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Apollo Tyres VC and MD Neeraj Kanwar on the ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ campaign: It’s about the struggle to become a famous cricketer Earlier this year, Apollo Tyres — the new lead sponsor for Indian cricket — signalled a clear shift in tone with its ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ campaign, moving away from light-hearted advertising to a more reflective, story-driven narrative. Anchored by Sachin Tendulkar and the journeys of India’s leading cricketers, the campaign draws a parallel between sporting perseverance and the company’s own evolution, striking a chord with audiences through its emphasis on resilience, family support, and long-term ambition. In this conversation, Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar unpacks the thinking behind the campaign, its timing, and how Apollo views its growing association with Indian sport.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_RJhCZNNT8[/embed]Could you walk us through the thought process behind the advertisement? Was releasing it close to the World Cup a strategic decision?Firstly, thank you. The idea was to release it before the World Cup, but as you can see, this is not a World Cup-specific ad. It’s something that will play out over the next two to three years. From my side, I can say that my wife actually wrote the entire story. She is the creative mind behind it.The ad is about the struggle one goes through to become one of the most famous cricketers. It captures resilience, commitment, passion, and also the struggles of parents.In that journey, you have to keep excelling. That’s where Apollo comes in. Apollo has had a similar journey. In 1976, the company was bankrupt, and today we are number one in India. That has come from resilience, excellence, continuous effort, discovering ourselves, and investing in technology to become leaders.Sachin [Tendulkar] comes in as the god of cricket, a mentor figure guiding these kids. In the same way, my father, the chairman, has been a mentor to our 20,000 employees. Even today, as mobility evolves, he continues to guide us. That’s the correlation between Sachin and the chairman.You mentioned Sachin. What also stood out was the choice of players — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill. Given that Virat and Rohit have retired from T20s and Gill isn’t part of the current World Cup setup, what was the thinking behind this selection?You said it yourself. They are currently the top players.Apollo is also a top company. So why would I go for second-best when I have access to the best?These players have strong journeys. A lot of research has gone into the casting. Virat’s younger version looks identical, but the same effort has gone into the others too, including parents and costumes.Their journeys are all different but equally difficult. Take Rohit, for instance. He grew up in a chawl in Mumbai, and his journey from there to here is significant.Is there a possibility of doing something similar with the women’s team, given their recent success?We are looking into it. I’m very excited because, since Apollo tied up on the jersey, we’ve already had two World Cups — one with the women’s team and one at the Under-19 level.We have now added a T20 title as well. So yes, the women’s team is very much on my mind. Right now, we are just on the jersey, but discussions are ongoing internally.Cricket guarantees visibility in India. But as a brand, how do you ensure that this translates into actual value and not just visibility?We have done this with ROI in mind. ₹580 crore is not a small investment. Since tying up on the jersey in September, we have seen sales increase, better distribution, new dealers, and higher throughput at dealer counters.This is especially visible in car tyres, scooter tyres, and tractor tyres. The biggest advantage is rural reach. Cricket allows us to reach all of India instantly. People in villages are watching on phones and TVs. That awareness is driving growth in rural markets.Apollo has also invested in football, both in India and Europe. Given the uncertainty around Indian football, do you still see it as a viable space?Football is growing in India. India needs to become a sporting nation. Investment should go into multiple sports, not just cricket. The government needs to replicate cricket’s success across other sports.We are seeing progress. With increased focus, India is winning more medals at the Asian Games and Olympics. A strong public-private partnership can help identify and nurture talent.Football is becoming popular, especially with global influences like Lionel Messi. European clubs are also looking at India for academies and talent. There is recognition that India has potential.Have your European partnerships offered insights into how similar models could work in India?The key issue in India is infrastructure. In cricket, we have built world-class stadiums. Ahmedabad, for example, is phenomenal. Compared to Old Trafford, it stands out.So we have the capability. The question is why we are not doing this across all sports. We were dominant in hockey once but have slipped.If we invest in infrastructure and training across sports, India can succeed. We have proven ourselves in business, technology, and science. The issue is focus.Right now, 90 per cent of attention goes to cricket. If leadership sets a clear target, like 100 Olympic medals, I’m confident it can happen.Infrastructure and funding would follow. Without direction, efforts get fragmented.This also discourages private investment. For example, we partnered with Mahesh Bhupathi to produce a Grand Slam singles champion.But due to interference from governing bodies, we had to withdraw. If such issues are resolved, any sport can grow. Also, cricket is overcrowded. Talent needs to move into other sports.Which sports vertical does Apollo see itself investing in over the next five years?We were not in cricket earlier. My vision was to enter only when we became a brand leader. I didn’t want smaller branding opportunities.When the right opportunity came, we committed — and this is a long-term commitment.When I spoke to the BCCI, I made it clear this is not a short-term deal. I believe in long-term partnerships. We’ve been with Manchester United for 12 years.Even during their downturn, we stayed committed. Similarly, we will continue investing in cricket in India. India accounts for 65 per cent of our business. Cricket is also growing globally, so focusing on it will help build the brand.With cricket set to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, will popularity drive future investment decisions? And would you consider other sports?Yes, popularity will be a key factor. For Apollo, cricket will remain the focus. However, with our Vredestein brand in Europe, we invest in football, skiing, and marathons. In India, we are involved in golf as well.Published on Apr 08, 2026 #Apollo #Tyres #Neeraj #Kanwar #Har #Safar #Mein #Dum #Hai #campaign #struggle #famous #cricketer

