Wimbledon expansion wins approval from local board. Plan includes new stadium and 38 other courts
The All England Club’s plan to build an 8,000-seat stadium and 38 other courts at Wimbledon to allow the Grand Slam to hold its qualifying tournament on site has won approval from a local planning council
1970-01-01 08:00
Soccer-Bellingham fit and ready for Clasico, Ancelotti says
By Fernando Kallas BARCELONA Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that England midfielder Jude Bellingham is ready
1970-01-01 08:00
Springboks wing speedster Cheslin Kolbe ready to deliver at scrumhalf if needed against All Blacks
In his bid to help South Africa retain its Rugby World Cup title, Cheslin Kolbe is ready to leave his favorite position on the wing to play at scrumhalf against New Zealand
1970-01-01 08:00
Analysis: NFL teams shouldn't let one game affect their trade deadline approach
Some NFL teams still have to make a decision on how to approach Tuesday’s trade deadline
1970-01-01 08:00
Even without poutine and ketchup chips, 4 players from Toronto aim to get Miami back to NCAAs
There are some serious complaints being aired by a handful of Miami women’s basketball players
1970-01-01 08:00
Shiffrin named 'skier of the year' for the 3rd time. She receives the trophy from Bode Miller
Mikaela Shiffrin has been named “skier of the year” by the federation of ski journalists
1970-01-01 08:00
Xavi coy on whether Lewandowski and other Barcelona players are fit enough to face Real Madrid
Barcelona has been playing without leading scorer Robert Lewandowksi and regular starters Frenkie de Jong, Pedri González and Jules Koundé for the past month because of injuries
1970-01-01 08:00
Diamondbacks fueled by ‘disrespect’ in surprise World Series with Rangers
Before opening the World Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to recount a series of slights. Overlooked by oddsmakers and angered by analysts, the Diamondbacks find themselves in a Surprise Series against the also unexpected Texas Rangers. But the mindsets couldn't be more different ahead of Friday night's opener in Major League Baseball's third all-wild card title matchup. "We just put it on our list and keep those receipts and walk around with a little bit more of a chip on our shoulder," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday. "It gives you a little bit more motivation. And when you can get a little bit more, you take it." Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald has become keeper of the receipts, reminding teammates of what they consider disrespect. "Maybe I found screenshots that maybe other people didn't," he said, wearing a T-shirt that proclaimed "Snakes Alive." "We took offense to that and we're excited that we're here and people are still not giving us that much credit here." The Diamondbacks are tracking closely what the public says, with MLB Network a clubhouse constant. Meanwhile, the Rangers insist they pay no attention. "We don't listen to the outside noise that much," second baseman Marcus Semien said. Zac Gallen, a 28-year-old right-hander coming off a career-best 17-win season, starts Game 1 for the Diamondbacks, in the Series for the first time since beating the New York Yankees for the franchise's only title in 2001. Texas starts Nathan Eovaldi, a 33-year-old right-hander and a two-time All-Star who has overcome two Tommy John surgeries. Gallen, who grew up in a Philadelphia suburb, followed the pennant-winning Game 7 victory over the Phillies with a tweet highlighting the losing team's spring training and reminded Philadelphia fans to " make sure to get those tix for your next game." When the Phillies led the NLCS 2-0, backup catcher Garrett Stubbs talked about celebrating in the Chase Field pool. Gallen responded to what he said were online direct messages. "I just figured if they want to talk junk to me, I'll say one back," he said. "And I feel like being from there, I knew how to hit them the hardest." Both teams worked out Thursday under a closed roof at Globe Life Field, where World Series logos were freshly painted on the turf. Both clubs are two years removed from 100-loss seasons, and the Diamondbacks could become just the second champion with a negative run differential after the 1987 Minnesota Twins. Arizona went 84-78 during the season and earned the NL's sixth and last postseason berth, finishing with what would be the second-fewest wins for a Series champion behind the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals' 83. The Rangers were 90-72 and got the fifth AL slot. Texas hasn't won a title since the franchise started play as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961, and odds of a Diamondbacks-Rangers Series were 1,750 to 1 when wagering for the 2023 season opened. "We weren't concerned with what people thought of us," said first-year Rangers manager Bruce Bochy who led San Francisco to three titles from 2010-14. "We thought we belonged and we thought we could win." Lovullo, excited about his first Series as a manager, opened his news conference by snapping a photo of assembled media "just to break the ice." He had a message for MLB Network's Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, who promised before Game 6 against the Phillies to "retire on the spot" if Arizona won the pennant. "You can't back out of that one, Mad Dog. You've got to do something," Lovullo said. "I do like Howard Stern's thought about walking with a billboard saying that I am whatever, a liar ... in Midtown Manhattan for half a day. That will do it for me, but I ain't going to forgive you until you do something unbelievable, maybe show up here and say you're sorry to the entire team." BETTER NATE THAN NEVER Eovaldi is 4-0 in this postseason. He was to have started Game 4 of the 2018 Series for Boston but instead relieved in the 12th inning of Game 3 and delivered a memorable performance before giving up Max Muncy's winning home run leading of the 18th for the Los Angeles Dodgers. "I kind of had my moment there," Eovaldi said. "Having Game 1, trying to set a tone for the team, there's a lot of pressure with that, but also a lot of excitement." GREAT GLOVES Arizona had the fewest errors in the major leagues during the season (56), one less than Texas. The Diamondbacks have allowed three unearned runs during the postseason and the Rangers one. MUTUAL ADMIRATION Lovullo, 58 and in his seventh season as a big league manager, effusively praised the 68-year-old Bochy, in his 26th. Lovullo recalled giving Bochy a gift during his last season with San Francisco in 2019. "It's been an absolute honor to manage against you. I hope you find your way back to doing this one day," Lovullo recalled saying, adding Bochy responded: "If I do, it will be an honor to be managing against you, as well." "I couldn't believe he said that to me," Lovullo said. "I was just honored to be in his presence. And I will be for these next nine days." Read More Texas Rangers see off Houston Astros to reach first World Series since 2011 St Louis Cardinals battle back to beat Chicago Cubs and split MLB London Series Japan prove baseball dominance by beating USA in thriller to take world title St Louis Cardinals battle back to beat Chicago Cubs and split MLB London Series Japan prove baseball dominance by beating USA in thriller to take world title Houston Astros close in on second World Series with road win in Philadelphia
1970-01-01 08:00
World Cup slalom champion Lucas Braathen retires from skiing two days before season starts
World Cup slalom champion Lucas Braathen has retired at the age of 23 in a surprise announcement by the Norwegian skier two days before the season starts
1970-01-01 08:00
Newcastle 'in limbo' on Sandro Tonali. Howe says 'high chance' banned midfielder still available
Newcastle says it is “in limbo” over the status of Sandro Tonali
1970-01-01 08:00
Caitlin Clark can't do it alone. No. 3 Iowa got big boost when Martin and Marshall decided to return
Iowa women’s basketball is all about Caitlin Clark to the casual fan
1970-01-01 08:00
Indiana, Ohio State and Co. are eager to mix it up with Iowa in the Big Ten women's race
The chase is on in the Big Ten
1970-01-01 08:00