‘Much too young’: Brain tumor leads to death of Tigers first base coach Kimera Bartee, 49  —  Detroit — Too soon.  Too sudden.  —  Kimera Bartee, 49, died at his father's home in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday.  The death came less than two months after he had been essentially rehired …

Report: MLB payrolls drop 4% to 2015 levels  —  MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball payrolls dropped 4% in 2021 compared …

Week 15 recap: Chicago Bears fall 17-9 to the Minnesota Vikings, committing 3 turnovers and failing in the red zone 4 times  —  The Chicago Bears played Monday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings without 14 players who were on the reserve/COVID-19 list and a handful of others who were out with injuries.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh ‘hopeful’ QB Lamar Jackson will practice Wednesday as ankle continues to heal  —  Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he's “hopeful” starting quarterback Lamar Jackson will practice Wednesday but said Jackson's status for the team's next game against the Cincinnati Bengals remains uncertain.

Sources: Cubs have serious interest in Carlos Correa but don't want to go 10 years in contract length  —  (670 The Score) While contact between MLB teams and players is prohibited amid the ongoing lockout, there remains mutual interest between the Cubs and free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa, according to multiple sources.

What are Dolphins' playoff odds after getting back to .500?  What if they win out?  Which other result makes the biggest difference?  —  The Miami Dolphins' improbable run from 1-7 to playoff contention continued with a sixth consecutive win on Sunday to get back to .500 at 7-7 with three regular-season games left.

Dear USC  —  If you would've told me back in high school that I would be the starting quarterback for USC, I wouldn't have believed you.  —  I wasn't a five-star recruit or anything, so I didn't exactly have a ton of big-time offers pouring in.  But then one day during my junior year …

Next season's four most intriguing bounce-back candidates  —  The 2021 season was better than 2020, so in some sense, we all bounced back.  But there's still room for more bounce, and that's the best part of the New Year cycle.  Out with the old, in with the new.

Transfer notebook: Newcastle leading race to sign Spurs centre-back Joe Rodon on loan  —  Eddie Howe wants to strengthen his defence as a priority and has the Wales international in his sights, along with full-back Kieran Trippier  —  Newcastle United are leading among the clubs looking …

Eli Manning's Twitter Reaction to a Philly Fan in a Santa Hat Flashing the Double-Bird on FOX Broadcast  —  The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Washington Football Team on Tuesday night.  The game was played in Philadelphia which meant there were many Philly fans in attendance.

David Blitzer Nearing Deal to Acquire Nearly 35% of MLB's Guardians  —  David Blitzer, part-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, is nearing a deal to acquire a significant minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians, according to multiple people familiar with the negotiations.

Oakland Athletics promote Mark Kotsay, 46, from third-base coach to manager, sources say  —  The Oakland Athletics have hired Mark Kotsay to be their next manager, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Monday, confirming an earlier report.  —  Kotsay, 46, was Oakland's third-base coach last season …

Next Year's Eury Perez?  10 Sleeper Pitching Prospects To Watch  —  The breakout pitcher of 2021 was Eury Perez.  —  Perez signed with the Marlins out of the Dominican Republic two years ago for $200,000.  He was 6-foot-5, 155 pounds with a mid-80s fastball when teams were scouting …