Apollo Tyres VC and MD Neeraj Kanwar on the ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ campaign: It’s about the struggle to become a famous cricketer

Earlier this year, Apollo Tyres — the new lead sponsor for Indian cricket — signalled a clear shift in tone with its ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ campaign, moving away from light-hearted advertising to a more reflective, story-driven narrative. Anchored by Sachin Tendulkar and the journeys of India’s leading cricketers, the campaign draws a parallel between sporting perseverance and the company’s own evolution, striking a chord with audiences through its emphasis on resilience, family support, and long-term ambition. In this conversation, Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar unpacks the thinking behind the campaign, its timing, and how Apollo views its growing association with Indian sport.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_RJhCZNNT8[/embed]

Could you walk us through the thought process behind the advertisement? Was releasing it close to the World Cup a strategic decision?

Firstly, thank you. The idea was to release it before the World Cup, but as you can see, this is not a World Cup-specific ad. It’s something that will play out over the next two to three years. From my side, I can say that my wife actually wrote the entire story. She is the creative mind behind it.

The ad is about the struggle one goes through to become one of the most famous cricketers. It captures resilience, commitment, passion, and also the struggles of parents.

In that journey, you have to keep excelling. That’s where Apollo comes in. Apollo has had a similar journey. In 1976, the company was bankrupt, and today we are number one in India. That has come from resilience, excellence, continuous effort, discovering ourselves, and investing in technology to become leaders.

Sachin [Tendulkar] comes in as the god of cricket, a mentor figure guiding these kids. In the same way, my father, the chairman, has been a mentor to our 20,000 employees. Even today, as mobility evolves, he continues to guide us. That’s the correlation between Sachin and the chairman.

You mentioned Sachin. What also stood out was the choice of players — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill. Given that Virat and Rohit have retired from T20s and Gill isn’t part of the current World Cup setup, what was the thinking behind this selection?

You said it yourself. They are currently the top players.

Apollo is also a top company. So why would I go for second-best when I have access to the best?

These players have strong journeys. A lot of research has gone into the casting. Virat’s younger version looks identical, but the same effort has gone into the others too, including parents and costumes.

Their journeys are all different but equally difficult. Take Rohit, for instance. He grew up in a chawl in Mumbai, and his journey from there to here is significant.

Is there a possibility of doing something similar with the women’s team, given their recent success?

