National Sports - The Morning Sun

Former New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, top right, acknowledges fans during a ceremony to retire his number at Citi Field before a baseball game between the Mets and the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

As Mets retire his No. 16, Dwight Gooden tells fans he wanted to `make things right with you guys'

Honored by the New York Mets with the retirement of his No. 16 on Sunday, Dwight Gooden recounted how his career in Queens was cut short by drugs and alcohol, forcing him to sign across town ahead of … more

By JERRY BEACH | 4/14/24

Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford, right, talks with Marques Bolden (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Steve Clifford wins his final game as Charlotte coach, Hornets beat playoff-bound Cleveland 120-110

Nick Smith Jr. scored a season-high 24 points and Steve Clifford won his coaching farewell as the Charlotte Hornets rallied to beat the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers 120-110. Max Strus had 14 … more

By BRIAN DULIK | 4/14/24

Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, bottom, celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal of the game during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Sunday April 14, 2024. (David Inderlied/dpa via AP)

Bayer Leverkusen wins first Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich's 11-year reign

Bayer Leverkusen has won the Bundesliga for the first time. It ends an 11-year run as champion for Bayern Munich. The final whistle brought delight to the sellout crowd of 30,000 at Leverkusen. … more

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH | 4/14/24

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Advantage Man City in the Premier League title race after losses for Arsenal and Liverpool

Manchester City is suddenly in charge of the Premier League after a pivotal day in the title race. Arsenal and Liverpool both produced lethargic performances under pressure and lost home matches to … more

By STEVE DOUGLAS | 4/14/24

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

A Manic Monday in the NHL features 7 of 8 games that could affect the playoff picture

The playoff races across the NHL are coming down to the final week of the regular season. Seven of the eight games Monday night have some impact on either who gets in or where teams are seeded. The … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 4/14/24

Tiger Woods walks over the Byron Nelson Bridge on the 13th hole during third round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Tiger Woods on the course for 100th round at the Masters after getting swing tips from son Charlie

Tiger Woods is on the course for his 100th round at the Masters after receiving some swing tips from his son Charlie on the practice range. While there will be no green jacket for the five-time … more

By STEVE REED | 4/14/24

FILE - University of Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart watches an NCAA college football game between Kentucky and Mississippi State in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 15, 2022. Two former Kentucky swim team members have sued the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen and athletic director Mitch Barnhart, alleging sexual assaults including rape by the former coach and claiming the school “purposefully” disregarded multiple credible reports of inappropriate sexual relationships. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb, file)

Former Kentucky swimmers sue ex-coaches, AD Mitch Barnhart, alleging 'sexually hostile environment'

Two former Kentucky swim team members have sued the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen and athletic director Mitch Barnhart, alleging sexual assaults including rape by the former coach and claiming … more

4/14/24

Scottie Scheffler hits from the fairway on the 14th hole during third round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Scheffler carries the lead into the final round of the Masters as play resumes at Augusta National

The final round of the Masters got underway at warm, sunny Augusta National on Sunday. Scottie Scheffler had a one-shot lead over Collin Morikawa and a two-shot advantage on Max Homa as he chases a … more

4/14/24

United States' Laila Edwards (14) celebrates after her goal over Finland with teammates Hilary Knight (21) and Alex Carpenter (25) during the second period in the semifinals of the IIHF women's world hockey championships Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Utica, N.Y. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

US and Canada win semifinals to set up 22nd gold-medal showdown at women's hockey championships

One of women’s hockey’s fiercest and longest-running rivalries — United States versus Canada — is adding yet another chapter at the world championships. The bordering nations and women’s … more

By JOHN WAWROW | 4/14/24

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts connects for a single against the San Diego Padres during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Stone perfect into 6th inning and Betts drives offense as Dodgers beat Padres 5-2 in testy game

Mookie Betts had three hits and two RBIs, rookie Gavin Stone retired his first 15 batters and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 5-2 in a testy game delayed more than two hours by … more

