Sports

Hugs and home runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. steals the show at his first MLB All-Star Game – Toronto Star

Published

3 years ago

July 14, 2021

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the life of the party.

Surrounded by the biggest stars in baseball, the 22-year-old Blue Jay shone the brightest in his first MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night, becoming the youngest player ever to take home MVP honours.

Batting second for the American League behind two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, Guerrero made the most of his three plate appearances, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Jays fans are familiar with the first baseman’s ability to draw the spotlight on any given moment, whether it be with his athletic ability or infectious personality.

He did just that in his all-star debut. Here’s what you need to know:

Glove love

In a tribute to his Hall of Fame father, Guerrero brought a custom glove to the all-star game. It was wrapped in the iconic photo of him and Guerrero Sr. tipping their caps in matching Montreal Expos jerseys.

Cue the nostalgia.

Baseball hugs

Guerrero’s first swing of the game nearly took off Max Scherzer’s head. He hit a 111.1-mph line drive that narrowly missed the Nationals pitcher.

Guerrero was out on the play after a nice pick by Adam Frazier, and on his way back to the dugout decided to drop by “Mad Max” with an apology hug.

All-star swings

Just like he’s done 28 times for the Blue Jays so far this season, Vlad Jr. belted a no-doubter in his second plate appearance.

His father homered in the All-Star Game 15 years earlier. He became the youngest player to homer in an All-Star Game since 1969.

Stand up to cancer

Everyone in attendance in Denver came together to “Stand Up To Cancer” — an annual tribute where players, fans and broadcasters take a moment to recognize someone in their life impacted by the disease.

Guerrero took the opportunity to recognize Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Orioles, a colon cancer survivor who put on an admirable show placing second in the Home Run Derby on Monday.

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Speaking of Monday …

ESPN’s Marly Rivera tweeted that Guerrero asked her if she could speak to Ohtani’s translator and introduce the two superstars before the Home Run Derby.

That’s where this photo was born.

MVP! MVP! MVP!

No moment is too big for Guerrero Jr.

He became the first Blue Jay and the youngest player in baseball history to win MVP at the All-Star game.

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Sports

Sports betting roundup: NFL and college football were all about the favourites

Published

16 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.

The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.

Trends of the Week

The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.

In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.

When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.

Upsets of the Week

The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.

Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.

Coming up

Right after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees to win the World Series, odds for the 2025 World Series were released.

The Dodgers have the best odds at +400, while the Atlanta Braves and Yankees are next at +800.

The Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies round out the top five, both at +1100.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook.

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Sports

Longtime rivals Ovechkin, Crosby join Necas as NHL’s three stars of the week

Published

16 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.

Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.

The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.

Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.

Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.

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Sports

Oliveira, Mitchell named as finalists for CFL outstanding player award

Published

5 days ago

October 31, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.

Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).

Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.

Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.

Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.

Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.

The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).

The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.

The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.

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