Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Nationals 1, Mariners 0
WASHINGTON — Laynce Nix hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth, pushing the Nationals over .500 for the first time since April 20, but then manager Jim Riggleman abruptly resigned when the team would not pick up his option (Notebook, 3C). "Very unexpected," pitcher Jason Marquis said. "Obviously we're playing some good baseball. Obviously he was leading the ship, and things were moving along real well."
Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
PHILADELPHIA — Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, keys to the Flyers' run to the Stanley Cup final a year ago and considered cornerstones of the franchise's future, were traded Thursday. That cleared enough salary-cap space to sign goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to a deal Canada's TSN TV network reported is worth $51 million over nine years.
Richards, 26, a center who signed a 12-year, $69 million contract in 2007, went to the Kings for center Brayden Schenn, wing Wayne Simmonds and a second-round draft pick this year. He has scored 133 goals over his six seasons, including 23 last season.
Carter, 26, a forward who signed an 11-year, $58 million deal in November, went to the Blue Jackets for wing Jake Voracek, tonight's No. 8 overall pick and a 2011 third-round pick. He has 181 goals over his six seasons, including a team-high 36 last season.
GM Paul Holmgren said there was no talk about trading either player until Bryzgalov became available. "Those are two hard phone calls to make," he said, his voice quivering.
The Flyers used three goalies — Sergei Bobrovsky, Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton — in 11 playoff games last season, which ended with a second-round sweep by the Bruins.
Enter Bryzgalov, 31, a Vezina Trophy (top goalie) finalist in 2009-10 for Phoenix. In 2010-11 for Phoenix, he was 36-20-10 with a 2.48 goals-against average and seven shutouts. Philadelphia traded for the rights to Bryzgalov, who could have been an unrestricted free agent July 1, last week.
"When you get a goalie you view as an upper-echelon goalie," Holmgren said, "you know you have to pay him."
Re-signings: San Jose wing Devin Setoguchi got a three-year, $9 million deal. He scored 22 goals last season. … Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov got a three-year, $17.25 million deal. Knee injuries limited him to seven games last season.
No brad Richards trade: Stars center Brad Richards declined to waive his no-trade clause. Dallas hoped to trade his rights before he became an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Winter Classic: The Flyers and Rangers will meet Jan. 2 at the Phillies' Citizens Bank Park in the annual outdoor game.
Salary cap: It was officially set at $64.3 million for next season, up from $59.4 million. The cap has increased each season since its debut in 2005-06.
Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
NEW YORK — With stars from veteran Kevin Garnett to rookie of the year Blake Griffin standing behind him, union president Derek Fisher said Thursday players won't accept a bad deal to avert a work stoppage.
"We'd love to avoid a lockout, but we're unified in the sense of not being afraid if that's what we're faced with," the Lakers guard said.
Player representatives from each team were in town for their summer meeting and were updated on the negotiations with owners. The collective bargaining agreement expires June 30, and the sides remain far apart headed into a session today.
Garnett, the Celtics' Paul Pierce, the Clippers' Griffin, the Hornets' Chris Paul and the Mavericks' Jason Terry were among 60 players who joined Fisher at the front of the news conference. Garnett said owners want control.
"It's unfortunate, to be honest, because we have great momentum right now," said Garnett, whose massive contract in Minnesota was a catalyst for the changes owners sought that led to the 1998 lockout.
"I think the league is, as far as anticipation and the leading stories and the careers that you can follow — you know, (the Mavericks') Dirk (Nowitzki) finally winning (an NBA title) — there's multiple stories that are intriguing right now, and it's just unfortunate that we're all going through this right now to sort of slow that down."
"A lockout is something that we are trying to avoid by making multiple offers that treat our players fairly," league spokesman Michael Bass said. "We are dismayed by the union's unfortunate rhetoric."
The league proposed a "flex" salary cap, in which teams would be targeted to spend $62 million but could exceed that through the use of various exceptions. But it would have an eventual ceiling at an unspecified amount, so players still consider it a hard cap.
It's similar to the NHL's salary cap system, which was instituted after a work stoppage in 2004-05 and which NBA union executive director Billy Hunter called "the worst deal in all of professional sports."
Hunter said NHL owners could win such an agreement only after breaking their players' union and contended NBA owners intend to lock out their players with similar hopes.
hawks: The team's ownership group denied an SI.com report that a sale is about to be consummated. Last month the same ownership group sold the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, who moved to Winnipeg.
Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
WASHINGTON — Jim Riggleman believed he deserved better. He had essentially become a permanent interim manager for the Nationals. Once the club was ready to be a contender, he sensed he would be put aside.
So he took a stand Thursday morning, telling the team he wanted his contract option picked up for next season or he would quit.
A few hours later, after a 1-0 victory over Seattle became the Nationals' 11th win in their past 12 games, he did just that.
"It's not a situation where I felt like I should continue on such a short lease," Riggleman, 58, said.
GM Mike Rizzo said he will announce today who will manage the team during an interleague series vs. the White Sox.
"Jim told me pregame today that if we wouldn't pick up his option, then he wouldn't get on the team bus (Thursday)," Rizzo said. "I felt that the time wasn't right for me to pick up the option, and certainly today's conversation, put to me in the way it was put to me, you certainly can't make that decision in a knee-jerk reaction."
Riggleman has been working on one-year deals since taking over for Manny Acta in July 2009. He was being paid $600,000 this year, and the Nationals held an option for 2012 at $600,000.
