MLB: When was the last time the Mets’ manger didn’t start the season on the hot seat? Here are BoDog’s odds on which manager will be the first to be fired in 2010 (via Ben Maller): Jerry Manuel 2/1; Ron Washington 11/4; Ozzie Guillen 9/2; Lou Piniella 5/1; Dave Trembley 6/1; A.J. Hinch 8/1, Bruce Bochy 8/1.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Speakin’ of days gone by … you gotta love the high school coach who mailed Jon Scheyer a picture of himself bleeding after a loss to Virginia Commonwealth in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. As if the now-Blue Devil needs any more motivation.
GOLF: Here’s hoping we can get back to golf on the golf page some time after 2 p.m. today. In the meantime, you gotta feel at least a little bad for a guy whose kindergarten teacher even turns on him. Tiger can’t buy a friend off the PGA Tour. Thankfully, there’s Mark O’Meara.
NBA: Speaking of goin’ golfing … it appears the Toronto Raptors might escape an early vacation this season. But despite hanging on by a thread to the No. 8 seed in the East, some are saying that Chris Bosh has already checked out mentally.
NASCAR: Hey, all you No. 3 fans, the city of Kannapolis, N.C., is offering bricks for $33 or three bricks for $88 for the Dale Earnhardt Tribute site on Main Street. "With the new focus and energized efforts around our NASCAR heritage with the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, we felt this was an excellent time to relaunch our effort to pave the Tribute site with fan bricks," said Gary Mills, Director of Parks & Recreation for Kannapolis. "Funds raised from this sale will help us raise the money we need to complete the site as originally designed."
MLB: When was the last time the Mets’ manger didn’t start the season on the hot seat? Here are BoDog’s odds on which manager will be the first to be fired in 2010 (via Ben Maller): Jerry Manuel 2/1; Ron Washington 11/4; Ozzie Guillen 9/2; Lou Piniella 5/1; Dave Trembley 6/1; A.J. Hinch 8/1, Bruce Bochy 8/1.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Speakin’ of days gone by … you gotta love the high school coach who mailed Jon Scheyer a picture of himself bleeding after a loss to Virginia Commonwealth in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. As if the now-Blue Devil needs any more motivation.
GOLF: Here’s hoping we can get back to golf on the golf page some time after 2 p.m. today. In the meantime, you gotta feel at least a little bad for a guy whose kindergarten teacher even turns on him. Tiger can’t buy a friend off the PGA Tour. Thankfully, there’s Mark O’Meara.
NBA: Speaking of goin’ golfing … it appears the Toronto Raptors might escape an early vacation this season. But despite hanging on by a thread to the No. 8 seed in the East, some are saying that Chris Bosh has already checked out mentally.
NASCAR: Hey, all you No. 3 fans, the city of Kannapolis, N.C., is offering bricks for $33 or three bricks for $88 for the Dale Earnhardt Tribute site on Main Street. "With the new focus and energized efforts around our NASCAR heritage with the opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, we felt this was an excellent time to relaunch our effort to pave the Tribute site with fan bricks," said Gary Mills, Director of Parks & Recreation for Kannapolis. "Funds raised from this sale will help us raise the money we need to complete the site as originally designed."
Golf: The countdown to the Masters continues with more Tiger Woods off-the-course news:
• The Chicago Sun-Times’ gossip writer says Elin Nordegren got a copy of that now infamous Vanity Fair article two weeks early, and it ticked her off all over again, making her rethink her decision to stick with Tiger and reinforcing her decision to skip the Masters.
• Brad Faxon expects Tiger to finish at 7-under at Augusta. He also offers advice on marriage and is more worried about Tiger’s alleged ties to HGH dealer Anthony Galea than about the world No. 1’s personal troubles.
• Tiger’s trysts are also inspiring art, of a sort. As part of a safe sex promotion by the Population and Community Development Association of Thailand, someone created a mannequin of Tiger covered with condoms.
NFL: The Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that Mark Sanchez’s knee surgery might have been a little more involved than was previously reported, considering the Jets QB hasn’t started running even though it’s six weeks since the procedure was performed. Yeah, but has he continued talking to Joe Girardi about how to slide?
