National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE -Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in the gardens of Government House the morning after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Novak Djokovic has made his long-term goal clear: He wanted to focus on accumulating Grand Slam titles in order to surpass the trophy total of rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. With the French Open set to start Sunday, May 28, 2023 without either the injured Nadal or the retired Federer, Djokovic gets the chance to finally lead the career standings alone with a men’s-record 23 if he winds up with the championship two weeks from now. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

Djokovic enters French Open with chance to top absent Nadal with record 23rd Slam title

Novak Djokovic has made his long-term goal clear. He wants to focus on accumulating Grand Slam titles in order to surpass the totals of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The French Open starts Sunday … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 5/27/23

Kentucky Derby hopeful Forte works out at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Forte works out, waits for Belmont Stakes clearance

Forte, the early Kentucky Derby favorite who was scratched on the day of the race, has worked out in preparation for a possible start in the Belmont Stakes on June 10. Under regular rider Irad Ortiz … more

5/27/23

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, left, argues with umpire Chris Guccione, right, after Boone was ejected during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Yankees' Aaron Boone returns from 1-game suspension, hopes to avoid crossing line with umps

Yankees manager Aaron Boone returned from a one-game suspension Saturday following his third ejection in the last two weeks and said he will not stop fighting for his team but acknowledged he may … more

By LARRY FLEISHER | 5/27/23

FILE - Yannick Noah, of France, waves to the crowd at Roland Garros stadium in Paris after defeating Sweden's Mats Wilander to win the French Open men's singles tennis title, June 5, 1983. Obscured at left hugging Yannick Noah is his father. . (AP Photo/Jacques Langevin, File)

Yannick Noah back at French Open 40 years after 1983 title with mic, not racket, in hand

Yannick Noah has returned to the French Open stage for a celebration of his 1983 title. This time he he had a microphone in his hand instead of a racket. Noah is a celebrity in his home country and … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 5/27/23

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, right, speaks with Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain at the end of the Formula One qualifying session at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Saturday, May 27, 2023. The Formula One race will be held on Sunday with Verstappen at pole position. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Verstappen takes pole for Monaco Grand Prix ahead of Alonso as Perez crashes

Defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen produced a superb final lap to take pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix and deny Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso his first pole in 11 years. … more

By JEROME PUGMIRE | 5/27/23

Bayern supporter celebrate during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern Munich wins record-extending 11th consecutive Bundesliga title

Jamal Musiala has scored in the 89th minute to fire Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title with a 2-1 victory in Cologne after Borussia Dortmund could only draw on the final day of the season. … more

5/27/23

Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Father knows best: Keith Tkachuk's words came at just the right time for Panthers

Keith Tkachuk never played a game for the Florida Panthers, and hadn’t recorded an assist at the NHL level in nearly 13 years. That is, until March 29. That’s the day he might have had the … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/27/23

Oakland Athletics catcher Carlos Pérez, right, is unable to catch James Kaprielian's pitch to Houston Astros' Corey Julks, left, during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, May 26, 2023. Astros' Yordan Alvarez scored on the play. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Hunter Brown strikes out career-best 10, Astros send A's to worst 53-game start since 1901

Hunter Brown struck out a career-high 10 over seven innings and retired 16 straight hitters during one stretch, Corey Julks drove in three runs on a pair of singles and the Houston Astros bounced … more

By JANIE McCAULEY | 5/27/23

Milwaukee Brewers' Willy Adames reacts after his solo home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jalen Beeks during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Brewers' Adames taken to hospital, heading to IL after getting hit by foul ball in dugout

Brewers shortstop Willy Adames was taken to the hospital after getting hit by a foul ball off the bat of teammate Brian Anderson while in the dugout during Milwaukee’s game against the San … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 5/27/23

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Josh Harrison (2) tags out Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 26, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Kimbrel 8th pitcher in MLB history to earn 400 saves, Phillies beat Braves 6-4

Craig Kimbrel became the eighth pitcher in major league history to earn 400 saves, Brandon Marsh hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta … more

