By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Florida Gators sophomore catcher Mike Zunino has been named a first-team All-American by Baseball America.

Zunino has previously been honored this season with second team honors by Louisville Slugger and third team by the National Baseball Collegiate Writers Association (NCBWA).

The 2011 SEC Player of the Year, Zunino is a member of the 2011 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and is one of three finalists for the Johnny Bench Award. Zunino, a first-team All-SEC selection, leads the top-ranked Gators and is among the league leaders in batting average (.376), total bases (168), hits (92), runs (72), doubles (22), homers (18), slugging percentage (.686) and on-base percentage (.444). He has a .996 fielding percentage, with two errors in 524 chances, and has thrown out almost a third of the runners who have attempted to steal on him.

In UF's six NCAA Tourney games, Zunino is hitting .458 (11-for-24) with nine runs, seven RBI, three homers and three doubles. This past weekend against Mississippi State in the Super Regional, he was 6-for-13 (.462) with two home runs.

Florida (50-17) opens the 2011 NCAA College World Series on against Texas (49-17), Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

The following is a complete list of the 2011 Baseball America All-America First Team:

First Team

C Mike Zunino, Florida

1B C.J. Cron, Utah

2B Kolten Wong, Hawaii

3B Colin Moran, North Carolina

SS Brad Miller, Clemson

OF Jason Krizan, Dallas Baptist

OF Mikie Mahtook, Louisiana State

OF Victor Roache, Georgia Southern

DH Jake Lowery, James Madison

UT Danny Hultzen, Virginia

SP Trevor Bauer, UCLA

SP Sean Gilmartin, Florida State

SP Taylor Jungmann, Texas

SP Michael Roth, South Carolina

RP Cody Martin, Gonzaga

UT Danny Hultzen, Virginia

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, June 16, 2011

Making news

State Biologists seek angler aid on Red snapper

Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute biologists are seeking public assistance with a research project focusing on red snapper caught in offshore gulf waters. They will be distributing survey cards at boat ramps, fishing piers and marinas for anglers targeting red snapper. Fishermen are asked to fill out the cards if they catch a red snapper, noting where they are caught and released, the type of equipment used and the condition of the fish when released. The information will be used to help improve the management of the red snapper. For information, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website at MyFWC.com.

Regulations

Free saltwater fishing weekend

Just in time for Father's Day, Saturday and Sunday are license-free saltwater fishing days in Florida. If you've never tried fishing in saltwater, or were hesitant to do it because you didn't have a license, this is the weekend to dive in. Of course, all other fishing regulations apply.

Boating

Boat shopping without any docks

You've been thinking that the way to escape the brutal heat of summer around here is to splash into boat ownership. The Tampa Bay Boat Show runs today through Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. You can see millions of dollars of inventory from popular manufacturers in the main expo hall that is, yes, air-conditioned. You can also catch a diving or fishing seminar at the accompanying Gulf & Bay Florida Fishing School. Admission is free, though parking is $5. Hours: Today and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fishing seminars are in the afternoons. For information, call (727) 893-8523 or visit tampabayboatshows.com.

Things to do

• Billy's Stone Crab Speckled Trout tournament. Captains meeting, 6-9 tonight at the restaurant in Tierra Verde. Fishing, Saturday morning, with weigh-in at 3 p.m. Cost: $25. Information: Steve Fennell, (727) 458-6731

• The Cats n Brats Father's Day Weekend Catfish Tournament to benefit American Diabetes Association. Captains meeting 6 tonight at Quaker Steak and Lube in Pinellas Park. Fishing, 6 a.m. Saturday with weigh-in at 3 p.m. Cost: $30 per boat and $10 per person. Information: Pertilefamilyfoundation.org.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Solunar table

AM PM major minor major minor

6/17 6:30 12:15 6:55 12:40

6/18 7:20 1:10 7:50 1:35

6/19 8:15 2:05 8:50 2:30

6/20 9:05 2:55 9:30 3:15

6/21 9:55 3:45 10:20 4:05

6/22 10:35 4:25 11:05 4:50

6/23 11:25 5:15 11:50 5:35

By Paul Hawkins, Times Correspondent
Thursday, June 16, 2011

What's hot: West winds this past week have made fly-fishing for tarpon along the beaches difficult at best. Fortunately a fair number of fish were working the shoals in protected water inside the bay. Now the winds are offshore again, and as we move past the full-moon spawn the tarpon's thoughts should change from love to lunch in a big way.

