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Tampa Bay Rowdies tie Minnesota Stars 0-0

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By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 25, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Perhaps a result of playing their third game in seven days, the Rowdies were uncharacteristically lethargic against Minnesota on Friday night at Al Lang Field.

Their passing was the worst it has been all season. Their offensive attack showed little imagination. What few shots on goal the Rowdies had were mostly well off target.

Fortunately for Tampa Bay, the Stars had the same level of fatigue.

Neither team was able to muster much in a 0-0 draw before a crowd of 3,182.

"You can't use (fatigue) as an excuse," Rowdies forward Mike Ambersley said. "We had the home crowd behind us. We just didn't get the job done. We've got to do better.

"A team like that, playing a lot of their second-string guys, they're sitting back. We've got to find a way to get one goal, and we didn't."

Ambersley had perhaps the best opportunity for the Rowdies (3-3-3, 12 points), in the 14th minute. After stealing a wayward pass at midfield, he had a clear break on goal with a defender trailing. His touch, however, was too far in front, and Minnesota goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt (four saves), making his first start of the season, came well off his line to clear the ball away.

Minnesota threatened two minutes later. After earning a free kick about 30 yards from goal, the Stars sent a cross into the box that was headed on target but smacked off the crossbar. The resulting carom went straight up and was grabbed out of the air by Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Attinella on the edge of the goal mouth.

Attinella had to make only one save to record his second shutout of the season.

"I thought we were always very comfortable within the game," Rowdies coach Ricky Hill said. "Never really looking in distress defensively, which is a plus. At the same time, on the offensive end, we didn't really do enough."

After halftime was more of the same, with Minnesota packing its defense in tight to prevent the Rowdies from passing through the midfield, and Tampa Bay seemingly out of imaginative ideas to advance the ball.

Daniel Antoniuk's header that sailed a few feet over the goal in the 59th minute was the Rowdies' best chance in the second half.

"We didn't have that little something extra that will open the door, create a clear-cut opportunity and hopefully get the three points," Hill said. "Didn't happen."


Marlins 7, Giants 6

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Times wires
Friday, May 25, 2012

MIAMI — Chris Coghlan snapped out of a seasonlong slump with a tiebreaking three-run homer off Tim Lincecum in the sixth inning Friday, and the Marlins rallied past the Giants 7-6.

Coghlan, a former East Lake High standout who has shuttled between the Marlins and the minors since winning the National League rookie of the year award in 2009, was batting .104 when he hit his first homer since June 11.

"I don't even know what I'm hitting. I just know it's not good," Coghlan said. "You don't think about those things. Every time you step in the box, you try to feel like you're hitting 1.000."

The Giants' Melky Cabrera, who went in leading the majors with 67 hits, hit his third homer of the year. He also tripled, but he struck out against Steve Cishek with a man at second to end it.

"It's the ultimate adrenaline-rush situation," Cishek said. "It's something you always dream about doing."

Tampa Bay Rays news and notes: Nerd awards, no skinny jeans

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 25, 2012

Rays at Red Sox

When/where: 7:15 tonight, Fenway Park, Boston

TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

Rays:

LH David Price (6-3, 2.88)

Red Sox:

RH Josh Beckett (4-4, 4.38)

On Price: He has worked at least seven innings in four straight starts. He is 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in five starts at Fenway.

On Beckett: He is 10-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 20 games against the Rays and hasn't lost to them since 2009.

Rays vs. Beckett

Carlos Peña 6-for -36, HR

Luke Scott 10-for-24, 3 HR

B.J. Upton 8-for-35, 2 HR

Sox vs. Price

Adrian Gonzalez 2-for-15

David Ortiz 3-for-18

Dustin Pedroia 6-for-20, HR

Nerdy reaction

• The consensus was that reliever Joel Peralta, above in his Alfalfa-inspired outfit with an assist from Chris Gimenez's extra-thick glasses, had the best look among for the "Ken Rosenthal/Nerd" themed trip. "I got the win," Peralta joked. Honorable mentions included TV man Todd Kalas, INF Elliot Johnson, LHP David Price.

• Manager Joe Maddon said it was "by far our best trip" of the 20 themed adventures, a result of the players' participation and the charitable component through Ken Rosenthal and Dhani Jones' bow tiecause.org. Expect to see Rosenthal talk about it during tonight's Fox telecast.

