The Sporting News articles from July 2006

The Sporting News archives from July 2006

To know list: 7 things to make you an instant expert this week.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 7, 2006... THE MAIN EVENT 1 Get your kicks now Imagine a Final Four composed of North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky and UCLA. Think that might be a tough ticket? Think a few people might want to watch? That's where we're headed in the 2006...

On deck: the week ahead in sports.(KNOW IT ALL)(Calendar)
July 7, 2006... THIS I GOTTA SEE All times Eastern SAT 1 The Mets and Yankees (1:20 p.m., FOX) are at it again. Their series in May was closer than Flushing is to the Bronx--three 1-run games, with two going the Metropolitans' way. * Things...

Baby ballers.(COMING AT YOU: In the July 14 issue)
July 7, 2006... Baby ballers. The NBA age minimum ought to help the college game in the long run, but the best high school player in the Class of 2007 might not even go to school, let alone stay there. Why would O.J Mayo take his game straight overseas or into...

Bob Hille's starting 5.(ON DECK: The week ahead in sports)
July 7, 2006... 1 Roger Clemens. His return could make the Astros one of the best teams in the N.L. By my interleague converter, that gives them a slight edge over Pawtucket. 2 The World Cup. Some showing for the ol' U.S. of A. That, my fellow Americans,...

Your turn.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 7, 2006... 'And they said hockey would never work in Carolina.'--Burghers via SportingNews.com * What will you remember most about the NBA Finals: Heat won, Mavs lost or the refs? My guess is the refs. The Heat deserved to win. It sucks that their...

Dwyane Wade.(RADIO STAR: Real talk from a fan on Sporting News Radio)
July 7, 2006... 'I'm not saying that Dwyane Wade is the next Jordan because there is no such thing as the next Jordan. But I haven't seen a player take over a series like Wade did since Michael retired. He has stepped into elite company. Despite my frustration...

Polling place.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 7, 2006... POLLING PLACE We know what Shaq says, but who do you think is better--Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade? SPORTINGNEWS.COM USERS Bryant 42% Wade 58% SPORTING NEWS STAFF Bryant 36% Wade 64%

Posted by Alexus3772.(GMC: BLOG LIKE THE PROS)
July 7, 2006... I can't watch this anymore; I can't stand this anymore; I can't believe this anymore! What the heck has happened to the Braves' pitching? It used to keep them in games and win division championships but not anymore. I've been a Braves fan since...

Sports talk with Gabe Kaplan: comedian, gambler, host of the Intercontinental Poker Championship series on CBS.(KNOW IT ALL)(Interview)
July 7, 2006... SN: Are you a better poker player or commentator? KAPLAN: Probably a better commentator because everybody's better when you can see what the other players have. That's what the success of TV poker is all about. SN: Who's the best...

Studying just got easier.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
July 7, 2006... Rockies starting pitcher Jason Jennings has found a way to mix business and pleasure. The same sleek, black-cased video iPod that stores his country music videos and tunes from his favorite group, Rascal Flatts, also is programmed with video of...

Summer love: for one long, sunny night every year, Fairbanks, Alaska, is the baseball capital of America.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 7, 2006... Fairbanks, Alaska, requires toughness. Living on the 65th parallel, you don't exactly spend time thinking about how the petunias are coming along. The average high temperature in January is 2-below. Extension cords dangle out of car grills, and...

Miami twice? Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before we jump ahead to next season, let's examine what the Heat's title run taught us.(NBA)
July 7, 2006... 1 Wade is the man (and a few less important lessons) Dwyane Wade is standing on top of the world. Well, not really, but it sure seems that way. Wade actually is standing on a chair in a corner of the Heat's locker room, towering above the...

A meeting of the minds: twins ace Johan Santana and catcher Joe Mauer reveal how they get inside the heads of opponents.(MLB)
July 7, 2006... When Twins lefthander Johan Santana pitches, hitters usually are in for a rough day. The 2004 A.L. Cy Young Award winner and last year's major league strikeouts leader is on pace for another big season. On June 13 at the Metrodome, Santana...

