By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Life can be strange, Matt Carle admitted.

On July 4, 2008, the Sharks traded the defenseman to the Lightning in the Dan Boyle deal. On Wednesday night, exactly four years later, Carle signed a six-year, $33 million contract to return to Tampa Bay as a free agent.

"I got traded on July 4, and now I'm coming back on my own accord," Carle said. "It's weird the way things work out."

It really didn't work out in 2008. Carle, with one goal and two points in 12 games, was traded to the Flyers in November, partly because he was not producing but also because the financially stressed team realized his $2.95 million salary was too much to handle.

"There are a lot of different pieces now, starting with the ownership and the management and the coaching staff," said Carle, who was trade for Steve Downie and Steve Eminger. "The organization has done a complete 180 since I've been there last."

Carle, 27, said he also is a different player.

He had played just 151 NHL games when traded to Tampa Bay. Now he has played 471, and last season with Philadelphia he had four goals and 38 points, and was plus-4 in 82 games while averaging 23:01 of ice time.

He also had three goals and 12 points on the power play.

"We're pretty excited," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. "He's a top-four defenseman that plays in all situations. He skates well. He moves the puck well. He's been very durable, so we think he's a much-needed player into our defensive group."

On paper, the summer has been successful for Tampa Bay.

In addition to adding Carle, Yzerman has traded for left wing Ben Pouliot and goaltender Anders Lindback, whom the general manager is confident will soon be signed. He also has signed free agent defenseman Sami Salo.

And though Yzerman said he is open to adding another forward, he sounded ready to give players within the organization — most likely Cory Conacher and Alex Killorn — a chance to move up.

"To sign a free agent, we have to believe they are significantly better than some of our young players," Yzerman said. "We'll see what comes available, but we feel like we're not under pressure to do anything because we like the guys who played in (AHL) Norfolk last year."

On defense, though, the Lightning has made a huge jump, adding Salo and Carle, both of whom will play top-four minutes.

The Carle deal happened quickly after defenseman Ryan Suter, the year's top free agent, and center Zach Parise signed with the Wild earlier in the day.

Yzerman said he was to attend Wednesday's Rays game with Tampa Bay's prospects, in town for a development camp, but stayed behind to pursue Carle, the best remaining free agent blue-liner.

"I've watched him closely for the last two years," Yzerman said. "We think his all-around play has really evolved. We think we really understand what he is."

"I think I'm a solid two-way defenseman that can play both ends of the ice," Carle said, "an effective shot blocker who can make some plays on the power play. But I'm only 27. I think I have room to grow and get better."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com. View his blog at lightning.tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @LightningTimes.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

White Sox 5, Rangers 4

10 innings

CHICAGO — Kevin Youkilis' single — on the ninth pitch of the at-bat — capped Chicago's three-game sweep. Texas had won its previous seven series. Alejandro De Aza, who fouled a ball off his right knee during the at-bat, led off the 10th with a walk and stole second to set up Youkilis. Youkilis is 11-for-36 (.306) in nine games since coming over from Boston.

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Florida soccer rivalry between Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale produced a number of records for the home team Wednesday.

First, the match drew 4,710 spectators to Al Lang Field, the largest crowd over the past two seasons to watch a Rowdies game at the converted baseball stadium in downtown St. Petersburg.

Then, forward Tsuyoshi Yoshitake scored for the fourth game in a row, the second Tampa Bay player to do so since the team's return in 2010. (Aaron King scored goals in five games in a row last season.)

And, most important, the Rowdies produced their first four-game winning streak since the team's reincarnation.

Yoshitake broke open a 1-all tie in the second half with a long-distance goal, and forward Daniel Antoniuk scored his fifth goal of the season late to lead the Rowdies to a 3-1 victory.

"We have a week and a half off, so we wanted to go into the next few days with a good taste in our mouth," forward Mike Ambersley said. "… We showed a lot of character coming back from a goal down."

