The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

THE third annual Don’t Blink/Charles Johnson Foundation Home Run Derby, powered by REV, takes place at noon tomorrow, Saturday January 5, 2020 at the Montagu foreshore, featuring 30 participants in this one-of-a-kind baseball exhibition.

The star-filled event was the idea of Bahamian professionals Todd Isaacs Jr of the Colorado Rockies and Lucius Fox Jr, Tampa Bay Rays, respectively.

Once again the Charles Johnson Foundation will be involved in a major way with the event.

Johnson played in the major league for 11 years with six teams, winning a World Series with the Miami Marlins. The former World Series champion, two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner now heads a foundation to increase opportunities for youth through the sport of baseball.

I recently got to catch up with Todd Isaacs Jr and Lucius Fox on my morning radio show on Kiss96FM.

Here’s what they shared in regards to this year’s event.

Isaacs Jr, never shy in front of a mic, had this to say:

“Don’t Blink weekend is going to be something special. It’s something we are super excited for, this year we are fortunate to be partnering with the Charles Johnson Foundation to help our reach get out to the world.

“The important thing we loved about his philosophy is that he wants to invest in the youth, invest in the future and that’s the biggest thing for us just giving the young men in society something positive to look up to and something that can change their lives. Baseball is an avenue that allows kids to change their families’ lives as young as 16. We play in front of thousands of people every day but there’s nothing like performing in front of the home crowd.”

With Fox adding: “We realise the funds were thin this year because of Hurricane Dorian and we understand. We’re just thankful to REV for sticking with us and all the sponsors that have been with us since year one, and even guys that came on board with us this year just for allocating some money for us. We try to do this every year but without you guys, we cannot pull this off. This is a big event that a lot of people in minor league baseball look forward to and we can’t stress enough how much attention this event is getting, we look forward to building this event bigger and better every year.

“This is all about you the people and once you guys have a great time that’s all we care about.”

Twenty Bahamian minor league prospects will also participate, including several first time participants that both Isaacs and Fox expect to make an impact.

Including returning crowd favourites Jaz Chisholm of the Florida Marlins and Kristian Robinson of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Internationally, two time defending champion Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays will be back and headlines the list of visiting players.

All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and the Hurricane Dorian Relief Effort.

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1.

3 Straight for the Naughty One

NORMALLY I would be giving you my NFL playoff predictions, but when you have a 12-year-old son who is a ‘prodigy’ I can kick my feet up and continue my recovery from all the New Year’s libations I consumed.

So this week my son Santxo (right) will break down all of this week’s games, while I chill.

So, it’s that time of year again, that time where the NFL fans either feel one of two things, either posting memes about your friends’ favourite team not making the playoffs because your team made it or being so depressed that you can’t bear to look at the TV screen. Well, to everyone falling into the former category, I will be predicting which teams make it, so don’t get too hype about your team winning the Super Bowl.

Bills vs Texans Wild Card

Bills 23- Texans 21

Both of these teams are coming off embarrassing losses, but the Bills seem like a hungrier team at this point.

They lost to the Jets by 10 at home to close out the season, so I know they’re mad.

Meanwhile, the Texans had no worries in Week 17, they had already clinched the division and they rested a bunch of starters.

The Bills will be down at the half, but their hungry side is going to show in the second half and Deshaun Watson will unfortunately not get that playoff win that he wants so desperately.

Bills win with a late field goal.

UPSET ALERT !

Titans vs Patriots

Wild Card

Patriots 42 Titans 28

The last time these two teams met in the playoffs two years ago, the Pats won 35-14. I think that trend continues. However, I must say, my dad has warned me the ‘upset bird’ is circling over this one.

Patriots because they are at home and have all the cheat codes to Madden and maybe the NFL also.

TRIBUNE NFL PICKS/

FINAL STANDINGS

1.Naughty 176-79-1

2.Santxo Z. 172-83-1

3.John S. 171–84-1

3.Clint J. 171-84-1

4.Leo B . 167-88-1

5.DuVaughn E. 162-93-1

6.Stevie J. 159-96-1