Sports
Called home: Giants’ Grant McCray deeply saddened by the death of Rickey Henderson
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Grant McCray led off the San Francisco Giants’ exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday at Camelback Ranch and he hobbled down the first base line after his foot absorbed a cut fastball. A trainer rushed out to check on him. He grimaced and he shook his leg and he jogged in place.
On the next pitch, he stole second base.
“Been waiting for that chance to run,” McCray said. “I’m always itching to go.”
McCray is one of the best minor-league base stealers in recent franchise history. In three years at full-season affiliates, he has been successful in 109 of 132 attempts. How impressive is his 82.6 percent success rate over that span? Consider that Rickey Henderson, who swiped a major league-record 1,406 bases, retired with a success rate of 80.6 percent.
McCray, who never lacks for confidence, might have brought up that fact with Henderson this spring. They might have had a laugh over it while engaging in some light trash talk. Late last year, Giants manager Bob Melvin mentioned to McCray that he would set up a spring training meeting with Henderson, whom he knew well from his time with the Oakland A’s. McCray was ecstatic. He patterned so much of his game after the Hall of Fame legend — not just the skills but the brash fearlessness, too. So many times throughout November and December, McCray daydreamed about how that conversation would go, what questions he would ask, what inspiration he hoped to take.
Then Henderson, who scored more runs than anyone in major-league history, died unexpectedly Dec. 20.
“Unfortunately, God calls everybody home at some point,” McCray said. “It was a really sad day for me. I don’t have a lot of idols, and he was a big part of defining my game. I felt that hunger and drive and ambition is something I strive for, and he really set the tone for me.”
Henderson played his last major-league game in 2003 when McCray was just 2 years old. Henderson shared the field with McCray’s father, Rodney, in just three major-league games. But some idols are such perfect paragons that they transcend time and proximity.
“He’s one in a million,” McCray said of Henderson. “Meeting someone like that, or meeting Barry Bonds, you can’t forget it. That’s old-school baseball right there. There aren’t many of them around anymore. Just getting that knowledge from him would’ve been incredible.”
Melvin experienced all kinds of emotions and memories after Henderson’s passing. One of them was to think back to that promised meeting with McCray and to lament that it would never happen.
“You know Rickey, he is so great about everything,” Melvin said. “Even though he’s with the A’s, he would’ve come over to help us. I just wanted him (McCray) to feel the importance of a guy like Rickey to come over and talk baseball. Unfortunately, it couldn’t happen. But I think Grant appreciated the effort to do something to make him a better player.”
Grant McCray went 5-for-5 on stolen-base attempts for the Giants in 2024. (Tim Warner / Getty Images)
If only the wistfulness ended there. McCray experienced more sadness and disappointment in June when Willie Mays died just two days before the Giants legend was set to be honored in a regular-season game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., where he played as a teenager for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The Giants had made travel arrangements for every one of their minor-league players with any African American heritage to leave their affiliates and attend the game. Mays died one day before McCray was ticketed to fly to Alabama from Sacramento, where he’d just been promoted from Double A.
“I almost didn’t feel like going after that,” McCray said. “It was devastating.”
Even before Mays passed, it had been determined that the 93-year-old legend was too frail to make the trip from his home in Atherton, Calif., to attend the Rickwood game. But in the weeks leading up to the event, McCray assumed he’d finally get the chance to meet the Say Hey Kid. He couldn’t wait to introduce himself to Mays.
There have been thousands of Giants prospects over the years who never reached the big leagues but came away from their pro experience with a Mays autograph or a selfie or merely the chance to say that they shook his hand. That’s because Mays would visit Scottsdale every spring — along with Willie McCovey and Orlando Cepeda — to speak to the entire minor-league system while instilling them with pride for the uniform hanging in their locker.
McCray never had that chance. The 24-year-old outfielder was drafted in June 2019. Mays spent his last spring training in Scottsdale in 2020, when COVID-19 was turning into a pandemic. Before Mays had a chance to visit minor-league camp that spring, the world shut down. In the years that followed, the trip to Arizona became a bit too much for him.
McCray, who is biracial, said he often put out feelers with club officials about letting him spend a little time with Mays. He is beyond saddened that a meeting never happened.