What to cast: Smaller flies have been best this season. Tarpon patterns tied on 1/0 and 2/0 hooks seem to be the best producers. Black and purple flies are standard in this area but chartreuse, light brown or tan and orange and grizzly colors are good to have as well. Bunny strip and splayed tail style patterns have been effective.

How to rig up: A 12-weight fly rod with a reel capable of holding a fly line and a minimum of 250 yards of backing is the general rule. Although there are a number of tarpon in the 40- to 60-pound range, the next one you hook may be 160-plus so don't be caught under-tackled.

Paul Hawkins runs FlatsGuy charters out of St. Petersburg and be reached at (727) 560-6762.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor
Thursday, June 16, 2011

APOLLO BEACH — The mullet head didn't stand a chance. "There's nothing a blacktip wants more than a nice, stinky chunk of fish," Joel Brandenburg said. "It's only a matter of time." Brandenburg, a local charter boat captain and avid shark wrangler, knows his craft. He is one of the founders of the Blacktip Shark Shootout, and this year, he helped the tournament, which starts tonight and ends Saturday, move to an all-release format. Shark, like tarpon, could be the next great catch-and-release fishery. Every angler knows that if you catch a fish and kill it, you've got dinner. But if let it go, it can be caught again and again. "And they are pretty hardy," Brandenburg said. "Sharks put up a great fight, and after you release them, they will swim off as if nothing ever happened."

Catch-and-release

Sharks are a hot topic. Many believe that the struggle to protect the ocean's top predator will be the next great fisheries conservation battle.

Some estimates put the number of sharks killed each year worldwide by commercial fishermen at close to 90 million. But those same sharks, left in a catch-and-release recreational fishery, could be a boost to coastal economies. Currently, recreational anglers in Florida can take one per harvester per day or two per vessel per day, whichever is less.

Many recreational anglers, Brandenburg included, are taking it one step further.

"Every fish we catch (in the tournament, which benefits pediatric cancer research) is tagged before it is released," he said. "We are helping Mote Marine Laboratory's Center for Shark Research collect data on shark movement and migration patterns. So every fisherman in this tournament will be doing their share for science."

Coastal cruiser

If you see a shark in the water while you are swimming, paddling or fishing, chances are it is a blacktip shark. One of the most common species found in local waters, these sharks range up and down the Atlantic Coast and throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

Blacktips are the bane of surfers on Florida's East Coast. The species has been implicated in numerous "attacks," but most are cases of mistaken identity and result in only minor injuries.

During the spring and summer, blacktips gather in Tampa Bay to pup (have babies). It is not uncommon to see large groups of blacktips feeding in shallow water when prey is plentiful.

These sharks are relatively slow-growing — it takes four to five years to reach maturity — and they live for about 10 years, reaching a maximum length of about 6 feet.

Of all the sharks, blacktips are considered among the best game fish, because when hooked, they make jaw-dropping leaps.

Tagging for science

Sarasota's Mote Marine Laboratory has been tagging and releasing sharks with angler assistance for more than 20 years.

In 2005, a shark was recaptured 3,158 days after it had been originally tagged. The baby blacktip was caught and tagged by an angler in Charlotte Harbor's Pine Island Sound in 1996, and then nearly nine years later, it was caught again about 20 miles away in Boca Grande Pass.

But blacktips have also been known to swim great distances. In 2005, another blacktip was caught in St. Joseph Bay on the Florida Panhandle. The shark had been originally tagged three years earlier near the Bahia Honda Bridge in the Florida Keys, nearly 400 miles to the south.

Over the years, Mote researchers and anglers such as those entered in this weekend's Blacktip Shark Shootout have tagged thousands of sharks. The data gathered has shed new light on species migration as well as survival and growth, critical information utilized by officials to better manage and protect the species.

Too big to land

After a good, hourlong soaking, the mullet head's scent drifted far from our tiny fishing boat. Brandenburg kept his game face on and hoped that sooner or later a shark would grab the tasty morsel and run.

And when the shark hit, it hit hard. Brandenburg handed the rod off and ran to the bow to unhook the anchor. The fish swam toward the Gandy Bridge … 100 yards, 200 yards, 300 yards … in less than two minutes. Then, when the line was gone, it peeled off the backing and broke free.

"Wow," I said. "I don't think I ever saw that happen before."

"Don't worry," Brandenburg said. "There's more where that came from."

Call Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company at 1-877-766-6566. The captains meeting for Shootout entrants was Thursday, but the final photo check-in is 6 p.m. Saturday at the Docks in Apollo Beach.

Catch a tagged shark?

Anglers should send the tag and other information to the Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236.

