The Best of the 2019 French Open French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) poses with the trophy after defeating Dominic Thiem (AUT) in the mens final on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (right) and Dominic Thiem (left) pose together at the trophy presentation on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) celebrates recording match point in his final match against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) celebrates recording match point in his final match against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) celebrates recording match point in his final match against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) and Dominic Thiem (AUT) after their match on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) in action during his final match against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) reacts during his final match against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) in action during his final match against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Dominic Thiem (AUT) reacts during his final match against Rafael Nadal (ESP) on day 15 at Stade Roland Garros on June 9, 2019. French Open Ashleigh Barty (AUS) poses with the trophy after her match against Marketa Vondrousova (not pictured) on day 14 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 8, 2019. French Open Ashleigh Barty (AUS) and Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) pose during the trophy presentation on day 14 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 8, 2019. French Open Ashleigh Barty (AUS) hits the ball to Marketa Vondrousova (not pictured) on day 14 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 8, 2019. French Open Dominic Thiem (AUT) in action during his match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) on day 14 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 8, 2019. French Open Novak Djokovic (SRB) in action during his match against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day 14 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 8, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) and Roger Federer (SUI) at the net after their match on day 13 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 7, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) celebrates match point during his match against Roger Federer (SUI) on day 13 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 7, 2019. French Open Ashleigh Barty (AUS) in action during her match against Amanda Anisimova (USA) on day 13 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 7, 2019. French Open Amanda Anisimova (USA) reacts during her match against Ashleigh Barty (AUS) on day 13 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 7, 2019. French Open Amanda Anisimova (USA) in action during her match against Ashleigh Barty (AUS) on day 13 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 7, 2019. French Open Amanda Anisimova (USA) reacts during her match against Ashleigh Barty (AUS) on day 13 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 7, 2019. French Open Novak Djokovic (SRB) in action during his match against Alexander Zverev (GER) on day 12 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 6, 2019. French Open Dominic Them (AUT) in action during his match against Karen Khachanov (RUS) on day 12 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 6, 2019. French Open Amanda Anisimova (USA) celebrates recording match point in her match against Simona Halep (ROU) on day 12 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 6, 2019. French Open Petra Martin (CRO) reacts during a match against Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) on day 10 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 4, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) in action during a match against Kei Nishikori (JAP) on day 10 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 4, 2019. French Open Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) reacts during a match against Petra Martic (CRO) on day 10 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 4, 2019. French Open Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) celebrates after recording match point during a match against Petra Martic (CRO) on day 10 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 4, 2019. French Open Roger Federer (SUI) in action during a match against Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) on day 10 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 4, 2019. French Open Johanna Konta (GBR) in action during a match against Sloane Stephens (USA) on day 10 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 4, 2019. French Open Alexander Zverev (GER) celebrates recording match point during his match against Fabio Fognini (ITA) on day nine of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 3, 2019. French Open Fabio Fognini (ITA) throws his racket during his match against Alexander Zverev (GER) on day nine of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 3, 2019. French Open Alexander Zverev (GER) in action during his match against Fabio Fognini (ITA) on day nine of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 3, 2019. French Open Dominic Thiem (AUT) in action during his match against Gael Monfils (FRA) on day nine of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 3, 2019. French Open Kei Nishikori (JAP) in action during his match against Benoit Paire (FRA) on day nine of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 3, 2019. French Open Sloane Stephens (USA) hits the ball to Garbine Muguruza (not pictured) on day eight of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 2, 2019. French Open Serena Williams (USA) reacts during her match against Sofia Kenin (USA) on day seven of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 1, 2019. French Open Sofia Kenin (USA) celebrates after recording match point during her match against Serena Williams (USA) on day seven of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 1, 2019. French Open Katerina Siniakova (CZE) celebrates recording match point during her match against Naomi Osaka (JPN) on day seven of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 1, 2019. French Open Fabio Fognini (ITA) reacts during his match against Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) on day seven of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on June 1, 2019. French Open Sloane Stephens (USA) in action during her match against Polona Hercog (SLO) on day six of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 31, 2019. French Open Sloane Stephens (USA) celebrates recording match point during her match against Polona Hercog (SLO) on day six of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garro on May 31, 2019. French Open Roger Federer (SUI) in action during his match against Casper Ruud (NOR) on day six of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 31, 2019. French Open Gael Monfils (FRA) in action during his match against Adrian Mannarino (FRA) on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 30, 2019. French Open Gael Monfils (FRA) reacts during his match against Adrian Mannarino (FRA) on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 30, 2019. French Open General view of Court Suzanne Lenglen during the Gael Monfils (FRA) and Adrian Mannarino (FRA) match on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 30, 2019. French Open Novak Djokovic (SRB) in action during his match against Henri Laaksonen (SUI) on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 30, 2019. French Open Naomi Osaka (JPN) in action during her match against Victoria Azarenka (BLR) on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 30, 2019. French Open Victoria Azarenka (BLR) in action during her match against Naomi Osaka (JPN) on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 30, 2019. French Open Clay coming off the shoes of Naomi Osaka (JPN) during her match against Victoria Azarenka (BLR) on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 30, 2019. French Open Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) reacts during his match against Kei Nishikori (JAP) on day four of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 29, 2019. French Open Kei Nishikori (JAP) in action during his match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) on day four of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 29, 2019. French Open Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) in action during his match against Hugo Dellien (BOL) on day four of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 29, 2019. French Open Sloane Stephens (USA) in action during her match against Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) on day four of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 29, 2019. French Open Madison Keys (USA) in action during her match against Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) on day three of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 28, 2019. French Open Alexander Zverev (GER) in action during his match against John Millman (AUS) on day three of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 28, 2019. French Open Naomi Osaka (JPN) in action during her match against Anna Schmiedlova (SVK) on day three of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 28, 2019. French Open Alexander Zverev (GER) in action during his match against John Millman (AUS) on day three of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 28, 2019. French Open Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) reacts during his match against Mackenzie McDonald (USA) on day three of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 28, 2019. French Open Serena Williams (USA) competes during a match against Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros. French Open Serena Williams (USA) competes during a match against Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 27, 2019. French Open Novak Djokovic (SRB) competes during a match against Hubert Hurkacz (POL) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 27, 2019. French Open Frances Tiafoe (USA) removes his shirt during a change of ends during his match against Filip Krajinovic (SRB) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 27, 2019. French Open Rafael Nadal (ESP) in action during his match against Yannick Hanfmann (GER) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 27, 2019. French Open A general view during the Rafael Nadal (ESP) and Yannick Hanfmann (GER) match on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 27, 2019. French Open Filip Krajinovic (SRB) in action during his match against Frances Tiafoe (USA) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 27, 2019. French Open Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) in action during her match against Veronica Kudermetova (RUS) on day two of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 27, 2019. French Open Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) reacts during his match against Maximilian Marterer (not pictured) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Venus Williams (USA) in action during her match against Elina Svitolina (UKR) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Elina Svitolina (UKR) in action during her match against Venus Williams (USA) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Venus Williams (USA) in action during her match against Elina Svitolina (UKR) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Roger Federer (SUI) hits the ball during his match against Lorenzo Song (not pictured) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) hits the ball during his match against Maximilian Marterer (not pictured) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Roger Federer (SUI) enters the court for his match against Lorenzo Song (ITA) (not pictured) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Garbine Muguruza (ESP) in action during her match against Taylor Townsend (USA) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Taylor Townsend (USA) in action during her match against Garbine Muguruza (ESP) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019. French Open Garbine Muguruza (ESP) in action during her match against Taylor Townsend (USA) on day one of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros on May 26, 2019.


