The Pac-12 Networks launched in 2012 as a Pac-12 Conference media company that promised lots of programming – seven television channels that eventually produced about 850 live events per year with the help of about 150 full-time employees.

But now it’s all over. The Pac-12 Networks finally will go dark Sunday night at age 12 due to complications from a vexing national outbreak – college football realignment.

“Pac-12 Networks will end its signal for its seven linear television channels on June 30 at midnight,” the league said in an email Thursday. “We will no longer broadcast or program these seven linear TV channels.”

The networks’ killing had been planned for months. Yet as they disappear from cable channels Monday, their death still serves as a stark reminder of realignment’s wreckage and the uncertainty still looming about what remains of the “Conference of Champions.” Here’s a breakdown:

What will happen to those Pac-12 channels?

They won’t be there anymore – the main Pac-12 Network channel or the six regionalized channels, such as Pac-12 Los Angeles and Pac-12 Arizona.

“The networks will go down at 11:59PM PST (Sunday),” the Cox Communications cable and internet company said in an email Thursday. “The channel numbers will still be active for 2 weeks with a screen letting customers know the network is no longer in operation.”

Likewise, Charter Communications recently sent a notice to customers that said the Pac-12 channels will cease programming. But the notice also reminded customers that select former Pac-12 teams soon will be featured on the Big Ten Network or the Atlantic Coast Conference Network.

Why did the Pac-12 Networks die?

There were several causes. The networks never got the distribution they wanted, limiting their exposure with viewers, especially after failing to get a deal with DirecTV. The main Pac-12 Network only had an average of 12.4 million subscribers in 2023, compared to 46.4 million for the Southeastern Conference Network and 43.8 million for the Big Ten Network, according to estimates provided to USA TODAY Sports from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

This stemmed from a lack of demand. Cable providers only paid an average of 14 cents per subscriber per month for the Pac-12 Network, far below the 97 cents per subscriber per month for the SEC Network and 77 cents for Big Ten Network, according to the estimates from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The 12 Pac-12 universities that owned the Pac-12 Networks also opted to keep full ownership instead of bringing in an equity partner such as ESPN to give them leverage and investment. By contrast, the Big Ten Network is jointly owned by the league (39%) and media company Fox (61%).

Ultimately, these and other revenue shortcomings led Pac-12 schools to leave the league in pursuit of more media rights revenue, bigger viewership and more stability – a realignment that sealed the Pac-12 Networks’ fate.

In 2022, the University of Southern California and UCLA announced they were leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten in 2024. Last summer, eight other Pac-12 teams announced they were leaving for the Big 12, Big Ten or ACC, leaving just two orphaned members in the Pac-12 who weren’t invited to other leagues – Oregon State and Washington State. Those moves become official in August.

What happens with the Pac-12 Network properties?

The two remaining schools in the Pac-12 will own the networks’ production facilities in San Ramon, Calif. That is part of a business called Pac-12 Enterprises, which now offers its broadcast production services to external clients, with profits flowing back to the two remaining schools.

It also will produce the telecasts for the 11 home football games that will air on The CW Network for Oregon State and Washington State in 2024.

In basketball and other sports, Oregon State and Washington State will compete as affiliate members of the West Coast Conference. Their home basketball games on the ESPN+ streaming service also will be produced by Pac-12 Enterprises, according to the Pac-12.

How will this help the two Pac-12 schools?

It’s an asset that could be used as a card to play in the shifting sands of any future realignment – a sports television and content business with a full suite of broadcast infrastructure and a track record of producing live sports events.

In the meantime, Oregon State and Washington State can operate as a two-team league for up to two years before deciding what to do next, such as possibly combining with the Mountain West Conference under the Pac-12 banner.

Under NCAA rules, leagues in the Football Bowl Subdivision are required to have at least eight members. But if they fall short of that, they are allowed a two-year grace period and will continue to use and own the Pac-12 name under commissioner Teresa Gould, who has a two-year contract.

How will they spend their final hours?

The last live event on the Pac-12 Network came May 24 with a baseball tournament game in Arizona. It has aired many reruns of previous games since then and is scheduled to televise the 1992 ‘Snow Bowl’ football game between Washington State and Washington late Sunday night before going off air, according to the Cox cable guide.

On Friday, Gould posted a thread on social media site X to note the passing of an era.

“Normally around this time we are celebrating the accomplishments of the academic year & preparing for the next. Instead, today we are saying goodbye to the final group of loyal @pac12 &  @Pac12Network staff that are departing an organization they love,” Gould wrote.

She ended the thread with a nod to an uncertain future. There are only about 30 employees left in the Pac-12, including Pac-12 Enterprises, according to the league.

“For the small number of us that are continuing, we will continue to fight for the @pac12, for the Beavs and the Cougs, and for all of you,” she wrote. “We hope to make you proud.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

The July NHL free agency signing period has the potential to be extremely busy.

First, the salary cap will significantly increase — the NHL announced this month that it will rise from $83.5 million to $88 million — so there is more money to spend.

But there also are a lot of players available. Because the salary cap had only modest increases in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many veteran players had opted for one-year deals last summer.

The unrestricted free agent signing period opens at noon on Monday. Here’s an early look at the top players who could be available:

1. Forward Jake Guentzel, Carolina Hurricanes

He was the prize of the trade deadline and the Hurricanes gave up Michael Bunting, three prospects and two draft picks to land him. He had 25 points in 17 games after arriving, plus nine points in 11 playoff games. The former Sidney Crosby linemate is a proven playoff scorer and fits in well alongside star players. The Lightning acquired his rights on Sunday for a third-round pick and they now have the cap space to sign him after Saturday’s trades.

2. Forward Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers

He had the perfect contract year performance, a career-best 57 goals and another 10 goals during a run to the Stanley Cup title. He had the Cup-clinching goal. In addition to the goals, he finished fourth in Selke Trophy voting.

3. Forward Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning put off negotiations until the offseason but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. The captain recorded his seventh 40-goal season and had five goals in the Lightning’s first-round loss.

4. Defenseman Brandon Montour, Florida Panthers

His numbers dropped because of offseason surgery but he scored 73 points in 2022-23 and has played in eight playoff series over the past two seasons.

5. Forward Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas Golden Knights

He was voted playoff MVP in 2023 and had his first 40-goal season in 2023-24.

6. Forward Elias Lindholm, Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks gave up a lot to land Lindholm and he had a so-so stretch run and a much better playoffs. He topped 40 goals two seasons ago and also was a finalist for the Selke Trophy.

7. Forward Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars

8. Patrick Kane, Detroit Red Wings

He proved himself in his return from hip resurfacing surgery, averaging nearly a point a game. He won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.

9. Defenseman Brady Skjei, Carolina Hurricanes

He had 18 goals a season ago and a career-best 47 points this season.

10. Forward Tyler Toffoli, Winnipeg Jets

A consistent 20-goal scorer who topped 30 the past two seasons. He won a Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014 but has bounced around a lot in recent years.

11. Forward Chandler Stephenson, Vegas Golden Knights

He’s versatile and has won two Stanley Cup titles. He had 20 points in 22 games during Vegas’ Cup run.

12. Forward Tyler Bertuzzi, Toronto Maple Leafs

He provides goals (20 or more four times) and grit. He is an agitator.

13. Defenseman Brett Pesce, Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have a deep defense, but many UFAs. Pesce is a solid right-shot defenseman.

14. Defenseman Chris Tanev, Dallas Stars

He finished third in blocked shots during the regular season and was first in the playoffs. His arrival at the trade deadline helped the Stars reach the Western Conference final for the second year in a row. The Stars traded his rights to the Maple Leafs during the draft, so they’ll get an early chance to negotiate.

15. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov, Vancouver Canucks

The 6-foot-6, 248-pound defenseman plays a rugged style. His four playoff goals will draw attention.

16. Forward Jonathan Drouin, Colorado Avalanche

He had his best season (56 points) playing on the same team with junior hockey linemate Nathan MacKinnon.

17. Defenseman Matt Roy, Los Angeles Kings

He killed penalties on the league’s No. 2-ranked unit, led the Kings in blocked shots and was second in hits.