“I just feel like we would’ve had a lot to talk about,” he said.
One of McCray’s dreams is to play in a major-league game while wearing a Giants throwback uniform that is a tribute to Mays — something he would love to see the Giants do on Mays’ birthday, May 6, every year.
Now McCray, who made his major-league debut last season, is looking to his contemporaries for counsel. He’s often engaging Willy Adames and Matt Chapman in conversation about how they handled themselves as young players while seeking to establish themselves in the big leagues.
Although McCray and Jung Hoo Lee are the only true center fielders on the 40-man roster, the Giants outfield appears set on Opening Day (Lee, Mike Yastrzemski and Heliot Ramos) and Jerar Encarnacion, who crushed a 111 mph home run Wednesday, is out of options and all but certain to make the team. The fifth outfielder is likely to be a right-handed hitter such as Luis Matos who can spell Yastrzemski against left-handed pitching.
McCray flashed power (five home runs, three doubles and two triples) and speed (5-for-5 on stolen-base attempts) in 37 games last season but has more work to do after posting a 43.1 percent strikeout rate in 130 big-league plate appearances. On that front, he’s still finding his footing in the batter’s box this spring (2-for-15, eight strikeouts).
But don’t tell McCray that there isn’t a place for him on the Giants’ roster from the jump.
“I want to break camp with the team,” said McCray, who was energized when he heard club president Buster Posey describe his desire for an opportunistic and dynamic offense that can score runs in multiple ways. “I’ve got power, I’ve got speed. I have contact, too, and I haven’t been great at it right now, but it’s still early. I can change the game in a lot of ways. We have a lot of guys with those abilities: Jung Hoo, Matos, Ramos, Fitzy (Tyler Fitzgerald), and if we piece them all together, I feel like, dude, we’re a scary lineup. Yeah, we’re young. But I feel like we get counted out when we’ve got more ability than a lot of other teams.”
McCray will never get the chance to soak up wisdom from Mays and Henderson. He can only guess what they would’ve told him: to trust his abilities and to play with confidence. As reinforcing as that message would’ve been, though, it’s not entirely clear that McCray needed to hear it. If a bruised foot won’t keep him from running, neither would a bruised ego.
“He’s a driven kid,” Melvin said. “He wants to be good at everything. And he’s one of the few guys in our organization who has all the tools to be a really good player. There’s a lot to like.”
More on Rickey Henderson’s life and career
• Always on the move, Rickey Henderson leaves legacy as one of baseball’s greatest showmen
• For all his wondrous MLB accomplishments, Rickey Henderson is best known as the ‘Man of Steal’
• Rickey Henderson declared his own greatness and gave permission to do the same
• Rickey Henderson finished his career in indy ball. There, a legend showed a different side
(Top photo of Grant McCray stealing second base: Joe Camporeale / Imagn Images)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
One of the most memorable moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics came early, when skier Lindsey Vonn delivered a gutsy performance for the ages by competing at 41 just a week after injuring her knee in a crash.
Unfortunately, as admirable as her perseverance was, she injured herself badly in another crash just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s downhill final.
Five months later, Vonn is still very much dealing with her injuries.
MARCELLO HERNÁNDEZ ROASTS JAKE PAUL, TIGER WOODS AND BILL BELICHICK IN ESPYS MONOLOGUE
Lindsey Vonn speaks on stage during the 2026 ESPYs. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
“It’s been a very slow process,” Vonn told People while attending the ESPYs Wednesday in New York City. “It’s been five months since I’ve been able to actually go to the gym in a somewhat meaningful way. And walking is actually still really hard for me. My ankle is still broken.”
Regardless of the outcome, her decision to attempt that run remains one of the most courageous moments of the Games.
Lindsey Vonn was involved in a serious crash during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Remember when I mentioned that injury before the Olympics? That wasn’t just a minor bump in the road; it was a completely ruptured ACL.
There was no questioning her courage, but the aftermath has been difficult.
Lindsey Vonn walks through pit lane ahead of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)
“I was in a wheelchair for so long. I was on crutches for so long,” Vonn said. “It was honestly almost 3½ months that I was unable to walk unassisted. I got very emotional when I was able to walk on my own.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This week, Vonn posted an update on her recovery and said she has “a very long road ahead.”