Standing up standing tall standing out: for their inspired--and inspiring--efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Deuce McAllister, Peyton Manning and Chris Duhon share the No.1 spot on SN's annual list of Good Guys in pro sports.(GOOD GUYS)(Cover story)
July 7, 2006... IT IS NEAR THE END of a troubling few hours for Deuce McAllister, who has been serving as a guide through some of the most damaged areas of New Orleans. Already, he has driven through the Lakeview District, where water-ravaged $1 million brick...

Beyond Katrina: you name it, athletes are doing it to make the world a better place.(GOOD GUYS)
July 7, 2006... MLB: Barry Zito After visiting hospitalized troops during a road trip, A's pitcher Barry Zito decided he needed to help them and their families during the recovery process. So he started Strikeouts For Troops, an amazing program that...

Special.(GOOD GUYS)
July 7, 2006... A sampling of athletes who have devised unique programs or developed special approaches to helping the community: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kings. Reef House, which he financed and opened in his needy former Atlanta neighborhood, is fully...

Givers.(GOOD GUYS)
July 7, 2006... Athletes whose efforts generated sizable donations last year-and their primary causes: Lance Berkman Astros $100,000 Team foundation Keith Brooking Falcons $239,000 Kids' needs A.J. Burnett Blue Jays $250,000 Team foundation ...

Big hearts.(GOOD GUYS)
July 7, 2006... Some athletes have particularly big hearts and demonstrate their community commitment in a variety of inspired ways. A cross-section of these men and their work: Motivated by his brother, who has cerebral palsy, Drew Bennett of the Titans...

Still making a difference: catching up with the work of former No. 1 Good Guys Dikembe Mutombo and Derrick Brooks.(GOOD GUYS)
July 7, 2006... DIKEMBE MUTOMBO In September, Dikembe Mutombo will realize the culmination of his magnificent dream. Mutombo, the 2001 Sporting News No. 1 Good Guy, will dedicate the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in Kinshasa, the...

Kids time.(GOOD GUYS)
July 7, 2006... Players who are involved with educating and mentoring kids through programs and financial support: Scholarships: Padres Trevor Hoffman, Ryan Klesko and Woody Williams have funded 80 Padres Scholars combined, thanks to $200,000 from them...

Rangers pitchers have nothing to fear but fear itself.(BASEBALL)
July 7, 2006... Pitcher Kameron Loe has a hard time finding a Rangers teammate who will hold Angel, the 7-foot boa constrictor he likes to bring into the clubhouse. Last year Alfonso Soriano ran whenever he saw Angel coming, and this year it's pretty much...

Play to win--but make it quick.(THE CLOSER)
July 7, 2006... It's amazing, but a long extra-inning game can really mess up a team. Rosters are built to handle nine-inning games every day. If a game goes 10 or 11, it's not a big deal, especially if the starting pitcher works deep into the game. But when...

A.L. East.(BASEBALL)
July 7, 2006... BALTIMORE ORIOLES The club and newly signed RHP Russ Ortiz are hopeful a reunion with pitching coach Leo Mazzone will get Ortiz back on track. Ortiz won 21 games in 2003 while pitching for Mazzone with the Braves.... To make room for...

A.L. Central.(BASEBALL)
July 7, 2006... CHICAGO WHITE SOX The team's recent offensive surge can be attributed partly to increased production against lefthanders. LF Scott Podsednik and 2B Tadahito Iguchi struggled early against lefties but are starting to have more success. C...

Dream week: June 29-July 5.(BASEBALL)(Calendar)
July 7, 2006... FRIDAY, 6/30 White Sox at Clubs * So, what did Michael Barrett do during his 10-game suspension for sucker punching A.J. Pierzynski and igniting a benches-clearing brawl the last time these teams met? Worried about his reputation as a sissy...

A.L. West.(BASEBALL)
July 7, 2006... LOS ANGELES ANGELS Tommy Murphy was called up to take the roster spot of CF Darin Erstad, who was put on the disabled list with a sore right ankle. Murphy is a speedy outfielder with a great arm and a natural feel for the position. He will...

N.L. East.(BASEBALL)
July 7, 2006... ATLANTA BRAVES The numerous leg injuries 3B Chipper Jones has suffered over the past three seasons have zapped much of his power. His inconsistency from both sides of the plate has greatly hindered the offense and raised questions about...

