News and notes while cleaning things up around the domicile…
Source: Yankees wouldn’t stand in way NHL contest (ESPN News Services) The NHL would like to place their next “Winter Classic” at the soon-to-be closing Yankee Stadium in January 2009, the final event at “The House That Ruth Built.”
Fitzgerald to stay with Gridbirds (Larry-Fitzgerald.com) Pending the approval of the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals and wideout Larry Fitzgerald have agreed to terms on a contract extension for four years.
Ex-Ram, fans drop suit against Patriots (Boston Globe) Remember that ridiculous lawsuit filed by former St. Louis Rams player Willie Gary against the New England Patriots for millions of dollars? It was dropped due to what lawyers cite as an “exercise in futility”.
Heels to retire Hansbrough’s jersey (AP/SI.com) As a reward for winning a national player of the year award courtesy of the Sporting News, junior Tyler Hansbrough will have his jersey retired to the Dean Dome rafters.
Comcast, Big Ten Network coming to agreement? (SPORTSbyBROOKS) Via the sports marketing publication the Sports Business Journal, cable company Comcast and the Big Ten Network may finally be coming to an agreement to have the cable giant to carry the network on its airwaves.
…and finally…
Clayton Kershaw has a wicked curve(YouTube) Not as wicked as the “Uncle Charlie” that St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright dropped on New York’s Carlos Beltran in the 2006 NLCS, but it’s still really, really, really neat-o.
Questions good enough to launch a rocket (FOXSports.com) Ken Rosenthal writes for FOXSports.com that it’s now gametime as Congressional hearings are set to go Wednesday for Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee.
Vikes’ Udeze has leukemia (KSTP.com) The Minnesota Vikings are extending their “thoughts and prayers” to defensive end Kenechi Udeze after a television station reported Monday that he has a form of leukemia.
Mayock doesn’t see McFadden in top-20 (Pancake Blocks) NFL Network draft expect Mike Mayock released his top-10 overall picks Monday and Arkansas’ Darren McFadden didn’t make the cut — or a spot in the top-20 (i-five to TheFanHouse for the story). Malarchuk remembers the blood (Calgary Herald) The former NHL goalie who had his jugular vein sliced 19-years ago speaks out on the similar injury suffered by Florida Panthers defenseman Richard Zednik on Sunday.
…and finally…
Chris Berman video fun (YouTube/The Big Lead) We missed out on the Chris Berman video frenzy in the last week or so, but The Big Lead found one Tuesday that we have to share.
Kevin Everett: Standing tall (AP/Y! Sports) Five months after accident, the Buffalo Bills tight end is walking, standing tall.
Giants GM Reese hits jackpot in first draft (USA Today) In his first year on the job, New York Giants GM Jerry Reese has done a solid job in the NFL Draft, writes Tom Weir of USATODAY.com.
Irish hire Tenuta as assistant coach (AP/SI.com) Jon Tenuta, who guided the Georgia Tech defense to a 20th-ranked finish in ‘07, has been hired as assistant head coach for defense. He’ll assist DC Corwin Brown.
Agent meets with committee lawyers (AP/MLB.com) An employee of the sports agency that represents Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte spoke Thursday to the congressional committee investigating drugs in baseball.
ESPN bloopers(YouTube) The YouTubes had the Chris Berman clip of him going batshit crazy over a production error. Today, we bring you other ESPN bloopers.
Pettitte will discuss Clemens, lawyers say (New York Times) According to Duff Wilson and Michael S. Schmidt of the New York Times, the lawyers for Mitchell Report informant Brian McNamee say that NY Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte will disclose the PEDs usage of Roger Clemens before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
With Santana Mets ease September pain (Y! Sports) By acquiring winning Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins, Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown writes, the New York Mets have helped ease the pain of their late 2007 crash from atop the NL East standings.
MU hoops coach suspends five indefinitely (STLToday.com) Graham Watson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Missouri hoops coach Mike Anderson has suspended five players indefinitely for violating teams rules by being at a Columbia nightclub early Sunday morning.
Former Patriot Joe Andruzzi is in fight for his life (SI.com) Tim Layden of SI.com profiles former New England Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi, who is battling Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that advances with such haste that it can double in size in just 24 hours.
KU coach Mangino undergoes tests (Kansas City Star) J. Brady McCollough writes that Kansas football coach Mark Mangino underwent tests at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for undisclosed reasons.
Indianapolis planning bid for 2012 Super Bowl (AP/USATODAY.com) With getting ready to open Lucas Oil Stadium, a retractable-roof facility, the city of Indianapolis is prepping a bid for the 2012 Super Bowl.
Katz closer to buying Oilers (Edmonton Sun) Jonathan Huntington of The Edmonton Sun writes that billionaire Daryl Katz is closer to becoming the new owner of the Edmonton Oilers after another potential bid has fallen through.
