MLB
DENVER – The Colorado Rockies brought in Mike Redmond to serve as the bench coach on new manager Bud Black’s staff.
The 45-year-old Redmond was the manager of the Miami Marlins from 2013-15, where he compiled a 155-207 record.
Redmond is a former major league catcher who spent parts of 13 seasons with the Marlins, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. He was on the Marlins squad that won a World Series title in 2003.
This was the first hire under Black, who was announced as the Rockies’ skipper on Nov. 7.
Black said that Redmond “brings a lot of intensity and a strong work ethic, and as a great communicator he is able to connect well with players.”
NFL
First-year eligibles LaDainian Tomlinson, Hines Ward, Jason Taylor and Brian Dawkins are among 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2017.
The other 21 candidates – there was a tie for 25th in voting by Hall of Fame selectors as the list was trimmed from an original 94 – all have made it this far in the past.
Two coaches, Don Coryell and Jimmy Johnson, made the semifinals. So did placekicker Morten Andersen, the NFL’s career scoring leader.
Previously nominated by the veterans committee was safety Kenny Easley, and by the contributors’ committee were Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Also semifinalists are quarterback Kurt Warner; running backs Roger Craig, Terrell Davis and Edgerrin James; wide receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Terrell Owens; offensive tackles Tony Boselli, Joe Jacoby and Mike Kenn; guard Alan Faneca; center Kevin Mawae; cornerback Ty Law; safeties Steve Atwater, John Lynch and Darren Woodson; and linebackers Karl Mecklenburg and Clay Matthews Jr., the father of current Packers LB Clay Matthews III.
NEW YORK – Mike Tirico will replace Al Michaels as NBC’s play-by-play announcer for four prime-time NFL games.
Tirico, who joined the network this summer after handling play-by-play duties on Monday nights for ESPN, will work this Sunday night’s Packers-Redskins match. He also will do the Thanksgiving night game between the Steelers and Colts, and the Nov. 27 game between the chiefs and Broncos, partnering with analyst Cris Collinsworth.
Tirico will work with Doug Flutie for the Dec. 17 Dolphins-Jets contest, and on Christmas night, the Ravens-Steelers game, which will be televised on NFL Network.
NHL
International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel says he had a “good discussion,” with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players Association Executive Director Don Fehr about the world’s top hockey players participating in the 2018 Olympics.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says there’s more work to do to reach an agreement following Wednesday’s meeting in New York.
Sports
WASHINGTON –President Barack Obama is honoring 21 people Tuesday at the White House with the nation’s highest civilian honor – the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Honorees from the sports world include basketball players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan, along with veteran sports broadcaster Vin Scully.
Associated Press
