5-POINT FRIDAY, MARCH 1st, 2019

This article was originally published on March 1st, 2019.

Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.

Major League Baseball news that I have been following -

After Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) finally announced where he would be playing in 2019. The Philadelphia Phillies announced that they had sold approximately 100,000 tickets in less than 24 hours following the news.

Sport I am learning about -

The French Fencing Federation has recognized lightsaber dueling as an official competitive sport. This means that the iconic weapon from Star Wars will receive the same status as the foil, epee, and sabre, the traditional blades used at the Olympics.

Minor League Baseball news that's interesting me -

Boston Red Sox affiliate Salem Red Sox announced that Melanie Newman (@MelanieLynneN) will become their new play-by-play announcer. Newman will join Suzie Cool (@SuzKewl) in the booth to create the first all-female broadcasting team in professional baseball.

That I've been listening to -

Beneath the Ballpark by 99% Invisible podcast. The episode explores how Walter O’Malley's decision to relocate the Brooklyn Dodgers to the west coast, after they were unable to find a suitable location in Brooklyn, changed the landscape of Los Angeles.

What I've been enjoying -

I was thankful for SportsCenter sharing their 2006 "This Is Sports Center" commercial with Steve Irwin, where he battles the Florida Gators mascot. Last Friday would have been Steve Irwin's 57th birthday. When I was younger Irwin was a hero of mine and it was great to relive some of these memories.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Jonathan