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Genesis Invitational to consider new golf course due to LA wildfires

The Genesis Invitational will be held at a new location in 2025 following the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

The event previously known as the Los Angeles Open has been held at the Riviera Country Club, located in the Pacific Palisades, since 1999.

The country club is located near the Palisades fire. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner announced Thursday that 27 people have died in the Southern California fires in recent days.

“The PGA TOUR’s focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. “We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.”

What courses could Genesis Invitational consider?

With the Riviera Country Club out of consideration for the upcoming event, other venues will be considered.

“In collaboration with Genesis, The Riviera Country Club and TGR Live, and out of respect for the unfolding situation, we have determined that The Genesis Invitational 2025 will be played at an alternate location the week of Feb. 10-16,” The PGA Tour said in a statement. “A venue update and additional tournament information will be provided in the coming days.”

There have been 11 different host courses used throughout the history of the tournament, but none have been used more than The Riviera Country Club.

The club was first used in 1929 for the first time and has been used 60 times for the event.

All but one of the 11 courses remain open and could be considered possibilities for the 2025 event.

The Valencia Country Club was the last course used outside of the Riviera Country Club in 1998.

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One-of-kind ‘Mr. Baseball’ was an American OG

It’s not enough to simply call Bob Uecker an original, ‘1 of 1’ or the last of his kind.

Uecker was both the OG and the parody, a man whose friendly voice on the airwaves echoed the folksy announcing tropes imbued in baseball for the better part of a century while also, somehow, sending them up.

That he was an even better person only made his death at 90, announced Thursday, an even bigger wound.

Fitting that his last act on the national stage was as the inspirational nucleus of his beloved Milwaukee Brewers, whose stunning exit from the playoffs last season was compounded by the postgame realization that this was probably the last major league game Uecker would see.

Uecker’s family revealed Thursday that he’d been battling small cell lung cancer since 2023, and Brewers veterans such as Christian Yelich could not put on the postgame poker face to conceal the fact Uecker’s time with them was running short.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

It is a stunning tribute to Uecker’s ability to connect that he moved among these young Brewers like an old friend, neither the hood ornament on a franchise nor the entitled sage who demanded the kids these days kiss his ring should he deign to descend to their clubhouse.

No, he was simply Ueck, a classic baseball moniker given the culture’s unstoppable commitment to name contraction. Yet he also ironically and proudly wore the crown “Mr. Baseball,” which served first as a wink and a nod to his .200 batting average – take that, Mario Mendoza! – but then become a fitting label for a man whose most important legacy might be to remind us to never take the game, the industry, life, too seriously.

Now consider this: Uecker solidified his modern image in 1984, when his most epic of many star turns for Miller Lite – “I must be in the front rooooow,” repeated incessantly by children of all ages that summer and forever – first aired.

In 1989, ‘Major League’ hit theaters, and Uecker’s Harry Doyle immortalized him.

Yelich would not be born until 1991.

And yet.

That universal, multi-generational adoration is a tribute to getting what you give. Not many in his industry were as free with his time and love as Uecker, be it time and respect to those following in your humbled footsteps in this game, to chatting up stadium workers and franchise support staff and fellow media like they were all longtime friends – many were.

There’s a shred of irony to the fact a man with such humble origins as a ballplayer would set a standard in broadcasting and, let’s face it, entertainment, that was impossible to replicate.

The 1980s might have been the height of our monoculture, where everyone watched the same three channels, spun Michael Jackson’s Thriller so long that the Billboard charts cried uncle, and knew exactly what you meant when you’d ask, “Where’s the beef?”

Uecker carved out his own significant niche in this cultural jungle, just before it became so overgrown that we struggled to connect with anything.

We’ve all at some point watched a ballgame where a pitcher loses his control and uncorks a pitch so wide of the plate as to be comical. Inevitably, there’d be a mildly awkward silence and the announcer could not help themselves: “Juuuuust a bit outside,” they’d say, with a chuckle and a humble nod to Uecker’s Doyle.

It was an almost immediate acknowledgement from the announcer that they were overmatched, that one could try to descriptively or comically distill how poor that pitch was, but why bother? Uecker had that on lock.

In coming decades, broadcast personalities would gain some form of notoriety by punctuating their highlight narrations with a catchphrase, probably a line from a movie or a bar from a song. Yet these pieces of flair were more like pictures of a picture, at least one degree removed from the real thing.

Uecker made it look so easy to be fresh, and funny, and kind, all at once.

It probably helped that the game humbled him so. Talk to a manager or player about someone going through a struggle at the plate, on the mound or in the field and they’ll inevitably but also fairly note, “The game looks pretty easy from up there.”

