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Deadspin | After strong series vs. Cards, Cubs’ Alex Bregman takes aim at Yankees Jul 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals in the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images Alex Bregman hasn’t performed up to expectations in his first season with the Chicago Cubs, but the veteran third baseman is showing positive signs heading into the opener of a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees on Friday afternoon. Bregman is coming off a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals in which he went 10-for-18 with six doubles, a home run, seven runs scored and three RBIs. He helped the Cubs win three of four in the set while raising his batting average from .234 to .248 and his OPS from .682 to .722. Bregman still is a ways away from his career norms of .270 and .835, respectively, but Chicago manager Craig Counsell believes the 32-year-old veteran is heading in the right direction. “He had a very good offensive series, and that’s something to build on, for sure,” Counsell said. “And it’s confidence-building, and it’s good for us winning baseball games as you saw this week.” Bregman was an American League All-Star with the Houston Astros in 2018 and 2019 and then with the Boston Red Sox last season before signing a five-year, 5 million contract with the Cubs in January. While he was slow to start the season, the Cubs went 27-12 through May 8 before dropping back to .500 a month later. Chicago managed to climb back to 12 games above .500 by the All-Star break. A 4-2, 10-inning win against the Cardinals on Thursday gave the Cubs a 5-2 record on their road trip and lifted them back to 15 games over .500. “Everybody’s just playing consistent baseball,” Bregman said. “I think that’s huge for us. Our pitching staff did a great job (in the St. Louis) series and all road trip, and (we) took care of the ball on defense and had a lot of traffic out there for the guys.” The Yankees had a chance for a third win in their four-game road series against the Chicago White Sox, but they lost the finale 2-1 in 11 innings on Thursday afternoon to fall to 1-8 in extra innings this season. Right-hander Will Warren is scheduled to start the series opener on the mound for the Yankees. Warren (7-5, 4.41 ERA) surrendered six runs and six hits over three-plus innings in his most recent outing, an 11-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Warren is winless in his past nine appearances (eight starts), going 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA. “I’m tired of going out there and doing exactly what happened (against Philadelphia),” Warren said. “It’s pretty frustrating.” Warren was 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA after seven starts this season, but mistakes in vulnerable situations have taken their toll over the past three months. “I’m confident when I take the mound that I can get it done,” Warren said. “It’s a matter of executing. I have the stuff. It’s really about finding the groove. We’re going to get back to work and find it sooner rather than later.” Warren made his only start against the Cubs on July 13, 2025, allowing two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 4-1 defeat. Shota Imanaga (7-8, 3.72 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. The left-hander most recently fired six shutout innings in an 11-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. In his previous outing, he tossed seven scoreless frames while beating the Minnesota Twins. Imanaga also made his only appearance against the Yankees last July 13, earning the win after yielding one run and two hits over seven innings. He helped end Cody Bellinger’s career-best 17-game hitting streak. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #strong #series #Cards #Cubs #Alex #Bregman #takes #aim #Yankees

