Ortiz and steroids?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4385699

NEW YORK -- David Ortiz believes then-legal supplements and vitamins likely caused him to land on a 2003 list of alleged drug users seized by the federal government, and Major League Baseball and the players' association said some of the players on the list never tested positive for performance-enhancing substances.

MLB said in a statement Saturday that 96 urine samples, at most, tested positive in the 2003 survey -- and the players' association said 13 of those were in dispute.


I definitely was a little bit careless back in those days when I was buying supplements and vitamins over the counter -- legal supplements, legal vitamins over the counter -- but I never buy steroids or use steroids," Ortiz said during a news conference that began about 3½ hours before his Boston Red Sox played the New York Yankees.

"I never thought that buying supplements and vitamins, it was going to hurt anybody's feelings."

The New York Times reported last month that Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were on the 2003 list and said earlier that Sammy Sosa was on it. In February, Sports Illustrated reported Alex Rodriguez was on it, and Rodriguez later admitted he had used performance-enhancing substances from 2001 to 2003.


[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Union general counsel Michael Weiner, left, said the MLBPA couldn't tell Ortiz if he had tested positive, only that he was on the 2003 list.
Ortiz said when he met with union lawyer Michael Weiner in 2004, he wasn't told he tested positive for steroids. Weiner, who has been designated to succeed union head Donald Fehr, said that because the list is under court seal, the union couldn't confirm to Ortiz that he tested positive, only that he was on the list.

"I want to apologize to fans for the distraction, my teammates, our manager," Ortiz said, flanked by Weiner, with Boston manager Terry Francona standing behind and to the side. "This past week has been a nightmare to me."

Some players past and present -- notably Hall of Famer Hank Aaron -- have called for the entire list to be released.

"Sure, there are some people who say 'Why don't we just get this story over with and get the list out?'" Weiner said. "I think to do that would one, be illegal, and two, be wrong. It's illegal because it's covered by court order, and it would be wrong because a promise was made by the commissioner's office and the union to every player who was tested in 2003 that the results would be anonymous."

Ortiz is against the list becoming public.

"I don't think that I would really like to see another player going through what I've been through this past week," he said.

Manning to be overpaid - Eli that is

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2009/08/06/2009-08-06_giants_make_eli_manning_nfls_highestpaid_player_but_hes_far_from_best_quarterbac.html

In such a tight economy, did the Giants really have to give him the agreed upon six-year, $97.5million extension (with $35million guaranteed), that added on to the $9.4 million he was already getting this season in the final year of his rookie deal, making his grand total $106.9 million over the next seven years? That covers quite a few PSL sales, you know. His annual average is $1.25 million more than his brother's and 50% more than Brady's $10 million.

It really comes down to this: That's the going rate, and the Giants had no desire to create ill will and stick him with the franchise tag next year. Was A-Rod, with no rings, worth a 10-year, $275 million extension from the Yankees? At least Manning was at his best on that final Super Bowl drive against the Patriots, although the way he played against the Eagles in the playoffs last season makes you wonder how he did it against New England.

We know he can handle the responsibility off the field of being the league's highest-paid player. But what about on the field? "Highest-paid player" now becomes part of his name. More will be expected of him. The pressure will be turned up. And he has to do without a true No. 1 receiver.

"You don't get more pressure than he already has in this market," Reese said. "He knows how to handle pressure and he's done it before. I don't expect to see anything different in his attitude and work ethic."

Manning could stay at No. 1 on the pay chart for a while considering all the top quarterbacks are locked into long-term deals. As long as Brady shows he's the same player post-knee surgery this season, the Patriots soon will want to extend/renegotiate his six-year, $60 million deal that runs through 2010. That contract is badly outdated considering Matt Cassel, who had been Brady's backup, turned his buddy's injury last year into a six-year, $63million deal with the Chiefs.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2009/08/06/2009-08-06_giants_make_eli_manning_nfls_highestpaid_player_but_hes_far_from_best_quarterbac.html#ixzz0NnC1FFLt

Info on Gatti's death

http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxing_news/25056-brazil-provide-details-on-boxer-gattis-death.html

Michael Vick with no job - who cares?

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/rank?versionId=1&listId=341

Where will Michael Vick end up?

With Brett Favre out of the picture, all the attention now turns to the other quarterback looking for a job this offseason. Michael Vick, who has been conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, is free to sign with a team but which situation is the best fit for the league's former highest paid player?

