college football
Air Force-San Diego State game on for Thursday night
AIR FORCE ACADEMY – The football game between Air Force and San Diego State will be played Thursday night despite the partial government shutdown.
Officials at the academy announced on Wednesday the school has been advised that “all Air Force Academy intercollegiate athletics may resume immediately.” The academy said in a release that no appropriated funds will be used to fund these programs.
Last week, the Defense Department temporarily suspended sports competition at the service academies as a result of the budget impasse in Congress that led to the partial shutdown. But Air Force, Army and Navy were all allowed to play their football games because no government funds were used.
MLB
Girardi will remain in Yankees’ pinstripes through 2017
NEW YORK – Manager Joe Girardi signed a four-year contract Wednesday to stay with the New York Yankees through 2017.
General manager Brian Cashman had said after the team missed the playoffs for the second time since 1992 that the Yankees wanted to keep Girardi, whose name was mentioned for the Cubs’ opening in his native Illinois.
The 48-year-old Girardi said it would be up to his family if he returned. He was completing his second three-year deal with New York since taking over for Joe Torre after the 2007 season.
Despite finishing tied for third in the AL East at 85-77, Girardi had what many believed was his best season as a manager. He kept the Yankees in the playoff chase until late September despite injuries to stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson.
Girardi has led the team to the playoffs in four of his six seasons, winning the World Series in 2009. Under Girardi, the Yankees have gone a majors-best 564-408 (.580) since 2008.
college football
After injury dustup, Clowney back at practice Wednesday
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Injured South Carolina All-American Jadeveon Clowney was back at practice Wednesday, although it was unsure if he would play this weekend at Arkansas.
Clowney has a strained muscle near his ribcage that he hurt last week. He pulled himself out of the Gamecocks’ 35-28 victory over Kentucky last Saturday night, saying shortly before kickoff that he was in too much pain.
Clowney had missed practice Monday and Tuesday with the injury. However, he worked out for all of the 2½-hour session on Wednesday and participated in sprints at the end of workouts with teammates.
Earlier Wednesday, Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said he was hopeful that Clowney could return to the lineup when South Carolina (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) takes on the Razorbacks (3-3, 0-2) on Saturday.
NBA
Despite steady progress, Bryant still weeks from playing
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Although Kobe Bryant is making steady progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, he’s still a few weeks away from playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant is back with the Lakers after a short trip to Germany to get treatment on his right knee, another trouble area for the 35-year-old guard. He sat on Los Angeles’ bench for an exhibition game Tuesday night, and he’ll travel with the team to China later this week.
But the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history isn’t committing to any return date until he gets in shape and figures out how his legs will hold up when he’s back in uniform.
Bryant is running with his full body weight on a special treadmill, and he has done light jogging and calf exercises recently. His repaired Achilles tendon appears to be holding up fine, but six months of relative inactivity – and donuts and sugar cookies – have taken a toll.
Associated Press
