B2 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 SPORTS CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE

AMERICAN LEAGUE NATIONAL LEAGUE MLB East W L Pct GB East W L Pct GB Boston 62 39 .614 — New York 53 45 .541 — Tampa Bay 60 40 .600 1½ Philadelphia 50 49 .505 3½ Kinsler’s road to Olympics began in Israel New York 51 47 .520 9½ Atlanta 49 51 .490 5 EVAN GRANT tournament by upsetting Toronto 49 47 .510 10½ Washington 45 54 .454 8½ Dallas Morning News Baltimore 34 64 .347 26½ Miami 43 57 .430 11 Cuba in the first game. Two Central W L Pct GB Central W L Pct GB For the record, it’s about years later, the Israeli’s qual- Chicago 59 41 .590 — Milwaukee 58 42 .580 — 8,000 miles from Dallas to ified for the 2020 Olympics Cleveland 49 48 .505 8½ Cincinnati 51 49 .510 7 Tokyo, if, by chance, you by winning the six-team decide to stop on the East Detroit 47 55 .461 13 St. Louis 50 50 .500 8 Africa-European qualifier. Coast along the way. Kansas City 43 55 .439 15 Chicago 50 51 .495 8½ That’s when Kinsler en- But Ian Kinsler’s journey Minnesota 43 58 .426 16½ Pittsburgh 38 61 .384 19½ tered the picture. He’d just West W L Pct GB West W L Pct GB to the Israeli Olympic base- finished his playing career. Houston 61 39 .610 — San Francisco 62 37 .626 — ball team can’t be measured Oakland 56 45 .554 5½ Los Angeles 61 40 .604 2 in miles. He’d already won a WBC Seattle 54 46 .540 7 San Diego 58 44 .569 5½ It goes so much further title with the U.S. in 2017. Los Angeles 50 49 .505 10½ Colorado 43 57 .430 19½ than that. He won a with Texas 35 65 .350 26 31 70 .307 32 It took him back to his MATT YORK, ASSOCIATED PRESS Boston the following year. own playing days and fi- Ian Kinsler and the Israeli team open play at the With no regular season to Monday’s results Monday’s results nally understanding how Olympics on Thursday. worry about in 2020 as a Boston 5, Toronto 4 Atlanta 2, N.Y. Mets 0 (7), 1st Jewish children and adults newly-retired player, the Kansas City 4, Chicago White Sox 3 N.Y. Mets 1, Atlanta 0 (7), 2nd expressed an immediate baseball,” said Kinsler, 39, triumph. But until Thursday Olympics offered him one Minnesota 6, Detroit 5 (10) Philadelphia 6, Washington 5 whose last game in a 14-sea- evening — 5 a.m. in Dallas — L.A. Angels 6, Colorado 2 Chicago Cubs 6, Cincinnati 5 bond with him, even if the last opportunity. Seattle 11, Houston 8 L.A. Angels 6, Colorado 2 former Ranger never cel- son major league career it has never included an offi- A month after retiring, he was in August, 2019. “But I cial Olympic baseball team. Tuesday’s results Tuesday’s results ebrated Jewish holidays, agreed and made the trip to Miami at Baltimore (n) Miami at Baltimore (n) needed to get my citizenship The Israelis will face South never went to synagogue Israel. He saw the Old City of N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay (n) Milwaukee at Pittsburgh (n) and that meant diving into Korea in their first game and and still doesn’t consider Jerusalem and toured an ex- St. Louis at Cleveland (n) Washington at Philadelphia (n) my family tree and going to the U.S. on Friday as the six- Toronto at Boston (n) Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (n) himself religious. It took cavation site beneath it. He Arizona at Texas (n) St. Louis at Cleveland (n) him back to his father How- Israel. Going through the team tournament kicks off. whole process, going to Tel It’s the first Olympic base- floated in the Dead Sea. He Chi. White Sox at Kansas City (n) Arizona at Texas (n) ard’s childhood in The Bronx saw the complex at the Bap- Detroit at Minnesota (n) Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (n) and stories about how he’d Aviv and Jerusalem, really ball tournament since 2008. tist Village. All of it spoke to Colorado at L.A. Angels (n) Colorado at L.A. Angels (n) occasionally have to fight understanding my heritage, The Israeli team — much Houston at Seattle (n) L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (n) it’s made it such a really cool like Jews, themselves — is him. Even as the COVID-19 Oakland at San Diego (n) Oakland at San Diego (n) his way back to the fami- ly’s apartment. It took him journey. It’s something I’m something of a miracle. pandemic was descending on the world around them, Wednesday’s games Wednesday’s games back to his grandparents a lot prouder to represent The only baseball complex Detroit (Peralta 3-2) at Minnesota St. Louis (Kim 6-5) at Cleveland and their parents, who emi- than when I first committed. in Israel is in Baptist Vil- Kinsler and his wife, Tess, (Happ 5-5), 11:10 a.m. (Plesac 5-3), 11:10 a.m. grated from Eastern Europe. Tapping into my history has lage in Petah Tikva, near were awed by what they saw. St. Louis (Kim 6-5) at Cleveland Oakland (Manaea 7-6) at San Diego And, of course, it eventually really been special.” Tel Aviv. The Israelis made They have indicated a desire (Plesac 5-3), 11:10 a.m. (Snell 4-3), 2:10 p.m. to help increase the presence Houston (Odorizzi 3-5) at Seattle Miami (TBD) at Baltimore (López took him even deeper, to Is- The history of Jews — and their (Kikuchi 6-5), 1:40 p.m. 2-12), 5:05 p.m. rael, and his heritage. the link to the land of Israel debut in 2017. Using a roster of the sport in the country Oakland (Manaea 7-6) at San Diego Milwaukee (Lauer 3-4) at Pitts- “At the time, I agreed to — dates back nearly 6,000 primarily of Jewish Ameri- and have become involved (Snell 4-3), 2:10 p.m. burgh (TBD), 5:05 p.m. do this, it just meant the years. It includes plenty of cans with dual citizenship, with the Jewish National Miami (TBD) at Baltimore (López Washington (Corbin 6-9) at Phila- opportunity to play more tumult, tragedy, sorrow and the Israelis shocked the Fund-USA Project Baseball. 