Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Casino mogul Adelson pulls out of Raiders-Vegas stadium deal (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this April 28, 2016, file photo, Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis, center, meets with Raiders fans after speaking at a meeting of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee in Las Vegas. America's most popular sport is in the midst of its greatest migration in a quarter century. In a little over a year, three NFL franchises have either moved, announced a resettlement or filed paperwork seeking to relocate. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson pulled out of a deal Monday to build a $1.9 billion domed stadium for the Oakland Raiders in Las Vegas. The move comes on the heels of a team proposal to pay $1 a year in rent and operate the stadium, and it deprives the project of a chief financial backer as officials seek to bring professional football to Las Vegas for the first time. Adelson played an instrumental role in the effort to lure the Raiders, which eventually grew into a $750 million commitment of taxpayer money to the deal.


 

Casino mogul Adelson pulls out of Raiders-Vegas stadium deal (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this April 28, 2016, file photo, Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis, center, meets with Raiders fans after speaking at a meeting of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee in Las Vegas. America's most popular sport is in the midst of its greatest migration in a quarter century. In a little over a year, three NFL franchises have either moved, announced a resettlement or filed paperwork seeking to relocate. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has pulled out of a plan to build a $1.9 billion domed stadium for the NFL's Oakland Raiders to move to Las Vegas. In a terse statement on Monday, Adelson declared that he had been excluded from talks before the team sent a lease proposal last week to the public board that will own the 65,000-seat stadium. Adelson says his family and Las Vegas Sands ''will no longer be involved in any facet'' of the plan.


 

Kurt Suzuki and Braves complete $1.5 million, 1-year deal (Yahoo Sports)

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This Sept. 10, 2016 photo shows Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki fielding a ball in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Minneapolis. Suzuki and the Atlanta Braves finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract, giving the team another experienced catcher to share time with Tyler Flowers. The agreement was announced by the team on Monday, Jan. 30, 2016 after Suzuki passed his physical. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Kurt Suzuki and the Atlanta Braves finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract, giving the team another experienced catcher to share time with Tyler Flowers. The agreement was announced by the team on Monday after Suzuki passed his physical. Suzuki could earn an additional $2.5 million in performance bonuses based on starts at catcher.


 

Ballard eager to get started putting Colts on right track (Yahoo Sports)

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Colts Owner Jim Irsay, right, and new general manager Chris Ballard pose following a news conference at the NFL team's practice facility in Indianapolis, Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Chris Ballard understands his next mission. Eight-win seasons won't satisfy Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, and fans won't put up with more excuses for missing the playoffs. ''We're going to work together as an organization to develop a winning culture that will compete for championships year in and year out,'' Ballard said at his introductory news conference.


 

John Lynch follows similar path to GM role as Matt Millen (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2009, file photo, ESPN football analyst Matt Millen looks on before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass. Millen could not help but chuckle about the similarities to his own career path when John Lynch was hired as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

Matt Millen couldn't help but chuckle about the similarities to his own career path when John Lynch was hired as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. Like Millen, Lynch is a former Pro Bowl defensive player who went straight to the broadcast booth before taking over the front office of a struggling team. The parallels between John and I are very similar,'' Millen said in a phone interview Monday.


 

John Lynch follows similar path to GM role as Matt Millen (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2009, file photo, ESPN football analyst Matt Millen looks on before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass. Millen could not help but chuckle about the similarities to his own career path when John Lynch was hired as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

Matt Millen couldn't help but chuckle about the similarities to his own career path when John Lynch was hired as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. Like Millen, Lynch is a former Pro Bowl defensive player who went straight to the broadcast booth before taking over the front office of a struggling team. The parallels between John and I are very similar,'' Millen said in a phone interview Monday.


 

APNewsBreak: Hardy applies for independent Spring League (Yahoo Sports)

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Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy has submitted an application to play in an independent football league in April, a person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press. Hardy's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn't immediately return a phone message. The 28-year-old Hardy would not receive a salary for playing in the Spring League, which is designed to give former NFL draft picks a shot to display their talent.

