First Call: Ron Francis introduced in Seattle, Phillies closer pops off

Tim Benz | Friday, July 19, 2019 8:05 a.m.

Ron Francis, center, is presented with a hockey jersey by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, left, as Seattle Hockey Partners CEO Tod Leiweke looks on Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Seattle, as Francis is introduced as the first general manager for Seattle’s yet-to-be-named NHL expansion team.

Friday’s “First Call” features Ron Francis’ introduction in Seattle, power from a former Pittsburgh Pirate, injury issues with the Ravens, Aaron Boone’s fully translated fit of rage in New York, and emotions getting out of control from Philadelphia’s bullpen.

Francis fans

Former Penguins star Ron Francis made his debut in Seattle.

He was officially introduced as the first general manager of the expansion NHL franchise there.

When the crowd realized that the new @NHLSeattle_ GM, Ron Francis, entered the @QueenAnneHall.

This place is packed. pic.twitter.com/Upf9zgZlpg

— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey) July 19, 2019

It’s believed Francis signed a five-year deal, the first two of which will be spent getting the team up and running.

Francis said he is in no rush to hire a head coach.

Meadows finds some power

Former Pirate Austin Meadows got off to a torrid start in Tampa.

As of June 2, he was hitting .357 with 12 homers. But Meadows went the entire month of June and all the way to July 13 without hitting another homer and his average dipped to .286.

Meadows has found his power stroke a bit more of late, having homered on three straight days, including this one in a doubleheader against the Yankees.

He led off the first game with a long ball.

Austin Meadows started things off with a bang!

Watch all of today's action live on FOX Sports Sun and FOX Sports Go!#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/YLFni86LzN

— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) July 18, 2019

Meadows didn’t homer in the nightcap, though. In fact, he went 0-5 and is now hitting .289 with 15 home runs on the season.

The Rays have lost the first three games of that series against the American League East leaders by a combined score of 19-6.

Another former Pirate, Charlie Morton, took the loss last night.

Angry Aaron

Despite his club’s hot play against the second-place team in their division, Aaron Boone wasn’t completely happy.

The New York manager was extremely angry with the strike zone of home plate umpire Brennan Miller. And he got ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Last year Boone sits back and lets this maniac umpire run loose. This year he threatens their lives. LOVE IT pic.twitter.com/0TaAYOiyRD

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) July 18, 2019

Someone was able to isolate the audio and translate exactly what Boone said.

EXACTLY what Boone said.

It’s not fit for print. So if you want to get the subtitles, click here.

I’m pretty sure the #SavagesInTheBox memorabilia will be marketed soon in the Bronx.

Injured Raven

Baltimore wide receiver Marquise Brown isn’t going to be ready to start training camp on time.

There were concerns about his health status to begin the year, so this isn’t a total surprise. The rookie wide receiver had Lisfranc surgery for a foot injury in February.

The hope was that he would be able to participate on time in camp after getting cleared for individual drills back in minicamp. But the first-round selection out of Oklahoma isn’t ready for full practices yet.

Brown is on the NFI list, which is reserved for players unable to practice for reasons unrelated to professional football. He can come off of it once medically cleared.

Keep an eye on this guy

When the Pirates face the Phillies this weekend, let’s see how they react if emotional Philadelphia closer Hector Neris gets into the game.

He got a little excited after closing out a save against the Dodgers yesterday and appeared to yell a profanity into the dugout after the win.

Former Pirate Russell Martin was none too happy.

Hector Neris stared at Dodgers dugout after his save.

Dodgers say he yelled F*** You at them

Russell Martin from dugout told Hector, let’s meet in the hallway

Hector after: “Its just emotions”#Phillies pic.twitter.com/PpgT6OP4mu

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) July 18, 2019

“To look in our dugout and to taunt in any way, I think it’s unacceptable,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Look in your own dugout.”

Dodgers infielder Max Muncy took a shot back at Neris.

“He’s blown about eight saves against us over the last two years,” Muncy said via ESPN.com. “I guess he was finally excited he got one. Whatever.”

Eight is a slight exaggeration. But L.A. has been good against Neris who has a loss and a blown save in three appearances versus the Dodgers this year. Last season, in one appearance, Neris allowed three hits and a run in a third of an inning against Los Angeles.