Tuesday's A.M. Hot Clicks: The Year of the Royals?

Look Who's In First Place

Norichika Aoki :: AP

The Royals defeated the A's 3-2 on Monday for their eighth straight victory and took over first place in the Central Division. It marks the first time since 2003 that the Royals are in first place this late in a season and outfielder Jarrod Dyson celebrated with a backflip. The team was clearly inspired by superfan SungWoo Lee, who traveled all the way from South Korea to Kansas City and threw out the first pitch.

What a Grab!

While the Royals enjoy first place in the AL Central, the Cubs are in last place in the NL Central and going nowhere. There is one sliver of hope for the team, however, and it is this elderly fan who made the catch of the year in the Wrigley bleachers last night. I'm not saying the team should sign him to a contract, but it would be foolish not to have him throw out a first pitch. 

Not Going To Happen

I respect Giants owner John Mara for successfully completing the Ice Bucket Challenge. Sure, he didn't use a helicopter like Paul Bissonnette and Keith Yandle, but he got soaked with ice water and that's the point. The problem for Mara is the three people he selected to take it next -  Jets owner Woody Johnson, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick. Johnson has probably already finished it and I think Kraft can be convinced by his (much younger) girlfriend. But Belichick? I just don't see it happening. If it does, this is likely the reason.

Lovely Lady of the Day

Mark from I'm not sure where because he didn't leave his hometown wrote in with a LLOD request for Paige Ocktubor, saying, "words do not describe this beauty." He's right, so here are some of Paige's best photos.

I Am Speechless

I really don't know what to say about the pants Nerlens Noel wore to Rucker Park last night. They are either the greatest or worst thing I've ever seen and I can't tell which. 

Athens: 10 Years Later

Ten years have passed since the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Reuters photographers Yannis Behrakis and Yorgos Karahalis visited the city to document how (and if) the facilities are being used today.

From the SI Vault

SI's Evan Webeck caught up with Detlef Schrempf to find out what the former Sonics and Pacers star has been up to since retiring over a decade ago. In addition to his stellar acting roles on Parks and Recreation, Schrempf has become a member of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership and continues to promote his charity, the Detlef Schrempf Foundation. For more classic sports photos, visit the SI Vault on Twitter.

Odds & Ends

Metta World Peace dressed up like a panda for a Venice Beach street ball game ... Artist Danny Karpinski has released a new set of minimalist baseball posters ... White Sox pitcher Chris Sale has been sneaking a Word of the Day into his postgame interviews ... Sweden'sZlatan Ibrahimovic paid for a learning disabled team to travel to Brazil for the INAS World Cup ... Giancarlo Stanton's home run was hit so fa that a group of fans got free beer ... Former Ohio State QB Troy Smith has been benched by his CFL team ...  The New York Times obituary on Robin Williams ... Courtney Love said she lost $27 million of "Nirvana money" ... Billy Joel serenaded Christie Brinkley with Uptown Girl during a concert at MSG.

Ready for College Football?

If not, this hype video should do the trick

Field of Dreams: The Butter Version

The legendary movie is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the Iowa State Fair is celebrating with a butter sculpture.

Turkey Legs Make Baseball Games Better

The Mariners' team cook delivers turkey legs to fans sitting in the King's Court section.