EZ Sports Online Weblog: August 2005 Archives

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August 31, 2005

NFL SCHEDULES

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August 29, 2005

Brad Faxon beats Tjaart van der Walt in Buick Championship playoff

CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) - Brad Faxon's persistence at the Buick Championship finally paid off. He rolled in a three-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Sunday, and beat South African Tjaart van der Walt for his first victory since 2001. Faxon tied the course record in regulation with a 9-under 61, a personal best for the 44-year-old. He stayed close to home for his eighth PGA Tour victory, earning a $774,000 paycheque.
The Rhode Islander has been a mainstay at this New England tournament, appearing 22 times. His best finish had been an eighth in 1996.
"People get excited about this tournament and I love playing close to home," Faxon said. "Nobody on tour would ever tell you anything differently. My father came today, my aunt, my uncle, my cousins are here. Great friends are here. It's just awesome."

Van der Walt shot a 64 Sunday and birdied the final two holes to tie Faxon at 14-under 266 and force a playoff back to the 434-yard par-4 18th.

Third-rounder leader Justin Rose (69) finished one stroke out of the playoff, while former British Open champion Ben Curtis (69), Jerry Kelly (77) and NCAA runner-up Michael Putnam (63) were all at 12 under.

Putnam had been at Merion last week for the U.S. Amateur when he was told he received a sponsor's exemption to the Buick Championship. He decided to turn pro and earned $177,733 in his PGA Tour debut.

Faxon thought he would be home sooner than later earlier in the week. He made the 36-hole cut on the number and was back in his hotel room packing up Friday afternoon while waiting to hear if he made it.

"This was really kind of out of the blue," he said. "The first two days I played OK. Then something happened yesterday where all the putts started going in."

On Sunday, not only did his putts fall but he took advantage of a couple of favourable rulings to save par on the last two holes. When his tee shot on No. 17 rolled about 40 yards down a cart path and damaged the ball, Faxon got to pull out a new ball and place his drop.

On the playoff hole both hit great second shots.

Faxon drove into the left fairway bunker and had 169 yards to the hole and stuck his seven-iron approach three feet from the cup. Van der Walt, unflappable all week at the TPC at River Highlands, drove it right down the middle to within 134 yards. His approach banged off the flagstick and rolled just over nine feet from the cup. The players high-fived each other as they walked up the 18th fairway to an ovation.

Van der Walt pushed his birdie putt right then stood back and watched as Faxon coolly rolled his in for the win.

Van der Walt is playing on tour with a medical exemption after a wrist injury limited him to 12 events in 2004, his rookie season. He needed to earn just over $448,000 over the next seven tournaments to keep his card for this year. No worries now for the 30-year-old, who pocketed $464,400 for finishing second on Sunday.

"I guess now I can play a little more," van der Walt said. "You work so hard to get out here and then you get hurt. It's not a nice feeling. The (tour) was nice enough to work with me on a major medical, and that's where I am now."

The field played under drizzly conditions all day and the rain-softened greens resulted in low numbers early. That allowed several to catch Rose, who began the day with a four stroke lead at 12-under. Rose didn't make a move until late in the day. He birdied two of the last four holes.

"I knew I had to go out and play a good round and make it mine," Rose said. "Guys are shooting 61 and 64 from behind you, so I needed to keep it moving forward."

Faxon has been playing on an injured right knee nearly for two years. He planned to have surgery in two weeks to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Now it seems, that will have to wait. The victory qualifies him to play in the 2006 tour opener in Hawaii.

"My wife says if we don't go to Kapalua, I'm going to kill you," he said. "So what do you think?"

Posted by admin at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)

August 28, 2005

Injuries take toll on women as No. 1 ranking up for grabs in U.S. Open

NEW YORK (AP) - Women's tennis and the NFL have one thing in common: injuries galore. Tennis seems a tame game compared with football's violence, but there's no shortage of aches among the women trooping into the U.S. Open on Monday with their bandages and painkillers, physical therapists and chiropractors.

Kim Clijsters, one of the few top players completely healthy at the moment, has been sizzling this summer and is favoured to win her first Grand Slam championship after racking up her tour-leading sixth title. She's rated a better bet than No. 1 seed Maria Sharapova (returning from a strained chest muscle) and the woman set to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the WTA Tour rankings on Monday, Lindsay Davenport (returning from a back injury).
Yet Clijsters, all of 22, spoke Sunday of retiring in two years because of the toll tennis has taken on her body. She's weary of injuries and worried about how they will affect her life away from tennis in the future.

Her most serious problem last year was a torn tendon in her left wrist, which led to surgery and cost her most of the season, as well as the start of this year. She made a strong comeback when she returned to the tour in February, despite a knee injury in May.

"I know how my body is feeling now and that, for me, is the main reason," Clijsters said of her thoughts of retirement. "For the next two years ... I'll just have to look after my body, make sure I have massages every day, do my knee exercises, my shoulder exercises and my core exercises. There's so much. I need to do all those things if I want to be able to play as well as I have been. That's why, after the U.S. Open, I'm going to have a long break ... just to make sure that everything is right again and that I recover well."

Retirement plans can, of course, change.

Davenport, 29, spoke last year about retiring. She, too, was having enough of foot and back injuries, among others, along with repeated rehabs. But she got a second wind in her career, finished last year No. 1 and has occupied the top spot most of this year, albeit without winning a Grand Slam title since the Australian in 2000. She's come close twice this year, reaching the finals of the Australian and Wimbledon.

"A couple of wins there (on the WTA Tour) gave me a lot of confidence to keep going, and I've kind of sustained that confidence," she said. "I work way harder now than at any point in my career, off the court, and I feel like that, all of a sudden, came into play quite a bit. I enjoy it more now. I don't know if that's because I came to the realization that I might be without it soon, or came to the realization that I better enjoy the last few years, however long they last."

Clijsters' fellow Belgian, Justine Henin-Hardenne, 23, is not thinking quite yet about retirement but certainly can empathize with her about all the health issues. A blood virus kept Henin-Hardenne off the court much of last year, a right knee fracture during practice in December delayed her return to court until March, then a right hip flexor strain set her back in April.

Amazingly, she overcame all that to win the French Open in June, though a right hamstring injury in July hampered her again.

"I'm much better," she said Sunday. "It's been hard to come back again after an injury in the last couple of weeks. It hasn't been once, not twice, but three times in a year.

"I'm not probably going to play as much as I did the last few years because I need to stay healthy for a couple of more years. I want to play for a long time. I'm not going to retire in two or three years, for sure."

Serena and Venus Williams have had more than their share of injuries the past few years but both will playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday. Tournament officials want to feature the former two-time champions, seeded eighth and 10th, respectively, early on - since they could clash in the fourth round.

French Open champion Rafael Nadal of Spain, seeded No. 2 in the men's draw behind Wimbledon champ Roger Federer, also will play on the main stadium court during the afternoon. The night belongs to Sharapova and Andre Agassi.

Federer, Andy Roddick and Davenport play their first matches on Tuesday.

