Jason Kelce Embraces TV Life

August 17, 2024 4:20 am

Jason Kelce was destined for a career in the media long before he partnered with his brother, Travis, to co-host a popular podcast. It was evident early on after Andy Reid selected Kelce in the sixth round of the 2011 draft that his dynamic personality would play well on the other side of the microphone. Kelce became a go-to source for reporters throughout his 13-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s insightful, eloquent and funny. Kelce has the skills to succeed in television and he brings credibility to the studio where he’ll be part of ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” broadcast team.

Russell Wilson To Make Preseason Debut

August 16, 2024 4:32 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Russell Wilson is expected to be in the lineup when the Pittsburgh Steelers host Buffalo in their second preseason game. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says Wilson will run out with the starters as long as he doesn’t have any setbacks from a calf injury that has slowed him during training camp. Tomlin estimates the starters will play about four series against the Bills, though he may shorten that if Wilson and company find early success. The Steelers signed the 35-year-old nine-time Pro Bowler to a one-year deal in March.

NFL; Eagles Beat Patriots In Preseason Action

August 16, 2024 4:30 am

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Rookie Drake Maye ran for a touchdown and led the New England Patriots on two of the team’s three scoring drives in a 14-13 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The No. 3 overall draft pick out of North Carolina appeared in just one series in the Patriots’ preseason opener, but played the second and third quarters of this one. He finished 6 of 11 for 47 yards. Philadelphia sat starting QB Jalen Hurts for the second straight preseason game. Backup Kenny Pickett played the entire first half and completed 11 of 13 passes but for only 67 yards.

Kirk Makes Ace & Leads St. Jude

August 16, 2024 4:36 am

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Kirk is in the lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele are in the mix as they have been all year. The surprise at the start of the PGA Tour postseason might have been Hideki Matsuyama. He’s been through a lot the last week. He lost his wallet in London last week when someone snatched his bag. He also lost his caddie and coach for the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Their passports were in the stolen bag and they had to go back to Japan. All that and Matsuyama still shot 65.

Puerto Rico Wins 8th PONY Title

August 15, 2024 12:31 am

Dariel Carrion homered and scored twice, including the game-winning run, as Guaynabo, PR edged Tijuana, MX, 2-1, in the PONY League World Series championship game Wednesday night. Carrion opened the score with a solo home run to dead center field in the fourth inning. Marlon Melendrez, Jr. answered with a solo shot for Tijuana in the top of the fifth. The game stayed 1-1 into the bottom of the ninth inning. After one out, Carrion doubled sharply to right-center and scored on Jehiel Hernandez’ World Series walk-off groundball single to right.

Tied going to the sixth, Tijuana had a great chance to take the lead. Bryan Espinoza singled to right and went to second when the ball was misplayed. When his celebration at second led him to lift his foot off the base, he was tagged out. Emiliano Contreras followed with a double but was thrown out trying to score on a ground ball into rightfield. Tijuana managed only one more baserunner the rest of the game. Guaynabo, on the other hand, sent only one batter over the minimum from the fifth through the eighth innings.

Akilis Rivera got the win in relief, tossing four shutout innings, allowing just three hits. Carlos Pardo took the loss after coming on to open the ninth.

The championship is the eighth all-time for Puerto Rico, the first since Trujillo Alto won in 2007. Tijuana was seeking Mexico’s first championship since 1972.

Guaynabo’s Sebastian Quiles claimed the Easton Sports ERA award, working seven innings without allowing an earned run. Alex Leon, Palmview, TX claimed the Wilson Sports Goods Batting Championship, going 5-for-8, a .625 average. The Rogers BreakAway Bases Stolen Base title went to Misael Acosta from Bronx, NY. Bryan Schmeltz won the John D. Voytek Memorial Award as Washington County’s leading hitter, going 7-for-15, a .467 average. Annaleigh Brown was crowned PONY Princess with Chloe Morgan named PONY Hostess.

Prior to the title game, PONY Baseball and Softball and Tournaments, Incorporated recognized WJPA’s Mark Uriah who has been the “Radio Voice of the PONY World Series” since 1984. Uriah retired from his sports work following the game.

Pirates Get Swept In San Diego; Losing Skid Hits 10

August 15, 2024 4:29 am

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Martín Pérez beat his old team in his first victory since San Diego acquired him at the trade deadline, and the Padres defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2 for their 19th win in 22 games. Jake Cronenworth and David Peralta homered for the Padres, who swept six games from the Pirates this season. San Diego improved to a season-high 16 games over .500, sweeping the three-game series and winning eight series in a row for the first time since 2007. Pittsburgh has lost 10 consecutive games for the first time since June 13-22 last year.

Brandon Aiyuk Appears At 49ers Practice

August 15, 2024 4:31 am

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk was back out at San Francisco 49ers practice as a spectator as his contract hold in enters a fourth week still in search of a resolution. Aiyuk had mostly stayed off the field the past two weeks after making waves with his boisterous handshakes with general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan two weeks ago. Aiyuk skipped the entire offseason program and hasn’t practiced yet in training camp as he seeks either a long-term contract with San Francisco or a trade to a team that can agree with the receiver on a new deal and give the 49ers enough compensation to part with him.

Vikings Rookie Quarterback To Miss The Season

August 15, 2024 4:32 am

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the season after undergoing surgery on his right knee. McCarthy had an operation on Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus suffered at some point during his preseason debut last weekend against Las Vegas. The former Michigan standout had a solid training camp and had been expected to back up starter Sam Darnold. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell delivered the news on McCarthy shortly after the team arrived for two days of joint practices with the Browns. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft after helping the Wolverines to a national title.

’24 PONY World Series Championship Set

August 14, 2024 1:25 am

Two division winners, one world championship–that’s the snapshot of the PONY League World Series after five days of action. Guaynabo, PR is unbeaten, thanks to a win over Long Beach and two against Chinese Taipei. Tijuana, MX topped Bay County, Bronx and Washington County on the way to the finals.  Now, the two unbeaten squads square off in the 72nd PONY League World Series championship in a winner-take-all matchup Wednesday night at Lew Hays PONY Field.  Game time is 7:30 pm, preceded by special ceremonies at the ballpark including the announcement of the PONY Hostess. PONY Baseball and Softball and World Series Tournaments, Incorporated, the host organizing committee, will also recognize Mark Uriah, the long-time ‘Radio Voice of the World Series,” who is retiring from sports following the tournament.  We’ll have the championship game live on WJPA-AM (1450) and online. Listen Here!

Pirates Drop Ninth Straight

August 14, 2024 4:29 am

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Michael King pitched six sharp innings, Manny Machado drove in two runs and David Peralta homered as the San Diego Padres beat Pittsburgh 3-0 to hand the Pirates their ninth straight loss. The Padres won for the 18th time in 21 games since July 20 and claimed their eighth straight series. Conversely, the Pirates lost for the 11th time in 12 games. King struck out 10, allowed seven hits and didn’t issue a walk, throwing 70 of his 93 pitches for strikes. The 29-year-old right-hander won for the fifth time in six decisions since June 29. Pirates starter Luis Ortiz gave up two runs, one earned, and three hits with three strikeouts and two walks in five innings.