TMZ Sports - Page 50

Could a bronze statue of Joe Maddon be plopped right next to Ernie Banks and Ron Santo outside Wrigley Field one day???

Ex-MLB stud Sean Casey certainly thinks so ... 'cause the former Reds great tells TMZ Sports Maddon is more than deserving of the honor!!!

"One day they might have a statue outside of Wrigley 'cause of what he did for that organization, man," Casey says.

Of course, Maddon -- who brought the Cubs a World Series title in 2016 -- ended his tenure as Chicago's manager over the weekend after just 5 seasons.

But, when we got Casey with fellow ex-big leaguer Kevin Millar out in NYC ... he told us 65-year-old Maddon had such an impact on Chicago in that short time frame, he'll always be a Cubs hero.

"Any time that guy comes into Wrigley, standing ovation," Casey says. "That guy will forever be a legend."

And, the Oscar goes to ... KLAY THOMPSON?!?!? (Hey, Kobe Bryant did it).

The Golden State Warriors superstar is kick-starting his campaign for Academy Award consideration for his breakout performance as Klay Thompson in "Space Jam 2" ... saying he's trying to add to his trophy case!!!

Now that filming wrapped up ... Klay was joking with the media about launching his official Oscars campaign! It's pretty funny.

“It’s all done ... your boy is going for the Oscar nod,” Thompson joked to NBC Sports Bay Area's "Warriors Outsiders."

“Supporting?! Best animated series!? I don’t know.”

Obviously, Klay ain't got a snowball's chance in hell ... but dude SHOULD be recognized for fighting through the pain of an ACL surgery to be on the set to shoot his scenes.

Remember, Thompson injured himself during the NBA Finals and went under the knife just days before filming started.

But, despite being in serious pain, Klay limped onto the set with crutches to shoot with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Dame Lillard and more.

Hey, some actors postpone production when they a get a slight cold!!!

A Korean Tour golf star was so pissed when he heard a fan snap a cell phone pic during his backswing, he flipped the guy off ... and now the golfer just got hit with a 3-YEAR BAN!!!

Kim Bi-o -- an ex-PGA Tour golfer and the current money leader on the Korean Tour -- snapped on a fan on the 16th hole at the DGB Financial Group Volvik Daegu Gyeongbuk Open on Sunday when he heard the phone make a shutter sound effect during his swing.

Everyone knows that's a big no-no -- golfers HATE noise when they're on the tee box.

So, after 29-year-old Kim heard the camera click ... he wheeled around and shot the fan the bird right in front of EVERYBODY!!!

Kim -- who still went on to win the tournament -- apologized for the gesture afterward ... but clearly, officials felt that wasn't enough.

The Korea Professional Golfers' Association announced Tuesday they were hitting Kim with a THREE-YEAR SUSPENSION for the incident, saying, "Kim Bi-o damaged the dignity of a golfer with etiquette violation and inappropriate behaviour."

The KPGA also announced it was fining Kim the equivalent of $8,350.

The golfer didn't take the news lightly ... he got down on his knees in front of Korean media on Tuesday and apologized for his actions once again.

Jay-Z's work with the NFL is already falling short on his promise of diversity, making him look like nothing more than a pawn and the "token black guy" ... so says Uncle Luke.

The former 2 Live Crew frontman was quite outspoken with us when we asked him to elaborate on his op-ed in the Miami New Times ... in which he said Jay and the NFL were slapping Miami's talent pool in the face by booking J Lo and Shakira as headliners for the Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show.

He says the fact that Jay -- who, along with Roc Nation, is now heading up the entertainment side of things in the NFL -- didn't hire a local performer of color is a betrayal.

Watch ... Luke even goes so far as to say that Jay's essentially acting as a straw man for the league thus far, and gives him an F rating when it comes to mixing up the acts.

Damian Lillard just dropped a new diss track to respond to Shaq ... and it GOES HARD.

The song is called "Reign Reign Go Away" and it's pretty solid. He clowns Shaq's movie career -- from "Blue Chips" to "Kazaam" -- makes fun of Shaq's physique and then mocks his NBA championship count, with a strong Kobe Bryant reference.

"Kobe won you those rings though."

You're gonna want to listen to this!! Here are some choice lines ...

-- "I finna tangle with the Diesel. You're jealous of me and I see you."

-- "All the money in the world but they traded you for Penny."

-- "I'm new school, got new hits. Space Jam, not Blue Chips. Hangman, your shoe's sh*t."

Remember, this all started because Shaquille O'Neal put out his own diss track aimed at the NBA superstar ... after Lillard said people don't consider O'Neal as a "real rapper."

The Baltimore Ravens say Marlon Humphrey NEVER choked Odell Beckham Jr. in their game Sunday ... and they say they've got the up-close video that proves it.

Odell and the Ravens DB went at it all afternoon during the Ravens-Browns game over the weekend ... but tempers REALLY flared late in the 3rd quarter.

On a run play, Odell and Marlon grabbed a hold of each other ... and a violent wrestling match ensued.

