Michael Lee

CC Sabathia refused to quit football and basketball. It made him a Hall of Fame pitcher. Sabathia began his journey to Cooperstown as a three-sport high school athlete.

In contrast to the current trend of hyper-specialization in youth sports, CC Sabathia was a bona fide three-sport star in high school. Those who knew him from Vallejo will tell you, his refusal to quit football & basketball made him a Hall of Fame pitcher wapo.st/40FvfWp

CC Sabathia refused to quit football and basketball. It made him a Hall of Fame pitcher. Sabathia began his journey to Cooperstown as a three-sport high school athlete.

In contrast to the current trend of hyper-specialization in youth sports, CC Sabathia was a bona fide three-sport star in high school. Those who knew him from Vallejo will tell you, his refusal to quit football & basketball made him a Hall of Fame pitcher wapo.st/40FvfWp

Thomas Boswell’s speech in Cooperstown: ‘Thanks, baseball’ After all these years, baseball is about generations. We don’t play the game. We replay the memories — together.

“For me, after all these years, baseball is about generations. We don’t play the game. We replay the memories — together.”

Read longtime Post columnist Thomas Boswell’s full Hall of Fame acceptance speech:

It goes Haliburton or Hallelujah...

Saddened to hear about the loss of my former AJC colleague Jack Wilkinson. Jack was an incredibly talented writer & even better man. My desk neighbor when my career began, Jack showed me the basics of being a pro, encouraged me when I lacked confidence & made me better. He'll be missed. RIP, Jack 🕊️

Analysis | Jalen Brunson delivered, and the Knicks have new life against the Pacers The star guard came through in the face of mounting criticism, and New York fought off elimination with a 111-94 win over Indiana in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Jalen Brunson was being picked on defensively by the Pacers & picked apart by pundits for his ball-dominant game as the Knicks returned home to MSG on Thursday. His response gave New York fans reason to puff out their chests & shout, “Knicks in seven!” wapo.st/4klr21T

Analysis | Jalen Brunson delivered, and the Knicks have new life against the Pacers The star guard came through in the face of mounting criticism, and New York fought off elimination with a 111-94 win over Indiana in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Jalen Brunson was being picked on defensively by the Pacers & picked apart by pundits for his ball-dominant game as the Knicks returned home to MSG on Thursday. His response gave New York fans reason to puff out their chests & shout, “Knicks in seven!” wapo.st/4klr21T

The Underrated Golf European Tour is underway in England through May 30. Here's a look into why Stephen Curry made diversifying golf one of his missions away from basketball & the impact those efforts are having on the game. "It's behind a passion," Curry said. "It’s like a duty almost."

The Underrated Golf European Tour is underway in England through May 30. Here's a look into why Stephen Curry made diversifying golf one of his missions away from basketball & the impact those efforts are having on the game. "It's behind a passion," Curry said. "It’s like a duty almost."

Knicks games were New York’s biggest party — until the Pacers crashed it Indiana has won the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, and New York is in deep trouble as the series shifts away from Madison Square Garden.

Took another train ride up to New York. A week after a party that felt like a precursor to a championship parade, the vibes have shifted for the Knicks - because the Indiana Pacers keep delivering 4thQ PowerPoint presentations on execution & winning plays. wapo.st/44RHguM

Knicks games were New York’s biggest party — until the Pacers crashed it Indiana has won the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, and New York is in deep trouble as the series shifts away from Madison Square Garden.

No longer shocked, the Knicks faithful has been silenced (via @mrmichaellee.bsky.social):

Knicks games were New York’s biggest party — until the Pacers crashed it Indiana has won the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, and New York is in deep trouble as the series shifts away from Madison Square Garden.

Took another train ride up to New York. A week after a party that felt like a precursor to a championship parade, the vibes have shifted for the Knicks - because the Indiana Pacers keep delivering 4thQ PowerPoint presentations on execution & winning plays. wapo.st/44RHguM

Knicks rout Celtics, reach conference finals for first time in 25 years New York’s 119-81 win sets off a party at Madison Square Garden — and beyond — and sets up a date with the Indiana Pacers for a spot in the NBA Finals.

In the 25 years since the New York Knicks traded Patrick Ewing, they have asked their fans to endure false hopes, so-called saviors, embarrassing scandals & general misery. That's why beating Boston & advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 2000 felt like a party.
wapo.st/4mbHy5M

Knicks rout Celtics, reach conference finals for first time in 25 years New York’s 119-81 win sets off a party at Madison Square Garden — and beyond — and sets up a date with the Indiana Pacers for a spot in the NBA Finals.

In the 25 years since the New York Knicks traded Patrick Ewing, they have asked their fans to endure false hopes, so-called saviors, embarrassing scandals & general misery. That's why beating Boston & advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 2000 felt like a party.
wapo.st/4mbHy5M

“It is beyond a passion. It’s like a duty almost,” Stephen Curry of his investment in Underrated Golf, a program to keep talented young golfers of color engaged in a game that some call "the cheat code" in life.

