The Rundown: When I Met You In The Summer

Summer is here and it’s no more evident than in sports. From weddings to awaiting the announcement of the NBA (National Basketball Association) League MVP to figuring out why blondes have more fun, we have all you need to know to start a conversation with a tan stranger on a beach blanket.

Will you put sunscreen on my back?

The Last Night’s Game team

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College Baseball World Series

• Do I know you? The final series in the College Baseball World Series begins tonight.  The LSU Tigers (Louisiana State University) will face the University of Florida Gators in the best-of-three series to determine the national champion. These two teams are familiar foes as they play together in the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and shared a regular season title.
• Blondes have more fun. Baseball players are known for being superstitious and LSU player Kramer Robertson is no exception to the rule. He dyed his hair blonde after a previous loss in the tournament and they’re now playing in the finals. Much to the distain of his mother, Baylor University’s women’s basketball coach, he plans on keeping his good luck charm lightened locks. Whatever floats your boat.

MLB (Major League Baseball)

• What no puffy shirt? Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger has continued his home run hot streak, hitting two more on Sunday (yes in one game). Even more impressive (or frightening) than his record-breaking home run streak? He doesn’t know who Jerry Seinfeld is. Apparently, he’s never met Kramer (above) either.  

Overtime

• Sports reporter extraordinaire and Dancing With The Stars host, Erin Andrews married hockey player Jarret Stoll this weekend in Montana. The two were introduced by a mutual friend, former NFL (National Football League) player and morning show host, Michael Strahan. See all the pics.   

Sideline stat

• Miami Marlins Ichiro Suzuki must have found the fountain of youth. He made history on Sunday, becoming the oldest player (43) to start a game in centerfield, breaking Ricky Henderson’s previous record.

Coaches’ corner

• Sports and music always seem to collide and that’s the case in the “Big 3,” a three-on-three basketball tournament started by rapper Ice Cube. The games have no time limit, the first team to 60 points wins. The players and coaches include former NBA (National Basketball Association) legends like Julius “Dr. J” Erving and Allen Iverson.

You can catch the games on Fox Sports 1 on Mondays for the next eight weeks.

The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - Medal Monday

We had Olympic fever all weekend and there’s no signs of it stopping.  While you might not believe it, there are other sports happening now as well. Don’t worry – we’ve got you. You’re going to be the hit of the water cooler this morning.

Chatty Cathy,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Summer Olympics

• Record shattered. Swimmer Katie Ledecky beat her own world record and won gold in the 400-meter freestyle swim. Previously, Ledecky dominated in the London Olympics winning her first gold medal at just 15-years-old.
• Badass bruising. With a win in yesterday’s relay race, Michael Phelps won his 19th career gold medal (23rd medal overall). If you were curious about the round bruises on his body, they're not crop circles. Phelps was simply channeling his inner Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow. Those bruises were from cupping, an ancient Chinese technique using suction to increase blood flow to relieve muscle tension.
• There’s a first time for everything. Serena and Venus Williams encountered an Olympic first. They we’re knocked out of medal contention with their first Olympic loss as a doubles team. The number one ranked duo lost to an unranked Czech Republic team.
• Cracking job. French gymnast Samir Ait Said left the crowd speechless but for all the wrong reasons. He literally snapped his lower leg in half on his vault landing. To add insult to injury, paramedics dropped his stretcher on the way out of the arena. Talk about kicking a man when he’s down.
• The deets. U.S.A leads medal count with 12. Click for the complete medal count and for a schedule of events.

MLB (Major League Baseball) 

• This used to be my playground. New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez announced he will play the last game of his career this Friday. Rodriguez has had a record career that was tainted by steroid use and was a tabloid regular for dating Hollywood starlets (think Madonna and Cameron Diaz). He will remain with the team through next year as a “special adviser” while bringing home the remainder of his $275 million paycheck. For the record, the Yankees are having one of their worst seasons in a long time.

NFL (National Football League) 

• The Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony went off without a hitch this weekend. The Hall of Fame Game scheduled to follow? Not so much. The game between Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts was cancelled due to field conditions. The paint used on the field for the midfield logo and end zones was too hard which threatened player safety. In a silver lining moment, the teams held a makeshift fan fest for those in attendance and their money will be refunded.  