2-12), 5:05 p.m. delphia (Wheeler 8-5), 5:05 p.m. N.Y. Yankees (Cortes Jr. 0-0) at Atlanta (Fried 7-6) at N.Y. Mets Tampa Bay (Wacha 2-2), 5:10 p.m. (Megill 1-0), 5:10 p.m. Toronto (Matz 8-5) at Boston Arizona (Bumgarner 4-6) at Texas AROUND THE MAJORS (Houck 0-2), 5:10 p.m. (Lyles 5-7), 6:05 p.m. Arizona (Bumgarner 4-6) at Texas Cincinnati (Mahle 7-3) at Chicago Yelich lands test and Peterson will miss Strasburg to miss Dallas on Wednesday, Mar- (Lyles 5-7), 6:05 p.m. Cubs (Davies 6-6), 6:05 p.m. at least seven days, Stearns tinez said. Chicago White Sox (Giolito 8-7) at Colorado (González 3-6) at L.A. on COVID list said. rest of season Injuries have limited Kansas City (Bubic 3-4), 6:10 p.m. Angels (Heaney 6-7), 7:38 p.m. “Clearly disappoint- Colorado (González 3-6) at L.A. L.A. Dodgers (Buehler 10-1) at PITTSBURGH — Mil- PHILADELPHIA — Ste- Strasburg to seven starts Angels (Heaney 6-7), 7:38 p.m. San Francisco (DeSclafani 10-4), waukee Brewers ing news for Christian,” phen Strasburg will have since he was named MVP 7:45 p.m. has tested Stearns said. “The most season-ending neck sur- of Washington’s World Se- positive for the coronavirus important thing is for him gery, Nationals ries win over Houston two and is showing mild symp- to feel better. He has mild Dave Martinez said Tuesday, years ago. He last pitched STAT OF THE DAY toms. symptoms. I talked to him ending another frustrating on June 1. Yelich and utilityman this morning. He’s in good year for Washington’s 2019 BRIEFLY On this spirits. He’s resting and it’s were placed World Series hero. BAUER: Trevor Bauer’s ad- 27date in certainly our hope that he on the COVID-19 injured The three-time All-Star ministrative leave was ex- 1991, pitcher list, Brewers president of can knock this out quickly right-hander felt discom- Dennis tended by 10 days through baseball operations David and feel better quickly.” fort after a 27-pitch bullpen Martinez Aug. 6 on Tuesday by Ma- Stearns said Tuesday, add- The Brewers activated session last week and saw jor League Baseball and the tossed a perfect ing that Peterson was side- outfielder from a specialist on Monday. game for the lined due to contact tracing the and called up Strasburg, who is 1-2 with players’ association while Montreal Expos, and hasn’t tested positive. Pablo Reyes from a 4.57 ERA in five starts this the sport’s investigators who topped Los Yelich — who has been -A Nashville to fill the season, was diagnosed with check into allegations of Angeles 2-0 at vaccinated against the virus open roster spots as they neurogenic thoracic outlet sexual misconduct against Dodger Stadium. — will miss at least 10 days prepared to open a three- syndrome and will be oper- the Dodgers pitcher. — Associated Press from the date of his positive game series at Pittsburgh. ated on by Dr. Greg Pearl in - Associated Press

offered him a better chance to win. NFL | Rodgers The Denver Broncos seemed the From B1 most natural trade possibility with their talented defense, promising The exact reasons for Rodgers’ receiving corps and uncertain discontent are not known. At least quarterback situation. Rodgers CEO says ownership not publicly. Rodgers gave his big- could have made the Broncos in- gest hints about his issues during stant playoff contenders but also an ESPN interview in late May. would have needed to compete in “I think sometimes people for- the same division with Patrick Ma- get what really makes an organi- homes and the Kansas City Chiefs, will be settled next year zation,” Rodgers said at the time. whereas he makes the Packers clear “History is important, the legacy favorites in the NFC North. ARNIE STAPLETON of so many people who’ve come Given the Packers are built to Associated Press before you. But the people, that’s win now, they couldn’t afford to ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The the most important thing. People open the season with 2020 first- Denver Broncos should have a make an organization. People make round pick as their new owner by this time next year, a business, and sometimes that gets starting quarterback. Love didn’t whether that’s Brittany Bowlen or forgotten. Culture is built brick by play a down in his rookie a billionaire like Jeff Bezos. brick, the foundation of it by the season and never even got to par- Team president and CEO Joe people, not by the organization, not ticipate in any preseason games Ellis said Tuesday that the trust by the building, not by the corpora- due to the pandemic. The Packers that runs the franchise will begin tion. It’s built by the people.” gave