thedenverpost--2020-07-13--Rockies’ Nolan Arenado believes there will be a MLB season as scheduled: “Every day, I’ve grown more

Rockies’ Nolan Arenado believes there will be a MLB season as scheduled: “Every day, I’ve grown more confident that it’s going to happen.”

Nolan Arenado is confident there will be a 60-game season as scheduled this year .
The all-star ’ s optimism is despite coronavirus spikes around the country as well as early hiccups in the MLB testing process as the league relies on one Utah laboratory to expedite thousands of tests daily .
Several teams had to cancel workouts this past week due to a lack of testing results , which others had to modify practices or hold players out for the same reason .
Colorado ’ s test results since summer camp officially started July 4 have come back within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several players .
“ Every day , I ’ ve grown more confident that ( a full season ) is going to happen , ” Arenado said .
“ As long as we can keep continue to get better with the testing , and get ( results ) within 24 hours or quicker , there ’ s no reason why we can ’ t be playing baseball this year.
” Arenado hit a couple homers in Saturday ’ s intersquad scrimmage — on Sunday , Colorado opted for simulations and live batting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he still has even more room to grow in his comfort level in the box heading into the July 24 season opener in Texas .
• WATCH : Rockies vs .
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No , it ’ s the Iowa farm where “ Field of Dreams ” was filmed — but it ’ s pretty close • Rockies Nolan Arenado : Pumped-in crowd noise might be “ cheesy ” but something is needed • Kickin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos Country .
Protests during national anthem are going to be a thing again this NFL season .
• Saunders : MLB season on the brink ?
Which Rockies players must rebound ?
Other key questions “ I ’ ve had some really good at-bats lately , which has been nice , but I still feel like there ’ s a better feeling there , ” Arenado said .
“ I don ’ t want to act like hitting homers isn ’ t a great feeling , because it is .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little behind on some fastballs , and when I try to be aggressive I ’ m a little jumpy still .
There ’ s still some things I need to fix , but right now I ’ m taking advantage of mistakes , which is what hitting is all about.
” The third baseman also discussed the impending return of outfielder Charlie Blackmon , who tested positive for coronavirus prior to the start of summer camp at Coors Field .
Blackmon is in Denver but has yet to re-join the club as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league .
Manager Bud Black said this weekend he is a bit concerned about Blackmon ’ s ability to be ready for the season opener .
“ Hopefully he ’ s not gone that much longer , ” Arenado said .
“ We know how much we need him and how important he is to our group .
It ’ s not like if Chuck ’ s out , you can plug in a guy who does what Chuck does , because Chuck is a special player.
” Ian Desmond speaks again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced his decision to opt out of the 2020 season , Desmond took to Instagram again on Sunday to discuss his desire to prove that “ a culture of inclusivity and acceptance is attainable through the game of baseball.
” Desmond said he felt “ empowered ” to speak out this year about racial and socioeconomic issues facing baseball at a variety of levels , adding that he felt “ embraced by the Colorado Rockies for being my whole self.
” In the lengthy post , Desmond told fans to “ stay tuned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That could potentially foreshadow tangible plans to revitalize youth baseball in Sarasota ( something Desmond mentioned is a priority of his ) , or perhaps specific actionables through The Players Alliance .
The 70-player group , which Desmond is a part of , is “ focused on building an inclusive culture and equitable systems in order to change the trajectory of diversity throughout baseball.
” Fifth spot in rotation .
With Peter Lambert still working his way back to full-strength from a forearm injury and thus out of contention for the fifth starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season begins , Black said the chase for the final position comes down the the obvious candidates , right-handers Chi Chi Gonzalez and Jeff Hoffman .
But Black also said that Ryan Castellani warrants mention in the discussion going forward as well .
Castellani , 24 , is a 6-foot-4 right-hander who has yet to make his MLB debut but is on the Rockies ’ 40-man roster .
In an injury-shortened season last year with Triple-A Albuquerque , he posted a 8.31 ERA in 10 starts .
He bounced back with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , posting a 2.16 ERA in five starts .

Nolan Arenado is confident there will be a 60-game season as scheduled this year.
The all-star’s optimism is despite coronavirus spikes around the country as well as early hiccups in the MLB testing process as the league relies on one Utah laboratory to expedite thousands of tests daily.
Several teams had to cancel workouts this past week due to a lack of testing results, which others had to modify practices or hold players out for the same reason. Colorado’s test results since summer camp officially started July 4 have come back within about 48 hours, according to Black and several players.
“Every day, I’ve grown more confident that (a full season) is going to happen,” Arenado said. “As long as we can keep continue to get better with the testing, and get (results) within 24 hours or quicker, there’s no reason why we can’t be playing baseball this year.”
Arenado hit a couple homers in Saturday’s intersquad scrimmage — on Sunday, Colorado opted for simulations and live batting practice instead of another intersquad — but he said he still has even more room to grow in his comfort level in the box heading into the July 24 season opener in Texas.
“I’ve had some really good at-bats lately, which has been nice, but I still feel like there’s a better feeling there,” Arenado said. “I don’t want to act like hitting homers isn’t a great feeling, because it is. But I know that I’m still a little behind on some fastballs, and when I try to be aggressive I’m a little jumpy still. There’s still some things I need to fix, but right now I’m taking advantage of mistakes, which is what hitting is all about.”
The third baseman also discussed the impending return of outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who tested positive for coronavirus prior to the start of summer camp at Coors Field.
Blackmon is in Denver but has yet to re-join the club as he awaits two negative tests and clearance from the league. Manager Bud Black said this weekend he is a bit concerned about Blackmon’s ability to be ready for the season opener.
“Hopefully he’s not gone that much longer,” Arenado said. “We know how much we need him and how important he is to our group. It’s not like if Chuck’s out, you can plug in a guy who does what Chuck does, because Chuck is a special player.”
Ian Desmond speaks again. Two weeks after the veteran outfielder announced his decision to opt out of the 2020 season, Desmond took to Instagram again on Sunday to discuss his desire to prove that “a culture of inclusivity and acceptance is attainable through the game of baseball.”
Desmond said he felt “empowered” to speak out this year about racial and socioeconomic issues facing baseball at a variety of levels, adding that he felt “embraced by the Colorado Rockies for being my whole self.”
In the lengthy post, Desmond told fans to “stay tuned” for what is coming next. That could potentially foreshadow tangible plans to revitalize youth baseball in Sarasota (something Desmond mentioned is a priority of his), or perhaps specific actionables through The Players Alliance. The 70-player group, which Desmond is a part of, is “focused on building an inclusive culture and equitable systems in order to change the trajectory of diversity throughout baseball.”
Fifth spot in rotation. With Peter Lambert still working his way back to full-strength from a forearm injury and thus out of contention for the fifth starting spot in Colorado’s rotation when the season begins, Black said the chase for the final position comes down the the obvious candidates, right-handers Chi Chi Gonzalez and Jeff Hoffman.
But Black also said that Ryan Castellani warrants mention in the discussion going forward as well.
Castellani, 24, is a 6-foot-4 right-hander who has yet to make his MLB debut but is on the Rockies’ 40-man roster. In an injury-shortened season last year with Triple-A Albuquerque, he posted a 8.31 ERA in 10 starts. He bounced back with a healthy and strong Arizona Fall League performance, posting a 2.16 ERA in five starts.


thedenverpost--2020-07-12--NASCAR Cup rookie Cole Custer wins in upset at Kentucky

