×
Deadspin | Orioles bid to pick up steam in rematch vs. reeling Royals Apr 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) celebrates with team mates after scoring in the twelfth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images While the Baltimore Orioles momentarily halted their recent struggles, the Kansas City Royals continue to slide. The visiting Orioles can build on a needed victory by handing the reeling Royals a ninth straight loss when the teams continue their series on Tuesday night. Baltimore managed just six hits over 12 innings Monday but won 7-5 in the opener of a three-game set at Kansas City. Samuel Basallo had an RBI single in the ninth inning to tie the game at 1-1. He added another RBI single in the 12th before Leody Taveras clubbed a grand slam for the Orioles, who won for just the second time in the last seven games. “That’s what we are able to do, and we are so happy,” Taveras told MASN. The Orioles last won back-to-back games during a three-game run from April 11-13. “It’s just sticking with their approach and our plan,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said. Taveras is 2-for-2 against Tuesday’s scheduled starter Kris Bubic (2-1, 3.97 ERA), who has alternated good and bad starts through his first four outings of 2026. The left-hander will look to bounce back after he gave up five runs, six hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings of Thursday’s 10-9 loss at Detroit. “Just trying to do too much,” Bubic said. “So now, it’s about putting the pieces together.” There’s a good chance Bubic can do that versus Baltimore, against which he is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in five appearances (four starts). In winning both starts against the Orioles last season, Bubic allowed one unearned run over 11 2/3 innings. However, it has not been pitching that’s doomed Kansas City during its longest losing streak since a 10-game rut in 2023. The Royals have totaled just 27 runs and struck 73 times over the last eight games. On Monday, Kansas City rapped out 14 hits but stranded 16 runners, including the bases loaded three times in three different innings without scoring. “The only way we can (start to win games) is with each other,” first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino told the Royals’ official website. “When you’re going through it, you can question everything. But, you got to find a way through it. And, that’s why I keep talking about keeping your head up, because it can happen quick.” Pasquantino is batting just .149 with 22 strikeouts this season. Meanwhile, All-Star teammate Maikel Garcia had three hits Monday to raise his average to .272. Garcia and Pasquantino are a combined 5-for-12 versus scheduled Baltimore starter Shane Baz. The Orioles tenure for Baz (0-2. 4.91 ERA) is off to a rather rough start. He’s yielded at least three runs in three of his four starts and has walked eight in 22 innings this season. On Thursday at Cleveland, the right-hander allowed four runs, six hits and walked three, while striking out six, over six innings of a 4-2 defeat. Baz allowed three hits and a walk while striking out nine scoreless innings at Kansas City on June 26 of last season for Tampa Bay. Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward is 4-for-13 with two doubles and two walks in the last three games. Kansas City announced Monday that second baseman Jonathan India was placed on the injured list with a shoulder issue. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Orioles #bid #pick #steam #rematch #reeling #Royals

