http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4075078
BOSTON -- Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was hospitalized Thursday after suffering what the team described as a minor heart attack.
The team issued a brief statement saying that Ainge, 50, was taken to a Boston hospital but provided few other details.
"Danny Ainge is recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital after having a minor heart attack. He is recovering nicely," the team said. "Mr. Ainge is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days."
A spokeswoman for Massachusetts General Hospital referred comment to the team.
The news was first reported by WCVB, a Boston TV station.
"All of Celtics Nation is thankful that Danny got incredible medical care so quickly and so effectively," Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said. "We wish him, Michelle and the kids all the best and know he will be back with us very soon."
A member of two Celtics championship teams in the 1980s with the original Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, Ainge was an NBA All-Star in 1988.
As general manager, Ainge helped the franchise raise its record 17th NBA championship last season by assembling a new Big Three, acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Celtics veteran Paul Pierce. Ainge was named 2007-08 NBA executive of the year and in October was rewarded with a contract extension and the title of president of basketball operations.
The Celtics are scheduled to begin the playoffs on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls. Earlier Thursday, the Celtics said Garnett was unlikely to return from a knee injury to play in the postseason -- a potentially devastating blow to their hopes of a repeat championship.
Ainge missed Wednesday night's regular-season finale because he wasn't feeling well. He woke up in the morning with chest pains.
Ainge was a standout basketball player at Brigham Young, winning the Wooden Award awarded to the nation's top college player in 1981. He also played three seasons of pro baseball, batting .220 over 211 games for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Yankess lose in first home game at new ballpark
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2009/04/17/new_ballpark_is_the_pride_of_the_yankees/
While the Red Sox may not envy the Yankees anymore now that Boston has won two world championships in five years and the Yankees haven't won one this century, they should be envious of New York's new $1.5 billion ballpark. You may love Fenway Park, but trust me, you'd love a New Fenway Park even more, especially if it had been replicated as closely to the original as this one was.
The New Yankee Stadium, which drew a sellout crowd of 48,271 in its maiden voyage yesterday, possesses many of the features of the original Yankee Stadium, the one before the 1974-75 renovations.
Upon entering the bowl, you'd swear you were in the old place. Except for a bleacher area in center field that houses a concessions stand, there's nothing much different. One scribe suggested that if you took a power washer to the old place, you'd have something that resembles what you see here. True. Yet there is more to it than that.
The concourses are wider and offer more food and services. The amenities for players, fans, and media are state-of-the-art, off-the-charts tremendous. The Yankee clubhouse stretches from the start of the home dugout down the right-field line. The clubhouse is enormous, equipped with wide lockers and a personal laptop for each player. The clubhouse design is very similar to that of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. There's an enormous player lounge beyond the clubhouse. The training room is massive, stocked with the latest medical equipment.
The Mets' new Citi Field and this park are really different. Citi Field has a real ballpark feel to it, a mixture of many of the modern ballparks such as Jacobs Field and The Ballpark at Arlington and Safeco Field. After all, you wouldn't want to replicate Shea Stadium, would you? Citi Field has quirky little configurations in the outfield where the ball could take some interesting bounces and create havoc for fielders. Yankee Stadium is simply unique. The dimensions are the same as the old ballpark's.
Commissioner Bud Selig marveled at how well the architects captured the characteristics of the pre-renovation Yankee Stadium that he first walked into as a 15-year-old with his mother. Selig said they sat in the third deck that day, and while he kidded that the view from his current seat was better, "I had the same feeling walking into this place today that I had 60 years ago," he said.
One such feature retained from the old ballpark is the main gate (Gate 4), where the stadium's name is etched in thin block letters surrounded by ornate eagle medallions 7 feet 4 inches in diameter.
While the Red Sox may not envy the Yankees anymore now that Boston has won two world championships in five years and the Yankees haven't won one this century, they should be envious of New York's new $1.5 billion ballpark. You may love Fenway Park, but trust me, you'd love a New Fenway Park even more, especially if it had been replicated as closely to the original as this one was.
The New Yankee Stadium, which drew a sellout crowd of 48,271 in its maiden voyage yesterday, possesses many of the features of the original Yankee Stadium, the one before the 1974-75 renovations.
Upon entering the bowl, you'd swear you were in the old place. Except for a bleacher area in center field that houses a concessions stand, there's nothing much different. One scribe suggested that if you took a power washer to the old place, you'd have something that resembles what you see here. True. Yet there is more to it than that.
