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Deadspin | After erupting for 12 runs, Reds hope bats stay hot against Mets Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) follows through on a grand slam in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Monday, June 15, 2026. The Cincinnati Reds broke out of their offensive slumber Monday night in a 12-0 rout of the visiting New York Mets. The hosts will look to continue that momentum Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game set. The Reds, who scored just seven runs in their three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks last weekend, put up nine runs in the first two innings vs. New York, their biggest output over the first two innings all season. Cincinnati’s final tally matched the team’s second-highest run output of the season. It was only the third time all year that the Reds put up a double-figure run total. Eugenio Suarez was at the center of the explosion, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and his ninth career grand slam in the second. “He’s done it before,” Reds manager Terry Francona said of Suarez’s two career 49-homer seasons, one of them last year. “When you’ve done it before, (you might wonder), ‘Do I have it, do I not have it?’ He’s done it, and normally when it warms up, the good hitters do, too.” The banged-up Mets rotation is looking for a boost from the return of Kodai Senga (0-4, 9.00 ERA) on Tuesday. The right-hander will come off the 15-day injured list for the start, having recovered from lumbar spine inflammation and a minor case of ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching arm. Senga last pitched for New York on April 26. He went 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four rehab appearances for three Mets minor league affiliates. Most recently, he pitched well for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday, throwing 75 pitches and striking out five over six innings of one-hit, one-run ball. “He’s ready to go,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s telling us that he feels 100%. He was on board with, ‘Hey, if you guys want me to go in the minor leagues and pitch again, I’ll do it. But I’m ready to compete at the big-league level.’ So for him to be very vocal about it, it’s a really good sign.” Senga had his best season with the Mets as a rookie in 2023, when he went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and made the National League All-Star team. New York’s already injury-plagued rotation took another hit Monday when scheduled starter Christian Scott was placed on the injured list with a right hip injury, though the team is hopeful it will be a brief stay on the shelf. Scott has pitched effectively this season, compiling a 2-0 record and a 3.10 ERA in nine starts. Tobias Myers took over as the Mets’ Monday starter and was shelled for seven runs on four hits while retiring just four batters. On Tuesday, the Reds will start Brady Singer (2-6, 5.61 ERA). The right-hander has experienced a rocky second season in the NL and is riding a personal five-decision losing skid after opening the season 2-1. However, Singer showed signs of stability in his latest outing, working six strong innings while giving up just two runs in a no-decision against the host San Diego Padres on Wednesday. “Brady has been battling through some mechanical adjustments, but we know the talent is there,” Francona said. “He threw the ball extremely well in his last outing, and we need him to build on that momentum.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #erupting #runs #Reds #hope #bats #stay #hot #Mets

Deadspin | After erupting for 12 runs, Reds hope bats stay hot against Mets
Deadspin | After erupting for 12 runs, Reds hope bats stay hot against Mets Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) follows through on a grand slam in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Monday, June 15, 2026. The Cincinnati Reds broke out of their offensive slumber Monday night in a 12-0 rout of the visiting New York Mets. The hosts will look to continue that momentum Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game set. The Reds, who scored just seven runs in their three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks last weekend, put up nine runs in the first two innings vs. New York, their biggest output over the first two innings all season. Cincinnati’s final tally matched the team’s second-highest run output of the season. It was only the third time all year that the Reds put up a double-figure run total. Eugenio Suarez was at the center of the explosion, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and his ninth career grand slam in the second. “He’s done it before,” Reds manager Terry Francona said of Suarez’s two career 49-homer seasons, one of them last year. “When you’ve done it before, (you might wonder), ‘Do I have it, do I not have it?’ He’s done it, and normally when it warms up, the good hitters do, too.” The banged-up Mets rotation is looking for a boost from the return of Kodai Senga (0-4, 9.00 ERA) on Tuesday. The right-hander will come off the 15-day injured list for the start, having recovered from lumbar spine inflammation and a minor case of ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching arm. Senga last pitched for New York on April 26. He went 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four rehab appearances for three Mets minor league affiliates. Most recently, he pitched well for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday, throwing 75 pitches and striking out five over six innings of one-hit, one-run ball. “He’s ready to go,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s telling us that he feels 100%. He was on board with, ‘Hey, if you guys want me to go in the minor leagues and pitch again, I’ll do it. But I’m ready to compete at the big-league level.’ So for him to be very vocal about it, it’s a really good sign.” Senga had his best season with the Mets as a rookie in 2023, when he went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and made the National League All-Star team. New York’s already injury-plagued rotation took another hit Monday when scheduled starter Christian Scott was placed on the injured list with a right hip injury, though the team is hopeful it will be a brief stay on the shelf. Scott has pitched effectively this season, compiling a 2-0 record and a 3.10 ERA in nine starts. Tobias Myers took over as the Mets’ Monday starter and was shelled for seven runs on four hits while retiring just four batters. On Tuesday, the Reds will start Brady Singer (2-6, 5.61 ERA). The right-hander has experienced a rocky second season in the NL and is riding a personal five-decision losing skid after opening the season 2-1. However, Singer showed signs of stability in his latest outing, working six strong innings while giving up just two runs in a no-decision against the host San Diego Padres on Wednesday. “Brady has been battling through some mechanical adjustments, but we know the talent is there,” Francona said. “He threw the ball extremely well in his last outing, and we need him to build on that momentum.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #erupting #runs #Reds #hope #bats #stay #hot #MetsCincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) follows through on a grand slam in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The Cincinnati Reds broke out of their offensive slumber Monday night in a 12-0 rout of the visiting New York Mets. The hosts will look to continue that momentum Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game set.

