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'Thank You for Being the Hero My Childhood Needed': WWE Commentator Mourns Hulk Hogan’s Death
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson pays tribute to Hulk Hogan
The death of Hulk Hogan has sent shockwaves sent the news broke on Thursday. Hogan, one of the most famous professional wrestlers of all time, was an inspiration to so many out there. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was certainly one of them. As plenty have over the last 48 hours, Johnson posted a tribute to Hogan on social media. Johnson talked about the personal relationship with Hogan, dating back to when the former was a youngster. Eventually, they went head-to-head and shared great moments at a professional level. “To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero – myself included,” Johnson said via X. “In 1984, I gave you your ‘HULKSTER’ headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden – I was the lucky kid caught it when you threw it in the crowd. You were wrestling ‘Mr Wonderful’, Paul Orndorff that night in the main event. You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband and if it weren’t for me, you’d have no way of getting that exact one made again. You promised me that you would get more made and give me a Hulkster headband of my own as a thank you gift. “A month later in Madison Square Garden, you did just that. You kept your word, with a handshake and a “thanks kid”. And that meant the world to that little 12 year old boy.” Johnson had a whole lot more in his tribute, ending the message with #GOAT. An old-school video of one of their wrestling bouts was attached too, adding a nice piece of nostalgia for plenty of people out there. You can check out the full thing here. More on the death of Hulk Hogan Legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan — whose real name is Terry Bollea — has died, according to TMZ. He was 71 years old. TMZ reports medics were dispatched to the Clearwater, Fla., home of the former WCW and WWE superstar early Thursday morning. It was described by emergency operators as a “cardiac arrest.” A “slew of police cars and EMTs” were reportedly parked outside Bollea’s home as the wrestling icon was carried out on a stretcher and into an ambulance. Police told TMZ that officers responded to the call at 9:51 am ET and Bollea was treated by Clearwater Fire Rescue personnel before being transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report
Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks
The Kansas City Royals were hoping to bolster their outfield ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. They were able to do just that in a trade on Saturday. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com reported that the Royals have acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that relief pitcher Andrew Hoffman will head to Arizona in exchange for Grichuk. The Royals desperately needed help in their outfield. Royals outfielders had been the worst in the majors, posting an atrocious .219/.273/.328 batting line with just 19 home runs entering Saturday's action. Although Grichuk is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, he is an immediate upgrade over whatever the Royals have sent into the outfield. Grichuk had posted a .243/.280/.462 batting line in 186 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting seven homers and 15 doubles. In exchange, the Diamondbacks receive Hoffman, who FanGraphs ranked as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect entering the season. His upper-90s fastball and new kick change are both considered plus offerings, although his ability to command his arsenal is questionable at best. Hoffman's potential and flaws were evident this season. He made his major league debut for the Royals, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, striking out five. However, Hoffman had dominated at Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 40 innings, striking out 55 batters with just 10 walks. He is another intriguing addition for a Diamondbacks team that has prioritized pitching in their two trades thus far. The same upside does not exist for the Royals. Kansas City had the same record as the Diamondbacks entering the second game of their doubleheader against the Guardians. Grichuk signed a one-year contract with $5 million guaranteed for 2025. There is a mutual option worth $5 million, with a $3 million buyout, for 2026. Theoretically, Grichuk could be part of the Royals' plans next season. However, mutual options are rarely picked up. As the Royals are currently under .500 and need to pass four teams in the standings to seize the final wild-card spot, adding a rental option does not make sense. It is possible that both sides can work out an arrangement for 2026, but unless that happens, the Royals' latest move is questionable at best.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Sparks roll toward playoff spot with buzzer-beating win against Liberty
The Los Angeles Sparks are the hottest team in the WNBA right now, and they keep inching their way toward a playoff spot. Their winning streak extended to five games on Saturday night with what was their biggest win of the season, knocking off the defending champion New York Liberty by a 101-99 margin. They got the win when second-year player Rickea Jackson hit a game-winning, buzzer-beating lay-up at the end of the fourth quarter to break a tie. Along with making the game-winning shot, Jackson also finished with a team-leading 24 points in the win. It was not only the Sparks' biggest win of the season, but it was also one of the best games of the WNBA season overall. The Liberty overcame a 13-point halftime deficit and tied the game with less than 25 seconds to play in regulation, setting the stage for Jackson's winning shot. The five-game winning streak is huge for the Sparks because it has put them right back into the mix for a playoff spot. With Saturday's win, the Sparks (11-14) are just one game back of the Las Vegas Aces (12-13) for the final playoff spot. Whether they end up getting that spot or not, there is undeniable growth for the Sparks as this season has gone on. After finishing with the league's worst record a year ago and winning just eight games, they have already exceeded that win total and are on track to crush it this season. The Sparks have not made the playoffs since the 2020 season and are at least playing their way back into contention this season.
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