Sports 2
2B | LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2011
COMING THURSDAY
TWO-DAY
• The Royals finish their series against the Orioles
SPORTS CALENDAR
ROYALS
NBA takes legal action against players By Dave Campbell Associated Press Writer
Trying to head off the chance of an antitrust lawsuit from the NBA Players Association, the league went ahead and beat the union to court. The NBA f iled two claims against the NBAPA on Tuesday— an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations
Board and a lawsuit in federal district court in New York. The NBA accused the players of being uncooperative in negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement by making “more than two dozen” threats to dissolve their union and sue the league under antitrust laws to secure more favorable terms in a new CBA. Commissioner David Stern told
COMMENTARY
The more Tiger’s world changes... By Bob Dyer Akron Beacon Journal
AKRON , O HIO — Almost everything has changed, but nothing has changed. Since Tiger Woods last grabbed a championship trophy at Firestone Country Club — a mere two summers ago, although it seems much longer — he has a acquired a new caddie, a new swing coach, new management, new injuries, a new reputation and a new vulnerability. He lost his wife, badly tarnished his golden-boy image and dropped like a boulder in the World Golf Ranking. But the man still triggers a frenzy wherever he goes. Immediately after the announcement Thursday that he would make his longawaited return from the disabled list at the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, requests for media credentials shot up. Keep in mind that most news organizations plan trips well in advance to save money, and the dates for this tournament have been set for more than a year. Yet just since Tiger tweeted his intentions, 18 more news organizations and 30 more reporters have signed on. That brings the total media attendance to 367 reporters from 125 organizations and nine countries. Seriously. On Tuesday morning, at 9:53 a.m., seven minutes early, Woods strolled into the interview room looking dapper, if a bit monochromatic, in a black Nike cap, a dark gray Nike shirt and dark gray slacks. Anyone who expected the 35-year-old legend to seem sheepish after sitting out nearly 12 weeks with knee and Achilles’ tendon injuries was in for a surprise. Except for a new configuration of facial hair, which makes him look a bit like a Cablinasian Amishman, he seemed like much the same fellow as the one who made his Firestone debut in the final year of the previous century. Woods was relaxed and confident, often funny, occasionally pointed and always articulate. Questions flew in all sorts of different accents, no surprise given the presence of sports hounds from Australia, Japan, Germany, Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Canada and Korea. Even if the leaderboard no longer changes much based on Tiger’s presence or absence, the overall atmosphere certainly does. Larry Dorman, veteran golf writer for the New York Times, looked around the media workroom early Tuesday morning and said, “I’ve been here on Tuesday before, and I’ve never seen as many people in this room as I’m looking at right now. “There’s always a different vibe when Tiger’s around. Now it’s different in a way; before, you were there to see if he was going to win, and now you’re looking to see how he’s progressing. It’s caused by a different thing, but it’s still a Tiger kind of buzz.” ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi was among those whose plans changed because of Tiger. He was scheduled to cover another event this week but was redirected at the last minute. Unlike past years, the course was closed to the public on Tuesday, mainly because the number of fans paying to watch practice rounds two days before the actual competition has not been large enough to justify the cost of staffing the grounds, particularly in terms of security. But even that changed after Senor Woods decided to come. “We definitely ramped up our security,” said Akron police officer Mike Gilbride, stationed at one of the entrances. “We were not supposed to be here today. When they found out Tiger was coming, they wanted an additional four officers.” Twenty-nine minutes after entering the media lair, Woods exited stage left. Just outside the door, he was ambushed by the always amiable Bob Stevens, a former Cleveland TV sports anchor who now lives in Hilton Head, S.C., and works for the PGA Tour Network. A few Q and A’s later, Woods climbed into the back seat of a silver Cadillac CTS 4 with Michigan plates and sped off into the bright summer morning, allegedly sound of both body and mind. We’ll see.
