News and notes while Chuck Knoblauch makes travel reservations to Washington, D.C. …

Detroit group buys into English soccer (AP/USATODAY.com) A Detroit, Michigan-based group led by former Detroit Pistons exec Andy Appleby has bought a stake in Derby County of the English Premier League.  Appleby tried pursuing the NHL’s St. Louis Blues two years ago.

Star showcase finally lives up to the hype (THN.com) The folks at The Hockey News write that this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game activities in Atlanta, Georgia lived up to expectations.

The party is in Glendale. You are not invited. (The Sporting Blog) Will Leitch of Deadspin.com turns in a piece for The Sporting News’ sports blog The Sports Blog while on assignment covering the Super Bowl festivities in Glendale, Ariz.

Tiki’s burnt bridges coming to the forefront (Awful Announcing) Remember Tiki Barber’s blistering comments directed at his former coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning? Well, the chickens are coming home to roost as the Giants appear to be preventing him from snatching any exclusives from his former club.

Source: Angelos yet greenlight proposed Bedard deal (ESPN.com)

ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark reports that the proposed deal that would send lefty Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners has not yet been approved by Baltimore owner Peter Angelos.

Stark also writes that the same source also indicated that Angelos wasn’t informed of the particulars of this latest proposal until late Sunday and that he won’t be available Monday to confer with the Orioles’ baseball officials because of a personal matter.

Stark also points out that the longer this situation drags out, the likelihood of a deal being consummated dwindles.

Clemens’ agent contests notion that drugs boosted career (AP/USATODAY.com)

The agent for Roger Clemens issued an 18,000-word statistical manifesto report that disputes popular opinion that “The Rocket’s” career took off during the time he allegedly took PEDs in the late 1990s-early 2000s.

“Of the six years that feature Clemens’ best ERA margins, two occurred in Boston, after he had been in the major leagues for several years; two occurred in his two years in Toronto; and two occurred after he switched leagues and pitched for the Houston Astros,” the report said.

“During the 1996 season Clemens ranked first in strikeouts in the American League and tied his own record by striking out 20 batters in Detroit on Sept. 18, 1996. In addition, he ranked sixth in the American League in ERA, second in the American League in hits per nine innings, and fifth in innings pitched. This performance cannot be reasonably categorized as a ‘twilight.’ “

We suppose we’ll get more answers to the many questions we have regarding his performance towards the end of his career with his testimony before the House subcommittee on Feb. 13.

In the meantime, we won’t be holding our collective breath.

M’s call Jones home, deal for Bedard may be close (Seattle Times)

According to published reports in The Seattle Times and verified by FOXSports.com’s national baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners may be on the cusp of acquiring lefty Erik Bedard from the Baltimore Orioles.

Geoff Baker wrote that the Mariners have recalled prized prospect Adam Jones from the Venezuelan Winter League playoffs and he will fly to Baltimore for a physical on Monday.

Jones virtually confirmed the deal.

“(Bavasi) called me yesterday and told me the news,” Jones said. “I’ve got to go to Baltimore tomorrow morning and handle things there. I’m the centerpiece of the deal on the Mariners’ side. It’s an honor to get traded for such a highly talented pitcher as Bedard is.”

There isn’t work on who will be tagging along with Jones to Baltimore, but it was rumored that the O’s had interest in reliever George Sherrill, Brandon Morrow, and minor-leaguers Jeff Clement, Carlos Triunfel and Chris Tillman.

Twins lock up Morneau, Cuddyer to mult-year contracts (MyFOX Twin Cities)

According to MyFOXTwinCities.com, the Minnesota Twins have locked up Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer to long-term deals.

The station reports that the club will conduct a press conference on Friday afternoon to announce the signings.

i-five to Rotoworld.com for the information.

***UPDATED at 6:06 PM ET***

The Twins re-signed Morneau to a six-year, $80 million deal. Cuddyer is on board for the next three years at a total of $24 million.

News and notes while Paris Hilton and Terrell Owens exchange digits…

Marlins inch closer to stadium deal (MLB.com) The seemingly never-ending saga of the Florida Marlins landing a new stadium in south Florida apparently is inching forward as a Feb. 5 meeting of the Miami-Dade County commissioners looms.

Royals lead Santana race? (Joe Posnanski) The Kansas City Star’s Joe Posnanski pokes a little fun at the ridiculousness of the daily updates regarding the “race” for Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana.
Final Vick defendant gets probation, fine (USATODAY.com)  The final defendant connected to Michael Vick’s dogfighting case netted three years probation and a $500 fine after he cooperated with prosecutors.