But years later, that player or manager might ascend to the broadcast level and forget that very concept, throwing daggers from the booth or carrying on about how terrible the play across the league is, forgetting that Bad Baseball has existed in every era of the game.

Uecker had a birds’ eye view for such a significant swath of it. Of course, he got his national flowers, via Miller Lite and Major League and stints in the broadcast booth for national broadcast networks.

That still can’t take away that he spent 54 years – 54 years! – as the voice or at least a significant one for the Milwaukee Brewers. He never got too big for the game’s smallest market.

That meant an incessant parade of day games after night games, rain delays in the less climate-controlled corners of the Great Lakes and East Coast, and yes, unspeakably bad baseball at times. My first glimpse of this came as a virtual kid, not long out of college and “borrowing” a friend’s credentials for an overwhelmingly insignificant Brewers-A’s clash in 1996.

After batting practice, an elevator popped open and there stood Ueck, satchel in hand, the weight of 40 years in the game and the painful insignificance of Game 66 that year etched on his face.

I was taken aback, having forgotten he was still on the call for the Brewers after so many years as a celebrity. That he’d post for a game between two games going nowhere played before 8,000 fans as surely as he’d be there for the big national broadcast hits.

He sniffed out my vibe and shot a weary look that said, “This is Game 4 of a wraparound series with a 12:15 p.m. start. Don’t ask me about Mr. Belvedere, please.”

Understood.

Certainly, as he advanced in years, his broadcast presence diminished. Yet his enthusiasm never waned, and while that might be viewed as being a “great ambassador for the Brewers and baseball,” it looked from the outside as simply Ueck showing up and being himself.

There’s probably a lesson in that, a commitment both to the grind and to our better selves. Uecker made that look so easy, even as replacing him is simply impossible.

(This story was updated to add a new video.)

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‘Safer, stronger, and freer’: Securing the border set to feature large in Noem’s opening remarks to Senate

Securing the nation’s border will feature large in South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s opening remarks to Senate lawmakers on Friday as she works to lock down her confirmation as the country’s next secretary of homeland security, Fox News Digital exclusively learned. 

‘Securing our homeland is a serious, sacred trust that must be relentlessly pursued and can never be taken for granted. Being safe within our borders is an American right, yet Americans feel less safe than they have in decades. For the first time in 30 years, more than 40% of Americans are afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their home,’ Noem is expected to tell the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday morning in her opening remarks. 

‘President-Elect Trump is going to change that.’

Fox News Digital exclusively obtained a copy of the South Dakota Republican’s opening statement, which is set to not only showcase Noem’s vision for a secure and safe nation, but also underscore her rural roots and life in the Mount Rushmore State. 

‘I’m a wife, mother, a grandmother, a farmer, a rancher, a businesswoman, and a governor,’ a copy of the remarks states. ‘I have spent my life in rural America. I understand what it means to work hard every day to build a better future for our kids and our communities. I come before you today with a deep sense of responsibility and humility as the nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security. And also a commitment to the more than 330 million Americans, whom we will serve to work to keep them safe and secure in their homes, their communities and their country.’

President-elect Donald Trump announced NOem as his pick to lead DHS shortly after his decisive win over Harris in November, pointing to her efforts to secure the southern border amid the immigration crisis under the Biden administration. 

The DHS oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Noem’s opening remarks heavily focus on securing the border, including highlighting that she was the first governor to deploy National Guard troops to border states in 2022. She has since repeatedly deployed South Dakota National Guard troops to the southern border in Texas to help stem illegal border crossings as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. 

‘As a nation, we have the right and responsibility to secure our borders against those who would do us harm. And we must create a fair and lawful immigration system that is efficient and effective and that reflects our values. President Trump was elected with a clear mandate to achieve this mission. Two thirds of Americans support his immigration and border policies, including the majority of Hispanic Americans.’

‘I was the first Governor to send National Guard troops to Texas when they were being overwhelmed by an unprecedented border crisis. If confirmed as Secretary, I will ensure that our exceptional, extraordinary f agents have ALL the tools, resources, and support they need to carry out their mission effectively. The same is true of my commitment to the outstanding men and women of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They are responsible for apprehending, detaining, and deporting illegal immigrants. Getting criminal aliens off the streets and out of the country will help make American communities safe again. The bravery and dedication of the Border Patrol and ICE are unmatched, and I will restore dignity to their work,’ the copy of her remarks states. 

Noem is also set to tout her leadership skills in the remarks, including leading the Mount Rushmore State for the last six years, including overseeing thousands of state employees.

