Briefs
Magic steps down
Magic Johnson abruptly quit as the Los Angeles Lakers’ president of basketball operations Tuesday night, citing his desire to return to the simpler life he enjoyed as a wealthy businessman and beloved former player before taking charge of this franchise just over two years ago.
Johnson didn’t tell owner Jeanie Buss or general manager Rob Pelinka before he stepped in front of reporters about 90 minutes before the final game of the Lakers’ sixth consecutive losing season. Los Angeles was 37-44 heading into its game against Portland, missing the playoffs yet again despite the offseason addition of LeBron James.
“I want to go back to having fun,” Johnson said before fighting off tears. “I want to go back to being who I was before taking on this job. We’re halfway there with LeBron coming (last summer). I think this summer, with that other star coming in, whoever is going to bring him in, I think this team is really going to be in position to contend for a championship with the growth of the young players.”
Johnson didn’t directly tie his decision to the future of Luke Walton, but the third-year coach was widely expected to be fired by Johnson. Without using names, Johnson repeatedly mentioned Buss’ affinity for Walton, who was in place before Johnson got the job in February 2017, and Johnson’s desire not to cause upheaval between the owner and her chosen coach.
Johnson also said he is tired of being investigated or fined by the NBA for tampering when he comments on basketball on Twitter or even speaks to another organization’s player.
Johnson was hired along with Pelinka in February 2017.
The Lakers have missed the playoffs in each of their three springs since Johnson and Pelinka took over. They’re finishing this season with their best record in six years, but they were eliminated from playoff contention back on March 22.
Lange to miss start of playoffs
Mike Lange, the radio voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will miss the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs after suffering an adverse reaction to medication for pneumonia.
The Hall of Fame broadcaster was briefly hospitalized last week and is now resting at home. He will phone in during the first intermission of Game 1 Wednesday to speak on the air with the Penguins’ radio intermission host, Brian Metzer.
“They’ve encouraged me to rest, but I’m looking forward to getting back in the booth with the ‘ol-29er’ Phil Bourque as soon as possible,” Lange said.
Josh Getzoff will handle radio play-by-play duties at the start of the playoffs with Bourque providing analysis. All games air on WXDX-FM (105.9) and the Penguins Radio Network.
Getzoff called radio play-by-play for most of the Penguins’ regular season road games, while Lange did most home games.
Paul Steigerwald will host the pre- and post-game radio shows.
Lange, who recently turned 71, is now in his 44th season as a Penguins broadcaster.
College baseball
Eric Fairman led a group of four players for California University to have a multi-hit game as the Vulcans defeated Salem, 15-7, in a non-conference game Tuesday afternoon at Wild Things Park.
Fairman went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI and scored a pair of runs for California (22-8), which has won 12 of its 15 home games this season.
Corey Fogel went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer. Louden Conte, a California High School graduate, finished with a pair of hits and scored twice. Justin Stewart had two hits and three RBI.
A strong offensive day helped freshman pitcher Tyler Bedillion, a South Fayette graduate, earn his second win of the season. Bedillion allowed four runs on six hits and struck out two over six innings.
Salem (22-17) is competing in its third season as an independent program.
College lacrosse
The Washington & Jefferson women’s lacrosse team battled Westminster to the bitter end in a PAC showdown, but was unable to secure the win in a 7-6 loss in overtime.
The match featured the only two teams in the conference that owned 2-0 records. The Presidents fell to 2-1 in the PAC and 4-7 overall. The Titans improved to 8-2 and 3-0 in the PAC.
Despite scoring the first goal of the game, an unassisted strike from Alexis Miller with 23:09 on the clock, W&J found itself down 4-1, at the halftime break.
The Presidents immediately found their footing in the second half, scoring the first four goals to go up 5-4. Jenna Allen scored twice over the stretch, while Rae LaRochelle tallied one goal and dished out a pair of assists.