“THE SCOREBOARD”
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
LA ANGELS 4 ATLANTA 1
TAMPA BAY 5 NY YANKEES 1
BALTIMORE 4 TORONTO 2
HOUSTON 7 CLEVELAND 3
SEATTLE 6 BOSTON 2
PHILADELPHIA 4 MIAMI 2
WASHINGTON 5 MILWAUKEE 3
CINCINNATI 6 CHICAGO CUBS 5
COLORADO 4 SAN DIEGO 3 (10)
ARIZONA 4 SAN FRANCISCO 3 (11)
BOX SCORES: http://hosted.stats.com/mlb/scoreboard.asp
STATS: http://hosted.stats.com/mlb/index.asp
PLAYER NEWS: http://hosted.stats.com/mlb/news.asp
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
WNBA
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TRANSACTIONS
BASEBALL
Major League Baseball
American League
BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Sent RHP Mychal Givens and LHP Keegan Akin to the Floridia Complex League (FCL) on rehab assignments.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Designated 3B Kevin Padlo for assignment. Transferred 3B Taylor Ward from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL.
NEW YORK YANKEES — Agreed to terms with 2B Roc Riggio on a contract. Agreed to terms with RHPs Aaron Nixon and Trent Sellers on minor league contracts.
National League
ATLANTA BRAVES — Reinstated LHP A.J. Minter from the 15-day IL. Optioned RHP A.J. Smith-Shawver to Gwinnett (IL). Designated 3B Charlie Culberson for assignment. Reinstated SS Nicky Lopez from the 10-day IL.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Agreed to terms with 2B Pierce Bennett on a contract.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Recalled RHP Hobie Harris from Rochester (IL). Placed RHP Trevor Williams on the bereavement list.
FOOTBALL
National Football League
CAROLINA PANTHERS — Released DT Bravion Roy.
CHICAGO BEARS — Signed TE Jared Pinkney. Released WR Thyrick Pitts.
DENVER BRONCOS — Signed G Yasir Durant. Waived OT Christian DiLauro.
DETROIT LIONS — Reinstated WR Marvin Jones Jr. from the non-football injury list.
MIAMI DOLPHINS — Reinstated LT Terron Armstead off the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Signed DE Kyle Philips.
HOCKEY
National Hockey League
MONTREAL CANADIENS — Signed RW Jesse Ylonen to a one-year, two-way contract.
MINNESOTA WILD — Re-signed G Filip Gustavsson to a three-year contract.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Re-signed D Kevin Bahl to a two-year contract.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS — Signed LW Nick Abruzzese to a two-year, two-way contract.
Minor League Hockey
ECHL
WORCESTER RAILERS — Signed F Max Johnson to a one-year contract.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
COLUMBUS CREW — Acquired D Rudy Camacho from CF Montreal in exchange for $400,00 in general allocation money (GAM).
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 1
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
| BOYLE COUNTY (KY.) | AT | GIBSON SOUTHERN | 6:00 PM | ||
| CENTER GROVE | VS. | ST. EDWARD (OHIO) | 12:05 AM | ||
| SOUTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL | AT | PHALEN ACADEMY | 5:00 PM |
BIG 10 WEEKLY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA
WEEK 2
MARYLAND VS. CHARLOTTE
PENN STATE VS. DELAWARE
MINNESOTA VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN
ILLINOIS AT KANSAS
INDIANA VS. INDIANA STATE
IOWA AT IOWA STATE
NEBRASKA AT COLORADO
PURDUE AT VIRGINIA TECH
MICHIGAN STATE VS. RICHMOND
RUTGERS VS. TEMPLE
MICHIGAN VS. UNLV
NORTHWESTERN VS. UTEP
WISCONSIN AT WASHINGTON STATE
OHIO STATE VS. YOUNGSTOWN STATE
WEEK 3
MICHIGAN VS. BOWLING GREEN
WISCONSIN VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
INDIANA VS. LOUISVILLE (IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN)
MINNESOTA AT NORTH CAROLINA
NEBRASKA VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
NORTHWESTERN AT DUKE
ILLINOIS VS. PENN STATE
PURDUE VS. SYRACUSE
MARYLAND VS. VIRGINIA
RUTGERS VS. VIRGINIA TECH
MICHIGAN STATE VS. WASHINGTON
IOWA VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN
OHIO STATE VS. WESTERN KENTUCKY
WEEK 4
INDIANA VS. AKRON
ILLINOIS VS. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
PENN STATE VS. IOWA
NEBRASKA VS. LOUISIANA TECH
MICHIGAN STATE VS. MARYLAND
NORTHWESTERN VS. MINNESOTA
OHIO STATE AT NOTRE DAME
MICHIGAN VS. RUTGERS
PURDUE VS. WISCONSIN
WEEK 5
PURDUE VS. ILLINOIS
MARYLAND VS. INDIANA
MINNESOTA VS. LOUISIANA
NEBRASKA VS. MICHIGAN
IOWA VS. MICHIGAN STATE
NORTHWESTERN VS. PENN STATE
RUTGERS VS. WAGNER
WEEK 6
NORTHWESTERN VS. HOWARD
OHIO STATE VS. MARYLAND
MINNESOTA VS. MICHIGAN
ILLINOIS VS. NEBRASKA
IOWA VS. PURDUE
WISCONSIN VS. RUTGERS
WEEK 7
MARYLAND VS. ILLINOIS
MICHIGAN VS. INDIANA
WISCONSIN VS. IOWA
RUTGERS VS. MICHIGAN STATE
PURDUE VS. OHIO STATE
PENN STATE VS. UMASS
WEEK 8
MICHIGAN STATE VS. MICHIGAN
IOWA VS. MINNESOTA
NEBRASKA VS. NORTHWESTERN
OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE
INDIANA VS. RUTGERS
ILLINOIS VS. WISCONSIN
WEEK 9
PENN STATE VS. INDIANA
NORTHWESTERN VS. MARYLAND
MINNESOTA VS. MICHIGAN STATE
WISCONSIN VS. OHIO STATE
NEBRASKA VS. PURDUE
WEEK 10
MINNESOTA VS. ILLINOIS
NORTHWESTERN VS. IOWA (IN CHICAGO, IL)
MICHIGAN STATE VS. NEBRASKA
RUTGERS VS. OHIO STATE
MARYLAND VS. PENN STATE
MICHIGAN VS. PURDUE
INDIANA VS. WISCONSIN
WEEK 11
ILLINOIS VS. INDIANA
NEBRASKA VS. MARYLAND
PENN STATE VS. MICHIGAN
OHIO STATE VS. MICHIGAN STATE
PURDUE VS. MINNESOTA
WISCONSIN VS. NORTHWESTERN
IOWA VS. RUTGERS
WEEK 12
IOWA VS. ILLINOIS
MARYLAND VS. MICHIGAN
INDIANA VS. MICHIGAN STATE
OHIO STATE VS. MINNESOTA
WISCONSIN VS. NEBRASKA
NORTHWESTERN VS. PURDUE
PENN STATE VS. RUTGERS
WEEK 13
NEBRASKA VS. IOWA
FRIDAY, NOV. 24
PURDUE VS. INDIANA
RUTGERS VS. MARYLAND
ILLINOIS VS. NORTHWESTERN
MICHIGAN VS. OHIO STATE
MICHIGAN STATE VS. PENN STATE
MINNESOTA VS. WISCONSIN
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 0
SATURDAY, AUG. 26
NOTRE DAME VS. NAVY (DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 2:30 P.M. | NBC
MERCER VS. NORTH ALABAMA (MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
JACKSONVILLE STATE VS. UTEP | 5:30 P.M. | CBSSN
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. UMASS | 7 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. OHIO | 7 P.M. | FS1
VANDERBILT VS. HAWAI’I | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
JACKSON STATE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
USC VS. SAN JOSE STATE | 8 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
LOUISIANA TECH VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL | 9 P.M. | CBSSN
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WAKE FOREST VS. ELON | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
UCF VS. KENT STATE | 7 P.M. | FS1
GEORGIA STATE VS. RHODE ISLAND | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN MICHIGAN VS. ST. FRANCIS (PA) | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UCONN VS. NC STATE | 7:30 P.M. | CBSSN
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA | 8 P.M. | FOX
MISSOURI VS. SOUTH DAKOTA | 8 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UTAH VS. FLORIDA | 8 P.M. | ESPN
TULSA VS. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UAB VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA STATE VS. SOUTHERN UTAH | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
FRIDAY, SEPT. 1
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. HOWARD | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN | 7 P.M. | FS1
MIAMI (FLA.) VS. MIAMI (OHIO) | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
GEORGIA TECH VS. LOUISVILLE (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
KANSAS VS. MISSOURI STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
HAWAI’I VS. STANFORD | 11 P.M. | CBSSN
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE | 12 P.M. | FS1
KENTUCKY VS. BALL STATE | 12 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
LIBERTY VS. BOWLING GREEN | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA | 12 P.M. | PEACOCK
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE | 12 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SMU VS. LOUISIANA TECH | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
TENNESSEE VS. VIRGINIA (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE) | 12 P.M. | ABC
TCU VS. COLORADO | 12 P.M. | FOX
BOSTON COLLEGE VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
OKLAHOMA VS. ARKANSAS STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN
OLE MISS VS. MERCER | 2 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
IOWA STATE VS. UNI | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TEMPLE VS. AKRON | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
OHIO VS. LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
AIR FORCE VS. ROBERT MORRIS | 2 P.M. | ALTITUDE SPORTS
OREGON VS. PORTLAND STATE | 3 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
AUBURN VS. UMASS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON | 3:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. SOUTH FLORIDA | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
WASHINGTON VS. BOISE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
NOTRE DAME VS. TENNESSEE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | NBC
PITT VS. WOFFORD | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
CINCINNATI VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS VS. RICE | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
APPALACHIAN STATE VS. GARDNER-WEBB | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS VS. WESTERN CAROLINA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. SE LOUISIANA | 4 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS VS. CAL | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
SYRACUSE VS. COLGATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/ACCNX
GEORGIA VS. UT MARTIN | 6 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
CHARLOTTE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA ATLANTIC VS. MONMOUTH | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGIA SOUTHERN VS. THE CITADEL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
JAMES MADISON VS. BUCKNELL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MARSHALL VS. ALBANY | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL VS. MAINE | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
USC VS. NEVADA | 6:30 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
TEXAS A&M VS. NEW MEXICO | 7 P.M. | ESPN
UL MONROE VS. ARMY | 7 P.M. | NFL NETWORK
VANDERBILT VS. ALABAMA A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
COLORADO STATE VS. WASHINGTON STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
BAYLOR VS. TEXAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON VS. UTSA | 7 P.M. | FS1
KANSAS STATE VS. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
OKLAHOMA STATE VS. CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MEMPHIS VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN MISS VS. ALCORN STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TROY VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO | 7:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NORTH CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
WYOMING VS. TEXAS TECH | 7:30 P.M. | CBS
LOUISIANA VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+
VIRGINIA TECH VS. OLD DOMINION | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
TULANE VS. SOUTH ALABAMA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
UTEP VS. UIW | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
BYU VS. SAM HOUSTON | 10:15 P.M. | FS1
UCLA VS. COASTAL CAROLINA | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. IDAHO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN | 12 P.M. | CBS
SAN JOSE STATE VS. OREGON STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
FLORIDA STATE VS. LSU (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
MONDAY, SEPT. 4
DUKE VS. CLEMSON | 8 P.M. | ESPN
NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – AUGUST 3
N.Y. JETS VS. CLEVELAND (NBC), 8:00
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
HOUSTON AT NEW ENGLAND, 7:00
MINNESOTA AT SEATTLE, 10:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
N.Y. GIANTS AT DETROIT, 7:00
GREEN BAY AT CINCINNATI, 7:00
ATLANTA AT MIAMI, 7:00
PITTSBURGH AT TAMPA BAY, 7:00
WASHINGTON AT CLEVELAND, 7:30
DENVER AT ARIZONA, 10:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
INDIANAPOLIS AT BUFFALO, 1:00
TENNESSEE AT CHICAGO, 1:00
N.Y. JETS AT CAROLINA, 4:00
JACKSONVILLE AT DALLAS, 5:00
PHILADELPHIA AT BALTIMORE, 7:00
L.A. CHARGERS AT L.A. RAMS, 9:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
KANSAS CITY AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS, 4:00
WEEK 2
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17
CLEVELAND AT PHILADELPHIA, 7:30
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
CAROLINA AT N.Y. GIANTS, 7:00
CINCINNATI AT ATLANTA, 7:30
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
JACKSONVILLE AT DETROIT, 1:00
MIAMI AT HOUSTON, 4:00
BUFFALO AT PITTSBURGH, 6:30
CHICAGO AT INDIANAPOLIS, 7:00
TAMPA BAY AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30
KANSAS CITY AT ARIZONA, 8:00
NEW ENGLAND AT GREEN BAY, 8:00
TENNESSEE AT MINNESOTA, 8:00
DENVER AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30
LAS VEGAS AT L.A. RAMS, 9:00
DALLAS AT SEATTLE, 10:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
NEW ORLEANS AT L.A. CHARGERS, 7:05
MONDAY, AUGUST 21
BALTIMORE AT WASHINGTON (ESPN), 8:00
WEEK 3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
PITTSBURGH AT ATLANTA, 7:30
INDIANAPOLIS AT PHILADELPHIA (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
DETROIT AT CAROLINA (CBS), 8:00
NEW ENGLAND AT TENNESSEE, 8:15
L.A. CHARGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO, 10:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
BUFFALO AT CHICAGO, 1:00
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY, 1:00
CLEVELAND AT KANSAS CITY, 1:00
ARIZONA AT MINNESOTA, 1:00
N.Y. JETS AT N.Y. GIANTS, 6:00
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON, 6:05
MIAMI AT JACKSONVILLE, 7:00
BALTIMORE AT TAMPA BAY, 7:00
LAS VEGAS AT DALLAS, 8:00
L.A. RAMS AT DENVER, 9:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
HOUSTON AT NEW ORLEANS (FOX), 8:00
WEEK 1 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
DETROIT LIONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (THU) 7:20P (CT) 8:20P NBC
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
HOUSTON TEXANS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
TENNESSEE TITANS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P FOX
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P CBS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 4:25P (ET) 4:25P CBS
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P FOX
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 8:20P (ET) 8:20P NBC
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS (MON) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P ESPN/ABC
TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/HEADLINES
NFL NEWS
BRONCOS RECEIVER TIM PATRICK CARTED OFF FIELD WITH RIGHT LEG INJURY
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos braced themselves for a second straight season without their steadiest wide receiver and locker room leader after Tim Patrick was carted off the field with a left Achilles tendon injury Monday – almost a year after tearing his right ACL at training camp.
“It’s a tough break for us as a team when you see something like that, a great player, a great leader,” cornerback Patrick Surtain II said. “We wish him the best and just go on from there.”
With an energized crowd of 3,000 looking on as the Broncos practiced in full pads for the first time, Patrick hit the ground in pain just as he came out of his cut on a short route during a seven-on-seven passing drill. He threw his helmet as teammates including Courtland Sutton and Russell Wilson rushed to his side.
The injury happened right in front of head coach Sean Payton, who was watching Patrick make an adjustment from a previous route.
“It’s always difficult, especially a guy like that’s a leader who’s coming off an entire year of rehabilitation,” Payton said. ”It’s difficult for his teammates, for all of us. So, maybe, hopefully we get some good news. But it appears it’s his left Achilles.”
After being carted off, Patrick entered the Broncos facility on crutches, keeping weight off his left leg.
Patrick is known for his strong work ethic and no-nonsense approach. He was one of the more notable finds by the Broncos in recent years.
Undrafted out of Utah in 2017, Patrick bounced around the Ravens’ and 49ers’ practice squads before arriving in Denver later that year. He became a contributor in 2018 and ’19 before posting back-to-back productive seasons that earned him a three-year, $34.5 million contract extension in November 2021.
He was the team’s No. 1 receiver going into last season when he tore his right ACL in a noncontact drill on Aug. 2. Two months later the Broncos lost their top running back when Javonte Williams suffered a knee injury and Denver’s offense never recovered from the one-two punch, averaging a league-worst 16.9 points a game in Wilson’s first year in Denver.
