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Thursday, 26 March 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Four bids to host Euro 2016
UEFA announced on Tuesday it had received four bids to stage the Euro 2016 championships by Monday's deadline. They are France, Italy, Turkey and a joint bid from Sweden and Norway
European football's governing body will next examine the submitted details of the bids to confirm which are eligible to go forward to the next stage.
UEFA's executive committee will take a final decision on or about May 27, 2010. The 2012 tournament will be held jointly by Poland and Ukraine.
European football's governing body will next examine the submitted details of the bids to confirm which are eligible to go forward to the next stage.
UEFA's executive committee will take a final decision on or about May 27, 2010. The 2012 tournament will be held jointly by Poland and Ukraine.
Walcott's return can fire Arsenal
Arsene Wenger hopes Theo Walcott's return to action in Sunday's FA Cup fifth round clash against Burnley will give Arsenal the momentum to keep their season alive.
Walcott is back after surgery on a shoulder injury sustained during training with England before their November friendly against Germany.
The 19-year-old, who last played for Arsenal on November 15, was in fine form before the injury and Wenger believes he can have a significant impact on a big week for the Gunners.
Victory over Championship club Burnley at the Emirates Stadium would set up a winnable home clash with Hull in the quarter-finals. Then Wenger's side travel to Italy for Wednesday's second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Roma hoping to hold onto their one-goal lead.
Wenger knows Walcott's shoulder will be tested by the physical demands of top-level competition but he expect the teenager to cope.
"It is very important to see how he will respond with his shoulder and I think he looks to be nearly there. To have him back is great and he can be very good for us," Wenger said.
"However, the difference between training and competition is different.
"Theo is very fit, but after that you have to get used to tackles and go into the challenges."
Walcott's return, and that of Croatia striker Eduardo from a hamstring injury, are perfectly timed for Wenger, who has seen his side struggle to score in recent weeks.
Arsenal ended a run of four successive goalless league draws by beating bottom of the table West Bromwich Albion in midweek, but Wenger knows he needs as many attacking options as possible for the sterner tests that lie ahead - starting with Owen Coyle's Burnley.
Wenger will not underestimate the challenge posed by the Clarets, who knocked Arsenal out of the League Cup at Turf Moor in December and also beat Chelsea and Fulham in the same competition.
"It is an important game and not one we will treat lightly. We treat it with respect and focus," Wenger said.
"We know Burnley well and that they are a good side. The Championship teams are now a serious candidate in every game.
"They have shown that recently, and we have the experience of playing Championship teams.
"The gap has been reduced between Championship teams and the Premier League - you see that in the results of the FA Cup and League Cup."
Wenger is set to rotate some of his personnel on Sunday, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski given another chance to impress but defender Kolo Toure, who has a calf injury, will not be risked.
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is unlikely to be match fit in time for the Roma game as he battles to recover from his own hamstring injury.
"I have to measure the consequence of resting one or two players more and having a bad game, and of making sure we get through," Wenger said.
"You give your best and make sure it works, so we will give our best and it will work.
"The best way to prepare for the next game against Roma is to win on Sunday."
Burnley have impressed with their fluent passing football this season and Coyle insists he has no intention of playing for a draw at the Emirates.
"Whoever plays for Arsenal, you can guarantee they'll be an international player and that in itself tells you the enormity of the task," Coyle said.
"But we're going to look to be positive in the game, commit players forward at each and every opportunity and see where it takes us.
"I've said before, I'm not going to set a team out to go and stop the game. We're taking over 5,000 fans and it would be remiss of me to just sit behind the ball and not offer anything in terms of an attacking threat."
Walcott is back after surgery on a shoulder injury sustained during training with England before their November friendly against Germany.
The 19-year-old, who last played for Arsenal on November 15, was in fine form before the injury and Wenger believes he can have a significant impact on a big week for the Gunners.
Victory over Championship club Burnley at the Emirates Stadium would set up a winnable home clash with Hull in the quarter-finals. Then Wenger's side travel to Italy for Wednesday's second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Roma hoping to hold onto their one-goal lead.
Wenger knows Walcott's shoulder will be tested by the physical demands of top-level competition but he expect the teenager to cope.
"It is very important to see how he will respond with his shoulder and I think he looks to be nearly there. To have him back is great and he can be very good for us," Wenger said.
"However, the difference between training and competition is different.
"Theo is very fit, but after that you have to get used to tackles and go into the challenges."
Walcott's return, and that of Croatia striker Eduardo from a hamstring injury, are perfectly timed for Wenger, who has seen his side struggle to score in recent weeks.
Arsenal ended a run of four successive goalless league draws by beating bottom of the table West Bromwich Albion in midweek, but Wenger knows he needs as many attacking options as possible for the sterner tests that lie ahead - starting with Owen Coyle's Burnley.
Wenger will not underestimate the challenge posed by the Clarets, who knocked Arsenal out of the League Cup at Turf Moor in December and also beat Chelsea and Fulham in the same competition.
"It is an important game and not one we will treat lightly. We treat it with respect and focus," Wenger said.
"We know Burnley well and that they are a good side. The Championship teams are now a serious candidate in every game.
"They have shown that recently, and we have the experience of playing Championship teams.
"The gap has been reduced between Championship teams and the Premier League - you see that in the results of the FA Cup and League Cup."
Wenger is set to rotate some of his personnel on Sunday, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski given another chance to impress but defender Kolo Toure, who has a calf injury, will not be risked.
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is unlikely to be match fit in time for the Roma game as he battles to recover from his own hamstring injury.
"I have to measure the consequence of resting one or two players more and having a bad game, and of making sure we get through," Wenger said.
"You give your best and make sure it works, so we will give our best and it will work.
"The best way to prepare for the next game against Roma is to win on Sunday."
