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“THE SCOREBOARD”
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WNBA SCORES
NEW YORK 98 INDIANA 84
LOS ANGELES 93 WASHINGTON 86
MINNESOTA 91 CHICAGO 68
DALLAS 87 SEATTLE 63
LAS VEGAS 87 ATLANTA 72
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MLB SCORES
MIAMI 4 SAN DIEGO 3
CLEVELAND 6 BALTIMORE 3
PITTSBURGH 8 DETROIT 5
PHILADELPHIA 4 BOSTON 1
WASHINGTON 6 CINCINNATI 1
TAMPA BAY 4 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 3
NY YANKEES 5 TORONTO 4
NY METS 3 LA ANGELS 2
SAN FRANCISCO 9 ATLANTA 0
TEXAS 6 LAS VEGAS 2
CHICAGO CUBS 6 KANSAS CITY 0
COLORADO 8 ST. LOUIS 4
HOUSTON 3 ARIZONA 1
SEATTLE 1 MILWAUKEE 0
MINNESOTA 10 LA DODGERS 7
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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INDIANAPOLIS 7 TOLEDO 1
SOUTH BEND 9 DAYTON 2
FT. WAYNE 4 CEDAR RAPIDS 2
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
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COLTS TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
WED., JULY 23: PRACTICE (10-11 A.M.)
THUR., JULY 24: PRACTICE (10-11 A.M.)
FRI., JULY 25: PRACTICE (10-11:15 A.M.)
SAT., JULY 26: PRACTICE (4-5:30 P.M.)
MON., JULY 28: PRACTICE (10-11:15 A.M.)
TUE., JULY 29: PRACTICE (10-11:30 A.M.)
THUR., JULY 31: PRACTICE (8-10 P.M.)
SAT., AUG. 2: PRACTICE (10-11:35 A.M.)
SUN., AUG. 3: PRACTICE (10-11:30 A.M.)
SAT., AUG. 9: PRACTICE (4-5:10 P.M.)
SUN., AUG. 10: PRACTICE (4-5:30 P.M.)
MON., AUG. 11: PRACTICE (4-5:40 P.M.)
THUR., AUG. 14: PRACTICE (3-5 P.M.)
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2025 NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – JULY 31
L.A. CHARGERS VS. DETROIT (NBC), 8:00
*****WEEK 1*****
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
INDIANAPOLIS AT BALTIMORE, 7:00
CINCINNATI AT PHILADELPHIA, 7:30
LAS VEGAS AT SEATTLE, 10:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
DETROIT AT ATLANTA, 7:00
CLEVELAND AT CAROLINA, 7:00
WASHINGTON AT NEW ENGLAND, 7:30
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
N.Y. GIANTS AT BUFFALO, 1:00
HOUSTON AT MINNESOTA, 4:00
PITTSBURGH AT JACKSONVILLE, 7:00
DALLAS AT L.A. RAMS, 7:00
TENNESSEE AT TAMPA BAY, 7:30
KANSAS CITY AT ARIZONA, 8:00
N.Y. JETS AT GREEN BAY, 8:00
DENVER AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
MIAMI AT CHICAGO, 1:00
NEW ORLEANS AT L.A. CHARGERS, 4:05
*****WEEK 2*****
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
TENNESSEE AT ATLANTA, 7:00
KANSAS CITY AT SEATTLE, 10:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
MIAMI AT DETROIT, 1:00
CAROLINA AT HOUSTON, 1:00
GREEN BAY AT INDIANAPOLIS, 1:00
NEW ENGLAND AT MINNESOTA, 1:00
CLEVELAND AT PHILADELPHIA, 1:00
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS, 4:00
BALTIMORE AT DALLAS, 7:00
L.A. CHARGERS AT L.A. RAMS, 7:00
N.Y. JETS AT N.Y. GIANTS, 7:00
TAMPA BAY AT PITTSBURGH, 7:00
ARIZONA AT DENVER, 9:30
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
JACKSONVILLE AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
BUFFALO AT CHICAGO (FOX), 8:00
MONDAY, AUGUST 18
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON (ESPN), 8:00
*****WEEK 3*****
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
PITTSBURGH AT CAROLINA, 7:00
NEW ENGLAND AT N.Y. GIANTS (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
PHILADELPHIA AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30
ATLANTA AT DALLAS, 8:00
MINNESOTA AT TENNESSEE (CBS), 8:00
CHICAGO AT KANSAS CITY, 8:20
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
BALTIMORE AT WASHINGTON, NOON
INDIANAPOLIS AT CINCINNATI, 1:00
L.A. RAMS AT CLEVELAND, 1:00
HOUSTON AT DETROIT, 1:00
DENVER AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY, 4:00
JACKSONVILLE AT MIAMI, 7:00
BUFFALO AT TAMPA BAY, 7:30
L.A. CHARGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30
LAS VEGAS AT ARIZONA, 10:00
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2025 NFL WEEK ONE SCHEDULE
| THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, 2025 | |||
| DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | 8:20P (ET) | 8:20P | NBC |
| FRIDAY, SEPT. 5, 2025 | |||
| KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (SAO PAULO) | 9:00P (BRT) | 8:00P | YOUTUBE |
| SUNDAY, SEPT. 07, 2025 | |||
| TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS | 1:00P (ET) | 1:00P | FOX |
| CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS | 1:00P (ET) | 1:00P | FOX |
| MIAMI DOLPHINS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | 1:00P (ET) | 1:00P | CBS |
| CAROLINA PANTHERS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | 1:00P (ET) | 1:00P | FOX |
| LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | 1:00P (ET) | 1:00P | CBS |
| ARIZONA CARDINALS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | 12:00P (CT) | 1:00P | CBS |
| PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT NEW YORK JETS | 1:00P (ET) | 1:00P | CBS |
| NEW YORK GIANTS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | 1:00P (ET) | 1:00P | FOX |
| TENNESSEE TITANS AT DENVER BRONCOS | 2:05P (MT) | 4:05P | FOX |
| SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | 1:05P (PT) | 4:05P | FOX |
| DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS | 3:25P (CT) | 4:25P | CBS |
| HOUSTON TEXANS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS | 1:25P (PT) | 4:25P | CBS |
| BALTIMORE RAVENS AT BUFFALO BILLS | 8:20P (ET) | 8:20P | NBC |
| MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 2025 | |||
| MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS | 7:15P (CT) | 8:15P | ABC/ESPN |
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TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES
NFL NEWS
BENGALS’ TREY HENDRICKSON DOES NOT REPORT TO TRAINING CAMP AMID CONTRACT DISPUTE
CINCINNATI (AP) — All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson will not be with the Cincinnati Bengals for the start of training camp.
As Bengals veterans reported on Tuesday, Hendrickson posted on his Instagram reel that he is in Florida.
Hendrickson is seeking a long-term extension with an amount of guaranteed money that matches what the league’s top pass rushers are earning. He is scheduled to earn $15.8 million in base salary this season and has a cap number of $18.7 million.
He did not attend last month’s mandatory minicamp, but did make an appearance during an offseason workout in May to vent his frustrations about negotiations.
“I’m not looking to offend Trey by saying something, and I’m not looking to try to justify where we are. I think we’re in a good spot,” owner Mike Brown said on Monday. “I hope this thing comes together soon, and I’m just going to leave it at that. You guys can say what you want. I’m not going to say very much until it gets done, and then I’m just going to say we’re glad to have him.”
Hendrickson led the league with 17 1/2 sacks last season. His 57 sacks since joining the Bengals in 2021 are third most in the league over the past four seasons.
Hendrickson’s frustration has continued to mount since the Bengals signed wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to lucrative extensions in March.
Chase’s $161 million contract made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL at the time, and Higgins’ $115 million deal made him one of the league’s top 10 highest-paid receivers.
“We get to this point in the year, and there’s always Chase to sign, or there’s Joe Burrow to sign, this year Hendrickson to sign. There seems to be somebody, and that’s alright, that’s how the system works. We try to get it done, and we’re still in there trying,” Brown said.
Hendrickson is a valuable piece to a defense looking to improve with Al Golden in his first season as coordinator. The Bengals (9-8 last season) finished 25th in the league in total defense (348.3 yards allowed per game) and lost four games last season in which they scored at least 30 points.
The Bengals are also missing first-round pick Shemar Stewart as the two sides are deadlocked over contract language that could void future guarantees if there are any off-field incidents.
The defensive end, the 17th overall pick in April’s draft, is the only first-round pick who hasn’t signed.
CHIEFS OPEN TRAINING CAMP FOCUSED ON SUPER BOWL REDEMPTION FOLLOWING HUMBLING LOSS TO PHILADELPHIA
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid stood before his players before the start of training camp this week, just as the longtime Kansas City Chiefs coach does every year, and impressed upon the reigning AFC champions the importance of urgency.
Patrick Mahomes saw no such need to deliver a message.
Not with the way last season ended with a lopsided loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
“I think enough was spoken after that game,” the two-time MVP quarterback said. “But I think when you go back to OTAs and back to minicamp and stuff like that, the guys had that mindset. You could tell by the pep in their step and just in the little talks that guys have throughout the team. I don’t think anything really needs to be said when you get beat like that.
“Everybody knows,” Mahomes said, “that we’ve got to be better.”
That underscores the level of expectations in Kansas City these days.
