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Browsing: teammates
When the Dodgers are on the field, Shohei Ohtani dominates the headlines with his base running, his slugging and his pitching. But off the field, his actions also resonate.
In a recent interview with Japanese media, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told a story of when the two-time World Series champion helped relief pitcher Gus Varlandâ€s mother get cancer treatment by making a “very, very big contribution.â€
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“Shohei does a lot of great things, but a lot of what he does is on the down low, quiet, so people donâ€t talk about it,†he said.
Varland made seven relief appearances with the Dodgers during the 2024 season — including pitching in the season-opening series in South Korea against the San Diego Padres — and posted a 4.50 earned run average in six innings of work before he was designated for assignment in July of that year.
Roberts said he ran into Varlandâ€s mother during the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays because his brother, Louis, pitched for them. Roberts said the mother told him she was cancer free.
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After spending his first six major league seasons with the Angels, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. In November, he won his fourth MVP award in five seasons, becoming the only player besides Barry Bonds to win it more than three times.
Ohtani helped the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series title after hitting 55 homers with a batting average of .282 and an ERA of 2.87 in 2025.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Detroit Red Wings have now collected three of four possible points to begin their six-game road swing, and they have future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane to thank for their victory on Saturday evening against the Seattle Kraken.
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It was Kane who fired a wrist shot past the glove of Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord with just 2:29 left in the third period, breaking a 3-3 tie and moving him to within three goals of 500 for his career.
The Red Wings managed to knot the score at 3-3 late in the second period after veteran forward James van Riemsdyk, who was selected second overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 NHL Draft just one pick after Kane was picked by the Chicago Blackhawks, scored for the third consecutive game.
While van Riemsdyk has played against Kane plenty of times in his career, including the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, he’s loving every second of being on the same NHL squad.
“It’s been the same for the 20 years I’ve known him,” van Riemsdyk said following the game in a postgame interview. “When the game is on the line, he’s the guy you want the puck on his stick. He usually comes through.”
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“A word class shot there and a big two points for us.”
The Red Wings also were boosted by goals from rookie Emmitt Finnie, who notched his sixth tally of the season in the opening 20 minutes of play.
Following the first goal by Red Wings forward Andrew Copp since Oct. 11, the Kraken seized the lead with two straight goals, only to have van Rimesdyk score late in the second period to knot the score at 3-3
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Kane himself didn’t seem much in the mood to take credit for the go-ahead tally, instead saying he felt his performance in the early goings of the contest wasn’t what he wanted it to be.
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“I wasnâ€t very good tonight,” Kane said. “But sometimes you donâ€t have your best and you can find ways to win on the road. Thatâ€s a good skill to have.â€
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This is the latest episode in a string of local media coverage of the England team on their tour of Australia.
Players were filmed on their arrival at Perth airport, with particular attention on Stokes and batter Joe Root.
The visitors have had drones follow them when playing golf and some players were pictured visiting an aquarium in Perth.
In the aftermath of a heavy defeat in the first Test, their performance and attitude came under heavy scrutiny. Former Australia pace bowler Mitchell Johnson said the England team are “arrogant”.
England are 1-0 down in the series and are planning a holiday in Noosa – north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast – following the second Test, regardless of the result.
Pope said England are “very aware” of the media attention but that they should be able to spend time away from cricket.
“For us as cricketers and as people it’s important to try and be able to switch off and be yourself,” said the Surrey batter.
Pope, 27, is on his second Ashes tour and highlighted the difference to his previous trip to Australia four years ago, when the England squad were subject to tough Covid restrictions.
“Locking your doors and not coming out of your room is the unhealthy thing to do, as we saw in Covid times,” said Pope.
“Whatever you’re doing in your off time, whether it’s just taking your mind away from cricket for a day or two, that’s really important.
“If they want to catch us doing that, then so be it. It is important to have that balance on a long tour like this.”
Australia fast bowler Scott Boland agreed with Pope on the need for players to have time away from cricket.
As the team hosting the series, Australia’s players have the benefit of returning to their homes between Tests.
“You want to enjoy your free time,” said Boland. “We can go home, see our families and stuff like that.
