Ex-Jazz coach afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, dementia
Former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is suffering from Parkinson’s disease plus Lewy body dementia, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday.
Sloan disclosed the illnesses during an interview at his home in Riverton, Utah.
Sloan said he received the diagnosis last fall and decided to make his condition public because the Parkinson’s symptoms — which include tremors, a hushed voice and sleeplessness — have reached a point where they are noticeable to others.
Sloan told the Tribune that he still walks four miles a day.
“I don’t want people feeling sorry for me,” Sloan said.
According to MayoClinic.com, Parkinson’s disease is “a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while a tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.”
There is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, but some medications have improved the symptoms.
Sloan said he also has Lewy body dementia, a neurological disorder that affects memory and analytical thinking.
Sloan, 74, coached the Jazz from 1988 to 2011. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and is the third-winningest head coach in NBA history.
Rockies’ Story sets HR record
PHOENIX — Rookie shortstop Trevor Story set a major league record with home runs in his first three games and DJ LeMahieu and Ryan Raburn also homered in the Colorado Rockies’ 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Story has four homers in his first three games, another record in the modern era (since 1900).
Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood gave up two runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings for his first win since April 28, 2014. Chatwood made four starts in 2014 before undergoing a second Tommy John surgery in July that cost him all of 2015.
Story hit the fourth pitch of the game for a two-run homer to center field.
New York City bans chewing tobacco at Major League ballparks
NEW YORK — New York City on Wednesday banned the use of chewing tobacco at sports venues such as Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, joining other cities in discouraging Major League Baseball players from a habit with deep roots in the game.
Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law an immediate prohibition on the use of smokeless tobacco at sports and recreational areas that issue tickets. Wednesday night’s game at Yankee Stadium was affected.
“Our youth nationwide look up to the athletes in that spotlight. With Intro. 1068-A, we are taking a huge step forward to ensure that our youth are not exposed to dangerous practices,” de Blasio said in a statement.
The Yankees publicly supported the initiative, which follows similar ones passed in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The state of California has a statewide ban due to take effect next year, affecting stadiums in Anaheim, Oakland and San Diego as well.
Hawks’ Sefolosha sues police in NY incident
Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha filed a civil suit on Wednesday against five New York City police officers over an arrest last year that left him with a broken leg.
On April 8, 2015, Sefolosha was outside a Manhattan nightclub with Hawks teammate Pero Antic when officers claimed the two were interfering with a crime scene.
Police arrested Sefolosha, who sustained a broken fibula while being handcuffed, and Antic. A Manhattan jury found Sefolosha not guilty of all charges in October.
The 31-year-old Sefolosha, a 10-year NBA veteran, missed the rest of the regular season and the Hawks’ playoff run to the conference finals due to the injury.
Sefolosha’s lawsuit accuses the five arresting officers and the city of false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment. Sefolosha’s notice of claim, filed last year, sets $50 million as the ceiling he can be compensated for both material and punitive damages, according to ESPN.com.
Antic filed his own suit against the police officers and the city. Under Antic’s notice of claim, $25 million was set as the maximum amount Antic can recover.