For the third time in four games, the Rowdies (7-5-3, 24 points) allowed the opposition to score first in the opening half before rallying. Fort Lauderdale (5-6-4, 19 points) took advantage of a lethargic start from the Rowdies to score in the 19th minute, Andy Herron sliding a rebound inside the far post.

Ambersley tied it in the 30th minute. Forward Fafa Picault centered the ball into the box for Ambersley, who sent a left-footed poke past goalkeeper Matt Glaeser (six saves). In seven games against the Strikers, Ambersley has five goals and has assisted on four other goals.

"It was a great equalizer created by Fafa and excellently finished by Mike," Rowdies coach Ricky Hill said.

After the break, the Rowdies rolled. Yoshitake scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season with a dipping volley from 25 yards away in the 67th minute. The goal was set up by a one-touch flick from Ambersley ahead to second-half substitute Antoniuk, who found Yoshitake alone in the middle of the field.

"That finish was exceptional, any standard of the game at any time," Hill said. "… That shows a player in supreme confidence and belief he's going to score every time he shoots."

The Rowdies gained a man advantage in the 79th minute when the Strikers' Emilio Orozco picked up his second yellow card.

Six minutes later, Antoniuk finished a 4-on-3 break for the Rowdies' final score, one-touching Ambersley's pass from the left edge into the open goal.

With the win, the Rowdies remain unbeaten at home against Fort Lauderdale since 2010, and they earn nine points during their now-completed, season-long, three-game homestand.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Dodgers 4, Reds 1

LOS ANGELES — Aaron Harang shut down his ex-team for the Dodgers, who have won consecutive games for the first time since June 9-10 and took two of three for their first series win since June 15-17 against the White Sox. Harang pitched for the Reds from 2003-10, and his only other start against them came June 21, 2002, while with Oakland. Then, he earned the win by allowing one earned run over six innings.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Tigers 5, Twins 1

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera homered twice to back Justin Verlander's fifth complete game of the season for the Tigers. The Twins didn't get a baserunner until a single by Tampa Catholic graduate Denard Span to lead off the fourth. (He's now 15-for-38 for a .395 average against Verlander.) Chris Parmalee got Minnesota on the board with a homer off Verlander in the fifth. But Cabrera answered with a 429-foot shot to centerfield. Cabrera added a two-run homer in the seventh.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Padres 8, Diamondbacks 6

PHOENIX — Padres rookie Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run pinch-hit home run with two outs in the eighth inning to push the Padres to their first three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The victory was the fifth in a row for San Diego and the eighth in their past 11 games.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 5, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs report for training camp in three weeks, and when they do, perhaps no unit will be under as much scrutiny as the wide receivers.

Though 11 are on the roster, it's likely no more than five or six will make it past final cuts.

Of the 11, five were members of last season's roster. Combine those with new additions Vincent Jackson (a Pro Bowl player and roster lock) and Tiquan Underwood. Throw in Ed Gant — who just missed making the cut last season — and you've got a rather crowded situation.

In all, that's a group of eight receivers who hope to make a legitimate push to be on a final roster that probably can't accommodate them all. The result? One heck of a battle in training camp.

"(Backup quarterback) Dan Orlovsky said, 'I don't know if I've ever seen a top-5 or 6 (group) in a receiving corps that's been this solid,"' quarterback Josh Freeman said. "Everybody can go out and do it. I'm really looking forward to getting out there."

The addition of Jackson, who signed a blockbuster $55.5 million contract on the first day of the free-agent signing period, leaves the remaining receivers in a situation where they must work harder for the remaining pass attempts. During offseason workouts, Jackson was easily Freeman's top target, and that isn't likely to change when the regular season arrives.

Jackson already has impacted the group as a leader, but his other primary contribution might be bringing out the best in those behind him.

"He's just made the whole (unit) better and he'll continue to do that on a daily basis," receivers coach P.J. Fleck said.

After Jackson, things get interesting. Right now, Mike Williams, who is attempting to bounce back from a bit of a down year in 2011, is the presumptive No. 2 receiver. This is a different role after he was thrust into the No. 1 spot during his first two seasons.

