Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Arc: Syracuse is among a solid group of No. 1 seeds in our latest tournament projections, but the middle of the pack is much more murky.
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.
Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods greeted their Sunday pairing at Pebble Beach with optimism. But the day would end happily only for one.
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.
Getty ImagesAfter Varitek was hit to reach base for Boston, Coco Crisp tried to bunt for a hit but the ball rolled just foul down the first-base line before he later struck out. Duchscherer got through six innings on 78 pitches.
“He was incredible,” teammate Mark Ellis said. “He can throw the ball wherever he wants to throw it.”
After Beckett allowed Mike Sweeney’s leadoff double in the second, Emil Brown’s RBI groundout gave the A’s a 1-0 lead. Ellis followed with a single and Beckett then retired the next 11 Oakland hitters before Bobby Crosby’s single leading off the sixth.
Ryan Sweeney connected for his second home run leading off the seventh, giving the A’s a longball in a season-best seven straight games. Mike Sweeney singled in an insurance run in the eighth.
“When you have such a potent offense in the dugout over there, it makes it all the more special to have that kind of performance against the Red Sox,” Geren said.
Jack Cust struck out looking in his first three at-bats against Beckett, then was lifted for defense and Rajai Davis entered and moved to center.
Slumping Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez got the night off, a mental break of sorts. He is slated to play in Sunday’s series finale. Ramirez has two hits in his past 23 at-bats and is hitting .189 (17-for-90) over his past 24 games.
“He’s had a tough stretch,” Francona said. “He came in here a little bit ago and said thanks. He’s been working. I think this will be really good for him. I can’t imagine coming to the ballpark and not wanting to put him in there. Sometimes it’s in our best interest.”
Notes: The Red Sox went 0-for-18 in the first three innings Friday and Saturday. ... A’s rookie 1B Daric Barton was out and nursing tonsillitis. He might not play until Tuesday, the series opener against Toronto after a day off for the club Monday. ... The Red Sox activated OF Brandon Moss from 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Pawtucket. Also, Boston RHP Julian Tavarez was granted his release. ... The 2-year-old son of late A’s pitcher Joe Kennedy, Kaige, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Kennedy died last November at age 28 from a heart condition.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
HBT: Prince Fielder is gone and Ryan Braun will likely miss a third of the season because of a failed PED test. Can Milwaukee stay in contention until he gets back?
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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.
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.
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.