Phoenix Suns president has outdoor pre-season game in works (Business Journal of Phoenix) The Phoenix Suns are planning to play the NBA’s first outdoor game during next year’s preseason at the Indian Wells (Calif.) Tennis Garden, Suns president and CEO Rick Welts said, according to the Business Journal of Phoenix.

IUPUI hoops coach’s shoe drive for charity a huge success (Indianapolis Star) UPUI coach Ron Hunter, who coached barefoot against Oakland University Thursday, got a huge response, with more than 110,000 pairs of athletic shoes donated.

…and finally…

Whitlock: ‘Mike & Mike’ aren’t big stars (FOXSports.com) Another Kansas City Star writer shares this space as Jason Whitlock, writing for FOXSports.com, takes a look at the Dana Jacobson controversy and offers an opinion on it within this notes column. (ifive to The Big Lead for the info.)

News and notes while Daniel Alfredsson lights the lamp…

Committee reviewing McNamee tapes (New York Times) According to Duff Wilson of The New York Times, the House oversight committee is reviewing the tapes and transcripts three conversations that feature Brian McNamee, Roger Clemens’ former personal trainer who claims he injected the multi-time Cy Young Award winner with PEDs.

2008 MLB master schedule released (BizofBaseball) Want to see every team’s schedule? The Biz of Baseball has it all in PDF form.

Redskins still trying to find their man (AP/NFL.com) After rumors of the hiring of Jim Fassel being inaccurate earlier this week, the Associated Press reports that other candidates have yet to be interviewed.  Josh McDaniels or Steve Spagnuolo, anyone. (ifive to PFT.com for the tip.)

Iverson, Garnett make All-Star squads (AP/SI.com) Allen Iverson of the Denver Nuggets and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtic headline the 2008 NBA All-Star Game starters, which will be held in New Orleans.

Cyclist sues USADA for drug testing plan (AP/USATODAY.com) An anonymous cyclist is suing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for “overreaching its own rules and protocols.”

…and finally…

The Super Bowl bye week jamboroo, in which Drew pauses to make a serious point about blogging as journalism, then makes chili (Deadspin.com) A great read if you’re interested in blogging.

Feds’ case could take hit (AP/MSNBC)

A federal appeals court said Thursday it will reconsider its earlier ruling granting federal investigators use of the names and urine samples of about 100 major leaguers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Players and owners agreed in their labor contract that the results would be confidential, and each player was assigned a code number to be matched with his name.

Yanks close to deal with second baseman Cano (FOXSports.com)

The New York Yankees and All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano are nearing a deal that will pay out $30 million over four years, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

The deal, writes Rosenthal, will likely include club options that would enable the Yankees to buy out one or two years of free agency.

Clemens pre-hearing postponed (AP)

Accused PEDs user Roger Clemens has had his pre-hearing with Congress postponed from Feb. 3 to Feb. 5 to allow more preparation time for both sides.

Lawyers for Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee have said their clients will appear.

News and notes while laughing at Jose Canseco…

Majerus defiant — with respect (STLToday.com) Bernie Miklasz of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Saint Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus stands by his comments made late last week in regards to his views on abortion and stem cell research.

Baylor knocks off No 16 Texas A&M — in 5OTs (AP/USATODAY.com) You read that right: it took unranked Baylor five overtimes to take out Big XII rival Texas A&M, 116-110.  Good thing you read because you certainly couldn’t watch it thanks to the lousy contract the conference has lined up.

No Fassel deal — yet (ESPN.com) The tag-team duo of ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli and Chris Mortensen report that the Washington Redskins have not yet come to terms with Jim Fassel on becoming their next head football coach.  Jim Zorn, who was mentioned Wednesday as the new offensive coordinator, is among the top picks for the spot.

Samuels, Cooley to wear ‘21‘ (Redskins.com) Speaking of Washington, Chris Cooley and Chris Samuels will honor former teammate — and fellow Pro Bowler — Sean Taylor by wearing his old jersey number during the upcoming event on February 10.

Beane’s blueprint calls for pinching pennies (Y! Sports) National baseball writer Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports profiles Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, whose Moneyball means of management will once again be utilized in the Bay Area.

…and finally…

Rangers to retire Leetch’s No. 2 (CP/The Hockey News) One of our favorites growing up will see his number retired by the New York Rangers Thursday.  Brian Leetch, the stalwart rearguard who helped the Rangers win their first Stanley Cup in 54 years, will see his No. 2 raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters.

