Deadspin | On 5-game win streak, Cubs aim to add to Phillies’ woes Apr 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20) hits an RBI double against th New York Mets during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images A five-game winning streak wasn’t enough to lift the Chicago Cubs out of last place in a tightly packed National League Central. But the Cubs will get another chance to torment another NL East team on Monday night, when they continue a homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a four-game series. Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Cubs against Aaron Nola (1-1, 4.03) in a battle of right-handers. Both teams continued going in opposite directions while completing a home series Sunday. The Cubs closed out a three-game sweep of the New York Mets with a 2-1, 10-inning win, while the Phillies suffered their fifth consecutive loss as the Atlanta Braves finished a three-game sweep with a 4-2 victory. The series is the second in as many weeks between the Phillies and Cubs, whose respective streaks began when Chicago rolled to a 10-4 win last Tuesday. That victory continued an offensive awakening for the Cubs, who scored 59 runs in their first 14 games before scoring seven runs apiece while splitting a pair of games with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Phillies on April 12-13. The Cubs scored a combined 23 runs in wins over the Phillies and Mets last Wednesday and Friday before relying on strong pitching and timely hitting Saturday and Sunday. Carson Kelly hit a tiebreaking, pinch-hit three-run homer in Saturday’s 4-1 win before pinch hitter Michael Conforto forced extra innings Sunday with an RBI double in the ninth. Pete Crow-Armstrong scored the winning run in the 10th, when he took third on a wild pitch before racing home on Nico Hoerner’s sacrifice fly to hand the skidding Mets their 11th straight loss. Chicago is tied for fourth place in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers. “It’s a big swing for us,” Conforto said. “The offense being held to no runs up to that point and our pitchers putting on a performance against a team that’s fighting for their lives. It’s just a big moment.” Big moments have been few and far between for the Phillies, who went 2-7 on a nine-game homestand. Only the Mets have a worse record in the NL, but Philadelphia has the worst run differential (minus-38) in the majors. The homestand was the worst homestand of nine games or longer for Philadelphia since a 1-8 mark June 12-21, 2009. The 21-game start to the season is the worst for the Phillies since the 2015 team also opened 8-13. The Phillies have been outscored 37-9 during their skid. Kyle Schwarber staked Philadelphia to a 2-0 lead with a first-inning homer Sunday, but the hosts put just four runners into scoring position the rest of the way. Schwarber was robbed of a potential game-tying hit to end the game when his liner to right with two on was snared on the run by Ronald Acuna Jr. “Sure, there’s frustration,” Schwarber said. “I see the guys in here and the way that they’re working. It’s inevitable. At some point, it’s going to change.” Rea and Nola opposed each other last Tuesday. Rea earned the win by allowing three runs over six innings of bulk relief as the Cubs began their winning streak. Nola didn’t factor into the decision after giving up three runs over five innings. Rea is 2-2 with a 3.32 ERA in nine career games (six starts) against the Phillies, while Nola is 7-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #5game #win #streak #Cubs #aim #add #Phillies #woes

Deadspin | On 5-game win streak, Cubs aim to add to Phillies’ woes
Apr 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20) hits an RBI double against th New York Mets during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

A five-game winning streak wasn’t enough to lift the Chicago Cubs out of last place in a tightly packed National League Central.

But the Cubs will get another chance to torment another NL East team on Monday night, when they continue a homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a four-game series.

Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Cubs against Aaron Nola (1-1, 4.03) in a battle of right-handers.

Both teams continued going in opposite directions while completing a home series Sunday. The Cubs closed out a three-game sweep of the New York Mets with a 2-1, 10-inning win, while the Phillies suffered their fifth consecutive loss as the Atlanta Braves finished a three-game sweep with a 4-2 victory.

The series is the second in as many weeks between the Phillies and Cubs, whose respective streaks began when Chicago rolled to a 10-4 win last Tuesday.

That victory continued an offensive awakening for the Cubs, who scored 59 runs in their first 14 games before scoring seven runs apiece while splitting a pair of games with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Phillies on April 12-13.

The Cubs scored a combined 23 runs in wins over the Phillies and Mets last Wednesday and Friday before relying on strong pitching and timely hitting Saturday and Sunday. Carson Kelly hit a tiebreaking, pinch-hit three-run homer in Saturday’s 4-1 win before pinch hitter Michael Conforto forced extra innings Sunday with an RBI double in the ninth.