‘I have led South Dakota for the last 6 years with a focus every day on making our state safer, stronger, and freer. I have focused every day on making the best decisions not just for right now, but for generations to come. I have overseen a state budget of over $7 billion and a state employee workforce of more than 13,000, including more than 7,000 reporting to the Governor. I have addressed important issues like cybersecurity, human trafficking, drug interdiction, and natural disasters – the same challenges facing so many of you here and the people you represent back at home.’

Noem will join the Senate committee with a bevy of high-profile endorsements under her belt, including at least eight police groups and unions throwing their support behind the South Dakota governor for DHS. 

Crises have also broken out in the waning days of the Biden administration, including a terrorist attack that shook New Orleans early New Year’s Day and raging fires in the Los Angeles area. Following the attack, Noem picked up an endorsement from Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who warned now is ‘no time to play around’ while calling on Senate lawmakers to swiftly confirm Noem. While the massive and historically Democrat firefighter union, the International Association of Firefighters, also endorsed Noem while the California wildfires first raged earlier this month. 

Noem is expected to note that, if confirmed, she will emphasize resiliency in the face of disaster. 

‘I recognize that homeland security is not only about prevention but also about resilience. When disasters strike, as we know they will, the Department of Homeland Security must be ready to respond swiftly, efficiently, and effectively to protect the lives and property of Americans. As governor, I have worked with FEMA in response to a dozen natural disasters in South Dakota. These have included historic floods, tornados, blizzards, wildfires, a derecho, and even a global pandemic. As Secretary, I will enhance our emergency preparedness and strengthen FEMA’s capabilities. We will ensure that no community is left behind and that life-saving services like electricity and water are quickly restored,’ she said. 

She is set to also turn her attention to cybersecurity in the nation, vowing to prioritize protecting the nation’s energy grids and financial systems from ‘foreign adversaries and criminal actors.’

‘In the coming days, we have to think and plan bigger, faster, and smarter. I fully acknowledge that we in Washington do not have all the answers. Therefore, I will leverage public-private partnerships and advance cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technologies to protect our nation’s digital landscape. I have a proven track record doing this in South Dakota. I have helped make Dakota State University a global leader in cybersecurity education because we recognize the need to address this emerging threat. I will take this proactive approach if given the opportunity to serve as Secretary,’ the copy of the remarks states.

Noem has served as South Dakota’s governor since 2019, gaining national attention and praise from conservatives during the pandemic when her state eschewed lockdown orders and mask mandates common in liberal states such as California and New York. 

‘I am committed to working with this committee, with Congress, and with the dedicated men and women of the Department of Homeland Security to fulfill our mission. Together, we can ensure that the United States remains a beacon of freedom, safety, and security for generations to come. Thank you for the opportunity and honor to appear before you today. I look forward to your questions. I hope to earn your trust and, hopefully, your vote as we embark on this critical work together,’ she is expected to say on Friday morning. 

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As UK representative, I want to make our alliance with the US great again

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

President-elect Donald Trump’s return to power on January 20 is one of the most anticipated of any modern presidency and is likely to be one of the most consequential. America’s friends and adversaries are watching closely and thinking hard about their relationships with the United States.  

Trump’s election-winning ‘America first’ vision foresees a strong America in the world that is respected and seeking peace through strength. America’s allies need to hear the message the American people have sent and calibrate their partnerships in order to work with and alongside the U.S. to stand up for the joint interests that unite us.  

The astute among America’s allies will be observing the comprehensive nature of Trump’s November election win. On the numbers alone – across the popular vote and spanning different demographic groups – this victory demonstrated a campaign that responded to the central concerns and interests of a vast swath of the American people.  

Trump’s great skill as a political campaigner is to tap into sections of an electorate that feel unheard. Having been at the core of three winning UK election campaigns, I know well that this ability to build such a coalition across the country is the holy grail and key to political success.    

His victory can be seen to represent the many Americans who work hard, yet for whom life is a struggle; communities that fear prices at the checkout, witness illegal migration accelerating and see opportunities for their children diminishing. Working people who feel their concerns have been either ignored or, worse, stigmatized by traditional politics.  

Five decades as a politician and latterly as a businessman have taught me always to hear your electorate and listen to your customer. Alliances between foreign nations need to do the same. Foreign relationships must hear these messages and evolve rapidly to deliver for their citizens. The Atlantic alliance cannot simply enjoy its glorious past – it must adapt to new threats and technological challenges. 

I am listening hard to the message that millions of Americans delivered in November. Tuning into a similar set of concerns among large chunks of the British public, such as addressing the rising cost of living and making our streets safe again, won my party a comprehensive victory in July last year.  

As I prepare to start my role as custodian of a decades-old ‘special relationship,’ I reflect on my work with multiple U.S. administrations – Republican and Democrat – across the intensive U.S.-U.K. relationship. I see three areas of major potential for expanded partnership between Britain and today’s America: economic growth, national security and foreign policy realism.  

