Deadspin | Athletics finding reasons to celebrate while Mets looking for answers Apr 11, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) circles third base after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Athletics went viral with a new home run celebration Saturday as they locked up a winning road trip to New York. The mood is decidedly more downbeat for the New York Mets. The visiting Athletics will look to complete a three-game sweep of the reeling Mets Sunday afternoon when the teams close out an interleague series. Aaron Civale (1-0, 2.70 ERA) is slated to start for the Athletics against Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.80) in a battle of right-handers. Tyler Soderstrom hit two homers Saturday for the Athletics, who held off a late Mets rally to record an 11-6 victory. The win was the fourth consecutive for the Athletics, who have trailed at the end of an inning just once in their last 33 frames dating back to Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the New York Yankees. Bo Bichette’s RBI single in the first inning put the Mets ahead Saturday, but the Athletics went ahead for good in the second, when Denzel Clarke drew a bases-loaded walk and Lawrence Butler hit into a run-scoring fielder’s choice. The real fun for the Athletics began in the third, when Soderstrom hit a two-run homer — the club’s first round-tripper since April 5. Upon reaching the dugout, Butler presented Soderstrom with a gold elephant chain. Pitcher Luis Severino, who was on the Mets when they turned Grimace and Jose Iglesias’ song “OMG” into rallying cries during their run to the National League Championship Series in 2024, then placed a leather elephant mask atop Soderstrom’s head. The Athletics repeated the ritual twice more Saturday, when Carlos Cortes hit a three-run shot in the second and when Soderstrom went deep again for a three-run homer in the eighth. The necklace and mask will surely be in the visiting dugout Sunday when the Athletics attempt to conclude their most successful road trip in more than four years. The Athletics haven’t lost one game or fewer on a road trip of six games or longer since Sept. 14-19, 2021, when the then-Oakland Athletics went 5-1 against the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels. “We’re playing really good baseball against really good teams,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve got a chance to obviously sweep a series in New York, which says a lot about the team and the confidence that they have.” The Mets appeared to be bursting with confidence during a four-game winning streak from April 3-7 that was constructed almost entirely without slugging outfielder Juan Soto, who suffered a strained right calf in the first inning of a 10-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on April 3. Soto is expected to miss up to three weeks. But the Mets have scored just nine runs in four consecutive losses to the Arizona Diamondbacks — who won the final two games of a three-game series — and the Athletics. New York had only four extra-base hits in the first four games of the homestand before Saturday, when Bichette, Francisco Alvarez and Jorge Polanco all homered. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ longest-tenured position player, has yet to record an RBI this season but committed two mental mistakes against the Athletics. Lindor was caught off third base on teammate Jared Young’s grounder to first in the sixth inning of Friday’s 4-0 loss before he failed to cover second on Butler’s potential double-play grounder to second in the second inning Saturday. “We’re better than that and we’ve got to fix it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And we will.” Neither Peralta nor Civale factored into the decision in their previous starts last Tuesday. Peralta allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings in the Mets’ 4-3, 10-inning win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, while Civale gave up one run over five innings as the Athletics fell to the New York Yankees 5-3. Peralta is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Athletics. Civale is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Mets. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Athletics #finding #reasons #celebrate #Mets #answers

Deadspin | Athletics finding reasons to celebrate while Mets looking for answers
Apr 11, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) circles third base after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Athletics went viral with a new home run celebration Saturday as they locked up a winning road trip to New York.

The mood is decidedly more downbeat for the New York Mets.

The visiting Athletics will look to complete a three-game sweep of the reeling Mets Sunday afternoon when the teams close out an interleague series.

Aaron Civale (1-0, 2.70 ERA) is slated to start for the Athletics against Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.80) in a battle of right-handers.

Tyler Soderstrom hit two homers Saturday for the Athletics, who held off a late Mets rally to record an 11-6 victory.

The win was the fourth consecutive for the Athletics, who have trailed at the end of an inning just once in their last 33 frames dating back to Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the New York Yankees.

Bo Bichette’s RBI single in the first inning put the Mets ahead Saturday, but the Athletics went ahead for good in the second, when Denzel Clarke drew a bases-loaded walk and Lawrence Butler hit into a run-scoring fielder’s choice.

The real fun for the Athletics began in the third, when Soderstrom hit a two-run homer — the club’s first round-tripper since April 5.

Upon reaching the dugout, Butler presented Soderstrom with a gold elephant chain. Pitcher Luis Severino, who was on the Mets when they turned Grimace and Jose Iglesias’ song “OMG” into rallying cries during their run to the National League Championship Series in 2024, then placed a leather elephant mask atop Soderstrom’s head.

The Athletics repeated the ritual twice more Saturday, when Carlos Cortes hit a three-run shot in the second and when Soderstrom went deep again for a three-run homer in the eighth.

The necklace and mask will surely be in the visiting dugout Sunday when the Athletics attempt to conclude their most successful road trip in more than four years.

The Athletics haven’t lost one game or fewer on a road trip of six games or longer since Sept. 14-19, 2021, when the then-Oakland Athletics went 5-1 against the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels.