Beyond Williams, anything is possible and nothing is guaranteed.

Preston Parker, who emerged last season with 40 receptions, has excelled during the offseason. But during training camp and the preseason, Dezmon Briscoe (six TD receptions in 2011), Arrelious Benn, Sammie Stroughter, Underwood and Gant each will have legitimate chances to state their cases.

That's where things get interesting.

"It's just a bunch of guys trying to make a name for themselves in this league," said Underwood, who played for Schiano at Rutgers and joined the club as a free agent this offseason. "That just brings about competition. Competition is always good, because that makes the cream rise to the top."

A fact that shouldn't go unmentioned: This is an extremely young group. Including the 29-year-old Jackson, the average age of the top eight receivers is 25. Briscoe, entering his third season, is still just 22. Benn, also entering Year 3, is 23.

That's why Fleck doesn't want development to get lost during the evaluation process. His advice?

"Right now, just worry about today," Fleck said. "Don't worry about the result at the end. Worry about today. … Every individual we have, we want them to say, 'What am I going to get better on today?' Then they go out and truly get better at that skill or that route. If they can get better like that every day and then stack a bunch of those together over the course of time — we're not going to become All-Pros tomorrow — it's going to be over time with the consistent commitment that they're making."

But at some point, coaches are going to have to make some decisions about this group. And the ones who separate themselves during an intense camp and preseason will be the ones who stick around.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 5, 2012

BRANDON — The addition of free agents Matt Carle and Sami Salo should make the Lightning better on defense.

But it isn't long into any conversation with Steve Yzerman about the players he signed this week that Tampa Bay's general manager tells you how good both are at moving the puck.

"They have good skills," Yzerman said Thursday at the Ice Sports Forum. "They can pass the puck, they can move the puck, and they're better skaters."

It is a critical critique. As much as Lightning blue-liners struggled last season with defensive-zone coverages, they were as inconsistent in transition — that is, sparking the offense by getting the puck out of the defensive zone and to the forwards.

Adding Carle, 27, and Salo, 37, both of whom have offensive credentials, should help alleviate a shortcoming that many times resulted in frustratingly long and physically draining puck possessions by opponents in the Lightning end.

"At times last year we had a hard time getting the puck up the ice," Yzerman said. "We worked hard at different ways just trying to get it out of our zone. … We feel we're a quicker team and we'll be able to get the puck to our forwards more easily."

"Look at the guys we added. They're all guys who can move the puck," captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "They can make that first pass. That's really important to get out of your zone. It's probably the most important thing."

Those talents have become more important since the rules of the game changed.

After the 2004-05 lockout, defensemen could no longer use their sticks, hands or bodies to hold up forechecking opponents in chases for the puck, maneuvers that bought time for a defensive partner making a play.

"So, it's harder than ever to play the position," Yzerman said. "(Defensemen) have to be mobile. They have to get the puck and make decisions very quickly with pressure on them, so it's important to get the puck up."

And if teams cannot or do not forecheck and set up defensively in the neutral zone?

"That forces you to skate (the puck) up," Yzerman said.

When none of the above is being consistently accomplished, it forces the forwards to come back to the defensive zone to help lug the puck. That wastes time and saps energy that forwards would rather use to score.

As Yzerman said, "We want our forwards to come back and defend, but we also want our defense to say they have a responsibility. They have to defend, but they also have to get the puck up."

Those demands seem to work for Carle, who had four goals and 38 points in 82 games last season for the Flyers, and Salo, with 93 goals and 305 points in 13 seasons with the Senators and Canucks.

"My game is to play solid two-way hockey and help on the power play and help offensively by jumping into the play," Salo said. "If I can do that, I can help the team."

That, Yzerman would agree, is a conversation worth having.

SCHEDULE CHANGE: Today's three-on-three tournament at the team's development camp at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon begins at 1:30 p.m.

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

By Dave Walker, Times Correspondent
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Now that Debby is gone, things have settled down in Tampa Bay and the fishing has returned to seasonal norms.