It is taken for granted that the U.K. and U.S. are the closest defense and intelligence partners in the world. This work is invaluable and keeps millions of Americans and Brits secure each day. But our national security partnerships must be clearer in how they keep our people safe.  

Sensible European governments will be thinking hard about their defense partnership with the U.S. While Europe has made an enormous contribution to defending against an aggressive and reckless Russia on its doorstep – spending over $150 billion in Ukraine – Americans are right to ask if NATO partners can do more to reduce the U.S.’s out-sized burden. 

The U.K. has been at the forefront of driving NATO allies to increase their national defense spending and will continue to advocate for partners to pay their way.  

Growing the economy and increasing living standards is at the top of the U.K. government agenda. The U.S. and U.K. are each other’s largest single investors with over $960 billion in mutual investment. Our businesses create over a million jobs in each other’s country, and we have a strong and balanced trading relationship, worth over $375 billion with the U.S. figures showing a trade surplus with the U.K.  

Having co-founded a global business in the U.S. and employed Americans in London, I have witnessed firsthand the synergies created by these ties. We are innovators and deal-making nations. And as only two western countries on the planet with trillion-dollar tech sectors, we must do more together to invent, develop and industrialize the technologies of tomorrow.  

We are hungry to trade more and innovate more with America – but we must do so in a way that generates good, well-paid jobs for all our citizens and keeps us ahead in the global race.  

Finally, we must operate in the world we find not the world we would ideally like. Since I was last in government, many of our adversaries have become emboldened. Iran has been seriously set back in recent months but is still a thoroughly malign force in the region. We must not ever allow it to become nuclear armed.  

It is taken for granted that the U.K. and U.S. are the closest defense and intelligence partners in the world. This work is invaluable and keeps millions of Americans and Brits secure each day. But our national security partnerships must be clearer in how they keep our people safe.  

The Chinese government I have observed intensively over the past 20 years is more aggressive abroad and controlling at home and in many sectors, now directly challenges Western governments and our values.  

Trump’s straight talking has earned him a resounding victory in his own country. His straight-talking and deal-making instincts overseas should be viewed by allies as a significant opportunity to bring entrepreneurial thinking and urgency to resolving foreign policy that needs real-world solutions.  

The Trump administration will rightly put the needs of Americans first. But in its closest allies, it will find old partners open to new ways of dealing with the current world – to protect, enrich and build opportunities for Americans and our own citizens alike.    

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RNC chair on GOP’s mission going forward: ‘Make sure…Trump voters become Republican voters’

– Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Mike Whatley says his job going forward in the 2025 elections and 2026 midterms is straight forward.

‘It’s really critical for us to make sure that the Trump voters become Republican voters,’ Whatley said in an exclusive national digital interview with Fox News on the sidelines of the RNCs’ winter meeting, which is being held in the nation’s capital.

Republicans enjoyed major victories November’s elections, with President-elect Trump defeating Vice President Kamala Harris to win back the White House, the GOP flipping control of the Senate from the Democrats, and holding on to their razor-thin majority in the House.

Whatley, who was interviewed on Thursday on the eve of the formal vote by the RNC for the chair to continue in his position steering the national party committee, said the GOP needs ‘to cement those gains’ made in the 2024 elections.

‘We’re going to go right back to the building blocks that we had during this election cycle, which is to get out the vote and protect the ballot,’ Whatley emphasized. 

The RNC chair pointed to ‘the lessons that we learned’ in the 2024 cycle ‘about going after low propensity voters, about making sure that we’re reaching out to every voter and bringing in new communities,’ which he said helped Republicans make ‘historic gains among African American voters, among Asian American voters, among Hispanic voters, young voters and women voters.’

Speaking a couple of days before the president-elect’s inauguration, Whatley emphasized that once Trump’s in the White House, ‘we’re going to go right back to the RNC. We’re going to roll up our sleeves and get to work. We’ve got a couple of governor’s races…that we’re going to be working on in ‘25.’

But Whatley said ‘everything is focused on ‘26,’ when the party will be defending its majorities in the House and Senate, ‘because that is going to determine, from an agenda perspective, whether we have two years to work with or four. And America needs us to have a four-year agenda.’

‘What we’re going to be doing is making sure that we are registering voters,’ Whatley said. ‘We’re going to be…communicating with the folks that we need to turn out.’

Pointing to the 2024 presidential election, he said ‘it’s the same fundamentals.’

But he noted that ‘it’s not just seven battleground states’ and that the 2026 contests are ‘definitely going to be a very intense midterm election cycle.’

While Democrats would disagree, Whatley described today’s GOP as ‘a common sense party…this is a party that’s going to fight for every American family and for every American community.’

Referring to former Democrats Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump has nominated to serve in his second administration’s cabinet, Whatley touted ‘the fact that we have two former Democratic presidential candidates who are going to be serving in the president’s cabinet. That shows you that this is a commonsense agenda, a commonsense team, that we’re going to be moving forward with.’

Last March, as Trump clinched the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, he named Whatley to succeed Ronna McDaniel as RNC chair. Whatley, a longtime Trump ally and a major supporter of Trump’s election integrity efforts, had served as RNC general counsel and chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. 

In December, Trump asked Whatley to continue during the 2026 cycle as RNC chair.

‘I think we will be able to talk when we need to talk,’ Whatley said when asked if his lines of communication with Trump will be limited now that the president-elect is returning to the White House. ‘We’re going to support the president and his agenda. That does not change. What changes is his ability from the White House to actually implement the agenda that he’s been campaigning on.’

Trump is term-limited and won’t be able to seek election again in 2028. Vice President-elect Sen. JD Vance will likely be considered the front-runner for the 2028 GOP nomination.

Whatley reiterated what he told Fox News Digital in December, that the RNC will stay neutral in the next race for the GOP nomination and that the party’s ‘got an amazing bench.’

‘You think about the talent on the Republican side of the aisle right now, our governors, our senators, our members of Congress, people that are going to be serving in this administration. I love the fact that the Republican Party is going to be set up to have a fantastic candidate going into ’28,’ he highlighted.

Unlike the DNC, which in the 2024 cycle upended the traditional presidential nominating calendar, the RNC made no major changes to their primary lineup, and kept the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary as their first two contests.

Asked about the 2028 calendar, Whatley reiterated to Fox News that ‘I have not had any conversations with anybody who wants to change the calendar, so we will wait and see what that looks like as we’re going forward. We’re at the RNC meetings this week and having a number of conversations with folks, but that is not a huge push.’

‘I don’t think that changing the calendar really helped the Democrats at all,’ Whatley argued. ‘And I think that us, making sure that we are working our system the way that we always have, is going to be critical.’

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Midterm Elections
Donald Trump
Inauguration

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Latest on Joe Mixon’s status for Texans’ division round game vs Chiefs

The Houston Texans are headed to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, but are losing more and more players along the way.

Every win comes at a price and the wild-card win over the Chargers might’ve cost them Joe Mixon.

The do-it-all running back for Houston was a late addition to the injury report this week, clouding his status for the weekend matchup in Kansas City. The Texans already have dealt with plenty of issues at the receiver spot this season, only adding more to Mixon’s plate.

While there is cause for concern, it would be fairly surprising if the running back was sidelined considering the importance of the game.

Here’s the latest on Mixon ahead of the Texans’ trip to Kansas City.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Joe Mixon injury update

Mixon is officially listed as questionable with an ankle injury for Saturday’s division-round game against the Chiefs.

The Texans’ running back was a late addition to the injury report on Wednesday after being limited. His downgrade to a non-participant on Thursday makes this one to watch going into the weekend.

Houston hasn’t said whether it’s a new injury or simply precaution with their workhorse running back, adding to the mystery for Saturday. Mixon previously missed three games earlier in the season with an ankle injury.

It’s not uncommon for teams to give players some much-needed rest this time of year, but it’s unclear if that is the case for Mixon.

While being added to the report midweek is typically cause for concern, it’s hard to envision Mixon not playing in a playoff game. The real concern, however, would be the possibility of aggravating the issue during the game.

Already thin at receiver, Houston would be looking at a steep hill to climb against the two-time defending champion Chiefs if Mixon can’t play.

Texans RB depth chart

Here’s a look at the Texans’ running back options should Mixon be sidelined on Saturday:

Dameon Pierce
Dare Ogunbowale

Joe Mixon stats

Mixon has been a workhorse for the Texans this season, his first in Houston. The running back has carried the ball 245 times for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground while adding 36 receptions, 309 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Who are the Texans playing in playoffs?

The Texans will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs on Saturday afternoon.

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American teenager earns shocking victory at Australian Open

There’s been a stunner at the Australian Open, and it came from an American teenager.

Qualifier and 19-year-old Learner Tien beat No. 5-ranked and three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (8), 1-6, 7-6 (7) for the biggest win of his young career.

After capturing a two-set lead, Tien appeared to be slipping when Medvedev mounted a rally to tie it and take it to the decisive fifth set. However the teen stayed composed and secured match point off a return from Medvedev that went out of bounds, capping off the major victory in a nearly-five hour match as the clock nearly hit 3 a.m. in Melbourne.

‘I’m just really happy to get a win. I know I made it a lot harder than maybe it could have been, but whatever,’ Tien said in his on-court interview after the victory.