“You do like your privacy – I’m the same. I’m a pretty private person. I like being able to go home when I can and not have camera in my face all the time.”
England have confirmed their team for the second Test, with all-rounder Will Jacks taking the place of the injured Wood.
Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out with a back injury, meaning Travis Head, who scored a match-winning century in the opening Test, will continue at the top of the order and Josh Inglis or Beau Webster will come into the team.
Tensions often boil over on a football pitch, but it’s generally seen as the done thing for players to train their sights on the opposition.
That’s why you had to pinch yourself when Everton team-mates Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane squared up to each other in the 13th minute of their side’s 1-0 win at Manchester United on Monday night.
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What Kieron Dyer said to Lee Bowyer in their infamous on-pitch scrap
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness in a press conference with Bowyer and Dyer following the incident (Image credit: Alamy)
It is not the first time that team-mates have come to blows during a Premier League fixture, though, with arguably the most famous example occurring back in April 2005.
Newcastle United had already endured an afternoon to forget as the clock ticked down on their home game against Aston Villa, with the Magpies trailing 3-0 and reduced to 10 men following Steven Taylor’s red card.
It had already been a forgettable afternoon for Souness and his Newcastle side (Image credit: Alamy)
Midfielders Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer both started the contest, but were not exactly the best of friends having often been competing with each other for a place in the Newcastle starting lineup.
With eight minutes left, as Shola Ameobi looked to launch an attack for the hosts, Bowyer accused Dyer of not passing to him.
“It’s because you’re s***,” came the response – and all hell broke loose.
In front of more than 52,000 fans at St James’ Park, Bowyer marched up to his Magpies team-mate, grappled with him and started windmilling.
“I was trying to let him punch himself out,” Dyer later said. “But by the time the fourth one came in, I thought ‘F*** this’ and launched one back.”
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The fight took place in front of more than 52,000 people at St James’ Park (Image credit: Getty Images)
After players from both teams stepped in to separate the pair, both players were sent off – despite Alan Shearer protesting that it was a harsh decision – to leave Newcastle down to eight men.
Dyer and Bowyer continued to clash as they went down the tunnel, before they were both hauled into the post-match press conference and made to apologise by manager Graeme Souness, who reportedly challenged both players to a fight himself.
Bowyer was hit with a seven-match ban, in part because it was his second red card of the season, while Dyer was suspended for just three games.
Remarkably, Newcastle retained both players beyond the end of the season, with Bowyer joining West Ham United the following summer and Dyer leaving in August 2007…also for the Hammers.
Idrissa Gueye received a round of applause from the Everton squad after apologising for his extraordinary red card in Mondayâ€s victory at Manchester United.
The midfielder became the first Premier League player to be dismissed for striking a team-mate in 17 years when slapping Michael Keane at Old Trafford. Evertonâ€s performed heroically with 10 men for 85 minutes, stoppage time included, to hand David Moyes his first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in 18 attempts and deliver only the clubâ€s second victory at United in 33 years.
Gueye did not get an opportunity to speak to Moyes or his teammates at half-tim. Afterwards, with the away dressing room on a high following the 1-0 win, the Senegal international asked to address the entire group as well as Keane specifically. Gueye apologised to the defender for slapping him across the face. Their heated 13th-minute altercation followed the midfielderâ€s misplaced pass inside his own penalty area, which presented a chance to Bruno Fernandes. He also apologised to the squad for leaving them with a monumental task at Old Trafford and thanked them for pulling it off. Gueyeâ€s words were warmly received by the squad, who gave him a round of applause.
The 36-year-old could still be disciplined by Everton despite Moyes†admission that he “likes my players fighting each otherâ€. The Scot has a standard disciplinary procedure for red and yellow cards, including fines, and that is likely to be applied in Gueyeâ€s case.
Everton could be without their influential midfielder until the new year. Gueye will serve a three-match suspension against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be called up for Africa Cup of Nations†duty by Senegal before he becomes eligible to play against Chelsea on 13 December. Senegalâ€s first game is on 23 December and players can be released by their clubs two weeks before a tournament begins. Everton have not received a release date from Senegal as yet, however.
