News & Notes

MLB

- World Series Update: Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies, led by Chase Utley who hit two home runs in the game, took game 5 by a score of 8-6 to keep the Phillies alive and force a game 6 in the Bronx. Phillies batters knocked Yanks starter P A.J. Burnett out of the game early. Utley's two home runs tied a Reggie Jackson record for the most home runs during a World Series, with 5. Game 6 will be played on Wednesday and Yankees P Andy Pettitte will take on Phillies P Pedro Martinez, who is not exactly loved by Yankees fans. It should make for an interesting contest. The Yanks would love to close out the series at home and with the title in front of their fans. Don't forget to check it out.
- According to Yahoo! Sports, Phillies P Brett Myers and P Cole Hamels got into a war of words after last night's game. The incident stemmed from Hamels comments about the "mental drain" from a long season that he wished would end. Myers walked past Hamels and said, mockingly, "What are you doing here? I thought you quit." Hamels responded with profanity and the two were separated by team officials. Obviously it's not the right time for clubhouse issues to be interfering with a World Series run. The Phillies need to nip this one at the bud.
- Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz told the Boston Herald on Monday that he would like to retire with his current club, even though the team is considering looking for more production from the DH position. "I want to finish my career here," he said. "I think I still have another three or four good years in me. It's not like I'm going to play until I'm 50, but I can still swing the bat. All I know is that last year I had the worst three months of my career and still almost ended up at 30 and 100."
- According to ESPN, New York Mets OF Jeff Francoeur recently underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb and is expected to be ready for spring training.

NBA

- According to Outsports.com, Dallas Mavericks C/F Drew Gooden yelled a homophobic slur at a pair of fans sitting near the bench during Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The website is reporting that one of the fans was actor, Chris Wydle. Team owner Mark Cuban would not comment on the issue but according to the website, Cuban e-mailed Wydle to apologize for the incident and to inform the actor that he would be dealing with the matter internally.
- Los Angeles Lakers C/F Pau Gasol's hamstring injury may be more serious than initially believed. Gasol had test done that revealed a slight tear in the hamstring over the weekend. He underwent an MRI today, but the results have yet to be released. More on the story as details surface.
- ESPN is reporting that a specialist has confirmed that New Jersey Nets PG Devin Harris has a strained groin. He suffered the injury during a pre-season game. The team is still unsure when he will return to the lineup.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves have picked up the 2010-2011 contract options on both G/F Corey Brewer and C/F Chris Love. The team made an announcement over the weekend.

NFL

- Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning, through 8 weeks, is on pace to surpass Dan Marino's single season passing yards record. Manning is on pace to throw for 5, 090 yards this season. Marino's record is 5, 084 yards. Marino's record nearly fell last season when New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees threw for 5, 069 total yards.
- Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable is in hot water once again. The team has decided to complete a investigation of allegations that Cable has a history of violent behavior toward women. Cable's first wife and ex-girlfriend told ESPN that the coach abused both of them during their separate relationships. He admitted to striking his ex-wife, Sandy Cable, with an open hand more than 20 years ago in a statement he made Sunday. Cable was in heat with the police and the NFL earlier this season for allegedly punching his offensive co-ordintator in the face.

NHL

- NHL.com is reporting that the 2010 U.S. Olympic mens hockey team will be unveiled on January 1st during NBC's broadcast of the NHL Winter Classic game between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.
- Toronto Maple Leafs F Phil Kessel will make his season debut with his new squad tonight at home versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 22-year-old had off-season shoulder surgery and was cleared to play this morning by team doctors. The team has high expectations for the former 30-goal scorer and will expect him to anchor the offense.

MMA

- M-1 Global and Fedor Emelianenko have sued Affliction and other unnamed parties for an alleged breach of contract stemming from the cancellation of "Affliction:Trilogy" after Affliction decided to return to the UFC as a sponsor. Josh Barnett, Emelianenko's scheduled opponent, was forced out of the bout at Trilogy because he tested positive for anabolic steroids. Affliction cancelled the even citing its' inability to secure a suitable replacement. The lawsuit alleges that Brett Rogers, Emeliankenko's opponent this weekend, was "ready, willing, and able" to fight Fedor at Trilogy and Affliction "elected to serve it's own financial interests at the expense of its partners." Stay tuned for more on the issue as details surface.
- UFC lightweight Corey Hill and middleweight Patrick Cote will both return to the octagon in 2010. Both fighters suffered injuries in their last fights and have been sidelined for some time now. Hill is expected to return in January while Cote mentioned on his Facebook page that he aims to return in April.
- The UFC has added another fight to UFC Fight Night 20 from Fairfax, Virginia in January. Nick Cotone will fight Steve Steinbeiss in a middleweight bout with both of their UFC futures on the line.