Bivens reportedly out as LPGA commissioner

July 10, 2009

LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens reportedly is on the way out as leader of the tour after calls for her resignation by key players. Golf Digest and GolfWeek Magazine reported on their Web sites Thursday that the embattled commissioner will be replaced.

Recent columns

• Marion goes to Mavs in eight-player deal

  July 10, 2009

  The Mavericks, Raptors, Grizzlies and Magic combined in a massive swap Thursday that included eight players, a draft pick and stacks of cash. The deal sent Shawn Marion to Dallas, Jerry Stackhouse to Memphis and helped seal the transaction that moved Hedo Turkoglu from Orlando to Toronto.

• Pioneerof the Nile retired because of leg injury

  July 10, 2009

  Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile has been retired with a soft-tissue injury in his left front leg. Trainer Bob Baffert said the injury was discovered at Santa Anita on Sunday morning when the 3-year-old son of Empire Maker came off the track.

• More US Lacrosse All-Americans

  July 10, 2009

  Ten local girls from outside Baltimore were named to the US Lacrosse High School All- America first team. They are: Emily Gehrdes (Annapolis), Courtney Tomchik (Broadneck), Sam Farrell (Severna Park), Danielle Kirk (Archbishop Spalding), Julie Schindel (St. Mary's), Jen Cosgrove (Kent Island), Olivia Turner (Stephen Decatur), Katie Schwarzmann (Century), Ashleigh Rohrback (Westminster) and Mackenzie Cyr (Winters Mill).

• Hopkins' Neuwirth, 2 others to compete in 18th Maccabiah

  July 9, 2009

  Johns Hopkins water polo standout Jamie Neuwirth and former Blue Jays standouts David Kraus (wrestling) and Mike April (baseball) are among the more than 8,000 athletes from approximately 60 nations who will participate in the 18th Maccabiah games in Tel Aviv, Israel, beginning on Friday. Sometimes referred to as the "Jewish Olympics," the games are held every four years in Israel and attract the top Jewish athletes from around the world. Neuwirth, Kraus and April will represent the United States in the two-week competition that will begin with opening ceremonies in Tel Aviv's Ramat Gan Stadium.

• Check-Hers beats Stars Gold to win championship in Bel Air

  July 9, 2009

  Top-seeded Check-Hers 2012, composed mainly of players from Carroll County public schools, cruised to a 19-12 win over 11th-seeded Stars Gold (Va.) to claim the US Lacrosse U-15 national championship trophy at Cedar Lane Sports Park in Bel Air. Madison Cyr, a rising sophomore at Winters Mill, scored six goals and added two assists to help her team finish three days of play unbeaten, and land herself a spot on the Lacrosse Magazine All-Tournament Team. While the teams finished with 15 draw controls apiece, Check-Hers controlled most of the clock in the second half, especially after quickly extending a 9-6 halftime lead. Stars Gold, composed mostly of rising freshmen at private and public schools in Northern Virginia, closed to within 13-9 when Kathleen Williams scored unassisted at 16:46, but four different Check-Hers players answered within seven minutes to seal the deal.

• Nine local girls named first-team high school All-Americans

  July 8, 2009

  Nine local girls were named to the US Lacrosse High School All-America first team. They are: Liza Blue (Garrison Forest), Kelsi Bozel (Notre Dame Prep), Brittany Dashiell (John Carroll), Molly Fernandez (McDonogh), Erin Laschinger (Notre Dame Prep), Iliana Sanza (St. Paul's), Margaret Ann Smith (McDonogh), Adrienne Tarver (Park) and Sophia Thomas (Maryvale).

• Harding misses late free throw as Mystics fall to Lynx in OT

  July 8, 2009

  Rookie Renee Montgomery scored 16 of her season-high 21 points in the final two minutes of regulation and overtime as the host Minnesota Lynx rallied to beat the Washington Mystics, 96-94. With 1.1 seconds remaining and Minnesota leading 95-92, Washington's Lindsey Harding (27 points) was fouled on a three-point attempt. Harding hit the first two free throws, but her third attempt rimmed out.

• Navy women's soccer player wins Patriot scholar-athlete award

  July 8, 2009

  Two-time first-team Academic All-American Lizzie Barnes of the Navy women's soccer team was selected as the Patriot League's 2008-09 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league office announced Tuesday. Barnes is the third Navy women's soccer player to earn the award and is the third straight and fifth overall Navy athlete to receive the accolade. Navy's five recipients of the award are the most of any conference school. A double major in computer science and information technology, Barnes graduated from the academy in May ranked ninth in military order of merit and 15th in overall order of merit among the class of 2009. She posted a 3.90 grade-point average during her four years in Annapolis, including a 4.0 GPA in classes within her majors.

• Key players trying to oust LPGA boss

  July 7, 2009

  A meeting last week of more than a dozen players resulted in a letter being sent to the LPGA's board urging Commissioner Carolyn Bivens to resign. Golfweek Magazine reported Monday that key players stated the tour's woes cannot be blamed on a poor economy and said the tour should find a new leader to rebuild relationships with longtime sponsors. The magazine cited a player who had received a copy of the letter.

• Bayhawks' Garrity named Defensive Player of the Week

  July 7, 2009

  Washington Bayhawks Goalie Chris Garrity was named MLL Defensive Player of the Week for his performance Saturday night against the Long Island Lizards. Washington relied on Garrity, of Annapolis, to keep its playoff hopes alive. Saving 13 of 20 shots, the veteran goalie held the Lizards to a season-low seven goals. He has played five games this season and has a .533 save percentage. The award marks the third time in Garrity's career that he has earned weekly honors. This is the second consecutive week a Bayhawks player has been recognized. Last week Danny Glading was named Rookie of the Week for his two-goal, three-assist performance against the Chicago Machine.

• Giro named UMBC women's lacrosse assistant coach

  July 7, 2009

  UMBC women's lacrosse coach Kelly Berger announced that Tony Giro, who spent last season as a volunteer on the Retrievers' staff, has been named assistant coach and defensive coordinator. "I'm excited about having Tony on staff," Berger said. "I feel he has many different contributions to make to this program, and I know he has the drive to make UMBC what it needs to be." Last season, Giro assisted primarily on the defensive end, developing game plans and schemes for practices and games. UMBC's backfield led the America East and ranked 12th in the NCAA in caused turnovers per game (10.9) and second in the conference in scoring defense with a 9.88 goals-against average, nearly a three-goal improvement from 2008. "I'm honored that Kelly has brought me back to be a part of UMBC women's lacrosse," Giro said. "We're looking forward to making this program a point of pride for the university and the community." Giro has also served as the coach for one of the premier club lacrosse programs in the country, Maryland and D.C. 2010 Black, since 2004, leading the squad to four straight Galaxy National Championship games, with titles in each of the past two seasons. Before joining UMBC, Giro was part of the coaching staff that led the Mount Hebron High girls lacrosse team to four consecutive state championships and a No. 1 national ranking from 2003 to 2006.

• Forward Mosby returns to Mystics; Humphrey released

  July 7, 2009

  Washington Mystics general manager Angela Taylor announced the return of Bernice Mosby to the team. A 6-foot-1 forward from Baylor University, Mosby was selected sixth overall in the 2007 WNBA draft and spent the offseason playing in France. She has averaged 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds for her career. Washington also released Tasha Humphrey. She played in nine games this season and averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds.

• Coppin State's McKee invited to Wizards' 3-day minicamp

  July 6, 2009

  Coppin State guard Tywain McKee was one of 17 players invited to participate in the Washington Wizards' Summer League minicamp at Verizon Center. McKee, Coppin State's all-time leading scorer, will participate in the three-day camp from Friday to Sunday. The Wizards will make a cut after the minicamp, and the remaining players will make up the Washington Summer League team. The Wizards open play at the 2009 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on July 14th. Summer League games will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center and the COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and will feature 21 teams competing over 10 days from Friday to July 19.

• Fairbanks of Columbia wins Md. amateur championship

  July 6, 2009

  Phil Fairbanks, from Columbia and Hobbit's Glen Golf Club, an annual contender for most of the past 20 years, finally broke through to win the 42nd Maryland amateur stroke play championship at Mount Pleasant Golf Course. He shot 2-under-par 69 to finish at 210, three shots ahead of runner-up John Moheyer, who shot three 71s to finish at 213. John Howson, 50, from Towson Golf & Country Club, won the senior title with 72-215, finishing tied for fourth overall.

• Phillips lifts Sun to victory over Shock in overtime

  July 6, 2009

  Erin Phillips scored six of her 19 points in overtime, leading the visiting Connecticut Sun to a 95-92 win over the Detroit Shock. Sandrine Gruda, playing her first game of the season after representing France in the European championships, had a career-high 23 points for the Sun (5-4). Detroit, which lost star Deanna Nolan to a pulled hamstring in the third quarter, fell to 2-7. Katie Smith had 28 points.

• Moreno's goal in 59th minute gives Crew 1-1 tie with United

  July 5, 2009

  Alejandro Moreno scored the tying goal in the 59th minute and the host Columbus Crew pushed its home unbeaten streak to 17 games with a 1-1 draw with D.C. United in Major League Soccer. Christian Gomez scored his fourth goal in the 33rd minute to give United (5-3-9) the lead, but the Crew (5-3-8) rallied despite being outshot 22-9. Columbus' 11-0-6 run at Crew Stadium is one game shy of tying the MLS record for home unbeaten streaks.

• Reading eliminates Mariners in first round of AIFA playoffs

  July 5, 2009

  The Mariners' hopes of a championship ended with a 50-20 first-round playoff loss to the host Reading Express on Thursday night. Reading quarterback Rob Flowers completed 20 of 33 passes for 262 yards and five touchdowns, and he added a rushing touchdown. Mariners quarterback E.J. Nemeth was 8-for-23 for 115 yards and two late touchdown passes. The Mariners completed their second season in the American Indoor Football Association at 9-6 after going 4-10 the previous season.

• Baloga three strokes ahead at Md. Amateur Stroke Play

  July 5, 2009

  Defending champion Chris Baloga blistered the Mount Pleasant Golf Course layout for a 5-under-par 66, good for a 36-hole total of 138, and took a three-stroke lead in the 42nd Maryland Amateur Stroke Play championship Saturday. Perennial contender Phil Fairbanks of Hobbit's Glen GC in Columbia followed at 70-71-141, trailed by John Moheyer, 71-71-142. John Howson, one of three at 143, was the low Senior. The original field of 117 was pared to 61 players at 155 and better who will play the final round today, beginning at 7 a.m.

• Jackson to return as coach of Lakers next season

  July 4, 2009

  Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. The Hall of Fame coach, 63, said on the team's Web site Friday that he got the go-ahead for another season after consulting the team doctor. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his 10th title in June, breaking the mark he shared with the late Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach.

• Nash, Blue Jackets agree on 8-year, $62.4M extension

  July 4, 2009

  Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets reached agreement on an eight-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season. General manager Scott Howson confirmed the signing to the Associated Press. The Canadian Press first reported the signing, saying the deal is worth $62.4 million. Nash will make $7 million in 2009-10.

• French official: Armstrong to be 'particularly monitored'

  July 4, 2009

  France's sports minister says Lance Armstrong will be "particularly monitored" for during the Tour de France for use of performance-enhancing substances. The seven-time Tour winner has come out of retirement to ride in cycling's showcase. The three-week race starts today in Monaco. "The [doping] controls will be multiplied, and I tell Lance Armstrong that he will be particularly, particularly, particularly monitored," sports minister Roselyne Bachelot said Friday on French cable TV. Armstrong, who has denied having taken banned substances during his cycling career, responded with a post on Twitter: "No worries, it's been this way for 10 years. I have nothing to hide."

• Adenhart fund gives $5,000 to Halfway Little League

  July 3, 2009

  The Nick Adenhart Memorial Fund has made a donation to the Halfway Little League. The $5,000 check presented Wednesday was the first from the charitable fund created in Adenhart's name to benefit Little League baseball. Adenhart graduated from Williamsport High. Jim Adenhart, Nick's father, said at the tournament game where the donation was made, "This is where it all first started." Adenhart, a Los Angeles Angels pitcher, and two others died when their car was broadsided April 9 in Fullerton, Calif., by a minivan.

• Bel Air to host under-15 national championships

  July 3, 2009

  Thirty girls teams and 32 boys teams from across the United States will contend for the first US Lacrosse under-15 national championships in Bel Air. Girls play starts Monday, concluding with the championship game at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Boys play starts Wednesday with the championship game at 2 p.m. next Friday. All games are at Cedar Lane Sports Park.

• Goldbarg joins UMBC women's basketball coaching staff

  July 3, 2009

  UMBC women's basketball coach Phil Stern announced that Jaclyn Goldbarg has joined the Retrievers' staff as an assistant coach. Goldbarg played shooting guard at Brown University, where she averaged 1.8 points and 0.7 rebounds in 28 games during an injury-marred career. Goldbarg spent her senior season of 2008-09 as a student assistant coach, helping with player development, practice, training and film breakdown.

• Pasadena's Sachs named Bethany's basketball coach

  July 2, 2009

  Holy Cross assistant Andrew Sachs, a native of Pasadena, has been named the men's basketball coach at Bethany. Sachs, who graduated from Salisbury in 1990 and was an assistant there, replaces Mike Summey, who resigned to become director of basketball operations at Miami. Holy Cross made the Patriot League championship game in four of Sachs' five seasons there. Before that, Sachs was an assistant for Mike Glick at Archbishop Spalding, where the Cavaliers averaged 28 wins in his three seasons. Bethany, a West Virginia school, has won the Presidents' Athletic Conference title in three of the past five seasons.

• Small wins PGA Pro Nationals; Hagerstown's Schultz 40th

  July 2, 2009

  Mike Small won the PGA Professional National Championship for the second time in five years, closing with a 3-under-par 68 in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M., for a one-stroke victory over Mark Sheftic and Steve Schneiter. Small had a 7-under 277 total to top the 20 qualifiers for the PGA Championship at Hazeltine. Dirk Schultz of Hagerstown finished tied for 40th.

• Free-agent right wing Knuble joins Caps, will play on 1st line

  July 2, 2009

  The Washington Capitals signed free-agent right wing Mike Knuble to a two-year deal worth $5.6 million on the first day of free agency. Knuble, 36, had 27 goals and 20 assists in 82 games for the Philadelphia Flyers last season. "Washington is everything I wanted in a team," Knuble said. Capitals general manager George McPhee was looking for a veteran willing to muck it up along the boards and create havoc in front of opposing goalies. "We needed someone to go to the net," McPhee said. "Mike's made his living there." Knuble will replace Viktor Kozlov, who signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League last month, as a first-line forward alongside star left wing Alex Ovechkin and center Nicklas Backstrom. "What we did is replace a 13-goal scorer [in Kozlov] with a 27-goal scorer," McPhee said.

• Abreu, 3 other Baysox chosen as Eastern League All-Stars

  July 2, 2009

  Four Bowie Baysox - second baseman Miguel Abreu, left fielder Jonathan Tucker and relievers Josh Perrault and Ryan Ouellette - were selected to play for the Southern Division in the Double-A Eastern League All-Star Game on July 15 in Trenton, N.J. Abreu leads the team in hits (85), doubles (18), RBIs (26) and batting average (.296); Tucker has stolen 19 bases; Perrault has 13 saves in 16 opportunities; and Ouellette is 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 22 innings.

• Without new ownership, Wave could be left out to dry

  July 2, 2009

  The Milwaukee Wave, a former rival of the Blast's, could fold. The four-team Xtreme Soccer League, which the Wave joined last September, is expected to disband by Friday. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sources said the Wave seeks new ownership and could land in the National Indoor Soccer League, which includes the Blast. "I would absolutely welcome Milwaukee," NISL commissioner David Grimaldi. said.

• Towson to participate in Preseason NIT in November

  July 1, 2009

  Towson will start its 2009-10 season by participating in the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament. Coach Joe Mathews and the Tigers will travel to West Virginia for the first game of the tournament Nov. 13. Towson will participate in a preseason national tournament for the first time in program history and in a national tournament for the first time since it was in the WNIT in 1969. "We are very excited about the opportunity to participate in the Preseason WNIT," Mathews said. "It is another step toward competing at a national level." The Tigers are guaranteed to play three games as part of the Preseason WNIT, which features 16 teams from across the country.

• Beard's shot with 1.9 seconds left lifts Mystics to victory

  July 1, 2009

  Alana Beard hit a 16-footer with 1.9 seconds left to help the Washington Mystics beat the host San Antonio Silver Stars, 84-82, on Tuesday night. The Mystics (5-3) broke a three-game losing streak. The Silver Stars (3-4) were trying to edge past the .500 mark for the first time this season. Beard and Lindsey Harding led the Mystics with 19 points apiece. Beard picked up her fifth foul before the third quarter buzzer and went to the bench, but came back a minute later when the Silver Stars trimmed a 12-point deficit to one. The Silver Stars had a chance to win, but Belinda Snell's three-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

• Crofton's Eure wins third Junior Amateur title in row

  July 1, 2009

  First-round leader Josh Eure, from Crofton, shot a 72 for a 36-hole total of 142 and won an unprecedented third consecutive Maryland State Golf Association Junior Amateur championship at the Country Club at Woodmore. The recent South River High graduate was followed by Alex Church, 15, from Timonium, who finished with a total 149. Ryan Cole of Mount Airy was third with a total of 150.

• Maryland hires Baylor's award-winning Spencer

  July 1, 2009

  Maryland hired Kyle Spencer, Baylor's assistant director of tennis and the reigning National Assistant Coach of the Year, to lead its program. Spencer, who has also coached professionally and played in the Olympics, spent the past three seasons at Baylor, which finished among the top 10 nationally each year. The Bears also captured the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles each of those seasons.

• Crofton CC's Eure leads Junior Amateur by 2 strokes

  June 30, 2009

  Josh Eure of Crofton Country Club shot a 2-under-par 38-32-70 and took the first-round lead at the Maryland State Golf Association's Junior Amateur championship Monday at the CC at Woodmore in Mitchellville. A starting field of 94 was trimmed to the low 24 and ties, and 28 players at 79 and better will play today's final round. Eure, bidding for an unprecedented third successive title in this event, was followed by Mason Short of White Plains GC, 37-35-72; Brian McCormick of Columbia CC, 34-39-73; and Ryan Cole of Little Bennett GC, 35-38-73.

• Maryland names Vanderbilt's Bakich to replace Rupp

  June 30, 2009

  Maryland hired Vanderbilt assistant Erik Bakich as its new baseball coach. Bakich spent the past seven seasons with the Commodores, where he established himself as a top recruiter, helping attract Top 25 classes all seven years, including the top-ranked national class in 2005 and second-ranked national class in 2008. Terry Rupp resigned May 29 after nine seasons in College Park. In addition to his recruiting duties, Bakich trained the Commodores' outfielders and served as a hitting coach; Vanderbilt finished in the top three in the Southeastern Conference in team batting three of the past four seasons under his tutelage. Bakich played at East Carolina, helping lead the Pirates to Colonial Athletic Association championships in 1999 and 2000.

• MASN to air event between Ripken Sr., Valley stars

  June 30, 2009

  MASN will broadcast the Mid-Atlantic Classic live on July 15 at 7 p.m. on MASN and MASN HD from the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. The game pits 28 Valley League stars against 28 Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League stars. Johnny Holliday will do play-by-play with former Orioles pitcher Dave Johnson the analyst.

• Salisbury to induct Jefferson, Giuffrida, 3 others into Hall

  June 30, 2009

  Kyle Jefferson of Columbia and Michael Giuffrida of Fallston are among five people who will be enshrined into the Salisbury University Hall of Fame on Oct. 23. Jefferson (Class of 1996) earned National Association of Basketball Coaches All-America honorable mention his senior year (1994-95). Giuffrida (1999), a men's soccer player, was a two-time captain and team Most Valuable Player, and was a third-team All-America selection in 1998. The other inductees are basketball player Amy Cooke (1999), field hockey and softball player Megan Block (Hopper) (1999) and Hunter Smith, founder of the athletic training education program and a former Baltimore Colts athletic trainer.

• McDonogh hires Canellakis as girls soccer coach

  June 30, 2009

  McDonogh named Harry Canellakis girls soccer coach. Canellakis, a four-year starter and captain at Kenyon, coached the past four years at Culver (Ind.) Academies, leading the team to the state finals for the first time in school history.

• Baltimore Olympian Carter retires during nationals event

  June 29, 2009

  James Carter has reached the finish line of his track and field career. At 31, the veteran 400-meter hurdler out of Mervo and Hampton University, a two-time Olympian and three-time U.S. national champion, announced his retirement Sunday after failing to complete his event at the USA Championships at Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore. After hitting several hurdles in the final of the nationals, Carter stopped at the eighth barrier, then said, "This is for me, the end."

• Mariners puncture Armor in last game before playoffs

  June 29, 2009

  The Mariners intercepted five passes, including two that were returned for touchdowns by defensive back Andre Letren, in a 70-22 rout of the D.C. Armor on Saturday night at 1st Mariner Arena. The Mariners (9-5) will play at the Reading Express (11-3) in an American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) first-round playoff game Thursday at 7 p.m. Baltimore has defeated Reading twice this season.

• Mother Goose winner 'Rachel' moves to summer home in N.Y.

  June 29, 2009

  Scarcely 12 hours after her record-setting victory in Saturday's Grade I, $300,000 Mother Goose at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra stepped into a van that carried her north to Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which will be the base for her summer campaign. "She ran a big race," said trainer Steve Asmussen of the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, who set a stakes record of 1 minute, 46.33 seconds for the nine furlongs.

• Team USA holds off Australia, 8-7, to capture World Cup

  June 28, 2009

  The United States defeated Australia, 8-7, in the final game of the 2009 Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup in Prague. Team USA goalie Devon Wills made seven saves and had three ground balls to earn Player of the Match honors. Caroline Cryer led the U.S. in scoring with three goals. This is the sixth time the U.S. has won the World Cup, and the fourth time it has defeated the Australians in the final. The first half went back and forth, with three ties and two lead changes, ending with a tie at 3 at the break. Team USA scored five unanswered goals to start the second half. Then Australia gained momentum at 4:53 when Wills received a yellow card for pushing Australian attacker Marlee Paton (one goal). Melissa Williams scored on an open net on a free position to narrow the gap to 8-5. Australia rallied with a goal to make it 8-6. Then, with less than two minutes remaining in the game, Heather Williams scored her second goal to make it 8-7. The U.S. maintained possession for the next minute, running the clock down to preserve the win.

• Caps take 3 forwards, 3 defensemen to finish draft

  June 28, 2009

  The Washington Capitals selected six players in the last six rounds of the 2009 NHL draft, held Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Capitals drafted three forwards and three defensemen who join first-round pick Marcus Johansson. In addition, Washington acquired a fifth-round selection in the 2010 draft in exchange for defenseman Sami Lepisto, who played seven games for the Capitals this past season. Dmitri Orlov, a defenseman from Novokuznetsk, Russia, was Washington's second-round selection. In the third round, Washington selected Cody Eakin, a center from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Washington's fourth-round selection was defenseman Patrick Wey from Waterloo of the United States Hockey League. Brett Flemming, a defenseman from Regina, Saskatchewan, was Washington's fifth-round pick. Right wing Garrett Mitchell, also from Regina, was the Capitals' sixth-round selection. Washington closed out the draft by taking left wing Benjamin Casavant in the seventh round.

• McDonogh soccer standout Kansaye commits to Terps

  June 28, 2009

  McDonogh soccer standout Mamadou Kansaye, who is set to play his fourth year on varsity this fall, has made an oral commitment to play at Maryland. The center midfielder, who earned second-team All-Metro honors, scored 10 goals and added 18 assists to help lead the No. 1 Eagles (20-1) to their second straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship last fall.

• NFL heading to Supreme Court for antitrust suit

  June 28, 2009

  The NFL is going to the Supreme Court in search of a bigger victory in an antitrust tussle over team merchandise than it already won from a lower court. The Supreme Court could decide as early as by Monday whether it will hear the case, which involves American Needle Inc.'s challenge to the league's exclusive contract for selling headwear with team logos. American Needle, of Buffalo Grove, Ill., is also urging high-court review. Team owners hope the high court will issue a broader decision that would insulate the NFL against costly, frivolous antitrust lawsuits. At the heart of the matter is whether the NFL's teams constitute 32 distinct businesses or a single entity.

• 51st pick McClinton seen as combo guard by Spurs

  June 27, 2009

  After a longer than expected wait, Jack McClinton finally got the news late Thursday night: the former Calvert Hall and Miami Hurricanes guard was taken by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the NBA draft. He was the 51st overall pick. "It was crazy," McClinton said of the wait. "I just heard so many things, hearing the Knicks are going to take you at No. 29. But you don't know anything until it happens." Rumors of the Knicks' interest picked up steam when they acquired the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick. Those hopes were dashed when the Knicks selected Florida State guard Toney Douglas. It pushed McClinton to the second round, where he isn't guaranteed anything. He will have to earn a contract by having an impressive showing with the Spurs' summer league team. Although some questioned McClinton's point-guard skills, the Spurs have no plans to use him there. They have starter Tony Parker and backup George Hill. McClinton will serve as a combo guard, according to team general manager R.C. Buford. "Jack is not a one [point guard] at all, we don't want to make him one," Buford said. "He is a specialty player who can guard two positions and can really shoot the ball. He is not a point guard, has never been a point guard and I don't think it will be our purpose to make him one."

• Ponson tests positive for stimulant during WBC

  June 27, 2009

  Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson, a former Oriole, tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years. Major League Baseball will not suspend Ponson. He will be treated as a first-time offender and is subject to a medical review and fine. The International Baseball Federation said Friday that Ponson tested positive for Phentermine, a weight-loss drug that is similar in chemical structure to an amphetamine. Ponson, 32, pitched well for the Netherlands last March in the WBC and later signed a minor league contract with Kansas City. He is 1-5 with a 7.27 ERA and has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 30 because of a strained right elbow.

