Deadspin | Nats, facing Astros, keep waiting for pitching to catch up with hitting Jul 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter James Wood (29) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images The Washington Nationals hope their pitching can provide help for the offense as they play the middle contest of a three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Tuesday. Washington has given up 11 runs in two consecutive games. After losing 11-5 on Sunday to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals outslugged the Astros 12-11 on Monday. In winning four of their past six games, the Nationals have scored 45 runs (7.5 per game). Washington leads the major leagues with 497 runs scored, but its 4.79 team ERA is the fourth worst in the majors. Miles Mikolas allowed the Astros to jump out to a 6-1 lead on Monday, but the Nationals scored 11 consecutive runs and held off a late Houston rally. “Guys battle every at-bat, it doesn’t really matter what the score is,” Nationals All-Star James Wood said. “We just put together a bunch of good at-bats and we were able to put a bunch of runs up.” Wood smacked his second grand slam of the season on Monday, this one over the fence after his first was an inside-the-park effort against the New York Mets on May 19. Houston, which appeared en route to its third straight win, will send out right-hander Tatsuya Imai (5-4, 6.14 ERA) to face left-hander Andrew Alvarez (2-1, 3.05) on Tuesday. Imai, a 28-year-old Japan native, has struggled during his first season in the United States. In his past four starts, he twice departed before completing two innings. Last time out, he gave up five runs on four hits (two of them home runs) in 1 1/3 innings during an 8-3 loss against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. “It was just the command of his pitches,” manager Joe Espada said after that contest. “Stuff was coming in pretty good, just struggled throwing strikes. That was just what I saw today. Came in, warmed up pretty good, good game plan. Just couldn’t execute those pitches.” After a one-game stint with Washington in April, Alvarez has been a consistent presence for the team since returning in mid-May. Whether working as a four-plus-inning starter or bulk reliever, Alvarez has given up two runs or fewer in 10 of his 11 appearances. Against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, he picked up a 10-2 win, tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief on two hits. Alvarez fanned six and walked one. In addition to Wood, CJ Abrams and Curtis Mead also homered Monday for the Nationals. Mead went 3-for-5, scored twice and drove in three runs. He has notched multiple hits in three of his past four games. Abrams also finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Wood drew three walks and scored three runs. He leads the majors in runs (81) and is fourth in OPS (.939). His homer traveled 446 feet to center. “I’ve been using the word impressive too many times already, but I have no other way to describe it,” manager Blake Butera said. “What (Wood) does, it’s fun to be in the dugout watching him do his thing.” Houston’s Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer. In his career against the Nationals, he is batting .280 (35-for-125) with six doubles, two triples, four home runs, 19 runs scored and 15 RBIs. Yainer Diaz and Brice Matthews also went deep for the Astros, with Matthews finishing 2-for-4 to snap a nine-game hitless streak. Cam Smith reached base in three of his four plate appearances, and he has hit safely in six of his past seven games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nats #facing #Astros #waiting #pitching #catch #hitting

Deadspin | Nats, facing Astros, keep waiting for pitching to catch up with hitting
Jul 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter James Wood (29) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals hope their pitching can provide help for the offense as they play the middle contest of a three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Washington has given up 11 runs in two consecutive games. After losing 11-5 on Sunday to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals outslugged the Astros 12-11 on Monday. In winning four of their past six games, the Nationals have scored 45 runs (7.5 per game).

Washington leads the major leagues with 497 runs scored, but its 4.79 team ERA is the fourth worst in the majors. Miles Mikolas allowed the Astros to jump out to a 6-1 lead on Monday, but the Nationals scored 11 consecutive runs and held off a late Houston rally.

“Guys battle every at-bat, it doesn’t really matter what the score is,” Nationals All-Star James Wood said. “We just put together a bunch of good at-bats and we were able to put a bunch of runs up.”

Wood smacked his second grand slam of the season on Monday, this one over the fence after his first was an inside-the-park effort against the New York Mets on May 19.

Houston, which appeared en route to its third straight win, will send out right-hander Tatsuya Imai (5-4, 6.14 ERA) to face left-hander Andrew Alvarez (2-1, 3.05) on Tuesday.

Imai, a 28-year-old Japan native, has struggled during his first season in the United States. In his past four starts, he twice departed before completing two innings. Last time out, he gave up five runs on four hits (two of them home runs) in 1 1/3 innings during an 8-3 loss against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

“It was just the command of his pitches,” manager Joe Espada said after that contest. “Stuff was coming in pretty good, just struggled throwing strikes. That was just what I saw today. Came in, warmed up pretty good, good game plan. Just couldn’t execute those pitches.”

