Sports Tonight: History says Phillies will get at least one hit

The San Diego Padres joined Major League Baseball in 1969, part of an expansion that pushed the league from 20 to 24 teams. Since then, six more franchises have been added to bring MLB to its current total of 30.

Only one of those franchises has recorded no no-hitters in its history: the San Diego Padres, who will play the Phillies tonight (10:00; TV: CSN, radio: 94 WIP).

The Padres reached that distinction after Johan Santana finally threw a no-hitter for the New York Mets on June 1, 2012, during the franchise's 51st season.

San Diego's no-hit drought has its own alleged curse. On July 21, 1970, the Padres' Clay Kirby pitched no-hit ball for eight innings, but San Diego trailed the Mets, 1-0. With two out in the bottom of the eighth, manager Preston Gomez sent in Cito Gaston to pinch-hit for Kirby

Gaston struck out, and in the ninth inning, San Diego relief pitcher Jack Baldschun gave up a lead-off single to Bud Harrelson.

San Diego pitchers have thrown 28 one-hitters.

The Padres have been no-hit nine times. The first was on June 12, 1970, by Pittsburgh pitcher Dock Ellis, who later said he was tripping on LSD at the time. Ellis walked eight and hit a batter.

I don't play fantasy football, but I understand I might be among the minority of those interested in the NFL.

There is no denying the impact that fantasy leagues have had on our sports culture, and they keep growing. In 1988, it is estimated that there were about a half-million people playing fantasy football in the United States and Canada. The number climbed to more than a million by 1991 and was at 15.2 million by 2003. Nearly 60 million are expected to play during the 2017 NFL season.

All in all, fantasy football has become a multibillion-dollar industry.

Whether playing in a league with friends or participating for big money on Fantasy Sports websites, every player is looking to gain an edge.

That's spawned another off-shoot industry in fantasy sports evaluation, suggesting which players you should draft and then activate weekly.

Tonight, ESPN2 feeds the beast with "SportsCenter Special: Fantasy Football Rankings presented by DraftKings" running from 7 to 11. It kicks off a 28-hour fantasy football marathon on ESPN and ESPN2.

For those who want to watch an actual game, the Yankees and Mets renew their "Subway Series" on ESPN at 7.

The murder and violence on Saturday in Charlottesville, Va., hit home for Eagles defensive end Chris Long, who grew up and lives there. Columnist Marcus Hayes gets Long's thoughts about the white supremacist march.

Staff writer Mike Kern writes about long-time Muhlenberg College football coach Mike Donnelly, who will be undergoing treatment for leukemia while his team plays this season.

The signing of free agents Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith upgraded the Eagles' wide receivers position to the point that they felt comfortable trading Jordan Matthews. Numbers, however, still have to be met. Staff writer Paul Domowitch says second-year receiver Marcus Johnson has an opportunity if he can get on the field.

Four former Phillies have died of a form of brain cancer. In the New York Times, Jere Longman looks for some connection, including the possibility of their playing in Veterans Stadium. Other former Phillies are concerned.

Legendary wrestler Ric Flair has been admitted to a hospital in Charlotte, N.C. and Mark Price of the Charlotte Observer writes that his management team has asked fans to pray for "The Nature Boy."

OK, so there wasn't much to read in this story at ESPN.com, but watching a video of rapper Ice Cube humble loudmouth attention-seeker LaVar Ball in a shooting challenge during a three-on-three league game on Sunday at The Staples Center in Los Angeles was worth two minutes of my time. 

Sports are supposed to be an escape, but sometimes, serious issues occur that do and should cross over into all platforms of life.

That's what happened this weekend in Charlottesville, Va. when a march by white supremacists resulted in violent clashes, a murder of a woman, and the deaths of two Virginia state troopers.

Two Eagles – safety Malcolm Jenkins and defensive end Chris Long – expressed their views on the issue, as is their right as U.S. citizens.

Many Philly.com readers embraced the players for speaking out, but others attacked them for bringing their social and political positions into their football. Some made the ridiculous argument that athletes are dumb jocks who don't have the intelligence to comment on things outside of their games.

There is no SAT requirement for commenting on matters that affect one's life, community and society. Just in case there was, however, Jenkins graduated with a degree in communication from Ohio State University. In February, he received the NFLPA's Byron "Whizzer" White Award for outstanding charitable work off the field. He has spoken to Congress on social issues. Long graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in sociology. In 2015, he created the Waterboys Initiative, with the goal to raise funds to create 32 borehole wells in East Africa to supply safe water. Each well costs about $45,000 and will serve 7,500 people.

People don't have to agree with the stances of Jenkins or Long, but I wonder how many among those who call them "dumb jocks with nothing to say" can match their resumes of education and benevolent social activism.

Baseball
Mets at Yankees, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Phillies at Padres, 10 p.m. (CSN; WIP-FM 94.1, WNPV-AM 1440)
Astros at Diamondbacks (joined in progress), 10 p.m. (MLB Network)

Little League Softball
World Series, 4 p.m. (ESPN2); 7 p.m. (ESPNEWS); 10 p.m. (ESPNU)

Minor League Baseball
Frederick at Wilmington, 6:35 p.m.