Tyler Skaggs Angels Wanted to Play Tuesday ... To Honor Pitcher

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5:05 PM PT -- The Rangers honored Skaggs with his jersey number painted on the pitcher's mound for Tuesday night's game ... and a moment of silence was held before first pitch.

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The players are also paying tribute to Skaggs with #45 patches on their jerseys.

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The Los Angeles Angels players and manager had a team discussion and agreed to play the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night because they felt it's what Tyler Skaggs would have wanted.

Angels manager Brad Ausmus along with General Manager Billy Eppler, owner Arte Moreno and president John Carpino addressed the media Tuesday in a very emotional press conference to reflect on the 27-year-old pitcher who died Monday afternoon.

Ausmus and Eppler fought back tears as they explained what Skaggs meant to the team -- a beloved teammate, friend and family man.

Team officials said they still have no idea about what led to Skaggs' sudden death -- they're waiting on information from the medical examiner.

The Angels -- along with the Rangers and MLB -- agreed to postpone Monday's scheduled game in the wake of Tyler's death. But, Ausmus said the team met on Tuesday and decided to get back to action.

Ausmus and Eppler explained that playing baseball can help the players take their minds off of the sadness and give them a "refuge" from the tragedy.

Ausmus noted he doesn't think sitting in a hotel room would do the players any good.

Several Angels players attended the press conference -- including Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. They all sat quietly in the corner as Ausmus, Eppler and Moreno talked about Skaggs.

As we previously reported, Skaggs was found unconscious in his Texas hotel room where the team was staying around 2:20 PM on Monday ... and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

There's been a lot of speculation about how Skaggs died -- but so far, officials have not released a cause of death.

The Medical Examiner has said there were no obvious signs of suicide or foul play. An autopsy was conducted Tuesday morning but no word on the results. Toxicology results could take 4 to 6 weeks to come back.

Skaggs had just pitched 2 days before his death -- logging 5 strikeouts in 4.5 innings against the Oakland A's.

Skaggs had been having a standout 2019 season ... posting 7 wins and 78 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched.

Originally Published -- 2:22 PM PT

Jason Momoa Aquaman Needs a Vacation!!!

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Jason Momoa looks super chill as he lounges poolside in Italy ... proof even Aquaman needs some time away for a little R&R. 

As you can see from his bulging biceps ... Jason still has his superhero bod in full swing after playing the king of the sea on the big screen ... and he's taking some time off in Venice following a busy weekend in France. 

Jason and his wife, Lisa Bonet, have been on some family business in Europe, travelling overseas for the wedding of his stepdaughter, Zoe Kravitz.

Now that his family obligations are over, looks like Jason is slipping into full vacation mode ... and in true Aquaman fashion, he's never far from water.

'Mountain of Hell' Bike Race Massive Crash ... Insane Video!!!

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HELL OF A CRASH

Terrifying crash during the annual "Mountain of Hell" bike race in France ... where chain reaction pileup sent bikes and bodies flying EVERYWHERE -- and it was all caught on video. 

Miraculously, nobody was seriously hurt in the wreck ... but good lord, this is insane. 

It all went down at the Les Deux Alpes ski resort -- where roughly 1,000 cyclists with a death wish race down an 11,000-foot glacier in snow covered terrain ... first to the bottom wins. 

But, things went awry right out of the starting gate ... when one biker toward the front of the pack lost control, sending other cyclists crashing into each other. 

One guy actually started ROLLING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN!!!

Some of the riders dusted themselves off and got back on their bikes. Again, somehow no one was seriously injured, according to reports. 

Props to the winner Kilian Bron ... who got to the finish line so fast, there were barely any fans waiting for him!!!

Keanu Reeves & Alex Winter Phone Booth Reunion ... Bill & Ted are Back!!!

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It's happening -- the Wyld Stallyns are back together, and from the looks of things ... more time-traveling hijinks are imminent.

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are together again -- 30 years after the release of "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" -- onset Tuesday in New Orleans. The most bodacious duo are filming the long-awaited third installment of the franchise, following the 1991 sequel, "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey."

In case you aren't familiar ... Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Winter) and Theodore Logan III (Reeves) travel through time via phone booth in the first movie to gather famous historical figures for a class project.

It seems the dudes will be utilizing the phone booth in 'Bill & Ted 3' as well, and some new people from the past -- looks like Gandhi and Sacagawea -- will be joining them.

