The Chicago White Sox fired front office executives Ken Williams and Rick Hahn Tuesday, moving on from the longtime leadership pairing amid another disappointing season.
Williams had been Chicago’s executive vice president for 11 seasons after previously serving as the club’s general manager for 12 years. Hanh took over the GM role when Williams was promoted in October 2012.
The club announced the change in leadership by releasing a statement on social media, ending a disappointing era for the White Sox, who entered play Tuesday in fourth place in the AL Central with a 49-76 record.
The White Sox have not won a postseason series since their World Series title in 2005 and have made just three playoff appearances in that span.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision for me to make,” White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “Ken is like a son to me, and I will always consider him a member of my family.
“I want to personally thank Ken and Rick for all they have done for the Chicago White Sox, winning the 2005 World Series and reaching the postseason multiple times during their tenures.”
The club said in the statement that the search for a new head of baseball operations will begin immediately, and the White Sox hope to fill the position before the end of the season.
Jeremy Haber and Chris Getz served as assistant general managers under Hahn, but the White Sox did not say if internal candidates would be considered for promotion.
Chicago snapped an 11-year playoff drought in 2020 and followed by winning the Central with a 93-69 record in 2021.
Several key contributors from that 2021 squad moved on to other teams, while others – such as Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada – have since regressed.
The result was an 81-81 season last year and a disastrous 2023 season that is on pace for 98 losses.
This year’s team got out to a 7-21 start – including a 10-game April losing streak – and never made a serious run to get back into playoff contention.
The Los Angeles Angels need a miracle to make the playoffs.
They'll turn to a familiar face in hopes of making an improbable postseason push.
The Angels activated Mike Trout from the injured list ahead of their game against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
The three-time AL MVP had missed 38 games with a broken right hand sustained on a swing while fouling off a pitch in a game against the San Diego Padres on July 3.
The 32-year-old had surgery a few days later to remove a fractured hamate bone, and was initially projected to miss anywhere from four-to-eight weeks.
In 81 games this season, Trout is batting .263 with 18 home runs, 44 RBIs and has an .862 OPS.
His OPS is his lowest since his 2011 rookie season, but he still ranked fifth in the AL among all batters with a minimum of 325 plate appearances at the time of his injury.
Just prior to getting hurt, Trout was selected as a starter in the All-Star Game for a 10th consecutive time.
Los Angeles was two games out of a playoff spot through games on July 2, but has gone just 16-23 since to drop nine games behind the Seattle Mariners for the AL's final wild-card spot.
The Angels last made the playoffs in 2015, and their eight-season drought without a postseason berth is tied with the Detroit Tigers for the longest active streak in MLB.
Canada’s Woodbine racetrack’s handle on Sunday’s 13-race card of CAN$18.12 million was a record for a King’s or Queen’s Plate card at Woodbine, surpassing the previous record of CAN$18.00 set in 2019.
“The first King’s Plate in 72 years was an incredible event in every way,” Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“It resulted in an all-time wagering record. Thank you to our customers and to the Woodbine team for hosting an iconic social and sporting event.”
There were several factors that contributed to the record, including a field of 17 in the King’s Plate, the cancellation of racing at Del Mar (California) on Sunday, a rare pick five carryover, and mandatory payouts on both the Jackpot High 5 and the Jackpot Pick 6.
With Patrick Husbands aboard for champion trainer Mark Casse, Paramount Prince won the 164th running of King’s Plate at 8-1 odds by a length and a half over his more fancied stablemate Elysian Field (9-2), giving the 50-year-old Barbadian rider his third winner in the CAN$1 million Plate Classic, after Wando in 2003 and Lexie Lou in 2014.
The record day was big for Barbados as jockey Rico Walcott and trainer Renico Lafond also had stakes wins on the card.
Jamaican trainer Jason DaCosta landed his first stakes race of the current USA season on Monday when his gelding Gamboling Ghost scored a surprise win in the US$100,000 Whistle Pig Stakes for 2YOs at Parx Racing track in Pennsylvania.
Ridden by Colombian Jairo Rendon, the 8-1 bet Gamboling Ghost came from off the pace to take command inside the final sixteenth, pulling clear in the end to win by three lengths for owners Calypso Stable.
