Cubs place Miller on the DL, pitcher Prior to have surgery (AP/ESPN)

The Chicago Cubs have placed pitcher Wade Miller on the disabled list and pitcher Mark Prior has elected to have exploratory surgery on his pitching shoulder.  Miller was placed on the DL with back spasms and called up reliever Rocky Cherry from Iowa.

Halberstam killed in Menlo Park (SFGate.com)

David Halberstam, noted journalist and author, died in a Menlo Park, Calif. automobile accident.

He was 73.

Halberstam authored such books as October 1964, The Teammates: A Portrait of Friendship and Summer of ‘49, was a passenger in a car when it crashed at an intersection near the Bayfront Expressway.

Arrests/citations involving NFL players, 200-2007 (SignonSanDiego)

Tipped off by the fine folks at PFT, SignonSanDiego.com came up with the complete list of NFLers who have been either cited or arrested since 2000. So play along and count the Bengals!

NFL Network has gone fishin’ (Awful Announcing/USA Today)

It has been widely reported that Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas has refused all overtures from the NFL to appear in New York this weekend for the NFL Draft.

So the NFL came up with another brilliant plan — if you don’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
More after the jump »

News and notes while eating a nice lunch…

Ochoa takes over top spot in ladies golf rankings (ESPN.com) Lorena Ochoa passes Annika Sorenstam in Rolex Rankings.

Report: Landis urine samples find synthetic testosterone (ESPN/L’Equipe) Results don’t look good for American cyclist.

Inside the War Room — Pittsburgh Steelers (KissingSuzyKolber) Christmas Ape takes a look inside the NFL’s Steelers draft ‘war room’.

Two weeks to go: Marlins stadium funding hangs in the balance (BizofBaseball) Marlins fight for state subsidies to be debated on state senate floor.

U.S. women get tough draw in women’s World Cup (AP/Yahoo! Sports) The U.S. was placed in Group B on Sunday with Sweden, North Korea and Nigeria — by far the most difficult of the four groups for the September tournament. The four teams were in the same group at the 2003 World Cup.

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

Warriors stun Mavericks in series opener (AP/Yahoo! Sports) The eighth seed comes out swinging.

Nuggets down Spurs on the road (AP/Yahoo! Sports) AI and Melo take the reigns for the Nuggets.

Suns run away from Lakers in second half, take early series lead (USA Today) Kobe puts up 28 in first half, only 11 in second half. Shut down Kobe, shut down the Lakers.

Devils eliminate Lightning (Sportsnet.ca) Goaltender Brodeur silences critics after starting out playoffs sluggish, leads Devils to second round.

McLennan, organization, coach reprimanded for action by NHL (AP/ESPN) Jamie McLennan slash of Wings forward Johan Franzen in gutless display nets goaltender five games and$100,000 fine for club.

Franzen nets series winner in 2OT over Calgary (TSN.ca/CP) The object of Jamie McLennan’s affection scores game winner in second overtime, propelling Detroit to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Bonds 15 away from tying Aaron (Reuters) Bonds’ laser off Arizona’s Petit puts him closer to mark.

Red Sox hit four dingers in a row, down Yankees 7-6 (MLB.com) Red Sox nail down first three game sweep of Yankees at Fenway since 1990.

Tribune buyout hampering Zambrano contract (FOX Sports) Talks between pitcher, club may be tabled till end of season due to complex sale of ballclub.

Watney holds on to win New Orleans PGA event (ESPN) Watney battles back in PGA “b-flight” tourney for win