Some excerpts of Selena Roberts' upcoming book about Alex Rodriguez' steroid use suggest that the New York Yankees third baseman began using the substance in high school-- and some other pretty compelling stuff.Rodriguez put on 25 pounds of muscle between his sophomore and junior years, and word was that his connection was a dog kennel owner.
A former high school teammate told Roberts the future No.1 MLB draft pick was on steroids and his coach knew it.
Another student said the son of coach Rich Hofman admitted he saw Rodriguez use steroids.
Hofman said it was news to him. "Whatever he was doing, he was doing it somewhere else," he said.
"(Tough times in the newspaper biz. Two writers for the Baltimore Sun in the press box here got the news -- by phone during the game -- that they had been laid off in the latest round of cost-cutting. Stay classy, Baltimore Sun management.)
"(UPDATE: Make that three reporters and a photographer axed by the Sun during the game.)"
If you work in this industry, layoffs have become a source for daily fodder and speculation. It's traumatic enough to be among those who lose their job. But to be spared the common decency of a face-to-face dismissal -- It's just gross.
The Baltimore Sun is Absolutely Heartless, and Tim Wheatley is a Gutless Sports Editor [The Big Lead]
Just because you didn't play for the Bulls during their second three-peat run from 1996-98 doesn't mean you can't own a championship ring from each of those seasons.
Brown, a product of Collins High School here in Chicago, filed for bankruptcy in August 2008.
BY JUSTIN ALLEN Sports Pros(e) Contributing Writer
And now an impassioned plea for Chicago athletes to be just a little more careful when handling extremely sharp implements. 
Lakers guard Derek Fisher Monday secured a temporary restraining order against a woman who allegedly likes him a little too much.The woman apparently began contacting the NBA player during the 2001-2002 season under a different legal last name.The woman, Symone Fisher, has allegedly sent a number of e-mails, messages on social networking sites and letters to the Lakers star claiming to be his wife, even though the two have never met, Derek Fisher wrote in a declaration. She recently began showing up at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo and near his home, according to court papers.
Sun-Times readers were probably a little surprised and slightly nauseated to open up their April 16 editions and see Kevin and I's baby-faced mugs smiling back at them.
Ben Gordon's clutch 26-foot three-pointer at the end of the first overtime saved the Bulls from falling down 3-1 to the Boston Celtics in their best-of-seven series, but as great his shot was, it may be what he did after making it that will be the talk of your water cooler this morning.
The Bears selected Jarron Gilbert, a defensive tackle out of San Jose State, with the 68th overall pick in the NFL draft earlier today. Bears expert Brad Biggs reports that Jerry Angelo & Co. have secured a tremendously athletic lineman.
After some weeks of speculation, we're learning now that Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals will share the cover of the Madden NFL 2010 video game. 
To say that the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers were involved in a trade today would technically be inaccurate. What am I missing here? Tyner can't be making enough to be a serious drain on the Brewers' finances, so what's the impetus for giving another team something for nothing?Dan Lunetta, the Tigers' director of minor league operations, said the Brewers assigned Tyner's contract to the Detroit organization. It didn't appear that any cash or other players were involved in the transaction.
College basketball phenom Stephen Curry has just announced that he will enter the NBA Draft. The sweet-shooting son of former NBA player Dell Curry averaged 28.6 points a game last season to lead the nation. Two years ago, he single handily carried the plucky Davidson Wildcats to the Elite 8.
Here at Sports Pros(e), Kyle and I have been known -- despite the fact that we're grown men in our 20s -- to engage in some epic EA Sports NCAA Football battles. "Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better. If you're really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys."
"He can always go back to school. It's all learning. How is living in Europe not a learning experience?"
If you know one thing about me, it's that I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with "Seinfeld". Now, I'm perfectly aware that May 14 will mark the 11th anniversary of the series finale, but the brilliance of the show is in it's evergreen nature.
In case there was any doubt about it, a report is circulating that Bulls' rookie guard Derrick Rose will be named the NBA's Rookie of the Year.
Dikembe Mutombo's brilliant 18-year NBA career came to an end last night when the blocked-shot enthusiast suffered a gruesome injury in Game 2 of an opening round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers.
It's a big day for pop star Rihanna -- at least on the internet gossip circuit.
Patrick Schuster, a high school baseball player from Florida, threw a no-hitter last night. That alone is impressive.
To say that the Detroit Lions had an unsuccessful season last year is like saying that "Gigli" fell short of expectations at the box office. It's a woeful understatement.
