Wes Gardner, a former Major League Baseball pitcher for four teams including the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, died on June 10 at age 65. Gardner played eight seasons in MLB and was known for his pitching skills while helping his college team win championships.
Key Facts
Wes Gardner pitched in the MLB from 1984 to 1991.
He played for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Kansas City Royals.
Gardner was drafted in 1984 by the Mets after pitching for the University of Central Arkansas.
He was involved in a major trade that helped set up the 1986 World Series between the Mets and Red Sox.
Gardner’s best MLB season was in 1988 with the Red Sox, when he had an 8-6 win-loss record and a 3.50 earned run average (ERA).
He pitched as both a starting pitcher and a closer during his career.
Gardner retired in Arkansas and was inducted into his university’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Former Mets vice president of public relations announced his death on social media.
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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is making good progress recovering from a knee injury and is expected to return to playing soon. Head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen both expressed hope that Nabers will be ready for the 2026 NFL season opener.
Key Facts
Malik Nabers tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season.
He also had a meniscus repair and a second surgery to remove scar tissue from his knee.
Head coach John Harbaugh said Nabers is working hard and making good progress.
Harbaugh is hopeful Nabers will be back soon but noted he will need time to regain full strength.
General manager Joe Schoen said Nabers should be ready for the Week 1 game of the 2026 season.
Nabers was the Giants' sixth overall draft pick in 2024.
In his rookie year, Nabers had 109 catches, 1,204 yards, and seven touchdowns.
The Giants will play the Dallas Cowboys in their first game of the 2026 season on September 13.
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Drake Maye, the New England Patriots’ young quarterback, led the team to the Super Bowl last season and is expected to perform well again this year. Former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe advised Maye to manage expectations, noting the difficulty of repeating such success and the pressure that comes with it.
Key Facts
Drake Maye is entering his third season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback.
Maye helped lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl last season.
Maye was a top candidate for the NFL Most Valuable Player award last year.
Drew Bledsoe, a former Patriots quarterback, warned Maye about high expectations.
Bledsoe compared Maye’s situation to his own at age 24 when he faced pressure and criticism.
The Patriots had an easier schedule last season, which helped their success.
This season, the Patriots face tougher opponents, including a Super Bowl rematch with the Seattle Seahawks.
Bledsoe encouraged Maye to keep working hard and handle the pressure calmly.
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England’s soccer captain Harry Kane identified France, Argentina, Brazil, and Spain as the biggest threats to England’s success at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England will start the tournament in Group L, facing Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, with new manager Thomas Tuchel leading the team.
Key Facts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, co-hosted by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.
England’s captain, Harry Kane, named France, Argentina, Brazil, and Spain as top competitors.
England last won the World Cup in 1966 and has reached the semifinals or quarterfinals in recent tournaments.
Kane won the Golden Boot in 2018 by scoring six goals.
Thomas Tuchel became England’s manager in January 2025, replacing Gareth Southgate.
England’s Group L opponents are Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
Spain and France are considered the favorites to win the tournament.
England’s younger players include Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Nico O’Reilly.
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Jonathan Taylor, a running back for the Indianapolis Colts, is in the final year of his current contract and has expressed a strong desire to stay with the team long-term. After overcoming injuries, he played a full season in 2025 and hopes to secure a contract extension with the Colts.
Key Facts
Jonathan Taylor was the 41st overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
He has played with the Colts since 2020.
Taylor led the league in 2021 with 1,811 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.
He struggled with injuries from 2022 to 2024.
In 2025, Taylor played all 17 regular-season games for the first time since 2021.
He told reporters he wants to remain a Colt for his whole career.
Taylor has communicated his wish to the team multiple times over the years.
The Colts and Taylor appear to be discussing a contract extension, but no agreement has been announced yet.
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Christian Watson, a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, signed a four-year, $110 million contract extension before the 2026 NFL season. He aims to score 10 or more touchdowns and gain over 1,100 yards in the upcoming season, despite past injuries affecting his play.
Key Facts
Watson signed a four-year contract worth $110 million, including a $31 million signing bonus.
He is 27 years old and has played four seasons with the Packers.
Watson has never previously reached 1,100 yards or 10 touchdowns in a single season.
Injuries have limited his playing time, including an ACL tear at the end of the 2024 season.
He missed the first six games of the 2025 season due to recovery from injury.
In the 2025 season, he caught 35 passes for 611 yards and 6 touchdowns over 10 games.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised Watson for being a team player and working hard.
Watson prefers to focus on week-by-week performance rather than just statistics.
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Formula 1 has agreed to change the design of its engines in two steps to respond to driver complaints about this year's power split between traditional and electric power. The plan will increase the power from the internal combustion engine while reducing electrical power between 2027 and 2028 to make qualifying more exciting and less about energy management.
