Thanks to the hiring of Mike Elias atop the Orioles' baseball totem pole and the continued focus on the farm system and player development, there's something missing from the discourse around the Orioles that's a welcome change from a season ago. Partially because the bubble already burst last summer, and partially because of the roster construction, the idea that everyone might be traded by the July 31 deadline simply hasn't taken hold yet with these Orioles. Part of it is because players such as Jonathan Schoop and Kevin Gausman, who would be nearing the end of their club control this summer and thus prime trade candidates, were dealt last summer to keep payroll costs down. Part of it is bad luck, with veterans such as Alex Cobb and Mark Trumbo working their way back from back and knee injuries, respectively, and unable to showcase what they can do for a contender down the stretch. That's cut the candidate pool pretty significantly, but considering this weekend is the midway point of the first half, and the trading period will pick up around the All-Star break, it's worth a look at which players could possibly interest a team that wants to bolster its roster by picking from the productive and/or expensive corners of the Orioles' clubhouse. Here's a ranking of the Orioles' most appealing trade candidates to the least: 1. Trey Mancini For all of Mancini's proclamations that Baltimore is where he wants to be , he obviously has no control over that. And the better he plays, the greater likelihood that he'll play himself out of Baltimore. Mancini will have three more years of club control after this, and considering the numbers he's accumulated, will be well-paid in those years. Considering how much needs to get better before the team can be truly good again, and the financial challenges the Orioles are facing , cashing in Mancini for a couple of legitimate pieces could be the right move as both his value and club control are at their highest. He's going to be an All-Star and could add some thump to several playoff aspirants' lineups. The life of the itinerant professional hitter-for-hire isn't exactly as comfortable as staying in one place for an entire career, but Steve Pearce got a ring, a World Series Most Valuable Player award and a nice contract out of it. 2. Mychal Givens With two more years of club control remaining after this season, Givens is another player in a prime spot to get moved while he can still be considered a long-term asset to the acquiring team. As the Orioles' best and most established reliever, Givens has been used in myriad ways , including two-inning outings, and is finding his footing with a scoreless May that has lowered his ERA to 2.75. Deployed in a more traditional role in a better bullpen, the way he was earlier in his career with the Orioles, Givens could be an ideal piece for a contender to add. 3. Andrew Cashner One of the few natural fits for a deadline deal because he is in the last year of his contract and has a reasonable salary of $8 million this year, Cashner is one player whose success could prove fruitful for the Orioles. His 4.10 ERA entering Monday's start is over a full run better than the 5.29 ERA he had in his first year with the Orioles in 2018, helped tremendously by a jump in his strikeouts per nine innings (5.82 in 2018 to 7.45 this season). There's also the thus-unexplored irony that he's switched from a sinker-heavy approach to almost exclusively four-seam fastballs but has seen his ground-ball rate spike from 40.4% to 51.7%. He's also been throwing a lot more changeups than past years, and has always had an effective breaking ball, so perhaps there's enough different that a contending team who needs another arm can give Cashner a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in his career. 4. Dylan Bundy Perhaps Bundy figured something out with his pitch mix that could launch him back to being the high-end major league starter he's been for stretches of his career. But in his first year of salary arbitration, Bundy is in a position in which he'll have to be the best version of himself to justify what will likely be a climbing salary in the years to come. He's not exactly in the position that Gausman was with two years of club control left   the stuff just hasn't been there at that level for a while. But when he's right, Bundy can eat innings and be the kind of steady pitcher to fill out the back-end of a rotation. 5. Jonathan Villar The lone major leaguer acquired at last year's deadline, Villar has been productive at times but mostly inconsistent this season for the Orioles. A team that loses an infielder midseason could do worse than acquiring him, although two progressive teams moving on from Villar already could raise some red flags in this modern baseball landscape. He's a player who can make an impact on his best days, as he showed in two months with the Orioles last season, but generally his best days have come far less frequently this season than anyone hoped. Perhaps another change of scenery and another chance to impress can be enough for him to propel a contender down the stretch. Honorable mentions: Richard Bleier, Shawn Armstrong, Dan Straily What's to come? Hopefully on-schedule baseball games with the New York Yankees for the next four days, unlike the washed-out series at Yankee Stadium earlier this week. The pitching matchups are flipped the next two days from last Wednesday's doubleheader   J.A. Happ faces Andrew Cashner and Domingo Germán pitches against David Hess   and the Yankees' portion of those probable pitching matchups should be troubling to the Orioles. While it seems as if a decent amount of Orioles hitters are doing well, or at least outperforming expectations, the collective offense has scored fewer than three runs per game this month. Seven of the Orioles' 17 runs on their recent five-game road trip came in one game, and it was a loss. Four games with the Yankees and their well-stocked bullpen, and then three with a Colorado Rockies team that has plenty of good arms as well, will be a challenge to an Orioles team that can't afford to be offensively-challenge as they continue to sort through some of these pitching issues. What was good? Mancini, as usual, but this week's spotlight goes to Givens. The Orioles' closer has struck out 11 of the 26 batters he's faced in May, allowing just three hits and three walks in 7 2/3 scoreless innings. It's been a process for Givens to adjust from being the high-leverage, first-man-out-of-the-pen pitcher he was behind Zack Britton, Darren O'Day and Brad Brach to pitching only in the late innings and with a lead for a team that has had few of them. But this has been a strong stretch for Givens, and Hyde has a reason why. "I just think more aggressiveness in the zone," Hyde said. "I think early, he fell behind in counts quite a bit. He just didn't look as aggressive. Now, I feel like he's coming out of the 'pen and establishing and throwing his slider over the plate in chase counts, but really being aggressive early in the count. That aggressive mindset is what a back-end guy looks like." What wasn't? Long relievers do a vital job, for sure, but doing that job well enough even a few times often prompts talk of a more important role. Gabriel Ynoa's first two weeks in the big leagues this season were exactly that. In consecutive outings, he allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings, then had two straight outings of three shutout innings, prompting questions to Hyde about whether he could start and answering others that he could pitch in high-leverage situations. After allowing four runs (two earned) in 1 2/3 innings Sunday, Ynoa has followed that stretch with three outings in which he pitched a combined four innings and allowed nine earned runs on 11 hits with five walks. "I thought he mixed really well and threw a ton of strikes [early]," Hyde said. "Right now, I see a ton of 3-2 counts and a lot of yanked fastballs, and just not as sharp stuff-wise." On the farm Just imagine a world in which the Orioles' rebuild is propelled ahead of schedule because a bunch of pitchers drafted on Dan Duquette's watch turn out to be better than anyone expected. I'm sure Duquette's imagining it, and with days like Sunday, perhaps others will join him. At Double-A Bowie, left-hander Zac Lowther struck out eight in five innings without allowing an earned run as the Baysox won 3-0 and the 23-year-old left-hander lowered his ERA to 1.91. Lowther was taken on the first day of the 2017 draft, a year after the Orioles used a top pick on right-hander Cody Sedlock. Sedlock's renaissance at High-A Frederick continued Sunday with seven innings of one-run ball, as he struck out six and improved to 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA in seven starts. Sedlock struggled the past two years with elbow and shoulder issues, but seems back on track and will be joining Lowther in Bowie before long at this rate. Combined with the rave reviews of fellow top picks DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez, plus success from Blaine Knight, Drew Rom, Michael Baumann and Keegan Akin, the next wave of Orioles pitchers might be better than most have given it credit for. jmeoli@baltsun.com twitter.com/JonMeoli


