Ryan Getzlaf Has Nasal Sinus Fractures, Placed on Injured Reserve

Filed under: Ducks, Western, NHL Injuries

The Anaheim Ducks beat Phoenix Tuesday night, but did suffer a key loss during the game. Top-line center and team captain Ryan Getzlaf was hit in the forehead by a puck and had to leave the game.

The team has announced that Getzlaf underwent a CT scan Wednesday. That exam showed he suffered multiple nasal sinus fractures as a result of the play, and Getzlaf has been placed on injured reserve. That move rules him out of games Friday against Philadelphia and Sunday against Chicago.

Getzlaf, who has 12 goals and 37 points in 40 games (second on the team in scoring to Corey Perry), will see a specialist to see what can be done about the injury, as well as to determine how long he will have to be out of the lineup.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/ryan-getzlaf-has-nasal-sinus-fractures-placed-on-injured-reserv/

Feliciano Lopez Fernando Torres Fernando Verdasco Filippo Inzaghi Florent Malouda

MLB 2010 in Review: Best of the Rest

All this week, the FanHouse staff is looking back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010. Our top stories are linked below, but there were many more high and low points...

Hot Streaks

o. Troy Tulowitzki hit four home runs in 40 games between June 7 and Sept. 2, missing nearly six weeks during that span with a broken wrist. Suffice to say, there were no indications at that point that he was about to break out in an otherworldly power surge. From Sept. 3 to Sept. 18, Tulowitzki mashed 14 home runs and amassed 31 RBI. Four times during that span, he hit a pair of homers in a game. Throw in four doubles and a triple and his slugging percentage for that 15-game stretch was a tidy 1.164. Interestingly, 10 of those games came against teams in playoff contention (the Padres and Reds), but Tulowitzki didn't draw a single intentional walk during his run.

o. Perhaps Tulowitzki was just trying to outdo his teammate Carlos Gonzalez, who had an impressive streak end the day before Tulo's began. Gonzalez collected at least one extra-base hit in 10 consecutive games from Aug. 24-Sept. 2 -- four doubles, two triples and six homers. His slugging percentage during that time was an absurd 1.257.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/mlb-2010-in-review-best-of-the-rest/

Kim Kallström Kolo Touré Lionel Messi Luca Toni Lucio

Martina Navratilova Begins Kilimanjaro Charity Climb

Martina Navratilova is leading a group of 27 fundraisers to the summit of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, to raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a charity helping the lives over one million disadvantaged youngsters worldwide through sports-based projects.

Martina will be issuing a daily blog on their progress as they make their way toward the summit via the Rongai Route.

DAY ONE: Monday December 6, 2010

Forest Trek to 2,600m

Hi All,

Day one of the Mount Kilimanjaro fundraising challenge and the team are all in high spirits after a consistent but gentle first day of climbing. It feels great to be underway, and I am thrilled to be joined by a group of 27 fundraisers, including the British Olympic badminton star Gail Emms and German Paralympian cyclist Michael Teuber. We are all so impressed that Michael is with us. He is a really determined young man.

After an early breakfast this morning, we made our way to the Marangu National Park gate, where we registered for the expedition. The climb began at the village of Nale Moru, just south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. From there, the porters led us on a small path winding through fields of maize and potatoes, before entering a pine forest; it was here that we saw a variety of wildlife, including the Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey.

I was hoping for some great views as we walked, but to be honest the weather so far has not been what we hoped for. It's been dull and damp and in the distance we have seen thunderstorms and lightning.

 

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Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/12/06/martina-navratilova-begins-kilimanjaro-charity-climb/

Nemanja Vidic Nery Castillo Nick Watney Nicolas Almagro Nikolay Davydenko

Hideki Okajima Reportedly Close to Returning to Red Sox

Filed under: Red Sox, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

The Red Sox will have a familiar option available for lefty relief in 2011.

Hideki Okajima reportedly is close to a deal that will bring him back to Boston, just weeks after he was non-tendered by the Red Sox. The pending deal was first reported by the Boston Globe.

Okajima, 35, will be by far the most seasoned of the cast competing to be a lefty specialist for the Sox next spring -- a group that for now includes Andrew Miller, Felix Doubront, Lenny DiNardo and Rich Hill. Chances are manager Terry Francona will be more comfortable turning to Okajima in those dicey situations, given his generally solid work in Boston the last four years.