Still unclear what the plot holds for the Wyld Stallyns -- their rock band -- this time around ... but we're ready to rock with Keanu and Alex.

Jussie Smollett Walked Past Osundairos Before 'Attack' ... Yet There Was NO Violence

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JUSSIE WITH THE BROTHERS
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10:46 AM PT -- Jussie's camp says the new footage is edited together and doesn't have a time stamp. They point out at no time do you see them on camera passing each other.

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THE FULL CUT
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However, here's the longer, unedited footage from the loading dock -- it shows what appears to be the brothers walk by, and after 27 seconds ... Jussie strolls by from the other direction on the same sidewalk.

Jussie Smollett and the Osundairo brothers had multiple close encounters -- all caught on camera -- BEFORE the alleged attack went down, but the outcome of those encounters is puzzling.

The video -- first found by Matt Finn of Fox News -- shows the icy street near Jussie's apartment building sometime in the hour prior to the 2 AM attack on January 29. First, the brothers are seen walking side-by-side down the street. At one point they pass under a street light and you can see one of them wearing a red hat. 

A short while later, Jussie is seen walking in the opposite direction, North, on the same block heading in the direction of the Subway restaurant. For some reason, he's walking down the middle of the street, and not on the sidewalk.

There is no one else seen on the street at all.    

There's also a video captured in a loading dock that shows the brothers walking past, and then 25 seconds later ... Jussie walks past the same loading dock, but again he's heading in the opposite direction. With no one else on the street ... it's virtually impossible the 3 men didn't see each other.

What's strange is ... if Abel and Ola Osundairo intended to legitimately attack Jussie, they had at least 2 opportunities prior to 2 AM. Why would they wait and wander the streets on a night when the temperature was around hovering at or just above zero??

The Osundairo's attorney told Fox News the brothers had arrived early, and the video shows them milling around killing time before the hoax attack was allegedly planned to happen

BTW, the red hat one of the brothers was wearing is significant because they were seen on surveillance video one day earlier, buying items for the alleged attack ... and those items included a red colored hat. 

Originally Published 9:03 AM PT 

Ron Goldman Sister Posts Emotional Letter 'Would've Turned 51 Today'

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"Happy Birthday to my big brother" ... 

That's how Kim Goldman began her letter to her late bro, Ron Goldman, on Tuesday -- while reflecting on his life 25 years after his death. 

"You would have turned 51 today - just insane to think about all of the years lost, absolutely breaks my heart," Kim wrote in a note posted on social media. 

Of course, Ron was brutally murdered on June 12, 1994 ... when he was only 25 years old. 

At the time of his death, Ron was working as a waiter at the Mezzaluna Trattoria restaurant in Brentwood and had gone to Nicole Brown Simpson's condo to return a pair of sunglasses that had been left at the eatery earlier that day. 

While at Nicole's home, Ron and Nicole were ambushed by a knife-wielding scumbag who killed both of them. 

Kim Goldman says she's still trying to focus on the good times she shared with her big brother.

"The what-if's torture my spirit, so instead I will focus on your smile, your zest for life, your kindness, the memories of us growing up, our talks, our laughs, our tears."

"I will focus on the tremendous adoration and respect I have for you and I will hold on dearly to the memory of what your hugs felt like, cuz I sure could use one."

She ended her letter, "All the love in the world, xo Squirt."

RIP

A$AP Rocky New Video Shows He Played Peacemaker in Sweden Brawl

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LET'S MAKE PEACE

A$AP Rocky tried his best to calm things down moments before he and his crew got into a crazy brawl with a guy who ended up getting battered and bloodied.

New video shows the rapper wanted no trouble with a guy who kept following him over the weekend in Stockholm, Sweden. The video starts with A$AP's massive bodyguard telling the guy to take a hike, but the guy didn't listen. He kept harassing A$AP's group, and eventually used his headphones to swing on the bodyguard. You can hear them shatter on the bodyguard's head. 

Check out the vid ... you can see Rocky put his left hand over the guy's shoulder and tell him, "Listen, listen. We don't wanna fight y'all. We don't wanna go to jail." At one point, Rocky also looks into the camera and says "We don't want no problems with these boys. They keep following us. Look at them." 

