News & Notes

MLB

- World Series Update: A re-match of game 1 starters will see Yankees P A.J. Burnett take on Phillies P Cliff Lee in game 5 tonight from Philadelphia. The Yanks currently hold a 3-1 lead in series and could wrap-up the series tonight. Prior to the series, Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins predicted that the Phillies would re-peat and take the series in 5 games. There is now no chance that his prediction will become reality and the Phillies really have their backs against the wall in this one. It should make for an exciting one.
- Last week, the St. Louis Cardinals officially signed former-Cardinal and controversial 1B Mark McGwire as their hitting coach. The move has caused quite a stir. McGwire is infamously known for his role in the "steroid" era and his non-testimony in front of congress when he refused to talk about taking steroids. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is not reporting that Cardinals manager Tony LaRusa is responsible for hiring McGwire as the hitting coach. The signing came after it was uncertain if LaRusa would return to coach the club. It ensures that he will stick on with the club for at least one more year.
- The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Boston Red Sox are preparing a 4 year/$60 million contract for free-agent OF Jason Bay. The Giants are expected to make a play for Bay as well.

NBA

- According to Yahoo! Sports, the Boston Celtics and PG Rajon Rondo have come to an agreement on a five-year contract extension. The deal is rumoured to be close to $55 million.
- New York Knicks G Nate Robinson will miss tonight's game against the New Orleans Hornets and could be out of the lineup for 1-2 weeks with a sprained ankle.
- Indiana Pacers C Jeff Foster will be sidelined for two weeks with a right ankle sprain.
- The NBA announced today that New York Knicks F Al Harrington has been fined $25,000 for criticizing officials on Friday.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that former NBA referee Tim Donaghy will be released from prison on Wednesday. Donaghy will have completed his 15 month sentence for providing inside information to gamblers.
- Memphis Grizzlies G Allen Iverson will make his debut with the team tonight against the Sacramento Kings. It will be his first game in a Grizzlies' uniform.
- Milwaukee Bucks SG Michael Redd will be sidelined for at least 2 weeks with a left knee injury he suffered in Saturday's win against the Detroit Pistons.
- Near the end of Sunday night's game against the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies teammates G O.J. Mayo and SF Rudy Gay got into a heated argument and had to be separated on the bench. During a timeout late in the fourth quarter, Gay took exception to a comment made by Mayo about his teammates not getting back on defense. Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and teammates needed to split the two up. After the game Hollins told reporters: "They get along. They're just competitors. They both want to succeed."
- Orlando Magic C Dwight Howard and Denver Nuggets SF Carmelo Anthony were named Eastern and Western conference players of the week on Monday. Howard led the Magic to a 3-0 start to the season while averaging 21.7 pts, 16.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks during that stretch. Anthony's Nuggets also started the season 3-0. He averaged 37.7 points, shooting .536 from the field to go along with 7.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest.

NFL

- According to ESPN, Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis announced on Sunday that he will retire from football at the end of the season. "When I talk, I mean what I say and I think you all know that," Lewis said. He has 10,456 career rushing yards.
- The San Diego Chargers released WR Chris Chambers today, according to the Associated Press. The move comes as a surprise. Chambers made a key catch in Sunday's 24-16 win over the Oakland Raiders.
- Cleveland Browns GM George Kokinis was escorted out of the team's facility on Monday by security. The Plain Dealer is reporting that Kokinis was fired. The team has yet to comment. "Kokinis is a great guy who does not deserve this. He is taking the fall for the team's problems and it's not right," said one league source.
- According to ESPN, New Orleans Saints DT Sedrick Ellis will miss 4-6 weeks of action with a sprained MCL. He suffered the injury against the Miami Dolphins last week.
- Houston Texans TE Owen Daniels will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a right knee injury during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

NHL

- A federal bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL. The NHL will pay team owner Jerry Moyes $140 million for the club.
- Washington Capitals LW Alexander Ovechkin will miss at least one game but is listed by the team as day-to-day with an upper body injury.
- Philadelphia Flyers RW Simon Gagne is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks to recover from abdominal and hip surgery. He will have the procedures done on Tuesday.
- The NHL has suspended Anaheim Ducks D James Wisnewski for 2 games without pay for a forearm he delivered to the head of Coyotes F Shane Doan on Saturday night.
- On Sunday, New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist recorded his 150th career victory and 21st career shutout in a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins.

MMA

- MMAjunkie is reporting that Kimbo Slice will take on Houston Alexander at The Ultimate Fighter Finale on December 5th. Kimbo weighed in at 230 lbs prior to his loss to Roy Nelson on the TV show. Houston Alexander is a light-heavyweight and the two will fight at a heavyweight catchweight of 205 lbs. Should make for an interesting fight. Both fighters have a similar stand-up style. Kimbo will be looking to make a statement and Alexander will be looking to end the "buzz" about Kimbo.
- Lightweight fighter Josh Neer has been released by the UFC. He lost his last two fights and the writing was on the wall. The UFC made the announcement over the weekend.
- The UFC has announced that they will hold an event in Boston in 2010. A bill was recently passed to regulate mixed martial arts in Massachusetts.
- John Fitch has agreed to fight Mike Pierce at UFC 107 in December. Both fighters were left without opponents due to injuries.