We are looking into it. I’m very excited because, since Apollo tied up on the jersey, we’ve already had two World Cups — one with the women’s team and one at the Under-19 level.

We have now added a T20 title as well. So yes, the women’s team is very much on my mind. Right now, we are just on the jersey, but discussions are ongoing internally.

Cricket guarantees visibility in India. But as a brand, how do you ensure that this translates into actual value and not just visibility?

We have done this with ROI in mind. ₹580 crore is not a small investment. Since tying up on the jersey in September, we have seen sales increase, better distribution, new dealers, and higher throughput at dealer counters.

This is especially visible in car tyres, scooter tyres, and tractor tyres. The biggest advantage is rural reach. Cricket allows us to reach all of India instantly. People in villages are watching on phones and TVs. That awareness is driving growth in rural markets.

Apollo has also invested in football, both in India and Europe. Given the uncertainty around Indian football, do you still see it as a viable space?

Football is growing in India. India needs to become a sporting nation. Investment should go into multiple sports, not just cricket. The government needs to replicate cricket’s success across other sports.

We are seeing progress. With increased focus, India is winning more medals at the Asian Games and Olympics. A strong public-private partnership can help identify and nurture talent.

Football is becoming popular, especially with global influences like Lionel Messi. European clubs are also looking at India for academies and talent. There is recognition that India has potential.

Have your European partnerships offered insights into how similar models could work in India?

The key issue in India is infrastructure. In cricket, we have built world-class stadiums. Ahmedabad, for example, is phenomenal. Compared to Old Trafford, it stands out.

So we have the capability. The question is why we are not doing this across all sports. We were dominant in hockey once but have slipped.

If we invest in infrastructure and training across sports, India can succeed. We have proven ourselves in business, technology, and science. The issue is focus.

Right now, 90 per cent of attention goes to cricket. If leadership sets a clear target, like 100 Olympic medals, I’m confident it can happen.

Infrastructure and funding would follow. Without direction, efforts get fragmented.

This also discourages private investment. For example, we partnered with Mahesh Bhupathi to produce a Grand Slam singles champion.

But due to interference from governing bodies, we had to withdraw. If such issues are resolved, any sport can grow. Also, cricket is overcrowded. Talent needs to move into other sports.

Which sports vertical does Apollo see itself investing in over the next five years?

We were not in cricket earlier. My vision was to enter only when we became a brand leader. I didn’t want smaller branding opportunities.

When the right opportunity came, we committed — and this is a long-term commitment.

When I spoke to the BCCI, I made it clear this is not a short-term deal. I believe in long-term partnerships. We’ve been with Manchester United for 12 years.

Even during their downturn, we stayed committed. Similarly, we will continue investing in cricket in India. India accounts for 65 per cent of our business. Cricket is also growing globally, so focusing on it will help build the brand.

With cricket set to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, will popularity drive future investment decisions? And would you consider other sports?

Yes, popularity will be a key factor. For Apollo, cricket will remain the focus. However, with our Vredestein brand in Europe, we invest in football, skiing, and marathons. In India, we are involved in golf as well.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Apollo #Tyres #Neeraj #Kanwar #Har #Safar #Mein #Dum #Hai #campaign #struggle #famous #cricketer

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Earlier this year, Apollo Tyres — the new lead sponsor for Indian cricket — signalled a clear shift in tone with its ‘Har Safar Mein Dum Hai’ campaign, moving away from light-hearted advertising to a more reflective, story-driven narrative. Anchored by Sachin Tendulkar and the journeys of India’s leading cricketers, the campaign draws a parallel between sporting perseverance and the company’s own evolution, striking a chord with audiences through its emphasis on resilience, family support, and long-term ambition. In this conversation, Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar unpacks the thinking behind the campaign, its timing, and how Apollo views its growing association with Indian sport.

Could you walk us through the thought process behind the advertisement? Was releasing it close to the World Cup a strategic decision?

Firstly, thank you. The idea was to release it before the World Cup, but as you can see, this is not a World Cup-specific ad. It’s something that will play out over the next two to three years. From my side, I can say that my wife actually wrote the entire story. She is the creative mind behind it.

