Shohei Ohtani and four other Japanese players come home to start the MLB season
TOKYO (AP) — It's the World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome to start the Major League Baseball season. It's only two games. For the record, the MLB regular season consists of almost 2,500 games. But it's much more than just two games for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was born in Japan. And for Shohei Ohtani and the four other Japanese players competing at home for the Dodgers and Cubs. MLB is opening its regular season for the second straight year in the Asian market.
Not just Ohtani: Tokyo Series will showcase the depth of Japanese talent in Major League Baseball
TOKYO (AP) — The spotlight will be on slugger Shohei Ohtani this week when the superstar returns to Japan and leads the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in the first two games of the Major League Baseball season at the Tokyo Dome. But he won’t be the only one playing in front of his home country. Four other Japanese players — LA’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, along with Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga — will be on the field in a display of how deep the talent pool is in the country.
Injuries to freshman star Cooper Flagg, Maliq Brown hit at inopportune time for No. 1 Duke
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Jon Scheyer says it’s a “real long shot” that freshman star Cooper Flagg will be able to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament semifinals because of an ankle sprain. The 6-foot-9 Flagg rolled his left ankle in the first half of the top-ranked Blue Devils’ quarterfinal win against Georgia Tech on Thursday. He hobbled off the court before heading to the locker room. He returned to the bench for the second half but didn’t play again. Duke plays in the semifinals on Friday night. Duke also lost versatile defensive forward Maliq Brown to a shoulder injury.
John Feinstein, bestselling author and one of the country's foremost sports writers, dies at 69
WASHINGTON (AP) — John Feinstein, one of the country’s foremost sports writers and the author of numerous bestselling books, has died unexpectedly, according to his brother, Robert Feinstein. John Feinstein was 69. He died of natural causes at his brother’s home in McLean, Virginia. He was a full-time reporter for the Washington Post from 1977 to 1991 and a commentator for outlets such as NPR, ESPN and the Golf Channel. Feinstein was comfortable writing about all sports, but he was best-known for his connection to college basketball because of his groundbreaking book “A Season on the Brink.” He was an AP Top 25 men's basketball poll voter for more than 20 years.
Bubble watch: Indiana and Xavier now feeling the heat with Texas and North Carolina closing strong
Xavier and Indiana had chances to give their NCAA Tournament resumes a significant boost. But the Musketeers lost 89-87 to No. 25 Marquette, and Indiana fell 72-59 to No. 23 Oregon. Those aren’t bad losses by any means, but they were squandered chances. And Xavier and Indiana are very much on the bubble. Texas and North Carolina are two bubble teams whose outlooks seemed pretty precarious a couple days ago. Now they're still alive in their conference tournaments. The Longhorns snagged a huge win over No. 14 Texas A&M, 94-89 in double overtime. The Tar Heels beat Wake Forest 68-59.
Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes wins longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska
NOME, Alaska (AP) — Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes has won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Holmes was first to the finish line Friday in the Gold Rush town of Nome, on the Bering Sea coast. The race began March 3 in Fairbanks after a lack of snow forced changes to the route and starting point. That made the normally 1,000-mile race a staggering 1,129 miles across the wilderness. Holmes was competing for the eighth time. He previously finished in the top 10 five times, including third last year and in 2022. In his first Iditarod in 2018, his seventh-place finish earned him Rookie of the Year honors.
Lewis Hamilton ready to race for Ferrari for the first time in F1's season-opening Australian GP
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton racing a Ferrari for the first time. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen arriving without a lot of mileage in his Red Bull. Lando Norris helping McLaren set a benchmark with his pace in testing. Formula 1 is expecting a hyper-competitive milestone 75th anniversary season in 2025 which starts this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. There’s no shortage of unknowns in terms of the pecking order, or the weather. Most of the headlines ahead of Sunday’s Australian GP have revolved around Hamilton’s move to Ferrari from Mercedes. The normally relaxed pre-event news conference at Albert Park was overflowing with media there to hear from a rejuvenated Hamilton about how much he’s enjoying the prancing horse-ride.
Stephen Curry becomes first player in NBA history to make 4,000 3-pointers
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry is the first player in NBA history with 4,000 3-pointers. He did it a day before his 37th birthday. His 4,000th came from the right wing on a pass from Moses Moody with 8:19 left in the third, on his fourth attempt of the night. The two-time NBA MVP needed two more from deep coming into Thursday night’s game against the rival Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. He hit his first from the left wing with 5:35 remaining in the opening quarter.
'Ted Lasso' is coming back. Apple TV+ confirms Jason Sudeikis' hit show will have a fourth season
It's been two years since we last heard from Ted Lasso but the show is officially set to return for a fourth season. Apple TV+ announced the beloved character's return on Friday. It stars Jason Sudeikis as an American coach of a U.K. soccer team and is based on a character he played in promos for NBC Sports. The series premiered in 2020 and went on to win seven Primetime Emmy Awards in its first three seasons. The series made stars of its supporting cast, including Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple. Sudeikis is hinting the new season will be about taking chances.
Tampa Bay Rays withdraw from planned $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg, citing storms, delays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday withdrew from a $1.3 billion ballpark project, citing hurricanes and delays that likely will drive up the proposal’s cost. The team issued a statement by principal owner Stuart Sternberg saying that “a series of events” in October, which included severe damage to the existing Tropicana Field, led to what he called “this difficult decision.” the Rays are set to play this season’s home games across Tampa Bay at the New York Yankees’ spring training home, 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field. Meanwhile, repairs are envisioned to the Trop, including replacing its roof shredded by Hurricane Milton, that would have it ready for the 2026 season.
