Deadspin | Something must give when Mariners, Padres put hot streaks on the line Apr 12, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3), right, is congratulated by third baseman Manny Machado (13) after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Two teams coming off four-game weekend sweeps will try to sweep each other beginning Tuesday night when the Seattle Mariners visit the San Diego Padres in the first contest of a three-game series. While Seattle finished its sweep of visiting Houston on Monday with a 6-2 decision, San Diego polished off its home sweep of Colorado on Sunday with a 7-2 rout, its fifth straight victory and eighth in nine games. Offense has been the key to the Padres’ surge. They rolled up 28 runs in sweeping the Rockies, hitting nine homers. Gavin Sheets and Ramon Laureano belted a pair, while Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts also joined the boom brigade. “We don’t really care who’s ever on the mound,” Merrill said. “Doesn’t matter. Throwing 100 (mph), throwing 85 … just be ready at all times.” San Diego’s earlier struggles (a 2-5 start) could be traced to two factors — facing a spate of aces and poor luck on batted balls. The Padres made more than their fair share of outs on hard-hit balls in the poor start, as reflected in their .227 batting average. Whether it was the team facing Colorado’s hittable pitching or the law of averages at work, more hard-hit balls over the weekend either found green grass or bleacher seats. The Padres’ 16 homers this season are tied for 13th and their 74 runs rank 11th, respectively, in the National League. Laureano leads the team with four homers and appears to be leading the batting order as well. Manager Craig Stammen tried Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth atop the order at times in the first 1 1/2 weeks but has settled on the right-handed-hitting Laureano (.268 batting average, 11 RBIs in 15 games). “We feel really good about him against either right-handed or left-handed pitching,” Stammen said. Right-hander Michael King will start Tuesday night’s game for the Padres. King (1-1, 3.24 ERA) pitched into the seventh inning Wednesday during an 8-2 triumph in Pittsburgh, allowing two runs off four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. King is 0-3 with a 2.84 ERA in five career outings (three starts) against Seattle. If the past is any guide, he will have to be sharp on Tuesday because Mariners starter Bryan Woo (0-1, 1.50 ERA) normally pitches well against the Padres. The right-hander has won all three career starts against San Diego, posting a 2.33 ERA and walking only two batters in 19 2/3 innings. Woo last pitched on Wednesday, absorbing a 3-0 loss to the host Texas Rangers despite allowing only one earned run in five innings. An throwing error by Seattle first baseman Connor Joe broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth, and the Mariners couldn’t overcome the deficit. But their bats came alive in four games against Houston’s foundering rotation, scoring 29 runs. Josh Naylor was the star on Monday, clocking a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run shot in the third. Naylor isn’t a fan of the big leg kick some hitters use for timing purposes but opted to try it after struggling to begin the season. “I think you try things sometimes and hope it works, and if it doesn’t, try something else,” he said. “I think this game is a big trial-and-error game. You work your hardest to be the best you can be.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #give #Mariners #Padres #put #hot #streaks #line

Deadspin | Something must give when Mariners, Padres put hot streaks on the line
Apr 12, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3), right, is congratulated by third baseman Manny Machado (13) after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Two teams coming off four-game weekend sweeps will try to sweep each other beginning Tuesday night when the Seattle Mariners visit the San Diego Padres in the first contest of a three-game series.

While Seattle finished its sweep of visiting Houston on Monday with a 6-2 decision, San Diego polished off its home sweep of Colorado on Sunday with a 7-2 rout, its fifth straight victory and eighth in nine games.

Offense has been the key to the Padres’ surge. They rolled up 28 runs in sweeping the Rockies, hitting nine homers. Gavin Sheets and Ramon Laureano belted a pair, while Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts also joined the boom brigade.

“We don’t really care who’s ever on the mound,” Merrill said. “Doesn’t matter. Throwing 100 (mph), throwing 85 … just be ready at all times.”

San Diego’s earlier struggles (a 2-5 start) could be traced to two factors — facing a spate of aces and poor luck on batted balls. The Padres made more than their fair share of outs on hard-hit balls in the poor start, as reflected in their .227 batting average.

Whether it was the team facing Colorado’s hittable pitching or the law of averages at work, more hard-hit balls over the weekend either found green grass or bleacher seats. The Padres’ 16 homers this season are tied for 13th and their 74 runs rank 11th, respectively, in the National League.

Laureano leads the team with four homers and appears to be leading the batting order as well. Manager Craig Stammen tried Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth atop the order at times in the first 1 1/2 weeks but has settled on the right-handed-hitting Laureano (.268 batting average, 11 RBIs in 15 games).

“We feel really good about him against either right-handed or left-handed pitching,” Stammen said.

Right-hander Michael King will start Tuesday night’s game for the Padres. King (1-1, 3.24 ERA) pitched into the seventh inning Wednesday during an 8-2 triumph in Pittsburgh, allowing two runs off four hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

King is 0-3 with a 2.84 ERA in five career outings (three starts) against Seattle.

