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Tampa Bay Rays' FanFest is Saturday

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011

Rays FanFest

The Rays will sign autographs, sell memorabilia (including squares of turf and clubhouse carpet), answer questions, read books, high-five kids running the bases, give clubhouse tours and offer other activities during today's free FanFest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Most players and coaches will be there, though the biggest new name, Manny Ramirez, is not on the schedule. So it's uncertain if he'll show. (Attendance isn't mandatory.) And Johnny Damon has to leave before the signing sessions due to a prior commitment. For more details, go to tampabay.com/blogs/rays.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer


Tampa Bay Rays news and notes

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011

Hairstyle of the day

There's DH Manny Ramirez's dreadlocks, 3B Evan Longoria's bushy mullet and now OF Johnny Damon's faux hawk. Damon, right, 37, has had it since April and plans to keep it. "People keep saying I'm getting old and all that stuff," he said. "Well, I want to show them that I'm not, so I'm keeping my hair like I had it when I was 15." Damon said the cut doesn't have a special name: "I just know it makes me look good."

New jersey of the day

Growing up in the St. Petersburg area and starring at Seminole High, 1B Casey Kotchman, above, went to as many Rays games as he could. He picked up a few Fred McGriff wristbands along the way but never had a Rays jersey until now, having signed a minor-league contract. "I always loved watching them," said Kotchman, who turns 28 Tuesday. "It was my hometown team, and I got to watch a lot of games in the stands. And it was always fun."

Prank of the day

OF Johnny Damon hadn't been in the clubhouse 10 minutes when he made his presence known. Seeing DH Manny Ramirez and 3B Evan Longoria, above, walk in together from the batting cage, Damon yelled, "Did you find his cap?" Ramirez, who joked at their news conference about Longoria's often-seen New Era caps commercial, replied: "We were looking outside."

List of the day: Men at work

Most games played among active players:

Player Team No.

Omar Vizquel CWS2,850

Ivan Rodriguez Was.2,499

Jim Thome Min.2,392

Alex Rodriguez NYY2,303

Manny RamirezTB2,297

Derek Jeter NYY2,295

Johnny Damon TB2,276

Who is this Ray?

He is a native of Vancouver. He pitched in the 2008 Olympics. He has appeared in nine big-league games over a seven-year pro career and allowed a home run to the first batter he faced.

The dish

Today's workout for pitchers and catchers starts at 9 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and lasts two hours. Admission and parking are free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (S.R. 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads up

Pitchers scheduled for their second bullpen sessions today include Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, Andy Sonnanstine and Jake McGee.

Who is this Ray answer: LHP R.J. Swindle

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Fast food of the day

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

Fast food of the day

Padres centerfielder Cameron Maybin posted on Twitter.com that he felt ill after eating at Panda Express. He then learned that the Chinese food chain's CEO, Tom Davin, is a minority investor in a major-league team. Which team? Yep, the Padres. Maybin deleted the post and put up another praising Panda Express. Smart move.

He said it

"Nothing like this. When we scored, it seemed like the home team scored. It was great to see, coming all the way down here."

Nicklas Lidstrom, Red Wings defenseman, after Thursday's 6-2 victory over the Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum, saying the crowd was the most pro-Red Wings he had seen on the road in his 18-year career

Fixing cracks in NHL

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011

Sunday is "Hockey Day in America" as we celebrate all that is great about the sport. But, today, we need to fix a few things with hockey before we can celebrate it. So consider today "Fixing Hockey Day in America." Five things we would tinker with to make the National Hockey League even better:

Go after the thugs

One of the NHL's most pressing problems these days is hits to the head. Concussions have become an all-too-familiar occurrence, and it's apparent the league needs to step in because players simply aren't showing enough respect for each other. Unfortunately, the league blew a golden opportunity to send a strong message in the wake of the embarrassing shenanigans that took place two weeks ago when a couple of Islanders thugs went after the Penguins.

It was a perfect storm for the league because we're talking about two insignificant players on a team that is insignificant this season.

Matt Martin, who had played 45 games this season with two goals and 103 penalty minutes, tried to sucker-punch a Penguins player, and the league is fortunate it didn't result in another Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore situation. (Bertuzzi ended Moore's career with a sucker-punch to the back of the head seven years ago.) New York's Trevor Gillies targeted another Penguins player and gave him a concussion with a flying elbow to the head. Gillies, by the way, is 31 years old and has played 47 games in the NHL with two points and 205 penalty minutes. He's the definition of a goon, with no apparent skills other than the ability to fight on skates. Martin was suspended for four games, while Gillies got a nine-game sentence.

For the good of the game, for the good of the game's future and reputation, the NHL should have handed down suspensions that grabbed the attention of the entire league: 25 games.