Quote you don't want to read

"That was gross; I would rather see you in skinny jeans."

LHP David Price, to Tampa Bay Times staff writer Marc Topkin, on INF/OF Elliot Johnson wearing skinny jeans as part of his nerd outfit

USF softball loses to Hofstra 2-1 in 11, needs two wins to reach World Series

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 25, 2012

TAMPA — It was billed as a duel of two of the nation's top pitchers, and USF's Sara Nevins and Hofstra's Olivia Galati didn't disappoint Friday night, taking a 1-1 tie into the 11th inning before the Pride won 2-1 in Game 1 of an NCAA Super Region.

"Both teams, I thought, played flawless," said coach Ken Eriksen, whose Bulls (48-12) have another shot at Hofstra at 2:30 p.m. today, with a third and deciding game following if they win. They'll have to solve Galati, who won her 32nd straight decision, one short of an NCAA record, and allowed one hit in the final eight innings.

Hofstra (42-13) scored in the 11th when D.J. Slugh singled, advanced on an illegal pitch and a sacrifice bunt, then scored from third on a single by No. 9 hitter Michelle Lavagnino. Galati got USF's 3-4-5 hitters to pop up to end the game.

"I knew it was going to come down to one player, one situation, getting the one hit you have to have," Hofstra coach Bill Edwards said.

Nevins was called five times for illegal pitches — officials took issue with her delivery — and those calls factored in both Hofstra runs. Eriksen said his pitchers had not been called for an illegal pitch since the season opener.

"Our umpires in our country do such a phenomenal job all year long," he said. "I can't fault Sara at all for continuing to do what she's been told is good all year long. I'm still kind of confused."

USF, hosting a Super Region for the first time, drew a sellout crowd of 1,561, a USF Softball Stadium record. Today's winner advances to the College World Series in Oklahoma City.

"The nice part is you come out, you get hot, let it roll and the day's over," Eriksen said. "I've been with this team for seven, eight months now, and I know what they can do."

Hofstra scored in the first on Krista Thorn's RBI single after an illegal-pitch call negated an out. USF got its run in the third, when second baseman Alexis Nowell singled and pinch-runner Courtney Goff advanced on three consecutive bunts by Ashli Goff, Gina Kafalas and Jessica Mouse.

'End of world II' for 76ers, Celtics

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Times wires
Friday, May 25, 2012

WALTHAM, Mass. — Kevin Garnett won't be posting any comments from the 76ers owners on his mental bulletin board. The Philadelphia fans won't be getting all riled up over comments deriding their loyalty.

"It's Game 7. There's no tomorrow," Celtics captain Paul Pierce said before Friday's practice. "If this is not the most important thing to you right now, there is no way to motivate you as a basketball player."

The Celtics and Sixers play tonight for a spot in the East final, where one of them will face the Heat. The 76ers forced the series to a decisive game by beating Boston 82-75 Wednesday, keeping alive a surprising run that started when they knocked out top-seeded Chicago in the first round.

"I think they're excited about the chance to go in there and have this Game 7 and see what we can do," Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. "I don't think we have any fear. I haven't felt that in our guys at all. When we have played poorly, it's not out of being fearful. I think sometimes we don't execute well. That to me has nothing to do with whether or not the guys believe they can do it."

The Sixers have not been to a Game 7 since 2001, and Collins said he was relying on the energy of a young team that has just one 30-year-old, Elton Brand, getting significant playing time. The Celtics, who have three in the starting lineup alone, are 3-2 in seventh games since the new Big Three — Ray Allen, Garnett and Pierce — was assembled in 2007.

Brand said his younger teammates are ready. Philadelphia point guard Jrue Holiday, who called Game 6 the "end of the world," said this would be "the end of the world II."

That's also the mood in Boston, where the team is gearing up for the last run of the new Big Three. Pierce is under contract, but Garnett and Allen are free agents at the end of the season.

Still, Garnett wasn't manufacturing anything to motivate himself for the game, like he did for the finale against Atlanta when he fixated on comments by a Hawks owner calling him a dirty player. (He then fed the Sixers bulletin board material this week when he said they had fair-weather fans.)

The Celtics will be without guard Avery Bradley, who also missed Games 5 and 6. Rivers said Friday that Bradley will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on a left shoulder that frequently popped out of its socket during the regular season and playoffs.

