Luke Martin
@lukermartin.bsky.social
Once described as the Trent Crimm of South Georgia Tormenta FC. Sports, some news/politics and general nonsense.
Reposted by Luke Martin
I went deeper into the at-bats where Luis Ortiz is accused of throwing balls on purpose.
1) These pitches didn't just compromise games. They helped flip them. Twice.
2) It's the player props, man
3) This is NOT a case where legal sports betting improved the situation slate.com/technology/2...
1) These pitches didn't just compromise games. They helped flip them. Twice.
2) It's the player props, man
3) This is NOT a case where legal sports betting improved the situation slate.com/technology/2...
A Huge Scandal Is Rocking Baseball. Here’s What Needs to Change.
The indictments of two major league pitchers are just the clearest examples yet of the scourge of the prop bet.
slate.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I went deeper into the at-bats where Luis Ortiz is accused of throwing balls on purpose.
1) These pitches didn't just compromise games. They helped flip them. Twice.
2) It's the player props, man
3) This is NOT a case where legal sports betting improved the situation slate.com/technology/2...
1) These pitches didn't just compromise games. They helped flip them. Twice.
2) It's the player props, man
3) This is NOT a case where legal sports betting improved the situation slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Luke Martin
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
My subscription for The Athletic was set to renew and for the first time since I've been a subscriber they didn't offer me any kind of deal to continue my subscription when I went to cancel.
November 10, 2025 at 9:38 PM
My subscription for The Athletic was set to renew and for the first time since I've been a subscriber they didn't offer me any kind of deal to continue my subscription when I went to cancel.
Georgia does not require party registration and you can vote in any party's primary election. Just say what party ballot you want on primary election day.
Hey, a lot of people are talking about changing affiliation from Democratic to Independent.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Georgia does not require party registration and you can vote in any party's primary election. Just say what party ballot you want on primary election day.
Reposted by Luke Martin
NEWSLETTER: Early release this week, but there's tons to cover. I'm diving deep into:
🟠 Knoxville's stellar back line
🔷 How Spokane's measured tactics won the day
⚓ Defensive balance for RIFC
💛 New Mexico's complete attack
⁉️ DC-Brooklyn takeaways
www.usltactics.com/p/the-back-f...
🟠 Knoxville's stellar back line
🔷 How Spokane's measured tactics won the day
⚓ Defensive balance for RIFC
💛 New Mexico's complete attack
⁉️ DC-Brooklyn takeaways
www.usltactics.com/p/the-back-f...
The Back Four: (Semi)final countdown
Featuring Rhode Island’s defensive choices, League One analysis, and more USL miscellany
www.usltactics.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
NEWSLETTER: Early release this week, but there's tons to cover. I'm diving deep into:
🟠 Knoxville's stellar back line
🔷 How Spokane's measured tactics won the day
⚓ Defensive balance for RIFC
💛 New Mexico's complete attack
⁉️ DC-Brooklyn takeaways
www.usltactics.com/p/the-back-f...
🟠 Knoxville's stellar back line
🔷 How Spokane's measured tactics won the day
⚓ Defensive balance for RIFC
💛 New Mexico's complete attack
⁉️ DC-Brooklyn takeaways
www.usltactics.com/p/the-back-f...
Reposted by Luke Martin
@ossoff.senate.gov If you cave I will be bitterly, bitterly disappointed and angry. Also broke. Where is the support for actual small businesspeople, the kind politicians always blow smoke about protecting?
I'm one of the 20 million, and it was to my immense surprise a few weeks ago when the Dem strategy of prioritizing protecting the subsidies was met here with widespread derision that doing so was overly wonky and out of touch, so....
Republicans are explicitly saying they will deny food to 40+ million unless Democrats agree to end healthcare insurance for 20+ million.
November 9, 2025 at 10:52 PM
@ossoff.senate.gov If you cave I will be bitterly, bitterly disappointed and angry. Also broke. Where is the support for actual small businesspeople, the kind politicians always blow smoke about protecting?
Reposted by Luke Martin
This is going to be a growing problem across all sports and I'm not sure any league has any real plans for dealing with the fallout.
Breaking news per Jeff Passan: “Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn on a host of charges related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. Ortiz was arrested in Boston earlier today. Clase is not currently in custody”
November 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is going to be a growing problem across all sports and I'm not sure any league has any real plans for dealing with the fallout.
It's currently 76 degrees and I'm out playing disc golf in shorts.
There's a freeze warning for Monday night. I'm not built for this.
There's a freeze warning for Monday night. I'm not built for this.
November 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
It's currently 76 degrees and I'm out playing disc golf in shorts.
There's a freeze warning for Monday night. I'm not built for this.
