Deadspin | Guardians’ Chase DeLauter looking to heat up in finale vs. Astros Apr 21, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) celebrates after hitting a three-run triple during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Chase DeLauter was the most impactful rookie in the majors during the opening weekend of the season, homering four times and driving in five runs over his first three games with the Cleveland Guardians. Things haven’t gone nearly as well since then. However, they might be trending upward as the Guardians conclude a seven-game homestand Wednesday afternoon against the Houston Astros. Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee (0-2, 4.81 ERA) will start the afternoon contest against Houston’s Peter Lambert (0-1, 7.20) in a battle of right-handers. DeLauter recorded a go-ahead, three-run triple in the eighth inning on Tuesday to help Cleveland rally to an 8-5 victory over Houston. The Guardians scored a season-high six times in the inning. “It’s no secret he hasn’t gotten results, but this kid is a good hitter,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “Chase stepped up in a huge way, backing up a fastball with a two-strike count. It was a cool moment for him.” DeLauter was in a 1-for-26 slump when he sent a sinking liner toward the foul line in left, where Brice Matthews was unable to reach the ball in time. DeLauter was batting .140 with four RBIs in his previous 14 games, dropping his season average to .219. “Obviously, it’s not been the most ideal last two weeks or so,” DeLauter said. “But I’ve had the rest of the guys behind my back. And when you show up in the box, anything can happen. “It’s been cold, there’s been a lot of stuff going on, so play the game and let’s see what happens.” Bibee, who was considered the staff ace two years ago, also could be turning the corner after tossing six scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles last Friday. He had a bloated 6.38 ERA in his first four starts this spring. In three career games against Houston, Bibee has 13 strikeouts over 16 innings and a 4.50 ERA without a decision. The Astros won six of their first nine games but since have gone 3-13. They have split their first two matchups in Cleveland, taking the opener 9-2 on Monday behind a strong start from winning pitcher Spencer Arrighetti. Second baseman Jose Altuve became the third player to play in 2,000 career games with Houston, going 0-for-5 Tuesday, while American League homer (10) and RBI (24) leader Yordan Alvarez extended his hitting streak to eight with two hits and three RBIs. Astros manager Joe Espada was more focused on another number: 16. That’s how many players the team has on the injured list after outfielder Taylor Trammell (left groin strain) was hurt in Cleveland. “It (stinks) because he has been grinding for two years, and given us some quality at-bats and was playing really good in the field,” Espada said. “It’s going to take some time for him to get back.” Houston appears to have avoided a 17th IL stint as postgame X-rays to the left hand of outfielder Dustin Harris were negative. He exited after being hit by a pitch from Parker Messick, prompting Espada to tell his players to “be smart about” handling any further minor injuries. Lambert made his first big league appearance since 2024 on Friday, giving up four runs in five innings in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. His only outing against the Guardians came two years ago with the Colorado Rockies, losing in relief by allowing one run in two innings in a 13-7 game. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Guardians #Chase #DeLauter #heat #finale #Astros

Deadspin | Guardians’ Chase DeLauter looking to heat up in finale vs. Astros
Apr 21, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) celebrates after hitting a three-run triple during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Chase DeLauter was the most impactful rookie in the majors during the opening weekend of the season, homering four times and driving in five runs over his first three games with the Cleveland Guardians.

Things haven’t gone nearly as well since then. However, they might be trending upward as the Guardians conclude a seven-game homestand Wednesday afternoon against the Houston Astros.

Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee (0-2, 4.81 ERA) will start the afternoon contest against Houston’s Peter Lambert (0-1, 7.20) in a battle of right-handers.

DeLauter recorded a go-ahead, three-run triple in the eighth inning on Tuesday to help Cleveland rally to an 8-5 victory over Houston. The Guardians scored a season-high six times in the inning.

“It’s no secret he hasn’t gotten results, but this kid is a good hitter,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “Chase stepped up in a huge way, backing up a fastball with a two-strike count. It was a cool moment for him.”

DeLauter was in a 1-for-26 slump when he sent a sinking liner toward the foul line in left, where Brice Matthews was unable to reach the ball in time.

DeLauter was batting .140 with four RBIs in his previous 14 games, dropping his season average to .219.

“Obviously, it’s not been the most ideal last two weeks or so,” DeLauter said. “But I’ve had the rest of the guys behind my back. And when you show up in the box, anything can happen.

“It’s been cold, there’s been a lot of stuff going on, so play the game and let’s see what happens.”

Bibee, who was considered the staff ace two years ago, also could be turning the corner after tossing six scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles last Friday. He had a bloated 6.38 ERA in his first four starts this spring.

In three career games against Houston, Bibee has 13 strikeouts over 16 innings and a 4.50 ERA without a decision.

The Astros won six of their first nine games but since have gone 3-13. They have split their first two matchups in Cleveland, taking the opener 9-2 on Monday behind a strong start from winning pitcher Spencer Arrighetti.

Second baseman Jose Altuve became the third player to play in 2,000 career games with Houston, going 0-for-5 Tuesday, while American League homer (10) and RBI (24) leader Yordan Alvarez extended his hitting streak to eight with two hits and three RBIs.

Astros manager Joe Espada was more focused on another number: 16. That’s how many players the team has on the injured list after outfielder Taylor Trammell (left groin strain) was hurt in Cleveland.

