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Ichiro snubber still a mystery after ballot reveal

Published in Baseball
Tuesday, 04 February 2025 08:35

NEW YORK -- The Hall of Fame voter who declined to select Ichiro Suzuki remains a mystery.

All 321 voters who allowed their ballots to be made public Tuesday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America selected the Japanese star. Suzuki appeared on 393 of 394 ballots when voting was announced on Jan. 21.

"There's one writer that I wasn't able to get a vote from," he said through an interpreter later that week. "I would like to invite him over to my house, and we'll have a drink together, and we'll have a good chat."

The Hall's rules allow each voter the choice whether to make a ballot public. The BBWAA voted 80-19 at its December 2016 meeting to propose making all ballots public, but the Hall of Fame's board of directors decided to leave the decision up to each voter.

Mariano Rivera remains the only player to get 100% of the vote from the BBWAA, appearing on all 425 ballots in 2019. Derek Jeter was chosen on 395 of 396 in 2020.

Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner were elected by the BBWAA this year and will be inducted into the Hall at Cooperstown on July 27 along with Dave Parker and Dick Allen, voted in by the classic era committee in December.

Suzuki was a two-time AL batting champion and 10-time All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder, hitting .311 with 117 homers, 780 RBIs and 509 stolen bases with Seattle (2001-12, 2018-19), the New York Yankees (2012-14) and Miami (2015-17).

He is perhaps the best contact hitter ever, with 1,278 hits in Nippon Professional Baseball and 3,089 in MLB, including a season-record 262 in 2004. His combined total of 4,367 exceeds Pete Rose's MLB record of 4,256.

Bath sign scrum-half Van der Linde for 2025-26

Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 04 February 2025 03:25

Bath have signed scrum-half Bernard van der Linde for the start of next season on a deal until the summer of 2027.

The 24-year-old will join from South African side Bulls where he has been part of the club set up for the past six years.

He featured for the United Rugby Championship side - who are third in the league so far this season - in the Champions Cup last month.

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said Van der Linde had "huge potential".

"I saw him play as a junior and he impressed me then, both on and off the field," he said.

"On the field he is a running nine and loves the physical part of the game. Off the field he is diligent and loves the game of rugby."

The scrum-half is the second signing for Bath in two days after hooker Dan Frost was confirmed to move to the club this summer from Exeter Chiefs.

Ireland expect Scotland's 'best' - Gibson-Park

Published in Rugby
Monday, 03 February 2025 22:23

Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park says there is "no reason" Scotland cannot beat Simon Easterby's side in their Six Nations meeting on Sunday (15:00 GMT).

Both sides won their opening fixtures last weekend. Ireland overturned a half-time deficit to beat England in Dublin, while Scotland survived an Italian fightback in Edinburgh.

Gregor Townsend's side have not beaten Ireland since 2017, a 10-game run that includes seven Six Nations games, two World Cup pool meetings and an Autumn Nations Cup clash.

"They're a classy side," said Gibson-Park.

"They're playing good footy, and they're stacked full of really good individuals, so it will be a tough challenge. I know it's been a long time since they won [against Ireland] but there's no reason they can't."

Victory for Ireland would equal the longest run of wins in this fixture, set by Scotland between 1882 and '93, but Gibson-Park does not feel the hosts will be more motivated than any other opposition.

"I think that's the case for a lot of teams now," he said when asked whether Scotland's desperation for victory would be a factor in the game.

"We've kind of been near enough to the top of the rankings now for a while and, like, I know myself that if I'm coming up against a quality side you want to put your best performance out there. Next week will be no different I think."

Lions watch: Who impressed in Six Nations round one?

Published in Rugby
Monday, 03 February 2025 22:10

Russell toured with the Lions in South Africa four years ago and, after missing out on the matchday squads for the first two Tests, he was thrust into the decider with Dan Biggar injured in the first 10 minutes.

Russell mixed his game-breaking moments with shrewd game management on that occasion, even if he could not avert a 19-16 defeat that sent the series south.

He is still the leading contender to steer the tourists' ship this time around, but Saturday's show did not strengthen his grip on the shirt.

There was the obvious mistake: throwing a brain-fade pass straight into Ignacio Brex's hands cost his team seven points.

But there were other slips, with an offload into touch, a failure to put Stafford McDowall into a gaping hole just before Darge's try and two, admittedly tricky, conversions missed.

