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Rangers sign 2021 first round Draft pick Jack Leiter, selected second overall in the 2021 MLB Draft

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Rangers sign 2021 first round Draft pick Jack Leiter, selected second overall in the 2021 MLB Draft

The Vanderbilt University product was a Golden Spikes Award finalist

 

Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers today announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Jack Leiter, the team’s first round selection (second overall) in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. Leiter was selected by the Rangers on the evening of Sunday, July 11.

 

Leiter, 21, has pitched the last two seasons at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. In his sophomore season in 2021, he went 11-4 with a 2.13 ERA (26 ER/110.0 IP) over 18 games/starts, averaging 14.6 strikeouts per 9 innings with a 0.845 WHIP figure while holding opponents to a .129/.242/.250/.492 (48-372) slash line with 179 strikeouts and 45 walks. Leiter’s 179 strikeouts tied teammate Kumar Rocker for NCAA Division I lead this past season, and he also ranked among circuit leaders in innings (2nd), starts (T3rd), strikeouts per 9 innings (4th), and WHIP (7th).

 

Leiter was the winning pitcher in the Commodores’ only victory in the 2021 College World Series Finals in Omaha, an 8-2 Game 1 win over Mississippi State on June 28 in his last outing of the season (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R-ER, 3 BB, 8 SO). His win in the Super Regionals on June 12 against East Carolina (7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 10 SO) secured a trip to the College World Series. He produced 20.0 consecutive hitless innings spanning 3 starts from March 20-April 2, including a no-hitter on March 20 vs. South Carolina (9.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 16 SO) and 7.0 no-hit innings on March 26 at Missouri.

 

A finalist for the 2021 Golden Spikes Award, Leiter was selected as Southeastern Conference Newcomer of the Year as well as All-SEC First Team this season. The New Jersey native attended high school at Delbarton School in Morristown, where he was the 2019 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year as well as an Under Armour All-American. Jack is the son of former MLB All-Star Al Leiter, a left-handed pitcher who saw action in 19 Major League seasons before becoming a TV broadcaster and analyst in his post-playing career.

 

This year marked just the third time the Rangers have ever picked as high as second overall in the draft, the team’s earliest such pick since 1974. The Rangers have selected a college player with the club’s first overall pick for three straight years, as Leiter follows third baseman Josh Jung (eighth overall in 2019 out of Texas Tech University) and second baseman Justin Foscue (14th overall in 2020 out of Mississippi State University). Leiter was the first pitcher selected by the Rangers with the club’s first overall pick since right-hander Cole Winn was selected 15th overall in 2018.

A’s acquire OF Starling Marte from Miami for LHP Jesús Luzardo

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A’s acquire OF Starling Marte from Miami for LHP Jesús Luzardo

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s have acquired outfielder Starling Marte and cash considerations from the Miami Marlins in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo, the club announced today.

 

Marte is batting .306 with a .407 on-base percentage in 63 games with Miami and ranks second in the National League with 22 stolen bases. He missed over a month of the season with a fractured rib but has the fourth best on-base percentage and seventh best batting average in the NL among players with at least 250 plate appearances. Marte is also hitting .317 with runners in scoring position and .463 since the All-Star Break. The 33-year-old is tied for second among NL outfielders with six assists and has 69 outfield assists dating back to 2015, which are the most in the majors over that span.

 

Marte has played 10 seasons in the majors with Pittsburgh (2012-19), Arizona (2020) and Miami (2020-21) and is a .288 career hitter with 121 home runs, 472 RBI and 271 stolen bases in 1,077 games. He was named to the NL All-Star Team in 2016 and won back-to-back Gold Gloves in 2015-16. The right-handed hitting native of the Dominican Republic is the only player in the majors with at least 20 stolen bases in each of the last eight full seasons and is one of four active players with at least 100 career home runs and 200 career stolen bases.

 

Luzardo was on the A’s Opening Day roster and was 2-4 with a 6.87 ERA in 13 games, including six starts, when he was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas June 21. He is currently 2-2 with a 6.52 ERA in eight starts with the Aviators. The 23-year-old left-hander was acquired by the A’s from Washington prior to the 2017 trading deadline and was 5-6 with a 4.79 ERA in 31 games, including 15 starts, in three seasons with Oakland.