The Chiefs still finished 15-2, tied with the Lions for the best record in the NFL, and won their ninth consecutive AFC West title by four games over the second-place Chargers. With the benefit of home-field advantage, the Chiefs rolled past Houston and narrowly beat Buffalo in the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl with a chance for an historic three-peat.
Yet the game in New Orleans last February seemed over before it even began.
Philadelphia led 7-0 after the first quarter, scored two more touchdowns in the second and took a 24-0 lead into the break, and then cruised through the second half to a 40-22 victory. It offered the Eagles some modicum of revenge after a loss to Mahomes and Co. in the big game two years earlier, and it left the Chiefs feeling wounded for the first time in years.
“Obviously we didn’t play the way we wanted to play on a national stage. A worldwide stage,” said Mahomes, who was sacked six times by the Eagles and threw two interceptions in the game. “You want to go out there and be better.”
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spent the offseason trying to fix many of their ills.
He signed 49ers offensive tackle Jaylon Moore and drafted Josh Simmons in the first round to address a pressing need for protecting Mahomes’ blind side. He signed Kristian Fulton to solidify the cornerback position, brought in Jerry Tillery to bolster the pass rush, and signed Elijah Mitchell to work alongside Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in the backfield.
More recently, Veach has taken care of the Chiefs’ own. In the span of a week, Trey Smith set the market for a guard with a four-year, $94 million deal and pass rusher George Karlaftis signed a four-year, $93 million extension.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie, who like Karlaftis was a first-round pick in 2022, could be next in line for a big contract.
In the case of those two, every season Karlaftis and McDuffie have played in the NFL has ended in the Super Bowl, with two rings to show for their efforts. But it seems like the one that got away has overshadowed any of the successes.
“We wanted to finish better,” Karlaftis said simply, reflecting on last season. “We just want to finish our season better.”
The work for that began Tuesday amid oppressive heat and humidity at Missouri Western State University.
“(The Super Bowl loss) kind of helps you out on some of those extra workouts that you don’t want to do, or some of the different stuff in order to get better for next season, and kind of keeps that in your mind,” Mahomes said.
“Now we’re here. We’re here to start over. ‘How can I get better for my teammates? How can I get better for the guys beside me?’ And then go out there and attack so that we can find a way to win that last game, and not lose it.”
GIANTS SIGN SAFETY K’VON WALLACE ON THE EVE OF THE 1ST PRACTICE OF TRAINING CAMP
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants added some secondary depth on the eve of the first practice of training camp by signing safety K’Von Wallace.
Wallace, who attended minicamp in June on a tryout basis, posted to social media a photo Tuesday of him signing a contract, and the team announced the deal not long after. It was not immediately clear what the corresponding roster move would be to add Wallace.
The soon-to-be 28-year-old missed the second half of last season after injuring his right ankle Nov. 3 in Seattle’s overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He made 15 tackles and forced a fumble during his nine games with the Seahawks before landing on injured reserve.
Wallace is expected to compete for a reserve spot behind starters Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin and could contribute on special teams.
A fourth-round pick by Philadelphia in 2020 out of Clemson, Wallace spent his first three NFL seasons with the Eagles and has also played for Arizona and Tennessee. He has appeared in 75 regular-season and playoff games, starting 19 of them.
DOLPHINS’ HILL: ‘I NEED TO BE BETTER AS A LEADER’
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill said he wanted out of Miami at the end of last season as the team missed the playoffs. On reflection, he thinks his response left something to be desired.
“I’ve always been a competitor, dog. … In those moments like that, I need to be better as a leader,” Hill said Tuesday when asked about his comments, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones.
He added: “As a leader of this team and also as a leader of this community, I just need to be better. … There’s a ton of little kids that look up to me as a player, as a role model.”
After the Week 18 loss to the New York Jets, Hill suggested to reporters that it would be best for his career and his family if the Dolphins traded him. Miami held onto Hill, and he’s set to begin his fourth season with the Dolphins since being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
Hill led the league in receiving yards (1,799) and receiving touchdowns (13) in 2023 en route to a first-team All-Pro nomination. However, his stats sharply declined last season as he averaged just 56.4 receiving yards per game with six scores.
The 31-year-old suited up in all 17 contests but dealt with a wrist injury throughout the campaign. He underwent surgery to repair ligament damage this offseason.
“I feel back to being myself. No pain. No complaints,” Hill said of his wrist, according to the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly.
The Dolphins kick off their season Sept. 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.
RAMS RB KYREN WILLIAMS REPORTS, QB MATTHEW STAFFORD NURSING BACK ISSUE
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams reported to training camp Tuesday while seeking a new contract and the status of his quarterback was a surprise.
Williams said he plans to participate in practice, but head coach Sean McVay said Matthew Stafford was not ready to practice because of a sore back. McVay said the issue is not expected to be a problem into the regular season in September.
Williams told reporters that he anticipates completing a contract extension, however there is no timeline to do so. He also said he plans to be ready to play in the season opener even if he has not signed a new deal.
“For me there was no decision,” Williams said of whether or not to show up at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
“I play football. That’s what I do, that’s what I love. At the end of the day, I do this not for the money, not for the fame or the popularity but to take care of my family. … For me, it’s a lot bigger than a contract negotiation. For me, it’s putting my feet on the ground and continue to get better.”
Williams, 25, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and has a base salary of $5.35 million, per Spotrac.
He made a huge impact in 2024, recording career highs in carries (316), rushing yards (1,299) and rushing touchdowns (14). He has rushed for 2,582 yards and totaled 31 touchdowns (26 rushing, five receiving) in 38 games since being selected by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Last season, Williams became the third Rams player age 24 or younger to have at least 27 scrimmage touchdowns in a two-year span. He joined Todd Gurley (40, 2017-18) and Hall of Fame member Eric Dickerson (34, 1983-84) on the short list.
TE JIMMY GRAHAM SET TO RETIRE WITH THE SAINTS
Tight end Jimmy Graham confirmed a report from the New Orleans Saints’ team website that he plans to officially announce his retirement in the near future.
Graham, 38, is expected to make this announcement as a member of the Saints, with whom he spent the first five seasons of his career before rejoining the club in 2023 for his final 13 NFL games.
“What a journey,” the five-time Pro Bowl selection posted on X. He also included black and gold hearts and a praying hands emoji.
Graham recorded 719 receptions for 8,545 yards and 89 touchdowns in 197 career games with the Saints (2010-14, 2023), Seattle Seahawks (2015-17), Green Bay Packers (2018-19) and Chicago Bears (2020-21).
Graham, who did not play in 2024, was selected by New Orleans in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Including the playoffs, his 94 career touchdowns rank fifth all-time among tight ends.
REPORT: BILLS RB JAMES COOK TO ATTEND TRAINING CAMP
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook plans to report to training camp while seeking a new contract from the team, NFL Network reported Tuesday.
Cook, who is seeking a deal worth at least $15 million per season, is set to make $5.271 million in base salary in the fourth and final year of his rookie deal in 2025. He would become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if he doesn’t get a new deal with Buffalo.
Cook did not attend the voluntary portions of Buffalo’s offseason program, however he was there for minicamp.
Cook, 25, made the Pro Bowl and rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the second straight season in 2024, leading the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns.
He has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 TDs and caught 97 passes for 883 yards and seven scores in 49 games since being drafted in the second round in 2022.
PATRIOTS WR STEFON DIGGS CLEARED FOR TRAINING CAMP
Stefon Diggs enters training camp with no restrictions and was medically cleared to join the New England Patriots on the field for the start of practices this week.
Diggs was deemed recovered from a torn ACL, which ended his 2024 season with the Houston Texans. Houston acquired Diggs from the Buffalo Bills before last season and he caught 47 passes in eight games before he was lost for the season Oct. 27 against the Indianapolis Colts.
He caught six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots on Oct. 13.
Diggs, 31, signed with the Patriots in March, landing a three-year, $69 million contract.
New England knew his work well from Diggs’ four highly productive seasons with the Buffalo Bills (2020-23), a run of consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns during which he caught at least 103 passes each year.
MATTHEW STAFFORD DEALING WITH SORE BACK AT START OF RAMS TRAINING CAMP
Like many men of a certain age, Matthew Stafford is dealing with a sore back.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback will begin training camp in a limited capacity, working off to the side, head coach Sean McVay said on Tuesday when players reported for camp. The coach downplayed the injury, suggesting it’s not expected to be a major issue moving forward.
“Matthew’s feeling good. He had a little bit of soreness in his back that kind of crept up. He’s been throwing, feeling good, it’s not anything that’s necessarily new, it’s something he’s dealt with before,” he said.
“Going into Year 17 we were going to take a modified approach with him, kind of similar to what we did in the offseason program, so we’ll allow him to just work kind of off to the side on his own, get himself feeling as good as possible, and then he’ll be ready for block 2, which will really represent once we finish the five-day acclimation period. He feels good about that, I feel good about that, and ultimately it’s about having him feel as good as possible mentally, physically, emotionally, going into Year 17.”
Considering he’s 37 years old, it’s not a surprise that Stafford might need a little more of a ramp-up period to training camp than the rest of his younger teammates. This situation sounds less ominous than the 2022 offseason when Stafford dealt with a lingering elbow issue that led to arm fatigue and curtailed his camp.
McVay’s willingness to put a five-day timeline on Stafford highlights that the team views it as a minor issue. If the Super Bowl-winning QB isn’t back at the anticipated time, then eyebrows can be raised.
