NEW YORK (AP) — Lee Mazzilli and Bobby Valentine, longtime friends, former roommates and New York Mets teammates who represent two different eras of the franchise, were still finishing each other’s sentences when they were inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame before Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins.

“When we were rooming together, we couldn’t imagine us sitting in the room at nighttime and saying …” Mazzilli said before Valentine interrupted him.

“Because we never sat in the room at nighttime,” Valentine said with a laugh.

“Fifty years from now, we’re going to be in the Mets Hall of Fame?” Mazzilli finished. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Mazzilli, a Brooklyn native selected by the Mets in the first round of the 1973 draft, was a backup outfielder on the 1986 World Series winners — nearly a decade after he was one of the club’s few attractions in the post-Tom Seaver era.

The switch hitter batted .277 with 53 homers, 262 RBIs and 117 stolen bases from 1977 through 1980 while playing for New York, which averaged 97 losses per season.

He became the first Mets player to homer in the All-Star Game when he hit the tying shot in the eighth inning of the 1979 Midsummer Classic — when Mazzilli also worked the tie-breaking bases loaded walk an inning later in the National League’s 7-6 victory.

“The lean years of the ‘70s — I look back at it, but for me, they were special,” said the 71-year-old Mazzilli. “This was where I was born and raised. Play in your backyard, it meant a lot.”

Valentine, 76, was part of the Mets’ ill-fated pivot to rebuilding on June 15, 1977, when the utility man was acquired from the San Diego Padres for slugger Dave Kingman and Seaver was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds.

Valentine, struggling to recover from the broken leg he suffered in 1973, batted .222 in 111 games for the Mets before making a far bigger impact on the team as its charismatic manager from August 1996 through 2002.

The native of nearby Stamford, Connecticut, directed the Mets to their first back-to-back playoff appearances in 1999 and 2000 and to the World Series in 2000, where they fell to the crosstown Yankees in five games.

“To do a couple of playoffs and light this city on fire — how lucky was I?” Valentine said.

Valentine’s leadership was most vividly displayed during challenging times on — and especially off — the field.

His most famous baseball moment was on June 9, 1999, when he returned to the dugout in a hat, sunglasses and a mustache made out of eye black after being ejected in the 12th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Mets won 5-4 in 14 innings — the fourth win in a season-saving 40-15 surge that began immediately after general manager Steve Phillips fired three of Valentine’s coaches.

“I ought to be remembered as the guy who shared — the guy who tried to understand his players and give everything I have to them,” Valentine said. “And then I wanted to have the people who were paying (for) tickets to come to the show kind of appreciate the product, you know?”

Valentine was also at the forefront of the Mets’ community work following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when he worked around the clock as Shea Stadium turned into a staging area for relief efforts.

“To be unified in an effort to bring the city back and by God we did it,” Valentine said. “How lucky am I to be a part of all that?”

The Mets also honored late team photographer Marc Levine, who died in July 2024, with the club’s Hall of Fame achievement award. John Ricco, a longtime front office employee, presented a mosaic made up of pictures taken by Levine to his widow, Stephanie, and daughter, Samantha.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Coco Gauff’s French Open title defense ends while Naomi Osaka’s fashion show continues in Paris

PARIS (AP) — Coco Gauff’s French Open title defense ended in the third round after losing to Anastasia Potapova in three sets. Gauff and her 30th-ranked opponent traded long baselines rallies before mostly empty stands inside Court Philippe-Chatrier. French fans stayed away to watch the Champions League soccer final. Potapova improved to 3-2 in her career against Gauff. Naomi Osaka beat 18-year-old American opponent Iva Jovic 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4 to set up a round-of-16 meeting with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka beat Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5. Alejandro Tabilo ended the run of 17-year-old Frenchman Moise Kouame with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (9) victory.

Game 7 awaits: Spurs at Thunder on Saturday night to decide Western Conference crown

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — For the 160th time in NBA history and fifth time this season alone, a Game 7 awaits on Saturday night. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will be taking on the San Antonio Spurs to decide the Western Conference title, after a back-and-forth series that has seen both teams leading at various points. The winner will take on the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, starting Wednesday. Game 1 will be in either Oklahoma City or San Antonio.

PSG wins back-to-back Champions League titles after shootout victory against Arsenal

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain has won back-to-back Champions League titles by beating Arsenal on penalties in a dramatic final in Budapest. Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes fired the last of his team’s penalties over the bar to hand PSG a 4-3 shootout victory. The game had ended 1-1 in regulation time and neither team could find a breakthrough in extra time, sending the game to spot kicks.

