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Hell. Yes. washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/12…

The most important player in the history of the New York Mets glances dozens of times a day at a photo of himself in a Washington Nationals uniform.  On what Juan Soto’s iPhone lock screen says about him—and about the Mets: bit.ly/41qT7hE

The Yankees will have an in-person meeting with Roki Sasaki, says Brian Cashman, who declines to share the timing beyond “soon.”

Most of the time, when professional sports teams offer you north of $200 million, they try to get you to take it by telling you how great they think you are. The New York Yankees got lefty Max Fried in part because they did the opposite.  bit.ly/401ssXu

My favorite Rickey Henderson story. Remember when players wrote the uniform number of a traded or released teammate on their caps? One time, Rickey had 24 on his cap. I asked him to whom that was a tribute. He said “That’s Rickey’s number. It’s a tribute to Rickey!” RIP.

Simone Biles is SI’s 2024 Sportsperson of the Year ⭐ trib.al/4rvC8Cf

In the instant before the team competition began at the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles asked aloud, “What if it happens again?” She did not know the answer. She competed—and won—anyway. For that, and so much more, she is Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year: bit.ly/3PlzoJ6

LA Story: Shohei Ohtani, The Los Angeles Dodgers, and a Season for the Ages Available now for pre-order. Relive the remarkable 2024 season. I hear the author is pretty good. amazon.com/L-Story-Shohei…

They sing Volare on the bus! They wear Rocky gear on the plane! They eat like gavones! The Philadelphia Eagles aren't in the Super Bowl because they're bigger, faster or stronger. They're simply... 🇮🇹🤌More Italian🤌🇮🇹 For Sports Illustrated on a team culture unlike any other si.com/nfl/philadelph…

Maybe my favorite George Steinbrenner story:

Congratulations to one of the best writers and best people in the business. No one deserves some time off more.

MLB is introducing automated strike zones this spring, which means measuring hitters’ heights—which is bad news for players who, like so many 5’11” men on dating apps, have been rounding up. “Some guys are gonna get caught.” bit.ly/4ifL0JU

The winningest manager of all time just became the highest-paid one, too. But Dave Roberts still feels like he has something to prove—to fans and to his own front office. “I didn’t appreciate how much I wanted to shut the haters up.” bit.ly/4kCoWLo

The Yankees were thrilled to learn they’re allowed to grow beards now. Their wives … less so. “You’re still shaving.” On a hirsute era that does not suit her: bit.ly/3XIMdkZ

THE LAST OF HIS KIND is out in paperback today. It includes a new epilogue about the 2024 Dodgers season. I am biased, but I think it's a good book. hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andy-mc… And we’re still doing bookplates: Send an email to ByMcCullough at gmail dot com.

The fastest man in baseball is driving opponents crazy and rewriting what’s possible. “His whole game is a problem.” bit.ly/4jMDJT4

Publication day today! Thanks Jayson Stark

Much like the Dodgers and Japan, the White Sox hope to take over Vatican City. A game in Rome? A Vatican City Connect jersey? “A throw harder than the Pope competition”? All on the table as they look to capitalize on their newest celeb fan, Leo XIV: bit.ly/4mJL8V1

Let’s just say when I started my career covering a major-league game my cousin played in wasn’t on my bingo card, let alone one where he’s starting at shortstop at Yankee Stadium. Surreal. Proud. So cool.

Devastating. Scott worked so hard but managed to be so kind at the same time. Anyone who knew him or read him is better for it.