After nearly 3 weeks of no live local sports in Manchester, Thunder Radio is just as anxious to broadcast sports as you are to hear them.  In an effort to alleviate our withdrawal, we will continue to broadcast encore editions of some our favorite sports broadcasts.  Each Thursday night at 6 PM, we will bring you the repeat of a Hometown Sports Series broadcast of a middle school sports event featuring Westwood Middle School or Coffee County Middle School.   Each Friday night at 6 PM, we will bring you the repeat of a  Coffee County Central High School sports broadcast.  

Coming up this week we celebrate prep football.  On Thursday night at 6 PM, we will bring you an encore broadcast of the Coffee County Middle School team’s CTC Championship game appearance against Tullahoma on October 5th.  On Friday night, we will rebroadcast the Coffee County Central High School Red Raiders win over Siegel on September 20th.  The win broke a 15 year drought of wins against Rutherford County schools.  Tune to listen to both contests at 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM or AM 1320 on your radio dial.  You can also listen on your computer at WMSRradio.com.  You can also get the broadcast on your cell phone or tablet by using the Manchester Go app.

Hockey players are often viewed as heroes by fans all over the world, but members of the Nashville Predators are saying “thank you” to some heroes of their own.

Monday was National Doctors’ Day in the United States, and as those on the front lines – doctors, nurses, first-responders and all who are helping to care for those impacted by the COVID-19 virus – deal with unimaginable circumstances, the Preds had some messages to share.

Predators players Rocco Grimaldi, Juuse Saros, Kyle Turris, Dan Hamhuis and Nick Bonino have taken a moment to thank those at Vanderbilt University Medical Center right here in Nashville – as well as those throughout the country and around the world – who are doing their part to combat the virus and save lives.

“I just wanted to thank all the doctors, nurses, lab techs and everybody else who’s on the front lines fighting this virus trying to keep us safe and healthy,” Grimaldi said. “I understand the risk you guys are taking to do your jobs right now, so for that, I wanted to say thank you. Stay safe, stay healthy, we’re praying for you guys, and we appreciate all your sacrifice and your hard work during this tough time.”

As famed children’s host Fred Rogers often said in times of crisis, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

On Monday, Major League Soccer unveiled MLS Unites, a league-wide platform that highlights all of the efforts that MLS players, coaches, clubs and the league are doing to address the important messages and programs taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The new initiative was launched in partnership with the Major League Soccer Players Association. 

As part of MLS Unites, the league will have a series of programs involving MLS clubs, players, coaches, staff, partners and fans, that will encompass the following:

• Educate and inform fans on the importance of key health and safety messaging.

• Provide some fun and engaging content featuring MLS players that will keep them connected to our fans and drive relevance during the postponement of the season.

• Showcase and celebrate community “heroes,” those who are fighting the pandemic on the frontlines.

“Bringing together our Major League Soccer community, all while staying apart, is the spirit of MLS Unites,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “During this challenging moment in history, I know we can count on the MLS family to come together when we need each other most. Together with our fans, players, teams and partners, we will shine a light on what can be done, and on the heroes leading the way.”

The first element of MLS Unites was unveiled Monday afternoon with a VIDEO featuring social content from MLS players and coaches.  In addition, a website dedicated to the new initiative can be found at https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsunites.

As part of Monday’s launch, MLS clubs, players, coaches, fans, partners and staff are joining forces on social media to celebrate community heroes fighting on the frontlines and thanking doctors, nurses and all healthcare professionals in conjunction with National Doctors’ Day in the United States. Fans are invited to join the league in MLS Unites with their ideas, work, contributions, and creativity, and on social media using #MLSUnites. 

Below is a sampling of how the MLS community is uniting to inspire, inform and engage.

Elevate

MLS WORKS, the League’s social responsibility platform will highlight those in communities across the U.S. and Canada that are making a difference in the fight against COVID-19 through a Community Heroes program. More details to come at a later date.

In the meantime, MLS encourages fans and the entire soccer community to use #MLSUnites to share how they are doing their part and recognizing their local community heroes on the front lines including healthcare workers, small business owners and/or other members of the community who are helping us all get through these difficult times.  Select stories will be featured weekly through League and club channels.

Educate

MLS is consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Canada (HC), infectious disease specialists and other public health entities to receive and share the most updated information and guidance. An essential guide about COVID-19 information for all fans can be found at mlssoccer.com/2020/covid-19 including a six-step graphic on how to prevent the spread, along with mental health information and coping tips, ways to support relief efforts and more.

Entertain

MLS is joining with its media partners in the U.S., Canada and throughout the world to bring a robust programming plan to fans over the coming weeks. MLS is leveraging technology to bring the soccer community together during this time of social distancing through an enhanced fan engagement plan featuring dynamic programming and groundbreaking new content experiences.  Each week classic MLS matches and new original programming will air across partner broadcast and digital channels as well as across MLSsoccer.com, the MLS app and MLS social channels.

Fans are encouraged to stay connected to their club and the MLS community through player chats, live-at-home workouts, classic games and more. Additionally, eMLS will be rolling out a robust programming lineup in the coming weeks with both esports players and MLS players.

Nashville SC is impacting the local community and you can see the details below. For more information on “MLS Unites,” visit MLSsoccer.com/MLSUnites.

• Nashville SC – Nashville SC is raising funds to support the United Way of Greater Nashville’s COVID-19 Response Fund which will deploy resources to help those who are experiencing lost wages or have become ill from the virus. In addition, the club has set up the Grocery Box in partnership with Renasant Bank and Fat Bottom Brewery, two of the club’s official partners, to provide meals to displaced workers of downtown Nashville’s music, food and service industry.    

The 3rd Annual Coffee County CHS Lady Raider Volleyball Fishing Tournament has been cancelled.  In an announcement made on Saturday, head coach Andrew Taylor made the cancellation official.