Removing two skill-less players would not have hurt the Islanders' ability to compete and yet it would have fired a warning shot over the head of every NHL player. It also would have shown that the league has moved out of the dark ages and no longer tolerates the incidents that cause Slap Shot-type brawls and add to the general population's opinion that hockey is nothing but a violent, bloody punch line to a joke.

Make the trade deadline relevant again

The NHL's salary cap was put in place in 2005. In theory, it has given small-market teams the same ability to win as big-market teams. But one of the drawbacks of the cap? It has taken the starch out of the trade deadline. One of the best days of the hockey season has been watered down because teams often can't take on too much salary at the deadline for fear of going over the cap. Gone are the days of blockbuster trades, and that's too bad because blockbusters excite the fans and create headlines.

Here's a thought: lift the salary cap restrictions for the final two months of the season. Or, allow the salary cap to increase for the final couple of months. This would allow teams within reach of the Stanley Cup to trade off draft picks and/or prospects for high-priced veteran stars. These deals also benefit bottom-feeding teams selling off major parts by allowing them to parlay their assets into building blocks for the future. Both parties win, and we all get to sit back and enjoy the blockbuster deals.

Get rid of the shootout

When the NHL introduced the shootout in 2005, it seemed like a good idea. It meant that every game produced a winner and loser, and that meant paying customers would not leave games unfulfilled with ties. Yet the loser would still get a well-earned point.

While the actual shootout itself still excites most fans, it does seem like an unfair way to decide a hockey game, kind of like having a free-throw shooting contest to decide an NBA game or a home run derby to settle a major-league game. There's talk of revamping the overtime rules so that if a game remains tied after the five-minute, four-on-four overtime session, the teams would continue playing three-on-three. With so much open ice, a team is going to score sooner rather than later. That seems like a better way to decide a hockey game than a shooting contest.

Adopt no-touch icing

The way icing works now is a player has to touch the puck to invoke the icing rule. The NHL is one of the few hockey leagues in the world that requires players to touch the puck for icing. In practically every other league, icing is called as soon as the puck crosses the end line.

On rare occasions in the NHL, the other team wins the race for the puck and negates the icing. But there are many more occasions when opposing players engage in a full sprint for a puck that is often next to the boards, putting both players at risk for serious injury. It's like having the finish line of the Daytona 500 being a brick wall. Over the years, there have been countless gruesome injuries, including incidents where players have snapped a leg in half, because they've slammed into the boards in such a race.

As horrifying as it sounds, it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility that a player eventually will go headfirst into the boards and suffer paralysis or even death.

The league needs to go to no-touch icing. Right now.

Allow goalies to play the puck anywhere

After the 2004-05 lockout, the NHL introduced a trapezoid behind the goal, making it illegal for goalies to touch the puck in the corners. The rule was put in place to keep goalies from collecting dump-ins and shooting pucks out of danger. Theoretically, the rule was supposed to create more offense. But what the rule did was penalize goalies (specifically, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur) who are proficient at handling the puck. Does it make sense to penalize players for developing their game and being too good at something? That's like telling Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols he isn't allowed to swing at a 3-and-0 pitch because he might hit a homer.

Taking the trapezoid out and allowing goalies to handle the puck anywhere not only would be the fair thing to do, but it would improve safety. In today's NHL, defensemen rushing back into their own zone to retrieve a puck have become targets for hard-charging forecheckers. The defensemen have become, well, defenseless. Giving the goalie a chance to move the puck would add protection to the defensemen.

If you don't want the other team's goalie playing the puck, learn to dump it in properly so he can't play it. And, a good puck-moving goalie can create offense in the other direction.

Allow goalies to play the puck anywhere

After the 2004-05 lockout, the NHL introduced a trapezoid behind the goal, making it illegal for goalies to touch the puck in the corners. The rule was put in place to keep goalies from collecting dump-ins and shooting pucks out of danger. Theoretically, the rule was supposed to create more offense. But what the rule did was penalize goalies (specifically, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur) who are proficient at handling the puck. Does it make sense to penalize players for developing their game and being too good at something? That's like telling Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols he isn't allowed to swing at a 3-and-0 pitch because he might hit a homer.

Taking the trapezoid out and allowing goalies to handle the puck anywhere not only would be the fair thing to do, but it would improve safety. In today's NHL, defensemen rushing back into their own zone to retrieve a puck have become targets for hard-charging forecheckers. The defensemen have become, well, defenseless. Giving the goalie a chance to move the puck would add protection to the defensemen.

If you don't want the other team's goalie playing the puck, learn to dump it in properly so he can't play it. And, a good puck-moving goalie can create offense in the other direction.

Sore Achilles' forces Edmonds to retire

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

JUPITER — Jim Edmonds drove a pitch over the rightfield wall late last season and began home run trot No. 393.

Somewhere between second and third base at Milwaukee's Miller Park on Sept. 21, he took a few awkward steps.

"Something popped," he said then.

Turns out, that was the end of his 17-year career.