MLB: Philly scribe Sam Donnellon has compiled a list of dings and dents in Phillies that seem to have coincided with Sports Illustrated’s recent covers featuring Philly players. SN is predicting the Phillies will be back in the World Series, too. Double-whammy.
Golf: The countdown to the Masters continues with more Tiger Woods off-the-course news:
• The Chicago Sun-Times’ gossip writer says Elin Nordegren got a copy of that now infamous Vanity Fair article two weeks early, and it ticked her off all over again, making her rethink her decision to stick with Tiger and reinforcing her decision to skip the Masters.
• Brad Faxon expects Tiger to finish at 7-under at Augusta. He also offers advice on marriage and is more worried about Tiger’s alleged ties to HGH dealer Anthony Galea than about the world No. 1’s personal troubles.
• Tiger’s trysts are also inspiring art, of a sort. As part of a safe sex promotion by the Population and Community Development Association of Thailand, someone created a mannequin of Tiger covered with condoms.
NFL: The Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that Mark Sanchez’s knee surgery might have been a little more involved than was previously reported, considering the Jets QB hasn’t started running even though it’s six weeks since the procedure was performed. Yeah, but has he continued talking to Joe Girardi about how to slide?
MLB: Philly scribe Sam Donnellon has compiled a list of dings and dents in Phillies that seem to have coincided with Sports Illustrated’s recent covers featuring Philly players. SN is predicting the Phillies will be back in the World Series, too. Double-whammy.
TV: Will Erin Andrews become a free agent? If ESPN re-signs her, she says she’s hoping to work the NCAA Tournament should ESPN secure those rights. And she wants to keep doing college hoops and grid coverage for the network. But her contract’s up in July, and she wouldn’t tell USA Today whether she’s talking to other networks, referring that question to her agent.
MLB: The discussion on whether Joba Chamberlain is a reliever or a starter who does fine in a relief role doesn’t seem to be settled in Yankeeville. The team’s top scout and G.M., while deferring to each other, have differing thoughts. While Brian Cashman sees Joba as a "starter who can relieve," the scout says he doesn’t see Chamberlain cracking the rotation in 2011.
NBA: Seems kinda weird that Amare Stoudemire would hold a grudge against Tracy McGrady all the way back from his high school days. In any case, McGrady tells the New York Post that Stoudemire’s claim that T-Mac blew him off when he asked about making the jump to the NBA is "childish" and says he did speak to the young Amare.
NFL: You all know the story of Kurt Warner: grocery clerk turned Super Bowl champion. It appears Hollywood would like to tell that story on the silver screen. Scribe Bernie Miklasz proposes that Jon Hamm, Jim Caviezel or Josh Brolin should play the role of Warner, with Hilary Swank playing Brenda Warner.
ECHL: The Johnstown Chiefs, made famous as the Charlestown Chiefs in "Slap Shot," are leaving Johnstown, Pa., for Greenville, S.C. Owner Neil Smith says, "I’ve been committed to keeping the team here. We tried and tried and tried. But it’s not like this was about to turn around."
TV: Will Erin Andrews become a free agent? If ESPN re-signs her, she says she’s hoping to work the NCAA Tournament should ESPN secure those rights. And she wants to keep doing college hoops and grid coverage for the network. But her contract’s up in July, and she wouldn’t tell USA Today whether she’s talking to other networks, referring that question to her agent.
MLB: The discussion on whether Joba Chamberlain is a reliever or a starter who does fine in a relief role doesn’t seem to be settled in Yankeeville. The team’s top scout and G.M., while deferring to each other, have differing thoughts. While Brian Cashman sees Joba as a "starter who can relieve," the scout says he doesn’t see Chamberlain cracking the rotation in 2011.
NBA: Seems kinda weird that Amare Stoudemire would hold a grudge against Tracy McGrady all the way back from his high school days. In any case, McGrady tells the New York Post that Stoudemire’s claim that T-Mac blew him off when he asked about making the jump to the NBA is "childish" and says he did speak to the young Amare.
