After reading these questions and answers, everyone should want Gallo to get a fresh start with another team and perform like he did during his time with the Rangers.
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2. During of last week SI Media PodcastI asked Sports Business JournalJohn Ourand says what bars and restaurants will do when NFL Sunday Ticket goes to a streaming service.
We don’t have an official decision on this yet, but Ourand reports that Amazon has struck a deal with DirecTV to carry TNF in commercial facilities, which is great news for NFL fans who would actually like to get out on Thursday nights to watch the game.
3. Amazing execution here by 49ers offensive lineman Nick Zakelj on his Stone Cold Stunner to teammate Sam Schlueter.
4. Cardinals forward Kelvin Beachum Jr. was signing autographs at camp Monday, but Arizona fans seemed a little more interested in JJ Watt.
Beachum hilariously addressed this in a tweet.
While fans were more on JJ, Beachum received support in his tweet from an unlikely source.
5. Back in March, I told you that new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel should be your new favorite person in sports. Here’s more evidence as to why.
6. This week’s episode of Sports Illustrated Media Podcast includes two interviews.
First up is John Ourand from Sports Business Journal. Ourand talks about the Charles Barkley–LIV Golf story, the latest news on which streaming service will attract NFL Sunday Ticket, what will happen to bars and restaurants when Sunday Ticket goes streaming, and how DirecTV will be affected from the loss of the Sunday Ticket.
After Ourand, Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer joins the podcast to share his insights on Vince McMahon’s departure from WWE. Why did McMahon retire now? Is there a chance McMahon will return? What changes can fans expect with Paul Levesque aka Triple H in charge of creative? Where is Vince’s son Shane right now? When will fans see changes to the TV product?
The podcast concludes with the weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment with Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York. This week, Jimmy and Sal discuss the Radio Hall of Fame, the Choco Taco ice cream break, the most money they’d pay for a concert, and more.
You can listen to the podcast below or download it apple, Spotify and Google.
You can also watch it SI Media Podcast on YouTube.
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Today is the MLB trade deadline, so here’s a compilation video of players being traded in the middle of a game.
Make sure to check out previous editions of Traina Thoughts and check it out Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on apple, Spotify the Google. You can also follow Jimmy at Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok.