Heyman: Mets take lead in Santana derby (SI.com)

Major League Baseball’s very own “Never Ending Story” continues to roll on as Jon Heyman of SI.com writes that the New York Mets have taken the lead in the Johan Santana sweepstakes.

Heyman writes:

But for the Mets to actually land Santana it will take at least two significant hurdles being cleared, and that doesn’t include having to negotiate a long-term contract with him. First, the Mets have to agree to send over a package of many real prospects, probably five or more, which would considerably deplete their minor-league resources. Second, the Red Sox and Yankees, who are both better stocked at the upper reaches of the minors, have to continue to take a less then enthusiastic approach in the competition to add one of the game’s top two pitchers.

In other words, this really isn’t an update.  It’s just something for us to post.

News and notes while Rick Majerus waits for communion Godot…

Chang, two others get Tennis Hall of Fame nod (AP/USATODAY.com) French Open winner Michael Chang was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and IMG founder Mark McCormack and Tennis Week magazine founder Eugene Scott were selected posthumously.

Source: Cameron to join Ravens staff (ESPN.com) As initially reported by Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, Len Pasquarelli writes that the Baltimore Ravens are on the fringe of hiring Cam Cameron to be their new offensive coordinator.

Indians, Betancourt agree to terms (MLB.com) Cleveland reliever Rafael Betancourt gets a nice raise and an extension through 2010.

Baseball’s never been better (FOXSports.com) Baseball guru Ken Rosenthal writes that Major League baseball has never been better after surviving a gambling scandal, a cocaine epidemic and the strike.

St. Louis special… (JoePosnanski.com) The great sportswriter Joe Posnanski writes about his experience at the BBWA dinner in St. Louis Monday.

News and notes while ESPN continues to roll out the unfunny, stupid ‘True Hollywood Story’ of the (Tom) Brady Bunch…

Archbishop Burke would deny communion to Rick Majerus (STLToday.com) We gave our thoughts on it yesterday and now the worm continues to turn: the St. Louis Archbishop told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he would deny Saint Louis University coach the sacrament of communion if he did not change his positions on abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research.  And yes, he’s still asking for the the school, which is not owned or controlled by the Jesuits, to discipline Majerus.  Good luck with that, Raymond.

Cowboys owner Jones: T.O. will return (AP/SI.com) Get your $3 million roster bonus ready: Terrell Owens will be back in Dallas after owner Jerry Jones tells reporters at the Senior Bowl they’ll pick up his bonus.

Rays to announce Shields deal (MLB.com) The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and pitcher Scott Shields are planning announce a contract extension that will keep the hurler in Tampa for…seven years?

NHL, Versus extend contract by three years (AP/Y! Sports) That’s nice, but where’s ESPN?

Injuries, obligations result in All-Star realignment (USATODAY.com) Mike Brehm of USATODAY.com recites all the roster changes for the upcoming NHL All-Star Game, to be played in Atlanta, Ga.

…and finally…

ESPN’s Dana Jacobson emails apology to the Catholic League (Awful Announcing) While at a celebrity roast (and we use that term loosely) honoring ESPN’s Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, First Take co-host Dana Jacobson used expletives to describe Notre Dame (Mike Golic’s college).  After pressure from the Catholic League, she emailed an apology.  Welcome to 2008.

Knoblauch subpoenaed after failing to respond to invitation (AP/ESPN.com)

Four-time All-Star Chuck Knoblauch was subpoenaed Tuesday by a congressional committee investigating steroids in baseball after he failed to respond to an invitation to give a deposition.

“The committee has taken this step because Mr. Knoblauch failed to respond to the invitation to participate voluntarily in a deposition or transcribed interview and the Feb. 13 hearing,” committee chairman Henry Waxman and ranking Republican Tom Davis said in a statement.

Fireballer Roger Clemens is slated to talk to members of Congress this upcoming Saturday and friend former teammate Andy Pettitte on Jan. 30.

Mattingly steps down as hitting coach (MLB.com)

Don Matitngly, who was tabbed by new Dodgers manager Joe Torre to be his hitting coach, has decided to step down from that role to become a special advisor and coach.

“I’m very grateful that the Dodgers have allowed me to take care of these family matters and I hope that everyone can respect our privacy during this time,” Mattingly said in a statement issued by the team. “I truly appreciate the support of all Dodger fans since joining the organization and I look forward to helping the team win in 2008 and beyond.”

It is believed that Mattingly, 46, stepped down so he could spend more time with his family, who reside in Evansville, Indiana.