Pacquiao Returns to Ring to Fight for WBO Welterweight Title

On Saturday, Senator Manny Pacquiao battles Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight title at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas as he takes a brief break from his political duties.

Pacquiao said he was going into retirement from boxing and focus on his political career. His announcement was made after his unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley in April.

Despite winning the election to the senate in the Philippines in May, Pacquiao, 37, decided on another challenge in the ring and found it against Vargas. The American pugilist is 10 years younger and enjoys a 4-inch advantage in reach and a 4 1/2 inch height advantage.

Senator Pacquiao (58-6-2), boxing’s only eight-division world champion, is contending to become a three-time WBO welterweight champion.

During the run-up to the bout, Pacquiao said that he feels he still has a lot to prove. “I am not done with boxing. I will continue to keep fighting as long as I love boxing and boxing still loves me. And I do not feel old.”

Furthermore, Manny is fighting for history. He was the first active congressman to win a world title. He wants to be the first senator to become world champion.

According to Pacquiao, it took discipline to manage his time efficiently and to balance his senatorial duties and his training camp. He ran every morning and did his strength and conditioning. He worked with Freddie Roach every evening at the gym after work. “Between the two ‘jobs’ I was averaging 14-hour workdays.”

Vargas on a Mission

Vargas is confident that whipping boxing legend Pacquiao would place him on another level. He would defend the title for the first time after winning it in March.

“It would definitely put me on the world-wide stage, make me that boxing star that I have been looking forward to being,” said Vargas (27-1).

The only fighters to defeat Manny Pacquiao have become legends themselves, he said. Vargas plans to become one of the few to beat Manny Pacquiao.

 

The post Pacquiao Returns to Ring to Fight for WBO Welterweight Title appeared first on Newsline.

GorPro Aims to Bounce Back After Q3 Revenue Loss

Two Australians Pose as Pro Golfers Bluffed Their Way to North Korea’s Golf Tournament

Two Australian pose as professional golfers and bluff their way into the 18-hole international tournament in North Korea.

Morgan Ruig and Evan Shay, both 28 pulled of one of the craziest sports prank ever. The two were in a Polo trip in Beijing when they heard about the competition.

The two Australians emailed their application to North Korea, posing as professional Australian Team and wore fake green blazers bearing the National Logo. After the event, Ruig and Shay left two day tournament in North Korea without any problems.

85 participants flew from various parts of the world, to compete in the only golf course in North Korea, the Pyongyang Golf Course.

In 1987, late leader Kim Jong-il opened the Pyongyang Golf Complex; there are stories that the leader shot 11 holes-in-ones on first attempt.

The Australians were guarded by North Korean officials throughout their five-day trip. They were also given a tour of Pyongyang, where they offered flowers at a monument of the country’s infamous leaders.

Performance at the Green

Morgan Ruig told the Courier-Mail newspapaer, “We were very nervous handing our passports over at the border. There are stories of people not coming home.”
“I hit 120 and my caddy told me I had bought great shame to my family.”

“We played very poorly… but we met some very interesting people,” he added.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Ruig said the officials thought it’s “quite funny.”

Despite their poor performance at the tournament, he said the experience was “character building.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it to a light-hearted traveller. It was pretty hardcore but it was an amazing experience.”

The post Two Australians Pose as Pro Golfers Bluffed Their Way to North Korea’s Golf Tournament appeared first on Newsline.

“I’m Staying” says Manchester United Boss José Mourinho

Manchester United boss José Mourinho has warned critics not to write him off as he insists he is staying put at Old Trafford.

With Manchester United in eighth place in the Premiership – and eight points behind leaders and local rivals Manchester City – Mourinho has come in for a lot of criticism recently.

I want to stay until the end of my contract.

However he has insisted that he is determined to complete his contract at the club and remains confident that the much-needed goals will come.

Mourinho told The Sun newspaper: “I am at the club I want to be at and I am so happy to be here. I want to stay here until the end of my contract and then who knows?

“But I will be here for many years. I am a football man and I am still young. Sometimes people think I am 75 but I am 53 and I have a passion for the game.”

He was speaking after a run of poor results in the Premiership which has continued in the Europa League where United have just lost 2-1 away to Fenerbahce.

Defeat

Excluding qualifiers, it was United’s eighth defeat in their last nine games in Europe.

Striker Moussa Sow gave Fenerbahce the lead in the second minute of the game and Jeremain Lens followed up with a brilliant second half free-kick.

While United captain Wayne Rooney scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute it was not enough and United are now in danger of being eliminated from the Europa League.

Behind

United are now third in Group A – one point behind leaders Feyenoord and Fenerbahce – and with two games left they still have a lot of work to do.

