The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition - Kilt Not Included
We’ve got that Friday feeling and we’re donning our kilts in honor of the Open happening right now in Scotland. It’s not quite to the level of the ESPYS red carpet glamour but it’ll do.
Scotch on the rocks,
The Last Night’s Game Team
The ESPYS
- James’ night. LeBron James cleaned up during Wednesday’s award show, winning three ESPYS for breaking Cleveland’s championship curse. James was also part of a powerful show opener alongside NBA players, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade and Chris Paul where they encouraged their fellow athletes (and viewers) to take the lead in bringing peace to their communities.
- Red carpet glamour. As always, the fashion was on point, with low cut dresses and the tux with no socks look proving trendy. See all the fashion and share with us on Twitter who was your best and worst dressed.
- Always good for a laugh. In retirement, Peyton Manning has taken up writing letters to friends and family. Check out the hilarious video.
- Memorable. Craig Sager’s acceptance speech for the Jimmy V Award was heartwarming and inspiring. (See it here). Known for his zany courtside attire, he also brought his A game with his wild tux jacket and leopard print kicks.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Adding to his lead. Brad Keselowski looks to win his third race in a row this weekend in New Hampshire and extend his overall lead on the rest of the drivers in the standings.
- Brain break. After crashing in previous races, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will miss this weekend’s race due to concussion like symptoms. Earnhardt missed some drive time in 2012 with similar symptoms.
Golf
- Kilt not included. The Open started yesterday and continues through Sunday in Scotland. American golfer Phil Mickelson, 46, holds the lead after the first round, coming within a missed putt of shooting the best round in history. For those of you who have insomnia, you can catch the play live on the Golf Channel. For the non-vampires, the Golf Channel will have complete round the clock coverage.
Tour de France
- Bike on. The Tour, which runs through the end of this month, continued today after the horrific attacks in Nice, France. With additional security, the international group of riders showed solidarity and united to honor the victims with a moment of silence at the beginning and the end of today's race.
Overtime
- After the all-star break this week, the second half of the baseball season starts tonight. New to baseball or simply need some conversation starters for the office? Check out our four tips for baseball small talk to prepare you to talk shop with the best of them.
Sideline stat
- Celebrating it’s 20th year, The Evolution Championship Series (aka Evo) is taking place this weekend in Las Vegas. What the heck is Evo? More than 14,000 competitors from all corners of the globe will meet up to participate in the biggest fighting video game tournament in the world, Evo 2016. Gamers sign up to compete in one of nine fighting video games (think Mortal Combat and Street Fighter). Intrigued? Read more.
Coaches’ corner
- For a brief moment it appeared we were going to "make America great again.” News broke yesterday that Heisman Trophy winner, former Denver Broncos quarterback and all around good guy Tim Tebow, was going to speak at the Republican National Convention. Unfortunately, our dreams of Tebow for president were destroyed when he released a video stating it was all just rumors. Guess we better take the campaign sign out of our yard.
The Rundown: 5 Things to Know About the ESPY Awards
The Oscars of sports, the ESPYS, take place tonight. They’re always held on the Wednesday after the Major League Baseball All-Star Game because today is the only day of the year with no major professional sports games. Make sure to read us on Friday for the winners and fashion losers.
And the ESPY goes to,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – Join the conversation by checking out our latest post, “Your Office Guide to Baseball Small Talk" on Stilletos on the Glass Ceiling.
Five Things to Know About Tonight’s ESPY Awards
- Started in 1993 and held in Los Angeles, CA, the ESPYS stand for the “Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly" Awards. Fans vote for their favorite athletes in categories like best team, best international athlete and best record-breaking performance.
- The annual Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented to a person who possesses strength in the face of adversity, courage and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost. This year’s award recipient is Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old high school football player who was killed last year when he protected two friends during a shooting. His mother will accept the award. The award’s namesake, Arthur Ashe, was the first African American to win the men's singles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and the first black American to be ranked No. 1 in the world. He contracted HIV from a blood transfusion during heart surgery and spent his life raising awareness about the disease until his death in 1993.
- The people watching is great even if you don’t watch sports. Many famous leading ladies (Carrie Underwood, Olivia Munn and Ciara) are in attendance as their significant others are athletes. Lest we forget the athletes themselves; Danica Patrick, Serena Williams and LeBron James always bring their fashion A game.
- TNT’s basketball sideline reporter Craig Sager will receive the Jimmy V Award, named after famed college basketball coach Jimmy Valvano, who weeks before succumbing to cancer delivered one of the most iconic speeches in sports. It’s most powerful statement of “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up,” is the story behind all recipients of the award. Sager who is battling leukemia has continued to work games including the NBA playoffs while undergoing treatments. The award will be presented by Vice President Joe Biden.
- The host for tonight’s star studded event is professional wrestler John Cena. (You may have also seen him making regular appearances as a co-host on the Today Show).
- You can watch the ESPYS tonight at 8 pm EST on ABC. (Red carpet coverage begins at 5 pm EST on ESPN).