Pete Crow-Armstrong scored the winning run in the 10th, when he took third on a wild pitch before racing home on Nico Hoerner’s sacrifice fly to hand the skidding Mets their 11th straight loss.

Chicago is tied for fourth place in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers.

“It’s a big swing for us,” Conforto said. “The offense being held to no runs up to that point and our pitchers putting on a performance against a team that’s fighting for their lives. It’s just a big moment.”

Big moments have been few and far between for the Phillies, who went 2-7 on a nine-game homestand. Only the Mets have a worse record in the NL, but Philadelphia has the worst run differential (minus-38) in the majors.

The homestand was the worst homestand of nine games or longer for Philadelphia since a 1-8 mark June 12-21, 2009. The 21-game start to the season is the worst for the Phillies since the 2015 team also opened 8-13.

The Phillies have been outscored 37-9 during their skid. Kyle Schwarber staked Philadelphia to a 2-0 lead with a first-inning homer Sunday, but the hosts put just four runners into scoring position the rest of the way.

Schwarber was robbed of a potential game-tying hit to end the game when his liner to right with two on was snared on the run by Ronald Acuna Jr.

“Sure, there’s frustration,” Schwarber said. “I see the guys in here and the way that they’re working. It’s inevitable. At some point, it’s going to change.”

Rea and Nola opposed each other last Tuesday. Rea earned the win by allowing three runs over six innings of bulk relief as the Cubs began their winning streak. Nola didn’t factor into the decision after giving up three runs over five innings.

Rea is 2-2 with a 3.32 ERA in nine career games (six starts) against the Phillies, while Nola is 7-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #5game #win #streak #Cubs #aim #add #Phillies #woes

Sports news April 20, 2026

Apr 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20) hits an RBI double against th New York Mets during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

A five-game winning streak wasn’t enough to lift the Chicago Cubs out of last place in a tightly packed National League Central.

But the Cubs will get another chance to torment another NL East team on Monday night, when they continue a homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a four-game series.

Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Cubs against Aaron Nola (1-1, 4.03) in a battle of right-handers.

Both teams continued going in opposite directions while completing a home series Sunday. The Cubs closed out a three-game sweep of the New York Mets with a 2-1, 10-inning win, while the Phillies suffered their fifth consecutive loss as the Atlanta Braves finished a three-game sweep with a 4-2 victory.

The series is the second in as many weeks between the Phillies and Cubs, whose respective streaks began when Chicago rolled to a 10-4 win last Tuesday.

That victory continued an offensive awakening for the Cubs, who scored 59 runs in their first 14 games before scoring seven runs apiece while splitting a pair of games with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Phillies on April 12-13.

The Cubs scored a combined 23 runs in wins over the Phillies and Mets last Wednesday and Friday before relying on strong pitching and timely hitting Saturday and Sunday. Carson Kelly hit a tiebreaking, pinch-hit three-run homer in Saturday’s 4-1 win before pinch hitter Michael Conforto forced extra innings Sunday with an RBI double in the ninth.

Pete Crow-Armstrong scored the winning run in the 10th, when he took third on a wild pitch before racing home on Nico Hoerner’s sacrifice fly to hand the skidding Mets their 11th straight loss.

Chicago is tied for fourth place in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers.

“It’s a big swing for us,” Conforto said. “The offense being held to no runs up to that point and our pitchers putting on a performance against a team that’s fighting for their lives. It’s just a big moment.”

Big moments have been few and far between for the Phillies, who went 2-7 on a nine-game homestand. Only the Mets have a worse record in the NL, but Philadelphia has the worst run differential (minus-38) in the majors.

The homestand was the worst homestand of nine games or longer for Philadelphia since a 1-8 mark June 12-21, 2009. The 21-game start to the season is the worst for the Phillies since the 2015 team also opened 8-13.

The Phillies have been outscored 37-9 during their skid. Kyle Schwarber staked Philadelphia to a 2-0 lead with a first-inning homer Sunday, but the hosts put just four runners into scoring position the rest of the way.