Paris police detain 45 after violence erupts during celebrations of PSG’s Champions League title

PARIS (AP) — Paris police have detained 45 people after violence disrupted celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s second Champions League title win and a group tried to storm a police station. Fans began celebrating in the French capital after the final whistle on Saturday in Budapest, Hungary, where PSG won by beating Arsenal on penalties. Dozens of fans marched near the Arc de Triomphe, setting off flares and blaring car horns. The Paris police prefecture said groups vandalized shops and set fires. It says that by 10 p.m. 45 people were taken into custody. Around 20,000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysees, with police working to contain the crowd.

Pulisic: `One will bounce off your knee and go in’ and then `everything goes in after that’

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Christian Pulisic is confident he will score at the World Cup despite a career-worst scoreless slump. He says he’s experienced similar challenges before. Pulisic had 10 goals in his first 15 matches for AC Milan this season but has gone scoreless in 19 games since December. Coach Mauricio Pochettino believes Pulisic will find his form. The Americans face Senegal on Sunday and Germany on June 6 as their final warmup matches before their World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12. Pulisic emphasizes the importance of gaining rhythm and confidence before the tournament.

Vikings hire Seahawks assistant Nolan Teasley as their general manager, AP source says

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract with Seattle Seahawks assistant Nolan Teasley to be their general manager. A person with direct knowledge of the decision confirmed the hire to The Associated Press on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized. Teasley has spent his entire 13-year NFL career with Seattle. The Seahawks made the playoffs nine times, reached three Super Bowls, and won two of them during that span. Teasley was promoted in 2023 to assistant general manager. He fills the role vacated by the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January.

Tim Ream will be the captain of the US national team at the World Cup

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Tim Ream will captain the U.S. national team at the World Cup. The 38-year-old Charlotte defender was picked by coach Mauricio Pochettino. Ream is set to become the oldest player to appear for the U.S. at soccer’s top tournament. The St. Louis native has 80 international appearances and has captained the U.S. in 17 of 24 games since Pochettino took over in 2024. Pochettino praised Ream’s leadership both on and off the field. Ream says “this is more than a dream come true. I’ve done everything possible to be a part of this group, to help this group along.”

Brendan Sorsby has made thousands of bets totaling at least $90,000, court documents show

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has made thousands of bets totaling at least $90,000 while in college. Those include at least 40 bets on Indiana football when he was a Hoosiers freshman in 2022, according to court filings before a scheduled hearing in the transfer player’s lawsuit seeking to have the NCAA restore his eligibility. That hearing is Monday in district court in Lubbock County, Texas, where Texas Tech is located. Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech for a reported multimillion dollar-deal after playing for Cincinnati the past two seasons. He was ruled ineligible after he acknowledged wagering on sports.

Thunder to be shorthanded again for Game 7 against Spurs in West finals

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell will not play for the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs because of injuries that have dogged both throughout the series. Williams has been dealing with a strained left hamstring for much of the playoffs. Mitchell has a strained right soleus. The Spurs report no injuries going into Game 7 on Saturday night.

Mazzilli, Valentine enshrined in Mets Hall of Fame

NEW YORK (AP) — Longtime friends and former roommates Lee Mazzilli and Bobby Valentine have been inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame. Mazzilli, a Brooklyn native, batted .277 with 53 homers, 262 RBIs and 117 stolen bases from 1977 through 1980 while playing for New York. He was also a backup outfielder on the 1986 World Series winners. After playing for the team, Valentine made a far bigger impact as the team’s charismatic manager from August 1996 through 2002, directing the Mets to their first set of back-to-back playoff appearances in 1999 and 2000 and to the World Series in 2000.

The Athletics placed right-hander Luis Severino on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with a right shoulder strain.

In a corresponding move, the club recalled right-hander Michael Kelly from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Severino underwent tests on Saturday, one day after he exited his start against the New York Yankees on Friday after throwing only 23 pitches.

Severino was warming up for the start of the second inning when he suddenly walked to the back of the mound and looked toward the dugout, prompting catcher Shea Langeliers to signal to the dugout. Severino left the game following a brief discussion with a trainer and manager Mark Kotsay.

After the Athletics’ 8-2 loss, Severino said he had felt shoulder tightness since facing the Los Angeles Angels on May 21.

