Area Sports News
Golf
AP: Woods home from family counselingJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Tiger Woods is back at home after a week of family counseling in Arizona and is trying to get into a routine that includes golf and fitness, a person with knowledge of his schedule said Tuesday. Woods returned to his home near Orlando on Saturday and has been hitting balls on the range at Isleworth, not far from where he ran his SUV into a tree in a middle-of-the-night accident on Nov. 27 that set off revelations of his extramarital affairs. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because only Woods is authorized to release ... |
Gatorade drops Woods as spokesmanNEW YORK | Add Gatorade to the list of endorsement deals that Tiger Woods has lost. A representative for the drink, sold by PepsiCo Inc., confirmed late Friday that it had ended its relationship with the golfer, who made a lengthy public apology last week for his infidelities. "We no longer see a role for Tiger in our marketing efforts and have ended our relationship," a Gatorade spokeswoman said. "We wish him all the best." The spokeswoman said Gatorade would continue its relationship with the Tiger Woods Foundation. She declined to say whether his contract was terminated early because of ... |
Woods returns to therapy after speechPONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Tiger Woods will return to therapy after he ends a three-month silence and speaks about his infidelity and his future plans. Golf's biggest star on Friday will address the shocking and sordid sex scandal that has consumed his life since late November then will return to the clinic where he has been undergoing therapy, according to a letter from PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem obtained by The Associated Press. Finchem's letter to the PGA Tour policy board and other officials explained why Woods chose Friday to make his first public comments, which are to ... |
Tiger to hold news conference FridayBREAKING NEWS: MARANA, Ariz. (AP) -- Tiger Woods will end nearly three months of silence Friday when he speaks to the media for the first time about his middle-of-the-night accident that sparked shocking revelations about his infidelity. Woods will talk to a small group of reporters at 11 a.m. Friday from the clubhouse of the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., home of the PGA Tour. "This is all about the next step," Mark Steinberg, his agent, told The Associated Press. "He's looking forward to it." Steinberg said he would speak to a "small group of friends, colleagues and ... |
Major Leage Baseball
Strasburg makes long-awaited debut for NatsVIERA, Fla. (AP) -- Stephen Strasburg battled some nerves and location issues during his spring training debut. Other than those minor hiccups, the top prospect was pretty impressive. Strasburg threw two scoreless innings in the Washington Nationals' 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, responding well to the hoopla surrounding his first exhibition start. "There was a lot of adrenaline flowing today," he said. "It's just great to get my feet wet because I know what to expect next time." Strasburg threw 15 of his 27 pitches for strikes and allowed two hits, successive two-out singles by Don Kelly ... |
Nats drop fourth straight in Grapefruit LeagueVIERA, Fla. | Mike Pelfrey sawed off a couple of bats with a new pitch, didn't get down on himself and recovered from a shaky start. Pelfrey unveiled an effective split-finger fastball in his first spring start, Fernando Martinez had four hits and homered twice, and the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 14-6 on Saturday. "My thought process coming into the game was I was going to have some adrenaline. I wanted to kind of keep that under control, kind of back off, and I think I did a good job of doing that," said Pelfrey, who is ... |
Nationals lose slugfest to BravesKISSIMMEE, Fla. | Derek Lowe got off to a solid start after a rough first season in Atlanta, pitching two hitless innings in the Braves' 11-8 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. The Braves new closer, Billy Wagner, did not fare so well. He gave up three hits and two runs in the third inning. Yunel Escobar went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Melky Cabrera had two hits and an RBI for the Braves. Rookie Jordan Heyward had a hit and stole his second base of the spring. Ian Desmond homered and drove ... |
Astros belt 5 home runs vs. NatsKISSIMMEE, Fla. | Brett Myers made his Houston debut, and the Astros smacked five home runs in a 15-5 victory over the Washington Nationals split squad on Thursday in the spring training opener for both teams. Myers, the longtime Phillies hurler, walked three and allowed three runs as he struggled to control his fastball in his first trip to the mound since Game 3 of last year's World Series. Hunter Pence hit two home runs, a solo shot and a three-run blast, during the Astros' nine-run fourth inning. Reserve outfielder Jason Michaels and minor leaguers Yordany Ramirez and Chris Johnson ... |
Motorsports
NASCAR puts Carl Edwards on probation for 3 racesCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Sticking with its "boys, have at it" attitude, NASCAR placed Carl Edwards on probation for three races Tuesday for deliberately wrecking Brad Keselowski's car last weekend in Atlanta. Edwards will be monitored by NASCAR through the April 10 race at Phoenix but may drive in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. NASCAR president Mike Helton said Edwards acted unacceptably Sunday but did not cross the line in what the sanctioning body will allow this season. NASCAR promised in January to give the drivers more leeway in policing themselves and settling scores in an effort to energize ... |
