Today's Sports Headlines

Including: Joe Thornton and the Maple Leafs team up with one elusive goal in mind [The Star]( Sports Headlines ANALYSIS [Joe Thornton and the Maple Leafs team up with one elusive goal in mind]( At 41, Joe Thornton signs with the Leafs for the NHL minimum in hopes of finally adding a Stanley Cup to his Hall of Fame resumé. [The day DeMar DeRozan shared his deepest fears one-on-one — and started a wave of hope]( In an excerpt from his new book “We The North: 25 Years of the Toronto Raptors,” longtime Star basketball writer Doug Smith recounts the day DeRozan opened up one-on-one about depression. He knew that it took two to tell that tale. What came of it was something astonishing. OPINION [Gregor Chisholm: The Blue Jays shouldn’t give Vlad Guerrero another shot at third base. Versatility isn’t for everyone. It’s first or bust next season]( The tools are there on offence. Fielding is another matter entirely. Guerrero has been a major liability with the glove no matter where he plays. The best approach is to let him focus on first base and hope he gets it — like Edwin Encarnacion did, Gregor Chisholm writes. [Bad news for Astros haters. The ALCS is going to Game 7]( George Springer and Jose Altuve keyed a four-run rally in the fifth inning, Framber Valdez pitched six brilliant innings and the Houston Astros beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the third straight game, 7-4 Friday to force a deciding Game 7 of the AL Championship Series. [GTHL players get a temporary pass to join outlaw hockey leagues, raising public health questions]( While hockey parents are getting emails trying to lure their kids to play, unsanctioned leagues would have to set up shop in a region where games are allowed. “I’m not sure public health units want thousands of people coming into their region from notable hot spots,” said OHF boss Phil McKee. OPINION [Dave Feschuk: Nick Kypreos lands on his feet after Sportsnet — writing, selling booze and talking hockey without the ‘personal dilemma’]( The former NHL enforcer is back behind a microphone, and has his own line of pineapple-rosemary vodka drinks. He’s also an author, an endeavour that he said made him “take a good look in the mirror” as he plotted his next chapter, literally and otherwise, Dave Feschuk writes. [Mailbag: Are the Canadiens better than the Maple Leafs?]( Is European hockey the answer to keep legs fresh? Is Taylor Hall out of his mind? Many questions, and just as many answers in this week's Mailbag. OPINION [NBA players took a big stand against racism this season. Will the league continue to stand behind them?]( We’ve seen the “Jockey Syndrome” play out many times before, when the establishment attempts to change the rules of engagement in certain sports to end Black dominance. The NBA is not immune to this, writes Wendy-Ann Clarke. [Toronto FC will let in some local fans for Hartford finale, and asks Canadian supporters to play it safe]( [The Reds might get captain Michael Bradley back for Sunday date with Atlanta]( Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley, who has missed the last nine games with a knee injury, could return to action Sunday against Atlanta United. [Baseball playoffs are just not the same grand old game]( This whole "opener" thing stinks; it's understandable but it stinks.And some fashion commentary here, too [Welcome to the majors. Your season is on the line]( Ryan Weathers appeared in relief during Game 1 of the Padres’ National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the fifth player to make his major league debut in a playoff game. [Ex-Angels employee indicted in Tyler Skaggs’ fatal overdose]( [Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Milos Raonic advance to St. Petersburg semifinals]( Top Canadians are one win away from meeting in the final in Russia [Patriots cancel practice after fifth player tests positive, Sunday game in jeopardy]( ANALYSIS [Pro sports in 2020 may look and sound ridiculous, but they’ve produced champions and memories that need no asterisks]( If you shake our current sports world free from all on the periphery that feels so strange, you’ll realize we haven’t lost so much over the past seven months. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Manage Your Email Preferences]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY]( - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -