BASEBALL
Red Sox acquire Hanrahan
The Boston Red Sox landed closer Joel Hanrahan in a six-player trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. The Red Sox sent outfielders Mark Melancon and Stolmy Pimentel along with infielders Ivan De Jesus and Jerry Sands to the Pirates in exchange for Brock Holt and Hanrahan, who they immediately announced as the team’s new closer. The 31-year-old has complied 76 saves over the last two seasons, and was named an All Star in each year.
SOCCER
Taarabt misses out
Morocco have left Queens Park Rangers forward Adel Taarabt out of their 24-man African Nations Cup squad for the finals which start in South Africa next month. The 23-year-old does not feature on the list of players for the tournament, which runs from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10, published on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation Web site. The mercurial Taarabt has been out of favor with the national team, but hoped to have done enough to impress Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi, who took charge in the summer.
BASEBALL
Club keep star despite arrest
Japanese club Rakuten Eagles, who recently signed former US major league star Andruw Jones, said yesterday they had no plans to cancel the deal after he was arrested on suspicion of battering his wife. The Curacao-born outfielder, 35, was held early on Tuesday morning at his home in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, after police were called following a dispute between him and his wife, according to media reports. He was released on US$2,400 bail. “There is no such possibility for now,” Rakuten Eagles public relations director Yoshiki Sato said when asked if the one-year contract, signed earlier this month and worth an estimated US$3.5 million, could be annulled. “At the moment it is our understanding” that he did not do anything wrong,” Sato said. The club said representatives had spoken to Jones, who told them he had continued drinking after a Christmas Eve party and had quarreled with his wife, who called the police. Jones told them there was no physical assault on his wife and that she did not expect police to take him away, the club said.
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