Mike Macdonald's success as Seattle Seahawks head coach is usually attributed to the sweeping overhauls he's made to their defensive scheme and the top-end talent they've acquired. The way he emphasizes the seemingly smaller details among the lesser-known players is the most revealing piece about their culture.Check out this tidbit Hawk Blogger shared on X from Saturday's public training camp practice.A couple of the new players on the Seahawks were headed into the locker room after practice and Mike Macdonald made it clear they needed to turn around and go sign autographs for the fans who came to watch. The standard he sets is about more than football. pic.twitter.com/YvXwZpdg8S Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) August 2, 2026Macdonald knows these players have everything to gain and nothing to lose by signing autographs. Some fan favorites become such through their off-field interactions just as much as their on-field contributions. More importantly, though, he instills his beliefs in his team through his actions. Players enjoy the clear and consistent communication. They grade it well in the NFLPA Report Card yearly. They'd rather be actively coached in the small details than given more leeway.This action from Macdonald embodies one saying you'll hear at any football team's practice. The "weakest link" idiom, which is commonly attributed to Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid's 1769 work Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man, is used in football to say "a team is only as strong as its weakest link." Macdonald takes that to heart when referring to the roster as "The 70" to include the practice squad. He calls the lineup "12 as one" to emphasize the sport as the ultimate team game.This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seattle Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald elaborates on team culture

AUSTIN, TX - MAY 29: Outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. #6 of the Texas Longhorns points to the crowd after hitting a home run during the NCAA Division I Regional game between Texas Longhorns and Holy Cross Crusaders on May 29, 2026, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesOutfieldDepartures: Aiden Robbins (draft), Jayden Duplantier (graduation), Dariyan Pendergrass (graduation), Ashton Larson (transfer), Maddox Monsour (transfer), Will Hill (transfer)Additions: Payton Brennan (transfer), Trevor Goldenetz (transfer), Sawyer Solitaria (transfer), Carlos Lugo (transfer), Trent Maybin (signee)Returning: Anthony Pack Jr., Jonah WilliamsSEC Freshman of the Year Anthony Pack Jr. is the returning outfield starter for Texas after a second straight season in which the Longhorns struggled to field three quality contributors. For a second straight year, Jonah Williams also dealt with injury issues, playing in eight games before undergoing season-ending shoulder injury.Losing Williams, combined with the 2025 MLB Draft defections of transfers Jack Moroknek and Kaleb Freeman, contributed to 94 at bats for Jayden Duplantier, 15 starts for late addition Dariyan Pendergrass, who committed to Texas in December, and 14 starts for Maddox Monsour. In 96 combined at bats, Pendergrass and Monsour totaled three extra-base hits while both hitting under .200.While attempting to continue playing two sports remains the goal for Williams, his lack of availability over three seasons had to factor into the roster-building decisions for Schlossnagle, which ultimately included the additions of four portal prospects in addition to high school signee Trent Maybin, a top-50 outfielder nationally in the Perfect Game rankings.The headline addition in the outfield is Solitaria, the 65, 225-pound Kent State transfer who brings prototypical SEC physicality and power to Texas as the No. 21 portal prospect in Baseball Americas rankings. Solitaria was named the MAC Freshman of the Year while earning first-team All-MAC honors, slashing .308/.402/.478 with eight doubles, one triple, eight home runs, and 62 RBI, adding 10 stolen bases. As a sophomore, Solitaria was a second-team All-MAC selection after significantly improving his power, batting .296 with a .408 on-base percentage and .558 slugging percentage with 13 doubles, 16 home runs, and 47 RBI. The walk rate also improved for Solitaria as his strikeout rate dropped slightly, an impressive accomplishment considering the boost in his slugging percentage. !#GoFlashes| #BiteDownpic.twitter.com/SFSq4uIc5r Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) February 15, 2026Hope they brought a glove.. in the parking lot! MAC Player of the Week Sawyer Solitaria with a homer adds 3 runs for Kent State!