MLB
Domestic violence training begins for all teams
MESA, Ariz. – The Oakland Athletics started their day in a makeshift clubhouse classroom, among the first major league clubs to undergo mandatory domestic violence training.
Players arrived at HoHoKam Stadium around 7 a.m. Thursday ahead of the 90-minute class that began at 8.
The classes are being taught in English and Spanish through San Francisco-based Futures Without Violence, which works to prevent domestic and sexual violence and child abuse. Instructors arrived with slide projectors and passed out business cards to the players.
Stanton back to swinging after making recovery
JUPITER, Fla. – Giancarlo Stanton said he’s fully recovered from the September beaning that ended his 2014 season and took him out of contention for the NL most valuable player award.
The Miami Marlins slugger reported to spring training Tuesday. He signed a $325 million, 13-year contract in November and is ready to mount a comeback from the beaning, which broke Stanton’s orbital bone and damaged five teeth.
He said his eyesight his fine, and he has no pain or fear about facing live pitching. However, he plans to try out a face guard to protect his left cheek.
Also joining the first full-squad workout was Ichiro Suzuki, a 10-time All-Star who signed a $2 million, one-year contract to be the team’s fourth outfielder.
NFL
Judge rules for Peterson, paves way for reinstatement
A federal judge cleared the way for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to be reinstated.
U.S. District Judge David Doty issued his order Thursday, less than three weeks after hearing oral arguments. Doty overruled NFL arbitrator Harold Henderson’s previous denial of Peterson’s appeal.
The league suspended Peterson through at least April 15 for his involvement in a child abuse case. But Doty said in his 16-page ruling that Henderson “simply disregarded the law of the shop and in doing so failed to meet his duty under the” collective bargaining agreement.
Falcons send RB Jackson running to free agency
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons released running back Steven Jackson, who in two seasons with the team couldn’t recapture his 1,000-yard form that made him one of the league’s top backs with the Rams.
Thursday’s release of the 31-year-old Jackson was not a surprise. He led the team with 707 yards rushing and six touchdowns in 2014 but averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. In 2013, his first season with the Falcons, he had 543 yards rushing in 12 games.
Jackson was a first-round pick by the Rams in 2004. He had a streak of eight consecutive seasons of more than 1,000 yards rushing, including career-high totals of 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2006.
SkIing
Norway restores order, wins cross-country relay
FALUN, Sweden – Marit Bjoergen collected one of the few records she didn’t already have, as Norway restored some order to women’s cross-country skiing Thursday by easily winning the 4x5-kilometer relay at the world championships.
It was Bjoergen’s 14th world title to go with four silvers and three bronze medals, putting her ahead of Russian great Yelena Valbe, who won 14 golds and three silvers. Bjoergen is already the most decorated female Winter Olympian in history with six golds and 10 medals overall and has a record 72 individual World Cup victories.
Associated Press