NFL: You all know the story of Kurt Warner: grocery clerk turned Super Bowl champion. It appears Hollywood would like to tell that story on the silver screen. Scribe Bernie Miklasz proposes that Jon Hamm, Jim Caviezel or Josh Brolin should play the role of Warner, with Hilary Swank playing Brenda Warner.
ECHL: The Johnstown Chiefs, made famous as the Charlestown Chiefs in "Slap Shot," are leaving Johnstown, Pa., for Greenville, S.C. Owner Neil Smith says, "I’ve been committed to keeping the team here. We tried and tried and tried. But it’s not like this was about to turn around."
Golf: If Tiger Woods is going to agree to a sit-down interview before his appearance at The Masters the week of April 5, then, according to sources cited by the Chicago Sun-Times, the "most likely venue" would be an Easter (April 4) segment on "60 Minutes." One source told the Sun-Times, "The event would assure a ratings bonanza for CBS, it would give the network a three-night run of the NCAA men’s semifinals on Saturday, Tiger on "60 Minutes" and then the NCAA title game on Monday." So yeah, it’s still all about the money for so many people that Tiger will quickly be forgiven of any sins.
• Speaking of Tiger, EA Sports has selected Masters week for the full commercial release of its online version of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf," SportsBusiness Journal‘s Eric Fisher reports. The game has been in beta mode.
Baseball: The Yankees will be the next team catcher Joe Mauer plays for, a scout tells the N.Y. Daily News. But other folks are sayin’ catcher is the last place the Pinstripes need to invest.
NFL: More from the NYDN: Jets owner Woody Johnson may have cost New York the 2014 Super Bowl bid by ranting at Roger Goodell about the whole coin-flip thing deciding who gets to open the new Giants/Jets stadium. Fly’s take: Goodell is brilliant and market savvy – pretty sure he won’t let pettiness rule his decisions. Besides, as the story points out, Goodell doesn’t actually have a vote. We’re not sure at all about what will rule the decisions of the owners who do vote.
College football: Don’t go looking for Bobby Bowden at Florida State games this year, Macon.com advises. He’s giving Jimbo Fisher a little space. "Oh I will follow them on television and pull for them, but I want the other guy to have complete free reign," Bowden said of the ‘Noles and Fisher. "I don’t want anyone to think I am looking over his shoulder. I plan to get out of his way and let him go. But I will definitely be pulling for him. I think there is a greater chance that I will be following Terry and Jeffrey at Northern Alabama. It’s just something I have never been able to do, and it will be great to sit in the stands with my wife and watch my kids coach. There is no doubt that I will do that."
Caught on the Fly
Golf: If Tiger Woods is going to agree to a sit-down interview before his appearance at The Masters the week of April 5, then, according to sources cited by the Chicago Sun-Times, the "most likely venue" would be an Easter (April 4) segment on "60 Minutes." One source told the Sun-Times, "The event would assure a ratings bonanza for CBS, it would give the network a three-night run of the NCAA men’s semifinals on Saturday, Tiger on "60 Minutes" and then the NCAA title game on Monday." So yeah, it’s still all about the money for so many people that Tiger will quickly be forgiven of any sins.
• Speaking of Tiger, EA Sports has selected Masters week for the full commercial release of its online version of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf," SportsBusiness Journal‘s Eric Fisher reports. The game has been in beta mode.
Baseball: The Yankees will be the next team catcher Joe Mauer plays for, a scout tells the N.Y. Daily News. But other folks are sayin’ catcher is the last place the Pinstripes need to invest.
NFL: More from the NYDN: Jets owner Woody Johnson may have cost New York the 2014 Super Bowl bid by ranting at Roger Goodell about the whole coin-flip thing deciding who gets to open the new Giants/Jets stadium. Fly’s take: Goodell is brilliant and market savvy – pretty sure he won’t let pettiness rule his decisions. Besides, as the story points out, Goodell doesn’t actually have a vote. We’re not sure at all about what will rule the decisions of the owners who do vote.
