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The first time Dave Roberts stepped to home plate in a Dodgers uniform, batting leadoff on opening day in 2002 at Dodger Stadium, he scalded a ground ball into right field for a single. He stole second. He was bunted to third. He scored on a groundout. The man always did know how to make an entrance, and, oh boy, here he comes again, all scrappy and smart and selfless,…

As a spectator event, baseball’s winter meetings are best viewed in front of a computer screen: which free agent is signing where, what trades will be completed and which have fallen through, on and on. But the backdrop for all that transactional, franchise-building news is, each December, an actual place – and in 2016, that will be just outside Washington. Minor League Baseball, which hosts the annual meetings, has agreed…

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A massive overhaul at HBO Sports continued Tuesday when Mark Taffet announced his resignation as its senior vice president, effective at the end of the year. Taffet’s departure comes quickly on the heels of the resignation of HBO Sports president Ken Hershman, who resigned last month, also effective at the end of the year. Taffet said Hershman’s decision crystallized his own. View photo . Mark Taffet in 2011 (AP) Taken…

By Tim Baffoe– (CBS) I have to stay relevant in my classroom. Not me physically — I’m omnipresent judge, jury, executioner and provider of tissue, hand sanitizer and Red Vines in my high school English fiefdom. Rather, I have to constantly hold my finger to the pulse of the adolescent world to make lessons about largely dead white men in print most accessible. Pop culture, hip-hop, whatever. I bring anything…

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Dropped from starter to third-stringer – without playing a game. Johnny Manziel partied his way out of the lineup during Cleveland’s bye week. Browns coach Mike Pettine benched the polarizing quarterback on Monday for his off-field behavior, a move that could signal Manziel’s days with the team are numbered. Pettine said Josh McCown will start Monday night’s game against Baltimore in place of Manziel, who was…

Lord Coe (left) was elected IAAF president in succession to Lamine Diack in August IAAF president Lord Coe is facing conflict of interest allegations after emails emerged suggesting he lobbied his predecessor over the hosting of the 2021 World Championships. Eugene, USA, was given the event without a bidding process, despite interest from the Swedish city of Gothenburg. A BBC investigation has uncovered emails which claim Coe – an ambassador…

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Navigating through negative comments from detractors on social media is often a tough road. For Samantha Busch, criticism has been a much more personal topic of late, one that brings emotional timbres to her voice.   Her husband, Kyle Busch, hoisted the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship trophy for the first time Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, capping a stirring comeback season that opened with multiple severe leg injuries in a…

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RELATED: Learn more about Champion’s Week   DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2015) – The celebration will continue after the trophy is lifted at Homestead-Miami Speedway as NASCAR® presents the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™ hosted by actor and comedian Drew Carey. Live from Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 4, fans can tune-in to coverage of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™ beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Motor Racing…

Leaked documents from one of the biggest firms investing millions in soccer-player futures are providing a glimpse into a secretive — and now banned — financing practice for the global sport. Invisible to even the most avid soccer fans, Doyen Sports Investments and other companies like it have become a critical source of financing for often cash-strapped soccer clubs. These investors pay teams for trading rights to select players, betting…

RELATED: Full race results | Race recap SHOP: Champion gear   After securing his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title on Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kyle Busch is making the media rounds on Monday and Tuesday to talk about his epic victory and comeback from injuries sustained at Daytona in the XFINITY Series opener that caused him to miss the first 11 races of the season.   Busch joined “The Dan Patrick Show”…

RELATED: Full race results | Race recap SHOP: Champion gear   After securing his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title on Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kyle Busch is making the media rounds on Monday and Tuesday to talk about his epic victory and comeback from injuries sustained at Daytona in the XFINITY Series opener that caused him to miss the first 11 races of the season.   Busch joined “The Dan Patrick Show”…

Penn State outfielder James Coates is greeted by Cuban youth outside the Estadio Latinoamerica before the team’s game against the Industriales in Havana, Cuba on Monday. The Industriales beat the Nittany Lions, 2-1.(Photo: Cameron Hart, John Curley Center) HAVANA — Once the national anthems were played and the flags put away, one of Cuban baseball’s best clubs, the Industriales, came away with a 2-1 win Monday against a surprisingly competitive Penn State…

The first time Dave Roberts stepped to home plate in a Dodgers uniform, batting leadoff on opening day in 2002 at Dodger Stadium, he scalded a ground ball into right field for a single. He stole second. He was bunted to third. He scored on a groundout. The man always did know how to make an entrance, and, oh boy, here he comes again, all scrappy and smart and selfless,…

CHICAGO – You’ve heard the pair on WGN Radio a number of times over the years. On Monday, they took their act to TV. Mark Carman joined Jarrett Payton on Monday’s Sports Feed to discuss a number of different topics in Chicago sports. That, of course, included the Bears who lost a difficult game to the Broncos on Sunday afternoon. A number of controversial decisions by the coaching staff has…

As the Attorney General of New York has filed an injunction against major DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) sites including FanDuel and Draft Kings, a debate is being waged on whether fantasy sports is a game of chance or skill. While I personally believe there is skill involved (not at all biased by my current second place standing in my own season-long NFL Fantasy Football league), I think it’s the wrong question….

RELATED: Full race results | Race recap SHOP: Champion gear   After securing his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title on Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kyle Busch is making the media rounds on Monday and Tuesday to talk about his epic victory and comeback from injuries sustained at Daytona in the XFINITY Series opener that caused him to miss the first 11 races of the season.   Busch joined “The Dan Patrick Show”…

RELATED: Drivers, crew chiefs on the move One day after the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season ended, the first official move of the offseason came down courtesy of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates.   The team announced that Chad Johnston has been named crew chief for Kyle Larson and the No. 42 Target team. Johnston will assume the role effective immediately to begin preparation for the 2016 season, replacing Chris Heroy. Heroy…

For a list of all the latest deals, check out the transfers page. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 30, has been offered the chance to end his career in the Chinese Super League. (The Sun)  Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 30, will not be leaving the Bernabeu to rejoin Manchester United, according to his agent. (Canal+, via Daily Express)  …