Mickey Togs

Texas and Florida have once again topped the U-Haul “Growth Index” as the most popular destinations for people moving within the United States. According to U-Haul’s analysis of over 2.5 million one-way transactions across the U.S. and Canada, Texas ranks first in in-migration, followed by Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

The report highlights a continued trend of migration from “blue” states to “red” states, a pattern that has gained attention since the 2020 pandemic. Seven of the top 10 growth states have Republican governors, and nine went red in the last presidential election. Conversely, nine of the bottom 10 states have Democrat governors, with seven going blue in the last election.

U-Haul’s data also suggests that sunshine and warm weather are key factors for movers, as eight of the top 10 states are located in the southern U.S. Texas, in particular, has reclaimed the title of the No. 1 U-Haul growth state for the seventh time in 10 years, climbing one spot from its previous ranking.

On the other hand, the states experiencing the highest out-migration include California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts.  

The New York Yankees fell to the Athletics by a score of 1-0 on Thursday afternoon, managing just one hit in the loss. Their scoreless streak has now reached 17 innings, and while the Yankees are 8-4, there is every reason to be concerned.

Why? Because many of the same issues that plagued New York last season — which ended in an embarrassing four-game loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS — are present this year, as well.

The bullpen has been a prominent concern, with David Bednar consistently walking a tightrope in the ninth inning and Camilo Doval owning an 8.31 ERA.

But that isn’t even the most significant problem affecting the Yankees right now.

While Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice are both off to terrific starts and Aaron Judge will almost certainly find his groove at some point, it’s time to start acknowledging that the latter half of New York’s lineup is troublesome.

That goes beyond Ryan McMahon, who is batting just .069 over 36 plate appearances.

Austin Wells is hitting .167 with a .486 OPS. Jose Caballero is slashing .135/.200/.162. And while Trent Grisham bats leadoff, his .597 OPS is unsightly, too.

The New York State Gaming Commission has unanimously approved licenses for three new casinos in New York City. The decision paves the way for Bally’s in the Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park near Citi Field, and Resorts World near the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens to begin development. 

According to Gaming Commission Chairman Bryan O’Dwyer, the licensing fees are expected to generate $1.5 billion for the state.

The Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, a significant part of the approved projects, is a partnership between Hard Rock International and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. The $8.1 billion project will transform 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field into a large-scale entertainment and gaming complex.

The complex will feature a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a Hard Rock Live concert center, multiple restaurants and bars, a retail store, and a 25-acre public park. Jim Allen, CEO of Hard Rock International, expressed excitement about extending their reputation as a world-class entertainment company to Queens.

Michigan won its second national championship in men’s college basketball, defeating Connecticut 69-63 on Monday in Indianapolis in the title game.

After a 31-3 regular season, the Wolverines were dominant during their tournament run, winning each of their first five games by double digits. Michigan’s average margin of victory in the NCAA Tournament before Monday was 21.6 points.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” Wolverines head coach Dusty May said during the trophy presentation. “These guys have done it all year.”

The Wolverines proved to be too physical for the Huskies in the championship matchup. Michigan shot 28 free throws, compared with only 16 for Connecticut. The Wolverines also dominated inside, outscoring the Huskies in the paint 36 to 22.

Junior guard Elliot Cadeau led Michigan with 19 points. Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg had 13, while sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. added 12. Though UConn cut the deficit to as little as four in the final minute, the Wolverines largely controlled the action, leading for 75% of the game.

Clay Holmes and Tobias Myers combined on a three-hitter and the New  York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 9-0 on Saturday night.

Holmes (2-0) matched his career high with seven innings and allowed only one runner past first base. The right-hander gave up three hits and had four strikeouts with two walks.

Myers retired the final six batters in order for the Mets’ first shutout of the season.

Mark Vientos had three hits, and Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch three-run homer and drove in four runs. Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette and Brett Baty each had two hits.

Major League Baseball’s pitch clock was no match for the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins.

New York’s 9-7 win Saturday night lasted 3 hours, 49 minutes, the longest nine-inning game since the pitch clock was instituted for the 2023 season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

MLB had not had a nine-inning game that long since Boston’s 13-9 with over Baltimore went 3:57 on Sept. 27, 2022, according to Elias.

