Sports

By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Charlie Baker, the next leader of the largest college sports governing body in the country, is stepping into a hornet’s nest of a job that will likely tap every political skill in his bag. It’s a good thing he’s collected many. Baker has proven to be one

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Padraig Harrington first squared off against Tiger Woods in a major 20 years ago. The Irishman has kept close watch ever since. And he believes Woods can still win another major. They are at the PNC Championship this week with their sons. Woods and his

By LARRY LAGE AP Sport Writer The Detroit Tigers have bolstered their rotation by agreeing to a one-year contract with right-hander Michael Lorenzen, according to a person familiar with the situation. Lorenzen will make $8.5 million and can earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on innings pitched, another person told The Associated Press on

By The Associated Press Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals look to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are clinging to first place in the NFC South despite having a losing record. The Bengals and Baltimore Ravens sit atop the AFC North at

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to an $8 million, one-year deal with second baseman Adam Frazier. Frazier hit .238 with three home runs and 42 RBIs in 156 games last season for the Seattle Mariners. He also stole a career-high 11 bases. Frazier hit a career-best .305 the previous year for Pittsburgh

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Longtime St. Louis Cardinals television play-by-play announcer Dan McLaughlin will not return to the booth this year after being charged with driving while intoxicated. Bally Sports Midwest and McLaughlin announced Thursday he was leaving after more than two decades announcing for the Cardinals. McLaughlin was charged on Dec. 5 as a

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person with knowledge of the impending hire says Bobby Petrino will be UNLV’s new offensive coordinator. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the hire has not officially been made. Petrino is known for his high-powered offenses and messy departures. He will be

TORONTO (AP) — Gold Glove-winning centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier finalized a $9 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 32-year-old slumped to a .228 average with seven homers and 22 RBIs in 63 games this year in a season cut short by left hip surgery in August. Tampa Bay declined a $13 million option

CLINTON, S.C. — Led by Owen McCormack’s 21 points, the Presbyterian Blue Hose defeated the Elon Phoenix 69-63 on Thursday. The Blue Hose are now 3-9 on the season, while the Phoenix moved to 2-9.

HOUSTON — Led by Quincy Olivari’s 22 points, the Rice Owls defeated the North American Stallions 92-54 on Thursday. The Owls are now 7-3 on the season.

By The Associated Press Kansas City can clinch its seventh straight AFC West title with a win over the lowly Houston Texans on Sunday. The Chiefs have won six of seven games and face a Houston team that has dropped eight in a row and could be without rookie running back Dameon Pierce because of

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — One of Cleveland’s offseason priorities was to find a better hitting catcher. The Guardians got one in Mike Zunino. An All-Star for Tampa Bay in 2021, Zunino signed a one-year contract with the AL Central champions. Zunino hit 33 homers for the Rays in ‘21 but

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida. Yoshida won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and twice led Japan’s Pacific League in batting. The deal will pay him $90 million over five years. To make room on the 40-man

By The Associated Press The Dallas Cowboys travel to Jacksonville for the first time since 2006. Dallas can clinch an NFC playoff spot with a victory. The Jaguars are trying to keep pace or close the gap on Tennessee in the dismal AFC South. Dallas has won four in a row and six of seven,

WACO, Texas (AP) — Freshman Darianna Littlepage-Buggs had a career-high 30 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double and No. 18 Baylor routed Tennessee State 93-27. Baylor held Tennessee State to single-digit scoring in each of the final three quarters. The Bears started the third quarter on a 15-0 run and the fourth on

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The chances of the winning the World Cup might have gone for Croatia and Morocco but “immortality” is at stake when the two teams meet in the third-place playoff. Ahead of the game Khalifa International Stadium Croatia forward Andrej Kramaric dispelled the notion it would

By The Associated Press Mount Union quarterback Braxton Plunk is one of the three Purple Raiders on The Associated Press Division III All-America team. Plunk is joined by receiver Wayne Ruby and linebacker Rossy Moore on the first team. Mount Union will play North Central of Illinois in the Division III championship game on Friday

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Billie Moore, who coached America’s first women’s Olympic basketball team to a silver medal at the Montreal Games in 1976, has died at age 79. UCLA, where Moore won 296 games over 16 years including a national title in 1978, announced her death on Thursday. Moore also won a college title

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees is returning to his alma mater as a coach for the Jan. 2 Citrus Bowl game against No. 17 LSU.  The retired NFL star will join new Purdue coach Ryan Walters as he settles into his new job. Walters says he grew up dreaming about