Rizzo said he and Riggleman had discussed the contract situation several times this season but he believed it was too early to commit for next year.
"I'm disappointed that this is a distraction, that this is not thinking of the team first, that it is thinking of personal goals, thinking of personal things first," said Rizzo, who was the one who informed the team.
A's: OF Josh Willingham, who leads the team in homers and RBIs, was put on the disabled list (strained left Achilles' tendon), and 1B/OF Chris Carter was called up from Triple A.
Blue Jays: Jose Bautista is moving from rightfield to third base as the club seeks more production there. Bautista, who led the majors with 54 homers last season and has 22 this season, started 45 games at third last year. OF Eric Thames, who was hitting .375, was called up, and 3B Mike McCoy sent down.
Mets: Injured 3B David Wright, out since May 16 (stress fracture in lower back), has been cleared to resume workouts and could rejoin the team in three weeks.
Phillies: RHP Roy Oswalt left his start against the Cardinals after two innings trailing 4-0 because of tightness in his lower back. It was his shortest stint since a two-inning effort Sept. 10, 2009. Oswalt, 33, was on the disabled list from April 27-May 16 with lower-back inflammation.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 23, 2011
ST. PAUL, Minn. — When Rocco Grimaldi was 5, those who ran the community league in which he played hockey deemed the little fireball too aggressive and put him with the 9-year-olds.
"I did really well," Grimaldi recalled. "I loved playing against them."
And so began a trend.
Grimaldi, now 18, is 5 feet 6, 163 pounds. But he is so fast, so skilled and has such a good shot, he is projected by some as a first-round pick in the NHL draft that begins tonight.
If Grimaldi is available, the Lightning would strongly consider taking him with the 27th overall pick.
"I don't think size is any factor for us," said Al Murray, Tampa Bay's director of amateur scouting. "We'd rather be more concerned about the size of the fight in the dog than the size of the dog in the fight."
To emphasize the point, Grimaldi, a center NHL Central Scouting ranked as the No. 32 skater in North America, was one of six prospects the Lightning interviewed Thursday.
"I've proven myself at every level," said Grimaldi, with 39 goals (17 on the power play) and 73 points in 58 games last season for the United States under-18 national team development program. "I trust my ability. I know what I can do. Every day I go to the rink, I work hard and try to outwork everybody else. People think size is a disadvantage, but it is what drives me more. It's not going to hold me back."
Because the Lightning picks so late, it will be difficult for the team to hone in on one player.
General manager Steve Yzerman could trade up. But unless he puts together an attractive package — "And I don't feel we're in a position to do that," he said — he could move up only a few notches.
He could trade down and add a second-round pick. But those decisions won't be made until he sees how the draft plays out.
Whenever the Lightning picks, Yzerman said, decisions will be in the hands of his scouting staff, with Murray the tiebreaker in case of disagreements.
"I can have my philosophy on the types of players and the ingredients and what skills that we're looking for in a Tampa Bay Lightning player," Yzerman said. "But at the end of the day, (the scouts are) the ones out there. They know the players."
And what they know of Grimaldi, who is committed to play next season for the University of North Dakota, they like.
Born in Anaheim, Calif., Grimaldi and his family moved to Auburn Hills, Mich., when he was 12 so he could play with better competition. It paid off. Grimaldi played in the past two under-18 world championships, and he had a combined four goals and 18 points to help the United States twice win gold.
At the prospects combine this year, Grimaldi's 6.8 percent body fat was tied for the lowest. He was fifth with a 29.8-inch vertical leap and fourth with 39 pushups.
"He's definitely the hardest worker on the team," said goaltender John Gibson, also in the national team development program. "He's a leader both on and off the ice, and he hates to lose. Put him in any situation (on the ice) and he'll be successful."
As for his size?
"It fits my game perfectly," Grimaldi said. "Think about it. How often do you get to practice against a guy who is 5 foot 6 and who is so small and so shifty? Not often. I like to challenge defensemen, keep them on their heels and use my speed to drive them wide and outsmart them as well."
Still, considering how the league's players have generally gotten bigger, taking Grimaldi would be a gutsy call.
Then again, Tampa Bay has done pretty well with 5-foot-7 Marty St. Louis.
"And I would compare him to Marty," said Darryl Plandowski, Tampa Bay's head amateur scout. "He's a special guy."
Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Horses
Churchill escapes major damage
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A day after a tornado struck Churchill Downs, horse owners, trainers and track officials surveyed the damage Thursday. Parts of seven barns were demolished and the chapel damaged. But no people or horses died. And the stands, clubhouse and famed twin spires of the 136-year-old track were untouched.
Thursday's card was canceled, but today's was expected to go off as scheduled.
"When we came around that corner, my mouth was so dry because I thought, 'Oh, God, that's our barn,' " said Susan Margolis, wife of the owner of one of the barns damaged. "I thought we were going to find bodies of people, never mind the horses."
The National Weather Service said the tornado had wind speeds of 100 mph. About 200 horses had to be moved to private farms or Keeneland racetrack in Lexington.
Dale Romans, trainer of Preakness winner Shackleford, had to move 20 horses out of one of his barns.
"Our (barn) wasn't near as bad as some of them," he said. "It's a pretty amazing thing."
NFL
Talks see progress
NFL owners and players met for a second straight day in Hull, Mass., 18 miles south of Boston, and both sides said progress is being made toward a new collective bargaining agreement.
"It's complicated, and it's complex," commissioner Roger Goodell said as he stood next to players association chief DeMaurice Smith. "But I think both of us feel strongly that we're going to continue to work hard at it."
