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Sports Quote of the Day:
"Success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no easy way." John Wooden, Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! NFC North is now the Bears’ to lose.
By John Mullin
Getting a second straight win for the first time since their 3-0 start was a critical step for the Bears toward remaining relevant in the NFC North.
The second step came Monday night in Detroit as the Lions lost their second straight, leaving them at 7-7 and looking up at the Bears, who moved to 8-6 with their win over the Cleveland Browns.
Another “second:” The Lions lost a fourth-quarter lead for the second straight game, at Philadelphia in the snow a week ago and this time at home to the Baltimore Ravens.
If the Bears win out, at Philadelphia next Sunday night and at Soldier Field the last Sunday of the season against the Green Bay Packers, they win the NFC North and are assured at least one home playoff game.
Week, opponent, day/date/time
1. Cincinnati Bengals (9-5), W, 24-21
Bears were being run out 21-10 and down 325-97 in yardage midway through the third quarter. Jay Cutler takes control of fourth quarter, and fourth-down Matt Forte run sets up winning Brandon Marshall touchdown pass.
2. Minnesota Vikings (4-9-1), W, 31-30
Jay Cutler directs second straight fourth-quarter comeback, finishing with touchdown pass to Martellus Bennett as defense “holds” Adrian Peterson to 100 yards but zero touchdowns or breakaways.
3. at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8), W, 40-23
A 24-3 lead erodes to 27-23 before offense rallies to hold off a reeling Steelers team done in by five turnovers vs. no takeaways. Jay Cutler goes for controlled offense, with zero interceptions in smart win over difficult “D.”
4. at Detroit Lions (7-7), L, 40-32
Jay Cutler throws three interceptions and loses a fumble for a Detroit touchdown as the Lions score 27 points in the second quarter, 24 unanswered, as offense, defense and special teams all contribute to loss.
5. New Orleans Saints (10-4), L, 26-18
New Orleans remains the only undefeated NFC team after Bears' early mistakes (three sacks in the first 12 plays, two fumbles in the first four) undercut any chance to catch a good conference rival.
6. New York Giants (5-9), W, 27-21
Brandon Jacobs runs for 106 yards, but Jay Cutler puts up fifth 90-plus passer rating with 2 touchdown passes to Brandon Marshall as Eli Manning throws three picks, one for a pick-six.
7. at Washington Redskins (3-11), L, 45-41
Losing the game was overshadowed by groin injury to Jay Cutler and continuing woes on defense (499 yards allowed).
8. OFF WEEK
9. at Green Bay Packers (7-6-1), W, 27-20
Josh McCown takes over for injured Jay Cutler and guides offense to 442 yards and five scoring possessions out of 11. Aaron Rodgers suffers broken collarbone early, and Packers can’t win despite 199 rushing yards.
10. Detroit Lions (7-7), L, 21-19
Jay Cutler tries to return from groin tear but suffers a high-ankle sprain that’ll have him down several weeks. Charles Tillman to IR with a triceps injury. Josh McCown directs touchdown drive that falls short when Bears can’t convert on two two-point tries.
11. Baltimore Ravens (8-6), W, 23-20 (OT)
Offense overcomes storm onslaught and hour-and-53-minute interruption, with Josh McCown continuing to play turnover-free, and defense is able to make crucial stops late. Robbie Gould’s 38-yard field goal provides the game-winner.
12. at St. Louis Rams (6-8), L, 42-21
Defense gives up 258 rushing yards, and offense ends a seven-minute drive with no points by failing to punch in after first-and-goal at Rams 4, and needing three minutes to score from the St. Louis 1.
13. at Minnesota Vikings (4-9-1), L, 23-20 (OT)
Robbie Gould misses field goal from 47 yards after coach Marc Trestman opts to kick on second down vs. risking trying to move closer. Alshon Jeffery nets 249 receiving yards, but Adrian Peterson passes 10,000 for his career with 211 on 35 carries.
14. Dallas Cowboys (7-7), W, 45-28
Offense scores on all eight possessions with Josh McCown keeping quarterback controversy going with 346 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and a rushing one with a leap over would-be tacklers.
15. at Cleveland Browns (4-10), W, 38-31
The return of Jay Cutler as starter gets off to a shaky beginning with two first-half interceptions, then finishes with a fourth quarter of 21 points to save the season for another week.
16. at Philadelphia Eagles (7-6), Sun., Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Eagles defense is shredded by a Vikings offense that is without Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart and living on the arm of Matt Cassel, plus third-stringer Matt Asiata scoring three rushing touchdowns.
17. Green Bay Packers (7-6-1), Sun., Dec. 29, noon
Aaron who? Matt Flynn produces a second straight win to keep Packers within reach of Bears and Lions by rallying from a 26-3 hole against inept Jason Garrett, Tony Romo and the brain-light Cowboys.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks 3, Predators 1.
By Bucky Dent, The Sports Xchange
Power-play hockey continues to be the Chicago Blackhawks' friend.
Right winger Patrick Kane and defenseman Nick Leddy scored extra-man markers Tuesday night, giving Chicago a power-play goal in 10 straight games and a 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.
Rookie goaltender Antti Raanta (7-1-1) recorded 27 saves, including 16 in the first period, as the Blackhawks improved their league-best record to 25-7-5. It was the 685th career win for coach Joel Quenneville, moving him out of a fourth-place tie in NHL history with Pat Quinn.
Nashville (16-15-3) saw its three-game winning streak end as it generated few chances after the first period. It managed only 11 shots on goal over the final two periods.
Defenseman Duncan Keith gave Chicago a 1-0 lead at 1:29 of the first period with his third goal, rifling a 37-foot slap shot from the high slot past goalie Carter Hutton.