The ad is about the struggle one goes through to become one of the most famous cricketers. It captures resilience, commitment, passion, and also the struggles of parents.

In that journey, you have to keep excelling. That’s where Apollo comes in. Apollo has had a similar journey. In 1976, the company was bankrupt, and today we are number one in India. That has come from resilience, excellence, continuous effort, discovering ourselves, and investing in technology to become leaders.

Sachin [Tendulkar] comes in as the god of cricket, a mentor figure guiding these kids. In the same way, my father, the chairman, has been a mentor to our 20,000 employees. Even today, as mobility evolves, he continues to guide us. That’s the correlation between Sachin and the chairman.

You mentioned Sachin. What also stood out was the choice of players — Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill. Given that Virat and Rohit have retired from T20s and Gill isn’t part of the current World Cup setup, what was the thinking behind this selection?

You said it yourself. They are currently the top players.

Apollo is also a top company. So why would I go for second-best when I have access to the best?

These players have strong journeys. A lot of research has gone into the casting. Virat’s younger version looks identical, but the same effort has gone into the others too, including parents and costumes.

Their journeys are all different but equally difficult. Take Rohit, for instance. He grew up in a chawl in Mumbai, and his journey from there to here is significant.

Is there a possibility of doing something similar with the women’s team, given their recent success?

We are looking into it. I’m very excited because, since Apollo tied up on the jersey, we’ve already had two World Cups — one with the women’s team and one at the Under-19 level.

We have now added a T20 title as well. So yes, the women’s team is very much on my mind. Right now, we are just on the jersey, but discussions are ongoing internally.

Cricket guarantees visibility in India. But as a brand, how do you ensure that this translates into actual value and not just visibility?

We have done this with ROI in mind. ₹580 crore is not a small investment. Since tying up on the jersey in September, we have seen sales increase, better distribution, new dealers, and higher throughput at dealer counters.

This is especially visible in car tyres, scooter tyres, and tractor tyres. The biggest advantage is rural reach. Cricket allows us to reach all of India instantly. People in villages are watching on phones and TVs. That awareness is driving growth in rural markets.

Apollo has also invested in football, both in India and Europe. Given the uncertainty around Indian football, do you still see it as a viable space?

Football is growing in India. India needs to become a sporting nation. Investment should go into multiple sports, not just cricket. The government needs to replicate cricket’s success across other sports.

We are seeing progress. With increased focus, India is winning more medals at the Asian Games and Olympics. A strong public-private partnership can help identify and nurture talent.

Football is becoming popular, especially with global influences like Lionel Messi. European clubs are also looking at India for academies and talent. There is recognition that India has potential.

Have your European partnerships offered insights into how similar models could work in India?

The key issue in India is infrastructure. In cricket, we have built world-class stadiums. Ahmedabad, for example, is phenomenal. Compared to Old Trafford, it stands out.

So we have the capability. The question is why we are not doing this across all sports. We were dominant in hockey once but have slipped.

If we invest in infrastructure and training across sports, India can succeed. We have proven ourselves in business, technology, and science. The issue is focus.

Right now, 90 per cent of attention goes to cricket. If leadership sets a clear target, like 100 Olympic medals, I’m confident it can happen.

Infrastructure and funding would follow. Without direction, efforts get fragmented.

This also discourages private investment. For example, we partnered with Mahesh Bhupathi to produce a Grand Slam singles champion.

But due to interference from governing bodies, we had to withdraw. If such issues are resolved, any sport can grow. Also, cricket is overcrowded. Talent needs to move into other sports.

Which sports vertical does Apollo see itself investing in over the next five years?

We were not in cricket earlier. My vision was to enter only when we became a brand leader. I didn’t want smaller branding opportunities.

When the right opportunity came, we committed — and this is a long-term commitment.

