Month: July 2020

On Monday, Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis opted out of the 2020 season due to increased concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Markakis is the second Atlanta veteran in two days to announce plans to sit out the 60-game season. He follows right-hander Félix Hernández, who opted out on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Markakis said Monday he was uneasy about playing the season without fans and then was swayed by his telephone conversation with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and has fever and other symptoms. “Just hearing him, the way he sounded on the phone, it was tough,” Markakis said. “It was kind of eye-opening. What everything that’s going on, not just with baseball but all over the world, it makes you open your eyes.” Freeman, pitcher Will Smith, right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma tested positive for the coronavirus.

Following nine seasons with Baltimore, Markakis was entering his sixth season with Atlanta. Markakis hit .285 with nine homers and 62 RBIs in 2019, a year after he was an All-Star.

Braves’ Nick Markakis opts out after ‘eye-opening’ talk with Freddie Freeman

Via www.upi.com

Atlanta Braves veteran outfielder Nick Markakis has opted out of the 2020 MLB season after an…

07/06/2020 10:31 PM

 

Editorial credit: Daniel M. Silva / Shutterstock.com

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes agreed to a 10-year contract extension Monday, the team confirmed. Mahomes’ deal is worth up to $503 million with $477 million in guarantee mechanisms that give the two-time All-Pro outs if not exercised. The deal also includes a no-trade clause, and makes Mahomes the highest-paid player in NFL history, as well as the richest for any professional athlete in American team sports. Los Angeles Angels star center fielder Mike Trout previously held the record with his 12-year, $426.5 million deal. 

24-year-old Mahomes had two years remaining on his contract after the Chiefs exercised his fifth-year option. The extension ties him to the organization through the 2031 season. Mahomes has already established himself in the NFL’s elite tier of passers. In his first year as a starter in 2018, he threw for 50 touchdowns and earned NFL MVP honors. Last season, he led the Chiefs to their first title in 50 years and was named Super Bowl LIV MVP, becoming the youngest player in league history to win a Super Bowl and league MVP. 

Patrick Mahomes tops Mike Trout for biggest contract in sports history

Via www.espn.com

Just 16 months after Mike Trout signed the biggest deal ever, Patrick Mahomes has beaten him.

07/06/2020 11:12 PM

 

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com