TMZ Sports - Page 35

"Hawk Tuah" girl Haliey Welch tossed out the ceremonial first pitch at the Mets game Thursday ... and, sorry to disappoint, it looked more like a curve than a spitball.

The social media sensation took the mound at Citi Field just before New York's tilt with the A's ... and while she didn't exactly hurl the cowhide the full 60 feet, 6 inches -- she got the job done nonetheless.

Decked out in a custom Mets jersey, Welch completed the toss to her pal -- and then celebrated the feat with a chest bump and a picture.

Luana Alonso's putting claims of inappropriate behavior at the Paris Olympics in her rearview ... 'cause she's back on the 'Gram -- posting spicy bikini snaps.

The Olympic swimmer -- who recently denied claims she was kicked out of the 2024 Olympic Village in Paris -- shared a photo collage Wednesday ... including one snap in a tiny black top.

Another pic showed the Paraguayan bombshell in a more conservative, cowgirl-inspired ensemble ... though she still gave fans a glimpse at her long, tan legs.

Rachael Gunn -- best known by her breakdancing name Raygun -- is addressing the reaction to her viral performance at the Paris Olympics, saying the hate has been "devastating."

The 36-year-old Australian posted a video to her Instagram page on Thursday, commenting on the backlash, and thanking her supporters.

"I really appreciate the positivity, and I’m glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives; that’s what I hoped," Gunn said.

The search for the next U.S. men's soccer head coach seems to have come to an end ... as Mauricio Pochettino and the United States Soccer Federation have reached an agreement to make the 52-year-old the next leader of the sidelines.

The Athletic was the first to report the development ... stating the former head coach of the Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea F.C. squads will be tapped as the man to replace Gregg Berhalter.

Kevin Durant is in the company of some new gold AND some stunning acquaintances ... 'cause the NBA superstar is celebrating his Olympic win surrounded by a ton of attractive women -- and he enlisted his teammate, Devin Booker, for the party!!

TMZ Sports has obtained some pics of the Slim Reaper's post-Paris escapades ... and it's clear he's on Cloud 9 after Team USA handled business and defeated France in the final round on Saturday.

K.D. -- who became the States' all-time leading scorer in international play during the latest run for the Red, White and Blue -- made his way to St. Tropez to keep the vibes high after the big win ... and it's clear he wasn't mad one bit about his surroundings.

Former NASCAR champion Kurt Busch was arrested on Tuesday night ... after authorities say they caught him driving drunk.

The 46-year-old was pulled over at around 11:30 PM in Iredell County, North Carolina ... following allegations he was driving 18 MPH over the posted 45-MPH speed limit, this according to the Iredell Free Press.

The outlet, citing court documents, reported Busch told officers he had been drinking prior to the stop -- and elicited signs of being wasted, including having "red glassy eyes."

Tom Brady, unretiring AGAIN?!

That's what TB12 joked while soakin' up the sun on a yacht off the coast of Italy, firing footballs from the boat ... and proving he's still got the arm to play in the NFL!

The soon-to-be Hall of Famer dropped the 9-minute debut episode of his new vlog, "Last Week with Tom Brady," which is produced by Shadow Lion, where he did everything from watching Simone Biles in person at the Paris Olympics with his daughter Vivian, to hangin' on a beautiful yacht in the Mediterranean with Michael Rubin and others.

At one point in the ep, Rubin, founder of Fanatics, was on a jet ski ... a perfect opportunity for Brady to throw a few passes to his buddy out on the water.

Kim Kardashian says she's content with being single right now, but that hasn't stopped her little kiddos from trying to hook her up with potential suitors.

The reality star sat down Wednesday with host Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" for a wide-ranging interview that eventually turned to Kim's love life.

Jimmy was the one who brought up the subject, asking,  What's going on with the love scene? Are you seeing anyone?"

Michael Chandler's Christmas wish is to put his fist through Conor McGregor's face on the UFC's December card -- and while Santa Claus can't help here -- Dana White can, and Iron Mike desperately hopes he books the long-awaited fight as UFC 310's main event!

