BASEBALL
Ozzie Guillen released
Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has been released from his contract with two days remaining in the season, the team announced on Monday after a 4-3 victory over Toronto. Meanwhile, the Florida Marlins, who last year spoke with the White Sox about obtaining Guillen, announced that they would have a managerial vacancy, with 80-year-old Jack McKeon saying he is going to retire at the end of the season. The White Sox said they retain the right to be compensated if Guillen accepts a managerial job with any other major league club next season. Guillen, who had one year remaining on his contract, met White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf earlier on Monday and said he wanted to return, but only for a contract extension with a pay increase.
BASKETBALL
Nets to change their name
The New Jersey Nets are going to change their name to the Brooklyn Nets when they move into a new arena next year, hip-hop singer and Nets part-owner Jay-Z said on Monday. Across the street from the site where the team plans to play next season, Jay-Z announced he would open the arena by performing there next September in at least two or three concerts. He also said the team, owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, would change its name to reflect the borough of New York City where he grew up. “I’m from Brooklyn,” Jay-Z said. “Opening this arena will mean more to me than anywhere else.” The Nets hope to become title contenders once they move across the Hudson River from their current home in Newark, New Jersey.
FOOTBALL
Vick’s hand not broken
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick did not fracture his hand as initially feared and he could play in the team’s next game against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Andy Reid said on Monday. Fresh scans showed Vick suffered a bruise to his right, non-throwing hand rather than a break, which was the initial worry from X-rays taken shortly after the injury. Vick, who was playing a week after being knocked out of a game with a concussion, suffered his latest setback during the third quarter of a 29-16 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday and he was removed from the game.
SOCCER
Wilshere out for five months
England and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has undergone a successful operation on his right ankle, but he could be out for up to five months, the Premier League giants announced on Monday. The 19-year-old suffered a stress fracture to his right ankle in a pre-season friendly against the New York Red Bulls. “The initial indications are that the surgery has been successful and Jack will now undergo a prolonged period of rehabilitation. It is envisaged that Jack’s rehabilitation will take a period of four to five months,” the team said in a statement.
CRICKET
Cooley named interim coach
Troy Cooley was yesterday appointed interim coach for Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa following Tim Nielsen’s resignation, but Cooley said he was not interested in the position full-time. “Troy has filled this role successfully in the past and has worked extensively with all players within the Australian set-up,” Cricket Australia general manager Michael Brown said. Cooley, 45, is currently head coach at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane and since 2006 he has been the country’s bowling coach, as well as its assistant coach for the last two years.
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
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was