July 24, 2020 3:53 am
SEATTLE (AP) – The NHL’s newest team finally has a name: the Seattle Kraken. The expansion franchise unveiled its nickname Thursday, ending 19 months of speculation about whether the team might lean traditional or go eccentric with the name for the league’s 32nd team. Seattle bypassed options like Sockeyes, Evergreens or Metropolitans, the last of which would have been a nod to Seattle’s hockey history.The primary logo is a tentacle shaped into an “S” in the style of the old Seattle Metropolitans jersey and logo. The Metropolitans were the first American team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917.
July 23, 2020 3:47 am
TORONTO (AP) – The state of Pennsylvania won’t allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the decision Wednesday. Earlier in the day, two officials familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that an agreement to share the stadium with the Pirates was pending state approval. Canada previously denied the Blue Jays’ request to play in Toronto because the regular-season schedule would require frequent travel back and forth from the United States. Canada has flattened the epidemic curve. But cases are rising in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh.
July 23, 2020 3:52 am
UNDATED (AP) – Mookie Betts has said yes to a huge contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Betts and the Dodgers have struck baseball’s first big-money deal since the coronavirus pandemic decimated the sport’s economics. The 12-year, $365 million contract runs through 2032 and removes the top offensive player from next off-season’s free-agent class. The 27-year-old outfielder was acquired by the Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox on Feb. 10, along with pitcher David Price for three players. His deal is baseball’s second-largest in total dollars behind the $426.5 million, 12-year contract for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout covering 2019-30. The four-time Gold Glove winner captured the 2018 AL MVP award en route to Boston’s World Series title. He hit .295 with 29 homers and 80 RBIs last year, down from a major league-leading .346 average with 32 homers and 80 RBIs in his MVP season.
July 23, 2020 3:49 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Carlton Haselrig, a Pro Bowl right guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early 1990s who is also the only wrestler in NCAA history to win six individual national championships, has died. He was 54. Pat Pecora coached Haselrig to heavyweight division championships at both the NCAA Division II and Division I levels in the 1980s at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. He says Haselrig had been in declining health in recent years. The school says in a statement that Haselrig’s death was due to natural causes. Haselrig started 47 games in the NFL before his career was cut short due to off-the-field issues.
July 23, 2020 3:50 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist has rejoined the club he’s helped lead to two Stanley Cups. The 33-year-old Swede was held out of practice during the early part of training camp as a precaution after he returned to Pittsburgh a little later than some of his teammates. The ever antsy Hornqvist said he tried to channel his energy into working out. The Penguins are hoping Hornqvist can reprise the role he’s filled so capably during his five-plus years in Pittsburgh. Hornqvist has 21 career playoff goals for the Penguins, including the clinching goal during Game 6 of the 2017 Stanley Cup finals against Nashville.
July 22, 2020 4:00 am
The Pirates are gearing up for the start of the regular season. They have transferred Gregory Polanco to the 10-day injured list and selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Robbie Erlin. Polanco has been absent from summer camp since July 14, with Derek Shelton confirming that it was because he tested positive for COVID-19. Polanco gave his consent to share his test results. He will need to pass two consecutive tests before he is allowed to rejoin the team. Polanco came into camp saying his surgically repaired left shoulder was feeling its best since before his 2018 injury. The Pirates currently have four outfielders in camp: Bryan Reynolds, Jarrod Dyson, Guillermo Heredia and non-roster invitee Socrates Brito.
July 22, 2020 3:47 am
NEW YORK (AP) – The NFL Players Association has agreed to the league’s plan to drop all preseason games for the 2020 season, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the offer had not been made public. The union also agreed to a 80-player roster limit for training camp, instead of the usual 90. The league had initially proposed two preseason games before deciding to scrap the preseason altogether.
July 22, 2020 3:45 am
UNDATED (AP) – Veteran defensive end and three-time Pro Bowler Michael Bennett is retiring after 11 NFL seasons. The 34-year-old Bennett played for five teams and was an integral part of the Seattle Seahawks’ 2013 NFL championship. He said Tuesday on Instagram that the 2019 season, which he split between New England and Dallas, was his last. He also played for Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. Bennett’s brother Martellus was an NFL tight end.
July 22, 2020 3:48 am
CLEVELAND (AP) – Cleveland’s players met Tuesday with owner Paul Dolan to discuss a potential name change for the team, which has been called the Indians for the past 105 years. Manager Terry Francona said the group had an “honest” conversation and he came away proud of how it was handled by all involved. Francona stressed that nothing has been resolved over the controversial topic. The franchise recently announced it was in the early stages of meeting with the community and appropriate stakeholders “to determine the best path forward with regard to our team name.” The Indians’ move coincided with the recent decision by Washington’s NFL team to drop the name Redskins, which had been decried as being racist for decades.
July 22, 2020 3:49 am
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Attendance will be limited to 25% capacity for the Indianapolis 500 and spectators will be required to wear face coverings at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Indianapolis Motor Speedway can hold approximately 350,000 fans in the grandstands, suites and infield, but officials said last month only 50% capacity would be admitted for the Aug. 23 race. The number was adjusted Tuesday. Tickets will not be sold after Friday. Among the precautions the speedway will take is reassigning seats for social distancing, distributing hand sanitizer and administering temperature checks at entry. Concession stands will be limited to mostly prepackaged foods.