Key Facts
This year’s new rule had a 50-50 power split between internal combustion and electric engines.
Drivers said this split made qualifying less challenging and less “flat-out” (full speed).
The new agreement will shift the split to 58-42 in favor of internal combustion engines in 2027, and 60-40 in 2028.
Power from the internal combustion engine will grow from 400kW in 2026 to 450kW in 2028.
Electric engine power will drop from 350kW in 2026 to 300kW in 2027 and beyond.
Energy recovery rates for the electric system will increase, helping teams regain energy faster.
The FIA will allow some engine manufacturers performance upgrades if their engines lag more than 2% behind the best-performing engine.
Red Bull reportedly has the most powerful engine; Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi, and Honda have upgrade allowances based on their engine performance.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, saying their prices are similar to other major sports events in the U.S. He also commented on the denial of entry to a Somali referee and said FIFA is working quietly on such issues but cannot control government decisions.
Key Facts
FIFA set ticket prices starting at $140, with final match tickets going as high as $32,970.
A limited number of $60 tickets were made available to regular supporters through national federations.
Infantino stated the average ticket price is under $500, similar to prices for U.S. sports playoffs.
Several U.S. states’ attorneys general are investigating the ticket pricing, but FIFA welcomes the investigations.
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S., which Infantino called unfortunate.
FIFA cannot force governments to allow entry but tries to find solutions behind the scenes.
Despite political tensions, FIFA ensured Iran’s participation by arranging their training camp in Mexico.
Infantino described the 2026 World Cup as possibly the biggest event in human history.
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Mexico is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup for the third time, becoming the first country to do so. Officials say the event is special because the original ball games were played in ancient Mesoamerica, which is part of Mexico's history.
Key Facts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Mexico for the third time.
Mexico is the first nation to host the World Cup three times.
Organizers say the tournament has a deep connection to Mexico because early ball games started there over 3,500 years ago.
These ancient games are now being celebrated again during the World Cup.
The event is taking place across North America, but this article focuses on Mexico’s role as a host.
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At Madison Square Garden, celebrities who attend Knicks games enjoy certain special benefits. However, there are unofficial rules they must follow to keep these privileges.
Key Facts
Madison Square Garden hosts Knicks basketball games.
Celebrities sometimes attend these games as special guests.
These celebrities receive certain perks or privileges during the games.
There are unofficial rules that celebrities are expected to follow while at the arena.
Breaking these unofficial rules may result in losing the special perks.
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The Edmonton Oilers plan to hire Mike Babcock as their head coach despite ongoing concerns. The NHL is investigating new claims about Babcock’s past behavior, and these could affect the hiring decision.
Key Facts
Mike Babcock resigned as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 after allegations of inappropriate behavior, including asking players to show him photos on their phones.
The NHL is investigating new and significant claims about Babcock from players, which were not public in 2023.
The original reason for Babcock’s resignation was a different, unknown allegation, not the phone-related issue.
There is no set timeline for the NHL investigation, which will involve interviews with Blue Jackets players.
If Babcock does not take the Oilers job, the NHL might end the investigation, similar to what happened after his previous resignation.
Babcock has a history of controversial behavior, including bullying and questionable treatment of players on multiple NHL teams.
Oilers fans are unhappy about the possible hiring, but the team’s leaders support Babcock and want to proceed.
The Oilers’ general manager was told by team leaders that Babcock is their choice and they want to be pushed by him as a coach.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun with a new format featuring 48 teams playing 104 matches over 39 days. Mexico, United States, and Canada are hosting the tournament, with Mexico starting the event by playing South Africa in Mexico City.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup includes 48 teams, expanded from previous tournaments.
Matches are held in 16 stadiums across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
The tournament lasts 39 days, with a total of 104 games played.
Mexico hosts the first game against South Africa in Mexico City at a high altitude (7,300 feet).
South Korea faces the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico, as part of Group A.
Canada and the United States start their games on June 10 and 11, respectively.
Mexico aims to perform better than in 2022, with key players like Raúl Jiménez and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa participating.
Fox Sports and Telemundo have exclusive broadcasting rights in the U.S., offering matches in English and Spanish on TV and streaming apps.
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Essex Police are investigating new information related to David Sullivan, co-owner of West Ham football club, following reports of sexual misconduct allegations dating back to the 1980s. Sullivan denies the allegations and recently resigned as joint chairman of West Ham amid ongoing inquiries and safeguarding concerns.
Key Facts
Essex Police began inquiries after a joint BBC Panorama and Times investigation into Sullivan.
Multiple women have accused Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behavior.
Sullivan denies all allegations and says he never met women’s or youth players alone at West Ham.
He was banned three years ago from contacting women’s and youth teams due to safeguarding concerns.
The ban was not public and Sullivan continued attending men’s team matches.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy held meetings with the Football Association (FA) and West Ham about the issue.