But center Marcus Kruger committed a faceoff violation right after the goal, and the Predators converted the ensuing power play. Defenseman Shea Weber ripped a slapper from just above the left faceoff circle past Raanta at 3:03 for his eighth goal.
Kane put the Blackhawks ahead for good with his 20th goal, a slick backhander over Hutton's left shoulder at 16:14 of the first. It occurred 38 seconds after Nashville center Colin Wilson took a minor for holding.
With Predators left winger Viktor Stalberg in the penalty box for tripping, Leddy upped the lead to two goals at 11:33, ramming home the rebound of a shot by left winger Brandon Saad for his fourth goal. The score was originally waved off by rookie referee Trevor Hanson, but a replay review reversed the call.
It was the 14th power-play tally for Chicago during its current streak with the extra man. In the last 10 games, it scored 34.1 percent of the time while on the power play.
Hutton (7-4-1), who was named the NHL's third star last week after allowing just four goals in three wins, finished with 24 saves.
NOTES: Nashville C Filip Forsberg, on injured reserve since sustaining an upper-body injury Nov. 15, skated with the team Tuesday morning. Coach Barry Trotz offered no timetable for the rookie's return. ... Chicago LW Bryan Bickell, who missed 15 games with a lower-body injury suffered Nov. 19 at Colorado, was activated from IR and played Tuesday night. ... Predators G Marek Mazanec did not dress due to an illness. He replaced by Magnus Hellberg, who was called up from AHL Milwaukee to back up starter Carter Hutton. ... Entering the night, Chicago had six players with 10 or more goals. No other team had more than three players with double-digit goal totals. Nashville had no one with more than eight goals.
By Greg Wyshynski
(AP PHOTO)
Tricia Drummond opened her eyes, staring at a group of people that were staring down at her. She wasn’t sure how she ended up on the Verizon Center floor. She didn’t know why she was bleeding, because she didn’t feel any pain.
She had no clue that a puck had flown from the rink and rocketed off her right temple, knocking her unconscious in the third period of the Washington Capitals’ game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon.
Or that a nasty gash had opened up over her eye.It wasn’t the first puck she had taken to the head, having played hockey since she was eight years old, growing up in New Jersey and then in Central Virginia as an adult. But that rubber bounced off her helmet; this puck ripped open her forehead.
“My worst hockey injury, and I was a spectator. Go figure,” Drummond told Yahoo Sports on Monday.
EMS workers took Drummond down to a medical room in the arena, where her injury was examined. It was determined she needed stitches.
Then she heard Alex Ovechkin tie the game in the final minute of the third period to complete a three-goal rally against the Flyers.
“I’ll get stitches later,” she said.
So Drummond returned to her seat near the glass and the Flyers’ bench, wearing a blood-stained Ovechkin sweater and with gauze pressed tightly on her gaping wound. From there she watched Washington win in a (thankfully short) shootout, 5-4.
She had driven over two hours from Williamsburg to witness one of the Capitals’ biggest wins this season. She left with quite an unexpected souvenir.
“Two hours later, my head was bumpin’” said Drummond, who received five stitches at George Washington University Medical Center that night. “It looked way worse than I thought it would.
As her head throbbed, her phone kept vibrating with messages from friends that had witnessed the incident on the Caps’ broadcast. Soon her phone was blowing up with screen captures and video of the puck hitting her in the head – with some good-natured razzing.
“They’re all [expletives]. I’m just kidding,” said Drummond, who’s a comedian that works with several Improv groups in the area.
Having played the game, having dedicated herself to Capitals fandom, Drummond said taking a puck to the head at the game managed to make her feel even closer to the team.
“Every time you go to a live game, every time you go to an event, you feel closer. The team becomes almost personal,” she said. “I don’t know how much more of a Caps fan I can get.”
Bleeding for your team does tend to raise the bar.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session… Latest loss proves nothing going right for Bulls these days.
By Aggrey Sam
“I missed the layup.”
Not that he could have, but Luol Deng made no excuses. With 6.8 seconds left Monday night, the Bulls finally got back into the game against the Magic, closing to within two points after Orlando swingman Arron Afflalo split a pair of free throws.
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau drew up an exquisite play during a timeout, with Deng inbounding to Joakim Noah and the center, perhaps the best big-man passer in the game, threw a perfect backdoor pass to the All-Star small forward — who somehow missed the game-tying layup with 2.9 seconds to go, leading to an eventual 83-82 defeat at the United Center.
“I had a good angle, great pass by Jo. I missed the shot. I knew I missed it when it left my hand,” a dejected Deng explained. “I couldn’t really grab it back. I was falling, and I couldn’t get the offensive rebound. Just a bad, bad miss on my part.
“Guys played hard. We fell behind. Give Orlando credit. Guys played hard, and we played hard enough to win the game,” he went on to say. “I missed the layup, and it’s on me. Jo made a great play. Coach drew a great play, trusted me to make that shot, and I make it most of the time. I missed it today.”
And he’s right. A shot he finishes 99 times out of 100 doesn’t go and the Bulls lose for the 11th time in 14 tries and fourth consecutive home game, and after falling to the likes of Milwaukee, Toronto, New York and Orlando recently, they’re faced with a two-game road trip, where they will take on much more powerful opponents in Houston and Oklahoma City.
It isn’t the best of stretches the Bulls are experiencing right now and could get worse before it gets better. But Thibodeau had a different take on both the game and the team’s overall outlook.
“We missed the layup. Sometimes that happens, but there were a lot of plays before that that hurt us more than that, that put us in that position. We’re missing a lot of layups right now, as a team. That’s on me. We’ve got to work harder in practice on that, so we will. We’ll get that straightened out,” the coach explained. “The rebounding, I thought, cost us. So the thing that bothered me — it wasn’t going our way — and as I said, as a team we missed a lot of layups and then we jogged back. In the end, when you lose by a point or two points or a possession, you look back at the game and that’s part of the game. There are going to be some misses, there’s going to be some mistakes. But the one thing we can control is sprinting back, so that’s something that has to be taken care of. We’ve got to have the toughness to get through tough times. So the ability to pick yourself up, not to hang your head, to keep fighting, to fight the good fight, that’s what we’ve all got to do.
