A.J. Burnett hardly got any attention — until he got the win. Almost an afterthought in his matchup with colorful star Pedro Martinez, Burnett challenged Philadelphia right from the start Thursday night and gave the New York Yankees the confident pitching performance they desperately needed. Throwing first-pitch strikes to his first 11 batters, Burnett overpowered a dangerous Phillies lineup and…
Category: sports
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Rose sharp as Bulls win opener vs. Spurs (AP)
Derrick Rose was so antsy and "geeked up" to get back on the court he had to blast the music on his way to the arena. Once he arrived, he certainly seemed in tune. Or at least close. Rose scored 13 points and had seven assists to lead the balanced Chicago Bulls to an impressive 92-85 season-opening victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
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Titans switch to Young at QB (AP)
Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams wants more of Vince Young. He's getting just that with his winless team switching from veteran Kerry Collins back to the 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Coach Jeff Fisher announced the expected move Thursday following practice for the 0-6 Titans, and Young got the news from his coach in the morning.
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Lee, Utley power Phils over Yankees 6-1 (AP)
The ho-hum catch that tickled his teammates, the behind-the-back snag that looked so easy. Cliff Lee could have been clowning around with his kids. Hard to believe it was Game 1 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, of all places. Lee outdueled CC Sabathia, Chase Utley homered twice and the Philadelphia Phillies kept rolling through October, beating New York 6-1 on a misty Wednesday night in the…
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Sabathia good but outpitched by Lee (AP)
CC Sabathia sounded a bit glum. His World Series debut didn't turn out the way he wanted. The Big Man was outpitched by former Cleveland teammate Cliff Lee, just like on opening day at the new Yankee Stadium. After carrying New York into the championship on his broad back, Sabathia struggled somewhat as the Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 in Wednesday night's opener.
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Chiefs suspend RB Johnson until Nov. 9 (AP)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who made two gay slurs within a 24-hour period, was given what amounts to a one-game suspension Wednesday night, but Johnson's agent said he would appeal. Agent Peter Schaffer said the game check and other lost revenue would amount to about a penalty of about $600,000 for the former two-time Pro Bowl player.
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Fisher to announce starting QB Thursday (AP)
Jeff Fisher knows he can't keep the identity of his starting quarterback secret until kickoff Sunday even if he wants to. So the Tennessee coach is trying to keep it quiet for another 24 hours. Fisher said Wednesday he will announce his starter Thursday, trying to carve out another day of competitive advantage for the winless Titans against Jacksonville (3-3).
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Lakers raise banner, beat Clippers 99-92 (AP)
Kobe Bryant slipped the ring on in the locker room, his finger weighed down by the 14 brilliant white diamonds set in yellow and white gold. Then he took it off and returned it to the custom box that would soon end up stored for years to come in a vault at home. "I never wear them except for the night that I get them," he said Tuesday after the Lakers opened defense of their NBA…
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Celtics spoil Shaq’s debut with Cavs (AP)
Shaquille O'Neal has learned the ropes in his 17 NBA seasons. There's one lesson that has endured since he was a raw rookie. "You can't win a championship in the first game," he said. Boston's Big Three — plus Rasheed — spoiled Cleveland's overhyped season opener on Tuesday night with a 95-89 win over the new-look Cavaliers, who may have LeBron James and Shaq but…
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Pedro to start Game 2 at Yankee Stadium (AP)
Pedro Martinez has a long history of memorable starts against the New York Yankees. He's pitched against them during the regular season and playoffs, poked fun at their history and called them his daddy. Thursday night, well, that's going to be a whole other level. Martinez is slated to start for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2, adding even more spice to this star-studded World Series.
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Westbrook’s status vs. Giants uncertain (AP)
Brian Westbrook was knocked out with a concussion. He was on the ground, motionless, with only his brother and Eagles coach Andy Reid allowed near him. Westbrook walked off the field, but he would not return. He may not be back as the Eagles enter the grueling part of their schedule. The Eagles played only one team (New Orleans) with a winning record in the first six games and blew a major shot at…
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Sluggers A-Rod, Howard ready for Series (AP)
Ryan Howard thought about the World Series and his eyes widened. "Between Yankee Stadium and Philly, it's going to be, I would have to say, probably one of the rowdiest World Series — just between the fans," he said. Sure will be if Howard and Alex Rodriguez start teeing off in their high-profile slugger showdown.
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Chiefs bar RB Johnson over gay slur (AP)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson issued his second apology in 12 months Tuesday and was told to stay away from the team while the NFL and the Chiefs complete their investigation into his use of a gay slur. As Johnson was releasing his apology, a national gay rights advocacy organization called on the league and the team to take disciplinary action against the two-time Pro Bowler.
