Howard Megdal
@howardmegdal.bsky.social
Founder/Editor @Theixsports.bsky.social. Writer @BaseballProspectus.com. Books: Rare Gems, Becoming Caitlin Clark and more. He/Him Subscribe to The IX Sports here! https://www.theixsports.com/subscribe/
I saw a short video today on the importance of Al Reach and his sporting goods business. It started off good before going off a cliff, stating that his company dated to 1874 and that he bought the Worcester (NL) franchise and moving them to Philadelphia. Let's fix that and do a deep dive.
@byalexcoffey.bsky.social is a second-gen sportswriter known for her work for The Athletic and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Coffey tells how sportswriter Melissa Ludtke's 1977 lawsuit won female journalists equal access to locker rooms and expanded opportunities for women in sports media.
Just in from the Fever: Damiris Dantas has a torn meniscus in her left knee. She underwent knee surgery yesterday and will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season.
I know I have a lot of WPBL folks here, and let me be clear as someone who was there live, the performance was… not great. But also worth noting why she was the choice here and remember her greatness. This thread is worth your time.
Jeff Melnick@melnickjeffrey1.bsky.social · 2d agoI'm so bummed at how many people on the socials are laughing at Martha Reeves' unfortunate performance of the national anthem at the WPBL. Like...show some respect people! She is one of our great ones. So...I'm gonna thread about her, ok? 1/
San Francisco lineup is just relentless top to bottom. Power/speed up top with Gianelloni/Whitmore. Thumpers LeBlanc and Jorge, pictured here. Even the 8/9 has xbh tonight! #wpbl @theixsports.bsky.social
"They may not be able to play a lick, but they're sure good people." - Maybelle Blair talking about the Mets, who sent a plane to fly her out for the WPBL's opening weekend.
After an electrifying opening day, we are on the scene again for game two of #WPBL action. Here’s our @howardmegdal.bsky.social with some key stars to watch. First pitch at 7:30 ET on Espn Select and Ion. youtu.be/-Y5aqIOwvZo
WPBL Game 2 preview: Kelsie Whitmore, San Francisco Firebells take on Alli Schroeder, Boston Hunters
YouTube video by The IX Sports
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Pitre is probably just straight up a better infield prospect of broadly similar type as Jett at this point. GGH has some incredible traits. Smith is a theoretical high upside guy who can’t hit who will be highest in outdated rankings but is bordering on a lottery ticket here. Strong portfolio imo
Tacorover@tacoroverr.bsky.social · 3d agoi dont know much about the prospects they got. are they good and has Jett Williams fallen off?
ICYMI: Lauren Betts is running her own race as a rookie with the Washington Mystics, and it's working out for her. Since the season began, she has gotten better and more comfortable at the #WNBA level. My story @theixsports.bsky.social on Betts' approach to her rookie year:
Inside Lauren Betts' approach to her rookie year with the Mystics | The IX Basketball
Day by day, Lauren Betts is building her confidence and getting increasingly comfortable as a pro with the Washington Mystics.
theixsports.com
Our on-the-ground reporting from @wpbl.bsky.social opening weekend continues #wpbl
The IX Sports@theixsports.bsky.social · 3d agoThe WPBL played its first-ever game last night, and there were several players who stood out for the Los Angeles Queens and New York Heights. @mingemi.bsky.social highlights some who could be players to watch for the season. www.theixsports.com/features/mag...
WNBA trade deadline day is here! Phoenix and Los Angeles started it with a bang by making a deal involving Kelsey Plum. @emilyadler.bsky.social analyzes the deal and evaluates trade strategy for the Toronto Tempo in this week's WNBA Notes. www.theixsports.com/features/kel...
WNBA Notes: Kelsey Plum trade to Pheonix and 2023 draft review | The IX Basketball
Our look around the WNBA breaks down the Kelsey Plum trade, makes sense of the Toronto Tempo's strategy and looks back at the 2023 draft!
theixsports.com
Our @dylankanesports.bsky.social has your immediate analysis of the big move, Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury. WATCH: #wnba youtube.com/shorts/w-U9m...
BREAKING WNBA NEWS: Kelsey Plum traded to Phoenix Mercury, immediate analysis! #wnba
YouTube video by The IX Sports
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Quite a week. She signed a pro contract, got a game-winning hit in the first-ever WPBL game… and celebrated her 20th birthday.
The IX Sports@theixsports.bsky.social · 4d agoOur @howardmegdal.bsky.social caught up with Isabella Villareal after the Los Angeles Queens pinch-hitter broke an 8-8 tie with her game-winning hit in the @wpbl.bsky.social opener. WATCH: #wpbl youtube.com/shorts/OguKh...
