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.
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.
Don Baizley, the agent for injured NHL star Peter Forsberg, tells TSN of Canada that the former All-Star will likely not play in the NHL this season despite receiving numerous offers.
“The prospect of Peter having enough confidence in the foot-skate issue to commit to being able to play in the NHL this season isn’t where it needs to be at this moment,” Baizley told TSN. “As a result, teams are being told it is unlikely he will be able to commit to return to the NHL this season.”
TSN.ca’s Bob McKenzie also reports that should Forsberg’s foot continue to improve, he may try to aim for a 2008-2009 return instead.
Before Monday’s news, Forsberg had rejected the Ducks, Stars, Red Wings, Predators, Flames, Penguins and Sharks, which left the Flyers, Avalanche, Senators, Canucks, Blackhawks and Wild in the running for his services, according to numerous reports.
News and notes while dropping in for a spell and enjoying the five-game Red Wings losing streak….
Posada supports Clemens (Daily News) Even though he didn’t watch the Congressional hearings this week, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada still believes that Roger Clemens didn’t take PEDs. Good to see he’s making an informed opinion, nevermind that his comments don’t show much love for current teammate Andy Pettitte.
LoDuca apologizes for ‘mistakes in judgment’ (AP/SI.com) More PEDs: Washington Nationals catcher Paul LoDuca apologized for being mentioned in the Mitchell Report in a released statement by the ballclub. Thankfully, he didn’t say he “misremembered” taking the stuff.
Zednik released from hospital (AP) The Florida Panthers defenseman who was inadvertently slashed by a falling teammates’ skate was released from a Buffalo, New York-area hospital. Zednik’s season is over.
Zach Thomas not ready to hang ‘em up (Florida Today/USATODAY.com) The recently-released Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas tells a South Florida radio station that he’s not ready to retire from the NFL.
Indiana investigation a sham (IndyStar.com) Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz writes what everyone is thinking: the Indiana University investigation in the major NCAA violations by hoops coach Kelvin Sampson is nothing more than a sham.
…and finally…
$100M spy suit says Pats, coach cheated St. Louis (Boston Herald) So let’s get this straight: taping a walk-through is going to tilt a Super Bowl in a team’s favor? This guy should sue then-Rams coach Mike Martz for not using running back Marshall Faulk.
(Note: We hope to be back on a regular basis for most of next week. We definitely won’t be around from February 23 through March 4-ish. We apologize for being away, but life gets in the way sometimes.)
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.
Former Minnesota Golden Gophers defenseman and Carolina Hurricanes draft pick Nate Hagemo was arrested in Minneapolis earlier this week on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia.
From the Canadian Press:
Hagemo was sitting in a vehicle in an area known for car-to-car drug activity when police approached. According to reports, police found syringes and other items associated with heroine use.
Here’s an interesting anecdote: Hagemo was drafted in 2005 and has since retired due to “unsuccessful shoulder surgery.” Ladies and gentlemen — that may be the first instance (and maybe the last) we’ll ever post those words.
Mets sit down with Santana’s agent (AP/SI.com) With a short negotiating window that ends at 5 PM ET Friday, the New York Mets and the agent for left-hander Johan Santana sit down to lay the framework for a mega-deal.
Umps’ neighbors quizzed on controversial topics (USATODAY.com) In the wake of the NBA/Tim Donaghy scandal, MLB decided it would be a good idea to do background checks on their umpires. Apparently, investigators have some odd questions about their subjects.
Hockey legend Lafleur wanted by police (CP/The Hockey News) According to authorities in Montreal, Que., hockey legend Guy Lafleur is wanted for giving contradictory evidence as a witness at his son’s bail hearing last fall, his lawyer said.
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!
One of the worst kept secrets in the NHL has been revealed: the Anaheim Ducks have signed free agent forward Teemu Selanne to a one-year contract.
“It took Teemu several months to determine if he had the passion and determination to return to the NHL, and we are thrilled to have him back,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke in a statement.
The ten-time All-Star was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1988 Entry Draft.
The Toronto Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, who we like to call the “Larry Brooks of the Canadian Press” because he loves to make up trade rumors, reports that the National Hockey League is strongly considering making major changes to its all-star festivities.
Though cancelling the game seems a little harsh, there are proponents of that route in the NHL headquarters.
At the very least, it would appear the skills competition is going to become a victim of the changes once the league figures out what direction it wants to take.
[…]
“I haven’t heard any positive comments about the skills competition at all,” a league executive yesterday said. “The players think it’s painful, the changes to the competition didn’t work and quite frankly, the players are bored with the whole thing.”
This comes on the heels of an article we posted from The Hockey News that praised this year’s festivities.
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.
News and notes while a good friend celebrates her 30th…
Sharapova wins Aussie (AP/USATODAY.com) In the ‘Battle of the Babes’ Australian Open final, Maria Sharapova knocked off fourth-seeded Ana Ivanovic, 7-5, 6-3. Sources: Williams out of running for ‘Skins job (ESPN.com) Football maven Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com reports that Gregg Williams, the defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins, is not longer under consideration to replace the retiring Joe Gibbs.
Falcons add Mularkey (AJC.com) The Atlanta Falcons have hired Mike Mularkey, who served as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator while Saban was coaching the Dolphins, was tabbed as the new offensive coordinator.
Chargers’ Kaeding kicked with broken plant leg (CP) First, it was quarterback Philip Rivers playing on an obliterated anterior cruciate ligament. Now comes word that Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding had been booting the ball with a broken plant leg.
Mayo ruled ineligible, then reinstated (HoopsWorld.com) The NCAA ruled Friday that the talented freshman guard violated extra-benefits rules by accepting free Los Angeles Lakers’ tickets and must repay the face value of the tickets.
…and finally…
Source: Selanne expected to return (The Hockey News) THN.com reports that forward Teemu Selanne will report to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks after a half-season of contemplating retirement.
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.”
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