Box Score: 9/27 - Goodbyes, farewells and hurdles

Welcome to YB's Box Score, what we're reading between the debates, football and our home bar. Happy birthday to Steve Kerr who turns 51 today. Today is the the anniversary of the first game at Nassau Coliseum, which saw the Rangers beat Islanders 6-4. September 27 also marks the 1987 NFL players strike, the Pittsburgh Pirates third NL East title in a row in 1992, and in 2008, Greg Maddux's final start, which of course, was a win. 

Around the league: 

• One of the biggest agents in the league is on the move. [The Big Lead]
• A tour of Arnold Palmer's home and office in Latrobe, including more than 12,000 clubs. [SB Nation]
• "Stranger Things" star Millie Bobby Brown got her own Eleven jersey from Liverpool. [Fox Sports]
• "But in the early 2000s, baseball had the rarest of experiences–something utterly and completely new–and it slipped by without enough fanfare because of various factors. In recent years, we’ve done a good job of appreciating exactly what Bonds did in those years, but in Mike Trout, we are watching a player do the same thing at this very moment in time, in a different, equally astounding way. Hopefully we do a better job of appreciating it this time around." [Baseball Prospectus]
• Yeah none of us can stop making fun of the Edmonton Oilers new horrifying mascot, Hunter. [NBC Sports]
• Emma Watson gives voice to a short doc about women's sports in "Hurdles." [Excelle Sports]

YB ICYMI: 

"Fernandez continued to solidify his stature as one of the game’s best arms, even amid two seasons shortened by Tommy John surgery. In his first full campaign back this season, he picked up right where he left off, winning 16 games and leading the NL in strikeouts per nine innings (12.4) and fielding-independent pitching (2.29)." - Jose Fernandez joins tragic list of premature departures

"One has to wonder where Fitzpatrick values himself after this mind-numbingly bad performance. Is he still with the $15-plus million he was said to be demanding? Are those six interceptions worth top-end backup money? We want answers, Fitzmagic." -The good, bad, and ugly from Week 3 in the NFL season

"The greatest moments in baseball are yet to come, but like the rest of the regular Joe’s and Jane’s he will be watching at home, keeping his gift for smooth one-liners and golden insight out of reach. At the age of 88, he has earned the right to ride off into the sunset, but that doesn’t make his departure any easier for fans who have grown up associating baseball with the Bronx native." - 15 greatest calls of Vin Scully's career

"The Blue Devils, 21-point underdogs, overcame a 14 point deficit and ended up hanging 38 points on Notre Dame, stunning them and causing coach Brian Kelly to state that he's willing to change things up at every position, including quarterback. The team appears to be in chaos. And for putting Notre Dame in that situation, Duke, oooooooh, you're my best friend. Well, at least until basketball season starts." - Week 4 in college football as explained by Queen

"He belongs in the pantheon of esteemed power forwards and during his 21-year career, he transformed two NBA franchises, bringing relevance to one and bringing excellence back to another. There isn’t a big man with a more gorgeous baseline jumper. He wasn’t always the greatest passer, but few were more willing, especially with the scoring ability that Garnett possessed." - Kevin Garnett's unique career proves anything is possible

Be at peace, José.