It's Thursday

It's Thursday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is June 26th, the 177th day of 2014. There are 188 days left in the year.

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Penguins name Mike Johnston new coach.

Complete list of winners at NHL Awards.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com/.

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Today's Birthdays: NFL player-turned-sportscaster Shannon Sharpe is 46. Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) is 44. Chris O'Donnell (NCIS: Los Angeles) is 44. Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) is 44. Singer-actress Ariana Grande is 21.

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Tampa, FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday signed forward Ryan Callahan to a six-year contract.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the mouth of the Kansas River after completing a westward trek of nearly 400 river miles.

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Sweeney to Receive Inaugural Pat Tillman Award for Service at 2014 ESPYS U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Scored Gold-Medal Winning Goal at 2014 Paralympic Winter Games COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Josh Sweeney (Phoenix, Ariz.) of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team is the inaugural recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service, an honor created by ESPN and the Pat Tillman Foundation that will be presented at The 2014 ESPYS July 16 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. "Growing up in Phoenix, I was very familiar with Pat Tillman and what he stood for; I aspired to be like him," said Sweeney, an alternate captain for the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team. "Receiving this award is truly an honor. I look forward to being a part of The 2014 ESPYS and assisting the Pat Tillman Foundation in its efforts to benefit veterans." Sweeney scored the gold-medal winning goal in Team USA's 1-0 triumph over Russia at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. As a result, the U.S. became the first nation to win back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in sled hockey. A sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps, Sweeney was on patrol in Afghanistan in October 2009 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device. He received a Purple Heart for his service. An able-bodied hockey player in high school, Sweeney was drawn to sled hockey during his rehabilitation in San Antonio, Texas. He was less than two years removed from his injuries when he began his career with the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team in 2011-12. “We’re proud to honor Josh Sweeney with the first annual Pat Tillman Award for Service, which pays tribute to the lasting legacy of selflessness, leadership and sacrifice that Pat represented, and we look forward to this new tradition at the ESPYS," said Connor Schell, vice president, ESPN Films and Original Entertainment, who oversees the ESPYS.” Ten years after his death, the Pat Tillman Award for Service was created to honor former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman. The annual award will honor an individual with a strong connection to sports that has served others in a way that echoes the Tillman legacy. Tillman placed his NFL career on hold to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 as well as in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. On the evening of April 22, 2004, Tillman’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through eastern Afghanistan leading to his tragic death. Founded in 2004, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through educational scholarships – building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. “Pat was deeply committed to a life of service both in and out of uniform as a teammate and soldier,” said Marie Tillman, president and co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “Sgt. Josh Sweeney embodies the selfless spirit of service that has defined this generation of veterans for more than a decade. In Pat’s name, we’re proud to honor Josh for his incredible achievements leading Team USA, but especially for his dedication to inspire and empower others as leaders for our country.” The 2014 ESPYS will be televised live July 16 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Notes: Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) is a nominee for the 2014 ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability. Fan voting is open at ESPN.com/ESPYS and runs to July 16. Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.), Team USA's goaltender at the 2010 and 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, won the 2010 ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability. ************************************************ The bicycle was patented by W.K. Clarkson, Jr on this date in 1819. ************************************************ Regina, SK. -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders today announced the addition of international running back Hugh Charles to the teams practice roster. Read the rest here. The Roughriders open the regular season and defence of their Grey Cup championship on Sunday, June 29th, when they host the defending Eastern champion Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kickoff is at 7:00pm EDT, with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri calling the action on 620 CKRM, the Rider Radio Network and 620ckrm.com. The game can also be seen on TSN.in Canada and ESPN3.com in the U.S. ************************************************ On this date in 1844, John Tyler took Julia Gardiner as his bride, thus becoming the first U.S. President to marry while in office. ************************************************ Irving: Ready for Kickoff: Previewing the 2014 CFL Season. Prediction time: Nye makes his annual picks. Please visit the league's official website, cfl.ca. ************************************************ It was 40 years ago today (Thursday) that the Universal Product Code -- the bar code -- was scanned for the first time to sell a package of Wrigley's chewing gum at a supermarket in Troy, Ohio. ************************************************ Tampa, FL. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have said all the right things regarding quarterback Mike Glennon, but actions speak louder than words and it's now clear the rumors about a potential trade were legit. Read the rest here. ************************************************ North Korea now says that if the new Seth Rogen movie about an attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un reaches movie theaters, North Korea will consider it an act of war. [If any Seth Rogen movie reaches movie theaters, it's an act of war.] ************************************************ St. Petersburg, FL. -- If David Price in fact made his last start at Tropicana Field on Wednesday afternoon, he made it a good one. Read the rest here. ************************************************ On this date in 1959, CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow interviewed Lee Remick. It was his 500th and final guest on "Person to Person." ************************************************ San Francisco, CA. -- Proving that he's a performer for the ages, Tim Lincecum reached across the centuries Wednesday to match a feat that only one other Giant accomplished. Read the rest here. ************************************************ U.S. President John Kennedy announced "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner) at the Berlin Wall on this date in 1963. ************************************************ Hi everybody, I'm six!. ************************************************ You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as watching hilites of Tim Lincecum's no hitter, isn't it? ************************************************ Today in Elvis History 1909 - Colonel Tom Parker was born.  1957 - Elvis Presley spent his first night at Graceland.  1968 - A birthday party was thrown for Col. Tom Parker on the set of the 1968 TV Special "Elvis."  1977 - Elvis Presley's final concert took place at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis.  1979 - Elvis Presley's father, Vernon Elvis Presley, died.  2007 - The 21-song Elvis Presley collection "That's Alright" was released. ************************************************ With World Cup matches getting huge ratings in the U.S. it will be interesting to see how many workers take early and extra-long lunches today (Thursday) to watch the U.S. play Germany. The game begins at noon ET. ************************************************ Today in Beatles History: 1963 -   John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the song "She Loves You" in a hotel room in Newcastle, England. They recorded the song five days later.  1964 - The Beatles album "A Hard Day’s Night" was released in the U.S.  1975 - Paul McCartney's theme for ITV's "Crossroads" aired for the first time.    ************************************************ With wedding season in full swing, guests everywhere are asking the same question: How much money should I give the newlyweds? Though most guests will spend an average of $109 this year, the average cost nearly doubles to $200 if the recipient is a close family member (according to the American Express Spending & Savings Tracker) ************************************************ Today in Sports History: 1819 -  Abner Doubleday was born.  1910 - For the second consecutive year, Hazel Hotchkiss won the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships.  1916 - The Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians appeared in a game with numbers on their sleeves. The event marked the first time that players were identified by numbers that corresponded to the scoreboard.  1938 - Lonney Frey (Cincinnati Reds) had eight hits in a doubleheader split with the Philadelphia Phillies.  1944 - The New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees played against each other in a six inning contest in a war bonds fund-raiser. Over 50,000 people watched the game. The final score was Dodgers 5, Yankees 1 and the Giants 0.  1962 - Earl Wilson (Boston Red Sox) pitched a 2-0 no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels. Wilson also hit a home run.  1970 - Frank Robinson (Baltimore Orioles) hit two grand slams against the Washington Senators in a 12-2 win.  1976 - Shortstop Toby Harrah (Texas Rangers) played an entire doubleheader without handling a batted ball from the Chicago White Sox.  1979 - Muhammad Ali, at 37 years old, announced that he was retiring as world heavyweight boxing champion.  1985 - Wilbur Snapp was ejected after playing "Three Blind Mice" during a baseball game. The incident followed a call made by umpire Keith O'Connor.  1986 - Jockey Sandy Hawley won his 5,000th career race.  1990 - Jennifer Capriati, at age 14, became the youngest winner of a match in Wimbledon history.  1998 - Jamaica won soccer's World Cup. It was the first time a Caribbean team had won the World Cup since 1938.  1999 - Sammy Sosa (Chicago White Sox) hit his 300th career home run.  1999 - Cal Ripken (Baltimore Orioles) got his 995th extra base hit.  2000 - Alex Cabrera (Arizona Diamondbacks) hit a two-run home run in his first major league at-bat.  2001 - Ray Bourque (Colorado Avalanche) announced his retirement just 17 days after winning his first Stanley Cup. Bourque retired after 22 years and held the NHL record for highest-scoring defenseman and playing in 19 consecutive All-Star games. ************************************************ Madonna's daughter Lourdes Ciccone Leon joins the student body at the University of Michigan this fall. ************************************************ Coming Up: Tonight -- MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Cincinnati Reds 10:15pm EDT Friday -- MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 1:05pm EDT MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 7:05pm EDT Nascar Nationwide Series -- John R. Elliott Hero Campaign 300 Presented By Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over at Kentucky Speedway 7:30pm EDT MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Cincinnati Reds 10:15pm EDT Saturday -- Verizon Indy Car Series -- The Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston at Reliant Park Race One 3:00pm EDT MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 4:05pm EDT Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Quaker State 400 Presented By Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway 7:30pm EDT MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Cincinnati Reds 10:05pm EDT Sunday -- MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles 1:35pm EDT Verizon Indy Car Series -- The Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston at Reliant Park Race Two 3:00pm EDT MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Cincinnati Reds 4:05pm EDT CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats 7:00pm EDT ************************************************ That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!