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Former Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos returns to Tampa with new team

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Steven Stamkos has received a warm welcome in his return to Tampa Bay with the Nashville Predators. Stamkos spent his first 16 NHL seasons with the Lightning before signing a $32 million, four-year contract with the Predators in free agency. The 34-year-old Stamkos was honored at the first media timeout in his return to Amalie Arena. The Lightning showed a 90-second video featuring highlights from Stamkos’ career, including lifting the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021. Stamkos then took a lap around the ice, waving his stick in recognition of the standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 19,092.

News Sports

Ohtani hits grand slam in 9th inning, becomes fastest player in MLB history to join 40-40 club

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning for his 40th homer after earlier stealing his 40th base, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. The Japanese superstar became the fastest player in major league history and sixth ever to reach 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in a season. He’s also the first Dodger to do so. He broke the mark of Alfonso Soriano set in Game 148 for the Washington Nationals in 2006. Ohtani did it in his 126th game and the team’s 129th. In the fourth, Ohtani reached on an infield single leading off against Tyler Alexander and stole second during Freddie Freeman’s at-bat.