MLB to end Hall of Fame Game (MLB.com) The San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs will take part in the last game to be played at Cooperstown, New York’s Doubleday Field.
Barbaro’s ashes to be interred at Churchill Downs (AP/Y! Sports) It’s been awhile since we posted something about the legendary racehorse Barbaro, so we give you this: his ashes will be interred at Churchill Downs. Say a little prayer!
PTI co-host Michael Wilbon suffered a minor heart attack on Monday, reports Sports Media Watch.
Wilbon suffered the attack at 3 a.m. Monday and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors found minor blockage in his heart blockage and performed an angioplasty, successfully removing the blockage.
Detroit group buys into English soccer (AP/USATODAY.com) A Detroit, Michigan-based group led by former Detroit Pistons exec Andy Appleby has bought a stake in Derby County of the English Premier League. Appleby tried pursuing the NHL’s St. Louis Blues two years ago.
Star showcase finally lives up to the hype (THN.com) The folks at The Hockey News write that this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game activities in Atlanta, Georgia lived up to expectations.
The party is in Glendale. You are not invited. (The Sporting Blog) Will Leitch of Deadspin.com turns in a piece for The Sporting News’ sports blog The Sports Blog while on assignment covering the Super Bowl festivities in Glendale, Ariz.
Tiki’s burnt bridges coming to the forefront (Awful Announcing) Remember Tiki Barber’s blistering comments directed at his former coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning? Well, the chickens are coming home to roost as the Giants appear to be preventing him from snatching any exclusives from his former club.
ESPN’s First Take co-host Dana Jacobson returned to the airwaves after a week long suspension in relation to her comments at the “Mike & Mike” celebrity roast in Atlantic City on Jan. 11. The roast was for ESPN “personalities” Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg.
Upon returning to the airwaves, Jacobson reiterated that she was sorry for her comments.
“I want to once again say how truly sorry I am for my poor choices and bad judgment that night,” Jacobson said at the top of the program. “I’ve taken responsibility for what I did say and do that night.
[…]
“Mistakes do not define us. It’s how we respond to those mistakes that does,” Jacobson said in her on-air apology. “I hope you forgive me, and allow my future to define me.”
And with that, we should finally be able to put this issue to bed.
Marlins inch closer to stadium deal (MLB.com) The seemingly never-ending saga of the Florida Marlins landing a new stadium in south Florida apparently is inching forward as a Feb. 5 meeting of the Miami-Dade County commissioners looms.
Royals lead Santana race? (Joe Posnanski) The Kansas City Star’s Joe Posnanski pokes a little fun at the ridiculousness of the daily updates regarding the “race” for Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana. Final Vick defendant gets probation, fine (USATODAY.com) The final defendant connected to Michael Vick’s dogfighting case netted three years probation and a $500 fine after he cooperated with prosecutors.
Phoenix Suns president has outdoor pre-season game in works (Business Journal of Phoenix) The Phoenix Suns are planning to play the NBA’s first outdoor game during next year’s preseason at the Indian Wells (Calif.) Tennis Garden, Suns president and CEO Rick Welts said, according to the Business Journal of Phoenix.
IUPUI hoops coach’s shoe drive for charity a huge success (Indianapolis Star) UPUI coach Ron Hunter, who coached barefoot against Oakland University Thursday, got a huge response, with more than 110,000 pairs of athletic shoes donated.
…and finally…
Whitlock: ‘Mike & Mike’ aren’t big stars (FOXSports.com) Another Kansas City Star writer shares this space as Jason Whitlock, writing for FOXSports.com, takes a look at the Dana Jacobson controversy and offers an opinion on it within this notes column. (ifive to The Big Lead for the info.)
Regina Schaffer of The Press of Atlantic City writes an overview of the current controversy surrounding ESPN’s Dana Jacobson and her comments at a “Mike & Mike” celebrity roast.
According to “At the Shore” editor Scott Cronick, Jacobson never uttered the magic phrase that has her in hot water with a portion of the Catholic faith.
“She was out of control,” Cronick said. “When she started slugging vodka straight from the bottle, the whole crowd just groaned. Most people in the audience, including me, felt bad for (Notre Dame head coach) Charlie Weis, because he was sitting right next to the podium and she was just going off on him and Notre Dame. They got her off the stage once, but she somehow found her way back to the stage and just dug her hole deeper.”
Also worth mentioning: The Big Lead has some pics up (as does The Press of Atlantic City) of Jacobson’s appearance at said event.
In a special to ESPN.com, Bob Harig writes that Kelly Tilghman, who was suspended for inflammatory remarks on Jan. 4, issued a 21-second apology just prior to The Golf Channel’s coverage of the Buick Open.
