Big Hurt, Torre lead exceptional HOF class

July 28, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.

Frank Thomas choked back tears, Joe Torre apologized for leaving people out of his speech and Tony La Russa said he felt uneasy. Being enshrined in the Hall of Fame can have those effects, even on the greats. Thomas, pitchers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, and managers Bobby Cox, Torre and La Russa were inducted into the baseball shrine Sunday, and all paid special tribute to their families before an adoring crowd of nearly 50,000.

LeBron deep-sixes number; will wear 23

LeBron James will go back to wearing jersey No. 23 in his return to Cleveland. James tweeted “23 it is! It’s only right I go back. 23(equals)6 We still family 6.” James wore No. 6 in four seasons with Miami and with the U.S. Olympic team. He used No. 23 in high school and during seven seasons in Cleveland.

Italy’s Nibali easily wins Tour de France

PARIS

Vincenzo Nibali put his lungs and legs to work one last time, marching up to the winner’s podium of the Tour de France and sighing deeply before the Italian anthem echoed over the Champs-Elysees. Chants of “Vin-cen-zo!” rang across the famed avenue for the Sicilian, who dominated the race nearly from the start three weeks ago and on Sunday became the first Italian to win cycling’s greatest race since Marco Pantani in 1998.

Marcel Kittel of Germany won Stage 21 in a sprint, his fourth victory this year. Nibali cruised in 24 seconds later, easily retaining a lead of more than seven minutes on his closest rival.

Atlanta’s Millsap added to Team USA roster

Paul Millsap has long been one of the more underappreciated players in the NBA, a do-it-all forward who has toiled in anonymity while playing in Utah and Atlanta. Now he’s going to get a chance to really make a name for himself with Team USA. Millsap was invited to Team USA’s training camp Sunday. The team also announced Sunday that Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler will not participate in camp because of a groin injury.

Scott says he will be Lakers’ new coach

LOS ANGELES

The Los Angeles Lakers have waited nearly three months to hire a new coach, and they’re apparently making Byron Scott wait a few more days. Scott said this weekend that he has been hired by the Lakers, but the club insisted Sunday that no deal has been reached. Scott, who won three NBA titles as a shooting guard for the Lakers, told KCBS-TV he will take over the club.

Red Bull’s Ricciardo wins Hungarian GP

BUDAPEST, Hungary

Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull overtook Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso near the end of the race to win a thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday for his second Formula One victory of the season and his career. Lewis Hamilton, who started from the pit lane after his engine caught on fire during qualifying, was third, holding off Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who started from pole position. Ricciardo finished the race 5.225 seconds ahead of Alonso.

Courtney Force wins at Sonoma Nationals

SONOMA, Calif.

Courtney Force beat father John Force in the NHRA Sonoma Nationals on Sunday to break a tie with sister Ashley Force Hood for career Funny Car victories by a female driver with five. Courtney outran her 65-year-old father with a 4.253-second pass at 296.24 mph in her Ford Mustang.

Top-seeded Isner wins 2nd straight at Atlanta

ATLANTA

Top-seeded John Isner overpowered Dudi Sela on Sunday to successfully defend his Atlanta Open title, blowing serve after serve past the 5-foot-9 Israeli player in a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Serving for the match, the 6-foot-10 Isner fell behind 30-0 before Sela sent a backhand into the net, and then watched almost helplessly as the American ripped three straight aces for the win.

Associated Press