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"You're never a loser until you quit trying." ~ Mike Ditka, NFL Player, Super bowl Coach and Businessman
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? LA Kings beat Chicago 3-1 in Game 3 of West finals. We will win the next game in LA!!!
By
The Los Angeles Kings know all about the creeping inevitability that sets in when a team gets behind 0-3 in a playoff series. After all, that's where they put every opponent they faced on the way to the Stanley Cup title last year.
With more big points from their Siberian defenseman and even more big saves from their champion goalie, Los Angeles stayed safely out of that hole in the Western Conference finals.
Slava Voynov had a goal and an assist, Jonathan Quick made 19 saves, and Los Angeles beat Chicago 3-1 in Game 3 Tuesday night, trimming the Blackhawks' series lead to 2-1.
''This is kind of what I expected this to be when we did it last year,'' captain Dustin Brown said. ''Last year, we were playing at a level few teams ever play at. This year, it's taking that extra effort out of us, and we're coming up with it.''
Game 4 is Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Justin Williams also scored and Dwight King added an empty-net goal in the defending NHL champions' 15th consecutive home victory since March. The Kings never trailed while ending the top-seeded Blackhawks' five-game postseason winning streak, but they had to survive a tense third period with Quick's brilliance and a strong defensive effort, avoiding that nearly insurmountable three-game deficit.
''It's not something we wanted to try and test out, so it was certainly a must-win in our situation,'' Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi said. ''We were just able to be aggressive instead of sitting back and letting them dictate the pace this time. That's what we have to do to compete with those guys.''
Jeff Carter had two assists in an inspired effort, despite the absence of injured linemate Mike Richards, and Voynov had his fourth multipoint game in a prolific postseason. Every time the Blackhawks mounted their speedy attack, the Kings survived with solid defense and fortunate bounces - a combination they've been getting all spring at Staples Center.
Although they can't explain it, the Kings have won all eight of their home playoff games - nine straight dating to last season's title clincher. After their 16-4 roll through last season's playoffs, not much has been easy this year for the Kings, who haven't scored more than two goals without an empty-netter in their last eight games.
''We have a certain way we need to play,'' Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr said. ''For whatever reason, we do a heck of a good job of it at home, and not as good on the road.''
Bryan Bickell scored and Corey Crawford stopped 25 shots for the Blackhawks, who chased Quick from Game 2 and earned back-to-back home victories to open the series last weekend.
The Kings had lost five of their previous seven playoff games before getting back to friendly Staples Center and their sellout crowd. Quick also returned to Conn Smythe Trophy form in Game 3, highlighted by a dazzling late save on Bickell, while his low-scoring teammates generated just enough offense to hold off the Blackhawks, who hadn't lost since Game 4 of the second round.
''They play a lot better at home,'' Crawford said. ''They were buzzing. They were running around a little bit more than in Chicago, but we were ready for that. We knew they would come harder. We were almost there. We almost tied it.''
The Blackhawks matched their playoff low with just 20 shots, but the Presidents' Trophy winners were one good bounce away from tying the score in the final minutes.
Brandon Saad nearly had an open net after a cross-ice pass from Viktor Stalberg with 5 minutes left, but couldn't collect the puck. Moments later, Keith missed a near-breakaway at the Kings' blue line when Chicago went offside - and Quick set off a frenzy in the crowd when he stopped Bickell's fine chance late.
''We knew exactly what kind of game they were going to play, and that they would have more confidence and more energy in their own building,'' Saad said. ''We just didn't bring that same effort and same pace. There were a lot of little thing we could do better, but that comes with our preparation and being ready to play at the highest level. We know we've got to be better than that.''
The Kings played their second straight game without Richards, their leading postseason scorer heading into Game 3. The veteran center has an apparent concussion after a big hit from Dave Bolland in the series opener.
Richards' absence opened a lineup spot for promising rookie Tyler Toffoli, who has three points in the last two games. The 21-year-old AHL rookie of the year got the primary assist on Voynov's goal.
After the Kings scored just 11 goals in their previous seven games, coach Darryl Sutter shook up his lines. Slumping center Anze Kopitar was moved back to the third line, while Jarret Stoll moved up to the Kings' nominal top line between Williams and Brown.
Between the line changes and the desperation necessary in such a situation, the Kings came out with a noticeable edge and improved passing. They took the lead just 3:21 in on a strong sequence started and finished by Williams, who forced Nick Leddy's turnover before scoring on a pass from Voynov.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner has six goals in the playoffs - four in the past six games - after scoring just 11 in the 48-game regular season.
Los Angeles kept up the pressure in the second period, with Carter and Toffoli generating sustained pressure before Voynov beat Crawford, who was screened. Voynov's shot was doubly hard to stop because he broke his stick on the swing, turning it into a changeup.
The Kings got a four-minute power play moments later when defenseman Duncan Keith high-sticked Carter in the face, punctuating a bad-tempered game by opening a gash on Carter's mouth. Sutter thought Keith deserved a match penalty for the nasty play, calling it ''retaliation.''
But Los Angeles managed just one shot on that scoreless power play, and Bickell got the Blackhawks back in it with his seventh goal of the postseason in the final minute of the second period. Bickell was left untouched behind the net after Kings defensemen Drew Doughty and Robyn Regehr both lost their footing, and the pending free agent skated in front alone to beat Quick with just Chicago's third shot of the period.
But the Blackhawks couldn't get another past Quick, who had dominated the first two rounds with the same style that made him the Kings' playoff MVP last year.
The Blackhawks hadn't been at Staples Center since both clubs' season opener Jan. 19, when Chicago spoiled the Kings' banner-raising ceremony with a 5-2 victory.
NOTES: Williams and Chicago RW Patrick Sharp nearly fought early in the game while scuffling for position before a faceoff, but linesmen kept them apart. ''He asked me to fight,'' Sharp said. ''If he asks me again, I'll fight him any day he wants.'' ... D Jake Muzzin returned to the Kings' lineup after sitting out in favor of Alec Martinez in Game 2. ... Carter went to the dressing room for repairs after Keith's high stick. Sharp went to the dressing room late in the second period after a big hit from Brown, but he returned to the bench for the third period. ... Tom Cruise and Jim Belushi attended the game.
