Clippers forward Ryan Gomes was honored on March 26 during the Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors game at STAPLES Center during a very special presentation. Through his non-profit organization, Hoops For Heart Health, Gomes works to raise awareness and educate people on the growing problem of sudden cardiac arrest in children and adolescents.
Gomes has donated automated external defibullators (AEDs) to schools and recreation centers in all 30 NBA cities.
On March 26, Gomes donated a Cardiac Science Power Heart G3 AED to San Dimas High School and made the presentation to a representative from the school in a pre-game ceremony on the court.
Too often these days, we are quick to criticize people and their actions without ever having met that person or learned more about what led to their actions. In a microwave-infused society, the speed of the reaction seems to be more important than the accuracy and/or fairness of the reaction.
Such ill-advised impatience usually results in a greater chance of someone not only saying something stupid, but appearing to have a one-sided, self-serving agenda. The latest example of this trend is ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd’s rant on Wizards rookie John Wall doing “The Dougie” during pregame introductions Tuesday night.
Cowherd went off about Wall saying, "Before the game started, he spent 34 seconds doing the Dougie. That tells me all I need to know about J-Wow. Then he opened his mouth later and confirmed it: not a sharp guy. All about him."
Actually, Colin, Wall is anything BUT "all about him".
--Little League’s Urban Initiative State Jamborees Begin with Event in Atlanta--
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – In an effort to give more children and more leagues the opportunity to participate in a tournament setting, Little League’s Urban Initiative will hold jamborees in four locations this summer. Events will be held in Atlanta, Ga.; Houston; Chicago; and, Newark, N.J.
“Beginning in 2004, local leagues participating in the Little League Urban Initiative were invited to the annual Jamboree held on the Little League International complex,” Demiko Ervin, Director of the Little League Urban Initiative, said. “Those events were successful and beneficial for the leagues involved. The primary goals of taking the Jamboree to the state level are to increase the number of children from Urban Initiative Little Leagues that get to participate in a ‘tournament style’ event, and to better serve Urban Initiative leagues on a state-wide basis by giving local league members, coaches and players a greater chance to network and share ideas.”
The Little League Urban Initiative was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for communities in metropolitan areas to reap the benefits of having Little League in their neighborhoods.
The first Urban Initiative State Jamboree will take place in Atlanta, May 28-31. There will be more than 150 players participating comprising 11 teams. Belvedere Little League, based in Decatur, Ga., will serve as the host for the weekend-long event and activities. All Jamboree games will be played at Shoal Creek Park in Decatur. Urban Initiative leagues from the state of Georgia and South Carolina will compete in the Jamboree.
The state-based jamborees in the four locations this summer are sponsored by the Torii Hunter Project. The all-star outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, founded the organization as part of a comprehensive, long-term effort to impact children in need in various parts of the United States. Now in his 14th Major League season, Mr. Hunter’s project has four areas of focus related to children: sports, community, education, and wellness.
The Jamboree in Houston will take place June 3-5, with teams from across Texas participating. Chicago’s Jamboree will welcome Urban Initiative Leagues from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana for an event scheduled for June 11-13. The same weekend as the Jamboree in Chicago, a Jamboree in Newark, N.J. will take place with teams from across New Jersey and one team from Philadelphia expected to participate.
“The motivation behind extending the Jamboree concept to the state level was a matter of opportunity,” Mr. Ervin said. “Bringing teams to South Williamsport, giving them a chance to play on the World Series fields, and exposing them to Little League’s history and origin are all great, but we want to take the next step. The next step is recognizing those leagues that have embraced the Urban Initiative mission and allow them to show what a local league can do with the proper mix of resources, support and community involvement.”
The Jamborees in Chicago and Newark will feature a clinic for the participating players conducted by The Baseball Factory.
The four jamborees this summer will take the place of the annual Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree that Little League International hosted Memorial Day weekend. During the six years the Jamboree was played at the Little League International complex in South Williamsport, Pa., teams from 66 different Urban Initiative leagues and more than 800 players participated.
The Little League Urban Initiative is now operating with more than 200 leagues in nearly 85 cities in the United States. Through the 2009 Little League season, the Little League Urban Initiative has stimulated the participation of 3,901 teams and approximately 51,000 players. The Urban Initiative has also participated in nearly thirty field renovation/development projects, including a current project in Richmond, Va.
Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.6 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.