Empty and unloved, some of the world's priciest properties have been forsaken by their owners, including royal residences, grand country houses and luxurious ranches. Fabulous forgone houses worth millions Empty and unloved, some of the world's priciest properties have been forsaken by their owners, including royal residences, grand country houses and luxurious ranches. We take a look at eight of the most expensive abandoned mansions, from Prince Andrew and Fergie's former love nest to Michael Jackson's Neverland and the haunted Pink Floyd manor. Click or swipe through to see them. Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, UK The Queen pulled out all the stops in 1986 when she gifted the Duke and Duchess of York a 665-acre parcel of land on the Sunninghill Park Estate in Berkshire following their wedding that same year. A swish 12-bedroom mansion was commissioned, complete with grand reception rooms, stables and a swimming pool, with construction work began on the flashy royal residence in 1987. Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, UK Completed in 1990, the property was dubbed 'Southyork' and the 'Dallas Palace' due to its uncanny resemblance to the ranch house in 1980s soap. Other commentators likened it to an out-of-town Tesco supermarket, while the ever-diplomatic Duke of Edinburgh reportedly described Sunninghill Park as looking like  a tart's bedroom." Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, UK Andrew and Fergie's marriage broke down not long after they moved in and the couple divorced in 1996. Yet the duo continued to live under the same roof with their two daughters. Following the Queen Mother's death in 2002, the Duke decamped to the Royal Lodge in Windsor, her former residence, and Sunninghill Park was put on the market. The Duchess and their daughters followed in 2006, leaving the property vacant. Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, UK The Duke, who had remortgaged Sunninghill Park to cover the cost of renovating the Royal Lodge, lucked out in 2007 when he sold it to Kazakhstani investor Kenes Rakishev for $19 million, $3.8 million over the asking price. The ultimate owner was later revealed to be billionaire oligarch Timur Kulibayev. Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, UK The property was effectively abandoned and left to rot. By 2009, Sunninghill Park was in a sorry state with windows smashed, doors hanging off their hinges and paintwork cracked. The grounds were overgrown with weeds growing through the paving. Local residents were up in arms and the county council even threatened to seize the house and turn it into a homeless shelter. Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, UK The mansion deteriorated further. In December 2013, planning permission was granted to replace the rundown property with a bigger 14-bedroom home, but demolition work didn't begin until 2015. At long last, the eyesore was reduced to rubble in 2016, and the new house is finally nearing completion, much to the relief of the neighbors and local authority. Love the Royal family? Take a look at the private homes of Queen Elizabeth II. Swannanoa, Rockfish Gap, Virginia This imposing Italian Renaissance Revival mansion in Virginia was built in 1912 for business leader and philanthropist Major James H. Dooley at a cost of $2 million, a hefty $51 million in today's money. No expense was spared on the ultra-luxurious property, which took 300 artisans eight years to finish. Swannanoa, Rockfish Gap, Virginia A romantic escape for Major Dooley and his beloved wife Sarah, Swannanoa was kitted out with furnishings worthy of a billionaire, including exquisite Carrara marble flooring and wall panels, along with gold plumbing fixtures. The home's wow-factor feature is a stunning 4,000-piece Tiffany stained glass window featuring a depiction of Mrs. Dooley that cost the equivalent of $64,000 when adjusted for inflation. Swannanoa, Rockfish Gap, Virginia The envy of the neighborhood, the mansion featured all the latest modern conveniences. As well as being the first property in the area to have electricity installed, Swannanoa had a cutting-edge elevator and dumbwaiter, and upon entering the property, guests were wowed by the paneled entrance hall and splendid marble staircase. Swannanoa, Rockfish Gap, Virginia The Dooleys summered at the property until Major Dooley's death in 1924. Mrs. Dooley died in 1926 and Swannanoa passed to her late husband's two sisters, who didn't waste any time getting rid of it. The mansion was sold for the knockdown price of $300,000 and converted into a country club, which opened in 1929 but closed in 1932 on account of the Great Depression. Swannanoa, Rockfish Gap, Virginia The mansion was left empty for years. During World War II, the U.S. Navy floated plans to purchase the property but was put off by the cost. Swannanoa finally found a buyer in 1944 when local businessman A. T. Dulaney acquired the dilapidated house for $60,100. He leased it to polymath Walter Russell and his sculptor wife Lao, who established a New Age university on the estate. Swannanoa, Rockfish Gap, Virginia Russell died in 1963 and his wife continued to lease the property until her death in 1988, when it was repurposed as the Russell Museum. Owners the Delaney family shut the museum in 1998 and partly renovated the property, but the vacant Gilded Age mansion, which they describe as a  money pit , still requires extensive work, though it does manage to function as a venue for weddings and other events. Mezhyhirya Residence, Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine A monument to shameless corruption, the Mezhyhirya Residence in the Ukraine was the official summer house or dacha for the Soviet leadership, and passed to the Ukrainian government following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Viktor Yanukovych moved into the property in 2002 shortly after his election as prime minister and went on to spend millions of dollars of ill-gotten cash on it. Mezhyhirya Residence, Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine Yanukovych was evicted from the residence following the Orange Revolution in 2005 but returned as prime minister in 2006. The politician had the property privatized the following year. The estate's Soviet era buildings were demolished and work began on a five-story stone and timber palace designed by Finnish firm Honka, which is thought to have cost at least $10 million. Mezhyhirya Residence, Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine Yanukovych, who was elected president in 2010, splurged millions of dollars of taxpayers' money on the blingy interiors, purportedly ordering scores of gilt and crystal chandeliers at $100,000 a pop, $64,000 doors, a staircase clad in fine marble priced at an eye-watering $430,000, and more. Mezhyhirya Residence, Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine The no holds barred spending extended to the opulent bathrooms, which were fitted with the most expensive gold fixtures money could buy. Yanukovych installed an underground shooting range and dropped $3 million on a golf course. A pricey bowling alley and tennis courts were also constructed. Mezhyhirya Residence, Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine Unbelievably, Yanukovych built a private zoo on the property, importing kangaroos and ostriches, and other exotic animals. Unhappy with the state of the road connecting his palace with the Ukrainian capital, the pro-Russian president even went as far as to have a new highway constructed linking Mezhyhirya with Kiev. Mezhyhirya Residence, Novi Petrivtsi, Ukraine Yanukovych also had a garage complex built to house his vast collection of classic cars. Karma eventually caught up with the president, who was ousted by the Ukrainian Revolution in 2014 and fled the country. Wanted for high treason, Yanukovych is currently hiding out in Russia. His abandoned palace, a testament to the man's extravagance, is now a museum. Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo Staying with corrupt leaders, Mobutu Sese Seko, the former president of Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, was just as free and easy with other people's money, lavishing $100 million on his 'Versailles in the Jungle', a luxury palace complex that was built in his home town of Gbadolite during the 1970s. Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo The complex boasted three sumptuous residences, including the glitzy Bamboo Palace. Mobutu packed the interiors with paintings by Monet and Renoir, ornate Louis XVI furnishings, Carrara marble and copious gilding. Ridiculously expensive Murano chandeliers hung in almost every room. Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo The palace in Gbadolite had a staff of 700 to cater to the president and his family's every whim, which were legendary. Mobutu even had an international airport built nearby just so he could charter Concorde and fly to Paris together with his aptly named first wife Marie-Antoinette for full-on designer shopping sprees. Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo There was a swanky red-walled nightclub in the complex, which had a bar stocked with the best vintage champagnes, fine wines and spirits. The Gbadolite complex also had several huge swimming pools, a five-star hotel for visiting dignitaries and a number of plush guesthouses to boot. Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo Clearing out the state's coffers, the president even splashed out on a mini replica of Beijing's Forbidden Palace. The so-called Peking Palace was completed in the early 1970s. It was used by Mobutu and his family as a retreat and doubled up as a pavilion for welcoming foreign dignities and other VIPs. Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo Mobutu was deposed in May 1997, having embezzled up to $15 billion. The ex-president fled to Morocco, where he died later that year. Gbadolite was looted and all its valuables were removed or destroyed. The jungle has since reclaimed the complex, which lies ruined and abandoned. Kinmel Hall, Abergele, UK Like Africa's Versailles in the Jungle, Kinmel Hall, which is nicknamed the 'Welsh Versailles', has been left to decay, though it isn't in quite as bad shape as Mobutu's former palace. The splendid chateau-style mansion dates from the 1870s. A 'calendar house', it had 365 rooms at its height, one for every day of the year. A room was even dedicated to ironing newspapers at one time. Kinmel Hall, Abergele, UK The sprawling country house was built for copper tycoon Hugh Robert Hughes, who became known as HRH due to his suitably regal lifestyle. The mansion passed through several families and was last used as a private home in 1929, when it was sold to the highest bidder and converted into a boy's school. Kinmel Hall, Abergele, UK Kinmel Hall became a spa for rheumatoid suffers in the 1930s and a military convalescent home during the Second World War. The mansion changed hands again after the war when it reopened as the Clarendon School for Girls. A fire in 1975 forced the school to relocate and Kinmel Hall was acquired and restored by businessman Eddie Vince, who used it as a Christian conference center. Kinmel Hall, Abergele, UK There were plans to transform Kinmel Hall into a luxury hotel, but the project never came to fruition. In 2011, a mystery buyer bought the mansion for a bargain $1.9 million with the intention of developing the elusive hotel. Kinmel Hall, Abergele, UK Ambitious plans were unveiled in 2012, but work on the new hotel failed to commence. Kinmel Hall went even more downhill. Looters descended on the abandoned property in 2013 and made off with a set of carved wooden panels gifted to Hughes by Queen Victoria, who is believed to have stayed at the house in the 1870s. Kinmel Hall, Abergele, UK Kinmel Hall was added to the Victorian Society's Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings list in 2015 due to its worsening state. The current owner, who resides in the Cayman Islands, has pretty much left the grand mansion to rack and ruin, and the restoration bill is now likely to cost in the region of $25 million. Selma Mansion, Leesburg, Virginia This venerable historic plantation house in Leesburg, Virginia sits on 212 acres and dates back to 1700. The mansion was rebuilt in 1902 in a Colonial Revival style by its then owner Elijah Brokenborough White, who hired the most prestigious artisans he could find to deck out the rooms, which are notable for their fine paneling. Selma Mansion, Leesburg, Virginia The 20-room house also featured one of America's first intercom systems. White bred champion racehorses at the estate and was wealthy enough to maintain the elegant Neoclassical property to a T. During its heyday in the 1920s, the mansion hosted grand balls and dinner parties that were attended by local politicians and other VIPs. Selma Mansion, Leesburg, Virginia After White's death, the house was inherited by his daughter Jane Elizabeth. She died at the property in 1970. Selma Mansion passed to the Epperson family, who rented out the property as a wedding venue. The house changed owners again in 1999 when it was acquired by Dutch businessman Peter J. ter Maaten. Selma Mansion, Leesburg, Virginia Maaten effectively abandoned the property in the early 2000s. Left to the elements, Selma Mansion began to fall apart. The crumbling house was slowly reclaimed by nature and the interiors were targeted by vandals. Period features were smashed up or stolen, and parts of the roof caved in. Selma Mansion, Leesburg, Virginia By 2009, Selma Mansion was on its last legs. In dire need of restoration or basic remedial works at the very least to preserve the structure and save the leaky roof, the house was designated one of the state's most at-risk historic sites by Preservation Virginia. Selma Mansion languished on the endangered list for the next seven years. Selma Mansion, Leesburg, Virginia In 2016, local resident Sharon Virts spotted the house on the list and vowed to buy and restore it. Delighting conservationists, Virts and her husband Scott Miller persuaded Maaten to sell and succeeded in acquiring the property for $1.2 million. Rescued from ruin, Selma Mansion is being restored to its former glory. Hook End Manor, Checkendon, UK Destined to later be the home of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, this storied Elizabethan mansion in Oxfordshire was built in 1580 for the Bishop of Reading, and is thought to have served as a mental asylum during its long history. Selfridges owner Sir Charles Core acquired the 10-bedroom manor house during the 1950s and sold it on in 1972 to Alvin Lee, lead singer for the band Ten Years After, who built a recording studio in the barn. Hook End Manor, Checkendon, UK Lee put down several albums at the studio but let go of the property, which was snapped up by Pink Floyd's Gilmour in 1980. The band's giant inflatable pig was stored on the premises and two Pink Floyd LPs were recorded in the studio. Gilmour sold up in 1986, and the manor house and recording studio eventually passed to Frankie Goes to Hollywood producer Trevor Horn. Hook End Manor, Checkendon, UK Horn transformed the property into Hookend Productions, which was the UK's most luxurious and state-of-the-art recording venue from the late 1980s to 2000s. An impressive line-up of musicians recorded singles and albums there, including Rod Stewart, the Manic Street Preachers, Seal and The Smiths. Hook End Manor, Checkendon, UK During his stay at the manor, Morrissey claimed to have been visited by the ghost of a monk. The phantom would appear during the wee hours of the morning as if to wake people to pray. In fact, rumor has it that David Gilmour gave up the property because his wife Ginger was so freaked out by the paranormal activity, she refused to stay there. Hook End Manor, Checkendon, UK Tragedy struck at the manor in 2006 when Horn's wife Jill Sinclair was shot accidentally by their son Aaron, who was practicing with his air rifle and had no idea his mother was nearby. Sinclair fell into a deep coma and never fully recovered. Horn decided to sell up following the accident, and the property was bought by producer Mark White in 2009 for $15 million. Hook End Manor, Checkendon, UK White invested in the studio but the house lay neglected for years. Trevor Bishenden aka TrevBish Photography captured the dilapidated interiors last year when the manor appeared to be completely abandoned with rising damp and wallpaper peeling off the walls. Fortunately, Hook End has since been given a new lease of life and is in the process of being renovated. Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California Back in 1983, Michael Jackson teamed up with Paul McCartney to record "Say Say Say," and the former Beatle stayed at Sycamore Valley Ranch in California while the pair were recording the video. After visiting McCartney there, Jackson fell in love with the place and promised he would buy it some day. True to his word, the King of Pop acquired the ranch in 1988 for a purported $19.5 million. Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California The Thriller singer renamed the property Neverland after the magical island in Peter Pan, and set about creating his very own amusement park. Jackson had two railways and a station (pictured) built to complement the Tudor-style six-bedroom mansion that came with the property and installed a petting zoo and numerous amusement rides. Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California Neverland had everything from a Ferris wheel and pirate ship ride to a carousel and bumper cars. Jackson hosted glittering events at the ranch, including the 1991 wedding of his close friends Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky. In 1995, Jackson and then-wife Lisa Marie Presley also hosted an event at the theme park attended by children from around the world. Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California In 2003, Jackson was charged with child abuse and Neverland Ranch was turned upside down by police searching for evidence, but the singer was eventually acquitted on all charges. Jackson complained of feeling "violated" following the search and vowed never to live at the ranch again. Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California In 2006, Neverland shut down and most of the staff were sent packing. Up to his eyeballs in debt by this point, Jackson struggled to hold onto the property. Investment firm Colony Capital bought a majority stake in 2008 for $22.5 million, and the ranch's amusement rides were removed. Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California After Jackson's death in 2009, the ranch fell into disrepair and the property was put up for sale in 2015 with an asking price of $100 million. Despite lowering the price to $67 million, Colony Capital has been unable to offload the now renovated ranch and it remains unsold and unlived in.


