Thursday August 28, 2008
SPORTS FRONT PAGE 
Gigučre hopes to catch on
After four months with the Indianapolis Colts, former University of Sherbrooke receiver Samuel Giguere has learned a lot about playing against NFL competition.But the one thing he has no real idea about is his chance of sticking with the Colts beyond the final cuts this weekend when rosters are reduced to 53 players from 75.
Tsonga passes first test in comeback from injury
It was one of the great breakthroughs in the modern era of tennis - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga going all the way to the Australian Open final in January.In the semi-finals, the Frenchman handed Rafael Nadal his last loss in a Grand Slam event, dispatching him 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 with an outrageous display of power tennis.
Sakic decides to give it one more go-round
There are many ways to examine Joe Sakic's decision to return to the Colorado Avalanche for his 20th NHL season, but let's consider it purely in terms of dollars, even if Sakic didn't.
HOCKEY
SHARKS EXTEND VLASIC
Defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year, $12.4-million (U.S.) contract extension with the San Jose Sharks yesterday, keeping one of the club's best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season.
BASEBALL
BOSTON ACQUIRES KOTSAY
Centre fielder Mark Kotsay was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Atlanta Braves yesterday, one day after Boston put J.D. Drew on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain.
PADRES EARN SWEEP
The last-place San Diego Padres made the improbable happen by sweeping the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.The Padres did it when Jody Gerut's go-ahead single capped a two-run rally in the eighth inning for a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks yesterday.
Garza wins pitching duel over Purcey
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon thinks his team's latest victory came in a ''really classic kind of a game.''Matt Garza and two relievers combined on a six-hitter and Carlos Pena hit a home run to lead the American-League East-leading Rays past the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 last night.
Garza wins pitching duel over Purcey
Matt Garza and two relievers combined on a six-hitter and Carlos Pena hit a home run to lead the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays past the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 last night.
Alvarez agrees to deal, then demands more bucks
The top draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates has refused to sign a contract that the club says he agreed to 12 days ago. Pedro Alvarez, the second overall selection in the major leagues' first-year player draft in June, came to terms with Pittsburgh minutes before the Aug. 15 deadline. Alvarez's agent, Scott Boras, told Pittsburgh the agreement was reached after the midnight deadline and that Alvarez won't play for the club unless it agrees to pay the 21-year-old third baseman more money, Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement. Major League Baseball put Alvarez on its restricted list, making him unable to sign or play for another team.
FOOTBALL
Feely's not in Kansas any more
Kicker Jay Feely has been cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, one day after signing a one-year deal. Feely was an eight-year veteran who kicked for the Miami Dolphins last season. He was brought in to challenge Connor Barth and Nick Novak for the starting job. The three had what head coach Herm Edwards called a ''kickoff'' on Monday and Tuesday to determine who would make the team.
100 metres gold medalist nominated for Canton
Bob Hayes and Claude Humphrey were nominated by the seniors committee yesterday as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Hayes, the only man with a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal, won the 100 metres at the Tokyo Games in 1964 and won Super Bowl VI for Dallas, where he spent 10 years playing for the Cowboys before finishing his career in San Francisco in 1975. He died in 2002. He was 59.
Ravens acquire Douglas for the second time
The Baltimore Ravens acquired defensive end Marques Douglas from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday, reacting quickly to defensive lineman Dwan Edwards's season-ending back injury. Former second-round pick Dan Cody was cut to make room for Douglas.
Merriman will forgo surgery to play this season
An operation will have to wait for San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who decided yesterday that he'll play this season despite two torn ligaments in his left knee.
Harvey finally signs on with Jacksonville
Defensive end Derrick Harvey ended a 33-day holdout yesterday by signing a five-year, $23.8-million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harvey was the last first-round draft pick to sign, after a lengthy holdout that frustrated coach Jack Del Rio and left the former University of Florida standout behind in preparation for the regular season.
NFL earns B-plus in annual diversity study
The NFL has kept a steady number of black head coaches, while slightly increasing the ranks of Asian and Latino players, earning a B-plus grade in an annual diversity study. However, the league didn't get a grade for sex diversity for the fourth year in a row.The last time the NFL shared its data, for the 2004 study, it received a D-plus for sex hiring practices.
