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Deadspin | Cardinals’ Jordan Walker displaying power ahead of rematch vs. Guardians     Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   St. Louis Cardinals fans didn’t have much to cheer about in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.  However, in the seventh inning, the sparse crowd started chanting the name of the new hero in town, Jordan Walker. He had just hit his major-league-leading eighth home run, and the fans were showing their appreciation.  The 23-year-old will try to help the Cardinals beat the visiting Guardians on Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series.  Walker’s homer total after 16 games puts him in high Cardinals company with Scott Rolen in 2004, Mark McGwire in 1998 and Stan Musial in 1954, each of whom hit eight in their first 16 games in those seasons.  Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal with more homers in the first 16 games — 11 in 2006.  Walker, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs, and his 46 total bases lead the majors. After finishing 2025 with a .584 OPS, he has a 1.161 OPS to start 2026.  “A lot of thought is being put into his cage work and stuff on the field,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But being on the field and being able to compete and just being free to do what he is doing out there is key to all this.  “His work has been good, but when you get out there in the box, it is you against the pitcher and just competing is important. He has done a great job with that.”  Walker hit .215 last season and drove in just 41 runs in 111 games. In 2024, he managed only 20 RBIs in 51 games after driving in 51 in his rookie season of 2023.   “You can just tell he is enjoying the game again,” Marmol said. “I like to see that. A really talented player who has gone through quite a bit. The couple of years he has had hold quite a bit of weight, so to be able to see him enjoy himself and have fun is really good to see.”  St. Louis will send Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA) to the mound Tuesday to try to even the series. The 25-year-old right-hander is 12-5 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) and has never faced Cleveland.  The Guardians will counter with southpaw Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.45). The 26-year-old is 8-7 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA in 46 games (24 starts) and hasn’t faced the Cardinals.  The Guardians’ offense rocked four Cardinals pitchers for 11 hits and nine runs on Monday. Cleveland starting pulling away in the fourth inning with three runs when Daniel Schneemann singled to right field to drive in a pair.  The left-handed-swinging Schneemann is hitting .256 with no home runs and had just four RBI leading into Monday.  The Guardians have faced an unusual amount of southpaws in the early season, and Schneemann said he believes that has made his quality at-bats inconsistent.  The Guardians were able to get to Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore for six hits and four runs in five innings on Monday, however.  “I was just looking to come through and, luckily, that ball got through,” Schneemann said of his two-run single that was off the glove of Cardinals first baseman Alex Burleson. “I have to give big credit to our coaching staff. They have done a great job of getting us good at-bats during this stretch.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardinals #Jordan #Walker #displaying #power #ahead #rematch #Guardians

Deadspin | Cardinals’ Jordan Walker displaying power ahead of rematch vs. Guardians
Deadspin | Cardinals’ Jordan Walker displaying power ahead of rematch vs. Guardians     Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   St. Louis Cardinals fans didn’t have much to cheer about in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.  However, in the seventh inning, the sparse crowd started chanting the name of the new hero in town, Jordan Walker. He had just hit his major-league-leading eighth home run, and the fans were showing their appreciation.  The 23-year-old will try to help the Cardinals beat the visiting Guardians on Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series.  Walker’s homer total after 16 games puts him in high Cardinals company with Scott Rolen in 2004, Mark McGwire in 1998 and Stan Musial in 1954, each of whom hit eight in their first 16 games in those seasons.  Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal with more homers in the first 16 games — 11 in 2006.  Walker, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs, and his 46 total bases lead the majors. After finishing 2025 with a .584 OPS, he has a 1.161 OPS to start 2026.  “A lot of thought is being put into his cage work and stuff on the field,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But being on the field and being able to compete and just being free to do what he is doing out there is key to all this.  “His work has been good, but when you get out there in the box, it is you against the pitcher and just competing is important. He has done a great job with that.”  Walker hit .215 last season and drove in just 41 runs in 111 games. In 2024, he managed only 20 RBIs in 51 games after driving in 51 in his rookie season of 2023.   “You can just tell he is enjoying the game again,” Marmol said. “I like to see that. A really talented player who has gone through quite a bit. The couple of years he has had hold quite a bit of weight, so to be able to see him enjoy himself and have fun is really good to see.”  St. Louis will send Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA) to the mound Tuesday to try to even the series. The 25-year-old right-hander is 12-5 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) and has never faced Cleveland.  The Guardians will counter with southpaw Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.45). The 26-year-old is 8-7 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA in 46 games (24 starts) and hasn’t faced the Cardinals.  The Guardians’ offense rocked four Cardinals pitchers for 11 hits and nine runs on Monday. Cleveland starting pulling away in the fourth inning with three runs when Daniel Schneemann singled to right field to drive in a pair.  The left-handed-swinging Schneemann is hitting .256 with no home runs and had just four RBI leading into Monday.  The Guardians have faced an unusual amount of southpaws in the early season, and Schneemann said he believes that has made his quality at-bats inconsistent.  The Guardians were able to get to Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore for six hits and four runs in five innings on Monday, however.  “I was just looking to come through and, luckily, that ball got through,” Schneemann said of his two-run single that was off the glove of Cardinals first baseman Alex Burleson. “I have to give big credit to our coaching staff. They have done a great job of getting us good at-bats during this stretch.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cardinals #Jordan #Walker #displaying #power #ahead #rematch #GuardiansApr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

