By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE losing its second consecutive loss at the U23 Pan American Championship, Bahamas Baseball Association’s officials are still optimistic about Team Bahamas’ performances in Panama.
Following a 9-1 defeat at the hands of Puerto Rico in Sunday’s opener in Group B, Team Bahamas fell 7-2 to the United States Virgin Islands in game two yesterday in Panama City.
Rain delayed the start of the game at the Estadio Justino Salinas Stadium, but assistant coach Trae Sweeting felt they should have won it.
“Sometimes that’s how the game goes. It’s a game where we have to come out and execute certain things,” said Sweeting, who is a part of the coaching staff that includes Jeff ‘Sangy’ Francis and Orville Saint and is led by manager Ken Adderley.
“I think there was some good in there. Our starting pitcher Gio (Tomlins) did a really good job today. We
just have to learn to win on the back end. That’s something we were preparing for and we will work on for the rest of the tournament.”
CHARLTON JOY AT DAYTONA BEACH DEBUT
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
DAWN Charlton was pleased with her season’s professional bodybuilding debut at the 2025 NPC/ IFBB Pro League Daytona Pro/Am Championships over the weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Competing in the women’s bikini competition, the 5-feet, 7-inches Charlton placed fourth in the masters 40+ category out of a field of 10 competitors and was 16th overall in the open category.
The legal assistant at Providence Law went to the championship with the goal of qualifying for Joe Welder’s Mr Olympia, the ultimate competition in Las Vegas.
But while the former soccer and track and field athlete fell short, Charlton said she will be back in her final two shows this year to attempt to qualify for the sports’ grandest stage in 2026.
Charlton was beaten out by three Americans Myra Colcord, Vanessa Guzman and Subriyah McKenzie, the top three finishers in order in Daytona Beach. But as the lone nonAmerican in her category, Charlton said she was thrilled to have represented The Bahamas the way she did on stage on Saturday night. “It was good. It was a big international show. I was really trying to get that Mr
‘I want that Olympic qualification, so I’m going to push harder.’
Olympia Qualifier, but I had some good feedback,” she pointed out.
“I just need to come in a little tighter in the legs and then see what happens.”
Going into the competition, Charlton said you never know what to expect. All she can do is prepare to do her best and see what happens on stage.
“I want that Olympic qualification, so I’m going to push harder,” said harlton, who is aiming to qualify for both the masters and the open categories.
“I will just do one at a time and see what happens.”
But in the meantime, Charlton said she’s put on a few pounds in the right areas of her body and right now both her lower and upper body is fine.
“So the feedback is good. There’s nothing to worry about, just that I need to come in a little tighter, which is very easy to do,” Charlton pointed out.
Charlton said she took the past few months to grow her body instead of competing, so she was pleased
DEBUT - SEE PAGE THREE
Tomlins, of Savannah State University, suffered the loss on the mound for The Bahamas, which gave up nine hits and five base
on balls.
US
and four
Left fielder Kashon Conliffe from the San Diego Padres farm system was 1-for-3 with a run scored; designated hitter Zachary
Gibson of Ohio Christian University was 1-for-3 with a run batted in (RBI) and center fielder Pheron Chrlton of Florida Memorial University went 2-for-3 with a walk.
They were responsible for the only three hits that The Bahamas produced in the game. The team also had 11 strikeouts and four walks. The Bahamas came up with their only two runs in the top of the second inning for an early 2-0 lead, their first and only advantage in the game.
First baseman Jaiden Cartwright of Talladega College drew a lead off walk and he advanced to second on a single from Conliffe and reached third on a fielder’s choice.
On another fielder’s choice, Cartwright scooted home, while Conliffe made it to second.
Gibson then drilled a shot to left field that sent Conliffe home.
The Bahamas had a chance to score another run with Gibson advancing to second on an overthrow.
PANAMA - SEE PAGE TWO
Devin Tranthan was the winning pitcher for the
Virgin Islands with 11 strikeouts on three hits
walks.
DAWN CHARLTON
TEAM Bahamas have been in action in Panama in the U23 Pan American Championship.
BAHAMAS TO BE BACK IN ACTION TODAY
PANAMA - from page one
But second baseman Rohan Culmer of Western Oklahoma State College hit a fly ball to left and Gibson got picked off going to third on a double play.
The US Virgin Islands, with nine hits in total, responded in the bottom of the second with two runs to tie the score. They broke away with two more runs in the fifth for a 4-0 lead and added three more runs in the sixth. In their first game against Puerto Rico, the Bahamas got five hits and 13 strikeouts with just one walk. They gave up seven hits and 11 walks with two strikeouts.
Team Bahamas will be back in action today in their third match against Aruba before getting a break on Wednesday and then facing Cuba on Thursday.
The teams are playing for three spots available for the Pan Am Qualifier and the pathway to the 2026 WBSC U23 Baseball World Cup in Nicaragua.
The other teams also vying for one of the spots are hosts Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras sndf Mexico, who are playing out of Group A.
The tournament wraps up on Saturday.