There's a freeze warning for Monday night. I'm not built for this.
Reposted by Luke Martin
Rumours has always been popular. But it is absolutely not true that it has always been as popular as it is right now. Same website, 20 years apart. (And while I won’t make any claims for myself, Douglas Wolk knows and has always known his shit.)
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
November 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Rumours has always been popular. But it is absolutely not true that it has always been as popular as it is right now. Same website, 20 years apart. (And while I won’t make any claims for myself, Douglas Wolk knows and has always known his shit.)
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
slate.com/culture/2004...
slate.com/culture/2024...
Don't really have strong feelings either way in the USL1 playoff game between Knoxville and Naples, but I'd like to see former Tormenta, and current Naples players Jake Dengler and Chris Heckenburg advance to the title game.
November 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Don't really have strong feelings either way in the USL1 playoff game between Knoxville and Naples, but I'd like to see former Tormenta, and current Naples players Jake Dengler and Chris Heckenburg advance to the title game.
Reposted by Luke Martin
That is one of the greatest catches in college football history, holy shit
November 8, 2025 at 8:27 PM
That is one of the greatest catches in college football history, holy shit
Writing goals right here:
The DePodesta column is pretty serious but I wrote a second blog post last night: It addresses the question of whether you could fart a cyclist up a mountain
Content Warning: Flatulence and Butt Cream
It’s the offseason, and I’m still feeling addled from the World Series, and there isn’t much news to speak of. So I pulled out an old…
medium.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Writing goals right here:
Reposted by Luke Martin
The league released its 2025 awards finalists.
Player: Reid-Stephen, Obregón, Henderlong
Defender: Skelton, Messer, Garcia
Goalkeeper: Lewis, Merancio, Smith
Young player: Bronnik, Jauregui, Kasanzu, Kinzner
Coach: Mackenzie, Fuller, Murphy, Poland
Player: Reid-Stephen, Obregón, Henderlong
Defender: Skelton, Messer, Garcia
Goalkeeper: Lewis, Merancio, Smith
Young player: Bronnik, Jauregui, Kasanzu, Kinzner
Coach: Mackenzie, Fuller, Murphy, Poland
USL League One Announces 2025 Awards Finalists
Top Players, Coaches earn nomination after standout regular season campaigns
www.uslleagueone.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The league released its 2025 awards finalists.
Player: Reid-Stephen, Obregón, Henderlong
Defender: Skelton, Messer, Garcia
Goalkeeper: Lewis, Merancio, Smith
Young player: Bronnik, Jauregui, Kasanzu, Kinzner
Coach: Mackenzie, Fuller, Murphy, Poland
Player: Reid-Stephen, Obregón, Henderlong
Defender: Skelton, Messer, Garcia
Goalkeeper: Lewis, Merancio, Smith
Young player: Bronnik, Jauregui, Kasanzu, Kinzner
Coach: Mackenzie, Fuller, Murphy, Poland
Reposted by Luke Martin
Jackson Simba has been named a finalist for USL League One Young Player of the Year after a standout season anchoring the back line, while Niall Reid-Stephen is a Player of the Year finalist after leading the league in goal contributions with 13 goals and 7 assists.
Read More: bit.ly/4qHLeyp
Read More: bit.ly/4qHLeyp
November 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Jackson Simba has been named a finalist for USL League One Young Player of the Year after a standout season anchoring the back line, while Niall Reid-Stephen is a Player of the Year finalist after leading the league in goal contributions with 13 goals and 7 assists.
Read More: bit.ly/4qHLeyp
Read More: bit.ly/4qHLeyp
Reposted by Luke Martin
NEW: Playoff preview time! I dig into all six matches across the Championship and League One, setting the table with a key clip (or two) to break down the tactical battles that matter most.
Check in. ⬇️
www.usltactics.com/p/tape-sessi...
Check in. ⬇️
www.usltactics.com/p/tape-sessi...
Tape Session: the USL playoffs' second round
Previewing this weekend’s action across the Championship and League One
www.usltactics.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
NEW: Playoff preview time! I dig into all six matches across the Championship and League One, setting the table with a key clip (or two) to break down the tactical battles that matter most.
Check in. ⬇️
www.usltactics.com/p/tape-sessi...
Check in. ⬇️
www.usltactics.com/p/tape-sessi...
Reposted by Luke Martin
Three years on and it still doesn’t get old 🥹
November 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Three years on and it still doesn’t get old 🥹
Reposted by Luke Martin
making Jacob the stereotypical Bluesky user is the rudest and truest attack anyone has ever made on us
November 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
making Jacob the stereotypical Bluesky user is the rudest and truest attack anyone has ever made on us
Reposted by Luke Martin
I didn't even *want* to lean on the barrier until I saw this cool guy doing it
November 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I didn't even *want* to lean on the barrier until I saw this cool guy doing it
Reposted by Luke Martin
What an incredible rookie season it’s been for Niall Reid-Stephen! With 16 goals and 10 assists, he’s been named to USL League One All-League First Team.