NBA Finals Preview: San Antonio Spurs Vs. Miami Heat.
By
The Los Angeles Kings know all about the creeping inevitability that sets in when a team gets behind 0-3 in a playoff series. After all, that's where they put every opponent they faced on the way to the Stanley Cup title last year.
With more big points from their Siberian defenseman and even more big saves from their champion goalie, Los Angeles stayed safely out of that hole in the Western Conference finals.
Slava Voynov had a goal and an assist, Jonathan Quick made 19 saves, and Los Angeles beat Chicago 3-1 in Game 3 Tuesday night, trimming the Blackhawks' series lead to 2-1.
''This is kind of what I expected this to be when we did it last year,'' captain Dustin Brown said. ''Last year, we were playing at a level few teams ever play at. This year, it's taking that extra effort out of us, and we're coming up with it.''
Game 4 is Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Justin Williams also scored and Dwight King added an empty-net goal in the defending NHL champions' 15th consecutive home victory since March. The Kings never trailed while ending the top-seeded Blackhawks' five-game postseason winning streak, but they had to survive a tense third period with Quick's brilliance and a strong defensive effort, avoiding that nearly insurmountable three-game deficit.
''It's not something we wanted to try and test out, so it was certainly a must-win in our situation,'' Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi said. ''We were just able to be aggressive instead of sitting back and letting them dictate the pace this time. That's what we have to do to compete with those guys.''
Jeff Carter had two assists in an inspired effort, despite the absence of injured linemate Mike Richards, and Voynov had his fourth multipoint game in a prolific postseason. Every time the Blackhawks mounted their speedy attack, the Kings survived with solid defense and fortunate bounces - a combination they've been getting all spring at Staples Center.
Although they can't explain it, the Kings have won all eight of their home playoff games - nine straight dating to last season's title clincher. After their 16-4 roll through last season's playoffs, not much has been easy this year for the Kings, who haven't scored more than two goals without an empty-netter in their last eight games.
''We have a certain way we need to play,'' Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr said. ''For whatever reason, we do a heck of a good job of it at home, and not as good on the road.''
Bryan Bickell scored and Corey Crawford stopped 25 shots for the Blackhawks, who chased Quick from Game 2 and earned back-to-back home victories to open the series last weekend.
The Kings had lost five of their previous seven playoff games before getting back to friendly Staples Center and their sellout crowd. Quick also returned to Conn Smythe Trophy form in Game 3, highlighted by a dazzling late save on Bickell, while his low-scoring teammates generated just enough offense to hold off the Blackhawks, who hadn't lost since Game 4 of the second round.
''They play a lot better at home,'' Crawford said. ''They were buzzing. They were running around a little bit more than in Chicago, but we were ready for that. We knew they would come harder. We were almost there. We almost tied it.''
The Blackhawks matched their playoff low with just 20 shots, but the Presidents' Trophy winners were one good bounce away from tying the score in the final minutes.
Brandon Saad nearly had an open net after a cross-ice pass from Viktor Stalberg with 5 minutes left, but couldn't collect the puck. Moments later, Keith missed a near-breakaway at the Kings' blue line when Chicago went offside - and Quick set off a frenzy in the crowd when he stopped Bickell's fine chance late.
''We knew exactly what kind of game they were going to play, and that they would have more confidence and more energy in their own building,'' Saad said. ''We just didn't bring that same effort and same pace. There were a lot of little thing we could do better, but that comes with our preparation and being ready to play at the highest level. We know we've got to be better than that.''
The Kings played their second straight game without Richards, their leading postseason scorer heading into Game 3. The veteran center has an apparent concussion after a big hit from Dave Bolland in the series opener.
Richards' absence opened a lineup spot for promising rookie Tyler Toffoli, who has three points in the last two games. The 21-year-old AHL rookie of the year got the primary assist on Voynov's goal.
After the Kings scored just 11 goals in their previous seven games, coach Darryl Sutter shook up his lines. Slumping center Anze Kopitar was moved back to the third line, while Jarret Stoll moved up to the Kings' nominal top line between Williams and Brown.
Between the line changes and the desperation necessary in such a situation, the Kings came out with a noticeable edge and improved passing. They took the lead just 3:21 in on a strong sequence started and finished by Williams, who forced Nick Leddy's turnover before scoring on a pass from Voynov.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner has six goals in the playoffs - four in the past six games - after scoring just 11 in the 48-game regular season.
Los Angeles kept up the pressure in the second period, with Carter and Toffoli generating sustained pressure before Voynov beat Crawford, who was screened. Voynov's shot was doubly hard to stop because he broke his stick on the swing, turning it into a changeup.
The Kings got a four-minute power play moments later when defenseman Duncan Keith high-sticked Carter in the face, punctuating a bad-tempered game by opening a gash on Carter's mouth. Sutter thought Keith deserved a match penalty for the nasty play, calling it ''retaliation.''
But Los Angeles managed just one shot on that scoreless power play, and Bickell got the Blackhawks back in it with his seventh goal of the postseason in the final minute of the second period. Bickell was left untouched behind the net after Kings defensemen Drew Doughty and Robyn Regehr both lost their footing, and the pending free agent skated in front alone to beat Quick with just Chicago's third shot of the period.
But the Blackhawks couldn't get another past Quick, who had dominated the first two rounds with the same style that made him the Kings' playoff MVP last year.
The Blackhawks hadn't been at Staples Center since both clubs' season opener Jan. 19, when Chicago spoiled the Kings' banner-raising ceremony with a 5-2 victory.
NOTES: Williams and Chicago RW Patrick Sharp nearly fought early in the game while scuffling for position before a faceoff, but linesmen kept them apart. ''He asked me to fight,'' Sharp said. ''If he asks me again, I'll fight him any day he wants.'' ... D Jake Muzzin returned to the Kings' lineup after sitting out in favor of Alec Martinez in Game 2. ... Carter went to the dressing room for repairs after Keith's high stick. Sharp went to the dressing room late in the second period after a big hit from Brown, but he returned to the bench for the third period. ... Tom Cruise and Jim Belushi attended the game.
