Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for May 9, #228

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You'll need to know a little bit about a variety of different sports to solve today's Connections: Sports Edition. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That's a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn't show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic's own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: The name on your clothes.

Green group hint: Bring in the pitcher.

Blue group hint: Stars of the court.

Purple group hint: Hockey honors.

Yellow group: Athletic clothing brands.

Green group: Baseball relief roles.

Blue group: Men's tennis players.

Purple group: NHL awards.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

The theme is athletic clothing brands. The four answers are Champion, Russell Athletic, Starter and Under Armour.

The theme is baseball relief roles. The four answers are closer, long, middle and setup.

The theme is men's tennis players. The four answers are Alcaraz, Fritz, Rune and Sinner.

The theme is NHL awards. The four answers are Calder, Hart, Lady Byng and Vezina.