The 32-year-old has posted a 4.16 ERA, 1.468 WHIP and 65 strikeouts with a 2-6 record in 12 starts this season. The former All-Star has been more effective on the road, recording a 3.38 ERA.

Last season, Severino’s home/away splits were jarring. He had a 6.01 home ERA and 3.02 away ERA.

Kelly is a 33-year-old veteran, who has appeared in 92 career games with the Philadelphia Phillies (2022), Cleveland Guardians (2023), and Athletics. He proved to be an effective bullpen option for the Athletics last season, recording a 3.18 ERA in 42 appearances.

Also, the A’s sent third baseman Max Muncy (hand) on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas. He was hit by a pitch in a game against the Texas Rangers on April 13 and initially played through the injury until a nondisplaced fracture was discovered nearly two weeks later.

–Field Level Media

May 30 (Reuters) – Spain’s Los Gallos took the overnight lead at the New York Sail Grand Prix on Saturday after winning two of the three races under an adjusted format as strong winds disrupted the opening day on the Hudson River.

The high winds prevented several F50 catamarans from being safely launched, forcing SailGP organisers to reduce the fleet to the four highest-ranked teams in the championship standings and award scaled points.

Led by Diego Botin, the Spanish crew finished atop the day-one standings ahead of Emirates GBR and the United States SailGP Team to move into Sunday’s decisive racing in a strong position.

The result continued Spain’s impressive run in the 2026 season as the defending New York champions pursue a fifth consecutive podium finish after placing third in Auckland and Sydney and second in Rio de Janeiro and Bermuda.

“It’s kind of a weird weekend with the conditions we have today. You cannot fight Mother Nature many times,” Botin said.

“We are confident that we can switch on to another different mode, and it’s going to be the key for tomorrow.”

Spain and Emirates GBR arrived in New York level on 44 championship points and trailing leaders Australia, who had 52 points after four events, making Saturday’s result an important boost in the title race.

In the sunny but blustery conditions, with winds of around 40 km/h affecting crane operations for lifting boats into the water, only Spain and Emirates GBR were on the start line for the opening race after racing was delayed.

Dylan Fletcher’s British crew led from start to finish to claim the first race, but Spain responded in style.

Los Gallos overturned Emirates GBR in race two after a successful tactical split on the course before again overhauling the British team in the final race of the day to finish with two wins from three starts.

The U.S. team joined the action from race two after only just getting their boat on the water and impressed despite limited preparation, recording the fastest speed of the day at more than 100 km/h.

SailGP said it intended to return to a full fleet for Sunday’s racing, with the event schedule otherwise unchanged.

(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders earned a record $17.7 million in group licensing income, according to an annual report filed by the NFL Players Association.

Sanders shattered the previous single-season record, which was held by Tom Brady in 2021-22 ($9.5 million).

According to Front Office Sports, Group licensing accounts for deals that involve six of more players. Common examples include jerseys and trading cards.

As a result, that $17.7 million figure does not even include his personal endorsement deals with Beats by Dre, Gatorade and others.

The rookie quarterback played in eight games (seven starts) for the Browns last season, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown.

The next-highest earner for group licensing was fellow rookie Travis Hunter ($12.8 million) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who was teammates with Sanders in college at Jackson State and Colorado. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes earned $8 million.

–Field Level Media

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms Saturday on a contract with Seattle Seahawks assistant Nolan Teasley to be their general manager, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized with Teasley, who has spent his entire 13-year NFL career with Seattle. During that span, the Seahawks made the playoffs nine times, reached three Super Bowls, and won two of them including the most recent one in February.

Teasley was promoted in 2023 to assistant GM by president of football operations and general manager John Schneider, who was the architect of both of those championship teams. After the Vikings decided not to re-sign quarterback Sam Darnold last year, he joined the Seahawks and helped them become champions.

Teasley will replace Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired in January after four years in the role. Adofo-Mensah was an outside-of-the-box hire, bringing economics degrees and Wall Street experience to the world of pro football. Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf were first seeking more of a collaborator with this hire, a leader who could better bridge between the personnel department and the coaching staff, but all of their external candidates had traditional scouting backgrounds.

Watching Darnold lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, after he won 14 games in 2024 in his lone season with the Vikings, also undoubtedly played some part for the Wilf family in the dismissal of Adofo-Mensah.

