A's fans are sending owners `Stay In Oakland' boxes
Boston Red Sox owner John Henry will soon receive a special “Stay In Oakland” box from Bay Area fans packed with a green Athletics cap, a baseball card featuring his likeness and a note telling him all the reasons he should vote no on the team's planned relocation to Las Vegas.
They will try to sway Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees, too — another owner identified as someone who could be convinced to vote against Vegas.
They hope Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno might be an ally. Or perhaps Ray Davis of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. Maybe the Seattle Mariners' John Stanton.
The devoted fan group chose 15 owners to receive the box, selected because maybe — just maybe — there's one more chance to keep the A's in Oakland.
This last-ditch effort includes a big assist by clothing company Last Dive Bar, a loyal A's supporter. It made the boxes and a snazzy, colorful “Keep the Athletics in ... OAKLAND” postcard.
“This project has been a culmination of our collective works and we hope it shows the owners what we all know to be true,” Paul Bailey, one of the three owners of Last Dive Bar, said in a message to The AP. “The fans are not the problem.”
NFL
MURRAY READY TO `DO MY THING' DURING EXPECTED RETURN AGAINST THE FALCONS >> Coach Jonathan Gannon cautioned Kyler Murray that he might not be the same old quarterback right away on Sunday, following a 335-day layoff caused by a torn ACL in his right knee.
The Arizona Cardinals star isn't buying it.
“He told me that to my face and I kinda laughed at him,” Murray said. “I understand the thought process, but every time I touch the field, I'm trying to do my thing. Obviously, win, but do it at a high level.”
Murray — a two-time Pro
Bowl selection and 2019 No. 1 overall pick — is on the cusp of returning to game action. He's expected to start on Sunday when the Cardinals host the Atlanta Falcons.
NBA
IGUODALA TAKES OVER AS ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PLAYERS' UNION >> Andre Iguodala is taking over as the acting executive director of the National Basketball Players Association after the resignation of Tamika Tremaglio, the union announced.
Tremaglio, the union said, is “stepping down from the position to pursue new opportunities.” The NBPA's executive committee has approved Iguodala's appointment, the union said.
Iguodala, the four-time NBA champion with Golden State who announced his retirement last month, is a longtime union officer. HEAT WILL LOSE HERRO FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS WITH SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE >> Tyler Herro will miss at least two weeks with a sprained right ankle, meaning the Miami Heat are going to be without their leading scorer this season for at least the next seven games and most likely even longer.
Herro got hurt in Miami's win at Memphis on Wednesday night. He returned to Miami on Thursday, was examined by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Harlan Selesnick, and the diagnosis of a Grade 2 sprain followed soon afterward.
NETS' THOMAS OUT WITH SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE >> Cam Thomas, the Brooklyn Nets' leading scorer, will miss at least two weeks because of a sprained left ankle.
Thomas was hurt Wednesday night when he stepped on a player's foot and turned his ankle during the Nets' 100-93 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The team said he had an MRI exam on Thursday that confirmed the sprain.
Golf
HENDERSON GOES ON A TEAR TO TAKE 1-SHOT LEAD ON LPGA TOUR >> Brooke Henderson was bothered by seeing so many low scores before she even teed off on the
LPGA Tour. She just went out and putted for birdie on every hole, opening with an 8-under 62 for a one-shot lead in The Annika.
Henderson made a long birdie putt on her final hole, the par-3 ninth, for a 29 on the front nine to move past a group that included Jin Young Ko and Patty Tavatanakit.
Henderson won the season opener in Florida and hasn't won since, falling to No. 13 in the women's world ranking and coming in at No. 14 in the Race to CME Globe.
ELS OPENS WITH 63 AS HE TRIES TO CASH IN ON SCHWAB CUP >> Ernie Els opened with four birdies in five holes and never really slowed until he finished with an 8-under 63 for a two-shot lead in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
The 35-man field at Phoenix Country Club effectively is playing for second place in Schwab Cup points race. Steve Stricker, who won six times this year, clinched it before the postseason even began and then had to withdraw from the PGA Tour Champions finale.
Stricker said his father was admitted to the hospital in Wisconsin on Monday afternoon and he felt it was best to stay with his family.
College basketball
FORMER NEW MEXICO STATE PLAYERS CHARGED WITH SEX CRIMES >> Three former New Mexico State basketball players were charged with multiple sex crimes related to a series of alleged assaults of teammates that led to the disbandment of the team in the middle of last season.
A New Mexico grand jury indicted former Aggies Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr. and Doctor Bradley with multiple counts of criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual conduct and false imprisonment. Washington and Bradley could face 27 years in prison if convicted on 13 charges apiece. Aiken could face 24 years on 11 charges.
In announcing the indictments, the state attorney general did not release the names of the victims.
Soccer
NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES NEW MEDIA DEAL >> The National Women's Soccer League announced a new media rights deal that will feature the league's matches on ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime Video and Scripps Sports.
The league's current deal with CBS Sports ends at the end of this season. The new media rights package runs through 2027. Financial details were not made public.
The NWSL championship will air Saturday night on CBS between Gotham FC and OL Reign. CBS will continue to broadcast the championship game on its main network.
FATHER OF LIVERPOOL STRIKER DÍAZ RELEASED AFTER HIS KIDNAPPING IN COLOMBIA >> The father of Liverpool striker Luis Díaz was released by members of a guerrilla group who kidnapped him in northern Colombia, the government announced, ending a 12-day ordeal for the family.
Luis Manuel Díaz's kidnapping on Oct. 28 from his hometown of Barrancas had quickly drawn international attention and appeals for his release. On Sunday, the younger Diaz pleaded for his father `s freedom after scoring for Liverpool in a Premier League soccer match, revealing a T-shirt saying “Freedom for Papa” in Spanish.
The release by members of the National Liberation Army, or ELN — which has called the kidnapping a mistake — was announced by the government delegation that currently is in peace negotiations with the guerrilla group.