Offtopic/fun » vertime, South Alabama kicked off a

The Chicago Cubs have added Aroldis Chapman for their push to the World Series, acquiring the flame-throwing closer in a blockbuster trade with the New York Yankees.The teams announced the trade Monday, saying that Chapman is expected to join the National League-leading Cubs for their game Tuesday against the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox.The Yankees received a four-player package, headlined by top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, in exchange for Chapman, who was suspended for the first 29 games of this season under baseballs domestic violence policy.Obviously, we are aware of the circumstances surrounding Aroldis Chapmans suspension earlier this season, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. We are also aware that he cooperated fully with the league investigation and takes responsibility for his actions.Chapman was involved in an October incident when he allegedly choked his girlfriend, but police did not file charges against the Cuban-born left-hander, citing insufficient evidence, conflicting stories and uncooperative witnesses. Major League Baseball announced Chapmans suspension in early March, two months after the Yankees traded four minor leaguers to the Cincinnati Reds for the All-Star closer.I want to thank the New York Yankees for trusting and supporting me, and I wish nothing but the best for the Yankees organization and my former teammates, Chapman said in a statement.Now the five-time All-Star is headed to Chicago, where he figures to bolster a struggling bullpen and strengthen the Cubs pursuit of their first World Series championship since 1908.I am excited about todays trade and look forward to joining the Chicago Cubs and meeting my new teammates, he said. It is a privilege to wear the Cubs uniform and to play for the fans of Chicago.Hector Rondon has a 1.95 ERA and 18 saves this season as Chicagos closer, but the rest of the Cubs bullpen has been spotty. The Cubs had a combined ERA of 3.83, ranking seventh in the NL, entering Monday, when the bullpen gave up a game-winning hit to White Sox shortstop Tyler Saladino?in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss.The Cubs paid a steep price, parting with Torres, versatile pitcher Adam Warren and minor league outfielders Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford.But there is no doubting the talent of the 28-year-old Chapman, who went 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA and 20 saves in 31 games with New York. He threw a 105.1 mph fastball to Baltimores J.J. Hardy last Monday night, matching the fastest since MLB began tracking speeds in 2008.With lefty-batting sluggers Bryce Harper of Washington and Brandon Belt of San Francisco possibly looming in the playoffs, the addition of Chapman gives Cubs manager Joe Maddon one of the majors top assets when in need of a late strikeout.Today, prior to completing the trade, Theo, Jed and I spoke with Aroldis, Ricketts said. I shared with him the high expectations we set for our players and staff both on and off the field. Aroldis indicated he is comfortable with meeting those expectations.Finally, my family, this team and Major League Baseball take the issue of domestic violence very seriously and support efforts to reduce domestic violence through education, awareness and intervention.Chapman told police in October that he poked the woman on the shoulder and she fell to the ground. According to the police report, after family members broke up the altercation, Chapman said he went into his car, punched the passenger-side window, and suffered a laceration on his finger. He also acknowledged firing eight shots from a handgun in his garage during the incident.I regret that I did not exercise better judgment and for that I am truly sorry, Chapman said in Mondays statement. Looking back, I feel I have learned from this matter and have grown as a person. My girlfriend and I have worked hard to strengthen our relationship, to raise our daughter together, and would appreciate the opportunity to move forward without revisiting an event we consider part of our past.Chapman saved 146 games with a 2.17 ERA in six years with the Reds before he was traded to New York last December after a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers fell through amid reports of the domestic violence incident.New York had won six of eight games heading into Monday nights game at Houston, but still faces long odds of getting to the playoffs. All-Stars Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances are still at the back of the bullpen, allowing the Yankees to trade Chapman now and still consider trying for the postseason depending on how they fare ahead of the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline.This isnt a white flag, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. It is a rearrangement.If New York slips back any further, it could engage in a rare sell-off for the franchise. Miller, who is signed through 2018, also could be traded. Outfielder Carlos Beltran, first baseman Mark Teixeira and pitcher Ivan Nova are eligible for free agency after the season and could be sought by contenders.Chapman quickly turned into one of baseballs most dominant