“We’re playing really good baseball against really good teams,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve got a chance to obviously sweep a series in New York, which says a lot about the team and the confidence that they have.”

The Mets appeared to be bursting with confidence during a four-game winning streak from April 3-7 that was constructed almost entirely without slugging outfielder Juan Soto, who suffered a strained right calf in the first inning of a 10-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on April 3. Soto is expected to miss up to three weeks.

But the Mets have scored just nine runs in four consecutive losses to the Arizona Diamondbacks — who won the final two games of a three-game series — and the Athletics.

New York had only four extra-base hits in the first four games of the homestand before Saturday, when Bichette, Francisco Alvarez and Jorge Polanco all homered.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ longest-tenured position player, has yet to record an RBI this season but committed two mental mistakes against the Athletics. Lindor was caught off third base on teammate Jared Young’s grounder to first in the sixth inning of Friday’s 4-0 loss before he failed to cover second on Butler’s potential double-play grounder to second in the second inning Saturday.

“We’re better than that and we’ve got to fix it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And we will.”

Neither Peralta nor Civale factored into the decision in their previous starts last Tuesday. Peralta allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings in the Mets’ 4-3, 10-inning win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, while Civale gave up one run over five innings as the Athletics fell to the New York Yankees 5-3.

Peralta is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Athletics. Civale is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Mets.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Athletics #finding #reasons #celebrate #Mets #answers

Sports news April 12, 2026

Apr 11, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Athletics left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) circles third base after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Athletics went viral with a new home run celebration Saturday as they locked up a winning road trip to New York.

The mood is decidedly more downbeat for the New York Mets.

The visiting Athletics will look to complete a three-game sweep of the reeling Mets Sunday afternoon when the teams close out an interleague series.

Aaron Civale (1-0, 2.70 ERA) is slated to start for the Athletics against Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.80) in a battle of right-handers.

Tyler Soderstrom hit two homers Saturday for the Athletics, who held off a late Mets rally to record an 11-6 victory.

The win was the fourth consecutive for the Athletics, who have trailed at the end of an inning just once in their last 33 frames dating back to Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the New York Yankees.

Bo Bichette’s RBI single in the first inning put the Mets ahead Saturday, but the Athletics went ahead for good in the second, when Denzel Clarke drew a bases-loaded walk and Lawrence Butler hit into a run-scoring fielder’s choice.

The real fun for the Athletics began in the third, when Soderstrom hit a two-run homer — the club’s first round-tripper since April 5.

Upon reaching the dugout, Butler presented Soderstrom with a gold elephant chain. Pitcher Luis Severino, who was on the Mets when they turned Grimace and Jose Iglesias’ song “OMG” into rallying cries during their run to the National League Championship Series in 2024, then placed a leather elephant mask atop Soderstrom’s head.

The Athletics repeated the ritual twice more Saturday, when Carlos Cortes hit a three-run shot in the second and when Soderstrom went deep again for a three-run homer in the eighth.

The necklace and mask will surely be in the visiting dugout Sunday when the Athletics attempt to conclude their most successful road trip in more than four years.

The Athletics haven’t lost one game or fewer on a road trip of six games or longer since Sept. 14-19, 2021, when the then-Oakland Athletics went 5-1 against the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels.

“We’re playing really good baseball against really good teams,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “We’ve got a chance to obviously sweep a series in New York, which says a lot about the team and the confidence that they have.”

The Mets appeared to be bursting with confidence during a four-game winning streak from April 3-7 that was constructed almost entirely without slugging outfielder Juan Soto, who suffered a strained right calf in the first inning of a 10-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on April 3. Soto is expected to miss up to three weeks.

But the Mets have scored just nine runs in four consecutive losses to the Arizona Diamondbacks — who won the final two games of a three-game series — and the Athletics.

New York had only four extra-base hits in the first four games of the homestand before Saturday, when Bichette, Francisco Alvarez and Jorge Polanco all homered.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ longest-tenured position player, has yet to record an RBI this season but committed two mental mistakes against the Athletics. Lindor was caught off third base on teammate Jared Young’s grounder to first in the sixth inning of Friday’s 4-0 loss before he failed to cover second on Butler’s potential double-play grounder to second in the second inning Saturday.

“We’re better than that and we’ve got to fix it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And we will.”

Neither Peralta nor Civale factored into the decision in their previous starts last Tuesday. Peralta allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings in the Mets’ 4-3, 10-inning win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, while Civale gave up one run over five innings as the Athletics fell to the New York Yankees 5-3.

Peralta is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Athletics. Civale is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Mets.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Athletics #finding #reasons #celebrate #Mets #answers

Hungarians vote in big numbers on whether to end Orbán rule and elect MagyarMost polls favour Péter Magyar, who fronts a grassroots party, and early figures point to a record turnout of voters.#Hungarians #vote #big #numbers #Orbán #rule #elect #Magyar

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">

mwasimuddin125 0

Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’

Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">

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

mwasimuddin125 0

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

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">