SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is closing to the public for nearly two months beginning in early February for the final phase of a $23 million renovation project.

The interactive Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams will be fully redeveloped during the closure.

In addition, the second floor will undergo a full transformation, the Hall said in a statement this week.

The renovation includes the refurbishment of the Hall's dome, the addition of new technology and visitor experiences, a fully redesigned "High Above Center Court" experience and a new Honors Ring.

The renovations are privately funded and are expected to be completed by June 1. The Hall of Fame will be closed to visitors from Feb. 3 to March 25.

Springfield is a city in western Massachusetts near the Connecticut state line where James Naismith invented basketball in 1891.

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum will not play in Saturday's road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of a left ankle sprain, the team announced.

McCollum was injured in Friday's 120-112 loss against the Dallas Mavericks, on a drive when his foot landed on the foot of Dallas forward Maxi Kleber.

"Usually the second day's the worst, so see how it feels tomorrow," McCollum said after Friday's game.

He is averaging 21.5 points and 3.8 assist per game this season.

More than half of Major League Baseball fans believe Houston Astros players should have been penalized along with team management in the aftermath of the sign-stealing scandal that has gripped the game over the past week, according to an online survey conducted among 1,010 adults, including 810 MLB fans, nationwide Thursday and Friday on behalf of ESPN.

Fifty-eight percent of adults responded that Astros players should have been penalized by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, according to the survey. In addition, the vast majority (72% of adults and 76% of MLB fans) said they would support MLB taking additional steps to punish players who were involved in sign stealing.

According to the survey, MLB fans are paying a lot of attention to the scandal, with 61% of the game's fans polled saying they are closely following events involving the Astros and Boston Red Sox. One-third of MLB fans say they might watch those two teams less, though most Americans say the doping/steroids scandal was worse than the current sign-stealing scandal that led the Astros to fire general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, with the Red Sox parting with manager Alex Cora, a former Astros bench coach.

The New York Mets were not involved in a sign-stealing scandal but parted with new manager Carlos Beltran, who was involved with the scandal while an Astros player. The survey was started before Beltran and the Mets parted.

Among avid MLB fans, 86% view the situation as serious, with 57% saying it's very serious, compared to 83% of the game's overall fans considering it serious, including 52% who say it's a very serious situation. Among all Americans, 77% find it serious, with 45% finding it to be very serious.

Most Americans say the doping/steroids scandal was worse than this one (49% say doping was worse vs. 24% who say the sign-stealing scandal is worse) but rank this scandal above Pete Rose gambling on his own team (44% say this scandal is worse vs. 25% for the Rose scandal).

While over half of Americans view both the Astros (56%) and Red Sox (52%) less favorably in light of the scandals, the negative impact is less severe for MLB, the players and the owners, with 54% saying their views of MLB itself are unchanged and 53% saying their views of the players haven't changed. Just under half (49%) say their views of the game's owners have not changed, although around a third or slightly more say they have a less favorable view of each of these entities or groups.

Among MLB fans, it's about an even split when it comes to whether the teams caught cheating should have their championships stripped, with 56% saying the Astros should relinquish their 2017 championship and 53% believing the Red Sox should do the same for their 2018 title.

While 60% of adults and MLB fans alike say the scandals make no difference in their likelihood to watch MLB games, around a third of fans say they are less likely to watch the Astros or the Red Sox.

Roughly 3 in 4 Americans (74%) and MLB fans (76%) believe most teams were using technology to steal signs, but it's just the Astros and Red Sox who got caught.

The survey was conducted by Global Strategy Group for ESPN on Jan. 16-17. It was weighted to known demographics based on the Census. The overall survey had a margin of error of +/-3%, and the margin of error among 810 MLB fans is also +/-3%.

The Houston Astros will interview Dusty Baker for their open manager position next week, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The story was first reported by MLB Network.

Houston is looking for a new manager after Monday's firing of AJ Hinch in the wake of a sign-stealing scandal.

Baker, 70, last managed the Washington Nationals in 2017.

In 22 seasons, Baker has a 1,863-1,636 record that includes a National League pennant with the San Francisco Giants in 2002.

The Astros have already interviewed former managers Buck Showalter and John Gibbons and current Cubs third-base coach Will Venable.

Astros owner Jim Crane expects to hire a new manager by Feb. 3.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez believes Major League Baseball's investigation into the 2018 World Series champions will not reveal sign stealing.

"I'm excited for the investigation to get over with, just so they can see there was nothing going on here," Martinez said Saturday at the team's Winter Weekend fan festival.

When asked if he believed the investigation would reveal no wrongdoing, Martinez responded affirmatively.

"I believe that, yes," Martinez said.

MLB opened an investigation Monday to probe claims the Red Sox used video to decode opponent sign sequences and passed the information to their players in 2018, as alleged in a report by The Athletic.

