Dallas Cowboys Cut Wide Receiver Terrell Owens

Dallas Cowboys Cut Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, ESPN Reports

Bloomberg -- The Dallas Cowboys released wide receiver Terrell Owens, ESPN reported March 5, without revealing where it got the information. 

The 35-year-old Owens caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games last season, his worst performance in three years at the Cowboys. 

Dallas signed Owens after he became a free agent when the Philadelphia Eagles terminated his contract following a four- game suspension for criticizing quarterback Donovan McNabb and team management. Owens was also suspended by the San Francisco 49ers, where he played from 1996-2003, for celebrating a touchdown on the Cowboys’ midfield logo. 

In 13 seasons in the National Football League, Owens has caught 951 passes for 14,122 yards and 139 touchdowns. At Dallas he caught 235 passes for 3,587 yards and 38 touchdowns. 

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Kercheval in Washington.

HERE COME THE BRIDES

Bargain bin

HERE COME THE BRIDES

Ladies all over will be laying out the sneakers and setting the alarm for tomorrow's "Running of the Brides," Filene's Basement's semiannual wedding gown blowout at Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston St. Boston, 617-954-2000). For the uninitiated: More than 3,000 gowns, many from big-name designers (though exactly which, the store cannot disclose), are on offer for $249, $499, and $699. Grab all you can, pull each one on, and swap away the ones that don't work. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but you'll want to get there early. More info at www.filenesbasement.com/bridal.

NEW KID ON NEWBURY 

Given the recent spate of closings on Newbury Street, setting up shop there would seem an act of defiance. Enter J. Crew's sister store, Madewell, which opened on Tuesday (at 329 Newbury). Madewell aims at a younger, female set: fringed scarves, cropped jackets, snug jeans, strappy sandals. Staff will be handing out 15-percent-off coupons in front of the store this weekend on the sleeves of complimentary cups of hot cocoa. Sweet deal, we must say. Just don't spill anything.

MARATHON SHOPPING 

If you're not one to let the cold interfere with your workout, head to Marathon Sports, where select apparel is now 40 percent off at all stores as part of its winter sale. Lightweight jackets, technical shirts, and stretch pants from brands including Brooks, Nike, and Patagonia were among our finds at the Back Bay store (671 Boylston St., Boston, 617-267-4774). Other Marathon Sports locations include 1638 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-735-9373, and 1654 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-354-4161. Find others at www.marathonsports.com.

MENSWEAR SALE

Sophisticated men's clothier Kaps has taken 50-70 percent off most of its prices as part of its closing sale. At a recent visit to its flagship store in Andover, we found Toscano button-down shirts for $49 (marked down from $115), Raffi sweaters for $129 (originally $295), and slacks by Ballin, Hugo Boss, and Brunello Cuccinelli for as little as $49. Kaps is at 5 Main St., Andover, 978-475-3905. Find other locations at www.kapsmenswear.com.

SUNNY SIDE UP 

Like most folks, we're counting down the days until spring (29). In the meantime, it gives us pleasure to see Ame & Lulu's sunny merchandise at the Shops at the Prudential Center (outside of Vineyard Vines), where the store has set up an outpost until the end of the month. Boldly colored tennis bags, head covers, and yoga bags are up to 50 percent off; if you're not into any of those sports, find yourself a discounted cosmetic bag or coin purse.

View Original>>>

The Selena Roberts question

The Selena Roberts question

Selena Roberts, former New York Times columnist and current Sports Illustrated writer, has a lot riding on her Alex Rodriguez story. Seemingly without seeing the list of players who failed the 2003 drug tests but corroborating her information with four sources, she has accused one of baseball’s biggest starts and its highest paid player of juicing. 

She’s also two and a half months away from publishing an exposé on A-Rod called Hit & Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez. Baseball & The Boogie Down believes that this upcoming book raising some interesting questions:

From what I’ve gathered through several web searches, the book is described as “an expose of A-Rod’s controversial path to self-destruction.” Something tells me the purpose of this book is not intended to paint A-Rod in a positive light.