Deadspin | After strong series vs. Cards, Cubs’ Alex Bregman takes aim at Yankees
Deadspin | After strong series vs. Cards, Cubs’ Alex Bregman takes aim at Yankees Jul 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals in the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images Alex Bregman hasn’t performed up to expectations in his first season with the Chicago Cubs, but the veteran third baseman is showing positive signs heading into the opener of a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees on Friday afternoon. Bregman is coming off a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals in which he went 10-for-18 with six doubles, a home run, seven runs scored and three RBIs. He helped the Cubs win three of four in the set while raising his batting average from .234 to .248 and his OPS from .682 to .722. Bregman still is a ways away from his career norms of .270 and .835, respectively, but Chicago manager Craig Counsell believes the 32-year-old veteran is heading in the right direction. “He had a very good offensive series, and that’s something to build on, for sure,” Counsell said. “And it’s confidence-building, and it’s good for us winning baseball games as you saw this week.” Bregman was an American League All-Star with the Houston Astros in 2018 and 2019 and then with the Boston Red Sox last season before signing a five-year, 5 million contract with the Cubs in January. While he was slow to start the season, the Cubs went 27-12 through May 8 before dropping back to .500 a month later. Chicago managed to climb back to 12 games above .500 by the All-Star break. A 4-2, 10-inning win against the Cardinals on Thursday gave the Cubs a 5-2 record on their road trip and lifted them back to 15 games over .500. “Everybody’s just playing consistent baseball,” Bregman said. “I think that’s huge for us. Our pitching staff did a great job (in the St. Louis) series and all road trip, and (we) took care of the ball on defense and had a lot of traffic out there for the guys.” The Yankees had a chance for a third win in their four-game road series against the Chicago White Sox, but they lost the finale 2-1 in 11 innings on Thursday afternoon to fall to 1-8 in extra innings this season. Right-hander Will Warren is scheduled to start the series opener on the mound for the Yankees. Warren (7-5, 4.41 ERA) surrendered six runs and six hits over three-plus innings in his most recent outing, an 11-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Warren is winless in his past nine appearances (eight starts), going 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA. “I’m tired of going out there and doing exactly what happened (against Philadelphia),” Warren said. “It’s pretty frustrating.” Warren was 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA after seven starts this season, but mistakes in vulnerable situations have taken their toll over the past three months. “I’m confident when I take the mound that I can get it done,” Warren said. “It’s a matter of executing. I have the stuff. It’s really about finding the groove. We’re going to get back to work and find it sooner rather than later.” Warren made his only start against the Cubs on July 13, 2025, allowing two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 4-1 defeat. Shota Imanaga (7-8, 3.72 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. The left-hander most recently fired six shutout innings in an 11-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. In his previous outing, he tossed seven scoreless frames while beating the Minnesota Twins. Imanaga also made his only appearance against the Yankees last July 13, earning the win after yielding one run and two hits over seven innings. He helped end Cody Bellinger’s career-best 17-game hitting streak. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #strong #series #Cards #Cubs #Alex #Bregman #takes #aim #YankeesJul 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals in the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

Alex Bregman hasn’t performed up to expectations in his first season with the Chicago Cubs, but the veteran third baseman is showing positive signs heading into the opener of a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees on Friday afternoon.

Bregman is coming off a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals in which he went 10-for-18 with six doubles, a home run, seven runs scored and three RBIs.

He helped the Cubs win three of four in the set while raising his batting average from .234 to .248 and his OPS from .682 to .722.

Bregman still is a ways away from his career norms of .270 and .835, respectively, but Chicago manager Craig Counsell believes the 32-year-old veteran is heading in the right direction.

“He had a very good offensive series, and that’s something to build on, for sure,” Counsell said. “And it’s confidence-building, and it’s good for us winning baseball games as you saw this week.”

Bregman was an American League All-Star with the Houston Astros in 2018 and 2019 and then with the Boston Red Sox last season before signing a five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs in January.

While he was slow to start the season, the Cubs went 27-12 through May 8 before dropping back to .500 a month later.

Chicago managed to climb back to 12 games above .500 by the All-Star break. A 4-2, 10-inning win against the Cardinals on Thursday gave the Cubs a 5-2 record on their road trip and lifted them back to 15 games over .500.

“Everybody’s just playing consistent baseball,” Bregman said. “I think that’s huge for us. Our pitching staff did a great job (in the St. Louis) series and all road trip, and (we) took care of the ball on defense and had a lot of traffic out there for the guys.”

The Yankees had a chance for a third win in their four-game road series against the Chicago White Sox, but they lost the finale 2-1 in 11 innings on Thursday afternoon to fall to 1-8 in extra innings this season.


Right-hander Will Warren is scheduled to start the series opener on the mound for the Yankees.

