By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

It used to be that long putters were for old guys. You know, golfers on the Champions Tour, such as Orville Moody or Bruce Lietzke. Times have changed. In the past three weeks on the PGA Tour, Adam Scott, 31; Keegan Bradley, 25; and Webb Simpson, 26, have won using either a long putter or a belly putter. Bradley's PGA Championship win was the first time a major winner has won using a belly putter. It was historic enough for the World Golf Hall of Fame to request a replica of the putter to display. Overall, six PGA tournaments have been won by players using belly or long putters this year. They aren't just for old guys anymore.

"I can't tell you how many times I'm in a group where every single guy has got an unconventional putter, especially young guys,'' Bradley said during the PGA Championship. "But it's a great tool to have, especially in pressure situations, because you just put that right in your belly and it's not going anywhere."

Belly putters and long putters have been around for a while. But with this recent wave of success, the stigma of using the clubs is diminished. Who should use them? How do they work? And should they even be legal?

The belly putter

It's called a belly putter because the end of the shaft is supposed to rest on the belly. The typical length is between 30 and 40 inches, depending on the player's size. A traditional putter is between 18 and 36 inches.

The idea is to have the end of the shaft rest on the belly button. The player makes a pendulum-type motion, which takes the wrists out of the equation.

Players still bend over to use the belly putter and hold it with the hands together.

"You're trying to secure the end of your putter into your belly," said Pasadena Country Club head professional Brian Lake, who wrote a book in 2008 titled Putt Like a Pro. "It creates a solid pivot point. They are securing the end of the putter, which makes it a fixed pivot point. That makes the pendulum motion so much smoother.''

Belly putters must be fitted so the end of the shaft fits into the belly and the putter head lays flat on the ground. They can range in price from $30 to $175.

"They must be custom-fit,'' Lake said, "not only because of the size of the person but the girth of their belly.''

The long putter

Long putters should go up to the sternum. Either the right hand or the left hand is placed on top of the shaft, and the other is placed lower on the club. These putters are more for players who have back problems or like to have their eyes farther above the putting line.

The swing required is more of a true pendulum swing. It eliminates wrist hinge and shoulder turn, and it usually helps with the tricky 10- to 15-foot putts. More time is needed to learn distance control for putts farther away.

The putters are generally between 37 and 66 inches long. Players should also be fitted for long putters.

"You hold the club, generally, at your sternum,'' Lake said. "You hold your thumb at the top of the putter grip, and that becomes the pivot point.''

Long putters can be a little more expensive, ranging from $50 to $425.

Advantage or unfair?

Some believe belly and long putters are natural improvements to the game.

"It fixes the misbehaving hands once they start going into that stage,'' said longtime St. Petersburg putter manufacturer Bobby Grace. "That can happen at 25 (years old) or 35 or 45. It eliminates the yips. If somebody were to learn how to putt like that from the beginning, they'd be better off."

"It's not a true stroke of golf,'' said longtime Gulfport club-maker Rick Yarrington. "I've never liked them, and I never will. It gives you an unfair way to leverage the golf club and stroke the putt. A good golfer can take the hands and the wrist out of it all on his own. He doesn't need (long putters).''

The putters are legal. USGA rules say putters may not be shorter than 18 inches, but there is no limit to their length. The putter is the only club with no length restriction.

Some history

The putters started surfacing more than 20 years ago.

Bernhard Langer is one of the more notable players who suffered from the yips (or nerves) and turned to a "broomstick''-type putter. He started putting better and winning tournaments.

Though the USGA has not limited the putter's length, it has ruled on putting styles. In 1968, the USGA and the Royal and Ancient in Europe banned croquet-style putting after Sam Snead tried it in an attempt to cure his shaky putting. The rule-making groups determined it made putting too easy.

Recently, players are making putting look easier with the belly and long putters, but putter-maker Grace thinks the train is too far down the tracks to make a rule change now.

"(The USGA) can't remove them at this stage,'' said Grace, who has made his F-22 long putter for 18 years. "It doesn't remove the skill from the game. It's not like you're going to get one and start putting like a champ. When it takes skill out of the game, that's when they see that it's way too easy. If they were to take this one out, then they never should have allowed metal woods.''

Pasadena CC pro Lake also believes long putters are here to stay.

"I think when Sam Snead straddled the line, that kind of took away some skill,'' he said. "With these, you have to be sidesaddle, you still have to line up your putt. That still takes perspective, aiming and the stroke. It still takes skill.''

The USGA view

USGA executive director Mike Davis doesn't think a change will be made.

"Yes, it has been looked at seriously," Davis told the Golf Channel. "But if we (ban the long putter) and all of a sudden didn't do something else with equipment, I think a lot of people would raise their eyebrows and say, 'Wait a minute. You've done this and you didn't do something else?' So I think we're probably where we are."

That doesn't surprise Yarrington, who has been making clubs for more than 30 years and has seen plenty of rules changes.

"The USGA is a strange entity," he said. "They're made up of guys who can't break 100 and they're making rules for the greatest guys on the planet.''

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Adam Scott | Long putter

Keegan Bradley | Belly putter

Different grip

Touches belly

Times staff
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Desmond Jennings hit a leadoff home run in the 10th inning to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.

Jennings, the rookie who had been in a 4-for-38 slump going into the at-bat, lined the first pitch from Mark Lowe out to leftfield, helping Tampa Bay win two of three in the series from the AL West leaders.

The Rays bullpen blew a 4-2 lead for left-hander David Price. Mike Napoli crushed Joel Peralta's 2-and-2 pitch out to left with one out in the eighth inning, and Ian Kinsler hit his second homer of the game in the ninth off closer Kyle Farnsworth, a one-out shot just over the leftfield wall.

It was the 1,000th win in Tampa Bay franchise history. The Rays have lost 1,245.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

TAMPA — Bucs DT Gerald McCoy took a deep breath and braced himself for the inevitable question about being compared to Lions DT Ndamukong Suh.

"It's about time the question came," McCoy said. "I'm waiting on it.

"I play defensive tackle, so does he. He's going against our o-line, I'm going against his. It's Bucs vs. the Lions, not me vs. him. I'll leave it at that."

Except as McCoy knows, it will probably never be left at that.

Suh was the second overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2010 NFL draft. McCoy went a pick later to the Bucs. They both played in the Big 12, Suh at Nebraska and McCoy at Oklahoma. They both wear No. 93 in the pros.

Suh had 10 sacks, forced a fumble and had an interception to be named All Pro and the NFL's Rookie of the Year. McCoy went sackless for nine games, finished with three and missed the final month of the season with a torn biceps, including the 23-20 overtime loss to Detroit that wound up knocking the Bucs out of the playoffs.

McCoy understands the comparisons with Suh are inevitable. "That's how the world works," McCoy said. "You come in out of college and you were ranked pretty high and the other guy is ranked high and has the same position, you're going to be compared, that's just how it goes. ... We were like No. 2 and No. 3. "They played in the Big 12 and both wore 93!' Ah, get over it. It's Bucs vs. the Lions, it's going to be a great opening day."

