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Three years ago this week, Major League Baseball’s labor relations faced a crossroads.   Neutral arbitrator Frederic Horowitz had just upheld the one-year suspension of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez for violating the league’s joint drug agreement.  Alex Rodriguez, in turn, decided to challenge his suspension in court — suing both Major League Baseball and his own union. Some legal analysts had expected that the Major League Baseball Players Association…

The problem this year went beyond the PED users and the suspects (and I’ve already mentioned the names of one or two of those) and how any of us are supposed to police a situation that MLB refused to monitor for many years. Home runs were flying, tickets were selling, and the media was writing “Baseball is back!” The ’90s were a wonderful time to stick your head in the…

It won’t be long until the thunder rolls at Daytona International Speedway. Exactly seven weeks from today, the green flag will fall on the Daytona 500 on FOX, and already the anticipation is building. With 49 days left until the 2017 Daytona 500, here are a few pieces of trivia around the No. 49 and Daytona: • The No. 49 has appeared in 665 NASCAR Premier Series races, with seven…

Did the Olympics play a role in alleged Russian hacking that targeted the U.S. presidential campaign? The U.S. intelligence report released Friday, which says Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered the operation, raises that possibility. “Putin publicly pointed to the Panama Papers disclosure and the Olympic doping scandal as U.S.-directed efforts to defame Russia, suggesting he sought to use disclosures to discredit the image of the United States and cast it…

Three years ago this week, Major League Baseball’s labor relations faced a crossroads.   Neutral arbitrator Frederic Horowitz had just upheld the one-year suspension of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez for violating the league’s joint drug agreement.  Alex Rodriguez, in turn, decided to challenge his suspension in court — suing both Major League Baseball and his own union. Some legal analysts had expected that the Major League Baseball Players Association…

In a 1989 broadcast, David Letterman introduced the greatest climber in the world by saying that the athlete had “a lovely little outfit on”. Lynn Hill had just come off a several-year sweep of climbing competitions, including the world class Rock Master Invitational, and was ranked No1 in the world by the Association of Sport Climbers International. She would go on to complete the first free ascent of the Nose…

As we heard frequently this week, the Detroit Lions have not won a playoff game on the road since 1957. That streak is not ending this year. Eye-popping plays by receiver Paul Richardson, poor run defense by the Lions, and some suspect officiating all played roles on Saturday night, as the Seattle Seahawks moved on to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs with a 26-6 win over Detroit. Seattle…

Nathan Ake has scored three goals in 12 appearances for Bournemouth this season Chelsea have recalled defender Nathan Ake early from his season-long loan at Bournemouth with immediate effect. Dutchman Ake, 21, joined the Cherries on loan last June, and has scored three times in 12 games for them this season. On Saturday, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said losing Ake would be “a huge blow”. Howe added: “He’s done so…

Caption Close Well, it was an all-star game and coach Juan Morales decided to have a little fun. It began with a reverse handoff on the opening kickoff. It was followed by a double reverse pass on the first play from scrimmage. That led a touchdown pass two plays later. It set the tone for a 43-29 East victory over the West in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game…

Did the Olympics play a role in alleged Russian hacking that targeted the U.S. presidential campaign? The U.S. intelligence report released Friday, which says Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered the operation, raises that possibility. “Putin publicly pointed to the Panama Papers disclosure and the Olympic doping scandal as U.S.-directed efforts to defame Russia, suggesting he sought to use disclosures to discredit the image of the United States and cast it…

As we heard frequently this week, the Detroit Lions have not won a playoff game on the road since 1957. That streak is not ending this year. Eye-popping plays by receiver Paul Richardson, poor run defense by the Lions, and some suspect officiating all played roles on Saturday night, as the Seattle Seahawks moved on to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs with a 26-6 win over Detroit. Seattle…

Sports Direct is mulling the sale of more of its tired brands as it seeks to pursue a highly ambitious move to  become the “Selfridges of sports”. Sources have said that Dunlop is the first in a list of brands to be dumped as part of Mike Ashley’s strategy to move the company more upmarket. Analysts have suggested that Everlast and Lonsdale could be disposal candidates too, while questions were…

The Cleveland Browns are apparently making wholesale changes to their defensive staff and they’ve begun by acquiring Gregg Williams to be their next defensive coordinator. Playoff bracket Power Rankings Prisco’s NFL picks Breech’s NFL picks Coach/GM tracker Playoff TV schedule According to team sources it’s a done deal. Williams will also be bringing at least three to four assistants with him as the Browns attempt to fix what was one…

TAMPA — The results came two months ago showing why former NFL and Alabama fullback Kevin Turner likely died from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Boston University researchers studied Kevin’s brain and found the most severe form of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a traumatic brain disease linked to repeated hits to the head. Kevin’s CTE was “extraordinary and unprecedented for an athlete who died in his 40s,” neuropathologist Ann McKee said in…

Playoff bracket Power Rankings Prisco’s NFL picks Breech’s NFL picks Coach/GM tracker Playoff TV schedule The world waited with baited breath all year long for a chance to bet against Brock Osweiler and the world was denied on Saturday because the Oakland Raiders were forced to start Connor Cook . The good news for everyone is there’s a likely opportunity to bet against Brock in a road playoff game against…

Did the Olympics play a role in alleged Russian hacking that targeted the U.S. presidential campaign? The U.S. intelligence report released Friday, which says Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered the operation, raises that possibility. “Putin publicly pointed to the Panama Papers disclosure and the Olympic doping scandal as U.S.-directed efforts to defame Russia, suggesting he sought to use disclosures to discredit the image of the United States and cast it…

This week in baseball blogs: Chin Music Baseball takes a detailed look at Tigers right fielder and trade candidate J.D. Martinez. Blue Jay Hunter wants Toronto to re-sign free agent outfielder Jose Bautista, while Jays From the Couch is a proponent of the team bringing back fellow unsigned outfielder Michael Saunders. Pinstriped Prospects contends that the Yankees should develop up-and-coming shortstop Gleyber Torres at third base. Pirates Breakdown identifies four…

Sports Direct is mulling the sale of more of its tired brands as it seeks to pursue a highly ambitious move to  become the “Selfridges of sports”. Sources have said that Dunlop is the first in a list of brands to be dumped as part of Mike Ashley’s strategy to move the company more upmarket. Analysts have suggested that Everlast and Lonsdale could be disposal candidates too, while questions were…

TAMPA — The results came two months ago showing why former NFL and Alabama fullback Kevin Turner likely died from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Boston University researchers studied Kevin’s brain and found the most severe form of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a traumatic brain disease linked to repeated hits to the head. Kevin’s CTE was “extraordinary and unprecedented for an athlete who died in his 40s,” neuropathologist Ann McKee said in…

Did the Olympics play a role in alleged Russian hacking that targeted the U.S. presidential campaign? The U.S. intelligence report released Friday, which says Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered the operation, raises that possibility. “Putin publicly pointed to the Panama Papers disclosure and the Olympic doping scandal as U.S.-directed efforts to defame Russia, suggesting he sought to use disclosures to discredit the image of the United States and cast it…