NBA Finals Preview: San Antonio Spurs Vs. Miami Heat.
By Kurt Helin
SEASON RECORDS
Miami 66-16 (First seed in East)
San Antonio 58-24 (Second seed in West)
PLAYOFF RECORDS
San Antonio 12-2 (swept the Lakers 4-0, beat the Warriors 4-2, swept the Grizzlies)
Miami: 12-4 (swept Milwaukee 4-0, beat Chicago 4-1, went 7 to beat Pacers)
SEASON SERIES
This was the most meaningless 1-1 season series ever. The first game was the Thursday night national television game where Gregg Popovich sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili home early (it was the second night of a road back-to-back) and got the team a $250,000 fine for embarrassing David Stern. Next time these teams met the Heat rested LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but the Heat were sensible enough to lie to the league office in advance about why they had to sit. So no fines.
KEY INJURIES
Both teams are playing through some minor injuries, but nobody is expected to miss games. Dwyane Wade will be the biggest question mark — he looked grounded through six games of the last round then suddenly reminded everyone of his old self in Game 7. So which Wade shows up this series?
OFFENSE/DEFENSE RANKINGS (points per 100 possession) – PLAYOFFS ONLY
Miami: offense, 108.4 (1st in postseason); defense 97.6 (4th in postseason)
San Antonio: offense 106.5 (2nd in postseason); defense 95.4 (1st in postseason)
THREE KEYS TO THE SERIES:
Spurs ball movement vs. Heat pressure defense. If you saw Game 7 Monday night when the Heat wiped the floor with the Pacers, you see what Miami’s athleticism and pressure can do to even a good offense. Miami is big, athletic and they use that to force turnovers (which become alley-oops going the other way). But do you really think Tony Parker is going to melt from that? San Antonio’s ball movement could break the Heat’s pressure not totally unlike Dallas did to them in the finals two years ago. If Miami’s traps disrupt the Spurs ball movement Miami wins. But if the ball moves to open shooters and Danny Green or Matt Bonner are knocking down threes, advantage Spurs.
LeBron James vs. Kawhi Leonard. No one man stops LeBron James… but one man can make his life more difficult (Paul George did a respectable job last round). . Kawhi Leonard will be the best defender LeBron will see these playoffs, and if Leonard can just make LeBron have to really work for his points, that’s a huge plus for the Spurs. The help defense behind Leonard also needs to be sharp — Tim Duncan is smart about this, but Tiago Splitter can be a step slow at times, he does that this round and he’s in a LeBron poster.
Who controls paint/can the Heat rebound? Gregg Popovich is a smart man, he was taking notes on what the Pacers did to push the Heat to a seventh game — Indiana worked the ball inside, drew fouls to get to the line and dominated the offensive glass. The Spurs don’t have the raw size of the Pacers, but Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan are both smart, aggressive and a still bigger front line that will be able to hurt the Heat inside. In the games it won the Pacers grabbed around 40 percent of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, if the Spurs can keep that number above 30 percent they will give the Heat fits this series.
OUTLOOK
This is a great matchup on paper because San Antonio should do things that really bother the Heat.
For one, they are strong inside, too. While San Antonio doesn’t have anyone the size of Roy Hibbert they do have two legitimate, physical big men in Splitter and Duncan and the Spurs will get points inside. The Spurs can play physical; they just dusted the physical Grizzlies in four games.
What is more, Tony Parker is going to be a real problem for them. Miami has struggled at times against teams with top point guards — and right now Parker is playing at an MVP-like level. He’s averaging 23 points on 47.percent shooting (37 percent from three), plus dishing out 7.2 assists per game these playoffs. If he can get past the first-line of defense and into the paint the Heat will be in trouble. If he can deal with the aggressive traps of the Heat and move the ball to open shooters (who hit their shots) the Heat could be in trouble.
For the Spurs, the question these playoff was always could they beat a very athletic team? They didn’t last year, falling to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
But this year, due to the Russell Westbrook injury, the most athletic team the Spurs faced getting to the finals was Golden State, and while they have a couple good athletes on the roster they don’t compare to the Heat that way.
How does San Antonio deal with that? Which is another way of asking, what do they do when the Heat hit that extra gear they showed in Game 7 (and a couple other times against the Pacers)?
PREDICTION
Heat in six. The Spurs have a shot in this, they have the tools to exploit the Heat’s weaknesses and we know they are not going to melt down in the moment. But in the end this is a close series where a handful of times the Heat will hit the turbo button and go play on another level that the Spurs cannot stop. That will be enough to put Miami over the top.
NBA Finals schedule.
Miami 66-16 (First seed in East)
San Antonio 58-24 (Second seed in West)
PLAYOFF RECORDS
San Antonio 12-2 (swept the Lakers 4-0, beat the Warriors 4-2, swept the Grizzlies)
Miami: 12-4 (swept Milwaukee 4-0, beat Chicago 4-1, went 7 to beat Pacers)
SEASON SERIES
This was the most meaningless 1-1 season series ever. The first game was the Thursday night national television game where Gregg Popovich sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili home early (it was the second night of a road back-to-back) and got the team a $250,000 fine for embarrassing David Stern. Next time these teams met the Heat rested LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, but the Heat were sensible enough to lie to the league office in advance about why they had to sit. So no fines.
KEY INJURIES
Both teams are playing through some minor injuries, but nobody is expected to miss games. Dwyane Wade will be the biggest question mark — he looked grounded through six games of the last round then suddenly reminded everyone of his old self in Game 7. So which Wade shows up this series?
OFFENSE/DEFENSE RANKINGS (points per 100 possession) – PLAYOFFS ONLY
Miami: offense, 108.4 (1st in postseason); defense 97.6 (4th in postseason)
San Antonio: offense 106.5 (2nd in postseason); defense 95.4 (1st in postseason)
THREE KEYS TO THE SERIES:
Spurs ball movement vs. Heat pressure defense. If you saw Game 7 Monday night when the Heat wiped the floor with the Pacers, you see what Miami’s athleticism and pressure can do to even a good offense. Miami is big, athletic and they use that to force turnovers (which become alley-oops going the other way). But do you really think Tony Parker is going to melt from that? San Antonio’s ball movement could break the Heat’s pressure not totally unlike Dallas did to them in the finals two years ago. If Miami’s traps disrupt the Spurs ball movement Miami wins. But if the ball moves to open shooters and Danny Green or Matt Bonner are knocking down threes, advantage Spurs.
LeBron James vs. Kawhi Leonard. No one man stops LeBron James… but one man can make his life more difficult (Paul George did a respectable job last round). . Kawhi Leonard will be the best defender LeBron will see these playoffs, and if Leonard can just make LeBron have to really work for his points, that’s a huge plus for the Spurs. The help defense behind Leonard also needs to be sharp — Tim Duncan is smart about this, but Tiago Splitter can be a step slow at times, he does that this round and he’s in a LeBron poster.
Who controls paint/can the Heat rebound? Gregg Popovich is a smart man, he was taking notes on what the Pacers did to push the Heat to a seventh game — Indiana worked the ball inside, drew fouls to get to the line and dominated the offensive glass. The Spurs don’t have the raw size of the Pacers, but Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan are both smart, aggressive and a still bigger front line that will be able to hurt the Heat inside. In the games it won the Pacers grabbed around 40 percent of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, if the Spurs can keep that number above 30 percent they will give the Heat fits this series.
OUTLOOK
This is a great matchup on paper because San Antonio should do things that really bother the Heat.
For one, they are strong inside, too. While San Antonio doesn’t have anyone the size of Roy Hibbert they do have two legitimate, physical big men in Splitter and Duncan and the Spurs will get points inside. The Spurs can play physical; they just dusted the physical Grizzlies in four games.
What is more, Tony Parker is going to be a real problem for them. Miami has struggled at times against teams with top point guards — and right now Parker is playing at an MVP-like level. He’s averaging 23 points on 47.percent shooting (37 percent from three), plus dishing out 7.2 assists per game these playoffs. If he can get past the first-line of defense and into the paint the Heat will be in trouble. If he can deal with the aggressive traps of the Heat and move the ball to open shooters (who hit their shots) the Heat could be in trouble.
For the Spurs, the question these playoff was always could they beat a very athletic team? They didn’t last year, falling to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
But this year, due to the Russell Westbrook injury, the most athletic team the Spurs faced getting to the finals was Golden State, and while they have a couple good athletes on the roster they don’t compare to the Heat that way.
How does San Antonio deal with that? Which is another way of asking, what do they do when the Heat hit that extra gear they showed in Game 7 (and a couple other times against the Pacers)?
PREDICTION
Heat in six. The Spurs have a shot in this, they have the tools to exploit the Heat’s weaknesses and we know they are not going to melt down in the moment. But in the end this is a close series where a handful of times the Heat will hit the turbo button and go play on another level that the Spurs cannot stop. That will be enough to put Miami over the top.
NBA Finals schedule.
By The Sports Xchange
Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs
(All times EDT)
Game 1 -- Thursday, June 6, San Antonio at Miami, 9:00 p.m.
Game 2 -- Sunday, June 9, San Antonio at Miami, 8:00 p.m.
Game 3 -- Tuesday, June 11, Miami at San Antonio, 9:00 p.m.
Game 4 -- Thursday, June 13, Miami at San Antonio, 9:00 p.m.
Game 5* -- Sunday, June 16, Miami at San Antonio, 8:00 p.m.
Game 6* -- Tuesday, June 18, San Antonio at Miami, 9:00 p.m.
Game 7* -- Thursday, June 20, San Antonio at Miami, 9:00 p.m.
All games on ABC TV and ESPN Radio.
* -- If necessary
Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs
(All times EDT)
Game 1 -- Thursday, June 6, San Antonio at Miami, 9:00 p.m.
Game 2 -- Sunday, June 9, San Antonio at Miami, 8:00 p.m.
Game 3 -- Tuesday, June 11, Miami at San Antonio, 9:00 p.m.
Game 4 -- Thursday, June 13, Miami at San Antonio, 9:00 p.m.
Game 5* -- Sunday, June 16, Miami at San Antonio, 8:00 p.m.
Game 6* -- Tuesday, June 18, San Antonio at Miami, 9:00 p.m.
Game 7* -- Thursday, June 20, San Antonio at Miami, 9:00 p.m.
All games on ABC TV and ESPN Radio.
* -- If necessary
Deacon Jones of famed Fearsome Foursome dead at 74.
This 1964 handout provided by NFL photos, shows the Los Angeles Rams defensive front four, known as the "Fearsome Foursome." from left to right are Lamar Lundy (85), Merlin Olsen (74), Rosey Grier (76), and Deacon Jones (75). David "Deacon" Jones, a Hall of Fame defensive end credited with terming the word sack for how he knocked down quarterbacks.
By
David ''Deacon'' Jones, the original sackmaster, has died.
The Hall of Fame defensive end, credited with coining the word ''sack'' for how he knocked down quarterbacks, was 74. The Washington Redskins said Jones died of natural causes at his home in Southern California on Monday night.
''Deacon Jones was one of the greatest players in NFL history. Off the field, he was a true giant,'' said Redskins general manager Bruce Allen, whose father, George, coached Jones with the Los Angeles Rams. ''His passion and spirit will continue to inspire those who knew him. He was a cherished member of the Allen family and I will always consider him my big brother.''
Because sacks didn't become an official statistic until 1982, Jones' total is uncertain. His impact as a premier pass rusher and team leader is not.
Jones was the leader of the Rams' Fearsome Foursome unit from 1961-71 and then played for San Diego for two seasons before finishing his career with the Redskins in 1974. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and made the league's 75th anniversary all-time squad.
''Deacon Jones has been the most inspirational person in my football career,'' said former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood.
Jones made the Pro Bowl every year from 1964-70 and played in eight overall. He combined with fellow Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy on a defensive line that at times was unblockable.
Olsen died in March 2010 at age 69 and Lundy died in February 2007 at 71. Grier, who is 80, is the only surviving member of the Fearsome Foursome.
