In Greenroom Confidential, reporters and editors at TODAY.com share a look at what actors, authors, performers and more guests shared behind the scenes at TODAY.
Yankees Pitchers Max Fried and Fernando Cruz Reveal How They’d Pitch to Aaron Judge
Max Fried and Fernando Cruz, pitchers for the New York Yankees, stopped by the TODAY plaza on Tuesday alongside the team’s manager, Aaron Boone, in honor of Yankees HOPE Week.
“This is me and Fernando’s first year with the Yankees. So I think we’re mostly just eyes wide open, just trying to connect to the community as best as we can,” Fried said of participating in HOPE Week. “And for me, I was really open to any opportunity.”
The Yankees are currently the top team in the American League East, and right fielder and reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge is having an amazing season so far.
When asked how they’d pitch to their teammate if they had to, both Fried and Cruz replied that they’re very happy they don’t have to face him.
“I’d probably throw four pitches that are, like, around the zone, see if he swings, but tell him to just go walk to first base,” Fried said with a smile.
Cruz said he’d try the “same thing.”
“I would throw him my best pitches out of the zone, maybe start on the zone, finish out of the zone, and if (Judge) doesn’t swing, thank you,” Cruz said.
Dion Dawkins Talks the Protector of the Year Award and 2026 Super Bowl
Dion Dawkins of the Buffalo Bills dropped by the TODAY plaza on Wednesday to show off his expert cornhole skills. The offensive lineman brought his own beanbags and tossed a few with the co-hosts, before giving them a few tips to help improve their game.
TODAY.com then sat down with the Bills player to learn more about what he’s been up to in the offseason. As it turns out, a lot. Dawkins convinced NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to initiate a new award just for offensive linemen.
“The award is Protector of the Year,” explained Dawkins.
He added that offensive linemen are often the unsung heroes of the team, and he wants to change that.
“Sing our song. (The) quarterback sing, running back, sing, receiver, sing, the most popular person on the team should be singing our song to bring light to the people who can’t really sing for themself,” Dawkins said.
Though he’s a lineman himself, Dawkins said the Protector of the Year award isn’t about him.
“There were so many great offensive linemen that came before me that made me even want to be a big guy and play offensive line,” he told TODAY.com. “I’m fighting for those guys.”
As far as the upcoming football season is concerned, does Dawkins think the Bills, who lost the AFC championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year, can bring home the Lombardi in 2026?
“I think that we have the best chance that we can ever have,” Dawkins said.
Does Damson Idris Want to Be a Real-Life Race Car Driver?
“F1: The Movie” star Damson Idris dropped by Studio 1A on Wednesday to talk all things racing. Naturally, TODAY.com had a few burning questions to ask the British actor about life in the fast lane, including whether or not he ever had an “I’m going to die” moment while making the film.
“Every time,” Idris joked. He explained that during his first pass on Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix, he entered a corner ominously dubbed the “Copse” without taking his foot off the throttle, a high-risk move.
“You’re turning at these crazy, insane speeds, over 100 mph. And if you turn the wheel slightly to the left or right, you can make a huge mistake,” he said. “That was one of the times I was scared.”
Given that actors like Tom Cruise and Paul Newman fell in love with the sport, TODAY.com wondered if Idris found himself smitten after making “F1.”
“Oh, 100%,” the 33-year-old said, adding he would love to race in real life.
“I’d probably do something that was like 20 mph or maybe in a nice little humble race for charity. You know, people could walk alongside the cars as we’re driving,” he said, laughing.
As for working alongside Brad Pitt, Idris said that the longtime actor was like a “big brother” to him.
“He constantly wanted me to win. He constantly wanted to present me on equal footing, and he encouraged me to be free and do my thing,” he said. “And that’s so refreshing because I’m such a young actor, and I’m working with an absolute veteran.”
“He’s the sweetest and most humble guy in the world.”
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