Fifth-seeded Marat Safin, the 2000 champion, withdrew Sunday due to an ongoing problem with his left knee. He handed Federer one of his three losses this year, in the semifinals of the Australian Open, en route to winning the event.

Safin's place in the draw will be taken by lucky loser Bjorn Phau of Germany.

Posted by admin at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)

August 22, 2005

Richelle Monk - Hot as Hell

Richelle Monk is hot as hell. Not only because of how she looks but how she thinks.
The 25-year-old model and actress was born in 1979 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a picturesque community that sits near the border with Montana. There’s even a “Monk Avenue” in town. Perhaps that is why Richelle continues to live in the Great White North.

Richelle Monk is hot as hell. Not only because of how she looks but how she thinks.

The 25-year-old model and actress was born in 1979 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a picturesque community that sits near the border with Montana. There’s even a “Monk Avenue” in town. Perhaps that is why Richelle continues to live in the Great White North.

She has appeared in Maxim, FHM, Glamour, Seventeen, Hello and Teen magazines, as well as doing spokes model work for Maxim, Coors Light, Budweiser, Labatts and Benson and Hedges. The statuesque woman is also familiar on the catwalks of the Canadian fashion scene, including a stroll to promote JLo’s clothing line.

Ezsportsonline soon learned Richelle may look 100 percent feminine on the outside, but she totally thinks like a dude…

Ezsportsonline: You were born in September. What’s your sign?

Richelle: I am a Virgo.

Ezsportsonline: Ah, modest, reliable, meticulous, practical, intelligent, a worrier and a perfectionist.

Richelle: What do you mean?

Ezsportsonline: Those are supposedly the traditional traits of a Virgo. I can see where you might be a perfectionist because you are perfect.

Richelle: Thank you for the compliment.

Ezsportsonline: You’re welcome. How long have you been modeling?

Richelle: When I was 13, I had an agent approach me from New York.

Ezsportsonline: And he was actually for real?

Richelle: Yes. I started modeling when I was very young.

Ezsportsonline: I can tell from your resume. What would you be doing now if you weren’t a model?

Richelle: I would probably be a police woman. I like to be in charge. (Laughs)

Ezsportsonline: Oh yeah? You like to carry a big gun?

Richelle: I have a blast every time I go to the gun range. Last time I was there, I shot a Beretta. It’s such a rush. I’m a big risk-taker.

Ezsportsonline: That’s sexy.

Richelle: I think life is made to have its ups and downs, and we should live life to its fullest and have no regrets. We should never doubt ourselves and always be willing to take risks. Life is full of surprises.

Ezsportsonline: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Richelle: I’ve done so many crazy and wild things that I can’t just name one. If I had to… (Thinking) I would have to say in the bedroom.

Ezsportsonline: So you are a fan of 'getting busy'?

Richelle: I admit I have a very sexual appetite, but I keep that private with my lovers. I’m open-minded about sex. I’m usually the one telling my lover “This may be kinda cool, so let’s try this!”

Ezsportsonline: What makes a guy great in bed?

Richelle: To feel passion, have desire and be extremely open-minded. Kinky is always kind of cool, isn’t it? I can say that I’m extremely satisfied. I can be mean in bed, but trust me, the guy doesn’t complain.

Ezsportsonline: Is there anything men could do differently or better?

Richelle: Take your damn socks off.

Ezsportsonline: (Taking shoes and socks off)

Richelle: (Laughs)

Ezsportsonline: Do you wear socks to bed – or anything else?

Richelle: I sleep completely nude. I can’t stand wearing things in bed when I’m trying to sleep. It drives me nuts.

Posted by admin at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)

Rangers forward Jagr named Czech Republic's hockey player of the season

PRAGUE (AP) - New York Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr was voted the Czech Republic's player of the year for the sixth time.

The 33-year-old veteran won the vote by a panel of sports journalists and hockey coaches Saturday. Tomas Kaberle and goalie Tomas Vokoun were runners-up for the 2004-05 season award.
After the NHL lockout wiped out the entire 2004-05 NHL season, Jagr first played for hometown club Kladno in the Czech league. In November, he moved to Russia and helped Avangard Omsk win January's European Champions Cup.

In May, Jagr won his first world championship to become the 15th player to win Stanley Cup, Olympic and world championship titles.

PRAGUE (AP) - New York Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr was voted the Czech Republic's player of the year for the sixth time.

In May, Jagr won his first world championship to become the 15th player to win Stanley Cup, Olympic and world championship titles.

Posted by admin at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

August 21, 2005

Woods overcomes shaky putting to edge DiMarco at NEC Invitational

AKRON, Ohio (AP) - The World Golf Championships were created seven years ago to bring together the best players from around the world. Tiger Woods has turned them into an annuity.
Woods overcame some shaky putting Sunday by making the one that mattered, an 18-foot birdie putt that broke sharply into the right side of the cup on the 16th hole at Firestone, sending him to a one-shot victory over Chris DiMarco in the NEC Invitational.
"I've had that putt for three or four years, and I miss it low every time," Woods said. "I made sure I threw the ball out there a little bit more . . . and it just snapped at the end. I thought it was going to lip out, which was how my whole day was going. But it lipped in, which was sweet."

The victory, his seventh straight year with at least one WGC title, wasn't secure until Woods punched a nine-iron through the trees and onto the 18th green for a two-putt par to close with a 1-over 71.

Woods has won nine of the 18 World Golf Championships he has played, and he has earned about $11.6 million US alone from these tournaments, more than 20 per cent of his career earnings.

"You started these too late," he said.

Still, he has rarely had to work this hard on a Firestone course four times in his last six trips.

Woods missed five putts inside eight feet and trailed Kenny Perry by two shots when they made the turn. Even the birdie putt that finally gave him the lead required an approach from 189 yards over the water. And it wasn't over until he made another escape from the trees.

Woods finished at 6-under 274 and earned $1.3 million for his fifth victory of the year, one more than Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson, enough to end any debate about PGA Tour player of the year.

DiMarco, who lost to Woods in a playoff at the Masters, thought he might get another shot at him when he shot a 68 to finish at 275. Playing four groups ahead of Woods, he had a 20-foot birdie on the 18th that grazed the edge of the cup. DiMarco watched Woods play the last three holes from the dining room.

"If you're hoping for him to make bogey, you didn't do what you needed to do out there," he said.

Paul McGinley, one of four players who had at least a share of the lead, fell out of contention with a bogey on the 17th and shot 72 to tie for third with Singh (67) and Ryan Palmer (69).

Perry bogeyed five of six holes and wound up tied for sixth after a 74.

Stephen Ames of Calgary shot a 3-over 73 and Mike Weir of Bright's Grove, Ont., shot a 6-over 76 and to finish tied for 36th at 6-over 286.

It was the first time Woods won with a final round over par since he shot 2-over 72 to win the American Express Championship - another WGC event - two years ago outside Atlanta.

Blustery conditions contributed to that, although mostly it was his putter.

Woods only made the hard ones, including a 15-foot bender on the 10th hole for a two-shot lead that gave him a share of the lead with Perry. Then he missed an eight-footer for par on the 11th, and a five-foot birdie putt on the 13th that would have given him the outright lead.