BROWNS PLACE DESHAUN WATSON ON PUP LIST AS HE IS EXPECTED TO MISS THE SEASON
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson was placed on the physically unable to perform list by the Cleveland Browns as veterans reported to training camp on Tuesday.
Watson could potentially miss the entire 2025 season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in January. That occurred just three months after he initially injured it against Cincinnati.
Watson is 9-10 since being acquired by Cleveland in 2023 with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 80.7 passer rating. Owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledged during the league meetings in March the Browns “took a big swing and miss” with the trade.
Watson has been rehabbing at the team complex and was in meetings during the offseason program with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Cleveland acquired Pickett in a trade from Philadelphia in March and signed Flacco in April. It drafted Gabriel in the third round and then moved up in the fifth round to take Sanders.
The four-way quarterback competition resumes with Wednesday’s first practice of training camp.
The Browns also placed defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. on the PUP list and wide receiver David Bell on the non-football injury list.
Hall suffered a knee-injury in last season’s final game at Baltimore.
Cleveland also waived wide receiver Jaelen Gill.
VIKINGS REPORT FOR CAMP REALIZING THE HARD WORK REQUIRED TO BETTER A 14-WIN SEASON
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss, when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done.
“More is required,” the veteran edge rusher posted on social media.
Three months later, Greenard’s spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring.
“You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you’re going to pull somebody else and they’re going to see that and it’s going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building,” Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet.
The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender.
The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one.
“Because clearly that scale hasn’t been tipped for us,” right tackle Brian O’Neill said, “and we need to find a way to make that happen.”
As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O’Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season.
“We feel proud of some of the things we’ve accomplished, but at the same time I think it’s time for all of us to continue to look inward first,” O’Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. “It’s time for us to acknowledge what we’re actually trying to build here, and what that’s going to take is — in my opinion — an invisible presence of understanding that we’re capable but we’ve got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to.”
Darrisaw highlights list of healthy players
The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie.
That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who’s recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O’Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Addison could face suspension after resolution of court case
Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision.
“Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you’re talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you’ve always got to be ready with depth,” Adofo-Mensah said.
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UFL NEWS
REPORT: BIRMINGHAM AMONG 4 UFL TEAMS RELOCATING
Half of the UFL’s eight franchises are headed to new cities, Pro Football Newsroom reported on Tuesday.
The four teams that comprised the USFL Conference — the Birmingham Stallions, Michigan Panthers, Houston Roughnecks and Memphis Showboats — are relocating, per the report.
According to Pro Football Newsroom, the new sites will be Boise, Idaho; Louisville/Lexington, Ky.; Columbus, Ohio; and a location in Florida, likely Orlando.
The UFL’s remaining four teams comprise the XFL Conference: the St. Louis Battlehawks, DC Defenders, Arlington Renegades and San Antonio Brahmas.
Birmingham would lose a team that is a three-time champion. The Stallions won the only two titles in the revived USFL in 2022 and 2023 before the league merged with the XFL to form the UFL. Birmingham then captured the 2024 UFL championship.
Michigan reached the UFL title game this year, losing 58-34 to DC. Per Pro Football Newsroom, the Panthers saw an increase in attendance in 2025, but it wasn’t enough considering the cost of playing at the Detroit Lions’ Ford Field.
Louisville had two teams compete in the early years of the NFL: the Brecks (1921-23) and the Colonels (1926). The city also was host to an afl2 (second-tier) arena football team from 2001-08.
The NFL also had an early team in Ohio’s capital city, the Columbus Panhandles (1920-26).
Orlando had an XFL team in 2023, but the Guardians did not survive the XFL/USFL merger.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS: TONY PETITTI PUSHING FOR FOUR AUTOMATIC BIDS
LAS VEGAS — At the Big Ten’s first-ever media day in Nevada on Tuesday, a portion of commissioner Tony Petitti’s opening address suggested College Football Playoff odds are stacked against his conference.
“It’s really simple math,” Petitti said at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the first day of the Big Ten Media Days gathering. “With 18 schools (in the Big Ten) and nine conferences (eligible for FBS playoffs), we’re losing nine more games to start.”
Nine- vs. eight-game conference scheduling is a debate predating any iteration of the playoff, beginning in 2006 when the FBS season expanded to 12 regular-season dates.
Petitti’s position that playing more conference games than the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference puts Big Ten teams at greater risk of stumbling has merit when referring to the Bowl Championship Series and four-team playoff for reference.
Most notably, teams from the old Pac-12 — one-third of which the Big Ten absorbed — routinely missed out on national-title opportunities because of conference losses.
Ironically, though, the 2024 season played out much differently: It was the SEC’s eight-game schedule and playoff hopefuls Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina being tripped up that impacted the bracket.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten’s Indiana Hoosiers reached the playoff despite finishing the regular season with no Top 25 wins and two defeats total of conference opponents that produced winning records.
The commissioner defended Indiana’s playoff inclusion, noting that, “when Indiana’s schedule was made … (there) were the two teams that played in the (national) championship game the season before, Michigan and Washington.”
Be that as it may, the Hoosiers finished with a Sagarin strength of schedule ranking of No. 66, easily the worst of the power-conference playoff teams. The nine-game slate did not hurt the Big Ten in 2024, but Petitti inferred the Big Ten beat the odds.
To adjust the odds going forward, Petitti’s math factors into a postseason equation the commissioner has touted throughout the 2025 offseason: 16 equals four times two.
With talk of expanding the College Football Playoff to 16 entrants after just one year of the 12-team format, Petitti is pushing for a format that grants both the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference four automatic bids. That ensures the two most prominent leagues in the sport comprise half of the field every year.
The Petitti plan also includes the concept of a play-in round where conference championship games currently reside on the football calendar, the weekend after the Thanksgiving holiday. He presented the idea as something “fans will really gravitate to … providing games that are do-or-die on the field.”
Petitti’s suggestion faces resistance, including from SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. At his conference’s media days last week, Sankey pushed for a playoff format with automatic qualifiers for five conference champions — as exists now in the 12-team Playoff — and 11 at-large berths.
As for Petitti’s position on when to reformat the postseason, the commissioner sounds content on slow-rolling it.
“I’m not going to put any deadline on it,” he said.
–National champs tabbed as unlikely underdogs
Before a rematch on Aug. 30 in Columbus, plenty will be made of Ohio State’s 28-14 win over Texas in January’s Cotton Bowl, which propelled the Buckeyes to the national championship game against Notre Dame.
At Big Ten media days, however, Ohio State coach Ryan Day made clear the marquee matchup on Week 1 is a new chapter.
“The team we have currently wants to leave their own legacy behind, and they made that clear a week after the national championship game,” Day said. “We’ve said it before, we’re not defending national champions, because we’re not defending anything … We’re looking to attack.”
It’s not uncommon for spokespersons of highly regarded and championship-winning teams to claim to be an underdog, even if the role does not fit. But despite rolling through the inaugural 12-team playoff with four double-digit-point wins, Ohio State was unveiled at Big Ten media days as an underdog in its own conference.
The Buckeyes garnered 431 total points and 10 first-place votes in the league’s preseason media poll, sitting in second behind Penn State with its 435 points and 11 first-place votes. Reigning Big Ten champion Oregon is third at 405 and two.
Ohio State returns the Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, but the quarterback targeting Smith remains undecided. Day said at his session on Tuesday candidates Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz head into August in a dead heat.
The two are vying to replace Will Howard, who passed for 289 yards and a touchdown in the Cotton Bowl win over Texas. The new QB1 will share a backfield with new primary running backs, too, as Quinshon Judkins — who scored two Cotton Bowl touchdowns — and TreVeyon Henderson, who went 75 yards on Howard’s touchdown pass vs. the Longhorns, are gone.
The roster turnover at skill positions explains Ohio State’s polling at No. 2, but hasn’t entirely relegated the Buckeyes to the role of underdogs. As of Tuesday, they are consensus three-point favorites vs. Texas.
–‘Stand up’ for the Big Ten
Ahead of December’s Citrus Bowl, a lion’s share of attention focused on whether participating South Carolina should instead have been preparing for a playoff game. Overshadowed was an Illinois team that had its best regular season since 2007.
The Illini proceeded to beat the Gamecocks, 21-17, for the program’s first 10-win finish since 2001.
With the win, Bret Bielema’s squad contributed its own measure of bragging rights for the Big Ten in its ongoing war of perception with the SEC.
“I learned early in life, right, if you don’t stand up for yourself, no one else will,” Bielema said on Tuesday. His stance is that the Big Ten is in a position to tout its quality off the field, but that starts by backing it up on the field.
Big Ten teams have some high-profile opportunities to do just that opposite the SEC early in the 2025 campaign, starting immediately with a playoff rematch between Ohio State and Texas. The showdown between the reigning national champion Buckeyes and preseason SEC favorite Longhorns sets the stage for three straight weeks of noteworthy Big Ten vs. SEC matchups.
In Week 2, Michigan travels to Oklahoma. Week 3 features Wisconsin visiting Alabama.
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BIG TEN ANNOUNCES 2025 FOOTBALL PRESEASON HONORS
LAS VEGAS – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2025 football preseason honors on Tuesday ahead of the start of Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover® in Las Vegas. A media panel selected the 16-member preseason list.
Seven different schools placed students on this year’s preseason honors list, led by three honorees from Ohio State and Penn State.
