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(Photo: The Associated Press) Here are 10 players to keep an eye on this college baseball season: Carmen Benedetti, IF/OF/LHP, junior, Michigan: Two-way player batted .352 and led Big Ten in doubles (25) and RBIs (71). Had 29-game streak in which he reached base. Had 1.84 ERA with 23 strikeouts and three saves in 14 2-3 innings in first year as a college pitcher. Joe DeMers, RHP, freshman, Washington: The…

NASCAR has a new official credit-card provider and Chip Ganassi Racing Teams has a new sponsor for the No. 1 Chevrolet of driver Jamie McMurray, FOXSports.com learned in a series of exclusive interviews. Nevada-based Credit One Bank has signed a multi-year deal to be the “Official Credit Card of NASCAR.” As part of the agreement, the bank will offer fans officially licensed NASCAR-themed credit cards. In addition, the company will…

FILE – In this Nov. 22, 2015, file photo, Kyle Busch does a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race and the season title, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. With four-time champion Jeff Gordon retired and three-time champ Tony Stewart sidelined with a broken back, the NASCAR season begins with a much different look and a new rules package. (AP Photo/Darryl Graham) Looking to end the…

Sixteen years ago 90 people came down with meningitis in nine European countries and 14 people died. Epidemiologists tracked the outbreak to pilgrims returning from the Hajj. This annual trek of more than 2 million Muslims to Mecca has in recent years attracted concerns over its potential to distribute the MERS virus in a similar fashion. The 2012 London Olympics went off without a hitch, though, thanks to the most…

Everywhere he has gone, University of Houston baseball coach Todd Whitting has collected a database of ideas of what he would like a baseball development center at UH to look like.

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Valcke became secretary-general at Fifa in 2007 Fifa has banned its former secretary-general Jerome Valcke from all football-related activity for 12 years. The governing body’s independent ethics committee also fined the 55-year-old 100,000 Swiss francs (£70,800) after it investigated allegations of misconduct relating to sales of World Cup tickets. During the inquiry, other acts of potential misconduct arose concerning travel expenses and regulations. Valcke’s lawyer said his client had done…

AP In an Instagram message thanking the fans for a memorable 2015 season, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wears a T-shirt that declares, “I win my way.” The text accompanying the photo reiterates Cam’s “my way” mantra: “I am not perfect and I will make mistakes but I will continue to work on improving each day trying to perfect all my imperfection. Pursuing greatness is my commitment, and I will continue to be…

Sports Illustrated just doesn’t like Eagles‘ quarterback Sam Bradford. One week after listing him as the most unattractive quarterback in the league, the national magazine dissed Bradford again. In the Feb. 15-22 double issue, the magazine’s Andy Benoit lists the top 40 free-agents-to-be in the NFL and Bradford did not make the list. The only quarterback, on the list is Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins. In his synopsis of Cousins, Benoit takes…

Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) and Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) embrace at the start of their NBA game Friday Nov. 6, 2015 in Phoenix, Ariz. Markieff was booed on introductions and when he touched the ball during the course of the game.(Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports) Every sports town has its heroes. The Valley has Larry Fitzgerald, Paul Goldschmidt and Shane Doan. And of course, we can’t forget about…

FILE – In this Nov. 22, 2015, file photo, Kyle Busch does a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race and the season title, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. With four-time champion Jeff Gordon retired and three-time champ Tony Stewart sidelined with a broken back, the NASCAR season begins with a much different look and a new rules package. (AP Photo/Darryl Graham) Looking to end the…

Everywhere he has gone, University of Houston baseball coach Todd Whitting has collected a database of ideas of what he would like a baseball development center at UH to look like.

SYDNEY (AP) Australia scored three first-inning runs on five hits – including four consecutive hits to start the game – and defeated South Africa 4-1 on Friday to advance to the final of the World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament. Four pitchers limited South Africa to six hits to lead the host team to the final on Sunday against South Africa or New Zealand. The winner of the final…

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The U.S. Olympic Committee will hire two infectious disease specialists to advise potential Olympians who are worried about the Zika outbreak in Brazil. USOC CEO Scott Blackmun sent a letter to all possible Olympians, acknowledging the growing worries over the virus. “I know that the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil is of concern to many of you,” Blackmun wrote. “I want to emphasize that it is to us, as well,…

Japanese trainer and sportswear manufacturer Asics has bought the popular running app Runkeeper, making it the latest in a string of fitness app purchases by sporting-goods manufacturers. The app, which has over 33 million users worldwide, is available for the iPhone and Android, with smartwatch apps and links to other fitness tracking apps and platforms. Runkeeper was set up in 2008 and quickly became one of the most successful running…

https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/697644523657166848 Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett capped the best year of his NFL career by being named the Male Sports Star of the Year at the 81st annual MTR Western Seattle Sports Star of the Year awards show Wednesday night. Bennett, who had a career-high 10.0 sacks in 2015 and earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time, is the fourth straight Seahawks player to earn the honor. Bennett began…

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Everywhere he has gone, University of Houston baseball coach Todd Whitting has collected a database of ideas of what he would like a baseball development center at UH to look like.

To save articles or get newsletters, alerts or recommendations – all free. Don’t have an account yet?Create an account » Subscribed through iTunes and need an NYTimes.com account?Learn more » Need to connect your Home Delivery subscription to NYTimes.com?Link your subscription »