George Allen, who coached the Fearsome Foursome, called Jones the ''greatest defensive end of modern football.'' The Allen family had Jones present George Allen for his Hall of Fame induction in 2002.
The Rams' stats show Jones with 159 1/2 sacks for them and 173 1/2 for his career - all unofficial, of course. Jones also was one of the most durable players, missing just five games in his 14 pro seasons.
A 14th-round draft pick in 1961 out of Mississippi Valley State, which later produced Jerry Rice, Jones was the first defensive lineman with 100 solo tackles, reaching that mark in 1967.
''The thing we've got to remember being players in this era is to really respect the game 'back when,' because those guys could really play,'' said Chris Long of the Rams, whose father, Howie, also is in the Hall of Fame. ''Deacon Jones is a perfect example. This whole league and everybody in this game should honor the past and the players who played in that era. Those guys paved the way for us.''
Jones also had several small acting roles both during and after his playing career. He was a guest star on a handful of television shows - including episodes of ''Bewitched,'' ''The Brady Bunch'' and ''The Odd Couple'' - and appeared in the 1978 Warren Beatty film ''Heaven Can Wait.''
Most recently, Jones was the CEO of his own foundation, which he began in 1997. He also made several trips to visit troops on active duty in the Middle East.
U.S. Open odds still have Tiger Woods the favorite, but his odds have slipped.
By Shane Bacon
U.S. Open week is but a week away, and while golf's longest day might be kicking off this Monday, most of the names we've come to know in the golf world are already in the field at Merion.
The odds for the second major of 2013 have been updated over at golfodds.com, and Tiger Woods is still the clear favorite to win his 15th major championship but his odds have loosened up a bit.
A month ago Tiger was a 7/2 favorite at Merion, but after his play at the Memorial this past week where he shot 8-over for the tournament, good enough for a T-65, he moved to a 9/2 favorite. Rory McIlroy, who also struggled at Muirfield Village, finishing T-57, is a 15/1 favorite to win his third major championship while Memorial champion Matt Kuchar has moved up to 20/1 to win his first major at Merion.
The rest of the odds are after the jump. What value do you see on the board?
ODDS TO WIN:
TIGER WOODS 9/2
RORY McILROY 15/1
MATT KUCHAR 20/1
LEE WESTWOOD 25/1
PHIL MICKELSON 25/1
ADAM SCOTT 25/1
BRANDT SNEDEKER 25/1
JUSTIN ROSE 25/1
LUKE DONALD 30/1
CHARL SCHWARTZEL 30/1
GRAEME McDOWELL 30/1
SERGIO GARCIA 30/1
JASON DAY 40/1
DUSTIN JOHNSON 40/1
KEEGAN BRADLEY 40/1
JASON DUFNER 40/1
HUNTER MAHAN 40/1
STEVE STRICKER 40/1
JIM FURYK 40/1
WEBB SIMPSON 40/1
BUBBA WATSON 50/1
RICKIE FOWLER 50/1
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN 50/1
NICK WATNEY 60/1
IAN POULTER 60/1
THORBJORN OLESEN 60/1
BILL HAAS 60/1
BO VAN PELT 60/1
MARTIN KAYMER 80/1
PETER HANSON 80/1
HENRIK STENSON 80/1
PADRAIG HARRINGTON 80/1
ANGEL CABRERA 80/1
TIM CLARK 80/1
ERNIE ELS 60/1
FREDDIE JACOBSON 100/1
GEOFF OGILVY 100/1
NICOLAS COLSAERTS 100/1
K.J. CHOI 100/1
ZACH JOHNSON 80/1
MARTIN LAIRD 100/1
CHARLES HOWELL III 100/1
RYAN MOORE 125/1
FRANCESCO MOLINARI 100/1
MATTEO MANASSERO 60/1
GONZALO FERNANDEZ-CASTANO 150/1
STEWART CINK 125/1
GARY WOODLAND 150/1
AARON BADDELEY 200/1
BEN CRANE 150/1
RETIEF GOOSEN WD
BRANDEN GRACE 150/1
RICHARD STERNE 150/1
DAVID TOMS 150/1
JOHN SENDEN 150/1
CARL PETTERSSON 125/1
GEORGE COETZEE 150/1
ROBERT GARRIGUS 125/1
SCOTT PIERCY 150/1
JIMMY WALKER 150/1
Y.E. YANG 150/1
VIJAY SINGH 150/1
JOHN HUH 150/1
MARCEL SIEM 200/1
GREG CHALMERS 150/1
BRENDON DE JONGE 150/1
MARC LEISHMAN 100/1
MICHAEL THOMPSON 150/1
RUSSELL HENLEY 150/1
TREVOR IMMELMAN 150/1
LUCAS GLOVER 150/1
CHRIS WOOD 200/1
KEVIN CHAPPELL 125/1
LUKE GUTHRIE 200/1
SEUNG-YUL NOH 200/1
BRIAN GAY 200/1
RYAN PALMER 150/1
ROBERT KARLSSON 200/1
KEVIN NA 200/1
DAVID LYNN 200/1
RAFAEL CABRERA BELLO 200/1
KEVIN STREELMAN 100/1
PAUL LAWRIE 200/1
MARCUS FRASER 250/1
CHRIS KIRK 200/1
KYLE STANLEY 150/1
PAUL CASEY 200/1
THOMAS BJORN 250/1
JAMIE DONALDSON 250/1
ALEXANDER NOREN 200/1
BEN CURTIS 250/1
RYO ISHIKAWA 250/1
DARREN CLARKE 300/1
JOHN PETERSON 300/1
CASEY WITTENBERG 250/1
HIROYUKI FUJITA 500/1
MICHAEL CAMPBELL 500/1
MICHAEL WEAVER 1000/1
STEVEN FOX 1000/1
FIELD (all others) 10/1
Time to start thinking about golfing in Chicago; a true hidden gem of diverse courses.The odds for the second major of 2013 have been updated over at golfodds.com, and Tiger Woods is still the clear favorite to win his 15th major championship but his odds have loosened up a bit.
