Smoltz to play in golf major
Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz is making his mark in a new sport.
Golf.
The 51-year-old Smoltz qualified for the U.S. Senior Open on Thursday, emerging from a three-man playoff to take the final spot.
Three places were up for grabs in the 18-hole qualifier at Planterra Ridge Golf Club in Peachtree City, Ga., about 30 miles south of Atlanta. Jack Larkin and Sonny Skinner got through in regulation by shooting 4-under 68, with Smoltz and two others one stroke back.
Brian Tennyson was eliminated on the first playoff hole with a bogey. On the third extra hole, Smoltz finished off Brian Ferris despite making double bogey.
AUTO RACING
Ryan Blaney was tops again at the site of his lone NASCAR Cup victory, turning a lap of 176.897 mph to win the pole Friday for Sunday’s Pocono 400 in Long Pond, Pa.
Kevin Harvick joins Blaney on the front row. He leads the series with five wins.
Jamie McMurray, Martin Truex Jr., and Kyle Busch complete the top five.
BASEBALL
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Ciara, have joined the effort to bring major-league baseball to Portland.
Portland Diamond Project, the company leading the push, announced that the celebrities have each invested individually as “owner / investors” in the project.
The Diamond Project’s leadership has stressed that its effort will take time, estimating an opening day in Portland would come in 2022 at the earliest.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has called Portland a candidate to acquire a franchise whether by expansion, which hasn’t happened in 20 years, or relocation.
NBA
Michigan’s John Beilein has interviewed for the Detroit Pistons’ coaching vacancy, a source said.
Beilein led the Wolverines to the NCAA Championship Game this past season, the second time in six years he’d accomplished that. Michigan lost to Louisville in 2013 and Villanova this year.
The Pistons are searching for a new coach after Stan Van Gundy’s ouster. Van Gundy spent four seasons as coach, and he was also in charge of basketball operations. Detroit now has to fill both those roles.
NFL
San Francisco 49ers receiver Victor Bolden was suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Bolden said in a statement that he unknowingly used a substance on the NFL banned list. He said he takes full responsibility for not verifying the ingredients of the supplement and will be better educated in the future.
Bolden spent last season on special teams where he returned 19 kicks for 396 yards and four punts for 23 yards.
HOCKEY
Ottawa Senators assistant general manager Randy Lee is accused of inappropriately touching and making lewd comments toward a hotel shuttle driver while in Buffalo for the NHL’s scouting combine.
Lee was charged with second-degree harassment on Friday after being arrested and spending Thursday night in jail.