College football: Don’t go looking for Bobby Bowden at Florida State games this year, Macon.com advises. He’s giving Jimbo Fisher a little space. "Oh I will follow them on television and pull for them, but I want the other guy to have complete free reign," Bowden said of the ‘Noles and Fisher. "I don’t want anyone to think I am looking over his shoulder. I plan to get out of his way and let him go. But I will definitely be pulling for him. I think there is a greater chance that I will be following Terry and Jeffrey at Northern Alabama. It’s just something I have never been able to do, and it will be great to sit in the stands with my wife and watch my kids coach. There is no doubt that I will do that."
NFL: With Shaun Hill’s arrival in Motown, Fly’s pal Tom Kowalski (SN’s Lions correspondent) wants to be the first to tell you there’s a quarterback controversy in Detroit.
• Still displaying an inability to shut up, Johnny Damon says he sees his year with the Tigers (which he pretty much said is just one year) is sort of a vacation from the AL East, where he would still like to play — with the Rays.
Golf: If you’re still watching Tiger Woods’ life off the links, Radaronline reports that Elin has not moved home as some sites reported last week.
NFL: With Shaun Hill’s arrival in Motown, Fly’s pal Tom Kowalski (SN’s Lions correspondent) wants to be the first to tell you there’s a quarterback controversy in Detroit.
• Still displaying an inability to shut up, Johnny Damon says he sees his year with the Tigers (which he pretty much said is just one year) is sort of a vacation from the AL East, where he would still like to play — with the Rays.
Golf: If you’re still watching Tiger Woods’ life off the links, Radaronline reports that Elin has not moved home as some sites reported last week.
College hoops: Fly’s fellow bourbon lovers know Maker’s Mark by its red wax–covered square bottle. But the label’s going blue for a limited-edition release honoring Kentucky hoops coach John Calipari. Proceeds will support the UK Symphony Orchestra. That’s nice, but mixing college basketball coaches and liquor might not be a good idea.
• When Tom Izzo writes his book (if he writes his memoirs), he says a Spartans sleepover will be prominently mentioned as one of the most unique ways one of his teams ever went about turning a season around.
• Illustrating the fact that Terps fans are feelin’ pretty good about their chances against the Blue Devils this time around, a Criagslist ad from Maryland first-year law student Burke Miller reads: "I am a Terp fanatic, but as a law student I am in the unfortunate position of not being able to afford tickets to Wednesday night’s game against Duke. In exchange for tickets, I am willing to sign a contract that will guarantee a TBD number of billable hours of attorney services fully redeemable upon my passing of the Maryland bar. Please contact me as soon as possible."
MLB: At a charity function, Roger Clemens took a light-hearted shot at buddy Brett Favre. "I know some of the writers were here asking me about retiring again. I told ’em, I’ve retired three times, surely I don’t have to do it again," Clemens said. "But I was teasing Brett Favre, that heck if he came back, what the heck? I might as well start running again or something." Of course, Clemens is 47 and Favre is 40, but given the beatings Favre has taken vs. baseball’s, we’re pretty sure Clemens would actually be younger in player years.
NHL: Speakin’ of comebacks … Patrick Elias thinks Jaromir Jagr may be back in the NHL next season. "I think he’d love to," said Elias, who captained the Czech Republic’s Olympic squad. "He certainly showed and proved that he still has it. He can be an effective player, no doubt about it."
Auto racing: Watch out, Danica. The newest female driver to land an IndyCar Series ride is 21-year-old Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro, who will likely give Ms. Patrick a run for her money in popularity as well as on the track. De Silvestro actually smiles and just got done kicking butt in the Atlantic Championship. Patrick and de Silvestro, who is driving for HVM Racing, are the only women driving full-time in the IndyCar Series this year; Sarah Fisher is planning to drive about half the season.
College hoops: Fly’s fellow bourbon lovers know Maker’s Mark by its red wax–covered square bottle. But the label’s going blue for a limited-edition release honoring Kentucky hoops coach John Calipari. Proceeds will support the UK Symphony Orchestra. That’s nice, but mixing college basketball coaches and liquor might not be a good idea.
