December 30, 2022 3:48 am
SAO PAULO (AP) – Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of soccer, has died. He was 82. Since 2021, he had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer discovered during a routine medical exam. Pelé was one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century. He won a record three World Cups with Brazil and was the standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” with the national team and his club Santos. His exuberance and mesmerizing moves transfixed generations of fans around the globe. His flair personified his country’s samba-style elegance. Late in his career, he helped popularize soccer in North America by joining the New York Cosmos.
December 29, 2022 3:55 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Jake Walman scored at 2:13 of overtime and the Detroit Red Wings overcame an early four-goal deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 on Wednesday night. Walman, off the rush, tipped a rebound behind goaltender Casey DeSmith for his second goal of the season. Pittsburgh was coming a 5-1 road loss to the New York Islanders less than 24 hours earlier, while Detroit played its first game since Dec. 21. The Penguins started strong with four goals on 12 first-period shots.
December 29, 2022 2:23 am
(WPXI) – Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday after a ferocious performance against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday in Pittsburgh’s 13-10 win. This is Heyward’s first such honor this season, but his play over the last two weeks has been All-Pro worthy. Heyward has racked up 3.5 sacks and 14 pressures over the last two games. Against the Raiders, he registered two QB Hits, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and seven pressures on the day. It was a performance worthy of such an honor as Heyward continues to get better as the season goes on.
December 29, 2022 3:57 am
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) – Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said on Wednesday that Jarrett Stidham will start the final two games at quarterback in place of Derek Carr. McDaniels cited the struggles of the offense over the past month as the reason for the switch. McDaniels also said defensive lineman Chandler Jones and linebacker Denzel Perryman were placed on season-ending injured reserve. Jones has an elbow injury and Perryman a shoulder injury. The Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
December 29, 2022 3:58 am
The Boston Red Sox and right-hander Corey Kluber have agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract. A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract for the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner was pending a successful physical. It also includes an $11 million club option and various performance bonuses and escalators. The 36-year-old Kluber had a 10-10 record and a 4.34 ERA in 31 starts for Tampa Bay this year.
December 28, 2022 3:56 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee each scored twice, Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on Tuesday night. Hudson Fasching and Brock Nelson each had two assists and Ilya Sorokin made with 19 saves in his 100th NHL appearance. New York has won two in a row. Pierre-Olivier Joseph scored for Pittsburgh and Tristan Jarry made 38 saves, but the Penguins fell for the third time in four games after starting December with a seven-game winning streak.
December 28, 2022 4:01 am
PITTSBURGH — Rich Hill has agreed to a one-year contract with Pittsburgh, giving the Pirates another veteran arm for their rotation, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the club had not announced the signing. Hill, a Boston native who turns 43 in March, went 8-7 with a 4.27 ERA in 26 starts for the Red Sox this year. Hill joins a growing list of new faces with the Pirates. Carlos Santana, a first baseman and designated hitter, signed with the team in free agency, and first baseman Ji-Man Choi was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay. Catcher Austin Hedges and right-hander Vince Velasquez also agreed to free agent contracts. Hill made his big league debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2005. Pittsburgh will be his 12th major league team. The 6-foot-5 left-hander, known for his curveball, is 82-59 with a 3.85 ERA in 350 career appearances, including 221 starts.
December 28, 2022 3:57 am
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – Even though he’s still playing great football, it looks as if J.J. Watt is ready to call it a career. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year indicated Tuesday that he will retire at the end of the season, posting pictures of his wife and family on social media while writing: “Koa’s first ever NFL game. My last ever NFL home game. My heart is filled with nothing but love and gratitude. It’s been an absolute honor and a pleasure.” Watt and his wife, Kealia, became parents in October. Koa is the name of their son. The 33-year-old Watt was among the premier defensive players in the NFL during the early 2010s with the Houston Texans.
December 27, 2022 3:45 am
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Austin Ekeler scored on two 1-yard runs and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their first playoff berth since 2018, intercepting Indianapolis quarterback Nick Foles three times to beat the overmatched Colts 20-3. Justin Herbert threw for 235 yards and Cameron Dicker made two short field goals for the Chargers, who won their third straight after getting the help they needed this weekend from Las Vegas, Miami, New England and the New York Jets. Los Angeles won on the road on a Monday night for the first time in more than a decade. Indianapolis lost its fifth straight under interim coach Jeff Saturday.
December 27, 2022 3:41 am
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – The Denver Broncos have fired coach Nathaniel Hackett after 15 games. Hackett never was able to get quarterback Russell Wilson out of a season-long slump. The Broncos are 4-11 and have posted their sixth straight losing season and are missing the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season. Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but the Broncos got worse in almost every category under the first-time head coach. Players were told during a team meeting Monday that senior assistant coach Jerry Rosburg will serve as interim head coach.