• Caps draft center Johansson, 18-year-old from Sweden

  June 27, 2009

  The Washington Capitals selected Swedish center Marcus Johansson, 18, with the 24th pick in the NHL draft. Johansson, 5 feet 11, 182 pounds, spent most of last season playing with and against men for league champion Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League. He also played for Team Sweden in the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.

• Twellman out for six games with symptoms of concussion

  June 27, 2009

  The New England Revolution have put forward Taylor Twellman (Maryland) on the disabled list because of symptoms of a concussion. Twellman, the fifth player in Major League Soccer history to score 100 goals in a career, will miss at least six games.

• Rachel Alexandra 1-5 favorite in Mother Goose Stakes

  June 27, 2009

  Preakness and Kentucky Oaks champion Rachel Alexandra galloped about a mile and a quarter on Belmont Park's fast main track early Friday morning, and Today she will be a 1-5 favorite against four rivals in the Grade I, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes. Speedy Malibu Prayer and Flashing are expected to provide the stiffest competition.

• Ellerbe, ex-basketball coach at Loyola, named GW assistant

  June 26, 2009

  Former Michigan and Loyola College coach Brian Ellerbe is returning to the bench after an eight-year absence. Ellerbe was hired Thursday as an assistant at George Washington, joining the staff of coach Karl Hobbs. Ellerbe, who was fired in 2001 after four years with the Wolverines, has since been working as a basketball consultant for college and youth programs and as the vice president for corporate development for Madison Grace Construction Services in Bowie, where he went to high school. Before joining Michigan, Ellerbe went 34-47 in three seasons at Loyola.

• U.S. routs England to advance to championship vs. Australia

  June 26, 2009

  The United States defeated England, 20-3, in the semifinals of the Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup on Thursday in Prague and will advance to the gold-medal game Saturday at 9 a.m. against defending champion Australia, which won the 2005 event by beating the Americans in the final in Annapolis. Katie Rowan led all scorers Thursday with three goals and five assists. Starting U.S. goalie Devon Wills had three saves in the first half, and Megan Huether (Maryvale Prep) had one in the second half.

• Navy football game at Ohio St. set for noon, will be on ESPN

  June 25, 2009

  The Ohio State-Navy football game Sept. 5 at Ohio Stadium will kick off at noon and be televised by ESPN, the Big Ten announced. The game will mark the first time since 1931 that a service academy team has played in the Horseshoe; Ohio State defeated Navy in that 1931 contest, 20-0.

• Team USA beats Ireland, 22-5, will face England in semifinal

  June 25, 2009

  Caroline Cryer had four goals, three assists and five draw controls, helping the United States rout Ireland, 22-5, in a Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup quarterfinal in Prague, Czech Republic. Team USA (5-0) will play England in a semifinal this morning. The Irish gave the Americans a brief scare when they took a 4-3 first-half lead on a goal by Krista Pellizzi (Maryland), but after a timeout the Americans scored the next 15 goals. Lindsey Munday and Katie Rowan each had eight points for the U.S. Lauren Cohen (Maryland) led Ireland with three goals, and Irish goalie Alex Kahoe (Maryland) made 11 stops.

• '08 runner-up Funk commits to Constellation Senior event

  June 25, 2009

  Former Maryland coach Fred Funk, the runner-up at the 2008 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, has committed to this year's event, tournament officials announced. The 2009 event, the Champions Tour's final major of the season, returns to the East Course at Baltimore Country Club on Sept. 28-Oct. 4. One of three Champions Tour regulars in last week's U.S. Open, along with Tom Lehman and Eduardo Romero, Funk made the cut and shot 70-74-75-82 to finish 60th in his 20th U.S. Open. The Takoma Park native earned a spot in the field at Bethpage State Park after surviving a six-way playoff with a par on the fourth extra hole at the sectional qualifier in Rockville. Since turning 50 in June 2006, Funk has four victories on the Champions Tour. He has five top-10 finishes in 2009.

• MLL All-Star Game roster announced

  June 24, 2009

  Major League Lacrosse: The Washington Bayhawks announced that four players have been named to the 2009 MLL All-Star Game.

• D.C. United start with Chalatenango in series

  June 24, 2009

  Soccer: CONCACAF announced the schedule for D.C. United's preliminary round matches in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League tournament. United will face El Salvador's Chalatenango in a two-game aggregate series that will determine one of the spots in Group B. The first match will take place July 28 at RFK Stadium in Washington with an 8 p.m. kickoff, while Chalatenango will host the return leg Aug. 4 at Estadio Monumental Cuscatlan. The July 28 game will serve as Special Game C for half- and full-season ticket holders. Individual tickets sales for the general public will be available via all TicketMaster outlets beginning today at 10 a.m. Should United advance to the next round, it would join CD Toluca (Mexico), Marathon (Honduras) and either San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad) or San Francisco FC (Panama). The preliminary round of the tournament is composed of 16 teams that were drawn into eight home-and-away match-ups. The winners will join the eight seeded teams in the Group Stage that consists of four groups of four teams each. The top two clubs from each group advance to the quarterfinals. The CONCACAF Champions League winner will qualify for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

• Sky overtakes Dream in overtime on Perkins' basket

  June 24, 2009

  Jia Perkins hit a jumper with 44.4 seconds left to lift the visiting Chicago Sky to a 99-98 overtime win over the Atlanta Dream. Perkins, who shot 9-for-18 from the field, finished with 22 points for the Sky, who avoided opening the season with four straight road losses. Rookie Angel McCoughtry (St. Frances) scored 26 points to lead the Dream and had eight assists.

• Yzerman, Hull head Hall group

  June 24, 2009

  Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille and Brian Leetch are going into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

• Brooks to coach at Bowie State

  June 24, 2009

  Bowie State alumnus Darrell Brooks was named the new coach of the men's basketball program. The Brooklyn native, 53, is a 1979 graduate of the university, where he played point guard for the Bulldogs from 1975-79. Brooks coached at George Washington for the past eight years. Before his stint there, Brooks spent the 2000-01 season as the coach at Western Maryland College. Under Brooks, Western Maryland ranked among the top three teams in the Centennial Conference in scoring, assists, three-pointers made and steals. Brooks spent 16 years as an assistant coach at six schools, including Loyola, George Mason (1993-1997), American (1990-1993), William and Mary (1988-1990), Central State University (1985-1988) and Bowie State (1984-1985). Brooks also directed a basketball camp in Maliano, Spain, from 1991 to 1995.

• Filly Rachel Alexandra has 'beautiful' final workout

  June 23, 2009

  Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra put in a final workout before her start in Saturday's Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. The 3-year-old filly worked a half mile in 49.8 seconds at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and trainer Steve Asmussen said she went "beautiful" and looked "happy." Rachel Alexandra galloped out five furlongs in 1 minute, 3.40 seconds.

• Gaithersburg's Kupets earns award for top female athlete

  June 23, 2009

  Gymnast Courtney Kupets of Gaithersburg won the Honda-Broderick Cup, given to the nation's top female college athlete. After missing the 2008 postseason with a torn Achilles' tendon, Kupets returned to lead Georgia to its fifth straight NCAA championship. The senior won national titles in the all-around, bars, beam and floor competition.

• Glover, 2000 sack leader, retires after 13 seasons

  June 23, 2009

  Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover is retiring after 13 NFL seasons. Glover, 34, spent the past three seasons with the St. Louis Rams. He was not re-signed after the 2008 season, when he had 30 tackles only one-half sack. Glover led the NFL with 17 sacks for the New Orleans Saints in 2000, a rare feat for a defensive tackle.

• Chris Smith's wife killed, his 2 children injured in collision

  June 23, 2009

  PGA Tour officials confirmed that the wife of golfer Chris Smith was killed and two of his children were critically injured in a fiery weekend crash that also hurt several members of the London (Ontario) Silverbacks football team, including its owner. The tour said Beth Smith was killed in the crash about 11:35 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 69 near Angola, in northern Indiana. Smith's children, 16-year-old Abigail and 12-year-old Cameron, were listed in critical condition. Chris Smith, 40, won the 2002 Buick Classic.

• Rally sends U.S. to 10-9 win vs. world champion Australia

  June 23, 2009

  The United States rallied from a five-goal deficit in the first half to defeat defending world champion Australia, 10-9, at the Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. The U.S. trailed 5-0 and 9-4 at halftime. Megan Huether (Maryvale Prep) took over in goal for Americans to start the second half and shut out the Australians, making six saves. Acacia Walker (Maryland, Sherwood Forest) scored two goals, including the equalizer on a free position at 7:45, and Sarah Albrecht, who had three goals, put in the game-winner minutes later on an assist from Caroline Cryer. The Americans (4-0) will play in the quarterfinals Wednesday against Ireland or the Czech Republic.

• Mahtook's single in 11th gives LSU 7-6 win in opener

  June 23, 2009

  Mikie Mahtook singled in the winning run in the top of the 11th inning after DJ LeMahieu tied the game in the ninth, and LSU survived Texas' five home runs to beat the Longhorns, 7-6, in Game 1 of the College World Series finals. LSU (55-16) would win its sixth national title with a victory over the Longhorns (49-15-1) tonight. LeMahieu walked leading off the 11th against Brandon Workman (3-4), stole second with two outs and took third when catcher Cameron Rupp's throw went into center field. After Micah Gibbs walked, Mahtook singled into center field for the go-ahead run.

• Top-seeded men, women lose in Ocean City volleyball

  June 22, 2009

  Third seeds John Hyden and Sean Scott won the AVP Crocs Tour Ocean City Open by defeating top seeds Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, the 2008 Olympic gold medalists and defending world champions, in the finals, 21-13, 21-18. Hyden and Scott beat Dalhausser and Rogers in the finals two weeks ago in Atlanta. "To play them in the finals and beat them again is very rare," Hyden said. "But we just never let up." In women's play, second seeds Jennifer Kessy and April Ross used a combined 10 aces to overpower top seeds Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs, 21-12, 21-15. "Ten aces in a game is ridiculous," Kessy said. "It's something you dream about."

• In surprise, U.S. advances after 3-0 win, 3-0 Italy loss

  June 22, 2009

  On the verge of elimination and facing long odds, the United States came up with its best performance at a major international tournament in seven years and an improbable semifinal berth at the Confederations Cup. Charlie Davies scored in the first half, and Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey added goals in the final half-hour to lead the United States over Egypt, 3-0, in Rustenburg, South Africa. The United States needed to win by three goals and have Italy lose by three, and that's exactly what happened. Combined with Brazil's 3-0 defeat of world champion Italy, the United States finished second in Group B and will face European champion Spain on Wednesday, a day before Brazil (3-0) meets host South Africa. While the U.S., Italy and Egypt all finished at 1-2, the Americans scored four goals and allowed six. Italy also had a minus-2 goal difference but scored only three goals and Egypt was minus-3. The U.S. had opened with a 3-1 loss to Italy and a 3-0 loss to Brazil, moving to the brink of elimination for its fourth straight international tournament. Egypt, meanwhile, was coming off a 1-0 upset of the Azzurri.

• Kahne ends 37-race drought, earns rare victory for Petty

  June 22, 2009

  Kasey Kahne gave struggling Richard Petty Motorsports a much-needed boost Sunday, holding off Tony Stewart in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., to end a 37-race winless streak and earn his first road-course victory. Kahne was met in Victory Lane by Richard Petty, who made his first trip as a car owner in more than a decade. A Petty-owned car had not won a race since John Andretti's victory at Martinsville in April 1999. "I feel just as good as he does," said The King, clad in his cowboy hat and sunglasses. "It's great, man. It's great." Petty's race team teetered on the verge of collapse at the end of last season and needed a January merger with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports to stay in business. The team was rebranded as Richard Petty Motorsports and kicked off the season with a strong showing at the Daytona 500. But it's been a rough ride, since. Team manufacturer Chrysler is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and funding to RPM has slowed as Dodge restructures. The team laid off nine employees this month and made companywide salary cuts, and it has been hurt by whispers of financial instability the past several weeks. Just Saturday, majority team owner George Gillett agreed to sell the NHL's Montreal Canadiens in a deal that should help him fight any solvency issues. The victory moved Kahne to 13th in the standings, one spot shy of qualifying for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Stewart finished second and was followed by Marcos Ambrose.

• Phelps wins 100 freestyle, last race before nationals

  June 22, 2009

  Michael Phelps swept both events he entered at the Canada Cup in Montreal, though he gave himself a split decision on his performance in his last two races leading up to next month's U.S. nationals. Phelps, who lives in Fells Point, won the 100-meter freestyle Sunday in the pool that hosted the 1976 Olympics after posting a personal best time there in winning Saturday's 100-meter butterfly. His time of 48.65 seconds in the 100 freestyle improved on the 48.87 he swam one week earlier, when he finished second to defending world champion Brent Hayden of Canada in Santa Clara, Calif. "I'm sort of everywhere where I want to be, except in the 100 free," Phelps said. "I want to be faster in that." He hit the first turn in the 100 in 23.59 seconds, 0.20 ahead of Australian Matt Targett. He held on to his margin on the second length but was unable to add much more distance between himself and Targett, who finished second in 48.87. "I wish I could answer the question of what happened in the second 50," Phelps said. "I'm going to watch the video and see what happened with my stroke and if it fell apart or not. The first 50 felt awesome. That's the best my stroke has felt in a race, was the very first lap, and I've just got to work on doing it for the 100's two laps."

• Walbrook's Smith transfers to Oak Hill in Virginia

  June 21, 2009

  Former Walbrook small forward Roscoe Smith will transfer to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., for his senior year. A two-time Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection, Smith averaged 21.4 points and 11 rebounds as a junior, leading the Warriors to the Class 4A state semifinals. "Me and my parents, we sat down and discussed it," Smith said. "It was a long thing, but at the end of the day, we made the decision to go to Oak Hill." Smith participated in the National Basketball Players Association Top 100 camp this weekend in Charlottesville, Va. Rivals.com ranks the 6-foot-8 prospect as the No. 16 player nationally in the 2010 class.

• Total points record set in Team USA's 26-12 victory

  June 21, 2009

  The United States raced past Japan, 26-12, at the Federation of International Lacrosse Women's World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. The combined 38 points scored by both teams set a tournament record, outpacing the 36 points from Ireland's 23-13 win over the Netherlands a day earlier. American attacker Lindsey Munday led all scorers with six goals and five assists, earning her Player of the Match honors. Attacker Caroline Cryer also contributed five goals and two assists. Kristen Kjellman and Sarah Albrecht each had three goals and three assists. Acacia Walker (Maryland) scored a goal. U.S. goalie Megan Huether (Maryvale Prep) got her first start of the tournament and made six saves before being subbed out in the second half. The U.S. (3-0) has a rest day before heading into Monday's showdown against Australia, the reigning world champion.

• Beard, Langhorne lift Mystics past Sky, Toliver, 81-72

  June 21, 2009

  Alana Beard had 31 points and five assists to lead the host Washington Mystics to an 81-72 victory over the Chicago Sky. Crystal Langhorne (Maryland) had 14 points and six rebounds for the Mystics (4-1). Jia Perkins led the Sky (3-3) with 15 points, six rebounds and six assists. Kristi Toliver (Maryland) had 13 points for Chicago.

• Spain wins 15th straight; South Africa also advances

  June 21, 2009

  Spain set an international record with its 15th straight victory, a 2-0 win over host South Africa in Bloemfontein, that allowed the host nation to scrape into the Confederations Cup semifinals along with the European champion. Spain (3-0) finished first in Group A with six points, two ahead of South Africa (1-1-1). Iraq (0-1-2) was third with two points after a 0-0 tie with New Zealand (0-0-3). Semifinal opponents will be determined by the results in Group B today, when the United States (0-2) plays Egypt (1-1) and Brazil (2-0) plays world champion Italy (1-1).

• O'Neill, former interim coach at Arizona, takes over at USC

  June 21, 2009

  Kevin O'Neill returned to the college ranks Saturday when he was announced as Southern California's basketball coach, taking over from Tim Floyd. Floyd suddenly resigned June 9 amid allegations that he paid to have O.J. Mayo delivered to the Trojans. O'Neill, 52, a defense-oriented coach, was an assistant this season with Mayo's NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies. O'Neill led the Toronto Raptors to a 33-49 record in 2004 and had stints with the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. He returns to the Pacific-10 after serving as interim coach at Arizona in 2008 when Lute Olson took a leave of absence.

• Leaf surrenders in Texas; Kosar files for bankruptcy

  June 20, 2009

  Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has surrendered to Texas authorities to face burglary and drug-related charges. Leaf's attorney, Bill Kelly, says Leaf turned himself in at the Randall County Jail in Canyon, where the former No. 2 pick was indicted in May after coaching quarterbacks at West Texas A&M for three seasons. Kelly says Leaf posted $15,000 bail and headed back to Washington state. Leaf faces one count of burglary and eight drug-related counts associated with the painkiller Hydrocodone.

• Mystics beaten by Dream, suffer first loss of season

  June 20, 2009

  Sancho Lyttle scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the host Atlanta Dream to a 93-81 victory and the Washington Mystics' first loss of the season. Chamique Holdsclaw, who was selected by the Mystics with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft, scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds. Former Terp Crystal Langhorne had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Mystics. Washington is without rookie standout Marissa Coleman (Maryland), who is out four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain.

• Bryant staying with Lakers; health on Jackson's mind

  June 20, 2009

  Kobe Bryant said he plans to stay with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers even he if opts out of his contract this summer. Phil Jackson said his health will dictate whether he returns as coach. Bryant, 30, met with Jackson and general manager Mitch Kupchak for an individual exit interview Friday. The Finals MVP can terminate the last two years of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He's spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers, winning four NBA championships. He could get a new, longer deal if he opted out, but he wouldn't necessarily make more money. Jackson, 63, said he'll decide about next season after he gets some health issues checked out. He has had pain and swelling in his lower legs caused by plantar fasciitis and has undergone two hip replacement operations since October 2006.

• Vickers wins another pole with big run at Sonoma

  June 20, 2009

  Brian Vickers has won his second consecutive pole with a strong run through the road course at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Vickers posted a lap of 93.678 mph in a Toyota to win his fourth pole of the season. He also won the pole last weekend at Michigan, where he finished ninth. He edged defending race winner Kyle Busch, who ran a lap at 93.415 mph to qualify second.

• Homers in ninth send Texas to CWS finals against LSU

  June 20, 2009

  Connor Rowe hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, moments after Cameron Rupp tied it with a homer of his own as Texas came from behind to beat Arizona State, 4-3, at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. Rowe sent a shot into the left-field seats, then sprinted around the bases with his helmet raised in his right hand as his celebrating teammates waited at home plate to greet him. Two batters earlier, Rupp homered over the 22-foot wall in straightaway center field to tie it. Texas advanced to the CWS best-of-three finals starting Monday against LSU, which eliminated Arkansas, 14-5.

• U.S. pounded 2nd time in row at Confederations Cup, 3-0

  June 19, 2009

  If this was a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup, the United States showed it's far from ready. The U.S. was hammered for the second time in a four-day span at the Confederations Cup in Pretoria, South Africa, with Brazil outplaying the Americans, 3-0, Thursday. Felipe Melo scored off Maicon's free kick in the seventh minute and Robinho made it 2-0 in the 20th, completing a counterattack that began when DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan failed to combine on a short corner kick. Maicon added the third goal in the 62nd. Brazil outshot the Americans 23-9, including 11-2 for shots on goal. Combined with an opening 3-1 loss to Italy on Monday and Egypt's 1-0 upset of the Azzurri on Thursday, the defeat left the United States (0-2) with an outside chance, at best, to reach the semifinals. The Americans could advance by beating Egypt by at least three goals, and either Italy scoring three fewer goals than the United States in a loss to Brazil or the victory margins of the U.S. and Brazil totaling seven or more.

• NCAA intends to take away Florida State victories

  June 19, 2009

  The NCAA infractions committee intends to uphold sanctions against Florida State that would take away wins in 10 sports, including as many as 14 by football coach Bobby Bowden. After a public records lawsuit and intervention by Florida's attorney general, the NCAA allowed Florida State to release the committee's June 2 response to FSU's appeal of the NCAA punishment that would strip the school of the victories.

• Arizona State rallies at CWS, eliminates N. Carolina, 12-5

  June 19, 2009

  Kole Calhoun hit a game-tying grand slam in the fifth inning and a go-ahead double in the seventh, and Arizona State erased a four-run deficit in a 12-5 victory over North Carolina at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. Calhoun has 10 RBIs in the CWS. ASU (51-13), the No. 5 national seed, plays No. 1 Texas tonight. The Sun Devils have to win that game and another Saturday against the Longhorns to advance to next week's best-of-three finals. Carolina finished 48-18.

• Talks with Ricketts on Cubs continue; options assessed

  June 19, 2009

  The Tribune Co. said it's still working toward selling the Chicago Cubs to the family of TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, but that it's also "assessing other alternatives." In January, Tribune, which owns The Baltimore Sun, picked as lead bidders the Ricketts family, which founded Omaha, Neb.-based brokerage that became TD Ameritrade. The effort has been led by Joe Ricketts' son Tom of Chicago, a Cubs fan who used to live across the street from Wrigley Field and who met his wife in the park's bleachers. The offer was described at the time as $900 million for the team, Wrigley Field, and a 25 percent interest in a regional sports network. One of the other potential bidders is Marc Utay of Clarion Capital.

• Ravens sign 6th-round pick Peerman to three-year deal

  June 18, 2009

  The Ravens signed sixth-round pick Cedric Peerman to a three-year, $1.2 million deal, which includes a $78,000 signing bonus. Peerman, who played at Virginia, is trying to land a spot as a reserve running back and a contributor. - Jamison Hensley

• Nicanor, Barbaro's brother, gets second career victory

  June 18, 2009

  Barbaro's full brother, Nicanor, notched his second career victory at Delaware Park. With Rosie Napravnik astride, the 3-year-old son of Dynaformer prevailed by 1 3/4 lengths and covered the 1 1/8 -mile turf allowance in 1 minute, 52.95 seconds over a firm course. Nicanor paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10.

• McHale fired as coach of Timberwolves

  June 18, 2009

  New Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn fired Kevin McHale as coach, praising him as a "great man" who deserves respect but offering no specific reasons for doing so during a news conference about his decision, saying instead that "this is going to be a transition period. And with the changes that have occurred, and with the changes that are still going to come, it would have been difficult to put him in the middle of that again." McHale moved down from the front office in December to take over for fired coach Randy Wittman. Minnesota's record under McHale after he replaced Wittman was 20-43.

• Towson to host women's lacrosse championship in '10

  June 18, 2009

  Towson University was selected to host the 2010 NCAA Division I women's lacrosse championship, bringing both the men's and women's NCAA tournament finals to Baltimore next year. The women's games will take place at Johnny Unitas Stadium on May 28 and 30, while the men's final four returns to M&T Bank Stadium on May 29 and 31. It's the first time both championships will be held in the same vicinity. "We had not originally submitted a bid for the championship, but upon the request of the NCAA, we felt we could host the championship one more year prior to our expected construction for a new arena," Towson athletic director Mike Hermann said in a statement. This year's Division I women's championship drew an announced 14,064 to Johnny Unitas Stadium for the three games and broke a semifinals record for paid attendance at a women's game in the United States. Northwestern beat North Carolina, 21-7, in this year's final to win its fifth straight national championship. Next year will be the third straight year Towson has hosted the women's championship and the 12th time the state of Maryland has hosted the event. Baltimore also hosted the men's final four in 2003, 2004 and 2007 and set attendance records in each of those years. The announced 51,719 who showed up to watch the Division I men's semifinals in 2007 are still a single-day record for the tournament.

• Rosters for second annual Crab Bowl announced

  June 18, 2009

  Players and coaches were on hand at Towson University for the unveiling of rosters for the second annual Maryland Crab Bowl, a Baltimore vs. Washington high school football all-star game scheduled for Dec. 19 at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Linganore's Rick Conner will coach the Baltimore team, while Sherwood's Al Thomas will lead the Washington squad. City wide receiver Adrian Coxson and linebacker Nick Forbes of Thomas Johnson in Frederick were also present to represent the Baltimore team. The Crab Bowl's co-founder and president, Chuck Harmon, said last year's game featured 88 players, 83 of whom received scholarship offers. "Forty-seven of those guys had offers going in," Harmon said. "Our goal was getting five to six, but 27 ending up getting offered scholarships." Harmon said all those offers were from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision or Division II schools. Coxson, who has committed to Penn State, said the game will give him a chance to play against players he'll see again in college and enable him to gauge his improvement. "There's always little things to work on," he said. "I want to work on my speed. Get bigger, stronger and faster." - Aaron Wright

• Report: Slugger Sosa failed drug test in 2003

  June 17, 2009

  Former slugger Sammy Sosa tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, The New York Times reported Tuesday on its Web site. The Times, citing lawyers familiar with the case, reported that Sosa is one of 104 players who tested positive in a 2003 baseball survey. The paper did not identify the drug. Sosa is sixth on baseball's career home run list with 609, most of them for the Chicago Cubs. He played for the Orioles in 2005 and has not played in the majors since 2007 with the Texas Rangers. Sosa's agent, Adam Katz, told the Associated Press he had no comment on the report. Commissioner's office spokesman Rich Levin also had no comment, saying Major League Baseball doesn't have a copy of the test results. Sosa testified before Congress in 2005 and denied any wrongdoing, saying, "To be clear, I have never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs." In 2003, baseball did not have penalties for the first-time use of performance-enhancing drugs.

• Clemson, Purnell agree to two-year extension

  June 17, 2009

  Clemson men's coach Oliver Purnell has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Tigers through 2016. Although the deal hasn't been signed, Purnell, a former Maryland assistant, and athletic director Terry Don Phillips have signed a memorandum of understanding dated June 1 that outlines the improved package. Purnell's base salary jumped $50,000 a year to $275,000. His supplemental income improved to $1.1 million each year, up from $775,000 guaranteed in a two-year extension agreed to in 2008. The Tigers have gone 25-11, 24-10 and 23-9 the past three seasons.

• Ackley sets CWS mark in Tar Heels' 11-4 win

  June 17, 2009

  Dustin Ackley went 5-for-6 and became the College World Series' career hits leader, and North Carolina tied a CWS single-game record with 23 hits in an 11-4 victory over Southern Mississippi in Omaha, Neb. The Tar Heels (48-17) eliminated the Golden Eagles (40-26) and will play Thursday against Arizona State, which lost, 10-6, to Texas.

• Pletcher new trainer for Quality Road

  June 17, 2009

  Quality Road, recovered from a hoof injury that knocked him out of the Kentucky Derby, has a new trainer in Todd Pletcher, who says the Florida Derby winner could make his next start in the Jim Dandy Stakes on Aug. 1 at Saratoga. Previously trained by Jimmy Jerkens, the 3-year-old colt was transferred to Pletcher's barn Monday by owner Edward P. Evans.

• Stallworth pleads guilty, receives 30 days in jail

  June 17, 2009

  Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth began serving a 30-day jail sentence for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk in Florida, a punishment made possible by his cooperation with investigators and the wish by the victim's family to put the matter behind them. Stallworth, 28, received the sentence in Miami after pleading guilty to a DUI manslaughter charge for striking and killing Mario Reyes while driving drunk March 14 in his black 2005 Bentley. The athlete also reached a confidential financial settlement with the family of the 59-year-old construction worker. Without the plea deal, the DUI manslaughter conviction could have netted Stallworth 15 years in prison. After his release from jail, he must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight on probation. The house arrest provisions will allow him to resume his football career, his attorney said.

• AC Milan-Chelsea sales at M&T Bank surpass 60,000

  June 17, 2009

  The Ravens have sold more than 60,000 tickets to the AC Milan vs. Chelsea Football Club soccer exhibition July 24 at M&T Bank Stadium. The match - the first soccer game at the stadium - is part of the World Football Challenge, a six-city round-robin tournament being played in the United States this summer. Tickets are available at www.baltimoreravens.com/soccer or by phone at 410-261-RAVE (7283).

• NFL broadens 'Rooney Rule' to include senior posts

  June 16, 2009

  The NFL has broadened its "Rooney Rule" by requiring teams to interview at least one minority candidate when seeking to fill its senior football operations positions. Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the NFL's 32 member teams by memo Monday of the new requirement, which received strong endorsement after being recommended at league meetings last month. The change is expected to provide minorities more opportunities to fill each franchise's one senior football post, which varies in title from team to team. The new requirement, however, will not apply to teams where the position is held by the owner or a member of the owner's family. It also won't apply in cases where there is a pre-existing contractual deal in place - and filed with the NFL - to promote a current staff member once the position opens. Currently, there are five minorities filling top executive positions in the NFL, including the Ravens' Ozzie Newsome. Favre: Brett Favre says he is considering coming out of retirement for a second time and the only team he has talked to about a return to the NFL is the Minnesota Vikings. Favre appeared on the new HBO show Joe Buck Live in his first public appearance since retiring from the New York Jets in February. The three-time NFL Most Valuable Player said he had surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago on his throwing arm. He says the doctor who performed the surgery on his biceps told him it would take four to five weeks for the NFL's career leader in touchdown passes to know if the procedure was a success.

• Wake's Teague entering draft; Turkoglu to be free agent

  June 16, 2009

  Wake Forest star Jeff Teague is staying in the NBA draft, ending his college career after just two seasons. Teague led the Demon Deacons (24-7) at 19 points per game, helping them earn a No. 1 ranking in January before being upset by Cleveland State, 84-69, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He was a second-team all-ACC pick.

• Trainer Murphy dead at 82; UVa. ousts Cal St. Fullerton

  June 16, 2009

  Trainer Jimmy Murphy, who saddled more than 1,400 winners and earned more than $24 million according to Equibase, died Saturday. He was 82. During a career that began in 1965, the Milwaukee native had more than 50 stakes winners, including Knight Landing, who finished seventh in the 1980 Preakness. Murphy was named Trainer of the Year by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association in 2006. Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbot Ave., Laurel. Graveside service is Wednesday at noon at Union Cemetery in Burtonsville.

• Phelps edges Cochrane, wins 400 free at Santa Clara GP

  June 14, 2009

  Michael Phelps held off a late charge by his rivals to win the 400-meter freestyle at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix. Phelps, who lives in Fells Point, cruised to an early lead in the final, but he had to dig in over the final 100 meters to win in 3 minutes, 48.05 seconds under sunny, windy conditions at the outdoor pool. Ryan Cochrane of Canada pushed Phelps in the closing meters only to settle for second in 3:48.40. Robert Hurley of Australia was third in 3:48.49.

• Sharapova ousted by Li, 6-4, 6-4, in Aegon semis

  June 14, 2009

  Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon preparations received a setback in a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Li Na of China in the Aegon Classic semifinals in Birmingham, England. The Russian served erratically to drop to 5-1 against the 20th-ranked Li. The former No. 1 player had been out for 10 months with a shoulder injury before returning to action last month at the French Open. "After such a long layover, every match and every situation is a different test to the body," said Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion. Li will play Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, who defeated Sania Mirza of India, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

• Gay leads St. Jude; Mickelson flooded with fan support

  June 14, 2009

  The encouragement came at Phil Mickelson as he spent nearly 30 minutes signing autographs for fans after a steamy day that featured 21 holes. "We're praying for you," one fan offered. "We're praying for your wife," another said. And Mickelson, his eyes red, kept signing even as he moved away from a shady tree to take care of people waiting patiently in the baking sun. He didn't escape to the air-conditioned clubhouse until everyone still nearby was satisfied. It's nothing new for Mickelson, even after a long day where his putter remained balky in shooting a 2-under-par 68. That put him 10 strokes behind Brian Gay - who can punch his ticket to Bethpage Black and the U.S. Open if he finishes off a wire-to-wire victory today in the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn. Gay shot a second consecutive 4-under 66 to keep the lead by a stroke, this time over Bryce Molder (65) after the third round at TPC Southwind. But it's Mickelson almost everyone here is following, the world's No. 2 drawing the biggest crowds in only his second visit to TPC Southwind. With this his first event since announcing wife Amy's diagnosis of breast cancer, those fans seem to be trying to will Mickelson to birdies that might distract him from what the couple is dealing with, if even for a moment. "It's pretty flattering. The people here have been terrific,"

• UConn coach Calhoun hospitalized after collapse

  June 14, 2009

  Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun was hospitalized Saturday after he collapsed following a 50-mile charity bicycle ride during which he fell and broke five ribs. Team spokesman Kyle Muncy said Calhoun, 67, was taken to the UConn Health Center in Farmington, where he was to be held overnight for observation and released today. Muncy said there were no other health concerns. Maureen McGuire, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said Calhoun told her he hit a pothole and fell with about 16 miles to go in the ride. He finished, but moments later he collapsed and was taken to the hospital. At the hospital, Calhoun was told he had broken ribs during the fall. The hospital said he fainted because of dehydration and trauma from the fall.

• Roddick, Djokovic, Sharapova reach respective semifinals

  June 13, 2009

  Andy Roddick stayed on track for his fifth title at Queen's Club by defeating Ivo Karlovic, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), advancing to the semifinals of the Aegon Championships in London. In today's semifinals, Roddick will face James Blake, who downed Mikhail Youzhny, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Top-seeded Andy Murray beat American Mardy Fish, 7-5, 6-3. Murray will face Juan Carlos Ferrero, who defeated Steve Darcis, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

• Falcons cut Vick; Favre to work with Vikings trainer, coach

  June 13, 2009

  The Atlanta Falcons released suspended quarterback Michael Vick, opening the door for him to sign with any interested NFL team. Vick is eligible to immediately sign with a team even though he has not been reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the team relinquished its contractual rights to Vick on Friday.

• Phelps easily wins 200 fly at Santa Clara Grand Prix

  June 13, 2009

  Michael Phelps clobbered the competition in the 200-meter butterfly at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix. Phelps touched first in 1 minute, 54.31 seconds, beating the field by 5.67 seconds. Phelps' time lowered the meet record of 1:55.93 set by Davis Tarwater last year. "I was really happy with the time," Phelps said. "I'm in some kind of shape." Phelps owns the world record of 1:52.03 set in Beijing, where he won a record eight Olympic gold medals.

• Tickets for 2010 lacrosse championships on sale Tues.

  June 12, 2009

  Tickets for the 2010 NCAA Divisions I, II and III men's lacrosse championships at M&T Bank Stadium will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The championships return to Baltimore for the first time since 2007 and will take place Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31). The event includes the semifinals and final of the Division I championship, as well as the title games of the Division II and Division III tournaments. In 2007, a record 123,000 fans attended at M&T Bank Stadium. Fans interested in purchasing three-day, all-session tickets or hospitality packages have the following options: Online: www.ncaa.com/lacrosse2010 or www.ticketmaster.com. By phone: 410-547-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT or 1-800-551-SEAT. By mail: Ticket brochures can be downloaded at http://www.ncaa.com/lacrosse2010. In person: Fans can visit the Ravens ticket office at M&T Bank Stadium.

• Bomb threat doesn't stop Roddick from advancing

  June 12, 2009

  After the start of the match was delayed by a bomb threat, Andy Roddick defeated Lleyton Hewitt, 7-6, 7-6, to advance to the quarterfinals at Queen's Club in London. Tournament officials, who initially said the match was being delayed because of technical issues, disclosed that a spectator had discovered a bomb threat message pinned to a wall. However, a security sweep found nothing. After trailing 3-1 in the tiebreaker, Roddick closed out the match with his 18th ace to earn a meeting with former finalist Ivo Karlovic. The Croat had 19 aces in a 6-3, 6-4 win over Nicolas Mahut.

• Mickelson shoots 68, trails by 2 in return at St. Jude

  June 12, 2009

  Returning to work for the first time since disclosing last month that his wife has breast cancer, Phil Mickelson got off to a solid start in the St. Jude Classic with a 2-under-par 68 that left him two shots behind the early leaders Thursday. He wore a pink ribbon stitched into the side of his white cap and at times looked fatigued. Jose Maria Olazabal shot a 66 and was tied for the lead with Mathias Gronberg and Chris Stroud. John Daly played his first PGA Tour event since serving a six-month suspension for off-course activities that brought the game so many unwanted headlines and photos. He played in the afternoon and opened with eight pars until a birdie at No. 9 to make the turn at 1-under 34.

• Real Madrid pays Manchester United $131M for C. Ronaldo

  June 12, 2009

  Manchester United accepted a world-record transfer offer for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, clearing the FIFA Player of the Year to negotiate terms with the Spanish club. The Premier League champion said it received an unconditional offer of 80 million pounds, or $131 million, for the midfielder, 24.

• U.S. soccer team might play Iran for first time since 2000

  June 11, 2009

  The U.S. soccer team might go to Iran in November for the first match between the nations in a decade. USSF president Sunil Gulati said the game could be held in Tehran on Nov. 14 or 18. The United States was upset, 2-1, by Iran at the 1998 World Cup in France, then played a 1-1 tie against the Iranians in an exhibition at Pasadena, Calif., in January 2000.

• Investigation of ex-Alabama football star Smith dropped

  June 11, 2009

  Alabama Attorney General Troy King found there were no violations involving former Alabama Crimson Tide star Andre Smith and a sports agent and closed his office's investigation into the matter. "We do not continue to pursue allegations of wrongdoing when a thorough review of a matter finds no evidence that would establish a case for probable cause," King said. Tides coach Nick Saban suspended the All-America left tackle and Outland Trophy winner days before Alabama's Sugar Bowl game against Utah amid allegations that Smith or a person representing him had had improper contact with an agent. Smith left after his junior season and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the sixth overall pick.

• Guards Lawson, McKee to work out for Wizards

  June 11, 2009

  Former North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson of Clinton will attend a pre-draft workout with the Washington Wizards today at Verizon Center. Lawson averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists and 2.1 steals his junior season in helping lead the Tar Heels to a national championship. Former Coppin State standout Tywain McKee will also attend. McKee averaged 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists his senior season and was named to All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first team. Also scheduled to participate in the workout are Jeremy Pargo and Josh Heytvelt of Gonzaga, Taj Gibson of Southern California and Patrick Beverly of Arkansas.

• UM women hire Chinn; Floyd resigns at USC

  June 10, 2009

  Former Seton Hall assistant Marlin Chinn, a Washington native, was named women's assistant coach at the University of Maryland. Chinn, a 1992 graduate of Hampton and an Archbishop Carroll alum, spent the past four seasons as an assistant with the Pirates - the past three as Phyllis Mangina's top assistant and recruiting coordinator. Chinn was an assistant at Mount St. Mary's from 1998 to 2005.

• Poker winnings frozen, advocacy group says

  June 10, 2009

  An advocacy group for online poker said the federal government has frozen more than $30 million in the accounts of payment processors that handle the winnings of thousands of online poker players. The Justice Department long has maintained that Internet gambling is illegal, a view that the poker group challenges. The Poker Players Alliance said the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York instructed three banks - Citibank, Goldwater Bank and Alliance Bank of Arizona - to freeze the accounts.

• Report: Driver Mayfield tested positive for meth

  June 10, 2009

  Driver Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine during a random drug screening May 1 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, ESPN The Magazine has learned from two independent sources. NASCAR suspended Mayfield from driving the No. 41 Mayfield Motorsports Toyota on May 9 for a violation of its substance-abuse policy.

• Ken Green's brother, girlfriend killed in crash

  June 10, 2009

  Pro golfer Ken Green's brother and girlfriend were killed in a recreational vehicle accident in which Green also was hurt. Green was driving on Interstate 20 near Hickory, Miss., on Monday when the right front tire of his RV blew out. Green was unable to control the vehicle and ran off the road and down an embankment before hitting a large oak tree. Passengers William Y. Green, of Indiantown, Fla., and Jean Marie Hodgin, of Greensboro, N.C., were killed in the wreck. William Green is Ken Green's brother and caddie. Hodgin was the golfer's girlfriend. Ken Green was flown to University Medical Center in Jackson for treatment with unspecified injuries, and was listed in good condition in intensive care Tuesday.

• Tierney leaves Princeton to coach at Denver

  June 10, 2009

  Longtime Princeton lacrosse coach Bill Tierney is leaving the Tigers for a position at the University of Denver. Tierney spent 22 seasons with Princeton, leading the Tigers to six NCAA championships and 14 Ivy League titles. His career record at Princeton was 238-86. The Hall of Fame coach will succeed Jamie Munro, who resigned last month after compiling a 91-70 record in 11 seasons. Tierney, who was a Johns Hopkins assistant from 1985 to 1987, inherits a team that finished 7-8 this spring. In his time at Princeton, Tierney led the Tigers to 10 NCAA Final Fours and eight championship games. He coached 26 first-team All-Americans.

• Daly falls short at qualifying for U.S. Open; St. Jude next

  June 9, 2009

  In his first time competing in America since the PGA Tour lifted his six-month suspension, John Daly managed only four birdies over 36 holes of a U.S. Open qualifier in Germantown, Tenn. He shot 1-over 143 and didn't come close to getting one of 13 spots available in Tennessee. Daly has been awarded a sponsor's exemption for the St. Jude Classic, which starts Thursday.

• Favre might face deadline of this week from Vikings

  June 9, 2009

  The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly told Brett Favre to decide this week whether he wants to play this season. Coach Brad Childress imposed the deadline on the star quarterback, according to ESPN, which cited two unidentified sources Monday. The Sirius NFL Radio network, however, reported later in the day without citing a source that a deadline is not in place. When Favre, a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player, retired in February for the second time, he blamed a partially torn biceps tendon for his poor play late in the season for the New York Jets. ESPN reported Favre had arthroscopic surgery last month on his ailing right shoulder, but that it hasn't responded.

• Nadal having medical tests on knees in Barcelona

  June 9, 2009

  Rafael Nadal is having his knees checked by doctors and expects to announce his status for Wimbledon in the coming days. A posting on Nadal's Web site said the reigning Wimbledon champion is in Barcelona for medical tests Monday and today. He is expected to make an announcement by Wednesday. Nadal withdrew from this week's Wimbledon tuneup at Queen's Club in London, citing knee trouble. His 31-match winning streak at the French Open ended with a fourth-round loss. Wimbledon starts June 22.

• 'Rachel' works out; next race might be Mother Goose

  June 9, 2009

  Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra has had another workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., but the filly's next race is not yet set. Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in 1 minute, 13.80 seconds over a fast track with exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard. Last week, the 3-year-old filly went four furlongs in her first workout since winning the Preakness on May 16. Trainer Steve Asmussen says the filly rode beautifully and "seems very happy." Co-owner Jess Jackson has mentioned the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont on June 27 as the next possible start.

• Report: Favre had surgery, still isn't 100 percent

  June 8, 2009

  Brett Favre has taken a significant step in his quest to play for the Minnesota Vikings, but that doesn't mean he will be wearing purple this season. The longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback underwent arthroscopic surgery last month to repair his injured (right) passing shoulder, according to ESPN, but remains unable to make a commitment because subsequent throwing sessions indicate the shoulder is not yet 100 percent. ESPN cited two sources in reporting the story Sunday. Favre retired from the New York Jets in February at least in part because of a partially torn biceps tendon in his throwing arm. Favre, 39, has thrown on a limited basis since the surgery, according to the network, but has not felt close to "100 percent" and would not return unless he makes significant progress.

• Langer takes Triton Financial, his third victory of season

  June 8, 2009

  Bernhard Langer became the first three-time winner on the Champions Tour this season, closing with a 5-under 67 for a six-stroke victory over Mark O'Meara in the Triton Financial Classic in Lakeway, Texas.

• Mystics beat Dream, 77-71, in home opener, are 2-0

  June 8, 2009

  Alana Beard scored 16 of her 27 points in the third quarter and the Washington Mystics won their home opener, 77-71, against the Atlanta Dream for the first 2-0 start to the WNBA season in franchise history. Angel McCoughtry (St. Frances), the top overall pick in the draft, 10 points for Atlanta. Former Maryland stars Crystal Langhorne and Marissa Coleman, a rookie, had 10 and nine points, respectively, for the Mystics.

• Virginia wins, earns first College World Series berth

  June 8, 2009

  Virginia is headed to its first College World Series after beating host Mississippi, 5-1, to win the super regional series. Matt Packer and three others combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed just seven hits as the Cavaliers (48-13-1) set the school record for wins in a season. North Carolina and Southern Mississippi also advanced.

• Jim Dandy, Travers might be in Summer Bird's plans

  June 8, 2009

  Tim Ice, trainer of Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, said his colt could run in the Jim Dandy Stakes on Aug. 1 followed by the Travers Stakes on Aug. 29, both at Saratoga. Chip Woolley, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who was third in the Belmont, was not tipping his hand. Woolley said the goal is the Breeders' Cup Classic in Santa Anita Park on Nov. 7, so "we'll see what fits his schedule best."

• Bocanegra's goal rallies U.S. past Honduras in qualifier

  June 7, 2009

  Carlos Bocanegra scored on a diving header off Landon Donovan's corner kick in the 68th minute, and the United States rallied to beat Honduras, 2-1, in a World Cup qualifier. The U.S. fell behind when Carlos Costly scored in the fifth minute. Donovan tied the score with a penalty kick in the 43rd minute after a handball by Mario Besta. Donovan then started the play for the go-ahead goal with a corner kick that was headed down by Clint Dempsey, who outjumped Hendry Thomas. Bocanegra charged in and headed it in from about 3 yards for his 11th international goal.

• Memphis will have to wait 6-8 weeks for NCAA ruling

  June 7, 2009

  The NCAA met with Memphis officials on Saturday to discuss major violations, and the school must wait at least six weeks for a ruling on whether its 38 wins from the 2007-08 season will count. The most serious allegation taken up at the meeting was whether an unknown person took the SAT for a player. The NCAA has said the athlete in question played for the Tigers for only the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The only person who fits the description in documents obtained by the Associated Press is Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft after that season. Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson had no comment as he left the four-hour meeting. Memphis president Dr. Shirley Raines also would not speak but issued a statement. "Although we cannot comment on the specifics of what occurred during the hearing, I can say that as president, I reiterated the university's commitment to NCAA rules compliance," Raines said. "We believe we were able to fully answer the committee's questions and present the actions we have already taken based upon our internal investigations." Memphis officials have said the school should keep the victories from the 2007-08 season that ended in the national title game. An NCAA spokeswoman said a ruling is expected within six to eight weeks.

• Bettencourt, Wilson lead at Memorial; Woods 4 back

  June 7, 2009

  Matt Bettencourt ran off four straight birdies on the super slick greens of Muirfield Village, survived a few scary moments on the back nine and wound up with a 4-under-par 68 to share the 54-hole lead with two-time tour winner Mark Wilson in the PGA Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. They were at 9-under 207, with a host of major champions lurking, including Tiger Woods. Woods turned away a half-dozen times on birdie putts that burned the edge, but he climbed into contention on the back nine and shot a 68, leaving him four shots behind.

• Ex-Terp Coleman leads Mystics over Suns in opener

  June 7, 2009

  Rookie Marissa Coleman (Maryland) scored 16 points, and the visiting Washington Mystics beat the Connecticut Sun, 82-70, in the season opener. Monique Currie scored 14 points, Lindsey Harding added 12, and Nakia Sanford had 11 for the Mystics, who also out-rebounded Connecticut 44-26. Coleman was 6-for-9 from the field and made all four of her three-pointers. "She's awesome," Washington coach Julie Plank said of Coleman.

• Donald rides spectacular putting to 3-shot lead

  June 5, 2009

  Tiger Woods hardly missed a fairway, a big improvement. Luke Donald hardly missed a putt, and that was far more rewarding at the PGA Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. Donald set a tournament record by taking only 20 putts, which allowed him to tie a tournament record by opening with an 8-under-par 64 and a three-shot lead over a group that included Jim Furyk and Jason Day, who bogeyed his last two holes. Donald birdied six consecutive holes. He one-putted nine straight holes until a par on the 18th hole to match the lowest opening round at the Memorial. Woods, who shot a 69, didn't miss a fairway until the 18th hole.

• Ravens draft pick Drew agrees to three-year deal

  June 5, 2009

  Tight end Davon Drew agreed to a three-year deal that includes just less than $140,000 in guaranteed money with the Ravens, the team announced Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound fifth-round selection from East Carolina became the first Ravens draft pick to sign a contract. Drew joins a crowd at the position that includes Todd Heap, L.J. Smith, Quinn Sypniewski and Edgar Jones. Drew led the Pirates with 695 receiving yards and a 16.2 yards-per-catch average his senior season.

• Wade sues ex-partner for $100M, alleging libel, slander

  June 5, 2009

  NBA: Dwyane Wade sued a former business partner for $100 million, claiming the man maligned his reputation by making false allegations of illegal drug and steroid use in an e-mail to Miami Heat president Pat Riley. Wade's lawsuit accuses Richard von Houtman of libel and slander. The focus of the lawsuit, filed May 28 in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, is two e-mails it said von Houtman sent to Riley. According to the lawsuit, von Houtman accused Wade and other unnamed Heat players in a March 15 message of smoking marijuana and using cocaine and steroids. ... Chris Bosh doesn't plan to sign a contract extension with the Toronto Raptors this summer and is preparing to become a free agent at the end of next season.

• Avs promote Sherman to GM, fire coach Granato

  June 4, 2009

  The Colorado Avalanche promoted Greg Sherman to general manager and fired coach Tony Granato and five others in a sweeping shakeup Wednesday. Sherman has spent the past seven years as the team's assistant general manager and replaces Francois Giguere, who was fired in April after the team's worst finish since moving to Denver in 1995. The Avalanche also fired assistant coaches Jacques Cloutier and Dave Barr, goaltending coach Jeff Hackett, assistant to the general manager Michel Goulet and video coordinator P.J. DeLuca.

• Mount Hebron's Robinson resigns after 13 seasons

  June 4, 2009

  Mount Hebron girls basketball coach Scott Robinson told his team Tuesday that he and his entire staff - assistant coaches Tony Giro, Phil Tonkins and James Stewart, along with out-of-season coordinator Erica McCauley and consultant Erin Jaschik - were resigning. "The stars all aligned perfectly for this to happen. The timing for all of us, personally and professionally, was right," said Robinson, who will remain a media specialist at the school. The Vikings went 17-8 last season and 232-84 in Robinson's 13 seasons with the team.

• Shinnecock Indian tribe eyes Belmont Park for casino

  June 4, 2009

  Members of the Shinnecock Indian tribe have said in recent days that they are willing to consider Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., as the location for the casino they want to open. The track is located just outside New York City, meaning millions in the metropolitan area could satisfy a gambling yen without a trip to Atlantic City or to Indian-run casinos in Connecticut, both at least 90 minutes away.

• Gettysburg assistant to help Frostburg restart lacrosse

  June 4, 2009

  Frostburg State, which will field a men's team in 2011 for the first time in 33 years, named Gettysburg assistant Tommy Pearce as its head coach. The university offered the sport from 1970 to 1978. Pearce was an assistant at Gettysburg in each of the past four years, when the team went 66-12 overall and 29-3 in the Centennial Conference; he was a standout midfielder for the Bullets from 1998 to 2001.

• Costa Rica beats U.S., 3-1, in World Cup qualifier

  June 4, 2009

  Alvaro Saborio scored 79 seconds in, the second-fastest goal against the United States in a World Cup qualifier, and host Costa Rica coasted to a 3-1 victory Wednesday night in San Jose. Celso Borges added a goal in the 13th minute, and Pablo Herrera sealed the victory for 41st-ranked Costa Rica when he made it 3-0 in the 69th. Landon Donovan scored the U.S. goal when he converted a penalty kick in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. Costa Rica (3-1) leapfrogged into first place in the six-team regional finals of North and Central America and the Caribbean with nine points, two ahead of the United States (2-1-1). The United States remains in good position to qualify for its sixth straight World Cup as long as it wins its remaining home matches, which include games against El Salvador (Sept. 5 at Sandy, Utah) and Costa Rica (Oct. 14 at Washington).