18. Forward Sean Monahan, Winnipeg Jets

Health is a concern, but he played every game last season, plus an additional one because of a trade. He finished with 26 goals and 59 points and looked good after he was dealt to Winnipeg.

19. Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Florida Panthers

He was bought out by the Canucks and landed on a Panthers team that was dealing with injuries on defense and fit in nicely. He moved up to the top power play unit late in the playoffs.

20. Forward Teuvo Teravainen, Carolina Hurricanes

He has alternated good and bad seasons since 2019-20, but he had 25 goals this season.

21. Forward Vladimir Tarasenko, Florida Panthers

He has a house in Florida and waived his no-trade clause to join the Panthers. They could be a good home for him next season.

22. Forward Warren Foegele, Edmonton Oilers

He had a career-best 20 goals and put together a four-game point streak in the Cup Final. The versatile forward can move up and down the lineup.

23. Forward Jake DeBrusk, Boston Bruins

He often has been mentioned in trade rumors and now gets to be a free agent at 27. He has averaged about 24 goals the past three seasons.

24. Forward Adam Henrique, Edmonton Oilers

The playoff run will help his cause. So will his penalty killing and secondary scoring.

25. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Detroit Red Wings

His play is his own end isn’t the greatest, but he did have 56 points this past season, including 29 on the power play.

Others to watch

Forwards: Viktor Arvidsson, Kings; Jason Zucker, Predators; David Perron, Red Wings; Max Pacioretty, Capitals; Jeff Skinner, Sabres

Defensemen: Brenden Dillon, Jets; Alec Martinez, Golden Knights; Matt Walker, Avalanche; Dmitry Kulikov, Panthers; Alexandre Carrier, Predators

Goaltenders: Ilya Samsonov, Maple Leafs; Casey DeSmith, Canucks; Cam Talbot, Kings; Anthony Stolarz, Panthers; Laurent Brossoit, Jets

Note: Max Domi, originally No. 18 on this list, re-signed with the Maple Leafs for four years, $15 million.

PHOENIX — It’s been a first half where two teams getting their last rites suddenly kicked the priests out of the room and are running down the halls ready to party into October.

Yes, we’re talking about you, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals.

It’s been a first half where the teams that absolutely stunk a year ago suddenly have become serious playoff contenders.

Take a bow, Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians.

It’s been a first half where Shohei Ohtani is letting us know that he’s the greatest player in history with one healthy elbow; Aaron Judge could be our modern-day Babe Ruth; rookie Paul Skenes could be the most electrifying starter since Pedro Martinez; and A’s rookie reliever Mason Miller is making radar-gun readings look obsolete.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

It’s been a first half where kiddie shortstops Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., Masyn Winn and CJ Abrams have become the new generation of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra and where 35-year-old veteran Chris Sale has turned back time.

Now, with the July 4th holiday at the end of the week, the All-Star break two weeks away, and the trade deadline four weeks away, buckle up, grab a cold one, and take a look at our first-half awards winners.

AL’s biggest surprise: Cleveland Guardians

I picked these guys to win the World Series a year ago and they fell flat on their face.

Future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona retired after the season. The Guardians didn’t spend any money over the winter. They lost ace Shane Bieber after two starts.

And they have the best record in the American League.

Go figure.

NL’s biggest surprise: Milwaukee Brewers

Let’s see, they traded their Cy Young award winner. They’re without their No. 2 starter, Brandon Woodruff. They lost veteran Wade Miley. They’ve been without All-Star closer Devin Williams.

They’ve had to resort to using a franchise-record 14 different starters.

And, yes, their manager had defected to the rival Chicago Cubs.

And?

They have a 6½-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central and a whopping 11 ½-game advantage over the Cubs.

AL’s biggest disappointment: Toronto Blue Jays

Remember when they were supposed to be the class of the AL East, and the envy of baseball with all of their fabulous young talent, and be a serious threat to return to their golden age of 1992-1993 when they won back-to-back World Series titles.

Well, they’ve won the AL East once since 1993, haven’t won a postseason game since 2016, and have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette under team control for only 1 ½ more years.

They are the American League’s most underachieving team.

It will be intriguing to see who pays the price.

NL’s biggest disappointment: Chicago Cubs

They sure don’t have David Ross to blame anymore, do they?

Ross is sitting home this summer, collecting his paycheck, and watching his resume look a whole lot better with the Cubs falling off a cliff.

The Cubs spent money, have gotten tremendous value out of rookie sensation Shota Imanaga, and somehow find themselves in last place.

The only category this team leads is having players thrown out stealing: 35 and counting.

AL MVP: Aaron Judge, Yankees

The Yankees have spent an awful lot of money on free agents over the years, but they may never have made a better investment.

Judge, who’s in contention to win the Triple Crown with 30 homers (first) and 79 RBI (first) while batting .312 (second), is also leading the American League in walks. Having accomplished the feat in 2022, Judge would join Babe Ruth and Ted Williams as the only players to twice lead the league in RBI and walks in the same season.

He’ll have a spot in Monument Park awaiting him.

NL MVP: Bryce Harper, Phillies

He doesn’t lead the league in any offensive categories, but everywhere you look, he’s ranks in the top five, including batting average (.303), homers (20), RBI (58), on-base percentage (.399), slugging percentage (.582,) and OPS (.981).

Oh, and he’s playing a stellar first base.

He means absolutely everything to this franchise, and may mean more to his team than any single player in the game.

AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

Kingman, Ariz., used to be best-known as a gas-stop on the way to party in Las Vegas.

Now it may forever be known as the home of Tarik Skubal, on the road to the Cy Young award with his 9-3 record and 2.32 ERA.

NL Cy Young: Ranger Suarez, Phillies

Suarez, who has never won more than 10 games in his career, is 10-2 with a league-leading 1.83 ERA.

You know your team is pretty darn good when Suarez’s closest competition for the Cy Young may be his own teammates in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.

AL Rookie of the Year: Luis Gil, Yankees

Gil was running away with the award until his last two clunkers.

He’s still in the lead, but this race is wide open.

NL Rookie of the Year: Paul Skenes, Pirates

He just got to the Show, but the way he’s pitching, he is the show.

He’s also the only major league player since the days of Ted Williams and Bob Feller who has openly said that he wants to serve his country in the military once his playing career is over.

AL Manager of the Year: Stephen Vogt, Guardians

Come on, someone has got to tell this dude it’s not this easy.

Just two years after retiring, hitting a home run in his final at-bat, he’s the runaway leader to win the award in his rookie season.

NL Manager of the Year: Pat Murphy, Brewers

His claim to fame entering the year was being Craig Counsell’s collegiate coach at Notre Dame, Dustin Pedroia’s coach at Arizona State, and Counsell’s sargeant-at-arms with the Brewers.

Now that he’s the man in charge, they may be building a statue of him outside of Miller Park if they continue to run away with the division.

Won’t Be Opting Out award

Blake Snell (Giants) and Jordan Montgomery (Diamondbacks)

Remember when they signed their contracts in the waning days of spring training, told the world there was no need for spring training, and they’d be just fine when the season started?

Well, the Giants and the D-backs sure wish they had their own opt-outs, because they’d be exercising them as soon as someone gave them a pen.

Montgomery is 6-5 with a 6.03 ERA, has a negative 1.3 WAR, and twice has been heavily booed off the field at Chase Field. He is earning $25 million this year, and already has vested a player option for $20 million in 2025 year with a chance to make it $25 million if he makes 25 starts.

While Montgomery has been a mess, at least he’s pitching.

Snell, who is receiving $32 million in salary and a signing bonus this year, has a $30 million player option for 2025. He has made only six starts, going 0-3 with a 9.51 ERA over 23⅔ innings, without pitching five innings in a start, and a negative 1.1 WAR.

Needless to say, both will probably be staying put.

AL’s best trade: Orioles

The Orioles, who decided to stay away from the free-agent market, determined that no one would be better than Milwaukee Brewers Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes.

They struck gold.