Eight of this year’s Big Ten preseason honorees — Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, Iowa’s Logan Jones, Minnesota’s Koi Perich, Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, Jeremiah Smith and Sonny Styles, Penn State’s Drew Allar — are scheduled to attend Big Ten Media Days this week.
The full list of Big Ten football preseason honorees is as follows:
2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors*
QB Luke Altmyer, ILL
OLB Gabe Jacas, ILL
DL Mikail Kamara, IND
DB D’Angelo Ponds, IND
OT Gennings Dunker, IOWA
C Logan Jones, IOWA
DB Koi Perich, MINN
OLB Matayo Uiagalelei, ORE
DB Dillon Thieneman, ORE
SAF Caleb Downs, OSU
WR JEREMIAH SMITH, OSU
LB Sonny Styles, OSU
QB Drew Allar, PSU
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, PSU
RB Nicholas Singleton, PSU
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
*Additional honorees due to ties
TOP 10 BIG TEN FOOTBALL GAMES TO WATCH IN 2025
From Week 1 blockbusters to rivalry weekend showdowns, this year’s Big Ten football schedule delivers must-watch games that will shape the College Football Playoff. Here are the 10 must-see matchups we have on our calendars.
Week 1: Texas vs. Ohio State
Saturday, August 30th at 12 p.m. ET on FOX
2024 records:
Texas: 13-3 overall, 7-1 SEC
Ohio State: 14-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten
The season kicks off with a rematch of the 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinal in Columbus. Ohio State’s 28-14 victory last season was highlighted by quarterback Will Howard’s nearly perfect 24-for-26, 289-yard performance and Jack Sawyer’s game-sealing 83-yard fumble recovery touchdown. Full recap here.
This marks just the fifth meeting between these programs, with the all-time series tied 2-2. The Buckeyes haven’t hosted Texas since 2005-06, when the Longhorns escaped with a 25-22 victory.
Texas enters 2025 with the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, while Ohio State sits at No. 5 (via ESPN). The Longhorns are chasing their first national championship since 2005, but they’ll face a Buckeye defense determined to stifle new starting quarterback Arch Manning. (Yes, that Manning).
The defending CFP champions – who were the only team to have three members featured on the EA Sports College Football 26 Cover – will come out hot, hoping to start a run for the Buckeyes’ first back-to-back national titles.
All eyes on week one.
Week 2: Michigan at Oklahoma
Saturday, September 6th at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
2024 records:
Michigan: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten
Oklahoma: 6-7 overall, 2-6 SEC
It’s been nearly five decades since we saw a Wolverines-Sooners matchup. Their previous encounter came in 1976, when Oklahoma defeated Michigan 14-6 at the Orange Bowl to clinch a national title.
The Wolverines are coming off strong finishes in the last two seasons. They defeated No. 11 Alabama in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, the season after their 2023 College Football Playoff Championship run. Oklahoma, meanwhile, showed flashes of brilliance last season with a 24-3 victory over Alabama before falling to Navy 21-20 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada, the 2024 Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year, earned Walter Camp Preseason All-America first team honors and could be a difference-maker in what promises to be a close contest.
This non-conference, powerhouse matchup will have College Football Playoff implications come December. Mark your calendars.
Week 3: Wisconsin at Alabama
Saturday, September 13th at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC
2024 records:
Wisconsin: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten
Alabama: 9-4 overall, 5-3 SEC
The Badgers head to Tuscaloosa for the first time in program history, seeking revenge after Alabama’s 42-10 victory in Madison last season. These programs have only met three times in nearly 100 years, with the Crimson Tide holding a 2-1 advantage.
With a stacked winter transfer class (19 commitments with several top-rated prospects) and a promising new hire in offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, this is a massive opportunity for Wisconsin to stake an early claim to the national stage. Alabama, the 18-time national champions, will provide the first test on a Wisconsin schedule that contains nine teams in the nation’s top 40.
This one will be a harbinger of what Badgers fans should expect for the rest of the season. Don’t miss it.
Week 5: Oregon at Penn State
Saturday, September 27th at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
2024 records:
Oregon: 13-1 overall, 9-0 Big Ten
Penn State: 13-3 overall, 8-1 Big Ten
Arguably the most anticipated rematch of the 2025 Big Ten season, Penn State and Oregon face off for the first time since the 2024 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game.
Last year’s title match was an offensive masterpiece, recording the highest-scoring first half in the game’s history. Behind Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel’s four touchdown passes, Oregon outslugged Penn State, 45-37, to take home the trophy in its inaugural season. The Nittany Lions kept pace until Nikko Reed’s late interception sealed the victory for the Ducks. Full recap here.
Oregon set a new program record with 10 NFL Draft selections in 2025, including Gabriel. The Ducks enter this season with running back Makhi Hughes and defensive back Dillon Thieneman both earning Walter Camp Preseason All-America second team recognition.
Penn State, who Sports Illustrated predicted to be the best team in 2025, returns with vengeance on their minds… particularly quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nicholas Singleton, who were both stellar in last year’s championship game.
Safe to say the White Out at Beaver Stadium (and the fans watching from home) will be loud for this one.
Week 7: Michigan at USC
Saturday, October 11th (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Michigan: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten
USC: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten
In a classic matchup (which has primarily been played at the Rose Bowl), the Wolverines travel west to face USC. The Trojans lead the all-time series 6-5, but Michigan won most recently with a thrilling 27-24 comeback victory in 2024…
The Wolverines trailed by four points with four minutes remaining before mounting a spectacular 10-play, 89-yard touchdown drive. Kalel Mullings’ 63-yard rush highlighted the decisive drive, capped by a gutsy, fourth-down touchdown run. Game story here.
With both teams boasting top-15 recruiting classes this season (via ESPN), this should be a start-to-finish thriller between two programs with championship aspirations.
Week 8: USC at Notre Dame
Saturday, October 18th at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
2024 records:
USC: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten
Notre Dame: 14-2 overall
The Trojans and Fighting Irish square off for the 95th time in 99 years this October. Notre Dame holds the momentum after winning six of the last seven meetings. The Trojans last defeated the Irish in 2022, when Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 232 yards along with four total touchdowns. Recap here.
Behind Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award winner Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame had a magical 2024 season. The Irish defeated seven top-25 teams and made a run to the national championship game, where they fell to Ohio State.
But with a top-15 recruiting class, USC is positioned for a strong 2025 campaign. Quarterback Jayden Maiava enters his first full season with head coach Lincoln Riley, and their improved chemistry could be the key to taking down the Irish.
Week 9: Michigan at Michigan State
Saturday, October 25th (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Michigan: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten
Michigan State: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten
A top-20 college football rivalry (according to The New York Times) takes center stage when these in-state foes meet for the 118th time.
Michigan holds a 74-38-5 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last three meetings. The Wolverines’ roster is also stronger than it was last season. The QB duo of Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene, alongside promising transfer receivers Anthony Simpson and Donaven McCulley, could make for a fun season in Ann Arbor.
But, Michigan State has come out on top in five of the last eight games in East Lansing. The Spartans hold 11 victories over top-seven ranked Michigan teams, including their miraculous 2015 win. (We’ll never forget the last-second, fumble touchdown return that helped Michigan State secure a Big Ten title and playoff berth).
This is one of those rivalries where anything can happen. And we’ll all be watching what 2025 has in store for the Great Lakes State.
Week 10: Penn State at Ohio State
Saturday, November 1st (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Penn State: 13-3 overall, 8-1 Big Ten
Ohio State: 14-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten
This border-state rivalry has been dramatic since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. In just 32 meetings, they have faced off as top-10 opponents 12 times and as ranked teams 25 times.
Last season, No. 4 Ohio State stunned No. 3 Penn State in front of 111,030 roaring fans at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead, but Ohio State scored 17 unanswered points en route to a 20-13 win.
Penn State hoped to have another shot at the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Championship, but the Nittany Lions fell to Notre Dame in a heartbreaker in the semifinal.
History favors the defending national champions, who hold a 24-8 all-time advantage and have won eight straight meetings. However, two of those wins came by just one point, and most came down to the fourth quarter.
Penn State is hungry coming into 2025. And if the Nittany Lions have one regular season game circled on their calendar… It’s this one.
Week 13: Illinois at Wisconsin
Saturday, November 22nd (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Illinois: 10-3 overall, 6-3 Big Ten
Wisconsin: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema faces his former team, returning to Camp Randall Stadium with hopes of breaking his 1-1 record against the Badgers.
In 2022 – Bielema’s first time in Madison as an opposing coach – Illinois defeated Wisconsin, 34-10. His mindset now remains the same: “What’s behind us is behind us. What’s in front of us is what matters.”
Wisconsin fans remember Bielema’s impressive tenure, including his historic 12-win rookie season, three straight Big Ten titles (2010–2012), and six consecutive bowl appearances. Now leading Illinois, he’s gaining recognition, including a spot on the Dodd Trophy Preseason watch list.
While Wisconsin leads the all-time series 45-39, recent games have been intense. During Illinois’ 2023 homecoming, Wisconsin rallied from a 21-7 deficit to win 25-21 in the fourth quarter.
With both teams eyeing bowl appearances and the emotion behind Bielema’s return, this matchup is crucial and makes for must-watch football.
Week 13: USC at Oregon
Saturday, November 22nd (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
USC: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten
Oregon: 13-1 overall, 9-0 Big Ten
USC heads to Eugene with a 39-23 all-time advantage over the Ducks. However, Oregon has had the upper hand lately, winning the last three meetings and five of the past six. The Ducks haven’t lost to USC at home since 2011, a streak they’re determined to keep alive.