Read about his season here: www.tormentafc.com/news/2025/11...
Read about his season here: www.tormentafc.com/news/2025/11...
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What an incredible rookie season it’s been for Niall Reid-Stephen! With 16 goals and 10 assists, he’s been named to USL League One All-League First Team.
Read about his season here: www.tormentafc.com/news/2025/11...
Read about his season here: www.tormentafc.com/news/2025/11...
In the event you missed this yesterday at #Stormwatch912, we talk about not drawing any grand meaning from one game and wrap up the Tormenta season.
New at #Stormwatch912: I could try to recap the Tormenta/Velocity game, or we can all just kind of agree "hey, that happened, wasn't that a hell of a thing?"
stormwatch912.blogspot.com/2025/11/thin...
stormwatch912.blogspot.com/2025/11/thin...
Things Happen Sometimes
Photo courtesy of Tormenta FC We all knew the rules going in and I don't have a better way of ending a tied game, but losing in a penalty ki...
stormwatch912.blogspot.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
In the event you missed this yesterday at #Stormwatch912, we talk about not drawing any grand meaning from one game and wrap up the Tormenta season.
Reposted by Luke Martin
NEW: North Carolina FC became a model of mid-market operation in the U.S. lower divisions. On Tuesday, they joined a lengthy list of former clubs.
On the former Carolina RailHawks, and questions about the USL's plan to add more jeopardy to its ecosystem. jeffrueter.substack.com/p/so-long-sw...
On the former Carolina RailHawks, and questions about the USL's plan to add more jeopardy to its ecosystem. jeffrueter.substack.com/p/so-long-sw...
So long, sweet RailHawk.
A reflection on the grim annual tradition of USL clubs ceasing operations.
jeffrueter.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
NEW: North Carolina FC became a model of mid-market operation in the U.S. lower divisions. On Tuesday, they joined a lengthy list of former clubs.
On the former Carolina RailHawks, and questions about the USL's plan to add more jeopardy to its ecosystem. jeffrueter.substack.com/p/so-long-sw...
On the former Carolina RailHawks, and questions about the USL's plan to add more jeopardy to its ecosystem. jeffrueter.substack.com/p/so-long-sw...
Reposted by Luke Martin
Fun, crazy fact chain: Kenny Powers is played by Danny McBride, who was born in Statesboro, Georgia. John Rocker was born two years earlier in Statesboro, in the same hospital.
My hometown contains multitudes, y’all. (The Rolling Stones played their first collegiate show here.)
My hometown contains multitudes, y’all. (The Rolling Stones played their first collegiate show here.)
Guy whose entire public implosion ruined his career and his only legacy is being the inspiration for Kenny Powers.
This guy
November 5, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Fun, crazy fact chain: Kenny Powers is played by Danny McBride, who was born in Statesboro, Georgia. John Rocker was born two years earlier in Statesboro, in the same hospital.
My hometown contains multitudes, y’all. (The Rolling Stones played their first collegiate show here.)
My hometown contains multitudes, y’all. (The Rolling Stones played their first collegiate show here.)
Also how I imagine the closing arguments beginning in the case of if a hot dog a sandwich.
“This case, ladies and gentleman of the jury, is about a sandwich.”
Closing arguments from the defense in the DC sandwich guy case are now underway.
Closing arguments from the defense in the DC sandwich guy case are now underway.
November 5, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Also how I imagine the closing arguments beginning in the case of if a hot dog a sandwich.
New at #Stormwatch912: I could try to recap the Tormenta/Velocity game, or we can all just kind of agree "hey, that happened, wasn't that a hell of a thing?"
stormwatch912.blogspot.com/2025/11/thin...
stormwatch912.blogspot.com/2025/11/thin...
Things Happen Sometimes
Photo courtesy of Tormenta FC We all knew the rules going in and I don't have a better way of ending a tied game, but losing in a penalty ki...
stormwatch912.blogspot.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
New at #Stormwatch912: I could try to recap the Tormenta/Velocity game, or we can all just kind of agree "hey, that happened, wasn't that a hell of a thing?"
stormwatch912.blogspot.com/2025/11/thin...
stormwatch912.blogspot.com/2025/11/thin...
So I just learned the new Lt. Governor is from Statesboro and has her degree from Georgia Southern.
November 5, 2025 at 12:30 PM
So I just learned the new Lt. Governor is from Statesboro and has her degree from Georgia Southern.