On Friday, two weeks after he signed a minor-league deal with the Cardinals, Edmonds retired because of his injured right Achilles' tendon.

"Although I feel that I can still play and contribute, the risk of permanent injury is too much for me to chance," Edmonds, 40, said in a statement released by the team.

Edmonds was a four-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner, popular with teammates and fans for his acrobatic catches. When baseball people mentioned "gamers," his name was always near the top of the list.

Edmonds helped the Cardinals win the 2006 World Series, hitting .257 with 19 homers and 70 RBIs that season.

"Jimmy was amazing out there," said the Cardinals' Albert Pujols, who played alongside Edmonds in the outfield before moving to first base. "I don't think there could be any better centerfielder to read the ball better than Jimmy. He always tried to make everyone around him better. That's why he won so many Gold Gloves."

Edmonds spent his first seven seasons with the Angels before playing for the Cardinals from 2000-07. He finished with a .284 average and 1,199 RBIs. Edmonds, who took 2009 off then decided he wanted to play again, hit .276 with 11 homers last year for the Brewers and Reds.

"He had an unbelievable car­eer," St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said. "He was just a great personality with tremendous baseball talent. He could fill a highlight reel. The impact he had during his tenure here … we won a lot of baseball games. He was a key part of that. His legacy with the St. Louis Cardinals will end up being in line when you think about historic names."

Nationals: Manager Jim Riggleman said catcher Ivan Rodriguez, 39, will start on opening day. That leaves Jesus Flores and Wilson Ramos to compete to back up the 14-time All-Star.

Orioles: Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero officially signed a one-year, $8 million deal ($3 million deferred). The sides agreed to terms Feb. 4 but had to wait until he passed a physical. The nine-time All-Star hit .300 with 29 homers and 115 RBIs for the Rangers last year.

Twins: Lefty Francisco Liriano missed the first workout because of a sore shoulder while catcher Joe Mauer was limited because of a sore left knee. Both injuries are considered minor.

Clemens case: Prosecutors say Roger Clemens' motion to dismiss his indictment on charges of lying to Congress is without merit. The seven-time Cy Young winner asked a judge last month to dismiss the charges. He argued the indictment is vague and contains too many separate accusations of lying in one count. Prosecutors replied in a court filing Friday that the accusations can all be charged in a single count because they were part of one continuing scheme to obstruct a congressional investigation into his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. Clemens is scheduled to go on trial in July. There is no timetable on the motion to dismiss.

Arbitration: Rightfielder Hunter Pence and the Astros participated in the majors' final hearing in Phoenix. Of the 119 players who filed, only three, the lowest since its inception in 1974, went to a hearing. Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf beat the Pirates, and the Angels beat pitcher Jered Weaver. Pence, who hit .282 with 25 homers, 91 RBIs and 18 steals last year, asked for $6.9 million. Houston offered $5.15 million. A decision is expected today.

Sports in brief

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

Autos

f1 Boss: hope Bahrain unrest stops

LONDON — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone hopes the deadly anti-government unrest in Bahrain "all blows away" so the season-opening Grand Prix can be run as scheduled. Ecclestone said Friday that a decision on the March 13 race will be made next week. The race could be the first canceled in F1 history.

"Our people there say, 'It's quiet, no problems,' " Ecclestone told the BBC. "I'm more hopeful (Friday). I hope we don't have to do anything, that things carry on as normal. Let's hope this all blows away."

In Bahrain, soldiers fired tear gas and shot heavy weapons into the air as thousands of marchers defied a government ban and streamed toward the landmark square that had been the symbolic center of the uprising against the gulf nation's leaders.

driver improving: Officials in a hospital near Genoa, Italy, said injured F1 driver Robert Kubica left the intensive care unit and was in satisfactory condition. He crashed while competing in a rally in Italy on Feb. 6 and has had several surgeries.

colleges

Woman gets 7-plus years in Pitino case

A woman was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for threatening to reveal a sexual tryst with Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino unless he paid her millions in cash, luxury cars and a house.

Karen Cunagin Sypher cried and gave a short, incoherent statement during the hearing in Louisville before being sentenced to 87 months.

A jury convicted Sypher in August of extortion, lying to the FBI and retaliation against a witness for actions stemming from a one-night stand she and Pitino had in an Italian restaurant in 2003.

Her attorney, David Nolan, said he would appeal. Pitino had no comment.

lacrosse: The University of Tampa hired Rory Whipple, Division II's winningest coach, as its first men's coach. He was previously the coach at Florida Southern in Lakeland.

et cetera

Cycling: In his first race since escaping a doping ban, Alberto Contador moved into position to win Portugal's Tour of the Algarve for the third straight time.