A month ago Tiger was a 7/2 favorite at Merion, but after his play at the Memorial this past week where he shot 8-over for the tournament, good enough for a T-65, he moved to a 9/2 favorite. Rory McIlroy, who also struggled at Muirfield Village, finishing T-57, is a 15/1 favorite to win his third major championship while Memorial champion Matt Kuchar has moved up to 20/1 to win his first major at Merion.
The rest of the odds are after the jump. What value do you see on the board?
ODDS TO WIN:
TIGER WOODS 9/2
RORY McILROY 15/1
MATT KUCHAR 20/1
LEE WESTWOOD 25/1
PHIL MICKELSON 25/1
ADAM SCOTT 25/1
BRANDT SNEDEKER 25/1
JUSTIN ROSE 25/1
LUKE DONALD 30/1
CHARL SCHWARTZEL 30/1
GRAEME McDOWELL 30/1
SERGIO GARCIA 30/1
JASON DAY 40/1
DUSTIN JOHNSON 40/1
KEEGAN BRADLEY 40/1
JASON DUFNER 40/1
HUNTER MAHAN 40/1
STEVE STRICKER 40/1
JIM FURYK 40/1
WEBB SIMPSON 40/1
BUBBA WATSON 50/1
RICKIE FOWLER 50/1
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN 50/1
NICK WATNEY 60/1
IAN POULTER 60/1
THORBJORN OLESEN 60/1
BILL HAAS 60/1
BO VAN PELT 60/1
MARTIN KAYMER 80/1
PETER HANSON 80/1
HENRIK STENSON 80/1
PADRAIG HARRINGTON 80/1
ANGEL CABRERA 80/1
TIM CLARK 80/1
ERNIE ELS 60/1
FREDDIE JACOBSON 100/1
GEOFF OGILVY 100/1
NICOLAS COLSAERTS 100/1
K.J. CHOI 100/1
ZACH JOHNSON 80/1
MARTIN LAIRD 100/1
CHARLES HOWELL III 100/1
RYAN MOORE 125/1
FRANCESCO MOLINARI 100/1
MATTEO MANASSERO 60/1
GONZALO FERNANDEZ-CASTANO 150/1
STEWART CINK 125/1
GARY WOODLAND 150/1
AARON BADDELEY 200/1
BEN CRANE 150/1
RETIEF GOOSEN WD
BRANDEN GRACE 150/1
RICHARD STERNE 150/1
DAVID TOMS 150/1
JOHN SENDEN 150/1
CARL PETTERSSON 125/1
GEORGE COETZEE 150/1
ROBERT GARRIGUS 125/1
SCOTT PIERCY 150/1
JIMMY WALKER 150/1
Y.E. YANG 150/1
VIJAY SINGH 150/1
JOHN HUH 150/1
MARCEL SIEM 200/1
GREG CHALMERS 150/1
BRENDON DE JONGE 150/1
MARC LEISHMAN 100/1
MICHAEL THOMPSON 150/1
RUSSELL HENLEY 150/1
TREVOR IMMELMAN 150/1
LUCAS GLOVER 150/1
CHRIS WOOD 200/1
KEVIN CHAPPELL 125/1
LUKE GUTHRIE 200/1
SEUNG-YUL NOH 200/1
BRIAN GAY 200/1
RYAN PALMER 150/1
ROBERT KARLSSON 200/1
KEVIN NA 200/1
DAVID LYNN 200/1
RAFAEL CABRERA BELLO 200/1
KEVIN STREELMAN 100/1
PAUL LAWRIE 200/1
MARCUS FRASER 250/1
CHRIS KIRK 200/1
KYLE STANLEY 150/1
PAUL CASEY 200/1
THOMAS BJORN 250/1
JAMIE DONALDSON 250/1
ALEXANDER NOREN 200/1
BEN CURTIS 250/1
RYO ISHIKAWA 250/1
DARREN CLARKE 300/1
JOHN PETERSON 300/1
CASEY WITTENBERG 250/1
HIROYUKI FUJITA 500/1
MICHAEL CAMPBELL 500/1
MICHAEL WEAVER 1000/1
STEVEN FOX 1000/1
FIELD (all others) 10/1
Chicago Sports & Travel/AllsportsAmerica wants you. Golf season is upon us and for you diehard golfers that want to try something different, come golf in Chicago. Our group at CS&T/AA, Golf Options Illinois Forever, is ready to accommodate you with some of the most diverse golf courses in one location. Regardless of your golfing ability, we have a group of courses for you to play. We arrange your transportation, lodging, tee times and any miscellaneous request that you might have. There is so much to see and do when you’re not on the golf course. Chicago has wonderful architecture, excellent museums, very good ethnic food, a great night life, remarkable professional sports teams, a diverse population with unlimited potential that has earned it several nicknames such as, “The city that works”, The city of big shoulders”, “The windy city”, “The second city” and “A true world class city.” It all works for us and we want to share it with you. Come golf in Chicago. Email us at chicagosportsandtravel@yahoo.com and let us see what we can do for you. We guarantee you that all of our packages are very rare but priced super fair. Try us, we’re sure you’ll like us. We sincerely look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, “Have a great sports day!!!!!"
2013 MLB Draft Order: Houston Astros Own Top Overall Pick.
Will the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies Take Advantage of This Year's Hot Prospects?
By Bradley Ryder
COMMENTARY | The 2013 MLB draft order is out. The Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies top the first round for this year's Major League Baseball draft.
While the Astros have just come off a series sweep against the Los Angeles Angels, scout and franchise officials can't afford to let a hot prospect get away Thursday, June 6. All eyes are on Kohl Stewart.
MLB 2013 draft: First-round draft order
1. Houston Astros
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Colorado Rockies
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Cleveland Indians
6. Miami Marlins
7. Boston Red Sox
8. Kansas City Royals
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
10. Toronto Blue Jays
11. New York Mets
12. Seattle Mariners
13. San Diego Padres
14. Pittsburgh Pirates
15. Arizona Diamondbacks
16. Philadelphia Phillies
17. Chicago White Sox
18. Los Angeles Dodgers
19. St. Louis Cardinals
20. Detroit Tigers
21. Tampa Bay Rays
22. Baltimore Orioles
23. Texas Rangers
24. Oakland Athletics
25. San Francisco Giants
26. New York Yankees
27. Cincinnati Reds
MLB teams with compensatory picks (due to free-agent departures over the summer)
28. St. Louis Cardinals: Kyle Lohse signed with the Milwaukee Brewers
29. Tampa Bay Rays: B.J. Upton signed with the Atlanta Braves
30. Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton signed with the Los Angeles Angels
31. Atlanta Braves: Michael Bourn signed with the Cleveland Indians
32. New York Yankees: Nick Swisher signed with the Cleveland Indians
33. New York Yankees: Rafael Soriano signed with the Washington Nationals
2013 MLB draft order: Competitive Balance Round A
34. Kansas City Royals
35. Miami Marlins (from the Pirates)
36. Arizona Diamondbacks
37. Baltimore Orioles
38. Cincinnati Reds
39. Detroit Tigers (from the Marlins)
Note: The first 73 MLB picks of the draft can be viewed on the MLB Network on Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m. ET. Television coverage begins one hour early. A preview of draft rounds 3-10 takes place Friday, June 7 on MLB.com at 12:30 p.m. ET. Finally, rounds 11-40 will be streamed on MLB.com on Saturday, June 8. Start time is 1 p.m. ET.
COMMENTARY | The 2013 MLB draft order is out. The Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies top the first round for this year's Major League Baseball draft.
While the Astros have just come off a series sweep against the Los Angeles Angels, scout and franchise officials can't afford to let a hot prospect get away Thursday, June 6. All eyes are on Kohl Stewart.
MLB 2013 draft: First-round draft order
1. Houston Astros
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Colorado Rockies
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Cleveland Indians
6. Miami Marlins
7. Boston Red Sox
8. Kansas City Royals
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
10. Toronto Blue Jays
11. New York Mets
12. Seattle Mariners
13. San Diego Padres
14. Pittsburgh Pirates
15. Arizona Diamondbacks
16. Philadelphia Phillies
17. Chicago White Sox
18. Los Angeles Dodgers
19. St. Louis Cardinals
20. Detroit Tigers
21. Tampa Bay Rays
22. Baltimore Orioles
23. Texas Rangers
24. Oakland Athletics
25. San Francisco Giants
26. New York Yankees
27. Cincinnati Reds
MLB teams with compensatory picks (due to free-agent departures over the summer)
28. St. Louis Cardinals: Kyle Lohse signed with the Milwaukee Brewers
29. Tampa Bay Rays: B.J. Upton signed with the Atlanta Braves
30. Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton signed with the Los Angeles Angels
31. Atlanta Braves: Michael Bourn signed with the Cleveland Indians
32. New York Yankees: Nick Swisher signed with the Cleveland Indians
33. New York Yankees: Rafael Soriano signed with the Washington Nationals
2013 MLB draft order: Competitive Balance Round A
34. Kansas City Royals
35. Miami Marlins (from the Pirates)
36. Arizona Diamondbacks
37. Baltimore Orioles
38. Cincinnati Reds
39. Detroit Tigers (from the Marlins)
Note: The first 73 MLB picks of the draft can be viewed on the MLB Network on Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m. ET. Television coverage begins one hour early. A preview of draft rounds 3-10 takes place Friday, June 7 on MLB.com at 12:30 p.m. ET. Finally, rounds 11-40 will be streamed on MLB.com on Saturday, June 8. Start time is 1 p.m. ET.
Search begins for 2014 Drive for Diversity candidates.
By Official NASCAR release
Rising stars Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr. capitalized on their opportunity under the NASCAR Driver for Diversity (D4D) banner, and now enjoy regular success in NASCAR's national series. Soon, the next generation of talent will be welcomed -- and that process starts now.
Applications are being accepted online for the NASCAR D4D Combine until Aug. 26. To access the application, please visit revracing.net/combine-application. Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) and Wallace (@BubbaWallace), both competing in their rookie seasons in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series respectively, participated in the program after being selected at the annual NASCAR D4D Combine.
"Through our partnership with Rev Racing, the NASCAR D4D initiative has shown increasing success in developing minority and female drivers who are ready to compete at the highest levels of our sport," said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. "The academy format that we have developed offers skilled drivers the training they need to move up to the next level of their racing careers."
The application for the annual Combine is the first phase of the selection process for the NASCAR D4D program. The Combine evaluation process consists of five elements: physical fitness, driver resume, media aptitude, driver communications/knowledge and driving skills on and off track.
"We are proud of the successes we've had to date, and are looking forward to welcoming a new group of participants in the fall," said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. "The talent level continues to rise each year, and the Combine process is the first step in developing the next generation of drivers for the sport."
Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 26 as of Oct. 15, and must be a member of an ethnic minority classification or a female of U.S. citizenship. Those who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. can apply to participate in the Combine as well. All drivers must demonstrate their skill and have experience in grassroots, local or regional racing. Drivers selected to participate in the Combine will be notified in the fall after the application process has closed. To learn more about NASCAR, the NASCAR D4D program and other diverse initiatives, log on to: www.nascardiversity.com
Applications are being accepted online for the NASCAR D4D Combine until Aug. 26. To access the application, please visit revracing.net/combine-application. Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) and Wallace (@BubbaWallace), both competing in their rookie seasons in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series respectively, participated in the program after being selected at the annual NASCAR D4D Combine.
"Through our partnership with Rev Racing, the NASCAR D4D initiative has shown increasing success in developing minority and female drivers who are ready to compete at the highest levels of our sport," said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. "The academy format that we have developed offers skilled drivers the training they need to move up to the next level of their racing careers."
The application for the annual Combine is the first phase of the selection process for the NASCAR D4D program. The Combine evaluation process consists of five elements: physical fitness, driver resume, media aptitude, driver communications/knowledge and driving skills on and off track.
"We are proud of the successes we've had to date, and are looking forward to welcoming a new group of participants in the fall," said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. "The talent level continues to rise each year, and the Combine process is the first step in developing the next generation of drivers for the sport."
Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 26 as of Oct. 15, and must be a member of an ethnic minority classification or a female of U.S. citizenship. Those who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. can apply to participate in the Combine as well. All drivers must demonstrate their skill and have experience in grassroots, local or regional racing. Drivers selected to participate in the Combine will be notified in the fall after the application process has closed. To learn more about NASCAR, the NASCAR D4D program and other diverse initiatives, log on to: www.nascardiversity.com
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dismantles Roger Federer in French Open quarterfinal.
By Shane Bacon
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — Getty Images
It is rare to see Roger Federer rattled. The greatest tennis champion the world has ever seen has been playing at such a high level for so many years that you almost expect him to waltz into semifinals and finals no matter his age, because he's never seemed to show his battle with Father Time.
But Tuesday at the French Open, it seemed that everything we are used to seeing from Federer was out the window. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Federer 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 and to say it didn't even feel that close would be fairly accurate.
Federer got up a break early in the first set and it looked like we could cruise to a 1-0 lead in this quarterfinals match, but Tsonga battled back, winning the first set, getting off to a hot start in the second and then continuing his domination in the third just as it seemed the 17-time Grand Slam champion was finally figuring out how to play a man he has had plenty of battles with over the years.
Tsonga simply never let up. He kept pounding the ball harder at Federer who, for some reason, decided to play that same game. The 31-year-old never deviated from his plan, and while it allowed him to get off to a hot start, he simply couldn't keep up with the power of the Frenchman.
The stats pretty much sum up what happened to Federer in Paris. He didn't have a single ace, carded three double-faults and won just 58 percent of his first serves (Tsonga, on the other hand, won 81 percent of his first serves). Federer had 34 unforced errors in just three short sets and couldn't seem to figure out a game plan that would prove effective against Tsonga.
Now the battle for Tsonga reaches something similar to what Andy Murray deals with at Wimbledon. A Frenchman hasn't won this event since Yannick Noah in 1983, but he will have his work cut out for him going forward.
Tsonga will face David Ferrer in the semifinals, and if he can get past the quick Spaniard it will most likely be Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, who have yet to play their quarterfinal matches, which isn't exactly what you'd consider a breeze to the trophy.
Still, a statement match for Tsonga who had lost his last five matches against Federer coming into this French Open.
But Tuesday at the French Open, it seemed that everything we are used to seeing from Federer was out the window. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Federer 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 and to say it didn't even feel that close would be fairly accurate.
Federer got up a break early in the first set and it looked like we could cruise to a 1-0 lead in this quarterfinals match, but Tsonga battled back, winning the first set, getting off to a hot start in the second and then continuing his domination in the third just as it seemed the 17-time Grand Slam champion was finally figuring out how to play a man he has had plenty of battles with over the years.
Tsonga simply never let up. He kept pounding the ball harder at Federer who, for some reason, decided to play that same game. The 31-year-old never deviated from his plan, and while it allowed him to get off to a hot start, he simply couldn't keep up with the power of the Frenchman.
The stats pretty much sum up what happened to Federer in Paris. He didn't have a single ace, carded three double-faults and won just 58 percent of his first serves (Tsonga, on the other hand, won 81 percent of his first serves). Federer had 34 unforced errors in just three short sets and couldn't seem to figure out a game plan that would prove effective against Tsonga.
Now the battle for Tsonga reaches something similar to what Andy Murray deals with at Wimbledon. A Frenchman hasn't won this event since Yannick Noah in 1983, but he will have his work cut out for him going forward.
Tsonga will face David Ferrer in the semifinals, and if he can get past the quick Spaniard it will most likely be Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, who have yet to play their quarterfinal matches, which isn't exactly what you'd consider a breeze to the trophy.
Still, a statement match for Tsonga who had lost his last five matches against Federer coming into this French Open.
Breaking News Report: MLB trying to suspend A-Rod, Ryan Braun, others connected to Biogenesis clinic with new help from clinic founder Anthony Bosch.
By Mike Oz
(Getty Images)
Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun and other players connected to the PED scandal at the Miami-area Biogenesis clinic could be suspended soon by Major League Baseball, according to a new ESPN "Outside the Lines" report.
There's a startling new development making this all possible. Clinic owner Anthony Bosch had agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball's investigation. From ESPN's story:
There's a startling new development making this all possible. Clinic owner Anthony Bosch had agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball's investigation. From ESPN's story:
One source familiar with the case said the commissioner's office might seek 100-game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offense. The argument, the source said, is that the players' connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another. Bosch and his attorneys did not return several calls. MLB officials refused to comment when reached Tuesday.
Bosch is expected to begin meeting with officials — and naming names — within a week. The announcement of suspensions could follow within two weeks.
Investigators have had records naming about 20 players for more than a month. But without a sworn statement from Bosch that the records are accurate and reflect illicit interactions between the players and the self-described biochemist, the documents were little more than a road map.
This could be a league-shaking development. Among the players already connected to Biogenesis through documents leaked to the Miami New Times, Yahoo! Sports and ESPN: A-Rod, Braun, Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon, Yasmani Grandal, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Jhonny Peralta and Everth Cabrera. Other players could still be linked to Biogenesis through Bosch's testimony.
The ESPN story also says that Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez may be "possibly exonerated." He had previously passed a post-Biogenesis drug test. There are also questions about Yankees star Robinson Cano's ties to the clinic. More from ESPN:
The ESPN story also says that Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez may be "possibly exonerated." He had previously passed a post-Biogenesis drug test. There are also questions about Yankees star Robinson Cano's ties to the clinic. More from ESPN:
In exchange for Bosch's full cooperation, sources said, Major League Baseball will drop the lawsuit it filed against Bosch in March; indemnify him for any liability arising from his cooperation; provide personal security for him and even put in a good word with any law enforcement agency that may bring charges against him. Sources said negotiations over the agreement, which lasted several weeks, stalled over the last point, as Bosch wanted the strongest assurances he could get that MLB would help mitigate any prosecution.
Stay tuned. We certainly haven't heard the end of this.
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