TMZ Sports talked to 38-year-old Chandler on Wednesday ... and asked the #6 ranked lightweight for his reaction to White recently declaring McGregor (and therefore Michael) would NOT be fighting in 2024.

"If [Conor and I] can fight in December, let's do it. I'm in. But the fact of the matter is I've stayed ready since I left training camp for that June 29 fight and I am staying ready to take a fight. Any fight, if this fight doesn't look like it's happening in December," Chandler told us.

Blake Lively's got beef, Travis Kelce has a new 'do and Chris Jones is making a $1.5 million offer for a chicken wing convict ... all this on today's TMZ Hot Takes.

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles explain why Blake felt uncomfortable around Justin Baldoni on the set of "It Ends With Us."

"We've had one week, two weeks, three weeks and one day since Joe Biden stepped aside. The only damn place we've seen Kamala Harris is at pep rallies. What's up? Somebody gotta say something and it can't just be the conservatives. Right is right."

That's Stephen A. Smith, the world's most popular sports media personality, diving headfirst into the 2024 Presidential Election, asking a question echoed by many conservatives since Biden bowed out in July -- why no sit down interviews?

"I'm talking to my sister here. Come on now. You're running for the presidency of The United States of America. You got my vote. You're running for the presidency of the United States of America. What you hiding for? And I mean hiding in plain sight. Somebody gotta say it. Somebody gotta say it," SAS said this week on his popular podcast (full episode here).

Simone Biles has a sassy clapback for all the people bashing her post-Olympics Parisian shopping spree ... clarifying she didn't spend her own dough on a pricey Hermès bag.

The gymnastics G.O.A.T. addressed her luxurious new handbag, usually worth tens of thousands of dollars, telling fans ... "My parents bought me my Hermès bag 🥰. Don’t be mad at me, be mad at your parents."

Simone says her parents, Ronald and Nellie, gave her the bag as a treat after all her Olympic glory -- and, TBH, she did just become the most-decorated American gymnast in Olympics history. Ya get why they'd give her a little VIP treatment.

Joel Embiid is adding to his medal collection -- just days after winning gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the NBA star was awarded the "Order of Valor" in his home country of Cameroon.

The special moment happened on Wednesday in the Central African country ... with the Sixers center surrounded by fans as he made his way to meet Cameroon President Paul Biya.

Once Embiid entered the building, he was approached by President Biya, who greeted him with the Medal of Commander of the Order of Valor -- an honor given to Cameroon natives who have made "exceptional contributions in the fields of arts, science, agriculture, commerce, or industry."

Drew Gilbert's afternoon at the ballpark ended very early Wednesday ... and it's all 'cause he got nailed in the junk by a wayward breaking ball.

The painful pitch happened just after the New York Mets top prospect stepped up to the dish in the first inning of Syracuse's minor league tilt with Rochester.

Check out footage from the game's broadcast ... on the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Thaddeus Ward's sweeper got away from him, and beelined toward Gilbert's family jewels.

Jonathan Owens' Chicago Bears teammates didn't have an issue with him missing part of training camp to watch his wife, Simone Biles, dominate at the Olympics ... 'cause he received a warm welcome upon his return to practice -- complete with a passionate "USA" chant!!

The 29-year-old safety's reunion with his squad was captured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks' cameras during Tuesday's episode ... and while some folks questioned his excused absence to be present for the GOAT's historic performances, the team was clearly in his corner.

During a meeting, Owens addressed the crowd as a Biles-themed PowerPoint presentation ran across the big screen ... and he explained just how important the trip was for him.

Michael Rubin's defending his decision to 86 Kendrick Lamar‘s megahit, “Not Like Us” during his annual All-White Party ... and admits it was all to put Drake at ease.

The Fanatics CEO told "The Breakfast Club" on Wednesday that it was his decision -- not Drake's -- to ban the record that has since become K. Dot's biggest song of his career!!!

MR was confirming the story TMZ Hip Hop broke last month -- that despite the song's massive culture and chart success, none of the DJs at Rubin's party spun the record.