Gueye also issued an apology on social media following Evertonâ€s hugely impressive victory. “I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,†he wrote. “I take full responsibility for my reaction. I also apologise to my teammates, the staff, the fans and the club. What happened does not reflect who I am or the values I stand for. Emotions can run high, but nothing justifies such behaviour. Iâ€ll make sure it never happens again.â€
Meanwhile, Mathijs de Ligt accused United of lacking “urgency†in Mondayâ€s loss, one that halted their unbeaten run at five games. “The Premier League is not for the weak,†said the Dutch defender. “If they score after one chance and we donâ€t then that makes the difference. Thatâ€s the difference between winning and losing, the efficiency.
“We lacked that. We lacked the urgency to score goals, to create chances, and then against a team like Everton, who drops back and are really strong in the air, itâ€s going to be quite difficult. That basically sums up the night.â€
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United travel to Crystal Palace for Sundayâ€s noon kickoff. “The next game is really important now. We have to bounce back from this performance,†said De Ligt. “We had some good performances the last couple of weeks, and now we had a bad one. I think we can all say that. Now itâ€s for us to come back, stay together and to make clear what has to be better.â€
Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai was posted by the Seibu Lions earlier this month, opening the door for the starter to transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball. Since then, questions have arisen as to which roster the star pitcher could end up on.
Some have picked the Los Angeles Dodgers — a team featuring Japanese stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki — as a potential landing spot. But it looks like Imai is not on board with the idea.
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In an interview on Japanese news program “Hodo Station,” Imai said he would rather beat the star-studded Dodgers than play with them.
“Of course, Iâ€d enjoy playing alongside Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki,” Imai said, via MLB.com, “but winning against a team like that and becoming a World Champion would be the most valuable thing in my life. If anything, I’d rather take them down.”
If he were to join the majors, Imai would be the latest Japanese pitcher to transition to the U.S. In addition to Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki in the Dodgers’ rotation, Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga and New York Mets ace Kodai Senga have become some of the top pitchers in the league after being posted over the past few years.
But Imai said he doesn’t necessarily want to play with another Japanese player because he wants to fully embrace the experience of being on a diverse team.
“If there were another Japanese player on the same team, I could just ask them about anything, right?” Imai said. “But thatâ€s actually not what Iâ€m looking for. In a way, I want to experience that sense of survival. When I come face-to-face with cultural differences, I want to see how I can overcome them on my own — thatâ€s part of what Iâ€m excited about.”
MLB has embraced the influx of Japanese talent in recent years. The 2025 season started with a matchup between the Dodgers and Cubs in Tokyo, with Ohtani, Yamamoto and Imanaga among the players featured in the international event.
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That embrace will likely extend to Imai, who is one of the best pitchers in NPB. Imai, who sits at No. 14 on Yahoo Sports’ free agency rankings, would be a great pickup for any team looking to boost its rotation. Last season, the 27-year-old starter recorded a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts over 163 2/3 innings.
Imai was posted Nov. 10, which started the 45-day clock for MLB teams to negotiate with the starter on a contract. (As of Monday, that window is about one-third of the way through.) If he agrees to a deal, whatever team lands him will pay a posting fee for the Lions, which will vary based on the contract. If Imai does not agree to a deal, he will return to NPB for next season.
In the potential absence of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant will step up to lead the side. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) Rishabh Pant offered a brief look into Indiaâ€s preparations for the must-win Guwahati Test, sharing a set of photos with teammates and captioning them, “In good company.†The post came at a time when the team is under scrutiny after going 1–0 down in the two-match series against South Africa.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shares key update on Shubman Gill’s fitness ahead of second Test in Guwahati
Pant appeared at ease in the images, a contrast to the pressure India face heading into the second Test. With Shubman Gill still a question mark for the 2nd Test due to a neck spasm, Pant may lead India for the first time in Test cricket. His debut as captain will make him only the second wicketkeeper to lead India in the format, after MS Dhoni.