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BRUTALLY BEATEN

As you know by now ... A$AP's patience ran out. TMZ posted the video of Rocky and co. pummeling the guy. When the dust settled, Rocky and his crew were long gone and the guy was knocked out on the ground.

Law enforcement sources told us they're looking into the incident and reviewing video. 

A$AP himself posted the latest video, as it seems to show his squad was not aggressive ... and actually tried multiple times to keep the peace.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Politics Aside Today ... I'm Watching World Cup Action!!!

Published

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is taking a break from her jam-packed schedule ... to root on the U.S. Women's Soccer team in their HUGE game against England.

Sources close to AOC tell TMZ ... she plans to get in front of a TV at 3 PM ET as the USWNT takes the pitch in the World Cup semifinals.

Obviously, the NY Representative will be cheering for a big victory, and we're told AOC's also following through on her recent invite to Megan Rapinoe and her fellow soccer stars to visit the House of Representatives when the World Cup's over ... win or lose.

Our sources say her team's contacting reps for USWNT today to set it up, officially. We're told the invitation includes a trip to the nation's capital to meet with AOC and House leadership.

The team will also get a full tour of the Capitol Building, including the House Chamber, and get a rundown on the history of the landmark.

As we reported, Rapinoe made it VERY clear she will not visit Donald Trump at the White House if the U.S. wins. The president responded by saying "Megan should WIN first before she TALKS!" ... adding that she "should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team."

Trump did extend an invite to the team, though ... also win or lose. It has yet to be accepted.

Of course, Rapinoe responded to the criticism by scoring TWO goals in the quarterfinal game against France, and AOC tweeted out a House invite to Megan and the team afterward.

Rapinoe responded, "Consider it done."

Millie Bobby Brown Screw the 'Stranger' Boys I'm BFFs w/ Brad & Angie's Kids!!!

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Welcome to the Upside Down -- where Millie Bobby Brown is apparently great pals with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's kids all of a sudden.

The "Stranger Things" star was spotted Monday hanging out in L.A. with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and Zahara Jolie-Pitt -- two of Brad and Angie's kids who are about the same age as MB ... early teens. We're told they were grabbing lunch at Mel's Diner. 

Millie certainly seems friendly with both of them -- holding hands with Zahara, and with an arm wrapped around Shiloh. They were all smiles too as they strolled around together.

We haven't seen the Jolie-Pitt kids much without one of their parents hanging off their hip -- it's usually Angie who's out with the children in public ... but this time, it looks like the kids are on their own (with at least one bodyguard close by, of course). 

As for Millie, she's befriended some super famous people in the biz since skyrocketing to fame as the star of the Netflix series -- everyone from Drake to Ariana Grande, as well as Aaron Paul and Maddie Ziegler, among others. She's kinda the It Girl of Hollywood.

Now, it appears the Jolie-Pitt family are getting their fair share of Eleven too, and the timing is nothing short of perfect. Season 3 drops this week ... it's supposed to be the best one yet.

Bust out the '80s music -- it's demogorgon season, kids. 

Nike's Betsy Ross Shoes Selling for $2,500 ... After Kaepernick Recall

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Here's a lesson in supply and demand ... 

After Nike recalled their special Betsy Ross Flag Air Max 1 USA sneakers, DEMAND EXPLODED ... with several leaked pairs selling for more than $2,000!!! 

The shoes were originally supposed to be released on June 29 with a $120 price tag -- but after Colin Kaepernick reached out to Nike to express concerns with the design, the Swoosh ordered retailers to pull the kicks and send them back to headquarters. 

The move almost immediately caused the shoe value to skyrocket with collectors because they essentially became a limited edition shoe ... with very few pairs getting through to consumers. 

We checked out the website StockX -- a super popular streetwear auction site -- and one pair of the Betsy Ross kicks sold for $2,501 ... a Size 8. 

A pair of Size 10.5s and a pair of Size 9s sold for $2,000 each. Another 10.5 sold for $1,750. A few pairs of Size 10s have sold in the $1,200 range.  

Another seller claims they have a pair of Size 10s and they're asking $6,974 -- but who knows if they'll actually get it.  

Before the news about Colin Kaepernick's involvement went public, the shoes had been reselling in the $250 range ... but the news about CK caused a massive shift and they're still on fire. 

As we previously reported, Colin went to Nike with concerns about the Betsy Ross 13-star design on the shoes ... a design that's recently been co-opted by several white nationalist groups. 

