Weekend Round-Up

MLB

- The Minnesota Twins earned a one-game playoff with the Detroit Tigers to decide the AL Central title when they beat the Kansas City Royals 13-4 on Sunday. The Twins were trailing the Tigers in the standings, but swept the Royals this weekend to catch up in the playoff race. The playoff game will be held on Tuesday in Minnesota, with the winner going on to play the New York Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.
- Just a quick follow-up report. The Toronto Blue Jays chose J.P. Riccardi's former assistant and vice-president of baseball operations, Alex Anthopoulos, to take over for Riccardi as GM of the club. The 32-year-old Montreal native will have his hands full this off-season, trying to configure the new direction of the team. He is very familiar with the organization having worked with the Jays since 2003.
- The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Angels manager Mike Scioscia has announced his playoff pitching rotation and roster. Check the link to view the roster.
- St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols set a major league record for assists by a first basemen in the team's final game of the regular season on Sunday. Pujols recorded his 185th assist of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers.
- SI.com is reporting that all-time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman will return to the Milwaukee Brewers next season.
- Milwaukee Brewers GM announced Sunday that the team will bring back manager Ken Macha in 2010. This will be the final year of the contract he signed last October. The Brewers also have a club option for 2011.
- There was speculation that last week that the Washington Nationals were trying to bring in Bobby Valentine as manager. ESPN leaked a rumour that Valentine is in communication with the Florida Marlins about a job with the team. It would come as a surprise if the Marlins brought the former big league manager in. Current bench-boss, Freddi Gonzalez, was signed to a 2-year extension 8 months ago. There is speculation that Gonzalez could get the boot. He will be under review by upper management in the off-season.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West title with a 5-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. Prior to the win, the Dodgers lost five straight.
- The Philadelphia Phillies have clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Phillies will host the St. Louis Cardinals in their first round series.
- Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera and manager Jim Leyland were questioned about scratches and blemishes on Cabrera's face during Saturday's post-game presser. After Friday's game, there were no marks present. When Cabrera showed up to the stadium on Saturday, his face was visibly scarred. Both had no comment and later, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski sent an e-mail to reporters stating that he had spoken with Cabrera and would not comment on the "personal" matter. It is rumoured that Cabrera was attacked by his dog.

NBA

- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer is reported that Bobcats PG Raymond Felton turned down a long-term contract before agreeing on a one-year deal in the off-season. The deal would have payed Felton close to $7 million a year. It's surprising Felton declined.
- Golden State Warriors PF Brandon Wright will require surgery to repair a damaged right capsule in his left shoulder. No timetable for return will be set until Wright is assessed post-surgery.
- Los Angeles Clippers C Marcus Camby hyperextended his left knee in the final practice of training camp on Friday. The veteran shot-blocker is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for the pre-season opener on Sunday.
- In an interview with FanHouse, Denver Nuggets C Nene vowed to retire from basketball by the 2016 Olympics to devote his life to religion. "In seven year, I'm retired in seven years," Nene told FanHouse.
- Toronto Raptors all-star PF Chris Bosh was overwhelmed with chants of "Re-Sign, Re-Sign" during the team's open training camp scrimmage in Ottawa on Saturday. According to the Toronto Sun, Bosh responded with a smile while newcomer PG Jarrett Jack gave the crowd a thumbs up.
- The Columbian is reporting that Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan has narrowed down the final roster spot to two veterans; F Ime Udoka and C/PF Jarron Collins. The coach told reporters that he was impressed by both players.
- Over the weekend, Boston Celtics PF Kevin Garnett told the Boston Globe that his surgically repaired right knee feels flexible than any time since the procedure. "I don't have any knee problems, I don't have any knee problems," Garnett told reporters.
- The Associated Press is reporting that Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry held troubled G Delonte West out of the inter-squad game on Saturday when the team concluded training camp. This may be Ferry trying to send a message or the GM may be looking to move West to eliminate the distraction.

NFL

- The Indianapolis Colts won their 13th consecutive victory on Sunday when they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 34-17. The win earns the franchise the longest active regular-season winning streak to date.
- Detroit Lions rookie QB Matt Stafford left the team's loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday with a knee injury. Stafford suffered the injury when he was sacked during the fourth quarter.
- Baltimore Ravens LT Jared Gaither was carted off the field in the teams loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday with what is being reported as a neck injury. ESPN is reporting that after tests were complete at the hospital, Gaither had movement in his arms and legs. This is good news for what looked to be a potential career threatening injury.
- The New England Patriots are considering bringing back LB Junior Seau. ESPN is reporting that Seau took a physical with the team last week.
- The Cleveland Browns have placed rookie RB James Davis on the inured reserve list. Davis will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.

NHL

- Before the team's season home-opener on Saturday, New York Islanders owner Charles Wang announced that he would be exploring all options for the team, including moving the franchise to a different city. Wang spoke out about his frustration with the lack of a decision by local government to approve or reject a major developmental plan that would give the Islanders a new and improved stadium.
- Montreal Canadiens star D Andrei Markov will be out for at least four months after slicing a tendon in his ankle during Thursday night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was the skate of Canadiens G Carey Price that cut Markov. This is going to be a huge loss for the club. Not a good way to start the season.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed D Rostislav Klesla to a 4-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2013-2014 season. Terms were not disclosed.
- The Dallas Stars have signed LW Loui Eriksson to a 6-year $25.5 million extension. Eriksson had 36 goals for the Stars last season.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have added Mathieu Roy to the roster after calling him up from the AHL to replace injured D Mike Commodore who was placed on the injured reserve list.

MMA

- UFC president Dana White will resume his popular video blog at UFC 104. If you haven't seen any of the videos, you need to go check them out. He takes you along with him, behind the scenes of each UFC pay-per-view event. I will post some clips of his video blog in the Featured Video Section after the event.