Just The Way You Like It
Lakers are champs, a vegan pup who inspired a win and “The Bachelorette” premieres tomorrow thanks to LeBron James
Bringing you the hard-hitting news you want like a vegan pup and why you should thank LeBron James for filling your Bachelorette void.
Monday morning done right,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
“The Bachelorette” fans can all breathe a sigh of relief this morning because the show will premiere tomorrow night thanks to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers destroyed the Miami Heat last night to earn their 17th championship. It was bittersweet for the team as this is the first championship since Kobe Bryant won it in 2010. If the series made it to game seven, fans would’ve had to wait until another day to watch Clare search for love on TV. LeBron James and his teammates must have been a fan of the show too because they locked it down in true championship fashion. (Don’t forget to fill out your Bachelorette bracket). CELEBRATIONS ALL AROUND
Overtime
Even at 48 years old Shaquille O’Neal still has things he’s never done before – like vote. The NBA Hall of Famer and basketball analyst revealed that he voted for the first time in this year’s election. This week on his podcast he said "I voted for the first time, and it feels good.” He said he never really understood how the system worked but now that he’s involved in various campaigns encouraging people to vote that he felt like a hypocrite not casting his ballot. YOUR VOTE COUNTS
Sideline stat
Formula One (F1) driver Lewis Hamilton, 35, tied the record for career wins yesterday his 91st career victory. No doubt his biggest fan (and maybe fitness inspiration?), his Insta-famous dog Roscoe, who recently went vegan to heal his aches and pains, was oozing with pride. PUP-TASTIC
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday in the NFL (National Football League) we saw quarterback Alex Smith make his triumphant return to the field for the Washington Football Team. Smith suffered a horrific leg injury back in 2018 that almost claimed his life. Even though his team didn’t win, it was a huge victory for him after his long, emotional journey back.
While it was a great day for Smith it was a really rough day for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dax Prescott who was carted off the field with a season ending dislocated ankle and a compound fracture. This will be the first time in his four-year career that he has missed a game. GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
What to watch
We’re down to four teams in the MLB (Major League Baseball) playoffs and things are getting spicy with a showdown between the two teams that are undefeated in the playoffs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. On the other side, the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros are battling it out for a spot to play in the World Series. BATTER UP
5 Things You Need To Know About An Unprecedented MLB Season
“Strike” up a conversation as the boys of summer head into the playoffs.
Major League Baseball was the first of the four major professional sports to return to play. Here are the important things you need to know about the return to the field for the boys of summer.
Step up to the plate,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Remind me what happened last year
The Washington Nationals won their first World Series and everyone in sports still hates the Houston Astros for stealing signs. And no, we’re not talking about billboards.
1. The biggest talk of this season is obviously COVID but unlike many other professional sports, MLB (Major League Baseball) isn’t requiring their players to live in a “bubble.” They will be playing 60 games instead of 162 games and only playing regional games. Then there’s the Toronto Blue Jays who aren’t allowed to play at home per the Canadian Government, because the government didn’t want players coming back and forth into the country from the COVID hotspot that is the U.S. HOWDY NEIGHBOR
2. There may be no bubble but that doesn’t mean there aren’t A LOT of safety rules to follow. Some include no spitting (um have you ever watched a game? They all spit), no brawls, no showers and no licking fingers (this is something most pitchers do). Because of social distancing rules, games will start with some players sitting in the stands instead of the dugout. CHEER SQUAD
3. Since there will be no fans at the games, the league has found an interesting way to fill the silence. Fans can boo or cheer on their team via the MLB app and ballpark staff will adjust the sound accordingly in the stadium for the live game. Unlike attending a game in person, fans can boo their rival team from the bathroom. FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME
4. Filling the stands with compliant, well behaved fans has never been so easy. A handful of teams are selling personalized cardboard cutouts that will be placed in the stands during home games. Some have taken it to another level by benefitting a charity with each sale and others will send you the ball if it hits your cutout. WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?
5. The first game of the season will be on Thursday, July 23 when the Washington Nationals take on the New York Yankees. Tune in early to see Dr. Anthony Fauci throw out the first pitch for his beloved Nats and stay for the highly anticipated pitcher’s duel between the two teams. STRIKE OUT COVID
If you want more about the new rules of the game for this season or our frequently asked questions, check out our baseball 101.