#HNNSports Ana Ivanovic RETIRES from Tennis at 29yo.

Ana Ivanovic retires from tennis at age 29 due to injuries, ending a career in which she was ranked No. 1 in 2008. "It's been well-known that I've been hampered by injuries. ... I can only play if I can perform up to my own high standards and I can no longer do that," she said. "So it's time to move on."

Ivanovic became a UNICEF national ambassador for Serbia in 2007 and says that position will figure in her plans.

"I will become an ambassador of sport and healthy life. I will also explore opportunities in business, beauty and fashion among other endeavors," she said on her Facebook page. "I will also have more time for my philanthropic activities with my work with UNICEF. I've lived my dreams and I really hope to help others do so as well."

With files from ABC news

Big Bucks made after #Chicago @Cubs #Worldseries WIN. Try COOKIES #HNNSports

(Wikipedia)

Lots of memorabilia will flow, Ummm....$5 each for iced cookies? Oh well it took 108 years and we thank GOD that it's not $108. 108 will be the most played number in the pick 3 lotto today in America. Straight or boxed!--KOO

Explaining the #Chicago @Cubs GOAT CURSE to #Africans #WorldSeries #HNNSports

Sianis and goat Billy Murphy

The Curse of the Billy Goat was the name of a sports-related curse that was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball franchise in 1945 by Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis that lasted in a 71-year period from 1945 to 2016. Those newborns when Sianis cursed up the stadium security are now 71 yo people now. Because the odor of his pet goat Murphy (which we call OBUKO here in Nigeria), was bothering other fans, Sianis was asked to leave Wrigley Field, the Cubs' home ballpark, during game 4 of the 1945 World Series. Outraged, Sianis allegedly declared, "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more," which has been interpreted to mean that either the Cubs would never win another National League (NL) pennant, or that they would never again win a World Series.

The Cubs lost the 1945 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, and did not win a World Series championship again until 2016. After the incident with Sianis and Murphy, the Cubs did not play in the World Series for the next 71 years until, on the 46th anniversary of Billy Sianis' death, they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5–0 in game 6 of the 2016 National League Championship Series to win the NL pennant.The Cubs defeated the American League (AL) champion Cleveland Indians 8–7 in game 7 (which lasted 10 innings) to win the 2016 World Series, thus ending the curse. I believe in curses!--KOO

With files from Wikipedia

Comedian @StephenColbert wants the #Chicago CUBS to win #WorldSeries again in 108 years #HNNSports

The tweet was so funny and by now you have all heard that the Cubs won the thrilling World Series after a one hour rain delay among other things. The goat curse is gone. I am a big baseball fan and watched overnight from Africa. It was a real big thriller. Congrats to the Cubs who the Indians lost to. Many fan reactions and stars tweeted online. this was my funniest. I think Colbert is an Indians fan--KOO

#HNNMemorial: #RIPJoseFernandez Pitcher for #Miami Marlins Dead in boat accident #HNNSports

OMG! When I heard this, I was stunned and shocked. Fernandez died so young at 24 yo and so talented. Three people died in this tragic mishap early Sunday morning.

“The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”

Sunday’s Marlins-Braves game at Marlins Stadium was canceled following the news, the team statement announced. Fernandez was originally scheduled to pitch on Sunday, but had his start pushed back to Monday.

Multiple sources reported and confirmed the news on Sunday morning including Ken Rosenthal, and Marlins beat writer Clark Spencer. According to WFOR-TV in Miami, authorities were notified of the accident at about 3 a.m.:

This morning's scene of fatal boating accident that killed Jose Fernandez. Photo: MiamiDadeFire #breaking pic.twitter.com/uQaqVVeh7i

— liz roldan (@lizroldancbs4) September 25, 2016

Upon arrival, a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Fireboat found the boat upside down and crashed into rocks. Three victims were found dead and rescuers continued searching for more people. The boat involved in the crash is approximately thirty feet long.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement Sunday:

“All of Baseball is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández. He was one of our game’s great young stars who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization and all of the people he touched in his life.”

Fernandez had been one of the MLB’s most captivating young pitchers since his debut in 2013, when he won the NL Rookie of the Year. His 2014 and 2015 seasons were cut short because of Tommy John surgery, but Fernandez returned to his ace form this year. His 16-8 record, 2.86 ERA and 253 strikeouts (second in baseball) made him one of the candidates for NL Cy Young. In what will be final MLB performance, Fernandez threw eight shutout innings on Tuesday night, striking out 12 and allowing just three hits against the first-place Washington Nationals.