More talks are expected next week.
"I think we're both optimistic when we have the right people in the room," Smith said. "We know we're talking about the right issues and that we're working hard to get it done."
The main topic has been how to divide revenues, which were $9.3 billion last year. One proposal gives the players just less than 50 percent. Also being discussed are a rookie wage scale and benefits for retired players.
Titans: A pretrial hearing for receiver Kenny Britt in Hoboken, N.J., was moved from Thursday to July 12. He is charged with resisting arrest after detectives suspected he was carrying a marijuana cigar.
Soccer
Palestine falls at home
Bahrain beat Palestine 2-1 to advance in a 2012 Olympic qualifier. It was only the second international game in Palestine and drew about 10,000 fans. Next for Palestine is its first World Cup qualifying match, home against Afghanistan on July 3.
Gold Cup: Aldo de Nigris and Javier Hernandez scored in overtime as Mexico beat Honduras 2-0 in the semis late Wednesday in Houston. It faces the United States on Saturday.
Et cetera
Track: Walter Dix, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and ex-Florida State star, Florida running back Jeff Demps and teammate Terrell Wilks qualified for today's 100-meter semis at the U.S. championships in Eugene, Ore. Also, Florida's Christian Taylor and Will Claye finished first and second, respectively, in the triple jump.
WNBA: Epiphanny Prince had 10 of her 25 points in the second overtime to lead host Chicago past Connecticut 107-101. … Kia Vaughn scored 24 points as visiting New York beat Tulsa 94-82 to end a four-game skid.
Times wires
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 23, 2011
MILWAUKEE — RHP James Shields starts tonight in Houston as the Rays continue to tweak their pitching rotation to have Shields and LHP David Price on a specific schedule.
"The driving force is just to maximize, optimize our using of Shields and David against what we perceive to be the appropriate teams," manager Joe Maddon said.
But each action causes a reaction, and RHP Wade Davis has felt a few, his schedule altered by the changes, as well as rainouts and off days.
Davis, for example, was in line to start tonight, but so the Rays could keep Shields on a normal five-day cycle, Davis was bumped to Saturday and will pitch on seven days' rest.
The erratic scheduling could be a reason for Davis' inconsistent performances.
"I think everyone likes having that every-five-days (schedule)," Davis said. "I think I've always been a little sharper on five days, but it's just one of those things. I understand (Shields) has been hot, they want to get him out there as many times as possible."
Since his first start of the season, Davis has made five starts on the standard four days' rest (going 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA), six on five days' rest (1-3, 5.56) and two on six days (2-0, 4.26).
"It's been a little off, but I've got two wins in a row now, and I'm starting to put things together," Davis said. "It'll play itself out a little."
J.P. DUTY: LHP J.P. Howell said he will be back in the bullpen tonight and available for duty, the pain in his left foot diagnosed as gout rather than structural. Howell left the team Wednesday to have what Maddon said was a "very sore" foot examined in St. Petersburg by Dr. Koco Eaton. "Definitely can pitch Friday," Howell wrote in a text message.
NOT-SO-MINOR MATTERS: Two of the Rays' top prospects, LHP Matt Moore and SS Hak-Ju Lee, were picked to play in the All-Star Futures Game on July 10 in Phoenix. Moore, 22, is 4-3 with a 2.43 ERA for Double-A Montgomery, throwing a no-hitter in his last start for the Biscuits, then starting the Southern League All-Star Game. Lee, 20, is hitting .399 with 20 steals for Class A Charlotte and played in the Florida State League All-Star Game. Lee, acquired from the Cubs in the Matt Garza trade in the offseason, played in the 2010 Futures Game.
A BIG HOUSTON WELCOME: Pitching coach Jim Hickey spent 16 seasons with the Astros, his last 2½ (2004-06) as the big-league pitching coach. But the Astros have changed so much since, don't expect any tearful reunions. "I loved my time there, and I was really proud of what we accomplished over there," he said, "but I don't think there's people in uniform I would even know, to tell you the truth."
building shields: If Shields were to throw a complete game tonight, he would become the first pitcher to have six through the first 76 games of the season since Pat Hentgen for Toronto in 1997. He also would be the fourth pitcher in the past five years to string together three straight, joining Brandon Webb (2007), CC Sabathia (2008) and Cliff Lee (2010).
"All you can do is build off good outings," Shields said. "And I've been having some pretty good outings lately, so I'm going to try to build off that."
RAYS DAY AT ESPN.COM: First, Steve Berthiaume, a host of Baseball Tonight and an occasional blogger, posted a column saying the Rays "must be moved" out of the Tampa Bay area. Then writer Howard Bryant posted a column that traces the Rays' (and A's) current problems to the greed of owners 20 years ago.
MISCELLANY: Rays pitchers are 0-for-14 in interleague play. The consensus of the infielders is that Davis has the best chance for a hit during the final three games under National League rules. … 3B Evan Longoria is hitting .125 over his past 11 games. … Minute Maid Park will be the first NL venue the Rays have visited in consecutive regular seasons outside of Florida's Sun Life Stadium, where they play annually.
Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Diamondbacks 5, Royals 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Daniel Hudson won his ninth game, and Miguel Montero and Juan Miranda each homered for the Diamondbacks. Hudson (9-5) is tied for the National League lead in victories. He is 8-1 with a 2.78 ERA in his past 11 starts after losing his first four starts. He held the Royals to three runs on six hits, walked one and struck out one. Montero led off the second with his ninth homer. Miranda connected in the fourth.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Kevin O'Sullivan is making it look easy.
