By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, October 24, 2011

TAMPA — The dance is not new to either man. They lived it once before in another time, and another place.

It was a little more than four years ago when Mathieu Garon signed a two-year deal to be the backup goaltender to a 38-year-old starter in Edmonton.

When the old guy got off to a 3-9-1 start, Garon was suddenly the most popular hockey player in the city. He started getting playing time. He started getting praise. And by the time midseason rolled around, he had gotten the starting job.

The man he replaced?

Dwayne Roloson.

The story today in Tampa Bay is nearly identical, except the old guy has seen four more birthdays added to his resume. Once again, Garon has signed a two-year deal to be a backup. Once again, Roloson is off to a slow start.

Just don't assume history is about to repeat itself. Lightning coach Guy Boucher is not about to tear up his goaltending plans nine games into a season.

Instead, you might want to consider this a sequel with an ending still to be determined. Roloson has hit a rough patch, Garon has a hot hand, and Boucher is obliged to ride the goaltender who will give his team the best opportunity to win tonight.

"My faith in Roli has not changed at all. Not at all," Boucher said Monday afternoon. "I have always believed in him, not only what he does on the ice, but off the ice as well. Specifically, I believe in his approach to get his game back when it's not at its best.

"He's not only been a man about it, but he's been the perfect example of what you need to be. He's the guy cheering the team on from the bench, he's got the right attitude in practice, and he's showing everybody it's about winning and not about him."

Ask yourself why this is Boucher's stance.

Ask yourself why, when Garon is due to start his third consecutive game tonight in Buffalo, the coach does not make the goaltending job an open competition.

Because the answers are pretty simple when you think about it.

There is a reason Roloson went into the 2007-08 season as the No. 1 goaltender ahead of Garon in Edmonton. There is a reason Roloson reclaimed his job early the next season, and a reason Garon was traded to Pittsburgh a short time later.

And, yes, there is a reason Roloson was No. 1 again when the goaltenders were reunited in Tampa Bay this season.

Roloson has the better track record in the regular season, he has far more experience in the postseason, and he has a stronger reputation for stability in the league.

Now, is it possible circumstances have changed? That Garon, at 33, has finally found his footing with his sixth NHL team? And that Roloson, at 42, has finally seen his time pass?

That is entirely conceivable. A couple of months from now, we may even say it is probable.

But there is no reason to pass final judgment on the goaltenders today. To take a job away from Roloson so quickly into a season.

Garon has been strong in consecutive victories, and Roloson's numbers look embarrassing in contrast. Yet it's not fair to blame Roloson for all the goals that were scored, and it's not fair to credit Garon for all the gains that have been made.

The skaters have played a far tighter and smarter game for Garon. There have not been as many shots on goal, nor as many penalty kill situations.

No one is excusing Roloson's lapses, but the Lightning is also aware that there are mitigating factors for his poor statistics.

"Every goalie goes through this," Boucher said. "The problem is that position is in such a spotlight. That's why not everybody can play goalie because there's so much pressure, and you're under the gun all the time and you're under the radar all the time, and the minute you're a little off or make one mistake, it all comes down on you."

So, yes, there is a good chance Garon will get more playing time than you originally expected. At his age, Roloson was not going to start 60 games anyway. He was probably going to be in the 50-start range, so maybe the final tally will be closer to a 45-37 mix.

Or maybe Garon gradually takes over the job as the season progresses. The point is there is no reason to bury Roloson in October. If his body is finally betraying him, there is plenty of time to figure that out in the coming weeks.

For now, he is still the guy the Lightning considers No. 1.

He still deserves the chance to prove that.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 24, 2011

.TONIGHT

Lightning at Sabres

When/where: 7:30; HSBC Arena, Buffalo, N.Y.

TV/radio: Versus; 970-AM.

Key stats: Sabres LW Luke Adam entered Monday tied for second among rookies with six points and three assists and third with three goals. … The Lightning has a league-best 136 blocked shots, and D Brett Clark entered Monday leading with 28. … Buffalo is 1-for-14 on the power play in its past five games.

Monday, October 24, 2011

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Mathieu Garon will make his third straight start in net for the Lightning tonight against the Sabres at HSBC Arena. With two straight victories, including a shutout, and saves on 37 of 38 shots, he deserves it, coach Guy Boucher said.

But before anyone gets the idea this is the start of a goaltending controversy, or even a competition between Garon and Dwayne Roloson, Boucher applied the proactive brakes.

"Who do you think we start if the playoffs were tomorrow?" he said. "Roli is the goaltender we signed to come back here and do what he's always done, so no plans have changed at all."

What is going on, Boucher said, is what always has gone on with hockey teams. The No. 1 goaltender has a bad stretch and the backup comes in to provide some stability until the No. 1 gets back on his game.

Garon certainly has done that with back-to-back wins to snap a five-game losing streak that included Roloson allowing 17 goals in his past three games.

In that context, Boucher said, not starting Garon would be the bigger story.

"Right now it's a question of getting our team on the right track, and the last games we're on the right track, so we don't purposely mess up with some stuff," Boucher said.

"He's having a great stretch," Boucher added about Garon. "We want to make sure we respect that and ride it."

Garon, 33, certainly is playing well. He also is the beneficiary of Tampa Bay's renewed defensive vigor. While Garon faced 38 shots combined in his past two games, Roloson faced 94 in his past three.

If Roloson, 42, is sour about that or sitting again it's not apparent.

"You can't get frustrated because then it leaks into your game," said Roloson, who is 1-2-1 with a 5.09 goals-against average and .858 save percentage. "That's the way hockey is. There are two goalies, so one guy is going to play. It doesn't matter if you're playing or not, you still have to be ready."

Roloson said he has worked on "little tweaks" to his game to stop minor problems from turning into big ones.

He also is rooting for Garon — 2-1-1 with a 1.51 goals-against average that was eighth in the league entering Monday and a .948 save percentage that was sixth — to keep it up.

"It's all about the team winning," Roloson said. "You always cheer for the other guys. For me, it's being ready to go when I get the opportunity."

"Roli has been pushing me and encouraging me all the time," Garon said. "We're both here for the success of the team."

That's how Boucher sees it, too.

"What I see is Roli has a job to do, and when he's not at the top of his game we absolutely have somebody who can do the job. I'm just glad we have that depth."

As for who plays Thursday at Nashville, that pretty much depends on how Garon does tonight.

"We have complete confidence in whoever goes in there," center Nate Thompson said. "Marty has been playing well, but we know when Roli goes back in there he's going to play well, too."

"I've been there before," Garon said. "Just focus on one game and see what happens."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 24, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Florida's offense might get a huge boost with the likely return of senior QB John Brantley for Saturday's game against No. 22 Georgia in Jacksonville.

Gators coach Will Muschamp said Monday that Brantley will have limited practice and is probable for this week's game. Brantley suffered a high ankle sprain near the end of the first half of the Oct. 1 game against Alabama and has not played since. He spent time throwing in practice last week, but did not participate in drills.

"We feel like John will be ready to go for the game," Muschamp said. "As we progress through the week we'll know more about his status. We expect his reps to increase as the week grows. But we wanted to get him out there moving around and get people around him and throw the football around a little bit. I fully expect him to continue to progress through the week unless we hit something that we're not predicting. I fully expect him to be fine."

Last week's bye has allowed the Gators to become relatively healthy again. Several players injured over the past three weeks are expected to return, including DL Ronald Powell, RB Jeff Demps, K Caleb Sturgis, OL Dan Wenger, RB Mike Gillislee and WR Andre Debose. CB Jeremy Brown, who has not played this season, is not expected to play.

Freshman backup QBs Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett will both practice, and Muschamp said he'll decide who will get the No. 2 position this week. One of the first things Brantley told Muschamp after he injured his ankle was that he had to get back for the Georgia game; coaches and teammates say he has been relentless in that effort.

"He's worked extremely hard to get back for this week," Muschamp said.

ON THE RISE: After opening 0-2 and falling out of the AP top 25, Georgia has won five consecutive games and is ranked again. Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said it's a testament to how the team has bounced back.

"I think it's a good thing," Richt said. "Once you get into the polls of course you try to stay there, but it's hard to see progress unless you're in there. Although I knew we were making progress, you really can't see it until your squad is up in the top 25. And when it comes to media coverage, especially on the networks that cover college football, they tend to spend a lot of time on the top 25 teams. So hopefully we can stay there awhile."

ONE FOR MUSCHAMP: Muschamp said he considers any stories this week about coaching against his alma mater "wasted ink", but at least some of his players think there's something significant about it. "It's special to me because Coach Muschamp played for Georgia, but never beat Florida," DT Sharrif Floyd said. "So now he gets the chance to be on a Florida team playing Georgia. Obviously, he may come out with his win."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Read her blog at www.tampabay.com/blogs/gators/and follow her on Twitter @gatornews.

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — IndyCar drivers and officials debated how to make open-wheel racing safer Monday. Now comes the hard part: turning talk into action.

Eight days after St. Petersburg resident and two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon was killed in a crash at Las Vegas, more than a dozen IndyCar drivers met for three hours with series CEO Randy Bernard and Brian Barnhart, the series' president of competition.

Wheldon was buried in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

"How we react to this is critical, and we're very encouraged with what happened today in terms of ideas," four-time series champ Dario Franchitti said. "Finger-pointing is not going to do any good at all, and we're all unified going forward in one direction."

Those inside the meeting declined to share specifics, but the discussion was expected to cover everything from tracks used by the series to new Plexiglas catch fences to putting canopies over the drivers' open cockpits.

IndyCar has time to consider potential changes because the next race is the 2012 season opener, March 25 on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg.

"We're not going to make motor racing 100 percent safe, that's a fact," Tony Kanaan said. "But there are things that we can do, hopefully, to make it better, make it safer."

IndyCar already planned on a new car for next season. Wheldon, the primary test driver for the new model, told the St. Petersburg Times on Oct. 11 that it was "30 percent safer" than the model the series had used (with some modifications) since 2003.

FORMULA ONE: AP reported that the series will begin a street race in New Jersey, minutes from New York City, in June 2013. The series already is returning to the United States next year in Austin, Texas. An official announcement is scheduled today in Weehawken, N.J.

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

JACKSONVILLE — On one night, on one big stage, the Jaguars did everything better than the Ravens.

Maurice Jones-Drew ran for 105 yards against the NFL's best run defense, Josh Scobee kicked four field goals — three from beyond 50 yards — and Jacksonville snapped a five-game slide with a 12-7 victory Monday night.

The Jaguars had their best defensive effort in five years vs. Ray Rice, Joe Flacco and Co.

Jacksonville didn't allow a first down until the 5:26 mark of the third quarter, thanks to a mix of stout defense and inept offense.

Flacco got Baltimore on the scoreboard with a little more than two minutes left. He capped a 90-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin.

The Ravens failed to recover an onside kick when the ball bounced short of going the required 10 yards. Scobee followed with his third long field goal.

Baltimore had a final possession, but in fitting fashion, Jacksonville's defense came up big. Drew Coleman stepped in front of Ed Dickson and intercepted Flacco's final pass. The Ravens had 146 total yards and 16 in the first half, a franchise low allowed by the Jaguars in a half.

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

NCAA president Mark Emmert said Monday he would urge the NCAA Board of Directors this week to step up the timetable for forcing athletic programs to meet minimum academic standards to be eligible for postseason action.

Speaking before the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, Emmert said he will push for the new standards, which were tentatively agreed upon in August, as early as next season's basketball tournaments and that they be extended to bowl game participation.

He said that had such requirements been used last season, national champion Connecticut would have been shut out of the men's basketball tournament.

BIG 12 TALK: Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News reported that "there is some quiet buzz" about the Big 12 looking at USF, as well as fellow Big East members West Virginia and Louisville, should it decide to get its member list back to 12 — assuming Missouri bolts for the SEC. The Big 12's board of directors expressed a "strong desire" on Monday for Missouri to stay.

LOUISVILLE: Cornerback Anthony Conner had surgery after breaking his neck Friday against Rutgers. Coach Charlie Strong said Conner "continues to maintain good feeling and movement in all his extremities."

OREGON: The team suspended cornerback Cliff Harris after he was pulled over for several infractions related to driving.

VIRGINIA TECH: Linebacker Bruce Taylor, the leading tackler for the No. 15 Hokies, is out for the season with a Lisfranc sprain of his right foot and will have surgery next week.

WASHINGTON STATE: School regents will be asked next month to approve $80 million worth of improvements to Martin Stadium.

BASKETBALL: USF landed an oral commitment from JaVontae Hawkins, a shooting guard from Flint, Mich., who is playing this year at Huntington Prep in West Virginia. Hawkins is No. 89 on ESPNU's list of top 100 recruits for the class of 2012. … Florida guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker were named to the preseason all-SEC second team as voted by media members. The Gators were predicted to finish third in the league behind favorite Kentucky and Vanderbilt. See 2C for complete list.

Staff writer Greg Auman and Times wires contributed to this report.

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

BOSTON — Ben Cherington is set to become the new general manager of the Red Sox today, replacing his former boss, Theo Epstein.

Cherington's promotion from assistant general manager will be announced at an afternoon news conference, the team said Monday. It had been expected for several weeks while the Cubs were working out details for Epstein to join them.

On Friday, both teams announced that Epstein had resigned from Boston to become president of baseball operations for Chicago.

The teams said then they would delay any news conference until today, a day off in the World Series.

Left unsettled is the compensation the Cubs will hand over for the Red Sox allowing Epstein to leave while still under contract for one more year. Cherington is likely to be involved in those discussions, perhaps with Jed Hoyer, who is expected to leave as general manager of the Padres for a similar job with the Cubs.

A major immediate focus for Cherington will be the search for a new manager. Terry Francona left Sept.  30 in the wake of an ignominious September collapse that allowed the Rays to win the AL wild card.

THOME NOT DONE: Jim Thome, 41, said he still has the passion to play in an address to the City Club of Cleveland, the first by a major-leaguer since Babe Ruth did so on July 17, 1925. "I'll keep playing," said Thome, eighth on the all-time list with 604 career homers. "I just need teams to call me. I can't go play in the backyard by myself. I don't know the demand for a 41-year-old DH, but my passion is I want to continue to play."

ALCOHOL BAN: Major League Baseball is planning to consider whether there should be a ban on alcohol in clubhouses, MLB executive Joe Torre said. There have been recent reports that several Red Sox pitchers drank beer in the clubhouse on days when they were not starting.

DODGERS: The team announced that the price of almost every season ticket would be reduced next season, some by as much as 60 percent. Prices for mini-plans and single-game tickets will be cut as well.

PHILLIES: The team declined options on right-handers Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team will consider re-signing both.

YANKEES: General manager Brian Cashman, whose contract expires Monday, met with managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner for the first time since the season ended. Cashman declined to discuss specifics of the conversation.

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — All Danny Briere could hear were the agonizing screams. Chris Pronger buried his face in his hands after taking a brutal blow to the outside of the right eye, fearful of the worst for his eyesight.

Hunched over, Pronger skated straight to the bench, his hands over his eyes.

"I knew he was in trouble and needed help," said Briere, who skated with Pronger to the bench.

Pronger, the Flyers captain, will miss two to three weeks and spend the next few days on bed rest, putting a scare in Philadelphia's 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Monday night.

"He was hit on the side, and there's a lot of swelling," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "The hope is that there's not a lot of blood buildup there where it will create issues."

Pronger and Toronto's Mikhail Grabovski sprinted for a loose puck in the circle after a rebound off Flyers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in the first period. Grabovski slapped at the puck, but his stick connected with Pronger's and the blade shot straight up into the defenseman's face.

Pronger, an 18-year veteran, doesn't wear a visor. Holmgren said Pronger would not be cleared to play unless he wears one. Holmgren said Pronger complained of blurred vision.

"I think he was very scared and rightly so," Holmgren said. "…I think he settled down over a period of time and was fine when he left."

Grabovski wasn't penalized for the play because it came on a shot. He was whistled for high-sticking 28 seconds into the game when he hit Claude Giroux in the face on a faceoff.

The injury overshadowed the first two goals of the season for Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. Jagr scored his first NHL goal since April 6, 2008. He left to play three seasons in Russia before signing a one-year deal with the Flyers.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Jacob Markstrom had 40 saves and Scottie Upshall scored 5:02 into the third to help the visiting Panthers to a 2-1 victory, extending Montreal's losing streak to six.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek is out 4-6 weeks after breaking his finger in right hand. He was hurt Saturday when he dived to block a slap shot by New Jersey's Rod Pelley. … Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis is out indefinitely with an ankle injury sustained Saturday against the Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum. … Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will miss tonight's game at Carolina with an undisclosed injury.

First Period—1, Toronto, P.Kessel 9 (Lupul, Liles), 6:11. 2, Philadelphia, Jagr 1 (Giroux, Timonen), 16:22 (pp). Penalties—Grabovski, Tor (high-sticking), :28; Shelley, Phi (roughing), 3:46; Lupul, Tor, double minor (high-sticking), 14:31; L.Schenn, Tor (roughing), 19:20; Carle, Phi (hooking), 19:20; Talbot, Phi (roughing), 19:20.

Second Period—3, Philadelphia, Hartnell 1 (Briere), 15:46 (pp). Penalties—Komisarek, Tor (interference), 14:15; MacArthur, Tor (high-sticking), 20:00.

Third Period—4, Philadelphia, Hartnell 2 (Giroux, Jagr), 8:34. 5, Toronto, Steckel 3 (Frattin, Lombardi), 11:34. 6, Philadelphia, Jagr 2 (Hartnell, Timonen), 15:15. Penalties—Briere, Phi (goaltender interference), 1:42. Shots on Goal—Toronto 5-12-9—26. Philadelphia 9-10-11—30. Power-play opportunities—Toronto 0 of 3; Philadelphia 2 of 5. Goalies—Toronto, Gustavsson 1-2-0 (30 shots-26 saves). Philadelphia, Bobrovsky 2-0-0 (26-24). A—19,569 (19,537). T—2:26. Referees—Rob Martell, Brad Meier. Linesmen—Bryan Pancich, Pierre Racicot.

First Period—1, Montreal, Cole 1 (Pacioretty, Diaz), 3:08 (pp). 2, Florida, Fleischmann 2 (Versteeg), 15:59 (pp). Penalties—Kopecky, Fla (tripping), 1:31; Upshall, Fla (interference), 12:32; Gorges, Mon (roughing), 15:35.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Subban, Mon (holding stick), 12:03; Pacioretty, Mon (slashing), 16:31.

Third Period—3, Florida, Upshall 1 (Kulikov, Kopecky), 5:02. Penalties—Garrison, Fla (hooking), 19:10. Shots on Goal—Florida 9-15-7—31. Montreal 14-13-14—41. Power-play opportunities—Florida 1 of 3; Montreal 1 of 3. Goalies—Florida, Markstrom 2-1-0 (41 shots-40 saves). Montreal, Budaj 0-1-0 (31-29). A—21,273 (21,273). T—2:25. Referees—Greg Kimmerly, Tim Peel. Linesmen—Lonnie Cameron, Derek Nansen.

First Period—None. Penalties—Prust, NYR, major (fighting), 1:55; Glass, Wpg, major (fighting), 1:55; Wheeler, Wpg (hooking), 4:52; Fedotenko, NYR (holding stick), 14:34; Antropov, Wpg (high-sticking), 15:51.

Second Period—1, N.Y. Rangers, Fedotenko 1 (Girardi, Del Zotto), 5:51 (pp). 2, Winnipeg, Antropov 2 (Burmistrov, Kane), 14:29. Penalties—Byfuglien, Wpg (tripping), 4:51; Jones, Wpg (tripping), 11:39.

Third Period—3, N.Y. Rangers, Callahan 2 (Fedotenko, Girardi), 8:41 (pp). Penalties—Thorburn, Wpg (tripping), 7:49. Shots on Goal—N.Y. Rangers 3-7-7—17. Winnipeg 8-7-13—28. Power-play opportunities—N.Y. Rangers 2 of 5; Winnipeg 0 of 1. Goalies—N.Y. Rangers, Biron 1-0-0 (28 shots-27 saves). Winnipeg, Mason 1-2-0 (17-15). A—15,004 (15,015). T—2:19. Referees—Mike Leggo, Don Van Massenhoven. Linesmen—Steve Barton, Mark Shewchyk.

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

pan am games

u.s. topples cuba to reach baseball final

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — The United States upset its biggest rival 12-10 Monday in the baseball semifinals at the Pan American Games, knocking the 10-time defending champion off the top of the medal podium for the first time since 1967.

"This is the fifth time I've played Cuba, and we finally beat them," said U.S. shortstop Jordy Mercer, who doubled in two runs in the fourth inning. "I told the guys that Cuba will never give up and to keep battling, and sure enough they came back."

The Americans had 11 hits, and everyone in the lineup got at least one. They will face Mexico or Canada in today's final.

more pan am games

Disappointment for women's basketball

The U.S. women's basketball team came to the Pan Am Games as the defending champion. It leaves as the seventh-place finisher among eight teams.

The Americans routed Jamaica 87-41 for a second straight victory. That was small consolation for a team that usually plays for a medal, and often gold at that.

The women lost to Argentina 58-55 in their first game then fell to Puerto Rico 75-70. Despite beating Mexico 87-58, the Americans wound up last in the four-team group and had to play for seventh place.

golf

Rule removes penalty for ball movement

Golfers will no longer be penalized if their ball moves after it has been addressed in one of a number of rule changes announced by the sport's governing body.

Rory McIlroy and Webb Simpson were among those to have been hit with one-shot penalties this year for what is widely regarded as one of the harshest rules in golf.

The revision was made by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which issues the sport's rules in conjunction with the USGA, the governing golf organization in the United States and Mexico.

Beginning Jan. 1 and until 2015, players will not be punished if the ball moves after the address "when it is known or virtually certain that he did not cause the ball to move."

"Every time the wind blows, I am worried that my ball is going to move and I am worried about grounding my putter, distracting me from trying to hole my putt," said Padraig Harrington, three-time major winner who is an R&A ambassador.

In addition, the R&A has amended the definition of addressing the ball to mean "simply … grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, regardless of whether or not he has taken his stance."

Times wires

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — The bullpen that did so much to get the Cardinals into the World Series may end up costing them the championship, in part because of a miscommunication that had the wrong pitcher in the game when Mike Napoli had the go-ahead hit.

Asked to protect a tie in the eighth inning of Game 5, RHP Octavio Dotel gave up a leadoff double, and it took three more relievers to get out of the inning, which finished with Texas on its way to a 4-2 victory and a 3-2 lead in the series.

LHP Mark Rzepczynski replaced Dotel with two on and none out and gave up an infield single that deflected off his leg to load the bases. Then Napoli doubled to drive in the decisive runs.

Manager Tony La Russa turned to RHPs Lance Lynn (who came in only to issue an intentional walk) and Jason Motte to get out of the jam, but the damage was done.

