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Surface Metals

Investing 8 Mins Read

Investor Insight

With a clear vision for value creation in the energy transition and precious metals sectors, Surface Metals has strategically assembled one of North America’s most compelling project portfolios. Anchored by a high-potential gold asset and a robust lithium pipeline, the company is focused on discovery-driven growth, resource development, and unlocking long-term shareholder value through exploration, partnerships and potential M&A.

Overview

Surface Metals (CSE:SUR,OTCQB:SURMF) is a diversified exploration and development company with a portfolio spanning precious metals and lithium, targeting the growing global need for electrification metals and gold as a financial hedge.

The company’s flagship Cimarron gold project in Nevada is an underexplored, high-grade oxide gold system with historic drilling by majors including Newmont and Echo Bay. Simultaneously, Surface Metals, through its subsidiary ACME Lithium US, is developing lithium projects across Nevada and Manitoba, Canada. These include the Clayton Valley lithium brine asset (with a defined resource), the claystone-hosted Fish Lake Valley project, and the pegmatite-rich Shatford and Cat-Euclid claims in partnership with Snow Lake Resources.

Surface Metals’ projects are located in prolific mining jurisdictions in Nevada and Manitoba

With a foundational 43-101 resource, compelling exploration upside, and strategic positioning next to producing and near-producing lithium assets, Surface Metals is building value from the ground up.

Company Highlights

  • Dual Focus Portfolio: Combines precious metals and energy transition minerals, including a 90 percent stake in the Cimarron gold project and multiple lithium assets in Nevada and Manitoba.
  • Gold Asset with Legacy Database: Cimarron contains over 190 historical drill holes with high-grade intercepts and a non-compliant historic resource of 50,000+ oz gold, open in multiple directions.
  • NI 43-101 Lithium Resource: The Clayton Valley project hosts an inferred lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) resource of 302,900 tonnes, backed by geophysics, drilling and pumping test data.
  • Strategic Lithium Locations: Lithium claims are adjacent to Albemarle’s Silver Peak mine and Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge development in Nevada, and contiguous to the Tanco mine in Manitoba.
  • Experienced Leadership: Led by resource sector veterans with a track record of successful exits, technical development and public company management.
  • Energy Transition Strategy: Well-positioned to benefit from macro tailwinds in lithium demand and US domestic critical minerals supply chain policies.

Key Projects

Cimarron Gold Project

The Cimarron gold project is a high-grade epithermal gold exploration project located at the north end of the San Antonio Mountains in the historic San Antonio (Cimarron) mining district, approximately 18 miles north of Tonopah, Nevada. Surface Metals holds a 90 percent interest in the project through its US subsidiary, Surface Metals US Inc. The project comprises 31 lode claims and is characterized by shallow, structurally controlled, low-sulfidation oxide gold mineralization.

Cimarron lies at the intersection of two regionally significant gold trends: the northwest-trending Walker Lane Belt and a north-northeast trend hosting Round Mountain (Kinross), Bullfrog, Goldfield, Manhattan and Gold Hill deposits. Notably, Round Mountain—located just 28 miles north—has produced more than 15 million ounces of gold. The project benefits from excellent infrastructure, including nearby power, road access and historic drill pads.

Aerial view of the project property

From 1980 to 2004, significant historical exploration was conducted by major operators such as Newmont, Echo Bay, Romarco and Budge. More than 190 drill holes define three main mineralized zones: West, Central and East. Echo Bay’s internal reports (1987) estimated a non-NI 43-101 compliant resource of over 50,000 oz of gold hosted in approximately 1.5 million tons (Mt), with roughly 80 percent of the ounces located in the West Zone. Historic high-grade intercepts include:

  • 4.46 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 11 m
  • 4.49 g/t gold over 23 m
  • 3.94 g/t gold over 46 m

Mineralization remains open in multiple directions, and surface sampling has returned anomalous gold values across a wide area, indicating strong potential for both lateral and vertical extensions. The mineralized system features strong structural controls and is interpreted to be part of a shallow, boiling zone epithermal system.

Surface Metals is currently finalizing its 2025/2026 exploration interpretation and strategy to potentially expand the known mineralized envelope and produce an NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate.

Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project

The Clayton Valley Project, held through Surface’s subsidiary ACME Lithium US, is located in Esmeralda County, home to the only operating lithium brine mine in the United States: Albemarle’s Silver Peak mine. ACME’s 100 percent interest covers 122 placer claims totaling 2,440 acres in one of the world’s most prolific lithium-producing basins.

The project hosts a defined NI 43-101 inferred resource of 302,900 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), based on extensive geophysical surveys (gravity and HSAMT), Phase 1 and Phase 2 drilling, and a 10-day pump test. The brines are hosted in interbedded silts, clays, sand and gravel, with lithium concentrations in brine ranging from 38 to 130 mg/L. Borehole DH-1 confirmed brine presence from 85 meters to 370 meters, with increased concentrations in basal gravels and lacustrine tuff layers.

Phase 2 drilling (DH-1A and TW-1) reached a depth of 1,940 ft, intersecting the Lower Gravel Unit (LGU), interpreted as the main brine aquifer. Pack testing and zone-isolated sampling from the LGU showed lithium values up to 71 mg/L. Permeability tests demonstrated favorable aquifer transmissivity. The presence of bicarbonate-rich groundwater indicates typical Clayton Valley geochemistry, conducive to direct lithium extraction (DLE) processing. Surface is currently evaluating DLE partnerships and pilot testing, with SLB (formerly Schlumberger) having already demonstrated a working DLE unit in the region.

Fish Lake Valley Lithium Claystone Project

The Fish Lake Valley (FLV) project is a 100 percent owned sedimentary lithium claystone asset covering 207 claims across 4,002 acres in Esmeralda County. The project is strategically adjacent to Ioneer’s fully permitted and DOE-funded Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project, with expected commencement of construction in 2025 and offtake agreements with Ford, Panasonic and Toyota.

FLV hosts lithium values up to 1,418 parts per million (ppm) in surface samples, with boron anomalies as high as 1,964 ppm—both strong indicators of favorable sedimentary lithium potential. Two major field sampling programs (2022 and 2023) confirmed the widespread presence of lithium-bearing illite-smectite clays. Phase 2 sampling utilized Asterra’s satellite analytics to identify new mineralized zones.

