Deadspin | Behind Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates chase series win vs. Cubs Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates will search for a rare series victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon when the teams play the second contest of a three-game set. Pittsburgh went 3-10 against the Cubs in 2025, dropping all four series against its National League Central rival. Through two weeks this season, though, this looks like a much different Pirates squad. Despite being hitless through six innings, Pittsburgh earned a 2-0 win in the series opener on Friday thanks to Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer in the seventh. After the midseason hire of manager Don Kelly helped galvanize last year’s team, the momentum has carried into 2026. “We’ve talked about it a lot, just taking it one game and one series at a time,” Kelly said Friday. “We’re just looking to get after it tomorrow again. Any win you can get in Chicago against the Cubs at Wrigley is a special one.” Pittsburgh’s Saturday starter, Braxton Ashcraft (1-1, 2.25 ERA), is coming off consecutive stellar starts to open his second season in the majors. After allowing two runs in six innings in a 2-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on March 30, the 26-year-old right-hander surrendered just one run with eight strikeouts across six frames in an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. “As a starting pitcher, you’re trying to go six, seven innings every time you go out there,” Ashcraft said. “Being able to get the ball on the ground or get weak contact is the most important piece of that. Strikeouts come when they come, but if you’re searching for strikeouts, that’s when the pitch county can get up there a little bit.” Ashcraft faced the Cubs three times (two starts) in his rookie season, going 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA. The Cubs were blanked for the second time this season on Friday, going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position while leaving 11 men on base. The top of the list of struggling Chicago batters is Dansby Swanson, who went 0-for-3 in the series opener to drop to .140 this season. “We’ve got a couple guys that are not feeling it right now at the plate,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s the nature of offense today, and it gets a little magnified at the start of the season. Dansby is going to be streaky, and we’re going to need production there. He’ll get going.” Offseason addition Edward Cabrera (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will get another opportunity to impress his new club on Saturday. Cabrera, who was traded by the Miami Marlins in January, has thrown 11 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances with Chicago. Last time out, the right-hander allowed just one hit in 5 2/3 frames, earning a no-decision in his team’s 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. In five years with Miami, Cabrera rarely made a start in a stadium with as much energy as Wrigley Field. The Marlins had losing seasons in all but one year that Cabrera played for them. Now as a key piece of a club with high expectations, he is enjoying the new-found responsibility. “The emotions definitely are different,” Cabrera said of comparing Miami and Chicago. “Let’s be real: There is a big difference between the fan bases and the number of fans we had in Miami. I try not to focus too much on that, but there definitely are different emotions.” In two career starts against Pittsburgh, Cabrera is 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braxton #Ashcraft #Pirates #chase #series #win #Cubs

Deadspin | Behind Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates chase series win vs. Cubs
Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates will search for a rare series victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon when the teams play the second contest of a three-game set.

Pittsburgh went 3-10 against the Cubs in 2025, dropping all four series against its National League Central rival. Through two weeks this season, though, this looks like a much different Pirates squad.

Despite being hitless through six innings, Pittsburgh earned a 2-0 win in the series opener on Friday thanks to Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer in the seventh. After the midseason hire of manager Don Kelly helped galvanize last year’s team, the momentum has carried into 2026.

“We’ve talked about it a lot, just taking it one game and one series at a time,” Kelly said Friday. “We’re just looking to get after it tomorrow again. Any win you can get in Chicago against the Cubs at Wrigley is a special one.”

Pittsburgh’s Saturday starter, Braxton Ashcraft (1-1, 2.25 ERA), is coming off consecutive stellar starts to open his second season in the majors. After allowing two runs in six innings in a 2-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on March 30, the 26-year-old right-hander surrendered just one run with eight strikeouts across six frames in an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

“As a starting pitcher, you’re trying to go six, seven innings every time you go out there,” Ashcraft said. “Being able to get the ball on the ground or get weak contact is the most important piece of that. Strikeouts come when they come, but if you’re searching for strikeouts, that’s when the pitch county can get up there a little bit.”