It's not because the Florida coach is in the College World Series, which means the intricacies and complications inherent to baseball have to be handled by young men frequently not prepared for the mix of a welcoming embrace from America's Heartland and the steaming pressure they find in Omaha, Neb.
"It's not easy, and nobody here thinks it is," said O'Sullivan, who in his fourth season as coach has the Gators back in the CWS for a second consecutive year. "The thing is getting everybody to understand that just being here isn't the ultimate goal. That's a cliche, but it's important,"
O'Sullivan, 42, had zero years of experience as a boss on the college level when athletic director Jeremy Foley hired him away from a nine-year assistantship at Clemson.
Florida had gone two seasons without a postseason tournament invitation before Sullivan's arrival, but it hasn't been absent under his charge. Now the Gators (52-17) again have moved through region and super region competition to qualify for the CWS final field after going two-and-out in 2010.
"We're doing some things differently in preparations for each game and the entire stay," said O'Sullivan, whose team lost two straight — to UCLA and FSU — at the CWS last year despite being the No. 3 team in the country. "I made some mistakes last year."
Not so far this time.
The Gators play Vanderbilt today, one win away from the best-of-three title series. If they lose today, they'll get another chance at 2 p.m. Saturday against Vandy.
Foley is more than satisfied: "We hadn't achieved any consistency until Sully got here. We'd be in and out every year or every couple of years. Our goal was to be like Miami and Florida State, who have set a standard by having a chance to go to Omaha every year. We wanted to be considered one of those teams expected to challenge for a championship all the time.
"I wouldn't have told you we'd be 2-0 at the College World Series four years in, but I knew Sully would have a big impact."
VIRGINIA OUSTS CAL: Unbeaten Tyler Wilson carried a shutout into the eighth inning, Virginia used a four-run sixth to break open a close game and the No. 1-seeded Cavaliers eliminated California from the CWS with a 8-1 victory.
Virginia (56-11) will face defending national champion South Carolina in the Bracket 2 final. The Cavs need to beat the Gamecocks today and again Saturday to reach the final. The Cavaliers have No. 2 overall draft pick Danny Hultzen available to pitch today, but neither team has announced a starter.
The loss ends an improbable postseason run for California (38-23), which started the year with its program scheduled to be dropped in 2012 for budgetary reasons. A fundraising effort saved the program.
Kenny Swab singled and scored on a three-base error to start Virginia's big sixth.
Wilson (10-0) allowed five hits over a career-high 72/3 innings, retiring 11 in a row from the second to sixth innings.
Cal starter Dixon Anderson (4-4) took the loss. The ninth-round pick of the Nationals hadn't pitched since June 5.
football: Ohio State trustees will spend up to six weeks reviewing the athletic program after the scandal that led to the suspension of five players and the forced resignation of coach Jim Tressel. "We want to assure ourselves that there are no new issues in any existing athletics matters that have not been dealt with," Robert Schottenstein said. "We believe that is the case." … South Carolina redshirt freshman defensive back Victor Hampton, who was dismissed from the program last week, can return but has to "do some things" first, coach Steve Spurrier said. … Iowa State suspended freshman running back DeVondrick Nealy for a violation of team rules.
Basketball: Former Knicks assistant and executive Jeff Nix was named Wake Forest director of basketball operations. From 1992-2007, he spent eight years as a Knicks assistant, five years as the assistant general manager and two years as the director of scouting. … Boston University hired Boston College assistant Joe Jones as head coach. Patrick Chambers left this month to become coach at Penn State.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 23, 2011
MILWAUKEE — Manager Joe Maddon is still playing semantics, preferring the more generic "relief pitcher extraordinaire" title than actually calling Kyle Farnsworth the Rays closer.
But now Maddon has something else he'd like to call Farnsworth: All-Star.
"I really would hope people start mentioning his name," Maddon said. "I think he absolutely deserves that."
Just the thought would have seemed unlikely a few months ago, but Farnsworth, 35, has emerged as perhaps the biggest surprise of the Rays' season, stepping into the vacant — sorry, Joe — closer role he had little experience with, and excelling.
Farnsworth has converted 15 of 16 save opportunities, ranking third in the American League with a 93.8 save percentage, and among AL closers is second with a 2.17 ERA and fourth with a .217 opponents batting average.
"The ability was there," Farnsworth said. "It was just a matter of trying to get a chance to do it."
He has done it with an expanded repertoire of pitches, with extensive preparation that starts with computer work and note-taking early each afternoon, with a calm demeanor that belies his wild-man reputation, with a mature and wise approach.
And, also, with an attitude.
"It's a mind-set," starter David Price said. "A closer has to have that 'it' about him, and Farnsworth definitely does. He has it, whatever it is. He's breathing fire every time he steps out there, and he takes it personally."
Farnsworth spent most of his first 12 big-league seasons in middle relief, starting early in his career and getting only one extended opportunity to close in 2005, when he converted 16 of 18 saves for the Tigers and Braves. Otherwise it was just occasional duty (including some in the Yankees spotlight), and it didn't go well, just 11 of 45 successfully.
He said he is not one to draw satisfaction from proving the skeptics wrong, but he is clearly, in his own way, proud of what he has done, getting a ball from each game he saves and scribbling the details. The plan is to eventually put them in a display case, though for now it's a bit more informal. "They're just in my sock drawer at home," he said.
