Former Reds First Baseman Todd Benzinger Dies at 63

CINCINNATI — Todd Benzinger, the first baseman whose catch in foul territory ended the Cincinnati Reds’ four-game sweep of Oakland in the 1990 World Series, has died at age 63, the Reds announced Thursday. The club said Benzinger died Wednesday. No cause of death was given. Benzinger grew up in the Cincinnati area and attended
76ers Erase 29-Point Hole to Stun Cavaliers 114-106

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Philadelphia 76ers fell behind by 29 points in their home opener Thursday night and still walked off the floor winners, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106. Cleveland owned the first half, scoring 35 points in the opening quarter and 34 more in the second. Philadelphia answered with 37 points in the third
Bears Hold Off Patriots 30-24 on Thursday Night

CHICAGO, Ill. — Caleb Williams outdueled Drake Maye on Thursday night, throwing for 308 yards and two touchdowns as the Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 30-24 at Soldier Field. Williams hit on 22 of 33 throws, his second start since returning from a hamstring injury, and Chicago improved to 5-2 with its fourth
Tolle, Rojas and Clement Named World Series Correspondents

MILWAUKEE — Three players who will not be in uniform for the Brewers-Rays World Series will still be part of it: Major League Baseball said Thursday that Boston pitcher Payton Tolle, veteran infielder Miguel Rojas and Toronto’s Ernie Clement will work as player correspondents. Tolle handles Media Day and Game 1 in Milwaukee, appearing on
Strong, Watkins Lead Preseason All-America Women’s Team

NEW YORK — Sarah Strong of UConn and Southern California guard Watkins, the last two national players of the year, top the preseason All-America women’s basketball team released Thursday by the national media panel. Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo, Texas forward Madison Booker and Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes round out the five-player group, chosen by
LeBron James Shrugs Off Trump Anthem Criticism

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — LeBron James brushed aside President Donald Trump’s latest attack Thursday night, laughing off the criticism after the Philadelphia 76ers rallied past Cleveland and suggesting it must have been a slow day for news. Earlier Thursday, Trump posted a video on social media showing James moving around as the anthem played ahead of
Salary Cap Fight Puts MLB Lockout Threat Over World Series

MILWAUKEE — The Brewers and Rays open the World Series on Friday night with a labor fight hanging over the sport: if owners and players cannot agree on a new contract, these could be the final big league games for months. The current five-year collective bargaining agreement runs out Dec. 1. Owners want a salary
Southern Coach Marshall Faulk Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis

BATON ROUGE, La. — Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, in his first season as head football coach at Southern University, has disclosed that he is living with Parkinson’s disease. Faulk, 53, revealed the diagnosis as a guest on The Caring Neurologist, a podcast hosted by Dr. Sandeep Thakkar. The disease gradually worsens over
JJ Watt Signs Multiyear Deal as Lead NFL Game Analyst

NEW YORK — JJ Watt is staying in the top chair. The former Houston Texans star signed a multiyear agreement Thursday that makes him the permanent lead analyst on his network’s No. 1 NFL broadcast team, next to play-by-play voice Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. Watt, 37, moved into the role this season
Guardians Relievers Brogdon and Hernández Elect Free Agency

CLEVELAND — Two right-handed relievers who spent part of 2026 in the Cleveland Guardians bullpen are heading to the open market. Minor league transaction records show Connor Brogdon and Carlos Hernández both opted for free agency this week, shortly after Tampa Bay eliminated Cleveland in a sixth game of the AL Championship Series. Brogdon, 31,