Congressman Eric Burlison used TMZ D.C.'s Jacobfor batting practice while talkin' about "The Show" outside the Capitol, savagely trolling the Dodgers!
Burlison, who reps Missouri in the House, was choppin' it up with the TMZ guys in the nation's capital on Thursday ... when a friendly convo turned into a heated baseball debate.
Charlie Cotton asked Burlison what he did to relax, offering up a softball ... only for him to send back a four-seamer, high and tight.
Dianna Russini was in "clear violation" of The Athletic's newsroom standards because of her relationship with Mike Vrabel ... an internal investigation found.
The Athletic's editorial director, Mike Semel, published the findings Thursday, saying ... "Russini's relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic's standards. Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed."
Semel went through 903 videos, 77 videos, 204 episodes of her "Scoop City" podcast -- he also interviewed her coworkers and listened to her off-platform appearances and interviews -- and says he didn't find "a clear link" that shows Russini used her position to give Vrabel a leg up.
Semel write ... "That said, there are examplesof Russini writing glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable."
Kroy Biermann Jr. is asking a judge to release him from jail on bond as his criminal case proceeds ... arguing he's no flight risk and his stellar academic and athletic record is evidence of his good character.
Lawyers for Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's son filed documents requesting his release in a Georgia court Wednesday afternoon ... insisting he is a good kid and there's no danger of him fleeing.
The attorney points out Kroy Jr. is "a high school student in good standing who has demonstrated strong academic achievement" and is also receiving scholarships for his athletic prowess.
Alphonso Smith Jr. appeared to be in good spirits just days before his death ... knocking repeatedly on a door while offering to buy a family breakfast.
In a video posted to the late athlete's Facebook, Alphonso can be heard telling the family he was going to buy them whatever they wanted for breakfast ... even continuing to holler from outside as he looked for "#3."
Alphonso captioned the post, “Oh nothing, JUST TRYING to see what #3 & his family want for BREAKFAST THIS MORNING...” -- offering a glimpse into his final days before his death.
Aryna Sabalenka -- the world's No. 1 women's tennis player -- is kicking ass on and off the U.S. Open courts ... blasting a reporter for asking what she views as a ridiculous question about NYC parties.
Sabalenka talked to the media Wednesday night after beating Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the third round ... and one journalist dared to ask about her mood at the tournament after she was seen partying last week. Wrong move, pal, 'cause Sabalenka lost it.
Like a calm before the storm ... Sabalenka sighs, shakes her head, rolls her eyes and then lit into him, saying, “You guys are, like, a joke. Parties, fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that?"
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She went on ... "Just because I posted some, like, activities with brands and you think I've been partying, not training?
The New Level -- Kofi and Austin Creed -- made their debut Sunday night at AEW All In, and the team is already high on their new boss ... Tony Khan.
Kofi -- formerly known as Kofi Kingston -- and Austin Creed -- formerly known as Xavier Woods -- joined the TMZ “Inside the Ring” podcast to discuss their new home ... after spending more than a decade in WWE.
The 12-time tag team champions made their shocking debut at Wembley Stadium alongside Swerve Strickland ... and the trio immediately captured the AEW World Trios Championships.
“There’s a lot of things in there that are very wrestler-friendly ... in terms of being able to go out and do what it is that you want to do, there’s not really a lot of restrictions,” the duo told us.
Women of the Bay Area, listen up ... if you're considering (allegedly) giving money to any self-proclaimed 49ers, run it by E-40 first!
That's the official word from 40 Water himself, who pulled up to the TMZ offices this week to chop it up with Babcock, who asked the legendary Bay Area rapper about Daejon Love, the most talked-about story in sports.
"If he don't know Water, if he don't know 40 Water, and he claims 49er, if I ain't never heard of him or met him, he's not a Niner," 40 said.
Alphonso Smith Jr. -- a former NFL player and standout cornerback at Wake Forest University -- has died ... TMZ Sports has learned.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Sports ... the former cornerback died by suicide on Wednesday at a housing community in Florida.
Alphonso's final Facebook post highlighted his unstable emotional state before his death.
