Venus Williams and Rich Hill are making 45 the new 20
No sir. That title is going back to two athletes who probably owned it before their recent breaks that could've been mistaken for retirements had they not returned Tuesday like they never left. If James gets a sudden inspiration to go another five years, we now know who to blame. It's Venus Williams and Rich Hill.
Williams, one of the all-time great tennis players, participated in the DC Open for her first professional match in over a year, and the 45-year-old wasn't just there to play, she was there to compete. Williams defeated world No. 35 Peyton Stearns for her first win since August 2023.
VENUS' BEAU: Meet Williams' fiancé Andrea Preti
On the same day Williams turned back the clock, Hill made his return to the majors after 11 months away, taking the mound for his 14th different team (the Kansas City Royals), which tied an MLB record. But unlike his four relief appearances last season, Hill actually opened the game Tuesday, marking his first start in two years.
And he was also good! Hill only allowed three runs and one earned run over five innings and 90 pitches. KC didn't get the win, but it was the most innings he's pitched since... August 2023.
Look, 45 isn't really old in the grand scheme of life, but in sports, it's ancient. Hill made his MLB debut in 2005... 20 years ago! And by that point Williams was already a four-time Grand Slam champion going on No. 5 that same summer. They've been at this a really long time.
It's worth appreciating that these athletes are still competing at all, let alone competing at a high level. Things like this make it easier to understand why someone like LeBron, who hasn't suffered nearly the same decline as other athletes in their 40s, might want to hang around a little longer. Longevity like this is rare.
Mike Locksley goes deep on NIL troubles
The difficulties of coaching college athletes in the NIL era have been apparent from the start, but I haven't heard many coaches detail those struggles quite like Maryland coach Mike Locksley did Tuesday at Big Ten media days.
Locksley went so far as to say he lost his locker room over having to decide which players to pay.
Locksley to ESPN:
"And this is Coach Locks, the locker room king, telling you this landscape, I had to choose between paying young players who were coming in or reward the older players that have been through the fire, three bowl wins, and I tried to do both with limited resources. And that's what you get: a locker room with the haves and have-nots."
That's really interesting stuff.
DON'T TAP THE GLASS
With Tyler, the Creator's surprise release of DON'T TAP THE GLASS on Monday, FTW's Cory Woodroof ranked all nine albums in the rapper's discography. And while I won't tell you where the latest offering falls in the list, here's a snippet of what Cory had to say about it:
"However, Don't Tap the Glass only comes from an artist at the absolute peak of their power. Okonma wrote that he wanted the album to help people loosen up a bit in a culture where we hold ourselves back from having fun at risk of being judged. Don't Tap the Glass isn't meant to be dissected as much as it's meant to be danced to, and the production is as free and innovative as Okonma has been in his career so far without sacrificing his sonic hallmarks."
As promising as that sounds, DON'T TAP THE GLASS had some stiff competition to reach the top.
Quick Hits: RIP Ozzy Osbourne ... Saints retirements ... and more
Thanks for reading. We'll be back tomorrow.
This was For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Alabama wide receiver named to preseason watch list for top college football award
Per an announcement Monday afternoon, Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Maxwell Award. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football, and is an honor that the Crimson Tide have received five times before. Those winners were A.J. McCarron (2013), Derrick Henry (2015), Tua Tagovailoa (2018), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2021). A sophomore, Williams enters the 2025 season coming off a stellar freshman campaign in which he received honors such as First Team All-SEC and Freshman All-America. Across 13 games, Williams hauled in 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, while also rushing for 48 yards and two more scores. Williams also played a role on special teams, returning 12 punts for 120 yards, as well as two kicks for 14 yards. A player who could be a sleeper candidate for the Heisman Trophy, is this yet another sign that the 2025 season is shaping up to be a massive one for Alabama's star wide receiver? Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning breaks down reason for offseason meeting with Dabo Swinney
During Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas last week, Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning revealed that he spoke with Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney this offseason, citing discussions over the process of running a program — including how he developed his "Double Down" mantra heading into the 2025 season. On Monday, during Oregon's 2025 media day in Eugene, Lanning was asked to elaborate on the meeting and why it occurred. In essence, it was to pick the brain of a coach who has succeeded on the biggest stage. "Every year, I kind of challenge myself to find some people to touch base with, and he was kind enough to touch base back, you know," Lanning said. "So there's a lot of people who've done the game at a really high level that I want to go pick their brain." Lanning continued, breaking down the topics the two coaches discussed. "We really talked about all things. All things program, right?" Lanning said. "Not necessarily messaging, but all things organizationally, why he thought he was able to have some of the success that he's had over the years, and what separates some of his team. So I really appreciate his insight." Entering his fourth season at the helm for the Ducks, Lanning has quickly established himself as one of the top coaches in the country with three straight double-digit season win totals. Last season was his best work, as Oregon was ranked No. 1 in the country for the back half of the season, won a Big Ten title, and earned the top seed in the College Football Playoff. However, the season-ending Rose Bowl loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes stung for a team with national championship hopes. It doesn't get much better than asking Swinney for advice, who's 35th in all-time wins as a college football head coach, including two national titles in 2016 and 2018. With a new perspective and the ensuing inspiration for a new season motto, Lanning's meeting with Swinney should prove to be another building block towards the continued success of the Oregon program. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ryne Sandberg, longtime Cubs star and Baseball Hall of Famer, dies after cancer battle
Longtime Chicago Cubs star and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg died Monday, the team announced. He was 65. Sandberg died due to complications with cancer, with which he was diagnosed twice in 2024. He revealed in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Sandberg fended it off initially and about eight months later said he was cancer-free. In December, however, Sandberg announced that the cancer had spread to other organs in his body. That led him to undergo 'more intensive treatment.' "Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic ... His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years. We will continue to support the important work of Stand Up To Cancer in Ryne's memory. 'On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Ryne's family, Cubs fans everywhere and his admirers throughout our National Pastime.' Sandberg spent nearly all of his MLB career with the Cubs. After a 13-game stint with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981, Sandberg spent the next 15 seasons with the Cubs before he retired after the 1997 campaign. He made 10 straight All-Star appearances starting in 1984, the year he won NL MVP honors while leading the league in triples and runs scored. Sandberg won seven Silver Slugger awards and nine Gold Gloves throughout his career. He led the NL with 40 home runs in the 1990 season, and that year, he won the Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field. Sandberg rarely missed time, too. He played in at least 115 games in all but one of his seasons with the Cubs, and he surpassed 150 games in all but four seasons. Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Cubs retired his number that year. Last season, the Cubs unveiled a statue outside Wrigley Field honoring Sandberg. "Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise," Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. "His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle and competitive fire, were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as a husband, father and grandfather. Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family. 'Ryno' will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world." Sandberg, whom the Phillies took in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft, grew up in Spokane, Washington. After his playing career ended, he spent time coaching with both the Cubs and Phillies organizations before he took over as Phillies manager in 2013. He spent three seasons with the team before resigning during the 2015 campaign. He finished with a 119-159 record as manager and completed only one full season. 'The Phillies family is devastated to learn of the passing of Ryne Sandberg," the team said in a statement. "He was an important part of our organization, not just as a player, but also as a coach and a manager. He made a lifelong impact on so many including those who had the privilege of knowing him and working with him. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Margaret and Ryne's entire family during this difficult time."