Geophysical surveys, including gravity and HSAMT, confirm the presence of a deep down-dropped basin with clay-rich horizons extending to over 1.3 km depth. Interpreted illite-smectite units, comparable to Rhyolite Ridge’s host rocks, are present throughout the basin. The project is fully permitted for drilling, with multiple high-priority drill targets identified for validation and resource definition. Surface is actively seeking a JV or strategic partner to fund and advance this asset.

Shatford, Birse and Cat-Euclid Lake Lithium Projects

Surface Metals, in partnership with Snow Lake Resources (Nasdaq:LITM), holds a 49 percent interest in a 17,000-acre pegmatite exploration portfolio in southeastern Manitoba, contiguous with the Tanco mine, Canada’s only operating LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) pegmatite mine, owned by Sinomine.

The Shatford Lake project comprises 21 claims (8,883 acres), Birse Lake adds another 10 claims (5,196 acres), and the Cat-Euclid block includes six claims (2,930 acres). The claims straddle the Greer-Shatford Shear Zone, a major 15-km structural corridor hosting known pegmatites, favorable host rocks and historic lithium occurrences.

Snow Lake’s 2024 field campaign discovered a 25 m to 30 m wide tantalite-bearing pegmatite on the Cat-Euclid block and identified multiple new pegmatite swarms under heavy overburden. Drilling at Shatford Lake (2023) included eight holes totaling 3,280 meters, intersecting pegmatites in six holes. 3D modeling of airborne magnetic data correlated structural dilation zones with pegmatite emplacement, prime targets for lithium mineralization. Multiple new drill targets have been identified for follow-up in 2025. The joint venture provides a low-cost pathway to potential lithium discoveries near a fully integrated lithium processing facility.

Management Team

Stephen Hanson – President, CEO and Director

With over 28 years of global experience in finance and corporate development, Stephen Hanson has held executive roles across mining, energy and resource sectors. He has successfully executed M&A deals and created exit strategies for multiple public and private companies. Hanson’s focus at Surface Metals is on unlocking value through resource expansion and strategic partnerships.

Zara Kanji – CFO and Corporate Secretary

A CPA with deep experience in financial reporting for junior mining companies, Zara Kanji oversees compliance, budgeting, and financial strategy. She brings more than two decades of expertise in audit, taxation and advisory for public entities in Canada.

Vivian Katsuris – Director

A capital markets specialist with over 28 years of experience, Vivian Katsuris has served in executive and board roles for numerous TSXV and CSE-listed companies. Her expertise spans brokerage, corporate governance and strategic advisory.

Yannis Tsitos – Director

Formerly with BHP Billiton for 19 years, Yannis Tsitos has decades of exploration and M&A experience across multiple continents. He is currently the president of Goldsource Mines and sits on several public company boards.

William Feyerabend – Qualified Person (US Projects)

A certified professional geologist and NI 43-101 Qualified Person, William Feyerabend has authored multiple technical reports on lithium assets and has decades of exploration experience in the US, Mexico and South America.

Dane Bridge – Technical Advisor

With over 45 years in global mineral exploration and mine evaluation, Dane Bridge provides strategic technical oversight across Surface’s exploration assets.

Matt Banta – Technical Advisor

A specialist in hydrology and lithium brine systems, Matt Banta brings over 20 years of field and analytical experience with a focus on lithium extraction and water resource modeling.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Biggest US Defense Contractors and ETFs in 2025

Investing 7 Mins Read

Geopolitical tensions are rising in several regions of the world, and governments are expected to increase their defense spending in the years ahead. This has investors looking to aerospace and defense stocks.

The entrenched Russia-Ukraine war, widespread conflict in the Middle East, military posturing in the ongoing US-China trade conflict and the spread of cybersecurity attacks on critical infrastructure — all of these developments and more are driving demand in the global defense market.

In 2024, the five countries spending the most on their militaries were the United States, China, Russia, Germany and India, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

For the most part, the aerospace and defense industry provides equipment, technologies and services to national governments through contracts. The players in this space are typically defense contractors that design and manufacture aircraft, satellites, electronic systems, software, missiles, drones, autonomous vehicles, tanks and marine vessels.

Global aerospace and defense revenue reached record highs in 2024, according to PwC in its latest annual sector report, totaling US$922 billion across the top 100 companies. However, the firm reports that increased demand is outpacing supply and capacity from defense companies.

5 Biggest US Defense Stocks

Today, the US accounts for the largest share of global defense spending, representing about 37 percent of worldwide military outlays. In fact, military spending represents about 12 percent of the US federal budget for fiscal year 2025. Worsening geopolitical tensions are expected to increase the US government’s spending on defense technology.

1. RTX (NYSE:RTX)

Market cap: US$189.46 billion

One of the most well-known American defense companies, RTX operates in the defense, aviation, space, electronics and cybersecurity sectors. The company captured more than US$80.7 billion in revenue for 2024, up 17.15 percent from the previous year.

The company’s defense solutions arm Raytheon was awarded a US$250 million contract in June 2025 from Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric (TSE:6503) for licensed production of ESSM Block 2 short to medium-range guided missiles.

‘Under the Direct Commercial Sale contract, Raytheon will provide missile kits, parts, and components as well as technical support for missile production at (Mitsubishi Electric) in Japan,’ the press release stated.

2. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)

Market cap: US$151.52 billion

Another heavyweight in the aerospace and defense industry, Boeing designs and manufactures airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment and missiles.

Revenue for the company declined by 14.5 percent in 2024 over the previous year to come in at US$66.5 billion. The majority of that loss was driven by its airplane segment; its defense segment revenue dropped 4 percent over the same period. The company’s aviation sector has faced heavy scrutiny in recent years after several disastrous incidents linked to the Boeing 737.

As for its defense business, in March 2025, Boeing reported that production of its air defense systems, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seekers, reached an all-time high in 2024. According to the release, the company produces the seekers as a subcontractor for Lockheed Martin and has sold them to 17 countries, including the US and Ukraine.

3. Honeywell International (NASDAQ:HON)

Market cap: US$144.57 billion

Engineering and technology company Honeywell International develops and manufactures technological solutions for a variety of sectors. The company’s four business divisions are aerospace technologies, building automation, energy and sustainability solutions, and industrial automation. Honeywell’s sales came in at US$38.5 billion in 2024, up 5 percent from the previous year.

Honeywell has numerous defense contracts with government agencies around the world, including right at home with the US Department of Defense (DoD) and US Armed Forces. In May 2025, the company’s JetWave X satellite communication system was selected for use in the advanced US Army aircraft ARES.

4. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

Market cap: US$107.57 billion

Lockheed Martin’s business is concentrated on aerospace products and advanced defense technology systems. The F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet is among its most notable products, but Lockheed is also well known for its space launchers, ballistic missiles and satellites. The company’s 2024 net sales increased by 5.15 percent from the previous year to just over US$71 billion.

Unsurprisingly, about half of Lockheed Martin’s annual sales are made to the US DoD. However, governments around the world have purchasing contracts with the company to supply their militaries with defense products such as F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. In April 2025, the Royal Norwegian Air Force received the last two F-35 fighter jets of the 52 ordered in its most recent supply contract.

5. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)

Market cap: US$76.57 billion

Although best known for its Gulfstream business jets, General Dynamics designs and manufactures wheeled and tracked combat vehicles, submarines, weapons and communications systems, as well as munitions. The company garnered more than US$47.72 billion in revenue for 2024, up 12.88 percent from the previous year.

General Dynamics is a major defense contractor for the US military as well as allied nations abroad. In April 2025, the company was awarded US$12 billion in contract modifications for the construction of two Virginia-class submarines for the US Navy, bringing the potential value of the contract to US$17.2 billion. This type of sub is designed for anti-submarine and surface ship warfare and special operations support.

5 Biggest US Defense ETFs

Investors looking to mitigate the risk of investing in individual stocks can diversify their portfolio with defense ETFs. While ETFs aren’t without risk, they are often considered a more stable investment compared to stocks as they allocate funds across a variety of stocks that are rebalanced by an asset manager to meet the return goals of the fund.

The biggest US Defense ETFs by assets under management are listed below according to data from ETF Database.

1. iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA)

Assets under management: US$7.83 billion

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF launched in May 2006. This fund invests in large, generally stable companies in the aerospace and defense sector, particularly those with the majority of their revenues based on long-term government contracts.

The ETF has 40 holdings and an expense ratio of 0.4 percent. IShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF’s top holdings include RTX, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics as well as another important name in the industry, L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX).

2. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:PPA)

Assets under management: US$5.41 billion

Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF launched in October 2005. Like ITA, it also tracks large, stable aerospace and defense stocks with steady revenue streams from long-term government contracts.

While it has more holdings than ITA at 57, it also has a higher expense ratio at 0.58 percent. Unlike ITA, Honeywell is listed among Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF’s top holdings in addition to the other biggest US defense stocks.

3. SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:XAR)

Assets under management: US$3.76 billion

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF, which launched in September 2011, offers exposure to large cap stocks in this sector. It has the lowest expense ratio on this list at 0.35 percent.

Of the 40 holdings XAR tracks, the most heavily weighted US defense stocks include RTX, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics as well as Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) and AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV).

4. Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:SHLD)

Assets under management: US$2.69 billion

Launched in September 2023, Global X Defense Tech ETF is the newest defense ETF on the market. While it does offer a geographic diversity of exposure to the overall defense sector, its holdings are just over 50 percent based in the United States. This ETF has an expense ratio of 0.50 percent.

SHLD has 43 holdings, including the biggest US defense stocks such as Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, but is also heavily weighted in Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) and L3Harris Technologies.

5. Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares (NYSEARCA:DFEN)

Assets under management: US$249.19 million

Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares launched in May 2017 with the goal of tripling the daily return of an index of major defense industry stocks.

DFEN has the highest expense ratio on this list at 0.95 percent. Some of the most heavily weighted stocks of its 39 holdings are Boeing, Lockheed Martin and RTX.

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Seabed Mining Heats Up as Lockheed Martin Courts Interest in Pacific Licenses

Investing 5 Mins Read

Defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) is in early talks with undersea mining companies to open access to two dormant seabed exploration licenses it has held since the 1980s

The move signals a renewed US push to tap the ocean floor for critical minerals.

The licenses, which cover swaths of the eastern Pacific seabed in international waters, were awarded to Lockheed by US regulators decades ago during a previous wave of interest in deep-sea mining.

Though the projects never progressed to extraction, they are now gaining fresh attention as nations and corporations seek alternative sources of key minerals used in electric vehicles, defense technologies, and clean energy systems.

“We are in early stages of conversations with several companies about giving them access to our licences and allowing them to process those materials,” Frank St. John, Lockheed’s chief operating officer, told the Financial Times.

While St. John declined to quantify the potential value of the deposits, he added that interested parties have “done the homework and determined there is value there.”

Lockheed’s seabed licenses could represent a strategic foothold in a mineral-rich region, containing polymetallic nodules that can hold commercially viable concentrations of key metals.

The timing also coincides with recent executive action from the White House.

USPresident Donald Trump, who returned to office in January, signed an executive order in April asserting US rights to issue mining licenses in international waters and encouraging the stockpiling of seabed metals as strategic resources.

The order bypasses ongoing negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN agency tasked with regulating deep-sea mining, and instead relies on the 1980 US Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act as the legal foundation.

It emphasizes the need to “establish the US as a global leader in seabed mineral exploration and development both within and beyond national jurisdiction.” While the US has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea — the treaty from which the ISA derives its authority — it has signed a 1994 agreement recognizing the treaty’s seabed provisions and operates its own permitting system through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lockheed said it welcomes the renewed policy attention. “We believe the US has the opportunity to develop a gold standard for commercial recovery of nodules in an environmentally responsible manner.”

Court upholds TMC disclosures on deep-dea mining risks

Lockheed is not alone in navigating the legal uncertainties surrounding seabed mining.

The Metals Company (TMC) (NASDAQ:TMC), a deep-sea mining startup, recently survived a shareholder lawsuit alleging it had misled investors about the environmental impacts and financial backing of its operations.

US District Judge Eric Komitee dismissed the claims, ruling that the company’s comparisons to conventional mining methods were not misleading, even if deep-sea mining still carries environmental risks.

“It is eminently possible that (1) deep-sea mining causes meaningful environmental harm, and yet (2) such harm is significantly less than the harm caused by existing methods,” the judge wrote.

TMC had disclosed in filings that deep-sea mining could result in damage and that the regulatory path remained uncertain. Its legal win may encourage others — like Lockheed — to proceed more openly with their seabed plans, albeit cautiously.

Deep-sea mining industry cautiously awakens

The growing pursuit of potentially extracting resources from the world’s oceans comes at a critical juncture for the seabed-mining industry. For decades, a de facto moratorium on mining in international waters has been in place due to regulatory uncertainty and environmental concerns.

The ISA has issued more than 30 exploratory permits, but has yet to finalize commercial extraction rules. That delay has prompted frustration from some parties, while drawing calls from others for a pause or outright ban.