The Associated Press in a phone interview that an unproductive meeting Monday with union executive director Billy Hunter, president Derek Fisher and others confirmed to the league it needed to take this action. “There doesn’t seem to be a seriousness of purpose to the players and we keep reading about they’re considering decertification, and
the agents are meeting with Billy to talk about decertif ication, Derek was quoted as saying it’s an option on the table,” Stern said. Stern added: “And we think that as long as they are preparing to use the same strategy that the NFL, who uses the same lawyer, used, it doesn’t seem that we’re going to be able to get to the deal that we need to get to together.”
| SPORTS WRAP |
Angels’ Weaver suspended 6 games ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver will appeal the six-game suspension he drew Tuesday from Major League Baseball for throwing a pitch over the head of Detroit’s Alex Avila last weekend. Weaver also was fined an undisclosed amount by MLB senior vice president Joe Garagiola Jr. for the toss, which came right after the Tigers’ Carlos Guillen showboated on a home run. Angels manager Mike Scioscia was suspended one game because Weaver threw at Avila after both teams were warned Sunday by plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. Scioscia sat out Tuesday night’s game against Minnesota. Weaver “I obviously knew that something was going to happen,” Weaver said. “It’s six games, and it is what it is, but I’ve decided to appeal it. I wanted my voice heard a little bit on the situation and how it went down, see what they feel about it and go from there. So we’ll see what happens.” Weaver will have his say during a hearing in New York during the middle of next week while the Angels are in town for a three-game set with the Yankees.
Now he’s grabbed the top pass-catching tight end on the free agent market. The Seahawks announced Tuesday afternoon they had reached agreement on a reported five-year deal with Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller. Terms weren’t announced. Earlier Tuesday, the Seahawks agreed to terms with defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson, who adds depth to Seattle’s defensive line as a potential rusher in passing situations. The Miller signing reunites him with former Oakland coach Tom Cable, now Seattle’s offensive line coach, and with Miller coming off the two finest seasons of his pro career. Just 25 years old, Miller was a Pro Bowl selection last season after catching 60 passes and five touchdowns, but he was even better in 2009 when he caught 66 passes for 865 yards and three touchdowns.
Texans WR Johnson hurts finger
HOUSTON — Houston Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson will miss “a day or two” of practice after dislocating his left index finger in a morning workout. Coach Gary Kubiak said Johnson will be OK. “I think we got lucky,” Kubiak said. Johnson wore a bandage on his finger as he watched the Tuesday afternoon walk-through from the sideline. GOLF Johnson was running a Woods returns after 3-month break slant route in an individual drill and leaped to catch a AKRON, OHIO — Tiger Woods was on the pass, with rookie cornerback practice range just as the sun began to rise Roc Carmichael defending. Tuesday over Firestone, his first time on a PGA Johnson couldn’t make the Tour golf course in nearly three months. catch and came down shakEven as the season heads toward a conclu- Johnson ing his left hand. He took off sion, Woods can’t wait to get started. his glove, his finger was bleeding and he “I’m excited to compete, to play,” Woods walked to the sideline, where a trainer examsaid. “And hopefully, to win ined him. the tournament.” “As soon as I felt it pop, I felt it out of place That part about Woods and I popped it right back in,” Johnson said. “I hasn’t changed. really wasn’t in a lot of pain, or anything like It’s everything else in the that. It was just more concern about the world of golf he once ruled bleeding and stuff.” that is so much different. Johnson left the field on a cart and went to Woods showed up at the the hospital. He was back at Reliant Stadium Bridgestone Invitational at by 1 p.m., eating lunch in the cafeteria with his No. 28, his lowest world Woods teammates. ranking since the start of “I wasn’t scared,” Johnson said. “It’s just a his first full season on the