Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Off the wire

- Compiled from Democrat-Gazette Press Services

FOOTBALL

Love returning to Stanford Heisman Trophy runner-up and Doak Walker Award winner Bryce Love is returning to Stanford for his senior season. Love released a statement through the school Tuesday saying he will be back next year while continuing to work on his degree in human biology. Love set a Stanford record with 2,118 yards rushing this season, set an FBS record with 13 runs of at least 50 yards and topped the 100-yard mark 12 times despite being hampered by a sprained ankle the second half of the season and a hand injury in Stanford’s 37-35 Alamo Bowl loss to TCU.

BASEBALL

Duffy pleads guilty to DUI Kansas City Royals left-hander Danny Duffy has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in one of the city’s suburbs and has been placed on a year’s probation. Sean Reilly, a spokesman for the city of Overland Park, Kan, said Tuesday that Duffy entered the plea last week and will pay $1,220 in fines and court fees. Duffy must report to a probation officer once a month and abstain from drugs and alcohol. He also will be subject to random breath, urine or blood screenings. Royals spokesman Mike Swanson said the plea is a matter between Duffy, his representa­tives and the city. Police stopped and cited Duffy in August after he returned to Kansas City during a road trip for an exam on the elbow of his pitching arm. He underwent surgery in October and is expected to be ready for spring training next month. Duffy went 9-10 with a 3.81 ERA over 24 starts in the first season of a fiveyear, $65 million contract extension. LeBlanc, Yankees agree Left-hander Wade LeBlanc has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and will report to major league spring training. LeBlanc, 33, was 5-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 50 relief appearance­s last year for Pittsburgh, which declined his $1.25 million option for 2018. LeBlanc is 30-35 in nine seasons with a 4.40 ERA in 79 starts and 97

relief appearance­s for San Diego (2008-11), Miami (2012-13), Houston (2013), the Yankees (2014), Los Angeles Angels (2014), Seattle (2016) and Pittsburgh. He was claimed by the Yankees off waivers from the Angels and pitched one game, on June 4, 2014, against Oakland. LeBlanc was designated for assignment a week later. LeBlanc would get a $1 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. His deal was first reported by ESPN.

BASKETBALL

Jo Jo White dies Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Jo Jo White, a twotime NBA champion with the Boston

Celtics and an Olympic gold medalist, has died. He was 71. The Celtics announced his death Tuesday night. No cause was provided. The team said it is “terribly saddened” by White’s passing, calling him a “champion and a gentleman; supremely talented and brilliant on the court, and endlessly gracious off of it.” White played 10 seasons for Boston, which drafted him ninth overall from Kansas in 1969. He averaged 17.2 points per game over 13 years, also playing for Golden State and the Kansas City Kings before retiring in 1981. The Celtics retired White’s No. 10 the following year, and he still was working with the club as a director of special projects at the time of his death. Clifford returns to Hornets Charlotte Hornets Coach Steve Clifford returned to practice Tuesday following a 21-game absence due to headaches caused by sleep deprivatio­n. Clifford said when he began experienci­ng intense headaches back in early December it scared him so bad that he decided to take a medical leave of absence. Medical tests revealed nothing wrong internally, but Clifford, 56, said doctors determined that more than 18 years of working as a NBA coach had worn him down to the point where his brain was telling him he needed sleep. Clifford, who last coached on Dec. 1, returns to the sideline tonight when Charlotte hosts Washington. Charlotte was 9-12 under associate head coach Stephen Silas during Clifford’s absence.

GOLF South Korean wins in Bahamas

South Korean Sung-jae Im, 19, shot a 7-under-par 65 Tuesday to win the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course. Im’s 65 allowed him to pull away from Carlos Ortiz who started the round tied for the lead with Im, but could only manage a 3-under-69. Im won $108,000 for the victory. Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) finished with a 4-under 284 and won $5,848. Taylor Moore (Razorbacks) was 2 under and won $2,990, while Sebastian Cappelen (Razorbacks) won $1,548 for his 5-over 293 finish.

MOTOR SPORTS

Ganassi keeps partnershi­p Chip Ganassi Racing has expanded its partnershi­p with sponsor DC Solar, which will offer funding for both Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series. DC Solar has worked with Ganassi for the last three seasons in the Xfinity Series. The energy company will also be an associate sponsor in IndyCar for Ganassi drivers Scott Dixon and Ed Jones. Larson will debut the new DC Solar paint scheme in next month’s season-opening exhibition race at Daytona Internatio­nal Speedway.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States