"I just could not make a putt," Woods said. "Either I hit good putts that didn't go in, or I hit atrocious putts that weren't even close. It was frustrating."

Woods walked to the 14th tee tapping his driver onto the cart path until he reached the grass, when he pounded the club into the ground. He could sense the NEC Invitational slipping away.

And then he heard a groan behind him from the 17th green, and he knew the score.

DiMarco went after the flag and went long into the deep grass to made bogey. Before long, his score of 5 under was posted on the leaderboards. Woods figured birdie chances would be rare because of the tucked pins on the 15th and 17th, and because No. 18 is difficult to find the fairway.

"My realistic chance was 16," he said.

Woods now has 45 career victories, moving past Walter Hagen into seventh on the all-time list. Twelve of those have come in three tournaments, with four victories apiece at the NEC Invitational, the Masters and the Bay Hill Invitational.

In contention for the first time since the Masters, DiMarco birdied three of his first six holes to get into the mix, but made too many mistakes down the stretch - back-to-back bogeys on 12th and 13th, and missing the 17th green long, from where the best he could do was chip to 15 feet.

"Bridesmaid's getting old," he said. "Maybe this will be good for me. Maybe this will light a fire under me."

The 667-yard 16th hole proved pivotal for Woods twice on Sunday.

He and Perry had to return at 7:30 a.m. to finish the storm-delayed third round and wound up tied at 7-under 203. Perry missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 64. Woods was between trees in the left rough on the 16th, pitched out and had 185 yards over the pond that guards the green. He hit into 20 feet for a par, then made two more pars for a 67 to get into the final group. He is 34-3 when he has at least a share of the 54-hole lead.

In the final round, he was deep in the trees right of the fairway, and could only punch out a shot that left him 189 yards to a tighter pin. Anything long is in deep grass with the green running away from him, anything short is wet. The shot covered the flag and landed softly, 18 feet behind the cup.

This time, the putt went in.

Divots: Bridgestone was formally introduced as the title sponsor of this World Golf Championship event for the next five years. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said the Bridgestone Invitational will remain at Firestone through 2010. ... Stuart Appleby was assessed a two-shot penalty on the 13th hole when taking relief from a cart path. After taking his first drop, his caddie picked up the ball before it finished rolling. Already 2 over for the day, Appleby took double bogey on the hole and shot 74.

Posted by admin at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)

August 20, 2005

Braves score five times in eighth in 6-2 victory over Padres

ATLANTA (AP) - After struggling to a 6-6 record against NL West teams on their longest homestand of the season, the Atlanta Braves should realize the rest of the season is going to be just as tough, according to Chipper Jones.
"Maybe some people in here thought we were going to glide into the playoffs, but it ain't going to happen," Jones said after the Braves, helped by three San Diego errors, rallied past the Padres 6-2 Sunday night. Two of the Padres' errors came in the eighth inning, when the Braves scored five runs to salvage a win in the three-game series. Three of the runs were unearned.

"Maybe some people in here thought we were going to glide into the playoffs, but it ain't going to happen," Jones said after the Braves, helped by three San Diego errors, rallied past the Padres 6-2 Sunday night. Two of the Padres' errors came in the eighth inning, when the Braves scored five runs to salvage a win in the three-game series. Three of the runs were unearned.

"There are too many good teams in the league," Jones said. "We let an opportunity slide in this homestand."

The Padres led 2-1 after scoring two runs off John Smoltz in the seventh.

Marcus Giles led off the eighth with a single off reliever Akinori Otsuka (1-5) and moved to third on Jones' double to centre. Damian Jackson then bobbled Andruw Jones' grounder for an error, allowing Giles to score to tie the game as Jones beat the late throw at first.

Both runners advanced on Adam LaRoche's deep fly to left field. Otsuka issued an intentional walk to Jeff Francoeur to load the bases - giving the rookie his first walk after 127 at-bats. Ryan Langerhans followed with a grounder to Mark Sweeney at first - ruled an infield hit that drove in Chipper Jones. Sweeney threw wildly to home for the second error of the inning, allowing Andruw Jones to follow Chipper Jones across the plate.

Brian McCann drove in Francoeur with a sacrifice fly to centre, and pinch-hitter Julio Franco drove in Langerhans with a single to right.

"The ball got a little hot in that inning," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "We did hit the ball well in that inning also, but we finally caught a break. . . . We needed to beat them once, anyway."

Jorge Sosa (8-2) earned the win in relief.

With the comeback, the Braves snapped a three-game losing streak and protected their 3 1/2-game lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East.

The Padres (61-62) fell back below .500, but still lead the NL West by four games.

"We broke down in the eighth inning," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "That opened up the floodgates. . . . We were playing flawless ball until the eighth."

According to Braves records, the Padres could have become the first National League team to sweep a season series from the Braves since they moved to Atlanta in 1966.

"I didn't know that; I'm glad you didn't tell me before the game," Chipper Jones said. "I'm glad we could avoid that from being a hot topic in the morning."

The Padres swept three games from the Braves in San Diego from May 16-18 before taking the first two games of this weekend's series.

The Braves now play the Padres only six times each year. Until the schedule format changed recently, the teams met 18 times each season.

The Padres took a 2-1 lead on Sweeney's pinch-hit two-run single off Smoltz in the seventh inning. Sweeney, hitting for pitcher Brian Lawrence, drove in Xavier Nady, who doubled, and Jackson, who walked, with a single to centre.

Smoltz drove in McCann from first with a fifth-inning triple to give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

"Bobby told me to drive the runner in," Smoltz said. "It was awesome McCann was able to score on that."

Smoltz gave up eight hits and two runs in seven innings. He walked two and struck out five.

"I've been busting it," Smoltz said. "This is as much as I've battled for a long time. It was a playoff game for me."

Smoltz has made 12 starts after Braves losses. He is 8-1 and the team is 10-2 in those games.

Lawrence gave up five hits and one run in six innings. He walked three and struck out four and escaped a fourth-inning bases-loaded jam without allowing a run.

"We fought hard for pretty much the whole game, and then it slipped away," Lawrence said.

The Braves did not have a hit off Lawrence until the fourth inning, when they loaded the bases with no outs on a leadoff double by Rafael Furcal, a bunt single by Marcus Giles and a walk to Chipper Jones. Lawrence struck out Andruw Jones and then ended the inning with a double-play grounder to short from LaRoche.

Notes: The triple for Smoltz was the second of his career. His first triple came on April 6, 1989, at Houston. The 1989 season was his first full season in the majors. ... The Padres completed a 4-2 road trip.

Posted by admin at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)

August 18, 2005

Ageless Allen throws three touchdowns as Argos beat Eskimos 22-18

EDMONTON (CP) - Damon Allen tossed three touchdown passes as the Toronto Argonauts won 22-18 Saturday, handing the Edmonton Eskimos their first home loss of the season.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Allen found slotback Robert Baker, who ran untouched 90 yards down the sidelines for an touchdown on the Argonauts' first possession of the second quarter.
After Allen hit Arland Bruce for an 89-yard score down the left sidelines in the third quarter, the Eskimos fumbled the kickoff and Argos wide receiver Tony Miles scored 2:09 later off Allen's six-yard pass. Allen was limping noticeably on his bruised right ankle following the play.

