“THE SCOREBOARD”
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
MARLINS 8, PHILLIES 7
PIRATES 3, DIAMONDBACKS 2 (10 INNINGS)
YANKEES 9, WHITE SOX 5
METS 14, BRAVES 3
RANGERS 7, MARINERS 3
ORIOLES 8, TIGERS 5
BLUE JAYS 3, NATIONALS 2
CUBS 7, CARDINALS 3
ASTROS 6, ANGELS 4
RED SOX 4, ATHLETICS 2
GIANTS 3, BREWERS 0
#####################
BASEBALL NEWS
######################
NFL NEWS
######################
NBA NEWS
######################
NHL NEWS
######################
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
#######################
WNBA SCORES
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
#######################
INDIANA HS FOOTBALL SCHEDULES
https://scoreboard.homestead.com/football/teams.htm#load
#######################
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball
#######################
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer
#######################
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/girls
#######################
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/boys/cross-country
#######################
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/girls/cross-country
#######################
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/boys/tennis
######################
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SCOREBOARD
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
######################
COLLEGE FOOTBALL USA TODAY BIG 10 PRE-SEASON POLL
OHIO STATE (11 FIRST-PLACE VOTES)
OREGON (5 FIRST-PLACE VOTES)
INDIANA
USC
MICHIGAN
PENN STATE
WASHINGTON
IOWA
ILLINOIS
MINNESOTA
NEBRASKA
UCLA
WISCONSIN
MARYLAND
NORTHWESTERN
RUTGERS
MICHIGAN STATE
PURDUE
#######################
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUG. 28
IDAHO AT CAL POLY | 10 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
TCU VS. NORTH CAROLINA (AVIVA STADIUM IN DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
SAN JOSE STATE AT USC | 3 P.M. | NBC
ALABAMA STATE VS. SOUTHERN (LEGION FIELD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.) | 3 P.M. | ESPNU
NC STATE AT VIRGINIA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
JACKSONVILLE STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 5:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SACRAMENTO STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
HAWAI’I AT STANFORD | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
NEW MEXICO STATE AT FLORIDA STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
EAST TEXAS A&M AT MERCER | 7 P.M. | ESPN
HOWARD VS. ALABAMA A&M (CENTER PARC STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT TARLETON STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN2
MEMPHIS AT UNLV | 10 P.M. | FOX
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, SEPT. 3
UMASS AT RUTGERS | 6 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT UCF | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
AKRON AT WAKE FOREST | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
MERRIMACK AT DELAWARE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WEST GEORGIA AT KENNESAW STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UALBANY AT BUFFALO | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF AT MISSOURI | 8 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
COLORADO AT GEORGIA TECH | 8 P.M. | ESPN
EASTERN ILLINOIS AT MINNESOTA | 8 P.M. | PEACOCK
IDAHO AT UTAH | 9 P.M. | ESPNU
UAB AT ILLINOIS | 9 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
FRIDAY, SEPT. 3
SAN JOSE STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
INDIANA STATE AT PURDUE | 7 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
NORTH CAROLINA A&T AT GEORGIA STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UTEP AT OKLAHOMA | 8 P.M. | SECN+
LIU AT KANSAS | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
TOLEDO AT MICHIGAN STATE | 8 P.M. | FS1
MIAMI (FLA.) AT STANFORD | 9 P.M. | ESPN
FRESNO STATE AT USC | 9 P.M. | FOX
SATURDAY, SEPT. 4
EAST CAROLINA AT ALABAMA | 12 P.M. | ABC
OREGON STATE AT HOUSTON | 12 P.M. | ESPN
COASTAL CAROLINA AT WEST VIRGINIA | 12 P.M. | TNT/HBO MAX
NEW HAMPSHIRE AT SYRACUSE | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS AT INDIANA | 12 P.M. | FOX
OHIO AT NEBRASKA | 12 P.M. | FS1
BRYANT AT ARMY | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
TARLETON STATE AT BOWLING GREEN | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LIBERTY AT JAMES MADISON | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
MIAMI (OHIO) AT PITT | 12:30 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
BALL STATE AT OHIO STATE | 12:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
KENT STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA | 12:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
YOUNGSTOWN STATE AT KENTUCKY | 1 P.M. | SECN+
SE MISSOURI STATE AT IOWA STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
DUQUESNE AT AIR FORCE | 1 P.M. | MW+
RHODE ISLAND AT TEMPLE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TENNESSEE STATE AT GEORGIA | 3 P.M. | SECN+
AUBURN VS. BAYLOR (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
FURMAN AT TENNESSEE | 3:30 P.M. | SECN+
TEXAS STATE AT TEXAS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
BOSTON COLLEGE AT CINCINNATI | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
TULANE AT DUKE | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
BOISE STATE AT OREGON | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
MARSHALL AT PENN STATE | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
THE CITADEL AT CHARLOTTE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TOWSON AT NAVY | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
UT RIO GRANDE VALLEY AT UTSA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FORDHAM AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
MAINE AT APP STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
OKLAHOMA STATE AT TULSA | 3:45 P.M. | ESPNU
NORTH ALABAMA AT ARKANSAS | 4:15 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT IOWA | 4:15 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
ALCORN STATE AT SOUTHERN MISS | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
WYOMING AT COLORADO STATE | 6 P.M. | USA NETWORK
NORFOLK STATE AT OLD DOMINION | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MISSOURI STATE AT TEXAS A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN
AUSTIN PEAY AT VANDERBILT | 7 P.M. | SECN+
ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT TEXAS TECH | 7 P.M. | FS1
NICHOLLS AT KANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
IDAHO STATE AT UTAH STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
ARKANSAS STATE AT MEMPHIS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN AT RICE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT SOUTH FLORIDA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MURRAY STATE AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN KENTUCKY AT JACKSONVILLE STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SE LOUISIANA AT SOUTH ALABAMA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SAM HOUSTON AT TROY | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
CLEMSON AT LSU | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
UL MONROE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPNU
VMI AT VIRGINIA TECH | 7:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
NORTHWESTERN STATE AT LOUISIANA TECH | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT FLORIDA | 7:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UTAH TECH AT BYU | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
HAMPTON AT MARYLAND | 8 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT NORTHWESTERN | 8 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
LAMAR AT LOUISIANA | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
MORGAN STATE AT ARIZONA STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
MERCYHURST AT NEW MEXICO STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN ARIZONA AT ARIZONA | 9:30 P.M. | ESPN+
PORTLAND STATE AT SAN DIEGO STATE | 9:30 P.M. | USA NETWORK
UNLV AT HAWAI’I | 10 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT NEW MEXICO | 10 P.M. | FS1
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE | 10 P.M. | ESPN+
UCLA AT CAL | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT NEVADA | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
TEXAS SOUTHERN AT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
FLORIDA A&M VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (HARD ROCK STADIUM IN MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.) | 3 P.M. | ESPN
WASHINGTON STATE AT WASHINGTON | 4 P.M. | NBC
OLE MISS VS. LOUISVILLE (NISSAN STADIUM IN NASHVILLE, TENN.) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
NOTRE DAME VS. WISCONSIN (LAMBEAU FIELD IN GREEN BAY, WIS.) | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
MONDAY, SEPT. 7
SMU AT FLORIDA STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
##########################################
NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – AUG. 6
CAROLINA VS. ARIZONA – 8PM, NBC/PEACOCK
WEEK 1
THURSDAY – AUG. 13
DETROIT AT CINCINNATI – 7PM
GREEN BAY AT PITTSBURGH – 7PM
INDIANAPOLIS AT NEW ENGLAND – 7:30PM
LA CHARGERS AT HOUSTON – 8PM
ARIZONA AT LAS VEGAS – 8PM
TENNESSEE AT SAN FRANCISCO – 9PM
FRIDAY – AUG. 14
DENVER AT ATLANTA – 7PM
TAMPA BAY AT NY JETS – 7PM
MIAMI AT WASHINGTON – 7PM
SATURDAY – AUG. 15
CAROLINA AT BUFFALO – 1PM
CLEVELAND AT CHICAGO – 1PM
MINNESOTA AT NY GIANTS – 1PM
LA RAMS AT KANSAS CITY – 4PM
JACKSONVILLE AT NEW ORLEANS – 4PM
PHILADELPHIA AT BALTIMORE – 7PM
DALLAS AT SEATTLE – 8PM
WEEK 2
THURSDAY – AUG. 20
LAS VEGAS AT HOUSTON – 8PM, ESPN
SAN FRANCISCO AT LA CHARGERS – 10PM
FRIDAY – AUG. 21
NY JETS AT PITTSBURGH – 7PM
CAROLINA AT JACKSONVILLE – 7:30PM
GREEN BAY AT DENVER – 9PM
SATURDAY – AUG. 22
WASHINGTON AT DETROIT – 12PM
BUFFALO AT CLEVELAND – 1PM
ATLANTA AT INDIANAPOLIS – 1PM
BALTIMORE AT MINNESOTA – 1PM
NEW ORLEANS AT LA RAMS – 4PM
NY GIANTS AT MIAMI – 4PM
CHICAGO AT CINCINNATI – 7PM
PHILADELPHIA AT NEW ENGLAND – 7PM
KANSAS CITY AT TAMPA BAY – 7:30PM
DALLAS AT ARIZONA – 10PM
SUNDAY – AUG. 23
SEATTLE AT TENNESSEE – 8PM, FOX
WEEK 3
THURSDAY – AUG. 27
PITTSBURGH AT BUFFALO – 7PM
NEW ENGLAND AT CLEVELAND – 8PM, PRIME VIDEO
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS – 8PM
LA RAMS AT LA CHARGERS – 10PM
FRIDAY – AUG. 28
WASHINGTON AT BALTIMORE – 6PM
HOUSTON AT CAROLINA – 7PM
ATLANTA AT MIAMI – 7PM
TAMPA BAY AT JACKSONVILLE – 7:30PM
NY GIANTS AT NY JETS – 7:30PM
NEW ORLEANS AT DALLAS – 8PM
ARIZONA AT GREEN BAY – 8PM
SEATTLE AT KANSAS CITY – 8PM
CINCINNATI AT PHILADELPHIA – 8PM, CBS
MINNESOTA AT DENVER – 9PM
SATURDAY – AUG. 29
DETROIT AT INDIANAPOLIS – 1PM
CHICAGO AT TENNESSEE – 6PM
######################################
2026 NFL TEAM SCHEDULES
https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2026/by-team
#####################################
2026 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TV / TIME (ET)
WEEK 1 THU, AUG 13 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LOCAL (7:30 PM)
WEEK 2 SAT, AUG 22 VS. ATLANTA FALCONS LOCAL (1:00 PM)
WEEK 3 SAT, AUG 29 VS. DETROIT LIONS LOCAL (1:00 PM)
#####
2026 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET) TV / STREAMING
1 SUN, SEPT 13 VS. BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00 PM CBS
2 SUN, SEPT 20 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 8:20 PM NBC
3 SUN, SEPT 27 VS. HOUSTON TEXANS 1:00 PM CBS
4 SUN, OCT 4 @ WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 9:30 AM NFL NET
5 SUN, OCT 11 @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00 PM CBS
6 SUN, OCT 18 VS. TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 PM FOX
7 SUN, OCT 25 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS 1:00 PM CBS
8 SUN, NOV 1 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:00 PM CBS
9 SUN, NOV 8 VS. DALLAS COWBOYS 1:00 PM FOX
10 SUN, NOV 15 VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00 PM CBS
11 THU, NOV 19 @ HOUSTON TEXANS 8:15 PM PRIME VIDEO
12 SUN, NOV 29 VS. NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00 PM FOX
13 BYE WEEK
14 SUN, DEC 13 @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 1:00 PM FOX
15 SUN, DEC 20 @ TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 PM CBS
16 TBD – FLEX VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS TBD TBD
17 SUN, JAN 3 @ CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00 PM FOX
18 TBD – FLEX GAME VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS TBD TBD
#######################################
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/SPORTS RELEASES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
THE BEST COACHES IN THE BIG 10
1. **Curt Cignetti, Indiana**
After leading Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record and a national championship in the previous season, Cignetti has ascended to the top position among Big Ten coaches and holds the number one ranking nationally entering the 2026 season. His arrival has significantly transformed the program’s outlook, achieving an 11-2 record with a playoff appearance in 2024, followed by last year’s success culminating in a national title. Cignetti has demonstrated a consistent ability to win at every stage of his coaching career, including tenures at James Madison (52-9), Elon (14-9), and IUP (53-17). With a notable influx of talent from the transfer portal joining Bloomington, coupled with his proven track record of talent development, expectations are high for Cignetti and Indiana to contend for the national championship in 2026 and the years to come.
2. **Ryan Day, Ohio State**
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has overtaken Ryan Day from the premier position in the Big Ten as the 2026 season approaches. Nevertheless, Day remains firmly positioned among the elite coaches nationally, boasting an impressive record of 82-12 as head coach in Columbus. Excluding the abbreviated 2020 season, the Buckeyes have recorded at least 11 victories in each of Day’s seasons at the helm. Additionally, Day successfully guided Ohio State to the national championship in 2024 and has secured playoff appearances on five occasions.
3. **Dan Lanning, Oregon**
With quarterback Dante Moore and several key defenders opting to forgo the NFL to return for another season in Eugene, Oregon is poised to become the next first-time champion in college football in 2026. Lanning has rapidly established himself as one of the premier coaches in the nation since arriving in Eugene prior to the 2022 season. The Ducks have achieved a 48-8 record under Lanning’s leadership, including four consecutive seasons with double-digit wins. Furthermore, the program won two playoff games last season before being defeated by Indiana in the semifinals. Lanning is recognized as one of college football’s elite recruiters and is expected to maintain Oregon’s competitiveness for national titles in the foreseeable future.
4. **Kyle Whittingham, Michigan**
A mid-December coaching transition typically presents challenges, particularly with the early signing period and the dynamics of the transfer portal; however, Michigan has successfully secured Kyle Whittingham following his departure from Utah. The 66-year-old coach concluded his tenure in Salt Lake City with a record of 177-88, including a notable 10-2 season last year, during which the team narrowly missed qualifying for the College Football Playoff. Under Whittingham’s leadership, Utah recorded only three losing seasons since his tenure commenced with the 2004 Fiesta Bowl, highlighted by a perfect 13-0 season in 2008 and four seasons with double-digit victories since 2019.
5. **Kirk Ferentz, Iowa**
Entering the 2026 season, Ferentz stands as the longest-tenured coach in college football. Despite the myriad changes within the sport in recent years, Ferentz has remained a steadfast presence on the sidelines. Since his hiring in 1999, Iowa has compiled a record of 213-128, with 2012 marking the last occasion the program experienced a losing season. The Hawkeyes have secured at least eight wins in each of the last 11 full seasons, and Ferentz’s 213 victories represent the highest total by any coach in Big Ten history.
#####
BIG 10 PREVIEW: ILLINOIS
Head Coach: Bret Bielema (6th year at Illinois, 37-26; 18th year overall, 134-84)
Best Case / Worst Case: 10-2 and a trip to the CFP/Struggle to get to six wins
Key Player: Katin Houser, QB Sr.
2025 Record: 9-4
Key 2025 Stats
Fumbles: Opponents 17 (lost 10), Illinois 10 (lost 5)
Led the Big Ten in fewest interceptions: 6
Next-to-last in Big Ten in third down stops: 45%
Illinois has experienced a notable transformation under the leadership of Bret Bielema, moving toward significant achievements in college football.
In the last two seasons, the program has recorded an impressive 19 wins against 7 losses, following an initial three-year record of 18 wins and 19 losses under Bielema. This considerable progress stands as a testament to the team’s success. The institution has attained back-to-back seasons with nine or more victories for the first time in its 134-year football history. Should the team win eight or more games this season, it would position itself among the most successful eras in the university’s history, effectively paralleling the timeframe from 1903 to 1905.
However, this upcoming season presents one of the more intriguing coaching challenges for Bielema, as it marks his 18th year across three programs. Although the team possesses commendable talent, it is unlikely to replicate the anticipated dominance of the previous season’s squad.
Despite this, the circumstances of the transfer portal era suggest that the impact of personnel changes will be significant, and Illinois has strategically utilized this mechanism to enhance its competitiveness. The program’s objective is to firmly establish its standing in the upper-middle tier of the newly reconfigured and robust Big Ten Conference.
**Offense**
The Illinois offensive unit has not been characterized by explosive plays; rather, it has shown effectiveness in accumulating yards and securing victories when maintaining possession and managing the game. The coaching emphasis has shifted towards systematization, prioritizing methodical execution over sensational performance, with promising results observed thus far.
The team’s ground game has not been as formidable as one might expect, averaging only 138 yards per game last season. Nonetheless, the Illini demonstrated resilience, achieving a 9-1 record when exceeding 50 rushing yards, in stark contrast to their 0-3 record when failing to do so. A commitment to a robust rushing attack is essential, although it is beneficial to have all leading rushers returning. While there is evident talent within the backfield, greater offensive line support is necessary to enhance productivity. Ca’Lil Valentine exemplifies the offensive strategy, having rushed for 614 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Kaden Fegin, a formidable tight end weighing 260 pounds, has proven effective in short-yardage situations, leading the squad with seven rushing touchdowns. Additionally, veteran Aidan Laughery contributes agility to the rotation. The offensive line is expected to be a pivotal component, with experienced guards Brandon Henderson and Brandon Hansen set to anchor the unit. The acquisition of center Jake Renfro from Wisconsin represents a strategic enhancement.
Furthermore, the addition of Colorado State transfer Christian Martin for one of the tackle positions reinforces the overall offensive line’s prospects.
**Areas for Improvement**
There remains a pressing need for improvement in pass protection. The offensive line may require some structural modifications, which could yield positive outcomes, given that the previous year’s group struggled to adequately protect quarterback Luke Altmyer from being pressured.