Maddon is impressed with what Farnsworth has done and how he has done it, especially noting his team-first attitude and willingness, as opposed to some closers, to work in nonsave situations.
"He's labored in different markets; he's had some successes, some failures and maybe some not-met expectations based on this big arm," Maddon said. "But I really think he's persevered to the point where he's figured himself out. And right now you've got one of the better relief pitchers in the American League."
A few small changes over the past two seasons have made significant differences. He repositioned his back foot square against the rubber to help his alignment to the plate. He started throwing a cutter more consistently and effectively (especially to left-handers), and he added a sinker to mix in with his usual high heat and slider to get more ground balls. And just in the past month he went back to using a splitter, though with a "so far, so good, knock on wood" proviso, as in previous seasons it led to elbow issues.
"This guy is a pitcher, man," Maddon said. "He could start with that stuff. He pitches and he throws strikes and he's good against righties and lefties and he's resilient and he's durable. He's all these things."
He's just not, of course, a closer.
Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.
Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
NEWARK, N.J. — Kyrie Irving traveled just a few miles down the road to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. The players that followed him Thursday came from across the globe.
The Cavaliers selected Irving No. 1 in a draft filled with internationals, confident his troubled foot is healthy enough to lead a rebuilding effort.
Cheered by family and friends not far from where he starred at St. Patrick's High School in Elizabeth, Irving showed no signs of the toe injury on his right foot that limited him to 11 games last season as he walked up to shake hands with commissioner David Stern.
"I didn't have any doubts about going to No. 1. I was looking to the organization to pick who they felt was the right choice," Irving said. "But now to this moment, from being a fan of the NBA draft and now being drafted, it's a special feeling in my heart and knowing that my friends and family were together."
FSU forward Chris Singleton was taken at No. 18 by the Wizards. "To tell you the truth, I didn't expect me to be around that long," said the 6-foot-9 Singleton, who averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 28 games last season.
Three of the first six players taken were from Europe, capitalizing on the absence of some American college players who might have gone in their spots and made this a stronger draft. It was the first time four international players who didn't play at a U.S. college were lottery picks.
The Timberwolves took Arizona forward Derrick Williams at No. 2. The Jazz then took Turkish big man Enes Kanter with their first of two lottery selections.
The league's uncertain labor situation hung over the draft. Top players such as Jared Sullinger of Ohio State and Harrison Barnes of UNC stayed in school.
Stern, who could lock out the players next week, was booed when he came onto the stage.
The draft was filled with question marks, such as Kanter, who sat out last season at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible for being paid to play in Turkey.
Lithuania's Jonas Valanciunas went fifth to Toronto and Jan Vesely of the Czech Republic was taken sixth by Washington.
Trade talk
magic-cavs: The Cavaliers selected 6-foot-10 Richmond forward Justin Harper with the No. 34 overall pick, then sent him to the Magic for second-round picks in 2013 and 2014. One of the best outside-shooting big men, Harper averaged 17.9 points and 6.9 rebounds as a senior, hitting 44 percent of his 3-pointers. His inside toughness has been questioned. Orlando, which did not have a first-round pick, took Kentucky guard DeAndre Liggins at No. 53. He is known for defense and toughness.
three-team deal: The Bobcats traded top scorer Stephen Jackson to the Bucks in a three-way deal involving the Kings that gave Charlotte two picks in the top nine. The Bobcats also sent the 19th pick, Tennessee's Tobias Harris, and backup point guard Shaun Livingston to the Bucks. Milwaukee also was to receive guard Beno Udrih from the Kings. Charlotte got the No. 7 overall pick from Sacramento — Bismack Biyombo of Congo — and forward Corey Maggette from Milwaukee. Guard John Salmons went from Milwaukee to Sacramento. The Kings also got the 10th pick from the Bucks, BYU guard Jimmer Fredette.
Celtics-Nets: Boston drafted Providence guard Marshon Brooks at No. 25, then traded him to the Nets for Purdue center JaJuan Johnson (No. 27) and a 2014 second-round pick.
heat-Wolves: Miami acquired Cleveland State point guard Norris Cole, the No. 28 pick, from Minnesota in exchange for the No. 31 pick, a future second-round pick and cash. The 6-foot-2 senior averaged 21.7 points last season
mavs-blazers: The Mavericks reportedly traded both their picks for Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez. Dallas took Texas' Jordan Hamilton with the 26th pick and Tanguy Ngombo of Qatar at No. 57. Portland acquired Nuggets guard Raymond Felton for guard Andre Miller.
rockets-wolves: The Rockets reportedly traded the 23rd and 38th picks in the draft, a future first-round pick and center Brad Miller to Minnesota for 7-foot Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas and point guard Jonny Flynn. Then they bought back the 38th pick to select Florida forward Chandler Parsons, the SEC player of the year who averaged 11.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.
pacers-spurs: The Pacers traded first-round pick Kawhi Leonard, a San Diego State forward, to the Spurs for shooting guard George Hill.
Times wires
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Cardinals 12, Phillies 2
ST. LOUIS — Chris Carpenter threw seven strong innings, and Jon Jay and Lance Berkman homered as the Cardinals took advantage of Roy Oswalt's tight back (Notebook, 3C). Carpenter retired 10 of the first 11 hitters to end a string of seven starts without a win.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Pinellas Heat 12 Elite volleyball team concluded its six-month tournament schedule at the AAU Nationals in Orlando. The team competed in the 12 club division against 59 teams from across the country and took fifth.
