d Chris Paul.Lowry has helped lead the Raptors to three

BASEBALLNEW YORK -- Ready or not, Alex Rodriguez will play his final game in pinstripes this week.One of the most prolific hitters and polarizing figures in baseball history, the slumping slugger plans to take his final turn at-bat with the New York Yankees on Friday night and then become a special adviser and instructor with the team next year.A-Rod and the club made the announcement before Sundays 3-2 victory over Cleveland.This is a tough day. I love this game and I love this team, he said, often choking up. And today Im saying goodbye to both.The 41-year-old Rodriguez, who sat out the 2014 season while serving a performance-enhancing drug suspension, will play against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium and then be released following Fridays game. New York will pay him the remainder of the approximately $27 million hes owed as part of his $275 million, 10-year contract.DENVER -- Ichiro Suzuki tripled off the wall for his 3,000th career hit in the major leagues, becoming the 30th player to reach the milestone.The 42-year-old Marlins outfielder did it in the seventh inning against Colorado at Coors Field on Sunday. He joined Paul Molitor as the only players whose 3,000th hit was a triple.Miami players came out of the dugout to congratulate Suzuki, and he waved his helmet to acknowledge the cheers.Hitting coach Barry Bonds gave him a hug as the celebration at third base ended, and Suzuki got another round of applause when he scored on Jeff Mathis single, as well as a hug from manager Don Mattingly.Suzuki gave the crowd a wave as he went into the dugout. He batted again in the ninth and drew a walk.Suzuki was hitless in his first three at-bats of the game before the big hit against Chris Rusin.OLYMPICSRIO DE JANEIRO -- After escaping a blanket ban from the Olympics, Russia was kicked out of the upcoming Paralympics as the ultimate punishment for the state running a doping operation that polluted sports by prioritizing medals over morals.Paralympic leaders expelled one of its most significant members as the IOC announced that 278 Russians have been given clearance to compete at the Olympics after their eligibility in Rio de Janeiro was left to individual sports.Russias years of doping deception, including tampering with samples at the 2014 Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi, were outlined last month by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren.In contrast to IOC President Thomas Bach, who opposed the nuclear option of banning Russia ahead of Fridays Olympic opening ceremony, Craven directly condemned the Russian states involvement in doping but stopped short of blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Olympic athletes have been competing in near empty venues and before thin crowds in other locations during the opening days of the Rio Games -- a problem that can be traced to long security lines, traffic and a lack of familiarity in some sports.Rugby and equestrian venues have been devoid of fans, and a Brazil volleyball match on famed Copacabana Beach had lots of empty seats. Scattered seats were open early during the basketball game Saturday night between China and star-studded Team USA, usually one of the biggest draws of the Olympics.Rio organizers said long lines at airport-style security checkpoints prevented fans from getting into events. The line for the beach volleyball venue stretched down the Copacabana promenade to the Olympic rings display several blocks away, though the venue has not been full for any of the matches.Organizing committee spokesman Mario Andrada said the problem was being addressed, and hes hopeful that lines would move quicker as the Summer Games entered its first full week.PRO FOOTBALLCANTON, Ohio -- An emotional and invigorating Hall of Fame weekend came to a grinding halt Sunday night when the Packers-Colts game was canceled because of poor field conditions.One day after Brett Favre led the eight-member class of 2016 into the hall, its president, David Baker announced the cancellation after discussing problems with the turf with both teams. He said it was a safety issue and that all fans would be fully refunded for ticket purchases, which will cost the hall several million dollars.Baker noted that the field was new and had been approved when inspected after its first installation. But paint congealed at midfield and in the end zone, hardening those areas. Workers used a variety of equipment to smooth the artificial surface. Rubber pellets used in the turf came loose and were scattered in several spots and needed to be removed, as well.Joining Favre in the class of 2016 were Tony Dungy, a trail-blazing coach and Super Bowl winner; one of his stars, Marvin Harrison; Kevin Greene; Orlando Pace; Ken Stabler; Dick Stanfel; and Ed DeBartolo Jr.AUTO RACINGSprint Car driver Bryan Clauson remained hospitalized Sunday in critical condition following a harrowing accident in the Belleville (Kansas) Midget Nationals USAC midget race.Clauson was airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, following the Saturday night crash. His family offered no details regarding his injuries in a statement provided by Bryan Clausen Racing.Clauson is considered the nations top short-track dirt-car driver. He has won four USAC national championships and was participating in his 116th race of the season on Saturday night.His schedule this year was on pace for 200 starts, and that included a 23rd-place finish in the Indianapolis 500.Clauson was a three-time winner and the defending champion at Belleville. He flipped off the guard rail between turns 3 and 4 while leading. His car rolled several times and was hit by another car.It was his second wreck of the weekend. Yeezy Boost Online Sale . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Yeezy Shoes Online Cheap .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. http://www.cheapyeezychina.com/ . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Yeezy Shoes For Sale Cheap . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Yeezys Cheap For Sale . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Kyle Lowry intends to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Toronto Raptors?and?potentially join a star-studded group of free agents next summer.Lowry said during a in a recent interview with The Vertical that he would prefer to remain with the Raptors but also acknowledged he is open to seeing what else is out there.If youre that franchises guy, and youre the guy that theyve been rolling with, and youve given that franchise everything you have, yeah, I think [contract negotiations] should be easy, Lowry told The Vertical.Lowry, 30, has spent the last four seasons with the Raptors and is scheduled to make $12 million in 2016-17. His player option for the 2017-18 season also is worth $12 million, but the two-time All-Star is prepared to join a free-agent class that could include Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.Lowry has helped lead the Raptors to three consecutive Atlantic Division titles and the franchises first appearance in the Eastern Conference finals last seasson.dddddddddddd He told The Vertical that he hopes the Raptors offer him a lucrative contract before free agency begins on July 1, citing Torontos negotiations last summer with DeMar DeRozan, who signed a five-year, $139 million deal.I think it should be a situation where a guy shouldnt have to talk to another team, Lowry told The Vertical. DeMar didnt have the chance to talk to another team. For me, I think that at 12:01 a.m. on July 1 -- something should be close. If not, Im open to seeing what else is out there.Raptors president Masai Ujiri praised Lowry, telling The Vertical that the veteran point guard has helped established the teams winning culture.Kyle has been at the forefront of the Raptor movement, Ujiri told The Vertical. How he goes, we go. He has helped establish a culture that will grow even more. We really appreciate that. He is a winner, and we want to win. ' ' '