AP – Sports
October 23, 2026
World Series preview: Surprising Brewers-Rays matchup will open with Jacob Misiorowski’s record heat
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are set to face off in a unique World Series. Jacob Misiorowski, known for his record-breaking fastball, will pitch for the Brewers on Friday night. Both teams are seeking their first championship, with the Brewers returning to the Series after 44 years. The Rays and Brewers have relied on a throwback style of play, focusing less on home runs. This is the first World Series with robot umpires, adding a new twist to the game. Both teams have modest payrolls, marking a shift from big-spending franchises.
Pitcher Brandon Woodruff makes Brewers’ World Series roster as he returns from shoulder injury
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brandon Woodruff has made the Milwaukee Brewers’ World Series roster without having pitched in a game over the last 3½ months. Woodruff took the place of Chad Patrick on Milwaukee’s 13-man pitching staff as the Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays submitted their World Series rosters Friday before playing Game 1 in Milwaukee. This is the latest step in a remarkable comeback for Woodruff. The two-time All-Star had expected to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery over the summer. The 33-year-old instead gets a chance to pitch in the World Series for the first time.
Gianni Infantino is endorsed by the Asian Football Confederation for another term as FIFA president
TOKYO (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation has endorsed Gianni Infantino for another term as FIFA president in an apparent turnaround in its stance from two months ago when it criticized the head of soccer’s world governing body for a breach of trust. AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa made the announcement Friday at an extraordinary congress meeting in Tokyo, and embraced Infantino with a large hug in front of the membership as he delivered his endorsement. Sheikh Salman says: “We affirm our full commitment to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as the FIFA president.” The AFC has 47 member associations. The FIFA election is in March.
Mike McDaniel, Brian Daboll and other first-year offensive coordinators are struggling
It’s been a rough start for some high-profile offensive coordinators with new teams. Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was supposed to help elevate Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, bringing his innovative ideas to the West Coast. Instead, the Chargers are 0-6 because the offense has been terrible and Herbert has regressed significantly. Former Giants coach Brian Daboll was expected to develop Cam Ward the way he helped Josh Allen in Buffalo. But the Tennessee Titans have the worst offense in the league and Ward has been inconsistent. The New York Jets are 25th in yards and 27th in scoring in former Colts coach Frank Reich’s offense.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli within reach of becoming youngest F1 champion as series resumes at COTA
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kimi Antonelli is within reach of becoming the youngest Formula 1 champion in series history at the United States Grand Prix in Texas. A lot things would need to fall into place. Antonelli needs a win, with teammate George Russell finishing ninth or lower and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton fifth or lower. Even if it doesn’t happen, Antonelli is close to the championship. He has won eight times this season and has been consistent throughout. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been the dominant driver of late and is seeking a third consecutive victory.
For decades, he’s hunted tickets from Cal Ripken’s ‘Iron Man’ streak. Just 8 elude him
Lifelong Orioles fan Rick Taylor has spent 28 years collecting tickets from every game of Cal Ripken Jr.’s 2,632-game streak. Now, he’s just eight tickets short of completing what memorabilia experts call one of the most extraordinary baseball ticket collections ever assembled. The 69-year-old has scoured eBay, attended card shows and enlisted fellow collectors to track down elusive tickets from games played more than 40 years ago. His quest comes as physical sports tickets are disappearing in favor of digital passes and QR codes, threatening a longtime collecting tradition.
How Spanish coaches became soccer’s hottest commodity
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish coaches are all the rage. And for good reason. The teams that hold the men’s and women’s World Cup, the men’s and women’s Champions League, the Premier League and Europa League titles were all lead by coaches from the southern European country. Five Spaniards are coaching in the Premier League, and Spain led Europe in exporting coaches last year with 107 coaches employed abroad in first-and-second-division clubs. The groundwork for this success story was laid decades ago when Johan Cruyff instilled a new playing style at Barcelona. That was later adopted by Spain’s national team and has influenced how Spanish coaches spot and develop talent.
Trump expresses concern about NFL game and civil unrest in Paris
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says the NFL “could have probably postponed” the upcoming game in Paris between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints because of street protests in the city. France is bracing for more demonstrations Saturday against the high cost of living, with museums closing and the government deploying a larger security presence to prevent a repeat of last week’s violent unrest. The game Sunday — the first regular-season NFL game in France — is being held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of the capital.
With lockout looming, the World Series could be Major League Baseball’s last games for a while
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Major League Baseball faces uncertainty as owners pushes for a salary cap, threatening a lockout starting Dec. 2. The work stoppage could lead to canceled games in 2027. Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen says losing a season would be a “real bummer.” This World Series is the first since 1991 between teams in the bottom half of payrolls. MLB argues a cap is needed for better competition. The players’ association vows never to accept a cap. Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement could become contentious.
Trump blasts 76ers star LeBron James as ‘disgrace’ for not standing still during national anthem
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Donald Trump has accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States. This comes after James continued his warmups during the national anthem at a game on Tuesday. Trump shared a video of the incident on social media, calling James a “TOTAL DISGRACE” and demanding an apology. James responded by saying it “must be a slow news day.” He and Trump two have a history of public disagreements. James, known for his activism, has often spoken out on social issues and politics. He has previously criticized Trump and emphasized the importance of using his platform to inspire and empower others.