Please include name, address and phone number, as well as the date and location of capture, including total length and estimated weight of the shark.

Anglers can also call toll-free 1-800-691-6683. To learn more, go to Mote.org.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Orioles 4, Blue Jays 3

TORONTO — Derrek Lee's swinging bunt in the ninth scored the go-ahead run for the Orioles, who had lost 16 in a row in Toronto. The streak was a Jays record and the Orioles' most since moving from St. Louis in 1954. Baltimore's J.J. Hardy homered in the sixth, giving him three in the seven games he has hit leadoff.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Cuddyer's homer backed Nick Blackburn's eight shutout innings as the Twins beat the White Sox 1-0 on Thursday.

Blackburn tied his career high by winning his fifth consecutive decision (over a span of nine starts).

"He's in complete control of the games," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Minnesota has won 11 of 13. During that stretch, its starters have an ERA of 1.79.

"It's all cyclical," said Cuddyer, who sent a Mark Buehrle pitch into the White Sox bullpen beyond left-centerfield to lead off the second. "You've got to ride the good waves out, and right now is a good one."

Blackburn became the fourth straight Twins starter to last at least eight innings. He said he was tired after 95 pitches and more than happy to hand the ball to closer Matt Capps, who made his first appearance in eight days.

"All we ask is our pitchers to be honest with us," Gardenhire said.

And throw strikes, which they didn't do early this year.

"I don't know what was going on. I was probably picking around the corners too much, trying to be too fine," said Blackburn who is 6-0 with a 2.29 ERA since going 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA in April.

"Lately, I've just been trying to rely on my movement. I find myself trying to throw one down the middle and let 'em hit it to somebody."

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Tigers 6, Indians 2

DETROIT — Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Raburn hit consecutive homers with two outs in the fourth for the Tigers, who took two of three to pass the Indians for first in the Central. Detroit has won 13 of 15 while Cleveland, which led the Central by seven games on May 23, has lost 16 of 22. Raburn's homer made up for his error in the first. Michael Brantley tripled and scored on Raburn's errant relay to third.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Cubs 12, Brewers 7

CHICAGO — Kosuke Fukudome fell a double shy of the cycle for the Cubs. He singled and scored in the first, hit an RBI triple and scored in the second and hit a three-run homer in the sixth that made it 9-5. Former Ray Carlos Peña homered in the third to put Chicago up 6-5. Milwaukee's Zack Greinke entered 6-0 in his previous seven starts.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Pirates 5, Astros 4

HOUSTON — Garrett Jones' three-run homer in the first helped the Pirates to their first three-game sweep of the year. Jose Veras got his first save since Sept. 29, 2007, while with the Yankees. In between, he made 187 appearances for the Yankees, Indians, Marlins and Pirates. Houston rookie Jordan Lyles remained winless in four starts despite retiring 15 in a row after Jones' homer.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Athletics 8, Royals 4

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jemile Weeks had two hits and drove in three for Oakland, which has won two in a row for the first time since a four-game streak May 26-29. Weeks' two-out double scored two in the second. His two-out single in the fifth brought home another run. The rookie second baseman and brother of Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks is hitting .344 (11-for-32) since being called up June 7.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Yankees 3, Rangers 2

12 innings

NEW YORK — Brett Gardner's single made the Yankees the first team to sweep the Ran­gers this season. Texas has lost a season-high five in a row. Curtis Granderson singled to start the 12th. One out later, Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch, though Texas manager Ron Washington argued the ball hit his bat. Gardner then singled to right to easily score Granderson.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Phillies 3, Marlins 0

PHILADELPHIA — Cliff Lee pitched a two-hitter and had two hits and an RBI as the Phillies capped a four-game sweep in which they outscored the Marlins 25-6. After an 0-for-13 start, Lee is 8-for-20 (.400) with two doubles and four RBIs. His double in the fourth made it 1-0. On the mound, Lee didn't allow a hit until two outs in the fifth and is 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA over his past three starts. Florida was 29-19 and one game behind Philadelphia after beating San Francisco 1-0 on May 26. But it is 3-18 since.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Sprint Cup

What: Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 1 p.m.); Sunday, race (TNT, 1 p.m.), Brooklyn, Mich.

Fast facts: Kevin Harvick won in August at Michigan. He has a series-high three wins this year. … Dale Earnhardt Jr. is winless in 107 races since his fuel-mileage win at the track in June 2008, his lone victory in 122 starts for Hendrick Motor­sports. He had 17 wins in 291 starts for Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Standings: 1. Carl Edwards, 492; 2. Jimmie Johnson, 486; 3. Earnhardt Jr., 482; 4. Harvick, 481; 5. Kyle Busch, 467; 6. Kurt Busch, 457; 7. Matt Kenseth, 448; 8. Clint Bowyer, 419; 9. Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, 417.