The tournament, which is run in cooperation with the Coffee County Youth Bass Club, was to be held on April 18th on Normandy Lake. Coffee County head volleyball coach Andrew Taylor will be a guest on Saturday’s Coffee Coaches Show to talk about the tournament and the off season workout program. The Coffee Coaches Show is held live each Saturday morning from the showroom of Al White Ford/Lincoln on 10 AM. The Coffee Coaches Show is heard exclusively on Thunder Radio.

The Tennessee Titans have made a $50,000 contribution to Metro Nashville’s COVID-19 Response Fund.
The United Way of Greater Nashville announced the franchise’s donation, which was shared in a Metro press release on Saturday.
The fund, led by Mayor John Cooper and philanthropic, corporate and government partners, is working to address the health and economic challenges of COVID-19 by deploying resources to community-based organizations to make sure individuals and families receive the assistance they need to meet their basic needs during the pandemic.
The fund currently has $2.4 million after receiving generous donations from the Frist Foundation, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation and Music City Center. One hundred percent of the funds will go to nonprofits ad directly help individuals impacted by wage loss due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The first round of grants was distributed to six community-based organizations that are working directly with individuals: The Salvation Army, NeedLink Nashville, Catholic Charities, Martha O’Bryan Center, Conexión Américas and Rooftop Nashville. The committee is currently reviewing applications and will continue to push funds out to the community as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The Titans COVID-19 Response Fund gift comes on the heels of Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk’s $1,000,000 gift to the Community Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund of Middle Tennessee which is supporting the area’s tornado relief efforts.
To contribute to the COVID-19 Response Fund, visit nashvilleresponsefund.com or text NashvilleUnited to 41444. As funds are distributed, United Way will publish the receiving agencies, along with the help they can provide and contact information, at nashvilleresponsefund.com.

By Zachary Silver – MLB.com

Currently housed in the National League East are eight total Cy Young Awards, a pair of Most Valuable Player Award winners, four Rookie of the Year Award winners and countless All-Stars.
But the division’s resume does not truly reflect the star-studded nature of the squads up and down the East Coast. Some of the game’s emerging young stars are housed in the division, and a few are still awaiting their first nod to the All-Star Game. One candidate for each team has been compiled by MLB.com.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, every member of this list falls below the age of 27, with many hoping their best years are just around the corner — potentially as soon as 2020.
Without further ado, here’s each team’s likeliest candidate to next break the All-Star threshold:
Braves: Dansby Swanson – Dansby Swanson was a candidate for the Midsummer Classic in 2019, compiling a strong first half of the season that saw him enter the break with 17 home runs and an .822 OPS through 89 games. Unfortunately, Swanson landed on the injured list later in the season due to a right foot injury and struggled at the plate in the second half, hitting .194 with a .552 OPS in his final 27 games after returning. But when healthy, like during last year’s NL Division Series, the former No. 1 overall Draft pick has shown tremendous potential. Per Statcast, the Braves’ shortstop hit 0.20 points lower than his Expected Batting Average (.271), and he slugged 0.58 points lower than his Expected Slugging Percentage (.480). If he continues to grow as a hitter and avoid the injury bug, the 26-year-old shortstop could soon add an All-Star selection to his resume.
Mets: Amed Rosario – Because Amed Rosario has already spent two and a half years in the big leagues, it’s easy to forget that he’s still just 24 years old. Don’t let that fool you. Rosario put everything together in the second half last season, batting .319 with six homers, nine steals and an .804 OPS. Perhaps the most important takeaway in the Mets’ eyes is that he enjoyed dramatic defensive improvements as the season went on, committing just one of his 17 errors in September. New York believes what it saw from Rosario in the second half is sustainable, and if he can be that type of player over a full season, then there’s little doubt an All-Star appearance is in his future.
Marlins: Brian Anderson – The emergence of Brian Anderson has been a gradual process. The 26-year-old made his big league debut as a September callup in 2017, and he has been a regular in the Marlins’ lineup since then. Anderson was tracking towards 25 home runs last year, before being struck by a pitch in late August that fractured a bone in his left hand. Prior to the injury on Aug. 23, Anderson was in the midst of a torrid second half. After the All-Star break, he was slashing .284/.355/.568 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 39 games. Having split time between third base and right field over the past two seasons, the Marlins are aiming to keep him exclusively at the hot corner. He also has a better lineup around him, and the Marlins Park fences have been moved in, which should help improve his statistics.
Nationals: Juan Soto – It’s a matter of time before Juan Soto is an All-Star. In only his second Major League season, the 21-year-old phenom slashed .282/.401/.548 with 34 home runs. Those numbers helped place Soto among the leaders in many NL offensive categories, ranking sixth in OPS (.949), seventh in runs (110) and ninth in RBIs (110). Then, he turned heads in the Nationals’ World Series run with five postseason home runs, three of which came in the World Series. Based on Weighted Runs Created Plus, just seven players in baseball history — Mike Trout, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams, Rogers Hornsby, Ty Cobb, Mel Ott and Mickey Mantle — have hit better than Soto through age 21.
Phillies: Scott Kingery – The Phillies signed Scott Kingery to a six-year, $24 million contract before he played his first game in the big leagues because they believed they had a star on their hands. After moving him around the infield and outfield his first two seasons, the Phils are committed to keeping him at second base in 2020. It is his best position, which could help him flourish offensively. Kingery said he wore down in the second half of the 2019 season because he was working so hard defensively, but now that he knows where his defensive home will be, his offense stands to improve. If it helps his hitting, it’s easy to see Kingery making his first All-Star team in the near future.

Zachary Silver is a reporter/editor for MLB.com based in Baltimore/Washington. Follow him on Twitter @zachsilver.