 

Blank's approach made 'Inflategate' a blip on Falcons' radar (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Tuesday, May 24, 2016, file photo, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank talks about his city's successful bid following a vote at the NFL owner's meeting in Charlotte N.C., that awarded the Super Bowl to Atlanta, which will host the game in 2019, South Florida, (2020) and Los Angeles (2021). The New England Patriots Deflategate was a major story, but the Atlanta Falcons were handed a much-less publicized punishment for pumping fake noise into home games in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Falcons Inflategate was a blip on the news radar, in large part because owner Arthur Blank acknowledged the teams rules violation even before the NFL released its official findings in 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)

The ''Deflategate'' scandal has hovered over the Patriots for parts of three seasons, thanks to appeals of Tom Brady's four-game suspension, finally served at the beginning of this season. New England's Super Bowl opponents had their own scandal - but it was a blip on the news radar that most fans long forgot. The Atlanta Falcons were handed a much-less publicized punishment for pumping fake noise into home games during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.


 

Weekend Sports in Brief (Yahoo Sports)

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The widow of Pat Tillman has expressed disappointment over President Donald Trump after the administration imposed a temporary ban on travel to the United States from seven majority Muslim countries. Tillman left a multimillion NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals at 25 to join the Army, eight months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

 

Column: A preview of things to expect during Super Bowl week (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Dec. 24, 2016, file photo, Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis waits for the team's NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders' new stadium in Las Vegas could literally be walking distance from a few of the citys dozens of sports books. The bottom-line explanation for this move speaks as much about priorities in Vegas as in the NFL: Its about cold, hard cash. The new stadium will be funded by $750 million from the county, another $650 million from either billionaire Sheldon Adelson or another investor and the remaining $500 million from the Raiders and the league. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

There have been 50 of these already, making this Super Bowl LI in the roman numerals the NFL uses to make sure no one forgets just how important the game really is. - Bill Belichick will refuse to go to media day, saying he's already told the media everything he knows. - Robert Kraft will read a speech on arrival about ''Deflategate'' that he wrote on a cocktail napkin on the airplane.


 

In enemy territory, nary a bad word about Falcons QB Ryan (Yahoo Sports)

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Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan walks to the bus as the team arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport for the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The enemies list is long in New England, and it grows with each tweet that dares to doubt Tom Brady's supremacy or call coach Bill Belichick a cheater. In fact, it's hard to find any kind of animosity toward Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who built his reputation - personally and professionally - at Boston College. ''It's hard to think of anything bad to say about Matt,'' said former BC sports information director Chris Cameron, who was in the athletic department when Ryan led the Eagles to a No. 2 ranking in The Associated Press poll in the middle of the 2007 season.


 

AP Source: Royals agree to $12M, 2-year deal with Moss (Yahoo Sports)

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St. Louis Cardinals' Brandon Moss watches his two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst)

The Royals and designated hitter Brandon Moss have agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract to provide some power to the Kansas City lineup, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because Moss still must pass a physical to make the deal official. Moss hit just .225 in 128 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, but his average was dragged down by a poor final stretch.


 

Braves player hit in deadly crash; wife, kids hospitalized (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - Int his June 9, 2016 photo, Pittsburgh Pirates' Sean Rodriguez pulls off his batting gloves after striking out against Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Denver. A person familiar with the situation says the Atlanta Braves have agreed to an $11.5 million, two-year contract with utility player Sean Rodriguez. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, because the agreement will not become official until Rodriguez passes a physical. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

An Atlanta Braves infielder and his family are recovering after police say their SUV was hit by a man who had stolen a Miami police officer's cruiser. News outlets report that 31-year-old Miami native Sean Rodriguez, his wife Giselle and their two young children were T-boned by the stolen cruiser Saturday afternoon in Miami-Dade County. Rodriguez was not hurt, but the other members of his family were hospitalized.


 

Monday, January 30, 2017

Atlanta Falcons' brotherhood starts with a little white ball (Yahoo Sports)

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In this Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 photo, Atlanta Falcons' Andy Levitre, left, plays against teammate Josh Harris in a game of pingpong in the locker room at the NFL football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. For the Super Bowl-bound Falcons, brotherhood begins at three pingpong tables in the middle of their locker room. That's where friendships are forged, friendly wagers settled and the competitive juices really get flowing. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

For the Atlanta Falcons, brotherhood begins at three pingpong tables in the middle of the locker room. When the Falcons redesigned the locker room at their suburban training facility during the last offseason, they left room for a single pingpong table. Then it grew to three,'' coach Dan Quinn said.


