BASEBALL
Hurdle, Francona awarded
Clint Hurdle, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to their first post-season berth in 21 years, was named National League Manager of the Year, while Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians took home the American League honors on Tuesday. Hurdle steered the playoff-deprived Pirates to a 94-68 record last season, which also marked their first winning season since 1992, to claim a wild-card playoff berth following a 79-83 mark the previous season. Hurdle received 25 of the 30 first-place votes to win by a wide margin. Francona, who led the Boston Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, won his first Manager of the Year award after taking Cleveland into the post-season with a wild-card berth in his first season in charge of the Indians. In a tight race, Francona, whose Indians went from 68-94 to 92-70, collected 16 first-place votes to 12 for John Farrell, who led the Boston Red Sox to a World Series title.
CRICKET
Coach Whatmore to quit
Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore will not seek an extension to his two-year contract when it expires in February, the Australian has told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB confirmed on Tuesday that Whatmore, who took charge of the team in March last year, has informed them he cannot continue due to personal and family reasons. “Earlier this month, Mr Whatmore informed the PCB that he would not be seeking a renewal of his contract due to personal and family reasons,” the PCB said in a statement. Whatmore, who guided Sri Lanka to a shock win in the 1996 World Cup and has also coached Bangladesh, has come under fire this year since Pakistan were whitewashed in a Test series in South Africa. Pakistan also had a poor Champions Trophy and lost a one-day international and a Test match to Zimbabwe, before being outclassed in the recent one-day international series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates.
SOCCER
Chievo fire coach Sannino
Bottom-placed AC Chievo Verona have fired their coach Giuseppe Sannino and rehired Eugenio Corini after winning just one of their opening 12 matches in Serie A. Chievo made the announcement on their Web site on Tuesday, two days after holding AC Milan to a goalless draw at home. Corini, who coached Chievo last season and helped the club avoid relegation, has penned a two-year contract. Chievo have six points and have scored a league-worst seven goals. It was the fourth coaching change in Serie A this season. Delio Rossi was fired by UC Sampdoria on Monday, with Fabio Liverani (Genoa) and Rolando Maran (Catania) also having been dismissed this season.
FOOTBALL
Kansas City’s Bowe arrested
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe, one of the top pass catchers for the NFL’s lone remaining unbeaten team, has been arrested for speeding and possession of marijuana. Police in Riverside, Missouri, said Bowe was pulled over for speeding on Sunday and a strong odor of marijuana was detected from his vehicle. A drug-detecting dog found containers with 6.6 grams and 3.8 grams of marijuana in a black bag that also contained Bowe’s wallet. Another 4.2 grams of marijuana were found in a bag that belonged to a passenger, George Thompson, who like Bowe was arrested. A third passenger in the vehicle was not arrested and posted bond for Bowe and Thompson, who face a Dec. 18 court date. Bowe has made 33 receptions for 369 yards and two touchdowns this season.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
A soccer jersey carrying a national map including disputed Western Sahara has become a hot commodity in Morocco after a diplomatic dispute with Algeria. Retailers said RS Berkane jerseys have been flying off the shelves after a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup match against Algerian club USM Alger was canceled last month over the jerseys. “We are overwhelmed by the influx of messages and requests,” said Brahim Rabii, representative of the official RS Berkane jersey distributor. Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021, partly over the issue of Western Sahara. The former Spanish colony is largely controlled by Morocco, but claimed
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just