Robert Kraft, the six-time Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots owner considered a favorite for the 2025 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has been passed over again by the Hall's contributor committee, sources told ESPN.

Instead, the nine-member committee, which each year advances one name for consideration by all 50 Hall voters, chose Ralph Hay, a co-founder of the National Football League and the owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918 to 1922, five sources with knowledge of the decision told ESPN this week.

The contributor committee's decision was made Nov. 12 and is expected to be announced by the Hall of Fame next month. Hay, along with one coaching candidate and three candidates from an earlier NFL era whose names still have not been revealed, will be considered by the full selection committee for the Hall in January 2025.

In response to questions from ESPN, the Hall of Fame released a statement Thursday, saying the names of all the finalists will be "announced jointly in early December, once all committees have held their selection meetings."

The Patriots' longtime spokesperson, Stacey James, declined to comment when reached by ESPN.

This year marks the 13th year that Kraft, now 83, was considered by a Hall committee but failed to advance out of committee. Eighty percent of the voters must approve the nominated finalists for induction into the Hall in Canton, Ohio.

Several voters told ESPN they were surprised that the committee did not make Kraft a finalist this year. After the Hall split the coaches and contributors into separate categories, some voters said they believed Kraft had an easier path to induction.

"It's a huge surprise," said one source, who insisted on anonymity. "And it's very disappointing. Unless you are an NFL historian, you don't know who Ralph Hay is."

Hay is considered the founding father of the NFL. In 1920, he organized the first meeting of teams that became the American Professional Football Association, the precursor to the NFL. Historians say without Hay, there might not have been an NFL.

Kraft has had 13 opportunities for Canton, while Hay was passed over since the Hall was founded in 1963. In fact, he has never been a finalist until this year. In 2020, after the Hall convened a specially selected group of voters to choose a centennial class marking the NFL's 100th anniversary, voters picked three contributors for induction.

Hay was not among them.

One source who was angry about Hay's selection over Kraft said, "Hay didn't believe players should be paid. He sold the team after only four years. I don't know how he is seen as more deserving than Bob Kraft."

Although Hay does not have a bronze bust in Canton, a Hall of Fame honor is named after him. Established in 1972, the Ralph Hay Pioneer award is given to people who have made "significant and innovative contributions to professional football." Fernando Von Rossum, a Spanish-language NFL announcer, received the award in August.

In 1972, Hall of Fame coach George Halas hailed Hay, saying "he was a pioneer in Canton ... and dreamed of bigger, better things in the form of a major league ... I emphatically recommend that Ralph Hay be voted into our Pro Football Hall of Fame and be honored just as have others who have followed him as players or owners."

In September, ESPN reported on the long campaign Kraft's supporters have waged on his behalf to get a bronze bust in Canton. Supporters of Kraft say he is long overdue to be inducted. The lifelong Patriots fan bought the team in 1994 and quickly turned it into one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. He hired Bill Belichick as coach in 2000 and oversaw the Patriots' six Super Bowl-winning seasons from 2001 to 2018.

"There's no box that Robert Kraft doesn't check to get into the Hall of Fame," Hall of Famer Bill Polian, an ardent Kraft supporter, told ESPN earlier this year.

Beginning in 2012, an aggressive campaign for Kraft was helmed by James, who pushed his boss's candidacy in numerous ways, including sending the bestselling 2018 pro-Kraft book, "The Dynasty," authored by Jeff Benedict, to Hall of Fame voters. One voter said he received the book two years in a row.

Several sources said that James did not lobby for Kraft this year.

In the past decade, three owners have been inducted. Eddie J. DeBartolo, the former San Francisco 49ers owner was inducted in 2016 despite losing his team in 2000 because of his connection to an extortion case. Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager, was inducted in August 2017. And Pat Bowlen, the late Denver Broncos owner, was inducted the following year.

