Monday, June 7, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Slugger Harper Expected To Be Top Draft Pick By Nationals

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 11:07 PM PDT

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Bryce Harper, considered the best talent in this year's Draft class, is expected to be named the top pick by the Washington Nationals. Harper is among the hundreds of talented high school and college players, who will take their first big steps in fulfilling their dreams in the First-Year Player Draft.

The three-day First-Year Player Draft begins Monday night.

Harper, the 17-year-old phenom who has been the face of this Draft for the past year when he received national attention, may become the youngest pick since the draft started in 1965.

Harper, known to hammer 500-foot homer runs and uses glare-reducing eyeblack paste on his cheeks during games, left high school two years early to attend junior college.

Harper is expected to boost the bid of the Nationals, who will feature pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg Tuesday. Strasburg, drafted No. 1 in 2009 by the Nats, will make his Major League debut against the Pirates.

For the second consecutive year, the top pick went to the Nationals, who recorded baseball's worst record each of the past two seasons.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Brewers Sever Ties With Struggling Pitcher Suppan

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 11:04 PM PDT

Milwaukee, WI, United States (AHN) – The Brewers decided Monday to part ways with pitcher Jeff Suppan, who has struggled since coming to Milwaukee four years ago. Suppan is in the final year of the richest contract in Brewers history.

After spending the previous three seasons with St. Louis, where he posted a successful three-year run with the Cardinals, Suppan came to Milwaukee via free agency in December of 2006, inking a four-year, $42 million deal.

During his stint with the Cardinals, Suppan went 44-26 with a 3.95 ERA. He was recognized for his sterling performance in the '06 postseason, winning the NL Championship Series MVP honors.

Monday's roster movement was the most costly cut in franchise history with more than $10 million left on the veteran right-hander's contract.

For 2010, Suppan was supposed to receive $12.5 million in salary, and was also due a $2 million buyout of his $12.75 million club option for 2011.

His four-year stint with Milwaukee saw the deterioration of his performance.

In 2007, Suppan posted a respectable campaign; going 12-12 with a 4.62 ERA and 1.50 (walks plus hits per innings pitched).

In each of the subsequent three seasons, his ERA and the walks plus hits per innings pitched increased with a 5.29 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in 2009.

This season, Suppan is 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA in two starts and 13 relief outings, mostly in mop-up duty.

Suppan, who helped the Cardinals win the World Series in 2006, is 135-137 with a 4.72 ERA in 427 contests (398 starts) over 16 major league seasons.

He also pitched for Kansas City, Boston, Pittsburgh and Arizona.

In a related move, Chris Smith will be elevated from Triple-A Nashville to replace Suppan on the Brewers roster.

In 2009, Smith appeared in 35 games for the Brewers, recording a 4.11 ERA. He is 2.1 with a 1.71 ERA this season at Nashville.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Silva’s Dominant Outing Helps Cubs Rout Bucs; Pitcher Improves To 8-0

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 11:03 PM PDT

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (AHN) – Carlos Silva posted a dominant outing and remained undefeated, as the Chicago Cubs routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 Monday in a make-up game at PNC Park.

Monday's encounter was the result of the postponement of the finale of a three-game series on June 2 due to inclement weather.

Silva (8-0) allowed one run over seven innings, extending the best start by a Cubs pitcher in 43 years. He became the first Cubs starter to go undefeated in eight starts since Ken Holtzman went 9-0 in 1967.

Silva, in his first career start against Pittsburgh, gave up four hits, struck out five and walked one.

Silva also became the first Cubs starter to begin his career with the team with an 8-0 mark in 100 years. King Cole first accomplished the feat in 1910 with an 8-0 start.

The last time a pitcher in the Major Leagues was able to register such feat was CC Sabathia, who went 8-0 in his first 10 starts with the Brewers in 2008.

The Cubs bats also backed up Silva with Marlon Byrd going 3-for-4 and driving in two in the win. Ryan Theriot added two hits and scored four times for the victors.

Pirates newcomer Dana Eveland (0-1) was saddled with the loss.

The Pittsburgh left-hander, acquired from the Blue Jays last week, allowed three runs on six hits in five innings.

Pittsburgh took the first two games of the set.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Shea Blossoming Into Offensive Threat For FC Dallas

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 11:01 PM PDT

Frisco, TX, United States (AHN) – After a season of missed opportunities, it looks like the floodgates could be opening up for FC Dallas attacking midfielder Brek Shea.

The 20-year-old from College Station, TX has been generating plenty of scoring chances all year, but over the past four games, Shea has taken his game to the next level.

Shea cashed in on three goals, including both Dallas goals in a convincing 2-0 triumph over the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night at Pizza Hut Park.

After failing to find the back of the net in his first 23 MLS matches, Shea seems to have broken through and things are falling into place for him.

“When you have a really young player, you expect great peaks and really low valleys because of the inconsistency and also because of their youth,” noted Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman. “They don't understand how important simple things are, and I think the last four games, he has played extremely well.”

Shea, who also had a goal called back last weekend in Dallas’ 1-1 tie at Chicago due to a blown offsides call, attributes his recent success to improved confidence.