• Report: NBA TV being added to more popular Comcast tier

  June 4, 2009

  Comcast Corp. has reached a new seven-year agreement that will add the NBA TV channel to the cable TV operator's most popular digital tier of service before the start of the next pro basketball season, the Associated Press reported, citing an anonymous source. Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV provider, struck the deal with NBA Digital that would give NBA TV exposure to 11 million "Digital Classic" viewers compared with the 2 million it had as part of the sports tier, according to a person with knowledge of the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release details.

• Memphis says it found no evidence of wrongdoing

  June 3, 2009

  Memphis says it should keep the victories from the 2007-08 season that ended in the national title game after an internal investigation turned up no proof that a former men's basketball player cheated on his SAT. "Certainly, the University of Memphis should not suffer a financial penalty or vacation of records for the 2008 NCAA tournament as a result of this allegation," a report detailing the school's investigation into NCAA allegations said. The report, released to the Associated Press and other news outlets under a public-records request, details Memphis' internal probe into accusations that a former player allowed a stand-in to take his SAT. The report also looked into charges of grade tampering on behalf of the player. An attorney for former Memphis star Derrick Rose has acknowledged that Rose cooperated with an investigation of similar allegations while still a student. Rose, the overall No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA draft and the Rookie of the Year, was the point guard for the Memphis team that lost to Kansas in the title game.

• State of Michigan cutting 101 horse racing dates

  June 3, 2009

  Michigan is eliminating horse racing dates this summer because of the state's budget problems. Racing commissioner Christine White signed orders cutting 101 dates at thoroughbred and harness tracks. Pinnacle Race Course in New Boston will lose 42 out of 82 days originally scheduled. Mount Pleasant Meadows will lose 18 of 37 days. Hazel Park will lose 38 days. Northville Downs will lose three days in the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

• Cowboys cut linebacker Ellis; NHL owner eyes buying Rams

  June 3, 2009

  The Dallas Cowboys released Greg Ellis, who was with the team for 11 seasons and recorded the eighth-most sacks in club history. The announcement was no surprise. A week before, team owner Jerry Jones said the club was planning to cut Ellis if he couldn't be traded. The Cowboys bypassed Randy Moss to take Ellis with the eighth overall pick in the 1998 draft. He had 77 sacks and 634 tackles over 162 games and led the team in sacks six times. Ellis was a defensive end for most of that time, then moved to linebacker when Bill Parcells changed to a 3-4 defense. He grumbled at first, then tore his Achilles' tendon. He returned in 2007 and had his best season with 12 1/2 sacks in 13 games, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.

• Charges against Bridges, Redskins lineman, dropped

  June 2, 2009

  Charges against Washington Redskins offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges stemming from an incident at a Charlotte, N.C., restaurant have been dropped. Mecklenburg County District Court spokesman Charles Keller said two counts of simple assault and one count of communicating threats were dismissed by the district attorney.

• Mercury jerseys to have sponsor's name across front

  June 2, 2009

  Following the lead of international sports, the Phoenix Mercury has become the first WNBA team to put a sponsor's name on their jerseys. Under the three-year deal with LifeLock, the identity theft protection company's name will replace the "Phoenix" and "Mercury" across the road and home uniforms. The team's logo will appear above the "LifeLock" on the left side. The Mercury is the first team to finalize an agreement under the league's new initiative aimed at increasing revenue and marketing opportunities.

• Washington is one victory from NCAA championship

  June 2, 2009

  Washington routed top-seeded Florida, 8-0, in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series finals in Oklahoma City, ending the Gators' 29-game winning streak. Danielle Lawrie (41-8) threw a two-hitter to set a Huskies record with her 41st career shutout. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is tonight.

• Navy's Long among 8 selected for Hall of Fame

  June 2, 2009

  Jeff Long, a three-time All-American and Navy's all-time leading scorer, was selected for induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Long will join Cherie Greer Brown (Virginia, 1994), Todd Curry (Syracuse, 1987), Patricia Price Genovese (coach), Kevin Lowe (Princeton, 1994), Jennifer Miller O'Donnell (official), Mark Millon (Massachusetts, 1993) and Jessica Wilk Strosberg (Maryland, 1990), for the induction ceremony Nov. 7 honoring the 52nd class at the Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley. "This honor is really about surrounding myself with great people - all of my teammates, my coaches, my family and my friends," Long said. "Any success that I have achieved is merely a reflection of others and the roles they've played in my life."

• Report: Mickelson plans return in time for U.S. Open

  June 2, 2009

  Phil Mickelson plans a brief return to the PGA Tour in time to play in the U.S. Open, a person informed of the plans told the Associated Press. The world's No. 2 player suspended his schedule indefinitely upon announcing two weeks ago that his wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Recent tests have given them hope the cancer has been caught early, with more tests over the next month. Mickelson intends to return next week at the St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tenn., then play the following week in the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, the source said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Mickelson had not announced his decision.

• 'It's time to go uptown,' Eddie Jordan says of his 76ers

  June 2, 2009

  Eddie Jordan was introduced as Philadelphia's new coach Monday with a promise that his Princeton offense can turn the 76ers into Eastern Conference contenders. "This team has a good core group, has future stars in the waiting, they've had playoff experience for two years," said Jordan, who was fired by Washington in November and is 230-288 in coaching stints with the Wizards and Sacramento Kings. "Now it's time to go uptown." Philadelphia went 41-41 this season and was eliminated in the first round, and the Sixers haven't won a playoff series since 2003. Enter Jordan, who plans to turn the Sixers into winners with his Princeton offense filled with backdoor cuts and sharp passing. "If you're a basketball player with a basketball IQ, it will be easy to learn," he said. Jordan, who signed a three-year contract, said former Wizards assistant Mike O'Koren and Sixers assistant Aaron McKie will likely join him on staff.

• GM expected to keep its stake in auto racing

  June 2, 2009

  General Motors Corp. is expected to continue its long-time involvement in auto racing as the Detroit carmaker retools after bankruptcy. A company spokesman said he didn't expect budget cuts to GM Racing's program, which had already been scaled back earlier in the year. GM supports teams in NASCAR, NHRA, ALMS and short-track racing, offers marketing support and vehicles to racetracks, and provides cash and technical aid to race teams.

• Menchov tumbles, gets up to win Giro; Armstrong 12th

  June 1, 2009

  Denis Menchov won the Giro d'Italia despite falling in the final half-mile. The Russian lost control on rain-slicked cobblestones and slid for about 10 yards. He got right back up, ran ahead to his bike but then opted to take a spare bike provided by his team car. Menchov entered the final stage - an 8.95-mile individual time trial in Rome - with a 20-second lead on Danilo Di Luca and was comfortably ahead of the Italian at the final checkpoint before he fell. Menchov finished the race with a 41-second advantage over Di Luca, while Franco Pellizotti was third overall, 1:59 back. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong finished 12th overall, 15:59 behind Menchov.

• Dixon victorious in Foyt 225; Stars name Nieuwendyk GM

  June 1, 2009

  Scott Dixon took advantage of the heavy Milwaukee Mile traffic to pass Ryan Briscoe and drive away to a victory in West Allis, Wis. The reigning IndyCar Series champion darted past Briscoe 25 laps from the end of the A.J. Foyt 225 and was not challenged the rest of the way, beating last year's race winner by nearly half the front straightaway on the one-mile oval. Dixon took the series points lead from Target Chip Ganassi teammate Dario Franchitti, who finished third. Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves finished two laps off the pace in 11th.

• Stricker breaks through, takes Crowne Plaza playoff

  June 1, 2009

  Steve Stricker birdied the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to beat Tim Clark and Steve Marino and win the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas. It was his first PGA Tour title; he was second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh at other tournaments this year. Clark, who has earned the most money ($12.7 million) without winning a tournament in PGA Tour history, blew a two-shot lead with five holes left, including a bogey on No. 18 that forced the playoff. He also missed a short putt that would have won it on the first hole of the playoff. On the second hole, Stricker put his approach within a few feet and Clark almost matched it - but his approach hit the stick and rolled more than 20 feet away. He missed his birdie try and Stricker made his for his fifth career victory. Clark was left with his seventh runner-up finish.

• Back in form, Gay runs 3rd-fastest 200 ever

  May 31, 2009

  Tyson Gay, the reigning world champion, ran the third-fastest time ever in the 200 meters in winning in 19.58 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix on Saturday in New York. The only faster times are Usain Bolt's world record last year of 19.30 and Michael Johnson's 19.32 in 1996. It was in the 200 at last year's U.S. Olympic trials that Gay hurt his hamstring. He didn't win a medal at the Beijing Games after coming in as the world champion in the 100 and 200. Gay's previous personal best was 19.62 seconds in 2007. He blew away a strong field, beating second-place finisher Wallace Spearmon by 0.4 of a second.

• Clark leads Crowne Plaza; Texas A&M men win NCAAs

  May 31, 2009

  Tim Clark birdied the 18th hole for a 6-under-par 66 that gave him a two-stroke lead going into the final round of the PGA Tour's Crowne Plaza Invitational. Clark moved ahead of playing partner Steve Stricker with a birdie on the 11th hole, then strung together pars until No. 18. The South African was at 17-under 193 as he chased his first career PGA Tour victory; he has finished second six times, including this tournament last year.

• Menchov set to clinch Giro victory in time trial

  May 31, 2009

  Russian Denis Menchov added two seconds to his overall lead at the Giro d'Italia in the next-to-last stage in Anagni. He finished ahead of Danilo Di Luca in a mid-race sprint and leads the Italian by 20 seconds entering today's final time trial in Rome. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong remained 12th overall, but his gap behind Menchov rose to 15:04.

• Crystal Palace Baltimore to play parent in Waldorf

  May 31, 2009

  Crystal Palace Baltimore will play its parent club, London's Crystal Palace Football Club, in an exhibition July 13 at 8 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs minor league baseball team. The match will be televised nationally by Fox Soccer Channel. Tickets will be general admission and priced at $14 for adults and $12 for youth, seniors and military. ... On Friday night, Crystal Palace Baltimore lost, 1-0, to Real Maryland before an announced 2,887 at UMBC Stadium on Gary Brooks' header in the 88th minute.

• Keselowski takes Nationwide race at Dover

  May 31, 2009

  Brad Keselowski raced to his first Nationwide Series victory of the season, taking the lead during a restart with two laps left at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Kyle Busch led most of the second half of race and appeared on the way to his third win of the season. But he seemed to have tire trouble off the restart that came after the caution with seven laps left. Busch also was nudged from behind by Joey Logano and both cars went up the track, giving Keselowski space to pass. Logano was second on the first anniversary of his Nationwide debut. Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers and Carl Edwards rounded out the top five. Fourth-generation Earnhardt driver Jeffrey Earnhardt failed to qualify for what he was hoping would be his Nationwide debut. He was the lone driver who did not crack the 43-car field.

• Indy 500 winner Castroneves hits wall in qualifying

  May 31, 2009

  Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves has crashed in qualifying at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. Castroneves bounced off the wall during qualifying for the A.J.Foyt 225. The Brazilian driver was not injured, but his Penske Racing No. 3 Dallara suffered considerable damage, and he will start today's race from the rear of the 20-car grid.

• N.M.'s Locksley accused of sexual harassment

  May 30, 2009

  New Mexico football coach Mike Locksley, a former Towson State and Maryland assistant coach who was hired Dec. 9, has been accused of sexual harassment by a former administrative assistant. Sylvia Lopez filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She worked under Locksley at the Lobos football office before transferring last month, then quit her university job May 15. "I had always treated everybody with respect," Locksley, who played at Towson State, said in a statement released to Albuquerque television station KRQE. "That is who I am. Change and transition is always tough on everybody. Out of respect for all involved, that is all I am going to say." Athletic director Paul Krebs said Friday that the university is taking the complaint seriously. He stood behind the first-year coach, calling Locksley "an outstanding individual."

• Seibald, Nielsen named Tewaaraton Trophy winners

  May 30, 2009

  Cornell senior midfielder Max Seibald and Northwestern junior midfielder Hannah Nielsen have been named winners of the Tewaaraton Trophy, which goes to the nation's top college players. Seibald, who had 28 goals and 10 assists, led the Big Red to the national championship game, which it lost to Syracuse in overtime; he's the third winner to play for a team that didn't win the national title. Seibald graduates as the first player in Ivy League history to earn first-team honors all four years and the 11th player in school history to exceed 140 career points (141). Nielsen was honored as the women's winner for the second straight year (she was also one of five Tewaaraton finalists in 2007); she set records for assists in the NCAA tournament (16) and assists in a title game (six), which was won by the Wildcats for the fifth straight year.

• Half-marathon to be held Sunday in Timonium

  May 29, 2009

  The Maryland Half-Marathon will be held Sunday in Timonium, with the proceeds to benefit the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. There also will be a Kids One-Mile Fun Run and a post-race festival with live music at the Maryland State Fairgrounds at 2200 York Road. More than 1,700 people have signed up to run the 13.1-mile course. The half-marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds, with the festival starting at 10 a.m. Admission to the festival is free.

• Alleged violations could cost Memphis its 2007-08 wins

  May 29, 2009

  Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson defended the men's basketball program Thursday, saying the school checks out all potential players. He would not confirm that Derrick Rose, who led Memphis to the 2008 national title game, is at the center of an NCAA investigation of major violations during that season. In a letter to the school the NCAA says an unknown person took the SAT for a player, with his knowledge, and then the player used that test to get into Memphis. The NCAA said the athlete in question played for the Tigers in the 2007-2008 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The only person who played just that season was Rose. "We wouldn't play anybody if we hadn't checked it out pretty thoroughly," Johnson said. The alleged violations occurred under John Calipari, who left March 31 to take over at Kentucky. Calipari, who's cooperating with the investigation, was told by the NCAA in a letter that he was not at risk of being charged with any violations in the case. Memphis faces the loss of its 38 wins that season.

• Louisiana moves closer to ensuring Saints stick around

  May 29, 2009

  The Louisiana House has approved a central piece of Gov. Bobby Jindal's deal to keep the New Orleans Saints in the state. The measure, sent to the Senate with a 70-23 vote, would allow team owner Tom Benson to act as the state's landlord by letting the state lease office space from Benson for up to two decades. Jindal agreed to rent office space from the Saints owner in a deal to funnel money to the NFL team while limiting direct cash subsidies, which have reached $23.5 million a year. For his part, Benson agreed to keep the Saints in New Orleans through 2025.

• Pimlico spring wagering up 8.9 percent from 2008

  May 28, 2009

  The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico Race Course last weekend, posting average wagering figures that were 8.9 percent higher than comparable dates from 2008. The spring meet featured just 20 live racing dates, 11 fewer than a year ago. When comparing the 41 days of the stand (20 live and 21 simulcast) with 2008, the average daily handle rose from $6.293 million to $6.854 million. Increased wagering for the May 16 card headlined by Preakness Stakes was the reason for the higher totals. Wagering on the 13-race card finished at more than $86.6 million, the fifth largest in the 134-year history of the event, up 18 percent from a year ago. Nearly $60 million was bet on the Preakness itself as filly Rachel Alexandra defeated 12 colts and geldings. The race drew 10.9 million viewers on NBC, up 38 percent from 2008.

• Report: Memphis responding to alleged NCAA violations

  May 28, 2009

  The University of Memphis is responding to an NCAA notice of allegations accusing the men's basketball program of major violations during the 2007-08 season under John Calipari, a newspaper reported Wednesday. The allegations include "knowing fraudulence or misconduct" on an SAT exam by a player on that season's team, which finished runner-up in the NCAA tournament, The Commercial Appeal reported on its Web site. Lamar Chance, spokesman for the basketball program, declined to comment Wednesday night when contacted

• Football coaches' votes confidential starting in 2010

  May 28, 2009

  Beginning in 2010, ballots in the final regular-season USA Today coaches' college football poll will be confidential - one of a handful of changes on tap for the poll that helps decide who plays in the BCS national championship game. The American Football Coaches Association asked Gallup to study its poll and recommend how to make it more accurate and credible. The AFCA's board heard the results in early May and announced them Wednesday. "Gallup said, 'Look, why do you think they have curtains and booths for voting?' " AFCA executive director Grant Teaff said. "They said it's because you get the truest vote from an anonymous vote."

• Ex-goalie Roy turns down Avalanche coaching offer

  May 28, 2009

  Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy won't be returning to Colorado to try to lead the Avalanche back to respectability. Roy turned down an offer to coach the team, which he led to two Stanley Cup titles but is reeling from its worst finish since moving to Denver in 1995 and has very little financial maneuverability. "All I can say is that the Avalanche's offer was more than interesting," Roy said.

• Oilers hire Quinn as coach, Renney as associate coach

  May 27, 2009

  The Edmonton Oilers are bringing Pat Quinn back to the NHL. He's bringing a gold medal along with him. The Oilers hired Quinn as coach Tuesday, hoping his success with Canada at the world junior championships this year can translate to the pros. Quinn has been out of the league since being fired as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs after the 2005-2006 season. "If I think of leadership, I think of Pat," Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said during a news conference. "If I think of the way you want to be treated as a player, I think of someone like Pat Quinn. If I think of someone who sets an example morally for an organization of how to go forward, I think of a man like Pat Quinn." The Oilers also picked former Rangers coach Tom Renney as associate coach and retained longtime Oiler Kelly Buchberger on staff. The Oilers will be the fifth NHL team coached by Quinn, who succeeds the fired Craig MacTavish. The two-time NHL Coach of the Year has 657 career wins in 1,318 games behind the bench with Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto. "I'm very happy for this opportunity," Quinn said. "Hockey has been my life, and I can't think of a better place to continue to work in what I consider to be the greatest job that a man can have."

• Garnett has knee surgery to remove bone spurs

  May 27, 2009

  Kevin Garnett had surgery on his right knee after missing all of the playoffs. The Boston Celtics defensive star and inspirational leader had bone spurs removed during the arthroscopic surgery. "I expect Kevin to return to active duty in full force and be that consummate two-way professional that he has shown all of us throughout his fantastic NBA career," coach Doc Rivers said. Garnett was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2007-2008, his first season with Boston and 13th in the league. He was an outstanding defender again this season but was limited to 57 games. With a strained tendon along with the bone spurs, Garnett played in just four games in the last two months of the regular season.

• B. Bowden must wait to learn fallout from cheating scandal

  May 27, 2009

  Florida State coach Bobby Bowden will have to wait a little longer to find out whether he'll lose up to 14 victories. The NCAA gave its Committee on Infractions another week until June 2 to respond to Florida State's appeal of sanctions resulting from an academic cheating scandal. They include taking as many as 14 wins off Bowden's coaching record. That would make it difficult for Bowden to catch Penn State's Joe Paterno in their race for most victories among major college coaches. Paterno, 82, has 383 wins - one ahead of Bowden, who will turn 80 in November. Bowden is due to be replaced by coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher by the 2011 season. Fisher is Florida State's offensive coordinator.

• Tyson's 4-year-old daughter dies after treadmill accident

  May 27, 2009

  The 4-year-old daughter of boxer Mike Tyson died at a hospital Tuesday, a day after her neck apparently became caught in a treadmill cord at her Phoenix home. Exodus Tyson was pronounced dead just before noon, police spokesman Andy Hill said. She had been on life support since the accident Monday. Police said Exodus either slipped or put her head in the loop of a cord hanging under the console. Her 7-year-old brother found her and told their mother. She took Exodus off the cord, called 911 and tried to revive her. Responding officers and firefighters performed CPR as they took the girl to the hospital. Former heavyweight champion Tyson was in Las Vegas at the time of the accident and flew Monday to Phoenix, where he was seen entering the hospital. Tyson spokeswoman Cynthia Schwartz said the family had not arranged a funeral yet and would release a statement later.

• Blackhawks' Quenneville fined for 'worst call' quote

  May 26, 2009

  The NHL has fined Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville $10,000 for harsh criticism of officiating in his team's loss to Detroit in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Quenneville fumed over a roughing call against defenseman Matt Walker during a scrum as the first period ended Sunday. The Red Wings scored on the ensuing power play 1:13 into the second period extending their lead to 3-0, and went on to win 6-1 and take a 3-1 edge in the series. "I think we witnessed probably the worst call in the history of sports there," Quenneville said after the game. The Blackhawks will try to avoid elimination Wednesday in Detroit.

• St. Jude, Open qualifying next for Daly: 'I'll be ready'

  May 26, 2009

  John Daly's suspension on the PGA Tour is over, and the two-time major champion plans to return in three weeks for the St. Jude Championship and U.S. Open qualifying. Daly was suspended for six months in November after a series of off-course incidents that brought negative publicity, the most recent a photo of him in an orange jail suit with his eyes half-closed after being locked up overnight in North Carolina to get sober. He has played eight times overseas during his suspension, including a month in Europe, where he tied for second in the Italian Open. "I know I'll be ready to play," Daly said. "I'm not going to be [half-trying] like I've done in the past. I know I may not play the tour if something good doesn't happen. It's making me work harder."

• Jockey 'not likely to walk' after accident, agent says

  May 26, 2009

  Jockey Rene Douglas may be paralyzed after being thrown from his mount during a race at Arlington Park, his agent said. Dennis Cooper said Douglas spent seven hours in surgery on Sunday at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital and afterward doctors told him his client could not feel his lower limbs. Cooper said doctors won't know Douglas' status for certain until swelling reduces in about two weeks. "They said he might not walk again ... he'll probably have use of his upper body, but they gave it to me straight that he's not likely to walk," Cooper told Bloodhorse.com. Douglas, who has nearly 3,600 North American victories, including the 1996 Belmont Stakes on Editor's Note, was aboard Born to Be during Saturday's Arlington Matron Handicap when the horse clipped hooves with another horse and fell at the top of the stretch. Born to Be flipped and tossed Douglas over her head, then landed on him. Jamie Theriot, the other horse's jockey, has been suspended for 30 days, according to stewards at Arlington Park. Theriot was riding Sky Mom, who was disqualified and placed last in the race for causing interference in the stretch.

• Mike Tyson's daughter, 4, on life support, police say

  May 26, 2009

  Police in Phoenix say boxer Mike Tyson's 4-year-old daughter is on life support after she was found with her neck on a treadmill cable. Police Sgt. Andy Hill said the accident happened Monday morning at Tyson's home when the girl's 7-year-old brother found her on a treadmill with her neck on a cable attached to the exercise machine. The boy told the girl's mother from another room. She took the girl off the cable, called 911 and tried to revive her. Hill said the girl is now in "extremely critical condition" and on life support. Hill said Mike Tyson was out of town but returned to Phoenix immediately after learning of the accident.

• First-time winner Allen edges Mize in Senior PGA

  May 25, 2009

  Michael Allen made two late birdies and shot a 3-under-par 67 to hold off Larry Mize by two shots and win the Senior PGA Championship in Beachwood, Ohio. Allen, who had never won in two decades on the PGA Tour, finished first in his seniors debut. It's the first major of the year for players over 50 years old. After hitting close on the 18th hole, he mugged for a camera and said, "About time!" while laughing. Allen had earlier rounds of 74, 66 and 67 to finish at 6-under 274. Bruce Fleisher had a 67 to finish third. Tom Watson, who began the day seven strokes behind Allen, had the low round of the day - a 66 - and was fourth.

• Hossa, Zetterberg put Wings on verge of Cup Finals

  May 25, 2009

  Marian Hossa and Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals each, and the visiting Detroit Red Wings overcame the absences of Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk to rout the Chicago Blackhawks, 6-1, and take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals. The defending Stanley Cup champions can clinch a return trip to the finals with a victory Wednesday at home. The Red Wings played without six-time Norris Trophy winner Lidstrom, who was scratched due to a lower body injury. MVP finalist Datsyuk missed his second straight game with a sore foot. Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula also scored for Detroit, and Chris Osgood made 18 saves in two periods. The Red Wings had three power-play goals and one short-handed tally.

• SUNY Cortland, C.W. Post win men's championships

  May 25, 2009

  Brandon Misiaszek scored a career-high five goals and SUNY Cortland went on a 7-0 run that spanned two quarters to beat Gettysburg, 9-7, in the NCAA Division III championship at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday. The Red Dragons finished 19-2, a school record for number of wins, and handed head coach Steve Beville his 200th career victory. The last time Cortland won the Division III title was in 2006. The Bullets finished 16-4.

• Bryant's late 3-pointer helps Lakers win, 103-97, go up 2-1

  May 24, 2009

  Kobe Bryant's three-pointer over J.R. Smith gave Los Angeles a one-point lead with just over a minute left and sparked the Lakers to a 103-97 victory over the host Denver Nuggets for a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals. Bryant, who scored 41 points, went 5-for-6 on free throws to ice it after his three-pointer gave Los Angeles a 96-95 lead. Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) scored 21 points but just three after halftime for Denver, which lost at home for the first time since March 9. He was 4-for-13 in his worst performance of the postseason.

• Former Hoff coach Yetter named Auburn assistant

  May 24, 2009

  Paul Yetter, who worked at North Baltimore Aquatic Club since 2001 and was an assistant coach with the 2008 U.S. women's Olympic team, has been named an assistant coach with the Auburn swimming and diving program. At NBAC, Yetter coached Katie Hoff, who during the 2007-08 season set 11 American records in nine different events and won three Olympic medals before switching to Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps' coach, after the Games. Yetter was an assistant at NBAC under Bowman before becoming the lead coach at the club's Harford County site from 2002 to 2004. Since 2004, Yetter has served as the club's senior elite coach. Before joining NBAC, Yetter was head coach at Bel Air Aquatic Club.

