Just one week after being picked up by the New York Yankees, upstate New York native Matt Gage has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson. The Dodgers also received 19-year-old prospect Christian Zazueta as part of the trade deal. The Yankees were in search of a bullpen southpaw following the departure of Wandy Peralta to the San Diego Padres.

Gage is an upstate New York native who attended Broadalbin-Perth High School. He pitched for Siena College before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants. Gage has pitched for both the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays for a combined 19.2 innings and 1.83 ERA.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —If not for his time in Saratoga Springs, Anthony Weaver might’ve never made it to the NFL. 

Blaise Juliano, who would become Weaver’s high school football coach, heard that Weaver was a great athlete, and went to the junior high gym to recruit him into the football program. Juliano said he put his arm around Weaver and said, “Tony, I know you’re a great athlete and I know you love basketball, but I think you should consider football.” Weaver took Juliano up on the offer. “We laugh about it,” Juliano said. “That’s where you are today because I happened to go down and look [you] up in junior high.”

Weaver started playing football for the Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks in 1995, when he was in 9th grade. The next year, he was brought up to the varsity team, where he played offensive guard. For the next three years, Weaver played for Coach Juliano. By the time he was a senior, he was being actively recruited by colleges with elite football programs. 

According to Juliano, Weaver weighed 238 pounds when he last played for Saratoga. The next game Weaver played, he was a starter for Notre Dame and weighed 255 pounds. “I thought that was pretty impressive,” Juliano said. After an accomplished college career at Notre Dame, Weaver was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Weaver ended up playing in Baltimore for four years, then with the Houston Texans for another three years. During his playing career, he had 200 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and 57 assisted tackles. As his body began to wear down, “he decided to look into coaching and he gave me a call,” Juliano said. 

Weaver began his coaching career as defensive graduate assistant at the University of Florida, then had a stint at the University of North Texas before heading back to the NFL. In 2012, he became the New York Jets’ assistant defensive line coach. He then became defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans before going back to Baltimore, where in 2022, he was promoted to assistant head coach. 

Weaver soon attracted attention from teams around the league, and in January of 2024, he interviewed with both the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Commanders for their vacant head coaching positions. Ultimately, he ended up being hired by the Miami Dolphins as the team’s new defensive coordinator. 

Juliano said he thinks Weaver will make a great NFL head coach one day. In the meantime, Weaver continues to stay in touch with his Saratoga mentors. “When he comes back to Saratoga, he’ll go and visit his elementary teacher and see all of his friends,” Juliano said. “He and I are on a very close basis, and I consider him more family than just a former player.”

“When I received the Head Football Coach position at Saratoga, he was the first to text me and congratulate me,” current Saratoga Springs varsity football coach Eric Hayden told Saratoga TODAY. “Anthony is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. His Athletic achievements are amazing, but his personality is what separates him.”

Juliano echoed the sentiment. “One of the biggest qualities that you notice about him is his adaptability to people and his love for people,” Juliano said. “He’s really a great person.”

Weaver was inducted into the Saratoga Springs Blue Streak Hall of Fame in 2010. His entry on the Hall of Fame website states that Weaver “has offered financial support to the football program and reached out to needy children in the community.”

“We hold an annual youth football clinic in Saratoga and he will come and see all the kids,” Hayden said. “One year he couldn’t make the clinic, so he sent a bunch of prizes and autographed material for us coaches to give out to kids who were working hard.  He even sent a video to say hello to us all.”

Although Saratoga football fans may be fiercely loyal to the New York Giants or Buffalo Bills, Hayden said they’ll now “have a reason to turn on Dolphins games.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs boys varsity hockey team faced Shenendehowa last Wednesday in a rivalry game. The Blue Streaks came out on top, 3-2.

Going into the game, the Blue Streaks knew they had to put their best foot forward. With Shen having an undefeated record in their section, Saratoga Head Coach Tim Horst said that they knew it was going to be a challenge, as it is every time the two teams face each other.

“It’s a big game for us every year because Shen’s a big rival for us,” Coach Horst said. “We always know we’ve got to come to the rink ready to play, and it’s going to be a one-goal game every single time. We’re going to need every single guy on the roster to contribute in some way in order to beat a team like them.”

The team rose up to this challenge. Coach Horst praised the three goal scorers, Jayson Carpenter, Daniel Klochaney, and Jack Murauskas. He also highlighted his senior players for leading the way with their energy and experience. “They led by example. They played in three years of the Shen games and they know what it means to our community, to our school, to represent Saratoga in that game, and how big of a rivalry it is.”

Coach Horst also noted how the enthusiasm that all his players, especially his seniors, have brought to every game and practice has helped them grow as a team, and improve throughout the year. He said this improvement is what they had been striving for, and they’ve noticed a difference.

“I think we’ve seen some of the results on the ice during the games, but we haven’t really hit our peak yet. That’s our goal: just to hit our peak right during playoffs,” Coach Horst said.

With the Blue Streaks’ regular season now over, they’re turning their attention to the playoffs. They’ll aim to keep improving, and play their best once sectionals begins.

Saratoga Springs varsity cheerleading coach Ricardo Smith poses with his team after they captured first place at the Suburban Council Championship Competition at Shenendehowa High School last Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs High School girls basketball player Carly Wise has netted 1,000 total points in her career with the Blue Streaks. Wise, a senior, is a two-sport athlete and will play lacrosse next year for Clemson University.