With four new starters anticipated in the lineup, a more comprehensive approach to ensuring quarterback security is essential. Additionally, the team lacks a definitive primary wide receiver after Hank Beatty, the leader in receptions with 70, transitioned to the Tennessee Titans. While returning players Collin Dixon and Hudson Clement collectively accounted for 71 receptions, clearly defining an alpha target within the receiving corps will be crucial moving forward.
**Analysis of Team Consistency**
The team’s performance has shown a marked decline whenever the offense fails to reach a minimum of 20 points. While losses to Indiana and Ohio State can be deemed somewhat acceptable, the loss to Wisconsin proved to be particularly detrimental.
**Key Player to Monitor: Alex Perry, WR, Senior**
The recent transfer from Florida International University (FIU) made a significant impact last season by recording 56 receptions and nine touchdowns. He previously excelled at the University of Hawaii. The offense is in urgent need of a playmaker capable of threatening defenses with deep passes, and at 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds, Perry is expected to be a considerable asset.
**Defense Overview**
The defensive unit has underperformed despite possessing significant experience and talent. Several critical issues, including struggles on third down and an excessive number of completed passes allowed, require immediate attention.
Bobby Hauck, a notable head coach who previously led the University of Montana to the FCS National Championship in 2023, has assumed the position of defensive coordinator. He faces the challenge of rebuilding this unit.
**Strengths of the Current Defense**
Although expectations were modest, the Illinois defense has managed to secure victories when its pass defense performed adequately. The secondary demonstrated its potential by intercepting five passes against the Atlantic Coast Conference champion, Duke University. The team was successful in eight games when limiting opponent completion rates to below 70 percent.
The defense has demonstrated a propensity for creating turnovers, yielding positive outcomes. The Illini maintained a precarious margin for error over the past two seasons, yet they managed to achieve an 8-0 record in one-score games and a remarkable 15-1 record when forcing at least one turnover.
The transfer portal has proven beneficial for fortifying the defensive front. Key returnee Pat Farrell, alongside four significant transfers, including Jacksonville State defensive tackle Darrell Prater, should contribute meaningfully. Prater is expected to provide the active interior presence necessary to align with the team’s defensive strategy.
**Areas for Improvement**
Despite the positive developments from the transfer portal, the Illini have experienced notable losses in talent. Star pass rusher Gabe Jacas has transitioned to the New England Patriots, while the departures of Tomiwa Durojaiye and Angel McCollom have been substantial setbacks.
There is a pressing need for improvement in third-down defense. Despite the talent available, Illinois struggled to prevent opponents from converting third-down attempts, allowing a conversion rate of 45%. Both Indiana and Washington found significant success in this area.
The No. 2 cornerback position requires urgent clarification. Jaheim “Juice” Clarke has emerged as a strong performer on one side, but the overall situation at cornerback remains a concern. Georgia State transfer Deuce Fillmore will receive the initial opportunity, alongside JUCO transfer Jakwon Morris and freshman Nick Hankins, who will contribute to the rotation.
**Key Player to Monitor: Matthew Bailey, S, Senior**
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound veteran has established himself as a formidable force, recording 94 tackles in the 2024 season and 76 tackles in the subsequent year. His role has primarily involved run-stopping duties, but increased responsibility will be essential given the instability in the secondary.
**Season Objectives**
The Illinois team from the previous year was characterized by veteran presence, talent, and potential. While a record of 9-4 was commendable, aspirations for participation in the College Football Playoff were apparent. The primary challenge for the upcoming season lies in achieving greater success with reduced experience and fewer guaranteed talents.
The roster retains strong depth bolstered by a robust group of transfers. However, the success of the season hinges on untested players rising to the occasion and making an immediate impact.
**Player Requiring Development: Katin Houser, QB, Senior**
Luke Altmyer enjoyed a successful tenure, culminating in a position with the Detroit Lions after totaling over 7,600 passing yards and 57 touchdowns while at Illinois. Katin Houser now takes center stage; having begun his collegiate career at Michigan State, he subsequently accumulated over 5,300 passing yards at East Carolina. While Houser may not match Altmyer’s passing ability, he brings mobility to the position, with 363 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
**Critical Concerns: New Starters**
The Illini find themselves in a unique position, boasting good depth across the board while facing uncertainty regarding the starting lineup as fall camp approaches. Nearly ten transfers are anticipated to begin against the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) on September 5, leaving little time for the team to develop cohesion.
Given the objective to build on the successes of the past two seasons, a multitude of uncertainties exists, making it difficult to ascertain whether these aspirations will be realized.
**Significant Matchup: Oregon, October 3**
The Illini possess a favorable opportunity to approach this game with a potential record of 5-1, assuming they recover from a likely loss to Ohio State. Following a bye week to prepare for Oregon, a victory in this contest could generate substantial enthusiasm for the remainder of the season, particularly following the previous year’s dramatic upset against the University of Southern California (USC).
**Assessment of Transfer Portal Acquisitions**
The Illini have made strategic gains through the transfer portal, effectively addressing pressing needs. While there may not be a plethora of superstar signings outside of Houser, the team has successfully filled critical gaps across various positions.
**Noteworthy Signing: Jake Renfro, C (Wisconsin)**
While Katin Houser represents the most pivotal signing overall, the addition of Jake Renfro is essential for strengthening the offensive line and enhancing the team’s overall performance.
#####
NORTH CAROLINA PLACES FOOTBALL GM MICHAEL LOMBARDI ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE
North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The school announced the move with a statement Monday morning, coming days before the Tar Heels open preseason camp. The school didn’t provide details as to the reason, noting that employees and athletes aren’t permitted to address the topic “as is standard procedure with personnel matters.”
Lombardi joined Bill Belichick in making the NFL-to-college move when the school hired the former New England Patriots coach in December 2024. Lombardi’s career as an NFL executive had included being the GM of the Cleveland Browns in 2013, and he was an immediate hire by the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach in Chapel Hill.
The school had hired Belichick to jolt a football program that had largely been an Atlantic Coast Conference also-ran while making periodic but unsustained climbs into national relevance.
A few months into Belichick’s tenure, Lombardi said the goal was running a college program in a way similar to the NFL, saying the Tar Heels “consider ourselves the 33rd (NFL) team” due to the staff connections to the pros.
The Tar Heels went just 4-8 in Belichick’s first season. They open his second against TCU in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 29.
#####
STANFORD BECOMES FIRST SCHOOL TO ORGANIZE A PLAYER-LED COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION CHAPTER
The College Football Players Association, an organization advocating for unionization and collective bargaining, announced Monday that Stanford has become the first team to organize a player-led chapter.
CFBPA executive director Jason Stahl said the goal is for other Atlantic Coast Conference schools join Stanford in forming chapters. That would create momentum for unionization and the ability for players to bargain with conferences over working conditions.
Stanford players elected offensive lineman Fisher Anderson and linebacker Ernest Cooper as their representatives.
“Stanford has been a pioneer and innovator not just in football but as a school in general,” Cooper said “This first-ever current player-led chapter at Stanford is just another example of this innovation. We want to be leaders in college football and show other schools how they can create a chapter on their campus because we believe this is the future of college football.”
Anderson said the CFBPA will play a role in giving players a voice in all aspects of governing college football.
“Over the past five years, college football has been rocked back and forth by the waves,” he said. “When a CFBPA chapter becomes a reality on every college football team, it would put down an anchor where there isn’t one right now for the sport. The chapters can then become the building blocks for conference-wide collective bargaining agreements, which would bring sustainability, transparency and player protections to a sport in need of all three.”
The NCAA and conferences have been working with federal legislators on a Senate bill that would grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to be able to enforce rules such as a salary cap and transfer restrictions. Some athletic directors have suggested collective bargaining as an alternative if federal legislation is not passed, but a number of obstacles related to giving college athletes employee status would have to be cleared.
#########################################
NFL NEWS
MYLES GARRETT WOWS THE RAMS ON HIS FIRST DAY OF TRAINING CAMP WITH HIS NEW TEAM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams’ first practice of training camp Sunday was also the first time they’ve lined up as a full defense with Myles Garrett on the edge.
The experience left everybody on the field excited about what could be possible this season for the Rams.
“We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time, and it definitely lived up to it,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said.
Garrett is still in the process of getting settled in with his new team less than two months after the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Browns to the West Coast. But even with the Rams going less than full speed in shorts and no pads, Garrett’s presence was unmissable — whether he was breaking into the backfield for a simulated sack or gracefully leaping to swat down a screen pass.
Even the highest-paid cornerback in the league was marveling.
“When he’s out there, you can just feel his aura,” Trent McDuffie said. “(It’s just) this aura that this guy has. I mean, he’s gigantic. He’s a monster. But I’m just excited to get him out here and get him loose and get him going, because I know he has a little chip on his shoulder, and I know he’s excited about being here, so I think that just fires everybody else up.”
One year after winning 12 games and reaching the NFC championship game, the Rams added Garrett, McDuffie and cornerback Jaylen Watson to a defense that started last season strong, but faded down the stretch and ultimately couldn’t match the performance of the NFL’s top-ranked offense.
With three proven veterans installed as starters, the Rams are optimistic their revamped defense will allow them to live up to their preseason status as a serious Super Bowl contender. Los Angeles gave up significant assets and will be paying top dollar for all three newcomers, but the players and coaches see only positives in general manager Les Snead’s aggressive moves.
“Honestly, I don’t know if many guys feel the expectation that everybody claims that we have,” McDuffie said. “For us, we’re here to play football, to enjoy the locker room, just to get to know each other. I feel like all the expectation, all that, we leave to you guys hyping us up. Whoever is on this field, whoever is on the team, whoever is in the locker room, I feel like we do a good job just enjoying each other’s presence and living in the moment.”
“Expectations are all the same,” Watson added. “All 32 teams have the same goal right now, and that’s to hold the Lombardi up at the end of the year.”
Even after winning two Super Bowl rings as teammates in Kansas City, McDuffie and Watson both said they haven’t arrived in Los Angeles with a need to change the Rams’ defensive culture. They think their new team already knows how to win in the culture set by coach Sean McVay, and they are attempting to build on it.
“The way we’re looking at it, it’s their team, and we’ve just got to learn the way they do things,” Watson said. “We can tell them things we did to be successful, get integrated, and hope it works out.”
Notes: NFL MVP Matthew Stafford skipped the opening practice as part of the Rams’ plan to keep him fresh through camp. McVay says Stafford is fully healthy this summer after starting camp last season with a back injury that kept him out for weeks. Stafford is scheduled to practice Monday. … Rookie QB Ty Simpson and backup Stetson Bennett appeared to split the snaps while the Rams went into 11-on-11 work on the first day of camp.
#####
VIKINGS AGREE TO DEAL WITH VETERAN LB/S JAMAL ADAMS
Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker/safety Jamal Adams is headed to his sixth NFL team after agreeing to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
The 30-year-old veteran confirmed his decision with a post on X that said “Year 10 #skol”.
Adams spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, amassing 45 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 17 games (four starts) as a linebacker.
Adams also previously played for the New York Jets (2017-19), Seattle Seahawks (2020-23), Tennessee Titans (2024) and Detroit Lions (2024). Adams earned his Pro Bowl appearances as a safety from 2018-20.
It remains to be seen which position the versatile Adams will play for the Vikings. However, his addition comes as safety Harrison Smith mulls retirement.
Overall during his pro career, Adams has tallied 546 tackles, 22.5 sacks, four interceptions, 36 passes defended, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Adams is joining a stingy Vikings defense that ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed per game last season (282.6).
#####
VITA VEA REQUESTS TRADE FROM BUCCANEERS AMID CONTRACT DISPUTE
Vita Vea has requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after negotiations over a new contract failed to produce an agreement.
The two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle’s agent, Collin Roberts, confirmed the request to multiple reporters Monday, one day before Tampa Bay’s veteran players were scheduled to report for training camp.
Vea is entering the final season of the four-year, $71 million extension he signed in 2022. The 31-year-old is due a $17 million base salary in 2026, but none of that money is guaranteed. He can also earn up to $1 million through per-game roster bonuses.
The contract dispute had already carried into the Buccaneers’ offseason program. Vea attended mandatory minicamp in June but did not participate in practices, allowing him to avoid fines while continuing to push for an extension.
Coach Todd Bowles said at the time that Vea was healthy and described the hold-in as “part of the business” side of the league.
It is unclear whether Vea will take part in training camp while Tampa Bay weighs its response to the request.
Vea remained one of the most important pieces of the Buccaneers’ defense last season, starting all 17 games and recording 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. His presence in the middle has helped Tampa Bay consistently rank among the NFL’s stronger teams against the run.
The Buccaneers selected the 6-foot-4, 347-pound lineman with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has totaled 256 tackles, 35 sacks and 79 QB hits in 112 games (107 starts) over eight seasons.
Vea also helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV and earned Pro Bowl selections following the 2021 and 2024 seasons.
His request creates another major contract issue for the Buccaneers as camp begins. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is also entering the final year of his deal and has been seeking an extension, though he participated fully during minicamp.
Tampa Bay can reject Vea’s request and require him to play out the season, continue trying to reach an extension or explore a trade for one of the league’s most established interior defenders.
#####
COMMANDERS FIRE TES COACH BEN STEELE AFTER DWI ARREST
The Washington Commanders parted ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele on Monday, just before the start of training camp.
“The team will have no further comment at this time,” the Commanders said in a statement.
Steele, 48, joined head coach Dan Quinn’s staff in March following three seasons as the tight ends coach with the Arizona Cardinals.
Steele’s dismissal comes after an arrest last month on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested on June 7 in Virginia and faces additional charges for refusing a blood/breath test and obstructing or resisting an officer without force.
A Commanders reporter for The Athletic posted on X on Monday that Steele was let go for a violation of team policy.
Quinn is expected to announce Steele’s replacement on Tuesday, per The Athletic.
#####
TONY ROMO WITHDRAWS FROM GOLF EVENT IN WAKE OF OWI ARREST
Tony Romo withdrew from an upcoming golf tournament in the wake of his arrest last week in Wisconsin for allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS Sports analyst had been scheduled to play in the Texas State Open starting Tuesday in Tyler, Texas.
The Cascades Country Club confirmed to NBC affiliate KETK-TV that Romo, who has played in the event nine times, has pulled out of the tournament.
An avid golfer, Romo has won the celebrity American Century Golf Tournament three times.
The 46-year-old was stopped last Thursday evening on Interstate 43 and “performed poorly” on standardized field sobriety tests, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office’s arrest report.
He was taken into custody and booked before being released. He has a court date scheduled for Sept. 21.
A first-offense OWI is generally a civil offense, not a criminal charge, in Wisconsin, with a citation typically carrying a fine between $150-$300.
Romo is a native of nearby Burlington, Wis., where he was the first Burlington High School student-athlete to be named all-state in three sports: football, basketball, and golf. His high school football team, the Burlington Demons, plays on a field that was named Tony Romo Field in 2020.
Romo has been the lead NFL game analyst at CBS since 2017, paired with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson to cover games.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 out of Eastern Illinois, Romo spent the next 14 seasons with the Cowboys. He became their starting quarterback in 2006 and led Dallas to six playoff games.
A four-time Pro Bowler, he holds a 78-49 record in 156 regular-season games (127 starts). He had a career 65.3% completion rate, amassing 34,183 yards with 248 touchdowns and 117 interceptions.
#####
BROWNS’ JERRY JEUDY: CLIP DIDN’T INDICATE HIS PREFERRED QB1
Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy insists he wasn’t weighing in on Cleveland’s starting quarterback battle during a livestream clip that quickly went viral.
Jeudy flashes four fingers in the TikTok video, taken by many to indicate his support for the player who wears that jersey number, Deshaun Watson.
“Yall cut the clip perfectly for that narrative,” Jeudy posted Sunday on X, referencing the apparent skip in the clip between when the question is posed and when Jeudy holds up his fingers.
Jeudy, 27, who is entering his third season with the Browns, said he will not weigh in as new head coach Todd Monken and his staff evaluate the training camp competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
“I don’t speak on decisions that aren’t mine to make. I support my teammates/Brothers, I do my job, and control what I can control,” Jeudy posted on X. “Let’s stop creating narrative that aren’t there for likes and clicks. I bet this won’t go viral because it’s too positive/real for y’all.”
Jeudy caught 50 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) in 2025, when Watson missed the entire season with a torn Achilles. Jeudy made the Pro Bowl in his first season with Cleveland in 2024, setting career highs in catches (90) and receiving yards (1,229).
#####
JETS’ GLENN, BUCS’ BOWLES AND BENGALS’ TAYLOR AMONG NFL COACHES FACING HOT-SEAT PRESSURE
The heat is on several NFL coaches — and it has nothing to do with the soon-to-be steamy dog days of training camp.
The regular season is still more than six weeks away, but some coaches already face questions about their job security.
For a few, such as the New York Jets’ Aaron Glenn, Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles and Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor, slow starts could make their seats pretty toasty early in make-or-break seasons. For some others, such as Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur and Philadelphia’s Nick Sirianni, there’s not immediate pressure, but that could change if their squads don’t live up to lofty expectations and team owners ponder franchise-altering decisions.
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers
Through four seasons with Tampa Bay, Bowles is 35-33 in the regular season and has won three NFC South titles. But last season’s collapse, during which the Buccaneers went 2-7 down the stretch to finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs, had some thinking Bowles’ days with the team were done.
Instead, the Bucs opted to stick with him. He’ll likely need double-digit wins, a rebound performance from quarterback Baker Mayfield under new coordinator Zac Robinson and some postseason success to stay around. The Bucs’ defense — which Bowles calls himself — also must be much improved.
Dave Canales, Panthers
Carolina made the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season, but did so with an 8-9 record. The Panthers started 1-3 before three straight victories, and then alternated losses and wins over the next eight games before dropping its last two and backing into the playoffs, where the Panthers lost in the wild-card round.
Canales is 13-21 in his first two seasons in Carolina, which hired him in large part to develop Bryce Young into a quarterback worthy of his No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 draft. But Young has been up and down. Canales handed off play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and his job could depend on Young finally showing consistent progress this season.
