Mondesi to serve 6 years in jail in the DR

Ex-MLB outfielder Raúl Mondesi to serve 6 years in jail in the Dominican Republic

A Dominican court sentenced former Major League Baseball outfielder Raúl Mondesi to six years and nine months in Jail and fined $507,000 for corruption during his time as mayor of the city of San Cristobal. Prosecutors accused Mondesi of embezzling $5 million when he was mayor between 2010 and 2016. The sentence was passed after a deal with the prosecutors’ office. Mondesi, whose son Adalberto Mondesi was a big league shortstop, spent six years under house arrest, meaning his sentence has already been completed. While he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Raúl Mondesi won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1994 and competed in the All-Star Game one year later. He was in the MLB for 13 seasons and won two Gold Gloves. Mondesi’s MLB career also includes a session with the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves. He concluded his career with an average of .273, 217 home runs and 860 RBIs. After he left Major League Baseball, Mondesi began his political career in San Cristobal, where he was a lawmaker between 2006 and 2010. Following his service as mayor, he bid for the senate but lost. Dominican prosecutors levelled several charges against Raúl, such as falsification of documents, criminal association, and malfeasance.

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patrick becomes capitals general manager

Chris Patrick becomes Capitals general manager, Brian MacLellan still president of hockey operations

Chris Patrick was named senior vice president and general manager of the Washington Capitals on Monday.  Meanwhile, Brian MacLellan, who was Washington GM for the past 10 seasons, will stay on as president of hockey operations, a title he got in 2023. MacLelland will keep overseeing every area of hockey operations and Patrick will report to him. Patrick is the seventh GM in Capitals history.  He recently completed his 16th season with the team and first as associate GM. “We are thrilled to announce Chris’ promotion to general manager,” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said. “Chris is a dedicated and hard-working executive who is fully prepared for this next step in his career. His vision, extensive experience, hockey acumen and player evaluation make him the perfect leader to drive our team forward. We are confident that he will thrive in this new role.” Patrick first joined the Capitals in 2008 in a player development and scouting role and served as a pro scout, director of player personnel, assistant GM and associate GM. As associate general manager, he monitored Washington’s analytics department, player contract negotiations, hockey operations staff, player personnel and budget and team scheduling matters. Additionally, Patrick managed the Capitals’ professional scouting staff and worked closely with the Hershey Bears, Washington’s American Hockey League affiliate, which won the Calder Cup the past two campaigns. While overseeing Hershey, Patrick played a pivotal role in developing many Washington prospects to reach NHL level, He also employed two coaches, Spencer Carbery and Todd Nelson, who have won AHL Coach of the Year awards with Hershey. Carbery was named Capitals coach on May 30, 2023. In his past positions, Patrick handled scouting drafted players at the collegiate and junior levels. “With Dick Patrick as chairman, Brian as president and Chris as general manager, we believe we have a dynamic leadership team in place to continue to guide our hockey operations department forward,” Leonsis said. “Over the past decade, Brian has excelled as the head of our hockey operations department, helping bring the Stanley Cup to Washington and maintaining our team’s consistent competitiveness. Brian’s leadership, experience, and vision for our hockey team, combined with Chris’ impressive track record and successful tenure as an executive, talent evaluator and guardian of our minor league partnerships, position our hockey operations team for a successful future.” For MacLellan, this would be his 24th season with the Capitals, including stints as GM, assistant GM, director of player personnel and as a professional scout. He became GM on May 26, 2014 as George MchPhee’s replacement.

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orioles vs cubs: betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Baltimore Orioles VS Chicago Cubs betting Predictions

The Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles will meet at the Oriole Park tonight, to play the first match in a three-game series. Don’t miss the Orioles VS Cubs. MatchPlug has the MLB best bets today which you can rely on for Orioles VS Cubs. We are one of the Best sports betting sites to get previews for MLB matches. Predictions And Betting Preview For Baltimore Orioles VS Chicago Cubs  Venue: Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland. When: Tuesday, July 9th, 2024. Time: 23:35. Teams to play: Orioles and Cubs.  MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.615. Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Baltimore Orioles 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.615 1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5 The Baltimore Orioles weekend was set against the Oakland Athletics. The Orioles suffered a blowout defeat on Saturday 19-8, but won against the Athletics 3-2 on Friday and 6-3 Sunday for a series victory. Sunday’s win had four runs in the first inning and three RBI from a Heston Kjerstad home run. Dean Kremer will start for Baltimore tonight. He is 4-4 so far with a 3.93 ERA in 10 starts. Over Kremer’s 81 career matches (80 starts), he is 26-24 with a 4.30 ERA. Betting On The Chicago Cubs 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.379 1XBet Over/Under: Under 1.5 Over the weekend, the Chicago Cubs faced the Los Angeles Angels. They lost 7-0 Saturday but other than that, they won the series two victories, 5-1 in the opener and 5-0 in the finale. In Sunday’s match, the Cubs scored 6.1 clean frames from starter Hayden Wesneski on one hit and one walk. On Chicago’s injury list is SP Javier Assad (forearm) who could be activated from the list before the All-Star break. RP Colten Brewer was put on the 60-day IL Sunday with a fractured left hand. The Cubs have not yet announced who will start for them tonight. MatchPlug Prediction For Baltimore Orioles VS Chicago Cubs  Experts choose the Orioles to win this match, as they have played well in their last three series, and maintain a strong offensive unit. Baltimore scored 17 runs in three matches this past weekend, but conceded seven or more in two of the last four. But they still have an advantage over the Cubs. Final Prediction: Baltimore Orioles Moneyline.

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mlb trade rumour: mets buying, angels fielding offers

MLB trade rumours: Mets concentrating on buying at deadline, Angels listening to closer offers

The 2024 MLB trade deadline is on Tuesday, July 30, and so far Luis Arraez and Aaron Civale have been transferred to other clubs. More trades are in the works. Below are the latest MLB trade deadline rumours. Mets concentrating on buying A month-long heater has seen the Mets win 18 of their last 25 matches and advance to within 1.5 games of a Wild Card spot. According to the New York Post, New York is concerned with buying at the trade deadline. Getting help for the Bullpen is important. A high-end starting pitcher with control beyond 2024 would be good too. Edwin Diaz recently missed 15 days with shoulder discomfort and is presently serving a 10-game sticky stuff suspension. Even when he was healthy, Diaz has not dominated in the past. Veterans Jake Diekman and Adam Ottavino have been outdone by journeyman types Reed Garrett and Dedniel Núñez who have been working hard lately. One or two bona fide late inning arms definitely make sense as a deadline target. Reds cannot decide on buying or selling The Reds will hope to complete a three-game sweep of the Yankees in New York. But, they enter the day 3.5 matches out of a wild-card spot with five teams ahead of them. General manager Brad Meador recently stated that the team is still undecided on its deadline approach. They could buy or sell. Cincinnati is 41-45 despite a plus-17 run differential. “We have to wait and see how we finish off this road trip and the homestand coming up, and then we’ll see,” Meador told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We’re talking about it. We’d love to be able to add. But, realistically, we’ll probably just have to see how it goes.” Following the Yankees series, Cincinnati will play the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, and Miami Marlins entering into the All-Star break. This is a favourable schedule and a chance to rack up the wins before the deadline. If they buy, bullpen help and an outfielder would be on their shopping list. If they sell, Frankie Montas, Lucas Sims, and Brent Suter would be traded. Angels monitoring  Estévez The Los Angeles Angels are listening to offers for closer Carlos Estévez, a report by FanSided says. Estévez has been exceptional this year, pitching to a 3.00 ERA with 27 strikeouts and three walks were intentional too. He is owed the balance of his $6.75 million salary, so he is cheap, and a bat-misser with high leverage experience. Los Angeles will find it easy to get a suitor and it is very possible that Estévez will be traded before the deadline.