It became apparent late last night after the Blackhawks completed their 3-2 comeback victory over the Calgary Flames that we're living in a Golden Era of Chicago sports.
Let's keep our heads about this.
The Philadelphia Phillies paid tribute to broadcasting legend Harry Kalas before and during tonight's game against the San Diego Padres, and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt had lofty praise for the longtime voice of Philadelphia sports.Just being mentioned in the same sentence as these men puts what Kalas meant to the city in perspective. Moments ago, one of our veteran copy editors read Schmidt's quote aloud with a surprised tone."If you can look past Ben Franklin and William Penn, he may have been the greatest person to grace Philadelphia in the history of the city, when you think about it," Schmidt said. "As many lives as he affected over the time that he lived in Philadelphia, who would have had a bigger impact on the city? Who would have? If anybody can think of somebody, I'm willing to hear it, but I don't know."
Milton Bradley argues balls and strikes with umpire Larry Vanover in the sixth inning Thursday during a pinch-hitting appearance, his first as a Cub in the Friendly Confines. - Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times
Milton Bradley pulled his gimpy groin off the bench for a pinch-hitting appearance in the Cubs/Cardinals tilt Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field. And, of course, he didn't disappoint.
He didn't smack a homer. Not a basehit. Not even a walk. Nope, he got ejected for arguing a called third strike - and is facing possible fine or suspension for apparentcontact with umpire Larry Vanover in the process. Of course it was only a matter of time till the hot-headed Bradley acted out and got tossed for his efforts, but what was the hurry?
So not only could he not help the team out by getting on base - he would have been lifted for a pinch runner because, of course, he's injured - but he now could potentially be lost for a few games if Major League Baseball deems the head case went too far and made contact with Vanover. Oh, and he's 1-for-the-season so far in 2009.
So it got us to wondering: is this the worst first home plate appearance in baseball history? The Cubs, of course, had the tragic Adam Greenberg at-bat against the Marlins in 2005 when he was beaned in the head his first plate appearance and basically never played again. But, of course, that was in Miami.
But you tell us - what's the most infamous, tragic or stupid first plate appearance you've seen or heard about. If nothing else, maybe you can make Bradley feel a little better about his nonsense.
Chicago Cubs rookie Adam Greenberg is helped off the field by Cubs trainers after being hit in the helmet by the first pitch he faced in the major leagues, from Florida Marlins relief pitcher Valerio Do Los Santos during the ninth inning July 9, 2005, in Miami. Steve Mitchell/AP
Despite being very publicly tossed from office like an angry manager arguing balls and strikes, ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues to provide material for the Chicago media.Let's set aside for one moment the fact that the former governor took time out of his day to cull together a multimedia package that included a newspaper clipping, which is something that just doesn't happen enough these days. Instead, let's focus speculate on what advice the ousted Blagojevich would offer Piniella on his 2009 Cub team."Yeah, it was on my desk when I came in one day,'' Piniella said of the letter, which came to light Thursday in a chicagotribune.com report. ''He's a big Cubs fan. He was giving me advice on what to do with the lineup. He wanted me to move Soriano out of the leadoff spot to No. 3 [with Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez fourth and fifth]. Obviously, he follows the Cubs very close.''
I was not even aware that actress Julia Stiles was a New York Mets fan. And I certainly had no idea she could write so eloquently.Definitely worth a read.As for the park, conceptually it is an absolute improvement, reminiscent of Ebbets Field, with stands like the old Polo Grounds. The open-air concourse allows for good views of the field, and is much less claustrophobic than Shea. The beer lines are slower because they insist on pouring it for you, but the only place you'll find a quicker ladies room is at a Rush concert -- I know from experience.
One would think that the brand new Citi Field in New York would have the latest amenities. After all, the new stadium cost at least $850 million to construct. 
One of the most honored and imitated announcers in sports history is giving his trademark voice a rest. 
The beginning of the NHL playoffs today in Chicago marks the renewal of one of sports' grizzliest traditions: playoff beards.Started by the Islanders in the early '80s, the beards are a very tangible reminder of just how successful -- and long -- a team's playoff run has been. For players, each surviving whisker is a reminder of just how close to hoisting the Stanley Cup they are.
The charcoal gray clouds painted an ominous backdrop as I made my way north up Sheffield Avenue as the rest of the world slept early this morning. The dreary sky was in stark contrast to the optimism permeating the young day. 
Sprinting and being-first enthusiast Usain Bolt talked about his past with marijuana during a recent interview with Bild newspaper.Bolt made the admission while drinking a Guinness mixed with Red Bull, which sounds like something a bartender would refuse to make you."In Jamaica, you learn as a child how to roll a joint. Everyone here has tried it. I did too -- but I was real young then," Bolt was quoted as saying. "My family and my friends don't smoke and I don't hang out any longer with people who smoke."