Gamboling Ghost clocked 1:07.62 in the 5-1/2-furlong sprint for his second win in three lifetime starts. The 17-1 shot Chilling Hassie was second.
DaCosta’s other entry Poker Partner was the 8-5 favourite but he stumbled badly at the start and also suffered interference down the backstretch and placed last in the 10-horse field. Currently the champion and leading trainer in Jamaica, the 38-year-old DaCosta is having a prosperous summer, coming off feature race wins at Caymanas Park three consecutive weeks this month, the Oaks with Mamma Mia, the Reggae Trophy with She’s My Destiny and the Arthur Jones Memorial last weekend with Is That a Fact.
DaCosta has 55 wins so far this year at Caymanas Park and 20 wins in the USA, scoring victories at Thistledown, Presque Isle Downs, Charles Town and Mahoning Valley.
Great Britain’s Matt Hudson-Smith targeted global glory after smashing the European 400m record.
The 28-year-old continued his bid to improve on last year’s bronze medal by reaching Thursday’s 400m final at the World Championships.
He ran an impressive semi to win in 44.26 seconds, a new personal best, on Tuesday in Budapest. He also broke the event’s 36-year European record, set by Thomas Schonlebe in 1987.
“I will be happy when I get that medal, as for (the record), that is just job done,” said Hudson-Smith.
“Coach told me to execute 300m and make sure the job was done, and then when I knew I was clear, I was saving something for the final, and I did that. I just need to get that medal now.
“My coach told me beforehand to enjoy it. He said ‘have you done this before?’ and ‘do you feel like you deserve to be here?’
“I have worked too damned hard to not get to the final. So I am really happy to have made it and it is all about getting that medal on Thursday.”
Wayde van Nierkerk, the 2016 Olympic and double world champion, needed a fastest loser spot after coming third in his heat.
There was also pride for Laura Muir, despite a sixth-placed finish in the 1500m final.
The Scot ran three minutes 58.58 seconds as defending champion Faith Kipyegon took the title at the National Athletics Centre.
Muir has endured a difficult build-up to the Championships when, along with Jemma Reekie, they split with long-term coach Andy Young in March.
She was surprisingly beaten by Katie Snowden to the British title last month but was fifth at the bell in an intense race before settling for sixth.
“I feel I lost a lot of time with the (coaching) disruption,” she said. “I wasn’t clawing it back but I needed to get into a new rhythm and reset. It took a lot out of me and we saw that in some races this year. It’s looking positive.
“It’s been very, very hard. It’s very different. I’ve been used to a certain situation for 12 years. It’s different but it’s very positive. It’s going to take time. You can’t rush these things.
“It’s not an excuse for the way I ran today. I’m proud of the way I ran. I did the best I could.”
Snowden and Melissa Courtney-Bryant were eighth and 12th respectively, while Max Burgin opened his 800m campaign with a comfortable second place in his heat.
The Brit clocked one minute 14.43s and team-mates Dan Rowden and Ben Pattison joined him in the semi-finals.
Burgin said: “It feels like a long time coming. It has been frustrating missing all these major championships over the last couple of years, so it feels great that I have finally made it.
“I made it to the start line and got into the semis, so it’s already an improvement on last year.
“I am in good shape and hopefully I will have more to give in the next round. I felt as good as I did in London (Diamond League) today, so it is a good sign.”
Cindy Sember also reached the 100m hurdles semi-finals in a time of 12.83s but Jessie Knight failed to make the 400m hurdles final.
Great Britain’s Matt Hudson-Smith targeted global glory after smashing the European 400m record.
The 28-year-old continued his bid to improve on last year’s bronze medal by reaching Thursday’s 400m final at the World Championships.
He ran an impressive semi to win in 44.26 seconds, a new personal best, on Tuesday in Budapest. He also broke the event’s 36-year European record, set by Thomas Schonlebe in 1987.
“I will be happy when I get that medal, as for (the record), that is just job done,” said Hudson-Smith.
“Coach told me to execute 300m and make sure the job was done, and then when I knew I was clear, I was saving something for the final, and I did that. I just need to get that medal now.
“My coach told me beforehand to enjoy it. He said ‘have you done this before?’ and ‘do you feel like you deserve to be here?’
