The Countdown Is On
Baseball shatters the glass ceiling, history was made at the Masters and why an NFL game caused Blake Shelton to call a doctor.
It is the last week before we dive headfirst into the holiday season. There’s no time like the present to brush up on drama-free conversation starters that are (mostly) family-friendly.
Cheers to that,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
November has been a historic month for women breaking the glass ceiling. On Friday Kim Ng became the newest general manager of the Miami Marlins and the first female and first Asian-American to ever serve in that role in the history of the big four of American sports (MLB, NHL, NFL and NBA). She has served as an assistant GM with both the Yankees and the Dodgers as well as in the executive suite with the White Sox. Hall of Famer and Miami Marlins CEO/owner Derek Jeter led the breakthrough hire. WATCH OUT WORLD
Overtime
Dustin Johnson went from being quarantined with COVID in a hotel room for 11 days earlier this month to the most dominant performance ever at The Masters. Johnson shot 20 under par to land his first green jacket yesterday. Par is the expected number of strokes per hole for a golfer, or “average.” So, Johnson beat that average by 20 strokes, which is the lowest score in tournament history. There to celebrate with Johnson was his fiancé Paulina Gretzky, who is the daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky. CHAMPIONS RUN IN THE FAMILY
Sideline stat
Formula One (F1) driver Lewis Hamilton continues to make 2020 his year. Yesterday he won his seventh world championship, tying the record set by racing legend Michael Schumacher. As expected, Hamilton’s vegan pup Roscoe was there to celebrate with him. PARTY ON!
Coaches’ corner
And just like that we’re heading into the semifinals of “Dancing with the Stars” and long gone are the days of Carol Baskin and her tiger themed performances. Usually, athletes fare well in this competition but this year Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir is the only one remaining. The semifinalists include rapper Nelly and former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe. (FOX) TROT TO VICTORY
What to watch
Last night’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills (NFL – National Football League) had us all at the edge of our seats including singer Blake Shelton, who shared his angst in a hilarious post on Twitter. CAN YOU ACTUALLY TWEET THAT?
Better Days
Armed robbery ≠ social distancing, there are actual live sports this weekend and how the Jordan documentary almost didn’t make the cut.
The weekend is upon us.
Good to see you old friend,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
NASCAR returns this weekend with the “Real Heroes 400." Through a collaboration with NASCAR, FOX Sports and the teams, each driver’s name will be replaced on the car with the name of an individual healthcare worker who is currently battling COVID. Another fighter hitting the track is Ryan Newman, who was involved in a horrific, fiery crash in February at the Daytona 500. NASCAR has a full dance card this month as this is the first race of five taking place in the month of May. ROAD WARRIORS
Overtime
New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar (NFL - National Football League) were clearly not social distancing since they’re wanted in connection to an armed robbery investigation. They were at a party and allegedly decided to rob the patrons at gunpoint. BUT THEY WERE WEARING A MASK…
Sideline stat
Golf will resume this weekend with PGA (Professional Golfers Association) golfers Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson teeing off against their colleagues Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff. The goal of the match is to raise money for COVID relief with team McIlroy/Johnson playing for the American Nurses Foundation and team Fowler/Wolff, the CDC Foundation. The winning team will have a chance to earn anywhere from $50,000-$500,000 per hole for all 18 holes. GOLF FOR GOOD
Coaches’ corner
Bundesliga is back. (Say that fives times fast). Yes, the German soccer league that Americans fell in love with this spring is back in action this weekend. While we’ll lose the passion and the massive signs the fans bring, Bundesliga games are known for being exciting. They regularly lead Europe in average goals per game. More goals = more excitement. The top teams to watch are Bayern Munich (best described as the German Yankees) and Borussia Dortmund. Here are some more interesting facts about the league and the schedule. A SPORTS SUBSTITUTION
WHAT TO WATCH
Don’t be sad that it’s over, smile because it happened. That’s what the world will be telling itself when the Michael Jordan documentary “Last Dance” comes to an end this Sunday. The documentary was rolled out early due to COVID and the director didn’t finish editing Sunday’s episodes until last week. SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT
The Rundown: Ninja Style
Is your weekend full of happy hours, charity events and birthday parties? Break the ice with anyone by perusing today’s Rundown over your morning cup of coffee.
Small talk ninja,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association)
- Slippery when wet. The competition at The Masters took a hit as the favorite Dustin Johnson (#1) withdrew from the tournament just before teeing off, citing a back injury from falling down the stairs in his Augusta rental house. Word is he was wearing socks on wood floors. Everyone who’s seen Risky Business knows that’s a slippery slope.
- A tea and lemonade toast to you. This was the first time since 1954 that Arnold Palmer was not present at Augusta. (He passed away in September). Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player hit the ceremonial first shot in front of a huge crowd with tears in their eyes and Palmer’s green jacket draped over an empty chair.
- What they’re saying. The terrible weather is the talk of the town with high winds and rain taking a toll. What else is everyone talking about? Find out in our five things to know about The Masters.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- The need for speed. Who doesn’t love American Ninja Warrior? Nothing like parading the physical specimens of the nation across our TV while we eat ice cream. Three NASCAR drivers are going to take their chances on the Warrior’s obstacle course this summer. To see which drivers and when, click here.
Overtime
- The college hockey “Frozen Four” was yesterday in Chicago. In the two semifinal games, Harvard and Notre Dame lost as did Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Tickets were in such high demand that the Mayor of Chicago struggled to get extra tickets. Minnesota-Duluth takes on Denver tomorrow for the national championship.
Sideline stat
- Amazon won the rights to stream NFL (National Football League) Thursday night football games on their platform. (The games will also be simulcast on NBC or CBS). Reports suggest the deal is worth up to $50 million. Last season’s games were streamed on Twitter, which was reportedly a $10 million deal.
Coaches’ corner
- On Thursday, former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow made his minor league debut for the New York Mets (MLB – Major League Baseball) Single-A affiliate, the Columbus Fireflies. Tebow hit a home run in his first at bat.