Welcome to Sports Hoard! This week has been less than adventurous, but there was a hero at a baseball game!
At a Pirates spring training game, a dad saved his son from a near disaster. Pirates outfielder Danny Ortiz, said he had no idea what happened until he got home and heard about it from his wife. The dad, Shaun Cunningham said he was just following his instinct when he saw the bat flying toward his son, Landon. Neither had a clue how close the bat came to the 8-year-old until they saw the pictures on the internet the next day. Landon told reporters, he will only go to baseball games with his dad from now on.
Calvin Johnson a/k/a “Megatron” has officially retired from the NFL. The Detroit Lions announced after nine professional seasons as the most prolific wide receiver in franchise history, Johnson is hanging it up. Over his career, Johnson accumulated over 11,000 receiving yards, seven 1,000-yard seasons and six Pro Bowl invites. Megatron holds 15 NFL records. Johnson apologized for making the announcement via statement instead of the customary press conference. He stated the decision was not an easy one and was made after much prayer and deliberation with his family. Other football greats including Jerry Rice, acknowledged Johnson’s announcement and wished him all the best on his retirement.
The International Tennis Federation is investigating Maria Sharapova after she failed a drug test. Meldonium, which is fairly unheard of in the US, is a medication that improves blood flow. It was used by the Russian military in the 1980’s to improve stamina. This is not the first time Sharapova has failed for this drug. She failed a doping test in January at the Australian Open, after the drug became banned just this year under the World Anti-Doping Agency code. Sharapova claims she is taking the medication under direction of her doctor due to various health issues. Meldonium was banned because it aids oxygen uptake and endurance, but the inventor of the medication claim that while it allows you to withstand more pressure, the body still spends its spare reserves. Sharapova will be suspended as of March 12, but the date for hearing and possible appeal has not been set.
Good luck with your fantasy brackets! Until next week!
