Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong wins NL MVP award and Astros' Yordan Alvarez gets AL honor
Pete Crow-Armstrong has won the NL MVP award unanimously after the center fielder starred for the Chicago Cubs in a majestic all-around season. Crow-Armstrong joined Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez as first-time MVPs. Alvarez was the unanimous AL winner after making a run at the Triple Crown, hitting a career-high .316 with 42 homers and 106 RBIs for the AL West champions. Crow-Armstrong set career highs by batting .280 with 45 homers, 107 RBIs and 41 steals in 162 games. He tied Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead in home runs. Crow-Armstrong was also one of the best defensive players in the majors.
The coach who energized U.S. soccer at the World Cup is on the verge of leaving for a job in England
Mauricio Pochettino had the United States on a roll at the World Cup. The Americans plowed into the knockout stages with fun and furious soccer as rapturous crowds shook the stadiums with “Take Me Home, Country Roads” sing-alongs in front of record television audiences. Pochettino was in the middle of it all, encouraging and embracing the passion building behind the team in a big country with limited soccer success. After the World Cup, Pochettino signed a four-year extension through the next one in 2030. It may be time to start over. Pochettino on Thursday was closing in on a deal to be the manager of Manchester United in England’s Premier League.
Jayden Daniels and Commanders rally to stun the Giants 24-21 and keep their hopes alive another week
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jayden Daniels threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a 32-yarder to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds left, and the Washington Commanders rallied to defeat the New York Giants 24-21 in what was essentially a must-win game. Daniels connection with Diggs came after he threw his first two interceptions of the season to end the previous two drives. He was 23 of 33 for 249 yards and had TD throws to Ben Sinnott and Antonio Williams while running 10 times for 28 yards. The Commanders moved two games back of the NFC East-leading Giants and now own the tiebreaker after the teams tied last month.
Cunningham's incredible night — 52 points, 11 assists, no turnovers — saves Pistons in double OT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 52 points and had 11 assists, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 144-140 win over Washington in double overtime. He became the first player since at least 1978 with at least 50 points and 10 assists in a game and no turnovers. In a game that was tight pretty much throughout, Cunningham kept mistakes to a minimum while still being incredibly productive. Twice, the Wizards tied the game with a last-second shot. But Cunningham kept scoring for Detroit.
Warriors star Stephen Curry suffers torn oblique muscle and will be sidelined at least two weeks
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry will miss at least two weeks for the Golden State Warriors with a torn oblique muscle, an injury that comes with the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader on pace for one of the best seasons of his 18-year career. The Warriors announced Thursday that the 38-year-old Curry would be reevaluated in two weeks for the abdominal tear. Coach Steve Kerr called the concern level “high.” Curry left early in Golden State’s loss at Houston on Wednesday night that ended an eight-game winning streak. He was in obvious discomfort, grabbing at his right side above the hip.
NC State reaches deal for former QB Philip Rivers to become coach, AP source says
N.C. State has reached an agreement with former Wolfpack and NFL quarterback Philip Rivers to become head coach, with that deal heading to university trustees for approval, a person with knowledge of the situation said. Under school protocols, N.C. State’s board of trustees must formally approve any deal for it to become official. That board is scheduled to take up the matter Friday as part of a previously scheduled slate of meetings. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because N.C. State hasn’t publicly discussed specifics of its search.
The inside story of Manchester United's move for Mauricio Pochettino
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — In the end it came down to a choice of one. From the moment Manchester United was aware of Mauricio Pochettino’s availability he stood alone the only candidate as the troubled Premier League club went in search of a new coach. United’s hierarchy had assumed Pochettino, like Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, was out of reach. Emery also has big admirers at United after transforming Villa from a relegation-threatened team to a serial Champions League challenger, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to protect relationships. But the Spaniard, under contract and without a release clause, was simply not an option.
Longtime NBC Sports announcer Dan Hicks dies at 64
Sportscaster Dan Hicks, who was the voice of golf, Olympic swimming and Notre Dame football during a 35-year career at NBC Sports, has died. He was 64. Hicks was best known as the lead announcer for golf, as well as swimming and skiing at the Olympics and Notre Dame football. He joined NBC in 1992 following three years at CNN. Hicks died in Connecticut late Wednesday. He died of an acute illness, according to his wife, Hannah Storm. He had been scheduled to call Notre Dame’s game Saturday.
Dan Hicks shared the TV stage in golf and got plenty in return. Expect anything different?
Dan Hicks is being remembered as a TV broadcaster who made sure every voice was heard. And he got plenty in return. Roger Maltbie worked with Hicks nearly his entire career and says he was inclusive and respectful. Hicks died Wednesday of an acute illness. Paul Azinger says it leaves a void in golf because Hicks never got cheated out of being happy every day. Hicks is most famous for his “Expect anything different?” call when Tiger Woods made a clutch putt to force a playoff in the 2008 U.S. Open. Hicks also called Olympic swimming and Notre Dame football.
Broncos backed out of trade for Chargers' Henley over surprising issue in physical, AP source says
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have backed out of their proposed trade with the Los Angeles Chargers for inside linebacker Daiyan Henley. The decision has stirred discussion over whether the NFL should consider changing its rule on teams acquiring injured players. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the Broncos were surprised by something that showed up in Henley’s physical that the Chargers hadn’t mentioned. The person says the teams then discussed changing the terms of the deal but couldn't agree. But Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz says the Broncos were aware that Henley was dealing with an injury.
