I Dig Sports

We will race you: Mercury an MLB UK mascot

Published in Baseball

Friday, 28 June 2019 12:34

The London series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will feature a giant mascot race with a British spin.

Winston Churchill, Freddie Mercury, King Henry VIII and the Loch Ness Monster will race around the warning track at London Stadium. The four were chosen by fans who voted on four categories of notable Brits -- cultural icons, legends, historical figures and monarchs.

Mercury beat out Shakespeare and John Lennon in the voting.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will attend Saturday's opener and will accompany competitors from the Invictus Games onto the field to throw out the first pitch.

The Kingdom Choir, which stole the show at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, will perform the national anthem on Saturday.

About 1,500 invited fans attended batting practice Friday. Movie director Spike Lee walked around in foul territory, while the grounds crew performed to the Village People's "YMCA," as they are wont to do in the Bronx. Delaware North, the stadium food contractor, brought over George Raub, a 39-year-old from Georgia, to teach staff how to hawk food in the stands.

"It's all about showmanship and bringing them outside of their shell," Raub said. "Joked a little bit: If they've ever wanted to be a West End actor here in London, this is their chance to really showcase their skills."

Players from both teams relished being able to do some sightseeing around the city without being recognized.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said he walked near the London Eye and reliever Chad Green toured the Churchill War Rooms under the streets of Westminster. Boston outfielder Mookie Betts played golf and ate with his family at Borough Market, while Rick Porcello and Red Sox teammate Brandon Workman went to Camden Market, Shoreditch and Piccadilly Circus.

"I was actually walking near the London Eye yesterday, and I ran into a couple people that had the Yankee hat on," Judge said. "They had no idea who I was or anything. I said this is all right. 'I'm Aaron, great to meet you.'"

Boston manager Alex Cora and Yankees counterpart Aaron Boone went to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard, and Cora visited Kensington Palace. A gala was scheduled for the Tower of London.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Police arrest mastermind in Ortiz shooting

Published in Baseball

Friday, 28 June 2019 11:55

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Authorities in the Dominican Republic say they have arrested the mastermind behind the shooting of baseball great David Ortiz earlier this month in an apparent case of mistaken identity.

Police said Friday that Victor Hugo Gomez was detained in the Caribbean country. No further details were immediately released.

Authorities had said last week that they believed Gomez was living in the United States.

He is accused of ordering the killing of his cousin, Sixto David Fernandez. Authorities say hit men confused Ortiz with Fernandez during the June 9 shooting at a bar in the capital of Santo Domingo. The two men are friends and were sharing a table.

Ortiz was flown to Boston and remains hospitalized there after doctors in the Dominican Republic removed his gallbladder and part of his intestine.

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Answering key questions after Craig Kimbrel's first Cubs save

Published in Baseball

Friday, 28 June 2019 10:09

CHICAGO -- A potential final piece to the Chicago Cubs' bullpen made it back to the majors Thursday, as the team called up new closer Craig Kimbrel, who earned the save in a 9-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

After Kimbrel made four appearances at Triple-A Iowa, the organization is hopeful he'll help the team improve on its 60% save-conversion rate. Here are some key questions about the man some might think is the savior for Chicago's shaky bullpen:

The Cubs are 39-3 when leading after eight innings. Does Kimbrel make that big of a difference?

He does, but it has only a little to do with the ninth inning. The team has been short an arm since the winter, so adding a good one -- in any role -- was a top priority. Of course, it doesn't hurt to add a Hall of Fame-caliber closer, considering the ninth inning can be a different animal, but the biggest benefit could come before the ninth. That's when Pedro Strop will pitch once again, and before that, tough righties Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler will see action. The Cubs have blown seven leads in the seventh inning or later, so moving everyone down a notch is where Kimbrel truly helps.

"When everyone is [available] on a nightly basis, the length of the bullpen gets pretty deep," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

How will Kimbrel be used initially?

First off, he'll pitch only three or fewer outs. So one inning will be the right-hander's max. "Remember when I got Aroldis [Chapman] and popped him in there for three-plus [outs] and I thought it was cool?" Maddon said. "But it wasn't."

