Pence injured in sliding door tumble (MLB.com) Houston’s young star Hunter Pence has trouble with sliding glass door, cuts hand and knees. Something tells us the story will change a bit here.
Tejada won’t discuss Mitchell Report (AP/SI.com) Expect answers similar to Chico Escuela when asked about his involvement in the Mitchell Report.
Report: Giants, Coughlin close to deal (The Sports Network) The Super Bowl champion New York Giants and their head coach Tom Coughlin are closing in on a pact that would keep the bench boss in the Meadowlands till 2011.
Noel Devine in some hot water (The Dominion Post) Morgantown Police investigating incident that involves WVU star running back Noel Devine (i-Five to TheBigLead for the tip).
The NHL is no stranger is pranks(YouTube) On Monday, we brought you the Kyle Kendrick prank. Today, some NHL veterans have some fun with a rookie’s car keys.
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!
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.
Committee reviewing McNamee tapes (New York Times) According to Duff Wilson of The New York Times, the House oversight committee is reviewing the tapes and transcripts three conversations that feature Brian McNamee, Roger Clemens’ former personal trainer who claims he injected the multi-time Cy Young Award winner with PEDs.
Redskins still trying to find their man (AP/NFL.com) After rumors of the hiring of Jim Fassel being inaccurate earlier this week, the Associated Press reports that other candidates have yet to be interviewed. Josh McDaniels or Steve Spagnuolo, anyone. (ifive to PFT.com for the tip.)
Iverson, Garnett make All-Star squads (AP/SI.com) Allen Iverson of the Denver Nuggets and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtic headline the 2008 NBA All-Star Game starters, which will be held in New Orleans.
Cyclist sues USADA for drug testing plan (AP/USATODAY.com) An anonymous cyclist is suing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for “overreaching its own rules and protocols.”
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.
FIFA, UEFA to pay clubs $225M (TSN.ca) Top European soccer clubs will receive about US$252 million over the next four years as compensation for using players in international games.
No dumb blond jokes here (LA Times) T.J. Simers of The Los Angeles Times remembers former Los Angeles — and now St. Louis — Rams owner Georgia Frontiere and takes a poke at a newspaper colleague.
Review: ‘God Save the Fan’ by Will Leitch (DanShanoff.com) The great Dan Shanoff who doesn’t read our emails anymore since he’s hit the big time — we’re kidding – gives a review to the upcoming book, “God Save the Fan” by Deadspin’s Will Leitch.
Sources: Marlins interested in Gonzalez (FOXSports.com) Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com writes that the Florida Marlins are showing interest in the veteran outfielder.
Martz, Niners not a good match (SI.com) Jim Trotter of SI.com writes that the hiring of Mike Martz as offensive coordinator in San Francisco likely wasn’t the smartest move by the 49ers braintrust.
Stamkos, Doughty top NHL draft rankings (CP/TSN.ca) NHL Central Scouting has released their latest rankings of North American hockey players and Canadians Steven Stamkos — a forward — and Drew Doughty — a defenseman — sit atop the rankings. Defenseman Zach Bagosian of the U.S. ranks third.
E-Ticket: The last days of Tony Harris (E-Ticket/ESPN) ESPN’s Wright Thompson’s E-Ticket piece examines the events that led to the death for former Washington State hoops player Tony Harris in the jungles of Brazil.
News and notes while one of our readers turns another year older today…
Players’ union again will be on Capitol Hill hot seat (Y! Sports) National baseball writer Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports writes that the MLB Players Association will be under the microscope during hearings on Capitol Hill Jan. 15.
NCAA to press: Stop live-blogging our games (ars technica) The NCAA released a new set of rules for bloggers at collegiate sports playoffs and championship events after receiving criticism last June for ejecting a Louisville Courier-Journal sports reporter from an NCAA super-regional baseball game.
ATP suspends two players for betting on matches (AP/SI.com) Italians Potito Starace and Daniele Bracciali were both suspended for making bets — some as low as $7 — on matches involving other players.
Schottenheimer all but retired (SignonSanDiego) Former NFL coach Marty Schoettenheimer hints that his coaching days might be over, writes Union-Tribune writers Kevin Acee and Jay Posner.
Cowboys lose Owens in win over Carolina (AP/Y! Sports) During the 20-13 Dallas victory over Carolina, wide receiver Terrell Owens suffered a high ankle to his left ankle.
…and finally…
‘Topanga’ meets jail cell (TMZ.com) Former child actress Danielle Fishel, a.k.a. ‘Topanga’ from Boy Meets World, was arrested early Thursday for a drunken driving warrant in Newport Beach, Calif.
Grimsley affidavit unveils more names (AP/MLB.com) Earlier this year, Deadspin tried to link St. Louis’ Albert Pujols to this affidavit via a trainer of Jason Grimsley’s. As it turns out, they were dead wrong.
Clemens’ lawyer issues new statement (MLB.com) The lawyer for Roger Clemens blasts the Los Angeles Times for an October 2006 story that linked the seven-time all-star to steroids in the recently unsealed Jason Grimsley affidavit.
Final column wraps up lifetime in baseball (USA Today) Long-time USA Today scribe Hal Bodley is leaving his post as the national baseball writer for the U.S. daily after 25 years.
