New York Mets hit with record luxury tax of nearly $101 million for season of fourth-place finish

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

New York Mets hit with record luxury tax of nearly $101 million for season of fourth-place finish NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets must pay a record luxury tax of nearly $101 million after a fourth-place finish in their division, among an unprecedented eight teams that owe the penalty for the 2023 season.Owner Steve Cohen’s Mets finished with a tax payroll of $374.7 million, according to figures finalized by Major League Baseball on Thursday and obtained by The Associated Press. That topped the previous high of $291.1 million by the 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers.The Mets’ tax bill came to $100,781,932 after they finished fourth in the NL East at 75-87 in the most expensive flop in baseball history. That more than doubled the prior high of $43.6 million by the 2015 Dodgers.The Mets saved about $18 million for this year with their summer selloff that saw them trade Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, David Robertson and Mark Canha. Their projected tax payroll on June 30 was $384 million, according to MLB, and that additional $9.3 million in payroll would have resulted in a tax...

Joseph Parker stuns Deontay Wilder in unanimous decision in Saudi Arabia

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

Joseph Parker stuns Deontay Wilder in unanimous decision in Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Joseph Parker stunned Deontay Wilder in a unanimous decision on Saturday in the first bout of a heavyweight doubleheader at the Kingdom Arena.The 31-year-old Parker, a big underdog according to FanDuel Sportsbook, looked like the better fighter throughout, while the 38-year-old Wilder looked his age in this matchup of former heavyweight champions. Parker (34-3-0) dominated from the start, landing powerful punches with his right hand while keeping Wilder on his heels with a smart and methodical approach.“Dangerous fight, tough fight, we trained very hard for this,” Parker said. “We had great momentum coming into this fight. The strategy was to stay calm, stay relaxed, stay focused … every minute of every round. This is a great finish to the year.”There was only one round in which Wilder got the better of Parker.“My timing was off a little bit,” Wilder said. “He did a great job of avoiding a lot of my punches. I did feel like I had the upper hand, but...

After Winterfest’s cancellation, Holtz Children’s Hospital and Shake-A-Leg Miami rally neighbors for Miami Shores boat parade

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

After Winterfest’s cancellation, Holtz Children’s Hospital and Shake-A-Leg Miami rally neighbors for Miami Shores boat parade A holiday parade for children facing medical challenges set sail in Miami Shores days before Christmas.7News cameras captured several of the yachts and boats that took part in the parade in Biscayne Bay, Saturday evening.Santa Claus and a Romero Britto Bear joined participants as the vessels made they way past homes by the water.After inclement weather led to the cancellation of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade in Broward County, organizers with Holtz Children’s Hospital and the nonprofit Shake-A-Leg Miami came together to turn a new parade into a reality.“We couldn’t disappoint people, so we decided to rally our neighbors together and come together with all of our families’ boats, and put a parade of our own together,” said organizer Kim McAdam, “so now we are a Miami Shores neighbors boat parade, for our patients at Holtz Children’s Hospital and our volunteers at Shake-A-Leg Miami.”McAdam said all those area residents ca...

Police investigating fatal shooting in Fall River

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

Police investigating fatal shooting in Fall River Police are investigating a shooting in Fall River on Saturday that left one person dead and another injured, officials said.Officers responding to a report of shots fired in the 300 block of Bank Street around 5:20 p.m. found a victim who had been fatally wounded, according to police.A second person was found nearby with a minor injury to their hand. No additional information was immediately available.Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 508-324-2796.

7 takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens: ‘We just weren’t playing smart’

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

7 takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens: ‘We just weren’t playing smart’ Jason Dickinson had kind of a faraway look before he attempted to explain how a 2-0 lead turned into a 5-2 loss Friday against the Montreal Canadiens.“They pushed and we didn’t,” said Dickinson, whose second-period goal gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead. “Watching clips, feeling it, I felt like they got a couple goals and then we sat back and maybe got on our heels. And then the third period, we just didn’t really do anything. We didn’t get in their zone, we didn’t create anything, we didn’t get enough shots.”For the eighth time this season, the Hawks couldn’t back up a win with a win. For the fourth time in the six games since this season’s only win streak, they lost after scoring the opening goal.“It’s really frustrating,” Dickinson said. “Intentions are there, we want to do the right things. We want to win. We want to battle. But the execution isn’t there all the time.“It comes with bein...