“We were down big, and I thought we started grinding. When we did that, we started playing a lot harder and we came back, and we had a shot at it. But you hate to be playing from behind all the time. I think it’s important to be playing with the lead, so I think readiness to play is critical. I think right now, we have some different combinations out there and we haven’t had a lot of practice time,” he continued. “So when we do practice, when we get into our shootarounds and stuff, I think the intensity of the shootaround has to be greater because essentially, that’s our practice, and so we’ve got to make sure that we do our drills in practice with the intensity that we’re going to have to do them in the game, so that it’s not something different and so I think we can do that. The one thing I do know is that when this team practices well, they play well. So we’ve got to get back to that.”
All inspiring, motivating stuff, but what really sticks out is how Thibodeau attempted to take the blame for not only Deng’s miss but the entire squad’s ineffective finishing around the basket. Read it again: “We’re missing a lot of layups right now, as a team. That’s on me. We’ve got to work harder in practice on that, so we will. We’ll get that straightened out.”
When asked exactly how he, a coach, was responsible for his players’ missed layups, Thibodeau was ready with an answer.
“Because my job is to make sure we’re ready to make our layups, so we obviously have to work harder in practice on taking layups and making layups and doing them at a game-like speed. So I’m going to put more into that. So that part is on me,” he explained. “We usually do it (practice layups) all the time. Usually, every practice we do it, and so we’ve gotten away (from it) in the past couple of days and it shows, so that part is on me and I’m going to get that corrected.”
When that explanation was posed to Noah, the All-Star center was confused.
“Correct us missing layups in practice?” he repeated.
But his resolve about how to get the team out of its funk, particularly after his pointed comments following Saturday’s loss to Toronto, was clear.
“You win together, you lose together. It’s not pointing fingers at anybody when things get hard. It’s what we can do better as a team. I’d never point any fingers at any player or any coach or anybody.
It’s just all of us as a unit. We have to do a better job of getting this done,” Noah said. “I think we’ve got a resilient group. Losing is really hard, there’s adversity right now, but we’ve got to find a way to correct it. Nobody has all the answers. I just know our spacing is terrible right now, we’re not getting any easy baskets and we’ve just got to find a way to do better.”
It sounds good, and because they've done it before, you want to believe them. But right now, even though their honesty is admirable, there's no telling when good intentions will turn into on-court results.
2014 MLB Free Agent Tracker, 12/16/2013.
By Matthew Pouliot
Here’s the rundown of where this winter’s top 150 free agents are landing, continuously updated throughout the offseason. Re-signings are posted in red, while players signing with new teams are in blue.
Stars denote players who received qualifying offers and thus will cost their new team a draft pick if they sign elsewhere.
(Non-tenders have been added to the list, noted with an NT.)
All ages are as of April 1, 2014.
1. Robinson Cano (2B Yankees, 31)*: Mariners – 10 years, $240 million
2. Jacoby Ellsbury (OF Red Sox, 30)*: Yankees – seven years, $153 million
x. Masahiro Tanaka (RHP Japan, 25):
3. Shin-Soo Choo (OF Reds, 31)*:
4. Matt Garza (RHP Rangers, 30):
5. Ervin Santana (RHP Royals, 31)*:
6. Ubaldo Jimenez (RHP Indians, 29)*:
7. Brian McCann (C Braves, 30)*: Yankees – five years, $85 mil + option
8. Curtis Granderson (OF Yankees, 33)*: Mets – four years, $60 million
9. Carlos Beltran (OF Cardinals, 36)*: Yankees – three years, $45 million
10. Hiroki Kuroda (RHP Yankees, 39)*: Yankees – one year, $16 million
11. A.J. Burnett (RHP Pirates, 37):
12. Nelson Cruz (OF Rangers, 33)*:
13. Mike Napoli (1B Red Sox, 32)*: Red Sox – two years, $32 million
14. Tim Hudson (RHP Braves, 38): Giants – two years, $23 million
15. Stephen Drew (SS Red Sox, 31)*:
16. Bronson Arroyo (RHP Reds, 37):
17. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (C Red Sox, 28): Marlins – three years, $21 million
18. Joe Nathan (RHP Rangers, 39): Tigers – two years, $20 mil + option
19. Bartolo Colon (RHP Athletics, 40): Mets – two years, $20 million
20. Ricky Nolasco (RHP Dodgers, 31): Twins – four years, $49 million + option
21. Jason Vargas (LHP Angels, 31): Royals – four years, $32 million
22. Kendrys Morales (1B-DH Mariners, 30)*:
23. Brian Wilson (RHP Dodgers, 32): Dodgers – one year, $10 mil + player option
24. Dan Haren (RHP Nationals, 33): Dodgers – one year, $10 mil + vesting option