“I have worked too damned hard to not get to the final. So I am really happy to have made it and it is all about getting that medal on Thursday.”
Wayde van Nierkerk, the 2016 Olympic and double world champion, needed a fastest loser spot after coming third in his heat.
There was also pride for Laura Muir, despite a sixth-placed finish in the 1500m final.
The Scot ran three minutes 58.58 seconds as defending champion Faith Kipyegon took the title at the National Athletics Centre.
Muir has endured a difficult build-up to the Championships when, along with Jemma Reekie, they split with long-term coach Andy Young in March.
She was surprisingly beaten by Katie Snowden to the British title last month but was fifth at the bell in an intense race before settling for sixth.
“I feel I lost a lot of time with the (coaching) disruption,” she said. “I wasn’t clawing it back but I needed to get into a new rhythm and reset. It took a lot out of me and we saw that in some races this year. It’s looking positive.
“It’s been very, very hard. It’s very different. I’ve been used to a certain situation for 12 years. It’s different but it’s very positive. It’s going to take time. You can’t rush these things.
“It’s not an excuse for the way I ran today. I’m proud of the way I ran. I did the best I could.”
Snowden and Melissa Courtney-Bryant were eighth and 12th respectively, while Max Burgin opened his 800m campaign with a comfortable second place in his heat.
The Brit clocked one minute 14.43s and team-mates Dan Rowden and Ben Pattison joined him in the semi-finals.
Burgin said: “It feels like a long time coming. It has been frustrating missing all these major championships over the last couple of years, so it feels great that I have finally made it.
“I made it to the start line and got into the semis, so it’s already an improvement on last year.
“I am in good shape and hopefully I will have more to give in the next round. I felt as good as I did in London (Diamond League) today, so it is a good sign.”
Cindy Sember also reached the 100m hurdles semi-finals in a time of 12.83s but Jessie Knight failed to make the 400m hurdles final.
Though disheartened by the manner in which Jaydon Hibbert’s debut showing at the World Athletic Championships ended, coach Travis Geopfert believes the minor setback is merely setting up his young charge for a major comeback next season.
Geopfert, like many Jamaicans and track and field enthusiasts at large, had high expectations about the gold medal prospects of the exciting triple jumper, who entered the Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with a world leading mark of 17.87m. Those expectations would have peaked when Hibbert topped the qualifiers in Saturday's first round with 17.70m.
However, Hibbert’s first appearance on the global stage ended in disappointment, as he suffered a right hamstring injury on his first attempt in Monday’s final and wasn't able to continue competing.
Geopfert, who works with Hibbert at the University of Arkansas, confirmed the injury as a Grade one hamstring strain. He pointed out that they have already started treatment and, by extension, processing the way forward, as he maintains a bright outlook for the 18-year-old.
“There is obviously a bright future ahead, I think one thing right now is that we have to make sure we do the right thing (going forward). We got the image last night, there is a small amount of swelling, but it is not a major injury which is a good thing. He is going to get treatment today; we have great medical support that is here, so we will do the things necessary to make sure that the healing process starts correctly,” Geopfert told journalists during a virtual press conference.
He continued: “The other thing that we are going to try to do is troubleshoot. There was no indication that there was going to be an issue yesterday (Monday), he was moving well, warm up was great, no cramping, no issue at all. So, what we need to do is go back and assess to get information, we need to do a sweat test to see how he sweats and what electrolytes and nutrients are being lost in his sweat so we can get some answers.
“We need to do some labs in terms of blood work and see if there are any deficiencies that we are missing…we often do labs, but we need to do it post exercise to see if there are any calcium deficiencies. From there we will then build for next year with a better plan in place to ensure that he continues to train and stays healthy and then we look for more exciting things through the NCAA season and into the Olympics.
Reflecting on the buildup to the final, Geopfert believes Hibbert’s warm-up alone, was a good indicator that he was very much on course to land what would have been a sensational gold medal, but for the heart-wrenching injury.
“His warmup was phenomenal…it (the gold medal) was very much on, I was excited as I thought the first attempt was going to be a monster jump, so this (injury) was out of the blue, this was not something that we never anticipated in any way at all,” Geopfert explained.