By GEORGE HENRY | 5/26/23

Former President Donald Trump talks with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, during the first round of the LIV Golf Tournament at Trump National Golf Club, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Sterling, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Varner leads LIV event as Koepka struggles in return from 5th major victory

Brooks Koepka has returned from winning the PGA Championship just five days ago. It was a rusty return at LIV Golf DC. Harold Varner III leads the way with a 64. He leads by two over James Piot. … more

5/26/23

Harris English, right, takes off his cap after finishing the 18th hole during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Tour rookie Hall up 3 despite English ace at Colonial, "Block' party over

PGA Tour rookie Harry Hall from England still has the solo lead after 36 holes at Colonial. Hall followed his opening eight-under 62 with a 66 on Friday that included four consecutive birdies midway … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 5/26/23

Dallas Stars, including Ty Dellandrea (10), Miro Heiskanen (4) and Roope Hintz (24) celebrate with Joe Pavelski (16) after his overtime goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Golden Knights aim for closeout win; Stars eye comeback entering Game 5 of Western final

Alec Martinez was part of the 2014 Los Angeles Kings team that erased a 3-0 first-round series deficit and beat Joe Pavelski and the San Jose Sharks in Game 7. Pavelski and coach Pete DeBoer were the … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 5/26/23

Yankees' Aaron Boone suspended 1 game by MLB for conduct toward umpires

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was suspended for one game and fined by Major League Baseball “for his recent conduct toward major league umpires.” MLB senior vice president for on-field operations … more

By RONALD BLUM | 5/26/23

Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz, left, checks on starting pitcher Ryan Feltner, who lies on the mound after getting hit by a single off the bat of Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Rockies RHP Feltner slowly recovering from fractured skull, hopes to pitch again this year

Colorado Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner is slowly recovering from a concussion and fractured skull. He doesn’t know if he can pitch again this season, but he hasn’t ruled it out. Feltner spoke … more

By MICHAEL KELLY | 5/26/23

Michael Block walks down the fairway after his tee shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

'Block' party over at Colonial for PGA Championship sensation club pro

There will be no weekend party at the Colonial for Michael Block. The club pro from California who finished tied for 15th at the PGA Championship was 15 over par over a grueling 36 holes at Colonial. … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 5/26/23

Pato O'Ward, of Mexico, leads a pack as they head into the first turn during the final practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Ganassi vs. McLaren headlines Indianapolis 500 title fight, some 300,000 fans expected

The Indianapolis 500 on Sunday has shaped up to be a showdown between Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren Racing. Ganassi and McLaren have eight strong cars between them, and a combined five former … more

By JENNA FRYER | 5/26/23

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler watches from the bench during the second half in Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa )

Heat still lead East finals, but Celtics roaring back with eye on history

The Boston Celtics are halfway to history, and that alone has gotten them entry into a very small club. Of the first 150 teams that trailed a best-of-seven series 3-0 in NBA history, just 14 of them … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/26/23

FILE - Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the Denver Broncos of an NFL football game Sunday, December 18, 2022, in Denver. The Arizona Cardinals released five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Hopkins in a salary cap move Friday, May 26, 2023, after they failed to find a trading partner in the offseason. (AP Photo/Bart Young, File)

DeAndre Hopkins released by Arizona Cardinals, team takes big salary cap hit

The Arizona Cardinals have released three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a salary cap move made after they failed to find a trading partner in the offseason. The Cardinals made the … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 5/26/23

FILE - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media at the NFL Owners Meetings at the Omni Hotel, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Eagan, Minn. Two lawmakers have asked the Wisconsin Legislature's budget-writing committee to give tourism officials $2 million to help stage the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay. The league announced Monday, May 22, 2023, that the draft will take place in and around Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File)

Analysis: NFL can’t shake perception it doesn’t care what players and coaches think

Even when the NFL institutes a rule designed to reduce concussions, it can’t shake the perception that it doesn’t care what players and coaches think. The league took a step toward eliminating … more

By ROB MAADDI | 5/26/23