TMZ Sports - Page 50

In one of the most incredible moments EVER on a baseball field ... the L.A. Angels combined to throw a no-hitter in their first home game since Tyler Skaggs tragically died last week.

The team honored Skaggs at every turn in their first game in L.A. without the pitcher Friday night ... every player wore a No. 45 Skaggs jersey, they painted a Skaggs mural on the centerfield wall, and Tyler's mom even threw out the first pitch.

But the Angels saved their best tribute to Skaggs for the actual game ... 'cause LA pitchers Taylor Cole and Felix Pena combined to no-hit the Seattle Mariners in a 13-0 win.

Afterward, every LA player stripped the Skaggs jerseys from their backs and laid them on the mound ... and, yeah, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

"It feels amazing," Cole said after the game ... "It's definitely the most special thing that's ever happened to me on a baseball field."

Even the Angels' bats did their part to honor Skaggs ... Mike Trout had the best game of his MVP-caliber season, going 3-for-4 with a home run and SIX RBIs.

The team is now 4-3 since the tragedy ... and is just 5.5 games out of first place in the AL West.

The NFL has suspended Malik McDowell for 2 games in the wake of TMZ Sports posting footage showing the defensive lineman fighting a cop at a Michigan gas station. 

The 23-year-old is currently a free agent but had a meeting with the Dallas Cowboys during the offseason. If he signs with a team for the 2019 season or beyond, he'll miss his first 2 games. 

As we previously reported, the 6'6", 300-pound lineman was arrested back in February after he got violent with a police officer during a routine traffic stop. 

In surveillance footage obtained by TMZ Sports, you can see McDowell get physical with the cop ... even after the officer deploys his taser on the NFL player. 

Eventually, backup arrived ... and multiple officers were able to subdue McDowell. He's now facing multiple criminal charges including assault and battery. 

McDowell is also facing criminal charges for his alleged role in the theft of pickup truck -- though it's unclear if that situation was a factor in the NFL's punishment. 

McDowell was a 2nd-round pick for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2017 NFL Draft -- but he was released in 2018 ... and hasn't signed anywhere else. 

Bodybuilding superstar Shawn Rhoden -- the 2018 Mr. Olympia winner -- has been charged with 1st degree rape in Utah after allegedly sexually assaulting a female bodybuilder in 2018.

Cops in Salt Lake City tell TMZ Sports ... 44-year-old Rhoden -- who goes by Flexatron -- has not been arrested, but a warrant has been issued. 

According to court docs, first obtained by KSL.com, Rhoden's accuser claims she visited Rhoden in his hotel room in Oct. 2018. The unidentified woman told cops she viewed Rhoden as a mentor. 

But, during the visit, the woman claims Rhoden forced himself on her -- and despite repeated pleas to stop, he refused. She claims he eventually stopped and let her leave the room. 

Officials say the woman went to police and they collected evidence from her body that tested positive for Rhoden's DNA.  

Rhoden has been hit with multiple criminal charges including felony rape, object rape and forcible sexual assault. 

Rhoden is a huge star in the bodybuilding world -- he has 1.6 million followers on IG and is the reigning Mr. Olympia ... the most prestigious title in the sport. He famously dethroned Phil Heath, the legend who had won the Mr. Olympia competition 7 years in a row. 

Houston Astros legend Craig Biggio is still struggling to believe his son is a successful big leaguer ... telling TMZ Sports, "I'm still having a hard time putting it into words."

"It's incredible," the 53-year-old Hall of Famer says.

24-year-old Cavan Biggio is a rising superstar for the Toronto Blue Jays -- he was one of the team's top prospects in the minor leagues before he got called up just a few weeks ago.

Now, he's hitting in the heart of the Blue Jays' order ... and in his first-ever 125 MLB at-bats, he's got 6 home runs, 24 runs scored, 23 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.

Craig -- who's in NYC this weekend to watch Cavan play against the Yankees -- tells us it's a great feeling seeing his son's success ... and adds that the two talk ball from time-to-time after Cavan's games.

As for the advice Papa Biggio is shellin' out to Cavan?

