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
Soar Into The Weekend
Take off into your Friday. Sit back, relax and enjoy the weekend ahead.
Take off into your Friday. Sit back, relax and enjoy the weekend ahead.
Wheels up,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Winter Olympics
If you’ve been staying up too late to watch sports you didn’t even know you cared about. The Winter Olympics are coming to an end with the closing ceremony on Sunday. In the ceremony, a united Korea will hand the Olympic torch off to the site of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tokyo. Also, keep an eye out for Ivanka Trump in attendance and the dynamic duo of former Olympic figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir in the broadcast booth.
Overtime
It’s been a great week for American gold medal snowboarder Chloe Kim. She’s on the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside her dog and she photobombed tourists with Jimmy Fallon. Then she learned that her real dream had come true. Kim will be featured on the front of Kellogg's Corn Flakes boxes.
Sideline stat
Normally when a player’s jersey number is retired, it’s never to be worn again by anyone else on the team. That is until your kin comes along. Larry Nance Jr. was recently traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA – National Basketball Association) where his father’s #22 jersey is retired. After initially declining to wear the same number as his dad, he has decided that he will in fact wear the family jewel - the #22 jersey.
Coaches’ corner
In the “yes this really happened file,” we bring you American skier representing Hungary, Elizabeth Swaney. She attempted exactly zero tricks on her halfpipe run - a run that many are calling a mockery of the sport. She made the Hungary Olympic team simply because she didn't fall during her qualifier. She's known for seeking the spotlight, having run against Arnold Schwarzenegger for governor as a college student. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this video will leave you speechless.
What to watch
The men’s curling gold medal match between USA and Sweden begins at 3am Saturday morning EST and there’s still plenty of speed skating left to watch. Also, MLB (Major League Baseball) spring training games start tomorrow. Batter up!
5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Olympics
After nearly a week of Olympic coverage, you’d think you’ve heard it all. We answer the questions you were too afraid to ask in today’s Five Things To Know.
After nearly a week of Olympic coverage, you’d think you’ve heard it all. We answer the questions you were too afraid to ask in today’s Five Things To Know.
Gold medal goodness,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Things You Didn’t Know About The Olympics
1. Ever wonder how skaters come off the ice without enormous wedgies? (You know you did). Some have been known to sew the bottom of their costume to their tights to keep everything in place. Gymnasts do something similar by using spray adhesive to keep their back tuck from becoming a full moon.
2. Real men wear pink and speedskaters wear blue. Why? Well no one really knows but there seems to be a consensus amongst the athletes that blue skates faster. That’s why you’ll even see teams that notoriously wear red, like Norway, wearing blue on the ice.
3. Have you watched the Olympians hurl down the tunnel of ice in the luge? You didn’t think there was room to hide anything in those skintight uniforms, but what you don’t really see is a vital neck strap. This strap helps the athlete hold their head up when they reach high g-forces. Do not try this one at home.
4. How do athletes in sports like skiing stay warm when they can’t wear a scarf? Athletic tape. They use athletic tape that resembles a giant Band-Aid to keep their nose and cheeks warm. It’s like a pore strip, only more patriotic. PICS
5. Coaches are an integral part of gold medal success but who pays for them? Athletes (or their families) typically pay for their coaches, putting them in a precarious financial situation. Different governing bodies (i.e. U.S. Figure Skating) have been known to also offer coaches medal incentives, similar to the athletes.
That’s not all folks
If you’re already over the Olympics or are looking for something else to talk about besides wedgies, here are the top three things happening in the world of sports. Find out what’s new in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, why Shaun White cried like a baby and which four-legged friend is 'best in show.' READ