• When Tom Izzo writes his book (if he writes his memoirs), he says a Spartans sleepover will be prominently mentioned as one of the most unique ways one of his teams ever went about turning a season around.
• Illustrating the fact that Terps fans are feelin’ pretty good about their chances against the Blue Devils this time around, a Criagslist ad from Maryland first-year law student Burke Miller reads: "I am a Terp fanatic, but as a law student I am in the unfortunate position of not being able to afford tickets to Wednesday night’s game against Duke. In exchange for tickets, I am willing to sign a contract that will guarantee a TBD number of billable hours of attorney services fully redeemable upon my passing of the Maryland bar. Please contact me as soon as possible."
MLB: At a charity function, Roger Clemens took a light-hearted shot at buddy Brett Favre. "I know some of the writers were here asking me about retiring again. I told ’em, I’ve retired three times, surely I don’t have to do it again," Clemens said. "But I was teasing Brett Favre, that heck if he came back, what the heck? I might as well start running again or something." Of course, Clemens is 47 and Favre is 40, but given the beatings Favre has taken vs. baseball’s, we’re pretty sure Clemens would actually be younger in player years.
NHL: Speakin’ of comebacks … Patrick Elias thinks Jaromir Jagr may be back in the NHL next season. "I think he’d love to," said Elias, who captained the Czech Republic’s Olympic squad. "He certainly showed and proved that he still has it. He can be an effective player, no doubt about it."
Auto racing: Watch out, Danica. The newest female driver to land an IndyCar Series ride is 21-year-old Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro, who will likely give Ms. Patrick a run for her money in popularity as well as on the track. De Silvestro actually smiles and just got done kicking butt in the Atlantic Championship. Patrick and de Silvestro, who is driving for HVM Racing, are the only women driving full-time in the IndyCar Series this year; Sarah Fisher is planning to drive about half the season.
MLB: Speaking of love (and war) and Yankees, there appears to be battery peace in spring training. Jorge Posada and A.J. Burnett are making nice after struggling so much last season that Joe Girardi had to split them up. "I enjoy A.J.," Posada said. "I get up for catching him. I love it. We never had any issues or problems. It happens in baseball, you don’t pitch great all the time." Says Burnett: "I never questioned Jorge and I never will. I questioned myself."
NBA: Joakim Noah proves it’s tough to dunk with plantar fasciitis. "I don’t think the foot is going to be 100 percent for the rest of the season," Noah tells the Chicago Tribune.
NASCAR: In the Jeremy Mayfield saga, the former Cup driver is now trying to get his case moved back to state court and force NASCAR to pay his attorney’s fees related to the venue issue. NASCAR wants to keep the case in the federal court’s hands.
English Premier League: A Tiger-esque episode involving soccer stars is hardly news in the U.K., but when a WAG cheats on her footballer hubby with a Dancing With The Stars star, well, that gets ink on both sides of the Atlantic. Cheryl Cole and Ashley (who plays for Chelsea) Cole are soon to be divorced, and Cheryl has been spotted with DWTS dancer Derek Hough.
Golf: If you haven’t reached the saturation point on Tiger’s tawdry tale yet, Radaronline reports that Elin said no to a family portrait shoot the day before Woods’ televised apology.
MLB: Speaking of love (and war) and Yankees, there appears to be battery peace in spring training. Jorge Posada and A.J. Burnett are making nice after struggling so much last season that Joe Girardi had to split them up. "I enjoy A.J.," Posada said. "I get up for catching him. I love it. We never had any issues or problems. It happens in baseball, you don’t pitch great all the time." Says Burnett: "I never questioned Jorge and I never will. I questioned myself."
NBA: Joakim Noah proves it’s tough to dunk with plantar fasciitis. "I don’t think the foot is going to be 100 percent for the rest of the season," Noah tells the Chicago Tribune.
NASCAR: In the Jeremy Mayfield saga, the former Cup driver is now trying to get his case moved back to state court and force NASCAR to pay his attorney’s fees related to the venue issue. NASCAR wants to keep the case in the federal court’s hands.
