SOCCER
Arena returns
Bruce Arena is returning to coach the U.S. national soccer team, a decade after he was fired. The winningest coach in American national team history, Arena took over Tuesday, one day after Jurgen Klinsmann was fired. Arena, 65, starts work Dec. 1. With the U.S. 0-2 in the final round of World Cup qualifying for the first time, the U.S. Soccer Federation wants to spark a turnaround when competition resumes March 24 with a home game against Honduras followed four days later with a match at Panama. "We need to build the chemistry of this team and have a common goal and really work on a team concept," Arena said during a telephone news conference. "I really believe individually and positionally we have good players and we've just got to get them working together as a team." Arena first took over as national team coach after the 1998 World Cup and led the U.S. to a 71-30-29 record. His contract runs through the 2018 World Cup.
HOCKEY
New team: Golden Knights
The NHL's newest team is the Vegas Golden Knights. Owner Bill Foley and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the Las Vegas expansion franchise's official name and revealed its logo and colors Tuesday night at a gala ceremony for about 5,000 fans outside T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights will begin play next season. The Golden Knights' logo is a simple front view of a warrior's helmet with a conspicuous "V" in the middle. Their colors are steel grey, gold, red and black. The NHL awarded its 31st franchise in June to this gambling mecca in the Mojave Desert. Foley is a billionaire businessman who sold the league on the potential of being the first major pro sports franchise in the growing market, playing in a new $375 million arena.
BASEBALL
Rollins to Rangers
The Texas Rangers acquired left-handed pitcher David Rollins on Tuesday on a waiver claim from the Chicago Cubs. Rollins, who turns 27 on Dec. 21, was recently sent from the Mariners to the Cubs. He spent most of 2016 in Class AAA, compiling a 5-0 record with a 3.77 ERA in 451/3 innings. Rollins was drafted in the 24th round by the Blue Jays in 2011. After starting early in his pro career, he moved to relief pitching in 2014. He has a career 3.35 ERA over 132 games (64 starts) in the minors, including a 1.16 WHIP and 8.3 strikeouts per 9 innings. Rollins was born and resides in DeBerry, in East Texas, and played at San Jacinto Junior College. The addition of Rollins gives the Rangers a full 40-man roster.
Chapman, teams to talk
Aroldis Chapman and interested teams are expected to begin talking turkey after Thanksgiving about where the free-agent closer will sign. The Yankees, Chapman's former employer, are very interested in a reunion. And Chapman, in a report on Tuesday, was quoted as saying: "I would love to be a Yankee again." Chapman's comment was reported in a story on NYSportsDay.com. The article was written by Ray Negron, who in addition to being a contributor to the site is a longtime Yankees consultant. Negron said he spoke to Chapman on the phone last weekend. "The organization treated me first class," Chapman was quoted as saying. "And the fans were like no other." Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman told Newsday he was aware of Chapman's fondness for the Bronx. "I know he did express to me that he really enjoyed it here," Cashman said in a telephone interview Tuesday morning. "Obviously, yeah, I think he'd love to come back here. You have to negotiate and find out what his market value is and then he'll make a final decision. But yeah, I've been communicated with that he loves it here and would love to come back. But at the same time he's going to do what's best for his family, so we're going to wait and see where the market goes." Chapman spent the first half of last season with the Yankees after coming over in a trade with Cincinnati. The Yankees dealt him to the eventual World Series champion Cubs as part of their July selloff.
NFL
Seahawks release Webb
The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran offensive lineman J'Marcus Webb after he was bypassed by younger players as options along Seattle's offensive line. Seattle announced the move on Tuesday. The Seahawks cut loose one of their biggest offseason acquisitions in free agency after it became clear he didn't have a future with Seattle. Webb started the first three games of the season at right guard when rookie Germain Ifedi was injured. Webb has played sparingly since and was inactive for the first time last Sunday against Philadelphia. Rookie Rees Odhiambo was the backup option at guard and tackle for the Seahawks and played briefly at left tackle against the Eagles when George Fant left with an injured shoulder. Webb signed a two-year deal worth up to $5.75 million with Seattle in the offseason.
Rams waive Hill
The Los Angeles Rams waived cornerback Troy Hill on Tuesday in the wake of his arrest last weekend following a freeway crash. Hill is fourth on the Rams' roster with 38 tackles after starting four games as a surprisingly important contributor to Los Angeles' solid defense. The Rams claimed the local Ventura County product off waivers from New England late last year, and he eventually outplayed free-agent signee Coty Sensabaugh for a regular role on the defense this season. But Hill was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after he rear-ended a truck in his Mercedes. Hill's next court date is Dec. 14.
Bucs' CB suspended
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah has been suspended four games without pay for violating the NFL policy on performing-enhancing substances. The league announced Tuesday that the second-year pro who's primarily served as the Bucs' nickel back this season will be eligible to return to the active roster on Dec. 19, the day after Tampa Bay visits the Dallas Cowboys. Adjei-Barimah was an undrafted college free agent out of Bowling Green, who started seven of 13 games he appeared in as a rookie in 2015. He's started one of 10 games this season and has 22 tackles and two sacks.
BOXING
Alex Stewart dies
Alex Stewart, a heavyweight contender who fought Mike Tyson and nearly beat George Foreman, has died. He was 52. Stewart died last week after being rushed to a hospital in Mount Vernon, N.Y., said Mike Gilberg, a close friend of the former fighter. He had a blood clot in his lung, Gilberg said. Stewart fought in a golden time for heavyweight boxing, and he fought almost all the big names of his time. A perennial contender, he was never able to win the big fights of his career but had a reputation as a smart and tough fighter. Stewart lost twice to Evander Holyfield, and was knocked out in the first round of his December 1990 fight with Tyson. But it was his April 1992 fight with Foreman in Las Vegas that was the highlight of his career. Foreman was in the middle of a comeback when he met Stewart in a scheduled 10-round bout. Foreman knocked Stewart down twice in the second round and was battering him in the third, when Foreman motioned to referee Richard Steele to stop the fight. But Steele let it continue, and Stewart began pummeling Foreman around the ring. Stewart would lose a controversial majority decision, but it was Foreman who looked like the loser after the fight with his face hidden behind large sunglasses. "Was that a fight or was that a fight?" Stewart asked reporters afterward. Stewart was born in London, raised in Jamaica and fought for Jamaica in the 1984 Olympics before turning pro. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Sports on 11/23/2016