>>Vikings O-Line Coach Tony Sparano Dies
(Minneapolis, MN) — The football world is mourning the death of Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano. Sparano passed away unexpectedly on Sunday at his home. Sparano’s wife found him unconscious as they prepared to leave for church, but could not revive him. The 56-year-old Sparano served as an assistant the past two seasons with the Vikings and worked for nine NFL teams over 19-seasons.
>>Italian Molinari Wins British Open, Tiger Finishes Sixth
(Carnoustie, Scotland) — Francesco Molinari is the winner of the 2018 British Open. He became Italy’s first major champion after firing a two-under-par 69 Sunday in Scotland. Tiger Woods shot a fourth-round 71 and finished three shots back tied for sixth-place.
>>Colts’ Luck Cleared For Training Camp
(Indianapolis, IN) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is cleared for training camp. The team announced Friday that Luck would have no limitations during training camp, which kicks off on Thursday. Luck missed all of 2017 as he recovered from a torn labrum to his right shoulder. The number-one pick from the 2012 NFL Draft has missed 26 games over the past three seasons due to various injuries.
>>Giants’ Sign RB Barkley
(New York, NY) — On the eve of training camp, the New York Giants have second overall pick Saquon Barkley under contract. The two sides agreed to a four-year, 31.2-million-dollar deal with a signing bonus worth more than 20-million. Barkley joins Eli Manning and Odell Beckham as playmakers on the Giant offense.
>>Bears Training Camp Continues
(Bourbonnais, IL) — The Bears continue training camp today with a practice this morning at 8:15 a.m. from Olivet Nazarene University. The first padded practice was yesterday. Chicago has five preseason games this season due to playing in the Hall of Fame Game. They take on the Ravens in Canton on August 2nd.
>>Bulls Added Rawle On Two-Way Deal
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls are adding Rawle Alkins to the mix. According to Yahoo Sports, Chicago has signed the undrafted free agent to a two-way contract after he shined in summer league with the Raptors. Alkins is a wing out of the University of Arizona and is 20-years-old.
>>Big Ten Media Days Begin Today
(Chicago, IL) — Big Ten Media Days start in Chicago at the Chicago Marriott Downtown today. Northwestern takes center stage along with Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald is scheduled to speak with the media, along with linebacker Nate Hall, cornerback Montre Hartage and quarterback Clayton Thorson.
>>Cubs Drop Cardinals In Rubber Match
(Chicago, IL) — Kyle Schwarber hit the go-ahead solo home run in the sixth inning as the Cubs dropped the Cardinals 7-2 in Chicago. Paul DeJong [[ de-YUNG ]] and Yairo Munoz [[ JYE-row MOON-yos ]] drove in the runs and Mike Mayers [[ MY-ers ]] took the loss for St. Louis. Matt Carpenter’s streak of six-straight games with a home run came to an end. The Cards’ dropped three-of-five in the series.
>>Cardinals Recall Daniel Poncedeleon
(Cincinnati, OH) — The Cardinals are recalling right-handed pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon. The move comes 14-months after he underwent emergency brain surgery. Poncedeleon was pitching for Triple-A Memphis when he was struck in the head with a line drive last May. He was called up last month, but didn’t see any action in three games. He has a 9-and-3 record and a 2.15 ERA with Memphis this season.
>>Carpenter’s Homer Streak Comes To An End
(Chicago, IL) — The home run streak of Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter is over at six games. Carpenter nailed eight homers over a six-game streak, but couldn’t keep it going in a 7-2 loss to the Cubs Sunday. The last player to homer eight times in six games was Barry Bonds in 2004.
>>Healy, Mariners Blitzed White Sox
(Seattle, WA) — Ryon Healy’s three-run homer highlighted a five-run first inning as the Mariners blitzed the White Sox 8-2 in Seattle. Reynaldo Lopez was charged with the loss for Chicago, falling to 4-and-8. Tim Anderson drilled a two-run homer to put the White Sox on the board as they dropped two-of-three to the M’s.
>>A’s Fold Giants In Extras, Familia Wins In Debut
(Oakland, CA) — Jeurys Familia [[ jay-oh-reese fa-MEAL-ya ]] earned the win in his A’s debut as they folded the Giants 6-5 in 10 innings from Oakland. Familia pitched the final two innings a day after being acquired from the Mets. Khris Davis and Matt Olson each homered twice for the A’s, who beat the Giants in a series for the second time this month.
>>Harvick Outduels Busch At New Hampshire
(Loudon, NH) — Kevin Harvick took the lead on lap 295 and held on to win the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Harvick outdueled Kyle Busch down the stretch to win his series-best sixth race this season. It was also his third win at New Hampshire and 43rd of his career. Busch finished in second place and Aric Amirola was third. Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliot rounded out the top-five.