CHAZY — The Adirondack United girls’ hockey team defeated Beekmantown at the Scotts’ Memorial Rink last Friday, 3-1. The victory was the team’s final game of the regular season. The United finished 14-0 on the year, and will now begin their postseason journey at the Glens Falls Recreation Center on Thursday, February 8.

Against Beekmantown, Tekla Fine-Lease kicked off the night with a power play goal. Lillian Willis added two more goals. Emerson Lochner-Fehl, Bayley Duffy, and Emily Macaulay all tallied assists. Goalie Ava Reynolds made 12 saves to earn the victory.

At the start of the season, Coach Jeff Willis said his team had its sights set on a state championship. After 14 straight victories, the United are now poised to enter the postseason as favorites to capture the title.  

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held a quarterly Executive Committee meeting last Wednesday at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs. The committee voted on a variety of proposals that will impact hundreds of high school athletic departments across the state.

Championship Sites

The committee approved the following championship sites:

Boys basketball championship in Binghamton (2025-2027)

Skiing state championships at the Gore Mountain/North Creek Bowl (2025), Bristol Mountain/Harriet Hollister State Park (2026), and Whiteface Mountain/Mount Hoevenberg (2027)

Softball state championships at the Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton (2025-2027)

Boys lacrosse state finals at Hobart & William Smith Colleges (2025-2027)

Game Day Cheer state championships at the Hudson Valley Community College (2024-2026)

Volleyball

The committee approved a two-day boys volleyball state championship that will include every section in the state tournament.

Indoor and Outdoor Track

Indoor track had its proposal approved to add a second division for the relays at state championships. Outdoor track & field had its proposal approved to move to a third class starting in the 2025 spring season.

Tennis

A tennis proposal was approved that will have both girls and boys starting a 2 singles, 3 doubles format for their events starting this year.

Safety Issues

To provide safer guidelines during inclement weather for outdoor sports, the MyLightning Tracker app was approved for implementation in 2024.

Rule Revisions

The committee also approved the experimental use of a shot clock in boys and girls lacrosse, as well as the use of metal cleats for modified softball.

NYSPHSAA’s next Executive Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 1 at Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — If the Saratoga Race Course is akin to a ritzy cocktail bar, harness racing at the Saratoga Casino Hotel is more like a friendly neighborhood pub. Not everyone there knows each other, but it feels like they do. Security guards are on a first-name basis with drivers. Groups of friends crowd around tables to drink and chat while a slot machine symphony rings in the background. Inside, there’s the familiar scent of beer. Outside, a hint of cigar smoke floats through the chilly air. By the time the first race begins, the place is packed.

The 83rd season of harness racing kicked off last Saturday, continuing a tradition that began in 1941, when the Saratoga Raceway hosted its first opening night. This year’s schedule will include 150 racing programs through mid-Decemeber, with more than $17 million in purses. Two notable events happening this year are the New York Sire Stakes in June, which feature New York-bred horses racing for over $1 million in purses, and the 15th annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace on July 20. 

“We are looking forward to a tremendous season of racing here at Saratoga Casino Hotel,” said Race Secretary Peter Iovino in a statement. “Our purses will attract a quality product for our racing fans.”

This season will feature a variety of promotions, including:

• Up to 15% bonuses on all winning wagers for SaratogaBets account holders

• On Sunday, February 18, the first 400 customers will receive long-sleeve t-shirts

• A chance to spin a prize wheel to win a $25-$100 free bet on Presidents’ Day

The winter, spring, and fall schedules will include matinee racing on Sundays, Mondays, and select Tuesdays. The summer schedule will feature racing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday evenings, with a post time of 5 p.m. Throughout the season, track announcer Mike Sardella will be posting his race picks and writing a biweekly column on saratogacasino.com. 

Aside from harness racing, the Saratoga Casino Hotel also features slot machines, electronic game tables, the Vapor nightclub, a Morton’s steakhouse, and full-service bars. Simulcast wagering is also available.

NEW YORK — The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced last Thursday that Frank Gabriel, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations since 2022, has resigned. He’ll be succeeded by Andrew Offerman.

“On behalf of NYRA and the broader racing community in New York, I thank Frank Gabriel for his many contributions to NYRA and to thoroughbred racing,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO, in a statement. “Because of Frank’s hard work during a period of great transition, NYRA continues to be defined by its premier racing product and organizational commitment to safety and integrity.”

During his tenure, Gabriel led efforts to implement Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rules and regulations. He was responsible for operational changes that have increased veterinary scrutiny on all horses stabled on NYRA property. Gabriel also adjusted NYRA’s stakes program and purses.

“My time at NYRA has been deeply fulfilling, and I would like to thank the NYRA Board, David O’Rourke, and the entire NYRA team,” Gabriel said. “I wish them the best of luck moving forward.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS —It may not feel like it if you step outside, but spring is in the air (spring sports, at least). The Skidmore College baseball team held its first full-team practice of the season last Wednesday. Pitchers and catchers reported three days prior. 

The Thoroughbreds’ season will kick off on the afternoon of Saturday March 2 at Baruch College. A series of away games will follow against St. Joseph’s University Brooklyn and SUNY Oneonta, before the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida begins on March 10.  

Skidmore’s first home game will be on Friday, March 22 at 3 p.m. versus Bard College.