The former IndyCar and NASCAR driver has been part of the coverage for the past five seasons, first appearing during the United States Grand Prix in October 2021.

It's officially named the World Baseball Classic. But for the Group C games in Japan, simply call it the world according to Shohei Ohtani.Ohtani's life-size image is all over the Tokyo Dome, and racks of Ohtani jerseys about $125 each dominate the adjacent merchandise center. Japan begins play on Friday against Taiwan with South Korea, Australia and the Czech Republic also in the group.Japan is the defending champion and is expected to claim one of the two spots for the quarterfinals in the United States.Ohtani skipped batting practice on Wednesday, surely disappointing several hundred fans who were in the stadium expecting a show. He's just saving himself and is 0-for-5 since arriving in Japan and playing in exhibition games against Japanese league teams.Every time I join (the Japanese team) there are younger and younger players -- younger players are increasing, Ohtani said, speaking in Japanese at a brief new conference. So I feel Im getting old," the 31-year-old superstar added.Japan is not only a favorite to advance, it's also possible it will again meet the United States in the final in Miami. Three years ago, Japan defeated the Americans 3-2 when Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to end a dramatic game that gave the WBC a huge popularity boost.Ohtani is expected to only bat for Japan, not pitch as the Los Angeles Dodgers want to save him for the season. But he left the door slightly ajar before leaving spring training in Arizona.Asked if he might attempt to pitch, he replied: Its hard to say. But if (Mike) Trout shows up, its tempting, he said, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton.Trout will not be playing this time for the United States because of insurance issues, which have kept several players on the sidelines.Travis Bazzana will be the second baseman for Australia. He was selected by the Cleveland Guardians as the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the first from his country to occupy that spot.Ohtani is his role model, as he is for many other younger players.I personally believe he is the greatest of all time, Bazzana said. "He epitomizes the work ethic and mastering his craft in baseball. That is someone I look up to, but when it comes to that game in a couple of days you cant focus on who's across the field."Japan has a powerful batting lineup led by Ohtani and other MLB big hitters: Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto and Seiya Suzuki. The pitching staff has lost some stars from 2023 including with Roki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga and Yu Darvish. The pitching anchor will be World Series MVP and Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto.Its a chance to go up against the best team in the world and it's a special event going against Ohtani, said Australian manager Dave Nilsson, a former all-star catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers.Its going to be a big moment for the fans and for Japan, Nilsson added. "Were not going to get caught up in the sideshow.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

