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On Dеcеmbеr 17th, 2023, thе All-MLB Tеam Show in Las Vеgas was gracеd by a striking figurе on thе black carpеt. Thе figurе, donnеd in a custom-madе rеd satin suit, was nonе othеr than thе talеntеd basеball playеr, Ronald Acuña Jr., who wеars jеrsеy numbеr 13. Thе suit was not just a fashion statеmеnt, but a tributе to thе basеball lеgеnd Hank Aaron , with his numbеr, 44, еmblazonеd on onе lapеl.
Thе suit was a collaborativе еffort bеtwееn thе playеr’s family and a dеsignеr in thе Unitеd Statеs. Thе playеr еxprеssеd thе significancе of honoring Aaron, highlighting his impact on basеball and thе city of Atlanta. This gеsturе was not just a tributе, but a tеstamеnt to thе playеr’s rеspеct for thе lеgеnds of thе gamе.
During thе еvеnt, thе Acuña Jr. was awardеd thе 2023 NL Hank Aaron Award, rеcognizing him as thе bеst offеnsivе playеr of thе yеar in thе National Lеaguе. This markеd his first timе rеcеiving thе honor, and hе bеcamе thе first Braves playеr to do so since Frеddiе Frееman in 2020. He also won 2023 Silver Slugger Award.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is the National League Hank Aaron Award winner! pic.twitter.com/L8KPymZhSR
— MLB (@MLB) December 17, 2023
The Atlanta Braves playеr еxprеssеd his gratitudе for this special momеnt, rеcalling a mееting with Hank Aaron in 2018. His wifе, Billyе Aaron, rеprеsеntеd thе Aaron family at thе show and prеsеntеd thе playеr with thе award.
This mееting had bееn long-awaitеd, as thеy had crossеd paths at Truist Park but had nеvеr mеt facе to facе. Hank Aaron praisеd thе playеr’s talеnt and еxprеssеd pridе in sееing a young playеr еxcеlling in Major Lеaguе Basеball. Thе playеr, in turn, was thrillеd to finally mееt thе Aaron family in pеrson and sharе thе incrеdiblе еxpеriеncе.
Bluе Man Group gavе Ronald Acuña Jr. an All-MLB chain
The gifts keep on coming for Ronald Acuna Jr as he received an All-MLB chain from the Bluе Man Group at the All-MLB Tеam Show. Thе chain is a yеarly award givеn to thе bеst playеrs in Major Lеaguе Basеball. Acuna Jr. was a unanimous sеlеction for the 2023 All-MLB Tеam, after hitting .337 with 41 home runs and 106 RBIs throughout the season. This recognition is a tеstamеnt to thе playеr’s еxcеptional pеrformancе and contribution to thе gamе.
Bluе Man Group, a pеrformancе art group known for its uniquе style of music, comеdy, and technology, has bееn captivating audiеncеs since its incеption in 1991 in New York City. Thе group is rеcognizеd for its usе of bluе paint, which thе pеrformеrs wеar on thеir bodiеs and facеs. The group also uses a variety of instrumеnts and props in its pеrformancеs, including drums, PVC pipеs, and video scrееns.
Last night, Blue Man Group gave Ronald Acuña Jr. an #AllMLB chain. pic.twitter.com/PznHNWI38M
— MLB (@MLB) December 17, 2023
Thе prеsеntation of thе All-MLB chain by Bluе Man Group to thе playеr is a significant momеnt that highlights thе playеr’s achiеvеmеnts and contributions to Major Lеaguе Basеball. It is a symbol of recognition and rеspеct for thе playеr’s talеnt and dеdication to thе sport. The playеr’s accеptancе of thе chain is not just an accеptancе of an award, but a recognition of his placе among thе bеst playеrs in MLB.
