Dodgers win World Series in 5 games, overcome 5-run deficit with help of errors to beat Yankees 7-6

Update Dodgers win World Series in 5 games, overcome 5-run deficit with help of errors to beat Yankees 7-6
The Dodgers sealed their second Major League Baseball championship crown in five seasons and eighth overall after recovering from 5-0 down to complete a 4-1 series victory. (Getty Images via AFP)
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Updated 31 October 2024
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Dodgers win World Series in 5 games, overcome 5-run deficit with help of errors to beat Yankees 7-6

Dodgers win World Series in 5 games, overcome 5-run deficit with help of errors to beat Yankees 7-6
  • The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988
  • New York remained without a title since winning their record 27th in 2009

NEW YORK: The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second World Series championship in five seasons, overcoming a five-run deficit with the help of three Yankees defensive miscues and rallying on sacrifice flies from Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning to beat New York 7-6 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Alex Verdugo’s RBI single chased Jack Flaherty in the second and Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning homer against Ryan Brasier built a 5-0 Yankees lead.

But errors by Judge in center and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, combined with pitcher Gerrit Cole failing to cover first on Betts’ grounder, helped Los Angeles score five unearned runs in the fifth.

After Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly put the Yankees back ahead 6-5, the Dodgers loaded the bases against loser Tommy Kahnle in the eighth before the sacrifice flies off Luke Weaver.

Winner Blake Treinen escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the bottom half by retiring Stanton on a flyout and striking out Anthony Rizzo.

Walker Buehler, making his first relief appearance since his rookie season in 2018, pitched a perfect ninth for his first major league save.

“We’re obviously resilient, but there’s so much love in the clubhouse that won this game today,” Betts said. “That’s what it was. It was love, it was grit. I mean, it was just a beautiful thing. I’m just proud of us and I’m happy for us.”

When Buehler struck out Verdugo to end the game, the Dodgers poured onto the field to celebrate between the mound and first base, capping a season in which they won 98 games and finished with the best regular-season record.

“There’s just a lot of ways we can win baseball games,” Buehler said. “Obviously the superstars we have on our team and the discipline, it just kind of all adds up.”

Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ record-setting $700 million signing and baseball’s first 50-homer, 50-steal player, went 2 for 19 with no RBIs and had one single after separating his shoulder during a stolen base attempt in Game 2.

Freddie Freeman hit a two-run single to tie the Series record of 12 RBIs, set by Bobby Richardson over seven games in 1960. With the Dodgers one out from losing Friday’s opener, Freeman hit a game-ending grand slam reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s homer off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in 1988’s Game 1 that sparked Los Angeles to the title.

The Dodgers earned their eighth championship and seventh since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles — their first in a non-shortened season since 1988. They won a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 after a 60-game regular season and couldn’t have a parade because of the coronavirus pandemic.

These Dodgers of Ohtani, Freeman & Betts joined the 1955 Duke Snider and Roy Campanella Boys of Summer, the Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale era that spanned the three titles from 1959-65, the Tommy Lasorda-led groups 1981 and ‘88 and the Betts and Clayton Kershaw champions of 2020.

Dave Roberts won his second championship in nine seasons as Dodgers manager, matching Lasorda and trailing the four of Walter Alston. The Dodgers won for the fourth time in 12 Series meetings with the Yankees.

New York remained without a title since winning their record 27th in 2009. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto from San Diego in December knowing he would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 Series. The 26-year-old star went 5 for 16 one RBI in the Series heading into intensely followed bidding on the open market.

Judge finished 4 for 18 with three RBIs.

Cole didn’t allow a hit until Kike Hernandez singled leading off the fifth. Judge, who an inning earlier made a leaping catch at the wall to deny Freeman an extra-base hit, dropped Tommy Edman’s fly to center. Shortstop Anthony Volpe then bounced a throw to third on Will Smith’s grounder, allowing the Dodgers to load the bases with no outs.

Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, and Betts hit a grounder to Rizzo. Cole didn’t cover first, pointing at Rizzo to run to the bag as Betts outraced the first baseman.

Freeman followed with a two-run single and Teoscar Hernandez hit a tying two-run double. Max Muncy walked before Kike Hernandez grounded into a forceout on Cole’s 48th pitch of the inning.

“We just take advantage of every mistake they made in that inning,” Teoscar Hernandez said. “We put some good at-bats together. We put the ball in play.”

Stanton’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly off Brusdar Graterol put the Yankees ahead 6-5, but the Dodgers rallied one last time in the eighth.

Kike Hernandez singled off Tommy Kahnle leading off. Edman followed with an infield hit and Smith walked on four pitches. Lux’s sacrifice fly off Luke Weaver tied the score. Ohtani reached home on catcher’s interference and Betts followed with another sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers their first lead.

Purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman from Tampa Bay to head their baseball operations two years later. He boosted the front office with a multitude of analytics and performance science staff, and ownership supplied the cash.

Los Angeles went on an unprecedented $1.25 billion spending spree last offseason on deals with Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. Much of the money was future obligations that raised the Dodgers’ deferred compensation to $915.5 million owed from 2028-44.

Faced with injuries, the Dodgers acquired Flaherty, Edman and reliever Michael Kopech ahead of the trade deadline, and all became important cogs in the title run. The additions boosted payroll to $266 million, third behind the Mets and the Yankees, plus a projected $43 million luxury tax.

UP NEXT

Los Angeles opens its spring schedule on Feb. 20 against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and the Yankees start the next day against Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida.


Rickelton hits century as South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy

Rickelton hits century as South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy
Updated 13 sec ago
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Rickelton hits century as South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy

Rickelton hits century as South Africa rout Afghanistan in Champions Trophy
KARACHI: Opener Ryan Rickelton struck a maiden one-day international hundred as South Africa routed Afghanistan by 107 runs in the Champions Trophy in Karachi on Friday.
Rickelton cracked a 106-ball 103 with seven boundaries and a six to anchor South Africa’s imposing total of 315-6 in the Group B match at the National Stadium.
South Africa’s pace attack of Kagiso Rabada (3-36), Wiaan Mulder (2-36) and Lungi Ngidi (2-56) then dismissed highly-fancied Afghanistan for just 208 in 43.3 overs.
South Africa blunted the threat of Afghanistan’s slow bowlers with star leg-spinner Rashid Khan going wicketless for 59 runs in his 10 overs.
Rahmat Shah top-scored for Afghanistan with a fighting 92-ball 90 with nine boundaries and a six before he was the last man out.
Chasing a formidable target, Afghanistan desperately needed a fast start but lost flamboyant openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 10 and Ibrahim Zadran for only 17 by the 10th over.
Sediqullah Atal fell for 16 while skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi went without scoring as Afghanistan were left teetering at 50-4.
Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai (18) took the score to 89 before Rabada and Marco Jansen, who got rid of Mohammad Nabi, struck to effectively end Afghanistan’s hopes.
Rashid Khan briefly entertained the crowd with a quickfire 13-ball 18 including a six and three boundaries.
Earlier, Rickelton was ably assisted by skipper Temba Bavuma (58), Rassie van der Dussen (52) and Aiden Markram (52 not out) to steer South Africa to a solid total after they won the toss and batted.
Nabi, who finished with 2-51, provided an early breakthrough with his first ball by dismissing opener Tony de Zorzi, caught at mid-on for 11.
Rickelton and Bavuma then added 129 for the second wicket as Afghanistan toiled in the field.
Bavuma hit five boundaries in his 76-ball knock before he was finally caught off a short Nabi delivery to give some joy to hundreds of Afghan fans in an otherwise sparse crowd.
Rickelton, who has two Test centuries to his name but a previous best of only 91 in ODIs, completed his first white ball century with a single.
Two runs later, however, he was gone, victim of an unlucky run out.
Coming down the pitch to drive Rashid, Rickelton was forced to turn quickly and dive back into his crease as the bowler collected and fired the ball to wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Rickelton appeared to make his ground but replays showed that his bat was slightly raised so not in the crease when Gurbaz whipped off the bails.
Van der Dussen hammered two sixes and three boundaries in his 46-ball knock before falling to spinner Noor Ahmad in the 43rd over.
It was left to Markram to take South Africa past the 300-mark, clubbing six boundaries and a six in a 36-ball 52 not out that helped the Proteas to add 50 runs in the last five overs.
Australia meet England in another Group B clash in Lahore on Saturday.
Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh are in Group A. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.

