Deadspin | Yankees hope Cam Schlittler’s white-hot start continues vs. A’s Apr 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Cam Schlittler emerged as a possible mainstay for the New York Yankees during the final two months of the regular season when he replaced an injured Clarke Schmidt. His star received a boost when he tossed eight innings and 12 strikeouts in a shutout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the wild-card series. Schlittler’s first full season is off to a strong start, and the 25-year-old makes his home debut Tuesday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Athletics. The Yankees are off to a 7-2 start for the second time in three seasons. Schlittler’s contributions were 11 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners. Schlittler (2-0, 0.00 ERA) is still being fully built up after missing some time in spring training with a minor back injury and has thrown 68 and 79 pitches, respectively, in his first two outings. In San Francisco, he allowed one hit and struck out eight in a 3-0 win on March 27. On Wednesday in Seattle, the right-hander permitted two hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win. He has yet to issue a walk against 38 batters faced. “It’s exciting to see how dominant his stuff is, just filling up the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He got some early outs and that allowed him to get pretty deep into the game with a pitch count. He’s throwing the ball incredibly well. He set the tone for us.” Schlittler is the first Yankee to begin a season by turning in consecutive starts of at least five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts. Schlittler is facing the A’s for the first time after the Yankees produced their worst pitching performances so far in a pair of games that lasted for a combined seven hours and 13 minutes. The Yankees survived a short outing by Ryan Weathers and some struggles by their bullpen when they hung on for a 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. They allowed four runs in the eighth inning of their 7-6 loss a day later. The A’s took two of three at home from the Houston Astros and have won three of five after getting off to a 0-4 start. The A’s scored 23 runs in their two wins and earned a 12-10 win on Sunday when Brent Rooker hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning and a game-ending three-run homer in the 10th. Rooker homered after starting the season 4-for-30 with 14 strikeouts. Nick Kurtz also had his first multi-hit game after starting the season 2-for-24 with 13 strikeouts. “It was good to finally do something to help us win or do something good in any fashion,” Rooker said after the A’s finished with 16 hits and went 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position. “I’m proud of our guys (Sunday) as a whole. We saw some good arms, and they put together good at-bats and made some unbelievable plays, yet we were able to battle through all that.” Aaron Civale (1-0, 3.60), who is on his sixth team since spending five seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, starts for the A’s. Civale made his debut for the A’s last Tuesday when he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings while getting nine groundball outs in a 5-2 win at Atlanta. The right-hander is 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in seven career regular-season starts against the Yankees, who hit .299 in those games. He last faced them on March 30, 2025, for Milwaukee when he allowed three homers and five runs in three innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Yankees #hope #Cam #Schlittlers #whitehot #start #continues

Deadspin | Yankees hope Cam Schlittler’s white-hot start continues vs. A’s
Apr 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Cam Schlittler emerged as a possible mainstay for the New York Yankees during the final two months of the regular season when he replaced an injured Clarke Schmidt.

His star received a boost when he tossed eight innings and 12 strikeouts in a shutout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the wild-card series.

Schlittler’s first full season is off to a strong start, and the 25-year-old makes his home debut Tuesday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Athletics.

The Yankees are off to a 7-2 start for the second time in three seasons. Schlittler’s contributions were 11 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.

Schlittler (2-0, 0.00 ERA) is still being fully built up after missing some time in spring training with a minor back injury and has thrown 68 and 79 pitches, respectively, in his first two outings. In San Francisco, he allowed one hit and struck out eight in a 3-0 win on March 27. On Wednesday in Seattle, the right-hander permitted two hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win.

He has yet to issue a walk against 38 batters faced.

“It’s exciting to see how dominant his stuff is, just filling up the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He got some early outs and that allowed him to get pretty deep into the game with a pitch count. He’s throwing the ball incredibly well. He set the tone for us.”

Schlittler is the first Yankee to begin a season by turning in consecutive starts of at least five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts.

Schlittler is facing the A’s for the first time after the Yankees produced their worst pitching performances so far in a pair of games that lasted for a combined seven hours and 13 minutes.

The Yankees survived a short outing by Ryan Weathers and some struggles by their bullpen when they hung on for a 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. They allowed four runs in the eighth inning of their 7-6 loss a day later.

The A’s took two of three at home from the Houston Astros and have won three of five after getting off to a 0-4 start.

The A’s scored 23 runs in their two wins and earned a 12-10 win on Sunday when Brent Rooker hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning and a game-ending three-run homer in the 10th.

Rooker homered after starting the season 4-for-30 with 14 strikeouts. Nick Kurtz also had his first multi-hit game after starting the season 2-for-24 with 13 strikeouts.