When I spoke to the BCCI, I made it clear this is not a short-term deal. I believe in long-term partnerships. We’ve been with Manchester United for 12 years.

Even during their downturn, we stayed committed. Similarly, we will continue investing in cricket in India. India accounts for 65 per cent of our business. Cricket is also growing globally, so focusing on it will help build the brand.

With cricket set to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, will popularity drive future investment decisions? And would you consider other sports?

Yes, popularity will be a key factor. For Apollo, cricket will remain the focus. However, with our Vredestein brand in Europe, we invest in football, skiing, and marathons. In India, we are involved in golf as well.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

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#Apollo #Tyres #Neeraj #Kanwar #Har #Safar #Mein #Dum #Hai #campaign #struggle #famous #cricketer

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Deadspin | Canadiens pull off comeback, shootout victory over Panthers <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-900/28679465.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28679465.jpg" alt="NHL: Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 7, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom (42) gets a penalty for holding a Florida Panthers player during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Cole Caufield and Alexandre Texier scored in the shootout to complete the host Montreal Canadiens’ 4-3 comeback win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Ivan Demidov, Phillip Danault and Nick Suzuki scored for the Canadiens (46-22-10, 102 points) in regulation. Montreal has won nine of its last 10. Juraj Slafkovsky had two assists and Jakub Dobes stopped 30 shots.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Carter Verhaeghe, Cole Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen got the goals for the Panthers (37-37-4, 78 points), who have lost six of eight. Danill Tarasov made 29 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Suzuki tied the game 3-3 with 21 seconds left in regulation. He put the puck into an empty net after taking a pass from defenseman Lane Hutson from behind the net.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Danault tied it 2-2, 6:22 into the third period with a snap shot from the slot. It came with a penalty being called against Florida and the Canadiens playing 6-on-5 on the ice with Dobes pulled.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>But Luostarinen restored the lead just 1:27 later when he tipped in defenseman Gustav Forsling’s shot.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Reinhart gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead with 6:17 left in the second period. He won a foot race for the puck from the neutral zone to create a short semi-breakaway for himself and, from almost along the goal line, poked the puck just inside the left goal post.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Demidov’s power-play goal 54 seconds into the middle period had tied the game 1-1 for the Canadiens. It came on a one-time slap shot from the top of the right circle off a pass from Caufield. Florida defenseman Tobias Bjornfot slashed Demidov and had been penalized for it 22 seconds earlier.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Verhaeghe opened the scoring 9:23 into the first period when the rebound of a shot by defenseman Donovan Sebrango caromed out to Verhaeghe in the left circle. He then drilled it past Dobes for Verhaeghe’s 25th goal and his third in the last four games.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Montreal’s Kirby Dach and Texier returned from injuries. Dach missed 11 games with an upper-body injury and Texier seven games with a lower-body injury.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Canadiens #pull #comeback #shootout #victory #Panthers

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There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.

This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.

These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.

Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.

But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.

Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.

In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026 There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistanceThen came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.Published on Jul 08, 2026 #Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup

Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

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Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.

The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.

ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistance

Then came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.

In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

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Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.

That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.

They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.

Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.

And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup">In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026 There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistanceThen came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.Published on Jul 08, 2026 #Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup

Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistance

Then came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.

In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

lightbox-info

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.

That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.

They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.

Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.

And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup">In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026

There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.

This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.

These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.

Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.

But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.

Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.