Like Williams, Patrick was looking for a big comeback in 2023 atop the receiver rotation alongside Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.
“When I got hired here, he was one of the guys I saw every day because he was rehabbing last year’s injury,” Payton said. “So, that’s what makes it more difficult.”
The Broncos do appear to be in better position to weather the loss of Patrick this year if the injury proves to be as serious as suspected.
They bolstered their receiver room, chiefly by drafting speedster Marvin Mims Jr. out of Oklahoma in the second round and signing veterans Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey in free agency.
“We’ve just got great guys all around the receiving room, so obviously next man up situation,” Surtain said. “But Tim is a big loss, a big blow, because he brings such a presence out there on the field that many people can’t compare to.”
Mims pulled a hamstring in June and suffered a setback before camp, but Monday marked his first practice of camp and Payton was encouraged: “He’s feeling good. You’re going to see him more and more this week. He’s ramping up and we’re encouraged.”
However, another receiver, KJ Hamler, who is on the mend from a torn chest muscle, was released Monday when the Broncos signed guard Yasir Durant. Hamler was releasd with a non-football illness designation. Earlier in the day, he posted on Instagram that he was diagnosed with the heart condition pericarditis “after feeling some chest pains while working out on the break before camp started.” He vowed to return to the field as soon as he could “better and stronger than ever.”
Notes: Payton had no comment about Aaron Rodgers’ spirited defense of Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett after Payton ripped him last week for his poor head coaching job in Denver last year. “No, we’re past it,” said Payton, who did a mea culpa last week, saying he regretted criticizing Hackett, the Jets and members of the Broncos’ front office in trying to spread the blame for Wilson’s career-worst season in 2022 during an interview with USA Today.
DAMAR HAMLIN PUTS ASIDE FEAR AND PRACTICES IN PADS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE CARDIAC ARREST
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) Of the thousands of emotions – trepidation among them – running through Damar Hamlin’s head Monday while he pulled on his pads for practice for the first time at training camp, the one that ultimately won out was joy.
For everything the Buffalo Bills safety has overcome in seven months since going into cardiac arrest during a game and needing to be resuscitated on the field, Hamlin leaned on his faith in God and himself, along with the support from his family and teammates, to take another step toward resume his playing career.
“A super big hurdle as you can imagine. Like, I pretty much lost my life playing this sport,” Hamlin said at a news conference after practice.
“I made the choice to play. But I’m processing a thousand emotions. I’m not afraid to say that it crosses my mind of being a little scared here and there,” he added. “My faith is stronger than any fear. That’s what I want to preach up here. And that’s the message I want to spread on to the world that as long as your faith is stronger than your fear, you can get through anything.”
Though Hamlin was cleared to resume practicing in mid-April, he did so wearing a helmet and shorts with the rest of his teammates through their spring sessions and first four days of training camp, as mandated by NFL rules. The magnitude of the Bills’ first day in pads wasn’t lost on Hamlin, given it marked the first time he was in full uniform since collapsing on the field in Cincinnati on Jan. 2 after making what appeared to be a routine tackle of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
“Ah man, it feels amazing. It’s a roller coaster of emotions. I was kind of all over the place just being back for the first time,” Hamlin said. “Just trying to keep everything as normal as possible.”
The normality of football struck him about an hour into practice when Hamlin took the field for the first time during a team red-zone running drill in which tackling was still not allowed.
On his second play, Hamlin showed no hesitation when bursting toward Damien Harris and wrapping him up with both arms. A play later, running back James Cook broke a tackle before Hamlin joined a teammate in wrapping him up just before the goal line.
Hamlin’s biggest contact came on the final play of practice, when he avoided a block to work his way into the backfield and help a teammate stop tight end Quintin Morris for what would have been a loss.
“That first little moment of contact, that was just letting me know. I felt alive, man. I felt like I’m here,” Hamlin said with a wide grin. “So it felt good. It was just that moment of: ‘All right, let’s settle in and let’s just take one play at a time. Let’s just keep going.’”
Hamlin’s only lament was not having any balls thrown in his direction during team drills, though he laughed when saying that might not be a bad thing.
“When the ball’s not coming my way, that makes you think you’re doing your job right,” Hamlin said. “But, you know, I would love some more opportunities to make a big play and turn practice up a bit.”
The 25-year-old from the Pittsburgh area is entering his third NFL season. Selected by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Pitt, he opened last season as a backup before starting 13 games after Micah Hyde sustained a season-ending neck injury.
This year, Hamlin is competing with offseason free agent addition Taylor Rapp for a backup role behind Hyde and Jordan Poyer. As for Hamlin’s next hurdle, it’ll come Aug. 12, when the Bills open their preseason schedule at home against Indianapolis.
Rapp, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, might be new to Buffalo but is impressed with how Hamlin has handled himself.
“How far he’s come and what he’s able to come back from late last season and just seeing how he goes about himself and attacks the rehab at the facility is nothing short of inspiring,” Rapp said.
A day earlier, coach Sean McDermott said he was walking a fine line in treating Hamlin much like any other player, while keeping in mind what he’s gone through.
“I think awareness is important, right? You’ve got X amount of guys out here and then you have Damar in there as well and trying to make it as a normal as possible,” McDermott said. “We’re going to support him through this, and to this point he’s done a phenomenal job.”
AARON RODGERS: ‘VISION’ OF JETS GM PROMPTED PAY CUT
General manager Joe Douglas’ vision for the New York Jets compelled Aaron Rodgers to take a pay cut of nearly $35 million over the next two years.
“I thought it was important they knew how committed I was,” Rodgers told Peter King of NBC. “And in my conversations with (GM) Joe (Douglas), he has made it very clear the vision for the football team. You probably agree with this. This year, compared to like 2005, the amount of transactions that happen now with guys getting cut and the amount of trades — way more than before. Big names move at the trade deadline now. I wanted to make sure that if somebody valuable came available that we’d be able to get him. I’m very happy with the contract. I feel great about it.”
Rodgers said he considered the reduction in pay “the right thing that made me feel best” which is a stark contrast to his position on contracts with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers floated retirement or potential trade ideas when his relationship with Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst became acrimonious. Rodgers was bitter, in part, over Green Bay selecting his heir apparent, Jordan Love, in the first round while rarely adding top prospects or free agents at skill positions.
He signed a three-year, $150 million deal with the Packers prior to the 2022 season not long after Green Bay traded away top wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.
At the time of the trade, Rodgers had $109.7 million guaranteed remaining on that contract. His new deal reportedly pays him $75 million over two seasons.
With the Jets, Rodgers has formed a quick connection with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season.
Douglas has kicked the tires on adding another running back to a group that includes Breece Hall, and the team signed a number of players who know Rogers well, including wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
EAGLES’ JALEN HURTS KEEPS REMINDER OF SUPER BOWL LOSS AT HIS FINGERTIPS
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is letting a painful moment from his past serve as daily motivation for his future every time he makes a call, sends a text or checks social media.
The lock screen on Hurts’ cell phone is a picture of himself walking off the field following the Eagles’ 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12.
That picture came to light after Eagles punter Ty Zentner posted a video to Instagram of a singing showcase by the team’s rookies. Hurts was seen taking out his phone to record the events.
Hurts threw for 304 yards and totaled four touchdowns (one passing, three rushing) in Super Bowl LVII. He followed that up by signing a five-year, $255 million extension in April that included nearly $179.4 million in total guarantees.
Hurts, who turns 25 next week, has thrown for 7,906 yards and 44 touchdowns against 19 interceptions in 45 games (34 starts) since being selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s also rushed for 1,898 yards and 26 TDs.
REPORTS: SAINTS SIGNING DE KYLE PHILLIPS
The New Orleans Saints are bolstering their depth on the defensive line with the addition of defensive end Kyle Phillips, NOLA.com reported Monday.
Phillips, 26, sat out the 2022 season after three seasons with the New York Jets.
He has 2.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 65 tackles in 29 career games (eight starts). He signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2019 out of Tennessee.
CHIEFS TO RELY ON NEW OFFENSIVE TACKLES TO PROTECT PATRICK MAHOMES THIS SEASON
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs need look no further than last season’s playoffs, and the sight of Patrick Mahomes hobbling to the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a high ankle sprain, to understand the importance in protecting their quarterback.
Yet oddly enough, they were OK watching both of their starting offensive tackles leave in free agency.
The big blow was the departure of left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., for whom the Chiefs paid the Ravens handsomely in a trade, when the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal.
But nearly as painful was the loss of right tackle Andrew Wylie, who had gone from an afterthought fighting for a job to one of the more reliable players along the offensive line.
Rarely do the Chiefs make such moves without a plan, though. General manager Brett Veach acted quickly to sign ex-Tampa Bay tackle Donovan Smith to handle the left side and former Jacksonville tackle Jawaan Taylor to handle the right, then Veach used a third-round pick on Oklahoma’s Wanya Morris to create instant competition at both positions.
So far, Chiefs coach Andy Reid — an old offensive line coach — has liked what he’s seen.
“You’re never sure exactly what you’re going to get there,” Reid said, “but they’re competing and that’s important. That’s an important part of this, that you’re able to push through these practices, run and pass. I like the way they work their game.”
The decision to put Mahomes’ health in the hands of Smith and Taylor is a gamble, though. Neither of them graded out particularly well last season, depending on the metric you use, though both of them have shown flashes of high-level play in the past.
Smith, for example, ranked No. 66 among 81 offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus. Taylor was just one spot better.
But the Chiefs have established a track record of unlocking the potential in relatively unheralded players, particularly along the offensive line, where assistant coach Andy Heck is among the best in the business.
Wylie is a prime example: He was undrafted out of Eastern Michigan and wound up earning two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City before signing with Washington.
“All of us have played a lot of football and a lot of big games, tough games,” Taylor said. “We’re all smart mentally, physically. It’s just more so we’re tying in each and every individual aspect of who we are and how we play and tying it together and figuring out what works, what meshes. You know, just the many things we bring to the table per guy I would say is our strength.”
Another strength is having one of the best interior offensive lines in the NFL. Left guard Joe Thuney is considered one of the top five in the league at his position, right guard Trey Smith is likewise considered a top-tier guard, and center Creed Humphrey was picked for the Pro Bowl in just his second season in the league.
It also helps having Mahomes calling out the signals.
“Just a great leader man. He brings that energy every day, you know? He holds everybody accountable,” Donovan Smith said. “You mess up, we are going to redo it. Even in the walk-throughs and the learning periods, we always slow it down and we get to learn the offense. That’s been helping me a lot with the walk-throughs and learning the things they like doing here.”
The Chiefs were fortunate to overcome Mahomes’ ankle injury in the playoffs. He returned in the second half to lead them past Jacksonville in the divisional round, and he hobbled through an AFC title game-thriller against Cincinnati, before hurting the ankle again in the Super Bowl — and then leading the Chiefs past Philadelphia for the Lombardi Trophy.
The pressure is on the Chiefs’ new offensive tackles to prevent the same such stress this season.
NOTES: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire returned to practice Monday after missing the previous two with an illness. … TE Jody Fortson (shoulder), WR Kadarius Toney (knee) and DE Mike Danna (calf) were among those that remained out. P Tommy Townsend also spent time in the medical tent, though no reason was given by the Chiefs. … DT Chris Jones continued his holdout. He has been fined $50,000 for each day missed, which brings the total to $550,000. … The Chiefs had a short practice Monday after three consecutive workouts in pads. They are off Tuesday before resuming camp Wednesday.
UNDRAFTED ROOKIE RECEIVER JASON BROWNLEE IS SHOWING AARON RODGERS AND THE JETS HE CAN BE ‘SPECIAL’
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jason Brownlee’s phone provides a constant reminder of how far he has come in his football journey.
And how much further he expects to go.
The New York Jets rookie wide receiver’s home screen is a photo of him being coached up by Aaron Rodgers on the field during offseason workouts. It’s a welcome to the NFL moment that will be forever cherished by Brownlee.
“I’m definitely going to get it framed,” a smiling Brownlee said after practice Sunday.
The undrafted free agent from Southern Miss has been among the early standouts in training camp, regularly making plays and impressing his new quarterback and coaches.
He might appear buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Corey Davis, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb. But being an underdog doesn’t faze Brownlee. It never has.
“I’ve been through this type of situation before where I had to start all over and build from the ground up,” Brownlee said in an interview with The Associated Press. “So I know what it’s going to take — hard work and dedication — so I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing.
“And real soon, you’re going to see something real special.”
Brownlee is already showing signs of that.
With Wilson and Lazard dealing with recent injuries and Davis out with an illness, Brownlee saw increased snaps with the starting offense. Last Thursday, Rodgers threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brownlee in 11-on-11 team drills, a play during which the young receiver got past cornerback Sauce Gardner, last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Later, Brownlee had another TD catch, this time on a toss from Chris Streveler between two defenders.
“Really like where he’s going,” coach Robert Saleh said. “He still has a lot to prove, but he’s trending in that right direction.”
Not bad for a kid who didn’t play football until he was in middle school, when he started focusing on sports “because I used to get in trouble a lot growing up.”
The football field provided a safe haven for Brownlee, who played in junior high as a 5-foot-8 cornerback.
“I kept asking my mom, ‘When am I gonna get my growth spurt?’” Brownlee said with a laugh. “It didn’t happen until like 10th or 11th grade.”
That’s when Brownlee grew to almost his current 6-3 height at West Point High School in West Point, Mississippi.
“I shot up and got real tall, but I was skinny, though,” said Brownlee, who’s now listed at 198 pounds. “So I started playing receiver and told my coach, ‘Put me at receiver,’ because I liked scoring touchdowns.
“Ain’t nothing like scoring a touchdown. I love it.”
He was good at it, too. Brownlee scored 11 as a senior while helping lead West Point to back-to-back state titles.
But even with that success, he drew little interest from big-time Division I football programs. So he went to East Mississippi Community College, where he led junior college players with 75 catches for 1,055 yards and 12 TDs in his second season.
Southern Miss came calling and Brownlee quickly made his mark there, too. He led the Golden Eagles in catches, yards and TD receptions in his first two seasons, and then schools such as Ole Miss and Mississippi State asked him to transfer.
But Brownlee declined.
“I was like, no, I’m sticking with the school that stood beside me,” Brownlee said. “So I just kept putting on for my school and showed them loyalty. And everything wasn’t easy there, either, because I played with like 20 different quarterbacks over my college career so I had to make the most of every opportunity.”
Despite a big final season at Southern Miss during which he had 55 catches for 891 yards and eight TDs, Brownlee went undrafted in April.
“I told my mom, ‘Don’t hold your head down, I got it,’” Brownlee recalled. “I told her, ‘I’m going to go prove everybody wrong.’”
Then he got a call from the Jets, who had recently traded for Rodgers. Saleh said Brownlee was in the Jets’ discussions throughout the final day of the draft.
“Knowing that Aaron Rodgers was going to be my quarterback? I was like, ‘There ain’t no way I’m not going to the Jets to play with a Hall of Fame quarterback,” Brownlee said.
Then came that moment during practice in June, when Rodgers sidled over to Brownlee and broke down the route he had just run — a curl during which he turned back a little too quick.
“Just be under control, really, that’s what he was telling me and don’t come in there real fast,” Brownlee said. “If I’m coming in fast and he’s throwing it fast and I’m running fast, it isn’t going to be good. It might go straight through my hands.”
That hasn’t happened much during his first NFL training camp.
Brownlee is soaking up everything Rodgers — who singled him out in June for having an impressive spring — and his coaches tell him. And he’s determined to make his mark in what he calls “the perfect offense” for him.
“It’s just a great opportunity, man,” Brownlee said. “I’m still trying to get my head around everything and soak it all in. But I’ve been having the best time of my life since I’ve been here.”
SAINTS COACH DENNIS ALLEN: KAMARA PLANS TO MEET WITH GOODELL ABOUT 2022 FIGHT
METAIRIE, La. (AP) Saints coach Dennis Allen expressed hope on Monday that Alvin Kamara’s plan to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would help resolve any disciplinary action the star running back might face in connection with his arrest in a February 2022 fight during Pro Bowl weekend in Las Vegas.
