TMZ Sports - Page 50

Gov. Ron DeSantis is bragging about opening up sports in FL -- and believes fans might be able to attend events as early as June!!

While speaking to the media about the state's plan to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis talked about how sports are a huge priority for him ... starting with pro wrestling.

"I helped recruit," DeSantis said ... "I wanted the wrestling to be filmed in Orlando. I’d like them to do WrestleMania. They were going to do WrestleMania in April. That was hundreds of millions of dollars. I want to keep that good relationship. I want them to invest in Florida."

DeSantis also mentioned UFC 249 taking place in Jacksonville on may 9 -- noting, "There's not going to be any fans but I think that's going to be a good event for people."

As for golf ... "I work with Phil Mickelson so they have what they need for that Tiger Woods match."

Event officials have not formally announced the venue for that match, but DeSantis is obviously lobbying hard for a course in FL.

As for baseball ... DeSantis says he's "hearing" it's coming back soon and obviously wants games in Florida.

"I think that's going to be exciting for a lot of people and I just think there are going to be a lot of possibilities. So, let's just be resourceful and creative."

And fans? DeSantis is optimistic fans will be able to watch live sports again in his state in a matter of months.

"I do think if the trends are good as you get into June-July. I think there is a window to have some fans. You’re not going to have everyone packed in."

"But man, in 90-degree weather in the state of Florida ... if you're out there and someone's 10 feet away from you and you want to watch a ball game or something? You may be able to do that."

The Baseball Hall of Fame has voted unanimously to postpone Derek Jeter's induction to 2021 ... not exactly the "unanimous vote" he was hoping for.

Of course, the New York Yankees legend -- along with big-hitters Larry Walker, Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons -- were all set to be honored in Cooperstown as the Class of 2020 on July 26.

But ... COVID-19 screwed it all up!

Given the global coronavirus pandemic, the Hall's Board of Directors took a vote -- and ultimately agreed it was best to push the festivities to 2021 to steer clear of any potential safety risks.

"Our Board of Directors has voted unanimously to cancel 2020 Induction Weekend, due to health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic," HOF officials said in a statement.

A spokesperson says the HOF is "disappointed" but the decision was made in the best interest of everyone involved.

"We care deeply about every single person who visits Cooperstown."

Instead, the 2020 class will be inducted alongside the 2021 class next year ... and Larry Walker has already come out in support of the move.

"I fully understand and agree with the Board’s decision," Walker says. "It is most important to do the right thing for everybody involved, and that means not putting any participants in jeopardy, whether Hall of Famers or visitors."

The Houston Astros have essentially SHUT DOWN an auction for a 2017 World Series ring ... claiming they have a contract in place to buy it back for $1.

ONE. AMERICAN. DOLLAR.

The ring -- which originally belonged to Astros scout David Brito -- was listed with Goldin Auctions as part of its May 2020 catalog and some expected it to sell for as high as $60,000!!

Of course, Astros players, coaches and staffers each got a ring for defeating the L.A. Dodgers in the 2017 World Series ... despite the fact, they're cheating-ass cheaters who cheat.

100% of the proceeds from the auction were going to be donated to the CAMCare Foundation for COVID-19 related causes at hospitals and health care centers.

But, Goldin tells TMZ Sports ... the Astros reached out to them and demanded they pull the item -- claiming they have a first-look deal with Brito to buy it back for $1, which he signed in order to receive the item in the first place.

If this sounds familiar, it's because it's the same policy as the Academy Awards -- which requires winners to give the Academy the first option to buy the award back for $1 if the winner (or a family member) wants to get rid of it.

Goldin tells us ... they were unaware of the $1 contract when they agreed to auction the item -- but they will comply with the Astros' demand and return to the ring back to the consigner.

We're told the consigner is NOT Brito -- but a ring dealer.

Unclear if the consigner will give the ring back to Brito so he can actually sell the ring back to Houston -- but at this point, it probably makes more sense for him to keep it.

After all, why give the Astros another ring they really don't deserve to have?!

As for the ring itself -- it contains 214 diamonds, 16 natural blue sapphires and 9 natural orange sapphires.

Wonder if the contract says anything about melting it down and selling the raw materials?

Ron Jaworski tells TMZ Sports he's nervous for his Eagles ... 'cause the Philly legend says the Dallas Cowboys CRUSHED the NFL draft last week!!

"I'm worried as hell about those Dallas Cowboys, man," Jaws says.

As for why ... Jaworski tells us CeeDee Lamb -- Jerry Jones' top pick last week -- is an elite receiver talent who he was actually hoping would fall to the Eagles at pick No. 21.

"CeeDee Lamb is special," Jaws says. "I'm watching him kind of slip down, slip down. And, I'm going, 'He may fall to 21! The Eagles might get him!' But, he wasn't getting by Jerry Jones!"

The Cowboys were THRILLED to land the Oklahoma receiver ... and, in fact, they went on to have such a huge draft -- Jerry said it might have been his finest work since 2005.

Jaws was having a hard time disagreeing with that when we spoke with him this week ... saying, "Oh, boy! We get to see (CeeDee Lamb) for the next 10 years?!"

"Amari Cooper, Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, their offensive line -- woah! They're going to be good! Going to be a good group!"

Kansas City Chiefs star Bashaud Breeland -- who had an interception in Super Bowl LIV -- was just busted for weed possession, open container and resisting arrest, officials confirm.