Okajima has made 254 appearances for the Sox since coming over from Japan before the 2007 season but was not at his best in 2010. His ERA jumped to 4.50 and his WHIP to 1.717 as lefties hit .284 against him.

The Red Sox non-tendered him Dec. 2 after he made $2.75 million last year, but general manager Theo Epstein indicated at the time that Okajima might be back.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/hideki-okajima-reportedly-close-to-returning-to-red-sox/

Luca Toni Lucio Luke Donald Maicon Marcos Baghdatis

Charlie Weis Reportedly Could Be Next Florida Offensive Coordinator

Filed under: Florida, Coaching, Rumors

Charlie Weis has been offered the job of offensive coordinator at Florida under new head coach Will Muschamp and is likely to accept it, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Weis is currently the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season, but reports indicate Chiefs head coach Todd Haley would be fine with losing Weis.

Weis has also been the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets and New England Patriots.

His lone stint in college came as a head coach, from 2005-2009 at Notre Dame. He went 19-6 in his first two seasons as the Irish coach, but stumbled mightily the following season at 3-9. He went 13-12 in the last two seasons before being fired in favor of current Irish coach Brian Kelly.

If this report ends up being true, Weis would join Muschamp with Florida after the Gators complete their current season under Urban Meyer's group of coaches. Weis would be replacing Steve Addazio as OC, who left to take the head job at Temple.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/charlie-weis-reportedly-next-florida-oc/

Michael Owen Mikhail Youzhny Miroslav Klose Nemanja Vidic Nery Castillo

Randy Caballero Wants to be the Next Alexis Arguello

Filed under: WBA, WBC, WBO, Boxing Video, FanHouse Exclusive, Top Rank Promotions

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

A Hall of Fame fighter and former three-time world champion, the late Alexis Arguello (82-8, 65 knockouts) was known as "The Explosive Thin Man," and, "The Ring's Gentleman," having earned the WBA featherweight (126 pounds), WBC super featherweight (130) and WBC lightweight (135) crowns.

Arguello (pictured at right) is the idol of 20-year-old featherweight Randy Caballero, who rose to 6-0, with four knockouts with his Dec. 11 decision over Robert Guillen at The Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

Caballero hopes to follow in the footsteps of Arguello, whose career included knockouts of Rafael Limon, Bobby Chacon, previously 46-0 Ruben Castillo, previously 20-0 Ray Mancini, and previously 27-1 Cornelius Boza-Edwards.

In both a decision victory over Jose Luis Ramirez and a fifth-round knockout of Andy Ganigan, Arguello rose from the canvas in order to win. Arguello also defeated England's world champ, Jim Watt.

Also known for losing two, wars against Aaron Pryor, respectively, in November of 1982, and, September of '83, Arguello briefely retired following the second loss to Pryor.

Arguello announced his return to the ring with an October, 1985, fifth-round stoppage of Pat Jefferson, followed by a February, 1986, fourth-round knockout of former world champ, Billy Costello, who was 31-1 coming in.

After retiring, once more, Arguello came back with a majority decision over Jorge Palomares in August of 1994 before losing the last bout of his career by unanimous decision to Scott Walker in January of 1995.

Arguello was found dead on July 1 of 2009 a gunshot wound to the chest in his home outside of his native Managua, Nicaragua, where he had recently become mayor.





Caballero has served as a sparring a partner for former WBA interim super flyweight (115 pounds) titlist Nonito Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs), who recently earned his 24th straight victory and his ninth stoppage in his past 11 fights with a Top Rank Promotions, Dec. 4, fourth-round knockout during his bantamweight (118 pounds) debut against Ukrainian former titlist Voldymyr Sydorenko (22-2-2, seven KOs).

Donaire set up a Feb. 19 bantamweight showdown scheduled for the Mandalay Hotel opposite 31-year-old WBO and WBC king Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mex., who recently scored two, second-round knockdowns on the way to a Dec. 10, non-title, second-round stoppage of Jovanny Soto.

Caballero's father and trainer, Marcos Caballero, will enter the ring on January 14 at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio Calif., along with Randy Caballero while carrying both the American flag and the Nicaraguan flag. Marcos Caballero came to America from war torn Nicaragua as a young child.

