National Sports - The Morning Sun

Venezuela's Jose Altuve is hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against the U.S., Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Astros star Altuve has surgery on broken thumb, a WBC injury

Houston Astros star Jose Altuve has had surgery on his broken right thumb. The injury occurred in the World Baseball Classic and will significantly delay the second baseman’s 2023 debut. The Astros … more

By DAVE CAMPBELL | 3/22/23

FILE - Basketball legend Michael Jordan speaks during a press conference ahead of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks in Paris, Jan. 24, 2020. Jordan is considering selling the Charlotte Hornets. The six-time NBA champion is in negotiations to sell at least a portion of the franchise to a group that includes Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Michael Jordan considering sale of Hornets; no deal imminent

Michael Jordan is considering selling the Charlotte Hornets. The six-time NBA champion is in negotiations to sell at least a portion of the franchise to a group that includes Hornets minority owner … more

By STEVE REED | 3/22/23

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, right, lies on the court after an injury during the second half of an the team's NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Clippers' George out with sprained right knee, out 2-3 weeks

Paul George has a sprained right knee and the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star guard will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks. The team gave an update on George hours after he was hurt in a 101-100 … more

By BETH HARRIS | 3/22/23

Princeton forward Tosan Evbuomwan (20) drives against Missouri guard Sean East II (55) during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, March 18, 2023. Princeton won 78-63. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Princeton's journey becomes face of March Madness' COVID era

Princeton forward Tosan Evbuomwan spent three college seasons fighting through one disappointment after another. Reaching the Sweet 16 made it all worthwhile. Three years after the NCAA Tournament … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 3/22/23

FILE - Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith, left, kicks the ball against Kansas City Current defender Addisyn Merrick, right, during the first half of the NWSL championship soccer match, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Washington. Portland is also among the favorites this season because of a loaded roster that includes U.S. national team players like Sophia Smith, Crystal Dunn and Becky Sauerbrunn. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

NWSL embarks on 11th season boosted by World Cup excitement

The National Women’s Soccer League embarks on its 11th season this weekend with players looking to capitalize on the excitement building ahead of the Women’s World Cup while also moving on from … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 3/22/23

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley talks to players on the bench during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. South Carolina won 73-63. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Study: Most women's NCAA teams are still coached by men

Women comprised less than half the head coaching positions and just over half of the assistant coaching spots for women's college sports teams in the 2021-22 school year. That's according to a … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 3/22/23

The pitch clock is operated in the press box during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale, Calif., Monday, March 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

After player input, MLB allows some pitch clock delays

MLB has clarified its new rules to allow umpires to delay the start of the pitch clock after swings in which a hitter loses footing or when a pitcher covers first base, third or home. The … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/22/23

Brentford's Ivan Toney gestures to the crowd following the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Fulham at Brentford Community Stadium in Brentford, West London, Monday, March 6, 2023. (AP Photo/David Cliff)

Racism, gambling, goals; the remarkable rise of Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney has been racially abused and faces a potential ban for allegedly breaking gambling rules. Yet only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have scored more Premier League goals than him this season. … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 3/22/23

Japan players celebrate after defeating the United States in the World Baseball Classic championship game, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

World Baseball Classic keeps growing despite injury risks

This year’s World Baseball Classic left lasting memories, 47 games over two weeks that restored Japan’s supremacy and reinforced Shohei Ohtani’s unmatched ability while expanding the sport’s … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/22/23

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

George leaves with injury as Clippers lose to Thunder

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George got hurt in the fourth quarter of the team's 101-100 loss to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. George went down under the Thunder’s basket … more

By BETH HARRIS | 3/22/23

U.S. 's Trea Turner (8) salutes his teammates after hitting a home run during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic final game against Japan, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

All-Stars of Team USA outmatched, outpitched in WBC final

Team USA fielded a World Baseball Classic roster brimming with All-Star names from Trea Turner to Mookie Betts to Mike Trout. Despite its plethora of talented hitters, Team USA didn't bring the same … more

By ALANIS THAMES | 3/22/23

FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper celebrates his two-run home run during the first inning in Game 3 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. Harper’s arrival at spring training camp remains a couple of weeks away as the Philadelphia Phillies slugger recovers from offseason elbow surgery. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Phillies won't put Harper on 60-day IL; Dbacks lose catcher

The Philadelphia Phillies aren't putting Bryce Harper on the 60-day injured list at the start of the season. That leaves open the possibility for Harper to return to their lineup much sooner than the … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 3/21/23

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Urías lined up to start Dodgers' opener; Kershaw `excited'

Julio Urías is lined up to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers on opening day — and that’s just fine with teammate Clayton Kershaw. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts hasn’t announced his … more

3/21/23

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams (32) winds up to throw as the pitch clock runs during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MLB plans to announce rules tweaks, week before opening day

Major League Baseball’s new pitch clock is going to undergo some timing adjustments before it is turned on for games that count. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred called the changes … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/21/23

One of Japan fan prepares to cheer their them before they watch on a live stream of a World Baseball Classic (WBC) final between Japan and United States being played at LoanDepot Park in Miami, during a public viewing event Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

WBC returns in March 2026, retaining spring training slot

The World Baseball Classic will return for its sixth edition in March 2026, with organizers concluding spring training remains a better time than after the World Series or in the middle of the major … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/21/23

Jon Rahm, of Spain, looks at his shot on the 18th hole during a practice round for the Dell Technologies Match Play Championship golf tournament in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Last Match Play, last chance for Kuchar at Tiger's record

The last edition of the Dell Match Play means this is Matt Kuchar's last chance to break a tournament record belonging to Tiger Woods. Kuchar has won 34 matches, two short of the record that Woods … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/21/23

New St. John's NCAA college basketball head coach Rick Pitino holds up a jersey after being introduced during a news conference at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

Pitino returns to big stage at St. John's: 'I’ve earned it'

St. John’s introduced 70-year-old Rick Pitino as its new men's basketball coach with a news conference at Madison Square Garden. St. John's is hoping the Hall of Famer can turn back the clock on a … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 3/21/23

FILE - Houston coach Kelvin reacts to a foul call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Central Florida Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Houston. The way Houston’s coach sees it, the people running programs had better evolve quickly to manage demands that are only becoming more far-reaching by the day – even amid the heat of the NCAA Tournament pushing into its second weekend. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

College hoops staffs specialize to meet roster, NIL demands

Coaches across college basketball are looking at ways to evolve to deal with recruiting, roster management and athletes who can earn money. It is a chaotic landscape. The challenges include players … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/21/23

Min Woo Lee lines his putt on the ninth green during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Match Play a final chance for some players to get in Masters

The final Match Play could be the last chance for some players to get into the Masters. The top 50 in the world after this week get invitations. Right on the bubble is Min Woo Lee at No. 47. He had a … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/21/23

Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Tobin Anderson yells to his team as they played Florida Atlantic in the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Tobin Anderson leaving FDU to replace Rick Pitino at Iona

Tobin Anderson is leaving NCAA Cinderella FDU after one fairy tale season and replacing Rick Pitino at Iona. Iona athletic director Matt Glovaski announced the hiring of Anderson on Tuesday, just a … more

3/21/23