Bengals roster move

NFL Editor
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Bengals roster move

The Bengals today placed DT Larry Ogunjobi on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.

Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitão Steps Down from Post

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Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitão Steps Down from Post

Leitao to remain on as temporary advisor for Club’s soccer operations

 

ORLANDO, Fla. — Alex Leitão has resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer for Orlando City SC, it was announced today. Leitão, who joined the organization in 2015, will remain involved as a soccer operations advisor to the organization.

 

“On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to thank Alex for everything he has given to Orlando City and the Orlando Pride during his time with the Club,” Orlando City SC Chairman Mark Wilf said. “We are respectful of his decision to step away and appreciate him for the support he has provided, especially during our acquisition period. We are pleased he will be staying involved with the Club in an important role, as we aim to continue the successes both teams have shown on the field this season.”

 

“Being the leader of this organization has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I am incredibly proud of everything that we have been able to accomplish over the previous seven seasons, from our first-ever Orlando City match to last year’s incredible playoff run, to bringing the Pride to Orlando and all of the successes we have achieved in our front office,” ​​Leitão said. “I’d like to thank everyone who has dedicated their efforts to the Club and who have helped build Orlando City to the globally-recognized franchise that it is. While my decision to step away was not easy, it is one I do with the belief that the Club is in great hands with the Wilf family, and I am happy to help assist in providing a smooth transition for this new era for Orlando City SC.”

 

Appointed as the Club’s first CEO of the Major League Soccer era, ​​Leitão has led both the business and soccer departments over the previous seven seasons, building the front office from just a few to one of the largest in the league.

 

The Brazil native has pushed the Club to reach new heights, notably starting with the Lions’ record-breaking debut at the Florida Citrus Bowl in front of a crowd of 62,510 fans. From that point on, ​​Leitão oversaw the project that brought Exploria Stadium to life, the Club’s privately-funded soccer-specific venue in downtown Orlando, as well as the introduction of the Orlando Pride as the National Women’s Soccer League’s second-ever expansion side.

 

On the field, ​​Leitão helped bring some of the game’s biggest stars to the City Beautiful, including Kaká, Nani, Marta and U.S Women’s National Team standouts Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger and Sydney Leroux.

 

Most recently, ​​Leitão was integral in bringing the highly-successful MLS is Back Tournament to life in Orlando, working with Major League Soccer, Disney and local officials to safely return to play at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Following the MLS is Back tournament, ​​Leitão’s leadership guided the Club through the COVID-19 pandemic, not only maintaining all jobs for the Club’s staff, but safely returning both matches and fans to Exploria Stadium for the remainder of the 2020 season and beyond.

 

Under Leitão’s tenure, Exploria Stadium has established itself as the premier destination for some of the game’s greatest competitions, hosting events such as FIFA World Cup qualifying, Concacaf Champions League and Gold Cup, the SheBelieves Cup, the NCAA College Cup as well as numerous friendly matches for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams.

UCF Football to Face Maryland in 2025 and 2028

NCAAFB Editor
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UCF Football to Face Maryland in 2025 and 2028

UCF and Big Ten Conference member Maryland have scheduled a football series featuring games in the 2025 and 2028 seasons.

 

The Knights will play the Terps on Aug. 30, 2025, at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. Then those two teams return to face each other Sept. 9, 2028, at the Bounce House in Orlando.

 

“Maryland represents another strong series for UCF against a Big Ten opponent,” says UCF vice president and director of athletics Terry Mohajir. “These will be attractive intersectional matchups for fans of both programs.”

 

UCF and Maryland will be meeting for the third and fourth times. The previous contests came in 2016, a 30-24 Terp victory in Orlando—and in 2017, a 38-10 Knight triumph in College Park.

 

UCF previously has played games against other Big Ten members Michigan (2016), Nebraska (1997), Ohio State (2012), Penn State (2002, ’04, ’13, ’14), Purdue (1998, ’99), Rutgers (2009, ’13) and Wisconsin (2004).

Minnesota Wild Re-Signs G Andrew Hammond

NHL Editor
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Minnesota Wild Re-Signs G Andrew Hammond

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has re-signed goaltender Andrew Hammond to a one-year, two-way contract ($750,000/$200,000).