In Messi’s defiance, a generation watches its heroes grow old – FIFA World Cup 2026 There is a particular kind of grief in sport that has little to do with defeat. It arrives not when a team loses, but when time finally catches up with the players who once seemed beyond its reach.This FIFA World Cup has felt full of those moments. Luka Modric leaving with Croatia gone. Cristiano Ronaldo, who for so long bent matches to his will, walking away from another one. Manuel Neuer, for years football’s last great illusionist in goal, no longer carrying the same aura of permanence.These were not just elite footballers; they were part of the architecture of the sport, figures so omnipresent for so long that they came to feel less like athletes and more like fixed points in our own lives.Every major tournament had them somewhere in the frame. Modric gliding through the midfield with that strange combination of delicacy and defiance, Ronaldo summoning goals and drama with the force of habit, Neuer redrawing what a sweeper-goalkeeper could be. Their brilliance stretched across so many summers that it began to feel normal, and that was perhaps the greatest trick of all. Greatness, repeated often enough, starts to masquerade as permanence.But sport, with its occasional cruelty, has a way of reminding us that permanence was never part of the bargain. This World Cup has exposed the mortality of men who once seemed immune to it. The legs do not always obey. The recovery takes a little longer. The moments still come, but not always on command. The body, eventually, begins to negotiate with the mind. And so, one by one, the stars who seemed to live outside time have begun to look what they always were underneath the myth: mere mortals.Perhaps that is why Lionel Messi’s presence in this tournament feels so affecting. He is still here, still resisting and still playing as if he has found a private loophole in the laws of ageing. Around him, Argentina carries the urgency of men who know exactly what this moment means.Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistanceThen came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.Published on Jul 08, 2026 #Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup

Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

lightbox-info

Against time: Lionel Messi remains the old giant still holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and stubborn shrug of genius. | Photo Credit: AFP

There is something faintly familiar in the way his teammates seem to be fighting not only for a trophy but for the dignity of a farewell, for the chance to make sure that when their great man finally walks away, he does so with his head held high. It recalls, in its own way, those late-career years of Sachin Tendulkar, when Indian cricket seemed to understand that every innings, every tour, every knock might be one of the last chances to honour a figure who had towered over its imagination for a generation.

The runs still mattered, but so did the ceremony of care around him, the collective desire to protect the ending of someone who had given so much. Maybe that is why these exits land differently as we get older. When we were younger, sporting heroes felt eternal. Tendulkar seemed as though he had always existed and somehow always would.

ALSO READ: Europe holds firm grip over World Cup destiny with Messi’s Argentina offering resistance

Then came Roger Federer, making tennis look too graceful to be real; Rafael Nadal, with his fury, faith and wounded endurance; Novak Djokovic, the last great disruptor who has also now reached the stage where each tournament is shadowed by the thought of how many more are left.

In cricket, Virat Kohli has moved from prodigy to elder statesman, playing just one format. And now football’s old gods, too, are being claimed by time. Their ageing has a way of confronting us with our own. You notice the greying beard in the mirror. The stiffness in your back after a long flight. The niggling pain in the knee after a walk up to the stadium media centre.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time.

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

lightbox-info

Passing seasons: Virat Kohli, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who once felt eternal, now stand as reminders that even the brightest eras must eventually yield to time. | Photo Credit: AFP, GETTY IMAGES, AP

You tell yourself these are manageable, that life is carrying on, that the body can be bargained with. But then you watch Modric labour where once he floated, or Ronaldo rage against the limits of legs that no longer answer every call, and that illusion breaks a little. If they can fade, then what chance do the rest of us have? These men were supposed to outlast ordinary rules. We were the mortals.

That, perhaps, is why sport’s greatest stars matter beyond medals and numbers. They do not simply entertain us; they become markers of our own passage through life. We remember where we were when Tendulkar made that hundred, when Federer glided through another Wimbledon fortnight, when Nadal clawed through another five-set war, when Ronaldo leapt above defenders as though gravity could be compromised, when Messi finally won a World Cup.

They become companions to our years. Their careers are the thread that stitches together school and work, first love and heartbreak, new cities and old friendships, parents growing older and children growing up. And so, when they begin to disappear, it is never only their ending we are mourning. It is the passing of our own seasons too.

Maybe that is the ache running through this World Cup. Beneath the tactics and scorelines, beneath the noise of a new generation arriving, there is the unmistakable sense of an era loosening its grip. The old giants are not all gone yet. Messi remains, still defiant, holding back the inevitable with that familiar left foot and that stubborn little shrug of genius. But even his survival sharpens the feeling rather than easing it. It reminds us that the ending is near.

