January 13, 2022 3:49 am
UNDATED (AP) – Former Cubs and Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester has announced his retirement. The durable left-hander who won three World Series titles during 16 years in the majors told ESPN, “It’s kind of run its course.” Lester finishes with a 200-117 record and a 3.66 ERA in 452 career games, including 451 starts. He also was a reliable postseason performer, compiling a 2.51 ERA in 26 appearances. Lester helped Boston win the championship in 2007 and 2013 and did the same for the 2016 Cubs.
January 12, 2022 3:53 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Major League Baseball and the players’ association are scheduled to meet Thursday in the first negotiations between the parties since labor talks broke off Dec. 1. MLB has been preparing a new proposal for the union. Management locked out the union on Dec. 2 following the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. The dispute threatens spring training, which is scheduled to start Feb. 16 in Florida and Arizona.
January 12, 2022 3:52 am
UNDATED (AP) – Georgia is No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll after earning its second national championship – and first in 41 years – by beating rival Alabama Monday night, 33-18.
The Bulldogs received all 61 first-place votes to be a unanimous No. 1 for the ninth time this season. The Tide finished No. 2, giving the Southeastern Conference the top two teams in the final rankings for the third time since 2011. Michigan was No. 3, Cincinnati No. 4, with Baylor at No. 5. Ohio State was No. 6 and Oklahoma State finished seventh. Notre Dame was eighth, Michigan State was ninth and Oklahoma was 10th, giving the Big 12 three top 10 teams. Pitt finished at No. 13.
January 12, 2022 3:48 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers could be close to fully healthy when they travel to Kansas City to take on the AFC West champion Chiefs in the opening round of the playoffs. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday running back Najee Harris, cornerback Arthur Maulet, left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and linebacker Robert Spillane could be available as the seventh-seeded Steelers try to upset second-seeded Kansas City. Pittsburgh will head to Arrowhead Stadium looking to avenge a 36-10 loss to the Chiefs the day after Christmas.
January 12, 2022 3:47 am
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Evgeni Malkin scored twice and had an assist in his season debut, Jeff Carter added two goals and the surging Pittsburgh Penguins rolled to a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Malkin had not played since undergoing right knee surgery in June. The four-time All-Star and 2012 Hart Trophy winner had been skating with teammates for several weeks and was a full participant in Monday’s practice. He centered the second line between Carter and Kasperi Kapanen, which was responsible for all four Pittsburgh goals. Kapanen added two assists and Tristan Jarry stopped 25 shots for the Penguins, who bounced right back from Saturday’s loss at Dallas that snapped a 10-game winning streak. Jakob Silfverberg scored Anaheim’s goal and Anthony Stolarz made 30 saves.
January 11, 2022 11:27 pm
The are just two wrestling dates left in the team portion of the wrestling season. Berths in the upcoming Section Dual Meet Championships are up for grabs. Following is a breakdown of the current standings and crucial remaining dual meets.
Class 3A, Section 4A–Defending WPIAL/PIAA champion Waynesburg is 2-0 along with Canon-McMillan. Trinity is 2-1 in section matches. Those three teams are the likely Dual Meet participants. South Fayette is still alive for a berth.
Tonight: Canon-McMilan at Trinity on WJPA-AM (1450) or Listen Here. South Fayette at Waynesburg.
Jan. 19: Waynesburg at Canon-McMillan, Chartiers Valley at South Fayette.
Class 3A, Section 4B–Peters Township and Bethel Park are both 3-0 with two matches remaining including against each other next Wednesday at Peters Township. Ringgold and Mt. Lebanon, both 1-2, are still alive for a berth in the Section Duals.
Tonight: Peters Township at Central Catholic, Ringgold at Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon at Bethel Park.
Jan. 19: Bethel Park at Peters Township, Central Catholic at Ringgold, Upper St. Clair at Mt. Lebanon.
Class 2A, Section 1A–Burgettstown and Chartiers-Houston are both 3-0 with two matches remaining including against each other next Wednesday at C-H. Fort Cherry (2-1) and Wash High (1-2) are still alive for a berth in the Section Duals and meet next week, likely with the final berth on the line.
