National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle delivers to the New York Yankees during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 13, 2018. Sean Doolittle has decided to retire from baseball after more than a decade pitching in the majors that included helping the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 2019. Doolittle announced his decision in a lengthy social media post Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle announces his retirement after more than a decade in the majors

Sean Doolittle has decided to retire from baseball after more than a decade spent pitching in the majors. Doolittle helped the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 2019. He spent the bulk of … more

9/22/23

Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) swats down a shot by Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams, right, during the first half of Game 2 of a WNBA basketball playoff series game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Aces' A'ja Wilson repeats as WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson was honored as the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in a row. She is the eighth player to win the award multiple times. Wilson received 32 of 60 … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 9/22/23

OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) celebrates her goal by penalty kick with defender Lauren Barnes (3) during the second half of an NWSL soccer match against Angel City FC, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Megan Rapinoe's legacy with US team is bigger than soccer

Megan Rapinoe was always unabashedly authentic during her soccer career, whether she was advocating for equal pay and racial justice or scoring an elusive goal off a corner kick. The 38-year old is … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 9/22/23

FILE - Justin Thomas of the U.S. celebrates after winning the 8th hole during a singles match on the final day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. Thomas has become the American that Europeans love to beat because of his emotion.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

RYDER CUP '23: Justin Thomas, the American that gets the Europeans' attention

Justin Thomas has a strong record in his two Ryder Cup appearances. He forms a strong partnership with longtime friend Jordan Spieth. But his other value to the American team is how much he annoys … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 9/22/23

Solheim Cup team US golfer Nelly Korda reacts to a putt during the foursomes play at the Solheim Cup in Finca Cortesin, near Casares, southern Spain, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

US sweeps favorite Europe to take 4-0 lead in opening session at Solheim Cup

The United States enjoyed its best-ever start to a Solheim Cup by sweeping the favored European team in all of the foursomes matches in the opening session to take a 4-0 lead in Spain. The Americans … more

By TALES AZZONI | 9/22/23

Pittsburgh Pirates' Joshua Palacios reacts toward teammates in the dugout after his pinch-hit, three-run home run off Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Miguel Andujar and Joshua Palacios drive in three runs apiece as Pirates beat Cubs 8-6

Miguel Andújar drove in three runs and Joshua Palacios hit a pinch-hit three-run homer as the Pittsburgh Pirates held off the Chicago Cubs 8-6 on Thursday night. Pittsburgh gave up six runs in the … more

By JAMES KAY | 9/21/23

FILE - Coach Anthony Nesty watches as swimmers warm up at the U.S. nationals swimming meet in Indianapolis, June 27, 2023. Nesty made more history Thursday, Sept. 21, when he was picked to lead the U.S. men's swimming team in Paris, where he will become the first Black head coach for the powerhouse American squad at the Olympics. Nesty's selection was announced by USA Swimming, which also appointed Todd DeSorbo to head the women's squad next summer. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Anthony Nesty to become the first Black US head swimming coach at the Olympics

Anthony Nesty has made more history with his selection to lead the U.S. men’s swimming team at the Paris Olympics. He will become the first Black head coach for the Americans in the Summer Games. … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 9/21/23

U.S. midfielder Julie Ertz, center, laughs while warming up with teammates before an international friendly soccer match against South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Julie Ertz says goodbye to the US national team during a 3-0 win over South Africa

Two-time Women’s World Cup winner Julie Ertz played her final match for the United States, an emotional 3-0 victory over South Africa in an exhibition at Cincinnati. Ertz announced last month that … more

9/21/23

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Krys Barnes (51) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley says he has a high ankle sprain

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley says he sustained a high ankle sprain late in the fourth quarter in the comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals. Barkley did not practice this week … more

9/21/23

Toronto Blue Jays' Matt Chapman, left, is doused by teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, after hitting a walkoff double against the Boston Red Sox in baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. day-to-day with right knee inflammation

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got good news Thursday when an MRI on his right knee showed inflammation and no structural damage. Guerrero was held of the starting lineup for the … more

By LARRY FLEISHER | 9/21/23

FILE - Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs stands on the field before a preseason NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Arlington, Texas, Aug. 26, 2023. Diggs injured a knee in practice Thursday, Sept. 21, and was set for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde, File)

