No dull times for the sports world

Tough to keep up. While the 2020 TokyoSummer Olympics is playing before mostly empty stands and other pandemic protocol restrictions, sports news looks to be here, there and everywhere.

Take the founder of pinstripes, the New York Yankees. They are still making moves despite being well behind in the American League’s East Division, currently 8 and one-half games behind the rival Boston Red Sox, but only 3 behind in the rather jammed wild card race.

And so they picked up 10-year Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo Thursday and he and his family took a trip around the Wrigley Field area to photograph some memories of his stay there.

“Hey,” said the popular Rizzo, “I’ve had some great years here, and now I move on to the “Big Apple” to Yankee Stadium, after saying goodbye.”

He’s one-half of the one-two Italian signing, with the Bronx Bombers adding some left-handed big bats in reeling in All-Star outfielder Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers. Who knows, maybe they will also be interested in an Italian restaurant.

“Very interesting,” Gallo said, “and I’m looking forward to it.”

These moves came ahead of the Friday Major League Baseball trade deadline.

There were other talks, but nothing being official.

But in the National Basketball Association after the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship over the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to acquire All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, match him up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and send him to home to L.A..

In return, the Lakers are acquiring three players and the rights to first-round pick Isaiah Jackson. Reports are Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious-Caldwell, and Montezl Harrell are the trio moving cross country.

Three quality players, but the 32-year-old Westbrook is the headliner. He’s played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was dealt to the Houston Rockets in 2019, and then traded to Washington last season. The 6-foot-4 bundle of versatility is the league’s career leader in triples-doubles with 184 and brings the Lakers another star to pair with All-Stars James and Davis.

Then there’s the 132nd Summer Olympics, which begins the track and field schedule today with the USA as the usual favorite among both the men and women.

Red, white and blue men and women’s basketball are also (or where) favorites, but so far the US men have stumbled after losing twice in exhibition games and then falling to France in the opening round. They play next against the Czech Republic (1-1) Saturday, and are also 1-1 after downing Spain.

The Stars and Stripes’ women have had some close calls, but are 2-0 and figure to have tough goes versus Germany, France, and any others in an upset mood.

In men’s rugby, the United States is 2-1 after turning back Kenya, 19-14, and the US women are also 2-1 following a 14-12 toughie over Australia.

In swimming, the Americans’ Caleb Dressel stroked to a world record in his 100-meter butterfly semifinals, and now is in quest of the title, with Hungary’s Kristof Milak his main challenger. In the 200-meter backstroke, the US’s Ryan Murphy finished second. In the 200 individual medley, American Michael Andrew placed fifth.

As the women go, the day after Katie Ladecky won the grueling 1,500 meters, the USA took second and third, respectively, in the 200-meter breaststroke behind runner-up Lilly King, who finished a stride a ahead of teammate Annie Lazor. In the 100 backstroke semis, the USA’s Phoebe Bacon and Ryan Elizabeth White placed second and third to gain the finals.

In volleyball, the USA women didn’t figure to have a problem getting past Turkey, which it did in surviving 3-2, and winning the deciding set, 15-12. In men’s play, the Americans lost a close one 3-1, in a tight tussles of losses by two points in sets one and two, a 25-21 reversal in set three, and a 20-25 defeat in set four.

In beach volleyball, the United States men are now 3-0 after turning back the Netherlands, 3-1. The women also became 3-0 via their 3-0 triumph over Argentina.

In women’s gymnastics after its biggest star Simone Biles pulled out after a poor performance in the vault and also scratched from the all-around, USA 18-year-old teammate Sunisa Lee took care of her own business by winning the all-around with Biles and teammates cheering.

In the NBA draft, the No. 1 pick, 6-6 point guard Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State, was taken by the Detroit Pistons. The second selection went to the Houston Rockets and they went for G-League Image standout 6-8 Jalen Green, who did not attend college, and next came the Cleveland Cavaliers’ No. 3 pick 7-foot freshman Evan Mobley from Southern California.

The Toronto Raptors took Florida State’s 6-10 power forward Scottie Barnes as their No. 4 choice. And 6-5 freshman point guard Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga was chosen No. 5 by the Orlando Magic.

What else is new? Well, Aaron Rodgers finally made the scene as the Green Bay Packers quarterback and when he requested the Pack bring back his favorite receiver, Randall Cobb, it didn’t take long to make a deal with the Houston Texas, and the next day found Rodgers and Cobb reunited.