Sports this 'n' that

On Monday, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred dropped the hammer on Houston manager AJ Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow, suspending them each a year for the sign stealing scandal that ultimately netted the Astros the World Series.

Now, MLB can't vacate the championship, nor can do they do that to 2018 winner Boston, whose manager, Alex Cora, came over after being a bench coach with Houston, and is said to be the ringleader, if ya will, of the sign stealers, using modern tech, which MLB strictly forbids. The Red Sox did the same things, it's being said, which means Cora's head is on the chopping block next after just two seasons with Boston.

Astros owner Jim Crane, one hour after Manfred's decision, dismissed Luhnow & Hinch, meaning Houston has to scramble to find a new manager in time for spring training, and, in all probability, so will Boston.

It's one thing if a runner on second can relay opposing signs if he can figure them out. That's been around since the invention of the game, practically. But using garbage cans, noise, modern technology? Nuh-uh. Not permitted.

Of course, there's already blowback among online commentators regarding Boston because, well, the perception is that there's a cheating culture due to the NFL's Patriots. Hinch & Luhnow seemed to look the other way, although Hinch busted a TV monitor, thinking that would stop the nonsense. Didn't work.

The Astros were also fined $5 million, the maximum financial penalty under MLB guidelines.

Tri-City Valleycats President Rick Murphy said it best when he described it as "a terrible day for baseball". Indeed, and it ain't over yet.

Newly hired Mets manager Carlos Beltran, who retired as a player after the '17 Series, won't be punished, because Manfred already decided that the players wouldn't be disciplined.

Update, 10:24 pm (ET): Cora has parted ways with Boston.
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To the shock & surprise of absolutely no one, LSU won the College Football Playoff National title, 42-25, over defending champion Clemson, but there is some blowback because the game ended well after midnight in the east. Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow threw 5 touchdown passes, and ran for another, and Clemson's defense was left trying to figure out how to slow down the Bayou Bengals.

LSU defensive back Derek Stingley, Jr. has a connection to the 518. His father, Derek, Sr., spent four seasons with the Albany Firebirds in the Arena Football League, and was on the 'Birds' 1999 ArenaBowl title team.

Clemson will likely be back next season, but we'd all be better if another conference was represented in the title game. Southern fatigue, ya know?
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During the bloated halftime, they revealed the 11 greatest players in college football history:

11. Roger Staubach (Navy).
10 Gale Sayers (Kansas).
9. Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State).
8. Dick Butkus (Illinois).
7. Earl Campbell (Texas).
6. Red Grange (Illinois).
5. Jim Thorpe (Carlisle).
4. Archie Griffin (Ohio State).
3. Bo Jackson (Auburn).
2. Herschel Walker (Georgia).
1. Jim Brown (Syracuse).

Jackson & Butkus did not attend the ceremony. Sayers, Grange, & Thorpe were represented by family members. Butkus was also the only defensive player named to the list, though I think Grange & Thorpe were also two-way players. Staubach was the only quarterback among a sea of runners. Illinois was the only school to place two players on the list.