MLB
This year’s Summer Classic features 30 first-time All-Stars. The Yankees, with the best record in baseball (despite a rough last week), lead all teams with 6 players selected.
The MLB All-Star Game used to hold a lot more weight of significance. Players like Pete Rose in 1970 (above) used to play this game like it was game 7 of the World Series. From 2003-16, the game decided which league would have home-field advantage in the World Series later that year. Now although it may have lost some luster, it is still the most watchable All-Star game in sports.
Future Hall of Famers, Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols, were special selections made by the MLB Commish. Cabrera joined the 3,000 hit club this season, while Pujols is on his retirement tour in St. Louis.
Homerun Derby
Monday, 8 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.
Kyle Schwarber: Leads the NL in homers w/ 28.
Pete Alonso: Going for a derby 3-peat. Clear favorite.
Corey Seager: Competed as a rookie in 2016, knock out in 1st round.
Juan Soto: Somehow still is only 23 years old. Will a team sell the farm for him this deadline?
Jose Ramirez: Always seen him more as a gap-to-gap hitter than a slugger.
Julio Rodriguez: At 21 years old, this year’s youngest All-Star.
Ronald Acuna Jr: NL’s leading vote-getter hasn’t looked fully back to himself coming off his ACL injury last year.
Albert Pujols: It’s tough to forget about all the Angels’ years, but as a Cardinal from 2001-2011, his average stat line of a .328 batting avg (.421 OBP for the nerds), 40 homers, 121 RBIs should still be applauded.
Right after the Home Run Derby tune into…
“The Captain” Docuseries
Episode 1 premieres Monday night on ESPN following the Home Run Derby. Not going to lie, I’ve had this on my calendar for longer than I’d like to admit. Can you blame me though - I grew up watching Yankeeographies since ‘02 and have been waiting on a 90s Yankees 30 for 30.
No doubt this will be a well-done project. The director, Randy Wilkins, grew up in the Bronx during the dynasty so he knows his stuff. Will Jeter give us a “That’s how I played the game” moment like Jordan in Last Dance?
British Open
Location: The Old Course
The home of golf, St Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland is considered the oldest course (around 1400 AD). This is the 150th British Open the course has hosted.
Fun fact: Golf was banned in 1457 by King James II of Scotland, who felt it was “distracting young men from archery practice".
Notable Leaderboard Round 1
If you’re reading this it’s too late - round 2 already started in the wee hours of Friday morning in ‘Murica. I know what you’re thinking. Screw 15th-century traditions. I don’t understand either why they aren’t over there playing night golf so we can watch.
Rounds 3 and 4 this weekend will be on Peacock in the mornings.
Irish Rugby Makes History
This past Saturday, Ireland defeated the All Blacks for the first time on New Zealand soil, 23-12. After going over a century win-less against the All Blacks, Ireland has now split the head-to-head matchup 4-4 in their last 8 results. The win catapulted the Irish to 2nd in Men’s World Rugby Rankings, bumping the All Blacks down to 4th.
The Irish Times had the “Dutch Disciple” Josh van der Flier (paternal grandparents are Dutch) as the player of the match. (Match Highlights)
The final of the 3 game series between the two juggernauts will be held at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand at 3 AM ET this Saturday.
Zach Wilson’s Maturation
Have the Jets finally found their next Namath? Reports coming out of Jets camp are that the former BYU Cougar, Zach Wilson, has matured over the offseason. As soon as Sam Darnold caught mono @BounceSportingClub, I started questioning if he could save the Jets franchise. This is almost the complete opposite end of the spectrum.
Jokes aside, the Jets have not reached NFL supremacy since they had a QB guaranteeing wins and starring in commercials with Farrah Fawcett. When the Jets drafted the Efron lookalike, I was worried this might be another young QB who could stuck in the Hoboken bar scene, but as it turns out he might be more of a Bergan County suburbs type of guy.
Youtube Rabbithole
John Daly Wins the 1995 British Open
The one-of-a-kind character and golf legend has not won a Major since. Tiger Woods once turned down a beer with Daly to go work out stating, “If I had your talent, I’d be doing the same thing you’re doing.” Daly’s legend has only grown since his 30 for 30 doc “Hit It Hard”. Also, have to mention he has a nice drink named after him.
Cheers!