TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - SEPTEMBER 2ND

1850 - Albert Spaulding, baseball player/founded Spaulding sports company is born.

1901 - Adolph Rupp, American college basketball coach (d. 1977) is born.

1916 - Dorothy May Bundy-Cheney, winner of more than 141 US tennis titles is born.

1927 - Rumour starts that Yankee Lou Gehrig will be traded to Tigers.

1937 - Peter Ueberroth, organized LA Olympics (1984)/baseball commissioner is born.

1948 - Terry Bradshaw, NFL QB (Pittsburgh Steelers)/announcer (CBS, FOX) is born.
1952 - [James] Jimmy Connors, St. Louis Illinois,

US tennis champion (US Open-78, 82, 83 Wimbledon-74, 82) is born.

1956 - Orioles trailing Red Sox 8-0 come back to win 11-10 in 9 innings.
1957 - Milwaukee Braves' Frank Torre scores 6 runs in 1 game.

1960 - Eric Dickerson, Texas, NFL halfback

(LA Rams, Colts/2,105 yds in 1984) is born.
1960 - Tamara & Irina Press (USSR) become 1st sisters to win olympic gold.

1962 - Stan Musial's 3,516th hit moves over Tris Speaker into 2nd place.

1965 - Cubs slugger Ernie Banks hits his 400th HR (off Curt Simmons).

1971 - Chris Evert & Jimmy Connors win their 1st US Open tennis matches.

1972 - Chicago Cubs Milt Pappas no-hits SD Padres, 1-0.

1978 - Reggie Jackson is 19th player to hit 20 HR in 11 straight years.

1989 - A Bartlett Giamatti, baseball commisioner, dies at 51.

Raiders tab rookie Derek Carr as starting QB

Oakland rookie Derek Carr will start the season opener against the New York Jets, becoming the first Raiders quarterback to start the first game of his rookie season.

Coach Dennis Allen announced Monday that Carr would be the starter for the foreseeable future ahead of Matt Schaub, who struggled in the preseason and has been hampered by a sore elbow.

''We've seen signs of Derek Carr's development from the day he stepped on campus here to where he is at right now,'' Allen said. ''We've seen him grow by leaps and bounds and I think he's ready to accept the challenge.''

Schaub was anointed starter after being acquired in a trade from Houston in March but has been outplayed by Carr all summer. Carr solidified the starting job by throwing three touchdown passes and leading the Raiders to the end zone four times in as many drives against Seattle last week.

''It's not an indictment on Matt Schaub at all,'' Allen said. ''I feel very confident in Matt Schaub. I think it says more about we feel Derek Carr is in his progression.''

Neither Carr nor Schaub was available in the locker room Monday. Both are scheduled to talk to the media Tuesday.

Carr, a second-round pick out of Fresno State in May, will become the 18th starting quarterback for the Raiders since the start of the 2003 season.

Carr was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football last season. He threw for 5,083 yards and 50 touchdowns with only eight interceptions in a spread offense at Fresno State that included many quick screens and almost exclusively shotgun formations.

But he also played one year in college in a pro-style offense under former coach Pat Hill and has made the transition back to that kind of system since joining the Raiders.

Carr played well in the preseason, completing 66.7 percent of his passes with four touchdowns, one interception and a 108.2 passer rating. He showed the strong arm needed to stretch the field, completing 11 of 18 passes more than 10 yards downfield for 234 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Receiver James Jones, who spent the past six seasons catching passes from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, had high praise for the rookie.

''It didn't surprise me at all,'' Jones said. ''I've been calling him baby A-rod since he got here.''

Carr joins his older brother, David, as rookies to start in the season opener. According to STATS, they are the only brothers to do that since at least 1950. David won his debut for the expansion Houston Texans against Dallas in 2002 but never developed into the quarterback the Texans were hoping for when they picked him first overall.

