Sports: Jeter’s Group Officially Owns the Marlins

Derek Jeter is officially a baseball team owner.   The Kalamazoo native and future Hall of Famer and his group have closed their deal to buy the Miami Marlins for 1.2 billion dollars from Jeffrey Loria.  The Marlins have had a losing record for eight consecutive seasons, the longest streak in the majors.   The new owners, including Jeter and controlling owner Bruce Sherman, will address the media later today.

MLB

The Twins play the Yankees in New York tonight at 8pm in the AL Wild Card Game.  The winner will play the Indians in a best of five starting Thursday night.

The Rockies play the Diamondbacks in the National League Wild Card game on Wednesday in Arizona.    The winner will play the Dodgers on Friday night.

The Red Sox play the Astros in Houston on Thursday afternoon, and the Nationals host the World Champion Cubs on Friday night.

Monday Night Football

The Chiefs beat the Redskins 29-20 in Kansas City.  Chief’s Quarterback Alex Smith completed 27 of 37 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown, and ran seven times for 56 yards and another score.   With the score tied at 20, Smith got the Chiefs close enough for rookie kicker Harrison Butker  to kick a 43-yard field goal with 8 seconds left.  It was Butker’s first career game after being signed off the Carolina practice squad earlier in the week.

Lions

The Lions, at 3-1 are on top of the NFC Central and host the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.

Red Wings

The Red Wings start the regular season at the new Little Caesar’s arena this Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild. On Monday, the Wings signed left winger David Booth to a one year deal. The Red Wings have still been unable to sign center Andreas Anthanasiou, and could lose him to a Russian team, if they can’t sign him soon.  There have reportedly been no talks in nearly two weeks.

College Football

Michigan State will head to Ann Arbor this Saturday night.  Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight is out for Saturday’s game with MSU and possibly longer.  Coach Jim Harbaugh says John O'Korn will start Saturday night against the Spartans.   Speight was hurt in the first quarter during a win at Purdue.  This will be Michigan's fourth home night game at Michigan Stadium.  The Wolverines hosted Notre Dame in 2011 and 2013 at night, and Penn State in 2014.  ESPN and FOX have full control over start times, under the Big Ten’s $2.64 billion dollar deal.

Western Michigan plays Saturday afternoon at Buffalo.  The Broncos are 3-2.

Michigan Player Charged

Suspended Wolverines football player Nate Johnson faces one charge of domestic assault.  A U of M spokesperson  says the alleged assault happened outside of a dorm and Johnson was arrested nearby, and that the sophomore cornerback was suspended the same day. He hasn't played this year.

Pistons

The Pistons open the regular season at little Caesar’s Arena October 18th against Charlotte. Their first home exhibition game is also against the Hornets on Oct. 4.