Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
MLB: White Sox at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI-FM)
MLB: Yankees at Indians, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA summer league, Pacers vs. Celtics, 3 p.m. (CSNNE, NBA TV)
NBA summer league: Rockets vs. Magic, 5 p.m. (NBA TV)
NBA summer league: Thunder vs. Nets, 7 p.m. (NBA TV)
Cycling: Tour de France, 8 a.m. (NBCSN)
AROUND THE WEB:
— Four years after he left his hometown team and was viewed as a traitor in Cleveland, LeBron James reportedly is considering a return to the Cavaliers.
According to an ESPN report, James’ agent, Rich Paul, met last week with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert — who famously lashed out at James after the superstar decided to take his talents to South Beach in 2010 — and the team is hoping to meet with James this week.
The Cavaliers signed guard Kyrie Irving to a five-year contract extension last week and can entice James with first-overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins as well. Cleveland also could have three first-round draft picks in 2015.
Earlier reports indicated James will not accept less than a max contract that pays him $20.7 million. The Cavaliers currently could not afford that deal, but they could waive and trade players to clear up cap space.
Before Cavs fans get too excited, it should be noted that James’ agent reportedly also talked with representatives of the Lakers, Mavericks and Rockets, and James is expected to meet with Heat president Pat Riley in the next few days.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.Meanwhile, the Rockets are said to be intensifying their efforts to land Chris Bosh, should Miami’s Big Three go their separate ways.
“They appreciate what they’ve done in Miami those four years together, and they want to make sure they have a chance to have that same success the next four [years],” Henry Thomas, agent for Bosh and Dwyane Wade, told ESPN.com on Sunday. “With Dwyane, he’s been there his entire career, so he’s in a unique situation. Chris has made it known how he’s felt about being in Miami these four years.”
— Hornets rookie P.J. Hairston punched a high school player during a pickup game at a YMCA in Durham, N.C., another black eye for the former North Carolina star who spent last season in the NBA D-League after having eligibility issues with the Tar Heels.
Hairston’s agent, Juan Morrow, insisted that the player was being overly aggressive with the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Hairston and threw the first punch, “and P.J. swung back.”
However, the player — North Durham High School rising senior Kentrell Barkley — told a different story.
“We were playing open gym and I was running up the court and he hit me in the forehead with his fist,” the 6-foot-5, 195-pound Barkley told ESPN.com’s Jeff Goodman. “I walked up to him and asked him what happened and then he hit me again in the neck.”
A friend of Barkley’s said Hairston also had a confrontation with another player during the Sunday afternoon session and clearly was at fault when he hit Barkley.
“Kentrell’s team had beaten P.J. a few times and they were winning again,” Vince Phillips told ESPN.com. “P.J. was talking to him, then he got the ball, looked up the court and dribbled to Kentrell full-speed, threw his fist and then went and scored. Then he hit him again.”
Added Phillips: “I’m a lifelong UNC fan and I played against P.J. in high school. I’ve always rooted for him — even with all the stuff that happened last year. But after this, I don’t think I could look him in the face.”
— Jeff Samardzija shined in his first game since being traded from the Cubs to the Athletics, allowing one run in seven innings in Oakland’s 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday, but he also got some disappointing news. Named to the National League team for the All-Star Game, Samardzija was ruled ineligible by Major League Baseball because he switched leagues.
“I won’t get to pitch, which is a bumper, but that’s all right,” the right-hander said. “I’ll just go through whatever ceremonies they have and just jump over to the AL dugout with an NL jersey on and have some fun with the six other dudes we [the A’s] have over there, which is exciting.”
Samardzija, who had just a 2-7 record with the Cubs but a 2,83 ERA with 103 strikeouts, will be introduced with the NL players, but it was not clear if he will wear a Cubs jersey, an A’s top or a generic NL uniform
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On July 7, 1936, who became the first Red Sox pitcher to start an All-Star Game?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Got to win on this day. I’m as sick of it as you guys are sitting here talking about losing.” — Red Sox pitcher Jake Peavy, after the Sox rallied from five runs down only to drop a 7-6 decision in 12 innings to the Orioles on Sunday
STAT OF THE DAY: 27 — Consecutive at-bats without a hit for Red Sox third baseman Xander Bogaerts before he finally broke through with a third-inning single in Sunday’s game
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): Angels pitcher Mike Morin dives and snags a deflected ball after two teammates collide going for a popup in front of the mound.
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper tries but fails to break his bat over his leg after a strikeout.
A Fourth of July fireworks show after a minor league baseball game in Lancaster, California, goes horribly wrong, as the outfield fence catches on fire.
Major League Soccer player Dom Dwyer celebrates his goal for Sporting Kansas City by taking a selfie with fans, which goes over well with the crowd but earns him a yellow card from the referee.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Lefty Grove, who took the loss in a game played at Braves Field in Boston
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Ringo Starr was born on this day in 1940.