"I don't think any fly-half really lit it up this weekend, but Russell has a lot in the bank and I think he will start at 10 in the summer," said Warburton who, like Barclay, preferred an Irish option at fly-half on the basis of this weekend's performances.

Lozowski replaces injured Murley in England squad

Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 04 February 2025 02:00

Forwards

Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Ted Hill (Bath Rugby), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Tom Willis (Saracens).

Backs

Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers).

Wild's Hartman gets 10 games for hit on Stützle

Published in Hockey
Monday, 03 February 2025 23:28

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman was suspended 10 games by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday "for using his forearm to violently slam the head of Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle into the ice" during Saturday's matchup.

Players who are suspended at least six games are eligible to appeal to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and can file a second appeal to a neutral arbitrator. Hartman has 48 hours to appeal.

With 16 seconds left in the second period and Ottawa leading 3-0, Hartman and Stützle took a faceoff.

Hartman locked up Stützle's stick with his leg, placed his right forearm on the back of Stützle's neck and drove the Ottawa player's head into the ice. Stützle's helmet came off on impact, and he skated to the Senators' bench with a cut bleeding over his left eye.

Hartman was given a match penalty. Stützle returned in the third period and assisted on two Ottawa goals as the Senators prevailed 6-0 at home.

In the NHL's video, posted on social media announcing the discipline and describing the sequence, it said, "It is important to note that this is not a hockey play. ... With Stützle bent low, and focused on winning the draw, Hartman chooses to take advantage of a vulnerable player in an unacceptable fashion."

Stützle played in the Senators' 5-2 win at the Nashville Predators on Monday night. In 21:30 of ice time, he had an assist and three shots on net.

Madrid in CB crisis as Alaba suffers fresh injury

Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 04 February 2025 03:21

David Alaba has suffered a thigh injury, Real Madrid said on Tuesday, in the latest worry for the team's defence ahead of a crucial run of games including the Madrid derby and a Champions League playoff with Manchester City.

The centre-back had only just returned to fitness following a long-term absence with an ACL injury suffered in December 2023, featuring as a substitute in Madrid's LaLiga games with Las Palmas and Real Valladolid last month.

The news follows fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger's hamstring injury -- picked up on Saturday -- and with Éder Militão also out long-term with an ACL injury, that leaves midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and youngster Raúl Asencio as coach Carlo Ancelotti's remaining options in central defence.

"Following tests carried out on our player David Alaba by Real Madrid's medical services, he has been diagnosed with an adductor muscle injury in his left leg," the club said in a brief statement.

Madrid visit Leganés in a Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Wednesday, before hosting Atletico Madrid in Saturday's derby in LaLiga. They then travel to City in their knockout phase playoff first leg on Feb. 11, and visit Osasuna in LaLiga, before City visit the Bernabéu on Feb. 19.

The LaLiga and European champions went into this season with just three senior, first-choice centre-backs -- Rudiger, Militao and Alaba -- following the departure of Nacho Fernandez last summer.

Alaba has only been available for selection since last month, while Militao was injured in November and is not expected to return this season.

In their absence, Ancelotti has often picked Tchouameni at centre-back, while Asencio, 21, has made 10 appearances in LaLiga and four in the Champions League.

Club captain and right-back Dani Carvajal is another key defender who is unavailable until this summer, also with a serious knee injury.

Madrid opted not to sign a defender in the January transfer window, after an early approach for Trent Alexander-Arnold was rejected by Liverpool.

Source: Man United plotting major summer rebuild

Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 04 February 2025 03:21

Manchester United are hoping their conservative approach to the January transfer window will allow them to complete a major rebuild of the playing squad in the summer, a source has told ESPN.

United signed left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and youngster Ayden Heaven from Arsenal in January while allowing Marcus Rashford and Antony to leave on loan. Tyrell Malacia is also expected to seal a temporary move to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

There has been criticism from supporters over the club's reluctance to sign another attacking player despite a desperate lack of goals.

Strikers Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have scored just five Premier League goals between them so far this season.

A source has told ESPN that United looked at various options to bolster Ruben Amorim's attacking options, including Mathys Tel.

However, there was concern internally that any money spent would have reduced their budget for the summer window when it was more likely that players who better fit their long-term plans will be available.

United, according to an ESPN source, ended their interest in Tel because of Bayern Munich's demand for a loan fee of around 5 million ($6.2m) with no option or obligation to make the move permanent built into the deal.

The feeling was that they were being asked to provide game time to a young player to aid his development for the benefit of Bayern.

