ICE HOCKEY
NHL labor talks resume
NHL labor negotiations resumed yesterday, with mediators rejoining the talks at an undisclosed location in an effort to save the season. The Canadian Press on Tuesday reported the restart of bargaining between the league and union, citing unidentified people on both sides of the dispute. US federal mediators Scot Beckenbaugh and John Sweeney are to return to the process. At the end of last month, mediators left the negotiations after two days. Tuesday marked the 87th day of the lockout. Yesterday’s session was the first meeting since the sides blamed each other after talks broke off last week. Until then, they appeared to be making progress during three days in New York in which they exchanged proposals. Union executive director Donald Fehr maintains there are agreements on almost all the important issues. The NHL eliminated 16 more days from the regular-season schedule on Monday, canceling games through Dec. 30.
SOCCER
Lone fan in media spotlight
A Udinese fan has become the center of Italian media attention as the only away supporter to witness his team’s 2-0 victory at UC Sampdoria in Serie A on Monday. Arrigo Brovedani says he did not expect to find many other fans in the 4,134-seater away sector on a cold night, but was stunned to discover he was completely alone. Brovedani was even jokingly invited to warm up by Udinese captain Antonio di Natale following his lone cries of “Come on Udinese.” He was given coffee by stadium stewards and a Sampdoria shirt by the home side’s directors. The home fans also invited him to drink with them after the game. Udinese dedicated the win to Brovedani and they have invited him to the match against US Citta di Palermo on Saturday.
BASEBALL
Indians trade Choo Shin-soo
The Cleveland Indians traded outfielder Choo Shin-soo to the Cincinnati Reds and acquired prized pitching prospect Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team deal completed on Tuesday. Center fielder Drew Stubbs was sent from Cincinnati to Cleveland as part of the nine-player swap. In addition to Stubbs, the Indians received Bauer, the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft, as well as pitchers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw from the Diamondbacks. Cleveland shipped Choo, infielder Jason Donald and about US$3.5 million to the Reds, while sending left-handed reliever Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson to Arizona. The Diamondbacks also received shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius from Cincinnati. Choo, who has been Cleveland’s primary right fielder since 2006, is to play center and bat leadoff for Cincinnati. “It was very difficult giving up home-grown talent, but we think Choo can fill the missing parts in our lineup, both offensively and defensively,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said in a statement.
BASEBALL
Yankees to sign Youkilis
The New York Yankees have dipped into Boston’s former talent pool once again, signing Kevin Youkilis to a one-year US$12 million contract, the New York Daily News reported on Tuesday. Youkilis, who turns 34 in March, will join New York as their starting third baseman. He replaces All-Star Alex Rodriguez, who is out until at least midseason due to left-hip surgery. The Yankees had not officially announced the deal because Youkilis must first pass a physical exam. He finished last season with the Chicago White Sox. Youkilis split last season between the Red Sox and White Sox. He was traded to Chicago on June 24.
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