Goliath vs. Goliath: Yankees, Dodgers clash in World Series classic

Goliath vs. Goliath: Yankees, Dodgers clash in World Series classic
The top-seeded Dodgers will have home advantage through the series, and will look to starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to get them off the mark in Friday’s opener. (Getty Images via AFP)
Short Url
Updated 24 October 2024
Follow

Goliath vs. Goliath: Yankees, Dodgers clash in World Series classic

Goliath vs. Goliath: Yankees, Dodgers clash in World Series classic
  • The most eagerly anticipated World Series showdown in decades gets under way on Friday when the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Yankees
  • The historic rivals will face off once more at Dodger Stadium for Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship series

LOS ANGELES: The two biggest teams from America’s two biggest cities, led by baseball’s two biggest superstars. East Coast vs. West Coast. Broadway vs. Hollywood. Goliath vs. Goliath.

The most eagerly anticipated World Series showdown in decades gets under way on Friday when the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Yankees in what promises to be a baseball blockbuster for the ages.

Forty-three years after their 11th and most recent meeting in a World Series, the historic rivals will face off once more at Dodger Stadium for Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship series.

“This is what the baseball world wanted,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to be a great World Series.”

Any World Series meeting between the two teams who were New York City rivals before the Dodgers left Brooklyn for California in 1957 would be a must-see event in its own right.

But hype surrounding this year’s collision between the two baseball juggernauts — the first time they have met in a World Series since 1981 — has soared into a different stratosphere, thanks largely to the star-studded nature of the two teams’ rosters.

The Dodgers boast the talismanic Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, the record-breaking generational talent widely seen as the greatest all-round player since Babe Ruth.

The Yankees are led by the big-hitting Aaron Judge, the former American League Most Valuable Player who blasted an astonishing 62 home runs in the 2022 season.

Yet while Ohtani and Judge are the headline acts, the supporting cast is equally gaudy.

The Dodgers have former MVPs in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman; the Yankees have Giancarlo Stanton, the 2017 National League MVP and five-time All-Star, along with the likes of the gifted outfielder Juan Soto and Cy Young award-winning pitcher Gerrit Cole.

“As a fan of baseball, how can you not be excited about this?” Dodgers infielder Max Muncy asked this week. “You’re talking about two of the biggest franchises. The biggest stars in the sport. We got Shohei, Freddie and Mookie. On the other side, they’ve got Aaron Judge, Giancarlo, Juan Soto, Gerrit Cole.”

It’s the kind of dazzling star power capable of eclipsing the bright lights of Broadway or Hollywood Boulevard.

And it’s the kind of box office appeal that has Major League Baseball’s bean-counters rubbing their hands in delight after years of steadily declining audience numbers.

So far this postseason, average television viewing figures have leapt 18 percent from last year’s average of 2.82 million per game to 3.33 million.

While this year’s World Series is unlikely to match the record average of viewers for a Fall Classic — 44.3 million tuned in for each game of the 1978 series — it is likely to obliterate the record-low 9.08 million who watched last year’s series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

The presence of Dodgers ace Ohtani has also opened up a new international frontier, with Major League Baseball revealing that a record 12.9 million Japanese viewers tuned in for the Dodgers’ recent National League Division Series decider against the San Diego Padres — roughly 10 percent of Japan’s entire population.

“That’s an unbelievable number, a huge audience,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Ohtani has really, really driven interest in the game internationally.”

Manfred believes this year’s World Series evokes baseball’s golden age, when the sport was truly America’s pastime and had yet to be usurped by the NFL and NBA.

“The history of Yankee-Dodgers is great for our fanbase,” Manfred said.

“You look back and think of Sandy Koufax playing against Mickey Mantle, of Joe DiMaggio playing against Jackie Robinson. And now you’ve got Aaron Judge against Shohei Ohtani.”

Unsurprisingly, World Series tickets have become the hottest commodity in sport since the Dodgers confirmed their place in the championship finale with victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.

According to ticket aggregator TicketIQ, games in Los Angeles are averaging around $3,100 on secondary markets; games in New York come in at an eye-watering average of $4,875.

“Everybody wants to see these two teams play on the biggest stages” Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman said this week. “It’s a World Series full of superstars.”

The top-seeded Dodgers will have home advantage through the series, and will look to starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to get them off the mark in Friday’s opener.

The Yankees will start Cole on the mound as they aim to spoil the Dodgers’ party before the series heads back to New York for game three next Monday.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “This is Dodgers-Yankees. Lakers-Celtics, however you want to say it. It certainly has that feel to it.

“The stars will be out, the eyeballs will be watching, and hopefully we can deliver a great series.”


