Hot Button: Jeanette firefighter's gift from major-league son a big hit ... Stars hiring DeBoer as next head coach ... Fitzpatrick wins U.S. Open, accomplishes rare double

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Hot Button is a 'round-the-clock feature that covers anything across the scope of sports. We're here to bring you everything hot: News items, highlights, takes — everything but hot meals — whether local, national or international. Better yet, it’s interactive. Share your thoughts in comments, and even post your own links to interesting, safe-for-work sports stories.

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MATIJEVIC FATHER'S
DAY GIFT A 'BIG HIT'

Monday, June 20: Jack Suwinski wasn't the only major-league son to deliver a memorable Father's Day performance. Astros first baseman and Latrobe, Pennsylvania native J.J. Matijevic delivered his first major-league hit Sunday, an opposite-field home run:

Better yet, Matijevic's father, Joe Matijevic, a captain in the Jeannette Fire Department arrived home from work just in time to see the momentous hit.

The story doesn't end there. Matijevic's home run was caught by a fan and the negotiations for the ball got a little dicey. Turns out the fan wanted a signed Justin Verlander jersey and Astros representatives said that would not happen. Verlander was made aware of the situation and had no problem signing a jersey for the fan, ensuring Matijevic got the personal memento which was placed in a plastic cube to be gifted his dad.

My take: A great story all around. Nice to see locals have big sports moments. Always thought it was b.s. for fans to negotiate crazy returns for a home run ball. Just give it up without any demands. Let the kid get what he earned with years of hard work. Turned out all right in the end, at least. — Bob

STARS NEGOTIATING DEAL TO
HIRE HEAD COACH DEBOER

Monday, June 20: Multiple outlets are reporting that the Stars are close to signing Peter DeBoer to a four-year contract to be the franchise's next head coach. Financial terms are holding up the final process but the reports are saying the sides are close and a deal will get done. Dallas did not renew the contract of Rick Bowness after it expired at the end of the season. Bowness coached the Stars for parts of three seasons, reaching the Stanley Cup Final as an interim coach in 2020, then failing to make the playoffs in 2021, and losing in the first round in 2022.

DeBoer was let go as Golden Knights head coach following the 2021-22 regular season after the franchise failed to make the playoffs for the first time in its five-year history, DeBoer's second full season behind the bench after replacing Gerard Gallant during the 2019-20 season. He has coached continuously in the National Hockey League since 2008, leading the Panthers, Devils, Sharks and Golden Knights.

My take: An uninspired choice for a dynamic, young roster. DeBoer has been to two Stanley Cup Finals, losing with the Devils, and the Sharks when the Penguins won the Cup in 2016, but he's not the guy I'd pick for this Stars team. As with all things, we'll see. — Bob

FITZPATRICK WINS FIRST 
MAJOR ON FAMILIAR TRACT

Sunday, June 19: Matthew Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Open Sunday at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, shooting a 2-under-par 68 to finish minus-6, one shot better than Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler. Zalatoris narrowly missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have forced extra holes.

Fitzpatrick's win was historic, as the Englishman joined Jack Nicklaus as the only other man to have won a U.S. Amateur championship and a U.S. Open on the same golf course. Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Amateur at The Country Club in 2013. Nicklaus achieved his double at Pebble Beach (1962 and 1971). Juli Inkster is the only woman to accomplish the feat, winning each championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Defending U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm started the day one shot back of the leaders but carded at 4-over 74 to finish tied for 12th. Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy routed out the top five finishers.

Fitzpatrick will now try to win his second major title, this time on home soil as The Open Championship will be help on The Old Course at St. Andrews from July 14-17. Tiger Woods has already committed to compete, skipping the U.S. Open to get physically stronger for the rigors of a major tournament.

My take: This was a fantastic championship all around. Great play, great drama and a great old course which proved equal to the world's best players. 

MAULERS ENDURE SAME 
FATE AS OLD '84 SQUAD

Sunday, June 19: The Pittsburgh Maulers have now been in two iterations of the United States Football League. It would have been hard too be any worse than the 1984 squad, which went a combined 3-15. However, the 2022 version, under the leadership of former Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson, was worse than its predecessor, finishing 1-9 after a 33-21 loss to the 2-8 Michigan Panthers, quarterbacked by former Steelers backup Paxton Lynch. Because of the league's rules, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft went to the winner of the matchup of these 1-8 teams.

The Maulers had four different quarterbacks start its 10 games, with 29-year-old James Madison University product Vad Lee registering the team's only win in Week 7. Overall, the teams best offensive player was 2021-22 San Jose State receiver Tre Walker, who had over 1,000 all-purpose yards, most coming on kick returns (645, third in the league). Safety Bryce Torneden led the defense, making the All-USFL Team. Torneden registered 70 tackles (three for a loss), four passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack in 10 games. 