• Amie's Legend rallies, wins Pimlico's Shine Again Stakes

  May 24, 2009

  Amie's Legend rallied from last to first to capture the closing-day feature at Pimlico Race Course, the $50,000 Shine Again Stakes. Sent to post as the 3-5 favorite against five other Maryland-bred fillies and mares, Amie's Legend carried Luis Garcia to her second consecutive victory for trainer Graham Motion. The daughter of Not For Love rallied up the rail to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Five Diamonds. Eye finished third. Amie's Legend paid $3.20. The 4-year-old filly is 3-for-6 lifetime, with five in-the-money finishes, for earnings of $83,520.

• Malkin's 2 goals, 2 assists put Penguins a game from Finals

  May 24, 2009

  Evgeni Malkin had two goals and two assists in his second straight four-point performance, and the Pittsburgh Penguins pushed host Carolina to the brink of elimination by routing the Hurricanes, 6-2. Sidney Crosby added a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who lead the series 3-0. They scored twice in the final minute of the first period, then added two more goals in 40 seconds of the third to seal their fourth straight victory. Pittsburgh can sweep the best-of-seven series Tuesday night and make a second straight trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

• Ex-Orioles outfielder Sheets to coach baseball at Gilman

  May 23, 2009

  Former Orioles outfielder Larry Sheets was named baseball coach at Gilman. Sheets, who will join the school as a part-timer, also will be assistant strength and conditioning coach and a physical education teacher. He played for the Orioles from 1984 to 1989 and finished his eight-year major league career in 1993 with 94 home runs and a .266 batting average. Sheets was a part-time varsity baseball assistant at Gilman this season and owns Larry Sheets' Players Family Amusement Center in Westminster, where he also serves as a hitting instructor.

• Sharp's OT goal helps 'Hawks cut deficit to 2-1; Keenan fired

  May 23, 2009

  Patrick Sharp scored 1:52 into overtime to give the host Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 victory over Detroit on Friday night, cutting the Red Wings' lead in the Western Conference finals to 2-1. After a shot by Matt Walker, Chicago's Dustin Byfuglien scrapped for the puck near the net, and Samuel Pahlsson slid it across to Sharp, who drove it in for his second goal of the game. The Red Wings rallied from a 3-0 deficit with three goals in a 4:23 span late in the second period.

• James' 3 beats buzzer, Magic, as Cavaliers even series

  May 23, 2009

  LeBron James made a fadeaway three-pointer over Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu as the final horn sounded Friday night to give the host Cleveland Cavaliers a 96-95 victory over the Orlando Magic and even the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece. From 23 feet - matching his jersey number - James made a shot unlike any before in Cleveland history. Taking the inbounds pass from Mo Williams, James only had time to turn his shoulders toward the rim and fire. As the shot dropped in, James sprinted into the arms of his teammates as 20,562 stunned fans hugged in disbelief. James, the NBA's Most Valuable Player, finished with 35 points.

• Ariz. St. women win NCAAs; Purdue senior top individual

  May 23, 2009

  Top-ranked Arizona State put three players among the top 15 overall, posted a 3-over-par 291 for the second straight day and finished with a 72-hole score of 30-over 1182 to win the NCAA Division I women's championship at Caves Valley Golf Course in Owings Mills. It was Arizona State's seventh NCAA championship in women's golf and the program's first since 1998. UCLA shot a 297 in the final round to finish in second place at 1,190. Top individual honors went to Purdue senior Maria Hernandez, who shot a 1-under 71 and finished with a four-day total of 289 to top the field of 126 golfers. Southern California freshman Jennifer Song finished one shot back after double-bogeying the last hole. Central Florida senior Stephanie Connelly of Pasadena shot a 76 and finished in 12th place at 297. "I just couldn't get any putts to fall today," she said.

• Connelly stays tied for 6th at NCAA event; Song leads

  May 22, 2009

  Central Florida senior Stephanie Connelly, a native of Pasadena, shot a 3-over-par 75 on Thursday and remains tied for sixth at 5-over 221 after three rounds of the NCAA Division I women's championship at Caves Valley Golf Course in Owings Mills. Southern California freshman Jennifer Song shot a 71 and leads by two strokes at 216.

• Ex-quarterback Leaf indicted on drug, burglary charges

  May 22, 2009

  Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been indicted by a Randall County, Texas, grand jury on drug and burglary charges. The indictment was handed up Wednesday in Canyon. It charged the 33-year-old former San Diego Chargers quarterback and former West Texas A&M quarterbacks coach with one count of burglary to a habitation, seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and delivery of a simulated controlled substance. Canyon police Lt. Dale Davis said Leaf is suspected of breaking into a Canyon apartment on Oct. 30 and stealing the painkiller Hydrocodone, which had been prescribed to an injured football player.

• Newman on Coca-Cola pole; Malkin puts Pens up 2-0

  May 22, 2009

  Ryan Newman turned a lap at 188.475 mph to grab the top starting spot for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. It was Newman's eighth career pole at the track - the most of any active driver - and the Stewart-Haas Racing driver's 44th overall. Kyle Busch will start second in NASCAR's longest race after a lap of 188.258, and points leader Jeff Gordon qualified third.

• Ravens hire J. Brooks as assistant to offense

  May 21, 2009

  The Ravens announced that they have hired Jason Brooks as their assistant to the offense. Brooks will handle offensive quality-control duties, including self-scouting, game film analysis and breaking down opponents' tendencies, while also assisting wide receivers coach Jim Hostler. "Jason comes in here with college coaching and pro personnel experience, and we're happy to have him on board," head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. "He is a high-energy, hardworking individual who adds a lot to our team. Plus, with his dad, he's from a coaching family with a strong background." Brooks, 31, is the son of Ravens defensive line coach Clarence Brooks. He most recently worked as the wide receivers coach at Norwich University and has served as a scouting assistant for the Miami Dolphins, among other positions.

• Mickelson to take leave, announces wife has cancer

  May 21, 2009

  Phil Mickelson was gearing up for his favorite time of year, working his way toward Bethpage Black and another crack at the U.S. Open before a New York gallery that treats him like a rock star. All that changed, along with his priorities, when he disclosed that his wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Mickelson is taking an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour. He withdrew from the Byron Nelson Championship, which he won in 1996. He is to defend his title next week at Colonial, but even that is uncertain. A statement from his management company said his 37-year-old wife would have more tests, though treatment would begin with "major surgery" as early as the next two weeks. Mickelson, a three-time major champion with 36 career PGA Tour victories, was closing in on the No. 1 ranking held by Tiger Woods. He was runner-up to Woods at Bethpage Black in 2002.

• Terps football team to face West Virginia in 2010-2013

  May 21, 2009

  The Maryland football team will face West Virginia in four consecutive seasons starting in 2010, the school announced. The Terps and Mountaineers, who had previously announced a home-and-home series in 2010 and 2011, extended the contract for an additional two years through the 2013 season. Maryland will host West Virginia in 2011 and 2013, with trips to Morgantown set for 2010 and 2012. The Terps open their 2009 season Sept. 5 at California.

• Connelly tied for third in NCAAs at Caves Valley

  May 20, 2009

  Central Florida senior Stephanie Connelly (Northeast-Anne Arundel) shot an even-par 72 at the NCAA Division I women's championship at Caves Valley Golf Course in Owings Mills and is tied for third place after one round, two shots behind Catherine O'Donnell of North Carolina and Stephanie Sherlock of Denver. Connelly bogeyed the first two holes but had birdies on three holes on the back nine. "I putted and chipped pretty well," she said. "I didn't hit the ball great. When I hit it well, I was really close. I was pretty much getting up and down a lot of the time. I putted well and made a lot of good par putts. I wasn't always right next to the hole, but my speed was pretty good, but I just limited my mistakes."

• Bryant's 40 lift Lakers; Clippers win draft lottery

  May 20, 2009

  Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, including six free throws in the final 30 seconds, to lift Los Angeles to a 105-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night after the Lakers trailed most of the game. Pau Gasol added 13 points and 14 rebounds and Derek Fisher had 13 points for the Lakers, who faced a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Gasol's two free throws tied the game for the last time at 99 before Bryant went to the line, offsetting a three-pointer by Chauncey Billups and a free throw by J.R. Smith. Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) scored 39 points for the Nuggets.

• Samuelsson scores in OT, gives Wings 2-0 series lead

  May 20, 2009

  Mikael Samuelsson scored 5:14 into overtime, lifting the host Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks and a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Chris Osgood made 37 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions. Jonathan Toews' second goal of the game with 7:40 to go in regulation pulled Chicago into a 2-2 tie.

• Preakness TV viewership second best in 20 years

  May 20, 2009

  Rachel Alexandra's victory in the Preakness Stakes drew the most viewers to the second leg of racing's Triple Crown in five years and the second-most in 20 years. According to Nielsen Media Research numbers released Tuesday by NBC, 10.9 million people watched the race portion of NBC's Preakness coverage on Saturday. The hourlong race portion of the Preakness drew 3 million more viewers than last year's race, up 38 percent. The national rating for Saturday's race portion was a 6.8 with a 16 share, the highest since 2004 (7.7 and 19) and the second highest since 1990 (7.9 and 23).

• Towson basketball recruit has Hodgkin's lymphoma

  May 20, 2009

  Will Adams, a shooting guard from Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia who signed a letter of intent in November to attend Towson, is hospitalized with Hodgkin's disease. His future at Towson is on hold while he battles Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer of the lymphatic system. Adams, Imhotep's first 1,000-point career scorer, helped the Panthers to a Class AA state championship plus Philadelphia city and district titles.

• Vick, Humane Society join forces to end dogfighting

  May 20, 2009

  Michael Vick wants to work with an unlikely ally - the Humane Society of the United States - on a program aimed at eradicating dogfighting among urban teens. Society president Wayne Pacelle said that he recently met with Vick at the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., and that Vick said he wants to work with the group once he's out of federal custody. Vick is serving a 23-month prison sentence after his 2007 dogfighting conviction.

• Vick won't be living high life after release from prison

  May 19, 2009

  Even though Michael Vick is leaving prison this week, he won't exactly be a free man. For two months, the suspended NFL star will be largely confined to his Hampton, Va., home and will wear an electronic monitor that allows federal probation officials to track his movements. He will be allowed to go to his full-time construction job and likely will be allowed about five hours a week for other court-approved activities, according to Ed Bales, managing director of Federal Prison Consultants, an inmate rehabilitation advocacy group. Permissible activities for inmates on home confinement typically include things like medical appointments, religious obligations and meetings with probation officials. No dinners out. No chilling at a friend's house. And definitely no bars. The tight restrictions are designed to ease Vick's transition from the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., back into the community. He is serving a 23-month sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy and is expected to be released from federal custody July 20.

• Sharapova wins in return

  May 19, 2009

  Maria Sharapova played her first singles match on tour in nearly 10 months. The three-time Grand Slam title winner needed nine match points to put away 68th-ranked Tathiana Garbin of Italy, 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-3, in the first round of the WTA Warsaw Open.

• Wide receiver Washington officially joins Ravens

  May 19, 2009

  The Ravens officially added Kelley Washington on Monday, signing the veteran free-agent wide receiver to a one-year contract on the first day of the team's passing camp. During his six-year career, Washington has recorded 73 catches for 896 yards (a 12.3-yards-per-catch average) and nine touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots. Washington, who is 6 feet 3, 215 pounds, improves the team's size at wide receiver. "Kelley is a professional who's been in this system and has had hard coaching," said Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson, who coached Washington in Cincinnati. "I know [wide receivers] coach [Jim] Hostler will take him to a whole different level. I also think Kelley is good for our guys in that he knows what to expect and he's willing to do everything it takes for our team to succeed." The Ravens waived wide receiver Marcus Maxwell, who was inactive for six games last season before being placed on injured reserve with a hip injury.

• Playoff game conflicts with pro wrestling show

  May 19, 2009

  Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to be at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Monday night. Problem is, so are John Cena and a bunch of wrestlers. World Wrestling Entertainment says it is booked at the arena for an episode of Monday Night Raw, the same night the Nuggets are slated to host the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman said the organization secured the Pepsi Center on Aug. 15 and has already sold more than 10,000 tickets for the event. He said the organization expects a sellout. NBA spokesman Mark Broussard said the league was looking into the conflict.

• Johnson repeats as champ in Texas with playoff birdie

  May 18, 2009

  Zach Johnson made a 12-foot birdie on the first playoff hole to beat James Driscoll and repeat as the Valero Texas Open champion. Seven months after winning for the first time at La Cantera Golf Club in San Antonio, Johnson's even-par 70 was good enough for a 15-under 265 and forced the sudden-death playoff with Driscoll, who surged from eight strokes back. Johnson vaulted to the top of the FedEx Cup standings with the win, his second this year. Paul Goydos had birdied on 16 to take a one-stroke lead, but the 44-year-old and sympathetic favorite bogeyed the last two holes to finish 14 under. Goydos was playing four months to the day his ex-wife died, a tragedy that led him to briefly leave the tour.

• Phelps finishes second to Bousquet in 100 free

  May 18, 2009

  Two days, two losses for Michael Phelps. The Fells Point resident was beaten again at the Charlotte (N.C.) UltraSwim, losing to French star Frederick Bousquet in the 100-meter freestyle Sunday night. Phelps touched nearly a full second behind Bousquet, world-record holder in the 50 free, after losing his first final in nearly a year the previous night. Aaron Peirsol beat Phelps in the 200 backstroke. Bousquet went out strong, ensuring he had a big enough lead to hold off Phelps at the end - even as the winningest Olympian ever experimented with a new straight-arm stroke that is supposed to provide more speed. The Frenchman touched in 48.22 seconds, while Phelps never really had a chance and finished second in 49.04. "The biggest thing that killed me were my turns and my finishes," said Phelps, who holds the American record in the 100 free at 47.51. "I'm not disappointed with that time, but the finish was awful. There's small things I need to work on. But overall, it was a good meet." The North Carolina meet was his first since capturing a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

• Cleary gives Wings 5-2 win, 1-0 lead in Western semis

  May 18, 2009

  Dan Cleary scored twice against the team that drafted him, leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-2 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Cleary's second goal came midway through the third period, 1:27 after Mikael Samuelsson's go-ahead score, for the defending Stanley Cup champions. Detroit's Chris Osgood made 30 saves, and Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 38 shots for the Blackhawks, who gave up an empty-net goal to Henrik Zetterberg.

• Feat of clay: Federer beats Nadal for Madrid title

  May 18, 2009

  Roger Federer got a badly needed confidence boost ahead of the French Open, beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal, 6-4, 6-4, to win his first title of the season at the Madrid Open. Federer, ranked second, broke a sluggish Nadal once in both sets before firing his sixth ace to win his 15th Masters Series title on the second match point. "There are no positives, there is little to analyze," said Nadal, the 2005 champion. "He broke and broke and I went home." It was only the second victory Federer has on clay against his top rival, with the other coming two years ago. The win also ended Federer's five-match losing streak to Nadal, a stretch that included losses in the finals at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australia. Federer called his first win over Nadal since the 2007 Masters Cup "very satisfying." Earlier, top-ranked Dinara Safina of Russia won her second straight title on clay by beating Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki, 6-2, 6-4, in the women's final.

• Federer, Nadal advance to title match in Madrid

  May 17, 2009

  Roger Federer will face Rafael Nadal for a championship. On clay. In Spain. The two rivals set up their first clash since the Australian Open when Nadal saved three match points to beat Novak Djokovic, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (9), on Saturday. Playing their fourth match this year, they needed a Masters Series-record 4 hours, 3 minutes to decide matters in Madrid. Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro, 6-3, 6-4, in their semifinal. Top-ranked Nadal's 33rd straight win on clay lifted him into his seventh final this season, but he will be nursing a right knee injury into Sunday's match. Federer has lost his last five matches against Nadal, including the finals at the French Open, Wimbledon and Australia in February, when the Swiss player was in tears after the defeat. "What's important for me is to get past that semifinal hurdle that I haven't been able to get past in the last couple of months," Federer said ahead of their 16th meeting in a final. "I feel like playing him anywhere is a challenge. The extra flair here is that it's in Spain." Earlier, top-ranked Dinara Safina beat Patty Schnyder, 6-4, 6-2, to set up a final against Caroline Wozniacki, who beat former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, 7-6 (1), 6-3.

• Johnson shoots 60, leads Texas Open by 3 shots

  May 17, 2009

  Defending champion Zach Johnson matched the La Cantera course record with a 10-under-par 60 to take a three-stroke lead in the suspended third round of the rain-soaked Texas Open in San Antonio. Johnson holed out from 84 yards for an eagle on the par-7 seventh and had eight birdies on the soggy course in the round interrupted by a five-hour rain delay. He tapped in for par on 18 seconds after the horn blew and darkness suspended play. Paul Goydos and three-time champion Justin Leonard were 12 under through 12 holes. They'll resume the round Sunday morning.

• Stewart's first win as owner comes in All-Star race in N.C.

  May 17, 2009

  Tony Stewart won his first race as a team owner, breaking through for a $1 million payday with a victory in the annual All-Star race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Stewart passed Matt Kenseth with two laps to go in a final 10-lap shootout to win for the first time in 11 All-Star event starts. It was the first victory since he left Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of last year, after two championships and 10 successful seasons, to become co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. In just six months, Stewart has turned his new toy into a championship contender. He came into the race second in the Sprint Cup Series standings - surprising because most people predicted a rocky first year for a driver accustomed to winning. Instead, he has put both himself and teammate Ryan Newman (eighth in points) in position for berths in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

• Report: M&T Bank in running for longtime Army-Navy host

  May 16, 2009

  M&T Bank Stadium is one of four sites being considered as a potential longtime future home for the Army-Navy football game, a source told the Times-Herald Record of Middletown, N.Y. The others are FexEx Field in Landover, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and the new Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

• Redskins get trademark win; salary cap rising $12M a team

  May 16, 2009

  The Washington Redskins won another legal victory in a 17-year fight with a group of American Indians who contend the football team's trademark is racially offensive. The decision issued Friday by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington doesn't address the main question of racism at the center of the case. Instead, it upholds the lower court's decision in favor of the football team because the seven Native Americans waited too long to challenge the trademark first issued in 1967.

• Tisdale, ex-player, musician, dead at 44 after cancer fight

  May 16, 2009

  Wayman Tisdale, a three-time All-American at Oklahoma who played 12 seasons in the NBA and later became an award-winning jazz musician, died Friday morning in Tulsa after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 44. After three years at Oklahoma, Tisdale played in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. The 6-foot-9 forward, with a soft left-handed touch on the court and a wide smile off it, averaged 15.3 points for his NBA career. He was on the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.

• Report: M&T Bank in running for longtime Army-Navy host

  May 16, 2009

  M&T Bank Stadium is one of four sites being considered as a potential longtime future home for the Army-Navy football game, a source told the Times-Herald Record of Middletown, N.Y. The others are FexEx Field in Landover, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and the new Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

• Goydos leads Leonard by 3 shots at Texas Open

  May 16, 2009

  Paul Goydos followed his opening 7-under-par 63 with a 65 to reach 12-under 128 at La Cantera Golf Club course in San Antonio to take a three-shot lead over three-time champion Justin Leonard and four others at the PGA Texas Open. It's the biggest lead Goydos has had on tour.

• Hurricanes top Bruins in OT, advance

  May 15, 2009

  Scott Walker scored his first NHL playoff goal 18:46 into overtime to send the visiting Carolina Hurricanes into the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Byron Bitz gave Boston a 1-0 lead at 7:42 of the first period, and Carolina captain Rod Brind'Amour tied it six minutes later. Sergei Samsonov put the Hurricanes ahead 2-1 at 7:45 of the second period, but Milan Lucic tied it for the Bruins at 6:19 of the third. Carolina will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the East finals.

• Barbaro's brother captures first race; Borel wins 900th at Churchill Downs

  May 15, 2009

  Nicanor suddenly has more in common with his older brother, Barbaro: A dominating win. Nicanor broke his maiden in a romp, a 15 1/4 -length victory on the turf at Delaware Park - the same track where Barbaro won his first career race. ... Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel, who is scheduled to ride favored Rachel Alexandra in Saturday's Preakness, became only the fourth rider in the 135-year history of Churchill Downs to win 900 races when he rode War Eagle Lady to victory. ... Premium Gold beat Expansion by 1 3/4 lengths in the $48,000 allowance feature on the turf at Belmont Park. In his debut on grass, Premium Gold ran the 1 1/8 miles on the firm course in 1:47.86. The 4-year-old trained by John Kimmel and ridden by Edgar Prado earned his third win in 14 starts. Premium Gold paid $20.40, $6.70 and $4.10.

• Magic beats Celtics, forces Game 7

  May 15, 2009

  The pressure is back on the defending champions. Dwight Howard had 23 points and 22 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic beat the Boston Celtics, 83-75, on Thursday night to force a decisive Game 7. Rashard Lewis had 20 points, and Hedo Turkoglu made a three-pointer to highlight an 11-2 run to close the game for the Magic, who haven't made it to the conference finals since 1996. Rajon Rondo finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, and Paul Pierce scored 17 for the Celtics, who led by 10 points in the second half before falling apart. Game 7 is Sunday in Boston. The Celtics also failed to close out the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of their first-round series, a triple-overtime epic. Boston will now go the distance in its first two series for the second straight year. Boston had chances. The Celtics held the Magic scoreless for more than five minutes to start the third quarter, building a 10-point lead on a jumper by Glen "Big Baby" Davis. But Howard led the Magic back, with a backspin alley-oop from Turkoglu that highlighted a spurt to end the third quarter. Orlando took its first lead with 8:38 remaining in the fourth.

• Taylor returns to Dolphins, signs one-year contract

  May 14, 2009

  Jason Taylor's newest step has him back where he started. The dancing linebacker signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. Taylor played his first 11 seasons with Miami before being traded a year ago to the Washington Redskins - a fallout from his stint on the TV show Dancing With the Stars. He was released by Washington in March after one injury-marred season. The New England Patriots courted Taylor, 34, in recent weeks, but he wanted to return to South Florida, where he still lives. He will make $1.1 million in base salary and $400,000 in easy-to-reach incentives. Taylor made the Pro Bowl six times with Miami and was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006.

• Armstrong loses ground in climb in Giro d'Italia

  May 14, 2009

  Lance Armstrong is still a long way from regaining the form that won him a record seven consecutive Tour de France titles. The Texan finished nearly three minutes behind the leaders in the grueling uphill finish that concluded the fifth stage of his first Giro d'Italia. Armstrong dropped from sixth to 22nd overall, 3 minutes, 34 seconds behind new race leader Danilo Di Luca. "I knew that we would be behind so we just had to ride our tempo and limit the losses," Armstrong said. "I thought maybe two minutes and it's closer to three, but that's OK." Armstrong returned this season after 3 1/2 years of retirement and broke his collarbone in March, putting him on the sideline again. Denis Menchov sprinted away from a select group of riders and held off Di Luca in a sprint for the stage victory in this ski resort in the heart of the Dolomite range.

• E. Jordan seeks 76ers job; James unanimous All-NBA

  May 14, 2009

  Former Washington Wizards coach Eddie Jordan has expressed interest in the Philadelphia 76ers head coaching job and hopes to meet with team president Ed Stefanski by the end of the weekend. Jordan, who was fired by the Wizards in November, interviewed with the Sacramento Kings this week. He said he planned to speak with Stefanski after the Sixers president returned from Chuck Daly's funeral in Florida. "I hate to use the word anxious, but I would like to get back in," Jordan said. "I really miss it." TNT analyst Doug Collins, another former Wizards coach, is also a candidate for the Sixers job.

• Cuban apologizes to Martin's mother

  May 13, 2009

  Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban apologized to the mother of Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin. Cuban made a crack after a Mavs loss in Dallas on Saturday in their NBA playoff series. According to Cuban, a fan called the Nuggets "thugs." Cuban looked at Martin's mother, Lydia Moore of Dallas, and said, "That includes your son." Martin's agent told the Denver Post that Cuban told Martin's mother that her son is a "punk." In a Tuesday post on Cuban's blog titled "An Apology to Kenyon Martin's Mom," Cuban wrote that he shouldn't have said anything. He added that the matter had gotten out of hand.

• NFL considers adding second overseas game in '10

  May 13, 2009

  The NFL is considering adding a second regular-season game overseas for the 2010 season. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the success of the games at London's Wembley Stadium the past two seasons has fueled the discussions. Goodell said the second game would be held on a different weekend and could be in London or another location in the United Kingdom. The first two NFL regular-season games in London produced sellout crowds. Fans have also gobbled up tickets quickly for this season's New England Patriots- Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in London on Oct. 25.

• Benoit's doctor sentenced to 10 years in prison

  May 13, 2009

  The doctor to a professional wrestler who killed himself, his wife and their 7-year-old son was sentenced to 10 years in prison for illegally distributing prescription drugs to patients. Dr. Phil Astin, 54, had pleaded guilty Jan. 29 to a 175-count federal indictment. Prosecutors said Astin prescribed painkillers and other drugs to known addicts for years. They said at least two of Astin's patients died because of his lax oversight of what medicines they were taking. However, the indictment was unclear about whether Chris Benoit, a wrestler for Stamford, Conn.-based World Wrestling Entertainment, was one of the two. Police said Benoit strangled his wife and son and then hanged himself in their suburban Atlanta home.