The concourses are wider and offer more food and services. The amenities for players, fans, and media are state-of-the-art, off-the-charts tremendous. The Yankee clubhouse stretches from the start of the home dugout down the right-field line. The clubhouse is enormous, equipped with wide lockers and a personal laptop for each player. The clubhouse design is very similar to that of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. There's an enormous player lounge beyond the clubhouse. The training room is massive, stocked with the latest medical equipment.
The Mets' new Citi Field and this park are really different. Citi Field has a real ballpark feel to it, a mixture of many of the modern ballparks such as Jacobs Field and The Ballpark at Arlington and Safeco Field. After all, you wouldn't want to replicate Shea Stadium, would you? Citi Field has quirky little configurations in the outfield where the ball could take some interesting bounces and create havoc for fielders. Yankee Stadium is simply unique. The dimensions are the same as the old ballpark's.
Commissioner Bud Selig marveled at how well the architects captured the characteristics of the pre-renovation Yankee Stadium that he first walked into as a 15-year-old with his mother. Selig said they sat in the third deck that day, and while he kidded that the view from his current seat was better, "I had the same feeling walking into this place today that I had 60 years ago," he said.
One such feature retained from the old ballpark is the main gate (Gate 4), where the stadium's name is etched in thin block letters surrounded by ornate eagle medallions 7 feet 4 inches in diameter.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Hall of Fame John Madden to retire
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/16/john.madden.retirement/index.html
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Legendary football coach and broadcaster John Madden is retiring, he announced Thursday.
"It's been such a great ride ... the NFL has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion -- it still is," he said in a statement released by NBC Sports.
Madden, 73, was a Hall of Fame coach for the Oakland Raiders, but is best known to millions as an ebullient football commentator.
He won 16 Emmy awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, NBC said.
A thought I had
After debating my boss at work about U of L and UK, I have come to the conclusion that U of L fans known nothing about facts.
U of L basketball is not Elite anymore. In reality, they were only the 1980s. You take away that decade, and what do you have? A team with two Final Fours, no championships and barely 1,000 school wins.
U of L was unheard during the 1990's. They have had minor success during the past 8 years. However, they have one Final Four and no Championships. How can they call themselves elite and compare their program to that of UK, UNC, KU, UCLA or even Duke's?
All of those teams have been great for decades. UK for instance won a Helms National Championship during the 1920s. They also won one the first year Rupp coached in 1931. UK owned the 1940s and 1950s. Even though UK didn't win a championship during the 1960s, UK still had major success. During the 1970s UK made a few Final Fours and won a Championship (1978). UK made a Final Four during the 1980s and won the mass majority of their games. UK along with Duke, dominated the 1990s.
UK has been down the past few years, much like UNC was when Dean Smith left. UNC however, hired the right fit and have won two National Championships under Roy Williams. U of L with a new Coach has none. Again, U of L cannot call themselves elite. Even since Ricky-boy took over U of L, UK has dominated them in head to head matchups. U of L fans seem to forget facts - nothing new.
UK will rebuild much like UNC did. UK has always been better and more elite than U of L and that is how things will always be. U of L, like Duke, will always be second best in the state. U of L fans, learn to live with it. Duke has.
U of L basketball is not Elite anymore. In reality, they were only the 1980s. You take away that decade, and what do you have? A team with two Final Fours, no championships and barely 1,000 school wins.
U of L was unheard during the 1990's. They have had minor success during the past 8 years. However, they have one Final Four and no Championships. How can they call themselves elite and compare their program to that of UK, UNC, KU, UCLA or even Duke's?
All of those teams have been great for decades. UK for instance won a Helms National Championship during the 1920s. They also won one the first year Rupp coached in 1931. UK owned the 1940s and 1950s. Even though UK didn't win a championship during the 1960s, UK still had major success. During the 1970s UK made a few Final Fours and won a Championship (1978). UK made a Final Four during the 1980s and won the mass majority of their games. UK along with Duke, dominated the 1990s.
UK has been down the past few years, much like UNC was when Dean Smith left. UNC however, hired the right fit and have won two National Championships under Roy Williams. U of L with a new Coach has none. Again, U of L cannot call themselves elite. Even since Ricky-boy took over U of L, UK has dominated them in head to head matchups. U of L fans seem to forget facts - nothing new.
UK will rebuild much like UNC did. UK has always been better and more elite than U of L and that is how things will always be. U of L, like Duke, will always be second best in the state. U of L fans, learn to live with it. Duke has.
New York Yankee fans happy with new staduim - more taxes for them lol
http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/04/yankee_fans_create_buzz_as_the.html
NEW YORK -- Pretty cool scene even at the airport, where I saw tons of Yankee fans piling into cabs headed straight to the new ballpark from the terminal. They're coming in from all over. The guys in front of me, all in their Yankees gear, said they had seats in front of one of the bullpens. I'd take those on Thursday.
