BASEBALL
Mystery surrounds trade
The manager of CPBL team the Uni-President Lions on Sunday said he had no idea about news reports that Chang Tai-shan, one of the country’s best hitters, will be traded. Chen Cheng-nan said he was in the dark about reports that Chang, currently with the Sinon Bulls, will be traded from the Taichung-based Bulls to the Tainan-based Lions for a release amount of between NT$2 million (US$67,000) and NT$3 million. According to the reports, the Bulls’ management hopes Chang, 34, will become a coach from next season, while Chang, Taiwan’s top home run hitter, thinks he is still able to be a player. Dismissing the reports, Chen said they have not been officially notified by the Bulls about Chang’s possible trade. Chang, with 241 home runs, a high RBI of 1,030 and 1,622 hits in his 15-year career as a professional baseballer — all records that have never been broken in Taiwan’s professional baseball history — first joined the now defunct Weichuan Dragons in 1996 at the age of 19 and transferred to the Sinon Bulls in 1999. He currently earns NT$250,000 per month with the Bulls.
BASEBALL
Cuba’s Lazo retires
Right-handed pitcher Pedro Luis Lazo has retired from Cuban baseball after dominating hitters for two decades. Lazo is Cuba’s career win leader, with a 257-136 record over 21 seasons. He played in four Olympics and both World Baseball Classics. Only one Cuban pitcher has bettered his 2,426 career strikeouts. He arrived for a game honoring him on Sunday in a horse-drawn carriage at a stadium in Pinar del Rio, where he long formed a fearsome pitching duo with Jose Ariel Contreras. Lazo had a 144kph fastball and a 136kph curve, along with a slider and forkball.
GOLF
Perske sentenced for drugs
A Japanese court has handed down a suspended sentence to Australian golfer Wayne Perske for possessing and using cocaine. Masaaki Ono, an official at the Chiba District Court, said the 36-year-old golfer received a year and six months in prison, suspended for three years. Perske was arrested in October after inhaling cocaine at a bar in Chiba, east of Tokyo, and carrying some 1.25g of cocaine in his pocket. A customer at the bar alerted police, leading officers to search and arrest him. Japan has strict anti-drug laws. Possession of banned drugs can carry a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment.
HORSE RACING
Steeplechase delayed again
Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Kauto Star’s bid for a record fifth win in the King George VI steeplechase will have to wait till Jan. 15 after Kempton Park racecourse authorities were forced to postpone the race for a second time after an inspection on Sunday. The race had been set for its traditional Boxing Day running until it was postponed on Friday because of frozen ground, with the management team hoping it could be run yesterday. Clerk of the course Barney Clifford said of the decision to abandon plans to stage the race yesterday: “We’ve done everything we can, but the forecast has gone against us.” The further postponement will come as a blow to champion jockey Tony McCoy, the recently crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year, who broke his Grand National duck this year on Don’t Push It. The 36-year-old Ulsterman was due to ride Kauto Star for the first time as injuries to both Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey Ruby Walsh and then second choice Noel Fehily had won him the mount.
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