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Reba McEntire would like to work with this ‘force of nature’ artist

She’s done everything from winning Grammys to starring in her own sitcom, but there is one thing Reba McEntire has yet to do.

The “Does He Love You” singer, who will serve as a coach on the next season of “The Voice,” has revealed the one performer she’d like to work with: Garth Brooks.

“Garth and I have never had a duet, a song together or nothing. So I say Garth,” she told “Entertainment Tonight Canada.”

So, how is it that a pair of country music titans with careers that have lasted nearly a combined century have never joined forces?

Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire backstage at the 29th annual American Music Awards in 2002.AFP via Getty Images

“I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve asked him because I’m sure he gets asked, from everybody, to do everything,” she said.

“And I just kind of like, didn’t want to bother him. But, you know, I’m not getting any younger and you never know. You got to seize the opportunity when you can.”

Even though they haven’t collaborated, Brooks has written the foreword to McEntire’s upcoming book, “Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots,” according to ET Canada. The book will be available Oct. 10. She says he was a source of comfort to her following the 1991 plane crash that claimed the lives of seven of her band members, as well as her road manager and two pilots.

“It means a lot to be friends with Garth because Garth is a force of nature,” McEntire said.

“He opened the show for me in … 1990 and 1991, and was there with me on stage, and the concerts after we lost my band and my tour manager in ’91 in a plane crash. Garth was a huge support, and we just felt the love and support from him at all times.”

While McEntire sings Brooks’ praises as a performer, she also says he has been a pioneer in their field as an entertainer.

“He’s a wonderful person, a great entertainer, changed country music in a way that you can have fun on stage, show that you have fun on stage, and with him climbing up the ladders or the trusses or throwing water bottles or throwing on water people and just running across the stage like a wild man,” she said.

“He has a very special quality about him that everybody falls in love with.”

“He is a wonderful entertainer. He bonds with the audience like I’ve never seen before,” she added.

Reba McEntire has only dated boyfriend Rex Linn for a few years, but their connection goes back decades.

McEntire, 68, and Linn, 66, first crossed paths in 1991 while filming The Gambler Returns with the late Kenny Rogers. “We instantly bonded over living in Oklahoma and our love for horses and acting,” McEntire recalled in her new book, Not That Fancy, which hit shelves on Tuesday, October 10. “He made me laugh, and we became good buddies.”

Reba McEntire and Rex Linn Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

The duo “kept in touch occasionally” over the years, with McEntire calling Linn in 1998 to offer condolences after his mother died. “We talked for about 25 or 30 minutes, and again, we went on our way,” she recalled.

At the time, McEntire was married to Narvel Blackstock, whom she divorced in 2015. The former couple share son Shelby, 33.

Several years after her split from Blackstock, McEntire reconnected with Linn in 2020 while filming a guest spot on Young Sheldon. The pair went out to dinner with friends after work, and McEntire “started seeing Rex in a whole new light.”

Noam Galai/Getty Images
Even though they weren’t yet dating, that first dinner inspired McEntire and Linn’s nicknames for each other, as McEntire enthusiastically requested tater tots. “I love tater tots,” McEntire wrote. “Rex is famous for giving people nicknames. When he heard me say ‘tater tots,’ he said, ‘That’s our nickname.’ And that’s what he still calls me today.” (McEntire calls Linn “sugar tot.”)

After that dinner, the twosome “texted a lot” and later bonded when McEntire’s mother died. “We talked for hours every day,” she recalled, noting that they couldn’t see each other in person because of coronavirus lockdowns. “All we could do was talk! But that wasn’t a bad thing. It gave us a chance to get to know each other better. From the very first call, I was just my honest self with him — never any pretense or performance. We were just ‘us,’ and it worked.”

Though McEntire and Linn both have busy schedules, they always make time for each other by having “Coffee Camp” every day — whether they’re together in person or communicating via phone — where they get ready for the day by chatting over their morning beverages.

“He’s the first person I talk to when I get up each morning and the last person I talk to before I go to sleep each night,” McEntire explained. “I’m having fun being in love again. Romantic relationships should be fun — I don’t care how old you are. Love should bring you joy and make you feel good, and I’m never going to settle for anything less.”

