Brewers fans flood Milwaukee streets for a long-awaited World Series victory celebration
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Tens of thousands of exuberant Brewers fans flooded the streets, watched from parking garages and cheered from office building windows in downtown Milwaukee to celebrate the franchise’s first World Series title. The small-market Brewers gave their long-suffering fans the championship they had been waiting for with a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, clinching the Series in five games. It was their first time playing in the Fall Classic in 44 years. Players on buses chugged cans of Miller Lite beer, walked the parade route high-fiving fans and hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy as the cheers echoed through the streets.
Nikita Kucherov tells Lightning he won't re-sign and asks for a trade, AP source says
Reigning NHL MVP Nikita Kucherov informed the Tampa Bay Lightning he is not re-signing with the team and has asked for a trade, a person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press. Kucherov is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, the last of an eight-year, $76 million contract signed in 2018 before he helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup twice and led the NHL in scoring three times. General manager Julien BriseBois said the team has no intention of trading Kucherov.
Panthers fire defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero following 27-19 loss to the Packers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley on Friday following the team’s 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Evero is the first NFL coordinator fired this season. Carolina entered the week ranked 22nd in overall defense and last in the league against the run. Defensive line coach Todd Wash has been named interim defensive coordinator and will call the defensive plays, according to the Panthers.
Nakase and Valkyries are determined to avoid another slow start in WNBA Finals Game 7 against Dream
ATLANTA (AP) — There should be no problem with the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream approaching the first WNBA Finals Game 7 in league history with a sense of urgency. Then again, that’s what Golden State coach Natalie Nakase thought about Game 6. She was baffled that her team somehow left behind its defensive intensity at the start of Thursday’s 80-69 loss to the Dream that forced Game 7 at “Ballhalla” in San Francisco on Saturday night. Nakase was still struggling to comprehend the lackadaisical start so she could make sure it’s not repeated in Saturday night’s decisive game.
LeBron James is 41 and feeling young in Philly. He had his best game yet with the 76ers
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — LeBron James has delivered a standout performance for the 76ers in his 24th NBA season. He played a crucial role in a 98-93 win over the Knicks, showcasing his enduring skills. James scored the go-ahead bucket and nearly achieved a triple-double. Coach Nick Nurse praised it as his best game of the season. James tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the fifth-oldest player to score 20 points in a game. The Sixers are off to a strong start, with James enjoying his time with the team. His leadership and experience are proving invaluable.
Chet Holmgren out at least 2 months with knee injury and Cason Wallace has shoulder surgery
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Chet Holmgren will miss about two months because of a right knee injury, continuing the Oklahoma City Thunder’s run of bad injury news early in the season. Already potentially without Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace for the rest of the regular season, the Thunder said Holmgren began experiencing discomfort in his knee last Sunday. The team said that after a series of consultations with specialists, Holmgren underwent a biological treatment Friday to address a small patellar tendon tear. The Thunder said Holmgren was expected to return in eight to 10 weeks. Wallace also had surgery Friday for a labral tear in his left shoulder.
Marlins exercise Alcantara option, King leaves Padres and Bichette stays with Mets
NEW YORK (AP) — Sandy Alcantara was blocked from becoming a free agent by the Miami Marlins, while Michael King went on the market and Bo Bichette decided to keep his contract with the New York Mets. Starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Nick Martinez also will become free agents after their teams declined mutual options. Miami exercised its $21 million option on Alcantara rather than pay a $2 million buyout, a decision that guarantees the pitcher $75 million over six years as part of the deal he agreed to in November 2021.
Acquiring Jeffery Simmons like 'Christmas morning' for the Chicago Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The trade that sent Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans to the Chicago Bears told the All-Pro defensive tackle everything he needed to know about his new home. Simmons says the Bears believe "in what they have here, and they want it right now.” The All-Pro defensive tackle is looking forward to helping the team win games. The Bears sent their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, along with a fourth-rounder in next year’s draft, to the Titans on Thursday for Simmons and a fifth-round selection in 2028. Simmons is expected to make his Bears debut Monday night at Seattle.
Astros hire Randy Flores as general manager. Former pitcher had been assistant GM with Cardinals
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have hired St. Louis Cardinals executive Randy Flores as their general manager. Flores replaces Dana Brown, who was let go in August with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. The Astros also need to hire a manager this offseason — Joe Espada’s contract was not renewed after the AL West champions were swept by the Chicago White Sox in their Wild Card Series. The 51-year-old Flores becomes the 15th general manager in franchise history. He had been serving as St. Louis’ assistant general manager of amateur and pro acquisition. The former major league pitcher joined the Cardinals’ front office as director of scouting in 2015 and spent eight seasons as an assistant GM with the club.
Suns' Dillon Brooks ejected from game for kicking Nuggets' Jamal Murray in the groin
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was ejected Friday night in a 127-120 loss to the Denver Nuggets for kicking Jamal Murray in the groin. Brooks attempted a turnaround jumper in the third quarter with Murray guarding, and when Brooks fell backward he kicked his right leg forward, making contact with Murray. Brooks was called for an offensive foul and Murray was writhing in pain on the court for a few moments before eventually getting up and staying in the game. The officials reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, which is an automatic ejection. Denver won 127-120.