Ashcraft faced the Cubs three times (two starts) in his rookie season, going 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA.

The Cubs were blanked for the second time this season on Friday, going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position while leaving 11 men on base.

The top of the list of struggling Chicago batters is Dansby Swanson, who went 0-for-3 in the series opener to drop to .140 this season.

“We’ve got a couple guys that are not feeling it right now at the plate,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s the nature of offense today, and it gets a little magnified at the start of the season. Dansby is going to be streaky, and we’re going to need production there. He’ll get going.”

Offseason addition Edward Cabrera (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will get another opportunity to impress his new club on Saturday.

Cabrera, who was traded by the Miami Marlins in January, has thrown 11 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances with Chicago. Last time out, the right-hander allowed just one hit in 5 2/3 frames, earning a no-decision in his team’s 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

In five years with Miami, Cabrera rarely made a start in a stadium with as much energy as Wrigley Field. The Marlins had losing seasons in all but one year that Cabrera played for them. Now as a key piece of a club with high expectations, he is enjoying the new-found responsibility.

“The emotions definitely are different,” Cabrera said of comparing Miami and Chicago. “Let’s be real: There is a big difference between the fan bases and the number of fans we had in Miami. I try not to focus too much on that, but there definitely are different emotions.”

In two career starts against Pittsburgh, Cabrera is 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Braxton #Ashcraft #Pirates #chase #series #win #Cubs

Sports news April 11, 2026

Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates will search for a rare series victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon when the teams play the second contest of a three-game set.

Pittsburgh went 3-10 against the Cubs in 2025, dropping all four series against its National League Central rival. Through two weeks this season, though, this looks like a much different Pirates squad.

Despite being hitless through six innings, Pittsburgh earned a 2-0 win in the series opener on Friday thanks to Bryan Reynolds’ two-run homer in the seventh. After the midseason hire of manager Don Kelly helped galvanize last year’s team, the momentum has carried into 2026.

“We’ve talked about it a lot, just taking it one game and one series at a time,” Kelly said Friday. “We’re just looking to get after it tomorrow again. Any win you can get in Chicago against the Cubs at Wrigley is a special one.”

Pittsburgh’s Saturday starter, Braxton Ashcraft (1-1, 2.25 ERA), is coming off consecutive stellar starts to open his second season in the majors. After allowing two runs in six innings in a 2-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on March 30, the 26-year-old right-hander surrendered just one run with eight strikeouts across six frames in an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

“As a starting pitcher, you’re trying to go six, seven innings every time you go out there,” Ashcraft said. “Being able to get the ball on the ground or get weak contact is the most important piece of that. Strikeouts come when they come, but if you’re searching for strikeouts, that’s when the pitch county can get up there a little bit.”

Ashcraft faced the Cubs three times (two starts) in his rookie season, going 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA.

The Cubs were blanked for the second time this season on Friday, going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position while leaving 11 men on base.

The top of the list of struggling Chicago batters is Dansby Swanson, who went 0-for-3 in the series opener to drop to .140 this season.

“We’ve got a couple guys that are not feeling it right now at the plate,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s the nature of offense today, and it gets a little magnified at the start of the season. Dansby is going to be streaky, and we’re going to need production there. He’ll get going.”

Offseason addition Edward Cabrera (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will get another opportunity to impress his new club on Saturday.

Cabrera, who was traded by the Miami Marlins in January, has thrown 11 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances with Chicago. Last time out, the right-hander allowed just one hit in 5 2/3 frames, earning a no-decision in his team’s 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

In five years with Miami, Cabrera rarely made a start in a stadium with as much energy as Wrigley Field. The Marlins had losing seasons in all but one year that Cabrera played for them. Now as a key piece of a club with high expectations, he is enjoying the new-found responsibility.

“The emotions definitely are different,” Cabrera said of comparing Miami and Chicago. “Let’s be real: There is a big difference between the fan bases and the number of fans we had in Miami. I try not to focus too much on that, but there definitely are different emotions.”