 

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Source: http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/randy-caballero-wants-to-be-the-next-alexis-arguello/

Jurgen Melzer Justin Rose Kaka Kim Kallström Kolo Touré

Manny Pacquiao's Former Sparring Partner: Shane Mosley Wins By KO

Filed under: WBC, WBO, Golden Boy Promotions, Boxing Video, Boxing Rumors, HBO, FanHouse Exclusive, Top Rank Promotions

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Win-less junior middleweight (154 pounds) Bryan Brooks has served as a sparring partner for eight-division king Manny Pacquiao, three-division, five-time titlist Shane Mosley, six-time champion Floyd Mayweather and ex-belt-holder Antonio Margarito.

In this video, Brooks offers his opinion of who will win between the 32-year-old Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts) and the 39-year-old Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs) when they meet for Pacquiao's WBO welterweight (147 pounds) crown in a Top Rank Promotions, HBO pay per view televised bout on May 7 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao also owns the WBC's junior middleweight (154 pounds) belt and has not lost since March of 2005, a run of 13 straight fights that include eight knockouts. On Nov. 13, Pacquiao routed Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs) by unanimous decision for the vacant WBC junior middleweight crown at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Mosley lost a one-sided, unanimous decision against Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) in May of 2009, and is coming off of September's junior middleweight split-decision draw with light-hitting, ex-champion, Sergio Mora (21-1-1, six KOs). Mosley recently split with Golden Boy Promotions.

 

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Source: http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/manny-pacquiaos-sparring-partner-shane-wins-by-ko/

Frank Lampard Frank Ribery Frederic Kanoute Gabriel Milito Gael Monfils

Stuart Holden Rated Premier League's Top Player by Guardian Readers

Filed under: English Premier League, U.S. Men's National Team, Houston Dynamo

U.S. national team midfielder Stuart Holden is the best player in the English Premier League.

All right, maybe that statement is just a tad premature. But based on The Guardian's analysis of readers' player ratings, Holden has been the highest-rated performer throughout the first half of the Premier League campaign, with an average mark of 7.4 out of 10.

Yes, English fans have rated an American as the best player in the world's most popular league.

The 25-year-old has started each of his 16 league appearances for Bolton this season, going the full 90 in all but one contest as Wanderers have made a surprising run to seventh place (6-4-8).

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/stuart-holden-rated-premier-leagues-top-player-by-guardian-read/

Daniel Alves Daniele De Rossi David Albelda David Beckham David Ferrer

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Get an Invite to the US National Team's January Camp

Filed under: MLS, U.S. Men's National Team, Chivas USA, Kansas City Wizards, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Next month, U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley will hold his annual January camp at the Home Depot Center outside Los Angeles. The camp, which culminates with a friendly against Chile on Jan. 22, will be the first chance for Bradley and his staff to begin shaping the talent pool for the 2014 World Cup.

With that in mind, FanHouse takes a look at four fresh faces that deserve an invitation, as well as three veterans who do not. U.S. Soccer will announce the roster on Tuesday afternoon.

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/20/who-should-and-shouldnt-get-an-invite-to-the-us-national-team/

Phil Mickelson Philipp Lahm Rafael Nadal Rafael van der Vaart Retief Goosen

UFC 125 Fighters Discuss Chuck Liddell's Career and Legacy

Filed under: UFC, News

LAS VEGAS -- The announcement of Chuck Liddell's retirement continues to send ripples through the MMA world.

Just days before their respective matches at UFC 125, several of the fighters on the card took a few minutes to give their overall impressions of "The Iceman" and his accomplishments in the sport.

Among the fighters to share their thoughts on Liddell were UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar, challenger Gray Maynard, Chris Leben and others. Here they are in their own words.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/30/ufc-125-fighters-discuss-chuck-liddells-career-and-legacy/

Daniel Alves Daniele De Rossi David Albelda David Beckham David Ferrer

Cliff Lee's Return to Phillies Highlights Unpredictable Offseason

Filed under: Angels, Brewers, Mariners, Nationals, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees, MLB Free Agency

All this week, the FanHouse staff will look back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010.

Cliff Lee to the Phillies.

Jayson Werth to the Nationals.

Zack Greinke to the Brewers.

Carl Crawford to the Red Sox.

What do these offseason moves by the baseball establishment have in common?

Just that the baseball establishment thought each of those players would wind up somewhere else.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/cliff-lees-return-to-phillies-highlights-unpredictable-offseaso/

Cesc Fabregas Charley Hoffman Clarence Seedorf Cristiano Ronaldo Daniel Alves

Dana White Mum on Future Plans for Brock Lesnar

Filed under: UFC, News

LAS VEGAS -- Two months after walking out of the octagon upon losing the UFC heavyweight title, Brock Lesnar has seemingly vanished.