Burnes has been everything they hoped, and more, posting every fifth day with a 2.28 ERA while pitching 106 ⅔ innings, second-most in baseball. He has gone at least five innings in all but one start, and will be their No. 1 starter in October

Best non-trade: Guardians

The Guardians told the world all winter that beleaguered closer Emmanuel Clase was available, wondering if his 2023 struggles (12 blown saves, 3-9, 3.22 ERA) were a sign the best was behind him.

Well, no one met their asking price, and there’s not a finer closer in the game this year.

Clase has 25 saves for one of the best teams in baseball, going 3-1 with a 0.70 ERA.

Best free agent signing: Jurickson Profar, Padres

He signed a one-year, $1 million contract on the eve of spring training with just $1.5 million in incentives.

Four months later, he’s the best outfielder in the National League and the MVP of the Padres, hitting .316 with 11 homers, 55 RBI and an .894 OPS.

Worst free agent signing: Blake Snell, Giants

Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations for the Giants, should have listened to himself when he declared in March that his team was set and would not be in the market for any more marquee free agents.

Three weeks later, they signed Snell to a two-year, $62 million contract, which has been nothing short of disastrous.

Snell has already given up more earned runs (25) in six starts with the Giants than he did in is his final 23 starts (18 earned runs) for the Padres last season.

Comeback Player of the Year: Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta

It was 13 months ago when Atlanta’s fans were pleading for Ozuna to be released, hitting .085 with two RBI. He was kept around only because he was in the third year of a four-year, $65 million contract.

Well, since May 1, 2023, no one has driven in more runs (165), and only Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have hit more than his 59 homers or produced a higher slugging percentage.

His $16 million club option in 2025 now looks like a bargain.

Comeback manager of the year: Oli Marmol, Cardinals

The Cardinals were a mess in mid-May, sitting in last place with a 15-24 record, losing seven consecutive games, with the Cardinals’ fanbase calling for Marmol to be fired.

Well, look who weathered the storm, refused to give in, and has led the Cardinals to a 27-15 record, best in the Nationals League since May 12.

If the season ended today, they would be back in the playoffs.

Rebuild of the year: Mike Rizzo, Nationals

There’s no one in the business who does a more magnificent job rebuilding franchises than Rizzo. He turned a Nationals franchise that lost more than 100 games two consecutive years and turned it into a playoff team in two years, reaching the postseason five times in eight years, winning the 2019 World Series championship.

He tore it down, traded Juan Soto to San Diego for five prospects, lost 295 games the last three years, and here they are, knocking on the door of a playoff berth, with the best prospect in that deal, outfielder James Wood, scheduled to make his major-league debut Monday.

They should return to being a perennial contender in 2025.

Around the basepaths

– The Chicago White Sox quietly engaged in brief contract extension talks with ace Garrett Crochet, but with no optimism towards reaching an agreement, the White Sox intend to trade him by the July 30 trade deadline.

The White Sox have had 15 teams calling to express interest in Crochet, who is making just $800,000 and is under team control through 2026. The X-factor for suitors will be determining just how much Crochet can help them in the pennant stretch and October.

He has already pitched 94 ⅓ innings as a first-year starter, 21 more than his entire career total entering the season, and the White Sox and Crochet already have a firm plan in place to greatly limit his workload in the second half.

It’s quite possible that a team acquiring Crochet may have to offer a contract extension for him to lift those innings restrictions in the second half because of the potential of an injury risk.

– The Los Angeles Dodgers have already made an offer to the White Sox for Crochet, but it was quickly rejected. The White Sox have informed teams they are seeking young prospects with enormous upside.

– Rival teams who have expressed interest in New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso are convinced Alonso will definitely stay put as long as the Mets are within five games of the wild-card race.

– The Blue Jays, whose season is already on the brink, plan to place starter Yusei Kikuchi, catcher Danny Jansen, reliever Yimi Garcia, DH Justin Turner and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier on the trade block. Yet, they still want to make one last run with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. They should be staying until at least this winter, if not next summer.

– The White Sox have had several teams also contact them about center fielder Luis Robert Jr., but with his struggles, they are considering hanging onto him into at least the winter since he’s under control through 2027.

– The Dodgers have to be thankful they didn’t deal rookie starter Gavin Stone this past winter when his name came up with several teams in trade talks.

Stone threw the first complete game shutout by a Dodgers pitcher since 2022, and the first on the road since Hideo Nomo’s no-hitter in Colorado in 1995. Stone, 9-2, 2.73, has emerged as a legitimate front-line starter.

– The best reliever on the trade market will be Tanner Scott of the Marlins, with Mason Miller of the A’s expected to stay put.

– The White Sox are openly shopping outfielder Andrew Benintendi, and would love to get out of his contract. He’s still owed nearly $50 million from 2025-2027.

– It has been a hearbreaking 10 days for the San Francisco Giants who lost Hall of Famers Willie Mays and then Orlando Cepeda on Friday night.

“Another gut punch,’’ Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters. “Another just incredible personality who’s just beloved here, his statue out front, the numbers he put up. There are a lot of legends here, and he’s certainly right in the middle of that, and to have it so close in proximity to Willie, it’s just staggering.’’

– While Mets closer Edwin Diaz was the latest to be caught using an illegal foreign substance. Team executives and scouts say it’s a widespread problem with pitchers finding ways to greatly enhance their spin rate without being caught.

“The key is trying to see how they’re doing it,’ one veteran executive said. “If umpires started checking infielders’ gloves, I think they’d find the answer.’

– Teams have begun sending their top scouts to watch the Oakland A’s because of their surplus of relievers and outfielders available at the trade deadline, featuring outfielders Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar, along with relievers Austin Adams, Scott Alexander, Lucas Erceg and T.J. McFarland.

– While Mets first baseman Pete Alonso may be a prized commodity on the free agent market, and will be seeking at least $200 million, several teams may prefer signing Arizona’s Christian Walker, who will also hit the market at a cheaper cost.

Walker, a two-time Gold Glove winner, has averaged 35 homers and 98 RBI the past two seasons, and is on pace for 34 homers and 102 RBI this season.

The D-backs would love to keep him.

– You can be sure that ESPN and baseball officials will be heavily lobbying Shohei Ohtani to participate in the Home Run Derby these next two weeks with Aaron Judge bowing out.

Ohtani’s presence would be a massive ratings difference maker.

“For the game, I think it’s great, for the workload part of it, I’d probably not want him to do it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. “No one can argue that a manager wouldn’t want their player to swing as hard as he can for essentially 45 minutes when [he] is supposed to be on a break, right? But the other side is, obviously, he’s the biggest star in the game, and it makes it more attractive. So, I think whatever he decides, I’ll support it.”

– Major League Baseball plans to return to historic Rickwood Field in the future, and could play the East-West Classic in Birmingham as well as Hinchcliffe Stadium in Paterson, N.J., in upcoming years.

– It’s hard to believe that second baseman Marcus Semien may be the only player from the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers to be in the All-Star Game, playing for his own manager and coaching staff at his home ballpark.

A year ago, the Rangers had five starters in the game.

– MLB will make sure that Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes will be in the All-Star Game.

– Seattle Mariners All-Star outfielder Julio Rodriguez opened his career hitting .279 with 60 home runs and a .834 OPS his first two seasons.

This year? The Mariners are scratching their head watching him hit .251 with no power, producing just seven homers, six doubles and a .635 OPS.

– The Diamondbacks were fourth in the major leagues with 43 comeback victories a year ago, winning 20 games after being behind by two or more runs.

This year, they have only 12 comeback victories, second-lowest in MLB, while winning just one game when down by two or more runs.

– Do you realize that Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is hitting .310 with two strikes?

– Now that Mookie Betts is sidelined and Trea Turner just returned from the injured list, Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz deserves to be in the All-Star Game, where he just may steal the show.

– Remember when the Detroit Tigers opened the season by winning their first five games and had folks believing this could be the year they return to the playoffs?

Oops.

They since have gone 32-45 and once again will be sellers at the deadline, shopping Jack Flaherty, who signed a one-year, $14 million contract.