“I got the first one and I got two tonight, so I'm feeling confident,” said Shea, who made his MLS debut at 18 in 2008. “Coach has been leaving me in the lineup and when you keep starting, you get more confidence, and that's definitely helped with my game.”

“So much of a young player's quality is self-confidence,” Hyndman said. “And you can't get confidence sitting on the bench and having a coach pat you on the back, saying, 'Good job.' You got to go out and play, but you got to be productive and I think he's doing that.”

Dallas defender Heath Pearce, 25, believes that the missed chances earlier in the season helped Shea push through and make the necessary adjustments to find the back of the net.

“I think any time you get a series of games and you're starting and playing regularly, it's going to increase your confidence,” Pearce said, “and he's done well to take his chances and help us. I think there's been times in past games where he could have put us in the lead, he could have put games away for us and didn't, and I think he's improved and taken a lot from each of those games and really made the most of his chances today.”

Hyndman is excited about how far the youngster can take his game as he continues to mature and develop his considerable skills, comparing him to the player he replaced from last year’s starting lineup.

“Dave van den Bergh played for us last year and I think he had three goals and Brek right now has three goals,” Hyndman pointed out. “He doesn't have the assists and some of those other things, but I think you look at a young player and say, 'What could be the upside?' And the upside, if he can continue to improve as what we've seen these last four games, he could be a real good player for us.”

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Angler Tourneys Nixed As Impact Of Oil Spill Grows

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 11:49 AM PDT

Pensacola Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – The environmental effects of the creeping oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico has not only impacted commercial fishermen, but also the Gulf's deep tradition of recreational fishing.

About a third of the federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico are now closed for fishing because of the oil spill that began last April 20.

As a result, a large number of local angler tournaments are being nixed.

With it's northeast drift, Florida anglers are feeling the impact of the spill along with fishermen from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Empty bait shops and idle charter boats are some of the visible signs of the oil spill's effect.

It is still uncertain how far the damage it could do to Florida, which has the largest number of sport fishermen in the U.S., with 2.7 million, according to the American Sportfishing Association.

According to the ASA, it also has the highest “angler expenditures,” with an average of $4.4 billion annually coupled with the largest number of “angler-supported jobs,” with 75,068.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Superstar Dominik Hasek To Tend Net For Moscow Spartak

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 10:50 AM PDT

Moscow, Russian Federation (AHN) – He’s in the group photo of greatest goaltenders in hockey history, and at 45, Dominik Hasek appears to be swatting away retirement like just another slap shot.

At least for one more year, anyway. Monday, Hasek signed a one-year deal to join Spartak Moscow of the KHL, according to the RIA-Novosti news agency.

Hasek had retired after winning another Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings, but returned to play in Europe after a one-year absence.

Considered a certain NHL Hall of Fame selection, Hasek was a key cog last season for Pardubice, helping the team win the Czech Championship.

Hasek — nicknamed the “Dominator” — played for four teams during his 16-year NHL career. He won six Vezina Trophies, given to the top goaltender each season.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Marlins Promote Top Prospect Outfielder Stanton

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 10:46 AM PDT

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – The Florida Marlins are looking to Mike Stanton for a needed power infusion, calling up the right fielder for his probable major-league debut Tuesday in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

Stanton led the minor leagues in home runs, belting 21 for the Jacksonville Suns of the Southern League. He was batting .310 with 52 RBI and was tops in the league in seven offensive categories.

Stanton had been with the Suns since the second half of last season.

The Marlins are expected to put him in the lineup quickly.

They’re likely to make room for Stanton by moving Cody Ross to center field to replace Cameron Maybin, who hasn’t produced at the plate this season and is 4-for-29 in his last 10 games.

Stanton was ranked the No. 3 minor league prospect this season, according to Baseball America, behind Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward and Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg.

Heyward is having a possible Rookie of the Year season so far, and Strasburg is scheduled to make his first start Tuesday for the Nationals.

"I've dreamed about playing in the major leagues since I was 9 or 10 years old," Stanton told the Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville. "I have the confidence that I'll succeed when I do get there. Just having my family and friends be able to see me at that level will be great. It'll be just unbelievable to have that opportunity."

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Packers Cornerback Underwood Investigated For Alleged Sexual Assault

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 10:45 AM PDT

Green Bay, WI, United States (AHN) – Police interviewed at least seven Green Bay Packer players in connection with an alleged sexual assault of two women and have focused their investigation on cornerback Brandon Underwood, according to several reports over the weekend.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, citing three sources familiar with the case, named Underwood, a second-year player drafted out of Cincinnati, as a primary suspect after he told police any contact with the women was consensual.

The newspaper reported Lake Delton, Wis., police talked with and cleared six other players: quarterback Matt Flynn, safety Khalil Jones, guard Josh Sitton, fullback Korey Hall, and linebackers Brad Jones and Clay Matthews.

The Packers front office and NFL reportedly are gathering information on the incident, which reportedly occurred Saturday morning at a condo in Lake Delton. Several Packers were in town during the weekend for a charity golf tournament hosted by Matthews and the annual Donald Driver Charity Softball Game.