Rishabh Pant’s post on X
Notably, in the pictures, Shubman Gill was absent, as the vice captain and teammates Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep & Kuldeep Yadav posed for pictures. India will also be adapting to modified playing hours in Guwahati. Owing to early sunsets in the region, the match will begin 30 minutes ahead of the usual start time. The opening session will be followed by a shorter tea break, with lunch moved to early afternoon to maximise daylight. His comments and energy from behind the stumps have stood out, adding layers to an otherwise difficult match for India, who were bowled out for 93 in the fourth innings at Eden Gardens.
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Do you believe Rishabh Pant is ready for his debut as Test captain?
As the team regroups, Pantâ€s social-media post has been read as a sign of calm within the camp. The squad arrived in Guwahati knowing that only a win will help them salvage a draw in this series, and Pantâ€s leadership, if asked to do so, will be under close watch as he steps into a role previously held by MS Dhoni. The second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium begins on Saturday, with India seeking to avoid back-to-back home series defeats and reshape the narrative after a challenging start.
Smriti Mandhana and teammates in a video posted on her Instagram (Screengrabs) Indian opener and World Cup winner Smriti Mandhana has made her engagement official, confirming weeks of speculation with a light-hearted Instagram reel. The video, filmed with her India teammates Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil and Arundhati Reddy, quickly took over social media after it was posted on Thursday, November 20. In the reel, the group performs a short, choreographed act to “Samjho ho hi gaya” from “Lage raho Munna bhai”.
India Women’s cricketers to become CROREPATIS after World Cup win!
The playful clip ends with Mandhana showing off her her engagement ring to the camera in what was her first public confirmation of the news. Fans and teammates flooded the comments, calling the video the “cutest thing on internet todayâ€, and expressed their happiness and excitement. The announcement comes after weeks of hints from her partner, music composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal. Speaking at an event in Indore last month, he had said, “She will soon become the daughter-in-law of Indore… thatâ€s all I want to say,†as quoted by India Today. Watch the dance video hereThe couple has been in a long-term relationship, and Muchhal was present at the DY Patil Stadium during the World Cup final, celebrating Indiaâ€s historic win from the stands. Mandhana heads into this new phase of her personal life after a career-defining tournament. India Women lifted their first-ever ICC title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the ODI World Cup final. The vice-captain was central to Indiaâ€s campaign, finishing as the sideâ€s highest run-scorer with 434 runs in nine innings at an average above 54.
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Who do you think had the best performance in the Women’s ODI World Cup final?
Her standout performance was a 95-ball 109 against New Zealand in a must-win group match, an innings that featured 10 fours and four sixes. She also contributed a steady 45 in the final, forming a 104-run opening stand with Shafali Verma to set up Indiaâ€s strong total.
LeBron James made his season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and immediately reminded fantasy managers that he still moves the needle. In 30 minutes, he produced 11 points (4-7 FG) and 12 assists with 1 steal (41 fantasy points in High Score), showcasing a shift toward facilitator mode rather than the high-scoring engine of past seasons.
One-third of those assists — 4 out of 12 — found Deandre Ayton, highlighting a chemistry that elevates Aytonâ€s short- and long-term fantasy outlook. Ayton looked great thanks to a ton of easy looks near the rim. He finished with 20 points (10-13 FG), 14 boards and 2 stocks for 42 fantasy points.
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After last night’s performance, I don’t want to overanalyze James taking just seven FG attempts. It felt like a combination of LBJ finding his place within the offense and still doing him. However, I’d expect his scoring to dip this year with Luka DonÄić and Austin Reaves ready to absorb much of the scoring duties.
On the flip side, Reaves’ assist volume will likely decline from over eight per game with another playmaker of LeBron’s stature reentering the lineup. DonÄić (37 points and 10 assists for 74 fantasy points) and Reaves (26 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist for 36 fantasy points) both still thrived with James back, suggesting the offense has enough oxygen for multiple producers. Usage patterns may vary game to game, but Bron looked rejuvenated and provided a spark to one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Though the Lakers ended up victorious 140-126 over the Jazz, the dynamic duo of Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen did their best to keep the game close for two quarters. George finished with a season-high 34 points with 8 assists and 2 steals (60 fantasy points), while Makkannen continued his offensive onslaught, scoring 31 points (46 fantasy points).
