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Minor league baseball team beat 46 others to secure complete makeover by HBO late

The affiliate team of MLB’s Detroit Tigers, the Erie SeaWolves, will undergo a dramatic transformation after winning a competition launched by HBO late-night host John Oliver 12:25 ET, 19 May 2025 John Oliver will give the Erie SeaWolves a complete makeover(Image: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images) In minor league baseball, the Erie SeaWolves beat 46 […]

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Minor league baseball team beat 46 others to secure complete makeover by HBO late

The affiliate team of MLB’s Detroit Tigers, the Erie SeaWolves, will undergo a dramatic transformation after winning a competition launched by HBO late-night host John Oliver

12:25 ET, 19 May 2025

John Oliver will give the Erie SeaWolves a complete makeover
John Oliver will give the Erie SeaWolves a complete makeover(Image: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images)

In minor league baseball, the Erie SeaWolves beat 46 other teams to a complete makeover by HBO’s late-night host John Oliver.

Oliver, the host of ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,’ chose the SeaWolves – the Detroit Tigers‘ Double-A affiliate team – to receive a complete rebrand, including the name of the mascot, with the TV personality promising to use “all of our resources and stupidity” to make the team stand out in minor league baseball.

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The Tigers use the SeaWolves to develop talent and it’s working thus far with the MLB franchise top of the AL Central despite missing out on free agent Alex Bregman. The Tigers also have a pitching superstar in Tarik Skubal, who has lifted their spirits.

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“They wrote to us with a list of 11 good reasons to pick them, one of which was ‘The SeaWolves play baseball nowhere the sea,'” Oliver said. “Which yeah, that’s a problem, Erie, we can help you fix that. So congratulations to the SeaWolves, you’re about to be called something else.”

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The SeaWolves will have no input in rebranding as per Oliver’s conditions on the initial proposal. Oliver set out the conditions that the chosen team can’t ask them any questions, you can’t give any notes, and you must do whatever ideas are put forward.

The contract has been sent to the SeaWolves, and all that’s left to do is put pen to paper. “You will take what we have, and you will like it,” Oliver said. “And I promise this is going to be great,” Oliver added.

On the field, the SeaWolves – 25-14 record – scored three ninth-inning runs to beat Richmond 7-4 and clinch a series win. Max Anderson scored a double against Richmond starter Jack Choate. It was a game that saw Anderson extend his hitting streak to 11 games.

The SeaWolves beat out 46 other teams to win Oliver's competition
The SeaWolves beat out 46 other teams to win Oliver’s competition(Image: Getty Images)

Former SeaWolves manager Andrew Graham also returned to the franchise for a second stint after leaving in 2018. Graham’s main aim is developing players to jump up to the Tigers roster.

“Yeah, it’s good to be back. I mean, obviously, it’s been seven years since I’ve managed here,” Graham said earlier this year. “A lot of things have changed in the organization. Number one rated organization, right? So we’ve got a lot of work to do, going for the three-peat.

“Gabe Alvarez set the standards really high here. He’s got a good group of guys returning, so we’re ready to try to bring a three-peat to it and just keep playing and developing these guys up to the Detroit Tigers. You mentioned the number one ranking and the championships.”

The SeaWolves are the development team for the Detroit Tigers
The SeaWolves are the development team for the Detroit Tigers(Image: Getty)
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“I mean, I’ve been lucky enough to be with the Tigers now for a long time, and the culture has changed. When we walk onto the fields, we now know that we are the number one organization,” he continued.

“We believed it beforehand, but we have that number. So now we’ve got to start as like it’s a new slate and keep moving forward. We can’t be content and sit there.

“We have to keep moving, developing these guys. You know, the Detroit Tigers team, they’re all young guys who’ve come through the system for the most part, and that’s a lot of credit to the whole play development in the organization. So we’ve got to continue to develop these guys and hopefully win some games while we do that.”

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Croatia star Bojan Bogdanovic announces retirement

The official Women’s EuroBasket app Download Now ZAGREB (Croatia) – Bojan Bogdanovic has announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 36. Having made his senior team debut in 2010, he represented Croatia on the international level at two FIBA Basketball World Cups and five FIBA EuroBasket tournaments, as well as playing at the […]

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June 30, 2025

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The official Women’s EuroBasket app

ZAGREB (Croatia) – Bojan Bogdanovic has announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 36.