 

Hammond, 33 (2/11/88), was assigned to the Minnesota Wild taxi squad on Jan. 13, 2021 and did not appear in a game during the 2020-21 season. He went 16-12-3 with a 2.53 goals-against average (GAA), a .908 save percentage (SV%) and four shutouts in 33 games with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2019-20. He ranked T-3rd in the AHL in shutouts. The 6-foot-2, 223-pound native of Surrey, B.C., went 19-12-2 with a 2.81 GAA, a .908 SV% and three shutouts in 33 regular season contests with the Iowa Wild in 2018-19. Hammond also posted a 5-6 record with a 2.46 GAA, a .912 SV% and two shutouts in 11 Calder Cup Playoff games in 2019.

 

He is 27-15-6 with a 2.31 GAA, a .923 SV% and four shutouts in 56 career NHL games (49 starts) in parts of five NHL seasons with Ottawa (2013-17) and Colorado (2017-18). Hammond is 1-3 with a 3.00 GAA and a .924 SV% in five career Stanley Cup Playoff games with Ottawa (2014-15) and Colorado (2017-18).

 

He signed with Ottawa as a free agent on March 20, 2013, and made his NHL debut on Feb. 27, 2014 vs. Detroit. Hammond went 14-0-1 with a 1.58 GAA, a .949 SV% and two shutouts in his first 15 NHL starts with Ottawa (Feb. 18, 2015 – March 23, 2015) and became the second goaltender in NHL history to allow two goals or less in his first 12 starts (Frank Brimsek, 1938-39). He also became the first goaltender to earn at least one point in each of his first 15 NHL starts (14-0-1) since Patrick Lalime (1996-97). Hammond finished the 2014-15 season with a 20-1-2 record and a 1.79 GAA, a .942 SV% and four shutouts in 24 games (23 starts) and was named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

 

He went 30-68-13 with a 2.85 GAA, a .896 SV% and seven shutouts in 119 career games during four seasons with Bowling Green State University (2009-13).

LAFC acquires $1 Million in allocation money from Colorado in exchange for Mark-Anthony Kaye

MLS Editor
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LAFC acquires $1 Million in allocation money from Colorado in exchange for Mark-Anthony Kaye

The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today that the Club has acquired $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) and a 2022 international roster slot from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye and a first-round pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. LAFC would also receive additional GAM if Kaye reaches certain performance incentives.

 

“Mark has been an incredible player and ambassador for LAFC since he helped launch this Club in 2018,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “He has grown into a leader on and off the field and will always be remembered as a fundamental building block of our Club. We are thankful to him for all of his contributions and will remember him and wish him and his wife Rachel all the best in Colorado.”

 

Kaye, 26, joined LAFC in February 2018 prior to the start of the Club’s inaugural campaign from Louisville City of the United States Soccer League (USL). The versatile midfielder developed into an MLS All-Star in 2019, helping LAFC to the 2019 Supporter’s Shield as the team set a new MLS record for points in a season, and he played an integral role in the Black & Gold’s run to the 2020 Concacaf Champions League Final.

 

A Canadian international currently with Canada at the Concacaf Gold Cup, Kaye has made 23 international appearances and registered two goals and three assists.

 

Kaye leaves LAFC amongst the Club’s all-time leaders. Since 2018, he played 77 career MLS matches for the Black & Gold, ranking fourth in Club history, and making 71 starts – the third-highest total ever for the Club. Kaye’s 17 career MLS assists is tied for the third-most in LAFC history, and his nine career MLS goals ranks fourth.

 

General Allocation Money (GAM) is money that is available to a club in addition to its salary budget. Each MLS club received an annual allotment of GAM, funds strategically provided by the league to teams to add or retain players that will make an immediate impact on the field.

 

TRANSACTION: The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) acquires $1 million in General Allocation Money and a 2022 international roster slot from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for midfielder Mark Anthony Kaye and LAFC’s natural first-round selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.

Blue Bombers transactions

CFL Editor
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Blue Bombers transactions

WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following roster transactions:

 

Released from roster:

National linebacker Robbie Lowes

American lineman Dino Boyd

American defensive back Ranthony Texada

American defensive back Sam Williams

American defensive back Hakeem Bailey

American defensive back Jhavonte Dean

American defensive back Prince Robinson

American defensive back Josh Allen

Winnipeg Blue Bombers to Unveil Grey Cup Banner August 5th

CFL Editor
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Winnipeg Blue Bombers to Unveil Grey Cup Banner August 5th

WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will unveil the 2019 Grey Cup championship banner at IG Field on Thursday, August 5th when the team plays plays host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a 2019 Grey Cup rematch – the first CFL action to take place since the 107th Grey Cup in Calgary on November 24, 2019.

