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☆ Shohei Ohtani’s 50-50 is just the latest chapter in an extraordinary season for the Los Angeles Dodgers star
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —It was perhaps fitting that Shohei Ohtani should achieve one of baseball’s most remarkable feats with an out-of-this-world performance. But despite being kept away from the mound, Ohtani has had a phenomenal debut season with the Dodgers. Ohtani smacks his 50th home run of the season, and with it, earns the first 50/50 in MLB history. Megan Briggs/Getty ImagesEven without pitching this season, Ohtani is still the odds-on favorite to win the NL MVP award, potentially the first to do so having played solely as a designated hitter (DH). A betrayal off the fieldAll the while, Ohtani’s record-breaking season on the diamond has come against the backdrop of off-field challenges.

Persons: Ohtani –, ”, “, –, Aaron Judge, Ohtani, Megan Briggs, Shawn Green, Ronald Acuña Jr, Alex Rodriguez, Raul Mondesi, Matt Kemp, Dave Roberts, Yoshimasa Hayashi, ” Hayashi, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Damian Dovarganes, Mizuhara – Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Major League Baseball’s, League MVP, Marlins, Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, National League West, NL West, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, MLB, ” Dodgers, City of Angels, US Department of Justice, Dodger Locations: Asia, South Korea, Santa Ana , California

☆ WNBA round-up: Playoff picture set as record-breaking regular season comes to a close
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The regular season came to a close on Thursday night with all 12 teams in action. Diana Taurasi, widely considered to be one of the best women’s basketball players of all time, addressed the Phoenix crowd on the court after what was possibly her final regular season game ever. It has been speculated that this will be Taurasi’s final season as an active player. Record crowd in attendance for Caitlin Clark’s final rookie regular season gameThis season has seen record highs in attendance and viewership, continuing right until the end of the regular season. Clark drives to the basket in the final regular season game of her rookie year.

Persons: Diana Taurasi, “ There’s, there’s, ”, Taurasi, Christian Petersen, that’s, Caitlin Clark’s, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, Clark, –, Charles Brock, “, Christie Sides, Sika Koné, Tina Charles, Charles, Sylvia Fowles, Rich von Biberstein, ” Charles, Fowles Organizations: CNN, WNBA, Mercury, Seattle Storm, Minnesota Lynx, Capital, Washington DC, Mystics, Indiana Fever, Washington, Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty, Atlanta, Liberty, New, Phoenix Mercury, Connecticut Sun, Las Vegas Aces Locations: Washington, Thursday’s, New York

☆ WNBA announces new expansion team based in Portland, Oregon
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The WNBA is returning to Portland, Oregon, starting in 2026. The new expansion franchise will play its home games at the Moda Center in downtown Portland and become the WNBA’s 15th team, the league announced Wednesday. “As the WNBA builds on a season of unprecedented growth, bringing a team back to Portland is another important step forward,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. The city previously had a WNBA team – the Portland Fire – from 2000-2002 before it folded. “Portland has a passion for women’s sports and the teams who play in the Rose City, making us the ideal home of the next WNBA team,” Oregon governor Tina Kotek said in a statement.

Persons: Cathy Engelbert, Lisa Bhathal Merage, Alex Bhathal, ” Merage, Tina Kotek, Engelbert, “, ” Engelbert, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson Organizations: CNN, Moda, “, WNBA, RAJ Sports, Portland, Sacramento Kings, Rose City Rollers, Sports, Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces Locations: Portland , Oregon, Portland, “ Portland, Rose City, Oregon, Rose, Toronto

☆ Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won’t endorse Trump or Harris
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not endorse former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. On Wednesday, Trump appeared on Fox News and was asked about Swift’s Harris endorsement. I was not a Taylor Swift fan,” Trump said. Brittany Mahomes and Taylor Swift celebrate a Kansas City Chiefs touchdown on October 12, 2023. Mahomes was asked several times about his name being mentioned in the political space in an election year.