WHAT: Dodger first baseman James Loney will host the Sixth Annual State Farm Dodgers Dream Foundation Bowling Extravaganza. All proceeds will benefit the Dodgers Dream Foundation, which is committed to providing educational, athletic and recreational opportunities for the youth of the Greater Los Angeles community. This year marks the third consecutive season in which Loney has hosted the event.
Attendees can bid on more than 40 unique items in the silent auction including: a LA Kings team signed jersey, Blake Griffin signed LA Clippers Jersey, and autographed game-used baseball bats from Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Russell Martin. A special “Green Monster” live auction featuring two tickets on the Green Monster at Fenway Park to the Sunday, June 20 Dodgers vs. Red Sox game, airfare for two on JetBlue Airways and a two-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston will also be held.
Lanes are still available for purchase by calling (323) 224-1413.
WHO: Dodgers James Loney, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez, Clayton Kershaw, Blake DeWitt, Reed Johnson, Ramon Troncoso, A.J. Ellis, Charlie Haeger, George Sherrill, Ken Howell, Mariano Duncan and Rick Honeycutt
Celebrity bowlers include: James Denton, Alyssa Milano, Tom Arnold, David Arquette, Paul Wall, Jonathan Silverman, Jennifer Finnigan, Greg Grunberg, James Kyson Lee, Scott Porter, Peter Jacobson, Omar Miller, Rex Lin, Hoobastank, Doug Savant, Justin Hartley and Lindsay Hartley
WHERE: Lucky Strike Lanes L.A. LIVE
800 W. Olympic Blvd.
WHEN: Monday, May 3, 2010
6:00 p.m. Registration
7:00 p.m. Bowling & Dinner
10:00 p.m. Awards
10:30 p.m. Event Concludes
MISC: Loney was the Dodgers’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2008 for his commitment to the Los Angeles community. That year, the first baseman launched his community initiative “Loney’s Lounge” and visited children at UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital and White Memorial Hospital. Loney continued his community work last season with “Loney’s Lounge” where he hosted children from RBI Los Angeles.
The Dodgers and the Dodgers Dream Foundation (DDF) assisted more than 5,000 charitable organizations in 2009. More than 100,000 tickets were donated, yet another Dodgers Dreamfield was built, and former and current players made more than 450 appearances. More information on the Dodgers Dream Foundation and the club’s charitable endeavors can be found at dodgers.com/community.
--Fund to initially target humanitarian efforts on Haitian youths affected by the earthquake--
ORLANDO, FL., April 14, 2010 – Dwight Howard, 2009 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and 4-time winner of the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award, is proud to launch his Dwight Howard Fund with the mission to help at-risk youths around the world.
The “Dwight Howard Fund” (DHF) was kicked off by the NBA player at his teammate, Adonal Foyle’s, Gala Dinner & Caribbean Fête for the Kerosene Lamp Foundation (KLF) in Orlando, Florida. Howard has tapped KLF to manage the fund on his behalf. Foyle, a recent inductee into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, founded KLF to empower youth to grow into healthy and well-educated adults.
“Adonal has been giving back for many years, so it felt great to partner with him on my new fund and benefit from his experience,” said Howard. “I’m excited to make a difference for kids in Haiti, and I’ll be counting on my fans to help me make some great things happen.”
Howard has made an initial personal investment of $100,000 to directly help at-risk Haitian children affected most by January’s devastating earthquake in Haiti.
“I was personally moved to do something international after spending time in South Africa last summer and finding out the impact I can make on kids from a different culture and place,” said Dwight Howard. “Haiti seemed like the perfect place to start and a place that really needs the help. They were a poor country and then they had the devastating earthquake, so they need a lot of help. There have been a lot of relief efforts in Haiti already but there’s still a lot of work to do there, especially with the children.”
DHF will commence with an online fundraising campaign to help match Howard’s personal contribution for Haiti. For a minimum donation of $2.99, Howard’s fans will have the opportunity to win a once in a lifetime experience of a $500 Adidas shopping spree with Dwight Howard himself. Winners will be chosen based on those who recruit the most other donors in addition to the selection of a random winner. Visit www.dwighthowardfund.org or www.pinkdingo.com/dhf for details and to donate.
About Kerosene Lamp Foundation (KLF)
KLF was founded by Adonal Foyle, a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and professional basketball player to empower youth to grow into healthy and well-educated adults. KLF uses basketball as a bridge to the next generation, promoting education and health awareness, providing free basketball clinics and building/refurbishing basketball courts to more than 2,500 youth since its inception. KLF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please visit www.kerosenelampfoundation.org for more information.
