Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:22:00 PST Mariners hire Don Wakamatsu as manager (AP) Don Wakamatsu became the first Asian-American manager in major league baseball history when he was hired Wednesday by the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners' 14th manager, Wakamatsu was bench coach for the Oakland Athletics last season. Before that he spent five years with the Texas Rangers. "When I started this process, there were some key attributes we were looking for," Mariners general manager Jack... [more info]
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:45:57 PST Red Sox trade OF Crisp to Royals (AP)
The Kansas City Royals picked up the leadoff hitter they had been seeking, acquiring center fielder Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox for reliever Ramon Ramirez on Wednesday. Kansas City was 12th among 14 AL teams in runs last season and added power last month, obtaining first baseman Mike Jacobs from Florida.
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:01:58 PST Bucs top rusher Graham done for season (AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading rusher Earnest Graham will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right ankle during last week's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Graham limped off the field after his only carry against the Vikings. The Bucs said he hurt his ankle, but did not release specifics about the injury.
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:35:31 PST Vikings' Allen fined $25K, not suspended (AP) Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen will not be suspended for a spate of late hits. Coach Brad Childress said he was told by the NFL that Allen will be fined $25,000, but not punished further. Allen was summoned to the league office Tuesday to talk about his play. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier went with him. [more info]
The lawyer for three New Orleans Saints players facing suspension said Wednesday the NFL's independent drug adminstrator acknowledged he did not inform NFL players that the supplement StarCaps contained a banned diuretic. During the players' appeals hearing, attorney David Cornwell said that Dr. John Lombardo's testimony proved none of his clients -- Deuce McAllister, Will Smith or Charles Grant --...
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:35:57 PST A's owner: Make 1st round 1-game playoff (AP) Lew Wolff has a way to shorten baseball's postseason: Make the first round best-of-one. "I'd make it one-game-and-you're-out for the first series," the Oakland Athletics owner said Wednesday. "It would be exciting. It would be great." Begun in 1995, the division series has been a best-of-five competition. [more info]
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:33:50 PST Bad economy causes LPGA to cut 3 events (AP)
The LPGA Tour has become the latest pro sports organization to feel the crunch of the global economic downturn. Even while insisting next year will be "solidly profitable," the LPGA Tour announced Wednesday that it will offer three fewer tournaments in 2009 than this year, all because of sponsorship loss.
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:05:32 PST Arlington, Houston awarded Final Fours (AP) The NCAA says the men's basketball Final Four will be played at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington in 2014. It's also awarded the 2016 men's Final Four to Houston. Those games will be played at Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. The 2012 Final Four will be played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, with finals awarded to Atlanta's Georgia Dome in 2013 and the Lucas Oil... [more info]
Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:42:46 PST Hansbrough-less UNC beats Kentucky 77-58 (AP) Deon Thompson has helped top-ranked North Carolina get off to a good start despite playing without injured star Tyler Hansbrough. Now, just as the reigning national player of the year appears close to returning, the Tar Heels could be losing another key contributor inside. Thompson scored a career-high 20 points to help North Carolina beat Kentucky 77-58 on Tuesday night, his second straight... [more info]
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:21:54 PST Red Sox 2B Pedroia wins AL MVP (AP)
The next time someone doubts him, Dustin Pedroia will have a pretty good answer. He can just hold up his AL MVP award. Told forever that he was too little to play with the big leaguers, Pedroia added to his ever-expanding trophy case Tuesday. The Boston second baseman with the meaty swing easily beat out Minnesota slugger Justin Morneau, Red Sox teammate Kevin Youkilis and record-setting closer...
Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:56:09 PST NFL Power Rankings: 2008 Week 12 Edition Visit ESPN.com for the complete story. [more info]
Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:59:09 PST Dawson's 56-yard FG leads Browns past Bills Visit ESPN.com for the complete story. [more info]
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:15:37 PST Vikings' Allen fined $25K for hit on QB Rodgers The NFL has fined, but not suspended, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen for his hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. [more info]
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:30:20 PST Favre focused on helping Jets win, not his future Brett Favre is having too much fun leading the first-place New York Jets to even think about next season. [more info]