By JILL PAINTER LOPEZ | 4/14/24

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws out San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill at first base on a ground ball during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa, gifts exclusive sneakers to LA Dodgers on Mamba Day anniversary

Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers received some special footwear Saturday, courtesy of Kobe Bryant’s widow. On the eighth anniversary of Bryant’s last NBA game, Vanessa Bryant gave members … more

4/14/24

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) jogs to his position during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Sporting Kansas City, Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)

Lionel Messi scores 'amazing' goal in Inter Miami FC's 3-2 win over Sporting KC

Lionel Messi scored his fifth goal and added an assist and Luis Suárez tapped in the winner in the 71st minute as Inter Miami CF topped Sporting Kansas City 3-2 in front of the third-largest crowd … more

By MARC BOWMAN | 4/14/24

Denver goaltender Matt Davis (35) poses with the championship trophy, with his family behind him, after defeating Boston College in the championship game of the Frozen Four NCAA college hockey tournament Saturday, April 13, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. Denver won 2-0 to win the national championship. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Denver beats Boston College 2-0 to win record 10th NCAA hockey national title

Jared Wright and Rieger Lorenz scored second-period goals, Matt Davis had 35 saves and Denver beat No. 1 overall seed Boston College 2-0 to win the 10th national championship in program history. No. … more

4/13/24

Bryson DeChambeau lines up a putt on the 10th hole during third round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

After a messy back nine, DeChambeau's final swing keeps him in the mix at the Masters

Bryson DeChambeau was rubbing his face in the middle of the 18th fairway, his head shaking slowly, as if he couldn’t quite believe how quickly his shot at a green jacket had apparently slipped away … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 4/13/24

Vancouver Canucks' Brock Boeser (6) and Arizona Coyotes' Michael Kesselring (5) vie for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Coyotes sale to Utah Jazz owner expected next week, Arizona to get expansion team, AP source says

The Arizona Coyotes will likely be sold to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith shortly after the team’s final game and will include a provision guaranteeing current owner Alex Meruelo an expansion team if a … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 4/13/24

Fans fill much of the stadium during Alabama's first NCAA college football spring game under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Kalen DeBoer makes unofficial Alabama coaching debut before big crowd at spring game

Alabama fans hungry for a return to national-title contention filled Bryant-Denny Stadium for Nick Saban’s first spring game. Kalen DeBoer steps into a much different situation 17 years later. … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 4/13/24

Jason Day, of Australia, waves after making a putt on the 18th hole during the weather delayed first round round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Friday, April 12, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Masters fashion: Day was asked by Augusta National to change his wardrobe so 'respectfully' he did

Jason Day said after finishing his third round at the Masters on Saturday that he was asked by someone at Augusta National to take off the white vest he was wearing that said in big letters across … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 4/13/24

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, waits to play on the seventh hole during third round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Rory McIlroy's bid to complete career Grand Slam with Masters win put on hold for yet another year

Rory McIlroy’s bid to complete a career Grand Slam will have to wait yet another year after the world’s second-ranked golfer failed to make a run up the leaderboard on Saturday at the Masters. … more

By STEVE REED | 4/13/24

New York Yankees' Oswaldo Cabrera is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Nick Sandlin in the sixth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Oswaldo Cabrera homers, Yankees beat Guardians 3-2 and match club's best start

Oswaldo Cabrera hit a two-run homer and the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-2 in the first game of a split doubleheader to match the best start in their famed history. The Yankees … more

By TOM WITHERS | 4/13/24

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Brock Burke reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, April 12, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Rangers' reliever Burke breaks his non-throwing hand after punching a wall following a poor outing

Texas Rangers reliever Brock Burke broke his non-throwing hand while punching a wall following a poor outing Friday night against the Houston Astros. Manager Bruce Bochy says Burke, who is a … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 4/13/24