• Goins to become second Terps player to transfer

  May 13, 2009

  Maryland center Steve Goins, who injured an ankle last season and played little, is expected to transfer. The freshman suffered the injury and wore a protective boot during Maryland's early-season nonconference schedule. He began practicing in January but played in only four games and scored two points. The 6-foot-10 center from Chicago was considering transferring to a smaller school, according to an official close to the basketball program who asked that his name not be used because the transfer was not completed. Maryland said it has not yet officially granted Goins' release. Several Maryland fan Web sites reported that Goins was leaving. Earlier this month, Braxton Dupree, a 6-8 sophomore from Calvert Hall, received his release. Maryland is hoping to upgrade its inside game next season with the additions of Jordan Williams, a 6-10 power forward from Torrington, Conn., and James Padgett, a 6-8 power forward from Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. JEFF BARKER

• Obama, Heels meet again, this time to celebrate

  May 12, 2009

  A pickup game of basketball last spring brought good luck to the University of North Carolina's basketball team and to Barack Obama, the president said Monday as he welcomed the national champions to the White House. North Carolina won the title this year. And Obama, who scrimmaged with the players during a campaign visit to Chapel Hill, won the state's Democratic primary and then carried North Carolina in November as he captured the presidency. "I'm not sure whose luck rubbed off on who," Obama said Monday as he greeted the team on the White House's South Lawn. "I think there was just a good vibe going on there." Obama said almost everyone was excited to have the Tar Heels stop by. The one exception, he said, was his personal aide Reggie Love, who won a title as a player for UNC's chief rival, Duke. Obama picked North Carolina to win the national championship this year. He thanked them "for salvaging my bracket and vindicating me before the entire nation." The president's other picks for the NCAA tournament's Final Four never made it that far.

• Report: M. Ramirez urine test showed elevated testoterone

  May 12, 2009

  Manny Ramirez's positive urine test showed an elevated testosterone level, and a lab used a test to determine whether the hormone was naturally produced to build evidence against him, ESPN.com reported. Baseball asked the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal to perform a carbon isotope ratio test, which determines whether testosterone is natural or synthetic, the Web site reported. MLB then asked Ramirez to produce medical records, as required under the drug agreement. Ramirez's test had a testosterone-epitestosterone ratio between 4:1 and 10:1, ESPN.com reported. Typically, a person naturally produces the hormones at a ratio of 1:1; tests of 4:1 or greater are flagged. Ramirez's side was prepared to argue to an arbitrator that the synthetic testosterone was caused by the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder taking the steroids precursor DHEA, ESPN.com and the Union-Tribune in San Diego reported Saturday. DHEA is not banned by MLB.

• VP Mullin fired by Warriors; Raptors keep Triano as coach

  May 12, 2009

  The Golden State Warriors have let go executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin, nearly a year after the former star player apparently lost his authority to run the troubled franchise. Mullin will be replaced by Larry Riley, the longtime assistant to coach Don Nelson. Riley was announced as the Warriors' general manager Monday in a statement by team president Robert Rowell, whose rise in the Warriors' power structure mirrored Mullin's fall in recent years.

• After 'beautiful' workout, path clears for 'Rachel'

  May 11, 2009

  Two potential obstacles to Rachel Alexandra's entry into Saturday's Preakness were lifted Sunday when Mine That Bird co-owner Mark Allen decided not to enter a second horse, Indy Express, and D. Wayne Lukas said he would enter Luv Gov only if doing so doesn't force out the star filly, SI.com reported. The Preakness is limited to 14 starters, and preference is given to horses who were nominated to the Triple Crown races. Rachel Alexandra, the spectacular winner of the Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, was sold last Monday and new owner Jess Jackson said Sunday after a strong workout by the filly at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., that he intends to enter the Preakness. But because she was not nominated to the Triple Crown, she would be excluded if 14 nominated horses entered. Allen earlier had indicated he would enter winless Indy Express to keep jockey Calvin Borel from switching from Mine That Bird to Rachel Alexandra, then had a change of heart. "I was hanging out with my girlfriend and riding my Harley around here and I got to thinking about it. I ain't going to do it. It just ain't the right thing to do," he told the Web site. Given Allen's change of heart, there would be room for Luv Gov without bumping Rachel Alexandra, who covered the half-mile Sunday in 48.40 seconds, an effort that trainer Steve Asmussen called "beautiful." Pimlico Race Course oddsmaker Frank Carulli said he would make Rachel Alexandra the morning line favorite if she enters.

• High schools may use replay in basketball title games

  May 11, 2009

  Instant replay has been approved starting next season for last-second shots in high school basketball championship games. The rule change by the National Federation of State High School Associations allows replay for review of a shot attempt at the end of the fourth quarter or overtime, and only when the last-second shot would affect the outcome of the game. The rule is not mandatory and leaves the decision whether to use it to each state association. The change would let officials determine whether the ball left the shooter's hand before time expired or whether the shot was a two- or three-pointer.

• Stenson wins TPC by 4 shots; Cejka collapses; Woods 8th

  May 11, 2009

  Henrik Stenson won The Players Championship with a flawless final round on the treacherous TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., playing without a bogey for a 6-under-par 66 and a four-shot victory. Stenson, 33, of Sweden, started the day five shots behind Alex Cejka, in a six-way tie for second that included Tiger Woods. But as Cejka collapsed with a 42 on the front nine and a 79 overall, Stenson surged ahead and never let off until he tapped in for par for his second PGA Tour victory, and the biggest win of his career. Stenson finished at 12-under 276 to finish four shots clear of Ian Poulter. He earned $1.71 million and moves to No. 5 in the world. Woods shot a 73 and finished alone in eighth.

• Daly, who coached U.S., Pistons, is dead

  May 10, 2009

  Chuck Daly, who coached the Dream Team to the Olympic gold medal in 1992 after winning back-to-back NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons, died Saturday morning in Jupiter, Fla., with his family by his side. He was 78. The Pistons announced in March that the Hall of Fame coach was being treated for pancreatic cancer. Daly was renowned for creating harmony out of diverse personalities at all levels of the game, whether they were Ivy Leaguers at Pennsylvania, Dream Teamers Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, or Pistons as dissimilar as Dennis Rodman and Joe Dumars.

• Woods tied 5 shots behind Cejka at TPC

  May 10, 2009

  Alex Cejka made a 5-foot birdie putt on the final hole to end a wild and steamy Saturday at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., that left yet another surprising development: Tiger Woods in the final group. Cejka kept out of the water over the closing holes and wound up with an even-par 72 to build a five-shot lead, the largest after three rounds in the 36 years of this prestigious event. Woods, who struggled most of the day, is tied for second after two-putting for birdie on the 16th and making an 8-foot birdie on the island-green 17th.

• Mayfield suspended; Martin wins race

  May 10, 2009

  Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for failing a random drug test, becoming the first driver to violate a toughened new policy that went into effect this season. Mayfield tested positive for a banned substance last weekend at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. "In my case, I believe that the combination of a prescribed medicine and an over the counter medicine reacted together and resulted in a positive drug test," he said in a statement. "My doctor and I are working with both Dr. [David] Black and NASCAR to resolve this matter." Black is the CEO of Aegis Sciences Corp. in Nashville, Tenn., which runs NASCAR's testing program. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter would not reveal what banned substance Mayfield used, but Hunter said it was not an alcohol-related offense. "There is no place for substance abuse in our sport," Hunter said.

• Anthony sinks Mavs; Yao done for playoffs

  May 10, 2009

  Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) broke free of a defender trying to foul him and nailed a three-pointer that gave the Denver Nuggets a 106-105 victory over the host Dallas Mavericks, giving them a 3-0 series lead that has been insurmountable in NBA history. Denver trailed 105-101 with 31 seconds left, but got a quick dunk from Anthony and forced Dirk Nowitzki to miss a 13-footer with about eight seconds left. After a timeout, Anthony took an inbounds pass and Dallas' Antoine Wright tried to foul him - twice - since the Mavericks had a foul to give. Anthony, who scored 31 points, lost his dribble the first time, then bounced off the second bump and made the three from right in front of the Dallas bench.

• Howard leads Magic over Celtics in Game 3

  May 9, 2009

  Dwight Howard had 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks to lift the host Orlando Magic to a 117-96 victory over the Boston Celtics and a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal. Rashard Lewis had 28 points, and Hedo Turkoglu scored 24 for Orlando, which played without starting point guard Rafer Alston. He was suspended by the NBA for slapping Eddie House in the back of the head in Game 2. Paul Pierce broke out of his series slump to score 27 points, and Rajon Rondo added 15 for the defending champion Celtics, who trimmed a 20-point deficit to seven before the Magic regained control. Game 4 is Sunday in Orlando.

• Breeders' Cup cuts prices for showcase

  May 9, 2009

  The Breeders' Cup is slashing ticket prices for its two-day showcase at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., because of the battered economy. Single-day tickets will be available for Nov. 6 and 7. Fans buying reserved seats last year had to purchase two-day packages last year. Breeders' Cup president Greg Avioli said it was important to recognize the economic environment in Southern California and around the world. Seats on Nov. 6 will range from $40 to $235 and from $55 to $335 on Saturday. Last year, seats cost $100 each on both days. Single-day prices for premium seating will be reduced by 30 percent.

• Penguins beat Caps to tie series at 2

  May 9, 2009

  The Pittsburgh Penguins finally discovered a few holes in rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov's game, and his glove, and are now in a familiar position in the playoffs against the Washington Capitals. They're surging, and the momentum-less Capitals are slipping. The host Penguins shook off an opening-minute Washington goal, scored three times in less than 12 minutes in the first period against a suddenly vulnerable Varlamov and beat the Capitals, 5-3, on Friday night to even the Eastern Conference semifinals at two games each. The Capitals won't get much time to regroup and try to regain the momentum they gave up by losing twice in Pittsburgh, with Game 5 set for their home ice Saturday night. Washington took one-goal victories at home in each of the first two games as Alex Ovechkin scored a combined four goals, but he was shut out for the first time in the series Friday while being constantly shadowed by defenseman Rob Scuderi. Ovechkin wasn't a factor while being held to only two shots, while Penguins star Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist.

• Report: Favre X-rays sent to Vikings

  May 9, 2009

  The health of quarterback Brett Favre's throwing arm appears to be a pivotal factor in whether he comes out of retirement to play for the Minnesota Vikings. A source close to the situation told ESPN that X-rays of Favre's right shoulder - he has pain resulting from a torn biceps tendon - have been sent to the Vikings and that the X-rays are in the process of being evaluated. If it is determined by Favre's and the Vikings' medical people that he needs anything less than "major" surgery on his shoulder, Favre will un-retire to play for the Vikings, the source said. If "major" surgery is necessary, Favre will remain retired, the source said.

• Report: D-backs fire manager Melvin

  May 8, 2009

  Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin has been fired, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press. The Diamondbacks entered Thursday 8 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. Melvin, 47, a former Orioles catcher, had one year left on his contract. He is the winningest manager in the team's brief history, going 337-340 after a 156-168 mark with the Seattle Mariners.

• Report: Favre tells Vikes he's still retired

  May 8, 2009

  Three-time NFL Most Valuable Player Brett Favre called Brad Childress on Wednesday or early Thursday and told the Minnesota Vikings' coach he wants to stay retired, Yahoo Sports reported. Favre's longtime agent, Bus Cook, reiterated for the second straight day that the quarterback hadn't changed his plan to stay out of the game, though the agent added that Favre could change his mind in the future.

• Cavs continue roll, win by 20, go up 2-0

  May 8, 2009

  LeBron James scored 27 points, ending the first and second quarters with last-second baskets, and Mo Williams added 15 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers overpowered the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 105-85, to open a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinals. Now 6-0 in the postseason, the Cavaliers tied a league record by winning their sixth consecutive playoff game by double digits. The only other team to do it was the 2004 Indiana Pacers. Maurice Evans scored 16 points and Mike Bibby had 11 for the Hawks, who were missing center Al Horford and forward Marvin Williams because of injuries. Leading scorer Joe Johnson rolled his right ankle in the third quarter and did not return.

• Crane leads TPC; Woods shoots 71

  May 8, 2009

  Ben Crane should have known what was coming when he rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the first hole of the day. He kept right on pouring them in until he had a 7-under-par 65 and a one-shot lead in The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Crane made four birdie putts longer than 20 feet, kept his ball on land throughout another wild opening round Thursday on the TPC Sawgrass and wound up atop a leader board devoid of the PGA Tour's biggest stars. Tiger Woods couldn't make a putt outside 4 feet and wound up with a 71. Phil Mickelson ran off three straight birdies early in his round, then couldn't keep the ball in play, finishing with a 73.

• Bengals terminate Jones' contract

  May 7, 2009

  Left tackle Levi Jones was released Wednesday by the Cincinnati Bengals, who spent their first-round NFL draft pick on his replacement. Jones, the 10th overall pick in 2002, has been bothered by knee and leg problems in recent years. The club notified him before the draft that it planned to trade or release him. The Bengals took tackle Andre Smith from Alabama with the sixth overall pick in the draft.

• Barcelona reaches Champions final

  May 7, 2009

  Barcelona advanced to the European Champions League final against Manchester United in dramatic fashion, tying Chelsea, 1-1, when Andres Iniesta scored in the third minute of second-half injury time. The teams tied the aggregate 1-1 in the home-and-home, total-goals series, but Barcelona advanced on advanced on away goals.

• A-Rod OK after slide; Friday return up in air

  May 7, 2009

  Alex Rodriguez slid for the first time since March 9 hip surgery, going 1-for-5 with a walk Wednesday in a New York Yankees extended spring training game in Dunedin, Fla. The three-time American League Most Valuable Player said the slide went well but he doesn't know whether he'll rejoin the Yankees on Friday at Camden Yards.

• 2 schools receive postseason bans

  May 7, 2009

  Centenary's men's basketball team and the Tennessee-Chattanooga football team will face postseason bans next season because of consistently poor academic scores. It is the first time a school has been handed a postseason ban since the NCAA instituted the Academic Progress Rate, which measures academic eligibility, retention and graduation. If scores don't improve next year, those schools could be stripped of Division I membership, the harshest penalty that can be imposed.

• Terps women to face Minn. in Challenge

  May 6, 2009

  The Maryland women's basketball team will host Minnesota on Dec. 3 at Comcast Center in a Big Ten/ACC Challenge game. Maryland coach Brenda Frese was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year at Minnesota in 2001-02 - her last coaching stop before being named head coach of the Terps.

• Yanks' Posada on DL, will miss O's series

  May 6, 2009

  New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has gone on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. The All-Star was injured while sliding Monday night and is expected to miss two to three weeks, including the series that opens at Camden Yards on Friday.

• James leads Cavs to rout in opener

  May 6, 2009

  Newly crowned Most Valuable Player LeBron James scored 34 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who waited nine days between playoff games after a first-round sweep, pulled away in the second half for a 99-72 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks in their Eastern Conference semifinal opener on Tuesday. James added 10 rebounds, three assists and four steals as the top-seeded Cavs won their fifth straight lopsided postseason game.

• Report: Favre to meet with Vikings coach

  May 6, 2009

  Retired quarterback Brett Favre, a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player, will speak to the Minnesota Vikings this week, ESPN reported Tuesday. The meeting with coach Brad Childress would take place near Favre's home in Mississippi. There is a mutual understanding between Favre and the Vikings that he will decide soon after the meeting. The team would want Favre to participate in offseason minicamps and training camp.

• Holmes arraigned on drug charge

  April 30, 2009

  Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Santonio Holmes was arraigned Wednesday on a misdemeanor marijuana charge stemming from a traffic stop. Holmes' attorney, Robert DelGreco Jr., appeared at the brief hearing where charges were formally presented. Holmes did not appear, nor was he required to. Pittsburgh police said they found three marijuana-filled cigars in Holmes' car when he was pulled over Oct. 23. Holmes was stopped because his car was similar to one they were looking for in a drug sting. No trial date has been set.

• Caps' Ovechkin again a Hart finalist

  April 30, 2009

  Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is a finalist for a second straight Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. Fellow Russians Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings were also among the finalists. The winner will be revealed in mid-June. Ovechkin led the league in goals this season with 56, and could become the first repeat winner of the Hart since Dominik Hasek in 1997-98.

• Greinke's rare streak comes to an end

  April 30, 2009

  Zack Greinke's streak of consecutive innings without allowing an earned run was stopped at 43. Toronto's Vernon Wells hit a two-out RBI single in the first inning off the Kansas City right-hander Wednesday night, scoring Marco Scutaro after he led off with a double. Greinke and former Los Angeles Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela are the only pitchers since the early 1900s to not allow an earned run through their first four starts of a season. Greinke had not allowed an earned run since Sept. 13, 2008, against Cleveland, a span of six starts.

• Breeders' Cup is on at Santa Anita Park

  April 30, 2009

  Breeders' Cup officials say horse racing's year-end world championships will go on as planned at Santa Anita Park in November despite the track's owner filing for bankruptcy. Breeders' Cup president Greg Avioli said Wednesday that a Delaware bankruptcy court affirmed Oak Tree Racing Association's lease with Santa Anita through the end of the year. Magna Entertainment Corp., owner of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, filed for bankruptcy in March. The company is seeking approval from the bankruptcy court to auction off its properties, including Santa Anita.

• Navy agrees to appear in bowl in 2013

  April 30, 2009

  Navy has signed an agreement to appear in the 2013 Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. The Armed Forces Bowl has featured a military theme since 2006. Air Force has appeared in the past two games held at Amon G. Carter Stadium. As an independent, Navy has no bowl ties but has earned six straight bowl berths. The Midshipmen have already agreed to appear in the Texas Bowl in Houston this year.

• Yanks reducing price of tickets at new park

  April 29, 2009

  The Yankees are cutting some premium ticket prices and giving free seats to certain ticket holders in response to empty seats during the first homestand at their fancy new ballpark. The team slashed the price of 48 first-row Legends Suite season seats on the outer half of the dugouts and photo cages from $2,500 to $1,250, and 68 others in the final three sections down each foul line from $1,000 to $650. New York said the reductions will apply to this season only.

• Pens name Bylsma as permanent coach

  April 29, 2009

  The Pittsburgh Penguins officially named Dan Bylsma their head coach after his arrival as the interim coach sparked the team to an 18-3-4 record over their final 25 regular-season games and a first-round playoff series win. Bylsma and the team reached an agreement on a multiyear contract Monday night. Terms were not disclosed.

• Cards release James, also cut Hood, LaBoy

  April 29, 2009

  The Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday granted running back Edgerrin James' wish to be released and cut two others who played significant roles in the team's run to the Super Bowl. While the James move was expected, the releases of cornerback Rod Hood and defensive end Travis LaBoy were not. The moves clear significant salary cap space for the Cardinals, who want to sign new deals with linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson, and eventually with unhappy wide receiver Anquan Boldin. James, Hood and LaBoy were to have made a combined $10 million next season. James had 794 carries for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona. James was benched for seven games in 2008, and he asked the team to release him then. The Cardinals refused, and he was reinserted into the lineup late in the season.

• Official: Horses died of mineral overdose

  April 29, 2009

  Florida's top veterinarian on Tuesday blamed the deaths of 21 elite polo horses on an overdose of a common mineral that helps muscles recover from fatigue. Florida's state veterinarian, Dr. Thomas J. Holt, said toxicology tests on the dead horses showed significantly increased selenium levels.

• Status quo for now at Talladega

  April 28, 2009

  NASCAR officials are not considering changing the racing surface at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after a spectacular last-lap accident that sent debris flying into the grandstands. Vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said NASCAR will study several different safety standards, including the height of the fences surrounding the track. Carl Edwards' car sailed into the frontstretch fence, which bowed but held, before the battered vehicle returned to the track.

• Seattle pushes ahead after pulling Hill's tag

  April 28, 2009

  The Seattle Seahawks brought back veteran cornerback Ken Lucas and signed free-agent fullback Justin Griffith with one-year contracts, about two hours after team president Tim Ruskell said the Seahawks are having "just conversations" with linebacker Leroy Hill's agent on a possible long-term deal. Seattle rescinded its 2009 franchise tag on Hill hours after it selected outside linebacker Aaron Curry fourth overall in the NFL draft. That made Hill a free agent instead of guaranteeing him $8.3 million in Seattle.

• Williams, former Net, Tasered at N.Y. hotel

  April 28, 2009

  Jayson Williams was stunned with a Taser by police in his swank hotel suite after the ex- NBA star resisted attempts by officers to take him to a hospital. Police were called to the hotel in Lower Manhattan's Battery Park City around 4 a.m. when a female friend reported the former New Jersey Nets player was acting suicidal. When officers arrived, the 6-foot-10, 325-pound Williams appeared drunk and agitated, police said.

• Capitals' Brashear suspended 6 games

  April 28, 2009

  Washington Capitals forward Donald Brashear was suspended Monday by the NHL for a total of six games - five for what the league called a "blind-side hit" on New York Rangers center Blair Betts - and will miss Game 7 of the teams' first-round playoff series. In addition to leveling Betts midway through the first period of Washington's 5-3 victory at New York in Game 6 on Sunday, Brashear made contact with Colton Orr in pre-game warm-ups and was barred from one game for that. Betts has a broken bone in his eye socket and was ruled out of Tuesday night's series-deciding game in Washington. Brashear's full suspension will be served during this postseason and, if necessary, the 2009-10 regular season. A Capitals spokesman said neither Brashear nor general manager George McPhee would comment.

• Quality Road out of Kentucky Derby

  April 28, 2009

  Florida Derby winner Quality Road was scratched after the 3-year-old colt missed a workout at Belmont Park, knocking one of the favorites out of Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Quality Road developed a quarter crack on his right front foot last week, and after a run Sunday on Belmont's training track, trainer Jimmy Jerkens became concerned after finding a spot of blood on the newly patched crack.

• Bulls prevail in 2 OTs; Turkoglu lifts Magic

  April 27, 2009

  Ben Gordon scored 22 points, hitting the tying three-pointer in the first overtime, and the host Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics, 121-118, in double overtime to tie their first-round series 2-2. Boston's Ray Allen hit a three-pointer with 9.8 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 96 and force overtime. Gordon came through with 4.5 seconds left in the first overtime, hitting a three-pointer over Pierce to tie it at 110.

• Seahawks pull Hill's franchise tag

  April 27, 2009

  The Seattle Seahawks rescinded their franchise tag on Leroy Hill and made him a free agent, one day after saying how happy they were that Hill was part of a dynamic linebacking corps that now includes fourth overall draft choice Aaron Curry. The surprising move gives Seattle salary cap space of $8.3 million - the value of the guaranteed contract for 2009 the team was obligated to offer Hill as its franchise player.

• UM women top Duke for ACC title, 12-11

  April 27, 2009

  Caitlyn McFadden scored four goals in the second half to lift the second-ranked Maryland women's lacrosse team to its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship in six years, beating No. 7 Duke, 12-11, Sunday in Blacksburg, Va. The Terps (18-0) have won six conference championships. They took a 4-0 lead before the Blue Devils (13-5) went on an 8-0 run that spanned both halves. Sarah Bullard (four goals) gave Duke an 8-4 lead with 23:42 left in the game. Maryland answered with a 9-1 run, sparked by the goals from McFadden, the tournament Most Valuable Player.

• Kelly beats 3 others by shot to win Zurich

  April 27, 2009

  Beginning the final round ahead by three strokes, Jerry Kelly rallied with two birdies on the back nine to capture the Zurich Classic in Avondale, La., by a stroke over three players. Kelly shot a 1-under-par 71 to beat Charles Howell III (68), Rory Sabbatini (67) and Charlie Wi (68) and claim his first PGA Tour title since 2002.

• Duke's Henderson entering NBA draft

  April 26, 2009

  Gerald Henderson is entering the NBA draft but is keeping open the option to return to Duke for his senior season. The school said in an announcement Henderson has not hired an agent. The decision wasn't much of a surprise, because the swingman was widely expected to test his draft stock after a productive junior year in which he led the Blue Devils with 16.5 points and scored at least 10 points in 31 games.

• Hammond's Speierman throws two no-hitters

  April 26, 2009

  Right-hander Stephanie Speierman (9-2) threw two no-hitters as Hammond (9-2) beat Mount Hebron, 6-0, and Centennial, 1-0, in softball. She set a county record for no-hitters in a doubleheader. In two games, Speierman pitched 14 innings, gave up two walks, hit one batter and struck out 34. She went 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and three runs scored.

• Tortorella suspended; Pens eliminate Flyers

  April 26, 2009

  New York Rangers coach John Tortorella has been suspended by the NHL for one game because he squirted a fan with water and threw a water bottle into the stands, striking a spectator in Washington. Tortorella will miss Game 6 on Sunday when New York hosts the Capitals with a chance to advance to the second round of the playoffs. The NHL ruled Saturday night that Tortorella's actions Friday night during the third period of the Rangers' 4-0 loss that cut their series lead to 3-2 warranted a serious punishment.

• Montoya captures his 1st NASCAR pole

  April 26, 2009

  Juan Pablo Montoya won the first pole of his NASCAR career, taking the top starting spot for Sunday's Sprint Cup Aarons 499 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway to put himself into position for his first win on an oval. Since leaving Formula One in 2006, the Colombian's only wins have been on road courses. Montoya posted a lap at 188.171 mph. Greg Biffle was second with a speed of 188.141, and Martin Truex was third at 187.971 mph.

• Steelers, Ward agree on new deal

  April 26, 2009

  Wide receiver Hines Ward will apparently get his wish to finish his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward, 33, about to enter the final season of his contract, agreed to an extension that will pay him a lower salary than the $5.8 million he was to make this season but will make up the money in a signing bonus. The deal is expected to be worth about $22 million over four seasons, although only a portion of that is guaranteed. Ward is the leading receiver in franchise history with 800 receptions for 9,780 yards and 72 touchdowns.

• Guard Ross commits to Maryland for 2010

  April 25, 2009

  Maryland landed its second commitment of the 2010 class, and it was a significant one. Montrose Christian shooting guard Terrence Ross, a four-star prospect, pledged to the Terps after reportedly having been recruited by Louisville, Georgetown, Villanova and others. Ross, the No. 31 player in the 2010 class according to Rivals.com, is from Portland, Ore. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound player transferred to Montrose before this season. He was Montrose's second-leading scorer at about 15 points a game. Ross joins Terrell Stoglin, a point guard at Santa Rita High in Tucson, Ariz., in Maryland's 2010 recruiting class. MATT BRACKEN

• Agents say Stafford has deal with Lions

  April 25, 2009

  Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions agreed on a six-year deal, his agents told the Associated Press. Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, who represent Stafford, said the Lions will pay Stafford $41.7 million in guarantees and as much as $78 million. Detroit desperately needs a quarterback to help turn around the NFL's first 0-16 team. The Lions will formally take Stafford with the No. 1 pick in the draft Saturday.