What's hot: After the storm passed, the gag grouper bite was stellar. Areas around the Port Manatee channel to the Skyway Bridge have been holding cooperative fish.

Tactics: Live bait, fished on structure, artificial reefs or shipping channels can be effective on the highly coveted grouper. Trolling gear works as well, but it can be a hassle when it gets tangled.

Tip: Concentrations of grouper can be found in shallow water areas such as Tampa Bay. A little research and some time on the water can really pay off when looking for these fish. Immediate reaction from the angler is essential to keep hooked fish from returning to their rocky homes. Grouper are fierce fighters so the proper equipment and stout gear.

Kids stuff: Something else to remember, most kids really do not care what they catch as long as it is "something." Downsizing and catching more abundant species can help make a kid on summer break an angler for life.

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

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Making news

Red Snapper season Open for six extra days

Gulf anglers got good news last week when it was announced the current red snapper harvest season will be extended six days this year, through July 16.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries decided to give anglers a few more days to fish because of all the bad weather in June. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to adopt the same extension for state waters at its meeting in Palm Beach Gardens on June 28.

Florida state waters in the gulf extend from shore to 9 nautical miles; federal waters extend beyond that line to 200 nautical miles.

Fishing

Angler recognition program evolves

Anglers love to tell stories. It seems like a fish that has been caught and released always gets a little bigger and heavier by the time you get back to the dock. But there is a way to document the catch so there will be no more doubters.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Big Catch Angler Recognition Program allows anglers to report and register a fish based on length or weight. All you need is a photo or witness to help document the application.

The idea is to not only recognize angler accomplishments but collect information on where big fish are caught to share with other anglers. According to the FWC, since 1990, more than 7,500 Big Catch certificates have been issued. That's nearly one per day.

Up until now, the program has focused on several species of bass. But as of July 1, yellow perch, Mayan cichlid and jaguar guapote are now on the official list. You can also qualify for a "freshwater grand slam" if you catch a largemouth, spotted, shoal and Suwannee bass in the same year. Panfishermen can be rewarded for catching any four of the following all in one day: bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, warmouth, redbreast sunfish or flier. To learn more, go to MyFWC.com and click on "Freshwater fishing."

Send your outdoor news to Terry Tomalin at ttomalin@tampabay.com.

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Thursday, July 5, 2012

When I was a boy, given the choice, I would have rather gone fishing than to the library.

Reading was something I had to do at school. Summer was time for fun. You wouldn't catch me with a book in my hand June through August.

But looking back, I might have had a different attitude had somebody given me a book on a topic that I cared something about, such as fishing.

I guess I was just born too early, because now, fishing kids can enjoy a new series of mysteries featuring their favorite pastime.

The Fishing Kids Series, written by Stuart-based charter boat captain Mike Holliday, is geared for youngsters ages 6 to 10. Holliday, an outdoors writer who has also written several Florida fishing books geared toward adults, knows his audience. The 51-year-old father of three takes his offspring out in search of snook and tarpon every chance he gets.

"Kids just want to have fun," Holliday said. "I try to fish for species that provide a lot of action, like ladyfish and jacks.

"And we usually fish for a while, then take a break and go swimming or snorkeling," he added. "They will have plenty of time to take fishing more seriously when they get older."

The heroes of the series are two 10-year-old boys from Minnesota named Steve Pinner, a.k.a. "Spinner" and Bobby Ernest, who goes by the nickname "Bobber." They first appear in The Monster of White Bear Lake, and then resurface in his second book, The Mystery of Porpoise Point, which takes place in Islamorada in the Florida Keys.

The heroine, 11-year-old Coral Skye loves to fish and snorkel and once landed a 45-pound mahi-mahi. "She's a spunky, independent, outdoorsy girl who knows all the best fishing spots from trips with her dad," Holliday writes. "She's tough, smart, compassionate, creative and has a never-give-up attitude."

