Shai's Record-Breaking Deal, Clark's All-Star Drama & Yankees' Historic Sweep

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Today’s WOW moments from sports world!

⚾️ KERSHAW’S CLUB & YANKEES’ WOES
💰️SHAI’S BAG & BUCKS’ SHOCK
🏀 CLARK’S SNUB & FEVER’S FIRE
🏈STEELERS’ SWAP & WATT’S WAIT

⚾️ Kershaw's Elite Company, Yankees' Unwanted Sweep & Blue Jays' Rise

Baseball saw history made and a major shake-up in the AL East this week. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw officially joined the exclusive 3,000-strikeout club on Wednesday. He needed just three strikeouts entering the game and reached that precise number, etching his name into the record books.

Kershaw is now only the 20th pitcher in MLB history to achieve this rare milestone. He also joins an elite active group, alongside Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, as the only current players to reach this mark. Even more impressive, Kershaw is just the third pitcher to achieve 3,000 strikeouts while spending his entire career with one team.

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Meanwhile, a dramatic shift occurred in the American League East. The Toronto Blue Jays accomplished a franchise first, sweeping the New York Yankees in a four-game series. This dominant performance propelled the Blue Jays past the Yankees for the top spot in the division.

The Blue Jays' turnaround has been remarkable. On May 25, they held a modest 25-27 record. Now, after a scorching five weeks, they lead the AL East with a 49-38 record, showcasing a drastic change in fortunes. The Yankees, on the other hand, are struggling, having lost 14 of their last 20 games. They now prepare to face the New York Mets in the Subway Series, a matchup that might be more awkward than usual, as the Mets are also experiencing a similar tough stretch.

💰️ Shai's Historic Bag, Bucks' Bold Moves & Laker Land Shakes

NBA free agency started with a bang. The first order of business was the re-signing of some players with their existing teams. Most notably, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke the league’s $70 million annual salary barrier.

Soon after, Jaren Jackson Jr. signed a monster extension. On the very next day, he injuring his toe, and now is set to miss the start of the season after requiring surgery. Victor Wembanyama also had an injury scare after he took a nasty fall while trying to bicycle kick a soccer ball.

Before the season starts, the Nuggets' revamped front office brought in four impactful players while trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets. One of those 4, Jonas Valanciunas, might not play for them after he received an offer from Panathinaikos.

The Milwaukee Bucks are doing everything they can to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo. They poached NBA Finalist Myles Turner, shocking everyone in the basketball world. But a bigger shock came a while later after it was revealed that they had waived injured Damian Lillard.

Shock was also the order of these days for die-hard Lakers fans. They had to brace themselves after Dorian Finney-Smith signed with the Houston Rockets. Then they saw their franchise sign Deandre Ayton, after looking to bring in other stellar names.

Malik Beasley is facing a federal investigation for allegedly betting on NBA games. His future with the Pistons might be uncertain, but their Conference rival Knicks, seem to be finalizing a deal with Mike Brown to be their next head coach.

🏀 Clark's All-Star Snub, Fever's Dominant Run & Expansion City Stir

Details of the WNBA All-Star votes continued to rock the league after it was learnt that players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th-best guard in the league. Questions of pettiness and jealousy have returned to haunt the league again.

The Fever played in their 1^st Commissioner’s Cup finals and won convincingly against last year’s winners, the Minnesota Lynx. That win was without Clark as she continued to nurse her injury. But she was the most active participant in their post-game celebrations.

Her teammate, Sophie Cunningham, kicked up a storm after suggesting that 2 of the 3 new WNBA expansion cities, Cleveland and Detroit, were not places where players would like to go. Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell and owner Dan Gilbert were the first to criticize her views.

Once the backlash became too severe, with the governing bodies of the two cities calling the Fever guard out, she clarified her stance. It seems she should have toed the line Angel Reese walked on after showing her excitement for this expansion.

Reese also picked up her 1^st player of the week award this season after embracing the point-forward role while setting new records. The Fever might not have set records with their last two wins, but they were statements nevertheless.

Along with the Commissioner’s Cup win, they embarrassed the Las Vegas Aces, holding them to just 54 points. It was their 1^st win against the Aces after 16 straight losses. Now, after holding two top-tier teams to under 60 points, the Fever have put the WNBA on notice.

🏈 Steelers' Shifting Sands, Waller's Return & Watt's Contract Standoff

Over these past few days, football fans were mostly receiving news about the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it had nothing to do with Aaron Rodgers. Instead, their trade with the Miami Dolphins to bring in Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith made headlines.

They gave up Minkah Fitzpatrick in the process, but they believe they have a better chance with this new bunch. However, veteran analyst Colin Cowherd is not impressed and believes the team brought in similar, but older talent.

He feels these decisions might bite them down the line. The New York Giants might not feel the same after trading Darren Waller to the Dolphins in exchange for a draft pick. The tight end unretired to make his comeback.

His future for next season is set, but it is not the same for some players. Commanders’ leading wideout, Terry McLaurin, is still awaiting a deal as talks with the franchise stalled after they could not agree to his $30 million-plus demands.

Some might argue he is not in the same league as the top earners in the NFL, but no one can say the same about TJ Watt. The Steelers are yet to come to terms with their most important player. He has not practiced yet, as he wants to become the highest-paid pass rusher in the league.

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