Cardinals fire Shildt after wild-card run

The Cardinals fired former National League manager of the year Mike Shildt over organizational differences Thursday, just one week after team lost to the Dodgers on a walkoff homer in the wild-card game.

Cardinals president John Mozeliak said the firing was “something that popped up recently,” but he refused to expand on what he called “philosophical differences” between Shildt, the coaching staff and the front office.

Shildt’s record of 255-199 gave him a winning percentage better than such luminaries as Branch Rickey and Tony La Russa.

„ ESPN reported that the Yankees will not renew the contracts of hitting coach Marcus Thames, thirdbase coach Phil Nevin and assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere, but the team is inclined to keep Aaron Boone as manager.

NFL: The unbeaten Cardinals have had three positive COVID-19 tests this week and are one positive test away from going into intensive league protocols, ESPN reported. The positive tests reportedly include one player and two members of the staff. Passrush star Chandler Jones was put on the COVID-19 list Tuesday. On Wednesday, coach Kliff Kingsbury said Jones, who’s vaccinated, was symptomatic.

NHL: The Senators signed F Brady Tkachuk to a seven-year, $57.5 million contract. Tkachuk, 22, led the Sens in scoring the last two seasons.

Tennis: Cameron Norrie routed No. 11 seed Diego Schwartzman 6-0, 6-2 to reach the semis of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. Norrie will face No. 23 Grigor Dimitrov, who beat No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz.

WNBA: Brittney Griner dunked and had 29 points, Diana Taurasi had eight of her 20 in OT and the Mercury evened the WNBA Finals with a 91-86 win over the visiting Sky on Wednesday in Game 2. Game 3 of the best-of-five series is Friday in Chicago.