Burnley have impressed with their fluent passing football this season and Coyle insists he has no intention of playing for a draw at the Emirates.
"Whoever plays for Arsenal, you can guarantee they'll be an international player and that in itself tells you the enormity of the task," Coyle said.
"But we're going to look to be positive in the game, commit players forward at each and every opportunity and see where it takes us.
"I've said before, I'm not going to set a team out to go and stop the game. We're taking over 5,000 fans and it would be remiss of me to just sit behind the ball and not offer anything in terms of an attacking threat."
Liverpool count on fans to beat Real
When it comes to experience of high-pressure European encounters, Real Madrid can hardly be placed in the category of innocent novices.
But even a club that can point to a trophy cabinet weighed down by nine European Cups, occasionally finds itself confronted with a new frontier, and Tuesday's visit to Liverpool certainly has that kind of feel about it.
Having lost the tactical battle in the Bernabeu two weeks ago, Real's players will duck under the "This is Anfield" sign with some trepidation before they embark on their attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against opponents for whom the Champions League looks increasingly like a last chance of silverware this season.
One veteran of such occasions is expecting the magical atmosphere of Anfield on a European night to compromise Real's chances of denying Liverpool a place in the last eight.
"Madrid haven't played at Anfield and they won't be ready for the atmosphere," said the former Reds striker Ian Rush.
"They'll say they know about it but look at Juventus in 2005. They said they were expecting it, but were blown away in the first-half. Chelsea were 1-0 down before they knew it that year too.
"When the players walk out onto the Anfield pitch in the Champions League it's a completely different atmosphere to anything you'll find anywhere else, and that could be the difference for us."
Liverpool's win in Madrid, courtesy of an unlikely header from Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun, underlined the vulnerability of Juande Ramos's side, as well as making a mockery of pre-match comments from Real's Dutch forward, Rafael van der Vaart, who had claimed the Merseysiders "were a little bit scared" by his club's reputation.
In recent years it has been Liverpool, rather than Real, who have been performing like aristocrats of the European game.
As a result, their Brazilian left-back, Fabio Aurelio, believes Tuesday's second leg is not one they will approach with any apprehension.
"If you look at the last few Champions League campaigns, Liverpool have been in the last four consistently," Aurelio said. "And we have reached two finals in recent seasons. Where were Madrid? They are a great club with great history in Europe, but Liverpool are also famous in the competition."
As a former Manchester Untied player, Real defender Gabriel Heinze knows how significant a role the "beautiful" atmosphere at Anfield can play in shaping the outcome of matches there.
But the Argentina international is bullish about his team-mates ability to buck the trend.
"It will not affect us because we are used to playing in this type of atmosphere," he said. "We just have to get a good result."
A draw with local rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday ended Real's ten-match winning run in La Liga while Liverpool were enjoying a weekend off and keeping their fingers crossed that the rest will have helped Fernando Torres complete his recovery from an ankle injury he incurred in the first leg.
Having watched his side fail to create a single meaningful chance in that match, Ramos has billed the trip to Anfield as a "life or death" encounter and promised his players will battle "to our last drop of blood."
Delivering on such hyperbolic claims could be made easier by the return from injury of Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, a player who combines technical excellence with a feisty spirit, and has a habit of displaying both when it matters most.
But even a club that can point to a trophy cabinet weighed down by nine European Cups, occasionally finds itself confronted with a new frontier, and Tuesday's visit to Liverpool certainly has that kind of feel about it.
Having lost the tactical battle in the Bernabeu two weeks ago, Real's players will duck under the "This is Anfield" sign with some trepidation before they embark on their attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against opponents for whom the Champions League looks increasingly like a last chance of silverware this season.
One veteran of such occasions is expecting the magical atmosphere of Anfield on a European night to compromise Real's chances of denying Liverpool a place in the last eight.
"Madrid haven't played at Anfield and they won't be ready for the atmosphere," said the former Reds striker Ian Rush.
"They'll say they know about it but look at Juventus in 2005. They said they were expecting it, but were blown away in the first-half. Chelsea were 1-0 down before they knew it that year too.
"When the players walk out onto the Anfield pitch in the Champions League it's a completely different atmosphere to anything you'll find anywhere else, and that could be the difference for us."
Liverpool's win in Madrid, courtesy of an unlikely header from Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun, underlined the vulnerability of Juande Ramos's side, as well as making a mockery of pre-match comments from Real's Dutch forward, Rafael van der Vaart, who had claimed the Merseysiders "were a little bit scared" by his club's reputation.
In recent years it has been Liverpool, rather than Real, who have been performing like aristocrats of the European game.
As a result, their Brazilian left-back, Fabio Aurelio, believes Tuesday's second leg is not one they will approach with any apprehension.
"If you look at the last few Champions League campaigns, Liverpool have been in the last four consistently," Aurelio said. "And we have reached two finals in recent seasons. Where were Madrid? They are a great club with great history in Europe, but Liverpool are also famous in the competition."
As a former Manchester Untied player, Real defender Gabriel Heinze knows how significant a role the "beautiful" atmosphere at Anfield can play in shaping the outcome of matches there.
But the Argentina international is bullish about his team-mates ability to buck the trend.
"It will not affect us because we are used to playing in this type of atmosphere," he said. "We just have to get a good result."
A draw with local rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday ended Real's ten-match winning run in La Liga while Liverpool were enjoying a weekend off and keeping their fingers crossed that the rest will have helped Fernando Torres complete his recovery from an ankle injury he incurred in the first leg.
Having watched his side fail to create a single meaningful chance in that match, Ramos has billed the trip to Anfield as a "life or death" encounter and promised his players will battle "to our last drop of blood."
Delivering on such hyperbolic claims could be made easier by the return from injury of Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, a player who combines technical excellence with a feisty spirit, and has a habit of displaying both when it matters most.