Tennis: Caroline Wozniacki regained the No. 1 women's ranking after beating Shahar Peer to reach the semifinals of the Dubai Championships. … Andy Roddick beat Lleyton Hewitt 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis. Tampa resident Mardy Fish advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over defending champ Sam Querrey.

winter sports: Ted Ligety gave the United States its first gold medal of the Alpine skiing world championships, winning the giant slalom at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. … Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the Four Continents ice dancing title at Taipei, Taiwan. In pairs, China's Pang Qing and Tong Jian won, and Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig, who train at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in Manatee County, were sixth.

Times wires

Colts boot former defensive MVP

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — Bob Sanders couldn't stay healthy, and the Colts couldn't afford to keep investing in the often-injured safety.

Team owner Jim Irsay released the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year Friday. "We thank Bob for all his incredible contributions, from his Super Bowl interception to his defensive player of the year honor," Irsay said.

After winning the league's top defensive honor, Sanders signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract but due to injuries played in only nine regular-season games over the next three seasons.

"I always will consider myself a Colt," Sanders, 29, said.

Lions tamper, lose pick: The Lions have been found guilty of tampering with Chiefs players and will lose a pick in April's draft, the league said. The Lions will forfeit their seventh-round pick and also swap fifth-round picks with the Chiefs.

The tampering charges revolved around defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham's comments to the Detroit News Press about the Lions' interest in acquiring unnamed Kansas City players still under contract last year, and "impermissible contact" the Lions had with safety Jarrad Page or his agent.

Mediation begins: Commissioner Roger Goodell and union head DeMaurice Smith met with a federal mediator for about six hours, a bid to jump-start labor negotiations two weeks before owners could lock out players and threaten the 2011 season.

It was the sides' first session with George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a U.S. government agency. Mediation is not binding.

More than two hours after Goodell and Smith arrived with their bargaining teams, the league and the NFL Players Association released a joint statement saying both parties agreed to adhere to Cohen's request that they not speak publicly about the process.

Former safety duerson found dead: Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowl safety who played on Super Bowl winners with the Bears and Giants, was found dead Thursday in his home on Sunny Isles Beach in northeast Miami-Dade County. He was 50. Investigators have not determined the cause of death. He was a third-round pick by the Bears in 1983 out of Notre Dame.

Steelers: The franchise tag was placed on Pro Bowl linebacker LaMarr Woodley. The 26-year-old made $550,000 last season, the final year of his rookie deal. But, because of the tag and his position, he stands to make more than $10 million this season if the club doesn't sign him to a long-term deal.

Game preview: USF Bulls women vs. Louisville Cardinals

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011

USF women vs. Louisville

When/where: 2; Sun Dome, Tampa

Radio: 1010-AM

Records: USF 10-16, 1-11 Big East; Louisville 16-10, 7-5

Notable: As part of the "Think Pink" breast cancer awareness program, USF will wear pink and 150 fans will receive pink shirts. … USF could set a school record with its 12th Big East loss. … Louisville is led by 6-foot-1 F Monique Reid (15.5 points per game). … USF G Andrea Smith increased her average to 17.0 points with 27 during Wednesday's loss to St. John's. … Bulls PG KaNeisha Saunders has missed six games with a groin injury. … The Cardinals lead the series 20-3.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer


Today: Florida State Seminoles at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

TODAY

Florida State at Wake Forest

When/where: 1; Lawrence Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem, N.C.

TV/radio: Ch. 44; 1040-AM

Records: FSU 18-7, 8-3 ACC; Wake 8-18, 1-10

Notable: This is FSU's first game since losing leading scorer Chris Singleton to a possible season-ending injury (fractured right foot). … FSU won the teams' first meeting 85-61 on Feb. 1 in Tallahassee. … FSU leads the nation in field-goal percentage defense at 35.9 and has held its past two opponents to a combined 30.7. … Counting ACC games only, senior G Derwin Kitchen is tied for second in the league in steals (1.8 per game) and seventh in assists (3.8). … Wake has four players averaging double figures in scoring, led by F Travis McKie (12.3).

Times wires

Tonight: USF Bulls vs. No. 9 Georgetown Hoyas

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011

USF vs. No. 9 Georgetown

When/where: 7; Sun Dome, Tampa

Radio: 1250-AM

Records: USF 8-19, 2-12 Big East; Georgetown 20-6, 9-5

Notable: Georgetown was No. 8 when USF beat the Hoyas 72-64 on Feb. 3, 2010. But USF hasn't beaten a ranked team since. … The Bulls have consistently played the Big East's top teams close before fading late. … Hot-shooting G Shaun Noriega will start. He has led the Bulls in scoring in their past two games while Jawanza Poland has been slowed by a sore back. … USF's top scorer, F Augustus Gilchrist, has scored 11 or fewer in six straight games to lower his average to 11.8. … Senior G Austin Freeman leads the Hoyas at 18.2 points per game, and former Florida State F Julian Vaughn leads them at 6.4 rebounds per game.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Softball: Mitchell gets bats cracking in 10-0 win against Gulf

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Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent
Friday, February 18, 2011

NEW PORT RICHEY — Mitchell has gone through a lot in its first three games of the season.