Persons: Patrick Mahomes, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Brittany, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Harris, Mahomes, “, ” Mahomes, Trump, Swift’s Harris, ” Trump, Brittany Mahomes, Jamie Squire, ”, “ I’ve, I’m Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Republican, Fox News, Trump, Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals Locations: “, America, Brittany

☆ Dream Team dreaming: How great can this U.S. men’s basketball team still be?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Joe Vardon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +11 min

Still, as the U.S. men’s team starts its Olympic run Sunday, it begins with a roster that has drawn countless comparisons to the Dream Team. On paper, the U.S. men’s team is arguably the best team assembled since 1992. Durant is the most prolific scorer in U.S. men’s history and could, if the Americans win gold in Paris, become the most decorated Olympic men’s basketball player. A loss in the knockout stages, when there are no more second chances, and a Dream Team redux becomes a historic nightmare. In that scenario, the U.S. men’s team would be remembered forever, even if not quite held in the same reverence as the Dream Team.

Persons: Michael Jordan’s, Rod Thorn, Russ Granik, David Stern, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Thorn, Jordan, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, “, ” Granik, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, ” Curry, Gregory Shamus, Barkley, Bird, Magic, we’re, ”, Anthony Davis, James, Curry, Durant, Michael, Larry, Joel Embiid, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard, Leonard, Embiid, Durant couldn’t, Christian Laettner, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous, Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Wembanyama, who’s, Duke, Steve Kerr, ” Kerr, Gregg Popovich, Popovich, ” James, ” Davis, hasn’t, Wembanyama's, Tim Clayton, Corbis Organizations: Paris Games, PARIS, Team USA, Chicago Bulls, Barcelona Games, ”, U.S, men’s, Dream, Paris, NBA, South, Atlanta Games, USA Basketball, Serbia, Games, Olympic, South Sudanese, American, Lille Olympics, Oklahoma City Thunder, French, FIBA, U.S ., Dream Team, Team, France, Getty Locations: United States, I’m, ”, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, South Sudan, Germany, U.S, USA, Jordan, Paris, Cameroon, London, Barcelona, Lille, France, Belgian, Serbia, Greece, Canadian, basketball, Tokyo

☆ LeBron James to be United States flag bearer at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Joe Vardon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON — LeBron James, a soon-to-be four-time Olympian shooting for his third gold medal, will carry the American flag for the United States delegation during the Paris Games opening ceremony Friday along the River Seine. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee said Monday in a news release that James had won a vote among nearly 600 members of Team USA to carry the flag. A female athlete was also selected and the committee said that vote would be revealed Tuesday. He last played in the Olympics in 2012 in London, where he and the current American team will play an exhibition Monday night against Germany. The USOPC said it expected more than 350 of the 592 American athletes to participate in the ceremony.

Persons: LeBron James, James, ”, Sue Bird, Dawn Staley, —, Steph Curry, USA’s, ” Sarah Hirshland, Giuseppe Cacace Organizations: LONDON, LeBron, United, Paris Games, United States Olympic, Paralympic, Team USA, NBA, American, Germany, NBC, Getty Locations: United States, Akron, Greece, London, Paris, New York, AFP

☆ Reggie Jackson says racism he experienced playing in Birmingham made his return for Negro Leagues tribute ‘not easy’
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Dalia Faheid | Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson said it was difficult to return to Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, for the Negro Leagues tribute game Thursday because of the onslaught of racism he experienced when he played there decades ago. The team played at Rickwood Field. Mays played for the Birmingham Black Barons, a Negro League baseball team that called Rickwood Field home until their last season in 1963. The game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals both paid tribute to the Negro Leagues and honored Mays’s legacy. Approximately 60 Negro League players were in attendance – marking the largest official gathering of the league’s players in nearly 30 years, according to the MLB.