25. Scott Kazmir (LHP Indians, 30): Athletics – two years, $22 million
26. Phil Hughes (RHP Yankees, 27): Twins – three years, $24 million
27. Jhonny Peralta (SS Tigers, 31): Cardinals – four years, $53 million
28. Grant Balfour (RHP Athletics, 36):
29. Scott Feldman (RHP Orioles, 31): Astros – three years, $30 million
30. Corey Hart (1B-OF Brewers, 32): Mariners – one year, $6 mil ($7 mil incentives)
31. Josh Johnson (RHP Blue Jays, 30): Padres – one year, $8 million
32. Paul Maholm (LHP Braves, 31):
33. James Loney (1B Rays, 29): Rays – three years, $21 million
34. Omar Infante (2B Tigers, 32): Royals – four years, $30.25 million
35. Joaquin Benoit (RHP Tigers, 36):
36. Fernando Rodney (RHP Rays, 37):
37. Marlon Byrd (OF Pirates, 36): Phillies – two years, $16 mil + vesting option
38. Carlos Ruiz (C Phillies, 35): Phillies – three years, $26 million + option
39. Chris Young (OF Athletics, 30): Mets – one year, $7.25 million
40. Suk-Min Yoon (RHP Korea, 27):
x. Yoshio Itoi (OF Japan, 32): Unlikely to be posted
41. Roy Halladay (RHP Phillies, 36): Retired
42. Joe Smith (RHP Indians, 30): Angels – three years, $15.75 million
43. Derek Jeter (SS Yankees, 39): Yankees – one year, $12 million
44. Scott Baker (RHP Cubs, 32):
45. A.J. Pierzynski (C Rangers, 37): Red Sox – one year, $8.25 million
46. Randy Messenger (RHP Japan, 32): Staying in Japan – three-year deal
47. Jesse Crain (RHP Rays, 32):
48. Wandy Rodriguez (LHP Pirates, 35): Pirates – exercised $13 mil player option
49. David Murphy (OF Rangers, 32): Indians – two years, $12 mil + option
50. Edward Mujica (RHP Cardinals, 29): Red Sox – two years, $9.5 million
51. Kevin Youkilis (1B-3B Yankees, 35):
52. Chris Perez (RHP Indians, 28):
53. Michael Morse (OF Orioles, 31): Giants – one year, $6 million
54. Justin Morneau (1B Pirates, 32): Rockies – two years, $13 million
55. Javier Lopez (LHP Giants, 36): Giants – three years, $13 million
56. J.P. Howell (LHP Dodgers, 30):
57. David DeJesus (OF Rays, 34): Rays – two years, $10.5 mil + option
58. Mark Ellis (2B Dodgers, 36): Cardinals – one year, $5.25 million
59. Boone Logan (LHP Yankees, 29): Rockies – three years, $16.5 million
60. Jason Hammel (RHP Orioles, 31):
61. Bruce Chen (LHP Royals, 36):
62. Francisco Rodriguez (RHP Orioles, 32):
63. Juan Uribe (3B Dodgers, 35): Dodgers – two years, $15 million
64. Jake Westbrook (RHP Cardinals, 36):
65. Chris Capuano (LHP Dodgers, 35):
66. Carlos Marmol (RHP Dodgers, 31):
67. Dioner Navarro (C Cubs, 30): Blue Jays – two years, $8 million
68. Kelly Johnson (2B-OF Rays, 32): Yankees – one year, $3 million
69. Ryan Vogelsong (RHP Giants, 36): Giants – one year, $5 mil + $2.5 mil incentives
70. Manny Parra (LHP Reds, 31): Reds – two years, $5.5 million
70 1/2. Jose Veras (RHP Tigers, 33):
71. Colby Lewis (RHP Rangers, 34): Rangers – minor league deal ($2 mil + $4 mil incentives)
72. Eric Chavez (3B Diamondbacks, 36):
NT. Garrett Jones (1B-OF Pirates, 32): Marlins – two years, $7.75 million
73. Michael Young (INF Dodgers, 37):
74. Joe Saunders (LHP Mariners, 32):
75. Nate McLouth (OF Orioles, 32): Nationals – two years, $10.75 mil + option
76. Chad Gaudin (RHP Giants, 31):
77. Mark Reynolds (1B-3B Yankees, 30):
78. Scott Downs (LHP Braves, 38):
79. Mike Pelfrey (RHP Twins, 30): Twins – two years, $11 million
NT: John Axford (RHP Cardinals, 31): Indians – one year, $4.5 million
80. Paul Konerko (1B White Sox, 38): White Sox – one year, $2.5 million
81. Gavin Floyd (RHP White Sox, 31): Braves – one year, $4 mil ($4.5 mil incentives)
82. Joba Chamberlain (RHP Yankees, 28): Tigers – one year, $2.5 million
83. Eric O’Flaherty (LHP Braves, 28):
84. Brian Roberts (2B Orioles, 35):
85. Kurt Suzuki (C Athletics, 30):
86. Raul Ibanez (OF-DH Mariners, 41):
87. Joel Hanrahan (RHP Red Sox, 32):
88. Matt Belisle (RHP Rockies, 33): Rockies – one year, $4.25 mil (option exercised)
89. Oliver Perez (LHP Mariners, 32):
90. Rafael Furcal (SS Cardinals, 36): Marlins – one year, $3 million
NT. Ronald Belisario (RHP Dodgers, 31): White Sox – one year, $3 million
91. Geovany Soto (C Rangers, 31): Rangers – one year, $3.05 million
NT. Jerome Williams (RHP Angels, 32):
92. Jason Kubel (OF-DH Indians, 31): Twins – minor league contract
NT. Ryan Webb (RHP Marlins, 28): Orioles – two years, $4.5 million
NT. J.P. Arencibia (C Blue Jays, 28): Rangers – one year, $1.8 mil + $300,00o incentives
93. Chris Carpenter (RHP Cardinals, 38): Retired
94. Franklin Gutierrez (OF Mariners, 31):
95. Jamey Wright (RHP Rays, 39):
96. Edinson Volquez (RHP Dodgers, 30): Pirates – one year, $5 million
97. Rajai Davis (OF Blue Jays, 33): Tigers – two years, $10 million
98. Shaun Marcum (RHP Mets, 32): Indians – minor league deal ($1 mil + $3 mil incentives)
99. John Buck (C Pirates, 33):
100. Matt Thornton (LHP Red Sox, 37):
101. Lance Berkman (DH Rangers, 38):