In mid-October, the Hall of Fame announced the 25 contributors up for Hall of Fame consideration. Besides Kraft and Hay, the other contributors who were considered include Art Modell, the former Cleveland Browns owner; Bud Adams, who founded the Houston Oilers and later moved the franchise to Tennessee; and Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey.

From television, three people behind the success of "Monday Night Football" were among the 25 nominees considered, including legendary broadcaster Howard Cosell and Roone Arledge, the ABC executive who produced the games that lifted the NFL's popularity in the 1970s.

Five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300 recruiting rankings, has flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan, he confirmed on social media Thursday.

Underwood announced the news with a video posted to Instagram with the caption "Hometown Hero."

Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder from Belleville, Michigan, is the top pocket passer in the class. With his flip, he becomes the highest-rated offensive commit in Michigan program history and the top prospect in Sherrone Moore's inaugural recruiting class, which currently sits at No. 14 in ESPN's team rankings for the 2025 cycle.

YES SIR ! #GoBlue The Best players in Michigan go to Michigan ! #ProcessoverPrize25

Sherrone Moore (@Coach_SMoore) November 21, 2024

Underwood's move comes as the latest piece of seismic quarterback movement atop the 2025 class ahead of the start of the early signing period Dec. 4. Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis decommitted from USC on Nov. 17 and subsequently pledged to Colorado earlier Thursday.

Committed to LSU since Jan. 6, Underwood remained the crown jewel of Brian Kelly's 2025 class over the past 10 months. Yet Michigan remained in contact with Underwood throughout his senior season at Belleville High School -- situated less than 30 minutes from Michigan Stadium.

The Wolverines intensified their pursuit of Underwood over the past two months, with sources telling ESPN that the program stepped up with a competitive NIL package. The Oct. 30 decommitment of four-star quarterback commit Carter Smith (No. 155 in the ESPN 300) from the Wolverines heightened the buzz around a potential flip by Underwood.

Michigan secures a potentially program-defining quarterback and one of the most significant pledges in program history less than 12 months after Moore replaced Jim Harbaugh after the Wolverines claimed the 2023 national championship.

If Underwood signs with the Wolverines on Dec. 4, he will be the first No. 1 recruit to join Michigan since the program inked defensive tackle Rashan Gary in 2016.

Underwood also would join Gary and defensive backs Jabrill Peppers (2014 class) and Dax Hill (2019) as the only five-star prospects to land in Ann Arbor since 2006, per ESPN rankings.

He will mark the Wolverines' highest-ranked quarterback pledge since Michigan landed Ryan Mallett (No. 12) in the class of 2007.

Whether Underwood is prepared to take over as the starter in 2025, his commitment brings critical stability to the quarterback position in Ann Arbor as Moore closes a turbulent first season.

Michigan has struggled to identify a replacement for national title-winning quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2024, bouncing between Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle across a 5-5 start this fall. Warren and Orji hold eligibility beyond this season, as does former 2024 four-star quarterback prospect Jadyn Davis.

Michigan also holds a commitment from four-star quarterback Brady Hart in the 2026 cycle.

A composed passer with speed to test opposing defenses in the open field, Underwood has spent the past four years as one of the nation's most coveted prospects, ranked ahead of top quarterbacks Lewis, Tavien St. Clair (Ohio State) and Keelon Russell (Alabama) in the 2025 ESPN 300.

Underwood burst onto the national scene in 2021, when he threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns in his freshman season at Belleville. He led the Tigers to back-to-back state titles in his first two seasons under center, then earned Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2023, when he completed 64.8% of his passes for 3,329 yards and 44 touchdowns while guiding Belleville to a third consecutive state title game appearance.

With only one regular-season loss since September 2021, Underwood and Belleville entered the state playoffs this month as favorites to claim the program's third state championship in four years.

CLEVELAND -- With temperatures near freezing level and snow swirling at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston went airborne on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line to give the Browns a double-digit lead early in the fourth quarter.

He later completed a two-point conversion attempt to tight end David Njoku, giving Cleveland an 18-6 lead.