SPARTA , Ky. — Cole Custer became the first rookie winner in the NASCAR Cup Series in nearly four years , surging to the lead in a four-wide , final-lap scramble Sunday at Kentucky Speedway .
Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. were dueling side by side for the lead on the lap 265 final restart when Custer — with a push from Matt DiBenedetto on the outside in the backstretch — made his move in the No .
41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford .
As the leaders bunched in Turn 1 , Custer slid ahead and outlasted Truex ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to get to the top , ” said Custer , who led twice for five laps — the first of his young career .
“ The top rolled pretty good and once I got past and I was like in third I was like , ‘ I ’ ve just got to take a shot and do whatever I can here.
’ “ And it ended up the 4 ( Harvick ) and the 19 ( Truex ) got together a little bit and I was able to take advantage of it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ win last July in the Xfinity Series , he and other drivers entered Sunday without a chance to practice or qualify .
Matt Kenseth ’ s Turn 4 spin forced the final caution and created the opportunity for Custer ’ s victory .
He finished 25th after starting from the back with Truex as both failed two prerace inspections .
The victory was the first by a series rookie since Chris Buescher at Pocono on Aug. 1 , 2016 .
Making his 20th series start , the 22-year-old Custer celebrated with a frontstretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greet him .
• Racing returns to Colorado National Speedway , where “ what ’ s normal is not normal ” DiBenedetto was third , and Harvick fourth — both in Fords .
Kurt Busch , the winner last year , was fifth .
Aric Almirola made his case at the start , pushing pole-sitter Kyle Busch forward from the outside and chasing in the early laps before taking over nine laps later and threatening to run away from it .
Almirola led 128 of the first 137 laps — nearly 40 more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan Blaney and DiBenedetto took their turns in front before Keselowski inherited it on pit road during green-flag pit cycles .
That didn ’ t last long as Truex quickly stalked him on the last-stage restart and took over on 181 in hopes of his third Kentucky win in four years .
Truex settled for watching Custer take the win .
“ The 41 ( Custer ) just came with a big head of steam and there was no way I was going to be able to block that , ” Truex said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right place at the right time , I guess .
”

SPARTA, Ky. — Cole Custer became the first rookie winner in the NASCAR Cup Series in nearly four years, surging to the lead in a four-wide, final-lap scramble Sunday at Kentucky Speedway.
Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. were dueling side by side for the lead on the lap 265 final restart when Custer — with a push from Matt DiBenedetto on the outside in the backstretch — made his move in the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. As the leaders bunched in Turn 1, Custer slid ahead and outlasted Truex’s Toyota.
“I knew I just had to get to the top,” said Custer, who led twice for five laps — the first of his young career. “The top rolled pretty good and once I got past and I was like in third I was like, ‘I’ve just got to take a shot and do whatever I can here.’
“And it ended up the 4 (Harvick) and the 19 (Truex) got together a little bit and I was able to take advantage of it.”
Though Custer raced to a Kentucky win last July in the Xfinity Series, he and other drivers entered Sunday without a chance to practice or qualify.
Matt Kenseth’s Turn 4 spin forced the final caution and created the opportunity for Custer’s victory. He finished 25th after starting from the back with Truex as both failed two prerace inspections.
The victory was the first by a series rookie since Chris Buescher at Pocono on Aug. 1, 2016. Making his 20th series start, the 22-year-old Custer celebrated with a frontstretch burnout as his crew happily ran to greet him.
DiBenedetto was third, and Harvick fourth — both in Fords. Kurt Busch, the winner last year, was fifth.
Aric Almirola made his case at the start, pushing pole-sitter Kyle Busch forward from the outside and chasing in the early laps before taking over nine laps later and threatening to run away from it. Almirola led 128 of the first 137 laps — nearly 40 more than he has led all season.
Ryan Blaney and DiBenedetto took their turns in front before Keselowski inherited it on pit road during green-flag pit cycles. That didn’t last long as Truex quickly stalked him on the last-stage restart and took over on 181 in hopes of his third Kentucky win in four years. Truex settled for watching Custer take the win.
“The 41 (Custer) just came with a big head of steam and there was no way I was going to be able to block that,” Truex said. “He was just in the right place at the right time, I guess.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-12--Wildfire breaks out near Telluride

Wildfire breaks out near Telluride

A wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon northwest of Telluride ; homes built in the forest were evacuated , and firefighters @ @ @ @ @ to suppress flames that had spread across about 60 acres .
Regional coordinators dispatched air @ @ @ @ @ ground crews responded to the fire near Placerville , about 15 miles from Telluride , @ @ @ @ @ .
Tankers swooped over flames , dropping sheets of red slurry .
The fire was @ @ @ @ @ in the Green Meadows area off Colorado 62 .
It ’ s unclear how it @ @ @ @ @ authorities .
Federal Bureau of Land Management crews joined crews from Telluride , Norwood and @ @

A wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon northwest of Telluride; homes built in the forest were evacuated, and firefighters with air support were racing to suppress flames that had spread across about 60 acres.
Regional coordinators dispatched air tankers and fixed-wing aircraft as ground crews responded to the fire near Placerville, about 15 miles from Telluride, in parched San Miguel County. Tankers swooped over flames, dropping sheets of red slurry.
The fire was consuming trees north of Placerville in the Green Meadows area off Colorado 62. It’s unclear how it started, according to county authorities.
Federal Bureau of Land Management crews joined crews from Telluride, Norwood and Montrose.


thedenverpost--2020-07-12--Trump, Biden try to outdo each other on tough talk on China

