Around the Sports World in 80 Words

With the passing Fourth of July holiday, the Hat Trick has been vacant the past few days. I thought I'd catch everyone up with a few words from yours truly on the sports world.

NFL

The plummet of Aaron Hernandez from stardom is third in NFL history to only O.J. Simpson and Michael Vick. And Vick has redeemed himself to an extent (so far). Hernandez, who was charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of 27-year old Odin Lloyd, was immediately cut by the New England Patriots. The Patriots offered full refunds and exchanges on Aaron Henandez jerseys. Owner Bob Kraft said he felt "duped" by Hernadez and former teammate Matt Light, who is retired, took time to throw Hernandez under the bus.

The latest disassociation? EA Sports has announced that it is removing Hernandez from its Madden NFL video games. Bad news comes in bunches!

That's a damn shame. 1

NBA

The Rockets won the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. On a team already featuring All-Star guard James Harden, and forward Chandler Parsons, the Rockets have become overnight contenders in the Western Conference. In addition to the blockbuster deal that sent future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to an already talented Brooklyn Nets team, the NBA can expect to see more parody at the top in 2014.

2

MLB

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to make the second half of the season a very interesting one. While trading for or seemingly buying up all of the A-list free agent talent in the majors in the last year, the Dodgers acquired starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (5-8, 3.85 ERA, 90 Ks) in a trade with the Miami Marlins over the weekend. The acquisition of Nolasco and the rise of rookie sensation Yasiel Puig (.409, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 1.102 OPS) have the formerly last place Dodgers as the first topic of conversation. The Dodgers are only 3.5 games back of the first place Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West.

Puig has done more in a month than many have done in three. I hope he makes the All-Star team. 3

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1) Image from www.facebook.com
2) Image from www.memegenerator.net
3) Image from http://cnn.sportsillustrated.com