Latest Sports Buzz |
- “Glee’s” Riley To Sing National Anthem At MLB Midsummer Classic
- Report: Los Angeles Kings Back In Play For Kovalchuk
- Suns Stock Up With Trades For Childress, Turkoglu
- Dodgers Reliever Kuo Named To NL All-Star Team
- World Cup Report Card: Host Country, Finalists Earn Top Grades
- K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” Flies Higher With A Nudge From Coke
- Paul’s Octopus oracle takes retirement
- Loney`s Homer, Padilla`s Arm Lead Dodgers Over Cubs
- Ex-Slugger Bagwell Named Astros` New Hitting Coach
- Childress` Grandson Dillon Gets First Truck Win
| “Glee’s” Riley To Sing National Anthem At MLB Midsummer Classic Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:39 PM PDT  Amber Riley Los Angeles, CA, United States – American actress and singer Amber Riley, best known for role on the series "Glee", will perform the National Anthem at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim Tuesday, baseball officials announced Sunday. The 24-year-old Riley, turned down in her American Idol audition when she was 17, will be a part of the pre-game ceremony honoring the 30 PEOPLE "All-Stars Among Us" prior to the All-Star Game Tuesday She will then perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the game. The Canadian Tenors will perform the Canadian national anthem, while country-pop hit maker Colbie Caillat will sing God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch. Meanwhile, MLB Hall of Famer Rod Carew is slated to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Riley, who plays young diva Mercedes Jones on the recently Emmy-nominated "Glee", has previous experience singing the National Anthem on her own. She sang it for President Barack Obama during the 2010 White House Easter Egg Roll. According to Riley, that performance was perhaps “the minute her life was made complete.” This is not the first time that the hit "Glee" has received support from baseball. During the World Series, the cast of the dramedy, which chronicles the musical lives of a group of talented high school outcasts, performed the National Anthem. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved. |
| Report: Los Angeles Kings Back In Play For Kovalchuk Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:37 PM PDT  Jersey Devils Los Angeles, CA, United States- Despite a whopping offer from the New Jersey Devils, hockey superstar Ilya Kovalchuk is still considering a move out west to play for the Los Angeles Kings. While the Devs reportedly put forth a $100 million pact, Kovalchuk will meet with the Kings Monday anyway. No deal is imminent with L.A. either, and several other teams are trying to lure the scoring machine with one- or two-year pacts. “Ilya is coming out to L.A.,” Kings GM Dean Lombardi told ESPN.com Sunday night. “We’re going to meet face to face. But reports that we are announcing his signing tomorrow are utterly and completely false. We have no deal.” Whoever gets Kovalchuk’s services will have a premium scorer who netted 41 goals with 44 assists last season in splitting time between the Thrashers and Devils. He averages over a point per game for his career, with the one negative being his -75 in the +/- category. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved. |
| Suns Stock Up With Trades For Childress, Turkoglu Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:35 PM PDT
The Suns send guard Leandro Barbosa and forward Dwayne Jones to the Raptors for Turkoglu in a three team deal. Toronto will use the trade exception created by the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade deal with Miami to acquire Boris Diaw from Charlotte. Jones will end up with the Bobcats. In the other deal, Phoenix picks up Childress in a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks still own the rights to Childress, though the forward has played in Greece for the past two seasons. The acquisition of Turkoglu gives Phoenix a power scorer to pair with Steve Nash. Though a much different player than Stoudemire, Turkoglu’s style of play may complement the Suns’ run-and-gun offense. Turkoglu averaged a disappointing 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in his first season in Toronto after signing a lucrative five-year, $53 million contract. The Suns will use the trade exception created by Stoudemire’s sign-and-trade with the Knicks to absorb the five-year, $34 million contract given to Childress. Childress averaged 11.1 points on 52 percent shooting over four seasons with Atlanta. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved. |
| Dodgers Reliever Kuo Named To NL All-Star Team Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:34 PM PDT  Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo Los Angeles, CA, United States – Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo will make his first Midsummer Classic appearance Tuesday, after he was picked as a replacement for injured Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward Sunday. The 28-year-old Kuo battled four elbow operations and erratic pitching (Steve Blass disease) to earn a spot in the National League all-star team roster. The left-handed Taiwanese hurler enjoyed a terrific first half as a set-up man for the Dodgers, going 3-1 with a 1.03 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 25 games (26 1-3 innings). Kuo also dominated lefty batters this season, shutting them down to 0-for-30 with 16 strikeouts. After his last elbow surgery in 2007, Kuo struggled to recover his top form and even lost the ability to throw strikeouts last season. However, with the help of sports psychologists, Kuo earned his way back in late July and ultimately overcame his mental struggles. Heyward, meanwhile, will participate in the all-star batting session but won't play in the actual game due to his left thumb injury. Considered the top baseball prospect this season, Heyward decided to skip the all-star spectacle to heal a deep bruise to his left thumb. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved. |
