MLB: Indians hire Francona
Terry Francona, who guided the Red Sox to two World Series titles, has been hired as manager of the Indians, a team that collapsed in the second half this season after a promising first four months.
The 53-year-old will be introduced as Cleveland’s 42nd manager during a news conference tomorrow at Progressive Field.
Cleveland chose Francona over Sandy Alomar Jr., who served as the club’s interim manager for the final six games after Manny Acta was fired on Sept. 27.
NCAA: Navy to Big East early?
Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco said yesterday he will talk to Navy about the possibility of joining the conference earlier than its scheduled 2015 arrival as a football-only member. Aresco spoke to reporters before Connecticut played at Rutgers.
The Big East is on target to become a 12-team football conference next season, with the addition of Boise State and five other schools. The conference has made it clear that it will be in the market for a 14th member to balance out the league when Navy joins.
GOLF: Birdie blitz for Blixt
Jonas Blixt birdied six of the last seven holes for a 5-under 66 and a share of the lead with Ryan Moore and Brendon de Jonge at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.
Moore had a bogey-free 65, and de Jonge birdied four of the last five for a 66 to match Blixt at 19-under 194.
John Daly, tied for sixth at 10 under after a season-best 63 on Friday, had a 15-over 86 to drop to last among the 72 who made the cut.
In Cary, N.C., Steve Pate and Fred Funk each shot 3-under 69 to share the second-round lead at 8 under in the Champions Tour’s SAS Championship. Jay Don Blake and Andrew Magee were a stroke back.
In St. Andrews, Scotland, Branden Grace shot a 3-under 69 for a four-stroke lead going into the final round of the Dunhill Links Championship.
ETC: Chelsea ups lead
Chelsea extended its Premier League lead with a 4-1 victory over Norwich while defending champion Manchester City climbed to second place by beating Sunderland, 3-0.
Chelsea rallied after Grant Holt scored for Norwich in the 11th minute. Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard scored before halftime and Branislav Ivanovic added a late goal.
In Talladega, Ala., Kasey Kahne won his first career pole at Talladega Superspeedway, leading a strong group of championship contenders in the qualifying session.
Kahne’s lap of 191.455 mph bettered Ryan Newman’s 191.145, putting a pair of Chevrolets on the front row for Sunday’s race.