Nationwide

What: Alliance Truck Parts 250

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 11 a.m.), race (Ch. 28, 3:30 p.m.), Brooklyn, Mich.

Fast facts: Mark Martin, the Nationwide wins leader with 49, makes the third of his scheduled four starts in the series this year. He won in Las Vegas in March.

Standings: 1. Reed Sorenson, 488; 2. Elliott Sadler, 486; 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 482; 4. Justin Allgaier, 477; 5. Aric Almirola, 442; 6. Jason Leffler, 437; 7. Kenny Wallace, 417; 8. Steve Wallace, 385; 9. Brian Scott, 366; 10. Michael Annett, 346.

IndyCar

What: Milwaukee 225

When/where: Today, practice; Saturday, practice, qualifying; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (Ch. 28, 3:30 p.m)., West Allis, Wis.

Standings: 1. Will Power, 239; 2. Dario Franchitti, 218; 3. Scott Dixon, 169; 4. Oriol Servia, 163; 5. Tony Kanaan, 159; 6. Ryan Briscoe, 146; 7. Graham Rahal, 136; 8. Alex Tagliani, 135; 9. J.R. Hildebrand, 125; 10. Takuma Sato, 118.

NHRA

What: Thunder Valley Nationals

When/where: Today, qualifying; Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 7 p.m.); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 4:30), Bristol, Tenn.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Del Worsham, 714; 2. Spencer Massey, 650; 3. Larry Dixon, 609. Funny Car — 1. Mike Neff, 707; 2. Jack Beckman, 609; 3. Robert Hight, 570. Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, 642; 2. Greg Stanfield, 585; 3. Greg Anderson, 571. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Karen Stoffer, 380; 2. Andrew Hines, 337; 3. Eddie Krawiec, 311.

Trucks

Next: UNOH 225, July 7, Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, Ky.

Standings: 1. Johnny Sauter, 326; 2. Cole Whitt, 306; 3. Ron Hornaday Jr., 293; 4. Austin Dillon, 291; 5. Matt Crafton, 285; 6. Timothy Peters, 280; 7. James Buescher, 279; 8. Parker Kligerman, 270; 9. Joey Coulter, 254; 10. Brendan Gaughan, 245.

Formula One

Next: European Grand Prix, June 26, Valencia Street Circuit, Valencia, Spain

Standings: 1. Sebastian Vettel, 161; 2. Jenson Button, 101; 3. Mark Webber, 94; 4. Lewis Hamilton, 85; 5. Fernando Alonso, 69; 6. Felipe Massa, 32; 7. Vitaly Petrov, 31; 8. Nick Heidfeld, 29; 9. Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, 26.

Times wires

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 16, 2011

The ratings game

NBC earned a 4.8 rating Nielsen rating for Wednesday night's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, meaning 4.8 percent of all U.S. households with TVs were tuned in to the Bruins' 4-0 win over the Canucks. The only Cup telecast of the past 37 years with a better rating was Game 6 of the 1974 final between the Flyers and Bruins, which had a 7.6 rating.

City of the day

Game 7 of the Cup final drew a 43.4 local rating in Boston, meaning 43.4 percent of all Boston-area households with televisions were tuned in. That is the best NHL rating in Boston since records began being kept for the market in 1991 and the best in Boston for any major sports championship since the Giants-Patriots Super Bowl XLII in 2008. The Boston market averaged a 28.1 local rating for the seven Cup final games, better than any game in the Celtics' last two NBA Finals appearances.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 16, 2011

TAMPA — USF men's basketball coach Stan Heath picked up a late addition as Martino Brock, a 6-foot-5 guard who led South Alabama in scoring as a sophomore, committed Thursday to transfer to the Bulls.

Brock, who averaged 14.2 points for the Jaguars, will sit out the upcoming season, then have two years with the Bulls. He is originally from Memphis, and chose the Bulls over Missouri, Auburn, Dayton and Alabama-Birmingham.

He's expected to sign official paperwork next week, then should start classes June 27.

He will give the Bulls another versatile wing in 2012 after guard/forward Hugh Robertson graduates. Brock led South Alabama in steals (45) last season and in 3-pointers (37).