“In a recent live broadcast, I used an inappropriate word that was offensive to many. Over the last two weeks I’ve taken the time to reflect and truly understand the impact of what I said,” she said. “While I did not intend to offend anyone, I understand why those words were hurtful. I am terribly sorry for any hurt that I have caused. I would like to express my deepest apologies.”
Writer: Dana Jacobson didn’t day “Fuck Jesus” (The Big Lead) According to Atlantic City Press writer Scott Cronick, who attended the “Mike & Mike” celebrity roast, ESPN First Take co-host Dana Jacobson did not say the magic words that pissed off The Catholic League.
Jim Brown calls out Tiger on ‘lynch’ controversy (ESPN.com) NFL Hall of Fame player Jim Brown said Thursday that Tiger Woods should have spoken out against racially insensitive remarks made by Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman that led to her two-week suspension from the airwaves.
Belichick refuses to talk about Brady injury (WJZ.com) Patriots coach Bill Belichick refused to address questions regarding the “Injury Heard ‘Round the World” that has been hampering Tom Brady.
Rick Majerus takes a stand (STLToday.com) Earlier, we linked to a story by St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz, who penned a column featuring an extensive interview with Rick Majerus. In his online blog, Miklasz writes a bit more extensively on his interview with the Saint Louis University hoops coach, as well as some background on their relationship and the letters of support Majerus has received.
…and finally…
Tony Romo dumps Jessica Simpson? (OK! Magazine) Via SPORTSbyBROOKS, OK! Magazine is reporting that Dallas Cowboys signal caller Tony Romo has dumped singer/entertainer Jessica Simpson.
Majerus defiant — with respect (STLToday.com) Bernie Miklasz of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Saint Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus stands by his comments made late last week in regards to his views on abortion and stem cell research.
Baylor knocks off No 16 Texas A&M — in 5OTs (AP/USATODAY.com) You read that right: it took unranked Baylor five overtimes to take out Big XII rival Texas A&M, 116-110. Good thing you read because you certainly couldn’t watch it thanks to the lousy contract the conference has lined up.
No Fassel deal — yet (ESPN.com) The tag-team duo of ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli and Chris Mortensen report that the Washington Redskins have not yet come to terms with Jim Fassel on becoming their next head football coach. Jim Zorn, who was mentioned Wednesday as the new offensive coordinator, is among the top picks for the spot.
Samuels, Cooley to wear ‘21‘ (Redskins.com) Speaking of Washington, Chris Cooley and Chris Samuels will honor former teammate — and fellow Pro Bowler — Sean Taylor by wearing his old jersey number during the upcoming event on February 10.
Beane’s blueprint calls for pinching pennies (Y! Sports) National baseball writer Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports profiles Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, whose Moneyball means of management will once again be utilized in the Bay Area.
…and finally…
Rangers to retire Leetch’s No. 2 (CP/The Hockey News) One of our favorites growing up will see his number retired by the New York Rangers Thursday. Brian Leetch, the stalwart rearguard who helped the Rangers win their first Stanley Cup in 54 years, will see his No. 2 raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters.
Michael David Smith of The FanHouse writes that ESPN has suspended First Take co-host Dana Jacobson one week for her comments at the “Mike & Mike” celebrity roast earlier this month in Atlantic City, N.J.
The statement:
FROM ESPN
“Her actions and comments were inapprorpriate and we have dealt with it.”
FROM DANA
“I am very sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused ESPN and Mike and Mike. My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I really am. I have personally apologized to many of the people involved. I won’t make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.”
While we are surprised at the suspension, we don’t blame “The Worldwide Teaser” for coming down on her after the Catholic League raised their voices at her outburst. She should, however, face no further discipline over something that occurred in her free time.
News and notes while ESPN continues to roll out the unfunny, stupid ‘True Hollywood Story’ of the (Tom) Brady Bunch…
Archbishop Burke would deny communion to Rick Majerus (STLToday.com) We gave our thoughts on it yesterday and now the worm continues to turn: the St. Louis Archbishop told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he would deny Saint Louis University coach the sacrament of communion if he did not change his positions on abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research. And yes, he’s still asking for the the school, which is not owned or controlled by the Jesuits, to discipline Majerus. Good luck with that, Raymond.
Cowboys owner Jones: T.O. will return (AP/SI.com) Get your $3 million roster bonus ready: Terrell Owens will be back in Dallas after owner Jerry Jones tells reporters at the Senior Bowl they’ll pick up his bonus.
Rays to announce Shields deal (MLB.com) The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and pitcher Scott Shields are planning announce a contract extension that will keep the hurler in Tampa for…seven years?
ESPN’s Dana Jacobson emails apology to the Catholic League (Awful Announcing) While at a celebrity roast (and we use that term loosely) honoring ESPN’s Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, First Take co-host Dana Jacobson used expletives to describe Notre Dame (Mike Golic’s college). After pressure from the Catholic League, she emailed an apology. Welcome to 2008.
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