PGA Tour. He has a dislocated finger. I’ve had worse. I don’t think new caddie — at least temporarily — in Bryon I’ll be worried about a finger keeping me from Bell, a childhood friend who now heads up a missing anything.” design business that is not getting much work these days with a downturn in the industry. Gabbert quickly impresses Jags He no longer is the dominant force in golf, having gone 20 months since his last win at JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Blaine Gabbert’s first the Australian Masters. week of training camp has included impressive throws, nifty runs and deft decisions, SOCCER making him look more like a regular than a rookie. Fears raised about hate groups It’s exactly what the Jacksonville Jaguars LONDON — The head of British soccer’s anti- expected when they selected the former Missouri quarterback 10th overall in April’s NFL racism body warns that extremists are trying Draft. to infiltrate the game, citing the massacre in Norway as a wake-up call. Seeing Gabbert in person has only reinHerman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out forced Jacksonville’s decision. After not being able to get on the field for three months and a member of the House of Lords, fears right-wing hard-liners could exploit the counbecause of the NFL lockout, Gabbert needed try’s economic troubles, with “massive deprijust a few days to dazzle coaches, teammates, front office personnel and fans. vation” in parts of England having the potential to foment hatred and exclusion. Back-shoulder throws, perfectly placed seam passes and scrambling runs have been The racial abuse of black players that blighted English soccer in the 1970s and among Gabbert’s highlights. ’80s has largely been eradicated thanks in “He’s got a great skill set in terms of arm and size and speed, those things,” coach Jack large part to the work of the Kick It Out Del Rio said Tuesday. “We think he’s got a group. “Extremists are still trying to get back into bright upside. He’s got a lot of work to do. He’s doing some things now off natural ability, football,” Ouseley told The Associated Press. “We’ve managed to push them off the terbeing able to throw the ball that will only get races, away from grounds. But it’s still out in better.” the community and it’s important that we understand that they are trying win over the minds of young, vulnerable people and a lot of Saints reach deal with draft pick football fans are young and vulnerable. METAIRIE, LA. — The New Orleans Saints “We must always use football as a basis to were off Tuesday. Their front office was busy. help young people have a better understandGeneral manager Mickey Loomis confirmed ing to have open minds, to see the dangers New Orleans had agreed to terms with its top lurking within those who are offering them draft choice, defensive end Cameron Jordan, easy solutions through hatred.” and veteran tight end David Thomas. Ouseley is concerned that confessed Norwegian killer Anders Behring Breivik could inspire disaffected people in Britain. He raised Eagles sign RB Brown the issue while addressing top soccer officials BETHLEHEM, PA. — The Eagles agreed to at an anti-racism event at Wembley Stadium. contract terms Tuesday with veteran running back Ronnie Brown, who spent his first six NFL seasons with the Dolphins. The 29-year-old Brown rushed for 4,815 Seattle reaches deal with TE Miller yards and 36 touchdowns and caught 184 RENTON, WASH. — Pete Carroll believes he passes for 1,491 yards with Miami. He ran for got the deep threat wide receiver he needed 1,000 yards in 2006 and made his only Pro in Sidney Rice and burly veteran presence Bowl team in 2008. needed on the offensive line with Robert Brown is the seventh major acquisition the Gallery. Eagles have made in the past week.
TODAY • Orioles, 7:10 p.m., in Kansas City, Mo. THURSDAY • Orioles, 7:10 p.m., in Kansas City, Mo.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY TODAY • Real Salt Lake, 7:30 p.m. in Kansas City, Kan.
SPORTS ON TV TODAY MLB Yankees v. White Sox Baltimore v. K.C.
Time 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
Net ESPN FSKC
Cable 33, 233 36, 236
MLS Soccer Time Kansas City v. Salt Lake 7:30 p.m. Portland v. Los Angeles 9:30 p.m.
Net KSMO ESPN2
Cable 3, 203 34, 234
Soccer Barcelona v. Chivas
Time 7:30 p.m.
Net ESPN2
Cable 34, 234
Champions Soccer Dallas v. Alianza Seattle v. San Fran.