In a way, it's nothing new for the Minnesota-based fighter to retreat to his family and quiet setting on his Minnesota ranch, shunning the media spotlight.

But this time his absence has come with rumors and whispers, that Lesnar is interested in returning to pro wrestling, although likely only for a one-fight payday at WWE's upcoming Wrestlemania event.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/29/dana-white-mum-on-future-plans-for-brock-lesnar/

Marin Cilic Matt Kuchar Maxi Rodríguez Michael Ballack Michael Essien

Jody Shelley Suspended Two Games

Filed under: Canucks, Flyers, NHL Videos, NHL Discipline

Philadelphia Flyers enforcer Jody Shelley received his second two-game ban in less than a month, NHL officials announced Wednesday.

This suspension was the result of Shelley's actions during Tuesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks. Shelley punched Canuck Andrew Alberts in the head during a scrum in the third period. Combined with his Dec. 13 suspension for a dangerous collision with Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid, Shelley is now considered a repeat offender under league rules.

Shelley will lose $26,829.27 in salary as he sits out Thursday's game at Los Angeles and Friday's contest in Anaheim.

Here is video of the incident. Shelley is clearly seen hitting an unsuspecting Alberts, knocking him to the ice with one shot.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/jody-shelley-suspended-two-games/

Diego Forlan Diego Milito Dimitar Berbatov Dustin Johnson Eduardo Da Silva

Martina Navratilova's Climb of Kilimanjaro Gets Tough: Day 4

Martina Navratilova is leading a group of 27 fundraisers to the summit of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, to raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a charity helping the lives over one million disadvantaged youngsters worldwide through sports-based projects.

Latest update from Martina as the team makes its way toward the summit via the Rongai Route:
Follow her progress on Day One , Day Two and Day Three.

DAY FOUR: Thursday December 9, 2010

Crossing the Saddle to Horombo (Altitude: 3,700m)

Hi All,

Today, we have headed south toward Horombo, crossing the dramatic and windswept Saddle, a barren plain of alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo, Kilimanjaro's two peaks.

The weather is a little better, but the going is getting tougher and tougher. It seems to be constantly steep and as we started to approach the highest point yet, 4,500 meters above sea level, sheer exhaustion sets in for much of the group, and with heavy legs and chests pounding due to a lack of oxygen, every step becomes an effort.

We followed a path stretching out ahead of us where we were supposed to enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain, but the swirling cloud is limiting that.

After reaching 4,500 meters, we were thankful to start heading down toward the Horombo campsite, at 3,700 meters, providing the opportunity for much needed rest and a chance to acclimatise.

We have two days to go before we reach the summit and the group's mood is fluctuating between exhaustion and exhilaration. It has been tougher than I imagined, but that is when everyone has come together to support each other.

Martina

 

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Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/12/09/martina-navratilovas-climb-of-kilimanjaro-gets-tough-day-4/

Patrick Vieira Paul Casey Paul Scholes Pavel Nedved Petr Cech

Martina Navratilova Suspends Kilimanjaro Climb Due to Illness

Martina Navratilova has been forced to end her attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro due to illness, it was announced on Friday.

The tennis great began her ascent with a team on Monday. The group had battled difficult weather conditions. Navratilova began to feel ill and her climb was suspended.

She was helped down the mountain by porters and taken to a medical center to be assessed.

Initial reports are that Navratilova was in good spirits, despite being unhappy about having to cut the climb short.

---

Navratilova Documents Her Climb for FanHouse:
Day 1| Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

---

 

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Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/12/10/martina-navratilova-suspends-kilimanjaro-climb-due-to-illness/

David Villa Deco Dejan Stankovic Didier Drogba Diego

Army vs. Southern Methodist: Armed Forces Bowl

Filed under: Army, SMU, Bowl Games

The Army Black Knights (6-6) will face the Southern Methodist Mustangs (7-6) in a battle of downtrodden programs back on the rise in the Armed Forces Bowl. The game will take place at Ford Stadium in Dallas, SMU's home, on Dec. 30 at 12 p.m. ET.

It's Army's first bowl game in 14 years, and comes in the second season under coach Rich Ellerson. After three straight 3-9 seasons, Ellerson went 5-7 in 2009. If Army beats SMU, Ellerson will be the first Army coach to accumulate 12 wins in his first two seasons since Tom Cahill did it in 1966 and 1967. Army's coming off a loss to rival Navy on Dec. 11 and hasn't won a bowl game since the Peach Bowl in 1985.