N.L. Central.(BASEBALL)
July 7, 2006... CHICAGO CUBS 1B Derrek Lee (wrist) returned from his minor league rehab assignment sooner than the Cubs would have liked. He'll wear a brace on the bases and play with his wrist taped, and he'll take days off when he needs to.... Rather...

N.L. West.(BASEBALL)
July 7, 2006... ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS RF Shawn Green is having success shortening his stroke and taking pitches up the middle or the other way. The challenge for him now is to incorporate power back into his swing. When he tries to do that, his swing...

Meet the bust-out boys on offense.(NFL)
July 7, 2006... Our annual look at the young offensive players--excluding rookies--who are good bets to break out in 2006: Quarterback If ever a quarterback appeared ready to take the next step, it is Chris Simms of the Bucs. He played well in his...

Inside the AFC.(NFL)
July 7, 2006... CHIEFS coaches used to let the sloppy workout habits of DT Ryan Sims slide, but coordinator Gunther Cunningham and line coach Tim Krumrie now are calling out Sims for his misdeeds.... The RAVIENS acquired SS Gerome Sapp from the Colts, and he...

Inside the NFC.(NFL)
July 7, 2006... Rookie Sinorice Moss adds a new dimension to the GIANTS' wide receiver unit. The coaches already have drawn up wide receiver screens, quick slants and outs and a few reverses to take advantage of his speed, quickness and versatility.... One...

Focus: rehab updates.(NFL)
July 7, 2006... Patriots LT Matt Light (broken fibula) was full-go during the team's recent minicamp. He ran with the starting offense and didn't seem limited in the noncontact workouts. Light is a good technician and has decent speed. The Patriots must make...

Maybe they should have drafted a running back.(NFL)
July 7, 2006... Texans RB Domanick Davis still is struggling to come back from the arthroscopic knee surgery he had last December. He was expected to participate in the team's minicamps, but his knee swelled up after only one walk-through. Davis has a history...

Kurt Warner: Cardinals quarterback.(Q&A)(Interview)
July 7, 2006... SN: Is this the year the Cardinals finally break through? WARNER: I hope so. But I was pretty optimistic last year. I'm even more optimistic this year. We have all the pieces. It's just, do we put it together on Sunday and find ways to win...

This is the best you can do?(NASCAR)
July 7, 2006... When there's a bidding war for a Nextel Cup driver who never has won a Cup race--I'm talking about you, Brian Vickers--it's time for NASCAR and its teams to re-evaluate how they develop young drivers. There is a long list of successful...

Who will win Saturday night at Daytona?(Pit Box)
July 7, 2006... Fantasy experts Vinnie Iyer and Roger Kuznia pick Nextel Cup winners. Follow their running feud at sportingnews.com/nascar/pitbox. Vinnie: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had a quietly successful season; he's in the top five despite only one win....

Memorable moments in Pepsi 400 history.(TAKE 5)
July 7, 2006... 1 Richard Petty gets his 200th and final win after President Reagan gives the command to start the engines in 1984. 2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the 2001 race five months after his father's death. 3 Protesting Michael Waltrip's win under...

How are these drivers faring with their new teams?(NASCAR: DRIVER REPORTS)
July 7, 2006... Bobby Labonte Labonte didn't have a choice in his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing, but Petty Enterprises has done everything in its power to make Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion, feel at home. No, the No. 43 isn't the weekly contender it...

Free agents? Uh, no--most will cost a lot and do little.(NBA)
July 7, 2006... After a draft panned for its lack of immediate impact players, figure on the free-agent market to continue the trend. This is not exactly an offseason for an overhaul. It's more of a summer for subtlety. For example, the top two names on...

One keeper of a program.(COLLEGE BASKETBALL)
July 7, 2006... While every other college coach is fishing metaphorically during July, Gonzaga's Mark Few could be fishing literally. He could be out on the Pacific Northwest streams he loves, casting flies and trying to catch a summer breeze and a few hungry...

It's the end of the spread as we know it.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
July 7, 2006... Everybody has a Vince Young. I can't tell you how many times this offseason a coach has told me, "He's like Vince Young." No, he isn't. And this is the problem with the ever-popular, ever-expanding myth that is the spread option....