It is a similar story in the Premiership where United have failed to score in the last three league games and could only manage a draw in the game before that.

Last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Burnley at Old Trafford was particularly frustrating for the players and fans as Mourinho’s men had 37 attempts on goal but failed to convert a single one.

The good results have to arrive sooner or later.

Despite this Mourinho remains upbeat saying that the goal drought cannot last forever.

He said: “I’m excited. I’m not happy with the results, what I’m happy with is the performances.

“Sometimes you win but feel that period cannot last forever as the team is not playing so well.

“Other times you don’t have such good results but feel the way the team plays, the good results have to arrive sooner or later. So I have a very good feeling towards the players.

Incredible

The number of shots we had in the last match is something absolutely incredible, is an example of what the team tried to have a different result.”

With United beset with injury problems right now the immediate future is not looking great and Mourinho will have his work cut out in the crucial run up to Christmas and the New Year.

The post “I’m Staying” says Manchester United Boss José Mourinho appeared first on Newsline.

Chicago Cubs Broke the “Curse of Billy Goat” by Winning the World Series

After 108 years, the “Curse of Billy Goat” has ended after Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series beating the Cleveland Indians on early Thursday.

With an 8-7 victory that took 10 innings, the Cubs beat the Indians in their home stadium. Celebration filled the streets of the Windy City after fans waited for over a century since their last Major League Baseball championship in 1908.

Kris Bryant, Cubs 3rd baseman described the game as “one of the best games anybody will ever see.”

“This trumps everything. I’m out here crying. I can’t really put into words what this means,” he added.

Ben Zoborist who was named MVP of the World Series, hit an RBI double and batted .357 in with two double and a triple.

The win sets a historical comeback for the Chicago Cubs, from a 3-1 deficit in the best of seven game.

This will be the third World Series crown for the Cubs, while the Indians replaced them as having the longest drought in the World Series.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo added, “I don’t know but it happened, Chicago, it happened. We did it we’re world champions.”

After winning 9-3 in game six, the Cubs picked up where they left off, delivering three home runs in front of a heavily crowded, raucous blue-clad audience.

The fans filled the Progressive Field with “Let’s Go Cubbies” chants, as Chicago Cubs make a 5-1 lead and carried a 6-3 advantage.

As rain began falling in the field, Cubs manager Joe Maddon summoned Cuban player Aroldis Chapman. He pitched 2-2/3 innings on Sunday and another inning and third on Tuesday. Then the game was halted before the start of the 10th to cover the field before extra innings resumed after 17 minutes.

With Cleveland reliever Bryant Shaw on the mound, Zobrist slapped a shot past diving Jose Ramirez and then Miguel Montero singled home a run to make it 8-6.

The historic win fired up the Progressive Field, with thousands of Cubs supporters singing the “Go Cubs Go” team song after the 4hrs and 28minutes game. The losing team could only watch from the dugout steps.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona said it was an “incredible game.”

“It’s going to hurt. It hurts because we care, but they need to walk with their head held high because they left nothing on the field,” he added.

The post Chicago Cubs Broke the “Curse of Billy Goat” by Winning the World Series appeared first on Newsline.

World Series Game 7 Tied at 6-6 in the Ninth Inning

11:20 p.m.

Indians outfielder Rajai Davis launched a tying, two-run homer off closer Aroldis Chapman. Cleveland and Chicago are going to the ninth tied 6-6.

Davis heaved Chapman’s slider beyond the wall in the left-field corner with two outs in the eighth inning. The homer capped a three-run inning and pulled the Indians even for the first time since the fourth inning.

Chapman substituted for Jon Lester to protect a 6-3 lead with two outs and a man on first. He allowed an RBI double to Brandon Guyer in his first at-bat followed by a hittable slider that Davis whacked.

 

10:55 p.m.

Six outs left to bury 108 frustrating years.

The Cubs protected a 6-3 lead as Jon Lester strikes out Jason Kipnis with a runner on second base to close the seventh inning.

The veteran left-hander came in to relieve Kyle Hendricks in the fifth inning. After allowing two runs to score on a wild pitch, he’s been doing superbly completing 2 1/3 innings without more damage. This is Lester’s first relief outing since the 2007 AL Championship Series, when he pitched for the Red Sox at Progressive Field

10:25 p.m.

The Cubs are nine outs away from putting an end to 108 years of disappointment.

After six innings of Game 7, Chicago leads the Cleveland Indians 6-3. The Cubs have three home runs throughout six innings after tallying just six through the first six games of the Series.

Catcher David Ross is the oldest player to homer in a Game 7. He is 39-year-old. While Javier Baez, Chicago’s 21-year-old defensive whiz, is the second-youngest player in World Series history to hit a home run in a winner-take-all World Series game.

10:10 p.m.

