Welcome to Friday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
FRIDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Wizards at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. (CSNNE)
NBA: Heat at Pacers, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA: Rockets at Kings, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College football: Cornell at Dartmouth, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)
College football: Rice at UTEP, 8 p.m. (CBSSN)
College football: Temple at SMU, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
College football: BYU at San Jose State, 11:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
College hockey: Yale at Harvard, 7 p.m. (NESN)
AROUND THE WEB:
— Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, in his first interview since leaving the team to seek treatment for alcoholism, said “it was just the time” for him to get help.
Sabathia stepped away from the club right before the postseason began. The Yankees lost the wild card playoff to the Astros.
“I know it was a bad time of the season, but there was no other option for me but to get help,” Sabathia told “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts in an interview that was scheduled to air Friday morning. “And I understand where, you know, fans would be upset and people don’t understand, but it’s a disease. And if it was my knee or it was anything else, then people wouldn’t have a problem with it, but, you know, it being alcoholism, it’s tough for people to swallow. But it’s the same thing.”
Sabathia, 35, went 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA this season while battling a chronic knee issue. The left-hander is due to make $25 million in 2016, the last year of his contract. The Yankees have a vesting option for 2017.
— President Barack Obama waded into the controversy over the Redskins nickname on Thursday. saying “a certain NFL team in Washington” should stop perpetuating negative stereotypes of Native Americans.
Speaking at the White House Tribal Nations Conference, Obama said sports teams should help to “break stereotypes.”
“If you’re living in a society that devalues your culture or perpetuates stereotypes, you may be devaluing yourself,” Obama said. “We all need to do more to ensure that our young people feel supported and respected.”
Adidas is encouraging schools to change Native American mascots by offering to pay for the design of a new logo and part of the cost of new uniforms.
“I don’t know if adidas made the same offer to a certain NFL team here in Washington, but they might want to think about that as well,” Obama said.
— Blackhawks star Patrick Kane will not face criminal charges in Buffalo, as prosecutors announced Thursday they are ending their investigation into an alleged rape at his home due to the case being “rife with reasonable doubt.”
“The DNA results lend no corroboration whatsoever to the complainant’s claim,” Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said.
Kane, who has helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups in the last six seasons, issued a statement through the team saying he is ready to move on.
“I have repeatedly said that I did nothing wrong,” Kane said. “I have respected the legal process and I am glad that this matter has now been closed and I will have nothing further to say going forward.”
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On Nov. 6, 1976, the Red Sox became the first team to sign a player who declared for free agency under baseball’s new rules. Which player signed a $1 million, four-year contract with the Sox?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Thanks. So I’ve got a 3-point shot and I’ve got power and I’ve got quickness? I’ll take that. I’ll take the Steph Curry-Lebron combo. Definitely.” — Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, after being told Washington coach Jay Gruden compared his impact to that of NBA stars Steph Curry and LeBron James
STAT OF THE DAY: 0 — NHL teams that are undefeated on the road this season, after the Bruins dropped a 3-1 decision to the Capitals on Thursday after winning their first five outside of Boston
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): Heat guard Dwyane Wade steals the ball, spins and drains a buzzer-beater from well beyond halfcourt during Thursday’s win over the Timberwolves.
Sharks forward Patrick Marleau scores a pretty goal against the Panthers.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Reliever Bill Campbell, who formerly pitched for the Twins
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Glenn Frey was born on this day in 1948.
