December Sports Highlights
Photo: Media from Wix
Aaron Judge Re-Signs with Yankees
The MLB free agency period began and among the top targets was superstar outfielder Aaron Judge, who blasted an AL record 62 home runs this past season. Judge, who wanted to be a “Yankee for life,” signed a 9-year deal worth $360 million to remain with the team.
While the Yankees were the favorites to keep Judge, the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres made late surges to sign Judge. The 30-year-old Judge was 221 home runs over 729 MLB games, all with the Yankees.
Speith, Thomas Defeat Woods, McIlroy in “The Match”
As the fall portion of the golf season ends, there is a break until the winter season begins, thus bringing “The Match,” where four top stars face off in teams of two. This year Justin Thomas and Jordan Speith battled Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. In all reality, it wasn’t much of a match, as Speith and Thomas won the 12-hole event, 3&2. Thomas and Speith looked on their game from the opening shot, while Woods was showing rust, having not played competitively since The Open Championship in July. The event was unique because it was the first played under the lights. The event raised money for victims of Hurricane Ian.
LeBron James Inches Closer to Scoring Record
In his 20th NBA season, LeBron James is getting closer to the all-time scoring record set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who retired with 38387 points in 1989. James would set the record on February 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks at his current pace. In addition, James is moving up the ranks in career assists, likely moving into the top five before the season ends. James is within reach of surpassing Clyde Drexler for ninth in career steals. James is regarded as one of the top two players in league history, along with Michael Jordan.
Steelers’ Legend Franco Harris Dies at Age 72
Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris, who ran for 12120 yards and four Super Bowl rings during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, passed away on December 20 at 72. Harris is also well known for “The Immaculate Reception,” in which he caught a last-second desperation pass from Terry Bradshaw on a deflection in the 197s playoffs against the Raiders. Harris ran the ball in for a touchdown to give the Steelers their first playoff win in franchise history. Harris played 12 seasons with the Steelers and one with the Seahawks and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.