NASCAR-KENSETH SUSPENDED
Kenseth suspended
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β NASCAR has suspended Matt Kenseth for the next two races after he intentionally wrecked Joey Logano late in the race at Martinsville Sunday.
Logano was leading the race in an effort to wrap up his fourth straight win when Kenseth, who was nine laps down, rode him into the wall.
It was payback for when Logano pushed Kenseth out of the way, then went on to win when both were contending for the race in Kansas City three races ago.
Because of the wreck, Logano is now last in the eight-driver field with two races remaining to earn a bid into the title-deciding finale on Nov. 22.
Kenseth has also been placed on probation for six months.
MLB-NATIONALS
Baker takes on DC
WASHINGTON (AP) β The Washington Nationals have hired Dusty Baker as their new manager. The 66-year-old replaces Matt Williams, who was fired after a disappointing season.
Baker has a 20-year managing career in the majors, most recently with the Cincinnati Reds, who fired him in 2013. Baker is 1,671-1,504 as a skipper good for a .526 winning percentage. His win total is the second-most victories of any active manager.
Baker led the Giants to the 2002 World Series where they lost to the Angels, and reached the postseason a half-dozen other times.
Baker won the NL Manager of the Year award, in 1993, 1997 and 2000.
WORLD SERIES-ROYALS CELEBRATION
Fans pack KC for Royals rally
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) β A large crowd of thousands turned out in Kansas City to celebrate the Royals’ first World Series title in 30 years.
The team held a parade followed by a rally that was so well attended, some drivers had to park along the side of the interstate and walk to the festivities.
Manager Ned Yost held the World Series trophy up as his vehicle turned into Union Station for the rally.
Series MVP Salvador Perez walked through the crowd with the trophy taking selfies and pictures with fans.
Downtown was so crowded that some fans who came for the festivities left before they began, realizing they wouldn’t be able to see or hear anything.
MLB-METS-COLLINS CONTRACT
AP Source: Collins gets new Mets contract
NEW YORK (AP) β A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that New York Mets manager Terry Collins has gotten a new two-year contract through the 2017 season.
The agreement comes fresh off the team’s run to the World Series. The Mets lost to the Kansas City Royals in the clinching Game 5 on Sunday night.
There has been no official announcement, but Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson are set to be at a news conference at Citi Field on Wednesday.
At 66, Collins was the oldest manager in the majors this past season.
The Mets went 90-72 and won the NL East by seven games over favored Washington, then went on to reach the World Series for the first time since 2000.
MLB-TRANSACTIONS
Off season moves begin
UNDATED (AP) β The Toronto Blue Jays have their exercised 2016 options on sluggers Jose Bautista (boh-TEE’-stah) and Edwin Encarnacion (en-kar-nah-see-OHN’) as well as knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
Bautista, who had 40 home runs and 114 RBIs last season, will earn $14 million in 2016. Encarnacion, who had 39 homers and 111 RBIs, will earn $10 million. Dickey, who went 11-11 with a 3.91 ERA, will earn $12 million.
In other moves:
β The Red Sox have exercised their $13 million option on right-hander Clay Buchholz. The 31-year-old was 7-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts this year, striking out 107 and walking 23 in 113 1-3 innings. His season was cut short by a strained right elbow that caused him to go on the disabled list on July 11. A two-time All-Star, Buchholz is 73-51 with a 3.85 ERA in nine big league seasons.
β The Tigers have declined their $10 million option on reliever Joe Nathan, making the 40-year-old closer eligible for free agency. The decision costs the team a $1 million buyout. Nathan faced only one batter this year and missed the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his pitching elbow.
β The Arizona Diamondbacks have exercised their options on pitchers Brad Ziegler and Josh Collmenter for next season. The sidearm-throwing Ziegler moved into the closer’s role early last season, compiling a 1.85 ERA and 30 saves. Collmenter was the Diamondbacks’ opening day starter but was ineffective and moved to the bullpen, filling the long relief role.
NFL-TITANS
Tennessee dumps coach
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) β The Tennessee Titans have fired coach Ken Whisenhunt (WIHZ’-en-hunt) who was 3-20 over one-plus seasons. The club is currently 1-6 with losses in 16 of its last 17 games.
Assistant Mike Mularkey has been named interim head coach for the rest of the season.
T25-WOMEN’S POLL
UConn back on top
UNDATED (AP) β The pre-season Associated Press Top-25 women’s basketball poll is out and the top team is Connecticut. The Huskies are No. 1 in the pre-season poll for the 11th time. In seven of those years the Huskies went on to win the national championship, including the last two seasons. The Huskies received all 32 first-place votes from the national media panel and will be trying for an unprecedented fourth straight national championship this year.
Rounding out the top-five are South Carolina, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Baylor.
NBA-CAVALIERS-SMITH
Cavs Smith sidelined
CLEVELAND (AP) β Cavaliers starting guard J.R. Smith will miss at least two games with a bruised right knee. He was injured in Monday night’s win over Philadelphia when he locked legs with 76ers forward Nerlens Noel.
Smith will miss Wednesday’s home game against New York and Friday’s against Philadelphia. He is doubtful for Sunday against Indiana.
Cavs coach David Blatt would not reveal his plans to replace Smith in the starting lineup. Matthew Dellavedova and Jared Cunningham likely will get more playing time with Smith sidelined.
NHL-WILD
Wild lose Fontaine
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) β Minnesota Wild right wing Justin Fontaine has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee that’s expected to keep him out four to six weeks. He was injured in the game on Friday against Chicago. Fontaine has one goal and three assists in eight games this season.
The Wild also revealed that rookie center Tyler Graovac has undergone surgery for a bilateral core muscle repair and will need about six weeks to recover.
