Yankees All-Star Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
New York Yankees All-Star starting pitcher Carlos Rodón has been named the club's nominee for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, which is annually handed out to the "MLB player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions both on and off the field," per MLB.com's Brent Maguire, Brian Murphy and Manny Randhawa.
"Rodón and his wife Ashley have used their own ordeal with starting a family as the impetus to help others going through similar struggles," Maguire, Murphy and Randhawa wrote. "Last year, they founded the Carlos Rodón Foundation, which is dedicated to aiding couples facing pregnancy complications and difficulties relating to infertility. They also created the “Willow Grant” -- named in honor of their daughter Willow -- which annually offers $10,000-$20,000 to 25 couples who are still pursuing their goal of starting a family after experiencing miscarriages or pregnancy loss. This past June, Carlos also volunteered at Bottomless Closet, a New York City-based organization dedicated to providing women of limited means and challenging circumstances with a blueprint for entering the workforce."
The award, which was first introduced in 1971 and called the Commissioners Award, was later named after Pittsburgh Pirates legendary Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente, who was well-known for his humanitarian efforts, in 1973 following his passing from a plane crash on New Year's Eve in 1972 as he was traveling to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
The Yankees released a two-minute-long video on X highlighting Rodón's philanthropic work after he was officially announced as the club's nominee.
Aaron Judge is the last Yankee to win the Roberto Clemente Award, as he did so back in 2023. Derek Jeter also won it in 2009 while Ron Guidry and Don Baylor received those honors in 1984 and 1985, respectively.
Rodón, who agreed to a six-year deal worth $162 million as a free agent with the Yankees ahead of the 2023 campaign, has recorded a 3.11 ERA with 186 strikeouts over 176 1/3 innings and 30 starts for the club this season while forming quite the one-two punch with fellow All-Star left-hander Max Fried at the front of the rotation.
Lions’ Amik Robertson reveals origin of savage Stumble Bum celebration
The Detroit Lions dominated the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon. Jared Goff threw for five touchdowns , Jahmyr Gibbs went for nearly 100 yards, and the defense held strong. During the game, Kerby Joseph and Amik Robertson took a little shot at former offensive coordinator and current Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
Joseph picked off Caleb Williams on a long throw in the second quarter. Following this, he and the defense ran to the endzone, where they lined up as if they were running an offensive play. Joseph took a snap, stumbled, and threw a pass to Robertson.
This is a recreation from the “Stumble Bum” play Detroit ran last season. Ironically, that play was created by Johnson. And to add another layer of irony, they ran the play against the Bears in Chicago at Soldier Field. After Sunday’s game, Robertson revealed how that celebration came together.
“You know what’s crazy? I give all credit to Kerby. He just told me, ‘Go for a pass.’ I didn’t know what he was going to do. And that was one of the craziest celebrations ever,” the Lions defensive back said, via 97.1 The Ticket’s Jeff Riger.
Lions pick up personal win over Ben Johnson, Bears
The Lions had all the motivation they could want heading into Week 2. Detroit was dominated by the Green Bay Packers despite a respectable 27-13 scoreline. Furthermore, they had their home opener against their former coordinator.
Of course, teams lose coordinators all the time. The Lions especially felt this in the offseason. In addition to Johnson leaving, former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left the team to become the head coach of the New York Jets.
However, Detroit certainly felt some type of way about Johnson. It’s not that he left, this was a possibility they were aware of. It’s where he went. Johnson went to the Bears, an NFC North Division rival as well as a longtime rival regardless of division.
The Lions wanted to take down a friend-turned-foe . And they sent a huge message to the rest of the NFC North in the process. Detroit will look to move above .500 in Week 3 when they travel to face the Baltimore Ravens.
