Seattle radio host pressures Orioles All-Star to change nickname in awkward interview
Seattle radio host Dave Mahler asked Orioles star Felix Bautista to stop any notion of a 'King Felix' nickname. Evidently, there can only be one.Felix Hernandez was a Seattle Mariners legend for a reason. He's one of the best pitchers of his era, but he retired several years ago....
2023-07-11 07:46
Chiefs feel pressure after losing perfect Super Rugby record
Waikato Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan admits there is pressure on the Super Rugby Pacific leaders after losing their perfect record in a shock 25-22...
2023-05-13 09:16
With a new hitting coach, the Yankees fizzle at the plate again in their 7-2 loss to the Rockies
Kris Bryant hit one of Colorado’s three home runs and Austin Gomber won his fourth straight outing as the Rockies beat the New York Yankees 7-2
2023-07-15 11:57
Harry Maguire’s humiliation is complete — Gareth Southgate must save him from himself
The Hampden roar has often been heard of late for a Manchester United player who was born in England. Just not this particular one. Scott McTominay, after all, was the scourge of Spain and is the joint top scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying, level with Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Hojlund, just ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. Yet this wasn’t a McTominay goal that Scotland’s support were enjoying. The announcement of their scorer over the tannoy was met with the sort of noise that stems from schadenfreude. Harry Maguire, the most prolific centre-back in the history of the England national team, had struck for Scotland. In one respect, it was the product of a teasing cross by Andy Robertson, into the corridor of uncertainty, luring Aaron Ramsdale off his line, forcing Maguire to commit himself, resulting in an unstoppable finish that bisected goalkeeper and near post. And in another way, it had a sad inevitability. These things happen to Maguire. Were his form or luck or touch better, he would have diverted the ball past the goal, or straight to Ramsdale; perhaps missed it altogether. Now his last two goals have come for Scotland and Sevilla. “Just unfortunate,” said Gareth Southgate of his latest mishap, but Maguire can seem the most unfortunate of footballers, the sport’s equivalent of Unlucky Alf from The Fast Show. If something can go wrong, it often does when Maguire is around. For all his shortcomings as a defender – a lack of pace, particularly on the turn, and a capacity to look cumbersome – he seems on an extended run of bad luck that has lasted for around two years, since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign at Old Trafford started to unravel, since his career nosedived. He has lost the United captaincy; but for Southgate’s stubbornness, he may have lost his England place. But now so much with Maguire has a symbolic feel. When Andre Onana made his United debut in pre-season, when a goal was conceded and both Christian Eriksen and Maguire were culpable, it was the world’s most expensive centre-back he subjected to a very public lambasting. When Declan Rice scored the decisive goal for Arsenal against United last Sunday, it took a telling deflection off Maguire. And when it deflects off him, it somehow seems destined to go in. Such is the unrelenting cruelty of being Maguire; in the highest standard of tournament football, he has proved arguably one of the best centre-backs in England’s history and yet is now a figure of fun. “A joke,” said Southgate, though he was referring to the treatment of Maguire, to the unwanted reputation he has acquired, rather than the player. Yet the Scotland faithful bought into it. They cheered when he was brought on at half-time. They spent much of the next 45 minutes taunting him, making every five-yard square pass an event. They sang about Maguire and, ultimately, so did the England support, trying to reclaim him and hail him. “From a Scotland fan’s point of view, I get it, I have no absolutely no complaints of what they did,” Southgate said. “It is a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly, and I think our fans recognised, ‘Ok, there might be a bit of heat from our own supporters but we are not going to have it from others getting into him.’” Despite England’s ultimate 3-1 victory, it felt like 45 minutes of relentless torment. Perhaps unnecessary torture: Southgate sent him on at half-time when Marc Guehi went off. If Maguire has been barracked by some opposing fans, it was foreseeable that none would be as keen to heckle him as the Scots. England have had a restorative effect on him at times, amid his troubles with United, but there was nothing rejuvenating about this hostility. And Southgate, often the diplomat, became outspoken. He is his favourite defender’s foremost defender. A scapegoat culture has developed. “It is a joke,” he added. “I have never known a player to be treated the way he is; not from the Scottish fans, by our own commentators and pundits. They have created something that is beyond anything I have ever seen. “He has been an absolute stalwart for us in the second-most successful English team for decades. I have talked about the importance of our senior players, he has been crucial amongst that and every time he goes on the field the resilience he shows, the balls he shows is absolutely incredible. So he is a top player and we are all with him. I feel fairly strongly about it, yes.” Southgate’s argument is that Maguire will not hide. “He has fronted up as he always does, which is enormous credit to his character,” he said. The wider argument is that Southgate should hide him, that the rustiness of not playing enough for United will hinder England, that this seems a case of a player being afforded preferential treatment in selection. And thus one of the most torrid nights of Maguire’s career ended up with a resounding endorsement from his manager. But only after the sort of pratfall that may bring more jokes at Maguire’s expense. Read More Jude Bellingham makes centre stage his own as England’s youngest star sees off oldest rivals Terrible football or bad luck? Social media debates Harry Maguire’s ongoing decline Gareth Southgate says Harry Maguire criticism ‘beyond anything I’ve ever seen’ Criticism has not affected Harry Maguire, says England team-mate Aaron Ramsdale ‘Top-level’ England are the benchmark for improving Scotland – Lewis Ferguson Gareth Southgate says Harry Maguire criticism ‘beyond anything I’ve ever seen’
2023-09-13 20:52
Aaron Rodgers gaslights the living hell out of Zach Wilson after taking his job
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is doing his best to have a good working relationship with Zach Wilson, even going out of his way to compliment the young QB.New York acquired Aaron Rodgers this offseason because they were unhappy with their quarterback situation. There's no easy way...
