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.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
2005 finish: 99-63, 1st place in AL Central, World Series champions
Manager: Ozzie Guillen (3rd season)
Free agents: 1B Paul Konerko, DH/OF Carl Everett, DH Frank Thomas, C Chris Widger, IF Geoff Blum, C Raul Casanova
On the block: RHP Orlando Hernandez, LHP Damaso Marte, OF Jermaine Dye
Looking for: Left-handed bat at DH, right field or first base if Paul Konerko signs elsewhere, relievers
What’s going on: They will have to pay to hang onto Paul Konerko, who will attract much interest as the best of a very slim list of power-hitting free agents. The Angels, for one, already have expressed interest, and while Konerko is a nice fit right where he is, the Sox should have locked him up when they had the chance. Now it could cost as much as $65 million, as interest also could come from the Red Sox and Mets and Dodgers. Frank Thomas could return at a much lower price, but Carl Everett likely will move on. Thomas has received a $3.5-million buyout, and given his uncertain health status, would have to accept an incentives-laden deal to return. They will try to sign Jon Garland to a long-term deal, something in the three-year, $20-million range. Orlando Hernandez could be dealt or moved to the bullpen to make room for Brandon McCarthy in the rotation. Chris Widger re-signed a one-year deal to again back up A.J. Pierzynski. Geoff Blum probably had little shot to return until his huge World Series home run.
|
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.
INTERACTIVE |
 |
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.
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.
/peacock_7788aa.gif){kind=small}