SMU is a little farther ahead on the comeback trail. June Jones (pictured) coached the team to its first bowl game in 25 years in 2009. It's SMU's first consecutive appearance in a bowl game since 1983 and 1984, when the death penalty scandal enveloped the school.

Army's triple-option rushing attack finished 10th in the nation, led by Jared Hassin's 931 yards and nine touchdowns. The Mustangs, however, are an aerial attack. Kyle Padron and Aldrick Robinson have combined to form a dangerous connection, with Robinson catching 13 of Padron's 27 touchdowns.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/army-vs-southern-methodist-armed-forces-bowl/

Diego Milito Dimitar Berbatov Dustin Johnson Eduardo Da Silva Ernests Gulbis

Ben Martin Leads the Long Haul That Is Q-School

Filed under: PGA

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- Now, on to the bonus rounds.

As if the rigors of competing for a job next year isn't sufficiently stressful, the PGA Tour's final stage of qualifying adds another two miles to a marathon, an extra month to the final semester and more potholes on an already bumpy road.

After four days and 72 holes of play of Qualifying School at Orange Country National -- a full tournament week by anybody's measuring stick -- the finish line remains two rounds and 36 holes into the distance.

"Your brain is definitely fried," Jeff Quinney said. "We've got two rounds to go. It's amazing we've still got that much golf to play."

Yes it is.

Pretty much anywhere else in golf, Ben Martin would be in full celebration right now. The 2009 U.S. Amateur runner-up from Clemson University shot a fourth-round 69 Saturday to finish 72 holes 16-under and one shot clear of the field. Except this week isn't normal golf. It's the process that qualifies only the top 25 players (and ties) from an original field of 166.

So the beat goes on.

"Playing the fourth round today felt like it should be the last day," Martin said. "All day I was trying to think of it as the second round because there's two more to go. There's not many tournaments like this.

"So I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing -- hitting it solid, rolling it good. It's just another golf tournament. At least that's got to be my mindset."

Martin, of course, knows that's not really true because after 72 holes, 36 more still remain.

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/12/04/ben-martin-leads-the-long-haul-that-is-q-school/

Jason Day Javier Mascherano Javier Zanetti Jeff Overton Jim Furyk

In Costa Rica, Pura Vida Fails to Extend to the National Game

Filed under: International Soccer, MLS, Columbus Crew, Real Salt Lake

HEREDIA, Costa Rica -- I definitely should have known better.

A soccer virgin would have had second thoughts before approaching the roughest fans in the stadium (while wearing the opposing team's jersey, no less) and taking a few photos.

I had no excuse. I've attended games in more than two dozen countries, and been in the mix with rowdy supporters from Bradford City to Beijing and from Be?ikta? to Buenos Aires.

What was I thinking?

My only guess is that I was lulled into some sort of catatonic complacency by the overwhelming friendliness of every Tico that was not among the jumping, shouting Alajuelense supporters caged in the northwest corner of the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero. My 12 days in the country were an exercise in "pura vida" hospitality. Costa Ricans are always eager to lend a smile and a helping hand.

That, combined with the gritty, very minor-league quaintness of Club Sport Herediano's dilapidated 8,000-seat stadium, clearly disabled both my rationality and my radar. I'd purchased a garishly awesome yellow-and-red Herediano jersey at the tiny club shop prior to the Dec. 12 opener of the Primera División finals, and was wearing it as I settled into my seat and noticed the Alajuela fans singing to my right.

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/24/costa-rica/

Iker Casillas Ivan Ljubicic Jamie Carragher Jason Day Javier Mascherano

Ralph Friedgen Gets a Memorable Sendoff as Maryland Football Coach

Filed under: East Carolina, Maryland, Bowl Games

WASHINGTON -- Ralph Friedgen was approached for the last week at Maryland's team hotel for the Military Bowl. Fans, well aware he would coach his final game for the Terrapins within days, asked him to pose for photos and sign autographs.

He obliged those requests, then went out and helped create one final memory to cap his 10-year run.

Maryland rumbled to a 51-20 rout of East Carolina at RFK Stadium on Wednesday. Bowl MVP Da'Rel Scott ran for 200 yards and two scores. Redshirt freshman D.J. Adams rushed for four touchdowns.

