Newsmakers
Died Hockey Hall of Famer Keith Allen, the first coach of the Philadelphia Flyers who became the general manager that built the organization’s Stanley Cup championship teams of 1974 and 1975, died Tuesday. He was 90. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Allen had a lengthy minor league career as a defenseman. He coached for nine years in the Western Hockey League, guiding the Seattle Totems to a league championship in 1960.
Agreed Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald says he has restructured his contract, reducing a big salary-cap hit from his old deal and creating room for signing other players. Fitzgerald says the move was made to help the Cardinals “get better for 2014.” He caught 82 passes, most on the team, for 954 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. In his career, Fitzgerald has 846 catches for 11,367 yards and 87 touchdowns. He has not missed a game since the 2007 season.
• The Atlanta Braves have reached an agreement on an eight-year deal with All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman that will be worth about $125 million. The 24-year-old Freeman was an All-Star last year, when he hit .319 with 23 homers and 109 RBIs.
• Braves outfielder Jason Heyward and the Braves agreed to a $13.3 million, two-year contract. The 24-year-old Heyward had an injury-plagued 2013 season, hitting .254 with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs.
• Infielder-outfielder Jeff Baker has agreed to a $3.7 million, two-year contract with the Miami Marlins. He batted .279 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs for Texas last season.
Announced Carroll College in Helena is adding two sports to begin play this fall – men’s soccer and women’s softball. Athletic director Bruce Parker said the additions announced will give the NAIA school 15 sports teams.
• Cleveland pitcher Nick Hagadone will receive an additional 94 days of major league service time and the Indians will have the right to option him to the minor leagues this season under a grievance settlement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association. The former University of Washington left-hander broke his left forearm following a poor relief outing against Tampa Bay on July 6, 2012. The Indians said the injury was self-inflicted, and reports said he was hurt slamming a door as he returned to the Cleveland clubhouse.
Hired Tommy Baldwin Racing has hired Robert Sorenson to drive the No. 36 Chevrolet this season. The 27-year-old Sorenson has 189 Sprint Cup Series starts.