The teams’ 2023 meeting was an instant classic. Oregon committed 13 penalties, and USC scored the final 13 points of the game. But Heisman finalist Bo Nix threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns for Oregon. Tez Johnson, the future Big Ten Championship Most Outstanding Player, scored two touchdowns, and the Ducks won 36-27. Full story here.
Oregon enters as the defending Big Ten champions, but in 2024, USC was a few plays away from an outstanding season. Five of the Trojans’ six losses were by seven points or less, with three decided by three points or fewer. The 2025 scales could easily tip in their favor.
Keep an eye out for this late-season, West Coast matchup – it could have CFP and Big Ten title implications.
The Ultimate Finale: Rivalry Weekend
Forget the conference standings and playoff implications. The bragging rights, trophy presentations, and emotions behind these games are what college football is all about. The Big Ten rivalry games kick off during the final weekend of the regular season:
Friday, November 28th
Iowa at Nebraska – The Heroes Trophy (12:00 p.m. ET on CBS)
Indiana at Purdue – The Old Oaken Bucket (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
Saturday, November 29th
Northwestern at Illinois – The Land of Lincoln
Ohio State at Michigan – “The Game” (rated college football’s most iconic rivalry by The New York Times)
Oregon at Washington – The Cascade Clash
UCLA at USC – The Victory Bell
Wisconsin at Minnesota – Paul Bunyan’s Axe
COMMISSIONER BULLISH ON ACC’S FUTURE WITH LAWSUITS SETTLED
Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips said Tuesday he’s never felt better about his league’s future.
“We want to take another step this year,” he said at the ACC Kickoff media days in Charlotte. “The league is situated nicely right now.”
Phillips’ sunny outlook was boosted by the recent settlement of lawsuits with Florida State and Clemson, who were suing to try to leave the ACC. The sides negotiated new exit fees that would cost $165 million in 2026 before steadily decreasing to $75 million by 2030-31.
Phillips said he was proud of the way the ACC held firm during the long litigation process.
“You didn’t see us at all move this way or that way,” he said. “People said a lot of things about the league, but at the end of the day, that’s where we’re at, and (we) exercised our partnership with ESPN — which everybody said was not going to happen — through 2035-36, which gives us a platform of the ACC for the next decade.”
As the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference continue to grow in power, Phillips said it’s important for the ACC to stand strong amid the constant threat of future conference realignments.
“I have a responsibility to make sure that our ACC schools want to be in this league, not just have to be in this league,” he said.
Phillips has been the ACC commissioner since 2021. Prior to that, he was the athletic director at Northwestern from 2008-21 and at Northern Illinois from 2004-08.
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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: YANKEES HALT JAYS’ 11-GAME HOME WIN STREAK
Ben Rice blasted a tie-breaking home run in the ninth inning and the visiting New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Rice launched a first-pitch fastball over the wall in right center against Jeff Hoffman (6-3) with one out.
The loss ended the Blue Jays’ 11-game home winning streak and cut their lead over the Yankees to three games in the American League East.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a three-run home run for the Yankees. Cody Bellinger added two doubles and a solo homer. Addison Barger had two RBI singles for Toronto.
Nationals 6, Reds 1
Konnor Pilkington threw two perfect innings in relief to earn his first major league win since 2022 and Josh Bell homered for the second game in a row as host Washington defeated Cincinnati.
After Nationals starter Brad Lord allowed one run in four innings, Pilkington (1-0) capped his two-inning stint by striking out the side in the sixth. Riley Adams contributed a two-run single in the sixth to blow open the game.
Gavin Lux went 4-for-4 and drove in the Reds’ run. Rookie starter Chase Burns (0-2) struck out 10 for the second straight start, but he surrendered seven hits and six runs (five earned) over 5 2/3 innings.
Guardians 6, Orioles 3
Jose Ramirez homered for the second straight game and Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio drove in two runs apiece as surging Cleveland beat visiting Baltimore.
The Guardians have won 10 of their last 12 games to move back into the American League wild-card hunt. Ramirez hit a solo shot in the first inning while Manzardo singled home Angel Martinez in the third and had a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Joey Cantillo (2-0) earned his first win as a starter this season, giving up one run on two hits over five innings.
Ramon Laureano homered for the second evening in a row for Baltimore, giving him five RBIs in the series. Ramon Urias had a pair of hits and scored on Jacob Stallings’ second double-play grounder in two at-bats. Brandon Young (0-5) worked 4 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits.
Pirates 8, Tigers 5
Spencer Horwitz, Tommy Pham and Bryan Reynolds had three hits and two RBIs apiece as host Pittsburgh knocked off Detroit for the second night in a row.
Ke’Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz added two hits apiece for the Pirates, who racked up 14 hits. Pirates starter Mitch Keller (4-10) allowed three runs and six hits while fanning five over six innings.
Jake Rogers and Jahmai Jones homered for the Tigers while Spencer Torkelson and Gleyber Torres notched three hits apiece. Starter Casey Mize (9-4) surrendered 10 hits and five runs (four earned) over four innings.
Phillies 4, Red Sox 1
Cristopher Sanchez matched his career high with 12 strikeouts and scattered four hits in a complete-game win for host Philadelphia over Boston.
Sanchez (9-2) needed just 106 pitches to wrap up his first complete game of the season. Max Kepler and Kyle Schwarber cracked homers in the second while Trea Turner went 2-for-4 with a run.
Rob Refsnyder poked a homer leading off the fourth to account for Boston’s run. Starter Richard Fitts (1-4) allowed six hits and four runs before departing with one out in the fourth.
Marlins 4, Padres 3
Rookie Agustin Ramirez singled, doubled and scored twice, leading host Miami past San Diego.
The Marlins scored all four of their runs with two outs as they improved to 22-12 over their past 34 games. Miami starter Edward Cabrera (4-4) lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits. Ronny Henriquez allowed two runs in the ninth but was able to collect his sixth save.
Padres starter Stephen Kolek (3-5) lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits. Luis Arraez had two hits and an RBI for San Diego.
Rays 4, White Sox 3
Jose Caballero slapped a two-run single to highlight a four-run second inning, fueling host Tampa Bay to a victory over Chicago.
Caballero had two of his team’s five hits and rookie Chandler Simpson stole three bases for the Rays, who snapped a modest two-game skid and evened their three-game series against Chicago at one victory apiece. Edwin Uceta (7-2) relieved starter Drew Rasmussen and allowed one hit and fanned four over two scoreless innings.
Colson Montgomery belted his first career homer to lead off the seventh inning for Chicago, which saw its season-high four-game winning streak come to a halt.
Mets 3, Angels 2
Francisco Alvarez hit a game-tying two-run homer in the fifth inning and Brandon Nimmo delivered an RBI single two batters later as host New York earned another comeback win, edging Los Angeles.
The Angels’ Jorge Soler homered in the second inning off Frankie Montas (3-1). Nolan Schanuel’s RBI double down the first base line in the fifth gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead before the Mets mounted a two-out rally against Kyle Hendricks (5-7) in the bottom of the frame.
Ryne Stanek gave up singles to Logan O’Hoppe and Schanuel in the ninth before closing out his third save. Schanuel finished with a career-high four hits.
Giants 9, Braves 0
Landen Roupp threw five scoreless innings and Rafael Devers made his major league debut at first base as visiting San Francisco rolled over Atlanta.
Casey Schmitt and Wilmer Flores (4 RBIs) popped homers for the Giants. Devers went 2-for-5 with two runs and one RBI while playing the entire game at first. Roupp (7-6) scattered four hits and one walk with six strikeouts before Sean Hjelle, Joey Lucchesi and Carson Seymour completed the Giants’ fifth shutout.
Matt Olson went 3-for-4 for the Braves. Starter Davis Daniel (0-1) surrendered seven hits, four walks and five runs during his five-inning stint.
Rangers 6, Athletics 2
Corey Seager’s three-run home run in the seventh broke open a close game and assured Texas ace Jacob deGrom the win as the Rangers outlasted the Athletics in Arlington, Texas.
deGrom (10-2) gave up one run on three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out nine. Adolis Garcia and Marcus Semien also homered for the Rangers.
Lawrence Butler homered to open the game off deGrom. Sean Newcomb (2-5) took the loss in relief of J.T. Ginn, who threw five innings of one-run ball.
Cubs 6, Royals 0
Matthew Boyd pitched seven scoreless innings as Chicago spoiled 45-year-old Rich Hill’s return to the major leagues with a shutout win over the visiting Kansas City.
Boyd (11-3) extended his scoreless streak to 23 innings while allowing four hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson and Matt Shaw each had two hits for the Cubs, who bounced back after losing the opener of the three-game series on Monday.
Hill (0-1) began his 21st season in the majors by giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits over five innings. The oldest active player in the major leagues, Hill walked two and had one strikeout. The Royals managed six hits — all singles — fanned eight times and committed three errors.
Rockies 8, Cardinals 4
Mickey Moniak and Ryan McMahon homered as Colorado never trailed St. Louis in Denver to pick up their third win in five games since the All-Star break.
Rockies starter Bradley Blalock (1-2) scattered eight hits and one walk while allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Brenton Doyle recorded three hits while McMahon drove in three.
Cardinals starter Erick Fedde (3-10) gave up seven runs and six runs in three innings. Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson, Willson Contreras and Jordan Walker posted two hits apiece.