 

Fans calling plays? New indoor football team giving it a try (Yahoo Sports)

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William McCarthy, chosen by fans to coach the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles of the Indoor Football League, will soon be calling plays for the expansion franchise by waiting for a majority vote over a matter of seconds from many of those same people. The founders of a company called FANchise want to reinvent what they see as a struggling arena game by letting fans make all sorts of decisions, believing the popularity of fantasy football can translate to the real thing and perhaps be the basis for an entire league of at least partially fan-run franchises. ''We were unanimously approved as an ownership group for the new franchise,'' co-founder Sohrob Farudi said.

 

Bennett defines his own 'Patriot Way' en route to Super Bowl (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2017 file photo, New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates with cheerleaders after the AFC championship NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Foxborough, Mass. Bennett has filled Rob Gronkowskis shoes in more ways than one.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

If Martellus Bennett had his way, people would live in his world. Fair or unfair, under Bill Belichick New England has been branded as an organization where individuality is discouraged, and where Belichick's boiler plate lines like ''I'm going to do what's best for the team'' are often repeated by his players. With locker room jester Rob Gronkowski on injured reserve since December following back surgery, Bennett has stepped right into his role as the most dominant personality in the room.


 

49ers make surprise hire of John Lynch as general manager (Yahoo Sports)

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Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety John Lynch with Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. Lynch is bing inducted in the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The San Francisco 49ers made a surprise hire to fill their general manager void Sunday, hiring former NFL safety and Fox television analyst John Lynch to replace Trent Baalke. Lynch comes into the job with no front-office experience, having gone straight from the playing field to the broadcast booth.


 

The Latest: AFC scores, defenses had early Pro Bowl edge (Yahoo Sports)

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AFC wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13), of the Indianapolis Colts, attempts to grab a pass, as NFC cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29), of the Minnesota Vikings, defends, during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M Ebenhack)

Defense reigned in the first quarter Sunday night at the Pro Bowl, but the offense got going on the first play in the second. There was a goal-line stand and two failed trick plays in a scoreless first quarter. The NFC's Michael Bennett forced the game's first turnover and the AFC staging a goal-line stand after Dak Prescott led a drive to the 1-yard line.


 

Tillman's widow disappointed in Trump's immigration ban (Yahoo Sports)

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The widow of Pat Tillman has expressed disappointment over President Donald Trump after the administration imposed a temporary ban on travel to the United States from seven majority Muslim countries. Tillman left a multimillion NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals at 25 to join the Army, eight months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

 

Sold-out, revamped Pro Bowl makes debut in Orlando (Yahoo Sports)

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So much for the notion that the Pro Bowl is a game few people find interesting enough to watch on television, let alone in person. Sunday night's All-Star event not only was announced as a sellout two days before kickoff, but the NFL also said a supply of standing-room-only tickets quickly sold for $20 each, too. Orlando hopes such support for the game, played in 75,000-seat Camping World Stadium, bolsters its effort to become permanent home for the annual e4nd-of-the year showcase, which has http://apne.ws/2jLKPsO reverted to a NFC vs. AFC format.

 

Colts hire Kansas City's Ballard as general manager (Yahoo Sports)

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Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay announces that he has relieved general manager Ryan Grigson of his duties with the team during a press conference at the NFL team's facility in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is turning to another first-time general manager to get his franchise back on track. Eight days after firing Ryan Grigson and conducting a week of interviews, Irsay hired former Kansas City Chiefs executive Chris Ballard. Ballard has never previously served as a team's top decision-maker, but he comes with a long history as a scout and front-office executive.


 

Rockies officially sign reliever Greg Holland (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this April 8, 2015, file photo, Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) throws during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that reliever Greg Holland has agreed to a contract with the Colorado Rockies The deal is pending a physical, the person said Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not announced. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)

Greg Holland has no guess as to how hard he's throwing these days. Holland certainly showed enough to impress the Colorado Rockies, who officially signed him to a one-year, $7 million contract on Saturday. Holland's deal includes an additional $7 million in performance bonuses.


