Piazza, one of greatest hitting catchers in MLB history, retires
[May 21, 2008] BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Mike Piazza is retiring from baseball following a 16-season career in which he became one of the top-hitting catchers in history.

Bulls to pick first in draft; Heat, Wolves round out Top 3
[May 21, 2008] SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Chicago Bulls expected to be in the playoffs, not the lottery.

This will ease the sting a little.

Attorney drops bombshell accusations, argues for probation for Donaghy
[May 21, 2008] NEW YORK -- Disgraced basketball referee Tim Donaghy told investigators in the NBA betting probe that relationships among officials, coaches and players "affected the outcome of games," his attorney said. The league said the charges were unfounded.

Celtics too much for Pistons as Boston maintains unbeaten record at home
[May 21, 2008] BOSTON (AP) -- Not even a week of rest could prepare the Detroit Pistons for the hottest home team in the NBA.

Castroneves thinking about move to NASCAR
[May 21, 2008] On the eve of American open-wheel racing's biggest race, Helio Castroneves acknowledged he's been thinking about following other open-wheel stars to NASCAR, the Los Angeles Times reported.

After talk with new coach, Bennett leaves Georgia Tech
[Apr. 28, 2008] ATLANTA -- Taylor Bennett, Georgia Tech's starting quarterback in 2007, will transfer to Louisiana Tech and will be eligible for the 2008 season.

Magic's Turkoglu named NBA's most improved player
[Apr. 28, 2008] Hedo Turkoglu didn't get the call for a midseason honor when the Eastern Conference All-Star roster was announced this season. But the Orlando Magic forward did get the nod at the end of the year after he posted career highs in three separate offensive categories.

On Monday, the NBA named Turkoglu the league's most improved player.

Riley steps down as Heat coach, will be replaced by assistant Spoelstra
[Apr. 28, 2008] MIAMI -- Pat Riley's worst season as coach of the Miami Heat will be his last.

Winners and losers in the 2008 NFL Draft
[Apr. 28, 2008] NEW YORK -- Franchises spend millions in scouting, and the first two rounds of the draft are critical to their success or failure. When you designate draft losers, you are really pointing to teams for which things didn't go exactly right. It could be a trade that falls through or one that doesn't net the desired results.

 

 

The winners are evident. They get breaks. The right player falls in the right place.

Kansas dominates North Carolina 84-66 to advance to NCAA national championship against Memphis
[Apr. 6, 2008] SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Roy Williams taught Kansas all about how to handle cruel, crushing disappointments.

Bill Self schooled the Jayhawks on how to dish out some pain of their own.

Kansas left its former coach in the dust Saturday night, getting 25 points and seven rebounds from Brandon Rush to stave off a ferocious comeback by North Carolina for an 84-66 victory in the national semifinals.

No. 10 seed Davidson clinches Sweet 16 berth after upset of Hoyas
[Mar. 24, 2008] RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Stephen Curry looked tired. His soft, feathery shot was clanging off the rim. The slender, baby-faced sophomore seemed to be just another in a long line of stars bottled up by Georgetown's ferocious defense.

Native son Dice-K will start Red Sox opener; Beckett throws again Monday
[Mar. 17, 2008] TAMPA, Fla. -- Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the Boston Red Sox's regular-season opener against the Oakland Athletics in Toyko on March 25.

"I think that will be a ton of excitement," Boston manager Terry Francona said before Monday's exhibition game against the New York Yankees. "I know he's honored."

Study: Top schools in tournament aren’t tops in classroom
[Mar. 17, 2008] North Carolina was the only school among the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA men’s tournament to graduate at least 50 percent of its players.

A report released Monday found 86 percent of Tar Heels men’s players earned diplomas during a six-year period. The other top seeds were far worse: 45 percent at Kansas and 40 percent at UCLA and Memphis.

Donovan kicks NIT-bound Gators out of $12 million practice facility
[Mar. 17, 2008] GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- When the Florida Gators lost in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, they knew it knocked them out of the NCAA tournament field.

They had no idea it also would get them kicked out of their practice facility.

The NCAA Tournament field set - UNC, Memphis, Kansas, UCLA one seeds
[Mar. 17, 2008] This year's bracket produced several potential karmic chances. North Carolina vs. Kansas in the Final Four, anyone?