"He'll be slotted, and really carefully. As we get to the latter part of September, as it's necessary, that's where you look at the four outs sometimes. I hope not five. ... He'll be a three-out guy."

What about using him on back-to-back days?

Kimbrel pitched on back-to-back days one time last week at Triple-A, so he's prepped for it. It'll be a day-by-day thing between him and Maddon.

"I need him to tell me on a daily basis how he's feeling," Maddon said. "I will listen to him. ... Sometimes, these guys actually feel better after a couple days of pitching."

Is he in major league-ready shape?

Kimbrel was throwing at a local high school in Florida before being signed, so it's not like he was mimicking big league situations -- hence the time in the minors. The Cubs called it his spring training and will treat him accordingly.

"Guys have a few more restrictions in April because they're easing their way into the season a little bit," team president Theo Epstein said. "It wouldn't be appropriate to go full throttle right off the bat given the long season ahead of him. And given that they are just getting up to speed.

"It makes sense to look at it like April, where you're not going to push the pedal to the metal right away, and be smart about it."

What are scouts or other executives saying?

One assistant general manager of another team interested in Kimbrel saw him throw before the 31-year-old signed with the Cubs and said: "I'm curious to see how the next few years play out. Our scout said the velocity looked good, command was off. Even then, it's hard to put any stock into it."

A scout who saw him more recently, at Triple-A, said: "Velocity was good, and in the few batters I saw, no one squared him up. But the real test is coming. This was just to see how his arm looked, and it was fine."

How did he look Thursday?

Kimbrel hit 95-98 mph on the radar gun but lost command against Dansby Swanson, walking him on four pitches.

"His stuff is still electric," new teammate Cishek said. "He had, what? Seven or eight strikes in a row. That's pretty amazing in his first game."

So how did his signature setup on the mound -- with his right arm dangling -- come to be?

"It all started with an injury," Kimbrel said. "I didn't want to put my arm behind my back anymore. Started to let it hang because I was getting a little bicep tendinitis. Over the years, it got out of control. It became something that was more of a stamp in my performance, I guess. Now it's just something that I do. It's how I separate from a happy, fun-loving guy to turning into what I want to be on the mound."

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Jake Wightman returns at Watford Grand Prix

Published in Athletics

Friday, 28 June 2019 12:39

Scot makes his comeback after injury at the British Milers’ Club meeting

A line-up of top British 800m runners will be on show for the third BMC Grand Prix of the season, which takes place at the Woodside Stadium in Watford on Saturday.

Jake Wightman will be racing for the first time since suffering a stress fracture to his sacrum in December, while Alex Bell – who broke the two-minute barrier at last year’s meeting – also makes her first serious appearance of the outdoor track season.

Wightman was the fastest British 800m runner last year after setting a PB of 1:44.61 at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London and he will be joined on the start line by Elliot Giles (1:44.99), as well as last year’s Commonwealth silver medallist Kyle Langford.

All will be wary of Rio Olympian 1500m runner Charlie Da’Vall Grice, who opened his season in America earlier this month with a 1:46.47 800m and a 3:54.77 victory over the mile. Spencer Thomas and Jamie Webb are also entered.

In the women’s race, Bell can expect stiff opposition from European Indoor champion Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, Sarah McDonald and Revee Walcott-Nolan, while Glasgow 2019 fifth-placer Mari Smith will also feature.

“I think we are looking at one of the finest fields of British 800m runners we have had for many years,” said BMC chairman Tim Brennan.

“We could easily be looking at a 1:45 time to win the men’s A race as we have two guys who ran 1:44 last year.

“We also have Alexandra Bell coming back to the track where she ran sub-two (1:59.93) for the first time when winning last year . Both A races are shaping up to be very exciting.”

The meeting is much more than just about the 800m, however. Rio Olympian Andrew Butchart joins a men’s 1500m field which also features the likes of Ellis Cross and Phil Sesemann while Jess Judd, who has won the 5000m at the opening two Grand Prix, will step down to the women’s 1500m and is joined by Hannah England.

