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The Best of the Day: January 26th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from January 26, 2021 including a year later from Kobe's tragic death, MLB free agency news, and more!
YONG KIM / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
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 1/26 here.
A year later, and the sports world still mourns the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash. Kobe, with his mamba mentality and championship pedigree, was one of the most beloved athletes on the entire planet. Also, J.T. Realmuto re-signed with the Phillies, headlining a big day of free agency in baseball, and Trae Young continued to ball out, with his game resembling that of Steph Curry’s more and more.
Here is the best of the day from January 26, 2021:
Philadelphia re-signing J.T Realmuto headlined a big day in MLB Free Agency
Phillies re-signed C J.T. Realmuto:
Among the many notable moves to occur on Tuesday, none were more significant than the announcement of Philadelphia’s deal to bring back their All-Star Catcher on a record-breaking contract. The 5y/$115.5M deal carries an average annual value of $23.1 million, topping former Minnesota Twin Joe Mauer’s annual salary of $23 million as the highest ever for a catcher. Realmuto, who will turn 30 in March, was acquired by the Phillies in 2019 from the Marlins in an inner-division trade.
In his first season in Philadelphia, Realmuto hit .275 with 25 HRs and 83 RBI, earning his second straight All-Star appearance along with his first Gold Glove and his second Silver Slugger award. He followed up his best season in the majors by hitting .266 with 11 HRs and 32 RBI in 47 games during the shortened 2020 season. Realmuto re-signing is massive for a Phillies club looking to finally get over the hump with Bryce Harper and make the postseason for the first time since their five straight appearances from 2007-11 that included a World Series title in 2008.
J.T. Realmuto is now the highest average paid catcher in the history of MLB, surpassing Joe Mauer's $23M contract w/ the #Twins back in 2011.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 26, 2021
Top Paid #Phillies
Bryce Harper, $25.3M
Zack Wheeler, $23.6M
J.T. Realmuto, $23.1Mhttps://t.co/AoRI8AXFLj
Blue Jays landed 2B Marcus Semien:
Marcus Semien’s market was hard to gauge. He had an amazing MVP-caliber season with the A’s in 2019, but that was the only year he’s been well above-average offensively. Semien hit .285 with 33 HRs and 92 RBI while playing all 162 games for Oakland that season. However, his previous career highs playing at least half a season were .257 in 2015 along with 27 HRs and 75 RBI, both in 2016 (hit .238 that season). His production took a nose dive in 2020 when Semien hit a career-low .223 with 7 HRs and 23 RBI in 53 games while struggling with a rib injury.
The Blue Jays were intent on making big moves this offseason and have now officially done so with their trio of George Springer, Kirby Yates, and now Semien. The 1y/$18M deal is low-risk for the Jays, who will be hoping that Semien can regain his 2019 form, but if he doesn’t, they will only be stuck with him for one season. With Semien’s addition and likely improvement from a down year, Toronto’s lineup will have improved greatly. They will also no longer have to rely on Vlad Jr. moving back to the hot corner where he struggled defensively as a rookie as Semien will move to 2B with Bichette at SS, forcing Cavan Biggio to take over 3B.
Marcus Semien in agreement with Blue Jays on 1-year, $18M deal.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 26, 2021
(via @Ken_Rosenthal | @JonHeyman | @JeffPassan) pic.twitter.com/n6aLslXPh0
Twins added SS Andrelton Simmons:
The Twins have signed SS Andrelton Simmons to a 1y/$10.5M deal. The 4x Gold Glover, who had played his previous five seasons with the Angels, will be an immediate upgrade defensively for Minnesota, especially after Jorge Polanco’s poor defensive performance at SS in 2020. Simmons’ defense is so highly thought of that he has received MVP votes three times during his career strictly because of his success on that side of the ball. He also has a decent bat, hitting .269 with 67 HRs and 406 RBI over nine years in the MLB. His addition gives MIN ultimate depth, and strengthens what was already one of the best benches in the MLB.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuaHNyPpkR8
Andrelton Simmons and the Twins are in agreement on a 1-year, $10.5M deal. (per @JeffPassan) pic.twitter.com/L6Euns7Bow
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 27, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
Similar to Steph Curry, Trae Young can one day be as lethal as any player in NBA history
If Trae Young’s game reminds the viewer of anyone, they won’t have to go too far back in history to see the resemblance. The sensational sharpshooting and incredible handles are cut from the same cloth as Steph Curry, who took the NBA by storm during his back-to-back MVP seasons that included the only unanimous Most Valuable Player selection of all-time.