| World Cup Report Card: Host Country, Finalists Earn Top Grades Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:31 PM PDT  FIFA Johannesburg, South Africa – Every World Cup has its winners and losers. For South Africa, hosting the 2010 World Cup successfully made it a winner regardless. As with every World Cup, there were brilliant performances along with disappointing flops and interesting topics and trends. Let’s take a look at how South Africa 2010 grades, according to AHN Sports: Host country South Africa: A The host country failed to advance past the first round, but its brilliance and beauty in the diversity and culture of its people was showcased in the continent’s first World Cup. France, Italy: F European powerhouses Italy and France both failed to advance past the first round. France’s disappointing run was mired with reports of internal strife and Italy’s porous defense proved too much to overcome. Spain, Netherlands: A Spain was the one to host the trophy, but that may have never happened had Netherlands not stunned Cup favorite Brazil. In the end, Spain needed the latest goal in Cup Final history in the 116th minute to hoist its first ever World Cup. Vuvuzela: F This is one custom the people of the world would like to give back to South Africa. The horn roared at the start of the tourney. But thankfully, even the people using them realized how annoying they were towards the end of the Cup. US Soccer: B- The US team won its group for the first time since 1930 and turned on the country to the world’s most popular sport. A round of 16 loss to Ghana left more to be desired, but hopes are high for Brazil 2014. Jabulani: C The tweaks to the 2010 cup ball were supposed to help generate offense, but its instability instead had the early Cup stuck in low scoring affairs. Once the players adjusted, however, our eyes were witnesses to plenty of brilliant strikes. Wayne Rooney: F The anointed savior of English football flopped, failing to score a single goal as England exited in the round of 16. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved. |
| K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” Flies Higher With A Nudge From Coke Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:30 PM PDT Mogadishu, Somalia – In addition to the octopus "Paul" and "vuvuzelas," this year's FIFA World Cup has given us something else to remember for the rest of our lives, or, at least, until the next World Cup: a lesser-known Somali-Canadian artist who likes to be called "K'naan." K'naan's song "Wavin' Flag" has not only been a chartbuster in 11 countries around the world, including South Africa, but has been remixed in 20 different avatars. It is official now–"Wavin' Flag” has become the most popular and memorable soundtrack to South Africa 2010. This all was possible because of the helping hand provided by the soft drink giant Coca Cola, which turned K'naan into a celebrity by promoting his song in a modified version as the "Coca Cola Celebration Mix." In a refreshing change from the publicity-hungry superstars of today, K'naan refuses to be bogged down by the reports, as he insists that he is a musician first and foremost. In fact, he has even had billboards put up, declaring that "I don't work for Coke or anything; what I do is my music." K'naan was born in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu as civil unrest was beginning to wreak havoc across the country. As a result, his early life was spent trying to avoid getting killed by the armed militia and spending his free time listening to hip-hop records that he received from his father from America. It was while driving with a friend that the 10-year-old K'naan heard a brief rap in a car and was impressed by it. It was hip hop and since then, the genre has not left K'naan. His current album, "Troubadour," which includes the World Cup anthem, is being tweeted about in India as well as the rest of the world. So much so that cynics, who said that hip hop had nothing left to say, have another think coming, say K'naan's fans, which include several Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and his kids. Speaking to the press on the eve of the FIFA finals, K'naan said, "The original ‘Wavin' Flag’… is about hope." The singer aspires to reach a "place of light" by "overcoming the odds," and for him the real challenge lies in "turning the waving flag into a moment of celebration." Seemingly undaunted by the success of his track, K'naan just hopes that like his "Wavin' Flag," his other songs from the album will also reach out to people. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved. |
| Paul’s Octopus oracle takes retirement Posted: 12 Jul 2010 05:05 AM PDT
In a report by Tanja Munzig, official of The Sea Life Oberhausen aquarium said, "go into retirement and do what he likes to do best: play with his handlers and delight children who come visit to him" The Octopus Oracle get the popularity after prediction all the Germany's matches correctly that includes semifinal and final. He was absolutely correct even after the final of FIFA world cup predicting Spain as the World Cup title winner. |
| Loney`s Homer, Padilla`s Arm Lead Dodgers Over Cubs Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:07 AM PDT Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Los Angeles’ offense got a boost from James Loney, and Vicente Padilla did the rest as the L.A. Dodgers blanked the Chicago Cubs 7-0 Sunday. Loney went 2-for-3 with four RBI and drilled a 3-run home run into right-center field off Cubs starter Carlos Silva in the first inning to provide the bulk of the offense for the Dodgers. It also was more than enough support for Padilla, who was dominant against the Cubs. The right-hander had pinpoint control, throwing 75 of his 106 pitches for strikes. Padilla (4-2) struck out six and walked one in eight shutout innings and had a no-hitter heading into the sixth inning. The no-no bid was broken up when Chicago shortstop Starlin Castro led off the inning with a ground-rule double to right field. It was one of two hits given up by Padilla. While the Dodger right-hander was cruising, Silva (9-3) struggled and