#NCAABaseball x SECN+ / @KentStBaseballpic.twitter.com/4UNvgASyXJ NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) February 17, 2026The easy, raw power of Solitaria is impressive and his strikeout rate of less than 25 percent last season speaks to his contact ability, a prerequisite for Schlossnagle and his staff in recruiting.With 12 errors over the last two seasons, however, Solitaria will have to improve with his glove in order to see playing time in the outfield for the Longhorns.UCLA transfer Payton Brennan, a left-handed hitter ranked as Baseball Americas No. 109 portal prospect, is arguably the favorite to start in right field given his significant postseason experience with the Bruins and defensive ability that allowed him to play in center before the addition of former Longhorn Will Gasparino.Brennan posted a slash line of .290/.382/.460 as a redshirt junior in 2026 with 63 hits, 51 RBIs, 48 runs scored, 11 doubles, three triples, and nine home runs, as well as 26 walks and six stolen bases.105 off the bat of Payton Brennan of UCLA. 25.81 launch angle on this one, off the batters eye for a solo shot. 3 hits, 3 RBI's on Saturday for Brennan, all three hits with triple digit EV's. @UCLABaseballpic.twitter.com/LwapaChvzc PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) April 6, 2026Texas also secured the commitments of two other left-handed hitters in the portal with high-level contact ability Long Beach State transfer Trevor Goldenetz (No. 106) and Campbell transfer Carlos Lugo (No. 62).Goldenetz started in center field for the Dirtbags as a true freshman and posted an impressive season at the plate by batting .369 with only 14 strikeouts in 108 at bats. Hitting from the left side, Goldenetz drew 19 walks and was hit by eight pitches, but had a slugging percentage lower than his on-base percentage because only three of his 40 hits went for extra bases two doubles and a triple. A productive base stealer in high school, Goldenetz was successful on 10 of his 15 attempts in 2026.Schlossnagle termed Goldenetz a guy that plays awesome baseball and time in the Texas program should help with his power as he gets stronger and refines his swing path. If Lugo can make the jump from the CAA to the SEC, his hitting profile is more impressive with a slash line of .370/.457/.534 with 13 doubles, six home runs, 34 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. With 26 walks and only 16 strikeouts, Lugo is a contact hitter who flashed some power and struck out in only 8.5 percent of his at bats, presenting a unique hitting profile for his size and contact ability.Consider him the favorite in center field unless Williams storms back into the lineup after his two injury-plagued seasons. A .321 hitter in 78 at bats for the Longhorns, Williams only has five extra-base hits despite the potential for more power in his frame, but brings a real competitiveness to the plate with an ability to work deep in counts that has slightly elevated his strikeout rate given his bat-to-ball ability.The returning star is Pack, who led all Power Four freshmen in on-base percentage (.480), walks (47), and stolen bases (21), while ranking third in average (.355), hits (77), WRC+ (150), and wOBA (.483). A consensus Freshman All-American, Pack also finished fourth in slugging (.594), OPS (1.074). and RBI (56).After adding significant strength last fall, Pack improved his exit velocity to hit 12 home runs as a freshman, and frequently rose to the moment, as evidenced by his three home runs in his postseason debut against Holy Cross and three hits and four RBI with a two-run home run against Alabama in the College World Series.When it gets hard, Anthony Pack runs to it runs to the storm, he doesnt run away from the storm, Schossnagle said last week. Improvement at the plate would move Pack from a young star to a true collegiate superstar, but the primary area for growth is in his play in the outfield, which was severely lacking at times in 2026, resulting in four errors and a .955 fielding percentage. Playing for the US national team this summer, Pack flashed his range in center field, a position that hell need to grow into in order to maximize his draft value in 2028, but for 2027, the emphasis will likely be on playing a clean left field.Over the first two seasons of the Schlossnagle era, the outfield play defensively and at the plate have lacked due to injuries and last years defections. In 2027, the Longhorns are throwing numbers at it thanks to important portal additions four of the seven additions play in the outfield as the return of Williams adds some upside.For Texas to actually contend for a national title instead of getting eliminated early in the College World Series, the Horns need to improve in the outfield, and it would be shocking if that doesnt happen, even if there is some bad injury luck again.