Aaron Glenn, Jets
The former Pro Bowl cornerback returned to New York as a head coach to lead the Jets back to respectability. Instead, Glenn became the first in team history to lose his first seven games in his debut season with the team, which went 3-14 and missed the playoffs for the 15th straight year.
Glenn overhauled his coaching staff and hired Frank Reich to run the offense and Brian Duker was brought in as the defensive coordinator, but Glenn will now make the play calls for a subpar defense that became the first to not get an interception for an entire season. New York traded for Geno Smith as a bridge to the team’s future QB. Another losing season will put the Jets in play to draft one early next year, but Glenn might not be around in that scenario.
Matt LaFleur, Packers
Wait, how’s he on this list? LaFleur has made the playoffs six times in seven seasons, is 76-40-1 in the regular season and got a multiyear contract extension in January.
But he has only one playoff win since 2021 and his 3-6 record in the postseason has some Packers fans getting restless. A four-game losing streak to end the regular season and a first-round playoff exit at Chicago — during which Green Bay blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter — didn’t help.
With the Packers expected to again be playoff contenders with quarterback Jordan Love leading the way, LaFleur’s job status likely won’t be an issue until January. Things could go from lukewarm to sizzling, though, if Green Bay doesn’t win at least one postseason game.
Nick Sirianni, Eagles
Similar to LaFleur, Sirianni’s job would seem to be in no immediate danger. He has a Super Bowl victory, two NFC championship wins, three NFC East titles and a 59-26 regular-season record in his five years.
There was major disappointment last season, though, after the Eagles lost at home to San Francisco in the wild-card round. A bounceback performance, including a solid postseason run, is expected, even without A.J. Brown as Jalen Hurts’ go-to receiver in new coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense.
Sirianni was on the hot seat entering the 2024 season after the Eagles started 10-2, faded down the stretch and got blown out by Tampa Bay in the wild-card round. He followed that by leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory. Sirianni and the Eagles — and their fans — would certainly sign for a repeat of that rebound.
Shane Steichen, Colts
Steichen was mentioned as a potential AP Coach of the Year as the Colts got off to an 8-2 start. Then, quarterback Daniel Jones was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon and Indianapolis lost its last seven games — even after bringing Philip Rivers out of retirement — to miss the playoffs.
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon was encouraged by the team’s strong first half, though, and decided to keep the coach in place. Steichen is 25-26 in his three seasons with the Colts, who have missed the playoffs the past five years. With Jones healthy and signed to a two-year extension, Steichen would feel a lot more secure if the Colts resemble the promising team through 10 games last season.
Zac Taylor, Bengals
The Bengals have been notoriously slow starters in September under Taylor, but opened last season 2-0 and appeared on their way to putting that narrative to rest. A turf toe injury sidelined quarterback Joe Burrow for nine games and Cincinnati crawled to a 6-11 finish and a third straight season without a playoff appearance.
A healthy Burrow is paramount to the success of the Bengals, whose Super Bowl trip in the 2021 season is becoming a distant memory. A revamped defense, including acquiring defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, should help. So it’ll be on Taylor, in his eighth season with Cincinnati, to break the playoff slump or that might be someone else’s task next year.
#####
NFL WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS-TOP 15
1. **Minnesota Vikings**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton
The Minnesota Vikings are structured to enable an underwhelming quarterback to succeed, thereby facilitating potential revitalization for either J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray in the upcoming season. Despite experiencing his least productive season as a professional, Jefferson achieved a career high in yards of separation per target. Addison similarly encountered a decline in performance, influenced by the overall instability of the Vikings’ quarterback situation in 2025. Jennings, who faced injury challenges throughout 2025, has the potential to excel on critical third downs when at full capacity, effectively capitalizing on the opportunities created by the team’s star players. This composition presents a complex dilemma for opposing defenses, yet it could be rendered ineffective by subpar passing or, conversely, elevate the performance of a particular player this fall.
2. **Dallas Cowboys**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin
George Pickens performs optimally when he senses a lack of respect from defenders; in 2025, this attitude translated to an impressive 82.7 expected points added (EPA), ranking second in the league only to Nacua. In 2026, he will operate under the constraints of a franchise tag. The second-highest receiving EPA on the team was attributed to Flournoy, who effectively functioned as a short-range safety valve beneath the star duo of the Cowboys, boasting a commendable 71.4 percent catch rate. Lamb continues to establish himself as a perennial All-Pro candidate, despite a dip in production following Pickens’ arrival, maintaining an average of 9.2 yards per target, which was the 18th highest in the National Football League. Notably, Turpin achieved an even higher average of 10.4 yards per throw, illustrating that he is a valuable asset beyond his role on special teams.
3. **Cincinnati Bengals**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Mitchell Tinsley
Chase and Higgins persist in causing disruption for opposing defenses due to their versatility. If the assessment were based solely on receiving duos, they would occupy the top position. However, concerns arise regarding the depth behind them. Iosivas possesses significant athletic potential but has yet to translate this into consistent performance, having surpassed 41 receiving yards on only three occasions in the previous season. Tinsley represents a theoretical deep threat, managing to convert 24 targets into only eight receptions last season. As a result, the Bengals remain precariously close to a decline due to potential injuries.
4. **Los Angeles Rams**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith
The receiving unit of the Rams is vulnerable to substantial challenges should one player, such as Nacua, face injury or suspension. This vulnerability arises from a roster constructed to optimize the later career stages of Matthew Stafford. Nonetheless, Nacua is recognized as one of the most efficient players in the league. Adams exhibits exceptional performance in the red zone, consistently outmatching other wideouts, while Whittington displayed promising potential as a rookie, notwithstanding the inconsistencies demonstrated in 2025.
5. **Detroit Lions**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch
St. Brown remains a prolific receiver despite experiencing a decline in efficiency during a disappointing season for the Lions. Williams serves as an effective complementary option; he is a deep threat who has averaged over 17 yards per reception in each of the last two seasons and possesses the ability to evade tackles effectively. TeSlaa presents as an unpredictable factor; the former Division II standout was targeted on average deeper downfield than Williams, converting 27 targets into six touchdowns. The pivotal concern is whether his second season will elevate him beyond the status of a “bargain who salvaged daily fantasy lineups.”
**6. Denver Broncos**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims (along with Pat Bryant)
Similar to the New England Patriots, the Denver Broncos have chosen to utilize the salary cap space generated by securing a 2024 draft pick for a quarterback to enhance their receiving corps. Jaylen Waddle, who was compelled to incorporate more deep targets following Tyreek Hill’s injury last season, still managed to demonstrate a positive impact despite the limited options available in Miami. He can now return to excelling in the intermediate range alongside a roster replete with rising talent.
Courtland Sutton, while not young, is robust and has the physicality to successfully secure passes in congested situations. Troy Franklin exhibited potential in a limited sample size, finding success in the red zone with four touchdowns, suggesting that he could flourish in the space created by the top two wide receivers, even if his targets decrease.
**7. Seattle Seahawks**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Cooper Kupp, could benefit from additional support; however, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has demonstrated an ability to consistently defeat double teams and generate crucial yardage, as evidenced by the fact that 89 of his 119 receptions resulted in either first downs or touchdowns. Although Kupp is 33 years of age, he remains adept at creating separation in both intermediate and short-range scenarios. Rashid Shaheed, having transitioned north, was primarily utilized as a decoy rather than a home run hitter, but his speed significantly aids the overall offensive scheme. Tory Horton, who had a limited role as a rookie due to injury, has shown promise as an emerging downfield threat.
**8. New England Patriots**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** AJ Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte or Kyle Williams or Demario Douglas
The New England Patriots have leveraged available resources to optimize their championship window during quarterback Drake Maye’s rookie contract. The formidable duo of AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, earning an average of $49 million per year, is poised to assist a young quarterback in precarious situations—an issue that arose unexpectedly during the previous postseason.
Mack Hollins, despite being 32 years old, enters the season following a campaign in which he achieved career highs in catch rate and contested reception outs, making him a reliable safety net in addition to his strong blocking capabilities. Kayshon Boutte excels at contested catches, potentially duplicating AJ Brown’s role on the roster, while Kyle Williams and Demario Douglas contribute different skill sets that enhance the depth of the wide receiver position.
**9. Chicago Bears**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas
The receiving corps of the Chicago Bears becomes increasingly limited beyond their top two wideout options, partially due to the presence of two athletic young tight ends capable of performing effectively downfield (Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet). Although Rome Odunze experienced a reduced role in 2025 compared to his rookie season, he saw improvements in target share, expected points added, and yards per route run during Chicago’s postseason resurgence. Luther Burden III recorded an impressive 2.68 yards per route run, ranking third in the NFL, trailing only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Notably, both players are under the age of 24.
**10. Jacksonville Jaguars**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, possibly Travis Hunter
The acquisition of Jakobi Meyers during the middle of the 2025 season revitalized the Jacksonville offense under the direction of offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The question remains whether Meyers can reignite Brian Thomas, who experienced a significant decline in production following a rookie season exceeding 1,200 yards. Additionally, Parker Washington’s impressive conclusion to the previous year—amassing 48 receptions, 747 yards, and five touchdowns over the last ten games—raises the question of whether this momentum can be sustained. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter’s limited utilization may generate intrigue as he simultaneously aims to excel on defense. This wide receiver group presents one of the most compelling narratives in the NFL.
**11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Ted Hurst III
This assessment relies heavily on the assumption of successful comebacks. One must consider that Chris Godwin will successfully complete a full season at age 30, maintaining his high-level run-after-catch ability. Furthermore, it is crucial to ascertain whether Emeka Egbuka will replicate his impressive performance from the first half of 2025 rather than his declining second half. Jalen McMillan’s recovery from an injury-plagued 2025 season is also of concern, as he aims to regain his 114-yard performance in Week 17. Ted Hurst, as a rookie from Georgia State, has the potential to provide a deep threat. Although the talent within this group is evident, it leads to a potentially contentious ranking among the top twelve.
**12. Philadelphia Eagles**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Marquise Brown
There exists a notable disparity in the ranking, as the subsequent teams possess top ten potential. The Philadelphia Eagles have effectively replaced AJ Brown’s departure with an infusion of new talent. Makai Lemon possesses the ability to create separation, both from the slot and on the outside. Though Dontayvion Wicks has seen a decline in both production and efficiency since an impressive rookie campaign in 2023, he remains a valuable mid-range target.
Marquise Brown provides a reliable veteran presence after concluding the most efficient season of his career. It will be imperative to determine whether new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion can effectively leverage this depth and versatility to challenge opposing defenses.
**13. Carolina Panthers**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Chris Brazzell II
Tetairoa McMillan has met expectations as a top 10 draft selection, demonstrating a commendable catch radius that was evident during his tenure at the University of Arizona. Jalen Coker recorded an impressive +20.8 percent Catch Rate Over Expected (CROE) while in the slot, suggesting he can excel in shorter route patterns. However, the prospects for the remaining wide receivers present challenges; Xavier Legette has been a liability for the offense, posting negative Expected Points Added (EPA) and CROE when targeted. Chris Brazzell II, a third-round rookie, may either supplant Legette or encounter similar difficulties.
**14. Tennessee Titans**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Carnell Tate, Wan’Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike
The Tennessee Titans must experience optimal conditions to fulfill the expectations associated with this ranking. Nevertheless, with careful assessment, one can envision a favorable outcome. Carnell Tate, a recent prospect from Ohio State, is poised to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Wan’Dale Robinson, whose route proficiency was enhanced by necessity during his time in New York, continues to demonstrate success on deep routes. Calvin Ridley, relieved of significant pressure after a challenging 2025 season, may rejuvenate his performance at the age of 31. Both Dike and Elic Ayomanor have the potential to emerge as valuable young contributors. My outlook is optimistic despite past experiences with the franchise suggesting a cautious approach.
**15. New Orleans Saints**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, DeVaughn Vele, Bryce Lance
The potential of the New Orleans Saints’ receiving corps is considerable, contingent upon several factors aligning favorably. Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson have each dealt with injuries throughout the previous three seasons. DeVaughn Vele serves as a sizable and efficient target who can elevate his quarterback’s performance; however, his contributions tend to fluctuate. Bryce Lance, a rookie who transitioned from an FCS program, may also play a significant role. There will be instances where these components align, allowing Tyler Shough to shine within Kellen Moore’s offensive scheme. Nonetheless, the sustainability of such performances remains uncertain.
#####
49ERS QB BROCK PURDY ADJUSTS TO START OF TRAINING CAMP WITHOUT COACH KYLE SHANAHAN
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Coach Kyle Shanahan’s voice in Brock Purdy’s helmet has been nearly a constant at practice during Purdy’s first four seasons in the NFL.
That has forced Purdy to adjust as he prepares for year five with the San Francisco 49ers with Shanahan starting training camp as a silent observer at practice rather than an active part of it following a serious car crash that left the coach with a concussion.
“He’s our guy,” Purdy said about Shanahan after practice on Monday. “He’s the one leading all the team meetings and stuff and going over just situational football, what practice is going to look like. He’s our leader. It has been weird in terms of not having that. But I will say I think the assistant coaches have done a good job with stepping up.”
As the starting quarterback, Purdy typically interacts with Shanahan as much or more than any other player on the team, whether it be at meetings or on the practice field where the coach typically calls in the play to the quarterback on a walkie-talkie.
That role has been given to offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak to start camp this summer as Shanahan recovers from the concussion. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster is running the team in Shanahan’s absence with help from coordinators Kubiak, Raheem Morris and Brant Boyer.
Purdy said his contact with Shanahan since the car crash on July 14 has been mostly messages about Shanahan’s well-being and a brief hug on the field at practice on Monday.
Shanahan once again came out about midway through practice and watched alongside general manager John Lynch for the final 45 minutes. Shanahan even had to dodge an errant deep pass from Purdy to Mike Evans.
“I saw it after and I was like, ‘Damn, I almost hit Kyle,’” Purdy said. “But I was mad we couldn’t complete the throw. … Heads up coach.”
Purdy was able to joke about it in Monday but the emotions were much different when he first heard about it from Shanahan’s wife, Mandy, shortly after the crash. Shanahan suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose and broken hand in the crash that sent him to the hospital.
Purdy said he initially checked with teammate George Kittle to make sure the news was real and then focused on his coach’s health.
“It hurt really bad just reading that text,” Purdy said. “First off, is he OK? What’s next? How is he and all that? I reached out to him and he hit me back up. Once he texted me back and stuff, I was, all right, he’s good. It’s a scary moment, because all you care about is life at that moment. Is he alive? Is he good? But after hearing Mandy and then what Kyle had said, I was like, all right, Kyle’s good. This is going to be a little process. I don’t know what the road to recovery looks like, but he’s going to be good. That’s all I cared about in that moment. I know he’s good, just seeing him talking to him and stuff. … I have a lot of faith that he’ll bounce back quick.”
Rookie Romello Height gets hurt in practice
Rookie defensive lineman Romello Height was carted off the field after suffering cramps late in practice. Height was attended to for several minutes before being taken off the field on the cart.
Four other players didn’t practice after getting hurt in the first session on Sunday. Swing tackle Vederian Lowe has a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss a chunk of training camp.
Receiver Christian Kirk (calf strain), rookie DL Gracen Halton (bruised knee bone) and DL Andrew Farmer (back) were also out on Monday.
Cornerback Nate Hobbs returned to practice after sitting out the first session on Sunday.
#####
BENGALS OC DAN PITCHER SAYS MORE EXPLOSIVE PLAYS AND FEWER TURNOVERS ARE THE GOAL IN 2026
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense has a very rare level of continuity with all 11 starters as well as most of the team’s key backups returning from last season’s roster.
Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher wants to see the unit aim even higher in 2026. He says the keys for the offense taking the next step are finding more explosive plays and limiting turnovers at a higher rate.
“We can really look at it from a schematic standpoint and make sure we have the tools we need,” Pitcher said Monday as the Bengals had their pre-training camp luncheon. “(Turnovers) speaks to decision-making, technique and how we take care of the football. That’s an area traditionally we have not struggled with. We need to return to the standard we have for ourselves.”
Joe Burrow, who led the NFL in passing yards in 2024, was playing just as well in 2025 but missed half of the season because of a toe injury. Pitcher said Burrow is involved in conversations and open to new ideas for the offense to generate more explosive plays than it did last season.
“Above anything, Joe wants to win and wants us to be able to do whatever it takes to win,” Pitcher said. “I believe he has trust that he knows whatever we’re going to ask is because we’ve put the work in and done the cost benefit and decided this is what we need to do, whether it’s build the offense in August or win a football game in November.”
During the second half of last season, the Bengals found a much higher level of success in their run game. As young offensive linemen Amarius Mims and Dylan Fairchild emerged as impact players, as the offensive line as a whole developed more continuity and as running back Chase Brown continued to develop, the running game took off.
Pitcher is looking to see the unit build off that success in 2026 as Cincinnati tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
“(Brown) has played himself into a role that deserves us featuring him in what we do,” Pitcher said. “That’s a third guy that has that between Ja’Marr (Chase), Tee (Higgins) and him. Is he a guy we sit down every week and say, how do we get Chase Brown in position to win us this game? It is.”
With veteran offensive linemen Dalton Risner, Ted Karras and Orlando Brown Jr. back in the mix for 2026, Burrow’s offensive line looks as dependable on paper as it has ever been in his NFL career.
With a more powerful run game and more reliable protection, the idea is that Burrow will have more chances and more time to throw deep, as well as fewer hurried throws that could turn into interceptions.
A lot of the Bengals’ success in 2026 will revolve around the offensive line.
“We’re in a really good place,” Pitcher said. “Last year, we had a player who we thought was going to be a rookie starter for us and Amarius Mims going into Year 2. With Dylan and Amarius, there’s a very high ceiling … Then we have veteran leadership with Ted, Orlando and Dalton.”
#####
PACKERS OPTED FOR CONTINUITY OVER CHAOS BY EXTENDING LAFLEUR, GUTEKUNST AND BALL, PRESIDENT SAYS
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The decision to keep Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst after a late-season collapse was a matter of choosing continuity over chaos, president and CEO Ed Policy said Monday.
LaFleur, Gutekunst and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball all received contract extensions after the Packers’ 2025 season ended with five straight losses, including a 31-27 road defeat against the Chicago Bears in the NFC wild-card playoff round.
The Packers went 9-8-1 and earned a third straight postseason berth, though they’ve been the NFC’s seventh and final playoff seed each of those seasons. They haven’t won a playoff game the last two years.
“We had 10 head coach openings throughout the league this past offseason, and that caused a tremendous amount of chaos in a lot of other organizations,” Policy said during the annual shareholders meeting of the NFL’s only publicly owned franchise. “I believe that players, and especially quarterbacks, in championship-caliber teams, develop best in an environment of continuity — not chaos.”
Green Bay owned a 9-3-1 record and was leading at Denver in the second half last December when All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons tore his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that knocked him out for the rest of that season and will delay the start of his 2026 season. The Packers didn’t win again and closed the season by blowing a 21-3 lead at Chicago.
“As we turn the page to 2026, we recognize how close we are to becoming the team we expect to be,” Gutekunst said at the shareholders meeting. “But at the same time, we have no delusions about the areas where we must improve. Finishing games, maintaining our composure at critical moments and consistently playing the best football when it matters most will be essential.”
The Packers’ late skid led to speculation regarding the futures of LaFleur and Gutekunst, whose contracts were set to expire after the 2026 season.
Policy had said last year he would prefer not to have them enter a season with only one year left on their contracts because of the issues such a scenario could create, so either a firing or an extension seemed the most likely outcome. Policy opted for the latter.
“I’ve known Russ Ball for 25 years,” Policy said. “I’ve worked with Brian for 14 years. I’ve worked very closely with Matt for the past seven seasons. I’m incredibly confident in them and their ability to put us in position to compete for championships.”
LaFleur has a 76-40-1 regular-season record in seven seasons and led the Packers to the playoffs in all but one of those years. He is 3-6 in the postseason and hasn’t reached the Super Bowl.
“His work with quarterbacks has been exceptional,” Policy said. “That’s obviously a very critical role in our game, but he brought out the very best in Aaron Rodgers winning two consecutive MVPs to developing Jordan Love into a budding star, developing Malik Willis into a very valuable contributor for our team and a very probable starter for the Miami Dolphins.”
The Packers will have some new faces among their coaching staff as they open training camp this week. Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was hired as defensive coordinator after Jeff Hafley left to become the Miami Dolphins’ head coach. New special teams coordinator Cam Achord takes over for Rich Bisaccia, who departed for the same role at Clemson.
During the shareholders meeting, Policy again spoke about long-term strategies the Packers might utilize to remain financially competitive with the NFL franchises that have a more conventional ownership structure. He had outlined that plan Friday while detailing the Packers’ annual revenues and expenses.
But there’s a limit to how far the Packers will go in that regard. Policy drew the biggest ovation of the day when he reiterated that the team won’t be selling the naming rights to Lambeau Field.
#########################################
COLLEGE ATHLETICS
REPORT: MICHIGAN AD WARDE MANUEL’S BUYOUT TOPS $7M
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel’s separation agreement reportedly includes a lump sum payment of more than $7 million.
Other perks will include a $108,000 contribution to his retirement account and $82,000 toward attorney fees as well as eligibility for tickets to Wolverines games and golf privileges, The Associated Press reported Monday.
Manuel is stepping down at the end of 2026, with the university announcing last week it is buying out the final three years on his contract.
Manuel, 58, who has held the position since 2016, has agreed not to work as an athletic director or senior athletic adviser for another Big Ten program for two years after the date of his voluntary resignation on Dec. 31, per the report. He is allowed to take a job outside of the conference with no penalty.Sports content provider
Highlights of Manuel’s time in Ann Arbor included national championships in football and men’s basketball, but his tenure was ultimately engulfed in controversy thanks to a sign-stealing scandal involving former football coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff and an improper relationship with a staff member by Harbaugh’s successor, Sherrone Moore.
#########################################
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MARLINS END 12-GAME SKID BY OVERTAKING PHILLIES IN NINTH
Griffin Conine’s walk-off single capped a three-run ninth inning for the Miami Marlins, who snapped a franchise-record 12-game losing streak with an 8-7 win over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
Heriberto Hernandez and Conine homered for Miami, which had not won since July 9. The Marlins appeared destined for another defeat before Hernandez’s two-run single tied it against Jhoan Duran (1-4), who had previously blown only one save this season.
Bryce Harper hit an early two-run homer and J.T. Realmuto also had two RBIs for Philadelphia, which has lost seven of 10 since the All-Star break. Zack Wheeler struggled through three innings, allowing a season-high five runs and six hits.
With Miami trailing 7-5, Jakob Marsee opened the ninth with a single up the middle and advanced to third on Otto Lopez’s single to right. Duran hit Kyle Stowers with a pitch, loading the bases for Hernandez, whose single up the middle tied the game.MLB content
Pirates 3, Diamondbacks 2 (10 innings)
Brandon Lowe’s RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning scored Billy Cook and propelled host Pittsburgh to a victory over Arizona.
Lowe’s game-winner off Diamondbacks reliever Taylor Clarke (2-2) was a liner that got past first baseman Ildemaro Vargas. Lowe finished with three hits and two RBIs.
Max Kepler had three hits, drove two runs and had a chance to give the Diamondbacks a lead in the top of the 10th. However, with the bases loaded and two outs, Kepler lined out to center against Mason Montgomery (4-3).
Yankees 9, White Sox 5
Jazz Chisholm Jr. had two hits and two RBIs and Ali Sanchez blasted his first major league homer in the eighth inning to break the game open as visiting New York defeated Chicago.
New York overcame an early three-run deficit for its fourth win in five games. The Yankees scored a total of five runs in the seventh and eighth innings and navigated two errors in the ninth to hold on. Jasson Dominguez and Ben Rice contributed two hits each for New York.
AL Central-leading Chicago committed three errors as its lead over the second-place Cleveland Guardians fell to two games. The White Sox have lost three of their past four. Chicago reliever Bryan Hudson (3-4) allowed one run and two hits in the seventh.
Mets 14, Braves 3
Francisco Lindor hit two homers and drove in six runs as New York battered visiting Atlanta.
Tyrone Taylor went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and Marcus Semien also had three hits and a homer for the Mets, who have won consecutive games for the first time since July 8-9. New York starter Zac Thornton (2-1) tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits.
Braves reliever Connor Thomas (0-1) was blasted for 11 runs on 10 hits across 2 2/3 innings. Ozzie Albies homered, singled and drove in three for Atlanta.
Rangers 7, Mariners 3
Joc Pederson homered in each of the first two innings as Texas defeated Seattle in Arlington, Texas.
Ezequiel Duran and Jake Burger both homered in the third for the Rangers, who won three of four games in the series to take a 2 1/2-game lead over the Mariners atop the AL West. Brandon Nimmo hit a pair of doubles and Evan Carter had another as seven of the Rangers’ 11 hits were for extra bases.
Randy Arozarena went deep for the Mariners, who have lost five of their past six.
Orioles 8, Tigers 5
Coby Mayo homered and drove in three runs as visiting Baltimore powered past Detroit.
Leody Taveras and pinch hitter Tyler O’Neill also homered for the Orioles, while Jackson Holliday supplied four hits and scored twice. Grant Wolfram (3-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and was credited with the victory.
Hao-Yu Lee drove in two runs for the Tigers, who have lost three straight. Spencer Torkelson and Zach McKinstry each had two hits, a run and an RBI. Detroit starter Keider Montero (7-6) allowed six runs, four earned, and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Blue Jays 3, Nationals 2
Luis Urias homered, Myles Straw had two hits and Toronto beat the Nationals in Max Scherzer’s return to Washington.
Scherzer, who spent 6 1/2 seasons in Washington and won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019, came off the injured list to make the start. He gave up a run on four hits in 2 2/3 innings. Mason Fluharty (5-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win for the Blue Jays, who have alternated losses and wins for six games.
Andres Chaparro homered for the Nationals, who had won two straight. Nationals opener Eddy Yean (0-1) gave up two runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Cubs 7, Cardinals 3
Alex Bregman and Nico Hoerner homered and had four hits apiece as Chicago opened a four-game series at St. Louis with a win.
Bregman doubled twice and drove in two runs and Hoerner had four RBIs for the Cubs, who tallied 14 hits and won for the third time in four games. David Peterson (6-7) allowed two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Jose Fermin hit a solo homer and Masyn Winn had two hits for the Cardinals, who have lost eight of 11 games since the All-Star break. Matthew Liberatore (5-8) gave up three runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings.
Astros 6, Angels 4
LaMonte Wade Jr. drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded walk during a four-run ninth inning as Houston rallied past Los Angeles in Anaheim, Calif.
The decisive rally featured just one hit, a single that did not knock in a run. Taylor Trammell homered, walked twice, was hit by a pitch and scored twice as Houston earned its sixth win in seven games. Astros reliever Cristian Javier (1-1) allowed three hits and no walks over five shutout innings, striking out seven.
Vaughn Grissom went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs for Los Angeles, which lost for the ninth time this season when leading after eight innings. Jose Fermin (3-2) was charged with three runs, one earned, while recording only one out.
Red Sox 4, Athletics 2
Ceddanne Rafaela smacked his first career grand slam and scorching Boston won for the 18th time in 20 games, beating the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.
Payton Tolle (6-6) struck out seven and gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings for the Red Sox. Aroldis Chapman worked out of a ninth-inning jam for his 25th save in 27 opportunities.
Tyler Soderstrom and Jonah Heim homered for the Athletics, who lost for the 24th time in their past 30 games. A’s starter Jack Perkins (2-6) was charged with two runs and one hit over 5 2/3 innings.
Giants 3, Brewers 0
Tyler Mahle limited Milwaukee to three hits over six-plus innings, Grant McCray smacked a two-run homer and San Francisco defeated the visiting National League Central leaders.
Mahle (3-9) never allowed a runner past second base, aided by three double plays. En route to their third win in four games on their current homestand, the Giants took the lead for good in the third.
Brewers starter Brandon Sproat (3-6) went six innings and was charged with all three Giants runs on six hits.
#####
TAMPA CITY COUNCIL PULLS RAYS STADIUM FUNDING FROM AGENDA
The Tampa Bay Rays’ battle for a new ballpark deal hit another obstacle with Tampa’s city council removing from its agenda an upcoming vote on a public funding proposal.
Front Office Sports reported Monday that a deepening political rift between the city council and Mayor Jane Castor led legislators to table a vote planned for Aug. 20.
“It’s beyond frustrating that as city and county leaders are working tirelessly to hammer out an equitable deal to bring the Rays to Tampa, city council members want to halt our efforts in their tracks,” Castor said. “Some city council members are clearly intent on killing the plan before negotiations are done and an agreement is ready for review. It defies common sense that they would prefer to have no say in the benefits a Rays project would bring to our city and instead punt it to the county.”
Council members also declined to forward a land use plan for the $2.3 billion ballpark to state authorities for review, arguing that such a move was pointless.
“I think it’s a waste of time to send it to the state if I’m just going to vote against it,” said city council member Lynn Hurtak, per FOS.
The Rays are hoping to build a new domed stadium at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa, located near Tampa International Airport and Raymond James Stadium.
The Rays currently play home games at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The facility opened in 1990 and was reopened this season following repairs to damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
#####
YANKEES OF CODY BELLINGER OUT 4-6 WEEKS WITH GRADE 2 HAMSTRING STRAIN
New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and faces a recovery timeline of four to six weeks, manager Aaron Boone said Monday.
Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday after injuring himself rounding first base during a win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
His injury is the latest blow for a Yankees lineup that hasn’t featured Aaron Judge (rib) since the start of June or Giancarlo Stanton (calf) since April 24. Neither Judge nor Stanton have been cleared to resume baseball activities.
Bellinger, 31, was named the All-Star Game MVP earlier this month thanks to his two-run single in the first inning of the American League’s 4-0 victory.
The former NL MVP is in his second season in New York and played 102 of the Yankees’ first 104 games leading up to the injury. He has batted .259 with 11 homers, 53 RBIs and 55 walks this year.
In 1,259 career games for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017-22), Chicago Cubs (2023-24) and Yankees, Bellinger is a .260 hitter with 236 homers, 748 RBIs and 114 stolen bases.
The Yankees recalled Spencer Jones from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. However, they are starting utility player Max Schuemann in Bellinger’s usual spot in left field for the second day in a row as they begin a series Monday at the Chicago White Sox. Jones will start the game at center field.
#####
RANKING THE TOP 25 MLB TRADE DEADLINE TARGETS FOR 2026
#########################################
NBA NEWS
REPORT: NBA TO MAX OUT LEBRON JAMES, 76ERS’ NATIONAL TV GAMES
Fans itching to watch LeBron James play in his new Philadelphia uniform should get plenty of opportunities this season as the 76ers are expected to get the NBA’s maximum of 34 national game telecasts/streams, Front Office Sports reported Monday.
That would more than double the 14 national games the Sixers were featured in last season, when the team led by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey finished in a disappointing seventh place in the Eastern Conference at 45-37.
Now that the 41-year-old James has signed a two-year, $8 million contract to play in Philly, viewers can expect to see him featured prominently during tentpole league events like opening week and Christmas Day’s five-game slate.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said on July 16 he was awaiting James’ decision before finalizing the schedule for the telecasts/streams across Disney’s ABC/ESPN, NBCUniversal’s NBC Sports/Peacock, and Amazon’s Prime Video. The league receives input from these partners before making the final schedule.
Four teams received the maximum 34 national games last season: the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks, who play in the league’s biggest market; the Los Angeles Lakers in the No. 2 market; the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder; and four-time champion Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
#####
NUGGETS MATCH THUNDER’S OFFER SHEET AND WILL BRING BACK SPENCER JONES FOR A THIRD SEASON
DENVER (AP) — Spencer Jones will return to Denver for a third season after the team matched the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offer sheet, the Nuggets announced Monday.
The Thunder had offered a guaranteed two-year, $12 million offer sheet, according to ESPN.
The Nuggets signed Jones out of Stanford as a free agent in 2024. His retention as a restricted free agent brings with it severe financial implications for Denver, which faces a $32 million increase in current luxury taxes, according to multiple reports.
Jones started 37 of 64 games last season and averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. He shot an NBA-best 69.2% on 3-pointers in the playoffs.
#########################################
GOLF NEWS
PGA TOUR ROOKIE JACKSON KOIVUN ROCKETS IN RANKINGS AFTER MAIDEN WIN
One win has put Jackson Koivun on the map. It might also be enough to get him a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Koivun won the 3M Open on Sunday in Minnesota in his third start since turning pro. The 21-year-old, a former college star and No. 1-ranked amateur in the world, went 25 under par at TPC Twin Cities and beat World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by three shots.
Not only did it secure Koivun a two-year exemption on tour and an invitation to the Masters, it also put him in the playoff hunt.
Koivun jumped 124 spots in the FedEx Cup points race to No. 70, the final spot that will qualify for the first leg of the playoffs, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, with two weeks to go in the regular season.
Koivun is ahead of recognizable names such as Australia’s Jason Day (No. 74), Keegan Bradley (No. 76), Brooks Koepka (No. 84) and Tony Finau (No. 87), who would miss the playoffs were the season to end Monday.
The 3M Open victory also vaulted Koivun from No. 206 to No. 73 in the Official World Golf Ranking. When Koivun entered the U.S. Open for his final start as an amateur, he was ranked No. 260; by making the cut and tying for 23rd there, he moved up to No. 217. He’d since climbed a bit higher after tying for 10th at the ISCO Championship.
Koivun was a three-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, a three-time All-American and a two-time national champion at Auburn. He turned pro ahead of the John Deere Classic in early July.
#####
TRAVELERS TO BE PART OF PGA TOUR’S CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
The Travelers Championship, the PGA Tour’s annual stop outside Hartford, Conn., is the first tournament to be formally named to the tour’s upcoming Championship Series.
In 2028 the tour is introducing a two-tiered schedule, with paths called the Championship Series and the Challenger Series. The Championship Series will be reserved for the sport’s top players and feature up to 24 events.
Those 24 include The Players Championship and the four majors, though those aren’t operated by the PGA Tour and have their own criteria for qualifying.
As the series is an evolution of the current set of “signature events,” it was expected that the most prestigious events on the calendar would be selected for the Championship Series.
The Travelers has been a signature event every year since the format was introduced in 2023. The PGA Tour has been coming to Hartford since 1952 and to TPC River Highlands since 1984.
“This partnership with Travelers and with the PGA Tour has taken the tournament to incredible new heights,” Travelers tournament director Nathan Grube said in a release. “We’re proud of the Travelers Championship, the economic impact it makes on our community and the state of Connecticut, and the hundreds of local charities that continue to benefit financially.”
#########################################
TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/SPORTS RELEASES
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
THE INDYSTAR GAME OF THE WEEK IS BACK ON INDIANASRN!
For more than 20 years, IndianaSRN has been bringing fans the very best in live high school sports coverage. Our broadcasts reach thousands of viewers each week across Indiana and around the country, giving student-athletes, coaches, schools, and communities the recognition they deserve.
Every Friday night, we’ll bring you complete live coverage with pregame, kickoff, halftime, postgame interviews, and all the excitement from some of the state’s biggest matchups.
🏈 2026 IndyStar Game of the Week Schedule
📍 Week 1: Speedway at Heritage Christian
📍 Week 2: Brebeuf Jesuit at Mt. Vernon
📍 Week 3: Pendleton Heights at Kokomo
📍 Week 4: Cathedral at Chatard
📍 Week 5: Noblesville at Zionsville
📍 Week 6: Guerin Catholic at Chatard
📍 Week 7: Ritter at Covenant Christian
📍 Week 8: Covington Catholic at Cathedral
📍 Week 9: Edgewood vs. Scecina at Beech Grove
This lineup is packed with outstanding rivalries, championship contenders, and unforgettable Friday night football.