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TODAY'S BEST
Before series with Brewers, Cubs host lowly Pirates
The Chicago Cubs return home Friday for a pivotal week-long, eight-game homestand that includes a series with the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers. Before the National League Central leaders pay a visit, however, the Cubs will host the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs on Thursday completed a 2-4 road trip against the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays, ending with a 2-1 loss in Toronto on Thursday when a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. two-run home run in the seventh erased the Cubs' lead. Colin Rea (9-5, 4.09 ERA) hopes to carry over his strong outing from last Saturday as he takes the mound for the Cubs in the Friday afternoon series opener. The right-hander allowed one run over six innings in a 9-1 victory at St. Louis. He gave up three hits and two walks while striking out six in the only game Chicago won in that series. The 35-year-old journeyman sports a 3-3 record and a 5.49 ERA in nine career games (seven starts) against Pittsburgh. However, he has fared better of late. In two starts against Pittsburgh earlier this season, Rea held the Pirates to just two runs on four hits over six innings in each game. He earned the win in an 8-3 victory on May 1 but garnered a no-decision six weeks later as the Cubs won 3-2 in 10 innings. The Cubs have lost six of their last nine games primarily due to the team's struggles at the plate. They have scored just seven runs and managed only 32 hits in those defeats. Four of those hits were homers, including one by Michael Busch in Thursday's loss. "We had a bunch of warning-track balls, but just couldn't get an inning going, really at all," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Thursday's loss. Pittsburgh comes to Chicago having lost five straight. That includes being swept by the Brewers in Milwaukee in three games earlier this week by a combined score of 33-6. The offense did show signs of breaking out in Wednesday's 12-5 loss, however. Five players had multiple hits as part of the team's 12-hit attack. The Pirates managed only seven during the first two games. Designated hitter Bryan Reynolds blasted a pair of homers and drove in all five runs as part of a 3-for-4 performance on Wednesday. Pirates interim manager Don Kelly said after Wednesday's defeat that he appreciated the effort from his batters. "We continue to battle, continue to have good at-bats -- even there into the ninth inning, we had good at-bats," he said. "We need to carry that over to Chicago. It's going to be a tough series there, but I'm looking forward to playing at Wrigley." No official starter has been named by the Pirates though multiple outlets indicated Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.19) would make his third start this season. The rookie, 25, started Saturday in a 2-1 home loss to Cincinnati. His 3 1/3 innings were a season high. He gave up a run on three hits and a walk while striking out five. Ashcraft did pitch in Wrigley Field when the Pirates last visited two months ago. He threw two perfect innings in a 2-1 loss on June 14. He did not get a decision in the game. Chicago has won five of the first seven games in the season series. After this weekend, the Cubs will play the Pirates three more times a month from now at Pittsburgh.
Six Raiders Who Owned the 49ers in Today's Joint Practice
HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders played host to the San Francisco 49ers today for what was a highly productive and intense time of work. It was a good day of work for both teams, but six Raiders in particular owned the field versus their opponent, and I will tell you who they are and what they did. You don’t want to miss this insider take on how the day transpired. The Condor Is Hunting The music was blaring, and the crowd was cheering, but from the first rep of practice against the 49ers, Maxx Crosby was, as always, entirely focused. You could feel his relief at being able to go up against someone not wearing the Silver and Black. Although the practice didn’t allow tackling, this was his territory, and he wanted everyone to know he wasn’t there to entertain. With the ease of a warm knife cutting through butter, Maxx Crosby spent just as much time in the 49ers' backfield as their quarterback, Brock Purdy. He made it clear to everyone on the opposing team that he would do what he wanted, to whom he wanted, whenever he wanted. I’ve said this all camp, and today was no different: he is the best player on the field every time he steps onto it. Kyu Making the 49ers Blu(e) No one on the Raiders team had as much to gain or lose today, especially during the game on Saturday, as Kyu Blu Kelly. Today, he performed outstandingly—no, he was excellent. He played with confidence and fluidity, making multiple plays against the top-tier 49ers. Without any ego, the Raiders' rising star not only looks the part but also plays the part, showcasing a significant improvement from the younger version of himself earlier this year. Carroll couldn’t help but rave about his performance. "I'm glad you noticed it because I'm noticing it, too. He's had plays every day for about the last five or six days out here. Mock Game Two, he's just been really active. Seems like he's really settling in, and his aggressive style of play has really shown up. So, I'm fired up for him. If you've noticed, I don't know if it happened today, but yesterday, he got work with the ones just to see how he fits in and all of that. Just a great example of a guy competing his butt off and try to make a statement." Brock Bowers Doing Brock Bowers Things Brock Bowers, the NFL's best tight end and one of the truly elite players in the game, has somehow managed to improve even further. While the addition of a new quarterback may play a role, it doesn't diminish Bowers' exceptional ability to manipulate defenders, make impossible catches, and perform physically extraordinary feats that leave onlookers in awe during every practice. It's almost as if Bigfoot has a poster of Brock Bowers on his wall; this young man possesses skills that seem practically divine, playing his position at a level never seen before. During today's practice, he once again showcased his talent with several touchdowns and impressive catches, but