Nike ultimately felt Colin's point was valid and issued a recall. It's unclear exactly how many pairs slipped through and got to the public. 

Jussie Smollett's Camp Media Got It Wrong ... Here's Proof of Attack

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Jussie Smollett's camp is very upset over what they believe are untrue stories about what actually went down in January, when he says he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack.

Sources directly tied to Smollett say the media has mischaracterized a text he sent to Abel Osundairo 4 days before the incident, where he said, "Might need your help on the low. You around to meet up and talk face to face?"

Our sources say Smollett insists the texts had nothing to do with a fake attack. Instead, he says the text was referencing a herbal steroid that reduces belly fat that was illegal in the U.S. According to his camp, Smollett said he wanted Abel to buy the pills when he went to Nigeria. And they note, shortly after receiving the text, Abel googled "banned supplements" and "steroids" on his phone.

Our sources go on to say ... Jussie's camp is also upset about a phone call the actor made to Abel after the incident. They say the media made it look like Jussie and Abel were in an ongoing conspiracy to make the "attack" seem real. The sources say the call was to give Abel a heads up  detectives would be calling him to corroborate Jussie's timeline ... which includes a call Jussie made to Abel earlier in the evening to set up a training session the next day.

And, we're told Jussie's camp is especially upset at the Police Superintendent who claimed his wounds were self-inflicted, claiming Jussie didn't mention anything to the doorman as he entered his apartment building after the incident. Jussie's camp says the record is clear ... the doorman mentioned the cuts on his face, and Jussie responded, "I was just jumped."

The sources say ... Jussie's camp believes Abel's own words after the incident prove the attack was real. Abel texted him hours after the alleged attack, after it became public, "Bruh say it ain't true. I'm praying for speedy recovery. S**t is wild. [prayer emoji]."

Also, the sources say Jussie's camp is upset the media jumped on his initial statement that his attackers were white. They point to a security guard at the nearby Sheraton hotel who saw the 2 alleged assailants running from the scene wearing ski masks. The guard flashed a light at one of them, saw his eyes and nose bridge and told cops the person was white. 

The camp says all of this is in police documents.

Chloe Grace Moretz Obsessed Fan Returns to Her House After Arrest!!!

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Chloe Grace Moretz's family got another unwelcome visit from the same exact guy who knocked on her door the day before -- and he did it right after walking out of jail.

According to law enforcement sources, the 18-year-old man who'd driven to Chloe's L.A.-area home Sunday night to hop the gate and knock on her door (only to get arrested shortly afterward) ... got hauled back to jail AGAIN just a few short hours after getting released.

We're told he got out of jail, the first time, at 5:36 PM ... and got rearrested at 8:45 PM Monday. 

TMZ broke the story ... cops discovered the guy sitting in his car outside of Chloe's crib after he'd just walked to the front door and asked her family if she was home. 

He was booked for misdemeanor trespassing at first -- but after Monday's second arrest, he's now facing felony stalking charges. 

We're told the dude pretty much did the same thing he did Sunday -- going to Chloe's place, hopping the gate and knocking on the door, asking for Chloe ... and getting the same treatment from people inside.

We're told this time officers found the man a couple blocks away from Chloe's house and picked him up on-site.

The obsessed fan is being held on a much higher bail this time around -- $150,000, up from $1,000. 

Colin Kaepernick Convinces Nike To Yank Betsy Ross Flag Shoe

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Colin Kaepernick apparently has a lot of influence over Nike ... because the quarterback-turned-activist convinced Nike to nix plans to sell a flag-themed sneaker Kap considered offensive. 

The sneaker giant was set to put a new colorway of its popular Air Max 1 sneaker on the market this week, featuring an old U.S. flag with 13 stars from the American Revolution ... but according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Nike pulled the shoe before it went on sale because Kaepernick complained. 

Nike even sent the sneakers to retailers, but then the company asked to have the merchandise back. 

Kaepernick, who is endorsed by Nike, reportedly reached out to The Swoosh with huge concerns after images of the shoe with the Betsy Ross flag started being posted online ... he thinks the imagery is offensive because of its connection to slavery.

We're told Kap also took issue with the fact that two prominent white nationalist groups -- including the Patriot movement -- use the flag as a symbol for their group. 