“It (stinks) because he has been grinding for two years, and given us some quality at-bats and was playing really good in the field,” Espada said. “It’s going to take some time for him to get back.”

Houston appears to have avoided a 17th IL stint as postgame X-rays to the left hand of outfielder Dustin Harris were negative. He exited after being hit by a pitch from Parker Messick, prompting Espada to tell his players to “be smart about” handling any further minor injuries.

Lambert made his first big league appearance since 2024 on Friday, giving up four runs in five innings in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. His only outing against the Guardians came two years ago with the Colorado Rockies, losing in relief by allowing one run in two innings in a 13-7 game.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Guardians #Chase #DeLauter #heat #finale #Astros

Sports news April 22, 2026

Apr 21, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) celebrates after hitting a three-run triple during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Chase DeLauter was the most impactful rookie in the majors during the opening weekend of the season, homering four times and driving in five runs over his first three games with the Cleveland Guardians.

Things haven’t gone nearly as well since then. However, they might be trending upward as the Guardians conclude a seven-game homestand Wednesday afternoon against the Houston Astros.

Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee (0-2, 4.81 ERA) will start the afternoon contest against Houston’s Peter Lambert (0-1, 7.20) in a battle of right-handers.

DeLauter recorded a go-ahead, three-run triple in the eighth inning on Tuesday to help Cleveland rally to an 8-5 victory over Houston. The Guardians scored a season-high six times in the inning.

“It’s no secret he hasn’t gotten results, but this kid is a good hitter,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “Chase stepped up in a huge way, backing up a fastball with a two-strike count. It was a cool moment for him.”

DeLauter was in a 1-for-26 slump when he sent a sinking liner toward the foul line in left, where Brice Matthews was unable to reach the ball in time.

DeLauter was batting .140 with four RBIs in his previous 14 games, dropping his season average to .219.

“Obviously, it’s not been the most ideal last two weeks or so,” DeLauter said. “But I’ve had the rest of the guys behind my back. And when you show up in the box, anything can happen.

“It’s been cold, there’s been a lot of stuff going on, so play the game and let’s see what happens.”

Bibee, who was considered the staff ace two years ago, also could be turning the corner after tossing six scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles last Friday. He had a bloated 6.38 ERA in his first four starts this spring.

In three career games against Houston, Bibee has 13 strikeouts over 16 innings and a 4.50 ERA without a decision.

The Astros won six of their first nine games but since have gone 3-13. They have split their first two matchups in Cleveland, taking the opener 9-2 on Monday behind a strong start from winning pitcher Spencer Arrighetti.

Second baseman Jose Altuve became the third player to play in 2,000 career games with Houston, going 0-for-5 Tuesday, while American League homer (10) and RBI (24) leader Yordan Alvarez extended his hitting streak to eight with two hits and three RBIs.

Astros manager Joe Espada was more focused on another number: 16. That’s how many players the team has on the injured list after outfielder Taylor Trammell (left groin strain) was hurt in Cleveland.

“It (stinks) because he has been grinding for two years, and given us some quality at-bats and was playing really good in the field,” Espada said. “It’s going to take some time for him to get back.”

Houston appears to have avoided a 17th IL stint as postgame X-rays to the left hand of outfielder Dustin Harris were negative. He exited after being hit by a pitch from Parker Messick, prompting Espada to tell his players to “be smart about” handling any further minor injuries.

Lambert made his first big league appearance since 2024 on Friday, giving up four runs in five innings in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. His only outing against the Guardians came two years ago with the Colorado Rockies, losing in relief by allowing one run in two innings in a 13-7 game.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Guardians #Chase #DeLauter #heat #finale #Astros

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren selected by Kansas City Chiefs by Arrowhead Pride in SB Nation’s community mock draft <div id="cyclone-embed-body-36651c5a-1680-4279-90b0-e63ac47148b9">Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety, ToledoWith the board falling the way it did, I had a couple of pretty good options to choose from at this spot. My initial reaction was to draft based on need and select an edge rusher. I strongly considered selecting Missouri defensive end Zion Young. The other thought was to replenish the cornerback position, which was ransacked this offseason by players leaving due to trades and free agency. And if I’m being honest, I nearly pulled the trigger on selecting San Diego State’s Chris Johnson here. Another consideration was Colton Hood from Tennessee.But in the end, I did what I think Brett Veach would have done, and I went with the best player available, who also happened to fill another huge need on this defense.Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme works best when he has a premier safety manning the back end of his defense, someone he can use as a movable chess piece, whether he’s keeping him back deep or up in the slot to play coverage and occasionally blitz. It’s no coincidence that Spagnuolo’s Chiefs teams that won Super Bowls had either Justin Reid or Tyrann Mathieu as an on-field general in the secondary.McNeil-Warren is my third-ranked safety in this draft, behind Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman. He is a long, aggressive ballhawk who gets downhill fast in run support. His coverage skills enable him to play man defense, and his football IQ and athleticism keep him around the ball at all times. He simply pops off the screen when you watch him play. At pick 29, a player of his caliber is a steal, especially considering he plays a position of need.</div> #Emmanuel #McNeilWarren #selected #Kansas #City #Chiefs #Arrowhead #Pride #Nations #community #mock #draft

#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">