LOS ANGELES (AP) Tarik Skubal was the one player the Los Angeles Dodgers believed was worth aggressively pursuing ahead of Mondays trade deadline.By landing the reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner with time to spare and without sacrificing their pursuit of a third straight World Series title, they reinforced their status as both baseballs dominant power and public enemy No. 1.It just seems like theres always blowback with us, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. People are passionate. We feel good about it. Theres nothing that we did that no one else couldnt have done.In the near term, Skubals arrival gives the Dodgers another powerful arm to an already loaded rotation responsible for the lowest WHIP and batting average in the majors. He is scheduled to make his debut on Tuesday at the Chicago Cubs, having gone 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings over 16 starts for the Detroit Tigers this season.We got better, reliever Edwin Daz said We got, like I said, one of the best pitchers in the league, and now we have him as a teammate, so thats a really good plus for us.Having Skubal can allow the Dodgers to be cautious with Shohei Ohtani as he recovers from left knee soreness and a right biceps injury that have kept the two-way superstar from pitching since July 3. Ohtani will resume playing catch sometime during the three-game series against the Cubs, Roberts said, and the Dodgers remain optimistic he will be able to return to the mound this season.You can never predict the future, but if you said, Hey, place a bet on it, I would be very confident placing it that he will be back pitching, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.In the medium term, Skubals presence further strengthens the Dodgers already impressive credentials as they push to become the first National League team to three-peat. If healthy, they will be able to choose from an elite group of starters, many with proven playoff success such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell.Skubal brings his own track record, having gone 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in six playoff starts over the past two postseasons. Friedman described his efforts last fall as must-see TV.I was in awe watching the energy, the dominance he exhibited there, and I cant wait to see it in Dodger blue, Friedman said.Not only did the acquisition further boost their own rotation, it should allow the Dodgers to move other starters into the bullpen, something they did to great effect during the 2025 title run.Were not going to be flippant about this moment in time and how special this group, this era can be in the history of this incredibly storied organization, and were going to do everything we can to win the last game of the year, Friedman said.In the long term, the Dodgers trade for Skubal represents one more salvo in the looming battle over baseballs finances and competitive balance.Los Angeles made the trade without giving up any of its most touted prospects in what is regarded among MLBs top farm systems, which has been a frequent pattern during this run of three titles over the previous six seasons. Those assets have allowed them to consistently upgrade through trades without needing to send established major league contributors back the other way.Roberts credited the organizations ability to find and develop talent as being just as important to the Dodgers recent success as much as their deep pocketbooks have allowed them to sign the likes of Ohtani to massive contracts.I just laud our front office, Roberts said. We have to have the players to be able to pull something like this off.As long as the current system is in place, the Dodgers will not apologize for their interest to acquire the best players available through whatever means are accessible to them.But as weve talked about a lot, whenever theres a star-level player that is available that can really shift championship odds, those are the moments that well be more aggressive, Friedman said.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

He'd be on an ABSURD wage! UEFA weighs up suing Infantino; whyUefa would reportedly not have been satisfied only with the failure of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which Infantino had been trying to push forward and which would have guaranteed him a hefty salary.According to The Telegraph, the body that runs European football is considering suing the FIFA president.FFE would be a company created to manage the commercial rights to the World Cup and then sell them to private investors. The initiative was promptly rejected by Uefa, the only confederation to announce a boycott of tournaments organized by FIFA.Led by Aleksander Ceferin, Uefa reportedly requested that no evidence related to the project be destroyed, for example.Uefa did not say, however, on what legal grounds the possible lawsuit would be filed.525% salary increase The Times made another revelation: Infantinos possible earnings if he were to take charge of FIFA Forward Enterprise.It would be $30 million per year in salary, in addition to possible bonuses.It is worth noting that FIFA released its financial report in June this year, which states that Infantino received $4.6 million throughout 2025. If the FFE project had been approved, he would have received a 525% salary increase.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.