TAKES IT HIMSELF#PITvsCLE on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/DaiDcUOc1H

Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 22, 2024

Earlier, almost 14 months after running back Nick Chubb was carted off a field in Pittsburgh after suffering a gruesome left knee injury, Chubb reached the end zone in his first game against the AFC North rival since the injury.

Chubb powered past the goal line for a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Browns a 7-3 lead with 4 minutes remaining in the first half. Earlier in the drive, Chubb extended the possession with a 5-yard run to the Steelers' 11 on fourth-and-1.

The score also marked Chubb's 50th career rushing touchdown. He becomes the third player in Browns history to run for at least 50 touchdowns, joining Jim Brown (106) and Leroy Kelly (74).

NICHOLAS!!!#PITvsCLE on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/2AtkW61Cy9

Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 22, 2024

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George has a bone bruise in his left knee, and the team said Thursday he will miss at least two games.

According to the 76ers, an MRI showed no structural damage in George's knee. He will miss a pair of home games -- Friday versus the Brooklyn Nets and Sunday against his former team, the LA Clippers -- and then will be reevaluated Monday.

George hurt the knee early in the second half of Wednesday night's 117-111 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and did not return. It was the same knee that George hyperextended in the preseason, forcing him to miss the first five games of the regular season.

The injury marked the latest setback for the Sixers, who had stars George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey together in the starting lineup for the first time in Memphis. Maxey was back in action after a six-game absence due to a hamstring injury.

George had just two points on 1-of-6 shooting with four rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes. Maxey also struggled from the floor, shooting 3-of-13 for eight points.

"Listen, it's certainly not easy," Sixers coach Nick Nurse said after the Grizzlies game. "Tyrese just getting back and didn't really have a feel tonight, and Paul going out. Certainly not easy ... but we didn't put enough together again for 48."

WASHINGTON -- Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, whose family is in the middle of selling its controlling stake in the franchise, said Thursday that not only does he continue to plan to run the team for the next three years, but he believes it could repeat as champions this season.

"It's underway. There's a lot of interest," Grousbeck said of the sale on a conference call with reporters after a ceremony with President Joe Biden on the White House's South Lawn to celebrate the team's record-setting 18th NBA championship. "That is one comment, I guess. I would like to limit it to that, but I would say that the plan is that I will stay [in charge] for three more years. That's what's laid out. We'll go from there.

"Having said that, I think I'd just rather talk about this team that we have in front of us, with us right now, that has the capacity to contend again. I think we're contenders this year, and we can be contenders in the future, and that's what I'm most excited about."

Grousbeck, who was making his second trip to the White House as an NBA champion, has been in charge of the Celtics since 2002.

In June, days after Boston won the title, the Celtics' ownership group -- Boston Basketball Partners, L.L.C. -- stunned the basketball world by announcing it would be selling the controlling stake in the franchise after more than two decades of stable ownership of one of the most iconic franchises in North American sports.

In that announcement, the ownership group said it expects to sell a majority interest in 2024 or early 2025, with the balance closing in 2028. It also said it expected Grousbeck "to remain as the Governor of the team until the second closing in 2028."

Boston is favored to repeat as NBA champions, and the Celtics will enter Friday's game here against the Wizards with a 12-3 record -- second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers (16-1).

But while Grousbeck made it clear he hopes to have more opportunities to celebrate championships with this group, he admitted Thursday was a special day. The celebration outside the White House featured hundreds of celebrants with ties to Massachusetts, including Gov. Maura Healey and Senator Ed Markey.

"This was a very exciting and moving day," Grousbeck said. "We had not been focused on [coming here]. We got through raising the banner, and opening night, and then it was all business, led by [Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla].

"Joe doesn't really want us to dwell too much on the past. He wants us to move forward. But, having said that, everybody here -- including Joe -- really seemed to have a great time."