Entries for the two steeplechase races headed by Zak Seddon and Elizabeth Bird, while some of Britain’s top junior distance runners will also be in Watford as the UK under-20 3000m trials are being incorporated into the meeting.

Morpeth’s Rory Leonard has already made a big impact over 5000m this summer so will be stepping down for some sharpening up work, while Cornwall AC’s Grace Brock heads a good entry for the women’s race.

The first race is at 5.30pm.

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I believe I can win Wimbledon, says British number one Edmund

Published in Tennis

Thursday, 27 June 2019 22:21

Kyle Edmund says he is "living the dream" by going into Wimbledon as British number one - and thinks he can cause a major surprise by winning the men's singles title.

The 24-year-old's best Grand Slam result to date was a run to the 2018 Australian Open semi-finals.

In six visits to the All England Club, he has never been past round three.

But when asked if he is feels he can lift the trophy, 30th seed Edmund told BBC Sport: "Yeah, definitely."

He added: "I believe that. I know I have the game for it. There's a point where you really have to start believing it if you want to do it and I've really started to believe it over the last few years."

Edmund has struggled for form this year, dropping to his lowest ranking since January 2018, and has recently been troubled by a knee injury that forced him to retire from his French Open second-round match.

However, the world number 31 says he is now "feeling good" and "a lot more positive" since he lost in the first round of Queen's to top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

On Friday, Edmund faces Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals at Eastbourne, his last tournament before Wimbledon begins on Monday.

With Andy Murray opting only to play doubles at SW19 as the three-time Grand Slam champion continues his recovery from major hip surgery, much of the British singles focus will fall on Edmund.

"It's pretty cool," explained the Yorkshireman, who was beaten in four sets by eventual champion Novak Djokovic 12 months ago.

"Everyone turns on the TV for that time of year and the first name you go to is the British number one, that's where the expectation is.

"Andy has done it for so long and done very well. After being at that position it shows how well he did cope with it and how much pressure and expectation was on him.

"Now it's me, it's my turn to deal with that - you really have to try to embrace it and take it on. Last year was the first time I played on Court One and then twice on Centre - it was an amazing experience.

"You could say I'm living the dream. I was once the kid watching Tim [Henman] and Andy playing at Wimbledon, thinking it would be amazing to be there and how cool it would be.

"Now I'm there. Now I'm trying to live it and it's not easy because when you're in the moment, it can become quite intense, but once I look back at the end of my career the things that hopefully I achieve now, I can be really pleased when I'm done and say I lived my dream."

In late April, the BBC accompanied Edmund on a visit to Liverpool, the football club he supports, and he said the Reds' glittering history is a source of inspiration.

"The bottom line is you are never considered great or good in people's minds without silverware - that's just the nature of sport, that you do get reflected on your success," he said.

"Looking at these guys [Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic, Murray] who've been so consistent winning trophies throughout these years is impressive, but there's a time now where those guys are going to be coming out of it, there's a gap to be filled and it's down to me to do it.

"I've got the game to do it, I've got the tool set, it's just about getting my head screwed on and doing it basically. You have to believe. If you don't believe then there's almost no point starting."

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Murrays could meet in third round; Nadal & Federer in same half of draw; Konta faces Bogdan

Published in Tennis

Friday, 28 June 2019 04:34

Andy Murray's return to Wimbledon could see him face his older brother Jamie in the third round of the men's doubles.

Rafael Nadal is in the same half of the men's singles as eight-time champion Roger Federer - and could play Nick Kyrgios in the second round.

British men's number one Kyle Edmund, seeded 30th, will play Jaume Munar of Spain in the first round on Monday.

Johanna Konta, Britain's leading female player, will play Romanian qualifier Ana Bogdan on Tuesday.

Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic, who is the top seed, will play Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first match on Centre Court at 13:00 BST on Monday.

Last year's women's champion Angelique Kerber, seeded fifth, starts against fellow German Tatjana Maria on Tuesday.