"Just keep working hard!"

#Noted

By the way, Craig Biggio played for the Astros from 1988 to 2007 -- racking up more than 3,000 hits and 1,175 RBIs while making the All-Star team 7 times! 

NY Jets TE Chris Herndon -- who had a breakout rookie campaign last year -- will be banned 4 games this season after he pled guilty in his DUI crash case, the NFL announced.

Herndon was lucky to be alive after cops say the 22-year-old smashed into another car on a New Jersey highway on June 2, 2018 after he was speeding at more than 100 mph.

TMZ Sports obtained footage from the aftermath of the crash ... and you can see Herndon's 2018 Nissan Armada nearly rolled over wrongside up.

To make matters worse, 23-year-old Herndon bombed field sobriety tests ... and he was arrested for DUI at the scene.

Chris fought the charge in court throughout the Jets' season last year ... but eventually cut a deal with prosecutors and pled guilty in the case.

Herndon was sentenced to complete 12 hours of an intoxicated driver education program. Plus, his driver's license was revoked for 90 days. He was also hit with $639 in fines and fees.

Now, the NFL has weighed in with their punishment, hitting the guy with a 4-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the initial ban was supposed to be 2 games ... but after a woman at the scene claimed the crash caused her bodily harm, the NFL upped it to 4.

Here's video of undefeated boxing star Devin Haney makin' in rain at an L.A. strip club earlier this week -- and the money, the booty and the bling remind us of a certain someone. 

First off, Haney is amazing. The 20-year-old is 22-0, and has been called "The Future Of Boxing," by Floyd Mayweather Sr., and mentored by Floyd Jr.

That's why we couldn't help notice the similarity when we got video of Haney blowing a stack in Ballet, the hottest new booty club in Los Angeles.

It was Floyd's ESPYs awards party, and it's clear to us Devin has been studying Mayweather out of the ring as much as in it. 

BTW ... Devin didn't just treat the curvaceous ladies to some class while he was out in L.A., he also managed to do some really awesome work with the homeless population, giving back to them too. 

Good work kid ... but here's a video below to let you know you still got a little way to go.   

MLB legend Dwight Gooden was arrested for cocaine possession last month in New Jersey, officials say ... the latest in a sad drug-riddled saga for the ex-Mets pitcher. 

Police in Holmdel pulled Gooden over in a routine traffic stop on June 7 -- and found 2 small ziplock-style baggies containing cocaine during a search of Doc's vehicle, according to documents filed by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and obtained by the NY Post. 

Gooden was charged with 3rd-degree possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence. 

The 54-year-old has a storied past with drug use ... he tested positive for coke back in 1987, months after he won the World Series with the Mets. 

Then, in 1995 ... MLB suspended Gooden for the entire season for failing another drug test. 

In 2006, Gooden did an 8-month stint in jail after showing up to a probation hearing high on cocaine. 

In 2010, Gooden crashed his car in Jersey while under the influence of drugs -- he was driving his 5-year-old son to school at the time of the crash. 

In 2016, Gooden said he was clean and sober and had been getting involved with the church. 

Lamar Odom says he's "extremely disappointed" after being cut from the BIG3 basketball league -- saying he first learned about the move on social media ... and not from Ice Cube. 

"As most of you have heard, the @thebig3 decided to deactivate me for the remainder of the 2019 season," 39-year-old Odom said. 

"I respect @icecube & the other league executives, however, I am extremely disappointed with the way that this has been handled."

"Besides the embarrassment, it’s disappointing to read on IG that this decision had been made, especially without sharing it with myself or my manager."

In his statement, Odom acknowledges that he wasn't in prime shape for Game #1 -- but says he was told he'd have time to get stronger ... and was hoping to showcase his talents in Game #4 this weekend in Rhode Island, where he played his college ball. 

"The Rhode Island game that is happening tomorrow was the game I have been looking forward to the most as many people know that this is where it all started for me."

Despite his issues with being cut, Odom thanked Ice Cube and the BIG3, and said he's rooting hard for the league to grow. 