After a one-game stint with Washington in April, Alvarez has been a consistent presence for the team since returning in mid-May. Whether working as a four-plus-inning starter or bulk reliever, Alvarez has given up two runs or fewer in 10 of his 11 appearances.

Against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, he picked up a 10-2 win, tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief on two hits. Alvarez fanned six and walked one.

In addition to Wood, CJ Abrams and Curtis Mead also homered Monday for the Nationals. Mead went 3-for-5, scored twice and drove in three runs. He has notched multiple hits in three of his past four games. Abrams also finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Wood drew three walks and scored three runs. He leads the majors in runs (81) and is fourth in OPS (.939). His homer traveled 446 feet to center.

“I’ve been using the word impressive too many times already, but I have no other way to describe it,” manager Blake Butera said. “What (Wood) does, it’s fun to be in the dugout watching him do his thing.”

Houston’s Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer. In his career against the Nationals, he is batting .280 (35-for-125) with six doubles, two triples, four home runs, 19 runs scored and 15 RBIs.

Yainer Diaz and Brice Matthews also went deep for the Astros, with Matthews finishing 2-for-4 to snap a nine-game hitless streak. Cam Smith reached base in three of his four plate appearances, and he has hit safely in six of his past seven games.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nats #facing #Astros #waiting #pitching #catch #hitting

Sports news July 7, 2026

Jul 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter James Wood (29) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals hope their pitching can provide help for the offense as they play the middle contest of a three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Washington has given up 11 runs in two consecutive games. After losing 11-5 on Sunday to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals outslugged the Astros 12-11 on Monday. In winning four of their past six games, the Nationals have scored 45 runs (7.5 per game).

Washington leads the major leagues with 497 runs scored, but its 4.79 team ERA is the fourth worst in the majors. Miles Mikolas allowed the Astros to jump out to a 6-1 lead on Monday, but the Nationals scored 11 consecutive runs and held off a late Houston rally.

“Guys battle every at-bat, it doesn’t really matter what the score is,” Nationals All-Star James Wood said. “We just put together a bunch of good at-bats and we were able to put a bunch of runs up.”

Wood smacked his second grand slam of the season on Monday, this one over the fence after his first was an inside-the-park effort against the New York Mets on May 19.

Houston, which appeared en route to its third straight win, will send out right-hander Tatsuya Imai (5-4, 6.14 ERA) to face left-hander Andrew Alvarez (2-1, 3.05) on Tuesday.

Imai, a 28-year-old Japan native, has struggled during his first season in the United States. In his past four starts, he twice departed before completing two innings. Last time out, he gave up five runs on four hits (two of them home runs) in 1 1/3 innings during an 8-3 loss against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

“It was just the command of his pitches,” manager Joe Espada said after that contest. “Stuff was coming in pretty good, just struggled throwing strikes. That was just what I saw today. Came in, warmed up pretty good, good game plan. Just couldn’t execute those pitches.”

After a one-game stint with Washington in April, Alvarez has been a consistent presence for the team since returning in mid-May. Whether working as a four-plus-inning starter or bulk reliever, Alvarez has given up two runs or fewer in 10 of his 11 appearances.

Against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, he picked up a 10-2 win, tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief on two hits. Alvarez fanned six and walked one.

In addition to Wood, CJ Abrams and Curtis Mead also homered Monday for the Nationals. Mead went 3-for-5, scored twice and drove in three runs. He has notched multiple hits in three of his past four games. Abrams also finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Wood drew three walks and scored three runs. He leads the majors in runs (81) and is fourth in OPS (.939). His homer traveled 446 feet to center.

“I’ve been using the word impressive too many times already, but I have no other way to describe it,” manager Blake Butera said. “What (Wood) does, it’s fun to be in the dugout watching him do his thing.”

Houston’s Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer. In his career against the Nationals, he is batting .280 (35-for-125) with six doubles, two triples, four home runs, 19 runs scored and 15 RBIs.

Yainer Diaz and Brice Matthews also went deep for the Astros, with Matthews finishing 2-for-4 to snap a nine-game hitless streak. Cam Smith reached base in three of his four plate appearances, and he has hit safely in six of his past seven games.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Nats #facing #Astros #waiting #pitching #catch #hitting

Indore New: इंदौर में 90 साल पुराने क्लॉथ मार्केट एसोसिएशन के चुनाव हुए, सभी 21 पदों पर वोट डाले

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">

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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">