102. Roberto Hernandez (RHP Rays, 33): Phillies – one year, $4.5 million
103. Jeff Baker (INF-OF Rangers, 32):
104. Kevin Gregg (RHP Cubs, 35):
105. Takashi Toritani (INF Japan, 32): Staying in Japan
106. Erik Bedard (LHP Astros, 35):
107. Skip Schumaker (2B-OF Dodgers, 34): Reds – two years, $5 million
108. LaTroy Hawkins (RHP Mets, 41): Rockies – one year, $2.5 mil + option
110. Ryan Madson (RHP FA, 33):
111. Clint Barmes (SS Pirates, 35): Pirates – one year, $2 million
112. Willie Bloomquist (INF Diamondbacks, 36): Mariners – two years, $5.8 million
113. Delmon Young (OF-DH Rays, 28):
114. Ted Lilly (LHP FA, 38): Retired
115. Luke Scott (OF Rays, 35):
116. Jose Molina (C Rays, 38): Rays – two years, $4.5 million
117. Brendan Ryan (SS Yankees, 32): Yankees – two years, $5 mil + option
118. Johan Santana (LHP Mets, 35):
119. Michael Gonzalez (LHP Brewers, 35):
120. Nick Punto (INF Dodgers, 36): Athletics – one year, $3 mil + option
121. Chad Qualls (RHP Marlins, 35): Astros – two years, $6 mil + option
122. Brayan Pena (C Tigers, 32): Reds – two years, undisclosed sum
NT. Andrew Bailey (RHP Red Sox, 29):
123. Aaron Harang (RHP Mets, 35):
124. Luis Ayala (RHP Braves, 36):
125. Jerry Hairston Jr. (INF-OF Dodgers, 37): Retired
126. Juan Carlos Oviedo (RHP Rays, 32): Rays – one year, $1.5 million
NT. Daniel Hudson (RHP Diamondbacks, 27): Diamondbacks – minor league contract
127. Kyle Farnsworth (RHP Pirates, 37):
128. Barry Zito (LHP Giants, 35):
129. David Aardsma (RHP Mets, 32):
NT. Wesley Wright (LHP Rays, 29): Cubs – one year, $1.425 million
130. Yuniesky Betancourt (INF Brewers, 32):
131. Alfredo Aceves (RHP Red Sox, 32):
132. Placido Polanco (3B Marlins, 37):
133. Daisuke Matsuzaka (RHP Mets, 33):
134. Wilson Betemit (3B FA, 32):
NT. Jayson Nix (INF Yankees, 31):
135. Brett Myers (RHP Indians, 33):
136. Jeff Karstens (RHP Pirates, 31):
137. Roy Oswalt (RHP Rockies, 36):
138. Juan Pierre (OF Marlins, 36):
139. Octavio Dotel (RHP Tigers, 40):
140. Frank Francisco (RHP Mets, 34):
NT. Tommy Hanson (RHP Angels, 27):
141. Clayton Richard (LHP Padres, 30):
142. Reed Johnson (OF Braves, 37):
143. Wil Nieves (C Diamondbacks, 36): Phillies – one year, undisclosed sum
144. Grady Sizemore (OF FA, 31):
145. Tsuyoshi Wada (LHP Orioles, 33): Cubs – minor league contract
NT. Lou Marson (C Indians, 27):
146. Yorvit Torrealba (C Rockies, 35):
147. John Lannan (LHP Phillies, 29):
148. Andres Torres (OF Giants, 36):
149. Jamey Carroll (INF Royals, 40):
150. Rich Hill (LHP Indians, 34):
Signed pre-rankings:
Jose Abreu (1B Cuba): White Sox – six years, $68 million
Tim Lincecum (RHP Giants): Giants – two years, $35 million
Alexander Guerrero (INF Cuba): Dodgers – four years, $28 million
Ryan Sweeney (OF Cubs): Cubs – two years, $3.5 million + option
Jason Frasor (RHP Rangers): Rangers – one year, $1.5 million
Other signings:
Matt Albers (RHP Indians): Astros – one year, $2.45 million + option
Felipe Paulino (RHP Royals): White Sox – one year, $1.75 million
David Cooper (1B FA): Indians – one year, undisclosed sum
Jason Giambi (DH Indians): Indians – minor league contract
Chris Young (RHP Nationals): Nationals – minor league contract
Qualifiers for the 2014 Masters.
By AP Sports
The 90 players who have qualified and are expected to compete in the 78th Masters, to be played April 10-13 at Augusta National Golf Club. Players listed in only first category for which they are eligible.
MASTERS CHAMPIONS: Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O'Meara, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson.
U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS (five years): Justin Rose, Webb Simpson, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Lucas Glover.
BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONS (five years): Ernie Els, Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen, Stewart Cink.
PGA CHAMPIONS (five years): Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Martin Kaymer, Y.E. Yang.
PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIPS CHAMPIONS (three years): Matt Kuchar, K.J. Choi.
U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPION AND RUNNER-UP: a-Matt Fitzpatrick, a-Oliver Goss.
BRITISH AMATEUR CHAMPION: a-Garrick Porteous.
U.S. AMATEUR PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPION: a-Jordan Niebrugge.
U.S. MID-AMATEUR CHAMPION: a-Michael McCoy.
ASIAN AMATEUR CHAMPION: a-Lee Chang-woo.
TOP 12 AND TIES-2013 MASTERS: Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Thorbjorn Olesen, Brandt Snedeker, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Tim Clark, John Huh.
TOP FOUR AND TIES-2013 U.S. OPEN: Billy Horschel, Hunter Mahan.
TOP FOUR AND TIES-2013 BRITISH OPEN: Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter.
TOP FOUR AND TIES-2013 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Jim Furyk, Jonas Blixt.