In the post, Alphonso wrote, "Do not cry for me! I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME! I did not want to be that WAY! I know I have disappointed so many folks. This is a DEMON in me! But not only me! It’s EVERYONE! I have HURT so many! I needed help & did not get it!"
The NBA just unloaded on the Los Angeles Clippers, snatching five first-round draft picks, fining them $30 million, and suspending owner Steve Ballmer for an entire season!
The stiff punishment was all part of the league's investigation into whether superstar Kawhi Leonard circumvented the NBA's salary cap rules ... as a way to get compensation that wasn't on the books.
"The NBA announced today that the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard have been penalized for violating the salary cap circumvention rules contained in the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)," the league said.
Tiger Woods' plea deal may put a crimp in his game, because the judge may have made golf carts off-limits for the next 5 years.
As we reported, Tiger struck a plea deal in his DUI case, pleading no contest to reckless driving and refusing to take a urine test. The deal included Tiger pledging not to drive a motor vehicle for the next 5 years.
And the judge fired off this warning to Tiger in court ... "There are no exceptions. If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would go immediately back to jail."
Tua Tagovailoa doesn't have a burner account, despite a strange comment sparking rumors that he's gassing himself up ... so says his wife, who's taking responsibility for the gaffe.
Here's the deal ... on Tuesday, photos were posted to Tua's account showing the quarterback in his new Atlanta Falcons duds -- captioned, "For the A 🫡."
Travis Kelce is dishing out all the details of the most talked about wedding of the year, and reveals comedian Adam Sandler got ordained just for the magical night, saying he wouldn't have it any other way.
The KC Chiefs star relished on about his and Taylor Swift's star-studded wedding on Wednesday's episode of his "New Heights" podcast -- saying the highlight of the night was the Sandman stepping up to the plate ... something him and Taylor wanted specifically.
Check the clip ... TK sings Adam's praises, while expressing how grateful he is for how much the comedian has supported the famed couple throughout their relationship ... and that giving the performance of a lifetime on the night meant the world to them.
Celina Powell has been permanently banned from Hard Rock Stadium after she was kicked out of Friday night's Miami Dolphins game ... TMZ has learned.
Witnesses tell TMZ ... Celina became confrontational with stadium security after being asked to move her feet from a wall in front of her seat while watching the Dolphins' game against the Atlanta Falcons. We're told she responded, "Shut the f*** up talking to me."
The witnesses tell us sheriff’s deputies then showed up and assisted stadium security in removing her for disorderly conduct.
5:41 AM PT --Tiger Woods pled guilty to reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test. The golfer will have his driver's license suspended for 5 years, and he will have to pay a $1000 fine.
The judge warned Tiger that if he drove on his suspended license, he could go back to jail.
Tiger Woods is back in court to change his plea in his DUI case ... and TMZ is streaming live as it unfolds Wednesday morning.
Tiger arrived to court with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump.
The golf legend is scheduled to appear at 8:30 AM ET in Martin County, Florida, for a change-of-plea hearing stemming from his March rollover crash near his Jupiter Island home.
Woods previously pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of DUI with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test. It's not yet clear what plea he plans to enter Wednesday -- or whether he's reached a deal with prosecutors.
Paul Pierce was ordered to pay his baby mama, Princess Santiago, monthly child support for their son … but it was a far cry from what she was asking him to pay ... TMZ has learned.
According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, Paul was ordered to pay his ex $8,508 per month for his son, King Rafael Santiago Pierce. The judge did note the order is temporary, and the court still has the authority to change the child support amount as the case proceeds.
In addition, Paul will have to cough up $100K for his ex’s legal fees in the case ... and another $10K for her to retain a forensic accountant.
Novak Djokovic puked on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, cramped up, cried, and lost a grueling 5-set match just two days ago ... so, when we saw the tennis GOAT out in NYC, we asked the obvious question -- how are ya feeling?!
"Better. Bit better. A bit better," the 39-year-old tennis legend told TMZ Sports out in the Big Apple on Tuesday ... less than 48 hours after he battled illness during the 4-hour, 36-minute marathon against unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone.
It was the first time Djokovic lost in the opening round of the U.S. Open ... but it wasn't as simple as him playing bad tennis.
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Novak was sick -- he vomited multiple times during the match.
