Latest news with #SportsSpectrum
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Hulk Hogan spent last two years of his life fully embracing Christian faith
Hulk Hogan spent the last two years of his life fully embracing his Christian faith. The WWE wrestling hero, whose real name was Terry Bollea and who died aged 71 on Thursday (24.07.25), got baptised with his third wife, yoga instructor Sky Daily, 45, in a ceremony at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida – months after their marriage in September 2023. The couple had exchanged vows at the same church in September, after a year-long engagement that began in July 2023. Sky, who is 25 years younger than Hogan, stood beside him on their wedding day, surrounded by close family and friends. At the baptism, Hulk wore his signature bandana and a white T‑shirt, while Sky wore a white robe and stood with him in the baptismal pool. Hulk posted photos and videos from the event, writing of his spiritual experience: 'No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love!' He added: 'Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life.' The ceremony marked a deep reaffirmation of Hogan's Christian faith, which he first embraced at the age of 14. He credited his faith, along with 'training, prayers and vitamins', with sustaining him throughout his career. Hulk's baptism was described by Sports Spectrum as 'a public profession of Christ' and was captured in footage showing him smiling as he emerged from the water. His renewed faith was also reflected in social media posts earlier this year celebrating Christianity and spreading messages of love and redemption. Hogan died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home. Sky Daily has spoken about his recovery from recent spinal surgery, but the official cause of death has yet to be confirmed. He is also survived by his two adult children – Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34 – who he had with Linda. Hulk's ex-wife Linda gushed about sharing 'good old days' with the wrestling icon days before his death. She shared a nostalgic photo of her with Hulk on Instagram and captioned it: 'The good old days.' Her throwback snap, taken by a photography agency, showed her gazing at Hogan while dressed in a black costume at a 1996 convention. Linda Hogan, 65, was married to the wrestling star for over two decades before the couple divorced in 2009. The pair were familiar to fans through the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best, which aired from 2005 to 2007.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Former Cardinals, Yankees star Matt Carpenter retires after 14 MLB seasons
Matt Carpenter is calling it a career after 14 seasons in the big leagues. Carpenter, a three-time All-Star who spent 12 seasons with the Cardinals, announced his retirement on Sports Spectrum's 'Get in the Game' podcast with former teammate Scott Linebrink. The infielder went unsigned this offseason. 3 Matt Carpenter primarily played for the Cardinals. AP 'I was very fortunate to play for some great organizations and had quite a thrill being able to don the St. Louis Cardinals logo for many years,' Carpenter said. 'A brief stint with the New York Yankees and also the San Diego Padres. I could thank a lot of people and I will, but I think I've got to start with my family. 'My wife, Mackenzie. Anyone who's played professional baseball knows it takes a really strong woman at home to get through what that life looks like and she was the rock in our household that was able for me to go out and play the game I love for so long. … And then, obviously, my parents.' Carpenter finishes a two-time Silver Slugger who led the National League in hits in 2013 while hitting .318 and scoring 126 runs. He was a key contributor to that Cardinals team, which won the National League pennant before losing to the Boston Red Sox in the Fall Classic. Carpenter left the Cardinals after a nightmare 2021 season that saw him hit .176 and signed with the Texas Rangers that offseason, but did not make the team out of camp. When he opted out of his contract with the Rangers, Carpenter signed with the Yankees in May 2022 and went on a wild heater as his MLB career was rejuvenated. 3 Matt Carpenter with the Yankees in 2022. for the NY POST The lefty-hitting Carpenter hit .305 with 15 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a 1.138 OPS, the best in all of baseball with a minimum of 150 plate appearances. He produced a phenomenal 2.4 WAR in just 47 games, his best mark since 2018. 3 Matt Carpenter in the 2012 playoffs. REUTERS The mustache-rocking sensation set a Yankee record as the first player to hit six home runs in his first 10 games with the team. A foot fracture prevented him from producing even further before he returned for the playoffs, where he went 1-for-12 spanning the ALDS and ALCS. Carpenter translated his Yankees success into a one-year deal with the Padres, but he hit just .176 with a .641 OPS spanning 76 games. He spent his final season in 2024 with the Cardinals, hitting .234 with a .686 OPS. For his career, Carpenter slashed .259/.366/.449/.814 with 179 homers in 1,511 games. 'I'm excited for what's next and getting to spend some much-needed quality time with my wife and kids on a more consistent basis now that you put the cleats up,' Carpenter said. 'It's exciting stuff.'
