Texas Rangers fire Banister
The Texas Rangers fired manager Jeff Banister on Friday after the team stumbled to its first consecutive losing records in 10 years following AL West titles in each of his first two seasons.
Texas announced the move with 10 games left in Banister's fourth season, and general manager Jon Daniels said the decision wasn't based on the record.
In a season when the focus turned to the development of their younger players, the Rangers took a 64-88 record into the Friday night' s game against Seattle to open the final home series of the year. They had lost four in a row and 11 of 15.
Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season, starting with the three- game series against the Mariners. The Rangers will finish on the road next week against the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle.
BAKER TIME ON HOLD
Hue Jackson said he isn't ready to "officially" identify his starter for next week's game in Oakland, but all signs point to Mayfield taking over in Cleveland following his dazzling NFL debut on Thursday night.
The No. 1 pick in this year's draft replaced concussed starter Tyrod Taylor late in the first half and led the Browns (1-1-1) on four scoring drives as they erased a two-touchdown deficit to beat the Jets 21-17 and end Cleveland's 19game winless streak — the NFL's second longest since 1970.
Jackson seems to only be delaying the inevitable: Mayfield's the guy.
And if Jackson doesn't' pick the celebrated and uber-confident rookie, he won't have to jump in Lake Erie again. Browns fans will throw him in. This one's a no-brainer.
NEW NBA RULES
The shot clock will be reset to 14 seconds after offensive rebounds next season, down from 24, and the NBA has made alterations to two other rules.
The clear-path foul was simplified and the definition of a hostile act expanded for purposes of triggering an instant replay review.
The changes were approved unanimously by NBA owners Friday.
A team grabbing the rebound of its own missed shot has been given the full shot clock. Under the new rule — in effect in the NBA G League since 2016-17 and international basketball since 2014-15 — the clock will go to 14 after an offensive rebound of a missed shot or free throw that hit the rim; when a loose ball foul is called on the defensive team following a missed field goal or free throw that hit the rim; or when the offensive team gets the ball after it goes out of bounds after a missed field goal or free throw that hit the rim.