Persons: CNN — Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, Jackson, ” Jackson, “, ”, ’, ’ ”, Los Angeles Angels – Jackson, Mr, of Famer Willie Mays, Mays Organizations: CNN — Baseball Hall of Famer, Negro Leagues, Birmingham, Southern League, Rickwood, Fox, Yankees, CNN, of Fame, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, American League, MLB, of Famer, Birmingham Black Barons, Negro League baseball, San Francisco Giants, St, Louis Cardinals, Negro League, “ Locations: Birmingham , Alabama, New York

☆ Reggie Jackson, on live TV from Rickwood Field, shares stark stories of racism
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( C. Trent Rosecrans | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

Reggie Jackson played in Birmingham when he was in the minor leagues back in 1967. In his return to Rickwood Field, he shared his experience with racism and discrimination. Jackson played there just four years after four girls were killed in a bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church. The Giants wore the uniform of the San Francisco Sea Lions, a Negro Leagues team that folded after its only season in 1946. Giants manager Bob Melvin played at Rickwood Field in parts of three seasons in the early 1980s as a minor-leaguer.

Persons: of Famer Reggie Jackson, Jim Crow, Jackson teared, “, ”, Jackson, ’, Charlie Finley’s, ’ Finley, ‘ We’re, we’re, Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, ackson,, ollie, ou’re, haron, ove, ou,, hite, ike, ethel B, artin, uther, J, eague, eason, elvin, layed, aid., harley, ride,, riffey J r., ure, ike W, ilgore J r. Organizations: of Famer, Hollywood, Major League, Negro Leagues, Birmingham Black Barons, ust Locations: Birmingham, osh

☆ Willie Mays: One of baseball’s most electrifying and complete players has died at 93
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Wayne Sterling | Kevin Dotson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

AP From left: Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, and Hank Thompson hold bats on their shoulders in Yankee Stadium in 1951. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Mays, then a physical training instructor at Fort Eustis, Virginia, leads soldiers through a calisthenics session on February 19, 1953. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Mays plays stick ball with kids in New York's Harlem neighborhood in 1954. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Mays makes a leaping, one-handed catch off the Los Angeles Dodgers' Duke Snider on August 15, 1954. JR/AP Mays, then of the San Francisco Giants, plays catch with 14-month-old Herbert Henderson, at the home of Henderson's parents, in San Francisco, California on November 14, 1957.

Persons: Willie Mays, Mays, “, Michael Mays, ” Michael Mays, ”, –, Babe Ruth, Hall, Hall of Famer Willie Mays, Robert D, Manfred, ” Manfred, ” Mays, couldn’t, wouldn’t, Negro League ballplayers, Monte Irvin, Hank Thompson, William F, Donegan, Duke Snider, Charles Hoff, Jackie Robinson, Bettmann, Frank Hurley, Joe DiMiaggio, Sid Mercer, Margherite Wendell, AP Mays, Herbert Henderson, Ernest Bennett, Pepe, San Francisco, Willie McCovey, Jon Brenneis, Ed Sullivan, Mel Ott, Hank Aaron, Joan Whitney Payson, Dan Farrell, douse Mays, Paul Sakuma, Monica M, Davey, John G, Mabanglo, San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds, of Famer Willie McCovey, Bonds, Willie, Laura Bush, George W, Bush, Chip Somodevilla, Jeff Gross, Barack Obama, Louis, Pete Souza, Jon Miller, Ezra Shaw, Nicholas Kamm, Gabrielle Lurie, ’ Mays, Vic Wertz, ” San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Breed, ’, Peter Ueberroth, Leo Durocher, ” Obama, “ Willie, Gavin Newsom, ” Newsom, Emma Tucker, Elizabeth Joseph, Taylor Romine Organizations: CNN, of Famer, San Francisco Giants, Giants, Major League Baseball, New York Giants, National League, Hall of Famer, MLB, Negro League statistics, Negro American, Birmingham Black Barons, San Francisco Chronicle, Juneteenth, Negro Leagues, Black Barons, Louis Cardinals, Negro League, Gloves, Bettmann, American, Minneapolis Millers, Minnesota Historical Society, AP, Yankee, The New York Giants, Army, Major League, Los Angeles Dodgers, NY, Mays ' New York Giants, Robinson's Brooklyn Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Baseball Writers, JR, San, Candlestick Park, CBS, Getty, Astrodome, Mays, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Mets, Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs, National League East, AP Mays, Candlestick, San Fransisco Giants, Park, Willie Mays Plaza, Bell Park, White, Little League's Challenger Division, T, Air Force, London Breed, Hall, Polo, New York, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Franciscan, ” San Francisco Mayor London, of Fame, Baseball Hall of Fame, Baseball Locations: Birmingham , Alabama, Birmingham, American, New York, Omaha , Nebraska, Camp Kilmer , New Jersey, Fort Eustis , Virginia, Phoenix , Arizona, New, Harlem, Mays ', NY, East Elmhurst , New York, San Francisco , California, San Francisco, Candlestick, Houston , Texas, New York City, Chicago , Illinois, AFP, Washington , DC, St, Washington ,, California

