News & Notes

MLB

- The Minnesota Twins claimed the AL Central division title on Tuesday night, defeating the Detroit Tigers in a twelve-inning thriller at the Metrodome. With one out in the twelfth inning, Twins 2B Alexi Castilla hit an RBI single to score the winning run in an extra-innings nail-biter. The game did not end without controversy though. In the top of the same inning, video replay shows a pitch graze Tigers 3B Brandon Inge with the bases loaded. The umpire claimed the ball did not make contact with the player and Inge was retired later in the at-bat. In a game of this magnitude, it's unfortunate the season had to end that way for the Tigers. The Twins will now go on to face the New York Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. Game one is tonight at 7p.m. Eastern time.
- According to ESPN, Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez will return as manager next season. It was speculated that the coaches job was in jeopardy following a disappointing season where the team missed the playoffs.
- Contrary to rumours, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Cubs have changed their stance and decided to keep P Carlos Zambrano. According to the report, Zambrano will not be asked to waive his no trade clause and will not be shopped this off-season.
- The Chicago White Sox have exercised club options on the contracts of P Freddy Garcia and P Matt Thornton for next season.
- Philadelphia Phillies P J.C. Romero will undergo surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left forearm. Typical recovery time for this type of procedure is 5-6 months.

NBA

- The Charlotte Bobcats have exercised the $2.45 million option on the contract of PG D.J. Augustin.
- In a yearly survey done by NBA.com, league general managers have picked the LA Lakers to repeat as NBA champs this season. Also, according to the survey, Lebron James is the popular early pick for MVP.
- Memphis Grizzlies G Allen Iverson is day-to-day with a strained left hamstring that has kept him out of action for the majority of training camp and the start of the pre-season.

NFL

- ESPN is reporting that San Francisco 49ers draft holdout, WR Michael Crabtree has finally decided to agree to a contract with the club. Crabtree will receive a six-year deal that he can void to five years if he meets the performance clauses in the contract. He is expected to report to the team's training facility some time today.
- Baltimore Ravens LB Brendon Ayanbadejo will be out of the remainder of the season to undergo surgery on his torn left quadriceps tendon on Wednesday.
- New York Giants LB Michael Boley will be out of action for a month with a knee injury. On Tuesday, Boley underwent surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee.
- San Diego Chargers GM A.J. Smith is furious with his team's performance through the first four weeks of the season. "Absolutely embarassing," Smith told San Diego Union-Tribune of the team's play. "Everything is wrong with it right now. I'm not the least bit happy in a lot of areas. I've seen us be tough and physical to soft and bewildered". The Chargers are now 2-2 with the loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Changes could be coming soon if the team doesn't receive the message properly.
- Notes: Check back later on today for NFL Power Rankings: Week 4 by Razmig Darakjian. Some teams could be switching places after a crazy weekend in the NFL.

NHL

- The Associated Press is reporting that the Boston Bruins singed LW Milan Lucic to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday. The team did not disclose financial terms of the deal.
- The Montreal Canadiens have signed D Marc-Andre Bergeron to a one-year deal worth $750k.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs decided to start rookie G Jonas Gustavsson on Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators. Head coach Ron Wilson would not reveal his starting goalie until the morning practice before the game. It is speculated that G Vesa Toskala may have lost his job to Gustavsson because of his terrible performance in the first two games of the season. It will be interesting to see who the Leafs start in net on Saturday against Pittsburgh.

MMA

- Mark Coleman has withdrawn from his UFC 106 bout with Tito Ortiz. Coleman has a torn MCL and will need more time to recover from the injury. Before news of the injury was released, Ortiz responded to Coleman backing out on his Twitter page. It will be interesting to see who Tito fights in his return to the UFC. Below is what Ortiz posted on his Twitter page about Coleman:

"Coleman,coleman,coleman to bad he sissies out!!! Who’s next??? I’m kicking someone’s ass on Nov 21st!"

Additional Notes:

- International and MLS soccer news will soon be added to daily updates on The Neary Report. Check back by the end of week for more on these updates.