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Deadspin | Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll (back) avoids scare after early exit Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (left) talks with a team trainer in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll exited Sunday’s game in Phoenix against the Toronto Blue Jays after four innings due to low back tightness. But manager Torey Lovullo had a positive update on Carroll’s status postgame, saying he expected the All-Star to be available for the D-backs’ next game Tuesday. Carroll, 25, appeared to grimace in pain while striking out in the third inning, and he used some time while playing right field in the fourth inning to stretch out his back. The Diamondbacks were trailing 10-1 when Carroll was removed. He was replaced in right field by Jorge Barrosa, who hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as Arizona went on to lose 10-4. “I went over to Corbin, and he was fine,” Lovullo said. “He felt like he was in a good spot. I just said, look, I’m going to start to layer in guys to get him off the field.” Asked directly if Carroll would be available Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, Lovullo answered, “He’s already in the lineup, yeah. He’s starting in right field on Tuesday.” Carroll went 0-for-2 with the strikeout, lowering his batting average to .300 with a .390 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage. He has three home runs, 16 RBIs, six doubles and a major league-leading three triples in 20 games. Carroll missed two games in early April against the New York Mets due to tightness in his left hip flexor. He said after the game that his back issue might be related to the hip flexor tightness. “It was enough where in a game like that, I’m fine getting out of there,” Carroll said. “But in a closer game, I definitely would have stayed.” He said that he feels good and “could go play right now.” An All-Star in 2023 and 2025, Carroll was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2023. Arizona selected him in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #Corbin #Carroll #avoids #scare #early #exit

Deadspin | Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll (back) avoids scare after early exit
Deadspin | Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll (back) avoids scare after early exit Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (left) talks with a team trainer in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll exited Sunday’s game in Phoenix against the Toronto Blue Jays after four innings due to low back tightness. But manager Torey Lovullo had a positive update on Carroll’s status postgame, saying he expected the All-Star to be available for the D-backs’ next game Tuesday. Carroll, 25, appeared to grimace in pain while striking out in the third inning, and he used some time while playing right field in the fourth inning to stretch out his back. The Diamondbacks were trailing 10-1 when Carroll was removed. He was replaced in right field by Jorge Barrosa, who hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as Arizona went on to lose 10-4. “I went over to Corbin, and he was fine,” Lovullo said. “He felt like he was in a good spot. I just said, look, I’m going to start to layer in guys to get him off the field.” Asked directly if Carroll would be available Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, Lovullo answered, “He’s already in the lineup, yeah. He’s starting in right field on Tuesday.” Carroll went 0-for-2 with the strikeout, lowering his batting average to .300 with a .390 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage. He has three home runs, 16 RBIs, six doubles and a major league-leading three triples in 20 games. Carroll missed two games in early April against the New York Mets due to tightness in his left hip flexor. He said after the game that his back issue might be related to the hip flexor tightness. “It was enough where in a game like that, I’m fine getting out of there,” Carroll said. “But in a closer game, I definitely would have stayed.” He said that he feels good and “could go play right now.” An All-Star in 2023 and 2025, Carroll was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2023. Arizona selected him in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #Corbin #Carroll #avoids #scare #early #exitApr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (left) talks with a team trainer in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll exited Sunday’s game in Phoenix against the Toronto Blue Jays after four innings due to low back tightness.

But manager Torey Lovullo had a positive update on Carroll’s status postgame, saying he expected the All-Star to be available for the D-backs’ next game Tuesday.

Carroll, 25, appeared to grimace in pain while striking out in the third inning, and he used some time while playing right field in the fourth inning to stretch out his back.

The Diamondbacks were trailing 10-1 when Carroll was removed. He was replaced in right field by Jorge Barrosa, who hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as Arizona went on to lose 10-4.

“I went over to Corbin, and he was fine,” Lovullo said. “He felt like he was in a good spot. I just said, look, I’m going to start to layer in guys to get him off the field.”

Asked directly if Carroll would be available Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, Lovullo answered, “He’s already in the lineup, yeah. He’s starting in right field on Tuesday.”


Carroll went 0-for-2 with the strikeout, lowering his batting average to .300 with a .390 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage. He has three home runs, 16 RBIs, six doubles and a major league-leading three triples in 20 games.

Carroll missed two games in early April against the New York Mets due to tightness in his left hip flexor.

He said after the game that his back issue might be related to the hip flexor tightness.

“It was enough where in a game like that, I’m fine getting out of there,” Carroll said. “But in a closer game, I definitely would have stayed.”

He said that he feels good and “could go play right now.”

An All-Star in 2023 and 2025, Carroll was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2023. Arizona selected him in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Diamondbacks #Corbin #Carroll #avoids #scare #early #exit

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Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (left) talks with a team trainer in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll exited Sunday’s game in Phoenix against the Toronto Blue Jays after four innings due to low back tightness.

But manager Torey Lovullo had a positive update on Carroll’s status postgame, saying he expected the All-Star to be available for the D-backs’ next game Tuesday.

Carroll, 25, appeared to grimace in pain while striking out in the third inning, and he used some time while playing right field in the fourth inning to stretch out his back.

The Diamondbacks were trailing 10-1 when Carroll was removed. He was replaced in right field by Jorge Barrosa, who hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as Arizona went on to lose 10-4.

“I went over to Corbin, and he was fine,” Lovullo said. “He felt like he was in a good spot. I just said, look, I’m going to start to layer in guys to get him off the field.”

Asked directly if Carroll would be available Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox, Lovullo answered, “He’s already in the lineup, yeah. He’s starting in right field on Tuesday.”

