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.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
2005 finish: 88-74, 2nd place in AL West)
Manager: Ken Macha (4th season)
Free agents: RHP Octavio Dotel, DH Erubiel Durazo, DH Scott Hatteberg, LHP Ricardo Rincon, C Alberto Castillo, RHP Keiichi Yabu
On the block: RHP Kirk Saarloos, RHP Juan Cruz, LHP Joe Kennedy, IF Keith Ginter
Looking for: Corner outfielder, designated hitter or first baseman, backup infielder
What’s going on: Now that Ken Macha has found out that the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere, GM Billy Beane can get to work on providing Macha with what little the roster needs to get back to the playoffs after a two-year absence. With some pitching to spare, the A’s should be able to improve their offense. They have at least one right-handed power bat — likely in left field, first base or at designated hitter. Veteran left-handed setup man Ricardo Rincon could return, but they aren’t expect to re-sign Erubiel Durazo, Scott Hatteberg or Octavio Dotel, who is recovering from surgery and won’t pitch until at least midseason. Hatteberg could land a front-office or minor-league coaching position if he doesn’t catch on as a player elsewhere. Setup man Jay Witasick was re-signed to a two-year deal. They did not exercise an option on reliever Keiichi Yabu, and he isn’t likely to return. Gerald Perry has replaced Dave Hudgens as the hitting instructor. Bob Geren, who would have been a candidate if Macha didn’t return, has moved from bullpen coach to bench coach.
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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 |
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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.
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