SPORTS digest

ESPN fires Schilling over Facebook post

BRISTOL, Conn.

ESPN fired network analyst and former Boston Red Sox star pitcher Curt Schilling following his comments on Facebook about transgender people.

The network released a statement Wednesday saying, “ESPN is an inclusive company. Curt Schilling has been advised that his conduct was unacceptable and his employment with ESPN has been terminated.”

On Monday, Schilling, 49, reposted an image of an overweight man wearing a long blond wig and revealing women’s clothing. It included the phrase: “Let him in! To the restroom with your daughter or else you’re a narrow minded, judgmental, unloving, racist bigot who needs to die!!!”

Schilling added his own comments, saying, “A man is a man no matter what they call themselves” and “Now you need laws telling us differently? Pathetic.”

Schilling was apparently referring to laws in several states that restrict bathroom access to transgender people.

Earlier Wednesday, Schilling defended the post on his blog, saying he was expressing his opinion and those criticizing him are frauds.

Blackhawks’ Shaw suspended for slur

CHICAGO

The NHL has suspended Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw for one game for yelling an anti-gay slur from the penalty box and fined him $5,000 for an inappropriate gesture toward the officials during Chicago’s Game 4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Shaw will miss Game 5 in St. Louis tonight and he will be required to undergo sensitivity training.

The announcement came hours after Shaw apologized for his outburst. Shaw said he couldn’t sleep after the game and watching video of his outburst was difficult. It was video of the incident that went viral on social media, prompting sharp criticism and an NHL investigation.

Former Syracuse star Washington dies at 52

SYRACUSE, N.Y.

Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, who went from New York City playground wonder to Big East star for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, has died. He was 52.

Washington died Wednesday of cancer, the university said. He had been coping with medical problems since a brain tumor was first diagnosed in 1995 and recently required around-the-clock medical coverage and a wheelchair to move around.

Washington had surgery last August to address the recurrence of a brain tumor. The first tumor, 21 years ago, was benign.

Current and former players, as well as others associated with the program, rallied in support of Washington during his illness. A GoFundMe page was set up and #PrayersforPearl became the slogan for Syracuse basketball.

Washington once scored 82 points in a high school game, helping him become the most sought-after player in the country as a senior.

He enrolled at Syracuse in 1983 and quickly transformed the Carrier Dome into his personal playground.

Former MLB pitcher Milt Pappas dies at 76

CHICAGO

Milt Pappas, who came within a disputed pitch of throwing a perfect game for the Chicago Cubs in 1972 and was part of the lopsided trade that brought Frank Robinson to Baltimore, died Tuesday. He was 76.

Pappas died of natural causes at his home in the northern Illinois community of Beecher, said his widow, Judi Pappas.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander won 209 games during his 17-year career with the Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Cubs, finishing with a career ERA of 3.40 to go along with 1,728 strikeouts and 43 shutouts.

Kane-Johnson picked for North-South Game

WESTERVILLE

Niles High School senior Cameron Kane-Johnson, one of the area’s top scorers during the 2015-16 season, has been selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game, set for Friday at Otterbein University.

The Division III-IV game is set for 6:30 p.m. The Division I-II game is scheduled at 8 p.m. Kane-Johnson will play in the second game.

From staff and wire reports