Los Angeles (11-17) defeated Portland (11-19), 106-101, Sunday at Mota Center in Portland, Oregon. 13,638 were attendance.Former Lady Vol Rae Burrell started and played 30 minutes for the Sparks. She totaled 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and one steal. Burrell converted 3-of-8 field goal attempts, 2-of-3 three-point attempts and 4-of-4 free throws attempts.Dearica Hamby led Los Angeles with 23 points, while Nneka Ogwumike scored 22 points and Ariel Atkins finished with 12 points.The Fire's Bridget Carleton led all scorers with 24 points. Carla Leite totaled 21 points and Megan DiLeo finished with 19 points for Portland.Los Angeles will next play Wednesday versus Chicago. Tipoff is slated for 9 pm. EDT at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.Burrell played at Tennessee from 2018-22. She appeared in 110 games, including 47 starts, and averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 22.6 minutes per contest. At Tennessee, Burrell was named to the 2021-22 USA TODAY Preseason All-America Third Team.Shewas selected by Los Angelesin the first round of the 2022 WNBA draft (No. 9 overall).More: Fever at Storm: Jordan Horston starts, Caitlin Clark scores 32 pointsFollow Vols Wire onFacebookandX(formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Rae Burrell starts, plays 30 minutes in Sparks' win at Portland

It was all smiles in Bedford on Sunday morning, where hundreds gathered to cheer on the Friends of Aine Kids Try-Athlon participants and enjoy a post-race family festival.The Try-Athlon is a swimming, biking and running race for children ages 4-15. Participants lined up and jumped into the community pool in small groups starting at 8 a.m. before transitioning to cycling and ending with a footrace to the finish line.The fundraiser supports the Friends of Aine Center for Grieving Children & Families, the only nonprofit organization of its kind that provides peer support and resources for grieving people who are dealing with the death of a loved one.After racers finished, they were served hot grilled cheese sandwiches, prepared by Lara Gresens Quiroga, secretary of the board.Today we are here to honor Aines memory, and we are also here to raise money for the Friends of Aine Center for Grieving Children & Families, Gresens Quiroga said Sunday morning. It helps us keep our peer-to-peer grief supports free to families who need them.Aine Marie Phillips died suddenly in August 2010 at 8 years old due to a rare lung disease. Christine Phillips and her husband, David, created the organization that assists grieving families through the use of books, art, games and peer-to-peer connection. Aine loved to bike, she loved to run and she loved to swim.Gresens Quiroga noted its the only organization in New Hampshire that provides those services in that way.She joined the organizations board about three years ago. Events like the Kids Try-Athlon are important for raising awareness, she said, adding she hopes that residents around the state will support their mission so they can extend services more broadly.David Gray, a 15-year-old from Bedford, came in first in the boys ages 1115 division with a time of 15 minutes, 22 seconds on Sunday. Ella Lundquist of Hopkinton, 14, placed first on the girls' side, crossing the finish line at 16:36.At the staging area near the pool where competitors transition from swimming to cycling, bicycles of all sizes were on display, some even have training wheels affixed with children as young as 4 years old participating. Volunteers and members of the Bedford High School football team organize and make available bikes to racers as they move through the staging area and on to that portion of the race.Theres kids that have never done anything like this before and kids who are super competitive, Gresens Quiroga said.The event has proven popular over the years, attracting some 300 competitors on average, and a large group of volunteers.We are very passionate, we want to serve our community, volunteer Tigran Mandalian said.How can you not want to help? asked volunteer Jaime Nadeau. Its a great cause. Its helping kids get through their grief when theyve lost a loved one."For some children, its their first experience competing in a triathlon. For others, like 13-year-old Ella Hollingworth of Bedford, its old hat Sunday marked her eighth time participating.I have a side-stitch though, Hollingworth said through a grimace, clutching her right-hand-side obliques. Maybe I shouldve saved it a little bit more on the bike.Its lots of fun and its for a really good cause, Hollingworth said. Its just so much fun.For Bedford's Nathaniel Gray, 13, there was a lot at stake on Sunday morning.Because I needed to beat my twin brother, he said. Jordan Gray finished just 11 seconds behind his brother. Perhaps hell flip the score next time around.Nathaniel Gray said he competes in soccer and track and field and the charity triathlon was a good opportunity for a workout in the summer.Ive been running like two miles every other day, he said. You get to use your energy in a good way.Linda Dinndorf, director of strategic initiatives at Friends of Aine, was busy on Sunday moving competitors through the pool sequence of the triathlon. Directing traffic was no easy task as a couple hundred youngsters anxiously awaited their turns to swim.This is my absolute favorite event of the entire year. There is nothing like seeing young children, 4 to 15, compete in an event thats swimming, biking and running, Dinndorf said. It takes a lot of people and a lot of volunteers.We have children as young as 4, all the way through young adults age 26, and caregivers, in our programs, Dinndorf said. We are the sole organization whose focus is on that in the State of New Hampshire, we serve about 130 to 150 participants each week in our center and all of our services are free.gperry@unionleader.com

