Report: Embattled NBA ref Donaghy to plead guilty (AP/EPSN)
Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy plans to plead guilty in federal court on Wednesday to charges alleging he bet on games he officiated, a person familiar with the betting scandal probe said.
Information provided by the Associated Press.
Well folks, we’re going to be away for some R&R over the next five days. We’ll do our best to have our usual morning stories for all six of you to peruse (’HTS’, ‘TMA’ and a perhaps a story or three) while you roll out of bed or kill time at the cubicle waiting for that first conference call of the day.
Since we have your attention: we’ll hopefully be making some changes over these next few days as well.
Our crack staff of techies will be updating/tweaking/adjusting things around here, like updating the site’s software and other goodies. We can’t make any promises other than to tell you the site may be down for a time or two along the way, so be patient as things progress forward.
With that, we leave you with a moment that sums up everything:
[youtube QShSmpI0r9k]
Patrick returns for his 3-day radio goodbye (we think) (The Big Lead)
Sources tell The Big Lead that hibernating ESPN Radio ‘caster Dan Patrick will turn to “The Worldwide Teaser” for his final three-day stint to say goodbye.
Somewhere along the line, our source says, ESPN decided to give Patrick three days to say goodbye, and it begins tomorrow and runs through the rest of the week. (Full admission: We haven’t listened to ESPN radio at all in the last three weeks, so if this has been announced all over the place, forgive us.)
We look forward to his short return, even if we’ll be on a mini-break from this site for the next five days (more on that later).
Nike can terminate Vick now (Sports Biz)
According to CNBC Sports Business reporter Darren Rovell, the athletic shoe apparel firm Nike can terminate the endorsement contract it has with Michael Vick. Rovell notes that there is a clause in his deal that states that if he should be indicted for any crime, “Nike can terminate him unilaterally.”
I thought this had to be precedent-setting and would have to say to me that Nike must have known something about Vick or must have felt a little uneasy in signing him. After all, I thought all morals clauses only provided for termination without financial penalty only if there was a conviction. That was until I spoke with another agent who told me that his client’s deal with Nike not only provides for the same thing (right to terminate on indictment), but also allows Nike to make a move if the athletes does something that causes harm to the company.
The hits just keep on rolling for Vick: as we posted yesterday, two of Vick’s co-defendants have lined up plea agreements, turning on their friend to escape heavy sentencing.
IRS seeks payment on ‘94 charges against Strawberry (AP/ESPN)
The Internal Revenue Service has filed suit against former major league star Darryl Strawberry for failing to pay $481,656.86 in back taxes.
Back in 1994, Strawberry was indicted on federal tax evasion charges and pleaded guilty the following year. He was sentenced to six months home confinement and ordered to repay $350,000 in taxes. He failed to report hundreds of thousands in income on autographs and memorabilia.
News and notes while remembering Phil Rizzuto…
Tigers reach record deal with top draft pick (SI.com) Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Detroit Tigers have inked their top draft pick, pitcher Rick Porcello.
Florida A&M cans Mike Gillespie Sr. (AP/ESPNU) Three months after being charged for misdemeanor stalking, Florida A&M fired Mike Gillsepie, Sr.
Umm…what was that again Mike? (Awful Announcing) It appears that Michael Jack Schimdt likes to have a bit of aggressive fun with his wife.
How FJM ended up in SI (Deadspin) You might’ve noticed that the great blogger Fire Joe Morgan wrote a piece for Sports Illustrated last week. Find out how they pulled it off.
You want some Mario? You can’t handle this Mario! (Sons of Sam Malone) Super Mario video gaming — with commentary (NSFW).
The best part of ‘Madden ‘08′? The rings! (CNBC) As we posted a few months back, Darren Rovell has more details on how the idea of “championship rings” for gaming came about for Madden ‘08.
Report: Bonds hires lawyers (TSN)
According to reports, San Francisco’s Barry Bonds has hired lawyers John Burris and Todd Schneider to aggressively pursue those who make false statements about his alleged steroid use and tax evasion.
“Barry is basically saying that he has been kicked around a lot and he is tired of being kicked around,” Burris said to the paper. “Our issue is really about statements that are made that are attributed to him that are not true. Particularly, statements that someone might say he made about the use of steroids or tax evasion.”
Bonds apparently purposely waited until after he broke the home run record to fight back because he felt that it was more prudent to remain silent.
Imus in talks with WABC radio (AP/ESPN)
The Associated Press is reporting that former CBS Radio and MSNBC radio host Don Imus, who was unceremoniously fired after comments directed the Rutgers University women’s basketball team, has closed on a settlement with his former employer and may resume his career.
Imus and CBS Radio reached a settlement that would pre-empt the dismissed DJ’s threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit, CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said Tuesday. No terms of the settlement were disclosed.
The person familiar with the talks also told The Associated Press that Imus is taking steps to make a comeback with WABC.
It only took four months for the outrage to subside and for Imus to get back into the radio game. It’s a rather impressive feat.
***UPDATED at 8:20 PM ET***
Funny coincidence: a Rutgers University female basketball has sued the radio impresario, his former co-host Bernard McGuirk, along with CBS Corp. and CBS Radio for defamation of character. No dollar amount has been made immediately available.
