Monday No Funday

Like it or not, it’s Monday so let’s get this party started.

But do we have to get out of bed?

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Tour de France

Talk about perseverance. Only five years ago Geraint Thomas broke his pelvis in the opening stage of the Tour de France but still managed to finish the race. Yesterday, he became the first Welshman to ever win the Tour. He beat out the race favorite and his teammate Chris Froome, who has won the previous three years. SPORTING THE YELLOW JERSEY

Overtime

The Atlanta Braves (MLB – Major League Baseball) announcers ripped their weekend opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers, for their batting practice attire. Players are not mandated by MLB to wear certain attire to batting practice, which happens hours before a game, but these two broadcasters lost their minds for the “lack of respect” presented. The reaction from the Dodgers coaches and players (including suggested attire – speedos anyone)? is worth the price of admission. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Sideline stat

American Lawson Craddock fell early in the Tour de France, fractured his scapula and cut his eye so badly it needed stitches but he carried on saying he trained to hard not to finish. (He finished in last place). As if that determination wasn’t enough, he raised over $224,000 (as of Monday morning), more than doubling his goal, to help rebuild the track he trained at in Houston that was destroyed in Hurricane Harvey. FUNDING A DREAM

Coaches’ corner

It’s back to school today for LeBron James and he has the first day jitters. His I Promise School for at-risk third and fourth graders opens today in Akron, Ohio. James has spent his career giving back to education, specifically helping children with difficult backgrounds. He said today’s opening will be one of the greatest moments of his life. BEST DAY EVER  

What to watch

Whether this causes you to rejoice or groan, the last weekend this year without football is behind us. With the NFL (National Football League) season around the corner, there is still controversy around the national anthem along with a new rule to prevent unnecessary head contact, which is making players’ heads hurt with frustration and confusion. SOMEONE HAS SOME ‘SPLAININ’ TO DO

A Fresh Start

It’s a new day, a new week and a fresh start to create a connection with someone new by knowing just a little about sports.

Seize the day,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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PGA (Professional Golfers Association)

That’s Italiano. Everyone has their recipe for success and for The Open (aka the British Open) champion Francesco Molinari it involves pasta (seriously). Yesterday, he became the first Italian player to ever win a major. (There are four major tournaments during the golf season). On the flip side, golfer Eddie Pepperell said he owes his success to battling through a hangover. WE’LL TAKE THE PASTA

Overtime

Apparently, Clevelanders are having too much fun at Department of Motor Vehicles because the DMV had to take matters into their own hands to get people to stop smiling in their driver’s license photos. To turn that smile into a frown, they taped a photo of LeBron James to their camera. James left their Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA – National Basketball Association) for the Los Angeles Lakers. SMILING IS MY FAVORITE

Sideline stat

The grueling schedule of the Tour de France takes a little break today. The second and final day of rest in the 23-day competition is today. The riders will get back in the saddle tomorrow and race through the 29th of this month. FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LE TOUR

Coaches’ corner

The fresh face of American soccer, Christian Pulisic, proved that he’s wise beyond his years. A young fan rushed the field during Pulisic’s postgame interview, but instead of allowing security to haul him off, the 19-year-old star took the time to take a selfie and sign an autograph for the fan, making his day. SAY CHEESE

What to watch

Basketball hall of famer Shaq kicked off Shark Week last night, facing his fears of swimming with sharks. Tonight, Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers (NFL – National Football League), New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski (NFL) and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn will all try to avoid becoming shark bait. Imagine being the person who had to draw up those insurance policies... BITE ME

Special Delivery

It’s Monday and that means we’re delivering your cheat sheet from the weekend.

If it was only this easy in high school,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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World Cup

When you’re on top of the world. At what’s being called “the best World Cup ever,” the second youngest team in the tournament, France, defeated Croatia to take home the country’s second ever World Cup. Earlier in the weekend, Belgium beat England to claim third place. MATCH REPORT

Overtime

The players weren’t the only ones having fun at the World Cup. French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the win by learning how to “dab” alongside his French players. Also enjoying the fun? Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. Sporting her team’s jersey, she flew in economy class and sat with the fans during the games, before being invited into the VIP box. (She also happens to be the first female president for Croatia). LOVING EVERY MINUTE

Sideline stat

It was a weekend of firsts for some athletes. Angelique Kerber beat Serena Williams to win her first Wimbledon title. Williams became emotional after her second place finish, saying she was playing for “all the moms out there.” Speaking of moms, model Kate Upton announced that she and her husband, Houston Astros (MLB) pitcher Justin Verlander, are expecting their first child in an Instagram post using the hashtag #PregnantInMiami. Glad she clarified it wasn’t a #foodbaby. MODEL MOM

Coaches’ corner

After both playing in brutally long semifinal matches, Novak Djokovic beat Kevin Anderson in the men’s finals at Wimbledon. With the win, Djokovic wins his 13th Grand Slam title but his three-year-old son is the one who stole the show. #WINNING

What to watch

If you dig the long ball then tonight is your night. MLB’s (Major League Baseball) All-Star celebration starts tonight in Washington, D.C. with the fan favorite home run derby. Expected to lead the pack tonight? Hometown ambassador, the Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper. WHO’S SWINGING FOR THE FENCES

Tomorrow night will showcase all-stars from every team in the league during the MLB All-Star Game. Here are the five things you need to know about all the all-star celebrations. READ