NEW YORK — Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black knew what he was talking about. Black played with all-time home run leader Barry Bonds in 1993 and 1994 in San Francisco. “I saw Barry in his prime,” Black said. Then he turned the conversation toward Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees slugger…

If these are still the getting-to-know-you stages for Liverpool’s supporters and Arne Slot, the early signs are they are going to get on just fine. Two games, two wins, two clean sheets — no Liverpool manager has done that since Graeme Souness in April 1991 and, to put how long ago it was in context,…

NEW YORK — Home-plate umpire Nick Mahrley was hit in the head with New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton’s splintered bat and carted off the field in the fifth inning of Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium. Stanton’s bat snapped at the handle and struck Mahrley in the left side of the…

Three-quarters of the way through the WNBA season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. One of the most interesting fault lines will be between fourth and fifth place in the standings, as teams battle for home court in the first round of the playoffs. The New York Liberty have a clear path to…

“My team have joked a few times that my waters could just break on the podium,” says archer Jodie Grinham, who will compete for Britain at this month’s Paralympic Games. “That would be quite something.” Grinham, speaking to The Athletic via video call from her training camp in St-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris, will be seven…

Deion Sanders’ news conferences often feel like a sermon. When he’s on a roll, his words have a rhythm and energy that remind me of a Sunday morning in the Black church. He will lead you to believe his purpose for being at Colorado is greater than football. Winning may be important, but developing complete…

Danny Jansen is set to make Major League Baseball history on Monday at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays will resume a June 26 game that was suspended for rain in what will be the first game of a doubleheader on Monday. Back in June, Jansen, then playing for the Blue…

BALTIMORE — Christopher Disalvo is a 4-foot-4 middle infielder with a baseball obsession. He lives on Long Island, N.Y., but saw his idol from section 48, row 21, seat 4 at Camden Yards. Jose Altuve ambled into the on-deck circle and heard Disalvo call his shot. “I asked him, ‘If you hit a home run,…

Follow live coverage of Georgia Tech vs Florida State in college football’s season opener today ATHENS, Ga. — Kirby Smart made it sound dire. On paper, Smart coaches the most talented college football team in America. But as he has surveyed his roster this month — deep down the roster — it’s confirmed a fear:…