Kerber could then face American 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, who opens against Italian qualifier Giulia Gatto-Monticone, in the last 16.

New world number one Ashleigh Barty will play China's Zheng Saisai, ranked 43rd, and is projected to face Spanish 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza in the third round.

American 15-year-old Cori Gauff, the youngest player to qualify for the main Wimbledon draw since the Open era began in 1968, has been rewarded with a first-round match against five-time champion Venus Williams, who is 24 years older than her compatriot.

Murray returns to SW19

Two-time singles champion Murray is playing alongside France's doubles expert Pierre-Hugues Herbert and they have been drawn to face Romania's Marius Copil and France's Ugo Humbert in the first round.

Murray, 32, pulled out on the eve of last year's tournament with a hip injury, going on to have surgery in January which left him fearing for his career.

But he made his competitive return in the doubles at Queen's last week - and won the title alongside Spain's Feliciano Lopez.

His 33-year-old brother, who has twice won the mixed doubles at SW19, is partnering fellow Briton Neal Skupski.

The 10th seeds meets Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Slovakian partner Filip Polasek in their opening match.

Tough draw for Nadal

Two-time champion Nadal faces Japanese qualifier Yuichi Sugita in the first round, with Kyrgios meeting fellow Australian Jordan Thompson for the right to face him.

The Spaniard, 33, is the world number two but has been seeded third behind 37-year-old Swiss Federer.

Nadal has said it "doesn't seem fair" to be seeded behind Federer, who is ranked third in the world.

It meant the Spaniard was projected to face either top seed Djokovic or Federer in the semi-finals.

And the 18-time major champion, who is two titles behind Federer's all-time leading tally, was pulled out in the same half as the Swiss when the draw was made at the All England Club on Friday.

Wimbledon seeding is different from the other Grand Slams in that it does not always follow world rankings and is affected by a special formula which takes into account a player's grass-court performances.

Nadal could also face Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a two-time semi-finalist, or Canadian 29th seed Denis Shapovalov in round three, with 2017 finalist Marin Cilic projected to be his last-16 opponent.

Federer opens his campaign for a record-extending ninth title against 22-year-old South African Lloyd Harris, who is making his Wimbledon debut.

What about the Britons?

Ten British players will play in the singles and some favourable draws should leave each of them thinking they have good opportunities to advance.

Konta, 28, is considered the greatest hope of home success, having reached the semi-finals in 2017 on her favoured surface.

However, some tricky tests could await the 19th seed, who has suffered early exits in Birmingham and Eastbourne in the run up to Wimbledon.

Konta could face American seventh seed Sloane Stephens - who she beat in the French Open quarter-finals - in the third round, with two-time champion Petra Kvitova, who has been an injury doubt, potentially awaiting in the last 16.

Heather Watson, an ever present in the main draw since 2010, could be posed problems by talented 17-year-old American qualifier Caty McNally, while Harriet Dart meets American Christina McHale and Katie Swan plays Laura Siegemund of Germany.

If Edmund beats Munar, who is ranked 88th in the world and has never played in the Wimbledon main draw, the 24-year-old could then face another Spaniard in Fernando Verdasco.

Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who starts against Italian Thomas Fabbiano, looms the third round.

British number two Cameron Norrie plays Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin, who famously beat Djokovic at the 2017 Australian Open, while 20-year-old Jay Clarke is aiming for the prize of meeting Federer.

Clarke faces American qualifier Noah Rubin with the winner likely to face a second-round match against the Swiss great.

British number three Dan Evans will open against Argentina's Federico Delbonis and could play compatriot James Ward in the second round.

Ward, who was given a wildcard, has a tough task against Georgian 18th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Evans or Ward could then potentially meet Paul Jubb, the teenage wildcard who won the prestigious NCAA college title in the Unite States recently, in the third round.

First, Jubb would have to get past Portuguese world number 66 Joao Sousa, and then potentially former finalist Cilic in the second round.

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

With defending champion Djokovic in the other half, Nadal looks to have the rockiest route to negotiate.