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Orlando’s balanced approach too much for Golden State
The Orlando Magic impressed with a textbook example of team basketball in a 121‑113 win over Golden State. Six Magic players scored 13+ points, led by Desmond Bane (23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for 54 fantasy points) with Franz Wagner adding 18 and 8 rebounds (38 fantasy points) and Anthony Black coming through with 21 points off the bench. Wendell Carter Jr. (my High Score pick up of the week) anchored the frontcourt, scoring 40 fantasy points.
This well-distributed attack overwhelmed a Warriors team leaning heavily on Stephen Curry (34 points, 9 assists for 64 fantasy points) and Jimmy Butler (33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals for 57 fantasy points). Outside of those two, the Warriors†offense stalled. Also, pay close attention to Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, both of whom could be decent streaming options on Wednesday if Curry misses time after tweaking his ankle in Tuesday’s game.
Pistons push win streak to 11 behind young core
The Detroit Pistons continue to ride their youth movement with confidence, notching their 11th straight win behind a dominant performance from their new big three. Cade Cunningham was clinical (25 points, 10 assists for 57 fantasy points), Jalen Duren continued brutalizing the paint with 24 points in 29 minutes, and Daniss Jenkins continued his waiver-wire surge with an efficient 14 points with 7 assists. Jenkins has been one of the best short-term pickups over the past two weeks and should remain rostered while the hot streak lasts.
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Tuesday’s High‑Score standouts
The nightâ€s top fantasy outputs came from the usual suspects:
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Luka DonÄić: 74 fantasy points
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Stephen Curry: 64 fantasy points
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Jalen Johnson 63 fantasy points
Tuesday’s top streamers
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Vince Williams Jr. – SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies (12% rostered) — Showed near triple-double upside with 14 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds in 30 minutes Tuesday. With Ja Morant out and wing depth thin, he should be rostered in most leagues that can stomach his poor FG%.
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Collin Gillespie – PG, Phoenix Suns (18% rostered) — Scored 19 points with 6 assists, 4 3s and 1 steal in a win over Portland. I’d continue to hold while Jalen Green is sidelined.
Giannis’ injury fallout: Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, you’re up
With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined for one to two weeks due to a groin strain, the next men up in the rotation — Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis — stand to benefit. While their minutes and touches will increase, both remain matchup-dependent streamers rather than must-add assets. Kuzma’s been a shell of himself since coming to Milwaukee; however, in seven games without Giannis last season, Kuzma averaged 16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He also shot 48% from the field in those games.
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Portis saw a similar jump in production with Giannis out last year. In 11 games without The Greek Freak, Portis put up a robust 18.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. With Myles Turner and Ryan Rollins likely seeing the biggest opportunity, I don’t anticipate we’ll see Portis put up those kinds of numbers. Either way, they’re worth a stream and if they stink, drop them.
During the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup on the road against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, Luka Doncic showed the world he still has hops.
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The Lakers star possessed the ball in the backcourt before penetrating to the basket, splitting the defense.
As Doncic got to the paint, he gathered the ball and exploded up to the rim for a monstrous two-handed jam over Hornets forward Moussa Diabate before letting go of the rim and letting out a scream.
Doncic’s teammates couldn’t believe the dunk and trolled him in the comments of a photo he posted of the play on Instagram on Tuesday.
“U can dunk?” Lakers forward Jake LaRavia wrote, while forward Jarred Vanderbilt called the photo “AI.”
Lakers guard Austin Reaves also commented acknowledging the dunk, joking that it was Doncic’s “first dunk of the year.” Reaves’ comment was close to accurate. Doncic also had a finish at the rim against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 24.
According to Basketball Reference, the dunk marked Doncic’s third in the past two seasons — two with Los Angeles this season and one in 2024-25 with the Dallas Mavericks before he was traded.
Doncic poured in a game-high 38 points on 14-of-28 shooting in the 121-111 win over the Hornets. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out seven assists.
He is averaging 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.1 assists for the Lakers this season.