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Astros fan says he ripped ball from Mike Trout’s glove to protect child: ‘It was coming at my son’s face’

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Astros fan says he ripped ball from Mike Trout’s glove to protect child: ‘It was coming at my son’s face’

HOUSTON — An Astros fan was relocated to different seats after ripping a baseball out of Mike Trout’s glove on a foul ball that went into the first row of the right-field seats.

The play was eerily reminiscent of the infamous foul ball incident during Game 4 of the 2024 World Series, when a New York Yankees fan took a ball from the glove of Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts.

“I just didn’t know what was going on,” the Astros fan, Jared Whalen, told The Athletic from the Daikin Park concourse while flanked by security. “I didn’t realize it was a play. It was coming at my son’s face. I just reached out.”

The fan was almost immediately escorted from his seat, leaving his young son with team security. Soon after, Astros fans in the section booed wildly as the son was escorted by security out of the section to be reunited with his father.

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The play came in the second inning Saturday, when Yainer Diaz skied a foul popup down the right-field line. Trout reached over the padding with the ball seemingly secured in his glove. However, Whalen reached in and poached it.

Trout immediately reacted, motioning for an interference call. However, umpires ruled that because the contact was initiated out of play, no interference had occurred. Manager Ron Washington came out to discuss the play with the umpires as well.

Whalen seemed bewildered in the immediate aftermath, completely unaware of the implications of what he’d done.

“I was more looking at the ball coming for my son’s face,” Whalen said. “I made sure I wasn’t in the field of play. I apologized, and (Trout) nodded his head and we’re good, I think.”

Whalen kept the ball. He said he knew of the play involving Austin Capobianco, the Yankees fan at the center of the viral World Series moment. Capobianco was banned from all 30 major-league parks.

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“I wasn’t in the World Series,” said crew chief umpire Alan Porter, when asked by a pool reporter why the play was different from the one in last year’s World Series, which was called for interference. “I don’t even remember seeing the play.”

The Angels could have challenged the play, but chose not to, ultimately believing it would not get overturned.

Security on the scene in Houston said the decision whether to eject the fan ultimately rested with the Astros and Major League Baseball. Whalen noted that after the play, his phone was buzzing with numerous friends and family recognizing him.

Whalen said he didn’t feel like this play was the same as that Yankees-Dodgers moment. He said he’d like to think of himself more in the vein of Jeffrey Maier, the then-12-year-old Yankees fan whose (uncalled) interference gave New York a walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series.

Trout met with Whalen and his son after the Angels’ 4-1 win over the Astros, and the outfielder signed the foul ball.

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Trout said he wanted to meet them, knowing how apologetic the fan was and that he had a young son.

“I got kids myself. The way he reacted, he obviously didn’t do it on purpose,” Trout said. “Well, I don’t know if he didn’t do it on purpose. But just the way he reacted, and his kid, and they got moved. They probably spent hard (earned) money on those tickets.”

(Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson / Icon Sportswire via Associated Press)

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James Harden arrested in Houston on misdemeanor weapons charge after NBA playoff exit: report

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James Harden arrested in Houston on misdemeanor weapons charge after NBA playoff exit: report

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Two weeks after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs, James Harden was reportedly arrested in Houston, where he used to play, early Saturday morning.

The California Post, citing court records, said the 11-time All-Star was placed in custody on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying of weapons.

Harden allegedly “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” had a handgun in his vehicle, the records said, according to the outlet.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland on May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

The firearm “was in plain view” and “not carried in a holster.”

The outlet reported that Harden was at a local hookah lounge with friends before his arrest.

Harden’s Cleveland Cavaliers were recently swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks are one win away from their first NBA title since 1973.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information,” the Cavs said in a statement. “We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden disputes a call during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Cleveland on May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

TEEN PUNCHED AND KICKED INTO A COMA AFTER KNICKS-SPURS ALTERCATION NEAR MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: POLICE

The Cavs acquired Harden in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to boost their playoff push, and they earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Harden averaged 20.5 points per game after the trade, understandably taking a back seat to Donovan Mitchell. He averaged 25.4 points per game in L.A., but the Clippers failed to make the playoffs, as they scored the sixth-fewest points per game in the NBA.

The Post said Harden is due back in court on June 22 for arraignment.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden reacts to a call during the first half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Cleveland on May 25, 2026. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

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Harden played for the Houston Rockets from 2012 until 2021, when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He was named the MVP of the 2017-18 season and led the NBA in scoring each season from that year through 2019-20. In that span, he averaged nearly 34 points per contest.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Commentary: U.S. soccer makes stirring first impression, delivers big unifying World Cup win

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Commentary: U.S. soccer makes stirring first impression, delivers big unifying World Cup win

The U.S. men’s soccer team chose an incredible day to have an incredible day.

Crucially, the United States aced its only chance to make a first impression, kicking off this colossal World Cup it’s co-hosting with Mexico and Canada with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Consider it a save for the tournament, three points for soccer in America and maybe even a win for uniting the States.

The Americans on the pitch did all that, including making sure a sellout crowd of 70,492 fans got their money’s worth for their exorbitantly high-priced seats to watch football under Friday Night Lights at SoFi Stadium.

U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, right, celebrates with Sergino Dest and Chris Richards after scoring during a World Cup win over Paraguay on Friday at SoFi Stadium.

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(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

It was not a clean sheet. And it wasn’t an elixir for all the issues — visas, tickets, transportation — that ailed the tournament in its buildup.