Having made his senior team debut in 2010, he represented Croatia on the international level at two FIBA Basketball World Cups and five FIBA EuroBasket tournaments, as well as playing at the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament in 2016.

“

Above all, I had the honor of wearing the Croatian crest on my chest.

Bojan Bogdanovic

He was named to the FIBA EuroBasket 2013 All-Star Five, having led Croatia to the Semi-Finals of the competition.

During his NBA career, he played for the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and, most recently, New York Knicks.

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic through the years

Bojan Bogdanovic shared the following message on his social media channels:

Sometimes in life, you don’t choose the moment. The moment chooses you.

After 14 months of battling a foot injury, two surgeries, and countless efforts to get back on the court, the time has come to close a chapter.

After more than two decades in the game, the moment has arrived to say goodbye to basketball. Not just as a sport, but as a part of who I am.

It’s hard to put into words everything this game has given me. It shaped me as an athlete, but even more as a person.

From my childhood in Mostar and my early steps in football and water polo, this journey has been anything but ordinary.

I’ve had the privilege of playing for clubs that left their mark on both European and NBA basketball.

From Mostar and Zrinjski, to Real Madrid and Murcia, then to Cibona and Fenerbahçe, I wore every jersey with pride.

The NBA brought a whole new level of challenge and experience. I had the honor of wearing the jerseys of the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons and finally the New York Knicks.

Every stop left a mark. Every jersey carried its own weight.

Above all, I had the honor of wearing the Croatian crest on my chest.

Playing for the national team was never just a responsibility. It was pride, emotion and identity.

Representing my country from youth levels all the way to the senior team was the greatest honor of my career.

Thank you to all the coaches, teammates, medical staff, fans and clubs who were part of this journey in any way.

A special thank you to my family. You were the foundation through every high and every doubt.

I’m closing this chapter, but my love for the game remains.

I didn’t reach the end. I’ve reached the other side of the beginning…

FIBA



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Vermillion County-based volleyball team wins national championship in Florida

A Vermillion County volleyball team is national champions. Stateline Pride, an AAU 17 program, traveled down to Florida, and took home first place. “Those girls are a tremendous group of girls that made history for Vermillion County and really just themselves,” said head coach Emily Franklin. Despite being in Orlando, Florida, this was a business […]

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A Vermillion County volleyball team is national champions.

Stateline Pride, an AAU 17 program, traveled down to Florida, and took home first place.

“Those girls are a tremendous group of girls that made history for Vermillion County and really just themselves,” said head coach Emily Franklin.

Despite being in Orlando, Florida, this was a business trip for the volleyball program.

“The girls do long hours in the gym, even if they’re in the afternoon wave, they will only probably get a little bit of time out in the sun before they got to come in and they got to get rest and get acclimated to the gym and preparing,” said Franklin.

The team was loaded with talent.

Franklin said, “We had three all Americans named which is a big accomplishment for nationals in your volleyball career, and those would be Gwendolyn Bennett, she’s from Westville, Illinois. Madeline Doggett, she’s from Westville, Illinois, and Reese McFarland was the tournament MVP.”

But the talent isn’t top heavy — it’s loaded top to bottom.

And they could be even better next season if there’s retention.

“I hope all of them return. They’re all 17 or younger. We have a couple 16 year olds on the team,” said Franklin. “

“You know, when an NFL team wins a Super Bowl, they say, ‘We’re going to Disney World!” I said. “Is that going to happen for your volleyball team?”

Coach said, “I think maybe some families are doing it, but I think some of the other families are deciding to either travel back or just relax, because it is a lot to commit to, and so I appreciate all the family’s commitment as well.”



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Agadir Police Arrest Two Interpol-Flagged British Men for Homicide, Parole Violations

Police in Agadir, in coordination with the Territorial Surveillance Agency (DGST), arrested two British nationals, on Saturday in the city’s Anza district on international arrest warrants issued by UK authorities, a security source reported. After verifying the Interpol database, police found that one of the men was wanted for suspected involvement in a homicide. The […]

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June 30, 2025

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Police in Agadir, in coordination with the Territorial Surveillance Agency (DGST), arrested two British nationals, on Saturday in the city’s Anza district on international arrest warrants issued by UK authorities, a security source reported.

After verifying the Interpol database, police found that one of the men was wanted for suspected involvement in a homicide.