Those details, however impressive, will soon fade. What will not is the departure of one of Maryland's most successful coaches -- and not by his own volition.

The school announced earlier this month it would buy out Friedgen at season's end. The man who took over a program with one bowl trip in 15 years departs with a 75-50 record and seven postseason appearances in a decade.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/ralph-friedgen-gets-a-memorable-sendoff-as-maryland-football-coa/

Shunsuke Nakamura Simao Sabrosa Stanislas Wawrinka Steve Stricker Steven Gerrard

Golf Year in Review: Season's Memories

Filed under: British Open, PGA, Ryder Cup, Golf Odds and Ends

(AP) -- Framed photographs large and small hang in every room and adorn the walls of every corridor inside the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, memories of Arnold Palmer and more than a half-century he devoted to golf.

He is flinging his visor after winning the Masters. He is posing with one of his best friends, Dow Finsterwald, and his longtime rival, Jack Nicklaus. In one picture, he is wearing a Chinese hat during his first trip to China to design a golf course.

Unmistakable in nearly every photograph is a smile.

In his design company office one day in December, he was asked why he was always seemed happy.

"I loved what I was doing," he said. "I got to play a great game. I have a great life, a great family, all the things you could want. I love the feeling of getting out of bed each morning."

Golf featured its share of unpleasant moments this year -- Tiger Woods, leaning back against his locker at Sawgrass with his eyes closed after pulling out of The Players Championship, perhaps the low point on the golf course in a year filled with them; Dustin Johnson, erasing his scorecard to change a 5 to a 7 after being told he was in a bunker on the last hole of the PGA Championship; Paul Casey, facing reporters who wanted answers he didn't have as to why he was left off the Ryder Cup team.

The photos of Palmer are a reminder that it's a great game, and a great life. As always, there were plenty of poignant moments from a year on the PGA Tour that go beyond birdies and bogeys and bunkers:

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/golf-year-in-review-seasons-memories/

Robert Allenby Roberto Ayala Robin Soderling Robin Van Persie Robinho

Robbie Findley Signs With England's Nottingham Forest

Filed under: European Soccer, MLS, U.S. Men's National Team, Real Salt Lake

U.S. national team forward Robbie Findley will be showcasing his beguiling (and often infuriating) combination of athleticism and clumsiness in the English second division beginning next month after reaching a 2.5-year deal with one-time European power Nottingham Forest.

Findley must secure a work permit to validate the contract, which should not be too much trouble for a player whose 10 appearances in 14 national team games this year was equaled by only Michael Bradley and Jonathan Bornstein.

"With his great pace and progression in the game at the moment we feel he will be an excellent addition to Forest in the Championship," Nottingham coach Billy Davies said on Thursday.

"He's got electric pace and the ability to cause problems. Robbie has got an eye for goal and he's a player who is desperate to play on this kind of stage."

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/23/robbie-findley-signs-with-englands-nottingham-forest/

Alexandre Pato Andrea Pirlo Andres Iniesta Andriy Shevchenko Andy Murray

Thorbjorn Olesen, an Emerging Talent to Watch on the European Tour in 2011

Filed under: Golf

Thorbjorn Olesen is probably one of the most exciting prospects in golf that you have never heard of. The Danish golfer has just earned his full card to play on the European Tour for next season after coming through the developmental Challenge Tour.

Yet he is wasting no time in pressing home his intentions to emulate Edoardo Molinari's heroic of 2010 after he graduated to the full tour.

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/12/29/thorbjorn-olesen-an-emerging-talent-to-watch-on-the-european-to/

Petr Cech Phil Mickelson Philipp Lahm Rafael Nadal Rafael van der Vaart

Erik Spoelstra's Christmas Gift to Players Sends Inspiring Message

Filed under: Heat, Knicks

MIAMI -- Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra may be a last-minute Christmas shopper, but he deserves a pass since he was probably too busy planning for his team's much-hyped matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers to free up enough time to go shopping.

On Tuesday night, in the Heat's first home game at the AmericanAirlines Arena since their victory against the defending champions, Spoelstra made sure he had a thoughtful gift for his team waiting for them. A DVD box set of the "Band of Brothers" mini-series and the original book written by Stephen E. Ambrose were bundled together in cellophane and holiday ribbons for each of the players. Taking a page from his mentor Pat Riley, who always sought to motivate and inspire his team, the young coach's intentions were clear.