“When he came back, he said that the hamstring grabbed and so we were hoping for the best and that it was a cramp, so we went through what we needed to try to get it to release but there is only so much medical attention that is allowed at the moment in the stadium so there was very little that could really be done.
“He was trying to get ready to take the second jump, I was keeping an eye on whether he would have jumped out of order, but in a final you can’t jump out of order everything stays in order and then it became obvious that he couldn’t take the second jump,” he added.
While waiting for the jump cycle to come back around, Geopfert said he advised Hibbert to test the hamstring before going on the runway, but after being told that there is still a slight pain, the decision was taken to forgo the third jump as well.
“I tell athletes all the time that we can’t make emotional decisions, we have to deal with the information we have and make educated decisions. I understand being in the moment, but I also grasp a bigger picture for this young man, and I feel a sense of responsibility for him to always keep the bigger picture in mind,” the coach noted.
“So, I believe fully that it was the right call for him to skip that third jump, it wasn’t easy, but it was the right decision for him long term. It wasn’t until after that the emotions hit me personally and it was tough, but the kid is tough, and he is handling it extremely well. I am proud of him for a lot of reasons, not just for the results but about his growth and how he handled the moment and how he communicated so effectively in that difficult moment,” Geopfert reasoned.
On that note, Geopfert recollected the remarkable season Hibbert enjoyed leading up to the championships and declared it an extreme positive to build on after recovery.
During his debut season for Arkansas, Hibbert yielded numerous records. He won the NCAA indoor triple jump with a first attempt jump of 17.54m, a feat that earned him the World Athletics moment of the month award for March.
Additionally, he was named the SEC Indoor Freshman Field Athlete of the Year in the same month.
His mark surpassed the indoor Under-20 record of 17.20m set by Melvin Raffin of France in 2017, as well as the outdoor Under-20 standard of 17.50m set by Germany's Volker Mai in 1985.
Heading into the SEC Outdoors, the World Under-20 champion was unbeaten in three indoor competitions and two outdoor competitions. In Baton Rouge, he surpassed his opening leap of 17.02m with an impressive jump of 17.87m, setting a new world Under-20 record.
“It has been an unbelievable year for Jaydon, as a freshman, the transition to university in a new setting, he just did an unbelievably good job and then you look at the results that he had through the year and the records that he set, the World Under-20 records, indoor and outdoor, the NCAA records he set…just an unbelievable year across the board,” Geopfert beamed.
“Just watching him grow in terms of his maturity and how he handles things in both good times and bad, it’s been amazing, and I think it’s just been a great year overall. I am just extremely proud of him and the way he navigated it all extremely well and I am excited for the future because of that,” the Razorbacks coach ended.
Owen Farrell will miss the start of the World Cup after the England captain was banned for four matches by an appeal committee for his dangerous tackle against Wales
Farrell will be unavailable for the crucial Pool D matches against Argentina and Japan, with this month’s warm-up games against Ireland and Fiji also included in the suspension.
World Rugby had appealed against the decision of a disciplinary panel to downgrade Farrell’s red card for a high tackle at Twickenham on August 12 to yellow.
Owen Farrell will miss the start of the World Cup after the England captain was banned for four matches by an appeal committee for his dangerous tackle against Wales
Farrell will be unavailable for the crucial Pool D matches against Argentina and Japan, with this month’s warm-up games against Ireland and Fiji also included in the suspension.
World Rugby had appealed against the decision of a disciplinary panel to downgrade Farrell’s red card for a high tackle at Twickenham on August 12 to yellow.
There were mixed fortunes for the Caribbean men in the 400m semi-finals on day four of the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Tuesday.
Antonio Watson was first up and set the track ablaze with a massive personal best 44.13 to take semi-final one over the likes of South African world record holder Wayde Van Niekerk and American Vernon Norwood.
Norwood ran a personal best of his own with 44.26 for second while Van Niekerk ran 44.65 in third and Jereem Richards ran 44.76 in fourth.
Van Niekerk made it through to the final as one of the fastest losers while Richards was just beaten out Norway’s Havard Bentdal Ingvaldsen who ran 44.70 in heat two.
Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson Smith won the second semi-final in a personal best, British and European record 44.26 ahead of 2011 World Champion Kirani James who ran 44.58.