According to the Associated Press Dennis Waszak Jr.,Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is a big-name player with something to prove entering the 2026 season."The 26-year-old wide receiver, who missed the Chiefs voluntary offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp,served a 30-day sentencein a Dallas County jail for violating the terms of his probation, stemmingfrom his role in a car crashthat left multiple people injured on a Texas highway. Rice also had surgery to clean debris in his right knee shortly before he was sentenced. When he has played, he has been a productive target for Patrick Mahomes with 156 catches for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns. But Rice has also played just 28 games in three seasons because of a suspension and injuries." Dennis Waszak Jr., AP The former SMU Mustang's rookie contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, so Rice should have plenty of motivation to earn a massive payday when he returns to the field as Kansas City's top wideout in September.This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: KC Chiefs WR cracks APs list of players with 'something to prove'

The Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 4, were set to introduce outfielder Lars Nootbaar, whom they acquired in a trade-deadline deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.In exchange for the 28-year-old left-handed-hitting Nootbaar, the Diamondbacks gave up Double-A pitchers Daniel Eagen and Sandro Santana along with a player to be named later.Nootbaar is in the lineup as the designated hitter for Tuesday night's game, hitting sixth. Nootbaar is hitting just .234/.333/.354 overall but has a .258/.354/.383 line against right-handers. In his career, he owns a .764 OPS with a .341 on-base against righties. His season started late after he underwent surgeries on both of his heels last offseason.He missed a lot of time, I know that, manager Torey Lovullo said a day earlier. So hopefully he hasn't hit his stride yet. And when he comes here, he will.Nootbaar's expected numbers for this season, including batting average (.242) and slugging (.423), are both lower than his actual numbers.The ability to get on base, general manager Mike Hazen said on Monday, when asked what he likes about Nootbaar. Hes a good hitter. Hes a good baseball player. I think he just fits what were trying to do offensively.-- Nick PiecoroDiamondbacks at Padres, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34Diamondbacks LHP Mitch Bratt (0-1, 5.23) vs. Padres TBAAt Chase Field: Bratt went five innings for the second consecutive outing, giving up just one run against the Guardians in his most recent start. Bratt has been living dangerously since coming to the majors, issuing walks at a high clip. He walked four against the Guardians and has given out 15 free passes in 20 2/3 innings in the majors. He has elicited decent whiff rates on his curveball (26.8 percent) and slider (28.6 percent) but has had trouble missing bats with his fastball (9.9 percent) and sinker (0 percent). As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, the Padres had not named a starter for this game. They acquired a pair of pitchers ahead of the deadline this week, adding RHP Casey Mize from the Tigers and LHP Robbie Ray from the Giants. Mize has not pitched since July 25 and Ray since July 30, so either could be an option to start.Coming upThursday, Aug. 6:At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Kohl Drake (0-0, 4.85) vs. Padres RHP Walker Buehler (6-5, 5.18).Friday, Aug. 7:At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (8-9, 5.04) vs. Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.64).Saturday, Aug. 8:At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (6-1, 3.66) vs. Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7, 2.76).(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs Padres live updates. Lars Nootbaar will start

SIDMAN, Pa. Cleveland pitcher Ben Bates fanned 10 batters on his way to logging a complete game as the B2Bulls opened Pool C play with a 7-4 win over the Youngstown Creekside Crocodiles at Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School.Bates allowed four runs all in the top of the ninth on five hits and walked a pair in helping Cleveland open its stay in the 81st All American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament with a victory.Bates threw 121 pitches, 84 for strikes.The B2Bulls struck for a run in the second and two more in the third. Pairing a run in the seventh with two more in the eighth stretched Clevelands lead to 7-0.Giacomo Dolce totaled two hits both doubles with a pair of RBIs. Aaron Deoleo Rivas and Curtis Maier also had two knocks and two runs batted in for Cleveland.Youngstown starter Gavin Hyde pitched five innings before giving way to a trio of relievers. Hyde walked five and struck out two, while giving up four hits.Tyler Buricks two hits and two RBIs from Anthony Triveri set the pace for the Youngstown bats.Cleveland continues Pool C play with a return to Forest Hills to face New York in a 12:30 p.m. contest. Youngstown will take on Johnstown-1 Mainline Pharmacy at Sargents Stadium at the Point, with first pitch slated for 7 p.m.