Spoelstra fined: The league fined Heat coach Erik Spoelstra $25,000 for "critical public comments" about officiating in the East series with Indiana.

Knicks remove interim label: Mike Woodson will return as coach of the Knicks after leading them to their first playoff victory in 11 years. Woodson was given a multiyear contract extension, rewarded for a strong finish to what had been a turbulent season.

player arrested: Knicks forward J.R. Smith was arrested on a bench warrant for not having a valid driver's license, according to Miami Beach police. Sgt. Bobby Hernandez said the 26-year-old was stopped Thursday night on Washington Avenue in South Beach. A routine search revealed the bench warrant and he was arrested.

White Sox 9, Indians 3

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Times wires
Friday, May 25, 2012

White Sox 9, Indians 3

CHICAGO — Adam Dunn hit his 15th home run, A.J. Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo each went deep for the second time in as many nights, and the White Sox won for the seventh time in eight games. Pierzynski also tripled and scored three runs while driving in two in support of Jose Quintana, who made his first major-league start.

Rangers 14, Blue Jays 3

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Times wires
Friday, May 25, 2012

Rangers 14, Blue Jays 3

ARLINGTON, Texas — Nelson Cruz hit a grand slam and tied his career high with eight RBIs, and Josh Hamilton hit his 19th homer for Texas. Cruz's slam came in the seventh and gave Texas a 14-1 lead. He also had a three-run double in the first and an RBI single in the sixth. Toronto starter Brandon Morrow recorded just two outs.

Phillies 5, Cardinals 3, 10 innings

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Times wires
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Phillies 5, Cardinals 3

10 innings

ST. LOUIS — Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer in the 10th off Jason Motte and the Phillies won their third in a row. Juan Pierre singled to start the 10th before Pence, who had been hitless in nine at-bats, lined the closer's first pitch over the wall for his team-leading 11th home run.


Tigers 10, Twins 6

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Times wires
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Tigers 10, Twins 6

MINNEAPOLIS — Prince Fielder had three hits and two RBIs, and the struggling Tigers offense broke out. Alex Avila drove in three runs on two doubles, Drew Smyly gave up four runs — three earned — on six hits in five innings, and Brennan Boesch added three hits and two RBIs.

Sports on TV/radio for Sunday, May 27

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Times staff
Saturday, May 26, 2012

TODAY

Autos

Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix, 8 a.m., Speed

Indianapolis 500, noon, Ch. 28; 1250-AM

Sprint Cup: Coca-Cola 600, 6 p.m., Ch. 13; 1010-AM

Baseball

Giants at Marlins, 1 p.m., FSN

Rays at Red Sox, 1:30 p.m., Sun Sports; 620-AM

Cubs at Pirates, 1:30 p.m., WGN

Nationals at Braves, 8 p.m., ESPN; 1040-AM

College baseball tournaments, finals

ACC: Georgia Tech vs. Miami or N.C. State, noon, ESPN2

Big East: USF vs. St. John's, noon, ESPNU; 1010-AM

Big Ten: Purdue vs. Indiana (if needed), noon, Big Ten

Conference USA: Memphis vs. UAB, 2 p.m., CBSSN

SEC: Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2

College lacrosse, NCAA championship

Women: Syracuse vs. Northwestern, 8 p.m., ESPNU

College softball, NCAA Super Regions

Georgia at Tennessee , 1 p.m., ESPN

Georgia at Tennessee (if needed), 3:30 p.m., ESPN

LSU at Missouri, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU

LSU at Missouri (if needed), 6 p.m., ESPNU

Washington at California , 7 p.m., ESPN2

Washington at California (if needed), 9:30 p.m., ESPN2

Golf

PGA Europe: BMW PGA Championship, 9 a.m., Golf

Senior PGA championship, 3 p.m., Ch. 8

PGA: Crowne Plaza Invitational, 3 p.m., Ch. 10

NBA playoffs

West final: Thunder at Spurs, 8 p.m., TNT

Soccer

League 2 playoff: Crewe Alexandra at Cheltenham Town, 10 a.m., FSC

Exhibition France vs. Iceland, 2:55 p.m., ESPND

MLS: San Jose at Kansas City, 4:30 p.m., NBCSN

Tennis

French Open, 5 a.m., ESPN2

French Open, noon, Ch. 8

TV: BHSN: Bright House Sports Network; CBSSN: CBS Sports Network; ESPND: ESPN Deportes; FSC: Fox Soccer Channel; NBCSN: NBC Sports Network

Brewers 7, Diamondbacks 1

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Times wires
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Brewers 7, Diamondbacks 1

PHOENIX — Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart homered, and Yovani Gallardo held Arizona to one run and five hits through 71/3 innings to improve to 6-0 in six career starts against Arizona. Arizona's Ian Kennedy allowed four runs and seven hits in 52/3 innings in his fifth straight loss.

