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Twins players are eager to begin MLB’s new balanced schedule

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

Much has been made about the new rules changes and the affect they’ll have on the game moving forward. But it’s not just the rules that are changing this year. Beginning this spring, Major League Baseball has introduced a balanced schedule in all 30 teams will play one another.“I think it should have always been that way,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “Some divisions are tougher than other ones, and if you have everyone playing everyone, then it evens out a little more. So, yeah, I like it.”For the Twins, that means more games against National League opponents and fewer against American League Central rivals Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City and the Chicago White Sox. Instead of playing 19 division games against each opponents, the Twins will play those four teams 13 times each.Only AL Central finished last season above .500, the Guardians, which means the Twins’ scheduled might be getting more difficult.“I think every year there’s a lot been made of maybe certain divisions fee...

SLU women fall 95-50 to Tennessee in March Madness tourney debut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jordan Horston scored 21 points and Rickea Jackson added 18 as the fourth-seeded Tennessee Lady Vols remained perfect when opening the NCAA Tournament on their home court, routing No. 13 seed Saint Louis 95-50 on Saturday.The Lady Vols (24-11) improved to 25-0 in first-round games on their home court to reach Monday night's second-round where they will play either No. 5 seed Iowa State or 12th-seeded Toledo. Tennessee improved to 6-2 all-time as a No. 4 seed.Jordan Walker added 11 points and Tess Darby had 10 for the Lady Vols. They will try to advance to a second straight Sweet 16 in the Seattle 3 region. Top story: Murder victim’s sister waited nine years to hear triple killer was found guilty The first NCAA Tournament appearance ended quickly for Saint Louis (17-18). The Billikens snapped the six-game winning streak that helped them win the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament after starting the season 6-16.Brooke Flowers led Saint Louis with 17 points, and...

March Madness at Ball Arena: Previewing the second round matchups in Denver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

A look at the second-round NCAA Tournament matchups set for Sunday night inside Ball Arena.No. 6 Creighton (22-12) vs. No. 3 Baylor (23-10)Time/TV: 5:10 p.m., TBSBetting line/over-under: Baylor -1.5, 145.5What Creighton wants to do: The Bluejays endured some tense moments in the second half of their first-round matchup with N.C. State, largely due to their inability to hit from outside (3 of 20 from 3). That must change if they are to keep pace with a Baylor offense that’s among the best in the nation.Creighton has a distinct advantage in the paint with Ryan Kalkbrenner coming off a career-high 31 points and three blocks. But if the Jays’ guards aren’t hitting from deep — guards Ryan Nemhard, Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman were 2 of 15 vs. N.C. State  — Baylor can make it difficult for the 7-foot-1 big man to get the ball where he can finish.Defensively, the objective is equal parts simple and extremely difficult to accomplish: Run Baylor’s talent...

LoDo institution Blake Street Tavern closing after 20 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

A longtime LoDo staple will soon be closing its doors less than a month after celebrating 20 years in operation.Blake Street Tavern, a popular sports bar and go-to spot for Colorado Rockies’ opening day, is set to close after one last day of business on April 9, General Manager Shelley Majeres said in an email Saturday.“We are saddened by this turn of events and gladdened by the support of our many regulars and friends,” Majeres, manager of the tavern for 17 years, said. “It is truly the end of an era for many of us who have formed lifelong friendships here. My joy is to serve good people, good food, and I got to do that here for 17 of BST’s 20 years.”Blake Street Tavern had a tumultuous few years through the COVID-19 pandemic, closing temporarily in 2021 due to indoor dining restrictions and losing out on several Rockies’ opening days, usually their busiest time of year. 

Nathan MacKinnon-led Avalanche top Red Wings for 5th straight win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

DETROIT — Nathan MacKinnon scored a tiebreaking goal with a burst of speed and a slick wrist shot midway through the second period to help the Colorado Avalanche pull away for a 5-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.Devon Toews scored early in the game and Bowen Byram gave Colorado a two-goal lead late in the second after MacKinnon’s shot broke a defenseman’s stick. Lars Eller had a goal and Mikko Rantanen scored his 46th early in the third, ending Ville Husso’s day after he gave up five goals on just 21 shots.MacKinnon also had an assist and Alexandar Georgiev made 33 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who won five straight games for the third time this season.Pius Suter pulled Detroit into a 1-all tie in the first period and Magnus Hellberg finished with two saves, filling in for Husso for the last 14-plus minutes.The Red Wings went 0 for 2 on the power play in the first period and had a short-handed chance to score late in the second, ...