Currently, the ISA is holding key assemblies in Jamaica to hash out the long-awaited mining code to regulate commercial activity on the ocean floor with provisions for environmental safeguards, royalties, and tax obligations.

But a growing number of countries — 37 at last count — have pushed for a precautionary pause, citing risks to deep-sea ecosystems that remain largely uncharted. Scientists warn that mining these habitats could cause irreversible damage.

In 2023, Lockheed appeared to step back from the sector by selling two UK-sponsored exploration licenses in the Pacific, a move interpreted by analysts as signaling reduced confidence in deep-sea mining.

However, its retained US licenses suggest it never fully exited the space.

The Trump administration’s executive order marks the most assertive US step yet to undermine the ISA’s multilateral approach, raising fears among diplomats that the agency may lose legitimacy.

China, which has also invested heavily in seabed mining, responded sharply to the move.

“The US authorization violates international law and harms the overall interests of the international community,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said earlier this year.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Rule Symposium 2025: Gold, Geopolitics and the Real Asset Uprising

Investing 7 Mins Read

The resource investing community descended on Boca Raton, Florida, during the first full week of July for another edition of the Rule Symposium, hosted by veteran investor and speculator Rick Rule.

The five day event featured an illustrious array of speakers, panelists and companies sharing a wealth of investor knowledge. As in years past, gold remained a top focus, with many presenters stressing the value it offers investors.

Opening the conference, Rule provided a sobering overview of the current economic trajectory. He urged investors to set aside political narratives and instead focus on the raw arithmetic of America’s financial condition.

“It’s not about politics, it’s about math,” said Rule.

He pointed to three figures that define the US financial landscape: US$141 trillion in aggregate private net worth, a US$27.71 trillion GDP and a personal savings rate of just 4 percent. That’s set against mounting obligations — US$36.6 trillion in federal debt held by bondholders and over US$100 trillion in unfunded federal entitlements.

Rule cautioned that the imbalance between assets and liabilities points to a looming reckoning, potentially echoing the inflationary erosion of the 1970s, when the US dollar lost 75 percent of its purchasing power.

“There’s no way out of this without reducing the value of the dollar,” he told the audience. “(The) increase in gold (prices) will mirror the decrease in purchasing power of the US dollar.’

To hedge against this risk, Rule encouraged attendees to adopt a more self-reliant approach.

He advised listeners to question government guarantees, focus on building personal financial resilience and consider investing in inflation-sensitive assets such as gold and silver. “The math doesn’t lie — it’s time to prepare, not just react,” said Rule. ”I need you not to panic when the time is right, but rather to pounce.”

Watch a recap of key Rule Symposium takeaways.

Tailwinds turning to headwinds

In addition to strategically allocating to gold, geopolitical uncertainty was as a key theme at the Rule Symposium.

During his presentation “Back to the Old Drawing Board: First Principles and the Lost Art of Investing Through Crisis,” author and publisher Grant Williams made the case that longstanding tailwinds — globalization, demographic expansion and low interest rates — have reversed, giving way to persistent uncertainty.

 

Williams provides an overview of shifting market dynamics.

He traced the last four decades of wealth creation to a rare alignment of forces that pushed asset prices, particularly US equities, sharply higher. However, since 2020, a new macro regime has emerged, defined by tighter monetary policy, rising geopolitical risk and fading confidence in the US dollar.

Like many speakers at the Rule Symposium, Williams also underscored the massive gold purchases central banks are making. During Q1 of this year, central banks added 244 metric tons of gold to their official reserves, a 24 percent increase above the five year quarterly average, according to World Gold Council data.

For Williams, this shift signals growing concern within the financial system — a trend investors shouldn’t overlook.

“When central banks are exchanging their reserves for gold in record amounts, if they feel the sudden urgent need to own more gold, you better believe that we should feel that too,” he noted.

The expert went on to illustrate how major economic and societal cycles are converging, suggesting more volatility ahead. A live poll of the audience taken during his session revealed growing unease among attendees, with many already adjusting their portfolios and long-term goals. In response, Williams called for a return to key principles: scarcity, durability, resilience, trust, patience and a clear-eyed acceptance of uncertainty.

These, he said, should now anchor any sound investment approach. He urged Rule Symposium attendees to shift their mindset from chasing returns to preserving capital by reducing overexposure to US equities, diversifying by geography and asset class and focusing on businesses with real staying power.

The investment playbook of the past no longer fits the world we’re entering, he stressed.

Navigating what Williams calls an “age of headwinds” will require humility, discipline and a willingness to rethink what truly creates and protects wealth.

Hard assets set to shine

Economist, author and former Wall Street executive Dr. Nomi Prins laid out a case for what she calls the “real asset uprising,” a global shift in value and power driven by hard assets like gold, silver, copper, uranium and rare earths.

Drawing on her experience in high-level banking and her current work in the mining sector, Prins argued that rising geopolitical friction, shifting trade dynamics and financial system strain are fueling a renewed focus on tangible resources. She pointed to surging institutional interest in commodities, noting that Wall Street deal flow tied to real assets is up 24 percent year-on-year, while hiring in commodity finance roles has increased by 15 percent.

Gold, once dismissed on trading desks, is now seen as a strategic monetary tool.

According to Prins, the yellow metal will not replace the US dollar as the reserve currency, but it will play a central role in bilateral trade and power negotiations. Gold’s jurisdiction — where it is stored and mined — is now more important than ever, she explained, as nations seek to shield assets from sanctions and instability.

Silver, copper, uranium and rare earths are all finding support through similar structural tailwinds, Prins pointed out.

Silver demand is rising due to its industrial applications, and limited aboveground supply is driving long-term contracts.

For its part, copper has become so strategically important that the US is conducting a Section 232 national security investigation into its supply chain, a move historically reserved for defense resources. Major buyers like China and India are stockpiling copper in anticipation of supply constraints.

Uranium is also surging back into focus, driven by bipartisan support for nuclear energy. Legislation and executive orders are fast tracking uranium permitting and enrichment, with utility demand expected to outstrip supply.

Rare earths = real assets

Prins highlighted rare earths as a critical new front in the ongoing global shift in value and power.

‘Rare earths are intrinsic to the nation,’ she said, pointing to their essential role in defense, electronics and energy technologies. With 85 percent of processing controlled by China, the US has launched Section 232 investigations to assess domestic vulnerabilities — reports on copper and rare earths are expected this fall.

Prins described her decision to join the board of a rare earths company as a natural extension of her belief in physical assets: “It’s not just about the asset — it’s about controlling the asset, the processing and the movement.”

