CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter: Your Ultimate Guide to Every Day in Sports
Rise and shine, sports enthusiasts! Welcome to the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, your daily dose of the latest sports news and analysis, delivered straight to your inbox. Join us every weekday morning as we break down the biggest stories, provide expert insights, and keep you up-to-date on all the action across the sports world.
Baseball Hall of Fame Welcomes Three New Members
The 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame vote delivered its verdict, and three deserving players earned their rightful places in Cooperstown. Adrián Beltré, Todd Helton, and Joe Mauer etched their names into baseball history, cementing their legacies as all-time greats.
Beltré, a four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, was a no-brainer selection. His remarkable defensive prowess at third base, coupled with his consistent offensive production, made him one of the most well-rounded players of his generation.
Helton, who spent his entire career with the Colorado Rockies, made five All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves, and captured the 2000 batting title. His ability to hit for power and average in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field made him one of the most feared sluggers in baseball.
Mauer, the 2009 AL MVP, won three Gold Gloves and is the only catcher in MLB history with three batting titles. His exceptional defensive skills behind the plate, combined with his ability to hit for both power and average, made him one of the most complete players in recent memory.
Billy Wagner Falls Short, Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán Gain Ground
While Beltré, Helton, and Mauer celebrated their Hall of Fame nods, Billy Wagner fell just five votes shy of election. However, the flame-throwing left-hander has one more year left on the ballot, and Matt Snyder explains why Wagner is poised for success next time around.
Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán also saw gains in their respective voting percentages, but they still have work to do to reach the 75% threshold. Jones, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive outfielders of all time, while Beltrán, a five-time Gold Glove winner, was a dynamic offensive force throughout his career.
Milwaukee Bucks Fire Head Coach Adrian Griffin
Despite leading the Bucks to a 30-13 record, the fourth-best winning percentage by any coach in NBA history, Adrian Griffin was fired just 43 games into his head-coaching tenure. The Bucks struggled defensively under Griffin, and Brad Botkin believes his inability to get the most out of Jrue Holiday offensively cost him his job.
Joe Prunty will take over as interim coach while the Bucks search for a full-time replacement. The Bucks, currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings, will look to maintain their momentum under their new leadership.
Heat Acquire Terry Rozier from Hornets
The Miami Heat addressed their need for an offensive boost by acquiring Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier, who is averaging career highs in points, assists, and field goal percentage, should provide a much-needed spark for the Heat’s offense.
Miami sent a first-round pick and Kyle Lowry to Charlotte in exchange for Rozier. The Heat hope that Rozier’s dynamic playmaking ability and consistent shooting will help them contend for a championship in the Eastern Conference.
South Carolina Upsets No. 6 Kentucky
Lamont Paris’ South Carolina Gamecocks pulled off a stunning 79-62 upset of the No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats. The Gamecocks’ defense held Kentucky to just 62 points, well below their season average of 91.6 points per game.
Ta’Lon Cooper led South Carolina with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Jacobi Wright added 16 points, including four three-pointers. The Gamecocks’ victory marked their first win over a top-10 team since 2019.
NBA Midseason Awards and Power Rankings
Our team of NBA experts has released their picks for the midseason awards, with Joel Embiid emerging as the favorite to repeat as MVP. Embiid’s historic 70-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers helped propel the Philadelphia 76ers to the top of Colin Ward-Henninger’s weekly Power Rankings.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics round out the top three in the Power Rankings, while the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors find themselves outside the top 10.
What We’re Watching Wednesday
Here are some of the top sporting events to watch on Wednesday, January 24:
- Oklahoma at No. 10 Texas (W), 7 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 8 Auburn at Alabama (M), 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins, 7:30 p.m. on TNT
- Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m. on ABC
- Kansas State at No. 23 Iowa State (M), 9 p.m. on ESPN2
- Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Chicago Blackhawks at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m. on TNT
Thank you for joining us for the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter. We hope you have a fantastic day filled with exciting sports action!
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