Artest leads Rockets to 97-95 win over Nuggets
Even the return of Kenyon Martin couldn't snap the Denver Nuggets out of their funk. Ron Artest scored 22 points and Aaron Brooks added 19 in the Houston Rockets' 97-95 win over the fading Nuggets on Monday night.
Brooks sank one of two free throws with 22.7 seconds left to give Houston a 93-90 lead. Linas Kleiza got the rebound and Denver called a timeout. But Chauncey Billups, who led the Nuggets with 28 points, missed a layup, and Kyle Lowry sank two free throws with 9.9 seconds left.
After Billups' bucket made it 95-92, Brooks sank two free throws, rendering moot J.R. Smith's 34-footer at the buzzer and securing Houston's 11th win in 13 games since Tracy McGrady's season-ending knee injury.
The Nuggets, who were the No. 2 seed in the West at the All-Star break, have slipped all the way to seventh in the conference with eight losses in 11 games.
The Nuggets had fallen out of first place in the Northwest Division with a disheartening defeat at Sacramento 24 hours earlier, and they had counted on a return to Denver and the return of Martin to get them back on track.
With a chance to tie idle Utah, which has won 11 straight, atop the division, the Nuggets jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first half only to fritter away their lead by halftime, when they trailed 45-40.
They fell behind by 19 in the third quarter before mounting a comeback that fell just short.
Before tipoff, Nuggets coach George Karl said he still thought the schedule down the stretch favored Denver, which he thinks can recover and get home-court advantage in the first round.
"It's not raining, it's just cloudy," Karl said.
And maybe those raindrops started to fall Monday night.
Denver trailed 53-49 after a 3-pointer by Billups midway through the third quarter, but the Rockets responded with a 15-0 run capped by Artest's 3-pointer that gave Houston a 68-49 lead.
Artest also had a breakaway dunk during the run when he stepped in front of Billups' pass intended for Carmelo Anthony and sped downcourt. Billups grabbed Artest with both hands at midcourt and didn't chase him, then looked at the referee incredulously, wondering why he hadn't blown the whistle.
The Nuggets went into the fourth quarter down 74-62.
Martin was out for three games with a bad back, and the Nuggets were exposed defensively without him and were also a mess on offense, sapping Denver of its solid high-low game with center Nene.
But he was a non-factor against Houston, finishing with six points and seven boards in 24 minutes.
The Rockets, the league's third-best free-throw shooting team, were just 20-of-35 from the free-throw line, but made them when they had to, sinking five of six in the final 22 seconds.
Notes:@ Nuggets G Anthony Carter (hip) is expected to return to action this week. ... The Nuggets were averaging 105 points at the Pepsi Center. ... Smith also had a 30-footer at the first-quarter buzzer.
Brooks sank one of two free throws with 22.7 seconds left to give Houston a 93-90 lead. Linas Kleiza got the rebound and Denver called a timeout. But Chauncey Billups, who led the Nuggets with 28 points, missed a layup, and Kyle Lowry sank two free throws with 9.9 seconds left.
After Billups' bucket made it 95-92, Brooks sank two free throws, rendering moot J.R. Smith's 34-footer at the buzzer and securing Houston's 11th win in 13 games since Tracy McGrady's season-ending knee injury.
The Nuggets, who were the No. 2 seed in the West at the All-Star break, have slipped all the way to seventh in the conference with eight losses in 11 games.
The Nuggets had fallen out of first place in the Northwest Division with a disheartening defeat at Sacramento 24 hours earlier, and they had counted on a return to Denver and the return of Martin to get them back on track.
With a chance to tie idle Utah, which has won 11 straight, atop the division, the Nuggets jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first half only to fritter away their lead by halftime, when they trailed 45-40.
They fell behind by 19 in the third quarter before mounting a comeback that fell just short.
Before tipoff, Nuggets coach George Karl said he still thought the schedule down the stretch favored Denver, which he thinks can recover and get home-court advantage in the first round.
"It's not raining, it's just cloudy," Karl said.
And maybe those raindrops started to fall Monday night.
Denver trailed 53-49 after a 3-pointer by Billups midway through the third quarter, but the Rockets responded with a 15-0 run capped by Artest's 3-pointer that gave Houston a 68-49 lead.
Artest also had a breakaway dunk during the run when he stepped in front of Billups' pass intended for Carmelo Anthony and sped downcourt. Billups grabbed Artest with both hands at midcourt and didn't chase him, then looked at the referee incredulously, wondering why he hadn't blown the whistle.
The Nuggets went into the fourth quarter down 74-62.
Martin was out for three games with a bad back, and the Nuggets were exposed defensively without him and were also a mess on offense, sapping Denver of its solid high-low game with center Nene.
But he was a non-factor against Houston, finishing with six points and seven boards in 24 minutes.
The Rockets, the league's third-best free-throw shooting team, were just 20-of-35 from the free-throw line, but made them when they had to, sinking five of six in the final 22 seconds.
Notes:@ Nuggets G Anthony Carter (hip) is expected to return to action this week. ... The Nuggets were averaging 105 points at the Pepsi Center. ... Smith also had a 30-footer at the first-quarter buzzer.
Jaguars' Matt Jones jailed on contempt charge
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones was jailed Monday after violating terms of his plea deal in a drug possession case by testing positive for alcohol.
The former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback was booked into the Washington County Detention Center on Monday night on a contempt of court charge after a random drug test in February showed he violated a rule against using drugs or alcohol.
Jones was charged with one count of cocaine possession in July, when a Fayetteville police officer saw him inside a parked car allegedly cutting up cocaine. He was later suspended for the last three games of the 2008 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
In October, Jones reached a plea deal on the charge and was accepted into a program requiring him to participate in NFL-sponsored substance-abuse counseling and random drug testing through the end of the football season, then return to Fayetteville to complete the program.
