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Lifestyle

Ask Amy: Colleague groper should face consequences

Dear Amy: My best friend recently attended her professional association’s top producers’ banquet.“Brian,” a very successful man from another firm, groped her bottom two times at the event.AdvertisementNo one else saw.She let the first incident pass because they were in a group setting, and she didn’t know how to respond.AdvertisementThen he grabbed her again. She stormed away and avoided him for the rest of the event.The next day she told an associate who confronted Brian.On the phone, Brian told the associate that my friend was flirting with him.The next day she received a text from Brian: “Call me so I can apologize about yesterday.” She felt humiliated by chasing him down for an apology, so she never called.Three weeks have now passed, but the humiliation is still festering in her mind.I told her it wasn’t too late to ask for an apology in a three-way call with her associate and Brian, where he would have to fess up to his actions instead of blaming her.I also told her to report Brian to the association and ask for him to be barred from next year’s event.These people are all real estate agents.AdvertisementShe’s obviously hesitant to inconvenience people and make the wrong type of name for herself.– Outraged BestieDear Outraged: I disagree with your idea that this should be handled casually on a three-way call.If your friend asked me, I’d advise her to write an account of exactly what happened and send it directly to the association’s head office, naming “Brian,” reporting that he has admitted this behavior to another associate, and asking that appropriate actions be taken.Real estate agents meet clients alone in empty houses. A person who would grope an associate during a crowded industry event should not be trusted to meet with clients.Women realtors are especially vulnerable, and if your friend reported this and demanded action, the “name she would make for herself” would be of someone who is appropriately concerned about her safety, as well as the well-being of other women who might have the bad luck of crossing paths with this creep.AdvertisementDear Amy: Is it ever OK to require a preschool child to finish everything on their plate, when the portions were pre-selected by someone else?I don’t want to give too many details, as this is a sensitive family issue.I’ve brought it to the attention of the perpetrators – gently I hope – and things seemed better for a while.But now it has reverted to, “There’s one more bite here on your plate, and then you can have_____.”The child is a good eater otherwise, likes healthy foods, and is currently of average weight and in good health.It concerns me that this controlling behavior has continued, because I’m afraid the child will develop eating disorders, weight problems, bad associations with food and mealtime, or even behavioral problems.AdvertisementDo you have any suggestions?– Stomach in KnotsDear Knots: If the child’s parents are the “perpetrators” pushing food, then my main suggestion is that you should understand that they are the child’s parents and they have the right to handle mealtimes the way they think is best.If you are the child’s parent and the grandparents or other occasional caregivers are doing this, then you have the right to insist that they stop.I agree that this way of treating mealtime takes away a child’s agency; the parental hovering and hoovering can also be hard for others to witness.However, no, I do not believe this kind of prompting will necessarily lead to an eating disorder, a bad relationship to food, or a life of crime.AdvertisementI also believe that most parents stop this behavior once a child enters pre-school and finds effective ways to push back.Mainly – while you are accusing these parents of controlling behavior, you are trying mightily to control them.I hope that once you see the irony here, you will back off.Dear Amy: Like you, we were appalled by the question from “Perplexed Partner!” regarding giving Hitler memorabilia as a gift.Ask AmyDailyNo-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.There is a scenario however, beside education, that would justify the purchase. We know a collector of Hitler memorabilia. He’s Jewish and his collection is driven by the premise that “Hitler should plotz (drop dead) knowing that his stuff is in a Jewish home.”Not our thing, but we understand his attitude.Advertisement– BarbDear Barb: “Hitler should plotz” is a notion I can get behind.Got a question for Amy? Enter it here and we’ll send it to her.Sign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time — get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.©2021 Amy Dickinson.

Sports

Boston Celtics outscore Golden State Warriors by 24 in the 4th quarter to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals 120-108

SAN FRANCISCO — Jaylen Brown fueled a comeback charge and scored 24 points, Al Horford hit six 3-pointers and the Boston Celtics rode the most lopsided fourth quarter in NBA Finals history to a 120-108 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 on Thursday night.Horford finished with 26 points and the Celtics outscored the Warriors 40-16 in the final 12 minutes after trailing by 15 late in the third quarter.AdvertisementThe Celtics made their first seven tries from long distance in the fourth and wound up 9 of 12 beyond the arc over the final 12 minutes as almost everybody got involved in the 3-point flurry. Jayson Tatum was the lone Celtics regular who struggled offensively, finishing 3 for 17.Stephen Curry scored 34 points in his return to the NBA’s big stage for the first time in three years, but the Warriors couldn’t sustain momentum from a 38-point third quarter that put them ahead 92-80 going into the fourth.AdvertisementGame 2 in the best-of-seven series is Sunday night back at Chase Center.The Celtics comeback was the biggest in the finals after three quarters since Michael Jordan’s Bulls overcame a 15-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 6 in 1992.Derrick White’s 3-pointer over Curry with 5:40 remaining tied the game at 103, then Horford hit from deep the next time down as the Celtics took their first lead since halftime.The Celtics are looking to capture their record-breaking 18th title, which would move them past the Lakers, and now are three wins from doing it.Brown, who starred at nearby California for one college season, made consecutive baskets that tied the game at 47 with 5:03 left before halftime, and the Celtics led 56-54 at the break. The Warriors then used a signature third-quarter spurt, pouring in 38 points to build a big lead.Brown scored five quick points early in the fourth and assisted on an alley-oop dunk to Robert Williams III as the Celtics pulled back within 92-87 with 9:35 remaining. Brown’s 3 at 8:22 made it 94-92 before Klay Thompson answered with a 3.Andrew Wiggins scored six of the Warriors’ first 14 points and wound up with 20 in his finals debut, Draymond Green grabbed 11 rebounds before fouling out with 48.3 seconds left. Thompson contributed 15 points as the Warriors began their sixth finals in eight years after making five straight trips from 2015-19 and winning three championships.They’ll have to win this one from behind after being 21-2 in their previous Game 1s under Steve Kerr.Advertisement“It’s a different feeling,” Kerr said. “You obviously go into Game 2 with more of a sense of desperation. That’s all part of this stuff. We’ve been in this position before. Boston played a brilliant quarter. They came in and earned the win.”Curry scored a smooth 21 points in the first quarter on 7-for-8 shooting, including 6 of 8 3s — missing a half-court heave at the buzzer. And the Celtics struggled to keep up with the Warriors’ snappy ball movement and shooters at every spot on the floor.Otto Porter Jr. returned from a two-game absence to score 12 points off the bench for the well-rested Warriors. They ended the Western Conference finals in Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks a week earlier at home, while the Celtics were pushed to the limit with a Game 7 victory Sunday in Miami.The Warriors dropped to 9-1 this postseason at home, where a sellout crowd in yellow finals T-shirts chanted “M-V-P!” for Curry at every chance.Marcus Smart scored 18 points with four 3s for the Celtics. Smart star took criticism from Kerr for what the Warriors coach called “a dangerous play” lunging at Curry’s left foot on March 16 in a 110-88 Boston rout that sidelined the 2021 scoring champion for a month before his return in Game 1 of the first round against the Denver Nuggets.Now the hard work starts for a Warriors team that went a league-worst 15-50 during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season two years ago and lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in game last year before eliminating the Grizzlies in the first round this season.AdvertisementCurry’s six 3s in the opening 12 minutes were the most in any quarter of the NBA Finals. In addition, the 21 points were the most since Jordan’s 22 in the fourth quarter of Game 4 versus the Phoenix Suns in 1993.The Celtics and Warriors combined for 20 first-half 3s, an NBA Finals first-half record.Celtics: Williams started after being listed as questionable with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee and finished with eight points in 24 minutes. Coach Ime Udoka expected him to be limited to about 20 minutes, as has been the recent pattern. … The Celtics and Warriors were even on the boards at 39. … Tatum was 2 for 9 in the first half and 3 for 17 overall for 12 points.Warriors: F Andre Iguodala (injured disc in neck), G Gary Payton II (broken left elbow) and Porter (left foot soreness) all were back. Iguodala, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, checked in with 2:36 left in the first to huge cheers after he missed 12 games. … The Warriors are 21-3 in postseason Game 1s dating to the 2014-15 season, when they won the franchise’s first championship in 40 years. And they had won 13 straight playoff series openers at home, the third-longest streak in NBA history.

Sports

Photos: Cubs 7, Cardinals 5

Cubs center fielder Christopher Morel, center, celebrates with first baseman Frank Schwindel (18) after designated hitter Willson Contreras, right, hit a two-run homer during the first inning on June 2, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Sports

3 takeaways from the Chicago White Sox’s 3-game sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays, including missed chances on offense