☆ Ronald Acuña Jr.: Reigning NL MVP to miss rest of the MLB season after tearing ACL
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Atlanta Braves outfielder and reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. will miss the rest of the Major League Baseball (MLB) season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced on Sunday night. When teammate Marcell Ozuna was up to bat, Acuña tried to steal third base, but his leg buckled awkwardly. Acuña Jr. (13) is tended to after being injured while running the bases in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26. He’s one of the best players in the game,” Braves pitcher Chris Sale said after the game. Sorry💔😪 — Ronald Acuña Jr. (@ronaldacunajr24) May 27, 2024The Braves star will undergo surgery “at a date yet to be determined,” the team added.

Persons: Ronald Acuña Jr, Marcell Ozuna, Acuña, ” “, ” Acuña, Acuña Jr, Gene J, Chris Sale Organizations: CNN — Atlanta Braves, National League, Major League Baseball, Pittsburgh Pirates, “, ” Braves

☆ Caitlin Clark scores 20 points and commits 10 turnovers in her first WNBA game as Indiana Fever loses to Connecticut Sun
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Kevin Dotson | Dalia Faheid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

1 overall WNBA draft pick Caitlin Clark had mixed success in her regular season debut Tuesday night, scoring 20 points but committing 10 turnovers as her Indiana Fever lost to the Connecticut Sun 92-71. Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas looks to shoot against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during Clark's first WNBA game in Uncasville, Connecticut on Tuesday, May 14. “Just learn from it and move on.”It took her a little while to settle into the game, Clark said. Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever dribbles against DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun during Clark's first WNBA game in Uncasville, Connecticut on May 14. Elsa/Getty ImagesClark’s WNBA debut was much-anticipatedThe WNBA season started with the league’s newest star taking center stage.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, Connecticut’s DeWanna Bonner, “, Maya Moore, Edna Campbell, Clark, Alyssa Thomas, Bonner, Clark's, Jessica Hill, she’s ‘, ’, would’ve, ” Clark, ”, DiJonai Carrington, Elsa Organizations: CNN, Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun, NCAA, Suns, Midway, WNBA, Sun, Sun ., Sun . Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Iowa Hawkeyes, Atlanta, Fever, Mohegan Sun Arena Locations: Connecticut, Sun . Connecticut, Uncasville , Connecticut, Gainbridge, Indianapolis

☆ Ohtani translator accused of stealing $16 million from Dodgers star
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Shohei Ohtani answers questions and Ippei Mizuhara translates during the Shohei Ohtani-Los Angeles Dodgers press conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Dec. 14, 2023. Shohei Ohtani's former translator Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole more than $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star to cover millions of dollars of gambling debts, the U.S. attorney's office announced Thursday. Over that time, the attorney's office discovered that Mizuhara had full access to Ohtani's bank accounts. Phone records indicate he accessed them online and lied to the bank pretending to be Ohtani, the office said. Attorneys for Ohtani, Mizuhara and the Dodgers declined to give immediate comment on the charges.

