https://matthewneschis.journoportfolio.comRSS Feed for Matthew NeschisenSun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2023/04/converting-at-the-charity-stripe-former-badger-gives-back-through-basketballRashard Griffith strode hurriedly toward the Middleton High School fieldhouse in early November, the sound of dribbling basketballs growing louder with each step. Team tryouts began at 4 p.m. — Griffith’s phone read 4:30 p.m. Joining a new team was practically second nature to Griffith, having played for 10 different professional clubs across the world. The star center’s playing days, however, were far behind him. Griffith didn’t don a triple-XL jersey upon enter...Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2023/04/converting-at-the-charity-stripe-former-badger-gives-back-through-basketballhttps://www.irishstar.com/sport/college-baseball/ireland-world-baseball-classic-iabs-36883313As the last notes of St Patrick’s Day celebrations fade and plates of corned beef and cabbage sit empty, many Irish Americans will turn their attention to the World Baseball Classic final — a stage their own national team can only hope to reach one day. On Tuesday, Team USA will face Venezuela in a politically-charged championship clash that swiftly drew a reaction from President Donald Trump. This year’s WBC marks the sixth consecutive tournament that Ireland has failed to reach — in large par...Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.irishstar.com/sport/college-baseball/ireland-world-baseball-classic-iabs-36883313https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/griffin-jax-air-force-wbc-1729774HOUSTON — One would be hard pressed to find a player on Team USA who doesn’t recognize the incredible privilege of representing the Stars and Stripes at the 2026 World Baseball Classic — but for reliever Griffin Jax, it means just a little more. In the eighth inning of Tuesday’s Pool B matchup between the U.S. and Mexico, Jax took the mound moments after Matthew Boyd surrendered a home run to Jarren Duran and plunked Randy Arozarena with a fastball. The Tampa Bay Rays pitcher swiftly stopped th...Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/griffin-jax-air-force-wbc-1729774https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/italy-usa-wbc-vinnie-pasquantino-1730144HOUSTON — Team Italy captain Vinnie Pasquantino and his band of underdogs are chasing an improbable upset over the United States at the WBC, fueled by espresso shots, spaghetti, and a little bit of old-school sprezzatura. On Tuesday, Italy — whose home run celebration has swiftly become a fan favorite — will face its toughest test yet in Pool B play against Team USA’s potent lineup. Yet according to those inside the Italian clubhouse, most of the pressure lies on the Americans’ shoulders. “The...Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/italy-usa-wbc-vinnie-pasquantino-1730144https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/air-force-baseball-team-wbc-1727964HOUSTON — As Paul Skenes walked toward the bullpen before his highly anticipated WBC debut, a special group of fans cheered him on from second-row seats along the first-base line. On Monday, Skenes took the mound for Team USA’s matchup against Mexico — the Stars and Stripes’ toughest challenge yet in Pool B play. Among the expected sold-out crowd in Houston were members of the Air Force baseball team, who had their tickets purchased for the game by the 23-year-old and WBC teammate Griffin Jax....Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/air-force-baseball-team-wbc-1727964https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/andy-brown-great-britain-artist-1727242HOUSTON — While most teams at the 2026 WBC are embracing the latest technologies in baseball, from Rapsodo 3.0 for pitching metrics to Vald ForceDecks for player movement, Great Britain is kicking it old school with a little help from artist Andy Brown. For the last 15 years, Brown has painted over 150 stadiums across the world, including all 30 MLB ballparks. His work has been collected by Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, Red Sox legend David Ortiz and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooper...Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/andy-brown-great-britain-artist-1727242https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/danamarie-mcnicholl-matt-festa-wbc-1726122World Baseball Classic star Matt Festa revealed how he and his wife, FOX News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl, balance their equally demanding lifestyles. On Sunday, Festa made his debut in this year’s tournament while representing Italy — whose unique home run celebration has swiftly become a fan favorite — for a second consecutive WBC. Upon taking the bump in the top of the seventh, the Cleveland Guardians pitcher surrendered one hit while striking out two while helping propel his team to a...Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/danamarie-mcnicholl-matt-festa-wbc-1726122https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/brennan-bernardino-mexico-wbc-mlb-1727469HOUSTON — Prior to first pitch in Sunday’s WBC clash between Mexico and Brazil, Brennan Bernardino traversed the outfield grass at Daikin Park during batting practice. For every ball that reached his glove, the reliever turned around and tossed it toward the fans lining the stands. As many of his teammates went to the clubhouse to suit up for the upcoming game — which Mexico won 16-0 thanks to a dominant performance from Alejandro Kirk — Bernardino stayed out with a handful of players to sign a...Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/brennan-bernardino-mexico-wbc-mlb-1727469https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/logan-webb-aaron-judge-wbc-1725772HOUSTON — For the first time in his career, Logan Webb was happy to see Aaron Judge launch a home run while sharing the field with the New York Yankees captain. On Friday, Webb received the starting nod for Team USA’s World Baseball Classic opener against Brazil at Daikin Park in Houston. Before even taking the mound in the Pool B contest, the San Francisco Giants ace received a major boost courtesy of Judge. After shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. reached on an infield single and first baseman Bryce H...Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/logan-webb-aaron-judge-wbc-1725772https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/matthew-boyd-bob-feller-wbc-1725701Matthew Boyd is proudly representing his family’s lineage — which includes a former First Lady of the United States and an American war hero — at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On a loaded Team USA featuring big names such as Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper and Paul Skenes — who nearly joined the military before pursuing a baseball career — Boyd largely flies under the radar. With no shortage of star power on the U.S. roster, the 2025 National League All-Star isn’t taking the opportunity to play in...Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/matthew-boyd-bob-feller-wbc-1725701https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/jac-caglianone-batting-practice-wbc-1724482HOUSTON — Less than two hours before first pitch in Team Italy’s World Baseball Classic opener against Brazil, a small crowd gathered around the batting cage net as Jac Caglianone readied to take BP. Only a handful of pitches into the session, the star outfielder launched a ball over 400 feet towards the second deck in right field at Daikin Park. The towering blast struck an electronic ribbon board, leaving a noticeable black square about three feet wide in its wake. “I haven't done that before...Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/jac-caglianone-batting-practice-wbc-1724482https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/osvaldo-carvalho-brazil-wbc-construction-1724561HOUSTON — Few players actively competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic have a more demanding lifestyle away from the field than Brazilian star Osvaldo Carvalho. In a Team Brazil clubhouse rife with experienced professionals and MLB ties — Red Sox legend Manny Ramirez’s son, Lucas, hit two home runs against Team USA — Carvalho stands out as the lone player who’s never received a paycheck for playing baseball. Rather, he makes the majority of his income through construction work. Osvaldo fi...Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/osvaldo-carvalho-brazil-wbc-construction-1724561https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/seahawks-defense-dark-side-nickname-1669070While most Seahawks players slept or listened to music during a long bus drive near the halfway point of the 2025 season, Jarran Reed, DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams were hard at work devising a new identity for Seattle’s defense. One by one, the trio of defensive lineman floated potential names that would best encapsulate the Seahawks defensive unit, which Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence recently conceded is “really, really good.” Someone suggested Trench Mob. Another proposed the...Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/seahawks-defense-dark-side-nickname-1669070https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/jake-bobo-seahawks-patriots-nfl-1668734In the leadup to Super Bowl LX, Jake Bobo and his family gathered to watch a handful of home videos highlighting just how far the Seahawks wide receiver has come in his football journey. Among the collection of cassette tapes and camcorder footage, one in particular drew the most laughs. Bobo, at the time barely old enough to talk, could be seen sporting a retro No. 1 Patriots jersey. Nearly three decades later, he will look to hand New England — and his home state — a gut-wrenching defeat in t...Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/jake-bobo-seahawks-patriots-nfl-1668734https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/ann-michael-maye-patriots-baking-1667698The Patriots’ offensive line may be one of the closest-knit groups in New England, but even they can’t agree on the most divisive topic inside the facility: Ann Michael Maye’s best baked dish. Vederian Lowe is a big fan of the oatmeal apple crisp. Caedan Wallace prefers the cinnamon roll snickerdoodles. Thayer Munford Jr., meanwhile, can’t get enough of the brookie. “Me personally, I always get the little corner pieces,” the latter offensive tackle exclusively told Mirror U.S. Sports. “You can’...Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/ann-michael-maye-patriots-baking-1667698https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/super-bowl-lx-confetti-shower-1662974One of the biggest stars to emerge from last year’s Super Bowl was not an underdog player or relatively unknown coach, but rather a behind-the-scenes technician fans have dubbed, “The Confetti Guy.” Fresh off the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, one attendee in the stands filmed a worker feverishly loading confetti into a machine on the sideline at the Caesars Superdome. The short clip swiftly took off on social media, with many eagle-eyed viewers not...Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/super-bowl-lx-confetti-shower-1662974https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/sam-darnold-usc-professor-gpa-1658907Fresh off the Seattle Seahawks’ nailbiting victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Conference Championship, USC professor Jeff Fellenzer sent one of his former students a heartfelt text. In the biggest game of his roller-coaster career, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold turned in his best performance — completing 25-of-36 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions en route to propelling Seattle to a 31-27 win over the Rams. As blue and green confetti continued to dance t...Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/sam-darnold-usc-professor-gpa-1658907https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/derick-hall-super-bowl-seahawks-1659035Derick Hall asserted that playing in the Super Bowl is “something that every kid dreams about” — but for the Seattle Seahawks linebacker, that childhood ambition was even more of a longshot than most. This Sunday, Hall and the Seahawks' formidable defense will clash with quarterback Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Seattle punched its ticket to the Big Game with a thrilling 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship, during which fans voiced their frust...Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/derick-hall-super-bowl-seahawks-1659035https://www.themirror.com/sport/boxing/bruce-carrington-mike-tyson-brownsville-1637711Bruce Carrington’s childhood dreams will soon become reality when the Brooklyn native takes New York’s biggest stage later this month. On Jan. 31, Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) will face off against Carlos Castro (30-3, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBC featherweight title at Madison Square Garden. Jarrell Miller — who recently expressed his support for Anthony Joshua despite their years-long feud — will additionally be fighting Kingsley Ibeh on the undercard of The Ring VI. Carrington actively resides as...Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/boxing/bruce-carrington-mike-tyson-brownsville-1637711https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/zach-wilson-jets-dolphins-nfl-1550861Zach Wilson stood in the back right corner of a boisterous visitors locker room at MetLife Stadium, the venue he called home for the majority of his NFL career. As the backup quarterback packed his bag for the quick trip back to Miami, several Dolphins teammates sitting nearby repeatedly shouted a playful remark in his direction: “Revenge game, Zach. Revenge game.” Wilson grinned, stopped folding his pants and chuckled to himself before clapping back: “Hey, I'm 3-0 against these guys!” On Sund...Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/zach-wilson-jets-dolphins-nfl-1550861https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/paul-skenes-dad-livvy-dunne-1512124Paul Skenes’ father, Craig, has shed light on the major role that Livvy Dunne has played in the star pitcher’s career away from the baseball diamond. Last week, Skenes — who recently worked a shift serving veterans at Raising Cane’s in West Palm Beach — was awarded the 2025 National League Cy Young award after recording an MLB-best 1.97 ERA this season. One year prior, he was named the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year following a similarly dominant campaign. According to Craig, much of...Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/paul-skenes-dad-livvy-dunne-1512124https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/juan-soto-pete-alonso-mets-1399799?1=Juan Soto finds himself in the midst of a historic campaign — but according to the Mets star outfielder, much of his success can be attributed to one of his teammates. Since inking a monster 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets this offseason, Soto has proven to be worth every penny by shattering a myriad of franchise records and developing into a more well-rounded player. Upon plating one run with an RBI ground out in the Mets’ 6-1 win over the Padres on Thursday, Soto joined Barry Bo...Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/juan-soto-pete-alonso-mets-1399799?1=https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/phillies-mlb-field-of-dreams-1366814When it comes to beloved baseball films, members of the Phillies clubhouse are mostly split on their favorites. Reliever Matt Strahm is a big fan of The Sandlot. Starting pitcher Aaron Nola prefers Rookie of the Year and Mickey. “They don't make them like they used to,” the latter exclusively told Mirror U.S. Sports. Though Phillies players can’t seem to settle on a No. 1 ranking, the large majority agree that Field of Dreams — the 1989 blockbuster movie starring Kevin Costner — still holds a s...Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/phillies-mlb-field-of-dreams-1366814https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/wilmer-flores-jose-butto-mets-1309817Jose Butto bowed his head, wiped his eyes and stared off longingly into the distance after being hit with the news that no player wants to hear. During the second inning of the New York Mets’ 5-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on July 30, Butto learned that he’d been traded to the San Francisco Giants in a package deal for reliever Tyler Rogers. As bullpen coach Jose Rosado patted him on the knee, the right-handed reliever couldn’t stop the waterworks from flowing. For the select few who’ve spen...Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/wilmer-flores-jose-butto-mets-1309817https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/pacman-jones-deion-sanders-cancer-1300746Former NFL star Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones conceded he was “definitely in tears” after witnessing Deion Sanders’ battle with cancer first-hand. While speaking to reporters on Monday alongside Colorado assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold and Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of Urologic Oncology at CU Cancer Center, Sanders revealed that he underwent multiple procedures to have his bladder removed once medical experts discovered a tumor. Early on, the Colorado head coach kept his diagnosis a secret f...Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/pacman-jones-deion-sanders-cancer-1300746https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/pete-alonso-drake-baldwin-mallards-1256415Against the New York Mets last month, Drake Baldwin drilled a hard-hit single into the outfield and rolled safely into first base. As is par for the course around baseball, the Atlanta Braves catcher swiftly struck up a conversation with the closest infielder — in this instance, Pete Alonso. Upon first glance, there would appear to be little in common between Baldwin — a National League rookie of the year favorite who nearly pursued a career in an entirely different sport — and Alonso, a MLB ve...Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/pete-alonso-drake-baldwin-mallards-1256415https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/jesse-winker-mets-injury-mlb-1220388?1Before the first pitch of every New York Mets game, Jesse Winker meanders into the outfield and sets up shop inside the bullpen. Rest assured, the designated hitter isn’t looking to become a two-way player like Los Angeles Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani — who pitched one inning during his highly-anticipated return to the mound — any time soon. Last month, Winker landed on the injured list with a Grade 2 oblique strain, which possesses a recovery timeline of approximately 6-8 weeks. Several other...Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/jesse-winker-mets-injury-mlb-1220388?1https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/juan-soto-mets-stolen-bases-1207530Even the richest player in baseball is still looking to improve in areas of his game. On any given day, Juan Soto will display one of his intangible talents that convinced the New York Mets to provide him with a monster 15-year, $765 million contract this offseason. With his disappointing start to the 2025 campaign suddenly a distant memory, the star outfielder routinely dazzles with his perfect eye, effortless swing and cannon of an arm. Once Soto arrives safely on the basepaths, however, th...Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/juan-soto-mets-stolen-bases-1207530https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/new-york-mets-griffin-canning-1179446Over a rollercoaster MLB career that’s featured more lows than highs, Mets starting pitcher Griffin Canning has learned how to roll with the punches. While facing the lowly White Sox on Wednesday, Canning surrendered four hits, five runs (three earned) and four walks in just three innings pitched. The outing prior, he allowed three runs and four walks to the Dodgers before a rain delay forced him out after 2.2 innings. The pair of underwhelming starts mark the first rough patch in what’s other...Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/baseball/new-york-mets-griffin-canning-1179446https://www.themirror.com/sport/basketball/las-vegas-aces-wnba-facility-1172352?1=Upon officially purchasing the Las Vegas Aces from MGM Resorts International in February of 2021, Mark Davis’ first course of action was finding the franchise a real home. Before relocating to Las Vegas from San Antonio ahead of the 2018 WNBA season, the Aces held practices at a local YMCA that remained open to the public. During their first several years in ‘Sin City,’ the team borrowed space in the back of the University of Nevada Las Vegas gym. The arrangement with UNLV, while better than t...Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.themirror.com/sport/basketball/las-vegas-aces-wnba-facility-1172352?1=