The Heat started the tournament in pool play and won four of its first five matches. It dropped four of its next six matches, including a loss to eventual champion Vaqueras 12-2 of Puerto Rico.
Prior to the nationals, the Elite played in eight tournaments across the state. It won three of those tournaments: the New Year's Classic in Clearwater, the Florida Pre-Qualifier in Tampa and the Tampa United Slam in Tampa.
Members of the team are: Emma Strong, Abby Strong, Bailee Schroeder, Erin LeClair, Jazmin Collins, Caslin Layer, Gillian Benoit, Renee Mussler, Kelly Roberts and Ally Beck.
The coach is Tori Ratcliffe. The assistant coach is Robyn Mussler.
Golf
The County Golf Association's weekly individual tournament was held at East Lake Country Club's North Course on June 16.
The regular division gross winner was Tom Parsley, who shot 75. The regular division net winner was Joel Panabaker, who shot 64. The senior division gross winner was Jim Montali, who shot 75. The senior net winner was Len Authier, who shot 67. The ladies net winner was Brittany Jones, who shot 68.
The County Golf Association's better-ball tournament was held on June 20 at Bardmoor Golf Club.
The regular division gross winners were Gary Stefan and Bill Craver, who shot 75. The senior division gross winners were Larry VanderBie and Mike Sanderson, who shot 65. The overall net winners were Leo Higley/Robert Hidalgo, Bill Johnson/Walt Stanley and Mark Dinkel/Bobby Kilgore, who shot 64s.
• The Tides Women's Golf Association held a front nine/back nine tournament June 21. Carol Johnson won first place with a score of 30. Bettye Rae Crane was second with a 32, and Kathy Davis and Judy McNamee were third with 34s.
• Innisbrook Golf Resort is hosting the 19th annual Innisbrook Amateur on July 2-4. It is a 54-hole tournament with two rounds being played on the Copperhead Course. For more information on the event, contact Doug Laseter at 942-5557 or dlaseter@thecopperheads.org.
Tennis
St. Petersburg's Danielle Collins has added yet another high-profile tournament win to her growing resume. Collins won the USTA Florida Jr. State Closed Singles championship June 16 at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. Collins, who was the top seed, defeated No. 2 seed Chalena Scholl of Pompano Beach 6-1, 6-1 in the final. Collins also won the 18 singles title two years ago and was a 12s division champion at the tournament.
• Taylor Cook of Largo won three of four matches to win the 2011 Little Mo Florida Sectional Consolation Championship in Port St. Lucie on June 17-18. She is now qualified to play in the Little Mo Regional Championship for the 11-year-old division to be held later this year.
• The Clearwater Super Hot Shot Super Series was held on June 18-20. The boys 18 singles winner was Damian Gryzelko. The 16 winner was Ganesh Rajaram. The 14 winner was Parker Hayslett. The 12 winner was Kyle Frankel, and the 10 winner was Gabriel Castillo-Sanchez. The girls 18 singles winner was Marie Babayan. The 16 winner was Raksha Bode. The 14 winner was Makenna Jones. The 12 winner was Ellie Wright, and the 10 winner was Candace Carmouche.
Sunshine State Games
Hundreds of athletes recently completed competition at the Sunshine State Games Polk County Festival, and some area athletes won gold medals. In table tennis, Raymond Look of Dunedin won the under 1700 championship while Raul Rasay of Pinellas Park won the under 1875 and under 2000 title. In tae kwon do, Colin Reed of St. Petersburg won the 10-11 male green belt championship.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Tampa Bay Lightning finally announced what had been reported for several hours previously, that defenseman Eric Brewer has signed a four-year contract. It is believed to be worth a bit less than $16 million. Several reports had the average at $3.85 million a season. Brewer would have been an unrestricted free agent if he had not signed by July 1.
The team also announced forward Blair Jones has a new two-way deal.
It always was believed Brewer and star center Steven Stamkos were at the top of general manager Steve Yzerman's priority list, in part because knowing their costs will help Yzerman know how much he has to spend on other players. The same approach, to a somewhat less extent, applies to goaltender Dwayne Roloson.
Brewer was a terrific pickup for Tampa Bay. He led the team during the playoffs with an average 25:36 of ice time and 51 blocked shots. He tied Ryan Malone for the lead with 43 hits.
Yzerman said he also continues to talk to Todd Diamond, agent for potential UFA Sean Bergenheim. Diamond and Yzerman have said the sides, basically, agreed to disagree on what Bergenheim should be paid. But Yzerman said he is keeping the lines of communication open.
"I'd hate to just give up on him," Yzerman said of signing Bergenheim before July 1, when he becomes unrestricted.
Yzerman said he also plans this weekend on talking to the agents for Roloson and Stamkos.
Stamkos is an interesting case. The center on Tuesday said he believed he was close to a new contract, but there was no such confirmation from Meehan, Stamkos' other agent, Mark Guy, or Yzerman. Perhaps that is because both sides agreed to keep negotiations out of the media.
Or perhaps they are close. Yzerman certainly didn't sound rushed on Thursday when asked about negotiations.
"I've talked on the phone with (Meehan)," he said. "They're busy. They have a lot of clients here for the draft. We'll get a chance to speak here and, if not, during next week we'll pick it up again."
Stamkos will be a restricted free agent if he is not signed by July 1.
