Deadspin | Finding ways to win, Padres face another challenge in Mariners’ pitching Apr 15, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill celebrates after hitting a walk-off double during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images San Diego Padres’ first-year manager Craig Stammen can explain his team’s five-run, ninth-inning rally Wednesday night that produced a 7-6 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. “Just a never-say-die mentality,” he said. “We just battled and came away with the crazy victory.” That stretched San Diego’s winning streak to seven games and gives the Padres a chance to sweep Seattle and the seven-game homestand if they can prevail Thursday night. For 8 1/2 innings, it looked like Thursday night’s game would be a rubber game. The Mariners led 6-0 after 5 1/2 innings and starter Emerson Hancock was dealing. Even after Hancock lost his shutout in the sixth on the 200th homer of Xander Bogaerts’ career, Seattle and its lockdown bullpen still had a four-run lead with nine outs to get. The first six came pretty easily. But the last three never happened as the Padres’ recent offensive surge continued. They have scored 47 runs during the winning streak and have collected 66 hits as well, including at least 10 in four straight games. “We don’t give up,” Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill said. “We have so much heart in that clubhouse, a lot of different personalities.” Merrill is one of those personalities who drives the clubhouse and the team. His two-run double in the ninth won the game, but his home run robbery of Julio Rodriguez in the third was one reason Merrill could be the hero at the plate later. The dramatic comeback overshadowed more injury concerns for San Diego. Catcher Freddy Fermin left the game in the third inning after being struck in the mask by a foul ball for the second time on the night. Stammen said Fermin didn’t suffer a concussion but will be re-evaluated on Thursday. Walker Buehler (0-1, 4.97 ERA) gets the ball for the Padres after his best outing of the young season. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings Friday night against Colorado and left with a 2-0 lead but settled for a no-decision in the team’s 5-2 triumph. Buehler is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in four career starts against Seattle. Luis Castillo (0-0, 6.92) will oppose Buehler, hoping for better results than he got Saturday night during his team’s 8-7 home victory over Houston. Castillo was pounded for 10 hits and seven runs over 3 1/3 innings with a walk and three strikeouts. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.71 ERA in nine career starts against San Diego. Consecutive losses aside, the Mariners have gotten good starting pitching. That unit ranks eighth in Major League Baseball in ERA at 3.42 and has put up four straight quality starts, including Hancock’s six-inning outing Wednesday night. “The potential for all of us, it’s just endless,” right-hander George Kirby said. “There’s so much you learn from each guy going out there. It’s just cool everyone’s healthy and we’re all doing our thing.” Seattle’s team ERA of 3.24 ranks third in MLB and the Mariners’ bullpen largely has done the job, save for Andres Munoz’s ninth-inning implosion Wednesday night that saw him allow all five runs and bloated his ERA to 9.45. Wasted in the loss was a stellar game by right fielder Luke Raley, who went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer and upped his average to .339. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Finding #ways #win #Padres #face #challenge #Mariners #pitching

Deadspin | Finding ways to win, Padres face another challenge in Mariners’ pitching
Apr 15, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill celebrates after hitting a walk-off double during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres’ first-year manager Craig Stammen can explain his team’s five-run, ninth-inning rally Wednesday night that produced a 7-6 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

“Just a never-say-die mentality,” he said. “We just battled and came away with the crazy victory.”

That stretched San Diego’s winning streak to seven games and gives the Padres a chance to sweep Seattle and the seven-game homestand if they can prevail Thursday night.

For 8 1/2 innings, it looked like Thursday night’s game would be a rubber game. The Mariners led 6-0 after 5 1/2 innings and starter Emerson Hancock was dealing. Even after Hancock lost his shutout in the sixth on the 200th homer of Xander Bogaerts’ career, Seattle and its lockdown bullpen still had a four-run lead with nine outs to get.

The first six came pretty easily. But the last three never happened as the Padres’ recent offensive surge continued. They have scored 47 runs during the winning streak and have collected 66 hits as well, including at least 10 in four straight games.

“We don’t give up,” Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill said. “We have so much heart in that clubhouse, a lot of different personalities.”

Merrill is one of those personalities who drives the clubhouse and the team. His two-run double in the ninth won the game, but his home run robbery of Julio Rodriguez in the third was one reason Merrill could be the hero at the plate later.

The dramatic comeback overshadowed more injury concerns for San Diego. Catcher Freddy Fermin left the game in the third inning after being struck in the mask by a foul ball for the second time on the night. Stammen said Fermin didn’t suffer a concussion but will be re-evaluated on Thursday.

Walker Buehler (0-1, 4.97 ERA) gets the ball for the Padres after his best outing of the young season. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings Friday night against Colorado and left with a 2-0 lead but settled for a no-decision in the team’s 5-2 triumph.

Buehler is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in four career starts against Seattle.

Luis Castillo (0-0, 6.92) will oppose Buehler, hoping for better results than he got Saturday night during his team’s 8-7 home victory over Houston. Castillo was pounded for 10 hits and seven runs over 3 1/3 innings with a walk and three strikeouts.

The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.71 ERA in nine career starts against San Diego.

Consecutive losses aside, the Mariners have gotten good starting pitching. That unit ranks eighth in Major League Baseball in ERA at 3.42 and has put up four straight quality starts, including Hancock’s six-inning outing Wednesday night.

“The potential for all of us, it’s just endless,” right-hander George Kirby said. “There’s so much you learn from each guy going out there. It’s just cool everyone’s healthy and we’re all doing our thing.”

