Deadspin | White Sox ride offensive surge into rematch vs. A’s Apr 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) celebrates with team mates after hitting a grand slam against the Athleticsduring the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images The Chicago White Sox will look to build on an elite offensive performance when they face the Athletics on Saturday afternoon in the middle contest of a three-game set at West Sacramento, Calif. Chicago equaled its top scoring output of the campaign and racked up a season-high 15 hits during Friday’s 9-2 shellacking of the Athletics. Munetaka Murakami smacked his first major league grand slam as part of a 3-for-5 outing. The left-handed-hitting Murakami’s seventh-inning blast cleared the tall batter’s eye beyond the center-field wall. “I struck out the at-bat before, so I was trying to see the ball well and really get a good swing at it,” Murakami said through an interpreter. “And the result was the best I did.” The grand slam, off Elvis Alvarado, was Murakami’s sixth homer in his 20 games with the White Sox. The 26-year-old starred in Japan with five seasons of 30 or more homers before signing with the White Sox in the offseason. His wallop was the highlight of a standout offensive showing for Chicago, which has scored three or fewer runs 13 times this season. In fact, the White Sox had only 60 runs — second fewest in the majors — before Friday’s feast. Murakami raised his batting average to .200, with 13 RBIs. He struck out twice and has fanned 28 times in 65 at-bats. Andrew Benintendi was 3-for-6 with two runs and one RBI for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the past 11 games. “It was really nice,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Those guys have been putting together really good at-bats; just nothing to show for it. To be able to come out, continue that and get rewarded was really nice. It was up and down the lineup.” The Athletics had just four hits while losing their second straight game. Nick Kurtz had an RBI single when he won a 13-pitch battle with White Sox right-hander Davis Martin. “That was our best at-bat of the night,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “He fought off a lot of pitches. It’s an at-bat we’ve seen from Nick in the past, and we’re starting to see more of those at-bats. We did some early work (before the game) with Nick, and it looks like things are turning in the right direction.” The A’s committed just one error Friday, but Kotsay was concerned about the defense. “We have to play clean games, and (Friday’s game) wasn’t one of those,” he said. Athletics right-hander Luis Severino (0-2, 5.59 ERA) will take another swipe at ending his woes inside Sutter Health Park on Saturday. Severino lost to the Texas Rangers 8-1 on Monday when he gave up four runs and six hits over six innings. He served up two homers, walked three and struck out seven in his first 2026 home outing. The setback leaves him 2-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 16 starts in West Sacramento since joining the A’s prior to last season. Severino sharply criticized the ballpark last June. Severino is 2-3 with a 4.44 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against the White Sox. Benintendi (13-for-38) is batting .342 with two homers, one triple, four doubles and 10 RBIs against Severino. The White Sox will turn to right-hander Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.38 ERA) on Saturday. He has allowed only 14 hits and three walks in 16 innings, but Chicago has just three total runs in his three outings. Fedde’s lone career appearance against the A’s was rough. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings during a 10-6 loss on Aug. 30, 2022, when he was a member of the Washington Nationals. Jeff McNeil is 7-for-18 against Fedde from when both players were in the National League. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #White #Sox #ride #offensive #surge #rematch

Deadspin | White Sox ride offensive surge into rematch vs. A’s
Apr 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) celebrates with team mates after hitting a grand slam against the Athleticsduring the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

The Chicago White Sox will look to build on an elite offensive performance when they face the Athletics on Saturday afternoon in the middle contest of a three-game set at West Sacramento, Calif.

Chicago equaled its top scoring output of the campaign and racked up a season-high 15 hits during Friday’s 9-2 shellacking of the Athletics.

Munetaka Murakami smacked his first major league grand slam as part of a 3-for-5 outing. The left-handed-hitting Murakami’s seventh-inning blast cleared the tall batter’s eye beyond the center-field wall.

“I struck out the at-bat before, so I was trying to see the ball well and really get a good swing at it,” Murakami said through an interpreter. “And the result was the best I did.”

The grand slam, off Elvis Alvarado, was Murakami’s sixth homer in his 20 games with the White Sox. The 26-year-old starred in Japan with five seasons of 30 or more homers before signing with the White Sox in the offseason.