Chargers News Release: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers all-time leading rusher, was released today after nine remarkable seasons in San Diego.
Chargers President Dean Spanos met with Tomlinson today and informed his veteran running back that he is being released.
“This is a part of the business that I hate, and it’s particularly hard when you’re dealing with someone I consider a friend,” Spanos said. “Change involving great players is never easy. I respect LT as much or more than any player I’ve ever known. And no one appreciates his contributions to this organization more than I do. That is why this is such a difficult announcement for me to make.
“It has been a privilege to work with him and witness his entire career. I’m proud of him and grateful to him for the way he has carried himself both on and off the field.
“No matter where he chooses to continue his career, in my mind LT will always be a San Diego Charger. His legacy as one of the greatest running backs the game has ever seen will be as a Charger.”
Tomlinson owns or shares 28 team records, including career rushing yards, yards from scrimmage and touchdowns. During his nine seasons in San Diego, Tomlinson won two rushing titles (2006 and ’07), set an NFL single-season record for touchdowns in a season (31 in ’06) and racked up 12,490 rushing yards, the eighth-highest total in NFL history. He was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2006 and earned Pro Bowl honors five times.
“I was fortunate to be the offensive coordinator here during LT’s rookie year in 2001 and it didn’t take long to realize that we were dealing with a special player and a special individual,” Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner said. “And when I returned to the Chargers in 2007, I was proud to be a part of his second NFL rushing title.
“LT is a true pro. He’s one of the greatest runners this game has ever seen and words can’t do justice to the things he’s accomplished on and off the field.”
In addition to his long list of achievements on the gridiron, Tomlinson’s tireless efforts in the community have benefitted thousands of individuals in San Diego as well as his native Texas. In 2006, LT received the NFL Man of the Year Award in recognition of his numerous philanthropic efforts.
“It’s fitting that LT’s and LaTorsha’s charity is called the ‘Touching Lives Foundation’ because that’s exactly what they’ve done,” Spanos said. “So many people have been positively affected by their generosity. Our community has been fortunate to have them.”
Tomlinson joined the Chargers in 2001 as the fifth overall selection in the NFL Draft. The Chargers originally held the top pick in the draft, but swung a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, who moved up to take quarterback Michael Vick. The Chargers nervously waited as Tomlinson fell to the fifth spot where they enthusiastically brought him into their fold.
“There were a lot of eyebrows raised when we made that trade, but LT proved to be everything we thought he’d be and more,” Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said. “He’s a future Hall of Famer. My only regret is that he leaves San Diego without a Super Bowl ring.”
Tomlinson was one of 53 men recognized as the Greatest All-Time Chargers during the team’s 50th anniversary celebration last season and he was recently named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s. His 138 career rushing touchdowns are the second most in NFL history and his 153 total touchdowns ranks third in league annals.
“I look forward to the time when we’ll see his number retired and see him inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Spanos said. “I can’t say enough about how much I’ve enjoyed being around LT and LaTorsha the last nine years.”
Around 40 people including PGA tour executives, Wood's agent, his mother Kultida, sat gathered in three tiers of wooden chairs set in an arc, waiting for him to arrive. The blinds covering the three windows in the room were shut. There was total hush as all eyes turned to a break in the heavy blue drapes. Just the buzz of a helicopter overhead. Then followed his solemn apology, the text of which is already available. After the event, Woods' mother Kultida spoke to reporters. “You know what? I’m so proud to be his mother. Period. This thing, it teaches him, just like golf. When he changes a swing… he wants to get better… He will start getting better… it’s just like that. Golf is just like life, when you make a mistake, you learn from your mistake and move on stronger. That’s the way he is.” “As a human being everyone has faults, makes mistakes and sins. We all do. But, we move on when we make a mistake and learn from it. I am upset the way media treated him like he’s a criminal…he didn’t kill anybody, he didn’t do anything illegal… They’ve being carrying on from thanksgiving until now, that’s not right!” she said. “People don’t understand that Tiger has a very good heart and soul,” she said, citing the role of his foundation in helping kids and also in Thailand. “Sometimes I think there is a complete double standard… He tried to improve himself.” “The tabloids and newspapers just killed him, held him back.. To me it looked like a double standard…" Is it the hardest thing he’ll ever go through? “Yes… When you make a mistake you learn from it and move on, that’s the way life is, that’s a human being. We're not good, and he never claimed he was God. If anyone tells me to condemn him, I say look at yourself first.. .. I would … look in their eyes and tell them you’re not God!” What are your emotions? “Upset… This thing is a family matter… It’s not easy to be him. … (People) go to work 8 to 5 and go home to have a life with the family. Tiger can’t do that.” “You have to look at human side, human make mistake, he not God.” How will Buddhism help? “Buddhism teaches you to go deep inside your soul and look through from himself, and correct the bad thing to be a good thing… When he realized, he said okay, and went back to practice Buddhism and that will make him a much better person."