Olympics
- No to Rio. Jordan Spieth became the latest athlete to announce he will not attend the Olympics. The four top ranked golfers in the world have opted out of Rio. This is the first time golf will be played in the Olympics in 112 years.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Going, going, gone. The MLB Home Run Derby has become one of the biggest spectacles in sports. Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton made sure the event lived up to the hype, hitting a record 61 home runs in three rounds to take home the trophy. If laid out, his home runs cumulatively would have traveled 5.1 miles.
- Something's fishy. Stanton’s win created a bit of a nightmare for the Marlins organization, who announced they would take a percentage off of a game ticket for every home run Stanton hit. Do the math - 61% off ticket prices is not really team friendly. Marlins refused to honor the 61% - they capped it at 25% off. If you're wondering, the Marlins rank 27 out of 30 in fan attendance.
- Take me home. In last night’s All-Star Game, the American League won to earn home-field advantage in the World Series for the fourth consecutive year. They beat the National League 4-2.
Overtime
- It was hometown date week on the Bachelorette and contestant Jordan Rodgers finally broke down and talked about his “middle brother.” Jordan’s middle brother is Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who likely doesn’t even know Jordan is on the show because they have an estranged relationship. Or maybe because it's awkward to watch your brother on the Bachelorette?
Sideline stat
- NBA MVP and Golden State Warriors’ star Steph Curry recently held a four day overnight kids’ basketball camp in Hawaii, charging an astounding $2,250. (For the record it sold out). Seattle Seahawks (NFL) Michael Bennett, who resides in Hawaii in the off-season, called out Curry for charging such an absurd amount for the camp. Bennett hosts a free camp for kids on the island. While Curry did not directly respond to the Bennett's criticism, he did post on Instagram that if you don't want to pay $2,000 for his camp, check out his brother Seth’s more affordable basketball camp.
Coaches’ Corner
- What does home-field advantage in the World Series mean? The MLB All-Star Game matters as the two leagues play for home-field advantage in the World Series. While we don’t know which teams will play in the Series, we do know that the American League team will have home-field advantage. That means your team is guaranteed to play game one (first game) and game seven (last game, if necessary) of the series at home.
Not only does that provide the team with the most fans but also the mental advantages that comes with the comforts of a familiar place and their own beds. The concept of home field advantage exists in every sport, not just baseball, but baseball is the only sport that determines it this way.
The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - Big Wins
With Major League Baseball on their all-star break and other sports taking a breather, this week is supposed to be the quietest week of the year in sports.
You could’ve fooled us,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- The best in baseball. Tonight marks the first big event of MLB’s All-Star Game celebration. The excitement starts with the Home Run Derby tonight (8 pm EST on ESPN) and the game itself tomorrow night (8 pm EST on FOX). All the fanfare is happening at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. Check out Five Things to Know About the MLB Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.
Soccer
- Simply the best. Portugal faced the nearly impossible task of taking on host country, France, in the finals of Euro 2016. The outlook looked even worse after their star player Cristiano Ronaldo left the game after 25 minutes with a knee injury. After 90 minutes of regulation time, the game was tied at zero. It was the first Euro final to make it through regulation with no goals scored. In the second overtime, Portugal’s Éder scored a goal giving his team the lead and ultimately the win for the Euro Championship.
Tennis
- Master Murray. With all the turmoil that has been happening in England over the past few weeks, local boy Andy Murray gave the country something to cheer about. Murray won the Men’s Wimbledon championship for the second time, beating Canadian Milos Raonic. Even though he lost, Raonic should be proud as he is the first Canadian man to play in a major singles championship match.
- Successful little Saturday. It appears that Serena Williams enjoyed her time in England. Saturday she captured the Women’s Wimbledon singles title, tying the record of 22 Grand Slam tournament wins. Later that same afternoon, she captured the Women’s doubles title with her sister Venus for the sixth time.
F1 (Formula One Racing)
- Another win for England. On his home turf, Lewis Hamilton led every lap of the British Grand Prix for the win and in turn took the lead in overall points for the season ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg. Both Hamilton and Rosberg were given a warning before the race to play nice or else. While the post race tensions were high, everyone played the part.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- The road less traveled. Brad Keselowski won for the second week in a row. In Kentucky, Keselowski took a gamble to not stop for fuel while everyone else did and that bold move secured him the win while coasting over the finish line on fumes.
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
- This one's for the girls. Achieving one for women sports, two women headlined the male dominated, star studded UFC 200 fight card. Brazilian underdog Amanda Nunes won via submission (when the other fighter has no other choice but to tap out/throw in the towel), defeating champion Miesha Tate. Since Ronda Rousey lost in November 2015, nobody has been able to defend their championship belt. It’s like sisterhood of the traveling belt.
Overtime
- In arguably the biggest LPGA (Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association of America) tournament of the year, the U.S. Women’s Open, 30-year-old Brittany Lang pulled off a win on the third playoff hole, defeating Anna Nordqvist. At 30, Lang is the oldest player to win a tournament this year.
Sideline stat
- $4 Billion. That’s the rumored sale price talent agency WME-IMG paid for the UFC franchise, according to UFC President Dana White. Two brothers, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, bought the franchise back in 2000 for $2 million. This transaction is the most expensive transaction for an organization in sports history.
Coaches’ Corner
- He has a new head coach. Former New York Yankees (MLB) All-Star and "Mr. November" married Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Hannah Davis over the weekend. Check out the photos here.