Author: The Hudsonian Newspaper

The New York Yankees 7-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 on Wednesday night ended their hopes of pulling off the most improbable of World Series comebacks. It’s just a matter of record that the series concluded with the loss in Game 5. Nevertheless, the Yankee’s hopes might have been dashed in inning No. 5. As we’ll see shortly, the Yankee’s numerous errors in Game 5 weren’t limited to that inning, but it was that frame that caused the majority of the damage and let the Dodgers avoid having to return to Los Angeles for Game 6 of the series. 

Although Yankee supporters may not want to do so, it is necessary to revisit all of those errors, the most of which occurred in that game and series changing fifth inning.

Photo credit: New York Post

Going into that frame, the Yankees had a commanding 5 – 0 lead, giving them a 94.1% chance of winning Game 5 and extending their comeback from 3 – 0. Ace Gerrit Cole had not yet given up a hit and had been playing like a legend. As the Dodgers leadoff hitter in the top of the fifth inning, Enrique Hernández immediately recorded that elusive first hit, a single to right. The Yankee’s situation really started to go south at that time. The first and only mistake Judge made in 2024 was when he seemed to glance at Hernández on the bases. Hernández managed to get into second place before the throw. “I just didn’t make the play,” Judge said to reporters following the defeat that ended the season. Will Smith then gave Anthony Volpe a quick bounce. Hernández was sprinting toward third place in the play, while Volpe was trying to get a chance at the front-runner. Hernández would likely receive a force-out for a decent or, frankly, even adequate throw, but Volpe’s toss was untrue. Despite being somewhat fresh to third base, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was unable to save him with a nice scoop. The Dodgers had the bases loaded and no outs when Volpe made a throwing error. What could have been one of the most incredible comebacks in World Series history came to an end as the New York Yankees lost Game 5 to the Los Angeles Dodgers 7 – 6.

Although this loss marked the formal conclusion of the series, the real turning point was the fifth inning, which ended their hopes of extending the series. Aaron Judge’s crucial error and Anthony Volpe’s throwing error were the first of several costly errors that caused the Yankees to lose momentum despite having a commanding 5 – 0 lead. The Dodgers were able to capitalize on these mistakes, loading the bases with no outs and starting a series of events from which the Yankees were unable to recover. Even while it is hard to think about, the Yankees’ failure to perform in key situations—especially in the fifth inning—was the final blow to their hopes of winning the World Series. In high-stakes baseball, when even one mistake may alter the outcome of a game—and a season—the loss serves as a reminder of the thin line separating victory and failure.

On Ice Perspectives is a YouTube channel created by Jordan Cowan, a former Team USA Ice Dancer, who is now a cinematographer on the ice. Taking the arts of ice skating and giving us, the audience, a whole new view. Yes, skating has been videoed before, but this is different. Cowan’s work is not just about recording the competitions.

He’s documenting the progress of skaters and their careers. Sharing stories of their art and artistic abilities on the ice, which reveals more than just the skaters’ hard work, but the teams of people pouring into them that we rarely see on camera.

Merging his love for cinematography and skating, he gives us a view of what he sees himself. Skating up close and personal; not just a seated view spectating from a distance.

By video, we get to follow them closely on the ice, detailing their emotions, forms, spirit and more. Getting a closer view of them means we don’t just see their success; we see their failures too. Mistakes are part of the journey and when it happens, you move forward despite the mishap. The show must go on and they do this best by completing their routine, skating through their mistakes.

On Ice Perspectives really is amazing in so many ways. While having free access to this skating content for entertainment purposes, it also serves as a way of supporting skaters, the sport of figure skating and a learning tool for aspiring skaters like me. Aside from being just a spectator, I am learning while I watch.

Without even realizing it, I have used techniques and moves I haven’t been taught by my coach.

All because I’ve grown the habit of studying other skaters; the visual information has gone from my brain to my bones.

This channel is for anyone with a love for the arts of ice skating, whether you’re a skater, or spectator.

For skaters seeking to learn more, and possibly gain exposure on the channel themselves, it’ll be like a treasure. But perhaps you’re someone looking to enjoy some action on ice, no learning involved.

It’s like a free video subscription with ads.

Either way, it’s worthy to be checked out by anyone with an interest in ice skating, even if it’s for recreational purposes.

The year’s final major Tennis tournament begins on Saturday when the sports highest ranked athletes descend on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to compete in the 2024 WTA Finals.

Before the winter break, Olympic medalists and Slam champions will vie to win the Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova trophies, which will be contested by the top eight singles players and top eight doubles couples.

There is also a chance to win a share of the record $15.25 million prize pool, which is more than any Grand Slam award and has increased by about 70% from the 2023 amount. The singles champion will receive $5.155 million, while the top doubles team will receive $1.125 million, if the champions win the event without losing.

Eight days of elite tennis action!

In the WTA finals the singles and doubles categories, competitors are split into two groups of four. During the span of the first six days, each singles player or doubles pair will play every other member of their group three times. Both finals are scheduled for November 9th, with the top two in each group competing in the semifinals on November 8th. In the singles competition, the Orange Group has No. 2 Iga Świątek, No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 6 Jessica Pegula, and No. 8 Barbora Krejčíková, while the Purple Group has No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 4 Jasmine Paolini, No. 5 Elena Rybakina, and No. 7 Qinwen Zheng.

The United States is represented by 25% of the top eight athletes in both disciplines. The No. 5 US pair Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk, as well as Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Taylor Townsend in the Nos. 6 and 8 pairs, are also in the doubles tournament, in addition to Gauff and Pegula on the singles court.

The 2024 WTA Finals kicks off on Saturday. All of the 2024 WTA Finals will be broadcast -ed live on the Tennis Channel. 

The Vikings Athletics Department recently welcomed Taylor Ringer, who was named assistant athletic trainer. Taylor is a board-certified athletic trainer and is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. She graduated from SUNY Cortland, where she received her master’s degree in athletic training and her bachelor’s degree in exercise science. The Valley is excited to have Taylor as a resource and a key part of athlete experience and performance.

Men’s Basketball played in a game against Orange County Community College on Thursday evening, November 7. The game, played on away courts, served as the team’s season opener, which ended in an unfortunate loss. Viking athletes kept the game close and fought hard to try and turn around the score. Players James Blake and Tijahn Reed led the team through the game, each totaling 12 points. The team is hopeful of future success, playing Herkimer on Wednesday, November 13.

Women’s Basketball started their season with success, winning their season opener against Orange County Community College. Team captain Leah Pergola led the team with a total of 20 points, shortly followed by Stylianna Mantzouris and Gracemary Baumann each with 13 points. The Vikings hope that they maintain their overall success as the season plays out.