Argos defensive lineman Robert England also had an interception and sacked Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray, who threw a pair of interceptions and dealt with a collapsing pocket throughout the night. But the 25-year-old pivot came to life in the fourth quarter with a two-yard scoring plunge and 18-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Gaylor.

Still, Edmonton (5-3) fell to 3-1 at home before 38,927 at Commonwealth Stadium. Toronto improved to 5-3.

The slow-moving first half was no gem. The second quarter featured a badly executed fake punt by the Argos Noel Prefontaine deep in their own end, a poorly thrown Ricky Ray pass on the following possession that fell into England's arms, and a missed 40-yard field goal from Sean Fleming with no time left for a 7-1 Argos lead at the half.

England also stuffed an Edmonton drive late in the third quarter following a seven-yard sack on Ray, who also threw an interception to Argos cornerback Jordan Younger midway through the fourth quarter that sent many of the home fans home.

The Eskimos opened the second-half with a 14-play, 66-yard drive that took 7:18 off

the clock but could only produce a 19-yard Fleming field goal.

Eskimos linebacker Steven Marsh had an open interception on Allen in the third quarter but couldn't hold onto the ball.

The national CBC television broadcast featured only crowd sounds and some detail from the local radio play-by-play crew due to the employee lockout.

Allen, a 42-year-old grandfather who has played 21 CFL seasons and is the defending Grey Cup MVP, entered the game as the Argos rushing leader with 33 carries for 178 yards.

Notes: Edmonton re-signed defensive back Donny Brady, 31, to a two-year contract extension this week. . . . Patrick Kabongo, a 325-pound converted offensive lineman, started at right guard after just three months in his new position. . . . Non-import kicker Hayden Epstein, a former Minnesota Viking and Jacksonville Jaguar, was added to Edmonton's practice roster this week. . . . Allen was also voted the 1993 Grey Cup MVP following Edmonton's 33-23 win over Winnipeg.

Posted by admin at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)

Kyle Rattray of Guelph, Ont., wins Canadian title in men's open wakeboarding

MONTREAL (CP) - Kyle Rattray of Guelph, Ont., won gold medals in the men's open and over-19 categories Sunday at the Canadian wakeboard championships.

Rattray, 20, had already made a strong impression this year in his first full season as a senior competitor, and is eyeing gold at next month's world championships in Moscow. "Everything came together for me today and I'm really pumped about being the Canadian champion," Rattray said. "I followed my plan to a tee and it appears everything for me is going in the right direction. I'm ready to go all out at the worlds."
In the women's open, Sunni-Anne Ball of King City, Ont., reclaimed the title she won in 2003. Ball was ranked sixth this year on the Wakeboard Tour.

"I didn't ride very well but it was enough to win," said the 20-year-old Ball, who also headed to the worlds. "If I can land my run properly then I think it is good enough to win at the worlds."

In the men's junior final, 19-year-old Anthony Hollick of Regina claimed his first national title.

Posted by admin at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)

August 15, 2005

Canada earns bronze at U21 basketball championship with win over Australia

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (CP) - Vancouver's Levon Kendall scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Canada 79-74 over Australia for third place in basketball's under-21 world championship on Sunday.
In the gold-medal game, Lithuania beat Greece 65-63. Earlier, J.J. Redick scored a game-high 22 points to lead the United States over Argentina 111-85 for fifth place. Canada led 76-74 with 30 seconds remaining when Garry Gallimore of Ottawa secured the victory with three consecutive free throws.
"Obviously, it was a great game because we won," said Canadian head coach Dave Crook. "Australia has had a spectacular performance in this tournament, but today we defeated them.

"I always believed in our players, in their skills and their quality."

Brad Newley had 17 points for Australia, which finished 6-2.

"We faced Australia many times and we knew that they are a tough rival," Kendall. "Today we won because we played with energy and courage."

Vladimir Kuljanin of Toronto added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Canada.

Australia's coach, Benjamin Allen thought his team let Canada get too many breaks starting in the third quarter - and failed in its three-point shooting.

"We are disappointed because we had a great showing," Allen said. "We missed some decisive three-point shots."

Canada had lost to Australia in the qualifying round earlier this week after defeating them twice in July, including the championship game at the Jack Donohue International Classic in Mississauga, Ont.

In the U.S. victory, American Justin Gray also scored 16 points as the U.S. finished 7-1, its only loss in overtime to Canada in the quarterfinals on Friday when Kendall had a tournament-high 40 points.

The U.S. outrebounded Argentina 43-29 as the Americans shot more three-pointers and outmaneuvered the host while racing to a 61-29 halftime lead. Leonardo Mainoldi had 21 points for Argentina, which finished the tournament 5-3.

"We went all out from the beginning as we were trying to forget our disappointment over losing to Canada," U.S. Coach Phil Martelli said. "The key to winning this match was the first half."

Argentine Coach Gonzalo Garcia commented that the U.S. showed the kind of on-court toughness he expected of a team playing in the final.

"I can't explain how the U.S. didn't get to the final, but we ran up against a wall and we couldn't do anything," he said.

Earlier, Jesus Verdejo had 19 points to help Puerto Rico to an 86-77 victory over Slovenia for seventh place.

Twelve teams were to have competed in the tournament here in Mar del Plata, an Argentine South Atlantic beach resort. Iran pulled out just before the start because of Israel's participation.

Posted by admin at 03:35 PM | Comments (0)

Rafael Nadal beats Andre Agassi 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in Rogers Cup tennis final

MONTREAL (CP) - Neither Andre Agassi's legend nor a quick hardcourt could stop dynamic teenager Rafael Nadal.
Nadal won a battle of generations Sunday with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Andre Agassi at the $2.45-million US Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium. It was the top-seeded Spaniard's first career win on a hardcourt, his third victory in a row and his ATP-tour-leading ninth tournament win of the year. His eight previous wins, including the French Open, were on slower clay courts.

Nadal won a battle of generations Sunday with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Andre Agassi at the $2.45-million US Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium. It was the top-seeded Spaniard's first career win on a hardcourt, his third victory in a row and his ATP-tour-leading ninth tournament win of the year. His eight previous wins, including the French Open, were on slower clay courts.
"I don't want to think about it because I always want to stay the same," Nadal said of his breakthrough season and the consensus opinion that he will be the sports' next superstar.

"I only want to think about next week. I'm happy I've won a grand slam, three Masters Series and five (other) tournaments, but I can't think about that now. I'll think about it at the end of the year."

The 19-year-old Nadal's mystifying left-handed shotmaking got the better of the 35-year-old Agassi, who was missing the lines with his winners in a baseline battle interrupted 58 minutes after the first set by rain.

"It's easy to see why he's won so many matches," said Agassi. "He's just a great mover on the court and he gets good power from stretched positions, so you're never sure if you have control of a point.

"His serve was more awkward than I anticipated. If you don't get a good return, he immediately gets on the offence. That's the sign of a great player."

