Former Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman and four-time All-Star Davey Lopes has died at the age of 80 in Rhode Island following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The organisation was informed of his passing on Wednesday by his former wife, Lin.
He formed a crucial part of a historic infield quartet alongside Steve Garvey, Bill Russell and Ron Cey during the 1970s and 1980s.
The group started together for a remarkable eight and a half consecutive seasons in California.
A prolific threat on the basepaths
The record-setting infielder established himself as one of baseball’s premier base stealers after making his major league debut in September 1972.
He stole 418 bases during a decade-long spell with the franchise, sitting second in their all-time history behind only Maury Wills.
The Rhode Island native holds the club record with an 83.1% career success rate for players with at least 100 steals.
In 1975, the lightning-fast leadoff hitter recorded a then-MLB record of 28 consecutive steals without being caught.
World Series glory and managerial career
The four-time All-Star appeared in four World Series, culminating in a championship victory over the New York Yankees in 1981.
His finest postseason performance came during the 1978 showcase, where he launched two home runs in the opening game and later secured a Gold Glove award.
After departing Los Angeles, the versatile veteran spent time with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros before retiring.
He finished his playing days with 557 career stolen bases, a tally that ranks 26th in Major League Baseball history.
Transitioning to the dugout
Following his retirement from playing, the former champion managed the Milwaukee Brewers for three seasons from 2000.
He subsequently enjoyed an extensive coaching career across the league, including spells with the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals.
A second World Series ring followed while operating as the first-base coach for the Philadelphia Phillies.
He eventually returned to the Dodgers as a baserunning coach, spending five seasons helping to develop the next generation of talent before stepping away in 2017.
Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau will play at the Masters this week using a 5-iron he fabricated himself with a 3D printer.
The 32-year-old American confirmed his unconventional equipment choice after completing a nine-hole practice round at Augusta National.
The United States Golf Association must officially approve the bespoke club before it can be used in tournament competition.
The ‘Mad Scientist’ pursues innovation
Nicknamed the “Mad Scientist” for his physics-based approach to the sport, the LIV Golf captain revealed he has spent years developing his own clubs.
When asked why he was introducing the self-built iron at the first major of the year, the tournament hopeful was characteristically blunt.
“Because they’re finally ready.”
The heavy-hitting golfer elaborated on his relentless pursuit of marginal gains and his willingness to experiment.
“There’s this nature that I have about myself where innovation is a habit of mine, and I really find and take pride in that ability to learn.”
Evolving approach at Augusta National
The former major winner arrives in Georgia in exceptional form, having secured his second consecutive LIV Golf victory in South Africa last month.
His strategy at the iconic venue has shifted significantly over the years.
He previously sparked controversy by declaring he would treat the demanding Augusta layout as a par-67 course due to his immense driving distance.
After that aggressive game plan backfired, a more conservative approach has yielded top-10 finishes in his past two Masters appearances.
A completely revamped golf bag
The equipment innovator ended his manufacturing deals with Cobra and LA Golf earlier this year.
His bag currently features an eclectic mix of gear, including a Krank driver, Avoda irons, and Bettinardi wedges.
Now, he is prepared to test his own engineering on golf’s grandest stage.
“We’ll see where it goes. We’ll see where it takes me,” DeChambeau said.
“All I could say now is, if I don’t put them in the bag, it’s my fault now.”
Tyson Fury has challenged Anthony Joshua to agree to a blockbuster all-British heavyweight clash before the end of the year, following his upcoming bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The 37-year-old takes on the Russian at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, marking his first ring appearance since December 2024.
Securing a long-awaited bout with his domestic rival remains the primary focus for the returning former world champion.
Previous attempts to finalise the highly anticipated match-up have repeatedly collapsed over the past decade.
Tragedy and a return to training
The prospect of a 2026 meeting faded following a fatal car accident in Nigeria last December that tragically killed two of Joshua’s close friends and team members.
However, the Olympic gold medallist has since resumed training and attended Deontay Wilder’s recent victory over Dereck Chisora in London.