A second-round match with Kyrgios, who called him "super salty" in a recent podcast, could be followed by meetings before the quarter-finals with Denis Shapovalov and the 2017 runner-up Cilic.

Serena Williams is in a loaded top quarter, along with the world number one Barty, the defending champion Kerber, Muguruza and Maria Sharapova.

But the British players have been handed remarkably benign first-round draws. With the exception of James Ward, who has drawn the 18th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili, the other nine singles players face opponents outside the world's top 65.

If Konta were to progress to the third round, she is seeded to play Stephens, whom she beat at Roland Garros.

And if Edmund makes similar progress, he could expect to face Tsitsipas at that stage.

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Story of the World Tour 2019 so far – the Singles!

Published in Table Tennis

Thursday, 27 June 2019 23:50

Upsets galore: Whose day is it?

If there was to be a theme to this year’s ITTF World Tour, it would have to be ‘upsets’. The Japan Open alone saw defending champions Tomokazu Harimoto and Mima Ito eliminated in the round of 32 on home territory, the former by a virtual unknown: Sun Wen (CHN), ranked 599^th in the world!

Even China’s finest have not avoided shock defeats: men’s world no.2 Lin Gaoyuan and reigning women’s Olympic champion Ding Ning both bowed out prematurely a fortnight ago in Sapporo.

The men’s singles especially has thrown up a number of surprise packages: world #72 Alexander Shibaev (RUS) reaching the quarter-finals in Hungary; #9 Mattias Falck (SWE) coming within a whisker of the Qatar Open final; #56 Lubomir Pistej (SVK) defeating #10 Jang Woojin (KOR) in China; #22 Simon GAUZY (FRA) seeing off #11 Lee Sangsu (KOR) in Hong Kong.

The sudden shift of unpredictability in this year’s World Tour is one being loved by fans and keeping everyone guessing!

At the same time, there were some matches headed towards surprising ends, which were masterfully avoided by the veterans. Most notably, German legend Timo Boll had a heart-in-mouth contest versus India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta at the Hong Kong Open, with victory secured only in the very final game.

Ma Long’s Resurgence

Speaking of veterans, there are few who can match the standards set by ‘The Dragon’ himself. Despite spending seven months sidelined with a knee injury since last summer, Ma Long has been a virtually indomitable force since returning to action in March at the Qatar Open. After winning the final 4-2 against his compatriot Lin Gaoyuan, the 30-year-old maintained his targets were still to be at the top:

“In the context of my longstanding injury, to come back the way I have done, this is the happiest ITTF World Tour title victory of my career. Winning here provides the perfect boost ahead of next month’s World Championships and, of course, aids my long-term preparations for next year’s Olympic Games.” Ma Long

Low and behold, since then, ‘The Dragon’ roared to his third consecutive World Championships crown and clinched gold at the China Open in Shenzhen to break the record for ITTF World Tour men’s singles titles – an incredible 28!

China dominant across Singles

It is unbecoming to not notice how singularly focused this year’s ITTF World Tour has been on China and their exploits, but with stunningly consistent performances coming from the country’s top athletes, there is hardly any blame to follow.

Chen Meng and Wang Manyu have been rock-solid in the women’s singles, recording victories at the China Open and Hungarian and Qatar Opens respectively, with Ma Long and Lin Goayuan the main men so far. The highly impressive Lin has reached four out of five men’s singles finals in 2019, winning two titles along the way in Hungary and Hong Kong.

Europe’s finest have found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the aggressive style of play of the Chinese this year as was evidenced by the German Dimitrij Ovtcharov surrendering a 10-5 lead to lose 17-15 at the final hurdle of his seven-game marathon against Lin at the China Open.

More to come from big names?

Leading the respective men’s and women’s world rankings at the start of 2019, the Chinese duo of Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning have yet to really click into top gear this year.

Lin Gaoyuan (14,400) has come to within just five points of Fan’s leading world-ranking tally (14,405) as the latter has struggled for any of the consistent form, which saw him take the men’s game by storm in 2018.