Squeeze play.(FANTASY SOURCE)
July 7, 2006... Alfonso Soriano, who averaged 24 steals the past two seasons with Texas, is on pace for 38 this season. Johnny Damon is running more with the Yankees than he did with the Red Sox. These aren't coincidences. A manager's philosophy can have...

Slamming bud.(FANTASY SOURCE)
July 7, 2006... Is your fantasy league having commissioner troubles? Maybe you could ask Bud Selig to take charge--or not. A few things you could expect from a Selig-run fantasy league: * Extra stats would be assigned arbitrarily to make sure there were...

Baseball: brain trust.(FANTASY SOURCE)
July 7, 2006... BASEBALL BRAIN TRUST Fantasy Source experts Rob Hunt, Roger Kuznia and George Winkler. Albert Pujois Alfonso Soriano Alfonso Soriano Cardinals Nationals ...

Blog alert.(FANTASY SOURCE)
July 7, 2006... 'He pitches like Johan; he eats the same things as Johan, Heck, he might even wear the same brand of underwear. Is Francisco Liriano the next Johan Santana? Or is he simply another overhyped young pitcher? Let George Winkler know at...

An outrageous error of omission.
July 7, 2006... Do you ever know something without knowing how you know it? You just know it. It just feels right. Like, of course. For instance, I know one thing about Buck O'Neil. He belongs in baseball's Hall of Fame. But July 30, when...

To know list: 8 things to make you an instant expert this week.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 14, 2006... THE MAIN EVENT [1] Young stars are coming out to shine Fresh isn't a term frequently used when talking baseball or Pittsburgh, but there's no better word to describe the upcoming All-Star festivities in the Steel City. Fresh...

On deck: the week ahead in sports.(KNOW IT ALL)(Calendar)
July 14, 2006... THIS I GOTTA SEE All times Eastern SAT 8 A barroom brawl has broken out in the right field bleachers. Do you know where your children are? Fan violence in America is on the table in Fans: Over the (10 p.m., Spike). SUN 9 ...

Coming at you.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 14, 2006... In the July 21 issue 10... 9... 8... Made your New Year's Eve plans yet? No? C'mon, it's barely three weeks away! Training camp marks the opening of a new NFL year, and we're celebrating with 32 jampacked pages in our Training Camp...

Bob Hille's starting 5.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 14, 2006... 1 The World Cup. Being of German descent, I'm happy for the old country's showing. On the other hand, I'm a bit worded. They start feeling too confident, they might, y'know, invade Poland or something. 2 Fireworks. The local show was...

Offseason's greetings.(MY TURN)
July 14, 2006... Lost in the mail: postcards from sports stars on summer vacation. How'd we find them? Don't ask. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Your turn.(KNOW IT ALL)(Letter to the editor)
July 14, 2006... 'I do not trust a ,am whose name is Andrea when it's crunch time. --aharon24 via SportingNews.com * I am an attorney and a CPA who has been a sports agent for almost 30 years. I am pleased that Sean Deveney has begun the process of...

Polling place.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 14, 2006... POLLING PLACE Which guy would you rather have in your 'pen the rest of this season, Jonathan Papelbon or Madano Rivera? SPORTINGNEWS.COM USERS 53% 47% SPORTING NEWS STAFF 31% 69% Note: Table made from bar graph....

Blog on.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 14, 2006... RE: CLASSIC TANTRUM Posted by jefft02 Did anyone see that minor league manager lose it? It is easily a top five meltdown of all time. I have to say I find this type of behavior completely ridiculous and unacceptable--except in...

Radio Star: real talk from a fan on Sporting News Radio.(KNOW IT ALL)
July 14, 2006... 'It's amazing to me that we always abort the legal process in this country. I thought you are innocent until proven guilty. If Brett Myers is found guilty, he should be put in jail. But until that time, we cannot assume the allegations are...