one play, in particular, stood out as otherworldly. Running full speed toward the sideline with a 49ers defender in perfect coverage, Geno Smith threw an impeccable pass into a six or seven-inch window. Bowers leaped to make the catch, and despite the momentum that would have carried any other player out of bounds, he somehow got his feet down and, defying the laws of physics, burst upfield. Isaac Newton would be turning over in his grave at what Bowers can do. Although he hasn’t even played a game in his second year yet, he is poised to completely redefine his position by the time his career comes to a close. This was just one of the many outstanding catches he made today. Please don’t feel bad, 49ers fans. No one can guard him. No one. Book(er) It Thomas Booker joined the Raiders in a trade for Jakorian Bennett, and John Spytek deserves recognition for successfully acquiring a starting defensive tackle from the Super Bowl champions. With his exceptional motor and drive, Booker has quickly emerged in the desert and is now the second-best defensive tackle on the team, poised to start alongside Adam Butler. His enthusiasm is a joy to watch, and he complements a defensive line led by Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, alongside the impressive Adam Butler. The Raiders' defensive line is shaping up to be elite with their starting four. Today, Booker particularly stood out against a 49ers team that appeared disorganized. Carroll didn’t mince words praising his new defensive weapon today, "He's done really well. I mean, quick learner. Just pick stuff up right off the bat. He's right now battling to play a lot and that means he's going with ones quite a bit. He deserves to. He's already shown that. I'm really excited about our chance to get him here, and he's an amazing kid. I can't wait for you guys to talk to him, to hear from him; he's really something." Jakobi Meyers, Pay the Man Jakobi Myers is one of the most underrated and, frankly, disrespected wide receivers in the game of football, unlike the drama that surrounded Davante Adams and the success that many expected from him—which ultimately did not materialize—this drama-free superstar knows how to win. Meyers is an egoless talent and the ideal teammate. Every single day, he makes impressive catches and contributes to plays, often selflessly blocking and making the position look easy. In a recent game against some of the best defenders from the 49ers, Meyers truly dominated the field. He executed perfect routes, and when Geno Smith moved, Meyers matched his movements flawlessly, finding open space to make plays. I have no idea where the misguided criticism of Meyers comes from, but knowledgeable football analysts recognize his value and contribution to the team. It's time to put an end to the doubt, Spytek. Pay the man. Carroll praised Meyers today, "He's so sure handed, so steady, so improvisational, that he can get himself open. With he and Brock [Bowers], it's tough to cover those two guys. And so, they complement each other in a great manner, but Jakobi [Meyers] has done a fantastic job every day we've come out here he's making plays." Is Michael Mayer the Incredible Hulk in Real Life? Michael Mayer has had an impressive training camp. Along with his coaching staff, he has found his rhythm and reemerged as the offensive threat the Raiders envisioned when they drafted him as the best tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, during today’s practice against the 49ers, Mayer showcased something we hadn’t seen during camp. He delivered a block on a 49er player that is sure to leave a lasting impression for years to come. Mayer was known for his physicality coming out of Notre Dame, but it hadn't fully materialized in Las Vegas until now. Today, he resembled the Incredible Hulk, demonstrating his comfort in the game with two impressive blocks that showcased his selfless nature in making plays, even when he wasn’t directly involved. Michael Mayer appears to be back to his form from South Bend, and that spells trouble for the rest of the NFL. Geno Smith’s Leadership on Full Display Geno Smith has been, without question, the best quarterback I have covered in my six years as a Raiders Beat writer, and it isn’t close. His ability to spin the ball, throw everyone open, and make every throw has been terrific. On a field with a quarterback on the opposing team making $16 million more dollars per year than him, Geno was without any doubt the best QB on the field. Multiple great throws at this point are taken for granted since he does it every year, but one thing he did shone louder than any of the other amazing things he had done. WR Tre Tucker has had an excellent camp, but started with three critical drops. Plagued during his rookie year with drops, it was the first time we had seen it since, but after the third Geno sprinted down the field, encouraging him. Leadership. All Tucker did was respond with multiple touchdowns and no more drops. It was a terrific example of this team embracing him. It doesn’t matter if you talk to your teammates; if they don’t respect you, they don’t listen. This team doesn’t like Geno; they love him and respect him. Geno Smith owned the field today, but more than what he did to the 49ers was what he did for his teammates. He led, and they followed. He tried to dismiss his actions when asked about his pep talk to Tucker, but the fact is his leadership is impressive. He said after practice about the interaction, “For sure, there's going to be ups and downs in this game, you're never going to be perfect. We strive for perfection, but we're all human. So, the main thing whenever a guy makes a mistake, or anything happens out there that we don't want to happen, it's about showing that we have each other's back. And so, whenever you can go up to a guy and pat him on the back, or give him a word of encouragement, that's what we're here for, and they do it for me as well. So it's not just a one-way street, it's a two-way street. I just want to continue to breathe life into my guys, because we got some really, really good players, and they work extremely hard. So when they mess up, it's okay. We move on to the next play and keep going." We'd appreciate it if you would follow us on X @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr , and let’s talk about the Silver and Black’s training camp and Pete Carroll’s comments.
