High jump innovator Fosbury dies at 76

Dick Fosbury, the lanky leaper who completely revamped the technical discipline of high jump and won an Olympic gold medal with his “Fosbury Flop,” has died at age 76. Fosbury died March 12 after a recurrence with lymphoma, according to publicist Ray Schulte. Before Fosbury, some high jumpers cleared their height by running parallel to bar, then leaping over with a scissors kick, with their faces pointed downward. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Fosbury took off at an angle, leaped backward and bent himself into a “J” shape to catapult his 6-foot-4 frame over the bar. By the next Olympics, 28 of the 40 jumpers were using Fosbury’s technique.

Dallas stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving missed a second consecutive game against Memphis because of injuries. Doncic had already been declared out because of a left thigh issue when Irving was ruled out because of right foot soreness.

Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for pulling Hawks guard Trae Young to the floor and initiating an oncourt altercation late in Boston’s 134-125 win over Atlanta.

MLB

Joe Pepitone, an All-Star and Gold Glove first baseman on the 1960s New York Yankees who gained renown for his flamboyant personality, hairpieces and penchant for nightlife, has died at age 82.

Twotime National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom finally pitched in a game for the Rangers, though it was on a back field against minor leaguers. He struck out five of the eight batters he faced while pitching for Triple-A Round Rock. He threw 20 of 24 pitches for strikes over two innings against Kansas City minor leaguers.