– The Houston Astros aren’t dead yet. They are 28-17 since May 9, with an American League-leading 3.26 ERA, despite starters Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy and J.P. France done for the season and Justin Verlander on the injured list.

– Orioles shortstop sensation Gunnar Henderson, who nearly has twice as many homers as any shortstop in baseball with 26, is on pace to join Alex Rodriguez as the only shortstops in history with 50 homers in a season.

– Just in case you still don’t believe in the Mets, who won 16 of their last 20 games, you may want to know that they also happen to have the third-easiest schedule in the NL the rest of the season, according to tankathon.com.

– The Yankees’ starting rotation was the best in the game through June 14 with a 2.77 ERA.

Well, in their 13 games since June 14, their starters have been bludgeoned, yielding an 8.31 ERA.

– Here’s hoping that Bryce Harper can return in time for the All-Star Game. Harper has made seven All-Star teams, but never has played in the game as a member of the Phillies.

– Ever so quietly, Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley has converted 29 consecutive saves, the longest streak in franchise history.

– While umpires lost the fight to prohibit players from having a strike-zone box on their iPads during games this season after a union grievance, players’ fines will substantially increase if they “embarrass, denigrate or question the impartiality or ability of an umpire.’’ Players can now be fined between $2,500 to $7,500 for first-time violations.

– As bad as the White Sox are now, just think how ugly it’s going to get when they start trading away their best players.

The 1962 Mets, who went 40-120-1, may soon become only the second-worst team in MLB history.

– Considering how many balls get fouled off into the dugouts, nearly striking Shohei Ohtani in the head last week if not for the quick hands of batboy Javier Herrera, it’s absurd that MLB has not mandated ballparks to have protective netting in front of dugouts for player safety.

– Beloved former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who suffered from a stroke last year that left him partially paralyzed, presented the Philadelphia Public League with a donation from Perfect Game of more than 30,000 pieces of sports apparel. It’s the largest donation ever presented to Philadelphia public school athletic departments.

– It will be a heartwarming moment in Boston on Sunday with Padres knuckleballer Matt Waldron taking the mound at Fenway Park. Waldron, who grew up a Red Sox fan, and mastered his knuckleball thanks to the help of the late, great Tim Wakefield.

Wakefield, a knuckleball pitcher, spent two hours on a zoom call with Waldron three years ago and provided constant feedback from his minor-league outings.

Wakefield died of brain cancer at the age 57 last October.

“I think it’d be cool to toe that rubber, knowing that Wakefield has been there too,’’ Waldron told The Athletic. “I think it’ll be a surreal moment.”

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

What a chaotic end of the day it was in Nashville!

Joey Logano emerged as the unlikely winner of the Ally 400 Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway, holding off Zane Smith and Tyler Reddick to take the checkered flag in quintuple overtime. Logano broke a long winless drought that dated back to the spring of 2023.

On the fifth overtime restart on Lap 330, Logano restarted on the inside of the front row with Chase Briscoe on his outside. Logano got a good launch, and Briscoe ran out of fuel, leaving an opening for Smith and Reddick to chase Logano down. But the Team Penske driver had just enough fuel to race for two laps and cross the finish line, finally ending the marathon race.

‘You have to give a lot of credit to our fueler, Nick Hensley, our engine department with Roush Yates building obviously some engines that could also manage fuel really well, and some guts – a lot of cajones made it happen,’ Logano said.

With a few laps to go, the race appeared to be coming down to a battle between Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin for the win. But a late yellow flag resulted in overtime and led to a series of crashes that continued to extend the extra period. Chastain would crash during the first overtime, and Hamlin needed to refuel after the third overtime, leaving the top spot for the taking.

Logano took the victory with only nine laps led.

It was Logano’s first win of the season and his first win since driving his No. 22 to victory on March 19, 2023 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The victory will likely lock Logano into the playoffs and give him a chance to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship after winning titles in 2018 and 2022.

‘It’s been a hard season and being on that (playoff) cut line, I tell you it sucks. It’s just not fun. It’s hard, and you just want a little bit of relief of the pressure,’ Logano said. ‘With seven weeks to go until the playoffs, it gives us a chance to breathe for a second and start just kind of working on our car a little bit differently and just sleep better, to be honest with you. I’m proud of this team and proud to be here in victory Lane, for sure.”

NASCAR Cup race at Nashville: Top 10 finishers

These are the top 10 finishers of Sunday’s Ally 400 at NASCAR Superspeedway:

Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Peske Ford
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Zane Smith scores career-best NASCAR Cup Series finish

Zane Smith nearly caught Joey Logano coming to the checkered flag in the fifth overtime of the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, but came up just short to finish second. It marked the best career Cup Series finish for Smith, driving the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.

Smith was frustrated with finishing second, but said he was ‘obviously so happy with the result.’

‘When you hear for like 10 laps that ‘(Logano) is supposed to run out, he is supposed to run out’, and then you see him shaking the car across the line and you just finished second, that hurts,’ Smith said. ‘The winning side of it hurts, but just appreciate everyone at Spire Motorsports and appreciate the strategy there.

‘It’s been a rough, rough year, but this is a great momentum booster, confidence booster, all of the above. So, hopefully we can carry this on, but it was awesome to sniff your first Cup win.”

Another crash on fourth overtime restart

The race restarted for the fourth overtime on Lap 325, but like the previously three, the caution flag came out for another crash.

Two-time NASCAR Series champion Joey Logano had just taken the lead from Chase Briscoe when Josh Berry spun, hit the Turn 2 wall, stopping on the grass. That brought out the yellow flag again, just before Logano took the white flag, triggering a fifth overtime restart.

Kyle Busch crashes on third overtime restart

As the race restarted for the third overtime on Lap 320, Denny Hamlin was on the inside of front row and Kyle Larson was on the outside of the front row. When the green flag dropped, Larson could not get going, holding up the top line. Kyle Busch, who had restarted fourth, was pushed into the back of Larson and spun out, just after crossing the start-finish line.

Many of the leaders, including Hamlin, Larson and Martin Truex Jr. were nearly out of fuel, and were forced to come down pit road for has.

Joey Logano and Chase Briscoe had moved up to the front row for the fourth overtime restart.

Another crash in second overtime restart

Daniel Suarez spun through grass during the second green-white-checkered restart on Lap 313, triggering a multicar wreck on the backstretch.

Ryan Preece got into the rear of Harrison Burton in the middle of the pack turning him and collecting multiple cars, including Corey Heim, Justin Haley, Josh Berry, Todd Gilliland, Harrison Burton, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Blaney, Daniel Hemric.

Chastain crashes during overtime, triggering a bigger wreck

Ross Chastain, who started on the outside of the front row with leader Denny Hamlin on the inside, hit the outside wall with the rear of his No. 1 Chevrolet on the overtime restart at Lap 305.

Kyle Larson, who restarted on the inside of the second row, pushed Denny Hamlin into Turn 1, catching the apron shooting him up the track and into Chastain. Kyle Busch, who had restarted fourth, were collected in the crash along with Ty Gibbs. That triggered a bigger wreck further back in the field, which involved Austin Dillon, John Hunter Nemechek, William Byron and Daniel Hemric.

Ally 400 at Nashville heads to overtime

Austin Cindric spun out after side contact with Noah Gragson, bringing out a caution with less than two laps remaining.

Denny Hamlin had passed Ross Chastain for the lead with six laps remaining and was heading for his season-best fourth win of the season before the caution came out for Cindric.

The Ally 400 now heads to a two-lap green-white-checkered overtime.

Chastain trying to win second straight race at Nashville

Ross Chastain, the defending race winner, leads with 20 laps to go. But he is being chased down by Denny Hamlin as the Ally 400 nears the end.

Chastain has yet to score a win this season and is looking to lock up a berth in the playoffs. Hamlin has three victories in 2024, which is tied with Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and William Byron for the series lead.

Keselowski slams into the wall after contact from Dillon

Austin Dillon got into the back of Brad Keselowski in Turn 2 spinning the No. 6 Ford hard into the wall on Lap 242 to bring out the caution with 58 laps remaining. Keselowski and Dillon were battling for 16th position whenthe contact occurred.