The Reds, who scored just seven runs in their three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks last weekend, put up nine runs in the first two innings vs. New York, their biggest output over the first two innings all season. Cincinnati’s final tally matched the team’s second-highest run output of the season. It was only the third time all year that the Reds put up a double-figure run total.

Eugenio Suarez was at the center of the explosion, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and his ninth career grand slam in the second.

“He’s done it before,” Reds manager Terry Francona said of Suarez’s two career 49-homer seasons, one of them last year. “When you’ve done it before, (you might wonder), ‘Do I have it, do I not have it?’ He’s done it, and normally when it warms up, the good hitters do, too.”

The banged-up Mets rotation is looking for a boost from the return of Kodai Senga (0-4, 9.00 ERA) on Tuesday. The right-hander will come off the 15-day injured list for the start, having recovered from lumbar spine inflammation and a minor case of ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching arm.

Senga last pitched for New York on April 26. He went 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four rehab appearances for three Mets minor league affiliates. Most recently, he pitched well for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday, throwing 75 pitches and striking out five over six innings of one-hit, one-run ball.


“He’s ready to go,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s telling us that he feels 100%. He was on board with, ‘Hey, if you guys want me to go in the minor leagues and pitch again, I’ll do it. But I’m ready to compete at the big-league level.’ So for him to be very vocal about it, it’s a really good sign.”

Senga had his best season with the Mets as a rookie in 2023, when he went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and made the National League All-Star team.

New York’s already injury-plagued rotation took another hit Monday when scheduled starter Christian Scott was placed on the injured list with a right hip injury, though the team is hopeful it will be a brief stay on the shelf. Scott has pitched effectively this season, compiling a 2-0 record and a 3.10 ERA in nine starts.

Tobias Myers took over as the Mets’ Monday starter and was shelled for seven runs on four hits while retiring just four batters.

On Tuesday, the Reds will start Brady Singer (2-6, 5.61 ERA). The right-hander has experienced a rocky second season in the NL and is riding a personal five-decision losing skid after opening the season 2-1.

However, Singer showed signs of stability in his latest outing, working six strong innings while giving up just two runs in a no-decision against the host San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

“Brady has been battling through some mechanical adjustments, but we know the talent is there,” Francona said. “He threw the ball extremely well in his last outing, and we need him to build on that momentum.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #erupting #runs #Reds #hope #bats #stay #hot #Mets

Sports news

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) follows through on a grand slam in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The Cincinnati Reds broke out of their offensive slumber Monday night in a 12-0 rout of the visiting New York Mets. The hosts will look to continue that momentum Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game set.

The Reds, who scored just seven runs in their three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks last weekend, put up nine runs in the first two innings vs. New York, their biggest output over the first two innings all season. Cincinnati’s final tally matched the team’s second-highest run output of the season. It was only the third time all year that the Reds put up a double-figure run total.

Eugenio Suarez was at the center of the explosion, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and his ninth career grand slam in the second.

“He’s done it before,” Reds manager Terry Francona said of Suarez’s two career 49-homer seasons, one of them last year. “When you’ve done it before, (you might wonder), ‘Do I have it, do I not have it?’ He’s done it, and normally when it warms up, the good hitters do, too.”

The banged-up Mets rotation is looking for a boost from the return of Kodai Senga (0-4, 9.00 ERA) on Tuesday. The right-hander will come off the 15-day injured list for the start, having recovered from lumbar spine inflammation and a minor case of ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching arm.

Senga last pitched for New York on April 26. He went 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four rehab appearances for three Mets minor league affiliates. Most recently, he pitched well for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday, throwing 75 pitches and striking out five over six innings of one-hit, one-run ball.

“He’s ready to go,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s telling us that he feels 100%. He was on board with, ‘Hey, if you guys want me to go in the minor leagues and pitch again, I’ll do it. But I’m ready to compete at the big-league level.’ So for him to be very vocal about it, it’s a really good sign.”

Senga had his best season with the Mets as a rookie in 2023, when he went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and made the National League All-Star team.

New York’s already injury-plagued rotation took another hit Monday when scheduled starter Christian Scott was placed on the injured list with a right hip injury, though the team is hopeful it will be a brief stay on the shelf. Scott has pitched effectively this season, compiling a 2-0 record and a 3.10 ERA in nine starts.

Tobias Myers took over as the Mets’ Monday starter and was shelled for seven runs on four hits while retiring just four batters.