Derek Carr faces a tall task in the opener as Jets coach Rex Ryan's defenses have been tough on rookie quarterbacks. Russell Wilson is the only rookie in eight tries to beat Ryan's Jets in his first start against them, with the eight quarterbacks combining to complete just 48.3 percent of their passes and posting a 61.1 passer rating.

''He's not your typical rookie,'' center Stefen Wisniewski said. ''He's got an NFL quarterback older brother that's been teaching him for years. He understands defenses at a very advanced level more than most rookies would. I think Derek gets way more prepared than most rookies would be.''

This marks the second straight season that the veteran quarterback acquired by general manager Reggie McKenzie in the offseason to be the starter has lost the job before the season opener.

Last year, Matt Flynn struggled in the preseason and had a sore elbow before being beaten out for the starting job by Terrelle Pryor. Flynn started one game when Pryor was hurt before being released.

Now Schaub is following a similar pattern.

''He's disappointed,'' Allen said. ''I think any competitor would be. He's handling it like a pro. Listen it's not an easy situation to be in. But he's a real pro. He's been around football for a long time, he understands how things operate. ... He'll be ready when his number is called.''

 

NOTES: Starting MLB Nick Roach did not practice as he recovers from a concussion sustained in the third exhibition game. ... TE David Ausberry was back at practice for the first time since undergoing knee surgery in early August.

Hamels, 3 Phils relievers combine to no-hit Braves

On Labor Day, Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia bullpen spread the workload on a no-hitter.

Hamels and three Phillies relievers combined on the season's fourth no-hitter, blanking the Atlanta Braves 7-0 Monday and giving a last-place team a rare reason to celebrate.

It was all the more unusual in that Hamels left the game with his bid intact after six innings. He was fine with the decision, too, having already thrown 108 pitches at a hot afternoon at Turner Field.

''Just understanding the situation, every time I went out there I was battling control issues,'' Hamels said. ''I wasn't getting ahead of guys. Walking the leadoff hitter will put you in a lot of trouble, and it does. It builds up your pitch count.''

Hamels (8-6) struck out seven, matched a season high with five walks and hit a batter.

Relievers Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon each pitched a perfect inning to close out the 11th combined no-hitter in big league history. A smiling Hamels watched from the bench as they finished off what he started.

''I think having a combined no-hitter is very difficult because guys have to come right in and get the guys out, no matter what the situation is,'' Hamels said. ''It's a little more dramatic to be able to see that you're trying to play the cards as best you can against the lineup.''

Manager Ryne Sandberg knew Hamels was tired and ready to come out of the game. Their discussion was a quick one.

''It didn't take long,'' Sandberg said. ''He was pretty well spent there. The early innings had something to do with it. The stressful innings, stranding the runners at second and third a couple of times, but he wasn't going to go nine. And he ran the bases the inning before.''

Papelbon was in the middle of the hugs and handshakes on the mound when it was over.

''I think it's a cool experience,'' Papelbon said. ''It's definitely been a rough go at it this year for our ballclub. Something to kind of hang our hat on for the year. Cole has been our bona fide ace for the entire the season, and it's good to preserve those wins for our starters. Today it was preserving a no-hitter.''

Clayton Kershaw and Josh Beckett of the Dodgers and Tim Lincecum of the Giants threw no-hitters earlier this year.

Right fielder Marlon Byrd foiled the Braves' best bid for a hit. With runners on second and third in the third inning, Byrd raced in and toward the line to make a diving catch on Chris Johnson's slicing liner to end the inning.

''It happened at a perfect time, making that catch,'' Byrd said. ''Keeping him in the game, keeping us in the lead, the whole nine. It was nice.''

Johnson came close again in the ninth with a grounder up the middle. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins ranged behind the bag to make the play.

Phil Gosselin then lined out to first baseman Darin Ruf, who had taken over in the ninth for Ryan Howard, to end the game.

Hamels singled and scored in the sixth inning, and got pats of congratulations in the dugout after pitching the bottom half. He was on deck in the seventh, but Sandberg's decision already was made when Hamels was pulled for pinch-hitter Grady Sizemore.