The UCLA women’s basketball team won its first NCAA championship in April. Now, it’s vying to stay on top.
Based on Thursday’s practice, after which UCLA spoke with the media for the first time since its dominant title run, it’s clear that the Bruins intend to remain on top, even with a target on their back and a revamped roster.
Success leaves clues
One would think a defending champion pursuing a repeat would, well, just try to run it back.
But not Cori Close’s bunch.
Entering her 16th season as coach, Close is emphatic about the importance of process over outcome — or journey over destination — and leaning into the beauty of the grind.
“We get to walk out and live out what we learn from the championship run,” Close said. “But we’re also not trying to repeat a championship outcome. We’re trying to repeat a championship process. And success leaves clues. There are things that we want to make sure we carry over from what we learn.
“But this is a new art project. This is a new identity. This is a new chance. The standards don’t change, but the way we go about it is going to be unique to this team, and that’s really fun to explore.”
The 98%
UCLA coach Cori Close speaks during a news conference on April 4.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Part of the “championship process” Bruins fans can expect to hear about is the “98%.”
Close repeated it. Players repeated it. It’s a mentality Close wants the Bruins to keep in mind throughout the season.
“What I mean by that is 98% of the game is played without the ball,” Close explained. “Can you become a better screener? Can you learn someone else’s tendencies? Can you talk more on defense? Can you become a better rebounder? How many ways can we learn from each other and be better ‘98%’ players? And if we do that, we’ll be on our way.”
Possessing the ball — the 2% — does matter. But players who can thrive without the ball will establish a team that, in Close’s eyes, can be difficult to beat.
Sienna Betts’ role
UCLA forward Sienna Betts, left, speaks to her older sister, UCLA center Lauren Betts, before a game in December.
(Caroline Brehman / Associated Press)
Sienna Betts, the younger sister of departed UCLA star Lauren Betts, is set to have a key role as a returning sophomore on a team with many new players.
“It’s going to be different,” Sienna said, referencing the Bruins losing six players to the WNBA. “But I mean, I’m excited. And it’s not the first time I’ve been in a position like this; I mean, not at this level, obviously. So, I’m just excited to be in this new role. And I have coaches who are here to help me.
“I’m just planning on doing whatever Coach Cori needs from me, whatever the team needs.”
The 6-foot-4 forward is primed to be the Bruins’ anchor in the paint. She demonstrated her leadership during Thursday’s practice as well as some bully ball inside.
Betts, who is left-handed, mentioned her focus on right-handed shooting this offseason in preparing for increased touches. She averaged six points and four rebounds over 28 games as a freshman. Close said she is improving quickly.
“The younger players have grown into new roles,” Close said. “I think you could see glimpses of that [with] how Sienna’s already started to do that, even maybe ahead of where I thought she’d be at this point.”
Elina Aarnisalo’s return
UCLA guard Elina Aarnisalo controls the ball in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA tournament.
(Young Kwak / Associated Press)
Elina Aarnisalo, who played for UCLA as a freshman in 2024-25, is back in Westwood after spending her sophomore season with North Carolina.
The 5-10 guard averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman and saw her scoring double (10.2) in Chapel Hill. Aarnisalo, a native of Finland, said she is more confident, not only as a player but also as a communicator.
“There’s going to be a lot of spots on the team open now after a big draft class,” Aarnisalo said. “And a lot of seniors leaving, that obviously interested me too. Talking with Cori [about] what my role could be on this team and what we could accomplish this year … just knowing the standards at UCLA, how we practice, how they focus on individual work; I’ve seen it, and I’ve seen my old teammates [and] how they’ve succeeded in this environment, which is why I wanted to come back.”
Aarnisalo averaged 21 minutes per game as a freshman and 27 as a sophomore. She stands a good chance of receiving even more playing time.
New faces, same goal
Former Texas Christian guard Donovyn Hunter is among the new players on the UCLA roster.
(Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)
The Bruins will look starkly different after essentially exchanging six WNBA-ready players for five enticing transfers.
Those newcomers are Texas Christian guard Donovyn Hunter, Iowa State forward Addy Brown, Arkansas guard Bonnie Deas, Notre Dame guard KK Bransford and Aarnisalo.