That included guard Derrick White, part of a roster full of players -- outside of Jrue Holiday -- who hadn't experienced winning an NBA title before doing so with the Celtics.

"I didn't really know what to expect," White said. "I was kind of looking forward to it, and then I think, walking in, I was like, 'I'm a little bit more excited than I thought I was going to be.'

"I think it was just a lot of excitement just to be in the White House, and just all the decisions and stuff that goes on in there. We were able to go into the Oval Office, which was pretty cool. So being where all the big decisions are was the coolest part."

Among those excited to have the Celtics visiting was President Biden, who began his remarks by saying that his Secret Service name actually is "Celtic."

"I take special pride in this trophy," a smiling Biden said about the team's title.

Then, referring to Mazzulla becoming the youngest coach to win an NBA title since Bill Russell with the Celtics in the 1960s, Biden made a joke about his own turn from being one of the youngest people ever elected as a U.S. Senator to being the oldest president.

He eventually received a Celtics jersey from Jayson Tatum.

"Joe Biden was the youngest, and now he's the oldest," Biden said. "I liked being the youngest better."

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark, initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course.

The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo.

"This is a sad place. I'm really disappointed," council chair Deborah Figg-Sanders said. "We won't get there if we keep finding ways we can't."

The Rays say the lack of progress puts the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy.

"I can't say I'm confident about anything," Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members.

The Trop's translucent fiberglass roof was ripped to pieces on Oct. 9 when Hurricane Milton swept ashore just south of Tampa Bay. There was also significant water damage inside the ballpark, with a city estimate of the total repair costs pegged at $55.7 million.

The extensive repairs cannot be finished before the 2026 season, city documents show. The Rays made a deal with the Yankees to play next season at 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field, New York's spring training home across the bay in Tampa.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said MLB wants to give the Rays and Tampa-area politicians time to figure out a path forward given the disruption caused by the hurricane. Assuming Tropicana Field is repaired, the Rays are obligated to play there for three more seasons.

"We're committed to the fans in Tampa Bay," Manfred said at an owners meeting. "Given all that's happened in that market, we're focused on our franchise in Tampa Bay right now."

The initial vote Thursday was to get moving on the roof portion of the repair. Once that's done, crews could begin working on laying down a new baseball field, fixing damaged seating and office areas and a variety of electronic systems -- which would require another vote to approve money for the remaining restoration.

The subsequent vote reversing funding for the roof repair essentially means the city and the Rays must work on an alternative in the coming weeks so that Tropicana Field can possibly be ready for the 2026 season. The city is legally obligated to fix the roof.

"I'd like to pare it down and see exactly what we're obligated to do," council member John Muhammad said.

The city previously voted to spend $6.5 million to prevent further damage to the unroofed Trop. Several council members said before the vote on the $23.7 million to fix the roof that the city is contractually obligated to do so.

"I don't see a way out of it. We have a contract that's in place," council member Gina Driscoll said. "We're obligated to do it. We are going to fix the roof."

The council had voted 4-3 to approve the roof repair. Members who opposed it said there wasn't enough clarity on numerous issues, including how much would be covered by the ballpark's insurance and what amount might be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

They also noted that city residents who are struggling to repair their homes and businesses damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton are dismayed when they see so many taxpayer dollars going to baseball.

"Why are we looking to expend so much money right away when there is so much uncertainty?" council member Richie Floyd said.

The new Rays ballpark -- now likely to open in 2029, if at all -- is part of a larger urban renovation project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which refers to a predominantly Black neighborhood that was forced out to make way for construction of Tropicana Field and an interstate highway spur.

The broader $6.5 billion project would transform an 86-acre (34-hectare) tract in the city's downtown, with plans in the coming years for a Black history museum, affordable housing, a hotel, green space, entertainment venues, and office and retail space. There's the promise of thousands of jobs as well.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a prime mover behind the overall project, said it's not time to give up.

"We believe there is a path forward to success," the mayor said.

