TMZ Sports - Page 47

Josh Gibson is now officially Major League Baseball's all-time batting average leader ... and Albert Pujols couldn't be happier about it -- telling TMZ Sports the MLB's decision to integrate Gibson's Negro Leagues numbers into its record book is "a great thing for baseball."

Rob Manfred's org. made the decision to absorb the legend's stats -- as well as everyone else's who played in the Negro Leagues from 1920-1948 -- on Wednesday ... and Pujols praised the move when we got him out at LAX a day later.

He told us it was the "perfect time" for Manfred and co. to recognize the greats -- saying it showed big respect for those who performed during that era.

LaMelo Ball just added another whip to his collection that'll make ya jealous ... TMZ Sports has learned the NBA star copped a custom Tesla Cybertruck -- that's loaded with all kinds of sick features!!

Ball worked exclusively with Dreamworks Motorsports to get the ride tricked out to his liking ... and take a look at the finished product he received this week -- it's got ALL of the bells and whistles built into it.

It has his "LaFrance" clothing brand logo all over ... even stitched into the car's headrests. It also has the words "Rare" and "1 Of 1" slapped on it -- an homage to the unique tattoos the hooper has on his hands and back.

Get your first full week of June off to a great start with the best from TMZ TV shows last week.

On "TMZ Live" Harvey and Babcock dive into Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's daughter Shiloh dropping "Pitt" from her last name.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever got the win against the Chicago Sky on Saturday but boy, things got physical .... including a cheap shot that sent the number one pick to the hardwood, drawing applause from rival Angel Reese!

It was a full house at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the first WNBA match-up between Reese and Clark ... and they picked up right where they left things off in college!

The game was intense, and the Fever was thrilled to come away with their second win of the season. Clark wasn't happy with the body check from Angel's teammate, Chennedy Carter.

Jason Kelce's taken a bizarre stance on X ... claiming he never washes his feet and people shouldn't trust "Big Soap" -- and, many are taking it as a shot at his bro's teammate.

The former Eagles center took to the popular social media site Saturday and engaged a troll who claims JK doesn't wash. Instead of letting the insult lie or firing back, Jason seemed to play into it, writing "What kind of weirdo washes their feet..."

It's a perfect way to handle a troll, ya gotta say ... agreeing with the joke to take its power away -- but, then the big man doubles down on his wisecrack.

Some scumbag pretending to be NBA prospect James McCain has been scamming fans out of their hard-earned money on Snapchat ... and now, the REAL James McCain's team is working to get the account removed from the app.

TMZ Sports has learned -- someone completely unaffiliated with 20-year-old McCain has been reaching out to people on the platform recently ... and after weeks of talking and building up trust, the user will eventually offer gifted items from SKIMS and other companies at a discounted price.

We're told some users have fallen for it -- after all, Kim Kardashian's brand recently partnered with the NCAA for March Madness ... and McCain was all over the campaign.

SKIMS also has a relationship with the NBA ... McCain's next employer.

Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn't in Islam Makhachev's corner for his last fight, but he will be Octagonside for Saturday's title scrap vs. Dustin Poirier ... and he's doing it for free!

TMZ Sports talked to Khabib and Islam's longtime manager, Ali Abdelaziz, this week ... and while all MMA fans are well aware of Nurmagomedov's exploits inside the cage, we asked about his talents as a coach -- and how it's impacted Makhachev's preparation heading into UFC 302.

"[Islam] had one of the greatest coaches you can ever have in your corner, Khabib. He's been coaching in the whole camp," Ali said, adding, "He had some of the best training partners you can ask for mimicking Dustin. We're fighting a dangerous opponent. You know, Dustin Poirier is a dangerous opponent, but I feel right now Islam is a hard guy to beat, you know?"

"And, he's going there for the kill. Everybody talks about Dustin Poirier, he's killed or to be killed. Tomorrow, Islam is going to be turned into a killing machine."

Typically, coaches receive a percentage of a fighter's pay ... but not Khabib, not this time.

"Khabib came to camp. He's not making money. He's not getting a percentage. He's spending his own money for his own flight just to help his brother."

Of course, Khabib, 29-0 (BTW, one of those wins came against Poirier), retired after beating Justin Gaethje in 2020 ... shortly after the tragic death of his father, Abdulmanap.