Persons: Shohei, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Martin Estrada, Estrada, I've Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger, Ohtani, Dodgers, DOJ, D.C, MLB, Los Angeles Angels, American League, Major League Locations: Los Angeles, U.S, Ohtani, Ohtani's, Southern California, Las Vegas, Washington, California

☆ Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter is in negotiations to plead guilty over theft and gambling, the NYT reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Joe Sutton | Jason Hanna | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is in negotiations to plead guilty to federal crimes related to accusations he stole millions from Ohtani and used it for gambling, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the matter. Ippei Mizuhara was fired last month after Ohtani’s lawyers accused him of stealing from Ohtani and placing bets with a bookmaker who is under federal investigation. Ohtani later alleged Mizuhara stole the money from his bank account. “I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I’ve trusted has done this,” Ohtani, Major League Baseball’s only two-way player, said. ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, citing multiple unnamed sources, said on CNN’s “The Lead” last month at least $4.5 million was withdrawn via wire transfer from Ohtani’s bank accounts, though it was unclear who initiated the transfers.

Persons: CNN —, Shohei Ohtani, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Michael Freedman, “, ” Ohtani, I’ve, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, gambles, CNN’s Raja Razek, De la Fuente, Steve Almasy, Dalia Faheid, Elizabeth Wolfe Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Times, Prosecutors, Dodgers, MLB, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, Dodger, League Baseball’s, Internal Revenue Service, Major League Baseball, American League Locations: Ohtani, South Korea, Seoul, Korea

☆ After Ohtani and Kikuchi, Japan high school toasts latest baseball prodigy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Hanako Montgomery | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Banners herald Los Angeles Dodgers megastar Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, their faces greeting every visitor. But now, Hanamaki Higashi High School celebrates a new prodigy in its midst – one whose high-school records beat even those of Ohtani and Kikuchi. “The presence of legends like Shohei Ohtani and Yusei Kikuchi were a huge factor as to why I got into baseball – I fell in love with the sport,” Sasaki told CNN. Now, with the emergence of three baseball stars from Hanamaki Higashi, Sasaki’s teammates swell with pride at the honor of walking the same corridors. Despite its status as a public school with a modest baseball budget, Hanamaki Higashi has impressively produced three outstanding athletes.

Persons: Shohei, Yusei Kikuchi, Hanamaki, Kikuchi, Rintaro Sasaki doesn’t, ” Sasaki, Sasaki, he’ll, ”, Hiroshi, Ohtani, Shohei Ohtani, “, Taichi Murakami, Hanamaki Higashi, it’s Organizations: Japan CNN —, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, School, baseball, CNN, Stanford University in, Stanford, Los Angeles Angels, Angel, Kyodo, baseball’s, Dodgers, American League Locations: Hanamaki, Japan, Iwate prefecture, Stanford University in California, America, “, Anaheim , California, Higashi, Hanamaki Higashi

☆ Why the Shohei Ohtani story is so concerning for baseball and sports
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —I can’t recall a recent baseball story that has captured the public imagination like the current one involving Los Angeles Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani, his former translator Ippei Mizuhara and gambling. That said, assuming Ohtani has done nothing wrong, America’s pastime will emerge from this situation mostly unscathed. Ohtani stalls at second base after hitting a double during the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Yes, one team is favored to win, but we don’t know that team will win for sure. And if it occurs involving someone as beloved as Ohtani, it could be a disaster for not just baseball, but sports around the globe.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, –, Ohtani, Will Ireton, Kirby Lee, Reuters Ohtani, it’s, Mike Trout, didn’t, I’ll, won’t, Sean M, I’m, It’s, they’ve, We’ve, Brad Bohannon, Bohannon, Jontay Porter, bettors, Porter, ” Porter wasn’t, Stu Foster, Sandro Tonali, Phil Mickelson, Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson –, Rose, Jackson, Tyrese Haliburton, JB Bickerstaff, Charlie Baker, Ezra Shaw, Rob Manfred, David, Goliath Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League, Dodgers, USA, Sports, Reuters, League, Baseball, St, Louis Cardinals, American, NFL, Former University of Alabama, Alabama, Toronto Raptors, Italian Football Federation, England’s Football Association, Newcastle United, Major League Baseball, Cincinnati Reds, Black Sox, Chicago White Sox, Famers, Bettmann, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Getty Images, American Gaming Association, Census, MLB, MLB Network Locations: United States, Nevada, Bohannon, Italy, Tonaly, England

