Golden Hour
Simone Biles - will she or won’t she, why Chicago is waking up heartbroken and the microstate, which you’ve likely never heard of, that won a medal.
While diving deep into sports may not be your thing (ours either), it’s a perfect foray into a conversation and making a connection.
Something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
All eyes are again on Simone Biles, with the individual events (uneven bars, vault, floor, etc.) beginning on Sunday. In her Instagram stories, she said she is struggling with the 'twisties' – her "mind and body are simply not in sync." She has been very open about her struggle and even answered questions in her stories from fans about the twisties. There has been no word if she will compete in any of those events. HANG IN THERE
Overtime
Hearts broke all over Chicago last night when news that the Chicago Cubs (MLB – Major League Baseball) traded away fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and his BFF, Kris Bryant, played together on the Cubs since 2015 and were part of the team that broke the Cubs' championship curse. The two, dubbed Bryzzo, are known for picking up fan's dinner tabs and being all-around good guys. They will now be rivals as Rizzo was traded to the Yankees ahead of the MLB trade deadline. WELCOME TO NEW YORK??
Sideline stat
History continues to be made in Tokyo. This time, San Marino claims the title as the least populated country to win an Olympic medal at the Summer or Winter Games, a record previously held by Lichtenstein. Alessandra Perilli won the bronze medal in women's trap shooting for San Marino, which is in Northern Italy. The microstate has a population of around 34,000. Their entire population wouldn't even fill Wrigley Field. SMALL COUNTRY, BIG DREAMS
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, with her teammates, including Simone Biles, in the stands, American gymnast Suni Lee, 18, became the fifth straight gold medal winner for the US in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around. Lee has a great story herself. She is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. Her dad, who has since been paralyzed from a freak accident, built her a balance beam in their backyard so she could practice.
FYI, track and field coverage continues to ramp up as swimming and gymnastics start to wrap up.
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Draft was last night, and the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rules may have already made an impact as 88 early entry candidates (players who still have eligibility) withdrew from the 2021 draft. Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University was drafted in the No. 1 spot to Detroit Pistons. However, the headlines were the blockbuster trade of veteran Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook, like new teammate LeBron James, is involved in the Hollywood movie scene. The NBA pre-season begins in early October. HOOP DREAMS
Worth Celebrating
Who’s part of the Fashionable 50, why one team is over the moon and why is a Tour rider drinking wine in a French vineyard right now?
Congratulations! You’ve made it to Friday.
Go forth and celebrate like it’s 1969,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
The Houston Astros are going all out to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. The Astros will replace their logo on their caps the with the official emblem of Apollo 11, fans will be able to take photos with Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit and the Astros faithful can also pick up an Orbit Moon-Landing bobblehead. HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PARTY
Overtime
Move over Swimsuit Edition, there’s a new boss in town. Serena Williams is looking fierce as she graces the cover of Sports Illustrated’s “Fashionable 50.” Other athletes who made the cut include the NBA’s (National Basketball Association) Russell Westbrook and Dwyane Wade, tennis’ Maria Sharapova, driver Lewis Hamilton (F1 - Formula One Racing) and soccer’s Cristiano Ronaldo. THE WORLD IS THEIR RED CARPET
Sideline stat
Manny Pacquiao, 40, went from being one of the best in boxing, to a politician in his home country of the Philippines and will return to the ring to fight Keith Thurman on Saturday. Thurman, who is 10 years younger than Pacquiao, is undefeated but most experts are picking the “old guy” for his experience, speed and technique. LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE
Coaches’ corner
In a strange move, Australian rider Rohan Dennis quit the Tour de France mid-race and then went missing for a few hours. The World time-trial champion finally showed up at the team bus, said his peace and left. Rumor has it he’s tired of playing second fiddle on his team, but no one is saying anything about his abrupt exit. FIND ME AT THE VINEYARDS
Need more Tour? Check out our five things you need to know.
What to watch
The blustery weather of Northern Ireland certainly got the best of former British Open (aka The Open - golf) champ David Duvall. His play yesterday was a comedy of errors that led to "a very unique, awful situation" (his words not ours) as he recorded a score so high that mortals could actually achieve it. (Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and others struggled yesterday too, but not quite as badly).
Channel the chilly conditions while sitting under a fan as you attempt to cool off from this weekend’s heat wave. The Open runs until Sunday. HERE’S HOW TO WATCH
The Proof Is In The Pudding
Why one football player is running with the bulls, this is it for Wimbledon and the NBA has the experts all confused.
No question, it’s Friday. Take your weekend to the next level with today’s wisdom.
Knowledge is power,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In another blockbuster trade, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded away their star player, Russell Westbrook, to the Houston Rockets. Why is this a big deal? The tides keep shifting for next season with big moves from the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers (to name a few) and now the Rockets. There’s no telling what could happen next season. THE EXPERTS ALL AGREE…THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON
Overtime
The off-season workout routine for Josh Norman of the Washington Redskins (NFL – National Football League) is a little more ballsy than most. Not sure how this doesn’t violate the “things you shouldn’t do so you don’t hurt yourself too badly” clause in his contract, but watch Norman run with (and hurdle) the bulls in Pamplona, Spain this week. AT LEAST THE PILATES MAT WON’T GORE YOU
Sideline Stat
Rufus the Hawk is going to be very busy protecting the skies over Wimbledon this weekend. First the “Big 3” - Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are playing in the semifinals today. Serena Williams will play Simona Halep in the women’s singles finals on Saturday. If Williams wins, she will tie the all-time record for the most Grand Slam titles at 24. (There are four major tournaments that qualify as “Grand Slams” in tennis. Wimbledon is one of them). WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ROYALS SIGHTING?
PS – Don’t know why Rufus the Hawk is such a big deal? Check out Five Things You Need To Know About Wimbledon.
Coaches’ Corner
Because why not? Robot umpires debuted at the Minor League Baseball All-Star Game this week. The robotic system is thought to speed up the game because there will be a consistent strike zone so players won’t waste time arguing balls and strikes. Imagine all of the carefully choreographed heckling that is now going to fall on deaf (or no) ears. WHAT’S NEXT? A ROBOT BEER VENDOR ROAMING THE STANDS?