JETS CUT LOOSE RUNNING BACK BELL Saints may play in Baton Rouge. U. S. hockey star Meghan Duggan retires. Steinbrenner apologizes. NEW
NEW YORK » Later, Le’Veon.
The New York Jets surprisingly released disgruntled running back Le’Veon Bell on Tuesday night, ending a disappointing tenure after less than two full seasons.
The team issued a statement from general manager Joe Douglas in which he said the Jets made the move after having several conversations with Bell and his agent during the last few days and exploring trade options.
“The Jets organization appreciates Le’Veon’s efforts during his time here and we know he worked hard to make significant contributions to this team,” Douglas said. “We believe this decision is in the best interests of both parties and wish him future success.”
NEW ORLEANS » The New Orleans Saints have begun discussions with LSU about holding the NFL club’s future home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, a team spokesman said Tuesday.
“Obviously, our overwhelming preference is to play our games in the Mercedes- Benz Superdome with partial fan attendance, but there has been no indication from the city on when, or if, this might be approved,” said Greg Bensel, the Saints’ senior vice president for communications.
Captain Meghan Duggan led the U. S. to the 2018 Olympic gold medal and spearheading a wage boycott.
She announced her retirement Tuesday after 11 years with the national team. She was the first American men’s or women’s player to win seven consecutive world championship gold medals, two silver medals at the Olympics and one at worlds and the title in South Korea in her final international tournament.
YORK » Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner apologized to the team’s fans for its postseason failure, much like his father did 39 years earlier.
The Yankees were eliminated with a 2- 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, losing 3- 2 in the Division Series. They have won the World Series once since 2000, in 2009.
“I’m very disappointed, obviously,” Steinbrenner said Tuesday on ESPN New York radio. “So right now, at this point in time, all I can do is apologize to our fans. They deserved a better outcome than they got. Period. I mean, they just did.”
Marleau aiming for Howe’s record.
Patrick Marleau is back with the San Jose Sharks. Marleau rejoined San Jose on Tuesday, signing a one- year deal worth the league minimum of $ 700,000. The 41- year- old can now break Gordie Howe’s NHL games played record in the Sharks uniform he has worn for the vast majority of his career. Marleau is fifth in games played and sits 44 shy of Howe’s mark going into next season, which the league is hoping to start Jan. 1.
Golfer Dustin Johnson tests positive.
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEV. » Dustin Johnson became the most prominent player to test positive for the coronavirus since golf resumed in June, forcing him to withdraw Tuesday from the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek. Johnson is the No. 1 player in the world and the reigning PGA Tour player of the year after winning the FedEx Cup for the first time. He has not played since he tied for sixth at the U. S. Open last month.
Giro d’Italia loses team and riders.
The Giro d’Italia was thrown into chaos Tuesday when two full teams, another overall contender and one more elite rider withdrew from the cycling race following a series of positive tests for the coronavirus.
Four Mitchelton- Scott staff members tested positive. That came after Mitchelton- Scott team leader Simon Yates withdrew before Saturday’s eighth stage after also contracting COVID- 19. Dutch contender Steven Kruijswijk of Jumbo- Visma and Australian rider Michael Matthews of Team Sunweb also tested positive.