Rzepczynski wasn't supposed to be in the game facing the right-handed-hitting Napoli. La Russa had wanted closer Motte to start warming up, but bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist didn't hear him correctly.

Over the bullpen phone, coaches thought La Russa only said Rzepczynski. So La Russa called back and asked for Motte again. This time, Lynn started to throw, even though he was only supposed to be used in an emergency.

"It must be loud," La Russa said. "I give the fans credit."

Cardinals relievers have given up eight runs over their past 11 innings.

HARRY'S GAME: If the World Series extends to seven games, Rangers manager Ron Washington has no plans to alter his pitching rotation.

"It's Harry's game," Washington said, referring to Matt Harrison.

Even if potential weather issues in St. Louis were to push the series back an extra day, Washington won't change his plans.

The question came up after Derek Holland's brilliant Game 4. Harrison, who made it through only 32/3 innings in Game 3 on Saturday, would get his next turn in Game 7.

"Matt Harrison earned it," Washington said.

TV CONTRACT: Commissioner Bud Selig is looking ahead to bidding for a national TV contract to replace the seven-year deals with Fox and Turner Sports that are bringing the sport about $3 billion from 2007-13.

"We'll have more competition than we've ever had from people who are willing to pay money. That tells me more than anything," Selig said.

Through four games, the World Series is averaging an 8.2 national rating and a 13 share, down 1 percent from an 8.3 last year, which had a larger NL market.

"The landscape has changed tremendously. A lot of people don't seem to understand that," Selig said. "Why don't you look at it that Fox has won the night every night by a gigantic margin? They're thrilled."

MORE REPLAY?: Selig told a Dallas radio station that baseball plans to expand its use of replay, but he said reviewing every close call would hurt the game. Umpire Ron Kulpa blew a call at first base during Game 3, kickstarting the replay debate again.

Selig said that baseball will "enlarge replay a little bit," but said it would hurt the sport to start replaying every controversial decision and close call.

Times wires
Monday, October 24, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — A long drive by Mike Napoli, a lucky bounce near the mound, a Cardinals bullpen mixup and suddenly the Rangers were on the brink of their first World Series championship.

Napoli delivered the biggest hit of his charmed season, lining a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning that sent the Rangers past the Cardinals 4-2 on Monday night for a 3-2 edge.

The slugging catcher then capped his night of double duty, throwing out a would-be basestealer in the ninth as Albert Pujols struck out.

"Pujols is going to put it in play, he's a good contact hitter," Napoli said, "and they were just starting the runner, 3-2. As soon as I got it, I just got rid of it and put it on the bag."

Texas will try to wrap it up in Game 6 on Wednesday night in St. Louis.

If the Rangers do win that elusive crown, the Texas fans who stood and chanted Napoli's name may forever remember his two-run hit.

"Just trying to get something to the outfield, you know, get a sac fly, get that run across the board," Napoli said. "I was trying to stay short and I got a pitch I could handle over the middle of the plate and put it in the gap."

If the Cardinals lose, one play will stick with manager Tony La Russa.

It was 2-2 when Texas put runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, and reliever Marc Rzepczynski was summoned. David Murphy followed with a bouncer back to the mound, a possible inning-ending double play in the making.

But the ball appeared to glance off Rzepczynski's knee and trickled away for a single that loaded the bases. In the dugout, La Russa immediately threw his hands to his head, a true "Oh, no!" moment.

La Russa had wanted right-hander Jason Motte to face the right-handed Napoli, but bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist didn't understand his call so Motte hadn't warmed up. So La Russa had to let his left-hander stay in.

Napoli, who came close to a three-run homer in his previous at-bat, sent a drive up the alley against the pitcher with the nickname "Scrabble." The double off Rzepczynski spelled good things for Texas, with excitable manager Ron Washington waving the runners around from the dugout.

Darren Oliver earned the win and Neftali Feliz closed for his second save of the Series and sixth of the postseason.

After a travel day, the Series will resume at Busch Stadium. The weather forecast calls for rain and temperatures around 50.

"We're a confident team," Napoli said. "We can win on the road.''

Adrian Beltre and Mitch Moreland hit solo home runs off Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter, helping Texas come back from an early 2-0 deficit.

Then Texas prevailed in a battle of the bullpens.

Octavio Dotel gave up a leadoff double to Michael Young in the eighth, struck out Beltre and intentionally walked Nelson Cruz. That left it up to Rzepczynski, and the game slipped away.

Fittingly, Napoli had a role in the final play. Lance Berkman struck out and the ball hit Napoli's shin guard and trickled up the first-base line, where the catcher picked it up and tossed to first base to end the game.

Pujols drew three intentional walks, including a pass with two outs and none on in the seventh.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

TAMPA — In many ways, tonight will not be a traditional Senior Night for USF men's soccer, which suits coach George Kiefer just fine.

The Bulls, ranked fifth in the NCAA's RPI ratings, are playing in their final home game of the regular season at brand-new Corbett Soccer Stadium, yes, but the Bulls have played well enough that they'll host a Big East quarterfinal next weekend, and possibly multiple games in the NCAA Tournament as well.

"That makes Senior Night a lot easier. Sometimes Senior Night can focus on the wrong things to win a game," Kiefer said. "Whereas, we can honor them, then blow the whistle. There's no goodbyes. Focus on the game."

USF, 11-2-2 and riding a six-game winning streak, will honor only two seniors tonight, in defender Trey Perry and midfielder Sebastien Thuriere (Seminole). Kiefer was impressed to hear senior goalkeeper Chris Blais politely decline to be recognized with the others, having already been honored last year at Michigan before joining the Bulls as a graduate transfer.

"It says a lot about him, and a lot about his folks who raised him. He's been a real asset to this team," Kiefer said. "Chris is very calm. He's won a Big Ten championship and is now helping us in the Big East. These games, he's been there, he's been through the war."

