Deadspin | Runs in short supply for White Sox, Royals in series Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Peyton Pallette (41) during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images The Kansas City Royals are scuffling at the plate, but their starting pitching continues to keep them competitive on the young season. Ageless veteran Michael Wacha will look to continue his solid mound start to 2026 when the Royals aim to win back-to-back contests for the first time since the start of the month on Saturday against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Kansas City snapped a three-game losing streak and evened this four-game set thanks to seven stellar innings and a career-high 11 strikeouts from Kris Bubic in a 2-0 victory over Chicago on Friday. Now, it’s Wacha’s turn to help the Royals build on that triumph and post consecutive victories for the first time since a three-game run March 29-April 1. Wacha (1-0, 0.69 ERA) had to skip a turn in the rotation because of an illiness. However, the right-hander, who turns 35 in July, returned Monday to allow his only run in 13 innings — a solo homer — and two other hits through seven innings of the Royals’ 4-2 victory at Cleveland. “It’s Michael Wacha, he’s such a dog,” teammate Jonathan India told the Royals’ official website. “He comes to the field every day with a good attitude and works his butt off.” Wacha is 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 11 career starts versus the White Sox. Though the Royals have totaled just five runs, 18 hits and gone 0-for-28 with runners in scoring position over the last four games, their starting pitchers again rank among the major-league best with a 2.84 ERA. “We know (pitching is) our strength, especially the starting pitching,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We feel really good about them.” Kansas City pitchers have an exceptional 1.85 ERA while winning 23 of the last 26 home games versus Chicago. Though the teams have split the first two games of this series, the White Sox have managed just seven hits over the past two days, and were held to two Friday. “It’s a big park, it’s tough to hit here,” White Sox catcher Edgar Quero, batting .176 after going 0-for-3 on Friday, told the White Sox official website. However, Chicago’s Anthony Kay pitched 5 2/3 innings of the team’s 2-0 win on Thursday, and Davis Martin yielded two runs over seven strong frames on Friday. Scheduled White Sox starter Erick Fedde (0-2, 4.09 ERA) has been solid while going 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA in three career starts against the Royals. After allowing four runs (three earned) through five innings of his 2026 debut at Miami, the right-hander rebounded to yield two runs over six innings of a 2-1 loss to Baltimore on Monday. Fedde has received just two runs of support while on the mound in those two outings. Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. is 2-for-9 versus Fedde, but he’s batting .462 with 19 RBIs and 13 extra-base hits during a 23-game hitting streak versus the White Sox. Fedde has never faced the Royals’ Carter Jensen, who clubbed his team-high fourth home run Friday. Chicago’s Lenyn Sosa has hit safely in four of the last five games. He’s 2-for-9 versus Wacha. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Runs #short #supply #White #Sox #Royals #series

Deadspin | Runs in short supply for White Sox, Royals in series
Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Peyton Pallette (41) during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Royals are scuffling at the plate, but their starting pitching continues to keep them competitive on the young season.

Ageless veteran Michael Wacha will look to continue his solid mound start to 2026 when the Royals aim to win back-to-back contests for the first time since the start of the month on Saturday against the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Kansas City snapped a three-game losing streak and evened this four-game set thanks to seven stellar innings and a career-high 11 strikeouts from Kris Bubic in a 2-0 victory over Chicago on Friday. Now, it’s Wacha’s turn to help the Royals build on that triumph and post consecutive victories for the first time since a three-game run March 29-April 1.

Wacha (1-0, 0.69 ERA) had to skip a turn in the rotation because of an illiness. However, the right-hander, who turns 35 in July, returned Monday to allow his only run in 13 innings — a solo homer — and two other hits through seven innings of the Royals’ 4-2 victory at Cleveland.

“It’s Michael Wacha, he’s such a dog,” teammate Jonathan India told the Royals’ official website.

“He comes to the field every day with a good attitude and works his butt off.”

Wacha is 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 11 career starts versus the White Sox.

Though the Royals have totaled just five runs, 18 hits and gone 0-for-28 with runners in scoring position over the last four games, their starting pitchers again rank among the major-league best with a 2.84 ERA.

“We know (pitching is) our strength, especially the starting pitching,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

“We feel really good about them.”

Kansas City pitchers have an exceptional 1.85 ERA while winning 23 of the last 26 home games versus Chicago. Though the teams have split the first two games of this series, the White Sox have managed just seven hits over the past two days, and were held to two Friday.

“It’s a big park, it’s tough to hit here,” White Sox catcher Edgar Quero, batting .176 after going 0-for-3 on Friday, told the White Sox official website.

However, Chicago’s Anthony Kay pitched 5 2/3 innings of the team’s 2-0 win on Thursday, and Davis Martin yielded two runs over seven strong frames on Friday.

Scheduled White Sox starter Erick Fedde (0-2, 4.09 ERA) has been solid while going 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA in three career starts against the Royals.

After allowing four runs (three earned) through five innings of his 2026 debut at Miami, the right-hander rebounded to yield two runs over six innings of a 2-1 loss to Baltimore on Monday. Fedde has received just two runs of support while on the mound in those two outings.

Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. is 2-for-9 versus Fedde, but he’s batting .462 with 19 RBIs and 13 extra-base hits during a 23-game hitting streak versus the White Sox.

Fedde has never faced the Royals’ Carter Jensen, who clubbed his team-high fourth home run Friday.

Chicago’s Lenyn Sosa has hit safely in four of the last five games. He’s 2-for-9 versus Wacha.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Runs #short #supply #White #Sox #Royals #series

Sports news April 11, 2026

Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Peyton Pallette (41) during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Royals are scuffling at the plate, but their starting pitching continues to keep them competitive on the young season.

