John Oliver’s Erie Moon Mammoths debut in front of a record crowd

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Besides being a fan, John Oliver has had a certain affinity for minor league baseball.

On Saturday night, the comedian and host of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” saw his latest crazy creation set out into the world as the Erie Moon Mammoths made their debut in front of a record crowd of 7,070 at UPMC Park.

“We’re sending our furry child out into the world and you are the custodian of it. Now, please be careful with our child,” Oliver said a couple hours before the Moon Mammoths took the field against the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers.

Oliver spotlighted Minor League Baseball promotions and alternate nicknames during “Last Week Tonight” on May 5. At the end of the segment, Oliver invited teams to send in proposals why they should get rebranded by the show’s staff.

Forty-seven teams sent in pitches, including the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

Erie president Greg Coleman sent a list of 11 reasons why they were the perfect candidate, including: “The SeaWolves play baseball nowhere near the sea.”

“To have so many teams expressing interest was really edifying. I think it kind of validates the fact that we thought there was something special about minor league baseball. We thought this would be a group of people that would respond to the ludicrous idea that we had,” Oliver said.

Erie was announced as the winner on May 19. After six weeks of research by Oliver and his staff, the Moon Mammoths were unveiled on June 29. That included the mascot named Fuzz, a purple woolly mammoth wearing a space helmet.

“Erie did stand out to us as being, you know, uniquely eccentric. And I say that as both a compliment and an insult, which is the biggest compliment there is,” Oliver said. “There was something about the Moon Mammoth that spoke to us for being particularly odd. It felt like it could make a baseball team’s theme. You could almost see the logo in your head and it felt like something to be extra surprising.”

The fact that this came together in less than three months is a minor miracle. It usually takes 16 months for a team to have an alternate identity approved and then take the field.

“I thought we had a good chance when I sent it in. And then when we were selected it was a little surreal,” Coleman said. “And since then working with the “Last Week Tonight” team, they’ve been wonderful and detail oriented.”

The Moon Mammoths name was inspired by George Moon, who found the bone of a prehistoric mammoth while scuba diving in 1991. The remains are housed at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

Moon has become a regional celebrity since the rebranding was announced. He was at the game and caught the ceremonial first pitch from Oliver.

“It’s fun. I’m enjoying it,” Moon said. “From all those years ago to today, I would never have thought anything like this would’ve been possible. The newspaper did something on its 30th anniversary (in 2021). Other than that, I haven’t heard much.”

Coleman said since the Moon Mammoths were unveiled, the team has done the equivalent of four years of online sales in three weeks. The line of people waiting to get into the team store, which was located in left field, stretched out to near home plate in the concourse area.

Karyn Drombosky and Sean Mizerski drove from Pittsburgh and were wearing homemade tusks as they waited to get into the team store.

“It’s just great. We’re big baseball fans. We see the Pirates all the time, and minor league games are fun. There’s so much silliness,” Drombosky said. “We watch John Oliver pretty regularly. We were like surprised but excited when we saw he picked the Erie team to take over.”

In addition to throwing out the first pitch, Oliver was a batboy during one inning and also led the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. The cap and jersey that Oliver wore for the first pitch are going to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Moon Mammoths will be back on Aug. 19 as well as Sept. 12 and 13. Coleman said there will be at least four Moon Mammoths games next season.

“I love minor league baseball. There is a special eccentricity to it,” Oliver said. “It felt like a nice fit with our show because minor league baseball, as you know, is willing to try anything. That was proven by the fact that over half the league was willing to sight unseen, rebrand and put their trust in the hands of a group of people who are objectively untrustworthy. That’s a bad decision, and it’s that kind of bad decision making that I love about minor league baseball.”

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

One ridiculous stat perfectly highlights Christian McCaffrey’s dominance

A rough 2024 season that featured a pair of injuries has put San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey somewhat in the national rearview entering the 2025 season.

However, a stat posted by the 33rd Team helps highlight just how good McCaffrey is when healthy, and provides optimism for the 49ers about their 29-year-old RB as they gear up for training camp.

Last season McCaffrey played in only four games because of Achilles tendinitis and a knee injury that ultimately sidelined him for the season. In four games he managed only 348 total yards and no touchdowns. The down year pushed the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year all the way down to No. 73 on the NFL’s Top 100 list for 2025. The 33rd Team pointed out that despite a down year in 2024, the larger sample size tells us McCaffrey is still one of the best dual-threat RBs in the sport:

This is exactly why the 49ers have and will continue to lean on McCaffrey as long as he’s able to suit up for them.