FIFA abandoned its plans on Friday to spin off its commercial arm as a $20 billion private entity following a soccer world revolt that has pushed President Gianni Infantinos leadership to the brink. On Saturday, UEFA which had threatened to boycott the World Cup declared victory over the shabby, back room deal. It added that along with CONCACAF, it had lost confidence in Infantino, who had been expected to stand unopposed in next years presidential election but could now face competition. Infantino has driven a revenue push during his decadelong tenure, earning him broad support, and privatization would have increased member payouts further. Instead, Infantino stands weakened, perhaps fatally undermining his contested push to increase the tournaments field again from 48 to 64 teams. Brendan Ruberry

Image Credit:TMZ/ Facebook. Charles Oakley has a blunt message for Cleveland Cavaliers fans upset that LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers over a third stint with his hometown team, get over it and take a closer look at Clevelands roster.During a new TMZ Sports interview, the Cleveland native defended James pursuit of a fifth championship and argued that his decision should not be interpreted as a rejection of Northeast Ohio.TMZ Sports spoke with Oakley at the 17th Annual Amazon Kids Back-to-School Fashion Show in New York City.Oakley said James deserves admiration for remaining committed to winning as he prepares for his record-breaking 24th NBA season at age 41.Oakley Says Cleveland Should Examine Its Own TeamWhen asked how Cavaliers fans should respond after James selected Philadelphia, the former NBA forward rejected the idea that supporters should criticize the four-time champion. Get over it, Oakley said.He argued that James should be respected for continuing to chase championships so late in his career and described him as an example for younger athletes.Oakley then directed attention toward the Cavaliers, suggesting that their current roster provides the answer for anyone wondering why James believed Philadelphia offered the stronger opportunity.A Fan Survey Shows the Decision Still HurtA recent Fear the Sword survey found that nearly three-fourths of participating readers viewed James more negatively after he chose Philadelphia. The survey reflected responses from members of the SB Nation Cavaliers community rather than a scientific measurement of every Cleveland fan.Many fans had accepted the possibility that James would finish his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Expectations shifted after he announced that he would leave Los Angeles and Cleveland emerged as one of the teams he was seriously considering.Fear the Sword acknowledged that fans were entitled to feel disappointed but argued that James had already fulfilled his defining promise to the region by leading the Cavaliers to the first NBA championship in franchise history in 2016.James Seriously Considered Returning to ClevelandView this post on InstagramA post shared by Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers)James agent, Rich Paul, confirmed that Cleveland was one of four destinations considered alongside Philadelphia, Miami and Golden State. Paul said James experienced an emotional roller coaster every single day while weighing a return to organizations with which he had deep personal connections against the possibility of beginning a final chapter somewhere new.Home is home, Paul said of Cleveland during an appearance on his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman. According to Peoples account of Pauls remarks, Philadelphia became considerably more attractive after the 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. Ultimately, Philadelphia makes a move and then boom! Now you got Jaylen Brown, Paul said.Now hold on, wait a minute now. This looks a lot different. Brown joined a roster that already included Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. James announced on July 24 that he would sign with Philadelphia, and the move became official on July 27. He reportedly agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract containing a player option.James Chose Philadelphia to Chase Another ChampionshipJames said he had strongly considered retiring after completing his eighth season with the Lakers. He ultimately decided that he still loved the game and wanted another opportunity to compete for a championship. This is my last decision, James wrote while announcing his move. Im not going for money. Im not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?He said he still wanted to make the sacrifices required to compete and believed he could help transform Philadelphia into a championship team. James also made clear that choosing Philadelphia did not change his relationship with his home region, writing that Northeast Ohio will always be home.Oakley Believes James Has Already Delivered for ClevelandJames entered the NBA as Clevelands first overall draft pick in 2003 and played his first seven seasons with the Cavaliers before leaving for Miami in 2010.He returned in 2014 and led Cleveland to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. The Cavaliers comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Finals delivered the city its first major professional sports championship in 52 years.James has also remained connected to Northeast Ohio through education and community initiatives, including the I Promise School and programs serving children and families in Akron.

