News & Notes

MLB

- On Wednesday, Kansas City Royals ace P Zach Greinke was named 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner. Greinke was the overwhelming selection, 54 points ahead of the runner-up, Seattle Mariners P Felix Hernandez. The 26-year-old finished the season with a record of 16-8 with a major-league low 2.16 ERA and 242 strikeouts, good enough for second in the American League. It is the first time Greinke has won the award and the fourth player in Royals franchise history to win the award.
- According to the New York Post, free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets could be an option for the Yankees, who are looking to bolster their starting rotation. Sheets had surgery on the flexor tendon in his right arm in February and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
- Keith Grunewald, the agent of free-agents P John Smoltz and IF/OF Mark DeRosa, told the Los Angeles Times that he has been in contact with the Dodgers about his two clients. The agent also mentioned that the Dodgers are one of dozen teams vying for DeRosa's services.

NBA


- Orlando Magic PG Jameer Nelson will undergo surgery today to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Orlando's starting point gaurd will be out of action for 4-6 weeks following surgery. He will be greatly missed and will rely heavily on newly acquired backup PG Jason Williams.
- ESPN Magazine is reporting that Jeff Fried, the agent of Golden State Warriors G Monta Ellis, plans to meet with Warriors' management. The article speculates that he may try to convince management to trade Ellis. Fried was unreachable for comment. Ellis has been really outspoken with the media early this season, questioning the coaching staff, teammates and the organization. I reported late last week that he also had a run-in with Warriors head coach Don Nelson during practice. The writing may be on the wall already. Check back for more on the developing story.
- Los Angeles Lakers SG Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the 100th time in his career on Tuesday night when the Lakers held off the Detroit Pistons by a score of 106-93. Bryant is now currently third place on the all-time list of 40+ point performances, trailing Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173).
- The Toronto Raptors claimed F/C Pops Mensah-Bonsu off waivers on Tuesday. He was a fan favourite playing the majority of the season with the Raptors last year. He signed with Houston in the off-season but was waived by the Rockets on Friday.

NFL 


- The Buffalo Bills announced the firing of head coach Dick Jauron on Tuesday, following the teams 3-6 start. The Bills mentioned that a replacement would be names soon in a statement.
- The Cincinnati Bengals have officially signed RB Larry Johnson to a contract for the remainder of the season. Johnson will collect the $4 million he is owed from his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, and will get $255,290 from the Bengals.
- ESPN is reporting that Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook will meet with a pair of concussion specialists today in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, Westbrook was forced to leave the game against the Chargers because of a concussion. It was his second concussion in the past three weeks. He is hoping to learn whether or not he will be able to resume his career without further damage.

NHL

- On Tuesday, Brendan Shanahan announced his retirement from the NHL, as reported first by ESPN.com. During his 21-year career, Shanahan scored  656 goals. He spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Red Wings, winning three Stanley Cups there. He tried to latch on with the New Jersey Devils in training camp but was unable to make the top three lines. Shortly before the season start, the two sides parted ways and Shanahan took some time off to make his decision. He is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame and expect him to stay close to the game of hockey in some kind of off-ice role.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have loaned F Nikita Filatov to CSKA of the Kontinental Hockey League for the remainder of the 2009-2010 season. The club believes it will give the 19-year-old a chance to grow in a more comfortable setting, in his hometown of Moscow, Russia.
- According to the Associated Press, Washington Capitals G Jose Theodore has left the team for personal reasons.

MMA

- Brock Lesnar Update: According to the Associated Press, Brock Lesnar is suffering from a bacterial infection in his intestinal tract. It is unseen whether or not Lesnar will actually have surgery, althoug he will check in to the Mayo Clinic for further treatment. The AP report also suggested that it is possible that Lesnar may not fight again, depending on his recovery from the illness.
- Contrary to previous rumours, UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre and number one contender Dan Hardy are not under consideration to coach the Ultimate Fighter 11 reality TV show. As speculated earlier, the show would have delayed a fight between the two. The update was reported first by Heavy.com.
- According to MMAJunkie, the postponed fight between UFC middelweight champion Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort will now take place at UFC 109 on February 6th. It is being reported that the two sides have already made a verbal agreement but have yet to sign anything.