"Twice a year I'm going to peel the back of his head off the turf. I love the guy, but business is business."
Tennis expert Roger Federer has inspired journalists everywhere to work a "love" pun into their stories by marrying longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec in Basel, Switzerland.OFF COURT - MR. AND MRS. FEDERER (RogerFederer.com)Dear Fans,
Earlier today, in my hometown of Basel, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family, Mirka and I got married. It was a beautiful spring day and an incredibly joyous occasion.
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Federer wish all of you a Happy Easter weekend.
Love,
Roger
One of the things I've never come close to understanding is the outrageous levels of excitement for between-innings promotions at the ballpark. It seems completely out of whack that a crisply turned double play will garner a polite golf clap, but an animated bagel participating in a race against a cup of coffee and a doughnut can work the crowd into a frenzy.
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong believes that French officials will ban him from this summer's event due to a recent report stating he violated protocol during a recent drug test.Armstrong says French may ban him from Tour (FOX Sports)"There's a very high likelihood that they prohibit me from riding in the Tour," a somber Armstrong said Friday in a video statement posted on his Web site. "It's too bad. The tour is something I love dearly."
Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun announced Thursday he will return next season. "Evans said Martinez seemed fine, did not have much of a headache and spoke by phone with his parents, who watched the incident on television from their home in New Jersey."
The tragic news of Nick Adenhart's death shook the baseball world earlier today, as players and fans alike struggled to come to grips with such a sudden loss of life. Adenhart had performed brilliantly just hours before his life was taken, throwing six scoreless innings in only the fourth start of his young and promising career for the Los Angeles Angels.
The Masters, golf's crown jewel, tees off in Augusta, Ga. today, with the field trying to keep the almost unstoppable Tiger Woods from winning his fifth green jacket.
Tim Lincecum, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, was roughed up pretty hard in his first outing of 2009. 
President Barack Obama correctly selected North Carolina as the ultimate champion of the NCAA tournament and today thanked coach Roy Williams for making him look good.
According to his high school coach, blue-chip recruit DeMarcus Cousins will follow John Calipari to Kentucky.Cousins, the No. 4-rated player in the ESPNU 100, previously committed to Memphis, but didn't sign any binding documents."He told me tonight he's going to Kentucky," said Otis Hughley of LeFlore High School in Mobile, Ala. "He didn't say much after [John] Calipari left Memphis and, I told him I was there for advice and counsel, whatever he needed."
As long as she's in the public eye, the name Cheyenne Woods may never be uttered without mention of her famous uncle.
Marvin Harrison. Plaxico Burress. Torry Holt.
Kyle and Kevin will be sending Twitter updates from U.S. Cellular Field this afternoon during the White Sox opener against the Royals. Ever the antagonist, Kyle is considering purchasing a Royals hat -- so this could get interesting.
Follow our Twitter updates below and at Twitter.com/KevinAllenCST.
To say that last night's title game was a disappointment to a Michigan State grad like myself would be an understatement. North Carolina came out of the gates looking more like a professional squad than a bunch of amateurs, the Spartans turned the ball over more than Rex Grossman and the game was decided before the second TV timeout. 
Did anyone note the biggest difference between Kosuke Fukudome's 2008 Opening Day and 2009 Opening Day? 
As the baseball season kicks into high gear today, Ragan.com writer Lindsey Miller shares her own unique relationship with America's pastime. 
Moments after a devastating Final Four loss, Oklahoma's Courtney Paris told a sideline reporter she'll make good on her promise to pay back her scholarship -- valued at $64,000 -- since her Sooners women's basketball team lost last night to Louisville 61-59.
Two freelance photographers who tried to snap some unauthorized pictures of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen's wedding this weekend in Costa Rica claim they were fired at by members of the supermodel's security detail.INF, the photo agency that hired Rolando Aviles and Uri Cortez, said yesterday the two men "narrowly escaped death" when bullets shattered the back windshield of the duo's Suzuki jeep then hit the vehicle's front window. "Nobody was hurt, but it was very close," an INF spokesman told us today.
With the Cubs in New York to help the Yankees christen their new ballpark this weekend, it was only a matter of time before the question of whether Wrigley Field needs to be replaced came up.
If you aren't familiar with the name Federico Macheda, you may as well get acquainted. 
The Associated Press is reporting that former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Ken Anderson has died of a heart attack at the age of 33.