A special thank you to IndyStar for partnering with IndianaSRN to help showcase the very best of Indiana high school football.
Follow IndianaSRN and IndyStar all season long as we celebrate the athletes, coaches, schools, and communities that make Friday nights in Indiana truly special.
🏈 The road to the IHSAA State Finals begins here. We can’t wait to see you on Friday nights!
#######################################
COLTS FOOTBALL
COLTS WR ALEC PIERCE TO START CAMP ON PUP LIST
The Indianapolis Colts placed wide receiver Alec Pierce and rookie linebacker CJ Allen on the physically unable to perform list Monday ahead of the start of training camp.
Pierce’s recovery from offseason ankle surgery is still ongoing. He signed a four-year, $114 million contract to stay in Indianapolis this offseason.
Pierce, 26, is coming off his fourth and most productive NFL season, as he gained 1,003 yards on just 47 catches and caught six touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts). He led the league for the second straight year in yards per reception (21.3).
Colts head coach Shane Steichen told ESPN over the weekend that the team isn’t interested in rushing Pierce back in July or August.
“We’ll get him ramped up during training camp,” Steichen told ESPN. “The goal is to be ready for Week 1.”
Players on the PUP list during training camp can be removed at any time. But after the preseason roster cutdown takes place, players who are moved to reserve/PUP must miss the first four games of the season.
Allen, 21, was selected in the second round (No. 53 overall) by the Colts out of Georgia. He is still recovering from a calf injury.
The Colts also waived running back Lincoln Pare with a non-football injury designation.
#####
COLTS QB DANIEL JONES ‘A FULL GO’ FOR TRAINING CAMP
Felled by an Achilles injury last December, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones said Monday he will be under center for Indianapolis’ first training camp practice Wednesday.
“I’m feeling good,” Jones said on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday. “Plan is to be back in 11-on-11, full team drills Wednesday when we start up practice.
“Excited to get back rolling. … Rehab’s been good to this point. Still some work to do as we get ready for Week 1, but feeling good with where I am. … I’m gonna be a full go to start camp.”
The Colts were off to an 8-2 start in 2025 before Jones suffered a left hairline fibula fracture against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, then tore his right Achilles two weeks later against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jones, 29, played the 2025 season on a one-year, $14 million contract, then re-signed for two years and $88 million that could be worth $100 million after he was given the franchise tag.
“I’m in a really good spot,” Jones said. “I can do everything. There’s nothing that I can’t do. There’s still that last little bit that you’re working to get back but I feel good in the next month or so as I get into team drills, 11-on-11 doing everything again, coming back and feeling 100%.”
Before the season-ending injury, Jones threw for 19 touchdowns and 3,101 yards along with five rushing scores while throwing eight interceptions in 13 games. He also set new career highs in competition rate (68%), QB rating (63.0) and passing yards per attempt (8.1).
The No. 6 overall pick by the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones has 89 passing TDs, 55 interceptions, 17,683 passing yards and a 64.7% completion rate in 83 games. He also has 20 rushing scores.
############################################
INDIANA FEVER
By Wheat Hotchkiss | FeverBasketball.com
Indiana Fever at Seattle Storm
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Climate Pledge Arena | 9:30 p.m. ET
BROADCAST INFO
TV: ESPN
WALV/Fever Direct – Pat Boylan (play-by-play), Debbie Antonelli (analyst), Kelsie Kasper (sideline)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – John Nolan (play-by-play), Bria Goss (analyst)
PROBABLE STARTERS
Indiana Fever (17-10)
Guard – Caitlin Clark
Guard – Kelsey Mitchell
Forward – Lexie Hull
Forward – Monique Billings
Center – Aliyah Boston
Seattle Storm (6-23)
Guard – Jade Melbourne
Guard – Natisha Heideman
Forward – Flau’jae Johnson
Forward – Awa Fam
Center – Dominique Malonga
GAME PREVIEW
With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, the Fever’s playoff push begins in earnest on Tuesday night, when they tip off a three-game road trip in Seattle.
The Fever closed the first half strong, winning three straight and seven of their last nine contests to improve to 17-10 on the season. That puts Indiana in fifth place in the WNBA standings. It’s a tight race, with just 2.5 games currently separating the teams in second through sixth place. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season make the playoffs, with the top four teams earning homecourt advantage in the first round.
Indiana was well represented at All-Star Weekend in Chicago, with Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and Kelsey Mitchell all starting the All-Star Game. While Boston played limited minutes as a precaution, Mitchell and Clark both put on a show.
Mitchell a game-high 28 points to go along with four rebounds and five steals, going 11-for-19 from the field and 5-for-11 from 3-point range. Clark, meanwhile, tallied 17 points, four boards, and five assists for the victorious Team Spoon, going 5-for-15 from beyond the arc.
It has been a rough season for the Storm, who currently own the worst record in the WNBA and are in the midst of a six-game losing streak. Still, the Storm have some promising young talent, headlined by 20-year-old center Dominique Malonga. The 6-foot-6 Frenchwoman provided one of the highlights of the All-Star Game, throwing down a dunk off a pass from Angel Reese. She is averaging a team-high 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks for the Storm.
###########################################
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
LIMA, Peru — A gold medal was secured, an unbeaten July record obtained. Members of the Indiana men’s basketball team that competed as part of Team USA capped an impressive FISU America Games performance by dominating the Virgin Islands for the second time in five days.
Monday evening’s 99-57 victory clinched a 4-0 tourney record — all the wins came by 42 or more points with an average victory margin of 61.3 points — and highlighted do-it-all unselfish play, relentless 3-point shooting, inside power, and sustained intensity that could bode well for the upcoming season.
“This is my first gold medal, and the rest of the team, too,” coach Darian DeVries told media members in attendance. “When we started this summer, we knew this trip was happening. We wanted to make sure we took care of business. We were going to play a lot of guys, but also wanted to make sure we would still win. Our guys did a good job that when it was time to play basketball, play basketball.
“Peru was great. We got to do a lot of activities outside of basketball. It was a fantastic trip.”
While the competition didn’t match what’s ahead against Big Ten opponents, Indiana got invaluable practice time and opportunity to build chemistry and efficiency in DeVries’s system.
If you like potent offense, Team USA delivered with games of 115, 120, 107, and 99 points in Peru after a 98-point exhibition effort against Team Canada at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Defensively, it held all four America Games opponents to less than 65 points, allowing just 36 to Peru.
DeVries has assembled an athletic, versatile team that can pound inside or punish outside. The Hoosiers have veteran play crucial for instant success — think forward Aiden Sherrell, guards Markus Burton, Darren Harris, Bryce Lindsay, and more — and talented youth such as freshmen Vaughn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Trevor Manhertz to suggest long-term consistent excellence.
Lindsay led Team USA on Monday with 17 points. Manhertz added 15, Harris 13, and Sherrell 10.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can make 3s,” DeVries said, “but what I love about these guys is they can really share the basketball. Our movement was good. Our guys were aggressive.
“We take a lot of 3s, but when we do that, we’re going to chase down the ones we miss. I like the mindset our guys had the entire week.”
The 6-foot-11 Sherrell, considered one of the nation’s top transfers, was an all-over-the-court force, including a double-double against Peru (19 points, 10 rebounds) and in the title game (10 points, 10 rebounds). He was named tournament MVP.
“He didn’t get an opportunity to play a ton of minutes,” DeVries added, “but when he was out there, he was incredibly productive. It’s all the ways he can impact a game – on the defensive end, switching onto guards, pick and pop situations where he can drive it and post it. He’s a very versatility player.”
Team USA benefited with the return of former Hoosier power forward Sam Alexis, who averaged 13.0 in his three tourney games.
Karvala was a breakthrough by averaging a team-leading 20.3 points during the first three games, with a high of 32 points in the first Virgin Islands victory. He was 10-for-18 on 3-pointers in the first three games, and had seven rebounds against Peru.
Moody made 9-of-19 3-point attempts in the first three games, with 17 points against Peru, after totaling 13 points and five steals in the exhibition win over Team Canada. He had 12 points against Virgin Islands.
“They freshmen continue to impress,” DeVries said. “They’re getting better. They play with a lot of confidence and play the right way. They compete at a high level. The future is very bright for them.”
In the championship game against a team it previously beat 120-63, Team USA’s attack-the-rim approach quickly paid off. Guard Jaeden Mustaf opened the scoring with a pair of free throws. Lindsay followed with two more free throws. Mustaf hit two more for a 6-4 early lead. Sherrell powered in a basket as Team USA surged ahead 15-6. Sherrell altered a shot and then raced down court for a layup and 19-8 lead. Lindsay’s 3-pointer gave Team USA a 25-8 lead after the first quarter. Lindsay led with nine points. Sherrell had six points.
Triples by Moody and Harris, and a Sherrell inside basket made it 35-9 early in the second quarter. Two more Lindsay free throws pushed Team USA ahead 39-15. It reached halftime leading 52-23 — Lindsay led with 14 points, Sherrell and Moody each had eight. It led 69-43 after three quarters and cruised from there. Moody was a fourth-quarter spark.
“Prince gave us great energy,” DeVries said. “Even at the end there, he was diving on the floor and doing a lot of hustle plays.
“It’s those effort plays. When you get into the season, that type of effort that could change games. I love to see it.”
###########################################
PURDUE SWIMMING
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Another wave of premier long course racing is on tap this week as Purdue will be represented by student-athletes at USA Swimming’s Toyota National Championships and the Central American and Caribbean Games.
Dylan Burau, Jonny Hines and Alex Hotta have made the trip to the West Coast for USA Swimming’s annual summer showcase, which is again being contested outdoors in Irvine, Calif. Rising sophomore Matt Rose is also going to California next week to compete at USA Swimming’s Speedo Junior National Championships, also held at Irvine’s William Wollett Jr. Aquatics Center.
Nathanial Thomas earned the right to compete for his native Jamaica at the centennial edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games, which are being held in the capital city of the Dominican Republic for the first time since 1974. The Central American and Caribbean Games are generally a quadrennial showcase.
Both Toyota National Championships and swimming events at the Central American and Caribbean Games are set for July 28-Aug. 1.
PURDUE’S EVENT SCHEDULES
• Nathaniel Thomas – 50m & 100 Free, 50m & 100m Back, 100m Fly, 4x100m Relays
• Dylan Burau – 200m Back; Time Trials: 50m Free, 50m & 100m Back
• Jonny Hines – 400m, 800m, 1500m Free
• Alex Hotta – 50m & 100m Fly, 50m Back; Time Trial: 100m Free
• Matt Rose — 400m, 800m, 1500m Free
• Jānis Dzirkalis – TBA (Sprint Free)
Jānis Dzirkalis is also preparing to represent his native Latvia at the European Aquatics Championships, with swimming events set for Aug. 10-16 in Paris.
Hotta, Thomas and Dzirkalis helped Purdue set a team record and posted an NCAA Championships qualifying time in the 200-yard medley relay at the Big Ten Championships in February. That same week, Burau joined forces with Hotta, Thomas and Dzirkalis on the 200-yard freestyle relay and that quartet’s time was also good for an event berth at NCAAs.
Thomas has recently competed for country at the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in December 2024 and Junior Pan American Games in August 2025. Dzirkalis represented Latvia at the World Aquatics Championships and Baltic State Championships in 2025 before enrolling at Purdue in August 2025.
Burau, Hines, Hotta and Rose all competed at the at the TYR Pro Swim Series Indianapolis and Indiana Senior Long Course Championships (Senior State) earlier this summer, among other various meets. Burau swept the backstroke events at Senior State and is headed back to Irvine after previously competing at USA Swimming’s Speedo Summer Championships in July 2024. Many Boilermakers opted to remain in the Midwest and compete at the USA Swimming Futures Championships in Madison at the end of July last summer, including Burau, Hotta and Rose. Hines is moving up to senior nationals this year after posting three top-eight finishes at the Speedo Junior Nationals following his senior year of high school last summer.
BOILERMAKERS AT USA SWIMMING NATIONALS
Prelims at 12 p.m. ET, Finals at 9 p.m. ET
at the William Wollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine, Calif.
Results added as they become available
TOYOTA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tuesday, July 28
• 100m Free – Alex Hotta (Time Trial)
• 1500m Free (5:30 p.m. ET) – Jonny Hines
Wednesday, July 29
• 200m Back – Dylan Burau
• 50m Fly – Alex Hotta
Thursday, July 30
• 100m Fly – Alex Hotta
• 50m Back – Alex Hotta, Dylan Burau (Time Trial)
Friday, July 31
• 400m Free – Jonny Hines
• 100m Back – Dylan Burau (Time Trial)
Saturday, Aug. 1
• 50m Free – Dylan Burau (Time Trial)
• 800m Free (5:30 p.m. ET) – Jonny Hines
ROSE AT SPEEDO JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
• Monday, Aug. 3 – 1500m Free
• Wednesday, Aug. 5 – 400m Free
• Friday, Aug. 7 – 800m Free
THOMAS AT CENTRAL AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN GAMES
Prelims at 9 a.m. ET, Finals at 6 p.m. ET
at the Juan Pablo Duarte Aquatic Center in Santo Domingo, D.R.
• Tuesday, July 28 – 50m Free
• Wednesday, July 29 – 100m Free & 4×100 Free Relay
• Thursday, July 30 – 50m Back & 100m Fly
• Friday, July 31 – 100m Back & Mixed 4×100 Free Relay
• Saturday, Aug. 1 – 4x100m Medley Relay
DZIRKALIS AT EUROPEAN AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Aug. 10-16 in Paris
Daily Event Schedule & Info TBA (Dzirkalis in Sprint Freestyle for Latvia)
#########################################
BUTLER VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach Kyle Shondell has announced the hiring of Brianna Stopher as Butler’s newest assistant volleyball coach. Stopher most recently was an assistant coder with the Indy Ignite, where she assisted in scouting and coding projects.
“Bri’s background and experience make her a perfect addition to our program,” said Shondell. “Her energy and character are in lockstep with our culture and I can’t wait for her to get started!”
“I’m grateful and excited to join the Butler family and couldn’t be more ready to get to work,” said Stopher. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work alongside this staff and help develop our athletes both on and off the court. I’m looking forward to building relationships, connecting with the Butler community and competing in the BIG EAST. Go Dawgs!”
Before working with the Ignite, Stopher served as an assistant coach and the director of volleyball analytics for IU Indianapolis. In her role, she planned itineraries for travel matches, created scouting reports and helped with on-court coaching.
She has also served as a head coach and assistant coach with Top Flight Volleyball Club, CROI Volleyball Club, and Cathedral High School. Stopher graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with her bachelor’s in Mathematics before completing her master’s in Data Analytics at IU Indianapolis in December 2025.
##########################################
BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State head women’s basketball coach Brady Sallee, who is entering his 14th season at the helm of the Cardinals, has announced the commitment of international prospect Anya Coulibaly (Sabadell, Spain) to the Cardinals’ 2026 recruiting class.
Coulibaly comes to Ball State University after competing for the prestigious Elite Sports Academy.
“Anya brings the last piece of the puzzle for this year’s squad,” Sallee said. “She is a versatile aggressive big, that can stretch the floor and will be a great fit for us both offensively and defensively. We are excited to welcome her to Muncie.”
During her standout final season in Spain’s competitive club and academy circuits, Coulibaly established herself as a highly efficient front court presence. She anchored her team by averaging 14.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting an impressive 54.3 percent from the field. Her ability to dominate the glass and alter shots on the defensive end makes her an immediate asset to Ball State’s roster.
Coulibaly completes this year’s recruiting class as she joins previous signees, Faith Walker (York, Pa./West York), Helen Holley (Cleveland, Ohio) along with early commits Lillian Barnes (Valparaiso, Ind.) and Dutch standout Klaske Miedema.
###########################################
BALL STATE FOOTBALL
MUNCIE, Ind. — Senior offensive tackle Chris Hood has been tabbed as one of 1,000 players across the country named to the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl Watch List. He is one of 23 players selected to the watch list from the Mid-American Conference.
Every year, approximately 1000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp. The aim for the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl 1000 is to serve as a look into the scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2027 Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl and 2027 NFL Draft class.
The list was gathered while scouting players from all four levels of college football and consulting with NFL and college personnel to ensure the selection of the best 1000 players for the NFL level.
###########################################
SOUTHERN INDIANA XC
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Athletics announced the 2026 cross country schedule Monday.
Under the direction of Head Coach Mike Hillyard, the Screaming Eagles have six meets on their regular-season slate, beginning with the Stegemoller Screagle Twilight September 4.
This season marks the second consecutive year that the Screaming Eagles will host a meet on campus after hosting the Stegemoller Twilight at the USI Cross Country Course a year ago.
Following USI’s lone home meet, the Screaming Eagles will have the opportunity to preview the host course for the NCAA I Great Lakes Region Championships when they compete at the Spartan Invite September 11 in East Lansing, Michigan.
Competing in one of three evening meets, USI previews the host course for the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Championships when it races at the OVC Preview Meet September 18 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
USI stays in the Show-Me state the following week when it competes at the Gans Creek Classic September 25 in Columbia, Missouri, the host site of the 2025 NCAA I National Championships.
This year’s national championship meet will be hosted in Terre Haute, Indiana, where USI will race in two consecutive meets in October, beginning with the Nike XC Town Twilight October 2.
The Screaming Eagles once again race in Terre Haute October 16 when they compete at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational.
USI runs at the OVC Championships October 30 and the NCAA Great Lakes Regional November 13. The NCAA Championships are November 21.
The Screaming Eagles bring back a loaded squad that features 2025 OVC Male and Female Athlete of the Year honorees Alex Nolan and Ellie Hall. Nolan won a combined four OVC titles on the track during the 2026 indoor and outdoor seasons, while Hall swept the 5,000 and 10,000-meter races at the 2026 OVC Outdoor Championships.