That theme underpins the investment case: security of supply, efficient processing and strategic jurisdiction are key to value creation. She also noted a dramatic capital rotation, saying that US$330 billion has exited bonds over the past year, while US$230 billion has flowed into commodities.

“Wall Street is following the real asset story,” Prins emphasized.

 

Rule sits down with Porter Stansberry to discuss his investment strategy.

Prins then said real upside now lies not just in owning resources, but in having processing capability.

New technologies, like advanced rare earths separation methods, are increasing economic viability and attracting private capital. “Where private money and public power combine, that’s where the investment opportunity is,” she said.

With key policy announcements and trade shifts looming in the fall, she warned investors this is a “very critical time” in the real asset uprising. For Prins, the message is clear: investors, policymakers and mining leaders must position accordingly, because, in today’s world, “whoever controls the ground controls the game.’

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Trump claims FIFA gifted Club World Cup trophy to White House

Sport 3 Mins Read

Chelsea may have claimed the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, but according to Donald Trump, the original tournament trophy remains at the White House.

The English Premier League power stunned observers in Sunday’s final by rolling past Paris Saint-Germain 3-0, an upset to cap off the first edition of a massively expanded tournament. President Trump — who spent plenty of time ahead of the event bonding with FIFA head Gianni Infantino — made his presence known after the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., taking the field to boos before lingering among Chelsea players in an awkward trophy ceremony.

Eventually, Chelsea captain Reece James managed to hoist the trophy, designed by Tiffany and Co. and inspired by the Voyager space probes. Still, per the president, that may not have been the same trophy that has spent much of the last few months sitting in the Oval Office.

Here’s what President Trump said about the Club World Cup trophy:

Trump: Original Club World Cup trophy remains at White House

On Sunday, Club World Cup broadcaster DAZN conducted an interview with President Trump, who declared that he was told by FIFA that the trophy originally unveiled at the White House back in March could remain there in perpetuity.

‘I said, ‘When are you going to pick up the trophy?’ claimed Trump, before stating that FIFA officials replied, ”We’re never going to pick it up. You can have it forever in the Oval Office. We’re making a new one.’ And they actually made a new one. So that was quite exciting, but it is in the Oval [Office] right now.’

FIFA had not previously announced plans to make a second Club World Cup trophy, while Chelsea’s official Instagram page included a photo of airplane pilots holding the trophy — replica or not — before the team departed for London.

The Club World Cup trophy seems to have become part of the decor in the Oval Office since Infantino joined Trump to reveal its design to the world. It has been present for some soccer-related moments, like a bizarre event where the president offered his take on world affairs while confused-looking Juventus players stood in the background. However, it has also remained in the Oval Office during moments with no soccer context, lingering in the background as Trump awarded Elon Musk a key to the White House in May, among other instances.

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Watch: Ludacris performs ‘Welcome to Atlanta’ at All-Star Game

Sport 1 Min Read

ATLANTA — Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri performed their legendary anthem ‘Welcome to Atlanta’ on the field before the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park, an all-time moment in Atlanta sports history.

After the game’s reserves and pitchers were introduced and ushered onto a stage behind second base, Dupri — who was the master of ceremonies — brought Ludacris out to join him for their seminal 2001 banger.

The duo continued to perform as the All-Star Game starters were announced and the Clark Atlanta Mighty Marching Panthers and Essence Dance Line eventually joined the performers and players around the stage.

Kane Brown performs ‘Georgia On My Mind’ pregame

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NL wins MLB All-Star Game in epic home run derby swing-off

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ATLANTA — After finishing nine innings all tied up, Major League Baseball All-Star Game was decided by a swing-off for the first time, with the National League emerging victorious after blowing a six-run lead over the final three innings.

In the impromptu home run derby at Truist Park in Atlanta, the teams picked three players to each take three swings. Brent Rooker hit two homers to lead things off for the American League. Kyle Stowers responded with one in his round, then Randy Arozarena also only managed one home run.

Trailing 3-1, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber came through in the clutch, homering on all three of his swings to put the NL ahead. Then, Jonathan Aranda failed to go long on any of his swings – giving the NL a 4-3 win in the swing-off, with two-time Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso waiting on deck.

Schwarber was named the game’s MVP for his heroic performance in the swing-off.

‘It was really fun. I credit the guys, too, on our side who were really into it,’ Schwarber said. ‘They were cheering along. The fans were into it. Watching the last guy there and we were all kind of just really into it.’

The new tiebreaker format was installed in 2022, but this was the first time since that the Midsummer Classic had finished even after nine innings. Under this format, the game wound up no winning or losing pitcher – but the NL was officially credited with a 7-6 victory.

‘It will be interesting to see where that goes,’ AL manager Aaron Boone said after the game. ‘There’s probably a world where you could see that in the future, where maybe it’s in some regular season mix. I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised if people start talking about it like that.’

The NL’s win is just the second time the Senior Circuit has emerged victorious since 2013 and the AL now holds a 48-45-2 advantage in the all-time series.

The AL had trailed 6-0 in the seventh and rallied back scoring two in the ninth to tie the game. NL manager Dave Roberts opted to start the final frame with Padres closer Robert Suarez, who gave up a one-out RBI double to Bobby Witt Jr. That prompted Roberts to bring in the Mets’ Edwin Diaz. The right-hander retired the first batter he faced but Steven Kwan’s infield single brought Witt home to make it 6-6.

Boston’s Aroldis Chapman came on for the bottom of the ninth and retired the NL in order to send the contest to the tiebreaker.

The game’s scoring began before AL starter Tarik Skubal had even recorded an out, when Ketel Marte laced a two-run double into the right-field corner to score Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. But the reigning Cy Young winner limited the damage there, retiring the next three batters with a man on second.

The sides traded zeroes until Alonso hit an opposite-field three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to make it 5-0 – the first time the Mets slugger has gone long in the game itself. A few batters later, Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll crushed a solo shot to right-center, extending the NL’s lead to 6-0.

Seven NL pitchers had combined to toss six scoreless innings, but the AL answered right back in the top of the seventh, halving the deficit on Brent Rooker’s three-run homer off Giants reliever Randy Rodriguez. Witt added an RBI groundout in the frame, cutting the lead to 6-4.

Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski was named an All-Star after just five career starts, which caused a stir around baseball – but Roberts had enough faith in the youngster to bring him into the eighth with a two-run lead. The 23-year-old flamethrower worked around a hit, but got three outs to notch a hold.

