‘The Pressure of This Is a Privilege’

By BY TYLER KEPNER from NYT Sports As Max Scherzer was introduced by the Mets as baseball’s highest-paid player, he praised a team owner who was willing to spend to make his team better.https://nyti.ms/3Eec5K0

Don Demeter, a Dodger Star of the Future Who Wasn’t, Dies at 86

By BY RICHARD GOLDSTEIN from NYT Sports Groomed to replace Duke Snyder, he broke his wrist in 1960 and never lived up to expectations. But he had a fine career with four other teams.https://nyti.ms/3ltTCBA

Lakers Search for Answers, With and Without LeBron James

By BY SCOTT CACCIOLA AND TANIA GANGULI from NYT Sports James could miss multiple games because of coronavirus protocols, but the Lakers have struggled even when he has played.https://nyti.ms/3pBmtp9

The Knicks’ Struggles Go Deeper Than Kemba Walker

By BY SOPAN DEB from NYT Sports A surprising reconsideration of the lineup that pushed Walker out of the rotation could help with some of the team’s issues, but not all of them.https://nyti.ms/3xJm734

‘I Got Them Off the Hook by Winning’

By BY KURT STREETER from NYT Sports Lee Elder forced golf forward by winning his way into the Masters tournament in 1975, the first Black player to do so, laying a path for Tiger Woods and others.https://nyti.ms/3lrWwa6

WTA Suspends Tournaments in China Over Treatment of Peng Shuai

By BY MATTHEW FUTTERMAN from NYT Sports Steve Simon said Wednesday that the women’s tennis tour would not stage tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, because he has been unable to communicate with Peng despite repeated attempts.https://nyti.ms/3D7BnrK

The World Chess Championship Has Everything but Wins and Losses

By BY VICTOR MATHER from NYT Sports Magnus Carlsen is defending his title against Ian Nepomniachtchi. Continuing a frustrating trend, the first five games have all been draws.https://nyti.ms/31bu0CU