Longtime Dodgers pitcher Erskine dies
Carl Erskine, who pitched two no-hitters as a mainstay on the Brooklyn Dodgers and was a 20game winner in 1953 when he struck out a then-record 14 in the World Series, died Tuesday. He was 97.
Erksine died at Community Hospital Anderson in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana, according to Michele Hockwalt, the hospital's marketing and communication manager.
Among the last survivors from the celebrated Brooklyn teams of the 1950s, Erskine spent his entire major league career with the Dodgers from 1948-59, helping them win five National League pennants.
The right-hander had a career record of 122-78 and an ERA of 4.00, with 981 strikeouts.
In 1951, he transitioned to the starting rotation and joined teammates Roy Campanella, Carl Furillo, Gil Hodges, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider as one of the revered “Boys of Summer.”
HERZOG, HALL OF FAME MANAGER, DIES AT 92 >> Whitey Herzog, the gruff and ingenious Hall of Fame manager who guided the St. Louis Cardinals to three pennants and a World Series title in the 1980s and perfected an intricate, nailbiting strategy known as “Whiteyball,” has died. He was 92.
The Cardinals did not immediately have additional details about Herzog, who had been at Busch Stadium on April 4 for the Cardinals' home opener.
Under Herzog, the Cards won pennants in 1982, 1985 and 1987, and the World Series in 1982, when they edged the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games.
Pro basketball
USA BASKETBALL FILLS AVAILABLE SLOTS FOR PARIS OLYMPICS >> LeBron James plans to go back to the Olympics. Stephen Curry is planning on going for the first time. Kevin Durant will go there with his eye on history.
And they're just part of a star-studded roster the Americans have assembled for the Paris Games.
USA Basketball has gotten confirmations from 12
players — James, Curry, Durant, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard — that they will accept invitations to be on the Olympic roster, three people with knowledge of the decisions said. That group includes seven previous gold medalists.
It was believed USA Basketball was planning to release the names on Wednesday, which marks 100 days remaining before the Paris Games.
GRIFFIN RETIRES AFTER HIGH-FLYING CAREER >> Blake Griffin announced his retirement after a 14year career that included six All-Star selections, Rookie of the Year honors and a dunk contest victory.
Griffin said in a social media post that he's “thankful for every single moment” of his career. He was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers out of Oklahoma in 2009.
Women's basketball
PAYE TAKES OVER AS STANFORD COACH >> Kate Paye spent nearly two decades as Stanford's coach-inwaiting, her high energy and positive spirit shining through on the sidelines right next to Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer.
The 50-year-old Paye will be formally introduced as the new head coach Wednesday by athletic director Bernard Muir.
College football MICHIGAN GETS 3 YEARS OF PROBATION >>
Michigan was given three years of probation, fined and hit
with recruiting limits by the NCAA after football coaches and staff had impermissible contact with recruits and players under then-coach Jim Harbaugh while access was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NCAA said it had reached a negotiated resolution with the school that has been approved by the committee on infractions involving five former and current coaches and staffers, but it did not include allegations that Harbaugh failed to cooperate with investigators. That is now a separate case.
Harbaugh is now coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Soccer PSG BEATS BARCELONA TO REACH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS >>
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Paris SaintGermain reversed its firstleg loss at home to return to the Champions League semifinals with a 4-1 win over Barcelona.
PSG took advantage of a first-half red card to Barcelona defender Ronaldo Araujo to advance 6-4 on aggregate and make its first last-four appearance since 2021.
Tennis NADAL RETURNS WITH EASY WIN >>
Rafael Nadal looked good in a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over Flavio Cobolli at the Barcelona Open in his first competitive match in more than three months.
The 37-year-old Spaniard had hip surgery last summer and said 2024 will probably be his last year playing on tour.