If the past is any guide, he will have to be sharp on Tuesday because Mariners starter Bryan Woo (0-1, 1.50 ERA) normally pitches well against the Padres. The right-hander has won all three career starts against San Diego, posting a 2.33 ERA and walking only two batters in 19 2/3 innings.

Woo last pitched on Wednesday, absorbing a 3-0 loss to the host Texas Rangers despite allowing only one earned run in five innings. An throwing error by Seattle first baseman Connor Joe broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth, and the Mariners couldn’t overcome the deficit.

But their bats came alive in four games against Houston’s foundering rotation, scoring 29 runs. Josh Naylor was the star on Monday, clocking a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run shot in the third.

Naylor isn’t a fan of the big leg kick some hitters use for timing purposes but opted to try it after struggling to begin the season.

“I think you try things sometimes and hope it works, and if it doesn’t, try something else,” he said. “I think this game is a big trial-and-error game. You work your hardest to be the best you can be.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #give #Mariners #Padres #put #hot #streaks #line

Sports news April 14, 2026

Apr 12, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3), right, is congratulated by third baseman Manny Machado (13) after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Two teams coming off four-game weekend sweeps will try to sweep each other beginning Tuesday night when the Seattle Mariners visit the San Diego Padres in the first contest of a three-game series.

While Seattle finished its sweep of visiting Houston on Monday with a 6-2 decision, San Diego polished off its home sweep of Colorado on Sunday with a 7-2 rout, its fifth straight victory and eighth in nine games.

Offense has been the key to the Padres’ surge. They rolled up 28 runs in sweeping the Rockies, hitting nine homers. Gavin Sheets and Ramon Laureano belted a pair, while Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts also joined the boom brigade.

“We don’t really care who’s ever on the mound,” Merrill said. “Doesn’t matter. Throwing 100 (mph), throwing 85 … just be ready at all times.”

San Diego’s earlier struggles (a 2-5 start) could be traced to two factors — facing a spate of aces and poor luck on batted balls. The Padres made more than their fair share of outs on hard-hit balls in the poor start, as reflected in their .227 batting average.

Whether it was the team facing Colorado’s hittable pitching or the law of averages at work, more hard-hit balls over the weekend either found green grass or bleacher seats. The Padres’ 16 homers this season are tied for 13th and their 74 runs rank 11th, respectively, in the National League.

Laureano leads the team with four homers and appears to be leading the batting order as well. Manager Craig Stammen tried Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth atop the order at times in the first 1 1/2 weeks but has settled on the right-handed-hitting Laureano (.268 batting average, 11 RBIs in 15 games).

“We feel really good about him against either right-handed or left-handed pitching,” Stammen said.

Right-hander Michael King will start Tuesday night’s game for the Padres. King (1-1, 3.24 ERA) pitched into the seventh inning Wednesday during an 8-2 triumph in Pittsburgh, allowing two runs off four hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

King is 0-3 with a 2.84 ERA in five career outings (three starts) against Seattle.

If the past is any guide, he will have to be sharp on Tuesday because Mariners starter Bryan Woo (0-1, 1.50 ERA) normally pitches well against the Padres. The right-hander has won all three career starts against San Diego, posting a 2.33 ERA and walking only two batters in 19 2/3 innings.

Woo last pitched on Wednesday, absorbing a 3-0 loss to the host Texas Rangers despite allowing only one earned run in five innings. An throwing error by Seattle first baseman Connor Joe broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth, and the Mariners couldn’t overcome the deficit.

But their bats came alive in four games against Houston’s foundering rotation, scoring 29 runs. Josh Naylor was the star on Monday, clocking a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run shot in the third.

Naylor isn’t a fan of the big leg kick some hitters use for timing purposes but opted to try it after struggling to begin the season.

“I think you try things sometimes and hope it works, and if it doesn’t, try something else,” he said. “I think this game is a big trial-and-error game. You work your hardest to be the best you can be.”

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #give #Mariners #Padres #put #hot #streaks #line

Rueben Bain Jr. selected by Saints via Canal Street Chronicles in SB Nation’s community mock draft <div id="cyclone-embed-body-0bf1cee3-9ee6-480f-8405-0555c2b828ec"><p>The Saints made some calls attempting to move down the draft board, however, there were no suitors. So, instead New Orleans filled a position of need on defense by selecting Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr.</p><p>The relationship between Saints and Cam Jordan is still currently in limbo and regardless, even if he re-signs with the team or not, defensive end is a position that needs to be filled especially when looking for a long-term solution.</p><p>Bain is a talented pass-rusher that could be heavily utilized in New Orleans, opposite of Chase Young, who is coming off a career year. He put on a display of elite athleticism at Miami, recording 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks in 38 games and I think if it wasn’t for the concern of his arm size, Bain would never have fallen to the Saints. However, Bain has the skills to be one of the top pass rushers of the future so the risk at taking him 8th overall is definitely worth the reward.</p></div> #Rueben #Bain #selected #Saints #Canal #Street #Chronicles #Nations #community #mock #draft

#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">