Banned From Tennis, Nastase Starts New Career As Diplomat

Welcome to the Deion Sanders Era, where the CU Buffs are last in the Pac-12 but first in irony. Because to hear scouts tell it, the notion that Shilo Sanders needs cash is … probably costing him money. “The bankruptcy and the fact that he has been playing under his father with the last two programs has not (helped),” Dave Syvertsen, longtime scout and senior draft analyst with the Ourlads.com scouting service, told me Monday.

Kris Bryant, the oft-injured first baseman and designated hitter, was not in the starting lineup for the Rockies’ Monday night game against Cincinnati. Bryant is once again dealing with lower back issues. Manager Bud Black said that Bryant was “a little sore” and added that Bryant was consulting with doctors and team trainers. Bryant tweaked his back Sunday while making a twisting catch of Mookie Betts’ popup in foul territory in the eighth inning during Colorado’s 4-0 loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Bryant missed 31 games earlier in the season after he was placed on the injured list on April 17 with a strained lower back.

CLEVELAND — Beer flowed and a little blood and bruises followed. There was some baseball played in between. On a warm spring night along Lake Erie five decades ago, a well-intended promotion meant to attract fans for the perpetually lousy Cleveland Indians turned ugly and triggered a booze-fueled riot now known as one of the most notorious events in American sports history. On Tuesday, 10-cent beer night turns 50. Cheers.

By RONALD BLUM (AP Baseball Writer) NEW YORK — San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano is under investigation by Major League Baseball for allegedly betting on baseball and could be subject to a lifetime ban, according to a person familiar with the probe. MLB is looking into allegations Marcano bet on games involving the Pittsburgh Pirates while on the team’s injured list last season, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Marcano could be the second pro athlete banned for life over sports betting this year after the NBA punished Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter in April following a league probe that found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games. It’s believed that no active MLB player has been banned for betting on baseball since 1924.

Arapahoe Basin will be open for two more weekends of skiing and riding, resort officials announced Monday in setting a new closing date of June 16. That would give The Legend Colorado’s longest ski season — as usual — having begun on Oct. 29 and lasting 222 days. The area will be closed Monday through Wednesday the next two weeks but will be open Friday through Sunday.

Coronado senior Trey Gregory-Alford on Monday was named the Gatorade Colorado Baseball Player of the Year. Related Articles Preps | Renck: After 52 years, Cherry Creek coach Marc Johnson exits, leaving legacy of championships, relationships and love: “I have loved every second” Preps | Eaton stuns rival University in seventh inning to win fourth consecutive state baseball championship Preps | Cherry Creek sends all-time wins leader Marc Johnson out on high note, beating Regis Jesuit twice on final day for ninth state title Preps | A decade in the making: Holy Family baseball steals 4A spotlight and crown Preps | Cherry Creek baseball advances to 15th title game under Marc Johnson with win over Grandview The 6-foot-5, 245-pound right-handed pitcher and first baseman slashed .492/.597/1.033 with seven home runs and 41 runs batted in for the Cougars.