The previous high for a nine-inning game since the pitch clock started in 2023 was 3:45 for the Oakland Athletics’ 7-6 win at the New York Mets on Aug. 15, 2024.

New York and Miami combined for 379 pitches by 13 pitchers, and Marlins pitchers walked 10, increasing their total to 21 in the first two games of the series. There were 21 runners left on base, including 12 by Miami.

NEW YORK — You are invited to Hoops Cabaret New York, called the world’s sexiest sports bar, to watch UFC 327 featuring seven announced fights, broadcast live from the Kaseya Center in Miami, on Saturday night, April 11th.  

Hoops Cabaret combines the fun of a sports bar with the excitement of a strip club. Hoops girl Jessica said, “The girls and I will be performing on stage and up close and personal for you all through the night. And the after-party will be awesome!” 

The fan-favorite Hoops Cabaret with multiple giant HD TVs, and its gigantic Mega-Tron Video Wall is the ideal place to watch this great night of UFC matches. Every seat has a clear view of all the action. 

With a title fight, several notable returns, and generational clashes, UFC 327 stands as one of the key events of spring 2026 for the organization. The top of the card will feature Joshua Van versus Tatsuro Taira in a championship fight.

After his surprise victory over Alexandre Pantoja, Joshua Van returns directly to the main event. Facing him is Tatsuro Taira, presented as one of the most promising profiles of his generation. Two strong dynamics, two fast trajectories, and a belt on the line.

The light heavyweight category holds an important place at UFC 327 with Dominick Reyes, former title challenger, meeting Johnny Walker.

Hoops Cabaret for the ultimate fan experience. Check out the Hoops ‘VIP Man Cave,’ the VIP suites, the new “Trophy Room,” and be sure to pop some bottles, and make it rain on the beautiful Hoops girls!

HOOPS Cabaret and Sports Bar

48 West 33rd Street, New York City

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Just about everyone in the Mets’ lineup got in on the act on Monday night, and it led to a victory to open their seven-game road trip.

With all nine members of the Mets’ lineup reaching base and eight of them collecting hits, the Mets wore down the Cardinals and collected a 4-2 win on Monday night at Busch Stadium.

There were plenty of encouraging signs for the Mets offense along the way. Bo Bichette, who entered the game 1-for-14, picked up his second hit of the season — the go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning — drove in two of the team’s runs.

In his first start of the season, Jared Young tagged an RBI double into right field and Juan Soto tacked on another RBI on a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning.

Francisco Lindor, who had one triple combined in the last two seasons, laced his second three-base hit in as many games and scored a run in the opening frame.

The Mets pitching staff did not need much support. Clay Holmes allowed two earned runs in 5⅔ innings while Tobias Myers and Brooks Raley combined to allow one hit in 2⅓ innings.

The Mets knocked out NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes in the first inning with a five-run inning and continued to add on runs from there, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 11-7, on Opening Day at Citi Field.

The Mets are now 42-23 on Opening Day, the best such winning percentage in MLB.

The Mets’ new-look offense was on full display in the season opener as they made contact in key situations, worked many deep counts in critical at-bats, and produced when it counted, going 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Call it an early return on David Stearns’ offseason priority to build an offense with “more competitive at-bats 1-through-9″ compared to seasons past.

With that in mind the Mets scored the first nine runs without a home run, as they had traffic on the bases all day. For the game they produced 11 hits while taking nine walks.

The Yankees opened the season with a 7-0 win over the San Francisco Giants, taking a lead early and coasting from there behind 6 shutout innings from starting pitcher Max Fried. It is New York’s fifth straight Opening Day victory.

Facing Giants ace Logan Webb, the Yankees pounced in the second inning, with six straight hits to take a 5-0 lead. Trent Grisham, playing his first game since returning to the team on a qualifying offer last winter, capped the rally with a triple.

Two more runs followed in the fifth inning, enough to raise Webb’s ERA to 10.80. His six earned runs were more than he allowed in any start in 2025.

Every member of the Yankees’ lineup finished the game with a hit, save for one. Reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts, marking the first time since 2024 that he posted that many strikeouts in a game.