You know you have to rush to the ER and call your doctors right away when your chest hurts and you can't breathe. You know you have to rush to the ER and call your doctors right away when your chest hurts and you can't breathe. These are signs you can't ignore. But some insignificant symptoms that many would dismiss as the result of too much stress are in fact a way for your body to tell you to check your health. To create a list of 16 habits that may be masking an underlying health problem, 24/7 Wall St. consulted doctors and reviewed scores of research papers and academic studies. 1. You bite your nails: Depression or OCD Nail biting, or onychophagia, is associated with anxiety and stress. The mere act of chewing on the cuticle, soft tissue surrounding the nail, and the nail itself -- which, for most people, typically begins in childhood -- relieves tension. This bad habit, for which there is no clear or definitive solution, can be masking a mental health problem, such as depression. Medical reviews suggest that 80% of children and more than 50% of parents who bite their nails have a form of a psychiatric disorder, mainly depression. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association included severe nail biting in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as an obsessive compulsive-related condition. A study found that approximately 11% of children and adolescents who bite their nails frequently were also diagnosed with OCD. 2. You drink a lot of coffee in the afternoon: Thyroid dysfunction If people need a lot of coffee later in the day, they may have an underlying hormonal issue caused by a dysfunctional thyroid gland. A major sign that the tiny but powerful butterfly-like gland at the base of the neck doesn't produce enough of the hormones that control how the body uses energy is chronic fatigue. And what do most people do when they feel tired but it's not bedtime yet? They drink coffee. Alas, caffeine, although a stimulant, inhibits thyroid function, according to Alyson Pidich, medical director of the Ash Center -- even four hours after consumption. ALSO READ: 40 Places Young People Are Moving 3. You wheeze a lot: Reflux disease You can have acid reflux without the heartburn. Surprising other signs include wheezing. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can cause as well as trigger many pulmonary conditions. The irritation of the esophagus can lead to symptoms ranging from abdominal pain to wheezing. Wheezing, which is breathing with a rattling sound in the chest due to obstruction in the air passages, occurs in patients with GERD because stomach acid gas creeps up into the esophagus and enters the lungs, causing swelling of the airways. 4. You scratch your skin a lot: Celiac disease Celiac disease is the body's immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Itchy skin and a blistery rash, which may resemble eczema, are common signs of the condition. It happens because the immune system attacks the skin as a result of gluten ingestion. A person may sometimes first feel burning around the elbows, knees, scalp, buttocks, and back. "Gluten rash," or dermatitis herpetiformis, often first occurs in adolescence and is more common among men. The only known long-term treatment is a gluten-free diet. 5. You change your handwriting: Parkinson's Parkinson's is a nervous system disease that affects movement and often includes tremors. People can also notice a change in their handwriting, specifically micrographia. Words become smaller and more cramped together because of the muscle stiffness in the hands and fingers. Micrographia is present in approximately half of patients. In Parkinson's patients, neurons, which produce dopamine, gradually die. With no or low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that acts as the brain's messenger to other nerve cells, no messages are being sent to the muscles telling them to move. This can lead to stiffness and changes in handwriting. 6. You experience road rage: Severe depression Outbursts of anger and episodes of road rage can mean a lot more than a momentary lapse in judgment. A study of more than 530 patients diagnosed with unipolar major depression found that 54% experienced incidents of overt irritability and anger. They also showed worse impulse control. Such episodes are a sign of more severe and chronic depressive illness. Women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, but men report higher rates of anger attacks, according to separate research. One possible explanation is that admission of emotional weakness in men is seen as socially unacceptable. 7. You snore: Heart disease Snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing often stops during sleep. Its connection to heart disease is still disputed, but there is plenty of research supporting the theory. A 2013 study found that snoring can cause thickening and abnormalities in the carotid artery, a major blood vessel in the neck supplying blood to the brain, neck, and face. Snoring may even present a bigger risk than being overweight, smoking, and high cholesterol for thickening or abnormalities in the carotid artery. Separate research shows snoring has been linked to cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, hypertension, and heart attack. 8. You eat but you're always hungry: Diabetes To get the energy you need, the body converts food into glucose. Different body cells then use insulin, a hormone, to convert the glucose to energy. Depending on the type of diabetes, your body may not produce enough insulin or the cells may not use it well. Either way, the result is an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream as less glucose is converted to energy. The decrease in energy, which makes you feel more tired than usual, tends to cause hunger. However, eating doesn't solve the problem, because no matter how much you eat, the glucose doesn't get converted and you only end up with even higher blood sugar levels. 9. Exercise three times a day, every day: Addiction Going for an hourlong run at 4 a.m., taking Zumba classes in your lunch break, and doing weightlifting at the gym before you get home are not a healthy fitness approach. Aside from the physical damage -- such a routine can leave you chronically tired and susceptible to injuries due to the lack of recovery time -- a mental health problem may be hiding. If skipping any of these is stressful to you and interferes with your everyday functioning, it may qualify as an addiction. It is common among triathletes, runners, and people with eating disorders. 10. You put on five sweatshirts when it's warm: Thyroid problems Thyroid problems can confuse your internal thermostat. An underactive thyroid could result in feeling chills all the time because you have less energy available for body cells to use. On the other hand, an overactive thyroid puts energy-producing cells into overdrive, making you sweat. Thyroid produces hormones that regulate thermogenesis, also called heat production, acting both in peripheral and central organs. They influence how much blood vessels dilate, affecting how much heat leaves the body. 11. You always talk about food: Eating disorder People with eating disorders are often preoccupied with food, especially number of calories, and the amount of carbs and fat in what they are consuming. Being so preoccupied, it often manifests itself in conversations. Engaging in conversations about weight and calories, feeling guilty and being shameful about eating habits, and complaining about being fat, especially if this wasn't a normal behavior before, are other signs. 12. You eat very little but feel very full Stomach cancer can make people feel really "full," especially in the upper abdomen, even after just a few bites. Vomiting solid food a few minutes after eating -- with or without blood -- is another sign. These symptoms can easily be caused by something else. However, you should be aware of them because many signs don't appear until the cancer is advanced. Only one in five stomach cancers in the country is found at an early stage. 13. You are on your phone too much: Anxiety About a fifth of people with social media accounts cannot go more than three hours without checking them, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness among young adults ages 14 to 24, according to a survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health in the U.K. In addition to anxiety, research has found that using social media too much can also cause depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), paranoia, and loneliness. 14. You wake up a lot: Sleep apnea Experiencing persistent problems falling and staying asleep may be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, which is distinguished by breathing pauses, usually lasting around 10 seconds, during sleep. (The resulting increase of carbon dioxide is what causes you to wake up, and the cycle repeats itself throughout the night.) Inconsistent sleep and low blood oxygen levels as a result of the pauses in breathing can lead to chronic fatigue, hypertension, heart disease, anxiety, and memory problems. 15. Hitting things when you're upset: Huntington's Huntington's disease is a genetic condition in which nerve cells in the brain break down over time. It slowly destroys a person's physical and mental abilities. An inability to control emotions and becoming aggressive are signs of the disease as the caudate nucleus cells in the brain, which are involved in regulating emotions, deteriorate. The brain then can't control the intensity of emotions, resulting in possible fits of anger over hunger or changes in routine. 16. You worry too much: Generalized anxiety disorder This is more than just being nervous about an upcoming test. This is about worrying constantly about little things -- would you know if you worry too much? Generalized anxiety disorder is an ongoing anxiety that interferes with daily activities, such as being unable to focus, feeling tired all the time, having headaches, and sweating a lot. Adults with the condition worry mostly about their jobs, health, and finances. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication have been found to be effective in treating the disorder. ALSO READ: Towns in Every State Where You May Not Get to the Hospital in Time


They're the menace at every cookout. The uninvited guest who arrives early and refuses to leave. We're talking of course about mosquitoes, the flying bloodsuckers whose bites are as annoying as they are itchy. Worst of all, Houston listed among the metro areas with the worst mosquito problem in the nation by the pest control company Orkin. The company released its annual rankings Monday. The findings were based on the number of mosquito customers served from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Houston ranked fifth worst in the country, just behind Chicago and ahead of Dallas-Fort Worth. For the sixth consecutive year, Atlanta earned the miserable honor of worst city for mosquitoes , followed by New York and Washington, D.C. Here are the 10 worst cities for mosquitoes according to Orkin: Atlanta, GA New York City, NY Washington, D.C. Chicago, IL Houston, TX Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX Detroit, MI Philadelphia, PA Charlotte, NC Raleigh-Durham, NC Mosquito season begins when spring temperatures arrive, Orkin said. The pests are most active when temperatures climb above 80 degrees, with breeding season occurring July through September. Entomologist Mark Beavers noted in a news release that mosquitoes aren't only annoying, they can "be a major health threat. "Mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, encephalitides, dengue, chikungunya and for those who may remember, Zika, threaten the safety of humans and pets," he said. Federal health officials agree. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mosquito bites can cause sickness or even death, though most are just a nuisance. To prevent mosquito bites   and those irritating red bumps that inevitably follow   the CDC suggests using insect repellent that contain DEET, picaridin, ir3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone. Other options include wearing long sleeves and pants or using air-conditioning or window and door screens. To prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs inside and outside your home, try to keep items from collecting standing water. "Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out containers that hold water," the CDC said. This includes vases, pet water bowls, flowerpot saucers, discarded tires, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, trash cans and rain barrels. These steps can help reduce the mosquito population in and around homes. If you're unable to seal off your home, the CDC offers up a less than-glamorous tip: "Sleep under a mosquito bed net." Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.


New York City will see a return of last week's light rainfall over the next few days, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Wednesday should see the most rain, with a projected accumulation of 0.20 inches. The next few days will also bring warm temperatures, expected to stick around through Monday. The weather will bring a high temperature of 86 degrees on Thursday. Skies will partially clear on Friday, remaining partly cloudy through Monday. Winds are expected to reach a modest high of 14 mph on Wednesday, while today will be quieter with a top speed of just 8 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The United States women's national soccer team faced the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly at the Rose Bowl on Saturday evening. The Rose Bowl is a historic football stadium that has hosted four college football national championships and five Super Bowls. While practicing at the football stadium on Friday, USWNT winger Mallory Pugh showed off her Peyton Manning impersonation, complete with a pre-snap "Omaha!" at the line of scrimmage. She has a pretty good arm! When at the Rose Bowl… @MalPugh ready for football season. pic.twitter.com/ySvCYfR92E - U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) August 3, 2019 The USWNT's social media team tagged the Broncos in the video, suggesting she could fill in at QB in Denver if needed. Pugh was born and raised in Colorado and is a big fan of the NFL team. . @Broncos if you're ever in dire need of a QB, this Denver native has got you. Seems she learned from the best. - U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) August 3, 2019 Pugh, 21, is a rising star for the national team. She won a gold medal at the World Cup earlier this summer and has already scored 17 goals despite being a rotational player behind star wingers Tobin Heath and Megan Rapinoe. With Rapinoe being 34 years old, Pugh should become a regular starter for the USWNT in the near future. If soccer doesn't work out for Pugh, though, maybe she can start at quarterback for the Broncos down the road? MORE: Alex Cora, Chris Sale flipped out at umpire and got ejected in Yankees game Five potential Jeremy Lin landing spots in free agency Tracy Sprinkle: What the Browns are getting in the new DT Former NFL team doctor weighs in on foot ailment of Raiders WR Antonio Brown What we've learned about 49ers CB depth chart


The husband of UFC Octagon girl Brittney Palmer has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly tried to kill her. Palmer says a domestic dispute turned violent when her husband Aaron Zalewski attacked her. According to the Los Angeles Police report which was obtained by TMZ, Palmer told police Zalewski became enraged after hearing a casting agent call her "babe" during a telephone conversation.