ROCKIES SIGN HS PLAYER ETHAN HOLLIDAY TO RECORD $9M BONUS
Ethan Holliday signed with the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday for a $9 million bonus, according to MLB.com. The amount is a record for a high school player.
Holliday, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft from Stillwater (Okla.) High, surpassed the record $8.2 million bonus that fellow prep shortstop and first overall pick Eli Willits received from the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Willits surpassed the $8.19 million that Jackson Holliday — older brother of Ethan — received when selected No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.
All three players are products of the state of Oklahoma.
Ethan Holliday’s bonus is the second-highest given out by the Rockies. Colorado signed last season’s No. 3 overall pick, college player Charlie Condon of Georgia, for $9.25 million, tied with right-hander Chase Burns (No. 2 overall, 2024) of the Cincinnati Reds for the largest bonus.
Ethan Holliday was Baseball America’s 2025 High School Player of the Year. He recorded a .611 batting average with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs in 33 games.
Overall, Holliday’s bonus ties for fourth-highest with outfielder Dylan Crews, the No. 2 pick in 2023 by the Nationals.
Pittsburgh Pirates ace right-hander Paul Skenes ($9.2 million) received the third-highest bonus. He was the No. 1 overall pick out of LSU in 2023.
The two Hollidays are the sons of former Rockies star Matt Holliday.
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TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES
COLTS FOOTBALL
(COLTS RELEASE)
COLTS DO NOT PLACE ANY PLAYERS ON PUP LIST TO BEGIN TRAINING CAMP
WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Colts on Tuesday did not place any players on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury list, and will begin training camp practices on Wednesday with a roster nearly at full strength.
The only exception is linebacker Zaire Franklin, who’s recovering from offseason ankle surgery and will begin training camp on the sidelines. Franklin, though, was not placed on PUP and general manager Chris Ballard offered an encouraging update Tuesday on the Pro Bowl linebacker.
“Zaire’s in a good place,” Ballard said. “We think he’s going to be ready pretty quickly. I’ve watched him work out and I think he’ll be ready sooner rather than later.”
Linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who also missed the Colts’ offseason program after undergoing surgery, is cleared to participate in practice.
Defensive end Samson Ebukam, who sustained a season-ending Achilles’ injury a few days into training camp last summer, has been cleared to practice as well, though Ballard said the Colts will monitor Ebukam’s snap volume as he works his way back in. Ebukam led the Colts with 9.5 sacks in 2023.
The Colts also will begin training camp practices with the participation of quarterback Anthony Richardson, who Ballard said Tuesday is “good to go” after a shoulder injury sidelined him for the end of this spring’s offseason program.
AS COLTS BEGIN TRAINING CAMP, QUARTERBACK COMPETITION BETWEEN DANIEL JONES, ANTHONY RICHARDSON COMES INTO FOCUS
WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Colts on Tuesday answered an important question: Yes, Anthony Richardson will be on the field and participating for Wednesday’s curtain-lifting training camp practice.
Now for the next question.
Who will be this team’s starting quarterback?
That answer is not clear here in mid-July, as Richardson and Daniel Jones embark on a high-stakes competition. At some point before the Colts open the 2025 season Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium, we’ll have an answer.
“I think when Shane and the staff and I and our (football operations) staff feels like there’s a sure starter, then we’ll move forward,” general manager Chris Ballard said. “Timeline – I can’t put one on it.”
Between July 23 and Aug. 23, the Colts will practice 13 times at Grand Park (including a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers), have a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens in Maryland, hold a handful of practices at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center and play three preseason games, culminating with Aug. 23’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Jones and Richardson will play in the preseason – “I think it’s important that they get in the games,” Ballard said – and every practice, scrimmage and game will be evaluated.
“This is when we crank up,” Ballard said.
Richardson missed a handful of practices in June due to a shoulder injury, but Ballard didn’t make it sound as if Jones will enter training camp ahead of the 2023 No. 4 overall pick because of it. We’ll find out Wednesday exactly how head coach Shane Steichen will divide up practice snaps between Jones and Richardson, but the Colts have consistently said this will be an open competition.
Here’s what Ballard, on Tuesday, had to say about Jones and Richardson.
On Jones: “Good dude, really good guy. Centered. He’s been through a lot — he’s seen and been in New York, and the scrutiny on being a top-10 pick is not for everybody and I thought he handled it with grace and class, like you would expect. And that’s who he is. And Daniel’s talented. Daniel’s a very talented player.”
On Richardson: “I think we need to give Anthony every chance to be the best he could be. And I think he can be really good, but things got to come together.”
Ballard, on Richardson, emphasized what the 23-year-old has done in pressure situations in his young career. He pointed to Richardson leading a 23-point second half comeback against the Los Angeles Rams in 2023; a tough-as-nails showing in a win over the New York Jets in 2024; and, more narrowly, a clutch third down completion he had to Michael Pittman Jr. that sealed a win over the Tennessee Titans in 2024.
“There’s been some signs in pressure moments that he can get things done,” Ballard said. “Now we just gotta be able to do it all the time.”
Something the Colts’ quarterback competition has going for it is how similar Jones and Richardson are as quarterbacks – specifically in how they’re able to use their legs as a weapon. Jones enters 2025 averaging 5.5 yards per rush in his career; Richardson’s career mark is 5.7 yards per rush. Only 25 other quarterbacks in NFL history have a career average of at least 5.5 yards per attempt (minimum 100 attempts).
“I think Daniel and Anthony are similar in a lot of ways,” Ballard said. “Gardner (Minshew) and Anthony were completely different, (Joe) Flacco and Anthony were completely different. I think you’ll see more continuity in really all our quarterbacks now, they all have the ability to do some things with their feet. I think you’ll see more of a similar offense with each guy.”
For the Colts’ collection of weapons, navigating a quarterback competition comes with its own set of challenges, but none that are too hard to overcome – and none that would lead Ballard, Steichen and the team’s decision-makers to speed up their process in naming a starter.
“A lot of chemistry comes from just being cool with the quarterback, so I feel like that’s not a hard thing to do when you’ve got two great guys with you,” wide receiver Josh Downs said. “They’re both really good players and that’s just what we have to do at this point.”
Eventually, we’ll get an answer on who the Colts’ Week 1 starting quarterback will be. The Colts will let the process play out, expecting that within it, competition will make both quarterbacks – and, by association, their team – better.
But there’s also no diminishing how important the next few weeks will be for the Colts. This is a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2020. And to get back, the Colts will need more out of their quarterback position than they’ve had in years past.
“I think we’ve done some good things with the team, but at the end of the day, the one position we all know — we have to get the quarterback settled,” Ballard said. “That position carries such an importance to the state of our team when you got that position solidified. He’s one of 53, and it’s not all about him, but he’s an important piece.”
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INDIANA FEVER
GAME RECAP: LIBERTY RALLY PAST FEVER IN NEW YORK
For the second time in a week, the New York Liberty (16-6) defeated the Indiana Fever (12-12) at Barclays Center. On Tuesday night, the Liberty prevailed 98-84 at Barclays Center in the first game for each team after the All-Star break.
The Fever led 67-60 with a little over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, but the Liberty closed the frame with a 9-0 run to take the lead, then outscored Indiana 29-17 in the fourth quarter to come away with the victory.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with a game-high 29 points in the loss, going 11-for-21 from the field and 3-for-9 from 3-point range. Aliyah Boston recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with six assists.
Sophie Cunningham added 15 points on 5-of-8 3-point shooting, while Natasha Howard tallied 13 points, six boards, and three steals.
Six players scored in double figures for the Liberty, led by center Jonquel Jones, who had 18 points and nine rebounds. Breanna Stewart added 17 points, four rebounds, and six assists, Leonie Fiebich tallied 13 points and five boards, while Sabrina Ionescu finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and nine assists.
The Fever will return home to host the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They will then hit the road to take on the Sky in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.
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INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
COOK CAPS QUARTET OF FIFTH INNING RUNS IN SERIES-OPENING WIN
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians rallied for four runs in the fifth inning, headlined by a two-run shot from Billy Cook, and held the Toledo Mud Hens offense at bay as they took Game 1 of their six-game set at Victory Field, 7-1.
The Indians’ (15-7, 57-39) big inning broke a scoreless tie between the two clubs. Ronny Simon and Ji Hwan Bae each singled and advanced to scoring position before Nick Solak drove them both in with a single of his own, chasing Toledo (12-10, 51-46) starter Wilkel Hernandez (L, 3-5). Billy Cook capped the inning and doubled the lead with a two-run home run, his second homer in as many games and his fourth in his last six played.
Toledo and Indy traded runs in the sixth. Justyn-Henry Malloy provided the lone spark for the Mud Hens with a lead-off home run in Toledo’s half. Jared Triolo responded with a double to lead off Indy’s half of the inning and moved to third on a line out, setting up Tsung-Che Cheng to pad Indy’s lead with a sacrifice fly.
Bae cushioned Indy’s advantage and capped the scoring with his fourth hit of the day, a two-RBI double, in the eighth. Since returning from the 7-day IL on June 27, Bae is hitting .359 (23-for-64) with two doubles three triples, 11 RBI and a .911 OPS.
Thomas Harrington (W, 7-8) turned in a great performance for Indy, fanning seven Mud Hens across 5.2 one-run innings. He improved to 3-0 with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in four July starts. Randy Labaut, Ryan Borucki and Kyle Nicolas followed out of the bullpen, holding the Mud Hens to one hit, no runs and no walks across the final 3.2 frames.