With the American now heavily linked as an opponent for the Watford-born fighter, Fury believes a domestic showdown must happen immediately.
“This fight was supposed to happen so many times over the last 10 years, but then someone has had one more fight in between and someone has got knocked out or injured,” Fury said.
“I think we should get this fight on as soon as possible in case something happens in between.”
“Forget Wilder, the man is a shell of himself. Let me get through Saturday and then we will do the fight before the end of the year.”
Family rift overshadows comeback
It remains uncertain whether John Fury will be present in north London this weekend, as father and son are currently not on speaking terms.
Last month, the family patriarch publicly urged the heavyweight star to retire, claiming the gruelling trilogy with Wilder has left him severely diminished.
The returning veteran dismissed those comments, insisting his sole focus remains on his impending ring walk.
“I don’t care if he’s there, I’ve got business to take care of and who’s in the crowd is not an important thing to me at all,” he added.
“I haven’t really paid any attention to it because I take it with a pinch of salt.”
The San Antonio Spurs have ruled out star centre Victor Wembanyama and rookie Stephon Castle for Wednesday’s NBA fixture against the Portland Trail Blazers due to injury.
Wembanyama sustained a left rib contusion during the first half of Monday’s 115-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Meanwhile, Castle is sidelined with right knee soreness following a spectacular performance in the same match.
Award eligibility implications
The French sensation played exactly 15 minutes and 40 seconds against Philadelphia before his premature exit.
Under NBA guidelines, this abbreviated appearance counts as one of two permitted exceptions allowing between 15 and 20 minutes on court.
The towering 21-year-old must feature in a league-mandated minimum of 65 regular-season games to qualify for prestigious end-of-season honours.
He now requires just one more appearance of at least 20 minutes to officially lock in his eligibility for the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Castle sidelined after breakout performance
The loss of Castle deals a significant blow to the Texas franchise as they prepare to face Portland.
The dynamic young guard recorded a phenomenal triple-double against the Sixers, registering 17 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.
San Antonio will now have to navigate this Western Conference encounter without two of their foundational young talents.
Newcastle United are preparing a summer move for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia as they look to rebuild their attack following a disappointing Premier League campaign.
The Magpies are keen to find a long-term replacement for Alexander Isak after the Swedish forward joined Liverpool in a British-record £125m deal last year.
Attempts to fill the goalscoring void with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have proved largely unsuccessful during their debut seasons on Tyneside.
Manager Eddie Howe is now pushing to oversee a significant squad overhaul, with his side currently languishing in 12th place in the top flight.
Out of favour at the Bernabeu
Garcia initially broke into the Real Madrid first team following a stellar showing at the Club World Cup.
However, the 22-year-old has since fallen down the pecking order under manager Alvaro Arbeloa and is understood to be available for a transfer.
Previously compared to club legend Raul by Xabi Alonso, the Spanish forward remains highly regarded in his homeland.
Newcastle’s recruitment team believe the youngster possesses the physical and technical attributes required to thrive in English football.
Alternative targets considered
While Garcia has emerged as a serious option to lead the line at St James’ Park, the club’s scouting network has also evaluated other domestic targets.
Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap are reportedly among the alternative forward options being monitored by the recruitment department.
A potential deal for the Madrid academy graduate would represent a significant statement of intent as the North East club attempts to climb back up the table.
The Spanish prospect offers elite box presence and sharp movement that perfectly suits Newcastle’s transition-heavy tactical approach.
Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer this summer as they prepare for the potential departure of club captain Cristian Romero.
The Argentine centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season and has attracted interest from heavyweight clubs including Barcelona and Liverpool.
However, the highly-rated international is understood to prioritise regular first-team football, which Roberto De Zerbi can guarantee in north London.
Romero’s uncertain future
Spurs are actively planning for a defensive restructure due to ongoing concerns surrounding their current skipper.
The World Cup-winning defender has endured a turbulent campaign marred by multiple suspensions and public disagreements with the club’s hierarchy.
