MLB
Ryan Braun takes his bat and goes home for 2013
NEW YORK – Former National League MVP Ryan Braun was suspended without pay for the rest of the season and the postseason Monday, the first penalty from baseball’s investigation of players reportedly tied to a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs.
The Milwaukee Brewers star accepted the 65-game penalty, 15 games more than the one he avoided last year when an arbitrator overturned his positive test for elevated testosterone because the urine sample had been improperly handled.
“I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions,” he said in a statement.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced the penalty Monday, citing Braun for multiple unspecified “violations” of baseball’s drug program and labor contract. Braun will miss the Milwaukee Brewers’ final 65 games without pay, costing him about $3 million of his $8.5 million-salary.
Texas finally acquires the pitcher of their affection
ARLINGTON, Texas – Matt Garza was traded to Texas from the Chicago Cubs, giving the Rangers a pitcher they long have coveted.
The deal completed Monday night gives the Rangers a boost to a starting rotation plagued by injuries.
Texas sent the Cubs rookie pitcher Justin Grimm, top prospect and third baseman Mike Olt and Class-A pitcher C.J. Edwards. There also will be a player to be named later.
Garza, a 29-year-old right-hander who can be a free agent after the season, is 5-0 with a 1.24 earned-run average his last six starts. He had been scheduled to start Monday night for the Cubs at Arizona.
College Football
Boise State and Fresno State picked to top a new MWC
LAS VEGAS – Boise State and Fresno State are projected to finish on top of the two new divisions of the Mountain West Conference this season.
The Broncos are picked to finish first in the Mountain Division, while the Bulldogs are the favorites in the West Division among members of the media who cover the league’s teams. It is the league’s first season of divisional play.
The two division leaders will meet in the inaugural Mountain West championship game, set for Dec. 7.
Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr was named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while fellow Bulldog Derron Smith, a defensive back, earned defensive honors, and New Mexico kick returner Chase Clayton was selected top special teams player.
The Broncos received 40 first-place Mountain Division votes and earned 245 points in the media poll. The Broncos were followed by Utah State (204), Air Force (143), Wyoming (116), Colorado State (90) and New Mexico (63).
The Bulldogs got 39 first-place West Division votes and 243 points, followed by San Diego State (181), San Jose State (172), Nevada (135), UNLV (71) and Hawaii (59).
Olympics
Canada again tabs Babcock; Sochi sets skiing schedule
CALGARY, Alberta – Mike Babcock will return as coach of Canada’s Olympic hockey team.
The Detroit Red Wings coach will have the St. Louis Blues’ Ken Hitchcock, Dallas Stars’ Lindy Ruff and Boston Bruins’ Claude Julien as assistants at next year’s Sochi Games, Hockey Canada announced Monday.
SOCHI, Russia – The slalom gold medal at the Sochi Olympics will be decided during daytime hours in the Colorado hometown of ski star Mikaela Shiffrin.
Exactly 200 days from the opening of the Winter Games on Feb. 7, Russian organizers published the full competition schedule Monday.
The Feb. 19 men’s giant slalom should finish before 4 p.m. That’s 5 a.m. in Park City, Utah, where likely favorite Ted Ligety lives.
Men’s and women’s downhill contenders probably will start toward midday, or 3 a.m. in New York, on Feb. 9 and 12.
Associated Press