Mitchell first came across an inspired Wiregrass Ranch bunch that rolled over the Mustangs 8-2. Tuesday, Mitchell narrowly defeated county power Pasco 1-0.

But one thing has just not clicked yet for the Mustangs: Their bats.

Friday night changed all that, as the Mustangs' bats came alive and racked up 10 hits. They took advantage of four errors by Gulf and took care of the Buccaneers 10-0 in five innings.

"We hit the ball well tonight," Mitchell coach Scott Bisbe said. "Bats came alive tonight. Cori (Williams) pitched another great game tonight. We got 16 girls in the game tonight. The girls played a lot more relaxed tonight then they did against Pasco. It was just a real solid game all around."

Mitchell (2-1) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning off an Amber Maxey wild pitch that scored freshman Paige Davis from third. The next batter, Miranda Moye, singled home Heather Muccino to give the Mustangs a 2-0 lead.

The top of third would turn into a nightmare for Gulf (2-1), as the Buccaneers started off by committing an error then Maxey (two strikeouts) walked the next batter and Muccino singled to center to load the bases.

From there Mitchell scored six runs off three errors and one base hit to take a commanding 8-0 advantage.

Gulf got only one hit off Williams, who struck out four and walked two in five innings.

"Everything that went right for two games seemed to all fall apart in one game," Gulf coach Rick Hohenthaner said. "I had far better expectations for the result. They were ready and we weren't, bottom line."

Jeter encourages Blue Jays rookie

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

DUNEDIN — Sometime this season, Derek Jeter will probably watch Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia smack a hit. At that moment, the Yankees shortstop might remember the encouragement he gave the rookie.

Arencibia, 25, worked out daily this winter at the same Tampa gym as Jeter. When he mentioned the American League East had a lot of tough pitchers, Jeter scoffed.

"They're going to make a mistake," Jeter told him. "They're great pitchers … but don't give them too much credit, either."

Arencibia said he will never forget that message. It rang true given his first experience in the majors. Aug. 7, Arencibia homered on the first pitch he saw. By the end of the day, he was the first player since 1900 with four hits and two homers in his debut.

The rest of the way he played sparingly while going 1-for-30 and spending time at Triple A. But he said he took good swings, worked solid at-bats and took mental notes for the future. The future is now, with John Buck off to the Marlins.

"He's done everything we've asked him to do," GM Alex Anthopoulos said. "Our staff believes in him wholeheartedly."

Yankees: Garcia ready

TAMPA — Yankees RHP Freddy Garcia is taking a new approach at spring training while trying to win one of two open rotation spots.

"I didn't really pitch good in the past," Garcia, 34, said Friday. "This year has to be different."

Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon and Sergio Mitre also are in the mix for the rotation behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes.

"I'm feeling 100 percent," said Garcia, who missed parts of three seasons due to arm injuries. "I know how to be more prepared and concentrate more."

Phillies: Focus on now

CLEARWATER — Ryan Howard hasn't seen a replay of the pitch he took that ended the National League Championship Series last year.

"It took me a little while to let it go. I had a sick feeling in my stomach," Howard said. "It stuck with me a little bit, but I tried to focus on this year."

Howard is coming off a down season for him. He hit .276 with 31 homers and 108 RBIs. He averaged 50 homers and 143 RBIs from 2006-09. But he missed three weeks last year with an ankle injury. "It's funny to me because everybody talks about my power numbers from last year and how, 'Oh, Ryan. Your power numbers were down,' " he said. "I think everybody forgot I was out for a month."

Lightning employee apologizes for Red Wings celebration

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011

The member of the Lightning's ice cleanup crew, who on Thursday waved in celebration an octopus thrown on the ice during the third period of the Red Wings 6-2 victory at the St. Pete Times Forum "has been extremely apologetic and contrite," the Lightning said in an e-mail. No word on whether the employee, whom the team did not name, faced discipline. "He apologizes both to the organization and the fans," the e-mail said. "The situation will be handled internally moving forward."

Couples, 51, rolls back time

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Fred Couples does not look like he belongs atop the leaderboard on the PGA Tour.

Except that he's at Riviera.

Despite a bad back that hurts when he stoops over a short iron, Couples navigated his favorite tour course without a bogey Friday for 5-under 66 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Northern Trust Open.

It helped that he knocked in an eagle putt of nearly 100 feet on his opening hole, along with a pair of 30-foot birdies. But even for a 51-year-old well past his prime, Couples, who was at 8-under 134, was carried along by a languid swing and his love for Riviera.

"I feel like I can play this course blindfolded," he said.

The wind and rain came in the afternoon, making Riviera so hard that some medium-length hitters couldn't reach the par-4 18th with driver and 3-wood.

Of those who didn't finish before darkness suspended the round, Spencer Levin was at 6 under with three holes left and Aaron Baddeley was 5 under with four holes to play. Levin, J.B. Holmes (69) and John Senden (69) were two back.

