Raiders talking to Brady Quinn? (ProFootballTalk)

The great football information site ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that the Oakland Raiders are in contract talks with Notre Dame quarterback about being the number one selection in the NFL Draft this Saturday.  A source also tells the website that the Raiders will definitely take a quarterback, either LSU’s JaMarcus Russell or Quinn and not the gifted wide receiver from Georgia Tech, Calvin Johnson.

ESPN’s John Clayton has suggested that the Raiders could conceivably select Johnson should the Kansas City Chiefs finally deal Trent Green to the Dolphins and in turn, the Phins deal their “extra” quarterback Daunte Culpepper to the Raiders., thus completing a ferris wheel of dealing…or something.

Ah, the sweet smell of leverage in the late afternoon.

A bubbly reminder of a corrupt past (The Cheater’s Guide to Baseball)

When not policing steroid users, Major League Baseball likes to enforce other rules, specifically rule 21 (b).

You see, Minnesota Twins centerfielder Torri Hunter gifted four bottles of Dom Perignon champagne to Kansas City Royals first baseman/DL candidate Mark Sweeney for downing the Detroit Tigers at the end of the 2006 season. Apparently doing so is an MLB no-no, almost to the point of a minimum of a three-year ban.

And not only is Hunter in some hot water with baseball, but so are the Royals for accepting such gifts.

More after the jump »

Celtics severing ties with Telfair after gun arrest (ESPN.com News Service)

The Boston Celtics have cut ties with point guard Sebastian Telfair less than a week after he was arrested on gun possession charges in Westchester County, NY.

Telfair’s career has been marred with controversy dating back to his days with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2005 after he was fined by the club for carrying a loaded hand-gun on the team’s charter.  The point guard blamed his girlfriend at the time for that mistake.

Last October, Telfair claimed a gang of men snatched a chain off his neck at a nightclub in New York that was said to be worth $50,000.

Lastings Milledge (MySpace)

With a tip of the cap to The Big Lead, the burgeoning athletes on MySpace phenomena has snagged another one — New York Mets outfielder Lastings Milledge.

While hitting that link, be sure to check out Cinnamon’s Playboy Birthday Bash invitation.  Looks like a barn burner.

News and notes while popping some pain relievers…

Tillman’s family: Military deliberately misled us (AP/ESPN)  The family of the slain Pat Tillman are expected to testify before Congress on Tuesday in a hearing dedicated to the Army’s handling of their son’s death.

‘Greatest journalist of my lifetime’ (ESPN) ESPN’s Peter Gammons takes a look back at the career of journalist and author David Halberstam, who tragically passed away in a car wreck on Monday at the age of 73. (Note: Link requires registration.  An excerpt will be posted after the jump.)

Going the other way (The HardBall Times) John Walsh of The Hardball Times tackles a small microcosm of a baseball art — hitting the ball to the opposite field.

Ankiel hits sixth dinger, drives in 18th RBI (STL Today) Former future ace Rick Ankiel slugs sixth home run.  Ankiel, toiling at the St. Louis Cardinals’ AAA affiliate in Memphis, also has 18 RBI in 18 games.

More after the jump »

Toronto’s Mitchell named NBA coach of the year (AP/SI.com)

Sam Mitchell of the Toronto Raptors was named NBA’s Coach of the Year on Tuesday.  Mitchell lead the Raptors to 47 wins and their first-ever Atlantic Division title in 2006-2007.

Mitchell garnered 49 first-place tallies for 394 total points from the 128 hoops writers and broadcasters.  Utah’s Jerry Sloan finished a distant second, compiling 301 points.

Wimbledon reveals highest prize fund in tennis (Reuters)

The All-England Lawn and Tennis Club (that’s Wimbledon to us and you) has announced that both men’s and women’s tourney winners will receive £700,000 ($1.4 million American, no conversion for Canadian, but we’re sure it’s pretty good).

The total prize fund tops out £11,282,710, rising 8.7 percent from a year ago.

For comparison’s sake, the men’s champion’s check has increased by 6.9 percent while the women’s has risen by 12 percent after Wimbledon decided in February to offer equal prize money.

It was also announced that the tournament will implement the HawkEye instant replay system on Centre Court and Court One. The high-speed multi-camera technology tracks the trajectory of the moving ball and it would’ve arguably prevented the pleasure we received from watching a John McEnroe meltdown in the 1980s.

Yankees-Red Sox game ratings high (BizofBaseball)

Sunday’s match-up pitting long-time rivals the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox snatched up the highest ratings for ESPN since 2004.  Nielsen Research reports that ‘The Worldwide Teaser’ netted an audience share of 7 and a household rating of 4.0 in markets that are metered.

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

Adieu Adu, All-You-Can-Eat Future & Heir Jordan (CNBC’s Sports Biz)  CNBC’s Sports Marketing guru Darren Rovell breaks down the lack of impact Real Salt Lake player Freddie Adu has had on MLS; the potential for all-you-can-eat ticket packages to sporting events busting out in other markets; and the recruitment of Michael Jordan’s son, Jeff.

Canucks get by Stars, advance to second round (AP/SI.com)  Dallas comes up short in attempt to win series after being down 3-1.

McGrady, Rockets overcome Boozer’s 41 points (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Free throws and McGrady’s 31 points help give Rockets 2-0 series lead.

A-Rod blasts two dingers as Yankees lose to Devil Rays (AP/SI.com)  A-Rod tied the major league record for home runs in April, hitting his 13th and 14th of the season in a 10-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday night.

Buehrle nets back-to-back wins (AP/Yahoo! Sports)  Powered by two, two-run Paul Konerko shots, Mark Buerhle and company take down Royals.

Daddy-to-be Willis delivers victory over Braves (AP/ESPN) With his wife set to induce delivery of their first child, Dontrelle Willis fires 6 2/3 innings of solid ball and notches triple in Florida’s 8-7 victory over Atlanta.