Cowboys star CB Trevon Diggs tears ACL in practice. It's a blow for a defense off to a great start

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs has sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in practice. It's a blow for a defense off to a great start in 2023. The 2021 All-Pro was seen leaving the team’s … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 9/21/23

FILE - Kids play ball hockey at an NHL Street event, June 17, 2023, in Boston. The National Hockey League is trying to build on its first foray into the Southern Hemisphere — two preseason games between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyote on the weekend — by expanding its NHL Street Hockey program to Australia. The program is designed for children ages 6 to 16 and will eventually be instituted into some schools in Victoria state. (AP Photo/Jimmy Golen, File)

Taking it to the streets: NHL tries to grow its game with an 'ice' hockey push Down Under

The National Hockey League is trying to build on its first foray into the Southern Hemisphere — two preseason games between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyote this weekend — by expanding … more

By DENNIS PASSA | 9/21/23

12-year-olds Izzy Aberill, left, and Josie Boyd hold a sign about Washington State and Oregon State being the only two schools left in the Pac-12 after the 2023-2024 academic year after the other schools in the conference announced plans to leave, during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Washington State and Northern Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. Washington State won 64-21. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Is it the Pac-2 championship game when No. 14 Oregon State visits No. 21 Washington State?

Most opponents who come to the Palouse when Washington State is good walk into a buzzed environment where they are not welcomed. Then there’s Oregon State, which brings the No. 14 team in the … more

By TIM BOOTH | 9/21/23

Tampa Bay Rays' Manuel Margot gets gatorade poured on his head after his walk-off single against Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Playoff-bound Rays score 2 in 9th to beat Angels 5-4

Manuel Margot flared a run-scoring single to right field to complete a two-run ninth and the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-4. Tampa Bay, which holds the top AL wild card, … more

By MARK DIDTLER | 9/21/23

Arizona Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas, second from left, and Corbin Carroll (7) douse starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) as sideline reporter Sara Merrifield, left, reacts after the team's win over the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Analysis: MLB's recently expanded playoff field helps provide great playoff races in both NL, AL

Ten days remain in MLB’s regular season, and the playoff races are hot, particulary in a crowded National League. The NL wild-card race has been tight for the better part of a month, with the … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 9/21/23

Boise State wide receiver Stefan Cobbs (5) scores a touchdown off of a pass from quarterback Maddux Madsen during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP)

What's next in major college football realignment? How about a best-of-the-rest league

Now that the Power Five is about to become a Power Four in college sports, the schools left out of conference realignment are looking at creative ways to stay relevant. One plan calls for a … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 9/21/23

FILE - Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. looks on from the dugout in the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. Dusty Baker usually by now is starting to think about getting some rest for his everyday players and setting up his pitching rotation for the playoffs. Not yet this year in what is shaping up for a wild West finish in the American League.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

The AL West is headed for a wild finish between the Astros, Rangers and Mariners

The Houston Astros aren't running away with the AL West as usual this year. They will go into the final 10 days of the regular season with only a half-game division lead over both Seattle and Texas. … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 9/21/23

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Cincinnati. The Ravens won 27-24. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Joe Burrow is still day to day with lingering effects of calf injury, says Bengals coach Zac Taylor

Bengals coach Zac Taylor says quarterback Joe Burrow is still day to day with lingering problems from a calf injury. That makes it unclear whether the Pro Bowl quarterback will be healthy enough to … more

By MITCH STACY | 9/21/23

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is cared off the field with an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Nick Chubb's injury underscores running backs' pleas for bigger contracts and teams' fears

Nick Chubb’s injury underscores why running backs want better contracts and why NFL teams are reluctant to pay them. Chubb’s season ended abruptly when he suffered a devastating knee injury that … more

By ROB MAADDI | 9/21/23

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, right, hugs his son, safety Shilo Sanders, after he returned an interception for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado State Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Deion Sanders and No. 19 Colorado facing their first big test against No. 10 Oregon and Bo Nix

Tenth-ranked Oregon isn’t all caught up in the hype over the No. 19 Buffaloes and Saturday’s showdown in Eugene. That’s not to say Oregon doesn’t have respect for what coach Deion Sanders has … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 9/21/23