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MLB managers at different career stages strive to be honest with players when it comes to decisions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The only time Mark Kotsay ever faced being demoted or released as a player, Terry Francona delivered the tough news.And he did so with such grace and care that Kotsay remembers to this day how that thoughtful tone made it a little easier to accept in the moment. Those are lessons he now uses himself as manager of the Oakland Athletics.“Terry Francona, his communication skills are off the charts,” said Tampa Bay skipper Kevin Cash, who played for Francona in Boston and served as a coach on his staff in Cleveland. “I think that’s why he’s been in the game and been successful for so long.”Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has long abided by a simple message when it comes to his players: “I try to treat players the way I would want to be treated.”So, when it comes to tough conversations, most every manager agrees that being truthful and straightforward is always the best approach.All these years later, Kotsay still recalls when Francona told him in 200...

Kansas will no longer change transgender people’s birth certificates to reflect gender identities, state officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will no longer change transgender people’s birth certificates to reflect gender identities, state officials say.Source

Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein questionable to play vs. Cowboys because of groin injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein has a groin injury that could keep him out of the game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.Coach Robert Saleh said Friday that Zuerlein was hurt late in practice Thursday. Zuerlein didn’t participate in the team’s final full session before traveling to Dallas and was listed as questionable on the Jets’ injury report. Saleh said “we’re 50-50” on Zuerlein’s chances to play.“He’s not out for the game,” Saleh said. “We’ll see how that works over the next couple of days.” Among the kickers that worked out for the Jets on Friday in case Zuerlein can’t play were Ty Long, Austin Seibert, Caleg Shudak and Matthew Wright.“It’s not serious,” Saleh said. “But serious enough to bring this game in question.”It’s the latest adversity to hit the Jets this week after they lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the season with a torn left Achilles tendon suffered on his fourth snap...

Vikings RB Mattison calls out racial slurs directed at him on social media after loss to Eagles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison received more than 60 “disgustingly disrespectful messages” through social media that included racial slurs and encouraged suicide, the fifth-year player said Friday in the aftermath of the team’s most recent loss.Mattison, who is Black, revealed on an Instagram Story post that he was taunted through direct messages and in the comments sections on the social media platform for his performance in Minnesota’s 34-28 defeat Thursday at Philadelphia, where Mattison had one of the Vikings’ four fumbles. He urged the 60-plus users to “really reflect” on their words and how they could truly affect a person.“Under my helmet, I am a human, a father, a son,” Mattison wrote. “This is sick.”The Vikings said in a statement Friday they were “sickened” by the messages directed at Mattison.“There simply is no room for racist words or actions in sports or society,” the team said.The NFL also issued a statement of c...

Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers both looking to avoid starting 0-2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-1) at TENNESSEE (0-1)Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBSOPENING LINE: Chargers by 3, according to FanDuel SportsBook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Chargers 0-1; Tennessee 1-0.SERIES RECORD: Chargers lead 29-18-1.LAST MEETING: Chargers beat Titans 17-14 on Dec. 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. LAST WEEK: Chargers lost to Dolphins 36-34; Titans lost to Saints 16-15.CHARGERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (2), RUSH (1), PASS (13), SCORING (4).CHARGERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (30), RUSH (6), PASS (30), SCORING (t-28).TITANS OFFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (12), PASS (17), SCORING (24).TITANS DEFENSE: OVERALL (23), RUSH (5), PASS (26), SCORING (t-8).TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Chargers plus-2; Titans minus-1.CHARGERS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Austin Ekeler. He ranked third in Week 1 with 164 yards from scrimmage with 117 yards rushing and 47 receiving, but he is doubtful for this game with an injured ankle. He needs seven catches to become the seventh player in franchise history to reach 400 receptions.TITANS PLAYER TO WATCH: Q...