McMurray wins Daytona 500DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jamie McMurray's heart sank when he saw Dale Earnhardt Jr. lurking in his rearview mirror. Of all the guys bearing down on me, he thought, it has be one who seems destined to win the Daytona 500. Then McMurray looked up at the finish line. I don't think he can beat me to it, he thought. Turns out McMurray was right. Just barely. The truth — the hole truth — is that McMurray won the Super Bowl of NASCAR on Sunday in a spectacular finish. Race officials just hope it makes fans forget about a pothole ... |
Patrick in 12-car wreck in NASCAR debutDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. | Even as her mangled race car belched steam from its radiator in the background, Danica Patrick remained confident she would have good days in NASCAR. This wasn't one of them. Making her NASCAR debut, Patrick ran outside the top 20 for most of Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway before getting caught up in a 12-car wreck just past the race's halfway point. Patrick was hoping to learn as much as she could about a new style of racing. She ended up going to the school of hard knocks. "It's important to have realistic ... |
NASCAR tries to get back on trackOf the biggest U.S. sports, NASCAR has had the toughest time battling the recession. With the advertising dollars drying up for sponsorship of race teams, automakers' recent woes and high fuel prices, stock car racing is facing sagging television ratings and lower attendance. With NASCAR's crown jewel, the Daytona 500, set to run Sunday, the circuit hopes to stem the losses and turn around what had been a growing sport for most of the past decade before the recession hit. "We've got to be sure we do this together, build this back up, because we need the TV ratings up, ... |
Basketball
ACC names Williams coach of yearRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Gary Williams had a feeling his Maryland team would be better than people thought in the preseason. He wound up being right, and that landed him a share of a title -- and another coaching honor. Williams was named the Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year on Tuesday after his Terrapins exceeded most preseason predictions, catapulted into the national rankings and shared the league's regular-season championship with Duke. "This year, especially, it's a reflection on our players," Williams said. "It's been great coaching a team that has been willing to get better as the year ... |
Rockets beat Wizards 96-88WASHINGTON (AP) -- For the Houston Rockets, who need as many hands on deck as possible to get out of the win-lose blahs, it was good enough simply to see Trevor Ariza and Kyle Lowry back on the court. Ariza returned after missing seven games with a left hip injury, and Lowry was back after sitting out 12 games with a sprained left ankle. Neither was spectacular, but both shook off the rust as the yo-yo Rockets moved back above .500 Tuesday night with a 96-88 win over the Washington Wizards. "It's good to be at full strength," said Ariza, ... |
Vasquez named ACC player of yearAfter a record-breaking senior season, the individual honors are rolling in for Greivis Vasquez. The Atlantic Coast Conference today named the Maryland guard the league's player of the year and, also today, The Sporting News named Vasquez a first-team All-American. Vasquez, who has averaged almost 20 points a game while leading the Terrapins to a share of the league's regular season title, on Tuesday won the ACC's top individual honor, receiving 39 votes from members of the ACC Sports Media Association. Duke's Jon Scheyer had 12 votes and Viginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney two. On Monday, Vasquez was a unanimous selection ... |
Mavericks top Timberwolves for 12th straightMINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Just when Dallas needed it most, Shawn Marion returned to the high-scoring form that has been absent all season. That's been the story of this remarkable run for the Mavericks. Marion had a season-high 29 points and 14 rebounds and the Mavericks stretched the league's longest active winning streak to 12 straight games with a 125-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. "I've done that before," Marion said with a chuckle about his monster line. "That's easy." What isn't so easy is the unselfishness he's shown this season. Marion has averaged at least 17 points ... |
ACC names Williams coach of yearRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Gary Williams had a feeling his Maryland team would be better than people thought in the preseason. He wound up being right, and that landed him a share of a title -- and another coaching honor. Williams was named the Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year on Tuesday after his Terrapins exceeded most preseason predictions, catapulted into the national rankings and shared the league's regular-season championship with Duke. "This year, especially, it's a reflection on our players," Williams said. "It's been great coaching a team that has been willing to get better as the year ... |
Vasquez named ACC player of yearAfter a record-breaking senior season, the individual honors are rolling in for Greivis Vasquez. The Atlantic Coast Conference today named the Maryland guard the league's player of the year and, also today, The Sporting News named Vasquez a first-team All-American. Vasquez, who has averaged almost 20 points a game while leading the Terrapins to a share of the league's regular season title, on Tuesday won the ACC's top individual honor, receiving 39 votes from members of the ACC Sports Media Association. Duke's Jon Scheyer had 12 votes and Viginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney two. On Monday, Vasquez was a unanimous selection ... |