On Tuesday, the Reds will start Brady Singer (2-6, 5.61 ERA). The right-hander has experienced a rocky second season in the NL and is riding a personal five-decision losing skid after opening the season 2-1.

However, Singer showed signs of stability in his latest outing, working six strong innings while giving up just two runs in a no-decision against the host San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

“Brady has been battling through some mechanical adjustments, but we know the talent is there,” Francona said. “He threw the ball extremely well in his last outing, and we need him to build on that momentum.”

–Field Level Media

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TikTok Shoppers Thought They Were Bidding on iPhones. Instead, They Won Teddy Bears<div><p><span class="lead-in-text-callout">A TikTok livestream</span> host waves an <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-apple-is-making-your-older-iphone-run-faster-and-stay-alive-longer/" class="text link">iPhone</a> box in front of the camera as around 250 viewers place their bids.</p><p class="paywall">“This could be yours, chat,” the host says. “Wake it up.” The host’s face is hidden from view, with just their hands visible in front of stacks of iPhone, iPad, and MacBook boxes. The <a href="https://www.wired.com/tag/tiktok/" class="text link">TikTok</a> auction starts at $1. As the timer counts down, the price quickly shoots up, with a bid of over $100 scoring the win. After the bidding closes, a digital prize wheel appears and spins through multiple possible products before landing on what the high bidder just won: a teddy bear.</p><p class="paywall">The winner was pissed. “I just paid $147 for a stuffed animal,” they wrote in the stream’s chatlog. “When I was bidding, you said that I could win that iPhone, and it gave me a BB3 Zodiac,” they said, referring to the <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/labubu-pop-mart-journey/" class="text link">Labubu-style</a> plushie that retails for about $20. “That’s a scam. Please return my money.”</p><p class="paywall">This person was not alone in their frustration. Multiple viewers of the stream were outraged when they placed high bids hoping to score Apple devices, only to learn their reward was the chance to spin a digital prize wheel that landed on something cheap. “Man, hell no. This is false advertising. Why would I pay $55 for a damn charger?” wrote another angry bidder. “Calling my bank now.” The demand for refunds was a common refrain.</p><p class="paywall">This is all part of TikTok’s feature, called a “Surprise Set,” where auction hosts create buckets of up to 500 products and whoever bids the most walks away with a random pick from the available prizes. These streams often include a few big ticket items, like iPhones and iPads, to lure viewers in. The rest of the items are less desirable, like charging cords and pencil cases. This feature was added late last year to the platform and remains an invitation-only feature for sellers on TikTok.</p><p class="paywall">Many of the streaming set-ups for these TikTok “Surprise Sets” look very similar: a pile of expensive products is shown on screen, with different hosts rallying a couple hundred concurrent viewers to bid higher and higher amounts. If a viewer taps on a small button in the lower left corner of the screen, they can see the live probability of winning each item as well as the full list of what items are still available.</p><p class="paywall">The popularity of “Surprise Sets” on TikTok are emblematic of how gambling-like interactions currently dominate the experience of going online, where <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/prediction-markets-find-a-welcome-on-wall-street/" class="text link">prediction markets</a> and <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/sports-betting-2026-winter-olympics/" class="text link">sports betting</a> reign. People can even wager on the outcome of <a data-offer-url="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/kalshi-polymarket-spoilers-reality-studios-1236756590/" class="external-link text link" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/kalshi-polymarket-spoilers-reality-studios-1236756590/"}" href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/kalshi-polymarket-spoilers-reality-studios-1236756590/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">reality TV</a> shows.</p><p class="paywall">WIRED reached out to TikTok for comment on Wednesday of last week to share examples of frustrated viewers who felt scammed. One day later on Thursday, TikTok rolled out a change to its <a data-offer-url="https://seller-us.tiktok.com/university/essay?knowledge_id=6110392477746958#surprise-sets" class="external-link text link" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://seller-us.tiktok.com/university/essay?knowledge_id=6110392477746958#surprise-sets"}" href="https://seller-us.tiktok.com/university/essay?knowledge_id=6110392477746958#surprise-sets" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">livestream policies</a> and what hosts are allowed to do for “Surprise Sets.” (It’s a policy update that TikTok claims was already in the works.) Hosts are no longer allowed to include iPhones, iPads, televisions, diamonds, gift cards, or precious metals as part of the prizes available for viewers to win during surprise auctions. Following this rule change, hosts seem to be following the new guidelines, with no iPhones appearing in livestream “Surprise Sets” seen by WIRED.</p><p class="paywall">“TikTok Shop requires all sellers, including those running Surprise Sets, to accurately present what is being offered. We will take enforcement action on violations of our policies, including removing products and suspending accounts,” TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe said in a statement to WIRED. If a buyer feels like they were misled, they can reach out to TikTok’s customer support to review the purchase.</p></div><script async src="//www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>#TikTok #Shoppers #Thought #Bidding #iPhones #Won #Teddy #Bearstiktok,gambling,livestreaming,social media

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Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #homePro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.


When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it. #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

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

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