Review | Black players transformed baseball. They deserve to be recognized. A new book, “Play Harder,” is a vital and gripping tale about the national pastime and the Black experience

Wrote my first review for Book World on "Play Harder,” a vital & gripping project that puts the 160-year history of Black baseball within the context of the Black struggle for freedom and equality in America. It arrives at a pivotal & complicated moment.
wapo.st/456zfC5

Say what you will about Jayson Tatum. He shows up to play every night. He loves to play. He loves to compete. He sets his goals to the moon & puts in the work to reach them. He wants to be great. And, he wants the smoke if he comes up short of his own high expectations. I hate this for him.

Review | Black players transformed baseball. They deserve to be recognized. A new book, “Play Harder,” is a vital and gripping tale about the national pastime and the Black experience

Wrote my first review for Book World on "Play Harder,” a vital & gripping project that puts the 160-year history of Black baseball within the context of the Black struggle for freedom and equality in America. It arrives at a pivotal & complicated moment.
wapo.st/456zfC5

Why the ‘Tiger Woods Effect’ failed to reshape the PGA Tour Nearly three decades after Woods’s game-changing Masters win, the tour is still struggling to capitalize on his success to diversify the game.

After examining the reasons Tiger Woods's success didn't translate to more Black golfers on the PGA Tour (& sharing what mattered more to Tiger) wapo.st/4icb7ku, here's a look into NBA star Steph Curry's efforts to diversify the game through Underrated Golf wapo.st/43l2bVC

Why the ‘Tiger Woods Effect’ failed to reshape the PGA Tour Nearly three decades after Woods’s game-changing Masters win, the tour is still struggling to capitalize on his success to diversify the game.

After examining the reasons Tiger Woods's success didn't translate to more Black golfers on the PGA Tour (& sharing what mattered more to Tiger) wapo.st/4icb7ku, here's a look into NBA star Steph Curry's efforts to diversify the game through Underrated Golf wapo.st/43l2bVC

How Stephen Curry, veteran game changer, hopes to change golf With Underrated Golf, Curry is working to diversify the (other) game he loves.

Stephen Curry has made a career out of finding gaps in a defense to get off thrill-inducing shots. To find a niche in a sport that has become his passion away from his profession, Curry has used a similar approach — by recognizing a void in golf & pulling up. wapo.st/43l2bVC

Why the ‘Tiger Woods Effect’ failed to reshape the PGA Tour Nearly three decades after Woods’s game-changing Masters win, the tour is still struggling to capitalize on his success to diversify the game.

Nearly three decades after Tiger Woods won the Masters, Black golfers still have a minimal presence on the PGA Tour. I wanted to explore what challenges remain in changing the complexion of golf & what Woods felt his purpose was instead of leading the crusade. wapo.st/4icb7ku

“It is beyond a passion. It’s like a duty almost,” Stephen Curry of his investment in Underrated Golf, a program to keep talented young golfers of color engaged in a game that some call "the cheat code" in life.

How Stephen Curry, veteran game changer, hopes to change golf With Underrated Golf, Curry is working to diversify the (other) game he loves.

Stephen Curry has made a career out of finding gaps in a defense to get off thrill-inducing shots. To find a niche in a sport that has become his passion away from his profession, Curry has used a similar approach — by recognizing a void in golf & pulling up. wapo.st/43l2bVC

San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich dreads approaching end of Tim Duncan’s career Gregg Popovich has managed to endear loyalty from his three stars but realizes that he end is approaching for Tim Duncan.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Gregg Popovich in the training camp after he won his fifth championship. I asked him about Tim Duncan & what loyalty meant to him. It turned out to be one of my favorite stories in my time as the national NBA writer at the Post. wapo.st/4iJkoAI

San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich dreads approaching end of Tim Duncan’s career Gregg Popovich has managed to endear loyalty from his three stars but realizes that he end is approaching for Tim Duncan.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Gregg Popovich in the training camp after he won his fifth championship. I asked him about Tim Duncan & what loyalty meant to him. It turned out to be one of my favorite stories in my time as the national NBA writer at the Post. wapo.st/4iJkoAI

Charlie Ward had the NBA as leverage. He heard he was going to go in the 3rd or 4th round & skipped the NFL combine to play two college basketball games. Also said he didn't want to be drafted if he didn't go in the 1st round. This is much different. This is it for Shedeur. Ward had another option

In the 28 years since Tiger Woods won the Masters, the PGA Tour has not only struggled to find a next Tiger but Black golfers still have a minimal presence at the highest levels of the game. I explored the reasons & what Woods felt his purpose was instead of leading the crusade. wapo.st/4icb7ku

"It’s not with LeBron James, one of the GOATs of this game. It’s a whole new revamp. It’s a whole new culture. It’s a whole new swagger." - Darius Garland on the East No. 1 seed Cavaliers completing the best non-LeBron regular season in franchise history

In the 28 years since Tiger Woods won the Masters, the PGA Tour has not only struggled to find a next Tiger but Black golfers still have a minimal presence at the highest levels of the game. I explored the reasons & what Woods felt his purpose was instead of leading the crusade. wapo.st/4icb7ku