BASEBALL
Guerrero signs with Dragons
Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero has signed a one-year deal with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Central league. The deal is worth US$1.3 million plus incentives, the Central League club announced on its Web site. The 30-year-old, who can also play outfield, played in 117 Major League Baseball games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2014-2015 seasons, batting .224 with 11 home runs. He missed most of the 2016 season with a knee injury and was released during the summer. Guerrero was used primarily in left field and at third base with the Dodgers.
ICE HOCKEY
Blues beat Stars in overtime
St Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko on Monday scored at 3 minutes, 24 seconds of overtime to lift the Blues to a 4-3 victory over Dallas, moving within two points of NHL Central Division leaders Chicago. Tarasenko took a pass from Jori Lehtera and fired a wrist-shot past Stars goalie Antti Niemi for 10th of the season and team-leading 23rd point. Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak scored twice, including the tying goal with 50 seconds left in the third period, with Niemi pulled for an extra skater. Robby Fabbri, Alex Pietrangelo and David Perron also scored for St Louis, while Jamie Benn had the Stars’ other goal. The other game on Monday was also decided in overtime, as Thomas Hickey scored 3 minutes, 7 seconds into the extra period to give the New York Islanders a 2-1 home win against Calgary. With the Flames caught in an awkward change after Michael Frolik broke his stick, captain John Tavares wheeled around the zone and then backhanded one that Hickey tipped past Brian Elliott. Tavares also scored in the first period.
RUGBY UNION
Geldenhuys quits Italy team
Italy lock Quintin Geldenhuys on Monday announced his retirement from international rugby after a 67-cap career that saw him captain the Azzurri five times. South Africa-born Geldenhuys, who is on the books at Italian side Zebre, played his 67th and final game for Italy in a recent defeat to Tonga. However, the towering 35-year-old said he plans to make Italy his home. “I came to Italy in 2005 and I will always be grateful to the country and all of Italian rugby for what they have given me,” Geldenhuys said. “Our kids were born here, it’s our home and we’ll be staying here in the future. Wearing the blue jersey and taking part in two [Rugby] World Cups was not something I imagined I’d be doing when I arrived to play for Viadana, and captaining the country that adopted me was a huge privilege.”
SOCCER
Las Palmas defeat Bilbao
Kevin-Prince Boateng on Monday scored in the first half to lead UD Las Palmas to a 3-1 La Liga win over 10-man Athletic Bilbao. Momo and Jonathan Viera added second-half goals to secure Las Palmas’ second straight home victory. Athletic got on the board with a penalty-kick converted by Raul Garcia late in the game at Gran Canaria Stadium. Athletic played a man down from the 74th minute, as Spain striker Aritz Aduriz was sent off with a second yellow card. After 13 rounds, Las Palmas are 10th with 19 points, one point behind Athletic. Real Madrid lead with 33 points, six more than Barcelona and Sevilla. Barcelona host Madrid at the Camp Nou on Saturday in the first Clasico of the season.
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