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Harvard cancels soccer season because of lewd posts
Harvard University, pretty much the gold standard for intelligence in its student body, canceled its soccer season because of a continuing practice of lewd social media postings by its players. The problem dates to 2012, with inappropriate comments about female athletes. Harvard president Drew Faust issued a statement saying that the offensive postings “appear to be more widespread across the team and have continued into the current season.” Harvard’s men’s soccer team is 10-3-2 for the year but will forfeit all its games and will not participate in any postseason tournament.
Montero feels he wasn’t treated right by Cubs
Miguel Montero was not in an entirely celebratory mood when his team won the World Series. The 33-year-old catcher had dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart, and he told ESPN Radio in Chicago that he felt “a different emotion because I didn’t get a chance to play.” Actually, he played a key role when he pinch-hit a grand slam in the National League Championship Series to put Game 1 out of reach. And he drove in what turned out to be the winning run with a single in the 10th inning of the climactic Game 7 of the World Series. “The toughest part for me was they never communicated with me,” he said. “I never understood what my role was going to be.” He played in 86 games in the regular season and hit .216. He had only 12 plate appearances in the postseason as manager Joe Maddon split the catching between David Ross and rookie Wilson Contreras. Ross has retired at 39, but Montero is under contract for $14 million next season. Maddon is known for communication with his players, but he may have some fence-mending to do with Montero.
Spieth aims to win more by playing less
After slipping from first in the world golf standings to sixth place, Jordan Spieth announced he will be competing in fewer tournaments in 2017 than he has the past two years. “I just wanted an off-season,” he said. “I need some time off.” Last year he made 12 starts in six countries but he’s less of a global traveler now. He skipped a recent tournament in China but is entered for the Australian Open next week.
Mayweather, Pacquiao heading for rematch
Just what the world wants: a boxing rematch between two over-the-hill welterweights. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are negotiating to fight next year, when the former, who is the champ, will be 40 years old and his challenger will be 38. Tony Kornheiser of ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption said: “It has that grotesque quality of Rocky 6.”
Jets bench defensive stars Wilkerson, Richardson
Todd Bowles, head coach of the downward spiraling New York Jets, benched two of his star defensive players for the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson were punished for showing up late to a team meeting. This incident was interpreted by some New York media as symptomatic of a team in disunity. Another sign was QB Ryan Fitzpatrick arguing on the sideline Sunday with his leading receiver, Brandon Marshall. The Jets are 3-6 after losing 27-23 in Miami.