⚾ Like It Or Not, Tatís Jr. Still A Superstar

Fernando Tatís Jr.'s suspension will stay with him, but won’t diminish his stardom. [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider with guest writer Deesha Thosar: Even with his suspension and not playing for a long time, Fernando Tatis Jr. is still a superstar … The Jets finally have a quarterback, but what else do they need to help for a Super Bowl run? … and more! There he was, high-spirited and in full uniform, gliding to right field as nearly 40,000 spectators at Petco Park cried out for their hero. The crowd's effervescence seemed to fill Fernando Tatís Jr. with so much joy that the only way he knew to respond was by throwing his arms wide, removing his cap, and bowing to the loyal fan base that has stuck by his side through the good, bad and ugly. After more than a year away, San Diego's prodigal son finally returned home last week. An 80-game suspension wasn't going to prevent Padres fans from embracing the one they call "El Niño." The 24-year-old Tatís means too much to this franchise. Without him, the team lacks not only buzz but identity. Like Aaron Judge and the Yankees, Tatís represents the Padres in ways that some of his teammates will never understand. He's their beacon of hope. He's their perennial MVP. He's their modern-day Tony Gwynn. And yet … his legacy is already tarnished. Everything Tatís has accomplished and everything he will achieve will come with the performance-enhancing drug asterisk. Tatís' career is still largely ahead of him, yet it's likely that, for much of it, the reminders of his chicanery will be loud with the pitchforks in full swing. Such is the professional life of an athlete who has been branded a cheater. There are no exceptions for once-in-a-generation players, either. Even superstars can't escape that treatment. Yes, Tatís is a superstar with or without his suspension (and with or without Eduardo Pérez's apology). That's largely why the news of his PED use was so disappointing in the first place. Tatís is so gifted, and still so young, that he doesn't need banned substances to aid his game. For those who still need convincing, consider how his power numbers stack up against his peers since his 2019 rookie campaign. For the rest of the story, [click here.]( [STORY IMAGE 1] [IN OTHER WORDS] - Now that New York has a four-time MVP quarterback, what are the [other positions the Jets still need to upgrade]( to make a Super Bowl run? Henry McKenna breaks down their needs. - Not that long ago, Tyrese Maxey [appeared to be a bad 3-point shooter](. But countless hours in the gym and the 76ers' disbelief in surface stats have paid off. Yaron Weitzman has the story. - From high school signee to three modest years in the majors, nothing from Jonah Heim's past pointed to him becoming [one of baseball's best catchers]( writes Jordan Shusterman. - The USWNT might have the [answer to their Mallory Swanson dilemma]( by the time the World Cup starts in July, Laken Litman writes. For the latest news and updates, [click here.]( [VIEWER'S GUIDE] Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET) The Panthers hope to continue their torrid postseason stretch with a win over the Maple Leafs sending them to the Eastern Conference Finals. Miami Heat at New York Knicks (TNT, 7:30 p.m. ET) Jimmy Butler and the Heat head to New York looking to clinch a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win against Jalen Brunson and the Knicks. Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (TNT, 10 p.m. ET) Stephen Curry and the Warriors aim to protect home court and extend the series when they take on LeBron James and the Lakers. For all of today's games and scores, [click here](. [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Quentin Johnston most rookie receiving yards (+500) From FOX Sports Betting Analyst: Sam Panayotovich Minnesota’s Jordan Addison and Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba have shorter odds than Johnston, but the former TCU wideout finds himself in a great situation with the pass-happy L.A. Chargers. There’s no reason to think Johnston won’t start Day 1 and earn around 100 targets in his rookie season. He’s a big ol’ target [6’3", 215] for Herbert, and he’ll enjoy all the freedoms of playing in the same offense with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. Feed the former frog. For the latest betting odds, [click here](. 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