In what might have been his final major league at-bat, David Ross homered to increase Chicago’s lead to 6-3.

The Cubs catcher will retire after the season. He hit a solo shot off shutdown left-hander Andrew Miller in the sixth inning. The ball just sailed over the wall in center field, lifting Chicago’s lead to 6-3.

Ross was sent in at the bottom of the fifth along with left-hander Jon Lester. His homerun extended Chicago’s lead following Cleveland’s two runs on Lester’s wild pitch.

 

 

The post World Series Game 7 Tied at 6-6 in the Ninth Inning appeared first on Newsline.

World Series goes to Game 7 as Cubs Rout Indians 9 – 3

The Chicago Cubs level Major League Baseball’s best-of-seven championship by routing the Cleveland Indians 9-3 on Tuesday. The win sets up a winner-take-all Game Seven of the World Series.

As the Cubs Face elimination, current Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta won his second of the series. He was ably supported by shortstop Addison Russell. The 22-year-old cracked a grand slam on his way to registering a World Series record-tying six runs batted in.

Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo also homered for Chicago, who erupted for 13 hits off six Indians pitchers. Bryant tallied four hits in the game.

For the second time in as many games, the Cubs put on hold the Indians celebration of a first World Series crown since 1948. More importantly, the victory kept alive the Cubs’ pursuit of winning their first Fall Classic title in 108 years.

One of the teams will certainly end their drought on Wednesday. However, Cleveland fans who came to celebrate a Game Six clincher on an unusually warm night were disheartened and left the ballpark early as the Cubs coasted.

“It’s OK,” said Leah Hoheaverger, “We are used to being the underdogs.” She left before the end of the eighth inning as fans spilled out of Progressive Field.

Arrieta pitched 5-2/3 innings. He gave up three hits and two runs while striking out nine in notching the win assisted by four relievers.

The determined Cubs entered the game with a team batting average of .210 with only 10 runs in the first five games and were shut out twice.

Moreover, the National League champions topped the majors with 103 wins in the regular season. They quickly transformed the game into a laugher with two big innings.

The Cubs thundered out of the gate with three runs in the first. Two of the runs came from a huge blunder by Cleveland outfielders.

Bryant crushed a hanging curve ball from losing pitcher Josh Tomlin to left-center for a two-out home run.

Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist lined singles before Russell slapped a pop fly that center-fielder Tyler Naquin and right-fielder Lonnie Chisenhall allowed to drop between them in a communication lapse.

In a communication lapse, center-fielder Tyler Naquin and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall allowed a slapped pop fly from Russell to drop between them. The gaffe allowed Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist to score as they were lined up on bases via their singles.

Russell fully earned his next four RBIs.

The shortstop swung a grand slam over the wall in center to chalk up Kyle Schwarber, Rizzo and Zobrist before of him to make it 7-0.

The bases-loaded blast provided Russell six RBIs for the game. Furthermore, it tied him with Bobby Richardson (1960), Hideki Matsui (2009) and Albert Pujols (2011) for most in a World Series game.

In the fourth, Kipnis doubled and scored on Mike Napoli’s single for Cleveland’s first hit and first run. Kipnis homered in the fifth to make it 7-2.

Rizzo’s two-run shot in the ninth and a last-gasp run by Cleveland ended the contest.

Game Seven will be played in Cleveland on Wednesday. The Indians starting ace Corey Kluber won two games already this series. He will go up against the National League ERA leader, Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks.

“It’s Game Seven,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “You’ve got two really, really good pitchers, and it will be exciting. It’s an honor to even be a part of it, and we’re going to give it everything we have.”

The post World Series goes to Game 7 as Cubs Rout Indians 9 – 3 appeared first on Newsline.

Cutler Returns as Bears Defeat Vikings

The Chicago Bears thrashed the Minnesota Vikings 20-10 at Soldier Field on Monday as Jay Cutler threw for 252 yards and a score and Jordan Howard rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown.

Cutler recently missed five straight games with a sprained thumb. He was efficient tonight, though, and completed 20 of 31 passes for Chicago (2-6), which snapped a three-game losing streak. The Bears quarterback’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery provided Chicago a 20-3 lead with 9:52 left in the third quarter.

The scoring catch was the first of the season for Jeffery. Like Howard, he had four catches for the Bears. Tight end Zach Miller ended with seven catches for 88 yards.

Minnesota (6-2) wasn’t able to score until a little more than five minutes left in the game. Sam Bradford heaved a 25-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs on fourth-and-6. Bradford had a 23-of-37 passing night for 228 yards in the loss.

The Bears’ defense shut the Vikings down and sacked Bradford five times up until the Vikings’ late scoring attack. After six straight victories, the Vikings lost for the second straight week.