Both USI’s men and women dominated the OVC’s distance events last spring. USI’s men earned the top two finishes in the 1,500 meters, the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters at the OVC Outdoor Championships, while the women had three of the top eight finishers in the 1,500 meters, the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters at the conference meet.
#########################################
VALPO FOOTBALL
It’s like Christmas coming early for Valparaiso University men’s basketball fans and players alike.
Coming off the program’s best season since joining the Missouri Valley Conference, the Beacons won’t have to wait until November to take the court in a game situation. Instead, the opportunity will come next week as the squad heads to Nassau, The Bahamas for a pair of exhibition games against international competition as part of the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League.
“It’s moments like this that you look forward to building with your team,” head coach Roger Powell Jr. said. “Having some games and extended practice time this summer is helping us get ready quicker. Next week, we’re going to play some tough teams. I wanted to give us a chance to play against good quality opponents to see where we are and what we need to work on to prepare for the regular season when we get back in the fall. We are very grateful for the people who supported our program and made it possible for us to have this trip and get this experience.”
The Beacons will play Carleton University (Canada) at 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET on Monday before facing off with Dalhousie University (Canada) at 6:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The games will be streamed on FloCollege.
“When we were planning the trip, I wanted to have some challenging games,” Powell said. “I wanted to play teams that will give us a game; I didn’t want to go out there and just play anybody. Carleton beat us when I was an assistant coach under Bryce, and they recently won the championship in their province. These are going to be some real games that will be good for us to prepare us as we get ready for the preseason.”
When Powell and his staff set out to assemble the remainder of the roster this spring, they did so with a strong starting point. Junior Justus McNair (Joliet, Ill. / Joliet West) is back for his third season in the program, while the five-member sophomore class (including one redshirt freshman) all elected to return – JT Pettigrew (Lisle, Ill. / Bolingbrook), Rakim Chaney (Rockford, Ill. / Rockford Auburn [212 Sports Academy]), Carter Hopoi (Tauranga, New Zealand / Mount Manganui College NZ), Sader Servilus (Montreal, Quebec, Canada / Fort Erie International Academy) and Kobe Walker (Normal, Ill. / Normal Community).
The Beacons had also signed three freshmen last November – Justin Curry II (Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville), Hudson Scroggins (Lake Bluff, Ill. / Lake Forest [Kimball Union Academy]) and Rajan Roberts (Chicago, Ill. / AZ Compass Prep) – so Powell had nine scholarship players already set going into spring recruiting.
“It was refreshing that we didn’t have to sign a whole team,” Powell said. “That was a blessing because that is a lot of work trying to put a whole roster together in a couple months. It was good having some returners and it was awesome bringing the recruits on campus and giving them the chance to spend time with the returners, that was an advantage in recruiting. They got to see the culture and spend time with all the guys who knew the culture. I’m excited about how it turned out.”
Powell and his staff brought in a pair of in-conference transfers – redshirt junior Kai Yu (Zhuhai, Guangdong, China / Link Prep [Bradley/Liberty] and junior Bruno Alocen (Barcelona, Spain / Manresa [Indiana State]). They join forces with sophomore Terron Garrett (St. Louis, Mo. / Vashon [Mineral Area College]) and senior Dylan Moles (Greenfield, Ind. / Greenfield Central [Marian]) to comprise the incoming transfer quartet. George Richardson (Chicago, Ill. / Evanston [Link Year Prep]) was added to the three previously-signed rookies, rounding out the four-member freshman class.
The group has bonded on and off the court already this summer, with more of both set to occur in Nassau in the coming days.
“It was a really good summer,” Powell said. “We’re getting our new guys up to speed with our basketball terminology and the way we play. The returners have done a good job of helping with that, and the newcomers are picking it up. The new guys had weeks in the summer to get acquainted with our program, from team time to practices to barbeques at my house. They’re getting comfortable with being there and I’ve enjoyed this group this summer.”
########################################
VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL
It’s like Christmas coming early for Valparaiso University men’s basketball fans and players alike.
Coming off the program’s best season since joining the Missouri Valley Conference, the Beacons won’t have to wait until November to take the court in a game situation. Instead, the opportunity will come next week as the squad heads to Nassau, The Bahamas for a pair of exhibition games against international competition as part of the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League.
“It’s moments like this that you look forward to building with your team,” head coach Roger Powell Jr. said. “Having some games and extended practice time this summer is helping us get ready quicker. Next week, we’re going to play some tough teams. I wanted to give us a chance to play against good quality opponents to see where we are and what we need to work on to prepare for the regular season when we get back in the fall. We are very grateful for the people who supported our program and made it possible for us to have this trip and get this experience.”
The Beacons will play Carleton University (Canada) at 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET on Monday before facing off with Dalhousie University (Canada) at 6:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The games will be streamed on FloCollege.
“When we were planning the trip, I wanted to have some challenging games,” Powell said. “I wanted to play teams that will give us a game; I didn’t want to go out there and just play anybody. Carleton beat us when I was an assistant coach under Bryce, and they recently won the championship in their province. These are going to be some real games that will be good for us to prepare us as we get ready for the preseason.”
When Powell and his staff set out to assemble the remainder of the roster this spring, they did so with a strong starting point. Junior Justus McNair (Joliet, Ill. / Joliet West) is back for his third season in the program, while the five-member sophomore class (including one redshirt freshman) all elected to return – JT Pettigrew (Lisle, Ill. / Bolingbrook), Rakim Chaney (Rockford, Ill. / Rockford Auburn [212 Sports Academy]), Carter Hopoi (Tauranga, New Zealand / Mount Manganui College NZ), Sader Servilus (Montreal, Quebec, Canada / Fort Erie International Academy) and Kobe Walker (Normal, Ill. / Normal Community).
The Beacons had also signed three freshmen last November – Justin Curry II (Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville), Hudson Scroggins (Lake Bluff, Ill. / Lake Forest [Kimball Union Academy]) and Rajan Roberts (Chicago, Ill. / AZ Compass Prep) – so Powell had nine scholarship players already set going into spring recruiting.
“It was refreshing that we didn’t have to sign a whole team,” Powell said. “That was a blessing because that is a lot of work trying to put a whole roster together in a couple months. It was good having some returners and it was awesome bringing the recruits on campus and giving them the chance to spend time with the returners, that was an advantage in recruiting. They got to see the culture and spend time with all the guys who knew the culture. I’m excited about how it turned out.”
Powell and his staff brought in a pair of in-conference transfers – redshirt junior Kai Yu (Zhuhai, Guangdong, China / Link Prep [Bradley/Liberty] and junior Bruno Alocen (Barcelona, Spain / Manresa [Indiana State]). They join forces with sophomore Terron Garrett (St. Louis, Mo. / Vashon [Mineral Area College]) and senior Dylan Moles (Greenfield, Ind. / Greenfield Central [Marian]) to comprise the incoming transfer quartet. George Richardson (Chicago, Ill. / Evanston [Link Year Prep]) was added to the three previously-signed rookies, rounding out the four-member freshman class.
The group has bonded on and off the court already this summer, with more of both set to occur in Nassau in the coming days.
“It was a really good summer,” Powell said. “We’re getting our new guys up to speed with our basketball terminology and the way we play. The returners have done a good job of helping with that, and the newcomers are picking it up. The new guys had weeks in the summer to get acquainted with our program, from team time to practices to barbeques at my house. They’re getting comfortable with being there and I’ve enjoyed this group this summer.”
#######################################
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
#############################################
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
890 – Giants pitcher Mickey Welch beats the Pirates, 4 – 2, to become baseball’s third 300-game winner. The 31-year-old Brooklyn native will win only seven more games before ending his 13-year career next season.
1903 – Boston’s Vic Willis outpitches Christy Mathewson to beat the Giants, 5 – 3. 3B Ed Gremminger solves Matty, banging out a single, double, home run and sacrifice to lead Boston.
1907 – The Reds take their third game in a row from the Giants, and winning pitcher Jake Weimer adds insult to injury with a swipe of home. An incensed John McGraw gets into a fight with a park security man and belts him. Police break it up and no arrests are made.
1908:
Walter Johnson’s recuperation from his operation from an infection behind the right ear seems complete as he pitches 15 innings against the Browns with neither team scoring. Washington pulls out a 2 – 1 victory in the 16th as Johnson strikes out 15, the Big Train’s highest strikeout total for his career. He will win 11 of his next 13 decisions.
Hooks Wiltse and Vic Willis lock horns and the Giants and Pirates duel for 16 innings before the game is called, 2 – 2, because of darkness. Honus Wagner is 0 for 6 but drives home a run with a sacrifice fly.
1909 – Brooklyn’s Jim Pastorius no-hits the Phillies until pinch-hitter Doc Martel laces a one-out triple in the 9th inning. Pastorius wins, 4 – 0.
1911 – Charles “Victory” Faust shows up at the Giants’ hotel in St. Louis asking for a tryout. Manager John McGraw observes the “pitcher,” who obviously is no player, and carries him on the team as an unofficial mascot and good luck charm. But the Giants lose to the Cards today, 5 – 2, with the help of five errors. McGraw will eventually let Faust pitch in a couple of meaningless games, after the pennant is secured.
1914 – The Red Sox acquire lefty Vean Gregg (9-3), a 20-game winner the past three years, from Cleveland for Adam Johnson, Fritz Coumbe, and catcher Ben Egan.
1917 – In a doubleheader at St. Louis, the Red Sox sweep, winning both games by 3 – 2 scores, the second in 11 innings. In the 20 innings, not one Red Sox batter strikes out. Another oddity is in the second game, as Ernie Shore is called out twice for interference when hit with a batted ball.
1922:
Rogers Hornsby ties the National League single-season home run record with his 27th, matching the 38-year-old mark set by Ed Williamson of the Chicago White Stockings in 1884. Hornsby’s 8th-inning solo shot off the Giants’ Bill Ryan carries into the Polo Grounds’ left field bleachers and pulls the Cards to within two runs of their New York hosts. But hospitality goes only so far; New York answers right back with two and closes out St. Louis, 8 – 4.
The American League announces plans to erect a $100,000 monument to baseball in East Potomac Park, Washington. It never gets built.
The Yanks move back into first place when Sad Sam Jones beats Ray Kolp, 7 – 3. Kolp lasts just two innings before Bill Bayne takes over for the final seven and allows two runs. Ken Williams hits his 23rd homer but Whitey Witt counters with a three-run home run.
1931 – The White Sox record an American League-record 12 hits in the 8th inning against the Yankees. They score 11 runs as Bob Fothergill homers and triples to win, 14 – 12.
1934:
The veteran Waite Hoyt stops Dizzy Dean’s win streak at ten with a 5 – 4 win in Pittsburgh.
Chuck Dressen, who will win pennants in Brooklyn and manage 16 seasons in the major leagues, begins by replacing Bob O’Farrell at the helm for the Cincinnati Reds.
1935 – Ted Lyons ties a major-league record with two doubles in the same inning while beating the Browns, 14 – 6.
1936:
In the 6th inning of a 16 – 6 Yankee win in Detroit, the Tigers’ Goose Goslin drives a ball in the gap in right center. RF Joe DiMaggio and CF Myril Hoag, in for a slumping Jake Powell, sprint for the ball and collide, the ball bounding by for an inside-the-park home run. Both players are knocked unconscious but appear unhurt: DiMaggio stays in though Hoag is replaced. Hoag will play tomorrow and collect a single, then collapse in his hotel room on the 30th with a brain clot. Hoag will be operated on successfully at Harper Hospital and will be out the rest of the season, but he’ll return to play six more years. New York wins the game on 20 hits, scoring four runs in each of the first two innings, and three apiece in the 4th and 5th. Lou Gehrig’s two doubles, single and home run number 31 with two aboard pace the visitors. Tommy Bridges is the loser while Johnny Murphy, who relieves Monte Pearson in the 4th, is credited with the win. George Selkirk adds a homer for the Yankees, who have now hit 122.
Dolph Camilli’s 9th-inning homer, his second of the game, caps a four-run rally as the Phillies top the visiting Cubs, 5 – 3. Reliever Larry French, who replaces Roy Henshaw in the 9th, loses after he gives up a single to Johnny Moore off the RF wall to tie, strikes out Chuck Klein and serves up the dinger to Dolph.
Bill Dietrich makes his first start for the White Sox since being picked up on waivers and Chicago makes it easy with a 19 – 6 win over Philadelphia. Dietrich helps his own cause with four singles.
Earl Averill raps his 18th and 19th homers of the year, off Earl Whitehill, as Cleveland beats the Senators, 6 – 4. Lloyd Brown is the winner, allowing 11 hits. Hal Trosky extends his hitting streak to 22 games, while Cleveland’s Roy Weatherly sets an American League rookie record by hitting in his 20th consecutive game.
1940 – King Kong Keller clouts three home runs for the New York Yankees in a 10 – 9 win over Chicago in the first game of a doubleheader split.
1948 – Detroit’s Dizzy Trout shuts out the Red Sox, 13 – 0, to stop Boston’s win streak at 13 games. Hoot Evers paces the 18-hit attack with four hits.
1949:
Detroit pitcher Dizzy Trout hits a 9th-inning grand slam against the Senators to help the Tigers to a victory.
A 12 for 25 run raises Jackie Robinson’s National League-leading batting average to .364. Jackie will tail off from that mark but will win the batting title at .342.
1950 – The Indians’ Larry Doby, Al Rosen and Luke Easter connect for consecutive home runs in the 3rd in a 13 – 1 whipping of the Red Sox.
1951:
The Giants go 7-0 at Crosley Field this year by defeating the Reds, 3 – 1. Willie Mays has his third homer in six days and Larry Jansen wins to go 15-2 against the Rhinelanders.
P Russ Meyer hurls a 1 – 0 shutout over the Cubs, the fourth shutout in a row for the Phillies staff. Robin Roberts, Ken Johnson and Bubba Church pitched the earlier whitewashings.
Charlie Gehringer succeeds Billy Evans as General Manager of the Detroit Tigers.
Clyde Vollmer, who started the month on the bench, continues his explosive fireworks against the Indians. He singles in the tying run in the 15th and then in the 16th hits a grand slam off reliever Bob Feller for an 8 – 4 Red Sox win. The grand slam is the latest to be hit in a game in major league history. Mickey McDermott pitches all 16 innings for the Sox, striking out 15 and walking one.
1952 – Rogers Hornsby, after being fired by the St. Louis Browns, replaces another former Brownie manager, Luke Sewell, as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
1954 – Giants OF Dusty Rhodes hits three consecutive home runs at the Polo Grounds to back Johnny Antonelli’s 10 – 0 whipping of St. Louis. It is Antonelli’s tenth consecutive win. Willie Mays smacks his 36th homer, a 447-foot clout to left field.
1958 – For the sixth time in his career, Mickey Mantle hits home runs from both sides of the plate. New York beats the Athletics, 14 – 7.
1959 – The White Sox take over first place for good by toppling the Yankees, 4 – 3, behind P Billy Pierce. Al Smith, with a two-run home run in the 8th, provides the winning margin. The Sox will go 13-9 against the Yankees this year, the first time since 1925 that Chicago is over .500 for the season against the Bombers.
1960:
With relief help from Bobby Shantz, Whitey Ford, who leaves with an upset stomach, picks up a 4 – 0 win over the Indians. Tony Kubek, Mickey Mantle and Clete Boyer homer for the Yanks. The pinstripers sweep, winning the nitecap, 9 – 2, and take over first place by three percentage points.
The Red Sox, losers of nine straight to the White Sox, beat Chicago, 4 – 2, knocking the Pale Hose out of first. Boston OF Gary Geiger, who homered yesterday against Chicago, suffers a collapsed lung and is out for the rest of the season.
1961 – The Yanks buy 1B Bob Hale from Cleveland. This will make veteran Earl Torgeson, signed on June 17th, expendable. They’ll release Torgy as a player in early September and sign him as a coach.
1962:
After mysteriously disappearing off the team bus in New York two days ago with teammate Gene Conley to use the rest room, prodigal infielder Pumpsie Green returns to the Red Sox and is fined.
On Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium, White Sox knuckleballer Eddie Fisher loses a 3 – 0 shutout when he surrenders 7th-inning homers to Mickey Mantle and Johnny Blanchard and loses, 4 – 3.
1963:
Chicago’s Dick Ellsworth strikes out ten Cardinals, including Stan Musial three times, in a 5 – 1 win.
The Mets’ 8 – 2 loss at Houston is their 22nd straight away from the Polo Grounds, and matches the major-league record set by the 1890 Pirates.
1964 – The Angels’ Jim Fregosi hits for the cycle to assure a 3 – 1 win over the Yankees. New York’s only score is a Mickey Mantle homer over the centerfield fence at Chavez Ravine, one of only two hits off Dean Chance. It’s the first homer given up by Chance in 69 innings.
1965:
The Reds’ Sammy Ellis outpitches Sandy Koufax, as he beats the Dodgers, 4 – 1, striking out 12 batters.
RF Tony Conigliaro suffers a broken left wrist when hit by a Wes Stock pitch in a 6 – 0 Boston win. He will miss 24 games.
1966 – Rick Reichardt, California’s young hitting star, is sidelined with a kidney ailment. He will have a kidney removed in two weeks.
1968:
Dave McNally outduels Mickey Lolich to give Baltimore a much-needed win over the Tigers, 5 – 1.
Ken Holtzman and the Cubs beat the Dodgers’ Don Sutton, 1 – 0. It is Sutton’s second straight 1 – 0 loss to Chicago; he is now 0-10 against the Cubs, and Holtzman will top him the next three times they face each other.
At Shea Stadium, Reds Ps Jim Maloney and Clay Carroll combine on a one-hit, 5 – 3, victory. Maloney gives up a run-scoring double to Cleon Jones in the 1st inning and then is lifted in the 6th after walking three batters. Carroll gives up two run-scoring grounders, but pitches four hitless frames.
1970:
It’s a tough day for Angels C Tom Egan as he is charged with five passed balls, all with different pitchers. To make matters worse, the California backstop also commits an error, allowing the winning run to score in a 6 – 5 loss to the Yankees.