‘More than a dream’ — how BASE jumpers filled Downtown Dubai skyline in aerial spectacle

‘More than a dream’ — how BASE jumpers filled Downtown Dubai skyline in aerial spectacle
Updated 21 February 2025
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‘More than a dream’ — how BASE jumpers filled Downtown Dubai skyline in aerial spectacle

‘More than a dream’ — how BASE jumpers filled Downtown Dubai skyline in aerial spectacle
  • ‘We’re not thrill seekers, we’re life seekers, looking to experience life to the full,’ says BASE jumper Katie Hansen

DUBAI: Rainy weather wasn’t the only reason Dubai residents and visitors were looking to the skies this week. Over two days, 31 BASE jumpers from 15 countries took over the Downtown Dubai skyline, completing 437 jumps from the 828-meter-high Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The event — EXIT139 — was organized by action-sport brand XDubai in partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Skydive Dubai, and Emaar, and held across two days this week.

According to XDubai, the activity built on the legacy of the first BASE jump from Burj Khalifa in 2014. This year’s event pushed new boundaries, bringing together 30 of the world’s best aerial athletes to complete what the brand described as a “dream jump.” Among them were three women: Cornelia Mihai, Katie Hansen, and Roberta Mancino.

For Mihai, a Romanian athlete and instructor at Skydive Dubai, being part of the event was “unbelievable” and “more than a dream.” A Dubai resident who first discovered the sport in 2006, Mihai initially sidelined BASE jumping to focus on skydiving, only rediscovering it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, she has completed over 300 jumps and says the sport has shaped her perspective on life:

“BASE jumping has taught me to trust myself, to trust my decisions and my reflexes, and to love life more than ever. Before a jump, I tell myself that I am very lucky and I love living and I love my life.”

For Katie Hansen, an American who started BASE jumping in 2003 and has since completed 1,350 jumps, participating in EXIT139 was a one-of-a-kind experience.

“It felt very special. I feel very privileged to be here,” she said. “This is one of the most beautiful buildings in addition to being one of the tallest exit points I have ever jumped. It’s a beautiful city with wonderful people, and I feel very, very fortunate to be a part of it.”

While many view BASE jumping as an adrenaline-fueled sport for extreme thrill seekers, the athletes themselves take a different perspective, both pragmatic and deeply philosophical.

“We’re not thrill seekers, we’re life seekers, looking to experience life to the full,” Hansen explained.

Mihai echoed this sentiment: “BASE jumping is not only for the crazy. It’s not for the crazy at all, actually. I think us BASE jumpers are actually quite responsible and trustworthy — more than a lot of people out there.”

To Mihai’s point, extensive planning was required not only from the athletes but also from the event organizers. A 12-meter platform was specially engineered as the launch pad for the jumps, extending six meters beyond the balcony of the 139th floor. According to organizers, safety was the top priority.

Beyond technical mastery, both organizers and athletes emphasized the individuality each jumper brings to the sport — making every leap uniquely their own.

Italian athlete Mancino, who started BASE jumping in 2009 and has completed more than 600 jumps, described her approach:

“Before a BASE jump, I tell myself to have fun, be relaxed, and enjoy the special moment,” she said. “I bring my own style just from what I have learned being myself and a girl.”