 

Fans are encouraged to arrive early to make sure they are in their seats for the 7:30 p.m. banner unveiling. The gates will open 90 minutes before kickoff, with pre-game party specials from 6:00-7:00 p.m. including $5.00 355ml cans of Molson Coors and Molson Coors Light, $3.00 fountain drinks, and a live performance by the new Blue Bombers House Band lead by Jennifer Hanson.

 

“It has been a long 20 months waiting to be able to celebrate with our fans, which will make Thursday night that much more memorable,” said Winnipeg Blue Bombers President & CEO, Wade Miller. “Our staff has worked extremely hard to get to this point and we can’t wait to unveil our championship banner with a full stadium in attendance.”

 

Fans still interested in purchasing 2021 season tickets or mini plans can do so here, saving up to 40% on regular individual game prices. As per Manitoba Public Health orders, all attendees must present a Manitoba Immunization Card (physical or digital card) and photo ID to enter the facility. Single game tickets can also be purchased online or by calling 1-204-784-7448.

Rising Unbeaten Heavyweight Michael Coffie To Face Jonathan Rice in FOX PBC Fight Night Main Event & on FOX Deportes This Saturday, July 31 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. – Plus FS1 PBC Fight Night Lineup Announced

Fight Editor
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Rising Unbeaten Heavyweight Michael Coffie To Face Jonathan Rice in FOX PBC Fight Night Main Event & on FOX Deportes This Saturday, July 31 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. – Plus FS1 PBC Fight Night Lineup Announced

Veteran Contender Andre Dirrell, Plus Unbeaten Prospects Maliek Montgomery & Paul Kroll Compete In Separate Attractions on FS1 PBC Fight Night at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT Following FOX Broadcast

 

NEWARK, N.J. – Rising unbeaten heavyweight Michael Coffie will face Jonathan Rice in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, this Saturday, July 31 from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

 

Coffie was originally scheduled to face former title challenger Gerald Washington, who was forced to withdraw after a positive COVID-19 test.

 

The FOX broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also see James Martin battle welterweight prospect and New Jersey-native Vito Mielnicki Jr. in an eight-round rematch in the co-main event and unbeaten prospect Joey Spencer take on Dan Karpency in an eight-round showdown.

 

At 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT following the FOX broadcast will be FS1 PBC Fight Night topped by veteran contender and Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell competing for the second time at light heavyweight as he faces Philadelphia’s Christopher Brooker in a 10-round fight. The FS1 telecast also features unbeaten featherweight prospect Maliek Montgomery dueling Ángel Contreras in a 10-round attraction and top welterweight prospect Paul Kroll squaring off against Justin DeLoach in a 10-round showdown.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

 

The non-televised undercard will feature unbeaten Patterson, New Jersey-native Norman Neely (8-0, 7 KOs) in a six-round heavyweight attraction against Texas’ Juan Torres (6-3-1, 3 KOs), Philadelphia-born super lightweight contender Karl Dargan (19-1, 9 KOs) battling Los Angeles-native Ivan Delgado (13-3-2, 6 KOs) in an eight-round attraction, Maryland’s Keeshawn Williams (7-0-1, 2 KOs) taking on Missouri’s Noah Kidd (6-3-2, 5 KOs in a six-round welterweight tilt and Newark’s own Michael Anderson (20-3-1, 14 KOs) in a six-round welterweight bout facing Tennessee’s DeMarcus Rogers (14-3-1, 5 KOs).

 

Rounding out the night of action is Denville, New Jersey’s Nicky Vitone looking to remain unbeaten in a four-round welterweight fight against Jordan Rosario, unbeaten Philadelphia-born prospect Quadir Albright taking on Jared Tallent in a six-round super welterweight tilt and the pro debut of Avenel, New Jersey’s Malik Nelson in a four-round super featherweight duel versus Alejandro Ramirez.