TIGER WOODS: Good morning, and thank you for joining me. Many of you in this room are my friends. Many of you in this room know me. Many of you have cheered for me or you've worked with me or you've supported me.
Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.
I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish. People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And while I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say.
Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us.
I am also aware of the pain my behavior has caused to those of you in this room. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally. My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners.
To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever. Thirteen years ago, my dad and I envisioned helping young people achieve their dreams through education. This work remains unchanged and will continue to grow. From the Learning Center students in Southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington, D.C., millions of kids have changed their lives, and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.
But still, I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position.
For all that I have done, I am so sorry.
I have a lot to atone for, but there is one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal. Elin deserves praise, not blame.
The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame.
I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn't have to go far to find them.
I was wrong. I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me.
I've had a lot of time to think about what I've done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It's now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I've made. It's up to me to start living a life of integrity.
I once heard, and I believe it's true, it's not what you achieve in life that matters; it's what you overcome. Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.
Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids. I owe all those families a special apology. I want to say to them that I am truly sorry.
It's hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I'm facing. I have a long way to go. But I've taken my first steps in the right direction.
As I proceed, I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants to ask me for the details and the times I was unfaithful. I understand people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together. Please know that as far as I'm concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me. These are issues between a husband and a wife.
Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance enhancing drugs. This is completely and utterly false. Some have written things about my family. Despite the damage I have done, I still believe it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight. They did not do these things; I did.
I have always tried to maintain a private space for my wife and children. They have been kept separate from my sponsors, my commercial endorsements. When my children were born, we only released photographs so that the paparazzi could not chase them. However, my behavior doesn't make it right for the media to follow my two and a half year old daughter to school and report the school's location. They staked out my wife and they pursued my mom. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.
I recognize I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That's where my focus will be.
I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don't realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught.
As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I've learned that's how people really do change. Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy. I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I'm making these remarks today.
In therapy I've learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things that are most important to me, my marriage and my children.
That also means relying on others for help. I've learned to seek support from my peers in therapy, and I hope someday to return that support to others who are seeking help. I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be.
I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game. In recent weeks I have received many thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from people expressing good wishes. To everyone who has reached out to me and my family, thank you. Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me.
I want to thank the PGA TOUR, Commissioner Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course.
Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me.
Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again.
Memphis, TN--On the court, Grizzlies Power Forward Zach Randolph is used to making power moves. Wednesday, he scored major points off the court footing the bill to restore power to Jerry Powell's Clearpool Circle home.
"He's wonderful. He's a blessing from God!" exclaimed Jerry Powell.
Powell's been without utilities for about two months. Her job slashed her hours and MLGW cut her power after she racked up a $600 bill.
Now the heat is back on thanks to Randolph's kindness. He's agreed to pay the overdue bills for Powell and fourteen other MLGW customers.
A story like this one is not exactly new to the world of sports and entertainment. So while most of you will not be totally shocked by what you are about to read, there promises to still be a bit of a "seriously?" factor when you realize exactly how much money Antoine Walker has squandered through the years.
There's also a teaching opportunity here however. As you will read, Walker lost a great deal of his money by employing friends and family, but even the best of intentions are doomed to fail if not carried out with the proper planning. Yahoo! Sports: Antoine Walker is broke and in debt.
As if you needed any more proof that we, as a society, are steadily losing all sense of decency, check out one of the most disrespectful Halloween displays you likely have ever seen.
I have to admit I was a bit stunned by this news. Not so much about the marriage, I just assumed he was still dating Taraji Henson. But oh well, good for them. That is, if it's true.
Insiders tell E! News exclusively that Khloé Kardashian and her NBA star boyfriend Lamar Odom are already considering tying the knot.
Odom, a forward for the L.A. Lakers, and Khloé recently have been "talking about rings," says a source close to the couple.
Members of the Kardashian family are neither confirming nor denying the wedding plans or a date. A rep for both stars have declined to comment.
(DENVER, COLO) Torii Hunter, star centerfielder of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, has been named the winner of the 2009 Branch Rickey Award. Roland Thornton, president of the Rotary Club of Denver, made the announcement today at the Denver Athletic Club.