With the win, Tien became the second-youngest American man to reach the third round at the Australian Open after Pete Sampras did it in 1990 at 18 years old.

What to know about Learner Tien

A native of Irvine, California, Tien was a successful juniors player before he become a professional.

He won the 2022 and 2023 USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships, which got him wild-card entries into the 2022 and 2023 US Open at the ages of 16 and 17, respectively. He made it to the junior finals of 2023 Australian Open and US Open and played a semester of college tennis at Southern California for the 2022-23 season before opting to turn pro. From May to July, he went on a 28-match winning streak.

Heading into the tournament, Tien was 0-3 in Grand Slam appearances and is currently ranked 121st. He beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the opening round of the tournament before pulling off the upset against Medvedev. Now Tien will face Corentin Moutet in the third round.

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Ovechkin breaks another record as he chases Gretzky’s record

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is back from his fractured left fibula and resuming his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal record.

Ovechkin, 39, had missed 16 games after absorbing a leg-on-leg collision during a Nov. 18 game against the Utah Hockey Club. He returned on Dec. 28 and scored goals in five of his first nine games back.

Ovechkin entered this season needing 42 goals to break Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals, which has stood since 1999. The Washington captain has 21 goals this season, with 37 games left.

If he doesn’t reach the record this season, he has one more season left on his contract.

Here’s where Ovechkin stands in his chase of Gretzky’s goal record:

How many career goals does Alex Ovechkin have?

Ovechkin has 874 career goals.

How many goals does Alex Ovechkin need to pass Wayne Gretzky?

Ovechkin needs 21 goals to break Gretzky’s record.

How many goals does Alex Ovechkin have this season?

Ovechkin has 21 goals and 12 assists in 29 games. Factoring in the 16 games he missed, that is a 47-goal pace, putting him on pace to break the record this season.

What did Alex Ovechkin do in his last game?

Ovechkin scored the game’s lone goal in overtime to give the Capitals a 1-0 road victory over the Senators. Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen became the 179th different goaltender Ovechkin has scored on, breaking a tie Ovechkin was in with Jaromir Jagr for the top mark in NHL history.

When is Alex Ovechkin’s next game?

The Capitals play Saturday, Jan. 18, vs. Pittsburgh. Ovechkin has 42 goals in 77 regular-season games against the Penguins.

Alex Ovechkin goals in 2024-25

Oct. 19: 1 vs. New Jersey
Oct. 23: 1 vs. Philadelphia
Oct. 29: 2 vs. N.Y. Rangers
Oct. 31: 1 vs. Montreal
Nov. 2: 1 vs. Columbus
Nov. 3: 1 vs. Carolina
Nov. 6: 1 vs. Nashville
Nov. 9: 2 vs. St. Louis
Nov. 17: 3 vs. Vegas
Nov. 18: 2 vs. Utah
Dec. 28: 1 vs. Toronto
Dec. 29: 1 vs. Detroit
Jan. 2: 1 vs. Minnesota
Jan. 4: 1 vs. N.Y. Rangers
Jan. 11: 1 vs. Nashville
Jan. 16: 1 vs. Ottawa

Alex Ovechkin career goal breakdown

Even strength: 552, third overall

Power play: 317, a record

Short-handed: 5

Empty net: 61, a record

Game winners: 134, second overall, one behind Jaromir Jagr’s record

Multi-goal games: 177, second overall

Goalies scored against: 179, a record

Hat tricks: 31, sixth overall

20-goal seasons: 20, tied for second

30-goal seasons: 18, a record

40-goal seasons: 13, a record

Alex Ovechkin empty-net goals

Ovechkin has a record 61 empty-net goals, but Gretzky is up there, too, with 56. Ovechkin passed Gretzky in that category last season.

Alex Ovechkin goals per season

Season: Goals, career total

2005-06: 52, 52
2006-07: 46, 98
2007-08: 65*, 163
2008-09: 56*, 219
2009-10: 50, 269
2010-11: 32, 301
2011-12: 38, 339
2012-13: 32*, 371
2013-14: 51*, 422
2014-15: 53*, 475
2015-16: 50*, 525
2016-17: 33, 558
2017-18: 49*, 607
2018-19: 51*, 658
2019-20: 48*, 706
2020-21: 24, 730
2021-22: 50, 780
2022-23: 42, 822
2023-24: 31, 853
2024-25: 21, 874

*-led league in goals that season

NHL’s top goal scorers all-time

The top 21 NHL all-time goal scorers all have 600 or more goals. All of the players are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, except Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Jagr, who are still playing.

