Deadspin | On a roll at home, White Sox host Orioles in search of 4th consecutive win Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Chase Meidroth (10) and shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) hug after the against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images All the Chicago White Sox needed was to go home. After starting the season 1-5 on the road, the White Sox are coming off a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays and will look for their fourth consecutive win Monday night when they host the struggling Baltimore Orioles. The White Sox had not started their home schedule at 3-0 since 2004. And they hadn’t swept the Blue Jays since 1995. “We are a good team,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “We are finding different ways to win. Contributions from everybody. With the way our group is set up, that’s how we are going to have to win games.” White Sox starter Davis Martin allowed four hits over six innings on Sunday in a 3-0 win. Miguel Vargas, Austin Hays and Lenyn Sosa each had an RBI. “It’s gigantic,” Martin said. “To win a series is great, but a sweep is even better. You have to continue to trust our way of playing baseball and, going forward, having fun.” The Orioles are coming off the opposite end of a three-game sweep after an 8-2 road loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt, a significant offseason signing, allowed six runs in two innings. “We still have a lot of work to do,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “We’re trying to redefine ourselves as getting back to fundamental baseball, playing clean baseball, doing the little things right — and we’re still not done. We still have to get better, and that’s on myself and the coaching staff to keep on pushing our guys to get better each day, especially in those areas.” For the White Sox, right-hander Grant Taylor (0-0, 2.25 ERA) is expected to act as the opener for the third time in the past four games. He started the Friday and Saturday games vs. Toronto and pitched a scoreless first inning in each contest. Right-hander Erick Fedde (0-1, 5.40 ERA) is scheduled to follow Taylor. Fedde is 2-1 with a 1.26 ERA in five career games (four starts) against Baltimore. The Orioles had not named a starter as of Monday morning. The White Sox called up Tanner Murray from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday. He was 0-for-2 in his major league debut but made a superb defensive play at shortstop on Addison Barger’s grounder to snuff Toronto’s bases-loaded threat in the third inning. “We know he’s a plus defender out there,” Venable said. “It’s one of the reasons he’s here. Really nice job and a great day for Tanner.” He was promoted when outfielder Everson Pereira was put on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle. The Orioles recalled left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk and put right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Povich pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief on Sunday, allowing two runs, four hits and three walks. First baseman Pete Alonso said the Orioles are not ready to panic. “Just because you have a slow start doesn’t mean anything toward the end,” said Alonso, a key offseason signing. “There’s plenty of teams that have proven that over the course of time. “It’d be great to go out and win nine in a row, or however many games. But this is a marathon, and we have plenty of opportunities and chances to get better and win a lot of ballgames.” Alonso had an RBI double on Sunday. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #roll #home #White #Sox #host #Orioles #search #4th #consecutive #win

Deadspin | On a roll at home, White Sox host Orioles in search of 4th consecutive win
Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Chase Meidroth (10) and shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) hug after the against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

All the Chicago White Sox needed was to go home.

After starting the season 1-5 on the road, the White Sox are coming off a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays and will look for their fourth consecutive win Monday night when they host the struggling Baltimore Orioles.

The White Sox had not started their home schedule at 3-0 since 2004. And they hadn’t swept the Blue Jays since 1995.

“We are a good team,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “We are finding different ways to win. Contributions from everybody. With the way our group is set up, that’s how we are going to have to win games.”

White Sox starter Davis Martin allowed four hits over six innings on Sunday in a 3-0 win. Miguel Vargas, Austin Hays and Lenyn Sosa each had an RBI.

“It’s gigantic,” Martin said. “To win a series is great, but a sweep is even better. You have to continue to trust our way of playing baseball and, going forward, having fun.”

The Orioles are coming off the opposite end of a three-game sweep after an 8-2 road loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt, a significant offseason signing, allowed six runs in two innings.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “We’re trying to redefine ourselves as getting back to fundamental baseball, playing clean baseball, doing the little things right — and we’re still not done. We still have to get better, and that’s on myself and the coaching staff to keep on pushing our guys to get better each day, especially in those areas.”

For the White Sox, right-hander Grant Taylor (0-0, 2.25 ERA) is expected to act as the opener for the third time in the past four games. He started the Friday and Saturday games vs. Toronto and pitched a scoreless first inning in each contest.

Right-hander Erick Fedde (0-1, 5.40 ERA) is scheduled to follow Taylor. Fedde is 2-1 with a 1.26 ERA in five career games (four starts) against Baltimore.

The Orioles had not named a starter as of Monday morning.

The White Sox called up Tanner Murray from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday. He was 0-for-2 in his major league debut but made a superb defensive play at shortstop on Addison Barger’s grounder to snuff Toronto’s bases-loaded threat in the third inning.

“We know he’s a plus defender out there,” Venable said. “It’s one of the reasons he’s here. Really nice job and a great day for Tanner.”

He was promoted when outfielder Everson Pereira was put on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle.

The Orioles recalled left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk and put right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Povich pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief on Sunday, allowing two runs, four hits and three walks.

First baseman Pete Alonso said the Orioles are not ready to panic.

“Just because you have a slow start doesn’t mean anything toward the end,” said Alonso, a key offseason signing. “There’s plenty of teams that have proven that over the course of time.

