Category: Sports

Sam Wyche, boundary-pushing coach of Bengals, dead at 74

Sam Wyche, boundary-pushing coach of Bengals, dead at 74
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
Sam Wyche, the innovative coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, has died at 74. Wyche, who entered hospice on Monday, died Thursday of melanoma, officials with the Bengals confirmed. Wyche led the Bengals to their second Super Bowl during the 1988 season by using a no-huddle offense that forced the league to change its substitution rules. He was a nonconformist in a button-down league. Wyche ran up the score to settle a personal grudge and belittled the city of rival Cleveland during his eight seasons in Cincinnati. He later coached Tampa Bay for four seasons.

Polamalu finalist for HOF 2020 in 1st year eligible

Wayne, Polamalu finalists for HOF 2020 in 1st year eligible
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer
Reggie Wayne and Troy Polamalu are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s modern-day 2020 class. The former Colts receiver and Steelers safety are joined by five others who have never been finalists: Packers safety LeRoy Butler; Rams receiver Torry Holt; Panthers linebacker Sam Mills; Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas; and 49ers defensive tackle Bryant Young. They are joined by past finalists Broncos/Jets safety Steve Atwater; Jaguars tackle Tony Boselli; Rams/49ers receiver Isaac Bruce; Steelers/Jets/Cardinals guard Alan Faneca; Seahawks/Vikings/Titans guard Steve Hutchinson; Colts/Cardinals/Seahawks running back Edgerrin James; Buccaneers/Broncos safety John Lynch; and Patriots/Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

Don Larsen, who threw only perfect World Series game, dies at 90

  1. Larsen, who threw only perfect World Series game, dies at 90
    Don Larsen, the journeyman pitcher who reached the heights of baseball glory when he threw a perfect game in 1956 with the New York Yankees for the only no-hitter in World Series history, died Wednesday night. He was 90. Larsen’s agent, Andrew Levy, said the former pitcher died of esophageal cancer in Hayden, Idaho. Levy said Larsen’s son, Scott, confirmed the death. Larsen was the unlikeliest of characters to attain what so many Hall of Famers couldn’t pull off in the Fall Classic. He was 81-91 lifetime, never won more than 11 games in a season and finished an unsightly 3-21 with Baltimore in 1954, the year before he was dealt to the Yankees as part of an 18-player trade.

David Stern, NBA’s commissioner for 30 years, dies at 77

David Stern, NBA’s commissioner for 30 years, dies at 77
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
David Stern, who spent 30 years as the NBA’s longest-serving commissioner and oversaw its growth into a global power, has died. He was 77. The league says Stern died Wednesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage Dec. 12. Stern had been involved with the NBA for nearly two decades before becoming commissioner in 1984. By the time he left, a league that had struggled for a foothold had grown into a more than $5 billion a year industry and become perhaps the world’s most popular sport after soccer.

Shoulder injury sidelines Penguins’ Guentzel for 4-6 months

Shoulder injury sidelines Penguins’ Guentzel for 4-6 months
Pittsburgh Penguins All-Star forward Jake Guentzel is out at least four months after undergoing right shoulder surgery. Guentzel had surgery Tuesday, just hours after getting hurt in the third period of a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Guentzel went hard into the boards shortly after scoring his team-leading 20th goal of the season for the Penguins. The injury came on the same day the 25-year-old Guentzel was named to his first All-Star team. General manager Jim Rutherford says the recovery time is 4-6 months.

Despite lacking star power, Ravens beat Steelers 28-10

Despite lacking star power, Ravens beat Steelers 28-10
By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
The Baltimore Ravens relied upon a strong defensive performance to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-10 and finish the regular season riding a 12-game winning streak. The Ravens played without quarterback Lamar Jackson and other stars and had very little at stake. Baltimore finished 14-2 and had already secured the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Baltimore’s first touchdown followed a fumble by Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges, who was held in check the entire game. The Ravens also scored on special teams after Pittsburgh punter Jordan Berry dropped the wet football near his end zone. The Steelers finished the season with three straight losses.