Lakers Insider Provides Update on LA’s Pursuit of $87 Million Frontcourt Duo
The Los Angeles Lakers have done all they can to build the best possible team without giving up any of their assets, including their draft capital. More news: Lakers Hiring Former Mavericks Award-Winning Coach The Lakers lost one player to the Houston Rockets, Dorian Finney-Smith, at the start of free agency, but have gained three players, two of whom were off the buyout market. Los Angeles has been methodical in their approach as they prepare for the summers ahead, specfically the summer of 2027. While that is the case, the Lakers were expected to make a big move this offseason. That hasn't and will likely not happen. There were a ton of pieces out there that could have made sense for the Lakers, including a potential trade with one of their rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers have pieces that the Lakers could benefit from, including center Robert Williams III. A trade for Williams is not out of the question; however, a trade also involving Matisse Thybulle to go along with Williams may not be an option. According to The Athletic's Dan Woike, a trade for LA centering Williams and Thybulle is not likely. "I have a hard time believing a team that’s so close to the first apron that it can’t currently sign a free agent would gamble on not one, but two guys that have no track record of availability." More news: New Lakers Signing Recalls Moment He First Defended Kobe Bryant in NBA The chances of that happening, according to Woike, are not high. However, those two are the types of players who could make the Lakers legitimate title contenders. The Lakers have had Williams on their radar for what seems like forever. The 27-year-old center is an injury-riddled player, but he is just the type of player the Lakers need. Williams is a defensive-minded player who can protect the rim better than anybody in the league. He was limited to 20 games this past season and has failed to play more than 61 games in his seven-year career. Thybulle falls under the same category, at least that was the case last season. The 28-year-old was limited to 15 games this season, but when he is on the court, he is one of the more tenacious defenders in the league. He's earned two NBA All-Defensive nods while averaging 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. The Lakers could use both Williams and Thybulle, but that seems unlikely as things stand. Latest Lakers News For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
Taylor Swift's New Song 'Ruin the Friendship' Sparks Blake Lively Speculation Amid Legal Drama
Flawed NFL arbitration process under scrutiny after Jon Gruden, Brian Flores rulings
It's a good thing for the NFL that it uses a shield as its logo, because this week, the league needed protection. The courts handed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a second defeat since Monday with a ruling in Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' anti-discrimination lawsuit against the league. On Thursday, per ESPN, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld a previous ruling in Flores' case, originally filed on Feb. 1, 2022, allowing it to proceed to trial. In a written statement, the appeals court blasted the NFL's arbitration process, which allows Goodell to make decisions unilaterally, saying "It offends basic presumptions of our arbitration jurisprudence." The judges also argued that the NFL's process equates to "arbitration in name only." It was the second time this week that Goodell's role as chief arbiter has come under scrutiny in U.S. courts. On Monday, the Nevada Supreme Court described the NFL's argument that Jon Gruden's lawsuit should be handled through arbitration led by Goodell as "unconscionable." In his original claim, Gruden alleged the NFL and Goodell leaked emails to the press, which led to his resignation as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2021. The dual rulings against the league are the biggest hits its flawed arbitration process has taken. It's never made sense for the commissioner to arbitrate matters he's already decided after handing down punishments. Those situations should be left to an impartial party. Goodell was granted his unlimited authority in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, which positioned him as the NFL's judge, jury and executioner. The Gruden and Flores developments are illustrative of the fact that the league and NFLPA went too far in granting Goodell such wide-sweeping authority. The recent court rulings acknowledge the flaw in the NFL's system. That shield just added a few more dents.
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