“It’d be great to go out and win nine in a row, or however many games. But this is a marathon, and we have plenty of opportunities and chances to get better and win a lot of ballgames.”

Alonso had an RBI double on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #roll #home #White #Sox #host #Orioles #search #4th #consecutive #win

Sports news April 6, 2026

Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Chase Meidroth (10) and shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) hug after the against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

All the Chicago White Sox needed was to go home.

After starting the season 1-5 on the road, the White Sox are coming off a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays and will look for their fourth consecutive win Monday night when they host the struggling Baltimore Orioles.

The White Sox had not started their home schedule at 3-0 since 2004. And they hadn’t swept the Blue Jays since 1995.

“We are a good team,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “We are finding different ways to win. Contributions from everybody. With the way our group is set up, that’s how we are going to have to win games.”

White Sox starter Davis Martin allowed four hits over six innings on Sunday in a 3-0 win. Miguel Vargas, Austin Hays and Lenyn Sosa each had an RBI.

“It’s gigantic,” Martin said. “To win a series is great, but a sweep is even better. You have to continue to trust our way of playing baseball and, going forward, having fun.”

The Orioles are coming off the opposite end of a three-game sweep after an 8-2 road loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt, a significant offseason signing, allowed six runs in two innings.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “We’re trying to redefine ourselves as getting back to fundamental baseball, playing clean baseball, doing the little things right — and we’re still not done. We still have to get better, and that’s on myself and the coaching staff to keep on pushing our guys to get better each day, especially in those areas.”

For the White Sox, right-hander Grant Taylor (0-0, 2.25 ERA) is expected to act as the opener for the third time in the past four games. He started the Friday and Saturday games vs. Toronto and pitched a scoreless first inning in each contest.

Right-hander Erick Fedde (0-1, 5.40 ERA) is scheduled to follow Taylor. Fedde is 2-1 with a 1.26 ERA in five career games (four starts) against Baltimore.

The Orioles had not named a starter as of Monday morning.

The White Sox called up Tanner Murray from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday. He was 0-for-2 in his major league debut but made a superb defensive play at shortstop on Addison Barger’s grounder to snuff Toronto’s bases-loaded threat in the third inning.

“We know he’s a plus defender out there,” Venable said. “It’s one of the reasons he’s here. Really nice job and a great day for Tanner.”

He was promoted when outfielder Everson Pereira was put on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle.

The Orioles recalled left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A Norfolk and put right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Povich pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief on Sunday, allowing two runs, four hits and three walks.

First baseman Pete Alonso said the Orioles are not ready to panic.

“Just because you have a slow start doesn’t mean anything toward the end,” said Alonso, a key offseason signing. “There’s plenty of teams that have proven that over the course of time.

“It’d be great to go out and win nine in a row, or however many games. But this is a marathon, and we have plenty of opportunities and chances to get better and win a lot of ballgames.”

Alonso had an RBI double on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #roll #home #White #Sox #host #Orioles #search #4th #consecutive #win

Billie Jean King Cup 2026: Injury-hit India look to ride on home support to reach playoffs <div id="content-body-70830285" itemprop="articleBody"><p>The players and venue will be different but India would be hoping to repeat its result from the last year when the team takes on Thailand in its opening tie of the Billie Jean King Cup at the DLTA Stadium starting Tuesday.</p><p>The six-team Asia/Oceania Group I competition, to be played in a single round-robin format, will be the second straight year India will be hosting the event. India finished second behind New Zealand in Pune in 2025 to advance to the playoffs and will be hoping to do so again. It won’t be easy, however, with Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, who went unbeaten in all her five matches last year and was even awarded the BJK Heart award for her performances, out with injury.</p><p>New Zealand, Thailand and Korea have returned this year along with Mongolia and Indonesia. The Indonesians are expected to be tough opponents while Mongolia is an unknown quantity that team captain and former Davis Cupper Vishal Uppal is wary of.</p><p>While Shrivalli pulled out with a back spasm, reserve player Vaidehee Chaudhari injured her ankle during training on Thursday. But Uppal insisted there was enough depth in the team without revealing his team combinations. Zeel Desai has been called up as a replacement, the 27-year-old withdrawing from the semifinals of the $15000 ITF event in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to join the side at the last minute.</p><p>Newly-crowned top-ranked Indian Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalappalli, Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale complete the side with the last two, the most experienced, expected to shoulder the doubles challenge leaving the singles to the youngsters. “I’m happy having a problem picking players for a tie than one where I don’t have players, that’s a good problem to have, it tells you there’s depth,” Uppal said on the eve of the competition.</p><p>India’s biggest challenge will be from Indonesia, led by the highest-ranked player in the field World No. 41 Janice Tjen and doubles specialist Aldila Sutjiadi, and New Zealand, who remain a threat with doubles specialist Erin Routliffe in their despite the absence of Lulu Sun.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> Fixtures </h5><p> India vs Thailand (centre court), New Zealand vs Indonesia (court 1), Mongolia vs Korea (court 2). </p></div><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 06, 2026</p></div> #Billie #Jean #King #Cup #Injuryhit #India #ride #home #support #reach #playoffs

#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">