I’m sure Alex is aware of the book and I’m sure Alex knows who Selena Roberts is. Why would he give her the time of day and answer any questions she asks him? She should have known that he’d blow her off when she asked him about testing positive. His failure to say anything to her shouldn’t be read as an admission of guilt, which is kind of how it came across in her interview with Bob Costas. I may not have the quote 100% correct, but she basically said, “He could have said I don’t know who your sources are but their dead wrong.” Hence, she believes her sources even more.

Could this be just a ploy to sell a few extra books? If Alex comes out and says she’s wrong and that he never tested positive, then what? Then it turns into he said, she said and then how do we know who to really believe. What if someone trots out 4 anonymous and “reliable” sources that say he didn’t test positive and the SI article is a fabrication. It’s not out of the realm of possibility, especially when people say they have anonymous sources. There’s really no way for anyone, other than the person citing the sources, to verify it’s authenticity, right?

It’s certainly an interesting scenario, but the more time that passes without a statement from A-Rod, the less likely it is. If A-Rod wants to shed some doubt on this list, he first has to know for sure that he isn’t on it. At some point in the future during the Bonds perjury trial, the entire list will be made public, and if A-Rod has any doubt about his name’s appearing on it, he can’t do this.

RAB commenter Artist formerly known as “The” Steve summed it all up in an e-mail to me this morning:

For the sake of his legacy, denial is his only hope. I’ve heard HOF voters (Ken Davidoff) already say they won’t vote for him if this is true. But he can’t do that credibly if the Feds have the original list and samples and that eventually becomes public. According to the Bonds court case, they do. So everything will come out eventually.

I think he’s boxed into a corner. He HAS to fess up, and live with the consequences.

A 100 percent complete admission will be the first step in rehabbing an image, and as the silence continues from the A-Rod camp, the next few days will be quite telling.

.

View Original>>>

Nick Watney rallies to steal Buick title

BUICK INVITATIONAL: Watney rallies to steal Buick title

 Torrey Pines Golf Course has seen its share of legendary winners over the years, but Sunday the Buick Invitational trophy went to a guy named Nick Watney, who didn't start playing golf until he was 13 and was only good enough to attend Fresno State on a partial scholarship.

Starting Sunday's final round five shots back from leader John Rollins, the 27-year-old Sacramento native was seemingly the odd man out in two-man race featuring Rollins and Camilo Villegas. After all, he didn't take the lead until he actually won the tournament with a 3-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole.

"If you're going to lead for one hole, that's the time to do it," Watney said.

Thanks to a 4-under-par 68 on the South Course, Watney finished at 11-under 277, good enough for a one-shot victory and a $954,000 first-place prize.

He's the first non-major championship winner at the Buick Invitational since Peter Jacobsen in 1995.

Rollins shot 74 and added his sixth runner-up finish to his resume, while Villegas (72) and Lucas Glover (68) tied for third at 9-under.

"It was tough out there today," Rollins said. "I just seemed to struggle to get anything going and got off to bad start bogeying (holes) 1 and 2. That gave the guys a little bit of life."

Although Watney is not a household name, he's no stranger to victory. He won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2007 and was victorious in the Nationwide Tour Championship in 2004.

But he was only a blip on the radar screen at Torrey Pines this week until he rolled in a 38-footer for birdie from the fringe at the par-3 16th, which tied him with Rollins at 10-under.

Rollins hit his tee shot in the left bunker and couldn't get up and down for par.

Watney had three-putted the 16th green on Sunday in last year's U.S. Open, and called on that memory to help him read the slope.

"It was definitely a big swing," said Watney, who didn't record one three-putt the last four days. "All of a sudden to be tied for the lead was kind of a jolt."

