Let The Games Begin
How a tiny bottle of wine made on tennis player’s day, Derby download for Saturday’s race and progress in soccer’s fight for equal pay.
This weekend’s preview edition is chocked full of gems that are perfect for social distancing, Derby hats and drinking mint juleps.
Pony up,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Kentucky Derby
How do Derby horses get to the Kentucky Derby? Via Air Horse One. While it sounds like a bad dad joke, it’s actually true. They fly on a Boeing 727 cargo plane nicknamed “Air Horse One.” It’s equipped with stalls built around the horse and even inflight snacks. AND YOU THOUGHT BUSINESS CLASS WAS EXPENSIVE
While the race will be run sans fans, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun. Check out our five things you need to know about the Kentucky Derby where we cover the fashion, tradition and how you can name a race horse. READ
Overtime
While Carole Baskin looks to extend her 15 minutes of fame on this season of “Dancing with the Stars,” she’ll have some tough competition in Super Bowl Champ Vernon Davis (NFL – National Football League) and former Olympic figure skater, commentator and fashion guru Johnny Weir. Other notable names in this year’s cast include rapper Nelly, head coach Monica Aldama from "Cheer," former NBA (National Basketball Association) star Charles Oakley who was featured in "The Last Dance" and Kaitlyn Bristowe from "The Bachelorette." TWINKLE TOES
Sideline stat
Both the Brazilian Football Confederation and the English Football Association have announced that their men’s and women’s teams will receive the same pay after players elevated the discrepancies. New Zealand and Norway are moving to address the pay gap as well. The issue of equal pay was one that the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team embarked on by suing U.S. Soccer back in 2019. (The team's claims were dismissed by a court in May and a bid to immediately appeal the decision was denied). SLOWLY BUT SURELY
Coaches’ corner
Now here’s something you don’t see every day. American tennis player Madison Brengle pulled off an upset to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open. After her post-match interview, she did what any of the rest of us would do in that celebratory situation. She shouted “alcohol” to her friend brought her a tiny bottle of wine to drink. LIFE’S TOO SHORT
What to watch
It’s a big weekend for NHL hockey (National Hockey League) with three series heading to a game seven. Keep an eye on Oskar Lindblom who was diagnosed with cancer last year and beat it. He will be on the ice for the Philadelphia Flyers. SCHEDULE
Right Here, Right Now
Summarizing the sports boycotts, it’s not looking good for the Tour de France and Jackie Robinson Day celebrations.
Making the complicated uncomplicated so you can join the conversation.
With ease,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Boycotting sports
On Wednesday the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA – National Basketball Association) started a movement by boycotting their playoff game in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake. Since then we’ve seen the pause in sports from the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), MLB (Major League Baseball) and NHL (National Hockey League). The NBA season was all but over Wednesday night as players voiced their desire to choose to fight for racial justice vs. continuing to play. Michael Jordan, the only black majority owner in the league, reportedly became the mediator and voice of reason between the league and the players. At this moment, no formal announcement has been made, but all signs point to the playoffs continuing as planned. Games for all sports are scheduled to resume between today and tomorrow. STAND UP, SPEAK OUT
Overtime
The Tour De France (cycling) was postponed from July and scheduled to start this weekend. While we were excited to don our spandex and watch the picturesque European countryside go by, there is now doubt that the race will happen. The race is slated to start in Nice, which is one of 19 new regions in France to be placed under red alert. There is little room for error in the 23-day race (only two of those are rest days) that spans just under 2,200 miles. HURRY UP AND WAIT
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Jackie Robinson Day celebrates the life and the legacy of the man who was the first Black MLB player in history. Typically, the recognition is on April 15 but since teams weren’t playing at that time, it has been moved to today. All the players will don the No. 42, Robinson’s number, which is the only number retired by all 30 teams. In addition, more than 100 current and former Black MLB players will donate their salaries from yesterday and today’s games to efforts to combat racial inequality and aid Black communities. HONOR AND RESPECT
Coaches’ corner
One of the points of frustration that drove the Bucks to make the critical decision to boycott their game was that they weren’t seeing change. The Bucks reportedly spent a significant amount of time on the phone with the Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor, which then led to Wisconsin Governor calling for a special session of the State Legislature to vote on a police reform. One of the other movements is the LeBron James’ founded organization “More Than A Vote.” One of the efforts is to make voting more accessible by utilizing sports arenas and stadiums as polling locations. Yesterday, the Toyota Center (Houston Rockets - NBA) joined the growing list of polling locations that includes Dodgers Stadium (MLB). INCITING CHANGE
Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot
How a hot mic landed one broadcaster in hot water, the sidelines will be empty at NFL games this season and milk does a body good.
It may be summertime but today’s chatter is hot enough to ignite a fire.
Still less flammable than talking about politics,
The Last Night’s Game team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
A “hot mic” slip of a homophobic slur during a game broadcast likely to cost Cincinnati Reds’ broadcaster Thom Brennaman his career. He issued an awkward apology later in the game but that didn’t stop his team, its players or the network from speaking out about his abhorrent language and stepping up for the LGBTQ+ community that he offended. Brennaman has been pulled from the Reds’ broadcast as well as the NFL (National Football League) games he was slated to cover this season. His broadcasting colleague and former NFL player Keyshawn Johnson remarked “…you’re ashamed because you got caught.” NOT OKAY
Overtime
Stands at NFL games won’t be full and neither will the sidelines. The league has banned cheerleaders and mascots from the game. One more step to keeping the players, coaches and few fans in attendance safe. SOCIALLY DISTANCED SIDELINES
Sideline stat
One of the most exciting races of the year is this Sunday – the Indy 500 (IndyCar Racing). And even more exciting than the fast cars and brick kissing traditions is the fact that the winner celebrates with a pint of milk. Each driver submits their choice of milk to celebrate with should they win. Only one driver selected fat-free milk, 10 selected two percent and the other 28 said screw the fat content and went straight for the whole milk. (Chocolate milk is not an option). SOMETHING TO PONDER OVER YOUR CEREAL
Want more on the epic traditions and surprises expected at this year’s race, check out this week’s podcast. LISTEN UP
Coaches’ corner
The Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) aren’t submitting to pressure to change their team name but they are banning headdresses and face paint "that is styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions” from games. These changes stemmed from “years of conversation with the American Indian Community Working Group.” These decisions come not long after the Washington Redskins changed their name to the Washington Football Team (a temporary name for this season) after an outcry from sponsors and fans. FOOTBALL FOR EVERYONE