Jermaine O’Neal having a superstar daughter Asjia who is a volleyball star will make you feel old

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Charles Curtis.

Hey friends! It’s Friday! Happy Friday! Also: apologies for sending Thursday’s newsletter three times, we had some technical difficulties.

Now, on to the important thing. Do you remember Jermaine O’Neal? The former NBA forward who was first-round pick in 1996 out of high school? Who had an 18-year career for the Trail Blazers, Pacers, Heat and other teams?

For me, it’s wild to think about remembering when he was drafted as an 18-year-old, and especially now, because he has a daughter named Asjia O’Neal. And she’s a superstar volleyball player at Texas!

This happens a lot when you get older. The other day, my colleague Blake Schuster shared video of a teenager named Jadyn Fielder taking batting practice, and if that name sounds familiar, you may have guessed it: That’s Prince Fielder’s son, which makes him Cecil Fielder’s GRANDSON. I am old enough to maybe see three generations of Fielders take the field.

But let’s get back to O’Neal. Her story is amazing, per the Austin American-Statesman: “The middle blocker was born with a mitral valve leak, a condition that forces the heart to work extra hard to pump enough blood in the right direction. Despite getting surgery at a young age to fix it, the condition came back with a vengeance in 2019, putting her career at risk.”

After another surgery, she made her way back to the court, has become a star and was the first overall pick from a new league called the Pro Volleyball Federation.

Super cool. Even if I’m feeling my age.

Hey Dodgers, don’t make me root against Shohei Ohtani

Look, I’m really NOT going to root against Ohtani. He’s the best, his dog is the best, he’s going to be the best with the Dodgers.

Here’s what I mean, though: The franchise just agreed to a trade to acquire pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot. They probably have more moves in them with Ohtani’s deferred cash deal giving them a ton of payroll flexibility.

We’re getting Evil Empire vibes here. And I don’t like it. It’s brilliant and game-changing, but it’s devious. So PLEASE don’t make me feel like rooting for Ohtani is rooting for the Evil Empire.

Thanks!