According to a broadcast report on CBS Radio, former New York Yankees infielder and broadcaster Phil “The Scooter” Rizzuto has passed away.
More as the story evolves soon…
***UPDATED at 11:17 PM ET***
The sports media-centric blog The Big Lead has picked up on the passing of the Yankees legend.
***UPDATED at 11:23 PM ET***
WNBC has another report on “Scooter”.
Deal sending Igawa to Padres fizzles (ESPN The Magazine)
Buster Olney Yankees INsider of ESPN The Magazine reports that the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres aren’t likely to consummate a deal that would’ve sent left-handed starter Kei Igawa to the Friars.
The Padres claimed Igawa off waivers late last week, but due to the failure to make a deal, the “Bronx Bombers” will pull the player from trade waivers when time expires at 2 PM EDT.
More after the jump »
Cowboys’ Jones knows how to get down (YouTube)
Jerry Jones is known for many things: oil tycoon, entrepreneur, NFL owner, hands-on and marketing maven.
Now he’s known for being a freaky dancin’ machine, as witnessed by this commercial spot he filmed for a national pizza chain in the Dallas-metro area. Watch as he puts M.C. Hammer and C.C. Music Factory to shame.
[youtube knyMRGVSsE4]
More bad news for wrestling: Brian Adams dead at 43 (Epiccarnival.com)
Despite their misspelling, EpicCarnival.com blogs that another wrestling great has passed on suddenly. Brian Adams, formerly known as “Crush” in the duo called “Demolition”, died suddenly in his Florida home.
He was 43 (or 44, depending on your source).
Adams’ wife, who was not identified, found her husband not breathing and called 911 about 11 a.m. Fire Rescue workers later pronounced him dead, police spokesperson Janelle McGregor said.
Ankiel’s comeback inspires Cardinals during recent surge (USA Today)
The”feel good” story of pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel continues to net attention, this time from long-time USA Today baseball scribe Hal Bodley, who writes that the St. Louis Cardinals have seen a noticeable boost in performance since Ankiel reached the majors as a position player August 9. Writes Bodley:
Seeing Ankiel rebound from a disappointing career could be a message, if not a wakeup call, for his teammates.
“It’s a weird feeling,” Ankiel says. “It’s been a long time, and it’s a goal that I set for myself and one that I’ve definitely reached. I’m looking forward to reaching my next goal, which is to stay here. It’s all new. I haven’t been a hitter before, so it’s definitely like making a debut.”
Walt Jocketty, the club’s general manager since 1995, waxed nostalgically about Ankiel’s 2005 spring training decision to make a change.
Pacman tells HBO he’s innocent in Vegas melee (AP/USA Today)
When suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones, the general public — and perhaps his defense attorneys — cringe at what might follow.
In take 3,213, the much-maligned Jones told HBO’s Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel in a recorded interview to air Tuesday that he believes in his innocence during the February nightclub melee in Las Vegas that resulted in the paralysis of one of the club’s employees.
He told Gumbel…
More after the jump »
Bonds says he’ll likely retire after ‘08 season (AP/SI.com)
Barry Bonds, the all-time home run leader at 758 and counting, told the gathered press in Pittsburgh on Monday that next season will likely be his last.
“[Playing] after next year? I don’t know. I don’t think so,” he said. “I don’t think two years I can make.”
When asked where he might play next year — he’s playing on a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants — Bonds said Monday:
“It’s hard for me to think about that right now, I’m a Giant. That’s who I am, it would be hard for me to take that uniform off. It would be very hard. But I don’t know yet, I have a lot of time to think about it in the wintertime.”
Bonds cited that he’d like to reach 3,000 hits (he currently resides at 2,919) and a world’s championship as his two remaining goals left to attain.
The morning after Nomar Garciaparra got upset at balls and strikes…
The Red Sox halted their losing ways after getting downed four times in their previous six games; Barry Bonds got a warm reception on what may’ve been his last game in Pittsburgh; Chad Gaudin mowed down Detroit Tigers and Mark Teahen blasted his first home run since May 26, a span of 250 at bats.
O’s 6, Yanks 7 — Derek Jeter’s infield tapper to the right of reliever Chad Bradford scored Melky Cabrera in the bottom of the ninth inning and gave the New York Yankees a 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles after Mariano Rivera blew the save on a Brian Roberts RBI single in the top of the ninth.
D’Rays 0, Red Sox 3 — Tim Wakefield dominated the Devil Rays, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and finished up notching six strikeouts as the Red Sox, who had lost four of their previous six games, picked up the win.
A’s 7, Tigers 2 — Oakland A’s starter Chad Gaudin struck out a career-high nine and was backed by Mark Ellis’ homer and Marco Scutaro’s three RBIs as the Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 7-2.
BlueJays 2, Royals 6 — The first base combo of Billy Butler and Ross Gload tallied four RBI and Mark Teahen smacked a solo home run and a run-scoring double to lead the KC Royals to a 6-2 win over visiting Toronto.
Twins 3, M’s 4 — The visiting Twins received a flat effort from starter Johan Santana. who pitched seven innings and allowed three earned runs on seven hits in the Mariners’ 4-3 win. Minnesota’s Matt Guerrier was tagged with the loss after Richie Sexson knocked a walk-off home run in the home half of the ninth.
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