National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Sen. Richard Durbin speaks before Vice President Kamala Harris at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield, Ill., Friday, June 24, 2022. The chairman and ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to an advocacy group for minor leaguers asking questions about baseball's antitrust exemption. Sen. Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat who chairs the committee, and Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, sent the letter Tuesday, June 28, to Harry Marino, executive director of Advocates for Minor Leaguers.(Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

Senators ask minor leaguers for information on MLB antitrust

The chairman and ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to an advocacy group for minor leaguers asking questions about baseball’s antitrust exemption. Sen. Richard … more

6/28/22

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gestures during the second half an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Baker Mayfield said the Cleveland Browns have work ahead if they want him to help them through their situation with Deshaun Watson. Mayfield, speaking at his football camp near the University of Oklahoma’s campus on Tuesday, June 28, didn’t entirely close the door on stepping in if needed.(AP Photo/Don Wright, File)

Baker Mayfield 'ready to move on' from Browns

Baker Mayfield said the Cleveland Browns have work ahead if they want him to help them through their situation with Deshaun Watson. Mayfield, speaking at his football camp near the University of … more

By CLIFF BRUNT | 6/28/22

Chase Elliott holds the guitar presented to him after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

New Attitude Elliott? Chase prefers a practical approach

Chase Elliott's mood seemed lighter at Nashville Superspeedway even before he picked up his second Cup win of the season. NASCAR's most popular driver has never had the most positive attitude and is … more

By JENNA FRYER | 6/28/22

FILE - Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) controls the ball during an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Los Angeles, Friday, April 1, 2022. Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is exercising his option to play for $47.1 million next season, a person with direct knowledge of the decision said Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

AP source: Westbrook exercises $47M option with Lakers

A person with direct knowledge of the decision says Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is exercising his option to play for $47.1 million next season. The person spoke to The Associated Press … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/28/22

FILE - Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips speaks during NCAA college basketball ACC media day, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. The ACC is going forward with a plan to change its football scheduling model, with the biggest change being the elimination of divisions. “The future ACC football scheduling model provides significant enhancements for our schools and conference, with the most important being our student-athletes having the opportunity to play every school both home and away over a four-year period,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)

ACC changing scheduling model for football in '23 and beyond

The Atlantic Coast Conference is going forward with a plan to change its football scheduling model, with the biggest change being the elimination of divisions. The new plan, adopted by the league’s … more

6/28/22

Italy's Matteo Berrettini, right, and Spain's Rafael Nadal talk to each other during their practice on Center Court ahead of the 2022 Wimbledon Championship at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, in London, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini out with COVID-19

2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini has pulled out of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament after testing positive for COVID-19. The All England Club announced Berrettini’s withdrawal and he … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 6/28/22

Mercedes Team driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, slips into this car during the first practice session at the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix auto race Friday, June 17, 2022, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

F1 condemns racism after Piquet's reported slur at Hamilton

Formula One has condemned racist language after a slur reportedly directed at Lewis Hamilton by retired champion Nelson Piquet. Piquet was discussing a crash between Hamilton and Max Verstappen … more

6/28/22

FILE - Minnesota Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson, right, holds a meeting on the mound with pitcher Taylor Rogers and catcher Mitch Garver during a baseball game in Minneapolis on Aug. 11, 2019. Johnson has informed the club he will leave his job, reportedly for the same role at LSU. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

LEADING OFF: Twins in Cleveland for 2, brawl bans announced

Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson is serving his final days with Minnesota before leaving for the same job with LSU. His departure, first reported Sunday night, blindsided Twins fans, and Johnson … more

By The Associated Press | 6/28/22

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. The Houston Texans had been told that their former quarterback Deshaun Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions, but instead of trying to stop him, the team provided him with resources to enable his actions and “turned a blind eye” to his behavior, according to a lawsuit filed Monday, June 27, 2022. Watson, who was later traded to the Cleveland Browns, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Deshaun Watson's legal team set to face off versus NFL

Deshaun Watson’s legal team takes on the NFL on Tuesday in front of a retired judge to determine his immediate future with the Cleveland Browns. Former U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson, who was … more