Deandre: This is my biggest opportunity
By JONATHAN BURROWS
Tribune Sports Reporter
jburrows@tribunemedia.net
DEANDRE Ayton had his first official appearance as a Los Angeles Laker yesterday at the Lakers’ media day. Ayton spoke candidly about embracing his new role and the expectations accompanying it. “This is the biggest opportunity of my career,” Ayton told reporters when asked about joining the Lakers. He added that he would not take it for granted, describing the move as one he’s long envisioned. He also spoke about his relationship and expectations with superstar teammates Luka Doncic and LeBron James. “They
both average about nine assists over their career span. They turn their teammates into superstars, they make them bigger than their roles, they make them very important on the floor,” he said. He also emphasised that being able to play with efficient playmakers such as LeBron and Luka helped motivate him this
coming season. Ayton arrived in Los Angeles via a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. He inked a two-year contract that includes a player option for $34 million including the remainder of his contract owed by Portland.
In signing him, the Lakers addressed a key offseason vacancy at the center position. Over his NBA career, the former number one pick Nassau native averaged 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game on 59 percent shooting through 398 games. He has been remarkably consistent averaging a double-double over multiple seasons. In his most recent season with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton appeared in 40 games, all starts, averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the field.
The upcoming season is a new beginning for Ayton and a chance to prove himself as one of the NBA’s most premier big men once again.
Finlayson Classic returns
THE Anglican Diocesan Youth Department is inviting families to lace up their sneakers, pack their towels, and head to the Original Thomas A Robinson Stadium on Saturday, October 4, for a day that blends competition with community spirit.
The Alpheus “Hawk” Finlayson Track & Field Classic – Family Edition is back, and this year’s event carries special meaning. Organisers will honour the late Roscow Davies and his family, recognising their lasting impact on both the sporting world and the Anglican church.
From track races to bounce houses, health checks to hot dogs, the Classic is designed to bring together people of all ages under the diocesan theme for 2025: “Family Matters.”
Families can look forward to live music from the New Horizon Pop Band, a Kiddie Corner filled with jumbo games and fun activities, and plenty of Bahamian comfort food.
Doctors Hospital will also be on site offering health screenings and LAMP sign-ups.
The event is named after Alpheus “Hawk” Finlayson, the late Bahamian track and field icon and
BALLERS PULL ONE BACK ON CRIMESTOPPERS
By JONATHAN BURROWS
Reporter
over the number one-seeded Police CrimeStoppers in game three of the Bahamas Government
Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) championship series yesterday at the AF Adderly gymnasium. The Ballers, seeded third, overcame a fourth-quarter deficit despite both of their centers fouling out. Despite this, they managed to gain the lead in the closing minutes and hold off a late push from the CrimeStoppers. Abel Joseph led the Ballers in scoring with 36 points and 14 rebounds. He was supported by Deonta Tinker, who added 20 points in the win. For the CrimeStoppers, Adam Johnson led the team with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Dion McPhee chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds. With the win, the Ballers now cut into the CrimeStoppers series led with the series now being 2-1. Game four of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Wednesday at 7.30pm at the AF Adderley gymnasium.
former President of the BAAA, widely remembered for championing youth development in sports.
“The Hawk Classic is about more than athletics,” organisers said. “It’s about celebrating who we are — body, mind, and spirit — and passing that legacy of unity and wellness on to the next generation.” Admission is only $5, and the gates open at 9am.
Organisers encourage families, athletes, and supporters to come out and celebrate faith, fitness, and fellowship in true Anglican tradition.
to finally get the first one under her belt. She will be back in action on November 16 in Fort Lauderdale and the final one on December 6 in California.
“I just have to come in a little tighter and work on my posing,” said Charlton as she prepared for the final two shows.
“I just have to keep lifting, keep training and keep my diet tight.
“I’m like seven weeks out from the next show, so I will swee what happens.”
In acknowledging God for giving her the ability to compete, Charlton expressed her gratitude to her American coach Paul Riveria; her mother, Mavis Charlton; her friend Elroy Weise; her MacFit training family, including Kenny Mackey and Craig Bowe; her mentor Joel Stubbs; her co-workers at Providence Law and her family and friends.
Ryder Cup in European hands no matter where they play
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
RORY McIlroy still remembers his tears from losing so badly in the Ryder Cup. What stung even more were the words from that Sunday four years ago at Whistling Straits.
The Americans won 19-9, the biggest Ryder Cup blowout ever over Europe. Yes, the gallery was one-sided because of travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. And yes, that was a powerful US team with all 12 playing at a high level. That never seems to happen.
This was a team that was going to change the course of the Ryder Cup.
“I was trying to tell the guys, ‘Let’s get to 20 points,’ because this is going to be the next era of Ryder Cup teams for the US side,” Patrick Cantlay said that day.
“If we play like we did this week, the score will be the same over there,” Jordan Spieth added.
McIlroy couldn’t help but think of those predictions as Europe celebrated its second straight win since that beating, hanging on for a 15-13 victory.
He looked around at flags draped around each teammate from their nine countries, all of them mostly proud of the Team Europe emblem on the crest of their shirts.
