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SPORTS Friday 16 december 2022
Catching up: Zunino gives Guardians upgrade, better bat

By TOM WITHERS only going to get better.”
AP Sports Writer Zunino’s signing follows the
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Guardians locking up slug-
Guardians don’t need Mike ger Josh Bell, who has 130
Zunino to be an All-Star, homers in seven seasons
though they wouldn’t mind and will bolster the middle
if he became one again. of Cleveland’s order.
Cleveland needs him to Zunino played in just 36
hit and deepen its lineup, games in 2022 before un-
and Zunio has shown he’s dergoing surgery thoracic
qualified. The AL Central outlet syndrome in his left
champions upgraded an arm. It’s a condition that
offensive void on Thursday causes numbness in the
by signing Zunino to a $6 affected extremity, and in
million, one-year contract. this case to Zunino’s non-
The 31-year-old hit a ca- throwing arm.
reer-high 33 home runs for He’s been recovering and
Tampa Bay in 2021, and the has progressed the point
Guardians are confident that he’s hitting off a tee.
he can provide some extra Zunino hasn’t faced live
power for a team that hit pitching yet, and is cur-
just 127 homers last season. rently focused on strength-
Zunino is also a solid defen- Tampa Bay Rays’ Mike Zunino follows through on a three-run home run during the fourth inning of ening his core muscles as
the team’s baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Seattle.
sive player, a prerequisite Associated Press he builds back. “There’s a
for a team built around its lot that goes into swings,
pitching staff. ed to have him in the fold.” Cleveland’s primary starter, strike out era, and Zunino is whether it’s obliques,
“The fact that he is such a Cleveland entered the off- he batted just .163 in 105 eager to join in on the fun. whether it’s a bunch of
good defender, works with season looking to improve games. Maile hit .221 in 76 “It’s exciting, the speed things,” he said. “So, build-
the pitching staff so well,” its catching situation main- games. Despite being the dynamic in the lineup is re- ing some reps when I chal-
Guardians president of ly from an offensive stand- major’s youngest teams, ally enticing,” he said. “It’s lenge myself and get to
baseball operations Chris point. Austin Hedges and the Guardians won the AL just different ways to effect that point, I’ll be good to
Antonett said. “In our view, Luke Maile were both solid Central by placing a pre- games. I think there’s a rea- go. I’ve been symptom-
he’s not too far removed receivers, but didn’t do mium on quality at-bats, son why you’ve seen the free, gaining strength, mo-
from a really productive of- much with the bat. making contact and get- success they had last year bility has been great. So
fensive season in 2021, so While Hedges was an in- ting on base, by any means and growing from that. I’ve been able to continue
we think we’ve improved in valuable clubhouse leader necessary. It’s a different With these young guys con- what would be a normal
that spot and we’re excit- and strong defensively as approach in this swing-or- tinuing to get confident, it’s offseason for me.”q

NFL kicks off Inspire Change weeks with 5 new grants

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL ated community by com- sure not only that the com-
has awarded through its In- munity,” said former NFL munities are being serviced
spire Change social justice linebacker Takeo Spikes, a the way that they’re sup-
initiative five new national Players Coalition Advocate posed to, because we un-
grants to organizations fo- and Executive Task Force derstand that we all have
cused on police and com- Member. seats in these communi-
munity relations. The NFL has provided more ties, but more than any-
The recipients were an- than $244 million to more thing, it’s our way of being
nounced Thursday as the than 40 national grant part- able to give back and do
league will highlight its com- ners and more than 600 something that’s going to
mitment to social justice grassroots organizations be monumental by having
over the next two weeks across the country since diverse people at the table
with each team participat- 2017. The league is already that come from different
ing in game-day stadium approaching its 10-year, backgrounds, different eth-
activations and awareness. $250 million commitment nicities.
The five new national grant to social justice efforts.The “But we have one common
partners are: Atlanta Polic- five new national grant goal, and that is to make Former NFL players Jim Brown, left, and Takeo Spikes are shown
ing Alternatives & Diversion partners received a total sure that people are treat- during a sports and activism panel entitled “From Protest to
Initiative (PAD), Chicago’s of $950,000. They were re- ed properly and to provide Progress: Next Steps” Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in San Jose , Calif.
Crisis Assistance Response cently approved by the So- resources.” Associated Press
and Engagement (CARE) cial Justice Working Group, The league this year also
Co-Responder Program, comprised of three active introduced the Inspire announced or recognized and they’re making their
Choose 180, Gulf Coast players, three former play- Change Changemaker during Weeks 15 and 16 by investment back into the
Jewish Family Services ers and five team owners. Award, given to 32 individ- their respective club. game, into the commu-
Community Assistance and “It’s awesome because uals, one from each team, “The significance is huge,” nity.”
Life Liaison Program (CALL), everybody who sits in that who are making a differ- Spikes said. “By being All 32 recipients will receive
and Peace for DC. room or everybody who ence in their communities able to get this award im- a $10,000 donation, cour-
“Focusing on building po- has a seat at the table, through social justice work, plemented now, people tesy of the NFL Foundation,
lice and community rela- we all have vested inter- either individually or as part across the nation will see to the social justice non-
tions is where real change est,” Spikes said. “And that of a nonprofit organization. that guys care about so profit organization of their
and impact will be cre- vested interest is making Each Changemaker will be much outside of the game choice.q