Reggie Wayne has seen receivers enter the NFL and struggle with the significant challenges the league presents, particularly when that pass-catcher is joining an offense that features one of the most cerebral quarterbacks in the NFL. Wayne remembers how hard it was getting used to Peyton Manning. So he cautioned: Be patient with the New England Patriots' first-round draft choice, N'Keal Harry. It's hard to keep up mentally with the Tom Brady, who Harry will partner with, and Manning, who Wayne played with. "I think you have to pump your breaks a little bit on N'Keal Harry, and understand it's going to be a process, and give him a year or so before he can actually go out there and play fast," Wayne said on NFL Network this week. Harry joined the Patriots after three strong seasons at Arizona State University. In his final college season, he managed 73 catches for 1,088 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while his coaches moved him around the formation to practically every position in the offense. Even so, Harry may find the challenges of the NFL significant. "I've always said that it's going to take a year, maybe a year and a half," Wayne said, "before you can adjust to the speed and what's going on for an NFL football team, especially for a quarterback like Tom Brady." Wayne explained that when he was in the huddle with Manning, the quarterback would call two plays for the team, with the option of playing either one on the following snap. But then when he ran to the line of scrimmage, Manning audibled into an entirely different play. That forced Wayne, who had been processing the other two plays, to remember his assignment on this new play. "What's the route depth on this one? Am I hot when this safety or linebacker comes? Now all of the sudden, 'Set, hut,' and the ball is snapped," Wayne said. "Now all of the sudden, the safety is blitzing. I'm wondering if I'm the hot guy on this. There's so much thinking going on when you've got a quarterback like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning." Brady is notoriously challenging to please , and Harry has said he's ready for it . But perhaps Wayne, whose stint in New England was short-lived, is right to urge Patriots fans to take a patient approach. MORE: 'You don't know me like that': Kevin Durant, the Warriors and a toxic locker room British TV analyst rips Alex Morgan for 'distasteful' World Cup goal celebration Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' Projected depth chart for the 76ers with Al Horford, Josh Richardson VIDEO: Alyssa Naeher Makes Unbelievable Save to Preserve U.S. Lead Over England


CLEVELAND (AP) John Beilein has spent a coaching lifetime taking ordinary programs and turning them into consistent winning ones. All in college. He's getting his NBA shot. The Cavaliers ended a monthlong search Monday by hiring Beilein, a 66-year-old offensive mastermind who made Michigan a perennial powerhouse and now takes over a rebuilding project in Cleveland. Beilein got a five-year deal with the Cavs, who believe he can make the successful leap from campus. Beilein's signing is somewhat surprising given his age, lack of pro experience and because the Cavs, who have had six previous coaches since 2009, had been speaking almost exclusively with younger NBA assistants during their interview process. Beilein isn't the safest pick or the sexiest, but Cavs general manager Koby Altman said he precisely fits the coaching profile he wanted. ''We interviewed several strong and talented candidates who, no doubt, will get an opportunity to become an NBA head coach somewhere down the line,'' Altman said. ''Following the end of those interviews, it became clear to us that Coach Beilein was the right choice and best fit for our franchise. ''John is one of the most accomplished and innovative basketball minds and leaders in the entire game. He has a unique ability to create an outstanding culture that will promote the development of young players and provide a solid structure to the entire program; not to mention the fact that John Beilein wins everywhere he goes.'' From Nazareth College to LeMoyne to Canisius, Richmond, West Virginia and finally to Michigan, Beilein has built a strong reputation for developing young players and teams. He's one of only four coaches to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament, and he leaves Michigan with the most wins in school history. The deal with Beilein came together quickly in the past 24 hours and was finalized Sunday after the Cavs had spent the weekend in Denver interviewing several NBA assistants. Cleveland is expected to surround Beilein with an experienced staff, and it's possible the team will hire one of the other candidates as an associate head coach. It took him nearly a decade, but Cavs owner Dan Gilbert finally landed a college coach from Michigan. Gilbert, who went to Michigan State, had made an unsuccessful overture to Spartans coach Tom Izzo in 2009, and has now plucked Beilein from his alma mater's biggest rival. ''We could not be more thrilled to name John Beilein as the new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,'' Gilbert said. ''First, John is a great human being. He cares deeply about his players and others who work for him and around him. ... John is a brilliant basketball mind and last but not least, John Beilein is a winner.'' Beilein knows he has to work to do in Cleveland. The Cavs are coming off a stormy 19-63 season that followed LeBron James' departure for Los Angeles as a free agent last summer. Just six games in, the team fired Tyronn Lue, the only Cleveland coach or manager to win a major sports championship since 1964. Beilein had entertained NBA offers in the past, meeting with Detroit and Orlando before choosing to stay in Ann Arbor, where he managed to make basketball more than just a passing diversion between football seasons. ''We shared some of the best moments of my life together and I will always be grateful for that,'' Beilein said about his time at Michigan. ''At the same time, I felt very strongly about this new and exciting opportunity with the Cavaliers. ... I love the position the team is in to build and grow and this was something I felt was the perfect fit for me.'' Beilein, who is 829-468 (.639) as a college coach, inherits a young Cleveland team that includes All-Star forward Kevin Love, point guard Collin Sexton - who's coming off a strong rookie season - forward Larry Nance Jr. and guard Jordan Clarkson. Cleveland's roster will get a major upgrade in next month's draft, and if the pingpong balls bounce their way again in the lottery, the Cavs could wind up with Duke All-American Zion Williamson, who electrified college hoops as a freshman. The Cavs will have a 14 percent chance at getting the No. 1 overall pick, which they've had three times since 2011. Back in 2003, Cleveland selected James first and changed the franchise's fortunes. Altman had spoken with numerous assistants before sitting down with Beilein last week in Ann Arbor. The team has long been impressed with Beilein, and there was a personal connection with him as he coached assistant GM Mike Gansey at West Virginia. From the start, the Cavs wanted a coach who aligned with their vision for the future. They needed one who could work with young players, develop their games, get them to buy into the team concept and handle the inevitable growing pains. Beilein's done that for 41 years. The Cavs are taking a leap of faith that he can do it on a larger stage. --- AP Sports Writers Larry Lage and Noah Trister contributed to this report. --- More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports --- More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25


It's no secret that humans are the smartest animals on the planet . Sure, dolphins are smart, and so are primates, but humans as a species have evolved to such a level that we've been able to harvest wheat, write The Illiad , and create the Internet, among many other accomplishments. There had to be a point, however, in our brain's development that allowed humans to conquer the world instead of, say, the chicken coop. In a new study, scientists may have pinpointed that particular molecular event. Neurons are cells that make up the brain, and one protein in particular, called PTBP1, helps spur the creation of those neurons. Benjamin Blencowe, a professor in the University of Toronto's Donnelly Centre, and his team believe that one small change in the PTBP1 protein led mammalian brains to become the largest and most complex among vertebrates. Though vertebrates' brains share similarities, the general size and complexity of each brain is different. It's unclear how these differences came to be. Humans and frogs have very different brain capabilities, but scientists have found that both use similar genes to build organs in the body. So the question is, if vertebrates all over the world use similar genes, switched on and off, in similar ways, why is there such a wide, complex range of organ sizes? The answer could be in the process that Blencowe and his team studied: alternative splicing (AS). During AS, gene fragments called exons are shuffled to make different protein shapes   proteins are the building blocks of life. Sometimes, however, there are fragments missing from the final protein shape. Alternative splicing allows cells to make more than one protein from a single gene so that the total number of different proteins in a cell outnumber the available genes. If a cell can produce different proteins at any given time, it's able to take on different roles throughout the body. This means that although the genes responsible for making vertebrates are similar, the proteins that come out of them are far more diverse in animals like mammals than in frogs. Since AS is most widespread in the brain, "[w]e wanted to see if AS could drive morphological differences in the brains of different vertebrate species," said lead author Serge Gueroussov, a graduate student in Blencowe's lab, in a press release . Gueroussov also helped identify PTBP1 as a protein that takes on a common form in all vertebrates, and then a different form in only mammals. The form in vertebrates is shorter, he found, because a small fragment is left out during AS, therefore never making it to the final protein shape. PTBP1 works to keep its cell from becoming a neuron by holding off AS for hundreds of other genes. Gueroussov found that the presence of the shorter version of PTBP1 in a mammalian cell creates a chain of AS events, thus turning that cell into a neuron. When Gueroussov manipulated chicken cells to create the shorter PTBP1, it triggered the same events found in mammalian cells. "One interesting implication of our work is that this particular switch between the two versions of PTBP1 could have affected the timing of when neurons are made in the embryo in a way that creates differences in morphological complexity and brain size," Blencowe said. He goes on to state that this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what AS had to do with our evolutionary differences. Source: Serge Gueroussov, Thomas Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis, et al. An alternative splicing event amplifies evolutionary differences between vertebrates. Science . 2015.


Johan Cruyff is number 6 in 90min's Top 50 Great Managers of All Time series. Follow the rest of the series over the course of the next week. If you were looking to describe the late great Johan Cruyff in a single word...'legend', 'icon', 'pioneer', 'master' are all good options. But perhaps 'visionary' would be the one that best illustrates the career of one of the greatest minds ever to grace the sport of football. As a player, Cruyff is the among the very best of all time . At Ajax he won 17 major trophies, including three consecutive European Cups. Individually, he collected three Ballon d'Or awards, the last in 1974 as he starred for the Netherlands at summer's World Cup when the 'Total Football' born in Amsterdam went global. His 1973 transfer to Barcelona was for a world record fee and he continued to win trophies in Spain. A glitzy spell in the United States followed, before a second spell at Ajax in the early 1980s, and a final season with rivals Feyenoord, whom he inspired to domestic glory. He became Ajax coach in 1985 and moved on to Barcelona in 1988, overseeing the 'Dream Team' era that yielded four consecutive La Liga titles in the early 1990s and the club's first ever European Cup. Cruyff was a contemporary of both Pele and Diego Maradona during his playing career, while he managed at a time when Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello and Franz Beckenbauer enjoyed great success. Yet his overall reach extends far further than any of them. For Cruyff's lasting legacy that will continue to influence countless future generations is arguably more important than the great successes he achieved himself as a player or manager alone. Career Honours KNVB Cup (1985/86, 1986/87) UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1986/87, 1988/89) Copa del Rey (1989/90) La Liga (1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94) Supercopa de España (1991, 1992, 1994) European Cup/Champions League (1991/92); runner-up (1993/94) UEFA Super Cup (1992) Cruyff was guided throughout his playing career by the great Rinus Michels, working together at Ajax, Barcelona, Los Angeles Aztecs and at the 1974 World Cup. It was Michels who is credited with developing the 'Total Football' model that focused on fluidity and built on the success of the Austrian 'Wunderteam' of the 1930s and Hungary's 'Magical Magyars' of the 1950s, with Cruyff and 'Total Football' in turn influencing the eventual establishment of 'Tiki-taka' at Barcelona. Upon taking over as Ajax coach in 1985, Cruyff was immediately a success. He didn't claim an Eredivise title, but two KNVB Cups in two years were also accompanied by the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1986/87, the club's first European trophy since Cruyff himself was a player. Evolving 'Total Football', the system Cruyff implemented at Ajax remained in place, while he also had a major influence reenergising the club's academy training and youth recruitment. Several years later, Louis van Gaal guided a new golden generation to Champions League glory in 1995. Ajax still continue to be a world leader in youth development. When he arrived back at Barcelona in 1988, a decade after leaving as a player, Cruyff was tasked with an enormous rebuilding job. The club was at its lowest ebb, beset by debt, poor results, worse performances and a toxic atmosphere. But the Dutch master, by this point still just 41 years of age, was able to completely transform Barça within a few years and create lasting change that serves the club to this day and will continue to do for generations to come. Returning to what he had known as a player and as a continuation of his work at Ajax, Cruyff overhauled Barcelona's whole tactical system. But his changes went far beyond simply coaching the first team, implementing a club-wide model that ensured players at every level were drilled in the same skills, techniques and way of playing. The young talents were there to be moulded because of Cruyff himself. He is credited as the father of the club's famed La Masia academy, first pitching the idea of a copy of the Ajax youth setup he had known back home to then president Josep Nunez in 1979. By the time Cruyff returned in 1988, the fruits of the system were emerging and he could further develop the talent. Pep Guardiola is the most famous of the local players he nurtured. Legend has it that Cruyff saw a 17-year-old Guardiola playing on the right side of midfield for the youth team in his very week as coach in 1988 and instantly insisted the youngster move into a central role. Four years later in 1992, a 21-year-old Guardiola played there as Barcelona won a first ever European Cup. [Classic Players] Pep Guardiola // 1992 European Cup Final Barcelona v Sampdoria at Wembley pic.twitter.com/x2ezCLUy9h   Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) July 27, 2016 Albert Ferrer was another home grown European Cup winner and a firm part of the 'Dream Team' that Cruyff built, while Sergi Barjuan came a little later. The academy that Cruyff established and perfected would later yield Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Victor Valdes, all legends of their generation. In addition to moulding Barcelona's own talent, Cruyff assembled a side of domestic and international stars. Txiki Begiristain, Jose Mari Bakero, Julio Salinas, Eusebio Sacristan, Miguel Angel Nadal and Andoni Goikoetxea were among the Spaniards brought in. Cruyff also plucked Ronald Koeman from his old Ajax team and added Hristo Stoichkov and Michael Laudrup. By the time Barcelona were crowned European champions in 1992, goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta and veteran defender Jose Ramon Alexanko were the only survivors pre-1988. Early success had come in the form of UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1989 and a Copa del Rey in 1990. Barcelona dominated Spanish football in the early 1990s, winning four straight La Liga titles between 1990 and 1994. The 'Dream Team' also returned to Europe's showpiece event in 1994 when they faced AC Milan in the newly rebranded UEFA Champions League final. The 4-0 loss that night Athens remains one of the all-time great shocks in European club football. "Without him I wouldn't be here," Guardiola, himself now one of the all-time great managers, said of Cruyff in an interview with The Guardian in 2016. "Before he came we didn't have a cathedral of football, this beautiful church, at Barcelona. We needed something new. And now it is something that has lasted. It was built by one man, by Johan Cruyff, stone by stone. That's why he was special."  Teams Managed Years Ajax 1985 - 1988 Barcelona 1988 - 1996 Catalonia 2009 - 2013 Cruyff's one regret was that he was never able to manage at international, considering it the only thing missing. He did lead the Catalan national team for its exhibition games between 2009 and 2013, but he missed out on the opportunity to lead the Netherlands at the 1990 World Cup. The Dutch were reigning European champions at the time and Cruyff himself acknowledged in his 2016 book 'My Turn' that he 'expected' to be appointed. He had even nurtured star players Ronald Koeman, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard as Ajax coach and was a teammate of a young Ruud Gullit at Feyenoord. But Michels, then serving on the technical board, inexplicably overlooked him. With Barcelona's 'Dream Team' era at an end, Cruyff was only 49 years of age when he permanently left full time management in 1996. yet his influence was not over. He went on to create the 'Johan Cruyff Institute' to educate athletes and business professionals in sports management, while, his 'Cruyff Courts' have provided invaluable opportunities for young players from all over the world to play the game they love. In 'Barcelona: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World', Spanish football writer Graham Hunter stated Cruyff is "...pound for pound, the most important man in the history of football." There isn't really a better final sentence to describe the visionary that was Johan Cruyff. Number 50: Marcelo Bielsa - El Loco's Journey From Argentina to Footballing Immortality in Europe Number 49: Vic Buckingham - How an Englishman Discovered Johan Cruyff & Pioneered Total Football Number 48: Claudio Ranieri: A Ridiculed Tinkerman Who Masterminded One of Football's Greatest Ever Achievements Number 47: Bill Nicholson: Mr Tottenham Hotspur, the First Double Winning Manager of the 20th Century Number 46: Sven-Goran Eriksson: The Scudetto Winning Shagger Who Never Solved the Lampard-Gerrard Conundrum Number 45: Sir Alf Ramsey: T he Man Behind the 'Wingless Wonders' & England's Sole World Cup Triumph Number 44: Antonio Conte: An Astute Tactician Whose Perfectionist Philosophy Reinvented the 3-5-2 Wheel Number 43: Kenny Dalglish: The Beacon of Light in Liverpool's Darkest Hour Number 42: Massimiliano Allegri: The Masterful Tactician Who Won Serie A Five Times in a Row Number 41: Sir Bobby Robson: A Footballing Colossus Whose Fighting Spirit Ensured an Immortal Legacy Number 40: Luis Aragones: Spain's Most Important Manager, the Atleti Rock and the Modern Father of Tiki-Taka Number 39: Herbert Chapman: One of Football's Great Innovators & Mastermind Behind the 'W-M' Formation Number 38: Carlos Alberto Parreira: The International Specialist Who Never Shied Away From a Challenge Number 37: Franz Beckenbauer: The German Giant Whose Playing Career Overshadowed His Managerial Genius Number 36: Viktor Maslov: Soviet Pioneer of the 4-4-2 & the Innovator of Pressing Number 35: Rafa Benitez: The Conquerer of La Liga Who Masterminded That Comeback in Istanbul Number 34: Zinedine Zidane: Cataloguing the Frenchman's Transition From Midfield Magician to Managerial Maestro Number 33: Luiz Felipe Scolari: How the Enigmatic 'Big Phil' Succeeded as Much as He Failed on the Big Stage Number 32: Jupp Heynckes: The Legendary Manager Who Masterminded 'the Greatest Bayern Side Ever' Number 31: Vicente del Bosque: The Unluckiest Manager in the World Who Led Spain to Immortality Number 30: Arsene Wenger: A Pioneering Who Became Invincible at Arsenal Number 29: Udo Lattek: The Bundesliga Icon Who Shattered European Records Number 28: Jock Stein: The Man Who Guided Celtic to Historic Heights & Mentored Sir Alex Ferguson Number 27: Vittorio Pozzo: Metodo, Mussolini, Meazza & the Difficult Memory of a Two-Time World Cup Winner Number 26: Jurgen Klopp: The Early Years at Mainz 05 Where He Sealed His 'Greatest Achievement' Number 25: Mario Zagallo: Habitual World Cup Winner & Sculptor of Brazil's Joga Bonito Era Number 24: Bela Guttmann: The Dance Instructor Who Changed Football Forever (and Managed...Just Everyone) Number 23: Valeriy Lobanovskyi: The Scientist Who Dominated Football in the Soviet Union Number 22: Louis van Gaal: The Stubborn Master Who Won 15 Major Trophies at 4 of the World's Greatest Clubs Number 21: Otto Rehhagel: The 'King' Who Turned 150/1 Greek Outsiders into Champions of Europe Number 20: Tele Santana: The 'Joga Bonito' Icon Who Helped Brazil Rediscover Their Love of Football Number 19: Bill Shankly: The Innovative Motivator Who Rebuilt Liverpool From the Ground Up Number 18: Ottmar Hitzfeld: The Manager Who Won Absolutely Everything at Germany's 2 Biggest Clubs Number 17: Miguel Muñoz: The Man Who Told Alfredo Di Stefano to F*ck Off & Led the Ye-Ye's to European Glory Number 16: Fabio Capello: Italy's Cosmopolitan Disciplinarian Who Built on a Generation-Defining AC Milan Number 15: Brian Clough: He Wasn't the Best Manager in the Business, But He Was in the Top 1 Number 14: Nereo Rocco: 'El Paron', the Pioneer of Catenaccio & Forgotten Great of Italian Football Number 13: Carlo Ancelotti: Football's Most Loveable Eyebrow in the Words of His Players Number 12: Sir Matt Busby: The Man Who Built the Modern Manchester United Number 11: Marcello Lippi: Montecristo Cigars, Neapolitan Dreams, Scudetti in Turin & Gli Azzurri's World Cup Number 10: Bob Paisley: The Understated Tactician Who Conquered All of Europe With Liverpool Number 9: Jose Mourinho: The 'Special One' Who Shattered Records All Over Europe Number 8: Helenio Herrera: The Innovator Who Single-Handedly Changed the Beautiful Game Number 7: Ernst Happel: The 'Weird Man' Who Conquered European Football and Helped Shape the Modern Game


Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, the sixth wife of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, has fled the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) with her two children and is reportedly hiding in London, "afraid for her life." The sheikh, 69, a billionaire and owner of the Godolphin horse racing stables in Dubai, married Princess Haya in 2004 but the marriage has reportedly soured, as evidenced by a scathing poem the wrote and posted on Instagram on June 22. Alluding to infidelity, the poem, posted in Arabic and entitled "You Lived and You Died," called for the princess to go back to "who you have been busy with." "Your days of lying are over and it doesn't matter what we were and what you are. You no longer have any place with me. Go to who you have been busy with! I don't care if you live or you die," Sheikh Mohammed wrote. Princess Haya was reportedly last seen in public on May 20, after which she fled the U.A.E. and sought asylum in Germany. According to reports by India Today , a German diplomat helped her and her children flee her husband, and German authorities have refused Sheikh Mohammed's request to have his wife returned to Dubai, a move some have speculated could lead to diplomatic tensions between the two nations, but which the U.A.E. has denied. "The U.A.E. government does not intend to comment on allegations about individuals' private lives. As for whether it has raised such an issue with its German or British counterparts, the answer is no," a spokesperson for the U.A.E. Embassy told The Guardian . Still, the domestic dispute between the royal couple may have widespread implications on international affairs of other countries as well, as Princess Haya is the half-sister of King Abdullah of Jordan, a nation that has 200,000 citizens working in the U.A.E., who pay remittances to bolster Jordan's economy. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP


The Kansas City Chiefs could see a second-year leap from linebacker Ben Niemann. Niemann was a fan favorite during the 2018 preseason. He had some standout performances, like his game against the Atlanta Falcons, where he had five combined tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown. This ultimately led to Niemann landing on the 53-man roster, where he carved out a role as a stud special teams player. Recently Pro Football Focus named Niemann as a promising undrafted free agent from 2018 not to be overlooked heading into the 2019 season. Here's what they had to say about him: "Linebacker Ben Niemann forced his way into the Chiefs' lineup last season after going undrafted out of Iowa. He generated a 59.3 overall grade on only 71 defensive snaps, but he was a major contributor on special teams, where he played 307 snaps and earned an 86.2 special teams grade. The second-year pro has always been a sure tackler. In his final season with the Hawkeyes, he missed only four tackles on 76 attempts to go along with his 76.3 overall grade. He will continue to play a significant role on special teams while he tries to break his way into an underwhelming linebacking corps." Niemann received limited opportunities in Bob Sutton's defense in 2018, only starting a single game. He made to most of that single start for the Chiefs in Week 10 against the Cardinals recording 6 total tackles. Niemann is a strong tackler, but there is certainly upside for him to be more. During the playoffs against the Colts, he played good man coverage and had a nice pass breakup against Eric Ebron in the redzone. Check it out: https://streamable.com/e/qknz7 Niemann stuck right in Ebron's hip pocket. And even with a little push off from Ebron, Niemann comes back to compete at the catch point. This was a really strong repetition from Niemann. It came late in the game with the Chiefs still up multiple touchdowns, but it was against top competition in a playoff game. There's definitely something worth building here, but Niemann won't simply be handed this opportunity. Under the new defensive coaching staff and with a new scheme, Niemann will get a chance for a bit of fresh start. He won't be able to rely on the impression he made in the 2018 preseason. He'll need to make a new impression and outwork some of the other competition that the Chiefs have brought in. If Niemann earns a spot on the 53-man roster look for him to continue his wave of special teams dominance. But also look for him to secure a more prominent role on the defensive side of the ball. MORE: Draymond Green to LeBron James' 14-Year-Old Son: "I'm at Your F--king Neck This Summer" 'Jeopardy' star James Holzhauer fell just short of breaking his own ridiculous record NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Ahead of Finals, Stephen Curry defends Kevin Durant against critics Jimmy Butler would reportedly like playing with LeBron James


Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Thursday joked about his own visit to Chipotle, suggesting it didn't draw the same amount of attention as Hillary Clinton's visit to a franchise in Ohio. "I looked for the cameras. There were a couple there, but no one said anything," Rubio said with a laugh when asked about any surveillance footage of his Chipotle stop during an appearance on Fox News's "America's Election Headquarters." Rubio, one of the top Republican candidates for president, said he visited a Chipotle at Union Station in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday evening, where he ordered a chicken quesadilla. "I know it's not healthy. I'll probably get in trouble for that," Rubio said, smiling. His comments came after a Fox News host mentioned Clinton's incognito visit to a Chipotle in Ohio earlier in the week amid her road trip to the early voting state of Iowa. The stop, as part of her campaign rollout this week, came on the heels of Rubio's own presidential campaign announcement on Monday. Clinton's Chipotle outing with aide Huma Abedin went viral after surveillance footage emerged that show the pair wearing sunglasses as they went to pay for a chicken burrito bowl, chicken salad, blackberry Izze drink and a soda. The restaurant manager later said the pair didn't put money in the restaurant's tip jar.


Video by CNN WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- For nearly five tight, tense and terrific hours, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer traded the lead, playing on and on and on until an unprecedented fifth-set tiebreaker was required to settle their memorable Wimbledon final. In the end, it was Djokovic who emerged victorious, coming back to edge Federer 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3) and become the first man in 71 years to take home the trophy from the All England Club after needing to erase championship points. "Unfortunately in these kinds of matches, one of the players has to lose," Djokovic said. "It's quite unreal." After facing two match points at 8-7 in the last set, he wound up claiming his fifth Wimbledon title and second in a row. This triumph also earned Djokovic his 16th Grand Slam trophy overall, moving him closer to the only men ahead of him in tennis history: Federer owns 20, Rafael Nadal has 18. "I just feel like it's such an incredible opportunity missed," said Federer, who actually accumulated 14 more total points, 218-204. "I can't believe it." He has ruled grass courts since the early 2000s; he has won Wimbledon eight times dating to 2003, and this was his record 12th appearance in the title match. But Djokovic is now 3-0 against Federer in finals at the place and 4-0 against him in five-setters anywhere. This one was unlike any other, though. That's because, while it was reminiscent of Federer's 16-14 fifth-set victory over Andy Roddick in the 2009 Wimbledon final, that score is no longer possible: The All England Club altered its rule this year to do away with never-ending matches and institute a tiebreaker at 12-all in a deciding set. At one point during the final set Sunday, Djokovic asked chair umpire Damian Steiner whether the change called for the tiebreaker at 10-10. Later, when Djokovic held for an 11-10 lead, it was Steiner who got confused, beginning to call out the score as 11-9, before catching himself. "I respect whatever the rule is," Federer said when asked what he thinks of the altered setup. "So really, it is what it is, you know?" Federer and Djokovic pushed each other to the limit in what became as much a test of focus and stamina as it was about skill. It is the longest final in the history of a tournament that dates to the 1870s, eclipsing by nine minutes Nadal's five-set win over Federer in 2008. Like that one, this is destined to be discussed for years. "I'll try to forget," joked Federer, who is less than a month shy of his 38th birthday and would have been the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the professional era. "It was a great match. It was long. It had everything. I had my chances. So did he. I thought we played some great tennis. In a way, I'm very happy with my performance, as well," Federer said during the trophy ceremony. "But Novak, it's great. Congratulations, man. That was crazy. Well done." First, it was Federer who kept falling behind, then coming back. He twice trailed by a set even though he came quite close to winning the match in three: Federer was two points from grabbing the opening set on seven occasions but couldn't do it; he was one point from seizing the third, but again came up short. Then, Federer was down a break early in the crucible of the fifth. And then, after seemingly gaining the upper hand, standing a single point from winning while serving for the victory at 8-7, 40-15, he faltered. He sent a forehand wide on the first championship point, and Djokovic produced a cross-court forehand winner on the next. Soon enough, the 32-year-old Djokovic had broken back and on they would play for another 45 minutes. "Definitely tough to have those chances," Federer said. Djokovic has done this to him before. In the semifinals of the 2010 and 2011 U.S. Opens, Djokovic erased two match points each time before coming back to win. Looking at the bigger picture, there's also this takeaway from Sunday: Nadal's status as Federer's principal nemesis has been well-documented and much-examined over the years -- which is a small part of why Friday's semifinal victory for Federer was fraught with meaning. But it's now high time to discuss Djokovic's edge over Federer. Djokovic has won their past five meetings and holds a 26-22 advantage overall head-to-head, including 10-6 at Grand Slam tournaments and 3-1 at Wimbledon. By the reverberating sound of things around the old arena Sunday, a vast majority of the spectators were pulling for the popular Federer. Made it seem as though he might be British, not Swiss. While one person cried out, "We love you both!" -- a fitting sentiment, given the high quality and unceasing shifts in momentum -- the "Come on, Roger!" count far outnumbered the shouts for his Serbian foe. Yes, they roared for Federer's ace on the very first point and when he sent the final to a fifth set. They even applauded when he kicked a ball to a ball boy or when he brought his racket around his back to make meaningless contact after Djokovic served a let. And then there were the "Awwwws." So many "Awwwws" -- pained sighs of despair accompanying a missed backhand here, a double-fault there, by their guy. It wasn't until the fourth set that Federer faced so much as one break point, no small accomplishment against Djokovic, considered by many to be the greatest returner of his, or perhaps any, generation. Still, even though Federer did get broken in that set, he won it to send this match to a fifth. What already was fun to watch became completely riveting. That's not to say the tennis was perfect, because both men showed signs of fatigue and perhaps nerves. Federer's mediocre approach shot provided Djokovic an opening for a backhand pass that earned a break and a 4-2 lead. Djokovic's double-fault in the next game helped Federer break back, and the ensuing changeover was filled with a fugue of fans' voices chanting the first names of both. As the newfangled tiebreaker carried the last set alone past the two-hour mark, it was Djokovic who was better. When Federer shanked a forehand off his racket frame, it was over, allowing Djokovic to renew his personal tradition of plucking some blades of Centre Court grass and chewing on them. "Constant pressure," Djokovic said. "I had to fight and find my game to stay in the match." ------ More AP tennis coverage: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: Best images of Wimbledon (Provided by imagn)


Star Tracks: Thursday, May 23, 2019 Heading Out John Travolta shows off his new bald look as he arrives at Jimmy Kimmel Live! to chat with guest host Lena Waithe and his daughter Ella Bleu on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Parisian Princess Rihanna brings her Fenty collection to Paris for a pop-up shop event on Wednesday. Coffee Klatch Brothers Liam and Chris Hemsworth grab coffee while out near Byron Bay, Australia, on Thursday. Sitcom Special Wanda Sykes, Will Ferrell and Kerry Washington participate in Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons tribute event to classic sitcoms presented by Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday in L.A. Afterward, Ferrell and other guest stars kicked back at a private ABC afterparty with Johnnie Walker. Costar Cuddles Ali Wong and Randall Park attend the afterparty for the world premiere of Netflix's Always Be My Maybe at STK in Westwood, California, on Wednesday night. Making Waves "Bad at Love" singer Halsey stops by SiriusXM Studios on Wednesday in N.Y.C. Ready, Set, Action! Hilary Duff smiles on the set of Younger on Wednesday in New York City. Royal Outing Princess Eugenie looks delighted as she meets award recipients at the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award presentations at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday in London. Believe in the 'Future' Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness speaks at The Wall Street Journal 's The Future of Everything Festival on Wednesday in N.Y.C. Look of Love Ant and Christina Anstead   expecting their first child together   walk hand-in-hand through Los Angeles on Wednesday. Trendy Trio Lookalike sisters Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Paris Hilton and sister-in-law Tessa Hilton cuddle up to furry friends at the Animal Haven Gala 2019 at Tribeca 360 on Wednesday in N.Y.C. Undercover Boss Harrison Ford is almost unrecognizable on Wednesday during a walk through N.Y.C. Who's the Boss? Aidy Bryant speaks onstage during the Hulu Shrill For Your Consideration screening at the Television Academy in North Hollywood on Wednesday. Shadow Hunter Taika Waititi finds himself in the fog on Wednesday at the What We Do in the Shadows For Your Consideration event at Avalon in L.A. Impressive Impressions Millie Bobby Brown shows off her best celebrity impressions during Wednesday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in N.Y.C. Funny Faces Dua Lipa goofs off with Orlando Bloom on Wednesday at a private dinner hosted by Alejandro Agag to celebrate the world premiere of Formula E documentary And We Go Green in Cannes, France. French Kiss Nina Dobrev and Grant Melon share a kiss on Wednesday while taking a swim outside the Eden Roc hotel in Cannes. In the Dark Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner, Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy post for photos on Wednesday at the Dark Phoenix premiere in London. Gym Going Back from Cannes, Ashlee Simpson steps out for a workout in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Chef's Choice Matthew McConaughey is on hand as Guy Fieri is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday. No Saint Jon Bernthal shoots scenes for The Many Saints of Newark in The Bronx, New York, on Wednesday. Anger Management Sterling K. Brown, Rachel Bloom and Jason Sudeikis attend the Angry Birds 2 photo call at The London West Hollywood on Wednesday. Hear Me Now Meanwhile, Sudeikis' fiancée Olivia Wilde hangs out with Kevin Hart during a visit to SiriusXM studios in N.Y.C. Saving Grace Jimmi Simpson and Dash Williams attend the L.A. premiere of Epix's Perpetual Grace, LTD at Linwood Dunn Theater on Tuesday. Bubbling Over Natalie Portman and Kate Moss have a ball on Tuesday as Moët & Chandon unveils its restored Château de Saran in France to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial. Iconic Duo Costars Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio smile wide at the photo call for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday in France. Hollywood Goes to France Timothée Chalamet poses with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star Margot Robbie at the film premiere's afterparty at JW Marriott on Tuesday in Cannes, France. Rocking Out Shailene Woodley kicks back on Tuesday at Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Night party in London. Rain or Shine Milo Ventimiglia flashes a peace sign during a visit to Extra to talk about his upcoming film The Art of Racing in the Rain at Universal Studios Hollywood on Tuesday. Comrades in Arms Pink and Chris Stapleton share a sweet moment on Tuesday night during the New York City stop on Pink's Beautiful Trauma tour at Madison Square Garden. Facing the 'Future' Trevor Noah speaks at The Wall Street Journal 's Future of Everything Festival at Spring Studios on Monday in N.Y.C. Feeling Blue? Jada Pinkett Smith channels her husband Will Smith's Genie character on Tuesday night at the Los Angeles premiere of Aladdin. Family Affair Jerry Hall makes a rare appearance with daughters Lizzy and Georgia May Jagger at the Equal Means Equal Campaign for Equal Rights Launch at The Times Square Edition on Tuesday in N.Y.C. Black and White Allison Williams glows on Tuesday at the New York City premiere of The Perfection. In Peace Patrick Schwarzenegger pauses for a photo at the Nike Lebron James x John Elliott Icon Celebration in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Cute Carry-on Lucy Hale holds tight to her pup on Tuesday after leaving lunch with friends in Los Angeles. Carla in the House Carla Gugino wears an all-green ensemble at the Netflix FYSEE event for Haunting of Hill House at Raleigh Studios on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Curation Celebration Karlie Kloss and Project Runway costar Christian Siriano strike a pose at the one-year anniversary celebration of Siriano's boutique The Curated NYC on Tuesday in New York City. Ready to Wow Ashley Park and Ben Cook get together at Walt Disney Studios and The Cinema Society Host a Special Screening of Aladdin at The Roxy Cinema on Tuesday in N.Y.C. Going Green Kendall Jenner shows off her travel style in a bright green jacket and patterned pants as she arrives at Nice Airport for the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. Cheers to That Annie Murphy and Sarah Levy toast on Tuesday night at the 44th Annual Gracie Awards in Beverly Hills. Animal Antics Veterinarian Dr. Evan Antin cuddles a pup on Saturday at the Best Friends Animal Society's NKLA Super Adoption event in L.A., where more than 420 pets found homes in 48 hours. One Cute Couple Hana Cross and boyfriend Brooklyn Beckham hit the red carpet at the Chopard party in Cannes, France, on Tuesday. Travel Chic Meanwhile, Brooklyn's parents David and Victoria Beckham arrive in London via the St Pancras International train station on Tuesday. BTS in the Building The guys of BTS pose for pics inside the Empire State Building in N.Y.C. on Tuesday, in celebration of their iHeartRadio LIVE performance that evening. Sweet Moment Tilda Swinton and daughter Honor Swinton Byrne attend the screening of Parasite during the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. Check(er) Her out Beanie Feldstein arrives at the Today studios in N.Y.C. on Tuesday to talk up her new film, Booksmart. Brunch Bunch Barkha Shewakramani and Sofia Richie share a hug at the Barkha Beauty Summer Brunch at Nobu Malibu on Thursday. Good to Go Jon Hamm gives two thumbs up to photographers as he arrives at Jimmy Kimmel Live! to talk about his role in Amazon's new mini-series Good Omens on Monday in L.A. Barefoot Bardi Cardi B takes off her heeled boots during her performance at Hangout Music Festival in Alabama on Sunday. Hope Floats Michelle Rodriguez and a pal kick back on a yacht in Cannes, France, on Monday. Pattern Makers Katie Holmes brings her mother Kathleen as her date to the American Ballet Theatre 2019 Spring Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House in N.Y.C. on Monday. Traffic Stoppers Will Smith gets into character as Genie and dances through a crosswalk alongside host James Corden, dressed as Aladdin's monkey Abu, while filming a musical segment of The Late Late Show on Monday in Los Angeles. Daddy's Darlings David Burtka poses with daughter Harper Grace and son Gideon Scott at the opening night celebration for the immersive theatrical experience Pip's Island, benefitting the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, on Monday in N.Y.C. Hair for Days Vivica Fox shows of her extra-long ponytail at the Lifetime Summer Luau 2019 at the W Los Angeles on Monday. Pup Patrol Emily Ratajkowski cuddles up to her new puppy on her walk home from lunch in N.Y.C. on Monday. Good Greet Stellene Volandes and Debra Messing greet fans at the 92nd Street Y Gala on Monday night in N.Y.C. See and Be Seen Ethan Herisse, Asante Blackk, Joshua Jackson, Marquis Rodriguez and Caleel Harris attend the world premiere of Netflix's When They See Us on Monday in N.Y.C. Book Smarts Common signs copies of his new book Let Love Have the Last Word during a chat with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms at The Gathering Spot in Georgia on Monday. Short Story Chrissy Teigen thinks pink on Monday night during an event to help Pepsi kick off #summergram in N.Y.C. Girl Talk Jennifer Garner and Molly Sims chat with a pal as they go for walk in L.A. on Monday. Commanding Performance Rachel Bloom speaks onstage during the 64th Annual Obie Awards on Monday in N.Y.C. Pets Paraphernalia The Secret Life of Pets 2 costars Bobby Moynihan, Lake Bell, Jenny Slate, Patton Oswalt and Eric Stonestreet sign posters at a cast event at FAO Schwarz on Monday in N.Y.C. Color Pop Kyra Sedgwick rocks a bright blue cross-body bag while out and about in New York City on Monday. Lucky Man Taron Egerton gives his mom a smooch while hitting the red carpet with girlfriend Emily Thomas at the premiere of Rocketman on Monday in London. Tiny Tux Eva Longoria brings husband José Bastón and their son Santiago as her dates to The Global Gift Initiative event during the Cannes Film Festival in France on Monday. Good Goop Olivia Wilde, Taraji P. Henson, goop CEO Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Busy Philipps get together at the In goop Health Summit Los Angeles 2019 at Rolling Greens Nursery on Saturday. Smell the Roses Jenny McCarthy marks National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month with Amazon's Treasure Truck at The Puffs Magic Garden at Chicago's Navy Pier on Saturday. Cute Couple Emma Thompson and husband Greg Wise cozy up at a Gala Screening of Late Night at Picturehouse Central in London on Monday. Back to Work On Monday, Michael Gandolfini arrives to the set of The Many Saints of Newark in Ridgewood, New York. Elegant Elle Elle Fanning attends the Official Trophee Chopard Dinner photo call during the Cannes Film Festival on Monday. On the 'Dot' Millie Bobby Brown wears a chic polka-dotted gown as she shows fans some love at the premiere of Godzilla: King of the Monsters at TCL Chinese Theatre on Saturday in Hollywood. Kidding Around John Stamos beams with wife Caitlin McHugh and son Billy at the Hammer Museum K.A.M.P. (Kids' Art Museum Project) 2019 on Sunday in Los Angeles. Afternoon Outing Also at the Hammer Museum: Joe Manganiello and wife Sofia Vergara. Talk Show Tea Reese Witherspoon opens up about motherhood and season 2 of Big Little Lies on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Monday in L.A. Royal Rendezvous Kate Middleton meets with children during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London on Monday. Funny Friends Costars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin crack each other up at the Netflix FYSEE Grace and Frankie ATAS Official Red Carpet and Panel at Raleigh Studios on Saturday in L.A. Child at Heart Gwen Stefani stops for a pic with Snoopy during a trip to the Calico River Rapids in California on Sunday. Iced Out Meek Mill shows off his chains at DJ Khaled's SNL afterparty dinner at TAO Downtown on Saturday in N.Y.C. Eat Up! Smokey Robinson and Cameron Diaz smile together at EEEEEatscon 2019 at Barker Hangar on Sunday in Santa Monica, California. Think Pink Helen Mirren debuts a new pink 'do at the premiere of The Best Years of a Life at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Saturday. A Different Throne Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage and wife Erica Schmidt hold hands at the opening night party for Red Bull Theater's all-female production of Macbeth at Houston Hall on Sunday in New York City. Dr. Bassett to You Angela Bassett flashes a peace sign beside President of Morehouse College David A. Thomas before receiving an honorary doctorate at the college's 135th Commencement on Sunday in Atlanta. Black Carpet Glam Costars Leslie Grossman and Billie Lourd hug at the American Horror Story: Apocalypse FYC event at NeueHouse Hollywood on Saturday. Big Moment Rita Moreno attends the 17th annual Peabody Awards, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, at Cipriani Wall Street on Saturday in N.Y.C., where she became the first-ever Latin recipient of the Peabody Career Award. Hollywood Heavyweights Al Pacino and Robert De Niro attend the American Icon Awards gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in L.A. on Sunday.


White Sox outfielder Jon Jay is finally showing some signs of progress in his effort to return from a groin strain. As Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports , general manager Rick Hahn says that Jay may not be far from a rehab stint. He's expanding his workload at extended spring training at the moment. When Jay inked a one-year, $4M deal, the idea was that he'd help solidify the overall outfield unit and perhaps also help woo Manny Machado to the South Side. Neither concept has paid off to this point, though there's still time for Jay to be a 2019 contributor and perhaps even turn into a trade chip. Welington Castillo , meanwhile, is headed to the injured list, per Van Schouwen . It's been a rough start to the season for Castillo, whose -0.2 fWAR can largely be attributed to his .176/.286/.318 slash line. Defensively, Castillo's strength is in deterring the run game. Framing metrics have looked less kindly upon Castillo's work behind the dish. The 32-year-old veteran returned to Chicago last season after spending the early portion of his career with the Cubs. In his first season on the South Side, Castillo hit .259/.304/.406 across 49 games in 2018, though the bulk of playing time went to the since-traded Omar Narvaez . This season, it's been the James McCann show with starts split almost down the middle, despite McCann's blistering start to the season. Taking over Castillo's spot on the roster   and making his major league debut   will be Texas native Seby Zavala . Over parts of this season and last, the 25-year-old Zavala slashed .234/.261/.405 for Triple-A Charlotte. He posted much better offensive numbers in lower levels, particularly in regard to his approach and contact skills. Despite his current 36.3 percent strikeout rate and 4.4 percent walk rate, Zavala prepares to make his debut at the game's highest level as soon as this afternoon.


With a loaded 2019 NBA Draft class, it's almost guaranteed that some highly skilled players will drop to the middle of the first round. Overshadowed by Duke phenom Zion Williamson, wing-forward Cam Reddish is one of those players and will be seen as a steal in this year's NBA Draft. Following the conclusion of the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery , the Celtics are locked in at the 14, 20, 22 and 51 picks in this year's draft. With Reddish projected to be a top-10 draft selection, the Celtics will either have to hope that Reddish drops or attempt to trade up. In his one-and-done season at Duke, Reddish played along some of the best players in the NCAA last season, such as Williamson and RJ Barrett. Because of this, Reddish was often underappreciated and undervalued. The 6-foot-8, 218 pound Reddish averaged 13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game and plays a versatile game and is one of the two-way players so often salivated over. Although he shot the ball at a lackluster 35.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep, scouts say that Reddish can shoot the ball from anywhere with ease with his smooth jumper. Part of the reason for his lack of efficiency may have been his tertiary role, which could bode well for the team that drafts him and allows him to get shots up more frequently; perhaps even in a Sixth Man type role. The 19-year-old also has an impressive 7-foot-0 wingspan, giving him a standing reach just shy of nine feet. ESPN's draft analyst Mike Schmidtz had high praise for Reddish at the combine, calling him the most naturally gifted player on the floor. Cam Reddish clearly the most naturally gifted player to take the floor today. Tantalizing at 6-8 with a smooth jumper. Shoots such an easy ball. pic.twitter.com/KD0zBgtJj8 - Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) May 22, 2019 Overall, the athletic swingman has a tremendous upside. However, the biggest thing that is questioned by scouts is Reddish's passivity and passion. In early first-round picks, NBA teams often look for players with a mentality that show they want to be the best player on the floor - something that Reddish definitely doesn't seem to have. Playing alongside Williamson and Barrett, Reddish took the backseat and was perfectly fine with it. He was a great teammate, often wanting the team to be put first and not himself - similar to the mentality of NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard. Nonetheless, though it won't be highly valued by some clubs, that's a team-first mentality that is often sought out by the Celtics and should continue to be. Especially with how the 2018-19 season played out. Coming into Boston, a contending team, Reddish would be nowhere near the number one option, and having a player that is okay with that is rare to find in the NBA. One concern with Reddish coming to Boston would be the depth at small forward. While Stevens loves running a small ball lineup, there is only so much space for forwards. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Morris often rotating in for a forward role, it would be difficult to find minutes for Reddish right away unless Morris wasn't re-signed or multiple Celtics find themselves traded. With recent reports saying that star point guard Kyrie Irving is most likely leaving Boston and fellow point guard Terry Rozier leaving some questionable hints in the media, the Celtics should look to acquire either a new point guard or another big man to play alongside the aging Al Horford. With all of that in mind, if Reddish does fall to pick 14, it would be hard to pass up on him and his high upside. MORE: A spoiler-filled 'Jeopardy!' clip leaked, and it appears to show the fate of James Holzhauer Darnell Savage, Josh Jackson could unlock full potential of Packers secondary Roundup: Google and Amazon Facing Antitrust Scrutiny, Cruise Ship Crash Video, $344 Powerball Winner Fans are realizing Inglewood stadium is shaped like Rams logo Raiders WR Tyrell Williams named 'breakout star' of OTAs


Here's what you need to know about what's happening in New York City. We did it, they hid it: Black woman created the "home security system with television surveillance" in 1966 Marie Van Brittan Brown was born on this date in 1922. She was an African American nurse and inventor. Read the full story on Jose Grinan FOX 26 . 'Better Bin' trash can contest finalists set for trial on New York City streets The finalists of the Better Bin litter basket prototype competition have been announced and are ready to be tested out on the streets of New York City. Read the full story on ABC New York, WABC . New York City tenants concerned over new virtual doorman systems Tenants are concerned as a growing number of landlords in New York City are considering installing new facial recognition and virtual doorman technology in their buildings. Read the full story on ABC New York, WABC . 4th suspected suicide this month for New York City police NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City police officer has died in a suspected suicide, the fourth such death in the department this month. Police say the off-duty officer was found dead late Wednesday at his Hicksville, Long Island, home. Read the full story on MySanAntonio . Kevin Durant could take free-agent meetings in New York City Impending free agent Kevin Durant has made it known several times that he can't be recruited. Read the full story on Sports Naut . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