 

Falcons arrive for 1st Super Bowl appearance since 1999 (Yahoo Sports)

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A fan cheers as he waits for buses carrying the Atlanta Falcons to pass by during a send-off pep rally for the NFL football team as they make their way to the airport for a flight to Houston and Super Bowl LI, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Well, at least one team playing in the Super Bowl has arrived in Houston. The Atlanta Falcons, making their first appearance in the NFL championship game since 1999 and second overall, arrived Sunday afternoon to little fanfare at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The Falcons' motorcade had gone from the team's facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, to the airport.


 

Holland can make $35M over 2 years under Rockies contract (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this April 8, 2015, file photo, Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) throws during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that reliever Greg Holland has agreed to a contract with the Colorado Rockies The deal is pending a physical, the person said Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not announced. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)

Reliever Greg Holland can earn up to $35 million over two years, including performance bonuses, under his new deal with the Colorado Rockies. If he fails to reach either of those, there would be a $10 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout if Holland declines to exercise it. There is an $8 million maximum for performance bonus this year.


 

Sidelined Gronk still easy to find (Yahoo Sports)

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While his Patriots teammates are dealing with the business of trying to win another Super Bowl, Rob Gronkowski is handling business of another sort. The sidelined tight end produced and starred in an online TV series that basically is ''Shark Tank For Jocks.'' And while Gronk can be an overwhelming force on the football field, he's something of a novice at the television game. Sure, he and his brothers, both of whom spent time in the NFL, worked in the family business growing up.

 

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Thomas: Include Bonds, Clemens in Hall if PED users get in (Yahoo Sports)

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National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Frank Thomas holds his Hall of Fame plaque following an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Cooperstown, N.Y. (AP Photo/Tim Roske)

The way Hall of Famer Frank Thomas sees it, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens might as well be enshrined if players linked to performance enhancing drugs are getting elected. The Big Hurt, long a critic of players using PEDs, spoke out again during the Chicago White Sox's annual fan convention on Saturday. ''They should be in now, as far as I'm concerned,'' Thomas said.


 

Orioles to feature a familiar cast of characters in 2017 (Yahoo Sports)

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File- This Oct. 2, 2016, file photo shows Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter being doused with beer by Manny Machado in the visitors' clubhouse after the Orioles defeated the New York Yankees 5-2 in a baseball game to go to the playoffs in New York.Quite by design, there were plenty of familiar faces on stage Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at the Baltimore Orioles annual offseason event for their fans. The Orioles havent changed much since the end of the 2016 season, when they went 89-73 before losing to Toronto in the AL wild-card game. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek, File)

Quite by design, there were plenty of familiar faces on stage Saturday at the Baltimore Orioles' annual offseason event for their fans. The Orioles haven't changed much since the end of the 2016 season, when they went 89-73 before losing to Toronto in the AL wild-card game. Baltimore's biggest move since last October was retaining major league home run leader Mark Trumbo, who agreed to a $37.5 million, three-year contract.


 

Thousands turn out for A's FanFest that sparks positive vibe (Yahoo Sports)

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The Oakland Athletics and new President Dave Kaval need to do little selling on one of the sites being considered for a new ballpark after hitting a home run with FanFest held Saturday at Jack London Square - right near Howard Terminal, where the A's might just decide it's their best place to break ground and finally build a much-needed stadium. ''You can feel it with the fans, I think they really responded to some of that transparency, having office hours and (him) being willing to meet with fans and hear their concerns or their suggestions,'' reliever Sean Doolittle said.

 

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Former NL Cy Young winner Randy Jones has throat cancer (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this June 26, 2015, file photo, Former San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Jones, left, laughs while talking with manager Pat Murphy prior to a baseball against the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Diego. Jones, the Padres' first Cy Young Award winner, is fighting throat cancer linked to tobacco use during his baseball career. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

Randy Jones, the San Diego Padres' first Cy Young Award winner, is fighting throat cancer linked to tobacco use during his baseball career. Jones told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that he has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments since being diagnosed in November. The 67-year-old former pitcher says the cancer was caught early and hasn't spread.