☆ MLB Opening Day: 2024 regular season kicks off in full with Shohei Ohtani cloud looming
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Although fans have been treated to a glimpse of MLB action, the 2024 season kicks off in full on Thursday with Opening Day. How to watchThe Opening Day slate of games takes place on Thursday, March 28, with 26 teams taking to the field. The Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels kick off the day’s action at 3:05 PM ET at Camden Yards in Maryland. Ohtani cloud overshadows Dodgers startThe majority of the Los Angeles Dodgers offseason was dominated with optimism and talk of a World Series challenge after the acquisition of two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani and pitching phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ohtani prepares for a pitch during the Dodgers' preseason game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Persons: Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key, Shohei Ohtani, phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani, Ippei, Mizuhara, Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Harry, Juan Soto, Soto, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, Stanton, Nathan Ray Seebeck, Ronald Acuña Jr, Acuña, Tim Nwachukwu, Wyatt Longford Organizations: CNN, Seoul, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Deigo Padres, MLB, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Camden, Orioles, Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, League, St, Louis Cardinals, Bronx Bombers, New York Yankees, Yankees, San Diego Padres, San, American League, Houston Astros, Judge, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, National League, Braves, NL, Phillies, National, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins –, Cleveland Guardians, Oakland Athletics –, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Locations: South Korea, Camden Yards, Maryland, Seoul, Ohtani, San Diego, Atlanta, Texas

☆ Shohei Ohtani plays in Dodgers’ loss to Angels after addressing gambling and theft allegations against former interpreter
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani went hitless for a second straight game as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Los Angeles Angels 6-0 on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Before the game, the two-time MVP spoke publicly for the first time since gambling and theft allegations against his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, came to light last week. Ohtani prepares to bat against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Internal Revenue Service and Major League Baseball are investigating the matter, with the league trying to determine whether its strict rules against gambling have been broken. The Dodgers will close out the three-game exhibition against the Angels on Tuesday.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, “, I’ve, ”, Will Ireton, Mizuhara, ” Ohtani, Jae C, gambles, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Dodger, Dodgers, ESPN, Internal Revenue Service, Major League Baseball, American League, Angels Locations: South Korea

(AP) — Vanessa DiBernardo scored the first goal for Kansas City in its new stadium and the Current held off the Portland Thorns 5-4 on Saturday in the regular-season opener for the National Women's Soccer League. Rookie Ellie Wheeler scored moments later and the Current built a 3-1 lead by halftime. It was the first game at CPKC Stadium, which the team says is the first U.S. stadium built expressly for women’s pro soccer. Andonovski also coached two seasons with the Reign before taking over the U.S. national team. Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, part of the Current's ownership group, kicked off the game with a “K.C., baby!” chant.

Persons: — Vanessa DiBernardo, Shelby Hogan, DiBernardo, Ellie Wheeler, Bia Zaneratto, Kristen Hamilton, Alex Pfeiffer, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie, Smith, Hamilton, Pfeiffer, Beckie's, Vlatko Andonovski, Andonovski, Patrick Mahomes, ___ Organizations: KANSAS CITY, Kansas City, Portland Thorns, National Women's Soccer League, ABC, ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, Portland, U.S, FC Kansas City, U.S . Locations: KANSAS, Mo, U.S, Missouri, Brazil, Brittany