Each book, available through FishingKids.com, has fewer than 100 pages, which makes them ideal to take along on a summer road trip, and costs $5.99. A third adventure, The Pirate of Creole Bay, takes place in Louisiana, where the boys meet a new friend called Shrimp.

The books are fun, informative and offer great life lessons, such as how to be a good steward for the environment and to appreciate all the great things that are free on this great planet Earth.

Holliday has lots of advice for parents who want to get their children started on a lifetime of fishing fun.

"Take the time to point out the things in the environment that we often take for granted," he said. "When you are on the water all the time it's easy to forget how special it is to see turtles, dolphin, starfish, conchs, horseshoe crabs and even jellyfish. But to kids, these creatures are new and magical."

Holliday believes that all parents should spend time on or around the water with their kids. It could be as simple as just taking them for a walk along a pier.

"You might even wind up learning something yourself," he said. "I was camping on a spoil island in the Indian River with my son and his friend, and they were shining a flashlight on the water and pointing to all the orange eyes.

"I had no idea there were so many shrimp in that area of the river, and how small they were. Based on what I saw, I tie all my shrimp flies to match the size and color of the shrimp we saw that night."

Every time you're on or around the water with children, look for teaching moments, he said.

"I try to instill in them an appreciation for the fish and the environment," he said. "I teach my children to handle fish with respect, to place them gently in the water, not throw them back and to make sure they're revived before they release them."

In the end, Holliday said, today's 10-year-olds will be the ones who ultimately have to preserve and protect our fisheries.

"That is why it is so important to teach them the importance of habitat," he said. "Without mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass beds, we won't have any fish."

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

White Sox 2, Rangers 1

CHICAGO — Jose Quintana struck out a career-high eight to help the White Sox cap a sweep. The rookie, 3-0 over his past five starts, bounced back after getting a win despite allowing six runs over six innings against the Yankees. A day after driving in the winning run in the 10th, Kevin Youkilis hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth, his second homer since being traded from Boston on June 24. It came off All-Star Matt Harrison, who hadn't allowed one in six starts. Texas has lost four in a row, matching its longest skid of the year.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 5, 2012

CLEVELAND — American League manager Ron Washington hasn't made a decision but said Rays lefty David Price is "at the top of the list" of candidates to start Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Price (11-4), who shares the AL lead for wins and is fifth with a 2.82 ERA, said he would welcome the assignment, which would be his second in three years.

"Absolutely," he said. "I'd love to start that thing."

Washington, speaking on a Thursday conference call, said: "David Price is definitely a candidate. You have quite a few of them. I don't feel like you can go wrong. We're certainly in discussions in how we want to maneuver this. We've had some options that we've put together, threw some options out there, and we just haven't come to a final conclusion on it yet. David Price is certainly at the top of that list."

Other starting candidates include Matt Harrison from Washington's Texas team, who is 11-4, 3.10; Los Angeles' Jered Weaver, 9-1, 2.13; Detroit's Justin Verlander, 9-5, 2.58; and Chicago's Chris Sale, 10-2, 2.19.

Also in Price's favor: He will be on full rest, having last pitched Wednesday, as did Verlander. Sale last pitched Tuesday. Harrison pitched Thursday. Weaver pitches Saturday.

Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Tigers 7, Twins 3

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera hit a tying single and Prince Fielder a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth for the Tigers. The single came off Alex Burnett, who had not allowed a run in 16 innings spanning 14 appearances. A half-inning earlier, Darin Mastroianni was thrown out when Jamey Carroll could not get down a squeeze on a pitch well off the plate.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Marlins 4, Brewers 0

MILWAUKEE — Mark Buehrle struck out a season-high eight to help the Marlins split the four-game series. The Brewers scored 25 runs over the first three games. Since losing four straight starts, Buehrle has won three straight by allowing four earned runs (1.66 ERA) with 22 strikeouts and three walks. Logan Morrison's single in the fourth put Miami up 1-0 and ended Mike Fiers' scoreless streak at 211/3 innings.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

SAINT-QUENTIN, France — In yet another crash-marred finish, Andre Greipel of Germany led a frenzied sprint to win the fifth stage of the Tour de France on Thursday for his second straight stage victory.

