Want to see the shortest home run of the season? A surprise win at the US Open? And Bill Belichick’s first try at coaching in college?
We’ve got you covered.
1️⃣ Pesky’s Pole Power ⚾
Yesterday, we watched tennis star Carlos Alcaraz pull off a wild behind-the-back shot.
Today? A different kind of rare shot. In a totally different sport.
Bottom of the 6th inning at Fenway Park.
Boston Red Sox up 5–3 on the Cleveland Guardians.
Trevor Story steps to the plate for Boston and sends a fly ball down the right-field line.
🎥 Watch what happens!
Okay, let’s slow that down.
The right fielder leaps. The ball hits off his glove… then bounces back into the foul pole.
Funny name, right? The “foul pole” is actually fair. If the ball hits it before a fielder has full control, it’s automatically a home run.
At Fenway, that pole in right field is known as Pesky’s Pole, after former Red Sox shortstop Johnny Pesky.
One of his teammates nicknamed it in the 1940s because Pesky, not exactly a power hitter, still managed to sneak a few homers right around that short corner.
When the replay showed Story’s fly ball hitting Pesky’s Pole first, the call was reversed: home run.
At just 306 feet, that’s the shortest over-the-wall homer of the season. And the second-shortest since 2017. The last one that short? A 302-footer… also off Pesky’s Pole.
Only at Fenway!
💡 Quick math challenge! There are 3 feet in 1 yard. How many yards was Story’s 306-foot home run?
2️⃣ Osaka’s Bounce Back 🎾
Upset at the US Open!
Naomi Osaka, ranked #23, took down #3 Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6–3, 6–2.
That means she won two sets in a row without letting Coco take one.
🧠 Need a quick scoring reminder? A game is like a mini-round. You win a game by getting four points first. You win a set by getting six games first. And you win a match by getting two sets first (in women’s tennis).
🎥 Check out the highlights!
For Osaka, this one meant more than just the scoreboard.
She’s been through a tough few years that included a break from tennis to become a mom and focus on her mental health.
Now, she’s back at the top of her game.
And she’s in the mix as the men’s and women’s brackets both head into the quarterfinals today.
Can she keep this bounce-back rolling?
3️⃣ Belichick’s Back-to-School Night 🏈
We talked about Bill Belichick in our college football ABCs.
He may be the greatest coach in NFL history. And now he’s trying something completely new: college football.
Last night, Belichick and his North Carolina Tar Heels started their season against TCU.
🎥 Hit play to see how it went.
Yikes! After UNC came out with a quick score, TCU poured it on.
Final: TCU wins 48–14. Belichick coached 511 games in the NFL… and never gave up 48 points.
Oh, and TCU had 258 rushing yards vs. just 50 for North Carolina.
Even legends aren’t always perfect. Now, they need to bounce back in Week 2 against Charlotte.
What we learned today…
Sometimes the ball bounces your way. Sometimes it doesn’t.
But bouncing back means sticking with it… practicing, being patient, and being brave enough to try again.
Smallball is just for fun.
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What; no college football talk;
Biggest Upsets:
- Florida State 31, Alabama 17 - FSU (2-10 last year) stunned #8 Alabama as 14-point underdogs
- Ohio State 14, Texas 7 - #3 OSU took down preseason #1 Texas
- LSU 29, Clemson 24 - LSU upset #4 Clemson in Death Valley
Historic Weekend:
First time ever that four top-10 teams lost in Week 1 of AP poll era (#1 Texas, #4 Clemson, #6 Notre Dame, #8 Alabama)
And Bill Belichick suffering his worst coaching loss ever!