“It was good to finally do something to help us win or do something good in any fashion,” Rooker said after the A’s finished with 16 hits and went 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position. “I’m proud of our guys (Sunday) as a whole. We saw some good arms, and they put together good at-bats and made some unbelievable plays, yet we were able to battle through all that.”

Aaron Civale (1-0, 3.60), who is on his sixth team since spending five seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, starts for the A’s.

Civale made his debut for the A’s last Tuesday when he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings while getting nine groundball outs in a 5-2 win at Atlanta.

The right-hander is 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in seven career regular-season starts against the Yankees, who hit .299 in those games. He last faced them on March 30, 2025, for Milwaukee when he allowed three homers and five runs in three innings.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Yankees #hope #Cam #Schlittlers #whitehot #start #continues

Sports news April 7, 2026

Apr 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Cam Schlittler emerged as a possible mainstay for the New York Yankees during the final two months of the regular season when he replaced an injured Clarke Schmidt.

His star received a boost when he tossed eight innings and 12 strikeouts in a shutout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the wild-card series.

Schlittler’s first full season is off to a strong start, and the 25-year-old makes his home debut Tuesday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Athletics.

The Yankees are off to a 7-2 start for the second time in three seasons. Schlittler’s contributions were 11 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.

Schlittler (2-0, 0.00 ERA) is still being fully built up after missing some time in spring training with a minor back injury and has thrown 68 and 79 pitches, respectively, in his first two outings. In San Francisco, he allowed one hit and struck out eight in a 3-0 win on March 27. On Wednesday in Seattle, the right-hander permitted two hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win.

He has yet to issue a walk against 38 batters faced.

“It’s exciting to see how dominant his stuff is, just filling up the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He got some early outs and that allowed him to get pretty deep into the game with a pitch count. He’s throwing the ball incredibly well. He set the tone for us.”

Schlittler is the first Yankee to begin a season by turning in consecutive starts of at least five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts.

Schlittler is facing the A’s for the first time after the Yankees produced their worst pitching performances so far in a pair of games that lasted for a combined seven hours and 13 minutes.

The Yankees survived a short outing by Ryan Weathers and some struggles by their bullpen when they hung on for a 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. They allowed four runs in the eighth inning of their 7-6 loss a day later.

The A’s took two of three at home from the Houston Astros and have won three of five after getting off to a 0-4 start.

The A’s scored 23 runs in their two wins and earned a 12-10 win on Sunday when Brent Rooker hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning and a game-ending three-run homer in the 10th.

Rooker homered after starting the season 4-for-30 with 14 strikeouts. Nick Kurtz also had his first multi-hit game after starting the season 2-for-24 with 13 strikeouts.

“It was good to finally do something to help us win or do something good in any fashion,” Rooker said after the A’s finished with 16 hits and went 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position. “I’m proud of our guys (Sunday) as a whole. We saw some good arms, and they put together good at-bats and made some unbelievable plays, yet we were able to battle through all that.”

Aaron Civale (1-0, 3.60), who is on his sixth team since spending five seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, starts for the A’s.

Civale made his debut for the A’s last Tuesday when he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings while getting nine groundball outs in a 5-2 win at Atlanta.

The right-hander is 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in seven career regular-season starts against the Yankees, who hit .299 in those games. He last faced them on March 30, 2025, for Milwaukee when he allowed three homers and five runs in three innings.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Yankees #hope #Cam #Schlittlers #whitehot #start #continues

James Rodriguez injury update — Colombia star returns to club for training before FIFA World Cup 2026 <div id="content-body-70832783" itemprop="articleBody">Minnesota United denied reports that James Rodriguez was suffering from a potentially fatal health condition on Monday as the Colombian star returned to training after being sidelined for several days due to severe dehyration.Rodriguez, 34, was hospitalised for three days with dehydration last week after being taken ill during Colombia’s 3-1 loss to France on March 29 in Landover outside Washington.Some US media initially reported that the Colombia captain was suffering from rhabdomyolysis — a severe breakdown of muscle tissue that, in extreme cases, can be fatal.“Minnesota United FC takes the health and privacy of its players seriously,” the Major League Soccer side said in a statement.“The club and our medical professionals can unequivocally state there has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis.”Minnesota said Rodriguez had been recovering at home after being discharged last week before returning to training on Monday, where he participated in “a supervised return-to-activity” session.“His reintegration into full team training will follow the protocols established by the club’s medical department and will be guided entirely by his clinical progress,” Minnesota said.Published on Apr 07, 2026</div> #James #Rodriguez #injury #update #Colombia #star #returns #club #training #FIFA #World #Cup

#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">