Phil Mickelson struggled with his irons on his way to shooting 70, leaving him seven shots behind.

Couples has not been atop the leaderboard on the PGA Tour through 36 holes since 2004 at the old Buick Classic at Westchester. But the affection from the gallery hasn't changed, especially at Riviera.

From the other side of the par-5 first green, Couples rapped a putt and watched it roll some 100 feet for eagle. The cheer was loud enough for players still on the practice range to look up.

One player joked, "Couples just made a 10-footer for par."

LPGA: In-kyung Kim of South Korea birdied her final hole to card 1-over 73 and hold on to the lead by a stroke over Michelle Wie and Yani Tseng midway through the LPGA Thailand in Pattaya. Kim, who struggled a day after tying the course record at 63, was at 8-under 136 total. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome was seven back after shooting 70.

CHAMPIONS: Russ Cochran and Bernhard Langer shot 8-under-par 64s to share the lead after the first round of the ACE Group Classic at The Quarry in Naples. Mark O'Meara was third after 65, including an eagle when he holed out from a greenside bunker.

PRESIDENTIAL connection: Former President George W. Bush is following after his father again, this time as the honorary chair of The First Tee program. His father, former President George H.W. Bush, had been the honorary chair since the program's creation in 1997. He will move to an emeritus role.

Game preview: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011

. Tonight

Lightning vs. Panthers

When/where: 7:30; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Key stats: Tampa Bay is 1-1-1 against the Panthers this season, losing 6-0 on Oct. 16 and 4-3 in a shootout Nov. 27 and winning 2-1 in a shootout Jan. 21. … Dan Ellis is expected to start in goal for the Lightning. … Florida is 29th among the 30 teams on the power play (13.5 percent), third on the penalty kill (85.9 percent) and the least penalized team in the league. … The Panthers are led by C Stephen Weiss (16 goals, 23 assists). LW David Booth is tied with Weiss for the team lead in goals. … The Lightning is 5-3-1 on its 12-game home­stand but 2-3-1 in its past six. … Wing Marty St. Louis has six assists over his past five games.


Baseball: Freedom gets early district win over Gaither

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Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, February 18, 2011

TAMPA — Coach A.J. Leppla hopes big things are in Freedom's future. A 6-5 win over perennial power Gaither on Friday night could expedite those plans.

It was the Class 5A, District 9 opener for both teams.

"This is big for our program," Leppla said. "We haven't had a whole lot of success in the past, and this is a very big statement win, hopefully, for the rest of the season."

Junior right-hander Kyle Schindler gave Freedom (5-0) six solid innings. Senior Alex Wentz picked up his second career save, inducing Zach Jackson to fly to left with runners on first and second for the final out.

"It was our first district game against Gaither, the favorite," Wentz said. "It was big for us. Coach always emphasizes district games."

Gaither (1-1), a 2010 region quarterfinalist, beat Freedom twice last year, 11-3 and 17-10 under veteran coach Frank Permuy.

Eric Schindler, Kyle's brother, went 4-for-4. Freedom broke a 2-all tie with two runs in the second, and added two unearned runs in the sixth for a 6-2 lead. Kyle Schindler (1-0) allowed only three hits and one earned run — Jose Gonzalez's home run. Schindler tired in the seventh, allowing four hits and three runs.

Alejandro Brunet's RBI single cut the deficit to 6-5 with two outs, chasing Schindler. Wentz hit the first batter he faced before getting Jackson to end the game.

On 10th anniversary of first Daytona win, and mentor Earnhardt's death, Michael Waltrip wins in trucks

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

DAYTONA BEACH — Michael Waltrip spent all day exchanging stories about Dale Earnhardt. Some brought a smile to his face. Others brought tears.

He capped the 10-year anniversary of Earnhardt's death with more mixed emotions.

Waltrip won the NASCAR truck series opener at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, setting off more highs and lows in Victory Lane.

"This day, it was hard," Waltrip, 47, said. "I've been emotional all day long. … I just was determined to win the race for him.

"So I'm drained. I'm thankful. I didn't come here to celebrate winning the 2001 Daytona 500. I came here to celebrate Dale's life and honor him."

Waltrip passed Elliott Sadler in the final hundred yards of the NextEra Energy Resources 250, a decade to the day after his first Sprint Cup victory at Daytona — a checkered flag he took as Earnhardt, his car owner, was killed in a crash just behind Waltrip.

On Friday, Sadler and Waltrip pulled away after a restart on a two-lap sprint to the checkered flag. Waltrip pushed Sadler most of the way, then veered outside coming out of the final turn and edged Sadler by a few feet.

"If anybody deserves a win in today's race, it's probably Michael Waltrip," Sadler said.