 

A Marine Corps veteran who picked up boxing after returning from overseas, Coffie (12-0, 9 KOs) quickly impressed in amateur tournaments enough to earn sparring assignments with Deontay Wilder and Adam Kownacki. The 35-year-old was born in the Bronx, but now trains in Orlando, Florida. Coffie broke through in 2020 by stopping previously unbeaten Luis Pena in the fifth round of their August matchup before earning a TKO over Joey Abell in November. Coffie added a highlight-reel knockout over previously unbeaten Darmani Rock in January of this year.

 

Born in South Carolina and now fighting out of Los Angeles, Rice (13-6-1, 9 KOs) won six of seven fights from 2018 through 2019. The 34-year-old will look to bounce back from a pair of losses in 2020 against unbeatens Efe Ajagba and Demsey McKean. In a pro career that dates back to 2014, the blemishes on Rice’s records have all come against previously unbeaten fighters as he looks to offer a stiff test to the so far undefeated Coffie.

 

An accomplished veteran contender in the 168-pound division, Dirrell (34-2-1, 25 KOs) returns to the ring for the second time at light heavyweight after a successful debut in December 2021 in which he knocked out Juan Ubaldo Cabrera in round five. The Flint, Michigan native and brother of two-time champion Anthony, Dirrell won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and lost narrow decisions in world title fights against Carl Froch and James DeGale. Dirrell will be opposed by the 30-year-old Philadelphia-native Brooker (16-7, 6 KOs), who has scored a pair of victories so far in 2021. Prior to those two triumphs, Brooker’s previous two outings saw him drop a June 2019 contest to Michael Seals and defeat Lanell Bellows in September 2018.

 

The 25-year-old Montgomery (10-0, 10 KOs) turned pro in 2017 after an impressive amateur career that included two national Golden Gloves titles and victories over recognizable names such as Edgar Berlanga, Keeshawn Williams and Joseph Adorno, to name a few. The Macon, Georgia born fighter has stopped all 10 of his opponents inside of the distance in his pro career to date. He will face the 27-year-old Contreras (10-4-2, 6 KOs), who most recently fought unbeaten prospect Jalan Walker to a draw in April. The Monterrey, Mexico native’s previous outing had seen him drop a narrow split-decision against super bantamweight contender Ramon Cardenas in February.

 

A decorated U.S. amateur from the fighter-rich city of Philadelphia, Kroll (8-0, 6 KOs) turned pro in August 2018 with a first-round stoppage of DeAngelo Alcorn. The 26-year-old ended his first four fights inside of two rounds before going the distance and beating then unbeaten Shinard Bunch in August 2019. Most recently, Kroll’s 2020 campaign saw him score a TKO victory over Marcel Rivers in January and a unanimous decision over Luke Santamaria on FS1 in October. He will be opposed by DeLoach (19-5, 10 KOs), who will look to return to the win column after dropping his last contest to unbeaten welterweight Eimantas Stanionis in November. The 27-year-old from Augusta, Georgia put together an impressive run in 2017, defeating three-straight unbeaten fighters in Dillon Cook, Junior Castillo and Domonique Dolton, before knocking out Christopher Pearson in 2017.

 

 

Hard Hitting Promotions Fight Week Schedule

 

FIGHT CARD THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE SHOWBOAT HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY

 

Atlantic City, NJ – Below is the fight week schedule for Hard Hitting Promotions big fight card that will take place this Saturday night at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

 

The show will kick off an unprecedented 12-fight series between Hard Hitting Promotions and The Showboat.

 

Under 50 tickets remain for the show.

 

In the main event, undefeated junior lightweight Christian Tapia (11-0, 10 KOs) battles Mason Menard (36-5, 25 KOs) in a bout for the NABA-USBA junior lightweight title.

 

Also seeing action is undefeated Dylan Price (13-0, 10 KOs) battling Edwin Rodriguez (11-5-2, 5 KOs) in a super flyweight battle.

 

The nine-bout card will also feature Atlantic City favorite Anthony “Juice” Young .

 

FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE

 

FRIDAY, JULY 30TH

 

2 PM–WEIGH-IN AT THE SHOWBOAT HOTEL

 

 

SATURDAY, JULY 31ST

 

6 PM DOORS OPEN

7 PM 1ST BOUT

 

 

Tickets for this amazing evening boxing are $150, $100, $75 and $55 and can be purchased.

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