United's financial position is being described by insiders as "very tight" but there is hope that their approach to the January window will aid prospects of a substantial overhaul in the summer.

Victor Lindelöf and Christian Eriksen, both out of contract at the end of the season, are expected to leave on free transfers. United will also attempt to remove Casemiro's large salary from their wage bill with a permanent move.

A source has told ESPN that Sporting CP's Geovany Quenda is one of the summer targets. The 17-year-old has a release clause of 100m ($103m) but there is a belief that Amorim's former club will be willing to negotiate a fee closer to 60m.

Ronaldo on GOAT debate: I'm most complete ever

Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 04 February 2025 03:30

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is "the most complete player to have existed," saying he respects fans who prefer Lionel Messi, Pelé or Diego Maradona, but arguing that statistics back up his claim.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, 39, has broken a host of records during his career and is the highest men's goalscorer in football history with 923 goals, the latest coming in a brace in Al Nassr's 4-0 AFC Champions League win over Al Wasl on Monday.

"Who's the best goalscorer in history? It's about numbers. Full stop," Ronaldo told Spanish television show El Chiringuito in an extensive interview on Monday.

"Who's the player in history who's scored most goals with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks? I was looking the other day, and not being left-footed, I'm in the top 10 goalscorers with their left foot in history. And with my head, and with my right foot, and penalties. All of them."

Ronaldo faced constant comparisons with Messi throughout his career, as both battled to be recognised as the best player on the planet.

"I'm talking about numbers," Ronaldo said. "I think I'm the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it's me. I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I'm fast, I'm strong.

"One thing is taste -- if you like Messi, Pelé, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that -- but saying Ronaldo isn't complete... I'm the most complete. I haven't seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart."

At 39, Ronaldo still isn't contemplating retirement from club or international football.

"I'm so competitive that sometimes I forget what I've achieved," he said, "Because it gives me motivation to do more and do better every year ... I think that's the difference with others. Somebody else in my position would have left football 10 years ago. I'm different, full stop."

Ronaldo was one of the first elite players to move to the Saudi Pro League, when he left Manchester United and signed for Al Nassr in 2023.

"People don't know, they give their opinion, they talk too much," he said, when asked about the quality of the Saudi league.

"It's a shame, because it's a different reality when people talk about Arabia and the USA. [Is Major League Soccer worse?] Obviously, but as it's Arabia, it's disrespected ... People don't know what they're talking about. With those [players] who are here, you have to respect it."

Ronaldo discussed his departure from Real Madrid in 2018, saying the club "didn't behave well with him" in contract negotiations, but said he wouldn't rule out a return to the Bernabéu one day when his career ends.

He praised Madrid star Jude Bellingham, saying the England midfielder "reminds me of [Zinedine] Zidane."

"Zidane was brilliant, beautiful," Ronaldo said. "Bellingham is 21, he has his whole future ahead of him. The lad will be a top player."

Spurs defender Dragusin suffers ACL injury

Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 04 February 2025 03:21

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin will undergo surgery on an ACL injury, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

The Romania international has made 28 appearances for Spurs in all competitions since joining from Genoa last summer, although his season now looks to be cut short.

Dragusin suffered the ACL injury in Spurs' 3-0 win over Swedish side Elfsborg last week in their final Europa League group game.

It is the latest injury that Spurs have suffered this season, with Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Cristian Romero (hamstring), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Dominic Solanke (knee), Brennan Johnson (calf), James Maddison (calf) also out injured.

Tottenham are next in action on Thursday in the return leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal clash against Liverpool, where Spurs hold a 1-0 lead on aggregate.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou has repeatedly cut a frustrated figure amid the club's ever-increasing injury list.

Ater their 2-0 win over Brentford on Sunday, when asked about changes to his infamously attacking style of play, he said: "How do I say this without sort of repeating myself and not sounding like an excuse? It's very difficult for a group of players to play Thursday and Sunday and maintain energy and levels.

"What they're doing is giving maximum effort and maximum effort in a game like today means that you can't be sharp and really dynamic with and without the ball, it's just impossible.

"They're human beings and not robots. People want to dismiss it, they want to talk about excuses, but that's the reality, I know the reality.

"These guys are giving everything. We knew today wasn't going to be a game where we could go out there and dominate, because Brentford had a week to prepare for this.

"We had 50-something hours [after the Elfsborg game] with the same group of players. So I think, with that context, I think the performance was outstanding."

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