Tonight: Burgettstown at Keystone Oaks, Fort Cherry at Chartiers-Houston, South Park at Wash High.
Jan. 19: Chartiers-Houston at Burgettstown, Wash High at Fort Cherry, Keystone Oaks at South Park.
Class 2A, Section 1A–Beth-Center leads the sub-section with a perfect 3-0 mark and can clinch a berth with a win tonight against Frazier. We’ll have that match for you on WJPA-FM (95.3) or Listen Here. Frazier and Jeff-Morgan are both 2-1 and in control of their own post-season destinies. The Commodores, after visiting B-C tonight, host J-M next week. McGuffey (1-2) is still alive but needs to win out and get some help, having lost to both 2-1 teams already.
Tonight: Frazier at Beth-Center, McGuffey at Bentworth, West Greene at Jeff-Morgan.
Jan. 19: Beth-Center at McGuffey, Bentworth at West Greene, Jeff-Morgan at Frazier.
January 11, 2022 3:51 am
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Stetson Bennett delivered the biggest throws of his storybook career and Georgia’s defense sealed the sweetest victory in program history, vanquishing rival Alabama 33-18 to win the College Football Playoff title game. The Bulldogs won their first national title in 41 years. Bennett connected with Adonai Mitchell on a 40-yard touchdown to give Georgia a 19-18 lead with 8:09 left. He then hooked up with Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD on a screen to put the Bulldogs up with with 3:33 left. The final blow came from the defense. Kelee Ringo intercepted an underthrown deep ball down the sideline by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and returned 79 yards for a touchdown.
January 11, 2022 2:35 am
IRVING, Texas (Jan. 10, 2022) – John Luckhardt, who served as head coach at Washington & Jefferson College from 1982-98 and a decade as the football boss at California University of Pennsylvania, was announced Monday as one of 21 inductees in the 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class. The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame unveiled its 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class during an announcement Monday. The 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class will officially be inducted during the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 6.
“We are thrilled for Coach Luckhardt. He turned W&J football into an annual NCAA Division III power and helped create so many memorable moments and memories for Washington & Jefferson College students, alumni and fans,” said Scott McGuinness, Director of Athletics at W&J. “Coach Luckhardt’s entry into the College Football Hall of Fame cements his legacy of leadership, mentoring and excellence.”
“This is a tremendous career accomplishment for Coach Luckhardt and we are excited for him and his family,” said Cal U Athletic Director Dr. Karen Hjerpe. “The impact he had on our football program, and entire athletic department, cannot be understated. In addition to all the victories, Coach Luckhardt was a true developer of young men throughout his entire coaching career.”
A stalwart on the Western Pennsylvania football scene for the better part of three decades, Luckhardt turned both programs into perennial national contenders. Over his 27 seasons as head coach, he posted a 225-70-2 overall record behind 11 seasons of double-digit victories. Luckhardt amassed a .761 winning percentage while leading the Presidents and Vulcans to a combined 16 appearances in the NCAA Playoffs.
January 11, 2022 3:46 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading to their 10th playoff berth under head coach Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh earned the seventh seed in the AFC by winning its last two games to finish 9-7-1. The Steelers have reached the postseason despite finishing in the bottom third of the league in every major statistical category. The Steelers say Tomlin’s leadership helped the team steady itself during a rocky season. Pittsburgh’s reward for making the playoffs is a visit to Kansas City. The Chiefs rocked the Steelers 36-10 the day after Christmas.
January 11, 2022 3:48 am
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin could make his season debut when the Penguins face the Anaheim Ducks. Coach Mike Sullivan says he anticipates the four-time All-Star and 2012 Hart Trophy winner will be a “game-time” decision as Pittsburgh continues its West Coast swing. The 35-year-old Malkin hasn’t played since undergoing right knee surgery in June. Malkin has been skating with his teammates for several weeks and was cleared to start taking contact recently.
