Red Sox pitchers visit Kennedy in Tokyo
TOKYO (AP) — Boston Red Sox pitchers Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa have met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy during a tour to share the 2013 World Series trophy with baseball fans in in the country.
Earlier in the day, the two pitchers presented Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a Red Sox jersey and talked baseball with the Japanese leader.
The 56-year-old daughter of late President John F. Kennedy arrived in Japan in November to become the first woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to Japan.
Tazawa and Uehara played key roles in helping the Red Sox win the 2013 World Series.
The 38-year-old Uehara pitched a perfect ninth inning to finish off a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6, securing Boston’s third championship in 10 years.
Carroll speaks with Sherman about rant
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle coach Pete Carroll says after speaking with Richard Sherman the fiery cornerback was apologetic that his rant against San Francisco’s Michael Crabtree overshadowed the Seahawks reaching their second Super Bowl in franchise history.
Carroll said the pair spoke Monday a day after Sherman deflected a pass intended for Crabtree and was intercepted by teammate Malcolm Smith in the closing seconds of Seattle’s 23-17 win over the 49ers to win the NFC championship.
Sherman lit up social media after his shouting postgame interview with Fox reporter Erin Andrews then didn’t back down from his comments toward Crabtree, later calling him “mediocre.”
Bowman tore ACL, MCL in NFC title game
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — NaVorro Bowman tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee when he went down during Sunday’s NFC championship loss at Seattle, a person with direct knowledge of the injury said.
The person said that Bowman would have surgery for the ACL tear but that the MCL is likely to heal with rest and he is expected to be ready for the 2014 season.
Harvin expected to return for Super Bowl
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Wide receiver Percy Harvin could be back to practice later this week for the Seattle Seahawks and is expected to be available for the Super Bowl.
Jamaica bobsled team returns to Olympics
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has decided to accept an invitation for its bobsled team to compete in next month’s Sochi Olympics.
The Jamaicans have been a phenomenon for more than a quarter-century, dating to the team’s Olympic debut in Calgary in 1988. They last brought their bobsled to the Olympics in 2002.
Winston Watts will pilot the team’s two-man sled and says he has received calls from countless people around the world offering financial support. The Jamaican Olympic Committee said it and the Sochi Organizing Committee will cover the team’s travel costs.
NHL suspends Tortorella
NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL suspended Vancouver coach John Tortorella without pay for 15 days for his conduct after a brawl between the Canucks and the Calgary Flames.
Tortorella went to Calgary’s locker room at intermission following the first period Saturday night, which began with several fights and four game misconducts per team. Vancouver won the game 3-2 in a shootout.
Tortorella’s suspension runs through Feb. 2.
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