Coming off a two-year prison sentence, many teams aren't sure about what Vick has to offer. There are questions about his fitness and skill level and the public relations hit a team could take is certainly in every owner's thoughts. Will he be the type of quarterback to stay in the pocket and throw the ball down field? Is he still the run first, pass second guy? Is quarterback even the right position for him?

Take all these questions into account as you decide which teams are most likely to step up to the plate and give Vick the second chance he so desperately wants.

Click on the team logos below to create your rankings.

Veron Forrest Killed

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/boxer-vernon-forrest-100921.html

The incident began at 11 p.m. at the Chevron on Whitehall Street in Southwest Atlanta when Forrest, 38, stopped to put air in the tires of his Jaguar, said Atlanta Police Detective Lt. Keith Meadows.

A male suspect approached Forrest and robbed him of a few items at gunpoint, he said. Forrest, who was also armed, then chased the suspect to an area near McDaniel and Fulton Streets.

Forrest was shot seven to eight times in the back, Meadows said. Meadows said there is evidence Forrest used his weapon but did not know if the suspect was shot.

An 11-year-old boy, described as a godson by Forrest’s manager Charles Watson, was in the Chevron at the time of the robbery. The boy is the son of Forrest’s girlfriend, Meadows said, and was able to provide police with a description of the suspect. Police are looking for that man and a second suspect who left in a red Monte Carlo, Meadows said.

The boy did not see the shooting, he added.

The APD is interviewing several witnesses Sunday.

Al Mitchell, who first trained Forrest when he was an amateur and then as a pro since 2000, said Forrest was “a guy who did everything right.”

“He didn’t take drugs. He wasn’t involved with gangs. He lived his life the right way. He was a gentleman,” said Mitchell, who learned of the news through Forrest’s manager, Charles Watson.

“I trained a lot of kids ... and most of them are now teachers or doing something else. They’re all good role models. They understand what life is about. They take care of their family. Vernon was like that. He took care of his mother, his sister, his son. He took care of his friends. How can something like this happen? Just in the wrong place at the wrong time – that’s all it was.”

Forrest, a longtime Atlanta resident, started boxing at age 9 and won his first major title in 2001, when he defeated Raul Frank for the IBF welterweight title. He is a recent WBC middleweight champ and 1992 Olympian who had a 41-3 career record with 29 knockouts.

He achieved long-sought recognition with two wins over “Sugar” Shane Mosley in 2002 that earned him the title of Ring Magazine’s Fighter of the Year.

“My goal, once I’m done, is to be considered one of the best boxers in my era,” Forrest told the AJC in 2007.

In his last major match-up, in 2008, he reclaimed his WBC 154-pound title at age 37 after battering his rival, 27-year-old Sergio Mora in a unanimous decision.

Forrest was also involved in charity work. He started Destiny’s Child Inc., which provided housing and assistance to mentally challenged adults.

Mitchell says “The Viper” was training to fight again.

“He told me his plan was to fight again in September and then fight for the title in December,” Mitchell said. “He was supposed to call me this week with details.

Brett Farve drama

http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/07/agent-brett-favre-needs-more-time-before-giving-vikings-an-answer.html

Brett Favre is not likely to inform the Vikings today if he's going to un-retire and join them.

ESPN's Rachel Nichols spoke with Favre's agent, Bus Cook, who indicated the quarterback needs more time to decide.

"He just doesn't feel ready yet," Nichols said of her conversation with Cook. "There are some things he's still considering."

NFL.com had reported earlier this week that Favre would give the Vikings an answer by today. But on Thursday night, NFL.com columnist Thomas George also reported that Favre needed more time.

Vikings veterans report for training camp on Thursday.
Hat tip: St. Paul Pioneer Press

Prince Fielder wins 2009 Home Run Derby

http://free-sms-mms.blogspot.com/2009/07/2009-home-run-derby-winner-prince.html

Home Run Derby 2009 was held on 13/07/2009 and the event was held at Busch Stadium.

Last years ie 2008 winner was Justin Morneau.

Some other participants other than winner Prince Fielder were :-

Nelson Cruz, Brandon Inge, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Carlos Pena and Joe Mauer.

Once again congratulations for 2009 Home Run Derby winner Prince Fielder.