The story of the Easy Company, an elite collection of riflemen sent ahead of the others to combat in World War II, is one that is easy to imagine would be a favorite of Spoelstra's. In enemy territory, these soldiers only had each other as they pulled together as a family to survive. With the Heat choosing to hold training camp at Hurlburt Field in Florida's Panhandle and their continued efforts to honor returning troops at home games throughout the season, the players have had plenty of contact with these brave Americans who risked their lives protecting their country.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/erik-spoelstras-christmas-gift-to-players-sends-inspiring-messa/

Clarence Seedorf Cristiano Ronaldo Daniel Alves Daniele De Rossi David Albelda

Rafael Palmeiro Continues to Insist He Never Took Steroids

Filed under: MLB Hall of Fame, MLB PEDs

Rafael Palmeiro continues to wave his finger, figuratively anyway, at those who accuse him of using performance-enhancing drugs -- even five years after he tested positive for using steroids.

"I was telling the truth then, and I am telling the truth now,'' Palmeiro told SI.com this week. "I don't know what else I can say. I have never taken steroids. For people who think I took steroids intentionally, I'm never going to convince them. But I hope the voters judge my career fairly and don't look at one mistake.''

The mistake in question was that positive test in 2005, Palmeiro's final year as a player. Now, as then, he says the test was caused by a tainted vial of vitamin B-12 given to him by Orioles teammate Miguel Tejada. Palmeiro was suspended 10 games for the positive test, which came mere months after he testified before Congress that he had never used steroids.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/rafael-palmeiro-continues-to-insist-he-never-took-steroids/

Daniel Alves Daniele De Rossi David Albelda David Beckham David Ferrer

Giants' Organic Run to Title Energizes City

Filed under: Giants, World Series

All this week, the FanHouse staff will look back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010.

The San Francisco Giants gave as much as they got, and gave some more, and got some more, and on and on it went until the wonderfully reciprocal thing among ballclub and fans and the baseball gods mushroomed into the sport's best story of 2010.

The team's wild journey ultimately brought San Francisco its first World Series trophy, which inspired other journeys from everyday folks. Giants fans euphoric over the end of a decades-long World Series drought traveled from both near and far to the sun-washed city. Converging from as far as other states and Southern California, some Giants fans, making like Sal Paradise in "On The Road," had driven all day and all night. A Giants victory parade beckoned. Upon arrival, grownups cried and spoke in disbelief.

It was all pretty ridiculous, and somehow organic and authentic in these overly packaged times. And the confetti and sappy talk on that November day, well, one would've thought it was a presidential inauguration.

"This day is a blessed reminder of a dream fulfilled for all of us," Giants president Larry Baer said after tens of thousands of fans crowded into the city.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/giants-organic-run-to-title-energizes-city/

Maicon Marcos Baghdatis Mardy Fish Marin Cilic Matt Kuchar

Clippers Surge as Blake Griffin Soars

Filed under: Clippers, Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Lakers will continue to get top billing in Los Angeles over the Clippers (and second and maybe third), even with their Christmas Day humbling by the Heat.

But kudos to the other team in La-La land for giving its most-loyal fan base quite the holiday treat in recent weeks, winning five of six games in a stretch that began on Dec. 17 and continued with a 100-99 win over the lowly Sacramento Kings on Monday night at Arco Arena.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/clippers-surge-as-blake-griffin-soars/

Ricardo Carvalho Ricardo Quaresma Richard Gasquet Rickie Fowler Rio Ferdinand

Roger Federer Defeats Rafael Nadal in First 'Match For Africa' Contest

With no official records or Grand Slam titles at stake, the two best tennis players in the world - Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer -- competed against one another for charity on Tuesday in front of a sellout crowd in Zurich, Switzerland. Much to the delight of tennis fans, the "Match For Africa" series between the two will continue with a rematch on Wednesday in Madrid, Spain.

On Tuesday, Federer protected his home court and defeated Nadal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the first of two "Match For Africa" contests.

 

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Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/roger-federer-defeats-rafael-nadal-in-first-match-for-africa-c/

Patrick Vieira Paul Casey Paul Scholes Pavel Nedved Petr Cech

Yankees Reportedly Have Discussed Manny Ramirez

Filed under: Yankees, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Manny Ramirez in pinstripes? Say it ain't so!

Well, it almost certainly ain't, but at least the sports-talk radio hosts in New York (and Boston) will have something to feed the masses on Christmas Eve after Jack Curry of YES reported the Yankees have had internal discussions about signing Ramirez.