Theres been no dj vu for Eli Drinkwitz.Every year, the head coach said Sunday as the Tigers reported for their fall camp practices, has brought a new challenge complete chaos, as he called it to coaching college football.This year, which is Year 7 in Columbia for Drinkwitz, is no different. On Friday night, a federal judge in Colorado ruled that all players in the Class of 2022 who completed their collegiate eligibility in four years are now eligible for a fifth season. The ruling was a rebuke of the NCAAs decision not to retroactively apply its age-based eligibility model to the Class of 2022.One of the players now suddenly eligible again is defensive tackle Sterling Webb, who Drinkwitz confirmed has rejoined the Tigers. Before Fridays news out of Colorado was made public, Webb was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA by St. Louis County Judge Ellen Ribaudo last Thursday, making him immediately free to play in 2026.There could be quite a few similar cases of players returning to college in the coming days and weeks.Hundreds of athletes suddenly just became eligible again, and those players need to find a home on short notice.I have no idea what's going on. This is my seventh year at the University of Missouri, and in seven years we have had complete chaos from year to year, Drinkwitz said. My first year was COVID. My second year was the COVID exception for players, where you had players who didn't count against your roster. My third year was NIL. My fourth year was unlimited transfers. My fifth year was free cap space. My sixth year was revenue-sharing and cap, and now my seventh year is another court case.So again, this is something that we have gotten used to, where there is a lack of understanding and a lack of organization, or, I guess, rules.That lack of rules at least a lack of seemingly enforceable rules looks like it will benefit Mizzou this year.Webb was a starter along the Tigers defensive line last season and a prominent, consistent contributor for each of the past two years. He has recorded 38 total tackles for the Tigers, including two sacks.As the only returning starter on the Mizzou defense, the expectation is that he will start for the Tigers in their season-opener Sept. 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. At the very least, he will be involved in the rotation.Sterling is doing what he believes is in his best interest, and we always are going to support our student-athletes, Drinkwitz said. It's going to be important to get him back slowly acclimated to our program, and it's going to be important for our team to welcome him back, seeing him as a part of our success, and not allowing his return to affect us in a negative way.Will Mizzou stop there, though?Again, a huge group of seniors just became eligible again. There are, as Drinkwitz said, seemingly very few enforceable rules. Some of those players are already in NFL training camps. Many others will be seeking a return to college. There are suddenly a good number of experienced free agents looking for roster spots.Drinkwitz did not shut the door on Mizzou possibly making a run at signing more players.We will do the very best that we can for the University of Missouri to operate within the structure that they've given us, Drinkwitz said. And if that means that we can add somebody at this late date, we will explore every avenue possible to help the University of Missouri football team be successful while also helping the young men or players that are affected by this.More: Missouri football depth chart projection as Tigers enter fall campMore: Grading Missouri football offseason, from new coaches to transfer portalMizzous 2026 roster is mostly settled. There will be some competitions to round out the two-deep over the upcoming month, but we can already make an informed guess on who the main players will be. The Tigers already have more than 50 newcomers going through their first fall camp.But if a star option suddenly becomes available to compete for a role at right tackle? Or a cant-miss defensive end is on the market and interested?It looks like Mizzou is prepared to open its doors.I do feel for (the Class of 2022), and I do want to be a place that they can come and find another year, if that's what is in their best interest, Drinkwitz said. And, obviously, if that's what the court cases say that they can do.This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Eli Drinkwitz talks Sterling Webb return, possibility of more late signings