• Caps beat Rangers, 4-0, avoid elimination

  April 25, 2009

  Matt Bradley scored his first two playoff goals, Alex Ovechkin added a highlight-reel tally, rookie Simeon Varlamov posted his second shutout of the opening round, and the host Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers, 4-0, in Game 5 on Friday night to avoid elimination. The seventh-seeded Rangers, minus Sean Avery, lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 heading to Game 6 in New York on Sunday. Alexander Semin also scored for No. 2 Washington. Rangers coach John Tortorella threw a plastic drinking bottle over the glass and into the stands during a confrontation with a fan in the third period.

• Late layup gives Sixers 2-1 lead over Magic

  April 25, 2009

  Thaddeus Young's driving layup with two seconds left lifted host Philadelphia to a 96-94 victory over the Orlando Magic, giving the 76ers a surprising 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday night at the Wachovia Center. The Sixers, who stumbled into the playoffs with six losses in their last seven games and a 41-41 record, are two wins away from their first playoff series victory since 2001. Dwight Howard had 36 points for the Magic. Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 29.

• Red Wings win, 6-5, sweep Blue Jackets

  April 24, 2009

  Johan Franzen scored on a power play with 46.6 seconds left, giving the reigning Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings a 6-5 road victory and a sweep of the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL first-round playoff series.

• Falcons acquire Gonzalez from Chiefs

  April 24, 2009

  The Atlanta Falcons boosted their hopes for another trip to the playoffs by acquiring tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2010 draft pick. The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to the Chiefs in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls.

• Vasquez entering NBA draft sans agent

  April 24, 2009

  Maryland junior guard Greivis Vasquez has officially declared for the NBA draft, the school announced Thursday. Vasquez doesn't plan to hire an agent, which gives him the option of returning to the Terps for his senior season. "It's a good opportunity for Greivis to test his marketability," coach Gary Williams said in a statement. Vasquez averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds this past season and was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference. Vasquez will continue to attend classes during the spring semester. He has until June 15 to decide whether to withdraw his name from the draft.

• Pierce, Celtics rout Bulls in Game 3

  April 24, 2009

  Paul Pierce scored 24 points, Rajon Rondo added 20 and the defending champion Boston Celtics beat the host Chicago Bulls, 107-86, to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. The teams split two dramatic games in Boston, but this one never really was in doubt.

• Dupree leaving UM; Vasquez ponders pros

  April 23, 2009

  Reserve center Braxton Dupree left the Maryland program Wednesday, and star point guard Greivis Vasquez is still entertaining the possibility of turning professional.

• Wizards confirm Saunders is new coach

  April 23, 2009

  Flip Saunders officially has the job on the Washington Wizards' bench, complete with a four-year, $18 million contract. The Wizards said Saunders will be their new coach. Saunders and the team reached an oral agreement more than a week ago, and the coach, 54, signed the deal Tuesday night. Saunders will be formally introduced at a news conference Thursday. Saunders succeeds interim coach Ed Tapscott, who finished the season when Eddie Jordan was fired after a 1-10 start. Long-term injuries to Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood doomed the season from the start. Tapscott went 18-53. Saunders is 587-396 over 13 NBA seasons, 10 with the Minnesota Timberwolves and three with the Detroit Pistons.

• Phelps to try new freestyle technique

  April 23, 2009

  Michael Phelps is following up his record performance at the Beijing Olympics by changing some of the swimming technique that carried him to eight gold medals. As the Baltimore resident shifts to focusing on shorter races, he hopes the new freestyle technique will increase his sprinting speed. "You'll all have to see. I'm not saying anything until we unveil it," Phelps said in New York when asked how he has tweaked the stroke. "It's a significant change." Phelps will reveal the new technique when he returns to competition at the Charlotte (N.C.) UltraSwim on May 14-17 in North Carolina, his first meet since Beijing. He plans to swim four events, including the 100- and 200-meter free and the 100 butterfly.

• GM: Lions looking to deal No. 1 pick

  April 22, 2009

  Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said Tuesday the chances are very good Detroit will have a deal done with the No. 1 pick before the NFL draft begins Saturday. Mayhew said there has been some "moderate interest" from other teams, seeking a trade for the No. 1 pick. He declined to talk about specific players when he was asked about the Lions' interest in drafting Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. Detroit is expected to draft Stafford, Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry or Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith with the No. 1 pick.

• Breeders' Cup still set for Santa Anita

  April 22, 2009

  Breeders' Cup officials say they still intend to stage horse racing's year-end world championships at Santa Anita Park in November despite the track's owner filing for bankruptcy. The Breeders' Cup said Tuesday it is working with Santa Anita management and its attorneys to obtain the necessary approvals from the bankruptcy court so the two-day event can take place as planned in Arcadia, Calif. Magna Entertainment Corp., which also owns Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, filed for bankruptcy in March. The Breeders' Cup has the option of moving the event to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

• Behind James, Cavs gain 2-0 series lead

  April 22, 2009

  LeBron James, showing no regard for a defensive plan Detroit spent three days preparing for him, scored 29 points and Mo Williams added 21 as the host Cleveland Cavaliers withstood a stirring comeback for a 94-82 win to open a 2-0 lead over the Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The top-seeded Cavs built a 29-point lead in the fourth but lost their edge and let the Pistons get within seven in the closing minutes. James added 13 rebounds and six assists.

• Carolina tops N.J. on late goal, 4-3

  April 22, 2009

  Jussi Jokinen deflected in Dennis Seidenberg's slap shot with 0.2 of a second remaining and the host Carolina Hurricanes evened their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with New Jersey at two games apiece by beating the Devils, 4-3. Eric Staal, Ryan Bayda and Chad LaRose also scored for the Hurricanes, who blew a 3-0 lead but regrouped just in time to avoid a third straight overtime game.

• Report: Holt, Jags agree on 3-year deal

  April 21, 2009

  Wide receiver Torry Holt and the Jacksonville Jaguars have settled on a three-year deal with that could pay the former St. Louis Ram as much as $20 million, ESPN.com reported, citing a source. Holt, 32, will not receive a signing bonus, the Web site reported, but the first year of the contract is guaranteed. Holt has 12,660 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns.

• Blanchard, Heisman winner at Army, dies

  April 21, 2009

  Felix "Doc" Blanchard, who won Heisman Trophy in 1945 and along with fellow running back Glenn Davis led Army to three consecutive undefeated seasons, died Sunday of pneumonia at home in Bulverde, Texas. He was 84. Blanchard scored 38 touchdowns and gained 1,908 yards in three seasons for Army. Blanchard capped his Heisman Trophy season by scoring three touchdowns in a 32-13 win over Navy. The year after he became the first junior to win the Heisman Trophy, Davis won it. Army went 27-0-1 from 1944 to 1946 and won national titles in 1944 and 1945. Blanchard also became the first football player to win the Sullivan Award, given to the nation's top amateur athlete.

• 21 polo horses dead; toxin possible cause

  April 21, 2009

  The sudden death of 21 horses at a championship event in Wellington, Fla., might have been caused by a toxin in the animals' feed, vitamins or supplements, veterinarians said. The horses from the Venezuelan-owned team Lechuza Caracas became ill just before a tournament match Sunday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, collapsing and dying on the scene or while being treated at vet clinics or transported, officials said. Toxicology tests were pending Monday. A veterinarian estimated the 21 horses together were worth up to $2 million.

• Holdsclaw back, signing with Dream

  April 21, 2009

  Chamique Holdsclaw has returned to the WNBA. The seven-time All-Star signed a multiyear deal with the Atlanta Dream. Details of the contract were not released. Holdsclaw, 31, retired from the WNBA in 2007 after nine seasons. She spent her first six seasons with the Washington Mystics, who drafted Holdsclaw No. 1 overall in 1999. She had been playing in Poland before having knee surgery about five months ago.

• Woman a target of extortion probe

  April 20, 2009

  The FBI is investigating the estranged wife of Louisville's equipment manager regarding extortion allegations leveled by Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino, her attorney said. Attorney Thomas Clay said he spoke with the FBI about the matter last week but declined to elaborate. He represents Karen Sypher, the wife of longtime equipment manager Tim Sypher. ESPN.com, citing a Louisville source, reported that Pitino first received threatening phone calls from Karen Sypher in February, and the calls continued during the NCAA tournament last month. Sources close to the situation have told FoxSports.com that Sypher has tried to extort millions of dollars from Pitino with threats of charges of sexual misconduct. In a statement Saturday night, Pitino did not identify the person he accuses of extortion and did not detail the nature of the threats. The Syphers are in the process of getting a divorce, Clay said.

• Gay outdistances Heritage field by 10

  April 20, 2009

  Brian Gay shot a 7-under-par 64 to win at the Verizon Heritage on Sunday in Hilton Head Island, S.C., prevailing by an astounding 10 shots. He broke the 13-year-old scoring record, finishing at 20-under 264 on the way to his second PGA Tour victory. "Just another unbelievable day," Gay said. He had the tour's largest margin of victory since Phil Mickelson won the 2006 BellSouth Classic by 13 strokes. Gay bested Loren Roberts' mark of 19-under in winning the 1996 Verizon Heritage. Gay's 10-shot edge over Luke Donald (66) and Briny Baird (68) shattered the seven strokes five-time champion Davis Love III won by in 1998.

• Nadal lengthens Monte Carlo streak

  April 20, 2009

  World No. 1 Rafael Nadal overcame an upset clay-court bid by Novak Djokovic, beating the third-ranked Serbian, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, for his fifth straight ATP Monte Carlo Masters title in Monaco after losing a set here for the first time since the 2006 final against Roger Federer. Nadal extended his winning streak at Monte Carlo to 27 matches and won his 21st straight victory on clay since losing to Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round of the Rome Masters in May 2008. He has three titles this season, including the Australian Open.

• Blanchard, winner of '45 Heisman, dead

  April 20, 2009

  Felix "Doc" Blanchard, the 1945 Heisman Trophy winner whose power rushing helped lead Army to consecutive national titles, died Saturday at his home in Bulverde, Texas, ESPN.com reported, citing family members. He was 84. Blanchard, known as "Mr. Inside," teamed with Glenn Davis, known as "Mr. Outside," to form one of college football's great backfields. Under Blanchard and Davis, both three-time All-Americans, Army went a 27-0-1 record from 1944 to 1946. They helped Army defeat Navy in 1944 in Baltimore to claim the first of two straight national titles. Blanchard was the first junior to win the Heisman. Davis won the award next year.

• Rose's 36 carry Bulls past Celts in OT

  April 19, 2009

  Derrick Rose scored 36 points in his playoff debut and helped the Chicago Bulls do something not even Michael Jordan could: beat the Boston Celtics in the postseason. Rose had 11 assists to go with his career high in points, and Tyrus Thomas made a jumper from the corner with 51 seconds left in overtime to lead the visiting Bulls to a 105-103 victory over the defending NBA champions in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round series. Rajon Rondo scored 29 points and added nine rebounds and seven assists for Boston, which was without Kevin Garnett and without much help from the rest of the Big Three. Paul Pierce had 23 points but missed the potential game-winning free throw at the end of regulation, and his potential game-tying basket was blocked with 3.7 seconds left in OT. Ray Allen, who had four points on 1-for-12 shooting, had a chance to force a second overtime, but his jumper from the right side bounced off the back of the rim.

• Astros pick up Cooper's option

  April 19, 2009

  The Houston Astros exercised the option on manager Cecil Cooper's contract for 2010. The Astros are off to a 3-7 start, but general manager Ed Wade said picking up the option was "a formality as far as I was concerned." Cooper, who has a 104-98 record with Houston, won 86 games last season. That was a 14-game turnaround from the previous year.

• Martin, 50, wins 1st race in 4 years

  April 19, 2009

  Mark Martin continued to defy his age, becoming the first 50-year-old to win a Sprint Cup race in 16 years with a victory in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale. Martin started from the pole and led 157 of 312 laps. He was out front when Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s accident brought out a caution with 11 laps to go, erasing a four-second lead he held over Tony Stewart. Martin won a close race with Kyle Busch off pit road, then Busch was flagged for speeding. Martin settled into second behind Ryan Newman, who didn't pit. Martin then shot past Newman on the restart with six laps to go, then cruised to his first win since Kansas at 2005. Stewart was second, followed by Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle. More auto racing: Will Power won the pole for Sunday's IndyCar Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (Calif.). Power, replaced in one Team Penske car when Helio Castroneves returned after being acquitted of five of six tax evasion charges, jumped into another Penske car and outdueled Dario Franchitti for the top qualifying spot. Castroneves qualified eighth for Sunday's 23-car field.

• Pitino says he's victim of extortion attempt

  April 19, 2009

  Louisville coach Rick Pitino said he is the victim of an extortion attempt and has forwarded the information to the FBI. A statement released by the university said Pitino reported the threats to authorities last month and that the FBI is investigating. The statement does not specify the nature of the threats. Pitino said in the statement he did not plan to go public, but he recently learned that the person has gone to the media with "false, defamatory and outrageous allegations in an attempt to pressure me to cave in to this scheme."

• Terps' Scott likely to miss rest of spring

  April 19, 2009

  Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott will likely miss the rest of the spring after a violent collision with defensive back Nolan Carroll during a scrimmage at Byrd Stadium. Carroll went low to tackle Scott, and his helmet collided with Scott's knee. Scott has what doctors believe is a strained anterior cruciate ligament. Carroll was down on the field for about 10 minutes. He was immobilized by the training staff and taken to the hospital. Carroll had X-rays and the results were negative. He is expected to make a full recovery.

• Groups lobby for harsh poaching sentence

  April 18, 2009

  Conservation and recreational fishing groups and a regional regulatory agency are asking a federal judge to make an example of five watermen who pleaded guilty to poaching millions of dollars worth of striped bass from the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River when sentencing begins next week. In letters to U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte, groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association have advised him to send a message to poachers and unscrupulous fish dealers that the federal government is serious in its prosecution of those who violate natural resources laws. CANDUS THOMSON

• 'Canes even series; Pens take 2-0 lead

  April 18, 2009

  Defenseman Tim Gleason scored his first NHL playoff goal on a slap shot at 2:40 of overtime, and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the host New Jersey Devils, 2-1, tying their first-round playoff series at a game apiece. Eric Staal scored the other goal for the Hurricanes. Zach Parise scored for the Devils, who lost captain Jamie Langenbrunner to a lower-body injury in the second period.

• Castroneves cleared of most tax charges

  April 18, 2009

  Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves was acquitted Friday of most charges that he worked with his sister and lawyer to evade more than $2.3 million in U.S. income taxes. A federal jury acquitted Castroneves on six counts of tax evasion but was hung on one count of conspiracy. The jury also acquitted Katiucia Castroneves, 35, who is her 33-year-old brother's business manager, on the tax evasion counts but hung on the conspiracy charge. Michigan attorney Alan Miller, 71, was acquitted on all three counts of tax evasion and one count of conspiracy. Castroneves will return to his No. 3 IndyCar in time for practice and qualifying Saturday for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

• Bills trade Peters to Eagles

  April 18, 2009

  The Buffalo Bills traded Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles rather than risk another offseason holdout from the disgruntled two-time Pro Bowl left tackle. The Eagles then signed Peters to a four-year, $53 million extension that would keep him in Philadelphia through 2014, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press. Peters will earn $60 million over the next six seasons, including $25 million in guaranteed money, according to the person. The Bills received the 28th overall pick - the second of the Eagles' two first-round picks - and a fourth-round choice in next week's draft. Buffalo also gets an undisclosed pick in 2010.

• Celtics' Garnett could miss playoffs

  April 17, 2009

  Kevin Garnett, the centerpiece of the Boston Celtics' 2008 championship and a key to its hopes of a repeat, could miss the playoffs because of a knee injury that has limited him to four games over the final two months of the season. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Thursday that Garnett will not be ready for Game 1 against the Chicago Bulls and might not be back at all. "It's not official that he's out for the entire playoffs, but it's official as far as I'm concerned," Rivers said. "I just don't see how. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it." Garnett averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds this season.

• Harangody, Flynn, Mills to enter NBA draft

  April 17, 2009

  Notre Dame junior forward Luke Harangody said he's putting his name into the NBA draft but will leave open the option of returning for his senior season. Harangody said he won't hire an agent, meaning he can pull out of the draft by June 15. Harangody led the Big East in scoring (23 points per game) and rebounding (12 per game).

• Partial verdict reached in Castroneves case

  April 17, 2009

  A federal jury reached a partial verdict in the tax evasion trial of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves but was hung up on several counts. Federal Judge Donald Graham said he would not immediately read the verdicts on two tax-evasion counts against Castroneves and told jurors to continue deliberating on four other tax-evasion counts and one conspiracy count.

• Salisbury, Stevenson to play for CAC title

  April 17, 2009

  Jake DeLillo scored five goals and Kylor Berkman added two goals and four assists to lead Salisbury (13-3) to an 18-5 win over host St. Mary's (7-6) and into the Capital Athletic Conference title game. The Sea Gulls will face Stevenson (14-0), a 19-4 winner over visiting Wesley (10-5), on Sunday. Jimmy Dailey had four goals and three assists to lead the Mustangs.

• Jets upset games conflict with holidays

  April 17, 2009

  The New York Jets, upset about being scheduled for home games on consecutive Sundays in direct conflict with Jewish holidays, sent NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a letter asking that one of the game times be changed. The Jets' home opener is Week 2 against New England at 1 p.m. on Sept. 20, which falls during Rosh Hashanah. New York then plays Tennessee at 4:15 p.m. the following Sunday, with Yom Kippur beginning at sundown.

• Thomas introduced at Fla. International

  April 16, 2009

  Isiah Thomas will not make a dollar his first year coaching the men's basketball team at Florida International. The Hall of Famer's introduction to FIU on Wednesday - three days shy of the one-year anniversary of his firing as coach of the New York Knicks - included the revelation that he will donate his salary back to the school for his first season. School officials did not release the exact figure. Thomas, who also served as the Knicks' president, is still owed $12 million or so from the NBA team. "I did not come here for the money," he said. He will earn somewhere around $275,000 in the final four years of his deal at the school.

• Loyola women defeat G'town in lacrosse

  April 16, 2009

  The No. 14 Loyola women's lacrosse team erased a one-goal halftime deficit with a 4-0 run in the second half en route to beating No. 7 Georgetown, 13-11, on a rain-soaked Diane Geppi-Aikens Field. Cara Filipelli had three goals and an assist for Loyola (10-4, 3-3 Big East). Ashby Kaestner had a game-high eight points - six goals and two assists - for the Hoyas (10-4, 5-1).

• Jags' Jones-Drew signs $31M deal

  April 16, 2009

  Running back Maurice Jones-Drew signed a five-year, $31 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars that includes $17.5 million guaranteed. Jones-Drew replaces Fred Taylor, who parted ways with Jacksonville in February. Jones-Drew totaled 6,003 all-purpose yards and scored 40 touchdowns the past three years.

• Fla. International hires I. Thomas

  April 15, 2009

  Isiah Thomas has agreed to a five-year contract with Florida International to coach the men's basketball team, a move that gives the Hall of Fame player and former NBA coach a chance to revive his career. Financial terms weren't immediately released. Thomas replaces Sergio Rouco, who was reassigned Monday after posting a losing record in each of his five seasons as coach.

• AP: Saunders agrees to coach Wizards

  April 15, 2009

  Flip Saunders has agreed to become the new coach of the Washington Wizards, with an announcement expected next week, an NBA executive told the Associated Press. Owner Abe Pollin has approved the hiring of Saunders, the choice of president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld to succeed interim coach Ed Tapscott, the executive said. Saunders has coached for 13 NBA seasons, 10 with Minnesota and three with Detroit, with a career record of 587-396.

• Report: Stone, ex-Raven, suspended

  April 15, 2009

  Daren Stone, a former Ravens defensive back, was suspended four games by the NFL, Foxsports.com reported. The Web site said the reason for the suspension wasn't immediately known. Stone, who was not retained by the Ravens this offseason, made a costly mistake in the AFC championship loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers. He tossed Steelers cornerback Anthony Madison out of bounds during a punt return in the fourth quarter and drew an unnecessary-roughness penalty that moved the Ravens from their 39 to the 14. A 2007 sixth-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons, Stone was signed by the Ravens during the middle of last season and played in eight games. JAMISON HENSLEY

• Maryland men earn 700th victory

  April 15, 2009

  Maryland's seniors made their final regular-season home game a memorable one. They combined to score nine goals in a 15-6 drubbing of Binghamton on Tuesday at Ludwig Field, the 700th career victory for the Terrapins men's program. Maryland became just the fifth Division I program to reach that milestone, joining Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Navy and Army. The Terps now boast an all-time record of 700-236-4 in their 84-year history.

• Cavs' win at Indy clinches home court

  April 14, 2009

  The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the NBA's best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs behind LeBron James' 37 points in a 117-109 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers (35-46). Getting the home-court edge was especially important because Cleveland (66-15) has a 39-1 record at home, the best in the league. Danny Granger scored 38 for Indiana, but Cleveland won its fifth straight.

• Harrison, Steelers near $51.75M deal

  April 14, 2009

  Linebacker James Harrison and the Pittsburgh Steelers reached terms Monday on a six-year, $51.75 million contract that will make him the second-highest-paid player in franchise history. The contract set to be announced Tuesday will pay the NFL Defensive Player of the Year a guaranteed $20 million - more than any other player in team history except Ben Roethlisberger. The quarterback signed an eight-year, $102 million contract last year that will pay him a guaranteed $36 million. Harrison, a former Raven, broke into the Steelers' lineup in 2007 and had 8 1/2 sacks. He had a Steelers-record 16 sacks in 15 games last season, and his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown - the longest scoring play in Super Bowl history - helped the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals for their second NFL title in four seasons. Harrison, 30, was cut four times earlier in his career, including by the Ravens in 2004.

• Saunders offered Wizards coaching job

  April 14, 2009

  Flip Saunders has been offered the head coaching job for the Washington Wizards next season, but he has yet to formally accept, multiple media outlets reported. Yahoo Sports reported Monday that Saunders reached a verbal agreement on a four-year, $18 million deal and that he has told associates he would accept the position. Citing unnamed sources, Yahoo reported that the deal would not be complete until Saunders returns a signed contract to Washington. Ed Tapscott, the Wizards' interim head coach, could return to the team's front office, according to reports. Tapscott became interim coach in November after the firing of Eddie Jordan, who started the season 1-10. Under Tapscott, the Wizards are 18-52. Saunders, 54, most recently led the Detroit Pistons to the Eastern Conference finals three straight years. The Pistons fired him after the team lost to the eventual champion Boston Celtics last season. The Washington Post reported Monday that Sam Cassell (Dunbar) could be an assistant for Saunders in Washington.

• De La Hoya might call it a career today

  April 14, 2009

  With several signs indicating that Oscar De La Hoya will retire from boxing, a news conference has been scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles for an announcement that is being tightly guarded by those close to the famed "Golden Boy." De La Hoya, 36, is expected to confirm publicly what he told his former trainer Freddie Roach in the seconds after his lopsided defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao in December: "I don't have it anymore." He is 39-6, with 30 knockouts.

• U.S. women defend world hockey title

  April 13, 2009

  The United States women defended their world hockey championship title, beating Canada, 4-1, in Hameenlinna, Finland, behind defenseman Caitlin Cahow's two goals. The victory puts the Americans ahead of Canada in the world rankings for the first time since they were introduced in 2004. It is also the first time the U.S. has defeated Canada in back-to-back finals at the women's worlds.

• 1st tourney victory for Hewitt in 2 years

  April 13, 2009

  Lleyton Hewitt held on to win his first tournament in two years with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Wayne Odesnik in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. Hewitt won his 498th career match and moved closer to joining Roger Federer and Carlos Moya as the only active players with 500 or more victories. The Australian also won his first clay-court tournament since he took the Delray Beach tournament in 1999. He failed to win a tournament last year for the first time in his career while recovering from hip surgery.

• Blackhawks top Red Wings again

  April 13, 2009

  Nikolai Khabibulin made 37 saves for his 41st career shutout, and the host Chicago Blackhawks tuned up for their first playoff appearance in seven years by beating the Detroit Red Wings, 3-0, in the regular-season finale. The Blackhawks (46-24-12) picked up their second win in 24 hours over the Red Wings (51-21-10), coming on the heels of Saturday's 4-2 win at Detroit, and closed 6-0-1.

• Report: Leftwich, Bucs agree to deal

  April 13, 2009

  Byron Leftwich, a free-agent quarterback, has agreed to a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN.com reported, citing an unnamed source. Leftwich, 29, would become the fourth Bucs quarterback, joining Luke McCown, Josh Johnson and Brian Griese. Leftwich played last season as the backup for the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and they, along with the Washington Redskins, had expressed interest in the Washington native, the Web site said. The 6-foot-5 quarterback was nearly drafted by the Ravens in 2003, but a bungled trade kept them from moving up in the first round to select him. The Jacksonville Jaguars chose him instead. Leftwich has started eight games since 2006, a stretch in which he also played for the Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons. He threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Steelers.

• United falls, 2-1, to Real Salt Lake

  April 12, 2009

  Javier Morales scored in the 80th minute to give Real Salt Lake a 2-1 come-from-behind win over visiting D.C. United. Morales, who recorded his first goal of the season, scored after Kyle Beckerman's pass intended for Robbie Findley bounced off the back of Findley's leg straight to Morales just outside the penalty box. Luciano Emilo gave United (1-1-2) a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute with his third goal in three games after scoring on a header off a cross from Chris Pontius. The advantage didn't last long, however, as Jamison Olave tied it for Salt Lake (2-1-0) in the 40th minute with a header of his own. Will Johnson sent the ball in front of the goal and Olave's deflection went off United keeper Louis Crayton into the net. Crayton finished with six saves.

