Category: Sports

Spring surprise: Pennsylvania opens trout season early

Spring surprise: Pennsylvania opens trout season early
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Trout season in Pennsylvania opened Monday in an abrupt announcement by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission that was designed to preempt big gatherings of anglers and travel that typically occurs on the traditional April opening day. Monday was two weeks ahead of the previously scheduled opening day. The Fish and Boat Commission says anglers and boaters must abide by social distancing guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Gov. Tom Wolf. Not all waters have been stocked, and the Fish and Boat Commission said it won’t provide a stocking schedule or a list of stocked waters to further discourage group gatherings.

Beloved Tigers star, Hall of Famer Al Kaline dies at 85

Beloved Tigers star, Hall of Famer Al Kaline dies at 85
By JIM IRWIN and NOAH TRISTER Associated Press Writers
DETROIT (AP) — Al Kaline, the Hall of Fame outfielder who played his entire 22-season career for Detroit, has died. “Mr. Tiger” — as he was affectionately known — was 85. Kaline was the youngest player to win the American League batting title, in 1955 at age 20 with a .340 average. He was an All-Star in 15 seasons, won 10 Gold Gloves and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980 in his first year of eligibility. Kaline also sat behind a microphone as a Tigers broadcaster and was a special assistant to the general manager.

Falcons announce 1-year deal with RB Todd Gurley

Falcons announce 1-year deal with RB Todd Gurley
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have announced their one-year agreement with running back Todd Gurley. The framework of the $6 million deal was completed on March 20, less than 24 hours after Gurley was released by the Los Angeles Rams.  As is the case with other free agents who have reached agreements, Gurley still awaits a physical. The NFL isn’t allowing players to report to new teams immediately for those physicals during the coronavirus pandemic. Gurley’s physical will be especially important. He has been hampered by a left knee injury.

Ex-NFL kicker, Saints hero Tom Dempsey dies at 73

Ex-NFL kicker, Saints hero Tom Dempsey dies at 73
By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Former NFL kicker Tom Dempsey has died at 73 from what his family described as complications from the new coronavirus. Dempsey was known for being the first to hit a field goal from 63 yards and for succeeding in pro sports despite being born without toes on the right foot with which he kicked. The 63-yard field goal stood as the longest in NFL history for 43 years until 2013. Dempsey kicked 11 seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo. He had been diagnosed with dementia and was living in a New Orleans nursing home that was hard hit by the virus.

TE Ebron eager to start over with Steelers

‘Prime’ time? TE Ebron eager to start over with Steelers
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — New Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron says his surgically repaired ankle should be ready in time to start the 2020 season. The Steelers signed Ebron to a two-year contract. They hope he can return to the form he showed in 2018 when he caught 13 touchdown passes. The 26-year-old Ebron says he’s hitting the prime of his career and believes he will flourish while catching passes from Ben Roethlisberger. Ebron joked that he hopes to become Roethlisberger’s “best friend” and that the two can help the Steelers bounce back from an injury-plagued 8-8 season.

Former Major League Baseball Player Jim Edmonds says he’s tested positive for virus

Former baseball All-Star Jim Edmonds says he tested positive for the new coronavirus and for pneumonia.

“I am completely symptom free now and doing really well, and so I must have had it for a while,” Edmonds said in a video posted to his Instagram account. “I appreciate everyone who has said well wishes and wished me the best.”

The 49-year-old played 17 major league seasons from 1993-2010, mostly for the California and Los Angeles Angels (1993-99) and St. Louis Cardinals (2000-07). He hit 393 home runs.

Ed Farmer, White Sox broadcaster, former pitcher, dies at 70

Ed Farmer, White Sox broadcaster, former pitcher, dies at 70
By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — Ed Farmer, an All-Star reliever who spent nearly three decades as a radio broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox, has died. He was 70. The White Sox said he died Wednesday night in Los Angeles following complications from an illness. A native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, and a graduate of St. Rita High on Chicago’s South Side, Farmer pitched for eight teams over 11 seasons. He was an All-Star for the White Sox in 1980, when he saved 30 games — then a club record. Farmer joined Chicago’s radio booth in 1991 and completed his 29th season in 2019.

An April Without Hockey: Phil Bourque Talks With Matt Drzik About NHL’s Pause In Action

Not since the influenza epidemic of 1919 has the NHL seen a shutdown such as this, and back then they only had to cancel the Stanley Cup Finals, then deadlocked between Seattle and Montreal. 101 years later, and the fates of the majority of teams still linger in the balance.

But more so than just a season in limbo; life itself for players, broadcasters, and fans alike is completely different. How does one deal with such a pandemic, and how does the NHL reconcile its season yet to be complete?

Penguins broadcaster and two-time Stanley Cup Champion player Phil Bourque spoke about these issues in an interview on A.M. Beaver County with Matt Drzik on April 2, three weeks after the NHL halted the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus. Bourque spoke about the struggles to maintain the usual daily routine stripped from everyone involved with the team, and how the NHL should handle its remaining schedule if it decides to resume the season.

Bourque also talked about the major differences between the culture of today’s league and the culture during his time of playing, and how the nature of social media and expanded branding has polished player identities and created (in his opinion) a better product for the NHL.

To hear the full interview between Matt and “The Ol’ Two-Niner”, click on the player below!

Wimbledon canceled for 1st time since WWII because of virus

Wimbledon canceled for 1st time since WWII because of virus
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
Wimbledon has been canceled for the first time since World War II because of the coronavirus pandemic. The All England Club announced after an emergency meeting that the oldest Grand Slam tournament in tennis would not be held in 2020. Wimbledon was scheduled to be played on the outskirts of London from June 29 to July 12. It now joins the growing list of sports events scrapped in 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. That includes the Tokyo Olympics, the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments and the European soccer championship. The last time Wimbledon was called off was 1945.

Steelers not concerned about limited pre-draft preparation

Steelers not concerned about limited pre-draft preparation
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t worried about their usual preparation for the NFL draft being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. General manager Kevin Colbert says the team is adjusting on the fly just like everyone else because of the travel limitations put in place in hopes of stemming the spread of the pandemic. The Steelers will have conference calls with prospects and take an old-school approach to the draft. Colbert pointed out that scouts back in the 1970s didn’t need an exhaustive process to identify the players that helped turn the team into a dynasty.