News and notes while laughing at Bruce Wilis’ “Yippee kye-yay motherf*cker” bomb on TSN television*…

Report: Heat’s Wade planning on shoulder surgery (ESPN News Services) Heat star Dwyane Wade’s summer plans now apparently include surgery, according to a published report in the Miami Herald.

April Musings (The Hardball Times) A statistical look back at the month of April in MLB.

Steroid bust will rock MLB like never before (TheBizofBaseball) Murray Brown of TBoB writes that the bust of a former New York Mets employee will have far-reaching ramifications.

Reds to retire Concepcion’s number (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Lucky number 13 will be retired on July 28.

Mike Vick has a nice chat with Roger Goodell (Sports Frog) Ron Mexico has a nice chat with the commish over what’s going on in his life these days.

Tracking Pujols success with hair superstitions (STLSportsMag) A look at superstar Albert Pujols and how his hair styles may impact his success.

*Special thanks to Deadspin for YouTube video linkage.

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

Cardinals mourn Hancock (STL Today) More on the death of St. Louis Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock, who died in a one care accident on Sunday morning as his teammates share the memories.

Braves deal Langerhans to A’s (MLB.com) Langerhans was sent to the Oakland A’s for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The $17 million slide (CNBC) Darren Rovell examines the financial losses of Brady Quinn’s draft day slippage.

Mickey Mantle rookie fetches large sum at auction (AP/ESPN) Early rookie card of Yankees great lands $160,000 at auction house in Illinois

Ducks take upperhand on Canucks (AP/USA Today) Corey Perry scored the go-ahead goal on a power play 7:51 into the third period as the Ducks recovered from a double-overtime loss at home in Game 2 with a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night.

Rangers pull out victory in 2 OT over Sabres (Sportsnet.ca) Buffalo still leads the Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-1, but the Rangers can get even with a Game 4 victory Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden.

Raptors get routed by Nets (USA Today) For the second consecutive game at the Continental Airlines Arena, Vince Carter dominated the Raptors, scoring 27 points. Jason Kidd added 17 points and 13 assists as the Nets won 102-81, taking a commanding 3-1 lead.

Suns regain control of series with 113-100 win over Lakers (Reuters) The Phoenix Suns, spearheaded by 27 points from center Amare Stoudemire, outpaced the Los Angeles Lakers with a 113-100 victory on Sunday to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their series.

Grading the NFL Draft (USA Today) Check and see how your team fared these past two days.

Moss dealt to Pats (Reuters) The New England Patriots acquired wide receiver Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a fourth-round selection in this year’s NFL Draft.

Cardinals reliever Hancock killed in car crash; tonight’s game postponed (STL Today)

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed early Sunday in an accident on Highway 40 (Interstate 64), just west of Compton Avenue, authorities said.

News and notes while rolling out of bed this morning…

Spurs top Nuggets, take back home court (AP/Yahoo! Sports) The Spurs took a 2-1 series lead on the Denver Nuggets with a 96-91 victory Saturday night.

LeBron, Cavs take 3-0 series lead over Wizards (AP/USA Today) Cavs blow 17-point lead, hold off Wizards 98-92.

Devils even series with 2OT win over Senators (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Jamie Langenbrunner scored on a breakaway 1:55 into the second overtime to lift New Jersey to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Red Wings rally, even up series with Sharks (AP/USA Today) The Wings fell behind 2-0, only to chip away until they were able to win 3-2 on Pavel Datsyuk’s goal with 1:24 left in regulation.

Raiders make LSU’s Russell number one choice (Reuters) The Oakland Raiders made quarterback JaMarcus Russell the top pick in Saturday’s draft.

Browns a winner, Quinn loses out (ESPN.com) ESPN’s John Clayton looks back at the first day of the NFL Draft.

Bonds notches up another home run, Giants still lose (AP/ESPN) Dinger puts Bonds 13 behind Hank Aaron.

(On a personal note, we’d like to express our condolences to the family of our former high school lacrosse coach, who suddenly passed away at a tourament in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday. Mike was a tremendous individual who got the most out of his players and was always helpful when those of us needed it. He will be missed.)

Torre’s job in jeopardy after Yankees slide (MSNBC/NY Post)

In the wake of the New York Yankees’ seventh consecutive loss Friday night, owner George Steinbrenner is thinking about firing Joe Torre as manager, the New York Post reported Saturday.