Beckham appeared to throw a punch at Humphrey's helmet after grabbing his face mask ... and then Marlon grabbed him by the collar of the jersey and took him to the ground.

Fast-forward to Tuesday morning when the Ravens dropped new video showing the players while they were tussling on the grass ... Humphrey's hands slid from Odell's collar and into the receiver's neck area.

The Ravens say this is evidence Marlon did NOT choke OBJ ... with team writer, Ryan Mink saying, "[Humphrey] did not wrap his hands around Beckham’s neck and did not choke him."

Of course, Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens vehemently disagrees ... because after the game, he said, "He was getting choked on the ground. They get away with that because it's Odell."

As for Beckham, he never claimed he was choked ... saying after the game, "It’s hot out there. We’re just competing. I’m just upset that I lost my earring."

For what it's worth, we watched the video several times and never saw OBJ's earring fly off. Also, still no word if it's been found.

For Humphrey's part, he said of the incident, "I definitely told the referee [Beckham] should have been ejected ... But, it is what it is. Emotions flare. I enjoy going against a top guy like that."

Good news for Michael Blackson ... boxing star Adrien Broner doesn't wanna kill you anymore!!

Instead, Broner says he wants to channel that energy into banging random chicks in L.A.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!!!

Okay, some backstory ... back when Broner was gearing up to fight Manny Pacquiao in January, Blackson stepped into the role of "Anger Translator" for Manny and talked some trash to AB.

"I'll kick him in his nuts. That short bitch is going down," Blackson said on Manny's behalf at the time.

Well, the video chalked up more than 3.4 MILLION views on YouTube -- and a few weeks later, Pacquiao beat Broner in the ring.

So, when Broner saw Blackson in person at Nightingale in L.A. on Sunday night, everyone around held their breath and wondered how Broner was gonna handle the situation.

The good news ... NO FIGHTS! JUST JOKES!

Broner clowned Blackson for his outfit and then joked that he was gonna "beat your ass" for making the video.

But, the two hugged it out and laughed it off ... as Broner proceeded to tell the crowd about his plans while he was in L.A.

"Ya'll know when I'm in L.A., I f**k with these bad bitches every night, I'm just trying to f**k hoes."

Ray Lewis is OUT of "Dancing with the Stars" -- the NFL Hall of Famer suffered an injury while practicing a Cha-Cha .. and his castmates are already sending their love.

The 44-year-old Baltimore Ravens legend and his partner Cheryl Burke were rehearsing for their tribute to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" when Ray tore a tendon in his foot ... just like he did during his playing days.

Of course, the whole thing played out during the broadcast of the show Monday night -- when Lewis revealed he tore 3 tendons in his foot and would need surgery.

"In a game in 2010, I tore a tendon in my foot," Lewis said on the show ... "And, now, all of this dancing, all of this on your toes, I’m reliving a problem that I thought I’d never have to live again."

"I am having so much fun when it comes to the dancing part. But, the part behind the scenes, it’s just been painful. It’s bothered me a lot."

"When [the doctor] read that MRI to me today, I knew something was wrong."

Bill Romanowski admits Vontaze Burfict's hit on Colts tight end Jack Doyle was illegal ... but tells TMZ Sports the full-year suspension is absolutely "bulls**t!!!"

We talked to Romanowski -- a 4x Super Bowl champ and 2x Pro Bowler with a rep ranging from a player who was ultra-physical to downright dirty -- about Burfict's controversial hit, and season-long (12 games) suspension.

"You're in the heat of battle. Your mindset is kill or be killed. Because the offensive linemen are still coming at you. You're in war. You're supposed to be able to be violent sometimes and other times you're supposed to just be able to take your foot off the gas like that. That is hard, my friend."

"I feel for this guy. Do I think he should be fined? Yes. Do I think he should be kicked outta the league? No. I think it is absolutely dead wrong. This guy has handled himself like a pro. And yes, he is a violent mother f'er and I love the way he plays the game of football."

It's worth noting, Burfict -- who's been suspended or fined a total of 13 times over his 8-year career -- has a personal relationship with Romanowski.

The two men spent time together at Raiders training camp this summer.

So, what should've been the punishment??? Romanowski broke it down.

Shaquille O'Neal just posterized Damian Lillard on wax ... coming out of rap retirement to roast the NBA superstar in a new diss track.

Shaq came out firing after Damian went on "The Joe Budden Podcast" and questioned the NBA legend's rap skills ... and the diss track proves the big man still has bars.

The basketball Hall of Famer pulls out all the stops in his rap comeback, calling Dame a worse player than Trevor Ariza ... and saying the Portland Trail Blazers point guard can't hold a flame to real MVP candidates like Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook.

Joe Thomas says Baker Mayfield's Twitter feuds aren't distracting the team -- matter of fact, he believes the QB's beefs can be the fuel that leads the Browns to the playoffs!!!

Baker's never been a fan of criticism ... and he's always willing to speak his mind -- see here, here and here.

