• The Canadian Press

    Xavi says Barcelona's improved play has been key to changing his mind to leave the club

    BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Xavi Hernández says he walked back his decision to leave Barcelona this summer after his players convinced him “this is a winning team” even if this season will end without any trophies. “Many people, including my players, have made me see that this is not over," Xavi said on Thursday at a news conference. Xavi spoke a day after he reached an agreement with Barcelona to reverse his January decision to leave his boyhood club after this season. He has committed to finishing

  • The Canadian Press

    NFL to open academy in Australia to identify and develop young prospects

    The NFL will expand its international search for talent by opening an academy in rugby-mad Australia to develop promising teenagers in the Asia-Pacific region into college and pro prospects. The NFL Academy will open in September for student athletes aged 12 to 18, following recruitment camps taking place this summer in Australia and New Zealand, the league announced on Thursday. Ahead of the NFL Draft, the announcement says the region is full of talent such as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tack

  • The Canadian Press

    He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer, Art Schallock, is turning 100

    SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Whether at home or on the road, Art Schallock would begin each day by taking the elevator down to the lobby and collecting the latest comic books for roommate Yogi Berra. “Every morning,” Schallock recalled, chuckling at the thought decades later. Schallock never minded. It was all worth it. Just part of being the new guy back in the day, a rite of passage for the latest big leaguer getting promoted. Schallock got the call in 1951, replacing future Hall of Famer Mickey Mantl

  • The Canadian Press

    Thibodeau shows when he's mad at his Knicks. They don't mind, knowing the coach has them set to win

    NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks know when it's coming. When they throw a careless pass that leads to a turnover, or hoist a bad shot that ruins a possession, their coach is likely standing on the sideline with arms in the air, furious he's just witnessed such careless miscues. Like any coach, Tom Thibodeau doesn't like mistakes but unlike others in the NBA coaching ranks, he doesn't bother hiding it from the nearly 20,000 people in the arena watching. “I mean, I’ve played for a lot of animat