Hunter, 33, will be inducted as the 18th member of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame during a banquet on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Marriott City Center Hotel in downtown Denver.
Created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, the Branch Rickey Award honors individuals in baseball who contribute unselfishly to their communities and who are strong role models for young people. Each year, Major League Baseball teams nominate a player, coach or executive for this nationally acclaimed award. All of the nominees personify Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self.”
Hunter was chosen by a National Selection Committee, comprised of 300 members of the sports media, past award winners, baseball executives and Rotary district governors. All 30 Major League teams submitted a nominee for the award.
Partnering with the Heart of a Champion Foundation and the Angels, Hunter created the “Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative” to provide college scholarships and character development to students in California, Arkansas, Nevada and Minnesota. He is particularly active with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, along with Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Derrek Lee of the Cubs. Last year, he helped fund construction of a youth softball field (Torii Hunter Field) in Placentia, CA. To honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, Hunter supports Major League Baseball’s “Breaking Barriers” program. He established the Torii Hunter Project, partnering with Little League Baseball’s Urban Initiative to help maintain and improve baseball diamonds in urban cities. He is also involved with Big Brothers and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Hunter was selected as the 2007 Marvin Miller Man-of-the-Year, given annually to the player whose on-field and off-field performances most inspires others to a higher level of achievement.
Last year, Hunter helped guide the Angels to their fourth division crown in five seasons in his first year with the club. He received his eighth consecutive Gold Glove after not committing an error in 137 games in center field (354 total chances). He has not committed an error since August 31, 2007. He has been voted to the American League All-Star Team twice. In 2002, Hunter was named by MLB.com as the Player-of-the-Year.
The late Branch Rickey, known to millions as “Mr. Baseball,” is credited with breaking the color barrier in the Major Leagues in 1945 when he signed Jackie Robinson, the first modern day African-American player. He also hired the first Hispanic player, Roberto Clemente.
Rickey helped develop the farm system in baseball and stimulated the sport’s expansion into more cities. Always an advocate for underprivileged children, he spearheaded the development of the famous “Knot Hole Gang,” to allow kids to attend big league games.
Previous recipients of the Branch Rickey Award include: Dave Winfield, Toronto Blue Jays; Kirby Puckett, Minnesota Twins; Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals; Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres; Brett Butler, Los Angeles Dodgers; Craig Biggio, Houston Astros; Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins; Al Leiter, New York Mets; Todd Stottlemyre, Arizona Diamondbacks; Curt Schilling, Arizona Diamondbacks; Bobby Valentine, New York Mets; Roland Hemond, Chicago White Sox; Jamie Moyer, Seattle Mariners; Tommy Lasorda, Los Angeles Dodgers; John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves; and last year’s winner, Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres.
Winfield, Puckett, Smith, Molitor, Gwynn and Lasorda, as well as Branch Rickey, have also been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Branch Rickey Award is a 24-inch bronze sculpture, The Player, created by internationally prominent sculptor George Lundeen. A 13-foot tall bronze sculpture was dedicated in front of Coors Field at 20th and Blake on June 2, 2005 in celebration of Rotary International’s Centennial Year.
Tickets for the Branch Rickey Award banquet are $200 per person and may be reserved by calling the Rotary Club of Denver office at 303-893-1919. For more information about the Branch Rickey Award, visit www.branchrickeyaward.org.
This story is only a story because Melanie Oudin outplayed even her own expectations, and that's awesome! She's been the story of this year's U.S. Open thus far.
However, it was her camp who dropped the ball on extending her hotel stay once she kept advancing. I think it's rather shallow for her agent to claim that his agency will never send any other players to this particular hotel because they could not accommodate Oudin beyond her reservation. The hotel didn't make the mistake, Oudin's handlers did.
Maybe next time, they won't book her stay through Expedia!
STATEMENT BY NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELLON THE SIGNING OF MICHAEL VICK BY THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
"I have said several times in recent weeks that I want Michael to be one of the NFL's success stories as an individual and as a football player. I believe he can accomplish both goals with the Eagles organization which has done an outstanding job in the community and on the field these last 15 years under the direction of owner Jeffrey Lurie. I know the Eagles will provide strong support but, ultimately, Michael’s success is up to him and the decisions he makes."
If you are not a frequent reader of Jason Whitlock on foxsports.com, you should be. He may be the most polarizing, controversial and truthful sports columnist in the country today.
I often disagree with his opinions, but I usually always understand where he is coming from. Plus, I do find myself agreeing with him at times as well.