Also captivating was his story. Fernandez was born in Cuba and successfully defected when he was 15, his third attempt to leave the country. That, too, was also tragic. In their escape from Cuba, his mother had fallen off the boat they were on and young Jose swam 60 feet in chopping waves to save her. He carried her to the boat on his back.

Fernandez eventually took up residence in Florida, where he became a baseball star Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa and an eventual first-round pick by the Marlins in the 2011 draft. He became a U.S. citizen in 2015.

Source: Yahoo News

Did ADHD medicines ENHANCE @Simone_Biles #Rio2016 performance? #HNNSports

Simore Biles (Twitter)

Shocked to hear the information of the hacking into medical records but as a pharmacist I am more shocked to hear Simone Biles was allowed to use the Attention Deficit Disorder meds as an athlete. I must tell you that they are powerful stimulants and I have my reservation on why they were allowed in competition but if there are medical exemptions, so be it. Lets take a look at the bigger picture. The Russians on the other hand are very disgruntled that half their team was banned from many sports during Rio 2016.

Russian hackers have been blamed for breaking into a World Anti-Doping Agency database and posting confidential medical data of some American athletes online.

WADA said Tuesday the attack — which targeted some female members of the United States team, which competed at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics — was carried out by a"Russian cyber espionage group" called Fancy Bears.

The hackers revealed records of "Therapeutic Use Exemptions" (TUEs) which allow athletes to use substances that are banned unless there is a verified medical need.

pic.twitter.com/tPxCJ1K2RZ

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) September 13, 2016

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles took to Twitter to defend her use of certain medicines. The International Olympic Committee said it "strongly condemns such methods which clearly aim at tarnishing the reputation of clean athletes."

"The IOC can confirm however that the athletes mentioned did not violate any anti-doping rules during the Olympic Games Rio 2016," the Olympic body said.

The top American anti-doping official said it was "unthinkable" to try to smear athletes who followed the rules and did nothing wrong.

"The cyberbullying of innocent athletes being engaged in by these hackers is cowardly and despicable," said Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

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Baseball Legend Cal Ripken warns parents to spend less $$ on Sports #HNNsports

I grew up looking 22 years in Baltimore looking up to Cal when my boys were growing up. He has since retired but now he's telling parents to stop shelling out tons of money on sports items.

Major League Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. on Wednesday cautioned parents against believing their high-spending on athletics will pave their kids' way to a professional sports career.

The Baltimore Oriole turned entrepreneur counts a youth sports tournament company among his post-baseball business pursuits. Ripken said he's come across some parents who harbor outsize expectations.

"Sometimes the fever to say, 'OK, I've got to have my kid playing more baseball so they can become a professional baseball player' — you want to keep that in perspective," Ripken told CNBC in an interview on"Squawk on the Street."

A recent study by TD Ameritrade found most parents spend $100 to $500 a month on sports expenses for each child. About 20 percent shell out $1,000 or more.

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History made as @SerenaWilliams has the MOST GRAND SLAM winnings in tennis #HNNSports

Serena Williams has officially made history again at the US Open. She now has the most grand slam matches won in the history of the women's game. 

307 and counting. It just amazes me that she wins these Wimbledon and US Open matches but ends up losing at the Olympics with no medal. Oh well congratulations.

Check out Mike Tyson and his family at the US Open #HNNSports

Mike Tyson is into Tennis as he came with his wife Lakiha and his daughters Milan Tyson and Gena Tyson to the US Open. Don't they all look good? He's got a large brood with 9 children leaving 8 after Exodus died in 2009. He was formerly married to actress Robin Givens at one point. 

Race car driver Tony Stewart to appeal insurance ruling in Kevin ward Jr suit #HNNSports

Attorneys for Tony Stewart have filed notice they plan to appeal a ruling in the driver's dispute with an insurance company.

A U.S. District Court in Utica, N.Y., ruled against Stewart on July 29, deciding Axis Insurance Co. was not responsible for any claims which might stem from the pending wrongful death civil suit brought against Stewart by the family of Kevin Ward Jr.

On Friday, Stewart's attorneys filed notice they plan to appeal the judgment in the U.S Court of Appeals' Second Circuit. The news was first reported by ESPN.com.

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49'ers Defend the move of Colin Kaepernick not standing up for national anthem #HNNSports

Colin Kaepernick, who has been mired in a quarterback controversy with Blaine Gabbert to see who will lead the 49ers this season, may have sparked a real controversy Friday night.