Jones' agent, Dave Butz, said the drug court's judge pointed out that Jones has been very respectful and compliant during his time in the program.
"The only issue was Matt admitting to the court that he drank a couple of beers while playing golf last week with his friends," Butz said.
Lisa Dennis, a deputy prosecuting attorney for the drug court, told The Florida Times-Union newspaper in Jacksonville that Jones had complied with the program and was frank with the judge about the alcohol violation.
"But the judge wanted to emphasize that even having a beer is against the rules," Dennis told the newspaper. "It's not a terrible infraction, but he broke a rule."
A first-round draft pick in 2005, Jones was having the best year of his career before he was suspended, with 65 catches for 761 yards and two touchdowns.
The former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback was booked into the Washington County Detention Center on Monday night on a contempt of court charge after a random drug test in February showed he violated a rule against using drugs or alcohol.
Jones was charged with one count of cocaine possession in July, when a Fayetteville police officer saw him inside a parked car allegedly cutting up cocaine. He was later suspended for the last three games of the 2008 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
In October, Jones reached a plea deal on the charge and was accepted into a program requiring him to participate in NFL-sponsored substance-abuse counseling and random drug testing through the end of the football season, then return to Fayetteville to complete the program.
Jones' agent, Dave Butz, said the drug court's judge pointed out that Jones has been very respectful and compliant during his time in the program.
"The only issue was Matt admitting to the court that he drank a couple of beers while playing golf last week with his friends," Butz said.
Lisa Dennis, a deputy prosecuting attorney for the drug court, told The Florida Times-Union newspaper in Jacksonville that Jones had complied with the program and was frank with the judge about the alcohol violation.
"But the judge wanted to emphasize that even having a beer is against the rules," Dennis told the newspaper. "It's not a terrible infraction, but he broke a rule."
A first-round draft pick in 2005, Jones was having the best year of his career before he was suspended, with 65 catches for 761 yards and two touchdowns.
Stolen AFC ring returned to owner nine years later
Brenden Stai was in the middle of a move to Jacksonville in 2000 when he last remembers seeing the AFC championship ring he once donned.
It was on his rolodex in his home office, but the hardware had to be packed up and shipped from Kansas to Jacksonville because Stai was being traded again.
The ring was stolen and Stai never saw it again.
Until this week.
Nine years after losing track of the ring, which he earned when he was a rookie with the Steelers in 1995, the expensive jewelry turned up at Cash4Gold, a Florida-based company that buys gold from consumers.
The 10-carat ring, valued at $3,000, was flagged by a data entry and testing employee at a Pompano Beach facility and taken to the in-house estate buyer before being handed over to law enforcement in Fort Lauderdale.
Stai received a call soon after.
"I thought I would never see it again," Stai said.
"The last time I remember seeing the ring was in my office. It was such a whirlwind of events. I woke up in the middle of the night (in Jacksonville) and was like, 'Where is my ring?' The tough thing about it was I couldn't really get a grasp on where I had left it or if it was stolen by the movers in Kansas City."
Stai, who lives in Nebraska, ordered a replica of the ring with permission from Steelers ownership, the Rooney family.
"I was very upset, but what can you do," Stai said.
The Rooneys originally purchased the AFC rings in '95 for the team. Stai wanted it in his memorabilia.
"It was more or less a second-place ring, but it was from the Rooneys themselves," said Stai, an All-American at Nebraska who also won a national championship in 1994.
Even though the original ring was gone, Stai heard stories of its travels.
While playing with the Lions in 2001, the team security guard told Stai that someone in Jacksonville had been using his ring to pose as him in an attempt to pick up women and extort money from older people.
"A fan of mine called the Jacksonville front office and told them that somebody was using my ring to come off as me. The guy ended up getting prosecuted, but my ring never showed up," Stai said.
It turned up in Florida, but the onyx on the top had been popped out and diamonds on the side had also been removed. The package came in from an address in Northern Florida and Cash4Gold turned the person's information over to law enforcement.
"The ring was massively large in terms of thickness, gold and size," Cash4Gold founder and CEO Jeff Aronson said.
"We've never had anything of that magnitude come in. This was shocking for me. I've been in the industry for 15 years and have never seen a championship ring. I tried it on and found out we were the same size."
It was on his rolodex in his home office, but the hardware had to be packed up and shipped from Kansas to Jacksonville because Stai was being traded again.
The ring was stolen and Stai never saw it again.
Until this week.
Nine years after losing track of the ring, which he earned when he was a rookie with the Steelers in 1995, the expensive jewelry turned up at Cash4Gold, a Florida-based company that buys gold from consumers.
The 10-carat ring, valued at $3,000, was flagged by a data entry and testing employee at a Pompano Beach facility and taken to the in-house estate buyer before being handed over to law enforcement in Fort Lauderdale.
Stai received a call soon after.
"I thought I would never see it again," Stai said.
"The last time I remember seeing the ring was in my office. It was such a whirlwind of events. I woke up in the middle of the night (in Jacksonville) and was like, 'Where is my ring?' The tough thing about it was I couldn't really get a grasp on where I had left it or if it was stolen by the movers in Kansas City."
Stai, who lives in Nebraska, ordered a replica of the ring with permission from Steelers ownership, the Rooney family.
"I was very upset, but what can you do," Stai said.
The Rooneys originally purchased the AFC rings in '95 for the team. Stai wanted it in his memorabilia.
"It was more or less a second-place ring, but it was from the Rooneys themselves," said Stai, an All-American at Nebraska who also won a national championship in 1994.
Even though the original ring was gone, Stai heard stories of its travels.
While playing with the Lions in 2001, the team security guard told Stai that someone in Jacksonville had been using his ring to pose as him in an attempt to pick up women and extort money from older people.
"A fan of mine called the Jacksonville front office and told them that somebody was using my ring to come off as me. The guy ended up getting prosecuted, but my ring never showed up," Stai said.
It turned up in Florida, but the onyx on the top had been popped out and diamonds on the side had also been removed. The package came in from an address in Northern Florida and Cash4Gold turned the person's information over to law enforcement.
"The ring was massively large in terms of thickness, gold and size," Cash4Gold founder and CEO Jeff Aronson said.
"We've never had anything of that magnitude come in. This was shocking for me. I've been in the industry for 15 years and have never seen a championship ring. I tried it on and found out we were the same size."
Mariners report losing $4.5 million in 2008
The Seattle Mariners not only racked up a losing baseball season in 2008, they lost $4.5 million as well.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, citing documents the team filed Monday with the Public Facilities District, reports it's the first such loss for the team since moving into Safeco Field in 1999.
The Mariners lost 101 games and drew 2.3 million fans last year, the worst home attendance since the team moved to Safeco. The last time Seattle drew 3 million fans was in 2003.
The Mariners had a $120 million payroll in 2008, up from $113 million in 2007, when the club reported a $17.8 million profit.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, citing documents the team filed Monday with the Public Facilities District, reports it's the first such loss for the team since moving into Safeco Field in 1999.
The Mariners lost 101 games and drew 2.3 million fans last year, the worst home attendance since the team moved to Safeco. The last time Seattle drew 3 million fans was in 2003.
The Mariners had a $120 million payroll in 2008, up from $113 million in 2007, when the club reported a $17.8 million profit.
A-Rod has arthroscopic surgery on right hip
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair torn cartilage in his right hip, and doctors said they found nothing that would keep him from returning to the lineup in May. "The surgery went exactly as we planned," said Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the 80-minute procedure at Vail Valley Surgery Center in Colorado. "No surprises."
Other options considered were a more aggressive surgery that would have sidelined Rodriguez up to four months or a conservative approach of rest and treatment.
"There is no doubt in our minds that this was the best option," Philippon said. "This was the best option for Alex and the Yankees."
General manager Brian Cashman expects the three-time AL MVP back on the field "sometime in May." Rodriguez will need a more extensive operation after the season, and Philippon said Rodriguez will "absolutely" be ready for spring training in 2010.
Rodriguez was expected to be released from the hospital later Monday and to start his rehabilitation. He was to perform range of motion drills and ride a stationary bike.
"Alex is doing well," Philippon said. "Over the next few days, until Friday, we will work on his range of motion. Hopefully by Friday or Sunday, we will start working on his muscle memory and adding range of motion that involves the rotation of a batter when he swings."
Manager Joe Girardi said the immediate start of Rodriguez's rehab program was encouraging.
"That's pretty amazing," Girardi said after the Yankees lost 6-2 to Toronto. "That makes me feel like that the six to nine weeks is doable. The one thing about Alex, we know he's going to work and work and work. It might be a case that we have to hold him back a little bit."
Rodriguez suffered from a torn labrum — cartilage that lines the hip socket to stabilize and cushion the joint. Philippon said he found a small impingement in the cartilage.
"Any athlete knows injuries are part of the game," Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira said. "It's not how you got injured, it's how you respond. I think Alex is going to be great. It's more important for him to be healthy during the stretch run and during our playoff push."
Toronto manager Cito Gaston said the Yankees can overcome the loss of Rodriguez at the start the regular season.
"They're going to miss him, but I still think they have enough offense that they'll do fine until he comes back," Gaston. "They will have to pitch, though. They certainly have the pitchers there that are capable of pitching well."
New York added CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett during the offseason to stabilize its starting rotation. The Yankees also hope catcher Jorge Posada, closer Mariano Rivera and left fielder Hideki Matsui respond from surgery and help the team get off to a fast start in the AL East.
"I feel like this team is going to win if we pitch well, whether Alex is here or not, to tell you the truth," left-hander Andy Pettitte said. "Everybody's lineup is so good. It's tough to pitch in this division. I think we're going to win because, hopefully, we outpitch the other people."
New York finished third last season, ending its streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances.
"We were banged up last year at the beginning of the season. So we need to find a way to get it done," Pettitte said. "Hopefully, we can get everybody going as far as the rotation and we pitch well. We know Alex is going to drive in a lot of runs, but that production might not be there. We'll just have to pitch a little bit better."
In other news, Rivera threw 30 pitches during his third bullpen session. Coming back from surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder last Oct. 7, Rivera is scheduled to throw batting practice Wednesday and could make his spring training debut about March 17.
"I'm right on track," Rivera said. "Everything will depend on how the arm feels. So far it's been feeling good."
Rivera expects to be ready for opening day on April 6.
Matsui, who had left knee surgery last Sept. 22, reported no problems after playing consecutive games for the first time this year on Saturday and Sunday.
Other options considered were a more aggressive surgery that would have sidelined Rodriguez up to four months or a conservative approach of rest and treatment.
"There is no doubt in our minds that this was the best option," Philippon said. "This was the best option for Alex and the Yankees."
General manager Brian Cashman expects the three-time AL MVP back on the field "sometime in May." Rodriguez will need a more extensive operation after the season, and Philippon said Rodriguez will "absolutely" be ready for spring training in 2010.
Rodriguez was expected to be released from the hospital later Monday and to start his rehabilitation. He was to perform range of motion drills and ride a stationary bike.
"Alex is doing well," Philippon said. "Over the next few days, until Friday, we will work on his range of motion. Hopefully by Friday or Sunday, we will start working on his muscle memory and adding range of motion that involves the rotation of a batter when he swings."
Manager Joe Girardi said the immediate start of Rodriguez's rehab program was encouraging.
