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.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
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.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had 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.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
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.
APWhen Lester finally blew a fastball past Sizemore for strike three to end the threat, his father, John, and Kathie jumped up and pumped their fists in celebration. However, she quickly sat back down and resumed her doubled-up position, seemingly afraid to watch anymore.
Lester said having his parents on hand made his return more special.
“It meant a lot,” he said. “They’ve been through a lot. It was a long offseason, so it was good to have them here to enjoy the moment.”
At a time when sports headlines were dominated by an NBA betting scandal, Michael Vick’s alleged dogfighting involvement and an ongoing steroid investigation that has tainted Barry Bonds’ chase of Henry Aaron’s home run record, along came Lester.
“Wow, it’s a great story,” knuckleballer Tim Wakefield said. “It’s been a long road for him.”
Lester’s comeback has inspired the Red Sox, who were marveling at his composure and maturity long before he began chemotherapy.
Lester, who became the first Red Sox rookie lefty to win his first five decisions, had eased into Boston’s rotation when cancer imperiled his young life. But by December, he was throwing again and he showed up at training camp two weeks before pitchers and catchers were due.
Although he appeared ready, the Red Sox decided to bring Lester along slowly, allowing him to pitch in the minors for more than three months before recalling him Monday from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Lester’s return figured to be an emotional one for his immediate family and those who love him for the beloved “B” on his cap.
“This isn’t even about baseball,” Curt Schilling said. “It just doesn’t get any better the way a guy like that comes back to us. It’s about family. The big thing is he’s a great human being and that makes it an even better story. That wasn’t your run-of-the-mill DL stint.”
Notes: Red Sox DH David Ortiz missed his third straight game after injuring his left shoulder on a slide Friday. Ortiz hit off a tee before the game and plans to take batting practice on Tuesday. “Every day it feels better,” he said. Ortiz noted that he got hurt trying to stretch a single by challenging the arm of Chicago right fielder Jermaine Dye. “I’ve run on him two times and both times I was out, and both times I got hurt,” he said. ... Garko extended his hitting streak to 16 games. He’s batting .463 over the span. ... Manny Delcarmen pitched three innings for his first career save. ... The Red Sox stopped a six-game road losing streak.
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.
HardballTalk headlines |
 | Interactive |
 |
 | Slideshow |
 | Unbreakable records in baseball A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters. |
| Slideshow |
 | The top tools of baseball You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down. more photos |
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
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.
NBC Sports TV and livestream listings