WASHINGTON — China has fast become a top election issue as President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden engage in a verbal brawl over who ’ s better at playing the tough guy against Beijing .
The Trump campaign put out ads showing Biden toasting China ’ s Xi Jinping , even though Trump did just that with Xi in Asia and hosted the Chinese leader at his Florida club .
Spots from the Biden campaign feature Trump playing down the coronavirus and praising Xi for being transparent about the pandemic , even though it ’ s clear China hid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think it ’ s going to be absolutely critical , but I don ’ t know who is going to have the advantage , ” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz .
He has been reviewing the ads and thinks China is one of the three leading issues along with the economy and the handling of the coronavirus .
China is not just a foreign policy issue in the November election .
It ’ s an issue that runs deeply through the troubles with the virus , which tanked the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves whether Trump or Biden can best defend the U.S. against China ’ s unfair trade practices , theft of intellectual property rights , rising aggression across the globe and human rights abuses .
“ Which person looks more subservient to the Chinese leaders is the person who ’ s in more jeopardy , ” Luntz said .
As the coronavirus spread throughout the U.S. , a Pew Research Center poll in March found Americans with increasingly negative views of China , with 66 % saying they had an unfavorable opinion .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question was first asked in 2005 .
The same poll found 62 % of Americans calling China ’ s power and influence a major threat to the U.S. , compared with 48 % two years ago .
A NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll in late May and early June found registered voters about evenly divided over which of the candidates would be better at dealing with China , with 43 % saying Trump compared with 40 % for Biden .
In the poll , 5 % viewed Trump and Biden equally , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump ’ s advisers see China as an opportunity to portray Biden as deferential to Beijing when he was President Barack Obama ’ s vice president and point person on Asia , according to three campaign officials and Republicans close to the White House .
The campaign made a push in May to link Biden with China , complete with an advertising blitz , but the effort did little to raise Trump ’ s poll numbers .
The Trump campaign credits the president with signing the first phase of a trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock markets and seemingly ended a bruising trade war .
Republicans want to tether Biden to past multinational agreements and trade deals blamed for an exodus of manufacturing jobs across the Midwest .
It ’ s an argument they believe worked against Hillary Clinton when they tried to wrest Midwest states from the Democrats in 2016 .
The White House lists more than two dozen actions the administration has taken since April to protect U.S. jobs , businesses and U.S. supply chains from damage caused by the Chinese Communist Party ’ s policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to impose sanctions on Chinese officials for their roles in repressing religious and ethnic minorities .
More than a few administration officials have recently delivered speeches calling out China ’ s policies .
Peter Navarro , one of Trump ’ s senior economic advisers , kept up the drumbeat on Fox News Channel ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures , ” saying “ the Chinese Communist Party basically hit us with that deadly virus , that weaponized virus ” and disrupted the U.S. economy .
He suggested Beijing was using social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intellectual property as part of a plan to hurt Trump for his strong stands against China .
The Trump campaign believes that could strike a chord with the increasing number of Americans who have an unfavorable view of the Asian power .
There also is rising concern about U.S. dependence on China for supplies — something that drew attention during the scramble for protective gear for U.S. health workers .
One more line of off-and-on attack by Trump , despite no proof of impropriety , involves the business ties that Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
The Biden campaign is working to portray Trump as someone who talks tough but has failed to hold China accountable for its response to the virus and has signed only the first phase of a trade deal .
The campaign says that while that deal was being negotiated , Trump was saying that COVID-19 would “ miraculously ” be gone in April and now it ’ s July and cases are surging and the death toll rising .
“ Trump said he ’ d get tough on China , ” one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He didn ’ t get tough .
He got played.
” The Biden camp highlights other Trump vulnerabilities on China that surfaced in former national security adviser John Bolton ‘ s new book , which claims Trump urged Xi to increase Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat to help him Trump farm states in November .
Bolton also wrote that Trump told Xi that building detention camps for hundreds of thousands of Muslim and other ethnic and religious minorities in western China was “ exactly the right thing to do.
” Trump claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than any other president .
The Biden campaign says Trump has weakened relations with allies and pulled the U.S. out of international organizations , giving China more room to exert its own influence .
Biden campaign officials say that if Biden is elected , he will restore relationships with U.S. allies and rally the international community to form a united front against China .
“ What ’ s striking to me is the extent to which the Trump campaign seems to have thought that China would be a winning issue for them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy adviser for Biden .
“ He was hiding from the warning signs coming in on the pandemic to get his trade deal done with Xi Jinping and then spent all of January and February and into March praising Xi — praising China ’ s handling of the coronavirus — and talking up his very flimsy phase one trade deal , ” Prescott said .
Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — China has fast become a top election issue as President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden engage in a verbal brawl over who’s better at playing the tough guy against Beijing.
The Trump campaign put out ads showing Biden toasting China’s Xi Jinping, even though Trump did just that with Xi in Asia and hosted the Chinese leader at his Florida club. Spots from the Biden campaign feature Trump playing down the coronavirus and praising Xi for being transparent about the pandemic, even though it’s clear China hid details of the outbreak from the world.
“I think it’s going to be absolutely critical, but I don’t know who is going to have the advantage,” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz. He has been reviewing the ads and thinks China is one of the three leading issues along with the economy and the handling of the coronavirus.
China is not just a foreign policy issue in the November election. It’s an issue that runs deeply through the troubles with the virus, which tanked the U.S. economy. Voters also will be asking themselves whether Trump or Biden can best defend the U.S. against China’s unfair trade practices, theft of intellectual property rights, rising aggression across the globe and human rights abuses.
“Which person looks more subservient to the Chinese leaders is the person who’s in more jeopardy,” Luntz said.
As the coronavirus spread throughout the U.S., a Pew Research Center poll in March found Americans with increasingly negative views of China, with 66% saying they had an unfavorable opinion. That was the most negative rating since the question was first asked in 2005. The same poll found 62% of Americans calling China’s power and influence a major threat to the U.S., compared with 48% two years ago.
A NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll in late May and early June found registered voters about evenly divided over which of the candidates would be better at dealing with China, with 43% saying Trump compared with 40% for Biden. In the poll, 5% viewed Trump and Biden equally, while 10% said neither would be good.
Trump’s advisers see China as an opportunity to portray Biden as deferential to Beijing when he was President Barack Obama’s vice president and point person on Asia, according to three campaign officials and Republicans close to the White House. The campaign made a push in May to link Biden with China, complete with an advertising blitz, but the effort did little to raise Trump’s poll numbers.
The Trump campaign credits the president with signing the first phase of a trade deal with China in January, which boosted stock markets and seemingly ended a bruising trade war. Republicans want to tether Biden to past multinational agreements and trade deals blamed for an exodus of manufacturing jobs across the Midwest. It’s an argument they believe worked against Hillary Clinton when they tried to wrest Midwest states from the Democrats in 2016.
The White House lists more than two dozen actions the administration has taken since April to protect U.S. jobs, businesses and U.S. supply chains from damage caused by the Chinese Communist Party’s policies. That includes last week’s move to impose sanctions on Chinese officials for their roles in repressing religious and ethnic minorities. More than a few administration officials have recently delivered speeches calling out China’s policies.
Peter Navarro, one of Trump’s senior economic advisers, kept up the drumbeat on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” saying “the Chinese Communist Party basically hit us with that deadly virus, that weaponized virus” and disrupted the U.S. economy. He suggested Beijing was using social media apps such as TikTok to steal American intellectual property as part of a plan to hurt Trump for his strong stands against China.
“Trump, buy American. Joe Biden, buy China,” Navarro said.
The Trump campaign believes that could strike a chord with the increasing number of Americans who have an unfavorable view of the Asian power. There also is rising concern about U.S. dependence on China for supplies — something that drew attention during the scramble for protective gear for U.S. health workers.
One more line of off-and-on attack by Trump, despite no proof of impropriety, involves the business ties that Biden’s son, Hunter, has had with China.
The Biden campaign is working to portray Trump as someone who talks tough but has failed to hold China accountable for its response to the virus and has signed only the first phase of a trade deal. The campaign says that while that deal was being negotiated, Trump was saying that COVID-19 would “miraculously” be gone in April and now it’s July and cases are surging and the death toll rising.
“Trump said he’d get tough on China,” one of Biden campaign ads says. “He didn’t get tough. He got played.”
The Biden camp highlights other Trump vulnerabilities on China that surfaced in former national security adviser John Bolton ‘s new book, which claims Trump urged Xi to increase Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat to help him Trump farm states in November. Bolton also wrote that Trump told Xi that building detention camps for hundreds of thousands of Muslim and other ethnic and religious minorities in western China was “exactly the right thing to do.”
Trump claims he’s been tougher on China than any other president. The Biden campaign says Trump has weakened relations with allies and pulled the U.S. out of international organizations, giving China more room to exert its own influence. Biden campaign officials say that if Biden is elected, he will restore relationships with U.S. allies and rally the international community to form a united front against China.
“What’s striking to me is the extent to which the Trump campaign seems to have thought that China would be a winning issue for them,” said Jeff Prescott, a foreign policy adviser for Biden.
“He was hiding from the warning signs coming in on the pandemic to get his trade deal done with Xi Jinping and then spent all of January and February and into March praising Xi — praising China’s handling of the coronavirus — and talking up his very flimsy phase one trade deal,” Prescott said.
Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-07-12--21 injured in fire aboard ship at Naval Base San Diego

SAN DIEGO — Twenty-one people suffered minor injuries in an explosion and fire Sunday on board a ship at Naval Base San Diego , military officials said .
The blaze was reported shortly before 9 a.m. on USS Bonhomme Richard , said Mike Raney , a spokesman for Naval Surface Force , US Pacific Fleet .
Seventeen sailors and four civilians were hospitalized with “ non-life threatening injuries , ” Raney said in a brief statement .
He didn ’ t provide additional details .
Previously officials said at least one person was treated for smoke inhalation .
The cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t immediately known where on the 840-foot ( 255-meter ) amphibious assault vessel the blast and the fire occurred .
The flames sent up a huge plume of dark smoke visible around San Diego .
San Diego is the Bonhomme Richard ’ s home port and it was undergoing routine maintenance at the time of the fire .
About 160 sailors and officers were on board , Raney said — far fewer than the thousand typically on the ship when it ’ s on active duty .
The ship has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , smaller boats and amphibious vehicles .
Two other docked ships , USS Fitzgerald and USS Russell , were moved to berths away from the fire , Raney said .

SAN DIEGO — Twenty-one people suffered minor injuries in an explosion and fire Sunday on board a ship at Naval Base San Diego, military officials said.
The blaze was reported shortly before 9 a.m. on USS Bonhomme Richard, said Mike Raney, a spokesman for Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet.
Seventeen sailors and four civilians were hospitalized with “non-life threatening injuries,” Raney said in a brief statement. He didn’t provide additional details.
Previously officials said at least one person was treated for smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire was under investigation. It wasn’t immediately known where on the 840-foot (255-meter) amphibious assault vessel the blast and the fire occurred.
The flames sent up a huge plume of dark smoke visible around San Diego.
San Diego is the Bonhomme Richard’s home port and it was undergoing routine maintenance at the time of the fire.
About 160 sailors and officers were on board, Raney said — far fewer than the thousand typically on the ship when it’s on active duty.
The ship has the capacity to deploy and land helicopters, smaller boats and amphibious vehicles.
Two other docked ships, USS Fitzgerald and USS Russell, were moved to berths away from the fire, Raney said.


thedenverpost--2020-07-12--F1 star Lewis Hamilton raises right fist in fight against racism

