Latest news with #SportScience
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
John Brenkus' Suicide CONFIRMED; ESPN Star's Family Statement Revisited in New Light
The tragic death of 'Sport Science' host John Brenkus has now been officially ruled a suicide by the Virginia Medical Examiner. While his family's statement days ago hinted at his battle with depression, they never confirmed the cause of death — until now. Brenkus, 54, revolutionized the sports world with his Emmy-winning show. As tributes pour in, the painful truth behind his passing has left fans and colleagues heartbroken. Watch to know what truly happened.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shigeo Nagashima, Japanese baseball legend with ties to the Dodgers, dies at 89
Legendary Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima attends an event on Jan. 19, 2008, in Chiba, Japan. Nagashima has died at 89, his former team confirmed Tuesday. (Koichi Kamoshida / Getty Images) Former Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima, one of the biggest stars of Nippon Professional Baseball, died early Tuesday morning of pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital, his former team said in a statement. He was 89. Nagashima played third base for the Giants from 1958 to 1974. Along with fellow superstar first baseman Sadaharu Oh, Nagashima led the team to 11 Japan Series titles, including nine straight from 1965 to 1973. He retired with a .305 batting average, 2,471 hits, 1,522 RBIs and 444 home runs. Advertisement He was one of Japan's biggest celebrities, so much so that his 1965 marriage to Akiko Nishimura was nationally televised and was reportedly the country's most-watched program of the year. In 1975, Nagashima became the Giants' manager but was fired in 1980 after not leading the team to a Japan Series title. He returned as manager from 1993 to 2001, however, and led the Giants to championships in 1994 and 2000, with future MLB outfielder Hideki Matsui as his star player. Read more: John Brenkus, risk-taking host of 'Sport Science,' dies after battle with depression Current Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani took to Instagram on Tuesday to honor Nagashima. He posted three pictures of the two of them together, including two from the Dodgers' trip to Tokyo in February for two games against the Chicago Cubs. Advertisement 'May your soul rest in peace,' Ohtani wrote in Japanese. Nagashima could have become the first Japanese MLB player, and he could have done so as a member of the Dodgers. In the spring of 1961, the Yomiuri Giants visited Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., to train and play exhibition games. Shigeo Nagashima stands between San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds, left, and New York Mets manager Art Howe at an event in Tokyo on Nov. 7, 2002. (David Guttenfelder / Associated Press) Then-Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley is said to have been so impressed with Nagashima — who in the previous season had won the second of what would be six straight batting crowns in Nippon's Central League — that he offered to buy Nagashima's contract from Giants owner Matsutaro Shoriki. Shoriki turned O'Malley down, and pitcher Masanori Murakami ended up becoming the first Japanese MLB player when he debuted with the San Francisco Giants in 1965. Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck also attempted to purchase Nagashima's contract in 1968 but also was thwarted by Shoriki. Advertisement Nagashima maintained a close relationship with the Dodgers and the O'Malley family, particularly with Walter's son Peter, according to Walter O'Malley's website. The Dodgers posted a tribute to Nagashima on X, featuring a photo of the 1988 Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame inductee with legendary Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda. "The Dodgers mourn the passing of Shigeo Nagashima, Japan's 'Mr. Baseball,' who died Tuesday in Tokyo at age 89," the team wrote. "Nagashima became a legend for the Yomiuri Giants, who have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Dodgers from as far back as the 1960s. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and generations of fans." Advertisement Nagashima's wife, Akiko, died in 2007. They had four children, including oldest son Kazushige, a former professional baseball player who played for the Yomiuri Giants and Yakult Swallows in Japan, as well as 53 games for the Class A-Advanced Vero Beach Dodgers minor league affiliate in 1992. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Sport Science' star John Brenkus' cause of death confirmed as suicide by medical examiner
John Brenkus, the creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning show Sport Science, died by suicide, the Virginia Department of Health's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to TMZ Sports. The news of Brenkus' demise at age 54 was shared by his family on Sunday. In their note, the family revealed that the star had been privately battling depression. 'John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025,' the family wrote in a heartfelt statement posted on X. The entire statement reads, "It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away. John, co-founder of BASE Productions, founder of and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy Award-winning Sport Science, had been battling depression. John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025. His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help. " Brenkus rose to fame in the early 2000s with Sport Science, a series that merged science and athleticism to break down the performance mechanics of elite athletes. The show gained a global fan following after being picked up by ESPN. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Born 1940-1975 With No Life Insurance Could Be Eligible For This Reassured Get Quote Undo Tributes poured in across social media from colleagues and fans alike. NFL insider Adam Schefter and former NFL star Marcellus Wiley were among those who shared their memories and condolences online, remembering Brenkus for his groundbreaking work and warm personality. His death has sent shockwaves through both the sports and broadcasting communities, with many expressing sorrow and underscoring the importance of mental health awareness. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
