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.
ReutersTODD HELTON, ROCKIES
When you talk about consistency, you have to look at Todd Helton’s career. He plays in a market that flies under the radar, and a lot of people don’t know who he is. That’s a shame.
Helton comes into a pennant chase hitting .318, good for fourth in the NL. And that impressive average is actually nine points below his career average.
Helton dealt with some injuries in 2008, having what was for him a rough season. But before that he had 10 straight seasons where he hit over .300, including his 2000 season, when he hit .372 with 42 home runs and 147 RBIs. Somehow, Helton finished fifth in MVP voting that season.
Again, it comes down to the market he plays in.
Todd Helton can flat-out hit. It doesn’t matter what stadium he plays in, he does it on the road as well as at home, and he’s a very steady first baseman as well.
On top of all that, he’s a leader on a team dominated by young guys. I’m sure all the young kids look up to him. He’s a good role model. If he’s able to play another three or four years, he’ll have Hall of Fame numbers.
ALBERT PUJOLS, CARDINALS
What is there that Albert Pujols can’t do? We’ve already named five very good hitters, of all ages and skill types, but this guy is the best of all of them. What he brings to the ballpark day in and day out is incredible. In his ninth season, Albert Pujols is a career.344 hitter.
He’s the cream of the crop, the ultimate player, proving it year in and year out. Don’t be surprised if, before his career is done, Pujols wins a triple crown.
I’m glad I don’t have to pitch against this guy, as he’s an absolute nightmare. He does make outs now and then, but as a pitcher, you just hope that if you make a mistake, he doesn’t break a seat out in left field.
They don’t come along too often like Albert. Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron. That’s the kind of company he keeps. When you consider the eras these guys played in, Hank Aaron might have been the greatest player to ever play. But in this era, there is no better player than Albert Pujols.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
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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.
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.
Paul Pierce has been around long enough to know what Rajon Rondo's performance can mean for the aging Boston Celtics.