TMZ Sports - Page 21

Jerry Hairston Jr. is one of many in the baseball world mourning the passing of Fernando Valenzuela this week ... telling TMZ Sports his admiration for the Dodgers legend was endless.

Hairston Jr. actually had the chance to work with the former pitcher over the last few years of his life ... as the two both had gigs broadcasting L.A. games -- and he had nothing but great experiences with the guy.

He told us he actually went golfing a few times with Valenzuela ... and the two shared many laughs while out on the course as well as at Dodger Stadium.

It ain't the Vikings, Packers or Bears ... no, according to Kerby Joseph, the real kings of the NFC North are the Lions!

The defensive back made it clear to TMZ Sports following Detroit's huge Week 7 win over Minnesota that he truly believes his squad is the top dog in the NFL's best division.

In fact, he told us he thinks the Lions should be considered the favorite from here.

University of South Florida men's basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim died on Thursday, according to the school ... after a medical procedure went horribly wrong.

Coach Abdur-Rahim was only 43 years old.

"All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim," USF official Michael Kelly said in a statement.

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds was wounded during a shooting last week in Denver, the team announced on Thursday.

In a statement, the NFL franchise said Reynolds suffered "minor injuries" ... although it did not reveal any further details about the incident.

"Out of respect for the legal process," Broncos officials said, "we will defer further comment on this matter to the authorities."

MLB great Pete Rose will be laid to rest in November ... with his family hosting a 14-hour visitation for fans at the Cincinnati Reds' Great American Ball Park.

The team revealed the plans on Thursday ... stating it will be an all-day event -- from 7 AM to 9 PM, symbolizing Charlie Hustle's jersey number.

It will be free and open to the public ... with the Reds saying they would like fans to "come together, honor his incredible legacy, and say their goodbye."

Traffic is always a nightmare in Los Angeles -- and it's expected to be even worse with a full slate of events throughout the city this weekend ... but TMZ Sports has learned the local public transit system is taking action to mitigate as many headaches as possible.

It's a fully stuffed few days for the City of Angels -- especially Friday, with the Dodgers, Lakers and USC all in action ... as well as concerts being held at the Intuit Dome and Forum.

L.A. County Metro tells TMZ Sports the service is bracing for the big weekend by increasing service on the rails ... mainly the A, B, D, and E lines.

2:15 PM PT -- Bill Belichick's making it clear he's siding with his girlfriend in the feud ... rockin' a Bridgewater State University cheerleading tee while hanging with Jordon Hudson on Thursday.

Bill Belichick's cheerleader girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, is so flippin' mad over some recent jabs a radio host threw her alma mater's way ... she's now issuing a challenge to the woman in an attempt to completely embarrass her.

The beef all began on Monday ... when Winnie Akoury -- who appears on Kiss 108's "Billy & Lisa in the Morning" -- trashed Bridgewater State University's cheerleading program.

An undefeated yet unknown fighter used the UFC 308 press conference to ask Dana White for a contract ... and it seems it's paid off in a massive way!

The UFC honcho, live from Power Slap 9, joined Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs nightly on FS1) ... where the fellas talked about Dorobshokh Nabotov's bold strategy to land a contract with the world's most popular MMA promotion.

If you missed it ... Dana was holding a media event in Abu Dhabi to promote UFC 308 when Nabotov, sitting in the stands with fans and the media, stepped to the mic and made his pitch to the UFC CEO.

If some pooches are looking a little blue in Los Angeles this week, don't be alarmed -- Dodgers fans are just coloring their dogs in the hopes it brings their team some good luck in the upcoming World Series.

Reporters over at NBCLA hit up a bunch of groomers in Southern California this week ... and found out Angelinos are flocking to shops to dye their pups' coats in an effort to support the boys in blue as they gear up to take on the Yankees.

All over Los Angeles County, paws, ears, and tails are getting dipped in Dodger blue ... but, don't worry, the groomers insist it's all "non-toxic" and "perfectly safe" for their fur babies.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor the late Fernando Valenzuela when they take the field for the World Series -- the team just announced it will pay tribute to the legend with a jersey patch.

The Dodgers shared visuals of the uniform tribute on Thursday ... which is a circle featuring Valenzuela's name and number placed on the left sleeve.

On top of the Fall Classic, the Dodgers said players will also wear the patch throughout the 2025 season as well.

It's a bad day to be a champagne bottle ... 'cause Breanna Stewart is grabbing all the bubbly in sight as the New York Liberty parades through the streets to celebrate their WNBA Finals win!!

The 6-foot-4 forward was spotted having a blast as her float made its way down Broadway ... spraying what appeared to be some Ace of Spades before taking a swig right from the container.

Sabrina Ionescu -- who wore a dope Nike custom Liberty jacket for the occasion -- turned the bash into a mini meet-and-greet ... hopping off her float to show love to the fans in attendance.

Drake soaked up the best of his worlds for his 38th birthday in Houston last night ... a wholesome dinner with his loving parents -- before basking in stripper paradise with the boys!!!

The hip hop megastar eased into more life last night at a restaurant surrounded by family and friends ... and a giant 3-piece cake reminding him of his age -- stuffed with fiery sparklers!!!

He and his camp later trekked to Drake's go-to strip club in the city, Area 29 -- the same place that tossed the imposter leeching off his fame a couple years ago.

Taylor Swift's about to get a larger-than-life "Eras" tour welcome ... 'cause New Orleans has dressed up the Caesars Superdome with some totally on-brand vibes.

The Big Easy venue's been blinged out with a giant friendship bracelet to greet Taylor before she kicks off her 3-night concert takeover of the town Friday.

It's definitely one heck of a personal touch that really amps up the excitement from both fans and the city to welcome Tay Tay.

The Los Angeles Clippers might not have won their season opener last night ... but, not even a 0-1 record could dampen fans' excitement over their new $2 billion state-of-the-art stomping grounds in Inglewood!

After years of construction, the Intuit Dome made its regular season basketball debut last night as the Clips hosted Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.

The man who owns the team, and footed the massive bill for the project, Steve Ballmer, welcomed the fanbase like only he could! And needless to say, he was pretty excited.

LaMelo Ball was unfiltered after the Charlotte Hornets' season-opening win ... casually dropping an F-bomb during his postgame interview!!

It all went down after the 23-year-old guard had his way against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on Wednesday ... scoring 34 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the 110-105 victory -- making him the first player in franchise history to record 30 points and 10 assists in the first game of the season.

Kemba Walker -- who played for Charlotte from 2011-2019 before joining the team as a coach this offseason -- dapped up Ball a few seconds right before his Q&A ... which prompted the reporter to ask about the impact the former guard has had on his game.

Kevin Durant wasn't in the giving mood after the Suns' season-opening win over the Clippers ... blocking "New Girl" actor Lamorne Morris' attempt at getting a special souvenir after the game.

K.D. and Phoenix spoiled L.A.'s housewarming party at the Intuit Dome ... handling James Harden and Co. in the 116-113 victory.

As K.D. was making his way to the locker rooms after the dub, Morris shouted at him and asked if he could get the jersey off his back.