Carroll went 0-for-2 with the strikeout, lowering his batting average to .300 with a .390 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage. He has three home runs, 16 RBIs, six doubles and a major league-leading three triples in 20 games.

Carroll missed two games in early April against the New York Mets due to tightness in his left hip flexor.

He said after the game that his back issue might be related to the hip flexor tightness.

“It was enough where in a game like that, I’m fine getting out of there,” Carroll said. “But in a closer game, I definitely would have stayed.”

He said that he feels good and “could go play right now.”

An All-Star in 2023 and 2025, Carroll was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2023. Arizona selected him in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Stars aren’t panicking after Wild’s hot start to playoff series <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763025.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28763025.jpg" alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) celebrates center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>After a blowout loss to open the playoffs, the Dallas Stars have chosen calm over crisis.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Another poor showing could change things in a hurry.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Dallas will look to even its best-of-seven series against visiting Minnesota at one victory apiece when the teams face off Monday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. The Wild grabbed a 1-0 series lead after cruising to a 6-1 win on Saturday.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Stars coach Glen Gulutzan rewatched the game before practice Sunday. He said the team’s breakdowns had more to do with execution than effort level.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“We have looked a little bit offensively at how we can create a little bit more, but we just didn’t execute in a lot of areas, starting right from breakouts to through the neutral zone,” Gulutzan said. “And when we did get out clean, we didn’t make the next play. …</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“We weren’t connected. We didn’t stack any good plays upon good plays on each other at all. That was the thing. We had some opportunity at times to do that, and we never executed. Every part of our game needs to be a little bit better on Monday.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Gulutzan quickly squashed any notion that he would make a goaltending change in Game 2. Starter Jake Oettinger allowed five goals on 28 shots in the series opener, but Gulutzan expressed full confidence in him and said there was no point in overreacting.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Again, Gulutzan said the film showed no reason to panic.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>“I didn’t see anything there (suggesting to replace Oettinger),” Gulutzan said. “I saw more of a team play thing that we can all be a little bit better from every guy. There are some nights any team in the league can look at their goalie and go, ‘Oh man, that was a goalie (loss).’ But (Game 1) wasn’t one of them. …</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>“We don’t want to mix and match too much. We lost Game 1, we’ve got to bounce back. Like I keep saying, there weren’t any guys at the top of their game (Saturday). I fully expect this group to be better (Monday).”</p> </section> <section id="section-11"> <p>Meanwhile, Minnesota knows it has a chance to seize a 2-0 lead on the road. Everything worked well for the Wild in Game 1, including a stellar performance from goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in his playoff debut.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Wallstedt said he enjoyed playing in the spotlight. Look for him to get the call again in Game 2 ahead of veteran teammate Filip Gustavsson, who started the majority of the team’s games in the regular season.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“This is the same game I’ve played since I was 6,” Wallstedt said. “There’s nothing different to it.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>It also helps a goaltender when his offense scores a half-dozen goals to support him.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek will aim to stay hot in Game 2 after scoring two goals apiece in the series opener. Kirill Kaprizov added a goal and two assists, and Mats Zuccarello picked up three assists.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>But Zuccarello offered a similar perspective as his opponents’ coach entering Monday.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Keep calm. Do not overreact to a single game.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>“Every game lives its own life,” Zuccarello said. “It’s always nice to get a win, start off positive, but just stay even-keel and try to focus on the next one.”</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Stars #arent #panicking #Wilds #hot #start #playoff #series

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Sanjay Manjrekar on MI’s struggles: Teams can go easy on Bumrah because they can easily target other bowlers <div id="content-body-70883891" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Mumbai Indians’ stuttering start to IPL 2026 has predictably drawn attention to Jasprit Bumrah. Four defeats in five games, bottom of the table, and a wicketless return alongside an economy rate of 8.63, his highest since 2016, paint a stark picture. But Sanjay Manjrekar offers an explanation that shifts the lens from output to context.</p><p>“Players like Jasprit Bumrah, who play across formats for India, have to switch on and switch off. If you look at Kagiso Rabada, when he plays a Test match for South Africa, or in big World Cup moments, there’s a clear difference compared to when he plays a random IPL game. You can see where he conserves energy and where he goes all out,” he said on <i>Sportstar’s Insight Edge</i> podcast.</p><div class="inline_embed article-block-item"><p>[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JRdBRAbIk[/embed]</p></div><p>Manjrekar’s reading is less about decline and more about design, both from Bumrah and the opposition. “My theory is this: team meetings probably revolve around one central message, don’t try to hit Bumrah and get out to him. That happens at the international level as well.”</p><p>It creates an unusual problem. “He’s one bowler in the IPL against whom the fewest big shots are attempted. So he doesn’t get that small advantage bowlers often rely on, wickets when batters are trying to slog. They simply don’t take that risk against him.”</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/jhjdpu/article70884148.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Thumb.png" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/jhjdpu/article70884148.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Thumb.png" alt="" class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/></div><p>There is also a visible shift in execution. “Add to that the fatigue factor. We’re not seeing Bumrah bowl those beautiful, hard seam deliveries as consistently. You saw it against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as well, when he was hit, his response was to go to the slower ball. That’s partly about conserving energy while still trying to take a wicket.”</p><p>The larger impact, though, is tactical. “And the advantage against Mumbai Indians is this: if you choose to go easy on Bumrah, there are enough other bowlers in that attack to target.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 20, 2026</p></div> #Sanjay #Manjrekar #MIs #struggles #Teams #easy #Bumrah #easily #target #bowlers

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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 #homePro 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

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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