TMZ Sports spoke with the future Hall of Famer/Cleveland Browns legend/ex-NFL Fat Guy/current Greek god-lookin' fella about Mayfield's ever-growing list of enemies ... and asked if all the drama will be an issue for the team.

But, Thomas sees it as a GOOD thing ... telling us it's what keeps Bake motivated.

"I think when Baker is engaging people and firing back at Rex Ryan and Colin Cowherd and Antonio Brown, he's kind of playing off who he is going back to his college days."

Of course, Thomas is referring to the fact Baker was overlooked heading into college -- he went from a 2-time walk-on to a Heisman Trophy winner and the top pick in the 2018 draft -- and how he's always kept that chip on his shoulder ever since.

"He does his best work when his back's against the wall when everybody seems to be out to get him .... he really feels he has something to prove in that moment and that's when you get the best version of Baker Mayfield.

Thomas says he wouldn't be surprised if Bake goes out of his way to start even more beef ... because the whole team will be motivated by it.

Philadelphia Sixers baller Mike Scott says his brawl with Eagles fans kickstarted over a slur ... and while he regrets getting physical, he has no sympathy for the guy.

Scott spoke about the incident at Sixers Media Day on Monday ... admitting he shouldn't have fought, but makes it clear the fans at Lincoln Financial Field started it.

“I definitely should've walked away before it got to that point," Scott told the media. "I’m a professional, you know, I gotta be the bigger person, but once you keep going ... he was poppin’ hella sh*t, he was going off.”

Initially, there were rumors that Scott went off because he thought a coffin at the game was to mock late Redskins star Sean Taylor (the fans claim it wasn't). Scott didn't get into specifics on the slur that sparked the fight ... but it clearly pissed him off.

“He was talking crazy. He took it to the next level so I had to see if he matched that energy ... and y'all saw what happened.”

When asked if he felt bad for the way he acted, Scott stands by his fists.

“Sympathy for him? I don’t feel any for those individuals ... yeah, what a day,” he laughed.

Amazing gesture from Astros superstar Carlos Correa ... the shortstop visited the family of murdered Houston police officer Sandeep Dhaliwal on Monday -- and donated $10,000.

Dhaliwal was killed last Friday in broad daylight after a man shot him in the back of the head during a routine traffic stop ... and Correa was hit hard by the news.

42-year-old Dhaliwal had famously helped citizens in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the community in 2017 ... so Carlos -- a Puerto Rican native -- wanted to reach out.

The 'Stros stud was able to meet with the Dhaliwal's family Monday afternoon ... and, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, it was the first time he had seen the family smile since the tragedy.

"Can't thank him enough," Gonzalez said of Correa to Fox 26's Mark Berman ... "Amazing what he does for the Houston community."

Correa also donated $10k to Dhaliwal's family ... and said of the situation, "A lot of people in Puerto Rico suffered the tragedy of Hurricane Maria. And, for him to go out of his way and help people that he didn't even know, it really touched me."

Correa added, "We're very grateful for everything he did -- me, my family, the whole country of Puerto Rico. It's an unfortunate situation, but I wanted to come show my respects and my appreciation for the family and be able to help them in some way."

Things must be getting serious with GF Josie Canseco ... 'cause Brody Jenner tells TMZ Sports he wants to meet her daddy, Jose ... and even hit some dingers with him!!!

Jenner's been dating the ex-MLB slugger's daughter for the since last month following his breakup with Kaitlynn Carter ... and the 2 have been pretty much inseparable ever since.

Now that things are picking up steam, we asked the DJ out at LAX if he's met Josie's parents yet ... and he says he hasn't -- but WANTS to!!!

"I haven't met him yet ... Am I nervous? It's always nerve-racking when you're meeting the pops. But, Jose, he seems like a good guy, right?" Jenner tells us.

Sorry, Khalil Mack ... the Chicago Bears do NOT have the best defense in the NFL -- so says Patriots DB JC Jackson, who tells TMZ Sports that honor belongs to New England!

"I feel like we've got the best defense so far," Jackson says ... "I feel like we've got the best defense in the league."

The Pats have steamrolled to a 4-0 start ... and a big reason for that is the 11 dudes NOT on Tom Brady's side of the ball.

Through the first quarter of the season, the Pats are allowing a league-best 243 yards per game ... and have TEN interceptions -- at least 5 more than every other squad in the NFL.

For those reasons, JC -- who had two picks against the Bills on Sunday -- says the Pats deserve the NFL's top D title ... telling us, "Right now, we the best defense in the league."

Former Packers star James Jones loves Antonio Brown's skill set ... but he says Green Bay does NOT need to sign the guy to make a serious playoff run.

Brown's been a free agent ever since New England cut ties with him earlier this month ... and some believe he'd be the perfect fit with Aaron Rodgers and the Cheeseheads.

But, Jones tells TMZ Sports Brown has to get all of his legal problems squared away before that talk even remotely begins.

And ... even if AB is able to get all that taken care of, Jones says it ain't necessary for Matt LaFleur to go out and add the problematic wide receiver.

"They've got everything they need to make a playoff run right now," Jones tells us.