“Alvin really wants to get out ahead of this and have a chance to visit with Roger and kind of give him his side of the story,” Allen said after the Saints’ sixth practice of training camp at team headquarters.
“I think part of it is: ‘Let’s get some resolution with where we’re at and move forward.’ I think Alvin is looking forward to putting this behind him and focusing in on what he has to do to be the best he can for our team this season.”
Allen said the Saints have yet to receive an indication of if, or when, the NFL could decide on whether to discipline Kamara, who has been among New Orleans’ leaders in yards from scrimmage since 2017, when he was selected as the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The NFL on Monday declined comment on Kamara’s planned meeting with Goodell or any potential timeline for issuing discipline.
Kamara played throughout the 2022 season while the NFL waited for a resolution to his court case, which also involved cornerback Chris Lammons.
The two players were accused, along with two other defendants, of beating Darnell Greene Jr., of Houston, unconscious following an altercation that spilled out of an elevator and into a hallway.
Kamara and Lammons pleaded no contest on July 11 to misdemeanors and agreed to each pay just more than $100,000 toward Greene’s medical costs. The deal allowed the players to avoid trial and possible prison time after initially being charged with felonies. The plea agreements came in conjunction with a settlement of a civil case Greene filed. Financial terms of that deal remain undisclosed.
Under the NFL’s player conduct policy, the league office may issue suspensions for conduct that is “illegal, violent, dangerous, or irresponsible puts innocent victims at risk, damages the reputation of others in the game, and undercuts public respect and support for the NFL.”
A conviction is not required for the NFL to suspend a player. The league reserves the right to take an independent view of available evidence, which in Kamara’s case, includes security video of the fight.
In 15 games last season, Kamara gained 1,387 yards from scrimmage – 897 rushing and 490 receiving. He scored two TDs rushing and caught two scoring passes.
For his career, Kamara has 8,888 yards from scrimmage (5,135 rushing, 3,753 receiving) and has scored 71 TDs (49 rushing, 22 receiving).
Kamara has not done any interviews since training camp began last week, but has participated fully in practices and produced several highlights during 11-on-11 drills.
“Alvin is going to be a huge part of what we do here,” Allen said. “We’ll take things in stride and how they happen. We’ll deal with anything we have to deal with. We’ll deal with it when the time is right.”
The Saints have several new running backs this season in addition to Kamara, including former Detroit Lion Jamaal Williams, who was acquired as a free agent, and Kendre Miller, a third-round draft choice out of TCU.
49ERS REMAIN ‘CONFIDENT’ THEY WILL RESOLVE HOLDOUT WITH STAR DEFENSIVE END NICK BOSA
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers held their first padded practice Monday without their most important defensive player and little indication that Nick Bosa will end his holdout and join the team soon.
General manager John Lynch said he remains in contact with Bosa’s agent Brian Ayrault as the two sides try to come to an agreement on a long-term deal that could make Bosa the richest defensive player in NFL history.
“I don’t like not having one of our best players here,” Lynch said. “We’ve got a really good track record that I’m proud of as a group of having our players in. But I also understand it and understand that we’re going to have to exhibit some patience and understand that ultimately this thing will work out. I’m very confident in that and we’re just going to have to have that right mix of urgency and patience.”
The 49ers have had a strong history of rewarding their own stars, giving lucrative extensions the past three summers to tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and receiver Deebo Samuel.
Bosa’s contract should top all of those after he won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and has consistently been one of the top defensive ends in the league when healthy since being drafted second overall in 2019.
Bosa led the NFL with 18 1/2 sacks last season when he was named the league’s top defensive player and has 43 in 51 career games. He is currently under contract on the fifth-year option for $17.9 million this season.
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the only defensive player with a contract worth at least $30 million a year after signing a three-year, $95 million extension last offseason. Bosa could top that with his new deal.
By holding out of camp, Bosa is subject to fines of $40,000 a day and could be fined a game check for each exhibition game he misses. But because he’s still on a rookie deal, the 49ers have the option of waiving those fines, which Lynch said the team plans to do.
“That’s not going to get him in here,” Lynch said about a fine. “We’re both striving for the same thing, so we’ll focus on that.”
Bosa typically stays away from the team for the voluntary portion of the offseason and always reports in top shape each summer after months of workouts back home in Florida.
Lynch said he has no doubt Bosa is working to stay in shape but knows it will be important to get him back with enough time to make sure he is in top form to start the season.
“I don’t know what that right time period, we’ve talked a lot about it internally, but I think that’s important to give yourself the best chance to not only play at the highest level, but to stay healthy and get yourself primed and ready, calloused to play,” Lynch said.
Even with Bosa holding out, the Niners still have a deep defensive line group after adding Javon Hargrave as an interior rusher next to Arik Armstead as a free agent this offseason.
Javon Kinlaw, a 2020 first-round pick, is finally healthy this camp and showing flashes as a defensive tackle, and second-year edge rusher Drake Jackson bulked up after wearing down as a rookie.
Clelin Ferrell, Kerry Hyder Jr. and Austin Bryant have also gotten more opportunities early in camp but the Niners know they will need Bosa if the unit wants to be dominant once again.
“This is definitely a great group and we’re not even all the way together yet. We don’t have our guy here yet,” Armstead said. “We have a great group. We have to keep grinding, keep getting better and see where it takes us in the season. But we always have that responsibility. They invest up front and we know that a lot of games will be on our shoulders to go out there and win. We accept that challenge to get to work and go out there and play as hard we can.”
NOTES: There was one big scuffle on the first day with pads that led to a brief halt of practice. … LT Trent Williams didn’t take part in team drills for a second straight day. … LB Dre Greenlaw had an interception against Brock Purdy in team drills. … Backup QBs Trey Lance and Sam Darnold both had strong practices.
COWBOYS RB RONALD JONES SUSPENDED 2 GAMES
The NFL suspended Dallas Cowboys running back Ronald Jones without pay for the first two games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Jones, 25, will miss the Cowboys’ games against the New York Giants and New York Jets. He’ll be allowed to return to the Cowboys’ active roster on Sept. 18 ahead of their Week 3 game at Arizona.
The Cowboys signed Jones to a one-year contract in March. He played last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones finished with 17 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown in six games (zero starts).
Jones is third on the Cowboys’ depth chart at RB behind Tony Pollard and Malik Davis.
Selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Jones has 505 carries for 2,244 yards and 19 touchdowns in 61 career games (25 starts) with the Buccaneers and Chiefs. He also has 77 catches for 593 yards and a score.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
NEBRASKA’S MYLES FARMER IS SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY AS COACH MATT RHULE OPENS FIRST PRESEASON CAMP
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Nebraska defensive back Myles Farmer, the team’s second-leading tackler last season, was not on the 120-man roster when the Cornhuskers opened practice Monday and his return was uncertain.
First-year coach Matt Rhule said he suspended Farmer indefinitely. Rhule didn’t disclose the reason other than to say it had to do with a failure to adhere to team standards.
The previous coaching staff suspended Farmer for the game against Michigan last November after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
Rhule also announced that wide receiver Josh Fleeks, a transfer from Baylor, reported “significantly” overweight Sunday and will be held out until he makes weight.
Brodie Tagaloa, who was expected to be in the defensive line rotation, probably is out for the season because of injuries sustained in a car accident two weeks ago. Rhule said Tagaloa had facial cuts and required knee surgery.
NORTHWESTERN HIRING VETERAN COLLEGE COACH SKIP HOLTZ AS TEMPORARY SPECIAL ASSISTANT, AP SOURCE SAYS
(AP) — Northwestern is hiring veteran college football coach Skip Holtz, who has won two straight USFL championships with Birmingham, to a temporary role as special assistant to interim head coach David Braun, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because Northwestern was still finalizing the hire.
Braun was named interim head coach earlier this month to replace Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired after an investigation into hazing allegations in his program.
Holtz, the son of former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, has 17 years of experience as a major college football head coach with East Carolina, South Florida and Louisiana Tech. He is 119-98 overall and was 64-50 with six straight bowl victories at La Tech before stepping down after the 2021 season.
He also coached UConn for five years before the program made the jump to the top tier of Division I.
Braun was hired as defensive coordinator by Northwestern in January after coaching at North Dakota State and has no previous head coaching experience in college.
Holtz’s job with Northwestern is expected to run through the season and not interfere with his USFL job, the person said.
PAC-12 LEADERS SET TO MEET, RECEIVE DETAILS OF POTENTIAL MEDIA RIGHTS DEAL, AP SOURCE SAYS
(AP) — Pac-12 leaders are scheduled to meet this week and Commissioner George Kliavkoff is expected to present the members with details of a long-awaited and critical potential media rights deal, a person familiar with the conference’s plans told The Associated Press on Monday.
The meeting is set for Tuesday for presidents and chancellors, along with athletic directors, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Pac-12 is not publicly addressing its internal discussions. The meeting, which was first reported by Oregon-based sports blogger John Canzano, comes less than a week after Colorado announced it was leaving the Pac-12 after this year and re-joining the Big 12.
Pac-12 leaders have mostly been steadfast – at least publicly – that they want to keep the conference together and were cautiously optimistic the league’s next media rights deal would provide enough revenue to do so.
Kilavkoff has been pursuing a new deal to replace the ones that expire in 2024 since Southern California and UCLA announced a little more than a year ago that they will to join the Big Ten when the current contracts with ESPN and Fox run out. Meanwhile, the Big 12 swooped in last fall and agreed to an extension that kicks with the two networks that starts in 2025.
“We’re on track to announce our deals at about the same time everyone would have anticipated and predicted before conference realignment,” Kliavkoff said at Pac-12 football media day two weeks ago in Las Vegas. “Patience will be rewarded.”
With Colorado’s planned departure, the Pac-12 is down to nine still-committed members. If Kliavkoff can’t deliver a deal that gets close to the $31 million per year the Big 12’s contract is expected to pay its members there could be more defections.
“Each of us will make our own independent analysis,” Arizona President Robert C. Robbins said in June. “I’m hopeful that the deal is going to be good enough to keep us together.”
BIG OT BENNETT WARREN COMMITS TO TENNESSEE’S ’24 CLASS
Tennessee added to its already strong 2024 recruiting class, landing a commitment from offensive tackle Bennett Warren out of Texas.
The 247Sports composite ranks the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Bennett, from Fort Bend Christian Academy in Sugar Land, as the No. 8 player at the position.
He made the announcement Monday on social media.
Last month, Warren announced he had narrowed his choices to Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and the Volunteers.
Coach Josh Heupel’s 2024 class is ranked No. 8 in the nation by 247Sports after the addition of the four-star Warren.
Warren is ranked second in the Tennessee class, following five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews of Georgia.
QB AKILI SMITH JR. COMMITS TO OREGON, WHERE FATHER STARRED
Akili Smith Jr. will follow in his father’s footsteps and play quarterback at Oregon, he announced Monday.
The younger Smith is a four-star quarterback in the Class of 2025 and rated as the No. 84 overall prospect and the No. 6 quarterback in his class, per the 247Sports composite rankings.
Akili Smith Sr. was the Pac-10 offensive player of the year and a second-team All-American quarterback for Oregon in 1998, when he threw for 3,763 yards and 32 touchdowns. In two seasons with the Ducks, he gained 5,148 passing yards and tossed 45 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, adding six rushing touchdowns.
The elder Smith went on to play four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him third overall in 1999.
Smith Jr. had offers from several other Power Five schools: Arizona, Boston College, Cal, Colorado, Florida, Miami, Michigan, Utah and Washington.
FLORIDA ENTERS YEAR 2 UNDER BILLY NAPIER AMID LOWEST EXPECTATIONS IN NEARLY A DECADE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier opened fall practice talking to his team about expectations — internal ones, anyway.
The once-mighty Gators are mostly an afterthought in the Southeastern Conference these days. Coming off consecutive 6-7 seasons — one in former coach Dan Mullen’s final season and the other in Napier’s inaugural campaign — Florida was picked to finish fifth in the Eastern Division in the league’s annual preseason media poll.
That’s one spot above last.
It was the lowest preseason prognostication for the Gators since also coming in fifth in 2015, former coach Jim McElwain’s first season. Florida responding by winning the East that year. Could it happen again? It would be an unbelievable long shot considering Napier pretty much has an overhauled roster after losing quarterback Anthony Richardson and 14 other starters.
“I really feel like we’re going to shock a lot of people this year as far as the standard is so low right now,” cornerback Jaydon Hill said. “It blows my mind a little bit. But then again, we’ve just got to win games. It just comes down to winning.”
Florida hasn’t won nearly enough for a fanbase that grew accustomed to it under legends Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. Although the Gators have enjoyed pockets of success since, they have yet to put it all together in terms of recruiting talent, developing players and building a consistent contender.
Napier had a detailed plan when he took over in November 2021, but it didn’t account for having to navigate a burgeoning transfer portal or a constantly changing name, image and likeness landscape.
So Napier sounds more like a coach entering their first year rather than one expecting the kind of second-year jumps that helped vault Spurrier and Meyer to stardom. He’s implemented several team-building exercises, including moving players into on-campus dorms for the opening week of training camp and rooming them with guys from other position groups.
They’ll eat every meal in an old-school dining hall — no phones allowed — and work on developing leadership as much as perfecting concepts, formations and plays.
“I think it’s important that we connect and try to create crossover relationships in all parts of what we do,” Napier said. “It’s absolutely important to what we do.”
Adding another layer to his unification efforts, Napier has a get-to-know-your-teammate initiative that requires players to be able to provide names and hometowns on the spot for 10 colleagues pictured.
“It’s one thing to know the guy’s first name, but it’s another thing to know his first and last name, where he’s from, part of his story, and I think with time we’ll get to that place,” Napier said. “But it’s about agreeing that there’s an expectation, and then, ‘Hey, if you can do better, you can do better.’ I think that’s the key to the drill. That’s where we’re at as a team.”
It’s a far cry from having to tamp down expectations of making the College Football Playoff or winning championships. No one’s ruled those out in Gainesville, but most would agree they seem more plausible down the road.
Florida returns seven starters from last year’s team and has a number of transfers to work into the mix. Quite possibly the main reason for Florida’s humble preseason forecast is because the team appears locked into starting former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who completed 60% of his passes for 5,405 yards, with 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, in four years with the Badgers.
Florida lost four-star QB recruit Jaden Rashada in a failed NIL deal in January, leaving Mertz and former Ohio State backup Jack Miller to compete for the starting job. All signs point to Mertz taking the first snap when the Gators open the season at Utah on Aug. 31.
Although Napier appears to have Florida on the path back to national relevancy; the team’s 2024 recruiting class is ranked third behind Georgia and Ohio State, according to 247sports.com. In the meantime, the only expectations he’s focused on are the internal ones.
“The expectation we’re going to establish for each other … should be much higher than any outside narrative or outside opinion,” Napier said. “If I’m walking around the building each day, if I’m living life and I’m most concerned with not letting the people down that are going to be in this team meeting in a couple hours, that’s the most important piece.”
ALL-ACC PRE-SEASON TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
RB Will Shipley, Clemson
RB Trey Benson, Florida State
WR Tez Walker, North Carolina
WR Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
TE Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
T Graham Barton, Duke
T Zion Nelson, Miami (FL.)
G Christian Mahogany, Boston College
G Javion Cohen, Miami (FL.)
C Matt Lee, Miami (FL.)
DI Leonard Taylor, Miami (FL.)
DI DeWayne Carter, Duke
Edge Jared Verse, Florida State
Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL.)
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina
CB Fentrell Cypress II, Florida State
CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
S Kamren Kinchens, Miami (FL.)
S James Williams, Miami (FL.)
Flex Brandon Johnson, Duke
K Andres Borregales, Miami (FL.)
P Daniel Sparks, Virginia
RS Jaylen Stinson, Duke
SECOND TEAM
QB Jordan Travis, Florida State
RB Jawhar Jordan, Louisville
RB Henry Parrish Jr., Miami (FL.)
