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Good Morning, Stumpers!
I can’t stress this enough, there was some serious cash tosses around in professional sports yesterday. I mean, some serious cash. We’ll get into all of that, along with the first day recap of The Open, touch on some MLB second half predictions (all 30 teams play today), as well as a pretty elite on this day crossover. We can’t wait to get going! LET’S GET STUMPIN!
The Rundown
🔥 MLB Second Half is just so…. GLUE!
💸 Two HUGE Contracts across NBA and NFL
🧑🎤 On this day brings a tear to my eye…
⛳️ Day One of The Open from Northern Ireland
On This Day
🎼 ⚾️ “The Last Play at Shea“
This one is right up out alley, two things that we love…baseball and Billy Joel! We’re heading to Flushing Meadows, Queens for this one!
On this day in 2008, Billy Joel performed the final concert at Shea Stadium before the demolition of the structure that was built in 1964! Can’t think of any other guy to send em home other than Billy! It was a star studded affair with Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney all involved as well!
Today’s Trivia
Every team in the AL East still has a shot to win the division, who comes out with it after Game 162? |
Glue Guy of the Day
😍 MLB Second Half
Glue Guy of the Day: MLB Second Half
I’m not going to sit here and disagree that the MLB season isn’t super long, it is. It’s hard to follow along the whole year long, I totally get that. But if you weren’t paying attention, I advise you to start paying attention now.
The All-Star break is over, done, finito, it’s crunch time now, baby. There’s so many great storylines to track. Here’s just a few to name:
Aaron Judge vs Cal Raleigh for AL MVP
Can the Dodgers figure out their pitching?
Who’s taking the AL East?
Can the Rockies avoid being the worst in MLB history?
Are the Cubs legit? Are the Tigers legit?
What massive trade deadline moves are coming?
This is literally just the tip of the iceberg. And no mater what happens, I know one thing: there’s going to be chaos. As the season tightens down, things get wild. Teams start to really push the envelope, and desperation starts to sink in. It shows you who really wants it, who is just happy to be there, and who was a pretender all along.
It doesn’t get much better than that final rush towards the finish line of Game 162. That’s when you realize how every single game matters. Every pitch, every at bat, every defensive play, and every manager decision. When the margins are so tight, everything adds up. I can’t wait to watch this season get down to the wire.
Today’s glue guy is fitting on the schedule: MLB Second Half.
The BIG Moments
🏈 Contracts, Part One
The Stump Short Story: It feels like all eyes have been on the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, and they’re on them once again. The Steelers made NFL history yesterday when they signed their star pass rusher, TJ Watt, to a a three year, $123M contract. This makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, barely surpassing Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase’s and Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett.
Why it Matters: Watt has led the NFL with 73.5 sacks over the past five seasons, but has sat out of mandatory minicamp over the last few weeks while both sides negotiated a contract. Now that Watt is back and satisfied with his pay, the Steelers are all the way back. If they want to really make a run this year, they need Watt. Now they have him, they seem ready to roll.
Read More: Steelers, T.J. Watt agree to 3-year, $123M extension (ESPN)
🏀 Contracts, Part Two
The Stump Short Story: There’s nothing like a comeback, and that’s exactly what is going on in Portland. Despite the torn Achilles, Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Trail Blazers. Lillard joins LeBron James as the only NBA player with a true no-trade clause. After being cut by the Bucks, Lillard is set to make $141M over the next two years between his new money with the Trail Blazers and his money left over from Milwaukee.
Why it Matters: The Blazers will be without Lillard for the most of the year as he recovers from an injury, but the future is still bright. They added Jrue Holiday, as well, this offseason. That’s a really impressive backcourt. They added Deni Avdija from the Wizards this offseason, a year player with a lot of talent. Not to mention lottery picks Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Donovan Clingan. This team has a great mix of veterans and young talent, a dangerous combination in the West.
Read More: Damian Lillard reaches deal to return to Trail Blazers (ESPN)
⛳️ Day 1 of The Open! TIGHT at the TOP!
The Stump Short Story: Sometimes we see a guy come out on the first day of a major and really set the tone, maybe even take a 2 or 3 stroke lead over the field. I’ll tell you what the Dunluce Links in Northern Ireland said “no sir, we’re having a close opening day”! We’ve got 5 guys tied at -4 (Olesen, Li, Fitzpatrick, English, Bezuidenhout). After this is when the party really gets started, behind this group we have TWENTY-SIX guys within three strokes of the lead. Yes yes, that’s what Day 1 is for, but it’s jam packed under par! We’ve got Scottie at -3, Rose at -2, Rahm at -1, and wait a second…is that PHIL MICKELSON also at -1! WOW! Good opening day!
Why it Matters: Majors are as big as it gets in golf. Do we get a little banged by the time different? Sure, but hey, major championship golf is major championship golf, we’re going to be keeping tabs no matter what. It’s great to see a hodge-podge of names at the top of the leaderboard, and even an old wolf like Phil within reach early. All eyes on Ireland! Shane Lowry also at -1 👀….just saying. Watch out for Shane!
Read More: Live look in Day 1 Leaderboard (BBC Sports)
🔗 Quick Links
What To Watch
⚾️ Oh baby, baseball is SO BACK. All 30 teams take the diamond today, and it gets going with the Red Sox @ Cubs at 2:20 on MLBN. THE PUSH FOR OCTOBER! Full schedule here
⛳️ And we’re off! The Open is fully underway in Northern Ireland! We’ve got Day 2 today, and then some weekend mania! Enjoy a whole lot of good golf this weekend! Here’s the live scoreboard
🏀 All-Star Weekend in the NBA! Check out the All-Star game Saturday night at 8:30 PM on ABC…
Of! The! Day’s!
Song of the Day Many Men 50 Cent WISH DEATH UPON THE STUMP! | Quote of the Day “Champions keep playing until they get it right" Billie Jean King Are you a champion? |
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