Holtzman, one of the A's original Big Three pitchers, dies at 78
Ken Holtzman, who along with Catfish Hunter and Vida Blue anchored the dominating rotation that helped lead the Oakland A's to three straight World Series championships in the 1970s, has died. He was 78.
Holtzman's death was confirmed by his brother, Bob, according to Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Holtzman's hometown newspaper. His death was also reported by ESPN and MLB Network Radio's Dani Wexelman. Holtzman had been hospitalized for the past three weeks due to heart issues, according to Hochman.
The A's released a statement Monday saying, “We are saddened by the passing of former A's pitcher Ken Holtzman. The two-time AllStar and three-time World Series Champion with the Green and Gold, Holtzman created lasting memories for our franchise. We send our deepest condolences to his three daughters, Robyn, Stacy, and Lauren; his four grandchildren; and all who loved him.”
Holtzman never won fewer than 18 game in four seasons with the A's — he won a career-high 21 in 1973, when he, Hunter and Blue all won 20 games — and had a 2.92 ERA with Oakland. He made two All-Star teams during that period, but never received a single Cy Young award vote.
Boston Marathon
LEMMA WINS BOSTON MARATHON IN RUNAWAY >> Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia set a blistering pace and held on to win the Boston Marathon, running alone through most of the course to finish in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 17 seconds — the 10th fastest time in the race's 128-year history.
Hellen Obiri defended her title in the women's race, outsprinting fellow Kenyan Sharon Lokedi down Boylston Street to win by eight seconds. Obiri is the first woman to win backto-back Boston Marathons since 2005.
Lemma arrived in Boston with the fastest time in the field, becoming just the fourth person ever to break 2:02:00 when he won in Valencia last year. And the 2021 London champion showed it on the course, separating himself from the pack in
Ashland and opening a lead of more than half of a mile.
NFL CHIEFS' RICE, FACING CHARGES FROM TEXAS CAR CRASH, WILL PARTICIPATE
IN OFFSEASON WORK >> Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is facing charges that include aggravated assault as a result of a sports car crash in Texas, would participate in the team's voluntary offseason program beginning this week.
Dallas police allege that Rice, the Chiefs' top wide receiver last season, and a friend, Theodore Knox, were driving at high speed in the far left lane of a freeway when they lost control. The Lamborghini that Rice has admitted to driving hit the center median, causing a chain reaction that involved six vehicles and resulted in injures to multiple people.
Rice turned himself in last Thursday after police issued warrants for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. He was released on bond.
BUCKNER AND COLTS HAVE AGREED ON A $46 MILLION, 2-YEAR DEAL >> Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and the Indianapolis Colts have agreed on a $46 million, two-year contract extension through 2026, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the team didn't release the terms.
Buckner had eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hits in 2023. A first-round pick by San Francisco in 2016, the 30-year-old Buckner was traded to the Colts in 2020 and enters his fifth season in Indianapolis. EAGLES LOCK IN WR SMITH WITH 3-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION >> The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms with wide receiver DeVonta Smith on a three-year contract extension through the 2028 season.
Smith has 240 receptions for 3,178 yards and 19 touchdowns in three seasons with the Eagles. He'll get a reported $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed with his new deal.