MLB:
In Major League Baseball, Boston beat Baltimore 8-1 and the Mets blasted Philadelphia 14-4. The Yankees were off and continue their series with Tampa Bay today.
Forbes ranks the New York Yankees as baseball's most valuable team for the 20th straight year and lists the Tampa Bay Rays with the lowest valuation. Forbes estimates the Yankees are worth $3.7 billion, up 9 percent from last year. The Dodgers are next at $2.75 billion, a 10 percent increase. Boston was third at $2.7 billion.
Philadelphia Phillies fans might have thought New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had changed his mind about the baseball team. But it was a dozen radio listeners who wore Christie masks and held up signs taking jabs at the governor during Monday's home opener against Christie's favorite team, the New York Mets. Christie previously had called Phillies fans angry and bitter. He also said Citizens Bank Park wasn't safe.
A few major league teams have added to their disabled lists:
Giants catcher Buster Posey has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with concussion symptoms, a day after he was struck in the helmet by a 94 mph fastball from Arizona's Taijuan Walker.
The Seattle Mariners have placed shortstop Jean Segura on the 10-day DL with a strained right hamstring.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Matt Kemp has been placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday because of a right hamstring strain.
NBA:
In the NBA, Atlanta beat Charlotte 103-76, Oklahoma City Minnesota 100-98, Denver defeated Dallas 109-91, the Lakers won against New Orleans 108-96, and it was Sacramento over Phoenix 129-104.
Stephen Curry has the best-selling jersey in the NBA for the second consecutive year. The league announced yesterday that NBAStore.com sales show the Golden State Warriors' two-time league MVP leading LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving for the most popular jersey this season. The NBA also says the Warriors have the best-selling merchandise as a franchise this season, ahead of the Cavaliers, Bulls, Lakers and Knicks.
New York Knicks favorite Charles Oakley made his first court appearance today since his arrest and ejection while attending a game at Madison Square Garden. Oakley was arraigned in criminal court in Manhattan on misdemeanor assault and other charges before being released without bail.
Checking out the rest of the NBA:
— The Hawks wrapped up the fifth seed in the East as Dwight Howard had 19 points and 12 rebounds in Atlanta's 103-76 rout of Charlotte. The Hawks shot over 50 percent and had at least eight players score at least eight points in their fourth consecutive win.
— Gary Harris scored 20 points as Denver beat the Mavericks, 109-91 in Dallas. The Mavs honored retiring Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo as a ceremonial player and introduced him with the starters after allowing him to participate in the shootaround and pregame warmups.
— Rookie Buddy Hield (heeld) scored a season-high 30 points and Ty Lawson had his first career triple-double with 22 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in Sacramento's 129-104 dismantling of Phoenix.
— Metta World Peace scored a team-high 18 points and the Lakers picked up their fifth straight win by downing New Orleans, 108-96 at Los Angeles.
NHL:
The road to the Stanley Cup starts later today. To kick off Game 1, Boston will face Ottawa at 7 p.m. and the Rangers will take on Montreal also at 7 p.m. Later Columbus takes on Pittsburgh, St. Louis faces Minnesota, and San Jose goes head-to-head with Edmonton.
Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill will serve in the same capacity for the U.S. men's hockey team in the world championships next month. Blashill became available when Detroit missed the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Red Wings are in two seasons since he took over behind the bench. The tournament runs May 5-21 in Germany and France.
Soccer:
German police said Wednesday they are investigating "in all directions" after three explosions went off near Borussia Dortmund's team bus ahead of a Champions League quarterfinal match, injuring one of the soccer team's players. The first-leg match against Monaco was called off shortly before kickoff Tuesday evening following the blasts near the team hotel in suburban Dortmund, which authorities assume were a targeted attack. Players and police were preparing to go ahead with the rescheduled match on Wednesday evening, with heavy security in place.
NFL:
There's still no verdict in the double-murder trial of former Patriots right end Aaron Hernandez. Jurors in Boston have spent 19 hours deliberating since Friday and are scheduled to resume Wednesday morning. Hernandez is accused of shooting two men in 2012 after one of them accidentally spilled a drink on him at a Boston nightclub.
NCAA:
The Siberian husky that serves as the mascot for the University of Connecticut has helped two alumni make a love connection. Jonathan served as wingman Monday when Daniel Bronko surprised his girlfriend, Holly Korona, on a trip back to campus with a wedding proposal. Bronko had reached out to Jonathan's handlers in advance and had the engagement ring attached to his collar. She said yes.
University of Washington football coach Chris Petersen has signed a contract extension that runs through the 2023 season and averages out to nearly $5 million per year in total compensation. Petersen is 27-14 in his three seasons at Washington after going 92-12 in eight seasons at Boise State. He just led the Huskies to their first Pac-12 championship in 16 years and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Xavier guard Trevon Bluiett is facing one count of marijuana possession following his arrest during a traffic stop in Carmel, Indiana. Police say Bluiett was pulled over for driving about 75 mph in a 55 mph zone after failing to signal a lane change. Police say officers smelled marijuana and determined Bluiett had less than 30 grams of the drug. Bluiett was Xavier's leading scorer last season, averaging 18.5 point a game. He has declared for this year's NBA draft but hasn't hired an agent, allowing him to return to the Musketeers for his senior season.
Longtime college basketball coach Steve Fisher has officially announced his retirement. The 72-year-old Fisher spent the last 18 seasons at San Diego State, where he quickly resuscitated the program after taking over a 4-22 team. He also was head coach during the Fab Five era at Michigan, leading the Wolverines to the 1989 national championship and a berth in the 1992 title game. Brian Dutcher is taking over for Fisher with the Aztecs.
OG Anunoby is among four Indiana players who have declared for this year's NBA draft. Anunoby plans to hire an agent and will not return for his junior year. He is projected to be a first-round pick despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in January. Hoosiers Junior guards James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson and sophomore center Thomas Bryant will not hire agents, making them eligible to continue their college careers. Blackmon averaged 17 points last season, while Johnson and Bryant scored almost 13 points a game.
Also in college basketball:
— Center Zach Collins has become the first Gonzaga player to declare for the NBA draft after just one season of college ball. The seven-footer says he will hold off on hiring an agent, allowing him to change his mind before the deadline to officially declare for the draft. He averaged 10 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Bulldogs last season.
— Antonio Blakeney says he's declaring for this summer's NBA draft after two seasons with LSU. Blakeney averaged a team-high 17.2 points last season.
USA Luge:
USA Luge has a new sponsor, and it's an expert in sliders. White Castle announced a two-year partnership Tuesday with USA Luge. The agreement makes the hamburger chain an official partner and title sponsor of the organization's offseason recruitment program — now dubbed the White Castle USA Luge Slider Search. The program is aimed at raising awareness for the sport in the United States and attracting young athletes to the junior national development team. The next recruitment tour begins in mid-May in White Castle's hometown of Columbus, Ohio. White Castle was founded in 1921 and operates nearly 400 restaurants in 13 states.
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