College Basketball
Kentucky and UConn retain their lofty AP poll rankings
Kentucky remained No. 1 in the first Associated Press regular-season men’s basketball poll released Monday.
The Wildcats kept the top spot despite struggling for a half against Buffalo, earning 49 first-place votes from the 64-member national media panel. Arizona was at No. 2 and earned four first-place votes, with No. 3 Wisconsin receiving seven and No. 4 Duke four. Arizona edged the Badgers by 16 total points.
Connecticut remained No. 1 in The Associated Press poll for the 22nd consecutive week after easily winning its first game of the season.
The Huskies lost to No. 6 Stanford 88-86 in overtime Monday night.
MLB
Marlins outdo Cabrera’s record deal with Stanton
MIAMI – Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has agreed to terms with the team on a $325 million, 13-year contract. Team owner Jeffrey Loria has confirmed the deal, the most lucrative for an American athlete.
The deal includes a no-trade clause, and Stanton can opt out after six years. A news conference was planned Wednesday.
The contract tops the $292 million, 10-year deal Miguel Cabrera agreed to with the Detroit Tigers in March. Alex Rodriguez signed the largest previous deal, a $275 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees before the 2008 season.
Stanton, who turned 25 on Nov. 8, perhaps is the game’s most feared slugger. Stanton wasn’t due to become eligible for free agency until 2016.
Braves swap Heyward for Cards’ Miller and a prospect
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves dealt outfielder Jason Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Shelby Miller and a minor-leaguer.
The deal was announced Monday and ends Heyward’s tenure with his hometown team.
The 25-year-old outfielder never lived up to expectations after a brilliant rookie season, when he homered in his first at-bat and was voted to the All-Star Game. This past season, he hit .271 with 11 homers, 58 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases. He also won his second Golden Glove.
Miller went 10-9 with a 3.74 earned-run average for the Cardinals, after going 15-9 with a 3.06 earned run average in 2013.
NFL
Turns out you can’t pay with gum, Dwayne Gratz
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Jaguars starting cornerback Dwayne Gratz missed practice Monday after being arrested on two misdemeanor charges in Miami.
A Miami Beach Police report states that Gratz was arrested at 5:53 a.m. Sunday after he tried to use bubble gum to purchase items from a store. He argued with an employee, refused to leave the store after police arrived, had blood-shot eyes and smelled of alcohol.
The report also states Gratz did not have money but he offered to pay with gum.
Soccer
U.S. players return from Europe to MLS playoffs
U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has released four players before Tuesday’s exhibition game at Ireland, including three whose teams are preparing for Major League Soccer semifinals.
New England midfielders Jermaine Jones and Lee Nguyen were allowed to return to the U.S. along with Seattle defender DeAndre Yedlin after Friday’s 2-1 loss to Colombia in London.
Also released was defender DaMarcus Beasley.
No players were added, leaving a 21-man roster to face the Irish in Dublin.
Ireland allowed captain Robbie Keane to rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy before Sunday’s first leg against Seattle. The Revolution play the New York Red Bulls in the other semifinal.
Associated Press
