LeBron James Joins Magic's Lakers
A day after numerous stars returned to their teams on max deals to begin free agency, LeBron James announced where he will play next season. For the second time in his career, he has officially left Cleveland, but this time, there's no big announcement needed, because the king is going Hollywood. James officially joined Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening, agreeing to a four-year, $153.3 million deal. The contract does include a player option for the fourth year, and is the longest contract for James since he signed a six-year deal with the Miami Heat in 2010. The 33-year-old had stated that he wanted to finish his career with the Cavs four years ago, but with his family living in L.A., his son going to school there, and the Cavaliers struggling to build a team around him, things have changed. James is a 14-time All-Star and four-time MVP, and he thanked his hometown team yet again with an Instagram post after reaching the Finals with them all three years he was back, which included one championship in 2016. That was the first championship to that city in 52 years, but now he joins the conference of the team he struggled to get past, that being the Golden State Warriors. James will be added in to another young starting lineup, but many expect a lot more help with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma also in the starting five. The Lakers went on to add the likes of Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, and JaVale McGee, all on one-year deals, with their sights on next year's off-season, as well as a potential trade for Kawhi Leonard.
Tavares Returns Home With Maple Leafs
John Tavares has been known as possibly the most prized free agent in NHL history, and he made a decision that made sense to him to end the frenzy around him. On the first day of free agency, Tavares announced that he is signing a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were one of eight teams that were in the running for the star player, with the New York Islanders being another one of them. The now former Islander captain informed his old team that he was signing elsewhere early Sunday. After the announcement of the move, Tavares posted a picture from his childhood in Toronto saying "not everyday you can live a childhood dream." The 27-year-old also went on to thank the Islander organization and fan base on his way out, but he will now be a threat to them in the Eastern Conference. Tavares was a five-time All-Star while leading the Islanders since being selected first overall in the 2009 draft as a 19-year-old. He ended up signing a six-year, $33 million deal with the Isles, and is coming off a 37-goal, 47-assist season. There is not yet word on who will wear the "C" for the Leafs next season, as Auston Matthews has had that honor the last two years. Toronto is coming off a franchise-best 105-point season last year, but fell to the Boston Bruins in a seven-game first round series. This addition makes them the easy favorites to come out of the East and contend for the Stanley Cup.
Hicks, Yankees Use HR Ball to Take Series From Red Sox
The New York Yankees had a repeat of Friday night's series opener with the Red Sox, but even better on Sunday night to take the pivotal series at home. Aaron Hicks led the charge with three home runs, as the Yankees pounded the Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball, 11-1. David Price felt the brunt of this attack by giving up eight runs in 3.1 innings to suffer his sixth loss, while Luis Severino enjoyed the support en route to his 13th win. Severino pitched in to the seventh inning and struck out six without giving up a run, becoming the majors' first 13-game winner. Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres also went deep for the Yankees, who lead the season series over Boston so far, 5-4. They will not play each other again until early August at Fenway Park. The switch-hitter Hicks became the first Yankees leadoff hitter with three home runs in a game, hitting two from the right side and one from the left. It was also the first Yankees three-home run game since Alex Rodriguez did it against the Minnesota Twins in July of 2015. And of course, A-Rod was on the call for ESPN. The only other three-home run game in the current Yankee Stadium came from Curtis Granderson in April 2012 against the Twins. With the five home runs on Sunday, the Yankees are now on pace to surpass the 1997 Seattle Mariners' record of 264 long balls. By taking two of three from Boston over the weekend, they now sit in first place in the AL East with the best record in the majors.
A day after numerous stars returned to their teams on max deals to begin free agency, LeBron James announced where he will play next season. For the second time in his career, he has officially left Cleveland, but this time, there's no big announcement needed, because the king is going Hollywood. James officially joined Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening, agreeing to a four-year, $153.3 million deal. The contract does include a player option for the fourth year, and is the longest contract for James since he signed a six-year deal with the Miami Heat in 2010. The 33-year-old had stated that he wanted to finish his career with the Cavs four years ago, but with his family living in L.A., his son going to school there, and the Cavaliers struggling to build a team around him, things have changed. James is a 14-time All-Star and four-time MVP, and he thanked his hometown team yet again with an Instagram post after reaching the Finals with them all three years he was back, which included one championship in 2016. That was the first championship to that city in 52 years, but now he joins the conference of the team he struggled to get past, that being the Golden State Warriors. James will be added in to another young starting lineup, but many expect a lot more help with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma also in the starting five. The Lakers went on to add the likes of Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, and JaVale McGee, all on one-year deals, with their sights on next year's off-season, as well as a potential trade for Kawhi Leonard.
Tavares Returns Home With Maple Leafs
John Tavares has been known as possibly the most prized free agent in NHL history, and he made a decision that made sense to him to end the frenzy around him. On the first day of free agency, Tavares announced that he is signing a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were one of eight teams that were in the running for the star player, with the New York Islanders being another one of them. The now former Islander captain informed his old team that he was signing elsewhere early Sunday. After the announcement of the move, Tavares posted a picture from his childhood in Toronto saying "not everyday you can live a childhood dream." The 27-year-old also went on to thank the Islander organization and fan base on his way out, but he will now be a threat to them in the Eastern Conference. Tavares was a five-time All-Star while leading the Islanders since being selected first overall in the 2009 draft as a 19-year-old. He ended up signing a six-year, $33 million deal with the Isles, and is coming off a 37-goal, 47-assist season. There is not yet word on who will wear the "C" for the Leafs next season, as Auston Matthews has had that honor the last two years. Toronto is coming off a franchise-best 105-point season last year, but fell to the Boston Bruins in a seven-game first round series. This addition makes them the easy favorites to come out of the East and contend for the Stanley Cup.
Hicks, Yankees Use HR Ball to Take Series From Red Sox
The New York Yankees had a repeat of Friday night's series opener with the Red Sox, but even better on Sunday night to take the pivotal series at home. Aaron Hicks led the charge with three home runs, as the Yankees pounded the Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball, 11-1. David Price felt the brunt of this attack by giving up eight runs in 3.1 innings to suffer his sixth loss, while Luis Severino enjoyed the support en route to his 13th win. Severino pitched in to the seventh inning and struck out six without giving up a run, becoming the majors' first 13-game winner. Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres also went deep for the Yankees, who lead the season series over Boston so far, 5-4. They will not play each other again until early August at Fenway Park. The switch-hitter Hicks became the first Yankees leadoff hitter with three home runs in a game, hitting two from the right side and one from the left. It was also the first Yankees three-home run game since Alex Rodriguez did it against the Minnesota Twins in July of 2015. And of course, A-Rod was on the call for ESPN. The only other three-home run game in the current Yankee Stadium came from Curtis Granderson in April 2012 against the Twins. With the five home runs on Sunday, the Yankees are now on pace to surpass the 1997 Seattle Mariners' record of 264 long balls. By taking two of three from Boston over the weekend, they now sit in first place in the AL East with the best record in the majors.