WR Ali Jennings III, Virginia Tech
WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
WR Jalon Calhoun, Duke
TE Jake Briningstool, Clemson
T Matt Goncalves, Pitt
T Renato Brown, Louisville
G Marcus Tate, Clemson
G Kyle Hergel, Boston College
C Bryan Hudson, Louisville
DI Tyler Davis, Clemson
DI Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Edge Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina
Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
LB Barrett Carter, Clemson
LB Marlowe Wax, Syracuse
CB Aydan White, NC State
CB Caelen Carson, Wake Forest
S R.J, Mickens, Clemson
S LaMiles Brooks, Georgia Tech
Flex Greedy Vance Jr., Florida State
K Ben Sauls, Pitt
P Ivan Mora, Wake Forest
RS Will Shipley, Clemson
THIRD TEAM
QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
RB Jordan Waters, Duke
RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
WR Ryan O’Keefe, Boston College
TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State
T Jeremiah Byers, Florida State
T Blake Miller, Clemson
G Blake Zubovic, Pitt
G Casey Roddick, Florida State
C Will Putnam, Clemson
DI Braden Fiske, Florida State
DI Fabien Lovett Sr., Florida State
Edge Xavier Thomas, Clemson
Edge R.J. Oben, Duke
LB Tatum Bethune, Florida State
LB Payton Wilson, NC State
CB Shyheim Battle, NC State
CB M.J. Devonshire, Pitt
S Jaylen Stinson, Duke
S Jalyn Phillips, Clemson
Flex Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
K Brayden Narveson, NC State
P Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
RS Trebor Pena, Syracuse
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: BULLPEN GUIDES REDS PAST CUBS
Joey Votto, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Will Benson each had two hits and an RBI and six Cincinnati relievers held the Chicago Cubs to one run over 5 2/3 innings of the Reds’ 6-5 road victory Monday night.
Luke Maile added a two-run double for the National League Central-leading Reds, who scored three times each in the second and third innings, then hung on for their ninth win in 12 games.
On the mound, Buck Farmer (3-4), Fernando Cruz, Alex Young, Lucas Sims, Ian Gibaut and Alexis Diaz (32nd save) allowed only Christopher Morel’s RBI double in the eighth and struck out eight as Cincinnati won its fourth straight at Chicago in 2023.
Yan Gomes had three hits with an RBI for the Cubs, who have lost two straight after winning eight in a row. Marcus Stroman (10-8) allowed six runs on six hits in three innings.
Orioles 4, Blue Jays 2
Gunnar Henderson hit a solo homer, Kyle Gibson pitched six strong innings and visiting Baltimore defeated Toronto. The Orioles are 6-1 against the Blue Jays this season and have won all four games played in Canada.
Ryan Mountcastle had two doubles, a sacrifice fly and three RBIs for the Orioles in the opener of a four-game series. Gibson (10-6) allowed one run on four hits.
Toronto starter Chris Bassitt (10-6) allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette left the game in the third inning after experiencing what the team called “right knee discomfort.”
Rays 5, Yankees 1
Tyler Glasnow pitched seven sharp innings and Tampa Bay hit four homers to top host New York and end the month on a high note.
The Rays won for the third time in four games and beat the Yankees for the fifth time in eight meetings this year. Tampa Bay ended July at 8-16 and sent New York to its 13th loss in 20 games.
Brandon Lowe hit a two-run homer three batters in against New York spot starter Jhony Brito (4-5). Wander Franco, Isaac Paredes and Josh Lowe also went deep for the Rays. Glasnow (5-3) allowed a solo homer to Jake Bauers among three hits.
Phillies 4, Marlins 2
Taijuan Walker threw 6 2/3 effective innings and tied his career high in wins as Philadelphia rallied to defeat host Miami.
Walker (12-4) allowed two runs on six hits and has won eight of his past nine decisions. Johan Rojas ripped a two-run double in the fourth and Bryson Stott lofted a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh for the Phillies.
Jorge Soler gave Miami a 2-0 lead in the first inning with his 25th homer, but the Marlins couldn’t overcome the 10 walks allowed by their pitchers. Tanner Scott (4-4) took the loss.
Nationals 5, Brewers 3
Joey Meneses had three hits, including a homer, and drove in three runs as Washington beat visiting Milwaukee.
Lane Thomas added two hits and two RBIs for the Nationals, who rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the seventh. Jordan Weems (2-0) pitched one-third of an inning for the win and Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth for his 15th save.
Joey Wiemer homered and Christian Yelich had three hits for the Brewers, who dropped their four straight game. Elvis Peguero (2-4) took the loss.
Angels 4, Braves 1
Luis Rengifo, Randal Grichuk and Chad Wallach each hit a solo homer to help Los Angeles post a victory over host Atlanta.
Shohei Ohtani reached base four times on two singles, an intentional walk and a hit by pitch as the Angels won for the 10th time in 13 games. Chase Silseth (3-1) gave up one run and three hits in five innings as the fill-in starter for Griffin Canning, who was scratched due to general soreness.
Matt Olson bashed his National League-leading 36th homer for the Braves, who had won six of their previous nine games.
Astros 7, Guardians 3
Rookie J.P. France continued his stellar stretch and Yordan Alvarez delivered a timely three-run home run as host Houston topped Cleveland.
The Astros closed to within a half-game of the idle Texas Rangers atop the American League West by rallying from an early two-run deficit. France (7-3) allowed two runs on seven hits in seven innings for his ninth quality start in his past 10 outings.
Noah Syndergaard made his Guardians debut and carried a shutout into the sixth. He left the game after being hit in the leg by a comebacker. Bo Naylor hit an RBI double for Cleveland.
D-BACKS ACQUIRE 3B JACE PETERSON FROM A’S
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired third baseman Jace Peterson from the Oakland Athletics on Monday in exchange for minor league right-hander Chad Patrick.
Arizona will also receive cash considerations in the deal.
Peterson, 33, hit .221 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 92 games with the Athletics. He was in his first season with Oakland after spending the past three years with the Milwaukee Brewers.
A 10-year veteran who has played for six teams, Peterson is a career .230 hitter with 42 home runs, 235 RBIs and 73 stolen bases.
Patrick, 24, was 4-7 with a 4.71 ERA across 19 starts at Double-A Amarillo this season. The Diamondbacks selected Patrick in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2021 draft.
It has already been an active trade deadline for Arizona, which traded infielder Josh Rojas, outfielder Dominic Canzone and minor league infielder Ryan Bliss to the Seattle Mariners earlier Monday for right-handed reliever Paul Sewald.
The Diamondbacks were 56-50 entering their Monday night game against the San Francisco Giants, four games back of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
GIANTS PLACE RF MIKE YASTRZEMSKI ON 10-DAY IL
The San Francisco Giants placed right fielder Mike Yastrzemski on the 10-day injured list on Monday due to a left hamstring strain after leaving Sunday’s game in the fifth inning.
Shortstop Isan Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.
Yastrzemski, 32, is batting .233 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs in 77 games this season, his fifth with the Giants. He is a career .241 hitter.
Diaz, 27, last played for the big-league club in late June. He is 0-for-8 across two games with San Francisco in 2023 but has hit .258 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 26 games with Sacramento and Class-A San Jose.
NATIONALS RHP TREVOR WILLIAMS PLACED ON BEREAVEMENT LIST
The Washington Nationals placed right-hander Trevor Williams on the bereavement list on Monday.
Fellow right-hander Hobie Harris was recalled from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.
Williams, 31, started against the New York Mets on Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits in four innings en route to taking the loss. He is 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA across 22 starts this season.
Harris, 30, has made 15 relief appearances for the Nationals this season. He is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA.
RED SOX PLACE LHP JOELY RODRIGUEZ (HIP) ON 15-DAY IL
The Boston Red sox placed left-hander Joely Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to right hip inflammation.
The move is retroactive to Saturday, and Boston called up fellow southpaw Joe Jacques from Triple-A Worcester to fill in for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, 31, hasn’t pitched since last Tuesday, when he allowed three hits across two innings of scoreless relief against the Atlanta Braves. In 11 relief appearances this season, Rodriguez has yet to earn a decision while posting a 6.55 ERA with 14 strikeouts.
Jacques, 28, was with the Red Sox for most of June and July before getting optioned to Worcester on Saturday. He went 2-1 with a 4.86 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 14 appearances (one start) during his first big-league stint this season. Jacques also had one save.
REDS ACQUIRE LHP SAM MOLL FROM ATHLETICS
The Cincinnati Reds acquired left-handed reliever Sam Moll from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for right-hander Joe Boyle on Monday. The Reds also will receive international pool money in the deal.
Moll, 31, has an ERA of 4.54 in 45 games played (one start) with 46 strikeouts and 19 walks in 37 2/3 innings this season. Moll has spent parts of four seasons in the majors with the A’s (2017, 2021-23) with a career ERA of 4.13 in 117 games (one start) with 107 strikeouts and 49 walks in 98 innings.
Boyle, 23, has been on the Reds’ minor league system since they selected him in the fifth round of the 2020 draft out of Notre Dame. Boyle has a 6-5 record and 4.50 ERA with 122 strikeouts and 75 walks across 84 innings pitched for Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts.
The Reds have moved Hunter Greene (right hip pain) from the 15- to the 60-day injured list to make room for Moll on the 40-man roster.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS TRADE PITCHER AARON CIVALE TO TAMPA BAY RAYS FOR FIRST BASE PROSPECT
CLEVELAND (AP) Known for smart, savvy moves to improve their roster, the Guardians pulled off a puzzling one on Monday.
The Rays made one out of desperation.
In the midst of a tight playoff race, Cleveland traded Aaron Civale, the club’s hottest pitcher and one of baseball’s best over the past month, to Tampa Bay for minor league prospect Kyle Manzardo, currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Despite being neck and neck with Minnesota in the AL Central, the Guardians dealt Civale, who can help them defend their division title, for the 23-year-old Manzardo with no proven major league record.
“This was a really tough trade to make,” said Chris Antonetti, the club’s president of baseball operations. “But we did feel it was a unique opportunity to acquire someone like Kyle. It came at a steep cost, but we do feel we have some options to turn to.”
Civale’s name has been thrown around in trade speculation for weeks, which has coincided with the 28-year-old right-hander pitching as well as he has in several seasons. Civale went 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in six July starts and worked six scoreless innings Sunday in a win over the Chicago White Sox to improve to 5-2.
The Rays have had their share of pitching problems this season, and Civale gives them another solid starter for the playoff push. Tampa Bay entered the week 1 1/2 games behind first-place Baltimore in the AL East and leading the wild-card standings by four games.
“He’s got some postseason experience. And he knows how to win. I think that’s what helps,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said in New York.
Civale is expected to join the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday and make his Tampa Bay debut Saturday in Detroit. He will replace rookie Taj Bradley in the rotation. Bradley was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Monday, and the Rays recalled right-handed reliever Ryan Thompson.
“This was the most obvious need that we had,” Tampa Bay president of baseball operations Erik Neander said on a Zoom call. “This was the big item for us. If we’re going to pay a big price it makes sense to do it for someone you have a chance to keep around for more than a few months.”
The Rays have been short on starters with Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen suffering season-ending injuries, and Shane McClanahan and Tyler Glasnow missing time.
Civale slots into a rotation that includes McClanahan, Glasnow and Zach Eflin, who had an MRI on his left knee last week but remains on track to pitch Tuesday against the Yankees.
“I’ve seen his name on ESPN recently about a pretty good month of July, so that makes me excited,” Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe said before the opener of a three-game series against the Yankees. “Hopefully he comes in and doesn’t miss a beat and keeps doing exactly what he’s been doing. No more pressure than what he’s been dealing with over in Cleveland.”
Tampa Bay’s starters have been effective – their collective 3.75 ERA ranks second in the majors behind the Padres – but they’ve also left a lot of work for the bullpen by working just 509 innings, 26th in the majors entering this week.
“I feel like our pitching has done a really good job to date, and we just added another one that’s good,” Cash said. “If we can keep him healthy along with the other guys, we should be OK.”
The Guardians have dealt with injuries to their rotation all season and are currently missing ace Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill. While the move with Civale creates a major pitching void for Cleveland, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said getting a player of Manzardo’s stature was more important.
Antonetti said it’s possible the Guardians could make more trades before Tuesday’s deadline to address their pitching issues. The team has leaned on rookies Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen and Gavin Williams for much of the season, but all are nearing inning limits in their first major league seasons.
Noah Syndergaard, acquired last week in a trade with the Dodgers, could help. The oft-injured right-hander is making his debut for the Guardians on Monday in Houston.
Manzardo, 23, was named Tampa Bay’s top minor leaguer in 2022 after hitting .327 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs in 93 games between Class A and Double-A. Antonetti expects Manzardo to be playing in minor league games by the end of the season.
Cleveland has been in the market for a young power hitter for some time. The team is hoping Manzardo can end that search.
“The industry holds Kyle in high regard and we think he can develop into a really good offensive player and he’s a guy that’s near or close to the major leagues at some point in the next few seasons,” Antonetti said. “Those guys are not easy to acquire and so we made the choice in this case as we surveyed the landscape, but this is the right path forward for us.”
CHICAGO CUBS ACQUIRE JEIMER CANDELARIO IN A TRADE WITH THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS
CHICAGO (AP) Looking for some help for their lineup, the Chicago Cubs turned to a familiar face.
Chicago reacquired Jeimer Candelario in a trade with the Washington Nationals on Monday, signaling a change in philosophy for the Cubs after it looked as if they had stumbled out of the playoff race.
Candelario, one of the top hitters on the market ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, is batting .258 with 16 homers and 53 RBIs in 99 games in a resurgent performance. He was non-tendered by Detroit in November and then signed a $5 million, one-year contract with Washington.
“To be able to put up the numbers he’s been putting up this year and be able to come over here and help us out, that’s huge,” Cubs manager David Ross said.
The Cubs also acquired right-hander José Cuas in a trade with Kansas City for minor league outfielder Nelson Velázquez.
Candelario, 29, signed with Chicago in 2010 and made his big league debut with the Cubs in 2016. He was traded to Detroit with fellow infielder Isaac Paredes for catcher Alex Avila and reliever Justin Wilson at the 2017 deadline.
The Cubs got Candelario and cash from Washington for minor league left-hander DJ Herz and infielder Kevin Made.
“I’m excited to have him back and a part of this group and hit right in the middle of our lineup,” Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said. “It’ll be great.”
Herz, 22, an eighth-round pick in the 2019 amateur draft, is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in 14 starts for Double-A Tennessee this season. Made, 20, hit .241 with three homers and 25 RBIs in 70 games for High-A South Bend.
Last-place Washington (45-62) is likely heading for its fourth consecutive losing season. It also could move outfielder Lane Thomas and closer Kyle Finnegan ahead of the deadline.
“Jeimer was awesome. He was everything I expected and more,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “He did well for us and we’ll miss him but he’s going to go help the Cubs try to get to the playoffs and win a championship, so good for him. We’ll miss him. He gets to move on. That opens up an opportunity for somebody else.”
It looked as if Chicago was going to be a seller as late as July 17, when it lost 7-5 to Washington to drop to 43-50. But it used an eight-game win streak to get back into the playoff race.
The Cubs (53-53) dropped back to .500 with Monday night’s 6-5 loss to Cincinnati. They trail the NL Central-leading Reds by five games, and they also are in the mix for a wild card.
Candelario, a New York City native who moved to the Dominican Republic when he was 5, is a .243 hitter with 82 homers and 301 RBIs in 705 career games. He likely will see time at third base and designated hitter with Chicago.
Candelario had his best season with Detroit in 2021, batting .271 with 16 homers and a career-best 67 RBIs. He also tied for the major league lead with 42 doubles.
The 29-year-old Cuas went 3-0 with a 4.54 ERA in 45 appearances with Kansas City this year. He made his big league debut with the Royals last season.
The 24-year-old Velázquez, a fifth-round pick in the 2017 amateur draft, played in 13 games with Chicago this year, batting .241 with three homers and six RBIs.
D-BACKS BECOME BUYERS AT TRADE DEADLINE, ADD MARINERS CLOSER PAUL SEWALD IN EXCHANGE FOR 3 PLAYERS
PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks solidified the back of their bullpen ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring closer Paul Sewald from the Seattle Mariners on Monday in exchange for infielder Josh Rojas, outfielder Dominic Canzone and minor leaguer Ryan Bliss.