The 30-year-old Hamels already had impressive accomplishments on his resume - in 2008, he was the MVP of the World Series and the NL championship series, and he's a three-time All-Star.

Now, the lefty can claim part of a no-no, too.

Diekman struck out two and Giles fanned three before Papelbon took over.

Kevin Millwood and five Seattle relievers teamed up to pitch the previous combined no-hitter, against the Dodgers in 2012. The first combined no-hitter came in 1917 when Babe Ruth walked the first Washington batter of the game and was ejected, and Boston Red Sox reliever Ernie Shore didn't allow another runner.

Roy Halladay pitched the previous two Phillies no-hitters - he threw a perfect game against the Marlins in 2010, then threw a no-hitter the same year in the playoffs against Cincinnati.

It was 12th no-hitter in Phillies history, and the first combined effort. The last pitcher to no-hit the Braves was Ubaldo Jimenez of Colorado in 2010.

Ben Revere tripled and drove in a career-high five runs. The leadoff man started the day with 15 RBIs this season.

Hamels factored in the Phillies' first two runs. He sacrificed a runner to third in the third inning, and led off the sixth with a single and scored from second on Rollins' triple.

Atlanta, which had won 11 of 15, began the day 1 1/2 games back in the NL wild-card race. Jason Heyward drew two walks and stole three bases. The struggling Braves' offense has scored one run in the last three games.

''The game of baseball's kind of funny,'' Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''You feel like you've hit a good stride and all of a sudden you go through a stretch where you score one run in 27 innings, and you're lucky enough to win one of those games.''

Julio Teheran (13-10) gave up five hits and five runs - two earned - with four walks in 6 2-3 innings. He left after Revere's bases-loaded triple made it 5-0 in the seventh. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons' error set up the runs.

Philadelphia has won Hamels' last five starts against the Braves. He owns an 0.97 ERA and four victories in that span.

Houston Astros fire manager Bo Porter

The Houston Astros fired manager Bo Porter on Monday, saying the dismissal had less to do with the team's 59-79 record than the need for ''new direction'' and a ''united message throughout the entire organization.''

Porter was in his second season with the Astros and was succeeded by interim manager Tom Lawless, who worked in Houston's minor league system. Lawless' first game in charge is Tuesday night at home against the first-place Los Angeles Angels.

Bench coach Dave Trembley also was let go.

Porter joined the Astros after working as a third-base coach for the Washington Nationals. The Astros went a franchise-worst 51-111 in his first season for their third straight 100-loss season.

General manager Jeff Luhnow said the decision was not based on ''our current level of competitiveness.'' The Astros entered Monday in fourth place in the AL West with the second-worst record in the league.

''I recognize that our win-loss record is largely a product of an organizational strategy for which I am responsible,'' Luhnow said in a statement. ''Rather, I made this decision because I believe we need a new direction in our clubhouse.''

Luhnow refused repeatedly to get into more detail about why Porter was let go as he fielded questions for almost 25 minutes on Monday afternoon. He did say that he had been mulling the move for a few weeks and that he made the final decision on Sunday.

''Once you make a decision it is in everyone's best interest to move it along,'' he said. ''It's easier to wait until the end of the season in some respects, but it's not fair to Bo and it's not fair to us.''

Owner Jim Crane said the firing was ''not an easy decision to make.'' It comes following recent reports citing sources who said Luhnow and Porter were not getting along. Luhnow wouldn't address those rumors other than to say that there were ''numerous inaccuracies'' in the reports.

Porter issued a statement Monday afternoon.

''During my time in Houston I dedicated myself to do everything I could to help this organization win, in the short-term and for the long-term,'' he said in the statement. ''I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in Houston with an organization in transition. I'm gratified we were able to bring some excitement to this city as a result of our improvement from 2013 to 2014.''