After the loss Agassi withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters, which starts Monday. Agassi is a three-time champion of the event.

Nadal, who has a 16-match winning streak, won $400,000 while Agassi pocketed $200,000.

No. 4 Agassi, who was coming off a win in Los Angeles two weeks ago, ended a 10-match winning run.

It was the first meeting between Nadal and Agassi, who has won 60 tournaments, including eight grand slams, in his 19-year career.

While Nadal had shown before he's a good hardcourt player, he silenced skeptics who doubted he could win on the quicker surface. In his previous hardcourt final this year, he lost to world No. 1 Roger Federer in Miami in March, despite leading 2-0 in sets and 4-1 in the third set.

This win should be a boost going into the U.S. Open on hardcourts later this month.

"It's very important," said Nadal. "I know I can play good on hard because I had good scores this year.

"But I've got confidence now. I hope to play at the same level next week because it's good for the confidence - for the U.S. Open especially."

Nadal reached, passed or threatened a string of milestones with the win.

His tour-leading 65 match wins this year is second best ever by a teenager to Boris Becker's 69 in 1986. The last teenager to win the Canadian tournament was Michael Chang in 1990, when he was 18.

Agassi's last loss to a teenaged player in a final was in 1990, when he was beaten by a 19-year-old Pete Sampras.

And Nadal has the most wins by a teenager since Agassi won 63 in 1988. His ninth tournament victory tied Mats Wilander in 1983 as the most by a player under 20.

Nadal began the year ranked 51st by the ATP and has climbed to No. 2 with nine victories - one more than Federer.

Even the popular Spaniard, decked out for the beach in three-quarter length white pants, a sleeveless shirt and a bandanna, had to fight for favour from the 11,400 fans at Uniprix Stadium against the revered Agassi, who won the Canadian event in 1992, 1994 and 1995.

Even after Agassi lost, the crowd chanted his name until he stood up and waved and he then got a standing ovation.

The two had some spectacular rallies, with Nadal repeatedly running down cross-court shots that looked impossible to reach.

Nadal had lost only one of 53 service games in the tournament going into the final, and held nine more times before Agassi broke his medium-speed but precisely placed serve in the final game of the second set.

But Nadal didn't collapse. Instead, he became more aggressive on court and broke a faltering Agassi for 2-1 and 4-1 leads in the final set.

"In every match you have important points," said Nadal. "If you stay tough mentally, you can win those points.

"After the rain stopped, he changed his strategy. He put his backhand on my backhand always. He surprised me. I needed to play a little more aggressive to try for the victory and I did that."

It was Nadal's fourth final of the year in a Masters Series event - the nine tournaments ranked just below grand slams in prize money and importance - and his third win.

It was the first time Agassi has lost after reaching a Masters Series final since Miami in 1998, ending an eight-match winning run.

The 16-year age gap between finalists was the largest since 1979, when 35-year-old Tom Okker beat 19-year-old Per Hjertquist in Tel Aviv.

Nadal, coming off wins at Bastad and Stuttgart, has not lost since falling to Gilles Muller of France in the second round at Wimbledon.

Nadal was beaten in the first round by Lleyton Hewitt in his Rogers Cup debut last year in Toronto. He is the first Spaniard to win since Manuel Orestes in 1975.

It may have helped Nadal that Federer did not play the Rogers Cup due to injury and that hardcourt aces Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt were knocked out in the first round.

Nadal is 10-2 in finals in his career, with both losses on hardcourts, but his record on hardcourts is strong - 31-16 in his career and 16-4 this year. He just plays more on clay, where his record is 74-12.

Both players plan to play this week in Cincinnati, although Agassi said it will depend on how he feels on Monday morning after a tough week of tennis.

No. 1 seeds who have reached finals are now 20-0 on the ATP tour this year.

In the doubles final, fourth-seeded Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe beat Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-0. Black and Ullyett split $99,300 while Erlich and Ram got $51,650.

Organizers announced that 172,683 spectators watched the week-long tournament, breaking the record of 166,442 at the women's Rogers Cup in Montreal in 2004.

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August 12, 2005

Blanche Spalding - Confidence is Sexy

Any girl can wear a tiny outfit that shows off a fit body, but it takes supreme confidence to storm the modeling world like Blanche Spalding. Blanche is a half-Spanish beauty from Arizona whose 36D-24-34 figure fills a bikini or a pair of tight jeans...

Posted by admin at 05:25 PM | Comments (0)

August 10, 2005

Toronto Raptors open 2005-06 NBA season at home Nov. 2 against Washington

TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Raptors will tip off their 11th season on Nov. 2 against the Washington Wizards, the NBA team announced Monday.
Toronto will play five of its first six games at the Air Canada Centre.
It marks the eighth time in team history that the club has started the regular season at home. Toronto's road opener is Nov. 5 against the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons.

TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Raptors will tip off their 11th season on Nov. 2 against the Washington Wizards, the NBA team announced Monday.

Toronto will play five of its first six games at the Air Canada Centre.
It marks the eighth time in team history that the club has started the regular season at home. Toronto's road opener is Nov. 5 against the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons.

Former Raptor Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets will make two visits to Toronto this season, on Nov. 4 and Jan. 8. Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat will play at the Air Canada Centre on Nov. 20 and March 29. The defending champion San Antonio Spurs will make their only trip to Toronto on Feb. 8, and reigning league MVP Steve Nash of Victoria and the Phoenix Suns visit March 31.

The Raptors will have one five-game homestand this season (Jan. 29-Feb. 8) and two five-game road trips (Jan. 17-23, Feb. 13-27).

The Raptors missed the playoffs last season after finishing with a 33-49 record.

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August 09, 2005

Agassi wins while Henman, Niemeyer ousted in first round of Rogers Cup

MONTREAL (CP) - American star Andre Agassi thrilled appreciative fans Monday by winning his opening match Monday evening at the $2.45 million US Rogers Cup tournament, while Tim Henman and Canadians Phillip Bester and Frederic Niemeyer were ousted.
Agassi, the 35-year-old three-time champion survived a couple of service breaks in the opening set to beat Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 6-2.

Agassi, the 35-year-old three-time champion survived a couple of service breaks in the opening set to beat Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 6-2.
"I came out here tonight a little bit nervous," Agassi told the near-capacity crowd, before thanking them for their enthusiastic support.

The oldest player in men's tennis finessed his way from the baseline with steady groundstrokes, capitalizing on mistakes by his 26-year-old opponent. The No. 4 seed and seventh-ranked player in the world hopes to capture his 61st career title this week and boost his earnings above $30 million US.

Agassi's next opponent is Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden, 33, who easily beat American Vincent Spadea in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Asked about taking on another "old timer," Agassi said Bjorkman won't be easy despite his having to qualify for the tourney.

"I'm the best over-30 player, so it doesn't matter," he joked.

Agassi hopes injections he's received for a sciatic nerve in his lower back will keep him on the court through the summer season.