Yankees 6, A's 3

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Times wires
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Yankees 6, A's 3

OAKLAND, Calif. — Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher hit two-run homers to help the Yankees win for the seventh straight time in Oakland. Robinson Cano also homered, and Ivan Nova allowed three runs in seven innings to win his ninth straight road decision. The Yankees have won three straight following a stretch of six losses in seven games.

At Indianapolis 500, Dan Wheldon on everyone's minds — and tickets

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Times staff
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Dan Wheldon, whose dashing style and success made him a fan favorite before his death at an October race in Las Vegas, will be honored today at the Indianapolis 500. • Wheldon, who made his home in St. Petersburg, won the race last year and in 2005. He is pictured on this year's Indy 500 tickets. • He will be recognized today in many ways:

• Fans entering the track will receive a pair of white cardboard sunglasses — white sunglasses were a Wheldon favorite — to wear in tribute on the parade lap, Lap 26 and Lap 98, recognizing the numbers of his winning cars.

• Bryan Herta, co-owner of the IndyCar team for which Wheldon drove last year at Indianapolis, will drive Wheldon's winning 2011 car for a lap of honor during prerace ceremonies shortly before the command to start engines.

• Wheldon will be featured on the technical inspection stickers affixed to all cars in the field.

"Dan embodied the spirit of the Indianapolis 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway like few who have ever raced here," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. president and chief executive officer. "He loved this race and this special place … and his fans and everyone associated with 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' returned that affection with equal passion. We're honored to pay tribute to Dan — an incredible father, husband, friend and driver — through these activities this year. But rest assured, he will be remembered forever at IMS."

His rules, his decisions: That's the Greg Schiano way with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 26, 2012

TAMPA

The Bucs, like all NFL teams, begin practice with a set of stretching and calisthenics routines. In the past, you'd usually find players on the field ready to go, on time, lined up by position.

Except for one: Kellen Winslow.

The tight end typically ambled out of the building about 15 minutes into practice, taking his place alongside teammates as individual drills began. No one ever explained what Winslow was doing all that time, but most reporters assumed he had a different prep routine related to his delicate knees.

Winslow also got most Wednesdays off from practice to help preserve his knees for game day.

The point?

If you know anything about new coach Greg Schiano, you're aware he likes things done his way. And no one could be sure Winslow, heading into his ninth season, would fully accept that, which is widely believed to have been a factor in the team trading him Monday to the Seahawks.

It seems every important decision is being made by Schiano. He made the call to release S Tanard Jackson, who six months earlier received a hero's welcome back after a yearlong drug suspension.

Schiano's influence even extends to trivial matters, such as when and how players are permitted to give interviews. (Schiano, in a team meeting, instructed players to stop taking calls from reporters.)

April's draft offered other examples. First-round pick Doug Martin is exactly the type of running back Schiano said he prefers. Later in the draft, the team selected two players Schiano had coached against while at Rutgers, Najee Goode and Keith Tandy, both of West Virginia.

This is not necessarily bad, as long as Schiano makes the right calls and the team wins. But it's different.

Tampa Bay's recent head coaches, including Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, haven't wielded that kind of absolute authority. Maybe Gruden did for a while after his Super Bowl XXXVII victory, but by the end of his tenure, GM Bruce Allen had usurped some of his juice.

After the 2007 draft, when seven of the team's 10 picks were defensive players, the offensive-minded Gruden joked about conceding to Allen and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

We must assume Schiano's apparent autonomy was granted by the Glazers when the owners hired him. It also changes significantly the role of GM Mark Dominik, who often had the final say on matters with fired coach Raheem Morris. Now his role seems more of an executor than a decision-maker.

Again, not good or bad, just different.

The Bucs' model is not typical. Even coaches with the stature of the Giants' Tom Coughlin, the Packers' Mike McCarthy and the Chargers' Norv Turner share the decision-making with general managers.

