Archive for March, 2010
League ready to impose ban on hits to head
The dazed and distant look on Brent Seabrook’s face after the Chicago Blackhawks defenseman got crushed in time for the third period. The sight of Boston Bruins star Marc Savard out cold on the ice after a vicious hit March 7 sent a message about the need for attention to player safety, too. And it [...]
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Aybar’s new leadoff role crucial move for division champ Angels
There will be times this summer when new leadoff man Erick Aybar immediately challenges the opposing defense by dropping a bunt to start the game. And that’s cool with the Angels. There also will be times when Aybar will be a little too impatient, failing to take the extra pitch or two that maybe a [...]
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Players respond to Stern: Owners’ financial losses oversold
David Stern’s bombshell during All-Star weekend that NBA owners will lose $400 million this season was so stunning, it took the commissioner’s normally talkative nemesis, Billy Hunter, a month to respond. Consider this his response. “Based upon our review and what we’ve done thus far, we dispute the $400 million figure,” Hunter, the executive director [...]
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Cubs camp tour: Trio of Ramirez, Soriano, Soto in bounce-back shape
In the latest installment of the Cubs as Lucy yanking the football away from the Wrigley Field denizens’ Charlie Brown, it would take many hours over several dozen cheezborgers down at the Billy Goat Tavern to explain away the latest grease fire. But enough about Milton Bradley and 2009. Exasperated Cubs fans laid out flat [...]
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Magic let late lead slip but manage to hold off Heat in OT
All five Miami Heat players were watching Vince Carter, and as he dribbled toward the lane no one was within 15 feet of Rashard Lewis. Big mistake. And the Orlando Magic’s postseason push kept rolling along. Lewis took the pass in his favorite spot near the left corner, then made the clinching 3-pointer with 28.4 [...]
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Coyotes go beyond surprise into revelation territory
Only a few months ago, you could have gotten better odds wagering the Phoenix Coyotes would be preparing to relocate rather than preparing for the playoffs as the regular season was drawing to a close. As for being in contention for the top seed in the Western Conference? Well, let’s just say suggesting anything of [...]
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Marlins camp tour: Young talent growing up — together
The Marlins watched Roy Halladay go to the Phillies. They watched the Mets add Jason Bay. They saw the Braves add Billy Wagner and Troy Glaus. They even saw the Nationals sign Jason Marquis and Pudge Rodriguez. “All these teams talk about bringing guys in left and right,” Marlins outfielder Cody Ross said. “We talk [...]
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Texas manager Washington ‘sorry’ for cocaine use
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admitted he made a “huge mistake” when he used cocaine and failed a Major League Baseball drug test last season. In his first public admission, he apologized Wednesday for his behavior, eight months after he told Rangers president Nolan Ryan, who turned down Washington’s offer to resign. “I made a [...]
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Spurs showing life, but no dynasty aura
At least Richard Jefferson still has his sense of humor. Before Tuesday’s game, Jefferson joked that the only time in his life he ever considered quitting basketball was this season. It has been tough for him. Jefferson has been the focal point of the Spurs’ struggles this season. He was added before the season in [...]
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Indians camp tour: Cycling back into contention
As Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia tangled in Game 1 of the World Series last fall, a young man sat home 3,000 miles away and a world apart in Bonney Lake, Wash. He listened to the Cleveland backstory that dominated the game. He marveled at the two former Indians Cy Young winners. And as the [...]
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