Reuters
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Matt Carpenter, former Cardinals All-Star, retires
May 14 - Matt Carpenter, a three-time All-Star who played 14 major league seasons, is retiring from baseball. He made the announcement Wednesday on Sports Spectrum's "Get in the Game" podcast hosted by former teammate Scott Linebrink. Carpenter, an infielder, was selected by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of TCU. He spent his first 11 seasons with St. Louis (2011-21), followed by single seasons with the New York Yankees in 2022 and San Diego Padres in 2023. He made one final stop with the Cardinals, appearing in 59 games in 2024. "I had quite a thrill being able to don the St. Louis Cardinals logo for many years," Carpenter, 39, told Linebrink on Wednesday. The Cardinals sent appreciation to their longtime player on social media. "Congratulations on a great career, Matt! Whether it was on the field or in the community, you represented our city with class." Carpenter, a native Texan, had his best season in 2013, when he batted .318 and also led the majors in runs (126), hits (199) and doubles (55). With the Cardinals, Carpenter has a career average of .261 with 159 home runs and 591 RBIs to go with 767 runs and 1,185 hits in 1,388 career games. Overall, he retires with a career .259 average, 179 home runs and 659 RBIs in 1,511 games. --Field Level Media
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Matt Carpenter, a 3-time MLB All-Star, announces his retirement
Matt Carpenter, a three-time All-Star and 14-year MLB veteran, has officially announced his retirement from baseball. Carpenter, 39, said on the Sports Spectrum's 'Get in the Game' podcast — hosted by former MLB pitcher Scott Linebrink — that the decision came down to spending time with family. 'I could thank a lot of people, and I will, but I have to start with my family,' said Carpenter, acknowledging his wife, Mackenzie, and his parents, Rick and Tammie. 'I'm excited for what's next, and to spend some much-needed time with my wife and kids. 'I was very fortunate enough to play for some great organizations,' he added. 'I had quite a thrill being able to don the St. Louis Cardinals logo for many years.' After 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 12 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Matt Carpenter has announced his retirement. Congratulations on a great career, Matt! Whether it was on the field or in the community, you represented our city with class. — St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 14, 2025 Carpenter, who spent 12 of his 14 seasons with the Cardinals, was a key member of the team's National League pennant run in 2013, when he led the league in hits (199) and doubles (55) and won the Silver Slugger Award at second base. Selected by St. Louis in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB draft, Carpenter debuted with the Cardinals in 2011 and spent the next 10 years as a staple in the organization. Advertisement He played 47 games with the New York Yankees in 2022 and 76 games with the San Diego Padres in 2023 before returning to St. Louis as a bench player in 2024, his final season. 'As many people know, St. Louis is a special place that I hold very dear to my heart. The fans there, the organization, from top to bottom, it's a very unique, special place to get to play baseball,' Carpenter told Linebrink. 'I'm just so honored and blessed that I got to wear that uniform for so many years.' Carpenter finished his career with 179 home runs, 329 doubles and 28.7 WAR, according to Baseball Reference. He will be eligible for the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2028.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How Patriots QB Drake Maye almost made Kendrick Bourne cry
How Patriots QB Drake Maye almost made Kendrick Bourne cry New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has never been one to shy away from his religious background. He fully embraces it in his life, and he has encouraged others, such as second-year quarterback Drake Maye, to do the same. Bourne and Maye have found common ground through their faith, and they started going to Bible studies together. During one session in particular, those in attendance were asked how they were influenced, and Maye mentioned being influenced by Instagram stories of Bourne doing couples' studies. It was clearly a moment that had a profound impact on Bourne. "Drake one day was there, and we were talking about where do you see others, how do you get influenced, certain things," said Bourne, via Sports Spectrum. "And he talked about me. I was posting me and my wife doing Bible study. I would just post a little clip of us having the books, couples' Bible study. And he was just like, 'Yeah, I noticed that on your story, and it was really influential.' 'I'm like 'Dang.' It kind of blew me away. I'm like 'Wow.' Like, and it kind of warmed my heart. I almost started crying. I was doing it innocently, not doing it for attention, simply promoting God. Like, this is what I'm doing with my time, just showing the world." Maye has made strong connections with his teammates both on and off the field as he prepares for his second NFL season. Time will tell if his newfound bond with Bourne improves their chemistry this season. When healthy, Bourne has proven to be one of the Patriots' most productive receivers. He's hopeful that continues to be the case in 2025. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