With EXIT139 behind them, inspiring awe among bystanders, many of whom shared the showcase on social media throughout the week, the athletes are reflective.

“I hope we’re gonna get the chance to do this all over again because it’s amazing. It’s hard to describe the past two days in words,” Mihai said.

“I wish people knew that BASE jumping is the most beautiful sport of flying,” said Mancino. “I mean, who gets to jump from such a building like the Burj Khalifa?”

Dawn Barnable is the founder and host of The Mettleset Podcast, a platform dedicated to women in sport from across the region.


Barcelona’s Flick upset by referee harassment

Barcelona’s Flick upset by referee harassment
Updated 21 February 2025
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Barcelona’s Flick upset by referee harassment

Barcelona’s Flick upset by referee harassment
  • “The referees at the moment, what they are doing here in Spain with them is unbelievable,” Flick told a news conference
  • “You have to think about the families of the referees, all of us make mistakes”

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick showed his anger at the harassment of La Liga referees on Friday, after weeks of complaints from title rivals Real Madrid about Spanish arbitration.
Los Blancos sent a letter to the Spanish football federation complaining officiating in the country was “rigged” and referee Jose Munuera Montero faced abuse on social media this week after sending off Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
Champions Real Madrid have attacked Spanish referees consistently on their club television channel this season and coach Carlo Ancelotti said he prefers officiating in the Champions League.
“The referees at the moment, what they are doing here in Spain with them is unbelievable,” Flick told a news conference, bringing up the matter of his own accord.
“You have to think about the families of the referees, all of us make mistakes, and if it happened in a match I think it’s the responsibility of the coaches and the players to protect them.
“I don’t like that, we’re always using our energy to discuss (them)... we have to trust in them, and I think the federation has to show how strong they are.”
The Spanish football federation said Friday the slogan “Respect the referee, respect football” will be used ahead of matches this weekend.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was banned for two matches this week after showing dissent to referee Jose Munuera Montero during his team’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna last weekend.
Bellingham was sent off and Madrid’s appeal against his ban was rejected Friday, meaning he will not be available for Los Blancos on Sunday against Girona.
“Bellingham is an excellent player, one of the best in his position, and he’s not my player, so I don’t have anything to say about that,” continued Flick.
The former Bayern Munich coach said referees should be protected.
“We always look for excuses, if we lose it’s the referee’s fault... I say, everyone makes mistakes, I do too and maybe a referee...
“We have to protect the match because we cannot play without referees, so this is what we have to do.”
Barcelona pulled level on points with Real Madrid on Monday with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano but lead the lead on goal difference, ahead of their visit to Las Palmas on Saturday.
Madrid have been criticizing officials for months on their television channel but stepped up their complaints after Espanyol defender Carlos Romero was not sent off for fouling Kylian Mbappe when the sides met on February 1 in La Liga.


Haaland a doubt for Man City showdown with ‘exceptional’ Liverpool

Haaland a doubt for Man City showdown with ‘exceptional’ Liverpool
Updated 21 February 2025
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Haaland a doubt for Man City showdown with ‘exceptional’ Liverpool

Haaland a doubt for Man City showdown with ‘exceptional’ Liverpool
  • “Tomorrow we will know,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference
  • The January signing of Omar Marmoush at least means Guardiola does have a back-up option