Starting pitcher Scott Feldman lamented Porter's firing and noted the care and concern he showed when Feldman's father died earlier this season. He said he spoke to Porter on Monday and thanked him for the way he treated him throughout the season and particularly in that difficult time.

''I hope he realizes that he was doing as well as he could given the circumstances,'' Feldman said. ''It's tough to see, but Bo's a strong guy and I'm sure he'll be back on his feet and back in the game whenever he wants to be.''

Whoever is hired as full-time manager will be the team's fourth since 2007, not including those who held the job on an interim basis. Luhnow said they hope to hire someone quickly.

''What we will seek going forward is a consistent and united message throughout the entire organization,'' Luhnow said. ''It is essential that as an organization we create an atmosphere at the major league level where our young players can come up and continue to develop and succeed.

''Ultimately, I am responsible for creating that culture, and I will do everything in my power to do so - even when it means making difficult moves like the one we made today.''

Porter was the first managerial hiring in Luhnow's tenure, and he was unhappy it didn't work out.

''It is a disappointment in that any time you bring in a new leader of any department ... you hope that the individual is going to be there for the long haul,'' he said. ''In no way did we intend to hire someone for a short-term (transitional) period. As we look forward to the next hire, we're looking for someone for the long haul.''

He said many people will help in the hunt for a new manager and noted that Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, who re-joined the team in February as a special assistant following a stint with the Rangers, will be among them.

The firing is the latest development in months of trouble surrounding the Astros that includes being the victim of hackers who accessed team's servers and published months of internal trade talks on the Internet, and failing to reach a deal with No. 1 overall draft pick Brady Aiken.

''It's been a challenging summer for me personally and for us as the Astros organization,'' Luhnow said. ''A lot of things happened not the way we scripted them to happen and we've had to react. That's part of the job.''

Lawless was the interim manager at Triple-A Oklahoma City this season when manager Tony DeFrancesco was on medical leave. Adam Everett, who was also working in the minors, will replace Trembley as bench coach.

Gronk promises he will play Sunday; Dolphins ready

Star tight end Rob Gronkowski stood in front of his Gillette Stadium locker Monday and announced he will be playing in the New England Patriots' opener at Miami this Sunday.

Meanwhile, the news hardly caught the Dolphins by surprise.

''I'm super excited,'' said Gronkowski, who didn't play in any of the four preseason games as he completed his recovery from December right knee surgery. ''I won't have to see my teammates grind all week - (I'll) go back out there with them, get in the huddle, break the huddle with them.

''It's going to be an honor to be back out there with my teammates. Super pumped, super excited and just preparing for the game.''

The pronouncement came as a bit of a surprise in a locker room not known for players ''breaking news.''

''Yeah, yeah, I'm just getting it out of the way there,'' Gronkowski said. ''Every single day this week (he would have been asked about returning) - get it out of the way now.''

''It just feels good in my mind to know that I'll be out there with my boys, working hard, grinding with them, being out there.''

The Patriots are 6-0 all-time when Gronkowski plays against the Dolphins, but Miami has kept him in some check of late. Gronkowski's last two games against Miami resulted in a total of only four catches.

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said his team was ''fully prepared'' for a Gronkowski sighting.

''He's an excellent player,'' Philbin said Monday. ''He's been a very very productive player throughout his career. We'll have a good plan in place, but he's certainly an important part of their offense, and a productive part of it. We'll be ready for him, for sure.''

Gronkowski, who tore his right ACL and MCL last Dec. 8, is a two-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro in 2011. He has 226 catches with 42 touchdowns in 50 regular-season games. Last season, coming off multiple surgeries and an arm infection, he appeared in seven games, catching 39 passes, four for touchdowns, before going down on a hit by safety T.J. Ward, then of the Cleveland Browns.

Asked if he feels ready, Gronkowski said, ''Definitely. I feel mentally and physically ready, for sure, no doubt about it.''