Sometimes intense rivalry breeds immense mutual respect. Despite great competition at the end of the day, being a “Ballplayer” is a thing of pride. 

Aaron Judge proved it again when he praised the Los Angeles Dodgers’ latest shortstop Mookie Betts. While the New York Yankees captain was delighted to see Betts try a new position, he noticed something far bigger. A shared belief that drives both him and Betts toward greatness.

When it was revealed that the Dodgers were going ahead with Betts as their shortstop – it triggered a mixed response. While most fans had nothing but praise for Betts and his versatility, they wondered whether the team was unnecessarily burdening their star. That’s something that will be revealed in time, but Judge’s praises show that rivals already know how “remarkable” this change could be.

USA Today via Reuters

The New York Post reported All Rise’s comments on Betts becoming the new shortstop. “It’s remarkable,” said Aaron Judge. Noting how Betts has won multiple Gold Glove awards in the outfield, the Bombers’ captain said how it’s uncommon for a team to shift such a player from his position. However, this made the 2022 AL MVP tip his hat to Betts’ “selflessness” for accepting this change.

“The selflessness of him to go out there and try to help the team by moving to the infield and then not just that, but now moving to shortstop, speaks volumes to what kind of athlete he is and what kind of teammate he is,” Judge remarked.

Betts became a shortstop after Gavin Lux’s struggles in the field. The superstar had started his career as a second base until the Boston Red Sox turned him into an outfielder. This change echoes the similar act done by Judge this season.

The right fielder has shifted to the center to accommodate Juan Soto. So naturally, he commented on the similarities between him and Mookie Betts.

Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts’ shared beliefs and driving force

When talking about his own positional change, Judge noted that talks had been there since 2021. They’ve just come to fruition this year. He’s ready to play “wherever they want” him to play if it helps the team. To Judge, this comes down to him not being a positional player but a ballplayer.

“It just comes down to being a ballplayer. Mookie’s not just an outfielder. He’s a ballplayer. He’ll go out there and do whatever job you need him to do. I try to do the same thing to put us in the best position to win a game, if it’s right, center, or left,” Judge shared. While this is a great similarity, there’s another one between the two.

Their shifts have garnered a mixed response. In both cases, the fans have wondered if the teams are overburdening these athletes. While those worries will subside with time, as of now, the stars do not look worried about the changes.

It appears as if a financial supernova is about to explode shortly in the Bronx.

There have been predictions about the New York Yankees that Hal Steinbrenner’s wallet is trembling; a potential $701 million flowing out. On one hand, fans feel this is ridiculous, on the other, there are sentiments of ‘keep Soto in the Bronx anyhow’. Will Juan Soto overtake Shohei Ohtani?

The Yankees nation is accustomed to their club swinging for the fences. However, this event in the foreseeable future takes it to a whole new stratosphere. While the club seems audacious, the fans are practical.

If the prediction was to materialize, an estimate of $46.73 million per year for 15 years would beat Ohtani’s current record. Is the landscape of baseball set for another massive transformation?

USA Today via Reuters

Predictions Make One Wonder If There Will Be Another Record-Breaking Deal Upcoming

Naturally, there has been a rollercoaster of reactions from fans on this. Sure, who wouldn’t want a generational talent like Soto patrolling the outfield for pinstripes for over a decade? Despite the excitement, there’s reigning skepticism. Fireside Yankees’ recent post shook the internet with this prophecy.

Think about this. First, there is no guarantee that there will be a contract extension. Secondly, if optimism were to soar, it would still be far-fetched to expect a $701 million. While there is no confirmation on which way Hal’s actions will sway, the fans have a strong take on this prediction.

Besides the Juan Soto prediction, there have been a couple of other predictions that have come up. Spencer Jones, who is often compared to Aaron Judge, is foreseen to become the #1 prospect in baseball. This was followed by another prediction: Henry Lalane would reach AAA and become a top-100 prospect. While these did not agitate the fans, the possibility that Soto could get $701 million caused a bit of a stir.