Blais helped Michigan to not only a Big Ten title last season but also a trip to the NCAA College Cup national semifinals, and his transfer helped the Bulls weather the loss of an All-American keeper in Jeff Attinella. Blais had a 1.31 goals-against average at Michigan last year, but he's dropped that to 1.03 this season, with five shutouts among the Bulls' 11 wins. Tonight, he's yielding to his classmates who have waited four years for their Senior Night.

"I want it to be about Trey — he's the leader of this team and I want it to be about him," Blais said. "He's grown with the program, and this makes it more special for him. We want to give him another win and go from there."

USF (11-2-2) can clinch the Big East Red Division title with a win and a Rutgers tie or loss tonight, and the two seniors honored tonight were on the field for the Bulls' Big East championship in 2008, with Thuriere scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to beat St. John's.

To keep his team sharp, Kiefer addressed the team Tuesday as if it had lost Saturday against Villanova (instead of rallying from a goal down for a 2-1 win), pointing out things to correct and stressing the need to continue to improve with each game. The next step, he said, is seeing his team play a complete game without any letdowns, early or late.

Blais is one of several newcomers playing key roles for the Bulls — junior college transfer Dom Dwyer, originally from London, leads the Big East with 14 goals, and the team's assist leader is freshman Wesley Charpie of Tarpon Springs. Part of the team's strong play has just been the familiarity that comes with a new lineup spending a full season on the field together.

"We've started to figure each other out a little more," Blais said. "A lot of teams have played together three or four years. Most of the guys here it's our first year together. We've definitely started clicking, but once this team starts playing full 90-minute games, we'll really see what we're all about and what we can do."

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Great sport, lacrosse. The way I hear it, tickets are going fast.

Wonderful game, water polo. Considering all of the swimming pools nearby, I bet Florida could be great at water polo.

Softball. Volleyball. Rugby. Combat bowling. College NASCAR. Something.

Now that it seems everyone in Florida has forgotten how to play college football, we're going to need a new sport to follow.

I know, I know. Back in the day, we played the dickens out of college football. There for a while, it was as if Florida had invented third down. The players at the Florida schools ran. They passed. They hoisted trophies.

Now? Now they punt.

Now they let the clock tick down to set up a field goal. Now, they stumble around through October. Now they dream about the Belk Bowl, and what a fine time that must be.

Let's see: Rich tradition, old trophies and disappointing Saturdays. Oh, no. If it gets any worse, we may have to change the name of our state to "Notre Dame.''

Yeah, times are hard here in third-and-17ville. After 28 years of having a Florida school in its weekly top 20, the Associated Press poll has now gone three weeks without one.

According to the Anderson-Hester rating (one of the computers that contributes to the BCS ratings), Miami is now the 37th best team in the country. Florida is 38th. FSU is 49th. USF is 57th. And so forth.

And furthermore, grrr.

For the state that once owned college football, it has been a sudden, stunning fall from the mountain. From Dec. 6, 1982, the last time a Florida team wasn't ranked, the big three teams in college football had won 10 national championships. Even more impressive, they had finished in the AP top five 41 times over that span.

And now?

All three are in the running for the Bupkus Award. As in, they aren't going to win bupkus.

So what in the name of the fumblerooskie is going on here? Can't anyone play this game anymore? Have we suddenly turned into, say, Kansas? Or Wyoming? Forget the rest of the nation, can Florida even match up to North Carolina as a football state?

It is odd, because the season — as it usually does — had a lot of promise at the beginning. Two games into the season, FSU was ranked No. 5, Florida No. 16 and USF No. 20. It looked like fun.

Then the tumbling began.

Is it the players who are not what they were? Maybe that's some of it.

Over those 28 years, the three big Florida schools also won six Heisman trophies. They had 20 top five finishes. They produced 111 first-round draft picks, including 30 in the top 10. For more than a quarter of a century, football players were Florida's chief export.

This year, not so much.

On the CNNSI.com website Monday, Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline listed his top 50 draft prospects for next year. Not a player from Miami, Florida and FSU on them. On ESPN, neither Mel Kiper nor Todd McShay had a Florida player in his top 25. (McShay had FSU defensive end Brandon Jacobs 29th.)

This year? Check back in the middle rounds.

Is it the quarterbacks? Maybe that's part of it, too.

Time was, the Florida programs always seemed to have a guy who could whip it around. Oh, they didn't always turn out to be great NFL players, but in college, players such as Charlie Ward and Danny Wuerffel And Vinny Testaverde and Chris Weinke and Gino Torretta and Tim Tebow were something to see. All six of Florida's recent Heisman winners were quarterbacks.

Also, teams seemed to have something called a backup. But who does Florida have behind John Brantley, and who does FSU have behind EJ Manuel, and who does Miami have behind Jacory Harris?

Is it the defenses? You can blame some of the slide on that, too.

The best Florida teams have always had great defenses. You couldn't run through them, and you couldn't make it around them. These days, they don't seem as fast, or as nasty, as they once did.

Is it the coaches? Yes, and that may be the biggest part of it.

Look around, and everyone seems to be starting over. Will Muschamp of Florida and Al Golden of Miami are in their first seasons. Jimbo Fisher of FSU and Skip Holtz of USF are in their second.

It's too soon to ask Fisher to be Bowden or Muschamp to be Spurrier or Golden to be Jimmy Johnson. These guys aren't on Mount Rushmore; they're trying to climb it. You don't get championships out of the microwave.

Eventually, the Florida teams will be good again. There is too much talent, too much tradition, too much passion for it to happen any other way. Someday, there will be more championships, and more Heismans.

In the meantime, the soccer game starts at 6.

See you then.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Dave Eiland liked working again for his hometown Rays as a scout and minor-league instructor. But what he really wanted was to be a major-league pitching coach again, and he got that opportunity with the Royals, agreeing to a two-year deal announced Tuesday.