"That's pretty amazing," Girardi said after the Yankees lost 6-2 to Toronto. "That makes me feel like that the six to nine weeks is doable. The one thing about Alex, we know he's going to work and work and work. It might be a case that we have to hold him back a little bit."
Rodriguez suffered from a torn labrum — cartilage that lines the hip socket to stabilize and cushion the joint. Philippon said he found a small impingement in the cartilage.
"Any athlete knows injuries are part of the game," Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira said. "It's not how you got injured, it's how you respond. I think Alex is going to be great. It's more important for him to be healthy during the stretch run and during our playoff push."
Toronto manager Cito Gaston said the Yankees can overcome the loss of Rodriguez at the start the regular season.
"They're going to miss him, but I still think they have enough offense that they'll do fine until he comes back," Gaston. "They will have to pitch, though. They certainly have the pitchers there that are capable of pitching well."
New York added CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett during the offseason to stabilize its starting rotation. The Yankees also hope catcher Jorge Posada, closer Mariano Rivera and left fielder Hideki Matsui respond from surgery and help the team get off to a fast start in the AL East.
"I feel like this team is going to win if we pitch well, whether Alex is here or not, to tell you the truth," left-hander Andy Pettitte said. "Everybody's lineup is so good. It's tough to pitch in this division. I think we're going to win because, hopefully, we outpitch the other people."
New York finished third last season, ending its streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances.
"We were banged up last year at the beginning of the season. So we need to find a way to get it done," Pettitte said. "Hopefully, we can get everybody going as far as the rotation and we pitch well. We know Alex is going to drive in a lot of runs, but that production might not be there. We'll just have to pitch a little bit better."
In other news, Rivera threw 30 pitches during his third bullpen session. Coming back from surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder last Oct. 7, Rivera is scheduled to throw batting practice Wednesday and could make his spring training debut about March 17.
"I'm right on track," Rivera said. "Everything will depend on how the arm feels. So far it's been feeling good."
Rivera expects to be ready for opening day on April 6.
Matsui, who had left knee surgery last Sept. 22, reported no problems after playing consecutive games for the first time this year on Saturday and Sunday.
What a finish! Wade's clutch 3-pointers lift Heat
More than three hours after tip-off, Dwyane Wade ran across the floor, hopped onto a courtside table and threw his arms in the air.
Exhausted yet exhilarated, Wade pulled off a Miami miracle.
He scored 48 points, the last coming on a running 3-pointer to beat the buzzer in double overtime, and the Heat pulled out a wild 130-127 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
"Mr. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr., if he's not legitimately considered for an MVP candidate, I don't know what he needs to do," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
He couldn't have done much more against the Bulls.
Wade — who shot 15-for-21 and added 12 assists — made a desperation 3-pointer from near midcourt at the end of the first half, then forced overtime with another 3 with 11.5 seconds left in regulation.
By 11:01 p.m., those were almost long forgotten.
Miami's MVP candidate stole the ball from John Salmons with 3 seconds left, dribbled downcourt and swished the runner as time expired.
"Always wanted to do that," Wade said of his postgame table-hop.
Michael Beasley had 18 points, Mario Chalmers added 17 and Jamario Moon scored 13 for the Heat, who stayed within 1 1/2 games of Atlanta for the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
Ben Gordon scored a season-high 43 points for the Bulls, including eight 3-pointers. Salmons scored 29 and Derrick Rose added 23 for Chicago, 0-3 against Miami this season.
The Bulls used only seven players Monday night. Rose played 55 minutes; Salmons played nearly 54; Gordon nearly played 50. And Chicago was right there, until Wade said enough was enough.
"Basically, that's how the game was going to end — who had the ball last," Gordon said. "Whoever made the last best play was going to win the game and D-Wade made a spectacular play. He willed his team to win."
They needed every bit of Wade's will at the end.
The game was tied three times in the second overtime, the last coming when Salmons answered a basket by Wade with 37.9 seconds left.
Chicago went to Salmons again on its final possession, and the former University of Miami standout drove into the lane against Heat forward Udonis Haslem. Wade came from the back side, tapped the ball free, then swished the runner at the buzzer.
"I made a move and he came out of nowhere," Salmons said.
Dribbling downcourt, Wade said he was thinking about something Spoelstra said in the game's final stoppage, telling players they had one more timeout left.
"I was about to call it," Wade said. "And then I said, 'Nah.'"
It was the 78th straight game where Wade scored in double figures, matching his franchise record. He's also scored at least 20 points in 19 straight games, putting him one away from matching the Heat record in that department — which he also owns.
But that seemed irrelevant in the end.
"Right now, man," Moon said in the locker room, pointing to Wade's stall, "there ain't nobody in the league playing better than him."
Trail Blazers 111, Lakers 94
At Portland, Ore., Brandon Roy scored 27 points and the Trail Blazers beat the Lakers in a game that included a scary moment when Portland's Rudy Fernandez was carried off the court after a hard foul.
Fernandez was hurt late in the third quarter when he was fouled by Trevor Ariza while going up for a shot. He was carried from the court on a stretcher with his neck in a brace.
Fernandez was conscious and alert when he left the court, and he had full movement of his extremities, the team said. But he was experiencing chest pain and was taken to a hospital.
Travis Outlaw added 22 points for the Blazers, who have won 12 straight at home.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points for the Lakers, who haven't won at the Rose Garden in their last seven tries.
Hawks 89, Hornets 79
At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 30 points and the Hawks ended the Hornets' season-best seven-game winning streak.
Chris Paul had 24 points and 10 assists, and David West added 16 points and 20 rebounds for New Orleans.
Wizards 110, Timberwolves 99
At Minneapolis, Caron Butler had 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Wizards in a matchup of teams that had lost 14 straight combined.
Antawn Jamison added 26 points for Washington, which had lost five in a row and seven of their last eight.
Kevin Love had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 18 for the Timberwolves, who have lost 10 in a row and 15 of their last 16.
