Mike Trout remains in the mix for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but questions linger
Mike Trout, the cornerstone of Team USA’s 2023 World Baseball Classic run, is still under consideration as the roster for the 2026 tournament takes shape.
Sports
Dominican court orders new trial for Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco in sexual abuse case
An appeals court in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday ordered a new trial for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who was convicted earlier this year of sexually abusing a minor and had received a two-year suspended sentence.
Shohei Ohtani is the AP’s Male Athlete of the Year for record-tying 4th time
Shohei Ohtani is catching up with more legends. The baseball superstar ends 2025 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, tying him with Lance Armstrong, LeBron James and Tiger Woods for most among male honorees.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleads not guilty to sports betting charges
Miami Heat player Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he helped gamblers placing bets on his performance in NBA games.
Jeff Kent elected to baseball Hall of Fame, which again keeps doors shut for Bonds and Clemens
Elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame more than 17 years after his final game, Jeff Kent couldn’t control his emotions. “Absolutely unprepared. Emotionally unstable,” he said after Sunday’s vote announcement. “Thoughts are so far clouded.”
Indiana grabs top seed in College Football Playoff. Alabama and Miami make it, Notre Dame left out
Most of that second-guessing came from Notre Dame, which was passed over in favor of Alabama and Miami for two of the bracket’s bubble spots.
Jahmyr Gibbs rushes for 3 TDs and Lions get much-needed 44-30 win over Cowboys
Jahmyr Gibbs and a defense that suddenly generated pressure and turnovers helped the Detroit Lions stay in contention for a playoff berth. Gibbs ran for three touchdowns, including a 13-yarder with 2:19 left that sealed the Lions’ much-needed 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.
LeBron James’ 1,297-game double-digit scoring streak ends but he gets winning assist vs. Raptors
For LeBron James, the win mattered more than the streak. James’ NBA-record run of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 points ended Thursday night at Toronto, and he was the one who made the decision to have it end. Instead of trying to score to win the game — and extend his streak — he set up Rui Hachimura for the final shot.
A supersized World Cup field begins taking shape at Friday’s draw
FIFA has invited more teams than ever for a World Cup priced largely for fans in the 1%. The process of figuring out which teams in the expanded 48-nation field will play where begins with Friday’s draw at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
NFL mandates playing surfaces for all stadiums meet new standards by 2028 to enhance player safety
The playing surfaces at every NFL stadium will have to meet new enhanced standards set through lab and field testing by the start of the 2028 season.