SPORTS DIGEST || Balash to speak to Curbstone Coaches

Balash to speak to Curbstone Coaches

Dana Balash, WFMJ TV channel 21 Sports Director, will be the guest speaker at Monday’s luncheon meeting of The Curbstone Coaches at Avion Banquet Center.

The event begins at noon and open to the public.

Applications are being accepted for nominations for the 2018 Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted on May 6. For an application to nominate, call 330-506-6774 or 330-792-2272. Deadline is Nov. 18.

Correction

In the Cardinal Mooney football team’s 13-7 win against Poland on Friday, Eric Shipsky was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty. Another player was incorrectly identified with being assessed for the penalty in Saturday’s story. Also, a photo of Poland’s Billy Orr (24) ran on page B1. Another player was incorrectly identified as the Poland player.

Winter schedules are needed

Area high school athletic directors are asked to send their winter sports schedules to The Vindicator.

Schedules may be emailed to sports@vindy.com or faxed to 330-747-6712.

Joe Thomas gets raise from Browns

CLEVELAND

Injured Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas has received a $3 million raise from the Cleveland Browns.

Thomas recently had surgery for a season-ending triceps injury. A team spokesman said Saturday that the Browns had agreed to the pay bump before Thomas, a 10-time Pro Bowler, was injured and they’ll stick to their plan.

Thomas will get a $1.5 million roster bonus this season and a $1.5 million increase to his 2018 salary, pushing it to $10.3 million.

ESPN first reported the raise for Thomas, who had never missed a play in his career — a streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps — before he was hurt on Oct. 22.

Thomas originally signed a seven-year, $80.5 million deal through the 2018 season.

Before having surgery, Thomas said he would wait until after the season before deciding if he would continue playing.

Dolphins start social justice fund

MIAMI

Responding to a season of national anthem protests, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has joined with his players to create a fund for social justice programs.

Among other initiatives, the team plans to establish a grant program to help organizations involved in community engagement, education and justice reform. The team also said Saturday it will sponsor a police athletic league that cultivates partnerships with schools, and host a conference to promote positive interaction between youth and law enforcement.

Several Dolphins players have been among those protesting racism and social injustice during the national anthem this season. Ross helped arrange an October visit to South Florida by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell with police, youngsters and several players to build better community relations.

Bayern Munich wins ‘Der Klassiker’

DORTMUND, GERMANY

Robert Lewandowski helped Bayern Munich win at Borussia Dortmund 3-1 to throw his former side into more turmoil on Saturday with its third defeat in four Bundesliga games without a win.

Bayern moved six points clear of Dortmund, which previously led the league after making its best-ever start, and stayed four points above Leipzig after extending Jupp Heynckes’ record to seven wins from seven games across all competitions.

Bayern had been five points behind Dortmund last month before Heynckes returned to take over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti for his fourth stint in charge.

Dortmund started aggressively in an attempt to disrupt Bayern, but there was little it could do to stop Arjen Robben scoring in the 17th.

Marc Bartra scored a consolation of sorts for Dortmund in the 88th minute.

Staff/wire report