Braves legend Hank Aaron dies at age 86, daughter says  —  ATLANTA — He is the one man that Muhammad Ali said he idolized “more than myself.”  He became known to the world as “Hammerin' Hank.”  —  Legendary Atlanta Brave and Major League Baseball record holder Hank Aaron died Friday at the age of 86, according to Aaron's daughter.

What's the Red Sox' plan?  Sam Kennedy says they're ‘building back up’ rather than going all-in  —  The president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox admits the Sox are not “all-in” trying to win the World Series this year.  —  “I think it would be inaccurate to say we are going for it with an all-in approach …

Capitals' Ilya Samsonov tests positive for coronavirus; Ovechkin, two others remain off the ice  —  Washington Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov has tested positive for coronavirus, two people with knowledge with the situation said Thursday.  The team received news of Samsonov's positive test Tuesday night …

Baseball cannot be surprised by Jared Porter  —  For women working in baseball, there is always a moment when we question: What exactly is this guy's motive?  —  It can be as simple and harmless of a comment as, “Terrific job so far, you're handling the new gig really well.”

Philip Rivers retiring from NFL after 17 seasons  —  Rivers played 16 years for Chargers, final season for Colts; he will fulfill lifelong dream of coaching prep football  —  The time has come, dadgummit.  —  The man whose good-natured hollering was as renowned as his highly unorthodox …

Who is new NY Mets farm director Kevin Howard?  Here are 3 things to know  —  As active as the Mets have been with their roster, they've spent just as much, if not more, time filling out organizational positions in the front office and baseball operations team.

Toronto Blue Jays land top free agent George Springer with $150 million deal  —  The top hitter on the free-agent market this offseason has found his new home.  —  Outfielder George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a six-year, $150 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement.

Our latest MLB offseason buzz: Second baseman market after LeMahieu, NL DH waiting game and more  —  After a very slow start, the free-agent market is finally starting to move.  The Yankees inked deals with both DJ LeMahieu and Corey Kluber, and the Washington Nationals added Jon Lester to their rotation.

‘Iconic’ Cardinals Molina, Wainwright weigh offers to return as Winter Warm-Up, teammates illuminate their worth  —  The two players who seemed to be a part of every panel scheduled this past weekend at the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up didn't attend one of them.  —  The value of their presence was clearer from their absence.

Phillies scout 2 veteran free agents as they look to add more pitching  —  The Phillies were one of several teams to scout veteran starting pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Julio Teheran during a workout in the Miami area on Tuesday, according to sources.  —  This comes a day after president …