Does he take things too far sometimes? Yes. Does his approach sometimes defeat his agenda? Yes. But at least he's consistent with his criticisms of any and everybody, regardless of race, gender or athletic ability.
Today, Jason actually made me laugh with his column on Pussy Galore, a pseudonym for every woman who has led to some type of transgression by an athlete or coach.
Here's an excerpt:
She impeached a president and now, more impressively, she threatens to topple a highly successful college basketball coach.
As my mother would say, she's a bitch on a bicycle. Respect her and her power or risk experiencing her wrath.
Pitino should've coughed up the $10 million. His reputation will never recover.
How does a millionaire, married, middle-aged public figure have an unprotected one-night stand on the floor of a restaurant with a woman he's known for a couple of hours if her name isn't Beyonce, Gisele or Halle?
Monica Lewinsky, the White House and a Cuban cigar make more sense than Karen Sypher, a restaurant and an assistant coach playing peek-a-boo in an adjoining booth.
It sounds as if Jason's mom has a great sense of humor and perspective. I'm now on the lookout for bicycles everywhere!
By now, you've probably seen the video of that stupid Cubs fan who doused Shane Victorino with a beer while the Phillies outfielder was catching a fly ball. There are so many adjectives one could use to describe this dumb, dangerous, cowardly act, and all of them may fall short of accurately describing this moron.
It is acts such as these that eventually give all fans a bad name. You wonder why athletes ignore your shouts of their name or seem standoffish when you approach them in public? It could be because they have experienced boorish behavior firsthand. Wouldn't that give you pause the next time you encounter an overzealous fan?
The thing that really irks me about this particular incident is that security got the wrong guy. Check out the video below. Pause it at the :20 mark and notice the fan in the hat and white t-shirt with sunglasses hanging from his collar. That's the actual guy who threw the beer, not the fan about three seats down who security eventually escorted out of the stadium.
This scene reminds me of what happened at the Palace of Auburn Hills when Ron Artest got plunked with that empty beer cup. The guy Artest went after was not the actual guy who threw the cup.
Say what you will about retaliation through violence, but I dare you to find anyone who wouldn't want to pummel some cat who threw beer on them. I'm not advocating violence against these type of jerks, but as Chris Rock once said, I understand!
This past week at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Tampa, I moderated a panel discussion entitled, "Pros and Cons: Covering the Professional and Personal Lives of Athletes." The purpose of the panel was to examine the way the media report private aspects of the lives of today's athletes, as well as coaches. As you might imagine, the discussion was quite educational.
I bring up that panel discussion because of the news today out of Kentucky that Louisville head coach Rick Pitino allegedly paid $3000 to Karen Cunigan Sypher for an abortion, after an affair led to her pregnancy.
I first learned of this allegation back in April, but I did not see any reason in reporting this piece of news because I felt it was a private manner between the Pitino and Sypher families. (See: Is Anything Sacred Anymore)
I was criticized by some readers for not reporting what I knew, while others used my refusal to expose this allegation as an opportunity to cast dispersions on me as a journalist. If you do what I do long enough, you come to expect and accept such things. Some people are simply too passionate about their favorite teams and athletes to think logically and hold rational conversations, but that's cool. Passion is what makes sports so much fun to watch and cover.
I just hope in this instance, that passion doesn't lead to some fans losing decorum and tact when talking publicly about such a private matter. Don't be so quick to put your business on Front Street, if you don't want yours to be out there either.
I had the chance to spend some time with Ron Artest today. I have met him and interviewed him a few times in the past, but I learned quite a bit more about him today than in previous meetings. From the question and answer session he held with the assembled media at the Lakers practice facility to my 1-on-1 interview with him, I really learned just how funny and insightful he can be.
From the time he agreed to join the Lakers for the mid-level exception (worth about $33 million), I thought it was a great move for the defending champs. I am even more convinced of it now.
Check out my interview and tell me what you think about LA's newest Laker. Enjoy!
LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt issued the following statement in reaction to today’s statements from Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and Manny Ramirez.
“We share the disappointment felt by our fans, our players, and every member of our organization. We support the policies of Major League Baseball, and we will welcome Manny back upon his return.”
This statement will constitute the comment of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization until Joe Torre meets with the media at approximately 4:30 p.m. today at Dodger Stadium.
Prime Ticket will televise the Dodgers news conference live beginning at 4:30pm.
The views and opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. They do not necessarily express the views and opinions of any FOX media outlet, its employees, or team partners.