But the opening statement by the United States confirmed what we thought might be true. Only one thing could save this soccer tournament: soccer.

The U.S. delivered a performance to change the conversation — for the next few weeks and maybe longer.

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Making history to alter history.

The United States scored multiple goals in a World Cup first half for the first time since 2002.

It got two of them from Folarin Balogun, the Brooklyn-born, England-raised forward of Nigerian descent who became just the second USMNT player to score two goals in a World Cup game and the first since 1930.

Got a perfect match from Chris Richards, the afro-rocking defender with the long, loping strides, who was 83 for 83 on his passes. That’s better than any player at a World Cup since 1966.

And if possession is nine-tenths of the law of attraction, know that the Americans possessed the ball 71% of the first half, most in the first half of a World Cup game in the modern era.

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Landon Donovan, star of the 2002 team that reached the World Cup quarterfinals — a record that still stands — posted on X: “From start to finish, that was the most enjoyable day of soccer I’ve ever experienced.”

That’s the stuff that will get the American people going. Get us invested, get us behind them. That could convert even devout casuals.

Americans love a good underdog story. We also want the best, the finest, the biggest — and this, with its expanded field of 48, is the biggest version of the biggest and best tournament in the world.

And the only thing we love more than winning is dominating. The United States did that Friday against a Paraguayan team that had allowed only 10 goals in 18 World Cup qualifying matches, and whom the United States beat 2-1 in a tense match in November.

Fans cheer during the U.S. win over Paraguay in their World Cup opener Saturday at SoFi Stadium.

Fans cheer during the U.S. win over Paraguay in their World Cup opener Saturday at SoFi Stadium.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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That was Mauricio Pochettino and his players helping us help them.

“The fans, amazing,” said Pochettino, the team’s accomplished Argentine coach. “On behalf of the whole team, a massive thank you to the fans. Because the energy that they [gave] to the team was amazing. We can do amazing things if the fans are in this as well.”

Friday was so good for soccer in America.

And so good for America. The kind of butt-kicking that’s chicken soup for a nation’s soul.

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Maybe it’s idealistic and naive, or apple-pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking, but I believe that they can win. (And by win, I mean make the quarterfinals again.)

There’s no removing politics from this World Cup, but wouldn’t it be fun to all rally behind a team together? Can’t you see the country coalescing behind the right wingers and left wingers on the pitch? Picture people celebrating the freedom inherent in Pochettino’s system? Cheering the all-for-one and one-for-all of this team of dual nationals and Americans raised abroad — or in Alabama?

Postmatch, Pochettino refused to single out any one player, instead giving reporters a recitation of his roster: “[Christian Pulisic] was amazing [setting up two goals]. Balogun was amazing, of course. Tim Ream was amazing, of course. Chris Richards was amazing, yes. Weston McKennie, he was amazing, amazing. Antonee Robinson, Alex Freeman, amazing. Sergiño Dest, amazing …”

Like they put it on the @USMNT Instagram account: “Together as Won.”

U.S. soccer, amazing.

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How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Scores, Schedule, Dates for Every Match

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How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Scores, Schedule, Dates for Every Match

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The wait is over. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to 16 different cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer, and you’ll be able to catch all the action with FOX Sports, America’s English-language home for the 48-team soccer bonanza.

Here is the full broadcast schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how you can watch every game:

How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1 with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. 

JUMP TO: Group Stage | Knockout Rounds | World Cup Final

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2026 World Cup Group Stage Schedule:

June 11, 2026

June 12

June 13

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 17

June 18

June 19

June 20

June 21

June 22

June 23

June 24

  • Group B: Watch Switzerland vs Canada — BC Place Vancouver (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group B: Watch Bosnia vs Qatar — Seattle Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group C: Watch Brazil vs Scotland — Miami Stadium (6 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group C: Watch Morocco vs Haiti — Atlanta Stadium (6 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group A: Watch Mexico vs Czechia — Mexico City Stadium (9 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group A: Watch South Korea vs South Africa — Monterrey Stadium (9 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)

June 25

  • Group E: Watch Ecuador vs Germany — New York New Jersey Stadium (4 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group E: Watch Curaçao vs Ivory Coastt — Philadelphia Stadium (4 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group F: Watch Tunisia vs Netherlands — Kansas City Stadium (7 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group F: Watch Japan vs Sweden— Dallas Stadium (7 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group D: USA vs Türkiye – Los Angeles Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group D: Watch Paraguay vs Australia — San Francisco Bay Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)

June 26

  • Group I: Watch Norway vs France — Boston Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group I: Watch Senegal vs Iraq  — Toronto Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group H: Watch Uruguay vs Spain — Guadalajara Stadium (8 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group H: Watch Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — Houston Stadium (8 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group G: Watch New Zealand vs Belgium — BC Place Vancouver (11 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group G: Watch Egypt vs Iran — Seattle Stadium (11 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)

June 27

  • Group L: Watch Panama vs England —New York New Jersey Stadium (5 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group L: Watch Croatia vs Ghana — Philadelphia Stadium (5 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group K: Watch Colombia vs Portugal — Miami Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group K: Watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — Atlanta Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
  • Group J: Watch Argentina vs Jordan — Dallas Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
  • Group J: Watch Algeria vs Austria — Kansas City Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)

2026 World Cup Schedule: Knockout Round

Round of 32

June 28

June 29

June 30

July 1

July 2

July 3

Round of 16

July 4

July 5

July 6

July 7

Quarterfinals

July 9

July 10

July 11

Semifinals

July 14

July 15

World Cup Final

July 19

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The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1 with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps.

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