The Bears was in front 13-3 at halftime at the back of a dominating defensive performance that pushed the Vikings to punt on their first five possessions.

The defense sustained the shutout before the Vikings accomplished a Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal with 26 seconds left in the second quarter.

Minnesota’s sole first-half scoring thrust was stretched on a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty against the Bears following Pernell McPhee’s sack on Bradford, who fumbled on the play. The Vikings’ offense remaind on the field due to the penalty after Minnesota receiver Adam Thielen picked up Bradford’s fumble.

The Vikings attempted a last ditch scoring thrust before the half and drove inside Chicago’s 10-yard line. But the defense shut Minnesota down and sacked Bradford for a 10-yard loss. This set up Walsh for his 50-yard field goal before the half ended.

The post Cutler Returns as Bears Defeat Vikings appeared first on Newsline.

Ross, Lester Lead Cubs in Game 5 Win

David Ross, Jon Lester and the rest of the Chicago aren’t done just yet.

Ross played the lead role as the Cubs survived another close game in the World Series, outdoing the Indians 3-2 in Game 5 on Sunday. The 39-year-old catcher had a brilliant night behind the plate and provided a clutch sacrifice fly that helped Chicago to its first Series win at Wrigley Field in 71 years.

As he concludes his 15th season, young teammates nicknamed Ross “Grandpa Rossy”. He plans to step down after the season.

“I’ve had a storybook year, honestly,” Ross said. “There are so many things I can talk about that have happened to me over this year. That’s just another cool one to get the sac fly that puts us ahead and we hold on.”

Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder even called him out after devoting “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to Ross during the seventh-inning stint of his final home start. “We love you Rossy,” Vedder said as the crowd roared. “Let’s take this show to Cleveland!”

Ross said excitedly that everybody was looking at him after Eddie Vedder dedicated the whole seventh-inning stretch to him. “I’m like, my mind’s blown, I’m thinking about being out of the game and he’s a quality individual. He’s just a good person, rock star, everybody knows who Eddie Vedder is. He says my name, it’s a huge compliment.”

Ross and his close pal Lester came together to slow Cleveland’s attack after Saturday night’s 7-2 victory by the Indians. Lester pitched six solid innings as he rebounded from a mediocre outing in the Series opener. He improved to 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in five postseason starts this year.

Ross was 3-0 in three career starts in the Fall Classic prior to losing Game 1 against Cleveland when he was pilfered for three runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Game 5 for Ross involved two exploits in foul territory. He was lucky first baseman Anthony Rizzo was there for a juggling catch when a foul pop got off his glove near the railing of the visitors’ dugout. The catcher also bumped into Rizzo on a foul popup in the fourth and held on for the out.

But Ross did his best work when he settled behind the plate. He put together a solid job of mounting close called third strikes to Brandon Guyer in the fifth and Jason Kipnis in the sixth. Moreover, he cut down Francisco Lindor who tried to steal second for the final out of the inning after Kipnis’ strikeout.

Ross’ defensive work was especially crucial with Lester having his typical struggles with runners on the basepaths.

The Cubs fell behind 1-0 before scoring three times in the fourth. Ross topped the rally with a sac fly to left with the bases loaded, driving in Ben Zobrist.

 

Ross was substituted for a pinch hitter in the sixth, and he gave a big hug with Lester in the dugout.

“I just said I love him,” Ross said. “Thanks for everything. I love him.”

Ross and Lester often hang out together off the field and have been together for years. Lester settled to a six-year, $155 million deal in December 2014, a major moment in the Cubs’ rebirth. He then followed Lester to Chicago for a two-year, $5 million contract, and quickly turned into a valuable leader in the clubhouse.

“I love him like a brother, like a dad, like a mentor,” Rizzo said. “I was pretty emotional, seeing him in that at-bat driving in that run, throwing that guy out. We were talking before the game, this will be a blast. We got the W. We just need to get two more Ws.”

 

 

The post Ross, Lester Lead Cubs in Game 5 Win appeared first on Newsline.

Singer Gets Apology From Sixers For National Anthem Booting Incident

The Philadelphia 76ers apologized to a recording artist on Friday for a rushed decision to deny her from singing the US national anthem at their season opener this week. The team barred the singer from singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the last-minute because she was in a “We Matter” jersey.

Sevyn Streeter said the team told her that she could not take the court because of her shirt. She was informed only moments before she was slated to sing the national anthem. A 76ers’ dance team member went on to sing the anthem.

“We are sorry that this happened. After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing,” the Sixers said in a statement.

“We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.”

The Sixers originally refused to say why Streeter did not perform on Wednesday. They only said that the team supports consequential actions to drive social change.