Teasley was among five finalists who met in person this week with Vikings leadership during the second round of interviews, beating out current Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, Denver Broncos assistant general manager Reed Burckhardt, Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray, and Los Angeles Rams assistant general manager John McKay.

Brzezinski, who directed the draft last month while serving as interim general manager, has been with the Vikings since 1999 and rose to the top through his expertise in salary cap management and player contract negotiation. Brzezinski, who is widely respected in the organization and throughout the league, will remain in his role alongside Teasley and coach Kevin O’Connell, a trio the Wilfs will entrust to bring the Vikings their first championship.

Teasley was the only finalist without ties to the Vikings. Burckhardt and Gray both previously worked as scouts for the Vikings. O’Connell previously worked for the Rams. Gray, McKay and Teasley took part in the NFL’s accelerator program that was revamped with a rollout at the league meetings earlier this month.

Teasley is a Washington native who graduated from Central Washington University in 2007 with a degree in public relations, working in marketing before making the jump to the NFL and joining the Seahawks as an intern in the scouting department in 2013. He became director of pro personnel in 2018.

Adofo-Mensah and Ryan Poles were the only two finalists who had in-person interviews for the vacancy in 2022 after the firing of Rick Spielman. Poles was hired by the Chicago Bears instead and remains in that job for the defending NFC North champions.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

By Philip O’Connor

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, May 30 (Reuters) – Finland came back from a goal down to win 4-2 over top seeds Canada and book their spot in the final of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship where they will face host nation Switzerland, who hammered Norway 6-0 earlier in the day. 

Finland took the lead at the 3:30 mark of the first period, turning over the Canadians and feeding the puck to Patrik Puistola, who whipped it into the top-right corner of the net to cap a perfect breakaway.

Canada, who suffered an overtime loss to the U.S. in February’s Winter Olympic gold medal match, levelled less than five minutes later through Robert Thomas, who pounced on a deflected shot to score.

They took the lead when Dylan Holloway took down a lofted pass and fired home to leave them 2-1 up after the first frame.

Undeterred, the Finns came roaring out of the traps and broke the game open in a stellar second period, Aleksander Barkov scoring after 49 seconds and Konsta Helenius and Aatu Raty adding two more goals to send them into a 4-2 lead. 

Standing on the brink of elimination, the Canadians stormed forward in the final period, but Finnish goalie Justus Annunen was in superb form as the Finnish rearguard held firm to see them safely through to the gold medal game. 

Four-time winners Finland go into Sunday’s final hoping for their first victory since 2022, while Switzerland will be playing in their third straight final and looking for their first gold medal.

(Reporting by Philip O’ConnorEditing by Christian Radnedge)

Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

The 24-year-old landed on the injured list in late April with a forearm flexor strain. Since then, the Rangers have recorded an underwhelming 14-20 record.

Last season, Langford posted 22 home runs, 62 RBIs and 22 steals in 134 games, while providing quality defense in the outfield.

In 20 games this season, he had one home run, four RBIs, three steals and a .238 batting average.

Rangers All-Star shortstop Corey Seager (back) is taking ground balls and had a live BP session scheduled for Saturday. Seager has been out since May 14.

–Field Level Media

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving gave an update on his recovery from a torn ACL via Twitch, saying he is now close to full strength.

“I am definitely close to being over at 100% in terms on my ACL recovery,” Irving said. “It’s been a while now. … I’m just so grateful that I’ve had the time to heal and just experiment with my body more on the court.”

The nine-time All-Star has been sidelined since his injury March 3, 2025. During the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 50 games (all starts), while shooting 40.1% from 3-point range.

Last season, the Mavericks struggled without the 34-year-old veteran, limping to a 26-56 record.

A return means Irving will be able to pair NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg next season.

–Field Level Media

Right-hander Austin Voth was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays for the second time as the club purchased the contract of right-hander Hayden Juenger on Saturday.

Voth, 33, was signed by the Blue Jays as a free agent on March 25 and called up for a single appearance of 2 2/3 innings on April 9 before he was designated for assignment. He was re-signed on April 11 and called up for a 3 1/3-inning outing Friday before another DFA.

In eight major league seasons, Voth is 17-19 with a 4.77 ERA in 209 appearances (39 starts) with four clubs, including his first five seasons with the Washington Nationals. He pitched for Chiba Lotte in Japan last season.

Juenger, 25, is set to make his major league debut after he went 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 17 appearances (two starts) at Triple-A Buffalo.

–Field Level Media