2023-08-03 05:21
Could Zach Wilson turn the New York Jets season around after an impressive Week 4 showing?
Zach Wilson and the New York Jets have struggled through the first three weeks of the season. Against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, the 2021 second-overall pick showed up. With his performance, he has won back the confidence of his teammates.
2023-10-03 04:25
Ludvig Åberg dealing with lofty expectations as Europe's widely admired Ryder Cup rookie
Ludvig Åberg is the world’s most talked-about young golfer and is about to play in his first Ryder Cup less than four months after the 23-year-old Swede turned pro
2023-09-23 18:50
3 reasons Mookie Betts could steal NL MVP from Ronald Acuña
Atlanta Braves slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. has the MVP award locked up... right? Well, we can't discount the reasons, good or bad, that voters might pick Mookie Betts.
2023-09-30 04:25
Senga dominates, Lindor homers as Mets blank Phillies 2-0 in series opener
Kodai Senga allowed one hit through seven dominant innings and Francisco Lindor homered to help the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 in the first meeting this season between the NL East rivals
2023-05-31 10:16
Erling Haaland’s father escorted out of Bernabeu after confrontation with Real Madrid fans
While Erling Haaland experienced a quiet night on the Bernabeu pitch, the Manchester City striker’s father Alfie Haaland was escorted out of a Real Madrid hospitality box after a confrontation with the home fans. A viral video displayed Alfie Haaland having a discussion with a Real Madrid fan before goading others by cupping his ears and waving towards them while leaving the VIP area. The reaction came in the aftermath of Kevin de Bruyne’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. A number of security officers and police quickly escorted Alfie Haaland and another man away from the corporate box, with the Norwegian later clarifying the situation. “OK. Real Madrid was not happy we were celebrating Kevin de Bruyne’s goal,” Alfie Haaland confirmed on Twitter. “Other than that we had to move because Real Madrid fans not happy with 1-1.” Alfie Haaland, a former Manchester City player, now serves as his son’s agent and regularly attends City matches to offer his support. The result puts City in a strong position heading back to the Etihad for the second leg next Tuesday. And Jack Grealish insists Pep Guardiola’s side have learned from last year’s heartache. “We have a new team this year, different players,” the England midfielder told BT Sport: “We’ve learned so much since last year. Now we have the perfect balance of experience and a few youngsters who are just world-class. “I think we just have quality and I’ve never felt so confident going on to the pitch and having these players around me. “Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We came here to try and win, but it shows our character to go a goal down – it’s always difficult to play at a place like this. “In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well.” Read More Player ratings from Man City’s first-leg comeback against Real Madrid Manchester City’s treble bid coming of age with unbeaten run Is Vinicius the best player in the world right now? Real Madrid star’s brilliance has elevated the debate Analysing Man City ‘unstoppable’ form as they go for treble attempt The best player in the world right now? Vinicius brilliance has elevated the debate I know Pep Guardiola - and this is why Man City will win the Champions League
2023-05-10 16:56
Manchester United confirm signing of Sofyan Amrabat
Manchester United have officially confirmed the signing of Sofyan Amrabat on loan from Serie A side Fiorentina.
2023-09-02 05:47
Tiger Woods to own and play for Florida team in his tech golf league
Tiger Woods now has his hands in everything about TGL
2023-11-08 04:24
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