Boyle Sports, a West Ham sponsor, was unaware of the restrictions placed on Sullivan and expressed concern.
Sullivan resigned as joint chairman to focus on responding to the allegations; he remains West Ham’s largest shareholder.
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Dallas Goedert, a tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles, signed a one-year contract worth up to $7 million to stay with the team. He chose to remain with the Eagles despite having other options and after a strong season where he caught 60 passes and scored 11 touchdowns.
Key Facts
Dallas Goedert re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in March on a one-year deal.
The contract is worth up to $7 million.
Goedert was originally drafted by the Eagles in 2018, 49th overall.
He tested free agency but decided the best opportunity was to stay in Philadelphia.
In his eighth NFL season, Goedert had career highs with 60 catches, 591 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
His 11 touchdowns in 2025 more than doubled his previous best.
Goedert was the Eagles’ third leading receiver behind DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown.
The Eagles traded A.J. Brown and added new wide receivers before the 2026 season.
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The San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, narrowing New York’s series lead to 2-1. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama made a controversial play by shoving Knicks player Jalen Brunson to the floor, which the NBA said was a missed foul call but did not upgrade it to a serious penalty.
Key Facts
The Spurs won Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Knicks with a score of 115-111.
Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points and had eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks in the game.
Wembanyama shoved Jalen Brunson to the ground during the first quarter, but no foul was called at the time.
The NBA later admitted the referee missed the foul but did not change it to a flagrant foul (a severe penalty).
ESPN analyst Jay Williams said the Knicks should respond physically in the next game to protect their players.
Knicks players OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart were on the floor during the shove but did not react at the moment.
Game 4 will be played at Madison Square Garden with the Knicks leading the series 2-1.
If the Spurs win Game 4, the series will be tied and return to San Antonio for Game 5.
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New York Giants defensive player Abdul Carter left minicamp early with an ankle injury, causing concern among fans. The next day, he was seen back on the field participating in light practice, indicating the injury is not serious.
Key Facts
Abdul Carter is a defensive edge player for the New York Giants.
He left minicamp early with an ankle injury, removing his left shoe and sock.
Head coach John Harbaugh said the injury did not seem serious.
Carter returned the next day for a light “mental sweat” walkthrough practice.
Fans were worried because Carter is a key player for the Giants’ defense.
Last season, Carter led the Giants with strong defensive stats like pressures, sacks, and forced fumbles.
Carter is expected to be a major part of the Giants’ pass-rush in the upcoming season.
The Giants’ defense also includes players Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Arvell Reese, who are key pass rushers.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been seen showing strong support for U.S. President Donald Trump as the 2026 World Cup approaches. This has raised questions about whether FIFA is staying neutral in political matters, which Infantino has denied.
Key Facts
Gianni Infantino is the president of FIFA, the global football (soccer) organization.
Infantino has publicly supported President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the U.S. and other countries.
FIFA is supposed to remain politically neutral but Infantino’s actions have led to accusations that this neutrality is being broken.
Infantino has defended himself against these accusations.
The 2026 World Cup is a major international football event involving many national teams.
The article mentions related news about World Cup teams and other sports events.
The concerns center on the relationship between sports leadership and political figures.
FIFA’s image of neutrality is important to its worldwide reputation.
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Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the United States men's national soccer team, reflects on his childhood in Argentina and his new role leading the US team as they prepare to co-host the World Cup. He acknowledges that many do not yet see the US as a top contender but believes hosting the World Cup could bring energy and unity to the team and the country’s soccer culture.
Key Facts
Mauricio Pochettino grew up in Murphy, Santa Fe, Argentina, and was inspired by the 1978 World Cup.
Pochettino is now head coach of the US men's national soccer team as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup, which the US is co-hosting.
He feels hosting the tournament can create a strong connection between the team and the fans, boosting the players’ confidence.
Many people do not currently view the US team as a favorite or strong contender in the World Cup.
Pochettino and his staff aim to respect and work with American soccer culture rather than impose their own ideas.
He sees the World Cup as more than just a competition, but an opportunity to grow soccer’s popularity and influence in the US.
Pochettino compares the soccer culture in the US to Argentina’s, noting it is still developing but improving thanks to efforts by the soccer federation.
He describes the challenge as exciting and a chance to bring change to the sport in America.
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During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, members from both political parties criticized the NFL for increasing the costs of watching games on TV and through streaming services. Lawmakers said these higher prices are hurting viewers who want to watch football.
Key Facts
The hearing included lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties.
The NFL’s new deals with streaming services have raised the cost to watch games.
Lawmakers said higher costs make it harder for fans to access games.
The hearing focused on the economic effects of these changes.
Lawmakers expressed concern about less competition in how games are shown.
The NFL was the main subject of the hearing.
Viewers may have fewer choices in how to watch football now.
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