Barger, Varsho and Kirk lead homer barrage as Blue Jays rout Dodgers 11-4 in World Series opener
TORONTO (AP) — Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, Alejandro Kirk added a two-run homer in a nine-run sixth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays overwhelmed the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1. Daulton Varsho started Toronto’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit with a two-run drive in the fourth off Blake Snell. The longball barrage was fitting as the Fall Classic returned to Toronto for the first time since 1993, when Blue Jays slugger Joe Carter hit only the second walk-off homer to end a World Series. Shohei Ohtani hit his first Series home run for the heavily favored Dodgers, seeking to become the first repeat champion since the New York Yankees took three titles in a row from 1998-2000.
The NBA hoped to begin its season on a strong note. Now it faces a gambling scandal
MIAMI (AP) — The NBA has strict rules against betting on its games, and the consequences are clear. Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier are out of the league indefinitely. They were arrested Thursday for involvement in illicit gambling activities. Billups is accused of being part of a poker scheme that cheated victims out of millions. Rozier allegedly shared insider information affecting bets on his performance. Both have been placed on leave by the NBA. The league emphasizes the seriousness of these actions, with Commissioner Adam Silver warning that such behavior puts livelihoods at risk.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'deeply disturbed' by gambling arrests of Billups and Rozier
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed shock over the arrests of Portland coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozier on gambling-related charges. Speaking on Friday night during Amazon Prime Video's first broadcast, Silver said he was deeply disturbed by the indictments. The arrests, which happened on Thursday, involve nearly three dozen people, including Billups and Rozier. Rozier is accused of conspiring to help associates win bets based on his performance. Billups faces charges related to rigged poker games. Silver apologized to fans, noting the situation has overshadowed the league's opening week.
Shohei Ohtani follows historic 2-way show with World Series homer, but Dodgers routed by Jays
TORONTO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani followed his two-way show for the ages with a homer in the Dodgers’ World Series opener, but he also grounded out with the bases loaded in Los Angeles’ 11-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Trailing 11-2 in the seventh inning, Ohtani hit a soaring two-run shot to right field off Braydon Fisher. It was his fourth homer in two games after connecting three times and striking out 10 as a pitcher in LA’s Game 4 win to clinch their NL Championship Series. Ohtani’s homer Friday didn’t do much for Los Angeles’ chances after a flop by the Dodgers’ pitchers.
Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage holds down Dodgers for 4 innings in historic World Series start
TORONTO (AP) — Standout rookie starter Trey Yesavage didn’t have his best stuff but limited the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs over four innings for the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the World Series. The 22-year-old Yesavage was making just his seventh major league appearance. He became the second-youngest pitcher to start a World Series opener behind Brooklyn’s Ralph Branca, who was 21 years, 267 days old for Game 1 in 1947 at Yankee Stadium. Yesavage’s best pitch during a breakout postseason has been his splitter, but he used it sparingly against Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers. Just 10 of his 80 pitchers were splitters.
Terry Rozier's arrest leaves the Miami Heat stunned, and trying to figure out what happens next
MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat are dealing with the absence of Terry Rozier, who has been placed on indefinite leave by the NBA. Federal agents arrested Rozier on Thursday, charging him with involvement in a betting scheme related to a March 2023 game. Heat captain Bam Adebayo expressed the team's support for Rozier, emphasizing their bond. Coach Erik Spoelstra highlighted Rozier's positive impact on the team. Rozier has denied wrongdoing. The Heat are now focused on moving forward without him as the league continues without pause.
How a 2018 Supreme Court decision paved the way for meteoric growth in legal sports betting
WASHINGTON (AP) — A 2018 Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates to the legalized sports-betting industry, now worth billions of dollars a year, even as it recognized that the decision was controversial. That high-court ruling is back in the spotlight after the arrests on Thursday of more than 30 people, including an NBA player and coach, in two cases alleging sprawling criminal schemes to rake in millions by rigging sports bets and poker games involving Mafia families. The court’s ruling struck down a 1992 federal law, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, that had barred betting on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states.
Experts say criminal intent will be key in prosecuting NBA's Billups and Rozier in gambling cases
Gambling is at the center of two blockbuster indictments targeting NBA coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier. But the evidence that will be rolled out by federal prosecutors in the weeks ahead is distinct and separate in each case. Experts say prosecutors will have to prove that Billups, coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Rozier, an NBA veteran, had criminal intent. Billups is charged with taking part in high-stakes poker games that were rigged with sophisticated cheating. Rozier is accused of telling a friend that he would leave a game early, information that could be spread to bettors.
As Dodgers try to become first repeat champion in quarter-century, Roberts hopes he's not a villain
TORONTO (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been playfully addressing criticism about the team's high spending. The Dodgers spent $509 million on their roster, far exceeding the big low Miami Marlins at $69 million. Roberts joked about "ruining baseball" after the Dodgers clinched the National League pennant. The Dodgers are the first defending champions to reach the World Series since 2009. They face the Toronto Blue Jays, with Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledging the Dodgers' strengths and weaknesses. Blake Snell, who starts for the Dodgers, reflects on his growth since his last World Series appearance for Tampa Bay in 2020.
Messi gets trophy, then has two goals to lift Inter Miami past Nashville 3-1 in playoff opener
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi shines in Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Nashville SC, opening the Major League Soccer playoffs. He scores twice and assists Tadeo Allende's goal. The victory on Friday night comes after Messi's three-year contract extension was announced. MLS Commissioner Don Garber praises Messi's impact, presenting him with the Golden Boot for top goal scorer. Messi's performance has boosted MLS's popularity and Inter Miami's value. His new contract could see him playing into his early 40s. Garber calls Messi the "unicorn of unicorns" for his unique talent and competitive spirit.
