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Yankees sign Hawkins
The New York Yankees have signed right-handed relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins on a one-year deal, the team said on Thursday. The 35-year-old moves to the Yankees after making 62 relief appearances for the Colorado Rockies last season. Hawkins is likely to take the mid-innings slot left vacant by Luis Vizcaino's move to the Rockies. The Yankees will be Hawkins' sixth Major League team. He has has also featured for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and the Baltimore Orioles.
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Olivo joins Royals
Catcher Miguel Olivo signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. Olivo had been the Florida Marlins No.1 catcher the last two years and batted .237 with six home runs and 60 RBI in 122 games this year. "Miguel is a talented catcher with a power bat and a very strong throwing arm," Royals general manager Dayton Moore told MLB.com. "With him and John Buck, they form one of the most powerful catching duos in baseball." The 29-year-old Dominican has also had stints with the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres during six major league seasons producing a career batting average of .239 with 61 homers and 224 RBI.
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Boylan to lead Bulls
The slumping Chicago Bulls on Thursday named assistant coach Jim Boylan to replace the fired Scott Skiles to lead the team for the remainder of the season. Skiles was fired on Monday during his fifth season as the Bulls' coach, and the team subsequently suffered its fourth loss in five games, 94-79 to the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. The team, which was expected to contend this season after three straight playoff appearances under Skiles, has a 9-17 record and is in last place in the Eastern Conference's Central Division. Boylan, 52, was named the team's Interim Head Coach for the remainder of this season. He has been Skiles' lead assistant since 2004, and previously served as an assistant coach on four other NBA teams including the Skiles-led Phoenix Suns in 2000-2001. "Jim has paid his dues as an assistant coach and has his own ideas on the way he wants us to play," Bulls' executive vice president John Paxson said in a statement. "Many top assistants never get the chance to be a head coach in the NBA and Jim has assured me he will provide the necessary energy and commitment this position requires," Paxson said.
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Marbury may not return
Stephon Marbury might not return to the New York Knicks this season, coach Isiah Thomas said on Thursday, a day after saying he expected the star point guard to be back. Marbury was expected to return from bereavement leave on Wednesday following the death of his father on Dec. 2 but missed a team flight to Orlando. He has missed eight of the Knicks' past nine games. Asked if Marbury would be back this season, Thomas said, "I don't know." A Knicks club spokesman later said he spoke with Marbury, 30, and was told that he plans to return some time after the new year. Marbury has been a question mark since leaving the team on Nov. 13 after Thomas told him that he was being dropped from the starting lineup. Missing a game against Phoenix, Marbury returned two days later and played as a reserve in the Knicks' next three games.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely