COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — If you want someone for your next celebrity roast, Ichiro Suzuki could be your guy. Mixing sneaky humor with heartfelt messages, the first Japanese-born player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame stole the show Sunday in Cooperstown. Morning showers and gloomy skies delayed the ceremonies by an hour, but the moisture gave way to bright skies and warm temperatures. The sun seemed its brightest during Suzuki’s acceptance speech. The outfielder was joined by pitcher CC Sabathia, also elected in his first year of eligibility, and closer Billy Wagner, who made it in his final try on the writers' ballot. Suzuki fell one vote shy of being a unanimous selection and he took a jab at the unidentified sports writer who didn't vote for him.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace became the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval, surviving a late rain delay, two overtimes, concerns over running out of fuel and a hard-charging Kyle Larson on Sunday in the Brickyard 400. The third NASCAR Cup victory of Wallace’s career was also his most significant — his first win at one of the series’ four crown jewel races. It snapped a 100-race winless streak that dated to 2022 at Kansas. He also won at Talladega in 2021, but this milestone victory also gave him a playoff spot. No Black driver has won the Indianapolis 500, and Formula 1 raced on the track’s road course. And while the final gap was 0.222 seconds, Wallace didn’t reach victory lane without some consternation.
NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan McMahon sparked a comeback with a tying, two-run double in a four-run second inning against Zack Wheeler, and the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 to salvage the finale of a three-game series. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto made a spectacular leaping grab and tag of Cody Bellinger at the plate for an inning-ending double play that denied the Yankees a run in the third Austin Wells hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly and Trent Grisham an RBI single against Wheeler, who tied his career high with three hit batters. Rookie Otto Kemp had his first big league multi-homer game and Nick Castellanos also went deep.
BOSTON (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to start on the mound Wednesday as he continues his buildup from elbow surgery that kept him from pitching all last season. Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday before the series finale in Boston that the plan is for Ohtani to work four innings at Cincinnati, with an off day to recover before hitting in a game. With Ohtani working his way back along with left-hander Blake Snell, who pitched 4 2/3 innings Saturday in his fourth rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Dodgers will be using a six-man rotation.
Shaquille O'Neal knows the impact of refurbishing basketball courts on communities. Over the past three decades, he's helped rebuild many, including one recently in Rockwall, Texas, where he has a home. O'Neal learned the significance of these courts firsthand. Marquis Daniels, a former teammate, once told him how a court dedication in Orlando changed his life. Renovating the Rockwall court was suggested by Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale. It's part of Comebaq Courts, a project by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. O'Neal also donated basketball shoes to local kids at the event.
The wave of lawsuits from college athletes seeking another season of eligibility seems to be slowing down. With fall football practice starting this week, players hoping for a judge's approval to play may be left waiting. Legal expert Sam Ehrlich says it's likely too late for athletes to file cases and get relief. Judges have provided inconsistent rulings, and the issue might end up in a higher court. Some athletes, like Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, have won their cases. Others remain in limbo. The NCAA wants limited liability protection from Congress to address these eligibility lawsuits.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics have moved to a Triple-A ballpark in Sacramento for three years, leaving behind mixed feelings. While some fans still support the team, many have moved on, embracing the new Oakland Ballers. The A's plan to relocate to a new ballpark in Las Vegas by 2028. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged the current setup isn't ideal. Players and fans are adjusting to the temporary situation. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is preparing for the A's arrival, hoping to replicate the success of other sports teams. The move raises questions about the team's future fan base and success.
The Toronto Blue Jays have a comfortable lead atop the AL East, a year after trading away several established players. Despite being sellers at last year's deadline, they kept key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500-million contract in April. The Blue Jays lead the majors in batting average and on-base percentage. They have won 21 of their last 27 games and have already clinched the season series against the second-place New York Yankees.
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — England beat Spain in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to win a thrilling Women’s European Championship final on Sunday. Chloe Kelly lashed in her spot kick after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two saves to lift England to a 3-1 win in the shootout. It’s the second straight Women’s Euros final decided by Kelly scoring. The game was tied 1-1 after extra time and the regulation 90 minutes. England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo’s header from a cross by Chloe Kelly after Mariona Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the 25th finishing Ona Battle’s cross.
PARIS (AP) — The roads were dangerously slippery after heavy rain. A fourth Tour de France title was all but won anyway, so finishing safely in the pack would do fine for Tadej Pogačar. Especially considering Sunday's final stage had already been neutralized for safety reasons. Surely there was no need to launch a seemingly pointless attack and risk crashing? But holding back or being cautious rarely appeals to Pogačar. The 26-year-old cycling star from Slovenia finished fourth in the stage but clinched his fourth Tour title in inimitably daring style and further cemented his place among cycling's greats. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard was overall runner-up again and Florian Lipowitz was third for his first major-race podium.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Baltimore 5 Colorado 1
Final Cincinnati 2 Tampa Bay 1
Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Philadelphia 3
Final Boston 4 L.A. Dodgers 3
Final Washington 7 Minnesota 2
Final Chicago Cubs 5 Chicago White Sox 4
Final Texas 8 Atlanta 1
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Detroit 10 Toronto 4
Final Kansas City 4 Cleveland 1
Final Athletics 7 Houston 1
Final L.A. Angels 4 Seattle 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Pittsburgh 6 Arizona 0
Final Milwaukee 3 Miami 2
Final San Diego 9 St. Louis 2
Final N.Y. Mets 5 San Francisco 3