By ROB MAADDI | 6/28/22

FILE - Houston Rockets' John Wall controls the ball during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in an NBA basketball game April 14, 2021, in Houston. Wall and the Rockets have agreed that his contract will be bought out, a move that will free him to sign with any team of his choosing, two people with knowledge of the situation said Monday, June 27, 2022. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP, File)

AP sources: Wall to be bought out, intends to join Clippers

John Wall and the Houston Rockets have agreed that his contract will be bought out, a move that will free him to sign with any team of his choosing, two people with knowledge of the situation said … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 6/27/22

Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford, left, and several members of the Los Angeles Angels scuffle after Mariners' Jesse Winker was hit by a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels' Nevin banned 10 games for brawl; M's Winker gets 5

Los Angeles Angels interim manager Phil Nevin was suspended 10 games and Seattle Mariners outfielder Jesse Winker received a five-game ban from Major League Baseball for their roles in a … more

By JOE REEDY | 6/27/22

Serbia's Novak Djokovic slips over as he plays Korea's Kwon Soonwoo in a men's first round singles match on day one of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, June 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Djokovic makes more history with 1st round win at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic makes history just about every time he wins another match. And the top-ranked Serb did just that by winning another Wimbledon match. Djokovic beat Kwon Soon-woo 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on … more

By CHRIS LEHOURITES | 6/27/22

Kyrie Irving arrives at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

AP sources: Irving decides to exercise $37M option with Nets

Kyrie Irving has decided to exercise his $36.9 million option for the coming season and will remain under contract with the Brooklyn Nets. That's according to two people with knowledge of his … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY and TIM REYNOLDS | 6/27/22

Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson makes midseason move to LSU

The Minnesota Twins must make a midseason change to their field staff with the sudden exit of pitching coach Wes Johnson. He is leaving for a lucrative college job at LSU. The Twins announced that … more

By DAVE CAMPBELL | 6/27/22

The Colorado Avalanche pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)

Avalanche, Lightning show importance of making smart trades

The Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup showed the value of speed and skill in a league dramatically tilting in that direction. Facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final is also evidence … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 6/27/22

Britain's Andy Murray reacts after losing a point against Australia's James Duckworth in a first round men's singles match on day one of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Monday, June 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Wimbledon updates | Rain suspends play early on opening day

The first rain delay at Wimbledon came about 40 minutes into the opening day of the tournament. A light rain began to fall at the All England Club at about 11:40 a.m. and play on 15 courts was … more

6/27/22

FILE - Former major leaguer Dante Bichette, left, talks with his son Bo Bichette, 7, in the stands before coaching his older son Dante Bichette Jr.'s little league team representing Maitland, Fla., against Davenport, Iowa at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Friday, Aug. 19, 2005. In all, more than two dozen major league offspring are on AL or NL rosters this year. The Blue Jays alone have three, including the sons of Hall of Famers Craig Biggio (Cavan) and Vladimir Guerrero (Vlad Jr.), along with Bo Bichette, whose father, Dante, was a four-time All-Star with the Rockies. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Junior Circuit: Big league sons making own names in majors

Growing up as the son of a major league ballplayer, Terry Francona knew to speak only when he was spoken to. Baseball clubhouses are more welcoming now and not just to toddlers raiding the bubble gum … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 6/27/22

Matthew Wolff reacts after a shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Wolff, Ortiz among the latest to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf

The Saudi-funded LIV Golf series has added three more players to its roster for its second tournament. The group playing in Oregon includes 23-year-old Matthew Wolff and Oklahoma State’s Eugenio … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 6/27/22

FILE - Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine starts a fast break during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, in Chicago. The Chicago Bulls remain hopeful All-Star guard Zach LaVine will choose to re-sign with them rather than join another team as an unrestricted free agent, executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said Monday, June 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Bulls remain hopeful LaVine will choose to remain in Chicago

The Chicago Bulls remain hopeful All-Star guard Zach LaVine will choose to re-sign with them rather than join another team as an unrestricted free agent. Bulls top basketball executive Arturas … more

By ANDREW SELIGMAN | 6/27/22

Chase Elliott poses with his guitar and trophy after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Column: Chase Elliott pushes to race Nashville Fairgrounds

Chase Elliott won at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday night and then immediately made a hard push for NASCAR to race instead at the Nashville Fairgrounds. He's partial to the track where his father … more

By JENNA FRYER | 6/27/22