I think the term "buzz" gets used way too much. In this case, it's totally accurate.
"It will be a big moment," said CC Sabathia, who starts for the Yankees on Thursday. "I'm glad it's a day game so I don't get blinded by all those flashes."
Anyway, I'm in a cab speeding toward the Bronx now. More in a bit.
NEW YORK -- Pretty cool scene even at the airport, where I saw tons of Yankee fans piling into cabs headed straight to the new ballpark from the terminal. They're coming in from all over. The guys in front of me, all in their Yankees gear, said they had seats in front of one of the bullpens. I'd take those on Thursday.
I think the term "buzz" gets used way too much. In this case, it's totally accurate.
"It will be a big moment," said CC Sabathia, who starts for the Yankees on Thursday. "I'm glad it's a day game so I don't get blinded by all those flashes."
Anyway, I'm in a cab speeding toward the Bronx now. More in a bit.
KG may miss entire playoffs
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4073024
He's not going to be ready. After watching him practice, there's no way," Rivers said on WEEI-AM. "The way I saw him move today, I don't know if he'll be ready."
When asked to clarify, Rivers said there was a chance Garnett could be out for the rest of the season. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said he could not elaborate on Rivers' comments.
Garnett injured his right knee Feb. 19 and missed the next 13 games before returning for four, but never playing as many as 18 minutes. With the Celtics assured of a high playoff berth, Rivers then held Garnett out with an eye toward bringing him back for the last three games of the regular season; that became the last two, then the last one, but he never made it back.
Rivers said Thursday he watched Garnett run at the team's practice facility and said he had to shut him down after 20 minutes.
"If he can't get through biking and working out without swelling and his leg locking, I don't know how you can play in the playoffs," Rivers said. "This was an honest run today, you couldn't make your way through it. The guy's a warrior, you see him try to mask his way through it. But after 20 minutes of running, I don't see it. After today, there's no way he can play."
Garnett's reaction?
"He was frustrated. He was mad at me, mad at everybody. Then he understood," Rivers said. "He put up a fight. He's really frustrated, but that's Kevin. That's why we got him, because he cares so much."
The defending NBA champions begin the best-of-seven first round series against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
"We're going to move on without him," Rivers said.
He's not going to be ready. After watching him practice, there's no way," Rivers said on WEEI-AM. "The way I saw him move today, I don't know if he'll be ready."
When asked to clarify, Rivers said there was a chance Garnett could be out for the rest of the season. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said he could not elaborate on Rivers' comments.
Garnett injured his right knee Feb. 19 and missed the next 13 games before returning for four, but never playing as many as 18 minutes. With the Celtics assured of a high playoff berth, Rivers then held Garnett out with an eye toward bringing him back for the last three games of the regular season; that became the last two, then the last one, but he never made it back.
Rivers said Thursday he watched Garnett run at the team's practice facility and said he had to shut him down after 20 minutes.
"If he can't get through biking and working out without swelling and his leg locking, I don't know how you can play in the playoffs," Rivers said. "This was an honest run today, you couldn't make your way through it. The guy's a warrior, you see him try to mask his way through it. But after 20 minutes of running, I don't see it. After today, there's no way he can play."
Garnett's reaction?
"He was frustrated. He was mad at me, mad at everybody. Then he understood," Rivers said. "He put up a fight. He's really frustrated, but that's Kevin. That's why we got him, because he cares so much."
The defending NBA champions begin the best-of-seven first round series against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
"We're going to move on without him," Rivers said.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Jackie Robinson - today is his day
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hMKJlJHr0vaiQlnHjZ9rAGYYnnuA
NEW YORK — All players, coaches and umpires will wear No. 42 on Wednesday to honour Jackie Robinson on the 62nd anniversary of the day he broke major league baseball's colour barrier.
More than 330 players, managers and coaches - including nine entire teams - wore Robinson's No. 42 last year to celebrate the Hall of Famer's accomplishments, and commissioner Bud Selig requested all on-field personnel wear the number this year for the first time.
"With all major league players, coaches and umpires wearing Jackie's No. 42, we hope to demonstrate the magnitude of his impact on the game of baseball," Selig said in a written statement Monday.
"Major League Baseball will never forget the contributions that Jackie made both on and off the field."
Robinson broke the colour barrier when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers for the first time on April 15, 1947.
He died in 1972, and his number was retired for all major league teams during ceremonies at Shea Stadium attended by President Bill Clinton on the 50th anniversary.
Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera is the only player remaining from then who still wears No. 42 throughout the season.
