Former Houston Astros manager and three-time All-Star infielder Phil Garner has died at the age of 76 following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Garner’s family confirmed the sad news in a statement on Sunday, revealing he passed away the previous day.

Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his relentless and blue-collar approach to the game, the Tennessee native enjoyed a 16-year playing career in the major leagues.

World Series glory in Pittsburgh

The versatile infielder played a pivotal role in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 World Series championship campaign.

He batted an astonishing .500 during the Fall Classic as the Pirates overturned a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles.

His performances earned him immense respect, with Pirates chairman Bob Nutting paying tribute to his lasting legacy.

“Phil Garner was a fierce competitor, a respected leader, and a cherished part of the Pirates family,” said Nutting.

Across 1,860 regular-season games, he amassed 109 home runs and 225 stolen bases while representing the Oakland Athletics, Houston, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the San Francisco Giants.

Managerial success in Houston

Transitioning to the dugout, the former second baseman compiled nearly 1,000 victories across a 15-year managerial career.

He previously held the record for the most managerial wins in Milwaukee Brewers history until Craig Counsell surpassed his tally in 2022.

“He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor,” read a statement from the Brewers.

However, his most notable achievement as a skipper came after taking charge of Houston midway through the 2004 season.

The passionate leader successfully guided the franchise to their first-ever World Series appearance the following year, where they were eventually swept by the Chicago White Sox.

“Phil never lost his signature spark of life; he was so well known for his love for baseball, which was with him until the end,” said his son, Ty Garner.

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar will miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining facial fractures when he was struck by a puck during Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Stanley Cup-winning manager was hit on the right cheek during a 3-2 overtime defeat in Denver and was immediately taken to hospital for a CT scan.

Team officials confirmed on Sunday that the 52-year-old also suffered a corneal abrasion but is expected to make a full recovery without requiring surgery.

The Colorado boss will now not travel with his roster for their upcoming road trip to western Canada.

Assistants step up ahead of play-offs

Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will take charge of the team for their final two regular-season fixtures against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

Hakstol previously assumed duties on the bench for the remainder of the game after the frightening incident occurred with just under 17 minutes remaining.

The injury happened when a puck deflected off the stick of Vegas defenceman Keegan Kolesar and flew rapidly over the boards into the technical area.

“It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there.”

Avalanche assistant coach Nolan Pratt

“It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”

Top seed secured despite defensive injury

Colorado had already safely clinched the top overall seed for the forthcoming postseason earlier in the week after amassing an impressive 115 points.

Their play-off campaign is scheduled to commence next weekend, by which point the franchise hopes their head coach will be able to return to the bench.

However, the Western Conference pacesetters face an additional injury worry regarding their defensive core.

Blue-liner Josh Manson was forced to leave the Vegas match late in the second period with an upper-body issue and is currently undergoing further medical evaluation.

The Los Angeles Sparks have acquired two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins from the Chicago Sky in a blockbuster Sunday trade involving 2024 draft pick Rickea Jackson.

The Olympic gold medalist arrives in California after briefly being designated as a core franchise player by her former team.

In return, the Midwestern outfit secures a promising young talent who is currently operating on her rookie contract.

Sparks build formidable roster

This high-profile acquisition signals clear championship ambitions for the Los Angeles organisation heading into the 2026 season.

The Western Conference side has aggressively retooled its squad, recently securing the signature of 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike.

They have also guaranteed the long-term futures of multiple title-winners, including Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby.

These established veterans will now line up alongside rising star Cameron Brink and newly added playmaker Erica Wheeler.

Sky continue dramatic rebuild

Moving the 5-foot-10 guard represents another major structural shift for the rebuilding Chicago-based club.

Management has heavily altered the rotation in recent days, most notably shipping out star forward Angel Reese for future draft capital on the eve of free agency.

Securing a talented 6-foot-2 forward adds vital youth to a remade roster that now features experienced additions like Skylar Diggins and Azura Stevens.

Contrasting skillsets exchanged

The departing veteran brings exceptional two-way ability to her new team, boasting five all-defensive selections alongside reliable perimeter shooting.

The 2019 championship winner contributed significantly during her last campaign, averaging 13.1 points and 3.6 assists per game.

Conversely, the incoming sophomore prospect offers immediate offensive output for her new employers.

Following an impressive All-Rookie campaign in 2024, the former fourth-overall selection elevated her scoring production to 14.7 points per contest last season.

Wout van Aert out-sprinted world champion Tadej Pogacar in the Roubaix Velodrome to win the Paris-Roubaix classic and end his decade-long curse on the cobbles.

The 31-year-old Belgian secured his second Monument title following a brutal five-hour race marred by punctures and severe mechanical issues.

He perfectly timed his final burst of speed to thwart the Slovenian rider’s attempt to make cycling history in the “Hell of the North”.

Pogacar denied historic treble

Pogacar arrived in France seeking a remarkable third Monument victory of the season after already triumphing at Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders.

The current world champion was also attempting to become the first Tour de France winner to conquer this treacherous course since Bernard Hinault in 1981.

However, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider matched his rival’s powerful attacks across the brutal cobbled sectors before overpowering him on the final track.

“Arriving for a final sprint with the world champion and beating him in a sprint is very special,” said the victorious rider.

Heartbreak for Van der Poel

Mathieu van der Poel saw his hopes of securing a fourth consecutive victory in the prestigious race destroyed by significant mechanical misfortune.

The Dutch pre-race favourite suffered two separate equipment failures and lost more than two minutes on a particularly challenging cobbled sector.

