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Who needs Tom Brady ... when you got Justin Verlander!!

Donald Trump just gushed about his friendship with a World Series champ during the Houston Astros visit to the White House ... while also dropping some humble brags about himself (duh).

"So, I know Justin. Justin's a friend of mine," Trump said while noting they play golf together.

"I'm a pretty long hitter," Trump bragged ... "[but] this guy, he is a monster!"

"And he said he's a -2 or a -3 handicap, but believe me, he's much better than that. He's about a +2 or +3. but we love playing and it was really great."

Trump also had some words for Jose Altuve ("you're taller than I thought!") and World Series MVP George Springer before reminding everyone he also played in high school!

He also assured the team the country's doing "fantastically well" under his leadership.

One of the passengers who died on that helicopter that crashed into NYC's East River captured the aircraft's takeoff and posted it moments before they went down.

Trevor Cadigan (closest to camera) was recording video as the Eurocopter AS350 lifted off from a New Jersey heliport. Trevor, and others onboard, smiled and gave a thumbs-up to the camera. Tragically, their flight only lasted 11 minutes.

As we reported, the chopper crashed Sunday and slammed down into the river, killing all 5 passengers. The pilot, Richard Vance, was the only survivor.

Vance told investigators a passenger's bag might have hit an emergency fuel shut-off button, causing the chopper to lose power and eventually crash. The NTSB is investigating.

Justin Verlander and his Houston Astros teammates arrived in D.C. to visit President Trump at the White House ... just weeks after Trump and the Golden State Warriors turned each other down.

TMZ Sports just spotted Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel and World Series MVP George Springer -- along with a bunch of other players -- walking up to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave ... with the trophy being carried in right behind!

Visiting the White House has become a polarizing issue with pro athletes. Tom Brady skipped the White House last year after a falling out with President Trump.

Just a few weeks ago, several members of the Philadelphia Eagles -- including Chris Long and Malcolm Jenkins -- said they would NOT visit the White House to celebrate the Super Bowl because they don't agree with Trump's politics.

Of course, the Warriors spoke out strongly against Trump and decided as a team to boycott Trump's White House. Trump rescinded their invite as well.

Makes sense ... guess we didn't think about it before -- but Tom Brady just said his 3 kids don't live in the same city ... his oldest boy lives about 215 miles away with his mom, Bridget Moynahan.

Brady was talking about his family during an interview with "Good Morning America" when Michael Strahan asked if his kids understood how big of a deal he is.

That's when Brady said his oldest son -- 10-year-old Jack -- is starting to get it because he lives in New York around a bunch of Giants and Jets fans.

Brady then said his other two kids -- 5-year-old Vivian and 8-year-old Benny -- live in Boston with him and Gisele.

Of course, Jack is Brady's son with his ex-GF, Bridget Moynahan -- and she's based out of New York these days. Judging from Brady's comments, it sounds like he primarily lives with her and goes to school in NY.

Hubert de Givenchy -- the legendary fashion designer to celebs like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy -- has died at his home near Paris.

Givenchy died in his sleep Saturday night, according to his longtime partner, designer Philippe Venet.

Hepburn famously wore Givenchy's designs in several of her movies, including "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Sabrina" -- and she went on to become an ambassador for his brand.

Jackie, Iman, Candice Swanepoel and even Cam Newton rocked G's threads over the years.

He might not brag about this one, but Lindsay Lohan famously wore Givenchy back in 2012 ... during one of her many, many, many court appearances.

Givenchy founded his design house in 1952, and it's now owned by the luxury fashion company LVMH. He was 91.

Here's Akon having more fun hooping than any of us ever will -- holding court with a SQUAD of hot chicks in bikinis and heels!!!

From the jump, you can tell Akon's not playin' ... showing off some serious lift as he posterizes his opponent in a green bikini thong. Nice D, young lady.

Not sure if that rim's regulation -- but either way, seems like the video vixens were impressed with the popstar's ups.

In case you're wondering why this went down -- the woman who shot the video, ATL-based casting director Lala Means, says "the girls thought they could beat Akon on the court."

Martin Shkreli's gonna be separated from his $2 million Wu-Tang album for at least 7 years ... that's how long he's going away to prison.

A judge sentenced the former pharmaceuticals exec to federal prison Friday morning in his securities fraud case. Shkreli will also have to pay $7.4 million in restitution to the victims of his fraud. That also means the legendary "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" album might be gone when he gets out of prison.

The feds have said they will seize Shkreli's property to cover the restitution if he can't cough up the cash.

Shkreli was emotional in court, sobbing while he addressed the court and saying ... "I'm here because of my gross, stupid negligent mistakes." The judge handed him a box of tissues in the middle of the hearing.

Big difference from the guy who boasted online about having the only copy of the Wu-Tang album, and also that he a leaked copy of Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter V" record.

Ex-NFL star Mark Gastineau broke down and cried live on the radio when describing the toll football has taken on his mind and body ... and he's begging Roger Goodell for help.

He can't remember names. He can barely get out of bed. His mind wanders to dark thoughts in the middle of the night ... and he opened up about everything on "WOR Sports Zone with Pete McCarthy."

