Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

NL Finally Beats AL In All-Star Game; Snaps 13-Year Skid

Posted: 14 Jul 2010 02:25 AM PDT

Matt Aug – AHN Sports Editor

Anaheim, CA, United States (AHN) – Brian McCann delivered a three-run double in the seventh inning, lifting the National League to a 3-1 victory over the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in Anaheim, California.

The win snapped a 13-game drought for the NL and gives the league home field advantage in the World Series.

Robinson Cano drove in Evan Longoria with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, giving the AL a 1-0 lead.

David Wright had two hits for the NL, but pitching dominated the game with starters David Price and Ubaldo Jimenez excelling.

The Rays star and the Rockies standout, respectively, threw two shutout innings each.

Josh Johnson twirled two perfect frames with two strikeouts for the NL, while Andy Pettitte, Cliff Lee, Justin Verlander and Jon Lester each tossed a scoreless inning for the AL.

Longoria, Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Hamilton and David Ortiz each had a hit for the AL.

Andre Ethier, Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday and Scott Rolen ripped hits for the NL.

Matt Capps recorded one out and got the win, while Jonathan Broxton notched the save with a scoreless ninth.
Phil Hughes allowed two hits and two runs and took the loss.
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Pacquaio May Need To Find Opponent For November Card

Posted: 14 Jul 2010 02:25 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN) – WBO World Welterweight Champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao is leaning toward finding another opponent in the event Floyd Mayweather Jr. backs out from their scheduled superfight in November, multiple sources reported Tuesday.

Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, and Top Rank Promotions head honcho Bob Arum met Monday to discuss alternative plans if Mayweather spurned the deal.

Arum said Mayweather has until the end of the week to sign the fight pact, which would eventually lead to the most lucrative bout in boxing history.

“Mayweather has until the end of the week. He could wait until the last minute. If it’s Friday and it’s 11 p.m., and he says we have a deal, we have a deal,” Arum told ESPN Tuesday.

Although he remains optimistic Mayweather will accept the deal, Arum said he has decent contingency plans in case things do not work out this week.

Arum said former Welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito and current light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto are the next opponents in line for the pound-for-pound king.

“We haven’t heard back from Floyd yet and if we don’t in the next few days, we will enter into a deal with one of the other fighters (Cotto or Margarito), Koncz told ESPN.

Koncz added a 50-50 deal and an Olympic blood testing method, which impeded fight negotiations early this year, were already approved by both camps.

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Hall Of Fame Linebacker LT Pleads Not Guilty To Rape Charges

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

New City, NY, United States (AHN) – Former New York Giants linebacker and Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor pled not guilty Tuesday to charges he had sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Taylor, who is free on $75,000 bail, allegedly paid the girl’s pimp $300 to have sex with her at the Holidome in Montebello back on May 6.

A Rockland County grand jury indicted Taylor on one count of class “E” felony rape in the third degree, one count of class “E” felony criminal sexual act in the third degree and two counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, class “B” misdemeanors.

The 51-year-old could be imprisoned for up to four years if convicted.

Taylor was selected to 10 Pro Bowls and had his No. 56 retired by the Giants after amassing 1,088 tackles, 132.5 sacks and nine interceptions in 13 seasons.

The legendary linebacker has had several run-ins with the law both during and after his career, including several drug possession charges and leaving the scene of an accident.

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Indian Skipper Become Costliest Endorser With $2 Billion Deal

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

Yamini Kaul – AHN News Contributor

Ranchi, India (AHN) – Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as “Mahi,” has given himself a wedding gift worth Rs 200 crore (US$2 billion) in the form of an endorsement deal for the next three years with Rhiti Sports Management and Mindscapes One.

With this deal Dhoni, who is already touted as the country’s most expensive batsman, has surpassed even Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar in terms of the endorsement bandwagon. Prior to Dhoni’s news, Tendulkar was the undisputed king of sports endorsement, owing to his Rs 180 crore (US$1.8 billion) deal with Iconix, another sports management firm, about four years ago.

Last year, Dhoni earned as much as US$10 million in endorsements and found mention at top of the list of the world’s highest-grossing cricketer in Forbes magazine. According to a report by the magazine, Dhoni’s endorsement campaigns were believed to be 45 percent costlier than those of other cricketers.

RSM-MO will manage Dhoni’s endorsements and brand associations for a number of companies under a joint venture. Dhoni’s patents and digital rights, corporate profile, images and visibility on social networking sites will be the responsibility of the firm.

The deal-breakers for this deal are Arun Pandey and Pratik Sen, who head RSM and MO, respectively, and have been associated with the cricketer for a long time now.

Rhiti Sports also manages the affairs of cricketers R.P. Singh and Harbhajan Singh.

Dhoni is currently associated with brands like PepsiCo, Reebok, Aircel, Godrej and Hersheys and he charges as much as Rs 6 crore (US$6 million) per endorsement in a year. Rhiti Sports and Mindscapes managed to leave behind quite a number of companies to sign up Dhoni, who was being wooed by nine other talent management companies.

