The Sportsletter - A Blast From The Past 🎾 ⚾️

BY MATTHEW CAHILL

AUG. 30, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

Serena Williams picked up a victory at the US Open and Albert Pujols launched another home run. Is it 2002 or 2022? 

Letter Rip!

Tennis

All Twirls After Round One

Photo: Julian Finney / Getty Images

Serena Williams Wins Opening Round Match in Straight Sets

Despite not having many expectations heading into the event, all eyes heading into the US Open were on Serena Williams, as she announced it would be her last tournament before retiring from professional competition. The six-time US Open winner will live on to play another day, as she defeated Danka Kovinić with a pair of 6-3 sets. She had some moments where she looked like her old self, and gave the fans one more iconic twirl at the rowdiest stage in tennis. 

After the match, Williams was given a farewell tribute to celebrate all that she’s done for the sport. Billie Jean King was in attendance and showed love to Serena, telling her that she has “the most beautiful serve in the history of this game”. The entire post-match ceremony was a great gesture to one of, if not the greatest tennis player of all time while. It was also great to let her get her flowers after a victory opposed to an emotional defeat. 

While Serena has moved on to the second round, she certainly has her work cut out for her, as she is slated to face the second ranked player in the world, Anett Kontaveit. It will be quite a tall task to ask someone who hasn’t won a Grand Slam in five years to take down a player of Kantaveit’s stature, but you should never count out Serena, especially at the US Open.

Additional Storylines

Yahoo!: Past U.S. Open champs Murray, Medvedev advance to 2nd round

USA Today: US Open Fans Surprise Serena Williams With a heartwarming arena card celebration

MLB

The Machine Has Been Unleashed

Photo: name / Getty Images

Albert Pujols Belts Historic 694th Career Home Run in Cardinals 13-4 Win Over Reds

About a month ago, the chances of Albert Pujols reaching the illustrious 700 career home run mark seemed slim to none as he only had 7 home runs through his first four months of the season, putting him at 686. However, it seems that Pujols has found a time machine because he has had an absolutely incredible month of August. That stretch continued last night, as he hit another home run to bring his career total to 694. It was his eighth home run of the month, something he hasn’t done in over ten years, and it gives him a real chance to hit 700. The homer also marked the 450th different pitcher that Pujols has gone yard off of throughout his career, which surpasses Barry Bonds for the most of all time. 

Regardless of whether or not he reaches 700 over the course of the next month or so, it really is incredible to see Pujols find the fountain of youth and become a key contributor for a Cardinals team that is surging themselves, as they are currently 21-6 in the month of August thus far.

Watch: Albert Pujols Crushes Home Run No. 694

MLB Quick-Hitters

Aaron Judge Launches Number 50: The struggles continued for the Yankees last night, falling to the Angels 4-3. On the bright side, Aaron Judge belted a 434-foot home run to center to reach the 50 mark this season. Last night’s bomb puts Judge on pace to hit 63 dingers this year, which would surpass Roger Maris for the most in a single season by a non-steroid user. 

Dodgers place Tony Gonsolin on IL: The second half of the season has without a doubt belonged to the Dodgers, but they are starting to face some real health concerns, specifically to their starting rotation. A week after they lost Walker Buehler for the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, it was announced that they were losing another starting pitcher, as Tony Gonsolin was placed on the 15-day IL due to a forearm strain. 

Additional Storylines

NY Post: Aaron Judge’s Historic Night Spoiled by Shohei Ohtani as Yankees Fall to Angels

The Athletic: Albert Pujols Hits 694th Career Home Run, Moving 2 Shy of Alex Rodriguez

NFL

Jimmy G Staying Put

Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo Agree to Restructured Deal to Return as Backup 

If you asked me what team Jimmy Garoppolo was going to start the season on at the conclusion of last season, my last pick probably would have been the Niners. But here we are. It was announced on Monday that the 49ers and Garoppolo have agreed to restructure his contract, as his salary has dropped from $24.2 million to $6.5 million fully guaranteed, including incentives to reach as much as $16 million if he ends up getting playing time. The contract also includes a no-trade clause to ensure that he will have a say in where he goes if he ends up getting moved. 

Ultimately, the market was fairly dry for Garoppolo, as a combination of his steep contract and offseason shoulder surgery caused any potential suitors to stay away from San Francisco’s former starting QB. This new agreement between the team allows Garoppolo to stay on a roster while him and the front office work together on ultimately finding him a new home. For the Niners, keeping him around gives them some insurance incase Trey Lance doesn’t pan out as expected. They can also eventually still get an asset in return instead of losing Jimmy G for nothing if they simply released him.

Additional Storylines

NBC Sports: 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo Find an Unexpected Win-Win

Yahoo!: Jimmy Garoppolo's Restructured 49ers Contract Makes NFL Twitter Implode

THE STORYLINES

⚾️ 1 Potential Impact September Callup for Each Team

Starting September 1st, MLB rosters expand by two and are required to have 28 players. With extra spots available, a mix of hot prospects, injury-riddled veterans, and journeymen will have a chance to prove their worth and make a big impact down the season's final stretch. (MLB.com)

🏀 How Anthony Davis Became the NBA's Forgotten Superstar 

Not even two years ago, Anthony Davis dominated the NBA playoffs en route to his first NBA championship. After back-to-back seasons that were derailed by injuries, the league has seemingly forgotten about one of the biggest names in the sport. (Washington Post) 

🏈 NFL's 'Top 100 Players of 2022': Five Things the Voters got Wrong

The player-voters recently ranked the top 100 players amongst themselves. Check out some of the biggest mistakes they made when trying to figure out who the best of the best truly was. (NFL.com)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• WNBA Awards: Jackie Young Named Most Improved Player; Rhyne Howard Wins Rookie of the Year (CBS)
• Julius Erving: Kobe Bryant’s Numbers Shouldn’t be Retired NBA-Wide (Yahoo! Sports)
• MLBPA Sends out Union Authorization Cards in First Step Toward Unionizing Minor Leaguers (ESPN)
• Tom Brady Responds to Rampant Rumors That he Wanted to Play for Multiple Other Teams Besides the Buccaneers (CBS)
• Report: 'Multiple Owners' Didn't Want Browns' Deshaun Watson Suspended for the Season (Bleacher Report)
• Barcelona’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Attacked by Armed Robbers at Home (SI)
• Commanders Rookie RB Brian Robinson in Stable Condition Following Shooting (NFL.com)

With Serena's win on Monday and Pujols's hot streak, we now have two all time greats looking to go out with a bang. Would you rather see Serena win the US Open, or Pujols eclipse 700 career home runs? - Matthew Cahill

Support The Sportsletter Team

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Technical Lead: Kevin Lonergan

Did Someone Forward You This Email? Subscribe Here
Feedback? Contact Our Editor: Jeff@TheSportsletter.com
Not Loving The Letter? Unsubscribe
Follow us on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Copyright © 2022 The Sportsletter
717 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103