Fabian Cancellara retained the overall leader's yellow jersey for a sixth straight day after the mostly flat 122-mile trek from Rouen to Saint-Quentin.

The pack overtook three breakaway riders with 110 yards left, and Greipel edged Matt Goss of Australia. Greipel counted himself "lucky" to avoid a spill. "Somehow I stayed on my bike," he said, "… and it was also luck on our part to catch the breakaway."

Bradley Wiggins remained second overall, seven seconds back. Cancellara, a time-trial specialist, will wear the yellow jersey for the 27th time, a record for a rider who has never won the Tour.

With under 2 miles left, American Tyler Farrar tumbled, his third crash in as many days. He finished bloodied and angry, storming toward Argos-Shimano rider Tom Veelers and shouting, "You don't do that to someone." Neither Farrar, who was led away by teammates, nor Garmin-Sharp manager Jonathan Vaughters would comment on the outburst.

Armstrong fires back: Lance Armstrong accused U.S Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart of waging a "vendetta" against him after reports that former teammates cut a deal for reduced suspensions after admitting to doping in return for testifying against the seven-time Tour champion.

"This isn't about Tygart wanting to clean up cycling — rather it's just a plain ol' selective prosecution that reeks of vendetta," Armstrong wrote in an email.

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf and the New York Times reported that George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, David Zabriskie and Christian Vande Velde will testify for USADA, and De Telegraaf reported that they will be given six-month bans that begin in September. USADA refused to confirm the report.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS — Craig Leipold never thought one of the biggest bonanzas in NHL history was even possible when the Wild owner stepped into the negotiating room with general manager Chuck Fletcher and the agents for defenseman Ryan Suter.

The Wild had opened the summer hoping to land one of the two biggest prizes on the market — either Suter or forward Zach Parise — to bolster a franchise that has missed the postseason for four straight seasons.

At one point during the meeting, the agents asked Leipold and Fletcher "Are you guys committed enough that you're in for both of these guys?"

"Chuck kind of looks at me and said, 'Can we talk for a second?' " Leipold said, chuckling, from his hotel room in New York on Thursday.

The two men stepped aside to digest the possibilities and the costs of making signing both a reality. They plunged ahead, stunning the league when they signed Parise and Suter to matching 13-year, $98 million deals Wednesday, immediately energizing a franchise that was starting to see apathy set in among its fans.

"This is a game changer," Leipold said, still euphoric some 24 hours later. "We're overnight changing who we are. We're changing our identity. We'll never get that opportunity again."

The impact has been immediate. The Wild sold more than 700 season tickets Wednesday while many of their fans were out of town at lake cabins celebrating the Fourth of July.

"We are going to be able to skip ahead four or five steps of development and recruiting costs to get to a place that could take us three years to get to," said Leipold, who in April said the NHL needed to fix "how much we're spending" on player contracts because "we're not making money."

around the league: The Flyers signed a pair of free agents, forward Ruslan Fedotenko and defenseman Bruno Gervais. Gervais, who spent last season with the Lightning, got a two-year deal averaging $825,000, according to media reports. Fedotenko, who was on the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup team, got a one-year deal for $1.75 million. … The league's negotiating committee, headed by commissioner Gary Bettman, and the players association, led by executive director Donald Fehr and eight players, met for a second day to work on a new collective bargaining agreement. Fehr said the session, which lasted approximately 21/2 hours, was "businesslike" and "constructive." The current agreement expires Sept. 15.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson said Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez and others who took performance-enchancing drugs should not get into the Hall of Fame.

"If any of those guys get in, no Hall of Famer will attend (the ceremony," the Yankees special adviser said during an interview with Sports Illustrated released Thursday.

Jackson hit 563 homers but has been passed by several players linked to PEDs. He said the fans don't really count those homers, and he agrees, adding Hank Aaron is the home run king and not Barry Bonds, who admitted unknowingly taking PEDs.