Warren (7-5, 4.41 ERA) surrendered six runs and six hits over three-plus innings in his most recent outing, an 11-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Warren is winless in his past nine appearances (eight starts), going 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA.

“I’m tired of going out there and doing exactly what happened (against Philadelphia),” Warren said. “It’s pretty frustrating.”

Warren was 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA after seven starts this season, but mistakes in vulnerable situations have taken their toll over the past three months.

“I’m confident when I take the mound that I can get it done,” Warren said. “It’s a matter of executing. I have the stuff. It’s really about finding the groove. We’re going to get back to work and find it sooner rather than later.”

Warren made his only start against the Cubs on July 13, 2025, allowing two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 4-1 defeat.

Shota Imanaga (7-8, 3.72 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday.

The left-hander most recently fired six shutout innings in an 11-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. In his previous outing, he tossed seven scoreless frames while beating the Minnesota Twins.

Imanaga also made his only appearance against the Yankees last July 13, earning the win after yielding one run and two hits over seven innings. He helped end Cody Bellinger’s career-best 17-game hitting streak.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #strong #series #Cards #Cubs #Alex #Bregman #takes #aim #Yankees

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Jul 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals in the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

Alex Bregman hasn’t performed up to expectations in his first season with the Chicago Cubs, but the veteran third baseman is showing positive signs heading into the opener of a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees on Friday afternoon.

Bregman is coming off a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals in which he went 10-for-18 with six doubles, a home run, seven runs scored and three RBIs.

He helped the Cubs win three of four in the set while raising his batting average from .234 to .248 and his OPS from .682 to .722.

Bregman still is a ways away from his career norms of .270 and .835, respectively, but Chicago manager Craig Counsell believes the 32-year-old veteran is heading in the right direction.

“He had a very good offensive series, and that’s something to build on, for sure,” Counsell said. “And it’s confidence-building, and it’s good for us winning baseball games as you saw this week.”

Bregman was an American League All-Star with the Houston Astros in 2018 and 2019 and then with the Boston Red Sox last season before signing a five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs in January.

While he was slow to start the season, the Cubs went 27-12 through May 8 before dropping back to .500 a month later.

Chicago managed to climb back to 12 games above .500 by the All-Star break. A 4-2, 10-inning win against the Cardinals on Thursday gave the Cubs a 5-2 record on their road trip and lifted them back to 15 games over .500.

“Everybody’s just playing consistent baseball,” Bregman said. “I think that’s huge for us. Our pitching staff did a great job (in the St. Louis) series and all road trip, and (we) took care of the ball on defense and had a lot of traffic out there for the guys.”

The Yankees had a chance for a third win in their four-game road series against the Chicago White Sox, but they lost the finale 2-1 in 11 innings on Thursday afternoon to fall to 1-8 in extra innings this season.

Right-hander Will Warren is scheduled to start the series opener on the mound for the Yankees.

Warren (7-5, 4.41 ERA) surrendered six runs and six hits over three-plus innings in his most recent outing, an 11-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Warren is winless in his past nine appearances (eight starts), going 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA.

“I’m tired of going out there and doing exactly what happened (against Philadelphia),” Warren said. “It’s pretty frustrating.”

Warren was 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA after seven starts this season, but mistakes in vulnerable situations have taken their toll over the past three months.

“I’m confident when I take the mound that I can get it done,” Warren said. “It’s a matter of executing. I have the stuff. It’s really about finding the groove. We’re going to get back to work and find it sooner rather than later.”

Warren made his only start against the Cubs on July 13, 2025, allowing two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 4-1 defeat.

Shota Imanaga (7-8, 3.72 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday.

The left-hander most recently fired six shutout innings in an 11-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. In his previous outing, he tossed seven scoreless frames while beating the Minnesota Twins.

Imanaga also made his only appearance against the Yankees last July 13, earning the win after yielding one run and two hits over seven innings. He helped end Cody Bellinger’s career-best 17-game hitting streak.

–Field Level 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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