Sport

Sager’s life celebrated at memorial service

Longtime TNT broadcaster Craig Sager was remembered for his love of family, sports and colorful attire at a memorial service Tuesday in Atlanta that produced laughs and tears.

Among those attending the service were San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich and members of Sager’s Turner Sports TV family, including Ernie Johnson and Reggie Miller.

The Rev. Randy Mickler, former senior pastor of Mount Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia, led the service. Mickler noted he decided against wearing his normal black robe and instead wore a purple shirt and colorful jacket he said would have made Sager “extremely proud and pleased.”

The 65-year-old Sager died Thursday following a two-year fight with acute myeloid leukemia.

Grammy winner Yolanda Adams sang two songs at the service. Johnson said Sager “planted sequoias” by inspiring others with his determined battle against cancer.

SOCCER

U.S. WOMEN: Forward Alex Morgan has joined European champion Lyon on a six-month loan from the Orlando Pride of the NWSL, with an option for her to play a further season.

Morgan has made 120 appearances for the U.S. women’s team and scored 73 goals, winning the Olympic gold medal in 2012 and the World Cup last year in Canada.

BRAZIL CRASH: Colombia and Brazil will play a friendly match on Jan. 25 to raise money for the victims of the air crash last month that killed 19 players from Brazilian club Chapecoense.

The match is set for Rio de Janeiro’s Engenhao stadium, which was the venue for athletics during the Olympics. The Brazil team will be composed only of players with local clubs and will not include stars like Neymar who play in Europe.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: The United States’ qualifiers in June have been moved up a bit because of Mexico’s participation in the Confederations Cup.

The U.S. Soccer Federation said that the Americans’ home game against Trinidad and Tobago will be played June 8, a day earlier than first scheduled. The Americans’ match at Mexico will be played June 11, two days ahead of the original date.

BASEBALL

MAJOR LEAGUES: The Pirates bolstered their bullpen, agreeing to an $11 million, two-year contract with reliever Daniel Hudson. The 29-year-old right-hander went 3-2 with a 5.22 ERA in 70 appearances for Arizona in 2016.

• First baseman Chris Colabello agreed to a minor league deal with Cleveland The 33-year-old served an 80-game suspension last season with Toronto after a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.

The Indians also acquired pitcher Nick Goody from the Yankees for a player to be named or $50,000.

• The San Diego Padres signed free agent right-hander Jhoulys Chacin and brought back left-hander Clayton Richard, both on one-year, $1.75 million contracts.

SKIING

WORLD CUP: A women’s giant slalom in France was canceled because of strong winds after the first run had been aborted and then rescheduled.

The first run was stopped after 19 racers had gone down the course. But a few minutes before the rescheduled run had been set to start, the International Ski Federation called it off.

A new date has not yet been scheduled.

– News service report