UCF case: Football player Ereck Plancher died after a preseason practice from complications of sickle cell trait, not an undetected heart problem as school attorneys have argued, a cardiologist testified during a wrongful death trial. Dr. Barry J. Maron, from the Minneapolis Heart Institute, said there is no evidence that a cardiac problem killed the 19-year-old, who collapsed March 18, 2008. Attorneys for the athletics association argue that an undetected heart problem caused Plancher's death. Attorneys for Plancher's parents say coaches pushed him excessively at the practice despite knowing about health problems that they never told him about.

Calipari loses 42 wins: Kentucky said it will change men's basketball coach John Calipari's career record because of 42 vacated victories from his time at Memphis and Massachusetts. The school said it consulted with the NCAA and determined it was "in error" to have celebrated Calipari's 500th career win against Florida on Feb. 26. He now has 467. The school had debated the issue with the NCAA because Calipari was never found to be at fault for the violations that led to the vacated wins.

North Carolina: The school released documents showing a group of football players accumulated 395 parking citations totaling $13,185 over a 3½-year period. The records don't specify which players received each violation, which ranged in penalty from $5 to $250 for parking in a fire lane or in a handicapped parking space. The university said student-athletes "are expected" to pay parking fines like any student, though it didn't say whether fines were paid.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 16, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones offers up his Two Cents on the world of sports.

Confusion of the day

Last week Dick Vitale's wife, Lorraine, was doing a Google search on her husband's name and noticed a letter to the editor in the Conway (N.H.) Daily Sun that said something about the Conway School District superintendent. Vitale did not write the letter. Well, the Dick Vitale from ESPN, that is.

Vitale, above, called the paper's offices to let them know he was not the author of the letter, the paper said. A Dick Vitale from North Conway wrote it. That Vitale has lived in North Conway for nine years and occasionally writes letters to the editor.

"I tell people I have more hair and he doesn't pronounce the 'e' on the end of his name," the Vitale of Conway told the newspaper.

As for ESPN's Dick Vitale, the University of Detroit Mercy is naming its basketball court for him. He was a coach and athletic director at the school when it was known as the University of Detroit. The ceremony is Dec. 5, when Detroit Mercy hosts St. John's in a game Vitale will call for ESPN2.

Hire of the day

WTSP-TV has hired a new sports anchor. Nicole Darin, who has worked at several stations (most recently in Charlotte, N.C.), starts next week. She likely won't appear on the air until later in the month.

Interestingly, Darin's biography on her Twitter page reads, "Born in The Bronx, betrothed to the Yankees.''

We probably shouldn't give her a hard time until she starts, but pledging allegiance to one of the chief rivals of a local team probably isn't the best idea anyone has ever had.

Anyway, Darin replaces Angela Jacobs, who is moving full time to Fox Sports Florida and Sun Sports. Jacobs has done part-time duty in the past on Rays and Lightning telecasts. Look for her to have a more expanded role.

Media tidbits

• HBO debuts a new Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel at 10 p.m. Tuesday. The most interesting piece looks to be an update on the comeback attempt of Giants running back Tiki Barber, 36.

• CBS Sports Network has hired former West Virginia and Michigan football coach Rick Rodriguez to be a game and studio analyst. Rodriguez will call games with announcer Dave Ryan and also will be a part of CBS Sports Network's studio programming.

• With plenty of unfamiliar names near the top of the leaderboard after the first round and, most significantly, no Tiger Woods, you have to think NBC is a little anxious about how many people will watch the U.S. Open this weekend.

Network of the day

Now that the University of Texas has broken the mold by starting a TV network for its athletic teams, another university might do the same. The first school that comes to mind is Notre Dame, which might have the broadest national reach of any school. Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in an interview this week with a South Bend, Ind., radio station that there will be a Fighting Irish network at some point. (Notre Dame's football deal with NBC runs through 2015; it isn't known if the school has to wait until that deal expires to launch a network.)

Among the other schools that might have a deep enough reach within their state or region to make a network worthwhile are Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan and Florida.

Lawsuit of the day

One journalist suing another for libel had been unheard of. Until now. Chris Sheridan, a basketball writer for ESPN, is suing New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey and NYP Holdings claiming they "published a maliciously false article" that impugned "Chris Sheridan's veracity and competence as a journalist."

In a nutshell, Sheridan wrote a column in December saying the Knicks were going to trade for Carmelo Anthony. Vecsey shot down the column as a "fairy tale'' and said it came from the "same fountains of misinformation that frequently play make-believe with ESPN's Chris Sheridan." Sheridan also claims Vecsey has a history of criticizing him.

Ultimately, Sheridan was right. The Knicks traded for Anthony, two months after his column appeared.