 

Quintana wants to stay with rebuilding White Sox (Yahoo Sports)

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Melky Cabrera, right, talks with pitcher Jose Quintana during a media reception at the baseball team's annual fan convention Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Jose Quintana pulled on his No. 62 White Sox jersey for the first day of the team's fan convention. While the crosstown Cubs prepare for their title defense, the rebuild is in full swing on the south side of Chicago. Ace pitcher Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton were traded away during the winter meetings, but the 28-year-old Quintana remains with the White Sox after posting a career-high 13 wins last season and reaching 200 innings for the fourth straight year.


 

Milanovich resigns as Argonauts head coach to join Jaguars (Yahoo Sports)

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Scott Milanovich stepped down as head coach of the CFL's Toronto Argonauts on Friday to become the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach. The move came three days after Jim Barker was fired as Toronto's general manager. Barker hired Milanovich in December 2011, giving him his first CFL head coaching job.

 

Brady says there's no extra motivation going to Super Bowl (Yahoo Sports)

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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks past teammates before a walk-through at a scheduled NFL football team event, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots will face the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

If Tom Brady has been playing with any extra motivation this season because of ''Deflategate,'' he isn't saying so. The Patriots' quarterback said Friday that his teammates are ''all the motivation that I need'' as he prepares to head to Houston to chase his fifth Super Bowl ring. ''It takes a lot of work to get to this point and nothing that has happened in the past is going to help us win this game,'' Brady said.


 

49ers planning 2nd interviews with Shanahan, Paton (Yahoo Sports)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, stands on the field next to offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan during a workout at the NFL football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The San Francisco 49ers are planning to conduct a second interview with Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan on Friday in hopes of settling on the choice for their next head coach. Team CEO Jed York was scheduled to meet with Shanahan in Atlanta during a break in the Falcons' preparations for the Super Bowl. Shanahan can't sign a contract with San Francisco until after the game on Feb. 5, but he is the only remaining candidate to replace the fired Chip Kelly as 49ers coach.


 

Senior Bowl QBs hoping to follow footsteps of Dak Prescott (Yahoo Sports)

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Wide receiver Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington (10) catches a pass over cornerback Desmond King of Iowa (14) during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

The Senior Bowl quarterbacks would gladly become this year's version of Dak Prescott, except perhaps with a shorter wait in the NFL draft. Prescott impressed at last year's Senior Bowl , earning Most Outstanding Player honors. Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs, another experienced and prolific Southeastern Conference passer, is hoping to perform well during his own turn in Saturday's showcase game for senior NFL prospects.


 

Freeman, Butler to have cleat-off before Super Bowl (Yahoo Sports)

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Devonta Freeman and Malcolm Butler are opening competition before they even meet in the Super Bowl. The Falcons' 1,000-yard running back and Patriots cornerback whose interception clinched the 2015 Super Bowl victory are trying to outdo each other in a custom cleat faceoff. After fans design the cleats, the players will choose their favorite and cleat artist Marcus Rivero will create the look.

 

Baseball, Indians working on solution to debated Wahoo logo (Yahoo Sports)

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Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has discussed a possible solution to the club's divisive Chief Wahoo logo with Indians owner Paul Dolan. Manfred and Dolan have had multiple meetings on the touchy subject, including one on Friday that included Indians minority owner John Sherman, before the team announced it will host the 2019 All-Stare Game at Progressive Field. Dolan said nothing has been resolved and he intends to meet again with Manfred, who would not divulge his preference for an outcome.

 

Royals gather in private to remember, celebrate Ventura (Yahoo Sports)

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Signs and flowers make up a memorial for Kansas City Royals baseball pitcher Yordano Ventura outside Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. Ventura died Sunday in a car crash on a stretch of highway near the town of San Adrian in his native Dominican Republic. He was 25. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

The Kansas City Royals gathered together Friday to celebrate the life of pitcher Yordano Ventura, who died Sunday in a car accident in the Dominican Republic. Manager Ned Yost told Royals teammates, coaches, executives and support staff that he has struggled since Sunday's accident to figure out how to deal with the hole the 25-year-old's death will leave. Pitcher Danny Duffy promised the Royals would use memories of Ventura's competiveness to play every game in the next season with passion.


