Sports Digest: Sea Dogs’ Hamilton named Eastern League Player of the Month

BASEBALL

Portland Sea Dogs infielder David Hamilton was named Eastern League Player of the Month for September on Monday.

Hamilton led the league in five offensive categories in September: average (.429), hits (24), runs (15), stolen bases (10) and field goal percentage (.508). He was also fifth in slugging percentage (.643) and second in OPS (1.151) while striking safely in 13 of 14 games.

Hamilton finished with 70 stolen bases, breaking franchise single-season and career records. He hit .251 with 16 doubles, nine triples, 12 homers, 81 runs scored and 42 RBIs.

SOCCER

SPAIN: Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign striker Antoine Griezmann on a permanent transfer, freeing the France international to play more minutes.

Atletico say Griezmann has signed a contract with the club until June 2026. He was in the final season of a two-year loan from Barcelona. The Catalan club said they would receive 20 million euros ($19.4 million) for the transfer, plus variables that could reach an additional 4 million euros ($3.8 million).

The teams had been in a contract dispute that limited the 31-year-old striker’s opportunities for Atletico, who would have had to pay Barcelona 40 million euros ($38.8 million) if his playing time exceeded a certain number of minutes.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has used the striker as a substitute after 60 minutes in most games this season.

CAR RACE

FORMULA ONE: Red Bull broke budget regulations last season and were guilty of “minor” overspends, the series governing body has claimed.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen claimed his first world title on the last lap of the final race in 2021, beating seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in a controversial finish. Verstappen clinched his second consecutive title on Sunday at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Exceeding the budget cap by less than 5% is considered a minor violation. According to FIA regulations, teams found guilty of a minor overspending violation can be punished with a fine “and/or any minor sporting sanction”.