Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Baldelli`s Back, Hoping To Return To Rays

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Tampa, FL, United States (AHN) – A fan favorite at Tropicana Field during his stint with the then Tampa Devil Rays, Rocco Baldelli is eyeing a return to the majors.

Derailed by a bevy of injuries in his promising career, Baldelli signed a minor league contract Monday with the Rays and will report to the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League.

The 28-year-old played for the Boston Red Sox last year and hit .253 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in 62 games, but was not signed by any team in the off-season. Instead, he elected to become a roving instructor for the Rays in spring training.

Baldelli suffers from a form of channelopathy, which causes muscle weakness and was diagnosed in 2008. He took the instructor position in hopes of returning to the major leagues as a player.

The Rays will monitor Baldelli’s progress in hopes of him resuming his major league career later this year.

“”With Rocco, knowing him, he’s going to be very honest with us in regard to what he thinks he can do,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon told MLB.com. “If he thought he could be of use to us, he’s going to tell us that. If it’s not, I’m sure he’d tell us that to. I’ve just got a lot of faith in him.”

Baldelli, drafted sixth overall in 2000, is a career .279 hitter and has tallied 59 home runs and 257 RBI in six seasons.

He also has been plagued by elbow, shoulder and hamstring injuries. Should he make it back to the majors, Baldelli would be expected to contribute as a designated hitter.

“He’s still a young man,” Maddon added. “I don’t know exactly where this is going to lead, but I’ve watched him take batting practice on occasion and, my goodness, he still has a ton of power. He’s still such an interesting athlete.”

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Titans, Chris Johnson Reach Terms On New Deal

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Nashville, TN, United States (AHN) – Running back Chris Johnson, who skipped all of the Tennessee Titans’ organized offseason activities, will join the team at training camp after reportedly agreeing to terms on a restructured deal.

Johnson, 24, who emerged as a Pro Bowl player in each of his two seasons, has already reached escalators in the contract he signed before his rookie season in 2008.

The Titans, according to the Tennessean.com, could move forward his $2.5 million escalated salary for 2012 into a signing bonus, making that an addition to his base salary of $550,000 for 2010.

After leading the league with 2,006 rushing yards last season, the former East Carolina standout expressed displeasure with his five-year, $12 million contract.

In previous reports, he indicated preference to a long-term deal with at least $30 million guaranteed.

During the offseason, Johnson also reportedly indicated that he would hold out of Titans training camp, slated for July 31, unless a long-term pact or a short-term fix was reached.

Johnson was the 24th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Titans.

He trails only Eric Dickerson (3,318) and Edgerrin James (3,262) for the most yards in the first two years of a career with 3, 234.

Johnson is also poised to match Barry Sanders’ mark of 14 straight 100-yard rushing games. In 2009, Johnson registered 11.

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Cruz Crushes Decisive Homer As Rangers Top Tigers In 14

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – Having seen a lead disappear three times, the Texas Rangers got a timely, two-run home run in the top of the 14th inning by Nelson Cruz to defeat the Detroit Tigers 8-6 Monday at Comerica Park.

The Rangers (54-39), who snapped an 11-game losing streak in Detroit, led 2-1 after the first inning and added three runs in the top of the third to take a 5-2 lead.

Texas, which has won three of four since the All-Star break, added another run in the top of the seventh inning for a 6-5 advantage, but the resilient Tigers once again erased the deficit on an RBI single by Johnny Damon.

The stalemate continued for six more innings before Cruz’s two-run homer off Detroit reliever Enrique Gonzalez (0-1) disappeared over the wall near the right field corner.

The Tigers, who have lost six in a row, had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the 14th, but Neftali Feliz struck out Austin Jackson to record his 25th save this season.

Reliever Matt Harrison scattered a pair of hits over four innings to earn the victory.

The loss proved even more costly for the slumping Tigers when third baseman Brandon Inge suffered a broken left hand when hit by a pitch from Texas starter Scott Feldman in the third inning.

Inge, who played two more innings before being replaced by Don Kelly, is expected to be out at least four weeks.

Helping spark the Tigers’ multiple rallies were Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. Cabrera, who was 3-for-6 with three RBI, hit his 23rd home run in the third inning and went back-to-back with Ordonez in the fifth inning to tie the game.

Texas relief pitcher Dustin Nippert was drilled in the head by a line drive by Jackson. The ball appeared to deflect just above Nippert’s right ear and go all the way into left field.

Nippert appeared to be OK, but he was taken to a local hospital for precautions.

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Former Simply Red Guitarist Joins Liverpool

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Andrew Lawn – AHN Sports Correspondent

Liverpool, United Kingdom (AHN) – Former Simply Red guitarist Sylvan Richardson has joined English Premier League club Liverpool as a massuer.

Richardson was part of the pop band from their creation in 1985 through to 1987, when he quit after becoming disillusioned with the music industry.

The former guitarist has now decided to put his talented hands to a sporting use, joining Liverpool’s medical team, tasked with keeping their stars in prime condition.

Richardson is currently in Austria with Liverpool, which recently signed England midfielder Joe Cole from Chelsea, on a preseason tour.

Liverpool begins its Premier League campaign Sunday, August 15, against Arsenal.

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USA Softball Superstar Finch To Hang Up Her Cleats

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Oklahoma City, OK, United States (AHN) – Fresh off the second perfect game of her long and storied career, softball superstar Jennie Finch announced her retirement Tuesday from the sport she help popularize as arguably the most recognized player in its history.

The retirement is effective after the 2010 KFC World Cup of Softball, which runs from July 22-25, as announced in a press release from the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America..

“I could never have dreamed what an amazing ride this has been,” said Finch. “I have been honored with so many amazing opportunities and I have to credit so many people – from the women before me to everyone at USA Softball to the fans and everyone involved in the sport who have made this such a special part of my life.”

Finch has been an unrivaled star of USA Softball since joining the team in 2001 at the Pan American Qualifier.

The California native helped lead the Olympic team to a gold medal in 2004 and a silver medal in 2008, amassing an incredible 36-2 record with a 0.42 ERA.

In addition to her Olympic accolades, Finch is also a three-time World Cup Champion, a two-time Pan American Champion, and a three-time World Champion.

Finch, 29, first walked on to the diamond at age five and used her dominance and love for softball to help put the sport in the national spotlight.

In 2002 Finch became well known after setting an NCAA record by winning 60 consecutive games over nearly two seasons at the University of Arizona.

Along the way, Finch secured three straight wins in the 2001 College World Series where she won Most Outstanding Player honors.

Her dominance helped expose the sport and inspired many young girls to pick up a bat.

“Jennie has meant so much to the sport and the growth of it,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “She has brought it to a whole new level of recognition as a worldwide sport. She has been instrumental in growing the sport both on the fielder as a pitcher, player and hitter but also as a person.”

Finch pitched her second perfect game July 9, 2010 against the Akron Racers while playing for the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) softball league. The first came in 2009 against the Philadelphia Force

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Raptors Reportedly Can`t Swing Deal For Magic`s Barnes

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Toronto, ON, Canada (AHN) – The offseason woes continue for the Toronto Raptors, as multiple sources reported their deal with veteran swingman Matt Barnes could eventually hit a major snag.

Sources close to the situation reported the Raptors were having difficulty in pulling off a sign-and-trade deal with the Orlando Magic for unrestricted free agent Barnes.

The 30-year old Barnes previously confirmed he expected to join the Raptors on a two-year, $10 million deal, but a reliable source disclosed the “sign-and-trade deal is dead.”

After signing sharpshooter Quentin Richardson and keeping J.J. Redick this offseason, the Magic lost their flexibility to involve in sign-and-trade transactions at higher than $2 million.

Barnes, who had a $1.6 million deal last season, was heavily pursued by several NBA teams, notably the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, before the Raptors made a strong push to enlist his service.

Although Barnes could still join the Raptors at a lesser amount, sources said it would be “unlikely” as other teams look to make another run at the veteran with more lucrative offers.

Barnes had a solid season with the Magic, averaging 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

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Rangers` Nippert Listed Day-To-Day After Line Drive To Head

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Tom Spousta – AHN Sports Reporter

Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – Texas Rangers pitcher Dustin Nippert must consider himself very fortunate.

A CAT scan came back negative and Nippert was listed as day-to-day after being drilled on the right side of his head Monday night by a line drive off the bat of Detroit Tigers leadoff hitter Austin Jackson, according to a report at MLB.com.

Nippert was taken to Henry Ford Hospital and reportedly was back with the Rangers for the end of their 8-6 victory in 14 innings.

After being hit, the 6-foot-8 Nippert dropped to the ground as the ball ricocheted into left field. Jackson reached second base for a double as Rangers training staff rushed to the mound.

Nippert was able to get back on his feet and was escorted off the field.

“Thank God he was fine,” Rangers manager Ron Washington was quoted as saying. “He’s going to need a little down time, but thank God he is fine.”

“It’s definitely scary,” Jackson told reporters. “I didn’t know where he got hit on his head. I saw that he was moving around and a couple of his players said he’s all right, he’s moving around, he’s talking, he knows where he’s at. When he got up and walked off on his own, that was a good sign.”

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Fedrigo Edges Armstrong In Stage 16; Contador Maintains Overall Tour Lead

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Pau, France (AHN) – Pierrick Fedrigo sped past a group that included Lance Armstrong to win Tuesday’s 16th stage at the 2010 Tour de France.

The Frenchman legged out a strong finish to the 124 miles from Bagneres-de-Luchon to Pau in 5 hours, 31 minutes, 43 seconds.

Seven-time winner Armstrong finished sixth in the stage in what will be his final Tour de France.

Frenchman Sandy Casar came in second place, with Ruben Plaza of Spain in third.

Alberto Contador continued his quest for a repeat by maintaining an eight second lead on Andy Schleck for the yellow jersey.

Contador was the subject of controversy for passing Schleck while the latter attended to a chain malfunction Monday.

Schleck vowed revenge for Contador’s supposed lack of etiquette, but was unable to overtake his foe thanks in part to the efforts of the Astana team.

The 17th stage commences Thursday after Wednesday’s rest day.

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Sachin ‘Sheds` Blood For His Biography

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

AHN News Staff

Mumbai, India (AHN) – The world of publishing just got weirder and the one responsible for it is Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. News has it that Tendulkar’s biography, to be revealed next year in February, will have 1,500 unpublished pictures of Tendulkar and his family, pages edged in gold leaf and, well, drops of his blood.

Yes! This is true that “Tendulkar Opus”, the biography, will have its signature page made with pulp mixed with the batsman’s blood.

While Tendulkar described the biography as “mindblowing,” many think of it as weird and “bizarre marketing strategy.” Even the publishers of the book, Kraken Opus, admit that the book might not be “everybody’s cup of tea.”

At a whopping cost of $ 75,000 each, only 10 copies of the book are being printed and the book itself will weigh 37 kg (80lb).

The book will cover Tendulkar’s two-decade long cricketing career, during which the Master Blaster got more than 30,000 runs into his kitty and also became the only player to have scored a double century in a one-day international.

While many, including Tendulkar’s former teammate, Vinod Kambli, have expressed shock at the news, the publishers are banking on the religious icon status of Tendulkar in the subcontinent to sell this “weird book.”

Apart from the 10 pre-ordered copies of the book, Kraken also plans to publish 1,000 regular copies, which would be sold in the range of $ 2,000-$3,000.

The reports also suggest that Tendulkar’s biography is an attempt to raise funds for his charity foundation, which needs to build a school. Therefore, the proceeds from the book will go into building that school.

The last word, however, is left to the Maestro himself. In a press release, the star cricketer himself said, “From speeding balls to incessant travel, movement has been the only constant in my professional life. Seeing that captured in static images at such large scale and high quality is a real treat and makes this unique project all the more special. I can’t think of a better way of displaying my life and career than in an Opus.”

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Pitcher Capuano`s Long Wait For Win Ends As Brewers Top Bucs

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 08:41 AM PDT

Shawn Krest – AHN Sports Correspondent

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (AHN) – In July, 2006, Chris Capuano of the Milwaukee Brewers took the field at PNC Park in Pittsburgh as a member of the National League All Star team.

He’d won 18 games the year before and started 2006 with a 10-4 record, establishing himself as one of the top young pitchers in baseball. A 5-0 start to the 2007 season gave him 39 wins in three years.

Monday, Capuano took the mound at PNC Park in the midst of a very different three-year stretch.

Capuano survived a rain delay, a Pittsburgh rally, and a shaky ninth inning by closer John Axford to defeat the Pirates and earn his first win since May 7, 2007.

“It’s been a long time,” said Capuano. “The significance of that definitely wasn’t lost on me.”

Over that span, Capuano set a Brewers franchise record, just not any of the ones anyone expected when he was making the All Star team. From May 7, 2007 to his start Monday night, Capuano went 0-13, setting a team record for most consecutive losses.

Over that stretch, Capuano also had 10 starts where he didn’t get the decision, either because he left a tie game or the lead changed while the Brewers bullpen was pitching.

Milwaukee lost all ten of those as well.

Hard as it is to believe, the losing streak wasn’t the biggest adversity Capuano faced over that span. In the winter before the 2008 season, Capuano suffered a career-threatening elbow injury that required ligament reconstruction.

The procedure is known in baseball as “Tommy John surgery” and requires more than a year to recover, then often another year to learn to pitch again.

“The win and loss part of it becomes a lot less important when you’re faced with the question of ‘Am I ever going to play again?’” Capuano said.

Capuano knew all this, of course, because he’d had a Tommy John surgery once before. As a minor leaguer, Capuano went under the knife and came all the way back.

Becoming one of Major League Baseball’s career leaders in elbow reconstructions, he would have to do it all over again.

“It’s a long, frustrating process,” recalled Capuano. “It took about two years, each time.”

Capuano missed all of 2008 and had just a handful of minor league appearances in 2009. As a 31-year old entering the 2010 season, Capuano saw that the Brewers had moved on.

The team cut him, then resigned him to a minor league deal. He started the year in Class A, one level over rookie ball, but by June, he’d pitched himself back to the big club.

He didn’t come all the way back until Monday, however, when he pitched five innings of three-hit ball, allowing one run. He left for a pinch hitter in the midst of a Milwaukee rally that gave the team a 3-1 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“He’s the big story. He should have the headlines tomorrow,” said Milwaukee manager Ken Macha. “He pitched to contact and used his change-up well. He had four strikeouts and only one walk. When you have a line like that, that’s pretty good command.”

Pittsburgh got the tying runs on base with no outs in the ninth before John Axford closed out the game. The save took on more significance for Axford, because he’s also recovered from a Tommy John surgery.

“I remember talking to him in the spring about coming back from Tommy John,” said Axford. “For him to do it twice is a testament to his perseverance and a testament to his will to keep playing the game. Everyone in the bullpen was excited and saying, ‘We have to do this for Cappy.’”

Capuano, a Phi Beta Kappa from Duke, took a cerebral approach to his three-year ordeal. “I take a long-view perspective to baseball,” he said. “I knew I’d get more wins…I surprised myself at how anxious I felt watching the end.”

Capuano continued, “It was important to get this win for the Brewers and put it all behind me.”

And get started on the next three-year stretch.

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