×
Deadspin | Jake deGrom, Rangers extend Mariners’ skid in shutout Apr 17, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Brandon Nimmo homered leading off the game and that was enough as six Texas Rangers pitchers combined for a six-hitter in a 5-0 victory against the host Seattle Mariners on Friday night. Reliever Gavin Collyer (1-0), a rookie right-hander, pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn his first major league victory in just his second appearance. In the opener of a three-game series, the Rangers improved to 4-0 against Seattle this season and have outscored the Mariners 13-3. Texas has won four of its last six, while Seattle has lost four in a row. Nimmo jumped on a 2-0 fastball from Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (1-3) in the first, lining it over the right field fence for his fourth homer of 2026. Texas extended its lead in the third as Corey Seager led off with a double to right and Wyatt Langford followed with a run-scoring single to left to make it 2-0. The Mariners threatened in the sixth but came up empty. Josh Naylor lined a leadoff single to center and took second on Randy Arozarena’s groundout. Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder hit a comebacker to the mound, preventing Naylor from advancing. J.P. Crawford lined a single to left, but Naylor was thrown out easily at the plate by Langford to end the inning. With one out in the seventh, Seager lined a double into the gap in left-center off reliever Jose A. Ferrer. Langford singled to left, sending Seager to third, and Jake Burger lined a single to center to make it 3-0. The Rangers added two runs in the ninth off Casey Legumina. Langford and Burger led off with singles and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Evan Carter. Andrew McCutchen lifted a sacrifice fly to right and Josh Jung hit a run-scoring double into the left field corner to make it 5-0. Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom didn’t allow a run but an elevated pitch count knocked him out after four innings. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three, throwing 88 pitches. Gilbert gave up two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out seven. Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan left after the third inning with an apparent injury. There was no update on his condition by the time the game ended. Leo Rivas replaced Donovan. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jake #deGrom #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid #shutout

Deadspin | Jake deGrom, Rangers extend Mariners’ skid in shutout
Deadspin | Jake deGrom, Rangers extend Mariners’ skid in shutout Apr 17, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Brandon Nimmo homered leading off the game and that was enough as six Texas Rangers pitchers combined for a six-hitter in a 5-0 victory against the host Seattle Mariners on Friday night. Reliever Gavin Collyer (1-0), a rookie right-hander, pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn his first major league victory in just his second appearance. In the opener of a three-game series, the Rangers improved to 4-0 against Seattle this season and have outscored the Mariners 13-3. Texas has won four of its last six, while Seattle has lost four in a row. Nimmo jumped on a 2-0 fastball from Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (1-3) in the first, lining it over the right field fence for his fourth homer of 2026. Texas extended its lead in the third as Corey Seager led off with a double to right and Wyatt Langford followed with a run-scoring single to left to make it 2-0. The Mariners threatened in the sixth but came up empty. Josh Naylor lined a leadoff single to center and took second on Randy Arozarena’s groundout. Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder hit a comebacker to the mound, preventing Naylor from advancing. J.P. Crawford lined a single to left, but Naylor was thrown out easily at the plate by Langford to end the inning. With one out in the seventh, Seager lined a double into the gap in left-center off reliever Jose A. Ferrer. Langford singled to left, sending Seager to third, and Jake Burger lined a single to center to make it 3-0. The Rangers added two runs in the ninth off Casey Legumina. Langford and Burger led off with singles and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Evan Carter. Andrew McCutchen lifted a sacrifice fly to right and Josh Jung hit a run-scoring double into the left field corner to make it 5-0. Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom didn’t allow a run but an elevated pitch count knocked him out after four innings. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three, throwing 88 pitches. Gilbert gave up two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out seven. Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan left after the third inning with an apparent injury. There was no update on his condition by the time the game ended. Leo Rivas replaced Donovan. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jake #deGrom #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid #shutoutApr 17, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Brandon Nimmo homered leading off the game and that was enough as six Texas Rangers pitchers combined for a six-hitter in a 5-0 victory against the host Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Reliever Gavin Collyer (1-0), a rookie right-hander, pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn his first major league victory in just his second appearance.