St. Louis Cardinals fans didn’t have much to cheer about in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

However, in the seventh inning, the sparse crowd started chanting the name of the new hero in town, Jordan Walker. He had just hit his major-league-leading eighth home run, and the fans were showing their appreciation.

The 23-year-old will try to help the Cardinals beat the visiting Guardians on Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series.

Walker’s homer total after 16 games puts him in high Cardinals company with Scott Rolen in 2004, Mark McGwire in 1998 and Stan Musial in 1954, each of whom hit eight in their first 16 games in those seasons.

Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal with more homers in the first 16 games — 11 in 2006.

Walker, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs, and his 46 total bases lead the majors. After finishing 2025 with a .584 OPS, he has a 1.161 OPS to start 2026.

“A lot of thought is being put into his cage work and stuff on the field,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But being on the field and being able to compete and just being free to do what he is doing out there is key to all this.

“His work has been good, but when you get out there in the box, it is you against the pitcher and just competing is important. He has done a great job with that.”


Walker hit .215 last season and drove in just 41 runs in 111 games. In 2024, he managed only 20 RBIs in 51 games after driving in 51 in his rookie season of 2023.

“You can just tell he is enjoying the game again,” Marmol said. “I like to see that. A really talented player who has gone through quite a bit. The couple of years he has had hold quite a bit of weight, so to be able to see him enjoy himself and have fun is really good to see.”

St. Louis will send Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA) to the mound Tuesday to try to even the series. The 25-year-old right-hander is 12-5 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) and has never faced Cleveland.

The Guardians will counter with southpaw Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.45). The 26-year-old is 8-7 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA in 46 games (24 starts) and hasn’t faced the Cardinals.

The Guardians’ offense rocked four Cardinals pitchers for 11 hits and nine runs on Monday. Cleveland starting pulling away in the fourth inning with three runs when Daniel Schneemann singled to right field to drive in a pair.

The left-handed-swinging Schneemann is hitting .256 with no home runs and had just four RBI leading into Monday.

The Guardians have faced an unusual amount of southpaws in the early season, and Schneemann said he believes that has made his quality at-bats inconsistent.

The Guardians were able to get to Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore for six hits and four runs in five innings on Monday, however.

“I was just looking to come through and, luckily, that ball got through,” Schneemann said of his two-run single that was off the glove of Cardinals first baseman Alex Burleson. “I have to give big credit to our coaching staff. They have done a great job of getting us good at-bats during this stretch.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardinals #Jordan #Walker #displaying #power #ahead #rematch #Guardians

Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

St. Louis Cardinals fans didn’t have much to cheer about in a 9-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.