☆ Shohei Ohtani reveals his new wife’s identity – basketball star Mamiko Tanaka
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( David Close | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Two weeks after making the surprise announcement of his marriage, Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has revealed his new wife’s identity – and she’s also a top athlete. Ohtani, 29, on Thursday posted a photo on Instagram of the couple standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team plane as they traveled to South Korea. Tanaka, 27, also played for Japan at U16, U17 and U18 levels, according to her profile on international governing body FIBA’s website. Ohtani, who is known for his two-way abilities on the field, is a hugely popular figure in his native Japan. That announcement stunned fans – and Ohtani and topics related to his marriage quickly became Japan’s top five trending topics on social platform X.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, she’s, Mamiko Tanaka, Tanaka, Ohtani, “, ”, – Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers, League, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Japan, U16, U18, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels Locations: South Korea, Japan

CNN —Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani revealed on Thursday that he is now married. “The season is approaching, I am pleased to announce to you that I have gotten married,” Ohtani said in a surprise post in Japanese on Instagram. In the meantime, he urged the media to refrain from reaching out for interviews to him and his family. Following his post on Instagram, Ohtani and topics related to his marriage became Japan’s top five trending topics on X, formerly known as Twitter, with his announcement stunning fans. “Taking off work to mourn the loss of Shohei,” one user replied to Ohtani’s post.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, “, ” Ohtani, ”, Ohtani Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Angels, Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, League, Chicago White Sox, American League Locations: Japanese

☆ MLS season preview: Messi and Inter Miami target domination of US soccer in ‘year two’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

How to watch the MLS season openerThe MLS season opener between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast in the US and UK on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, following the 10-year streaming deal signed in 2022 between MLS and the technology company. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesDays before the MLS season began, league commissioner Don Garber said he believed Miami could still add more superstar firepower to its squad. The Columbus Crew will likely pose a threat once again to win the MLS Cup. Writing for ESPN, Luis Miguel Echegaray said he doesn’t see Inter Miami winning the Eastern Conference.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, it’s, Messi, Luis Suárez, Gerardo ‘ Tata ’ Martino, Suárez’s, ” Messi, Tim Nwachukwu, Don Garber, “, ” Garber, Leo, Garber, Maddie Meyer, Wilfried Nancy, ’, Luciano Acosta, “ We’re, Luis Miguel Echegaray, Tata Martino, ”, ” GOAL.com’s Ryan Tolmich Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Barcelona, MLS Eastern Conference, Leagues, MLS, Miami, Apple, Uruguayan, Gremio, Messi, CONCACAF Champions League, ESPN, Argentine, Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Miami Herald, ”, Eastern Conference Locations: Miami, Real Salt, Brazil, Barcelona, French, Ohio, Argentine

Rick Tocchet and Rick Bowness were together at NHL All-Star Weekend when news broke that the Winnipeg Jets traded for Sean Monahan. “It’s a great move by Winnipeg, great move by Vancouver getting our guy.”Toss in the Colorado Avalanche signing veteran winger Zach Parise around the same time, and the race for players is already well underway in the Western Conference. And there's still three weeks left until the March 8 deadline, as trade talk picks up and plenty more movement is expected. “Obviously, (we have) a lot of good players and a lot skill — strength throughout the whole lineup. Getting Parise without having to give up draft picks, prospects or players from their roster was a nice first step for general manager Chris MacFarland.

Persons: Rick Tocchet, Rick Bowness, Sean Monahan, Bowness, Elias Lindholm, It’s, ” Tocchet, “ It’s, Zach Parise, there's, ”, Nathan MacKinnon, “, Connor McDavid's, ” Lindholm, Monahan, Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor, Connor, Nazem Kadri, Alexandar Georgiev, Chris MacFarland, Andrew Cogliano, that’s, Parise, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, Jacob Markstrom, Jake Allen, Anaheim's Adam Henrique, Washington's Max Pacioretty, Nic Dowd, Anthony Mantha, Nick Seeler, Sean Walker, Tocchet, ” they're, Bowen Byram, we’ve Organizations: NHL, Winnipeg Jets, Tocchet's Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, Western Conference, Stanley, Avalanche, Canucks, Dallas Stars, Central Division, Connor McDavid's Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg, Jets, Bowness, Calgary Locations: Winnipeg, Vancouver, West, Colorado, Bowness , Winnipeg, Montreal