1. Wayne Gretzky, 894 goals in 1,487 games

2. Alex Ovechkin, 874 goals in 1,455 games

3. Gordie Howe, 801 goals in 1,767 games

4. Jaromir Jagr, 766 goals in 1,733 games

5. Brett Hull, 741 goals in 1,269 games

6. Marcel Dionne, 731 in 1,348 games

7. Phil Esposito, 717 goals in 1,282 games

8. Mike Gartner, 708 goals in 1,432 games

9. Mark Messier, 694 goals in 1,756 games

10. Steve Yzerman, 692 goals in 1,514 games

11. Mario Lemieux, 690 goals in 915 games

12. Teemu Selanne, 684 goals in 1,451 games

13. Luc Robitaille, 668 goals in 1,431 games

14. Brendan Shanahan, 656 goals in 1,524 games

15. Dave Andreychuk, 640 goals in 1,639 games

16. Jarome Iginla, 625 goals in 1,554 games

17. Joe Sakic, 625 goals in 1,378 games

18. Bobby Hull, 610 goals in 1,063 games

19. Dino Ciccarelli, 608 goals in 1,232 games

20. Sidney Crosby, 604 goals in 1,318 games

21. Jari Kurri, 601 goals in 1,251 games

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Latest rumors, news and updates on Cowboys’ coaching candidates

The stars shine bright in Dallas.

More often than not, it’s also how the Dallas Cowboys conduct business — the franchise searches far and wide for the biggest names in the NFL. America’s Team would have it no other way … especially in a coaching search.

After their parting of ways with Mike McCarthy, it comes as no surprise that everyone is trying to keep up with what Jerry Jones’ team will do. There’s the potential big splash (see: Colorado head coach Deion Sanders). There’s the homegrown talent, like Kellen Moore. There’s the outside-the-box pick, like Jason Witten. There’s the more conventional route, like Robert Saleh and Leslie Frazier.

The list will almost certainly grow over time as the team looks to steal headlines and, eventually, win games with their next hire. Anything goes deep in the heart of Texas, which makes for an exciting coaching search to follow.

Here’s the latest on the Cowboys’ search for a new head coach.

All things Cowboys: Latest Dallas Cowboys news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Cowboys head coach search rumors, news, updates

This section will be updated as interviews occur and relevant news about potential candidates becomes available.

Kellen Moore a top candidate for Cowboys’ HC

Date: Jan. 16
Report: Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

On Thursday, the Cowboys officially requested to interview Moore, the current Eagles’ offensive coordinator. He formerly held the same title in Dallas before the sides mutually agreed to part ways following the 2022 season. In the four seasons that Moore coached the offense, it finished in the top-10 three times.

Moore, undrafted out of Boise State, played for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2017 before transitioning into the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2018. He was then given the OC responsibilities from 2019 to 2022 and was a holdover from Jason Garrett’s staff to McCarthy’s.

Rapoport said Moore is considered a ‘top candidate’ for the job and that his familiarity with the organization makes this potential partnership one to keep an eye on.

Deion Sanders would ‘almost certainly’ accept Cowboys’ job if offered

Date: Jan. 16
Report:Ed Werder, Dallas’ WFAA-TV

Sanders was initially believed to be a long shot, but the noise is getting too loud to ignore. Jones is reportedly enamored with the idea, according to Werder, meaning the rumors will continue to swirl until the search is over. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported Thursday that Sanders approached Colorado’s athletic director, Rick George, on Tuesday about additional money for NIL and his staff, but was met with resistance. Sanders, who played for the Cowboys, previously said he had no interest in coaching in the NFL. That seems to have changed in recent weeks.

Robert Saleh to interview this week

Date: Jan. 15
Report:Todd Archer, ESPN

Saleh, the former Jets coach, is set to interview for the Cowboys’ job this week. The former 49ers’ defensive coordinator seems likely to land a job for 2025, whether that is as a coordinator or head coach.

Cowboys request interview with Seahawks’ Leslie Frazier

Date: Jan. 15
Report:Todd Archer, ESPN

Frazier is also slated to interview for the Dallas gig. He comes with plenty of experience, serving previously as the head coach in Minnesota and more recently as the Buffalo defensive coordinator before spending last season in Seattle.

Jason Witten was seen as potential heir apparent to Mike McCarthy

Date: Jan. 14
Report:Jane Slater, NFL Network

Witten was reportedly floated as a potential heir apparent in negotiations with McCarthy, who opted to pursue other opportunities, according to Slater. Jones thinks very highly of Witten, but it’s unclear whether he will be a head coaching candidate. The former Cowboys’ tight end doesn’t have any NFL or college coaching experience, but has been the head coach at Liberty Christian in Argyle, Texas, since 2021.