The game featured a pair of poignant moments for Los Angeles Dodgers players, the first when Clayton Kershaw – selected for the team as a “Legend Pick” – was removed by Roberts after retiring a pair of batters in the second inning. The future Hall of Famer left to applause, but it was just a preview of what was coming.

First baseman Freddie Freeman, who spent the first 12 years of his career with the Braves, was replaced with one out in the top of the third, allowing the two-time World Series champion a chance to tip his cap to the Atlanta fans while receiving a thunderous standing ovation.

‘I’m OK with crying. That’s just how I am,’ Freeman said. ‘But I didn’t do it today.’

The 2026 All-Star Game will be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, the Phillies’ first time hosting since 1996.

All-Star Game MVP: Kyle Schwarber

The Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber was named MVP of the 2025 All-Star Game after homering on all three swings in the tiebreaking swing-off. An unbelievably clutch performance in the impromptu home run run derby for Schwarber, who is a free agent at the end of the 2025 season.

NL wins tiebreaker swing-off 4-3!

American League: 3

  • Brent Rooker: 2 HR
  • Randy Arozarena – 1 HR
  • Jonathan Aranda – 0 HR

National League: 4

  • Kyle Stowers – 1 HR
  • Kyle Schwarber – 3 HR
  • Pete Alonso – N/A

All-Star Game tiebreaker format

Unlike typical regular-season and postseason MLB games, the All-Star Game does not feature extra innings. Instead, the leagues came up with an even more interesting way to determine a winner if the game is knotted up after nine innings: another Home Run Derby.

AL ties it up with ninth-inning rally

With the NL clinging to a two-run lead in the ninth, things got dicey. NL manager Dave Roberts opted to start the inning with Padres closer Robert Suarez, who gave up a one-out RBI double to Bobby Witt Jr. That prompted Roberts to bring in the Mets’ Edwin Diaz, who retired the first batter he faced. But Steven Kwan’s infield single brought Witt home to score, tying the game.

Jacob Misiorowski pitches scoreless eighth

The Milwaukee Brewers’ 23-year-old phenom was named an All-Star after just five career starts, which ruffled some feathers around baseball. NL manager Dave Roberts brought him on in a setup role with a 6-4 lead in the eighth inning, tossing a scoreless inning around a single and a couple of loud outs.

That counts as a hold for Misiorowski!

Brent Rooker home run starts AL rally

Athletics slugger Brent Rooker hit a three-run homer off the Giants’ Randy Rodriguez in the top of the seventh, cutting the AL’s 6-0 deficit in half. Maikel Franco followed Rookier’s blast with a walk and then stole second, advancing to third on a throwing error by catcher Hunter Goodman. Bobby Witt Jr.’s groundout brought Garcia in to score, making it a 6-4 game.

Hank Aaron tribute in Atlanta

Atlanta had to wait four years for its All-Star tribute to Hank Aaron, the baseball icon and Hall of Famer who died in January 2021.

Corbin Carroll home run extends NL lead

Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll hit a solo homer to right-center off Tigers right-hander Casey Mize, giving the NL a 6-0 lead just a few batters after Pete Alonso’s three-run homer.

Carroll, the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year, had 21 home runs, 10 triples and 11 stolen bases in the first half.

Pete Alonso home run makes it 5-0

The New York Mets slugger clubbed a three-run homer to right field, an opposite-field blast off lefty Kris Bubic that extended the NL’s lead to 5-0.

Alonso entered the All-Star break with a .908 OPS, 21 homers and 77 RBIs. He’s just five home runs behind Darryl Strawberry on the Mets’ all-time list.

Through four innings: NL 2, AL 0

Ketel Marte’s two-run double in the first inning remains the difference so far at Truist Park, with five NL pitchers –Paul Skenes, Clayton Kershaw, Jason Adam, Logan Webb and David Peterson – combining to toss four scoreless frames.

Freddie Freeman leaves to standing ovation

ATLANTA – The incessant pressure for Freddie Freeman to emote has mercifully come to an end. 

From an on-camera interview moments before the All-Star Game in which Fox Sports asked all the leading questions, to an extra-long lingering over his name during pregame introductions that were otherwise conducted at one and a half times the usual speed, to a mid-inning defensive replacement, Freeman won’t have to think about crying anymore. 

National League leads 2-0 after two innings

Yankees lefty Carlos Rodon worked around Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-out double in the bottom of the second, getting Shohei Ohtani to ground out to first to end the threat.

The NL is 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, with Ketel Marte’s two-run double in the first the runs so far.

Clayton Kershaw in to pitch second inning

Chosen for the All-Star roster as commissioner Rob Manfred’s ‘Legend Pick,’ the future Hall of Fame southpaw relieved Paul Skenes in the second inning. A three-time Cy Young winner, Kershaw recently became the 20th pitcher with 3,000 career strikeouts.

Kershaw – who was mic’d up – got Cal Raleigh to line out to left and struck out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looking, before giving way to Padres reliever Jason Adam, walking off the field to a nice ovation from the crowd in Atlanta.

Ketel Marte opens the scoring, NL leads 2-0

Shohei Ohtani singled to center and Ronald Acuña Jr. managed an infield single before Tarik Skubal recorded an out, bringing Ketel Marte to the plate in a big spot. The Diamondbacks slugger laced a double into the right field corner to plate two runs, with Acuña coming all the way around from first to score.

But Skubal limited the damage, getting Freddie Freeman to ground out before striking out Manny Machado and Will Smith.

Paul Skenes gets MLB All-Star Game underway

The Pittsburgh Pirates ace followed up by whiffing Riley Greene for the second out, then got Aaron Judge to ground out to second base to end the top of the first inning.

Zac Brown Band performs All-Star national anthem

MLB All-Star Game starting lineups

American League

Starting pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

  1. 2B Gleyber Torres, Tigers
  2. LF Riley Greene, Tigers
  3. RF Aaron Judge, Yankees
  4. C Cal Raleigh, Mariners
  5. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
  6. DH Ryan O’Hearn, Orioles
  7. 3B Junior Caminero, Rays
  8. CF Javier Baez, Tigers
  9. SS Jacob Wilson, Athletics

National League

Starting pitcher: Paul Skenes, Pirates

  1. DH Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
  2. LF Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
  3. 2B Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
  4. 1B Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
  5. 3B Manny Machado, Padres
  6. C Will Smith, Dodgers
  7. RF Kyle Tucker, Cubs
  8. SS Francisco Lindor, Mets
  9. CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs

Where is the MLB All-Star Game 2025?

The 2025 Midsummer Classic is at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.