Suh feels the same way, saying he and McCoy don't really have a relationship, and that he doesn't care about the comparison between the two. He approaches it like he did the draft, that it's not about them competing against each other.

"I felt I fell into a great situation and definitely am happy with mine," Suh said. "And I'm sure he's happy with his."

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he studied both players closely before the NFL draft and still believes they both will be successful. He also knows they have different games. Suh does it more with power; McCoy uses his quickness and speed to get up the field.

"He needs to be the player that Tampa wants him to be and he needs to develop into his player," Schwartz said. "They're two completely different players, two completely different styles, two guys that we thought very highly of. I'm sure Tampa felt very highly of both guys and both guys wound up having great careers. …

"They're different players, the same way that (Josh) Freeman and (Matthew) Stafford are different players. People can compare them all they want, but I'm pretty sure neither of those guys is comparing himself to the other guy. They're worried about going and being a productive player, fitting in their scheme and doing the very best they can every week."

MEDICAL MATTERS: Coach Raheem Morris said that CB Myron Lewis (ankle) is the only player questionable for Sunday's game.

Lewis sprained his ankle in the third exhibition game against the Dolphins and didn't practice Wednesday.

"I hope to play," Lewis said. "I'm going to go with the flow and see what happens. I don't want to go out and put bad stuff on film."

LEADING UP: The Bucs voted on their captains Tuesday, with Freeman, CB Ronde Barber, C Jeff Faine, LB Quincy Black and LB Adam Hayward being selected.

Times staff writer Stephen Holder contributed to this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

By Gary Shelton, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

They like to tell you that college football is about tradition. It is not. It is about money.

They like to tell you that college football is about rivalries. It is not. It is about greed.

They like to tell you that college football is about integrity. It is not. It is about stupidity.

And here we find the sport once again, standing in line at the ATM, waiting once again to sell its soul for a few dollars more. This time, it is Texas A&M that is ready to run a down-and-out from a league it helped to found so it can play in a more attractive treehouse. As soon as the lawyers are happy, the Aggies are going to join the Southeastern Conference where, presumably, they may one day play West Virginia for the league title. Rah.

This is insanity. This is chaos. This is a sport that seems intent on devouring itself.

The scary part? This is just the beginning.

Oklahoma in the Pac 12?

Missouri in the SEC?

Syracuse in the Big Ten?

Kansas in the Big East?

Stay tuned.

Soon enough, you will be able to hear You've Got to Be a Touchdown Hero played by cash register bells. The future of college sports is to try to squeeze as many teams as possible into glutted, supersized conferences that get supersized TV packages and collect supersized bowl revenues.

This is not about geography, and it is not about history, and it is not about scoreboards. It is not about satisfying its fans. It is about money.

In the meantime, we have lost Oklahoma-Nebraska.

Soon, we may lose Oklahoma-Texas.

Oh, we still get to see a national championship game because of the tradition of the bowl games. All together now: Huh?

The problem here, of course, is not that one fairly meaningless program has bolted from a fairly meaningless conference to escape the considerable shadow of the University of Texas. To be honest, I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about Colorado before they went the Pac-12, and I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it since.

Same with A&M. Frankly, most of us are only now getting used to seeing Arkansas and South Carolina in the league standings. I hardly think Tennessee fans are high-fiving each other over the thought of playing the Aggies.

The problem is that A&M is like a cornerstone piece in the college football version of Jenga. From here, everything changes. There is not a league, not a program, that won't feel the ripple.

With every move, college football gets closer to a future of four, maybe five 16-team Super Conferences that may decide to break away from the NCAA. The big guys, it seems, are weary of sharing gate receipts with the little guys.

And here we go:

The SEC: It is bigger today, and it will get bigger still. It will add a 14th, maybe a 15th and a 16th.

No, no. This won't be as simple as sending an invitation to whatever ACC team the SEC decides its wants, the way some fans seem to think. Already, you can hear SEC fans debate whether FSU or Clemson or Virginia Tech would be the best fit.

Not so fast. It isn't likely to happen. For FSU, a national championship is just as possible, perhaps more so, playing in the ACC as the SEC.

If I ran the SEC, I'd aim at the biggest paydays out there. Oklahoma would have to tell me no. Texas, too. (Can you imagine the reaction of Texas A&M fans if they found out Texas was coming, too?)

More likely? How about West Virginia? How about Missouri? And since no one in college football ever took a course in geography, how about Boise State? Yeah, that would drive Georgia fans crazy.

The Pac 12: Already, there are those who believe that Oklahoma is on its way, perhaps because of all of the beaches near Norman. And if Oklahoma jumps, Oklahoma State seems prepared to go along.

Then there is Texas, which may have the next big decision in the game. If Texas (and Oklahoma) stick around, the Big 12 can try to survive by replacing A&M with BYU. But if Texas goes (and takes Texas Tech along with it), the Big 12 is the Lusitania.

The Big Ten? Gee, another chance to get rejected by Notre Dame. What fun.

Actually, when you consider the changing face of college football, Notre Dame might be tempted to join a conference this time, but only if it gets to keep its own network.

More likely, the Big Ten (which has 12 teams) will consider Missouri, Syracuse and Pitt.

The Big East: Earlier this week, the New York Post reported that the Big East was prepared to expand to Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri, who are all eastern teams compared to, say, Hawaii.

That would give the league a 20-team basketball league, which is too many. It would also allow for a western division of the Big East with TCU and perhaps Cincinnati and Louisville.

For the Big East, however, the bigger issue may be to hang onto its own. Already, West Virginia has been linked the SEC, and Syracuse and UConn to the ACC, and Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse to the Big Ten. It is going to be interesting to see just what this conference looks like when it's done. There are even those who have suggested a merger with the ACC, but then you are really talking about a lot of basketball teams.

(Not to alarm anyone, but CBSsports.com did a projection on Super Conferences. It suggested that USF would be demoted back to Conference USA. That would be a whole new level of stupidity, of course. Even with expanded conferences, no one else is talking about throwing teams out.)

Overnight, college football has become a giant game of Risk. It is all about obtaining new territories. And if a few traditions tumble, if a few conferences are destroyed, so be it.

Here's the question, though. Does anyone, anywhere think college football has gotten better now that A&M has a chance to build a rivalry with Vandy? Of course not.

Just asking, but shouldn't that bother someone?

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

GAINESVILLE — About a half hour after his face appeared on the JumboTron at Ben Hill Griffin this past Saturday night, along with the rest of Florida's starting lineup, Chaz Green realized he was a little bit nervous.

The redshirt freshman offensive lineman was about to make his first start as a Gator and with Florida implementing a new offense fans were eager to see it all — including the offensive line which had been considered by most as one of the team's key question marks entering the season.

And then Green remembered something. This was what he had been preparing for all along. He was prepared.

"I was a little nervous, but I knew after that first play I would be all right," Green said. "Then I wasn't real nervous because I was prepared. I knew I was going to play either way. It was good to get the start. I'm just trying to help the team out and they felt like it was best that I start. Whatever helps the team out. But I was prepared."

In fact, he has been preparing since last spring when practice began. He went from mired in the depth chart to moving toward center stage as multiple injuries took a toll on the Gators' offensive line.

