BOURDAIS MAKES HIS RETURN TRIUMPHANT
FLA.» There was never ST. PETERSBURG, a question if Sebastien Bourdais would return to racing after suffering serious injuries from a crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It was rather a matter of how fast he could get back in a car. Doctors told him 2018; Bourdais said he would be healed in time to race again last year. He succeeded.
But a fiery accident that caused a broken pelvis and a broken hip can change a driver’s mentality no matter how determined he was to race again, so it was reasonable to wonder: Would Bourdais be the same driver? Absolutely.
His comeback from a vicious wreck, the kind that can end careers, was completed Sunday when Bourdais showed he’s still a winner. He made it two straight at St. Petersburg, the adopted hometown for the Frenchman, and won IndyCar’s season-opening event.
It doesn’t matter how it happened, or that Bourdais was gifted the victory, only that he could indeed win again.
“I was very emotional in the car. I think you get the questions from people: Is he going to be the same? Is he going to come back? Is he this? Is he this?” Bourdais said. “I really try not to leave any room for uncertainty as far as what I was going to do and how forward I was going to go by coming back last year, 2½ months later.”
Sportscaster Gary Cruz dies at 68.
Former Denver sportscaster Gary Cruz died of cancer Thursday.
Cruz, 68, was a staple on Denver television stations KUSA and KMGH from 1973-90 — a span that included covering four Broncos Super Bowl appearances.
Almiron plays large role in win.
ATLANTA» Miguel Almiron scored a goal and set up another goal about two minutes apart in the second half, leading Atlanta United to a 3-1 victory over D.C. United before a record crowd of 72,035.
Anton Tinnerholm had his first MLS goal and David Villa scored another to help New York City FC beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1.
Giants release Rodgers-Cromartie.
The New York Giants released cornerback Dominique RodgersCromartie.
Rodgers-Cromartie, 31, was entering the final year of a five-year, $35 million contract. He would have counted $8.5 million against the salary cap in 2018, and the Giants will save $6.5 million by releasing him.
• The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms on a three-year extension with cornerback Casey Hayward.
Hayward’s extension is worth $36 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money. The deal keeps him with the Chargers through the 2021 season.
• Offensive tackle Joe Thomas said the flurry of moves made by the Cleveland Browns over the past two days won’t affect his decision on whether to play in 2018 or retire.
“My decision will be based purely on my health,” Thomas said. “But I’m excited by the moves (general manager) John (Dorsey) made.”
About a month ago, Thomas said the rehab for the torn triceps tendon that ended his 2017 season and his consecutive snap streak at 10,363 was going well.
• Another bidder has emerged in the race to buy the Carolina Panthers: Michael Rubin, the owner of sports apparel retailer Fanatics.
Footnotes.
Senior Darby Kiernan became the University of Colorado’s all-time career points leader in women’s lacrosse as the 19th-ranked Buffaloes beat California 15-5. She now has 223 points after six goals and one assist against the Bears. … Freshman goalkeeper Alena Stern made 13 saves as Colorado College posted a 13-9 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in women’s lacrosse. … Nick Hruby and Cameron Carter led the Air Force men’s lacrosse team with a hat trick apiece in the Falcons’ 9-7 win over Detroit Mercy.