Kap was not alone in his criticism, tons of users on social media reacted to the imagery with similar concerns. 

The OG Betsy Ross flag was created back in 1792, and its 13 white stars represent the 13 original colonies. 

Slim 400 Target of Attack by Masked Gunmen ... Drive-By AND Ambush

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Slim 400 got shot at by gunmen in a passing vehicle, but then the masked attackers hopped out to try to finish the job ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the rapper tell us ... Slim was on the phone with his Ice Watar label business partner, Mud Dollaz, Friday night in Compton when the shooting occurred. 

We're told Mud called Slim to check in because he was waiting for him at the studio, and the last thing he heard the rapper say was "oh sh*t."

After that, our sources say Dollaz heard a series of gunshots for several seconds ... and then a female voice screaming for Slim to keep his head up, so he knew he'd been hit.

Eyewitnesses on the scene tell us the people who shot at the rapper drove by in a black vehicle spraying bullets, but then actually stopped and jumped out to shoot more at 400 before getting back in to drive away. We're told they were wearing masks.

Our sources say Slim frequently hangs out with friends on the particular block where he was shot.

We broke the story ... Slim 400 was shot around 8:30 PM Friday night and suffered multiple gunshot wounds. We later learned he took 9 bullets to his body ... to his upper and lower back, his jaw and the top of his head. He's in stable condition following surgery, and miraculously -- is expected to make a full recovery in coming weeks.

We also spoke to Slim's friend, YG, at LAX Monday ... he confirmed the "Bruisin" rapper's on the up-and-up, and vowed to "stay dangerous" in face of the incident.

Angels Pitcher Tyler Skaggs 27-Year-Old Found Dead In Texas ... 'No Foul Play Suspected'

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7:30 PM PT -- Our police sources tell us at this time there are no signs of suicide.

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2:28 PM PT -- The Southlake Police Dept. in Texas says cops were called to the Hilton hotel at 2:18 PM about an "unconscious male in a room."

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The Southlake PD adds, "Officers arrived and found the male unresponsive and he was pronounced deceased at the scene."

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"At this time, no foul play is suspected. This investigation is ongoing and we will release pertinent information as it is available."

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs was found dead in Texas on Monday morning, the team has announced.

The 27-year-old had just pitched against the Oakland As on Saturday. The team is currently in Texas to play the Rangers.

Details surrounding his death are unclear. Major League Baseball has cancelled Monday night's game as a result.

The Angels issued a statement saying, "It is with great sorrow that we report Tyler Skaggs passed away earlier today in Texas."

"Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time."

Phillies superstar Bryce Harper has shared his condolences ... saying, "By far the nastiest prep arm I ever faced. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler's family! Gone too soon!"

Cleveland Indians ace Trevor Bauer added ... "We came up together. We won together. We laughed and celebrated together. Today, we all lose and mourn together."

"Your memory, your love for life, everything that made you, you, will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew you. Rest In Peace brother. We love you."

Angels superstar Mike Trout spoke out about his teammate, saying "Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carli and their families."

"Remembering him as a great teammate, friend, and person who will forever remain in our hearts... we love you, 45."

Skaggs posted a picture with his teammates on Sunday after touching down in Texas for the Angels' series against the Rangers.

Skaggs was drafted by the Angels in the 1st round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he played until 2013. He later returned to the Angels where he's played ever since (he missed the 2015 season due to surgery).

Originally Published -- 2:00 PM PT

Irv Gotti Rap Ready to Accept Lil Nas X's Sexuality ... Who Cares He's Gay?!?

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NOTHIN' BUT SUPPORT

Lil Nas X is not going to be ostracized by the rap community simply for coming out ... at least according to record executive and producer Irv Gotti, who says times are a changin'.

We got the Murder Inc. Records honcho in New York City and ask him about the industry's reaction to the rapper announcing he's gay. Irv tells us it ain't that big of a deal ... not these days, anyway. 

As we first reported ... the 20-year-old "Old Town Road" sensation felt inspired to tell the world his truth Sunday night after performing in front of a MASSIVE crowd in England, going on social media on the last day of Pride month to announce he's gay. 

Irv, who's produced tons of hits for hip-hop titans over the past 25 years, says it would've been much harder for Lil Nas X to come out back in the day ... but now, it's not too shocking.

Check out our clip ... Irv explains why rap is finally ready to embrace Nas for who he is.