📰🏟️ “Tarps Off”
Plus: LSU re-hires Ed Orgeron...
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1) “Tarps Off” shirtless sections take MLB by storm
What started with a small group of St. Louis Cardinals fans removing their shirts in the right-field stands of Busch Stadium has spread into an MLB-wide craze.
- Last Friday night, when the phenomenon first appeared, the extra crowd energy propelled the Cardinals to a walk-off victory.
- The next day, Cards manager Oli Marmol bought out the new “Tarps Off” section of Busch Stadium, and invited the originators—members of Stephen F. Austin’s club baseball team—into the clubhouse.
- Since then, fans at Angels, Mariners, Phillies, Rays, and Tigers games have all joined in, while the Cardinals officially established a “shirts optional” RF section for any fan.
The next big hit: Shirtless in St. Louis
2) Thunder bounce back to even series with Spurs
Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 122-113 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, evening the series at 1-1 behind 30 points and 9 assists from reigning 2x MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
- The Thunder had a 57-25 advantage in bench points, with their total matching the franchise record in a playoff game since relocating to OKC in 2008.
- Injuries started to pile up in Game 2, with All-NBA Thunder F Jalen Williams and All-Rookie Spurs G Dylan Harper both leaving due to injury. Spurs G De’Aaron Fox has also missed Games 1 and 2.
3) LSU re-hires former head coach Ed Orgeron—as assistant
The school last night announced it re-hired Orgeron, who led an undefeated LSU to the 2019 CFP National Championship before being fired 2 seasons later following an 11-11 run.
- He’ll serve as a “special assistant to recruiting and defense” under Lane Kiffin, whom LSU poached from Ole Miss during last year’s CFP run and signed to a 7-yr, $91M contract.
- Orgeron hasn’t coached since leaving LSU, and only just received the final installment of his $17M buyout from the school in December.
Can LSU recapture its 2019 magic?
4) French Open to kick off amid prize money dispute
Weeks after expressing “deep disappointment” in the French Open’s prize money, top tennis players who attend Friday’s opening press conference are expected to walk out after 15 minutes.
- This figure represents the ~15% share of the French Open’s projected revenue players say they’ll earn this year, far below the 22% they’re seeking.
- The walkout is part of a new “work-to-rule” strategy, where top tennis players have collectively agreed to keep off-court activities like interviews to a bare minimum.
Players embrace French protest
5) Montréal wins first PWHL title
The Montréal Victoire won their first PWHL Walter Cup last night, defeating the Ottawa Charge 4-0 in Game 4 to win the best-of-5 finals.
- Montréal becomes the first Canadian champ in PWHL history, with the Minnesota Frost having won the first two titles after the league began in 2024.
- It kicks off a major offseason for the PWHL, which is set to add 4 new expansion teams (Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Hamilton, Ontario).
Canada claims first PWHL crown
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