His skill set as a runner is good, but it’s his receiving prowess that separates him from the rest of the NFL. He’s excellent both out of the backfield and when lining up in the slot. The danger he presents defenses forces them to dedicate additional resources to ensuring he’s not getting wide open for easy throws and big runs after the catch. That threat gives head coach Kyle Shanahan additional avenues to expose weaknesses in a defense either with McCaffrey or with a player finding space opened because of the RB.

It’s risky banking on a 29-year-old RB coming off an injury-riddled season. McCaffrey’s stats with San Francisco help paint a picture of why the potential reward is worth that risk.

More 49ers: 49ers injury designations give disgruntled WR more leverage in contract talks

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers stats: Christian McCaffrey still NFL’s best dual-threat RB

Brooklyn Nets jersey history No. 21 – David Burns (1981)

The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the “New Jersey Americans”.

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise’s jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. The 22nd of those 52 different numbers is jersey No. 21, which has has had a total of 26 players wear the number in the history of the team.

The second of those players wearing No. 21 played in the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets era, guard alum David Burns. After ending his college career at St. Louis, Burns was picked up with the 49th overall selection of the 1981 NBA draft by the Nets.

The Dallas, Texas native played a mere three games for New Jersey before he would be cut by the team.

During his time suiting up for the Nets, Burns wore only jersey No. 21 and put up 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 21 – David Burns (1981)

Lakers Fans React Emotionally to Damian Lillard News

Lakers Fans React Emotionally to Damian Lillard News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

After the Milwaukee Bucks decided to waive Damian Lillard and stretch the remaining $113 million in his contract, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged as a potential landing spot for the nine-time All-Star.

The Lakers had one of the best odds to land Lillard (at +800), only behind the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers. Several Purple and Gold fans also supported the idea of the team potentially signing the nine-time All-Star, especially if it was at a low price.

However, Lillard decided to return to the Blazers instead, which raised confusion among NBA fans who thought he would want to join a contender.

A majority of the Lakers faithful, for their part, expressed disappointment that the team failed to sign the scoring star. Despite his age and injury, Lillard would have been a major addition for an L.A. team looking to contend in the next couple of years.

In 2024-25, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.2 steals as he made the All-Star team.

“It’s over,” a sad fan said. Another one shared, “Screwed my lakers.”

“Damn Bro,” a disappointed commenter added. A Lakers fan page wrote with a crying emoji, “Not a Laker.”

Other L.A. supporters tried to be supportive of Dame despite the Lakers missing out on him.

“Tried to tell y’all he was ‘Loyal to the soil!’ Would’ve loved him in the Lakers but I’ma always support BIG GAME DAME!” a fan page remarked.

A sixth follower stated, “Wanted the Lakers to get Damian Lillard, but this is absolutely the right move for him! Happy he gets to finish his career with the Blazers!!”

How many years does Damian Lillard have on his contract?

Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is returning to the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year deal.Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Blazers reportedly agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with Lillard. The deal also includes a player option for the 2027-28 season and a no-trade clause.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Lillard will now have a “2025-26 set salary of $70M between his Portland and Milwaukee deals, and a salary of $141M over the next two years ahead of an opt-out in 2027.”

That being said, it would have been difficult for the Lakers to sign him for a similar amount considering their salary cap situation. The team is just $908,000 under the first apron.

Related: LeBron James’ Damian Lillard Comment Resurfaces After Lakers Report

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.

George Odum underwent elbow surgery last month

The 49ers surprisingly released core special teams player George Odum on Saturday.

It turns out Odum underwent elbow surgery last month from an offseason injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports. That’s how Odum landed on the non-football injury list earlier this week.

Odum should be healed in 6-8 weeks, per Rappoport, and he could sign with a team mid-season.

Odum appeared in 12 games with two starts last season for the 49ers, recording 16 total tackles and four passes defensed. He was on the field for 19 percent of the defensive snaps and 69 percent on special teams in games played.

The safety has appeared in 105 games with 12 starts in his career for Indianapolis and San Francisco. He’s registered 200 total tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defensed.

3 Remaining Free Agents the Nuggets Could Target Amid Busy Offseason

3 Remaining Free Agents the Nuggets Could Target Amid Busy Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Denver Nuggets have been extremely active so far this offseason as they have made multiple moves to upgrade their roster and chase another championship with Nikola Jokic leading the way next season.

Denver began their offseason by trading Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson.

Denver Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal MurrayRon Chenoy-Imagn Images

By making this trade, the Nuggets freed up cap space that they used to sign Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown while they also landed Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings.

Of course, the offseason is not over and the Nuggets could be in line to make more moves to continue to upgrade their roster.