Hey, New York would like a right-handed-hitting outfielder, and Ramirez qualifies there, so Yankees execs were merely doing their due diligence in talking amongst themselves about the enigmatic slugger. Curry himself made that point in a follow-up tweet -- as if he couldn't have predicted the frenzy that would follow the initial report -- further downplaying the chances of Ramirez actually wearing the home whites in the Bronx next year.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/23/yankees-have-discussed-manny-ramirez/

Nemanja Vidic Nery Castillo Nick Watney Nicolas Almagro Nikolay Davydenko

Steve Phillips' Fix My Team: Giants

Filed under: Giants, MLB Video, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency, Executive Take

Every team has a few precious months in the offseason to make tweaks to their roster and ensure that they improve. Steve Phillips has taken a team to the World Series before, and over the course of November and December he will present his plan for every major league team to get there as well. It's the 30th episode of Fix My Team, and his final project is the San Francisco Giants.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/24/steve-phillips-fix-my-team-giants/

Jurgen Melzer Justin Rose Kaka Kim Kallström Kolo Touré

Bart Palaszewski Headed to UFC

Filed under: UFC, WEC, FanHouse Exclusive, News

While lightweights Jamie Varner and Chris Horodecki's respective WEC contracts won't be carried over to the UFC, veteran 155-pounder Bart Palaszewski was fortunate enough to have his deal brought over to the organization.

MMA Fighting confirmed the news with Palaszewski's manager, Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment, Tuesday evening.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/28/bart-palaszewski-headed-to-ufc/

Sam Querrey Samir Nasri Samuel Eto’o Sergio Agüero Sergio Ramos

Tim Coleman-Vernon Paris on Devon Alexander-Tim Bradley Under Card

Filed under: WBC, WBO, Boxing Rumors, HBO

Baltimore junior welterweight (140 pounds) Tim Coleman will pursue his fifth straight victory and his second consecutive knockout against unbeaten Vernon Paris of Detroit on Jan. 29 at the Ponitiac Silverdome in Pontiac Mich.

The Coleman-Paris clash will take place on the under card of a Don King-promoted, HBO televised main event featuring 27-year-old WBO junior welterweight king, Tim Bradley (26-0, 11 knockouts), of Palm Springs, Calif., and, 23-year-old, southpaw, WBC titlist, Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs), of St. Louis, Mo.

 

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Source: http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/tim-coleman-vernon-paris-on-devon-alexander-tim-bradley-under-ca/

Matt Kuchar Maxi Rodríguez Michael Ballack Michael Essien Michael Owen

You're Out: Six Who Will Be Missing When England Defend the Ashes

Filed under: Cricket, The Ashes, England Cricket, Australia Cricket

The current Ashes series is certain to be a watershed in the careers of players from both sides. Some have cemented their Test place for the foreseeable future, others are on their way out - perhaps forever. Here FanHouse takes a look at six of those on the wrong sides of the tracks, the men who cannot expect to still be involved when Australia visit England in 2013 to try and regain world cricket's oldest - and smallest - trophy. Not surprisingly, most of them are Australian.

AUSTRALIA:
Ricky Ponting: With 12,000 runs to his name, "Punter" deserves all the accolades in the world for a wonderful Test career spanning 150 matches and nearly 100 victories. But the miles on the clock have started to affect Ponting and he needs to find the strength of character to walk before he is pushed. His batting has been atrocious this series and his captaincy even worse, summed up by his diabolical attack on umpire Aleem Dar when he did not get his own way over a Kevin Pietersen dismissal. Ponting used to have a permanent baby face; now he looks 10 years older than his 36 years. He may wish to battle on and even return to the anonymity of being a mere player rather than captain and perhaps his Test record means he should be indulged and allowed to do that. But it is crystal clear that Australia need to rebuild from the top down.

Marcus North: When North departed from Adelaide after scoring just 26 and 22, it was widely believed that he was leaving the Test arena for the last time. There would appear to be no logic in bringing him back either. Aged 31 and with only five centuries to his name in 35 innings, North has been a faithful if uninspiring Australia servant and that will not be enough to get him on the plane in 2013.

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/12/29/youre-out-six-who-will-be-missing-when-england-defend-the-ashe/

Gabriel Milito Gael Monfils Gary Neville Gennaro Gattuso Geoff Ogilvy