While running under caution for Keselowski’s crash, Carson Hocevar hooked Harrison Burton on the backstretch.

Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain were the top two drivers, while Christopher Bell was forced to retire after the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team could not repair his Toyota.

The race resumed with 52 laps remaining.

Christopher Bell slams into wall in Stage 3

Christopher Bell, the dominant car at Nashville today, crashed into the outside wall on Lap 228.

Bell had led 132 laps and swept the first two stages before spinning following a restart two laps earlier. Bell had fallen from the lead spot after pit stops following Chase Elliott’s spin Lap 218 and was running 15th when he slammed into the wall.

Ryan Blaney, who was leading at the restart and retained his lead before the caution came out for Bell.

Chase Elliott spins out to bring out caution

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott got loose and spun out on Lap 218 of 300 coming out of Turn 4. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion managed to avoid hitting the wall but plowed through the grass, bringing out the caution.

Most of the leaders came down pit road to change tires and hoping to fill up with enough fuel to make it the end of the race. But some, including reigning series champion Ryan Blaney stayed out or track position. Elliott managed to stay on the lead lap after his spin.

Christopher Bell wins second stage of Ally 400

Christopher Bell swept the first two stages of the Ally 400 at NASCAR Superspeedway.

Bell was leading Stage 2 when the race was red-flagged for rain, but he kept the lead when the race resumed with 45 laps remaining in the segment. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who won last week’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, has led over 100 laps so far today at Nashville.

Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing finished second in Stage 2, followed by Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports.

Stage 2 top 10:

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing
Tyler Reddick, 23 XI Racing
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
Chris Buescher, RFK Racing
Noah Gragson, Stewart-Haas Racing

NASCAR resumes after rain delay at Nashville

Follow a delay of one hour, 21 minutes for rain, NASCAR officials rescinded the red flag for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway and brought out the yellow, allowing cars to change tires and refuel before the green flag.

The race went green a few minutes later with 159 laps remaining – 45 until the end of Stage 2.

Weather leads to red flag

At Lap 136, lightning was detected and the race was red-flagged. Kyle Busch, who has struggled early, received the free pass to get back on the lead lap. 

To make the race official, it needs to reach at least the halfway point, which is 150 laps. So expect a return to racing after the storms pass.

Another caution after collision

On the restart after a caution for John Hunter Nemechek’s spin-out, we have our first wide-scale yellow flag of the race.

Ty Gibbs and Alex Bowman got together, sending Gibbs’ Toyota careening into the infield.

Complicating matters even further, the rain and storms in the forecast are expected to arrive in the area within a half hour.

John Hunter Nemechek spins off Turn 4

John Hunter Nemechek spins on his own off of Turn 4 and through the grass. His right-front tire is shredding, making a mess of that part of the car.

Chase Elliott says his car is a little better on this run. He is up to 9th. Martin Truex Jr. is up to 7th. – Nashville Tennessean

Christopher Bell wins first stage

Christopher Bell beat Denny Hamlin off pit road when the two Toyota teammates came in together — and he maintained that advantage throughout the pit cycles to win the opening stage of a so-far caution-free Ally 400.

Bell led 36 of the 90 laps during the stage.

The leaders all came in to the pits to start Stage 2 with Hamlin taking only two tires to reclaim the lead as the race goes back to green.

The top 10:

Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Larson
Brad Keselowski
Ty Gibbs
William Byron
Chris Buescher
Martin Truex Jr.
Bubba Wallace

Pit strategy already playing a role in Ally 400

The first round of pit stops came a little earlier than expected on Lap 38.

Kyle Busch overshot his pit stall and had to back up just slightly before his crew could change tires. He’s currently one lap down.

Not all cars on the lead lap chose to pit immediately though. Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick both remained out to lead a couple laps on their original tires.

On Lap 45, Michael McDowell drove his No. 34 Ford into the lead when Reddick came in to the pits.

Now 65 laps into the 90-lap first stage, 24 cars are on the lead lap.

Bell passes Hamlin to take over lead

Denny Hamlin led the first 17 laps at Nashville Superspeedway before he ran up on lapped traffic and teammate Christopher Bell was able to slip by the pole-sitter and take over the lead.

Justin Haley tried hard to fight off Hamlin as the leader came up behind him. As Hamlin checked up, Bell — who won last week’s USA TODAY 301 in New Hampshire — sped past both cars on the outside.

Hamlin remains in second place with Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson a couple seconds behind.

Green flag drops in Nashville

NASCAR racing may not be as familiar a pairing with Nashville as country music is, but the crowd at Nashville Superspeedway was clearly enthused as five-time ACM and two-time CMA award winner Hardy gave the command for drivers to start their engines.

Pole-sitter Denny Hamlin drove his Toyota to the front of the pack to lead the first of 300 laps around the 1.333-mile oval.

What time does the NASCAR Cup race at Nashville start?

The Ally 400 starts at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. local) at Nashville Superspeedway in Nashville, Tennessee.

How to watch NASCAR today

NBC is broadcasting the Ally 400.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Nashville?

The Ally 400 can be live streamed on the NBCSports website and the NBC Sports app. The race is also available to stream on Fubo.

NASCAR Ally 400 weather: Forecast for Nashville Superspeedway

Expect extremely hot and sticky conditions for Sunday’s Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway.

How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Nashville?

The Ally 400 is 300 laps around the 1.333-mile oval for a total of 399.9 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) − Stage 1: 90 laps; Stage 2: 95 laps; Stage 3: 115 laps.

Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup race at Nashville?

Ross Chastain started on the pole and led 99 of 300 laps, including the final 34, before holding off Martin Truex Jr. by 0.789 seconds on June 25, 2023. It was the first of 2023 two victories for Chastain, who is seeking his first win this season.

Recent NASCAR Cup Series winners at Nashville

2023: Ross Chastain
2022: Chase Elliott
2021: Kyle Larson

What is the lineup for the Ally 400 at Nashville?

(Car number in parentheses)

(11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota
(4) Josh Berry, Ford
(20) Christopher Bell, Toyota
(5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet
(6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
(45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota
(24) William Byron, Chevrolet
(54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
(17) Chris Buescher, Ford
(2) Austin Cindric, Ford
(3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
(48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
(9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
(34) Michael McDowell, Ford
(77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
(10) Noah Gragson, Ford
(19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota
(12) Ryan Blaney, Ford
(14) Chase Briscoe, Ford
(1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
(7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet
(41) Ryan Preece, Ford
(47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
(23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
(21) Harrison Burton, Ford
(22) Joey Logano, Ford
(8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
(16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
(50) Corey Heim, Toyota
(15) Riley Herbst, Ford
(99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
(38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
(51) Justin Haley, Ford
(43) Erik Jones, Toyota
(42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
(71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet
(31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet
(66) Chad Finchum, Ford

Denny Hamlin hoping to stop skid in Nashville

On pole, Denny Hamlin is hoping the good starting position will translate into a solid finishing position. The three-race winner this season has finished 24th or worse in the last three races and is ready to get back on track before the summer break in competition in three weeks. Hamlin has a pair of top-10 finishes in the three-race Nashville Superspeedway history, including a best showing of third place last year.

Hamlin’s No. 11 JGR Toyota turned a fast lap of 160.354 mph (29.859 seconds) around the 1.33-mile oval – only .095-seconds faster than Christopher Bell – to claim his second Nashville pole position in the four races the track has hosted.

‘Felt pretty good about it all day,’ the 43-year-old Hamlin said, ‘seems like we definitely have fixed some of the things we weren’t very good with last year. I definitely feel pretty good about it and we’ll certainly work on it overnight to make it a little bit better and I feel pretty confident that tomorrow we’ll be in contention.’ — Field Level Media

Kyle Busch hopes to ‘stop the bleeding’ in Ally 400

After being asked Saturday what needs to happen for him to regain his lofty status Kyle Busch said, ‘Fast cars cures all. Being able to have confidence and to go out there and run hard and run fast and put myself in positions to win, that’ll certainly make a lot of gains and make everybody happy.’

