Former Mets All-Star Rusty Staub dies at age 73
Rusty Staub, a former first baseman for the New York Mets, died March 29, which was also opening day for the 2018 MLB season. According to USA Today, Staub died of multiple organ failure at Palm Beach, Florida hospital at the age of 73. Staub had played major-league baseball for 23 years, where he gathered fans from Houston, Montreal, New York and Detroit. He was a six-time All-Star player and started for the Mets in the 1973 World Series.
LeBron James ties Michael Jordan’s double-digit scoring streak
On March 27, in a game against the Hornets, Cavalier player LeBron James scored his tenth point of the game in the second quarter. The Cavs beat the Hornets with a final score of 118-105. This would be the 866th game in a row where James’ points ranked in the double digits, tying the record set by Michael Jordan. In the same game, Hornets player Kemba Walker became the team’s all-time leading scorer.
NFL enacts new “Heads Up” rule
On March 27, the NFL passed a new rule through it’s legislation at their annual meeting. According to USA Today, the rule states: “It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent.” This rule will replace the rule that banned players from using the top of their helmets in tackles. This rule is an attempt to lower the 47 percent of concussions that occur from helmet to helmet contact, and there is still deliberation to determine the details of the foul and how it will be enacted into game play.
Cubs hit home-run in first pitch of opening day
According to USA Today, on March 29, MLB Opening Day, Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ hit a home-run off of the first pitch of the MLB season against Miami Marlins’ pitcher Jose Urena. The Cubs won the game with a score of 3-0, with another solo home run hit off of Urena by first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs are favored to repeat as the National League Central champions and to compete for the World Series title this year.
