NO FUN & GAMES
Sports world experiences virtual shutdown — from MLB delaying start of season to NCAA wiping out March Madness entirely — amid virus fears
Carlos Cordeiro resigned Thursday as the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, three days after the organization filed legal papers claiming women’s players had less physical ability and responsibility than men’s players in response to a gender-discrimination suit filed by the U.S. women’s national team seeking pay equity.
His departure, which he announced on Twitter, elevated USSF vice president and former U.S. midfielder Cindy Parlow Cone to president. She is the first female president in the history of the federation.
A night earlier, members of the U.S. women’s national team wore their warmup jerseys inside-out to hide the federation crest during the national anthem before a game against Brazil.
‘‘It has become clear to me that what is best right now is a new direction,’’ Cordeiro wrote. ‘‘The arguments and language contained in this week’s legal filing caused great offense and pain, especially to our extraordinary women’s national team players who deserve better. It was unacceptable and inexcusable.’’
Orioles’ Mancini has colon cancer
Orioles slugger Trey Mancini had surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his colon that was discovered during a colonoscopy last week, team officials said. Lab results and the timetable for his recovery won’t be known until next week.
Mancini, who hit .291 with 35 home runs and 97 RBI last season, left the team Saturday. The Orioles provided few details at the time, except to say Mancini, who will turn 28 on Wednesday, was scheduled to have ‘‘a nonbaseball medical procedure.’’
♦ Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta left his spring start against the Rays in the fourth inning with stiffness in his pitching shoulder, but he called the exit precautionary and said he would have stayed in if were a regularseason game. Tests came back normal.
Packers release tight end Graham
The Packers released tight end Jimmy Graham after two seasons. The move creates about $8 million in salary-cap space they can use when free agency begins Wednesday. Graham, 33, caught 38 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns last season and 55 passes for 636 yards and two touchdowns in 2018.
♦ The Titans waived linebacker Cameron Wake one season into what had been a threeyear contract. Wake, 38, had 2oe sacks and a safety in the Titans’ season-opening victory against the Browns, then didn’t have another sack in the next eight games before being put on injured reserve in late November.
Matsuyama shines, but tourney canceled
Hideki Matsuyama tied the course record with a 9-under-par 63 to open a two-stroke lead over three players after the first round of The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Hours later, the PGA Tour canceled the rest of the tournament because of coronavirus concerns.