Off And Running

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

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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.

Swinging for the fences,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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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

That Breakthrough Moment

In case you missed it, the Super Bowl is this Sunday. The spectacle where pop culture, kitchen fare and sports collide.

Be there or be square,
The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - It’s our last Tailgate Treat of the season and we’re bringing you the best recipes state by state for the Super Bowl. What’s the most popular recipe in your state? Find out here.

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NFL (National Football League)

That #FridayFeeling of impressing your co-workers. It’s inevitable, the Super Bowl is coming. You could choose not to watch it or simply watch it for the commercials. Either way impress everyone over the next few days with your knowledge around the game. How much does the halftime performer make? What food is the most popular? Have the Eagles ever won a Super Bowl? We have it all in our Five Things To Know About The Super Bowl.   

When you can't help but Say Something. Justin Timberlake may be performing during the NFL's halftime show but that didn't stop him from ruffling some feathers with a statement he made in a press conference. Amid all the concussion controversy that surrounds the league, he told a reporter that his son would "never play football."

Overtime

On Sunday before the Super Bowl, you can tune into the Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. The real winners, besides the viewers of course, are the puppies because all of them are adoptable shelter dogs. (Hint: they all get adopted). This year’s game will feature 90 puppies from a record 58 shelters and rescue groups from 24 states and Puerto Rico. The cheerleaders? Obviously, baby barnyard animals. Also helping out the referee? Shirley the rescue sloth. 15 FUN FACTS ABOUT THE PUPPY BOWL

Sideline stat

Experts predict over $4.76 billion will be wagered on the Super Bowl this year but only three percent of it will be legally bet in Nevada. The rest of the money will be bet with offshore sportsbooks and local bookmakers. (Nevada is currently the only state where you can bet on a single game). SPORTS BETTING 101

Coaches’ Corner

The biggest tradition in the storied Duke basketball program is “Krzyzewskiville," where students camp out before games to secure their game ticket. (The camp name is an homage to their coach). Since this year's flu has been so widespread and deadly, the school has closed the camp. Party poopers. 

Vegas readers! Catch us this morning on The Morning Blend (ABC 13) between 9-10 am (PST) to play Super Bowl trivia alongside Shawn and JJ.