Kyrie Irving is reportedly leaning toward the Nets in free agency and Brooklyn's infrastructure is a major part of the reason why, as Adrian Wojnarowski said on the network's free agency special. GM Sean Marks has assembled a deep roster filled with young talent and role players on team-friendly deals. The coaching staff is well regarded and the management has made several shrewd moves to get the team to the point where two stars could come in and immediately contend for the Eastern Conference crown. The situation appears favorable to that of the Knicks   a team that would have to do additional work to build out the roster. Kevin Durant and Irving have long been rumored to potentially team up in New York. Woj adds that the Knicks may have to start parsing the market for a second star to pair with Durant if they are going to sell the former MVP on a duo in the Garden. Here's more from around the Atlantic Division: The Knicks could bring in Vince Carter as a mentor to the team's younger players, Ian Begley of SNY.tv reports. Carter has previously spoken highly on coach David Fizdale and the former All-Star gave consideration to joining New York last offseason. Carmelo Anthony would have interest in signing with the Knicks and finishing his career in New York, Begley adds in the same piece. While Anthony would be a strong mentor for the Knicks' young core, given how well he handled the spotlight in NYC, Begley notes that it's far more likely that Melo signs with the Lakers this summer. The Nets have added Amida Brimah to their Summer League roster, a source tells Michael Scotto of The Athletic ( Twitter link ). According to Nicola Lupo of Sportando ( Twitter link ), former Suns point guard Josh Gray will also play for the team's Summer League team. Blake Murphy of The Athletic examines the Raptors' cap constraints in an extensive piece. Regardless of whether Kawhi Leonard leaves in free agency, Toronto will likely be operating as an above-the-cap team.


The closing of Rikers Island may be years away, but some already have plans for it.


NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)   Closing arguments continue Tuesday in the " Justice for Junior " murder trial of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz . On Monday, attorneys for four of the suspects accused of stabbing 15-year-old Junior pointed the finger at a fifth suspect they claimed went rogue. Last June, Junior was dragged outside of a Bronx bodega and attacked with knives and a machete . Lawyers said not all of the defendants intended to kill the Belmont teenager. They blamed Jonaiki Martinez Estrella for delivering the final blow. He's accused of stabbing Junior in the neck.


Stability is an important element of success in the NFL. While teams like the Jets seem to cycle through front office personnel every couple of years, the best franchises rarely make changes at the top. The Patriots have been a one-man show for the past two decades with all-time great results to show for it, the Steelers have only had three head coaches since 1969, the Packers have only had two starting quarterbacks since 1992, and so on. The Falcons haven't been able to match the playoff success of those teams as of yet, but for the last ten years they have stayed relatively competitive and haven't given into turnover and dysfunction. How well the team does in 2019 may have a big impact on whether that trend continues or whether significant changes are coming. General manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn have spent the vast majority of their offseason resources on improving the offensive line. First, they splurged in free agency by adding James Carpenter, Jamon Brown, Adam Gettis and John Wetzel. Then, they doubled down in the NFL draft with two first-round picks in Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. To be fair, they did address a couple of other positions. Atlanta's edge rotation got deeper by bringing Adrian Clayborn back at a shockingly low price and picking up John Cominsky in round four. The team's depth at cornerback should also should get a boost from Kendall Sheffield and Jordan Miller. That being said, the way this offseason has played out pretty much stakes the team's success in 2019 almost entirely on offensive line upgrades. Matt Ryan was under a tremendous amount of pressure last season and the 42 sacks he took only tells part of the story. Atlanta was among the worst teams in the league at allowing hits and pressures. So, it makes some sense for the Falcons to go all out to turn that around. On the other hand, this particular area may be their Achilles' heel. If all of these new faces don't add up to a better offensive line, it will reflect extremely poorly on both Quinn and Dimitroff. Signing center Alex Mack prior to the 2016 season was their best move, but he's now 33 years old and is already starting to show signs of decline. Lindstrom should be able to slide over from right guard and replace him when he does retire, at least in theory. The rest of it is a bit of a tossup. McGary is a promising prospect but there are legitimate questions about his arm length and technique. Carpenter and Brown have had their moments but neither one is likely going to a Pro Bowl anytime soon. If Ryan gets beat up again in 2019 like he did last year and the team misses out on the postseason again, then both Dimitroff and Quinn's jobs might be in jeopardy. MORE: Why Packers' redefined defense could give Aaron Rodgers a Super Bowl opportunity Cowboys News: Prescott's circle of trust questioned, Kris Richard RKGs NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Dale Earnhardt Jr. thought his wife, Amy, might break up with him over this drunken go-kart incident Pro Football Focus names Raiders CB Isaiah Johnson as a steal of the 2019 draft


Rodney Hudson joined the Raiders as a free agent in 2015. He has made two Pro Bowls since. The Raiders want to make sure Hudson remains with them even longer. Raiders coach Jon Gruden said the Raiders have opened talks with Hudson's agent regarding a new deal. "I know [General Manager Mike Mayock] has talked to his agent ," Gruden said Tuesday during the Raiders minicamp, via Scott Bair of NBCSportsBayArea.com. "I don't want to get into specifics of those conversations, but we consider him a big piece of this franchise and we're going to do everything we can to keep him here for a long time." Hudson restructured his deal last offseason and is scheduled to make $8.25 million in base salary this season with a $10.017 million cap hit. Hudson's $8.9 million annual average ranks 10th among players at his position. Hudson, 29, has missed only three games in his four seasons in Oakland. A team captain and respected locker room voice, Hudson recently graduated with an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. "He has graduated from Pass Protection U and Run Blocking State, and now he has a Master's degree in business," Gruden said. "That just certifies what kind of guy you're dealing with. He's a great player on the field. He's one of our captains and team leaders, and is as tough a guy as we have. I've seen him play with kidney stones and various ailments. To get a Master's degree is a huge accomplishment, and I'll compliment him until the day's end. He's special."


