Author: Michael

It seems like every week Shohei Ohtani does something that makes you say, “That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen him do.” And then he’ll go out and do something even more impressive a few days later. 
On Monday, Ohtani hit two homers against the Rangers to pass Aaron Judge for the American League lead in that category. His first left the bat at 114.1 mph and landed 459 feet away just left of dead center. Few players are able to hit a ball that far. Fewer are able to do it on a low, inside pitch. Even fewer are able to do it when it’s not a straight pull shot.

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After a breakout second season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Austin Reaves has signed a shoe deal with Chinese company Rigorer. Reaves has gone from an undrafted player to a recognizable name in the NBA with his own signature shoe on the way, which is quite the accomplishment.
Shams Charania of The Athletic sat down with Reaves to discuss the shooting guard’s new shoe deal, which is expected to fetch him over seven figures.
“Honestly I’m blessed to play basketball for a living and I have to pinch myself sometimes to really understand what’s going on,” Reaves said.

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Thanks for the patience this week—we’ve moved a few things back a day, so my wife and I could celebrate our 10th anniversary. And with that done, let’s get to your questions …
From ASB1216 (@ASB1216): If you had to guess this season’s offensive and defensive rookie of the year and each pick had to be players drafted outside the first round, who would you take?
Love this question, ASB, because it makes me dive a little deeper into the draft class, and I do have a couple of names for you after diving in.

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PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona woman has accused former major league pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault, alleging in a lawsuit updated this week that he held a knife at her throat and choked her until she passed out during a rape that left her pregnant in late 2020.

Bauer was never arrested or charged and he has countersued, denying the allegations and accusing the woman of faking a pregnancy and trying to extort money from him.

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DeAndre Hopkins is meeting with the Patriots on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean he’s a slam dunk to sign with New England, or another team, anytime soon.
Hopkins is willing to wait until August before signing with a new team, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“I just got official word, DeAndre Hopkins is in New England, he’s meeting with the Patriots,” Fowler said on ESPN on Thursday morning, per On3. “He will meet with the coaches, Bill Belichick and the Patriots’ interest remains high.

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Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.
Patrício “Pitbull” Freire is on the precipice of another defining moment.
Freire, the reigning Bellator featherweight champion, challenges Sergio Pettis for the bantamweight title Friday at Bellator 297. If he is victorious, it will mark the second time Freire has simultaneously held titles in two weight classes, as well as the third weight class where he has held a title.

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