Clubs will hold pre-game ceremonies across the country Wednesday to pay tribute to Robinson.
Rachel Robinson, Jackie's wife, and other members of Robinson's family are scheduled to attend the celebration at Citi Field, where the Jackie Robinson Rotunda serves as the central entrance to the New York Mets' new ballpark.
"When Jack stepped foot on the field on April 15, 1947, and broke the colour barrier in baseball, he became a catalyst for social change in America," Rachel Robinson said.
"On behalf of our family and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, it remains an honour that Major League Baseball is ensuring that Jack's achievements for baseball and society will not be forgotten by future generations."
Tom Glavine may retire - future hall of famer without question
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4068510
Glavine was told Tuesday he must rest for at least two weeks after inflammation was found in his left rotator cuff. The 43-year-old had an MRI and was examined by Dr. James Andrews, who advised treatment and rest.
Glavine
Glavine said he's tired of rehabbing after elbow and shoulder surgery last August. He's willing to give the shoulder two weeks, but not much longer.
"I'm willing to put in a little more time but I'm not willing to put in another six weeks or eight weeks because by then, you know what, I'm going to have to start all over again and I'm not interested in doing that," he said.
Glavine joined the Braves at Turner Field on Tuesday night following the examination in Birmingham, Ala.
He ended Sunday's minor league start with Double-A Mississippi after two innings due to soreness in the shoulder after swinging a bat.
Glavine felt similar discomfort when hitting in spring training, but he said that pain didn't last as it did this time.
The visit with Andrews left Glavine with a two-week timetable that may determine if he continues his career.
"From my own standpoint, it works better for me to kind of have a timetable to say, OK, let's give it this amount of time, and if we see some progress, then good. We'll know we're going in the right direction," Glavine said. "If we don't, then I think maybe at that point in time maybe we need to sit down and honestly think about how much more I want to go through this and whether or not anything is going to change."
Because the MRI did not reveal a tear, the initial reaction from the Braves was positive.
General manager Frank Wren said the Braves "were happy that it wasn't more serious."
"I think it's good it happened swinging the bat instead of throwing the ball," manager Bobby Cox said. "It's kind of a disappointment for me, but I think the good news is he's coming back."
Glavine, who agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract in February, sounded less sure that he'll pitch again. He doesn't expect to have another MRI in two weeks.
"I think all of it is going to be based on how I progress pain-wise," he said. "If I'm seeing a definitive change in the amount of pain that I have and the amount of strength I'm being able to gain, then I think I continue on. If two weeks from now my pain has not changed and my strength isn't any better, then I think I'm more clearly in a position where I need to honestly sit down and figure out how much more I want to go through with this."
Glavine was 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 starts last season. He had a partially torn left elbow tendon repaired by Andrews on Aug. 21. At that time, Andrews also cleaned up Glavine's left shoulder.
"I think he's surprised my elbow has held up as well as it has and I'm having so many issues with my shoulder," Glavine said.
The rehabilitation from last summer's surgery has left Glavine less willing to start another long process. He said if his shoulder doesn't feel better in two weeks, he'd have difficulty being ready to pitch before the All-Star break.
"I don't think it's fair to this team and I'm not sure I have the desire to do all that for maybe half a season," he said.
Atlanta adjusted plans for the No. 5 spot in their rotation. Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh, which had been Glavine's first scheduled start of the season.
Glavine, a 305-game winner and 10-time All-Star, spent his first 16 major league seasons with the Braves, winning the NL Cy Young Award in 1991 and 1998. He pitched for the New York Mets from 2003-07 and returned to Atlanta last season to be with his family.
Glavine's contract contains $3.5 million in bonuses based on roster time, including a $1 million bonus when he is placed on the active roster.
Duke crybaby to play Football
http://www.freep.com/article/20090415/SPORTS06/90414127/Report++Ex-Duke+point+guard+might+play+U-M+football
Add another name - and a surprising one at that - into the Michigan football QB discussion.
Former Duke point guard Greg Paulus was on hand at Michigan's practice Tuesday afternoon and spoke with U-M coach Rich Rodriguez about the possibility of playing this season, according to FOXSports.com's Jeff Goodman.
Paulus has exhausted his basketball eligibility but could play one season of college football. He hasn't played competitively since high school, when he was named Gatorade National Player of the Year at Christian Brothers Academy in New York. Paulus was originally courted by a number of top-tier college football programs before opting to play basketball at Duke. He started his first three seasons there before coming off the bench last season as a senior.
Paulus worked out last Thursday for the Green Bay Packers.
Freshmen Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson are expected to compete with Nick Sheridan for the starting QB competition this fall. Inkster QB Devin Gardner has orally committed to the Wolverines as a part of their 2010 recruiting class.