(AP Photo/Gail Burton) The Baltimore Ravens are opening the gates of the Under Armour Performance Center today for the official full-team start of training camp. The veterans are set to report today and the Ravens are going to begin the laborious process of figuring out their 53-man roster. That means it's time for us to do the same. With training camp starting today, I went through the 91-man roster to figure out who I'd keep. Not only am I predicting the 53-man roster, but I'm also breaking down the depth chart as well. While injuries and unplanned things will eventually happen, I'm making decisions as if they were due today. I've already done the offensive depth chart and portion of the 53-man roster , so visit that to check out the complete team. Defensive line (6): Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Willie Henry, Chris Wormley, Zach Sieler, Gerald Willis, Daylon Mack Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports The defensive line is one of the deeper groups Baltimore has. Already having a wealth of talent there, the Ravens grabbed two more players in fifth-round pick Daylon Mack and undrafted free agent Gerald Willis. That puts the pressure on a few players to make splashes at training camp. But as I see it, the top of the depth chart is pretty well figured out. Williams, Pierce and Henry are all locks to make the team. As the only listed defensive end on the roster, Wormley is all but locked in as well though it's his job to lose in my opinion. I have Sieler making the cut over Patrick Ricard. Though Ricard plays fullback as well, Baltimore has a few players who can fill that role and really needs someone who shines on the defensive line primarily. Sieler gave plenty of flashes last year and I expect him to take the next step this year. I think both Mack and Willis make the cut as big guys in the middle who can hopefully either swallow up double teams or can knife through to generate a little quarterback pressure. I see them as the eventual heirs to guys like Henry and Pierce. Inside linebacker (4): Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young, Chris Board, Anthony Levine Sr. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images Inside linebacker might be the thinnest portion of Baltimore's roster. Losing C.J. Mosley definitely hurts there, even if the Ravens believe this combination can make up for his production. So I had to be a little creative. I just straight-up moved Levine from strong safety - his listed position - and put him at inside linebacker. That's where he actually lines up most often and it's going to be his biggest role once again in 2019. While he'll still be that hybrid safety/linebacker, for the sake of the depth chart, I put him at linebacker. Onwuasor, Board and Young are all locks to make the team. But I didn't really feel terribly comfortable with anyone else that was on the roster making the cut. With Levine coming down to add some functional depth, I think this is a position the Ravens can limp along at for the time being. But don't be terribly shocked if they add an experienced inside linebacker to bolster the unit sometime during training camp. Outside linebacker (5): Matthew Judon, Jaylon Ferguson, Tyus Bowser, Shane Ray, Pernell McPhee Photo by Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS/Sipa USA Judon leads the top of this unit. Much like inside linebacker, outside linebacker took a big hit in free agency with the losses of Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith. But that gives us a little more flexibility now. Judon and Ferguson are the two locks here, while veryone else is up in the air. But I think both McPhee and Ray were brought in because they have experience and this group can really use that. If they step up their games, especially if Ray can play like his first-round draft status, it's icing on the cake for Baltimore. Out of Tim Williams and Bowser, I had to lean towards Bowser for the final spot. Williams has been a healthy scratch quite a lot over the last two years. While I think he has the talent to become a really good situational pass rusher, he hasn't figured it out yet and doesn't offer much else. Bowser has flashed a bit over the last two years, he's a second-round pick and he has the physical traits to be thrown into coverage if needed. That gives him the final roster spot in my mind. Cornerback (7): Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr, Jimmy Smith, Tavon Young, Anthony Averett, Iman Lewis-Marshall, Terrell Bonds Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports Humphrey, Carr, Smith and Young are all going to be starters in reality, even if there are only two actual spots on the depth chart for them. In a pass-happy league, the Ravens will figure out a way to get most, if not all of them, on the field at the same time. That leaves three more spots open on my depth chart. Averett steadily got better as a rookie and I think he has the physical attributes to take a Humphrey-like jump in his second year. I also think Averett is the obvious replacement for Smith next year when the elder cornerback hits free agency. Lewis-Marshall was a fourth-round draft pick and I think Baltimore likes him as a long-term option they can develop quietly for a year or two first. That means he wouldn't make it to the practice squad and earns himself a roster spot accordingly. The final spot goes to Bonds. I thought about Justin Bethel for his special team prowess or Canady for his experience with the team. But Canady has been injured too frequently and Bethel doesn't really offer a lot in the way of defensive play. Bonds should be able to fill both roles reasonably well and has already made a name for himself with some big plays at OTAs. I think he continues to make big plays and forces himself on the roster because of it. Safety (4): Earl Thomas, Tony Jefferson, Chuck Clark, DeShon Elliott Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports No surprises here. Thomas and Jefferson are at the top of this depth chart but Clark and Elliott will find themselves on the field too. Clark is a great all-around safety that can fill in in a pinch at either strong safety or free safety. He also plays quite a lot on special teams, which is a huge saving grace for him. Elliott is a wrecking ball that plays with aggression and agility. He made some impressive plays at OTAs and minicamp after missing his rookie season with a broken arm. I fully expect we'll continue to hear his name at training camp as he finds himself always near the football. Elliott should also offer a lot of special teams value, bumping up his stock there too. Special teams (3): Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports You've made it this far and there are once again absolutely no surprises. The "wolf pack" sticks together for another year. Tucker is the best kicker in the league and there's a serious argument for Koch being the best punter in the game. Cox is the consistent long snapper both need to be at their best. Baltimore Ravens defensive depth chart: Position No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 DT Willie Henry Gerald Willis NT Brandon Williams Michael Pierce Daylon Mack DE Chris Wormley Zach Sieler RUSH Matthew Judon Jaylon Ferguson MLB Patrick Onwuasor Chris Board WLB Kenny Young Anthony Levine SAM Shane Ray Tyus Bowser Pernell McPhee LCB Brandon Carr Jimmy Smith Anthony Averett SS Tony Jefferson DeShon Elliott Anthony Levine FS Earl Thomas Chuck Clark RCB Marlon Humphrey Tavon Young Iman Lewis-Marshall Terrell Bonds MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe What might Kostas Antetokounmpo bring to the Lakers on offense? 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Let's all take a stroll down memory lane! The 2019 MLB Home Run Derby takes place in Cleveland tonight. Unfortunately, no Baltimore Orioles will be participating, But that doesn't mean we can't hop in the wayback machine and reminisce about better days, when the O's were competitive, or at least had a few players on their roster that were deemed powerful enough to take part in the annual batting practice competition. 1985 - The Metrodome / Minneapolis, Minnesota Although their had been unofficial home run competitions prior to this point, the 1985 All-Star break introduced the tradition we are familiar with today. Two Orioles were in the field: Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken Jr. According to a 2014 story from Fox Sports , Ripken was asked to participate on the day of the derby: "I do remember some hesitancy from some of the players, but I was excited about it," he says. "I liked some of the contests that used to happen. In 1984, we had a relay-throwing contest in San Francisco. I liked those kinds of head-to-head skills competitions, so the Home Run Derby came up and I thought it was a cool event. I gladly accepted." The AL hit more home runs than than the NL (17-16), but Cincinnati Reds slugger Dave Parker had the best individual performance with six bombs. Murray was tied with four others in second with four home runs. Ripken managed to leave the ballpark just once. 1991 - The Skydome / Toronto, Ontario, Canada Cal would get his "revenge" in the '91 contest by winning the whole thing and lapping the entire field. Ripken's 12 home runs were seven more than second place (5, Paul O'Neill). Reds third baseman Chris Sabo also took part, although he was unable to hit a home run during his turn. He would go on to join the Orioles prior to the 1994 season. 1992 - Jack Murphy Stadium / San Diego, California It's like Ripken was a really good player or something. He was asked to participate in the derby yet again in '92. He wound up in the middle of the pack this time around. His four home runs tied him for third place in the eight-person field. Mark McGwire took first with 12 bombs. 1993 - Orioles Park at Camden Yards / Baltimore, Maryland It's a bummer that no Orioles were in the field at the first, and so far only, home run derby to take place at Camden Yards. Bobby Bonilla hit five home runs, but he was with the New York Mets at this point and would not join the O's until 1995. Juan Gonzalez ended up winning the competition after beating Ken Griffey Jr. in the final. But Griffey Jr. stole the show when he hit the warehouse beyond Eutaw Street in right field in the air, becoming the first documented person to ever achieve that feat. 1996 - Veterans Stadium / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania In the midst of his 50-homer season, Brady Anderson made his first appearance in the home derby. The derby rookie had a solid showing, hitting 11 home runs over two rounds, but he fell short of the final and took third place overall. Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire battled in the final with Bonds emerging victorious. 1997 - Jacobs Field / Cleveland, Ohio Anderson was asked back the following season, but things did not go as well this time around. He was knocked out in the first round, managing just four home runs. Tino Martinez was the winner, out-homering Larry Walker 3-1 in the final. 1998 - Coors Field / Denver, Colorado MLB needs to send the All-Star Game back to Coors Field with the current baseballs just to see what happens. Can you imagine how far Vlad Guerrero Jr. could hit a ball in the thin air of Denver? Anyway, the 1998 version of the event featured Rafael Palmeiro as the lone Orioles representative. The sweet-swinging lefty smacked seven home runs in the first round and then three long balls in the second round to finish fourth in a competition that was won by, who else, Griffey Jr. 1999 - Fenway Park / Boston, Massachusetts Griffey Jr. was the winner yet again in the '99 derby, but this isn't a Seattle Mariners blog! B.J. Surhoff was the Oriole of interest in this one, but he struggled, hitting just two home runs. However, he did not finish in last place thanks to a pair of one home run performances by Sammy Sosa and John Jaha. 2004 - Minute Maid Park / Houston, Texas The Orioles double-dipped in 2004 by sending two players to the derby, and they even got a winner out of the whole thing. Miguel Tejada dominated the competition by hitting 27 total home runs, a record at the time, including 15 bombs in the semi-finals. Palmeiro came in third with 14 long balls. 2006 - PNC Park / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After skipping 2005, Tejada was back in the competition in 2006. But he was unable to match his previous performance. The infielder smacked three homers and was eliminated after the first round. Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard took home the trophy with 23 total round-trippers. 2013 - Citi Field / New York, New York What a season 2013 was for Chris Davis. He earned the only all-star game appearance of his career, hit 53 home runs, slugged .634 and finished third in MVP voting. He also earned a spot in the home run derby and had a nice little showing. Crush finished fourth with 12 home runs in a field of eight, ahead of his eventual teammate, Pedro Alvarez , who took fifth. As an added bonus, Adam Jones was mic'ed up throughout the derby and, as always, was the best. 2014 - Target Field / Minneapolis, Minnesota The Orioles were competitive on the field once again, which meant they were receiving home run derby invites on a regular basis. Jones actually took part in the competition this season, squeaking through the first round with four home runs, but then falling in the second round with just three to finish fifth out of a 10-player field. 2015 - Great American Ball Park / Cincinnati, Ohio This was the first derby to introduce the bracket style that is still in use today, and it worked to perfection with every matchup being quite compelling. Manny Machado donned the O's logo in this one and had a solid showing, hitting 12 home runs in the first round, but he was bested by eventual runner-up Joc Pederson and his 13 home runs. 2016 - Petco Park / San Diego, California Mark Trumbo would go on to lead the league with 47 home runs in the 2016 season, so it made sense that he was invited to participate in the home run derby as the number one seed. He bested Corey Seager in the first round by a 16-15 score, but then fell to Giancarlo Stanton 17-14 in round two. For what it's worth, Stanton went on to win the whole thing. The Orioles have a pretty nice history of home run derby performances. There are a couple of wins in there, and the team has never gone too terribly long with a participant or two. Who will be the next O's hitter to appear in the annual derby? My money is on Ryan Mountcastle, or maybe Adley Rutschman. Of course, that could mean waiting a few more years before one our "our guys" is on center stage. It's all part of the rebuilding process.