Cowboys coaching candidates

Here is a look at who the Cowboys have interest in or requested to interview thus far:

Deion Sanders, Colorado head coach
Robert Saleh, ex-Jets coach
Leslie Frazier, Seahawks assistant head coach
Kellen Moore, Eagles offensive coordinator

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Bob Uecker highlights from baseball broadcast booth to movies, Carson

Major League Baseball lost one of its trademark personalities.

The Milwaukee Brewers announced that longtime team play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker, who gained national fame with his appearances on ‘The Johnny Carson Show’ and his role as broadcaster Harry Doyle in the ‘Major League’ movie franchise, died Thursday at 90 years old.

The Uecker family said in a statement Uecker had been in a private battle with small cell lung cancer since early 2023. The team called it ‘one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history.’

Uecker had been the radio play-by-play voice of the Brewers since 1971, a run of more than 50 years that made him an indelible part of the MLB experience in Milwaukee and throughout the country. Uecker was a player before his broadcasting career, and eventually a comedian, actor and corporate pitchman who became ubiquitous on television and movie screens during the 1980s and 1990s.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Uecker’s influence spans generations and genres. Here’s more on the legendary life of this broadcasting legend, his crossover into the world of acting and movies and the best moments from his career:

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

Bob Uecker: ‘Mr. Baseball’ with Johnny Carson

Uecker first crossed over into the mainstream on ‘The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,’ beginning in 1971. Carson gave Uecker the nickname, ‘Mr. Baseball’ during Uecker’s first appearance and it stuck throughout Uecker’s career. Uecker was reportedly invited on the show more than 100 times with his self-deprecating humor and deadpan delivery turning him into one of Carson’s regular guests.

Bob Uecker’s ‘Major League’ star turn and acting career

Uecker’s popularity as an entertainer and broadcaster, helped by Carson’s seal of approval, eventually led to an acting career. Uecker’s biggest role was as Harry Doyle, the quick-witted, sarcastic (and sometimes-inebriated) broadcaster of the Cleveland Indians in the ‘Major League’ film franchise who was even more outlandish than Uecker. Some of Uecker’s most famous quotes from the movie are still recited today, more than 35 years after the original film’s theatrical release in 1989.

In addition to various cameo appearances playing himself since then, Uecker was a regular cast member of the sitcom ‘Mr. Belvedere. Uecker played the father and sportswriter George Owen in the the TV show, which aired from 1985-1990. Uecker also hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 1984 and starred in a number of national television advertising campaigns, most notably for Miller Lite.

Bob Uecker, Andre the Giant and WWE’s Wrestlemania

Uecker’s broad base of appeal also took him inside the world of pro wrestling, where he played a role in a couple memorable Wrestlemania moments and earned a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Uecker first served as the ring announcer for the Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant match at Wrestlemania III at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan in 1987. A year later at Wrestlemania IV, Andre the Giant choked out Uecker for mouthing off to him during a backstage interview and produced an image still replayed now.

Bob Uecker’s broadcasting career

Uecker’s broadcasting career began at WSB-TV in Atlanta in 1969 as part of the Braves’ broadcast booth. He was named to the broadcast booth in Milwaukee by former Brewers owner and MLB commissioner Bud Selig in 1971. It was the franchise’s second season after moving from Seattle.

Uecker remained with the team for 54 years until his death Thursday. He is the fourth-longest tenured broadcaster in major-league history, behind only Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin of the Los Angeles Dodgers (67 and 64 years, respectively) and the still-active Denny Matthews of the Kansas City Royals (56 years). Uecker’s best-known Brewers-related catchphrase was ‘Get up! Get up! Get outta here! Gone!’ when a Milwaukee player hit a home run.

In what became Uecker’s final season broadcasting games for the team in 2024, the Brewers won the National League Central before losing to the New York Mets in a wild-card series. First-year Brewers manager Pat Murphy offered a toast to Uecker when the team celebrated its division title in September.

“There is no one who epitomizes being a champion like this man does … What an example for us to be with every single day,’ Murphy said in the champagne-soaked locker room.

Uecker also served as a color commentator for national MLB broadcasts produced by ABC and NBC during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and teamed with Bob Costas and Joe Morgan to call the World Series.

Uecker’s broadcasting earned him the prestigious Ford Frick Award in 2003 for his contributions to the game, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of receiving the honor.

Bob Uecker: MLB career stats, accomplishments

Uecker’s playing career often bore the brunt of his jokes.

He signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 after serving in the Army and made his Major League debut with the club in 1962. He hit .200 over his six seasons playing catcher with the Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals, where he won a World Series as Tim McCarver’s back-up behind the plate in 1964.

‘I was once named minor league player of the year,’ Uecker once cracked. ‘Unfortunately, I had been in the majors for two years at the time.’

(This story was updated to add a new video.)

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