Deadspin | Mets standout Nolan McLean takes on league-best Dodgers Apr 9, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) celebrates after recording a strike out during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Baseball’s best team will encounter one of the game’s hottest young pitchers when the Los Angeles Dodgers face a test from New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean on Tuesday. In 11 career starts going back to last season, McLean has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of them, including all three outings this season. His next challenge will come against the two-time defending champions, who are an MLB-best 12-4 to start the season. The Dodgers turned a three-run homer from Andy Pages and eight scoreless innings from left-hander Justin Wrobleski into a 4-0 series-opening victory Monday. On Thursday, McLean (1-1, 2.70 ERA) gave up two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts but ended up with the loss against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. It was just the second loss in McLean’s young career. McLean was able to keep the runs to a minimum despite some inefficiency. Two of the three hits he allowed were singles, but he threw a career-high 100 pitches in the outing. “Curveball has been feeling good,” McLean said. “It definitely felt good (Thursday), landing it for strikes rather than just a chase pitch for me. So I was excited to see that.” In his Mets debut on Monday, outfielder Tommy Pham went 0-for-3. Pham was signed to a minor league deal late in the spring and played in five games at Single-A St. Lucie before getting the call to begin his 13th major league season. He also played 79 games with the Mets in 2023. “I know how to play the game. I love the game,” Pham said Monday. “That’s what you get. One thing I told myself this year, I’m going to go harder. I was thinking I want to leave everything on the table. So that’s what I got for you.” The Dodgers will counter Tuesday with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 2.50), who gave up one run on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six innings in a road win over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 7. The outing was an improvement on what Yamamoto felt had been a slow start to his season. “I started feeling even better and I was able to carry that into (the) game,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “So that’s why I was able to control my pitches, both fastball and then also offspeed. I think I was able to efficiently mix in my pitches.” Yamamoto’s dominance over the Blue Jays continued after he was the winning pitcher in Games 6 and 7 of last year’s World Series. Now comes his second career regular-season start against the Mets after he allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings of a no-decision in April 2024. Wrobleski gave up a pair of singles in his eight innings Monday, while New York finished with three singles in the game. Pages’ home run was his fifth of the season. He leads the major leagues with a .417 batting average and 20 RBIs. He is third with a 1.186 OPS. “It’s just more staying in the zone and hitting pitches that are in the zone, as opposed to expanding my zone,” Pages said through an interpreter about his early-season success following some October struggles when he was benched during the World Series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mets #standout #Nolan #McLean #takes #leaguebest #Dodgers

Deadspin | Mets standout Nolan McLean takes on league-best Dodgers
Apr 9, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) celebrates after recording a strike out during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Baseball’s best team will encounter one of the game’s hottest young pitchers when the Los Angeles Dodgers face a test from New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean on Tuesday.

In 11 career starts going back to last season, McLean has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of them, including all three outings this season. His next challenge will come against the two-time defending champions, who are an MLB-best 12-4 to start the season.

The Dodgers turned a three-run homer from Andy Pages and eight scoreless innings from left-hander Justin Wrobleski into a 4-0 series-opening victory Monday.

On Thursday, McLean (1-1, 2.70 ERA) gave up two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts but ended up with the loss against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. It was just the second loss in McLean’s young career.

McLean was able to keep the runs to a minimum despite some inefficiency. Two of the three hits he allowed were singles, but he threw a career-high 100 pitches in the outing.

“Curveball has been feeling good,” McLean said. “It definitely felt good (Thursday), landing it for strikes rather than just a chase pitch for me. So I was excited to see that.”

In his Mets debut on Monday, outfielder Tommy Pham went 0-for-3. Pham was signed to a minor league deal late in the spring and played in five games at Single-A St. Lucie before getting the call to begin his 13th major league season. He also played 79 games with the Mets in 2023.

“I know how to play the game. I love the game,” Pham said Monday. “That’s what you get. One thing I told myself this year, I’m going to go harder. I was thinking I want to leave everything on the table. So that’s what I got for you.”

The Dodgers will counter Tuesday with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 2.50), who gave up one run on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six innings in a road win over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 7.

The outing was an improvement on what Yamamoto felt had been a slow start to his season.

