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Mitch Bannon May 12, 2025 Updated 3:17 pm EDT
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Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
CFL reinstates veteran defensive lineman Shawn Lemon after gambling suspension
TORONTO — The CFL has reinstated veteran defensive lineman Shawn Lemon. The CFL suspended Lemon, 36, indefinitely April 24, 2024 for wagering on league games in 2021 while a member of the Calgary Stampeders, including one game in which he played. Following an appeal, an independent arbitrator upheld the suspension. The league said the reinstatement comes with specific conditions. Any future violations of the CFL Match Manipulation Policy will result in a lifetime ban. Lemon, who's currently a free agent, is now eligible to sign with any team. However, he won't be able to play immediately. Lemon must still serve a two-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy following a positive test for the banned substance Phentemine. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025. The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NL wins MLB All-Star Game in a home run swing-off
Yahoo Sports AM is our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it every weekday morning. ⚾️ NL wins All-Star Game in swing-off Schwarber holds up his All-Star Game MVP trophy. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Monday night's Home Run Derby was so much fun that MLB decided to hold another one on Tuesday. Advertisement ICYMI: The NL won the 95th Midsummer Classic, 7-6, after Kyle Schwarber powered the senior circuit to victory in the first-ever All-Star Game swing-off — essentially a tie-breaking home run derby. The game probably should have never reached that point, with the NL taking a commanding 6-0 lead after Pete Alonso and Corbin Carroll's sixth-inning homers. But the AL clawed back with six runs in the final three frames to trigger the swing-off, giving Atlanta's Truist Park its second home run derby in as many nights. How it worked: Three batters per team, three swings per batter, most total home runs wins. The lineups were predetermined by the managers, who were limited to picking reserves because many starters had left the ballpark early. The Hank Aaron tribute was the star of the night. (Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Game notes: Hank Aaron tribute: MLB and the Braves put on a spectacular Hank Aaron tribute, celebrating his then record-breaking 715th home run (it was, after all, July 15, or 7/15) with a three-minute light show. Skubal wins first challenge: AL starter Tarik Skubal won the first-ever All-Star Game challenge to strike out Manny Machado. The ABS challenge system, new this year, was used four more times throughout the game. Mic'd up legend: Clayton Kershaw had a blast in his 11th All-Star appearance, chatting with the booth while throwing pitches in the second inning. Is the NL back? After years of AL dominance (they won 21 of 25 games from 1997-2022), the NL has now won two of the past three All-Star Games. They trail the all-time series, 48-45-2. Advertisement 🎧 Fresh pod: All-Star week recap (Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Yahoo Sports) 🏈 Arch Manning's moment has arrived Manning speaks with reporters during SEC Media Days on Tuesday. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Texas QB Arch Manning was the star of the show at SEC media days, which served as the unofficial public kickoff to his crowning as the Longhorns starter. From Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger: A few days ago, Arch Manning phoned his father, Cooper, with a question about his appearance here at SEC media days. "Hey Dad," Arch asked, "What am I wearing?" And so, last weekend, as any dad would, Cooper flew to Austin, connected with an acquaintance in the clothing industry and the two of them put together the wardrobe ensemble that the 21-year-old Texas QB showed off on Tuesday. Advertisement Cooper refers to the outfit as one befitting a "Southern gentleman" — a navy jacket over an orange-and-white striped shirt, matching striped tie, khaki slacks, a brown belt and, for a dash of a different color, a light blue pocket square and blue suede shoes. Twinkling on his left lapel, a golden Longhorns pin. "I don't know that it's really a suit," Arch said with a smile. The Arch Suit was born. In the biggest media moment of his career — more than 1,000 reporters, radio personalities and TV journalists were in attendance — Arch, infamously an avoider of the spotlight, spun through this media carwash like a seasoned veteran of such events. He smiled, laughed, cracked jokes, even teased reporters and spoke not like the most highly billed first-year starter in the country but a humbled kid just play'n ball. Advertisement "Talk is cheap," he said. "I gotta go prove it." That starts on Aug. 30, when Arch and the Longhorns play at defending national champion Ohio State. "Gonna be a fun one," quipped Arch. (Ross Dellenger/Yahoo Sports) It's been a long road here, real long, longer than maybe anyone expected, including him and his father. Not only was Arch one of the most highly billed high school QBs ever, but he's the latest member of what is arguably the greatest