Ex-Red Pastore dead at 55

UPLAND, Calif. (AP) — Frank Pastore, the former major league baseball pitcher who became a popular Christian radio show host, has died. He was 55.

Southern California radio station KKLA, which aired Pastore’s show, said on its website that he died Monday, nearly a month after he was critically injured in a motorcycle accident.

Pastore had been in a coma since a car collided with his motorcycle Nov. 19. The accident came hours after he pondered the risk of motorcycle riding on his daily radio show, in which he discussed the possibility of life after death.

Pastore pitched for the Cincinnati Reds from 1979 until 1985 and for the Minnesota Twins in 1986. After playing ball, he obtained a master’s degree in philosophy at Biola University and became a radio host.

 

 

Report: Badgers hire Anderson

MADISON, Wisc. (AP) — Multiple media outlets are reporting Wisconsin will hire Utah State’s Gary Andersen as head football coach to replace Bret Bielema.

The Wisconsin State Journal was first to report that Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez had offered Andersen the job Tuesday night. Andersen is in his fourth year at Utah State and is coming off his best season yet.

The 18th-ranked Aggies won the Western Athletic Conference and finished 11-2, with a school record for victories after beating Toledo 41-15 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday.

Utah State lost 16-14 at Wisconsin earlier this season.

The 48-year-old Andersen is 26-24 at Utah State. He took over in Logan, Utah, after spending five seasons as defensive coordinator at the University of Utah under Kyle Whittingham.

Bielema left Wisconsin for Arkansas.

 

 

Browns put 2 on injured list

BEREA (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have placed linebacker James-Michael Johnson and defensive back T.J. Ward on injured reserve with knee injuries.

Both Johnson, a rookie, and Ward are starters for a defense that allows 22.1 points per game. Johnson made eight starts, played in 10 games and finished with 35 tackles. His role expanded when Scott Fujita sustained a season-ending neck injury. Ward had 68 tackles and one interception.

With the available roster spots, Cleveland signed defensive back Prince Miller and linebacker Adrian Moten. The Browns also elevated defensive lineman Hall Davis from the practice squad to the active roster.

Cleveland (5-9) will close the season vs. Denver (11-3) and Pittsburgh (7-7).

 

Kent State hires Haynes

KENT (AP) — Paul Haynes has been formally announced as Kent State’s new coach.

Haynes, introduced Tuesday by athletic director Joel Nielsen, replaces Darrell Hazell, who led the Golden Flashes to an 11-2 season. Haynes last was the defensive coordinator at Arkansas.

Hazell became Purdue’s coach Dec. 5 after guiding No. 25 Kent State to its first bowl berth in 40 years. He will coach Kent State against Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl Jan. 5.

Haynes, 49, who played at Kent State (1987-91), met with the team before the press conference. He was on Jim Tressel’s staff for seven years at Ohio State and was also an assistant at Michigan State, Louisville, Northern Iowa, Ferris State and Bowling Green.