Martinez played a critical role as an offensive catalyst in the Red Sox's run to a title in 2018 and has been a mainstay in the lineup during his two seasons in Boston, while gaining a reputation with the media as a straight shooter. When pushed by reporters about why he was so strong in his belief, Martinez did not budge from his stance, saying that the team did nothing wrong.

"I was in there, so I saw straight up," Martinez said. "Everyone seems to forget that in 2016 and 2017, this was a really good team. They won 93 games those two years and then we just got better. Like I said, I'm excited for it. Really not allowed to comment on it, but we'll see what happens."

Martinez, who hit .304 with 36 home runs, 33 doubles and 105 RBIs in 2019, also commented on his friendship with pitcher Mike Fiers, who went on the record about Houston's sign-stealing scheme to The Athletic, kicking off the entire scandal. Martinez and Fiers were teammates at Nova Southeastern and have been friends for a long time.

"It sucks for Fiers," Martinez said. "I've talked to him about it. I understand his side of it. I understand his side of being in the division and going against those guys; it's one of those things where he's in an uncomfortable position for him, and I understand it."

The Red Sox parted ways with manager Alex Cora on Tuesday. Cora was the Astros' bench coach before landing the Boston job and "played a central role in what happened in Houston," team chairman Tom Werner said.

So with less than a month before spring training, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has begun his search for Cora's replacement. Martinez said he thinks bench coach Ron Roenicke is a strong candidate to be the next Red Sox skipper.

"I guess it's up to Chaim to pick that," Martinez said. "I could definitely see it coming from within. Ron is a great candidate and he knows our team, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's him or something. I don't know."

Even with the instability in the manager's office at Fenway Park, Martinez believes the 2020 Red Sox will be fine, given the continuity in the clubhouse among players over the past few seasons.

"This is a group of professionals and a very talented team," Martinez said. "You look at our team and there's a lot of talent, a lot of guys that know how to play the game, and I'm excited. Guys are only going to get better and continue to grow. Look at [Rafael] Devers last year. Who's to say he's not going to grow?

"Christian Vazquez is going to get better. Jackie Bradley Jr. will have a bounce-back [season]. Andrew Benintendi will get better. These are all relatively young guys that are still forming and coming into their own. I'm definitely excited because the injuries that happened with Chris Sale last year, with David Price, those are two big guys for us. How Eduardo Rodriguez threw the ball last year, there's a lot of room for growth here. Not a lot of guys coming out of their prime. A lot of guys going into it."

If you’re mainly a parkrunner and more used to hitting the road or cross-country events, can you enjoy track running? David Lowes offers his thoughts

parkruns have introduced a new wave of previously sedentary people to running and the health benefits that it can bring. Some may enjoy a 5km social jog just to get fitter while many turn out week after week with the desire to improve as their primary goal.

The proliferation of parkruns held every Saturday also serve a purpose for the club – and even elite middle-distance runners, who prefer a shorter, hard road workout to test their training progress. A parkrun therefore throws up many different participatory reasons and “running types”.

Although times approaching 30 minutes – and even much slower – may be commonplace at parkruns, let’s not forget some fantastic performances have been recorded, too.

At the time of publication the records for these runs were 13:48 for men and 15:50 for women – classy times on the track but truly exceptional on a parkrun circuit.

If these weekend events attract masses of slower runners, is there an opportunity for some who are slightly fleeter of foot to attempt racing on the track? Maybe, but we should first look at the logistics of endurance running from a more overall perspective.

There is obviously a winter and a summer season. The winter months are geared towards cross-country and road running, where the slower runners get the opportunity to line-up alongside elite athletes. Once the gun goes, one category will speed off toward the horizon while the other can only watch in envy.

This is not a criticism – it’s what makes the sport a spectacle with big fields snaking their way around the countryside and city streets.

At national and regional championship level the gap between the first runner and last is always vast in winter events. Come the summer season, and with track at the forefront, races are much more specific and even elitist. And although finishing a distance behind the leading pack over grassland and the streets can be demoralising, on the track over 5000/10,000m it can be seen to be soul destroying once runners are lapped.

Track training for parkrunners

If you have the desire and the will to make some changes you can step from the parkrun to the track. Racing on a 400m oval
is a bit of an acquired skill – it’s more specialised because of the restraints on space and, as noted, more elitist – getting an entry accepted into many races can require time-standards.

On the flip-side, the good thing is that most clubs compete in leagues and if there are graded races the opportunity may arise where our newbie track runner can compete against similar abilities.

For those who have never experienced track racing, pacing may be one of the most difficult skills to develop. Another could be the consistent quicker cadence needed.

However, like most things in life, if the required skills aren’t practised then it will always be difficult, if not impossible.