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Johnstown-2 and Altoona-2 played a baseball game that had a little bit of everything Tuesday.From superb starting pitching, some shaky defense, a controversial ruling and eventually clutch hitting, the two teams traded blows against one another, but it was Martellas Pharmacy that survived a 6-3 decision over Cumming Motors in Pool A action during the early game at Sargents Stadium at the Point.The Johnstown-2 squad found itself tied late in the game with the Altoona-2 representative and used some small ball to forge ahead. Two Martellas Pharmacy runners reached base via a hit by pitch, then Jack Messina bunted the two into scoring position.Johnstown-2 second basemen Mason Pfeil came up and roped a go-ahead single up the middle before center fielder Colby Rearick brought in two valuable insurance runs on a base hit of his own.I was definitely looking to be aggressive and I was trying to do damage, said Rearick, the No. 10 batter in the order. I got a bunch of guys backing me. Thats not just me getting a hit, thats everyone on this team and we needed that more than air, so that was a big spot for me to come through.The dramatic go-ahead sequence was set up by a contentious one.In the bottom half of the seventh inning, Altoona-2 batter Isaac Tiracorda led off with a base hit. Mason Mierly followed and hit a grounder to Johnstown-2 second basemen Pfeil, who opted to go for a tag rather than flip the ball to second to start a double play.The ball ricocheted away on a collision by the two opposing players, which indicated both runners would be safe as it was called on the field. That would have set up Altoona-2 with two on and no outs in a tie game.However, following a conference between both umpires, it was ruled the runner obstructed the defender, which actually nullified both runners and shifted the dynamic of the game dramatically.They told me that he has to avoid contact, but he was in the baseline, Cumming Motors manager Chris Sanders said of the ruling. From where we saw, it looked like the fielder was coming into him. From my angle, he was trying to get out of the way, but he didnt see it that way. At the end of the day, weve got to hit better and put more guys on base and more runs across the board.Altoona-2 had trouble getting the offense going and finished with just five hits and struck out 13 times collectively. Cumming Motors pushed two runs across in the first innings, but both were fueled by errors from the Johnstown squad.Those first-inning errors were part of five committed by Martellas Pharmacy on the day. It was a sloppy performance, but one the team is willing to look past given the result of the contest.Obviously, we left here (Monday) bitter, Martellas Pharmacy manager Kerry Pfeil said after starting the tournament with a defeat. We felt like we left 95% of our effort in the dugout (Monday) and we wanted to bring that out here (Tuesday).The Johnstown runner-up team overcame some sluggish play thanks to a strong pitching performance from Bryce Danish, who went six innings, allowed just two hits and fanned 11 batters.I really liked how he was working ahead here today, Kerry Pfeil said of his starting pitcher. From their sixth through 10 guys, he was really challenging them and had multiple strikeouts down there. He hit spots and he had to work out of jams and recover from his own errors.Cumming Motors received a strong pitching performance as well. Seventeen-year old Vince Boland, a rising senior for Hollidaysburg Area High School, looked extremely sharp and pitched into the seventh inning with five strikeouts and two runs allowed, neither of which were earned.Hes 17 years old and came out here and kept a college lineup at bay for seven innings, Sanders said of his starter. Hats off to him. The kid is something. Hes special and hes got a lot of opportunity ahead of him.Johnstown-2 and Altoona-2 both have identical 1-1 records through two days of pool play and will have plenty to play for Wednesday. Martellas Pharmacy will battle Brooklyn at Sargents Stadium at 2 p.m., while Cumming Motors will take on Butler at Windber.