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Phillies, Yankees set for World Series (AP)
All-Stars at most spots, mixed in with MVPs and Cy Young winners. A rich roster, full of World Series success. So how come the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies are such underdogs? Probably because they're facing the team that has defined championship baseball for so long. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees, hoping to include Alex Rodriguez in a…
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Jackson’s TDs lift Eagles over Redskins (AP)
DeSean Jackson scored on a 67-yard run and a 57-yard reception, both in the first half. His night might have been perfect if his tender right ankle hadn't messed up his touchdown tap dance. "I was out there having fun, man, honestly," Jackson said. "My ankle was kind of hurting. I really didn't feel it, but it did kind of affect my dance a little bit.
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Clippers F Griffin could miss 6 weeks (AP)
Blake Griffin's NBA debut has been pushed back indefinitely after the Los Angeles Clippers revealed late Monday night that their No. 1 overall draft pick has a broken left kneecap. The stress fracture could sideline the Oklahoma star for six weeks, the team announced, promising further information Tuesday.
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Cowboys give LB Ware $78M over 6 years (AP)
Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware finally has his big contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He just won't be getting paid as much as some of the elite quarterbacks he will be trying to sack. After months of talks that intensified over the past two weeks, Ware agreed Monday to a $78 million, six-year deal through the 2015 season that guarantees him $40 million.
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McGwire to be coach for La Russa’s Cards (AP)
Mark McGwire is back in baseball, reunited with Tony La Russa as the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach. La Russa agreed to return for a 15th year as manager Monday with a one-year contract, the first time he hasn't had a multiyear deal with the team. All of his coaches will return except for Hal McRae, who will be replaced by the former star.
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Yankees win first AL pennant since 2003 (AP)
They dashed from the dugout and in from the outfield, swarming Alex Rodriguez in a sea of pinstripes only steps from his spot at third base. "I couldn't be more excited," he said. "I feel like a 10-year-old kid." Making it to the World Series for the first time after all those misses will do that to you.
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Cardinals baffle Manning, beat Giants (AP)
The Arizona Cardinals conquered their House of Horrors with a new approach: scary defense. A team built around the passing of Kurt Warner and receiving of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin could be downright dominant with a stingy defense. And it sure wasn't the offense that carried the Cardinals to just their third win in 18 visits to the Meadowlands, 24-17 over the New York Giants on Sunday…
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Steelers’ 2 defensive TDs do in Vikings (AP)
Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings were anything but perfect. The Vikings couldn't gain a half-yard when it might have turned the game, then watched the Steelers' big-play defense end their unbeaten season with two long touchdown returns in the final 6 1/2 minutes. LaMarr Woodley's 77-yard fumble return and Keyaron Fox's 82-yard interception return on turnovers…
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McGwire to be LaRussa’s hitting coach? (AP)
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa took a flight from his West Coast home to St. Louis on Sunday for further talks about his future. There was a report, too, Mark McGwire might join him as a coach. La Russa told the Associated Press in a telephone interview before boarding a plane that discussions were ongoing, and that he was planning to attend a Bruce Springsteen concert later that evening.
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Yankees, Angels try again to play Game 6 (AP)
An hour after Game 6 of the AL championship series was postponed, there was Andy Pettitte in a nearly empty Yankee Stadium, drenched in the pouring rain. With his short hair soaked and sweat shirt dripping, the New York Yankees' pitcher played catch in the outfield and ran light sprints through thick puddles on the warning track before finally grabbing some cover in the dugout.
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Padres hire Red Sox’s Hoyer as GM (AP)
Jed Hoyer was once co-general manager of the Boston Red Sox for 44 days after Theo Epstein walked away from the job. Now Hoyer has a GM gig of his own. The San Diego Padres have hired Hoyer as their new general manager, a person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement won't be until Monday.
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NBA, referees agree on 2-year contract (AP)
The regular referees made the call. They're coming back to work. The referees union and the NBA agreed on a two-year contract Friday, ending a lockout of more than a month and saving the league from using replacements when the regular season starts. The officials voted to ratify the deal that was reached earlier this week.
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Wizards’ Jamison to miss 3 to 5 weeks (AP)
Antawn Jamison's ailing shoulder will keep him off the court well into the regular season. The Washington Wizards announced an estimated recovery time for Jamison's injury Friday, saying he's likely to miss the first eight to 13 games. "The most important thing is it's a long season," he said.