English Premier League: A Tiger-esque episode involving soccer stars is hardly news in the U.K., but when a WAG cheats on her footballer hubby with a Dancing With The Stars star, well, that gets ink on both sides of the Atlantic. Cheryl Cole and Ashley (who plays for Chelsea) Cole are soon to be divorced, and Cheryl has been spotted with DWTS dancer Derek Hough.
Golf: If you haven’t reached the saturation point on Tiger’s tawdry tale yet, Radaronline reports that Elin said no to a family portrait shoot the day before Woods’ televised apology.
MLB: In "where have you gone?" news, Brian McNamee has popped up in the news again – as trainer for New York Daily News Assistant Racing Editor Chuck Gardella as he enters a 90-day "Biggest Newser" weight loss contest with his Daily News fellow sports staffers. Fly’s really hoping for video.
Skating: In perhaps the biggest injustice of these Olympic Games, Johhny Weir has not been invited to Saturday’s Olympic gala, an exhibition skate for the Olympians. That means we’ll all be denied Weir’s skate to Lady Gaga’s "Poker Face." This cannot be allowed, and the Johnny Weir War Wagon has been enlisted, thanks to YahooSports.com.
NHL: Non-Olympian NHLer Mike Comrie of the Edmonton Oilers spent the break in Hawaii, proposing to Hillary Duff. More paparazzi pics – allegedly of the big moment – here.
Golf: In case you missed The Golf Channel’s Charlie Rymer shedding the tears that many critics say Tiger should have let loose during his apology speech Friday … we have the YouTube for ya:
More MLB: Speaking of YouTube, we expect to see numerous clips from "The Club," MLB Network’s show featuring the White Sox’s front office, appear on the social video site. "I’m going to be myself," manager Ozzie Guillen told the Chicago Tribune. "You might see a lot of beep. One thing about it. I’m not going to change. I’m going to talk as if no one is around me.”
MLB: In "where have you gone?" news, Brian McNamee has popped up in the news again – as trainer for New York Daily News Assistant Racing Editor Chuck Gardella as he enters a 90-day "Biggest Newser" weight loss contest with his Daily News fellow sports staffers. Fly’s really hoping for video.
Skating: In perhaps the biggest injustice of these Olympic Games, Johhny Weir has not been invited to Saturday’s Olympic gala, an exhibition skate for the Olympians. That means we’ll all be denied Weir’s skate to Lady Gaga’s "Poker Face." This cannot be allowed, and the Johnny Weir War Wagon has been enlisted, thanks to YahooSports.com.
NHL: Non-Olympian NHLer Mike Comrie of the Edmonton Oilers spent the break in Hawaii, proposing to Hillary Duff. More paparazzi pics – allegedly of the big moment – here.
Golf: In case you missed The Golf Channel’s Charlie Rymer shedding the tears that many critics say Tiger should have let loose during his apology speech Friday … we have the YouTube for ya:
More MLB: Speaking of YouTube, we expect to see numerous clips from "The Club," MLB Network’s show featuring the White Sox’s front office, appear on the social video site. "I’m going to be myself," manager Ozzie Guillen told the Chicago Tribune. "You might see a lot of beep. One thing about it. I’m not going to change. I’m going to talk as if no one is around me.”
NBA: Mark Cuban knows a good thing when he sees it. After the NBA All-Star Game’s good-time-had-by-all visit to Cowboys Stadium, the Mavs owner is wondering out loud if it would make sense to have select Mavericks games in Arlington. "If we can make the economics work, we’d look at having a regular-season or a playoff game over there," Cuban said. "You can bring in twice as many fans, so economically it would probably work out. And it would be a unique attraction for people who wanted to come play for the Mavs."
NCAA: Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson and Florida State’s NCAA compliance director, Brian Battle, give the L.A. Times a pretty unpleasant picture of what USC will be facing when its hearing begins Thursday in a Tempe, Ariz., hotel conference room. Intimidating is the theme. USC faces charges that star athletes in football and men’s basketball received cash, gifts and favors from agents or others in violation of NCAA rules.