It's officially named the World Baseball Classic. But for the Group C games in Japan, simply call it the world according to Shohei Ohtani.Ohtani's life-size image is all over the Tokyo Dome, and racks of Ohtani jerseys about $125 each dominate the adjacent merchandise center. Japan begins play on Friday against Taiwan with South Korea, Australia and the Czech Republic also in the group.Japan is the defending champion and is expected to claim one of the two spots for the quarterfinals in the United States.Ohtani skipped batting practice on Wednesday, surely disappointing several hundred fans who were in the stadium expecting a show. He's just saving himself and is 0-for-5 since arriving in Japan and playing in exhibition games against Japanese league teams.Every time I join (the Japanese team) there are younger and younger players -- younger players are increasing, Ohtani said, speaking in Japanese at a brief new conference. So I feel Im getting old," the 31-year-old superstar added.Japan is not only a favorite to advance, it's also possible it will again meet the United States in the final in Miami. Three years ago, Japan defeated the Americans 3-2 when Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to end a dramatic game that gave the WBC a huge popularity boost.Ohtani is expected to only bat for Japan, not pitch as the Los Angeles Dodgers want to save him for the season. But he left the door slightly ajar before leaving spring training in Arizona.Asked if he might attempt to pitch, he replied: Its hard to say. But if (Mike) Trout shows up, its tempting, he said, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton.Trout will not be playing this time for the United States because of insurance issues, which have kept several players on the sidelines.Travis Bazzana will be the second baseman for Australia. He was selected by the Cleveland Guardians as the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the first from his country to occupy that spot.Ohtani is his role model, as he is for many other younger players.I personally believe he is the greatest of all time, Bazzana said. "He epitomizes the work ethic and mastering his craft in baseball. That is someone I look up to, but when it comes to that game in a couple of days you cant focus on who's across the field."Japan has a powerful batting lineup led by Ohtani and other MLB big hitters: Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto and Seiya Suzuki. The pitching staff has lost some stars from 2023 including with Roki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga and Yu Darvish. The pitching anchor will be World Series MVP and Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto.Its a chance to go up against the best team in the world and it's a special event going against Ohtani, said Australian manager Dave Nilsson, a former all-star catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers.Its going to be a big moment for the fans and for Japan, Nilsson added. "Were not going to get caught up in the sideshow.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Gary Lineker has shared an amusing tale about Wayne Rooney's hair dye disaster during the former striker's stint as a BBC pundit at Euro 2024 in Germany.The presenter disclosed the incident on the Rest is Football podcast this week, revealing how the Manchester United legend inadvertently turned his hair and beard far too dark before appearing on live television.Rooney had been working alongside Lineker and the BBC Sport broadcasting team throughout the tournament two years ago when the mishap occurred.The accidental transformation left the ex-England captain looking noticeably different ahead of one of the channel's evening programmes during the competition.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayThe blunder happened following an extended day of socialising in the German capital, which began with lunch and continued well into the evening.Lineker recounted how Rooney had stayed out with the group before heading off with his agent Paul Stretford, only to later ask if Lineker's son Harry fancied continuing the night out.After what appears to have been a lengthy evening, Rooney showered and applied a hair product he had purchased in Dubai."Oh I've had a nightmare. I had this stuff, I got it in Dubai, I couldn't read the instructions because they were all in Arabic," Rooney told Lineker when explaining the situation.The result was dramatically darker hair and facial hair.Lineker's son Harry, who works as a producer, was the one who first raised the alarm about Rooney's predicament.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Aryna Sabalenka shows off stunning ring as tennis star gets engaged to 80m partnerMan Utd legend's son given six-match ban after using homophobic insultFootball's most-controversial tactics as Arsenal come under fire for corner strategy"Harry then calls me and says: 'Wayne needs to talk to you, he's got a problem. He's had a shower and dyed his beard and his hair,'" Lineker recalled.With a broadcast scheduled for the following evening covering an Italy fixture, the situation required urgent attention.When Rooney arrived at the studio, the BBC's makeup department sprang into action, applying various colours to both his beard and hair to mask the overly dark shade.Lineker praised their efforts, noting they managed to significantly reduce the visible change in Rooney's appearance before cameras rolled.Approximately twenty minutes before going on air, Rooney turned to Lineker and asked whether they should acknowledge the situation to viewers.Lineker suggested two options: either make light of it at the start of the programme with a quip about Italy changing their colours "as has someone on our panel," or simply ignore it and keep an eye on social media reactions."In the end we decided to do that. Nobody really noticed. Makeup did a great job!" Lineker said.The incident is thought to have taken place ahead of the Italy versus Croatia group stage encounter, which ended dramatically when Mattia Zaccagni equalised in the 98th minute after Luka Modric had earlier put the Croatians ahead.Rooney now works as a pundit for the BBC and often features on Match of the Day. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Investigation into claims of sex abuse by the late Harrods owner should include trafficking, says former head of Met's Anti-Trafficking Unit.

Nach dem Rcktritt von Franziska Preu stellt sich beim deutschen Biathlon-Team der Frauen die Frage, wer die neue Vorzeige-Athletin wird.[mehr]

Victime d'une entorse au genou gauche, Kylian Mbapp est en sjour Paris pour la semaine afin de suivre des soins. Le capitaine des Bleus est attendu, au mieux, pour jouer le match retour du huitime de finale de Ligue des champions contre Manchester City.

Le troisime ligne du XV de France Lenni Nouchi tait l'invit du Super Moscato Show ce mercredi sur RMC. L'occasion d'voquer ses dbuts russis avec les Bleus.

The British private limited companies are required to pay corporate tax on their profits, known as “Corporate Tax”. Let TTA help.