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge make up the pinnacle of their profession, baseball's two biggest stars representing its two most prestigious franchises. Their meeting in last month's World Series solidified it -- and their latest honor commemorated it.

Ohtani and Judge captured the Most Valuable Player awards in their respective leagues Thursday, both doing so unanimously. Ohtani won his third in four years, all of them coming by unanimous vote. Judge's second -- which comes two years after he edged Ohtani for the American League honor with a home-run-record-breaking season -- came on the heels of one of the best offensive performances in baseball history.

And yet the exploits of Judge's season somehow paled in comparison to what his National League counterpart accomplished over the past 12 months.

In that time, Ohtani signed an unprecedented $700 million contract, became the first 50/50 player in baseball history, helped his Los Angeles Dodgers defeat Judge's New York Yankees for the championship and ultimately became the first full-time designated hitter to win an MVP -- all while rehabbing a second major elbow surgery that prevented him from pitching.

"I'm very happy, obviously, to win the award," Ohtani, speaking through an interpreter, said on a conference call. "My goal was to be able to pitch and contribute offensively, and the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be able to pitch this season just made me focus more on my offensive game. Fortunately, I was able to produce and get this award, which is very humbling."

Ohtani became the 12th player to win three MVPs and the second to do so within his first seven seasons, joining Stan Musial, according to ESPN Research. Before Ohtani, Frank Robinson was the only player to win the award in both leagues (1961 NL, 1966 AL).

Ohtani led the NL in homers (54), RBIs (130) and OPS (1.036) while adding 59 stolen bases -- 33 more than his previous career high. His first season as a Dodger began with his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, being indicted for stealing millions from Ohtani in a betting scandal and ended in World Series victory, a fitting capstone to Ohtani's first trip to the playoffs. In between, Ohtani set the Dodgers' single-season record for home runs, stole more bases than any Japanese-born player in baseball history, became the first DH to lead his league in wins above replacement and joined Ty Cobb as the only player to finish within the top two in the majors in both homers and steals.

Before Ohtani, nobody had ever won multiple MVPs unanimously, let alone three.

"Obviously I moved to a new league and everything's been kind of a new experience," Ohtani said. "There's so many great players in the National League, obviously, and to be able to win the award unanimously is a great feeling. I'm very proud of that. Hopefully in the upcoming seasons I'll continue to be able to perform to this high level."

Judge and Ohtani each captured all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor finished second to Ohtani with 23 second-place votes, and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte finished third, earning five second-place votes. In the AL, Bobby Witt Jr., the Kansas City Royals' young superstar shortstop, received all 30 second-place votes. Juan Soto, the high-profile free agent who spent all season batting in front of Judge in the Bronx, finished third.

Judge led the majors in homers (58), RBIs (144), OPS (1.159) and FanGraphs wins above replacement (11.2) in a 2024 season that saw the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger spend most of his time in center field and lead the Yankees to a pennant. Judge's 223 adjusted OPS was the highest among right-handed hitters since 1900, according to ESPN Research. He became the third player with at least 50 homers and an adjusted OPS of 200 or more, joining Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds.

Judge is the seventh Yankee to win multiple MVPs, joining Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Alex Rodriguez and Roger Maris. Before Judge, Mantle's 1956 season was the only one in Yankees history to yield a unanimous MVP vote.

Since his first full season in 2017, when he was voted AL Rookie of the Year and finished second in MVP voting, Judge leads the majors in FanGraphs wins above replacement (51.4), weighted runs created plus (176), slugging percentage (.611) and home runs (311) despite sitting out significant time in three of those eight seasons. He broke the AL home run record in 2022, going deep 62 times, but he was better in practically every other offensive category in 2024, slashing .322/.458/.701 despite a brutal first month.

"March and April were not my friend this year," Judge, who did not take part in the standard BBWAA conference call, told MLB Network. "It's a long season. You're going to go through some ups, you're going to go through some downs. It's just about leaning on your teammates, your family and just putting in the work. I think that's what it comes down to -- just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can't mope. You can't feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York -- nobody's going to feel sorry for you."