The Patriots' Bill Belichick, the Seahawks' Pete Carroll and the Redskins' Mike Shanahan are some of the few coaches who have comparable clout to Schiano, which puts the first-time NFL coach in pretty select company.

So the next time the Bucs make a bold decision, there will be little doubt who pulled the trigger.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Though it could be temporary, LB Rennie Curran often has been running with the first team during practices, continuing his attempt to restart his career. The 2010 third-round pick of the Titans spent last season on the sideline after Tennessee cut him. The former Georgia standout is 23 and seems a good fit at weak-side linebacker, where he is lining up. Rookie Lavonte David, on second team, could eventually assume the starting role.

NOT DONE YET? The Bucs have roughly $12 million in salary cap space remaining and must be mindful with big expenditures looming, such as QB Josh Freeman's contract extension. But additional free agent signings can't be ruled out, Schiano said. One position to monitor is defensive end now that Da'Quan Bowers has a torn Achilles tendon.

Five teams you would want to own, and five you wouldn't

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Five best teams to own

New York Yankees

Clearly the gold standard, the Rolls Royce, the creme de la creme of sports franchises in North America. If the Dodgers could be sold for $2.15 billion, what are the Yankees worth? And yet if they went on the market today, suitors would line up. Why? Because they are a cash machine. What makes the Yankees so valuable is they own their own television station, the YES Network. Instead of getting money for TV rights, the Yankees get every cent from the advertising on YES.

Los Angeles Lakers

Next season, the Lakers begin a television deal that will pay them $200 million annually for the next 20 years. In recent years, the Lakers were the team in Los Angeles because the Dodgers were a mess, the Clippers were perennially bad and the Kings weren't that much of an attraction. Best of all, the Lakers don't have to compete with an NFL team. However, things are changing. The Dodgers are back on track, the Clippers finally put together a winner and the Kings are in the Stanley Cup final. Still, the Lakers, for now, remain the marquee team in Tinseltown.

San Antonio Spurs

Forbes recently valued the Spurs the ninth-most valuable team in the NBA with an estimated worth of $418 million. Quite impressive considering San Antonio is the 29th-ranked television market in the country. So what makes the Spurs so appealing? Well, for starters, they are good and have been for years. Best of all, they have no competition. They are the only game in town. Portland and Orlando are two other successful NBA teams with no competition for the sports dollar.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Our pick for the team in North America with the most rabid following. True, most teams have passionate fans. Some teams — I'm thinking Yankees, Red Sox, Steelers, Packers, Cowboys — seem to have fans that take their intensity far beyond most. But the Leafs aren't merely intensely popular in Toronto but in most of Canada. Most of that country follows hockey like a religion, and all of the Canadian teams have great fans, especially Montreal. However, you will find a heavy clump of Leafs fans in every pocket of the country, and their devotion remains astounding considering the team hasn't won a Stanley Cup since 1967.

Dallas Cowboys

They remain America's team. They have the best stadium in the NFL and a tradition bigger than the size of Texas. Their revenues last year are believed to be somewhere in the half-a-billion range. CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell recently told ESPNDallas.com: "The Yankees would be worth about $4 billion, and given the revenues, given the new stadium, given national TV rights, everything coming in … (the Cowboys are) probably worth about a billion dollars more than the Yankees."

Five worst teams to own

Tampa Bay Rays

Sorry, and this has nothing to do with Stuart Sternberg's job as owner and just how well this organization is run. Working on a financially responsible budget, the Rays executive staff of Sternberg, president Matt Silverman and vice president Andrew Friedman, as well as manager Joe Maddon, have put together an organization that is as impressive as any in baseball. But the team needs a new stadium and has a fan base that would rather stay home and watch on TV instead of going to the ballpark. On the field, everything is great. Off the field? I wouldn't touch it.

New York Islanders

This the Tampa Bay Rays of the National Hockey League. Oh, except for the winning part. This once-proud franchise won four consecutive Stanley Cups in the early 1980s, but it has missed the playoffs in 13 of the past 17 seasons. The Islanders haven't won a playoff series since 1993. And they've finished last in each of the past five seasons. Worst of all, they play in the 40-year-old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which might be the worst pro sports venue in the country.