''Just the way we just worked throughout all camp and the last few weeks, everything's just been going well,'' Gronkowski added. ''There's been no setbacks, just more and more (work) every single day.

''Now I just have to focus on the Miami Dolphins, just keep focusing on getting better and getting stronger.''

Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said he's been working under the assumption Gronkowski would be ready for Week 1.

''He's also been a big target for them in the red zone,'' Coyle said. ''If he plays, and how much he plays, we don't know how much that will be, that's not going to change what we do.''

Gronkowski says he doesn't expect to play ''every single snap'' Sunday, but is ready for ''whatever the coaches have.''

''It's been long and tiring for sure,'' he said. ''But you just got to be patient and everything comes along well. That's the way I've been - just keep working hard and it will all come.''

Last week, the Patriots traded veteran guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay for tight end Tim Wright, who has been added to provide depth.

''So far, he's been working hard. It's been great seeing him improving every single day, learning everything, and it's always fun with a new guy that wants to work hard,'' Gronkowski said.

 

NOTES: WR Josh Boyce, cut Saturday, was one of 10 players signed to the taxi squad, a list that includes DL Charley Hughlett, who is being signed for the second time as a long snapper after the release of Danny Aiken. DE-LB Rob Ninkovich is currently the only long snapper on the roster. ... Also re-signed were DL Jake Bequette, LBs Ja'Gared Davis and Deontae Skinner, S Kanorris Davis, RB Jonas Gray, OL Chris Martin and DB Daxton Swanson. The club also added quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, last with San Francisco.

Holliday, Wong lead Cardinals past Pirates, 5-4 to move into 1st

Matt Holliday had the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning after Kolten Wong's pinch-hit homer tied the score, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

St. Louis moved into sole possession of first place in the NL Central for the first time this season with its third straight win in a row. The Cardinals are one game ahead of Milwaukee, which lost to the Chicago Cubs. Pittsburgh is three games back.

Trailing 4-2, St. Louis scored three in the seventh. Wong homered off Pittsburgh starter Gerrit Cole (7-5) to tie the score. Wong did not start after bumping his head in the eighth inning of Sunday's 9-6 win over the Cubs.

Jon Jay followed with a triple and scored on Holliday's single to left. Holliday, who also had a two-run double in the third, is 7 for 11 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in the last three games.

Seth Maness (6-3) picked up win in relief. Trevor Rosenthal got the last three outs for his 41st save in 46 opportunities.

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings.

Cole allowed all five runs and eight hits over 6 1-3 innings.

Andrew McCutchen homered for the Pirates off Kevin Siegrist in the seventh to push the lead to 4-2. The 454-foot shot was the second-longest by a visiting player in the history of the current Busch Stadium, which opened in 2006.

Pittsburgh jumped out to a 3-0 lead with two runs in the first and one in the second. Neil Walker hit two-run double on the 10th pitch of the game to bring in Josh Harrison and McCutchen.

Andrew Lambo added an RBI double in the second.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY - SEPTEMBER 1ST

1661 - First Yacht race, England's King Charles vs his brother James.

1866 - James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett,

Heavyweight champion boxer (1892-97) is born.
1890 - First baseball tripleheader-Boston vs Pittsburgh.

1918 - Baseball season ends due to WW I.
1918 - Ty Cobb pitches 2 innings against Browns.

1923 - Rocky Marciano, Brockton, Massachusetts,

Heavyweight champion boxer (1952-56), (d. 1969) is born.

1959 - Kenny Mayne, American sports journalist is born.

1971 - John Newcombe is 1st top-seed man to lose in 1st round of US Open.
1973 - George Foreman KOs Jose "King" Roman in 1 for Heavyweight boxing title.

1975 - NY Met Tom Seaver is 1st to strike out 200 in 8 consecutive seasons.

1987 - 15 yr old Michael Chang is youngest man to win US Tennis Open match.

1989 - A Bartlett Giamatti, baseball commissioner, dies of heart attack at 51.