Sports category, Page 2451
Carolina looks to finish off Islanders in Eastern Conference semifinal
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes haven’t made the playoffs often. When they do, they stick around for a while. This is just their fourth postseason appearance since 2002, but they reached the Eastern Conference final — at least — in each of their last three appearances and are one...
Many top female hockey players to boycott season in hopes for viable league
Hilary Knight would rather risk missing a year of playing meaningful hockey than settle for the status quo. The star American forward is among more than 200 of the world’s top female players who announced Thursday they will not play professional hockey in North America this year in a bold...
Bob Baffert feeling pressure but holding strong hand for Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bob Baffert is feeling the pressure now. The five-time Kentucky Derby winner finds himself with new favorite Game Winner since Omaha Beach was scratched with a breathing problem. “Oh boy. Here we go,” the white-haired trainer said Thursday to a throng outside his Churchill Downs barn. “I...
In letter to NFL, lawyer for Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill disputes abuse
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The attorney for Tyreek Hill sent a letter to the NFL on Thursday disputing child-abuse claims made by the wide receiver’s fiancee, offering a point-by-point response to a secret recording of the couple that was made public last week. In the four-page letter, a copy of...
Celtics president Danny Ainge suffers mild heart attack
BOSTON — Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge had a mild heart attack and is expected to fully recover. The 60-year-old executive received immediate medical attention Tuesday night in Milwaukee, the team said in a statement Thursday. The Celtics were facing the Bucks in the second round of the playoffs. Ainge,...
2 former Penn State players on Women’s World Cup roster
Former Penn State players Ali Krieger and Alyssa Naeher were among the 23 players named to the U.S. soccer roster that will compete in the Women’s World Cup this summer in France. Krieger, a 34-year-old right back, will be playing in her third World Cup and helped the 2015 team...
Fresh off title, Chartiers Valley hopes for big contingent at WPIALs
Mary Kathryn Thornton — “Kiki” to most everyone who knows her — figures to be in contention for a medal at the WPIAL Class AAA track and field championships. The Chartiers Valley senior has a season-best mark of 5 minutes, 15.04 seconds in the 1,600 meters, which places her firmly...
Robert Morris will open 2019 football season against Buffalo of the MAC
Robert Morris football will step up in class when it visits Buffalo of the Mid-American Conference for its opener Aug. 29. The game will mark Robert Morris’ first game against an FBS school. Buffalo won 10 of its first 12 games last season and claimed the championship of the MAC’s...
Pat McAfee calls out ‘yuppies’ after not getting ‘Monday Night Football’ job
Pat McAfee really wanted a job in the announcing booth with ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” Alas, he didn’t get it. “MNF” went in another direction, as they say. McAfee responded to the decision on Wednesday calling out “yuppies” in a statement on Twitter, “My entire life, the yuppies of the...
Fantasy Sports podcast: Melky Cabrera’s hot start, NFL Draft impact
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week, we look at which draft choices could impact the fantasy football world. Kyler Murray leads the way. Josh Jacobs should help the Oakland Raiders. Those tight ends from Iowa could be worth a pick. And the New...
Pirates rookie Bryan Reynolds among under-25 players making impact
Bryan Reynolds never was hugged by a pop superstar. He was not invited to be guest of honor at an NBA playoff game. And he has yet to receive repeated standing ovations in his home ballpark, although the 24-year-old probably deserves one when the Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park...
Pirates offering Jameson Taillon ‘Obi-Wan’ bobblehead on ‘Star Wars’ nightVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates are holding their annual “Star Wars” night on Saturday. The May the Fourth event will feature costumed characters from the movie roaming the field and stadium. And fans are encouraged to dress up as “Star Wars” characters. A special Jameson Taillon “Obi Wan” bobblehead doll will be...