The team said in a separate statement that they use their games to bring people together, to strengthen communities and to build trust. Further, they will continue to leverage their platform to positively affect the community. They also said they will move from symbolic gestures to action.

Preceding this incident, a woman sang the national anthem while kneeling at center court. She wore a “Black Lives Matter” shirt beneath an opened shirt. This happened last week at the opening of a preseason game between the Sixers and host Miami Heat.

Protests during the national anthem have been a burning matter in recent months. This type of protest started when National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to not stand for its playing.

Kaepernick has mentioned police brutality and racial injustice among the motives for his protest. Several athletes from varying sports have since followed his lead in different ways, including linking arms during the anthem.

The post Singer Gets Apology From Sixers For National Anthem Booting Incident appeared first on Newsline.

Pacquiao: I Do Not Underestimate Vargas

Manny Pacquiao is considered as one of the greatest ever in the boxing world. However, the pugilist says he will not be taking his opponent lightly next week when he faces World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in a title bout.

The fight will bring the Filipino southpaw back in the ring seven months after defeating Timothy Bradley in his much proclaimed exit to the sport. He will go up against American Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 5.

Pacquiao, 37, told reporters, “I do not underestimate Jessie Vargas,” after beginning his training camp in Los Angeles this week. He trains under the watchful eye of his Hall of Famer trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club.

“He is a good strong champion. Every opponent gets my full attention and respect. I respect Jessie and that is why I trained hard. This is the most important fight because it will determine the direction of my boxing career.”

The 27-year-old Vargas (27-1) trounced fellow American Sadam Ali in March to receive the WBO welterweight crown. He has won 10 of his fights thru stoppage or knockout, with his only setback coming via a points loss to Bradley in June 2015.

Pacquiao said he needs to win convincingly. He has three distinctive plans for Jessie Vargas, but his primary concern is for the fans. He wants the people watching the fight, happy and pleased.

Pacquiao is an eight-division world champion. The fight represents his first since May when he won a seat in the Philippines’ senate. The prospect of adding another title to his expanding career resume excites him, he said.

The Filipino boxer, known for his lightning fast hands and foot speed, said that he is fighting for history. He has amassed a 58-6-2 career record and was the first sitting congressman to earn a world title.

For this fight, it is not enough for him to be the first active senator to fight for a world title. He intends to be the first senator to become world champion. It would be quite an achievement for him if that happens.

“I want to prove that I am still one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. I’m not done with boxing. I will continue to keep fighting as long as I love boxing and boxing still loves me. I do not feel old and I feel like I am still 27.”

 

The post Pacquiao: I Do Not Underestimate Vargas appeared first on Newsline.

No Timetable On 76ers Come Back For NBA Top Pick Simmons

Kevin Durant loss to Spurs: “It’s a slap in the face. It woke us up a bit”

Kevin Durant recently joined the biggest story in NBA, the Golden State Warriors. Will the Warriors set another win after Durant joined the team? Will they recover after its loss against Cleveland Cavaliers?

All questions cannot be answered in one game, but the result of the first game in the NBA regular season last Tuesday at Oracle Arena proves that the Warriors remain a work in progress.

The visiting San Antonio Spurs dominated The Golden State Warriors with a score of 100-129. Spurs won their first game without Tim Duncan in season 20. It’s still early to predict the result of the season, but the loss of the Warriors shows they need to work more to reach the championships.

2014 MVP Kevin Durant led his new team, the Warriors 27 points (11-of-18 FG, 1-of-3 3FG, 5-of-6 FT) in 37 minutes. KD showed his dominance scoring anywhere in the court and coup up with Warrior’s infamous ball movement and spacing. Durant made 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and blocks displaying his all-around skills.

Last season, the Warriors were in a hot mess, displaying poor defense especially with its last game with San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs encountered little resistance getting 20 offensive rebounds.

The new-look Spurs won with no resistance, even without its legendary player Tim Duncan. Paul Gasol was quiet with just 2 points and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. The Spurs closed the first quarter with a huge double digit lead. They reached a 28 point lead early in the fourth quarter. The team kept Curry and Thompson on the bench for a late-game rest.

Warriors would sure hit the night’s headlines, but the Spurs definitely deserve lots of credits after its terrific win. Kawhi Leonard a top-level MVP candidate ended up with a career-high 25 points on 15-of-15 shooting from the line, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists. LaMarcus Aldridge showed an amazing performance with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

San Antonio controlled the game any time the Golden State sat two members of their foursome star players.

Jonathan Simmons made an outstanding mark on Tuesday, finishing 6 shots with 20 points on 8-of-13 from the field. The one-time journeyman made the San Antonio roster in 2015 after the Las Vegas Summer League.

Head coach Steve Kerr did not take his first blowout loss too hard, “We weren’t energized to start the game. We took for granted that things would go well.”

