Time for my annual awards! MVPs LVPs Cy Youngs Cy Yuks Rookies/relievers/managers of the year Amazing that you agree with every one of these picks Unlocked and free for all to read nytimes.com/athletic/7626813…

The Phillies are keeping Jesús Luzardo in play for Sunday’s game, if needed. More @TheAthletic’s live MLB blog: nytimes.com/athletic/live-bl…

The Phillies will see how far they can push Aaron Nola on two days’ rest, Don Mattingly said. He could throw 40-50 pitches. Maybe more. Maybe less. “If anybody’s built for this, it’s probably Nola,” Mattingly said. “He is a guy who is more old school than anybody.”

Now, in Game 161, the Phillies need to duct tape together 27 outs and pray a comatose lineup awakens. It’s officially time to panic: nytimes.com/athletic/7631532…

Justin Verlander MLB debut 7/4/05 Konnor Griffin born 4/24/06 Griffin is the first batter to face a pitcher who debuted before he was born since Bryce Harper (10/16/92 born) faced Miguel Batista (4/11/92 debut) on 6/6/12

There has never been a regular-season game in MLB history in which both starting pitchers were age 39 or older & it was the final career app for both With Justin Verlander and this potentially being Kirby Yates’ final game as well, this would be the first h/t @EliasSports

These are lyrics to a song I wrote to celebrate the life of Bill Giles, and I had the honor of presenting a demo to him a few weeks ago. I played it for Jayson Stark and was accompanied by Paul Hagen when Bill heard it for the first time. The words convey how I’m feeling today upon his passing. Bill Giles adored having a hand in great memories. He was a creative, selfless, driven soul. Our loss is his lovely wife’s gain in Heaven. Bill lost his Mom as a little boy. I know he was ready to see her and his Dad again. Eighth Wonder of the World? That was Bill’s line. Thank you and God bless you. The lyrics: All The Rows & Aisles Kite man was flat out afraid What if the contraption he had made Would leave him with a disfigured face In the name of publicity on Opening Day? The crowd grew impatient at Veterans Stadium Dude had stage fright, not exactly carpe diem  As fans boo’d,  Bill took advice heard from above On a walky-talky, gave the order to give a shove For the rest of time, Bill Giles smiles at the story Because it reflected a life of humor and glory Kite man crashed that day near his upper deck ramp It took two more years for him to fly like a champ Long before the Savannah Bananas were born Bill Giles boosted baseball like Field of Dreams corn He’d become an executive Philadelphians adored But first he’d been wizard of a famous scoreboard What is the legacy of Mister Bill Giles? To be perfectly honest, more than any uniform styles His true gift, covering all the rows and aisles, Was to dedicate every move to unforgettable smiles Bill cut his teeth in the minor leagues and Air Force Flashing five tools in Houston would set his course Lost his Mom very young, so Bill fully embraced life In particular, did so with Nancy, his soul-mate wife Blessed with the great fortune of a fabulous Dad Bill insisted on climbing the ladder with all he had Got the chance to help start a team, the Colt .45s Knew that someday, he could affect millions of lives Bill learned a lot, workin’ for a man called The Judge Astrodome? Cool as ice cream. Bill added the fudge He teased umps and delighted adults, boys and girls Coined the catchphrase “Eighth Wonder of the World” Truth was, Bill was destined for even greater thrills Would get to the the top with the Philadelphia Phils Nancy had a huge heart for charitable deeds Bill focused on addressing all the ballclub’s needs What is the legacy of Mr. Bill Giles? To be perfectly honest, more than any uniform styles His true gift, covering all the rows and aisles, Was to dedicate every move to unforgettable smiles The bottom line Every sports executive knows Once you’re the steward of a team in the pros Everything is far from fine Until your club has the ability to close Bill knew over the years Philly fans got an unfair rap Was the City of Brotherly Love, but few tipped a cap Surely, the market that gave us Rocky & Trading Places Was capable of another title belt around the bases There were heartbreaks and turrible times with flaws There were snowballs allegedly thrown at Santa Claus And yet, Philly had Carlton, Allen, Roberts & Ashburn Safe to say, to be called number 1, the region yearned Bill ran the Phillies as if they were his home, honestly House sparkled with buds like Dave Montgomery Powerful tradition, strength of Luzinsku & Schmidt And like the City itself, a melting pot that took No Quit A season fit for Bill’s inner fanatic: Two thousand eight. Jimmy, Cole, Ryan, Brad, Shane, WFC Chase. So great. Skippered by Charlie, fifth year in the new park, Citizens Bank Philadelphia had a parade and the humble Bill Giles to thank. What is the legacy of Mr. Bill Giles? To be perfectly honest, more than any uniform styles His true gift, covering all the rows and aisles, Was to dedicate every move to unforgettable smiles A little like Kite Man way back when If at first you don’t succeed, Try. … Try. … And then … Take it from the top … and WIN Somebody out there is here for the grin.