Unfortunately, reigning Olympic Champion Steven Gardiner looked set to book his spot in the final before pulling up injured while leading with about 100m to go in the third semi-final.
The race was eventually won by American Quincy Hall in 44.43 while Jamaica’s Sean Bailey also made it through to the final with 44.94.
Three Jamaicans will contest the medals in the women’s 400m hurdles as the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Budapest after producing excellent semi-final performances on day four on Tuesday.
Clayton was first-up in semi-final one with a personal best 53.30 to win and book her spot in the final. American Anna Cockrell also advanced to the final with a personal best 53.63 in second.
Andrenette Knight had to go up against a loaded field in semi-final two including Femke Bol and former world record holder Dalilah Muhammad. Bol took the win in an easy 52.95 while Knight ran brilliantly to finish second in 53.72. Muhammad ran 54.19 in third and failed to make it to the final.
The third semi-final saw four athletes make it through to the final. Shamier Little produced a season’s best 52.82 to win ahead of Bahrain’s Kemi Adekoya (53.69). National champion Janieve Russell ensured that it would be three Jamaicans in the final with 53.83 in third while Italy’s Ayomide Folorunso ran a national record 53.89 to also advance.
Navasky Anderson failed to advance from the heats of the Men’s 800m on day four of the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Tuesday.
Anderson, who ran a national record 1:44.70 in July to qualify for the championships, was only able to produce 1:45.81 for fifth in heat two.
After seven heats, Anderson’s time was just .05 slower than the final non-automatic qualifying time.
The 23-year-old also failed to advance from the heats at last year’s edition in Eugene.
Mary Earps has questioned Nike’s statement that defended the company’s decision not to sell replica England goalkeeper jerseys.
The Manchester United keeper won the golden glove at the World Cup, where she saved a penalty in the Lionesses’ 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sunday’s final.
Earps has become a firm fan favourite as interest in the women’s game has boomed – including the Euros success last summer.
Nike came in for criticism before the tournament when it became apparent replica Earps shirts would not be available.
In a statement released after the final, the kit manufacturer said: “Nike is committed to women’s football and we’re excited by the passion around this year’s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final.
“We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes.
“We hear and understand the desire for a retail version of a goalkeeper jersey and we are working towards solutions for future tournaments, in partnership with FIFA and the federations.
“The fact that there’s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women’s game and we believe that’s encouraging.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Earps posted a screenshot of the statement on her Instagram stories, adding the comment: “@Nike is this your version of an apology/taking accountability/a powerful statement of intent?”
In a following post, Earps provided a link to a change.org petition that started in July, calling on Nike to release the goalkeeper shirt and it currently has more than 97,000 signatories.
Prince Khalid Abdullah – owner of such superstars as Frankel, Dancing Brave, Zafonic and Enable – has been posthumously inducted into the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
Prince Khalid is just the second person to be recognised within the Hall of Fame’s Special Contributor category, following in the footsteps of the late Queen, who was inducted in 2021.
He was chosen by an independent panel of industry experts in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport, his achievements through his breeding and racing operation Juddmonte leaving a lasting legacy, its champions far too many to mention but also including Warning, Arrogate, Rainbow Quest, Dansili and Kingman and many others.
Prince Khalid’s induction will be officially marked through a special presentation moment at York on Wednesday, on the same day as the Juddmonte International, a race the organisation has supported since 1989.
Douglas Erskine Crum, chief executive of Juddmonte, said: “Prince Khalid was an owner-breeder like no other, with his numerous cherished champions, including perhaps the greatest thoroughbred of them all in Frankel.
“Through his racing and breeding operation, Juddmonte, the Prince has left a legacy which, now under the direction of his sons, Prince Fahad, Prince Saud and Prince Ahmed, continues to have a massive influence on the sport globally, at the same time as giving great pleasure and entertainment to his family.
“Prince Khalid would have been very pleased to be recognised by the British horse racing industry in this way and, on behalf of his whole family, I thank British racing and the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame for this exceptional accolade.”
Trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil, Frankel won all 14 of his races, including 10 at Group One level which featured the Juddmonte International.
“He’s the best I have had. I am lucky to have this horse,” Prince Khalid would say of the colt in a rare interview, flashing his warm smile in between questions.
“Let us hope another like him comes along in the future,” he added.
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