His wallop was the highlight of a standout offensive showing for Chicago, which has scored three or fewer runs 13 times this season. In fact, the White Sox had only 60 runs — second fewest in the majors — before Friday’s feast.

Murakami raised his batting average to .200, with 13 RBIs. He struck out twice and has fanned 28 times in 65 at-bats.

Andrew Benintendi was 3-for-6 with two runs and one RBI for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the past 11 games.

“It was really nice,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Those guys have been putting together really good at-bats; just nothing to show for it. To be able to come out, continue that and get rewarded was really nice. It was up and down the lineup.”

The Athletics had just four hits while losing their second straight game. Nick Kurtz had an RBI single when he won a 13-pitch battle with White Sox right-hander Davis Martin.

“That was our best at-bat of the night,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “He fought off a lot of pitches. It’s an at-bat we’ve seen from Nick in the past, and we’re starting to see more of those at-bats. We did some early work (before the game) with Nick, and it looks like things are turning in the right direction.”

The A’s committed just one error Friday, but Kotsay was concerned about the defense.

“We have to play clean games, and (Friday’s game) wasn’t one of those,” he said.

Athletics right-hander Luis Severino (0-2, 5.59 ERA) will take another swipe at ending his woes inside Sutter Health Park on Saturday.

Severino lost to the Texas Rangers 8-1 on Monday when he gave up four runs and six hits over six innings. He served up two homers, walked three and struck out seven in his first 2026 home outing. The setback leaves him 2-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 16 starts in West Sacramento since joining the A’s prior to last season. Severino sharply criticized the ballpark last June.

Severino is 2-3 with a 4.44 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against the White Sox. Benintendi (13-for-38) is batting .342 with two homers, one triple, four doubles and 10 RBIs against Severino.

The White Sox will turn to right-hander Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.38 ERA) on Saturday. He has allowed only 14 hits and three walks in 16 innings, but Chicago has just three total runs in his three outings.

Fedde’s lone career appearance against the A’s was rough. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings during a 10-6 loss on Aug. 30, 2022, when he was a member of the Washington Nationals.

Jeff McNeil is 7-for-18 against Fedde from when both players were in the National League.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #White #Sox #ride #offensive #surge #rematch

Sports news April 18, 2026

Apr 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) celebrates with team mates after hitting a grand slam against the Athleticsduring the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

The Chicago White Sox will look to build on an elite offensive performance when they face the Athletics on Saturday afternoon in the middle contest of a three-game set at West Sacramento, Calif.

Chicago equaled its top scoring output of the campaign and racked up a season-high 15 hits during Friday’s 9-2 shellacking of the Athletics.

Munetaka Murakami smacked his first major league grand slam as part of a 3-for-5 outing. The left-handed-hitting Murakami’s seventh-inning blast cleared the tall batter’s eye beyond the center-field wall.

“I struck out the at-bat before, so I was trying to see the ball well and really get a good swing at it,” Murakami said through an interpreter. “And the result was the best I did.”

The grand slam, off Elvis Alvarado, was Murakami’s sixth homer in his 20 games with the White Sox. The 26-year-old starred in Japan with five seasons of 30 or more homers before signing with the White Sox in the offseason.

His wallop was the highlight of a standout offensive showing for Chicago, which has scored three or fewer runs 13 times this season. In fact, the White Sox had only 60 runs — second fewest in the majors — before Friday’s feast.

Murakami raised his batting average to .200, with 13 RBIs. He struck out twice and has fanned 28 times in 65 at-bats.

Andrew Benintendi was 3-for-6 with two runs and one RBI for Chicago, which won for just the third time in the past 11 games.

“It was really nice,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Those guys have been putting together really good at-bats; just nothing to show for it. To be able to come out, continue that and get rewarded was really nice. It was up and down the lineup.”

The Athletics had just four hits while losing their second straight game. Nick Kurtz had an RBI single when he won a 13-pitch battle with White Sox right-hander Davis Martin.

“That was our best at-bat of the night,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “He fought off a lot of pitches. It’s an at-bat we’ve seen from Nick in the past, and we’re starting to see more of those at-bats. We did some early work (before the game) with Nick, and it looks like things are turning in the right direction.”

The A’s committed just one error Friday, but Kotsay was concerned about the defense.

