MLB:
In baseball, in the American League, Boston crushed the Yankees 10-4 slowing their bid for a wild card spot, New York is now 5 1/2 games back from AL East leading Toronto. Texas edged Detroit 7-6, the White Sox doubled up Kansas City 4-2, the Angels blasted Oakland 8-1, and it was Seattle over Houston 6-4. The Toronto at Baltimore game was postponed due to rain but the Blue Jays magic number was reduced to one due to the Yanks loss to the Red Sox. The Minnesota at Cleveland game was postponed due to rain.
In the National League, Philadelphia slid past the Mets 4-3, the Cubs beat Cincinnati 4-1, Atlanta edged Washington 2-1, Arizona defeated Colorado 4-3 in 11 innings, Milwaukee topped San Diego 4-3, and the Dodgers blanked San Francisco 8-0 clinching the NL West title.
In interleague play, Tampa bay doubled up Miami 4-2.
Just like any other morning on a Boston Red Sox road trip, interim manager Torey Lovullo woke up and headed for the gym at the team hotel. Only this time, he met a new exercise partner during an unforgettable workout that was anything but routine. When Lovullo arrived to lift weights, there was President Barack Obama pumping iron in a long-sleeve T-shirt and sweats. Lovullo introduced himself and talked baseball with Obama, who was in New York this week for his annual trip to the United Nations.
Yogi Berra has been remembered as more than one of the game's greats during a memorial service in Montclair, New Jersey. The New York Yankees great and Hall of Famer was also recalled as a man who served his country courageously, delighted in the joys of family and brought laughter with his words wherever he went. Former Yankees manager Joe Torre delivered a eulogy in a service attended by ex-Yankees Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada, along with club president Randy Levine.
NHL:
In NHL preseason play, Buffalo shut out Toronto 4-0, Pittsburgh doubled up Tampa Bay 4-2, Columbus won against Nashville 5-2, Winnipeg beat Ottawa 4-3 in overtime, St. Louis bested Dallas 4-1, Edmonton blanked Arizona 4-0, Calgary beat Colorado 2-0, Anaheim edged Los Angeles 2-1 in overtime, and it was San Jose over Vancouver 2-1.
WNBA:
In the WNBA playoffs, Indiana beat New York 66-51.
NFL:
A federal appeals court in New York City says February will be the earliest it will hear arguments in the NFL's appeal of the lifting of a four-game suspension of New England quarterback Tom Brady in the "Deflategate" controversy. The court says oral arguments could be heard as early as February 1st. The NFL and the NFL Players Association had agreed on the expedited timetable.
The Bears have traded linebacker Jonathan Bostic to New England for an undisclosed draft pick. Chicago also inked safety Chris Prosinski and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds, while waiving safety Brock Vereen.
The Browns and suspended offensive line coach Andy Moeller have ended their association. Moeller was recently investigated for an alleged domestic assault against his fiancée at his home in Berea, Ohio. Although no charges were filed in connection with the accusations, the Browns say Moeller advised the team of his desire to devote his full attention and focus to his family.
A South Dakota man has been found guilty of second-degree murder and other charges in the death of the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. A Lincoln County jury deliberated more than five hours following two weeks of testimony in the trial of 29-year-old Joseph Patterson.
San Francisco linebacker Ahmad Brooks has pleaded not guilty to sexual battery. Brooks is accused of groping an unconscious woman during a late-night gathering at former teammate Ray McDonald's house in December. A woman claims she was intoxicated when she fell and hit her head on McDonald's hot tub before passing out. The woman claims Brooks groped her and then McDonald raped her.
New England quarterback Tom Brady says his comments that he hopes Donald Trump will win the presidency were taken out of context and an example of why he tries to say as little as possible when speaking publicly. Brady said during an interview with Boston radio station WEEI-FM that he made an "offhanded comment" that reporters ran with.
The clarification comes after Brady displayed a red "Make America Great Again" hat from the Trump campaign in his locker while speaking with reporters on Sept. 16, the same day as a Republican presidential debate. When asked whether he thought Trump has what it takes to win the presidency, Brady said: "I hope so. It would be great. "
NCAA:
The University at Albany announced today the head football coach has immediately suspended sophomore wide receiver Josh Gontarek following his on-campus arrest by university police on Monday. He was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana and evidence tampering.
The NCAA has banned the SMU men's basketball team from postseason play for the upcoming season, suspended veteran coach Larry Brown for nine games and taken away nine scholarships over the next three years. The NCAA says it concluded that Brown lied to its investigators and simply turned his back on a case of academic fraud involving one of his players. The NCAA said Brown made choices that included not reporting possible violations in his program, initially lying to the enforcement staff during the investigation and providing no specific guidance to his staff on rules compliance.
Tennis:
Venus Williams is now a member of the 700 club. The seven-time major champion earned the 700th match victory of her career in the second round of Wuhan Open. She defeated German qualifier Julie Joerges 6-4, 6-3.
FIFA:
FIFA has banned former vice president Jack Warner for life over misconduct following an investigation into the bidding contest for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The decision by FIFA's ethics committee comes as Warner fights extradition from Trinidad on U.S. charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.
The long-time ally of President Sepp Blatter was allowed to resign from FIFA in 2011. FIFA now says Warner was involved in the "offer, acceptance, and receipt of undisclosed and illegal payments." In a related matter, Switzerland's justice ministry has granted an American request to extradite former Costa Rican soccer federation president Eduardo Li in the FIFA bribery case.
NBA:
Cleveland guard Iman Shumpert needs surgery on his right wrist and will be sidelined for at least three months. He injured the wrist last week when he hit it on the rim while getting ready for training camp. The team said Shumpert will have the operation Wednesday and that he could need as long as 14 weeks to recover.