Curry’s defense has always been viewed as a weak spot, but Steph’s unstoppable offensive skillset not only allowed him to succeed at an unprecedented level, but it also opened the floor for his teammates to get more open shots as well. Curry ended up teaming up with another certified assassin, which briefly took away from his opportunities, but now the Warriors playmaker is back to showing the world why he’s so special. When #30 is on his game in the Bay, he’s arguably the single biggest game-changer anyone has ever witnessed with his scorching scoring streaks.
The Hawks have their own version of that offensive threat in the Oklahoma product. The scary thing is ‘Ice Trae’ is reaching heights at 21 and 22 years old that Steph Curry didn’t reach until 25 years old. Showing off such a dynamic skill set at this young an age makes Young’s future as bright as anyone. It’s unlikely Trae Young will ever be a remote threat on the defensive side of the ball considering his lack of size and strength, but like Curry, it won’t matter if he can continue to shoot the lights out and facilitate for others.
Young’s already a better passer than the Chef and has handles and range that are part of an exclusive club among the best in the NBA. Young still has plenty to clean up in his game (turnovers, consistency, etc.) but he’s already an All-Star starter, one of the most lethal offensive threats in the league, and a box office attraction that could one day reach a level even Curry couldn’t. The ceiling is really that high for Ice Trae, who showed it once again on Tuesday.
Ice Trae. Clutch. ❄️ pic.twitter.com/27AId1cAJm
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 27, 2021
Final Score Thread:
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2021
Trae Young scores 26 of his 38 PTS in the 2nd half to lead the @ATLHawks to victory.
De'Andre Hunter: 22 PTS
Clint Capela: 13 PTS, 19 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/x4B2LoVZvP
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Vintage John Wall took it to the rack.
Smooth behind-the-back move from John Wall 🔥 pic.twitter.com/75zdlPDzHo
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 27, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights | Houston Rockets Highlights
PG Trae Young, ATL (W v.LAC): 38 PTS (12-23 FG | 3-7 3P), 5 AST, 3 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (1/26/21)- PG Trae Young, ATL
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 27, 2021
THE FACTS:
- ATL has won 4 straight w/ Trae; Ended LAC's 7-win streak
- Scored 26 of his 38 PTS in 2nd half despite back spasms
- AVG 39.7 PPG, 6.3 APG, 3.7 RPG over last 3 GP
- Drained dagger from the logo & paid tribute to Kobe https://t.co/tWizmR8bFB
Related: Players of the Day
Los Angeles Clippers (99) vs. Atlanta Hawks (108)
[Highlights] @HAWKS (-176; $11.24) d. CLIPPERS (+176; $11.37) 108-99 [ATL -5.5 | o226.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
5 Ways Kobe Bryant Changed the World Forever by Noah Camras
Kobe Bryant’s legacy and influence will live on forever in a variety of ways on and off the court.
Kobe Bryant's legacy will live on forever https://t.co/GvIwkyQYIz
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 26, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on January 26th
An 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation. Kobe Bryant's death at just 41 is among those that stunned in 2020.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 25, 2020
MORE: https://t.co/dMzqYzwaas pic.twitter.com/XQjFyWT2UZ
YEAR: 2020
SIGNIFICANCE: Kobe Bryant tragically passed away in a helicopter accident with his 13 year-old daughter Gianna
Related: Significant Sports History
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