PGA TOUR EVENT WINNERS SINCE 2013 MASTERS (FULL FEDEX CUP POINTS AWARDED): Derek Ernst, Sang-Moon Bae, Boo Weekley, Harris English, Ken Duke, Bill Haas, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Jimmy Walker, Ryan Moore, Chris Kirk.
FIELD FROM THE 2013 TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP: Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Roberto Castro, Nick Watney, Brendon de Jonge, Luke Donald, Gary Woodland, Kevin Streelman, D.A. Points, Graham DeLaet.
TOP 50 FROM FINAL WORLD RANKING IN 2013: Hideki Matsuyama, Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Francesco Molinari, Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero, David Lynn, Thongchai Jaidee, Peter Hanson, Joost Luiten, Branden Grace.
TOP 50 FROM WORLD RANKING ON MARCH 30: TBD.
SPECIAL FOREIGN INVITATIONS: TBD.
NASCAR delivers 2014 rules package to cup teams.
By Chris Estrada
Following last week’s Sprint Cup test session at Charlotte Motor Speedway (pictured), NASCAR has announced the delivery of its 2014 competition package to Cup teams.
The new package will not be utilized in restrictor-plate races such as the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 23, 2014. It will make its official debut on March 2, 2014 at the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway.
Major changes involved with the new package include:
- Statically set car at race ride height, eliminating pre- and post-race front height rules and inspection.
- The use of a front splitter with a square leading edge.
- Skirts at 4-inch minimum ground clearance on both the right and left sides.
- Rear fascia trimmed 1.375 inches higher in current scallop region.
- The use of an 8-inch high rear spoiler.
- The use of a 43-inch wide by 13-inch long radiator pan.
“It was important to get the final pieces of the rules package to teams as quickly as possible following the final tests last week,” NASCAR VP of innovation and racing development Gene Stefanyshyn said in a statement.
“Throughout the process, we gained valuable data that informed many of the changes for 2014. This data will prove useful as we continue to evolve the racing product into the future.”
This past year’s debut of the Generation 6 cars for the Sprint Cup Series wasn’t an altogether triumphant one, with the racing product often lacking at many of the series’ 1.5-mile ovals.
Twice this fall at Charlotte, NASCAR tested a variety of potential aero configurations to try and solve the problem. In last week’s aforementioned test, a series of simulated races were held to see how those configurations worked with a bigger group of cars.
“We looked at a number of important factors when finalizing what the 2014 version of the race package will look like,” Stefanyshyn continued.
“The Gen-6 car has been a great asset to our sport. As we continue to improve and develop the racing product, we’ll rely significantly on the critical data that has been generated by the entire industry over the last several weeks. We’re extremely appreciative of those efforts.”
Bayern cruises into Club World Cup final.
By PAUL LOGOTHETIS (AP Sports Writer)
Bayern Munich closed in on its fifth trophy of 2013 by defeating Asian champion Guangzhou Evergrande 3-0 Tuesday to reach the Club World Cup final.
Franck Ribery scored in the 40th minute and Mario Mandzukic in the 44th. Mario Goetze added a goal for the Germans in the second half.
The Champions League winners will face Atletico Mineiro of Brazil or Moroccan champion Raja Casablanca in Saturday's final. Atletico, led by Ronaldinho, plays the local favorite in Marrakech on Wednesday.
Bayern is bidding to win its first Club World Cup after having twice won the tournament when it was the Intercontinental Cup. Bayern ensured that the European champion reached the final for the 10th time in as many editions of the tournament.
Before a crowd of 27,311 at Agadir Stadium, Bayern's starting lineup had few changes to the squad that has started the Bundesliga season unbeaten, except for Arjen Robben's absence because of a knee injury.
Bayern controlled play from the outset although its Chinese opponent showed a few flashes of danger on counterattacks.
Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is attempting to win his third Club World Cup, and add to Bayern's Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League and European Super Cup titles.
Notre Dame wins NCAA men's soccer title.
By DAVE ZEITLIN (Associated Press)
Confetti rained down, the Notre Dame fight song ''Victory March'' blasted over the loudspeakers and everyone on the Fighting Irish's soccer team ran to one side of the field to celebrate.
For the first time in the school's proud athletic history, Notre Dame was on top of the men's college soccer world.
Led by goals from Andrew O'Malley and Leon Brown, and another big game from College Cup co-Most Outstanding Player Harrison Shipp, Notre Dame won its first men's soccer title with a 2-1 victory over Maryland on Sunday at PPL Park. The Fighting Irish finished the season 17-1-6.
''We're all smiling big smiles,'' said 68-year-old coach Bobby Clark, who won his first title in 27 years coaching at Dartmouth, Stanford and Notre Dame.
Patrick Mullins, the nation's leading scorer, scored for Maryland (17-4-5). The Terrapins were trying to win their fourth national championship and third under coach Sasho Cirovski.
''They are worthy winners and I'm genuinely happy for Bobby for all he's done for college soccer,'' Cirovski said. ''I hope he enjoys this one. At Maryland, we shoot for the stars every year. We aim high. And when you aim that high and when you don't reach it, you still end up at the moon, which is higher than most people.''
Shipp, a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy as the nation's best player, set up O'Malley's winning goal with a perfectly placed free kick in the 60th minute. O'Malley leaped for Shipp's kick and directed a header past goalkeeper Zack Steffen's outstretched arms.
Coming into Sunday's title game, O'Malley, a senior defender, had scored just twice in his collegiate career - and, according to Clark, he missed a couple of chances throughout the season.
But he didn't miss when it counted.
''The goal itself was really put on a silver platter for me,'' O'Malley said. ''It would have been tough for me to screw it up, I suppose. Harry just played a beautiful ball and all I needed to do was redirect it to the back post.''
