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.
Getty Images"Cliff was outstanding,'' Utley said. "He's been outstanding the whole postseason. He's been oustanding the whole time we've had him. I'm definitely glad he's on our side.''
Lee's four-start postseason totals now stand at 3-0, 0.54 ERA, 33.1 innings pitched, 20 hits, three walks and 30 strikeouts. And he mixed in a flair for the dramatic, non-chalantly grabbing a little pop fly, and making an eye-opening, behind-the-back grab of a ground ball for an assist.
"I don't know how I caught that ball,'' Lee said of the latter play. "But to be successful, you have to be confident. You have to feel like you can get everybody out. I try not to go over the edge and be cocky and rub it in. But I do have confidence.
"About being cool, whatever ... I've always been that way. This is the same game I've been playing my whole life. This is the stage I've wanted to get to since I was a kid. It's been a long time since I've been nervous playing this game. Game time is time to go out there and have fun, execute and let your skills take over.''
Lee called it 'ironic' that the Game 1 victory was another in a string of impressive performances in New York. He started the 2008 All-Star Game in the old park across the street, beat Sabathia and the Yankees in the opening game in the new park while he still was with the Indians, and saved his best for Wednesday night.
"I'm not thinking this has been an easy postseason,'' Lee said. "I'll pat myself on the back when this is all over — hopefully. Until then, I'll keep grinding and doing what I'm supposed to be doing to prepare myself.''
Just don't look for Lee to come back on three days rest in this series. It's something he's never done before. But Lee already has proven to be more than worth what the Phillies sent to Cleveland to get him — four prospects, none regarded as among the top two or three in the Phils' system.
Lee's contract also is very reasonable, especially considering he was the 2008 Cy Young Award winner in a remarkable turnaround after being sent to the minors early in 2007. There is an $8-million club option for 2010, and you can rest assured the Phils will pick it up — and most likely add to it with a long-term deal. Still, it won't come anywhere close to equalling the six years left on Sabathia's enormous contract.
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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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.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.