Unseen was the image of Seve Ballesteros stitched in the inside of the shirt so that it touched their hearts.
“The comments and what people were saying after Whistling Straits about the decades of American dominance, we took a lot from that,” McIlroy said. “We let that fuel us.”
The “American dominance” ended six years after continental Europe was invited to the party, and there is little to suggest that’s about to change.
Playing on the road against an angry New York crowd that was nasty and disruptive only fueled Europe even more. It set a Ryder Cup record — under the current format that dates to 1979 — by losing only four of the 16 team matches going into Sunday. No team had ever come
back from more than a four-point deficit. Europe was up by seven. It was close in the end — too close for Europe, until Shane Lowry came through with biggest putt of his life to secure the gold trophy — but this requires a bigger picture. McIlroy has been saying for the last two years winning a Ryder Cup on the road is among the biggest accomplishments in golf. He must have been referring to the Americans, who haven’t done that since 1993.
Europe picked up its fifth road win in the last 10 Ryder Cups, and it now has won 11 of the last 15 times.
That’s the very definition of dominance.
“When you think about the last away Ryder Cup about what people were saying about decades of American dominance
— whether it was home for them or away — and to be able to do what we’ve done in Rome and then here, you know, it shut a lot of people up,” McIlroy said. Whistling Straits, and even the US win at Hazeltine before that in 2016, is starting to look like a blip on the radar instead of a foundation on which to build.
Captain Luke Donald was told Europe had dominated the last decade and was in position to do that for the following decade. That’s when Lowry interject, “You guys told us we wouldn’t win one for 20 years, though.”
The Americans indeed put a scare into Europe, but even that required all the magic it could muster. Cameron Young and Justin Thomas both had to make 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to win their
matches.
Eight of the singles matches went to the 18th hole, the most in the Ryder Cup since eight matches in 1993. In both years, one European didn’t play and an American whose name was in the envelope — Lanny Wadkins in 1993, Harris English this time — were given a halve.
Perhaps what the Americans didn’t see coming after their big win at Whistling Straits was a changing of the guard. Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland were Ryder Cup rookies. Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick and and Tommy Fleetwood were playing in their second. They were a combined 13-5-5 at Bethpage Black.
And then there’s the Donald factor — the European captain, not the Ryder Cup guest on Friday who had Air Force One fly over
the 15th fairway. He had been left behind when Europe took Henrik Stenson for the 2023 matches in Rome. And then Stenson went to LIV Golf and was stripped of his captaincy, Donald had only 13 months to prepare and he’s pushed all the right buttons ever since.
US captain Keegan Bradley referred to Donald as the “best European captain of all time”.
“He won home and away, and he won a Ryder Cup in New York at Bethpage,” Bradley said. “He turned this European team into a really unstoppable force, especially the first two day.
... He put his team in the best position to win.”
How close was it? Even after the great American rally, Europe only needed a halve from the six matches still on the course to capture the cup.
There were no European blue scores on the board, but all the matches were tight. Lowry got the job done, with help from Russell Henley, who twice left 10-foot birdie putts short on the 17th and 18th holes that would have won him the match. Hatton let Collin Morikawa off the hook by missing three straight birdie chances from 8, 5 and 12 feet. But he never in big trouble and wound up getting another halve that made Europe an outright winner. And so it’s on to Ireland for 2027, a chance for the Americans to end 34 years of winning away from home, and end six years without winning the Ryder Cup. The 17-inch chalice goes back to the UK, a trophy the Americans still seem to only borrow once in a while.
EUROPE’s Shane Lowry and Justin Rose celebrate with the trophy after winning the Ryder Cup golf tournament against the United States on the Bethpage Black golf course, on Sunday.
Photo: Robert Bukaty/AP
EUROPE captain Luke Donald poses with the trophy after winning the Ryder Cup golf tournament against the United States on the Bethpage Black golf course, on Sunday, in Farmingdale, New York.
Photo: Lindsey Wasson/AP
By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer
BY THE age of 19
Kylian Mbappe had won the World Cup, become one of the most expensive soccer players ever and was labeled the heir-apparent to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Seven years later, and with Messi and Ronaldo long past their peak, Mbappe is still to be officially recognised as the best player in the world.
If anything, he is going backward.
By the most recent measure he was ranked seventh. That’s where he placed in this year’s voting for the Ballon d’Or — the sport’s biggest individual prize — which, last week, was won by Mbappe’s France teammate Ousmane Dembele.
“You deserve it x1000,” Mbappe graciously posted on social media.
In second place was teenage sensation Lamine Yamal — a player of such prodigious talent that he is now the one predicted to dominate the Ballon d’Or.
A new generation is threatening to usurp Mbappe before he’s even established himself at the top.
Yamal may overtake Mbappe
“The challenges do seem to be getting bigger for him to go to the top,” author Luca Caioli told The Associated Press. Caioli cowrote the book “Mbappe” chronicling his rise from prodigy to superstar.
He said the emergence of the 18-year-old Yamal places doubts over whether Mbappe would become a multiple Ballon d’Or winner.
