Blazers promote Pritchard to GM (SI.com)

The Portland Trail Blazers signed Kevin Pritchard on Thursday to a five-year contract as their new general manager, says Ian Thomsen of SI.com

Dad protects son on message board, then is subsequently banned from said message board (The Big Lead)

Here’s a short explanation from the folks at The Big Lead –

Don’t know Ben Hendrickson of the Milwaukee Brewers? Don’t be ashamed - we’ve never heard of the kid, either. He was on the Brewers until this week, when he was dealt to the Kansas City Royals.

Here’s why you should care - his dad knows his way around the internet. Specifically, Milwaukee Brewers message boards.

Hit the link up top for more comedy because it only gets better.

News and notes while deciding on lunch…

Blues set to introduce minority owner (HockeyBuzz) Local ownership was a key for Checketts’ group.

Top 20 fantasy baseball busts (TheHardballTimes) Topping the list: Chone Figgins.

Taylor to fight Spinks in May (AP/Yahoo! Sports) Jermain Taylor and Cory Spinks duke it out WBO and WBC middle-weight titles in Memphis.

Cavs, Magic to play exhibition games in China (AP) Marketing to China is the NBA’s bag.

Wood headed to the DL; Prior demoted (ChicagoSports)

We all knew that Chicago Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior would have health problems and of course, this season isn’t any different.  Wood will start the season on the DL to rest a cranky shoulder; Prior will start in AAA to work on mechanics and confidence.

There’s more — the way each has handled their current situations.  Here’s an excerpt of the story that’s rather interesting –

While the Cubs encouraged Wood to address the media, they allowed Prior to leave the clubhouse without comment.

Huh? As ESPN’s Buster Olney points out in his daily blog, if you can address the media after a three-hit shutout, you can address them on your bad days.

Someone took Prior’s blankey.

The Good, the bad and the boo-yah (ESPN.com)

George Solomon pens his final column  as ESPN’s ‘ombudsman’.  Our favorite passage is excerpted below:

I would suggest ESPN.com do more editing of its Page 2 columnists — some of whom seem to shoot from the hip for the sole purpose of shooting from the hip. In the same vein, ESPN commentators, including some of the network’s biggest stars on TV and radio, might be more thoughtful and less outrageous and loud in their opinions. I’ve always believed just because someone has the title of commentator or columnist, it doesn’t mean he or she should not be held to the same journalistic standards of fairness and accuracy as everyone else on the ESPN team. I also wonder why some commentators believe viewers are interested in their political views? Also, ESPN editors should be more careful of their staffers claiming exclusive stories when these stories are not always exclusive.

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

“One shining moment you knew…” (The Morning After) A compilation of CBS’ “One shining moment” montages dating back to 1997.

Commemorative McGwire statue still under wraps (AP/Yahoo! Sports) We’re not here to talk about honor the past.

Soccer legend Maradona hospitalized (Reuters) Illness/reasons unclear at this time.

Prior sent to AAA Iowa (Reuters) There’s no joy in Wrigleyville today.

Steinbrenner’s daughter files for divorce (ESPN News Services) Why is this worthy of mention? Because soon to be ex, Steve Swindal, is currently Yankees general partner and chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC and is slated to be “The Boss’” successor. He may not be a successor, but he’s a part-owner.

Severed leg on Dolan property could match torso (AP/ESPN) Uhhhhh, yeah.

Rosenthal’s news and notes around MLB (FOX Sports) Notes from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal include…

• While Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano is a good bet to sign a contract extension before Opening Day, the same can not be said for the Indians’ Jake Westbrook and Astros’ Jason Jennings, two other potential free-agent right-handers.
  
• The Mets apparently are willing to wait on right fielder Shawn Green; the party line is that he is a slow starter. Yet, even if Green recovers offensively, his defense will be an issue.
• It’s a testament to the depth of the Dodgers’ farm system that the team has five major-league caliber players, including first baseman James Loney and outfielder Matt Kemp, competing for its final roster spot.

FOX’s Buck won’t handle NFL pre-game chores (STL Today)

FOX Sports has  named Curt Menafee as host of the network’s NFL coverage, replacing host Joe Buck.  Buck will remain doing play-by-play with Troy Aikman and Menafee will handle all pre-, post- and half-time shows for the network from their Los Angeles, Calif. studios.