Since, Nurmagomedov has dedicated himself to coaching ... although he has stepped aside at times (he wasn't in Islam's corner for the Volkanovski fight at UFC 294).

Check out the clip. There's much more with Ali on Islam, Khabib, and some of his other star fighters.

Things are heating up as June kicks off ... and, TMZ TV's no different. Check out our hottest stories from Friday.

On "TMZ Live" Harvey and Babcock talk Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez holding hands in public ... though the light PDA's not masking the tension on their faces.

If Luka Doncic was hopin' his viral moment with a postgame beer Thursday night would lead to some free suds ... he can stop holding his breath -- 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the company that makes the beverage says it's got no plans to send a care package his way.

A rep for Fulton Beer tells us while they appreciated that Doncic grabbed one of their Lonely Blonde ales following the Mavericks' big Game 5 win over the Timberwolves, they're not hooking him up -- because, simply, they're fans of the losing team!

The company is actually based out of Minnesota ... so, needless to say, Doncic can stop waiting for an on-the-house goodie bag of the tasty brews now.

Johnny Manziel apparently has a new gig as Josie Canseco's personal photographer ... and after seeing his most recent work, who the heck needs football anyway??

The 31-year-old Heisman Trophy winner and his Victoria's Secret model girlfriend, 27, shared some steamy snaps on social media on Friday ... showing them cozied up in bed as Josie posed for the camera in some Alo sweats.

Despite being decked out in comfy clothes, Josie wasn't really a fan of keeping them on ... 'cause she put a lot of skin on display -- including some major underboob at one point.

President Joe Biden was so pumped to celebrate the Chiefs' Super Bowl win at the White House on Friday ... he actually donned one of Kansas City's red helmets!!

POTUS was gifted the headgear just minutes after he praised the team for winning its second straight championship ... and when Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the rest of the guys urged him to throw it on his dome -- he did just that!

The 81-year-old -- with help from head coach Andy Reid -- unbuckled the chinstraps ... and squeezed the protective gear over his noggin. He then put his hands up and motioned for Mahomes to throw him a pass.

Fans looking forward to the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight will have to wait a bit longer -- the July 20 bout has just been postponed following the boxing legend's recent airplane medical scare.

Jake's Most Valuable Promotions just made the announcement ... saying after meeting with medical professionals over his ulcer flare-up on Thursday, Mike was told it was best to do "minimal to light training over the next few weeks."

Jake and Mike both agreed it was best to push the event back ... as they both want equal training time leading up to the fight.

Gable Steveson's wrestling career has just been put on pause ... 'cause he's now an NFL player!!!

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills on Friday ... this after he apparently wowed team officials during a defensive lineman workout earlier this month.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gable's deal is a standard, three-year rookie one. Steveson is slated to wear No. 61 when he hits Buffalo's field later this summer.

Travis Kelce appears to be going stag to the Chiefs' White House party ... Kansas City just posted a vid of him getting on a bus to 1600 Penn Ave. -- with no Taylor Swift in sight.

Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the 2023 Super Bowl champions are slated to be honored by Joe Biden at a title celebration later on Friday afternoon ... and many had wondered if the K.C. tight end's famous girlfriend would make the trip.

After all, she's on a break from her "Eras" tour shows -- albeit a very brief one -- and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said all of the Swifties in the building were sure hoping to see her.

F1 star Esteban Ocon is addressing the backlash he's faced after wrecking into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix ... saying he's been on the receiving end of some nasty abuse and negativity online.

It was a tough weekend for the 27-year-old French driver -- he was forced to retire after making contact with Gasly ... going airborne and damaging his car in the process.

Ocon admitted it was his fault for trying to pass Gasly when an opening wasn't available ... but despite owning up to the mistake, there were rumblings he could get benched over it all.

NBA legend Bill Walton -- arguably the biggest Grateful Dead fan on the planet -- received a huge tribute at the Dead & Company Sphere show Thursday night ... three days after he tragically passed away.

The band -- which consists of John Mayer and Bob Weir, plus other former Grateful Dead members -- projected images of Walton behind them throughout their hourslong concert at the must-see attraction in Las Vegas.

Some of the pics displayed on the building's massive screens included Walton with Weir and Mickey Hart. They also featured the former Celtics center's No. 32 jersey number, rose petals ... and a whole bunch of tie-dye colors.