A Fresh Start

It’s a new day, a new week and a fresh start to create a connection with someone new by knowing just a little about sports.

Seize the day,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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PGA (Professional Golfers Association)

That’s Italiano. Everyone has their recipe for success and for The Open (aka the British Open) champion Francesco Molinari it involves pasta (seriously). Yesterday, he became the first Italian player to ever win a major. (There are four major tournaments during the golf season). On the flip side, golfer Eddie Pepperell said he owes his success to battling through a hangover. WE’LL TAKE THE PASTA

Overtime

Apparently, Clevelanders are having too much fun at Department of Motor Vehicles because the DMV had to take matters into their own hands to get people to stop smiling in their driver’s license photos. To turn that smile into a frown, they taped a photo of LeBron James to their camera. James left their Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA – National Basketball Association) for the Los Angeles Lakers. SMILING IS MY FAVORITE

Sideline stat

The grueling schedule of the Tour de France takes a little break today. The second and final day of rest in the 23-day competition is today. The riders will get back in the saddle tomorrow and race through the 29th of this month. FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LE TOUR

Coaches’ corner

The fresh face of American soccer, Christian Pulisic, proved that he’s wise beyond his years. A young fan rushed the field during Pulisic’s postgame interview, but instead of allowing security to haul him off, the 19-year-old star took the time to take a selfie and sign an autograph for the fan, making his day. SAY CHEESE

What to watch

Basketball hall of famer Shaq kicked off Shark Week last night, facing his fears of swimming with sharks. Tonight, Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers (NFL – National Football League), New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski (NFL) and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn will all try to avoid becoming shark bait. Imagine being the person who had to draw up those insurance policies... BITE ME

5 Sporting Events To Get Excited About In June

Forget June gloom! This month is filled with sports action that’ll get you off your feet and into the conversation.

Ready for summertime socializing,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Five Sporting Events To Get Excited About In June

1. Normally we get to the Belmont Stakes, the third race in the quest for the Triple Crown, and we have nothing to be excited about. Not this year! On Saturday, Justify hopes to become the 13th horse in history to win the Triple Crown. If that’s not enough, watch for Gronkowski (a horse named for and partially owned by New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski – NFL – National Football League) to add a little entertainment. BUT WILL THERE BE HATS?

2. The world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup, starts June 14 in Russia. Over 3.2 billion (yes billion) watched the last World Cup, which happens every four years. With Team U.S.A. out, watch for Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) to make a run for the trophy but don’t count out underdog team Iceland, making their first ever appearance in the World Cup. SCHEDULE

3. The biggest names in golf will hit the links in Southampton for the U.S. Open on June 14. Known as the “toughest test in golf,” big names like Tiger Woods, who docked his $20 million yacht in the Hamptons for the tournament, will be competing. While Woods is a household name, keep an eye out for cancer survivor and full-time NHL (National Hockey League) referee, Garrett Rank, who qualified this week to play in the tournament.

4. Since the summer isn’t hot enough, why not play a little baseball outside in the humidity in Nebraska? Omaha is the mecca for college baseball and the College Baseball World Series starts there on June 16. While the eight teams battle it out, fans will fight to keep their balls, their beach balls that is. The long-standing tradition has been banned from the stadium but that won't stop them. HEY BATTER BATTER

5. Wrap up the end of the month by watching college athletes put their livelihood on the line in hopes of being chosen in the NBA (National Basketball Association) draft on June 21. Players must be out of high school for one year to be eligible and collegiate athletes that go undrafted cannot go back to school to play. Talk about all or nothing. MORE

Not interested in the future? Let's talk about today. 

Here’s the buzz on what’s happening today including the latest list of highest paid athletes and some familiar faces are missing, the sports books are finally open in one state and what’s Dennis Rodman’s new job? (Hint – it’s kind of important so fingers crossed that he doesn’t dress in drag). READ

5 Things You Need To Know About The NFL Draft

The future of football starts tomorrow and here’s the knowledge you need to talk shop with the best of them.

You're our first round draft pick,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Five Things To Know About The NFL (National Football League) Draft

1. How it works – The candidates for the draft primarily consist of college football players hoping to play in the NFL. The first round picks are determined by the teams’ win/loss record from the previous season. The worst team picks first (because it’s presumed they need the most help) and the Super Bowl champions pick last. Any ties in season records are settled by a coin toss. RULES

2. This year’s draft is at the home of the Dallas Cowboys and it is the first time the draft has ever been held in an NFL stadium. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the first round of picks on Thursday and don’t be surprised if he’s booed by Cowboys fans. Last year was a contentious year between the Cowboys organization and Goodell. (For the record, the fans boo Goodell every year – it’s like a fun, family tradition). MORE ABOUT THE COWBOYS CONTROVERSY

3. To keep fans engaged throughout the three days and seven rounds, teams have come up with intriguing ways to announce their draft picks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are using a live parrot, the Minnesota Vikings will call on the gold medal winning U.S. Men's Curling Team to read their name, the Oakland Raiders will announce their pick from Nellis Air Force Base in their soon to be new home, Las Vegas and members of the Stoneman Douglas football team will make the announcement for the Miami Dolphins. MORE ON THE FANFARE

4. Pizza Hut is the new official pizza sponsor of the NFL and to celebrate the company is giving the 78th pick of the draft free pizza for a year. Why? The 78th pick equals pi therefore why not give them free pizza pies? (Pi is 3.14 and the 78th pick is in the third round, pick 14). Worth noting – the later the pick, the less likely it is that the player will make an NFL team. A superstar exception? Quarterback Tom Brady who was the 199th pick. PICK ME

5. Speaking of picks, the Cleveland Browns have the first pick in the draft. The team has been silent on their choice for the number one spot. So quiet that the general manager of the Browns won’t even tell his coach who he’s picking because he doesn’t want it to leak to the media. FIND OUT WHO MIGHT GO FIRST

Pick me!

There’s more to life than being drafted and today that includes why the NFL could be like the Price Is Right with a $1 offer, another woman breaks through in sports and the player who held a press conference to discuss his dirt bike skills (because why not)? READ

 

 

What to watch

The NFL draft starts Thursday night and runs through Saturday. One player to watch is Shaquem Griffin from Central Florida who only has one hand after having it amputated at an early age. He impressed teams in his tryouts but will he make a team and history? SCHEDULE