In the opener of a three-game series, the Rangers improved to 4-0 against Seattle this season and have outscored the Mariners 13-3. Texas has won four of its last six, while Seattle has lost four in a row.

Nimmo jumped on a 2-0 fastball from Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (1-3) in the first, lining it over the right field fence for his fourth homer of 2026.

Texas extended its lead in the third as Corey Seager led off with a double to right and Wyatt Langford followed with a run-scoring single to left to make it 2-0.


The Mariners threatened in the sixth but came up empty. Josh Naylor lined a leadoff single to center and took second on Randy Arozarena’s groundout. Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder hit a comebacker to the mound, preventing Naylor from advancing. J.P. Crawford lined a single to left, but Naylor was thrown out easily at the plate by Langford to end the inning.

With one out in the seventh, Seager lined a double into the gap in left-center off reliever Jose A. Ferrer. Langford singled to left, sending Seager to third, and Jake Burger lined a single to center to make it 3-0.

The Rangers added two runs in the ninth off Casey Legumina. Langford and Burger led off with singles and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Evan Carter. Andrew McCutchen lifted a sacrifice fly to right and Josh Jung hit a run-scoring double into the left field corner to make it 5-0.

Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom didn’t allow a run but an elevated pitch count knocked him out after four innings. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three, throwing 88 pitches.

Gilbert gave up two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out seven.

Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan left after the third inning with an apparent injury. There was no update on his condition by the time the game ended. Leo Rivas replaced Donovan.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jake #deGrom #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid #shutout

Sports news

Apr 17, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Brandon Nimmo homered leading off the game and that was enough as six Texas Rangers pitchers combined for a six-hitter in a 5-0 victory against the host Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Reliever Gavin Collyer (1-0), a rookie right-hander, pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn his first major league victory in just his second appearance.

In the opener of a three-game series, the Rangers improved to 4-0 against Seattle this season and have outscored the Mariners 13-3. Texas has won four of its last six, while Seattle has lost four in a row.

Nimmo jumped on a 2-0 fastball from Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (1-3) in the first, lining it over the right field fence for his fourth homer of 2026.

Texas extended its lead in the third as Corey Seager led off with a double to right and Wyatt Langford followed with a run-scoring single to left to make it 2-0.

The Mariners threatened in the sixth but came up empty. Josh Naylor lined a leadoff single to center and took second on Randy Arozarena’s groundout. Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder hit a comebacker to the mound, preventing Naylor from advancing. J.P. Crawford lined a single to left, but Naylor was thrown out easily at the plate by Langford to end the inning.

With one out in the seventh, Seager lined a double into the gap in left-center off reliever Jose A. Ferrer. Langford singled to left, sending Seager to third, and Jake Burger lined a single to center to make it 3-0.

The Rangers added two runs in the ninth off Casey Legumina. Langford and Burger led off with singles and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Evan Carter. Andrew McCutchen lifted a sacrifice fly to right and Josh Jung hit a run-scoring double into the left field corner to make it 5-0.

Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom didn’t allow a run but an elevated pitch count knocked him out after four innings. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three, throwing 88 pitches.

Gilbert gave up two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out seven.

Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan left after the third inning with an apparent injury. There was no update on his condition by the time the game ended. Leo Rivas replaced Donovan.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Jake #deGrom #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid #shutout

