aztec treasure free slot game
OUTFRONT Media and The Farmlink Project Unveil New Campaign to Fight Food Insecurity
With their first prominent offseason move now in the books, the Tigers may be looking to follow up the Alex Cobb signing with some offensive help. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports ( via X ) that Detroit has interest in seven-time All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt , who is a free agent for the first time in his 14-year career. Acquiring Goldschmidt isn’t the type of blockbuster move it would’ve been just a few years ago, as the veteran is coming off the first true middling season of his long career. Goldschmidt had a perfectly average 100 wRC+ over 154 games and 654 plate appearances with the Cardinals in 2024, while batting .245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs. All three points of that slash line were career lows for Goldschmidt, and his strikeout, walk and chase rates were all well below the league average. Since Goldschmidt turned 37 in September, it could be that he is simply hitting a decline phase after holding off Father Time for so long. That said, there is reason to believe the first baseman might still have something left in the tank for a 15th MLB season (or beyond). Most of Goldschmidt’s struggles were contained to the first half of the season, as he hit a more respectable .271/.319/.480 in 250 PA after the All-Star break. He has continued to blister the ball when he does make contact, as Goldschmidt had strong barrel rates and a hard-hit ball rate that ranked in the 92nd percentile of all batters. Between the hard-contact numbers and Goldschmidt’s excellent track record, there is certainly reason for teams to think he might have a bounce-back season in a new environment. His age means that a one-year contract is likely, which fits the Tigers’ preference for shorter-term contracts. Recent reports have indicated that Detroit is known to be looking for one- or two-year deals for starting pitchers, and the team is also wary of making a play for any free agent attached to a qualifying offer. This would seemingly hamper the Tigers’ chances of signing another target in Christian Walker , so Goldschmidt could be viewed as alternative. Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris has been vocal about his desire to add some veteran leadership to a young and talented club that reached the playoffs this season. Goldschmidt would certainly fill that role in the clubhouse, and his right-handed bat fits well in a very left-handed Detroit lineup. The Tigers can use all the offense they can get considering the team’s lackluster hitting numbers in 2024, though installing Goldschmidt at first base begs the question of what will be done with Spencer Torkelson . The DH spot would allow Torkelson or Goldschmidt some at-bats when Kerry Carpenter is used in right field, though naturally Torkelson would be something of an odd man out in this situation. It doesn’t appear as though Detroit is giving up on Torkelson’s potential, even though he has yet to show much consistency over parts of three MLB seasons. In an interview on MLB Network (hat tip to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press ), Harris described Torkelson as “ immensely talented. Just like these young guys, we got to stick with him. We got to keep finding ways to get a little bit more out of him.” This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission.Why Investors Were Slamming the Phone Down on T-Mobile US Stock Today - Yahoo Finance
DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Top controversies of Matt Gaetz: From inviting an internet troll to Trump's address to personal attack on Michael Cohen
OLEAN, N.Y. — Adrian Wojnarowski's feeling at home again at St. Bonaventure. "It's been amazing to be back on campus and be able to just walk the campus ," Wojnarowski said. "There's such an energy around a college campus and you forget that sometimes when you're away from it." Wojnarowski's been away from campus since graduating from Bona in 1991. From there, he worked his way into the top NBA Insider in all of media. But he dropped maybe the biggest "Woj Bomb" in mid-September when announcing he was leaving ESPN to become the general manager for the men's basketball program at his alma mater. RELATED: Adrian Wojnarowski is leaving ESPN, returning to alma mater St. Bonaventure "Coach [Mark] Schmidt has built this program into one of the elite in our conference and so every day my mandate is to help keep it there and grow it," Wojnarowski said. "Grow it for our current players, for future players, and just use, again, the relationships that I have around basketball to give unique experiences and unique access to our players and our staff." Woj admits he's still feeling his way into the new role, but has spent these first few months on the job focusing a lot on NIL and recruiting. He's found early success on both fronts, using his past to help with the present and future of Bonnies basketball. "You want to get guys to take a look at St. Bonaventure and so there's very often an interest with players, with families, with their coaches about my history and my relationships in the NBA and that's a big part of what we're able to sell here," Wojnarowski said. That includes selling Woj's connections across the entire basketball landscape, NBA and international, to help fulfill dreams of playing in the pros. Or simply some anecdotes from decades around the greatest players on the planet. "There's no question I get asked a lot of Kobe Bryant stories by kids, a lot of Jason Tatum stories, and it's fun to share my experiences with him," Wojnarowski said. Wojnarowski says his favorite thing to do is watch Bonnies practice and being around the players and staff. The man millions have read articles from or seen on TV now chooses to watch games secluded towards the top of the Reilly Center. A bird's-eye view of a team and program that will now reap the rewards from the inroads he's made at the highest levels of hoops. "I think pleasantly surprised just how much the relationships that I've been able to build around the world, how many people want to help St. Bonaventure basketball," Wojnarowski said. "Number one because they know the program that coach Schmidt has built and that players are going to get better. They're going to develop here both on the court and off the court. And I think a trust in the relationships that I've had with them that we're going to take good care of their guys."
Falcons favored over the Raiders in Monday night matchupNone
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Fletcher Abee's 25 points helped UNC Asheville defeat Saint Andrews 120-64 on Saturday. Abee shot 8 for 12 (6 for 10 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Bulldogs (4-4). Connor Dubsky scored 20 points while going 6 of 12 from the floor, including 5 for 11 from 3-point range, and 3 for 4 from the line. Jordan Marsh had 14 points and finished 6 of 10 from the field. The Knights were led by Escamilla Mateu, who posted 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Ma'Nas Drummond added 14 points for Saint Andrews (NC). Caleb Brown finished with 13 points and two steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
B. Riley Financial Provides Update on Quarterly Filing Process
Abee's 25 lead UNC Asheville over Saint Andrews 120-64
Thomas scores 25 as Austin Peay defeats Georgia State 62-50