Pistons 98, Magic 94
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton scored 29 points and had a career-high 14 assists to lead the Pistons.
Detroit, already without Allen Iverson (back) for the sixth straight game, lost Rasheed Wallace to a calf injury late in the first quarter. Antonio McDyess, though, added 13 points and 18 rebounds to help the Pistons finish off a 3-0 season sweep of the Magic.
Dwight Howard had 27 points and 14 rebounds for Orlando.
Rockets 97, Nuggets 95
At Denver, Ron Artest scored 22 points and Aaron Brooks added 19 for Houston.
The Nuggets, who were the No. 2 seed in the West at the All-Star break, have slipped all the way to seventh in the conference with eight losses in 11 games.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Exhausted yet exhilarated, Wade pulled off a Miami miracle.
He scored 48 points, the last coming on a running 3-pointer to beat the buzzer in double overtime, and the Heat pulled out a wild 130-127 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
"Mr. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr., if he's not legitimately considered for an MVP candidate, I don't know what he needs to do," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
He couldn't have done much more against the Bulls.
Wade — who shot 15-for-21 and added 12 assists — made a desperation 3-pointer from near midcourt at the end of the first half, then forced overtime with another 3 with 11.5 seconds left in regulation.
By 11:01 p.m., those were almost long forgotten.
Miami's MVP candidate stole the ball from John Salmons with 3 seconds left, dribbled downcourt and swished the runner as time expired.
"Always wanted to do that," Wade said of his postgame table-hop.
Michael Beasley had 18 points, Mario Chalmers added 17 and Jamario Moon scored 13 for the Heat, who stayed within 1 1/2 games of Atlanta for the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
Ben Gordon scored a season-high 43 points for the Bulls, including eight 3-pointers. Salmons scored 29 and Derrick Rose added 23 for Chicago, 0-3 against Miami this season.
The Bulls used only seven players Monday night. Rose played 55 minutes; Salmons played nearly 54; Gordon nearly played 50. And Chicago was right there, until Wade said enough was enough.
"Basically, that's how the game was going to end — who had the ball last," Gordon said. "Whoever made the last best play was going to win the game and D-Wade made a spectacular play. He willed his team to win."
They needed every bit of Wade's will at the end.
The game was tied three times in the second overtime, the last coming when Salmons answered a basket by Wade with 37.9 seconds left.
Chicago went to Salmons again on its final possession, and the former University of Miami standout drove into the lane against Heat forward Udonis Haslem. Wade came from the back side, tapped the ball free, then swished the runner at the buzzer.
"I made a move and he came out of nowhere," Salmons said.
Dribbling downcourt, Wade said he was thinking about something Spoelstra said in the game's final stoppage, telling players they had one more timeout left.
"I was about to call it," Wade said. "And then I said, 'Nah.'"
It was the 78th straight game where Wade scored in double figures, matching his franchise record. He's also scored at least 20 points in 19 straight games, putting him one away from matching the Heat record in that department — which he also owns.
But that seemed irrelevant in the end.
"Right now, man," Moon said in the locker room, pointing to Wade's stall, "there ain't nobody in the league playing better than him."
Trail Blazers 111, Lakers 94
At Portland, Ore., Brandon Roy scored 27 points and the Trail Blazers beat the Lakers in a game that included a scary moment when Portland's Rudy Fernandez was carried off the court after a hard foul.
Fernandez was hurt late in the third quarter when he was fouled by Trevor Ariza while going up for a shot. He was carried from the court on a stretcher with his neck in a brace.
Fernandez was conscious and alert when he left the court, and he had full movement of his extremities, the team said. But he was experiencing chest pain and was taken to a hospital.
Travis Outlaw added 22 points for the Blazers, who have won 12 straight at home.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points for the Lakers, who haven't won at the Rose Garden in their last seven tries.
Hawks 89, Hornets 79
At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 30 points and the Hawks ended the Hornets' season-best seven-game winning streak.
Chris Paul had 24 points and 10 assists, and David West added 16 points and 20 rebounds for New Orleans.
Wizards 110, Timberwolves 99
At Minneapolis, Caron Butler had 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Wizards in a matchup of teams that had lost 14 straight combined.
Antawn Jamison added 26 points for Washington, which had lost five in a row and seven of their last eight.
Kevin Love had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 18 for the Timberwolves, who have lost 10 in a row and 15 of their last 16.
Pistons 98, Magic 94
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton scored 29 points and had a career-high 14 assists to lead the Pistons.
Detroit, already without Allen Iverson (back) for the sixth straight game, lost Rasheed Wallace to a calf injury late in the first quarter. Antonio McDyess, though, added 13 points and 18 rebounds to help the Pistons finish off a 3-0 season sweep of the Magic.
Dwight Howard had 27 points and 14 rebounds for Orlando.
Rockets 97, Nuggets 95
At Denver, Ron Artest scored 22 points and Aaron Brooks added 19 for Houston.
The Nuggets, who were the No. 2 seed in the West at the All-Star break, have slipped all the way to seventh in the conference with eight losses in 11 games.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Classic drama plays out around globe
It wouldn't be the World Baseball Classic without an unforgettable baseball game played in front of a rocking home crowd.
That's how it played out Monday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when the home team knocked off the upstart Netherlands, 3-1, to advance to the second round.
The Dutch team, fresh off a monumental upset of the Dominican Republic, looked like it might have even more magic to spare, but the big-league-laden roster of Puerto Rico ultimately proved stronger despite leaving 21 men on base.
The Estadio Hiram Bithorn fans went crazy as their favorite team stayed unbeaten, and there was plenty more drama to behold in the other three Classic games played Monday.
Two days after Canada looked so impressive in dropping a tight decision to the United States, the Canadians were sent packing on their home turf of Toronto in an inspired 6-2 win by Italy.
