Month: January 2020

Women’s Top 25 Capsules

The Miami Marlins have reached an agreement with newcomer second baseman Jonathan Villar on an $8.2 million, one-year contract Friday.

The Pacers overcame 43 points by LaVine and escaped with the victory after Chicago rallied from 16 down to cut the deficit to four in the closing minutes.

Before Roman Reigns and King Corbin enter the Royal Rumble Match for an opportunity to earn a World Championship Match at WrestleMania, the two fierce rivals will once again battle in a one-on-one bout.

Jackson Jr., Morant lead Grizzlies past Spurs 134-121

Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was not fined for the big hit on Carson Wentz that knocked the Eagles quarterback out of Sunday’s game.

The former UNC women’s coach has been charged in connection with an accident that killed an elderly pedestrian, police said Friday.

DURHAM, N.C. — The former women’s basketball coach at the University of North Carolina has been charged in connection with an accident that killed an elderly pedestrian, police said Friday.

Durham police said in a news release that Sylvia Hatchell, 67, was cited for misdemeanor death by vehicle and unsafe movement violation.

Betty Colby, 89, was struck by a vehicle about noon Monday in the parking lot of a fitness center, police said. The impact knocked Colby backward, and she hit her head on the pavement, investigators said.

Colby died Wednesday, according to the news release.

Investigators also said that neither speed nor impairment were factors in the accident.

Hatchell resigned as women’s basketball coach last April after an external review found she had made “racially insensitive” comments and applied “undue influence” regarding players’ ability to compete through medical issues. The review conducted by a Charlotte law firm also revealed “a breakdown of connectivity between the players and Hatchell” after 28 interviews of current players and program personnel.

Hatchell didn’t immediately return a text message from The Associated Press on Friday night. Wade Smith, an attorney who has worked with Hatchell previously, responded to a text from the AP that he hadn’t been in contact with Hatchell. He offered no additional comment.

Jim Calhoun joined Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim and Bob Knight as the only coaches to coach at least 10 seasons in Division I and reach 900 victories.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Jim Calhoun’s 900th win looked like so many others during a Hall of Fame coaching career.

He stomped. He screamed. He slammed objects.

The only real difference is the sideline he now controls.

The longtime Connecticut coach added another milestone Friday night when the University of Saint Joseph beat Pratt Institute 105-61.

Now in his second season coaching in Division III, Calhoun joined Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim and Bob Knight — all former rivals and national champions at college basketball’s highest level — as the only coaches to coach at least 10 seasons in Division I and reach 900 victories.

The 77-year-old coached just like the guy who took UConn from the Big East basement to the top of the nation, with NCAA titles in 1999, 2004 and 2011.

Now he’s trying to build another program from the ground up.

His return to coaching in 2018 came the same year the former all-women’s school became fully coeducational, with Calhoun’s hiring bringing not only attention, but needed funds for improvements.

He has led fundraising for a new gymnasium that’s expected to open next year and replace the 500-seat O’Connell Center.

Calhoun improved to 900-394 in a 42-year career that appeared over in 2012. He had battled problems with his health and the NCAA, suspended three games in his final season in Storrs for recruiting violations. It seemed the right time to walk away.

But he didn’t stay away.

After watching former player and assistant Kevin Ollie guide the Huskies to a fourth title in 2014, Calhoun welcomed the chance to lead his own team again, even one that’s close to home geographically but miles away from where he coached under the brightest lights in college basketball.

He’s now in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, with no NBA lottery picks like Ray Allen, Kemba Walker or Donyell Marshall — who was at the game — on his roster. No. 900 showed how much of a turn Calhoun’s career has taken toward the end, as No. 800 was in one of those Big East showdowns in which he so often took part. His second-ranked Huskies beat No. 8 Marquette 93-82 in February 2009, the only season in which Calhoun would reach the Final Four but not win the championship.

This one came in a gym whose wooden bleachers weren’t fully filled, and with the parking lot outsideyep closed for the construction on the Blue Jays’ future home.

Calhoun emerged about five minutes before the game and slowly walked toward his bench — specifically, to his higher chair next to the bench from where it’s easier to sit down and get back up.

And he did, often.

Like when the Blue Jays allowed a layup on a back cut that tied it at 8 after a little more than four minutes. Or any other time he needed to scream at someone, whether a player, referee or both.

He clutched a bottle of water in his hands for the first five-plus minutes, until angrily slamming it to the ground behind him and leaping off his chair after a turnover in transition.

Calhoun finally calmed down at the end, with a wave to the cheering crowd when his milestone was announced as he walked off the court.

His team plays like his early squads after arriving at UConn in 1986, utilizing full-court pressure to wear down and eventually pull away from its opponent. That style sent him on his way to 625 wins in Storrs, after winning 248 in 14 seasons at Northeastern to begin his career.

And now 27 at Saint Joseph, where a career that once looked finished is still going strong.

Friday marked the deadline for 155 arbitration-eligible players and their respective teams to agree on salaries for the 2020 season.

Friday marked the deadline for 155 arbitration-eligible players and their respective teams to agree on salaries for the 2020 season. A number of big name players agreed to deals, but a few of the sport’s biggest names did not.

Here are some the most impactful players who will go to arbitration after not reaching an agreement with their respective teams:

• George Springer — OF, Houston Astros: Springer made his third-straight All-Star team this past season, having hit 39 home runs and recorded 96 RBIs for the American League champion Astros. According to MLB.com Mark Feinsand, Springer filed for a $22.5 million deal while the Astros filed at $17.5 million.
• Andrew Benintendi — OF, Boston Red Sox: Benintendi hit 13 home runs and tallied 68 RBIs in 2019. He filed for $4.15 million while the Red Sox deemed him worth $3.4 million, per MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand. 
• Josh Hader — RP, Milwaukee Brewers: Hader has made the All-Star team in two consecutive seasons, but gave up more home runs in 2019 than he did in 2017 and 2018 combined.
• Trevor Story — SS, Colorado Rockies: Story made two All-Star teams throughout his first four seasons in Colorado. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported Story filed at $11.5 million while the team filed at $10.75 million.
• Max Muncy — 1B/2B/3B, Los Angeles Dodgers: Muncy made his first All-Star team last season, hitting 35 home runs and recording 98 RBIs. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that Muncy filed at $4.675 million while the Dodgers valued him at $4 million.
• Jose Berrios — SP, Minnesota Twins: Berrios has made the All-Star team in consecutive seasons.
• Joe Pederson — OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: Pederson recorded the most home runs and most RBIs in his career last season, appearing in 149 games.