data-mm-id=”_fjhmizi3i”>The relationship between sports reporters and coaches isn't quite as intimate as it used to be. For instance, did you know former Yankees player and manager Billy Martin once beat up a journalist in the luxury box of a minor-league basketball game? Ah, the good ol' days. The year was 1978. The month, November. Martin, who had been relieved of his managing duties by George Steinbrenner halfway through the previous season, was being interviewed by Ray Hagar at halftime of a Reno Bighorns game against the Las Vegas Dealers of the Western Basketball Association. Initially, Martin said the 25-year-old sportswriter challenged him to a fight. Hagar denied it, saying the fight started because Martin wanted to see his notes and Hagar denied him. Regardless of who you believe(d), Martin was the aggressor, punching Hagar right in the eye and then landing a few more blows before the two were separated. “He hit me before I knew it," Hagar was quoted as saying at the time. "I didn't even get a punch in.”Six months later, on this day in 1979, Martin apologized to Hagar. Steinbrenner said Martin could only manage the Yankees again if he didn't have any legal issues brewing, hence the apology. An undisclosed settlement likely also helped ease the tension and end the legal battle, though there's no formal record of that. The incident was simply forgotten. Fast forward fifty years and Mets manager Mickey Callaway brought up the incident after berating Newsday reporter Tom Healey during the 2019 season. Healey got an apology too, but Callaway didn't throw any punches. Things really have changed through the decades.
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The Juventus striker missed out on Edgardo Bauza s first squad as Argentina coach, but three goals in as many appearances for Massimiliano Allegri s side has seen the 28-year-old return to the fold for the matches on October 7 and 12.
Higuain is joined in the squad by Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who returned from his short-lived international retirement for the games against Uruguay and Venezuela only to withdraw from the squad through injury.
There is also a return for Sergio Aguero, who missed out last time due to a knock picked up in Manchester City s Premier League victory over West Ham.
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The Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is under immense pressure to deliver success this season, after the team from Merseyside finished sixth in the table last season.
Behind
The Reds finished a massive 25 points behind Premier League champions Chelsea last season, after finishing as runners-up in the previous campaign.
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Market: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals
Odds:
Two of Europe s heavyweights meet in Saint Petersburg as France and Belgium go head to head for a place in the World Cup final.
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Alas, it s a deal that may not end up coming to fruition, with Chelsea deciding to place an €80 million price tag on his shoulders. The report suggests that Barca aren t willing to pay that kind of fee for a player approaching his 30th birthday, which could wind up being the key to Willian staying put for at least another season.
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Rusty Ivory Coast face angry Algeria at Chiazi Stadium on Sunday with an Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals place at stake.
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David Moyes has paid tribute to Howard Kendall after the Everton great died at the age of 69.
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The arrival of Williams follows the permanent signing of Oghenekaro Etebo, Tom Ince, Adam Federici and James McClean, while Benik Afobe has also moved to Stoke on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has been named Vanarama National League manager of the season.
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Notts County striker Langstaff scored 42 National League goals – four more than Mullin – as Luke Williams’ side finished four points short of champions Wrexham’s record total of 111.
Parkinson steered Wrexham over the line amid the fierce spotlight on the Welsh club because of their Hollywood star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Phil Parkinson scoops the Manager of the Season award with Macaulay Langstaff named Player of the Season |
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL)
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Odds: 4/11 @
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