Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Oufielder Is Important Part Of Twins Winning Span

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

John Raffel – AHN Sports Correspondent

Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – It’s seems strange to Minnesota outfielder Denard Span that his Twins aren’t fighting for their lives in the American League’s Central Division with a week left in the regular season.

The Twins have clinched the title already, a far cry from previous seasons when the race went down to the wire.

“We want to win every single game,” he said. “You clinch the division but at the same time we want to get home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Every time you take the field, you want to win.”

At the same time Span, who was nursing a sore knee on Sunday, emphasized that teams that have clinched don’t want to take any risks for possible injuries as they prepare for the playoffs.

“You have to be smart, but our main goal is to go out there and win,” he said.

A year ago, Minnesota slipped by the Tigers in a one-game playoff for the divisional title.

“It’s a little different for me,” Span smiled. “This is my third September and I’m so used to procrastination and going down to the last two days of the season before we figure what’s going to happen.”

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire gave Span and other Twins, including All-Star catcher Joe Mauer, the day Sunday.

“He fouled the ball off his foot late in a game and came in pretty sore on his swollen foot,” Gardenhire said. “Our goal is to keep these guys healthy and not end up with more guys beat up. We’re getting thin on players.”

But despite the fear of losing one’s competitive edge by playing games that don’t count in the standings prior to the playoffs, Span agreed that there were obvious advantages to clinching early.

“It’s just knowing you’re going to be there,” he said. “It makes it a lot less stressful. At the same time, we have to continue to play hard. We want to keep it up and go into the playoffs on a positive note, feeling good.”

The Twins, Span insisted, just aren’t going through the motions.

Span entered Sunday’s game at Detroit with a .271 batting average with a team-high 602 at-bats, three home runs and 58 RBIs, plus 82 runs scored.

“It’s irrelevant,” Span said of his individual statistics. “As a team we’re doing good and that’s all that matters.”

Minnesota was locked into a close race with the Tigers at the All-Star break the last two times they met in Detroit.

They entered September battling the White Sox for first place and have a whopping 10-game lead over Chicago, which hopes to hold back Detroit for second place.

“We had some guys step up,” Span said. “We had some key injuries this year but had guys like (Jim) Thome who stepped up. It’s been a team effort. It hasn’t been just one guy. All year long, it’s been all 25 guys.”

Looking ahead to the playoffs, Span expects the Twins to have a legitimate shot to go all the way, as do the other teams that are in the postseason.

“It’s whatever team is hot at the time,” he said. “That’s why it’s all about getting into the playoffs. Once you get into the playoffs, anybody can win. When any team is hot at the right time, they’re hard to beat.

“We’ve been playing real good baseball this whole second half. Obviously all the teams going into the playoffs like their chances. We feel the same way about our ballclub.”

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Panthers-`Canes Preseason Game Canceled Due To Storm Concerns

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Sunrise, FL, United States (AHN) – The National Hockey League announced the pre-season game between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes scheduled for Wednesday at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. has been canceled due to the threat of severe weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Nicole.

“We felt that it was in the best interest and safety of our fans, our players and the Carolina Hurricanes to cancel Wednesday’s game due to the threat of the impending tropical storm,” said Panthers Executive Vice President/General Manager Dale Tallon.

The game will not be re-scheduled.

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Ping Pong Star Yaping Turns Internet Boss

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Beijing, China (AHN) – China table tennis legend Deng Yaping was named the next Chief Executive Officer of the People’s Search Engine Incorporated Company over the weekend.

Deng,the former World and Olympic champion, is the new head of the People’s Search Engine, a joint venture Internet project by Chinese media heavyweights, the People’s Daily and People’s Daily Online.

Deng, 37, will overlook the development of the Internet search engine called goso.cn.

Like other search engines such as Yahoo.com and Google.com, goso.cn also provides search services for web pages, images, news and blogs.

Deng has a master degree from the University of Nottingham and a doctorate degree in economics at the University of Cambridge.

She also became the Deputy Secretary General of the People’s Daily, the biggest news publication in China, and a member of Beijing Organizing Committee.

Considered as one of the greatest table tennis players of all-time, Deng captured six world championships and Olympic titles.

Deng retained the No.1 ranking, making her the most decorated paddler in her time. She claimed the title as the best Chinese female athlete of the century and eventually secured her place in the International Table Tennis Federation Hall of Fame in 2003.

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Not All Fantastic In Tampa Bay; Rays Lament Poor Attendance

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

St. Petersburg, FL, United States (AHN) – When just 12,446 fans showed up Monday to watch the Tampa Bay Rays shoot for a playoff berth, infielder Evan Longoria said that the chronically low attendance was “embarrassing.”

Monday’s announced attendance was a little more than half of the attendance the Rays have averaged at home this season.

Longoria, who did not see action Monday, but vented to media after the Rays’ loss to Baltimore, said:

“… You’d pretty much like to think that a team in a playoff hunt, with an opportunity to clinch, that you could at least get 30,000 in here to cheer you on,” USA Today.com reported.

