Penn State’s Starocci, Brooks join exclusive club of 4-time NCAA wrestling champs
J.D. Martinez finalizes $12M, 1-year contract with Mets
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — J.D. Martinez and the New York Mets finalized a $12 million, one-year contract on Saturday.
The 36-year-old designated hitter gets a $2.5 million signing bonus, $2 million this year and $7.5 million in deferred money, payable in $1.5 million installments each Jan. 15 from 2034-38.
“Fortunately enough, I found a place here with New York and one of those last-second-type things and it worked out,” Martinez told reporters in Port St. Lucie, Florida. “I’m excited to be here. I know the guys are super excited to have me, and I’m super excited to just be in the clubhouse with them and I’m ready for the journey ahead of us.”
Martinez hit .271 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs in just 113 games last year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing solid value on the one-year, $10 million contract he signed before the season. Back and groin problems limited his availability, but he added a National League All-Star selection to the five times he made it in the AL with Detroit and Boston.
He slots into the middle of the Mets’ lineup and gives them another power hitter to pair with Pete Alonso. Both can become free agents after this season.
Svensson tops Aphibarnrat on 3rd playoff hole to win Singapore Classic
SINGAPORE — Jesper Svensson won his first European Tour event on Sunday after beating Kiradech Aphibarnrat in a playoff at the Singapore Classic.
Svensson tapped in for par at the par-5 18th and the win at the third playoff hole after Aphibarnrat could only make bogey after his third shot rolled off the green and down the slope at the back at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club.
The Swedish player shot a 9-underpar 63 in the final round to match the course record, one better than his Thai opponent, with both finishing on 17 under 271 overall to force the playoff.
Both players made birdies on the first playoff hole and the matched par scores on the second before the decisive third trip up the 18th.
“It’s been a lot of good golf so it was nice to finally come out on top,” Svensson said. “It’s very hard to win so it’s really nice.
“It’s been a long journey. To win on my first season out here, I couldn’t have dreamt of it. It’s always been a dream to be a winner… and to achieve it feels amazing.”
Overnight leader David Micheluzzi finished in a share of seventh place after a final-round 73 left him on 12 under for the tournament.
Max Verstappen’s win streak ended at nine after a brake fire cut short his race on Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took advantage and captured the checkered flag as Verstappen dealt with smoke coming from the right rear tire in the fourth lap. A brake duct exploded as Verstappen returned to the pits, prompting the three-time world champion to exit his vehicle and end his race.
Sainz returned to the winner’s circle, two weeks removed from missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitis.
Sainz also benefited from a final-lap crash by Mercedes driver George Russell to win the race. Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc came in second and McLaren’s Lando Norris secured a third-place finish.
Russell was uninjured. Verstappen closed the 2023 season by winning his last seven races and started the 2024 campaign with victories at the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The only thing slowing down Carter Starocci’s pursuit of wrestling glory was an ailing knee and some blood on his opponent’s face, and he left Aaron Brooks no choice but to follow his Penn State teammate into the history books.
— Wire reports