Deadspin | MLB roundup: Xander Bogaerts’ 12th-inning slam powers Padres past Rockies Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3. Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year. David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second. Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings. Twins 3, Tigers 1 Brooks Lee pulled an eighth-inning, two-run single through the right side of the infield, and Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit. Josh Bell went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run for the Twins to complete a four-game sweep over the Tigers. Garrett Acton (1-0) earned his first career win after allowing one run in two innings of relief. He followed starter Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings. Eric Orze pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season. Gleyber Torres drove in the lone run for Detroit, which has dropped five straight games. Will Vest (0-2) gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. Athletics 1, Yankees 0 Jeffrey Springs allowed one hit in seven outstanding innings to lead the visiting Athletics past New York. Springs (2-0) took a no-hit bid into the seventh, surrendering just two walks while striking out six. Max Muncy tripled and scored off a Tyler Soderstrom single to help the Athletics record their first series win over the Yankees since April 2016. Ben Rice broke up Springs’ no-hit bid with a single for New York’s only hit of the day. Ryan Weathers (0-1) was the tough-luck loser despite surrendering just one run on seven hits in a season-high seven innings. The Yankees haven’t scored since taking a two-run lead on Luis Severino in the first inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss. White Sox 2, Royals 0 Anthony Kay struck out six to match a career high over 5 2/3 innings, and Colson Montgomery roped an RBI double as Chicago snapped its 14-game road losing streak to Kansas City. Luisangel Acuna added a sacrifice fly for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the last 25 games at Kauffman Stadium, where its previous victory came on Sept. 6, 2003. Kay (1-0) was making just his ninth career start but third this season for the White Sox. He yielded three hits on a career-high 100 pitches. Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (1-1) was charged with both runs while also giving up four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings. Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. each had two hits, but they struck out for the final two outs, respectively, for the Royals, who stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Diamondbacks 7, Mets 1 Jorge Barrosa’s RBI triple capped a four-run seventh inning for Arizona, which went on to rout host New York in the decisive game of a three-game series. The Diamondbacks are 7-3 since being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a season-opening three-game series. Arizona pinch hitter Gabriel Moreno tied the game with a run-scoring double in the seventh before Alek Thomas collected the go-ahead RBI on a fielder’s choice. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0) allowed one run on five hits over six innings. Luis Robert Jr. homered in the first inning for the Mets, whose consecutive losses to the Diamondbacks followed a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 28-8. Mets starter Nolan McLean (1-1) permitted two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings. Marlins 8, Reds 1 Owen Caissie and Javier Sanoja combined for six hits and five RBIs to lead host Miami to a defeat of Cincinnati, earning a split of the four-game set. In a battle of former first-round picks, Miami’s Max Meyer (1-0) allowed four hits, three walks and one run in five innings, striking out four. Reds starter Rhett Lowder (1-1) entered the game with the best eight-game ERA (1.30) in Reds history with a minimum of 30 innings. He had never allowed more than three runs in a game. On Thursday, he allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Caissie (3-for-4, three RBIs) and Sanoja (3-for-4, two RBIs) led Miami’s offense. Agustin Ramirez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Xander #Bogaerts #12thinning #slam #powers #Padres #Rockies

Deadspin | MLB roundup: Xander Bogaerts’ 12th-inning slam powers Padres past Rockies
Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.

Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.

David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.

Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.

Twins 3, Tigers 1

Brooks Lee pulled an eighth-inning, two-run single through the right side of the infield, and Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit.

Josh Bell went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run for the Twins to complete a four-game sweep over the Tigers. Garrett Acton (1-0) earned his first career win after allowing one run in two innings of relief. He followed starter Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings. Eric Orze pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.

Gleyber Torres drove in the lone run for Detroit, which has dropped five straight games. Will Vest (0-2) gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Athletics 1, Yankees 0

Jeffrey Springs allowed one hit in seven outstanding innings to lead the visiting Athletics past New York.

Springs (2-0) took a no-hit bid into the seventh, surrendering just two walks while striking out six. Max Muncy tripled and scored off a Tyler Soderstrom single to help the Athletics record their first series win over the Yankees since April 2016.

Ben Rice broke up Springs’ no-hit bid with a single for New York’s only hit of the day. Ryan Weathers (0-1) was the tough-luck loser despite surrendering just one run on seven hits in a season-high seven innings. The Yankees haven’t scored since taking a two-run lead on Luis Severino in the first inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss.

White Sox 2, Royals 0

Anthony Kay struck out six to match a career high over 5 2/3 innings, and Colson Montgomery roped an RBI double as Chicago snapped its 14-game road losing streak to Kansas City.

Luisangel Acuna added a sacrifice fly for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the last 25 games at Kauffman Stadium, where its previous victory came on Sept. 6, 2003. Kay (1-0) was making just his ninth career start but third this season for the White Sox. He yielded three hits on a career-high 100 pitches.

Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (1-1) was charged with both runs while also giving up four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings. Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. each had two hits, but they struck out for the final two outs, respectively, for the Royals, who stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Diamondbacks 7, Mets 1

Jorge Barrosa’s RBI triple capped a four-run seventh inning for Arizona, which went on to rout host New York in the decisive game of a three-game series.

The Diamondbacks are 7-3 since being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a season-opening three-game series. Arizona pinch hitter Gabriel Moreno tied the game with a run-scoring double in the seventh before Alek Thomas collected the go-ahead RBI on a fielder’s choice. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0) allowed one run on five hits over six innings.

Luis Robert Jr. homered in the first inning for the Mets, whose consecutive losses to the Diamondbacks followed a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 28-8. Mets starter Nolan McLean (1-1) permitted two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Marlins 8, Reds 1

Owen Caissie and Javier Sanoja combined for six hits and five RBIs to lead host Miami to a defeat of Cincinnati, earning a split of the four-game set.

In a battle of former first-round picks, Miami’s Max Meyer (1-0) allowed four hits, three walks and one run in five innings, striking out four.

Reds starter Rhett Lowder (1-1) entered the game with the best eight-game ERA (1.30) in Reds history with a minimum of 30 innings. He had never allowed more than three runs in a game. On Thursday, he allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Caissie (3-for-4, three RBIs) and Sanoja (3-for-4, two RBIs) led Miami’s offense. Agustin Ramirez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Xander #Bogaerts #12thinning #slam #powers #Padres #Rockies

Sports news April 10, 2026

Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.

Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.

David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.

Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.

Twins 3, Tigers 1

Brooks Lee pulled an eighth-inning, two-run single through the right side of the infield, and Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit.

Josh Bell went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run for the Twins to complete a four-game sweep over the Tigers. Garrett Acton (1-0) earned his first career win after allowing one run in two innings of relief. He followed starter Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings. Eric Orze pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.

Gleyber Torres drove in the lone run for Detroit, which has dropped five straight games. Will Vest (0-2) gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Athletics 1, Yankees 0

Jeffrey Springs allowed one hit in seven outstanding innings to lead the visiting Athletics past New York.

Springs (2-0) took a no-hit bid into the seventh, surrendering just two walks while striking out six. Max Muncy tripled and scored off a Tyler Soderstrom single to help the Athletics record their first series win over the Yankees since April 2016.

Ben Rice broke up Springs’ no-hit bid with a single for New York’s only hit of the day. Ryan Weathers (0-1) was the tough-luck loser despite surrendering just one run on seven hits in a season-high seven innings. The Yankees haven’t scored since taking a two-run lead on Luis Severino in the first inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 loss.

White Sox 2, Royals 0

Anthony Kay struck out six to match a career high over 5 2/3 innings, and Colson Montgomery roped an RBI double as Chicago snapped its 14-game road losing streak to Kansas City.

Luisangel Acuna added a sacrifice fly for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the last 25 games at Kauffman Stadium, where its previous victory came on Sept. 6, 2003. Kay (1-0) was making just his ninth career start but third this season for the White Sox. He yielded three hits on a career-high 100 pitches.

Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (1-1) was charged with both runs while also giving up four hits and four walks over 6 1/3 innings. Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. each had two hits, but they struck out for the final two outs, respectively, for the Royals, who stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Diamondbacks 7, Mets 1

Jorge Barrosa’s RBI triple capped a four-run seventh inning for Arizona, which went on to rout host New York in the decisive game of a three-game series.

The Diamondbacks are 7-3 since being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a season-opening three-game series. Arizona pinch hitter Gabriel Moreno tied the game with a run-scoring double in the seventh before Alek Thomas collected the go-ahead RBI on a fielder’s choice. Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0) allowed one run on five hits over six innings.

Luis Robert Jr. homered in the first inning for the Mets, whose consecutive losses to the Diamondbacks followed a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 28-8. Mets starter Nolan McLean (1-1) permitted two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Marlins 8, Reds 1

Owen Caissie and Javier Sanoja combined for six hits and five RBIs to lead host Miami to a defeat of Cincinnati, earning a split of the four-game set.

In a battle of former first-round picks, Miami’s Max Meyer (1-0) allowed four hits, three walks and one run in five innings, striking out four.

Reds starter Rhett Lowder (1-1) entered the game with the best eight-game ERA (1.30) in Reds history with a minimum of 30 innings. He had never allowed more than three runs in a game. On Thursday, he allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Caissie (3-for-4, three RBIs) and Sanoja (3-for-4, two RBIs) led Miami’s offense. Agustin Ramirez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Xander #Bogaerts #12thinning #slam #powers #Padres #Rockies

बच्चों के साथ क्वालिटी टाइम बिताती दिखीं प्रीति जिंटाबच्चों के साथ क्वालिटी टाइम बिताती दिखीं प्रीति जिंटाPreity zinta, preity zinta photos, preity zinta with kids, preity zinta kids, jai and gia, preity zinta spending quality time, preity zinta family, प्रीति जिंटा, प्रीति जिंटा की फोटोज

#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">