National Sports - The Morning Sun

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. hits a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Washington. With the hit, Acuna became the fifth player in MLB history with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Ronald Acuña Jr. joins exclusive 40-40 club with 40th home run of the season for Braves

Ronald Acuña Jr. has joined baseball’s exclusive 40-40 club by hitting his 40th home run of the season for the Atlanta Braves to go along with his 68 stolen bases. The only other players to have … more

9/22/23

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before playing against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Jets' Rodgers is focused on getting healthy and playing again but won't put a timeline on his return

Aaron Rodgers misses being around his New York Jets teammates and feels a bit isolated at times as he recovers from surgery on his torn left Achilles tendon. The star quarterback joked during an … more

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. | 9/22/23

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

49ers give contract extensions to coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch

The San Francisco 49ers have given coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch multi-year contract extensions. The duo joined the 49ers together in 2017 and by their third season built up a … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 9/22/23

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) scores a touchdown in the end zone against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Green Bay's rookies answer the call and help Packers cope with early-season injuries to veterans

The Green Bay Packers are leaning heavily on their 13-man draft class as they prepare for their home opener Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers have the NFL's youngest roster in the … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 9/22/23

FILE - Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs stands on the field before a preseason NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Arlington, Texas, Aug. 26, 2023. n Diggs tore the ACL in his left knee during practice Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, a major setback for a defense off to a great start in 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde, File)

Cowboys carry on after star cornerback Trevon Diggs' season-ending knee injury

The Dallas Cowboys are carrying on without Trevon Diggs after the star cornerback's season-ending knee injury. The Dallas defense has been playing at a level that matched the club's Super Bowl … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 9/22/23

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Braves ace Fried returns to IL with blister issue. The lefty hopes to be back for the playoffs

The Atlanta Braves have placed ace Max Fried on the 15-day disabled list with a recurring blister issue on his left index finger, but they hope the extra rest will ensure he's ready for the NL … more

9/22/23

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young leaves the field after their loss against the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Panthers rule out QB Bryce Young for Week 3; veteran Andy Dalton to start vs Seahawks

Andy Dalton will start for the Carolina Panthers at quarterback on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks after rookie Bryce Young was ruled out with a sprained ankle. Jake Luton will serve as … more

9/22/23

Spain's women's national soccer team during a training session in Gothenburg, Sweden, ahead of the UEFA Nations League soccer match against Sweden, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/TT News Agency via AP)

Spain is removing the word 'women' from national team name to show 'conceptual shift'

By eliminating the phrase for “women’s soccer” from the name of its national team, the Spanish Football Federation is hoping to show it has made a “conceptual shift” in its view of the … more

By JAMES ROBSON | 9/22/23

FILE - Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle delivers to the New York Yankees during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 13, 2018. Sean Doolittle has decided to retire from baseball after more than a decade pitching in the majors that included helping the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 2019. Doolittle announced his decision in a lengthy social media post Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle announces his retirement after more than a decade in the majors

Sean Doolittle has decided to retire from baseball after more than a decade spent pitching in the majors. Doolittle helped the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 2019. He spent the bulk of … more

9/22/23

Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) swats down a shot by Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams, right, during the first half of Game 2 of a WNBA basketball playoff series game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Aces' A'ja Wilson repeats as WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson was honored as the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in a row. She is the eighth player to win the award multiple times. Wilson received 32 of 60 … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 9/22/23

OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) celebrates her goal by penalty kick with defender Lauren Barnes (3) during the second half of an NWSL soccer match against Angel City FC, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Megan Rapinoe's legacy with US team is bigger than soccer

Megan Rapinoe was always unabashedly authentic during her soccer career, whether she was advocating for equal pay and racial justice or scoring an elusive goal off a corner kick. The 38-year old is … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 9/22/23

FILE - Justin Thomas of the U.S. celebrates after winning the 8th hole during a singles match on the final day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, outside Paris, France, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. Thomas has become the American that Europeans love to beat because of his emotion.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

RYDER CUP '23: Justin Thomas, the American that gets the Europeans' attention

Justin Thomas has a strong record in his two Ryder Cup appearances. He forms a strong partnership with longtime friend Jordan Spieth. But his other value to the American team is how much he annoys … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 9/22/23

Solheim Cup team US golfer Nelly Korda reacts to a putt during the foursomes play at the Solheim Cup in Finca Cortesin, near Casares, southern Spain, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

US sweeps favorite Europe to take 4-0 lead in opening session at Solheim Cup

The United States enjoyed its best-ever start to a Solheim Cup by sweeping the favored European team in all of the foursomes matches in the opening session to take a 4-0 lead in Spain. The Americans … more

By TALES AZZONI | 9/22/23

Pittsburgh Pirates' Joshua Palacios reacts toward teammates in the dugout after his pinch-hit, three-run home run off Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Miguel Andujar and Joshua Palacios drive in three runs apiece as Pirates beat Cubs 8-6

Miguel Andújar drove in three runs and Joshua Palacios hit a pinch-hit three-run homer as the Pittsburgh Pirates held off the Chicago Cubs 8-6 on Thursday night. Pittsburgh gave up six runs in the … more

By JAMES KAY | 9/21/23

FILE - Coach Anthony Nesty watches as swimmers warm up at the U.S. nationals swimming meet in Indianapolis, June 27, 2023. Nesty made more history Thursday, Sept. 21, when he was picked to lead the U.S. men's swimming team in Paris, where he will become the first Black head coach for the powerhouse American squad at the Olympics. Nesty's selection was announced by USA Swimming, which also appointed Todd DeSorbo to head the women's squad next summer. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Anthony Nesty to become the first Black US head swimming coach at the Olympics

Anthony Nesty has made more history with his selection to lead the U.S. men’s swimming team at the Paris Olympics. He will become the first Black head coach for the Americans in the Summer Games. … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 9/21/23

U.S. midfielder Julie Ertz, center, laughs while warming up with teammates before an international friendly soccer match against South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Julie Ertz says goodbye to the US national team during a 3-0 win over South Africa

Two-time Women’s World Cup winner Julie Ertz played her final match for the United States, an emotional 3-0 victory over South Africa in an exhibition at Cincinnati. Ertz announced last month that … more

9/21/23

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Krys Barnes (51) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley says he has a high ankle sprain

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley says he sustained a high ankle sprain late in the fourth quarter in the comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals. Barkley did not practice this week … more

9/21/23

Toronto Blue Jays' Matt Chapman, left, is doused by teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, after hitting a walkoff double against the Boston Red Sox in baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. day-to-day with right knee inflammation

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got good news Thursday when an MRI on his right knee showed inflammation and no structural damage. Guerrero was held of the starting lineup for the … more

By LARRY FLEISHER | 9/21/23

Cowboys star CB Trevon Diggs tears ACL in practice. It's a blow for a defense off to a great start

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs has sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in practice. It's a blow for a defense off to a great start in 2023. The 2021 All-Pro was seen leaving the team’s … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 9/21/23

FILE - Kids play ball hockey at an NHL Street event, June 17, 2023, in Boston. The National Hockey League is trying to build on its first foray into the Southern Hemisphere — two preseason games between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyote on the weekend — by expanding its NHL Street Hockey program to Australia. The program is designed for children ages 6 to 16 and will eventually be instituted into some schools in Victoria state. (AP Photo/Jimmy Golen, File)

Taking it to the streets: NHL tries to grow its game with an 'ice' hockey push Down Under

The National Hockey League is trying to build on its first foray into the Southern Hemisphere — two preseason games between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyote this weekend — by expanding … more

By DENNIS PASSA | 9/21/23