Of Judge's 58 home runs in 2024, a whopping 23 gave his team the lead. But his season ended in bitter fashion, with Judge going 4-for-18 in the World Series and making a key error -- dropping a fly ball to help set up what became a five-run fifth inning -- in the decisive Game 5 on Oct. 30.

Six days later, Ohtani underwent surgery to repair a labrum tear in his left, non-throwing shoulder, the result of an injury he sustained on an attempted steal in Game 2 of the World Series. Ohtani has since removed the stitches from his surgically repaired shoulder and is focusing on range-of-motion exercises in the early stages of his ramp-up.

"The goal is to be ready for Opening Day. That includes hitting and pitching," Ohtani said. "But we are kind of taking our time, obviously. We want to make sure that I'm healthy first; we're not going to rush anything."

It wasn't until his fourth season in the big leagues that Ohtani emerged as a two-way force. He came over from Japan and made nine starts for the Los Angeles Angels before sustaining a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament that ultimately led to Tommy John surgery in 2018, restricting him to DH for most of his first two years. The 2021 season -- coming off a brutal showing in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season -- was the start of a historic three-year stretch in which Ohtani produced a .964 OPS with 124 homers and 57 stolen bases, and also a 2.84 ERA and 542 strikeouts in 428 innings.

A second UCL repair followed, preventing Ohtani from pitching beyond August 2023. It did not prevent another dream-like season. Ohtani dismissed outsized pressure, focused on becoming a better base stealer and produced some of the season's most memorable moments even before hoisting the World Series trophy. He hit a walk-off grand slam to join the 40/40 club and put together one of history's best single-game performances -- with three home runs, two steals and 10 RBIs in Miami on Sept. 19 -- to reach the 50/50 mark and solidify his first postseason berth.

Ohtani is unquestionably at the top of the sport.

Judge is up there, too.

"When I hear that, I think people are coming for the spot," Judge told MLB Network. "You got to keep putting in the work."

There are two MVPs in Major League Baseball each year -- one in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, the Baseball Writers' Association of America has voted for the MVPs at the end of the regular season and before the start of the postseason. The award began in 1911 as the Chalmers Award, honoring the "most important and useful player to the club and to the league." That award was discontinued in 1914. From 1922 to 1928 in the AL and from 1924 to 1929 in the NL, the League Award was presented to "the baseball player who is of the greatest all-around service to his club." Prior winners were not eligible to win the award again during that time.

In 2024, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees won MVP for the American League, while the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won the award for the National League. Here's a look at all-time AL and NL MVP award winners:

2024: Aaron Judge (AL), Shohei Ohtani (NL)

2023: Shohei Ohtani (AL), Ronald Acuna Jr. (NL)

2022: Aaron Judge (AL), Paul Goldschmidt (NL)

2021: Shohei Ohtani (AL), Bryce Harper (NL)

2020: Jose Abreu (AL), Freddie Freeman (NL)

2019: Mike Trout (AL), Cody Bellinger (NL)

2018: Mookie Betts (AL), Christian Yelich (NL)

2017: Jose Altuve (AL), Giancarlo Stanton (NL)

2016: Mike Trout (AL), Kris Bryant (NL)

2015: Josh Donaldson (AL), Bryce Harper (NL)

2014: Mike Trout (AL), Clayton Kershaw (NL)

2013: Miguel Cabrera (AL), Andrew McCutchen (NL)

2012: Miguel Cabrera (AL), Buster Posey (NL)

2011: Justin Verlander (AL), Ryan Braun (NL)

2010: Josh Hamilton (AL), Joey Votto (NL)

2009: Joe Mauer (AL), Albert Pujols (NL)

2008: Dustin Pedroia (AL), Albert Pujols (NL)

2007: Alex Rodriguez (AL), Jimmy Rollins (NL)