 

Cleveland Indians will host 2019 All-Star Game (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2016, file photo, a worker prepares Progressive Field for baseball's upcoming World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs, in Cleveland. A person familiar with the decision says the Cleveland Indians will host the 2019 All-Star Game at Progressive Field. The team will hold a news conference on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, to formally announce the event last held in Cleveland in 1997, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not been made.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Baseball's mid-summer classic is sliding back home to Cleveland in two years. The Indians, who have been enjoying a renaissance on the field, will host the 90th All-Star Game in 2019 at Progressive Field, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Friday as a light snow fell at the downtown ballpark. Cleveland last hosted the event in 1997, when Indians catcher Sandy Alomar hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to lead the AL to a win and earn MVP honors.


 

Friday, January 27, 2017

Super Bowl latest highlight for Falcons owner Arthur Blank (Yahoo Sports)

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In this Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, file photo, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank dances with players after the NFL football NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers in Atlanta. The Falcons won, 44-21, to advance to the Super Bowl LI. One conversation stands out in Blank's year to remember. Blank said Thursday, Jan. 26, he sent a congratulatory text message to coach Dan Quinn in May, when Atlanta was awarded the Super Bowl to be played in 2019.

One conversation stands out in Arthur Blank's sports year to remember. Blank, the Atlanta Falcons owner, said Thursday he sent a congratulatory text message to coach Dan Quinn in May, when Atlanta was awarded the 2019 Super Bowl. In only his second year as coach, Quinn has taken the Falcons to the Feb. 5 Super Bowl in Houston, where they will play New England.


 

Family business: Shanahan follows father to the Super Bowl (Yahoo Sports)

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Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, left, talks with head coach Dan Quinn during a workout at the NFL football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Shanahan is preparing for his first Super Bowl, a game his father won twice, and is expected to become coach of the San Francisco 49ers as soon as the season is over. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Kyle Shanahan is trying to keep the next 10 days as normal as possible. The Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator is heading to his first Super Bowl - a game his father won twice. Once the season is over, Shanahan is expected to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.


 

Formerly unknown names key in Patriots' Super Bowl run (Yahoo Sports)

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New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) adjusts his gloves during an NFL football team practice, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are to play the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

When it comes to filling out his roster each season, Bill Belichick has always placed a premium on potential. From late-round draft picks to guys that never heard their name called on draft night, during his 17 years in New England the Patriots coach has developed a knack not just for identifying unheralded players, but cultivating them into key contributors. The group he will take to Houston for next week's Super Bowl is no exception.


 

Bills tackle Kouandjio has hip surgery after falling at home (Yahoo Sports)

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Buffalo Bills backup offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio has had hip surgery for an injury after he had a fall at his home. The Bills did not reveal the severity of the injury or when it occurred in a statement the team released Thursday. Without providing a specific timetable for Kouandjio's recovery, the team said it's anticipated he will be ready for the start of training camp, which traditionally opens in late July.

 

Jackson's incident lasting memory of last Houston Super Bowl (Yahoo Sports)

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It's rare when Tom Brady takes a back seat in a Super Bowl. Janet Jackson managed to make that happen. Jackson's wardrobe malfunction is a lasting memory of the last Super Bowl in Houston, overshadowing a thrilling win by the Patriots in 2004 and forever changing how the NFL handles halftime performances.

 

Trade talks cooled, 2B Brian Dozier happy to stay with Twins (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2016, file photo, Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier throws out Kansas City Royals' Cheslor Cuthbert during the third inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. After an offseason's worth of trade rumors and speculation, Dozier appears to be staying put with the Twins after a record-setting 42-home run season. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)

When second baseman Brian Dozier left Minnesota for the offseason, heading home to Mississippi after hitting 42 home runs, it was uncertain whether he'd be back. With the burners on baseball's hot stove turned down for now, Dozier remains in place where he preferred to be - with the Twins. ''Obviously, a lot of things went on this offseason that, quite frankly, I don't necessarily like,'' Dozier said, ''but at the same time it is what it is.


