January 29, 2021 3:59 am
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Anyone visiting Tampa’s popular outdoor destinations for the Super Bowl will be required to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor signed an executive order Wednesday saying masks must be worn outside while downtown, in neighborhoods around Raymond James Stadium and in other tourist hotspots. The order says those who are not wearing a mask can be cited with a “nominal civil infraction” that carries a penalty up to a $500 fine. It will remain in place until Feb. 13 – nearly a week after the Super Bowl ends.
January 28, 2021 3:57 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has resigned, citing personal reasons behind the decision. Patrick Allvin will serve as the interim general manager while the club searches for a permanent replacement. The 71-year-old Rutherford arrived in Pittsburgh in the summer of 2014 and oversaw a roster rebuild that helped the Penguins win consecutive Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. His resignation comes with Pittsburgh off to a solid 4-2-1 start.
January 28, 2021 3:54 am
HOUSTON (AP) – A person familiar with the hiring tells The Associated Press that David Culley has become the new head coach of the Houston Texans. It will be the first head coaching job for the 65-year-old Culley, who has worked as an assistant for the Baltimore Ravens since 2019. He becomes the fourth coach in Texans history. Culley replaces Bill O’Brien, who was fired after the team opened the season 0-4.
January 28, 2021 3:55 am
UNDATED (AP) – The New York Yankees have finalized their multiyear package with the reigning AL batting champ while adding to their pitching staff. The Yanks put the final touches on a six-year, $90 million contract with second baseman DJ LeMahieu , who became a free agent after hitting a league-best .364 last year. LeMahieu is the only player to win batting titles in both leagues, including an NL-leading .348 mark with the 2016 Rockies. New York also has a pending $11 million, one-year contract with right-handed starter Corey Kluber and a $2.5 million, one-year deal with submarining right-handed reliever Darren O’Day.
January 27, 2021 3:55 am
BOSTON (AP) – Craig Smith scored with 11 seconds left in overtime, and the Boston Bruins recovered after blowing a two-goal lead to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Brad Marchand had a short-handed goal and assisted on Nick Ritchie’s goal to help the Bruins earn their third straight victory. Tuukka Rask stopped 28 shots, giving up both Pittsburgh goals after he injured himself midway through the third period. Kasperi Kapanen tied it with 3:16 to go for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry stopped 33 shots for Pittsburgh, which had won four straight games since starting the season 0-2.
January 27, 2021 3:57 am
NEW YORK (AP) – There will be no Class of 2021 at this summer’s baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Cooperstown. No one received the required 75% of the vote. Curt Schilling was the lone player to receive at least 62%, showing up on 71.8% of the ballots submitted by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Barry Bonds was named on 61.8% of the ballots, Roger Clemens 61.6% and Scott Rolen 52.9%. The highest first-year eligible player was Mark Buehrle at just 11%. It’s the 19th time the BBWAA has failed to elect a Hall member and just the third time since 1971. With the Hall of Fame’s Era Committees postponing their scheduled elections until next offseason because of the pandemic, there won’t be a 2021 Hall class. The 2020 Hall class will be the guests of honor this year after their induction ceremony was pushed back due to the pandemic.
January 27, 2021 3:58 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – J.T. Realmuto is staying put. Two people familiar with the deal tell The Associated Press that the Philadelphia Phillies and the two-time All-Star catcher have agreed to a five-year, $115.5 million contract. Realmuto’s average annual salary of $23.1 million will become the highest for a catcher, topping the $23 million Joe Mauer averaged in a $184 million, eight-year deal with the Minnesota Twins for 2011-18. Realmuto was acquired from the Marlins in 2019 in a trade that sent right-hander Sixto Sanchez and catcher Jorge Alfaro to Miami. He has flourished in Philadelphia, hitting .273 with 36 home runs, 115 RBIs and .492 slugging average.
January 26, 2021 3:52 am
Miles McBride made a go-ahead jumper with 6 seconds left and finished with a season-high 24 points, helping No. 11 West Virginia rally for a wild 88-87 victory over No. 10 Texas Tech. Jalen Bridges and reserve Sean McNeil each scored 13 points for West Virginia, which trailed by 12 with about seven minutes left. Texas Tech wasted a stellar performance by Mac McClung, who scored a season-high 30 points.
January 26, 2021 3:51 am
UNDATED (AP) – Gonzaga, Baylor and Villanova remain atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. The latest Top 25 also saw ninth-ranked Alabama climb to its highest ranking in 14 years. Gonzaga and Baylor have been 1-2 atop all 10 polls this season. The Crimson Tide had the biggest jump by rising nine spots for their highest ranking since January 2007. No. 16 Florida State, No. 24 Oklahoma and No. 25 Louisville were new additions to this week’s poll. Clemson, Oregon and Connecticut fell out of the rankings.
January 26, 2021 3:45 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t look far to find their new offensive coordinator. The club has promoted quarterbacks coach Matt Canada to the position. Canada replaces Randy Fichtner. Fichtner’s contract was not renewed after the Steelers were upset by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs. Canada joined the Steelers a year ago following several assistant coaching stints at the collegiate level. Canada takes over an offense that sputtered down the stretch this season. Pittsburgh lost five of its final six games and finished last in the NFL in yards rushing. The Steelers also hired longtime NFL assistant Alfredo Roberts as their new tight ends coach. Roberts replaces James Daniel, who retired earlier this month after 17 seasons with the Steelers and 27 overall in the NFL. Pittsburgh is the sixth NFL stop for Roberts.