2006: Justin Morneau (AL), Ryan Howard (NL)

2005: Alex Rodriguez (AL), Albert Pujols (NL)

2004: Vladimir Guerrero (AL), Barry Bonds (NL)

2003: Alex Rodriguez (AL), Barry Bonds (NL)

2002: Miguel Tejada (AL), Barry Bonds (NL)

2001: Ichiro Suzuki (AL) Barry Bonds (NL)

2000: Jason Giambi (AL), Jeff Kent (NL)

1999: Iván Rodríguez (AL), Chipper Jones (NL)

1998: Juan González (AL), Sammy Sosa (NL)

1997: Ken Griffey Jr. (AL), Larry Walker (NL)

1996: Juan González (AL), Ken Caminiti (NL)

1995: Mo Vaughn (AL), Barry Larkin (NL)

1994: Frank Thomas (AL), Jeff Bagwell (NL)

1993: Frank Thomas (AL), Barry Bonds (NL)

1992: Dennis Eckersley (AL) Barry Bonds (NL)

1991: Cal Ripken Jr. (AL), Terry Pendleton (NL)

1990: Rickey Henderson (AL), Barry Bonds (NL)

1989: Robin Yount (AL), Kevin Mitchell (NL)

1988: José Canseco (AL), Kirk Gibson (NL)

1987: George Bell (AL), Andre Dawson (NL)

1986: Roger Clemens (AL), Mike Schmidt (NL)

1985: Don Mattingly (AL), Willie McGee (NL)

1984: Willie Hernández (AL), Ryne Sandberg (NL)

1983: Cal Ripken Jr. (AL), Dale Murphy (NL)

1982: Robin Yount (AL), Dale Murphy (NL)

1981: Rollie Fingers (AL), Mike Schmidt (NL)

1980: George Brett (AL), Mike Schmidt (NL)

1979: Don Baylor (AL), Keith Hernandez (NL), Willie Stargell (NL)

1978: Jim Rice (AL), Dave Parker (NL)

1977: Rod Carew (AL), George Foster (NL)

1976: Thurman Munson (AL), Joe Morgan (NL)

1975: Fred Lynn (AL), Joe Morgan (NL)

1974: Jeff Burroughs (AL), Steve Garvey (NL)

1973: Reggie Jackson (AL), Pete Rose (NL)

1972: Dick Allen (AL), Johnny Bench (NL)

1971: Vida Blue (AL), Joe Torre (NL)

1970: Boog Powell (AL), Johnny Bench (NL)

1969: Harmon Killebrew (AL), Willie McCovey (NL)

1968: Denny McLain (AL), Bob Gibson (NL)

1967: Carl Yastrzemski (AL), Orlando Cepeda (NL)

1966: Frank Robinson (AL), Roberto Clemente (NL)

1965: Zoilo Versalles (AL), Willie Mays (NL)

1964: Brooks Robinson (AL), Ken Boyer (NL)

1963: Elston Howard (AL), Sandy Koufax (NL)

1962: Mickey Mantle (AL), Maury Wills (NL)

1961: Roger Maris (AL), Frank Robinson (NL)

1960: Roger Maris (AL), Dick Groat (NL)

1959: Nellie Fox (AL), Ernie Banks (NL)

1958: Jackie Jensen (AL), Ernie Banks (NL)

1957: Mickey Mantle (AL), Henry "Hank" Aaron (NL)

1956: Mickey Mantle (AL), Don Newcombe (NL)

1955: Yogi Berra (AL), Roy Campanella (NL)

1954: Yogi Berra (AL), Willie Mays (NL)

1953: Al Rosen (AL), Roy Campanella (NL)

1952: Bobby Shantz (AL), Hank Sauer (NL)

1951: Yogi Berra (AL), Roy Campanella (NL)

1950: Phil Rizzuto (AL), Jim Konstanty (NL)

1949: Ted Williams (AL), Jackie Robinson (NL)