My take: The season started with the top running back released before the first game over a dispute over pizza and only got worse from there. I had intended to cover this team weekly in this space, but the quality of the play on this team, and the league overall, was terrible. Next year will be make-or-break as the XFL launches during the same Spring.  Ugh. — Bob

AVALANCHE DOMINATE IN EVERY
FACET, TAKE TWO GAME LEAD

Saturday, June 18: The Lightning never had a chance. The Avalanche swarmed the offensive zone and played a disciplined, suffocating defense to make the two-time defending champions look like an AHL squad in a 7-0 rout Saturday night, giving Colorado a two games to none lead inthe Stanley Cup Final, with the series moving to Tampa for Games 3 and 4.

The game-winning goal was scored at 2:54 of the first period, with Valeri Nichushkin scoring on the power play. Just eleven minutes later the Avalanche had a 3-0 lead. The last 40 minutes was a formality as the Colorado defense limited the Lightning to 16 total shots on goal and Darcy Kuemper earning the shutout. C ale Makar put an exclamation point on the game for the Colorado blue-liners, scoring twice in the third period, including this stunning shorthanded effort:

Andrei Vasilevskiy kept his net throughout, making 23 saves on 30 shots. 

My take: The Lightning were down 2-0 after getting outplayed by the Rangers in the conference finals, but this has a different feel about it. These aren't the Rangers; this Avs team can score at will and it can defend. I'd expect some prideful pushback from the Bolts, but right now they have no answers. — Bob

BREWERS DFA CAIN AFTER
POOR PERFORMANCE

Saturday, June 18: The Brewers designated center fielder Lorenzo Cain for assignment Saturday following a difficult season at the plate. The 36-year-old was slashing just .179/.231/.234 with one home run and nine RBIs in 156 plate appearances over 43 games. The team has ten days to arrange a trade for Cain, after which time he will be a free agent.

Cain implied this might be the end for him, saying, "It just got to a point where it's probably time. I haven't been performing like I would've liked, but the situation is what it is. I've had a great career. I can't really be upset about anything, but, yeah, it's time. ...  all my teammates, ... coaches, trainers, everybody that I've played with or met throughout my entire career, I wish them nothing but the best. It's been a really fun ride for me for sure." Cain, however, could have been just referring to his time with the Brewers, his second stint since playing his rookie season for the club in 2010, drafted out of high school by the franchise in 2004.

The Georgia native has played 13 big-league seasons, spending 2011 to 2017 with the Royals, winning a World Series with that franchise in 2015.

My take: Cain was always a bigger name than his results. He was a very good fielder — a Gold Glove in 2019 — and had a good stretch at the plate for five seasons from 2014 to 2018. Beyond that, he was pretty average. He has 38.3 career WAR and a decent .283/.343/.407 slash. He could provide bench value to a playoff team if he's interested in extending his career, but he's got to find his bat. — Bob

BROWNS EXPLORING TWO 
SITES FOR NEW STADIUM

Saturday, June 18: A blog reporting on development projects in Northeast Ohio reported that the Haslam Sports Group, owner of the Browns, is conducting feasibility studies for two potential sites to build a new stadium in Cleveland. Ken Prendergast, a journalist for NEOtrans, writes that the HSG has determined the cost of repairs and the addition of a roof to FirstEnergy stadium would approach the $1-billion cost of a new stadium. In addition it claims the development of the 70 acres of lakefront property on which FirstEnergy stands could help offset any public costs of building a new stadium.

A new stadium, if it comes to fruition would be a year-round facility with either a full or retractable roof. FirstEnergy Stadium was built in 1999 and HSG's lease on the facility ends in 2028. It underwent a $120-million renovation in 2014.

A spokesman for the Browns confirmed to Prendergast that the feasibility studies are underway, but that any potential talk of a new stadium is a long ways off. 

Prendergrast noted two infrastructure projects along the lakeshore would need to be constructed for any new facility to be possible: a $200 million land bridge over railroad tracks that would serve as a bus and Amtrak hub; and removing the Shoreway and converting it into a boulevard to an Interstate 90 interchange.

My take: Seems like two very expensive pieces have to fall into place to make it even possible. Still, a decision will have to made over the next couple years. With the lease expiring, a plan — whether renovation or a new facility — needs to be in place no more than four years from expiration. These things take a long time to plan and execute. Any of our Cleveland-area subscribers have thoughts on a new stadium? — Bob

NFL SEEKING 'SIGNIFICANT'
SUSPENSION FOR WATSON

Friday, June 17: The Washington Post reported Friday that the National Football League will argue that Deshaun Watson should receive a "significant" suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The report said the suspension sought would likely be for one full season. Watson currently faces civil suits from 24 different massage therapists alleging sexual abuse and misconduct, a number likely to increase to 26 over the coming days.