SPIELBERG , Austria — Standing on the podium to celebrate his latest win , Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton raised a clenched right fist and then delivered a message to his fellow drivers not to slow down in the fight against racism .
It ’ s 52 years since American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos introduced that powerfully defiant gesture to a worldwide TV audience when standing on the podium during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City .
On Sunday Hamilton and the other 19 F1 drivers wore black T-shirts with “ End Racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done at last weekend ’ s season-opening Austrian GP .
Most again took the knee on the grid before Sunday ’ s Styrian Grand Prix in Austria .
Others still did not and even questioned in the pre-race drivers ’ briefing whether it should still be done .
“ Some people were asking ‘ How long do we have to continue to do this ?
’ Some felt like one was enough last week , and I just had to ( tell ) them that racism is going to be here for probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamilton said after winning his 85th F1 race .
“ People of color who are subject to racism don ’ t have time to ( just ) ‘ take a moment ’ to protest and that be it .
We ’ ve got to continue to push for equality and raise awareness for it.
” Smith and Carlos were representing a country being torn apart , after the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy made ’ 68 one of the most turbulent years in American history .
Wearing black gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidarity while the Star-Spangled Banner played .
When Serena Williams won her seventh Wimbledon title in 2016 , she proudly raised her fist in a Black Power salute at the All-England Club in 2016 .
That same year , former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started taking a knee to raise awareness for black athlete activism .
Williams and Hamilton have both referenced the Black Lives Matter movement , which Hamilton wore on the front of his T-shirt on Sunday .
Hamilton has spoken out against racism since the death in May of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man — after a police officer pressed his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes in May .
Hamilton attended a Black Lives Matter march in London and is setting up a commission to increase diversity in motorsport .
His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas kneeled after winning last Sunday ’ s Austrian GP and the team has thrown its support behind Hamilton by racing in all-black cars for this season .
• F1 drivers discuss whether to take a knee at season opener “ As a team we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we ’ re going to be fighting and pushing for it all year , ” the 35-year-old Hamilton said .
“ Personally it ’ s going to be a lifelong thing for me.
” Hamilton called out teams last week for not doing enough to combat racism .
Although he also praised F1 chairman Chase Carey and governing body FIA for donating money to help promote more equality and diversity in F1 , Hamilton clearly feels there is still a long way to go .
“ Of course there are signs but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great to see Chase being so kind as to donate a million dollars and the FIA to step up and also give a million dollars , ” Hamilton said .
“ But if you don ’ t know the problem then you can ’ t fix it , and a million dollars doesn ’ t really go that far .
A lot of work needs to go on with Formula One .
The FIA really do need to be a part of it , and I think the drivers need to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great voice and great platforms .
”

SPIELBERG, Austria — Standing on the podium to celebrate his latest win, Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton raised a clenched right fist and then delivered a message to his fellow drivers not to slow down in the fight against racism.
It’s 52 years since American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos introduced that powerfully defiant gesture to a worldwide TV audience when standing on the podium during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
On Sunday Hamilton and the other 19 F1 drivers wore black T-shirts with “End Racism” on them, as they had done at last weekend’s season-opening Austrian GP.
Most again took the knee on the grid before Sunday’s Styrian Grand Prix in Austria.
Others still did not and even questioned in the pre-race drivers’ briefing whether it should still be done.
“Some people were asking ‘How long do we have to continue to do this?’ Some felt like one was enough last week, and I just had to (tell) them that racism is going to be here for probably longer than our time here,” Hamilton said after winning his 85th F1 race. “People of color who are subject to racism don’t have time to (just) ‘take a moment’ to protest and that be it. We’ve got to continue to push for equality and raise awareness for it.”
Smith and Carlos were representing a country being torn apart, after the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy made ’68 one of the most turbulent years in American history. Wearing black gloves, the sprinters raised their fists in solidarity while the Star-Spangled Banner played.
When Serena Williams won her seventh Wimbledon title in 2016, she proudly raised her fist in a Black Power salute at the All-England Club in 2016. That same year, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started taking a knee to raise awareness for black athlete activism. Williams and Hamilton have both referenced the Black Lives Matter movement, which Hamilton wore on the front of his T-shirt on Sunday.
Hamilton has spoken out against racism since the death in May of George Floyd — a handcuffed and unarmed Black man — after a police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes in May. Hamilton attended a Black Lives Matter march in London and is setting up a commission to increase diversity in motorsport.
His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas kneeled after winning last Sunday’s Austrian GP and the team has thrown its support behind Hamilton by racing in all-black cars for this season.
“As a team we’re keeping the black all year long, so we’re going to be fighting and pushing for it all year,” the 35-year-old Hamilton said. “Personally it’s going to be a lifelong thing for me.”
Hamilton called out teams last week for not doing enough to combat racism.
Although he also praised F1 chairman Chase Carey and governing body FIA for donating money to help promote more equality and diversity in F1, Hamilton clearly feels there is still a long way to go.
“Of course there are signs but action is needed. It’s great to see Chase being so kind as to donate a million dollars and the FIA to step up and also give a million dollars,” Hamilton said. “But if you don’t know the problem then you can’t fix it, and a million dollars doesn’t really go that far. A lot of work needs to go on with Formula One. The FIA really do need to be a part of it, and I think the drivers need to be a part of it also as we have a great voice and great platforms.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-12--Collin Morikawa clutch in finish and playoff to win Workday Open

DUBLIN , Ohio — Collin Morikawa figured his tournament was over if he didn ’ t make a 5-foot par putt on the 15th hole at Muirfield Village .
He couldn ’ t have imagined all the fun was just starting .
Still three shots behind Justin Thomas with three holes to play , Morikawa made only one birdie and it was enough for a 6-under 66 to force a playoff .
The three times he played the 18th hole , he twice could only watch as Thomas had 10-foot putts for the win .
The other time , Morikawa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep playing .
The only dull moment Sunday at the Workday Charity Open was the end , when Morikawa took two putts for par from just inside 10 feet to beat Thomas on the third playoff hole and win for the second time in his career .
“ Amazing , ” Morikawa said when asked how he would sum up the day to someone who only saw the result .
Morikawa never looked like the winner until it was over .
Thomas had 10 straight one-putt greens , the last one a 25-foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three-shot lead with three holes to play .
And while he made two bogeys for a 69 that allowed for a playoff , he had reason to think it was over when he made a 50-foot birdie putt from the back of the 18th green .
“ I never assumed it was over , ” Thomas said .
“ Percentages would say that it heavily is close to being that way .
… I just tried to keep my head down and think he ’ s going to make it , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but he did.
” • Tiger Woods to return next week at Muirfield Village • Ryder Cup postponed until 2021 at Whistling Straits due to coronavirus • Nick Watney bored in isolation , nervous about how he got virus • PGA Tour carries on after first positive coronavirus test Thomas missed a 10-footer for par in regulation , and a putt close to that same line for birdie on the second extra hole .
He was done in by a tee shot on No .
10 that wound up in the rough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitch out 102 yards short of the green .
He missed his 15-foot par putt , leading to Morikawa ’ s two-putt par and the win .
It was a wild ride for Thomas , too .
He started with a two-shot lead , trailed by three after just five holes , made four straight birdies and was ahead by three shots 10 holes later , and ultimately lost in a playoff .
“ It ’ s completely unacceptable to give up a three-shot lead with three to go , ” Thomas said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m disappointed in myself .
But at the end of the day it ’ s over with now , and I just need to take some time this afternoon and tonight to build on it and figure out what I can do better going into next week.
” They return in four days for the Memorial on a Muirfield Village course expected to be as fast as a U.S. Open .
This was a big win for the 23-year-old Morikawa , who in his 13 months since graduating from Cal already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of consistency .
His only victory was at an opposite-field event last summer .
He beat a field at the Workday Charity Open that featured five of the top 10 in the world .
“ This is a huge kind of stepping stone , ” said Morikawa , who goes to No .
13 in the world , one spot ahead of Tiger Woods .
“ We got No .
1 out of the way .
We got No .
2 .
Let the gates just open and let ’ s keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the PGA Tour returned June 11 from the COVID-19 pandemic .
Morikawa lost on the first extra hole at Colonial by missing a 3-foot putt .
He had a 2-foot putt in regulation on Sunday that caught the left edge of the cup and swirled in .
“ My heartbeat must have skipped a billion times , ” he said .
The only thing missing was a handshake from Jack Nicklaus .
He ’ ll be there next week for the Memorial , as the PGA Tour stays at Muirfield Village .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and finished alone in third .
He was in the final group of three young stars , all of whom had the lead at some point during the final round .
Hovland ’ s hopes ended with two shots — finding a bunker from the 10th fairway for bogey , and a driver on the reachable 14 that only missed by about 5 feet , enough to slowly tumble down the bank and into the water .
Morikawa also hit driver on the 14th that rolled 12 feet away .
He narrowly missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a splendid wedge with side spin to 3 feet for birdie to stay one ahead .
That ’ s when it appeared the tournament turned in Thomas ’ favor .
Morikawa was in thick rough right of the fairway on the par-5 15th , unsure he could get over the slope to the next section of fairway .
It came out heavy , just through the fairway into light rough 190 yards away .
By then , Thomas hit 3-wood to 25 feet .
Morikawa went through a bunker to the steep slope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to chop that chip high in the air to 5 feet .
Thomas made his eagle putt .
Morikawa made his par to stay alive .
“ A three-shot cushion with three to go is a lot different than four with three to go , ” Morikawa said .
“ And then him hitting somewhat of a poor tee shot on 16 , I knew this was my window of opportunity.
” Thomas missed a 10-foot par putt .
Morikawa caught a good bounce with an ordinary 8-iron to the 17th and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairway bunker off the tee at the 18th , played short of the green and couldn ’ t make his par .
The starting times were moved up to avoid a forecast of thunderstorms , so the final round was broadcast on a delay , available live only on streaming .
With no fans on the course , it was the wildest finish that hardly anyone saw .