Here are three remaining free agents that they could target this summer.

Al Horford

Horford has been linked to many different teams this offseason, including the Golden State Warriors, but the Nuggets have also been named a potential landing spot for him.

The veteran center would be a great backup option for Denver behind Nikola Jokic, especially if Valanciunas decides to leave the NBA for Greece.

Horford is a great scorer and rebounder and is also a solid defender that would be a massive upgrade to Denver’s frontcourt depth.

Russell Westbrook

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4)© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Westbrook excelled in his first season with the Nuggets last year as he was able to revitalize his career after a few disappointing seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers and there is no reason he could not play a large role again for Denver next season.

Of course, it is likely that Westbrook will wind up with a different team this offseason but the former MVP winner would be a solid piece off the Nuggets’ bench, especially with their backup point guard position up in the air.

Chris Boucher

Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25).© David Richard-Imagn Images

Like Horford, Boucher would be a great backup big man behind Jokic as a player who is able to space the floor due to his outside shooting along with being a great defender.

Boucher has flew under the radar this summer but he would give the Nuggets another solid big man off the bench, which they have lacked over the past few seasons.

While all of these players would be solid additions for the Nuggets, they may have different players in mind to upgrade their roster even more this offseason.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.

WNBA All-Star 2025: Caitlin Clark balances injury disappointment with ‘soaking all this in’ at home All-Star Game

INDIANAPOLIS — Everyone is still feeling 22 in the streets of Indianapolis. Even if the name under the number on their backs isn’t feeling herself.

It’s been a frustrating week for Caitlin Clark, the de facto chair of the first 2025 WNBA All-Star to be held in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever point guard performed duties as honorary host, and continued those responsibilities despite her late scratch from the game itself.

“I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to participate last night and won’t be able to participate tonight, but still getting to be around and be a part of everything is really important for myself and for the fans,” Clark said ahead of performing captain duties for the WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

Clark sustained a groin injury earlier in the week in a win over Connecticut. She did not play in the next night’s game in New York and announced on Thursday she would not participate in the on-court All-Star weekend festivities.

It hasn’t meant she’s been absent. Fever teammates said on Friday they were glad to get her smiling this weekend, from parties to appearances on the popular “Stud Budz” broadcasts by Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams.

Clark led All-Star practices on Friday morning, though neither she nor captain Napheesa Collier gave them much preparation advice. It is her second All-Star, but first in the captain-versus-captain format. A year ago, she led Team WNBA to a win over Team USA ahead of the Olympics.

“We joke about winning, but at the end of the day, it’s not that serious,” Clark said. “We’re going to have a fun time.”

She and Collier engaged in light banter on the podium 90 minutes before tip and jested that the other would be on the losing side by night’s end. But none of it was trash talk, they insisted, since they’re Midwestern nice kids. It’s also been helpful for Clark to have her family and friends in town, she said. Her parents came in for the festivities, as well as former Iowa teammates Kate Martin, Gabby Marshall and Jada Gyamfi.

No matter where anyone went all weekend, Clark and her likeness were everywhere in Indianapolis. She looms large on the weekend from the JW Marriott Indianapolis in the largest-ever banner on the hotel. Closer to Gainbridge, she looks down at the Georgia Street WNBA festivities from a Gatorade banner on top of Harry & Izzy’s steakhouse. A mobile billboard made the rounds on Saturday night, showcasing her face on an ad for Eli Lilly and Company.

In person, she handed out basketballs to children at the Wilson pop-up and appeared as a live guest on Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe’s podcast, “A Touch More.” She appeared on “Good Morning America” on Friday in addition to the “Stud Budz” Twitch feed. Until the 3-Point Contest on Friday night, the festivities felt fulfilling.

A monstrous burst of applause met her brief appearance on the Gainbridge video board during the skills competition, her outfit signaling she had more in common with fans than they’d have liked. The long-anticipated showdown with Sabrina Ionescu in the 3-point Contest didn’t happen, and Ionescu ousted 2024 champion Allisha Gray to reclaim her crown. Ionescu is the only player to score 30 points in the competition twice.

During introductions on Saturday night, the home crowd roared for their star. In the game, she’ll still be a focal point for fans on the sidelines with head coach Sandy Brondello. But when the sun rises Sunday, she’ll switch her attention away from balance to basketball.

“I’m not gonna say I’ve just been getting around the clock treatment,” Clark said. “I’ve been still trying to enjoy this weekend, having a balance of that at the same time and soaking all this in. And you know, once tomorrow comes around, we’ll completely shift my focus to getting as healthy as possible.”