Although Durrant and Curry scored 18 points in the first half, Thompson and Green had a rough start.

Blowout loss or not, the game had its thrilling moments especially with Durant’s first game with the Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors will have to prove themselves again this Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s hard to tell if Golden State’s fearsome foursome would lead the team to the championships, but surely they need to work more as a team.

The post Kevin Durant loss to Spurs: “It’s a slap in the face. It woke us up a bit” appeared first on Newsline.

Kipnis Nurses Injury As He Prepares For World Series

Cleveland Indians Jason Kipnis is nursing a sprained left ankle as he primes for Tuesday’s Game One of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs.

The second baseman suffered the injury in a bizarre incident when he hugged teammate Francisco Lindor in celebration after the Indians clinched a spot in the World Series by winning against Toronto in the American League Championship Series.

Lindor, the Indians’ shortstop, accidentally stepped on Kipnis’ ankle.

“I think I was getting too much of the spotlight so he (Lindor) tried to take me out,” Kipnis jokingly told reporters at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Kipnis said what happened was a freak accident. He just landed on it, rolled it. Hopefully, he’ll be good to go by tomorrow night.

Kipnis, who is in his sixth season in the majors, has played his entire career for the Indians. He was a childhood Cubs fan while he grew up in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook.

His family and several of his hometown friends still follow the Cubs. He was reminded of it on Saturday while watching Chicago beat the Dodgers win the National League Championship Series.

Family and friends are Cubs fans

Kipnis said it was weird seeing nothing but Cubs’ post on social media from all his friends from home. He’s happy for all his friends and family in Chicago cheering for the Cubs.

Kipnis added that he didn’t know how to really handle it. He couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad. He was emotional and choked up.

If Kipnis has his way, he would prefer that the Cubs, who last won the World Series in 1908, to wait at least 109 years to end their title drought.

“I think a Tribe World Series would set this city off,” he said of Cleveland. “It’s always been a great sports town.”

The post Kipnis Nurses Injury As He Prepares For World Series appeared first on Newsline.

Cubs Advances to World Series

The Chicago Cubs attained the National League pennant on Saturday. They beat the the Los Angeles Dodgers with pitching and power on their way to reaching their first World Series in 71 years.

The Cubs trounced Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, the best pitcher of the new generation, in a 5-0 victory that gave them the National League pennant, 4-2.

The only remaining roadblocks to their championship dream is the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Curse of the Billy Goat.

With an opportunity to end the longest title drought in major North American professional sports,standing at 108 years, and wipe off a fabled curse, the long-woeful Cubs travel to Cleveland on Tuesday to start their best-of-seven Major League Baseball championship.

Willson Contreras and Anthony Rizzo blasted home runs to back the two-hit pitching of Aroldis Chapman and Kyle Hendricks that sent Cubs fans into a frenzy. The players rocked the 102-year-old stadium in Chicago and erupted a city-wide celebration.

Following a transformation by a new management led by team president Theo Epstein, the Cubs will enter the 12th Fall Classic as favorites after a major league-leading 103 regular season wins. Epstein is the same person who helped Boston Red Sox get rid of the Curse of Bambino and win their first Series in 86 years.

The Indians, in their own history of sporting futility, have gone without a World Series title since 1948.

But no club even comes close to the ordeal of the Cubs. The teams’s deprived fans have waited four decades longer than their Cleveland equivalent.

The Cubs were a former power in the major leagues. They won their second World Series in a row in the fifth edition of the Fall Classic in 1908.

The Cubs performed as a solid team over the next few decades but kept falling short in the World Series. As a result, they were runners-up in six World Series in the years followed. In 1945, they once again won the National League pennant for another crack at the title.

The current Cubs look well stocked to end the drought.

Dream Team

The team was assembled by a collection of draft choices, shrewd trades and sound spending on the free agent market. This latest edition of the Cubs have a young, power-hitting team boasting first baseman Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell.

They backstop a veteran starting rotation secured by Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, National League ERA leader Hendricks and Jon Lester.

Led by manager Joe Maddon, the Cubs went from 101 losses in Epstein’s first season in charge in 2012 to one step from baseball heaven. The team brought in Maddon in the previous season as the last piece of their championship puzzle.

The post Cubs Advances to World Series appeared first on Newsline.

Green Bay Sets a Record Setting Victory Over Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packer’s Aaron Rodgers catches fire in a record-setting victory, finishing 39-of-56 for 326 yards and three touchdowns past the Chicago Bears 26-10 at Lambeau Field on Thursday.

“It’s fun to win,” said Rodgers, who set a blazing record, overtaking Brett Faver’s 36 against Chicago in 1993.