Boston tops Massachusetts cities and towns hosting migrant, local homeless; see Top 20 list

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

Boston tops Massachusetts cities and towns hosting migrant, local homeless; see Top 20 list Boston ranked top among the 100 Massachusetts municipalities playing host to migrant and local homeless families living in shelters paid for by the state, according to recently released data.A report released earlier this week by the Gov. Maura Healey administration shows the hub had 1,308 families living in emergency assistance shelters as of Dec. 12. Boston far outpaced the second place city of Worcester, which had 303 families, according to the data.Families are housed in traditional shelter sites, hotels and motels, and temporary locations like military bases, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and the Executive Office of Administration and Finance said in a report that also outlined financial challenges the shelter system faces in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.“The shelter system has reached capacity at 7,500 families, and at that level, requires additional funding to avoid imminent run-out dates for key programs,” the report said.The state reported 7,505 fami...

Padres and Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui agree to $28 million, 5-year contract

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

Padres and Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui agree to $28 million, 5-year contract At 5-foot-8, Yuki Matsui figures to be among the shortest pitchers in the major leagues.“It's a very a clean delivery. Good mechanics. I think pitchers come in all shape and sizes,” San Diego general manager A.J. Preller said Saturday after the 28-year-old left-hander agreed to a $28 million, five-year contract with the Padres. “He's left-handed. He does things very efficiently. Obviously, there’s been some some great pitchers that have been sub-6-footers and he’s been one of them so far in Japan.”Matsui made his Japanese big league debut at age 18 and became a five-time All-Star for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, leading the Pacific League in saves in 2019, 2022 and this year. He had a career-best 39 saves with a 1.57 ERA and 2-3 record this season, striking out 72 and walking 13 in 57 1/3 innings.He has a 2.40 career ERA, 236 saves and a 1.11 WHIP in Nippon Professional Baseball. Matsui became the youngest pitcher in the Japanese major leagues to reach 200 saves.“He’s got a gre...

38 migrants dropped off in Fox River Grove after being told they were in Chicago

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

38 migrants dropped off in Fox River Grove after being told they were in Chicago FOX RIVER GROVE, Ill. — A group of migrants transported by bus from Texas was dropped off in Fox River Grove early Saturday morning after being told that they had arrived in Chicago, according to city officials.The city shared an update in a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon detailing unscheduled drop-off. Man killed in Gage Park shooting According to the city, a group of 38 migrants from Texas exited a bus at the Fox River Grove Metra station after being told they had arrived in Chicago. The Metra station is about 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.Fox River Grove police provided the migrants with access to a warming shelter and by 7 a.m. arrangements were made to provide the migrants with train tickets so they could continue their journey to Chicago. Reports: Veteran Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum dies at 99 "The Village of Fox River Grove remains committed to upholding the values of compassion, safety, and community. The Village will continue to work diligently with all re...

Man killed in Gage Park shooting

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

Man killed in Gage Park shooting CHICAGO — A man was killed on Saturday afternoon in a shooting on the city's Southwest Side. According to Chicago police, the shooting happened just before 1 p.m. in the 2400 block of West 55th Street in Gage Park. CPD: Man wanted in connection with deadly West Side shooting Officers say the victim, a 28-year-old man, was standing on a sidewalk in the area when a vehicle pulled up and an individual inside opened fire. Authorities were called to the scene after a man who was driving by spotted the victim lying in the street and reached out to police. According to officers the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was taken to the hospital in critical condition where he later succumbed to his injuries. 1 injured after car crashes into Maine Township home Currently, it is unclear what led to the deadly shooting and authorities say no arrests have been made. An investigation is now underway. Anyone with information that could help authorities in their investigation i...

Scattered showers ahead of widespread soaking Sunday morning

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:36:15 GMT

Scattered showers ahead of widespread soaking Sunday morning AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue to push in from south to north, mainly impacting the Austin Metro and our Eastern Counties this evening. CENTRAL TEXAS RADAR Briefly the rain fades during the late evening before a line of widespread storms and downpours develops after midnight in the Hill Country before spreading eastward through Sunday morning.Here's what to expect: Sunday storm timelineWhile severe weather isn't anticipated, a strong storm remains possible Sunday morning with the potential for localized flash flooding. Parts of the Hill Country are at a 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rain overnight into Sunday morning.Flash flooding risk Saturday night through Sunday morning (WPC)Generally speaking most of us should get 0.5"-1.5" of rain through Sunday, but localized amounts over 2" are possible in spots.Potential rainfall through SundayMost of the rain ends by late morning Sunday with quickly increasing afternoon sunshine and highs push...