National Sports - The Morning Sun

United States pitcher Nick Martinez, left, exits during the third inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Mexico in Phoenix, Sunday, March 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Competition or exhibition? WBC's pitching rules loom large

Mark DeRosa said last week that one of his most important jobs as United States manager during the World Baseball Classic is making sure his players understand the tournament is a competition, not an … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 3/14/23

Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy directs his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Analysis: Grabbing play-in spots in the West will be tough

Let’s go ahead and put Denver and Sacramento into the Western Conference playoffs. It’s hard to imagine Memphis and Phoenix falling out of the mix, even with Ja Morant away from the Grizzlies and … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 3/14/23

FILE - Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant reacts after sinking a three point shot against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Houston. That aggressive style of play helped skyrocket the 23-year-old guard to a meteoric rise to NBA stardom. But his aggressive approach to basketball seemingly has spilled over into his off-court lifestyle putting him on the sidelines. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke, File)

Grizzlies stay mum on return of Morant beyond next game

The Memphis Grizzlies aren’t saying when star point guard Ja Morant will return with one game remaining in a four-game sabbatical the team said he needed to deal with personal issues. Morant's … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 3/14/23

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, left, and Kyrie Irving look on from the sideline during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Dallas, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Doncic, Irving out again as Mavs lose rematch with Memphis

Dallas Mavericks stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have missed a second consecutive loss to Memphis. Doncic had already been declared out because of a left thigh issue when Irving was ruled out … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 3/13/23

FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. Garoppolo has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Garoppolo heads long list of QBs on move in free agency

Jimmy Garoppolo is headed to Las Vegas for a new start with the Raiders. Sam Darnold is heading West to replace Garoppolo on the San Francisco 49ers' roster. Mike White, Case Keenum and Jarrett … more

By STEVE REED | 3/13/23

Puerto Rico's Jose De Leon delivers a pitch during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Israel, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Puerto Rico pitches perfect game against Israel in WBC

José De León and three relievers combined to pitch a perfect game as Puerto Rico routed Israel 10-0 in a World Baseball Classic game called after eight innings because of the tournament’s 10-run … more

By The Associated Press | 3/13/23

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is hit by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor (36) during an NFL football game Jan. 8, 2023, in Denver. Taylor was penalized for roughing-the-passer on the play. The NFL’s competition committee will consider making roughing-the-passer penalties and personal-foul penalties subject to video review. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

NFL will consider reviewing roughing-the-passer penalties

The NFL’s competition committee will consider making roughing-the-passer penalties and personal-foul penalties subject to video review. The two potential rule changes were among nine the league … more

By ROB MAADDI | 3/13/23

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. Released pitcher Bauer has agreed to a contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan's Central League, in an announcment Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Trevor Bauer signs with Japan's Yokohama BayStars

Trevor Bauer has agreed to a contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Central League. The 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 12, three weeks … more

By The Associated Press | 3/13/23

FILE - New York Yankees' Joe Pepitone holds a baseball bat in New York, March 10, 1962. Pepitone, a key figure on the 1960s Yankees who gained reknown for his flamboyant personality, has died at age 82. He was living with his daughter Cara Pepitone at her house in Kansas City, Mo., and was found dead Monday, March 13, 2023, according to BJ Pepitone, a son of the former player. (AP Photo/File)

Joe Pepitone, flamboyant Yankees All-Star, dead at 82

Joe Pepitone, an All-Star and Gold Glove first baseman on the 1960s New York Yankees who gained renown for his flamboyant personality, hairpieces and penchant for nightlife, has died at age 82. … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/13/23

FILE - United States head coach Gregg Berhalter gestures during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against the Netherlands at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. United States women’s coach Vlatko Andonovski earned 27% as much as men’s coach Berhalter in the year ending last March 31, down slightly from 28% in the previous year. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

US Soccer: Berhalter eligible to coach after investigation

The U.S. Soccer Federation says Gregg Berhalter remains a candidate to stay on as men’s national team coach after a report by a law firm concluded he did not improperly withhold information about a … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/13/23

FILE - Boston Celtics assistant coach Damon Stoudamire, filling in for interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, draws up a play during a time out in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 27, 2022, in Boston. Stoudamire was hired Monday, March 13, 2023, as Georgia Tech's men's basketball coach. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Damon Stoudamire hired as Georgia Tech's head coach

Longtime NBA guard Damon Stoudamire has been hired as Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball coach. The 49-year-old Stoudamire comes to the Atlantic Coast Conference school from the Boston Celtics, … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 3/13/23

Scottie Scheffler celebrates after winning The Players Championship golf tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Scheffler on another big run, this one getting attention

Scottie Scheffler is on another big run. That's how it was last year when he won four times in six starts and capped it off with the Masters. Now there seems to be a greater appreciation for what … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/13/23

FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game on Nov. 27, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. Garoppolo has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

AP source: Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders agree to 3-year deal

A person with knowledge of the deal says quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. The person spoke to The Associated Press on … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 3/13/23

South Carolina's Aliyah Boston holds up the championship trophy after defeating Tennessee 74-58 to win the championship game of the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

South Carolina women cap wire-to-wire No. 1 run in AP Top 25

South Carolina has joined an exclusive group, going wire-to-wire as No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The undefeated Gamecocks are the defending national champions and … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 3/13/23

UConn's Lou Lopez Senechal, center left, and Dorka Juhasz, center right, hold the Big East Championship trophy as they celebrate with teammate after defeating Villanova in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the Big East Conference tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, Monday, March 6, 2023, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

March Madness has international flair for many women's teams

The NCAA women's tournament will feature many international players. The NCAA, citing numbers provided by FIBA, says the number of players in Division I women's basketball grew to 731 in 2022, up … more

By PAT EATON-ROBB | 3/13/23

Alabama players celebrate on the court after an NCAA college basketball game against Texas A&M in the finals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Alabama, Houston top final AP Top 25 ahead of March Madness

Alabama is No. 1 in the final AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll of the season Houston is No. 2 and Big Ten champion Purdue was third. The Big 12 rounded out the top five with Kansas and Texas. … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 3/13/23

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) carries the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Monday, March 6, 2023, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Connor McDavid puts NHL on notice with goal-scoring frenzy

Connor McDavid has already set career highs in goals and points with 15 games left for the Edmonton Oilers to play during the NHL regular season. McDavid surpassing 50 goals for the first time thanks … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 3/13/23

The winner United States' Mikaela Shiffrin wears an hat with n. 87, the number of her World Cup victories, one more than ski great Ingemar Stenmark, after an alpine ski, women's World Cup slalom, in Are, Sweden, Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Mikaela Shiffrin gets new head coach in female pioneer Harjo

Mikaela Shiffrin has marked her 28th birthday with the appointment of a new personal head coach, just two days after she became the most successful World Cup skier in history. The U.S. ski team said … more

3/13/23

William Escala of Czech Republic reacts after he was hit by pitcher Roki Sasaki of Japan while batting during their Pool B game at the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome, Japan, Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japanese stars Ohtani, Sasaki turn Czech players into fans

There a common thread running through the World Baseball Classic when opponents face Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani and his Japanese teammates. Players become fans, collect souvenirs, chase … more

By STEPHEN WADE | 3/13/23

A scoreboard is seen after finishing the first round Pool B game between the South Korea and China at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

South Korea sets record with 22-2 rout of China at WBC

Kunwoo Park and Ha-Seong Kim hit grand slams in consecutive innings, and South Korea set a World Baseball Classic scoring record with a 22-2 rout over China in a game between already eliminated … more

3/13/23