The Indians and Mud Hens continue their six-game series on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM from Victory Field. Southpaw Devin Smeltzer (0-0, 0.00) will start for Toledo while Indianapolis has not yet named a starter.
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IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
HOWLETT FINALIZES ROSTER FOR 2025-2026 SEASON
INDIANAPOLIS – IU Indianapolis head men’s basketball coach Ben Howlett announced the signing of Lav Cvetkovic’ on Tuesday (July 22), as well as the addition of non-scholarship freshman Garrett Sever to both join the program for the upcoming season. Cvetkovic’, a 6-foot-7 forward, played the past two seasons at UVA Wise, making 57 appearances and 46 starts. Sever comes to IU Indy from Hilliard Bradley (Ohio) High School where he was a four-year letterwinner.
“Lav’s a guy we’re excited to have in the program. He’s a big guy, but shoots it really well from the perimeter. He’s a legit 6-foot-7 that’ll cause problems for opposing defenses with his ability to face up and shoot the ball,” Howlett said. “He knows how to play the right way and is going to fit in really well in our system. He immediately makes us better.
“Garrett is a guy who’s going to show up and work his tail off each and every day. He’s a good sized guard and brings a physical toughness to the position. He’s going to push guys in practice and continue to push for opportunities to make an impact on the program.”
Below is a rundown of Cvetkovic’ and Sever’s achievements.
Lav Cvetkovic’ / 6-foot-7 / Forward / Novi Sad, Serbia / UVA Wise
-Played 57 games with 46 starts the past two seasons, averaging 11.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43 percent from the floor
-Connected on 97 threes the past two seasons
-Scored in double-digits 30 times in two years with eight games of 20-or-more and a career-high of 25 points twice
-Began his collegiate career at Collin County Community College, earning back-to-back All-NTJCAA honors
-Was a two-time 6A First Team All-State and All-Conference performer in high school at Spring Creek (Texas) Academy
Garrett Sever / 6-foot-3 / Guard / Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Bradley
-Named Second Team All-Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) his senior season
-Three-time All-District 11 honoree, helping Hilliard Bradley to a pair of district titles
-Named MVP of the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic his senior season
-Played AAU with Midwest Basketball Club
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BALL STATE MEN’S GOLF
MEN’S GOLF SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR 2025-26 SEASON
MUNCIE, Ind. — Hoping to continue a streak with three consecutive years in the top two of the Mid-American Conference, the Ball State Cardinals’ men’s golf team has announced its schedule for the 2025-26 season that features five team events in both the fall and spring, prior to the 2026 MAC Championships.
Senior Carter Smith leads and young and fresh roster in 2025-26, following the graduation of seniors Kash Bellar, Ali Khan and Braxton Kuntz. Junior Avery Mahoney and sophomores Gavin Hare and Happy Gilmore each return following successful campaigns in 2024-25, each in their first year with the program. Five newcomers are led by junior Cameron Young who qualified for the NCAA Division II regional in each of the past two years as a top standout at the University of Indianapolis. Aidan Gutierrez is a sophomore transfer from Baylor who was the Indiana state high school champion in 2022. Completing the cast are freshman Samuel Harris from Charlestown, Indiana, and Evansville North High School teammates Luke Johnston and Brody Sorrell. Last month, Johnston finished in a second-place tie, with Sorrell tied for 15th, while leading Evansville North to a fifth-place team finish at the 2025 IHSAA state finals.
The fall schedule gets underway on Sunday, Aug. 31 in Harris, Michigan, as part of the 2025 Island Resort Intercollegiate among 12 teams at Sage Run Golf Club. The Golfweek Fall Challenge looms a week later, Sept. 7-9 at Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, prior to the Cardinals hosting a pair of tournaments.
Ball State welcomes 14 teams for its Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational, Sept. 20-21, at Delaware Country Club in Muncie, in a tribute to Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame golf coach and administrator Earl Yestingsmeier. The two-day event returns after an absence in 2024-25, and honors the longtime coach who was a mentor to current Cardinals coach Mike Fleck. Fleck enters his 28th year heading the Cardinals program which has known only two head coaches, and two weeks later Ball State hosts an individual event, the Golfweek “Put Me In Coach Invite,” again at Delaware Country Club.
Ball State wraps its fall slate with appearances in consecutive weeks at the Purdue Fall Invitational, Oct. 13-14, and the Dayton Flyer Invitational, Oct. 20-21.
The spring season ramps up with five team events prior to the 2026 MAC Championship conducted at Holiday Farms Golf Club in nearby Zionsville, May 3-5. Ball State and Richmond co-host the Cardinals’ annual February event, Feb. 9-10, in Dade City, Florida. Formerly a match play event, the Cardinals and Spiders co-host the event that transitions to stroke play this year. Two weeks later, Ball State returns to the Sunshine State as part of the Seminole Intercollegiate, March 15-17, in the Cardinals’ lone team event in March.
Following the tournament at Florida State, April features three straight top-rated events as the Cardinals play top courses and top college competition in events hosted by Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Indiana. The Cardinals return to the Mason Rudolph Championship just outside Nashville, April 3-5. The Mountaineer Invitatational welcomes the Cardinals at Pete Dye Golf Club on April 13-14. Later in the same week, April 18-19, Ball State waves its flag and caps the regular season at the Hoosier Invitational at the Indiana University Pfau Course.
Two weeks later, Ball State ventures to the MAC Championship, at which it finished second in 2023, first in 2024 and second last May.
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INDIANA STATE SWIMMING
SYCAMORES ANNOUNCE 2025-26 SWIMMING AND DIVING SCHEDULE
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State swimming & diving announced the 2025-26 schedule on Tuesday afternoon as announced by head coach Josh Christensen.
The 2025 Missouri Valley Conference reigning champions will open the fall slate with their annual Intrasquad meet on September 26 at the Vigo County Aquatic Center, before remaining at home on October 10 for their Alumni Meet.
Indiana State hits the road for the first time over the October 17-18 weekend as the Sycamores travel to Springfield, Mo. for a two-day dual meet against Missouri State. Indiana State remains on the road for a tri-meet on October 25 against Evansville and Southern Indiana held in Evansville, Ind.
The Sycamores return home to Vigo County Aquatic Center over the November 7-8 weekend as Indiana State hosts both Illinois and Vanderbilt. The tri-meet marks Illinois first trip to Terre Haute since 2021 and the first time in school history the Sycamores will host a Southeastern Conference member since Indiana State’s program’s inception in 2016-17.
Indiana State returns to the road at the end of November as the Sycamores travel to Oxford, Ohio to compete in the Miami (Ohio) Invitational for the third consecutive season spanning November 19-22.
The Sycamores close out the 2025 schedule with Indiana State hosting Toledo on December 6. The meet will serve as Indiana State’s Senior Day meet with the Sycamores honoring the class prior to the dual meet.
Indiana State opens the 2026 slate with a dual meet at Southern Illinois on January 10. The Sycamores compete at the Tim Welsh Invite hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, In. over January 23-24, before closing out the regular season over January 30 at Ball State in Muncie, Ind.
The Sycamores will look to defend their conference title at the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Swimming & Diving Championships over February 25-28 in Evansville, Ind. held at the Deaconess Aquatic Center.
The NCAA Diving Zone C Qualifiers will be held over March 9-11, while the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) National Invitational Championship will be held in Ocala, Fla. over March 12-14. The NCAA Championships will be held in Atlanta, Ga. over March 18-21.
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“SPORTS EXTRA”
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
July 23
1925 — Lou Gehrig hit the first of his major league record 23 grand slam homers as the New York Yankees posted an 11-7 triumph over the Washington Senators.
1930 — Pie Traynor won both ends of a doubleheader for the Pittsburgh Pirates with home runs. In the first game, Traynor homered in the ninth and in the second game, he connected in the 13th.
1944 — Bill Nicholson of the Chicago Cubs hit four home runs in a doubleheader split with the New York Giants. Nicholson hit a home run in the opener, which the Cubs won 7-4. He hit three straight in the second game, but the Giants won 12-10. In that game, Nicholson was walked with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.
1955 — Bob Cerv and Elston Howard of the New York Yankess hit consecutive pinch-hit home runs to force extra innings against Kansas City. The Athletics won 8-7 in the 11th inning on Hector Lopez’s RBI-single. Trailing 7-5 entering the top of the ninth, Cerv batted for pitcher Tommy Byrne and homered of Alex Kellner. Tom Gorman replaced Kellner and Howard, hitting for Irv Noren, tied the game.
1964 — Bert Campaneris of Kansas City hit two home runs in his first major league game. He homered on the first pitch off Minnesota’s Jim Kaat, and then connected again in the seventh to lift the Athletics to a 4-3 win.
1974 — Write-in starter Steve Garvey of the Los Angeles Dodgers singled and doubled to lead the NL to a 7-2 victory over the AL in the All-Star game at Pittsburgh.
1985 — Oddibe McDowell became the first player in Texas Rangers history to hit for the cycle in an 8-4 win over the Cleveland Indians.
2000 — Ryan Klesko hit a game-tying solo homer in the ninth inning and a two-run shot in the 10th to lift San Diego over Colorado 6-4.