First Call: What will Baltimore do with Trace McSorley?, Gronk’s acting, a monster homer
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Gronk’s acting debut. What the future holds for Trace McSorley in Baltimore. A bad break in Cleveland. And a bad fate for the Islanders? McSorley mash-up So, what are the Baltimore Ravens going to do with former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley? It sounds like …...
Tim Benz: So much for prioritizing Artie Burns’ confidence, or his option
Remember how we started yesterday’s “First Call” with Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert telling the world the team was hoping that struggling cornerback Artie Burns could regain his confidence? Yeah, forget that. Unless the organization thinks that refusing to pick up Burns’ fifth-year option is the best route to restoring...
Tim Benz: Time for Evgeni Malkin to follow his own advice
On locker cleanout day following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ sweep at the hands of New York Islanders, Kris Letang was indignant at suggestions that he may need to change his game. You know, be more structured and patient. Take fewer chances. Play more conservative. The response was not one of agreement....
Former Penguins coach Red Kelly dies at 91
Red Kelly, the defenseman-turned-center whose Hall of Fame career included eight Stanley Cups while playing for Detroit and Toronto, died Thursday at the age of 91. Kelly was also a former coach and GM for the Penguins. He finished with a 90-132-52 record. He took the team its first NHL...
UPG’s Chris Common has three-home run game to tie program record
Chris Common has turned his senior season into a greatest hits album. The left fielder from Penn-Trafford broke the school’s career hits record last week and on Wednesday the Bobcats’ career home run leader tied a single-game mark with three home runs in a 15-4 victory over neighboring Saint Vincent...
Pirates minor league report: May 1, 2019
Pirates INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 13-12) lost 9-7 to Columbus (Indians). RHP Rookie Davis (0-2, 7.13) got the loss after allowing eight runs on 12 hits in five innings. Davis also gave up two home runs and had three strikeouts. The Indians hit three home runs in a game with six total...
NASCAR throws in the flag on trying to liven up qualifying
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR abandoned its yearslong bid to add excitement to qualifying and announced Wednesday it will return to single-car laps after the current format became a laughingstock. All three national series will make the change at all oval tracks, starting this weekend at Dover. NASCAR for more than...
Lionel Messi hits 600 goals with a brace, Barca blanks LiverpoolVideo
BARCELONA, Spain — Facing its toughest opponent of the season, Barcelona once again turned to Lionel Messi to move the team within one step of reaching its first Champions League final in four seasons. Messi scored his 599th and 600th goals for Barcelona to subdue a Liverpool lineup that had...
Booger McFarland to be lone ‘Monday Night Football’ color analyst
ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” will return to a two-man booth when it kicks off its 50th season later this year. The network announced Wednesday that Joe Tessitore will be back doing play-by-play, and Booger McFarland will move up to the booth after being a field-level analyst. ESPN also announced Lisa...
Recording: Sean Miller involved in paying Deandre Ayton $10K monthly
NEW YORK — A former aspiring business manager for NBA players took the witness stand at a college basketball bribery trial Wednesday to deny charges that he paid off coaches at major programs to get their help in landing clients with potential for lucrative pro contracts. “I never paid a...
Pitt scores runs by the dozen in 26-2 victory against Maryland Eastern Shore
The hits — and more than two dozen runs — just kept on comin’ for the Pitt baseball team Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers (16-28, 4-17 ACC) rapped out 21 hits — including a grand slam by David Yanni — in an historic 26-2 victory that completed a two-game sweep of...
Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach drops out
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Suddenly, the Kentucky Derby is wide open. Favorite Omaha Beach was scratched because of a breathing problem Wednesday night, leaving a pair of Hall of Famers on the sideline: trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Mike Smith. Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia revised the morning line to make...
Phil Rosenthal: For Cubs’ Addison Russell, Iowa a fitting purgatory
Iowa. That place where, in the movies at least, baseball players dead to the outside world briefly emerge from a purgatorial cornfield to play before vanishing again. Seems like the right spot for Addison Russell, whose 40-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic-violence policy concludes this week. The Cubs, who continue...