MANCHESTER: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland remains a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool after sitting out his side’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid.
The Norwegian was named on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu but did not make an appearance as City were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday to crash out 6-3 on aggregate.
“Tomorrow we will know,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
The January signing of Omar Marmoush at least means Guardiola does have a back-up option should Haaland fail to recover in time to face the league leaders, but Guardiola could not hide the importance of his 27-goal star striker.
“It’s better to have Erling on the pitch than not,” he added. “Of course with Erling we are stronger.”
The battle for supremacy between Guardiola’s City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool marked an era in the Premier League.
But Arne Slot has seamlessly succeeded Klopp to have the Reds on course for the title in his first season in charge.
“For me it’s an exceptional team. I have said many times, they have been the biggest rival in my tenure here,” said Guardiola.
“Arsenal right now in the last years have been involved as well, but I could not expect differently that Liverpool (would) be in the position that they are.”
Liverpool hold an eight-point lead over Arsenal, who have a game in hand and are favorites to cut the gap to five when they host West Ham on Saturday.
After four consecutive title triumphs, City’s defense of their crown is realistically over as they are 17 points adrift of Liverpool in fourth.
Injuries have played a major role in City’s decline.
John Stones is set for another couple of months on the sidelines after limping off with a thigh tear early on against Madrid, while Rodri and Manuel Akanji may also not play again this season.
Guardiola pointed to a brutal schedule as the cause and pointed out that Arsenal, Real Madrid and Tottenham are among other clubs battling a number of serious muscle injuries this season.
City’s season could stretch into mid-July due to their participation in the Club World Cup, with the next Premier League season starting barely a month later.
Guardiola said he is already fearing a repeat situation next season that could hinder City’s hopes of bouncing back and competing for major honors.
“Of course, I’m concerned. So, next season, everybody will be fit? I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he added.
“We have already a lot of players that cannot sustain what we have in the past. Week in, week out, playing a dozen different competitions, travels. Without the problems.
“More than 50 games, it’s too much for the players. It’s too much for the human being, the body cannot sustain without a medical issue.
“And we arrived at 65, 70 games and, at the end, look what happened. It’s not just Man City. It’s all the clubs.”


Parker ready for ‘anyone’ as Dubois replacement is flown in to Saudi for heavyweight bout

Parker ready for ‘anyone’ as Dubois replacement is flown in to Saudi for heavyweight bout
Updated 21 February 2025
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Parker ready for ‘anyone’ as Dubois replacement is flown in to Saudi for heavyweight bout

Parker ready for ‘anyone’ as Dubois replacement is flown in to Saudi for heavyweight bout
  • Daniel Dubois facing a medical issue ahead of Saturday’s scheduled bout
  • Joseph Parker now expected to face Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole

RIYADH: Joseph Parker came to Saudi Arabia to try to win the IBF heavyweight title from Daniel Dubois.
Instead, Parker has turned his attention to Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole following Dubois facing a medical issue ahead of Saturday’s scheduled bout. Bakole was called in to be a last-minute replacement.
“The show goes on. It’s not even just in boxing, but it’s in life,” the 33-year-old Parker told Sky Sports. “Things happen, you just have to adjust and adapt to the situation.”
Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, hadn’t confirmed the champion’s status ahead of Friday’s weigh-in but said Thursday night that Dubois was “being evaluated by a doctor.”
Even if there’s no shot at a world title Saturday, the winner of a Parker-Bakole bout would be in line to fight Oleksandr Usyk for the Ukrainian’s WBO belt. The WBO announced that the winner would become the mandatory challenger.
“I said it before, I’ll fight anyone and everyone, doesn’t matter who it is,” said Parker, a New Zealand native. “Thanks to Martin for putting up his hand. He’s a tough fighter. I look forward to that challenge.”
Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) is a former WBO champion. He won the belt in December 2016 when he beat Andy Ruiz and lost it to Anthony Joshua 15 months later.
Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) weighed over 280 pounds in his most-recent fight when he stopped Jared Anderson in the fifth round last August in Los Angeles.
The 27-year-old Dubois had been hoping to win and then take on Usyk later this year. He made his first title defense last September with a brutal fifth-round knockout of Joshua in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.
The London native had become the titleholder three months earlier when the IBF belt was vacated by Usyk.
Saturday’s main attraction is the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Beterbiev became the undisputed light-heavyweight world champion after a contentious points decision over Bivol in October.