In two career starts against Pittsburgh, Cabrera is 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Braxton #Ashcraft #Pirates #chase #series #win #Cubs

India out of Billie Jean King Cup World Playoffs race despite beating Korea <div id="content-body-70850905" itemprop="articleBody"><p>A spirited show by Ankita Raina, an inspired win for Vaishnavi Adkar and a dominant display by the doubles duo of Ankita and Rutuja Bhosale helped India finish its Billie Jean Cup Asia/Oceania Group I campaign with a 2-1 victory against Korea on Saturday.</p><p>However, it wasn’t enough as it was eliminated from the World Cup playoffs race.</p><p>India had to win 3-0 and hope for a similar result for Indonesia against Thailand in order to finish in the top two. The 2-1 verdict meant India, with three wins and two losses, remained in Group I and Korea finished fourth and was relegated to Group II along with Mongolia. Thailand defeated table-topper Indonesia 2-1 and took the top spot by virtue of its win.</p><div class="verticle article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/4ccute/article70852074.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/33_TENNIS_TOURNAMENT_11_04_DELHI.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/4ccute/article70852074.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/33_TENNIS_TOURNAMENT_11_04_DELHI.jpg" alt="The 383rd-ranked Vaishnavi overcame Sohyun, ranked 276th, in an intense two-hour 17-minute battle marked by frequent breaks of serve, long rallies and a medical timeout by the Indian." title="The 383rd-ranked Vaishnavi overcame Sohyun, ranked 276th, in an intense two-hour 17-minute battle marked by frequent breaks of serve, long rallies and a medical timeout by the Indian." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> The 383rd-ranked Vaishnavi overcame Sohyun, ranked 276th, in an intense two-hour 17-minute battle marked by frequent breaks of serve, long rallies and a medical timeout by the Indian. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> The 383rd-ranked Vaishnavi overcame Sohyun, ranked 276th, in an intense two-hour 17-minute battle marked by frequent breaks of serve, long rallies and a medical timeout by the Indian. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR </p></div><p>The 33-year-old Ankita, the team’s most experienced member, squandered opportunities to go down 1-6, 5-7 to Dayeon Back. Vaishnavi shocked the higher-ranked Sohyun Park 7-6(2), 7-6(5) to pull things level before Ankita and Rutuja sealed it with a 6-2, 6-2 win in 74 minutes.</p><p>After winning just one game in the first set, Ankita battled hard in the second. The drop shots that helped her stay in the contest also proved her undoing as Dayeon read them and smashed cross-court winners. Serving for the set at 5-3, Ankita lost the plot as her opponent reeled off the next four games.</p><p>The 383rd-ranked Vaishnavi overcame Sohyun, ranked 276th, in an intense two-hour 17-minute battle marked by frequent breaks of serve, long rallies and a medical timeout by the Indian.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> The results: </h5><p> India bt Korea 2-1 [Ankita Raina lost to Dayeon Back 1-6, 5-7; Vaishnavi Adkar bt Sohyun Park 7-6(2), 7-6(5); Rutuja Bhosale & Ankita Raina bt Dayeon Back & Eunhye Lee 6-2, 6-2]. </p><p> New Zealand bt Mongolia 3-0 [Aishi Das bt Khongorzul Aldarkhishig 6-0, 6-1; Monique Barry bt Jargal Altansarnai 6-1, 6-2; Erin Routliffe & Aishi Das bt Jargal Altansarnai & Anu-Vijn Gantor 6-1, 6-2]. </p><p> Thailand bt Indonesia 2-1 [Priska Madelyn Nugroho lost to Thasaporn Naklo 3-2, retd.; Janice Tjen bt Anchisa Chanta 6-2, 6-4; Anchisa Chanta & Patcharin Cheapchandej bt Anjali Kirana Junarto & Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah 6-2, 6-4]. </p></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 11, 2026</p></div> #India #Billie #Jean #King #Cup #World #Playoffs #race #beating #Korea

#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">