Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
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Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Euro Roundup: First-place Manchester City won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on Joleon Lescott's goal in the 63rd minute, maintaining its two-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
AP“Yeah, absolutely,” he replied.
“The doctors checked everything,” Colletti said. “There have been a lot of players through here in the last month. None came out with a better reading than Nomar.”
Garciaparra has a .320 lifetime batting average, fifth-highest among active major leaguers. He has played in 135 or more games in six seasons, hit more than 20 homers six times, and driven in 100 or more runs four times.
“I’m not here looking to achieve what I did (in Boston),” he said. “The biggest thing I can achieve is being part of a World Series team. That’s what I want to achieve here. I’ve never set personal goals for myself. It doesn’t matter whether you hit .370 or .250 or .210 if you have a ring on your finger.”
Garciaparra was born in nearby Whittier, and graduated from St. John Bosco High in suburban Bellflower.
He said that coming home was a major factor in his decision.
“The first big league game I’ve ever seen was at Dodger Stadium,” he recalled. “I grew up cheering for all the L.A. teams. I remember the World Series games (in 1988). I can tell you the lineup as well. I know all the players and the positions growing up.”
Garciaparra met twice with Dodgers executives last week.
“When I came here, those childhood memories came back,” he said. “I didn’t know if I would ever be here or come back home. I’ve always felt the support from other places I’ve gone. To come home and put on this uniform is a great feeling.
“They’re putting guys in place. I think it’s going to be a fun year. Winning and class, that’s what the Dodgers have always represented.”
The Dodgers didn’t win last season, going 71-91 — their second-poorest record since moving from Brooklyn before the 1958 season. They parted ways with manager Jim Tracy the day after the season ended and fired general manager Paul DePodesta on Oct. 29.
Colletti has been busy since succeeding DePodesta, hiring manager Grady Little and adding three free agents — shortstop Rafael Furcal, third baseman Bill Mueller and Garciaparra.
Garciaparra played for Little in Boston from 2002-03, and will join former Red Sox teammates Mueller and Derek Lowe with the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, Colletti continues to pursue free agents, specifically outfielders and starting pitchers. The Dodgers appear close to an agreement with free-agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
“A possibility,” Colletti said. “Not today. Until he’s done, he’s a possibility.”
Garciaparra’s wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm, said she was delighted with the way things worked out.
“He made the decision for the right reason — he made the decision with his heart,” she said.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.