Rickey Henderson, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, has passed away at the age of 65. Known as “The Man of Steal,” Henderson set enduring records for stolen bases (1,406) and runs scored (2,295) during a career that spanned from 1979 to 2003.

A two-time World Series champion, Henderson played pivotal roles in the Oakland Athletics’ 1989 victory and the Toronto Blue Jays’ 1993 triumph. His career accolades include 10 All-Star selections and the 1990 American League Most Valuable Player award. Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

“Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and lead-off hitting,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “He epitomized speed, power, and entertainment, setting the tone at the top of the lineup for multiple generations of baseball fans.”

In addition to his stolen base and runs records, Henderson’s remarkable career included a .297 batting average, 297 home runs, and 1,115 RBIs. He also holds the record for the most lead-off home runs in MLB history, with 81.

Henderson played for nine teams during his illustrious career, but he is most closely associated with the Oakland Athletics, where he had four separate stints. The Athletics issued a heartfelt statement, saying, “Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his records will forever stand atop baseball history. He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history.”

Fans and players alike are mourning the loss of Henderson, whose electrifying style of play revolutionized baseball and left an indelible mark on the sport. His legacy as a dynamic force both on and off the field will continue to inspire generations of athletes and fans.

Farhad Moshiri, the outgoing owner of Everton Football Club, expressed “mixed emotions” as he reflected on his eight-year tenure following the sale of his stake to the Friedkin Group in a deal reportedly worth over £400 million.

The British-Iranian businessman’s ownership concluded on Thursday, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter for the Toffees. In an open letter to supporters, Moshiri acknowledged both the challenges and achievements of his time at the club, expressing regret over missed opportunities, particularly referencing the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.

“We brought top-class managers like Carlo Ancelotti to the club, and who knows where we might have been had he not been lured back to Real Madrid,” Moshiri wrote.

During his tenure, Everton endured a series of difficulties, including managerial changes, strained fan relations, relegation battles, financial instability, and even a points deduction by the Premier League. Despite these struggles, Moshiri highlighted his contributions to modernizing the club’s infrastructure, including significant investments in a state-of-the-art training ground and the construction of Everton’s new “iconic stadium.”

“Leaving Everton with a stadium for all Evertonians and the wider community to enjoy for decades is something I feel real pride in,” he stated.

While acknowledging that on-field results “frankly haven’t been good enough,” Moshiri emphasized efforts to keep ticket prices among the most affordable in the Premier League, even as he personally bore the financial burdens of modernizing the club.

Fan groups have welcomed the sale with optimism, viewing it as a fresh start after a chaotic period. The Friedkin Group’s acquisition is seen as a potential turning point for Everton, which now looks to rebuild and stabilize both on and off the pitch.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his disbelief after testing positive for a banned substance during a routine drugs test. The Ukraine international has been provisionally suspended by the Football Association (FA) while investigations are underway, though the player strongly denies any wrongdoing.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89 million, shared his reaction on social media, stating:

“This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon.”

Chelsea confirmed they had been contacted by the FA regarding “an adverse finding” in Mudryk’s urine test and are working to determine the cause behind the positive result.

The 23-year-old last appeared for Chelsea on 28 November and has missed the Blues’ last five matches in all competitions. Head coach Enzo Maresca previously attributed Mudryk’s absence to illness, particularly when the winger was included but did not feature in the squad for Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa on 1 December.

Under FA and FIFA guidelines, players who intentionally take banned substances can face suspensions of up to four years. However, the circumstances surrounding Mudryk’s case are yet to be fully clarified.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is expected to offer support to Mudryk as the investigation progresses. The FA, meanwhile, has refused to comment on further details, including the timing of the test or specific substance involved.

Mudryk’s performance since his high-profile transfer has seen him contribute 10 goals across 73 appearances.