Jackson said Rodriguez, who has admitted using PEDs, is a good friend.

"But I think there are real questions about his numbers," Jackson said. "His usage does cloud some of his records."

Jackson also mentioned Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte, who said he used human growth hormone twice in 2002 to heal faster from an elbow injury. Would he attend Pettitte's induction ceremony?

"He's an awfully good friend," Jackson said. "I've known Andy since he was 20. I'll leave it there."

Darvish, Freese win fans' All-Star vote

CHICAGO — Rangers RHP Yu Darvish and Cardinals 3B David Freese are headed to the All-Star Game after fans voted them in.

Darvish, 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA, is the eighth Ranger on the AL team. He beat out: White Sox RHP Jake Peavy, Orioles RHP Jason Hammel, Royals RHP Jonathan Broxton and Angels RHP Ernesto Frieri.

Freese, hitting .285 with 13 homers, beat out: Braves CF Michael Bourn, Nationals RF Bryce Harper and Diamondbacks 2B Aaron Hill. Braves 3B Chipper Jones was on the ballot until being named to replace injured Dodgers CF Matt Kemp.

Howard close: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said 1B Ryan Howard, out all season while recovering from a torn left Achillies, could return this weekend. Thursday marked Howard's seventh minor-league game. He started at first base at Triple A, and tonight would mark his first consecutive games in the field.

Gator deal: Former Florida LHP Steven Rodriguez signed with the Dodgers. Terms weren't disclosed. The second-round pick went 3-2 with four saves and a 2.18 ERA.

Angels: RHP Dan Haren, in his 10th season, went on the DL for the first time. He has a stiff back.

Braves: LH reliever Jonny Venters went on the DL with sore left elbow. Venters said no MRI exam is planned, and manager Fredi Gonzalez said he believes he can return when eligible.

Dodgers: SS Dee Gordon will miss six weeks with a torn ligament in his right thumb. He was hurt Wednesday while sliding head-first on a steal attempt.

Giants: 2B Freddy Sanchez will have back surgery and won't return this season. He started the season on the DL after August's surgery on his right shoulder then injured the back while rehabbing.

Marlins: RF Giancarlo Stanton missed his third game with a sore right knee and is day to day.

Orioles: 1B/OF Chris Davis was a late scratch with a strained back muscle and is day to day.

Pirates: LF Alex Presley went on the seven-day concussion DL. He was hurt trying to make a diving catch Tuesday.

Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar left after the fifth with a sprained right ankle sustained while covering first. His status is unknown.

Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello left in the fourth after a liner hit him in the right biceps. His status is unknown.

FSL win record: Manager Luis Sojo set a Florida State League record with his 419th win as visiting Tampa beat Brevard County 1-0. The former Yankees infielder is 419-346 over five-plus seasons with the Yankees' Class A affiliate.

Times wires
Thursday, July 5, 2012

Sprint Cup

What: Coke Zero 400

When/where: Today, qualifying (Speed, 4 p.m.); Saturday, race (7:30 p.m., TNT and TruTV); Daytona Beach.

Fast facts: Matt Kenseth leads the season point standings, 11 points ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. with nine regular-season races left. Kenseth, leaving Roush Fenway Racing at the end of the season for Joe Gibbs Racing, won the season-opening Daytona 500. … Brad Keselowski is 10th in the standings. As the season victory leader, he's in position to open the 10-race Chase for the Championship as the No. 1 seed. … Roush Fenway's Carl Edwards is winless in 50 races. … Michael Waltrip is driving the No. 55 Toyota for the second straight week. He shares the Michael Waltrip Racing ride with Mark Martin and Brian Vickers. Three of Waltrip's four Cup victories have come at the track.