We have one of my favorite Starkvilles this week. Pat Murphy joins me & @dougglanville to talk Brewers secret sauce, the tough conversations leaders need to have, Miz and our dream pancake endorsement deal YouTube piped.video/watch?v=kPQjnqca… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/20d… Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcas…

The Royals relievers combined for the following line in the 8th and 9th innings: 2 1 5 5 9 0 Were they trying to honor Denny Matthews tonight, or drive him to an early retirement?

Strikes are optional for that Royals bullpen tonight against the grateful Guardians. 9th inning: 34 pitches, 8 strikes, 6 walks, 5 runs and the only hit produced an out at the plate. Last 2 innings: 41 balls, 18 strikes. Pennant-race drama at its apex.

The life and times of Bill Giles were worth writing about. Here's a story from me and @MattGelb nytimes.com/athletic/7631094…

What an amazing man. What an amazing baseball life. I feel so fortunate to have known Bill Giles, covered him for so many years and shared so many special memories and conversations with a true baseball visionary. From interleague play to expanded playoffs, he was one of the first people I knew in baseball to push for ideas that were once seen as crazy but later changed baseball's world. He was a showman. He was the son of a baseball legend. He was a true fan, who went from jotting wild trade ideas on cocktail napkins to actually making trades as a real GM. But most of all, his mission was to make baseball fun. And he left his mark in a million different ways. There would be no Phillie Phanatic without Bill Giles. There would have been no Harry Kalas years in Philadelphia without Bill Giles. Citizens Bank Park would never have honored its city's storied baseball past without Bill Giles. The world won't be quite as much fun without him. But baseball in Philadelphia will bear his stamp forever.

I'm a big fan of managers who throw batting practice. Kevin Cash is still firing.

Love this from @jaysonst every year, from his very first to all future ones Still think Mets get a full LVP team 🫠

Hearing MLB is still discussing weather-related schedule changes with teams - such as potentially moving #Cubs-#RedSox game (or games) to Trop this weekend - and will make announcements when all in place. FWIW, #RedSox players showed up at Fenway today with their luggage.

This is fantastic from Tyler. The Verlander Rules! I'd sign up for them in a heartbeat

Time for my annual awards! MVPs LVPs Cy Youngs Cy Yuks Rookies/relievers/managers of the year Amazing that you agree with every one of these picks Unlocked and free for all to read nytimes.com/athletic/7626813…

“My arm would explode if I threw that fastball" New column: I've spent the last 4 months asking people about Jacob Misiorowski They see him as a "breakthrough athlete" who has redefined the limits of the sport So I wrote about the Meaning of the Miz It's free for all to read nytimes.com/athletic/7624706…

Sharing this story again for no reason whatsoever. Unlocked and free to read @TheAthletic nytimes.com/athletic/1141264…

‘Why aren’t we the Brewers?’ How the Reds remain in limbo while other small-market clubs succeed. With @ctrent, unlocked and free to read. nytimes.com/athletic/7622943…