BOWYER FIRST, PATRICK FOURTH: Clint Bowyer earned the pole for today's Nationwide series race minutes after Danica Patrick was knocked off the top spot. Patrick, running a partial NASCAR schedule around her full-time IndyCar slate, starts fourth in the DRIVE4COPD 300. Bowyer's lap of 180.821 mph beat Landon Cassill, moments after Cassill bumped Patrick. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Patrick's car owner, starts third.

RINGING ENDORSEMENTS: Brian Keselowski, who raced his way into Sunday's Daytona 500 thanks to a push from his brother Brad in Thursday's 150-mile Duel, said his phone hasn't stopped ringing since. Ray Evernham offered to pick up his tire bill for the weekend and Penske Racing, which fields cars for Brad Keselowski, offered a stronger engine for the underfunded No. 92 Dodge. "Honestly, I couldn't answer all the calls," Brian Keselowski said. "It's just been insane."

MILITARY SPENDING: The House voted to let the Pentagon keep using tax dollars to sponsor NASCAR teams. By 281-148, lawmakers rejected an effort by Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., to end the practice. Her aides said the Army is spending $7 million on sponsorship this year, and the Air Force and National Guard are spending additional money in an effort to boost recruiting.

'Worm' wrangles way onto Hall list

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Dennis Rodman, Jamaal Wilkes and Tex Winter were among 12 finalists announced Friday for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Rodman was the flamboyant rebounder who won five NBA titles with Chicago and Detroit; Wilkes won four NBA titles with Golden State and the Lakers after starring at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden; and Winter was the architect of the triangle and triple-post offense.

Darren Prince, the agent for Rodman, 49, called him in Florida with the news: "He's taken aback a little bit because he's not used to being isolated as an individual for what he's done. He was the most unselfish teammate."

Hall of Fame member and former Spurs center David Robinson played against Rodman, whose nicknames included "Dennis the Menace" and "Worm."

"He was annoying," Robinson said. "He just would be in your shorts all the time, always there with you."

The other finalists are former NBA stars Maurice Cheeks, Chris Mullin and Ralph Sampson; five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards; Stanford women's coach Tara VanDerveer; former NBA coach Dick Motta; Philadelphia University coach Herb Magee; college referee Hank Nichols; and Al Attles, the current vice president of the Warriors who coached them to the 1974-75 championship.

To be inducted, finalists must receive at least 18 votes from a 24-member committee. Those elected will be introduced April 3 at the men's Final Four in Houston. The induction ceremony in Springfield, Mass., is Aug. 11-13.

Among the nominees not chosen as finalists: former Pacers star Reggie Miller and Don Nelson, the NBA's winningest coach and former Celtics player.

'Melo drama: Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, the subject of constant rumors, thought a trade would have been completed by now, so he's ready to have something happen this weekend rather than right before Thursday's trading deadline.

"Before I leave here I would love to have something on happen," said Anthony, in Los Angeles for Sunday's All-Star Game.

Still, he shot down at least two reports of meetings with suitors. He said there was "no meeting at all" set with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and the same about a report that Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan of the Knicks wanted a sit-down.

Bieber ball: Teen singer Justin Bieber, who was shut out at the Grammys last week, was named most valuable player despite playing for the losing team in the NBA All-Star celebrity game in Los Angeles. Bieber had eight points, four assists and two rebounds for the West team, which lost 54-49 to the East. In the Rookie Challenge game, the Kings' DeMarcus Cousins had 33 points and 14 rebounds, and the Wizards' John Wall had 22 assists to win the MVP award as the rookies rallied to beat the sophomores 148-140.

Auburn tree 'hug' on way

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Times wires
Friday, February 18, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn fans have received an outpouring of support, even from Alabama football coach Nick Saban, since news broke that the Toomer's Corner oak trees had been poisoned and likely would perish.

A Facebook page titled "Toomer's Tree Hug" is touting an event at the site this afternoon for fans to show support for the iconic trees, which are rolled with toilet paper after football victories. As of Friday evening, nearly 8,000 people had responded to say they would attend, though horticulture experts said the fewer people trampling the area, the better. No actual "hug" is planned.

The lawyer representing the suspect in the poisoning asked to be removed from the case, saying his ties to the university create a conflict of interest.

Lee County District Court Judge Russell K. Bush appointed Jerry W. Hauser to represent Harvey Updyke, 62, whom police say poured a tree-killing herbicide on the oaks, believed to be at least 130 years old.

Updyke's original court-appointed lawyer, Philip O. Tyler, is a former part-time professor at Auburn.

Updyke of Dadeville, Ala., was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of criminal mischief, a Class C felony. He was released from jail late Friday after making bail, which was set at $50,000. Updyke could face one to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register reported that a person who identified himself as Updyke's son, Manny, said family members are getting death threats. He said his father, a Texas trooper for 18 years, has a pacemaker and suffers from kidney failure, high blood pressure and diabetes.

As the news went national, more people have condemned the action. Saban weighed in.

