Deadspin | Inconsistent Nationals face challenge in surging Braves Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The Washington Nationals will try to cool off Michael Harris II and the surging Atlanta Braves when the teams open a four-game series on Monday night. The visiting Braves have won five straight and 9 of 11 following a 4-2 win at the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night. Washington salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 shutout on Sunday. The Nationals will send right-hander Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16 ERA) against Braves righty Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77) in the opener. Irvin lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 in his last start on Wednesday, working five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He settled in after allowing both runs in the first inning and retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced. “Just making sure we kept guys off-balance, making sure we weren’t making it too easy for them,” Irvin said. Irvin is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus Atlanta since 2023. Last time out, Elder did not allow a run in collecting a 6-3 home win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. He yielded four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Elder is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 38 2/3 innings over six career starts against the Nationals since 2022. Harris homered and had three hits as Atlanta rallied from a 2-0 deficit to complete the three-game sweep at Philadelphia. Ozzie Albies had an RBI double for the Braves, who outscored the Phillies 16-3 in the series. Harris has six hits in his last seven at-bats with two walks, two homers and four runs, raising his average to .290. He has three home runs this season when hitting ninth in the batting order. “Maybe they pitch me differently in the ninth spot because I’ve got (Ronald Acuna Jr.) behind me, but just try to go up there and be myself and get the job done,” Harris said after the game. In Washington on Sunday, three pitchers combined to shut out the Giants. Opener PJ Poulin left with two outs in the first, Miles Mikolas tossed four scoreless innings and left-hander Andrew Alvarez, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. “Knew (Alvarez) could give us some length,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “Knew he could give our bullpen a well-deserved rest given what we’re in now, 17 (days of games) in a row and that went as perfectly as it could have. All those guys threw the ball extremely well.” Curtis Mead smacked a two-run homer and Keibert Ruiz had two hits, an RBI and a run for Washington. The Nationals — including Mead — bounced back from a day of physical and mental mistakes in a 7-6, 12-inning loss to the Giants on Saturday. Mead was tagged out running to third base standing up instead of sliding. “Really happy for him,” Butera said of Mead. “We had some good conversations today about (Saturday’s) game and some of the mistakes we made — not just Curtis but as a group — and (good) to see them learn from them and flush them, be ready to go today. Happy for Curtis. That was a huge home run he hit there.” Atlanta took the season series 9-4 in 2025. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Inconsistent #Nationals #face #challenge #surging #Braves

Deadspin | Inconsistent Nationals face challenge in surging Braves
Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals will try to cool off Michael Harris II and the surging Atlanta Braves when the teams open a four-game series on Monday night.

The visiting Braves have won five straight and 9 of 11 following a 4-2 win at the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.

Washington salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 shutout on Sunday.

The Nationals will send right-hander Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16 ERA) against Braves righty Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77) in the opener.

Irvin lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 in his last start on Wednesday, working five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He settled in after allowing both runs in the first inning and retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced.

“Just making sure we kept guys off-balance, making sure we weren’t making it too easy for them,” Irvin said.

Irvin is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus Atlanta since 2023.

Last time out, Elder did not allow a run in collecting a 6-3 home win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. He yielded four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Elder is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 38 2/3 innings over six career starts against the Nationals since 2022.

Harris homered and had three hits as Atlanta rallied from a 2-0 deficit to complete the three-game sweep at Philadelphia. Ozzie Albies had an RBI double for the Braves, who outscored the Phillies 16-3 in the series.

Harris has six hits in his last seven at-bats with two walks, two homers and four runs, raising his average to .290. He has three home runs this season when hitting ninth in the batting order.

“Maybe they pitch me differently in the ninth spot because I’ve got (Ronald Acuna Jr.) behind me, but just try to go up there and be myself and get the job done,” Harris said after the game.

In Washington on Sunday, three pitchers combined to shut out the Giants. Opener PJ Poulin left with two outs in the first, Miles Mikolas tossed four scoreless innings and left-hander Andrew Alvarez, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

“Knew (Alvarez) could give us some length,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “Knew he could give our bullpen a well-deserved rest given what we’re in now, 17 (days of games) in a row and that went as perfectly as it could have. All those guys threw the ball extremely well.”