Oakland A's

Let's start with a dump of a stadium. The O.co Coliseum, also known as Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, is the worst stadium in baseball. Yep, worse than the Trop. Maybe that's why the A's had the worst attendance in baseball in 2011, averaging just more than 18,000 a game. The A's are the second team in a two-team market, behind the Giants, and the hopes of building a stadium remain iffy, at best. The A's Moneyball ways have garnered only meager success, and they haven't had a winning record since 2006.

Pittsburgh Pirates

What does it say when a team has, arguably, the most beautiful stadium in the major leagues and yet has a franchise value that is 28th among the 30 MLB teams? It tells you the organization is lousy. It hasn't had a winning record since 1992 and don't expect that streak to end this season. Forbes estimates the Pirates value at $336 million, paltry in baseball circles.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are consistently listed among the least-valued franchises in the NFL with a worth somewhere in the $800 million range. They play in a cavernous stadium and simply aren't good enough to fill it. The only salvation is this franchise could ultimately end up being a team that is moved to Los Angeles. Then, and only then, might it be a franchise worth owning.

tom jones' two cents

Last week, rumors surfaced that the Steinbrenner family might be interested in selling the Yankees. Turns out, it appears as if it was nothing more than a rumor. Managing partner Hal Steinbrenner strongly denied the team was for sale and added, "I expect that the Yankees will be in my family for many years to come.'' However, the rumor got me thinking about which pro teams in North America would be the most desirable to own. And which teams would you not want to own? Here's my list of the best and worst teams to own:


Captain's Corner: Tarpon season starts well

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By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Saturday, May 26, 2012

What's hot: Tarpon migration continues along Pinellas beaches. So far, this has been an excellent first part of the season. Favorable winds have helped spot incoming pods.

Tactics: Tarpon have been easiest to spot in the first hour of daylight. This is the time when they are "happy." They can be seen milling and slowly drifting with the tide. A well-placed cast with a live pinfish, threadfin, scaled sardine or crab usually draws a strike. Once the sun is a bit higher, the fish don't show as much. Anchoring up in the lanes where you have spotted fish and keeping fresh baits out is a good option. Keep one rod baited and ready in case fish pop up out of your spread.

What else? Light, east winds have made short runs offshore for hogfish a midmorning option. Anchor on the same ledges where you target gag grouper. Have everyone drop live or fresh frozen shrimp. Bites can be subtle. But as more shrimp go down, your odds go up as they respond well to chum.

Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 and via email capt.tyson@hotmail.com.

Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg loves what he has seen this season

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 26, 2012

As painful as it has been to watch at times, Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg feels pretty good — "outstanding" actually — about his team.

"I think without anybody hurt, we'd be very happy to be where we are," Sternberg said. "Considering the misfortune we've had as far as health concerns, it's tremendous."

Sternberg, talking last week to Tampa Bay Times columnist Gary Shelton, said the challenge now is maintaining what they've done for another month or so until they get back, or at least close, to full strength.

"Getting to July right where we are now," he said. "The rest of the American League is helping. Teams that should be playing better aren't. It looks good. The record looks good. But if the Red Sox and Yankees were just blowing the doors off …

"First, we wanted to get through April, such a tough stretch. We were missing our closer (Kyle Farnsworth). We were missing B.J. Upton. We were missing our fourth outfielder (Sam Fuld). We knew it was going to be tough sledding. And then we came out of April just incredible. And then to walk into this buzz saw of a disabled list. This is the month we could have made some hay. As it is. We've held our own."

If they can continue, Sternberg suggests it could work to their advantage. Key players who missed time, such as 3B Evan Longoria and OF Desmond Jennings, should be fresher down the stretch. Farnsworth would be a major addition to the bullpen, RHP Jeff Niemann to the rotation. And there should be a mental boost in feeling whole again.

"You're going to feel like you can beat the world then; whether it's true or not," he said. "It's the same players we had at the start of the year."

There are other issues with the team, of course, such as attendance, which after the strong opening weekend has dropped to 28th in the majors (19,800 average) and the lack of any real progress on a new stadium. (What does he know? "Just what I read in the paper.")

But that's for another time. Sternberg is enjoying this time too much, insisting he is "completely focused" on winning.

"I don't take any games for granted, any month for granted, any season for granted," he said.

"What we're in the midst of is very special."

