data-mm-id=”_u4qo6mhpp”>Barry Zito felt like the 46,889 fans who packed the stands for the final Oakland A's game at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday. He showed up because he needed closure.So when the former A's left-hander got a call from his former club to sing the national anthem, he couldn't pass up the offer.RELATED: Tone-deaf John Fisher wants A's fans' forgiveness for moving team from Oakland"I came out for 24 hours and (had) to be a part of this," Zito told Jenny Cavnar and Dallas Braden on NBC Sports California. "This is so special. I love seeing all the fans. All the green and gold, man."Former A's ace Barry Zito sings the national anthem 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wDDw9Vwf3Z— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 26, 2024Zito spent the first seven seasons of his 15-year MLB career in Oakland as part of the "Moneyball" A's. All three of his All-Star selections came during that stretch, the first coming in 2000 when he won the American League Cy Young Award with a 23-5 record and 2.75 ERA.Zito played his final season with the A's in 2015. He was a fan favorite as part of a talented starting rotation that included Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, who were two-time All-Stars in Oakland."I think for my own personal closure, honestly, it was real important to feel it, to be here," Zito said. "I didn't want to sing the anthem if I'm being totally honest. I've never sang the anthem my whole life except for two weeks ago when I started doing it. It was quite a way to do it the first time."For me personally, this is a huge chapter of my life. So many of my dreams came true right down on that mound."Zito said he saw famiilar faces when he walked around the Coliseum field, saying hello to longtime season-ticket holders and stadium employees. He wanted to take home a memento from his locker but discovered that his old locker room is now a weight room."For me, this was the first and last mound I ever pitched on. It bookended my career," Zito said. "I had a lot of highs and lows in my career. And to kind of go to that place, I mean, we all love that feeling of nostalgia. You go to that playground you played on as a kid, or your high school baseball field. And that's what this is like for me."This is like my high school field. I know every in and out of this entire stadium and this entire field and dugout and clubhouse, except I didn't know the clubhouse was changed.""It's been surreal. … It's been important to me," he added.MORE TOP STORIES From the Big LeadNFL: What’s behind Kelce’s seemingly Swift decline?NBA: What would convince the Lakers to trade a first-round pick?GOLF: 2024 President’s Cup previewROUNDUP: Quarterback news coming from every angle
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Southgate then oversaw England s qualification for Euro 2020 and his side are among the favourites for European Championship glory.
In a question and answer session with Sky Sports, Southgate – who was in the past linked with the Manchester United job was asked if a return to Premier League management is of interest.
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The 22-year-old now cannot wait to experience a competitive game on Merseyside, with the Reds first home game of the 2021-22 season coming against Burnley on August 21.
To be honest, I don t have the words to explain my feelings when I put my first foot on the pitch, he told Liverpool s website. It s amazing and I m very happy to have my first game at Anfield with fans.
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Kai Havertz came off the bench to seal a much-needed victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues came from behind to beat London rivals West Ham 2-1.
Thomas Tuchel s team were booed off after failing to manage a single shot on target in a dismal first half, and fell behind shortly after the hour when Antonio converted following a goalmouth scramble.
But Ben Chilwell poked past Lukasz Fabianski to level the scores with 15 minutes remaining, and Havertz was on hand to turn the full-back s cross home to put the Blues ahead late on.
There was still time for Maxwel Cornet to see a fine strike disallowed for West Ham, but Chelsea ultimately held on to bounce back from Tuesday s loss to Southampton after an enthralling match.
WHAT. A. TURNAROUND! |
FC Porto have become the sole proprietor of forward James Rodriguez, having bought the final 35% of the player’s rights.
The Portuguese giants said in a statement to Portugal’s stock exchange that they had acquired 35 percent of the economic rights of James Rodriguez for €8.75 million.
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James Rodriguez, 21, is widely regarded as one of world’s most talented forwards, with top European clubs already lining up for his signature.
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The former Spain youth international, 24, has a €36 million buy-out clause in his current contract, which expires in the summer of 2016.
Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has made it clear the club are unwilling to allow Herrera to leave for any figure less than his release clause, meaning United will have to increase their bid by €6 million or move on and pursue other targets.
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Geoffrey Kondogbia remains committed to Inter despite comments from his agent hinting the Nerazzurri are merely a stepping stone in the France
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international s career.
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https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1357859288610463745
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