The Skeptics Wonder – Is Hal Steinbrenner Ready to Shell Out On Juan Soto?

Ranging from “Why 701” to setting the boundaries at “520 M for Soto” the fans said it all. One among many fans expressed that having Soto earn more than Ohtani was ridiculous.

Fans were optimistic that Soto would not sign a contract of that size.

The emotion of ridicule about “15/$701M?!” reigned.

More fans joined in asking:

Fans even went to the extent of predicting that $520 million would be enough.

While there is a spectrum of considerations to make before the signing of the contract, the likes of a $701 million remain cloudy. Whether there is truth to this or not, one knows now what the fans feel.

TAMPA — Much has been made of Aaron Judge’s willingness to move to center field this spring, as well as in the past, to give the Yankees more flexibility in the outfield. 

But that doesn’t quite compare to the move that another former American League MVP is making in Los Angeles, where Mookie Betts has become the Dodgers’ new starting shortstop.

“It’s remarkable,’’ Judge said Saturday of Betts’ decision, which was made after the previous starter, Gavin Lux, was struggling at the position.

Aaron Judge will be moving to center field for the Yankees.AP

“He’s got five or six Gold Gloves in the outfield, which is impressive and usually you keep those guys in that position when they are that good,’’ Judge said before working out at Steinbrenner Field. “The selflessness of him to go out there and try to help the team by moving to the infield and then not just that, but now moving to shortstop, speaks volumes to what kind of athlete he is and what kind of teammate he is.”

Like Judge, the 31-year-old Betts is in the prime of his career and playing for a team with sky-high expectations.

In addition to the AL MVP Betts won in 2018 with the Red Sox, he also finished second in the AL MVP once, as well as twice in the NL MVP voting as a Dodger — including last season.

Betts came up primarily as a second baseman before moving to the outfield with Boston.

“I’ve seen him play the infield and he’s got great skills, he’s got great hands, he has great movement,’’ Judge said. “I know he came up as a second baseman with the Red Sox, but they said ‘We’ve got this guy Dustin Pedroia, so you’d better learn a new position.’ So I’m excited to see what he does.”

And Judge understands the scrutiny Betts will face.

“It’s always tough when your team is in the position to fight for a World Series and you have a great team that signed two more great players [Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto], but I think it’s gonna help them and open up spots in the outfield. It makes them so diverse.”

The Yankees are hoping for similar results from Judge being in center again, which will allow newcomers Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo to be in the corner outfield spots.

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts.AP

“That conversation [about moving to center] started in ’21 and if that helps free us up and keep guys in the lineup, then I’ll play wherever they need me,’’ Judge said.

That’s something Judge believes he has in common with Betts.

“It just comes down to being a ballplayer,’’ Judge said. “Mookie’s not just an outfielder. He’s a ballplayer. He’ll go out there and do whatever job you need him to do. I try to do the same thing to put us in the best position to win a game, if it’s right, center or left.”

Unlike Betts, though, Judge draws the line at filling in at shortstop if Anthony Volpe needs a break.

“I guess I could play a little short, but I don’t have the speed, hands or quickness, so that might not be a good idea,’’ Judge said with a laugh.

He’s not Josh-ing

Josh VanMeter, a non-roster infielder trying to make the club, blasted his first home run of the spring 348 feet to right field off Jorge Alcalá.

Josh VanMeter, who also homered, throws out Royce Lewis to end the second inning in the Yankees’ 10-7 exhibition loss to the Twins.AP

Broke the seal

Oddanier Mosqueda, a 24-year-old lefty who has been solid in camp, allowed his first run in his fifth spring inning. Two of the three hits he allowed against the Twins, though, were grounded singles that found holes.

Caught my eye

On a windy and sunny afternoon that continually frustrated fielders, Anthony Volpe tracked a pop-up onto the grass behind second base and made a last-second dive and catch for a fifth-inning out.

Sunday’s schedule

Clarke Schmidt will get the start when the Yankees host the Braves in Tampa.

Surfer Joel Parkinson’s heartbreaking connection to Tottenham songstress Adele revealed!

