You don’t have to be the son of a Major Leaguer to become one yourself, but hey, it certainly doesn’t hurt. Baseball bloodlines are strong, whether these sons grew up in big league clubhouses, benefited from their father’s expert coaching, or simply inherited some good genes. And so it’s hardly rare to see familiar names from a previous generation resurface in MLB.
How hectic are the moments before a trade? What’s it like to find out over social media? Players share their behind-the-scenes tales.
LOS ANGELES – Tiger Woods has announced Tim O’Neal as the recipient of the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption for the 2019 Genesis Open. Awarded since 2009, the exemption has represented the advancement of diversity in the game of golf. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Sifford’s 1969 LA Open victory, his second and final PGA TOUR victory. “I’m looking forward to seeing Tim compete in the Genesis Open,� Woods said. “Like Charlie did as a player, Tim has shown great determination in his professional career. I know Charlie would be proud to have Tim playing in the Genesis Open as the Charlie Sifford exemption.� At the Genesis Open, O’Neal, 46, will be making his seventh-career PGA TOUR start, and his first since 2015, when he advanced from sectional qualifying to play in the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. O’Neal has three career PGA TOUR Latinoamérica victories, most recent coming in 2016, and he has also carded victories at the 2018 Georgia Open and the 1997 Georgia Amateur Championship. In 2018, O’Neal played on the APGA Tour where he earned Player of the Year honors after one win and four top-five finishes. 2018 marked the second time O’Neal has won the APGA Tour’s Player of the Year and he remains the tour’s all-time leading money winner. Over the course of his professional career, O’Neal has played on the PGA TOUR, the Web.com TOUR, the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica circuit and had stints on the APGA Tour, Asian Tour, European Professional Development Tour in Morocco and the eGolf Tour in the U.S. “In 1999 I had the opportunity to play a round of golf with Mr. Sifford and he has had huge influence on me,� O’Neal said. “Mr. Sifford has been an example on how to carry yourself on and off the golf course. I am extremely humbled and grateful to have received the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption for 2019 Genesis Open.� Since 2009, the exemption has been given to a golfer representing a minority background to play in the annual PGA TOUR event at Riviera. In 2017, the exemption was re-named to honor the memory of Charlie Sifford, the first African-American player to compete on the PGA TOUR. Previous exemption recipients include Vincent Johnson (2009), Joshua Wooding (2010), Joseph Bramlett (2011), Andy Walker (2012), Jeremiah Wooding (2013), Harold Varner III (2014), Carlos Sainz, Jr. (2015), J.J. Spaun (2016), Kevin M. Hall (2017) and Cameron Champ (2018). A full list of the 2019 Genesis Open field will be announced on Friday, February 8. Tickets for the 2019 Genesis Open are now on sale. Starting at just $20, all ticket options are available at GenesisOpen.com/tickets.
Rob Ryan returns to coaching in the NFL for the first time since 2016 when he was the Bills’ assistant head coach/defensive.
Jason McCourty and Devin McCourty of the Patriots are achieving a goal they had as kids by reaching the Super Bowl together.
Jason McCourty and Devin McCourty dreamed of playing on the same NFL team since they were kids. This year, it finally happened — and they reached the Super Bowl.
The Jake Muzzin deal could be an indication that the trade deadline this season could be a rare buyers’ market.
From washed-up stars to guys who’ve never lived up to their paychecks and one slugger who is out of baseball, we examine MLB’s biggest money mistakes.
While attention has largely focused on the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Cardinals, etc. this offseason, plenty of other teams may have gotten significantly better in more under-the-radar fashion. Let’s check out five.
The anger about a no-call in the NFC Championship Game has turned into disappointment for Saints coach Sean Payton, who finally has left his “cave” almost two weeks later.