England dominates US in lightning-delayed rugby match

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The United States brought the lightning and England created all the flash as it completed its Americas tour by cruising to a 40-5 win on Saturday.

England’s first game in the U.S. in 24 years was delayed for an hour by lightning in the area, and for another 40 minutes during the first half.

It didn’t help the Eagles as England, depleted of its British and Irish Lions touring Australia, racked up six tries and its biggest win over the U.S. in six years.

After wins in Argentina by 35-12 and 22-17, England extended its longest winning streak to seven matches under coach Steve Borthwick.

While U.S. flyhalf Chris Hilsenbeck was in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, England drove hooker Curtis Langdon over the try-line and arrowed center Luke Northmore between the posts.

Around the delay in the first half, England had two tries ruled out before wing Cadan Murley cut inside three defenders to score on halftime for 19-0.

England’s desire to play at pace was hit and miss. Scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet finished a counterattack from halfway featuring Northmore, and his replacement Harry Randall finished a great break engineered by Ben Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, back after a two-game suspension.

Replacement hooker Gabriel Oghre, one of six new caps, scored England’s sixth and last try on debut.

The U.S. grabbed a late consolation try off a lineout finished by replacement hooker Shilo Klein.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Captains Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier have fun exchanges before WNBA All-Star Game

INDIANAPOLIS — WNBA All-Star captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier are perhaps some of the most competitive players in the league.

The Indiana Fever guard and Minnesota Lynx forward exude a quieter presence off the court while being a force on it ― just the way they like it. And even though Clark won’t play during Saturday’s All-Star game, it didn’t stop some playful banter with Collier ahead of the big game.

Collier was asked if she was a better trash talker than Clark. “Oh no,” Collier said, laughing.

“I don’t talk trash,” Clark chimed in, laughing.

“I’m not good. So, the bar is low,” the Minnesota forward added.

There’s likely plenty of footage out there to dispute both of their claims, but the banter between the two of them (very wholesome) was spectacular to see. Things were pretty lighthearted, and then their competitive natures started to creep in. Collier was mid-response to a question about offense versus defense when Clark added her thoughts.

Collier: “I do think defense wins games, but people are learning to score in so many new ways. Clark: “Good offense beats good defense. … Great offense beats good defense.”

And, we’re off.

Collier tried to get in more words about defense beating offense, but Clark, ever witty, was right there, giving Collier a hard time. “Defensive Player of the Year. She has to say that,” the second-year guard pushed out, giggling.

That seemed like a definitive end between the two, but later, Collier came in hot with a joke that Clark would be “licking her wounds,” and things were hysterically right back where they started. However, if there were any questions about where things stood between the two All-Stars, Clark effectively ended any speculation.

“We joke about winning, but at the end of the day, it is not that serious. We’re going to have a fun time,” Clark said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA All-Star captains: Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier banter

Dwyane Wade, 43, Is Nearly Unrecognizable While Discussing Bronny James’ Talent

Dwyane Wade, 43, Is Nearly Unrecognizable While Discussing Bronny James’ Talent originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Now that his career on the court is in the past, Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade has transitioned into the next chapter of his life.

The three-time NBA champion, who was named an All-Star 13 times during his 16-year NBA career, has since turned to life as an analyst. He made his debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he called basketball games alongside Noah Eagle, and is expected to be a part of Amazon Prime Video’s NBA coverage next season.

Aside from his television work, he also hosts a podcast titled “Time Out,” where he recently used his platform to discuss Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James. Wade, who played with James’ father and fellow NBA legend, LeBron James, in Miami and with the Cleveland Cavaliers, highlighted how much more confident the younger James has looked during the NBA Summer League.

However, while Wade was focused on discussing James’ growth as a second-year player, many fans took notice of the fact that Wade is borderline bald.

“Wade close as hell don’t hide the baldie OG! Agree with the takes as well lol all love,” wrote one fan.

“I thought that was Ray J for a second,” said a second.

“Love D Wade but why this pic looks like Kanye,” asked another.

“bro look realllll 2008 dream team like,” chimed in a fourth.

NBA legend Dwyane WadeJasen Vinlove

Although fans were quick to jump to the conclusion that Wade is bald, a video from June 20 showed him with a full head of hair. So, maybe he opted to try a new look, or with the summer months rolling around was looking to cool off.

Regardless of his hairstyle, Wade is a rising star in the media world, and given that he knows a thing or two about hoops, his faith in Bronny could be an indicator that the younger James could burst onto the scene at any time now.

Related: Luka Doncic to Heat Possibility Surfaces Amid LeBron James Drama

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.