• Logano outduels Ky. Busch for win

  April 12, 2009

  Teen star Joey Logano raced to his second career NASCAR Nationwide Series victory, holding off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch in the Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway in Gladeville, Tenn. Logano, 18, and Busch ran in the top two and traded the lead for most of the race, with Logano leading the final 10 laps and finishing 0.487 of a second in front. Brad Keselowski, the Nashville winner in June, was third.

• Wild coach Lemaire says he won't return

  April 12, 2009

  Jacques Lemaire said he won't return to the Minnesota Wild for a ninth season behind the bench. The coach, 63, speaking after the Wild's 6-3 season-ending victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, said there comes a time when everyone knows it's the right time to go. "And I know this," he said. Lemaire took over the expansion Wild when it joined the NHL in 2000-01. He has a career record of 538-415-176 in 14 seasons with Montreal, New Jersey and Minnesota, leading the Devils to the 1995 Stanley Cup title.

• Williams beats Wright in unanimous decision

  April 12, 2009

  Paul Williams battered Winky Wright with an avalanche of punches to win a unanimous decision in Las Vegas, dominating a meeting between two much-avoided middleweights. Williams (37-1, 27 knockouts) worked Wright's formidable defensive posture like a speed bag from the opening bell at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, relentlessly breaking down the former champion in Wright's return from a 21-month ring absence. With so many punches to block, Wright (51-5-1) simply didn't have time to land enough scoring blows against his taller, longer opponent. Williams barely appeared tired by the closing bell, chasing Wright around the ring relentlessly.

• Bills' Whitner arrested in melee

  April 12, 2009

  Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner was shocked with a stun gun and arrested by officers trying to control a rowdy crowd outside a Cleveland nightclub, police said. Whitner, 23, was jailed early Saturday, accused of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, Lt. Thomas Stacho said. The former Ohio State star was released later Saturday and hadn't been charged, police said. A prosecutor was to decide whether to file charges. Police shocked and handcuffed Whitner outside the House of Blues after he forced his way past them and then broke free from officers trying to restrain him, Stacho said. Stacho said police heard reports Miami Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was having a birthday party at the downtown venue but couldn't confirm whether Whitner was attending. Whitner and Ginn were high school teammates and played for the Buckeyes. It was unclear why Whitner tried to leave the club and head for the melee, though he told officers, "My cousin's out there, and they've got guns," according to a police report, Stacho said. Whitner said he regrets the incident. "It's not how I wish to conduct myself, and I apologize to all those involved," he said in a statement released through his agent, Neil Cornrich.

• Boston U. forces OT, wins hockey title

  April 12, 2009

  Trailing by two goals with a minute left in regulation in the NCAA hockey title game, top seed Boston University stormed back to force overtime, then beat Miami (Ohio), 4-3, in Washington on a goal that went in off a RedHawks player in the extra session. Colby Cohen was credited with the winning goal on a slap shot that ricocheted off sliding defenseman Kevin Roeder's leg 11:47 into OT and gave BU (35-6-4) its fifth national hockey title - and first since 1995. Both goalies - Boston's Kieran Millan and Miami's Cody Reichard - are freshmen, and both were superb. Millan made 29 saves. Reichard made 28. Tommy Wingels and Trent Vogelhuber scored less than 3 1/2 minutes apart in the third period to break open what had been a tie game and put Miami (23-13-4) ahead 3-1. But BU's Nick Bonino had a goal and an assist in the final minute of the third period to send the game to overtime, including the tying score with 17.4 seconds left.

• Federer marries longtime girlfriend

  April 12, 2009

  Roger Federer married longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec in a small ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, his hometown. The second-ranked tennis player announced the wedding on his Web site, saying the couple got married "surrounded by a small group of close friends and family." "It was a beautiful spring day and an incredibly joyous occasion," he said. The couple announced last month that they are expecting their first child. Federer is set to play in this week's Monte Carlo Masters after accepting a last-minute wild-card invitation Thursday.

• Murder charges filed in Adenhart crash

  April 11, 2009

  A 22-year-old man was charged with three murder counts and drunken driving Friday in the crash that killed Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others. Andrew Thomas Gallo had nearly triple the legal blood-alcohol level when he allegedly ran a red light in his minivan early Thursday and broadsided a car carrying Adenhart and three friends, police said. Gallo could get almost 55 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges, Orange County (Calif.) District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said. Adenhart, who grew up in Washington County, died at the hospital hours after pitching six scoreless innings in his season debut. Flags flew at half-staff at Angel Stadium and around the majors to honor Adenhart.

• Services for Marvin Webster to be held next week

  April 11, 2009

  Services for former NBA and Morgan State star Marvin Webster, who was found dead Monday in a Tulsa, Okla., hotel, will be held next week. He was 56. There will be public viewings at Vaughn C. Green Funeral Home, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Greater New Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore. The family asks that any flowers or telegrams be sent to the funeral home.

• Wizards' Butler beats buzzer, Raptors

  April 11, 2009

  Caron Butler made a jumper at the buzzer to give the visiting Washington Wizards a 100-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Antawn Jamison had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Butler added 21 points for the Wizards, who nearly blew a six-point lead in the final minute. The Wizards won for just the third time in their past 13 games.

• Armstrong believes Tour ban is likely

  April 11, 2009

  Lance Armstrong said he thinks French doping officials might ban him from this summer's Tour de France over a report that he violated protocols during a recent drug test. In a video statement on his Web site, Armstrong said there's a "very high likelihood" he won't be allowed to race for an eighth Tour de France title. France's anti-doping agency, AFLD, has said the American did not fully cooperate with a drug tester when he showed up at Armstrong's home in France to collect blood, urine and hair samples from the cyclist March 17. No banned substances were found; the dispute revolves around a 20-minute delay when Armstrong went inside the house and took a shower while his assistants checked the tester's credentials.

• Cavs turn it around at home, rout Spurs

  April 6, 2009

  LeBron James scored 38 points, Mo Williams and Delonte West added 22 apiece and the Cleveland Cavaliers avoided their first three-game losing streak with a 101-81 victory over the visiting San Antonio Spurs. Embarrassed in a 29-point loss in Orlando, a defeat that came one day after a loss at lowly Washington, Cleveland (62-15) improved to 37-1 at home. Tony Parker scored 24 for San Antonio (49-27) but got no help from Manu Ginobili (four points) or Tim Duncan (six points).

• James leads Cavs to 13th win in row

  April 1, 2009

  LeBron James made two crucial three-point plays late and finished with 25points and 12 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their 13th straight game, 79-73, over the Detroit Pistons (36-38). The Cavs (61-13) trailed 69-67 midway through the fourth when James scored eight points and made an assist in a 10-0 run. Cleveland improved to 36-1 at home and became just the sixth team in NBA history to win 16games in a month.

• Anthony scores 43 in win over Mavericks

  March 28, 2009

  Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) made three free throws and a tough layup in traffic in the final 43 seconds, capping a 43-point, 11-rebound night to lift the Denver Nuggets (47-26) to a 103-101 victory over the host Dallas Mavericks. Jason Kidd (back) missed his first game for Dallas after playing 100 straight. The Mavericks (43-29) suffered their first home loss since the All-Star break.

• Lil E. Tee, winner of '92 Derby, dead

  March 24, 2009

  Lil E. Tee, who upset heavily favored Arazi to win the 1992 Kentucky Derby, has died. He was 20. The horse was euthanized Wednesday at Old Frankfort Stud in Lexington, Ky. Farm owner Jim Plemmons said the horse fell ill last month after an operation to repair an obstructed bowel and struggled to recover. Under jockey Pat Day, Lil E. Tee, at 17-1, roared past the front-runners at Churchill Downs, including European star Arazi, to win the Derby by a length. It marked the only Derby victory of Day's Hall of Fame career. But Lil E. Tee's winning time of 2minutes, 3seconds over a fast track was considered slow, and most of the aftermath was spent wondering what went wrong with Arazi, who faded to eighth. Lil E. Tee's bid for a Triple Crown ended when he took fifth at the Preakness Stakes. He skipped the Belmont Stakes because of a lung infection. He retired with seven wins in 13 career starts.

• Phelps follows 'heart' back into pool

  March 23, 2009

  Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics last summer, and several other Americans are in the middle of a two-week training camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., for this summer's national and world championships. They're in the pool twice a day, at 7a.m. and 5p.m., and spent part of one day training with U.S. Navy SEALs. Phelps, a Baltimore resident, said all the scrutiny over a photo that surfaced in early February of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe hadn't taken away his motivation. Phelps was suspended for three months by USA Swimming and has lost two major sponsors. "It's all really about what's in your heart, and that's why I'm back in the pool," said Phelps, who plans to return to competition May 14-17 at the Charlotte (N.C.) UltraSwim.

• Depleted Wizards lose, 116-105, to Nuggets

  March 21, 2009

  Antawn Jamison scored 27 points and Nick Young added 20, but the Washington Wizards, with only nine players available because of injuries to Juan Dixon (Maryland, Calvert Hall) and Caron Butler, fell, 116-105, to the host Denver Nuggets. The Wizards (16-54) have lost three straight games. J.R. Smith scored a season-high 40points and Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) added 20 for the Northwest Division-leading Nuggets (45-25).

• Spitz says he feels sorry for Phelps

  March 17, 2009

  Mark Spitz says he feels badly for Michael Phelps. Spitz, whose record of seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics was broken when Phelps won eight last year, talked briefly about Phelps last night while in Little Rock, Ark., for a speaking engagement. Phelps has been at the center of controversy after a photo surfaced showing the swimming star with a marijuana pipe. "As a fan, I feel sorry and I feel badly for him at this time," Spitz said. "Nobody would want to wish that upon him, I'm sure. He's obviously dealing with it in a way that he feels appropriate, and I'm not one to comment on whether it's right or wrong because I'm not with his management team."

• Phelps appears to be aiming for '12 Games

  March 14, 2009

  Michael Phelps believes he can maintain his passion for competition through the 2012 Olympics, the swimmer said yesterday in an interview on NBC's Today show. Phelps seemed to indicate that he's leaning toward competing in the London Games, something he was uncertain about after a photo of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe appeared in a British tabloid. "There are still things I want to achieve, things I want to accomplish," Phelps told Matt Lauer. Lauer also asked Phelps whether he had used marijuana, but the 14-time Olympic gold medalist did not answer the question directly. "It was a bad mistake," he said. "I mean, we all know what, you know, what you and I are talking about." More than a month after the photo appeared, Phelps said he regrets hurting those close to him more than losing sponsorship money. (Cereal giant Kellogg decided not to continue its relationship with the swimmer.) The rest of the interview will air tomorrow at 7p.m. on Dateline. Phelps is still serving a three-month suspension from USA Swimming because of the photo. CHILDS WALKER

• Phelps regrets pain caused by photo

  March 13, 2009

  Michael Phelps said he's more worried about the pain he caused family and friends than losing money in endorsements after he was photographed inhaling from a marijuana pipe. In an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer, the swimmer and Baltimore resident didn't directly answer whether he was smoking marijuana. The interview will air this morning on Today and Sunday night on Dateline.

• Olympic-size gift to Calif. food bank

  March 12, 2009

  Kellogg Co. donated thousands of boxes of cereal with Michael Phelps' picture on them to the San Francisco Food Bank. Kellogg declined last month to renew its endorsement deal with the Olympic swimming star and Baltimore resident after a photo surfaced showing him smoking from a marijuana pipe. Kellogg officials responded to questions from the Associated Press with an e-mail saying the company routinely donates food that is nearing the end of its shelf life but still good.

• Hoff wins 200 free; Martin earns rare pole

  March 7, 2009

  American record-holder Katie Hoff won the 200-meter freestyle at the Austin (Texas) Grand Prix in 1 minute, 58.39 seconds. Hoff, of Towson, edged out Kara Lynn Joyce by more than a second. ... Mark Martin (187.045mph) claimed the pole for tomorrow's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his first since 2001. ... Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero inadvertently revealed that he is 34 years old, not 33, as listed in the team's media guide. ... Mark Sweeney, whose 175 pinch hits rank second in major league history, announced his retirement and joined the Dodgers' coaching staff. ... Y.E. Yang shot a 5-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead halfway through the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. ... Bernhard Langer shot a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif. ... Andy Roddick beat Marco Chiudinelli, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (5), to move the United States into a 1-1 tie in its opening-round Davis Cup tie with Switzerland in Birmingham, Ala.

• C. Anthony: 'If I was wrong, I was wrong'

  March 5, 2009

  Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) said he wished George Karl would have kept his insubordination a secret but promised the next time his coach tries to substitute for him, he'll sprint right to the bench. "I'm going to run," Anthony said after practicing with the team for the first time since his one-game suspension for refusing to come out of Denver's 100-94 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Anthony missed the Nuggets' 100-95 loss to the host Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. "If I was wrong, I was wrong," Anthony said.

• Karl says Anthony 'crossed the line'

  March 4, 2009

  Carmelo Anthony's checkered reputation has taken another hit. The two-time Olympian served a one-game suspension last night handed down by the Denver Nuggets because coach George Karl tried to put him on the bench and he refused. "In my mind, that crossed the line," Karl said. Anthony (Towson Catholic) wasn't with the Nuggets when they played on the road against the Detroit Pistons. "I saw him yesterday. I didn't see him today," Karl said last night. "I'll spend some time with him tomorrow. I think he's traveling with the team. I heard he was going to be on the plane." Denver's next game is tomorrow night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Nuggets had said they suspended Anthony for an "in-game transgression" Sunday against Indiana, declining to provide details of what he did. During a timeout against the Pacers, though, Karl said, Anthony became the first player in his two-plus decades as a coach to stay on the court after being told he was being taken out of the game. "There's a thin line between passion and an aggressive want to be on the court and emotional immaturity," Karl said. Anthony is averaging a team-high 21.6points and 7.4 rebounds.

• Phelps is dropped from 2 speaking dates

  February 26, 2009

  Michael Phelps has been dropped as the keynote speaker at two events in Canada next week, with the promoter citing the Olympic champion swimmer's "widely publicized alleged use of marijuana." Power Within Inc. of Toronto, which organizes motivational speaking events, canceled Phelps' appearances at events in Calgary, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Toronto's Globe and Mail reported. Power Within initially stood by the swimmer but has now booked actor Martin Sheen as its keynote speaker for the Calgary event. The Vancouver event will feature Mehmet Oz, a regular on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

• IOC head says Phelps deserves second chance

  February 21, 2009

  International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said swimming star Michael Phelps failed in his duty as a role model but deserves a second chance after being photographed with a marijuana pipe. Rogge said Phelps' apology and promise not to do it again earned him the benefit of the doubt. Phelps, who lives in Baltimore, won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. The 23-year-old was suspended by the U.S. swimming federation for three months after a British newspaper published the photo of Phelps holding the pipe at a party in South Carolina.

• Hoff wins twice in Mo.; Stanford beats Wie by 3

  February 15, 2009

  Towson's Katie Hoff won two events on the second day of the Missouri Grand Prix on in Columbia. Hoff won the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2 minutes, 13.21seconds. Hoff also finished first in the 400 freestyle, nearly two seconds ahead of the competition.

• Phelps apologizes to Chinese fans

  February 12, 2009

  Olympic champion Michael Phelps apologized to Chinese fans for what he called his "regrettable behavior" after he was photographed with a marijuana pipe. The Rodgers Forge native spoke via the Internet on a video that appeared widely today on Chinese-language Web sites. The Chinese-language newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily said the Web sites had received the statement from automaker Mazda, which is reported to be paying Phelps more than $1million to endorse the car brand in China. Last month Phelps was back in Beijing - where he won a record-breaking eight gold medals - to do commercials for automaker Mazda.

• Phelps cancels speech at IBM event in Las Vegas

  February 11, 2009

  Olympic champion Michael Phelps canceled plans to attend and speak yesterday at an IBM conference in Las Vegas, CNBC.com reported, and representatives for the Fells Point resident said he, not the company, made the decision. "Michael is concentrating on swimming this week," CNBC said a spokesman from Octagon, Phelps' management company, told the media outlet. Phelps is serving a three-month suspension from USA Swimming after a photo of him presumably smoking marijuana was published in a British tabloid. IBM announced in October that Phelps would be a guest speaker at the IBM Pulse 2009 Conference, organized by the company for its employees and business partners.

• Anthony helps Nuggets rout Wizards, 124-103

  February 7, 2009

  The Denver Nuggets welcomed back starters Kenyon Martin (strep throat) and Chauncey Billups (sprained ankle) and showed no compunction about beating up on a beaten-down opponent in a 124-103 victory over the host Washington Wizards. Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Nuggets, who celebrated their best 50-game record (34-16) since they joined the NBA in 1976. The Wizards dressed only nine players because of injury and illness and dropped to an NBA-worst 10-40. Antawn Jamison led Washington with 26points and eight rebounds. His co-captain, Caron Butler, missed a second consecutive game with the flu.

• Anthony cleared to return from broken hand tonight

  January 30, 2009

  Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony has been cleared by his doctor to play tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats. Anthony (Towson Catholic), who has missed the past 10 games with a broken bone in his hand, was hurt Jan.5 against the Indiana Pacers. Anthony is averaging 21.1points and 7.3 rebounds.

• Phelps back in China to boost carmaker

  January 12, 2009

  The global economic slump has affected China's car market. But Mazda is counting on swimming phenom Michael Phelps to rev up the carmaker's bottom line. The Baltimore resident is back in Beijing - where he made Olympic history - to do TV commercials for Mazda, which is reported to be paying him more than $1 million to endorse the brand in China. It's believed to be the largest single sponsorship deal for a foreign celebrity in the country. Mazda vice president Yu Hongjiang said he was certain Phelps would help sell cars in China's growing car market. "We have very strong confidence in him," Yu said. "But there is no doubt this will be successful. ... Currently in China, nobody has the reputation that Phelps has." Besides filming commercials and doing photo shoots, Phelps is also slated to return to the Water Cube - where he won a record eight gold medals during the August Games - before he leaves China. "Hopefully I'll get a few workouts in before I go home," he said. "And then once I get back home it's time to get back in the water and really start to train for the next four years." He's expected to resume serious training before the month ends and is likely to work on some new events heading into this summer's world championships in Rome. Phelps said returning to China stirred emotions. "Driving around today on the roads - sort of seeing some landmarks I saw - really just brings back more and more memories," he said.

• Flames co-owner dead; Armstrong in Australia

  January 12, 2009

  Daryl K. "Doc" Seaman, the co-owner of the Calgary Flames and part of the original group that brought the team from Atlanta, died. He was 86. The Flames confirmed Seaman's death but didn't give the cause of death. ... Coyotes defenseman Kurt Sauer was expected to be sidelined at least four weeks because of a lower-body injury.

• Vaughan, track coach at Mervo, dies at 41

  January 8, 2009

  Mervo track coach William Vaughan died Tuesday after complications from pneumonia. He was 41. Vaughan had been suffering from kidney failure in recent months and was awaiting a donor. Vaughan, a former Mervo runner, also worked with the cross country and girls badminton teams. In addition, he coached with the Ed Waters and Freddie Hendricks track clubs. A viewing and a memorial service are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in Mervo's auditorium.

• Twins owner Pohlad is dead at age 93

  January 6, 2009

  Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series titles during nearly his nearly quarter-century as owner, died yesterday. He was 93. When Pohlad paid Calvin Griffith $38 million for the Twins in 1984, he was widely credited for saving baseball in Minnesota. With the purchase, he inherited a promising group of young players, including Gary Gaetti, Kent Hrbek and future Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett. Minnesota won World Series championships in 1987 and 1991.

• Phelps reaches deal to pitch cars in China

  January 5, 2009

  Months after winning a record eight Olympic gold medals in China, swimmer Michael Phelps has reached an agreement to make the Baltimore resident the brand spokesman for carmaker Mazda in China. The sponsorship is the largest single deal of its kind with a western celebrity in Chinese history, according to a statement from DMG Entertainment, which announced the deal. However, terms were not disclosed. Phelps, a winner of 14 Olympic gold medals overall, will exclusively endorse the new Mazda 6 model, and the campaign will be unveiled by the middle of 2009. Several companies have signed sponsorship deals with Phelps since his performance at the Summer Games in Beijing, including Kellogg's, AT&T and Subway.

• Bolt edges Phelps to win international media honor

  January 2, 2009

  Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt outpolled swimmer Michael Phelps of Rodgers Forge in a vote for the 2008 Athlete of the Year by the international media. Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva took the top place as Sportswoman of the Year, and Spain's soccer team was voted Team of the Year for winning the European Championship. In a poll by the International Sports Press Association, journalists from 96 nations gave Bolt 1,673 points to 1,557 for Phelps. Bolt won three gold medals, setting world records in the 100 meters, 200 and 400 relay in Beijing. Phelps made history by winning eight golds for the U.S.

• Anthony ties record with 33 points in quarter

  December 11, 2008

  Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) matched the NBA record for points in a quarter with 33 in the third and finished with a season-high 45 points in the host Denver Nuggets' 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anthony broke the franchise record.

• Judge: Vick must appear in person for plea in Va.

  October 31, 2008

  Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick won't be allowed to plead guilty to dogfighting charges Nov.25 by videoconference, a judge ruled in Sussex, Va. Vick's lawyers had requested that he be allowed to enter the plea from federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., where he is serving a two-year term since admitting he bankrolled a dogfighting operation and helped execute dogs. But citing high public interest in the case, Surry County Circuit Judge Samuel Campbell said it would be better for Vick to appear in person.

• Performers announced for Phelps celebration

  October 1, 2008

  Organizers of a celebration honoring swimmer Michael Phelps say the Naval Academy Concert Band, the Morgan State University Choir and local bands will perform at the event this weekend. The celebration is planned for Saturday at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Organizers announced that the local bands include big-band funk orchestra Chopteeth, a cappella group Reverb and The Players Band, a ska group formed in Baltimore. Access Hollywood's Billy Bush will host the event. Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, will be honored with a parade in Towson before the evening program. The events will also pay tribute to two other Maryland swimmers: Olympian Katie Hoff and Paralympic champion Jessica Long.

• Chinese gymnasts' ages in Sydney looked into

  September 25, 2008

  China's gold-medal gymnasts aren't the only ones whose ages are getting a closer look. International gymnastics officials' investigation into the eligibility of the Chinese women's team in Beijing has been expanded to include members of the 2000 squad, which won the bronze medal in Sydney, the Associated Press reported. Officials are examining whether Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, in particular, were old enough to compete.

• Heels' Barnes remains in critical condition

  September 14, 2008

  Allison Barnes (C. Milton Wright), a sophomore freestyle swimmer for North Carolina, remains in critical condition after being hospitalized last week, according to a statement from her parents, Keith and JoEllen. Barnes, 19, swam for the same North Baltimore Aquatic Club program that produced Olympians Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff. She was also a cross country star at C.Milton Wright and graduated in 2007. Tar Heels teammates and coaches noticed that Barnes was struggling during practice Tuesday and immediately called 911. She was taken by ambulance to a university hospital. Her parents also said, "Our family continues to covet your prayers for Allison during this journey, and we hope soon to be able to speak to you with encouraging news."

• Phelps to auction items for charity

  September 13, 2008

  Michael Phelps' golden stroke - this time with a pen - will help raise money for charity. Autographed photos, USA swim caps and Sports Illustrated covers are among the collectibles in Phelps' one-year deal with Grandstand Sports & Memorabilia. Phelps, a Rodgers Forge native, said he wants to offer fans the chance to own keepsakes from the Beijing Games, where he delivered the greatest performance in Olympic history. He recently started his own charity, committing $1 million he earned from Speedo for his record eight gold medals at the Olympics.

• Ex-lightweight champion Ramos dies at 59

  July 8, 2008

  Mando Ramos, a two-time lightweight boxing champion who battled drug and alcohol abuse, died at 59.

• Menard claims pole at Daytona

  July 5, 2008

  Dale Earnhardt Inc. swept the front row in qualifying yesterday for tonight's Coke Zero 400 in Daytona Beach, Fla., and ended up with three drivers in the top eight spots.

• Johnson, Liukin off to Games

  June 23, 2008

  Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin earned guaranteed spots on the U.S. women's gymnastics team last night in Philadelphia after finishing 1-2 at the Olympic trials - the same places they had at the national championships two weeks ago.

• Broadcaster C. Jones dies at 77

  June 14, 2008

  Charlie Jones, the deep-voiced sportscaster whose career as a play-by-play announcer spanned 38 years for ABC and NBC, has died. He was 77.

• Phelps tops Peirsol in 100 back, caps big meet

  May 19, 2008

  Michael Phelps of Rodgers Forge ended his drought against Aaron Peirsol and is ready to start turning his attention toward the U.S. Olympic trials.

• Churchill Downs to observe Barbaro anniversary

  January 29, 2008

  Barbaro's owners will return to Churchill Downs today to honor the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner on the first anniversary of his death.

• Sports Digest

  December 8, 2007

  • Swimming // Katie Hoff of Towson set two American records at last night's North Baltimore Aquatic Club Christmas Meet at the Naval Academy. She finished the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:10.77, beating the old record by 11 seconds. She had a time of 1:53.77 in the 200 IM.

• No federal probe of Nifong

  December 6, 2007

  The Department of Justice will not investigate former Duke lacrosse prosecutor Mike Nifong for his handling of the case, a spokesman for the federal agency said yesterday.

• Sports Digest

  April 13, 2007

• Sports Digest

  November 21, 2006

• Sports Digest

  October 13, 2006

• Sports Digest

  May 21, 2006

• Sports Digest

  February 5, 2006

• Sports Digest

  February 4, 2006

• Sports Digest

  December 3, 2005

• Sports Digest

  June 27, 2005

  Phelps finishes third in 100-meter freestyle