Former USC and Los Angeles Raider bust Todd Marinovich has been arrested again. In all, Marinovich has nine cases against him in Orange County, Calif. -- most of them drug-related.
Playoff beards. That time-honored (and documented) hockey tradition of growing out one's facial hair for the playoffs.
The New York Giants released troubled (but still very talented) wide receiver Plaxico Burress Friday afternoon.
North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson took advantage of just one of the many things to do in downtown Detroit when he visited a Greektown casino shortly after arriving for the Final Four.
You could probably break down the feelings most Bears fans have about the Jay Cutler trade into three categories: excitement, amazement and optimistic.
The good news for the embattled Michael Vick? He'll have a job when he's released from prison.Lawyer: Ex-NFL star Vick will work construction (AP)"When Vick is released, he plans to work 40 hours a week for a construction company. He did not disclose the wage or give any other details about the type of work that Vick will be performing.
I have to admit that I've watched absolutely no spring training baseball games this year, but I still feel confident that the following is the most interesting thing that has happened.
This weekend's Final Four will be determined on the court. Chicago Cubs, Under Armour in new advertising deal (Reuters)"No terms were announced in this week's settlement statement other than the partnership is a multimillion-dollar, multiyear deal. In addition to its logo on Wrigley's ivy-covered outfield wall, the apparel maker has advertising rights for signage behind home plate.
In court documents filed in January, the Cubs said Under Armour was under contract to pay the Cubs more than $2 million a season from 2009 through 2013 to advertise at the stadium and use the Cubs logo.
Greg Gumbel says he was tricked into informercials (AP)"The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale. The suit claims Paul Douglas Scott, owner of Deerfield Beach-based Encore Television Group Inc., told Gumbel he would be announcing introductions for educational programming. Instead, Gumbel says his introductions were used in informercials for time-shares, magnet therapy and other products.
Three Oregon basketball players, including two former standouts from the Chicago area, decided to play a little real-life "Duck Hunt" with pellet guns on Monday night. The problem is ... thats not really allowed.
It's a constant struggle for minor-league baseball teams to get people out to the ballpark. One of the tried-and-true methods of putting fannies in the seats is to employ ridiculous promotions, such as the one the Grand Prairie AirHogs will trot out on June 13."Games like "Guess How Many Buns Are in My EZ Bake Oven" will be among the featured events when minor-league baseball's Grand Prairie AirHogs host "Octomom Night."
In honor of the Suleman octuplets in California, the independent league club said Wednesday it will also have a Diaper Derby and a stroller race the night of the June 13 game.
Groups of eight or more will be offered half-price admission and if the AirHogs score eight or more runs during the game, every fan will get a ticket to another game.
Now, I'm all for baseball and capitalism, but this sort of thing just seems embarrassing to everyone involved.
It seems that President Barack Obama's sports prognostication days are over -- at least for the moment."He was asked at a news conference Wednesday with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown whether he had a "good luck message" for the team from England, which is playing Ukraine later in the day in a World Cup qualifying match.Obama says his college basketball predictions, in which he envisioned North Carolina taking the championship, caused "all kinds of controversy."
You might recall the criticism Obama took for taking time out of his day to fill out his NCAA tournament bracket for ESPN a few weeks back. Coach K even said he should be focusing on the economy and not which 12-seed was going to pull the upset.
Cleveland Browns wide
receiver Donte Stallworth will be charged with DUI manslaughter in
connection with a fatal crash in Miami, several online sources are reporting.A video obtained by the Miami Herald shows police administering a field sobriety test on Stallworth as paramedics work to save Reyes.''My family and I are grief stricken over the tragic accident which occurred Saturday on Miami Beach where Mario Reyes sadly lost his life,'' Stallworth said in a prepared statement. ``My thoughts and prayers are with the Reyes family during this incredibly difficult time. Unfortunately, since this accident is still under police investigation, I cannot comment further on the matter at this time."
"On-field authenticity and emotion is taken to another level in Madden NFL 10. With more control over the outcome of the play than ever before, players can drag defenders towards the first down marker, fight for a fumble at the bottom of the pile, and avoid the rush by stepping up into the pocket. Utilizing an all-new animation technology, Madden NFL 10 ensures that the Fight For Every Yard doesn't end until the whistle blows."
Let's pretend for a moment that you're Jerry Angelo. You don't have to be the uber-conservative, yawn-inducing Bears GM that we all know and love to hate. You can be you, a long-suffering Bears fan wanting desperately to see a premiere quarterback suit up in navy and orange next season at Soldier Field. 