MLB
6th man pleads guilty in MLB performance-enhancing drugs investigation
MIAMI – The sixth man to plead guilty in the Major League Baseball performance-enhancing drugs scandal was described in court Friday as a recruiter of mostly foreign-born players for the now-shuttered South Florida clinic at the centre of the case.

Steroids trial delayed from February to April for A-Rod cousin over health problems
MIAMI – A federal judge has delayed for two months the trial of a cousin of New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez on charges stemming from dealings with the clinic that illegally provided performance-enhancing drugs to baseball players.
Alex Rodriguez cousin seeks delay in drug trial, citing health concerns and complex evidence
MIAMI – A cousin of New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez is asking a federal judge to delay his trial on charges stemming from his dealings with the Florida clinic tied to more than a dozen baseball players suspended for violating the sport’s drug program.
Las Vegas season-ticket drive raises more questions about NHL expansion
BOCA RATON, Fla. – By giving millionaire businessman Bill Foley the go-ahead to gauge interest in expanding to Las Vegas with a season-ticket drive, the NHL has opened the door to plenty of other questions in that market and others.
Rob McGlarry takes over from Tony Petitti as president of MLB Network
SAN DIEGO – Rob McGlarry has replaced Tony Petitti as president of the MLB Network.

Out at Home: Veteran MLB umpire Dale Scott says he is gay, doesn’t expect backlash
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Dale Scott figures he’ll hear plenty of foul language from angry hitters next season. Such is life for a Major League Baseball umpire.

After ‘raw wound’ of homophobia, Robbie Rogers finds happiness in soccer as openly gay man
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star Robbie Rogers wants some company, now that he’s the last man standing as an openly gay athlete in a U.S. professional league.

Rob Manfred given 5-year term as baseball commissioner and will take over in January
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Praising the transition as quick and orderly, Bud Selig announced Thursday that baseball owners unanimously approved a five-year term for Rob Manfred, who will succeed the longtime commissioner early next year.

Shoemaker beats Otani, leads MLB All-Stars over Japan 3-1 in tour finale
SAPPORO, Japan – Matt Shoemaker combined with four relievers on a four-hitter to upstage Shohei Otani, and the Major League Baseball All-Stars beat Japan 3-1 on Tuesday in the finale of their five-game series.

Japan no-hits MLB All-Stars in 4-0 win in Game 3 of post-season tour
TOKYO – Takahiro Norimoto combined with three relievers on a no-hitter, and Japan beat the Major League Baseball All-Stars 4-0 on Saturday in a game in which Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano broke his toe.

Yuki Yanagita drives in 4 runs to lead Japan over MLB All-Stars 8-4 for 2-0 series lead
TOKYO – Yuki Yanagita drove in four runs from the leadoff spot, Hisashi Iwakuma was hit hard and Japan beat the Major League Baseball All-Stars 8-4 Friday to take a 2-0 lead in their five-game series.

Official: Cardinals’ Taveras was drunk at time of fatal car crash in Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Oscar Taveras was drunk at the time of his fatal car crash last month in his Caribbean homeland, an official in the Dominican Republic said Wednesday.

Kenta Maeda holds MLB All-Stars to help Japan win 2-0 in 1st game of tour
OSAKA, Japan – Kenta Maeda pitched five scoreless innings Wednesday to help Japan beat the Major League Baseball All-Stars 2-0 in the first game of a five-game post-season tour.

Buck Showalter wins AL Manager of the Year for 3rd time; Matt Williams voted NL honour
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Buck Showalter and Matt Williams won the Manager of the Year awards Tuesday, turning a Beltway double play.

Evan Longoria hits grand slam to lead MLB All-Stars to 8-7 win in tuneup for post-season tour
NISHINOMIYA, Japan – Evan Longoria hit a grand slam and the Major League Baseball All-Stars survived a late rally to beat a split Japan squad 8-7 in an exhibition game on Tuesday ahead of their five-game post-season tour.