Sports

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The draw for the World Cup group stage draw has set up some intriguing prospects and will start on Nov. 21 with host Qatar playing Ecuador. Lionel Messi will possibly face Robert Lewandowski. Spain will definitely play Germany. Luis Suarez was handed another game against

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The Masters starts Thursday, and the course at Augusta National is among the most famous in the world because it hosts the only major held in the same place. Most memorable is the back nine because of the two par-5 holes that can be reached

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer The United States will play either Ukraine, Wales or Scotland in its World Cup opener, then meet England and Iran in its return to the tournament. The 15th-ranked Americans were drawn to start against the European playoff winner on Nov. 21, the tournament’s opening day in Qatar, then meet

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Talk about a rude welcome to the Master. The opening hole is known as “Tea Olive” because of the fragrant shrubs planted along the 445-yard hole. But it can get a little smelly. Tiger Woods recalls his first time playing it as a pro and

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The most controversial World Cup ever will feature in Qatar the most politically charged matchups. Just like in 1998, the United States will play Iran with diplomatic relations yet to be restored between the nations. Throw into the mix in Group B, England, whose

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tom Hanks will launch a new era of Cleveland baseball. The Oscar-winning actor will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Guardians’ home opener against the San Francisco Giants on April 15. It will be Cleveland’s first home game since dropping Indians, the team’s name since 1915. Hanks, who famously said

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Reigning Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama has withdrawn from the Valero Texas Open after nine holes of the second round, citing discomfort in his neck. Wearing a strip of medical tape on the side of his neck, Matsuyama teed off Friday and birdied his opening hole at TPC San Antonio. He made

By JAKE SEINER AP Baseball Writer Minor leaguers with wives and children are finding out days before the start of their seasons that some teams are not taking their families into account as part of a new policy guaranteeing housing for players. MLB initiated a policy for this season mandating that teams provide housing for

By IAN HARRISON Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have extended manager Charlie Montoyo’s contract through the 2023 season. The 13th manager in Blue Jays history, and the first from Puerto Rico, Montoyo has a 190-194 record through three seasons with Toronto. He led Toronto to a wild-card playoff berth in the

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Butler has fired coach LaVall Jordan after two straight losing seasons and a second consecutive finish near the bottom of the Big East. The Bulldogs were 14-19 this season and tied for ninth in the Big East at 6-14. Athletic director Barry Collier says his decision was made tougher because of Jordan’s

NEW YORK (AP) — Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson will serve a two-game suspension when the season starts next week for making contact with umpire Tim Timmons during the ninth inning of a game on Sept. 27. Anderson appealed when the penalty, which originally included a three-game suspension, was announced last season. He tweeted

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — In addition to “Play ball!” and “Yer Out!”, big league umpires will be heard saying “Overturned!” and “Upheld!” for the first time this season. Major League Baseball say umps will conduct in-park announcements during the replay review process. MLB was the last major pro sport