Max Scherzer locks down largest ever deal for righty

WASHINGTON – Max Scherzer was introduced by the Washington Nationals as the newest member of their talented pitching staff after finalizing a $210 million, seven-year contract Wednesday.

The Nationals announced the agreement with the free agent and held a news conference at their ballpark. Scherzer put on his new No. 31 Nationals jersey.

Scherzer said the factors in his decision were not complicated.

“It’s pretty easy, and it’s one: winning,” he said. “When you look at the near-term and long-term, this is an organization you want to be a part of.”

Scherzer won the 2013 AL Cy Young Award with the Detroit Tigers, his club for the last five seasons.

In joining Washington, the 30-year-old Scherzer gets the largest total contract for a right-handed pitcher in big league history.

Odd couple: Rodriguez seeks out Bonds’ advice

NEW YORK – Alex Rodriguez is getting hitting tips from Barry Bonds, as the New York Yankees third baseman prepares to return from a season-long suspension.

Rodriguez spokesman Ron Berkowitz confirmed the workouts, which the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday took place at the Future Prospects batting cages in San Rafael, California.

NCAA

Board of Governors picks a Wildcat for chairman

INDIANAPOLIS – Kansas State President Kirk Schulz was named the new chairman of the NCAA’s board of governors.

He will hold that job through the governing body’s annual convention in January 2017. He replaces Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon, whose term ended last weekend.

The restructured board now is comprised of 20 presidents and chancellors from all three divisions and will oversee decisions that apply to all NCAA members.

Soccer

Players drop complaint, ending World Cup turf war

Players have withdrawn their complaint over artificial turf fields at this year’s Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The artificial turf became a contentious issue with some of the players, including U.S. forward Abby Wambach, who filed a complaint in Canada last fall that claimed the plan amounted to gender discrimination because the men’s World Cup is held on grass.

An attorney for the players said Thursday that the complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario had been withdrawn.

Attorney Hampton Dellinger says while the action did not result in grass fields for the World Cup, it succeeded in shining a light on gender inequality in sports.

MLS All-Star Game will return to Colorado in 2015

DENVER – Major League Soccer said the home of the Colorado Rapids will be the site for the 2015 All-Star Game.

The contest will be played July 29 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. It features the best MLS players against an international club that has yet to be announced, the league said Wednesday. The All-Star Game also was held in Colorado in 2007.

Commissioner Don Garber said Colorado has become “a destination for marquee soccer events” and that he’s thrilled to bring the game back to the region. This will be the 12th time an international club has played the MLS All-Stars, who have an 8-3-1 record in those matches.

Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni will lead the All-Star squad.

Associated Press