Schilling calls out Clemens in blog (38Pitches.com) Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling called on Roger Clemens to give up the four Cy Young Awards he’s won since 1997 if he can’t clear his name from allegations that he used steroids to prolong and enhance his career.
Parcells officially takes job with Dolphins (MiamiHerald.com) After it was first thought that he would sign on with Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons, Bill Parcells spurned them — for the second time in his career — and accepted the Miami Dolphins offer of head of football operations after assurances from owner Wayne Huizenga that he wouldn’t sell the club as rumored.
Mourning injures knee; career could be over (AP/USA Today) After tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee in Miami’s game against Atlanta on Wednesday, 37-year-old Heat center Alonzo Mourning was placed on the stretcher, but he refused the ride.
Big Ten to probe into referee’s alleged history of bankruptcy, abuse (AP/ESPNU) A day after Yahoo! Sports uncovered that a Big Ten official had a history of bankruptcy, casino gambling, child abuse and allegations of sexual harassment, the Big Ten has decided that it will investigate the allegations.
The Mag: Portis/Cooley For Love or The Game (ESPN Video) The Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley’s fiancee answer questions on who knows Cooley better.
Progress made in developing HGH test (MLB.com) Don Catlin, one of the world’s foremost scientists in the fight against doping, said he has made some headway on finding an effective urine test to detect human growth hormone.
D’Backs extend manager Melvin (MLB.Diamondbacks.com) After a successful turnaround in ‘07, the Arizona Diamondbacks will extend the contract of field boss Bob Melvin through 2010.
Arena Bowl returning to New Orleans (AP/Y! Sports) AFL commissioner David Baker notes that such a move makes good economic sense for the city and the league.
CBS finds new way to draw line in snow at Browns game (USA Today) Michael Hiestand’s media notes include: creating virtual yard markers on the fly in Cleveland; ESPN’s Fernando Viña is eerily quiet after being named in Mitchell report; piling on Petrino is a new media pastime and Jessica Simpson shows up at the Eagles-Cowboys game to cheer for boyfriend Tony Romo.
A-Rod gets the Couric treatment (Bugs & Cranks) A brief dissection of the Alex Rodriguez-Katie Couric interview on 60 Minutes.
Big Ten expanding to 13-week schedule (AP/SI.com) The Big Ten will move to a 13-week schedule beginning in 2009, pushing the rivalry game and the rest of the conference’s schedule to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Borges out as coordinator at Auburn (AP/SI.com) Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges resigned after four seasons and will not coach in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson.
The problem isn’t Reggie Bush, it’s the NFL (100% Injury Rate) The great blog 100% Injury Rate makes the case that comparing New Orleans running back to Chicago Bears great Gayle Sayers are grossly unfair.
LSU, Ohio State lead BCS match-ups (AP/Y! Sports) Some in the sports media universe — and BCS money makers organizers, no doubt — get what they wanted for some time: a Ohio State-LSU match-up for all the marbles.
Miles story: Analyst Herbstreit moves to forefront (USA Today) Media writer Mike McCarthy of USA Today clarifies the timeline of ESPN/ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit’s information regarding LSU’s Les Miles.
Yankees set deadline for Santana deal (SI.com) New York Yankees vice-president Hank Steinbrenner draws line in the sand as he sets a deadline of Monday evening for a deal that would send Minnesota ace Johan Santana to the pinstripes. Meanwhile, Santana reportedly won’t waive his no-trade rights during the season.
Friars, Peavy inching closer to extension (FOX Sports.com) Reigning Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy is inching close to agreeing on a contract extension with the San Diego Padres that would keep him at PETCO Park till 2012, writes FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Scoreboard in Seattle catches fire as Sonics lose another one (AP/ESPN) Spotlight located at the bottom of the scoreboard at Key Arena catches fire, delaying start of Warriors-Sonics tilt 15 minutes. Yet another reason to move, eh?
Bus carrying minor league hockey team crashes (AP/USA Today) A bus carrying members of the Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals of the ECHL crashed into the back of a tractor trailer and skidded down an embankment. Five for a clean hit (The Hockey News) Ryan Campbell of THN writes about Calgary’s Dion Phaneuf’s hit on Detroit’s Jiri Hudler Wednesday.
Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt walk into a bar… (The Big Lead) All-Star M.L.B. pitchers Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt have some fun at a Champaign, Illinois bar while on a hunting trip. Pictures, of course, are included.
Colin Cowherd on Sean Taylor(D.C. Sports Blog) Dan Steinberg compiles quotes from Schrutebag on the death of Washington Redskins’ all-pro Sean Taylor. (i-five to Awful Announcing for the tip)
News and notes while dealing with a desktop peecee…
Wade calls on Shaq (ESPN News Services) Star Dwyane Wade points to Shaq to help lead squad out of 1-7 start.Iggles bench Kearse (ESPN.com) Lenny P. says the defensive end named “The Freak” is benched due to lacking performance.
Chiefs back Johnson plans return (KC Star) Larry Johnson claims he will return before season is over despite reports that, well, his season is over with a foot injury.
YES Network boots Verducci (Watchdog) SI.com scribe and frequent YES Network analyst Tom Verducci tossed from network coverage for writing a scathing commentary on how the Yankees low-balled Joe Torre and the fact that he’s writing a book with the long-time skipper. (iFive to The Big Lead for the tip)
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