Rays Tales: 'Strength and Honor'

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 26, 2012

The scary-looking, metal, medieval-style helmet mask that sits in Carlos Peña's locker — and occasionally on his head and those of his teammates — seems a bit out of place, even in the frat house known as the Rays clubhouse. • But only till the Rays first baseman explains his fanaticism for the movie Gladiator, from which it came.

Peña figures he has seen the 2000 film starring Russell Crowe more than 100 times, considering it not only "the best movie ever made" and "a piece of art," but something of a guiding force and its catchphrase, "Strength and Honor," a motto.

"Obviously, I think it's a great story line, and in some ways, I feel like I can identify with it," Peña said. "It's a story of a man who overcomes a lot of obstacles and who's totally committed to doing the right thing. It's very inspiring. I think it's very uplifting. So many times I watch it and I can't help but feel stronger, better, kind of fueled by it."

So sitting with new teammate Luke Scott in front of the big-screen TV in the clubhouse in Toronto a couple of weeks ago with some time to kill before a game, Peña suggested they put on Gladiator.

"Luke goes, 'Dude, that movie is the best.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, it is. It's awesome,' " Peña relayed. "So we got to talking about it and joking. And now every time I see him, I'm like, 'Strength and Honor,' and he laughs. And we do it over and over again."

Peña has seen the movie enough to spot mistakes. But for some reason this time, he was fixated on the helmet Crowe's character, Maximus, wore.

"I see Maximus get on his horse, and he puts his sword up and he has this mask," Peña said. "And I'm like, 'Dude, that mask is ridiculous. That mask is unbelievable. Look at this. Where can we get one of these?'

"And I'm thinking ahead: How cool would it be to have one of these in the clubhouse? We've got to have it."

Peña even sketched it out so they would have a point of reference. Scott found them on the Internet, and a few days later, they had a matching set. (And since, several players and manager Joe Maddon have inquired about ordering as well.)

As much as the movie is inspiring, Peña considers the helmets — which he and Scott sported for a postgame interview and relievers Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta wore in the dugout — symbolic of how loose the clubhouse is.

"It's what it represents to this club," he said.

"I keep talking about how much fun we have. So being free in that regard is very powerful to be able to come in and enjoy ourselves and whatever idea we have."

You, too, can wear mask from 'Gladiator'

There are actually quite a few websites that sell Gladiator-style gear. Scott found their helmets at historicalclothingrealm.com, under the tab for Gladiator Movie replicas, for $285 each. And, be warned, he's talking now about buying swords and shields.

Thumbs-up from Peña

Peña is not only a huge movie buff, but "in some regards I'm a movie critic because I'm so interested in the art of it." We asked him for five favorites in addition to Gladiator, and he delivered quite an eclectic list, making a point to "not stay in one genre." The list:

Braveheart 50 First Dates

Just Go With It Iron Man

Cinderella Man

What about 'Moneyball'?

Peña has a unique perspective of the 2011 film Moneyball because he is in it. Well, he's in some game clips, but his character is played by Adrian Bellani.

Peña's trade from Oakland to Detroit is featured, though with considerable cinematic license: Peña was actually in the minors at the time, and the deal did not, as in the movie, include soda for the A's clubhouse.

Nevertheless, Peña liked the flick: "It was well done. The story was well portrayed. It could have used a little bit more flare. Brad Pitt did an unreal job (as A's GM Billy Beane). My grade is a B."

Rays rumblings

When OF/DH Hideki Matsui gets promoted (and it won't be long), there will be more Japanese advertising signage at the Trop. The Rays were contacted by an agency right after the April 30 signing and have deals in place. … While the Rays were clearly the favorite team in the Tampa Bay area (54 percent), according to the Quinnipiac College poll, it should be a concern how little support they had in Central Florida (8 percent), behind the Yankees, Red Sox and Braves, and even the Cubs. … CF Adam Jones getting about $85 million over six years to stay with the Orioles is a good sign for CF B.J. Upton when he hits the open market in the winter. … ESPN's Keith Law has the Rays taking Portland-area prep 3B Carson Kelly with the 25th pick in the June 4 session.

Got a minute? Luke Scott

Something that you're scared of? Having my freedom taken away.

Late-night snack? A protein bar.

Favorite TV show? I don't watch that much, but I do like the Military Channel; like when they have Tactical Tuesdays with a bunch of shows.

Band you'd like to be on stage with? Red. They're a Christian rock band, really good.