Busch’s frustrations continued last week at New Hampshire. He struggled for most of the first half of the USA TODAY 301 on the way to dropping to two laps down.

While trying to make a move back toward the front Busch spun out on Turn 1 and slid into the wall. Later in the race Busch got bunched up with several drivers on turn 2, spun out and hit the inside retaining wall. …

‘The last three weeks have definitely not helped, that’s been a huge setback,’ Busch said. ‘We just have to stop the bleeding. I think I’ve been saying that for the last six months and it hasn’t stopped. And the last week it’s been gushing pretty hard.’ — Mike Organ, The Tennessean

Chase Elliott pulling for more Nashville races

LEBANON – Chase Elliott might be NASCAR’s biggest proponent to move a Cup race to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

‘The racing has been better here in this car than the old car for sure,’ Elliott said. ‘I still think we should be at the Fairgrounds. If we were going to have two dates in a city, I think this would be the one to do it in. You could have one here and one (at the Fairgrounds). That would be totally fine.

‘This track has put on good races the last three trips.’ — Tom Kreager, The Tennessean

The Los Angeles Clippers want to win, and they want to win in their new arena, Intuit Dome, which opens for the 2024-25 season in Inglewood, California.

To ensure they remain a playoff team with the possibility of playing deep into May and possibly June, the Clippers will bring back 10-time All-Star guard James Harden on a two-year, $70 million deal, a person familiar with the agreement told USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official.

The Clippers were 51-31 and lost to the Dallas Mavericks, the eventual Western Conference champions, in a six-game first-round playoff series.

NBA FREE AGENCY TRACKER: Who has re-signed, who’s on the move?

Harden, 34, averaged 16.1 points, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting 42.8% from the field and 38.1% on 3-pointers. Against the Mavericks, he averaged 21.2 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds and shot 44.9% from the field and 38.3% on 3-pointers.

The Clippers have other moves to make. Paul George is a free agent, and it there is a growing possibility that the Clippers will try to trade Russell Westbrook, who exercised the $4 million player option on his contract for 2024-25.

In May, the Clippers signed Coach Ty Lue to an extension that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the league at $10 million-plus per season.

The Intuit Dome is a $2 billion arena and may play host to basketball at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But first, the Clippers want to play host to playoff basketball in the arena with Harden leading the way.

It’s an Olympic year and you know what that means: It’s time to get ready to watch a lot of track and field, and root for the red, white and blue. 

The U.S. Olympic track and field trials started June 21 and concluded Sunday, June 30. Athletes in Eugene, Oregon, competed for spots on what is widely considered the hardest roster in the world to make: Team USA. 

The Trials featured some of the biggest names in sports, from Sha’Carri Richardson to Noah Lyles to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. New stars are sure to emerge, too. 

Get Olympics updates in your texts! Join USA TODAY Sports’ WhatsApp Channel

USA TODAY Sports was on the ground in Eugene providing updates on the all finals results. Bookmark this page to see how your favorite athletes finished and who’s headed to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. 

Below is a list of finals events, which will be updated with athletes who qualify for Paris.

Friday, June 21

Men’s 10,000 meters

First: Grant Fisher, 27:49.47
Second: Woody Kincaid, 27:50.74
Third: Nicolas Young, 27:52.40

Saturday, June 22

Women’s triple jump

First: Jasmine Moore, 46-9½
Second: Keturah Orji, 46-8
Third: Tori Franklin, 45-0¼

Men’s shot put

First: Ryan Crouser, 74-11¼
Second: Joe Kovacs, 73-7¼
Third: Payton Otterdahl, 73-0½

Men’s Decathlon

First: Heath Baldwin, 8,625 points
Second: Zach Ziemek, 8,516 points
Third: Harrison Williams, 8,384 points

Women’s 100 meters

First: Sha’Carri Richardson, 10.71
Second: Melissa Jefferson, 10.8
Third: Twanisha Terry, 10.89

Sunday, June 23 

Women’s hammer throw

First: Annette Echikunwoke, 245
Second: DeAnna Price, 244-6
Third: Erin Reese, 233-7

Men’s pole vault

First: Sam Kendricks, 19-5
Second: Chris Nilsen, 19-3
Second: Jacob Wooten, 19-3

Men’s javelin

First: Curtis Thompson, 272-5
Second: Capers Williamson, 261
Third: Donavon Banks, 259-9

Women’s 400 meters

First: Kendall Ellis, 49.46
Second: Aaliyah Butler, 49.71
Third: Alexis Holmes, 49.78

Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase

First: Kenneth Rooks, 8:21.92
Second: Matthew Wilkinson, 8:23
Third: James Corrigan, 8:26.78

Men’s 100 meters

First: Noah Lyles, 9.83
Second: Kenny Bednarek, 9.87
Fred Kerley, 9.88

Monday, June 24

Women’s high jump

First: Charity Hufnagel, 6-4¼
Second: Rachel Glenn, 6-4¼
Third: Vashti Cunningham, 6-3¼
Third: Jenna Rogers 6-3¼

Men’s long jump

First: Jeremiah Davis, 26-11
Second: Malcolm Clemons, 26-10
Third: Jarrion Lawson, 26-10

Men’s 1,500 meters

First: Cole Hocker, 3:30.59
Second: Yared Nuguse, 3:30.86
Third: Hobbs Kessler, 3:31.53

Men’s 400 meters

First: Quincy Hall, 44.17
Second: Michael Norman, 44.41
Third: Chris Bailey, 44.42

Women’s 5,000

First: Elle St. Pierre, 14:40.34
Second: Elise Cranny, 14:40.36
Third: Karissa Schweizer, 14:45.12

Women’s 800

First: Nia Akins, 1:57.36
Second: Allie Wilson, 1:58.32
Third: Juliette Whittaker, 1:58.45

Tuesday, June 25

Off day, no events

Wednesday, June 26

Off day, no events

Thursday, June 27

Women’s discus

First: Valarie Allman, 232
Second: Jayden Ulrich, 205-5
Third: Veronica Fraley, 205-2

Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase

First: Valerie Constien, 9:03.22
Second: Courtney Wayment, 9:06.50
Third: Marisa Howard, 9:07.14

Friday, June 28

Men’s 110-meter hurdles

First: Grant Holloway, 12.86
Second: Freddie Crittenden, 12.93
Third: Daniel Roberts, 12.96

Saturday, June 29

Men’s 20K racewalk

First: Nick Christie, 1:24:46
Second: Emmanuel Corvera, 1:30:15
Third: Jordan Crawford, 1:30:52

Women’s 20K racewalk

First: Robyn Stevens, 1:37:38
Second: Miranda Melville, 1:39:38
Third: Michelle Rohl, 1:42:27

Men’s discus throw

First: Andrew Evans, 218-6
Second: Sam Mattis, 216-9
Third: Joseph Brown, 215-10

Women’s long jump

First: Tara Davis-Woodhall, 22-11¾
Second: Jasmine Moore, 22-10¾
Third: Monae’ Nichols, 22-6¼

Women’s 200 meters

First: Gabby Thomas, 21.81
Second: Brittany Brown, 21.90
Third: McKenzie Long, 21.91

Women’s shot put

First: Chase Jackson, 65-11½
Second: Raven Saunders, 65-3½
Jaida Ross, 64-3¾

Women’s 10,000 meters

First: Weini Kelati, 31:41.07
Second: Parker Valby, 31:41.553
Third: Karissa Schweizer, 31:41.557

Men’s 200 meters

First: Noah Lyles, 19.53
Second: Kenny Bednarek, 19.59
Erriyon Knighton, 19.77

Sunday, June 30

Women’s pole vault

Bridget Williams, 15-6¼
Katie Moon, 15-6¼
Brynn King, 15-6¼

Men’s hammer throw

Daniel Haugh, 260-10
Rudy Winkler, 258-10
Justin Stafford, 258-10

Men’s high jump

Shelby McEwen, 7-6½
Caleb Snowden, 7-5¼ (Does not yet have Olympic standard)
(tie) Tyus Wilson, 7-4¼ (Does not yet have Olympic standard)
(tie) JuVaughn Harrison, 7-4¼

