Golden Hour
Simone Biles - will she or won’t she, why Chicago is waking up heartbroken and the microstate, which you’ve likely never heard of, that won a medal.
While diving deep into sports may not be your thing (ours either), it’s a perfect foray into a conversation and making a connection.
Something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
All eyes are again on Simone Biles, with the individual events (uneven bars, vault, floor, etc.) beginning on Sunday. In her Instagram stories, she said she is struggling with the 'twisties' – her "mind and body are simply not in sync." She has been very open about her struggle and even answered questions in her stories from fans about the twisties. There has been no word if she will compete in any of those events. HANG IN THERE
Overtime
Hearts broke all over Chicago last night when news that the Chicago Cubs (MLB – Major League Baseball) traded away fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and his BFF, Kris Bryant, played together on the Cubs since 2015 and were part of the team that broke the Cubs' championship curse. The two, dubbed Bryzzo, are known for picking up fan's dinner tabs and being all-around good guys. They will now be rivals as Rizzo was traded to the Yankees ahead of the MLB trade deadline. WELCOME TO NEW YORK??
Sideline stat
History continues to be made in Tokyo. This time, San Marino claims the title as the least populated country to win an Olympic medal at the Summer or Winter Games, a record previously held by Lichtenstein. Alessandra Perilli won the bronze medal in women's trap shooting for San Marino, which is in Northern Italy. The microstate has a population of around 34,000. Their entire population wouldn't even fill Wrigley Field. SMALL COUNTRY, BIG DREAMS
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, with her teammates, including Simone Biles, in the stands, American gymnast Suni Lee, 18, became the fifth straight gold medal winner for the US in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around. Lee has a great story herself. She is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. Her dad, who has since been paralyzed from a freak accident, built her a balance beam in their backyard so she could practice.
FYI, track and field coverage continues to ramp up as swimming and gymnastics start to wrap up.
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Draft was last night, and the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rules may have already made an impact as 88 early entry candidates (players who still have eligibility) withdrew from the 2021 draft. Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University was drafted in the No. 1 spot to Detroit Pistons. However, the headlines were the blockbuster trade of veteran Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook, like new teammate LeBron James, is involved in the Hollywood movie scene. The NBA pre-season begins in early October. HOOP DREAMS
We Choose You
The sporty affair that'll make your jaw drop, break out the spandex - it's Le Tour time and the soccer player who stepped up for 1.7M children.
Thanks for waking up with us three times a week. We hope we make your day a little brighter and the small talk a little easier.
Thank you for being a friend,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – Remember, if you have any feedback, questions or something you want to learn about, reply to this email and let us know.
Tour de France
If you’re looking for motivation to jump on the Peloton this weekend, turn on the Tour De France, which starts on Saturday. Here's a fun fact about the tour. Until the 1960s, it was common for participants to drink alcohol to numb the pain. Despite its 'healing power,' alcohol was later banned because it's a stimulant. This 21-day race with only two days of rest will make your 30-minute HIIT class looks like a breeze. SADDLE UP
Overtime
This week, retired Chicago Cubs (MLB - Major League Baseball) player and former World Series MVP Ben Zobrist filed a lawsuit against Byron Yawn, his former pastor who was allegedly having an affair with Zobrist’s wife, Julianna. Yawn provided the couple with marital counseling and worked with Zobrist on his depression and anxiety while carrying on the alleged affair. Unbeknownst to Zobrist, he hired Yawn to be the executive director of his foundation, which is where the lawsuit comes into play. There won’t be a happy ending for anyone, but this story is far from over. SO MANY SECRETS
Sideline stat
Manchester United (European soccer) star Marcus Rashford spent the pandemic concerned with how the children in his country would eat. He rallied Parliament to provide support for children who received free lunch. After failing the first time, he raised millions of dollars for the cause and then on his second try, he successfully secured a $556 million grant to provide meals into 2021, impacting the lives of 1.7 million children in the UK. Rashford will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2021 ESPYS on July 10. Rashford was also recently named to Time's Top 100 List for his advocacy work on homelessness and child hunger. GOOD GUY ALERT
Coaches’ corner
It’s been a day or two since Ted Lasso (aka Jason Sudekis) and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt) announced the Olympic roster for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. But if you need a smile this Friday morning, it’s worth checking out. EXPERT OPINION
Around The World
It’s the weekend and time to take off into the high-flying excitement of infinite sports knowledge.
It’s the weekend and time to take off into the high-flying excitement of infinite sports knowledge.
Soaring above the rest,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - Time for this week's tailgating favorite. Break out your meds because this one is good for the soul, but maybe not for the cholesterol levels. BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
MLB (Major League Baseball)
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The playoffs are underway and there will be a special pint-sized guest at the Cleveland Indians vs. Houston Astros game- little Astros fan Chloe. She was scolded by another fan for cheering too loudly at a game and the video went viral. The Astros took notice and Chloe is not only going to the game but had a chance to meet her baseball heroes earlier this week. SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Overtime
Soul Plane has nothing on Mark Cuban. As part of the NBA’s efforts to reach its global fans, the Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers are playing two games in China. Don’t fret, the Mavs didn’t have to fly coach, they flew in style on a first class private plane complete with a buffet, bar and plenty of room to stretch those long legs out. HIGH ALTITUDE BALLIN’
Sideline stat
They say actions are greater than words and in this case a Chicago Cubs (MLB) fan had to live up to both. Back in May he tweeted out that he would send a 1,000-word apology letter to Milwaukee Brewers fans if their team finished above his Cubs in the division. Well, the Cubs missed out on a spot in the playoffs when they lost in a winner-take-all game to the Brewers. INSERT FOOT IN MOUTH
Coaches’ Corner
This weekend is the biggest fight of the year for UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Taking the octagon is Khabib Nurmagomedov, an undefeated Russian fighter who practices by wrestling live bears. He’ll fight Conor McGregor, who boxed Floyd Mayweather last year and is #4 on the Forbes list of highest paid athletes. McGregor also has a new addition in his life, Proper 12 whiskey, his company which is a sponsor of the fight. BOTTOMS UP
What to watch
The NHL (National Hockey League) is also going global with a game between the Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils on Sunday in Sweden. No word on if the teams’ transportation rivaled the Mavericks (above). THIS PLANE IS ALREADY TAKEN