CHICAGO (AP) Ivan Nova insisted he had one thought on his mind, and it wasn't his winless streak at his home park. Nova pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning for his first win in eight tries at Guaranteed Rate Field, Eloy Jimenez and Jose Abreu homered, and the Chicago White Sox beat the crosstown Cubs 3-1 to salvage a two-game split Sunday. ''I was thinking about doing my job today,'' Nova said. ''A lot of times, wins don't depend on me. I can do a good job out there and we've still got to score runs and the bullpen has to hold up.'' The right-hander delivered in a big way after going 0-4 with an 8.31 ERA in his first seven starts there. Nova (4-7) allowed five hits over 5 2/3 innings, struck out four and walked one. As for snapping his home losing streak? Nova wasn't too concerned about that. ''What do I have to feel pressure for to win games?'' he said. ''The win depends on everybody. You can do a good job and not get the win. But it's good to win.'' Jimenez hit a long, two-run homer to center against Kyle Hendricks in the fourth. Abreu had three hits, including a solo shot to the right-field bullpen against Brad Brach in the fifth that made it 3-0. Yoan Moncada extended his career-high hitting streak to 13 games with a single. Alex Colome worked the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances, getting Victor Caratini to ground into a game-ending double play after Jason Heyward singled, and the White Sox won for the sixth time in nine games. At 42-44, they have their best record at the All-Star break since the 2016 team was 45-43. ''Keep pushing,'' catching James McCann said. ''Keep fighting. People have counted us out from Day 1, and here we sit, kind of opened a few eyes. And it's time to open a few more eyes as the season goes on.'' After winning two in a row, the Cubs lost for the 16th time in 26 games. They went 0 for 8 with men in scoring position and fell to 0-10 when scoring one run or less. Even so, they maintained a half-game lead in the NL Central. ''I'll take it in that regard,'' manager Joe Maddon said. ''Our maladies were exemplified, personified by the offense. We were unable to capture that offensive way. Somehow we've got to figure that component out.'' Hendricks (7-7) lost his third straight start after going 6-0 in his previous eight to match the longest winning streak of his career. The right-hander gave up two runs and four hits in four innings and threw 86 pitches in his second outing after missing about two weeks because of inflammation in his right shoulder. Robel Garcia homered for the second time in four games since the Cubs called him up from Triple-A Iowa. But it was a frustrating afternoon for the North Siders. ''We're just as greedy as any fan out there,'' Kris Bryant said. ''We want to be 10 games ahead. There's a lot more breathing room, but it just hasn't gone that way for us this year. First place is great, but we've missed a lot of opportunities to separate ourselves. That's the frustrating part. We just have to play better. I know we can do it.'' PALKA SENT TO MINORS The White Sox optioned struggling outfielder Daniel Palka to Triple-A Charlotte. The 27-year-old Palka is 1 for 45 in 17 games over two stints with the White Sox after hitting 27 homers as a rookie last season. TRAINER'S ROOM Cubs: RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (left thoracic strain) will remain on rehab at Triple-A Iowa after the All-Star break rather than rejoin the Cubs. Edwards has been sidelined since June 9. ... RHP Allen Webster (inflamed nerve in pitching arm) had his rehab moved from Class A to Double-A Tennessee. UP NEXT Cubs: RHP Yu Darvish (2-4, 5.01 ERA) gets the first start following the All-Star break when the Cubs open a three-game series against Pittsburgh on Friday. Darvish has 11 no-decisions in 12 starts since beating Arizona on April 27 for his most recent victory. RHP Chris Archer (3-6, 5.49) pitches for Pittsburgh. White Sox: The White Sox and Athletics have not announced who will start when the teams open a three-game series at Oakland on Friday. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


When America's most unpopular governor limped through last month's four-way Republican primary with 52 percent of the vote, losing 31 counties to an obscure legislator, some of us still thought   and said publicly   that Matt Bevin was still the favorite in the general election. We had plenty of reasons: Kentucky's encouraging economy; Bevin's incumbency and personal wealth; the strong Republican trend in the state over the last 20 years, perhaps enhanced by renewed debate on abortion; Kentucky's regard for President Donald Trump, on whom Bevin is counting; and lingering doubts about the ability of the Democratic nominee, Attorney General Andy Beshear, to win a bare-knuckle brawl of a race. More: Upset with Bevin, Kentucky Republican starts GOP for Beshear Facebook group But there were questions and caveats about each of those factors, and now there are more. Bevin has continued to dig himself a hole, by countenancing and defending an aide's firing of Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton's next-to-last remaining staffer , and by failing to work with Republican legislators to get the votes for a stopgap pension bill that must pass by month's end. The bus is headed for a cliff and both drivers say the other should take the wheel. It's not a good look for the Grand Old Party, and it undermines one of Bevin's strongest talking points, his full funding of pensions. Meanwhile, in horse-racing parlance, Beshear has moved up in class. He won his first primary election, showing strength where he needed to show it (Louisville, Lexington and the west) and started campaigning in the east with the runner-up, House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins of Sandy Hook. And he seemed to get a mild bump by winning. People like a winner, and winning makes you look stronger and more like a leader, which Beshear needs. Democrats are touting a post-primary poll that showed him over 50%, and 15 points ahead of Bevin; Republicans say his lead isn't that strong, but they concede that it's probably double digits, and they are worried. That's obvious from the TV commercials that the Republican Governors Association has been running since the primary, attacking Beshear and his father, former Gov. Steve Beshear   most recently with a spot reminding voters of the bribery conviction of Tim Longmeyer, who was Steve Beshear's personnel chief and Andy Beshear's top deputy. More: Lt. Gov. Hampton asks for prayers against 'dark forces' in Bevin administration We knew this would be a big Bevin talking point   he recently called both Beshears "crooks"   but the immediate start of the attacks shows that he badly needs to bring Beshear within striking distance, to keep him from gaining momentum and fundraising traction, and perhaps to reassure Trump that he, as governor, is not a loser. We know what Trump thinks of losers. Speaking of fundraising, Republicans worry that Bevin isn't energetic enough about it. He probably has enough money to finance the race himself, but fundraising is also an organizational and promotional tool. People who give you money and have a private conversation with you as part of that exercise are more likely to talk you up. In elections, it still helps to get the talk right. Bevin's talk isn't right, and it hasn't been since he castigated teachers, who will never forget it. Bevin's first ad touted the state's recent economic progress, but his supposed big fish, an aluminum mill in Greenup County, still isn't a reality. There are questions about its Russian investors, and even if it's built, it won't do much for the heart of the East Kentucky Coalfield. Perhaps Bevin is counting on Trump to carry that region for him, but Trump may not be as good at helping governors as he was with rescuing federal candidates like Rep. Andy Barr (R- 6th District) last fall. Bevin's other major argument is that he has cleaned up the corruption of the Steve Beshear years, and he's still spending your money investigating that , so some other shoes may drop. But so far, there's no evidence that either Beshear knew anything about the misdeeds of Longmeyer or others. All that, and issues like education and health care, may take a back seat to voters' gut impressions. To many, Bevin remains an arrogant jerk, and Kentuckians don't like that in a governor, who is the personification of our state to outsiders. We want a leader, not a lecturer. As WHAS Radio talker Dave Jennings said recently, Bevin needs to stop talking to people like he's their daddy and start talking like he's their brother. Opinion: Support for Donald Trump and Matt Bevin proves America is a nasty nation At his best, Bevin is the better campaigner. He is articulate and persuasive, while Beshear is reedy and rehearsed. But Bevin isn't pressing that advantage; he's passing up a joint appearance Friday with Beshear at a highway contractors' meeting, amid talk that he's planning his usual extended summer vacation. Could Bevin take or leave being governor? He acts like he wants to be reelected on his own terms. That rarely works. Al Cross, a former Courier Journal political writer, is professor and director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky. He writes this column for the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism. Reach him on Twitter @ruralj. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky election 2019: Gov. Matt Bevin's reelection in doubt


At the All-Star break, the Rangers sat on the brink of playoff contention, looking like a team that could be a surprise bet to conservatively buy at the trade deadline. However, any hopes of contention look to be quickly vanishing, and the front office may not have to debate whether to buy or sell. Sunday's loss makes it seven straight games that the Rangers have dropped, leaving the club just a game over .500 and now in fourth place in the division. Should the Rangers elect to trade off veteran pieces and regroup in hopes of building a future contender, utilityman Danny Santana may be among the most coveted Rangers on the market. Per J.P. Morosi of MLB Network , the 28-year-old has garnered interest from several teams around baseball and could fetch a nice return for Texas. Though no specific teams are named, it seems reasonable to assume that most every team in playoff position would welcome a versatile offensive weapon. As Morosi notes, that interest may be heightened in light of the Royals' steep asking price for Whit Merrifield , who would be the most attractive utility player on the market if the Kansas City weren't so reluctant to let him go. Santana, for his part, emerged as one of a number of minor-league signings fueling the Rangers' surprise first-half performance. Formerly of the Twins and Braves, Santana appeared to have peaked as a rookie, when he posted a .824 OPS as a 23-year-old. After that, Santana's OPS never climbed above .606 in a single season   until now, with an evolving approach leading to an offensive breakout. After posting below-average exit velocity numbers in his first years in the Majors, balls have left Santana's bat at an average of 91.1 mph this season, a mark that ranks in the 83rd percentile, per Baseball Savant . Not only is he hitting the ball harder, but he is elevating it, leading to a career-high 13 home runs and a .250 ISO. With average launch angles of 3.4˚in 2017 and 9.1˚last season, that number has jumped to 12.3˚this season. He likewise ranks favorably in hard-hit rate and expected batting metrics, indicating that his current performance cannot be easily dismissed as a fluke. To be sure, though, Santana has outperformed those expected batting marks to some degree: his actual wOBA (.381) is nearly 40 points higher than expected (.342) and the same can be said for his batting average (.320 actual versus .282 expected), perhaps in large part thanks to an astronomical .399 BABIP. In that respect, then, teams may be hesitant to pencil Santana in to match his first half production. Those who inquire on Santana are essentially looking at a half-season's worth of production, making Santana a more risky investment than players with long track records of success. That may depress his value somewhat, but Rangers general manager Jon Daniels should still be able to get a solid return, especially considering that Santana received virtually no attention when he signed in Texas. However, those expected marks are still more than enough to attract some interest from contending clubs. Santana's ability to play across the diamond might lower the offensive bar somewhat; teams in the hunt for a World Series won't acquire Santana with the expectation that he plays every day at one position   rather, he might be deployed a la Chris Taylor or Marwin Gonzalez , hunting favorable matchups and spelling injured or resting regulars. Santana has appeared at six different positions for the Rangers this season, providing passable (if unspectacular) defense. If defensive metrics like DRS and UZR are to be believed, Santana fits best as a middle infielder, largely grading out below average in the outfield. However, that doesn't mean that he can't provide value as an outfielder   giving his manager another option is valuable in and of itself, and Santana doesn't have to play any one position exceptionally as long as he can play several capably. He's also stolen 12 bases at a roughly 70% clip, which is an added bonus for Santana's skillset. Of course, money is always of interest in trade discussions, and Santana's value only grows from a financial perspective. Agreeing to a minor-league deal with the Rangers prior to the season, his salary comes in at the league minimum, meaning that interested teams will owe essentially negligible money to Santana, who is controllable through 2021. His combination of affordability and the potential for long-term value   in addition to on-field performance   should make him an attractive candidate for plenty of teams between now and July 31. As Rangers position-players go, Santana may be the most valuable one who is likely to be dealt.