The Good Ones
Why Prince William is chastising the behavior of England’s fans, the MLB All-Star Game and Wimbledon download.
The best part about sports isn’t the scores; it’s the stories that allow you to connect with others and create conversation.
Monday for the win,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Today starts the beginning of the All-Star festivities in Denver. The home run derby is tonight, and all eyes are on slugger (and pitcher) Shohei Ohtani, who is the first-ever Japanese-born player to compete in the derby. Also, keep an eye on Baltimore Orioles player Trey Mancini who missed last season to fight (and win) a battle with cancer who is also participating in the derby. The game itself will be tomorrow night.
While the stars of the game are on the field, they’re not the only heroes. At an MLB game yesterday, the father of Washington Nationals pitcher Joe Ross saved a fan’s life, performing the Heimlich Maneuver. LIFESAVER
Overtime
Some of England’s biggest soccer fans including David Beckham, Prince William, Duchess Kate and Prince George attended yesterday’s Euro 2020 Final. England was vying for its first major title in 55 years. Sadly, the England fans will have to settle for second. Italy took home the win after a great game that was decided by penalty kicks at the end. The British Beer and Pub Association estimated that fans would buy nearly 13 million pints of beer yesterday in expectation of the event. That indulging may have led to the thousands of abusive tweets and racist messages directed at the three Black England players who missed their penalty kicks. SORE LOSERS
Sideline stat
There’s a new name to keep an eye on in women’s tennis – Australian Ash Barty. Yesterday Barty won her first Wimbledon, her second Grand Slam title of her career. Novak Djokovic won his sixth Wimbledon, his third major of the year. With the win, he tied Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most titles in history. He could break the record at the U.S. Open in August; the only Grand Slam tournament left this year. ON FIRE
Coaches’ corner
The MLB All-Star Game made headlines after a maid tipped off Denver police who seized guns, ammunition, narcotics and body armor from a hotel near Coors Field, home of the All-Star Game. They arrested four people. It was initially feared it was some sort of planned attack on the event, but it turns out it may be unrelated. The All-Star Game was scheduled to be in Atlanta, but the league pulled the game after the state passed new voting rights laws. SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING
Truth Be Told
Who’s shaking what their mama gave them, the unsuspected hero of the “Last Dance” and ingenuity at work?
Sports, because everyone wants to talk about anything besides COVID.
Bring it on,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In last night’s episodes of “Last Dance,” the Michael Jordan documentary on ESPN, we had a chance to see inside Jordan’s relationship with Kobe Bryant. From his trash talking at Bryant’s first all-star game to the big brother and mentor Jordan became to Bryant. After his deadly helicopter crash earlier this year, it was bittersweet for so many fans to watch Bryant’s humble interview when discussing Jordan. WISH YOU WERE HERE
Overtime
Although it seems like the Super Bowl was a year ago, Jennifer Lopez shared behind the scenes footage to celebrate the three-month anniversary of her big halftime performance. Part of the video shows Shakira and JLo practicing their now famous booty-shaking routine. JLo’s word of advice to Shakira? "I do it with my knees, I shake my knees" – a secret she learned from her mama. NOTE TO SELF
Sideline stat
One German soccer fan is getting creative when it comes to using all of the boxes from his Amazon deliveries. With the return of German pro soccer league Bundesliga on the horizon, the fan had an idea to sell cardboard cutouts of a fan’s likeness for $20.60 to help local businesses. It’s a win-win because proceeds will benefit struggling local businesses, the local printer gets the work and the players will have “fans” in the stands when games resume. INGENUITY AT WORK
Coaches’ corner
Last week Baltimore Orioles (MLB - Major League Baseball) player Trey Mancini revealed that he was fighting stage three colon cancer. On a team call his teammates surprised him by holding up signs of support (literally) and pledged to “#F16HT” alongside him. The hashtag incorporates Mancini’s jersey number – 16. Mancini is currently undergoing chemotherapy and wants to see baseball return soon, even though he can’t play, so he can spend time with his teammates. IN IT TO WIN IT
What to watch
The unlikely hero of last night’s “Last Dance” episodes was the security guard at the United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls) who gambled with Michael Jordan in the locker room. With his curly blonde mullet and his victory dance moves, the scene where he takes Jordan’s money over a game of throwing quarters will make you smile. WINNING IS EVERYTHING
An Epic Weekend Is On Deck
Master the Masters, something’s fishy in Nashville and golf clap for Natty Ice.
We don’t throw the word epic around often but between playoffs, the Masters and the premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones, it’s going to be an epic weekend.
Stock up the wine fridge,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION)
Natural Light is showing off its classy side, giving away a year’s worth of beer for every birdie made during the Masters on Sunday. All you have to do is use #sweepstakes or #BirdieLight on Twitter and you’re entered to win. And in case you’re not into golf speak, a birdie is one shot under par. Ex. – On a par 3, it would take two shots to get the ball in the hole for a birdie. NATTY LIGHT = YOUTHFUL INDISCRETIONS
If all the business deals happen on the golf course, then you better step up your game and read our 5 Things Even Golfers Don’t Know About The Masters. MASTERING THE MASTERS
OVERTIME
When you win as many Super Bowls as Tom Brady, challenges arise. They might include high expectations from fans or the fact that you might run out of fingers for your Super Bowl rings. Another unforeseen problem? Confetti still in your helmet two months later. Brady posted a video yesterday of him pulling Super Bowl confetti out of his helmet before practice. WE’RE JUST HAPPY TO FIND $5 IN OUR COAT POCKET
SIDELINE STAT
The Baltimore Orioles’ (MLB – Major League Baseball) Chris Davis is in need of a serious slump buster. He’s making baseball history for all the wrong reasons. The poor guy hasn’t had a hit since September 14, 2018. To make the pressure even worse, local Baltimore establishments are offering free food and drinks whenever he does get a hit. (He’s 0-53 but it has to happen at some point, right)? HITS FOR HOT DOGS
COACHES' CORNER
The NBA (National Basketball Association) playoffs tipoff on Saturday (Golden State Warriors are the favorite to win it all). But the NHL (National Hockey League) playoffs are in full swing, and something’s fishy with the Nashville Predators. It’s an odd tradition (although aren’t most traditions odd)? for Preds fans to throw catfish on the ice. PETA isn’t having it and wants any fan who flings a fish to be banned from the arena for life and receive a $5,000 fine. They handed out free catfish squeeze balls featuring the message "Respect Animals" at Wednesday’s game. SMART MOVE - SQUEEZE BALLS WILL PROBABLY FLY FURTHER
WHAT TO WATCH
The biggest TV event on Sunday isn’t the final round of the Masters, but the start of the final season of the Game of Thrones. If fantasy sports aren’t your thing, you can join this GoT fantasy league. Yes, there’s a draft and everything. DRAFTING DRAGONS