had a short night. Having yielded three runs on three hits and a walk in the opening frame, Silva continued to struggle in the second inning. He gave up back-to-back singles to Blake DeWitt and Padilla to start the frame and walked Rafael Furcal to load the bases. After a sacrifice fly to Matt Kemp, scoring DeWitt, Silva intentionally walked Andre Ethier to load the bases for Loney. The Dodger first baseman hit a ground ball to first base. Silva ran to cover first base and took the throw from Xavier Nady, but first base umpire Brian Runge ruled that Silva missed the tag. Padilla scored from third base, giving the Dodgers a 5-0 advantage. An argument ensued, and Silva’s day came to an end compliments of Runge. The most successful Cubs’ pitcher in the first half, Silva lasted just 1 1-3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits. He also walked three and saw his ERA balloon from 2.96 to 3.45. Dodger reliever Hong-Chih Kuo, headed to the All-Star Game as a replacement for injured Atlanta Braves outfield Jason Heyward, pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout. Kuo, the first Taiwan-born player to be named an All-Star, allowed a double to Ryan Theriot and a single to Chicago All-Star Marlon Byrd before getting Aramis Ramirez to fly out to center field. He then induced Nady to ground out, ending the game. The Dodgers took three of four from the Cubs and head into the All-Star break tied with the Colorado Rockies for second place in the National League West with a 49-39 record. The Dodgers are two games behind the surprising San Diego Padres. The Cubs limp into the All-Star break with a 39-50 mark and 9.5 games off the pace set by the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Ex-Slugger Bagwell Named Astros` New Hitting Coach Posted: 12 Jul 2010 12:07 AM PDT Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor Houston, TX, United States (AHN) – Former Major League Baseball star slugger Jeff Bagwell, considered one of the all-time best first baseman, is expected to share his vast experience and expertise to the Houston Astros as the team’s new hitting coach. Bagwell, 42, who last appeared in an Astros uniform during the 2005 World Series, will replace Sean Berry, who was dismissed Sunday after five seasons. Apart from giving Houston hitters a chance to work with one of the beloved and successful players in the history of the franchise, the move is also expected to boost a struggling Astros offense, one of the worst in baseball this season. Entering Sunday, the Astros own the second-lowest batting average, the worst on-base percentage with just .295 and are tied for 28th with just 57 home runs. Bagwell, who spent his entire 15-year major league career with the Astros, is best remembered for teaming with Craig Biggio during that span as part of the “Killer B’s.” Bagwell helped spark a struggling franchise into multiple division championship winners. Among the highlights of Bagwell’s sterling career was four All-Star selections and being recognized with the National League Rookie of the Year in 1991. He was also named NL’s MVP in 1994. Originally selected in the 1989 draft by the Red Sox, Bagwell was later traded to Houston in August of 1990. He made an impact in his rookie season with the Astros and emerged as one of the most feared sluggers in the league by 1994, hitting .368 with 39 home runs and 116 RBI in 110 contests. Also in 1994, he won his only Gold Glove en route to a unanimous recognition for the MVP award in a strike-shortened season. Bagwell set club marks with a career batting average .297 with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBI. Since his retirement from baseball on Dec. 15, 2006, Bagwell has served as special assistant to Astros general manager Ed Wade. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Childress` Grandson Dillon Gets First Truck Win Posted: 11 Jul 2010 07:20 PM PDT Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter Newton, IA, United States (AHN) – Austin Dillon may have settled for runner-up honors at this track a year ago in the ARCA Series race, but Sunday he gained some redemption when he scored his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win at Iowa Speedway. Dillon, the grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, watched his brother, Ty Dillon, run runner-up in the ARCA race here Saturday, but a day later he held of Johnny Sauter in green-white-checkered finish to win the Lucas Oil 200. The Truck Series rookie won from the pole and at 20 became the second-youngest driver to win a Truck Series race behind Kyle Busch. Sauter settled for runner-up honors in landing his third top-5 finish of the season and was followed across the finish line by Matt Crafton, Ken Schrader and James Buescher. Dillon appears to be on a roll at the midway point of this rookie season as he has won three consecutive poles and led a race-best 187 laps Sunday. Former Iowa winner Mike Skinner ran seventh. “We struggled on long runs with the truck bouncing really, really bad. I really don’t know what it is. We’ve had issues with that in the past, but Stacy (Johnson, crew chief) did a fantastic job on the box today,” said Skinner. “We kind of got ourselves painted in the corner on tires. We stayed out there and led some laps and I can’t say it was really, really negative. For a truck that qualified 15th we got up there and got us another top-10 finish.” Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
Phoenix, AZ, United States – In an attempt to make up for the departure of free agent Amare Stoudemire, the Phoenix Suns recently put together separate trades to acquire Hedo Turkoglu from Toronto and Josh Childress from Atlanta.
Germany (LSB) – Paul's Octopus became an international celebrity after predicting 100% correct statements about each team and game. He predicted all Germany's matches and about final of World Cup correctly. The 'Pandit' octopus has decided to retire now.| You are subscribed to email updates from LSB To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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