New Orleans’ Loomis wins NFL executive of the year (NFL.com)

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has won the NFL executive of the year award presented annually by The Sporting News, the publication announced Thursday.

Broncos sign CB Bly to a five-year, $33M deal (ESPN.com)

The Denver Broncos signed the recently acquired cornerback Dre Bly to a five-year, $33 million pact, according to ESPN.com’s Michael A. Smith.  The deal includes $18 million in bonus money, $16 million guaranteed.

Davis proposes satellite Hall of Fame sites to benefit retired NFLers (USA Today)

The ghost of Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders, has proposed a plan to build satellite Hall of Fame sites at Disney theme parks in hopes of generating revenue for financially troubled NFLers who have retired.

There is currently only one NFL Hall of Fame, located in Canton, Ohio.

News and notes while we try to find something for you to read while eating that bowl of soup…

SEC, coaches on board with playoff seedings? (Sportsline) A day late in posting, but certainly not a dollar short.

Montreal Expos 2007 season preview (Deadspin) We miss Youppi!

Putz passes test, will break camp with Mariners (Seattle Times) Did we mention we have a fantasy draft Thursday?

Billy Packer: Still batshit crazy (The Big Lead) Green Onions! (Bill Raftery reference)

MLB’s pre-Opening Day power rankings (Fox Sports) World Champion Cardinals ranked 15th.

EchoStar closer to deal with MLB than inDemand? (BizofBaseball/Sports Business Journal)

According to a published report in the Sports Business Journal, EchoStar’s Dish Network is closer to a deal than its cable-based counterpart, inDemand of Comcast cable systems.

The EchoStar proposal will likely call for an equity share in the soon-to-be launched “The MLB Channel”.

“Who Would You Do?” tournament winding down (The Big Picture)

The Big Picture presents the final four of ladies in sports broadcasting. The fearless final four features Erin Andrews v. Melissa Stark (don’t ask how she still qualifies for sports) and Rachel Nichols v. Stacy Dales.

If the presidential elections taught us anything, it’s that every vote counts!

Report: Former major leaguer Urbina sentenced 14 years (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

According to the Associated Press, former major league closer Ugueth Urbina has been sentenced to 14 years for an attempted murder on his ranch in 2005.

Only once since 1991 had the Atlanta Braves not finished in the top perch in the National League East standings (the strike-cut 1995 season had the Braves finishing in second place). Since 1969, no major-league team has shown that sort of dominance within their own division as Atlanta did.

That was until 2006.

Last season, the New York Mets put up 97 wins in their romp to the division title. In doing so, they bested the Philadelphia Phillies who unusually surged after selling off star slugger Bobby Abreu to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline.

Items of note in the NL East this offseason -

• The Braves let go of 2B Marcus Giles after six seasons of service and traded 1B Adam LaRoche to the Pittsburgh Pirates for reliever Mike Gonzalez.
• The Florida Marlins fired manager Joe Girardi after the team fell off in the season’s second half, yet still won the manager of the year award.
• The New York Mets, in need of a left fielder after letting Cliff Floyd walk, hired journeyman outfielder Moises Alou.
• The Philadelphia Phillies dealt for top-of-the-rotation starter Freddy Garcia, but had to part ways with bullpen arm Gavin Floyd and pitching prospect Gio Gonzalez to land “The Chief”.
• The Washington Nationals parted ways with legendary Hall of Famer and manager Frank Robinson, who guided the club through their tumultuous final years in Montreal.

Without further ado, a peek at the NL East…

More after the jump »

News and notes while rolling out of bed…

Hey! The NIT is going on! WVU advances to final four (ESPN) Three-pointer at buzzer puts West Virginia in NIT final four.

NC State head coach Lowe’s son faces 22 charges (AP/ESPN) Two separate attacks net 22 charges that include drug possession, armed robbery.

Brodeur breaks his own franchise record for wins as Devils skate past Islanders (Reuters) Another strong season by Brodeur puts him in position for Vezina.

Pujols finding stroke (MLB.com) Look out National League –”El Hombre” tuning up.

Bonds: ‘I’m in a good mood because I feel good.’ (USA Today Sports) Might Bonds just shoot past Aaron with little difficulty?

Timberwolves, up by 25 with five to go in third, blow lead, game (AP/Yahoo! Sports)