Sports

Sports Illustrated reports: On July 7, in the 61st minute of the 2019 World Cup final against the Netherlands, Megan Rapinoe scored to put the U.S. up 1–0. To her, though, this was more than the goal that would win the Americans a record fourth title. It was the equivalent of flashing double-barrel middle fingers. She’d have loved to have …

The New York Times reports: Global antidoping leaders agreed unanimously on Monday to banish Russia from international sports — including next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo — for four years, the latest and severest punishment yet connected to a yearslong cheating scheme that has devastated global sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency’s punishment includes specific bans on Russian sports and government …

The Marietta Daily News reports: A former Kennesaw State University cheerleader who took a knee during the national anthem at a KSU football game has been paid $145,000 in a subsequent out-of-court settlement, documents show. Former KSU cheerleader Tommia Dean filed a lawsuit in 2018 after receiving backlash to her public protest with four other cheerleaders during the national anthem …

Yahoo Sports reports: Olympic silver medalist Gus Kenworthy, who grew up in Colorado and had represented the United States thus far in his career, officially represents Great Britain — where he has dual citizenship — as of Tuesday. Kenworthy’s agent said in November that he was considering the change. Kenworthy told Sky Sports he wants to honor his British-born mother …

Just in via press release: By 74 to 19 percent, the American public said they would rather their preferred candidate win the 2020 presidential election than their favorite team win the Super Bowl or World Series. However, 28 percent of males said they would rather see their favorite team win the championship than have their favorite candidate win the 2020 …

Sports Illustrated reports: The University of Alabama is making preparations for President Donald Trump to attend the LSU game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. Alabama officials could not be reached to confirm or deny, but sources have confirmed his expected visit. The potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, depending on the initial rankings by the College Football Playoff committee …

The Washington Post reports: Ever since Sean Doolittle was traded to the Washington Nationals in the summer of 2017, the reliever was often asked whether he would visit the White House after winning the World Series. He pondered but never answered. He thought it would be hollow to respond — like discussing a hypothetical lottery win — because the Nationals …

ESPN reports: The Washington Nationals, who will have a parade to celebrate their World Series title Saturday, will visit President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, according to a White House official. A ceremony for the Nationals will be held on the South Lawn at 1:15 p.m. ET, the official said. Trump had attended Game 5 on Sunday. …

The Huffington Post reports: A Washington Nationals fan is going viral after letting out some feelings about President Donald Trump on live TV after the team’s World Series victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night. “I think this is huge for DC,” the unnamed fan said on Fox 5, the Washington DC Fox station. “DC needed this. We got …

The Washington Post reports: When the fight was finished and the Nationals had wrapped up their first World Series title some 1,400 miles away in Houston, the District screamed. And cried. And bellowed into a rainy night. The tide has turned in Washington, and a city of sports fans used to suffering and heartbreak is suddenly celebrating yet another championship …

Washington’s CBS News affiliate reports: A representative of the Lerner family, the principal owners of the Nationals, had a special request of the MLB last week: that they had no desire to be put in a position of turning down a request from the White House for President Trump to sit with Theodore Lerner, 94, the family patriarch, or any …

Hemant Mehta reports at the Friendly Atheist: About a month ago, Chicago Bears kicker Eddy Piñeiro made a game-winning field goal. He reacted with a tweet telling atheists they should start believing in God. He was even more specific during a post-game interview in which he said, “If you don’t believe in Jesus Christ, you better start, because he’s real. …

The New York Times reports: In his first appearance at a Major League Baseball game since taking office, Mr. Trump was not invited to throw the first pitch when he showed up Sunday night at Game 5 between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros. Instead, when he was shown on the stadium’s large screen, the crowd booed robustly and …

I’ll be watching with hope for a “Trump sucks” chant. Deadline reports: President Donald Trump plans to attend tonight’s Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the hometown Washington Nationals and the visiting Houston Astros. Trump’s appearance was certified last night, as Houston took an 8-1 victory to create the need for a Game 5. The Nationals won the …

ESPN reports: The longtime major league umpire who earlier this week sent a threatening tweet that included a reference to a rifle has apologized for the post. In a statement to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Rob Drake expressed regret for the since-deleted tweet and said he’ll learn from it. “Once I read what I had tweeted I realized the violence in …

The Hill reports: The Washington Nationals on Friday announced that local chef and vocal President Trump critic José Andrés will throw out the first pitch if there is a Game 5 of the World Series. The president could be in attendance to see Andrés throw the first pitch. Trump told reporters Thursday that he plans to attend Game 5 if …

The Washington Post reports: President Trump said Thursday that he plans to attend Game 5 of the World Series at Nationals Park on Sunday if the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros are still playing, though he did not confirm if he had been asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. “I don’t know. They’ve got to dress me up …

Hemant Mehta reports at The Friendly Atheist: Earlier this week, Major League Baseball began investigating Rob Drake, an umpire since 2010, for a tweet he made suggesting a violent response if Donald Trump gets impeached. Drake has since deactivated his Twitter account. It’s worth mentioning that Drake is also a co-founder of Calling for Christ, a ministry specifically catering to …

ESPN reports: Major League Baseball is looking into a since-deleted tweet by longtime umpire Rob Drake, commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday. Drake tweeted late Tuesday that he planned to buy an AR-15 rifle “because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020,” according to a copy of the tweet obtained by ESPN. The tweet, …

The Dallas Morning News reports: One of the Senate’s traditions is for lawmakers with a home state team in the World Series to bet against each other. Texas senators have wagered brisket and Dr Pepper against cheesecake and sausage in bets with counterparts from California, Illinois and Missouri. But as the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals squared off Tuesday night …