The D-backs opted to be buyers at the deadline despite entering Monday’s game at San Francisco with a 7-16 record in July and a 56-50 mark overall. They began the day four games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and one game back from the final spot in the crowded NL wild-card race.
Arizona made another move later in the day, acquiring infielder Jace Peterson and cash from the Oakland Athletics in exchange right-hander Chad Patrick.
Sewald has been a mainstay at the back of Seattle’s bullpen for the past three seasons. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo stood up in excitement when the reliever returned his call Monday, and Sewald is expected to join the club Tuesday in San Francisco.
“He’s very eager to step into the role that we all expect him to step into and help us win some baseball games,” Lovullo said. “It’s just good to hear his voice and his excitement. I know he’s very focused on getting here as quick as possible.”
Still, it was “very hard” for Lovullo to say goodbye to Rojas and the others.
“It’s part of the game, that’s what I explained to them, as hard as it was,” the manager said.
Sewald has a career-high 21 saves this season in 45 appearances, after recording 20 saves in 2022 and 11 in 2021. In his three seasons with Seattle, Sewald has an 18-8 record and 2.88 ERA in 172 games.
“Gonna miss this place,” Sewald said. “It was an amazing three years and changed my life, changed my career – personally, professionally. I owe a lot to the people here and feel like I gave them everything I had for three years and it’s going to be tough.
“But the Diamondbacks traded for me which meant they wanted me more and I’m excited to get to Arizona and do what I can.”
Arizona’s bullpen has struggled of late, with a rotating cast of closers like Scott McGough, Andrew Chafin and Miguel Castro. Sewald’s arrival should give the Diamondbacks some certainty on who will handle the ninth inning.
For Seattle, it’s a similar move to two seasons ago when the Mariners dealt then-closer Kendall Graveman to Houston at the deadline in exchange for utilityman Abraham Toro and reliever Joe Smith. At that time, the Mariners were nine games over .500. They ended the season 90-72, barely missing out on a wild-card spot.
The Mariners have hovered around .500 for most of 2023. They started Monday 5 1/2 games back in the AL West and 4 1/2 games behind in the wild-card race.
“It’s a good baseball trade, but it’s one that hurts just because of our relationship with Paul and what Paul’s meant to us,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said.
Servais added that the Mariners aren’t necessarily waving the white flag after adding two players – Rojas and Canzone – who are already in the big leagues.
“Players never want to see a guy like (Sewald) walk out the door,” Servais said. “But you have to wait and see what comes in the door. There’s a lot of ways of improving your team and giving your team a better chance maybe to make a run at the playoffs and hopefully the guys we acquired can come in and help us.”
Rojas – a Phoenix-area native – was a mainstay for the Diamondbacks in 2021 and 2022, but has struggled this season. He’s got a .252 career batting average and 22 homers. A change of scenery might be good for the versatile player, who has spent time at third base, second base, shortstop and even the outfield, but admitted it was tough to leave home.
“It’s been an awesome experience being able to play at home, in front of my friends and family,” Rojas said. “So that’s definitely going to be missed.”
Canzone recently made his big league debut and has a .237 average with a homer and eight RBIs in 41 plate appearances. Bliss was batting .358 with 12 homers at Double-A Amarillo. He was drafted in the second round out of Auburn in 2021.
The D-backs and Mariners just completed a three-game series at Chase Field, with Seattle winning two of three.
SCHERZER COSTS TEXAS $22.5M, WITH METS TO PAY RANGERS JUST OVER $35.5M THROUGH 2024
(AP) — The New York Mets are paying Texas $35.51 million over the next 14 months as part of the Max Scherzer trade, leaving the Rangers in effect responsible for $22.5 million owed to the three-time Cy Young Award winner, according to details of the deal obtained by The Associated Press.
New York, just 50-55 despite a record-high payroll, has cut costs by nearly $26 million in pay and luxury tax this year by getting rid of Scherzer and reliever David Robertson ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Mets have offloaded just over $13.5 million in salary, resulting in an additional tax saving of about $12.15 million.
Texas acquired Scherzer on Sunday for minor league infielder Luisangel Acuña, a brother of Atlanta All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. Scherzer’s cost to the Rangers is $10 million this year and $12.5 million in 2024.
The Rangers assumed responsibility for the 39-year-old right-hander’s salary on Monday, when he was owed $58.01 million for the remainder of a $130 million, three-year contract he agreed to before the 2022 season.
Of the $14.67 million left of Scherzer’s $43.33 million salary for this season’s final 64 days, the Mets will pay Texas $4.67 million in four installments of $1.16 million on Aug. 15 and 31 and Sept. 15 and 30.
Scherzer gets a $43.33 million salary next season in the final year of the deal. The Mets will pay the Rangers $30.83 million in 12 installments of $2.56 million on the 15th and final day of each month from April 2024 through September 2024.
New York’s payroll rose to a projected $365 million after it acquired reliever Trevor Gott from Seattle on July 3, and the Mets’ luxury tax payroll increased to about $385 million. That was on track for a tax of about $95 million.
When the Mets traded Robertson to Miami last week, the Marlins assumed $3.54 million remaining of Robertson’s $10 million salary.
VERLANDER QUESTIONS COMMITMENT TO METS AFTER SCHERZER DEAL: ‘HOW DO YOU NOT?’
Justin Verlander joined the New York Mets with eyes on a third ring. The team’s recent moves now have him reconsidering whether that’s really in his future.
Although general manager Billy Eppler said that trading Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers was not signaling a fire sale in Flushing, Verlander admitted Sunday that the Scherzer deal has given him some pause about his commitment to the team.
“How do you not think about it?” he told Tim Britton of The Athletic after pitching the Mets to a win. “When you see that happen, you can’t help but think: What’s in store for next year? We play the game to win, and you want the opportunity to do so.”
“Max is a tough sign if you’re trying to go back at it,” Verlander added. “It changed my opinion a little bit.”
Verlander and Scherzer were supposed to be leading a formidable Mets rotation to the top of the NL East. Although both star pitchers did their jobs, especially over the last month, the star-studded Mets have flopped overall and head into the deadline as sure-fire sellers. Scherzer approved the trade to Texas one day after he expressed dissatisfaction with the front office dealing closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins for prospects.
Even before the Scherzer deal, there were questions about Verlander’s future with the Mets. The Rangers, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers have all been linked to the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner this month.
Like Scherzer, Verlander has a no-trade clause. Any potential deal would also come with financial complications. He’ll earn $43.33 million next year and could trigger a $35-million player option for 2025 if certain conditions are met.
The 40-year-old has turned things around after a rough start to his Mets career, putting up a 1.69 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over six starts in July. He was given a loud ovation while leaving the mound Sunday, something he said he’ll “always remember” no matter what happens over the next few days. Verlander also reaffirmed Sunday that his first choice is to stay with the Mets, so long as the organization’s goals of winning in 2024 align with his own.
“I’m committed to trying to win a championship here,” Verlander said. “But if the organization decides that that’s not exactly the direction that they think is best fit to go for next year and go for it again, then, yeah, I’d be more open to (a trade).
“Right now there’s a lot of gray area. I can’t make a decision on a lot of what-ifs. I deal in facts.”
MLB PAYS $185 MILLION IN SETTLEMENT OF MINOR LEAGUERS’ MINIMUM WAGE LAWSUIT
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has paid its $185 million settlement of a lawsuit by minor leaguers alleging violations of minimum wage laws.
Under terms of the settlement agreed to last year, about 24,000 players from 2009-22 were potentially eligible to share the money, with estimated payments to players averaging in the $5,000 to $5,500 range. MLB said Monday it had transferred the money to JND Legal Administration, which is expected to make the payments by Aug. 14.
Minor leaguers unionized last September and agreed this spring to a five-year labor contract that more than doubled player salaries.
The settlement covers all players with minor league contracts who played in the California League for at least seven straight days starting on Feb. 7, 2010, through the settlement’s preliminary approval last Aug. 26; players who participated in spring training, extended spring training or instructional leagues in Florida from Feb. 7, 2009, through last Aug. 26; and players who participated in spring training, extended spring training or instructional leagues in Arizona from Feb. 7, 2011, through last Aug. 26.
The suit was filed in 2014 by first baseman/outfielder Aaron Senne, a 10th-round pick of the then-Florida Marlins in 2009 who retired in 2013, and two other retired players who had been lower-round selections: Kansas City Royals infielder Michael Liberto and San Francisco Giants pitcher Oliver Odle. They claimed violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and state minimum wage and overtime requirements for a work week they estimated at 50 to 60 hours.
NBA NEWS
CLIPPERS G/F AMIR COFFEY ARRESTED ON MISDEMEANOR GUN CHARGE
Clippers wing Amir Coffey was arrested early Sunday in Los Angeles on a firearms misdemeanor charge, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Coffey, 26, was one of two passengers in a vehicle stopped for speeding by police at 1:50 a.m., according to the LAPD. Coffey was cited on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon.
The driver was cited for speeding and the other passenger was cited for possession of marijuana, police said without releasing their names.
Coffey has a hearing scheduled for Aug. 24.
“We’re aware of a legal situation involving Amir Coffey and are looking into it,” the Clippers said in a statement Monday.
The 6-foot-7 Coffey, a shooting guard and small forward, averaged 3.4 points, 1.1 assists, 1.1 rebounds in 50 games (nine starts) last season.
Undrafted out of Minnesota, Coffey signed with the Clippers in 2019 and has played four seasons. He averages 5.5 points, 1.2 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 181 games (41 starts).
NHL NEWS
REPORT: G FILIP GUSTAVSSON CLOSE TO MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH WILD
Goaltender Filip Gustavsson is close to signing a multi-year contract with the Minnesota Wild, The Athletic reported on Monday.
Gustavsson, who is scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Friday, is coming off a breakout season with the Wild.
He posted a 22-9-7 record with three shutouts, a 2.10 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in 39 games (37 starts) in 2022-23. Minnesota acquired the 25-year-old Swede from the Ottawa Senators in the offseason.
Gustavsson is 32-22-10 with three shutouts, a 2.51 GAA and .920 save percentage in 66 career games (60 starts) with the Senators and Wild.
DEVILS D KEVIN BAHL SIGNS 2-YEAR CONTRACT
New Jersey Devils defenseman Kevin Bahl signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract on Monday.
Bahl, 23, was a restricted free agent after coming off his three-year, entry-level contract.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Bahl had eight points (two goals, six assists) and 35 penalty minutes in 42 games last season with New Jersey.
Bahl came to the Devils as part of the trade that sent star forward Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes on Dec. 16, 2019.
Bahl has totaled 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 66 career games with the Devils. He was selected by the Coyotes in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
ROSE LAVELLE, LYNN WILLIAMS ENTER USWNT’S STARTING LINEUP
The United States’ Rose Lavelle and Lynn Williams will start in the 2023 Women’s World Cup for the first time as the team concludes group play against Portugal on Tuesday.
Lavelle, awarded the Bronze Ball as the third-best player in 2019 as the U.S. team won its second straight Women’s World Cup, had come off the bench in the side’s opening two matches this year. The United States beat Vietnam 3-0, then tied 1-1 with the Netherlands.
Lavelle has 24 career goals in 90 appearances for her country, including the second goal in the United States’ 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the 2019 championship match.
Savannah DeMelo moved to the bench to clear a spot for Lavelle in the starting lineup.
Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s other move ahead of the Portugal match was to plug Williams into the lineup ahead of Trinity Rodman. Williams was set to make her Women’s World Cup debut, which will be her 54th appearance in a U.S. jersey. She has 15 career international goals.
The United States’ back line — Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz and Emily Fox — was unchanged, and goalie Alyssa Naeher was set to make her 10th Women’s World Cup start.
A win or a draw against Portugal (1-1-0, 3 points) would send the United States (1-0-1, 4 points) to the round of 16, though a multi-goal win might be needed to secure the top spot in Group E. The Netherlands (1-0-1, 4 points) was set to face Vietnam (0-2-0, 0 points) in a game kicking off at the same time.
TOP INDIANA NEWS/RELEASES FROM ORGANIZATIONS
COLTS NEWS
NASAL SURGERY KNOCKS COLTS QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON OUT
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson underwent a procedure to correct his deviated septum and missed Monday’s training camp sessions.
The Colts said Richardson, drafted fourth overall in April, would return Tuesday “depending on how he feels.”
Snoring, sleep apnea and breathing during intense exercise can result from a deviated septum, the medical description applied to the wall between nostrils being out of alignment.
Richardson is competing for the No. 1 quarterback job under first-year head coach Shane Steichen.
His primary competitor, Gardner Minshew II, worked with the first-team offense, which is without running back Jonathan Taylor.
The Colts listed Taylor with ankle and back injuries as his status becomes more uncertain following a meeting with owner Jim Irsay on Saturday. Taylor, who said he was told the team wouldn’t make him a contract offer until after the upcoming season, denied via social media that he has a back injury.
Per reports, the Colts are considering using the “non-football injury” or NFI designation to avoid paying Taylor while he’s out.
Richardson, 21, played in 24 games over three seasons at Florida. He started 12 games in the 2022 season, posting a 6-6 record. He completed 176 passes for 2,549 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
He ran 103 times for 654 yards with nine scores.
ALSO: RB Zach Moss broke his forearm in practice Monday. He will miss up to six weeks.
INDIANA FOOTBALL
PLANS UNDERWAY FOR FOOTBALL-ONLY WEIGHT ROOM FACILITY FOLLOWING MAJOR GIFT FROM JAY WILKINSON
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – IU Football will soon have a football-only weight facility in Memorial Stadium’s North End Zone facility.
The new dedicated football-only weight facility, which was made possible following a major gift from IU alumnus Jay Wilkinson, will be part of the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in Memorial Stadium. Planning for the new space is now underway, with the project expected to be completed by early 2024.
“We are very appreciative of Jay’s long-standing support and commitment to positively impacting our student-athletes,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “This project will not only provide our football student-athletes with the necessary equipment and space to maximize their abilities and opportunities as IU student-athletes, but also the flexibility to use the space 24/7, 365 days a year.”
“As a passionate supporter of Indiana University and its student-athletes, I know how important it is to have access to the type of facilities that give students the chance to maximize their abilities,” Wilkinson said. “It’s been wonderful to see the overhaul of IU Athletics’ facilities in recent years. I feel privileged to be able to play a part in that effort, and to support the amazing student-athletes who so proudly represent this great university.”
One of IU Athletics’ most loyal and generous supporters, Wilkinson has a long track record of making difference-making gifts to positively impact the opportunities for IU student-athletes. In 2017, he made a $10 million gift that made the construction of Wilkinson Hall possible. In 2012, he made a $1 million gift for the renovation of the North End Zone’s strength and conditioning facility. Following that gift, the space was renamed the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in recognition of his support.
The W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center is one of the largest strength and conditioning centers in the country. Located at field level of Memorial Stadium, it is a 25,000 square foot area that first opened in 2009.
WRACHER NAMED PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Patrick Mannelly Award is built for the unsung hero: long snappers. Indiana football long snapper Sean Wracher, one of the nation’s best at the position, is part of the 25-person preseason watch list for the award.
The Patrick Mannelly Award is presented to the overall best long snapper at the Division I FBS level. The winner must be of senior standing, have started 75% of games in his senior year, snap on punts and placements, and demonstrate a strong mentality, notable athleticism, as well as speed, accuracy, and consistency in their snaps.
A 2022 semifinalist for the Mannelly Award, Wracher is a three-time Phil Steele All-Big Ten selections (2020, 2021, 2022). He has handled the long snapping duty in all 45 career games and helped three teammates earn all-conference honors, as both punter Haydon Whitehead (honorable mention) and place kicker Logan Justus (second team) earned All-Big Ten honors in 2019 and place kicker Charles Campbell (second team) garnered All-B1G in 2020.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Wracher’s work helped Whitehead to a spot as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award after he averaged 43.4 yards per punt to sit No. 4 on IU’s single-season list.
Named after Patrick Mannelly, widely known as the best long snapper in the modern NFL era, he was a four-year starter at long snapper and two-year starter at offensive line at Duke University before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Mannelly is the Bears career leader in games played at 245, the longest tenured Chicago Bear after playing 16 seasons, and a recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.
