Mark Teixeira announces congressional campaign in Texas. As a politician, he looks to be a conservative Republican. As a ballplayer, he hit 409 career HRs and helped the Yankees to the 2009 World Series title and hit .358 with the Angels in 2008. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Kyle Schwarber had a chance to become the first MLB player to hit five homers in a game. But he would have done so against a position player lobbing pitches. His infield pop up averted controversy. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

A pitcher the Dodgers have never scored a run against is out for the season. Could the injury to the Padres' Jason Adam tilt the pennant race? latimes.com/sports/story/2…

NBA is probing allegations that a tree-planting firm paid Kawhi Leonard $28 million over 4 years to evade the salary cap. Clippers strongly deny the claims, which were reported today on Pablo Torre's podcast. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

It's tough to defend brainstorm the NBA comes up with for its All-Star Game, mainly because nobody defends anything (remember the 211-186 score two years ago?). Another format will be tried this season, and here it is: latimes.com/sports/story/2…

2nd-day context: Kawhi Leonard payments put focus on NBA salary cap, which has increased in 40 years from $3.6MM to $140+MM. Circumventing it is a cardinal sin, and that's why the $28MM payment to Leonard by a fraudster firm is being investigated. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Aspiration Dome, anyone? Clippers came close to giving naming rights to the bankrupt firm at the center of Kawhi Leonard allegations (which owner Steve Ballmer denied in an interview). Intuit won out, and the team skirted certain embarrassment. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Another fight at SoFi. Woman in a JJ Watt Texans jersey ended up with a bloody face during the Rams opener. She was bickering with another woman, then a couple male Rams fans got involved. At least 4 people were escorted out. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Adam Silver establishes a high bar for lowering the boom on Steve Ballmer, saying the NBA needs clear evidence Clippers made a secret deal with Aspiration and Kawhi Leonard. The circumstantial stuff uncovered by Pablo Torre isn't enough on its own. latimes.com/sports/clipper…

Tom Brady, 48, will play flag football in Saudi Arabia. For one day. With Rob Gronkowski. And Saquon Barkley. And CeeDee Lamb. In March. Fanatics is involved. So is the NFL. So is PIV. So is Kevin Hart. Should be fun. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Appropriate use of a cringy cliche: Björn Borg BREAKS HIS SILENCE! . After 40 years! The symbol of stoicism and tennis excellence recounts his cocaine use, prostate cancer and recovery after abruptly retiring at age 26 in memoir 'Heartbeats' latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Mike Trout's 400th career home run ends up in his possession, but not before he has a catch with the fan who caught it. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Aaron Donald is remembered mostly as a Rams legend. Now Pitt will retire his No. 97 jersey latimes.com/sports/story/2…

The successor to Bob Costas as voice on TNT's MLB postseason games will be the same broadcaster who replaced LA Kings legend Bob Miller in 2017. Yes, Alex Faust has experience replacing a titan of the airwaves. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Dodger Stadium will be full Sunday even though the team is in Seattle. LA Card Show will bring together vendors, traders and just plain fans. Plus, Kershaw's last start will be broadcast on DodgerVision. Fun day. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Training camp begins tomorrow for the Clippers as the the NBA investigation into whether they circumvented the salary cap pertaining to payments to Kawhi Leonard is underway. Here's the latest. latimes.com/sports/story/2…

In first public comments since NBA announced investigation, Clippers pres of BB ops Lawrence Frank said owner Steve Ballmer is "one of best, most honorable people I’ve met. He constantly reminds us to stay on the right side of the rules."

More from Lawrence Frank on the NBA probe: "The accusations made against us are serious and they don’t line up with my experience, my reality.... We are eager for the whole truth, the whole picture to be revealed. We are confident in what it will show."

‘Conspiracy theories’: Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard denies that his endorsement deal was cheating latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Alice and Bubba, hawks trained to keep other birds away from SoFi Stadium, stolen during Rams game latimes.com/sports/story/2…