“These girls are obviously really talented, come from really different programs,” Betts said. “It takes a second to adjust to Coach Cori’s rhythm, and her offense, and just how she runs practice and games. But I think they’re doing a great job integrating in, and they’re all just great human beings off the court and on the court. So, I’m really excited for this group.”
Close acknowledged she has been very busy. She had to retool the roster while simultaneously celebrating the previous one.
“I’m not complaining, but it has been a great challenge and an incredible, intense thing,” Close said. “I mean, literally, the minute after the UCLA women embrace new players, tougher standards in bid to repeat as champs game, we are on the phone with recruits from the locker room, and the next day, the transfer portal opens. So, I mean, this has been nonstop.”
UCLA’s first test is north of the border
The Bruins will face Canada’s women’s national team in an exhibition next Wednesday in Victoria, British Columbia.
While UCLA is far from a polished product, facing Canada’s best is, if anything, a great opportunity to gain even more exposure and improve team chemistry.
“We’re trying to get better. We’re trying to get more physical,” Aarnisalo said. “So we’re going to be in better shape when the actual game starts and the season starts. So it’s an everyday process.”
Timea Gardiner trending upward
Bruins forward Timea Gardiner is expected to play in Canada after missing last season as a medical redshirt because of a knee injury.
Gardiner, who transferred to UCLA in 2024 after two years at Oregon State, averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 18 minutes per game in her first season with the Bruins.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A lot of history has a chance to be made when it comes to the MLB MVP awards this season.
Let’s check out the odds for the AL and NL MVP race at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 16.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
American League MVP
Yordan Alvarez: -165 (bet $10 to win $16.06 total)
Junior Caminero: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
Bobby Witt Jr.: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Ben Rice: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Nick Kurtz: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Julio Rodriguez: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Shea Langeliers: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
What to know: We’re going to have a new AL MVP. Two-time defending AL MVP Aaron Judge has not played since May due to injury. His three MVP awards are tied with a host of MLB legends for the third-most all-time, including Yankee icons Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra. However, he’ll have to wait to get his fourth, according to the current odds. The name atop the board is Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, who is leading the AL in home runs (31), hits (111), RBIs (70), on-base percentage (.426), slugging percentage (.633) and OPS (1.059). He is also second in the league in batting average (.318).
National League MVP
Shohei Ohtani: -1500 (bet $10 to win $10.67 total)
Pete Crow-Armstrong: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
Kyle Schwarber: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
James Wood: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Juan Soto: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Corbin Carroll: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Otto Lopez: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
What to know: It appears Ohtani is gonna do this thing again, mostly because of his combination of pitching and hitting. At the plate, he’s third in the NL in OBP (.403), third in OPS (.952), fifth in home runs (22) and fifth in slugging (.549). And on the mound, he’s 8-2 in 14 starts with a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 95 strikeouts. Yeesh. Last season, Ohtani won back-to-back NL MVP awards for the first time since Albert Pujols did it in 2008 and 2009. He also won the AL MVP in 2023, making him the first player in MLB history to win MVP back-to-back in each league. This year, if Ohtani is to win NL MVP, he will make a dent in Barry Bonds’ record of four straight MVP wins (2001-2004). All four of Ohtani’s MVP wins have been unanimous, with him receiving all 30 first-place votes. He has the second-most MVPs in history, trailing only Bonds’ seven.
-
Colorado3 minutes agoThree-quarters of Coloradans are worried they can’t afford to live here, poll finds
-
Connecticut9 minutes agoLove Food Names the Best Place for Ramen in Connecticut
-
Delaware15 minutes agoFamily of Kadir Skinner to sue Wilmington over police killing
-
Florida21 minutes agoFlorida TODAY: Homes get expensive, license to blush, fuzzy invader
-
Georgia27 minutes agoGeorgia Youth Symphony Orchestra Announces Expanded Artistic Leadership Team for 2026–2027 Season
-
Hawaii33 minutes agoTraffic fatalities in Hawaii ticked up after Memorial Day – The Garden Island
-
Idaho39 minutes agoChina Landslide
-
Illinois45 minutes agoHillsboro grad, Springfield golfer Alex Eickhoff 2nd at state amateur