Men’s triple jump

Salif Mane, 57-5¾
Russell Robinson, 55-9¾
Donald Scott, 55-4¼

Women’s javelin

Maggie Malone Hardin, 211-10
Kara Winger, 206-6
Madison Wiltrout, 200-8

Men’s 5,000 meters

Grant Fisher, 13:08.85
Abdihamid Nur, 13:09.01
Parker Wolfe, 13.10.75

Men’s 800 meters

Bryce Hoppel, 1:42.77
Hobbs Kessler, 1:43.64
Brandon Miller, 1:43.97

Women’s 100-meter hurdles

Masai Russell, 12.25
Alaysha Johnson, 12.31
Grace Stark, 12.31

Women’s 1,500 meters

Nikki Hiltz, 3:53.33
Emily Mackay, 3:55.90
Elle St. Pierre, 3.55.99

Men’s 400-meter hurdles

Rai Benjamin, 46.46
CJ Allen, 47.81
Trevor Bassitt, 47.82

Women’s 400-meter hurdles

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, 50.65
Anna Cockrell, 52.64
Jasmine Jones, 52.77

MINNEAPOLIS – Simone Biles is your U.S. Olympic gymnastics champion.

Biles, who at 27 years old is the oldest female American gymnast since the 1950s to make the Olympics, automatically secured her trip to the Paris Olympics with her victory in Minneapolis on Sunday, finishing more than five points ahead of the rest of the field with a two-day all-around score of 117.225.

Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera will join Biles at the 2024 Paris Games.

“I knew I wasn’t done after the performances in Tokyo. Getting back in the gym and trusting the process with Cecile and Laurent,” Biles said, referring to co-coaches Cecile and Laurent Landi, “I knew I’d be back.”

Check out all the scores, results highlights and analysis below.

Who made U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team? Meet all five gymnasts

The decision is in, and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team for the 2024 Paris Olympics has been finalized. Simone Biles is on it, of course. She is heavily favored to win her second all-around Olympic gold medal, and tasked with leading the Americans to another team victory at the Games. Here’s what you need to know about Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera and Biles.

Get Olympics updates in your texts! Join USA TODAY Sports’ WhatsApp Channel

Simone Biles’ floor routine gets a standing ovation

Next stop, Paris for Simone Biles. Biles concluded her performance at Olympic trials with a floor exercise routine that has become a fan favorite and generated buzz on social media. She soared up 12 feet above the floor on her first pass, according to NBC, and turned in another brilliant performance for a score of 14.275. 

As the crowd gave her a standing ovation, Biles flashed a bright smile before sitting on the top step of the set of stairs going up to the floor. She appeared to be either trying to catch her breath, soak up the moment or both. The score gave her a two-day all-around total of 117.225 — and another Olympic trials victory.

Simone Biles deserves this moment. She earned it, in every meaning of the word

Simone Biles is headed to the Olympics for a third time, seeking a better experience than the nightmare of Tokyo three years ago. “She’s calm. She laughs. She’s back to her same goofy self that we had missed,” Cecile Landi, who coaches Biles with husband Laurent Landi, said last week. “She has a few tools that are personal to her but that help her stay calm and remember why she’s here.”

It isn’t to add more medals to her collection. With 37 from the world championships and Olympics, including four golds from the Rio Games in 2016, Biles is already the most decorated gymnast, male or female. It isn’t to try to burnish her legacy, either. She long ago established herself as the greatest gymnast in history and another title, even a second all-around crown, isn’t going to change how history remembers her.

It’s for herself. And it’s because she can, not long after she feared she couldn’t. Read Nancy Armour’s full column on Simone Biles.

What Simone Biles, U.S. Olympic gymnasts said after making the team

Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles and Hezly Rivera spoke on the NBC broadcast after the team was named.

Suni Lee: “Well, I was just reminded of my goals every day and constantly surrounded by people who never let me give up. I’m so thankful because a year ago, I didn’t even think this was …” she said as she choked up and shed some tears, “yeah, I didn’t think this was possible and I’m so grateful for all these amazing ladies. They’re absolutely incredible, so I can’t wait to be in Paris.”

Jade Carey: “This is the most stressful meet I’ve ever been a part of in my life. Those past experiences really helped me, reminded me why I’m doing this sport and where I wanna go and I couldn’t do it without my family, my coaches, my friends, even these ladies right here, so I’m ready to rock it in Paris with them.”

Jordan Chiles: “Honestly, one thing I can say is (it’s) all God. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for him, if it wasn’t for these amazing ladies, my coaches, my family, my friends. I was out here today doing it for the two I lost last year, my grandpa and my aunt. They always believed in my and that’s what made me continue to push my dream, push to another olympics, which is crazy to say. And this was for you, Uncle.’ At the end, Chiles gave a mod to Megan Thee Stallion and her signature ad-lib: ‘And Megan, I’m going to the, AH, Olympics.”

Hezly Rivera: ‘I’m so grateful for everything. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to be here, so I”m so incredibly grateful forever. I could not be more happy. I’m ecstatic.” 

Simone Biles is Team USA’s new grandma

SImone Biles is 27 years old and is the oldest female American gymnast to make the Olympics since the 1950s. After the team was announced on Sunday, her four teammates expressed their gratitude for Biles offering her guidance and mentorship, something Biles said is important to her. 

‘I’ve been in their exact same spot, I know exactly how they’re feeling and if I can be a mentor and a guide, then that’s what I’m gonna do to lighten the load,” Biles said on NBC.

And in a funny twist, Biles may be the new grandma of the team. 

“I used to call Aly (Raisman) grandma, and I’ve surpassed that,” Biles said with a laugh, “so I love you, Aly, and I love these girls, so I’m gonna take care of them in Paris.”

What Simone Biles said after gymnastics trials

On her journey to this point: ‘Being in a good mental spot, seeing my therapist every Thursday is kind of religious for me, so that’s why I’m here today.’

On being the oldest female American gymnast since the 1950s to head to the Olympics: “I knew I wasn’t done after the performances in Tokyo. Getting back in the gym and trusting the process with Cecile and Laurent,” Biles said, referring to co-coaches Cecile and Laurent Landi, “I knew I’d be back.”

On Taylor Swift responding to her floor routine and if Swift knew Biles would use her music: ‘I think my team talks to her team sometimes and I’ve met her a couple times, so it’s been really sweet.’

Simone Biles scores high on beam even after fall

Simone Biles dropped an expletive as she left the balance beam Friday night, disgusted after an uncharacteristically shaky routine. On Sunday, she appeared to just be exasperated. 

Biles was absolutely brilliant for roughly 75% of her routine until she lost her balance on an aerial and fell off the beam. This time, she had a ‘what the heck’ sort of grin on her face as she left the podium, and NBC’s cameras caught her saying ‘that was so good’ until the point where it went wrong.

The crazy thing is that Biles still got a score of 13.900, even with her fall. And she will enter the final rotation with a gigantic lead in the all-around standings. With one rotation left, Biles has a score of 102.500.

Simone Biles’ bars routine

Simone Biles put up a 14.200 on bars, which was 0.250 lower than her score on Friday night.

Simone Biles overcooked Yurchenko double pike on vault

Suni Lee highlights at gymnastics trials

Suni Lee put up a 14.100 on vault on Night 2.

Lee scored a 13.850 on floor.

Lee rocked her routine on uneven bars, her signature event, and had the hometown crowd roaring with each of her release moves. More impressive? She’d struggled in the warmup just minutes before. A broad grin broke across Lee’s face after she finished, and the crowd gave her a standing ovation as she trotted off the podium. The judges were equally wowed, giving her a 14.875. That vaulted her into second place behind Biles, whose place on the Paris team has been all but assured since she returned.

Read Nancy Armour’s full story on Suni Lee’s health journey after dealing with a kidney disease and how it changed her gymnastics mindset.