Nine area players earned spots on the UIL all-state tournament teams, headed by Class 1A champion D'Hanis, which had five selections. Blanco, the Class 3A runner-up, had three and La Vernia, a 4A semifinalist, one. D'Hanis junior pitcher Kyle Looper was named the 1A championship game MVP after getting the win the Cowboys' 4-0 victory over New Home that sealed the state title. Senior pitcher Alex Magers, a Texas A&M signee, also made the 1A team getting a complete-game shutout against Dodd City in the semifinals and a save against New Home in the championship. Junior second baseman Solomon Rodriguez, sophomore third baseman Thomas Beard and senior outfielder Josh Rivera also made the 1A team. Blanco senior second baseman Eddie Calzoncit made the 3A team after tying two state-tournament records. Calzoncit went 6 of 6 with two walks in the two games, tying a 3A record for most hits in a tournament. He was 4 for 4 in Blanco's 3-2 semifinal victory over Van Alstyne, which tied a 3A record for most hits in a game. Senior pitcher AJ Briscoe and junior outfielder Austin Van Pelt also earns 3A spots. Senior first baseman Lance Kruse, who was 2 for 2 in La Vernia's 16-0 defeat against eventual state champion Argyle in the semifinals, was the Bears' only representative on the 4A team. The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association determined the teams. The championship game MVP were selected by the media. UIL Baseball State Tournament Teams As selected by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association MVP-Selected by media Conference 1A Position-Name, Class, School P-Alex Magers, Sr., D'Hanis C-Logan Tucker, Sr., Wells 1B-Gabe Cantu, Sr., New Home 2B-Solomon Rodriguez, Jr., D'Hanis 3B-Thomas Beard, So., D'Hanis SS-Brayden Vaught, So., Dodd City OF-Blake Buckelew, Jr., New Home OF-Josh Rivera, Sr., D'Hanis OF-Alex Vitolas, Fr., New Home UTIL-Ryan Bundy, Fr., New Home MVP-Kyle Looper, Jr., D'Hanis Conference 2A Position-Name, Class, School P-Brandon Hendrix, Sr., Dallardsville Big Sandy C-Garrett Lilley, Sr., Dallardsville Big Sandy 1B-Nic Kunze, Jr., Linden-Kildare 2B-Case Sutherland, Jr., Dallardsville Big Sandy 3B-Bryan Duff, Sr., Dallardsville Big Sandy SS-Dalton Alford, Sr., Linden-Kildare OF-Caden Collins, Jr., Valley Mills OF-BJ Morris, Jr., Albany OF-Trent Wert, Sr., Linden-Kildare UTIL-Jacob Owen, Sr., Linden-Kildare MVP-Broch Holmes, Sr., Dallardsville Big Sandy Conference 3A Position-Name, Class, School P-AJ Briscoe, Sr., Blanco C-Rhett Gallagher, Sr., Van Alstyne 1B-Sutton Hurst, Sr., Wall 2B-Eddie Calzoncit, Sr., Blanco 3B-Zach Smith, Jr., Van Alstyne SS-Ryan Gully, Sr., Wall OF-Austin Van Pelt, Jr., Blanco OF-Hunter Wallis, So., Kirbyville OF-Gage Weishuhn, Sr., Wall UTIL-Caleb Heuertz, Jr., Wall MVP-Luke Young, Jr., Wall Conference 4A Position-Name, Class, School P-Chad Ricker, Sr., Argyle C-Austin King, Sr., Argyle 1B-Lance Kruse, Sr., La Vernia 2B-Preston King, Sr., Argyle 3B-Joe Effenberger, Sr., Sweeny SS-Caden Homniok, Sr., Sweeny OF-Blake Benavides, Sr., Sweeny OF-Quinton Martin, Sr., Sweeny OF-Jayce McFarland, Jr., Kilgore UTIL-Bo Hogeboom, Jr., Argyle MVP-Dillon Carter, Sr., Argyle Conference 5A Position-Name, Class, School P-Aidan Caputi, Sr., Colleyville Heritage C-AJ Vasquez, Jr. Georgetown 1B-Chandler Freeman, Sr., Colleyville Heritage 2B-Zach Whittenton, Sr., Georgetown 3B-Jeffery David, Sr., Georgetown SS-Cole Posey, Sr., Georgetown OF-Jacob Guerrero, Sr., Colleyville Heritage OF-Cade Johnson, Jr., Corisicana OF-Pedro Tovias, Sr., Sharyland Pioneer UTIL-AJ Smith, So., Colleyville Heritage MVP-Joey Koetting, Sr., Colleyville Heritage Conference 6A Position-Name, Class, School P-Joe Steeber, Sr., Southlake Carroll C-Yanluis Ortiz, Jr., Southlake Carroll 1B-Grant Gololmb, Jr., Southlake Carroll 2B-Jack Baker, Jr., Fort Bend Ridge Point 3B-Cade Manning, Jr., Southlake Carroll SS-Austin Hale, Sr., Southlake Carroll OF-Austin Bradbury, Sr., Fort Bend Ridge Point OF-Gabe Colaianni, Sr., Fort Bend Ridge Point OF-Sam McGinnis, Jr., McKinney Boyd UTIL-Brett Baty, Sr., Austin Lake Travis MVP-Justin Grech, Jr., Southlake Carroll


The weather report shows more warm temperatures are in store for Pittsburgh, due to last through Thursday, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . The weather today through Monday includes forecast highs of 82 degrees. Rain could arrive later in the week. Tuesday's forecast shows the highest possibility of rain at 76 percent, with rain likely through Wednesday. Skies will be partly cloudy for the next several days. Winds will stay somewhat calm in the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Monday at only 9 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Denver. Driver flees after crashing into Denver 7-Eleven No injuries were reported but the store at 3177 E. Colfax Avenue had quite a bit of damage. Read the full story on 9NEWS . Man killed during alleged robbery in Denver suburb LAKEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Police say a man was chasing a person during an attempted robbery when he was struck by a vehicle and killed in a Denver suburb. The Denver Post reports that police did not release the name of the man who died around 4:30 a.m. Read the full story on MySanAntonio . One killed, 2 wounded in separate overnight shootings in Denver Three people were wounded in two separate shootings early Tuesday morning, the Denver Police Department said. About 2 a.m., one person was shot near 22nd and Champa streets near downtown and taken to a hospital. Read the full story on KDVR . Denver Economic Development & Opportunity will not accept new bids this year for housing projects Instead, it's re-upping with contractors doing a decent job. Read the full story on Denverite . Advocacy group aims to expand its political power, starting with the Denver school board race Padres & Jóvenes Unidos has formed a political committee that will allow it to endorse and support candidates in November's school board election. Read the full story on Denverite . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In his sophomore season on the PGA Tour, Max Homa made the cut in just two of 17 starts and cashed for $18,008 in 2017. "I think I made more money in the pro-ams on Monday than I did in the tournaments," he joked after his second round in the Wells Fargo Championship. On Sunday, he won $1.422 million. Homa, the 2013 NCAA individual champion for Cal, never cracked despite facing final-round pressure for the first time and won his first PGA Tour title. With a 4-under-par 67, the 417th-ranked player in the world won the Wells Fargo Championship, outlasting a stellar group including world No. 2 Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler, Jason Dufner, Paul Casey, Joel Dahmen and Rory McIlroy, the only player to win twice at Quail Hollow. With rounds of 69-63-70-67, Homa finished at 15 under and three shots clear of the field. "I'm in a dream, I think," said Homa, whose win earned him a two-year Tour exemption and trips to the PGA Championship in two weeks and the Sentry Tournament of Champions, The Players Championship and the Masters next year. He also jumped to No. 102 in the world. "I didn't know if this day would ever come let alone just keep my card, but it's been very validating," Homa added. "I have some scar tissue out here. I've been working my tail off and I've been seeing a lot of great results, and my gosh, it's cool to do it here because I love this place as much as anyone. WELLS FARGO: Results from Quail Hollow "It's great for my family, my fiancé. I'm getting married in a few months. It's just, everything's good now. It's a little job security and it's fun. I'm usually good with words, but I don't think I have any." Dahmen, a cancer survivor who was trying to win his first PGA Tour title, closed with a 70 to finish in solo second. "I certainly didn't beat myself today. Max is out there playing great. He deserves the win," Dahmen said. "He's a good buddy of mine, so I'm really happy for him, especially what he's been through the last few years. I think we'll celebrate tonight. "I hung in there, a couple good pars coming in, which is worth a nice amount of FedExCup points for me and that's going to go a long way this year." Rose shot 68 to finish third at 11 under. Garcia (68), Fowler (68), Casey (69) and Dufner (73) tied for fourth at 9 under. The raw emotion of winning on TOUR. On repeat … just for you @maxhoma23 . #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/jvXPvZfqV1 - PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 5, 2019 McIlroy's birthday weekend ended on a sour note. After turning 30 Saturday and shooting 68, McIlroy couldn't get anything going in the final round. His bogey on the ninth and double on the 10th basically ended his chances for victory. He signed for a 73 and tied for eighth, his eighth top-10 in nine starts this year. Because of his record here and fondness for the course, McIlroy was the clear favorite. But Homa's victory was a bigger upset than 65-1 longshot Country House winning the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Homa had one top-10 in 14 events this season entering the four-day race around Quail Hollow Club, had missed seven cuts and was 61-over par on the year. During one stretch in his professional career, he missed 24 of 27 cuts. But if Homa is one thing, he's relentless. That word is tattooed on the 28-year-old's right arm, and it's a word he turned to repeatedly during the roughest of times. "When I played very, very bad two years ago I just kept thinking about that word (relentless)," Homa said. "I knew I was going to be back out here and I was going to make myself get back out here." Homa, Dahmen and Dufner were tied for the lead after 54 holes, with McIlroy looming two shots behind and Rose just three from the lead. But Homa assumed control of the tournament with birdies on 5, 7, 10 and 11, not once looking out of place in the final group. Then he held his nerve with big par-saving putts on 12 and 13 and, after a delay of 62 minutes as torrential rains stormed by, he canned a 6-footer for par on the 14th to maintain a 3-stroke lead. After two stout shots to get home in two on the 569-yard, uphill par-5, he two-putted from 70 feet for birdie to extend his lead to four. He played safely on the closing stretch - a brutal three holes called the Green Mile - and ended his win with a par putt from 10 feet and a celebratory shout to the skies. "My whole world is a little different now," he said following his breakthrough win. His putt on 14 was the biggest, Homa said, when summarizing how it all came together. "You know, 12, 13, I was kind of in a rhythm there. And 14, played it poorly with my wedge shot and had (six) feet and get the horn. So not ideal trying to get your first win having to wait about an hour to hit that putt. "I was nervous, I felt like I was going to throw up half the way, but my hands did not act like that. I felt like everything was just settled perfectly and I just had to control my stomach." Well, his stomach - and everything else - felt just fine at the end of the day. MORE: Seth Curry's 2nd-quarter burst had NBA fans making so many Steph Curry jokes How to tell if a coach is interested in you as a recruit Why concern should be low about Rashan Gary's shoulder injury Freddie Kitchens has a simple philosophy for pass coverage NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


