SLUGGER AARON GETS TOP JAPANESE HONOR
atlanta » Japan honored former home run king Hank Aaron with one of its highest awards, saying Thursday he is a symbol of Japan’s close relationship with the United States and their shared love of baseball.
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette was presented during a ceremony and reception at the home of Japan’s consul general in Atlanta, Takashi Shinozuka.
“It is an honor for Japan to have such a wonderful friend,” Shinozuka said.
The 81- year- old Aaron was singled out for his long relationship with Japan’s home run leader, Sadaharu Oh, and their efforts to bring young people together through the World Children Baseball’s Fair, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Oh was unable to travel to Atlanta, but the 75- year- old sent videotaped remarks.
“The communication between the two countries is great,” Aaron said. “Baseball has always played a pivotal role in whatever happens in everyday life.”
Details emerge in skier abuse case
B salt lake city » Olympic champion alpine skier Picabo Street told police her father attacked her during a fight that led Utah authorities to charge her with domestic violence and assault, according to a 911 call recording released Thursday.
Street can be heard on the recording saying the fight started after her father, Roland Street, bumped his car into her house in snowy weather.
“He got his hands on me and I put him down the stairs,” she tells the dispatcher Dec. 23.
A woman she refers to as “Mom” is audible in the background disputing that version of what happened.
“I saw what you did to him,” the woman says.
“Oh, my God, are you kidding me? He scratched me on my face,” Picabo Street replies.
Prosecutors say an investigation found that Street was the primary aggressor. She is accused of throwing her 76- year- old father down the stairs and locking him in the basement.
Walters takes Joburg Open lead
B johannesburg » Justin Walters made a birdie on the last hole to take a one- shot lead after the first round of the European Tour’s Joburg Open on Thursday.
The South African golfer made his sixth birdie of the day on No. 18 for a sizzling 7- under- par 65 on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington. That gave Walters a narrow advantage over six men tied for second at 6- under.
Gordon, Marlins agree on deal
B miami » Even by the Miami Marlins’ thrifty standards, reigning National League batting champion Dee Gordon deserved a long- term deal.
Gordon avoided salary arbitration and agreed to a $ 50 million, five- year contract with Miami, a person familiar with the negotiations said late Wednesday. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
Serena gets tough Aussie draw B
melbourne, australia » Defending champion Serena Williams and No. 5- ranked Maria Sharapova were drawn into the same section for the Australian Open, meaning last year’s finalists could meet in the quarterfinals.
Six- time champion Williams has a tough draw starting in the opening round against Italy’s Camila Giorgi, who finished 2015 at No. 34 in the world and was the highest- ranked player not seeded for the season’s first major tournament.
Williams could meet former No. 1- ranked Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round.
Footnote.
Deshaun Watson of Clemson was named the 2015 recipient of the Manning Award, which recognizes the nation’s top college quarterback. Denver Post staff and wire services