Time 7 p.m. 9 p.m.
Net GolTV GolTV
Cable 149 149
Baseball Big League Champ.
Time 5 p.m.
Net ESPN2
Cable 34, 234
THURSDAY MLB Yankees v. White Sox Baltimore v. K.C.
Time 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
Net WGN FSKC
Cable 16 36, 236
Golf Cox Classic Bridgestone Invite Reno-Tahoe Open
Time 10:30 a.m. 1 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Net Golf Golf Golf
Cable 156, 289 156, 289 156, 289
Tennis Legg Mason Classic
Time 3 p.m.
Net Tennis
Cable 157
Soccer Brazil v. Panama
Time 7:45 p.m.
Net ESPNU
Cable 35, 235
CFL Football Montreal v. Toronto
Time 6:30 p.m.
Net NFL
Cable 154, 230
LATEST LINE MLB Favorite ..........................................Odds ......................................Underdog National League Atlanta...........................................61⁄2-71⁄2 ..............................WASHINGTON MILWAUKEE......................................6-7...........................................St. Louis Philadelphia................................81⁄2-91⁄2...................................COLORADO SAN FRANCISCO.............................6-7 ............................................Arizona PITTSBURGH ................................Even-6.............................Chicago Cubs NY METS........................................51⁄2-61⁄2 ..........................................Florida Cincinnati.....................................51⁄2-61⁄2 .....................................HOUSTON SAN DIEGO....................................51⁄2-61⁄2 .................................LA Dodgers American League Oakland ............................................6-7...........................................SEATTLE Texas..............................................51⁄2-61⁄2........................................DETROIT BOSTON.........................................81⁄2-91⁄2.....................................Cleveland TAMPA BAY.......................................7-8 ............................................Toronto KANSAS CITY ...............................51⁄2-61⁄2 ....................................Baltimore NY Yankees..................................Even-6...........................CHI WHITE SOX LA ANGELS...................................Even-6 ...................................Minnesota Home Team in CAPS (c) 2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
ONLINE ONLY Check out ljworld.com and KUSports.com for online-only content from the Journal-World staff. There you’ll find:
Conference Chatter
www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/conference_chatter/ Eric Sorrentino’s blog about the Big 12 Conference
‘Hawks in the NBA
www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/ A staff blog about former Jayhawks at the next level
The Keegan Ratings
www2.kusports.com/weblogs/keegan_ratings/ Tom Keegan’s postgame rankings for KU football and basketball
Rolling Along
www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/rolling_along/ Andrew Hartsock’s blog about commuting by bike
The Newell Post
www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/newell_post/ Jesse Newell’s in-depth analysis on KU football and men’s basketball topics
Tale of the Tait
http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/ Matt Tait’s blog about Kansas University football
THE QUOTE “In waving goodbye to Zach Miller, who the Raiders probably thought wouldn’t leave, there isn’t much the franchise can say — except ouch.” — Monte Poole, in the Oakland Tribune
TODAY IN SPORTS 1949 — The National Basketball Association is formed by the merger of the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America. 1995 — Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, signs a controversial 10-year, $25 million deal with Pepsi to make it the official cola of Texas Stadium, despite the NFL’s sponsorship agreement with CocaCola. 2003 — Annika Sorenstam completes a career Grand Slam at the Women’s British Open, beating Se Ri Pak by a stroke in a thrilling head-to-head showdown. 2008 — Ji-Yai Shin wins the Women’s British Open by three strokes, shooting a final round 6-under 66 to maintain Asia’s recent domination of the majors on the LPGA Tour.
ONLINE: LJWORLD.COM
THE PLACE FOR ALL THINGS JAYHAWK
REPORTING SCORES?
Facebook.com/LJWorld • Twitter.com/LJWorld
ON THE WEB: All the latest on Kansas University athletics
Call 832-6367, email sportsdesk@ljworld.com or fax 843-4512