Green dressed for 12 games last season, but didn't play. For a young man who was rated the No. 6 offensive lineman in the nation coming out of Tampa Catholic, sitting and watching was tough to handle.

"It was frustrating at times," Green said. "At first I was frustrated, but then I had to be mature about it, and I knew I wasn't ready. So it was good to work behind guys like (Marcus) Gilbert and learn the offense. It was good to learn the game a little more."

As he watched and learned, he began to work on his own game. His turnaround began after the new staff arrived.

"It's interesting because he really struggled in the spring, but he was also kind of a one-man gang," Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said. "There was no X (Xavier Nixon) for half the spring, no (Matt) Patchan for the whole spring. As far as full-time goes, he was like a man in his own country. But I think once he got into that rotation with those other guys, competition started getting better and better. I think he's a very competitive person and I think the competition made him play better."

With the lack of depth, offensive line coach Frank Verducci is stressing cross-training for the unit. Green is playing right and left tackle.

"It's different," he said. "I played in the game and got some reps at left, too. It's different techniques and you're on a different side, but it doesn't matter. I'm comfortable at both and I've been getting reps at both sides. Whatever coach needs, that's fine. … It's also a good thing when you've got three tackles that can rotate on both sides. It's good to keep defenses guessing, compared to when it's the same guy all the time."

While Green said he's willing to come off the bench if it's best for the team, he likes the starting role he's earned. And for now, it seems he'll remain in the starting rotation.

"The offensive line we feel pretty settled in," Gators coach Will Muschamp said. "We thought Kyle Koehne did a nice job at left guard along with Dan Wenger, who can also play center. Jonotthon Harrison played well at center for us. Matt Patchan and Chaz Green were good for us at the tackle position. Xavier Nixon did a good job at left tackle and Jon Halapio at guard. That would be the mixture of guys that we feel like have a great comfort level with at this point."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Perhaps no sport lends itself to humor more than golf. The game is so maddening that you have to laugh to keep from crying. We thought we would lighten up this week and provide a sampling of golf humor. Of course, we had to keep it clean (man, are there a lot of dirty golf jokes), and we tried to steer clear of the husband/wife jokes ( "I got a set of golf clubs for my wife. I think it was a good trade,'' etc.). That still left us with many to choose from:

Jokes

Did ya hear the one about …

• A woman goes into the local newspaper office to see that the obituary for her recently deceased husband is published. The obit editor informs her that there is a charge of 50 cents per word. She pauses, reflects and then says, "Well, then, let it read: 'Fred Brown died.' " Amused at the woman's thrift, the editor tells her that there is a seven-word minimum for all obituaries. She thinks it over and in a few seconds says, "In that case, let it read: 'Fred Brown died: golf clubs for sale.' "

• A man was about to tee off when he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was a golfer who handed the man a card that read "I am a deaf mute. May I play through, please?" The first man angrily gave the card back and made it known that he may not play through, handicap or not. He then whacked the ball onto the green and left to finish the hole. Just as he was about to putt he was hit in the head with a golf ball, laying him out cold. When he came to a few minutes later, he looked around and saw the deaf mute sternly looking at him, one hand on his hip, the other hand holding up four fingers.

• It was a sunny Saturday morning, and Jim was beginning his pre-shot routine, visualizing his upcoming shot when a voice came over the clubhouse loudspeaker: "Would the gentleman on the ladies tee back up to the men's tee, please!" Jim was still deep in his routine, seemingly impervious to the interruption. Again the announcement: "Would the man on the women's tee kindly back up to the men's tee!" Jim had had enough. He shouted, "Would the announcer in the clubhouse kindly shut up and let me play my second shot!"

• After a particularly bad round of golf, John was walking to the parking lot when a policeman stopped him and asked, "Did you tee off on the 17th hole about 20 minutes ago?" "Yes," John answered. "Did you slice your ball over the trees and completely off the golf course?" "Yes, I did. How did you know?" John said. "Well," the policeman said, "your golf ball flew out onto the main road and crashed through the windshield of a BMW. The driver lost control and crashed into six other cars and a fire engine. The fire engine was unable to reach the fire in time and the building burned down. Now, what do you intend to do about it?" John thought it over and said, "I think I'll close my stance a little bit, tighten my grip and lower my right thumb."

• A golfer met the Pope and said to him, "Your Holiness, I'm an avid golfer and I was wondering if you knew if there was a golf course in heaven?'' The Pope said he wasn't sure and would ask God. A few days later the man met the Pope again and asked if he found out about a golf course in heaven. The Pope answered, "There is indeed, and it's beautiful. The bad news is you have a tee time for tomorrow evening.''

Quotes

We're all familiar with Mark Twain's quote: "Golf is a good walk spoiled.'' Or Groucho Marx saying: "I don't care to join any club that's prepared to have me as a member.''

But there have been plenty of other clever quotes about the game:

• "The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody put a flagstick on top." — Pete Dye

• "I tried real hard to play golf, and I was so bad at it they would have to check me for ticks at the end of the round because I'd spent about half the day in the woods.'' — Jeff Foxworthy (right)

• "If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.'' — Dean Martin

• "It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.'' — Hank Aaron

• "After all these years, it's still embarrassing for me to play on the American golf tour. Like the time I asked my caddie for a sand wedge and he came back 10 minutes later with a ham on rye." — Chi Chi Rodriguez (left)

• "Give me the fresh air, a beautiful partner, and a nice round of golf … and you can keep the fresh air and the round of golf." — Jack Benny

• "Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick." — P.J. O'Rourke

• "If you're caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron." — Lee Trevino

• "I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone's golf game: It's called an eraser.'' — Arnold Palmer

• "I'm about 5 inches from being an outstanding golfer. That's the distance my left ear is from my right." — Ben Crenshaw (right)

• "Golf is a game where you yell 'Fore,' shoot six and write down five.'' — Paul Harvey

Clever (and clean) golf terms:

A circus tent: A big top shot.

Army golf: Playing left, right, left.

A pringle: A nice chip.

Half a cake: A huge slice, as in "that's not just a slice, it's half a cake.''

A Willie Nelson: A shot that is on the road again.

A Bobby Thompson (the Navy Veterans guy): A shot driven out and never found again.

A Rush Limbaugh: Too far to the right.

A Nancy Pelosi: Too far to the left.

An Adolf Hitler: Took two shots in a bunker.

A book of poetry: A putt that is impossible to read.

A Joe Pesci: A mean little 5-footer.

By Mike Manning, Times Correspondent


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

What's hot: There's still time to target giant tarpon before the first cold fronts start coming through, and there are several places to catch them, from Charlotte Harbor to Tampa Bay. These tarpon are schooled up and eating, getting ready for the winter ahead. Most of the major rivers that dump into Tampa Bay have tarpon in them during September and October. There are also plenty of fish roaming the flats around Tampa Bay. These fish can and will move several miles in a short time period, so you need to get out as much as you can to stay on them. One thing to look for is schools of baitfish such as shad, threadfins, finger mullet and whitebait, because the tarpon will most likely be near.

Baits and lures: There are several types of live baits to use, including pinfish, mullet, shad and threadfin. I like to use artificial baits, which allow me to cover more water and fish the area hard. Slow-sinking crankbaits seem to work best.