Said Rollins: "(The putt) looked like it was going to run out of steam, but it sort of wiggled back to the right as it lost speed and fell in the back door. It's just inches from a miss, and who knows what that could have changed. But that was a great putt."

After he and Rollins two-putted for par at 17, the two arrived at 18 tied for the lead. After they both reached the fairway, Watney was the first to hit. Looking at 235 yards over water to a front-left pin, he pulled his hybrid club and sailed his shot to the back edge of the green, 63 feet away.

Rollins, meanwhile, pulled his 231-yard shot into a greenside bunker.

Rollins, without much green to work with, blasted out his third shot to 12 feet, while Watney gently snuggled his downhill putt to 3 feet.

Rollins missed his birdie putt to the left, setting up Watney for the tournament clincher.

Watney was later asked that with so much on the line if he ever considered laying up with a wedge. He said he never did.

"I think in a tournament like this, when it's really tight down the stretch, you've got to take it," Watney said. "You've got to grab it. John is such a great player, very seasoned, and he wasn't going to give me anything. There was really no choice."

Rollins appeared to put the tournament out of reach when he curled in a 21-footer for eagle at the par-5 13th, a clutch putt that gave him a three-shot cushion with five to play.

But a bogey at the 14th took away any momentum.

"You know, I played well," Rollins said. "I gave myself a chance and that's all you can ask."

Villegas, the 36-hole leader, was only one back heading into 17. But when he hacked out of heavy rough and missed the green right, his fate was sealed.

He had an eagle try at 18 to get to 10-under, but his 42-footer just missed.

"A little bogey on 17 kind of made it a little tough on me," Villegas said.

"I knew I had to make the putt on 18 and I gave it a great roll."

In the end though, Watney's run ---- that's Nick Watney ---- was better.

.

View Original>>>

Cycle Oregon announces 2009 route

Cycle Oregon Announces 2009 Routes: "The Mythical State of Jefferson" and Cycle Oregon University

Week Ride route crosses Southern Oregon and delves into Northern California;

Weekend Ride will be based at Western Oregon University in Monmouth

PORTLAND - Cycle Oregon announced at its annual Kickoff Party today the Week Ride and Weekend Ride routes for its annual bicycle tours of Oregon's back roads and small communities: the mythical "State of Jefferson" for the 22nd version of the longer tour, and the area surrounding Monmouth for the weekend event.

In a multimedia presentation before more than 1,000 people at the Tiger Woods Center on the Nike campus outside Portland, ride founder Jonathan Nicholas announced the routes, along with the recipient of the Cycle Oregon Fund's $50,000 Signature Grant for 2009 - Oregon's Department of Parks and Recreation, for their continuing efforts to create an official network of State Scenic Bikeways.

The Week Ride route will explore an area informally known as the State of Jefferson, which encompasses multiple counties in Southern Oregon and Northern California. The area has a long history of iconoclasm, and briefly pressed the federal government for official statehood in the early 1940s before World War II redirected citizens' attentions. The region, with its slogan of "The Mythical State of Jefferson," still maintains a somewhat tongue-in-cheek separatism; the local NPR network is even called "Jefferson Public Radio."

The Week Ride route will consist of a loop starting and ending in Medford, with stops in Yreka and Happy Camp in California, followed by Lake Selmac, Glendale and Grants Pass in Oregon. The route follows the national Jefferson Scenic Byway for parts of two days, and also spends significant time along Oregon's Rogue River, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River. Total mileage for the week will be 437 miles.

The Weekend Ride will explore the vineyards and fertile fields of the Willamette Valley and the rolling foothills of the Coast Range from a "base camp" at Western Oregon University in Monmouth. Riders will have the option of staying in WOU dormitory rooms or camping on the school grounds, and meals will be served in the campus cafeteria.

The family-friendly Weekend Ride, designed for all ages and riding capabilities, features multiple route options each day. The first day will venture north into wine country, with the longer routes stopping in Amity for lunch. The second-day routes head south and west, then loop east to the hamlet of Buena Vista, where riders can choose a to ride a historic ferry across the Willamette River before heading back to Monmouth. 