him the vast majority of reps a transition in early 2022 and the Packers CEO/president Mark in their minicamp just in case he new owner will be in place by the Murphy defended the organiza- needed to take over. start of next season. tion’s culture during a news con- The Packers added a veteran “Yours truly won’t be the con- ference after the team’s sharehold- insurance policy by signing Blake trolling owner (delegee) by some- ers meeting Monday. But he also Bortles, but he hasn’t started a time in the spring or early sum- acknowledged the standoff with game since 2018 and certainly isn’t mer, I can’t put an exact deadline Rodgers had caused team officials in Rodgers’ class. on it. But believe me, we need to to look inward. Rodgers’ arrival in Green Bay get it resolved,” said Ellis, who DAVID ZALUBOWSKI, AP “I think any organization, you this week indicates the Packers has the team since 2014 when Joe Ellis, president of the Denver Broncos, speaks during a news reflect back and you evaluate the don’t have to worry about those Alzheimer’s forced late owner conference Tuesday in Englewood, Colo. decisions you’ve made and things possibilities. They can instead Pat Bowlen to step away from his you might have done differently, look forward to having one of the daily duties. Hall of Fame induction. said. “I’ve come before you for but I’m not going to share them league’s most explosive offenses. Ellis is one of three trustees The judge’s order means the the last several training camps here,” Murphy said. They have arguably the league’s of the franchise valued at $3.2 trust retains the power to decide spewing optimism and excited For now, they’ll continue this top quarterback/receiver tandem billion. The trust could approve the franchise’s future. and the (records of) 5-11, 6-10, uneasy marriage while seeking the with the reigning MVP throwing to one of Bowlen’s children to be- Ellis said he met with Roger 7-9 and 5-11 come out at the end Super Bowl title that has eluded All-Pro wideout , come the team’s next controlling Goodell earlier this month at of the year.” both parties since the 2010 sea- whose contract expires at the end owner — Brittany Bowlen, 31, is the commissioner’s summer Ellis said he feels the team is in son. The Packers have lost in the of the season. The Packers did lose the preferred choice — or sell the home in Maine and laid out his good hands with first-year GM NFC championship four of the last running back Jamaal Williams to team altogether. transition plan and “he was fine George Paton and third-year seven seasons, including each of the Detroit Lions in free agency, Arapahoe County District with it.” coach Vic Fangio and a roster that the past two years. but 2020 second-round pick A.J. Judge John E. Scipione granted Ellis is in his 11th season as appears ready to shine no matter The Packers are good enough to Dillon should emerge as an ideal a motion earlier this month to team president and his eighth as who wins the quarterback clash make another Super Bowl run, as complementary back to Jones. dismiss a lawsuit filed by two of chief executive officer. He was in at camp, Drew Lock or Teddy long as it includes Rodgers. The Packers’ biggest preseason the late owner’s daughters from charge during two Super Bowl Bridgewater. Although the Packers’ only ma- concerns now are the health of his first marriage. All sides in the trips and the franchise’s third “I’m very confident ... we’re jor free-agent addition from an- Bakhtiari after he tore his anterior dispute are prohibited from dis- championship but also during a in a position to win,” Ellis said. other organization was former Ar- cruciate ligament on Dec. 31, and cussing the matter. current five-year playoff drought “But we’ve got to win. It’s kind of izona Cardinals linebacker DeVon- the situation at center following Amie Bowlen Klemmer and that includes four consecutive enough already for me personally dre Campbell, they spent big over All-Pro selection Corey Linsley’s Beth Bowlen Wallace had al- losing seasons, the team’s worst just watching it. And I’ve been the last 12 months to keep All-Pro offseason signing with the Los An- leged their father was already stretch since the 1970 AFL-NFL here a lot of years when we’ve offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, geles Chargers. affected by Alzheimer’s and was merger. had some success. And to have defensive tackle Kenny Clark and Replacing Linsley will be tough. subject to “undue influence” in Heading into his last go-round, it carry on in the other direction running back Aaron Jones, as well Replacing the guy who has taken setting up the three-person trust Ellis said he has one goal in mind. for as long as it has, it’s tough for as cornerback Kevin King. Linsley’s snaps for the last several that has run the team since he “I would like to be able to stand everybody. If Rodgers had been traded, he years would have been signifi- stepped away in 2014. Bowlen up in front of the group here and “But I just want to see us turn M couldn’t have landed anywhere that cantly tougher. died in 2019, a month shy of his talk about a good season,” Ellis the corner and be successful.” 1