Red Sox manager John Farrell says his team supports Boston's proposed ban on chewing tobacco because it wants to project a positive image to the city's young people. Farrell says young people "look up to the guys on the field and in uniform." Yesterday, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh proposed banning smokeless tobacco products from all city professional and amateur athletic venues.
MLB:
In baseball, in the American League, Boston edged the Yankees 2-1, Toronto beat Minnesota 9-7, Detroit slid past Kansas City 2-1, Texas defeated Houston 4-3, the Angels won against Cleveland 4-3, Baltimore topped Oakland 7-3 in 10 innings, and it was the White Sox over Tampa Bay 6-5 in 10 innings.
In the National League, the Mets bested Miami 8-6, Pittsburgh won against the Cubs 7-5, Arizona topped Washington 11-4, San Francisco bested Atlanta 6-1, St. Louis edged Cincinnati 4-3 in 13 innings, and it was Milwaukee over San Diego 8-5.
In interleague play, Colorado beat Seattle 7-5 in 11 innings.
WNBA:
In the WNBA, Washington beat San Antonio 66-63.
NFL:
The NFL's new rule calling for a medical timeout when a player appears concussed might have changed the outcome of the Super Bowl. Edelman appeared dazed after a hit by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor in the fourth quarter. New England was in an up-tempo offense and Edelman remained in the game. Soon after, he caught the winning touchdown pass.
The Baltimore Ravens deny tipping off the Indianapolis Colts about underinflated footballs before the AFC championship game. Court papers released this week in New England quarterback Tom Brady's lawsuit against the NFL over his four-game suspension show that the Ravens contacted the Colts about deflated footballs used in Baltimore's playoff loss to the Patriots the previous week. The Ravens say that's not true.
"Game of Thrones" creator George R.R. Martin has visited the New York Jets training camp. Martin is a big Jets and Giants fan. He watched the two-hour-plus practice at the Jets' facility yesterday with general manager Mike Maccagnan.
Tennis:
The U.S. Tennis Association says it will name its Grand Slam tournament's press room the "Bud Collins U.S. Open Media Center" to honor the veteran journalist and historian of the sport. A plaque will be unveiled during the U.S. Open next month.
NHL:
Las Vegas and Quebec City have advanced to the second of three phases in their bids to land NHL expansion franchises. Both bidding groups made the announcement through social media as they hope to expand the league to 32 teams, although the league isn't expected to add teams for at least two more seasons. The Las Vegas group has already secured more than 13,200 season-ticket deposits for a potential team, and Quebec City is about to open a publicly-funded, 18,259-seat venue next month.
There is a third phase to the process, though it's unclear when that will begin. Bids must also be approved by the NHL Board of Governors.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has proposed an expansion fee of $500 million.
Horse Racing:
Charles Fipke's Unbridled Forever caught Stonetastic to win the $100,000 Shine Again Stakes by a neck Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course.
Making her seasonal debut for trainer Dallas Stewart, Unbridled Forever settled along the inside in midpack under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez as Stonetastic set a pace. Unbridled Forever reeled in Stonetastic and finished the seven furlongs in 1:22.90 over a fast main track.
Unbridled Forever paid $9.30, $4.20 and $3.60. Stonetastic returned $4 and $3.60 for second, with 34-1 long shot Taketheodds paying $13 for show.
Winner of the 2014 Silverbulletday Stakes, Unbridled Forever has placed in five graded stakes including the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and Grade 1 Acorn, all last year.
MLS:
The New York Red Bulls have acquired winger Gonzalo Veron from Club Atletico San Lorenzo in the Argentine Primera Division as a designated player.
The Major League Soccer team didn't disclose terms of the deal, which was announced on Wednesday. Veron might play Sunday against New York City FC if his paperwork clears.
The 25-year-old Veron is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He made his pro debut for Sportiva Italiano at 19 in Primera B, the second division of Argentine Football. He had three goals and two assists in 18 Torneo Inicial appearances for San Lorenzo last season. He has also seen action in eight matches in the Primera Division.
Legal:
Jury deliberations have begun in the mortgage fraud case of a former NFL star and his mother. Jurors got the case involving former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Irving Fryar yesterday, shortly after closing arguments concluded in the trial that lasted for about three weeks.
NBA:
Former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has filed for divorce from his estranged wife whom he's been married to for nearly 60 years.
Donald Sterling is suing his wife and the NBA in federal court over the $2 billion sale of the team.
She negotiated the deal with ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer after doctors found Donald Sterling incompetent to handle his business affairs.
The couple had testified at a trial earlier this year about their enduring love for each other, displaying cards they gave each other for anniversaries and birthdays.