The Rundown: BBQ Banter

Lincoln’s speech about four scores and seven years ago actually had nothing to do with sports. While that’s true and pretty obvious, it’s not always so obvious how to start a conversation at your fourth of July barbecue. That’s why we’re here for you.

Baby you're a firework,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS- Lincoln might have not been talking sports but he was referencing the year 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

MLB (Major League Baseball)

• Vote for me. The players participating in the MLB All-Star Game have been revealed and the rosters feature 23 first-time all-stars. (The game is next Tuesday in Miami). Fans can vote for the two players who will take the final spots on each roster until Thursday. Vote here.
• A good luck donkey. Cincinnati Reds player Joey Votto bet his teammate Zack Cozart that he would buy him a donkey if Cozart made the all-star team. Well, Cozart is now the proud owner of a donkey after being selected as the starting shortstop for the national league in next week’s game.

Overtime

• Tomorrow’s celebrations aren’t only about the fireworks and the red, white and blue. They also includes America’s most gluttonous competition…the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. American Joey Chestnut is the fan favorite. Last year he won by eating 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Do not try this at home.

Sideline stat

• Saturday was a good day to be a free agent in the NBA (National Basketball Association) with nearly $1 billion in deals signed on the first day. It was an especially great day to be Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors who signed a five year, $201 million contract. His contract is the largest in NBA history.

Not to be outdone, some players used emojis in an attempt to recruit new team members. Who needs words when there’s a thumbs up emoji?

Coaches’ corner

• June was a record setting month for home runs in MLB. Rumors were circulating that the ball was “juiced” and that’s why the record was set. The baseballs are inspected prior to use in a game by MLB. They sent a memo to the teams stating that the baseballs were within guidelines. Guess it was pure man power. 

The Rundown: Wheels Up

Today is no ordinary Friday. It's the gateway to a four-day weekend.

Celebrate good times,

The Last Night’s Game Team  

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MLB (Major League Baseball)

• A hero in workout gear. An umpire was out for a run in Pittsburgh when he came across a woman trying to jump off a bridge. He talked her off the ledge, quite literally. At times, he was hanging onto her and both of her feet were dangling in the air. After she was safe, he headed into work just like any other day. 

NBA (National Basketball Association)

• Good news, bad news. The big news of the week is the trade of superstar Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are looking to build a dynasty to compete at the highest level. The nice part for Paul? Texas has no state income tax, so that’ll help pad his wallet a bit.
• What like it’s hard? Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry is now a two-sport athlete. The PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) announced that he will play in a tournament on the Web.com tour, which is a minor league tour for the PGA. The tour made a sponsors exception to allow a non-pro to play and not everyone in the golf world is thrilled.
• Hold on to your hats. Free agency starts tonight at midnight. Be ready for a frenzy of action with potential big names on the move. Follow all the action here and if you’re wondering what free agency means, check out this handy-dandy video.

Overtime

• Nude athletes and their strategically placed sports equipment are gracing the pages of ESPN Magazine’s annual body issue (on newsstands July 7). You can catch the likes of Dallas Cowboys (football) Ezekiel Elliot and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki in the issue. Little known fact? All the photos were shot on an iPhone. Check them out.

Sideline stat

• Break out your bike helmet and spandex because the Tour de France begins tomorrow. The defending champion, England’s Chris Froome, is looking to win his fourth title in five years. Stay tuned for Wednesday's Five Things To Know for more on this grueling race with really pretty scenery. FYI - the race runs through July 23rd so you’ll have plenty of time to watch.

Coaches’ corner

• The NFL (National Football League) announced a new addition to their roster, Terri Valenti.  When the season starts, Valenti will become the first ever female replay official. The replay officials are the ones who watch the video playback of the game for tough calls on the field and make the ultimate decision. There is already one female referee in the sport.

The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About The World Baseball Classic

Break out your Team U.S.A. shirt because the World Baseball Classic is here and it features Olympic-like excitement.

There will be peanuts and Cracker Jacks,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – Do you have burning questions about the NCAA March Madness tournament that you were too shy to ask or are simply curious about the craziness that is the bracket? We want to answer your questions in our March Madness 101. Submit them via email, Twitter or Facebook.

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Five Things to Know About the World Baseball Classic

• The World Baseball Classic (WBC) consists of teams from all over the world playing in a global baseball tournament. The tournament essentially acts as a replacement for the Olympics since baseball was dropped in 2012. There are 16 countries represented in the tournament, which runs March 6 – 22.
• Major League Baseball (MLB) found a new revenue stream with the Classic, which takes place every four years in March during spring training for MLB teams. (Spring training is the period where teams prepare for the upcoming season).
• Players do not have to play in MLB to participate but they must have been born in or have one parent born in the country they’re representing. Due to the grueling 162 game MLB season, many of the top players for Team U.S.A. have opted not to play.
• Israel is fast becoming the Cinderella team of the tournament, beating teams ranked much higher than them. The team has been wearing shirts proclaiming themselves as the “Jew Crew” and their mascot is “Mensch on the Bench.” (You might remember the doll came on the market as a take on Elf on the Shelf). During their national anthem the team removes their caps but still don yarmulkes.
• Japan has taken home two WBC Championships and the Dominican Republic has claimed one.

Overtime

• This Sunday is Selection Sunday, the big day where the NCAA March Madness bracket is released. Be the first to sign up to play in our March Madness Bracket Challenge. This is a no pressure challenge, novices are encouraged. Did we mention there are prizes?

Sideline stat

• New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is still a specimen of health after 17 seasons in the NFL (National Football League). He attributes that to his diet and now you can eat like the Super Bowl MVP with his new plant-based meal delivery company. For $78 a week, you can have Brady-like meals delivered to your door. Gisele would approve. 

Coaches’ corner

• NFL free agency begins on Thursday at 4 pm. This is a chance for the free agents (i.e. players without a commitment to a team/players who are “in between jobs”) to sign with a new team. Why such a specific time? That’s when the NFL year officially starts (kind of like their own their fiscal year) and players can be released from their teams and picked up by other teams. Curious which free agents are going where? Click here.