g Page 5175 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Off The Wall, Indeed: Ron Artest Pays Tribute To Michael Jackson
"Michael, Michael, Michael, you my nigga. I know a thug would cry for you, my dude. Aint no R&B singer really ever makes me cry. Makes me wanna meet you, touch your hand. Ya know?" [YouTube]...

Former Bubbly Blonde Olympic Figure Skater Is Now Meth-Running Brunette With A Bob
Nicole Bobek, who appeared at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, was in a Jersey City court today on charges she played a "significant role" in a massive meth operation. [NJ.com]...

Worth Almost $900 Million Now, Imagine If The Cubs Won A World Series
"The Ricketts family has reached a deal to buy the storied Chicago Cubs baseball team from bankrupt media company Tribune Co." Ambiguous adjectives are about as delightful as Sam Zell no longer owning a baseball team. [Reuters]...

Breaking: Joe Morgan Tells The Truth!
America's baseball uncle was tellin' tales again last night — something about a long slump and a home run he hit off Nolan Ryan — and for once, his story is supported by those ever-pesky computer numbers. [MLB Insights]...

A Hearty L'Chaim To Jason Lezak
Jason Lezak — three-time Olympic gold medalist, Phelpsian savior and, blessedly, former bar mitzvah boy — will skip the swimming world championships to race in Israel's Maccabiah Games. When in Jerusalem, he'll be hankering for Chinese food from Beijing. [AP]...

British Press Finds Its Tragic Hero In An American
In London, sports are sport, Americans are ungracious blokes and Andy Roddick is brave, tenacious, athletic and bloody valorous. So like Hamlet, Othello and Romeo before him, Roddick naturally became the tragic hero in the British writer's five-act narrative arc....

Long Snapper Pays Price For Saints' Poor Investment Decisions
Kevin Houser has played in every Saints game since 2000—only hiking the ball on kicks, but still—yet he was abruptly cut last week for no apparent reason. Unless you count failed investments that cost his teammates $2 million....

Boston Celtics Ramp Up Their "Get Older" Strategy
Calm and rational Rasheed Wallace has agreed to play for the Celtics for two years. Next on the shopping list: Grant Hill. (Seriously.) Because the problem with their 2009 team was obviously not enough injury/character questions. [Boston Herald]...

Minor League Promotion Violates Human Rights Laws, Constitution
It's a remarkable world we live in when a promotion meant to celebrate women can get written up as a violation of human rights laws. I hope Amnesty International doesn't have to be called for the next Free Bat Night....

Bill Plaschke's Unhealthy Manny Obsession
Professional grumpypants Bill Plaschke really hates Manny Ramirez. In fact, the only thing he hates more than Manny is people who refuse to hate Manny as much as he does. Why can't they see what Bill Plaschke sees?...

Artest and Kobe Do Their Best Work In The Shower
So how did trash-talking malcontent Ron Artest end up playing alongside "hated rival" Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles? It all started with a fateful shower stall run-in two years ago:...

Andy Roddick's Heartbreaking Day At The Beer Pong Table
Got an image you'd like to see in here first thing in the morning? Send it to [email protected]. Subject: Morning crap...

Tiger Woods: Winner Of Own AT & T National Tournament, Budding Comedian
Another great day for Gillette spokespeople: Tiger Woods wins the 2009 AT &T National, Federer won Wimbledon, and Jeter hit a walkoff. Since it's Tiger's tournament, he's the only one who got to interview himself. .[Waggle Room]...

He'll Never Be The Best, But He's Something
Andy Roddick's one of those athletes whose fame outsizes his accomplishments. He's one of the more successful American tennis players, but in the Roger Era, his on-court record will never put him alongside the greats....

The Nathan's 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest Is America
Is there anything more distinctly American than celebrating our independence by holding a contest to see who could consume the most processed meat? Photographer Erin Siegal and I ventured out to Coney Island to take it all in....

Oh, And The Mets Looked Great This Weekend
To be fair, Johan Santana did run up against Joe Blanton, a card-carrying furry. Even with this much-needed sweep, it still feels like the Marlins are going to backdoor the NL East when no one's looking.[Philly.com]...

MLB All-Stars Voted In, Red Sox Aplenty
The All-Star rosters have almost been finalized, but there's still the online-popularity contest spot open. Vote Flyin' Hawaiian '09, if you know what's good for ya. [MLB]...

And Now Let's Dive Into This Bizarre Steve McNair Situation
First it was a double homicide. Then it was murder-suicide. Now it's just tragic and sad. And TMZ has pictures of the doomed couple parasailing....

Holy Crap, Andy
Got an image you'd like to see in here first thing in the morning? Send it to [email protected]. Subject: Morning crap...

Rodderer. Fedrick. Wimbledon Open Thread
I'm sure we'll see this same picture in, oh, 90 minutes: Roddick once again holding his sad plate standing next to a smirking Federer. If you're the gamblin' sort, a Roddick victory pays out ridiculously. Live that dream.[Fanhouse/NBC]...