And perhaps that is enough for now. One last run. One last attempt to hold the darkness off a little longer. One last tournament in which the old gods can still be glimpsed in the light, even if the light is beginning to fade.

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Messis #defiance #generation #watches #heroes #grow #FIFA #World #Cup
Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin strives to stay in top form vs. Astros Jun 27, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin ranks among the National League leaders in several pitching categories, including wins, ERA and batting average against. He is not, however, an NL All-Star. Griffin (9-2, 2.87 ERA) will have one more chance to make a case as a potential late replacement when the Nationals conclude their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old Griffin has been Washington’s ace during the team’s climb into wild-card contention. He is 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA over his past six starts, with Washington going 5-1 in those games and 14-4 in his 18 starts overall. And opponents are batting only .210 against him this season. Last time out, Griffin allowed a run on four hits in five innings of a 9-5 win Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 100-degree weather at Nationals Park. He threw 83 pitches after reaching at least 100 in each of his past four starts. “That was a lot of sweat, trying to stay hydrated, trying to keep my hands dry to grip the ball,” Griffin said. “All the elements, the other team has to do the same thing, so have to grind through.” He has yet to face the Astros in his career. Houston will counter with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 3.81 ERA) on Wednesday. Arrighetti dropped his third straight start on June 26, allowing eight runs on five hits and five walks in three innings in an 8-0 loss to Detroit. He turned it around last Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up one run on two hits over six innings in a no-decision as Houston lost 3-1. “I just thought he was way more aggressive in the zone,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He was not running away from contact. … There was better tempo, better command.” Arrighetti, 26, will make his first career appearance against Washington. The Astros evened the three-game series with a 6-3 win on Tuesday. Jose Altuve went deep for the second straight game, providing Houston’s only extra-base hit to go with five singles. The Astros benefited greatly from seven walks and Christian Walker getting hit by pitches on two occasions. “I don’t know if it was pitching scared,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said when asked about the walks. “That’s what it felt like. … If we’re gonna go down, we gotta go down attacking. I’ve said that from the beginning of the year. I was just surprised to see that.” Houston’s Nick Allen produced his first three-RBI game of the season and stole a base, and Christian Vazquez drove in two runs after going 14 games without an RBI. Josh Hader struck out Dylan Crews with the bases loaded for the final out. For Washington, James Wood hit his MLB-leading eighth leadoff home run of the season. He is just one shy of tying Alfonso Soriano for the Nationals’ single-season record. Jose Tena hit his second pinch-hit home run of the season in the ninth and is batting .400 (8-for-20) as a pinch hitter in 2026. Luis Garcia Jr. has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .425 with four doubles, six homers, nine runs and 16 RBIs during that span. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #strives #stay #top #form #AstrosJun 27, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images

Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin ranks among the National League leaders in several pitching categories, including wins, ERA and batting average against.

He is not, however, an NL All-Star.

Griffin (9-2, 2.87 ERA) will have one more chance to make a case as a potential late replacement when the Nationals conclude their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Wednesday night.

The 30-year-old Griffin has been Washington’s ace during the team’s climb into wild-card contention. He is 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA over his past six starts, with Washington going 5-1 in those games and 14-4 in his 18 starts overall. And opponents are batting only .210 against him this season.

Last time out, Griffin allowed a run on four hits in five innings of a 9-5 win Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 100-degree weather at Nationals Park. He threw 83 pitches after reaching at least 100 in each of his past four starts.

“That was a lot of sweat, trying to stay hydrated, trying to keep my hands dry to grip the ball,” Griffin said. “All the elements, the other team has to do the same thing, so have to grind through.”

He has yet to face the Astros in his career.

Houston will counter with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 3.81 ERA) on Wednesday.

Arrighetti dropped his third straight start on June 26, allowing eight runs on five hits and five walks in three innings in an 8-0 loss to Detroit. He turned it around last Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up one run on two hits over six innings in a no-decision as Houston lost 3-1.