Meanwhile, Ding Ning’s early exit in Japan led to her falling down the pecking order to the world no.3 spot behind Chen Meng and Wang Manyu. Expect the top of the world ranking charts to keep fluctuating too!

Japan’s struggles to upstage Chinese

Despite the best efforts of Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto and Mima Ito, the gap between them and China’s elite shows no sign of narrowing. In the Hong Kong Open final, 15-year-old Harimoto learnt the hard way what it is to allow Lin Gaoyuan an inch of space on the table. The Chinese star took no mercy and, from being 1-2 down, won the match 4-2.

Japan’s Hina Hayata suffered the same fate in the Japan Open against Chen Meng, in spite of a momentous 12-3 win in the first game. Chen eventually rolled up her sleeves to win the contest 4-2, and with that stalled yet another keen attempt by the Japanese to dent China’s immense form so far on this year’s ITTF World Tour.

Can anyone stop the country’s superstars in the second half of 2019? Find out by tuning in to watch the Korea Open between 2^nd– 7^thJuly and the Australian Open between 9^th– 14^thJuly.

Fans can follow the main stories on ITTF.com and watch the action live on itTV!

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Warren Gatland: Departing Wales boss to coach Chiefs before 2021 Lions

Published in Rugby

Thursday, 27 June 2019 15:03

Warren Gatland will take over the Chiefs in his native New Zealand when his contract as Wales coach ends after the World Cup this autumn.

The 55-year-old is set to replace Colin Cooper who is stepping down.

He will coach the Chiefs in 2020, be released to take charge of the 2021 British & Irish Lions, and then is expected to return to Hamilton for two more seasons.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to come back home," he said.

"The opportunity to come back as head coach of the Chiefs is something that I am really looking forward to.

"The Chiefs are well known for the success they've had both on and off the field and the really loyal support they have from everyone within the Chiefs region.

Gatland had told BBC Sport earlier in June he wanted to coach a Super Rugby side.

"I would love to be involved with Super Rugby and to challenge myself with that," Gatland had said after being confirmed as Lions coach for the 2021 tour to South Africa.

"I want to go back. I have been head coach with Waikato and won a championship there, and I want to challenge myself with Super Rugby."

Gatland has been coaching in the northern hemisphere for close to three decades, holding roles with Connacht, Ireland, Wasps, Wales and the Lions.

In more than a decade with Wales, Gatland has won three Grand Slams, a further Six Nations championship and reached the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.

The former Waikato hooker coached the Lions to a series win over Australia in 2013, a drawn series in New Zealand four years later and his stint next year will equal Sir Ian McGeechan's record as a three-time head coach.

Analysis

Chris Jones, BBC rugby union correspondent

The Lions hierarchy are believed to be supportive of Gatland's move, and feel he will be able to sharpen his coaching skills as well as gathering first-hand information on South African opposition.

Returning to the New Zealand system could also put Gatland firmly in the frame to eventually take charge of the All Blacks.

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Folau and Rugby Australia look set for court battle after failing to reach settlement

Published in Rugby

Friday, 28 June 2019 00:45

Israel Folau looks set to take his unfair dismissal case to Federal Court after failing to reach a settlement with Rugby Australia.

Both parties have said they were "disappointed" by the outcome of a Fair Work Commission conciliation.

Rugby Australia terminated his contract in May after the evangelical Christian said "Hell awaits" gay people.

"Thanks to those who have supported me. I will continue to stand up for the freedom of Australians," said Folau.

His lawyer George Haros said that "unless things change we'll be heading to court".

The 30-year-old, who also had his contract terminated by New South Wales Waratahs, believes the dismissal is an unlawful act of religious discrimination and could now apply to have his case heard in Australia's Federal Court.

Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union issued a joint statement, which said: "Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby Union are incredibly disappointed that the Fair Work conciliation has been unsuccessful and did not reach a resolution.

"We remain confident in our processes and will continue to do what is required to defend the values that underpin our game."

After the first GoFundMe page set up to help the former player cover the costs of Folau's legal action was shut down, a second raised more than two million Australian dollars (£1.1m) in just two days.

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