Raptors President & GM MASAI UJIRI celebrated the life of NELSON MANDELA yesterday "for the third straight year" on the anniversary of his death. Ujiri hosted a reception at the Art Gallery of Ontario, with proceeds going to Sick Kids Hospital, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and Ujiri’s nonprofit organization, Giants of Africa. Canadian Olympian cyclist, speed skater and humanitarian CLARA HUGHES was the keynote speaker and Mandela’s grandson, Out of Africa President KWEKU MANDELA, was also in attendance (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 12/5). The Raptors yesterday also honored Mandela during their game against the Cavs with "special shirts for the players to wear in the pre-game shoot-around" and the national anthems performed by the Mandela Children’s Choir (TORONTO STAR, 12/6).
DEEP LINEUP: A group of MLB All-Stars last night "joined dignitaries from MLB, Under Armour and Fanatics at a rocking party at the Pose Lounge atop the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center" in Maryland. The group included Indians SS FRANCISCO LINDOR, Reds 2B BRANDON PHILLIPS, Braves 1B FREDDIE FREEMAN, Twins 2B BRIAN DOZIER, Red Sox P RICK PORCELLO, Dodgers P CLAYTON KERSHAW and Nationals 1B RYAN ZIMMERMAN. Baseball HOFer CAL RIPKEN JR. and Gold-Medal-winning U.S. Olympians LINDSEY VONN and NASTIA LIUKIN were "also in attendance" (MLB.com, 12/6).
THE GOOD STUFF: Lighting RW
RYAN CALLAHAN and his wife
KYLA started his eponymous foundation in October and yesterday held a private launch party to "raise the kind of money that will help the foundation really make a difference." The foundation hopes to start a "2-4 club," playing off Callahan's No. 24, in January where each month a selected family will "receive a one-day vacation, excursion or experience, like a trip to Disney World" (
TAMPA BAY TIMES, 12/6)....The Red Sox Foundation is "teaming up with Globe Santa again this holiday season to collect winter clothing for deserving children." From now through Dec. 16, people are "encouraged to drop by Fenway Park to donate new hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens for Globe Santa children aged 12 and under" (
BOSTON GLOBE, 12/6)
NAMES: The Atlanta Sports HOF will induct five new members, including TNT's CRAIG SAGER, at a ceremony Feb. 17 (Atlanta Sports HOF)....MLB named Indians Dir of Baseball Information BART SWAIN the recipient of the '16 Robert O. Fishel Award for PR Excellence (MLB)....Roc Nation Sports yesterday announced the signing of NBA Kings F RUDY GAY and G TY LAWSON, bringing its stable of basketball clients to 11 (Roc Nation)....A Michigan judge has "dismissed all sexual assault charges" against former NBAer MATEEN CLEAVES (MLIVE.com, 12/5).