From the 25-preson preseason watch list, ten semi-finalists will be announced on November 14. Those names will be narrowed to three finalists on November 28 and the winner will be selected at the ceremony in Lake Bluff, Illinois on December 10.
PURDUE FOOTBALL
HUDSON CARD LANDS ON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue quarterback Hudson Card was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List ahead of the 2023 season, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday morning (July 31).
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at the Swarthmore College and a renowned sports writer and football official.
The first priority for new Purdue head coach Ryan Walters, Card was tabbed the nation’s No. 1 transfer QB by Mike Farrell Sports. After transferring from Texas, Card went through spring ball with the Boilermakers and emerged as Purdue’s top quarterback heading into the 2023 campaign. The Austin, Texas, native spent three seasons with the Longhorns, playing in 22 games that includes five appearances as starting quarterback.
Last season, Card threw for 928 yards and six touchdowns over 12 games and a trio of starts. He guided Texas to a 38-20 victory over West Virginia, going 21-for-27 for a career-high 303 yards and three touchdowns. Card nearly helped the Longhorns upset No. 1 Alabama, coming off the bench at the end of the first quarter in a one-point loss.
Card and the Boilermakers start the 2023 season at home, hosting Fresno State in a newly renovated Ross-Ade Stadium (Sept. 2). The first game under Walters, also beginning the 100th season at Ross-Ade, kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on BTN.
BUTLER CROSS COUNTRY
FORRESTER AND BEDARD TO REPRESENT HOME COUNTRIES AT WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
Two Bulldogs will represent their respective home countries at the World University Games this week in Chengdu, China.
In track and field competition, Matthew Forrester will run for South Africa while Simon Bedard will represent France. Both men are scheduled to compete in the 5,000 meters as Butler is the only American university to have multiple entries in the men’s 5,000 meters. Forrester is also entered in the steeplechase.
“The highest honor in Athletics is to represent your country on the international stage,” said Butler head coach Matt Roe. “To have two athletes at the World University Games is a major accomplishment not only our program, but for Butler University. We are proud of Matthew and Simon, and we look forward to cheering them on this week.”
Forrester and Bedard follow in the footsteps of former Butler All-American Kris Gauson, who finished eighth at the 2011 Championships held in Shenzhen, China.
The steeplechase will be one of the championships’ first events as first round heats are scheduled for Tuesday, which is also the first day of track and field at the World University Games. Those who advance will run in Thursday’s final.
The men’s 5,000 meters will have opening round heats on Friday, with the final scheduled for Sunday. The 5,000 meter final will be one of the last events of the track and field competition.
Formerly known as the Universiade, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games includes a total of 269 medal events across 18 sports.
Approximately 9,500 athletes and officials from around 100 countries are expected to compete in Chengdu. The city was originally scheduled to host the event in 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the postponement, FISU has increased the age limit for athletes from 25 to 27 for the 2023 event.
Bedard closed his Butler career in June, finishing 14th in the men’s 5,000 meters at the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Championships, earning second-team All-American honors.
Forrester finished second in the steeplechase at the 2023 BIG EAST Championships and qualified for the NCAA Track and Field first round.
BALL STATE SOFTBALL
HELEN PEÑA SELECTED TO LEAD SOFTBALL PROGRAM
MUNCIE, Ind. – – Ball State University has selected Helen Peña, the associate head coach at Middle Tennessee State University, to lead its softball program, as announced by Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell.
“Throughout our search process, we sought an individual with exceptional coaching ability and who demonstrates intentional efforts to grow human potential while developing a program,” Mitchell said. “Helen Peña is the perfect coach for Ball State softball. Her devotion to student-athlete excellence encompasses a charge for our talented student-athletes to improve athletically, scholastically and socially. We are thrilled to have Coach Peña join the Ball State community as we continue to advance our softball program.”
Peña, who will become the 11th head coach in program history, was recently named the 2023 Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year by Extra Inning Softball after helping guide MTSU to a program record 42 wins in her first and only season in Murfreesboro. The effort included the Blue Raiders’ second-ever Conference USA tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final.
“I could not be more grateful for Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell and be more honored to be named Ball State University’s new head softball coach,” Peña said. “It is invigorating to hear Jeff’s vision for the athletic department and his passion for creating an environment that breeds empowerment and competitive excellence. There is a rich history of success that comes with this softball program, and I am eager to build on those foundations. It is an exciting time for Ball State softball, and I cannot wait to get started with this team, this athletic department and this community!”
MTSU earned three wins in regional play, including knocking off host and fifth-seeded Alabama to force a decisive seventh game. While the Crimson Tide won the final contest by a score of 1-0 and eventually advanced to the Women’s College World Series, the Blue Raiders’ three regional wins were the most by a Conference USA team since 2014.
As Middle Tennessee State’s pitching coach, Peña helped her staff rank 35th nationally with a 2.44 ERA. MTSU ranked 175th nationally with a 3.96 team ERA in 2022. In addition, the 2023 Blue Raiders ranked 35th nationally with 12 shutouts, limited opposing batters to a .219 average and struck out 247 total batters. For their play, Gretchen Mead was named to the NFCA All-Region and All-Conference USA second teams, while Kamryn Carcich earned Conference USA All-Tournament Team honors.
“I want to thank Middle Tennessee State University Head Coach Jeff Breeden, the MTSU softball players and support staff for giving me such an amazing experience this past year,” Peña added. “I will miss them dearly and cherish those memories.”
Prior to joining the Blue Raiders staff, Peña spent five seasons at the University of Memphis, where she helped guide the Tigers to 100 wins. Highlighting the list of pitchers Peña mentored at Memphis was Molly Smith, who finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in strikeouts (498), wins (50) and shutouts (19). A 2018 second team All-American Athletic Conference selection, Smith earned 25 wins and registered 220 strikeouts under Peña’s tutelage.
Peña also helped Mariah Nichols finish her Memphis career as the program’s all-time saves leader, with 10, including a single-season record four as a sophomore in 2019. Nichols also ranked fourth in innings pitched (428.1), sixth in wins (24), sixth in strikeouts (267) and 10th in ERA (3.92) at the end of her Tigers career.
Before joining the Tigers’ coaching staff, Peña spent two seasons as an assistant at Menlo College in Atherton, California, helping guide the Oaks to a program record 31 wins in 2017. Her pitching staff finished the same season with a 2.59 ERA, the program’s lowest in over 14 years.
After starting her collegiate coaching career at her alma mater, Cal Poly, as a student assistant in 2011 and a volunteer coach in 2012, Peña worked the 2013 and 2014 seasons as an assistant coach at Cal State Bakersfield. While with the ‘Runners, she coached Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year Kelsie Monroe and helped lead CSUB to a berth in the 2015 WAC Tournament Championship.
As a student-athlete, Peña helped lead Cal Poly to a pair of Big West Championships over her four-year career, including the program’s first-ever title in 2007. She finished the 2007 season with a 1.75 ERA to rank third among all Big West pitchers. A two-time All-Big West honoree, Peña helped the Mustangs break into the top 25 for the first time in program history in 2009, with the squad ranking as high as 21st nationally.
She finished her playing career ranked among the program’s all-time leaders in strikeouts (236), victories (28), shutouts (10), saves (2), ERA (2.36), complete games (14) and innings pitched (314.1).
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
MICHAEL VINSON NAMED TO PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD WATCH LIST
University of Notre Dame graduate student long snapper Michael Vinson has been named to the 2023 Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List, which is presented annually to the top long snapper in college football.
A semifinalist for the Mannelly Award last season, Vinson enters his fourth season as the primary Irish long snapper in 2023. The Winnetka, Illinois, native went without an errant snap in 2022 while helping Notre Dame go 43-for-43 on PAT kicks and 13-for-18 on field goal attempts.
The Patrick Mannelly Award was created in 2019 and benefits Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit organization located in Lake Bluff, Illinois. The award is named after the former Duke long snapper who served as the Chicago Bears long snapper for 16 years before retiring in 2014.
Notre Dame’s John Shannon won the inaugural award in 2019. Ten semi finalists will be announced on November 13, followed by three finalists on November 27 and the winner selected in a live ceremony on December 9.
NOTRE DAME SWIMMING
CHENGDU, China — After an ACC Rookie of the Year first season, rising Irish sophomore Tommy Janton will head overseas to compete on the international stage at the Summer World University Games in Chengdu. The swimming portion of the event will be held August 1-7 at the Dong’an Lake Sports Park Aquatic Centre.
The international competition, which was originally scheduled for 2021 but postponed that year and in 2022 for COVID-19 concerns, features 18 sports and more than 250 events. More than 10,000 student-athletes and officials from over 150 countries are set to participate. Janton will swim in the backstroke events.
The rising sophomore from outside of Philadelphia had a breakout year in his first go-round in South Bend, breaking the 100 backstroke (45.12) and 200 backstroke (1:39.45) school records and making the B final at 2023 NCAA Championships in both events. This summer, he finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 50 and 200 backstroke at the Phillips 66 National Championships.
Irish fans can tune into the competition via a free live stream on FISU.tv. By registering for an account, supporters will also have the opportunity to receive updates and notifications throughout the Games.
SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL
BROWN COMMITS TO USI, EAGLES NET 16 2024 SIGNEES
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball has announced the signing of junior right-handed pitcher Peyton Brown. The Screaming Eagles have inked a total of 16 student-athletes for the 2024 season.
Brown, a transfer from Campbell University, posted a 5.68 ERA in five relief appearances for the Fighting Camels in 2022 while striking out six in over six innings of work. The West Forsyth High School (Clemmons, North Carolina) product faced 24 batters and allowed a .200 opponent batting average in 2023. Brown also was a member of the conference championship teams (2022, 2023) and regular season championship teams (2021, 2022, 2023).
With the addition of Brown, the Eagles have 16 signees added to the 2024 roster that include catchers Logan Mock (Livermore, California) and Conner Anglin (Lynnville, Indiana); pitchers Brady Watts (Scottsburg, Indiana), Abdriel Figueroa (Yauco, Puerto Rico), Carson Seeman (Auburn, California), Gavin Wilson (Lee’s Summit, Missouri), Grant Parson (Owensboro, Kentucky), Gage Smith (Garrett, Indiana), Bryson Reif (Yuba City, California), Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana), and Jake Hendrix (Ft. Thomas, Kentucky); outfielders Cameron Boyd (Villa Hills, Kentucky), Terrick Thompson-Allen (Sioux City, Iowa), and Jesus Rivas (Yabucoa, Puerto Rico); and infielder Yahir Fonseca (Arroyo, Puerto Rico).
MARIAN VOLLEYBALL
MARIAN VOLLEYBALL SEASON PREVIEW: KNIGHTS REPORT FOR 2023 SEASON ON AUGUST 7
INDIANAPOLIS – As the calendar turns to the month of August in less than 12 hours, the focus in the PE Center will turn to the Marian volleyball team, who enters their first season with head coach Kallie Noble at the helm. Noble, in her first season at Marian and 17th season as a collegiate coach, inherits a Marian team that one season ago reached the NAIA National Quarterfinals.
KEY DEPARTURES
Marian volleyball only saw two players leave the roster to graduation from their 2022 team, with those two pieces some of the biggest names in program history with the graduation of Skyler Van Note and Jai-Lyn Norwood. At the time of her graduation, Van Note finished as the most accomplished player in program history, earning NAIA All-American honors five times in her career, becoming the first Knight in any team sport to accomplish the mark five times. A three-time Crossroads League Player of the Year, Van Note ended her career with the Marian records for both single season and career kills, and was named the MVP of the 2019 NAIA National Championship. Norwood was just as good as Van Note in her final season, ending her career with 1000 career kills and with NAIA All-American Honorable Mention team honors. Norwood, a key piece of Marian’s 2019 national championship, scored 273 kills in 97 sets.
KEY RETURNERS
With only two players departing from last year’s roster of 20, Marian brings back a full roster of 18 returners, with several key players from last year’s squad ready to see a new role. Madison Brooks and Gabby Fish are the top returning outside and right side hitters, leading all returners in kills in their position. Brooks had 204 kills last season in her second team All-Crossroads League campaign, while Fish managed 115 kills before seeing her promising season cut short with a lower body injury. In the middle Jaymison Summers and Averi Lanman return to the Knights lineup, with the two middle hitters combining for over 250 kills and nearly 200 blocks last season. Summers and Lanman were both named to the All-Crossroads League team last season.
Setters Logan Smith, Katie Hardegree, and Ainsley Neighbors all return for 2023, with Hardegree and Neighbors entering their senior seasons. Hardegree has been the top-setter for Marian each of the last two seasons, posting 629 assists in 2022. Neighbors saw time as a DS and setter last year, and finished with 415 assists, while Smith, who was added to the rotation mid-way through the season after missing early portions with an injury, recorded 4.53 assists per set along with 104 digs in her 45 sets.
In the back row, libero Gianna Feld and DS tandem Emma Lyons and Sydney Schaffer will aim to lead the position. Feld led the Knights in 2022 in digs with 449, while Lyons scored 238. Schaffer, who has been a serving specialist throughout her first two seasons, brings back 33 service aces and 141 digs from a season ago.
Grace Hunter and Sydney Henke also saw extensive playing time in their junior seasons, and are aiming for a larger role on the team as they begin their senior campaigns. Alison Dreves, Maddie Ellis, and Avery Toole are also aiming to fight for more playing time in Marian’s deep group of middle and outside hitters.
NEWCOMERS
Marian has added seven players for the 2023 season, growing the roster to 25 players, which is the largest in program history. Coach Noble’s first team at Marian includes five freshman and two NCAA DI transfers, covering five different positions. Each of Marian’s new faces have Indiana ties, playing at the high school level in the state. Marian’s two incoming transfers, Nicole Wilkinson and Mikayla Christiansen, join the Knights after playing two seasons at Rider and McNeese State, respectively. A full report on the Marian volleyball newcomers will be announced prior to the beginning of the season.
