Monday No Funday

Like it or not, it’s Monday so let’s get this party started.

But do we have to get out of bed?

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Tour de France

Talk about perseverance. Only five years ago Geraint Thomas broke his pelvis in the opening stage of the Tour de France but still managed to finish the race. Yesterday, he became the first Welshman to ever win the Tour. He beat out the race favorite and his teammate Chris Froome, who has won the previous three years. SPORTING THE YELLOW JERSEY

Overtime

The Atlanta Braves (MLB – Major League Baseball) announcers ripped their weekend opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers, for their batting practice attire. Players are not mandated by MLB to wear certain attire to batting practice, which happens hours before a game, but these two broadcasters lost their minds for the “lack of respect” presented. The reaction from the Dodgers coaches and players (including suggested attire – speedos anyone)? is worth the price of admission. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Sideline stat

American Lawson Craddock fell early in the Tour de France, fractured his scapula and cut his eye so badly it needed stitches but he carried on saying he trained to hard not to finish. (He finished in last place). As if that determination wasn’t enough, he raised over $224,000 (as of Monday morning), more than doubling his goal, to help rebuild the track he trained at in Houston that was destroyed in Hurricane Harvey. FUNDING A DREAM

Coaches’ corner

It’s back to school today for LeBron James and he has the first day jitters. His I Promise School for at-risk third and fourth graders opens today in Akron, Ohio. James has spent his career giving back to education, specifically helping children with difficult backgrounds. He said today’s opening will be one of the greatest moments of his life. BEST DAY EVER  

What to watch

Whether this causes you to rejoice or groan, the last weekend this year without football is behind us. With the NFL (National Football League) season around the corner, there is still controversy around the national anthem along with a new rule to prevent unnecessary head contact, which is making players’ heads hurt with frustration and confusion. SOMEONE HAS SOME ‘SPLAININ’ TO DO

Small Talk Saves The Day

While hard work helps you land the corner office, so does small talk. Tackle your future by joining the sports conversation.

Who's the boss? 

The Last Night's Game Team

PS - Every Friday during football season, we'll feature fan favorite tailgate recipes. This week's Tailgate Treat comes from hot sauce company, Palo Alto Firefighters. These honey roasted cashews are sure to be the hit of your party. 

Have a recipe you want to share? Email us!

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Tennis

• Moving on. The women's U.S. Open final is tomorrow and Americans Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens have punched their tickets. It’s the first Grand Slam final for both players and the first time since 2002 that we’ll have an All-American final. (FYI - a Grand Slam is one of the four major tournaments in tennis).

The men’s semifinals are this afternoon with the finals on Sunday. Follow us on Twitter for the up-to-the-minute action.

NFL (National Football League)

• Stay humble. Opening night of the NFL season was rough for the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Last night, after Tom Brady and his team raised their Super Bowl banner, they were handed a big loss by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Don’t forget to set your fantasy football lineups. Here's the schedule for Sunday’s games.

Overtime

• Last night actress Reese Witherspoon showed she’s sports savvy, winning a very messy sports-themed game on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. That a girl!

Sideline stat

• ESPN College GameDay will head to Columbus, Ohio for the weekend’s big college football game between the Oklahoma Sooners (5) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (2). The Buckeyes will be wearing Nike’s LeBron James cleats (yes the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player) for Saturday’s game. James may not have gone to college but he loves his state of Ohio. 

Here’s this weekend’s football schedule.

Coaches’ corner

• This weekend Is the last race of the regular season for NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). Fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. has yet to quality for the playoffs. Earnhardt is retiring after this season and if he can make it to the next round, it might be just what NASCAR needs to make the playoff run memorable.