“Whether we throw it that many times or have to pound it a little bit more. I think this is closer to how we’re going to have to play moving forward, but I’m proud of the way we responded after the touchdown that put us behind,” he added.

Just 30 seconds into the third quarter, Rodgers eluded Chicago’s touchdown when he was sacked and stripped by a rookie. Leonard Floyd pounced on the loose ball in the end zone, giving Chicago 10-6 lead.

Rodgers would have to stop fumbling. It was his fourth fumble returned for a touchdown since week 16 of last season.

Maybe it was luck, but Rodgers was on fire from the point and capped the next three drives with blazing touchdown passes, which gave Green Bay (4-2) past Chicago (1-6).
Green Bay Packers’ coach Mike McCarthy said, “its one game. It’s a one-game victory.”

“And that’s really the reflection of how you plan for a season. You do what you have to do, you play how you have to play.”

Chicago Bears, QB’s Matt Barkley took over Brian Hoyer after he sustained an injury. His left arm got broken during the second quarter as Matt Barkley finished the game.

By the time Rodgers hit Randal Cobb for the third consecutive score, Barkley never stood a chance to stop advancing Green Bay. It gave them 26-10 on the scoreboard, 372-138 in yards, 75-36 in plays and 31-10 in first downs.

Bears coach John Fox said, “If you lose your starting quarterback, it can be disruptive.”
“It’s not an excuse. It’s just reality. When you play an explosive offense like Green Bay, it kind of helps to maybe be out there a little more offensively, which I think was a problem in the second half.”

The post Green Bay Sets a Record Setting Victory Over Chicago Bears appeared first on Newsline.

NBA Star Derrick Rose Acquitted on All Charges in Rape Case

In a hotly contested civil trial, a Los Angeles jury decided that NBA star Derrick Rose and his two friends should not be held legally responsible on any charges. Rose’s ex-girlfriend accused the three men of drugging her, breaking into her apartment. She also accused them of gang-raping her while she was passed out in August of 2013.

The complainant had claimed that Rose and two friends, Randall Hampton and Ryan Allen, put a drug in her drink. This was done during a party at Rose’s Beverly Hills residence. She is a 30-year-old woman identified in court documents as “Jane Doe”.

Thie woman had a non-exclusive sexual relationship with Rose from late 2011 up to July 2013.

She professed to have taken a cab home and that the driver had to walk her to her front door. The woman also stated that she remembered throwing up and fainting in her bedroom with her clothes on. She could recall not much else regarding the early hours of August 27, 2013. She had a recollection, however, of Rose, Allen and Hampton being in her apartment, Rose having sex with her, and then Allen and Hampton later having sex with her while Rose watched.

Lawyers of Rose, Hampton and Allen had admitted that their clients had sex with Doe on the night in question, but called the sex consensual. The respondents testified that the complainant had asked them to go to her house after the party. They also stated that she’d let them into her apartment herself and that they alternately had consensual sex with the woman in her room.

Their lawyers alleged the accuser was attempting to “shake down a highly respected and successful athlete.”

Cleared on all counts

One day after hearing closing arguments in the case, the jury reached its decision after 3 hours and 45 minutes of deliberation on Wednesday. The panel had been delegated with deliberating the separate allegations. These include trespassing, battery, sexual battery, gender violence, emotional distress and conspiracy.

The panel must also establish distinct undisputed verdicts on whether the three men should be held liable on any of the claims.

Rose, Allen and Hampton were cleared on all counts.

Following the verdict, the plaintiff’s attorneys said that they are contemplating an appeal.

With the trial now decided, Rose is expected to rejoin his new team. The New York Knicks goes up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday’s regular season opener.

 

The post NBA Star Derrick Rose Acquitted on All Charges in Rape Case appeared first on Newsline.

Serena Williams Loses Shot at WTA Finals Due to Shoulder Injury

Serena Williams, the 22-time grand slam champion will pass up another WTA Finals in late October because of her prominent shoulder injury. This means, she will be missing out on the year-end prestigious event for two consecutive years.

The shoulder injury appears to torment the former grand slam champion since she also failed to participate in the entire Asian swing. She also struggled with the injury in the second half of the game season.

She posted a message on WTA’s website saying, “It’s been a really tough year for me. I’ve been dealing so much with these shoulder injuries. My doctor insists that I stay home and heal it… so I can have a chance to play next year.”

Plagued by Health Concerns

The 35-year-old tennis star withdrew from two other significant events, the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open and the China Open last September because of her injuries.

In September, Williams suffered a loss due to a knee injury. The injury hampered her chances of winning at the US Open against the Czech’s tennis player, Karolina Pliskova in the semifinal match. She told CNN that she was eager to join the Singapore tournament despite her health issues. In 2015, she retreated from the WTA Finals and the US Open to “address her health”.

