Rangers-Diamondbacks Series opener least watched in history

Texas’s extra-inning comeback victory over Arizona on Friday night was the least-watched Game 1 recorded in World Series TV history. The Rangers’ 6-5 win in 11 innings averaged 9.35 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes, and Fox’s streaming service. The previous low was 9.48 for the opening game in 2020 between the Dodgers and Rays. That was played during the pandemic, coincidentally in Arlington, Texas. According to Nielsen, Fox averaged 9.17 million for the game telecast. It is only the sixth World Series game that didn’t attract at least 10 million viewers.

Counsell, Guardians meet

Craig Counsell, who has led the Brewers to the playoffs five times in the past six seasons, is meeting with Guardians about their managerial opening, a person familiar with the discussions told the Associated Press. Counsell's contract with Milwaukee is set to expire this week, but the Brewers are allowing him to look elsewhere while also hoping they can re-sign the coveted manager. The Mets are also reportedly interested in Counsell.

Howard is dead at 87

Frank Howard, a four-time All-Star who slugged 382 home runs during a lengthy major league career that included a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1963, has died. He was 87. Obituary, C11.

Judge is Clemente winner

Yankees star Aaron Judge won the Roberto Clemente Award for character, community involvement and philanthropy. Judge was presented the award before Game 3 of the World Series.

SOCCER Revolution allege racial slur

Major League Soccer is reviewing a complaint from the Revolution, who allege that Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner used a racial slur against Revolution striker Bobby Wood, according to a report by The Athletic. The complaint alleges Wagner, speaking in German, used a slur and directed it at Wood, who is of Japanese and African-American descent. They were exchanging words in the 87 th minute of New England’s 3-1 loss in Game 1 of the first-round series Saturday . . . Wilder Cartagena scored in his first MLS playoff appearance and Pedro Gallese notched his first postseason clean sheet as host Orlando City opened a series against Nashville SC with a 1-0 win . . . Albert Rusnák scored on a first-half penalty kick as host Seattle defeated FC Dallas, 2-0, in its first-round opener.

Rubiales banned three years

The Spanish official who provoked a players’ rebellion and reckoning on gender when he kissed an unwilling star player on the lips at the Women’s World Cup final trophy ceremony was banned for three years by the sport’s global governing body. Luis Rubiales’s conduct at the Aug. 20 final in Australia — and his defiant refusal to resign as Spanish soccer federation president for three weeks — distracted many people from the women's career-defining title win . . . Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record-extending eighth time after fulfilling his life’s ambition by leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar last year. Spain’s Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award.

MISCELLANY Britain probes hockey death

Police are investigating the death of American hockey player Adam Johnson after his neck was cut by a skate blade in an English game. Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers at the Sheffield Steelers when he suffered the skate cut in a Champions Cup game Saturday. He died in hospital. He was a Minnesota native who appeared in 13 NHL games with the Penguins in 2019 and 2020. “Our officers remain at the scene carrying out inquiries and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing,” South Yorkshire Police said Monday . . . Arabian Knight is the early 3-1 favorite for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic this weekend at Santa Anita. The two-day world championships drew 205 horses including 59 from five foreign countries to the track in Arcadia, Calif.