Previous post

Shreyas Iyer’s relay catch leaves Jonty Rhodes in awe of fielding’s evolution <div id="content-body-70876688" itemprop="articleBody"><p>South Africa great Jonty Rhodes has seen fielding evolve from instinct to innovation, from sharp reflexes in the ring to choreographed brilliance at the boundary. And yet, even he found himself in awe.</p><p>During Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer produced a moment that felt both modern and inevitable. In the 18th over, with MI captain Hardik Pandya looking to launch Marco Jansen into the stands, the ball soared towards long-on. Iyer sprinted across, judged the trajectory, and completed a juggling act at the rope, catching the ball, tossing it back mid-air as he lost balance, and relaying it to Xavier Bartlett to complete a “team catch”.</p><p>Watching it unfold, Rhodes could not help but reflect. “Watching Shreyas Iyer perform that acrobatic fielding to assist in taking the ‘team catch’ made me appreciate how fielding has evolved since my retirement,” <a href="https://x.com/JontyRhodes8/status/2045351987961848236" target="_blank">he wrote on X.</a> For a man long dubbed the gold standard, the shift is personal. “For a long time, I felt like the ‘father of fielding’… but watching these modern athletes… makes me feel like the ‘grandfather of fielding’.”</p><p>Rhodes’ own career was defined by inner-circle brilliance, but he admits the boundary was once an afterthought. “There was no focus on the modern day ‘hotspots’ on the boundaries,” he said, before tracing the change to his coaching days with Mumbai Indians. Encounters with players like Kieron Pollard and Glenn Maxwell reshaped the approach, introducing the now-familiar art of airborne saves and relay catches.</p><p>In an era of relentless hitting and Impact Players, Rhodes sees fielding as cricket’s last line of resistance. Iyer’s effort, he believes, was not just spectacular but necessary. And perhaps, fittingly, it came under the watch of Ricky Ponting, “one of the greatest fielders in the game.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 18, 2026</p></div> #Shreyas #Iyers #relay #catch #leaves #Jonty #Rhodes #awe #fieldings #evolution

Next post

RCB vs DC Head-to-Head IPL 2026: Stats, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers <div id="content-body-70873548" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Delhi Capitals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. Bengaluru sits second on the table, having won four out of the five games it has played. Meanwhile, Delhi is in fifth place, winning and losing two games each.</p><p>This fixture was evenly matched last season with DC winning the first encounter by six wickets and RCB winning the second by the same margin.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> RCB vs DC head-to-head record in IPL </h5><p> Matches played: 31 </p><p> RCB won: 20 </p><p> DC won: 12 </p><p> No result: 1 </p></div><h4 class="sub_head">MOST RUNS IN RCB VS DC IPL MATCHES</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Batter</td><td> Innings</td><td> Runs</td><td> Average</td><td> Strike Rate</td><td> HS</td></tr><tr><td> Virat Kohli</td><td> 31</td><td> 1154</td><td> 50.17</td><td> 135.12</td><td> 99</td></tr><tr><td> AB De Villiers</td><td> 19</td><td> 690</td><td> 49.28</td><td> 147.12</td><td> 90*</td></tr><tr><td> Rishabh Pant</td><td> 12</td><td> 421</td><td> 42.10</td><td> 150.35</td><td> 85</td></tr><tr><td> Chris Gayle</td><td> 11</td><td> 311</td><td> 38.87</td><td> 146</td><td> 128*</td></tr><tr><td> Shreyas Iyer</td><td> 11</td><td> 291</td><td> 26.45</td><td> 118.29</td><td> 67</td></tr></table></div><h4 class="sub_head">MOST WICKETS IN RCB VS DC IPL MATCHES</h4><div class="article-table my-3"><table class="table"><tr><td> Bowler</td><td> Innings</td><td> Wickets</td><td> Economy</td><td> Average</td><td> BBI</td></tr><tr><td> Yuzvendra Chahal</td><td> 15</td><td> 15</td><td> 7.97</td><td> 27.73</td><td> 3/32</td></tr><tr><td> Mohammed Siraj</td><td> 11</td><td> 13</td><td> 8.80</td><td> 26.30</td><td> 2/23</td></tr><tr><td> Harshal Patel</td><td> 14</td><td> 13</td><td> 9.46</td><td> 35.69</td><td> 3/43</td></tr><tr><td> Kagiso Rabada</td><td> 6</td><td> 13</td><td> 7.54</td><td> 13.92</td><td> 4/21</td></tr><tr><td> Zaheer Khan</td><td> 10</td><td> 11</td><td> 9.15</td><td> 29.27</td><td> 3/38</td></tr></table></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 18, 2026</p></div> #RCB #HeadtoHead #IPL #Stats #Top #RunScorers #WicketTakers

Related Posts

Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #homePro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

Post Comment