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Spurs Ink Splitter; Team`s First-Round Pick In 2007

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

San Antonio, TX, United States (AHN) – The San Antonio Spurs agreed to terms with Spanish League MVP Tiago Splitter, the Brazilian center they selected with the 28th pick of the 2007 Draft, on a three-year, $11 million deal.

Splitter, 25, averaged 15.4 points and 7.1 rebounds last season in helping lead Caja Laboral Vitoria to their second Spanish League championships in his seventh season.

The 6-foot-11, 245-pound center was originally drafted in 2007, but opted to play for two years on a contract eight times more lucrative than the NBA rookie scale salary cap.

Once his rookie exception ended following the 2009-10 season, the Spurs were allowed to sign Splitter for more money.

Splitter is expected to play behind Antonio McDyess at the start of the season, but should compete for a starting spot once adjusted to Spurs style of play.

“I realize where you have the opportunity to be — on a team that is international and a team that won titles with such good players, Manu (Ginobili) and Tim Duncan and Tony Parker,” Splitter told reporters. “Then I realized that I’m in good hands, and the team who had my rights was great for me.”

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Steelers Pro Bowl Linebacker Woodley Could Be Available In 2011

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (AHN) – Pro Bowl linebacker LaMarr Woodley could become a free agent next season after the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly declined to offer him a contract extension, multiple sources disclosed Monday.

Woodley, who’s set to earn $550,000 in the final year of his rookie contract, could become one of the hottest free agents next summer as the Steelers remain hesitant to offer him an extension

Multiple sources indicated the Steelers are more focused on filling Willie Colon’s void at offensive right tackle than offering Woodley a fat contract.

Colon sustained a season-ending Achilles injury last month, leaving the Steelers’ offensive line in doubt in the upcoming season.

Sources also pointed out the 30 percent rule during the uncapped season appears as another obstacle that prevents them to re-sign the Pro Bowl linebacker.

Applying the 30 percent rule, Woodley can only receive $598,000 (max salary) in 2010 and the next salaries could only increase 30 percent for the life of the deal.

Sources reported the Steelers are not interested on paying a significant bulk of a deal through bonuses, if they would have to re-sign Woodley.

Football analysts believe the Steelers could place a one-year franchise tag on Woodley despite the uncertainly of a franchise tag in the new CBA.

Widely considered as one of the league’s premier outside linebacker, the 25-year old Woodley recorded 136 tackles and 29 sacks over two seasons with the Steelers.

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TIger Woods Dances Around Media, Changes Putters

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom (AHN) – It wasn’t a Highlands Fling or a Scottish sword dance but Tiger Woods ducked and dodged personal questions during his half-hour press conference Tuesday with members of the international media at St. Andrews.

This is the home of the tabloid press and more than half the questions fired at Woods for 30 minutes concerned his personal life and his crumbling marriage.

Oh yes, and in between those, Woods did reveal that he has changed putters for the first time in 11 years as he prepares for Thursday’s start of the Open Championship at the home of golf.

Woods’ stock answer to most of the questions relating to his personal tribulations evoked his standard:

“I’m trying to be a better person,” response.

When asked about his impending divorce from Elin Nordegren, he said quickly: “I’m not going into that.”

The grilling of the world’s No. 1 player didn’t stop there. He was also asked about his interview with the FBI regarding his relationship with the embattled Canadian Dr. Anthony Galea. “That’s an ongoing case so I can’t comment,” Woods said.

He was asked about his children.

“All that really matters is I have two beautiful kids and I’m trying to be the best dad I can possibly be, and that’s the most important thing of all.”

In between the personal questions, Woods revealed that he has ditched the putter that has won him 14 major championships, his Scotty Cameron. He has replaced it with a Nike Method putter that he hopes will help him on the slower greens this week.

“I’ve always struggled when the greens are really slow.” he pointed out as the reason for the switch.

He was also asked about a possible replacement for his former swing coach, Hank Haney.

“I’m never going to rule it out,” Woods added.

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St. Andrews: True Star Of The Open Championship

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom (AHN) – “When you play here and you look out at the town of St. Andrews, you feel a spiritual revelation”

Phil Mickelson

This is the 150th anniversary of golf’s oldest championship and it will be staged on what many believe is hallowed ground.

The Old Course at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is the shining star of this week’s Open Championship, conducted by the R&A, the European governing body of golf.

The Old Course is links land at its finest. “It’s more special when the Open Championship is played here,” said the pride of Great Britian, Lee Westwood, who is among those seeking that first and coveted Open title.

St. Andrews has landmarks like no other course in the Open rota.

There is the Hell Bunker, the Road Hole, the Road Hole Bunker, the Principal’s Nose, the Swilcan Burn and the Swilcan Bridge, the staging spot for Jack Nicklaus’ farewell wave to Scotland.

There are the coffin bunkers and of course, the heather and the dreaded gorse.

This is land formed and designed by nature. It links the town of St. Andrews to the sea. It has hazards like none in American golf.

Jack Nicklaus once took four shots before he was able to extract himself from the Hell Bunker, located 80-90 yards short of the par five 14th hole.

There is the world-famous Road Hole, which has been lengthened by nearly 100 yards and will play 495 yards. The tee shot aim point is the storage sheds adjacent to the hotel that is in line with the tee.

There is the Road Hole Bunker and the Road itself, that have come into play countless times during the championship.

There is the Valley of Sin, the front of the 18th hole.

Then there is The Loop.

Links courses head out toward the sea. The ninth hole does not come back to the clubhouse. The Loop is where a player makes a gradual turn and begins to work his way to the 18th.

And The Loop represents the best chance for scoring on the Old Course.

Ask a Scottish caddie and he’ll say: “Laddie, ye can nay play St. Andrews unless ye can cane the loop!”

Cane the Loop, play holes seven through 12 under par. There are two par threes and three short par fours.

The eighth (175 yards) and 11th (174) are the three-pars. Then there’s the 371-yard seventh, the 352-yard ninth, the 386-yard 10th and the very driveable 348-yard 12th. These are the holes where a contender better make birdies.

The main defense on this wonderful links course is the wind. Without wind, a player can shoot very low scores as Tiger Woods did in his two victories here.

But Woods has never felt the wrath of the winds at the Old Course and there could be plenty along with rain for Thursday’s first round and more rain on Friday.

If you don’t like the weather in Scotland, they say to wait an hour and it’s sure to change.

There is weather, hazards and history awaiting the field of 156 players in this championship.

And perhaps American Scott Verplank put it best, describing this famous, historic course:

“It will teach you everything you need to know about playing golf.”

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Maia-Belcher Face Off At Fight Night 22 In Austin

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

Shawn Krest – AHN Sports Correspondent

Austin, TX, United States (AHN) – The UFC announced the matchups for the next Fight Night Live card, which will be held in Austin, TX on September 15.

The card will be the 22nd UFC Fight Night card, and the first time the UFC has held a live event in Austin. It will be just the third time the UFC has hosted an event in the state of Texas.

UFC 103, headlined by Vitor Belfort’s knockout of Rich Franklin, was held in Dallas, and UFC 69, which featured Matt Serra’s upset knockout of Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, was held in Houston.

Fight Night 22 will air live on Spike TV, and will be followed by the twelfth season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck.

The card features the return of Demian Maia, last seen losing a five-round decision to Anderson Silva at UFC 112 in April. The bout stirred up controversy when Silva taunted Maia and did not make an effort to end the bout after dominating the early rounds.

Maia is a Brazilian jiu jitsu submission specialist with a 12-2 record who owns UFC victories over Chael Sonnen, Dan Miller, and Ryan Jensen. He hopes to show that he’s still a factor in the middleweight division at Fight Night 22 against Alan Belcher.

Belcher, who is 16-6, has provided action and excitement in recent UFC outings. He is riding a streak of four straight bouts with a UFC award bonus.

His victories over Denis Kang and, most recently, Patrick Cote, earned him Submission of the Night bonuses. His split decision loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama and his first-round knockout of Wilson Gouveia were named Fight of the Night.

“Alan Belcher has a very exciting style, and I think together, we will put on a fight to remember for the fans,” Maia said in a UFC press release. “I’m looking to get back to a title shot, and the first step for me is beating Alan impressively.”

In the co-main event, Matt Wiman faces Mac Danzig in a rematch of their controversial UFC 115 bout. In their first bout, Wiman caught Danzig in a guillotine early in the first round.

Wiman told referee Yves Lavigne, “He’s out,” prompting Lavigne to check Danzig’s arm.

Danzig, who was using his arm to post on Wiman’s leg to keep the hold from getting tighter, could not move it in response, causing Lavigne to erroneously conclude the fighter was unconscious and stop the bout.

Both fighters were gracious in post-fight interviews, and both expressed interest in an immediate rematch to quell the controversy.

Danzig, the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 6, has lost four of his last five bouts, and rumors he needs a win to retain his spot in the UFC have swirled around his recent bouts.

Tickets for the event go on sale this Saturday.

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Defenseman Hjalmarsson Stays With Blackhawks; Match Sharks Sheet

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:02 PM PDT

Matt Aug – AHN Sports Editor

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – The Chicago Blackhawks retained the services of defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, matching an offer sheet from the San Jose Sharks on a four-year, $14 million deal.

Hjalmarsson, 23, scored two goals with 15 assists in 77 games with the ‘Hawks last season.

Hjalmarsson was a key part of a defense for a team that hoisted the Stanley Cup, according to club officials.

“I’m happy for us and I’m happy for Nik,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “He’s a very dependable defenseman and his character is great. He does everything you look for in a defenseman.

“You can never have enough defensemen around and having a predictable defenseman at such a young age is hard to find.”

The move leaves the ‘Hawks virtually “capped out” in salaries, unless the team decides to part ways with backup goalie Cristobal Huet.

That would leave Chicago with over $5 million to find a less pricey No. 2 goalie and perhaps make another move or two.

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