Red Sox hire Chili Davis as hitting coach
One season as a minor league coach three years ago was enough to convince Chili Davis to change jobs.
Davis, the Oakland Athletics’ hitting coach the past three years, was introduced as the Boston Red Sox’s new hitting coach Thursday.
“The biggest deciding factor was that I had been in the organization,” said Davis, who guided Boston’s Triple-A hitters in 2011.
Davis takes over an offense that struggled in 2014 as the Red Sox went from a World Series championship the previous year to last place in the American League East this year.
Under hitting coach Greg Colbrunn in 2014, the Red Sox tied for 21st (with Oakland) with a .244 batting average; ranked 14th in on-base percentage (.316); tied for 23rd in slugging percentage (.369); and tied for 18th in runs scored (634).
Colbrunn resigned after a season in which he missed time due to a brain ailment.
Lakers’ Nash out for season with back injury
Los Angeles Lakers’ point guard Steve Nash will miss the entire 2014-15 season, the National Basketball Association team said on Thursday.
Nash, 40, has battled a bad back and other injuries for years and the latest setback suggests the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player may have played his final game, though he has not announced his retirement.
“Being on the court this season has been my top priority and it is disappointing to not be able to do that right now,” the Canadian said in a statement.
“I work very hard to stay healthy and unfortunately my recent setback makes performing at full capacity difficult.
“I will continue to support my team during this period of rest, and will focus on my long-term health.”
Nash recently re-injured his back carrying his bags.
U.S. judge blocks New Jersey sports betting law
NEW YORK — A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday blocking a New Jersey law that would have allowed legalized wagering on sporting events, the judge’s chambers said.
U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp gave the order orally in court and planned to issue a written order later in the day, according to his chambers.
The National Football League and other sports leagues sued on Monday in an attempt to block the law, which New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, had signed a few days earlier.
Redskins’ Griffin says he won’t rush return
Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Friday that he won’t decide whether Robert Griffin III will play Monday against the Dallas Cowboys until just before game time, but the quarterback told reporters he will not rush his return from the ankle injury that has kept him out since Week 2.
Griffin has been practicing on a limited basis, but the Redskins are poised to go with Colt McCoy as their starter if Griffin is not ready.
“We’re still preparing for Colt to be the starter and Robert is continuing with his practice exertion,” Gruden said. “He’s getting more and more reps. As far as the status for Monday, we will announce that on Monday.”
McCoy relieved Kirk Cousins against the Tennessee Titans last weekend and led the Redskins to a last-play victory, prompting Gruden to bump him up to interim starter while Griffin is still out.