"We are truly saddened by this destructive behavior from an individual who certainly does not represent our institution, our program or our fans in any way," he said in a statement.

Knights lose assistant: UCF running backs coach George Godsey, a former Jesuit High and Georgia Tech quarterback who also played with the Storm in the Arena League, is leaving to join the New England Patriots' staff.

No. 1 Gators top Bulls 7-2 in baseball opener

GAINESVILLE — Former Plant High standout Preston Tucker went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs as No. 1-ranked Florida beat USF 7-2 in front of 5,157 at McKethan Stadium in the season opener for both schools.

Tucker, a junior, attributed his hot start to spending the past month in the batters' box against his team's pitching.

"Any guy that we have on our team is as good as any guy out there," said Tucker, who doubled, had an RBI single and hit a two-run homer. "It gives us a lot of confidence that if we can hit our pitching, we can have success against any guy."

USF's Randy Fontanez allowed six earned runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss. Bulls rightfielder James Ramsay homered.

Elsewhere, Sean Gilmartin threw seven scoreless innings as host FSU routed Virginia Military Institute 12-0, the Seminoles' first opening day shutout win since 1985.

Basketball

Men's No. 16 Louisville 71, No. 13 UConn 58: Peyton Siva scored 15, and Gorgui Dieng posted a double double of 13 points and 12 rebounds as the host Cardinals (20-7, 9-5 Big East) rolled by the Huskies (20-6, 8-6), who got only 16 points from star Kemba Walker.

Women's No. 3 Stanford 78, USC 64: Jeanette Pohlen led the visiting Cardinal (23-2, 14-0 Pac-10) with 19 points in their win.

Women's No. 9 UCLA 63, Cal 48: Rebekah Gardner scored 16 as the host Bruins (22-2, 12-1 Pac-10) won their seventh straight.

Women's No. 24 Marist 60, Manhattan 42: Brandy Gang scored 19 and the host Red Foxes (24-2, 15-0 Metro Atlantic) got their 20th straight victory.

Times correspondent Tyler Jett contributed to this report.

State wrestling: Springstead just off pace for first after Day 1

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Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, February 18, 2011

LAKELAND — Although Day 1 of the state wrestling championships didn't go according to plan for Springstead at the Lakeland Center on Friday, the Eagles are far from out of the mix for today's team title.

Of the 26 North Suncoast grapplers to make the trip this weekend, nine of them wore Springstead's red and blue. Of the 20 still alive, seven are Eagles. The area will have 13 representatives in today's semifinals, six of which come from the vaunted program.

Springstead (74 points) lies in second behind Lake Gibson (79) in Class 2A standings, but the team has more individual title contenders and could easily make a move down the stretch if everything goes its way.

Defending champions Richie Bliss (103 pounds), Virgil Toms (130), Nick Soto (135) and Cody Ross (140) went undefeated in addition to Shawn Landgraff (152) and John Dreggors (285). However, the championship hopefuls lost Jordan Rivera (112) from the top side of the bracket and Sean Redman (125) and Thomas Gupton (160) altogether with two losses.

Before the tournament, Springstead coach Eric Swensen made it clear that he believed key contributions from his role wrestlers would provide a charge for the lineup.

Gulf (38 points), which won the Class A championship in 2010, is finding success on an individual level, but the team is far back in the points chase.

Anthony Ayers (130) and Ladarious Jackson (171) have been dominant on their paths to the semifinals yet again, but favorites R.J. O'Connor (160) and Jeff Kruse (285) have been moved to the consolation bracket and injured respectively. Anthony Agazarm (103) and Austin Hayes (152) were eliminated in their first trips to Lakeland.

State veterans such as Hernando's Zach Pritz (171) and Pasco's J.P. Gamez (112) have reached the semifinals, looking to bring home state gold. River Ridge's Andrew Herr (189), who transferred from Springstead before this season, is also in the semifinals. Nature Coast's Carter Bolesta (130) and Sunlake's John Ortiz (112) are first-time participants, too.

Class 3A: 1. Brandon 116.50; 2. Winter Springs 56.00; 3. Homestead South Dade 47.50; 4. Kissimmee Osceola 40.00

Class 2A: 1. Lake Gibson 79.00; 2. Springstead 74.00; 3. Riverdale 51.00; 4. Oveido 50.00; 25. (tie) Wiregrass Ranch 9.00; 28. (tie) River Ridge 8.00; 31. (tie) Sunlake 7.00; 54. (tie) Central 2.00

Class A: 1. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 60.00; 2. Clay 57.00; 3. Orlando Lake Highland Prep 51.50; 4. Orlando Bishop Moore 32.50; 7. Gulf 25.50; 20. (tie) Nature Coast 13.00; 31. (tie) Pasco 10.00; 40. (tie) Hernando 8.00; 48. Wesley Chapel 6.00; 53. (tie) Fivay 5.00

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