Is New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers being slept on ahead of the 2026 fantasy football season?NFL.com's Matt Okada named Nabers an undervalued fantasy football option for next season, citing his status as WR19 with an average draft position in Round 4.Average draft position:Round 4 (WR19)Nabers' ADP is confounding considering he's expected toavoid the PUP list.Since going sixth overall to the Giants in 2024, Nabers has averaged 18.24 fantasy points per game, sixth among wide receivers. Hes seen at least seven targets in every game hes finished and hit double-digit fantasy points in 16 of 18 full contests he's played.Even if Nabers starts the season slow, his fantasy impact down the stretch is being grossly undervalued. When healthy, Nabers is a locked-and-loaded PPR WR1 with No. 1 overall upside. If necessary, you can sub in a flex player -- like Parker Washington -- in September, but by midseason, Nabers ADP is going to be one of the great mysteries of the 2026 fantasy season.Health remains the biggest concern for Nabers value, both at the wide receiver position and overall for next season. He missed the final 13 games of last season due to multiple knee injuries and is currently working his way back in training camp.Fantasy managers may be reluctant to select Nabers high in drafts given that he is liable to miss time early next year. Nevertheless, he is capable of posting at least 1,400 receiving yards and producing like a WR1 overall.This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Is New York Giants' Malik Nabers an undervalued fantasy option in 2026?

The Detroit Tigers had barely finished saying goodbye to Tarik Skubal before baseball demanded their attention again.Skubals trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers became known during Saturday nights game against the Athletics. By Sunday morning, the Tigers were back inside the clubhouse preparing for another game while trying to process the loss of the pitcher who had become the face of the franchise.Theres an element of this thats a little cold, manager A.J. Hinch said. You just got to get back to your routines and get back to playing.That may be the nature of the business, but the emotion inside Detroits clubhouse was impossible to hide.Casey Mize Reflects on Skubals RiseFew Tigers players shared a deeper connection with Skubal than Casey Mize.Both pitchers were selected in the 2018 MLB Draft, though their paths into professional baseball could not have looked more different. Mize was the No. 1 overall selection. Skubal lasted until the ninth round.They later made their major-league debuts on the same day during the shortened 2020 season.You could say that would be easier for me to strive for with the pedigree or whatever, whereas when guys are later-round draft picks it can be really easy for them to say, Man, I want to be a big-leaguer, Mize said. I dont think that was ever going to be good enough for Tarik.Skubal did more than reach the majors.He became a two-time Cy Young Award winner and developed into one of the most feared pitchers in baseball. Mize watched the entire climb from close range.In the last couple years we dont get anywhere without Tarik Skubal, and I hope our fanbase is appreciative of that, even if maybe it didnt end the way that everyone wanted it to, Mize said.Riley Greene Delivers Blunt ReactionThere was no polished way for Riley Greene to describe what it felt like to lose Skubal.It sucks, Greene said.That sentiment reportedly echoed throughout the clubhouse Sunday morning. Skubal had been one of Detroits best players, a clubhouse presence and a teammate many players had grown close to over several seasons.Greene also understood the Tigers could not allow the trade to derail what remained of their season.Its not going to affect what were doing, Greene said. It cant.Detroit entered Sunday only 2 games behind the final American League wild-card position. The Tigers had also produced a plus-52 run differential, evidence that the season had not reached the point where the clubhouse could simply stop believing.Spencer Torkelson Balances Emotion and BusinessSpencer Torkelson described Skubal as one of his closest friends and favorite teammates.It was definitely sad. [Skubals] one of my best friends, one of my favorite teammates of all time. It just sucks to see him go. But, you know, [his trade] doesnt change what were trying to accomplish as a team.Torkelson also recognized the financial and roster-building realities surrounding the deal.We know that were definitely not out of it, Torkelson said. Trading Skubal is just You got to get a return for the best pitcher in the world when hes going to be a free agent. It just makes sense from a business standpoint.Detroit acquired outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith from Los Angeles.Hope and Ryan are both ranked among MLB Pipelines Top 100 prospects, while Smith gives the Tigers another young pitching prospect with long-term upside.The baseball logic is easy enough to explain. The emotional side is far messier.Kenley Jansen Wonders What Comes NextSkubal may not be the only veteran leaving Detroit