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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Sophomore gymnast Kendall George walks the balance beam at the Huskies home meet Feb. 4 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

This weekend in NIU Athletics: March 11

By Jordan Radloff | March 10, 2022

Baseball The Huskies baseball team will look to finally add a win to their season record as they take on their first Mid-American Conference opponent this weekend at Ohio University. Friday, March 11 NIU will play two games in a doubleheader at...

Fiers draws cheers, perfect in 1st game since Astros reveal

February 23, 2020

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics fan K.C. Sandstrom was sitting down the right field line watching his team warm up while armed with a small dry-erase board, a marker and a statement written in all caps.“MIKE FIERS FOR PRESIDENT”It's been a...

Fans heckling Astros spring opener get signs stolen

February 22, 2020

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Fans hoping to heckle the sign-stealing Houston Astros at their spring opener were met with quite the coincidence.

They got their signs stolen.

In the Astros’ first spring training game since their sign-stealing scandal rocked baseball, some fans brought signs jeering Houston, and ballpark personnel confiscated them before the exhibition opener against the World Series champion Washington Nationals on Saturday night.

In a Series rematch, the Nats got hearty cheers, while everyone in an Astros jersey — including the mascot, Orbit — was booed. Houston did not use any players implicated in MLB's probe.

Two men in Nationals gear sitting behind the Astros dugout briefly held up crudely drawn signs just before first pitch. One read: “You see my hate?” in large block letters. And another said: “Houston” with an asterisk below it, suggesting the Astros' 2017 World Series title should be permanently blemished because of the cheating.

The men didn’t get to show off their signs for long. A woman who worked for the ballpark quickly approached to take the signs. They didn't argue with the woman, but they did look confused as she walked away with them folded in her arms.

The Astros and Nationals share a spring training complex. Houston was designated the home team Saturday.

Matthew Silliman, who held one of the signs, said he didn’t know they were forbidden. He drove to the game from Tampa Bay and said he’s been waiting to let the Astros know what he thinks of them.

“I’m a big Nats fan and it’s wrong,” he said. “They’re cheaters.”

Commissioner Rob Manfred concluded last month the Astros violated rules by using a television camera to steal catchers’ signs during their run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season. Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season and then fired by the team, but players were not disciplined.

Fans booed loudly every time the public address announcer said “Astros,” and fans behind Houston’s dugout heckled Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Lance McCullers Jr. as they stood on the dugout steps before the game. A few fans banged on their metal seats, attempting to mimic the banging on a trash can the Astros used to relay stolen signs to hitters.

One fan in a Nationals jersey yelled: “Hey Altuve, are you scared to play tonight?” Others screamed “you suck!” and “cheaters!”

About a half-dozen fans wore shirts that read “bang foul poles, not trash cans” in reference to Howie Kendrick's decisive home run for Washington in Game 7 of last year's World Series.

First-year Houston manager Dusty Baker said he didn't think the reception was “too bad" and said his team will have to get used to it.

“You’ll probably get the same reception most places you go, especially the first go-round," he said. “So, you’ve just got to put your big-boy pants on and then just try to shut it out and just play baseball and realize this too shall pass."

Washington ace Max Scherzer, who started Game 7 to help the Nationals to their first title, also started Saturday and pitched two scoreless innings. He was asked if he thought Saturday night’s game would be more dramatic considering what’s going on with the Astros.

“Maybe, I don’t know,” he said. “We won the World Series, so it wasn’t like I have a vendetta to hold. So, for me over here we’re just trying to move forward and get ready for our season.”

Scherzer was a bit disappointed that none of Houston’s starters played Saturday when he allowed one hit and struck out two.

“You want to face the best,” Scherzer said. “They’re a great lineup but I get it, it’s early in the spring you’re not going to see them.”

And while Silliman didn't get to keep his signs, he said it wouldn't stop him from heckling the Astros with his voice.

“Oh yeah," he said. “They’re going to get it all."

He didn't have long. The game was delayed because of rain after two innings and canceled about 90 minutes later when rain continued.

———

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

Brown-Turner’s jumper lifts NC State past Miami, 50-48

February 20, 2020

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Jakia Brown-Turner will likely remember her first game-winning shot as a collegian, even if she has no idea what play was called.The freshman scored scored a season-high-tying 18 points, including a go-ahead, baseline jumper...

Bounce back: MLB veterans to watch in spring games

By DAVID BRANDT | February 20, 2020

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton's intimidating presence was missing from the middle of the Yankees' lineup for a big chunk of 2019 because of an injury-filled season.As he tries to bounce back, the New York slugger will have his spring at-bats...

Duo leads No. 18 Northwestern women past Rutgers 82-65

February 19, 2020

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Lindsey Pulliam and Veronica Burton combined for 50 points, 30 in a dominate middle two quarters as No. 18 Northwestern won its sixth straight by blitzing Rutgers 82-65 on Wednesday night.Pulliam finished with 27 points, hitting...

Giants, Cubs raising pay for minor leaguers this season

By JAKE SEINER | February 18, 2020

The Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants are pushing ahead with pay raises for minor league players this season, days after Major League Baseball mandated salary bumps beginning in 2021.Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer and Giants baseball executive Farhan...

Trump pardons ex-San Francisco 49ers owner DeBartolo Jr.

By AAMER MADHANI, KEVIN FREKING, and JILL COLVIN | February 18, 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal who built one of the most successful NFL teams in the game's history.DeBartolo, who owned the...

Darvish: Astros should be stripped of ’17 World Series title

By BRIAN M. BERGNER JR. | February 16, 2020

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Yu Darvish got hit hard by the Houston Astros during the 2017 World Series -- both his ERA and reputation took quite a beating.On Sunday, after a bullpen session for the Chicago Cubs, he sought to settle the score a bit. He said the...

Cubs 3B Bryant: No hard feelings on losing grievance

By JANIE McCAULEY | February 15, 2020

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant realized all along his service-time grievance against the team would be tough to win, and he still believes how he handled himself might help players in the future.The 28-year-old Bryant will be eligible...

Clemson, Newman surprise No. 5 Louisville with 77-62 win

By PETE IACOBELLI | February 15, 2020

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson's John Newman III had one goal against No. 5 Louisville — stay aggressive.That resolve brought the Tigers a stunning 77-62 upset win over the Cardinals — and another major moment in what's been an up-and-down season.Newman...

Baseball team travels to Florida to fight common enemy with Boston College

Baseball team travels to Florida to fight “common enemy” with Boston College

By Jemea Green | February 12, 2020

DeKALB — The baseball team will travel to Winter Haven, Florida to face the Boston College University Eagles and raise awareness of ALS during this weekend’s matchup.Pete Frates, who promoted the ice bucket challenge, was a mutual friend of both head...