FOLLOW JETS' LEAD
A New Jersey lawmaker is urging the New York Giants to rethink their plan to sell personal seat licences for every seat in the new football stadium at the Meadowlands.
BASKETBALL
Draftee Crawford signs with Lakers
Joe Crawford, the Los Angeles Lakers' only selection in the NBA draft in June, signed a contract with the Western Conference champions yesterday. Crawford was the 58th overall pick. The terms of the deal were not announced.
Bucks, Warriors to play exhibition games in China
The Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors will travel to China in October to play two exhibition games, the NBA and Chinese Basketball Association said yesterday.
Duckworth, 44, died of heart failure
Oregon officials say an autopsy shows that former Portland Trail Blazers centre Kevin Duckworth died when his enlarged heart failed. The 44-year-old died on Monday on the Oregon coast, where he was on a goodwill tour for the club.
Ellis tears ligament in workout at home
Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis will be out for at least three months after undergoing surgery yesterday to repair an ankle ligament. Ellis, who got a six-year contract extension worth $66-million this summer, tore a deltoid ligament while working out at his home in Jackson, Miss., the club said.
OTHER SPORTS
ON TELEVISION
(All times Eastern)BASEBALL MLB, Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees, Sportsnet (East, Ont, HD), 1 p.m. MLB, Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays, Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
ACTIVITY
BASEBALLMajor League BaseballMLB--Placed 3B Pedro Alvarez on the restricted list. American LeagueBaltimore Orioles--Activated RHP Greg Aquino from the 15-day DL and designated him for assignment.
Jankovic escapes battle unscathed
Jelena Jankovic's leg cramped so badly, she couldn't take another step.Luckily for the No. 2 seed in the U.S. Open, the agony occurred during her postmatch run on the treadmill. Anyone who watched could clearly see she left about everything she had out on the court.
DANCEVIC OUSTED IN FIRST ROUND
Frank Dancevic's U.S. Open was short-lived. The Canadian lost 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 to Nicolas Almagro of Spain in the first round yesterday.The No. 18-ranked Spaniard was coming off wrist surgery four weeks ago and looked vulnerable in the early going, facing break points in his first two service games.
ON THE TEE
PGA TOURDeutsche Bank ChampionshipSite: Norton, Mass.Schedule: Tomorrow through Monday.Course: TPC Boston (7,207 yards, par 71).Purse: $7-million (all currency U.S., unless noted).Winner's share: $1.26-million.
Ryder Cup hopefuls down to last chance
Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke are among the stars who have a final chance this week to capture places on Europe's Ryder Cup team.Along with Paul McGinley, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, they are hoping to do enough in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles or the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston to impress captain Nick Faldo and secure one of two wild-card spots.
De La Hoya sets up final fight of career
Oscar De La Hoya has nearly wrapped up a deal to finish his career on Dec. 6 against Filipino star Manny Pacquiao, two sources said yesterday. The sources said a deal expected to be announced today came about after De La Hoya's long-stalled talks with Pacquiao were recently revived when the sides found an acceptable way to split the possible $100-million in revenue from what's certain to be boxing's most lucrative fight since De La Hoya's split-decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year.
Candrea quits as U.S. coach after suffering only defeat
Mike Candrea, the Arizona softball coach whose bid to lead the United States to a second Olympic gold medal ended with a loss to Japan in the title game in Beijing, stepped down yesterday as the coach of the national team. He had guided the American team since 2002 and was 17-1 in Olympic play.
Horse doping confirmed, Norway may lose medal
A second set of blood samples taken from four horses suspended in the Olympic equestrian team jumping competition confirmed positive tests for a banned medication. The findings could mean Norway will lose its team bronze medal after a series of tribunal hearings scheduled to be held in Lausanne next week. The International Equestrian Federation also announced yesterday a fifth positive test. It involved American rider Courtney King, who finished 13th in the dressage competition.
Bolt ready to go back to 'work'
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt wants to get back to his day job - running fast.The world's fastest man will step back on the track tomorrow at the Weltklasse meet. It will be his first competition since his world-record performances at the Beijing Olympics.