Then there’s footwear. For those who haven’t experienced running in track spikes it may well come as a shock, and a painful one at that, with tight calf muscles being just one possible outcome.

Of course, for the heel-to-toe runner, and the advantage of a synthetic surface, racing flats may be the preferred choice of footwear and also more conducive to better performance.

Track training sessions using many differing repetitions from 200m to 1600m will give the parkrunner a chance to utilise all the distances required to compete reasonably well – and more quickly – on the track.

Adding extra reps and reducing the recoveries will also help with the maintenance of running more aerobically. There will also be a need to do more quality sessions which include quicker paces, fewer reps and longer recoveries.

These latter training variations may not have been previously factored into training for many parkrunners, nor may they have experienced the resultant fatigue and higher heart rate levels that come with them compared to their parkrun training.

Nowhere to hide

Track racing can be extremely tough. There is nowhere to hide for starters. Generally, there are no segments in a race where you can slow down significantly, unlike in cross country or on the roads where tight corners and steep hills necessitate adjusting
stride length and cadence. Importantly, and somewhat obviously, there’s no mud on a track to slow you down either – although in reality some may disagree, as at certain points in a track race it may feel as if you are running through treacle, with the run to the line feeling, if not looking like, a very steep incline!

I’m not trying to put parkrunners off track racing. However, because of the specificity and smaller fields that generally include the better and more experienced runners, perhaps a little thought and honesty in the first instance needs to be taken before heading for it and racing.

Perhaps those who have embraced parkrun should have times of sub-16min for males and sub-18min for females in those 5km events before attempting a similar track distance.

Why? As previously mentioned the track highlights any lack of ability or fitness and although finishing 100m behind the leaders in a parkrun might seem not too bad, on a 400m synthetic surface the same deficit can feel cavernous.

Track is also generally an individualistic sport – which compares markedly with the embracing nature of parkrun – however, a club track league event may value an athlete’s participation in respect of gaining some valuable team points and where finite time is of secondary importance.

Whatever a runner’s preference is, however, one thing should not be forgotten, and that is cross country and road running will help stronger summer running – whether on the track or not.

In the same vein, the faster efforts in the summer will definitely enhance winter running by increasing cadence and thus helping with biomechanics.

And if ultimately track racing isn’t your chosen pursuit, don’t neglect to include some lung-bursting and lactate-fuelled efforts in your training. You’ll notice the difference once you get back to your winter parkruns.

HOW TO GET UP TO TRACK SPEED

• Get used to the specifics of track running.
• Even-paced running is vital for a strong final lap.
• Running spikes are preferred but not essential.
• Train fast but don’t neglect endurance.
• Running fast develops fatigue, be prepared for a different type.
• Track work will improve your running form due to the consistency of the surface and pace options.
• Vary your sessions – include short and long reps, more or less recovery and different speeds.
• Vary your training between harder more intense sessions and easier volume. Don’t neglect rest and recovery.
• Above all, enjoy it!

TRANSITION TRACK SESSIONS FOR PARKRUNNERS

• 12-14 x 400m at around 1sec faster than intended 5000m race pace with 60sec rec.
• 6-7 x 800m at around 2sec faster than intended 5000m race pace with 90sec rec.
• 3-4 x 1600m at around 4sec faster than intended 5000m race pace with 2-3min rec.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says she still does not see herself as a "top player" despite preparing to defend her Australian Open title next week.

The 22-year-old, who won her first major at the US Open in 2018, is seeded third in Melbourne.

"It's funny, you guys tell me this top player thing and I never really see it like that," said Osaka.

The Japanese starts against unseeded Czech Marie Bouzkova on Monday.

Osaka's maiden Grand Slam victory in New York was the standout moment of her rapid rise in 2018.

She won her first WTA title at Indian Wells in March and, on the back of her US Open win, climbed into the world's top five after being ranked 72nd in January.

"I still feel like Indian Wells was two weeks ago, 2018 Indian Wells. It's really weird," said a smiling Osaka, who became the first player since American Jennifer Capriati in 2001 to follow her maiden Grand Slam win immediately with another triumph when she claimed last year's Australian Open in Melbourne.

But she was unable to match those heights during the rest of 2019, which she describes as the toughest year of her life as she struggled to cope with the expectation her previous results had created.

"I guess just before everything (the success), if I lost it wouldn't be an article. Now if I lose there's news. It was tough adjusting to that," she said.

"I think I'm definitely more relaxed now compared to the US Open.

"I learned a lot there, just in a way of handling my nerves and what to expect. I'm glad I was able to experience everything that I experienced.

"I think heading into this tournament, I'll be more prepared."

