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SPORTS Wednesday 9 January 2019

Harrington takes ‘daunting’ role of Europe Ryder Cup captain

By STEVE DOUGLAS have passed up on this and
AP Sports Writer just kept on going as a nice
Padraig Harrington barely tournament golfer. I am, as
raised a smile as he spoke a Ryder Cup captain, put-
for the first time as Europe’s ting a lot of the history of
new Ryder Cup captain. your game, your legacy,
In fact, as he discussed his on the line.”
thought process before ac- Harrington has been en-
cepting the position, the couraged by what he said
challenge awaiting him was the “unanimous” sup-
over the next 20 months port of Europe’s players
and its potential impact on and former captains. He
his golfing legacy, the role had been the overwhelm-
already seemed something ing favorite to replace
of a burden for the easygo- Bjorn, especially after Lee
ing Irishman. Westwood said he pre-
“It’s not something I take on ferred to be captain in the
without a certain amount 2022 match in Italy.
of trepidation,” Harrington, “I know they want continu-
a three-time major cham- ity,” Harrington said, refer-
pion, said. ring to Europe’s top players,
He used the word “daunt- “and it is a very important
ing.” He acknowledged he thing. Their confidence in
was putting his golfing status Padraig Harrington holds the Ryder Cup for the media at the Wentworth Golf Club, south England, me is hopefully going to be
on the line. He questioned Tuesday Jan. 8, 2019. well-placed. It does make
whether he would find the Associated Press my job easier. They have
“edge” needed to lift Eu- right reasons. when Europe regained the was concerned about the spoken to me publicly and
rope to a win over what “I wanted to be clear that I trophy outside Paris. facets of the job that were privately.” The last of Har-
will be a strong American didn’t just walk into this be- He has learnt from some of “outside my control.” rington’s 30 professional
team at Whistling Straits in cause it was the next thing the great European cap- “I have had a successful wins, which included three
2020. So did he really want in my career, but that I be- tains and golfing figures career, and you want to victories in a span of six ma-
a job that will consume his lieved in it and wanted it.” — Bernhard Langer, Colin always be successful in the jors across 2007-08, came
life and effectively put his Harrington did say he felt Montgomerie, Paul McGin- golfing sphere because of at the Portugal Masters in
playing career on hold for it was the right time to be- ley — and said he will take what I’ve done,” he said. 2016. He finished 2018 as
the next two years? come captain. He played little bits from each in a bid “But I think more of it is you the world’s 191st-ranked
“I was certainly thinking in six straight Ryder Cups to maintain Europe’s domi- are trying to beat a U.S. player, his lowest end-of-
and considering it,” he from 1999 and was on the nance in the event. team away from home. year ranking since 2014,
said, when asked if he con- winning team four times, The Europeans have won They are great players, a and it is likely to be even
templated turning the offer collecting 10 1/2 points. He nine of the last 12 Ryder great team. It’s just not an lower when the Ryder Cup
down. “I don’t think I ever has served as vice-captain Cups. easy task. I am well aware rolls around.
thought I wasn’t going to for the past three Ryder But as something of a per- that it’s a win or nothing. It Bjorn went to Paris as a
do it, but I wanted to make Cups, most recently un- fectionist and an over- is daunting. career-low No. 853 in the
sure I was doing it for the der Thomas Bjorn last year thinker, Harrington said he “I am aware that I could world.q

David Wright to become New York Mets special adviser

In making the announce- iconic Met” and said he and for this team was a
ment Monday, the Mets “will be forever remem- dream come true,” Wright
said the 36-year-old bered for his contributions said in a statement issued
third baseman would be on the field as well as his by the team.
placed on unconditional numerous charitable en- “I look forward to contrib-
release waivers on Tues- deavors.” uting and taking on the
day. His contract called for Wright attended last challenges of this new
New York to pay him sala- month’s winter meetings role.”
ries of $15 million this year as a member of the Mets’ Wright and the Mets
and $12 million in 2020, front office. agreed to restructure his
with $2.5 million annually “We are thrilled he will re- contract to defer more of
deferred without interest. main close to the Mets this year’s salary.
Sidelined with leg, back family and will be a great The $138 million eight-year
and neck injuries, Wright asset in this new role,” Wil- deal originally called for
did not play for the Mets pon said. a $15 million in salary this
In this Sept. 30, 2018, file photo, New York Mets’ David Wright from May 2016 until the fi- A seven-time All-Star, year and $12 million in
returns to the dugout after an on-field ceremony during a nal week of last season, Wright set Mets records for 2020, with $2.5 million an-
baseball game against the Miami Marlins in New York. when he announced his hits (1,777), doubles (390), nually deferred without in-
Associated Press retirement. Wright made runs (949) and RBIs (970). terest. The contract includ-
Associated Press a special adviser to chief three plate appearances “I will always be tremen- ed $15.5 million in deferred
NEW YORK (AP) — Former operating officer Jeff Wil- during the season’s final dously grateful for the way money to be paid in $3.1
New York Mets captain pon and general manager series against Miami. the fans treated me be- million installments each
David Wright is becoming Brodie Van Wagenen. Wilpon called Wright “an cause playing in this city June 30 from 2021-25. q