"I'm very happy; it's what I do," Eiland said. "I wouldn't have left Tampa Bay for any pitching coach job. It had to be the right fit, and Kansas City felt like a very good fit."

Eiland, 45, grew up in Zephyrhills and pitched parts of 10 seasons in the majors, the last three with the Rays. He then went into coaching, working his way up to be the Yankees pitching coach 2008-10. He spent last season as a special assistant with the Rays, and would have returned if he didn't get a big-league job.

"In 25 years in the game, those were some of the smartest, brightest, sharpest baseball people I've been around," Eiland said. "It's really hard to leave."

Also, director of baseball operations Dan Feinstein left the Rays to return to the A's as director of professional scouting and baseball development. Feinstein, a native of Lafayette, Calif., worked for the A's 1994-2004. With the Rays, he assisted executive VP Andrew Friedman with contracts, arbitration, trades, rules and budgets.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

GAINESVILLE — With a three-game losing streak after injuries took a toll, especially at quarterback, Florida took advantage of last week's bye to concentrate on what the Gators believe is what ails them most: themselves.

"When you have an open week you can approach it several different ways," coach Will Muschamp said. "We came in Tuesday and had a very physical practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and I thought we improved fundamentally on the things that I've identified we needed to work on. And I thought we got better. I thought we improved, I thought we had a great attitude, I thought the guys went out and worked. … I thought we took a step forward. You either get better or worse when you step on the field and I thought we improved our football team and continued to take the steps forward that we needed to do to be successful."

The first test comes Saturday when the Gators play No. 22 Georgia in the annual rivalry in Jacksonville. After opening 0-2, the Bulldogs are on a roll and bring the SEC's third-best offense, led by former Plant High standout Aaron Murray who is No. 3 in the league in passing yards per game (236.1).

The Gator defense has given up 96 points in the past three games and struggled to produce the all-out, aggressive style Muschamp had hoped for. Florida is next to last in the SEC in red-zone defense (giving up 12 TDs) and last in turnover margin.

"We need to get turnovers back," defensive tackle Jaye Howard said. "We haven't had a turnover since the Kentucky game, and we have to get that back to be successful and give our offense a chance. It's swagger. When you create turnovers, the defense plays better. We have to get back to that."

Toward that end, the Gators spent a significant amount of time getting back to fundamentals on both sides of the ball.

"As a defense, we worked on fundamentals, tackling and form — tackling aggressively, throwing yourself into everything is a different form of tackling," defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd said. "We prepared well and I thought we did a good job as a whole. We expected (tough practices) so it wasn't a surprise. We knew the bye week wasn't going to be easy. We knew it was coming."

The Gator offense has also struggled, producing just 194 yards rushing and 435 passing in the past three games.

"I think we've got to continue to progress there as far as finding different ways to run the football, maintain balance for our offense and for our quarterback, and maintain possession of the ball," Muschamp said.

The Gators hope to get a huge boost with the possible return of senior quarterback John Brantley, but Georgia coach Mark Richt said he will also prepare for freshmen QBs Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel.

"We're trying to study what each guy does when he's in the game," Richt said. "There is not a huge difference to study what each guy does. … I don't think they are drastically different in style. They are certainly different in experience, but we do have film of every one of them. We have a rough idea of what to expect from each guy. Now you have two weeks. Who knows who you'll see or what you'll see?"

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.

By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Big improvements: I don't think anyone would say that inshore/near shore fishing is really hot right now. But fish are settling back into areas that they were holding in prior to all this weather coming through.

Warming water: Sunday's water temperature on the flats was 63 degrees. Combine that with clear blue skies and you have a recipe for some tough fishing. The redfish that were on the flats were lying in the shallows warming themselves and unwilling to search out a bait. Monday the temperature was up to 67 and we spotted and caught a respectable number of redfish.

Tactics: Schools of mullet are gathering for their fall/winter spawn, finding these huge aggregations of mullet should put you on the redfish. Windy weather had us fishing cut bait exclusively; a fresh cut pinfish or a ladyfish steak free-lined into the mullet school will let you know if reds are around.

Tip: Finding clean water on a north wind can be difficult but extremely important when targeting any flats specie. A flat nearly exposed on a low tide is clean enough to fish partly through the incoming tide. Target the edges where thick grass gives way to sand.

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.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

TAMPA — In many ways, tonight will not be a traditional Senior Night for USF men's soccer, which suits coach George Kiefer just fine.

The Bulls, ranked fifth in the NCAA's RPI ratings, are playing their final home game of the regular season at brand-new Corbett Soccer Stadium, yes, but the Bulls have played well enough that they'll host a Big East quarterfinal next weekend, and possibly multiple games in the NCAA Tournament.

"That makes Senior Night a lot easier. Sometimes Senior Night can focus on the wrong things to win a game," Kiefer said. "Whereas, we can honor them, then blow the whistle. There's no goodbyes. Focus on the game."

USF, 11-2-2 and riding a six-game winning streak, will honor only two seniors tonight, in defender Trey Perry and midfielder Sebastien Thuriere (Seminole). Kiefer was impressed to hear senior goalkeeper Chris Blais politely decline to be recognized with the others, having already been honored last year at Michigan before joining the Bulls as a graduate transfer.

"It says a lot about him, and a lot about his folks who raised him. He's been a real asset to this team," Kiefer said. "Chris is very calm. He's won a Big Ten championship and is now helping us in the Big East. These games, he's been there, he's been through the war."

Blais helped Michigan to a Big Ten title and a trip to the NCAA College Cup national semifinals last season, and his transfer helped the Bulls weather the loss of All-American keeper Jeff Attinella. Blais had a 1.31 goals-against average at Michigan last year, and dropped that to 1.03 this season, with five shutouts among the Bulls' 11 wins. Tonight, he's yielding to his classmates who have waited four years for their Senior Night.

"I want it to be about Trey — he's the leader of this team and I want it to be about him," Blais said. "He's grown with the program, and this makes it more special for him. We want to give him another win and go from there."