Wozniacki 'calm' as she prepares for final tournament

Denmark's former world number one Caroline Wozniacki is approaching the Australian Open "like any other tournament" as she prepares to bring a distinguished career to a close.

The 29-year-old, who won her first Grand Slam at the 2018 tournament in Melbourne, is retiring after the event, saying she wants to "achieve other things in life".

She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last year, which she says was not the reason behind her decision to retire, although she wants to "work on" the autoimmune disease which causes pain and inflammation in joints post-playing.

The world number 35 has also enrolled at Harvard Business School and says she has a "slam packed" diary over the next six months.

Her plans include going skiing with her family, a couple of "girls trips" and a belated honeymoon with her husband David, the former NBA basketball star who she married in June last year.

"I've done everything I could to prepare as well as I can for this tournament, then hope for the best," said Wozniacki, who is unseeded and plays American Kristie Ahn in the first round.

"So far I'm calm and just enjoying myself. I'm sure once the last ball is hit, it's going to be a bit emotional."

TULSA, Okla. – Just moments after winning Friday’s Vacuworx Qualifying Night feature at Tulsa Expo Raceway, Tanner Thorson pulled the No. 1 seed for the #DoItForGrady Chili Bowl Nationals Pole Dash.

Thorson, who won to become one of the top-five seeds in the special event that will set the first five rows of the starting grid of Saturday night’s 55-lap finale, was the last driver to pull a pill Friday night.

That pill ended up being the best one in the house, as it guarantees him a start of no worse than fourth in the headlining A-main, which will be broadcast to a worldwide audience on MAVTV.

“I actually didn’t want the (number) one pill,” Thorson noted. “I didn’t want to (have a chance to) start on the front row, but we’ll make do with this and see what we can do to win the thing Saturday night.”

The format for this year’s revamped pole dash is different than the King of the Hill-style event that set the top-10 starting positions in previous years.

Instead of one-on-one, two-car battle sessions, races of four cars apiece will determine who lines up where for the Chili Bowl finale.

Seeds seven through 10 will race in the first four-car dash, with the top two finishers advancing to meet seeds five and six. The top two finishers from that next race will advance and face off against seeds three and four.

Then, the top two from that sprint will battle against the top-two seeds overall, with that final four-car sprint lining up the first four positions on the grid for Saturday night’s championship A-main.

Behind Thorson, Thursday winner Christopher Bell and Tuesday winner Kyle Larson are seeded second and third, respectively. Wednesday winner Rico Abreu is the fourth seed and Cannon McIntosh, who won Monday night’s preliminary feature, slots in as the fifth-seeded driver.

Jonathan Beason, Ryan Bernal, Thomas Meseraull, Colby Copeland and Tyler Courtney are the sixth through 10th seeds for Saturday night’s Pole Dash.

The #DoItForGrady/#BCForever Pole Dash will be telecast live on MAVTV at 7:15 p.m. CT.

How to Watch the Chili Bowl:

LIVE From the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Presented by MyRacePass – Story Index Page
News, analysis, interviews, behind-the-scenes and more – updated throughout each day.

LIVE PPV Streaming Broadcast – Racinboys.com
Monday – Saturday coverage

LIVE Television Broadcast – MAVTV.com
Saturday, Jan. 18th at 8:30pm EST

LIVE Timing and Scoring – MyRacePass
https://www.myracepass.com/app

SPEED SPORT’s Chili Bowl coverage is presented by MyRacePass, the official timing and scoring app of the 2020 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Fans can download the MyRacePass app on their phones to follow all the action during the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. For more information on MyRacePass, visit www.myracepass.com and use the hashtag #GetTheApp on Twitter!

LIVE from the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Presented by MyRacePass

Ryan Bernal Friday Second Place Interview

Matt Wood Racing’s Ryan Bernal made some impressive moves en route to a second place finish in Friday night’s Chili Bowl Nationals qualifying race. Bernal is now locked into Saturday’s championship A-main.

Afterward, he spoke with SPEED SPORT’s Jacob Seelman about the good run and about getting permission from his supervisor to take off work in order to go racing!

How to Watch the Chili Bowl:

LIVE From the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Presented by MyRacePass – Story Index Page
News, analysis, interviews, behind-the-scenes and more – updated throughout each day.

LIVE PPV Streaming Broadcast – Racinboys.com
Monday – Saturday coverage

LIVE Television Broadcast – MAVTV.com
Saturday, Jan. 18th at 8:30pm EST

LIVE Timing and Scoring – MyRacePass
https://www.myracepass.com/app

SPEED SPORT’s Chili Bowl coverage is presented by MyRacePass, the official timing and scoring app of the 2020 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Fans can download the MyRacePass app on their phones to follow all the action during the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. For more information on MyRacePass, visit www.myracepass.com and use the hashtag #GetTheApp on Twitter!