An MLB fan threw 96 MPH. He's now under contract - USA TODAY

Evan Hilbert USA TODAY

Published 7:24 AM EDT Aug 4, 2019

(ARGUING ABOUT) COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK!

OK, we tease this every week, but it's August, and there are football games in August, so we busted out the Amway Coaches Poll last week. Don't freak out, but Clemson is No. 1. Alabama is No. 2. We know; WILD stuff. As George Schroeder writes, college football is being dominated by a handful of programs. And Paul Myerberg explains how, exactly, Clemson became Clemson. Here's a detailed breakdown of every Top 25 team's outlook. And since coaches don't know everything, these teams are overrated and these teams got snubbed. 

FAN THROWS GAS. GETS MLB CONTRACT. 

So Nathan Patterson and his brother, Christian, were at a Rockies game in July, "just chillin," as Christian wrote on Twitter, when Nathan, 23, tried the speed-pitch challenge. Christian got video as Nathan lit up the radar gun, hitting 96 mph. The A's saw the video and boom: Nathan Patterson signed a contract with Oakland on Thursday. Nathan even got a shout-out from another flamethrower: Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks.

30-SECOND TIMEOUT

• These scientists are reaaaaaallllly close to solving the 'juiced' baseball problem in MLB.
• What will Tom Brady do in retirement? He has no idea.
• A prep baseball player in Iowa is taking over the record books.
• The legend of Baker Mayfield grows.  
• Boxing champ 'Fat Andy' Ruiz is planning to be 'Not As Fat Andy' Ruiz.
• Another one of baseball's unwritten rules was broken again. When will baseball players learn?!
• Remember when we were 16 and won video-game contests and made $3 million? No? Oh, that's not normal? It is for Bugha!
• Megan Rapinoe sees no point in meeting with President Trump.
• Get bit by a shark, go to the hospital a bar.
• Le'Veon Bell is sorry fantasy owners drafted him last season.
• Ex-Ohio State assistant told Urban Meyer that Alabama offered him a job. Nick Saban says WRONG!
• FINALLY! An ill-advised tattoo pays off!
• Re-watch the longest home runs of the StatCast era.
• The Blue Jays' Randal Grichuk hit a foul ball. OFF HIS FACE.
• A 10-year-old was standing on a minor-league baseball field for Harry Potter Night last weekend. Then he was hit with a bullet.

EVERYONE BUT HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

Well, the MLB trade deadline came and went, and there was very little action ... is what we were saying late Wednesday before the Astros pulled off a blockbuster deal to land Zack Greinke. Simultaneously, the Cubs got a power bat from the Tigers. And the Mets decided, "hey, let's not give up on this season." Trevor Bauer, the very good but very ... um ... enigmatic (?) pitcher, hurled a baseball in anger over the center field fence. Then he was traded. Then, after he was traded, he went to an Indians game. So, yeah, enigmatic.

Here's much, much, much more from the trade deadline:

• Non-contenders made deals.
• This year's trade deadline was different. Here's why.
• Winners (Astros) and losers (Yankees and Red Sox).
• Best World Series bets.
• Often, trades include prospects you've never heard of. Here are some to watch.
• The Giants were rumored to be sellers. They did not sell.
• Best players who weren't dealt.
• Every trade completed.
• One of the Astros' pick-ups helped the team combine on a no-hitter Saturday.

FIGURE SKATING WORLD ROCKED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION

Ashley Wagner, an Olympic medalist and the most successful U.S. female skater of her era, shared the story of her sexual assault in a powerful first-person account for USA TODAY Sports. Wagner describes the assault, which happened in 2008, and explains why she didn't come forward sooner. Our Nancy Armour explained why women wait to come forward with sexual assault allegations. Here's what has happened since the stories were published, including a response from U.S. Figure Skating.

BASEBALL FIGHT!

The Reds and Pirates don't like each other. This is no secret. For the second time this season, the two teams had a benches-clearing brawl. This one was set off by Amir Garrett, who appeared interested in fighting the entire city of Pittsburgh. A bunch of players were suspended, including Yasiel Puig, who isn't even part of the Reds anymore. Come to think of it, and our Chris Bumbaca did, why was Yasiel Puig even in the game? At the time of the brawl, reports were already circulating that Puig had been dealt.

BEST OF THE REST

• How a bunt led to two runs. (Hint: Lots of errors.)
• Did you really think the Warriors would just give up the West? Not so fast, my friend.
• Ryan Lochte opens up about alcohol rehab and his return to the pool.
• Vinny Testaverde's son, Vincent Testaverde, which is for some reason funny to say, has signed with the Bucs.
• Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose: NFL has a thing for quarterbacks from state of Texas.
• Who's the best shooter in Indiana? Larry Bird? Probably. But it may be these two 63-year-olds.
• Ever eaten deer heart?
• This 42-year-old father of three will probably dominate this season. AGAIN.
• Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury wants you to know he DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THIS.
• 413 seems like a lot of chicken wings to eat.
• LeBron James was criticized for being too fame-hungry. Or something.
• Meet, perhaps, the fittest man on earth.
• Zion Williamson can throw a football really, really far.
• The only thing you have to do to get into LeBron James' post-ESPYS party is say you're a member of the USWNT, apparently.
• Carmelo Anthony isn't done playing in the NBA, according to Carmelo Anthony.
• If nothing else, Redskins rookie QB Dwayne Haskins is confident.
• For the Win's Charles Curtis tried his hand at announcing a horse race. It didn't go great!
• Charles Barkley isn't a fan of Trump. Or Republicans. Or Democrats.
• A Raiders legend died Saturday at 71.  
• Eli Manning thinks his arm is stronger than ever. He better hope so, because Daniel Jones is earning some high praise.
• Andrew Luck believes his shoulder injury saved his marriage.
• Jerry Jones doesn't seem super worried about re-signing Ezekiel Elliott.
• Who's next for the Pro Football Hall of Fame from the modern era? And which legends might finally be getting their due? 

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2019/08/04/love-game-s-top-25-and-mlb-fan-gets-deal/1861980001/

2019-08-04 11:15:00Z
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