Donn Clendenon sets a club record by driving in seven runs as the Mets beat the Giants, 12 – 2. A sacrifice fly and a pair of three-run homers does it. Jim McAndrew is the winner.
1971 – Orioles 3B Brooks Robinson, a sixteen-time gold glove winner, commits three errors. Thanks to Frank Robinson’s 9th-inning three-run walk-off home run off Rollie Fingers, the Orioles prevail and beat the A’s, 3 – 2.
1972 – Steve Carlton wins his tenth straight for the last-place Phils, beating the Cubs’ Milt Pappas, 2 – 0. Lefty allows four hits and strikes out seven, while setting the club record for consecutive wins.
1973:
Tony Perez makes his fourth hit of the game a good one, homering in the 10th to beat the Padres, 2 – 1. Don Gullett, in relief of Tom Hall, is the winner over Randy Jones.
The Kansas City Royals blow out the Oakland A’s, 19 – 8, with Aurelio Monteagudo picking up the win. A defensive moment is provided by A’s CF Billy North, who makes an unassisted double play.
1974 – The Reds whip the Padres, 14 – 1, at Riverfront Stadium.
1976 – White Sox pitchers Blue Moon Odom (five innings) and Francisco Barrios (four innings) combine to no-hit the A’s, 2 – 1. It is Odom’s last major league victory.
1977:
Toronto peppers Gaylord Perry for 11 hits, but the Texas hurler still shuts them out, 3 – 0.
In New York, a Thursday crowd of 40,918 cheer as New York unleashes a 15-hit attack to down the Orioles, 14 – 2. The Yankee barrage includes homers by Graig Nettles, Thurman Munson and Roy White.
In a wild one at Wrigley Field, the first-place Cubs (6) and Reds (5) combine for 11 home runs to tie the major league record. The Cubs come back four times to win, 16 – 15, in 13 innings in a contest that goes 4 hours and 50 minutes. The Reds lead 6 – 0 to start, beginning with Pete Rose’s leadoff home run, and lead, 15 – 14, near the finish, but Dave Rosello’s RBI single off Jack Billingham wins the game. Rick Reuschel wins his 15th game, and second in two days, pitching just two-thirds of an inning. Going deep are Bill Buckner (2), Bobby Murcer, George Mitterwald (2, including one in the 12th inning) and Jerry Morales for Chicago; Rose, Johnny Bench, Ken Griffey, Mike Lum and Cesar Geronimo homer for the Reds.
1978 – The Orioles’ Rich Dauer has his tenth straight game with at least two hits. In his streak, which began on July 18th, Dauer hit .583 (28 for 48). Dauer’s mark is a club record.
1979:
At Texas, the Boston Red Sox pull off a 1st-inning triple play – 9-4-3 – against the Rangers. It’s Boston’s third triple play of the year (July 23rd and May 10th) tying a major-league record, and it’s needed as the Sox win, 1 – 0. Dennis Eckersley beats Fergie Jenkins.
The Cubs’ Dave Kingman continues his slugging with a single and three consecutive home runs during a 6 – 4 loss to the Mets. Kingman ties two records by having his second three-homer game of the season (the first was on May 17th) and hitting five home runs over two consecutive games.
1980 – At Montreal, the Expos beat the Reds, 5 – 4, with Fred Norman getting the win over Mario Soto. Ron LeFlore of the Expos steals his 62nd base in the 7th inning and the Montreal scoreboard notes that the first stolen base was 115 years earlier. As LeFlore stands off base reading the message, he is tagged out.
1982:
After a 3 – 2 loss to the Brewers, Rangers manager Don Zimmer is fired and replaced by Darrell Johnson. During the 1976 season, Zimmer had replaced Johnson as manager of the Boston Red Sox.
Atlanta’s Phil Niekro posts his 250th career win, 8 – 6 over the Padres. The 43-year-old knuckleballer will finish the season 17-4, leading the major leagues in winning percentage.
1983 – American League president Lee MacPhail decides that George Brett’s “Pine Tar” home run should count. The remainder of the game will played on August 18th with the Royals beating the Yankees, 5 – 4.
1985:
Lou Brock, Enos Slaughter, Arky Vaughan and Hoyt Wilhelm are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Wilhelm is the first pitcher to be inducted because of his role as a reliever.
Darrell Porter drives in three runs with a double and homer to lead the Cards to a 4 – 2 win over the Padres. LaMarr Hoyt loses after winning 11 straight.
Darrell Evans hits his 300th career home run, off Ken Schrom, to lead Detroit to a 3 – 2 win over the Twins.
1987 – Montreal’s Jeff Reed makes three errors in the 7th inning of an 8 – 3 loss to the Cubs, tying the major-league record for catchers.
1989 – Vince Coleman’s major league record-setting consecutive stolen base streak ends at 50 as Expos backstop Nelson Santovenia nails him trying to swipe second base. The Cardinal speedster surpassed the previous record of 38 established by Davey Lopes of the Dodgers in 1975.
1990:
Cubs SS Shawon Dunston ties a major-league record with three triples in a 10 – 7 win over the Expos. Shawon also drives in five runs.
Cal Ripken’s errorless streak ends at 95 consecutive games, as Baltimore loses to Kansas City, 10 – 9. The streak is a new major-league record for a shortstop, eclipsing Kevin Elster’s 89-game mark.
With one out to go, the Giants’ Scott Garrelts loses a no-hitter when the Reds’ Paul O’Neill singles. Garrelts finishes with a 4 – 0 one-hit win.
1991 – Dennis Martinez of the Expos tosses the 13th perfect game in major league history (excluding those of Harvey Haddix and Ernie Shore), setting down all 27 Dodgers to face him in a 2 – 0 win. Martinez strikes out five in the contest. C Ron Hassey becomes the first receiver to catch two perfectos, having been behind the plate for the Indians’ Len Barker’s masterpiece in 1981. Dodger infielder Alfredo Griffin goes 0 for 3 against Martinez, to go along with his 0 for 3 performance in Tom Browning’s perfect game in 1988, and 0 for 2 in Barker’s perfecto in 1981.
1992 – In the Mets’ 8 – 6 win over the Phils, Howard Johnson suffers a hairline fracture of his wrist. He’ll go on the disabled list on August 3rd and miss the rest of the season.
1993:
Darren Daulton belts a grand slam and a two-run triple as the Phils pound the Cards, 14 – 6. Dave Hollins drives in three runs as well for the team known as ‘Macho Row’.
The Mets defeat the Marlins, 5 – 4, as Anthony Young takes the win in relief, ending his 27-game losing streak.
Detroit 3B Travis Fryman strokes five safeties as he hits for the cycle in the Tigers’ 12 – 7 loss to the Yankees. He is the first Tiger to cycle in 43 years.
Seattle’s Ken Griffey homers for the eighth consecutive game, tying the major league mark set by Dale Long and tied by Don Mattingly. The Mariners lose to the Twins, however, 5 – 1.
1994:
Texas P Kenny Rogers hurls a perfect game, defeating the Angels, 4 – 0. Rogers fans eight in the 11th regular season perfect game of the 20th Century. He becomes the first left-hander in American League history to toss a perfecto and the 14th pitcher in history.
The Players Association executive board approves of August 12th as the date for a strike.
1995:
The Yankees get P David Cone from the Blue Jays in a trade for minor league pitchers Marty Janzen, Jason Jarvis and Mike Gordon. The Yanks also trade OF-DH Danny Tartabull to the Athletics for OF-DH Ruben Sierra and minor league P Jason Beverlin.
The Orioles acquire 3B-OF Bobby Bonilla and a player to be named later from the Mets in exchange for OF Alex Ochoa and Damon Buford.
With baseball’s new speed-up rules in place, the Cubs dispose of the Phillies, 4 – 0, in a brisk 2:29. Cubs’ P Frank Castillo says, “It wasn’t the rule about throwing a pitch in 12 seconds since I usually throw in five seconds.”
1996:
Darryl Strawberry’s 300th career home run, a two-run shot in the 9th, lifts the Yankees to a 3 – 2 win over the visiting Royals. The Yankees now lead by 12 games.
Padres C John Flaherty has his 27-game hitting streak stopped by the Marlins in the Padres’ 8 – 2 win. The streak is the second-longest ever by a catcher behind Benito Santiago’s record, also set with the Padres.
1997 – In the first game of a doubleheader, Milwaukee P Steve Woodard, recalled just that morning, hurls eight innings of one-hit ball to defeat the Blue Jays, 1 – 0. Mike Fetters tosses a hitless 9th for the Brewers. Toronto’s only hit is a double by CF Otis Nixon.
1998:
I like it so much, I’ll do it again. After setting the record yesterday for hitting the most home runs before getting a grand slam, Sammy Sosa hits his second in four at bats in the Cubs’ 7 – 5 loss to the Diamondbacks. Sosa is the first Cub to hit grand slams in consecutive games, and just the 18th player in history.
Twins 2B Todd Walker ties a club record with his ninth consecutive hit, in a 3 – 0 victory over Kansas City. He also matches a club record by reaching base safely 11 straight times. Walker’s batting average is now up to .352.
1999 – The Blue Jays obtain 1B David Segui from the Mariners in exchange for Ps Tom Davey and Steve Sinclair. Segui’s refusal of the Mariners’ three-year, $17-million offer prompted the trade. Segui will settle for a one-year arbitrated contract with the Jays.
2000:
The Mets pick up All-Star SS Mike Bordick from the Orioles for IF/OF Melvin Mora, C Mike Kinkade, and Ps Lesli Brea and Pat Gorman. New York then picks up OF Bubba Trammell and P Rick White from the Devil Rays for light-hitting OF Jason Tyner and P Paul Wilson.
The Athletics obtain Ps Jim Mecir and Todd Belitz from the Devil Rays in exchange for P Jesus Colome and a player to be named later. Mecir will fill in for the slumping Jason Isringhausen.
Unable to win in four months, David Cone is sent to the team’s minor league camp in Tampa by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The struggling veteran will be under the supervision of Billy Connors, the Yankees’ vice president of player personnel.
The Indians obtain Ps Bob Wickman, Steve Woodard, and Jason Bere from the Brewers in exchange for slugging 1B Richie Sexson, Ps Paul Rigdon and Kane Davis, and a player to be named later. The Indians keep trading, bringing back OF Wil Cordero from the Pirates for prospects IF Enrique Wilson and OF Alex Ramirez, both of whom will wind up as busts for Pittsburgh. The Tribe had declined to re-sign Cordero after last season and he upped with the Bucs for three years. The Indians then pick up slick-fielding 1B David Segui from the Rangers for OF Ricky Ledee.
2001:
Orioles OF Melvin Mora’s wife, Gisel, gives birth to quintuplets. The three boys and two girls, who all weigh in under two and half pounds, are all doing well.
In a day-night doubleheader, Vinny Castilla of the Houston Astros becomes the 13th player this season to hit three home runs in a game when he does it against Pittsburgh, but the Pirates still edge the Astros, 9 – 8, with an amazing comeback. Pittsburgh becomes only the second team in National League history to win a game by scoring seven runs starting with two outs and nobody on base in the 9th inning. Brian Giles caps the scoring with a walk-off grand slam off Astros ace closer Billy Wagner to win it. The Cubs did it, against the Reds, in the first game of a doubleheader on June 29, 1952.
The Twins get P Todd Jones from the Tigers in exchange for P Mark Redman.
2002:
The Indians send P Paul Shuey to the Dodgers. In return, the Tribe gets P Terry Mulholland and minor league pitchers Ricardo Rodriguez and Francisco Cruceta.
During his induction speech at the Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown, with the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow playing in the background and a copy of The Wizard of Oz in his hands, Ozzie Smith compares his baseball career to Dorothy’s away trip from Kansas. Citing the recipe for his success during his 19-year career with the Cardinals and Padres, the 47-year-old tells the crowd he had the mind to dream, which the Scarecrow cherished, a heart to believe, which the Tin Man wanted, and courage, which the Lion lacked, in order to persevere.
The Giants trade two minor league pitchers, right-hander Felix Diaz and left-hander Ryan Meaux, to obtain veteran CF Kenny Lofton from the White Sox.
Oakland scores eight runs in the 9th inning to complete its 12 – 2 win over Texas.
2005 – The Blue Jays play the longest game in franchise history, innings-wise, an 18-inning marathon against the Angels at Rogers Centre. The Jays win, 2 – 1, after nearly five hours of play, when Orlando Hudson hits a line drive past a drawn-in infield, scoring Alex Rios from third base.
2007 – One home run away from tying Hank Aaron’s all-time major league record, Barry Bonds goes 0 for 3 with a walk against the Marlins’ Dontrelle Willis in a 4 – 3 win by the Giants.
2008:
The Angels, with the top record in baseball, defeat one of baseball’s best pitchers, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who entered the game with a record of 11-1, 7 – 5 over Boston. Home runs by Casey Kotchman and Torii Hunter are the big blows. In a losing cause, Manny Ramirez homers for the 20th time this season and becomes the eighth player in history with 14 straight 20-homer seasons. Three days from now, Ramirez will be traded.
The Astros beat Cincinnati, 5 – 4. Roy Oswalt, fresh off the disabled list, improves to 20-1 against the Reds. Through today’s game, this is the record for a pitcher with 20+ decisions versus one team.
2009 – In his first start since throwing a perfect game on July 23rd, Mark Buehrle retires the first 17 batters he faces to set a new major league mark of 45 consecutive batters retired. The previous mark of 41 was set by Jim Barr in 1972 and tied by Buehrle’s teammate, Bobby Jenks, in 2007. The Twins still manage to beat the White Sox, 5 – 3.
2010:
The Dominican Republic national team wins its first Gold Medal in a major tournament in 28 years, taking the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games behind the arms of Juan Peña, José Cabrera and Dario Veras in a 3 – 2 win over the Mexican national team. In the other game, the host Puerto Rico leads Nicaragua, 6 – 3, going into the bottom of the 9th but three relievers allow a combined four runs to blow it, giving Nicaragua the Bronze Medal.
In a match-up of pitchers who have thrown no-hitters this year, Roy Halladay of the Phillies tops Edwin Jackson of the Diamondbacks, 7 – 1, with Halladay tossing a complete game. Top Philly prospect Domonic Brown makes his debut in CF, taking over for an injured Shane Victorino, and hits a double to the wall in his first major league at-bat. The last matchup of hurlers who had thrown no-hitters that year was in September 1991 when Nolan Ryan and Wilson Alvarez squared off.
With the trading deadline approaching, a few clubs are making moves. The Tigers, reeling from a number of injuries, obtain 3B Jhonny Peralta from Cleveland for minor league P Giovanni Soto, while the Dodgers acquire veteran OF Scott Podsednik from the Royals for minor leaguers Lucas May and Elisaul Pimentel.
Giants closer Brian Wilson is fined $1,000 for wearing bright orange cleats in a game against the Marlins on July 27th. Wilson wore the offending shoes in the All-Star Game, but they are not legal for regular-season games as they do not conform to Major League Baseball’s rules pertaining to uniform colors. Liking the shoes, Wilson decides to render them legal by covering some of the orange color with a black marker.
2011 – The Indians acquire Japanese OF Kosuke Fukudome from the Cubs for two minor leaguers, P Carlton Smith and OF Abner Abreu.
2012 – The Twins send P Francisco Liriano to their division rivals the White Sox in return for IF Eduardo Escobar and P Pedro Hernandez. It is the first trade between the two teams since 1986.
2013:
Yasiel Puig adds another chapter to his storybook rookie season, hitting a walk-off homer off Curtis Partch of the Reds in the 11th inning to break a scoreless tie and give the Dodgers a 1 – 0 win.
The Cubs beat the Giants, 2 – 1. The only players with more than one hit are opposing starters Travis Wood (2 for 3, HR) and Tim Lincecum (2 for 2). That feat last happened on June 21, 1963.
It is an unusual induction ceremony at Cooperstown as the writers did not elect a single player to the Hall of Fame and, for the first time since 1965, the ceremony is conducted without a single living inductee present. Instead, those in attendance hear tributes about three great figures from the 19th and early 20th century: player Deacon White, umpire Hank O’Day and owner Jacob Ruppert.
2014 – The Blue Jays send P Liam Hendriks and C Erik Kratz to the Royals in return for 3B Danny Valencia in a rare trade between contenders ahead of the trading deadline.
2015:
In the small hours of the morning, the Blue Jays acquire SS Troy Tulowitzki from the Rockies in return for their own starting SS, Jose Reyes and pitching prospects Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco. Veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins accompanies Tulowitzki to Canada. The deal is considered a surprise, as the hard-hitting Jays were thought to be looking for pitching in their quest to end a 22-season postseason drought.
In other moves today, the Nationals acquire reliever Jonathan Papelbon from the Phillies for P Nick Pivetta. Papelbon had stated clearly that he wanted out of Philadelphia, and he will now displace Drew Storen as the Nats’ closer. The Angels stock up on outfielders because of concerns over the health of CF Mike Trout; one day after acquiring Shane Victorino, they get David DeJesus from the Rays and David Murphy from the Indians to shore up the position. Finally, the Athletics trade Ben Zobrist to the Royals in return for two prospects, Aaron Brooks and Sean Manaea.
For the second time this year, Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia tests positive for a banned steroid, a few weeks after completing an 80-game suspension. This time, he is suspended for an entire season.
The Rangers feel good after scoring five runs and chasing Chris Capuano in the 1st inning, but it doesn’t last as the Yankees answer by scoring 11 times in the 2nd, the most by any team in any inning this season. The inning features ten hits including a bases-clearing triple by Didi Gregorius. Chris Young then piles on with a grand slam in the 3rd. The Yankees end up winning, 21 – 5, as Diego Moreno records his first career win by pitching 5 1/3 hitless innings in relief of Capuano.