relievers when he broke into the majors in 2010 with Cincinnati. He threw the 62 fastest pitches in the major leagues last season, ranging from 103.92 to 102.36 mph.Torres, a 19-year-old at Class A, is the centerpiece of the deal for the Yankees. He is the Cubs top-ranked prospect and No. 26 in baseball, according to ESPN Insider Keith Law. Torres was scratched about 20 minutes before first pitch Sunday afternoon.Chicago originally acquired Warren in an earlier trade with the Yankees that sent Starlin Castro to New York. The right-hander went 3-2 with a 5.91 ERA in 29 games this season with the Cubs.McKinney, 21, is at Double-A. He was part of the 2014 trade that brought Addison Russell to Chicago from Oakland.ESPNs Jesse Rogers and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Custom Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Carolina Hurricanes Pro Shop .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Hurricanes Jerseys 2021 .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. STARKVILLE, Miss. -- South Alabama quarterback Dallas Davis thought hed be nervous before his first career start -- against a Southeastern Conference opponent, no less -- until he walked onto the field at Mississippi State.He heard the deafening cowbells. He saw the big crowd. He knew his side was a huge underdog.And somehow, he relaxed.The Jaguars pulled the first major upset of the college football season, holding off Mississippi State 21-20 Saturday when Westin Graves 28-yard field goal try smacked off the upright and fell away in the final seconds.Facing a team favored by four touchdowns, Davis capped a late comeback by throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Everett with 57 seconds left.Davis, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore, completed 24 of 34 passes for 285 yards and two scores. He also had a highlight-reel run in the second half, hurdling Brandon Bryant on the way to another big gain.The Jaguars took down an SEC team for the first time in school history. The players on this little-known Sun Belt Conference school down in Mobile will have quite a story to tell for the rest of their lives.Im part of the South Alabama Jaguars, beaming linebacker Roman Buchanan said, that beat Mississippi State.Down 17-0 at halftime and still trailing 20-7 in the fourth quarter, South Alabama rallied with 99-yard and 71-yard touchdown drives.It was just coming out and playing better, Davis said. Ever since the beginning of camp, coach has preached playing fast and finishing strong. We didnt start as fast as we wanted, but we dang sure finished strong.The Jaguars were in jeopardy of letting their lead get away until the very end.Mississippi State drove down the field in the last minute and got in position for a field goal. But Graves kick hit the left post and dropped harmlessly to the turf at a stunned Davis Wade Stadium.Most of the Mississippi State fans had long gone home on a hot afternoon and all that was left was a screaming contingent of a few hundred South Alabama fans. And, of course, dozens of jubilant South Alabama players.It certainly was one of the worst losses in the eight-year tenure of Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen.We just didnt executee real well at times, he said.dddddddddddd And we had some absolutely critical errors. You cant make critical errors and expect to win the game.Two days after Appalachian State -- another Sun Belt program -- almost toppled No. 9 Tennessee before losing in overtime, South Alabama kicked off a season that follows a year full of wild endings.Multiple Jaguars said they werent surprised at the outcome -- even if most everyone else was.They didnt show us anything spectacular on film for us to change our gameplan, Everett said. So we just came out here and went at them 100 miles per hour.South Alabama coach Joey Jones said he was proud to give the Sun Belt a high-profile non-conference victory.To win a ballgame like this is a blessing, Jones said.Damian Williams finished with 143 yards passing and 93 yards rushing, including several impressive plays on the final drive for the Bulldogs. But it wasnt enough.MISSISSIPPI STATES QB SITUATIONMississippi State came into preseason camp with a four-man quarterback race that was whittled to three in mid-August when Elijah Staley transferred. The Bulldogs started Nick Fitzgerald, but after two ineffective drives replaced him with Williams, who gave the offense some spark on the way to a 14-0 lead. Williams, however, wasnt as effective in the second half until the final drive that ended with the missed field goal.THE TAKEAWAYSouth Alabama: Its a massive win for the Jaguars, who lost badly to Mississippi State in both 2012 and 2014. The Jaguars were 0-4 against SEC opponents.Mississippi State: This is undeniably a crushing loss for the Bulldogs. It also calls into question just how much Mississippi State will have in the post-Dak Prescott era.UP NEXTSouth Alabama: The Jaguars host Georgia Southern next Saturday in their first Sun Belt game of the season.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs host South Carolina next Saturday in their first SEC game of the season.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP . AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org . ' ' '