1948: Lou Boudreau (AL), Stan Musial (NL)

1947: Joe DiMaggio (AL), Bob Elliott (NL)

1946: Ted Williams (AL), Stan Musial (NL)

1945: Hal Newhouser (AL), Phil Cavarretta (NL)

1944: Hal Newhouser (AL), Marty Marion (NL)

1943: Spud Chandler (AL), Stan Musial (NL)

1942: Joe Gordon (AL), Mort Cooper (NL)

1941: Joe DiMaggio (AL), Dolph Camilli (NL)

1940: Hank Greenberg (AL), Frank McCormick (NL)

1939: Joe DiMaggio (AL), Bucky Walters (NL)

1938: Jimmie Foxx (AL), Ernie Lombardi (NL)

1937: Charlie Gehringer (AL), Joe Medwick (NL)

1936: Lou Gehrig (AL), Carl Hubbell (NL)

1935: Hank Greenberg (AL), Gabby Hartnett (NL)

1934: Mickey Cochrane (AL), Dizzy Dean (NL)

1933: Jimmie Foxx (AL), Carl Hubbell (NL)

1932: Jimmie Foxx (AL), Chuck Klein (NL)

1931: Lefty Grove (AL), Frankie Frisch (NL)

1930: Joe Cronin (AL)*, Hack Wilson (NL)*

1929: Lew Fonseca (AL)*, Rogers Hornsby (NL)

1928: Mickey Cochrane (AL), Jim Bottomley (NL)

1927: Lou Gehrig (AL), Paul Waner (NL)

1926: George Burns (AL), Bob O'Farrell (NL)

1925: Roger Peckinpaugh (AL), Rogers Hornsby (NL)

1924: Walter Johnson (AL), Dazzy Vance (NL)

1923: Babe Ruth (AL)

1922: George Sisler (AL)

1914: Eddie Collins (AL), Johnny Evers (NL)

1913: Walter Johnson (AL), Jake Daubert (NL)

1912: Tris Speaker (AL), Larry Doyle (NL)

1911: Ty Cobb (AL), Frank Schulte (NL)

*An official MVP was not awarded in the AL in 1929 or in the AL and NL in 1930 because the League Award was still being given out. However, balloting was conducted for those seasons. 'Unofficial" MVPs are listed.

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Now that she has returned to the court, Montjane's focus is on picking up where she left off in south-west London.

She made a victorious return at the Masters event in the Netherlands - which is for the best-ranked players of the year - beating Aniek van Koot in three sets in the singles before a doubles win with her Wimbledon partner Yui Kamiji.

However, Montjane could not progress from her group in the singles competition and she and Kamiji exited the doubles in the semi-finals.

"This year hasn't been easy for me, but because I love the game I always try my best to make sure that I stay at the top," Montjane said.

"The Masters are a benchmark of your year-end results. It's important for the top players to take it up among themselves to show greatness."

Polokwane-born Montjane has been consistently rated among the top ten wheelchair tennis players over the past decade, and is now ranked seventh in singles and fourth in doubles.

Her women's doubles win at Wimbledon alongside Kamiji followed their Grand Slam successes at the French Open and US Open last year, while the pair were beaten finalists at January's Australian Open - the only Grand Slam title that still eludes Montjane.

She regards her passion for the game as being a key factor behind her success.

"It's just a matter of keeping yourself motivated," she said.

"Tennis is not an easy sport but you really need to stay interested and have that edge to always want to do better. Love for the game is going to help you stay consistent."

Scotland A's first game at home for 10 years will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website, app and iPlayer on Saturday.

The A side - returning as part of Scottish Rugby's new performance pathway plans - take on Chile at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, with a 18:00 GMT kick-off.

Scotland A's last game was also against Chile, a 45-5 victory in Santiago in 2022, while the previous home match was a 16-16 draw with England Saxons at Scotstoun.

Andrew Petrie will be on commentary with Scotland legend Chris Paterson alongside him.