Off And Running
The Boston Marathon is today and that’s clearly the Monday motivation you’ll need to make a morning coffee run, because going for an actual run might be a little ambitious.
The Boston Marathon is today and that’s clearly the Monday motivation you’ll need to make your morning coffee run, because going for an actual run might be a little ambitious.
Either way, you’ve got this,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Boston Marathon
If you need an excuse to miss work today. Today is Patriots Day in Boston and the celebration includes the Boston Marathon followed by an early Red Sox game (MLB - Major League Baseball). Did you know that the Boston Marathon was one of the five major sporting events to continue during the World Wars? Read more fun facts about the marathon.
If you’re a goal digger. Today marks the five year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. One runner with a heartwarming story in today’s race is Jennifer Phinney. While deployed in Iraq 11 years ago, she was told her tour was being extended by six months. She dealt with the disappointment by running a Boston Marathon shadow race. Since then, she has completed a multitude of marathons, including a six-hour finish when she was eight months pregnant. She will finally have her chance to run the real race this morning, 11 years after running the shadow race in Iraq.
Overtime
The wedding anticipated by fans everywhere is off. Wrestler turned actor, John Cena and his wrestler fiancée Nikki Bella have called off their wedding. Fans all over the world are heartbroken as their dreams of spandex-filled, body slamming nuptials are shattered. READ
Sideline stat
It was not quite the birdie he was looking for. Golfer Kelly Kraft hit an actual bird on Friday on the 14th hole, causing him to miss the cut to make it into the next round in the tournament. In a statement, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) showed zero remorse for the golfer stating that, “if he would’ve practiced more, he would’ve made the cut. It’s not the bird’s fault.” Ouch. MORE
Coaches’ Corner
In a no big deal moment, the gasman for NASCAR (National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing) driver Cole Custer caught on fire during a pit stop. The gasman is the one who fills up the car with fuel during the quick stop and is obviously equipped with fireproof gear. Regardless, he was remarkably calm as flames shot off his body. As one gasman said last season “If you’re worried about catching on fire, you’re not doing your job.” We can safely say this is not the motto in our office.
What to watch
The Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians (MLB) will be playing in Puerto Rico tomorrow and Wednesday. (Oh and we're still in the first round of the NHL [National Hockey League] and NBA [National Basketball Association] playoffs).
Batter Up! 5 Things You Need To Know For Baseball's Opening Day
Even though it may not be shorts and tank top weather in your neck of the woods, the boys of summer are back. We have everything you need to know to talk about the long ball.
Even though it may not be shorts and tank top weather in your neck of the woods, the boys of summer are back. We have everything you need to know to talk about the long ball.
Swinging for the fences,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Things You Need To Know For Opening Day
1. Opening Day is tomorrow, Thursday March 29 and that’s the earliest start to the regular season in MLB (Major League Baseball) history (with the exception of international games played in the past few years in Japan and Australia). Why? This schedule will provide more rest days in the season. It’s also the first time since 1968 that every team is playing on the same day to start the season. The more the merrier!
2. Baseball players are called the boys of summer, but why? Baseball is the only major professional sport that spans the summer and starts and finishes the season in the same calendar year. It’s also the longest regular season in professional sports with 162 games.
3. Bringing some much needed excitement to the downtrodden island of Puerto Rico, the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins will play a two-game series in San Juan, Puerto Rico in April. The Los Angeles Dodgers have stepped up to help the island in a different way, pledging $2 million to help with the rebuilding efforts.
4. Need a reason for a gastronomical road trip? These stadiums have put the traditional beer and a hot dog to shame - Toronto Blue Jays for their Distillery Poutine, Atlanta Braves' Spec-Tater (potato AND a hot dog in one) and the Colorado Rockies for a Rocky Mountain Po’boy featuring, you guessed it, Rocky Mountain oysters. (If you don’t know what that is, a Google search - not on your work computer, will do the trick).
5. In the world where we want our news in 180 characters, the pace of game has been a huge issue for the league. They’re trying to speed up the game, which averaged a lengthy 3 hours and 7 minutes in 2017. (That also happens to the be the average time of an NFL - National Football League - game). Some teams are bringing back the bullpen cart to speed things along, although a golf cart driven by a mascot to escort a pitcher to the mound sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
Bonus - Want more of what's happening on the field and what players to watch for this season? HERE YOU GO
Three things that you won't be able to resist sharing
No, we're not telling you to share your breakfast, but the wisdom of the top three things happening in the sports world including, when kids speak the truth..on Twitter, how much LeBron James really spends on maintaining his peak performance and what does Game of Thrones have to do with MLB? READ
The Rundown: Red Carpet Worthy
It’s going to be a big Sunday but which channel will you choose? The red carpet coverage of the Oscars or Daytona 500?
Thank goodness for picture-in-picture,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Party time. NASCAR kicks off its season with the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Throwing a watch party with your friends? Get your party menu from chef Gordon Ramsay here.
- Let's roll. Singer Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem to start off the speedway shenanigans. Actor Owen Wilson, who is the voice of Lightning McQueen in the film Cars 3, has a great reason to miss the Oscars because he has the honor of telling the drivers to “start their engines.” (That's the ceremonial declaration that is shouted before each race).
- In case you missed it, here are five fascinating things to know about the Daytona 500.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Simply disgusting. Baseball players are odd creatures of habit. Minnesota Twins pitcher Ryan O’Rourke revealed his game day tradition of vomiting before he goes in to pitch. There are no words.
Overtime
- Hollywood loves to make movies about sports but there aren’t many athletes taking home an Oscar. They may not have a little gold statue but there are a plethora of retired boxers, race car drivers, motorcycle riders and other athletes in film starring as stunt doubles. The Academy has been lobbied every year since 1991 for a stunt category with no luck. Never say never.
Sideline stat
- Baseball fans will be able to share their appearance on the video scoreboard or the telecast during a game. Fans who download the “15 Seconds of Fame” app will receive a video clip after their moment in the spotlight. Now there will forever be evidence of your appearance on the kiss cam.
Coaches’ corner
- Fashion isn’t only for the red carpet. The votes are in and these are the best shoes of the NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Game last weekend. Stilettos not included.