Wolverhampton Wanderers' use of the transfer market has been vital in their rise from the Championship to the verge of Europa League football in just two seasons, and they have built an impressive squad with the help of super-agent Jorge Mendes, who now works for the club. The club have made a raft of signings in the last couple of years in an attempt to reach, and stay in, the Premier League but now there is a sense that a period of squad consistency will serve them best. If they are to make it into Europe next season (depending on Manchester City beating Watford in the FA Cup final), they will certainly need some more additions but, with the extra strain on the squad, they should look to retain the majority of the players who have impressed this season. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will not want all of them at Molineux next season though, so who should stay and who should go? Goalkeepers Rui Patricio - KEEP - The Portugal number one has been excellent in his first season on these shores and there is no doubt everybody at the club will want him to stay. John Ruddy - KEEP - The former England goalkeeper is an extremely reliable understudy who is unfortunate to have such an accomplished stopper ahead of him. May look to move on for more playing time but Wolves should look to keep him. Will Norris - KEEP - Solid third-choice 'keeper who also improves the club's homegrown quota. Full Backs Matt Doherty - KEEP - An indispensable member of the side who is a key component in Espirito Santo's 3-5-2 formation. Jonny Castro Otto - KEEP - Another crucial part of the squad whose performances on the left hand side of the Wolves team have earned him international recognition with Spain. Ruben Vinagre - KEEP - The 20-year-old has struggled on occasions this season but has time on his side and is a decent back-up for Jonny. Needs to improve next season however. Centre Backs Conor Coady - KEEP - The club captain has been outstanding this season and his use of the ball along with his defensive qualities means he is vital to how the side play. Deserves to receive England recognition soon. Ryan Bennett - SELL - The 29-year-old was a key part of their promotion-winning team but his lack of pace makes him a weak link in the Premier League and an upgrade is required. Willy Boly - KEEP - Strong in the air and on the ground, Boly has had a very good first season in the top flight and provides a nice balance on the left side of the back three. Romain Saiss - KEEP - Has the ability to play as both a centre half and in centre midfield and that versatility will be important if they play in the Europa League. Kortney Hause - SELL - Currently on loan at Aston Villa , where he has only played a handful of games, the defender is not good enough to stay at his parent club. Centre Midfielders Ruben Neves - KEEP - Whether they will be able to or not is another story, but there is no doubt Wolves will be desperate to keep the 22-year-old, who will be vital to the continued success of the club. Joao Moutinho - KEEP - Another crucial part of the team's engine room whose experience will be a useful asset if they make it into Europe. Leander Dendoncker - KEEP - His loan deal becomes permanent this summer and the fans will be delighted as he has continued to improve throughout the campaign, making himself a permanent fixture in the starting XI. Morgan Gibbs-White - KEEP - The academy product has been excellent when given the chance this season and will only get better in the coming years. May get hard for them to keep him much longer with bigger clubs sure to be interested. Attacking Midfielders & Wingers Ivan Cavaleiro - SELL - The Portuguese winger has been given plenty of opportunities to prove his worth but quite simply is not good enough for the Premier League. Helder Costa - SELL - Lost his place in the side when Espirito Santo switched from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 and it is time for him to move on after just one goal in the league during the campaign. Adama Traore - KEEP - The former Barcelona winger has pace to burn but his final product needs to improve dramatically. A useful player to bring on but if he does not start scoring and assisting more goals then it will be time to sell. Forwards Raul Jimenez - KEEP - Having recently made his loan move permanent for a club-record £30m fee there is no way Wolves will let their main striker leave this summer. A return of 17 goals in all competitions is extremely impressive. Diogo Jota - KEEP - Has been a revelation since joining Jimenez in a front two and he is one of the players the squad will be built around next season. Bigger clubs may take a look but they should be able to keep him for at least one more campaign. Leo Bonatini - SELL - The Brazilian has just completed a disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest and is nowhere near good enough to challenge for a place in the Wolves squad.


A former North Texas pain management doctor was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday for prescribing painkillers that contributed to the deaths of at least seven people in two states, according to reports. Howard Gregg Diamond, whose office was in Sherman, north of Dallas, pleaded guilty to federal drug distribution charges in November. The 57-year-old conspired with others to write unnecessary prescriptions for highly addictive drugs like fentanyl, hydrocodone and morphine. Fox 4 reported that according to authorities, the overdose deaths occurred in the Texas cities of Abilene, McKinney and Sulphur Springs, and in the Oklahoma cities of Ardmore, Hugo, Idabel and Yukon. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP The Texas Medical Board suspended Diamond in 2017, the news outlet reported, saying he "posed a continuing threat to public welfare." Click for more from Fox 4. The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Larry Kudlow, President Donald Trump's top economic adviser, said Sunday there is a "strong possibility" Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 economic summit in Japan next month and said he expects China to retaliate against the US for its increase last week in tariffs on Chinese goods as Beijing has indicated it would. "We were moving well, constructive talks -- and I still think that's the case ... but the problem is, two weeks ago in China, there was backtracking by the Chinese," Kudlow told Fox News' Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday." He said, "I think I do," when asked whether US officials expect the Chinese to retaliate for the tariff hike put on by the US last week when it increased the rate to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods. "We may know more today or even this evening or tomorrow," Kudlow said of the expected retaliation. "We'll see what they come up with." Contrary to the President's suggestions that the Chinese alone will pay the tariffs imposed by the US, Kudlow acknowledged US companies would pay in effect a tax increase that oftentimes is passed on to consumers, but he added that "both sides will pay" because both nations' economies will feel some impact from the duties. He argued, though, that the tariffs would have a "very modest" impact on US economic growth and said the tariffs have increased customs revenues. Pressed further by Wallace about the President's comments regarding China paying the tariffs and whether it's US businesses and consumers who pay, Kudlow said: "Yes, to some extent. I don't disagree with that. Again, both sides ... both sides will suffer on this." "The economic consequences are so small but the possible improvement in trade ... this is worthwhile doing," he said. Kudlow confirmed that no new talks with Chinese negotiators have been scheduled, but he said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have been invited to return to China for more discussions. A "sticking point," Kudlow said, is the desire from the US side to see China commit to changes more forcefully -- such as by codifying them into Chinese law, not simply stating their intention to commit. Kudlow told Fox that the chances are "probably pretty good" that Trump and Xi could speak in person at the G20. Still, he refused to put a timeline on reaching a deal and said there is still much work to be done before the two countries can arrive at an agreement. "We don't think the Chinese have come far enough," Kudlow said.


The Chicago Bears are entering the 2019 season with high - very high - expectations after last season's surprising playoff run, one that ended in the worst possible way when Cody Parkey missed a game-winning field goal in the NFC wild-card round against the Philadelphia Eagles. That loss is ancient history now, and with coach Matt Nagy entering his second year at the helm, the Bears are poised for a breakout season on offense and yet another dominant year on defense. In the lastest episode of Chicago Shuffle, I take a look at some Bears players who are overrated, underrated and expected to have a breakout season. I'm joined by Lorin Cox for another fun conversation about the beloved. Make sure you head over to iTunes and subscribe to the show so you can be alerted every time a new episode runs. And leave a friendly five-star rating and review while you're at it. Enjoy! View embedded content MORE: This video from behind the bench might be the best view of Kawhi Leonard's buzzer-beater NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Steelers looking mediocre in Peter King's latest NFL power rankings Report: Chicago Bulls could offer top-6 pick for Lonzo Ball in trade Video confirms reports of Chris Paul's attempt to sabotage Steph Curry