O'Malley, from nearby West Chester, said it was extra special to score the championship-deciding goal in front of many of his family and friends, who made the short commute to watch him play at PPL Park.
''I kind of jokingly said after the game - but I'm a little bit serious -that people think I'm good now,'' O'Malley said. ''So, hopefully, I'll just ride that.''
Brown tied it at 1 in the 40th minute with a tough-angle shot. He entered the game as a reserve when Vince Cicciarelli was forced to leave when he broke his collarbone in the 10th minute.
Luke Mishu and Nick Besler were both credited with assists after Besler flicked on a long Mishu throw-in right to the foot of Brown, who slid a tough-angle shot past Steffen.
Mullins, Maryland's own Hermann Trophy finalist, opened the scoring for the Terrapins in the 35th minute.
Moments earlier, Mullins thought a penalty kick was warranted when a volley from Alex Shinksy from cleared off the goal line by what looked to be the arm of Notre Dame's Patrick Hodan. But Hodan was not called for the hand ball and then Mullins used his own hand to bring the ball down and deposit a shot past goalkeeper Patrick Wall.
''In the heat of the moment, I hit it down with my hand and, like any good forward, I hit it in the net,'' Mullins said. ''That's not who I am and I'm very disappointed in how that play resulted. ... I will regret that one for the rest of my life.''
Mullins, who shared College Cup Most Outstanding Player honors with Shipp, had 19 goals this season and finished his college career with 47, second in program history.
But for Cirovski, it was the character Mullins displayed in admitting to an intentional hand ball that shows what MLS teams will be getting when the Maryland senior is likely selected as one of the top picks in next month's draft.
''When I build my stadium, I'm going to bronze a statue with him out front,'' Cirovski said. ''He's made from the best stuff on earth. It affected him. It affected him a lot. ... His conscience was hurting.''
For Shipp - who finished his senior season with 12 goals and 11 assists, including three in the College Cup - it was not only gratifying to win a national title but to do so for Clark.
''I think this program has known for the last few years that we're headed in the right direction,'' Shipp said. ''We had a great regular season (last year) but I think we kind of realized that it was time for this program to take the next step. And we thought the only logical place to do that was to reach the final four and win a national championship.
''And to do it for this guy - our coach - is amazing. He's probably the most underappreciated college soccer coach in the country.''
NOTES: The Besler family has won two major soccer titles in the past week. Besler's brother, Matt, a U.S. national team defender, won the MLS Cup with Sporting Kansas City last Saturday. ... In Mullins' four years at Maryland, the Terrapins have lost only two games in which he scored. ... In the semifinals Friday, Notre Dame beat New Mexico 2-0, and Maryland topped Virginia 2-1. ... In addition to Shipp and Mullins, Patrick Hodan (Notre Dame), Besler, O'Malley, Grant Van De Casteele (Notre Dame), Tsubasa Endoh (Maryland), Steffen, Jordan Allen (Virginia), Darius Madison (Virginia) and Michael Calderon (New Mexico) were selected to the College Cup All-Tournament Team.
AP All-American team revealed, 12 players earn consensus All-America.
By Sam Cooper
The Associated Press unveiled its annual All-American team Tuesday with Heisman winner Jameis Winston headlining the list as first-team quarterback, edging out Johnny Manziel (second team) and A.J. McCarron (third team).
Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley, Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton and Arizona running back Ka’Deem Carey were named first team All-Americans for the second straight year, while Florida State’s four first-teamers helped the ACC put six players on the first team, tying Pac-12 and the SEC for the most from any conference.
The release of the AP All-Americans comes a few days after the Walter Camp and Sporting News All-American teams were released, which reveals the year’s consensus All-Americans:
OFFENSE:
1. Andre Williams, running back, Boston College: 329 rushes, 2,102 yards, 17 TDs
2. Brandin Cooks, wide receiver, Oregon State: 120 catches, 1,670 yards, 15 TDs
3. Jace Amaro, tight end, Texas Tech: 98 catches, 1,240 yards, 7 TDs
4. David Yankey, guard, Stanford
5. Cyril Richardson, guard, Baylor
6. Jake Matthews, tackle, Texas A&M
DEFENSE:
7. Aaron Donald, tackle, Pittsburgh: 54 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks
8. Michael Sam, end, Missouri: 45 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks
9. Anthony Barr, linebacker, UCLA: 62 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 5 FF
10. C.J. Mosley, linebacker, Alabama: 102 tackles, 9 tackles for loss
11. Darqueze Dennard, cornerback, Michigan State: 59 tackles, 4 interceptions, 10 pass breakups
12. Lamarcus Joyner, cornerback, Florida State: 64 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions
The American Football Coaches Association and Football Writers Association of America All-American teams have yet to be released.
AP, USA Today NCAA Top 25 Basketball Ranking.