Natsuki Yonetani a revelation in RF for New York Heights. Fantastic range, plus arm, excellent speed and lashed a double at the plate already. @theixsports.bsky.social #wpbl @wpbl.bsky.social
Maggie is an elite hitter with gap power, plus catcher, one of the likely stars of the #wpbl @theixsports.bsky.social
Marisa Ingemi@mingemi.bsky.social · 4d agoMaggie Foxx drives in two runs on the first hit in LA Queens and WPBL history
For real. Such an honor to be her teammate. #wpbl
jen ramos-eisen@jenramose.online · 4d agoy'all should be following @mingemi.bsky.social for #WPBL coverage this weekend if y'all don't already. Marisa does amazing work — love her, proud to be able to call her a colleague. she's killing it out in Springfield.
Let me give you an update on #wpbl sequence of events. Expect, once the tarp comes off, about 30 minutes of warmup. Then opening ceremonies. Then first pitch. We’ll have you covered @theixsports.bsky.social.
Gymnastics Insider @jesstaylorprice.bsky.social breaks down the results of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, including top performances from Canadian gymnasts Lia-Monica Fontaine and Ellie Black www.theixsports.com/newsletter/c...
Canada shines in gymnastics at Commonwealth Games | The IX Sports
Gymnastics Insider Jessica Taylor Price breaks down the results of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, where Canadian gymnasts made a splash.
theixsports.com
And then bring it to Squawkin to get signed. It’s the Billy Ripken card of trans athlete sports biographies.
Julie Kliegman@juliekliegman.com · 4d agoSo, uh, a funny thing happened with the FINDING RENÉE RICHARDS jackets, and now the title is in grayscale. Let’s sell out this print run and then you’ll have a quirky first-edition keepsake after the correct jacket gets printed for future runs? Sound good? www.harpercollins.com/products/fin...
Today is the day. Opening Day of the Women's Pro Baseball League. I want to take a moment to explain how we've covered the WPBL at @theixsports.bsky.social and what you can expect going forward. www.theixsports.com/category/the...
WPBL Archives | The IX Sports
News coverage of the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL): Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights and San Francisco Firebells.
theixsports.com
Mai Yamamoto is already impacting the Las Vegas Aces, even though she's barely had any practice time. Our Kelly Johnson spoke with Yamamoto and those around her about how she's adjusting to the #WNBA — and the Las Vegas heat.
What Mai Yamamoto brings to the Las Vegas Aces | The IX Basketball
After signing a rest-of-season contract, Mai Yamamoto is expected to play a key role for the Las Vegas Aces as they chase a WNBA title.
theixsports.com
Our @michaelwaterloo.bsky.social checks in from Gateway Center Arena after the Dream beat the Seattle Storm 98-89 on Friday. The Dream hit 10 3-pointers and forced 19 Seattle turnovers in the win. Hear what Waterloo learned behind the scenes about those stats and much more. #WNBA
Atlanta Dream get 3-point barrage — including 2 from Angel Reese — in win over Seattle Storm #wnba
YouTube video by The IX Sports
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GOOD MORNING! There’s a new women’s professional baseball league starting today, @wpbl.bsky.social, and we are all over it @theixsports.bsky.social #wpbl
The IX Sports@theixsports.bsky.social · 5d agoIt's been 72 years since women's baseball was played professionally in the United States. That changes tomorrow with the WPBL's inaugural slate of games. @mingemi.bsky.social explains how players and coaches are feeling before the big day. www.theixsports.com/features/wpb...
6 teams are above .550 18 teams are .450-.550 6 teams are below .450 major league baseball would like you to believe there is a competitive balance problem
Joe Sheehan@sheehannewsletter.bsky.social · 4d ago24 teams within 4 1/2 games of a playoff berth. I know I keep hammering this point, but it's because parallel to this, MLB has built an entire labor strategy, including a media campaign, around this not being true.
Michele Kang and Pau Gasol helped turn women's soccer into a true business opportunity. But the 'right' type of investment is still a lingering question, as @melinae07.bsky.social explains: www.theixsports.com/the-ix-socce...
Investors are growing the women's game, but raising questions, too| The IX Soccer
Michele Kang and Pau Gasol have helped make women's soccer into a real business opportunity — but what comes next?
theixsports.com
It's been 72 years since women's baseball was played professionally in the United States. That changes tomorrow with the WPBL's inaugural slate of games. @mingemi.bsky.social explains how players and coaches are feeling before the big day. www.theixsports.com/features/wpb...
WPBL brings players together in rainy Illinois ahead of openers | The IX Sports
Ahead of the WPBL's opening weekend, players like spoke about what it means to be part of the first women's baseball league in 54 years.
theixsports.com
Before tonight's game against the Portland Fire, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham spoke for the first time about anti-trans protests being held in her name. @stephaniekaloi.bsky.social has the details on what Cunningham said. www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...
Sophie Cunningham, Alex Sarama speak on transgender inclusion | The IX Basketball
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and Portland Fire coach Alex Sarama offered opposing ideas on including transgender women in sports.
theixsports.com