football family in the sport's history. In 30 months in Austin, he's started two games, attempted 95 passes and tossed nine touchdowns. Finally, his day has arrived — well, six weeks from now. Advertisement Maybe this will be worth the wait. But it wasn't easy — no, not at all, especially for a kid who has started since his little league days. It was so "tough," Arch said, that he began as a freshman playing pickup basketball games to satisfy his "competitive fire." In fact, he used to vent to teammates and staff during those bench-warming days. Did dad get frustrated too? "I've always liked when things didn't go perfectly for my children because I thought it builds character," Cooper said in an interview with Yahoo Sports this week. "If they're complaining about something either they are going to fix it themselves, overcome it or make an adjustment. Mom and dad coming to the rescue is only when it's really bad. Let them deal and overcome." Manning warms up before a game last season. () In many ways, Arch is like any other kid, his dad says. He attended college with other priorities than just football. He wanted to meet new people, experience new things and learn (they do still go to school — Arch is majoring in communications and leadership). Advertisement In an age of more player movement than ever, Arch stands as the outlier. He's also taller, thicker, smarter and just more mature than the kid who enrolled in January of 2023. It's been a weird ride to this point. He can remember walking to class as a freshman two years ago having to take photos with fellow students. Always the shy one, he'd phone his mom as a way to look busy. "I hadn't even played," he said. But after all of that, he's finally made it, on full display at the SEC's annual informal kickoff to the season. Keep reading. 📊 By the numbers Singh retired from running at 101 years old. (Jeff) 💔 114 years old Fauja Singh, the man believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner, died Monday in Punjab, India, after being hit by a car. He was 114. Advertisement 🏈 $250.4 million On Monday, the Jets signed fourth-year WR Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension that makes him one of the NFL's highest-paid wideouts. On Tuesday, they signed fourth-year CB Sauce Gardner to a three-year, $120.4 million extension that makes him the highest-paid CB of all time. Related: The Chiefs signed Trey Smith to a four-year, $92 million extension on Tuesday, making him the highest-paid guard of all time. ⚽️ 461,582 fans The Women's Euros quarterfinals kick off in Geneva today following a group stage that saw a tournament-record 461,582 fans attend 24 matches. 📸 Behind the lens: Club World Cup Urawa Red Diamonds supporters during a match against River Plate. (Steph Chambers/FIFA via Getty Images) With the Club World Cup in the rearview, we spoke with Getty Images photographers about their favorite off-the-field shots. Advertisement Steph Chambers: I have never seen fans like the Urawa Red Diamonds supporters. They cheer so loudly and in perfect unison. It's intimidating. I wanted to capture their energy in a unique way, so I went up top to an overlook area that looks directly down at their section and waited for a chant where they were using their arms in sync. The extra element of the Japanese flag made the image more graphic and compelling. It was a sea of red. Al Ahly players ahead of their match against Inter Miami. (Carmen Mandato/FIFA via Getty Images) Carmen Mandato: Some of my favorite images came out of the tunnel, a space that FIFA grants our team special access to. It's quiet there. Removed from the chaos of the pitch, it becomes a rare, in-between moment where players gather themselves before stepping into the spotlight. Advertisement As they line up, you can see it all start to shift— focus, nerves, resolve —each player processing what's ahead in their own way. There's a compelling intensity that settles into their expressions. (Hector Vivas/FIFA via Getty Images) Hector Vivas: For me, this photo of the trophy lift is a summary of what these weeks of work have been like — teamwork. I took this photo with a remote camera in a unique location thanks to the access we have as FIFA photographers. I placed the camera inside the field in front of the awards ceremony, achieving a different angle of the celebration, with a ground-level perspective. Our work often receives credit only to the person taking the photograph. But this shot wouldn't have been possible without my teammates who secured access, accompanied me with the right tools, and ensured the image reached our editing team as quickly as possible. Advertisement Photo gallery: Best of the Club World Cup 📺 Watchlist: Wednesday, July 16 Serena Williams hosting last year's ESPYS. (for W+P) 🎙️ The ESPYS | 8pm ET, ABC The 33rd annual ESPY Awards are tonight in Los Angeles, where comedian Shane Gillis is hosting and dozens of athletes and sports figures will be honored for their performance, careers and more. The nominees: 22 awards will be given out, headlined by the following three: Best male athlete: Josh Allen (Bills), Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) Best female athlete: Simone Biles (Gymnast), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Track & Field), Gabby Thomas (Track & Field), A'ja Wilson (Aces) Best team: Panthers (NHL), Dodgers (MLB), Liberty (WNBA), Ohio State (NCAAF), Thunder (NBA), Eagles (NFL), North Carolina (Women's Lacrosse), USWNT (Soccer), UConn (Women's Basketball) Special honorees: As they do each year, the ESPYS will also present three awards for courage, perseverance and service. Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: To NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, for his fight to establish free agency as president of the NBPA from 1965-74. Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: To Penn State women's volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, for leading the Nittany Lions to the national championship while battling breast cancer. Pat Tillman Award for Service: To David Walters and Erin Regan, former athletes who were among the 7,500 first responders that fought the devastating wildfires in Southern California earlier this year. More to watch: 🏀 WNBA: Fever at Liberty (7:30pm, CBSSN) … First-place New York (14-6) hosts sixth-place Indiana (11-10). ⚽️ Women's Euros: Norway vs. Italy (3pm, Fox) … Quarterfinals. 🚴 Tour de France: Stage 11 (7:15am, Peacock) … Following the first of two scheduled rest days, riders will travel 97 miles through Toulouse. ⚽️ MLS: Cincinnati vs. Miami (7:30pm, Apple) … A matchup of the last two Supporters' Shield winners (best record). Today's full slate → 🏈 NFL trivia Bucs QB Steve Spurrier drops back to pass during Tampa Bay's inaugural 1976 season. (Focus) The Buccaneers are celebrating their 50th season this fall by bringing back their original 1976 white road uniforms for their home opener. Advertisement Question: Which franchise began play alongside the Bucs in 1976? Answer at the bottom. ⛳️ Flashback: Rory's 61 at Portrush Rory's scorecard. The 153rd Open Championship tees off tomorrow at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, where Rory McIlroy once shot a course-record 61 as a 16-year-old amateur. Rory: "I remember every shot from that round like it was yesterday," McIlroy said of his historic outing back on July 12, 2005. "It was the first time I ever played 18 holes without a bogey." Relive his historic round. Trivia answer: Seahawks We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
New York Times
29 minutes ago
- New York Times
A couple of MLB All-Star Game firsts. Plus: Top second-half storylines
The Windup Newsletter ⚾ | This is The Athletic's MLB newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Windup directly in your inbox. Ball-strike challenges? A swing-off to determine the winner? It was still a great All-Star Game. Plus: Second-half storylines I'm watching, and a development on the 2028 Olympics — I'm Levi Weaver, and we tried to give Ken Rosenthal the night off, but … well, you'll see. Welcome to The Windup! Going into the All-Star break, one of the more notable stories was that Pete Alonso was, for the first time, not going to participate in the Home Run Derby. It almost happened anyway. For the first time in MLB history, a tied All-Star Game after nine innings went to a swing-off to determine a winner. That'sthree players per team, three swings each, most home runs wins it. When it was all said and done, Jonathan Aranda's flyout to left field meant Alonso didn't have to take any hacks after all. Advertisement He did, however, hit a home run — it came in the sixth inning, and it put the NL up 5-0, a lead that would grow to 6-0 when Corbin Carroll hit a solo shot later in the inning. But just when we were on the verge of a yawn-fest, things started to get interesting. Brent Rooker's three-run home run fueled a four-run seventh for the AL, and back-to-back doubles by Byron Buxton and Bobby Witt Jr. made it a one-run game in the ninth before Steven Kwan's two-out infield single tied the game. When the NL didn't score in the bottom of the ninth, it was 6-6. Twenty-three years ago, that would have made for a legendary blunder. Now? Not that a swing-off is the stuff of purists' ledger books, but it beat the heck out of a tie. Here's how it went: The NL wins, 6-6 (4-3). Schwarber, after hitting home runs on all three of his swings, won ASG MVP. More swing-off: Ken had sideline reporter duties, but he also wrote about the swing-off. So did Jayson Stark, who hit all the Weird & Wild. With all the roster replacements and new rules and red carpet pageantry, it's sometimes easy to forget: Baseball has the best All-Star Game in sports, and last night was a great one. Here are a few notes: ABS challenges were fine! Before the swing-off, we got another bit of history — in the bottom of the first inning, Tarik Skubal threw an 0-2 changeup to Manny Machado. Home-plate umpire Dan Iassogna called it a ball, and it appeared to take a sec for Skubal to remember — 'Oh yeah, I can challenge this.' It was successful — the call was overturned, and Machado was out. Implementing the ABS challenges in the ASG was a pretty slick way to showcase how quick and easy they are. Within a few seconds, the calls were either confirmed or overturned with no real delay. Another big moment came in the ninth: With the go-ahead runner on second base, Edwin Díaz challenged a ball to Arozarena. The call was overturned, and the AL's rally ended before they could take a lead. Advertisement How do we feel about the in-game interviews? I was OK with them when they were few and far between, but I'm not sure I needed most of those. However: Clayton Kershaw — on the roster as a commissioner's 'legend pick' — was very entertaining. At one point, he asked the booth what pitch to throw, and then — after John Smoltz suggested a cutter, in — said, 'I don't throw a cutter, Smoltzy!' as he was throwing a pitch (it was a splitter). But the live-mic highlight was when Kershaw got to the dugout, and Fox didn't cut his mic. Kershaw walking through the dugout saying 'Suck it, Big Dumper' is gonna be stuck in my brain for a while. I loved the uniforms: The players wearing their own uniforms again was *chef's kiss.