Vick says family took advantage of he generosity (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

The AP reports the following in their lede –

Michael Vick blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity after a police raid found evidence of dog fighting at property he owns in Virginia.

***

“It’s unfortunate I have to take the heat,” Vick said. “If I’m not there, I don’t know what’s going on. It’s a call for me to really tighten down on who I’m trying to take care of. When it all boils down, people will try to take advantage of you and leave you out to dry. Lesson learned for me.”

News and notes while rolling out of bed this morning…

Bulls one win from dissipating heat (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Ben Gordon scored 27 points, Luol Deng added 24 points and 11 rebounds and Chicago used a 15-2 fourth-quarter run to seize control of a 104-96 victory over the Heat in Game 3. Chicago now leads the series, 3-0.

Kidd’s triple double give Nets the series lead over Raptors (AP/USA Today) Kidd had a playoff career-high 19 assists in his 10th postseason triple-double, Carter scored 37 points, and the New Jersey Nets beat the Toronto Raptors 102-89 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead.

Warriors dispense of Mavericks, take 2-1 series lead (AP/FOX Sports) Jason Richardson had 30 points and eight rebounds, Baron Davis added 24 points and the Warriors steamrolled the NBA-leading Dallas Mavericks for the second time in three games, winning 109-91.

Sabres rally, take 2-0 series lead over Rags (AP/USA Today) Erasing 40 minutes of offensive frustration, Chris Drury and Thomas Vanek scored 10 minutes apart, rallying the Sabres to a 3-2 win to take a 2-0 lead.

Canucks take care of Ducks in two overtimes (AP/SI.com) Jeff Cowan scores at 7:49 of the second OT to give the Canucks a 1-1 tie in the seven game series.

Tippett to stay on as coach of the Dallas Stars (TSN.ca) Dallas Stars general manager Doug Armstrong emerged from a meeting with team owner Tom Hicks on Friday and immediately informed the Stars coaching staff that Dave Tippett will not be relieved of his duties.

Source: Niners nearing deal for Seahawks’ Jackson (ESPN.com) Michael Smith reports that San Francisco and division rival Seattle are working toward a trade that would send Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson to the Niners in exchange for one of their fourth-rounders, believed to be the Niners’ third selection in the round, No. 124 overall.

Dodgers nip Padres as Hoffman blows second straight (AP/USA Today) It was the first time Hoffman (1-2) blew save chances in consecutive appearances since April 26 and April 29, 1997.

Thome leaves game with injury (MLB.com) Chicago White Sox DH/1B Jim Thome departed Friday’s game in the first inning after aggrevating a prior injury to his rib cage.

Former Mets employee pleads guilty to distribution of steroids, HGH (Washington Post)

According to documents obtained by the Washington Post, former New York Mets employee Kirk J. Radomski has pleaded guilty to supplying drugs to players throughout the league and laundering the proceeds of those sales between 1995 to 2005.

Radomski was a former batboy and equipment manager for the New York Mets from 1985 to 1995 and has agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball’s investigation into steroids led by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

***UPDATED at 5:43 PM EDT***

Saint Louis University has confirmed the hiring of Rick Majerus.

as head basketball coach and will be named on Monday.

***UPDATED at 5:31 PM EDT***

Frank Cusumano of St. Louis television station KSDK-TV is now reporting that Saint Louis University has scheduled a press conference for Monday to announce the hiring of Majerus as the next basketball coach.

According to 1380 ESPN and St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz, Saint Louis University and former college basketball coach Rick Majerus are still negotiating a deal to have Majerus coach the Billikens.

However, Miklasz reported on his radio show The ITD Roll Home with Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker that it isn’t so much that contract talks have bogged down — it’s Majerus still weighing his options, the most important being that he’s not sure if he should get back into coaching and would like to continue to mull things over and make the right decision.

He also points out the Majerus is “fired up” about the school and the job and his other concern is not having an ace recruiter lined up should he take the position.

Don’t expect a decision over the weekend and something may pop early next week (we hope, anyway).

For more concrete information regarding this matter, check out this thread at Bernie Miklasz’s Presbox, where the columnist hosts an online forum (screen name — BernieM).

Ignorance has its priveleges (38pitches.com)

If you’re as tired of this story as much as we are, one can only imagine how the central figure in this mess, Curt Schilling feels about it.  Well, wait no more — Schilling fired off a long missive/verbal bouquet on how he feels about the situation and, needless to say, isn’t particularly happy at what appears to be unfounded allegations based upon a conversation that was misinterpreted.