AP, USA Today
| AP Top 25 | |||
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | PTS |
| 1 | Arizona (63) | 11-0 | 1,623 |
| 2 | Syracuse (2) | 10-0 | 1,528 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 10-0 | 1,464 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 12-0 | 1,381 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 8-1 | 1,297 |
| 6 | Louisville | 9-1 | 1,264 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 9-1 | 1,165 |
| 8 | Villanova | 10-0 | 1,053 |
| 8 | Duke | 7-2 | 1,053 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 9-0 | 1,035 |
| 11 | Wichita State | 10-0 | 923 |
| 12 | Baylor | 8-1 | 898 |
| 13 | Oregon | 9-0 | 834 |
| 14 | North Carolina | 7-2 | 792 |
| 15 | Memphis | 7-1 | 755 |
| 16 | Florida | 7-2 | 699 |
| 17 | Iowa State | 8-0 | 698 |
| 18 | Kansas | 7-3 | 482 |
| 19 | Kentucky | 8-3 | 414 |
| 20 | Colorado | 10-1 | 405 |
| 21 | Gonzaga | 10-1 | 376 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | 9-0 | 351 |
| 23 | Missouri | 10-0 | 222 |
| 24 | San Diego State | 7-1 | 176 |
| 25 | Iowa | 10-2 | 72 |
- Others receiving votes: UCLA 69, Pittsburgh 66, Saint Mary's 11, George Washington 5, Harvard 4, Oklahoma 4, Toledo 3, Michigan 3
| USA Today Coaches Poll | |||
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | PTS |
| 1 | Arizona (30) | 11-0 | 798 |
| 2 | Syracuse (1) | 10-0 | 748 |
| 2 | Ohio State (1) | 10-0 | 748 |
| 4 | Louisville | 9-1 | 676 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 8-1 | 653 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 12-0 | 645 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 9-1 | 555 |
| 8 | Duke | 7-2 | 553 |
| 9 | Wichita State | 10-0 | 545 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 9-0 | 494 |
| 11 | Oregon | 9-0 | 490 |
| 12 | Villanova | 10-0 | 413 |
| 13 | Iowa State | 8-0 | 351 |
| 14 | Memphis | 7-1 | 349 |
| 15 | Baylor | 8-1 | 311 |
| 15 | Gonzaga | 10-1 | 311 |
| 17 | Florida | 7-2 | 296 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 7-2 | 288 |
| 19 | Kansas | 7-3 | 232 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | 9-0 | 229 |
| 21 | Kentucky | 8-3 | 217 |
| 22 | UCLA | 9-1 | 91 |
| 23 | San Diego State | 7-1 | 90 |
| 24 | Colorado | 10-1 | 88 |
| 25 | Missouri | 10-0 | 76 |
- Others receiving votes: Iowa 53, Pittsburgh 48, Saint Mary's 24, Creighton 9, Michigan 7, George Washington 5, New Mexico 3, Virginia 3, Oklahoma 1
President sends right statement by including two gay athletes in Sochi Games delegation.
By Dan Wetzel
President Obama on Tuesday announced the members of the U.S. official delegation to Sochi, Russia, for next year's Winter Olympics.
The message sent, based on both who is and who isn't going, is as obvious as a Siberian winter.
In a bit of Cold War passive aggressiveness, and one that will add spark to the two nations' sporting rivalry, the United States will send no high-ranking government officials to attend the Games.
The delegation will, however, include two openly gay former athletes in an obvious condemnation of Russia's recently passed legislation that banned "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations."
That law is seen as part of a far-reaching anti-gay crackdown in Russia that has received considerable international condemnation in the run up to the Olympics.
Tennis great Billie Jean King will be part of the group that attends the high-profile, Feb. 7, 2014, opening ceremonies. Caitlin Cahow, a two-time medalist in ice hockey, will be present for the Feb. 23 closing ceremonies. Both are openly gay.
In a further sign of cooling relations between the two countries, the delegation will not include the sitting President, First Lady or Vice President for the first time since 2000. The highest-ranking government official is Robert L. Nabors, who carries the title of "Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy" and is unknown by all but extreme political junkies.
His stated goal is to showcase a new, modern Russia. Part of that is by reconstructing much of Sochi, a beach resort town with such a temperate climate that Russia needed to store up snow in recent years to assure the nearby mountains will be operable.
Putin clearly can buy a lot. In this case, he can't buy the approval of the United States, at least on this particular human rights issue.
Obama is expressing his displeasure with the country over gay rights and myriad other issues by making a statement on who he decides to send, rather than to just not send any of his country's athletes. Cold War-era boycotts gutted the 1980 and 1984 Summer Games, held in Moscow and Los Angeles, respectively. They also accomplished little to nothing.
This is, instead, the proper tone, the high road in a dispute where the United States clearly holds the progressive and modern position of inclusion and acceptance. It is also, essentially, a proxy public-relations battle, which Olympic sports have long been used for. Obama and Putin disagree on numerous deep and complex issues – from security to trade to spying and so on. It’s easier for the President to highlight the divide on this issue, which polls show has the majority support of the American public.
"I hope these Olympics will be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people," King said via Twitter.
What better "propaganda" is there for the acceptance and respect of homosexuals than by showcasing successful, powerful and uplifting gay athletes – with the full and complete support of the White House behind them?
What more pointed image is there than putting King, the indomitable and pioneering athlete and activist, who is known and respected around the globe, wrapped in the red, white and blue?
"It's obviously a statement that's being made, but I think it's an incredibly respectful one," said Cahow, currently a law student at Boston College, according to USA Today. "Basically, the White House is highlighting Americans who know what it means to have freedoms and liberties under the constitution. That's really what we're representing in Sochi, and it's not at all different from what's espoused in the spirit of Olympism."
It could also help rekindle the sporting divide between the United States and Russia, each of which used the Olympics as a tool for propaganda and patriotism throughout the Cold War.
Some of it was painful. Some of it was pitiful. Some of it could actually be looked back on with some nostalgic entertainment – the belief on both sides of rigged judging, cheating and favoritism. It manifested itself out in memorable East vs. West clashes that ranged from pixie gymnasts to toothless hockey players to PED-riddled power lifters.
If nothing else, this adds a bit of extra spice to these Winter Games, particularly men's hockey for which the two nations will send their NHL stars and there's immense pressure on the Russians to redeem themselves from a poor Vancouver Games and win gold on home ice.
For Obama, that seems like a secondary concern. He needed to make a statement on Russia's anti-gay legislation. It would have been wrong for the United States to just quietly accept and ignore an affront to the gay athletes and their supporters who will compete for America in February.
This much is indisputable: Billie Jean King representing the United States in Sochi is a message that is impossible to ignore.
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