Mike Manning runs Action Fishing Adventures out of Tarpon Springs. Call him toll-free at 1-800-644-5940.

By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

For about 10 minutes after its playoff-clinching victory at Minnesota on Tuesday night, FC Tampa Bay's players partied. They cranked the music in the locker room to full blast, singing louder and dancing funkier than they had after previous victories. There were high-fives and hugs and the elation that comes from achieving a seasonlong target. And that was the extent of the festivities. No bottles popping. No champagne showers. "We know we've got a busy period coming up, and there's not a lot of time for celebration right now," Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill said. "The time for real celebrations will be if we manage to go all the way and win the championship."

Midfielder Mozzi Gyorio scored the playoff-clinching goal in the 77th minute on a free kick, the second time this season he has scored directly off a set piece.

"All the players are encouraging Mozzi and want him to take our free kicks," Hill said. "They see him work on them day after day after day in training. There are times in training where they see him put the ball wherever he wants."

If the NASL regular season ended today, Tampa Bay would be the third seed for the playoffs and would host a first-round match against the No. 6 seed, currently Minnesota. Tampa Bay is four points clear of fourth-place Edmonton and trails second-place Puerto Rico by eight points. The top two seeds earn a bye into the semifinals. The semifinal and championship rounds consist of a two-game, home-and-away series with aggregate goals determining the winner.

Potential home dates at Al Lang Field for Tampa Bay playoff games include: Oct. 1 (quarterfinal round), Oct. 7 (semifinal round, leg one), Oct. 15 (semifinal round, leg two), Oct. 22 (championship round, leg one) and Oct. 29 (championship round, leg two).

All five potential playoff dates are set for 7:30 p.m.

Kickin' it with midfielder Chad Burt

Burt returned to the lineup Aug. 27 at Fort Lauderdale after a foot injury sidelined him for nearly three months.

What was the nature of your injury and are you fully recovered as the team begins its playoff run?

I broke two metatarsals in my foot. … I've just been playing on them broken. One's still broken, the other's still cracked. … It's something where before and definitely after the game, it gets really sore. During the game, it doesn't affect me as much. I just have to play through the pain.

What's your greatest soccer moment?

I guess the one that sticks out is when I was playing professional indoor soccer in Milwaukee, I had my sister (Brittany Burt, a senior soccer player at Florida Gulf Coast University) come up and watch me play. That was great because I was named player of the match and scored three goals. After the match, I threw the ball up into the stands and she caught it.

How gratifying for you was it to help your hometown team qualify for the postseason?

It's amazing. I coach in the bay area. Grew up there. Spent my whole life there. I've lived all over. St. Pete/Tampa is just an awesome place to be able to play professionally.

Kicks in the grass

Jeremy Christie made his 2011 debut in Tampa Bay's 2-0 loss at Carolina and went nearly 90 minutes three days later at Minnesota. Christie, normally a midfielder, filled in as a defender in both games. "With his experience and his quality, he can manage a game from a right back position and ease himself back in," Hill said. … Tampa Bay used a piecemeal backline of Frankie Sanfilippo, Takuya Yamada, David Hayes and Christie in the win over Minnesota with some starting defenders unavailable. Andres Arango was suspended for the match after picking up a red card against Carolina. J.P. Rodrigues didn't make the trip because of an abdominal strain. … M Pascal Millien continues to nurse a calf strain that has hampered him for weeks and forced him to the bench the past three games. "When we return home, I expect people like J.P. and Pascal to be back available," Hill said. M/D Shane Hill didn't play because of an ongoing hamstring injury but should be ready for Saturday at Puerto Rico.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Thurman Munson

The Yankees catcher and captain was killed when he crashed his private plane near his home in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 2, 1979. At the time of his death, Munson was a seven-time All-Star, 32 years old and still very much in his prime.

Cory Lidle

Lidle was 34 and a veteran of seven major-league teams when his small plane crashed into an apartment building in New York's Upper East Side on Oct. 11, 2006, briefly causing some New Yorkers to think the city was under another terrorist attack. Lidle, who pitched for the Rays in 1999 and 2000, was a pitcher for the Yankees at the time of his death.

Payne Stewart

The two-time U.S. Open and 1989 PGA Championship winner died in an eerie plane crash on Oct. 25, 1999. Flying in a private jet from Orlando to Dallas, the plane apparently lost cabin pressure, killing all six on board. The plane continued on autopilot for four hours until it ran out of gas and crashed in South Dakota. Stewart was 42.

Davey Allison

The eldest child of NASCAR's Bobby Allison, Davey, the winner of the 1992 Daytona 500, was killed in a helicopter crash on the infield at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on July 13, 1993. He was 32.

Evansville basketball

On Dec. 13, 1977, a chartered DC-3 carrying the University of Evansville men's basketball team crashed on its way to a game against Middle Tennessee State. The crash killed 29 people, including 14 players and the coaching staff. Player David Furr was not with the team because of an ankle injury, but in a cruel twist of fate, he was killed two weeks later in a car accident.

Roberto Clemente

On New Year's Eve, 1972, the Pirates rightfielder and baseball great was aboard a plane departing San Juan, Puerto Rico, for Nicaragua to aid victims of a devastating earthquake. Clemente, who had collected his 3,000th hit three months earlier, died when the plane crashed somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. He was 38.

Uruguayan rugby

This is maybe the most famous plane crash involving a sports team. Members of a Uruguayan rugby team and some of their friends and family were among the 29 killed when their charter plane crashed into the Andes in Chile on Oct. 13, 1972. Sixteen people survived the crash and an ensuing avalanche. They went two months before being rescued, resorting to cannibalism to stay alive. Their story has been told in several books, documentaries and feature films.

Marshall football team

On Nov. 14, 1970, a DC-9 flying from Kinston, N.C., to West Virginia crashed in Huntington while coming in for a landing, killing all 75 on board, including 37 members of the Marshall football team, making it the worst sports-related plane crash in American history. Marshall was returning home from a game against East Carolina. The crash and the rebuilding of the football program were the basis of the 2006 film We Are Marshall.

U.S. figure skating team

On Feb. 16, 1961, 18 members of the team were killed in a crash in Belgium that claimed 73 lives. The team, which included coach and nine-time U.S. champion Maribel Vinson-Owen, was on its way to compete in the 1961 world championships in Czechoslovakia.

tom jones' two cents

A plane carrying a team in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League crashed Wednesday, killing at least 43, including former NHL players Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei and Brad McCrimmon. Here's a look at other plane crashes that touched the sports world.

Rant of the day

Many Notre Dame officials and fans are riled up over the sideline behavior and R-rated language of football coach Brian Kelly. But it seems to me that former coach Lou Holtz used a few curse words in his day, too, and never took heat for it. Maybe tolerance for bad words depends on the coach's winning percentage.

Times wires
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

NHL

Pens' Crosby not rushing return

PITTSBURGH — Penguins star Sidney Crosby said it's "likely" he will return to play this season but stressed he won't rush back to the ice.