After the jump is an excerpt from Mr. Schilling’s blog where he points to the media for creating the sh*tstorm we have now and for once, we can finally agree.

More after the jump »

Steelers unveil 75th anniversary uniforms (Steelers.com)

The Pittsburgh Steelers unveiled throwback uniforms in celebration of their 75th anniversary campaign, the Pittsburgh Steelers official website announced Friday.

We’ve taken the liberty of sharing with you the baby puke yellow helmets on this blog post, but for a look at the jerseys and the really, really scary Western Pennsylvania-looking-steel-riveter-mascot, click the above link.

A The Buried Lead tip ‘o the Cap to ProfootballTalk.com for the heads-up.

WNBA player Jackson arrested for slugging opponent (AP/ESPN)

A WNBA player named Deanna Jackson, who’s playing in an Israeli hoops league, was arrested on an assault charge after slugging an opposing player in a parking lot following a game, and will not be allowed to leave Israel until after the Chicago Sky’s preseason opener.

Yankees, Astros, Red Sox await Clemens’ decision (ESPN.com)

ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney (to paraphrase ESPN’s John Buccigross — “What Pedro Gomez is to Barry Bonds, Buster Olney is to Roger Clemens”) reports that semi-retiree Roger Clemens will make his decision on whether or not to return to majors by the end of May.

We breathlessly await.

Sonics’ Bennett says team is interested in Vegas (ESPN/Seattle Times)

According to a published report in The Seattle Times, Seattle/Oklahoma Sonics owner Clay Bennett told civic leaders in Seattle that Las Vegas has his eye as a destination for his franchise and not Oklahoma as previously thought.

Our opinion: taking a page out of former Tampa Bucs owner Hugh Culverhouse’s franchise playbook, Mr. Bennett is taking part in the ‘ol fashioned game of leverage.

Enjoy being held hostage, Seattle!

Conference draft needs in the NFL (USA Today)

The NFL Draft is almost upon us (finally!) and USA Today’s Larry Weisman, with some help from Tom Pedulla, break down each team’s needs heading into the weekend.

Your NFC teams draft needs.

Your AFC teams draft needs.

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

Braves, Smoltz agree on $14 million extension (ESPN News Services) Deal virtually ensures that John Smoltz will retire s a Brave, whether it falls in a kicked-in option for 2009 or 2010.

Goodell: Super Bowl might be played overseas (USA Today) Overseas venue for the Super Bowl? Won’t happen till after 2012 at the earliest.

West Virginia, Beilein agree on buyout (AP/ESPN) Michigan coach Beilein agrees to pay former school $1 million after he exited with five years remaining in his deal.

Majerus still negotiating with Saint Louis (STL Today) When describing this situation, we’d say ‘fluid’ is an apt adjective to use.

NCAA passes text messaging ban (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Coaches can no longer text message athletes as part of their recruiting. This means you too Mr. Nutt.

NCAA targets academics in baseball (USA Today) USA Today’s Jack Carey writes that the NCAA will force baseball players to sit out a year should a player transfer and teams that underperform academically will hae their schedules reduced.

Senators come out of gate flying, hold off Devils 5-4 (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Jason Spezza scored 90 seconds into the game, and the Senators jumped to a 4-0 first-period lead that New Jersey couldn’t overcome.

Sharks blank Wings 2-0 behind Nabokov (TSN.ca/CP) Special teams play, Nabokov lead Sharks to 1-0 series lead.

What can Brown do for Memphis (AP/USA Today) Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said he interviewed former New York Knicks coach Larry Brown on Thursday about his team’s coaching vacancy.

Rockets fail to liftoff, lose to Jazz (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Carlos Boozer had 22 points and 12 rebounds in the Jazz’s 81-67 blow out of Houston.

Pistons roll in Orlando (AP/ESPN) Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points, Chauncey Billups added 21 and the Pistons beat Orlando 93-77 Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Kobe buries 45 in Lakers win (FOX Sports) Lakers win 95-89 over Suns in Game 3; series now 2-1 in Suns’ favor.

Diamondbacks’ draft pick Scherzer remains unsigned (MLB.com) First round draft pick in ‘06 likely to re-enter draft should he remain unsigned by May 31.