“Now it could be very complicated because of the fascination of this young player of 18 years that broke all the records for (someone his) age,” said Caioli. “Also the age starts to be interesting for Mbappe. He’s not 19 years old like when he won the World Cup. It’s changed.”
Yamal, who has already led Spain to a European Championship and Barcelona to the Spanish title in his nascent career, won the Kopa trophy for the best under-21 player for the second year running. But there were claims he deserved the top prize, which would have made him the youngest ever recipient of the Ballon d’Or - overtaking Brazil striker Ronaldo, who won it aged 21. La Liga president Javier Tebas said the forward was only overlooked because of his age. Yamal’s father said his son was the “best player in the world by far.” Mbappe was barely part of
Mbappe was meant to succeed Messi and Ronaldo, but Ballon d’Or rankings say he’s going backward
the conversation There was no such outrage in response to Mbappe missing out. Not even from his club, Real Madrid, which last year boycotted the ceremony when Vinicius Junior was beaten to the prize by Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Frankly, Mbappe was barely part of the conversation this year despite winning the Golden Shoe as the top scorer in Europe. But at the age of 26, Mbappe’s levels are not dropping. The Golden Shoe was the first of his career and last month he moved past Thierry Henry’s total of 51 goals for France. He is now just six short of overtaking Olivier Giroud as his
country’s all-time leading scorer.
He was the first teenager since Brazil great Pele to score in a World Cup final when France won in 2018. And he followed that four years later by becoming only the second player to score a hat trick in the final when France lost on penalties against Argentina.
He left Paris Saint-Germain as the club’s all-time top scorer.
Yet despite the comments by Tebas and Yamal’s father, few could say Dembele was not a deserved winner of the Ballon d’Or as the star player of a PSG team that won the Champions League and the French league and Cup, scoring 32 goals.
Mbappe was a victim of bad timing
While it was a year of personal redemption for Dembele, whose career had stalled after a move to Barcelona in 2017, it also happened to come in the first season after Mbappe’s years-long-trailed transfer from PSG to Madrid.
Caioli said Mbappe moved at the “worst moment” as PSG was about to win the Champions League for the first time and Madrid surrendered its Spanish and European titles.
“He made a beautiful season. He is a European Golden Boot (winner) … But he found one of the worst years for Real
Madrid,” he said. “I think he waited too long to go to Madrid … and then chooses the wrong moment.”
How the Ballon d’Or is judged The Ballon d’Or is an imperfect way to determine the best player in the world. Ultimately it is a matter of opinion — voted for by one journalist from each of FIFA’s top 100-ranked nations. The criteria includes individual and team performances, “decisive and impressive character” and “class and fair play.” It is, however, often weighted towards the best player in a team that wins the Champions League or a
major international competition like the World Cup in any given year.
Which is why Mbappe could consider himself unfortunate to miss out after winning the World Cup with France in 2018 when he placed fourth. The winner that year was Luka Modric, who was runner up in the World Cup with Croatia and won the Champions League with Madrid.
“I did everything I could, but not everything I could to win a Ballon d’Or,” Mbappe said at the time. “It shows me how much I still have to do to win this trophy or it would be too easy to get there and win it all at once.”
Mbappe’s highest placing in the Ballon d’Or came in 2023 after his World Cup final hat trick. The winner that year was Messi, who led Argentina to victory at the Qatar tournament.
Weight of expectation
The expectation that Mbappe could dominate the Ballon d’Or was based on the standards set by Messi and Ronaldo, who won it a combined 13 times. It was predicted that he and Man City striker Erling Haaland would develop a similar rivalry, but Yamal’s emergence has changed that.
“He is the present and, without a doubt, has a great future,” Messi has said of Yamal.
“We have seen a genius, the product of a genius,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said of the teenager, who passed Pele as the youngest player to win a major international tournament as part of Spain’s Euro 2024 team.
A rivalry between Madrid’s Mbappe and Barcelona’s Yamal would emulate that of Ronaldo and Messi who also spent the height of their careers at Spain’s two biggest clubs.
It’s not too late for Mbappe And time is still on Mbappe’s side. He is just reaching his peak years and has joined European soccer’s most successful team in Madrid, which has won a record 15 Champions League titles.
It seems improbable Mbappe wouldn’t win European club soccer’s top prize at least once with the Spanish giant. Especially if he continues to score at the rate he has so far. This season alone he has scored 12 goals in 10 games for Madrid and France, including two against Levante a day after the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Given Dembele had to wait until he was 28 to win the trophy, he can serve as inspiration for Mbappe, who is 19 months his junior.
PARIS Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé receives the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or during the 69th Ballon d’Or awards ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, on September 22.
Photo: Thibault Camus/AP
College-reform bill could generate extra billions by allowing conferences to pool their TV rights
By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer
SEN MARIA
CANTWELL, D-Wash,
is proposing a bill that would rewrite a 1961 law prohibiting college sports conferences from banding together to sell their media rights, a move she says is designed to protect athletes, Olympics sports and smaller leagues that could be getting priced out of the increasingly expensive business of name-imagelikeness deals.