2009 — Mark Buehrle pitched the 18th perfect game in major league history, a 5-0 win over Tampa Bay. It was the first since Randy Johnson’s on May 18, 2004. Buehrle threw 76 of 116 pitches for strikes and fanned six in his second no-hitter — the first coming on April 18, 2007, against Texas.
2011 — The Red Sox extend Seattle’s losing streak to 14 games, tied for the longest in team history, with a 3 – 1 win at Fenway Park which is also Terry Francona’s 1000th as Sox manager. Josh Beckett is the winner.
2014 — Padres OF Cameron Maybin is handed a 25-game suspension for testing positive for amphetamines; he is the first major leaguer suspended for PED use this season.
2016 — Trevor Story hit two home runs to set an NL rookie record for shortstops and Colorado beat Atlanta 8-4. Story had four hits including his 25th and 26th homers to pass his mentor, Troy Tulowitzki, who had 24 for the Rockies in 2007. Nomar Garciaparra of the Boston Red Sox set the major league record for shortstops with 30 in 1997.
2020 — Commissioner Rob Manfred springs a surprise on everyone as he announces a modified postseason format for this year only. There will be eight teams participating from each league: the two teams with the best records in each division, and the ones with the two next best records in the league. The teams will be seeded one to eight. The Wild Card Game will be replaced by a preliminary round with all teams participating, played in best-of-three format, with all games played in the better-ranked team’s ballpark.
2021 — Cleveland baseball team announced the team will be called the Guardians beginning in 2022.
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July 24
1909 — Nap Rucker of the Brooklyn Dodgers struck out 16 batters in a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1931 — In an 8-7 loss to Pittsburgh, Babe Herman of Brooklyn hit for the cycle for the second time in the season.
1947 — Jackie Robinson stole home for the first time in his major league career in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 4-2 win over Pittsburgh.
1948 — Chicago White Sox outfielder Pat Seerey become the first major leaguer to strike out seven times in a doubleheader.
1949 — Cleveland pitcher Bob Lemon hit two home runs to lead the Indians to a 7-5 victory over the Washington Senators in the opener of a doubleheader.
1968 — Hoyt Wilhelm of the Chicago White Sox passed Cy Young’s major league record when he made his 907th appearance. He retired with 1,070 appearances.
1973 — Bobby Bonds homered and doubled to lead the NL to a 7-1 rout of the AL in the All-Star game at Kansas City.
1983 — The “Pine Tar” home run was hit by the Kansas City Royals’ George Brett off New York pitcher Rich Gossage at Yankee Stadium. Brett’s shot came with two outs in the top of the ninth to give the Royals a 5-4 lead. Brett’s homer was ruled an out because the amount of pine tar exceeded what was allowed. After a protest by the Royals, the final out and the Yankees’ half of the ninth was completed on Aug. 18.
1993 — Anthony Young of the New York Mets extended his record losing streak to 27 games when he walked in the winning run in the 10th inning for a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1999 — In their biggest victory in 46 years, the New York Yankees routed the Cleveland Indians 21-1 as Chili Davis went 5-for-6 with six RBIs.
2010 — Tampa Bay won in Cleveland for the first time in nearly five years. The Rays snapped an 18-game losing streak with a 6-3 win against the Indians. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon snapped an 0-21 personal losing streak as the visiting manager that began when he was the Angels interim manager in 1996.
2016 — Ken Griffey, Jr. and Mike Piazza are inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Griffey obtained the highest percentage of the vote ever – 99.3% – in being elected in his first year of eligibility by the BBWAA, while Piazza made it on his fourth try. A crowd estimated at 50,000, the second-largest ever at Cooperstown, is on hand to witness the event.
2022 — The induction ceremony is held for the Class of 2022 at the Hall of Fame. Three of the seven men inducted – David Ortiz, Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva – are present to receive the honor. The others, all deceased, are represented by relatives – Gil Hodges, Minnie Minoso and Buck O’Neil – while Dave Winfield introduces 19th century black baseball pioneer Bud Fowler. Over 35,000 persons are present in Cooperstown, NY to witness the ceremony, and Dominican flags and Boston Red Sox gear, in honor of Ortiz, are well in evidence in the crowd.
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TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
Today’s Sports Highlight in History:
In 1976, the last NFL All-Star game is held and is shortened when thunderstorms hit Chicago. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the All-Stars 24-0.
On this date:
1907 — Australasia beats British Isles 3-2 to win the Davis Cup held at Wimbledon. Australasia wins its first David Cup and ends the four-year reign of the British Isles.
1921 — At the annual Harvard-Yale vs. Cambridge-Oxford meet at Harvard Stadium, Harvard’s Edward Gourdin becomes the first to long jump 25 feet. Harvard lists Gourdin’s jump as 25 feet, 3 inches, but the official listing in U.S. Track and Field is 25-2.
1960 — Betsy Rawls becomes the first woman to win the U.S. Women’s Open golf title four times.
1966 — John Pennel pole vaults 17 feet, 6 1/4 inches for the world record in a meet at Los Angeles. It’s the eighth of nine world records he set in the event in his career and his first since 1963.
1978 — Hollis Stacy wins the U.S. Women’s Open golf championship for the second straight year.
1989 — Mark Calcavecchia wins the British Open, edging Greg Norman and Wayne Grady in a three-man playoff. Calcavecchia, the first American to win the Open in five years, birdies three of the four holes in the playoff.
1989 — Greg Lemond wins his second Tour de France with the closest finish ever, edging Laurent Fignon by 8 seconds. Lemond starts the day 50 seconds behind Fignon and wins the final stage, a 15-mile race against the clock from Versailles to Paris, in 26:57. Fignon finishes the stage 58 seconds slower.
1995 — John Daly wins the British Open at St. Andrews by four strokes in a four-hole playoff with Italy’s Costantino Rocca. Rocca forces the playoff by sinking a 65-foot putt on the 18th hole.
1995 — Miguel Indurain of Spain wins his record fifth consecutive Tour de France. Indurain joins Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault as the other five-time winners.
2000 — Tiger Woods, at 24, becomes the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam with a record-breaking performance in the British Open on the Old Course at St. Andrews. Woods closes with a 3-under 69 for a 19-under 269 total, the lowest score in relation to par at a major championship.
2000 — 87th Tour de France: no winner (Lance Armstrong disqualified).
2006 — Tiger Woods, one month after missing the cut for the first time in a major, becomes the first player since Tom Watson in 1982-83 to win consecutive British Open titles.
2006 — Floyd Landis, pedaling with an injured hip, cruises to victory in the Tour de France, keeping cycling’s most prestigious title in American hands for the eighth straight year.
2009 — Mark Buehrle pitches the 18th perfect game in major league history, a 5-0 win over Tampa Bay.
2012 — Penn State is all but leveled by penalties handed down by the NCAA for its handling of the allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. The NCAA imposes an unprecedented $60 million fine, a four-year ban from postseason play and a cut in the number of football scholarships it can award.
2017 — British cyclist Chris Froome wins his fourth Tour de France.
2019 — Nike’s Jordan Brand signs 2019 NBA #1 draft pick Zion Williamson to richest multiyear sponsorship deal for a rookie in history; estimated 7 years for $75 million.
2021 — The Opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games takes place after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 — The Cleveland Indians announce the team will be re-named the Guardians.
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TV SPORTS
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Wednesday, July 23
BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
7 p.m.
FS1 — The Basketball Tournament: Stars of Storrs (UCONN) vs. We Are D3, Round of 16, Syracuse, N.Y.
9 p.m.
FS1 — The Basketball Tournament: Sideline Cancer vs. LA Ignite, Round of 16, Louisville, Ky.
CYCLING
7 a.m.
PEACOCK — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 17, Bollene / Valence, France
6 a.m. (Thursday)
PEACOCK — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 18, Vif / Courchevel Col de la Loze, France
GOLF
4:30 a.m. (Thursday)
GOLF — LPGA Tour: The ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, First Round, Dundonald Links, North Ayrshire, Scotland
HORSE RACING
1 p.m.
FS2 — NYRA: Saratoga Live
MLB BASEBALL
Noon
MLBN — Regional Coverage: San Francisco at Atlanta (12:15 p.m.) OR Cincinnati at Washington (12:05 p.m.)
4 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Minnesota at L.A. Dodgers (4:10 p.m.) OR Houston at Arizona (3:40 p.m.)
7 p.m.
ESPN — Boston at Philadelphia
7:05 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — N.Y. Yankees at Toronto
RUGBY (MEN’S)
5:45 a.m. (Thursday)
FS2 — NRL: Melbourne at Sydney
SOCCER (MEN’S)
7:30 a.m.
CBSSN — Club Friendly: Arsenal vs. AC Milan, Singapore
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
3 p.m.
FOX — UEFA Euro 2025 Championship: Germany vs. Spain, Semifinal, Zurich, Switzerland
SOFTBALL
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — Athletes Unlimited: Volts vs. Talons, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TENNIS
5 a.m.
TENNIS — Kitzbuhel-ATP, Prague-WTA Early Rounds
6 a.m.
TENNIS — Kitzbuhel-ATP, Prague-WTA Early Rounds
11 a.m.
TENNIS — Washington-ATP/WTA Early Rounds
5 a.m. (Thursday)
TENNIS — Kitzbuhel-ATP & Prague-WTA Quarterfinals
6 a.m. (Thursday)
TENNIS — Kitzbuhel-ATP & Prague-WTA Quarterfinals
WNBA BASKETBALL
10 p.m.
CBSSN — Atlanta at Phoenix