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 24, 2011
Not even three weeks ago, Michelle Moultrie and Brittany Schutte were playing for a national championship as Gators teammates on a team that would eventually lose to Arizona State in the final of the College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Tonight, they take the field for the first time as members of the USA Softball national team, which has an exhibition doubleheader in Plant City as the team tunes up for the World Cup of Softball next month, then the Pan American Games in Guadalajara in October. Wearing the orange and blue is an obvious source of pride, but the chance to wear the red-white-and-blue is another kind of special.
"It's almost unreal we're playing for the USA. It's going to be a great experience," said Moultrie, a speedy 5-foot-3 centerfielder from Jacksonville who was named co-MVP at the College World Series. "When we first got invited, it was cool, but when you actually get the gear and have the stuff on, it's a whole different level."
Both players will be back at Florida next spring — Moultrie will be a senior and Schutte a junior, hoping to improve on some of the best offensive numbers in college baseball. Moultrie led the Gators with a .443 batting average and led the NCAA in total hits with 101, while Schutte led the SEC and ranked third nationally with 22 home runs.
Their challenge for the next month, then again in October, is showing they can hold their own on a roster loaded with All-Americans. The team is coached by USF coach Ken Eriksen and trained in USF's softball stadium on Friday, and Eriksen said he expects contributions from both Gators players.
"They have all the capabilities in the world, as they've proven in the college game," Eriksen said. "They showed really well at the tryouts (in California last week) and they're multifacted. Moultrie can play any outfield position, and her speed (31 stolen bases) is very dangerous. Brittany is a very good outfielder, but she will go on to play catcher for (Florida) in the next few years. She's dynamic, and her bat is a very potent bat. She can hit for average and power, and definitely helps a coach get creative with the lineup."
Schutte, from Fountain Valley, Calif., played primarily outfield for the Gators but earned a spot on the national team as a catcher. Her power at the plate is a strength, but she hopes to hone more specific skills this summer, like situational hitting.
"I had a lot of moments where I felt like I could have come through, but I didn't," Schutte said. "I definitely want to be able to do that for USA (softball)."
Tonight the national team has a doubleheader against the U.S. junior national team, which features younger college players, including USF rising sophomore shortstop Kourtney Salvarola. Next are exhibitions next week in Virginia and Maryland, then the Canadian Open International Championship from July 9-17. Eriksen said players are aware of the pride in wearing their national colors, but they'll also come to understand the high expectations that come with that uniform.
"The best analogy I can give to fastpitch softball and wearing USA is that you're wearing the NY of the New York Yankees. You're the most recognizable team in the world," said Eriksen, who was an assistant coach on the U.S. gold-medal team in the 2004 Olympics. "Team USA is the winningest program in the entirety of softball, so you're joining a program that has a strong presence in the world, on the field and off as ambassadors."
By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 24, 2011
For Hank Edwards it was an unfortunate break. For Amarri Jackson, it was just the break he needed.
When Edwards broke a bone in his right hand before Tampa Bay's first meeting with Orlando May 6, Jackson's role with the team was about to take a significant uptick. Jackson had been increasingly more involved with the offense before Edwards' injury, but he was about to become front and center.
"(Offensive coordinator John) Kaleo told me I was going to have to pick up my game because of what happened to Hank," said Jackson, a former USF player. "They were big shoes to fill, but it was time to step up."
And Jackson has done just that over the past five games, a stretch where the Storm has gone 4-1 and revived a season that was on the brink of collapse after a 2-6 start. Jackson will look to continue his impressive rookie season at 7 tonight when the Storm plays at Jacksonville.
"Things have been starting to click for me," Jackson said. "The game has been starting to slow down."
In the past six games, Jackson has led the Storm in receiving three times and eclipsed the 100-yard mark four. His biggest game came in last week's 46-44 win against division-rival Orlando.
"(Jackson) always has a smile on his face and he's a great kid who's becoming a pro," Storm coach Dave Ewart said. "The guy is 6-foot-5 and runs a 4.4 40 (yard dash). He's got all the tools."
And with Edwards back, the Storm has legitimate threats now at all three receiver positions. Jackson credits former USF receiver Huey Whittaker and Edwards for teaching him the ins and outs of the Arena game.
"From film work to weights to on the field, both those guys have taught me so much in terms of how to be a pro," Jackson said. "They are both franchise guys and I stay in the ears as much as I can."
And although it's a longshot, Jackson still believes the Storm can reach the postseason. Tonight will be a major hurdle against a Jacksonville team that has won 12 in a row.
"We have all the tools and each time it's a one-game season for us," he said. "We have been our biggest opponent all season so we just need to go out and play our game."
Kaleita returns: Tampa Bay's offensive line will get a boost tonight with the return of Tom Kaleita, who's been on Injured Reserve since May 24 with a left knee MCL sprain. To make room on the roster, the Storm released defensive back Terrance Washington.
By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 24, 2011
For Hank Edwards, it was an unfortunate break. For Amarri Jackson, it was a break he needed.
When the Edwards, the Storm's standout receiver, broke his right hand shortly before the game at Orlando on May 6, Jackson's role took a significant uptick. The rookie had become increasingly involved in the offense before Edwards' injury, but he was about to become front and center.
"They were big shoes to fill," said Jackson, who played at USF, "but it was time to step up."
And he has done just that over the past five games, during which the Storm has gone 4-1 and revived a season that started 2-6.
"Things have been starting to click for me," said Jackson, who was released after Bucs minicamps in 2008 and 2009 and training camp with Hamilton of the Canadian Football League in 2010.
"The game has been starting to slow down."
In the past six games, Jackson, 25, has led the Storm in receiving three times and surpassed 100 yards four times. His biggest game came in last week's 46-44 win against Orlando, when he caught 11 passes for 151 yards and five touchdowns.