Sports talk with Lance Armstrong: he's young. He's retired. And this month--somehow--the Tour de France is going on without him.(KNOW IT ALL)(Interview)
July 14, 2006... SN: Will you be watching the Tour de France all month long? ARMSTRONG: I'm absolutely a fan and a supporter of cycling. Nothing has changed there--I love it, and I love to watch it. SN: Who's the best American in this year's race? ...

Slash mania: it's a Randle El of an idea: get a multipurpose threat and win a Super Bowl. Yeah, that's the ticket.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... Rasheed Marshall still thinks about playing quarterback. Thinks about it every day. It's the position he played all through high school and college, until San Francisco and the rest of the NFL told him he was a wide receiver. And a kick...

Fast talking: Darrell Waltrip is a legend. Carl Edwards is NASCAR's hottest young star. Get them together and the conversation takes surprising twists. You don't even need to pop a question to get the fun started.(NASCAR)(Interview)
July 14, 2006... DARRELL WALTRIP: I remember as a kid going to watch those cars run. I was fascinated by that. I thought that was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. The car going around the corner... CARL EDWARDS: Exactly. WALTRIP: Throwing the dirt up in...

Essential summer hoops guide: college isn't a slam dunk for O.J. Mayo.(COLLEGE BASKETBALL)
July 14, 2006... Sometime during the next few days--the start of the NCAA's summer evaluation period for basketball recruits--O.J. Mayo is expected to sit down with reporters and recruiting analysts and announce his college selection from a list that has been...

The best 25: this is a true All-Star team--right down to the dominant setup reliever you've never heard of.(MLB)
July 14, 2006... In choosing the SPORTING NEWS' midseason All-Stars, we did not talk about the past. We made our choices based on performance, not popularity. On results, not reputation. We also wanted to recognize the guys who usually go unrecognized: the role...

The better half: baseball '06 Part 2 won't let you down--not with so many tight races, fresh faces and upstarts going places.(SECOND HALF PREVIEW: JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER)
July 14, 2006... A team from the American League Central is looking to start the season smoking and end it with championship cigars" Roger Clemens is creating a buzz, and his Astros are eyeing a second half surge. A team from New York is riding its dynamite...

A.L. east.(BASEBALL: SECOND HALF PREVIEW: JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER)
July 14, 2006... BALTIMORE ORIOLES KEY PLAYER: If RHP Daniel Cabrera learns how to stay in games longer and be more consistent from start to start, the Orioles will have three starters-Cabrera, LHP Erik Bedard and RHP Kris Benson--who can match up with...

A.L. central.(BASEBALL: SECOND HALF PREVIEW: JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER)
July 14, 2006... CHICAGO WHITE SOX KEY PLAYER: RHP Bobby Jenks has become one of baseball's steadiest closers since taking over that rote in September 2005. The team needs Jenks and his 99-mph fastball and sharp-breaking curve to continue anchoring the...

A.L. west.(BASEBALL: SECOND HALF PREVIEW: JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER)
July 14, 2006... LOS ANGELES ANGELS KEY PLAYER: The loss of RHP Bartolo Colon for most of the first half of the season greatly hurt the team's ability to compete. Colon has returned from his shoulder injury but still hasn't regained his Cy Young...

N.L. east.(BASEBALL: SECOND HALF PREVIEW: JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER)
July 14, 2006... ATLANTA BRAVES KEY PLAYER: For the Braves to make a run and compensate for their less than stellar pitching staff, they need 3B Chipper Jones to stay healthy and be a steady force in the lineup. He still is capable of being a power threat...

N.L. central.(BASEBALL: SECOND HALF PREVIEW: JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER)
July 14, 2006... CHICAGO CUBS KEY PLAYER: The Cubs went 19-40 without 1B Derrek Lee (wrist) in the lineup. They sorely missed his production at the plate and his Gold Glove defense. His absence also affected the batting order; 2B Todd Walker is a better...

N.L. west.(BASEBALL: SECOND HALF PREVIEW: JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER)
July 14, 2006... ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS KEY PLAYER: 3B Chad Tracy must recapture the form he displayed last season for the lineup to be a force in the second half. Pitchers have thrown him far more off-speed and breaking pitches this season, and he has...