Despite signing a new long-term contract last year, the fiery South American is now widely expected to leave the capital.
Seeking stability after chaotic campaign
Tottenham are desperate to establish consistency following an incredibly chaotic period that saw them flirt with relegation.
The Lilywhites finished 17th in the Premier League last season, yet remarkably secured Champions League qualification by lifting the Europa League trophy.
A revolving door of managers has seen Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank, and Igor Tudor all dismissed in quick succession before De Zerbi assumed control.
A reliable replacement
Senesi has been described as a ‘gladiator’ for his commanding performances on the south coast this term.
While he may not currently boast the same global pedigree as his compatriot Romero, the impending free agent brings proven top-flight experience and vital reliability.
Capturing the dependable stopper represents a logical investment for a squad urgently requiring disciplined dressing room leaders.
American golfer Andrew Novak is preparing to make his highly anticipated Masters debut at Augusta National this April among an unusually experienced class of first-time players.
The PGA Tour professional has spent years obsessively studying tournament footage from the iconic Georgia course.
He likens his intense preparation to analysing American football tape, building a mental encyclopaedia of specific putts and memorable shots.
Despite missing the cut at the Players Championship in March, the 30-year-old remains sharply focused on his upcoming appearance at the season’s first major.
Transitioning from spectator to competitor
Every April, the self-confessed golf fanatic creates a multi-screen setup at home to monitor every available angle of the action.
However, he acknowledges that digital preparation can only simulate so much of the unique Augusta environment.
“I just feel like I do know the course better than what an average first-timer does,” Novak said.
“That being said, I’m sure come Thursday on the first tee I’m going to be completely numb.”
Historical hurdles for tournament debutants
History is notoriously unkind to newcomers attempting to conquer the pristine fairways of the legendary layout.
American Fuzzy Zoeller was the last player to win the green jacket on his first attempt, achieving the remarkable feat 47 years ago.
Two-time champion Bubba Watson believes that patience and observation are crucial for those making their inaugural appearance.
“If I’m being honest, if you get lucky enough to win at this place, more than likely it’s going to be later,” Watson advised.
“Just enjoy it, take it all in, try to learn some things and get ready for the next time you come around here.”
A uniquely qualified rookie class
This year’s crop of 16 non-amateur debutants possesses an unusual level of professional pedigree.
The group collectively boasts 12 PGA Tour victories and 12 DP World Tour titles.
While claiming victory on Sunday remains a monumental challenge, this seasoned rookie contingent threatens to upset the established hierarchy.
Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique vetoed a transfer for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in 2023 to avoid bringing major stars into his developing squad.
The 33-year-old Egyptian international is currently preparing to face the French champions at the Parc des Princes in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
He is scheduled to leave Anfield at the end of the current season following a highly successful nine-year tenure on Merseyside.
Shift away from superstar signings
The Ligue 1 title holders initially considered the prolific winger as a direct replacement for departing Argentine icon Lionel Messi.
However, Enrique rejected the proposal upon taking charge, maintaining a strict stance against signing established global superstars.
Paris St-Germain ultimately pivoted their recruitment strategy to focus entirely on nurturing emerging talent.
Denials over transfer negotiations
Previous reports in France suggested club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had held direct discussions with the attacker.
These claims were swiftly dismissed by Ramy Abbas Issa, the player’s representative.
He did not meet him. That’s the short story.
Al-Khelaifi subsequently refuted the speculation, publicly declaring that the club had never formally considered the transfer.
He’s a fantastic and amazing player, but we’ve never considered him, to be honest. We know every club would love to have him, but this rumour about us is simply not true.
The president emphasised their commitment to a youthful project, noting they possess one of the youngest teams in European football.
A legacy of success at Anfield
During his remarkable spell in England, the Egyptian captain has cemented his status as a modern great.
He has secured two Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups, the FA Cup, and the Club World Cup.
With Enrique expected to sign a contract extension in Paris, a future move to the French capital now appears highly unlikely.