Crosby, 24, hasn't played since suffering a pair of concussions in January. The former MVP said Wednesday that he feels good but refused to put a timeline when he will don his No. 87 jersey in a game.

"It's not as simple as saying there's a date and I'll feel better," said Crosby, who has been allowed to skate but withheld from contact.

"We're going to introduce contact with Sid very carefully," said Dr. Michael Collins, who has overseen Crosby's recovery, "and we're not even close to that."

While acknowledging there's a "slight chance" he may never play again, Crosby quickly added, "I wouldn't bet on that."

Boxing

Experts: Gatti murdered

Former junior welterweight champion Arturo Gatti was murdered two years ago in Brazil, a panel of forensic evidence experts said Wednesday as it presented the results of a 10-month investigation initiated to challenge the official version that Gatti committed suicide.

"This case must be reopened if authorities in Brazil have an iota of moral, ethical and legal concern for their reputation," noted forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht said.

Brazilian officials initially considered Gatti's wife a suspect and arrested her, but they released her soon after and concluded Gatti, 37, had hung himself with a handbag strap.

Eduardo Trindade, a lawyer assisting Gatti's family, said he would have the panel's report presented to prosecutors in Brazil and would push for an indictment of Amanda Rodrigues Gatti.

But she told the Canadian Press on Wednesday — one day after the beginning of a civil trial in Montreal that will determine who inherits Gatti's estimated $6 million fortune — that the findings do not change her opinion. She was categoric at the courthouse that her husband took his own life: "You'll have to wait for the second autopsy. But I know it was (a suicide). It would be easier for me to explain to myself that it wasn't a suicide, but I'm positive it was."

ET CETERA

Basketball: Marc Gasol scored 24 and brother Pau 19 as defending champion Spain beat Dirk Nowitzki (19 points) and Germany 77-68 in the second-round group stage of the European championships in Lithuania. … NBA owners and players met in New York and plan to resume talks today. Neither would say if progress is being made to end the lockout.

Autos: Kevin Harvick Inc. will merge its Nationwide series program with Richard Childress Racing next season. Elliott Sadler will drive the No. 2 Chevrolet, and a mix of RCR drivers will fill the No. 33.

Gymnastics: Olympic champion Paul Hamm, 28, was charged with assault and two other misdemeanors after police in suburban Columbus, Ohio, say he hit and kicked a taxi driver and refused to pay a $23 fare. In a police video, as officers struggle to control him, Hamm says, "I'm going to kill you guys."

Times wires

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Making news

Reef Cleanup to Target Clearwater

Reef Monitoring Inc. will sponsor its third artificial reef cleanup off Pinellas County on Sept. 24. The group will dive the Clearwater artificial reef and is looking for volunteer boat owners to transport divers. Boaters will receive a $50 gas card in return. The goal is to remove crab trap lines, monofilament and other debris that entangle fish, turtles and dolphins. During the group's first cleanup effort in 2010, it removed more than 700 pounds of debris. In May, divers removed 400 pounds.

Also, two traps built by St. Petersburg students for research have been lost or stolen. Reef Monitoring Inc. is hoping boaters have seen the traps, which are used to study fish larvae and were last seen on the Clearwater artificial reef. Anyone with information regarding the traps should contact Dr. Monica Lara of St. Petersburg College at (727) 791-2618.

Fundraising

Wetlands group to hold banquet

The Clearwater Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual fundraising banquet Sept. 22 at Clearwater Country Club. Ducks Unlimited is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for wetlands conservation. The banquet will feature prizes, a raffle and live and silent auctions. For information, call (727) 463-1568.

Regulations

Special grouper season nears

The special gag grouper recreational season opens at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 16 and closes at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 16. The limit is two gag per angler with a minimum size of 22 inches.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Solunar table

AM PM major minor major minor

9/9 3:50 9:55 4:05 10:15

9/10 4:30 10:35 4:45 11:00

9/11 5:15 11:15 5:25 11:35

9/12 5:45 11:55 6:05 0

9/13 6:30 12:15 6:50 12:40

9/14 7:15 1:00 7:35 1:25

9/15 8:00 1:50 8:25 2:10

By Dave Walker, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Now that the winds have subsided, anglers should be able to take advantage of the conditions for good action around the Tampa Bay area.

What's hot: Redfish are starting to gather into larger groups as is usually the case in September. The one-fish-here, one-fish-there syndrome seems to have come to an end. On several recent trips, we steadily caught redfish and never moved from our first stop.

Look for redfish to school and become much more cooperative as we head toward the fall season. Schools of mullet typically are a good indicator that reds are nearby. If mullet are leaping all over the place, it is a good bet that there will be some gamefish mixed in.

What's not: The weather has obviously been an issue, with daily downpours and near gale-force winds. The good thing about all of the bad weather is that the water temperature on the flats has been lowered significantly, thus waking up lethargic fish.

We may have several chunks of bad weather heading in our general direction, so if you can squeeze in an outing or two between blows, do it.

Down time: Rainy days are perfect for oiling reels and rooting through tackle boxes and organizing gear and tackle. If you minimize the hassles associated with preparing for a fishing trip, you will go much more often and have a better time in general. It's nice when all of your things work correctly.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call (813) 310-6531, e-mail captdavewalker@verizon.net or visit www.snookfish.com.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Spring Hill Wrestling Club had its first Iron Man Folkstyle Wrestling Tournament on Aug. 27 in the Springstead High School gymnasium.

The opening event was able to attract youth grapplers from across the state, and the club has plans for three more tournaments over the course of the next couple of months.

Local wrestlers earned medals throughout the weight classes. Although no Hernando County youth wrestler took home a gold medal, five won silver.

In the Pee-Wee class (50 pounds), Ethan Blevins of Gator MMA took second place. Blevins is from Spring Hill and formerly trained with the Spring Hill Wrestling Club. He was runner-up to Christian Moder of the Naples Wrestling Club.

Braden Basile, the son of Spring Hill Wrestling Club coach Sal Basile, took second in the Bantam 55 class. Dylan Silverstein of the Rebel Wrestling Club in St. Petersburg earned the gold medal in that division.

Isaiah Haddon (Novice 92) and Justin Patascher (Schoolboy 105) were also able to medal for the Spring Hill club. Haddon lost to Rebel Wrestling's Mitchell Kerr, while Patascher had trouble with Noah Ridley of the Brandon Wrestling Club.

Matt Oleson of the Brooksville Wrestling Club was able to place second in the Intermediate 87 class.

While no Hernando wrestlers won gold, a Pasco club did come away with a gold medal. Buccaneer Wrestling Club in New Port Richey earned a gold medal when Fischer Swartsel won the Novice 105 class. The club, which trains at Gulf High School, also earned a silver medal when Evan Simonson came in second in the Novice 75 class.

The next event in the Iron Man series will take place Saturday at the Springstead High gymnasium. Weigh-ins are at 8 a.m., and cost for entry is $15. All wrestlers must have a USA Wrestling card to enter. The tournament will begin at 10 a.m.

KIWANIS 5K: The Brooksville Kiwanis Club will have its Kiwanis Fall 5K on Sept. 24, beginning at the Target store on Spring Hill Drive.