DUBLIN, Ohio — Collin Morikawa figured his tournament was over if he didn’t make a 5-foot par putt on the 15th hole at Muirfield Village.
He couldn’t have imagined all the fun was just starting.
Still three shots behind Justin Thomas with three holes to play, Morikawa made only one birdie and it was enough for a 6-under 66 to force a playoff.
The three times he played the 18th hole, he twice could only watch as Thomas had 10-foot putts for the win.
The other time, Morikawa had to make a 25-foot putt to keep playing.
The only dull moment Sunday at the Workday Charity Open was the end, when Morikawa took two putts for par from just inside 10 feet to beat Thomas on the third playoff hole and win for the second time in his career.
“Amazing,” Morikawa said when asked how he would sum up the day to someone who only saw the result.
That covered a lot of territory.
Morikawa never looked like the winner until it was over.
Thomas had 10 straight one-putt greens, the last one a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 15th for the three-shot lead with three holes to play. And while he made two bogeys for a 69 that allowed for a playoff, he had reason to think it was over when he made a 50-foot birdie putt from the back of the 18th green.
“I never assumed it was over,” Thomas said. “Percentages would say that it heavily is close to being that way. … I just tried to keep my head down and think he’s going to make it, but hoping he’s not, selfishly, but he did.”
Thomas missed a 10-footer for par in regulation, and a putt close to that same line for birdie on the second extra hole. He was done in by a tee shot on No. 10 that wound up in the rough behind a tree, forcing him to pitch out 102 yards short of the green. He missed his 15-foot par putt, leading to Morikawa’s two-putt par and the win.
It was a wild ride for Thomas, too. He started with a two-shot lead, trailed by three after just five holes, made four straight birdies and was ahead by three shots 10 holes later, and ultimately lost in a playoff.
“It’s completely unacceptable to give up a three-shot lead with three to go,” Thomas said. “I’m upset, I’m disappointed in myself. But at the end of the day it’s over with now, and I just need to take some time this afternoon and tonight to build on it and figure out what I can do better going into next week.”
They return in four days for the Memorial on a Muirfield Village course expected to be as fast as a U.S. Open.
This was a big win for the 23-year-old Morikawa, who in his 13 months since graduating from Cal already has established a reputation for a high level of consistency. His only victory was at an opposite-field event last summer. He beat a field at the Workday Charity Open that featured five of the top 10 in the world.
“This is a huge kind of stepping stone,” said Morikawa, who goes to No. 13 in the world, one spot ahead of Tiger Woods. “We got No. 1 out of the way. We got No. 2. Let the gates just open and let’s keep going.”
It was his second playoff since the PGA Tour returned June 11 from the COVID-19 pandemic. Morikawa lost on the first extra hole at Colonial by missing a 3-foot putt. He had a 2-foot putt in regulation on Sunday that caught the left edge of the cup and swirled in. “My heartbeat must have skipped a billion times,” he said.
The only thing missing was a handshake from Jack Nicklaus. He’ll be there next week for the Memorial, as the PGA Tour stays at Muirfield Village.
Viktor Hovland of Norway had a 71 and finished alone in third. He was in the final group of three young stars, all of whom had the lead at some point during the final round.
Hovland’s hopes ended with two shots — finding a bunker from the 10th fairway for bogey, and a driver on the reachable 14 that only missed by about 5 feet, enough to slowly tumble down the bank and into the water.
Morikawa also hit driver on the 14th that rolled 12 feet away. He narrowly missed the eagle putt, while Thomas hit a splendid wedge with side spin to 3 feet for birdie to stay one ahead. That’s when it appeared the tournament turned in Thomas’ favor.
Morikawa was in thick rough right of the fairway on the par-5 15th, unsure he could get over the slope to the next section of fairway. It came out heavy, just through the fairway into light rough 190 yards away. By then, Thomas hit 3-wood to 25 feet. Morikawa went through a bunker to the steep slope by the green, and did well to chop that chip high in the air to 5 feet. Thomas made his eagle putt. Morikawa made his par to stay alive.
“A three-shot cushion with three to go is a lot different than four with three to go,” Morikawa said. “And then him hitting somewhat of a poor tee shot on 16, I knew this was my window of opportunity.”
Thomas missed a 10-foot par putt. Morikawa caught a good bounce with an ordinary 8-iron to the 17th and made a 10-foot birdie. Thomas found the fairway bunker off the tee at the 18th, played short of the green and couldn’t make his par.
The starting times were moved up to avoid a forecast of thunderstorms, so the final round was broadcast on a delay, available live only on streaming.
With no fans on the course, it was the wildest finish that hardly anyone saw.


thedenverpost--2020-07-12--Polis extends COVID-19 relief orders, granting Colorado residents some flexibility in paying rent

Gov .
Jared Polis extended COVID-19 pandemic relief orders for another month Sunday to ease pressure on residents struggling to pay rent and utilities bills and receive unemployment insurance payments .
Polis also granted county commissioners greater authority to impose restrictions on open fires .
The executive order on unemployment insurance claims for Colorado residents was aimed at speeding up claim processing for another month .
Public utility customers are to be allowed flexibility in making payments amid economic disruption due to the spread of COVID-19 in the state .
And Polis extended and amended his order that state agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt during the pandemic .
This eviction order requires Colorado landlords to give tenants a notice 30 days before eviction , instead of the usual 10 days — before they go to judges to ask for removal of tenants .
Landlords must provide this 30-day notice of “ any default for non-payment ” before they initiate evictions .
It is intended to delay new eviction filings for a month .
The order does not ban evictions .
State local affairs officials are tasked with working with landlords to reach rent repayment agreements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unable to pay rent because of virus-related financial hardship .
Eviction defense advocates have estimated that up to 400,000 people in Colorado are at risk of eviction .
Polis in his latest flurry of orders Sunday added that he strongly encourages local governments to suspend or eliminate restrictons on the number of unrelated persons who can live in a single household or prohibit group or boarding houses to suspend or eliminate those restrictions .
The idea is “ to enable homeowners to rent or give a room or rooms to those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said limits on the number of days hotel rooms may be occupied should be suspended or eliminated .

