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Diasabra 16 Januari 2021

Browns guard Bitiono back for playoffs after COVID-19

son this week. The Browns, Browns players and coaches missed the past two days of
who stunned the Steelers in to be sidelined over the past practice with a hamstring
the wild-card round, face the three weeks with the corona- injury sustained early in the
Super Bowl champion Kan- virus. win over Pittsburgh.
sas City Chiefs on Sunday in
the AFC divisional round. Bitonio's return is a huge The Browns have slowly
boost for Cleveland's solid of- been getting key pieces back
"Elated for Joel,” Browns fensive line, which has had to this week.
general manager Andrew adjust numerous times over
Berry said on Zoom call with the past few weeks because of On Thursday, coach Kevin
local writers. “He’s been here injuries and COVID-19. Stefanski returned in person
his entire career. He has been to the team after also missing
a leader, consummate team- Last week, Michael Dunn, last week's game with COV-
mate, everything that you who barely played all season, ID-19. He prepared the team
could really want out of a started in Bitonio's spot and virtually for the Steelers but
player. played well before suffering a then watched the win from
(AP) — Joel Bitonio's at home and missed his first season-ending calf injury. He his basement at home.
long playoff wait with the career postseason game — "We were all heartbroken was replaced by Blake Hance,
Browns is over. and the Browns' first since when he wasn’t getting the who had just been signed off Top cornerback Denzel Ward
the 2002 season. It was a dev- opportunity to play in his the New York Jets' practice and cornerback Kevin John-
The Pro Bowl left guard astating development for Bi- first playoff game, so for us squad and first met Browns son both were activated from
was activated from the CO- tiono, who had endured so to be able to activate him to- quarterback Baker Mayfield the COVID-19 list, and
VID-19 list Friday after miss- much losing with the Browns day and for him to be able to in the locker room before the they're needed more than
ing last week’s wild-card win before this turnaround sea- take his place in the starting game at Heinz Field. ever against Chiefs quarter-
over Pittsburgh. son. lineup this weekend against back Patrick Mahomes and
the Chiefs (is great).” Another worry this week for his many offensive playmak-
Cleveland’s longest-tenured But he’ll get his long-awaited the Browns is All-Pro right ers.
player, Bitonio had to isolate chance to play in the postsea- Bitonio was one of several tackle Jack Conklin. He's

AP source: LeMahieu, Yanks work on $90 million, 6-year deal

(AP) — The New York tles in both leagues. He won A three-time All-Star, LeMa-
Yankees and AL batting The person spoke on condi- his first AL batting title last hieu signed a $24 million, LeMahieu started his big
champion DJ LeMahieu tion of anonymity because year at .364, the highest aver- two-year contract with the league career with the Chi-
worked Friday to put in the agreement is subject to a age for an AL batting cham- Yankees in January 2019. He cago Cubs in 2011, then was
place a six-year contract successful physical. pion since Minnesota’s Joe had 10 homers and 27 RBIs traded to Colorado. He has a
worth about $90 million, Mauer hit .365 in 2009, after in the shortened 2020 sea- .305 average with 85 homers
a person familiar with the LeMahieu, who turns 33 in winning the NL champion- son after hitting .327 with 26 and 478 RBIs in 10 big league
deal told The Associated July, became the first player ship with Colorado in 2016. homers and 102 RBIs in his seasons, and he has won three
Press. to win undisputed batting ti- first season in New York. Gold Gloves at second base.

Rooney stops playing to take Derby manager job permanently

( AP ) - All-time record the 35-year-old Rooney has Rooney has enjoyed three ing future talents. anywhere on the pitch, great
scorer for England and accepted the manager's job victories and four draws in passer, aggressive, passion,
Manchester United. A on a permanent basis with the his nine games at the helm of At United, Rooney worked desire, work rate, team play-
haul of 16 trophies. Wayne second division club through Derby, which remains in the under the greatest British er, sacrificed part of his game
Rooney's illustrious play- 2023. relegation zone. manager of all-time in Alex for others.
ing career is over. Ferguson. With England, he
“It’s a great feeling to go It's been 13 years since Derby witnessed more of the insta- “He had the lot and he won
The former England and into management full-time,” played in the Premier League bilities of coaching as a tal- loads. What a player. Now
United captain has decided Rooney said on Friday. “It’s — a competition Rooney ented group of players never that he has retired people will
it's time to focus on trying something that I’ve been pre- won five times after joining came close to winning a tro- start appreciating him for
to replicate his successes as a paring for, working for for United from Everton at age phy. who he is and what he was
striker in management. a few years now. Obviously 18 along with tasting glory as a player because I don’t
had a taste of it over the last in the Champions League, “Hopefully I can now start to think he gets the respect he
After taking temporary couple of months and I’ve FA Cup, League Cup, Club write some history and have deserves."
charge of Derby in Novem- enjoyed it." World Cup and Community a successful managerial ca-
ber — as a player-coach — Shield. reer,” Rooney said. Rooney returned to England
after a stint at DC United to
“I’ve had a great career, I’ve Rooney, just like at United last January, and joined Der-
enjoyed every minute," with his 253 goals, overtook by as a player-coach.
Rooney said. “Some ups, 1966 World Cup winner
some downs, I wouldn’t Bobby Charlton as England's “Despite other offers I knew
change anything I’ve done in record scorer by netting 53 instinctively Derby Coun-
my career as a player." times in 120 appearances — ty was the place for me,”
the last in 2018 at Wembley Rooney said. “I can promise
It was often a tempestuous Stadium against the United everyone involved in the club
playing career, with the fiery States. and all our fans, my staff and I
Rooney embroiled in contro- will leave no stone unturned
versies in his private life and “He did it all," former United in achieving the potential I
hot-headedness in games. and England teammate Rio have witnessed over the last
Ferdinand said. "He scored 12 months of this historic
It is experience he will be a ridiculous amount of goals, football club.”
able to draw on while nurtur- scored absolute bangers from