Instagram recently kicked off a test to hide the number of "likes" a user's post has received. The Facebook-owned platform is a major draw for influencer marketing. Here's what the "likes" test could mean for influencers and brands working with them on Instagram. Instagram's test of hiding "likes" on posts just expanded to more markets around the globe. For influencers, or individuals who work with brands to promote services or products on social media, this will likely mean a continued shift away from "vanity metrics"   such as likes or follower counts   and toward actual sales. Facebook-owned Instagram said in April it would be kicking off the test as a way of creating "a less pressurized environment" on the app. Users who are part of the test are able to look at who liked their own post, but not a count of how many likes someone else's post received, a way of making Instagram feel less "like a competition," the company's head of Instagram Adam Mosseri said at the time. A more "healthy" environment could indeed be a result of a change like this. But marketing experts say the changes could also further incentivize brands to put paid media support behind their influencer posts, and also to focus on Instagram Stories, the video and photo posts that are only live on Instagram temporarily. The potential change could also mean that influencer content will need to become higher quality, since users won't be able to lean on the amount of likes their posts are receiving when a brand considers working with them. Marketers will still be able to look at an influencer's follower account, but that metric doesn't mean much in the way of showing how "engaged" a user's audience is. Influencer marketing agency Obviously conducted a survey of Canadian influencers after the Instagram "like" test started rolling out in Canada. Of the just over 100 influencers that answered, 62% said they were spending the same amount of time on content, and cited the test as a positive vote for high-quality content. Leaning less on likes Ryan Detert, CEO of influencer marketing company Influential, said the change may have the effect of drying up the economy for fraudulent likes on Instagram since they'd no longer be as valuable when it comes to showing engagement. But Detert said for his company's clientele, engagement is already less of a priority. Influential has worked with major brands including Pepsi and McDonald's. "In the last year and a half, it's been an education process," he said. "[Clients] have almost completely abandoned the idea of engagement rates being the most important piece … it's become a nice-to-have." Detert said campaigns his company has been doing with clients are more focused on measuring the actual online or in-store sales driven by influencer posts. Tools can help brands determine whether clicking from an Instagram post converts to an actual online sale, or whether a consumer actually goes to buy that product at CVS or Duane Reade. He said the company is doing a lot with "paid media," marketing industry speak for any post where a brand pays to amplify a post to a wider audience and gives them more targeting and measurement abilities. Instagram said in June it was rolling out a change that will let advertisers promote posts from influencers. Before that, brands could also post influencer content by just posting content from influencer on their own page, or by posting them on other third-party accounts. Bob Gilbreath, general manager of influencer and social media marketing firm Ahalogy, said more brands and agencies tapping into the paid model makes it so that Instagram can more deeply penetrate the big money being spent on Instagram on influencer marketing. "If people go more to this paid model, that's making it so Instagram gets a bigger [portion] of the money," he said. Pivot to video Social Native founder and CEO David Shadpour said the test of hiding likes goes in line with the Facebook and Instagram strategies of pushing users to "Stories." "The goal of Facebook and Instagram is to push users to Stories, since they believe the future is in short form videos, not static images or [the] News Feed," he said in an email. "Because of this, they're focusing on strategies to increase consumer consumption rate of video, get more creators making videos, and increase ROI of advertisers leveraging video." Shadpour said he thinks the value of likes will disappear even if Instagram doesn't do away with likes altogether. "By reducing the focus on likes as an indicator of success, creators will have more creative control   focusing on content and transitioning their content towards video," he said. "With that shift, metrics will also have to shift. Time spent on the platform, engagement, views and other metrics will prevail as KPIs." He said this will also have the effect of incentivizing more quality content. Some users might become disinterested in Instagram without the dopamine spike of a "like," with some onlookers wondering if this would affect the amount of time users spend on the site. But some said this will change the relationship people have with the app. Oliver Yonchev, U.S. managing director at social media company The Social Chain, said this should have the result of Instagram users posting "a lot more." "One of the number one reasons why users don't post more now is because every single time you post you're being heavily judged by this 'like' metric on the quality of your post," he wrote in an email "If that's removed, then a lot of people won't feel that pressure, and they'll post more, and that's good for the platform; that could probably lead to more time spent on the platform which means more ads served to the community." A deeper connection Quynh Mai, founder and CEO at digital agency Moving Image & Content, said a future without Instagram likes could mean brands and influencers will work a little harder at creating a community on the platform. "You see a lot more influencers building careers, businesses, brands, out of their influence than Instagram influencers, because that ecosystem is about building community, responding to comments, reading fan letters in a YouTube video   a deeper engagement with the fanbase   where Instagram engagement with your fan base was based on emojis and thumbs up and likes, which is a very shallow measurement of community," she said. YouTube stars like Jeffree Star create frenzies over their product launches or events because their audiences are so engaged. "It just hasn't happened in the same way on Instagram or Facebook," she said. "By removing likes, I'm hopeful that this [would] force the brands as well as influencers to take the time to build community and not just fans. As Gen Z grows up, their mandate for engagement is so different. They want a vote ... they want to be a part of the conversation."


Former Vice President Joe Biden , the frontrunner among 2020 Democratic candidates, agreed with a supporter who blasted Donald Trump's presidency -- and called it "illegitimate" -- during a fiery rant at his latest campaign stop. "He is an illegitimate president in my mind. That's it," the woman, who said she had "a very severe case of what's called Trump derangement syndrome," told Biden . "He's illegitimate and my biggest fear is that he's going to do it again with the help of Vlad, his best pal, and we're going to be stuck for six more years with this guy, and that is terrifying, it's terrifying," she said, mentioning Russian president Vladimir Putin . Biden responded by jokingly asking if she would be his vice presidential candidate. In a seemingly more serious tone, Biden said, "folks, look, I absolutely agree." BIDEN DEFENDS HIS CLIMATE RECORD AFTER OCASIO-CORTEZ CRITICISM, TELLS CRITICS TO 'CALM DOWN' Her comments also included a call for all 2020 candidates to unify behind a message that claimed, among other things, Trump won the 2016 election with Russia's help. "I don't want to live in a country run by Vladimir Putin. I don't think anybody should want that," she added. Biden told the woman that in order to help Democrats win, he wouldn't "speak ill" of another Democratic candidates. "We have to be in a position, whomever the nominee is, to be able to win," he said. Biden has a history of making comments potentially damaging to his political career. For example, he told a Chinese university audience in 2011 that he "fully" understood their one-child policy. The former vice president also faced scrutiny over a 2006 video, resurfaced in May, showing him advocating for a border wall and punishment for employers who hired illegal immigrants. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Biden's Tuesday comments came after weeks of turmoil surrounding Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report which highlighted what some considered to be troubling activity by Russians. The report did not, however, conclude the Trump campaign conspired with the Russians to influence the election. While Democrats have continued investigating potential obstruction of justice under Trump, the Justice Department probed the Russia investigation's origins and whether the former administration improperly surveilled Trump's campaign. Fox News contacted Joe Biden's campaign for comment.


U.S. carmaker Ford's (F.N) Russian venture, Ford Sollers, opened a $275 million engine plant on Thursday, which will help make its Russian-produced vehicles less dependent on imported components and currency fluctuations. Ford aims to spend 60 percent of the cost of producing cars for the Russian market in the country itself by 2020, to qualify for benefits such as lower import duties on car components. The new plant, in the republic of Tatarstan, has the capacity to produce up to 105,000 engines a year, with the possibility of expansion to up to 200,000, Ford Sollers said in a statement. At least 30 percent of Russian-built Ford vehicles, including Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, and Ford EcoSport models, will be equipped with locally built engines, the company said without providing a timeframe. Ford does not currently make any engines in Russia. "Our main target in line with our long-term localization strategy was to launch engine production with a significant level of localization ... We are fully committed to this strategy which is key for our business in the current environment," said Adil Shirinov, Ford Sollers' Chief Operating Officer. After years of growth in excess of 10 percent, Russian car sales collapsed in 2014 as the economy shrank and the rouble weakened, due to lower oil prices and Western sanctions over Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis. New car sales in Russia are forecast to drop 36 percent this year to 1.55 million, according to the Moscow-based Association of European Businesses (AEB). In January-July, sales fell 35 percent, year-on-year, the AEB said. Ford's sales in Russia fell 52 percent in January-July, even though it launched four new models in the country this year. It also took control of the Ford-Sollers venture, which was in the red last year due to the economic slump. Carmakers with models targeted at middle-class buyers and heavily dependent on imported components have been hit hardest. General Motors Co (GM.N) said in March it would shut its plant in St Petersburg and wind down sales and production of its Opel brand in Russia as it did not want to make significant investments in a tumbling market. (Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; Writing by Maria Kiselyova; Editing by Susan Fenton)


Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Los Angeles. LAPD data breach: Personal information of officers, applicants exposed A data breach has exposed the personal information of multiple Los Angeles police officers, the department has confirmed. Read the full story on ABC7 . Ras G, musician and producer at the heart of LA's beat scene, dies at 39 The artist born Gregory Shorter transported underground L.A. with his cosmic mess of dub, hip-hop, jazz and futurism Read the full story on Los Angeles Times . Katy Perry's 'Dark Horse' Handed Defeat in Trial Katy Perry's 2013 hit "Dark Horse" infringed on the song "Joyful Noise" by Christian rap artist Marcus Gray, aka Flame, a Los Angeles jury found on July 29. Read the full story on Variety . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Welcome back to Nine Innings, SI's weekly look at what's fun, cool and somewhat stupid around the league. Today's topics include: what to do about the MLB draft; Max Scherzer doing his best Bartleby the Scrivener impression; Rougned Odor's thighs; and much more. If you have any feedback, questions or angry rants to send my way, please don't hesitate to hit me up via email ( jon.tayler@simail.com ) or Twitter . This Week In … The MLB Draft! As you're reading this, the MLB draft is currently winding its way through its seemingly endless middle rounds, in the chunk that takes place entirely over conference call. (Finally, a sporting event that recreates the thrill of a meeting.) The draft is a hard sell for a variety of reasons: a largely unknown body of players, the great majority of whom will never reach the majors, slowly picked over several hours. (Monday's TV presentation stretched on for what felt like days.) Most of the enjoyment past Day 1 is in name-watching, like keeping track of all the regional variations of "Kaden." The assistant GMs and scouting directors mumbling names into a speakerphone matters little and less as the draft goes on. There's no real way to liven up the festivities, either. MLB has tried, doing everything from putting the draft in primetime to clearing the slate of games so that the baseball world is more or less forced to pay attention. But there are simply too many logistical and contextual hurdles for MLB's draft to occupy the kind of prime real estate that the NFL and NBA ones do. Again: 95% of the names you see this week, you will never see again. Half the first rounders literally the best amateur players in the country will never make any impact on a major league game. And those who do will take years to get there. Like a settler party navigating the Oregon Trail, most of them will be lost along the way to the baseball equivalents of dysentery, broken axles, or snakebites. That's a wrap from Round 1! #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/m1Vq3NxMsH   MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2019 There's nothing MLB can do to change that. Baseball is an absurdly hard game that takes a long time to learn and far longer to master. It's hard to convince people to get emotionally invested in a total stranger who more likely than not will hang up his spikes at the age of 26 after getting stuck in Double A. And with college baseball having a far smaller audience than college football or basketball, there are few if any Zion Williamson types who take a nation by storm, where everyone wants to know their fate. This isn't to suggest that the league is stupid for investing resources in the draft or pumping it up. But the draft does feel like a losing battle for all parties involved. Fans aren't interested, and the way that journalists cover it isn't fair to the staggering difficulty teams and players face. The draft is caught between its reality as a coin flip and the manufactured vision of it as a grand showcase and way for your sad-sack team to make it all better. Its non-viewer-friendly truth is somewhere in between. Is there a solution? I advocate for getting rid of the draft entirely and letting players choose their teams, but that's mostly because it's far more fair and labor friendly. Regardless, MLB and the owners will never agree to that. The draft will always be second fiddle, no matter how much the orchestra around it is dressed up. This Week In … Vladimir Guerrero Jr.! The Vlad Jr. Train continues to chug along, hopefully picking up speed. Last week, he hit a modest .273/.333/.549 with a homer, three doubles and two walks. That may not look like much given the Gabbo-sized expectations surrounding Guerrero, but again, keep in mind that he's been 20 years old for all of two months and is still hitting better than Manny Machado this season. FUN FACT: Vlad Jr.'s home run was the 1,120th @MLB homer this May. That set a new all-time record for the most homers in a single month! pic.twitter.com/qW6Gbt7gUR   Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 1, 2019 There's probably something to be said for the hype machine that builds kids like Vlad Jr. up to such dizzying heights that nothing they do can come close to matching the dreams. On the one hand, if anyone looked poised to break the baseball wheel, it was Guerrero, the most advanced hitting prospect in decades. On the other, it's a nice reminder that baseball is hard, and that patience is the greatest virtue to have when it comes to the sport. So, should that be a lesson for me, the writer who devoted an entire section of a weekly column to the forthcoming brilliance of an untested minor leaguer as if it were a guarantee? This Week In … Max Scherzer Says No! Here's a delightful short story, courtesy of the GIF-making genius Pitching Ninja. Max Scherzer/Davey Martinez Mound Visit (abbreviated version). pic.twitter.com/O2SZq6kAxL   Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 3, 2019 There's context to that clip: Martinez coming out to chat with Scherzer amid a Sunday start against the Reds, with his ace at 117 pitches with one out to go in the seventh, only to be met with Scherzer's weapons-grade intensity. The righty pleads his case (using what Martinez charitably described later as "non-professional words"), gets to stay, and makes good on his manager's trust by punching out Joey Votto on three pitches for his 15th strikeout of the day. Max Scherzer's 15th K (97mph/120th pitch). pic.twitter.com/hj2mJsVWEK   Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 2, 2019 You love to get a happy ending, but I really wanted to see what would've happened if Martinez had taken Scherzer out in what was a one-run game. Would Scherzer have just sat on the mound and refused to go? Would he have stared at Martinez, unblinking, until the skipper left? (Like a bear, never look Scherzer directly in the eyes, as he'll take it as a challenge to his dominance.) Either way, Scherzer said no, and no it was. Hopefully the next time he wants to register that same displeasure, he takes it up to this level: This Week In … Derek Dietrich Disappointing The Dead! Reds infielder Derek Dietrich has spent the season heaping fire on his enemies, none more than the Pirates. Against Pittsburgh this year, Dietrich is hitting a saucy .423/.444/1.269, including seven of his 17 home runs, one of which sparked a benches-clearing brawl back in April. When he's gone deep, Dietrich has made a habit of admiring his handiwork, and that combination of flex and targeted destruction so thoroughly enraged Pirates color commentator John Wehner that he brought up the dead on a local radio show last week to try to shame Cincinnati's slugger. Derek Dietrich has more sauce than anyone in baseball history pic.twitter.com/WvhuqADker   Noah Clement (@Rocky_BalNoah) May 29, 2019 "I can't stand Dietrich. … I don't understand why you have to do that. It's different if you're a Hall of Fame player, you're a 60-homer guy, you're an established guy. Nobody ever heard of him before this year. I heard of him because of his grandfather [Steve Demeter], who used to be a minor league coach for the Pirates. He was the nicest, sweetest guy in the world. He's rolling in his grave every time the guy hits a home run. He's embarrassed of his grandson." It's unknown if, in fact, Demeter is currently doing 180 rpm underground because his grandson whom he likely loved very much happens to pause a few seconds after swatting a dinger to be proud of his accomplishment. Barring Wehner also being a medium, he's not really in any position to make any claim of the sort. But Wehner's whining is good to get eyes rolling, if not corpses. Let Dietrich have fun, and leave his grandfather out of it. I'm sure the old man is having a grand time in the land of wind and ghosts watching young Derek be a star. This Week In ... High Fashion! Behold Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor, strutting his stuff in what I hope becomes the latest MLB fashion trend: pants turned into short shorts. Rougned Odor's "shorts" are definitely a look... pic.twitter.com/KHYNvdZVBA   Cut4 (@Cut4) June 2, 2019 Yes, like that pair of jeans you ill-advisedly tried to turn into jorts, Odor decided to push the boundaries of his pants by bunching them up well above the knee. He's rapidly approaching 1976 White Sox territory , and while it may look decidedly goofy, I'm all for it. More weird sartorial choices in baseball, please. Who will be the first man to rock culottes? This Week In … Playing the Hits! Franmil Reyes is a very big man who hits very long home runs. But did you know that the Padres' young outfielder has also got the pipes to match that power? Observe: We will continue posting this (so, always) until it no longer warms or fills our heart (so, never) @La_Mole_13 • #FriarFaithful pic.twitter.com/gJAH5WCymF   San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 1, 2019 Reyes' impromptu rendition of that all-time Whitney Houston power ballad "I Will Always Love You" is the result of a joke he and righty Chris Paddack have been playing throughout the season , belting out the chorus of the song when a Padres player returns to the dugout after a home run. Here they are doing it pregame at Yankee Stadium last week, turning it into a remix with some sweet bat-based percussion. OMG. Sound *all* the way up. @La_Mole_13 , we'll always love you too 😂 pic.twitter.com/YtEUY0MdHd   San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 28, 2019 The only reasonable place this goes now should be obvious: Reyes, throwing out the first pitch of a game to a masked catcher … only for the catcher to reveal himself as Kevin Costner, who scoops Reyes into his arms and carries him off as the song blasts over the Petco Park PA. This Week In … Manny Ramirez! Remember Manny Ramirez? I hope you do, because he was the best. Anyway, turns out that, even at age 47, he can still swing the stick. Show 'em, Manny. The legend, Manny Ramirez, putting on a clinic last night after hours. The swing is still pure in case you had any doubts.. pic.twitter.com/7Jqb2doGZR   Max Dutto (@MaxDutto_) May 30, 2019 In other Manny-related news, here he is checking out an Angels-Mariners game on his birthday last Thursday in Seattle. I can think of far worse ways to spend a birthday than watching Mike Trout do his thing. This Week In … Who Needs Craig Kimbrel? Every week until he's signed, I'll take a look at which teams need free agent Craig Kimbrel, one of the best relievers in baseball, the most, and declare one the winner. This is likely the last week for this section, as Kimbrel's draft pick compensation is gone, taking away that final self-erected barrier that stood between teams and the elite closer they all needed. Finally, no more excuses; there are no more strings attached to Kimbrel or at least, none beyond those that the teams themselves are trying to tie on. Teams involved in the Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel talks are leery that either will be ready before July. Neither have faced #MLB hitters in eight months, and the landscape is filled with pitchers who struggled after signing late. They are unrestricted free agents at midnight   Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 2, 2019 You have to admire the gall of complaining about a player being rusty when that rust is the result of having to miss the entire season to date because no team was willing to pay him. Regardless, some team will soon sign Kimbrel. On Monday, I listed the top five spots where he would have the most potential impact, leading with Milwaukee, which could use a regular closer to free up Josh Hader to pitch like Josh Hader in other innings. A dozen other teams could use him too. Either way, one will get him, and the result will be the fun contradiction of a player that the whole league more or less ignored since November suddenly appearing on a roster as if nothing were amiss. Fabulous economic system the game has got going right now. Also receiving votes: Aren't you excited to do this all over again next winter? This Week In … Old Baseball Cards! Each week, I'll pluck a random baseball card out of a pile of old 1980s, 90s and 2000s cards I have at my work desk, then write a quick little take on the player in question. This week's entry: Shane Reynolds, pitcher, Houston Astros (1999 Upper Deck). On May 6, 1998, Shane Reynolds took the mound at Wrigley Field and threw arguably one of the best games of his entire life. Over eight innings a complete game Reynolds allowed two runs and struck out 10, throwing 72 of his 116 pitches for strikes. That blustery day on the North Side of Chicago, Reynolds briefly looked like he could make history, punching out eight batters in his first four innings of work. But it didn't last, and though only two Cubs crossed the plate, that was enough to hand the 30-year-old righty the loss. To be fair to Reynolds, though, he stood no chance of a win that day, given his opponent. Facing Reynolds that day was a peach-fuzzed rookie righty by the name of Kerry Wood. Twenty strikeouts and one borderline hit later, Wood was the author of the single best game that's ever been pitched in MLB history, and Reynolds was the owner of one of its least deserving losses. "That poor bastard just ran into the wrong guy that day," Cubs first baseman Mark Grace said of Reynolds in a Chicago Tribune oral history of Wood's game . And while Reynolds easily gets lost in revisiting that game, his overshadowed excellence still pokes through. "Every once in a while," he told the Tribune , "there's that glimpse of what I had that day." Related slideshow: The 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)