Sports Express | August 17, 2026 Tommy John, namesake of pioneering elbow surgery, dies at 83

1. Tommy John, namesake of pioneering elbow surgery, dies at 83

Tommy John, the four-time All-Star pitcher who won 288 career games and lent his name to the pioneering elbow surgery that transformed baseball, died Saturday at age 83.

John died at his home in Bradenton, Florida, the New York Yankees said in a statement Sunday. No cause of death was given, but he had been in hospice and was diagnosed with bladder cancer in recent years.

In 1974, at age 31, John underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery performed by Dr. Frank Jobe — the first "Tommy John surgery," which has since saved the careers of thousands of players. Nicknamed "The Bionic Man," John pitched 14 more seasons, finishing 288-231 with a 3.34 ERA and 2,245 strikeouts.

2. Arsenal cruise to 3-0 win over Manchester City in Community Shield

Arsenal powered to a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield, delivering a swaggering statement of intent ahead of their Premier League title defence. The match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff was new City boss Enzo Maresca's first game in charge.

Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring after just 24 seconds — the quickest goal in the Community Shield since 1968 — before Kai Havertz headed home a second in the 27th minute. Martin Odegaard capped the victory after the interval.

Bruno Guimaraes, signed from Newcastle for £75 million, slotted into midfield with ease, while £34 million recruit Christos Tzolis provided two assists. Arsenal start a campaign as champions for the first time since 2004-05.

3. Douglass breaks 50m freestyle world record twice, Ledecky loses 800m

At the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, American Kate Douglass broke the 50m freestyle world record twice on her way to gold, winning the final in a devastating 23.19 seconds — slicing three-tenths off the 23.49 mark she set hours earlier.

In the women's 800m freestyle, Australia's Lani Pallister beat US great Katie Ledecky in 8:06.10, handing her first defeat in the event at a major international meet. Ledecky finished second in 8:07.26.

For Canada, Alexanne LePage won gold in the 200m breaststroke, while Summer McIntosh took silver in the 200m individual medley, edged out by China's Yu Yiting by just 0.02 seconds.

4. Marcus Ericsson wins inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy in Markham

Sweden's Marcus Ericsson won the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy in Markham, claiming the fifth victory of his IndyCar career and his first since the 2023 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Ericsson passed Romain Grosjean with four laps to go around the street course and held on to the lead. Grosjean finished second for his first top-five of the year, with Will Power third and points leader Alex Palou fourth.

This is the first year Markham has hosted Canada's only IndyCar race after it moved from Toronto's Exhibition Place, where it had been held since 1986. The 3.52-kilometre, 12-turn street course produced six cautions, with 11 cars failing to finish.

5. Blue Jays place Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on concussion injured list

The Toronto Blue Jays placed star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the seven-day concussion injured list. The six-time All-Star was hurt in a collision with George Lombard Jr. of the Yankees at third base during Friday's series opener.

Guerrero, who had only recently returned from a hamstring injury, is now sidelined with concussion symptoms. The Blue Jays selected outfielder Daz Cameron from Triple-A Buffalo to fill the roster spot.

The move is a blow to Toronto's push for an American League wild-card spot. In Sunday's series finale, the Blue Jays fell to the Yankees in extra innings.

6. Von Miller signs with hometown Cowboys: "a dream within a dream"

Eight-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Von Miller agreed to a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, bringing the future Hall of Famer home to Texas for his 15th NFL season. The Super Bowl 50 MVP called the signing "a dream within a dream."

Miller, the NFL's active leader in sacks, is joining his third team in three seasons. As a Dallas native, returning to his home-state club carries special meaning for him.

The veteran pass rusher will give the Cowboys' front seven an immediate boost as the NFC East contenders chase a playoff run.

7. Barcelona reach €76.5m Rodri transfer agreement with Manchester City

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle worth €76.5 million (£65.3m; $87.8m) with Manchester City for the transfer of Rodri. City will receive an upfront fee of €60 million, with the add-ons viewed as largely achievable.

The 30-year-old, who won the 2024 Ballon d'Or and lifted the World Cup with Spain this summer, has entered the final 12 months of his City contract. A four-year contract has been proposed by the La Liga champions.

Rodri joined City from Atletico in 2019 and won four Premier League titles and the Champions League. At Barcelona he would link up with Spain teammates including Gavi, Pedri and Lamine Yamal.

8. Canada's flag football teams book their place at LA 2028 Olympics

At the IFAF World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, Canada's women's flag football team beat the United States 27-20 to win the world title, while the men's squad beat Mexico 34-26 in overtime in the bronze-medal game to clinch a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In the women's final, Frederique Morneau had three touchdown catches and quarterback Sara Parker, who threw 23 touchdown passes at the tournament, was named MVP. For the men, Michael O'Connor threw for 294 yards and five touchdowns.

Flag football will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles, and both Canadian teams qualifying together is a historic achievement for the sport in Canada.

9. Toronto FC snap 12-game winless streak with win over New England

Niklas Dorsch scored his first career MLS goal as Toronto FC beat the visiting New England Revolution 2-1 to snap a 12-game winless streak — their first win since April 4, more than four months.

Goalkeeper Luka Gavran made five saves to preserve the result. The long-awaited victory is a major lift for a Toronto FC side that has struggled all season.

The win should give the club a much-needed confidence boost as it looks to rebuild form over the remainder of the campaign.

10. Ronaldo hints this could be his final season

Cristiano Ronaldo has fuelled speculation about his retirement, telling Vogue magazine that the upcoming year will "probably" be the last of his playing career.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has scored 976 goals for club and country and holds the all-time men's international record of 146 goals. He continues to play for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr while closing in on 1,000 career goals.

Though Portugal again fell short of a World Cup title this year, Ronaldo said he wants to "leave a spectacular legacy."