The daily pitch from Sports Editor Matt Daniels: Jan. 21, 2025 – Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander will start the season on the injured list as he continues to deal with shoulder inflammation, but it’s not all bad news for the three-time Cy Young Award winner.  Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed the news on Tuesday, adding that while Verlander looks solid, there’s not enough time to get […]

The news of Frank Reich’s firing as head coach of the Carolina Panthers took tight end Hayden Hurst off-guard.  But he knew that, with a 1-10 record after falling to the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday, a change could be around the corner even if no one wanted it to happen.  “I was actually in […]