Korea got revenge on Japan in Tokyo, pulling off a stirring 1-0 victory that locked up Pool A for the Koreans. Both teams will move on to the second round, with Korea gaining valuable momentum and now being able to forget that it lost to Japan, 14-2, earlier.
Meanwhile, Mexico staved off elimination in rollicking fashion at home in Mexico City, breaking open a tight game to blow out -- and eliminate -- South Africa by a score of 14-3.
Tuesday will feature three games, all with their own brand of intrigue. In Toronto, the Italians and Venezuelans will fight to stay in the tournament, and in Mexico City, the high-octane offenses of Cuba and Australia will meet for the first time.
And then there's San Juan, where the Dominicans and the Netherlands will square off one more time with elimination on the line.
"They played a great game," Puerto Rico manager Jose Oquendo said about the Dutch team after Monday's game. "They shouldn't feel disappointed. They should feel proud. They played a great game. We hope they play the same way against the Dominican Republic."
And as we move forward to this decisive Tuesday, here comes yet another day of international pool-hopping:
POOL A: TOKYO All done here with the advances of Japan and Korea. Both teams now will travel to San Diego, where they'll get ready for Round 2 games at PETCO Park against the survivors of Pool B.
POOL B: MEXICO CITY The winner of this sure-to-please matchup of Cuba and Australia, which will be played at 10 p.m. ET, advances to the second round. Expect offense after both teams' first games, in which they combined to hit 10 home runs.
POOL C: TORONTO How about those Italians? They've got some Major League talent, with Nick Punto, Chris Denorfia, Frank Catalanotto and Jason Grilli, among others. And they've got a secret weapon in hitting coach Mike Piazza, who's likely bound for Cooperstown once he's eligible. Then again, they're also facing elimination against a stacked Venezuela team in the 5 p.m. ET start.
"You know, one of the great things about international ball is it's a one-game final every day," Denorfia said after Monday's win. "So on any given day, any team can beat any team. I like the lineup we're throwing out there every day, so I would not count us out."
POOL D: SAN JUAN And for the most anticipated matchup of the week, we bring you Dominican Republic vs. The Netherlands II, the sequel. This live theater will play out starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, and the loser goes home. The Dutch team has not been scared at all in two games and seems ready for any challenge come Monday.
"From what I understand, they're supposed to beat us 9-0 tomorrow," Netherlands manager Rod Delmonico said. "We will come out and play hard and give our best effort. That's all we can do."
Every minute of the 2009 World Baseball Classic has brought serious surprises and brilliantly played baseball. Expect a lot more of it Monday.
That's how it played out Monday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when the home team knocked off the upstart Netherlands, 3-1, to advance to the second round.
The Dutch team, fresh off a monumental upset of the Dominican Republic, looked like it might have even more magic to spare, but the big-league-laden roster of Puerto Rico ultimately proved stronger despite leaving 21 men on base.
The Estadio Hiram Bithorn fans went crazy as their favorite team stayed unbeaten, and there was plenty more drama to behold in the other three Classic games played Monday.
Two days after Canada looked so impressive in dropping a tight decision to the United States, the Canadians were sent packing on their home turf of Toronto in an inspired 6-2 win by Italy.
Korea got revenge on Japan in Tokyo, pulling off a stirring 1-0 victory that locked up Pool A for the Koreans. Both teams will move on to the second round, with Korea gaining valuable momentum and now being able to forget that it lost to Japan, 14-2, earlier.
Meanwhile, Mexico staved off elimination in rollicking fashion at home in Mexico City, breaking open a tight game to blow out -- and eliminate -- South Africa by a score of 14-3.
Tuesday will feature three games, all with their own brand of intrigue. In Toronto, the Italians and Venezuelans will fight to stay in the tournament, and in Mexico City, the high-octane offenses of Cuba and Australia will meet for the first time.
And then there's San Juan, where the Dominicans and the Netherlands will square off one more time with elimination on the line.
"They played a great game," Puerto Rico manager Jose Oquendo said about the Dutch team after Monday's game. "They shouldn't feel disappointed. They should feel proud. They played a great game. We hope they play the same way against the Dominican Republic."
And as we move forward to this decisive Tuesday, here comes yet another day of international pool-hopping:
POOL A: TOKYO All done here with the advances of Japan and Korea. Both teams now will travel to San Diego, where they'll get ready for Round 2 games at PETCO Park against the survivors of Pool B.
POOL B: MEXICO CITY The winner of this sure-to-please matchup of Cuba and Australia, which will be played at 10 p.m. ET, advances to the second round. Expect offense after both teams' first games, in which they combined to hit 10 home runs.
POOL C: TORONTO How about those Italians? They've got some Major League talent, with Nick Punto, Chris Denorfia, Frank Catalanotto and Jason Grilli, among others. And they've got a secret weapon in hitting coach Mike Piazza, who's likely bound for Cooperstown once he's eligible. Then again, they're also facing elimination against a stacked Venezuela team in the 5 p.m. ET start.
"You know, one of the great things about international ball is it's a one-game final every day," Denorfia said after Monday's win. "So on any given day, any team can beat any team. I like the lineup we're throwing out there every day, so I would not count us out."
POOL D: SAN JUAN And for the most anticipated matchup of the week, we bring you Dominican Republic vs. The Netherlands II, the sequel. This live theater will play out starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, and the loser goes home. The Dutch team has not been scared at all in two games and seems ready for any challenge come Monday.
"From what I understand, they're supposed to beat us 9-0 tomorrow," Netherlands manager Rod Delmonico said. "We will come out and play hard and give our best effort. That's all we can do."
Every minute of the 2009 World Baseball Classic has brought serious surprises and brilliantly played baseball. Expect a lot more of it Monday.
Doug Miller is reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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