He also praised Cube for being "the only black male owning a sports league in the USA, just let that one sink in for a moment."

Odom concluded, "I hope that we can use this situation as a lesson to grow, heal and become better people. I salute all of you, thank you for the love & energy."

As we previously reported, Odom was cut earlier this week -- and league sources told us it was because he simply wasn't ready to play. 

Ice Cube spoke after the move and said he still loves Odom but the league needs players who are gonna play every week. 

20 years after the legendary whipped cream bikini, "Varsity Blues" is COMING BACK ... but this time, it'll be a series about a high school football team that hates its coach! 

The original was released back in 1999 starring James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker, Scott Caan, Amy Smart and told the story of a group of high school football players in Texas who played under butthole coach Bud Kilmner, played by Jon Voight. 

Now, Jeffrey Katzenberg's short-form mobile video platform, Quibi, has announced they're in the process of adapting the movie as a series ... with an updated twist. 

Unclear if any of the original cast will be back -- but man, we hope Jonathan Moxon made it out of West Canaan! 

Of course, some of the original cast members have passed away including Paul Walker and Ron Lester, who played "Billy Bob."

"Varsity Blues" has been in the news recently ... not just because of the flick, but the FBI sting operation into the college admissions scandal was nicknamed "Varsity Blues." 

UFC champ Kamaru Usman says he was genuinely "scared" for his UFC rival, Ben Askren -- saying that 5-second, knee-to-the-head knockout looked REALLY bad in person. 

Usman was in the crowd at UFC 239 in Vegas last weekend when Jorge Masvidal turned out Askren's lights with a ferocious flying knee ... and Kamaru admits, "I was kinda scared."

"Actually, I was kinda sad cause he was out for a long, long time," Kamaru says ... "He was out for about 5 to 7 minutes." 

"I was kinda scared cause he was stiff. I thought something might've happened."

Askren was rushed to a nearby hospital -- but tweeted later that night and says he's fine. 

Of course, Kamaru and Ben have a pretty nasty history ... Askren mocked Kamaru for months by calling him "Marty," the Americanized nickname he got during his college wrestling days. 

But, when push comes to shove, Kamaru says he doesn't wish terrible things on Askren -- you can tell there's some real respect there. 

As for Masvidal, who's been pushing for a shot at Kamaru's belt, Usman says the guy needs to "SLOW DOWN" ... though he seems open to the idea. 

File under: "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND!?"

NHL great Jeremy Roenick -- known for his crazy-powerful slap shot -- decided to tee up a golf ball in his caddy's mouth Thursday ... and the video -- taken by a fan -- is INSANE!!!!

It all went down at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe -- a celeb packed golf tourney.

Roenick was getting some practice in on the 7th hole when someone came up with the idea to put a tee in his caddy's mouth to see if the former Flyers star could pull off John Daly's famous party trick! 

Here's where it gets crazy ... the caddy was so nervous, he kept moving the tee around in his mouth, causing the ball to fall off multiple times while Roenick was getting ready to swing!!

But, the 49-year-old NHL great kept his composure ... kept his concentration ... and when it came time to swing, he CRUSHED IT! 

It might look easy, but do NOT try this at home -- we've seen stunts like this go south ... just as Playboy model Liz Dickson whose butt was obliterated by a radio DJ with a terrible swing. 

Luckily for JR's caddy, Roenick had better aim. 

Tyreek Hill is now in a full-blown custody war with his baby mama -- who's demanding sole custody of their days-old twins amidst allegations the NFL star physically abused their older son. 

For years, it seemed Hill and ex-fiancee Crystal Espinal had buried the hatchet and were working together following Hill's domestic violence conviction stemming from a 2014 incident with Espinal. 

But, things took a turn ... she had claimed Hill physically abused their 3-year-old son in disturbing audio tapes that surfaced earlier this year. Hill can also be heard making menacing statements to Espinal. 

Espinal gave birth to twins earlier this month -- but it's clear she has no intention to amicably co-parent with Hill. She's filed new court docs demanding sole custody with Hill only getting supervised visits. She also wants the K.C. Chiefs star to pay child support. 

