Aaron Judge Homers, Yankees Beat Twins 5-2

Aaron Judge continues his pursuit of history and putting the Yankees on his back while he’s at it. 

Judge crushed his 54th home run of the season, a two-run shot that broke a tie game in the sixth inning and lifted the Yankees to a 5-2 win over the Twins at the Stadium. 

It was the third straight game in which Judge has homered — the third time he has done so this season — inching him closer to Roger Maris’ franchise — and American League — record of 61 set in 1961. Judge’s 54th homer came in the Yankees’ 135th game of the season after Maris had 53 through 135 games in 1961. 

As usual, Judge had no reaction to getting closer to Maris’ mark. 

“It’s just not important to me,” he said after adding a double and a walk. “What’s important to me is winning. Winning this division first off and putting our team in a good position going into the postseason. It’s not all about me, no matter what happens. If I go 0-for-4 or 4-for-4, it’s not about me. One guy can’t win or lose you a ballgame.” 

Alabama Gives Nick Saban Huge New Contract

Nick Saban will once again become the highest-paid coach in college football after the approval of a new contract with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Alabama board of trustees compensation approved a new, eight-year, $93.6 million contract for Saban, 70, which will include an average salary of $11.7 million over the length of the deal.

Saban will make $10.7 million during the 2022 college football season and $12.7 million in 2029, the final year of the reported deal.

The seven-time national champion coach was previously set to be paid $9.9 million in 2022 as part of a three-year extension agreement made ahead of the 2021 season, which was set to run through the 2028 season.

Saban’s previous contract had been surpassed by Georgia head coach Kirby Smart — his longtime former defensive coordinator — who received a new 10-year contract with the Bulldogs, which included a $10.25 million salary in 2022 and an average value of $11.25 million.

Leon Edwards Defies Expectations With UFC 278 Title Victory

Leon Edwards dropped Kamaru Usman with a kick to the head and neck in the final minute of the fifth round to win the welterweight championship at UFC 278 on Saturday night.

Usman appeared to be seconds away from a 16th consecutive victory, which would have tied an all-time UFC record, before Edwards came up with the stunning finish just in time. He delivered the knockout blow with 56 seconds left in the bout.

“That crosshead kick landed perfectly,” Edwards said.

Edwards (20-3) is undefeated dating back to his previous bout with Usman in 2015. The British fighter rose to No. 2 in the welterweight division while accumulating nine wins in that stretch ahead of the title bout.

Usman (20-2) lived up to his reputation as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world for much of the bout. The Nigerian weathered a late first-round takedown and turned the tables with a late second-round takedown. Usman controlled position throughout the third round, earning two more takedowns, and led 39-37 on the judges’ scorecards after four rounds. He appeared on his way to a win by unanimous decision before Edwards rallied in the final round.

“The octagon belongs to nobody,” Edwards said. “No man is meant to hold the belt for that long. I said all week I felt like this was my moment. This is how it was meant to play out.”