USF (11-2-2) can clinch the Big East Red Division with a win and a Rutgers tie or loss tonight. The two seniors to be honored were on the field for the Bulls' Big East championship in 2008, with Thuriere scoring the winning goal in overtime to beat St. John's.

Blais is one of several newcomers playing key roles for the Bulls — junior college transfer Dom Dwyer, originally from London, leads the Big East with 14 goals, and the team's assist leader is freshman Wesley Charpie of Tarpon Springs. Part of the team's strong play has been the familiarity that comes with a new lineup spending a full season on the field together.

"We've started to figure each other out a little more," Blais said. "A lot of teams have played together three or four years. Most of the guys here, it's our first year together. We've definitely started clicking, but once this team starts playing full 90-minute games, we'll really see what we're all about and what we can do."

GETTING AHEAD: The best evidence that the new Muma Center basketball practice facility can help in recruiting is that Stan Heath has three commitments from top players in the early signing period, including Flint (Mich.) G JaVontae Hawkins.

Hawkins is the first national top-100 player to commit to the Bulls out of high school, and he joins two junior college standouts, C Waverly Austin and G Musa Abdul-Aleem. Heath has one scholarship left for another big man and hopes to have that filled by next month's early signing period. Doing so would allow him to use his spring to focus on 2013 recruits

THIS AND THAT: USF leads the Big East in penalty yards and ranks 12th nationally at 66.9 yards per game. That's up 45 percent from last year's average of 46.1 yards, and even higher than USF's average (66.4) in five Big East seasons under Jim Leavitt. … The women's soccer team missed the Big East tournament, and volleyball is in danger of the same. The Bulls are 5-3 in conference play, putting them a game ahead of the eighth and final spot in the league tournament. Four of the last six games are at home, but the next three are against Louisville (8-1), Cincinnati (7-2) and Villanova (6-3). … Softball coach Ken Eriksen was coach for the U.S. national team in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the Americans went 9-0 to win the gold medal, outscoring opponents 78-8.

Times wires
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

CHICAGO — After nearly a decade as general manager in Boston where he won two World Series titles, Theo Epstein knew it was time to move on, even though it meant leaving the team he loved.

"After 10 years, no matter how passionate you are, you see the same issues, day after day and you are around the same people day after day," Epstein said. "You are around the same landscape day after day for 10 years and eventually you will benefit from a new landscape and fresh problems."

Fresh problems? There are plenty of those in Chicago.

Epstein was introduced as president of baseball operations for the Cubs on Tuesday, going from a team that ended its long championship drought while he was at the helm to one searching for a title after more than a century of futility.

"I think it's equally as big a challenge," Epstein said.

There is so much work to do, from building a strong farm system and sharp scouting to putting together an evaluation system that is on the cutting edge.

"I didn't use the world rebuilding and I wouldn't. I think that is just a buzzword in baseball that leads people down the wrong path," Epstein said. "The best way I can describe it is there are parallel fronts: the job of building the scouting and player development foundation that is going to serve well for the long haul and treating every opportunity to win as sacred."

New GM in Boston

BOSTON — Ben Cherington was introduced as Red Sox general manager after spending three seasons as Epstein's assistant.

Cherington's top priority will be finding a manager to replace Terry Francona, who left two days after Boston completed its mind-boggling September collapse.

"I think Theo will tell you, there comes time for a change," Cherington said. "It's my job as part of that change to maintain what we're good at, and also serve as a catalyst for the change that we need, because what's going to work moving forward is not necessarily what's worked in the past."

In other Red Sox news, right-hander John Lackey will have elbow ligament replacement surgery and miss next season. Lackey, 33, was 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA in the second year of a five-year, $82.5 million contract.

Also, the Blue Jays announced they won't let manager John Farrell interview for Boston's job. In a policy change, the team said employees won't be permitted to leave for the same job in another organization.

DODGERS SAGA: Dodgers owner Frank McCourt looted nearly $190 million from the team, using the money for non-baseball use in violation of Major League Baseball rules, according to Delaware bankruptcy court documents. It's the first time the league has specified an amount.

A'S: The team declined its option on right-handed reliever Michael Wuertz, instead paying him a $250,000 buyout.

BREWERS: Left-hander Chris Narveson had left hip surgery and should be ready for spring training.

TWINS: Right-hander Joe Nathan will get a $2 million buyout after the team declined its option on the closer for the 2012 season.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

TAMPA — And then there were five.

The Big East's dwindling football membership took another hit Tuesday with news that West Virginia is expected to join the Big 12, perhaps announcing the move as early as today.

The Mountaineers are the fourth football program to announce they're leaving the Big East in the past six weeks, after Pittsburgh and Syracuse announced moves to the ACC and TCU, expected to join the Big East next year, instead chose to join the Big 12. The league may enforce a clause requiring 27 months' notice for the three current schools.

West Virginia has been unquestionably the best program in the Big East in USF's seven years in the league, with a 60-17 overall record entering this season and at least a 5-2 conference record in every season.

Tuesday's news is a major blow to the Big East's future as an automatic-qualifying BCS league, unless the conference can pull off some major coups in filling out a proposed 12-team reincarnation. The question now is which of the teams the Big East has been courting are still interested in joining the conference without its best asset.

CBS Sports reported that Big East commissioner John Marinatto met this weekend with officials from Boise State, Navy, Houston, SMU and Central Florida; Air Force has also been discussed as an expansion candidate. The site also reported that the western schools are lobbying for the Big East to pursue BYU to replace West Virginia as a 12th member of the league.

One interesting silver lining, if a long shot: The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy on Monday reported that "there is some quiet buzz … that the Big 12 might be interested in invading the South to select USF" if it expanded to 12 teams. Louisville has been mentioned most as a Big 12 target, with Cincinnati and BYU as the schools also floated as possible additions.