Citizen cop Joel Parkinson falls under spell of stunning strawberry blonde chanteuse!

It has been a long two years since the wildly stylish former world champion Joel Parkinson has been on these pages and, hard to believe, never for the Brit chanteuse Adele.

Joel Parkinson’s last appearance was after a no-holds-barred pell-mell on the hills of his home town Coolangatta after he pulled out his citizen cop badge and tried to stop a couple of TikTokers filming ‘emselves sliding down a muddy hill citing environmental damage and, possibly, even some excess noise.

From BeachGrit’s 2020 report,

Days ago, the retired Association of Surfing Professionals star and citizen cop, Joel Parkinson, approached a gaggle of pre-teen twenty-four-year-old TikTokers sliding down a muddy hill in his Gold Coast hometown and told them to stop. They did not immediately which led to a scuffle which has, in turn, divided a nation.

Many thought Parkinson was in the right as he had used a sheet of plastic for his sliding session thereby kind of preserving the integrity of the hill.

Others thought it was not the 2008 Pipeline Master’s place to stop semi-innocent fun n games as he has not been elected to the city council and had, in fact, inspired the joy.

The pell-mell, mostly caught on camera and posted to various social medias, was titled “This guy tried to bash us for going down a mudslide in the Gold Coast” and included the caption:

This is @joelparko ex professional surfer . Picking on young people trying to have some fun in hard times. Actually getting violent towards them. @wsl. Who do you think you are? we have all seen videos of you and your idiot mates running amok when you were younger. Why don’t you grow up, you want respect? You have to give it to earn it ..@ripcurl_aus

Now, and as told on the podcast of noted rugby league player Matty Johns, it can be revealed that Joel Parkinson was guided to his 2012 world title by the inspirational lyrics of the world-renowned singer and songwriter Adele who has made a significant impact on the music industry with her soulful voice and emotional ballads.

Parkinson, who is forty-two and better known as Parko, would “psyche up” before heats to the Tottenham-born chanteuse and, again revealed by the aforementioned podcast, Joel made a pilgrimage to Las Vegas to see Adele, the tickets purchased one year in advance, only for the show to be cancelled.

Heartbreaking!

Adele has long resonated with a male audience, evident in the way her songs often explore themes of love, heartbreak, and relationships. Many men can relate to the emotional depth of her lyrics and the vulnerability she displays in her music. Her songs have provided a source of comfort and catharsis for many men who have gone through similar experiences

Adele’s talent, honesty, and relatability have made her a significant figure in the music industry, and her impact on men is undeniable. Her music has provided a source of comfort, understanding, and emotional release for many men, and her influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

Joel Parkinson Adele bit comes in a little after thirty-five minutes.

TAMPA, Fla. — Aaron Judge set the gold standard for a contract-year performance in 2022, when he parlayed 62 home runs and the American League MVP award into a record nine-year, $360 million payday. Not to mention the title of Yankees captain as Hal Steinbrenner’s personal sweetener to the deal.

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, left, and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. Credit: AP / Charlie Neibergall; Newsday / Alejandra Villa Loarca

Given the stakes, his Opening Day standoff with the Yankees’ front office and the unrelenting glare of the New York spotlight, what Judge did that season might never be duplicated. But you can bet Pete Alonso, the city’s other homegrown slugger, is  going to try for a similar Judge-ian feat.

Less than eight months away from free agency, the Mets’ first baseman is about to embark on a similar pursuit, knowing that he’s almost certain to be in the middle of a bidding war come the offseason. With that in mind, I asked Judge what advice he’d give him.

Judge said he hasn’t spoken with Alonso regarding his situation, but he figures he will at some point (the Mets will visit Steinbrenner Field for two games in four days later this month).

When Judge and Alonso do get that chance, there’s no better counselor on the subject than the Yankees’ captain. Alonso may have the top agent in the business in Scott Boras, but Judge speaks from recent firsthand experience, fully understanding the mental and physical grind — which in a contract year, for players of their profiles, can be multiplied times 10.