Cycle Oregon was founded in 1987 to boost bicycle tourism and provide financial support for Oregon's small rural communities. Each year the Cycle Oregon Fund supplies grants to support bicycling in Oregon as well as the communities through which it rides. In both 2007 and 2008 the fund donated more than $100,000 to projects around the state.

In 2005 the Cycle Oregon Fund initiated a $50,000 Signature Grant to help the community of Halfway complete funding to repurchase the land for its county fairgrounds. In 2007 Cycle Oregon's Signature Grant helped restock Diamond Lake with trout after the lake was intentionally poisoned to kill off an invasive species, and the 2008 Signature Grant was dedicated to helping protect Wallowa Lake's glacial moraines from development pressure. 

Cycle Oregon has partnered with Oregon's Department of Parks and Recreation to champion a shared vision for an official network of State Scenic Bikeways. These mapped, marketed and maintained routes would connect communities and highlight the scenery, history and culture of the state, showcasing the essence of Oregon to residents and visitors alike.

View Original>>>

2009 Superbowl MVP Prediction

2009 Superbowl MVP Prediction

For some football fans, and certainly some football bettors, the naming of the Super Bowl MVP winner is just as important as the outcome of the game itself. Some people view this as a relatively easy bet given that quarterbacks have garnered the award 22 times in 43 tries, but they would be remiss not to examine a few possible candidates who will not be tossing the ball around this evening.

This 2009 Super Bowl MVP Prediction comes courtesy of the oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com, who have over 18 individual players with listed Super Bowl XLIII MVP odds.

Most sportsbooks offer a wide array of MVP candidates, usually ranging from players with highly probable odds to guys with a snowball's chance in hell of winning the award. While some of the latter might merit a $10.00 flyer, it is worth the time to find players in the middling range to make a potential investment on. In light of that, here are a few performers that might be worth a play. 

Steelers Wide Receiver Santonio Holmes. No other offensive player on the Pittsburgh roster has the big play capability that Holmes has. He will probably not catch the most passes, but his speed allows him to do quite a bit with the balls he does reel in. Look no further than the AFC Championship Game against the Ravens. Holmes took a routine 15 to 20 yard pass and turned it into a 65 yard touchdown. Also, as illustrated in the Steelers playoff win over the Chargers, Holmes can be a factor in the return game as well. His 67 yard punt return for a touchdown was the turning point in that game for Pittsburgh. At +1500 MVP odds, this former Buckeye is a pretty solid play.

Cardinals Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin's post-season numbers have not matched his typical production, and that may be a result of the leg injury he sustained against the Vikings in week 14. If that is the reason, than he should be well rested and ready to regroup after sitting through the Super Bowl bye week. Additionally, some people may suspect that Arizona will punish Boldin for his encounter with offensive coodinator Todd Haley in the NFC Championship Game. The opposite is more likely true. The Cardinals want to win and there is no better way for them to do that than to have Boldin at full speed and deeply involved in the game plan. He could be ready to break out, and having a few bucks on a superstar with +1500 MVP odds is not a bad thing. 

Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu. Everyone knows what this former Trojan can do when he is healthy; he is the driving force behind the Steelers defensive success. Not only is he a ball hawking safety with a nose for the big play, he is also a 207lb missle who loves to punish running backs. Kurt Warner is a fabulous player, but he is not incapable of committing a few errors. Who do you think is most likely to capitalize on any errant throws by the Arizona quarterback? That's right, Polamalu. This guy is a forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown away from an MVP trophy. Man, don't you wish you had laid a little jack with those +1200 odds? 