 

Browns getting good look at prospects beyond Watson, Garrett (Yahoo Sports)

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Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson gestures towards players during practice for Saturday's Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Hue Jackson and the Cleveland Browns are getting a close-up look at a number of NFL prospects all week at the Senior Bowl. It's pretty clear the No. 1 pick is elsewhere because Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson turned down an invitation to the showcase game for senior NFL prospects and Texas A&M junior defensive end Myles Garrett is not eligible.


 

NFL auditioning Orlando as permanent Pro Bowl home (Yahoo Sports)

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New Orleans Saints Drew Brees (9) competes in the Epic Pro Dodgeball event at the 2017 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

As the NFL plays its first Pro Bowl in Orlando, wondering if it can be a long-term landing point for the beleaguered all-star game, Drew Brees can't help but think about what was left behind. The Saints quarterback understands the NFL's decision to move the Pro Bowl from Hawaii to Orlando from a business standpoint. ''It's tough that it's not there, because we had a great fan base there,'' Brees said.


 

Cardinals debating resting Molina more behind the plate (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2016, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina hits a two-run double against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago. Molina has been the face of the Cardinals for more than a decade. However, as the catcher prepares to turn 35 this season, there appears to be a difference of opinion in the St. Louis organization about how much to play the eight-time Gold Glove winner, who could potentially leave St. Louis following this season. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

The offseason discussion surrounding Yadier Molina has long centered on whether the St. Louis catcher should rest more during the season. After Molina played in a career-high 147 games last year, that consideration is in the forefront more than ever for the 34-year-old winner of eight Gold Gloves. The discussion about Molina's playing time hasn't been limited to only fans, with Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak recently saying he feels Molina would be ''better off'' with more rest.


 

Constant change the theme of Mariners offseason (Yahoo Sports)

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Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto talks to reporters in Seattle, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at the Mariners' annual pre-season briefing before the start of Spring Training, (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Just minutes after Dipoto walked off the podium Thursday during the Mariners' annual pre-spring training event - and after Dipoto spent nearly a half-hour talking about another offseason roster makeover - the Mariners announced yet another roster change. While claiming catcher Tuffy Gosewisch off waivers from Atlanta likely won't be the tipping point in whether the Mariners end the longest playoff drought in baseball, it's another example of Dipoto's constant fiddling to try to make Seattle better.


 

Ty Montgomery moving to RB full time for Packers (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2016, file photo, Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) runs for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears as quarterback Aaron Rodger (12) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, in Chicago. The first time Montgomery scored a touchdown on the Dallas Cowboys' home turf he was a kid playing Pop Warner football during halftime of a Cowboys game at Texas Stadium. Now Montgomery, who is from Dallas, has a chance to do it again, but this time as an NFL player. Green Bay travels to Dallas on Sunday for a divisional round playoff game at the Cowboys current home, AT&T Stadium.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Ty Montgomery is staying at running back with the Green Bay Packers, and he's getting a jersey number more appropriate for the position. Montgomery, who wore No. 88 this season, will spend the offseason preparing to be in the backfield full-time, coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday. The switch epitomized the scrambling that the Packers had to do all season to cope with a litany of injuries.


 

Veteran offensive assistant Tom Clements leaving Packers (Yahoo Sports)

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Tom Clements is leaving the Green Bay Packers following 11 seasons as one of coach Mike McCarthy's top offensive assistants. McCarthy said that Clements' contract had expired, and that he was moving on to other interests. McCarthy handed Clements play-calling duties before the 2015 season, then took play-calling back at midseason with offensive production down following the knee injury that season to receiver Jordy Nelson.

 

INF Stephen Drew, Nationals agree to 1-year contract (Yahoo Sports)

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In this photo taken July 16, 2016, Washington Nationals second baseman Stephen Drew (10) throws to first during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Washington. The Nationals and Drew agreed on a one-year contract, with Drew returning for a second season with the Nationals. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Backup infielder Stephen Drew has agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. The team announced the deal Thursday, after Drew passed his physical. The Nationals did not announce the financial terms, but a person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press that Drew will make $3.5 million in 2017, with a chance to earn up to $1.25 million more in performance bonuses tied to the number of games he plays.


 

NFL says injuries down this season, including concussions (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, file photo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to reporters after the NFL football owners meeting in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Injuries in the NFL decreased this season, including concussions. Emphasizing that players are doing more self-reporting of head injuries, the league released data Thursday that show overall concussions for the preseason and regular season were down from 275 in 2015 to 244 in 2016. The 275 diagnosed concussions in 2015 were a high over the last five years and were an increase of 69 over the previous season.