“I just thought he was way more aggressive in the zone,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He was not running away from contact. … There was better tempo, better command.”

Arrighetti, 26, will make his first career appearance against Washington.

The Astros evened the three-game series with a 6-3 win on Tuesday. Jose Altuve went deep for the second straight game, providing Houston’s only extra-base hit to go with five singles. The Astros benefited greatly from seven walks and Christian Walker getting hit by pitches on two occasions.

“I don’t know if it was pitching scared,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said when asked about the walks. “That’s what it felt like. … If we’re gonna go down, we gotta go down attacking. I’ve said that from the beginning of the year. I was just surprised to see that.”

Houston’s Nick Allen produced his first three-RBI game of the season and stole a base, and Christian Vazquez drove in two runs after going 14 games without an RBI.

Josh Hader struck out Dylan Crews with the bases loaded for the final out.

For Washington, James Wood hit his MLB-leading eighth leadoff home run of the season. He is just one shy of tying Alfonso Soriano for the Nationals’ single-season record.

Jose Tena hit his second pinch-hit home run of the season in the ninth and is batting .400 (8-for-20) as a pinch hitter in 2026.

Luis Garcia Jr. has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .425 with four doubles, six homers, nine runs and 16 RBIs during that span.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #strives #stay #top #form #Astros">Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin strives to stay in top form vs. Astros Jun 27, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin ranks among the National League leaders in several pitching categories, including wins, ERA and batting average against. He is not, however, an NL All-Star. Griffin (9-2, 2.87 ERA) will have one more chance to make a case as a potential late replacement when the Nationals conclude their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old Griffin has been Washington’s ace during the team’s climb into wild-card contention. He is 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA over his past six starts, with Washington going 5-1 in those games and 14-4 in his 18 starts overall. And opponents are batting only .210 against him this season. Last time out, Griffin allowed a run on four hits in five innings of a 9-5 win Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 100-degree weather at Nationals Park. He threw 83 pitches after reaching at least 100 in each of his past four starts. “That was a lot of sweat, trying to stay hydrated, trying to keep my hands dry to grip the ball,” Griffin said. “All the elements, the other team has to do the same thing, so have to grind through.” He has yet to face the Astros in his career. Houston will counter with right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 3.81 ERA) on Wednesday. Arrighetti dropped his third straight start on June 26, allowing eight runs on five hits and five walks in three innings in an 8-0 loss to Detroit. He turned it around last Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up one run on two hits over six innings in a no-decision as Houston lost 3-1. “I just thought he was way more aggressive in the zone,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He was not running away from contact. … There was better tempo, better command.” Arrighetti, 26, will make his first career appearance against Washington. The Astros evened the three-game series with a 6-3 win on Tuesday. Jose Altuve went deep for the second straight game, providing Houston’s only extra-base hit to go with five singles. The Astros benefited greatly from seven walks and Christian Walker getting hit by pitches on two occasions. “I don’t know if it was pitching scared,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said when asked about the walks. “That’s what it felt like. … If we’re gonna go down, we gotta go down attacking. I’ve said that from the beginning of the year. I was just surprised to see that.” Houston’s Nick Allen produced his first three-RBI game of the season and stole a base, and Christian Vazquez drove in two runs after going 14 games without an RBI. Josh Hader struck out Dylan Crews with the bases loaded for the final out. For Washington, James Wood hit his MLB-leading eighth leadoff home run of the season. He is just one shy of tying Alfonso Soriano for the Nationals’ single-season record. Jose Tena hit his second pinch-hit home run of the season in the ninth and is batting .400 (8-for-20) as a pinch hitter in 2026. Luis Garcia Jr. has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .425 with four doubles, six homers, nine runs and 16 RBIs during that span. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #strives #stay #top #form #Astros

This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.

To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week">Nelly Korda can accomplish the Career Grand Slam this week This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images) Getty ImagesThe LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.It is going to be quite the week. #Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week">Nelly Korda can accomplish the Career Grand Slam this week

This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.

To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week

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