New York Post, Friday, March 13, 2020nypost.comBritton OK after shot off wrist
By Ken Davidoff in Tampa
and George A. King III
in West Palm Beach, Fla.Zack Britton reported to camp a day after he
suffered a significant scare by taking an Erik
Kratz comebacker to his right wrist. Tests re-
vealed it was only a bruise, and
the Yankees left-handed re-
liever said he underwent treat-
ment on Thursday and would
have been on line to pitch in
Saturday’s game.
“In the game, I think you’re more on guard for
[a comebacker],” Britton said. “I normally put [a
protective] L-screen out there and I didn’t yes-
terday, so it was kind of karma. You’re just not
ready for it when you’re facing your own guys
and, I don’t want to say going through the mo-
tions, but to an extent. I definitely wasn’t ready
for it. But I got lucky.”
Even though the X-rays and CT scan didn’t
show a break or a fracture of Britton’s right
wrist, the Yankees scheduled those additional
tests.“I talked to him [Wednesday night] and
seemed obviously relieved,’’ manager Aaron
Boone said before the Yankees finished spring
training with a 6-3 win over the Nationals at
Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on Thursday.
“Obviously the X-rays and CT scan were nega-
tive so that is good, but we want to make sure
we explore and talk to everyone
that should be spoken to on the
matter.’’➤According to Boone, Car-
los Mendoza texted Gary
Sanchez and the catcher informed the bench
coach his condition had improved.
“I know he is feeling a lot better,’’ Boone said
of Sanchez, who tested positive for the flu on
Tuesday. “Hopefully, that is encouraging and
he is scheduled to see the doctor [Friday].”➤Right-hander David Hale didn’t hurt his
chances of being in the bullpen mix whenever
the regular season starts by throwing three
scoreless innings and allowing one hit and not
walking a batter.YANKEES
NOTES
the point of purchase.
Conlan was ready to fight in an empty
arena if necessary.
“I’m ready to rock,” he said earlier Thurs-
day. “It really doesn’t matter who is there
and who’s not there. I’m a fighter and I’m
ready to fight. I have to adapt to a new
scenery and focus on what will be a domi-
nant performance.”
Top Rank said it is consulting with its
venue partners and will make a determina-
tion on the status of future events.
“We thank everyone for their understand-
ing,” the Top Rank statement read, “and we
will with our broadcast/venue partners and
state and local officials decide when the
time is right to return.”
[email protected]By George WillisTwo upcoming boxing events scheduled
for the Hulu Theater at Madison Square
Garden have been postponed due the coro-
navirus pandemic. Top Rank, the promoter
of the two bouts, made the announcement
late Thursday.
Newark native Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7
KOs) was to defend his WBO featherweight
title against Miguel Marriaga (29-3, 25 KOs)
of Colombia on Saturday, while Michael
Conlan (13-0, 7 KOs) of Ireland was set to
face Belmar Preciado (20-2, 13 KOs) of Co-
lumbia in Conlan’s annual St. Patrick’s Day
appearance on Tuesday.
The postponement came after Top Rank
had announced during a press conference
earlier in the day that it would go through
with the bouts without spectators and me-
dia present.
“After close consultation with the New
York State Athletic Commission it has been
determined that Saturday’s and Tuesday’s
events cannot proceed in light of the ongo-
ing Coronavirus crisis,” said a statement
from Top Rank. “Top Rank will work with
the Commission to reschedule the events as
soon as it is safe for all involved.
“The health and safety of the fighters and
their team, and everyone involved in the
promotion of these events, necessitated
taking this step.”
Had the boxing matches continued, it
would have been one of the few sporting
events still operating in the midst of the
pandemic. The Stevenson fight was to be
televised live on ESPN, while Conlan’s bout
was scheduled to be shown on ESPN+.
Stevenson and Conlan were expected to
draw large crowds. Stevenson is a local
product, while Conlan was to be fighting at
the Garden Theater on St. Patrick’s Day for
the fourth time. Both are former Olympi-
ans. Full refunds for tickets purchased for
Saturday and Tuesday will be available atPair of Garden fights
in next week nixed
KNOCKOUT BLOW: Newark boxer Sha-
kur Stevenson had been scheduled to de-
fend his WBO featherweight title at the Gar-
den on Saturday, but his fight was canceled
late Thursday night. Getty ImagesAssociated PressLOS ANGELES — Del Shofner, the wide receiver who
combined with Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle to
give the Giants one of the NFL’s most prolific passing
threats in the early 1960s, has died. He was 85.
Shofner’s daughter, Laurie Shofner Corwin, confirmed
the death Thursday in a telephone call to the Associated
Press. A family statement said the five-time Pro Bowl
receiver died in Los Angeles on
Wednesday of natural causes with his
family by his side.
Shofner was the Rams’ first-round
draft pick, 11th overall, in the 1957
draft. After spending his rookie sea-
son on defense, he was switched to
wide receiver the following season
and led the league with 1,097 yards re-
ceiving.
Shofner was traded to the Giants
following the 1960 season. The fol-
lowing season, the lanky 6-foot-3
former Baylor star had 1,125 yards and
became the first player in NFL history to have two sea-
sons of 1,000 yards receiving. He would have 1,000 yards
receiving in three consecutive seasons (1961-63).
Shofner played 11 seasons in the NFL and retired fol-
lowing the 1967 season.
He was voted onto the NFL All-Decade Team for the
1960s by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He fin-
ished with 349 catches for 6,470 yards and 51 touch-
downs, averaging 18.5 yards a catch.
Shofner was the 1957 Sugar Bowl MVP as Baylor beat
No. 2 Tennessee. He was inducted into the Baylor Ath-
letics Hall of Fame where he was a multi-sport star ath-
lete, also competing in basketball, baseball and track. He
is a member of the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame.
The Center, Texas, native lived in San Marino, Calif.,
following his retirement from football. His wife, Carol,
died in 2015. He is survived by his three children, Laurie
Shofner Corwin, Stacey Gates and David Shofner and
five grandchildren.Pro dreams: The Giants had people at Oklahoma’s Pro
Day on Wednesday, at which receiver Lee Morris showed his
speed, but GM Dave Gettleman (inset) and his Jets
counterparts subsequently decided to bring their scouts back
off the road even as preparations for next month’s NFL draft
continue. AP; N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
Former Big Blue
WR Shofner dead
DEL
SHOFNER