Yet another grim milestone for the United States this week in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic: Four and a half million cases, with deaths surpassing 154-thousand here in the U.S. alone. California and Florida are seeing the highest spike in infections.
This week, the NWSL wrapped-up its season and the MLB started-up — with some major hiccups for the Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies and other teams. The NBA resumed action in its bubble. The WNBA also tipped-off a week ago, and today’s the day the NHL gets back on the ice.
Wherever you are, I hope you’re safe, healthy and taking precautions to protect yourself and those you care about, as I take a moment to look back at the week that was, beginning with a report by our SB Nation sister site Bleed Cubbie Blue, about the potential end of Major League Baseball in 2020.
Losers: MLB could be at risk of shutdown by Monday, says Rob Manfred
Six teams didn’t play Friday, and four of them won’t play this weekend.
Winners: The QuaranTeam holds its final Zoom video chat of the summer
Outsports hosted one last Zoom video conference Friday night for anyone and everyone who wanted to join us in conversation, shared stories, and to feel connected.
Losers: Who are the 300 unnamed athletes who signed anti-trans group’s letter to NCAA?
Anti-trans group Save Women’s Sport claims more than 300 athletes stand with them in support of Idaho’s HB500, but named only three.
Winner: Gay U.S. lacrosse goalie came out to ‘normalize what makes us different’
Madison Doucette used her coming out as gay in lacrosse to increase acceptance.
Loser: Andre Iguodola, whom Mystics’ Aerial Powers demands should ‘put some respect’ on her name after tweets
Powers’ teammate Natasha Cloud and other WNBA players stood in solidarity against Number 28 from the Miami Heat’s reductive comments.
Winner: Nike’s new ad shows everyone is equal
The split screen effect shows viewers how much we all have in common.
Loser: Sen. Mike Lee attacks NCAA President for supporting trans athletes
Mike Lee, a Republican U.S. Senator from Utah, attempted to cite cis women’s rights to condemn trans athletes, contradicting his retrograde views on that issue as well.
Winner: Out Olympian Martha McCabe working with other Olympic athletes to mentor youth
Martha McCabe didn’t come out to herself until her swimming career was over. She wants to be a role model.
Loser: British boxer ‘apologizes’ after getting sacked for homophobic and transphobic TikTok
Middleweight James Hawley’s promoter dropped him because of his bigoted TikTok video. But he says he’s the real victim here, saying he has gay friends and a cousin.
Winner: For gay college producer, hockey was a way to be one of the guys
Richard Coffey battled isolation and his sexual identity by embracing hockey, but he now realizes he had to be honest with himself to be truly happy.
Winner: Megan Rapinoe hosts HBO’s new talk show
USWNT star and outspoken advocate Megan Rapinoe kicks off a new talk show on HBO this Saturday night, talking to AOC among others.
Winner: Dwyane Wade passionately supports transgender daughter after ugly attacks from Twitter trolls
Wade continues to publicly support his daughter, Zaya, who came out as transgender at 12 years old.
Winner: How gay baseball player Matt Barker overcame addiction, and learned to love himself
Barker’s baseball dreams were derailed by injuries and partying, but now he’s at peace with himself.
Winner: Brittney Griner says she will protest during the national anthem all season
As part of the WNBA’s demonstration against police brutality, the Phoenix Mercury star reveals that she won’t be on court for the anthem at any game this year.
Winner: Champion trampoline gymnast Luke Strong comes out
“I’ve never hidden anything and I’m really open about the fact that I’m attracted to both sexes,” Luke Strong tells the BBC.
Winner: Kyrie Irving sets up $1.5 million fund for WNBA players, with assist from Natasha Cloud
Irving is committing $1.5 million to subsidize the incomes of WNBA players who have opted out of their season.
Winner: Rugby players and officials oppose proposed transgender athlete ban
Opposition to a ban and transgender women players stirs across Australia and New Zealand.
Winner: Sue Bird explains why she’s dedicating season to social justice in powerful essay
Bird co-authored the social justice essay with Nneka Ogwumike.
Winner: Houston Dash: Challenge Cup Champions
The Dash beat the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 on Sunday to win the NWSL Challenge Cup.
That’s all for this week! I’ll bring you a fresh list of winners and losers next Saturday. Got a name I missed, or want to challenge my choices? Comment here or on Facebook or Instagram, tweet at us, message me via any social media, or just plain email me at [email protected] Thanks!