Deadspin | Orioles bid to pick up steam in rematch vs. reeling Royals
Deadspin | Orioles bid to pick up steam in rematch vs. reeling Royals Apr 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) celebrates with team mates after scoring in the twelfth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images While the Baltimore Orioles momentarily halted their recent struggles, the Kansas City Royals continue to slide. The visiting Orioles can build on a needed victory by handing the reeling Royals a ninth straight loss when the teams continue their series on Tuesday night. Baltimore managed just six hits over 12 innings Monday but won 7-5 in the opener of a three-game set at Kansas City. Samuel Basallo had an RBI single in the ninth inning to tie the game at 1-1. He added another RBI single in the 12th before Leody Taveras clubbed a grand slam for the Orioles, who won for just the second time in the last seven games. “That’s what we are able to do, and we are so happy,” Taveras told MASN. The Orioles last won back-to-back games during a three-game run from April 11-13. “It’s just sticking with their approach and our plan,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said. Taveras is 2-for-2 against Tuesday’s scheduled starter Kris Bubic (2-1, 3.97 ERA), who has alternated good and bad starts through his first four outings of 2026. The left-hander will look to bounce back after he gave up five runs, six hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings of Thursday’s 10-9 loss at Detroit. “Just trying to do too much,” Bubic said. “So now, it’s about putting the pieces together.” There’s a good chance Bubic can do that versus Baltimore, against which he is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in five appearances (four starts). In winning both starts against the Orioles last season, Bubic allowed one unearned run over 11 2/3 innings. However, it has not been pitching that’s doomed Kansas City during its longest losing streak since a 10-game rut in 2023. The Royals have totaled just 27 runs and struck 73 times over the last eight games. On Monday, Kansas City rapped out 14 hits but stranded 16 runners, including the bases loaded three times in three different innings without scoring. “The only way we can (start to win games) is with each other,” first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino told the Royals’ official website. “When you’re going through it, you can question everything. But, you got to find a way through it. And, that’s why I keep talking about keeping your head up, because it can happen quick.” Pasquantino is batting just .149 with 22 strikeouts this season. Meanwhile, All-Star teammate Maikel Garcia had three hits Monday to raise his average to .272. Garcia and Pasquantino are a combined 5-for-12 versus scheduled Baltimore starter Shane Baz. The Orioles tenure for Baz (0-2. 4.91 ERA) is off to a rather rough start. He’s yielded at least three runs in three of his four starts and has walked eight in 22 innings this season. On Thursday at Cleveland, the right-hander allowed four runs, six hits and walked three, while striking out six, over six innings of a 4-2 defeat. Baz allowed three hits and a walk while striking out nine scoreless innings at Kansas City on June 26 of last season for Tampa Bay. Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward is 4-for-13 with two doubles and two walks in the last three games. Kansas City announced Monday that second baseman Jonathan India was placed on the injured list with a shoulder issue. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Orioles #bid #pick #steam #rematch #reeling #RoyalsApr 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) celebrates with team mates after scoring in the twelfth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

While the Baltimore Orioles momentarily halted their recent struggles, the Kansas City Royals continue to slide.

The visiting Orioles can build on a needed victory by handing the reeling Royals a ninth straight loss when the teams continue their series on Tuesday night.

Baltimore managed just six hits over 12 innings Monday but won 7-5 in the opener of a three-game set at Kansas City.

Samuel Basallo had an RBI single in the ninth inning to tie the game at 1-1. He added another RBI single in the 12th before Leody Taveras clubbed a grand slam for the Orioles, who won for just the second time in the last seven games.

“That’s what we are able to do, and we are so happy,” Taveras told MASN.

The Orioles last won back-to-back games during a three-game run from April 11-13.

“It’s just sticking with their approach and our plan,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said.

Taveras is 2-for-2 against Tuesday’s scheduled starter Kris Bubic (2-1, 3.97 ERA), who has alternated good and bad starts through his first four outings of 2026. The left-hander will look to bounce back after he gave up five runs, six hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings of Thursday’s 10-9 loss at Detroit.

“Just trying to do too much,” Bubic said. “So now, it’s about putting the pieces together.”

There’s a good chance Bubic can do that versus Baltimore, against which he is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in five appearances (four starts). In winning both starts against the Orioles last season, Bubic allowed one unearned run over 11 2/3 innings.


However, it has not been pitching that’s doomed Kansas City during its longest losing streak since a 10-game rut in 2023. The Royals have totaled just 27 runs and struck 73 times over the last eight games.

On Monday, Kansas City rapped out 14 hits but stranded 16 runners, including the bases loaded three times in three different innings without scoring.

“The only way we can (start to win games) is with each other,” first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino told the Royals’ official website.

“When you’re going through it, you can question everything. But, you got to find a way through it. And, that’s why I keep talking about keeping your head up, because it can happen quick.”