“We play 155 games of really good baseball, and it’s kind of like, what else do we have to do to get fans into this place? I mean, it’s actually embarrassing to us,” the Rays All-Star third baseman added.

David Price, who has been tasked to pitch the Rays into the postseason for the second time in franchise history Tuesday, echoed Longoria’s sentiments via Twitter, stating that the low fan turnout has been disheartening.

Price tweeted: “Had a chance to clinch a post season spot tonight with about 10,000 fans in the stands….embarrassing.”

Price, who helped his chances in the AL Cy Young Award race with a strong September, later backtracked, tweeting: “If I offended anyone I apologize I did not think it was gonna turn into this….”

Tropicana Field has been the Rays’ home since their inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. The stadium holds about 36,973 fans.

Longoria also said he’s been thinking about the Rays’ home attendance for a long time and indicated he was calling out to supporters not as a “low blow at the fans”, but rallying “the troops” in effort to gain more support.

“I’m not trying to say that we have bad fans or any of that, because believe me, I’ve been here since ’06 and I love the Tampa Bay community. It’s just tough to see and I feel like I was the right guy to say that,” Longoria told MLB.com.

On Monday, Orioles kept Tampa Bays’ champagne on ice, as Brian Matusz (9-12) hurled seven scoreless innings and Nick Markakis drove in a pair of runs in the 4-0 victory.

The Rays will again shoot for a playoff spot as they continue their three-game set with the Orioles Tuesday at Tropicana Field.

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Ryder Cup Practice Pairings Offer Look Into Friday Teams

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Newport, Wales, United Kingdom (AHN) – Monday was supposed to be a rest-up day for the American Ryder Cup team. Steve Stricker and Dustin Johnson, minus any official uniforms, took to the the 2010 course at Celtic Manor for an early peek at the layout built specifically to host these matches.

Tuesday was the first official day of practice, both teams donned their designated uniforms and took the the course in specific groups set forth by American captain Corey Pavin and his European counterpart Colin Montgomerie.

Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan went out together. It’s not a stretch that Woods will pair with Stricker for some of the four-ball (best ball) and foursome (alternate shot) matches.

Pavin may well pair Woods at some point with Hunter Mahan. Woods has spent time around Mahan in PGA Tour practice rounds as both players work with golf instructor Sean Foley.

Matt Kuchar, Stewart Cink, Jim Furyk and Jeff Overton played together on Tuesday morning. Furyk is also a potential Woods partner and could be paired with Kuchar, a Ryder Cup rookie. Same with Overton. Overton, who hasn’t played well coming into this week, could be a partner of Cink.

Most interesting of the American groups was Phil Mickelson going out with three Ryder Cup rookies- Dustin Johnson, Ricky Fowler and Bubba Watson.

The players went off in what may be the weather of the week – overcast with a steady drizzle of rain. The American squad dressed in cream sweaters, gray trousers and gray caps.

On the European side, it came as little surprise to see the two players from Northern Ireland -Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy playing in a foursome with the Italian brothers – Francesco and Edoardo Molinari.

Lee Westwood, who said he’s recovered fully from his calf injury that sidelined him the past five weeks, played with PGA Champion Martin Kaymer, Peter Hanson and the lone Spainiard – Miguel Angel Jiminez.

Paddy Harrington went out with Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher and Luke Donald.

The matches will begin early Friday morning. Each of the first two days will have four-ball (best ball) and foursome (alternate) shot matches, a total of 36 holes each day.

On Sunday, all 12 members from each team go out in singles matches that will most likely determine the winner of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

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Rachel Alexandra, 2009 Horse Of The Year, Retires

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Lexington, KY, United States (AHN) – The 2009 Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra, will retire, it was announced by her owner Tuesday.

Rachel Alexandra turned heads after her run at Kentucky Oaks. She won all eight starts and the three-year-old filly at the time, defeated three males during her rise.

However, Rachel Alexandra would win two of five starts in 2010.

“Rachel Alexandra’s 2009 campaign was one for the ages-one that racing fans will remember throughout time,” owner Jess Jackson said in a presser.

Alexandra was defeated by one length by Persistently during the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Aug. 29 Saratoga, although she worked a few times since then, an ESPN.com report said.

“I believe it’s time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life. We are delighted that she will retire healthy and happy to our beautiful farm in Kentucky.”

“Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing,” Jackson said.

“She set standards and records that no filly before her ever achieved. And I suspect it will be quite a while before a three-year-old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements. Although her fans were thrilled by a series of spectacular victories, I believe they, as we, were simply awed time and again by her sheer beauty, courage and athleticism.”

Jackson also said that he would mate his horse Curlin next year with Rachel Alexandra.

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Flyers` Leighton To Miss Month With Bulging Disk In Back

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Philadelphia Flyers starting goalie Michael Leighton will miss a month of action with a bulging disk in his back, it was reported Tuesday.

Leighton, 29, was claimed off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes after a slow start and earned the No.1 Flyers job by posting a .918 save percentage with Philadelphia last season.

He recorded 16 wins during the regular season, and posted an 8-3 record in the postseason earning a two-year, $3 million deal in the offseason.

Leighton made his league start with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003, bouncing around the league during his six-year career, including his first time with the Flyers in 2007.

He spent time with the Anaheim, Buffalo, and Nashville organization, as well.

The Flyers will turn to backups Brian Boucher and Johan Backlund in his absence.

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Newly Acquired Edwards Could Take Quarterback Job In Jacksonville

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Jacksonville, FL, United States (AHN) – Quarterback Trent Edwards was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars Tuesday after the Buffalo Bills released him Monday.

Buffalo posted a meager 17 points during its first two games with Edwards starting, and he lost his job to Ryan Fitzpatrick after Week 2.

Edwards, a third-year pro, threw for 241 yards this season for the Bills and could start for Jacksonville.

The move comes after two consecutive losses behind Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard. Garrard threw 13 of 30 for 105 yards with one interception vs. Philadelphia last week in a 28-3 loss.

It was the second poor showing for Garrard after throwing four picks against the Chargers in Week 2, where the Jaguars (1-2) lost 38-13.

“He wants very badly to play well for his teammates,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio told the media Monday. “Two weeks haven’t gone that way for him. Ultimately, you have to get it done and David knows that.”

Jacksonville will host Indianapolis in Week 4, and Del Rio said if Garrard is the best option they would go with him.

With the addition of Edwards, the Jaguars depth chart includes backup quarterback Todd Bouman, although he hasn’t thrown a pass during regular season since 2005 when he played for New Orleans.

Keith Null, who played four games for St. Louis last season, is on the practice squad.

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Kimiko Date Krumm Defies Age, Wozniacki, Zvonareva Advance

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) – Japanese Kimiko Date Krumm, who became the second-oldest player in the Open era after Billie Jean King to win a singles title on the WTA Tour in 2009, continued to defy age and her younger opponents at the Pan Pacific Open Tuesday.

Krumm celebrated her 40th birthday Tuesday defeating Slovak Daniela Hantuchova 2-6, 6-0, 4-0 in the third round of the Pan Pacific WTA Tournament.

Krumm, who won the event in 1995 at the expense of Lindsay Davenport, brushed aside a tentative start and proceeded to claim the next 10 games in the second set leading to the third stanza.

The Japanese ace went on to build a 4-0 lead before the 27-year-old Hantuchova decided to call it a day.

Krumm is coming off a stunning victory over defending champion Maria Sharapova in the first round.

At the age of 39, Krumm captured her eighth WTA Tour title at the 2009 Hansol Korea Open in Seoul that entered her name in the books as the second-oldest player to win a singles crown on the Tour.

She already won several ITF titles before achieving that feat and winning the Hansol Open following her return in 2008 from a retirement in 1996.

Meanwhile, top-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki and two-time 2010 Grand Slam finalist Vera Zvonareva of Russia highlighted winners in Day 3 at the $2 million event in Tokyo.

Former U.S. Open runner-up Wozniacki advanced into the third stage after demolishing Hungarian qualifier Greta Arn, 6-1, 6-3, while the No. 2 seeded Zvonareva dismissed Italian Sara Errani in 6-3, 6-3 fashion.

The major upset of the day came when fourth-seeded French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur succumbed to Germany’s Julia Goerges, 7-5, 6-3.

Other top-ten advancers were fifth-seeded French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, former Pan Pacific titlist Elena Dementieva, seeded seventh, and Victoria Azarenka (eighth seeded).

German Andrea Pekovic also posted an upset, toppling 10th-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, who is a two-time major champion and runner-up in 2008.

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Parker Open To Extension, Wants To Remain A Spur

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 04:54 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

San Antonio, TX, United States (AHN) – Spurs guard Tony Parker, who is entering the final year of his contract, reportedly indicated he wants to stay in San Antonio amid speculation he wanted to move out of central Texas.

“Of course I want to stay in San Antonio,” the 28-year-old Parker said as reported by Hoopsworld.com.

“I’ve said that plenty of times but nobody wants to listen. The media just wants to create stories. I hope Spurs fans know that I want to stay here. I can’t control what people say.”

Parker, who spent his entire nine-year NBA career with the Spurs, winning three championship alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, is trying to replicate what Ginobili accomplished last season.

Ginobili earned a three-year extension following a spectacular stretch in the spring after bouncing back from injuries.

Parker is gearing up in his return from an injury-plagued campaign a year after registering his best season, where he posted an average 22 points, 6.9 assists per game and shooting 50.8 percent.

At media day Tuesday, Parker, who indicated that he is not setting out on the road toward free agency, said that he is open to a possible extension with the Spurs.

Parker, however, added that he wants to “focus on the team” at the moment and if the Spurs put a deal on the table he would be willing to listen.

Parker emerged as one of the premier point guards in the league since the Spurs selected him in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft.

Known for his slashing abilities and high field goal percentage, Parker made it to three NBA All-Star selections and was named to an All-NBA Third Team.

He was also recognized with the MVP honors during the 2007 NBA Finals, the last time the Spurs hoisted the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

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