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Clive Brunskill via Getty ImagesCarlos Alcaraz still isnt ready to return from his lingering wrist injury.Alcaraz withdrew from the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, ending hopes that hed be ready to make his return to the sport after missing both the French Open and Wimbledon already this season. His status for the US Open later this month is still very much up in the air.We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible, Cincinnati Open tournament director Bob Moran said in a statement. We wish him the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Cincinnati in teh future.Alcaraz has been dealing with tenosynovitis in his wrist, which is the inflammation of the connective tissue that protects tendons, per the Cleveland Clinic. That can make it painful and difficult to move joints.As a result, Alcaraz has missed both Wimbledon and the French Open this season. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner won Wimbledon last month with Alcaraz sidelined. He hasnt played since initially suffering the injury back at the Barcelona Open in April.Alcaraz had been listed in the field at the Cincinnati Open for weeks now, and his wrist was reportedly healthy and completely healed. Its unclear if he suffered a setback in recent weeks, or what led to his withdrawal.Alcaraz, listed at No. 2 in the world, has won seven grand slam titles in his career. His last one came when he beat Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January. Hes won the US Open twice, including last year, too.But now with Alcaraz not playing in the Cincinnati Open, which is considered one of the premier hardcourt tournaments in the lead-up to the US Open, his status for the final grand slam of the season is very much in doubt. If Alcaraz can return in time for the event, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 30, hed undoubtedly be considered a favorite alongside Sinner.For now, the tennis world will just have to keep waiting.

BOSTON (AP) Adley Rutschman was still adjusting less than 24 hours after being traded for the first time in his career.Being in playoff contention may make for a smoother transition once the three-time All-Star catcher is ready to take the field for the Red Sox after spending his first four-plus seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.Just from playing here, the city loves baseball. It always has a great atmosphere and Im excited to play in it, Rutschman said Tuesday at Fenway Park before the Red Sox hosted the Chicago White Sox. Theyre playing the game the right way and doing things right. It was cool to watch from a distance. Now being here, like I said just trying to fit in and help out any way I can.Rutschman joined his new club on the injured list with left wrist inflammation. He and Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said Rutschman would meet with the team's medical staff to determine whats next in his rehabilitation and how soon he could be back behind the plate.Tracy said Rutschman is already swinging a bat and the Red Sox were hopeful to add him to their lineup soon. Boston also wasnt about to rush the recovery of a player that cost it a handful of top prospects in a deal pulled off shortly before Monday's trade deadline.Its been feeling good. Ive got to get with the medical staff here and kind of just see what the next steps are moving forward, said Rutschman, whos been on the IL since July 20. I don't exactly know just what kind of timeline and how all that goes.Rutschman moved from the Orioles, who were 12 games back in the AL East and on the fringes of the wild-card race entering Tuesday night, to the Red Sox, who were 5 1/2 games out of the division lead and in position for a wild card after winning 23 of their last 26 games.The Orioles stopped Bostons franchise record-tying winning streak at 15 games last month, but reaching the playoffs appeared less likely for Baltimore without Rutschman, the top overall pick in the 2019 draft.I played my entire career there and theres been a lot of unbelievable memories. Just made a lot of great friends for life, Rutschman said. Its tough goodbyes. But were on to the next thing. And excited to be here and playing. Its all part of the game.Rutschman said part of his down time will include getting to know Boston's pitchers, although there was already some familiarity.Ive seen a lot of these guys pitch and faced them, Rutschman said. I kind of understand how they attack guys but Im definitely going to have some more in-depth conversations, just make sure that were on the same page and it flows smoothly when we get out there.Whenever that is, Boston will be glad to have him.I think its a strong statement to the group with a player like that, Tracy said. We went out and got a huge addition to our lineup and behind the plate. So it means a lot. Well work through getting him healthy and getting him out there. But his history speaks for itself and who he is as a catcher and as an offensive player. So its a big add for us.