Five Time Olympic Gold Medalist Missy Franklin Retires
23 year old Missy Franklin, a five time Olympic gold medalist, announced her retirement. In a letter to ESPN, she cited chronic shoulder pain as her motivation to retire. She has a world record in the 200 meter backstroke, as well as two FINA swimmer of the year awards.
In addition, she won 27 medals over her career, including the 5 Olympic golds. 16 of the medals have been gold. “This is by no means the end,” Franklin wrote. “Swimming has been, and always will be, a big part of my life and I absolutely plan to stay involved in what I feel is the best sport in the world, just in a different way.”
Tom Brady Ties NFL Pro Bowl Record
The New England Patriots’ Tom Brady received his 14th Pro Bowl selection this season. He currently ties the record for the most Pro Bowl selections with Peyton Manning, Tony Gonzales, Merlin Olsen, and Bruce Matthews. Additionally, fellow teammate Stephon Gilmore received a selection.
The only three teams to not receive any are the Bills, Raiders, and the Buccaneers. Many players were also snubbed from a selection. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck currently holds the second place in the NFL with 34 touchdown passes.
Daniel Cormier Named 2018 Fighter Of The Year
Professional MMA fighter Daniel Cormier was named as ESPN’s 2018 Fighter of the Year. After a rocky 2017, he entered 2018 with renewed vigor. Cormier beat both Volkan Oezdemir and Derrick Lewis with early finishes. His defining moment, however, came in July, when Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic, the most dominant heavyweight champ in UFC history.
“The universe is crazy,” Cormier told ESPN. “Just as you start to accept, ‘Maybe I’m the guy that was second’ … I was never the guy that stood at the very top. I was at a point where, ‘This has to be good enough for me.'”
Manny Machado Meets With The Yankees
Earlier Wednesday shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado was seen entering Yankee Stadium for a meeting. This was the second stop of his four week tour of the clubs vying for his contract. He met the White Sox last week, and plans to meet the Phillies next. The identity of the fourth club is unknown.
Currently, the Yankees are in need of a replacement for their shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is out for a Tommy John’s surgery. Not only that, but Machado is one of the most talented players seen. Right now, he sits at 36 home runs, 96 RBIs and an .856 OPS over the past four seasons.
Atlanta Hawks Player Fined For Throwing Ball Into Stands
Hawks guard Kent Bazemore was fined $10,000 for throwing a ball into the stands. Reports say that after the Hawks called a timeout, Bazemore threw the ball at the stanchion, but missed and the ball flew into the spectators.