Ageless veteran Michael Wacha will look to continue his solid mound start to 2026 when the Royals aim to win back-to-back contests for the first time since the start of the month on Saturday against the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Kansas City snapped a three-game losing streak and evened this four-game set thanks to seven stellar innings and a career-high 11 strikeouts from Kris Bubic in a 2-0 victory over Chicago on Friday. Now, it’s Wacha’s turn to help the Royals build on that triumph and post consecutive victories for the first time since a three-game run March 29-April 1.

Wacha (1-0, 0.69 ERA) had to skip a turn in the rotation because of an illiness. However, the right-hander, who turns 35 in July, returned Monday to allow his only run in 13 innings — a solo homer — and two other hits through seven innings of the Royals’ 4-2 victory at Cleveland.

“It’s Michael Wacha, he’s such a dog,” teammate Jonathan India told the Royals’ official website.

“He comes to the field every day with a good attitude and works his butt off.”

Wacha is 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 11 career starts versus the White Sox.

Though the Royals have totaled just five runs, 18 hits and gone 0-for-28 with runners in scoring position over the last four games, their starting pitchers again rank among the major-league best with a 2.84 ERA.

“We know (pitching is) our strength, especially the starting pitching,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

“We feel really good about them.”

Kansas City pitchers have an exceptional 1.85 ERA while winning 23 of the last 26 home games versus Chicago. Though the teams have split the first two games of this series, the White Sox have managed just seven hits over the past two days, and were held to two Friday.

“It’s a big park, it’s tough to hit here,” White Sox catcher Edgar Quero, batting .176 after going 0-for-3 on Friday, told the White Sox official website.

However, Chicago’s Anthony Kay pitched 5 2/3 innings of the team’s 2-0 win on Thursday, and Davis Martin yielded two runs over seven strong frames on Friday.

Scheduled White Sox starter Erick Fedde (0-2, 4.09 ERA) has been solid while going 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA in three career starts against the Royals.

After allowing four runs (three earned) through five innings of his 2026 debut at Miami, the right-hander rebounded to yield two runs over six innings of a 2-1 loss to Baltimore on Monday. Fedde has received just two runs of support while on the mound in those two outings.

Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr. is 2-for-9 versus Fedde, but he’s batting .462 with 19 RBIs and 13 extra-base hits during a 23-game hitting streak versus the White Sox.

Fedde has never faced the Royals’ Carter Jensen, who clubbed his team-high fourth home run Friday.

Chicago’s Lenyn Sosa has hit safely in four of the last five games. He’s 2-for-9 versus Wacha.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Runs #short #supply #White #Sox #Royals #series

Vivo X300 FE May Debut In India Soon With An Exclusive Green Variant<div> <p><a href="https://fossbytes.com/vivo-x300-pro-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vivo</a> may soon launch its X series lineup in India with the vivo X300 FE. The smartphone debuted globally earlier this year, and reports now suggest its India release is not far away. According to the latest leaks, the vivo X300 FE might launch in India in early May. The expected timeline has been shared by a trusted tipster, giving a fair idea of when to expect it. However, without official confirmation, the launch date is still not final.</p> <p>Another important highlight of the vivo X300 FE includes its new green color variant. The green color variant of the phone will reportedly be available only in India, and hence, it will provide something special to the Indian users. Apart from the green variant, it is also available in black and purple.</p> <h2 class="kt-adv-heading349442_9c2e02-6f wp-block-kadence-advancedheading" data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading349442_9c2e02-6f">Design, Display, and Software</h2> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://fossbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/X300-Fe-1024x576.jpeg" alt="vivo X300 FE Russian listing" class="wp-image-349499" srcset="https://fossbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/X300-Fe-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://fossbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/X300-Fe-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://fossbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/X300-Fe-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://fossbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/X300-Fe-150x84.jpeg 150w, https://fossbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/X300-Fe.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/></figure> <p>In the upcoming vivo X300 FE, you are going to get a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display. In addition, the phone might have a 120Hz refresh rate, which should ensure a smooth experience when scrolling through pages and playing games. It could also be protected by IP68/IP69 ratings against dust and water damage.</p> <p>In terms of performance, it may feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. It is also expected to offer 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage for a smooth, fast experience. The device could run on OriginOS 6 based on Android 16. Overall, this combination should be good enough for gaming and daily use.</p> <h2 class="kt-adv-heading349442_fcd172-30 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading" data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading349442_fcd172-30">Camera and Battery</h2> <p>The vivo X300 FE is likely to come with a strong camera setup. It may include three rear cameras: a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. Zeiss branding is also expected, which generally improves image quality. On the front, users could get a 50MP selfie shooter. Moreover, there have also been reports of a telephoto kit.</p> <p>Battery performance could be another strong point of the vivo X300 FE. The phone is expected to include a 6,500mAh battery along with support for 90W wired and 40W wireless charging. This combination should help users get long usage time without worrying much about charging.</p> <h2 class="kt-adv-heading349442_10f0b8-59 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading" data-kb-block="kb-adv-heading349442_10f0b8-59">Expected Price in India</h2> <p>In international markets, the vivo X300 FE comes with an introductory price tag of around RUB 60,299 (equivalent to Rs 71,000). Similar pricing can be expected in the Indian market as well; however, the exact figure has not yet been confirmed. vivo is likely to reveal the final pricing details during the official launch.</p> </div>#Vivo #X300 #Debut #India #Exclusive #Green #VariantVivo

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">

mwasimuddin125 0

Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.

When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’

Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.

When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">

Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it. #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

mwasimuddin125 0

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.
The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.
The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.
That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.
On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.
Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.
But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.
I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.
One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.
In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.
There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.
I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.
Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">