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The Best of the Day: January 19th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from January 19, 2021 including TOR signing OF Springer, Jokic's incredible play continuing, and more!
ESPN
The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 1/19 here.
After missing out on Francisco Lindor, the Toronto Blue Jays signed the best OF on the market in George Springer. Still in his prime, Springer will bring a veteran presence and a proven bat to the young Blue Jays lineup. Springer came at a hefty cost though, the largest in Blue Jays franchise history by almost 2x the previous record. Also, Nuggets superstar big man Nikola Jokic made history with another double-double and PSO’s review of the NFL’s incredible Divisional Round action rounds out the best in sports from 1/19.
Here is the best of the day from January 19, 2021:
Toronto Blue Jays signed OF George Springer (and RP Kirby Yates)
The Blue Jays announced Tuesday that they have signed OF George Springer to a 6y/$150M deal. A centerpiece in the Houston Astros rise over the last half decade, Springer, 31, was a clubhouse leader and Houston’s best player in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Springer hit .265 with 14 home runs and 32 RBI in 51 games and hit four more home runs in the playoffs during the Astros run to the ALCS.
A 3x All-Star and 2x Silver Slugger across his seven MLB seasons (all in HOU), Springer played his best on the biggest stage. In his two World Series appearances, Springer hit .339 with seven home runs and 11 RBIs, and was named MVP of the Fall Classic in 2017. In Springer, the Blue Jays have finally landed a coveted star that can help lead their young and talented core to the top of the highly-competitive American League East division.
Toronto also signed RP Kirby Yates to a 1y/$5.5M deal. Yates, 33, struggled last season in just six appearances with a 12.46 ERA for the Padres before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right elbow. However, prior to that, he was one of baseball’s top relievers over the past two seasons, leading the MLB in saves in 2019 with 41. Yates is a welcome addition to the Toronto bullpen, and if he can regain his 2019 form could potentially lift the Blue Jays to among the top contenders in the AL alongside Springer in a big day for the Jays.
The Blue Jays get their guy.
— MLB (@MLB) January 20, 2021
Toronto and OF George Springer have agreed to a 6-year, $150M deal, per MLB Network's @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/12HiVmk9ks
Updated Toronto Blue Jays projected roster/depth chart/payroll:
— Jason R.R. Martinez (FanGraphs/RosterResource) (@JasonRRMartinez) January 20, 2021
•RP Kirby Yates agreed to 1-yr, $5.5M contract. https://t.co/NrdoLRW7Llhttps://t.co/ydyG4z7M7k
Yates can make an additional $4.5M in performance bonuses ... https://t.co/1RaK7YIZgV pic.twitter.com/6ay3HpWqw8
Related: Stories of the Day
Nikola Jokic is the greatest triple-double threat Big Man in NBA history
Nikola Jokic has already put himself into the conversation among the most skilled big men of all-time. The 25-year-old can score on all three levels, he’s an aggressive rebounder, and is a great rim protector. The most impressive aspect of his game, however, is his passing. Jokic has the passing skills of a point guard, combined with the shooting skills of a sharpshooter, and the length and size of a big man. He’s the heart and soul of this Denver Nuggets team and has continued to improve not only his own game during his sixth NBA season but also the performances of his teammates.
Jokic is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists this year, and has put on a show as the playmaker of this Nuggets team. Jokic leads the entire league in assists (10.0) this year, which would make him the first Center ever to accomplish that feat. Jokic is also looking to become the first Center in NBA history to average double-digit assists and lead the Nuggets to the playoffs as their 6’11” Point Center. He’s the fifth player ever to rack up a double-double in all 14 games to start a season. Every time he steps on the floor, he’s a triple-double threat. No other Big Man has ever been able to say that.
Nikola Jokic last night:
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) January 20, 2021
✅ 27 PTS
✅ 12 REB
✅ 6 AST
He's the fifth player since the ABA-NBA merger to open a season with 14 consecutive double-doubles:
✅ Bill Walton, 1976-77
✅ Moses Malone, 1981-82
✅ Kevin Love, 2011-12
✅ Giannis Antetokounmpo, 2019-20
✅ Jokic, 2020-21 pic.twitter.com/98P38JBB8Y
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Donovan Mitchell with the Spiderman pass
How did Spida pull this off? 🤯#CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/w8YHkx5fTC
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 20, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights | Utah Jazz Highlights
C Nikola Jokic, DEN (W v.OKC): 27 PTS (12-21 FG | 0-4 3P), 6 AST, 12 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 1 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (1/19/21) - C Nikola Jokic, DEN
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 20, 2021
THE FACTS:
- Ranks top 5 in AST (1st), STL (4th), & REB (5th)
- No player has ever finished top 5 in all 3 categories
- Didn't play 4th Qtr with Nuggets winning by 23 PTS
- Still racked up 27 PTS, 12 REB, and 6 AST on 57% FG https://t.co/SwINmx1Jll
Related: Players of the Day
New Orleans Pelicans (102) vs. Utah Jazz (118)
[Highlights] @JAZZ (-206; $11.37) d. PELICANS (+206; $9.47) 118-102 [UTA -6 | o217.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
Reviewing Every NFL Divisional Round Game by Matthew DelDonna
The Divisional Round outcomes set up an epic final four of teams featuring the most elite QBs in the NFL
Evaluating every NFL Division Rd Game, diving into Green Bay's ability to control the clock, the only thing stopping Mahomes, the greatest QB of a team's generation, and what ended the Saints season & Drew Brees' career early ⬇️ https://t.co/Mtyvkz40Wi
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 21, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on January 19th
19 years ago today
— Pub Sports Radio ™ (@PubSportsRadio) January 19, 2021
The tuck rule game pic.twitter.com/jJFdLbwjhA
YEAR: 2002
SIGNIFICANCE: In Tom Brady’s 1st career playoff game, a fumble was ruled an incompletion in the “Tuck Rule” game
Related: Significant Sports History
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