Deadspin | Cardinals take on Red Sox, chase fourth straight victory Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Kyle Leahy will take the mound as the St. Louis Cardinals go for their second straight series win when they host the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. After Dustin May allowed just one earned run over six innings in St. Louis’ series-opening, 3-2 win on Friday, Leahy will look to follow earning his first win as a full-time member of the Cardinals’ rotation last Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched five innings, giving up two runs with four strikeouts in a 5-3 victory. Across his first three seasons as a Cardinal, the 28-year-old right-hander made 97 of his 98 career appearances as a reliever. He pitched in a career-high 62 games in 2025. “He has enough pitches, but more importantly he has the aptitude and demeanor to learn from his outings and use the feedback given to him to incorporate it in the next time out,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of Leahy moving into a regular starting role. Friday’s win was the season-high third in a row for St. Louis, which is off to a solid 8-5 start after finishing fourth in the National League Central last season. It was another big game for outfielder Jordan Walker, whose 2-for-4 line with a run extended his hitting streak to six games. The 23-year-old had homered in his previous three games and four of five before Friday. Three relievers followed May with scoreless innings, including Riley O’Brien, who tossed a 1-2-3 ninth on just eight pitches. “It’s so fun. This group of guys is incredible, man,” St. Louis’ Thomas Saggese said. “It helps that we’re all a similar age and just go out there, have fun and play free.” Saggese had a hit and an RBI after coming in for Masyn Winn, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning and left with what the Cardinals called a lower leg contusion following the game. On the flip side, Boston’s sluggish start continued Friday with its fourth game of registering five or fewer hits. Wilyer Abreu (2-for-4) led the Red Sox again, posting his seventh multi-hit effort in the first 13 games. Trevor Story’s steal of home was another highlight of the night, which also included a 1-for-6 showing with runners in scoring position. “We had our chances, but we’ve got to be better offensively,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. First baseman Willson Contreras had a tough night in his return to St. Louis, where he was a .261 hitter with 55 home runs across the last three seasons before being traded to Boston last December. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. “I think I did my best here for them, for the team and for the fans,” Contreras said, reflecting on his time with the Cardinals. “I played, like somebody said, my (butt) off. Every day that I came here, I gave 100 percent. I did my best for them.” In the same way that May did on Friday, Ranger Suarez (0-1, 8.64 ERA) will look to better his first two outings with the Red Sox when he takes the mound in the Gateway City. The southpaw is coming off a Sunday no-decision in an 8-6 loss to the San Diego Padres in which he gave up four runs over four innings. Suarez is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two career starts against St. Louis. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cardinals #Red #Sox #chase #fourth #straight #victory

Deadspin | Cardinals take on Red Sox, chase fourth straight victory
Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Kyle Leahy will take the mound as the St. Louis Cardinals go for their second straight series win when they host the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

After Dustin May allowed just one earned run over six innings in St. Louis’ series-opening, 3-2 win on Friday, Leahy will look to follow earning his first win as a full-time member of the Cardinals’ rotation last Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.

He pitched five innings, giving up two runs with four strikeouts in a 5-3 victory.

Across his first three seasons as a Cardinal, the 28-year-old right-hander made 97 of his 98 career appearances as a reliever. He pitched in a career-high 62 games in 2025.

“He has enough pitches, but more importantly he has the aptitude and demeanor to learn from his outings and use the feedback given to him to incorporate it in the next time out,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of Leahy moving into a regular starting role.

Friday’s win was the season-high third in a row for St. Louis, which is off to a solid 8-5 start after finishing fourth in the National League Central last season.

It was another big game for outfielder Jordan Walker, whose 2-for-4 line with a run extended his hitting streak to six games. The 23-year-old had homered in his previous three games and four of five before Friday.

Three relievers followed May with scoreless innings, including Riley O’Brien, who tossed a 1-2-3 ninth on just eight pitches.

“It’s so fun. This group of guys is incredible, man,” St. Louis’ Thomas Saggese said. “It helps that we’re all a similar age and just go out there, have fun and play free.”

Saggese had a hit and an RBI after coming in for Masyn Winn, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning and left with what the Cardinals called a lower leg contusion following the game.

On the flip side, Boston’s sluggish start continued Friday with its fourth game of registering five or fewer hits.

Wilyer Abreu (2-for-4) led the Red Sox again, posting his seventh multi-hit effort in the first 13 games. Trevor Story’s steal of home was another highlight of the night, which also included a 1-for-6 showing with runners in scoring position.

“We had our chances, but we’ve got to be better offensively,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

First baseman Willson Contreras had a tough night in his return to St. Louis, where he was a .261 hitter with 55 home runs across the last three seasons before being traded to Boston last December. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

“I think I did my best here for them, for the team and for the fans,” Contreras said, reflecting on his time with the Cardinals. “I played, like somebody said, my (butt) off. Every day that I came here, I gave 100 percent. I did my best for them.”

In the same way that May did on Friday, Ranger Suarez (0-1, 8.64 ERA) will look to better his first two outings with the Red Sox when he takes the mound in the Gateway City. The southpaw is coming off a Sunday no-decision in an 8-6 loss to the San Diego Padres in which he gave up four runs over four innings.