However, in July she won another grand slam title at Wimbledon, matching the record of Steffi Graf’s Open Era record.

Sadly, she lost two grand slam finals. Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou said it was a “bad” season for Williams.

Kerber takes Williams’ place

Williams now out of the Singapore season event, means the German tennis player, Angelique Kerber would rank as number 1. Kerber took Williams spot after winning the US Open making headlines in Singapore as she nudges a rank in the tennis world. She broke Williams’s record for having a 186-week lead control in the world rankings.

With one place remaining in the ranking, the race for the world’s ranking will be challenged by Johanna Konta, Svetlana Kuznetsova or Carla Suarez Navarro.

Williams is anticipated to join the 2017 Australian Open in Auckland this January for the first grand slam of the season.

The post Serena Williams Loses Shot at WTA Finals Due to Shoulder Injury appeared first on Newsline.

Barkley: Even with Durant, Warriors Still A Flawed Team

Charles Barkley didn’t want Kevin Durant to sign with the Golden State Warriors. Now that he’s there, he isn’t sure Durant changes things.

The Warriors are still a flawed team in Barkley’s mind.

“Can they rebound the ball? They’re going to still be shooting jumpers. They’re not going to get any low-post scoring. Can that type of play hold up through the rigors of the NBA playoffs? I’m still going to say the same thing I’ve always said: No.” Barkley said Tuesday.

Golden State won a record 73 games in the regular season. They blew a 3 – 1 lead, however, in the NBA Finals and lost to Cleveland. In the offseason, the Warriors signed Durant.

That move made the Warriors the favorites to reclaim the title they won in 2015. Barkley said Golden State was lucky then since their path was filled with teams impaired by injuries. Cleveland was already without Kevin Love in the Finals series and lost Kyrie Irving near the conclusion of Game 1.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were healthy last year, and Barkley picked them to defeat the Warriors.

During a lunch prior to TNT’s “Inside the NBA” studio team was elected to the Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Barkley said that the Warriors couldn’t play small ball and win a championship if every team they played was healthy. “I told you Cleveland was going to beat them and they did,” he added.

On Tuesday, Barkley and the team will host their show outside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Cavaliers will receive their championship rings before facing New York in their season opener. In the nightcap of TNT’s doubleheader, the Warriors will play San Antonio.

Pissed at Durant

Barkley was upset that Durant left Oklahoma City for an easier chance at a title with the star-laden Warriors. Golden State already has two-time MVP Stephen Curry and fellow All-Stars Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

Barkley said that if the Warriors win the title, it wouldn’t mean as much to Durant as it would have in Oklahoma. Durant had played in the city since the Thunder franchise moved from Seattle after his rookie season in 2008. Durant has been jeered in rival arenas since his decision. He has also infuriated some of his former fans with what seems to be disparagements of Russell Westbrook and his previous team.

“He made himself a villain by taking all these shots at Oklahoma City for no reason,” Barkley said. “He left, he’s happy, so shut up. When you’re taking shots at Russell and those guys, that’s not necessary

The post Barkley: Even with Durant, Warriors Still A Flawed Team appeared first on Newsline.

Kaepernick ‘Booed’ by Buffalo fans

Buffalo fans on Sunday booed San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick as he carried on his national anthem protest previous to delivering a discouraging performance against the Bills.

The quarterback arrived at New Era Field in New York giving tribute to Muhammad Ali. He wore a T-shirt with a picture of the boxing legend and civil rights campaigner.

Kaepernick kneeled during the United States national anthem as he has done all season. Two team mates joined him as a police officer stood immediately behind the trio.

A number of 49er players raised their right fists in another form of protest.

Sections of the crowd started chanting “USA, USA,” before the anthem. But Kaepernick took issue later at any suggestion that his stand was unnationalistic.

“I don’t understand what’s un-American about fighting for liberty and justice for everybody, for the equality this country says it stands for,” Kaepernick told reporters after being heckled prior to the game and out on the field.

The silent protest he claims is against social injustice and police brutality has divided views among National Football League fans since the pre-season.

Dismal 49ers performance

He was called up to start for the underachieving 49ers against the Bills.

In the second quarter, he connected with a pass to wide receiver Toney Smith. This was his first touchdown pass in 364 days, for a 53-yard catch-and-run goal.

However, highlights were few and far in between as the Bills whipped the 49ers 45 -16. Kaepernick connected with 13 of 29 passes for 187 yards.

Video uploaded on social media showed various anti-Kaepernick reaction as well as indications of support.

He said that he was undeterred by the hostility of some of the crowd. He added that he was focused on playing so he wasn’t really listening to what was going on in the stands.

The post Kaepernick ‘Booed’ by Buffalo fans appeared first on Newsline.