“We have to play clean games, and (Friday’s game) wasn’t one of those,” he said.

Athletics right-hander Luis Severino (0-2, 5.59 ERA) will take another swipe at ending his woes inside Sutter Health Park on Saturday.

Severino lost to the Texas Rangers 8-1 on Monday when he gave up four runs and six hits over six innings. He served up two homers, walked three and struck out seven in his first 2026 home outing. The setback leaves him 2-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 16 starts in West Sacramento since joining the A’s prior to last season. Severino sharply criticized the ballpark last June.

Severino is 2-3 with a 4.44 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against the White Sox. Benintendi (13-for-38) is batting .342 with two homers, one triple, four doubles and 10 RBIs against Severino.

The White Sox will turn to right-hander Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.38 ERA) on Saturday. He has allowed only 14 hits and three walks in 16 innings, but Chicago has just three total runs in his three outings.

Fedde’s lone career appearance against the A’s was rough. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings during a 10-6 loss on Aug. 30, 2022, when he was a member of the Washington Nationals.

Jeff McNeil is 7-for-18 against Fedde from when both players were in the National League.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #White #Sox #ride #offensive #surge #rematch

Deadspin | Against Red Sox, Tarik Skubal strives to squash Tigers’ road losing streak <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28715148.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28715148.jpg" alt="MLB: Miami Marlins at Detroit Tigers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 12, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>With two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal taking the mound, a pitchers’ duel could be on tap as the visiting Detroit Tigers look to even their four-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Skubal (2-2, 2.22 ERA), a left-hander, will try to play the role of stopper as Detroit’s road skid reached nine games with a 1-0, 10-inning setback in Friday’s series opener. Before Friday though, the Tigers had been on a six-game winning streak, with home sweeps of the Miami Marlins and Kansas City Royals.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Masataka Yoshida’s pinch-hit single scored Jarren Duran with the only run in a game Friday that featured just four hits for each team. For Detroit, Jahmai Jones had two.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Skubal will make his first start at Fenway Park since 2023. Last Sunday, in an 8-2 win over the Marlins, he threw 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts but thought he could do better. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“My stuff wasn’t good,” Skubal said. “But those things happen in baseball. It’s not always when you have your best stuff. If that was the case, it would be easy to predict our game. It’s just not like that.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Skubal carries a 2-2 record and 4.91 ERA against Boston into Saturday’s game, his sixth start vs. the Red Sox. Most recently, he allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out 11 in a May 14, 2025, no-decision in a game the Tigers won 6-5.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Before Friday’s first pitch, Detroit placed infielder Zach McKinstry on the 10-day injured list with left hip/abdominal inflammation and recalled No. 6 prospect Hao-Yu Lee from Triple-A Toledo for his MLB debut. He went 0-for-3.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“We’re excited for Lee to get his feet wet in the big leagues,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “We’ve had him in camp the last couple of seasons. … He can play good defense. He’s a good baseball player.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>Beyond Jones, Kevin McGonigle had another hit, giving him 22 and a .306 average to lead all AL rookies.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>An eight-inning start from Ranger Suarez helped set the stage for Boston’s second consecutive win on Friday, but it took an extra frame and Yoshida’s first career walk-off knock to get the job done. </p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Yoshida has just 29 at-bats this season, though he is on a six-game hitting streak.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>“In these situations, I know how he feels; you want to play,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We got him for a reason here (from Japan), and he’s been banged up, and now all of a sudden, this is how we’re going to play the game … with this roster and we’re going to maximize it, but it’s not easy.”</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>The Friday shutout win was Boston’s third of the season and second in as many home games.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Brayan Bello (1-1, 6.14 ERA) will look to throw his own gem on Saturday. The right-hander gave up a total of 10 runs (eight earned) in his first two starts before earning his first win with 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball last Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 9-3 game.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“When I’m staying in the zone, this is the result that you get,” Bello said after the game. “When I’m executing all of my pitches, being aggressive in the zone, this is what happens.”</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Bello is 0-1 with a 5.74 ERA in three career starts against Detroit. He took a no-decision in a 10-9 Tigers win on May 13, 2025, after allowing three runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings. </p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Red #Sox #Tarik #Skubal #strives #squash #Tigers #road #losing #streak

#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">