SBGglobal.com's 2009 Super Bowl MVP Prediction: 

Favorites: 
Ben Roethlisberger +175
Kurt Warner +200
Larry Fitzgerald +500

Have A Shot: 
Field (Any Player Not Listed): +800
Troy Polamalu +1200
Santonio Holmes +1500
Anquan Boldin +1500

Are You Laughing? Here's $10.00 Anyway 
Health Miller +3500
Gary Russell +5000
JJ Arrington +6500

Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays this past weekend and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, Point-Spreads.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.


View Original>>>

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger

Notre Dame Football Player and Motivational Speaker

Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger in twenty seven seconds, carved his name into history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame. The son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Rudy rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacles of success. Today, he is one of the most popular motivational speakers in the United States. It took years of fierce determination to overcome obstacles and criticisms, yet Rudy achieved his first dream - to attend Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. As fans cheered RU-DY, RU-DY, he sacked the quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only game of his college football career. He is the only player in the school's history to be carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders.

In 1993, TRISTAR Productions immortalized his life story with the blockbuster film Rudy. Written and produced by Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh, the award-winning team who brought us Hoosiers, the critically acclaimed Rudy received "Two Thumbs Up" from Siskel and Ebert and continues to inspire millions worldwide.

Today, a highly sought after motivational speaker, Rudy entertains international corporate audiences with a unique, passionate, and heartfelt style of communicating. He reaches school children, university students, and professional athletes with the same enthusiasm, portraying the human spirit that comes from his personal experiences of adversity and triumph. His captivating personality and powerful message of "YES I CAN" stays with his audiences forever. Rudy shares the speaking platform with great leaders and speakers including President George Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush, Peter Lowe, Joe Montana, General Colin Powell, Christopher Reeve, and Zig Ziglar. Rudy's opening remarks receive thunderous applause and standing ovations from audiences of 200 to 20,000 people who emotionally chant RU-DY, RU-DY! A few of Rudy's media appearances include: People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, US Magazine, Readers Digest, Inside Sports, The 700 Club, NFL Films, CBS Goodmorning, ABC Good Morning America, NBC Talk Live, Regis and Kathy Lee, Montel Williams Show, and Entertainment Tonight.

In addition to his motivational speaking, Rudy has co-authored several books including: Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life, Rudy’s Lessons for Young Children, and Rudy & Friends, and has produced the Dream Power tape series.

He has recently established the Rudy Foundation, whose mission is to help children of all ages around the world reach their full potential. The Rudy Foundation develops and supports programs that positively impact the lives of children cognitively, emotionally, physically and spiritually. The Rudy Award Program was created by the Rudy Ruettiger Foundation to recognize children who make an outstanding, exceptional effort to do their personal best everyday, overcome obstacles, set goals, stay on track to reach their Dreams and build the qualities of Character, Courage, Contribution, and Commitment into their lives everyday. The Rudy Award is about a child's heart, will to change, and desire for self-improvement.

View Original>>>

411's Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division

411's MMA Rankings : Middleweight Division

It's time again for the staff at 411mania to rank the best middleweight fighters in MMA! Who is the top challenger to Anderson Silva's throne? Is it Dan Henderson? He just earned a huge win over Rich Franklin at UFC 93. What about Yushin Okami? He is on a hot streak. Oh, and you can't forget about the fallout from the Vitor Belfort/Matt Lindland fight at Affliction "Day Of Reckoning". Do either one of them crack the list? Join 411's Dustin James as he gives you all the answers inside.....

Welcome back to your favorite set of MMA rankings....currently running on Tuesdays! That's right, it's time once again for the crack staff of MMA experts here at 411mania to rank the top 15 middleweight fighters in MMA. It's no surprise that Anderson Silva has the top spot once again (like he has since I started these things over a year ago!), but who do we consider to be his top challengers? Dan Henderson just had a very impressive win against Rich Franklin and he could be the UFC's #1 contender. What about Yushin Okami? He just beat Dean Lister and sent him right out of the UFC...not to mention that Dana White has already guaranteed that Okami will get a title shot soon. But where does he stand in the rankings now? And what about the fallout from Affliction's "Day Of Reckoning"? We saw Vitor Belfort knock Matt Lindland's block off, so where do those two stand in the rankings now? So many questions......so little time......