28-year-old Breeland -- fresh off inking a new, $4.5 million deal to stay with the Chiefs this off-season -- was booked around 1:30 PM on Tuesday in Charlotte, NC.

According to the York County Sheriff's Office, Breeland is facing multiple charges -- resisting arrest, open alcohol container in motor vehicle, alcohol in motor vehicle with seal broken, possession of 28g or less of marijuana, and driving without a license.

The South Carolina native was booked into York County Jail, where he remains in custody, according to records.

Breeland was a 4th-round pick to the Washington Redskins after 3 seasons with Clemson ... playing 4 seasons in D.C. before a brief stint with the Green Bay Packers.

Breeland had a team-high 7 tackles and picked off Jimmy Garoppolo in the Super Bowl ... helping Kansas City win its first Super Bowl since 1969.

We've reached out to the Chiefs for comment ... so far, no word back.

Could Mannywood reopen in 2020?!!?

Manny Ramirez says that's the goal ... with the MLB legend telling The Taiwan Times he's gunning for a comeback in the Chinese Professional Baseball League!!

"My goal for 2020, is to find a roster spot in the CPBL," Manny says. "I have been itching to get back in the batter’s box and be able to compete again."

It's a stunning revelation ... considering the former Red Sox outfielder is 47 years old and hasn't swung a bat in a professional league since 2013!!

But, Ramirez claims he's been using quarantine times to get back in playing shape while also working on his swing.

"I know if I was given the opportunity to come in an organization as a player-coach," Ramirez says, "it would do great things for the organization and the league."

Man-Ram has experience in the CPBL ... he played for the EDA Rhinos in 2013, and actually crushed it, batting .352 in 49 games, before he ultimately got out of his contract and returned back to the U.S.

Ramirez says he wants to give it another run ... and even claims he's turning down offers from the Atlantic League to get another shot in Taiwan.

"My message to the CPBL clubs would be that I am still confident in my ability to serve as a player-coach and provide positive contributions to any ball club that is willing to have me on their staff/roster," Ramirez said.

"He goes to Tampa Bay and that's what he gets getting thrown out of the park! So, it serves him right!"

That's Boston Mayor Marty Walsh clowning Tom Brady over his closed Tampa park incident ... and the shade he threw at ex-Patriots QB for the snafu after leaving New England was hilarious!!

The head of the Massachusetts city joined WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" on Tuesday ... and when Tom getting booted for illegally working out in a Florida park was brought up -- the mayor didn't hold back on the jokes.

"See, if Tom Brady stayed, there's some exceptions I would make," Walsh said. "And, having Tom Brady throw a football, I probably would have maybe looked the other way on that one."

"But, he goes to Tampa Bay and that's what he gets!"

Of course, Tom famously bolted from the Patriots for the Buccaneers in March ... and he hasn't exactly had the smoothest transition to his new home.

After the 42-year-old was kicked out of a park that was closed due to coronavirus concerns earlier this month ... he accidentally trespassed a few days later when he was trying to find his new offensive coordinator's house!!

Some real honesty from Jameis Winston -- who says he had to check his ego to become the backup QB for the New Orleans Saints ... but thinks it's worth the investment.

Winston -- the #1 overall pick in 2015 with the Bucs -- just signed a 1-year deal to back up Drew Brees in NO ... and calls it a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to learn from one of the best of all time.

"It was no better position than to be in the same room with someone that I’ve really looked up to, someone that I admired since I’ve been playing this game in Drew Brees," Winston said on "Chalk Talk with Charlie Ward."

In fact, Winston says being in the same QB room as Brees, Taysom Hill and the Saints coaching staff is "like a Harvard education in quarterback school."

He continued ... "I wanted to put my ego aside, put the money aside and think about my family, think about my career."

"There’s a proverb. Humility comes before honor. So I have to humble myself and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be with Drew Brees and be with the New Orleans Saints and just prepare. Just prepare for when my next opportunity is going to present itself."

Winston also says he knows there's no chance he wins the starting QB job over Brees ... but sees the opportunity as a stepping stone.

"I’ve done some great things with the Bucs. I’m going to miss being a starting quarterback. But you never know what happens. I think this is just a great and unique step to join Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints and learn from him. Learn from one of the best to ever do it and make a great transition in my career."

This. Is. AWESOME!!!

WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre is showing major love for a real-life hero on his 100th birthday ... honoring Captain Tom Moore with his very own championship belt!!

Of course, Capt. Tom -- who served as an officer for the British Army in WWII -- went viral earlier this month when he set out to raise 1,000 pounds for the National Health Service by doing laps around his garden.

Turns out, Capt. Tom raised WAY more than that ... raking in a whopping 29.2 MILLION pounds (over $36 mil!!) for COVID-19 relief.

Drew -- fresh off his HUGE WrestleMania36 win over Brock Lesnar -- decided to show thanks for Cap's contributions throughout his life by sending a super bad-ass commemorative belt for his 100th birthday!!

"As WWE Champion it is my honor, on behalf of @WWE, to celebrate the 100th birthday and extraordinary achievements of @CaptainTomMoore with a personalized WWE title," the Scottish superstar said.

"Happy birthday sir, and thank you. #WalkWithTom #CaptainTomMoore."

On top of the awesome belt, Tom has received thousands of cards for his big day, which goes down on April 30th.

So cool. Shout-out to all involved.