Vasquez, Scheyer, Delaney unanimous All-ACCRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Maryland's Greivis Vasquez, Duke's Jon Scheyer and Virginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney -- the top three scorers in the Atlantic Coast Conference -- are unanimous All-ACC picks. Vasquez, Scheyer and Delaney were first-team selections on all 53 votes in ballots cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Clemson's Trevor Booker and Duke's Kyle Singler rounded out the first team in results released Monday. The Blue Devils, who earned the top seed in this week's tournament, also had a second-team pick in high-scoring guard Nolan Smith, making them the only program with three players selected ... |
Kansas back on top in AP pollThe Jayhawks (29-2), coming off their sixth straight Big 12 regular season title, moved back into the top spot in The Associated Press' college basketball poll Monday. It is their 14th week at No. 1 this season, more than triple the total of the other three schools who have been there in 2009-10. Kansas, which dropped to second last week after a four-week stint on top, was a near unanimous No. 1, receiving 63 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel. Kentucky (29-2) moved up one place to No. 2 and had the other first-place votes. Syracuse (28-3), No. ... |
NCAA
ACC names Williams coach of yearRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Gary Williams had a feeling his Maryland team would be better than people thought in the preseason. He wound up being right, and that landed him a share of a title -- and another coaching honor. Williams was named the Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year on Tuesday after his Terrapins exceeded most preseason predictions, catapulted into the national rankings and shared the league's regular-season championship with Duke. "This year, especially, it's a reflection on our players," Williams said. "It's been great coaching a team that has been willing to get better as the year ... |
Vasquez named ACC player of yearAfter a record-breaking senior season, the individual honors are rolling in for Greivis Vasquez. The Atlantic Coast Conference today named the Maryland guard the league's player of the year and, also today, The Sporting News named Vasquez a first-team All-American. Vasquez, who has averaged almost 20 points a game while leading the Terrapins to a share of the league's regular season title, on Tuesday won the ACC's top individual honor, receiving 39 votes from members of the ACC Sports Media Association. Duke's Jon Scheyer had 12 votes and Viginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney two. On Monday, Vasquez was a unanimous selection ... |
Vasquez, Scheyer, Delaney unanimous All-ACCRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Maryland's Greivis Vasquez, Duke's Jon Scheyer and Virginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney -- the top three scorers in the Atlantic Coast Conference -- are unanimous All-ACC picks. Vasquez, Scheyer and Delaney were first-team selections on all 53 votes in ballots cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Clemson's Trevor Booker and Duke's Kyle Singler rounded out the first team in results released Monday. The Blue Devils, who earned the top seed in this week's tournament, also had a second-team pick in high-scoring guard Nolan Smith, making them the only program with three players selected ... |
Kansas back on top in AP pollThe Jayhawks (29-2), coming off their sixth straight Big 12 regular season title, moved back into the top spot in The Associated Press' college basketball poll Monday. It is their 14th week at No. 1 this season, more than triple the total of the other three schools who have been there in 2009-10. Kansas, which dropped to second last week after a four-week stint on top, was a near unanimous No. 1, receiving 63 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel. Kentucky (29-2) moved up one place to No. 2 and had the other first-place votes. Syracuse (28-3), No. ... |
National Football League
Vick honored in BaltimoreBALTIMORE (AP) -- A humbled but defiant Michael Vick was honored Tuesday night as one of 32 NFL players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. Outside the ceremony, dozens of protesters expressed dismay over his nomination. The award is presented to players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Each NFL team selects its own recipient. Vick was selected as the Philadelphia Eagles' representative by a unanimous vote of his teammates. Once a star quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was convicted in 2007 for his role in a dogfighting ring and served 18 months in ... |
Snyder answers Smith's jab at RedskinsHall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith and Redskins owner Daniel Snyder are getting into a bit of a verbal exchange through the media, as Snyder responded to a comment made by the Dallas Cowboys great in SLAM Magazine this week. When asked by SLAM what team he liked beating the most on the football field, Smith responded: "I loved defeating the Redskins. I loved it, I loved it, I loved it with a passion," Smith said. "And I loved it more when Daniel Snyder got the team, for a number of reasons. I did. Because here is a guy ... |
Ravens acquire Boldin for two draft picksBALTIMORE | The Baltimore Ravens couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a talented pass catcher to their roster: three-time Pro Bowl standout Anquan Boldin. Baltimore obtained Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals on Friday for a third- and fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft. Baltimore also got a fifth-round pick from Arizona. The 29-year-old Boldin has amassed at least 1,000 yards receiving in five of his seven seasons, including 1,024 yards on 84 catches last season. Boldin received a new four-year, $28 million deal with Baltimore in which $10 million is guaranteed. He was to set to earn $3 million ... |