SO LET'S DO IT!


View Original>>>

Table tennis also known as ping pong

Table tennis also known as ping pong

Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth with rackets (also known as 'bats' or 'paddles'). The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net. Players must allow a ball played toward them only one bounce on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the opposite side. Points are scored when a player fails to return the ball within the rules. Play is fast and demands quick reactions. A skilled player can impart several varieties of spin to the ball, altering its trajectory and limiting an opponent's options to great advantage.

The game is controlled by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), founded in 1926. Since 1988, table tennis has been an Olympic sport which includes four events. From 1988 until 2004, the events were men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles. Since 2008 the doubles have been replaced by the team events (Beijing was the first time where table tennis had an Olympic team event).

Julie Donaldson is battered by boyfriend Ivan Lattimore

Julie Donaldson is battered by boyfriend Ivan Lattimore

Julie Donaldson, Boston sports reporter, testified in court yesterday that her ex-boyfriend, Ivan Lattimore, beat her up on several occasions during their relationship. Photos and video here. A hearing is being held to determine if Lattimore poses a threat to Donaldson

Boston’s WHDH-TV sports reporter, Julie Donaldson, said she was injured last month when her boyfriend, Ivan Lattimore, threw her against a wall and punched her in the face. Lattimore is 6′4″ and 215 lbs. The violence had happened before. Donaldson and Lattimore had been dating since last November, and Lattimore is being held without bail during the hearing.

According to Julie Donaldson, Ivan Lattimore, who lives in California, would visit her every few weeks, staying in her apartment. Donaldson plays professional Slamball (trampoline basketball). Donaldson testified that there have been at least four violent episodes between herself and Lattimore. Although Donaldson is currently married, her divorce is “nearly final.”.

Julie Donaldson Biography

Julie Marie Donaldson was born in Pointe Vedra, Florida. She has blue eyes and blonde hair. Donaldson graduated from the University of Florida, she won the Miss Floida USA title in 2000 and competed in the Miss USA 2001 pageant.

In February 2008, Julie Donaldson moved to Boston and WHDH-TV, the Boston NBC affiliate, from SportsNet New York where she was an anchor and reporter. While at SportsNet New York she reported from various sporting events and hosted the sports show, Mets Weekly. She has also worked as the host of the Miami Heat’s “Heat TV” and for FOX Sports Net Florida and PBS.

Brewers get Sabathia; will other teams respond with trades?

Brewers get Sabathia; will other teams respond with trades?

Doug Melvin stated the obvious Monday. Now, it's up to rival baseball general managers to respond.

"I'd say we're going for it," the Milwaukee Brewers general manager said after acquiring pitcher CC Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Cleveland Indians for three minor leaguers and a player to be named.

The deal, the first for a reigning Cy Young winner since Toronto sent Roger Clemens to the New York Yankees in 1998, is an early start to the trade season that annually heats up closer to the July 31 deadline. It puts pressure on both the teams chasing Milwaukee in the National League wild card race and the Chicago Cubs, who lead the Brewers by 3½ games in the NL Central. That deficit has shrunk five games in three weeks.

Cleveland is one of only four major league teams more than nine games out of a playoff spot and thus was ready to trade a player who will be a free agent after the season. They received four prospects, including slugging outfielder Matt LaPorta.

