Larry Christenson, a former pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, died at age 72 while on a fishing trip in Washington state. He played 11 seasons with the Phillies and helped them win their first World Series championship in 1980.
Key Facts
Larry Christenson was a right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies his entire 11-year career.
He was born in Everett, Washington, and went to Marysville High School.
The Phillies picked him third overall in the 1972 MLB draft.
He made his major league debut at 19 in 1973 with a complete-game win.
Christenson had his best years between 1975-1978, including a 19-6 record in 1977.
He played in the playoffs multiple times and was on the 1980 team that won the World Series.
An injury and elbow surgery ended his career by age 29.
After baseball, he stayed in the Philadelphia area, worked in business, and supported charity work connected to the Phillies.
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The Baltimore Ravens have new coaches and a big contract extension for receiver Zay Flowers after missing the playoffs last season. ESPN analyst Donte Whitner said quarterback Lamar Jackson might want to leave the team if he has another tough season, even though his contract runs through 2027.
Key Facts
The Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh and hired Jesse Minter as the new head coach.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken left; Declan Doyle is the new offensive coordinator.
Receiver Zay Flowers signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with $108 million guaranteed.
Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ quarterback, is under contract through 2027.
Jackson is a two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) who reached the AFC championship once but did not make the Super Bowl.
Analyst Donte Whitner said Jackson might want to leave Baltimore if the team misses the playoffs again or if he gets injured.
The Ravens’ season success depends on Jackson’s performance and how the new offensive coordinator handles play-calling.
The team hopes to reach the Super Bowl this year with stronger leadership and a good defense.
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The Minnesota Vikings are uncertain about quarterback JJ McCarthy's future with the team after signing Kyler Murray as their starter. McCarthy is dealing with a minor ankle issue and may not play in the preseason finale, while his role on the team remains unclear amid trade speculation.
Key Facts
JJ McCarthy was the Vikings' starting quarterback last season, playing 10 games with a 6-4 record.
He missed five games due to a high ankle sprain and has a lingering ankle issue.
The Vikings signed Kyler Murray, who won the starting quarterback job.
McCarthy threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and was sacked 27 times last season.
It is unclear if McCarthy will be the second or third quarterback behind Murray and Carson Wentz.
NFL insiders report no current trade requests or deals involving McCarthy.
McCarthy is entering the third year of his four-year rookie contract.
The Vikings do not see McCarthy’s ankle issue as a long-term problem.
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Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell each scored 34 points to help the Indiana Fever beat the Connecticut Sun 111-91. This win extended their record for most games this season with both players scoring 30 or more points.
Key Facts
The Indiana Fever won 111-91 over the Connecticut Sun in a WNBA game on August 28, 2026.
Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell each scored 34 points.
This was the fourth game this season where both players scored at least 30 points, setting a WNBA single-season record for a duo.
Clark also had 12 assists in the game, marking her fifth game this year with at least 30 points and 10 assists.
Mitchell achieved her 24th straight game scoring 20 or more points.
Indiana Fever have won 7 of their last 9 games.
The Fever are taking a break for three weeks to play in the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin.
Connecticut Sun have lost 6 of their last 8 games.
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With the NFL preseason ending soon, teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by Sunday. Four quarterbacks—Tua Tagovailoa, Dillon Gabriel, J.J. McCarthy, and Anthony Richardson—are attracting trade interest as teams finalize their starting quarterbacks for the regular season.
Key Facts
NFL teams must cut their rosters to 53 players by Sunday before the regular season starts.
Most teams have chosen their Week 1 starting quarterbacks by this time in August.
Quarterbacks not securing a starting role may be traded before the season begins.
Atlanta Falcons’ Tua Tagovailoa is one QB drawing trade interest but has had a weak training camp.
Indianapolis Colts’ Anthony Richardson requested a trade earlier but no team has offered a suitable deal.
Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy may seek a trade after the Vikings named Kyler Murray the starter.
Cleveland Browns’ Dillon Gabriel impressed in the preseason and could be traded despite Deshaun Watson being the starter.
Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard refuses to trade Richardson without fair compensation.
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Several former University of Utah football players accused head coach Kyle Whittingham of pressuring them to play before their injuries healed. Whittingham is now Michigan’s head coach, and Michigan’s spokesperson said medical decisions at Utah were made by the medical team, not the coaches.
Key Facts
Six former Utah football players from 2020 to 2024 made injury-related accusations against Whittingham.
Van Fillinger said he was forced to play despite a broken tibia because Whittingham would not allow a redshirt year.
Fillinger claims he was told he would be kicked off the team if he did not play.
A Michigan spokesperson said Whittingham and his coaches did not make medical decisions at Utah.
University of Utah officials said student health and safety are their top priorities.
The Utah athletic department said they follow all guidelines and review their policies regularly.
Jaylon Glover, another former player, said the coaches pressured players to return quickly, sometimes against training staff advice.
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Tarik Skubal pitched six strong innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first game against his former team, the Detroit Tigers, helping the Dodgers win 2-1. Freddie Freeman hit the winning single in the seventh inning, and the Dodgers' bullpen kept the Tigers from scoring late in the game.
Key Facts
Tarik Skubal allowed one run on four hits and struck out seven batters in six innings.
Skubal was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Dodgers earlier in August 2026.
Fans at Comerica Park mostly cheered Skubal, with some boos as well.
Freddie Freeman hit a two-out single in the seventh inning that scored the go-ahead run.
The Dodgers' relief pitchers, including Evan Phillips and Tanner Scott, pitched scoreless innings to secure the win.
The Tigers scored one run in the fifth inning with doubles and a triple, but the Dodgers responded quickly.
Skubal was drafted by the Tigers in 2018 and played for them until the recent trade.
The next game features Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell against Tigers pitcher Keider Montero.
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Amy and Jamie Shinneman are a husband and wife who run marathons together. Amy has a rare muscle disease, so Jamie pushes her in a racing wheelchair. They want to finish all eight World Marathon Majors and inspire others with disabilities.
Key Facts
Amy and Jamie Shinneman are married and run marathons as a team.
Amy has Bethlem myopathy, a rare type of muscular dystrophy that affects muscles.
Jamie pushes Amy in a racing wheelchair during marathons.
They plan to run their fifth marathon together in Sydney, Australia.
Their goal is to complete all eight Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series of major international marathons.
They hope their story encourages people with disabilities to pursue big goals.
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NFL draft expert Todd McShay ranks Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning as the fifth-best quarterback prospect for the 2027 draft. McShay places Dante Moore from Oregon and LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina above Manning, highlighting stiff competition among young quarterbacks.
Key Facts
Arch Manning is the quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.
Todd McShay ranks Manning fifth among 2027 quarterback prospects.
Dante Moore from Oregon is McShay's top-ranked quarterback for 2027.
LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina is ranked close to Moore by McShay.
CJ Carr and Sam Leavitt are also considered potential top quarterbacks.
Manning has a talented wide receiver, Cam Coleman, on his team.
McShay believes Manning could improve but currently faces strong competition.
The rankings are based on current performance and potential for the upcoming college football season.
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Aaron Donald, a star defensive player for the Los Angeles Rams, has not yet decided if he will return to play this NFL season after retiring. The Rams’ regular season starts on September 10, but Donald has until December 8 to officially rejoin the team.
Key Facts
Aaron Donald is a defensive tackle who has retired but may unretire to play for the Rams again.
He tried out for the team earlier this month but has not made a final decision.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Donald’s return is still uncertain.
The Rams’ first game is on September 10 in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers.
Donald must return by December 8, the NFL’s deadline for retired players to come back.
Donald has been selected for the Pro Bowl 10 times and won Defensive Player of the Year three times.
He last played in 2023, a year after winning the Super Bowl with the Rams.
The Rams are seen as strong contenders to win the Super Bowl in 2027.
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The Hillsborough County Commission approved the construction of a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays near Hillsborough College in Tampa. Before construction can start, four key steps need to be completed, and the stadium is expected to open for the 2029 MLB season.
Key Facts
The Hillsborough County Commission approved the stadium plan on August 28.
The Tampa City Council approved its financial part of the deal by a 4-3 vote the day before.
Four things must happen before building begins: bond validation (30-90 days), starting a temporary Hillsborough College campus, finalizing stadium design, and completing a community benefits agreement.
The stadium project is estimated to cost $2.3 billion.
The Rays will invest about $1.37 billion and cover any extra costs.
Hillsborough County will pay $796 million, and Tampa city will pay $80 million.
The county will own the stadium, and the Rays will pay $4 million a year in rent over 35 years.
The new stadium aims to secure the Rays’ long-term future and eliminate past relocation rumors.
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The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Cale Makar to an eight-year contract worth $163.2 million, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The deal lasts through the 2034-35 season and shows the team’s confidence in Makar’s skill and leadership.
Key Facts
Cale Makar’s new contract is worth $163.2 million over eight years.
His average annual salary is $20.4 million, the highest ever in the NHL.
Makar is 27 years old and a top defenseman in hockey.
He won the NHL Rookie of the Year award in 2020.
Makar won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for best defenseman in 2022 and 2025.
He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 and was the playoffs’ Most Valuable Player.
The contract extends Makar’s time with the Avalanche through the 2034-35 season.
Avalanche management and Makar both expressed excitement and commitment to the team and fans.
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Charli XCX performed a headline set at Reading Festival, playing songs from her new album "Music, Fashion, Film" and older hits. The show featured elaborate stage effects, costume changes, dancers, and a live band, energizing the large crowd despite rainy weather.
Key Facts
Charli XCX performed at Reading Festival, marking her first UK festival show since her new album release.
Her new album, "Music, Fashion, Film," has more rock influence compared to her previous electronic-pop style.
The concert included dramatic lights, fireworks, multiple costume changes, dancers, and a live band.
Charli played songs from her entire career, including her popular 2024 album "Brat."
The show ended with the track "No One Lasts Forever," featuring quotes from filmmaker David Cronenberg.
Other acts included Irish rock band Fontaines DC and grime artist Skepta, who performed despite rain.
BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026 winner Skye Newman also performed at the festival.