before the trade deadline.Kenley Jansen, Gleyber Torres and Mize were among the players facing uncertainty as the Tigers continued evaluating their roster.We still have a pretty good team, Jansen said. I dont know what their mindset is, if theyre selling now or if its just only Skubal. I dont know. Im not going to let that drive me crazy, I can tell you that.Jansen also made sure Mize knew the spotlight inside Detroits rotation had shifted.Skubal is gone, Youre the topic now!It was a light moment in an otherwise heavy clubhouse, but the message was not wrong.Without Skubal, the Tigers will need Mize and the rest of the rotation to shoulder more responsibility immediately.Jack Flaherty Understands the SituationJack Flaherty knows exactly what it feels like to be traded from Detroit to Los Angeles in the middle of a season.The Tigers sent Flaherty to the Dodgers in 2024, where he helped Los Angeles win the World Series. He later returned to Detroit in free agency.His advice for dealing with Skubals departure was simple.You wish him the best, try to help out in any way you can and then also understand, you know, the next day today we still have a job to do.That is the uncomfortable balance facing the Tigers.They can miss Skubal. They can be angry, disappointed or uncertain about the direction of the organization. They still have to play.A.J. Hinch Says the Game Moves OnHinch had grown close to Skubal during their years together in Detroit.He understood the trade was possible and knew the front office had to consider Skubals pending free agency. Knowing it might happen did not make the reality any easier.The game moves on quickly, Hinch said. We have a responsibility to be ready to play, and our guys will be ready to play. I think this [trade] is a little bit unique because while it didnt shock anybody, it probably still surprises people.The timing only added to the strange feeling.Detroit was as close to the playoff picture as it had been in months, yet the club had just moved the pitcher most capable of carrying it through a postseason race.Ironically, were as close to the playoff race as weve been in recent months, and yet we know exactly what losing a guy like Tarik Skubal means to our clubhouse and our team, Hinch said. But the game moves on.That is the message Hinch must now sell to his players.The Tigers lost their ace, but they have not been eliminated. The clubhouse may look and feel different, yet the schedule will not wait for anyone to finish grieving.Bottom LineThe Tarik Skubal trade hit the Tigers hard because his value went far beyond his performance every fifth day.Mize lost a longtime friend and fellow 2018 draft pick. Torkelson lost one of his favorite teammates. Greene offered the most direct reaction possible. Hinch lost a pitcher who helped carry Detroit through two playoff runs.Now the Tigers must decide what comes next.The deadline could bring more departures. The playoff race is still close enough to matter. The clubhouse is hurting, but it cannot remain frozen in the moment.Skubal is gone.Detroits season is not.

Quarterback Jim Hart #17 of the St. Louis Cardinals (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe St. Louis Cardinals played the San Diego Chargers in the NFLs first game not played in North America on August, 16, 1976. The game took place in Tokyo, Japan.If you read Revenge of the Birds, the narrative about the game was published a few days ago. This is the goofy and odd stuff that happened during that trip. Heres the link:RELATED: CARDINALS INVENTED INTERNATIONAL GAMESThis game kicked off the NFLs international era in an exhibition setting. Today, nine international games are scheduled across the globe, and all are regular-season matches. This year alone, two new countries, France and Australia, will host contests. Back in the day, all international games were preseason only.With that historic 1976 game, ROTB came up with some of the weird things and stuck them all into one place. !1. Neither NFL club remains in the city it represented back then. The Cardinals moved from St. Louis and became the Phoenix Cardinals in 1988, while the Chargers went back to their maiden city of Los Angeles in 2017.2. The game set the record for two NFL teams that had traveled the most miles to play each other. The straight-line air distance from St. Louis to Tokyo is 6,369 miles (10,250 kilometers) and from San Diego, 5,557 miles (8,943 kilometers). St. Louis to San Diego is just 1,809 miles (2,911 kilometers).3. The game wasnt scheduled by the league, but by a lettuce farmer out of Southern California. A Japanese-American named Frank Takahashi was a produce farmer from the Los Angeles area. He pitched the game, financed it completely, and then hoped the NFL would love Japan and place one of its expansion teams there, which he would then