 

Cleveland Indians will host 2019 All-Star Game (Yahoo Sports)

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A small group of Cleveland Indians participate in an optional team workout at Progressive Field, Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 in preparation for baseball's upcoming World Series Game 6 against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday night in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Indians made it back to the World Series last year for the first time since 1997. Cleveland will host the All-Star Game in 2019, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press on Thursday. The team will hold a news conference on Friday at Progressive Field to formally announce the event, last held in Cleveland in 1997.


 

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Ryan Hanigan and Phillies agree to minor league contract (Yahoo Sports)

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The Phillies have agreed to a minor league contract with Ryan Hanigan and invited the catcher to major league spring training. Hanigan would get a $1.25 million, one-year contract if added to Philadelphia's 40-man roster. As part of the deal announced Wednesday, he would have the chance to earn $375,000 in performance bonuses based on starts at catcher.

 

No decision yet on whether Ryan Tannehill needs surgery (Yahoo Sports)

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The Miami Dolphins still haven't determined whether quarterback Ryan Tannehill needs surgery to repair his sprained left knee, football operations chief Mike Tannenbaum said Wednesday. Tannehill was hurt Dec. 11 and missed the final four games of the season, and medical personnel are still assessing the severity of his ACL and MCL sprain. ''We just want to take the benefit of time and be thorough in our process, knowing that we have no more games to play, to try to get as much information as we can and make the best decision,'' said Tannenbaum, who was in Mobile for the Senior Bowl.

 

NFL: concussion protocol not followed by Miami in Moore case (Yahoo Sports)

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore sits on the field after being hit by Pittsburgh Steelers' Bud Dupree in the first half of an AFC wild-card NFL football game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. (Charles Trainor Jr/Miami Herald via AP)

The NFL's concussion protocol wasn't strictly followed when Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore was treated for a hit to the chin and mouth in a first-round playoff game, the league said Wednesday. Because Moore was bleeding from the mouth, he was allowed to return to the game too quickly at Pittsburgh, the league said in a statement. The determination was made after the NFL and the NFL Players Association reviewed the case.


 

Falcons holding out Julio Jones, Alex Mack with injuries (Yahoo Sports)

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Atlanta Falcons' Taylor Gabriel, left, catches a pass as Julio Jones looks on during a workout at the football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Matt Ryan wasn't worried that he didn't have his center and top receiver with him for the Falcons' first Super Bowl practice on Wednesday or for the remainder of the week. The quarterback says he trusts Alex Mack and Julio Jones will do what is necessary to be ready despite missing this week's practice schedule with injuries. Coach Dan Quinn said he expects Mack, the center who suffered a lower left leg injury in Sunday's NFC championship game win over Green Bay, to be able to practice next week and play in the Feb. 5 Super Bowl against New England.


 

AP source: Indians finalizing deal with OF Austin Jackson (Yahoo Sports)

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A person familiar with negotiations says the Cleveland Indians are finalizing a deal with free agent outfielder Austin Jackson. Jackson would get a minor league deal with an invitation to training camp this spring, said the person who spoke Wednesday to the Associated Press because the sides haven't completed the agreement. Jackson, who will turn 30 on Feb. 1, would give the Indians some outfield depth and insurance in case left fielder Michael Brantley isn't ready for the start of the season.

 

Super Bowl is best thing to happen to Rutgers this season (Yahoo Sports)

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FILE - From left are New England Patriots players Logan Ryan, in a Jan. 19, 2017, file photo, Devin McCourty, in an Oct. 16, 2016, file photo, and Duron Harmon, in a July 31, 2015, file photo. All three played for Rutgers, and are expected to start in the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/File)

After failing to win a Big Ten Conference game in his first season, Rutgers coach Chris Ash suddenly has a major recruiting tool. When the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons meet in Houston on Feb. 5, Rutgers will be on display. The Scarlet Knights are going into the NFL championship game not only with four players on the field, defensive backs Devin McCourty, Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon of New England and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu of Atlanta are all expected to start.


 

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