Warriors coach Steve Kerr uncertain about his future, notes ‘these jobs all have an expiration date’
PHOENIX (AP) — Golden State coach Steve Kerr isn’t sure about his future, saying after the Warriors saw their season end Friday night that he’ll take some time to decompress before gathering with the team’s leadership and figuring out what’s next. He suggested that there is at least a chance that he might not return. Kerr has guided the Warriors to four NBA titles and six Western Conference titles in his 12 seasons with Golden State.
NFL is not investigating Patriots coach Mike Vrabel for behavior regarding reporter Dianna Russini
The NFL is not investigating Mike Vrabel’s behavior after published photos of the New England Patriots coach and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort prompted her resignation and an internal investigation at The New York Times-owned sports outlet. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday the league isn’t looking into the matter. The Patriots didn’t immediately respond to a question about whether the team has launched its own review of Vrabel’s actions. The New York Post last week published the photos of Vrabel and Russini at the Sedona hotel and said they were taken before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29.
Newcastle jeered after 3rd straight defeat as Saudi-controlled club plunges in Premier League
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Newcastle has plunged into its most challenging period since the club was bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. A 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth was a third straight defeat in the Premier League for Newcastle, which is languishing in 14th place in the 20-team top flight with five games remaining of the campaign. It leaves Newcastle manager Eddie Howe under increasing pressure. He was hired in November 2021, weeks after the takeover by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund. Wolverhampton lost 3-0 at Leeds and will be relegated if third-to-last Tottenham beats Brighton later. Brentford drew 0-0 with Fulham. Chelsea hosts Manchester United in the late game.
The Magic found the formula for making the playoffs. For them, it was called desperation
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic found their winning formula. Desperation works. Works wonders, actually. Facing elimination and clearly wanting no part of it, the Magic might have put together one of their best performances of the season Friday night. They rolled past the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in an Eastern Conference play-in game, moving into the playoffs for the third straight season and getting a matchup with top-seeded Detroit as their reward.
Eta makes history as Bundesliga’s first female coach, Dortmund gives Bayern chance to seal title
BERLIN (AP) — Marie-Louise Eta makes history as the first female coach in the Bundesliga but her Union Berlin team fails to live up to the occasion with a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg. Eta has four more games to ensure Union stays in the top division before she takes over Union’s women’s team for next season. Patrick Wimmer and Dženan Pejčinović scored for the visitors to end their 12-game run without a win and revive hopes of escaping relegation. Andrej Kramarić scored two penalties as Hoffenheim beat second-placed Borussia Dortmund 2-1. Bayern Munich can now seal the title at home against Stuttgart on Sunday. Bayern leads by 12 points and needs just one more point to be sure of finishing top.
Garret Anderson, the talented outfielder and Angels career hits leader, dies at 53
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson has died. He was 53. The multitalented player became the Angels’ career hits leader and led the team to its only World Series title. The Angels announced Anderson’s death without immediately disclosing the cause or location. Anderson reached the majors with the then-California Angels in 1994 and played for the club until 2008, primarily as a left fielder. He was a fixture in the heart of their batting order for his entire tenure, becoming the franchise’s leader in hits, RBIs and games played among many other achievements. Anderson was a three-time AL All-Star from 2002-05.
US enters World Cup with goalkeeping and defensive worries but hopes for 1st knockout win since 2002
The United States heads into the World Cup hoping for its first knockout-stage victory since 2002. While the Americans enter with their weakest goalkeepers in four decades and few central defenders playing in a top league, they benefit from being seeded as a co-host in the expanded tournament, which could keep them from playing an elite opponent until the round of 16. The U.S. hopes to advance far in the tournament and show it is making progress in a sport that trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity at home. The Americans face Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in Group D.
A mid-April snowstorm coats Coors Field as Dodgers-Rockies series gets off to frosty start
DENVER (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies faced an unusual challenge in April as snow blanketed Coors Field. On Friday, the teams began their series with three inches of snow covering the field. Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan made the most of it, building a snowman before the game. The snow stopped three hours before the first pitch and the grounds crew cleared the field. By game time, it was sunny and 35 degrees. Despite the snow, the game went on, but a freeze warning was issued for the Denver area. Temperatures are expected to rise over the weekend.
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are breaking up and phasing out their podcast
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are splitting up. The sports power couple announced Friday that they are ending their 10-year relationship and phasing out their popular podcast, “A Touch More.” They dropped the news together on the podcast. Bird is considered one of the greatest women’s basketball players in history. Rapinoe rose to fame as a member of the Women’s World Cup team in 2011, 2015 and 2019. Bird said they will host six more special episodes of “A Touch More” as a farewell to fans.