Paul Newberry, Author at Valley News

FILE - In this April 8, 1974, file photo Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run in Atlanta Stadium to break the all-time record set by the late Babe Ruth. Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. He was 86. The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway, Jr., File)

Hank Aaron, baseball’s one-time home run king, dies at 86

by Paul Newberry Associated PressJanuary 22, 2021

ATLANTA — Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth’s home run record and gracefully left his mark as one of baseball’s greatest all-around players, died Friday. He was 86.The Atlanta Braves, Aaron’s…

Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle, left, and catcher Yan Gomes leap in celebration after the team's 7-3 win in Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Nats-Cards: Surprise, surprise

by Paul Newberry AP Sports WriterOctober 10, 2019

Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried throws in the second inning of Game 5 of their National League Division Series baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Cards oust Braves from NLDS

by Paul Newberry AP Sports WriterOctober 9, 2019

The Temple field hockey team gathers at the conclusion of their practice at Howarth Field in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. The team's game at Kent State on Saturday against Maine was cancelled due to pregame football fireworks. The team's game at Kent State on Saturday against Maine was cancelled due to pregame football fireworks. After the shock wore off of halting a women's field hockey game in the middle of overtime just so they could shoot off fireworks for a football game that hadn't even started, the captain of the Maine team said it's par for the course when you're a female athlete. Indeed, for all the advances created by Title IX, there's still an awful lot of hearts and minds that still need changing.(Heather Khalifa/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Commentary: Kent State fiasco a sorry statement for women’s sports

by Paul Newberry AP Sports ColumnistSeptember 14, 2019

General view of Georgia Bulldogs fans attending a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)

Reality invades a meaningless game

by Paul Newberry AP Sports WriterSeptember 13, 2019

Montgomery Biscuits manager Morgan Ensberg wipes away tears during a news conference about pitcher Blake Bivens' wife and child who were killed in a triple homicide, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 in Montgomery, Ala. A Virginia man appears to have used a .30-30 rifle and a sledgehammer in a deadly rampage that claimed the lives of minor league baseball player Blake Biven's wife, 1-year-old son and mother-in-law, according to court documents released Thursday. (Kirsten Fiscus/Montgomery Advertiser via AP)

Commentary: The world put harshly into perspective

by Paul Newberry AP Sports ColumnistAugust 31, 2019

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2017, file photo, swimmer Michael Phelps testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, before the House Commerce Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on the international anti-doping system. Michael Phelps is watching the world championships from afar, enjoying his ever-growing family while tackling the challenges of life after swimming. But the winningest athlete in Olympic history is still passionate about the sport that meant so much to his life. And, yes, he still gets angry when the subject turns to the scourge of doping. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Phelps doubts doping protests will bring real change

by Paul Newberry The Associated PressJuly 26, 2019

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2019, file photo, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) and forward John Collins (20) leave the court after the team's 113-105 loss to the Boston Celtics in an NBA basketball game, in Atlanta. The instant camaraderie these two talented youngsters have make the Hawks one of the most intriguing storylines in the NBA losers bracket. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland, File)

Commentary: NBA losers’ bracket filled with intriguing teams

by Paul Newberry AP Sports ColumnistMarch 29, 2019

Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel, left, celebrates his goal against Herediano with Esequiel Barco during a CONCACAF Champions League soccer match Thursday, Feb. 28, 2018, in Kennesaw, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal Constitution via AP)

Commentary: For MLS, respect has to start at home first

by Paul Newberry AP Sports ColumnistMarch 3, 2019

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence celebrates after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Tigers Turn the Page, Set Sights on Next Season

by Paul Newberry AP National WriterJanuary 8, 2019