Marian’s season will begin on Thursday, August 10, with the first of two home scrimmage matches, with Marian taking on IU-Kokomo. The regular season will kick off on August 18 in Fort Wayne, with the Knights playing in the St. Francis (Ind.) tournament at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
“SPORTS EXTRA”
MLB STANDINGS
| American League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Baltimore | 65 | 41 | .613 | – | 32 – 21 | 33 – 20 | 22 – 13 | 18 – 7 | 10 – 7 | 6 – 4 | W 2 |
| Tampa Bay | 65 | 44 | .596 | 1.5 | 37 – 19 | 28 – 25 | 19 – 13 | 16 – 4 | 11 – 11 | 5 – 5 | W 2 |
| Toronto | 59 | 48 | .551 | 6.5 | 29 – 22 | 30 – 26 | 7 – 21 | 16 – 6 | 14 – 11 | 5 – 5 | L 2 |
| Boston | 56 | 50 | .528 | 9 | 30 – 23 | 26 – 27 | 16 – 11 | 11 – 8 | 11 – 9 | 5 – 5 | L 3 |
| NY Yankees | 55 | 51 | .519 | 10 | 32 – 25 | 23 – 26 | 14 – 20 | 11 – 8 | 14 – 11 | 5 – 5 | L 2 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Minnesota | 54 | 53 | .505 | – | 30 – 24 | 24 – 29 | 12 – 17 | 21 – 15 | 11 – 8 | 4 – 6 | L 5 |
| Cleveland | 53 | 54 | .495 | 1 | 28 – 24 | 25 – 30 | 7 – 8 | 17 – 16 | 13 – 10 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Detroit | 47 | 59 | .443 | 6.5 | 22 – 30 | 25 – 29 | 3 – 16 | 18 – 12 | 9 – 13 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
| Chi White Sox | 43 | 64 | .402 | 11 | 23 – 29 | 20 – 35 | 6 – 16 | 17 – 16 | 9 – 14 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
| Kansas City | 32 | 75 | .299 | 22 | 18 – 36 | 14 – 39 | 5 – 15 | 13 – 27 | 4 – 11 | 4 – 6 | W 3 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Texas | 60 | 46 | .566 | – | 34 – 20 | 26 – 26 | 14 – 11 | 14 – 5 | 17 – 13 | 3 – 7 | L 3 |
| Houston | 60 | 47 | .561 | 0.5 | 29 – 25 | 31 – 22 | 6 – 7 | 9 – 11 | 24 – 13 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| LA Angels | 56 | 51 | .523 | 4.5 | 29 – 23 | 27 – 28 | 12 – 11 | 14 – 8 | 16 – 14 | 7 – 3 | W 2 |
| Seattle | 55 | 51 | .519 | 5 | 30 – 25 | 25 – 26 | 10 – 12 | 12 – 11 | 15 – 11 | 7 – 3 | W 2 |
| Oakland | 30 | 77 | .280 | 30.5 | 15 – 39 | 15 – 38 | 7 – 19 | 7 – 11 | 5 – 26 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| National League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Atlanta | 67 | 37 | .644 | – | 35 – 20 | 32 – 17 | 22 – 6 | 13 – 2 | 11 – 9 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| Philadelphia | 57 | 49 | .538 | 11 | 28 – 20 | 29 – 29 | 10 – 15 | 11 – 8 | 14 – 13 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Miami | 57 | 50 | .533 | 11.5 | 33 – 22 | 24 – 28 | 13 – 17 | 11 – 9 | 10 – 12 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| NY Mets | 50 | 55 | .476 | 17.5 | 26 – 23 | 24 – 32 | 16 – 14 | 5 – 14 | 15 – 13 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Washington | 45 | 62 | .421 | 23.5 | 21 – 33 | 24 – 29 | 10 – 19 | 8 – 13 | 14 – 14 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Cincinnati | 59 | 49 | .546 | – | 28 – 26 | 31 – 23 | 12 – 11 | 14 – 19 | 16 – 9 | 7 – 3 | W 2 |
| Milwaukee | 57 | 50 | .533 | 1.5 | 29 – 24 | 28 – 26 | 9 – 8 | 22 – 10 | 8 – 15 | 3 – 7 | L 4 |
| Chi Cubs | 53 | 53 | .500 | 5 | 27 – 27 | 26 – 26 | 8 – 14 | 18 – 14 | 9 – 8 | 8 – 2 | L 2 |
| Pittsburgh | 47 | 58 | .448 | 10.5 | 25 – 27 | 22 – 31 | 7 – 6 | 11 – 15 | 16 – 15 | 6 – 4 | W 2 |
| St. Louis | 47 | 60 | .439 | 11.5 | 23 – 29 | 24 – 31 | 10 – 9 | 13 – 20 | 9 – 14 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| LA Dodgers | 59 | 45 | .567 | – | 31 – 20 | 28 – 25 | 11 – 7 | 16 – 14 | 14 – 11 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| San Francisco | 58 | 49 | .542 | 2.5 | 30 – 24 | 28 – 25 | 10 – 12 | 18 – 9 | 15 – 11 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| Arizona | 57 | 50 | .533 | 3.5 | 28 – 28 | 29 – 22 | 13 – 15 | 11 – 10 | 18 – 11 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| San Diego | 52 | 55 | .486 | 8.5 | 29 – 25 | 23 – 30 | 13 – 13 | 8 – 15 | 12 – 14 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| Colorado | 42 | 64 | .396 | 18 | 25 – 28 | 17 – 36 | 14 – 17 | 8 – 10 | 7 – 19 | 5 – 5 | W 2 |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1899 Louisville infielder Honus Wagner steals second, third, and home plate during the fourth inning of the Colonels’ 7-1 victory over the Giants at Eclipse Park. The 25-year-old ‘Flying Dutchman’ will accomplish the stolen base cycle four times, establishing a major league record he shares with Ty Cobb.
1906 After pitching 10.2 innings of no-hit ball, Harry McIntire yields a single to Pirates second baseman Claude Ritchey. The Dodgers and McIntire lose the game in the 13th on an unearned run, 1-0.
1918 The Pirates break the longest scoreless tie in baseball history when the team tallies two runs in the top of the twenty-first inning for an eventual 2-0 victory at Braves Field. The Giants and Reds will match the mark in 1967 when each team is held scoreless for twenty innings until the decisive run scores in the next frame on a bases-loaded walk to Dick Groat.
1923 Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sells the team to a syndicate headed by J. A. Robert Quinn, the Browns’ business manager. The Broadway producer will always be remembered and cursed in New England for selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1920.
1924 Dazzy Vance strikes out seven consecutive batters to establish a major league record when the Brooklyn Robins defeat the Cubs at Ebbets Field, 4-0. The future Hall of Famer will compile a 28-6 record for the Brooks this season, leading the National League in strikeouts with 262.
1933 Carl Hubbell’s 45.1 consecutive scoreless innings streak ends when Randy Moore strokes a two-run single in the sixth inning of the Giants’ 3-1 loss to Boston at the Polo Grounds. By blanking Boston for the first five frames, the future Hall of Fame southpaw surpasses Ed Ruelbach’s National League mark of 44 innings established in 1908 with the Cubs.
1941 On Ladies’ Day at Yankee Stadium, Lefty Gomez breaks the major league mark for walks in a shutout by issuing 11 free passes in the 9-0 victory over St. Louis. The New York southpaw extends the team’s streak of holding the opponents scoreless to 21 consecutive innings, tossing a five-hitter, improving his record to 10-3.
1945 At the Polo Grounds, Mel Ott hits his 500th career home run off Johnny Hutchings in the Giants’ 9-2 victory over the Braves. ‘Master Melvin’ becomes the third major leaguer to accomplish the historic feat, joining Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx in reaching the career milestone.
1945 Irwin Hall is credited with a single after his line drive winds up inside Dutch Leonard’s pants after it hits the Senators right-hander in the stomach. The Washington starter may have lost the shortstop’s batted ball but gets the win when he goes the distance in the team’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia at Griffith Stadium.
1952 Boston starter Max Surkont matches goose eggs with the Reds’ Ken Raffenberger during the first eight innings in a scoreless duel at Braves Field. The hard-luck right-hander will lose the game when he uncorks two wild pitches in the ninth inning, allowing two unearned runs to score.
1957 Gil Hodges, in a 12-3 win over the Cubs, hits his 13th and last career grand slam in Brooklyn Dodger history. The first baseman’s bases-loaded shot off Dick Littlefield establishes a new National League record, previously shared by Rogers Hornsby and Ralph Kiner.
Amazon Gil Hodges: A Hall of Fame Life
1962 At White Sox Park, Bill Monbouquette, facing 28 batters, becomes the second Red Sox hurler this season to throw a no-hitter, a 1-0 victory over Chicago. Five weeks ago, Earl Wilson also threw a no-no, beating the Angels at Fenway Park, 2-0.
1968 Stan Bahnsen, who will be named the AL Rookie of the Year, sets the Yankee freshman record for strikeouts in a game, whiffing 12 batters en route to hurling a 1-0 masterpiece over Boston at Fenway Park. The 23-year-old right-hander’s mark will last for 30 years until Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez strikes out one more in a 1998 game against Texas.
1970 At Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Pittsburgh left fielder Willie Stargell accumulates 14 total bases with three doubles and two home runs. The outfielder’s five extra-base hits power the Pirates past the Braves, 20-10.
1972 Nate Colbert becomes the second player to hit five home runs in a doubleheader, a feat he witnessed as an eight-year-old Cardinal fan at Sportsman’s Park when Stan Musial first accomplished it in 1954. The Padres slugger also breaks Stan the Man’sNL mark for RBIs in a twin bill when he drives in 13 runs, and his 22 total bases set a major league record.
1972 In the nightcap, the Phillies salvage a split of the twin bill when Steve Carlton, who sees his 30 consecutive scoreless innings streak snapped in the fourth, beats the Mets at Shea Stadium, 4-1. New York outlasted Philadelphia in the opener, scoring a run in the bottom of the 18th inning for a 3-2 victory.
1975 Replacing Bill Virdon, who never won a game at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers named Billy Martin their skipper, the first of his five hirings to run the team. During the two-year tenure of their former manager, a span covering the 1974 and 1975 seasons, the club played its home games at Shea Stadium during the remodeling of the Bronx ballpark.
1977 Willie McCovey extends his own National League record when he hits his 18th career grand slam in the third inning of the Giants’ 9-2 victory over Montreal at Olympic Stadium. The 39-year-old first baseman adds another round-tripper in the seventh, bringing his total to 484 major league home runs.
1978 Pete Rose, making the last out when he strikes out on a Gene Garber change-up, goes 0-for-4, ending his 44-game hitting streak, one contest shy of breaking the National League record. The Reds’ third baseman tied Willie Keeler’s 1897 National League record last night with a hit off future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro.
1982 The Hall of Fame inducts Hank Aaron, the career leader in home runs (755) and RBIs (2,297), Frank Robinson, the first MVP in both leagues and first black manager in the majors, and Travis Jackson, an outstanding shortstop in the 1920s. Happy Chandler, the commissioner when baseball broke the color line, also is an inductee of this year’s Cooperstown class.
1986 In a game featuring Kirby Puckett hitting for the cycle and Bert Blyleven becoming the tenth major leaguer to record his 3,000th strikeout, the Twins celebrate their 25th anniversary. The Minnesota right-hander, who tosses a two-hitter, reaches the historic milestone by whiffing Mike Davis in the fifth inning, his eighth of the game, en route to a career-high of 15 in the team’s 10-1 victory over Oakland at the Metrodome.
1994 In the Orioles’ 1-0 victory over Minnesota at the Metrodome, Cal Ripken becomes only the second major leaguer to play in 2,000 consecutive games. Jeff Conine has the second-longest streak held by a current player, with 267 straight contests for Florida.
1998 The Angels retire Jim Fregosi uniform no. 11, honoring its first star and as a skipper, who posted a 237- 248 record during his nearly four seasons at the helm, winning the first title (1979 AL West Division) in the Halos’ 19-year existence. Acquired from the Red Sox in the 1960 expansion draft, the 18-year-old shortstop played 11 productive seasons with the club, establishing franchise marks for games (1,429) and hits (1,408), before being traded to the Mets for Nolan Ryan.
1998 Garret Anderson goes hitless in four at-bats in an 11-3 defeat to Boston, ending the longest hitting streak in Angel history at 28 games. During the historic stretch of contests, the 26-year-old outfielder has collected at least one hit in every game Anaheim played in July, batting .405 (47 hits in 116 at-bats).
1998 The Braves, donning 1940 Atlanta Black Crackers styled uniforms, beat the Cardinals, wearing throwback uniforms of the 1928 St. Louis Stars, 3-1, at Turner Field. Players wearing replica uniforms to honor the history of Negro League clubs have become common at major league games.
1998 Tony Clark sets an American League record by homering from both sides of the plate for the third time this season. The Tiger switch-hitter’s offensive output, including a first-inning two-run blast batting right-handed and a solo shot in the seventh as a southpaw swinger, contributes to the team’s 8-0 victory over the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.
1998 The Royals steal eight bases, including four swipes by infielder Jose Offerman, to tie a team record for swipes during a 9-5 victory over the Orioles. Johnny Damon, Larry Sutton, Jeff King, and Mendy Lopez also contribute to the thievery on the basepaths.
2000 In a 10-0 victory, Orioles’ right-hander Mike Mussina strikes out a club-record 15 batters when he keeps the Twins hitless through six innings. ‘Moose’ finishes the Camden Yards contest with his third career one-hitter.
2000 Craig Biggio tears the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his knee during a collision with Marlin outfielder Preston Wilson and will miss the rest of the season. The injury puts the Astros’ 34-year-old second baseman on the disabled list for the first time during his 13-year career.
2001 For the thirty-third time in the team’s history, the Tigers turn a triple play when Mariner Mark McLemore lines out to second baseman Damion Easley, who throws to shortstop Deivi Cruz to double up Tom Lampkin. Cruz then relays the ball to Shane Halter, catching Ichiro Suzuki off first base to complete Detroit’s first triple killing since July 3rd, 1992, when the victim was also Seattle.
2002 The Expos trade recently acquired outfielder Cliff Floyd (.275, 21, 61) to the Red Sox for two minor league right-handed pitchers from South Korea, Seung Song and Sun-Woo Kim. Although denied by all involved, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner suspects the Expos, owned by major league baseball, made the trade to help his club’s top rival.
2005 After knowingly denying taking any banned substances, Rafael Palmeiro becomes the highest-profile player suspended for violating the MLB steroids policy. The Orioles’ first baseman told the House Government Reform Committee this spring that published allegations by Jose Canseco of his steroids use was “absolutely false” and had considered suing his former teammate over the accusation.
2005 Joe Garagiola Jr., the first and only general manager in Diamondback history, will be leaving Arizona to take a job with the commissioner’s office. The son of the former Cardinal catcher and national broadcaster will become MLB’s senior VP of baseball operations beginning on August 15th.
2005 During an interview on MLB.com, Barry Bonds admits his injured right knee will most likely keep him from playing this season. The 41-year-old Giants slugger needs 12 home runs to pass Babe Ruth (714) and 54 to go ahead of Hank Aaron (755) to become the all-time home run leader.
2006 At Turner Field in a game against the Braves, Miguel Tejada plays in his 1,000th consecutive game, the seventh longest in major league history. The Oriole shortstop’s streak began on June 2nd, 2000, as a member of the Oakland A’s.
2006 Carlos Guillen, needing a two-bagger to complete the cycle, stretches a single into a double, much to the delight of the Tampa Bay fans. The Detroit shortstop is the tenth Tiger to accomplish the feat, but it is the first time it has occurred during a Devil Ray game.
2007 Buddy Bell announces before tonight’s 5-3 extra-inning victory against the Twins that he will leave his post as the Royals’ manager at the end of the season. The 54-year-old skipper will join the organization’s front office next season as a senior adviser to Kansas City’s GM Dayton Moore.
2007 The Twins, rather than send 25,000 fans back out onto crowded highways, decide to play tonight’s game against the Royals after observing a moment of silence in memory of victims of the nearby bridge collapse. Minnesota will postpone tomorrow’s game at the Metrodome.
2010 The Mets induct four new members, all of whom played an instrumental role in the 1986 World Championship, to the team’s Hall of Fame. Former GM Frank Cashen, previous skipper Davey Johnson, and two former All-Stars, slugger Darryl Strawberry and right-hander Dwight Gooden, join 21 other persons to be recognized by the club since the inception of the honor in 1981.
2011 After popping out in a pinch-hitting appearance, Craig Counsell remains without a hit in his last 45 at-bats, tying the longest single-season hitless streak by a position player in history, established by Brooklyn backstop Bill Bergen in 1909. The major league record is 0-for-70, established in 1970 by Bob Buhl, a pitcher who toiled with the Braves and Cubs that season.
2013 The Red Sox score six times in the ninth inning, overcoming a 7-2 deficit en route to their 11th walk-off victory this season. Daniel Nava’s one-out walk-off single seals the deal in Boston’s 8-7 amazing comeback victory over the Mariners at Fenway Park.
2015 Clayton Kershaw strikes out Mike Trout looking with a wicked curveball, marking the first time the reigning MVPs have faced one another in a major league game. The interleague contest between the two LA teams ends with the Dodger southpaw keeping the Angel outfielder 0-for-3 while hurling eight innings in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Halos at Chavez Ravine.
2016 Royals starter Danny Duffy sets a franchise record when he strikes out 16 batters in the team’s 3-0 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field. The 27-year-old southpaw surpasses the mark established by Zack Greinke, who whiffed hitters 15 in a 2009 contest against the Indians.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
JOE TORRE
Manager
He was a nine-time All-Star and the 1971 National League Most Valuable Player who totaled 2,342 hits in 18 big league seasons.
And Joe Torre was just getting warmed up. In his next big league life – during 29 seasons as a manager – Torre won four World Series titles.
Born July 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Torre followed in his brother Frank’s footsteps and signed with the Braves out of high school. He hit .344 with the Class C Eau Claire Braves in his first pro season in 1960 and appeared in two games with Milwaukee that fall. The next season, Torre finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year balloting and even earned a handful of NL Most Valuable Player votes after hitting .278 with 10 homers and 42 RBI as the Braves’ regular catcher.
Torre served as the Braves’ backup catcher in 1962, then took over the job full-time in 1963 when he hit .293 with 14 homers and 71 RBI while earning his first All-Star Game selection. Over the next five seasons, Torre became one of the best hitting backstops in the game, peaking with 36 home runs in 1966. He earned a Gold Glove Award in 1965.
