BASEBALL
MLB bid for Korean: report
South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin has landed a US$25 million bid from an undisclosed Major League Baseball (MLB) club, according to media reports yesterday. The MLB team have 30 days to negotiate a contract with the Hanwha Eagles player, the Yonhap news agency reported. Media reports suggest the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Texas Rangers were interested in signing the 25-year-old left-hander. “I’d like to thank the Eagles and my manager Kim Eung-yong for their faith and support,” Ryu was quoted as saying by the report.
FOOTBALL
Fake injury proves costly
The Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders have been fined a total of US$50,000 for a faked injury by Sanders in the Oct. 21 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the National Football League (NFL) said on Friday. Sanders was fined US$15,000 and the Steelers US$35,000, the league said. The league had told clubs in September it intended to crack down on faked injuries used to stop the clock or give a team a chance to get better organized. Sanders grabbed his leg and fell to the ground complaining of cramp during the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ 24-17 win. NFL executive vice president of Football Operations Ray Anderson said in a letter to Sanders and the Steelers, “neither the video sequence of the pertinent plays nor the observations of the on-field official support Sanders’ contention that he was in severe pain.” After sitting out one play, Sanders returned to the field to help in coverage of a fourth-down punt and sprinted down the field ahead of all the other Pittsburgh players. Anderson said there was no suggestion the Steelers had taught or condoned the faking of injuries. “If I believed that to be the case, the discipline would be substantially more,” he said.
CRICKET
Test suffers wash out
Rain washed out the second day of the first Test between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba yesterday. A torrential downpour about 45 minutes before the scheduled start was followed by drizzle which persisted throughout the day. It was the first time a whole day’s play had been lost to rain at the ground since 1983, when Australia’s Test against Pakistan was similarly disrupted. South Africa were set to resume on 255 for two in their first innings. The tourists have been reduced to 10 batsmen after J.P. Duminy was ruled out for the series after rupturing his Achilles tendon in a warm-down after play on Friday. The team confirmed that Duminy would be replaced in the touring party, but exactly who would join the squad would not be announced before the end of the match.
Soccer
Owen told to sit up straight
Stoke City striker Michael Owen has been handed a simple piece of advice to try to stop his chronic hamstring problems — he has been ordered to sit up straight. The 32-year-old former England forward, who has only played 54 minutes for the Premier League side since joining at the start of the season, left Manchester United at the end of last term after injury had again threatened to wreck his career. “Michael is so nervous about it being a long-term injury,” Stoke boss Tony Pulis told the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper. “It’s more to do with his posture than anything else. That affects the hamstring. It’s all about the alignment of his back and spine, making sure everything’s in place,” he said. Owen, the 2001 European Player of the Year has often missed large chunks of seasons because of injury.
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