Gov. Jared Polis extended COVID-19 pandemic relief orders for another month Sunday to ease pressure on residents struggling to pay rent and utilities bills and receive unemployment insurance payments.
Polis also granted county commissioners greater authority to impose restrictions on open fires.
The executive order on unemployment insurance claims for Colorado residents was aimed at speeding up claim processing for another month.
Public utility customers are to be allowed flexibility in making payments amid economic disruption due to the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
And Polis extended and amended his order that state agencies must help prevent evictions of tenants economically hurt during the pandemic.
This eviction order requires Colorado landlords to give tenants a notice 30 days before eviction, instead of the usual 10 days — before they go to judges to ask for removal of tenants.
Landlords must provide this 30-day notice of “any default for non-payment” before they initiate evictions. It is intended to delay new eviction filings for a month.
The order does not ban evictions. State local affairs officials are tasked with working with landlords to reach rent repayment agreements, devised by state officials, when renters are unable to pay rent because of virus-related financial hardship.
Eviction defense advocates have estimated that up to 400,000 people in Colorado are at risk of eviction.
Polis in his latest flurry of orders Sunday added that he strongly encourages local governments to suspend or eliminate restrictions on the number of unrelated persons who can live in a single household or prohibit group or boarding houses to suspend or eliminate those restrictions. The idea is “to enable homeowners to rent or give a room or rooms to those in need of housing.” Similarly, Polis said limits on the number of days hotel rooms may be occupied should be suspended or eliminated.


thedenverpost--2020-07-13--Denver students offer youth perspective on racial justice with new podcast “Know Justice, Know Peace

Denver students offer youth perspective on racial justice with new podcast “Know Justice, Know Peace”

When the death of George Floyd sparked protests in Denver , members of the Black Student Alliance at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr .
Early College felt like they couldn ’ t sit idly by .
But after peaceful demonstrations turned into violent altercations with police , advisers implored the students not to attend .
Find a different — and safer — way to take action , they said .
Incoming senior Jenelle Nangah , 17 , recently had started a YouTube channel and gained some traction with an online audience .
She recalled thinking , if we can speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms , then why not use them ?
That idea snowballed into an original podcast series , called “ Know Justice , Know Peace : DMLK ’ s The Take.
” The series , which debuted July 4 , lends a youth perspective to the national discussions about racial justice and inequality in the United States .
“ The youth voice is heavily overlooked , ” Nangah said .
“ I don ’ t know why people act as if we do not have feelings or we are always wrong because we lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peace ” is hosted by Nangah , Kaliah Yizar , 15 , and Dahni Austin , 15 , and features a rotating list of guests including other members of the Black Student Alliance and school faculty .
The podcast , slated for an eight-episode run , is broadcast biweekly at facebook.com/DMLKsTheTake .
And these students aren ’ t afraid to tackle tough subjects .
The first episode , for example , analyzed Frederick Douglass ’ speech “ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July ?
” Hosts compared the national holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black and white Americans and discussing their impact in the context of current events .
An upcoming episode will explore racial inequities in the public school system .
According to Nangah , the school ’ s Black Student Alliance was founded in November after students took a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington , D.C. Its primary initiative is advocating for more Black history to be included in Denver Public Schools ’ curriculum , and “ trying to educate other African American students , really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Austin said .
The group has discussed this initiative with school leaders , and on July 16 , DPS Deputy Superintendent of Academics Tamara Acevedo is scheduled to join the podcast to talk about potential changes to the curriculum .
That underscores the mission of “ Know Justice , Know Peace ” : to have tough conversations that empower their peers to make real-world change .
“ Ignorance does come from lack of knowledge , ” Yizar said .
“ To be able to put our words out there and educate people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up those conversations about race , because at the end of the day those are conversations that people avoid.
” Nangah agreed , adding she wants this podcast to inspire action in a positive way .
“ Now that you ( young adults ) know and are confident in the fact that your voice can make an impact , what kind of impact are you trying to make ?
” she said .

When the death of George Floyd sparked protests in Denver, members of the Black Student Alliance at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College felt like they couldn’t sit idly by.
But after peaceful demonstrations turned into violent altercations with police, advisers implored the students not to attend.
Find a different — and safer — way to take action, they said.
Incoming senior Jenelle Nangah, 17, recently had started a YouTube channel and gained some traction with an online audience. She recalled thinking, if we can speak our minds and reach people through these platforms, then why not use them?
That idea snowballed into an original podcast series, called “Know Justice, Know Peace: DMLK’s The Take.” The series, which debuted July 4, lends a youth perspective to the national discussions about racial justice and inequality in the United States.
“The youth voice is heavily overlooked,” Nangah said. “I don’t know why people act as if we do not have feelings or we are always wrong because we lack knowledge.”
“Know Justice, Know Peace” is hosted by Nangah, Kaliah Yizar, 15, and Dahni Austin, 15, and features a rotating list of guests including other members of the Black Student Alliance and school faculty. The podcast, slated for an eight-episode run, is broadcast biweekly at facebook.com/DMLKsTheTake.
And these students aren’t afraid to tackle tough subjects. The first episode, for example, analyzed Frederick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Hosts compared the national holiday to Juneteenth, contrasting the separate liberations of Black and white Americans and discussing their impact in the context of current events.
An upcoming episode will explore racial inequities in the public school system. According to Nangah, the school’s Black Student Alliance was founded in November after students took a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Its primary initiative is advocating for more Black history to be included in Denver Public Schools’ curriculum, and “trying to educate other African American students, really all students, about Black history,” Austin said.
The group has discussed this initiative with school leaders, and on July 16, DPS Deputy Superintendent of Academics Tamara Acevedo is scheduled to join the podcast to talk about potential changes to the curriculum.
That underscores the mission of “Know Justice, Know Peace”: to have tough conversations that empower their peers to make real-world change.
“Ignorance does come from lack of knowledge,” Yizar said. “To be able to put our words out there and educate people, we can use that to open up those conversations about race, because at the end of the day those are conversations that people avoid.”
Nangah agreed, adding she wants this podcast to inspire action in a positive way.
“Now that you (young adults) know and are confident in the fact that your voice can make an impact, what kind of impact are you trying to make?” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-07-13--Garrett Hampson “up for the challenge” as the Rockies’ primary utilityman in 2020

After being drafted as a shortstop in the third round out of Long Beach State in 2016 , Garrett Hampson spent a couple seasons at that position before the Rockies began to expand his versatility .
Fast forward four years , and the 25-year-old has emerged as Colorado ’ s primary utiltyman heading into 2020 , as Hampson is expected to see time as a backup in the middle infield as well as the outfield .
Hampson said he ’ s “ up for the challenge , ” as he has been since he began playing second base in Class-A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his defensive talents to the outfield in Double-A Hartford the next year , and by the time he debuted for the Rockies in July 2018 , outfield was fully part of his repertoire .
“ I embraced ( the versatility ) right away , ” Hampson said .
“ I ’ m not a dummy — you can look at the team and see Trevor Story there .
I think anybody has to look above them ( in an organization ) , and realize what might be the path to help the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t shortstop right away .
I ’ m willing to move around and try different positions.
” Hampson concluded 2019 , his true rookie season , on a high note .
He slashed .318/.368/.534 in 24 games in September , a validating final month after scuffling below .200 for the first several months of the season .
“ I went through some struggles in the early part of the year , but it helped me out mentally , to know I could go through that struggle and still pull myself out of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was good and I made some adjustments , and I proved to myself that I can have success at this level , and proved ( that ) to my teammates and coaches .
That was important for me , but at the same time I was really excited to get back to spring and get this season rolling and pick up where I left off.
” • A history of how the Rockies have performed at the Home Run Derby • Rockies ’ Nolan Arenado believes there will be a MLB season as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve grown more confident that it ’ s going to happen.
” • WATCH : Rockies vs .
Brewers in MLB The Show 20 simulation , July 12 , 2020 • Is this heaven ?
No , it ’ s the Iowa farm where “ Field of Dreams ” was filmed — but it ’ s pretty close • Rockies Nolan Arenado : Pumped-in crowd noise might be “ cheesy ” but something is needed Black echoed that sentiment , noting he hopes Hampson ’ s success last season projects into this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bat the last six weeks of his season was very encouraging , ” Black said .
“ He made some adjustments in his swing , especially eliminating the big leg kick , and to do that in midseason was really impressive.
” After seeing action in 31 games ( 20 starts ) in center field last season , Hampson projects to be David Dahl ’ s primary backup there this season .
Hampson will also see time at second base behind the combination of Ryan McMahon and Brendan Rodgers , and could also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Hampson made 10 starts in 2019 , or out in left field .
Plus , there is Hampson ’ s speed , which Colorado has utilized in a pinch-running role in the past .
Hampson is the fastest Rockies ’ player at 30.1 feet/second on the bases in 2019 , which is also the fastest clocked time among all MLB second basemen last season .
“ He can score in a lot of different types of scenarios with his speed , ” Black said .

