It’s an OPS world in today’s major leagues with batting average in the background
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Batting average was a priority for Andrew Benintendi when he broke into the major leagues in 2016. He batted .312 in the minors on the way to his debut. Going into his fourth season with the Chicago White Sox and 11th overall, he is more focused on...
UConn remains unanimous No. 1 in AP Top 25
UConn heads into the postseason undefeated and still the unanimous No. 1 choice in the Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25. The Huskies, who have won 47 consecutive games, are 31-0 this season after routing St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. It’s the 11th time they’ve headed...
Duke extends No. 1 record in AP Top 25
Duke is No. 1 in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the second straight week, extending its all-time record with the program’s 149th appearance in the top spot. The Blue Devils received 55 of 59 first-place votes in Monday’s poll following lopsided wins over Notre Dame and then-No....
Robert Morris’ DeSean Goode named Horizon League Player of the Year
For the second straight season, a Robert Morris men’s basketball player captured Horizon League Player of the Year honors. Sophomore forward DeSean Goode, an IU Indianapolis transfer, won the award Monday after finishing second for RMU in points per game (15.4) while pacing the conference in rebounds (8.6). He follows...
Federal judge allows Gabehart to continue working at Spire so long as he avoids Gibbs-related duties
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A federal judge ruled Monday that former Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart can continue to work for Spire Motorsports but not the role he performed with his old NASCAR team. Gabehart is the chief motorsports officer at Spire, a job that encompasses most of parent...
Alika Williams starts scoring as Pirates top Rays, hopes to add value with defensive depth
BRADENTON, Fla. — Alika Williams knew that Jake Mangum had the green light to steal second base, so he took a few steps from third base and got ready to read the throw. When pitcher Mason Englert’s throw to second went wide of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Barrios, Williams...
Reports: Lions trade RB David Montgomery to Texans for OL Juice Scruggs, 2 draft picksVideo
The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with fourth and seventh-round picks, according to multiple reports Monday. Detroit dealt a veteran running back who wanted more carries for much-needed depth on the offensive line and extra selections in next...
Reports: Browns agree to acquire offensive tackle Tytus Howard from Texans
The Cleveland Browns agreed to acquire offensive tackle Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick, according to multiple reports Monday. The deal cannot become official until the start of the NFL’s new league year March 11. Howard, who will be going into his eighth season, is also...
Pat Narduzzi takes stock of new group, coaches as Pitt opens spring practiceVideo
With the first of 15 spring practices complete, Pitt took the opening step toward coalescing as a team months ahead the 2026 football season. After Monday’s session, the Panthers will continue practicing over the next month-plus, culminating in the annual Blue-Gold Spring Game on April 15. For coach Pat Narduzzi,...
Mark Madden: Evgeni Malkin has earned another season, but should the Penguins give it to him?
Evgeni Malkin wants to play another season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. His performance this season merits that. But do the Penguins want Malkin to play another season? It’s not a simple decision. He has 13 goals and 34 assists in 44 games. Not a lot of goals, but over a...
Penguins forward Bryan Rust: ‘This is home’Video
Even after reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time last season, Bryan Rust hasn’t lost appreciation for that 20-goal plateau. He reached that mark for the seventh consecutive season Sunday during a 5-0 home win against the Vegas Golden Knights. “I’m proud of that,” Rust said after the game....
First Call: New spin on QB Malik Willis’ price tag; Goalie fight for ex-Penguin; Vince Trocheck trade rumors
“First Call” opens the week with a different twist on the Malik Willis conversation. A former Steelers defensive lineman will be leaving his current team soon. Pittsburgh native Vince Trocheck could get traded before Friday’s deadline in the NHL. An ex-Penguin got into a goalie fight. And the Robert Morris...
Madden Monday: Bad NFLPA grades come from ‘spoiled brat prima donna’ Steelers
Last week, it was revealed that the Pittsburgh Steelers ranked last among the NFL’s 32 organizations in the NFL Players Association’s annual report cards. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 the X wondered if that may motivate Art Rooney II to pay big once...
Tim Benz: Penguins handling life without Sidney Crosby as trade deadline approachesVideo
It wasn’t the most obvious path to a hot start after the Olympic break. But you can’t argue with the results. Knowing that the Pittsburgh Penguins would be without Sidney Crosby for four weeks because of his injury suffered in Italy, there was a reason to worry that their status...
Kings fire coach Jim Hiller, name D.J. Smith as the interim replacement
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Kings haven’t been the same team this season following their fourth straight first-round playoff exit, and general manager Ken Holland decided a coaching shakeup was the last chance to snap this team out of its funk. The Kings fired coach Jim Hiller on...
Lindsey Heaps, Jaedyn Shaw score as USWNT blanks Argentina in SheBelieves Cup
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lindsey Heaps had a goal and an assist, and Jaedyn Shaw also scored to propel the United States to a sixth straight shutout victory, 2-0 over Argentina in the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday. The U.S. has outscored opponents 27-1 over its past seven games. Coach Emma Hayes’...
Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol through 2028, with club option for 2029
JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol signed a two-year contract extension through at least the 2028 season, the Cardinals announced Sunday. The deal includes a club option for 2029, the club said. “As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows...
Finally healthy, righty Mike Clevinger chasing rotation spot or bulk relief role with Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Mike Clevinger has a season on his resume that no other Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher can claim. But he knows it doesn’t carry much weight in his quest to earn a roster spot this spring. Clevinger had 207 strikeouts in 200 innings over 32 starts for Cleveland...
Nico Echavarria wins the Cognizant Classic with a flawless weekend after Shane Lowry melts down late
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Nico Echavarria didn’t make a bogey all weekend. Shane Lowry was on his way to doing the same, until the very end. And that’s what decided the Cognizant Classic. Echavarria — who was three shots back with three holes left — shot a 5-under 66...
Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder dies in single-car crash at age 23, police say
BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash, police said. He was 23. Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The car struck an electrical line pole...
Minor league report: Nailers fall to Komets in overtimeVideo
Forward Mike Posma had a goal and an assist for the Wheeling Nailers in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Fort Wayne Komets at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va. on Sunday. Wheeling (31-15-3-3) also got a goal from forward Zach Urdahl. Goaltender Taylor Gauthier made 29 saves on 32 shots...
USC 2nd-leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara abruptly out of the program with no explanation
LOS ANGELES — Nearly a year after helping Auburn reach the Final Four, Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of Southern California’s basketball program, the team said Sunday. He was the second-leading scorer while starting 22 of 26 games for the struggling Trojans this season, including a 14-point effort...
Tyler Reddick makes NASCAR history at COTA with 3rd straight win to start season
AUSTIN, Texas — Tyler Reddick’s latest win drove him straight into the NASCAR record books. Reddick held off hard-charging Shane van Gisbergen over the final 20 laps at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday to become the first Cup Series driver to win the first three races of the...
Penn State TE, North Allegheny grad Khalil Dinkins hopes NFL teams look beyond his stats
Khalil Dinkins wants to be the latest Penn State tight end to find a spot in the NFL, joining former teammates Tyler Warren, Theo Johnson and Brenton Strange. His pass-catching numbers don’t rival those recent Nittany Lions stars, but an invite to the NFL combine gave the 6-foot-4, 251-pound Dinkins...
Konnor Griffin hits 2-run blast for 3rd home run of spring as Pirates cruise past Cardinals
Konnor Griffin’s third hit in spring training produced the same result as his first two, with the 19-year-old phenom circling the bases. The consensus top prospect in baseball hit a two-run homer off Kyle Leahy in the first inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates cruised to a 6-1 win over the...
