Deadspin | Astros’ Isaac Paredes hopes power surge continues vs. Guardians Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks on during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The start of Isaac Paredes’ second season with the Houston Astros has not gone according to plan. After he was an All-Star last season, Paredes entered play Monday hitting .190, slugging .254 and homerless after he had 20 long balls last season. He believes things are starting to trend back in the right direction after hitting his first two homers of the season on Monday in the Astros’ 9-2 win over the host Cleveland Guardians in the series opener. Paredes will pursue an encore when the teams meet again in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday. “A lot of happiness because of what I’ve been going through,” Paredes said on the postgame broadcast when asked about his feelings regarding the breakout game. “I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing.” Cleveland will turn to breakout rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA) as it looks to level the series on Tuesday. Houston will counter with rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75). Paredes’ confidence could stand to spread to the Astros as a whole. Their Monday win snapped a four-game skid and marked their first time plating at least nine runs since April 5 after doing so five times in the first 10 games of the season. Houston, which has lost 12 of 15 since a 6-3 start, is in the basement of the American League West. Messick will be making his first start since he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He ended up three outs away from delivering the franchise’s first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981. “He just keeps working,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Parker’s tenacious. He’s dedicated to his craft.” While it was the strongest outing of Messick’s young career, it was far from an anomaly for the 25-year-old left-hander. After winning a rotation spot during spring training, Messick ranks third in the majors with a 1.05 ERA after four starts this season. Through his first 11 major league starts dating back to last season, Messick has a 6-1 record and a 2.07 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 13 walks. “He’s got such good stuff, executes every pitch,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “He’s got (six) pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties. Hitting is hard already, but when you’ve got to cover that many pitches, that many speeds, that many shapes, executed, you’re going to get nights like (Thursday).” This will be Messick’s first career start against the Astros. He will be seeking better run support after the Guardians stranded 12 runners in their Monday loss. Weiss, who debuted in March, hasn’t found the same early success. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off his first major league start, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. The Astros are expecting to be without outfielder Taylor Trammell “for a little bit” after he sustained a left groin injury while running the bases in the Monday win, manager Joe Espada told reporters. It’s a tough setback for Trammell, who is hitting .345 in 10 games since he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on April 10. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Astros #Isaac #Paredes #hopes #power #surge #continues #Guardians

Deadspin | Astros’ Isaac Paredes hopes power surge continues vs. Guardians
Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks on during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The start of Isaac Paredes’ second season with the Houston Astros has not gone according to plan.

After he was an All-Star last season, Paredes entered play Monday hitting .190, slugging .254 and homerless after he had 20 long balls last season.

He believes things are starting to trend back in the right direction after hitting his first two homers of the season on Monday in the Astros’ 9-2 win over the host Cleveland Guardians in the series opener.

Paredes will pursue an encore when the teams meet again in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday.

“A lot of happiness because of what I’ve been going through,” Paredes said on the postgame broadcast when asked about his feelings regarding the breakout game. “I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing.”

Cleveland will turn to breakout rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA) as it looks to level the series on Tuesday. Houston will counter with rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75).

Paredes’ confidence could stand to spread to the Astros as a whole. Their Monday win snapped a four-game skid and marked their first time plating at least nine runs since April 5 after doing so five times in the first 10 games of the season.

Houston, which has lost 12 of 15 since a 6-3 start, is in the basement of the American League West.

Messick will be making his first start since he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He ended up three outs away from delivering the franchise’s first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.

“He just keeps working,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Parker’s tenacious. He’s dedicated to his craft.”

While it was the strongest outing of Messick’s young career, it was far from an anomaly for the 25-year-old left-hander. After winning a rotation spot during spring training, Messick ranks third in the majors with a 1.05 ERA after four starts this season.

Through his first 11 major league starts dating back to last season, Messick has a 6-1 record and a 2.07 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 13 walks.

“He’s got such good stuff, executes every pitch,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “He’s got (six) pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties. Hitting is hard already, but when you’ve got to cover that many pitches, that many speeds, that many shapes, executed, you’re going to get nights like (Thursday).”

This will be Messick’s first career start against the Astros. He will be seeking better run support after the Guardians stranded 12 runners in their Monday loss.

Weiss, who debuted in March, hasn’t found the same early success. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off his first major league start, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

The Astros are expecting to be without outfielder Taylor Trammell “for a little bit” after he sustained a left groin injury while running the bases in the Monday win, manager Joe Espada told reporters.

It’s a tough setback for Trammell, who is hitting .345 in 10 games since he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on April 10.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Astros #Isaac #Paredes #hopes #power #surge #continues #Guardians

Sports news April 21, 2026

Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) rounds the bases after hitting a home run as Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks on during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The start of Isaac Paredes’ second season with the Houston Astros has not gone according to plan.

After he was an All-Star last season, Paredes entered play Monday hitting .190, slugging .254 and homerless after he had 20 long balls last season.

He believes things are starting to trend back in the right direction after hitting his first two homers of the season on Monday in the Astros’ 9-2 win over the host Cleveland Guardians in the series opener.

Paredes will pursue an encore when the teams meet again in the middle contest of a three-game set on Tuesday.

“A lot of happiness because of what I’ve been going through,” Paredes said on the postgame broadcast when asked about his feelings regarding the breakout game. “I think these home runs give me a lot of confidence to keep on going, to keep on competing.”

Cleveland will turn to breakout rookie Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA) as it looks to level the series on Tuesday. Houston will counter with rookie Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75).

Paredes’ confidence could stand to spread to the Astros as a whole. Their Monday win snapped a four-game skid and marked their first time plating at least nine runs since April 5 after doing so five times in the first 10 games of the season.

Houston, which has lost 12 of 15 since a 6-3 start, is in the basement of the American League West.

Messick will be making his first start since he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He ended up three outs away from delivering the franchise’s first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981.

“He just keeps working,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Parker’s tenacious. He’s dedicated to his craft.”

While it was the strongest outing of Messick’s young career, it was far from an anomaly for the 25-year-old left-hander. After winning a rotation spot during spring training, Messick ranks third in the majors with a 1.05 ERA after four starts this season.

Through his first 11 major league starts dating back to last season, Messick has a 6-1 record and a 2.07 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 13 walks.

“He’s got such good stuff, executes every pitch,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “He’s got (six) pitches to work with and is throwing every one of them to righties and lefties. Hitting is hard already, but when you’ve got to cover that many pitches, that many speeds, that many shapes, executed, you’re going to get nights like (Thursday).”

This will be Messick’s first career start against the Astros. He will be seeking better run support after the Guardians stranded 12 runners in their Monday loss.

Weiss, who debuted in March, hasn’t found the same early success. The 29-year-old right-hander is coming off his first major league start, when he allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

The Astros are expecting to be without outfielder Taylor Trammell “for a little bit” after he sustained a left groin injury while running the bases in the Monday win, manager Joe Espada told reporters.

It’s a tough setback for Trammell, who is hitting .345 in 10 games since he was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on April 10.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Astros #Isaac #Paredes #hopes #power #surge #continues #Guardians

ICC T20I rankings: Shafali, Harmanpreet climb while Smriti, Jemimah slip amongst batters <div id="content-body-70888304" itemprop="articleBody">India opener Shafali Verma climbed two places to sixth in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.Shafali struck a 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I in Durban last Sunday, but India lost to the host by eight wickets, slipping to 0-2 in the series.India had also been defeated in the opening T20I at the same venue by six wickets, with Shafali contributing 34 runs.India vice-captain and Shafali’s opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, has slipped one spot to fourth after an underwhelming showing in the two matches so far, scoring 13 and 12. She has been overtaken at No. 3 by West Indies’ Hayley Matthews.India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two places and is now on the brink of the top 10, currently ranked 11th. She scored an unbeaten 47 in the first T20I.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/womens-cricket/india-vs-south-africa-women-2nd-t20i-today-result-laura-wolvaardt/article70881852.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wolvaardt, Luus fifties help South Africa script 8-wicket win over India</a>Women’s World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has suffered a notable drop of four places and is now ranked 14th among batters following a subdued run of form.The series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has retained her fifth position among T20I batters, sitting behind Australia’s Georgia Voll, following a fine half-century in the second match against India.Her teammates Annerie Dercksen, who has jumped 18 places to 33rd, and Sune Luus, up eight spots to 35th, have also made significant gains in the rankings after strong performances in the Durban match.Meanwhile, India’s bowling stalwarts Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Arundhati Reddy have all slipped in the bowlers’ rankings. Deepti has dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka has fallen four spots to ninth.Arundhati, meanwhile, has moved out of the top 10 after slipping three places to 12th.Published on Apr 21, 2026</div> #ICC #T20I #rankings #Shafali #Harmanpreet #climb #Smriti #Jemimah #slip #batters

#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">