MLB All-Star Game history

  • Series history: AL leads 48-44-2
  • American League’s last win: 2024 (5-3 win)
  • National League’s last win: 2023 (3-2 win)

The American League leads the National League 48-44-2 in the all-time series record of the MLB All-Star Game.

The American League has dominated the Midsummer Classic over the last decade, as the American League has won 11 of the last 12 All-Star Games. That dominance only strengthens for the American League when you go back further in the record books, as the American League has won 19 of the last 24 All-Star Games since 2000.

The National League’s longest win streak in the All-Star Game spanned from 1972 to 1982, when it won 11 consecutive games. The National League’s 11-game win streak is the longest win streak by a single league in the history of the All-Star Game.

Jacob Misiorowski: Brewers’ young All-Star earns headlines

ATLANTA — Misiorowski, who stands 6-foot-7, says it’s been a whirlwind since making his MLB debut on June 12, when he tossed five no-hit innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

‘The last five weeks have been insane,’ Misiorowski said with a smile. ‘I was hoping for the All-Star break to be one of those times where you could sit back and kind of reflect on everything. But we’re here now and we’re doing this.’

National League manager Dave Roberts defended the inclusion of Misiorowski, who is 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 33 strikeouts in his five starts, touching 103 mph.

‘My North Star is the All-Star Game should be the game’s best players. It’s about the fans and what they want to see,’ Roberts said. ‘So for this young kid to be named an All-Star, I couldn’t be more excited for him. …

‘It’s an easy answer because if it brings excitement, attention to our game, then I’m all about it.’

Jacob Wilson: Athletics rookie has All-Star pitchers fuming

ATLANTA — Yankees All-Star pitcher Carlos Rodon saw Jacob Wilson in the American League clubhouse Monday, stopped him, and moaned about the difficulty of pitching to him.

“I said, ‘Dude, I’m looking at scouting reports on you and it says to throw fastballs up and in because you’re not supposed to have any hard contact.’ I throw a four-seamer up and in, and you hit a double off me. Come on.’

Shohei Ohtani, Mamiko Tanaka arrive on red carpet

Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne stun on All-Star red carpet

2026 MLB All-Star Game location

Next year’s All-Star Game will be held at CItizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. The club lasted hosted the Midsummer Classic in 1996 at Veterans Stadium.

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‘Institutionalized collusion’: MLB’s next labor war is coming in hot

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ATLANTA — Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, believes that MLB owners already are preparing for a lockout after the 2026 season if they don’t get a salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement – but insists that a cap would be detrimental to the entire sport.

“Institutionalized collusion, that’s what a salary cap is …’ Clark told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. “A cap is not about a partnership. A cap isn’t about growing the game. A cap is about franchise values and profits. …

“A salary cap historically has limited contract guarantees associated with it, literally pits one player against another and is often what we share with players as the definitive non-competitive system. It doesn’t reward excellence. It undermines it from an organizational standpoint. That’s why this is not about competitive balance. It’s not about fair versus not fair. …

“The history is more lockouts, more work stoppages as a result of that system being in place.’

Baseball has had nine work stoppages, with the last lockout lasting 99 days in 2021-2022. The two sides reached an agreement on a five-year deal on March 10, 2022 which expires on Dec. 1, 2026.

Clark is concerned that another lockout is nearly inevitable simply based on the threats he already is hearing from MLB and the ownership ranks. The union is withholding all of their licensing checks for a potential work stoppage fund.

“It begs the question as to whether or not we’re going to have a good faith negotiation,’’ Clark said. “That remains to be seen when somebody tells you they’re going to lock you out a year and a half out, rather than sit down at the table and see if we can figure our way through that.’

MLB has pushed for a salary cap for years, saying it’s necessary for competitive balance, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets having nearly five times the $69 million payroll of the Miami Marlins. There has been no repeat World Series winner since the New York Yankees from 1998-2000, but the last small-market team to win the World Series was the Kansas City Royals in 2015.

Manfred has informed players in his meetings with teams that a salary cap could be advantageous economically, saying that 10% of the players earn 72% of the wages, and that a cap would greatly enhance competive balance.

“When I talk to the players, I don’t try to convince them that a salary cap system would be a good thing,” Manfred said, hours before the All-Star Game. “I identify a problem in the media business and explain to them that owners need to change to address that problem. I then identify a second problem that we need to work together and that is that there are fans in a lot of our markets who feel like we have a competitive balance problem’

Clark strongly disagrees that a salary cap will increase competitive balance in the game, saying plenty of teams have money, based on the financial information they receive, but choose not to be competitive.

“We believe there are ways to incentivize and provide support to those who are in a different market than in LA or New York,’ Clark said. “There’s an opportunity to do that, and do so to the benefit of the group that doesn’t require a restriction on player salaries to do so.’

MLB proposed a salary floor in the last CBA, forcing small market teams to spend at least $100 million, but Clark says that with a floor, there is always a catch.

“Let me clear on this, we’ve never been opposed to a floor,’ Clark said. “We’re opposed with what comes with it, or at least historically has.’

Will MLB stars play in 2028 LA Olympics?

Manfred and Clark spoke for about 45 minutes apiece, covering a wide-ranging array of topics highlighted by the possibility of MLB considering permitting its major-league players to play in the 2028 Olympics if certain conditions are met. MLB would want Olympic games to be played during an extended All-Star break.

“They put out a schedule, they tell you it’s not going to move,’ Manfred said, “we’ll see whether there’s any movement on that. It is possible to take it, to play the All-Star Game in its normal spot, have a single break that would be longer obviously, but still play 162 games without bleeding into the middle of November.

“That is possible, OK? It would require significant accommodations, but it’s possible.’

Los Angeles Olympic organizers met in Atlanta separately with MLB officials and the union, and see a glimmer of hope that MLB players could be in the Olympics, although major obstacles remain.

“In the event that MLB players are going to play, what does that mean and what does that look like?” Clark said. “And perhaps just as importantly, what does it mean for those players who aren’t participating? What type of scheduling adjustments need to be made? What type travel considerations and support need to considered? What does that means in regards to insurance? …

“There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done. We do know players are interested in playing, whether it’s for Team USA or any number of other teams around the world. There’s just a lot of conversation that needs to be had sooner rather than later to see how viable this is, but we’re hopeful that we can figure our way through it for the benefit of the game.”

Says Manfred: ‘I think it is a opportunity to market the game on a really global stage. Obviously, the clubs are going to have to endorse this. I mean, this it’s a big deal.”