One journalist suing another? It seems a little childish.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Whether the Red Sox's Kevin Youkilis, left, meant to kick Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman on Tuesday night or not while running out a grounder, it was nice that David Price plunked him in the first inning Thursday night.

2. Say what you want about Tampa Bay sports fans, but no way they would've acted like those Vancouver idiots who rioted after the Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final on Wednesday.

3. The NHL season has been over about 36 hours and I'm already ready for next season.

Advice of the day

So the whole world has turned on LeBron James. Just a year ago, James was one of the most-liked athletes on the planet. He did some amusing commercials. He hosted Saturday Night Live. And he played some pretty good basketball, too. But then he left blue-collar Cleveland for the glitz of Miami, he hijacked ESPN to make a mockery of his departure "decision'' and then acted as if the NBA championship was in the bag for the Heat. After his Heat was knocked off by the Mavericks in the NBA Finals (to the delight of just about everyone outside of South Florida), James said, "All the people that were rooting for me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today.'' James later tried to clarify that comment by saying he wasn't trying to be superior to anyone and he meant that everyone needed to move on with their lives. I believe him. I don't think he meant it as arrogantly as it sounded. Still, if I was in charge of James' public relations, here's the advice I would give him for getting back into the good graces of the sporting world:

1. Lay low for a while. Don't talk to the media, don't go on Twitter, don't show up on SportsCenter or TMZ. Just disappear for a bit.

2. If you go on vacation, don't go to a beach in the south of France or some other ritzy place where the paparazzi might catch you. It sounds silly, but that would only boost the "you think you're superior'' criticism. How about a mission trip? Or head to Joplin, Mo., to lend a hand in tornado recovery. That would be a good way to spend part of the offseason.

3. Just before next season, agree to a one-on-one interview and show humility. Admit The Decision was a mistake. Admit you had a little too much swagger this season. Admit you didn't play well in the Finals, when it counted most. History is full of people getting second chances after admitting they goofed up.

4. Win next season. Nothing replaces winning. Coming close to the title this season might turn out to have been good for James and the Heat. Now Miami doesn't appear as if it bought a championship, but that it is putting in the work required to win it all.

5. From now on, James should ask, "What would Derek Jeter do?'' You can't find a much classier high-profile athlete than Jeter. Do what he would do and James should turn out okay.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Thursday, June 16, 2011

TAMPA — Brian Zbydniewski had not completely closed the door on his football career, but there was very little daylight peeking through. After spending five years bouncing around arenafootball2 and one as a backup in the Arena League, he thought it might be time to get a job outside of the sport.

"I was living out in L.A. with my girlfriend (in April)," he said. "I wanted something with a little more stability."

Zbydniewski graduated from Belhaven, an NAIA school in Jackson, Miss., with a degree in business administration. But he wasn't having much luck in the sagging job market. Then he got a call with a familiar voice on the other end.

"Huey (Whittaker) said he thought they could use me," Zbydniewski said of the current Storm receiver and former teammate with Spokane. "He kept calling. And at that time, all I was doing was working in a buddy's restaurant. I figured why not?"

And the Storm could not be happier.

"I took a little coaxing," coach Dave Ewart said. "But we are glad he decided to come in."

Zbydniewski and the Storm (5-7) will try to win consecutive home games for the first time this season when it faces Orlando (8-4) tonight.

Before Zbydniewski (pronounced Zi-bi-NEW-ski) settled in as the starter, the Storm's quarterback situation was a mess. Jevan Snead, the preseason favorite to replace 2010 starter Brett Dietz, was cut during training camp. Mike Potts opened the season but was waived after Week 2. Then Grant Gregory struggled.

"It was a position we were weak at, for sure," Ewart said.

Zbydniewski, 29, came on in mop-up duty against Dallas on April 23 and showed flashes, going 5-of-6 for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

"At that point, I was just hoping they'd turn to me," said Zbydniewski, who appeared in one game for Spokane last season. "I'd traveled all the way to the other side of the country, and I knew I could lead this team."

Zbydniewski started the following week against Milwaukee but threw three interceptions in a loss. He followed with three more in a loss to Orlando.

"If you took away the turnovers, he played pretty well considering those were his first two (starts)," Ewart said. "He was making the throws in practice, and we felt we had the right guy."

Zbydniewski has rewarded his coach's confidence, leading the Storm to a 3-1 record since the loss to Orlando. Last week against division-leading Pittsburgh, Zbydniewski threw for career highs in yards (372) and touchdowns (eight) with just one interception. As a result, he was named league co-offensive player of the week.