Celebrity crush? The most beautiful woman to me, for many years, is Halle Berry.

Indy 500 lineup

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Times wires
Saturday, May 26, 2012

Indianapolis 500
POSITION, NO., DRIVEREngineSPEED
1. (2) Ryan BriscoeChevrolet226.484
2. (27) James HinchcliffeChevrolet226.481
3. (28) Ryan Hunter-ReayChevrolet226.240
4. (26) Marco Andretti Chevrolet225.456
5. (12) Will PowerChevrolet225.422
6. (3) Helio CastronevesChevrolet225.172
7. (67) Josef NewgardenHonda224.037
8. (11) Tony KanaanChevrolet224.751
9. (5) E.J. VisoChevrolet224.422
10. (8) Rubens BarrichelloChevrolet224.264
11. (98) Alex TaglianiHonda224.000
12. (38) Graham RahalHonda223.959
13. (25) Ana BeatrizChevrolet223.920
14. (83) Charlie KimballHonda223.868
15. (9) Scott DixonHonda223.684
16. (50) Dario FranchittiHonda223.582
17. (19) James JakesHonda223.482
18. (4) J.R. HildebrandChevrolet223.422
19. (15) Takuma SatoHonda223.392
20. (99) Townsend BellHonda223.134
21. (18) Justin WilsonHonda222.929
22. (30) Michel JourdainHonda222.893
23. (77) Simon PagenaudHonda222.891
24. (17) Sebastian SaavedraChevrolet222.811
25. (7) Sebastien BourdaisChevrolet223.760
26. (41) Wade CunninghamHonda223.258
27. (22) Oriol ServiaChevrolet222.393
28. (20) Ed CarpenterChevrolet222.324
29. (14) Mike ConwayHonda222.319
30. (6) Katherine LeggeChevrolet221.624
31. (39) Bryan ClausonChevrolet214.455
32. (78) Simona De SilvestroLotus214.393
33. (64) Jean AlesiLotus210.094
Note: All cars use Dallara DW-12 chassis

Djokovic has a shot to make history

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Times wires
Saturday, May 26, 2012

PARIS — As daylight disappeared, Novak Djokovic watched one last ace fly off Roger Federer's racket and end their semi­final at the 2011 French Open.

It has been nearly a year since that evening, and Djokovic hasn't lost a Grand Slam match since.

He has won 21 in a row, earning titles at Wimbledon in July, the U.S. Open in September, and the Australian Open in January. If Djokovic can prolong that run on the red clay of Roland Garros over the next two weeks, he will become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four consecutive majors (though Laver's four came in one calendar year).

The Serb, 25, is trying not to expend too much energy pondering the milestone before the French Open, which starts today.

"It would definitely mean the world to me," Djokovic said. "But I do not want to put too much pressure on myself."

Djokovic insists he wants to view this tournament the way he would any other year.

Federer's take? Good luck.

"The hard part is the same for everyone: every point you play, every game you play, the pressure you face and just answering the questions time and time again," said Federer, who twice fell one match shy of four Grand Slam titles in a row, losing in the French Open final to Rafael Nadal in 2006 and 2007.

"It's fun because you're talking about the highest of accomplishments. But at the end of the day, you just like to play the matches and not talk about it that much."

Nadal also went on a three-major win streak — the French, Wimbledon and U.S. in 2010 — before losing in the Australian Open quarterfinals while hampered by a left leg muscle injury.

He dismissed the notion that he came close to equaling Laver, noting he was three matches away.

"Life continues," Nadal said. "And you keep working hard to try to be fit and be competitive for the next (match)."

On the women's side, the most surprising story this spring has been the emergence of Maria Sharapova as a favorite.

Never known for her movement, sliding or patience on the dirt, the Russian, 25, has improved her clay game. Four of her past five titles have come on clay, and she is 11-1 on it this year. That includes beating defending French Open champion Li Na in the final at Rome last weekend.

Li raced to a 6-4, 4-0 lead, then made 24 unforced errors, which allowed Sharapova to win the next six games. After two rain delays, Sharapova won the third-set tiebreaker 7-5 after staving off a match point.

"I'm much more comfortable on this surface," Sharapova said. "Even though I don't play too many tournaments on it throughout the year, with every year that has come and the clay season that arrives, I feel physically stronger.

"That's definitely helped me in the recovery process as well. I'm enjoying it a bit more."

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