Sports
Hot at home of late, Rangers aim to sweep Jays
Sep 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) celebrates with Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (15) after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images The Texas Rangers aim to continue their recent home success on Thursday afternoon as they vie for a three-game series sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays in Arlington, Texas.
The Rangers (73-79) followed up a 13-run, 13-hit uprising in the series opener on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday. Adolis Garcia belted a two-run homer in the sixth inning for Texas, which improved to 8-2 over its last 10 games at Globe Life Field.
Rookie Wyatt Langford homered and reached base five times on Monday before leading off the sixth with a single on Tuesday.
“We haven’t seen the best of this guy,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said of the 22-year-old Langford.
“No. 1 because of his talent, but how hard he works and how committed he is to his craft. You can play him anywhere in the outfield, hit him anywhere in the top five, six spots in the order. He’s going to be a lot of fun to watch here in the next few years for the fans.”
Garcia has been fun for the fans in his own right. He followed up Langford’s single by crushing a first-pitch sinker over the wall in left field to provide all the offense the Rangers would need on Wednesday.
Alejandro Kirk extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games with a single to lead off the fifth inning on Wednesday for the Blue Jays (72-80).
The Rangers will send Kumar Rocker (0-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound for his second career start against fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (12-11, 4.02).
Rocker, 24, overcame a shaky start to his major league debut last Thursday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven over four innings. He was pulled after 74 pitches in Texas’ win over the Seattle Mariners.
“We got him where we wanted him, around 75 pitches, and he’s got to feel good about that start,” Bochy said. “I’m sure he was nervous out there, and then the first two guys get hits, and, you know, he’s got runners in scoring position, nobody out, and he made pitches when he had to. So it says a lot about him.”
Gausman, 33, saw his winless skid extend to three starts despite permitting two runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
He went the distance in his last start versus Texas, yielding three runs on four hits in nine innings of a 7-3 home victory on July 27. He is 6-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 career appearances (11 starts) against the Rangers.
Toronto’s Bo Bichette was a late scratch on Wednesday due to a right middle finger contusion sustained during pregame warmups. The move came one day after the two-time All-Star competed in his first game in two months after being activated from the injured list due to a calf strain.
Also, the Blue Jays announced infielder Will Wagner will undergo surgery on his left knee that will require at least four weeks of rest. He is the son of former major leaguer Billy Wagner.
“He’s probably a little bit relieved that he’s getting this taken care of now,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “He showed really well and he’s a guy we’re confident in and rightfully so.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Colorado coach Deion Sanders now 'cancer free'
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced he is “cancer free” heading into the 2026 season.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer talked about his battle with bladder cancer Tuesday on “Good Morning America.”
“I’ve got my health back. I’ve got my swagger back,” said Sanders, 58. “Last year at this time I was fighting cancer, didn’t know which way it was going to go. … I’m fully back now. Last year at this time, it wasn’t a good look.
“We fought the battle and we won the battle fighting cancer. I’m cancer free. I’m good. Great doctors in Colorado that have brought me through. God has brought me through. I’m thankful I’m healthy.”
Sanders said he underwent 14 surgeries, including the removal of his bladder.
Colorado struggled to a 3-9 finish last season following a 9-4 campaign in 2025.
“I’m ready to go coach my butt off this season,” Sanders said. “I’m having a good time.”
Sanders is 16-21 with one bowl appearance through his first three seasons in Boulder.
The Buffaloes open the season at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
A two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time All-Pro cornerback, Sanders played 14 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and the Baltimore Ravens. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
–Field Level Media
Sports
NYCFC announce departure of D Strahinja Tanasijevic
Mar 15, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijevic (19) runs with the ball during the second half against New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijevic has departed the club, the team announced on Wednesday.
Tanasijevic, 28, joined NYCFC in February 2024 and made 43 appearances across all competitions.
“We would like to thank Tana for the commitment and professionalism shown throughout his time with the Club,” sporting director Todd Dunivant said. “This move provides an opportunity for Tana to pursue the next step in his career while also giving the Club additional roster flexibility. We wish Tana and his family all the best moving forward.”
Tanasijevic played for several clubs in his native Serbia prior to joining New York City FC.
–Field Level Media
Sports
LeBron James on GOAT debate: 'Not taking nobody over me'
Nov 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles after a Philadelphia 76ers foul during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images LeBron James told Time magazine that he believes he is the greatest basketball player of all time.
When asked the age-old question of who is the GOAT in the NBA, James embraced his own name.
“I’m not taking nobody over me,” he told Time in a profile published Monday. “There’s no question.”
James, however, admitted the NBA has other all-time greats, namely Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Larry Bird and Shaquille O’Neal, among others.
“But I think Mike will say the same thing,” James said. “Rest his soul, Kobe will say the same thing. Magic will say the same thing. Bird will say the same thing. Shaq could say the same thing. The late great Wilt (Chamberlain), Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar). I don’t think none of us are going to take somebody else.
“If there’s a general manager and he’s eyeballing all of us on a baseline, with the No. 1 pick, it’s gonna be hard not to take me, champ.”
James, 41, just completed his record-setting 23rd NBA season, and the league’s all-time leading scorer is heading into unrestricted free agency.
“It’s up to the mind,” James told Time about whether he will suit up next season or retire. “Where the mind goes, the body will lay. When I’m not in love with getting to the arenas on game days five hours before to start my preparation, if I’m out of love with getting to practice 2 1/2 hours beforehand, then I know I’ll be done. Because then I’m going to start cheating the game.”
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds this season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 22-time All-Star, four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champion is the all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).
–Field Level Media
Colorado coach Deion Sanders now 'cancer free'
NYCFC announce departure of D Strahinja Tanasijevic