Race registration starts at 7 a.m., and the race begins at 8. The route is a fairly flat route around the Airport Industrial Park. Awards will be handed out for first through third place. There will be age divisions and family divisions. Registration is $20 until Sept. 22 and $25 the day of the race.

Pancake breakfasts will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. The cost is $5.

All proceeds go toward Brooksville Kiwanis Club youth programs.

For information, contact Dave Hamilton at (352) 279-4400 or fourhamiltons@bellsouth.net.

FIRST TEE GOLF: The city of Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department is getting ready to host another session of First Tee Golf for children looking to learn how to get onto the links.

Little Buddies First Tee Golf is for ages 4 to 6. The program begins on Sept. 21 and is an introduction to First Tee and the game of golf. Children learn the basics of golf and how to use the appropriate equipment. The sessions are at the Quarry Golf Course in Brooksville from 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday. The fee is $50 for the six-week course.

The First Tee Golf/Life Skills is for youth ages 7 to 17 and starts Nov. 7. The instructors teach the First Tee Nine Core Values through the game of golf. Students have the opportunity to work on basic life and golf skills, including putting, chipping, driving and golf course etiquette. The sessions will be from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays at the Quarry Golf Course in Brooksville.

For information, call Mike Groff at (352) 540-3835.

ALZHEIMER'S CHARITY GOLF: The Alzheimer's Family Organization, which serves Hernando, Pasco, Citrus and other counties on the Suncoast, will have its 11th annual charity golf tournament Nov. 12 at Seven Springs Country Club in New Port Richey.

Registration is scheduled for 6:30 a.m.; breakfast will be provided by IHOP. The shotgun start is set for 8 a.m., with lunch provided by Argento's Italian Bistro at the conclusion of play. The tournament is 18 holes with a four-person scramble format.

There will be awards for the top three teams, as well additional prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and a hole-in-one (a car provided by Ed Morse Auto Plaza). Full Circle Financial is sponsoring a putting contest, with a chance to win $10,000.

The registration fee is $80 per player. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

For information, call Kathy Montero at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.

REALTORS GOLF OUTING: The Hernando County Association of Realtors is sponsoring a golf outing Sept. 17 at Seven Hills Golf Club in Spring Hill.

The event will include golf and chances to win money and other prizes. The entry fee is $40 per golfer for a cart, greens fees, lunch and other activities.

For information, call Barbara Hahn at (352) 279-2279 or John Sullivan at (352) 428-1383. Interested parties may also stop by the Realtors office at 7321 Sunshine Grove Road, west of Brooksville.

KIWANIS GOLF: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville will host the sixth annual Kiwanis of Spring Hill Children Charity Golf Invitational on Sept. 28.

The Kiwanis has chosen the First Tee of Brooksville as its charity for this year's tournament. The First Tee organization strives to make an impact on the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character through the game of golf.

Registration is scheduled for 11 a.m., when refreshments will be served. The shotgun start is set for 1 p.m., with a buffet dinner, awards ceremony and silent auction at the conclusion of play.

The registration fee is $110 per player or $400 per foursome. The deadline is Sept. 16.

For information, call Dennis McKenna at (352) 584-7023, ext. 25, or visit springhillkiwanis.org.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES GOLF: Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks will host the seventh annual Catholic Charities Golf Tournament on Oct. 28.

The event will benefit the building of the Arnold Andrews Northern Counties Service Center, which will serve the residents of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Registration is scheduled for 7 a.m., when coffee and doughnuts will be served. The shotgun start is set for 8 a.m., with a buffet lunch at conclusion of play.

There will be prizes awarded for hole-in-ones, including a 2011 Buick-GMC courtesy of Rick Matthews, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle courtesy of Crystal River Harley-Davidson and a golf cart courtesy of Country Club Cars of Brooksville.

The registration fee is $60 per player. Sponsorship opportunities are available until Oct. 20.

For information, call Abby Evert at (352) 686-9897, ext. 25.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, September 8, 2011

A train of thunderstorms rolled in off the Gulf of Mexico and kept everybody but the Coast Guard off the water for two days straight. Mark LaPrade prayed for a break in the weather so he could get his new 40-foot Formula across the bay in time for this weekend's Tampa Boat Show.

"I don't mind the rain," he said Tuesday after postponing his trip. "It's the lightning that scares me."

LaPrade, a 30-year veteran of the local powerboat scene, had been looking forward to this year's show. "This is a new product for us," he said. "We were hoping to make a big splash."

On Wednesday morning, the skies cleared for a few hours, giving the powerboat dealer from St. Petersburg just enough time to make the run to Tampa.

"What a beautiful day," he said as he headed into the rising sun. "I am optimistic about the future."

LaPrade, like many at this year's show, believes Florida's troubled marine industry has finally turned a corner.

"We probably lost 25 percent of the boat dealers in the Tampa Bay area over the past three years," said LaPrade, who retired from St. Petersburg's Thunder Marine in 2009 and recently opened a Formula store in the same area. "But I think the people that have survived into 2011 are here to stay."

This year's boat show will be significantly larger than last year's show. Event organizers have added 25 more vessels to the docks outside the Tampa Convention Center.

New entries include 46- and 53-foot Grand Banks from Galati Yacht Sales. Galati will also showcase a new 60-foot Tiara and 76-foot Viking in addition to several other 2012 models from Tiara and Cruisers.

Clearwater-based MarineMax has several new vessels on display, including a 42-foot Cabo, 53-foot Meridian and 59-foot Hatteras, as well as five new SeaRays between 35 and 53 feet. Turner & Gould Yacht Brokers will display a 97-foot Marlow Explorer, the largest vessel at this year's show.

"We are definitely up this year," said Larry Berryman, the show's manager. "We have a more boats, more new products. We are bigger and better than ever."

Berryman pointed to the addition of Formula, a company that has been owned and operated by the same family since 1956, as evidence that the boating market may be on the upswing. "It is a high-quality product," he said. "I think the fact that they are here says good things about the industry."

The sporty craft are usually owned by more experienced boaters. "I guess you could say that we are the Mercedes Benz of the boating industry," LaPrade said. "We offer high-end products; cruisers for folks who appreciate performance."

The Formula 40SS that LaPrade delivered to Tampa does not come cheap. The boat lists for $799,000 but is being offered at a special show price of $499,000.

"The more expensive boats seem to be selling as are the entry-level products," he said. "The entry-level boats are doing real well too. It is the middle of the market that seems to still be a little soft."

But if you are a prospective new boater who just wants to learn more about the lifestyle, swing by the Discover Boating Resource Center. Boaters and nonboaters alike can participate in a variety of free interactive and educational on-the-water programs. New courses include ski boat rides, close-quarter boat handling and a basic introduction to sailing.

More experienced boaters can take advantage of a variety of free daily seminars, including several classes aimed at anglers, such as offshore rigging and baiting tactics. The popular Ladies at the Helm series is a training program geared specifically for women who want to feel comfortable in the captain's seat.

But even if you are not ready to buy, this year's boat show is still worth a visit. You can meet the Harris brothers from Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. Jake and Josh Harris, sons of the late captain Phil Harris and deck hands on the crabbing vessel Cornelia Marie, will be available from 5 to 7 tonight, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 8, 2011

TAMPA — The Bucs have named Michael Bennett the starter at left defensive end, but they didn't spend a second-round draft pick on rookie Da'Quan Bowers to make him a mascot.