In all, he has caught 79 passes for 1,000 yards and 22 touchdowns.
"(Jackson) always has a smile on his face, and he's a great kid who's becoming a pro," Storm coach Dave Ewart said. "The guy is 6 feet 5 and runs a 4.4 40 (yard dash). He's got all the tools."
And with Edwards back, the Storm now has three legitimate threats. Jackson credits Edwards and former USF receiver Huey Whittaker (team highs of 113 catches, 1,257 yards and 25 touchdowns this season) for teaching him the ins and outs of the Arena game.
"From film work to weights to on the field, both those guys have taught me so much in terms of how to be a pro," Jackson said. "They are both franchise guys, and I stay in their ears as much as I can."
And although it remains unlikely, Jackson believes the Storm can reach the postseason. Tonight will be a major hurdle. Jacksonville has won 12 in a row since losing its opener.
"We have all the tools, and each time, it's a one-game season for us," Jackson said. "We have been our biggest opponent all season, so we just need to go out and play our game."
Kaleita returns: Tampa Bay's offensive line will get a boost tonight with the return of Tom Kaleita, who has been out since May 24 with a sprained ligament in his left knee. To make room, the team released defensive back Terrance Washington.
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 24, 2011
MLB Network special: 1 p.m. on MLB Network. The story of Josh Hamilton's battle back from substance abuse to become a star.
Mets at Rangers: 4 p.m. on Ch. 13. This Fox game of the week goes out to 50 percent of the country. Kenny Albert and Mark Grace call the action.
The Streak: 7 p.m. on ESPN Classic. The ESPN documentary about the Brandon High wrestling team.
By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 24, 2011
What's hot: Tarpon fishing remains good along local beaches. Fast-moving pods of tarpon are moving both north and south within 100 yards of shore.
Tactics: These fish are not showing themselves as well as the slow-moving pods we had at the beginning of the month. Our best results lately have come by anchoring inline with active fish lanes (usually within 20 yards of the swim buoys) and keeping lively baits out. Big pumpkinseeds have been the most productive bait. The action typically slows by 8:30 a.m., so an early start will increase the chances of multiple hookups.
Second-chance tarpon: Late-season tarpon fishing can be fantastic at times; the fish are often much more willing to eat than the milling pods of fish that we see at the start of the season. Look for rolling fish at sunup along beaches, bridges and backwater holding spots.
More fish will begin to fill the backwaters as we get further away from last week's full moon. A recent trip to Tampa Bay yielded only one tarpon hookup, but we had multiple hookups on some healthy-sized bull sharks while fishing fresh mullet on the bottom. Expect this fishing to get hot within a couple of weeks. If soaking bait on the bottom isn't to your liking, try casting artificial lures such as MirrOlures TT series and DOA's Baitbuster plug in the trolling model.
Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 or via e-mail capt.tyson@hotmail.com.
Times wires
Friday, June 24, 2011
NBA
Players don't offer proposal
NEW YORK — Citing the large gap in positions, NBA players didn't make a proposal to owners Friday. The sides aren't set to meet again until next week, and the labor deal expires Thursday.
The owners are set to meet Tuesday and vote on authorizing a lockout. Deputy commissioner Adam Silver said it would be "premature" to talk about a lockout. Union leader Billy Hunter said there was enough good dialogue Friday that a lockout might be unnecessary.
On Tuesday the owners disclosed their offer of a "flex cap," in which teams could surpass a $62 million payroll via exceptions. That came after players offered a $500 million reduction in salaries over five years, which commissioner David Stern called "modest."
"Why did we not make (an offer)?" Hunter said. "Because we felt that the one that we made previously was sufficient."
NFL
Talks on minor issues set for next week
The NFL owners and players will set up conference calls next week to discuss various issues of a new labor deal but not the major one of dividing revenues, the Associated Press reported. Those will be face to face, but they haven't been scheduled. The sides met twice this week with both saying progress was made toward ending the lockout.
Horses
Racing returns to Churchill Downs
Racing resumed at Churchill Downs two days after a tornado struck the track in Louisville, Ky., and forced Thursday's card to be canceled. Parts of seven barns were demolished, and about 200 horses had to be moved. But no people or horses died, and there was no other significant damage.
Injury: Dialed In will miss the Aug. 27 Travers Stakes for surgery on a chip in its right knee. The colt finished eighth as the Kentucky Derby favorite then fourth in the Preakness. Trainer Nick Zito said it had clean X-rays after the Preakness but now they show the chip.
Track
Star drops out of 100 at U.S. championships
Tyson Gay pulled out of the 100 meters at the U.S. nationals in Eugene, Ore., because of a hip injury. Gay has the world's fastest time in the event this year, 9.79 seconds. But unless he wins an appeal to the U.S. federation, he will not face Usain Bolt, the world record holder, at this summer's world championships.
Decathlon: 2008 Olympic champion Bryan Clay dropped out after hurting his calf during the 110-meter hurdles.
Et cetera
Soccer: FIFA said it is concerned about the slow pace of Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup, saying it appears investing more energy in winning it than building stadiums. Brazil's organizing committee said only the stadiums are "continuing according to schedule."
Cycling: Spain's Roberto Heras, a three-time Spanish Vuelta winner, was retroactively cleared of doping because of irregularities of a 2005 test. Heras, 37, retired in 2008 after serving a two-year ban, citing a lack of quality offers from teams.
Times wires