Schwarber was robbed of a potential game-tying hit to end the game when his liner to right with two on was snared on the run by Ronald Acuna Jr.

“Sure, there’s frustration,” Schwarber said. “I see the guys in here and the way that they’re working. It’s inevitable. At some point, it’s going to change.”

Rea and Nola opposed each other last Tuesday. Rea earned the win by allowing three runs over six innings of bulk relief as the Cubs began their winning streak. Nola didn’t factor into the decision after giving up three runs over five innings.

Rea is 2-2 with a 3.32 ERA in nine career games (six starts) against the Phillies, while Nola is 7-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #5game #win #streak #Cubs #aim #add #Phillies #woes

What’s Going Wrong for Mumbai Indians In IPL 2026? <div id="content-body-70883486" itemprop="articleBody"><p>A poor start to an IPL season is nothing out of the ordinary for Mumbai Indians. Even at its title-winning best, MI often took its own time to find rhythm.</p><p>That trend appeared to have changed when MI beat Kolkata Knight Riders in its first game of IPL 2026, breaking a 13-year streak of losing its season opener.</p><p>However, that proved to be a false dawn, as the five-time champion went on to lose its next four games. Old habits die hard.</p><p>Even five games into the season, the Hardik Pandya-led side is yet to settle on its ideal playing XII. The batting order has been in constant flux, while the bowling set-up has looked unsettled, resulting in the team using 17 players this season. Only Chennai Super Kings has used more (18).</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/i0uhun/article70883498.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PTI04_15_2026_000543B.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/i0uhun/article70883498.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PTI04_15_2026_000543B.jpg" alt="The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians." title="The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians. | Photo Credit: PTI </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> The injury to Rohit Sharma has been a big blow to Mumbai Indians. | Photo Credit: PTI </p></div><p>Injuries have also played their part. The side was without Hardik against Delhi Capitals and missed Rohit Sharma against Punjab Kings.</p><p>The imbalance in combination has only been compounded by a lack of contributions.</p><p>Not a single MI batter features in the top 30 of the run-getters list this season. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Rohit are joint-33rd and are the only ones with more than 120 runs (both 137).</p><p>The returns from Suryakumar Yadav (106), Hardik (81) and Naman Dhir (109) appear decent only when contrasted with the woeful output from Tilak Varma, who has managed just 43 runs from five innings so far.</p><p>Despite the absence of a holding figure in the batting unit, MI has scored at a run rate of 10.26, the fourth-best for a team this season.</p><p>But that scoring rate is completely offset by the team’s generosity with the ball. MI has conceded 11.34 runs per over in IPL 2026. No team in the league’s history has gone at more than 10.28 in a season.</p><p>Shardul Thakur is the leading wicket-taker for MI in IPL 2026, but his six scalps have come at a very high cost. He has conceded an eye-watering 13.57 runs per over.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/9t03ip/article70883496.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/11908_16_4_2026_21_59_59_1_DSC_4364.JPG" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/9t03ip/article70883496.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/11908_16_4_2026_21_59_59_1_DSC_4364.JPG" alt="Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far." title="Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Jasprit Bumrah, while economical, has been unable to prise out wickets in this IPL so far. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI </p></div><p>What has truly dragged down MI’s bowling has been Jasprit Bumrah’s surprising lack of penetration. The Indian pacer has gone wicketless in the first five games. He has been the most economical of MI’s bowlers, going at 8.63 runs per over, but this is also his worst economy rate since IPL 2016.</p><p>Bumrah’s struggles have come to symbolise the crisis MI finds itself in during the early part of IPL 2026.</p><p>Skipper Hardik acknowledged the gravity of the situation after his side conceded a seven-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at home.</p><p>“To be honest, I don’t have much to say. We need to go back and see where we’re lacking – if it’s individuals, groups or planning and work it out. We need to see if we need to make difficult calls or see if we continue and turn things around. Ownership has to be taken,” said Hardik.</p><p>Once again, MI has painted itself into a tricky corner, with a playoff spot looking increasingly distant. But if there is any team well-versed in rebounding from such situations, it is MI. If Hardik’s words are to provoke a reaction, the defeat to PBKS could yet prove to be a turning point in IPL 2026.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 20, 2026</p></div> #Whats #Wrong #Mumbai #Indians #IPL

#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">