21 players advance in LIV Golf Promotions, led by Korea’s Jeunghun Wang

21 players advance in LIV Golf Promotions, led by Korea’s Jeunghun Wang
Updated 12 December 2024
Follow

21 players advance in LIV Golf Promotions, led by Korea’s Jeunghun Wang

21 players advance in LIV Golf Promotions, led by Korea’s Jeunghun Wang
  • This group joins 28 exempt competitors for Friday’s reset second round, with the top 20 advancing to Saturday’s decisive 36-hole finale

RIYADH: A dramatic opening round of LIV Golf Promotions on Thursday saw 21 players secure their spots in the second round at Riyadh Golf Club, including Jon Rahm’s former college roommate, rising talents from Brazil and Hong Kong, and one golfer using borrowed clubs.

This group joins 28 exempt competitors for Friday’s reset second round, with the top 20 advancing to Saturday’s decisive 36-hole finale. The ultimate winner earns a coveted place in the 2025 LIV Golf League, while the top 10 will gain entry into all International Series events next year.

Korea’s Jeunghun Wang led the pack, finishing with a 7-under 64. His performance, highlighted by long putts and consistent play, put him atop the leaderboard.

“Some lucky shots went in, including some long putts, which helped me play well heading into tomorrow,” he said.

Close behind were five players tied for second on 65, while nine players shot 66. The final six players advanced by meeting the cutline of 4-under 67, leaving 43 others eliminated.

Among the standout players was 24-year-old Taichi Kho of Hong Kong, who carded a 6-under round featuring an eagle on the par-5 15th after a 355-yard drive.

Kho, who also advanced from the first round at last year’s Promotions tournament before being eliminated in the second round, emphasized the need to approach Friday’s round as a fresh start.

“Last year I couldn’t get past the fact that it was a clean reset after round 1,” he said.

“I remember last year I had a great first round as well, and I felt like I carried on some of those thoughts and feelings as I would do a regular tournament going into the second round, going into tomorrow, it’s important for me to just understand it’s a completely new day.”

Germany’s Max Rottluff, who shares a collegiate connection with LIV Golf star Jon Rahm, also shot 6-under. Rottluff credited Rahm for inspiring his career revival after nearly quitting golf in 2022. 

“We still talk quite a bit and whatnot, so it would be a dream come true to join those guys,” Rottluff said.

“I was considering giving it up back at the end of ‘22, and I spent a week with him, and that really kind of straightened out my head and went out and won two times that year on the Challenge Tour, kind of went back on a better trajectory again,” he added.

South Africa’s Ian Snyman, another standout with a 65, relished the opportunity to reconnect with LIV Golf. A former Cleeks GC player, he said: “It’s exciting. It’s something we all want to be part of. I like the team aspect.”

Mexico’s Jose Islas delivered a remarkable 66 despite playing with borrowed clubs, as his own equipment failed to arrive in Riyadh. Islas, who turned professional this year, demonstrated resilience and adaptability, even holing an eagle shot during a practice round. “It’s not about the clubs, it’s more about how I thought the shots I was going to hit,” he said.

Brazil’s Fred Biondi, the 2023 NCAA Individual Champion, and Spain’s Luis Masaveu, a former US Amateur semifinalist, also posted bogey-free 66s.

The opening round fostered camaraderie among players, with Ireland’s Mark Power, Spain’s Borja Virto and England’s David Horsey advancing together after strong performances.

Veteran American players Bo Hoag and Ollie Schniederjans also moved forward, with Hoag expressing excitement about the prospect of joining LIV Golf’s global schedule. “I think it would be fun,” he said.


Dortmund to host Germany’s Nations League clash with Italy

Dortmund to host Germany’s Nations League clash with Italy
Updated 12 December 2024
Follow

Dortmund to host Germany’s Nations League clash with Italy

Dortmund to host Germany’s Nations League clash with Italy
  • The match will take place at the 82,000-seat home of Borussia Dortmund on March 23

DORTMUND: Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion will host the second leg of Germany’s Nations League quarter-final clash with Italy in March 2025, the German FA (DFB) announced Thursday.
The match will take place at the 82,000-seat home of Borussia Dortmund on March 23, three days after the first leg at Milan’s San Siro.
In a statement, DFB sporting director Rudi Voeller said: “Dortmund is the perfect location for what is a football classic.”
Germany, who are in the Nations League knockouts for the first time, won their most recent game at the venue, a 2-0 victory over Denmark in the Euro 2024 quarter finals.
Unlike England’s Wembley and the Stade de France in Paris, Germany does not have a national football stadium, with games shared around the federal nation.


Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis
Updated 12 December 2024
Follow

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis
  • “Way back in March and April I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive,” Jordan said
  • “Some very dark days in there, but we pulled out of it, thankfully”

LONDON: Ex-Formula 1 team owner and media personality Eddie Jordan says he has been treated for “quite aggressive” cancer.
Speaking on the “Formula For Success” podcast which he hosts with former driver David Coulthard, Jordan said he was diagnosed this year and urged listeners to seek medical advice for any health concerns.
“Way back in March and April I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive,” Jordan said.
In response to comments from Coulthard regarding chemotherapy, Jordan added: “Some very dark days in there, but we pulled out of it, thankfully.”
Irish businessman Jordan operated his own racing team in lower-level series before moving up to F1 in 1991, giving future seven-time champion Michael Schumacher his first race that year.
Other drivers over the years included Damon Hill, who won the 1996 championship with Williams, future Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was third in the championship for Jordan in 1999.
Jordan Grand Prix won four races before Jordan sold the team in 2005. Following more sales and name changes since then, the team competes as Aston Martin.
The 76-year-old Jordan also acted as the manager for car design great Adrian Newey when he left Red Bull for Aston Martin this year.


Griezmann in PlayStation form has steered Atletico Madrid back on track

Griezmann in PlayStation form has steered Atletico Madrid back on track
Updated 12 December 2024
Follow

Griezmann in PlayStation form has steered Atletico Madrid back on track

Griezmann in PlayStation form has steered Atletico Madrid back on track
  • Griezmann and fellow forward Julián Álvarez have returned to form to lead Atletico on a 10-game winning streak
  • Atletico trail leader Barcelona by three points and are one point behind second-placed Real Madrid

MADRID: Antoine Griezmann wishes he was as good in the real world as he is on PlayStation. Based on his performances with Atletico Madrid, he must be really good on the video game.
Griezmann and fellow forward Julián Álvarez have returned to form to lead Atletico on a 10-game winning streak that has put the club back on track in the Champions League and Spanish league, where on Sunday they host Getafe with a chance to reach the top of the standings.
Atletico trail leader Barcelona by three points and are one point behind second-placed Real Madrid. Atletico and Madrid have a game in hand compared to Barcelona. The Catalan club host Leganes on Sunday, while Madrid visit Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Griezmann scored his sixth and seven goals in his last five matches in Atletico’s 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Álvarez scored his fifth goal in five matches.
Griezmann is a long-time fan of video games and used to make headlines for his Fortnite celebrations during that game’s hype a few years ago. The France star celebrated one of his goals at Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday alongside Pablo Barrios and Giuliano Simeone, two of his PlayStation playing partners, imitating the moves they make on the video game.
“We play FIFA a lot and that’s the celebration we usually do when we play together,” Griezmann said. He quickly added, “We are better on the Play than we are on the field.”
Griezmann, named the man of the match against Slovan, scored his goals in the 42nd and 57th minutes, after Álvarez — who arrived from Manchester City for more than $100 million in August — put Atletico ahead with a nice curling finish to open the scoring in the 16th. Slovan’s lone goal came in the second half.
Atletico’s attack has been key for the team’s resurgence since an October loss at Real Betis in La Liga. Since then, Diego Simeone’s team have outscored opponents 30-7 across all competitions. They have scored three or more goals in each of their last five games, something that hadn’t happened since 1950, according to UEFA.
“We’ve been playing really well, and the team as a whole are performing excellently,” Álvarez said. “Everyone, even those coming off the bench, has been contributing to the team. We are on the right path, and we have to keep working this way. All the competitions are very challenging but we’ve been doing really well.”
The victory against Slovan moved Atletico to 11th place in the Champions League standings, in position to try to grab one of the top eight spots in the league phase.
“We needed the points. They were very important for us to carry on with this dynamic,” coach Simeone said. “The team is responding to the situations we find ourselves in in these games. This reflects well on the team.”


Green Falcons in training camp for 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait

Green Falcons in training camp for 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait
Updated 12 December 2024
Follow

Green Falcons in training camp for 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait

Green Falcons in training camp for 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait
  • Herve Renard has called up 28 players in preparation for tournament from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3
  • Green Falcons play a friendly behind closed doors against Trinidad and Tobago on Dec. 17 at Al-Shabab Stadium

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s national football team began a closed training camp on Thursday, until Dec. 20, for the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait.

The Green Falcons will play a friendly match behind closed doors against Trinidad and Tobago on Dec. 17 at Al-Shabab Club Stadium.

The team depart for Kuwait on Friday. They are placed in Group B alongside Iraq, Bahrain and Yemen for the tournament that runs from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3.

Head coach Herve Renard has called up 28 players.

The squad includes Mohammed Al-Owais, Ahmed Al-Kassar, Mohammed Al-Yami, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Ali Lajami, Hassan Tambakti, Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Nawaf Boushal and Nasser Al-Dawsari.

Also joining are Abdulelah Al-Malki, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Musab Al-Juwair, Abdulmalik Al-Ayeri, Mohammed Kanoo, Salem Al-Dawsari, Abdulelah Al-Hawsawi, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Ayman Falata, Abdulaziz Al-Othman, Haroune Camara, Abdullah Radif, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Firas Al-Buraikan, and Saleh Al-Shehri.