Suni Lee falls on beam, Simone Biles gives her a pep talk

Simone Biles is always there with the pep talk when Suni Lee needs one. Lee had a rough go on balance beam, falling on her mount and needing to put her hands down later in the routine, which counts just as much as a fall. She looked upset after finishing the routine and immediately headed backstage, not even waiting to see her score. (A 12.825.) 

When she came back out, she and Biles chatted and both were soon seen laughing. After a few seconds, Lee gave a nod, like, ‘OK, I’m better.’ 

The scene was reminiscent of what happened the second night of the U.S. championships. Lee had botched her vault, her first event, and ran backstage. Biles followed, asking if she was OK and telling her she needed to trust in her gymnastics. And if Lee couldn’t, Biles said she’d do it for her. Biles then stayed by the uneven bars podium to watch Lee compete, cheering her on throughout her routine before heading back to her own event. 

Gymnastics trials scores

Rotation 1

VAULT: Simone Biles (15.500), Jade Carey (14.675), Jordan Chiles: 14.500, Joscelyn Roberson: 14.500, Tiana Sumanasekera (14.350), Dulcy Caylor (13.900), Zoey Molomo: 13.850, Evey Lowe (13.675).
BARS: Sunisa Lee (14.875), Hezly Rivera (14.300), Leanne Wong (13.900), Kaliya Lincoln (13.450), Simone Rose (13.200).

Rotation 2

BEAM: Hezly Rivera (14.275), Leanne Wong (13.650), Simone Rose (13.375), Kaliya Lincoln (13.175), Suni Lee (12.825)
BARS: Jordan Chiles (14.200), Simone Biles (14.200), Dulcy Caylor (13.275), Jade Carey (13.075), Evey Lowe (12.875), Tiana Sumanasekera (12.825), Zoey Molomo (12.550)

Rotation 3

BEAM: Joscelyn Roberson (14.050), Tiana Sumanasekera (13.950), Simone Biles (13.900), Jade Carey (13.625), Evey Lowe (13.450), Zoey Molomo (13.200), Dulcy Caylor (12.425), Jordan Chiles (12.225)
FLOOR: Suni Lee (13.850), Kaliya Lincoln (13.650), Leanne Wong (13.625), Simone Rose (13.375), Hezly Rivera (13.550)

Rotation 4

FLOOR: Simone Biles (14.725), Jordan Chiles (14.100), Joscelyn Roberson (13.925), Tiana Sumanasekera (13.725), Zoey Molomo (12.950), Evey Lowe (12.825), Dulcy Caylor (12.425); Jade Carey to come.
VAULT: Leanne Wong (14.500), Suni Lee (14.100), Kaliya Lincoln (14.250), Hezly Rivera (14.200), Simone Rose (13.575).

Simone Biles shows love to 106-year-old WWII vet

During the commercial break, the in-arena host at Target Center introduced the crowd to a 106-year-old World War II veteran who is in attendance, seated near the vault. The host said he had heard that the veteran had a favorite athlete, and asked who it is.

‘Simone. Biles,’ the 106-year-old said, with a dramatic pause.

Biles then jogged over toward the vault and signaled to him, making a heart sign with her hands as the crowd applauded.

Alex Cooper talks to Simone Biles about her ‘twisties’ in Tokyo

Simone Biles sat down with Alex Cooper to talk about when she knew something was off at the Tokyo Olympics and what was running through her mind.

Shilese Jones is injured, but still cheering on her team

Shilese Jones is not competing Sunday after sustaining a knee injury in warmups about 48 hours before, but she is still on hand at Target Center, watching the competition from a suite with her mother and coach. Jones could still technically be named to the Olympic team, because she completed an uneven bars routine on the first night of Olympic trials. But after withdrawing from nationals and missing almost the entirety of trials, it seems like a remote possibility.

Jones was one of three athletes who suffered injuries in competition or warmups this week. Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello both ruptured Achilles tendons. ‘Before this week started, many people would’ve had those three athletes on the Olympic team,’ NBC analyst Samantha Peszek said on Sunday’s broadcast. ‘So it changes things.’

Jordan Chiles vault on Night 2

Jordan Chiles clapped on the runway as she awaited her second vault. The crowd joined along. And then Chiles turned in a 14.500.

Is Simone Biles going to Paris Olympics?

Yes. Widely considered to be the greatest gymnast ever, Biles will be making her third appearance at the Summer Olympics. She won four golds and a bronze at the 2016 Rio Games, then a silver and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. 

Suni Lee’s health journey and how it changed her mindset

Suni Lee is in good shape to make the five-person U.S. team for the Paris Olympics. She was fourth at the national championships in early June and has upgraded her routines on uneven bars and floor since then. But a health crisis 15 months ago — she developed a kidney disease that caused her to retain so much fluid she couldn’t even put on her grips — has upended her life. There were days she couldn’t even get out of bed. 

Lee said a phone call she got Jan. 4, the details she wants to keep private, was a turning point for her. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going back into the gym tomorrow and I’m going to be better than I ever was.’ That was the day I was like, ‘Yep, this is what I want. And I’m gonna put my mind into it,’” she said. Read Nancy Armour’s full story on Suni Lee’s health journey. 

Simone Biles floor routine catches Taylor Swift’s eye

Pop superstar Taylor Swift responded to a post on social media about Simone Biles’ floor routine on Friday night, which features Swift’s “Ready For it.”  

How many Olympics has Simone Biles been to? 

Biles has competed in two editions of the Summer Olympics: The 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, and the 2021 Games in Tokyo. However, she only competed in some of her scheduled events in 2021 after experiencing a case of the ‘twisties,’ which caused her to lose track of where she was in the air, jeopardizing her physical safety. 

How old was Simone Biles in her first Olympics?

Simone Biles was 19 years old at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

How many gold medals does Simone Biles have?

Simone Biles has won four Olympic gold medals, all of them at the 2016 Rio Games. She led the ‘Final Five’ to team gold, claimed the individual all-around gold and won two of the four individual events: Floor exercise and vault. She has also won a silver medal (in the 2021 team competition) and two Olympic bronzes on balance beam in 2016 and 2021. 

Simone Biles Netflix show: What to know

Netflix released the trailer recently for “Simone Biles: Rising” and said the four-part docuseries will begin streaming July 17, nine days before the Opening Ceremony. “Rising” follows Biles’ return to competition after a case of “the twisties” forced her out of most of the Tokyo Games.

Simone BIles leotards

Here’s a look at her leotards over the years.

When do the Summer Olympics start?

The 2024 Paris Olympics begins with the Opening Ceremony on July 26. Gymnastics competition begins July 27 with men’s qualification. Women’s qualification is July 28.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Emotions spilled over on the track following the women’s 100-meter hurdle final.

Masai Russell shocked the Hayward Field stadium and the track and field world by winning in an impressive time of 12.25.

Alaysha Johnson ran a personal-best 12.31 (12.302) to place second and Grace Stark, who was also the 2024 NCAA champion in the event at the University of Florida, came in third with a time of 12.31 (12.309).

Russell’s jaw-dropping time broke Gail Devers’ 24-year-old meet record and it’s the fastest time in the world this year.

Russell spoke to NBC’s Lewis Johnson after her record-breaking race and she was overjoyed with emotion that she sealed her ticket to the Paris Olympics in emphatic style.

“I have so many emotions because this has been the hardest season of my life. People were doubting me. Talking about ever since I signed with Nike I’ve been trash,” Russell said. “Just saying all these things about me. But I just stayed true to myself, my work and my craft and this is all God.”

However, it was Alaysha Johnson who had what was perhaps the most emotional postrace interview of the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.

“It was all God. Everybody all the time said I wasn’t good enough (and) said that I didn’t deserve. So, I did this my way, my team’s way and the way it was meant to be,” Alaysha Johnson said to Lewis Johnson. “This is for the hood babies, the people who are poor and come from nothing, this is for everybody that looks like me that was ever doubted. And I did it with a Black designer on my chest. This is what I stand for and I’m making a way for everybody in my position.”

Russell, Alaysha Johnson and Grace Stark are all first-time Olympians.