After being drafted as a shortstop in the third round out of Long Beach State in 2016, Garrett Hampson spent a couple seasons at that position before the Rockies began to expand his versatility.
Fast forward four years, and the 25-year-old has emerged as Colorado’s primary utiltyman heading into 2020, as Hampson is expected to see time as a backup in the middle infield as well as the outfield.
Hampson said he’s “up for the challenge,” as he has been since he began playing second base in Class-A Advanced Lancaster in 2017. He expanded his defensive talents to the outfield in Double-A Hartford the next year, and by the time he debuted for the Rockies in July 2018, outfield was fully part of his repertoire.
“I embraced (the versatility) right away,” Hampson said. “I’m not a dummy — you can look at the team and see Trevor Story there. I think anybody has to look above them (in an organization), and realize what might be the path to help the team win. I knew that wasn’t shortstop right away. I’m willing to move around and try different positions.”
Hampson concluded 2019, his true rookie season, on a high note. He slashed .318/.368/.534 in 24 games in September, a validating final month after scuffling below .200 for the first several months of the season.
“I went through some struggles in the early part of the year, but it helped me out mentally, to know I could go through that struggle and still pull myself out of it,” Hampson said. “September was good and I made some adjustments, and I proved to myself that I can have success at this level, and proved (that) to my teammates and coaches. That was important for me, but at the same time I was really excited to get back to spring and get this season rolling and pick up where I left off.”
Black echoed that sentiment, noting he hopes Hampson’s success last season projects into this one.
“How he swung the bat the last six weeks of his season was very encouraging,” Black said. “He made some adjustments in his swing, especially eliminating the big leg kick, and to do that in midseason was really impressive.”
After seeing action in 31 games (20 starts) in center field last season, Hampson projects to be David Dahl’s primary backup there this season. Hampson will also see time at second base behind the combination of Ryan McMahon and Brendan Rodgers, and could also fill in for Story at shortstop, where Hampson made 10 starts in 2019, or out in left field.
Plus, there is Hampson’s speed, which Colorado has utilized in a pinch-running role in the past. Hampson is the fastest Rockies’ player at 30.1 feet/second on the bases in 2019, which is also the fastest clocked time among all MLB second basemen last season.
“He can score in a lot of different types of scenarios with his speed,” Black said.


thedenverpost--2020-07-13--Coronavirus spread, not politics should guide schools, doctors say

As the Trump administration pushes full steam ahead to force schools to resume in-person education , public health experts warn that a one-size-fits-all reopening could drive infection and death rates even higher .
They ’ re urging a more cautious approach , which many local governments and school districts are already pursuing .
But U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos doubled down on President Donald Trump ’ s insistence that kids can safely return to the classroom .
“ There ’ s nothing in the data that suggests that kids being in school is in any way dangerous , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday.
” Still , health experts say there are too many uncertainties and variables for back-to-school to be back-to-normal .
Where is the virus spreading rapidly ?
Do students live with aged grandparents ?
Do teachers have high-risk health conditions that would make online teaching safest ?
Do infected children easily spread COVID-19 to each other and to adults ?
Regarding the latter , some evidence suggests they don ’ t , but a big government study aims to find better proof .
Results won ’ t be available before the fall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just a few weeks .
“ These are complicated issues .
You can ’ t just charge straight ahead , ” Dr. Tom Frieden , former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said Wednesday during an online briefing .
Children infected with coronavirus are more likely than adults to have mild illnesses , but their risk for severe disease and death isn ’ t zero .
While a virus-linked inflammatory condition is uncommon , most children who develop it require intensive care , and a few have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children are at risk .
“ The single most important thing we can do to keep our schools safe has nothing to do with what happens in school .
It ’ s how well we control COVID-19 in the community , ” Frieden said .
“ Right now there are places around the country where the virus is spreading explosively and it would be difficult if not impossible to operate schools safely until the virus is under better control.
” Zahrah Wattier teaches high school in Galveston , Texas , where cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state recently said schools must reopen to in-person classes , her district had been weighing options many others are considering , including full-time online teaching or a hybrid mix .
Wattier ’ s school has mostly Hispanic and Black students , many from low-income families ; almost 70 % qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches and many have parents who work in “ essential ” jobs that increase potential exposure to the virus .
Online education was hard for many with limited internet access , and Wattier knows in-person classes can help even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has over 2,000 students .
That ’ s over 2,000 exposures in a day , ” said Wattier , whose parents live with the family and are both high-risk .
“ It ’ s a lot to think about .
It ’ s my job .
It ’ s something I choose to do , it ’ s something I love .
Now it comes at a really high risk.
’ The American Academy of Pediatrics , whose guidance the Trump administration has cited to support its demands , says the goal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in school .
But , it adds , districts must be flexible , consult with health authorities and be ready to pivot as virus activity waxes and wanes .
“ It is not that the American Academy of Pediatrics thinks this is a done deal because we have put out guidance , ” said Dr. Nicholas Beers , a member of the academy ’ s school health council .
“ But what we do know is that we need to have a more realistic dialogue about the implications of virtual learning on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole swaths of society behind , whether it ’ s because they have limited access to a computer , or broadband internet , ” or because of other challenges that online education can ’ t address .
DeVos said local school officials are smart enough to know when conditions are not right .
“ There ’ s going to be the exception to the rule , but the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall , ” she told CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot spots , that can be dealt with on a school by school or a case by case basis.
” Following CDC and academy guidelines would mean big changes for most schools .
Mask-wearing would be strongly encouraged for adult staff and students except the youngest .
Desks would be distanced at least 3 feet apart ; the CDC recommends 6 feet .
Both suggest limiting adults allowed in schools , including parents , and canceling group activities like choir and assemblies .
Staggered arrival and dismissal times , outdoor classes , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day are other options .
President Trump has threatened federal funding cuts for districts that don ’ t fully reopen .
DeVos defended that stance , saying , “ American investment in education is a promise to students and their families.
” “ If schools aren ’ t going to reopen and not fulfill that promise , they shouldn ’ t get the funds , and give it to the families to decide to go to a school that is going to meet that promise , ” she said on “ Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called DeVos ’ comments “ malfeasance and dereliction of duty.
” “ They ’ re messing , the president and his administration are messing with the health of our children , ” the California Democrat told CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” While most funding typically comes from state and local sources , experts say schools will need more federal funding , not less , to reopen safely .
Masks , extra cleaning supplies or janitors , additional classroom space , and mental health support for students and staff traumatized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And with more parents out of work , more children will qualify for federally funded school lunches .
Lynn Morales , 49 , teaches 8th grade English at a high-poverty public school in Bloomington , Minnesota , that is considering several options including in-person classes ; a final decision is expected Aug. 1 .
Some colleagues are considering not returning to the classroom because their children ’ s day care centers aren ’ t reopening .
Some say they won ’ t come back until there ’ s a vaccine .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the age group , ” Morales said .
‘ ’ Middle school students … are lovely and I love them , but they touch , they get close , they roughhouse .
It is their nature .
They ’ re 13 years old .
They are defiant.
” “ If masks are required and a kid isn ’ t wearing a mask , is my job description going to be to chase down this kid and insist they wear a mask ?
And what if they don ’ t ?
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago infectious disease specialist , is helping the university and a campus preK-12 school decide how to reopen safely .
“ Things are evolving from , ‘ We can ’ t do it unless it ’ s perfectly safe ’ to more of a harm reduction model , with the caveat that you can always step back ” if virus activity flares , Landon said .
Single-occupancy dorms , outdoor classes , socially distanced classrooms and mask-wearing by students and faculty are on tap for the university .
Face coverings will be required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change depending on virus activity .
She dismisses complaints from some parents who say masks are a loss of personal freedom .
“ It ’ s not harmful for your child , ” she said .
“ If you see wearing masks as a loss of personal freedom , then you have to think the same of pants.
” Dr. Tina Hartert of Vanderbilt University is leading a National Institutes of Health-funded study to determine what role children play in transmitting COVID-19 .
Almost 2,000 families are enrolled and self-test every two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children without symptoms and see how easily disease spreads within families .
Results may come by year ’ s end .
“ If we don ’ t see significant transmission within households , that would be very reassuring , ” Hartert said .
She noted that in other countries where schools have reopened , evidence suggests no widespread transmission from children .
In France , public schools reopened briefly before a summer break , with no sign of widespread virus transmission .
Masks were only required for upper grades , but students stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A better test will be when the new school year starts Sept. 1 .
In Norway , schools closed in March for several weeks .
Nursery schools reopened first , then other grades .
Children were put in smaller groups that stay together all day .
Masks aren ’ t required .
There have been only a few virus cases , said Dr. Margrethe Greve-Isdahl of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health , but she noted virus activity is much lower than in the U.S. Kati Spaniak , a realtor in Northbrook , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have struggled to cope with pandemic fears , school closures and deficits of online learning .
She strongly supports getting kids back in the classroom , and all her girls will return to some form of that in the fall .
It ’ s been hard for her high school senior , Kylie Ciesla .
Prom , graduation and other senior rituals were canceled , and there were no good-byes .
“ Just to get ripped away from everything I ’ ve worked for 12 years , it ’ s really hard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes will be in person , masks mandated and a COVID-19 test required before she can move into her dorm .
Kylie isn ’ t sure all that is needed .
“ I hate that this thing has become so political .
I just want the science .
I want to know what we need to do to fix it , ” she said .
AP reporters John Leicester and Arno Pedram in Paris contributed to this report .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