Despite mounting a valiant chase, he could not contest the final sprint and was forced to settle for fourth position behind Jasper Stuyven.

An emotional tribute

Victory proved incredibly poignant for the Belgian powerhouse after years of crashing out and suffering untimely punctures in the spring classics.

“It’s everything to me, it’s been a goal since I first did this race,” he explained.

“I stopped believing a lot of times but I would start believing again the next day.”

The newly crowned champion dedicated his monumental triumph to the memory of Michael Goolaerts.

His former teammate tragically passed away in 2018 after suffering a cardiac arrest while competing in the exact same event.

Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a crucial 80th-minute equaliser to earn Crystal Palace a hard-fought draw against Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The French striker was introduced from the bench and made an immediate impact for the South London outfit.

Trailing in the latter stages of the contest, the hosts required a moment of inspiration to salvage something from the match.

The imposing forward provided exactly that, finding the back of the net with a powerful finish to thrill the home supporters.

Impact from the bench

This late intervention highlights the attacking depth available to the Eagles as they navigate a demanding domestic campaign.

Newcastle had previously looked poised to secure all three points on their travels before the substitute altered the script.

Eddie Howe’s men will undoubtedly view this late concession as a missed opportunity to climb the top-flight table.

Vital point for the Eagles

Securing a result in such dramatic fashion will provide a significant morale boost for the London club.

The talismanic attacker has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver crucial goals when his team needs them most.

Both sides must now regroup and focus on building positive momentum as the rigorous league schedule continues.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero left the pitch in tears following a harrowing collision with team-mate Antonin Kinsky that paused their Premier League match at Sunderland for eight minutes.

The severe incident occurred midway through the second half at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey chased a loose ball into the penalty area, prompting the Argentine centre-back to shield possession.

During the ensuing challenge, the defender’s knee appeared to strike the head of the onrushing Spurs goalkeeper.

Medical staff rush to the scene

Medics from both clubs sprinted onto the field to administer urgent treatment to the stricken pair.

The South American defender lay face down on the grass while the young shot-stopper remained flat on his back.

Play was halted for nearly ten minutes as the medical teams carefully assessed the severity of the injuries.

The distraught World Cup winner was eventually helped off the field, clearly emotional after the distressing clash.

Spurs’ struggles continue on Wearside

The sickening injury compounded what was already a deeply frustrating afternoon for the visiting Londoners.

The Lilywhites had arrived in the North East desperately looking to reverse a worrying run of recent domestic form.

Their task was made significantly harder just moments before the stoppage when the hosts broke the deadlock.

Frenchman Nordi Mukiele drove aggressively towards the visitors’ penalty area before unleashing a powerful strike.

A heavy deflection subsequently wrong-footed the unfortunate Kinsky and sent the ball trickling into the Tottenham net.

Newcastle United forward Will Osula bundled home an unconventional 43rd-minute opener from the floor to give his side the lead against Crystal Palace.

The young striker managed to find the back of the net in scrappy fashion just before the half-time whistle at Selhurst Park.

Despite the chaotic nature of the finish, the visitors gladly accepted the advantage in a tightly contested Premier League encounter.

An unconventional breakthrough

The defining moment of the first half arrived as the ball bobbled unpredictably inside the home side’s penalty area.

Rather than a clean strike, the 21-year-old was forced to improvise and finish from a prone position on the turf.

“It’s not pretty, it doesn’t matter.”

Those words from the commentary perfectly captured the essence of a goal that prioritised persistence over aesthetic appeal.

Seizing a rare opportunity

Finding regular playing time has been a challenge for the Danish youth international since his arrival at St James’ Park.

However, this crucial contribution will certainly help his case for further involvement under manager Eddie Howe.

The Magpies will now look to consolidate their narrow advantage as they aim to secure all three points in south London.

Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta has claimed the World Rally Championship lead after securing a dramatic victory at Rally Croatia following Thierry Neuville’s devastating last-stage crash.

The defending 2024 champion, Neuville, had established a commanding advantage of one minute and 15 seconds heading into the final stage.

However, the Belgian slid wide on a treacherous bend, shattering his Hyundai’s suspension against a concrete block.

This late heartbreak forced the former rally leader to retire, immediately gifting the win to his Japanese rival and Northern Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston.

Evans salvages vital championship points

The unexpected triumph marks a second consecutive WRC victory for the rising motorsport star, following his maiden success in Kenya.

Consequently, Welshman Elfyn Evans relinquishes his spot at the top of the standings, trailing his in-form Toyota team-mate by seven points.

Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin had previously crashed out of contention on Friday following an uncharacteristic error.

Despite the severe setback, a resilient performance during Super Sunday and the closing power stage allowed the duo to claw back crucial points in the title battle.

Heartbreak for Neuville and Breen tribute

The sudden retirement denied Neuville a highly sought-after first win of the current campaign.

A victory would have held profound emotional significance for the Hyundai garage, who were running a special livery paying tribute to the late Craig Breen.

The popular Irish driver tragically lost his life aged 33 in a testing accident before the 2023 edition of this exact event.

Mixed fortunes for M-Sport contingent

Elsewhere in the field, Sami Pajari and Hayden Paddon successfully navigated the intense attrition to complete the podium places.

Motorsport Ireland’s Josh McErlean suffered a deeply frustrating weekend, missing out on a career-best finish after sustaining a Friday puncture from fifth place.

A subsequent electrical fire in his M-Sport Ford Puma on Saturday ultimately dropped him entirely out of the points-scoring positions.

The gruelling asphalt series will next give way to the Canary Islands rally, scheduled to commence on 23 April.

Rally Croatia top three

Current WRC standings