Latest news with #HallofFame
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Why Sammy Sosa is finally returning to Wrigley Field after 21-year absence
Sammy Sosa is one of the greatest Chicago Cubs of all time, earning seven All-Star appearances during his 13-year career with the team and landing a spot in the team's Hall of Fame. But since his departure from the team in 2004 and particularly his retirement from baseball in 2007, that relationship was outright severed. That changed in the last year, and now, Sosa is set to make his return to Wrigley Field for the first time since his last game with the Cubs. Sosa's appearance on Friday was initially meant to be a surprise with a grandiose mid-game reveal, but USA TODAY Sports MLB columnist Bob Nightengale posted the scoop on social media Friday morning. Sosa's strained relationship with the Cubs began with his departure from the team in 2004. Before he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, Sosa opted not to play in his final game in Chicago. He left Wrigley Field in the first inning, and though he later argued he stayed later into the game, the Cubs ultimately released surveillance footage showing Sosa leaving the parking lot. Between his ugly exit and, later, when it was revealed that he had reportedly failed a test for performance-enhancing drugs, his relationship with the Cubs ended. Owner Tom Ricketts, who bought the team in 2009 after Sosa's retirement, stated that Sosa wouldn't be welcomed back until he apologized for doping. That apology (sort of) came last December, when Sosa took accountability for his "mistakes." Though he did not explicitly admit to using PEDs, that was good enough for Ricketts, who invited Sosa to the annual Cubs Convention event. Now, the two will take an even bigger step in repairing their relationship with Sosa returning to the stands at Wrigley for Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Sosa will also be inducted as a member of the Cubs Hall of Fame later this year.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Boxing fans make worrying comparison between Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson
'Pac Man' has ramped up training ahead of his blockbuster showdown with WBC king Mario Barrios next month - but fans have been left worried by his preparations Boxing fans have been left concerned after Manny Pacquiao 's latest training footage went viral ahead of his return to the ring. Pacquiao shocked the boxing world after it was confirmed that he will be making a stunning return to the ring on July 19 when he takes on WBC king Mario Barrios. The 46-year-old completely looked like a shadow of his former self in his last fight against Yordenis Ugas back in August 2021. Despite the inactivity, 'Pac Man' has been actively competing in the exhibition scene and was last seen in action last July - labouring to a draw against Rukiya Anpo. The recent Hall of Fame inductee entered the WBC welterweight rankings at No.5 ahead of his return. With just weeks to go until his boxing comeback, 'Pac Man' has ramped up training. In a recent video uploaded to X - formerly known as Twitter - Pacquiao showed off his jaw-dropping hand speed, proving that he still may have some energy left in the gas tank. However, fans were quick to take to the comments section, comparing the legendary boxer to Mike Tyson - but not for good reasons. "Tyson looked good in 30 second clips too," one user commented. The comment refers to Tyson's preparations for his showdown with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul last November. Their initial bout was slated for July - but was later cancelled after the 58-year-old suffered an ulcer flare up on a flight. After the fight was rebooked for November, Tyson refused to post any clips of him training until a few weeks before the fight. However, boxing fans were left concerned after the American only opted to post short intervals of him hitting the pads or sparring - which had some believing he was capable of rolling back the years on fight night. Fans have also expressed their concerns following the latest footage. "They hyping him up to get smoked," one fan commented. Another posted: "We love you manny but this counts for nothing under the lights against a young active world champion. Father Time has no sympathy." A third wrote: "Stay retired brother. You proved everything you needed too brother," while another posted: Legs aren't there any more." A fifth commented: "Very sad. Don't wanna see a 45 year old guy who we all like fight and get hurt." Another posted: "Retire man, you look like s***. This is a young mans game." Speaking ahead of his return, 'Pac Man' told ESPN: 'I like making history, it's nice. I always stay in shape, but once I started seriously working out again, I realised that I still had that passion and ability in me. I went to my doctor and everything was perfect. My medicals came back great. I feel good, and I'm ready to do it again. 'I trained wrong for that [Ugas] fight. My legs began cramping, and I couldn't move. He was a very slow opponent, and I couldn't believe that I couldn't move my feet or my legs. But for this camp, I'm back with my longtime trainer, Freddie Roach. The old Manny will be back. It's hard to say right now [if I'll box again after the Barrios bout]. It's one fight at a time. Once I get through this, we can talk about the next fight.'
