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.