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walker announces his retirement

Ex-All-Star guard Kemba Walker announces his retirement

Kemba Walker, the all-time leading scorer in Charlotte Hornets history and four-time All-Star in his 12 NBA seasons, announced that he will be retiring from basketball on Tuesday. Walker, who played for AS Monaco in the Euroleague last campaign, spent eight seasons with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2011 -19), two seasons with the Boston Celtics (2019-21), and one season with the New York Knicks (2012-22) and Dallas Mavericks (2022-23) in his NBA career. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Walker will join new coach Charles Lee’s staff as a player enhancement coach. In his social media post, Walker wrote: “Basketball has done more for me than I could’ve ever imagined, and I am super thankful for the amazing journey I’ve had. With that, I’m here to share that I am officially retiring from the game of basketball. “This has been a dream. When I look back, I still can’t believe the things I achieved in my career.” The 6-foot guard was a three-time NBA All-Star for the Hornets, and then in his first season with the Celtics in 2019-20. But Walker missed valuable time recently due to knee issues. He also missed 37 matches with New York in 2021-22 and only nine matches with the Mavericks last season. Walker will retire as the Hornets’ top scorer and ranks in their top three in matches played, assists and steals. He also holds the team record for 3-pointers made and attempted, field goals made and attempted and free throws made and attempted. Kemba averaged 19.3 points for his 12-year NBA career, which came after a remarkable college career at UConn where he led the school to a 2011 national title. He was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four that year. Walker played for most of the pandemic-altered 2019-20 season, the last of five consecutive seasons where he averaged at least 20 points per game.

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2024 NFL Fantasy Football Draft Strategies: A Comprehensive Guide

Picture Credit As the 2024 NFL season approaches, fantasy football enthusiasts are gearing up for their drafts, aiming to construct teams that can dominate the league. Here, we delve into the latest strategies and insights that can help you navigate your drafts with precision and foresight. Embracing the Best Ball Format Best ball leagues offer a unique challenge in fantasy sports, where your team is set post-draft and no in-season management (like waivers or trades) is required. The key to succeeding in best ball formats is a robust drafting strategy right from the outset. In 2024, a significant decision in the early rounds is choosing between drafting a running back or a wide receiver first. This choice is crucial as it shapes your entire draft strategy. The best approach is to secure a strong foundation with elite players in the initial rounds and then adapt based on the position you’re allocated in the draft​. Leveraging Strategy in Middle Rounds Moving into the middle rounds of the draft, the focus shifts to strategic depth-building. Here, the goal is to identify potential league winners and fill out your team’s needs based on the foundation set in the early rounds. It’s essential to stay flexible but mindful of the team composition you’ve started to build. For instance, if you’ve heavily invested in running backs early, the middle rounds are an opportunity to balance your team with wide receivers or perhaps a tight end, depending on what values fall to you.  Incorporating fantasy NFL strategies and leveraging insights from NFL total wins can be crucial at this stage. Understanding which teams are projected for more wins can guide your picks, as teams expected to perform well might offer more stable and productive fantasy options. PPR Draft Strategy In point-per-reception (PPR) leagues, understanding the scoring system is critical. Players who catch a lot of passes, like certain running backs and wide receivers, rise in value. For example, a strategy might involve targeting a top-tier pass-catching running back early, then focusing on wide receivers central to their team’s passing game but might be undervalued in drafts​. Know the League Structure Every fantasy league is different in terms of point systems and how the roster is formatted. For example, Superflex leagues allow you to have two quarterbacks. Therefore, when you draft, you will want to focus on securing a strong quarterback early on given the emphasis on this position.  Some leagues also have bonus points involved, handing out extra points for 100-yard rushing or receiving games and long touchdown plays​. By studying the point system and league structure, you can better prepare for your draft. Dynasty Leagues: Long-Term Planning Dynasty leagues require a different approach, focusing on long-term player value. Young, promising players are prioritized, even if it means sacrificing short-term success. The strategy here involves a delicate balance between potential breakout stars and established performers to maintain competitiveness while also building for the future.  Robust RB Strategy The Robust RB strategy emphasizes securing several top running backs early in the draft. This approach is based on the belief that high-performing running backs are crucial for winning, despite their higher risk of injury and variability in performance. However, this must be balanced against the opportunity cost of not picking high-performing wide receivers or quarterbacks, who may offer more consistency and less injury risk. Conclusion As you prepare for your 2024 fantasy football draft, the key is flexibility and informed decision-making. Understanding the dynamics of your specific league—whether it’s best ball, PPR, or dynasty—helps tailor your strategy effectively. While the allure of securing top talents early is strong, mid to late rounds should not be underestimated, as they often determine the depth and resilience of your team throughout the season.  By staying updated with the latest strategies and player performances, you can navigate your draft with confidence and potentially secure that coveted league championship.