Cantwell, the ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee that deals with college sports, said she will introduce the Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act on Tuesday to give lawmakers an alternative to a bill on the House side that has yet to come up for a floor vote.
“We take a broader approach of: How do we solve the fundamental problem of implementing NIL rights, but also keeping revenue for women’s and Olympic sports and an environment where everyone feels like they can compete?” Cantwell said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press.
“And we’re maximising for consumers and the public the amount of content available.”
Conferences currently sell their media rights separately, with the Big Ten, for instance, distributing around $958 million to its schools from the proceeds while the Big 12 number is at around $558m — a 52.7 percent difference. All conferences are part of the $7.8 billion ESPN deal for the College Football Playoff, though the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference get more money from it.
Cantwell has previously said she wants to prevent college sports from turning into a “Power 2”, featuring those leagues, with everyone else contending for scraps. Under terms of the landmark House antitrust settlement, schools as of July 1 are allowed to share up to 22 percent of their revenues — or around
$20.5m — from TV and other proceeds to pay players for their NIL during this school year. It has left some in the non “Power 2” conferences wondering how they can draw top talent in football and basketball — the main revenue drivers — while maintaining smaller sports that form the pipeline for the teams America sends to the Olympics.
Cantwell’s proposal, which would offer schools the same antitrust protection it does for the NFL and other pro leagues regarding their TV rights, is what
billionaire Texas Tech regents chair Cody Campbell has proposed, going as far as running 30-second TV ads devoted to the topic on college football broadcasts.
“I think he thinks this is a way to even out the resources among all schools so that we can still have ‘Any Given Saturday,’” Cantwell said. Investors have floated ideas of super leagues, estimating it could drive up to a $15 billion increase in revenue.
Cantwell positions her bill as an alternative to
the SCORE Act, which started with momentum but has recently stalled on the House side. Three key elements to that bill included provisions granting the NCAA limited antitrust protection, prohibiting athletes from becoming employees of their schools and pre-empting state laws with a larger federal law.
Cantwell’s bill keeps the pre-emption idea but does not include the other two.
It also offers strengthened protections for athletes from losing scholarships or
health care. It would limit the number of times an athlete could transfer schools to two. It would give the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general authority to go after parties who violate rules written to oversee third-party collectives that now fund and oversee many of the NIL deals. The bill calls for football and basketball games to not be behind a paywall in local markets, a provision similar to how the NFL operates and that National Association of Broadcasters president Curtis LeGeyt
said would strengthen ‘the unique connection between universities, their communities and the student-athletes who inspire them.”
The bill would also call on schools to use extra revenue generated from the new pooled media rights to maintain scholarships and roster spots for Olympic and women’s sports at the same or greater levels than they were in 2023-24.
“We’re trying to be creative in how we can help some of these non-revenue sports grow in the future,” Cantwell said.
GIANTS FIRE VETERAN MANAGER BOB MELVIN
By JANIE McCAULEY AP Baseball Writer
BUSTER Posey will search for a fresh managerial voice to guide the San Francisco Giants, someone with an “obsessive” work ethic and attention to detail.
Manager Bob Melvin was fired on Monday after the club missed the playoffs for a fourth straight season.
Posey, San Francisco’s president of Baseball Operations, announced the decision. He had shown his confidence in Melvin by exercising the veteran manager’s contract option for the 2026 season on July 1.
“Just looking to find a different voice that can take us in a different direction,” Posey said.
Melvin said after Sunday’s 4-0 victory against Colorado to conclude his second season that he had received no assurances about managing in 2026.
“It is what it is,” he said, “we’ll see what the next day brings.”
The Giants finished 81-81 for one more victory than in Melvin’s first year. They haven’t reached the postseason since winning the NL West with a franchise-record 107 victories to edge the rival Dodgers by one game in 2021 under then-skipper Gabe Kapler.
Now, another change.
“It’s definitely not ideal but unfortunately we talked about it a
lot what the standards are for the Giants and we have high standards,” Posey said. “And I hold myself to those same standards. I understand fully the position that I’m in now. My job and the team’s success is evaluated accordingly as well. You without a doubt hope that there can be consistency in these leadership positions. We’ve got to get back to a place where we’re getting in the playoffs, we’re making runs in playoffs. That’s what our fan base deserves, that’s what the city deserves.”
As Posey begins finalizing his list of candidates, one familiar name has come up as a possibility: the catcher’s former manager, Bruce Bochy. He has wrapped up his three-year contract with Texas but Posey noted, “I don’t know what his status is yet so I can’t speak on that.”
The 70-year-old Bochy managed the Giants for 13 seasons from 2007-2019, a run that featured every-other-year World Series titles in 2010, ‘12 and ‘14. Posey said there’s no timetable for making a hire — “I want to make sure we get it right” — nor suggested whether he would seek someone with prior managerial experience.
Players offered support for Melvin as the season ended.
“You know how I feel about BoMel, I loved him. He’s been my manager for I guess seven years,”
said third baseman Matt Chapman, who also played for Melvin with Oakland. “I feel extremely grateful that I get to play for him and he’s the same guy every day. He’s been steady for us, he’s always honest with the players, he has our back. He’s done the best with what we’ve given him. The players, a lot of us didn’t play to probably our capabilities.”
The 63-year-old Melvin left the San Diego Padres to return home
to the Bay Area and manage the Giants last year for the job he always dreamed of doing as a former catcher with the organisation. This is his 22nd year as a major league manager. Melvin has a 1,678-1,588 career regular-season managerial record.
A three-time Manager of the Year who has won the award in both leagues, he has eight postseason appearances while guiding Arizona, Seattle, Oakland, San Diego
and the Giants. San Francisco finished 80-82 in Melvin’s first season last year after he replaced Kapler, who was fired with three days remaining in the 2023 season.
Melvin is a native of nearby Palo Alto, California. He attended the University of California-Berkeley and played for his hometown Giants from 1986-88.
This has been his dream job, one he thought about in each visit to Oracle Park as a visiting manager.
“It wasn’t enjoyable. I knew how much this job meant to Bob,” Posey said of their conversation. The players certainly realized their skipper’s passion for being in a place that means so much to him. While several Giants — including All-Star Logan Webb — said they don’t expect Posey to be satisfied with this disappointing year, that didn’t necessarily mean they expected a managerial change.
“He’s done a great job,” Webb said after Sunday’s start. “I know I said some things last time that I think got misconstrued. It had nothing to do with BoMel. He’s amazing at what he does. I think at the end of the day, it comes down to us being able to play better as players, and I think everyone in here will say the exact same thing. BoMel’s a great leader of men. It’s been amazing. I think BoMel is great.”
SEN MARIA CANTWELL, D-Wash, speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Capitol Hill, on July 10, in Washington.
Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP
SAN Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin gives out autographs before an MLB baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, on September 27, in San Francisco. Photo: Benjamin Fanjoy/AP
LATIN SUPERSTAR BAD BUNNY WILL HEADLINE 2026 SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr AP Entertainment Writer
BAD Bunny will bring his Latin trap and reggaeton swagger to the NFL’s biggest stage next year: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show in Northern California.
The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Bad Bunny will lead the halftime festivities from Levi’s Stadium on February 8 in Santa Clara, California.
The Puerto Rican superstar’s selection comes amid another career-defining run: He’s fresh off a historic Puerto Rico residency this month that drew more than half a million fans and is leading all nominees at the Latin Grammys in
November. He has become one of the world’s most streamed artists with albums such as “Un Verano Sin Ti,” an all-Spanish-language LP. Bad Bunny will host “Saturday Night Live” on October 4. “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”
Roc Nation founder Jay-Z said in a statement that what Bad Bunny has “done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honoured to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
The 31-year-old artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has won three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys. He has become a global ambassador for Latin music, starred in films such as “Bullet Train,” “Caught Stealing” and “Happy Gilmore 2,” and collaborated with top fashion houses. He’ll enter the Latin Grammys as the leading nominee with 12, dethroning producer and songwriter Édgar Barrera.
Roc Nation and Emmywinning producer Jesse Collins will serve as coexecutive producers of the halftime show. Hamish Hamilton will serve as director.
“We know his dynamic performances, creative vision, and deep connection with fans will deliver the kind of unforgettable experience we’ve come to expect
from this iconic cultural moment,” said Jon Barker, SVP of Global Event Production for the NFL.
Last year, Kendrick Lamar shined with guest SZA in New Orleans, setting the record for the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show with 133.5 million viewers. His performance surpassed the audience for Michael Jackson’s 1993 show.
“His music has not only broken records but has elevated Latin music to the center of pop-culture and we are thrilled to once again partner with the NFL and Roc Nation to deliver this historic performance to millions of fans worldwide,” said Oliver Schusser, the vice president of Apple Music and Beats. “We know this show will be unforgettable.”
Micah Parsons’ hyped return to Dallas ends with Cowboys and Packers in 40-40 tie
By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer
MICAH Parsons and Dak Prescott both said winning was the only thing that mattered in the Green Bay pass rusher’s hyped return to Dallas to face the Cowboys and their franchise quarterback.
Turns out neither star got what he wanted Sunday night.
Brandon Aubrey and Brandon McManus traded short field goals in overtime, and Parsons’ only sack played a role in keeping Dallas out of the end zone in the extra period of a 40-40 tie.
Prescott and Jordan Love had three touchdown passes apiece in regulation, which included seven consecutive lead-changing TDs before McManus’ tying 53-yard
field goal as time expired.
McManus kicked a 34-yarder as the clock hit 0:00 in OT, after Love’s pass into the back of the end zone fell incomplete with just a second remaining.
“It’s hard to kind of wrap my head around it because I know I’d feel a hell of a lot worse if it was a loss,” Prescott said. “But I’m not satisfied. Not that I would be if we won.”