San Jose police probe ‘suspicious death’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

A man was found dead in East San Jose under suspicious circumstances, police said Saturday.San Jose police said Saturday morning that they were investigating the suspicious death of an adult male in the 2500 block of Fontaine Road, near the intersection of Tully Road and Highway 101.The department received a call around 6:30 a.m. that led them to the fatality.No further details were immediately available.Check back on this developing story.

Emotional Sergio Romo back with SF Giants, ‘trying to wrap my head around’ retirement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Sergio Romo didn’t think he would be this emotional. It was just catch.But the setting, on the backfield behind Scottsdale Stadium, with at least two dozen fans lined up along the metal fence, and the circumstances, with Romo back in a Giants uniform for the first time since 2016, were too much to overcome.After signing a minor-league deal with the intent to retire with the team he helped win three titles, Romo completed his physical Saturday morning, walked to his locker with a No. 54 jersey hanging in it, then proceeded out the clubhouse doors and down the left-field line, where pitching coaches Andrew Bailey and J.P. Martinez were waiting for him. Romo signed autographs for the dozens of onlookers, then began the emotional undertaking of his first time throwing with any intensity since last September.Romo, 40, played catch for about 15 minutes, taking frequent pauses between pitches. He was soaking it all in, one last time.Romo in action pic.twitter.com/...

Sharks’ James Reimer won’t wear Pride-themed warmup jersey, saying it runs counter to religious beliefs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

SAN JOSE — James Reimer will not participate in the San Jose Sharks’ pregame warmups tonight, saying the Pride-themed jerseys team members are planning to wear to show support of the LGBTQIA+ community runs counter to his personal religious convictions.Reimer, a devout Christian, said he came to the decision earlier this week.The Sharks organization earlier this week announced a host of activities that revolve around their Pride Night celebration, including wearing warmup jerseys with specific crest and patch artwork designed to show acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community.Reimer, who is not scheduled to play Saturday when the Sharks host the New York Islanders, will not take part in the team’s usual pregame warmups.“I get what the message is. I think people are trying to show support to the community and I’m sure people in the community feel marginalized,” Reimer said Saturday afternoon. “So it’s people trying to come along (with) them in a public way and support them. For...

Sharks goalie James Reimer declines to wear Pride jersey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer won’t take part in pregame warmups, saying the team’s decision to wear Pride-themed jerseys in support of the LGBTQ community runs counter to his religious beliefs.Reimer said in a statement Saturday that he made the decision based on his Christian beliefs, adding that he “always strived to treat everyone with respect” and that members of the LGBTQ community should be welcome in hockey.“In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions, which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in life,” Reimer said.Reimer is the second NHL player this season to refuse to take part in warmups with Pride-themed jerseys, with Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov declining to in January. Reimer was not slated to play in Saturday night’s home game against the New York Islanders, which is Pride night. Additionally, the New York Rangers opted not to wear Pride jerseys or use Pride stick tape ...

Clark, Iowa prepare for Georgia’s zone defense in 2nd round

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:18 GMT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s women’s basketball team has seen plenty of different defenses this season.The zone that the Hawkeyes will see in Georgia in Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second-round game is just the latest test.The Lady Bulldogs (22-11), the 10th seed in Seattle Regional 4, held Florida State to 26.9% shooting overall and 27.6% in 3-pointers in Friday’s 66-54 first-round game.Now Georgia gets the second-seeded Hawkeyes (27-6), who led the nation in scoring at 87.5 points per game and in field-goal percentage at 51.1%. Iowa also shot 37.2 percent in 3-pointers, 10th best in the nation.The defenses the Hawkeyes have seen this season, especially in Big Ten play, have been an education.“I think everything really helped prepare us for this,” said Iowa center Monika Czinano. “I think we are really equipped for it. A lot of losses, yeah, they sucked. It sucks to lose. But we learned a lot of great lessons from them. They teach us really great lessons for t...