Standings: 1. Kenseth, 633; 2. Earnhardt Jr., 622; 3. Jimmie Johnson, 610; 4. Greg Biffle, 608; 5. Denny Hamlin, 565; 6. Kevin Harvick, 565; 7. Clint Bowyer, 557; 8. Martin Truex Jr., 556; 9. Tony Stewart, 545; 10, Keselowski, 537; 11. Edwards, 503; 12. Kyle Busch, 495; 13. Paul Menard, 477; 14. Kasey Kahne, 463; 15, Ryan Newman, 463.

Nationwide

What: Subway Jalapeno 250

When/where: Today, qualifying (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), race (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.); Daytona Beach.

Fast facts: Kyle Busch, the series career victories leader with 51, is driving his own No. 54 Toyota. … Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano leads the series with five victories in 11 starts in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 Toyota. He has won his past two starts and four of his past five. … Cup drivers Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch also are racing. … Truck series regular James Buescher is back in Turner Motorsports' No. 30 Chevrolet after winning the season-opening race at the track.

Standings: 1. Elliott Sadler, 552; 2. Austin Dillon, 548; 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 531; 4. Sam Hornish Jr., 521; 5. Justin Allgaier, 481; 6. Cole Whitt, 472; 7. Michael Annett, 455; 8. Mike Bliss, 391; 9. Danica Patrick, 369; 10. Brian Scott, 353; 11. Joe Nemechek, 342.

NHRA

What: Summit Racing Equipment Nationals

When/where: Today, qualifying; Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, taped, 6 p.m.); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, taped, 8 p.m.); Norwalk, Ohio.

Fast facts: Funny Car leader Robert Hight won four straight events from February to April.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Tony Schumacher, 879; 2. Antron Brown, 876; Funny Car — 1. Hight, 950; 2. Ron Capps, 854. Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, 995; 2. Jason Line, 893. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 522; 2. Andrew Hines, 447.

IndyCar

What: Honda Indy Toronto

When/where: Today, practice; Saturday, practice, qualifying; Sunday, race (Ch. 28, 12:30 p.m.); Toronto.

Fast facts: The race is the sixth of the season on road or street courses. Helio Castroneves won the opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Will Power swept the next three road races, at Alabama, Long Beach and Sao Paulo. And Scott Dixon won at Belle Isle. … Andretti Autosport's James Hinchcliffe is from Toronto. He is fifth in the season standings.

Standings: 1. Power, 286; 2. Ryan Hunter-Reay, 283; 3. Dixon, 271; 4. Castroneves, 261; 5. Hinchcliffe, 256;

Formula One

What: British Grand Prix

When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 9 a.m.); Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 8 a.m.); Sunday, race (Ch. 13, taped, noon); Silverstone, England.

Fast facts: Fernando Alonso won the European Grand Prix on June 24 in Spain to become the first two-time winner this year.

Standings: 1. Alonso, 111; 2. Mark Webber, 91; 3. Lewis Hamilton, 88; 4. Sebastian Vettel, 85; 5. Nico Rosberg, 75.

Trucks

Next race: American Ethanol 200, July 14, Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa.

Standings: 1. Timothy Peters, 306; 2. Justin Lofton, 302; 3. Ty Dillon, 302; 4. James Buescher, 297; 5. Parker Kligerman, 272.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 5, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Former Dunedin standout and current Florida second baseman Casey Turgeon on Thursday was named a second-team Freshman All-American by Baseball America.

The Palm Harbor native started 65 of 67 games and batted .281 with 35 runs, 30 RBIs, 27 walks, 11 doubles and 10 stolen bases in 13 attempts. In seven NCAA Tournament games, he hit .357 (10-for-28).

Turgeon ranked second on the team with a .364 average in 37 nonconference games.

He is the ninth Freshman All-American in coach Kevin O'Sullivan's five-year tenure, joining Josh Adams (2008), Preston Tucker ('09), Nolan Fontana ('10), Brian Johnson ('10), Austin Maddox ('10), Hudson Randall ('10), Mike Zunino ('10) and Karsten Whitson ('11).

bay area players honored: FSU softball pitcher Bailey Schinella (Newsome High) and leftfielder Kirstin Austin (King High) were named to the All-ACC Academic Team.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.