"I'll tell you Pete, it's not good," Gastineau said about his daily struggle ... "When I'm laying in bed until 3, 4 or 5 ... it's not good."

The 61-year-old -- a 5-time Pro Bowler during his 10-year career -- says it breaks his heart that he needs his wife to take care of him. He can't enjoy life the same way he used to.

Gastineau has previously said he was diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease -- and points the finger at football.

Imagine seeing the massive fist of a 7-foot-1-inch giant coming at your face ... then imagine having the cojones to throw a punch right back!!

Kobe Bryant gave a blow-by-blow of his very first physical altercation with Shaq on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Thursday night ... revealing the Big Aristotle was the first to throw hands.

Black Mamba says the 2 Laker legends duked it out after trash talking throughout a scrimmage during the 1998 NBA lockout.

"I must've been the craziest 19-year-old in the world to fight this guy ... at that point, you just gotta say look man, you're either gonna beat the hell outta me, but you're gonna know that I'm not gonna back down."

Colin Firth and his wife admit she used to bang the guy they're now accusing of stalking them. Stuff that in Bridget Jones' diary!

The Oscar winner and his wife, Livia Giuggioli, a movie producer, released a statement saying she was "involved with" an Italian journalist named Marco Brancaccia ... who is also friends with the couple. Or, at least, he was.

Colin and Livia say her affair went down back in 2015, when she and Colin had temporarily separated.

The other man, Brancaccia, claims Livia intended to leave Colin for him -- and he has messages, photos and videos to prove it -- but she got cold feet.

OKC Thunder star Steven Adams knocked his teammate OUT COLD in a game last night ... but they weren't fighting -- Adams was literally standing still!

The bizarre play went down at the Chesapeake Energy Arena ... when Thunder rookie Terrance Ferguson tried to stay with his man on D.

Unfortunately, standing in his way was 7 feet, 255 pounds of chiseled Jason Momoa-looking muscle (Adams) ... and Ferguson's svelte 6'7'', 184-pound frame couldn't handle the business.

The 2 collided heads -- and DOWN WENT FERGY. Adams was totally fine, BTW.

Steven, being the good dude that he is, quickly got the rook some medical attention ... and it looks like Terrance is gonna be OK outside of a possible concussion.

Barack and Michelle Obama are reportedly saying screw politics and are joining an increasingly popular trend -- getting their own show on Netflix!

The 44th President and former First Lady are in talks with the streaming service to "produce a series of high-profile shows" and provide exclusive content on a global level ... according to the NY Times.

The focus of the shows will apparently be on highlighting inspirational stories, but there are other ideas as well. One is having Barack moderate conversations about topics that dominated his time in the White House ... like health care and climate change.

The terms of the deal are reportedly in advanced stages, but one thing seems clear -- the Obamas' content will not be used to bash President Trump or their critics.

Welp, that didn't take long -- Conor McGregor just fired back at 50 Cent for claiming black people have "superior genes" ... saying the rap star should pull out his old-man boobs to celebrate women's day.

"Get your tits out for the lads, ladies," McGregor said in a social media rant ... which he attached to a picture of a shirtless 50.

"I am made of granite. You need a bra."

Conor also told 50 to "f**k off" ... 'cause he's a 50-year-old fool (he's actually 42) who needs to stay in his lane.

Surprisingly, Conor also worked in a semi-compliment with his shots -- saying they still bump his old hits in Ireland ... and claiming he rocked out to one before UFC 205.

Since every NFL team is afraid to put him on a roster, Colin Kaepernick used his spare time to take in a movie -- as a VIP guest at a NYC screening of "A Wrinkle in Time."

Kaep -- rockin' his trademark fro and black leather jacket -- and his girlfriend, Nessa, showed up to the Walter Reade Theater for the special Oprah Magazine screening of the flick, which stars Oprah.

The QB chopped it up with Gayle King on the red carpet -- and seemed to be all smiles.

Turns out, Kaep was invited by 'Wrinkle' director Ava DuVernay -- and thanked her with a special Twitter message after the flick.

Harrison Ford is honoring his pal, Mark Hamill, but he also has their beloved co-star Carrie Fisher on the mind.

Han Solo came out to support Luke Skywalker -- sans the Millennium Falcon this time -- as Hamill finally got his well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "Star Wars" creator George Lucas was there too, so definitely a strong presence for the Force.

The most bittersweet moment of the ceremony came when Harrison took a moment to shout out Carrie.

Aly Raisman is steppin' up for causes that hit close to home on women's day -- and she's lookin' damn good doin' it.

The Team USA star -- who took Larry Nassar to task at his sexual assault trial -- just debuted a "survivor" swimsuit by Aerie ... a women's clothing brand dedicated to body positivity.

But Aly says the super-scoop 1-piece was designed with an even greater purpose in mind -- to raise awareness for all the kids victimized by sexual abuse ... just like her and the hundreds of gymnasts who Nassar targeted.

100% of the cash spent on the suits is going to Darkness to Light ... an organization "empowering adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child's sexual abuse."

FYI, Raisman sued the U.S. Olympic Committee last week over the "serial molestation, sexual abuse and harassment" she suffered at the hands of Nassar ... and she's been actively campaigning to make sure an atrocity like the Nassar scandal never happens again.

Respect.