José Abreu led off the seventh inning with a single Thursday, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.More importantly for the Chicago White Sox, the hit snapped a stretch of 16 straight batters retired by Toronto Blue Jays starter Alex Manoah.AdvertisementThe right-hander was on cruise control for most of the afternoon at Rogers Centre. The Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth, only to give up four in the bottom of the inning in an 8-3 loss.That completed a three-game sweep for the Blue Jays, who won their eighth straight game. The Sox, meanwhile, have lost six of eight to drop to 23-26 — and into third place in the American League Central.AdvertisementStarter Johnny Cueto kept the Sox in the game, allowing three earned runs in six innings. He left with a 4-0 deficit.The three-run eighth was a good sign, with Luis Robert hitting a two-run double against Manoah and Yoán Moncada picking up an RBI single against reliever Adam Cimber.The momentum was short-lived, however, as the Blue Jays answered with the big bottom of the eighth.Here are three takeaways from the sweep.It appeared the Sox were going to tie Tuesday’s series opener when Yasmani Grandal hit a fly ball to deep left with one out and runners on first and third in the sixth inning.Reese McGuire tagged up from third and headed home. But before he scored, Danny Mendick was tagged out trying to advance from first to second after a tremendous throw by left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Because the out was recorded before McGuire touched home, the run didn’t count.Sox manager Tony La Russa told reporters in Toronto after the 6-5 loss that Mendick apologized for the play.“I said, ‘First of all, tagging up on that play is a good play, but you’ve got a throw right in front of you,’” La Russa said, according to The Associated Press. “If the throw goes there, you’ve just got to stop. He stops, the run scores.”AdvertisementThose missed chances are magnified when the lineup is without someone as productive as Tim Anderson, who was placed on the injured list retroactive to Monday with a strained right groin.While Tuesday’s baserunning was the most obvious example, it wasn’t the only case of the Sox not taking advantage of an opportunity.Still trailing 6-5, Andrew Vaughn and Abreu singled to begin Tuesday’s ninth inning. Jake Burger grounded to third, and Matt Chapman stepped on the bag and threw to second for a double play. Gavin Sheets struck out to end the game.[ [Don’t miss] What’s the White Sox’s preferred lineup? ‘This is the best sport for first- or second-guessing.’ ]Abreu hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game, bringing the Sox within two runs.Still down by two in the seventh, Abreu batted with the bases loaded and two outs. He grounded to short and the Blue Jays got the force at second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. created some distance with a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth, helping the Blue Jays to a 7-3 victory.The Sox entered Thursday just 3-for-32 (.094) with the bases loaded this season. They loaded the bases in the first inning, but Manoah struck out Grandal to end the inning.AdvertisementThe Sox were outscored 21-11 in the series and have a minus-55 run differential this season.The Sox had a one-run lead in the fifth inning Tuesday, but the Blue Jays were threatening with runners on second and third, one out and Guerrero up. Sox starter Lucas Giolito fell behind in the count 2-0 but rallied for a strikeout.The Blue Jays followed with clutch two-out hits. Teoscar Hernández hit a sinking liner just out of the reach of diving center fielder Adam Engel for a two-run double. Alejandro Kirk followed with a two-run homer.The Blue Jays had four two-out RBIs Tuesday and six two-out RBIs Wednesday.Michael Kopech surrendered a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the second inning Wednesday. And in the third, he walked Chapman, giving the Blue Jays two on with two outs. Danny Jansen followed with a three-run homer.Giolito and Kopech allowed season highs in runs with six and five, respectively. Tuesday was the first time Giolito allowed more than three runs in a start this season.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] What will the White Sox miss with Tim Anderson on the IL? 4 numbers that highlight the All-Star shortstop’s impact. ]“I just let it snowball,” Giolito said, according to The Associated Press. “I put up a big crooked number. It’s just very frustrating.”Giolito is scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. Vince Velasquez and Dylan Cease are the projected Sox starters Friday and Saturday.A difficult stretch got off to a rough start for the Sox (23-26), who fell to third in the AL Central with Thursday’s loss. They are a half-game behind the second-place Cleveland Guardians (22-24).The Sox are fortunate the first-place Minnesota Twins stumbled in Detroit, dropping four of five games. The Sox trail the Twins (30-23) by five games.The Sox have lost five of six. And it doesn’t get easier with three games this weekend at Tropicana Field against the Rays before returning home to start a three-game series Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Sports

Twins commentator Jim Kaat gives Yankees hurler Nestor Cortes an offensive nickname

Whether it’s the Sultan of Swat, the Splendid Splitter or The Big Unit, baseball has a storied history of nicknames for its stars.Minnesota Twins color commentator Jim Kaat tried to add a new chapter to that history on Thursday and failed miserably.AdvertisementWhile describing Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes’ incredible start to the season during Thursdays Twins-Tigers broadcast, Kaat dubbed him “Nestor the Molester.”“‘Nestor the Molester,’ Nestor Cortes,” Kaat said. “Angles and different speeds. He’s a pitcher.”AdvertisementKaat, an 83-year-old man who played for the Washington Senators, has been making rather curious remarks on air as of late. In 2021, he apologized after saying should try to “get a 40-acre field full of” players who look like White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada, who is Cuban, during Game 2 of the ALDS between the Sox and Astros.After the U.S. Civil War, the government pledged to give freed slaves 40 acres and a mule, but the pledge was not kept. Cuba also has an ugly history of slavery-backed plantation farming.“While they have a little break here,” Kaat said later in that broadcast. “In fact I need to read this right now. Because, earlier in the game when Yoan Moncada was at the plate, in an attempt to compliment the great player that he is I used a poor choice of words that resulted in an insensitive and hurtful remark. And I’m sorry for that.”Cortes is having a star-making season for the Bombers. He’s 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 68 strikeouts in 60 innings. He’s allowed three runs or fewer in his last 19 starts. He’d previously been dubbed “Nasty Nestor” by Yankees fans.