MLB: Yo Cubs fans, it’s your time of year (you know, when hope springs eternal). The Chicago Tribune tells us that a slimmer Carlos Zambrano is one thing to look for in Cubbie camp.
NFL: Today’s Sun-Sentinel has an interesting take on the power poll concept. The newspaper ranks the top 30 Dolphins players. No. 30 is CB Will Allen. LT Jake Long gets the top spot with this commentary: "As long as Long stays healthy there’s no limit on what he can accomplish."
Dogs: Fly’s still trying to figure out why dog shows are in sports sections. Yay for Sadie, Westminster’s new champ … I guess.
NBA: Mark Cuban knows a good thing when he sees it. After the NBA All-Star Game’s good-time-had-by-all visit to Cowboys Stadium, the Mavs owner is wondering out loud if it would make sense to have select Mavericks games in Arlington. "If we can make the economics work, we’d look at having a regular-season or a playoff game over there," Cuban said. "You can bring in twice as many fans, so economically it would probably work out. And it would be a unique attraction for people who wanted to come play for the Mavs."
NCAA: Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson and Florida State’s NCAA compliance director, Brian Battle, give the L.A. Times a pretty unpleasant picture of what USC will be facing when its hearing begins Thursday in a Tempe, Ariz., hotel conference room. Intimidating is the theme. USC faces charges that star athletes in football and men’s basketball received cash, gifts and favors from agents or others in violation of NCAA rules.
MLB: Yo Cubs fans, it’s your time of year (you know, when hope springs eternal). The Chicago Tribune tells us that a slimmer Carlos Zambrano is one thing to look for in Cubbie camp.
NFL: Today’s Sun-Sentinel has an interesting take on the power poll concept. The newspaper ranks the top 30 Dolphins players. No. 30 is CB Will Allen. LT Jake Long gets the top spot with this commentary: "As long as Long stays healthy there’s no limit on what he can accomplish."
Dogs: Fly’s still trying to figure out why dog shows are in sports sections. Yay for Sadie, Westminster’s new champ … I guess.
MLB: Tigers manager Jim Leyland isn’t worried about losing Jarrod Washburn as of today. He’s worried about that smoking ban Michigan is enacting. "Is it banned all over?" Leyland asked a Detroit Free Press reporter. "Really … then I’ve got a problem," he laughed. "Houston, we’ve got a problem."
Speakin’ of guys who are pretty focused on spring training this time of year, former Indians Triple-A coach Steve Smith is taking some time away from the diamond to appear on "The Amazing Race" with his daughter. Smith has a Class AAA World Series championship to his credit, leading the Indianapolis Indians to the title in 2000.
NBA: As the professional hoopsters retake their respective courts tonight after the All-Star break, Fly offers this piece of water cooler debate fodder: We know LeBron James is the best Cavs player of all time, but who’s No. 2?
Tiger Watch: If you’re still keeping score on the Tiger Woods scandal, we have two tidbits for you today: RadarOnline.com reports that Elin has refused to move back home — at least yet. And according to the National Enquirer, the world’s No. 1 golfer is the world’s worst group therapy participant.
MLB: Tigers manager Jim Leyland isn’t worried about losing Jarrod Washburn as of today. He’s worried about that smoking ban Michigan is enacting. "Is it banned all over?" Leyland asked a Detroit Free Press reporter. "Really … then I’ve got a problem," he laughed. "Houston, we’ve got a problem."
Speakin’ of guys who are pretty focused on spring training this time of year, former Indians Triple-A coach Steve Smith is taking some time away from the diamond to appear on "The Amazing Race" with his daughter. Smith has a Class AAA World Series championship to his credit, leading the Indianapolis Indians to the title in 2000.
NBA: As the professional hoopsters retake their respective courts tonight after the All-Star break, Fly offers this piece of water cooler debate fodder: We know LeBron James is the best Cavs player of all time, but who’s No. 2?
Tiger Watch: If you’re still keeping score on the Tiger Woods scandal, we have two tidbits for you today: RadarOnline.com reports that Elin has refused to move back home — at least yet. And according to the National Enquirer, the world’s No. 1 golfer is the world’s worst group therapy participant.