☆ What to know about the Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl matchup
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Hannah Brewitt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Super Bowl LVIII is finally upon us and only two teams remain in the fight for the NFL’s biggest prize. Their next challenge is to defeat the Chiefs and win the franchise’s first Super Bowl title in nearly 30 years. Sunday’s matchup will be the second time in just four years that these two teams will meet in a Super Bowl. When the rivals squared off in Super Bowl LIV back in 2020, Kansas City came back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to earn its first Super Bowl title since 1970. He’s won two Super Bowl titles, two Super Bowl MVP awards, and two league MVP awards - all before his 30th birthday.

Persons: Lombardi, Taylor Swift, Patrick Mahomes ’, Patrick Mahomes, David Eulitt, Super Bowl LIV, ’, Andy Reid’s, Mahomes, He’s, Brock Purdy, Mark J, Terrill, Purdy, Tom Brady, Joe Montanta, Brady, Will Mahomes, Swift, Travis Kelce, songstress, Jamie Squire, ” Kelce, “, ”, Travis Kelce’s, Donna, she’ll, Donna Kelce Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, CBS, CBS Sports, Paramount, Nickelodeon, Patrick Mahomes ’ Chiefs, NFL, Chiefs, Super Bowl, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Kansas City, Niners, Super, NFC, ‘ Chiefs, Embassy of Locations: Vegas, Sin, Super, Kansas, San Francisco, Montana, ‘, Embassy, Embassy of Japan, United States, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Allegiant

Under California rules, Democrats and Republicans appear on the same primary ballot and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of political party. Come November, the seat is expected to stay in Democratic hands in a state where Republicans haven’t won a U.S. Senate election since 1988. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a longtime Democratic organizer, to fulfill Feinstein's term, and Butler chose not to seek election to the seat. In 2016 and 2018, GOP Senate candidates performed so poorly that two Democrats appeared on the November ballot. Porter opposes earmarks — where lawmakers direct federal spending to a specific project or institution back home — while Schiff and Lee endorsed them.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Adam Schiff, Donald Trump’s, Schiff, He’s, Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, Steve Garvey, Republicans haven’t, Garvey, ” Schiff, Garvey “, Porter, ”, Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Laphonza Butler, Butler, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, . Garvey, Eric Early, spotlighting, Alex Padilla, Mark Meuser, wasn’t, “, … I’ve, I’ve, Nancy Pelosi, Lee Organizations: ANGELES, Senate, Democratic, Democratic U.S . Rep, Democratic House, Republican, Los Angeles Dodgers, National League MVP, Republicans, U.S, GOP, Congress, Democrats, White, Trump, Dodger, Capitol Locations: U.S, California, ”, Los Angeles, Israel, Gaza, Russia

☆ Michael Jordan's championship sneakers sold for a record-breaking $8m
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A set of Michael Jordan's championship sneakers was sold for a record-breaking $8m, the BBC reports. The six individual sneakers were all worn by Jordan during the game-clinching NBA finals in the 1990s. During his career, the basketball superstar went to the NBA Finals six times and won each time. The set of winning sneakers include Air Jordan VI (1991), Air Jordan VII (1992), Air Jordan VIII (1993), Air Jordan XI (1996), Air Jordan XII (1997), and Air Jordan XIV (1998). The photos, taken by Bill Smith, were taken after the 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1998 NBA Finals.

Persons: Michael Jordan's, Jordan, Jordan VI, Jordan VII, Air Jordan VIII, Air Jordan XII, Air Jordan XIV, Bill Smith, Brahm Wachter, Matthew Kish, Sotheby's, Michael Jordan, He's Organizations: BBC, NBA, Air, Forbes, of Fame, Jersey, Charlotte Hornets, Business Locations: Dubai

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