Roethlisberger under investigation in assault caseMILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | For the second time in a year, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is being accused of sexual misconduct, with police investigating him Saturday for an alleged assault at a nightclub in a Georgia college town. Police in Milledgeville were examining the claim of a 20-year-old student, who told an officer that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted early Friday. The police department had no plans to comment further until Monday at the earliest. The case comes as Roethlisberger faces a lawsuit filed last July by a woman who says he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel and ... |
Hockey
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Outdoors
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Soccer
World's first live 3-D sports event set for SundayLONDON | British network Sky Sports says it will broadcast the world's first live sports event in 3-D when Arsenal hosts Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. Soccer fans will wear special glasses at nine pubs across Britain and Ireland, providing the public's first taste of live 3-D soccer ahead of Sky's dedicated channel launching in April. Previous 3-D trials have been limited to closed-circuit broadcasts in Britain and the United States -- including one on the giant screens at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium during a game -- but the BSkyB channel will be transmitting Sunday's match ... |
One-third of World Cup tickets remain unsoldJOHANNESBURG | The world soccer's governing body says one-third of World Cup tickets remain unsold less than five months before the first tournament held in South Africa. About 1 million of the 3 million tickets are still available, FIFA officials said Wednesday. South Africans and Americans had made the most bids for tickets in the third round of sales, which will be settled by lottery on Monday. FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke dismissed concerns that South Africa -- notorious for its high crime rates -- would be dangerous for visiting fans. "Don't kill the World Cup before the World Cup ... |
Arena elected to U.S. Soccer Hall of FameCARSON, Calif. | Bruce Arena, who coached the U.S. to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, was elected Saturday to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. Arena coached Virginia to five NCAA titles in 18 seasons and D.C. United to a pair of MLS Cup championships and one U.S. Open Cup win before taking over as national team coach in 1998. The 2002 World Cup was the most successful for the U.S. since it reached the semifinals of the first tournament in 1930. Arena coached the U.S. through the 2006 World Cup, when it was eliminated in the ... |
Adu says he has no regrets leaving MLSATHENS, Greece | Though his career has faltered in Europe, Freddy Adu said he's confident his game will pick up in Greece after being lured there by a respected coach and the hope of a place in the U.S. World Cup squad. The 20-year-old American forward joined Greek club Aris on Jan. 6 on an 18-month loan from Benfica, where he had struggled to establish himself. He had previously been loaned to smaller Portuguese club Belenenses. Adu said he has no regrets about leaving the United States. "Football in Europe is No. 1 and where it's at its best and ... |
Tennis
Federer wins Australian OpenMELBOURNE, Australia -- Roger Federer dismantled Andy Murray in the Australian Open final Sunday to extend his record to 16 Grand Slam titles and prolong an already long British drought. Federer collected his fourth Australian Open title with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) win at Rod Laver Arena that, apart from the tiebreaker, lacked the drama and raw emotion of his five-set loss here last year to then No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal. Last year, Federer sobbed when Rod Laver presented the winner's trophy to Nadal, having missed a chance to equal Pete Sampras' record 14 career majors. This time, Murray ... |
Serena Williams captures fifth Australian OpenMELBOURNE, Australia | Serena Williams won her second straight Australian Open championship, ending Justine Henin's hopes of a Grand Slam title in her return from retirement with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory Saturday. Williams withstood a determined challenge from Henin before securing her fifth Australian Open title overall and 12th Grand Slam singles championship overall, tying Billie Jean King. King was at the stadium on Saturday night to take part in a pre-match ceremony to honor the 40-year anniversary of Margaret Court's four Grand Slam tournament wins in 1970. "Billie, we are tied," Williams said. "So I've reached my goal." ... |
Agassi admits using crystal methNEW YORK -- Andre Agassi's upcoming autobiography contains an admission that he used crystal meth in 1997 and lied to tennis authorities when he failed a drug test -- a result that was thrown out after he said he "unwittingly" took the substance. According to an excerpt of the autobiography published Wednesday in The Times of London, the eight-time Grand Slam champion writes that he sent a letter to the ATP tour to explain the positive test, saying he accidentally drank from a soda spiked with meth by his assistant "Slim." "Then I come to the central lie of the ... |
On Tennis: Intrigue at the U.S. OpenNEW YORK -- The 2009 U.S. Open was nothing if not intriguing. And it was downright exciting for the first time in years. There were upsets and outbursts, meltdowns and comebacks. There also were two surprising but deserving champions. The most-discussed development - pesky weather that kept players on the court through Monday aside - clearly was the behavior of three-time champion Serena Williams. The consensus in New York: Williams was right to be upset about a foot-fault call that set up match point in her semifinal against Kim Clijsters, but she took things exponentially too far by threatening a ... |