As the Trump administration pushes full steam ahead to force schools to resume in-person education, public health experts warn that a one-size-fits-all reopening could drive infection and death rates even higher.
They’re urging a more cautious approach, which many local governments and school districts are already pursuing.
But U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos doubled down on President Donald Trump’s insistence that kids can safely return to the classroom.
“There’s nothing in the data that suggests that kids being in school is in any way dangerous,” she told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday.”
Still, health experts say there are too many uncertainties and variables for back-to-school to be back-to-normal.
Where is the virus spreading rapidly? Do students live with aged grandparents? Do teachers have high-risk health conditions that would make online teaching safest? Do infected children easily spread COVID-19 to each other and to adults?
Regarding the latter, some evidence suggests they don’t, but a big government study aims to find better proof. Results won’t be available before the fall, and some schools are slated to reopen in just a few weeks.
“These are complicated issues. You can’t just charge straight ahead,” Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday during an online briefing.
Children infected with coronavirus are more likely than adults to have mild illnesses, but their risk for severe disease and death isn’t zero. While a virus-linked inflammatory condition is uncommon, most children who develop it require intensive care, and a few have died. Doctors don’t know which children are at risk.
“The single most important thing we can do to keep our schools safe has nothing to do with what happens in school. It’s how well we control COVID-19 in the community,” Frieden said. “Right now there are places around the country where the virus is spreading explosively and it would be difficult if not impossible to operate schools safely until the virus is under better control.”
Zahrah Wattier teaches high school in Galveston, Texas, where cases and deaths have been spiking. Until the state recently said schools must reopen to in-person classes, her district had been weighing options many others are considering, including full-time online teaching or a hybrid mix.
Wattier’s school has mostly Hispanic and Black students, many from low-income families; almost 70% qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches and many have parents who work in “essential” jobs that increase potential exposure to the virus. Online education was hard for many with limited internet access, and Wattier knows in-person classes can help even the playing field.
But she’s worried.
“My school has over 2,000 students. That’s over 2,000 exposures in a day,” said Wattier, whose parents live with the family and are both high-risk. “It’s a lot to think about. It’s my job. It’s something I choose to do, it’s something I love. Now it comes at a really high risk.’
The American Academy of Pediatrics, whose guidance the Trump administration has cited to support its demands, says the goal is for all students to be physically present in school. But, it adds, districts must be flexible, consult with health authorities and be ready to pivot as virus activity waxes and wanes.
“It is not that the American Academy of Pediatrics thinks this is a done deal because we have put out guidance,” said Dr. Nicholas Beers, a member of the academy’s school health council. “But what we do know is that we need to have a more realistic dialogue about the implications of virtual learning on the future of children. We have left whole swaths of society behind, whether it’s because they have limited access to a computer, or broadband internet,” or because of other challenges that online education can’t address.
DeVos said local school officials are smart enough to know when conditions are not right.
“There’s going to be the exception to the rule, but the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall,” she told CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“And where there are little flare-ups or hot spots, that can be dealt with on a school by school or a case by case basis.”
Following CDC and academy guidelines would mean big changes for most schools. Mask-wearing would be strongly encouraged for adult staff and students except the youngest. Desks would be distanced at least 3 feet apart; the CDC recommends 6 feet. Both suggest limiting adults allowed in schools, including parents, and canceling group activities like choir and assemblies. Staggered arrival and dismissal times, outdoor classes, and keeping kids in the same classroom all day are other options.
President Trump has threatened federal funding cuts for districts that don’t fully reopen.
DeVos defended that stance, saying, “American investment in education is a promise to students and their families.”
“If schools aren’t going to reopen and not fulfill that promise, they shouldn’t get the funds, and give it to the families to decide to go to a school that is going to meet that promise,” she said on “Fox News Sunday.”
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called DeVos’ comments “malfeasance and dereliction of duty.”
“They’re messing, the president and his administration are messing with the health of our children,” the California Democrat told CNN’s “State of the Union.”
While most funding typically comes from state and local sources, experts say schools will need more federal funding, not less, to reopen safely. Masks, extra cleaning supplies or janitors, additional classroom space, and mental health support for students and staff traumatized by the pandemic are among potential costs. And with more parents out of work, more children will qualify for federally funded school lunches.
Lynn Morales, 49, teaches 8th grade English at a high-poverty public school in Bloomington, Minnesota, that is considering several options including in-person classes; a final decision is expected Aug. 1.
Some colleagues are considering not returning to the classroom because their children’s day care centers aren’t reopening. Some say they won’t come back until there’s a vaccine.
“I am concerned and it’s because of the age group,” Morales said. ‘’Middle school students … are lovely and I love them, but they touch, they get close, they roughhouse. It is their nature. They’re 13 years old. They are defiant.”
“If masks are required and a kid isn’t wearing a mask, is my job description going to be to chase down this kid and insist they wear a mask? And what if they don’t?’
Dr. Emily Landon, a University of Chicago infectious disease specialist, is helping the university and a campus preK-12 school decide how to reopen safely.
“Things are evolving from, ‘We can’t do it unless it’s perfectly safe’ to more of a harm reduction model, with the caveat that you can always step back” if virus activity flares, Landon said.
Single-occupancy dorms, outdoor classes, socially distanced classrooms and mask-wearing by students and faculty are on tap for the university. Face coverings will be required at the school too. Policies may change depending on virus activity.
She dismisses complaints from some parents who say masks are a loss of personal freedom.
“It’s not harmful for your child,” she said. “If you see wearing masks as a loss of personal freedom, then you have to think the same of pants.”
Dr. Tina Hartert of Vanderbilt University is leading a National Institutes of Health-funded study to determine what role children play in transmitting COVID-19. Almost 2,000 families are enrolled and self-test every two weeks. The idea is to find infected children without symptoms and see how easily disease spreads within families. Results may come by year’s end.
“If we don’t see significant transmission within households, that would be very reassuring,” Hartert said.
She noted that in other countries where schools have reopened, evidence suggests no widespread transmission from children.
In France, public schools reopened briefly before a summer break, with no sign of widespread virus transmission. Masks were only required for upper grades, but students stayed in the same classroom all day. A better test will be when the new school year starts Sept. 1.
In Norway, schools closed in March for several weeks. Nursery schools reopened first, then other grades. Children were put in smaller groups that stay together all day. Masks aren’t required. There have been only a few virus cases, said Dr. Margrethe Greve-Isdahl of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, but she noted virus activity is much lower than in the U.S.
Kati Spaniak, a realtor in Northbrook, Illinois, says her five teenage daughters have struggled to cope with pandemic fears, school closures and deficits of online learning. She strongly supports getting kids back in the classroom, and all her girls will return to some form of that in the fall.
It’s been hard for her high school senior, Kylie Ciesla. Prom, graduation and other senior rituals were canceled, and there were no good-byes. “Just to get ripped away from everything I’ve worked for 12 years, it’s really hard,” Kylie said.
At college, classes will be in person, masks mandated and a COVID-19 test required before she can move into her dorm. Kylie isn’t sure all that is needed.
“I hate that this thing has become so political. I just want the science. I want to know what we need to do to fix it,” she said.
AP reporters John Leicester and Arno Pedram in Paris contributed to this report.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.