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dortmund wants pierre-emile højbjerg

Borussia Dortmund wants Pierre-Emile Højbjerg swoop

According to Florian Plettenberg, Borussia Dortmund have added Pierre-Emile Højbjerg to their list of potential midfielders. Dortmund are eager to strengthen their central areas, with the Tottenham player to become a viable option if they cannot get Brighton’s Pascal Gross. Højbjerg will take time to reflect on Denmark’s elimination from the Euros at the hands of Germany and might then weigh his options in the future. The Danish midfielder wants to leave Hotspurs in the summer after Ange Postecoglou downgraded his role last campaign. There were some transfer rumours surrounding Højbjerg last summer and in January too. Although, the Spurs held on to him, especially during the winter window. They may have to sell him in this window, as he wants to become important again. Atletico Madrid and Lyon were considered new homes for the midfielder, and now he is on Dortmund’s radar. They want to recruit someone in the central zones and see Højbjerg as a huge alternative to Gross. Højbjerg might be a good option for them, especially since he is at his peak, and despite limited starts, he was consistent last season. But, Dortmund has to make him a mouthwatering offer, as there are many teams who want him.

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gaspart: 'would I swap yamal for mbappe?

EX-Barcelona president Gaspart: “Would I swap Yamal for Mbappe?”

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart says he would not swap Lamine Yamal for Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe.  Gaspart was asked about the prospect when speaking on El Chiringuito. He replied: “No. I would not. An exchange? Yamal is neither better nor worse, he is different. For some he is better and for others he is worse. “ Gaspart said that for Yamal “his value is not age, it is the quality he has… “But I repeat it again, he just won’t make us champions next year. You have to surround him. You have to accompany him.”

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orlando city to induct kaká to legends terrace

Orlando City SC to induct legend Kaká to “Legends’ Terrace’’

Former Orlando City SC star Kaká  will be the first-ever player to be inducted into the club’s new “Legends’ Terrace” on July 6, the club announced on Wednesday. The Legends’ Terrace is a permanent display at INTER&Co Stadium that will honour those who have had a remarkable impact on Orlando City SC and NWSL side Orlando Pride. The ceremony will be held on Legends Night: Kaká, a new theme night for the Lions’ match against D.C. United on July 6 (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass). Kaká will be inducted in front of fans. Kaká will be the first inductee in recognition of his outstanding career at Orlando City, where he was the first-ever captain in the club. Considered one of the greatest players of his generation, he played for AC Milan and Real Madrid before his blockbuster arrival to Orlando. Kaká also featured for the Brazilian national team, scoring 29 international goals and winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup. “Long before our family became stewards of this great club, there were many who laid the foundation and built Orlando City to become what it is today. In unveiling this new addition to INTER&Co Stadium and celebrating our 10 years in Major League Soccer this season, there was no one more deserving than Kaká to be the first-ever inductee into our Legends’ Terrace,” club chairman Mark Wilf said in a release. “Kaká’s impact on the game, not just here in the City Beautiful but throughout the global soccer landscape, is one that will be felt for a very long time, and we are proud to permanently recognize his contributions and legacy as an Orlando City Lion. We look forward to celebrating him alongside our fans on July 6.” Over the three seasons he spent at Orlando, Kaká has a total of 78 appearances across all contests, with 25 goals and 22 assists, both ranking fourth all-time in club history. He was named an MLS All-Star in each of his three campaigns in Orlando, in addition to being MVP in his first appearance in 2015. “I want to thank Orlando City SC for this incredible honor of being the first-ever inductee into the Legends’ Terrace. My time with the club was filled with unforgettable moments and immense pride, both on and off the field,” said Kaká. “The love and support from the fans, ownership, my teammates, staff, and the entire Orlando community have left a lasting impact on me. “This recognition is a testament to our shared journey, and I am truly grateful to be part of the Orlando City and MLS family forever.”

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