However, in the seventh inning, the sparse crowd started chanting the name of the new hero in town, Jordan Walker. He had just hit his major-league-leading eighth home run, and the fans were showing their appreciation.

The 23-year-old will try to help the Cardinals beat the visiting Guardians on Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series.

Walker’s homer total after 16 games puts him in high Cardinals company with Scott Rolen in 2004, Mark McGwire in 1998 and Stan Musial in 1954, each of whom hit eight in their first 16 games in those seasons.

Albert Pujols is the only Cardinal with more homers in the first 16 games — 11 in 2006.

Walker, who is on a nine-game hitting streak, is batting .333 with 15 RBIs and 15 runs, and his 46 total bases lead the majors. After finishing 2025 with a .584 OPS, he has a 1.161 OPS to start 2026.

“A lot of thought is being put into his cage work and stuff on the field,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But being on the field and being able to compete and just being free to do what he is doing out there is key to all this.

“His work has been good, but when you get out there in the box, it is you against the pitcher and just competing is important. He has done a great job with that.”

Walker hit .215 last season and drove in just 41 runs in 111 games. In 2024, he managed only 20 RBIs in 51 games after driving in 51 in his rookie season of 2023.

“You can just tell he is enjoying the game again,” Marmol said. “I like to see that. A really talented player who has gone through quite a bit. The couple of years he has had hold quite a bit of weight, so to be able to see him enjoy himself and have fun is really good to see.”

St. Louis will send Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA) to the mound Tuesday to try to even the series. The 25-year-old right-hander is 12-5 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA in 24 games (22 starts) and has never faced Cleveland.

The Guardians will counter with southpaw Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.45). The 26-year-old is 8-7 lifetime with a 3.57 ERA in 46 games (24 starts) and hasn’t faced the Cardinals.

The Guardians’ offense rocked four Cardinals pitchers for 11 hits and nine runs on Monday. Cleveland starting pulling away in the fourth inning with three runs when Daniel Schneemann singled to right field to drive in a pair.

The left-handed-swinging Schneemann is hitting .256 with no home runs and had just four RBI leading into Monday.

The Guardians have faced an unusual amount of southpaws in the early season, and Schneemann said he believes that has made his quality at-bats inconsistent.

The Guardians were able to get to Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore for six hits and four runs in five innings on Monday, however.

“I was just looking to come through and, luckily, that ball got through,” Schneemann said of his two-run single that was off the glove of Cardinals first baseman Alex Burleson. “I have to give big credit to our coaching staff. They have done a great job of getting us good at-bats during this stretch.”

–Field Level Media

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Live Updates: Iran war continues with U.S. blockade of ports; Lebanon and Israel hold direct talks<div> <p>Tracking data appears to show a number of Iran-linked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the hours after the U.S. blockade of the waterway began on Monday.</p><p>The U.S. military <a href="https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4457255/us-to-blockade-ships-entering-or-exiting-iranian-ports/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> its blockade would apply to “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” but that it would “not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”</p><p>One ship that crossed the strait after the blockade began on Monday – the Christianna – had previously been stopped at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data shows.</p><p>Another ship, the Ladonna, had been at Bandar Imam Khomeini for a week before turning on its transponder Tuesday and journeying into the Persian Gulf.</p><p>The Murlikishan, which is under U.S. sanctions over its connections to Iran, journeyed west through the strait overnight, tracking data shows, along with another tanker, the Peace Gulf, which is not sanctioned by the U.S. but made a port call in Iran in December 2025.</p><p>The Rich Starry, a tanker that is sanctioned by the United States under a different name, sailed through the strait overnight Monday, while the Elpis, another sanctioned tanker, sailed through the strait after the blockade began, having apparently come from the Iranian port of Bushehr, according to tracking data.</p><p>CBS News cannot confirm that the ships have not been broadcasting false location reports – called spoofing – to conceal their true whereabouts.</p> </div>#Live #Updates #Iran #war #continues #U.S #blockade #ports #Lebanon #Israel #hold #direct #talksIran

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

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">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai 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 BhaskerTiruppur 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 NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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