Mount Evans officially renamed Mount Blue Sky

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The U.S. Board on Geographic Names officially renamed Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky during the Council of Geographic Names Authorities conference Friday afternoon.The name change was years in the making and gained traction in 2020 as part of a widespread movement to address past atrocities. Panel OKs new name for Mount Evans, tied to massacre During the meeting, officials discussed six options to be the new name of the iconic 14er. After the motion to approve the name change, several officials seconded the change."I think there's an overwhelming agreement that the name has to be changed," Christ Hammond, a member of the Domestic Names Committee, said."I do hope that whatever name we pick does start the healing process," Andrew Flora added.When called for a vote, one person opposed and there were three abstentions, but it was ultimately voted by the majority of 15 to be renamed Mount Blue Sky.History of the name 'Mount Evans'Mount Evans was named after Colorado Ter...

18-year-old arrested after nearly hitting 20 children near Aurora park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Aurora Police Department said an Arapahoe County man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly drove toward 20 children on their way to school in Aurora.On Tuesday morning, police received multiple reports of a gold Holda Pilot driving recklessly, nearly striking children near Aqua Vista Park. Driver nearly hits 20 children while leaving Aurora park Nearby security camera captured the SUV leaving Aqua Vista Park, located at 18700 E. Wagon Trail Cir., at around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.The footage shows the driver nearly hitting one child crossing the street. The car accelerated toward the child who had to run onto the sidewalk.The suspect was identified and contacted Wednesday afternoon. Officers impounded the SUV for processing after the suspect made statements about the accelerator sticking, police said.The suspect, identified Friday as 18-year-old Owen Riley Severson, was arrested on misdemeanor counts of child abuse, menacing, reckless endangerment and reckless dr...

‘Not an ounce of truth’: Miami Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla speaks out after arrest on money laundering, bribery charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

A South Florida commissioner is speaking out after he was arrested and charged and arrested on money laundering and bribery charges. Moments after he walked out of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Thursday night, Miami City Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla said he did nothing wrong and called his arrest political.“Not an ounce of truth. Not an an ounce of truth to those allegations,” he said. “This is a work of fiction, and I’ll repeat it again: this is a work of fiction by a Democrat state attorney targeting a Republican city commissioner. Period.”Charges against him include bribery, money laundering and official misconduct. Some of that alleged misconduct involved a controversial private school in Miami. According to the Miami Herald, the investigation revealed Centner Academy wanted to build a sports complex at the site of a Miami city park. Diaz de la Portilla, who is the commissioner for District 1, was willing to work to make it happen &...

BSO seeks help from public in identifying suspects in Oakland Park 7-Eleven robbery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

Broward Sheriff’s Office robbery detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying two thieves who allegedly threatened a store employee with a firearm during a robbery.According to BSO, the incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday when two masked men entered the 7-Eleven store at 5890 North Andrews Avenue in Oakland Park.Approaching the cashier, investigators said, one of the subjects motioned toward what appeared to be a gun handle, threatening to shoot the employee if she didn’t empty the cash registers. The victim, fearing for her life, handed over the cash as the subject emphasized that he “wasn’t kidding.”The robbers then fled on foot southbound on North Andrews Avenue.Authorities urge anyone with information on the incident or the identity of the subjects to contact BSO Detective Armando Enrique at 954-321-4233 or submit a tip through the SaferWatch App. Anonymous tips can be provided to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) o...

South Florida firefighter’s coffee company supports first responders, creates brew honoring Miami-Dade firefighters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:12 GMT

A cup of coffee is helping brew up some extra support for local first responders. Karen Hensel shows us how in today’s 7 Spotlight.Whether Americano, espresso, or cafecito, South Floridians love their coffee.That includes our first responders.Jason Patton, Fire Department Coffee: “We just need that caffeine motivation to make sure we’re getting through the day appropriately.”Jason Patton is a South Florida firefighter. He’s also the vice-president of Fire Department Coffee. The company, started in 2016, developed a large selection of specialty roasts and blends.Jason Patton: “So we came up with, obviously, all the different types of espressos and blends, but we also have our full spirit-infused line — Irish whiskey, vanilla bean, bourbon, all the fun stuff.”But this coffee is more than just a delicious brew. A portion of each purchase helps support a special cause.Jason Patton: “The main mission of it was to create premium, high ...