Suarez is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two career starts against St. Louis.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardinals #Red #Sox #chase #fourth #straight #victory

Sports news April 11, 2026

Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Kyle Leahy will take the mound as the St. Louis Cardinals go for their second straight series win when they host the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

After Dustin May allowed just one earned run over six innings in St. Louis’ series-opening, 3-2 win on Friday, Leahy will look to follow earning his first win as a full-time member of the Cardinals’ rotation last Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.

He pitched five innings, giving up two runs with four strikeouts in a 5-3 victory.

Across his first three seasons as a Cardinal, the 28-year-old right-hander made 97 of his 98 career appearances as a reliever. He pitched in a career-high 62 games in 2025.

“He has enough pitches, but more importantly he has the aptitude and demeanor to learn from his outings and use the feedback given to him to incorporate it in the next time out,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of Leahy moving into a regular starting role.

Friday’s win was the season-high third in a row for St. Louis, which is off to a solid 8-5 start after finishing fourth in the National League Central last season.

It was another big game for outfielder Jordan Walker, whose 2-for-4 line with a run extended his hitting streak to six games. The 23-year-old had homered in his previous three games and four of five before Friday.

Three relievers followed May with scoreless innings, including Riley O’Brien, who tossed a 1-2-3 ninth on just eight pitches.

“It’s so fun. This group of guys is incredible, man,” St. Louis’ Thomas Saggese said. “It helps that we’re all a similar age and just go out there, have fun and play free.”

Saggese had a hit and an RBI after coming in for Masyn Winn, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning and left with what the Cardinals called a lower leg contusion following the game.

On the flip side, Boston’s sluggish start continued Friday with its fourth game of registering five or fewer hits.

Wilyer Abreu (2-for-4) led the Red Sox again, posting his seventh multi-hit effort in the first 13 games. Trevor Story’s steal of home was another highlight of the night, which also included a 1-for-6 showing with runners in scoring position.

“We had our chances, but we’ve got to be better offensively,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

First baseman Willson Contreras had a tough night in his return to St. Louis, where he was a .261 hitter with 55 home runs across the last three seasons before being traded to Boston last December. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

“I think I did my best here for them, for the team and for the fans,” Contreras said, reflecting on his time with the Cardinals. “I played, like somebody said, my (butt) off. Every day that I came here, I gave 100 percent. I did my best for them.”

In the same way that May did on Friday, Ranger Suarez (0-1, 8.64 ERA) will look to better his first two outings with the Red Sox when he takes the mound in the Gateway City. The southpaw is coming off a Sunday no-decision in an 8-6 loss to the San Diego Padres in which he gave up four runs over four innings.

Suarez is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two career starts against St. Louis.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Cardinals #Red #Sox #chase #fourth #straight #victory

Premier League 2025-26: Carrick buoyed up by Mount’s return as Manchester United resumes season against Leeds <div id="content-body-70851645" itemprop="articleBody">Manchester United returns to action on Monday with renewed optimism after interim manager Michael Carrick welcomed Mason Mount back to fitness and saw Lisandro Martinez return to training ahead of its Premier League 2025-26 clash ‌with Leeds United.Carrick’s men have not played for more than three weeks since a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, but resume their ⁠campaign sitting third in the table and looking to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place, buoyed by improving squad availability as the season heads into ‌a crucial phase.Mount has played sparingly due to injury, and was on the pitch for just a minute of the Bournemouth draw,“It’s ‌great to have Mason back, to miss him so quickly after ‌we ⁠came in and came together,” Carrick told reporters on Saturday.“He’s ⁠obviously had nearly two or three weeks of building up and finding his rhythm, finding his sharpness. I think his versatility is a big strength of his. He can play through the middle, he can play midfield, ‌he can play wide, and he can do so many different roles. We’ve just got to give him the time to get fit again and be patient with that, but he’s certainly in a good place right ‌now,” he added,Carrick was undecided on the status of Martinez, who has not played since suffering a calf injury in early February.“It’s just that call that we make. We wouldn’t be pushed into ⁠anything,” he said.“He’s back training, which is great, and back on the grass. But we’ve certainly got to make the right decision and make sure he’s ready,” Carrick added.ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/epl/arsenal-vs-bournemouth-premier-league-score-result-goals-title-race-match-report/article70851128.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arsenal loses at home to Bournemouth, suffers major blow in Premier League title charge</a>United is third on 55 points, one point ahead of fourth-placed Aston Villa, but six ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool.Carrick has overseen a spectacular run since taking charge in January, guiding United to 23 points from a possible 30 and restoring calm after a turbulent first half of the season.With just weeks remaining and the race for the five Champions League places tightening, United know there ‌is little room for complacency.Monday’s match also reignites one of English football’s fiercest rivalries, with Carrick keen for his players to embrace the occasion.“It’s gone on for an awful long time,” Carrick said. “I think that’s what ⁠rivalries are there for, for a really good reason, I think, to be ⁠part of, and the intensity and the emotion and the passion that goes into it. Obviously, it’s got to keep within the margins, but ‌I think that’s part of the game we love, going up against other teams… and battling it out on the pitch. So I think it’s something that we’ve got to embrace.”Leeds is 15th in the table.Published on Apr 11, 2026</div> #Premier #League #Carrick #buoyed #Mounts #return #Manchester #United #resumes #season #Leeds

#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">