2016 – The Twins trade their sole All-Star, SS/3B Eduardo Nunez, to the Giants in return for pitching prospect Adalberto Mejia. Nunez, a life-long back-up until this season, is having a career year, but the Giants are about to get three infielders back from the disabled list – 2B Joe Panik, 3B Matt Duffy and back-up Ehire Adrianza – so it is puzzling why they would feel the need to add another one at this point.
2017 – With the trading deadline a couple of days away, there are a few more trades announced today. In a bit of a surprise, the Mets, who had been sellers thus far, acquire P A.J. Ramos from Miami for two minor leaguers. Philadelphia are clearly sellers, however, and they send Howie Kendrick to the Nationals and P Jeremy Hellickson to the Orioles. They receive one major leaguer – Baltimore OF Hyun Soo Kim – and a pair of prospects in return for the two, with financial considerations evening things out.
2018 – Career minor league journeyman Francisco Arcia is making the most of his belated opportunity to play in the Show after 12 seasons as a pro. In his second career game, he homers and drives in six runs to lead the Angels to an 11 – 5 win over the Mariners. This follows upon a four-RBI game in his debut two days earlier, giving him a record ten RBIs over his first two games. Joe Cunningham previously held the record with nine in his first two games for the 1954 St. Louis Cardinals.
2019 – The Blue Jays make a couple of trades, first sending 2B Eric Sogard across the diamond to their opponents for today’s game, the Rays, then after the game dealing their ace, P Marcus Stroman, to the Mets in return for two prospects, Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson. That last trade raises some questions, as the Mets are also out of the race, but seemingly could not resist acquiring a top-notch starting pitcher for at relatively low cost.
2020 – In the first meeting between the Dodgers and Astros since details of the Astros’ sign-stealing came out, Joe Kelly – who wasn’t even on the Dodgers at the time the Astros’ actions probably cost the Dodgers the 2017 World Series – decides to mete out justice by throwing at Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa. His gesture leads to benches clearing, something not seen kindly by major league authorities in these days of forced distancing, and will cost Kelly a steep eight-game suspension. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts is also suspended for a game.
2021:
The first Olympic baseball game in 13 years is a thriller. The host Japanese national team gets five of its nine hits in the bottom of the 9th, rallying against the Dominican Republic’s Jairo Asencio and Jhan Maríñez. Hayato Sakamoto singles in Munetaka Murakami with the winner as Japan wins, 4 – 3. Charlie Valerio’s two-run double off Koyo Aoyagi in the 7th gives the Dominicans the lead, which they hold until the 9th. The game begins with six shutout innings from the starters, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and C.C. Mercedes.
On the trade front, the Athletics send once untouchable pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo to Miami to obtain veteran OF Starling Marte, and the Brewers obtain 3B Eduardo Escobar from the Diamondbacks in return for two prospects.
2023 – The White Sox continue their clearance sale of veteran pitchers. Two days after trading Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López, they send Kendall Graveman to the Astros for C Korey Lee, and Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn to the Dodgers for OF Trayce Thompson and two minor leaguers.
2024:
Xavier Edwards becomes the second player in Marlins franchise history to hit for the cycle, one year after Luis Arraez had become the first to do so. He opens today’s game against the Brewers by hitting his first career homer on the first pitch of the game by Tobias Myers, and also adds his first career triple later in the game. He comes up with two out in the 9th against closer Devin Williams and beats out an infield single to complete the feat. Alas, for all his contributions, Miami loses the game, 6 – 2.
A number of transactions take place as the trading deadline approaches. Tampa Bay continues to deal veteran players: after sending away OF Randy Arozarena and P Zach Eflin in separate deals in the last couple of days, today they trade 3B Isaac Paredes to the Cubs in return for 3B Christopher Morel and two prospects and also send P Jason Adam to the Padres for three prospects. In the other significant deal today, the Rangers add C Carson Kelly, obtained from the Tigers for two prospects.
2025 – Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who was the National League MVP in 1984, passes away from cancer at age 65.
Births[edit]
1863 – Ed Carfrey, infielder (d. 1921)
1865 – Bob Wood, catcher (d. 1943)
1867 – Bill Day, pitcher (d. 1923)
1867 – Duke Esper, pitcher (d. 1910)
1877 – Willie Garoni, pitcher (d. 1914)
1883 – William Henderson, minor league infielder (d. 1966)
1886 – Hank Perry, outfielder (d. 1956)
1887 – George Daly, pitcher (d. 1957)
1890 – Elmer Miller, outfielder (d. 1944)
1891 – Joe Mathes, infielder (d. 1978)
1893 – Bullet Rogan, pitcher/outfielder, manager; All-Star, Hall of Fame (d. 1967)
1894 – John Glaiser, pitcher (d. 1959)
1898 – Paul McCullough, pitcher (d. 1970)
1901 – Freddie Fitzsimmons, pitcher, manager (d. 1979)
1903 – George Gerken, outfielder (d. 1977)
1906 – Ray Dobens, pitcher (d. 1980)
1909 – Morrie Silver, minor league executive (d. 1974)
1910 – Ernie Stewart, umpire (d. 2001)
1911 – Joe Martin, infielder (d. 1960)
1914 – Bus Payton, minor league catcher (d. 2000)
1914 – Sidney Williams, pitcher/outfielder (d. 2006)
1918 – Satchel Davis, pitcher (d. 2013)
1918 – Harold Graff, minor league catcher (d. 1990)
1921 – Ben Steiner, infielder (d. 1988)
1928 – Marvin Deal, minor league pitcher (d. 2014)
1929 – Ted Lepcio, infielder (d. 2019)
1930 – Tomoyuki Yatsunami, NPB infielder (d. 2017)
1931 – Gus Keriazakos, pitcher (d. 1996)
1931 – Bill Sharp, infielder (d. 2004)
1932 – Chet Montgomery, scout (d. 2012)
1934 – Masaaki Koyama, NPB pitcher; Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (d. 2025)
1935 – Jack Allen, minor league manager (d. 2016)
1935 – Ernie Bowman, infielder (d. 2019)
1937 – Koshiro Ito, NPB outfielder (d. 2011)
1939 – Yasuhiro Kako, NPB infielder
1940 – Yoshio Wakebe, NPB outfielder
1942 – Marty Brennaman, broadcaster
1943 – Dick Simpson, outfielder
1943 – Ron Theobald, infielder (d. 2016)
1944 – Jim Pettersen, college coach (d. 2020)
1947 – Emilio Castro, Panamanian national team infielder (d. 2018)
1947 – Haruaki Harada, NPB outfielder
1949 – Vida Blue, pitcher; All-Star (d. 2023)
1952 – Seiichi Ogawa, NPB pitcher
1953 – Rick Duncan, minor league infielder
1953 – Jerry Maddox, infielder
1953 – Mark Williams, outfielder
1954 – Wayne Krivsky, general manager
1957 – [[[Kataaki Saito]], Japanese women’s national team manager
1960 – Carmelo Martinez, outfielder
1964 – Hideyuki Awano, NPB pitcher
1964 – Scott Johnson, minor league outfielder (d. 2020)
1964 – Bob Milacki, pitcher
1964 – Terry Taylor, pitcher
1965 – Isaac Jimenez, minor league pitcher
1966 – John Cebuhar, minor league pitcher
1966 – Derek Lee, outfielder
1966 – Wally Trice, minor league pitcher
1967 – Cliff Brannon, minor league outfielder
1968 – Carlos Jiminian, Division Elite pitcher
1970 – Matt Current, minor league catcher
1970 – Jose Mejia, minor league catcher and manager
1970 – Joe Urso, college coach
1971 – Randy Betten, college coach
1974 – Gustavo Carubelli, minor league outfielder
1975 – Chad Paronto, pitcher
1976 – Mike Estabrook, umpire
1977 – Shane Hogan, signed infielder
1979 – Takao Kinugawa, Japanese national team outfielder
1980 – P.J. Bevis, minor league pitcher
1980 – Cristhian Presichi, minor league outfielder
1981 – Hsiao-Wei Huang, CPBL infielder
1982 – Tommy Arko, minor league catcher
1982 – Kyle Haines, minor league infielder and manager
1982 – Yoshiyuki Kamei, NPB outfielder
1982 – Jose Rodriguez, minor league infielder
1983 – Francisco Felix, minor league pitcher
1983 – Naoya Okamoto, NPB pitcher
1983 – Ayumu Yamamoto, NPB pitcher
1984 – Toru Anan, NPB pitcher
1984 – Olivo Astacio, minor league pitcher
1984 – Kyu-jin Yun, KBO pitcher
1985 – Colt Sedbrook, minor league infielder
1985 – Henry Sosa, pitcher
1986 – Nick Hogan, German national team coach
1986 – Jake Opitz, minor league infielder and manager
1986 – Darin Ruf, infielder
1986 – Matt Vance, Bundesliga infielder
1987 – Jae-Gyun Hwang, infielder
1987 – Beamer Weems, minor league infielder
1987 – Sheng-Feng Wu, Taiwan national team pitcher
1988 – Alessio Angelucci, minor league pitcher
1988 – Paul León, minor league infielder
1989 – Chad Nacapoy, minor league catcher
1989 – Petr Zýma, Extraliga player
1990 – John Stilson, minor league pitcher
1991 – Caleb Smith, pitcher
1992 – Dafne Mejia, Mexican women’s national team pitcher
1992 – John Richy, minor league pitcher
1993 – Drew Jackson, infielder
1994 – Walker Buehler, pitcher; All-Star
1994 – Kieran Lovegrove, minor league pitcher
1994 – Chih-Chieh Su, CPBL outfielder
1995 – Jorge Alcala, pitcher
1995 – Tylor Megill, pitcher
1995 – Alexandre Roy, minor league pitcher
1996 – Spencer Howard, pitcher
1997 – Brendon Davis, infielder
1997 – Yuya Sakamoto, NPB pitcher
1998 – Yovanny Cuevas, minor league outfielder and manager
1998 – Fernando Kelli, minor league outfielder
1999 – Sho Fukunaga, NPB catcher
2000 – Yudai Abe, CPBL pitcher
2000 – Mark Beronilla, Philippines national team infielder
2000 – Gerald Ogando, minor league pitcher
2002 – Ángel Chivilli, pitcher
2003 – Trey Yesavage, pitcher
Deaths[edit]
1905 – Jim Tray, catcher (b. 1860)
1913 – John Greening, pitcher (b. 1848)
1917 – Whitey Ritterson, catcher (b. 1855)
1918 – Joseph Creamer, trainer (b. 1876)
1938 – Bill Morgan, catcher (b. 1857)
1934 – Dan Phelan, infielder (b. 1861)
1936 – W.W. Jeffers, umpire (b. 1852)
1940 – Red Ehret, pitcher (b. 1868)
1940 – Stan Yerkes, pitcher (b. 1874)
1954 – Jim Bagby, pitcher (b. 1889)
1955 – Rudy Bell, outfielder (b. 1881)
1955 – Dell Clark, infielder (b. 1891)
1958 – Lu Blue, infielder (b. 1897)
1959 – Frank Ragland, pitcher (b. 1904)
1960 – Marty Kavanagh, infielder (b. 1891)
1960 – Ken Landenberger, infielder (b. 1928)
1961 – John Grim, catcher (b. 1867)
1962 – Ted Waring, minor league catcher and manager (b. 1885)
1966 – Hal Dixon, umpire (b. 1920)
1971 – Myril Hoag, outfielder; All-Star (b. 1908)
1971 – Harry Wolfe, infielder (b. 1888)
1972 – Helen Traubel, owner (b. 1899)
1982 – Lefty Wallace, pitcher (b. 1921)
1986 – Cliff Melton, pitcher; All-Star (b. 1912)
1986 – Joe Oeschger, pitcher (b. 1892)
1990 – Red Barrett, pitcher; All-Star (b. 1915)
1997 – Bud Hardin, infielder (b. 1922)
1999 – Ed Cole, pitcher (b. 1909)
2001 – John Easton, pinch hitter (b. 1933)
2002 – Steve Souchock, outfielder (b. 1919)
2002 – Hal Spindel, catcher (b. 1913)
2006 – Michael Lutz, minor league outfielder (b. 1927)
2011 – Masao Itakura, NPB catcher (b. 1927)
2012 – Clarence Zieser, minor league pitcher (b. 1929)
2013 – Frank Castillo, pitcher (b. 1969)
2013 – Drungo Hazewood, outfielder (b. 1959)
2013 – George Scott, infielder; All-Star (b. 1944)
2014 – Bob Bresnen, minor league pitcher (b. 1956)
2014 – Don Kirby, minor league outfielder (b. 1922)
2015 – Mickey Mena, announcer (b. ????)
2018 – Bob Banna, college coach (b. 1934)
2018 – Johnny Lewis, outfielder (b. 1939)
2019 – Loek van Mil, NPB pitcher (b. 1984)
2020 – John McNamara, manager (b. 1932)
2022 – Yoshiteru Ishikawa, NPB pitcher (b. 1936)
2023 – Bill Faller, college coach (b. 1925)
2023 – Ken Suarez, catcher (b. 1943)
2024 – Doug Creek, pitcher (b. 1969)
2024 – Reyes Moronta, pitcher (b. 1993)
2025 – Ryne Sandberg, infielder; All-Star, manager; Hall of Famer (b. 1959)
############################################
TV SPORTS TODAY
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Tuesday, July 28
MLB BASEBALL
7:30 p.m.
TBS — Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (7:45 p.m.)
TRUTV — Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (7:45 p.m.)
9:30 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Milwaukee at San Francisco (9:45 p.m.) OR Colorado at San Diego (9:40 p.m.)
WNBA BASKETBALL
9:30 p.m.
ESPN — Indiana at Seattle
_____
Wednesday, July 29
GOLF
4 a.m. (Thursday)
GOLF — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, First Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
MLB BASEBALL
1 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (1:10 p.m.) OR Toronto at Washington (1:05 p.m.)
4 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (joined in progress) (1:10 p.m.) OR Colorado at San Diego (4:10 p.m.)
7:30 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Yankees at Chicago White Sox (7:40 p.m.) OR Kansas City at Minnesota (7:40 p.m.)
7:40 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — N.Y. Yankees at Chicago White Sox
10:30 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Seattle at L.A. Dodgers (joined in progress) (10:10 p.m.) OR Boston at Athletics (joined in progress) (9:40 p.m.)
WNBA BASKETBALL
8 p.m.
USA — Atlanta at Dallas
10 p.m.
CNBC — Golden State at Phoenix
USA — Golden State at Phoenix
_____
Thursday, July 30
GOLF
4 a.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, First Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
3 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, First Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, First Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
4 a.m. (Friday)
GOLF — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Second Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Yankees at Chicago White Sox (2:10 p.m.) OR Kansas City at Minnesota (joined in progress) (1:40 p.m.)
7 p.m.
ESPN — Washington at Atlanta
10 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Seattle at L.A. Dodgers (10:10 p.m.) OR San Francisco at San Diego (joined in progress) (9:40 p.m.)
WNBA BASKETBALL
8 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — Connecticut at Chicago
10 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — New York at Las Vegas
_____
Friday, July 31
GOLF
4 a.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Second Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
9 a.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: Portugal Invitational, First Round, The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
3 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Second Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, Second Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
7 p.m.
ESPN — PFL: Main Card, New York
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
MLBN — N.Y. Yankees at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m.)
7 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: St. Louis at Toronto (7:07 p.m.) OR Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m.)
8:10 p.m.
APPLE TV — Texas at Houston
9:40 p.m.
APPLE TV — San Francisco at San Diego
10 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Milwaukee at L.A. Angels (joined in progress) (9:38 p.m.) OR Detroit at Athletics (joined in progress) (9:40 p.m.)
WNBA BASKETBALL
7:30 p.m.
ION — TBA
10 p.m.
ION — Indiana at Portland
_____
Saturday, August 1
GOLF
7 a.m.
USA — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Third Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
9 a.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: Portugal Invitational, Second Round, The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
Noon
NBC — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Third Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
1 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Third Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
3 p.m.
CBS — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Third Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, Third Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
HORSE RACING
3 p.m.
FOX — Jim Dandy Challenge: From Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
LACROSSE (MEN’S)
12:30 p.m.
ABC — PLL: Denver vs. Maryland, Columbus, Ohio
MLB BASEBALL
4 p.m.
FS1 — Minnesota at Seattle (4:10 p.m.)
7 p.m.
FOX — Regional Coverage: Arizona at Cleveland (7:15 p.m.) OR N.Y. Yankees at Chicago Cubs (7:15 p.m.)
SOCCER (MEN’S)
8 p.m.
ESPN2 — USL Championship: Louisville at Tampa Bay
WNBA BASKETBALL
1 p.m.
CBS — Las Vegas at Chicago
3 p.m.
ABC — New York at Phoenix
_____
Sunday, August 2
AUTO RACING
11:30 a.m.
NBCSN — IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix, Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis.
BIG3 BASKETBALL
1 p.m.
CBS — Week 7: DMV Trilogy vs. Chicago Triplets, LA Riot vs. Houston Rig Hands, Atlanta
GOLF
7 a.m.
USA — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Final Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
9 a.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: Portugal Invitational, Final Round, The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
Noon
NBC — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Final Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
1 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Final Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
3 p.m.
CBS — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Final Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, Final Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
LACROSSE (MEN’S)
3 p.m.
ABC — PLL: New York vs. California, Columbus, Ohio
LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL
10 a.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 1, Greenville, N.C.
1 p.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 2, Greenville, N.C.
4 p.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 3, Greenville, N.C.
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 4, Greenville, N.C.
MLB BASEBALL
3 p.m.
NBCSN — Milwaukee at L.A. Angels (3:15 p.m.)
PEACOCK — Milwaukee at L.A. Angels (3:15 p.m.)
7 p.m.
NBC — Boston at L.A. Dodgers (7:20 p.m.)
PEACOCK — Boston at L.A. Dodgers (7:20 p.m.)
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
9 p.m.
ESPN — NWSL: Boston at Denver
WNBA BASKETBALL
1 p.m.
ABC — Indiana at Minnesota
3:30 p.m.
NBC — Los Angeles at Portland
PEACOCK — Los Angeles at Portland
7 p.m.
ESPN — Connecticut at Dallas
About The Author