"I'm getting more and more comfortable with the guys and the system," Zbydniewski said. "I knew my time would come."

Tonight Zbydniewski gets another taste of the "War on I-4."

"There such a big history with these teams," he said. "As an athlete, these are the type of games you want to play in. We're looking forward to it."

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

PITTSBURGH — A man attacked the wife of Pirates C Chris Snyder in a traffic dispute while Snyder sat in the car, unable to get out because of last week's back surgery, Pittsburgh police said Thursday.

Carla Snyder and the scooter-riding man, Subhash Arjanbhi Modhwadia, nearly collided Wednesday. Modhwadia, 44, followed the car to a gas station, kicked it and swung at Carla Snyder, police said. He also ripped a mirror off the car.

A passer-by and off-duty police officer subdued him. Modhwadia bit the bystander and threw punches with keys between his fingers, police said. The Snyders' two children also were in the car.

Modhwadia was being held on $25,000 bail.

The Pirates said the team is "grateful for those bystanders who stepped up to assist Chris to ensure no physical harm was done to his wife and children."

Mauer back today: The Twins said C Joe Mauer will be activated today. The four-time All-Star has been out since April 12 with soreness and weakness in his legs and throwing shoulder. Coming off offseason knee surgery, he was batting .235 with one extra-base hit.

More Twins: RH closer Joe Nathan will head to Triple A this weekend to continue his rehab from a strained forearm.

Braves: RHP Tommy Hanson will miss tonight's start due to tendinitis in his shoulder. RHP Randall Delgado, among Atlanta's top prospects, will be called up from Double A to make his debut.

Cardinals: LF Matt Holliday was activated after missing 13 games with a left quadriceps injury. RH reliever Eduardo Sanchez went on the DL with a strained right shoulder.

Mariners: 2B Dustin Ackley, Seattle's top prospect and the No. 2 overall pick in 2009, was called up and is expected to debut today.

Orioles: RHP Jeremy Guthrie left after five innings against the Blue Jays because of a strained back. He will be evaluated today.

Padres: The No. 51 of Trevor Hoffman, whose 601 saves are the most in major-league history, will be retired Aug. 21. Hoffman, 43, retired in January after 18 seasons and now is a special assistant in the Padres' front office.

Phillies: LH reliever J.C. Romero, who had been with Philadelphia since 2007, was designated for assignment. The team has 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.

Tigers: 3B Brandon Inge, out since June 1 with mononucleosis, started a rehab assignment at Triple A and is expected to be activated June 24.

Yankees: RHP Brian Gordon signed then started against Texas. Gordon, 32, spent 10 seasons in the minors as an outfielder. He became a pitcher in 2007 and appeared in three games for Texas in 2008. This year, he was 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA for the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate before opting out of his contract, which he was allowed to do if another team wanted to sign him.

Dykstra case: Former Mets and Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra pleaded not guilty to grand theft auto and drug possession charges in Los Angeles. He remained in jail on $500,000 bail and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on July 11. Prosecutors say Dykstra, 48, his accountant and a friend leased three high-end cars by providing phony information. When arrested, police say they found cocaine, Ecstasy and synthetic human growth hormone. Monday, Dykstra pleaded not guilty to bankruptcy fraud.

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

tennis

venus ready for wimbledon despite loss

EASTBOURNE, England — Venus Williams lost to Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in the quarterfinals Thursday, exiting Eastbourne a day after her sister, Serena, was defeated but still pleased with her Wimbledon preparation.

Both sisters are back after lengthy injury breaks. Venus was playing her first event in five months since retiring with hip and abdominal injuries during the Australian Open in January.

She heads to Wimbledon, which starts Monday, with plenty of confidence as she targets a sixth title at the All England Club.

"I played a lot of matches here, spent a lot of time on the court," Williams said. "It's not the best luck today, but I feel good about my preparation.

"I feel really positive about my matches here. I thought I played pretty good. I thought more than anything I was able to get a lot of great competition. This has been ideal."

Hantuchova had won only two sets in 10 previous meetings with Williams. She advances to a semifinal against fifth-seeded Petra Kvitova, who beat Agnieszka Radwanska 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2).

Part-time Tampa resident Samantha Stosur defeated top seed Vera Zvonareva 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, the seventh straight win over her Russian opponent.

cycling

Rider sustains severe injuries

Juan Mauricio Soler was hospitalized with severe brain injuries after a crash during the Tour of Switzerland in Malbun, Liechtenstein.

The 28-year-old Colombian has bleeding on the brain, multiple fractures and hematomas, his Movistar team said on its website. Soler, 28, was in second place overall and less than a minute behind leader Damiano Cunego of Italy.