What started as the hyped return of one of the game’s elite edge pass rushers exactly a month after the Cowboys (1-2-1) traded Parsons to the Packers (2-11) ended up as the second dramatic duel of quarterbacks in two home games for Dallas.
The Cowboys beat the Giants 40-37 in overtime two weeks earlier when Russell Wilson was starting for New York.
The second-highest scoring tie in pro football history, behind the Raiders’ 43-43 draw with the Boston Patriots in the AFL in 1964,
was the first for Dallas since 1969. The Packers last tied in 2018. It was the fifth tie with both teams scoring in OT, going back to 2013 after the rules changed to where a field goal on the first possession of overtime didn’t end the game. All five such ties have been matching field goals. “Doesn’t feel good, feels kind of weird,” Love said. “Feels weird to go through a full game and end in a tie.”
The Cowboys had a first down at the Green Bay 5 to start overtime after Prescott ran away from pressure from Parsons for a spectacular 34-yard completion to Jalen Tolbert, who came back for the throw and just barely got his feet inbounds.
The drive stalled with help from Parsons, who caught Prescott from behind for no gain and was credited with the sack. The Cowboys settled for Aubrey’s 22-yard field goal.
“I felt like I was giving them my best shot, and they gave me their best shot, and then we just came out into a draw,” Parsons said. “It was a 12-round fight, like on both sides. I think both sides could have played better.”
Love completed a 14-yard pass to Matthew Golden on fourth-and-6 and led the Packers to a first down at the Dallas 12 before that OT drive stalled as well.
The Packers were tackled inbounds on a play that started with 28 seconds
left, and didn’t get another snap until six seconds remained. They were fortunate a second remained after Love’s incompletion to Golden.
“I think that just goes to the level of detail where we’re not where we need to be,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “The operation was just way too slow. I don’t know if our guys didn’t know we were in 2-minute or what.”
Romeo Doubs caught all three of Love’s TD passes and finished with 58 yards on six catches. Josh Jacobs rushed for two touchdowns and finished with 157 total yards. Love threw for 337 yards.
Javonte Williams powered in from the 1 in the wildcat for Dallas after
Prescott split wide, giving the Cowboys a 30-27 lead with 4:50 remaining. Two more TDs followed.
“No one in that locker room is happy,” said Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, who has his first win and his first tie in four games as a head coach after a quarter-century as an NFL assistant.
“No one in that locker room is fulfilled. We didn’t win. I would be remiss if I didn’t say how proud I was of them and their fight.”
Prescott threw for 319 yards and ran for a score, and George Pickens had eight catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns with No 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb sidelined by a high ankle sprain. Parsons’ OT sack was
the only one given up by a Dallas offensive line missing two starters. The banged-up Green Bay front was equally effective. The only sack of Love came on a fumble that led to the second Dallas touchdown in the final 41 seconds of the first half.
2 points the other way
The Packers were up 13-0 after Love’s second TD toss Doubs when Juanyeh Thomas blocked McManus’ PAT attempt and Markquese Bell returned it for a 2-point conversion, the first such 2-point play in Dallas franchise history. That three-point swing was still the difference before McManus’ first tying kick on the final play of regulation.
Still unbeaten
The Packers still haven’t lost at AT&T Stadium. They’re 5-0-1 against the Cowboys under the retractable roof, which was open. It’s 6-0-1 counting the Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh to cap the 2010 season.
Injuries
Packers: DT Devonte Wyatt exited in the second quarter with a knee injury and didn’t return. ... CB Nate Hobbs was evaluated for a concussion in the second half.
Cowboys: S Malik Hooker didn’t return after pulling up lame in the middle of a play in the second quarter with a left toe injury. ... Cowboys RB Miles Sanders injured an ankle before halftime. ... LT Tyler Guyton was evaluated for a concussion.
Up next
Packers: Off next week before hosting Cincinnati on October 12.
Cowboys: At the New York Jets next Sunday.
BAD BUNNY
GREEN Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, left, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) greet each other after their team’s overtime NFL football game which ended in a tie on Sunday, in Arlington, Texas.
Photo: Julio Cortez/AP
GREEN Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs celebrates his touchdown catch in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Photo: Jessica Tobias/AP
Serious leg injury for Hill casts cloud on Dolphins
By ALANIS THAMES
AP Sports Writer
DARREN Waller had a pair of touchdown catches in his first NFL game in nearly two years, and Tua Tagovailoa threw for 177 yards to lead the Miami Dolphins to their first win of the season, 27-21 over the New York Jets on Monday night.
The Dolphins lost star receiver Tyreek Hill to what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the third quarter. The five-time Allpro made a catch and land awkwardly on his left leg after being tackled near the New York Jets’ sideline.
Players from both teams took a knee while Hill was tended to, and he was immediately carted off and taken to a hospital.
Tagovailoa completed 17 of 25 passes and didn’t have a turnover for the first time this season as he moved to 7-0 against the Jets as Miami’s starter.
The Dolphins (1-3) won their 10th straight at home against the Jets (0-4), who are still searching for their first win under coach Aaron Glenn.