Plenty more impending free agents could be available if teams on the precipice of contention decide they're no longer in the race and become sellers. Among them are pitchers A.J. Burnett of Toronto, Rich Harden and Joe Blanton of Oakland, Randy Wolf of San Diego and Brian Fuentes of Colorado.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Atlanta | New York Yankees | Toronto | West Virginia | Chicago Cubs | National League | Cleveland Indians | Roger Clemens | Milwaukee Brewers | Reds | AL Central | NL Central | Lou Piniella | Mark Teixeira | Adam Dunn | Ben Sheets | Cincinnati | Class A | Jim Hendry | Rich Harden | Ken Griffey Jr | League Cy Young Award | Mark Attanasio | Matt LaPorta | Zach Jackson | CC Sabathia | Rob Bryson | Brian Fuentes of Colorado

Top hitters in that category include Atlanta first baseman Mark Teixeira, Cincinnati outfielder Adam Dunn and even his Reds teammate Ken Griffey Jr., though Griffey has the contractual right to decline any trade.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, whose team has the best record in the league, told reporters last week that he would be aggressive in the trade market and his manager, Lou Piniella, has said at various times this season he would like to see the team improved, if possible.

ABOUT THE TRADE

•The trade: The Cleveland Indians traded left-hander CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers for four minor leaguers — first baseman/left fielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson and a player to be named.

•Impact on Brewers: While Sabathia's addition turns an already-strong team into a dangerous postseason threat, it also escalates Milwaukee's payroll past $90 million, casting doubt on whether the organization will reap profits this year, according to principal owner Mark Attanasio.

After Attanasio and the Brewers opened their wallets for a 2008 playoff run, they now have two viable aces — Sabathia and Ben Sheets— but looming over the future of the club is that both pitchers will become free agents at the end of the season.

•Impact on Indians: Cleveland is in last place in the AL Central, and since Sabathia will become a free agent after the season, there was not much to lose. The question is how much they gained after mining the Brewers farm system.

LaPorta was the seventh overall pick in 2007. He is a fastball hitter with endless power and was originally a first baseman, but Fielder's major-league presence led the Brewers to move LaPorta to the outfield.

As for the hurlers, left-handed Jackson is closer to contributing, but the better pitching prospect is Bryson. Bryson, 20, is a right-handed strikeout pitcher who projects as a late-inning reliever and has struck out 73 in 55 innings at Class A (Charleston) West Virginia.

UFC 86 Jackson Vs Griffin

The title bout between Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Forrest Griffin, will be for Jackson's UFC light heavyweight championship. Live July 5th!
UFC 86 Jackson Vs Griffin

Wimbledon 2008 results

Wimbledon 2008 Results Semifinals July 4: Roger Federer Beats Marat Safin to Advance to Finals

Atlanta, Ga. 7/04/2008 02:09 PM GMT

Roger Federer advanced to his sixth straight Wimbledon finals on Friday after beating Marat Safin in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 at the All England Club.

Federer once again had great command of his service game, pounding out 14 aces while allowing Safin just two break point opportunities and fighting off both. The world’s number one tennis player committed just 14 unforced errors in the 1:40 minute match. Safin, trying to reach his first finals since 2005, committed 25 unforced errors to seal his fate.

Federer is looking to win his sixth straight Wimbledon singles title and his 13^th overall Grand Slam singles title. He will play the winner of the Rafael Nadal v. Rainer Schuettler match in the finals. The past two years Federer has beaten Nadal in the finals.

washington glory

The Washington Glory is a women's softball team based in the Washington, D.C. area. Since the 2007 season, they have played as a member of National Pro Fastpitch.

The Glory won the 2007 NPF championship, defeating the Rockford Thunder in the final game of the championship series.

World's fastest tennis serve

How fast was the world's fastest tennis serve?

On June 11, 2004 at the Stella Artois Championships Andy Roddick was pitted against Paradorn Srichaphan at the Queen's Club in London, UK.

Andy Roddick defeated Paradorn Srichaphan 6-3, 6-3 then went on to win against Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinal and knocked out Ivo Karlovic to capture the 2004 Stella Artois Championship title.

But we go back to the match against Paradorn Srichaphan, during which Andy Roddick set a new world' record when his serve was clocked at a sizzling 246.2 km/h or153 mph.

The record for the fastest serve by a woman was set by Venus Williams on October 16, 1998 at 127.4 mph.

Andy Roddick fastest serve video