Supplies are sparse at the trading post.(BASEBALL)
July 14, 2006... With apologies to Tom Petty, the hardest part isn't the waiting--it's admitting you have no chance at making the playoffs. That's the biggest drag on the trading market, at least until the final days before the July 31 nonwaiver deadline....

Blowing your stack can be a good thing.(THE CLOSER)
July 14, 2006... Surely you saw clips of the guy who looked like he had lost his mind managing a minor league game. He was all over TV and the Internet for a few days. He was suspended and fined and was the subject of talk shows, and many of the comments...

Dream week: July 6-12.(BASEBALL)
July 14, 2006... THURSDAY, 7/6 Angels at A's * These A.L West rivals haven't faced each other since early May, so maybe the tension has eased. In their previous meeting, John Lackey and Jason Kendall went at it UFC style after Lackey came a bit too...

These defenders are hungry for headlines.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... A look at the young defensive players who are likely to break out this season. Rookies were not considered. Defensive end The combination of want-to and can-do in Luis Castillo makes him a star-in-waiting for the Chargers. Whether he's...

Inside the AFC.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... After having arthroscopic knee surgery, BENGALS Rudi Johnson is showing more burst, along with the usual power generated by his thick legs and low center of gravity. Johnson didn't practice on Wednesdays last season but never missed a game.......

Inside the NFC.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... G Chris Snee, one of the GIANTS' best run blockers, has a rare combination of power and speed. He's adept at pulling and can flatten linebackers in the open field, which gives RB Tiki Barber room to run.... The BEARS signed Dante Wesley to...

Focus: coaches under pressure.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... The Vikings' Mike Tomlin, 33, is a first-time defensive coordinator working for an offense-minded first-time coach in Brad Childress. Tomlin is installing the cover 2 and must restore a defense that too often has been one of the league's worst....

Polishing a passer.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... New Falcons quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave inherits Michael Vick, who relies on exceptional athleticism to bail him out of trouble. Defensive coordinators have learned to capitalize on Vick's spotty passing by constantly pressing both sides...

Show us something, buddy.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... Coordinator Rob Ryan still is trying to mold the Raiders' defense into a top-flight unit. The team has used numerous high picks in the past two drafts to give him the personnel he needs. Ryan hasn't settled on a base alignment and is tinkering...

Trying to score some points.(NFL)
July 14, 2006... Browns coordinator Maurice Carthon frustrated fans and drove QB Trent Dilfer to distraction last season by limiting audibles and not using former Cleveland WR Antonio Bryant, one of the team's top threats, early in games. Now second-year QB...

Change is bad.(NASCAR)
July 14, 2006... When NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France discussed tweaking the points structure of the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup last week at Daytona, people listened. True, France spoke of minor adjustments, not sweeping changes, but I say leave...

Down the road.(NASCAR)
July 14, 2006... USG Sheetrock 400 When: 3 p.m. ET Sunday * TV: TNT * Length: 400.5 miles/267 laps Sludge robs your car of power and acceleration. Castrol GTX: Maximum protection against sludge buildup. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pit box: who will win Sunday at Chicagoland?(NASCAR)
July 14, 2006... Fantasy experts Vinnie Iyer and Roger Kuznia pick Nextel Cup winners. Follow their running feud at sportingnews.com/nascar/pitbox. Roger: All four of Kasey Kahne's victories this season have come in the same No. 9 Dodge, and three were at...

Zeke was meant to coach these Knicks.(NBA)
July 14, 2006... Now that the hysterical mass displays of angst over the Larry Brown Era have turned into a muted slobber, a harsh reality remains: The Knicks are contractually obligated to play another season. That will be the summer focus in New York,...

Tremors: you thought draft night shook things up? It was nothing compared with what could happen in the next few weeks.(NBA)
July 14, 2006... Arguably, no one was more prepared for last week's NBA draft than Celtics boss Danny Ainge, who entered the pick-a-thon with the No. 7 choice. He had seen nearly every major prospect and not just on tape. He had watched them run drills in...

A legacy of lives touched.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
July 14, 2006... It was punch-in-the-face news. And I hated it. Northwestern coach Randy Walker was dead of a heart attack. He was 52. One of my bosses delivered the sad fact shortly after I had sat down at my desk last Friday morning. The best I...