“I’d just tell him to go out there and be yourself,” Judge told Newsday. “Play the game and keep doing what got you in this position for the past six years. He’s had a heck of a career so far, especially playing in a big market like New York, and the numbers he’s put up have been impressive and fun to watch from across the way.

“I think the biggest advice is just go out there and focus on what you know is the most important thing: playing baseball now. You’ve got an agent, you’ve got people to worry about all that other stuff. Just go out there and play your game.”

Sounds simple enough. But below the surface, as Judge later explained, it gets more complicated trying to eliminate the distractions. That first shot at free agency is when a career reaches critical mass, and there are various psychological factors at play.

Judge and Alonso were drafted by the only teams they ever played for. Grew up in that system. Put on only this one uniform. Wore those caps to multiple All-Star Games. As the faces of their  franchises, both probably imagined themselves as irreplaceable at one time or another.

As Alonso said last month upon his arrival in camp, “I definitely have envisioned myself being a lifelong Met . . .  But I can’t predict the future.”

That’s where the business part intervenes, which can be a harsh wake-up call. For Judge, it was particularly blunt, and that came to a head on Opening Day in 2022, when he turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million extension (on top of the $17M arbitration figure for that season, a total of more than $230M overall). The Yankees publicly announced those figures shortly afterward — essentially weaponizing the offer — and Judge had to process the stinging fallout minutes before the season’s opening pitch.

The front office’s behavior obviously infuriated Judge, but he didn’t wage war in the media. For a homegrown star, it’s a slap in the face, and Alonso has been forced to swallow the fact that the Mets really didn’t pursue extension talks after David Stearns was named their president of baseball operations in November.

Stearns made it clear he’s fine going to free agency with Alonso, who stated earlier in spring training that he’d be willing to listen — but knowing full well that there would be no phone call coming. It’s only natural for spite to bubble up in these scenarios, but Judge cautioned against letting that stuff consume you.

“You could get upset if you want to,” he said. “But then I feel like that’s just where your ego comes into it. It’s about putting your ego aside. They’ve given me so much. People could say that as a player, you give [the team] so much. But they drafted me, they gave me this opportunity, they gave me a chance to live out my dream. So I’ve always been thankful for that.

“You can’t bring your ego into it. I’m a baseball player, this is a business and you’ve got to understand that.”

That should work in theory, but these guys aren’t robots, either. Performing on the Big Apple stage carries enough pressure. Now stack on the potential for a $300 million payday waiting at season’s end, all the while sweating out how every at-bat might figure into that figure. For Judge, that season was delayed by MLB’s lockout, which stemmed from labor strife, and when he did finally did take the field, the fans were fully briefed on the  fortune he turned down.

To make matters worse, Judge got off to a slow start — by his standards —  with one homer and two RBIs through his first 13 games (Judge hit 61 homers, with a 1.143 OPS, in the next 144). With the toxic atmosphere brewing in the Bronx over his contract status, Judge actually heard some boos at Yankee Stadium. And though he tried to take it in stride publicly, he stressed Saturday the importance of having a support group during such a stressful period.

“We’re all human,” Judge said. “That’s where I relied a lot on my family, my friends, my close circle of people that I can trust and talk to. Just like anybody, you’ve got to get stuff off your chest at times. Having those people to talk to helps you lock back in. But what we always ended up coming back to, ‘what can you control?’

“You can’t control the outside noise. You can’t control how people are going to react. You can’t even control the contract situation — that’s what I got agents for. What can I control? Playing baseball, being a good teammate, show up every single day. So I think that’s what helped get me through all that. Plus, everybody in this room.”

Plenty for Alonso to think about. And when Judge does talk to him, Alonso can be certain about one thing: The advice definitely paid off for the Yankees’ captain. Big time.

“Im really looking forward to what Pete does this season,” Judge said, smiling. “That’s for sure.”

MLB Opening Day is right around the corner, and fans could not be more excited. We are just weeks away from having baseball games on a daily basis all the way through October.

With the season quickly approaching, there has been no shortage of baseball news. Today, we look at the Dodgers taking down the defending World Series champs, Oswald Peraza’s injury, and Blake Snell’s latest rumors.