Veteran British tennis player Tim Henman's game continued to struggle as the 10th seed lost to Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia, 27, in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Henman, 30, used his usual combination of tough serves and finessed net play in the first set. But a lapse in the second set continued through the third, frustrating Henman, who shot a ball into the stands upon being broken to trail 1-3.

"It's frustrating," he said. "I haven't played that much tennis and that many matches."

Another seeded player to lose was Fernando Gonzalez of Chile. The 16th seed lost to Max Mirnyi of Belarus 6-7 (5), 4-6.

Joining Henman and Gonzalez on the sidelines were 16-year-old Bester of North Vancouver, B.C., and Niemeyer of Deauville, Que.

Bester fell to Ricardo Mello of Brazil 4-6, 2-6. Hometown crowd support wasn't enough to help Niemeyer, 29, against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia. The fifth seed won 6-2, 6-1.

First-round action will resume Tuesday with Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Toronto's Rob Steckley vying to keep Canadian hopes alive.

Niemeyer was disappointed with the result after working so hard to prepare for the match.

"I followed my game plan," Niemeyer told reporters. "I tried to make some changes but everytime he had an answer."

Despite losing in what is likely to be his last singles match in Montreal, Niemeyer said he isn't looking back in sadness.

"If it's my last opportunity, I don't leave with any regrets."

While Niemeyer's career is waning, Bester's is just beginning. But his big serves in the opening game of the match couldn't carry the 978-ranked player in the world to victory against the 56th-ranked southpaw.

"It was a very good learning experience, and I'm very happy I got the opportunity to place here," Bester said following the match.

"It feels good that I didn't go out there and get blown off the court," said the 2004 Under-18 national junior outdoor champion.

Bester recently earned his first professional points at an event in Granby, Que. But he admitted to being nervous Monday, often overhitting balls.

"It was hard to sleep last night," he said. "Just the excitement, adrenaline."

Bester, who trains at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida, plans to enter the Junior U.S. Open and eventually play for Canada in Davis Cup.

Montreal-born Greg Rusedski, who plays for Britain, was broken a couple of times in the opening set before rallying to a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3 win over Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.

Other winners included 15th seeded Richard Gasquet of France, who beat Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-3 7-6 (3); No. 11 seed Tommy Robredo of Spain was pushed to a third set against American Kevin Kim before winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.

Mario Ancic of Croatia won a second-set tie breaker to win his match 6-3, 7-6 (8) against Cyril Saulnier of France; Karol Beck of Slovakia beat Noam Okun of Israel 6-3, 6-2; Andrei Pavel of Romania beat Christophe Rochus of Belgium 6-1, 7-5; Olivier Rochus of Belgium beat Nicolas Mahut of France 6-3, 6-4; Eighth-seeded Mariano Puerta of Argentina outlasted Luis Horna of Peru 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3).

David Nalbandian of Argentina, a finalist to 2003 champion Andy Roddick and the ninth seed, beat Argentine countryman Juan Ignacio Chela 6-4, 6-1.

The first doubles match of the tournament saw Israelis Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram beat Stephen Huss of Australia and Wesley Moodie of South Africa 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (4).

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August 08, 2005

Wind and crash wreak havoc in pole vault at world track championships

HELSINKI (AP) - The pole vault event at the world track and field championships was disrupted Tuesday when a Finnish vaulter's crash damaged the measuring equipment. When the event restarted, using a second pit where the equipment was intact, gusty winds hampered the vaulter's efforts, with half of the 12 qualifiers clearing only 5.45 metres. The other six cleared 5.60.

BOB BAUM
"The conditions all day were pretty rough," said American Brad Walker, one of those who barely made it through. "Basically a lot of us had that first attempt clearance at 5.45 metres. Then we had that standard kind of break apart. After that about an hour delay or however long it was, the wind seemed to pick up a little bit and it was very tough conditions to jump in."
The delay came after Matti Mononen of Finland, easily spotted with a strip of blue hair, came crashing down on the bar so hard that it knocked down the measuring equipment. During the delay, pole vaulting great Sergei Bubka - a member of the IAAF Council - came out to talk to meet officials as they tried to figure out what to do.

"I was just trying to help out," Bubka said. "It was unexpected and a decision had to be made quickly."

Eventually, it was decided to lower the automatic qualifying standard from 5.75 to 5.60, a height five vaulters already had cleared.

"The decision was made in the best interest of the athletes," Bubka said, "but the wind was a disaster."

Only one more made it over the bar at that height when the vaulting resumed.

"This is the first time I've seen somebody break the entire standard," said Olympic silver medallist Toby Stevenson, who withdrew with a hamstring injury. "That was unfortunate because it postponed the meet about an hour and the wind just kicked up. It would have been a different meet if that hadn't happened."

Mononen, who failed to qualify for the final, pulled a hood over his head and walked past reporters without talking.

American Nick Hysong, the 2000 Olympic gold medallist, led the qualifiers as the only one to clear 5.60 on his first try.

Bubka knows well the foibles of the pole vault in Helsinki. In the first world championships, held here in 1983, the pole vault finals lasted more than seven hours after heavy rain and strong wind forced cancellation of the qualifying round. It took 5 1/2 hours for the bar to be raised to a 5.60, with eight still in the competition. Bubka cleared 5.70 to win the first of his six world championships.

Posted by admin at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)

Longtime manager Gene Mauch dies at age 79 after lengthy battle with cancer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gene Mauch, "the little general" who managed the California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos to 1,901 wins, died Monday. He was 79.
Mauch, the first manager in Expos history, died at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., the Los Angeles Angels said, after a long battle with cancer. He had lived in the desert resort area since retiring.
A big league skipper for 26 years, Mauch was named National League manager of the year three times. He ranks sixth in baseball history with 3,938 games managed, and is 11th on the career victories list.

But Mauch was perhaps most famous for his teams' collapses. He was manager of the Phillies in 1964 when they led the NL by 6 1/2 games with 12 games remaining, but lost 10 in a row - and the pennant - to the St. Louis Cardinals.

He managed the Angels in 1986 when they were within one out of advancing to the World Series before blowing a three-run lead to Boston in Game 5 of the ALCS. The Red Sox won that game and two more to win the series.

Mauch also managed the 1982 Angels, who won the first two games in the best-of-five ALCS against Milwaukee before losing the final three.

"I don't think history will be as fair to him as it should be," said Tim Mead, the Angels' vice president of communications and a member of the organization since 1979. "He was brilliant. Gene Mauch could put together a game just by looking at the box score."

Rod Carew, who played for Mauch in both Minnesota and Anaheim, called the manager, "My favourite man."

"He's always been a special guy to me. He's the best I've ever played for, well ahead of anyone else," the Hall of Famer said.

Mauch was considered a master strategist with a deep understanding of the rules, who was constantly trying to find new ways to gain an advantage.

"He knew the game, he was half a step ahead of everyone else during a game," Carew said. "He was always prepared."

Other baseball people respected Mauch just as much.

"I have been around a lot of different personalities - Walter Alston, Leo Durocher, Tommy Lasorda. I'd put Gene ahead of everybody in terms of knowing the game," said Preston Gomez, Mauch's third-base coach with the Angels for two seasons in the early 1980s.

