A True Baseball Legend
Don Zimmer :: Neil Leifer/SI
Don Zimmer, who worked as a player, coach or manager for 14 major league organizations, passed away yesterday at 83. There are few sports figures as beloved as Zimmer and the tributes are already pouring in. I recommend Tom Verducci‘s piece, just for his physical description of Zimmer (“the cherubic face atop the squat body made him at times seem more fictional than fact, with strains of Woody Allen’s Zelig, Tom Hanks’ Forrest Gump, George Lucas’ Yoda and Milne’s Pooh”). I’d also check out this gallery of classic Zimmer photos, and if you really want to do a deep dive, this 1999 feature by SI’s Leigh Montville is worth a read.
You Don’t See This Everyday
Anyone see the hit by Dexter Fowler during last night’s Astros-Angels game? The ball literally disappeared through a small opening in the bottom of the right field wall and was ruled a ground-rule double.
American Mustache Institute vs. Chicago White Sox
Earlier this week, White Sox manager Robin Ventura made pitcher Chris Sale shave his beard because it was getting “too raggedy.” The American Mustache Institute is not happy about this, seeing it as a “stark violation of Mr. Sales’ civil liberties;” it has filed legal papers on the pitcher’s behalf.
Lovely Lady Of The Day
Castings for the 2015 SI Swimsuit Issue are underway and one of the girls who caught my eye is April Love. Actually they all catch my eye since they are trying to be SI Swimsuit models, but April Love especially caught my eye and is today’s LLOD.
In Johnny Manziel News
The Browns quarterback was supposed to throw out the first pitch of last night’s Indians-Red Sox game with the rest of the team’s rookies but a rain delay changed the plan to Manziel and company just waving to the crowd instead. This, like all things Manziel, set off a firestorm on Twitter.
Big News For England’s World Cup Team
The ban on tomato ketchup and brown sauce is officially over.
From the SI Vault
Venus Williams, Ronald Reagan, Serena Williams and Nancy Reagan :: Getty Images
Ten years ago today, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan died at the age of 93. In this 1990 photo, Reagan and wife Nancy pose with 10-year-old Venus and nine-year-old Serena Williams at the Nancy Reagan Tennis Tournament. For more classic sports photos, visit the SI Vault on Twitter.
Odds and Ends
I am going to make it a point to catch next year’s World Custard Pie Championships … In case you were wondering how many ounces of b**tch are in Bears tight end Martellus Bennett, the answer is zero … Not sure this is the message U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants to send his team the week before the tournament … The Padres got one hit and nine walks in a 3-2 win over the Pirates last night … Former Giants safety Will Hill destroyed the West Orange, N.J., house he was renting … Will Smith will star in an NFL movie about concussions … Aaron Paul and Justin Timberlake had a Twitter exchange about Breaking Bad and pizza … The 38 best yearbook quotes from the Class of 2014 … A slideshow of Cold-War era nuclear shelters across the United States.
This is How You Dougie
CFL rookie (and former NFL quarterback) John Beck teaches his BC Lions teammates how to Dougie.
This is Really How You Dougie
Kate Upton shows how it’s done.
Wheel of Fortune Fail
I could watch these all day. (H/T Gawker)
