Author: Christopher Glotfelty (Page 22 of 67)

      McGwire briefly faces fans and press in St. Louis

      January 17, 2010 /

      At Mark McGwire’s first public appearance since admitting to steroids he received a standing ovation from fans but evaded hard-hitting questions from reporters.

      From ESPN.com:

      His scheduled news conference, however, was shifted to an overcrowded hallway at the last minute, and McGwire evaded questions about the criticism he’s received from ex-players. The former home run king emphasized repeatedly he was ready to move on.

      Dressed in jeans, a sweater and running shoes, the 46-year-old McGwire walked on stage to “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses, the hard-rock song played before his at-bats with the Cardinals.

      He was cheered by fans who secured seats as much as 3½ hours earlier.

      This is already playing out poorly. While McGwire’s confession was admirable, his claims that steroids didn’t increase his hitting power are ridiculous. Reporters are going to continue hammering him with embarrassing questions until he states the obvious.

      MLB

      Don’t forget about the 2010 Australian Open

      January 16, 2010 /

      The 2010 Australian Open kicks off tomorrow (Monday in Australia) and the year’s first Grand Slam has plenty to offer. Amidst health concerns, Rafael Nadal will look to defend his title against world No. 1 Roger Federer and a streaking Nikolay Davydenko. On the women’s side, seven-time Grand Slam champion Justine Henin makes her return to professional tennis after retiring in 2008. Also, we get to see how a large crowd treats 2009 champion Serena Williams, who’s notorious temper tantrum still lingers. The action, like the weather, should be intense.

      Live coverage of the Australian Open begins Sunday at 7 PM ET on ESPN 2.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Tennis

      Dodgers owner Frank McCourt still spending during divorce

      January 16, 2010 /

      Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has assured the team’s fans that his impending divorce with his wife, Jamie, won’t discourage offseason transactions.

      From the Los Angeles Times:

      “I talk to fans too,” McCourt said in his first interview with The Times since it became public that he and his wife and former club president, Jamie McCourt, planned to divorce. “They’re very excited about the team. They’re very supportive of what we’re doing.”

      McCourt declared the Dodgers are “headed in the right direction,” pointing to how they have reached the postseason in four of the last six seasons and settled on an organizational philosophy of building around a group of homegrown players.

      McCourt said that his team’s lack of activity in the free-agent market should not be interpreted as a sign that his team is facing financial difficulties as a result of his personal situation.

      “My divorce has no bearing on the club whatsoever,” he said.

      McCourt’s statements come on the heels of two important transactions. Yesterday both Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp and pitcher Chad Billingsley avoided arbitration by signing contract extensions. Kemp will make $10.95 million over the next two years while Billingsley’s one-year deal is worth $3.85 million. Prior to the deals the Dodgers had only signed second baseman Jamey Carroll to a two-year, $3.85 contract this offseason.

      Dodgers fans are definitely skeptical about the entire situation. If Jamie McCourt gets what she wants, she’ll walk away with half of the the team’s worth, making spending increasingly difficult. With things as they are, I’m amazed the Dodgers got Kemp that cheap. He’s easily the best outfielder (both offensively and defensively) in the National League and is entering his prime. However, the Dodgers now have to work with Andre Ethier, Jonathan Broxton, James Loney, Russell Martin, George Sherrill, and Hong-Chi Kuo, whom all filed for arbitration on Friday. With this money tied up, I’m sure they’ll have to part with a couple of these players.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      MLB

      Chapman agrees to $30M deal with Reds

      January 10, 2010 /

      Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban left-handed pitcher with the 100-mph fastball, is close to signing with the Cincinatti Reds. The deal is reportedly worth $30 million over five years.

      From ESPN.com:

      Chapman’s representatives said Sunday afternoon that the deal is not done and would not confirm the team, but did say the Reds are “possible.”

      “We have to wait still,” agent Rodney Fernandez wrote to ESPN The Magazine in a text message in regard to a possible deal with the Reds. “It’s possible. We’ll see.”

      Reports earlier last week had the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels in the bidding for Chapman.

      Chapman attended a Yankees playoff game in New York and also visited Red Sox officials in Fenway Park while he was still represented by his previous agent, Edwin Mejia. Last month, Chapman held a workout in Houston attended by more than a dozen teams, including the Red Sox, who have scouted him extensively in international play.

      He was also being courted by the Toronto Blue Jays and Florida Marlins, though The Miami Herald reported last week that the Marlins would drop out of the bidding if the price exceeded $20 million.

      Chapman was the most coveted prospect this offseason, so it’s not surprising that he landed a contract this big. His impressive performance for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic aroused interest in many MLB teams. The Angels became a favorite because Chapman’s good friend Kendry Morales is on the roster. Also, the Marlins were attractive because of Florida’s large Cuban population. However, what could be appealing to Chapman about playing in Cincinnati? In the end, it must have been the money.

      Regardless, once Chapman spends some time in the minors he will be a great addition to a Reds team in need of some intimidating pitching.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      MLB

      Davydenko captures Qatar Open title

      January 10, 2010 /

      Following his straight-set victory against Roger Federer, Nicolay Davydenko overcame early struggles to defeat Rafael Nadal 0-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 in the Qatar Open final.

      From FOXSports.com:

      Davydenko led 4-1 in the second-set tiebreaker but unforced errors allowed Nadal to twice serve for the match. However, the Spaniard sprayed his returns wide, and Davydenko broke two times to Nadal’s one in the third set to close it out.

      The sixth-ranked Russian’s third straight victory over Nadal improved his overall record to 5-4.

      “I did not come here expecting to win. I am surprised that I have won,” Davydenko said. “It is an amazing feeling to have won here. I have played semifinals and finals here but never won.”

      It was a second consecutive title for Davydenko after winning the London World Tour Finals on Nov. 29. He also beat Nadal and Roger Federer in that event.

      David Nalbandian of Argentina is the only other player to beat Federer and Nadal in the same tournament on two occasions — at the Madrid Masters and Paris Masters in 2007.

      Players rarely beat both Nadal and Federer in the same tournament, but now Davydenko has done it twice. That’s quite a feat. However, the 28-year-old is yet to win a Grand Slam, which is his main criticism. Given Davydenko’s unpredictable success in Qatar, he could finally get his due in less than two weeks at the Australian Open.

      Tennis

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