First Call: XFL fan account jabs Antonio Brown; Ex-Pirates Gerrit Cole, Daniel Hudson shine

In “First Call” on this Wednesday, no Antonio Brown in the XFL! The NFL knows its refs screwed up during the “Monday Night Football” game. And the Nationals are on to the World Series.

Can we handle more “Baby Shark”?

Hard pass on A.B.

You won’t see “Mr. Big Chest” on the back of any XFL jerseys, like “He Hate Me.”

Former Steeler-Raider-and-Patriot Antonio Brown wasn’t drafted by the XFL Tuesday. And a XFL fan account took a little jab at A.B.

Antonio Brown was not part of our draft today.

You’re free, Bud. #XFL2020

— XFL (@realXFLfootball) October 16, 2019

The XFL fan probably felt the need to needle Brown after he told the world on Instagram that he wanted no part of the league.

Cole Train rolls through the Bronx

Gerrit Cole still can’t lose.

He hasn’t dropped a decision since May 22. The former Pirates pitcher was victorious in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees, tossing seven shutout innings.

*STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS PLEASE*

The Cole Train ran express through the Bronx. #ALCS pic.twitter.com/J4s0Cealps

— MLB (@MLB) October 15, 2019

It wasn’t an easy afternoon. He had to jump in and out of traffic all day, weaving through five walks and four hits. But he didn’t allow any runs. Although a fly ball or two made it out to the warning track.

Game 4 is in the Bronx Wednesday night.

Not just Cole

Cole wasn’t the only former Pirates pitcher on center stage in the playoffs yesterday.

Daniel Hudson was, too. He closed out the Nationals’ 7-4 win over the Cardinals in Game 4 of the NLCS.

FINAL:#Cardinals 4#Nationals 7

G: Patrick Corbin (1-0, 6.75)
P: Dakota Hudson (0-1, 108.00)
SV: Daniel Hudson (2)
HR: STL: Molina (1).#Nationals avanzan por primera en su historia a la #WorldSeries.#STAYINTHEFIGHT#TimeToFly#NLCS #MLB pic.twitter.com/RdsKnnfsxN

— Marino Pepén (@Marino_Pepen) October 16, 2019

That sweep sent the Nationals to their first-ever World Series.

Great for them. Bad for everyone else. Because that means we will continue to be subjected to “Baby Shark” for the whole World Series.

Anything more wild than a ballpark full of adults and children alike singing "Baby Shark?" pic.twitter.com/buK6yJQfKj

— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 16, 2019

Dear Lord, no! Is it too late to start rooting for the Cardinals, here?

But hey, if Pittsburgh is looking for a comparison to make themselves feel better, how about this stat that was floated out before the game?

Good morning.

The Nationals can clinch a World Series berth tonight.

That same team that was in 4th place in the NL East with a 19-31 record through May 23.

Baseball is the best. pic.twitter.com/vQ17fZVred

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 15, 2019

See that, Steelers fans? Maybe you should never give up hope.

Oops!

The NFL doesn’t like to comment too often when it comes to officiating matters.

Because when you say the refs screwed over one team, then the other team gets mad that the league appears to be saying they didn’t deserve to win.

But when things were as bad as they were on Monday in the Packers’ victory over the Lions, sometimes something just has to be said.

That’s where Troy Vincent weighed in. He stated that the second of two illegal use of the hands calls against Tre Flowers just “wasn’t there.”

Gee, I’m sure that makes Flowers and the Lions feel great now. What good does that do at this point?

What may be concerning for the league is that offensive linemen may start to snap their heads backwards in an effort to draw that penalty when it isn’t there.

It’s just another officiating conundrum for the league to deal with.

Correction: An earlier version of this story indictated that the XFL official Twitter account tweeted at Antonio Brown.