Whether Underwood will face criminal charges remains to be seen.

But In the wake of incidents involving Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and others recently, the NFL is likely to begin its own investigation and might issue suspensions or penalties as part of the league’s personal conduct policy.

Several Packers at the charity softball game, pitting the team’s offense vs. defense, Sunday weren’t saying anything about the alleged incident, instead talking trash to each other via their Twitter accounts about who would win.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

AHN At NBA Finals: Odom’s Presence Needed for Lakers Success

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 10:39 AM PDT

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – The Los Angeles Lakers need Lamar Odom to get going in the NBA Finals if they have a shot at defending their title.

Through two games, Odom is averaging more fouls, five, than points or rebounds.

Throughout his career, Odom has always been considered the X-factor against opponents, a player who can create his own shot, break down defenses with his silky moves and locked up a team's scoring threat with pressure defense.

Last year, Odom was instrumental in helping the Lakers capture the franchise's 15th NBA championship, doing it all on both end of the floor.

The 6-foot-10 Odom has been just as key in this season's postseason run. But two games into the Finals, Odom has yet to get untracked. That's not a good sign for the Lakers, who need his versatility to wreck havoc against the Boston Celtics.

So far, the Lakers have gotten very little. Limited to just over 14 minutes of playing time because of foul trouble, Odom took just three shots and scored three points in the Lakers' 103-94 loss to the Celtics at STAPLES Center.

But Lakers' fans shouldn't panic. Odom will show up and he'll show up in a big way. Just ask the Phoenix Suns, whom he dominated in the first two games of the Western Conference Finals with back-to-back double-double outings.

Odom totaled 36 points and 31 rebounds in those two games, scoring 19 points and ripping down 19 rebounds in the first games, before coming back with a 17-point, 11 board performance in game 2.

A crafty veteran on the hardwood, Odom picks his spots to do damage to the opponent. As the series shift to Boston for three games, Odom, no doubt, will be a major factor.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson put the blame on his shoulders for Odom's ineffectiveness for the first two games.

"My fault," Jackson said after Game 2. "He got bang-bang, two fouls immediately, and I turned to my crew and said, 'Do you think he can play through this?' And as I was talking to them, he got his third foul. So obviously, he couldn't play through that sequence.”

“He just basically got in the ballgame and got those three fouls and it really took him out of the ballgame. That's a bit unfortunate for him. He'll get a chance later on in this series to redeem himself."

Odom is also good at shouldering the load, which he has done for most of his life. By carrying the weight of life on his broad shoulders has about the kind of toughness in Odom that can't be measured on the scoreboard or in the stat sheet. It was that steely determination that kept Odom going after losing his mother at the age of 12.

The hardened resolved he built up made him tough enough to escape the unsavory stretches of street life in New York, where he grew up and developed his uncanny basketball skills.

He endured that trial period of his life by finding solitude in hoops. Whether it was playing streetball or dominating the New York high school basketball scene, Odom branded his toughness into hope and potential.

Hope was a grasp at making it out of the tough neighborhood he grew up in. But in order to do that, Odom had to turn his explosive basketball talents into making a living from the sport. After bouncing around the league with a couple of teams, Odom has found a home with the Lakers.

When he's on the floor and effective, Odon can be a nightmare for opposing teams, said Jackson.

"It gives us a little more of a variety, and that's something that's tough for teams to adjust to," Jackson said.

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Report: Cavs Make Formal Offer To Michigan State Coach Izzo

Posted: 07 Jun 2010 08:12 AM PDT

Cleveland, OH, United States (AHN) – A recipe for a team extreme makeover:

Take an NBA owner, factor in his alma mater, toss around the name of its current college basketball coach and let simmer until denials (or non-denial denials) are issued.

The rumor mill that has become the Cleveland Cavaliers churned out Michigan State’s Tom Izzo as the latest man for the job of coaching LeBron James.

That is, of course, if James stays with the Cavs and doesn’t opt for free agency July 1. Or if reports breathlessly throw another name against the coach candidate wall. Or if …

Well, one gets the picture.

The latest report came Sunday night when the News-Herald in Northern Ohio reported on its Web site that Cleveland made a formal offer to Izzo to replace fired Mike Brown. The Cavaliers also need a general manager, an opening which occurred when Danny Ferry parted ways with the team last week.

It wouldn’t be the first time the Cavs pursued Izzo. Owner Dan Gilbert is a Michigan State alum and a huge admirer of Izzo, who he reportedly tried to hire in 2005.

In a recent interview with ESPN.com, Izzo didn’t exactly extinguish speculation about jumping to the NBA, saying, “I don’t have an interest (in the NBA) until I win another championship.” He also told the Web site, “I’ll never say never. … My name always comes up, but that doesn’t mean they’ve talked to you.”

Back in 2005, Izzo actually addressed interest from the Cavaliers, saying “There was so much made that Dan Gilbert is from Michigan, but that was more manufactured because I didn’t meet with them.”

No word so far on the size of the Cavs’ formal offer. Izzo’s contract at Michigan State — estimated at $3 million per year — runs through 2016

Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.
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