Total Eclipse Of The Heart
In case you missed it, there’s a solar eclipse today. Since you can’t look directly at it, save your retinas and read The Rundown.
It’s just as mind blowing,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – When is the best time to watch the eclipse in your neck of the woods? Punch your zip code into this interactive map to find out.
LPGA (Ladies Professional Golfers Association)
Happy hour. Team U.S.A. took advantage of home field advantage, dominating Team Europe to win the Solheim Cup for the second time in a row. Twitter lost it when Team U.S.A. captain Juli Inkster celebrated the victory not with champagne, but with a Styrofoam cup labeled “vodka tonic.” Hey, a girl has needs.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
You’ve got to fight for your right. MLB umpires wore white wristbands as a sign of solidarity in protest against “abusive player behavior,” after one of their own was verbally assaulted by a player last week. The protest lasted about a day and was ended because MLB’s commissioner agreed to meet with them. In other news, your boss called and said don't get any ideas.
Overtime
Football scholarship reveals have become the new prom or marriage proposal. These are presented to “walk ons” (players who weren’t recruited for the team, but tried out anyway) who not only receive a spot on the team but a full-ride scholarship. So far this season we’ve seen a field goal for a scholarship, a t-shirt cannon and an Easter Egg hunt. (Click on the links to watch. Trust us, they’ll make you smile this morning).
Sideline stat
For the first time, MLB teams played in Williamsport, PA, home of the Little League Baseball World Series. The big leaguers spent time with the little leaguers but St. Louis Cardinals players Tommy Pham and Carlos Martinez went a step further and bought snow cones for 200 kids during an especially hot game. Now that’s cool.
Coaches’ corner
It’s been reported that today’s eclipse will cost over $700 million in lost productivity and with football season around the corner, coaches don’t have time to stop and stare. Among the great reactions, Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban said he watches the Weather Channel every day and they’ve told him what it’s going to look like so that’s good enough. Baltimore Ravens head coach said they strive for perfection so having an 80% eclipse doesn’t interest him.
So Easy A Caveman Could Do It
It may be Monday, but you’re one step closer to the start of football season. If you’re not into football, that means the stores will be less crowded on Sundays and all you have to do is read The Rundown to stay in the loop.
Easy peasy,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Soccer
- Took it a step too far. It was quite the day for Cristiano Ronaldo. In Sunday’s El Clasico game between Real Madrid and Barcelona, he scored a goal and celebrated by removing his shirt to mock rival player Lionel Messi. Then it all went downhill. Ronaldo shoved a referee and was subsequently ejected. He could receive a 12-game suspension for the shove. He should’ve stopped at the shirtless celebration.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- A first. For the first time ever, a graduate from West Point played in an MLB game. Chris Rowley was the starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday and he not only brought home a win for his team but paved the way for other Army grads to take the field.
- Slippery little suckers. Baseball’s most recognized current player, Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper, slipped on a wet base in a game this weekend and suffered a knee bone bruise. He’s out of the game until it heals.
Overtime
- In the final major of the season, 24-year-old Justin Thomas pulled off a win at the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Championship. Thomas is a third-generation PGA member. Justin’s grandfather and father are longtime PGA professionals. (A PGA membership is one that you have to qualify for by being a great golfer).
Sideline stat
- Gavin and Joe Maloof know sports. The wealthy entrepreneurs owned the Sacramento Kings (NBA – National Basketball Association) but now they’re jumping into the ring. The Las Vegas based brothers bet a whopping $880,000 on their neighbor Floyd Mayweather in the upcoming fight between Mayweather and Conor McGregor. If they win, they’ll give their $160,000 in profits to charity.
Coaches’ corner
- The last race in runner Usain Bolt’s career did not have a Disney-style ending. In the relay at the World Championships, he pulled a hamstring and did not finish. It may have not been the ending he wanted but he had a stellar career that speaks for itself.
Living The Dream
If you thought today’s Monday motivation was going to come in the form of a coffee cup, think again.
#Inspired,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
- Bling ring. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft knew his quarterback, Tom Brady, and his family had been through a lot during the team’s championship run last season. His mom, Galynn, was undergoing chemotherapy and for the first time ever, she missed all but one of Brady’s games. In honor of the sacrifice and challenges she faced, Kraft gave her a Super Bowl ring. Mama Brady’s cancer is now in remission.
- Enshrined. Saturday night the Pro Football Hall of Fame gained seven new members. One of the inductees, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, proved that everything is bigger in Texas. He threw himself one heck of a party, costing a reported $16 million, that boasted a special performance by Justin Timberlake.
- Determined. In case you missed it, the night featured memorable speeches from the inductees. The always well-spoken San Diego Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson, made sure his final words were unforgettable by sharing a moving story about his last name and its origin. If you need some Monday motivation, here are the highlights from each inductee’s speech.
Overtime
- Injured New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (MLB - Major League Baseball) can now add actor to his resume. Living up to his nickname Thor, it was fitting that he made a cameo in last night’s Game of Thrones as a spear throwing warrior in a battle. Luckily his cameo was well received by fans, unlike Ed Sheeran’s appearance.
Sideline stat
- Usain Bolt is the most decorated sprinter of this generation. Saturday in the world championships, he raced in his final solo race and it didn’t go as planned. He finished third in his first-ever loss in the Olympics or a world championship semifinal, a 45-race winning streak.
Coaches’ corner
- Longtime Chicago Bears quarterback (NFL) Jay Cutler, retired after last season and accepted a job as a commentator with FOX for the upcoming football season. Apparently, retirement wasn’t for him. This weekend he signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins to replace their injured quarterback. (In case you’re wondering, Cutler is married to fashion designer and reality TV star Kristin Cavallari).