Curtis Mead smacked a two-run homer and Keibert Ruiz had two hits, an RBI and a run for Washington. The Nationals — including Mead — bounced back from a day of physical and mental mistakes in a 7-6, 12-inning loss to the Giants on Saturday. Mead was tagged out running to third base standing up instead of sliding.

“Really happy for him,” Butera said of Mead. “We had some good conversations today about (Saturday’s) game and some of the mistakes we made — not just Curtis but as a group — and (good) to see them learn from them and flush them, be ready to go today. Happy for Curtis. That was a huge home run he hit there.”

Atlanta took the season series 9-4 in 2025.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Inconsistent #Nationals #face #challenge #surging #Braves

Sports news April 20, 2026

Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals will try to cool off Michael Harris II and the surging Atlanta Braves when the teams open a four-game series on Monday night.

The visiting Braves have won five straight and 9 of 11 following a 4-2 win at the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.

Washington salvaged the finale of a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 shutout on Sunday.

The Nationals will send right-hander Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16 ERA) against Braves righty Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77) in the opener.

Irvin lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 in his last start on Wednesday, working five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He settled in after allowing both runs in the first inning and retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced.

“Just making sure we kept guys off-balance, making sure we weren’t making it too easy for them,” Irvin said.

Irvin is 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus Atlanta since 2023.

Last time out, Elder did not allow a run in collecting a 6-3 home win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. He yielded four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Elder is 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 38 2/3 innings over six career starts against the Nationals since 2022.

Harris homered and had three hits as Atlanta rallied from a 2-0 deficit to complete the three-game sweep at Philadelphia. Ozzie Albies had an RBI double for the Braves, who outscored the Phillies 16-3 in the series.

Harris has six hits in his last seven at-bats with two walks, two homers and four runs, raising his average to .290. He has three home runs this season when hitting ninth in the batting order.

“Maybe they pitch me differently in the ninth spot because I’ve got (Ronald Acuna Jr.) behind me, but just try to go up there and be myself and get the job done,” Harris said after the game.

In Washington on Sunday, three pitchers combined to shut out the Giants. Opener PJ Poulin left with two outs in the first, Miles Mikolas tossed four scoreless innings and left-hander Andrew Alvarez, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

“Knew (Alvarez) could give us some length,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “Knew he could give our bullpen a well-deserved rest given what we’re in now, 17 (days of games) in a row and that went as perfectly as it could have. All those guys threw the ball extremely well.”

Curtis Mead smacked a two-run homer and Keibert Ruiz had two hits, an RBI and a run for Washington. The Nationals — including Mead — bounced back from a day of physical and mental mistakes in a 7-6, 12-inning loss to the Giants on Saturday. Mead was tagged out running to third base standing up instead of sliding.

“Really happy for him,” Butera said of Mead. “We had some good conversations today about (Saturday’s) game and some of the mistakes we made — not just Curtis but as a group — and (good) to see them learn from them and flush them, be ready to go today. Happy for Curtis. That was a huge home run he hit there.”

Atlanta took the season series 9-4 in 2025.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Inconsistent #Nationals #face #challenge #surging #Braves

One dead, two injured in Argentina rally crash <div id="content-body-70883060" itemprop="articleBody">A spectator was killed and two others injured following a crash during ‌the Rally Sudamericano in Argentina on Sunday, the ⁠governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said.Video footage showed the vehicle clipping ‌an embankment before rolling into the spectator zone. ‌Driver Didier Arias and ‌co-driver ⁠Hector Nunez escaped ⁠without serious injury, according to media reports.“The FIA is deeply saddened by the tragic ‌incident that occurred today during Round 2 of the FIA CODASUR Rally Championship ‌at Rally Sudamericano Mina Clavero, in which one spectator lost their life ⁠and two others were injured,” the FIA said in a ‌statement.“The FIA will provide its full support to the organisers of Rally Sudamericano Mina Clavero, Automóvil Club Argentino (ACA), CODASUR and the ‌relevant local authorities in their investigation into the incident.”The crash came a day ⁠after racing driver Juha Miettinen died ⁠and six others were injured in an ‌accident during ADAC 24h Nuerburgring qualifiers.Published on Apr 20, 2026</div> #dead #injured #Argentina #rally #crash

#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">