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Sparky Anderson relied on his knowledge accrued by managing in four decades opposed to statistical analysis.(Photo: Detroit News archives) Lakeland, Fla. — Kirk Gibson remembers a time when sabermetrics weren’t sabermetrics. They were baseball wisdom, crafted not by algorithms, explained not by acronyms, but imparted by way of baseball experience, as in the case of his old manager Sparky Anderson. Anderson didn’t believe in trying to throw out at home a…

Rebecca Lobo during the 2015 Women’s Final Four semifinal game (Photo: Scott Clarke, ESPN Images) How much of an impact has sports had on Rebecca Lobo? “There was never a time when sports were not a key component of my life,” she says. That continues to this day in her 12th year as a WNBA and college basketball analyst for ESPN and as a coach for her kids. Lobo is…

The heavily branded environment at Fightball might seem a little bizarre for America’s sport’s culture that wants to believe in its own purity. Photograph by Naima Green. Ad Policy Since the fall of 2014, the one-on-one basketball tournament Fightball has been held four times. It’s a new take on an old game, merging sport and nightlife. While there is no condoned fighting, the eight-minute games have limited foul rules. Each…

The Sports Direct founder, Mike Ashley, is to be formally summonsed to appear before MPs to explain his company’s treatment of its workers. Ashley will be issued with a demand to appear before the business select committee on 7 June after refusing to agree to a number of dates suggested by MPs. A spokesman for the committee said it was reserving the right to take the matter further, “including seeking…

Hamish Reid was living life on the marketing fast track. Starting out with Pepsi and Fonterra Dairy in his native New Zealand, Reid went global with Group Danone, building its businesses in Paris and London. In 2005, the avid sports fan established Saatchi & Saatchi’s sport and music consulting business along with some partners. While at Saatchi, Reid started to connect the dots between his passion for sports and his talent…

Like its predecessor, EA Sports UFC 2 captures all the pomp and circumstance of Mixed Martial Arts’ biggest promotion. In this case, of course, that pomp is more like an electrifying “pow!”; and the circumstance is human beings pummelling the hell out of each other within the confines of an octagon-shaped cage, but you get the idea. This is bloody and brutal entertainment, and EA Canada captures the very essence…

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Michigan coach Red Berenson was named Big Ten hockey coach of the year on Monday. U-M freshman forward Kyle Connor was named conference player of the year. Video by George Sipple, DFP Videolicious

Kyle Busch has had himself a nice NASCAR career, it’s something that most NASCAR fans will readily agree with. However, when you begin to throw around the word legend, some fans will balk. It’s those fans that need to better understand Busch and his accomplishments. Do you like Kyle Busch? Be honest, do you like Kyle Busch? Chances are that unless Busch is your favorite driver, you most likely don’t…

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are her own. China’s soccer field of dreams is taking shape. Tycoons and corporate giants are spending heavily on local clubs and foreign stars. Media and web groups are bidding up the value of broadcasting rights. Yet the Chinese league is missing one key element it needs to be viable: paying viewers. Super-fan President Xi Jinping has made soccer a…

Bolton Wanderers won 18 of Neil Lennon’s 79 competitive games in charge Championship strugglers Bolton Wanderers have parted company with manager Neil Lennon by mutual consent. The 44-year-old former Celtic manager was appointed in October 2014 and leaves with the club 11 points from safety at the foot of the table with nine games left to play. Lennon’s departure comes five days after the Sports Shield consortium completed their takeover…

The Sports Direct founder, Mike Ashley, is to be formally summoned to appear before MPs to explain his company’s treatment of its workers. Ashley will be issued with a demand to appear before the business select committee on 7 June after refusing to agree to a number of dates suggested by MPs. A spokesman for the committee said it was reserving the right to take the matter further, “including seeking…

PRO FOOTBALL WASHINGTON — An NFL official has acknowledged a link between football and the brain disease CTE for the first time. Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for health and safety, spoke about the connection during an appearance at a congressional committee’s roundtable discussion about concussions. PITTSBURGH — Martavis Bryant’s blossoming NFL career took another significant hit when the NFL suspended the talented but troubled wide receiver for…

According to the reports, a confidential dossier produced for the tennis authorities in 2008 found 28 players had performed in a manner warranting further inquiry but the matter was not followed up. The latest files were said to include references to at least 37 players, 29 of whom had been ranked in the top 50. Prosecutors were said to be still investigating how many of those named were actually approached and…

BASKETBALL Red Claws’ Frazier again named week’s top player Tim Frazier of the Maine Red Claws was named NBA D-League Performer of the Week for the second straight week. Frazier has now won two this season to go with the three Performer of the Week honors last season with Maine, when he was named NBA D-League MVP and Rookie of the Year. In eight games with Maine, Frazier is averaging…

Conte led Juventus to three Serie A titles Antonio Conte will step down from his position as manager of Italy following Euro 2016. Conte has been heavily linked with the managerial vacancy at Chelsea and this move increases the prospect of him taking over at Stamford Bridge. The 46-year-old was appointed Italy manager in August 2014 shortly after resigning as coach of Juventus. “He feels the need for the pitch,…

More video Recommended Raiders snatch late win against Roosters Plays of the Week Stunning overhead strike sees Leicester win F1 Champ arrives in New Zealand My fitness tips: Laura Geitz Replay video Motorised bike discovered at championship A concealed motor is discovered inside European champion Femke Van den Driessche’s bike frame at the world cyclo-cross championship in Zolder, Belgium. PT0M47S 620 349 Motor found in bike at championships Froome: ‘I’ve…

Arnold Palmer won seven majors including four Masters and two Open championships between 1958 and 1964 With another $6.3m up for grabs when the PGA Tour completes its Florida swing, it is an opportune moment to salute the prime architect behind such riches. No-one did more to glamorise and popularise professional golf than Arnold Palmer, the 86-year-old host of the invitational tournament that bears his name and which starts at…

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Sunday tweeted what appeared to be an endorsement from Pete Rose, the once legendary — now blacklisted — professional baseball player and manager. “Mr. Trump,” began a note that was scrawled on a baseball and posted to Trump’s Twitter account. “Please make America great again” — an apparently reference to Trump’s infamous slogan. The ball seemed to be signed by Rose — but on…