Seattle’s team ERA of 3.24 ranks third in MLB and the Mariners’ bullpen largely has done the job, save for Andres Munoz’s ninth-inning implosion Wednesday night that saw him allow all five runs and bloated his ERA to 9.45.

Wasted in the loss was a stellar game by right fielder Luke Raley, who went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer and upped his average to .339.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Finding #ways #win #Padres #face #challenge #Mariners #pitching

Sports news April 16, 2026

Apr 15, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill celebrates after hitting a walk-off double during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres’ first-year manager Craig Stammen can explain his team’s five-run, ninth-inning rally Wednesday night that produced a 7-6 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

“Just a never-say-die mentality,” he said. “We just battled and came away with the crazy victory.”

That stretched San Diego’s winning streak to seven games and gives the Padres a chance to sweep Seattle and the seven-game homestand if they can prevail Thursday night.

For 8 1/2 innings, it looked like Thursday night’s game would be a rubber game. The Mariners led 6-0 after 5 1/2 innings and starter Emerson Hancock was dealing. Even after Hancock lost his shutout in the sixth on the 200th homer of Xander Bogaerts’ career, Seattle and its lockdown bullpen still had a four-run lead with nine outs to get.

The first six came pretty easily. But the last three never happened as the Padres’ recent offensive surge continued. They have scored 47 runs during the winning streak and have collected 66 hits as well, including at least 10 in four straight games.

“We don’t give up,” Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill said. “We have so much heart in that clubhouse, a lot of different personalities.”

Merrill is one of those personalities who drives the clubhouse and the team. His two-run double in the ninth won the game, but his home run robbery of Julio Rodriguez in the third was one reason Merrill could be the hero at the plate later.

The dramatic comeback overshadowed more injury concerns for San Diego. Catcher Freddy Fermin left the game in the third inning after being struck in the mask by a foul ball for the second time on the night. Stammen said Fermin didn’t suffer a concussion but will be re-evaluated on Thursday.

Walker Buehler (0-1, 4.97 ERA) gets the ball for the Padres after his best outing of the young season. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings Friday night against Colorado and left with a 2-0 lead but settled for a no-decision in the team’s 5-2 triumph.

Buehler is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in four career starts against Seattle.

Luis Castillo (0-0, 6.92) will oppose Buehler, hoping for better results than he got Saturday night during his team’s 8-7 home victory over Houston. Castillo was pounded for 10 hits and seven runs over 3 1/3 innings with a walk and three strikeouts.

The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.71 ERA in nine career starts against San Diego.

Consecutive losses aside, the Mariners have gotten good starting pitching. That unit ranks eighth in Major League Baseball in ERA at 3.42 and has put up four straight quality starts, including Hancock’s six-inning outing Wednesday night.

“The potential for all of us, it’s just endless,” right-hander George Kirby said. “There’s so much you learn from each guy going out there. It’s just cool everyone’s healthy and we’re all doing our thing.”

Seattle’s team ERA of 3.24 ranks third in MLB and the Mariners’ bullpen largely has done the job, save for Andres Munoz’s ninth-inning implosion Wednesday night that saw him allow all five runs and bloated his ERA to 9.45.

Wasted in the loss was a stellar game by right fielder Luke Raley, who went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer and upped his average to .339.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Finding #ways #win #Padres #face #challenge #Mariners #pitching

Union Berlin’s Marie-Louise Eta aware of special position in Bundesliga but wants to focus on football <div id="content-body-70869534" itemprop="articleBody">Union Berlin’s new coach Marie-Louise Eta — the first woman to manage a Bundesliga team — is well aware of the discussions regarding her appointment last week but said on Thursday ‌she was only focused on getting the side back on the winning track.Eta was appointed interim head coach on ⁠Saturday for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart with Union in 11th place.She will oversee the men’s first team through the ‌end of the campaign before moving to the club’s women’s side.“I totally understand that in public there is this ‌issue (of the first woman as a Bundesliga coach),” she told a ‌press ⁠conference ahead of her first game on Saturday at ⁠home to strugglers VfL Wolfsburg.“I obviously know the issue and it was never about that. It’s always about football, about working with people … and about being successful.“I have the trust of the club ‌and I am happy about it. The most important thing now is to prepare for the weekend against Wolfsburg,” Eta said.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/bundesliga/bundesliga-2025-26-vincent-kompany-marie-louis-eta-union-berlin-something-special-quotes-latest/article70862338.ece" target="_blank">Kompany hails Marie-Louise Eta’s appointment as ‘something special’</a>Asked if she had any hesitation when getting the job offer last week, ‌Eta added: “There was nothing to consider. I was at home on Saturday so I was surprised initially (to get the call) but then I was happy for this trust, ⁠and then things happened quickly.”Eta said she was by no means an exception in football with women taking over more and more key positions ‌in many clubs around the world.“There are female coaches out there before me. In many other countries as well,” Eta said. “I understand the issue and the interest in it but it would be nice if this issue did not exist and it was only about success on the pitch.”Eta has been coaching Union’s Under-19 team.She became the ‌first female assistant coach in the German top flight with Union in 2023 but her appointment this time has also triggered some derogatory social media comments, which have been condemned by the ⁠club.“This (social media comments) does not concern me because it says more about those ⁠posting these things than about me or other people they are talking about,” she said.“That my appointment became so big ‌may have surprised us a bit because for us it was not really. I hope in the next few years this will be less and less and people will focus on football.”Published on Apr 16, 2026</div> #Union #Berlins #MarieLouise #Eta #aware #special #position #Bundesliga #focus #football

#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">