MLB News Today: Dodgers thump reigning World Series champs; Oswald Peraza’s latest setback concerns Yankees; Blake Snell reportedly on Angels’ radar

#3 Dodgers defeat defending MLB champions, continue to impress during spring

On Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the defending World Series champions, the Texas Rangers. The Blue Crew emerged as the victor, winning the game 7-1, bringing their spring record to 11-3.

Michael Grove got the start for the Dodgers on the mound. He went 3.1 innings, giving up just one hit while striking out six batters. Offensively, the Dodgers outhit the Rangers 13-3.

The Dodgers have been one of the most exciting MLB teams this spring. They have a lot of expectations this year after the monster of an offseason.

#2 Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza suffers an injury

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Oswald Peraza would be shut down for 6-8 weeks with a shoulder strain. After that point, he will be reevaluated.

Peraza already missed 10 days this spring with shoulder discomfort. Now, after receiving MRIs, he has been diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his throwing shoulder.

This is not the news the fanbase hoped for. The Yankees were plagued by injuries last season and hoped that would be a thing of the past. Now, the club must figure out who can be a shortstop depth piece.

#1 Blake Snell has a “strong preference” to play for the Angels

While we are a few weeks away from MLB Opening Day, Blake Snell still sits on the open market. Snell is coming off a stellar season in San Diego, where he won his second Cy Young Award.

Snell has turned down some deals this offseason, including one with the Yankees. He is looking for a big-time payday, and that could come from the Los Angeles Angels.

Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, Snell has a “strong preference” to join Mike Trout and play for the Halos. That would be a great signing for the Angels following Shohei Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Dodgers. The fanbase would welcome the hard-throwing lefty with open arms.

Click here for 2023 MLB Free Agency Tracker Updates. Follow Sportskeeda for latest news and updates on MLB.

The Yankees allocated significant capital to upgrade their outfield this off-season, but they’re still relying on several young players to step up to the plate in 2024.

Notably, 22-year-old shortstop Anthony Volpe will carry a lot of weight going into his sophomore season, and he certainly put in the time and work this off-season to take a developmental leap.

Volpe struggled in 2023 over 159 games. He hit .209/.283/.383 but managed 21 homers, 60 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases. He recorded a 42.7% hard-hit rate at a 9% barrel rate with an 88.7 average exit velocity. Those numbers aren’t bad, but he made frequent contact and needs more consistency with his plate discipline. Even Volpe acknowledged that he’s trying to bring his strikeout rate down and maintain standards.

“I’ve dedicated my whole life to being the type of hitter that I’m capable of being and if I’m not up to those standards, I’ll try to corner them,” Volpe said the other day. “But even if the (striking out) wasn’t as bad as it was, I’d still feel like I wasn’t living up to what I’m capable of.”

Volpe has fixed his swing slightly, cementing his base and having more control over his front foot. Instead of leaning into a swing, Volpe is operating with more balance, keeping his head in place instead of leveraging his lower body to create power and loft. Manager Aaron has seen his progress and has indicated his bats have improved in quality.

“I think it’s going well,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He looks really good to me at the plate. Whether it ends in a (good) result or not, I feel like his at-bats have been really solid.”

The Yankees Are Seeing Tangible Improvements From Anthony Volpe

Volpe’s chase rate and strikeout percentage were more problematic last season, and he worked diligently over the winter to hone in on his fundamentals. Creating a stronger base that lends itself to better discipline will promote stronger numbers. This spring, Volpe is only striking out at a 13% clip, hitting .400/.478/.550, including two RBIs and three stolen bases over eight games.

“There’s just a noticeable difference in what I think is going to lend itself to being a little more coverage throughout the strike zone and versatile in the strike zone. Whether you want to say that he’s flatter, it was apparent the first time we saw him hit that there’s been some over-the-offseason adjustments that I think should serve him well.”

In a perfect world, Volpe would play well enough to take over the lead-off spot in the batting order, shifting DJ LeMahieu further down. With his speed, getting on base at a higher clip would play perfectly into Juan Soto and Aaron Judge’s contributions.