A potential suspension seems imminent as the NFL Players' Association issued a report Thursday saying it would challenge any long-term suspension because of the NFL's failure to issue stern penalties to Commanders owner Daniel Snyder for the organization's sexual misconduct, Patriots owner Robert Kraft for a solicitation of prostitution arrest, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after former long-term team executive Rich Dalrymple was let go after findings of voyeurism of the team's cheerleaders. Jones did make a $2.4-million settlement to the cheerleaders and was not personally accused of misconduct. Snyder was forced to give up his team president position and the organization was fined. Kraft's charges were dropped and there was no consequence from the league.

My take: This is the right move, if true, though it should come with a placement on the restricted list, forcing Watson to seek reinstatement. They could suspend him without pay, but that means little after he got a massive signing bonus to lower his 2022 salary to just over $1 million — a disgusting move by the Browns anticipating a suspension. A one-year suspension in any form would allow the league time to continue investigating additional claims against Watson and allow the civil suits to play out. They could then suspend him even longer if any verdict or settlement results in Watson being found or admitting guilt. The NFLPA is on shaky ground inter potential defense of Watson, with the only legit beef being nothing happening to Kraft, but that wasn't anything near the magnitude of the accusations against Watson.  — Bob

NHL CAP INCREASES FOR 
FIRST TIME SINCE 2019-20

Friday, June 17: The National Hockey League announced Thursday night that the salary cap for 2022-23 has increased to $82.5 million, the first increase in three years, and that the salary floor increased to $61.5 million. The increase top cap increase is modest, just $1 million more than in 2021-22.

The NHL had reduced and flat caps, plus deferred player-salary payments in place during the two pandemic-shortened seasons. 

My take: Nothing to write home about. Just enough to sign a player to a league-minimum deal, but it could help a team like the Penguins throw an extra mil at Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin to resign them.

COMMANDERS JOIN COWBOYS IN 
FINES, SANCTIONS FOR PRACTICES

Friday, June 17: One day after Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was fined $100,000 for the second consecutive year for overly physical practices during minicamp, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera joined the ranks with a $100,000 fine of his own. The Cowboys were also penalized the reduction of one OTA next year, while the Commanders were docked two OTAs in 2023.

The National Football League began cracking down on the physicality during minicamp and OTAs, and there are rules in place all teams must follow. The league has determined that excessive contact at these offseason workouts could give teams a competitive advantage.

My take: McCarthy is going to do this every year. He could care less about the OTAs or the fines, apparently. The Commanders are in enough trouble with the league. They have to be extra careful. One step over the proverbial line and they're going to get hammered. NFC Least off to early shenanigans. — Bob

MANFRED SAYS 'ROBOT UMP' 
NO SURE THING NEXT SEASON

Friday, June 17: Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday the automated strike zone, known as "robot ump," currently being used in portions of Triple-A this season are not guaranteed to be part of Major League Baseball in 2023.

Manfred said the league is happy with results of the technology in portions of the Pacific Coast League this season, but robot umps are not yet on the league's competition committee's agenda for the 2023 season.

He added that the MLB is very happy with the results of pitch clocks infuse throughout  Triple-A, as well as the larger bases in use.

My take: As has been reported before, MLB was hoping to implement the robot umps in Spring Training this season but the lockout prevented its implementation. That was to be the first step, along with the AAA deployment to a possible use of it in MLB in 2023. Looks like the league will stick to its original process, likely adopting the robot ump in Spring Training 2023 with an objective to analyze it at the MLB level and implement it in 2024. The pitch clock and larger bases, however, may get their MLB debuts next season.

TORTORELLA TO BE
NEXT FLYERS COACH

Thursday, June 16: Sources are confirming that the Flyers have hired John Tortorella as the 23rd head coach in the franchise's history, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract, according to ESPN's Kevin Weekes. No financial details have been reported.

Tortorella, 63, has 20 years of National Hockey League head-coaching experience with the Rangers, Lightning, Canucks, and most recently the Blue Jackets, compiling a 673-541-37-132 record. He won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004. He replaces former Penguins assistant Mike Yeo who was the interim head coach after Alain Vigneault was fired following an 8-10-4 start to this season.

Tortorella's contract was not renewed by the Blue Jackets after the 2020-21 season and he worked as a studio analyst this ESPN as that network began the first year it's new television deal with the NHL.