Add another name - and a surprising one at that - into the Michigan football QB discussion.
Former Duke point guard Greg Paulus was on hand at Michigan's practice Tuesday afternoon and spoke with U-M coach Rich Rodriguez about the possibility of playing this season, according to FOXSports.com's Jeff Goodman.
Paulus has exhausted his basketball eligibility but could play one season of college football. He hasn't played competitively since high school, when he was named Gatorade National Player of the Year at Christian Brothers Academy in New York. Paulus was originally courted by a number of top-tier college football programs before opting to play basketball at Duke. He started his first three seasons there before coming off the bench last season as a senior.
Paulus worked out last Thursday for the Green Bay Packers.
Freshmen Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson are expected to compete with Nick Sheridan for the starting QB competition this fall. Inkster QB Devin Gardner has orally committed to the Wolverines as a part of their 2010 recruiting class.
LOL - Mistake
The Steelers did not sign Marvin Harrison. Someone sent me that link with a fake title. So the joke is on me!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Steelers give Harrison new $51M deal
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9450364/Reports:-Steelers-give-Harrison-new-$51M-deal
Linebacker James Harrison, who returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in the Super Bowl, has agreed to a new six-year, $51.175 million deal with the Steelers, multiple media outlets reported Monday. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
Harrison's contract is the largest ever awarded to a Steelers defensive player and the second-largest in franchise history, trailing only the 8-year, $102 million deal signed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Tribune-Review reported.
Harrison, who had 92 tackles, 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2008, would have become an unrestricted free agent following the 2009 season.
Linebacker James Harrison, who returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in the Super Bowl, has agreed to a new six-year, $51.175 million deal with the Steelers, multiple media outlets reported Monday. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
Harrison's contract is the largest ever awarded to a Steelers defensive player and the second-largest in franchise history, trailing only the 8-year, $102 million deal signed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Tribune-Review reported.
Harrison, who had 92 tackles, 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2008, would have become an unrestricted free agent following the 2009 season.
Angel Cabrera wins Master after Perry chokes!
http://www.boston.com/sports/golf/articles/2009/04/13/green_party/
Angel Cabrera, a 39-year-old whose only two professional victories in North America are now major championships, overcame a two-shot deficit with two holes to play yesterday, displaying the patience, perseverance, and clutch putting required of any winner at Augusta National Golf Club. He squeezed into a three-man playoff with a gutsy par on No. 18, smacked a tree with his second shot when they returned to 18 but survived the first playoff hole, then won the Masters with a routine par on No. 10, the second playoff hole: fairway, green, two putts.
The playoff win came against Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell after the threesome finished 72 holes at 12-under-par. It left Perry, who seemingly had the tournament in hand, out of luck in his bid to become golf's oldest major champion, and put Cabrera into an unlikely green jacket.
"This is the Masters. A lot of magical things happen," Cabrera said. "I was happy with my game and I had confidence. I was just trying to enjoy the moment."
For Argentines, the moment also takes the sting off Roberto DeVicenzo's cruel Masters fate in 1968, when he seemed poised to join Bob Goalby in a playoff but signed an incorrect scorecard to give Goalby a one-shot win. The mistake - DeVicenzo signed a card that had his score on the 17th hole as a par, when he made birdie - has a place in Masters lore, for unfortunate reasons. Cabrera replaces that stain with unbridled joy.
Angel Cabrera, a 39-year-old whose only two professional victories in North America are now major championships, overcame a two-shot deficit with two holes to play yesterday, displaying the patience, perseverance, and clutch putting required of any winner at Augusta National Golf Club. He squeezed into a three-man playoff with a gutsy par on No. 18, smacked a tree with his second shot when they returned to 18 but survived the first playoff hole, then won the Masters with a routine par on No. 10, the second playoff hole: fairway, green, two putts.
The playoff win came against Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell after the threesome finished 72 holes at 12-under-par. It left Perry, who seemingly had the tournament in hand, out of luck in his bid to become golf's oldest major champion, and put Cabrera into an unlikely green jacket.
"This is the Masters. A lot of magical things happen," Cabrera said. "I was happy with my game and I had confidence. I was just trying to enjoy the moment."
For Argentines, the moment also takes the sting off Roberto DeVicenzo's cruel Masters fate in 1968, when he seemed poised to join Bob Goalby in a playoff but signed an incorrect scorecard to give Goalby a one-shot win. The mistake - DeVicenzo signed a card that had his score on the 17th hole as a par, when he made birdie - has a place in Masters lore, for unfortunate reasons. Cabrera replaces that stain with unbridled joy.
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