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PHILADELPHIA — San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler stood just outside the third-base dugout at Citizens Bank Park for the national anthem Monday, taking a break on Memorial Day from his protest against the direction of the nation.Kapler, who began his protest Friday, stood by himself at the railing of the Giants dugout during the playing of “Taps” during the holiday ceremony, which was followed by a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by a military bugle company. A few other Giants players stood on the chalk line past the third-base bag during their stretching exercises.Advertisement“Today, I’ll be standing for the anthem,” Kapler wrote earlier Monday on his blog. “While I believe strongly in the right to protest and the importance of doing so, I also believe strongly in honoring and mourning our country’s service men and women who fought and died for that right. “Those who serve in our military, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our rights and freedoms, deserve that acknowledgment and respect, and I am honored to stand on the line today to show mine.”AdvertisementKapler announced Friday that he intended to remain in the clubhouse during the anthem to protest “the lack of delivery of the promise of what our national anthem represents” after the shootings that killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.Giants manager Gabe Kapler stands with his eyes closed during the national anthem before the Phillies played the Giants on Monday. (YONG KIM / TNS)“The way I see it is anything that sparks thoughtful conversation is good,” Kapler told reporters Monday.Kapler said he was not ready to announce whether his protest will resume Tuesday night.“The days move really fast,” he said. “We’re going to come out and talk about Giants and Phillies today and we’ll get into the game and then we’ll spend some time trying to get away from the game. Then the game starts the next day. I want to have my thoughts perfectly formulated. I will formulate them and I will share them. I just don’t have them right now.”Joe Girardi replaced Kapler as the Phillies manager after the 2019 season“Everyone has a choice in this country, right?” Girardi said. “I mean, that’s what America is founded on. It’s not the choice that I’ll make. But with all the choices we make in life there are consequences, no matter what you do, so you have to be prepared to explain why you do things in this world. And it’s not something that I would do.”

DALLAS — Jeff Gladney, a defensive back for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, died Monday in a car crash in Dallas. He was 25.Gladney’s death was confirmed by the Cardinals and his agent.Advertisement“We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss,” the team said.The crash occurred on the service road of Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas, KTVT-TV reported. Another person also died.AdvertisementThe Dallas County sheriff’s department said no one was available on the Memorial Day holiday to talk about the crash.Gladney played at TCU before becoming a 2020 first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings. He played in 16 games that year but was released before the 2021 season, when he was charged with assaulting a woman.Gladney was found not guilty in Dallas County, Texas, in March and was subsequently signed by the Cardinals. He participated in team drills last week.“We are asking prayers for the family and privacy at this most difficult time,” agent Brian Overstreet said.The NFL said Gladney’s death was a “tragic loss.”

An unfortunate accident in the weight room has forced infielder Jonathan Villar to the injured list.The exercise band Villar was using snapped back into his mouth, causing a freak injury that will require significant dental work. The Chicago Cubs placed him on the 10-day IL before Monday’s doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, retroactive to Friday.AdvertisementThe Cubs recalled outfielder Nelson Velázquez, who made his big-league debut with a Game 1 start in right field. Velázquez is rated the Cubs’ No. 16 prospect by MLB.com and was Arizona Fall League MVP last year. He was promoted to Triple A in early May and hit .253 with nine doubles, one triple, 12 homer runs, 25 RBIs and a .914 OPS in 41 games between Double A and Triple A.“Everything is a dream come true,” Velázquez said. “It’s everything I wished for in my life.”AdvertisementA clearly happy Velázquez is reunited with longtime minor-league teammate Christopher Morel.“He’s my bestie,” said Velázquez, who is two lockers down from Morel’s.[ [Don’t miss] Marcus Stroman’s best start ‘by far’ goes to waste as the right-hander closes out an impressive month for Chicago Cubs ]Right-hander Matt Swarmer’s contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa. The 28-year-old, a former 19th-round pick, got the start in the first game versus the Brewers. Right-hander Ethan Roberts (right shoulder inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man spot for Swarmer.Swarmer posted a 2.08 ERA in nine games (five starts) at Iowa.“The reports are he’s been throwing the ball really well,” manager David Ross said. “I think he’s made some adjustments in his game a little bit. He’s off to a good season.”Right-hander Anderson Espinoza also earned his first major-league call up, brought up from Double-A Tennessee to serve as the 27th man for the doubleheader. Espinoza, 24, was acquired from the San Diego Padres in July for Jake Marisnick.“It’s been a been a morning of congratulating a lot of guys for being up here,” Ross said. “Happy for a lot of those guys that have put in the hard work and you get the reward to come up and be in an environment like today.”

