Sports

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: OLD FRIENDS Pete Alonso and the resurgent Mets face Cleveland in the opener of a pivotal nine-game homestand against a trio of playoff contenders: the Indians, Braves and Cubs. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-5, 3.27 ERA) starts for Cleveland against Steven Matz (7-7, 4.33). Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the Indians’ pitching coach under skipper Terry Francona before getting the top job in New York. Cleveland begins the second leg of a weeklong visit to New York City after splitting a four-game series at Yankee Stadium last weekend. Back in Ohio, the Indians got encouraging news about Carlos Carrasco, who returned to the mound Monday two months after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of cancer. Carrasco, who hopes to pitch for Cleveland again this season, threw one inning of relief for Double-A Akron against Harrisburg. When he jogged in from the bullpen, Carrasco received a standing … [Read more...] about LEADING OFF: Mets manager Callaway faces former Indians boss

PHOENIX (AP) — Carson Kelly is looking more and more like the big-hitting catcher the Arizona Diamondbacks have sought for some time.Kelly's tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning was part of a three-run rally that sent the Diamondbacks to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night."When you get an offensive catcher as capable as Carson, it adds a whole new dimension and some thickness to your lineup," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "They don't come around very often."Kelly's 18 home runs are tied with Miguel Montero (2011) for the most by a catcher in one season in club history. The 25-year-old who was part of the Paul Goldschmidt trade with St. Louis last offseason has 13 homers while hitting eighth in the order, the highest total in the majors."Cool!" Kelly said when told he matched Montero, a two-time All-Star. "Early on, as a young player not having a ton of success, and then finally seeing the work that you put in over the years pay off at the highest … [Read more...] about Diamondbacks score 3 in 8th to rally past Rockies, 5-3

AIA Group Limited, one of the world’s leading providers of life insurance services, recently announced the extension of its long-standing and successful partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, a prominent English Premier League Club based in North London. AIA and Tottenham Hotspur FC extending their fruitful partnership Following an expansion of the partnership in 2017, when AIA became the club’s Global Principal Partner, the recent announcement in Shanghai saw the partnership extended to the end of the 2026/27 season. The AIA brand will continue to appear on the front of the Club’s Men’s, Women’s, and Academy team’s shirts in all competitions. The announcement in Shanghai was a significant highlight for AIA Group as it celebrated its centennial in the city where it was founded in 1919. AIA and Spurs will continue to work together by developing unique content with Spurs’ players, the manager, coaches, fitness professionals, … [Read more...] about AIA and Tottenham Hotspur FC extend global partnership to 2027

A basketball jersey once owned by former US president Barack Obama sold on Monday (Aug 19) for US$120,000, according to the Dallas auction house that sold it. Obama basketball jersey sells for US$120,000 The number 23 jersey belonged to 18-year-old Obama while he was a senior at Punahou high school in Hawaii, where he lived at the time, according to Heritage Auctions. The jersey was valued at US$100,000 before it was sold. Obama is a known basketball fan and was often seen playing during his tenure at the White House, with presidential staffers, celebrities or other guests. AFP … [Read more...] about Obama basketball jersey sells for US$120,000

Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders had a better return to action than 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco’s 24-15 preseason win at Denver on Monday night. Broncos rookie QB Drew Lock injured his right thumb when he was sacked on the first series of the second half, cutting short his most significant action of the preseason in his quest to win the backup job behind starter Joe Flacco. Sanders caught a 5-yard pass from Flacco on the Broncos’ first offensive play and added a 19-yard run on a reverse in his first game since tearing his left Achilles tendon in practice last December. (He also hauled in a 45-yard reception that was erased by left tackle Garett Bolles’ holding penalty). Garoppolo went just 1 for 6 for zero yards and an interception in his first game since suffering a season-ending knee injury last September. Garoppolo’s first pass was knocked down by defensive lineman Shelby Harris and his second one was intercepted by cornerback Isaac … [Read more...] about Garappolo shaky in 49ers’ 24-15 win over Broncos