Coach Raheem Morris, who also is the defensive coordinator, said Thursday he'll rotate the players, aiming to give them roughly the same amount of playing time.

Bennett came on strong late last season and continued his surge in training camp, but as Bowers continues to bounce back impressively from offseason knee surgery, Morris says he can't keep him off the field.

"Bowers is the young guy on our football team right now earning the right to be out there," Morris said. "I'm sure he's going to be ready to go, hungry and willing. That's the part that I love. That's the part that excites me."

If one player gets hot, Morris said, he'll remain on the field.

"There's no (snap) count like we have in a preseason game," Morris said. "You've got to let those guys go out there and determine how much they play based on their play. And you get a feel for that during the game."

At times, the two players will be used in situations that play to their strengths. Bowers, for example, is likely to be used in goal-line and short-yardage situations because of his size (6 feet 4, 285 pounds). Bennett could be an option at defensive end if and when the Bucs use a three-man front, something they did often last season. Bennett has played extensively at defensive tackle.

But ideally, Morris said, the goal is to give both players equal reps.

PAYING TRIBUTE: As part of their efforts to honor the late Lee Roy Selmon, the Bucs will wear his No. 63 on their helmets all season. Also, there will be a moment of silence in honor of Selmon before Sunday's season opener against the Lions at Raymond James Stadium, co-chairman Bryan Glazer said Thursday.

"I'm sure everybody in our community has been touched in some way," by Selmon, Morris said. "It's a credit to what his family has meant and what he has meant to the game and what he has meant to the Buccaneers community. You can't beat that.

"Hopefully we get something (to put on) the coaches' uniforms as well because I certainly would love to be a part of that."

Asked how Selmon affected current Bucs players such as fellow Oklahoma alumnus Gerald McCoy, Morris said, "You really can't explain the kind of influence he had on some of the young players or the people who got a chance to know him. … He helped as many people as he could. He was a part of all kinds of charities. He did a great job in our community affecting as many people and everybody that he got a chance to touch."

MARKED MAN: QB Josh Freeman, a former Big 12 Conference nemesis of Ndamukong Suh, will be targeted by the Lions defensive tackle. Freeman played at Kansas State; Suh starred at Nebraska.

"He's a good friend of mine, and I know how he plays," Suh said to Detroit-area reporters about Freeman, describing the QB's game as "tough, physical and loves to make plays with his arm as well as his feet."

"It's going to be a good challenge for us, and we're definitely up for it. I always have joy in hitting him and hopefully can get a couple sacks off of him and rub it into his face a little bit more."

Suh was asked if he treats all his friends in the same manner.

"We're not friends on the field," he said.

INJURY REPORT: TE Kellen Winslow did not practice; the team said it was a scheduled day of rest. CB Myron Lewis (ankle) did not practice. LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring) was limited.

Tickets

Prices for single-game tickets range from $40 to $115 (some youth tickets are $25) and are available at the Raymond James Stadium ticket window (starting three hours before kickoff) and through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com or toll-free at 1-800-745-3000. For information, call the Bucs at (813) 870-2700.

Times staff
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Low pressure system

The Bucs have not had a player reach double digits in sacks since Simeon Rice's 14 in 2005. Team sacks with NFL rank and the team leader since:

SeasonSacksNFL rankLeader

200625Tied for 30thThree with 5 *

200733Tied for 16thStylez White, 8

200829Tied for 20thGaines Adams, 61/2

200928Tied for 26thStylez White, 61/2

201026Tied for 30thStylez White, 41/2

*Greg Spires, Stylez White and Ellis Wyms

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

YAROSLAVL, Russia — President Dmitry Medvedev called for immediate changes in Russia's troubled aviation industry Thursday, including reducing the number of airlines, as the country mourned a crash that killed 43 people and devastated a top Kontinental Hockey League team.

The crash Wednesday killed 36 players, coaches and staff of Lokomotiv, including former NHL and European national team players, drawing new attention to the poor air-safety records of Russia and other former Soviet republics.

Experts blame Russia's problems on an aging fleet, weak government controls, poor pilot training and a cost-cutting mentality.

Investigators could not pinpoint what caused the Yak-42 jet to crash into the banks of the Volga River shortly after takeoff from Yaroslavl, 150 miles northeast of Moscow. Workers labored Thursday to raise the shattered tail section, site of one of the plane's on-board recorders.

The two survivors — player Alexander Galimov and crew member Alexander Sizov — were reported in grave condition in a Moscow hospital.

The plane crashed on the opening day of a forum that was to showcase Yaroslavl as a modern, vibrant Russian city.

"The number of air companies should be radically reduced, and it's necessary to do this within the shortest time," Medvedev told the conference.

Experts say small carriers sometimes lack the money to properly maintain their fleet and tend to cut safety corners.

The crashed jet was built in 1993, and one of its three engines was replaced a month ago, Deputy Transport Minister Valery Okulov said.

Meanwhile, the Lokomotiv team will be rebuilt in time to take part in this year's KHL season, league leader Alexander Medvedev said. Up to 35 players have offered to join Lokomotiv, he said.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Deal of the day

ESPN and the NFL reached an agreement Thursday that will keep Monday Night Football on the network through the 2021 season. The deal is worth $1.9 billion a year, for a total of $15.2 billion over the length of the contract. The deal has an immediate impact: ESPN's NFL Live show doubled in length, to an hour, starting Thursday.

The agreement includes 17 Monday games a season through 2021 and coverage of the Pro Bowl, NFL draft and maybe eventually playoff games. During a conference call, commissioner Roger Goodell, right, said the deal includes a path to putting a playoff game on ESPN, but he would not put a timetable on when the network would get to air postseason games.

Radio voice of the day

For the past 15 years, sports talk radio host Todd Wright, who makes his home in the Tampa Bay area, has done overnight national shows that have ended anywhere from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. That included the popular (as well as very good) All Night With Todd Wright on ESPN Radio and Todd Wright Tonight on Sporting News Radio.

But looking for a bit of normalcy after years of living as a night owl, Wright has moved to a show on Yahoo Sports Radio. The show airs from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and can be heard locally on 1010-AM , when there aren't conflicts.

The show also can be heard at yahoosportsradio.com.

Wright is one of the best voices in radio, and he always snags great guests. It's surprising a bay area station hasn't scooped him up to host a daytime show, especially because there is so much mediocrity on local radio.

He said it

Pardon the Interruption co-host Tony Kornheiser said Notre Dame should be upset with its loss to USF on Saturday.

"They lost to a mediocre team from a terrible conference,'' Kornheiser said.

Number of the day

103 Consecutive regular-season games started by Giants QB Eli Manning. That's the second-longest active streak by a quarterback. Brother Peyton has the longest streak at 208, a streak that will end this weekend because the Colts quarterback is out after more neck surgery.

Media tidbits

• Bright House Sports Network (Ch. 47) broadcasts Lee Roy Selmon's funeral live at 10 a.m. today.