Rays stadium status for postseason

MLB said the Tampa Bay Rays will play all of their potential postseason games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, and that Tropicana Field will be ready for their return in 2026.

MLB All-Star Game roster concerns

MLB is concerned with the number of players dropping out of the All-Star game, with 16 alternate players chosen, and not counting at least 10 others who rejected offers to participate. Clark says they have proposed different ideas, and believes that the rigorous travel schedule – with every team now playing each other – has caused a number of players to prefer staying home.

“The requirements for players, the travel and the logistics of their family and support, the day-to-day of a 162-game season,’ Clark said, “is more complex and more challenging than it’s ever been. …We’ve gotten feedback from some of the guys already in regards to things we may want to be thinking about when we talk to the league, whether that’s a longer period of time, or whether that’s different requirements, or different scheduling, or different timing.’’

Said Manfred: “I think what we have to do is continue to work with our very best players to make sure that they’re here and showcasing themselves in front of a fan base. That’s really, really important to us over the long haul.’’

Pitching injuries pile up

Clark remains concerned with the rash of pitching injuries, particularly Tommy John surgeries, which has completely decimated several pitching staffs this season.

“To say that it keeps me up at night is an understatement,’ Clark said. “The game has changed. How pitchers are being used has changed dramatically. And what it is that teams are interested in pitchers doing has changed dramatically. … I think there are a number of factors that are leading to what we are seeing in our game. …

“Pitching injuries and their effects on those players, both in the near term and the long term, let alone their teams, let alone the fans that come to the ballpark, is a personal issue for me.’’

When will ABS system be implemented?

There remains a strong opposition from players towards the automatic-ball strike challenge system that is being used in the All-Star Game, with MLB hoping it implement it for the 2026 season.

No betting on baseball – obviously

Players are continually reminded that gambling in baseball is prohibited, Clark said, no matter if it’s a small parlay or winter-league games – and still worries about the gambling element affecting players.

“We want to make sure that players are protected, their families are protected,’ Clark said. “We found some players in some tough spots as a result of the new climate that we are in. We found family members in tough spots as a result of the climate that we are in. The game is hard enough, let alone having to deal with those types of outside influences.’

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Home Run Derby champion left stranded on deck in All-Star tiebreaker

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ATLANTA — It would have been easy for New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso to tell All-Star officials, “thanks, but no thanks,’ like so many of his peers.

He could say he was simply fatigued, needed to focus on the second half, or come up with an excuse just like the 16 others who backed out of playing in the game.

Who would blame him? Alonso has already been to four previous All-Star Games, and it’s not like he would be warmly welcomed in Atlanta. The Mets are the enemy down South, as he was coldly reminded during pre-game introductions when he was vigorously booed, and jeered when he replaced Freddie Freeman, the former hometown hero.

Sorry, Alonso isn’t built that way.

This time, he wanted to conserve his energy, keeping fresh for the Mets’ pennant race, but never once considered backing out of the game.

“It’s an honor for me,’ Alonso said. “Certain guys, if they’re banged up, it’s situational. But I’m healthy and I’m appreciative. It’s a great event.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer to come.’

If the fans want him, and his peers voted for him, he believed it was a privilege to come, opting instead to decline an invitation to the Home Run Derby, which he has competed in five times, winning twice.

So, the way Alonso figured it, as long as he was in town, he might as well put on a show.

He nearly brought home a souvenir too, and was the leading candidate to earn the All-Star MVP award after hitting a three-run, sixth-inning homer, only for game to be decided in a historic swing-off. The hero of the tiebreaker, Kyle Schwarber, was named MVP of what was officially a 7-6 National League win in front of a sellout crowd of 41,702 at Truist Park.

Alonso agreed be part of the tiebreaking home run derby, and was the third batter scheduled for the NL in the swing-off. But he was left stranded on deck when Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda failed to homer, clinching the NL a 4-3 victory.

“Honestly, I felt like a closer going into a game,’ Alonso said, “and then it’s like, ‘Wait, the guy on the field got a double play. You’re not going in. The team wins.’’

So, what was better, winning the home-run derby or winning a swing-off in an All-Star Game?

“For me, I think that beats any Derby win,’ Alonso says. “Like, that’s really special for me. So, I’m stoked. … I mean, to win the All-Star game’s a big deal. It’s obviously a big competitive and pride thing.’

Besides, hitting a homer in an All-Star Game can be forever cherished.

Hitting a few in the Home Run Derby would be forgotten by the trade deadline.

“The Derby and stuff like that environment is just practice at the end of the day,’ Alonso says. “For me to do it in a competitive environment, where they’re trying to get me out and not groove meatballs in there, it’s really special to do that.’

And it still is an honor for Alonso to represent the National League.

“It’s a great way to honor family and friends,’ Alonso said, “because it’s not just, ‘I’m an All-Star.’ They do a great job showing appreciation for family, friends, because every guy out there has a great support system, a village behind them.’

And the Midsummer Classic dropouts certainly didn’t diminish the game in Alonso’s eyes.

“Some guys choose to take breaks,’’ Alonso said, “but you’ve got the best talent on both sides here, whether American League or National League. Full of talent. The best talent, the best players in the big leagues. It’s a really special group on both sides.’

Alonso’s sentiments were echoed by Dodgers 11-time All Star Clayton Kershaw in his pre-game speech to the NL team, letting them know being an All-Star should be an honor, and never, ever be taken for granted.

“The All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for the players,’ Kershaw said. “It’s a lot of travel. It’s a lot of stress, chaos, family, all the stuff. But it’s meaningful. It’s impactful for the game. It’s important for the game.

“We have the best All-Star Game of any sport. We do have the best product. So, to be here, to realize your responsibility in the sport is important. We have Shohei [Ohtani] here. We have Aaron Judge here. We have all these guys that represent the game really, really well, so we get to showcase that and be part of that is important.

“I was super honored to be a part of it.’

Alonso had a blast picking up where he left off in the first half with 21 homers, 77 RBIs and a .908 OPS, leading the Mets to a 55-42 record, one-half game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

“I’m really pleased with my performance so far,” Alonso said. “There’s a really special feeling around the team.  I want to finish out the season strong and help this team do incredible things. I want this to be a very historic year for the franchise.”

Certainly, it’s about to be historic for Alonso, too. He has 247 career homers, just five home runs shy of Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record for homers. Just in time to hit free agency again when he’s expected to opt out of the final year of his two-year, $54 million contract.

“I’m just worried about the team winning,’’ Alonso says. “The rest, will take care of itself.’

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