My take: Makes sense ... kinda. I think Barry Trotz would have been a better fit, but I think he probably wants more influence on personnel decisions and is looking for that situation. Torts is, well, Torts. He's not going to change, so they know what they're going to get and he'll be a good fit initially with the blue-collar fan base. But many of those fans have not seen their team win a Stanley Cup, last raised for that city over Bobby Clarke's head in 1975, when Tortorella was 16 years old. Win, or else. — Bob

CITIES IN U.S., CANADA AND MEXICO 
ANNOUNCED TO HOST 2026 WORLD CUP

Thursday, June 16: Multiple host cities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexica were announced Thursday as host cities for the 2026 World Cup. The games will be played in three countries and three regions. The named cities are:

West Region: Vancouver, Canada; Guadalajara, Mexico; Seattle; San Francisco Bay Area; Los Angeles
Central Region: Monterrey, Mexico; Mexico City; Kansas City; Dallas; Atlanta; Houston
East Region: Toronto, Canada; Boston; Philadelphia; Miami; New York/New Jersey

Eight other cities or areas were under consideration: Edmonton and Montreal in Canada and U.S. cities Denver, Nashville, Orlando, Washington, D.C./Maryland/Virginia, Baltimore and Cincinnati.

No specific cities have been selected yet to host the opening games of the tournament or the championship match and no timeline has been set to announce those decisions.

My take: It's going to be exciting to have games in 16 cities over three countries and three time zones, which should make watching fun for North American soccer fans. Which city would you like see host the final? — Bob

KIDS TAKE RAHM'S
BALL ON 18TH HOLE

Thursday, June 16: Reigning U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm had to deal with lost ball during Thursday's first round of the 2022 U.S. Open at the Country Club at Brookline, Massachussetts, but this was different than hitting it deep into the woods. Rahm drove left into the rough on the 18th tee and two kids picked up the ball and ran away with it.

Since the landing spot of the ball was seen, under the rules Rahm got a drop without penalty. He hit his approach to about 20 feet and made the birdie putt to finish his round at 1-under par 69.

At the time of this post, Rory McIlroy was leading with three others at three-under. Phil Mickelson, playing his first event on U.S. soil since taking time away from he game following controversial remarks made regarding the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, was six-over par through 10 holes.

My take: Rahm took it all in good humor, which is nice considering he's known to have an unpredictable temper. All good in the end.

BURAKOVSKY OT WINNER
PUTS AVS UP IN CUP FINAL

Wednesday, June 15: Andre Burakovsky scored at 1:23 of overtime to give the Avalanche the Game 1 win over the Lightning, 4-3, in the Stanley Cup Final, in what was a thrilling display by both teams of talented end-to-end action, backed up by strong goaltending.

The Avs came out flying at home, potting three goals in the opening period for a 3-1 lead entering the first intermission. Despite limiting Tampa Bay's shots and chances, the two-time defending champions scored twice 48 seconds apart to tie the game in the second. 

Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy played very well, as Colorado peppered him with 38 shots, 20 of those strong scoring chances. Darcy Kuemper returned from injury to backstop the Avalanche, making 20 saves on 23 shots (11 scoring chances).

FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Game 2 is Saturday night in Denver, 8 p.m. on ABC.

My take: What an entertaining hockey game. A true thrill to watch. Vasilevskiy was brilliant in the loss — neither goalie gave up a bad goal — and the level of skill on display was impressive for both teams. The Bolts are going to have to find a way to limit that Avs offense. They proved they can get goals on their limited chances Wednesday, but they can't allow 35+ shots on Vasilevskiy every game, not at the quality with which they're generated by Colorado. Hope we get six more games just like it, though. — Bob

ASTROS SET MLB RECORD
WITH IMMACULATE INNINGS

Wednesday, June 15: The Astros set a Major League Baseball record Wednesday when two of their pitchers threw immaculate innings — nine pitches, three strikeouts — in the same game, the first time that's happened in the modern era (dating back to 1901), during a 9-2 win over the Rangers

It was even more peculiar that pitchers Luis Garcia and Phil Maton accomplished their individual immaculate innings against the same three batters — in order, Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran and Brad Miller.

My take: It was Dusty Baker's 73rd birthday Wednesday, which proves that if you stick around long enough in baseball, you're bound to see something that hasn't been done before. One of the magical elements of the game. — Bob

WILLIS RETIRES AFTER THREE SEASONS
TO FOLLOW CHRISTIAN PURPOSE

Wednesday, June 15: Colts strong safety Khari Willis retired Wednesday at age 26 "to pursue the holy call that God has for my life." Willis plans on becoming a Christian minister.

Willis, a fourth round pick in the 2019 draft, started 34 of the 39 games he layed in his three seasons with Indianapolis, registering four career interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks and 7 tackles for a loss among his 219 tackles (161 solo).

His retirement leaves rookie Nick Cross, a third-round pick out of Maryland, as the top strong safety on the Colts roster.

My take: Steelers fans will remember this happening with outside linebacker Jason Worilds, who left after his fifth season to do work for a religious organization after developing into a n impact player his fourth and fifth seasons. Good for Willis, who's following his passion and will still impact lives, just in a completely different manner. Best to him for his future. — Bob