The second suspect was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice for allegedly failing to appear in court and violating parole conditions.

The Interpol Bureau in Rabat notified the relevant UK authorities of their detention before initiating extradition procedures.

 



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Collage-Volleyball.jpeg | APG State News

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Grace Ann represented Mississippi grandly at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama.  

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Grace Ann represented Mississippi grandly at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama. She was named a Top 8 finalist and won preliminary awards in Self-Expression and Interview. The entire state of Mississippi is incredibly proud of Grace Ann, as she continues to accomplish great things representing the state. Click […]

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MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Grace Ann represented Mississippi grandly at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama.

She was named a Top 8 finalist and won preliminary awards in Self-Expression and Interview.

The entire state of Mississippi is incredibly proud of Grace Ann, as she continues to accomplish great things representing the state.

Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter!

Copyright 2025 WTOK. All rights reserved.



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Changing the Minor Leagues

Major League Baseball clubs cumulatively sign around 1,000 international amateur players each year, mainly from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Most of them face significant economic challenges during their Minor League careers, except for those who receive larger signing bonuses — a very small percentage. That’s why many players turn to hedge funds or similar […]

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Changing the Minor Leagues

Major League Baseball clubs cumulatively sign around 1,000 international amateur players each year, mainly from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Most of them face significant economic challenges during their Minor League careers, except for those who receive larger signing bonuses — a very small percentage.

That’s why many players turn to hedge funds or similar companies to secure funding that helps them invest in building their careers and pursuing their dreams. It’s not a loan — if the player doesn’t make it to the majors, they don’t owe anything. But in some cases, the outcome can be problematic, which is why Fernando Tatis Jr. recently sued one of these companies. That controversy also inspired Rob Connolly to launch Finlete.

«T«This is something that can help every minor league baseball player,» said Connolly to El Emergente during an interview last week in Boston. «And it generates more interest in the minor leagues.»

Finlete is an online platform where fans can invest in the careers of Minor League players. It works like GoFundMe, where you can contribute money — but in this case, fans receive a percentage of the players’ future earnings, if they make it to the majors.

«It’s a platform that we built that allows athletes to raise capital from fans in exchange for a percentage of future earnings,» Connolly added. «It’s incredible that fans have accepted this, that they want to participate. The athletes are really excited about our platform.»

Before founding Finlete, Connolly tried to create a platform where fans could meet their favorite baseball players, but that idea didn’t succeed. One day, he was reading an article about the challenges Minor League players face with hedge funds, and he decided to create a platform that could help them.

He flew to the Dominican Republic to visit several baseball academies and to better understand the market and the challenges players face.

«This will really help you instead of having to work valet or struggle during the offseason, or help your mom or dad with their situation back at home,» said Connolly. «This will alleviate stress for you.»

Connolly has already recruited five players, led by Boston Red Sox prospect Jhostynxon García, along with Padres prospect Tirso Ornelas, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, Cardinals prospect Leonardo Bernal, and Marlins prospect Echedry Vargas.

How Finlete is changing the game for Minor League players and their fans

Some things have changed in the Minor Leagues in recent years. The MLBPA was approved by the players to represent them, and they now receive free housing and several other benefits through a new collective bargaining agreement — but being a Minor Leaguer is still challenging.

Fans who want to get involved with Finlete receive additional benefits. They get calls or videos from the players they support, and depending on the investment, there are meet-and-greet opportunities.

«One good thing about us is that we are just the platform,» said Connolly to El Emergente. «If the athlete breaches the contract, it’s not just Finlete that suffers – it’s all the fans that invested in his career. That would just be PR suicide. He would be a villain forever. That’s a major advantage we have over the hedge funds.»

Finlete explains everything through their website, where you can understand how much the investor will get in every scenario, depending on the investment and the player’s future earnings.

«We wanted to find a way to make it so that somebody could invest as much as they would spend on a premium baseball card,» said Connolly. «The investment goes to help him while he is in the minors, and if he makes it to the majors, the fan-investor will share in the success.»

But the investors could get a little bit more as they can meet the players. Emmanuel Clase recently went on a fishing trip with some of his fans that helped him.

«It just creates a deeper connection between the player and the fan,» said Connolly. «Just having the opportunity to follow them and be a real part of their journey.»

READ MORE:How Jhostynxon García became a cult hero with a name no one can spell

Photo: MLB.com

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