Onward And Upward
A story about the Iranian ski coach that'll fire you up, a new head of the Olympic Committee and some extra love for Texas.
Dive headfirst into the weekend with the confidence to talk a little sports.
Darn right you can,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Summer Olympics
Former Japanese Olympian Seiko Hashimoto is the new leader of Japan’s Olympic Committee. This appointment comes after the former chief stepped down after inappropriate remarks where he said, "When you increase the number of female executive members, if their speaking time isn’t restricted to a certain extent, they have difficulty finishing, which is annoying.” Needless to say, Hashimoto steps in to lead the Summer Olympics amidst COVID and a year delay. YOU’VE GOT THIS
Overtime
Thanks to Houston Rockets (NBA - National Basketball Association) player John Wall, we have some good news to share this morning. Wall worked with his Instagram followers to find a restaurant that could feed more than 500 people who were sheltered after the Arctic storm that hit Texas. All 500 people received a meal, thanks to Wall and his friends. A HAND UP
Sideline stat
One of her athletes may have finished 25 seconds behind the leader, but Iran skiing coach Samira Zargari is proud of her team, even if she’s cheering them on from afar. Zargari’s husband blocked the Iranian ski coach from traveling to Italy for the world championships. He used a local law to ban her from travel after she refused to grant him a divorce after he started dating her best friend. While she’s sad not to be there with her team, Zargari said she wanted to launch a “campaign” to change the law. CAN’T KEEP A GOOD WOMAN DOWN
Coaches’ corner
We’ve received a handful of questions around the new Fan Controlled Football League, so ask, and you shall receive. The league is the only sports league where the fans control every facet of the game. Every decision from the lineup to the play calling is fan-decided. As of now, the league only has four teams. Still, it is backed by some reasonably notable investors in former NFL (National Football League) stars Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch, rapper Quavo, baseball’s Trevor May and more. DIVE IN FURTHER
What to watch
The NHL (National Hockey League) is taking the scenic route for a few of this weekend’s games. There will be two games taking place outdoor, along with a Green Day concert on Lake Tahoe's shores. COULD BE WORSE
5 Reasons You Should Be Excited About The World Series
It's not all about peanuts & cracker jacks but tacos, baby sharks & adopted puppies.
This isn't your average list - this is what people actually want to talk about.
Because who won the 1972 World Series isn't the key to a great conversation,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros are playing in the 115th World Series. The Nationals are hoping to win their first ever franchise World Series and the Astros are striving for their second title win after winning their franchise first in 2017. The Astros are favored to win but the Nationals were fighters all season, so it’s anyone’s guess. (At the time of publication the Nationals are up 1-0 in the series). YOU'LL NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST
2. There are a lot of good luck charms that have come into play for the Washington Nationals, who started off the season in the dumps (19-31 to be exact). Luck came in the form of the song "Baby Shark" and a four-legged friend. First, Gerardo Parra changed his walk-up song for his kids to the song we all love to hate, "Baby Shark." He broke out of a hitless slump and the song became a rally cry for the team. Then there’s Ryan Zimmerman, who adopted a rescue dog named Penny before the postseason and they went on to crush it after that. UNDERDOGS DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO
3. While the regular season saw balls fly out of the park at a record rate, this series is not likely to reflect that because these two teams boast some of the best pitchers in the league. When it comes to hitters at the plate, keep in mind that when the games are in an American League ballpark (Astros’ stadium) both teams will play with a designated hitter (DH), a batter specifically designated to hit in the place of the pitcher. When the teams play at the home of the Nationals, the designated hitter won’t exist as the National League does not play with a DH. A pitcher has to hit. WHO DOESN'T WANT TO CALL IN A SUBSTITUTE SOMETIMES?
4. Your medical terminology for the day - Heterochromia iridis. That’s the condition that causes Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer to have two different color eyes. One is blue and the other is brown. THE EYES HAVE IT
5. Who says you have to be big and burly to be a professional athlete? Well, whoever did has never met Jose Altuve. Altuve is the Astros second baseman and has been the hero of the postseason. And he stands at 5’6.” Besides who needs to be big when your big, burly athlete friends in the Houston area have your back? The other Houston teams are in full support of their baseball team with players from the Houston Rockets (NBA – National Basketball Association) and Houston Texans (NFL – National Football League) supporting the team from the stands throughout the playoffs. Texans player J.J. Watt made the official “Play Ball!” call before last night’s game. STAND AS ONE
The Proof Is In The Pudding
Why one football player is running with the bulls, this is it for Wimbledon and the NBA has the experts all confused.
No question, it’s Friday. Take your weekend to the next level with today’s wisdom.
Knowledge is power,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In another blockbuster trade, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded away their star player, Russell Westbrook, to the Houston Rockets. Why is this a big deal? The tides keep shifting for next season with big moves from the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers (to name a few) and now the Rockets. There’s no telling what could happen next season. THE EXPERTS ALL AGREE…THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON
Overtime
The off-season workout routine for Josh Norman of the Washington Redskins (NFL – National Football League) is a little more ballsy than most. Not sure how this doesn’t violate the “things you shouldn’t do so you don’t hurt yourself too badly” clause in his contract, but watch Norman run with (and hurdle) the bulls in Pamplona, Spain this week. AT LEAST THE PILATES MAT WON’T GORE YOU
Sideline Stat
Rufus the Hawk is going to be very busy protecting the skies over Wimbledon this weekend. First the “Big 3” - Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are playing in the semifinals today. Serena Williams will play Simona Halep in the women’s singles finals on Saturday. If Williams wins, she will tie the all-time record for the most Grand Slam titles at 24. (There are four major tournaments that qualify as “Grand Slams” in tennis. Wimbledon is one of them). WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ROYALS SIGHTING?
PS – Don’t know why Rufus the Hawk is such a big deal? Check out Five Things You Need To Know About Wimbledon.
Coaches’ Corner
Because why not? Robot umpires debuted at the Minor League Baseball All-Star Game this week. The robotic system is thought to speed up the game because there will be a consistent strike zone so players won’t waste time arguing balls and strikes. Imagine all of the carefully choreographed heckling that is now going to fall on deaf (or no) ears. WHAT’S NEXT? A ROBOT BEER VENDOR ROAMING THE STANDS?