FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — About 20 minutes after walking into opening day at the Minnesota State Fair, with microphone in hand, fanny pack around his waist, and baseball cap covering the faded “Monsters, Inc.” character painted on his head, Dragan Kesich wanders past the line for Pronto Pups corn dogs. He says he smells camels. Or…

At his darkest moment, when the worst thoughts flooded his soul, Mike Pereira wondered whether it was time to give up. Nothing alleviated his back pain — not yoga, not pilates, not any of the various methods of pain management his doctors recommended. Something we take for granted, stepping out of bed each morning, became…

The Chicago Sky fired coach Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season, the team announced Friday. The Sky hired Weatherspoon as the franchise’s head coach on Oct. 12, 2023, after spending four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans as an assistant. “After careful consideration, we have decided it is in the best interest of the organization…

Football’s dark arts. You may have read, heard or watched a bit about that subject this week. Wind-up merchants, rule benders, injury fakers, divers, pinchers, medical staff who love running on the pitch, time-wasters… every club has them, but how dark arts-y is your team? We can — and will — use metrics and data…

It was one of the ugliest off-court moments in recent NBA history. After Derrick Rose was found not liable for the alleged gang rape of his former girlfriend in 2016, jurors took pictures with the former league MVP outside the Los Angeles courthouse. Rose, the longtime Chicago Bull, was free to start his career with…

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Indiana Fever started their season coming up short against the Connecticut Sun. In the aftermath of that May opening-night defeat, they acknowledged their young roster — even if led by a phenom at point guard and the reigning Rookie of the Year in the post — had some learning to do…

This was never how Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula One career was supposed to end. For a driver who once looked like a potential world champion and quickly won over fans through his affable nature and infectious personality, he deserved a proper send-off after 13 years on the grid. Instead, he was left in limbo. To treat…

Corbin Carroll drew a five-pitch walk in the third inning of a forgettable Friday night in June. He had experienced the greatest thrill of his budding career at Citizens Bank Park last October but, as he jogged to first base, he was hitting .217. His confidence was cracking. Bryce Harper greeted Carroll. He put his…

Three down, how many more to go? Over the past seven weeks, the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds have all fired their managers. If history is any indication, the turnover is only beginning. A fourth job will open when Skip Schumaker exercises his “get out of jail free” card with the Miami…

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has told staff that the aim is to win the Premier League title in 2028, for the 150th anniversary of the club being formed. Berrada, who officially joined from rivals Manchester City in June, addressed employees during a meeting at Old Trafford last Wednesday and mapped out the ambitions…