She's also demanding a paternity test to prove Hill is the father. 

In the court docs, filed in Kansas, Espinal also notes she and Hill "are not married, never have been married, and do not intend to be married."

It's the latest chapter in a rocky relationship for the two ... back in 2015 Hill pled guilty to domestic violence after she alleged he roughed her up in 2014.

The couple has also been under investigation over allegations they were responsible for injuries their 3-year-old son suffered during the NFL season.

For his part, Hill denied all of the accusations in a newly released, 11-minute audio that was secretly recorded by Espinal sometime in the past year.

Soccer star Daniel Sturridge is returning to normalcy after he was reunited with his beloved dog, Lucci, following a burglary at his L.A. home ... taking his pet out for a fancy lunch date. 

But, there's a big problem behind the scenes ... because the man who claims he FOUND the dog after the incident is saying Sturridge never made good on paying reward money. 

As we previously reported, the former Liverpool striker said money was no object -- he'd pay ANY amount if someone could help him find his Pomeranian following the burglary at the L.A. home where he's been staying. 

A rapper named Killa Fame posted photos of the dog on social media after claiming his nephew spotted the dog while going to the store around 9 PM on Tuesday. 

Sturridge was eventually put in touch with Killa Fame -- and he drove up and got the dog back. 

The problem now ... Killa Fame claims he was expecting Sturridge to cut a $30k check for the safe return of the dog, but it never happened. 

"Honestly I’m just disappointed @DanielSturridge offer of [$30,000] is a life changing amount of money," Killa Fame tweeted ... "especially when your without a home to live in with your family."

Fame is also pissed some people are accusing him of stealing the dog -- and he made a video to clap back. 

Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Kendrick Norton is speaking out from his hospital bed -- saying even though he lost his arm in a July 4 car crash, he feels grateful to be alive. 

"I'm alive," Norton told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench ... "If nothing else, I'm alive."

Norton's voice was shaking as he gave the interview -- his left arm severed around the elbow -- but somehow, he's found a way to stay positive. 

"I'm doing fine. I'm doing the best I can," Norton said from the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, with his grandparents and father by his side. 

22-year-old Norton -- a 7th-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft -- says the reality is sinking in that he'll never play football again, but he's trying to figure out another purpose in life. 

"It's not realistic that I'm going to play football anymore. We're working past that."

"We're going to be doing a blood drive," Norton said ... noting that he's looking for ways to help and inspire others going through a similar experience. 

U.S. soccer star Allie Long's L.A. hotel room was broken into ... and her wedding ring, cash and her honorary key to NYC were stolen ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Long -- who was in L.A. for the ESPYs -- had her Ritz-Carlton hotel room burglarized Thursday afternoon.

We're told Allie's wedding ring -- worth about $15k -- along with the key to NYC awarded to her Wednesday for winning the World Cup were taken in the theft.

Sources tell us there were no signs of forced entry ... and police believe the door may have been left ajar.

Long -- a 31-year-old midfielder -- has played with the National Team since 2014.

LAPD is currently at the hotel investigating.

Chandler Jones would BEAT THE HELL out of his famous UFC brother, Jon Jones ... so says the Arizona Cardinals DE himself, who tells TMZ Sports, "I'll beat Jon Bones' ass!!"

"Listen, he has the longest arms in the UFC," Chandler says ... "My arms are longer than his. That's my brother, I love him to death, but I'll kick his ass!"

The clip is hilarious ... but Chandler seems dead serious -- telling us his older brother would take the first real L of his career if the two really did square up.

And why? Chandler says it's all about his power.

"I would wrestle him. I'm more strong than he is," Chandler says ... "Listen, I'm not trying to brag, but I go against 300-pound men every day. Jon Bones is like, what, 235?"

Jon fights at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds ... while Chandler plays at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. The tale of the tape is interesting ...

As for Jon's input on the matter, Chandler says even the UFC superstar knows he'd get wrecked in the bro-on-bro fight!!

"Easy work," Chandler says.