But after a contract dispute, Torre found himself traded to St. Louis in Spring Training of 1969 in exchange for future Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. The Cardinals installed Torre at first base, and he responded with 18 homers, 101 RBI and a .289 average. After splitting time between catcher and third base in 1970 – and hitting 21 home runs to go with 100 RBI and a .325 batting average – Torre became a full-time third baseman in 1971, leading the NL with 230 hits with a .363 batting average, 24 home runs and 137 RBI. He was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
Torre never repeated those numbers, but remained a productive corner infielder for the next several seasons. Then in October of 1974, the Cardinals sent Torre home to play for the Mets in a deal for Ray Sadecki and Tommy Moore.
“Right now, I picture him at third base,” said Mets manager Yogi Berra at the time of the trade.
However, the Mets’ management had other long-term ideas. After two seasons as a semi-regular in 1975 and 1976, the Mets hired Torre to manage the club 45 games into the 1977 season. Torre served as a player/manager briefly, making his final appearance as a player on June 17. He finished his playing career with 2,342 hits, a .297 batting average, 252 home runs and 1,185 RBI.
“(The Mets) came to me late in (1976) and told me I had a chance to go to the Yankees,” Torre told Newsday in 1996. “But I said I didn’t want to go if it was going to cost me a chance to manage (the Mets) in the future.”
Torre skippered the Mets through the 1981 season, posting a record of 286-420 before taking over the Braves in 1982. In Atlanta, Torre led the team to a 13-0 record to start the season en route to an 89-73 record and the Braves’ first NL West division title since 1969. The Braves lost to the Cardinals in the 1982 NLCS, and after 88 wins in 1983 and 80 in 1984 the Braves released him.
Torre worked as a broadcaster for the Angels from 1985-90 before replacing Whitey Herzog as the Cardinals’ manager during the 1990 season. From 1991-94, the Cardinals finished second or third every season before Torre was dismissed midway through the 1995 campaign.
Then in 1996, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner hired Torre as his team’s manager. Torre led New York to 92 wins that first season before winning the ALCS against the Orioles and then rallying from an 0-2 deficit to beat the Braves in the World Series.
The Yankees won 96 games and a Wild Card berth in 1997, then strung together three straight World Series titles from 1998-2000 – highlighted by the 114 games the 1998 team won during the regular season. The Yankees won the AL Pennant again in 2001, then posted three straight 100-plus win seasons, including another AL pennant in 2003. The Bronx Bombers advanced to the playoffs each year from 1996-2007 before Torre was let go – making in 12 playoff trips in 12 seasons for the Yankees under Torre.
“He’s a great manager,” said former Yankees third baseman Scott Brosius. “There is more to (managing) than who to pitch and play. It’s managing people, the press… and Joe does that all great. Players follow the tone set by the manager, and Joe is the calming influence of this team.”
Torre moved on to manage the Dodgers from 2008-10, winning two more division titles. In his final 15 seasons as a manager, Torre led his clubs to the playoffs 14 times.
“When you have the resume that he has and you see how he has done it, with a calmness that he has been able to display in many difficult situations… you know you are getting a quality human being,” said Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti when Torre was hired.
Torre’s four World Series titles rank tied for fourth all time behind Joe McCarthy (7), Casey Stengel (7) and Connie Mack (5) and tied with Walter Alston. He finished his 29 seasons as a manager with a record of 2,326-1,997, good for a .538 career winning percentage. Only Connie Mack, John McGraw, Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox have won more games as a big league manager.
Torre was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
August 1, 1925 – Detroit Panthers franchise is accepted into the NFL and plays in the League during the 1925 and 1926 seasons. According to the American Football Database the Panthers were the second franchise to try and make a go of it in the Motor City, the first being the Detroit Heralds/Tigers team in the early 1920s. The Panthers were pieced together by future Hall of Famer, Jimmy Conzelman. Conzelman was a quarterback who formerly played with the Decatur Staleys, Rock Island Independents and the Milwaukee Badgers. Jimmy C. wore many hats on this team serving as the team’s owner, coach, and starting quarterback. He built the squad around a strong defense. It seemed to work too as the Panthers jumped out to start the season with an 8-1 record. However a 6-3 upset loss to Rock Island on Thanksgiving Day knocked the Panthers out of first place and they ended the season in third place. Detroit put hope in to expounding upon their 1925 success, however they started off the 1926 season poorly with an 0-3 record. After rallying to a 4-0-2 record in their next six games, they lost their last three. Conzelman gave up the franchise and joined the Providence Steam Roller as player-coach. He would later go on to win NFL Championships with Providence in 1928 and then coach the Chicago Cardinals to an NFL Title in 1947.
August 1, 1925 – The New York Giants franchise forms and starts it’s long rich history in the NFL. As we discussed on the July 29 edition of this series, Tim Mara founded the Giants organization when on advice from then NFL president, Joe Carr, Mara bet on the NFL with $500 of his own money to fund the NY Football Giants and later infuse another $25,000 to ensure its survival. The gamble paid off for Mr. Mara as he watched his investment payoff according to the ProFootballHOF.com. A wise investment indeed as in December of the first season more than 70,000 onlookers turned out at the Polo Grounds to see the Giants play the Chicago Bears, who had just signed Illinois College sensation, Red Grange, the most famous pro football player of the 1920s. The franchise has seen four NFL Championships (1927, 1934, 1938 & 1956) and four Super Bowl Victories {XXI(1986), XXV (1990), XLII (2007) & XLVI (2011)}.
August 1, 1969 – The 36th annual Chicago Charities College All Stars game. The NY Jets won 26-24 over the college stars before a crowd of 74,208. The MVP award, always given to the college player team, happened to be Greg Cook the quarterback from the University of Cincinnati.
August 1, 1975 – The 41st Chicago Charities College All Stars game. The Steelers win 21-14 as a crowd of 54,103 watches. Note there was not an MVP nominated in 1975 or 1976’s game.
August 1, 1976 – The Seattle Seahawks take the field for the first time in history in a preseason game against the 49ers in the brand new Seattle Kingdome. You can learn more about the Kingdome in our July 23 edition of this series.
August 1, 1987- Arena Bowl I in Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena as Denver Dynamite defeats Pittsburgh Gladiators 45-16, Gary Mullen was the MVP of the game.
SEC Adds another School
August 1, 1990 – The Southeastern Conference welcomed the University of Arkansas into their Conference of collegiate athletics. The Razorbacks officially entered the SEC on July 1, 1991 along with the University of South Carolina. According to the SEC’s official website, They completed their first year of competition in the SEC in the 1991-1992 school year.
August 1, 2002 – Baltimore Ravens sign Ray Lewis to at the time the largest signing bonus in history, $19 million when he inked his new 5 year contract.
HALL OF FAME BIRTHDAYS FOR AUGUST 1
August 1, 1929 – Beaver, Pennsylvania – Joe Palumbo was a guard out of the University of Virginia playing there from 1948 through 1951 who is heralded in the College Football Hall of Fame. The National Football Foundation has a really nice biography sketch of Joe where they say in 1951 Palumbo earned All-America honors. The Touchdown Club of Washington D. C. gave him the Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award also in that same year as he was named Athlete of the Year in the State of Virginia. Mr. Palumbo can also be found enshrined in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
August 1, 1948 – Houston Texas – Legendary wide receiver Cliff Branch was born. Branch grew up in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Houston and attended Worthing High School. Branch played two seasons of junior college ball at Wharton in Texas and then played his final two year of college at the University of Colorado. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 1972 NFL Draft and played there for fourteen seasons. Unfortunately the world lost Mr. Branch in 2019, so his posthumous enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was bittersweet for 2022.
August 1, 1978 – Immokalee, Florida – Edgerrin James, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back of the Indianapolis Colts and later the Arizona Cardinals was born. Edgerrin attended and played football for the Miami Hurricanes enjoying a stellar collegiate career. It was when he was picked up by the Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft that this young runner really found his groove though according to the ProFootballHOF.com. Edge earned NFL Rookie of the year honors in 1999 when he rushed for 1553 yards leading all runner in the League! He accomplished winning the NFL rushing title again in 2000 with 1709 yards on the ground matching his TDs scored in 1999 at 13 times crossing the wide field stripe. In fact during his 11 year career James blasted past the 1000 yard rushing mark an amazing 7 times edging past 1500 in four of those! For his career he recorded 12246 yards rushing with 80 scores, played in four Pro Bowls and was honored to be on the All-2000’s NFL team. Let’s not forget that he also hauled in 433 catches many from HOF QBs Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner for an additional 3364 yards of offense.
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
RALPH BAKER
Position: Halfback
Years: 1924-1926
Place of Birth: Rockford, IL
Date of Birth: Jun 28, 1902
Place of Death: Portland, OR
Date of Death: Aug 03, 1977
Jersey Number: 2
Height: 5-10
Weight: 172
High School: Rockford, IL (Rockford HS)
Before the arrival of Ralph “Moon” Baker upon the Evanston, Illinois campus, Northwestern was a perennial Big Ten doormat. Through his efforts Northwestern improved to break even status his first season and became Big Ten co-champions during his senior season. Baker spent his freshman year at Illinois before transferring to Northwestern in 1924. His play not only changed Northwestern’s won-lost record but its nickname as well. Known as the “Purple” or “Fighting Methodists,” Baker inspired a sportswriter to begin calling Northwestern teams the “Wildcats.” Against Notre Dame’s famed “Four Horsemen” Baker kicked two first half field goals to take Northwestern into the locker room leading 6-0. However a furious Notre Dame comeback resulted in a 13-6 Notre Dame victory. As a junior, Baker helped the Wildcats improve to a second place Big Ten finish despite being injured much of the season. In his 1926 senior season Baker earned consensus All-American status. Against Chicago he threw two touchdown passes in the first game ever played at Northwestern’s Dyche Stadium. Following graduation, Baker launched a career in coaching and investments.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 11 – 4 – 25 – 14 – 50 – 43 – 17 – 32 – 8 – 15 – 27 – 44 – 31 – 9
August 1, 1906 – Brooklyn Superbas MLB pitcher Harry McIntire no-hit the Pittsburgh for 10 2/3 innings but ended up losing the fame in the 13th inning, 1-0 on of all things an unearned run.
August 1, 1924 – Brooklyn pitcher Dazzy Vance struck out a MLB record 7 consecutive batters as the Robins beat Cubs, 4-0
August 1, 1928 – Future Number 3 for the Yankees, Babe Ruth hit home run number 42 of the season in the Yankees 12-1 win v St. Louis Browns. This wall clearing hit set him some 4 weeks ahead of his 1927 pace
August 1, 1933 – New York Giant’s future Hall of Fame pitcher Carl Hubbell, Number 11 set an MLB record for consecutive scoreless innings at 45 1/3 as Giants lose 3-1 v Boston Braves
August 1, 1941 – New York Yankees pitcher Number 11, Lefty Gomez set an MLB record for most walks in a shutout, issuing 11 in 9-0 win v St. Louis Browns
August 1, 1945 – New York Giants outfielder Mel Ott wearing Number 4 hit his historic 500th career MLB home run off Braves Johnny Hutchings. With this milestone smash he joined Babe Ruth (Number 3) and Jimmy Foxx (Number 3) as only players to reach the 500 homer plateau.
August 1, 1953 – Boston Red Sox pitcher Ben Flowers, wearing Number 25 set a then MLB record of 8 consecutive games in relief
August 1, 1957 – Gil Hodges, wearing Number 14 hit his 13th MLB career grand slam, a NL record and the last ever by a Brooklyn Dodgers player
August 1, 1957 – Former MLB outfielder Glen Gorbous, Number 50 had quite an arm when he played. He showed that even after his pro baseball career was over that he still could use the rocket launcher as he threw a regulation baseball a record 136m (445′ 10″) in a game promotion.
August 1, 1962 – Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill Monboquette no-hit the Chicago White Sox, 1-0
August 1, 1964 – Dan Big Daddy Garlits became the first drag racer to run the 1/4 mile at over 200mph (201.34mph at Island Dragway, New Jersey)
August 1, 1970 – Future Hall of Fame Pittsburgh outfielder Willie Stargell, Number 8 hammered out 3 doubles and 2 homers in a 20-10 Pirates win versus the Braves at Atlanta Stadium
August 1, 1971 – Richard Petty in the Number 43 STP sponsored Plymouth wins the Dixie 500 in Atlanta, Georgia to become the first NASCAR driver to win $1m in career earnings
August 1, 1972 – San Diego’s Nate Colbert, Number 17 hit an MLB record tying 5 HRs and record 13 RBI as Padres blanked the Atlanta Braves by the score of 9-0 and then turned around and won 11-7 in a doubleheader
August 1, 1973 – A struggling ABA club Virginia Squires trades star forward Julius Erving, Number 32 to New York Nets for George Carter and some much needed cash
August 1, 1973 – MLB All Star catchers Thurman Munson, Number 15 of the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox’ Carlton Fisk wearing Number 27 brawl at home plate Fenway Park; Red Sox win, 3-2
August 1, 1977 – San Francisco Giants 1st baseman Willie McCovey, Number 44 hit his NL record 18th MLB career grand slam
August 1, 1978 – An abrupt halt came Number 14, Pete Rose’s NL record hitting streak of 44 games when the Reds played the Atlanta Braves. The Braves came out swinging and playing good defense in their 16-4 overturn of the Reds.
August 1, 1982 – Darryl Waltrip in car Number 17 became the first driver the win the Talladega 500 twice in just the 13th running of the mid-summer NASCAR event.
August 1, 1985 – St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Vince Coleman, wearing Number 29 stole 2 bases in the 1st inning of a contest against the Chicago Cubs. The Cards still however suffered a 9-8 loss to the Cubs. Coleman went on to set a NL rookie record 74 base swipes that season.
August 1, 1993 – Reggie Jackson who famously wore the jersey Numbers of 31, 9 and 44 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Mr. October was a 14-time MLB All Star.
August 1, 1994 – Baltimore Orioles shortstop Number 8, Cal Ripken Jr. became only the second player after Lou Gehrig to appear in 2,000 consecutive MLB games, in a 1-0 win vs Twins
TV SPORTS TUESDAY
| MLB REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Philadelphia at Miami | 6:40pm | NBCS-PHI Bally Sports |
| Milwaukee at Washington | 7:05pm | Bally Sports MASN/2 |
| Detroit at Pittsburgh | 7:05pm | Bally Sports ATTSN-PIT |
| Tampa Bay at NY Yankees | 7:05pm | Bally Sports YES |
| Baltimore at Toronto | 7:07pm | MASN/2 Sportsnet |
| LA Angels at Atlanta | 7:20pm | Bally Sports |
| Minnesota at St. Louis | 7:45pm | Bally Sports |
| Cincinnati at Chi. Cubs | 8:05pm | Bally Sports MARQ |
| Chi. White Sox at Texas | 8:05pm | Bally Sports NBCS-CHI |
| NY Mets at Kansas City | 8:10pm | Bally Sports SNY |
| Cleveland at Houston | 8:10pm | Bally Sports ATTSN-SW |
| San Diego at Colorado | 8:40pm | Bally Sports ATTSN-RM |
| Boston at Seattle | 9:40pm | MLBN Root Sports NESN |
| Arizona at San Francisco | 9:45pm | Bally Sports NBCS-BAY |
| Oakland at LA Dodgers | 10:10pm | MLBN NBCS-CA Sportsnet |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| FIFA Women’s World Cup: Portugal vs USA | 3:00am | FOX |
| FIFA Women’s World Cup: Vietnam vs Netherlands | 3:00am | FS1 |
| FIFA Women’s World Cup: China vs England | 7:00am | FOX |
| FIFA Women’s World Cup: Haiti vs Denmark | 7:00am | FS1 |
| Club Friendly: Milan vs Barcelona | 11:00pm | ESPN |
| WNBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Minnesota vs Connecticut | 7:00pm | ESPN |
| Phoenix vs Indiana | 7:00pm | ESPN3 |
| Atlanta vs Las Vegas | 10:00pm | League Pass |
| New York vs Los Angeles | 10:00pm | NBATV |