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Dear Amy: My first wife, “Stacey,” and I married young. She loved me. We had three children together.I was immature and had little concept of what was required for a successful marriage, although my parents had an almost idyllic one.AdvertisementAfter 13 years together, I left the marriage.The divorce I initiated was difficult for us all.AdvertisementThere were several reconciliations and I spent about a year in analysis. Ultimately I left and married my second wife. She and I have been very happily married for over 30 years.There are children (now grown) from both marriages, and they all get along incredibly well.Stacey remarried (happily) and after many years in the wilderness we are able to attend family activities and engage in cordial conversation.I have a desire to apologize to her for all the pain I caused, but I am not sure whether I am just trying to make myself feel better. I wonder if doing this might just cause her further pain or anger.Our adult children are aware of my feelings and have advised me to let things be.Based on this brief synopsis, can you give any advice?– Regretful but HappyDear Regretful: You say that you and your ex now have a cordial relationship, and so a note from you wouldn’t necessarily create a problem for her.AdvertisementYour impulse to apologize, make amends, or work on paying down your Karmic debt is laudable. Despite the fact that your children are advising you to “let things be,” I hope you choose to do this.Sample thoughts you might use: “Over time I’ve come to understand how immature and selfish I was.” “You absolutely deserved better, and I appreciate that you seem to have found a far better partner than I was to you.” “Thank you for raising our children so well.” “I am so sorry for the pain I caused you and the kids.”You might want to end your note with this thought: “I don’t need any acknowledgment from you, but I hope you receive this in the spirit I intend it – as a sincere apology.”It is important that you detach completely from any expectations regarding the outcome. If your apology angers her and she responds harshly, then – maybe she needed to do that, and you needed to hear it.Dear Amy: I started dating “Iris” five months ago.We’ve seen each other two to three times a week and have gone on trips together.AdvertisementRecently she decided to stop drinking, as it was becoming a problem for her.I support her completely. In the five to six weeks since she stopped drinking, I have seen her only three times, and for only about an hour or so.She always says she has plans.She won’t come to my place or stay over because she says now that she has anxiety if she’s away from home, although she still hangs out with family/friends several times a week, and as far as I can tell she continues to be active.I can’t help feeling like she’s phasing me out of her life and doesn’t want to be in a relationship with me anymore.When I ask her if there’s anything wrong between us, she says everything is fine.AdvertisementShe doesn’t acknowledge my feelings or seem concerned that I see something wrong. She insisted that I’m overthinking things and that maybe it would be good for me to get some therapy.I’m not sure what I should do.– WorriedDear Worried: This change in your relationship may be related to “Iris’s” decision to stop drinking.Either she has stopped, and being with you is a trigger for her – or she has possibly resumed drinking and doesn’t want you to know.(Her choice could also be a result of another issue.)AdvertisementHer insistence that nothing has changed, even though it obviously has, is a red flag. Yes, you should assume that she is phasing you out and that she is not willing to be honest with you about her reasons.It is rational to wonder why someone is not being straight with you.You don’t seem to need therapy. You may, however, need to let Iris go.Ask AmyDailyNo-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.Dear Amy: Thank you for your forceful response to “Perplexed Partner!,” whose boyfriend purchased Hitler memorabilia as a gift for his son.Any thinking and sensitive person should recognize that these items are loaded with heartbreaking associations.– AppalledAdvertisementDear Appalled: I was surprised to learn that there is a robust market in this material.Got a question for Amy? Enter it here and we’ll send it to her.Sign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time — get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.©2021 Amy Dickinson.

Northwestern rallied from a five-run deficit to beat Arizona State 8-6 on Sunday night and earn the final berth in the Women’s College World Series.It’s the sixth WCWS appearance for the NU softball program and the first since 2007. The eight-team, double-elimination tournament begins Thursday in Oklahoma City, with the best-of-three championship series starting June 8.AdvertisementThe Wildcats will face top seed and defending champion Oklahoma in the tournament’s opening game (1:30 p.m., ESPN). The Sooners have won four of the last eight national titles, and slugger Jocelyn Alo is the reigning USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and the Division I career home run leader. After trailing 5-0 through three innings, the Wildcats scored four runs in the fourth and one each in the fifth and sixth to take the lead in Game 3 of the NCAA super regional in Tempe, Ariz.AdvertisementA pair of insurance runs in the seventh provided enough cushion for pitcher Danielle Williams, who allowed six hits, walked five and struck out seven. The Sun Devils scored one in the seventh and brought the winning run to the plate before Williams got out of the jam.Catcher Jordyn Rudd led the NU offense, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs, while shortstop Maeve Nelson had three hits and third baseman Hannah Cady hit her 10th home run of the season.The rest of the WCWS field has UCLA, Texas, Florida, Oregon State, Oklahoma State and Arizona.

MIAMI — Jayson Tatum scored 26 points, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart each added 24 and the Boston Celtics held off a frantic rally in the final seconds to beat the Miami Heat 100-96 on Sunday night and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.Al Horford added 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who never trailed on the way to pulling off a Game 7 win on the road — not including the bubble, the first such victory for the storied franchise since beating the Milwaukee Bucks for the 1974 NBA title.AdvertisementNext up for the Celtics: the Golden State Warriors in a series that starts Thursday in San Francisco.Jimmy Butler, who willed the Heat into Game 7 by scoring 47 points Friday in Boston, led the Heat with 35 points in what became their season finale. Bam Adebayo added 25 for the Heat, who were down 11 with less than 3 minutes to go before trying one last rally.AdvertisementAn 9-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Max Strus with 51 seconds left, got the Heat within 98-96. They had a chance for the lead with about 17 seconds to go when Butler tried a 3-pointer from the right wing, but it missed — and the Celtics escaped.The Celtics forced the Heat into nine consecutive misses during a crucial stretch of the fourth quarter, using that stretch to turn an 82-79 lead into a 90-79 edge — and the Celtics, who had lost each of their last four trips to the East finals, found a way to hold on.Kyle Lowry scored 15 for the Heat. Grant Williams finished with 11 for the Celtics.

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