The event had a large, enthusiastic crowd despite weather challenges.
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Tarik Skubal returned to Detroit as a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher to face his former team, the Detroit Tigers. Fans gave him mostly cheers but some boos, and the Tigers honored his seven seasons with a video tribute before the game.
Key Facts
Tarik Skubal was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in August 2026.
He pitched against the Tigers at Comerica Park for the first time since the trade.
The crowd mostly applauded Skubal but some fans booed him.
The Tigers showed a video montage and thanked Skubal for his seven-year career with the team.
Skubal did not visibly respond to the mixed crowd reactions.
His first pitch was delayed due to a problem with his communication device.
Skubal struck out three Tigers players after settling in on the mound.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said knowing Skubal doesn’t make it easier to hit him.
The Tigers traded Skubal before the deadline to get three minor league prospects, anticipating he might leave as a free agent.
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Ryan Gerard and Viktor Hovland are tied for the lead after the first two rounds of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Several top players, including Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young, are close behind as the competition continues in Atlanta.
Key Facts
Ryan Gerard scored 5-under 65 on Friday, sharing the 36-hole lead with Viktor Hovland at 10-under 130.
Hovland had a strong round of 66, with five birdies including one on the 15th hole.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player, shot a 67 and is two shots behind the leaders.
Cameron Young started poorly but recovered with a 62 on Friday to be two shots behind the leaders.
Collin Morikawa and Chris Gotterup scored 67 and are one shot behind at 9-under 131.
Gerard, aged 27, is also aiming to improve his chances to be selected for the Presidents Cup team.
The tournament is halfway completed, and the top players are close in score on a soft course.
One player, J.J. Spaun, withdrew from the event.
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Rayan Cherki played a key role in Manchester City's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, scoring two goals in the second half. The young player showed strong effort both with and without the ball, impressing new City manager Enzo Maresca and helping the team to a confident start after Pep Guardiola’s departure.
Key Facts
Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park.
Rayan Cherki scored two important goals in the second half.
Cherki also worked hard defensively and controlled his opponent effectively.
This was Cherki’s first start under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Cherki joined Manchester City from Lyon for about £30 million.
Last season, Cherki often came off the bench and made 33 Premier League appearances.
Cherki had a limited role in France’s World Cup campaign and showed frustration publicly.
Maresca praised Cherki’s happiness and work rate on and off the ball.
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The Tampa Bay Rays baseball team received approval from county and city officials to finance a new $2.3 billion stadium and entertainment district near Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The new stadium, seating 31,000 people, is planned to open in 2029 and aims to secure the team’s future in Tampa Bay.
Key Facts
Hillsborough County approved $796 million for the stadium and entertainment district.
Tampa City Council approved $80 million for the project.
The Rays will contribute at least $1.3 billion and cover any additional costs beyond that.
An additional $30 million will come from federal disaster recovery funds.
The stadium will be built next to Raymond James Stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team.
The Rays signed an agreement with Hillsborough College to build the stadium on college land and renovate some buildings.
The team has played at Tropicana Field since 1998 but moved temporarily in 2025 due to hurricane damage.
The current lease at Tropicana Field runs through the 2028 season.
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Heath Bell, a former Arizona Diamondbacks player, criticized Ketel Marte for missing a game and said Marte is treated more leniently because he is a Latin American player. Marte missed a game due to a knee injury and a personal matter but was seen at a casino, which caused controversy within the team.
Key Facts
Ketel Marte missed an August 17 Diamondbacks game against the Boston Red Sox.
Arizona placed Marte on the restricted list before the game and later moved him to the injured list.
Marte’s agent said he was getting an MRI and dealing with a personal issue.
Marte was photographed at a Scottsdale casino while the Diamondbacks were playing another game.
Former Diamondbacks player Heath Bell said American players would face harsher judgment for similar actions.
Bell also mentioned that Latin American players sometimes receive more lenient treatment in MLB.
Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo said Marte’s absence caused tension and he felt "betrayed."
Bell criticized Marte for not showing commitment to his team, fans, and coaches.
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Major League Baseball suspended a Dominican baseball prospect after discovering an age-fraud scheme designed to make him appear almost two years younger. The plot involved fake documents and a staged gravesite to support a false identity, leading to the cancellation of his deal with the Cleveland Guardians.
Key Facts
The player, originally named Daury David Severino Damaso, was falsely portrayed as a younger player named David Severino.
The scheme included fake school, medical, birth, and death records, and even a fake tombstone in the Dominican Republic.
Severino agreed to a $2.8 million pre-deal with the Cleveland Guardians, believed to be 13 or 14 years old, but he is actually 16.
Francisco Nieves, Severino’s former trainer, reportedly created the false identity and arranged the fraudulent documents.
John Pereyra, a trainer with 30 years of experience, had paid for Severino’s rights but was unaware of the fraud during the player’s training.
Pereyra investigated after learning of the younger brother’s alleged death and visited the fake gravesite, initially easing suspicions.
MLB began investigating Severino’s identity concerns in May, leading to the cancellation of his agreement with the Guardians.
The league, the team, and Nieves have not made public comments about the investigation or suspension.
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