The Jets pulled within six with 1:49 left when Garrett Wilson hauled in a 23-yard jump ball from Justin Fields, who ran it in for a 2-point conversion.
After recovering the onside kick, the Dolphins went three-and-out while working the clock to 13 seconds. Miami then pinned the Jets on their own 1, and the game ended on a play where New York tried a series of laterals, one of which was flagged as an illegal forward pass. Waller, playing his first game since the end of the 2023 season, caught a 4-yard pass in the back of the end zone from Tagovailoa on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter of his Dolphins debut. The 33-year-old scored again on a 9-yard catch in the
third that put Miami ahead 17-3. He finished with three receptions for 27 yards.
The Dolphins amassed 123 yards rushing behind De’von Achane’s 20 carries for 99 yards. Achane had a 9-yard scoring run.
Fields completed 20 of 27 passes for 226 yards in his return from a concussion that sidelined him in Week 3. He added 81 yards
rushing, including a 43-yard scramble for a score on fourth-and-1 that pulled the Jets within a touchdown midway through the third.
The Jets gained 197 of their 404 yards with a highly effective ground game — they averaged 7 yards per carry — but turned the ball over three times and were penalised 13 times, including an offensive pass
interference against Wilson that wiped out a touchdown in the third. On their first drive, which started on their own 14, the Jets ran the ball 10 times for 74 yards before Braelon Allen had the ball punched out by Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones near the goal line. Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered for Miami’s first takeaway of the season.
Fields had the ball stripped on a sack the next drive, and Dante Trader recovered receiver Isaiah Williams’ fumble on the first play of the third quarter.
Jets veteran Nick Folk made two field goals: a career-long 58-yarder and another of 50 yards.
Rivalry uniforms
The Dolphins, whose regular uniforms are among the most recognisable in the NFL, debuted an alternate, dark blue ensemble. The jerseys feature Miami’s signature aqua blue lined with orange stripes on the helmet, pants and sleeves.
Injuries
Jets: RB Braelon Allen suffered a knee injury after kick return in second quarter and did not return. ... DB Michael Carter II left before halftime with a concussion.
Dolphins: The team said Hill was hospitalised “for imaging, evaluation and observation.”
Up next Jets: Host Dallas on Sunday.
Dolphins: At Carolina on Sunday.
• In last night’s other game, the Denver Broncos blew away the Cincinatti Bengals with a 28-3 victory. The Broncos notched touchdowns through Nix, Mims Jr, Courtland Sutton and RJ Harvey.
GIANTS RECEIVER NABERS HAS TORN ACL, CONFIRMS COACH
By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer
MALIK Nabers has a torn ACL in his right knee and the New York Giants’ top wide receiver is out for the rest of the season, coach Brian Daboll said Monday. Nabers was injured in the second quarter of the Giants’ home game against the Los Angeles Chargers when his right knee buckled while he was trying to make a catch. He immediately grabbed at the knee, received medical attention and was carted off the field.
“He’s one of our better players — I think one of the better players at his position in the league,” Daboll said. “We’ll have a tremendous amount of support for him, his family. It’s obviously a tough loss for our football team, but we’ll regroup and we’ll get the guys ready to play that are here and be as good as we can be on the perimeter. I know those guys will do everything they can do to be as good as we can be. But certainly when you lose one of your better players, that’s a big loss.” Asked if there was any additional damage to Nabers’ knee, Daboll indicated he knew specifically
only about the ACL tear.
Nabers’ injury put a damper on New York’s first win this season as rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for a touchdown and ran for another in his first NFL start.
“Obviously, prayers to him,” Dart said after the 21-18 victory. “Malik’s one of one, so when you have a guy like that on the field, you have all the confidence in the world that he can just be a dominant game-changer.”
There were big expectations for Nabers after he caught a single-season franchise record 109
passes in his rookie year, finishing with 1,204 yards and seven TD receptions. And that came with a rotation of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito at QB.
Dart taking over the role seemed to be the start of a strong connection between him and Nabers. It will now be a by-committee approach to filling in for the 22-year-old, with starters Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson expected to be counted on for more and an opportunity there to be seized by rookie Beaux Collins and underachieving 2023
third-round pick Jalin Hyatt. “Malik goes down, and we have confidence in the guys that are behind (him),” Daboll said. “We’ll get ready to play with the guys that we have, and I’m confident in all those guys.”
The pass rush that was supposed to be a difference-maker wreaked havoc against the Chargers, sacking Justin Herbert twice and making him uncomfortable all day behind a patchwork offensive line missing two starters. Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence even intercepted Herbert and returned it 37 yards almost to the house. Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux each had a sack, and No. 3 pick Abdul Carter was a factor while playing 73% of the defensive snaps. Lawrence being a monster inside opens things up on the edge.
“When he gets double teamed, then the other guys have got to win 1-on-1 when they have an opportunity to,” Daboll said. “There’s a couple of times that Dex was 1-on-1 and he was in the backfield, but having a guy like Dexter certainly helps everybody.”
MIAMI Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) talks with a staff member as he is carted off the field after suffering an unknown lower leg injury in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, on Monday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