Kaepernick did not stand for the national anthem before the 49ers preseason game at Levi's Stadium, although the move went unnoticed by most at the time. ProFootballTalk.comreported the story more than an hour after the game, and no reporters asked Kaepernick about it following the 49ers 21-10 loss to the Packers.

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#Japan is READY!! A message from #Tokyo2020 #HNNSports

The Rio Olympic Games, took place from August 5th for 17 days, has drawn to an end.

In the closing ceremony at the Maracana Stadium, athletes who had played exciting games were smiling and shaking their body to festive rhythms. The whole stadium was united in the ceremony that featured lively, quintessentially Brazilian music and dance performances.

It was an impressive ceremony—athletes, staff, and volunteers involved in the Rio 2016 all became one beyond countries and races. Don’t you think so?

At the flag hand-over ceremony, the Olympic banner was returned from Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes to International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, who then passed it over to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. 

In the trailer part of Tokyo’s presentation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Olympians, and famous characters from Japan’s representative animations and games showcased the charms of the city and Japan. How did you like it? Thank you everyone who appeared on the trailer.

At the end of the presentation, a “See you in Tokyo” message emerged on the stage, and the sky was lit up in an array of big fireworks in red and white—the symbolic colors of Japan.
This was the very first step towards the Tokyo 2020!

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will start in two weeks, from Thursday, September 8th. We hope to see more great performances from Paralympians! ‪#‎Rio2016‬

SOURCE

2016 Paralympic Games: Organizers Announce Cuts to Next Month’s Event Due to $61 Million Budget Shortfall

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that September’s Paralympic Games will take place as planned, despite major budget cuts, and will act as a catalyst to positive social change in Brazil and Latin America.Only 12 percent of tickets have been sold for the event for athletes with disabilities that is scheduled for Sept. 7-18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Anthony Rizzo: Chicago Cubs First Baseman Hops Onto Wall to Make Catch Heading for the Stands

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Keon Broxton hit a foul ball toward the visiting team's dugout in the fifth inning Tuesday, prompting Rizzo to jump onto a short wall to make the catch. See the catch here.

Madonna Buder: 86-Year-Old Triathlete Featured in Advertisement for Nike #HNNSports

Sister Madonna Buder, nicknamed "The Iron Nun," is featured in Nike's new "Unlimited Youth" advertisement. She has competed in over 40 Ironman events. The ad will run throughout the Olympic broadcast. What a lot of energy does she have? I like her cycling runs a lot.

Twitter Erupts after Shaunae Miller of the #Bahamas captures her Gold medal at #Rio2016

Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas took gold in Monday's 400-meter after she dove at the finish line. Yes, she dove.

It was an incredible, gutsy, unbelievable move, and it worked. The dive, which is legal, earned Miller the gold over Team USA's Allyson Felix.

Out of sheer amazement, Twitter erupted. See the tweets here

Darya Klishina: Russian Long Jumper Suspended From #RioOlympics #HNNSports

The International Association of Athletics Federations said Saturday they received "new information" that led to the suspension. Klishina was previously granted a dispensation to compete for Russia.

Julianna Pena: UFC Fighter Says 'Nobody Cares About Ronda Rousey and Her Fat Arms Anymore'

MIKE ROACH/ZUFFA LLC/UFC/GETTY IMAGES

Pena commented about Rousey to TMZ Sports after being asked about Rousey's return. She also said Amanda Nunes is waiting for a "money fight" against Rousey rather than fighting Pena. I hope Pena remembers what Rousey's mom said, that Rhonda should break the jaws of any other MMA fighter who steps on her toes in the ring.

Antonio Cromartie: NFL Cornerback Evicting Mother From House He Bought Her in 2007

Cromartie's sister told TMZ that their mother received an eviction notice on the Florida home he bought her. A representative for Cromartie said his mother had been missing mortgage payments. SMH. I thought if you buy your mom a house, it should be mortgage free.

Jerry Sandusky: Former Penn State Football Coach Convicted of Child Molestation Denies Guilt

JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES NEWS/GETTY IMAGES

At an appeals hearing Friday in Pennsylvania, Sandusky replied "absolutely not" when his lawyer asked if he was guilty of assaulting 10 boys. He blamed his lawyer for bungling his 2012 trial. I thought Sandusky had already admitted to these crimes. Seeing this is quite shocking 4 years later as he now blames his former lawyer.