own.4. Since the NFL had limited control and decision-making, a major sponsor was brought in by Takahashi. So, he named the game after them: The Mainichi Star Bowl after the Mainichi Daily News. In future years, it would become the forerunner of every American college football bowl game by naming its traditional fixture after a sponsor. We can vibe on the Capital One Orange Bowl but still get past the Pop-Tarts Bowl.5. The game, while a mini-vacation to some, was slap in the middle of training camp, and took valuable time away from both rosters. It was more of an obligation than anything else.6. The seating on the plane was three across, in coach. If you were a smaller guy, no worries. But those offensive and defensive linemen had lots of issues. On a 13-hour flight.7. The Chargers were able to fly out of San Diego, but the Cardinals first had a four-hour flight from St. Louis to San Francisco, and then flew out to Alaska to refuel. The Cardinals flight out of San Fran was a commercial Japan Airlines 747, not a chartered plane. Players sat in the back and flew with other passengers flying to Tokyo.8. Players were able to take their wives on the trip for a flat $1,000. 9. The Japan Airlines plane ended up going through a storm with quite a bit of turbulence. At some point, running back Jim Otis had to poop. He found the restroom, but because of the plane jostling over and over, the door kept popping open and would not remain closed.10. When the Cardinals arrived in Tokyo, the only alcohol remaining on their plane was sake.11. Cardinals center Tom Banks discovered sake. At one time, he was wandering around the plane front to back and was pretty drunk. Getting him off the plane and onto the hotel elevator was another problem, pushing and holding a huge man.12. Going through customs in the Tokyo airport, Cardinals DT Big Louie Kelcher exclaimed, Man, there sure are a lot of Japanese people here.13. One night, CB Roger Wehrli and his wife walked the city streets with KR Gary Hammond and his wife before settling into a restaurant. Getting back to the hotel, they all got food poisoning.14. Players who visited Tokyo bars, which are called an Izakaya (which translates tostay-drink-place), found out that in Japan, a patron has to purchase the entire bottle, then drink from it. When you leave, they write your name on the bottle to partake when you return. Several players state they believe their bottle remains on a shelf in a Japanese bar.LINK: 1976 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS ROSTER15. Several players who went sightseeing after practices would tell their taxi driver the name of the hotel for the trip back, and ended up at the Imperial Palace instead. The athletes then started placing their hotel matchbooks in their pockets to show the driver.16. Players who didnt prefer Japanese food, or could not get enough to eat based on smaller portions, found a local McDonalds down the street.17. The Japanese thought the cardinal head logo was a woodpecker.18. The stadium was a pro baseball stadium. When the Cardinals practiced there, the entire venue smelled like fish. A traditional Japanese snack is crunchy toasted baby sardines. And of course, after a game, there is plenty of fishy trash.19. The day before the game, the Cardinals staff instructed the stadium crew to place the football coaches in the press boxes located above the fans during the game. This confused the stadium crew. In Japanese, the word coach means bus. Their crew had no clue why the Americans wanted their buses up so high, or how to get them installed at such a height. 20. The stadium floor was Astro-Turf. Painted lines were there for baseball games, but since this was a single American Football match, the gridiron lines were going to be temporary. So, they used white flour, the self-rising kind. The game had a slight mist, so some lines started to disappear, become gone after tackles, or begin to rise during the game. Perhaps understandable if the Japanese had never seen a football game over there before.21. Both locker rooms had slanted ceilings being constructed underneath the stands. The Cardinals gave the bigger players the front lockers and the smaller ones towards the back when the ceiling was quite a bit smaller.22. The locker room urinal was a concrete trough in the floor, right down the middle of the room.23. The greatest amount of cheering? Amazing touchdown runs? A diving catch? Great tackle? It occurred on every long pass, field goal attempt, kickoff, or punt. The Japanese didnt really know what was going on, but liked the high balls.24. Today, both NFL squads maintain they should all be inducted into the Japanese Football Hall of Fame. Which, by the way, is based on soccer.25. Japan has an American Football entity called the X-League, which is a semi-professional corporate system.