“I started feeling even better and I was able to carry that into (the) game,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “So that’s why I was able to control my pitches, both fastball and then also offspeed. I think I was able to efficiently mix in my pitches.”

Yamamoto’s dominance over the Blue Jays continued after he was the winning pitcher in Games 6 and 7 of last year’s World Series.

Now comes his second career regular-season start against the Mets after he allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings of a no-decision in April 2024.

Wrobleski gave up a pair of singles in his eight innings Monday, while New York finished with three singles in the game. Pages’ home run was his fifth of the season. He leads the major leagues with a .417 batting average and 20 RBIs. He is third with a 1.186 OPS.

“It’s just more staying in the zone and hitting pitches that are in the zone, as opposed to expanding my zone,” Pages said through an interpreter about his early-season success following some October struggles when he was benched during the World Series.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mets #standout #Nolan #McLean #takes #leaguebest #Dodgers

Sports news April 14, 2026

Apr 9, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) celebrates after recording a strike out during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Baseball’s best team will encounter one of the game’s hottest young pitchers when the Los Angeles Dodgers face a test from New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean on Tuesday.

In 11 career starts going back to last season, McLean has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of them, including all three outings this season. His next challenge will come against the two-time defending champions, who are an MLB-best 12-4 to start the season.

The Dodgers turned a three-run homer from Andy Pages and eight scoreless innings from left-hander Justin Wrobleski into a 4-0 series-opening victory Monday.

On Thursday, McLean (1-1, 2.70 ERA) gave up two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts but ended up with the loss against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. It was just the second loss in McLean’s young career.

McLean was able to keep the runs to a minimum despite some inefficiency. Two of the three hits he allowed were singles, but he threw a career-high 100 pitches in the outing.

“Curveball has been feeling good,” McLean said. “It definitely felt good (Thursday), landing it for strikes rather than just a chase pitch for me. So I was excited to see that.”

In his Mets debut on Monday, outfielder Tommy Pham went 0-for-3. Pham was signed to a minor league deal late in the spring and played in five games at Single-A St. Lucie before getting the call to begin his 13th major league season. He also played 79 games with the Mets in 2023.

“I know how to play the game. I love the game,” Pham said Monday. “That’s what you get. One thing I told myself this year, I’m going to go harder. I was thinking I want to leave everything on the table. So that’s what I got for you.”

The Dodgers will counter Tuesday with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 2.50), who gave up one run on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six innings in a road win over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 7.

The outing was an improvement on what Yamamoto felt had been a slow start to his season.

“I started feeling even better and I was able to carry that into (the) game,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “So that’s why I was able to control my pitches, both fastball and then also offspeed. I think I was able to efficiently mix in my pitches.”

Yamamoto’s dominance over the Blue Jays continued after he was the winning pitcher in Games 6 and 7 of last year’s World Series.

Now comes his second career regular-season start against the Mets after he allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings of a no-decision in April 2024.

Wrobleski gave up a pair of singles in his eight innings Monday, while New York finished with three singles in the game. Pages’ home run was his fifth of the season. He leads the major leagues with a .417 batting average and 20 RBIs. He is third with a 1.186 OPS.

“It’s just more staying in the zone and hitting pitches that are in the zone, as opposed to expanding my zone,” Pages said through an interpreter about his early-season success following some October struggles when he was benched during the World Series.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Mets #standout #Nolan #McLean #takes #leaguebest #Dodgers

R Vaishali vs Tan Zhongyi LIVE: FIDE Candidates tournament 2026 Round 13 updates <div id="content-body-70860945" itemprop="articleBody"><p>R Vaishali will aim for a victory against Chinese GM Tan Zhongyi on Tuesday. She was defeated by Zhu Jiner in Round 12, and both players currently share the top spot with 7 points heading into the final rounds of the competition.</p><h4 class="sub_head">R Vaishali vs Tan Zhongyi board updates</h4><h4 class="sub_head">Where to watch FIDE Candidates 2026?</h4><p>The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will be streamed live on the FIDE <i>YouTube</i> channel.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 15, 2026</p></div> #Vaishali #Tan #Zhongyi #LIVE #FIDE #Candidates #tournament #updates

#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">