* The hats were still kinda dumb-looking, but I feel like I'm nitpicking for even bringing that up. I'm not sure how much MLB lost in merch sales by not going with a dedicated uniform, but it was worth it. As I look forward to the second half, here are three storylines I find myself most interested in: The AL East: For a while, it seemed like the Yankees were going to run away with the division. By late May, they led the division by seven games, while the Red Sox and Orioles floundered and the Rays and Blue Jays were mired in mediocrity. Now the Yankees are plummeting, the Blue Jays have a two-game lead, the Red Sox have a 10-game winning streak and the fourth-place Rays are only 5 1/2 games out. Cal Raleigh's history chase: The question isn't whether Raleigh — who has 38 home runs at the break — will make history, the question is how many records he will set. Here are a few goals within range: My guess? He knocks off Griffey for the team record, but comes up just short of Judge's AL record. Which Brewer wins Rookie of the Year? With apologies to Drake Baldwin of the Braves, who is tied for the lead among NL rookies with 2.0 fWAR, check out this list: Overall, that's four of the top 11 NL rookies by fWAR (and we haven't even mentioned Jacob Misiorowski, who pitched a scoreless inning in last night's All-Star Game). Of course, you could make a similar argument for the Dodgers, who have three of the top six NL rookie pitchers (Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski) and Hyeseong Kim, who ranks fourth among NL rookie hitters. Honorable mentions: Will the Rockies break the losses record? Will the Dodgers rebound (and get healthy) to make the postseason boring? Will the Tigers win the World Series for the first time since 1984? It is not, on its face, a baseball headline: The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles announced their schedule Monday. But this is a baseball newsletter, so we're going to make it about us for a minute. Baseball as a Summer Olympics sport has been an on-again-off-again affair. It became an 'official' Olympic sport in 1992, but was dropped after 2008, making a one-off appearance in 2021 at the Tokyo Games. Advertisement In 2028, it will be played from July 15-20. That's Saturday through Thursday, which seems — to me — to be ideal. Lump it in with the All-Star break, and you're good to go, right? Well, not exactly. As Evan Drellich reports, '(T)hat (schedule) isn't ideal for MLB, which also wants to host its All-Star Game in mid-July 2028 as it normally does and avoid a break that greatly extends the length of the season.' Commissioner Rob Manfred didn't seem too pessimistic, saying the league is 'trying to iron through those logistics. … It would require significant accommodations, but it's possible.' I hate to be cynical, but this is starting to feel like something that both the league and the MLBPA want to happen, but that both will use for leverage as labor negotiations heat up over the next year and a half. If we get an answer on this before a new CBA is ratified (the current one expires after the 2026 season), I will be shocked. But not as shocked as I would be if it doesn't happen. More Manfred: The commissioner says he is confident that a Twins sale will be completed sometime soon. The MLBPA has begun recommending that international players keep their travel documents on them at all times in light of ongoing mass arrests, imprisonments and deportations under the Trump administration. Never mind about the alternate site decisions: If the Rays make the playoffs, they'll play their home games in a minor-league stadium, after all. (I am now rooting for the Rays to make the playoffs.) For teams looking for a high-leverage reliever at the deadline, maybe they don't have to part with prospects: 40-year-old David Robertson, worth 1.7 bWAR last year in Texas, is throwing for interested teams. Trade Deadline Tiers 2.0 is here. Keith Law begins his division-by-division draft grades with the NL Central and NL West. A pick from our partner, NOBULL Men's Health named the NOBULL Outwork 2025's Best Overall Trainer, and it does not disappoint — the low drop and wide toe box give you the right amount of support for better lifts, the one-piece upper is incredibly durable, and they're stylish enough to wear post-gym. Snag your first pair for just $99 with code FIRST50. Most-clicked in our last newsletter: The legendary 17-year-old who robbed a home run (sort of) during Monday's Derby. 📫 Love The Windup? Check out The Athletic's other newsletters.