Overtime

• Team Russia was banned from the 2016 Paralympic Games for allegedly violating international doping rules.  International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven said Russia has "catastrophically failed its para athletes. Their medals-over-morals mentality disgusts me."

Sideline stat

• Miami Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki reached a career milestone this weekend hitting his 3,000th career hit. He is only the 30th player in baseball history to reach that milestone.

Coaches’ corner

• We were stumped while watching Team U.S.A. play in volleyball yesterday. Why? We weren’t sure why there was one team member in a different colored jersey (in this case a red shirt vs the team’s white ones).  Answer? That player is called the libero; a player that chosen specially for defense – they cannot serve or spike, but can play anywhere on the court.

The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition – Pool Party Prep

We’re helping you to become the hit of the weekend pool party one sports fact at a time.

Cocktails on us,

The Last Night’s Game Team  

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NBA (National Basketball Association)

• Moving on. The NBA announced that the 2017 All-Star game which was originally scheduled for Charlotte, North Carolina will be relocated due to the “bathroom bill,” a bill that discriminates against the LBGT community. The NBA and Charlotte Hornets said they have been working to foster discussions and change stating that this bill violates their “long-standing core values that include diversity, inclusion, and respect for others.” The NBA is expected to announce a new host city within a week. All signs are pointing to New Orleans as the new location. NBA has said it will look to reschedule the game in Charlotte for 2019 should necessary changes be made.
• Let's practice. Team U.S.A men’s basketball will begin its five game exhibition series against Argentina on Friday in Las Vegas. The team is made up of NBA players.  

Golf

• Now teeing off. The American Century Championship celebrity tournament takes place this weekend in Lake Tahoe. The tournament participants, who play to raise money for charity, include celebrities and athletes. Former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder is the favorite to win the tournament with Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry given the fifth best odds to win and former NBA and TNT commentator Charles Barkley is at 6000-1 odds to win. The field also includes music man and part owner of the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), Justin Timberlake.

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

• Switch-a-roo. This weekend NASCAR heads to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. The all-time win leader at the track is Jeff Gordon, who coincidentally will be coming out of retirement to drive in place of Dale Earnhardt Jr. who is suffering from concussion symptoms. Gordon announced his retirement from racing eight months ago and took a commentator job with FOX. Gordon will be filling in for Earnhardt for the next two weeks while he recovers.  

F1 (Formula One Racing)

• Hungry eyes. The drivers head to Hungary this weekend where Lewis Hamilton looks to overtake Nico Rosberg in the overall points lead.  Hamilton is just one point back in the standings after winning four of the last five races. Track limits, such as drivers going off the track, are going to be policed electronically which is causing a bit of controversy.

Tour de France

• Yellow jersey. Going into the final weekend, Chris Froome holds the overall lead in Le Tour by almost four minutes. Froome, who has won the race two times before, raced for Kenya until 2008 when he switched his allegiance to Britain. 

NFL (National Football League)

• Houston Texans player, CMT awards host and fitness magazine cover model J.J. Watt has undergone back surgery and is expected to miss training camp but he will be ready for the start of the season. Watt has not missed a game in his five-year career. Last year Watt underwent groin surgery and played with a broken hand.

Overtime

• NBA Hall of Famer and TNT Analyst Shaq will be breaking down the beats tonight as his remixing alter ego, “DJ Diesel” in Belgium at the Tomorrowland music festival.  If you want a preview of his off-court turntable skills, check out highlights from his set at Tomorrow World last summer. He could quit his day job.

Sideline stat

• Miami Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki is nearing the exclusive 3,000 hit club and hopes to accomplish that feat at home. The Marlins are looking to combat their low season attendance by starting tickets to witness this accomplishment at $29.90 (for 2,900 hits) and increasing the price by one cent with each hit. After their last ticket promo disaster with the home run derby let’s hope this works for them.  

Coaches’ corner

• For more about how to up your game and join the sports conversation at work, read Beyond the Lycra – Three Things to Know About the Tour de France for the Office.