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Paul Hughes hopes to get one more shot at PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.Hughes (14-3) suffered two close title losses to Nurmagomedov, with their rematch at PFL Champions Series 2 sparking debate on the decision. He was scheduled to headline PFL Belfast against Jay Jay Wilson in April, but a knee injury, which required surgery, forced him out of the bout.Nurmagomedov (22-0) is now a free agent after retaining his lightweight title with a first-round TKO of Archie Colgan at PFL New York this past Friday, making it a possibility that Hughes never gets his wish of a trilogy."First of all, Nurmagomedov, first-round knockout, I knew you'd win," Hughes said on his "X." "Different level than Colgan. In fact, different level than most lightweights in the world to be honest. Obviously, a lot of questions where his future lies. If it's UFC, I don't think anyone gives him many problems in the top 15 other than certain stylistic matches like (Ilia) Topuria, (Max) Holloway. Anyway, if he sticks around at PFL, obviously we have a lot of history there."I think the MMA world is in agreement that we're one each right now. Second fight, close. I took full responsibility for it at the time. I did not train for six weeks before that fight. I've just done back-to-back surgeries because of injuries. I believe 100 percent I have the beating of that man. I know that that trilogy can happen down the line. May sound absolutely deluded, I know a lot of people are going to think that."Hughes thinks he can re-emerge as No. 1 contender with one more win, and responded to a recent callout from a former title challenger."I don't know where he's going to go next, but I know there's history there, and I know I absolutely have the beating of that man, and I got some work to do," Hughes said. "I got to prove myself again for sure, full responsibility, but I will do that. Anyway, next year, when I get back, probably first quarter of next year, once I rehab, it's got to be Alfie Davis. He is talking some sh*t. I would love to shut his mouth. He is a gobsh*te, but I'll knock him clean out in a round. Let's do it on the Netflix card and then get me for the belt after that."This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Paul Hughes on Usman Nurmagomedov: '100 percent I have the beating of that man'

South Africa match-winner Thembi Kgatlana celebrates a goal for her Mexican club Tigres. (Rodrigo Oropeza)Star striker Thembi Kgatlana scored as South Africa edged Burkina Faso 1-0 on Tuesday to squeeze into the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals in Morocco.Mexico-based Kgatlana struck her second goal of the tournament after 21 minutes in Casablanca, then her team withstood continuous second-half pressure in a tense match.The winning goal will haunt Burkinabe central defender Madinatou Rouamba, who failed to cut off a cross from Fikile Magama, leaving Kgatlana to tap the ball past goalkeeper Nina Dabilgou.Burkina Faso were awarded a penalty just two minutes into the second half, but the decision by the Cameroonian referee was reversed after a VAR review.The rest of the half saw a string of Burkinabe attacks, but a lack of creativity, wild shooting and an impressive display from goalkeeper Kaylin Swart defied the west Africans.South Africa, champions in 2022 and five-time runners-up in the marquee African women's football competition, had to win to survive, and also needed the Ivory Coast to defeat Tanzania.The Ivorians obliged with a 2-1 victory through goals from N'Sira Ouedraogo just before half-time and Ines Konan midway through the second half in a match played simultaneously.Ouedrago struck with a snap shot from just inside the area and Konan converted a penalty. Diana Msewa netted a consolation added-time goal for Tanzania from another penalty.Ivory Coast finished Group B with seven points. South Africa had four and Burkina Faso and Tanzania three each.In the quarter-finals on Saturday, Ivory Coast stay in Casablanca to face Group A runners-up Algeria while South Africa travel to Rabat for a showdown with host nation Morocco.Quarter-final winners not only move closer to a record two-million-dollar WAFCON first prize, they also qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.dl/phz