John Brenkus, Emmy-winning ESPN host, died by suicide
John Brenkus, the host of 'Sport Science' that aired on ESPN, died by suicide, TMZ reported on Tuesday, citing the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. His family announced Sunday that he had died following a battle with depression at 54 years old. 'It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away,' his family said on X. 'John, co-founder of Base Productions, founder of and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy Award-winning 'Sport Science,' had been battling depression. 'John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025. His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help.' Brenkus was the founder of and the co-founder of BASE Productions, the latter of which created the hit program 'Sport Science,' which aired on Fox Sports Net and ESPN, winning six Sports Emmys. The show delved into 'sports' biggest myths and mysteries by using cutting-edge technology to measure momentum, friction and the laws of gravity,' as per ESPN's description. Many sports media figures, particularly those at the Worldwide Leader, were devastated by the loss of what they described as a hard-working and genuine person. John Brenkus hosts the Beyond Sport Global Awards on July 26, 2017 in New York City. Getty Images 'I'm so incredibly sad to learn of the passing of John Brenkus,' wrote former ESPN fantasy football guru Matthew Berry. 'I did an episode of Sport Science back in the day and we remained friends. The ultimate professional, he was kind, encouraging, smart and inventive. This is awful. RIP John Brenkus.' 'This place is a better world with you in it, this place was a better place with John Brenkus in it,' Randy Scott said on 'SportsCenter' on Monday. 'Brenkus was known for demonstrating scientific principles through sports during his segments and shows,' Riggs Cuff also said on ESPN's flagship show. 'Often having professional athletes participate alongside him. John Brenkus died at 54. Penske Media via Getty Images 'John Brenkus was an innovator, an entertainer, and an educator. He will be missed by many. He was just 54 years old.' If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at for free and confidential crisis counseling.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Sports Science 'Host John Brenkus Died by Suicide, Says Medical Examiner: Report
John Brenkus was the host and founder of Sports Science He died on Saturday, May 31, according to a statement posted on his X account and the website Brenkus died by suicide, according to TMZ, citing the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Two days after John Brenkus' death was announced, his cause of death was revealed. Brenkus died by suicide on Saturday, May 31, according to TMZ, citing the Virginia Department of Health, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. PEOPLE has reached out to the department for comment. His death was announced via a statement posted to his X account on Sunday, June 1, and the website. — John Brenkus (@johnbrenkus_) June 2, 2025 "It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away. John, co-founder of BASE Productions, founder of and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy Award-winning Sport Science, had been battling depression," the statement said. The statement noted that "John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025." "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help," the statement continued. Sport Science first aired on Fox Sports in 2007, before moving to ESPN. The show, hosted by Brenkus, uncovered "sports' biggest myths and mysteries by using cutting-edge technology to measure momentum, friction and the laws of gravity," according to an ESPN synopsis. Brenkus hosted nearly 1,800 segments explaining the correlation between science and sports, USA Today reported. ESPN shared a tribute to the late host on SportsCenter, announcing his death to viewers and remembering him as an 'innovator, entertainer and educator,' who 'will be missed by many.' Brenkus was vocal about his mental health, telling Marcellus Wiley in a 2023 episode of Never Shut Up that he once fell into a "deep deep depression' after selling Sport Science to ESPN. "I was flat out suicidal," Brenkus said, adding, "I was ready to do it and my dog Zeppelin came to my rescue. Literally pulled on my pants, on my jeans, and literally was going crazy. Wouldn't leave me alone." After the experience, he called his mom and said, " 'There's something wrong with me. I am mentally lost.' " "I then went through a battle, I'm telling you, a battle to get out of it," he said, noting that he "finally found the way," after going to six different psychologists and psychiatrists. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 24/7. Read the original article on People