Pasquantino is batting just .149 with 22 strikeouts this season. Meanwhile, All-Star teammate Maikel Garcia had three hits Monday to raise his average to .272.

Garcia and Pasquantino are a combined 5-for-12 versus scheduled Baltimore starter Shane Baz.

The Orioles tenure for Baz (0-2. 4.91 ERA) is off to a rather rough start. He’s yielded at least three runs in three of his four starts and has walked eight in 22 innings this season. On Thursday at Cleveland, the right-hander allowed four runs, six hits and walked three, while striking out six, over six innings of a 4-2 defeat.

Baz allowed three hits and a walk while striking out nine scoreless innings at Kansas City on June 26 of last season for Tampa Bay.

Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward is 4-for-13 with two doubles and two walks in the last three games.

Kansas City announced Monday that second baseman Jonathan India was placed on the injured list with a shoulder issue.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Orioles #bid #pick #steam #rematch #reeling #Royals

Sports news

Apr 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) celebrates with team mates after scoring in the twelfth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

While the Baltimore Orioles momentarily halted their recent struggles, the Kansas City Royals continue to slide.

The visiting Orioles can build on a needed victory by handing the reeling Royals a ninth straight loss when the teams continue their series on Tuesday night.

Baltimore managed just six hits over 12 innings Monday but won 7-5 in the opener of a three-game set at Kansas City.

Samuel Basallo had an RBI single in the ninth inning to tie the game at 1-1. He added another RBI single in the 12th before Leody Taveras clubbed a grand slam for the Orioles, who won for just the second time in the last seven games.

“That’s what we are able to do, and we are so happy,” Taveras told MASN.

The Orioles last won back-to-back games during a three-game run from April 11-13.

“It’s just sticking with their approach and our plan,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said.

Taveras is 2-for-2 against Tuesday’s scheduled starter Kris Bubic (2-1, 3.97 ERA), who has alternated good and bad starts through his first four outings of 2026. The left-hander will look to bounce back after he gave up five runs, six hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings of Thursday’s 10-9 loss at Detroit.

“Just trying to do too much,” Bubic said. “So now, it’s about putting the pieces together.”

There’s a good chance Bubic can do that versus Baltimore, against which he is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in five appearances (four starts). In winning both starts against the Orioles last season, Bubic allowed one unearned run over 11 2/3 innings.

However, it has not been pitching that’s doomed Kansas City during its longest losing streak since a 10-game rut in 2023. The Royals have totaled just 27 runs and struck 73 times over the last eight games.

On Monday, Kansas City rapped out 14 hits but stranded 16 runners, including the bases loaded three times in three different innings without scoring.

“The only way we can (start to win games) is with each other,” first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino told the Royals’ official website.

“When you’re going through it, you can question everything. But, you got to find a way through it. And, that’s why I keep talking about keeping your head up, because it can happen quick.”

Pasquantino is batting just .149 with 22 strikeouts this season. Meanwhile, All-Star teammate Maikel Garcia had three hits Monday to raise his average to .272.

Garcia and Pasquantino are a combined 5-for-12 versus scheduled Baltimore starter Shane Baz.

The Orioles tenure for Baz (0-2. 4.91 ERA) is off to a rather rough start. He’s yielded at least three runs in three of his four starts and has walked eight in 22 innings this season. On Thursday at Cleveland, the right-hander allowed four runs, six hits and walked three, while striking out six, over six innings of a 4-2 defeat.

Baz allowed three hits and a walk while striking out nine scoreless innings at Kansas City on June 26 of last season for Tampa Bay.

Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward is 4-for-13 with two doubles and two walks in the last three games.

Kansas City announced Monday that second baseman Jonathan India was placed on the injured list with a shoulder issue.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Orioles #bid #pick #steam #rematch #reeling #Royals

Related Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a thank-you letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

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

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

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

Thank you, Arizona.

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

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

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

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

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

Published on Aug 09, 2026

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

Post Comment