Padres' Seidler willing to spend big for a shot at a parade
Padres Machado Baseball
Padres Machado Baseball
Padres Machado Baseball
Baseball
AP

Padres' Seidler willing to spend big for a shot at a parade

  • By BERNIE WILSON - AP Sports Writer
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As the most eagerly anticipated season in San Diego Padres history approaches, it's not a stretch to say that owner Peter Seidler is as beloved as the superstar quartet of Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts that will be on the field. As Seidler walked on stage for a panel discussion at FanFest on a brilliant February afternoon, chants of “Peter! Peter! Peter!” broke out from the crowd of several thousand fans jammed into a grassy park just beyond center field at Petco Park. Seidler has earned the kind of adulation that has escaped most pro sports owners in San Diego sports history.

NCAA takes seat on bench in the political game
College
AP

NCAA takes seat on bench in the political game

  • By PAUL NEWBERRY - AP National Writer
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The NCAA has taken a seat on the bench in the political game. The organization that governs college athletics was once at the forefront of hot-button issues such as the Confederate flag and transgender rights. But that stance evolved quickly as one Republican-controlled state after another rushed to pass laws that cover everything from abortion to transgender rights to drag shows. The NCAA’s new approach came into sharper focus this week as Texas prepares to host both the men’s and women’s Final Four. Not a word has been spoken about moving these events out of Houston and Dallas.

MLB free agent watch: Ohtani leads possible 2023-24 class
Baseball
AP

MLB free agent watch: Ohtani leads possible 2023-24 class

  • By JAY COHEN - AP Baseball Writer
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Shohei Ohtani watch is on. Not Ohtani’s home runs or strikeouts or any of his magnificent numbers from the field. Nothing like that. It’s all about how much his next contract will be worth. Ohtani is among a group of players going into their final season before they are eligible for free agency. There is still time for signatures and press conferences before opening day, but history shows a new contract becomes less likely once the real games begin. The list of impending free agents also includes Aaron Nola, Matt Chapman, Teoscar Hernández, Ian Happ and Julio Urías.

Scotland upsets Spain, Croatia wins, Belgium beats Germany
Soccer
AP

Scotland upsets Spain, Croatia wins, Belgium beats Germany

  • AP
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Scott McTominay scored twice as Scotland upset Spain 2-0 in qualifying for the European Championship for its first win in 39 years over one of soccer’s biggest heavyweights. McTominay’s goals ended Spain’s 19-game unbeaten run in European qualifiers and put Scotland top of Group A with six points from two games. Mateo Kovačić also scored twice as Croatia defeated Turkey 2-0 away for its first win in Group D. Romania and Switzerland both won in Group I, continuing their perfect starts. Kevin De Bruyne steered Belgium to a 3-2 friendly win over Germany in new coach Domenico Tedesco’s return home.

Julie Ertz returns to US team for 2 friendlies with Ireland
Soccer
AP

Julie Ertz returns to US team for 2 friendlies with Ireland

  • By ANNE M. PETERSON - AP Sports Writer
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Julie Ertz has been named to the U.S. roster for a pair of upcoming matches against Ireland after taking time off for the birth of her son. Ertz has not played for the United States since the bronze medal-winning victory over Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. She and husband Zach Ertz of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals welcomed a son last August. The United States first plays Ireland on April 7 in Austin, Texas, before the second match on April 11 in St. Louis. They are the last international games for the United States before coach Vlatko Andonovski selects a 23-player roster for the World Cup this summer.

Blackhawks' Toews returns to ice, hints at retirement
Hockey
AP

Blackhawks' Toews returns to ice, hints at retirement

  • MATT CARLSON - Associated Press
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Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews returned to the ice while also hinting his NHL career could be winding down. Toews skated with his teammates before their game against the Dallas Stars. It was his first time practicing with the Blackhawks since his most recent game in Edmonton in late January. He made a statement through the team in February saying he’d be stepping away because of the effects of Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and “long COVID.” In his first public comments since, Toews stopped short of saying he hoped to play in any of last-place Chicago’s nine remaining games.

McTominay scores twice again, Scotland defeats Spain 2-0
Soccer
AP

McTominay scores twice again, Scotland defeats Spain 2-0

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Scott McTominay continued his good scoring form for Scotland by netting twice for the second straight game to give the hosts a surprising 2-0 win over Spain in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship. The Manchester United midfielder found the net once in each half to give Spain its first European qualifying loss since 2014. The result also extended Scotland’s unbeaten streak in European qualifying to seven games and handed it the early lead in Group A. It has six points from two matches, three more than Spain. Spain had not been beaten in Euro qualifying since a 2-1 defeat at Slovakia ahead of the 2016 tournament in France.

Budding Wild star Boldy more willing to shoot, and it shows
Hockey
AP

Budding Wild star Boldy more willing to shoot, and it shows

  • By DAVE CAMPBELL - AP Sports Writer
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Matt Boldy acknowledged in the aftermath of his second hat trick in five games that the puck these days feels as if it's automatically going in the net each time he shoots it. Boldy has 11 goals in the past nine games for the first-place Minnesota Wild. The second-year player who turns 22 next week has been a reluctant star. He'd rather credit his linemates for his success. The Wild also talked to him recently about being more willing to shoot than in a pass-first mindset. The 2019 first-round draft pick has 28 goals this season.