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Trish Stratus' greatest hits: 4 WWE moments that made her a legend
Image via WWE Trish Stratus' WWE career had some defining moments that became highly memorable for years. Trish Stratus is one of the most renowned female WWE superstars of all time. She came into the business at a time when women did not get significant opportunities. Yet, Stratus defied the odds and, with her in-ring skills, presentation, and ability to shatter glass ceilings, became a prominent figure in the industry. In doing so, she paved the way for future generations of women, who achieved major feats, including main-eventing WWE's premier event, WrestleMania. With a Hall of Fame career that had a long-lasting legacy, here are the three moments that became iconic with her in WWE: 4. Betraying Chris Jericho at WrestleMania — WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) Chris Jericho and Christian had a bet to impress top WWE superstars, Trish Stratus and Lita, respectively. Stratus heard about it in a backstage segment and made a plan to get back at Y2J. In a match between him and Christian at WrestleMania XX, Stratus betrayed him and aligned with Christian by sealing it with a kiss on the stage, which became a memorable moment in WWE. 3. Standing up to the evil boss Vince McMahon Trish Stratus started gaining major attention during her pairing with then-WWE owner Vince McMahon. However, cracks began to emerge in their affair, and McMahon embarrassed her on multiple occasions, including making her bark like a dog and asking her to remove her clothes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo However, at WrestleMania 17, Stratus finally stood up to him and slapped him outside the ring to end their alliance. 2. Main eventing Monday Night RAW Trish Stratus and Lita were among the top two female WWE superstars during the mid-2000s. They were captivating the audience with their rivalry and respective in-ring acumen and became prominent fixtures. This led to a historic feat in 2004 when Stratus and Lita became the first women to main event RAW in a Women's title match. While she dropped her title to Lita, it was a game-changing night for her career and women in WWE. 1. Winning her seventh WWE Women's title Trish Stratus decided to end her full-time WWE career at the 2006 Unforgiven event, which took place in her hometown of Toronto, Canada. She challenged her iconic rival, Lita, for the WWE Women's Championship. Following a highly memorable showdown, Stratus made her tap out of the Sharpshooter and won her seventh title to put an end to a historic career. Also read: WWE SmackDown returns to its classic two-hour format this July Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
7NEWS
16 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Peter Moody and jockey Zac Purton to join greats in Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Legendary Black Caviar trainer Peter Moody is about to be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Moody will be officially recognised in August for his feats with the sprint champion who famously went unbeaten from 25 starts and amassed $7,953,936 in prizemoney. But it's not just about Black Caviar, with Moody also having great success with Typhoon Tracy, Dissident and Incentivise. He will join other star trainers in the Hall of Fame such as contemporaries Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller, and legends from yesteryear such as Bart Cummings, Tommy TJ Smith and Arthur 'Scobie' Breasley. Needless to say, he will also join Black Caviar who had the rare honour of being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 while still an 'active competitor'. 'It's an absolute honour when you look at the trainers who have come before me and no doubt those who will follow,'' Moody said. 'To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, to be recognised in this way is probably the highlight of my career, to be quite honest.'' NSW superstar and seven-time Hong Kong Jockeys' Champion, Zac Purton, will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame, as will former and highly respected broadcaster Johnny Tapp. Purton is a Caulfield Cup and Doncaster Handicap winner, but it's his work in Hong Kong that is truly remarkable. He has won all four of Hong Kong's major international races, and he has won the Hong Kong Derby twice. Throughout his career he has guided across the line 2800 winners with 47 of those at Group 1 level. He will join his father-in-law Jim Cassidy in the Jockey section of Hall of Fame, while Tapp — who has been in the racing game for more than six decades — enters the Hall of Fame in the Associate category. 'It means a lot to me to be recognised by my peers ... it is very humbling,'' Purton said. 'I've been away from Australia for so long but I have been flying the Aussie flag in Hong Kong. 'Most of the world's leading jockeys and trainers aspire to be successful in Hong Kong so being able to prove myself on the world stage was important to me. 'It would have been easier to stay in Australia but I felt it was more of a challenge for me take on the world, so to speak.'' The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in Queensland on August 31 as part of the Australian Racehorse of the Year awards. Champion horses Hydrogen (from the 1950s) and Mahogany (1990s) will also be given Hall of Fame status. Mahogany won the Victoria Derby, the AJC Derby and the Australian and Caulfield Guineas, while Hydrogen saluted in the Cox Plate in 1952 and 1953. ''The Australian Racing Hall Of Fame is a testament to those who achieved the pinnacle in the sport and the calibre of this year's inductees is nothing short of remarkable,' Australia's Hall Of Fame chair Jason Scott said.
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Stanley Cup is no stranger to damage or rough and tumble adventures
Article content 'I guess it's a new record today, five minutes into the presentation,' Pritchard quipped at the time. Traditionalists often are shocked and dismayed by the trophy's treatment but, after all, it is known as 'the people's Cup.' The current Lord Edward Stanley, who visited the Hall of Fame for the first time last year, told Postmedia he has no issue with how the winners party with his great-great-great grandfather's donation to the sport. 'I think it's very cool. I really enjoyed hearing the stories,' he said. 'The love is in the heritage'