"People only remember Gene because he never won," Gomez said. "He's one of the finest baseball minds I've ever been around. When you talk to anyone who played for him, managed against him, they're going to tell you what a great baseball mind he has. You could spend 24 hours talking baseball with him."

Mauch, a native of Salina, Kan., began his major league career in 1944 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played for nine seasons on six teams - the Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Chicago Cubs, the Milwaukee Braves, the Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox.

He was a mediocre player, with a career average of .239 and five home runs while playing mostly as a utility infielder. Mauch never had a regular starting role.

His most productive year as a big leaguer was his last in 1957, when he hit .270 in 222 at-bats for the Red Sox.

Mauch then found his niche as a manager.

His first job was with the Phillies in 1960. They went 58-94, but within two years Mauch would be named NL manager of the year after leading them to an 81-80 record in 1962.

He won the award again in 1964, the year of the Phillies' great disappointment. Mauch guided Philadelphia to a record of 92-70, his best as a manager until 1982 when his Angels went 93-69.

He left Philadelphia 54 games into the 1968 season.

In 1969 he was hired as the manager of the expansion Expos. Mauch stayed in Montreal for seven seasons and won his third and final manager of the year award in 1973 as he helped lift the lowly Expos to a 79-83 record and a fourth-place finish in the NL East.

Mauch joined the Minnesota Twins in 1976 and would spend the rest of his career in the AL. He was with the Twins until 1980, followed by two stints with the Angels, the first in 1981 and 1982 and the second from 1985-87.

One of Mauch's greatest collapses came at the end of his career, with the Angels' so-called "Donnie Moore" game.

With a 3-1 lead in games over the Boston Red Sox in the best-of-seven AL Championship series, the Angels held a 5-2 advantage going into the ninth inning of Game 5. Security guards lined the field, waiting for the crazed crowd that would flood the field when the inevitable Angels victory came.

After Mike Witt retired the first two batters, the Red Sox got a runner on before Don Baylor homered to make it 5-4.

Mauch pulled Witt and brought in left-hander Gary Lucas to face the left-handed hitting Rich Gedman, who was 4-for-4 against Witt in the game. Lucas hit Gedman with a pitch - his first hit batter in four years - and Mauch brought in Moore, his closer.

Henderson hit a two-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 6-5.

The managerial moves, though they made sense, still were questioned years later.

The Angels tied the game again in the ninth but lost in 11 innings and then dropped the series when the Red Sox won two straight in Boston.

Moore never recovered from the game. He was soon out of baseball, and committed suicide in 1989.

Yankees manager Joe Torre was a television analyst for the Angels when they lost that series.

"I felt so badly in '86, I think we all did, not only for Gene Autry but for Gene Mauch, who has gone through a long career," Torre said. "I could still see it now, Reggie (Jackson) standing next to Mauch in the dugout waiting for the last out to be recorded. It wasn't to be.

"I don't think there's any manager who ever knew any more baseball than Gene Mauch."

Asked in recent years how often he thought about that 1986 disappointment, Mauch replied: "Only when guys have the temerity to ask about it."

Mauch was still following baseball closely when the Angels won the World Series in 2002, softening many of the team's ugly memories.

"I get so keyed up during these games," Mauch said during the Angels' playoff series against the Minnesota Twins in 2002. "All I did for 50 years was study the game day and night. And I will forever, for however long 'forever' is."

Mauch is survived by his wife, Jodie, and a daughter, Leeanne. Funeral services were pending.

Posted by admin at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)

August 07, 2005

Playboy Icon Gets Into Bed With Reality TV

While the show includes mildly salacious shots of bosomy women on trampolines and hula-hooping -- which feel tacked on, either so viewers don't feel cheated or might have forgotten that Playboy and cleavage go together -- the debut half-hour turns out to be tame. advertisement

The camera travels past Hefner's bedroom door but avoids showing any hanky-panky. The most passion involved a couple of quick pecks on the lips and, at one point, Madison tucked into Hefner's bed and looking glum when a perky Wilkinson intrudes to get a movie video.

More than anything, the program is a bittersweet take on how one man's dream might be an imperfect fantasy for his women.

"I think there's two main adjectives people think when they see us: bimbo and slut," Marquardt says, with a fixed smile and giggle.

And while all the women profess to enjoy their female camaraderie, Madison lays out the hard truth (and if she's playacting for reality's sake, she does a good job).

"Do I like him having other girlfriends? No," she said. "I know I'm his No. 1 girlfriend but I think he needs to get rid of the extra girls."

The extras, however, seem intent on maintaining the status quo.

"Kendra and I are just icing on the cake," Marquardt said, adding: "I can't turn this down and go back to Lodi," a reference to her small California hometown.

"I love him. He loves me," Wilkinson firmly declares.

While "love" is a word that rarely slips from Hefner's lips, at least on camera, he insists he is deeply romantic, the result of growing up with the glossy music and Hollywood love stories of the 1930s. Those who simply tally his exploits are missing the point, he said.

"What gets the publicity is the number of relationships I've had over the years ... but the remarkable thing is I am still close to almost all of them," he said. "To live a life with a family of friends and share all that is very special."

The series comes as Playboy Enterprises takes advantage of global markets and new technology, including online services, wireless and video on demand. Daughter Christie Hefner is in charge as chairman and CEO, while Hefner has the title of editor-in-chief.

He proudly notes that new versions of the once-flourishing Playboy clubs are due, with one planned in Las Vegas and one in China under licensing agreements. There's also the international popularity of Playboy merchandise carrying the famed bunny logo.

Maybe a change in perception is helping, with the cheesecake shots once denounced as female exploitation recast, at least by some, as female sexual empowerment. Besides, Hefner says, conservative times such as these beget sexual rebellion.

He's on a personal high, too, after coming through a 1985 stroke and separating from wife Kimberly Conrad Hefner (the couple has two sons) in 1998. Against all logic, he said, life is better than ever.

"The marriage lasted 8 1/2 years and I was faithful to it the entire time. I came out of it emotionally beat up and bruised to find that a whole generation had grown up and was waiting for me to come out and play."

Posted by admin at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)

August 05, 2005

Raffy Busted!!! Palmeiro docked 10 days for steroids

Rafael Palmeiro was suspended 10 days for violating Major League Baseball's steroids policy Monday, nearly five months after the Baltimore Orioles first baseman told Congress that "I have never used steroids. Period."

In remarks prepared for a conference call Monday, Palmeiro -- the highest-profile player to fail a test -- said he never intentionally took steroids and could not explain how the drugs got into his body. He also apologized and said would accept his punishment.

"I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period," he said. "Ultimately, although I never intentionally put a banned substance into my body, the independent arbitrator ruled that I had to be suspended under the terms of the program."

The 40-year-old is the seventh player to test positive for steroids under the policy adopted earlier this year. Palmeiro doubled on July 15 to join Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers.

Palmeiro addressed his standing in the game and the appearance his suspension gives to fans.

"I hope the fans understand I have worked very hard over a long 20-year career." Palmeiro said to reporters in a conference call. "… I made a mistake and I'm facing it.