The accident came 7 miles into the 98-mile stage. Movistar told the Associated Press that Soler may have hit a curb, flown over his handlebars and hit a pole or fence. He was airlifted to a hospital in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and was in stable condition in intensive care, race medic Roland Kretsch said.

Nfl

Charges against Britt downgraded

A New Jersey judge downgraded three charges against Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt for offenses stemming from his second recent arrest in the state.

Britt was charged June 8 with resisting arrest and related offenses after being confronted by Hoboken detectives who suspected he was carrying a marijuana cigar. The charges were downgraded to disorderly persons offenses. A hearing has been scheduled for June 23.

Packers: The current Super Bowl champions planned to receive their rings in a private ceremony at Lambeau Field.

et cetera

WNBA: Tina Charles had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Renee Montgomery scored 23 and the Connecticut Sun beat the host Washington Mystics 79-71.

Horses: Animal Kingdom has a small fracture to the cannon bone in his left hind leg that will keep the Kentucky Derby winner out for several weeks.

Boxing: Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been ordered to begin giving testimony today in a defamation case against him filed in Las Vegas by rival Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather is being sued over statements accusing Pacquiao of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Times wires

Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

VANCOUVER — The plywood sheets filling in for shattered windows on the Hudson's Bay Co. department store Thursday were turned into a canvas for expressing a city's embarrassment.

On a spectacularly sunny day after a dreary, disturbing night, hundreds inscribed messages and drew pictures on the wood. It was group therapy for a city recovering from extensive rioting after the Canucks' 4-0 loss to the Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final on Wednesday night.

Some messages were hockey-centric: "So Proud of Our Boys." "Real Fans Don't Riot." "We'll Get 'Em Next Year." Others were pure apology: "On behalf of my team and my city, I'm sorry."

Almost 150 people were hospitalized, at least one critically, and close to 100 were arrested after rioters swept through downtown after the game. The mayhem caused millions of dollars in damage and looting in a roughly 10-block radius of the city's main shopping district, and left a black eye on a city that became an international star when it hosted the Winter Olympics last year.

The chaos was not the work of fans but of "criminals and anarchists" who were prepared for trouble, Police Chief Jim Chu said. Mayor Gregor Robertson called them "organized hoodlums." Officers identified some in the crowd as the same people who smashed windows and caused trouble the day after the Winter Olympics opened.

Chu said the police force had planned for the worst-case scenario — riots also happened after the Canucks lost the 1994 Stanley Cup to the Rangers in Game 7 — and when that scenario became a reality, officers in riot gear and on horseback responded, sometimes with tear gas. He credited officers for bringing the riot under control in three hours.

But faced with tens of thousands of people in the downtown core, Chu said, hundreds of officers were quickly overwhelmed and unable to wade into the fray.

"Those criminals and anarchists hide behind the large numbers of people who wanted to watch the game," Chu said. "These were people who came equipped with masks, goggles and gasoline, even fire extinguishers that they would use as weapons."

The riot appeared to begin in a city-organized celebration site overflowing with fans watching the game on giant outdoor TV screens. In the game's final minutes, some in the crowd tipped over a car and set it on fire.

The violence quickly spread. Over the next several hours, 15 cars, including two police cruisers, were set on fire. People had to be rescued from rooftops and bathrooms where they had hidden for safety, assistant Fire Chief Wade Pierlot said.

"There is so much the city of Vancouver and the province of British Columbia should be proud of," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said. "(But) this is sad."

Chu said nine officers were injured, none seriously.

Police were asking people who took photos of the rioters and posted them on the Web and social networking sites to send the photos to them to help them track down more rioters. Blogs and Facebook groups are encouraging users to submit photos that could be used as evidence.

Thursday, dozens of volunteers, some wearing Canucks jerseys, patrolled the riot area picking up debris and garbage.

Boston arrests: Seven people were arrested in Boston during celebrations. Police said most revelers behaved responsibly. … The Cup parade is Saturday.

Lightning: Back from a Mexican vacation, Steven Stamkos said there were no updates in his contract talks but he remains optimistic something will get done. He can be a restricted free agent July 1. "It's going to take care of itself. It's not something I'm losing sleep over," said Stamkos, at Tropicana Field to take batting practice with the Rays and teammates Mike Smith, Teddy Purcell and Nate Thompson. … Rob Kitamura, 39, was hired as an amateur scout. He spent the past seven years as director of central scouting for the junior Ontario league.

Times staff writers Joe Smith and Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.