• To commemorate Sept. 11, former President George W. Bush narrates a two-minute opening for Fox NFL Sunday at noon Sunday on Ch. 13. In the opening, which includes members of the police and fire departments of New York and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police, Bush talks about heroism, perseverance and recovery.

• Kurt Warner, right, has left Fox Sports as a game analyst to join the NFL Network as analyst on the Sunday NFL GameDay Morning pregame show.

Film of the day

Seems you can't watch TV for more than a few minutes without seeing ads for Moneyball, the movie based on the Michael Lewis book about the Oakland A's and GM Billy Beane. Beane is played by Brad Pitt in this movie about the small-market A's using revolutionary tactics such as sabermetrics to compete. Beane apparently has talked little about the movie, which opens Sept. 23. One theory why: The A's entered play Thursday with a 65-78 record and 15½ games out of first place in the AL West.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Tiki Barber, left, came out of retirement, but no NFL team offered the running back a job. (Funny, Plaxico Burress got a job after being out more than two years and going to prison.) Makes you think teams were scared off by Barber's off-field reputation for opening his yap.

2. Why would a decent football team from a good BCS conference ever schedule Boise State for a nonconference game?

3. Remember when the Pirates got a raw deal with a bad call in the bottom of the 19th against Atlanta on July 26 and lost the game because of it? They were 53-47 going into that game. Since then, they are 13-28 and five losses from their 19th consecutive losing season.

The latest from the world of sports.

tom jones' two cents

Rant of the day

The Red Sox are in town for a three-game series, meaning Red Sox Nation will pour into Tropicana Field. It's okay that they cheer for their Sox, but what's irritating are those Boston fans who act like the Sox are so good because they are so well run. No, the Sox are so good because they have more money than most teams.

tom jones' two cents

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Sprint Cup

What: Wonderful Pistachios 400

When/where: Today, practice (ESPN2, noon); qualifying (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.); Saturday, race (Ch. 28, 7:30 p.m.); Richmond, Va.

Fast facts: The race ends the regular season. The top 10 in the standings and the top two victory leaders from Nos. 11-20 earn spots in the Chase. Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman have wrapped up spots in the top 10. Brad Keselowski has locked up at least a wild-card spot. Denny Hamlin (12th) and Paul Menard (20th) are in position to earn a wild-card spot with a victory. Marcos Ambrose (21st) and David Ragan (23rd) could earn a wild-card spot with a victory and move into the top 20. Ambrose is seven points outside the top 20, Ragan is 20. … Gordon's efforts to raise awareness of hunger in America and money to fight it will be aided by a new sponsor. Chase Card Services will put the AARP Visa Card and the Chase logo on the hood and decklid of the No. 24 Chevrolet at Richmond and again at Dover later this month. The sponsorship is in cooperation with the AARP's Drive to End Hunger campaign, which this year became the first cause-related primary sponsor of a major race team. … It doesn't sound as if Clint Bowyer will be back with Richard Childress Racing. The team owner said a new contract with Bowyer has not been ruled out, but he spoke of Bowyer in the past tense in an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Childress said Bowyer has other options available to him, and he could not get all the details worked out on a new deal with the driver. … Danica Patrick thinks it would be nice if she got her Cup career started at the Daytona 500. The IndyCar star is moving to NASCAR full time next season and will run a limited Cup schedule in a car owned by Tony Stewart. He expects her to struggle at most of the tracks, making a Daytona debut even more attractive to her. "I think it would be a good start," she said. "It would be nice if the Sprint Cup debut was at a track where I have the opportunity to finish well."

Standings: 1. Johnson, 873; 2. Kyle Busch, 852; 3. Edwards, 835; 4. Kenseth, 834; 5. Gordon, 830; 6. Harvick, 819; 7. Kurt Busch, 789; 8. Newman, 786; 9. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 753; 10. Tony Stewart, 751

Nationwide

What: College Savings 250

When/where: Today, practice, qualifying (ESPN2, 4 p.m.), race, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2); Richmond, Va.

Standings: 1. Ricky Stenhouse, 909; 2. Elliott Sadler, 896; 3. Reed Sorenson, 869; 4. Aric Almirola, 845; 5. Justin Allgaier, 840

Formula One

What: Italian Grand Prix

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 8 a.m.); Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 8 a.m.); Sunday, race, 8 a.m. (Speed); Monza, Italy

Standings: 1. Sebastian Vettel, 259; 2. Mark Webber, 167; 3. Fernando Alonso, 157; 4. Jenson Button, 149; 5. Lewis Hamilton, 146

Trucks

Next: Fast Five 225, Sept. 16, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Ill.

Standings: 1. James Buescher, 588; 2. Johnny Sauter, 576; 3. Timothy Peters, 574

IndyCar

Next: Indy Japan 300, Sept. 17, Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi, Japan

Standings: 1. Dario Franchitti, 507; 2. Will Power, 502; 3. Scott Dixon, 430

NHRA

Next: O'Reilly Auto Parts Nationals, Sept. 15-18, zMAX Dragway, Concord, N.C.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Del Worsham, 2,110; 2. Antron Brown, 2,080. Funny Car — 1. Mike Neff, 2,110; 2. Jack Beckman, 2,080. Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, 2,110; 2. Jason Line, 2,080. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 2,110; 2. LE Tonglet, 2,080

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Rays vs. Red Sox

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers:

Rays

RH Wade Davis (9-9, 4.50)

Red Sox

RH John Lackey (12-11, 6.11)

Watch for ...

Wading in: Davis is coming off a win against Baltimore and has been pitching well at home, with a 2.89 ERA and six quality starts over his past seven at the Trop. He is 0-2 with an 11.12 ERA in three starts vs. Boston.

Something lacking: Lackey battles but without much success given the highest ERA (6.61) and OPS (.852) for all pitchers with 140 innings, plus a .302 average. He is 12-5, 3.81 vs. the Rays, though 4-3, 5.98 at the Trop.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Lackey

Reid Brignac 6-for-17

Johnny Damon 24-for-65

Ben Zobrist 7-for-19

Red Sox vs. Davis

David Ortiz 2-for-5 HR

Dustin Pedroia 3-for-7

Marco Scutaro 0-for-5

On deck

Saturday: vs. Red Sox, 7:10 Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 2.90); Red Sox — Kyle Weiland (0-1, 6.75)

Sunday: vs. Red Sox, 1:40 Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (14-10, 2.77); Red Sox — Jon Lester (15-6, 2.93)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"If we could get ourselves within striking distance, then I think people are going to start feeling our breath."

Joe Maddon, Rays manager

Milestone hunt

With his next home run, B.J. Upton, above left, and D'backs OF Justin will become the first brothers in MLB history to have 20 homer-20-steal performances in the same season. They'll be the seventh set of siblings with 20 homers each, joining these bash brothers:

Aaron/Bret Boone 2002-03

Brian/Marcus Giles 2003

Jason/Jeremy Giambi 2002

Carlos/Lee May 1973

Bob/Irish Meusel 1925

Joe/Vince DiMaggio 1941

Number of the day

1 .4

Percent chance of Rays making the playoffs, per CoolStandings.com, based on computer simulations.