"I hope people learn from my mistake, and that they forgive me."

Palmeiro said the arbitrator "did not find that I used a banned substance intentionally -- in fact, he said he found my testimony to be compelling," but still ruled that he needed to serve the suspension.

A grievance filed by the players' union against the suspension was denied by arbitrator Shyam Das.

Appearing with Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and other baseball stars before a congressional committee on March 17, Palmeiro made an opening statement in which he said: "Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."

Palmeiro was so emphatic in his denial of steroid use that he pointed his index finger at the panel, and expressed indignation over accusations made by former slugger Jose Canseco, who cited Palmeiro as a steroid user in his tell-all book. In an interview on the CBS television show "60 Minutes," Canseco -- who also testified before Congress -- said he had injected Palmeiro with steroids.

Government Reform Committee chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., who led the steroids inquiry, was traveling out of the country on Monday and couldn't be reached for comment, spokesman Rob White said.

"If true, this is disheartening news for those of us who believed Mr. Palmeiro was a key ally in our effort to rid sports of performance enhancing drugs," White said.

"I want to apologize to MLB, the Baltimore Orioles organization, my teammates, and most of all, my fans," Palmeiro said. "Given my role with the No Tolerance Committee and my relationships with Congress, I feel the need to communicate a serious message to my fellow players and to kids everywhere."

Palmeiro played against the White Sox on Sunday night, but began serving his suspension immediately and was not in the lineup for the start of Monday's home game against Chicago. He stands to lose $163,934.42 of his $3 million salary during the suspension.

Orioles owner Peter Angelos expressed support for Palmeiro in Monday's conference call.

"I am truly saddened by today's events," Angelos said. "I have known Rafael Palmeiro for many years. … I know from personal experience that his accomplishments are due to hard work and his dedication to the game."

Posted by admin at 07:50 PM | Comments (0)

August 04, 2005

Free agent Stromile Swift says he'll sign with Houston Rockets

LEAGUE CITY, Texas (AP) - Stromile Swift will sign with the Houston Rockets early next week, the free agent said Saturday.

"I'm ready to get it over with," Swift said before playing in Tracy McGrady's celebrity softball tournament. "It will relieve a lot of pressure."
Swift's agent told several Houston media outlets on July 18 that the Rockets had reached a deal with the player, but free agents could not be signed until the NBA completed a new collective bargaining agreement. That agreement was signed early Saturday.

Swift said he's excited about playing for the Rockets.

"This is a great group of guys and I felt that this was the best situation for me," he said. "It was just really an easy decision. This is a good team and a good organization."

Swift, the No. 2 pick in the 2000 draft, spent the last five season with the Grizzlies, first in Vancouver and then in Memphis. The six-foot-10 player averaged more than 10 points and four rebounds last season.

Swift said McGrady and Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson played a role in helping him reach the decision. Dawson visited the player and at his family's home in Shreveport, La.

"T-Mac did a little bit of recruiting," Swift said. "That was pretty big for him to do that. That's the whole thing - to feel wanted in a situation."

McGrady said he looks forward to Swift joining the team.

"We're just going to bring his ability out because we're definitely going to challenge him every day," McGrady said.

Posted by admin at 07:46 PM | Comments (0)

August 03, 2005

Summer Babe

Be careful with her!!!

Posted by admin at 04:54 PM | Comments (0)

August 01, 2005

KIDMAN IN 'INVASION'

Nicole Kidman will star in the film Invasion, a remake of the cult film classic, Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers.

Nicole Kidman is to star in Invasion, a remake of the cult horror classic 'Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers', according to Production Weekly.

Set in the 1950s the movie revolves around a glamorous woman in danger and in love with a spy. Kidman will play Carol, a woman who uncovers a conspiracy in a small town where the inhabitants' personalities appear to be changing.

Director Oliver Hirschbiegel is due to begin filming in Baltimore in October.

Synopsis: Remake of the classic 'Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers', it is set in the 1950s and revolves around a glamorous woman in danger and in love with a spy. Kidman will play Carol, a woman who uncovers a conspiracy in a small town where the inhabitants' personalities appear to be changing.

Posted by admin at 08:00 PM | Comments (0)

Baltimore Orioles' Palmeiro suspended 10 days for violating steroids policy

NEW YORK (AP) - Rafael Palmeiro was suspended 10 days for violating Major League Baseball's steroids policy Monday, nearly five months after the Baltimore Orioles first baseman emphatically told Congress that "I have never used steroids. Period."
Palmeiro became the highest-profile player among the seven who have failed a test under the toughened major league policy that took effect in March, rules criticized by Congress as not being stringent enough.
In a conference call Monday, Palmeiro said he never intentionally took steroids and could not explain how the drugs got into his body. He also apologized and said would accept his punishment.
"I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period," he said. "Ultimately, although I never intentionally put a banned substance into my body, the independent arbitrator ruled that I had to be suspended under the terms of the program."

Palmeiro said the arbitrator "did not find that I used a banned substance intentionally - in fact, he said he found my testimony to be compelling," but still ruled that he needed to serve the suspension. Palmeiro wouldn't go into the specifics but left the impression that the banned substance was contained in a supplement that was not prescribed.

A grievance filed by the players' union against the suspension was denied by arbitrator Shyam Das.

In an interview, Canseco - who also testified before Congress - said he had injected Palmeiro with steroids.

Government Reform Committee chairman Tom Davis, (R-Va.), who led the steroids inquiry, was travelling out of the country on Monday and couldn't be reached for comment, spokesman Rob White said.

"If true, this is disheartening news for those of us who believed Mr. Palmeiro was a key ally in our effort to rid sports of performance enhancing drugs," White said.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said President Bush considers Palmeiro "a friend and he believes him" when he says he never intentionally took steroids.

On July 7, Palmeiro took part via conference call in a round-table discussion about how to rid sports of steroids with Davis and representatives from the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball.

Palmeiro seemed contrite on the conference call, saying he hoped there was something to be gained from his suspension by educating players to be more careful about what they put in their bodies.

Orioles owner Peter Angelos expressed support for Palmeiro in Monday's conference call.

"I am truly saddened by today's events," Angelos said. "I have known Rafael Palmeiro for many years. ... I know from personal experience that his accomplishments are due to hard work and his dedication to the game."

Associated Press writers David Ginsburg in Baltimore and Howard Fendrich in Washington contributed to this story.

Posted by admin at 07:44 PM | Comments (0)

Anaheim Mighty Ducks call news conference to announce new head coach

ANAHEIM, Calif. (CP) - The Anaheim Mighty Ducks scheduled a news conference Monday to announce the NHL club's new head coach.

A television station reported that it would be former NHL player and Manitoba Moose coach Randy Carlyle. The announcement was scheduled to be made at 5 p.m. EDT.
Under new general manager Brian Burke, Anaheim had offered former coach Mike Babcock a one-year deal, which he turned down to become the new head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.

The Mighty Ducks missed the playoffs in 2003-04 with a record of 29-35-10-8 after reaching the Stanley Cup final and losing to New Jersey the previous year.

Posted by admin at 07:37 PM | Comments (0)