NEW YORK -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration is bowing to critics and will forgo luxury boxes at the new ballparks for the Yankees and Mets.

A Bloomberg spokesman says the city has worked out a deal to get extra money from the Yankees and put that funding toward the community. A similar agreement is being worked out with the Mets for their new park.

Senior Bloomberg aides had fought hard to get the luxury boxes and cited the mayor's interest in the perks when negotiating with the teams in 2006.

Their battle for the boxes only recently came to light as state and federal lawmakers have investigated how the teams and the city went about making those deals.

BOSTON -- Boston College athletic director Gene DiFilippo is awaiting a call from Jeff Jagodzinski about whether the coach interviewed with the Jets. The conversation could have a significant impact on BC's football program.

DeFilippo said late Tuesday afternoon that he called Jagodzinski in the morning and was waiting for a return phone call. He also said he didn't know if Jagodzinski already had met with the Jets, who are seeking a replacement for Eric Mangini.

DeFilippo declined to say whether Jagodzinski, who has three years left on a five-year contract, would be fired if he does interview with the Jets. ESPN.com reported Sunday night that the coach would not be welcome to return if he seeks work in the NFL.

Lakers' superstar Kobe Bryant played his high school ball in Philly, so it's no shock who he is picking Sunday when the Eagles meet the Giants. What's more interesting is the elusive rooting interest of NYC native Lamar Odom. Take a look at the video below:

Continue reading "Kobe Bryant likes the Eagles' chances Sunday" »

The Devils and Hurricanes meet for the first time this season at the RBC Center. Here are three things to watch:

1. It's Sutter vs. Sutter. Not on the ice, but the game marks the first time Brent Sutter will coach against son Brandon. Both have said it will be weird and difficult. While Brandon isn't one of Carolina's top players-- at least not yet-- it will be interesting to see if there are any gestures or reactions toward each other. Rest assured TV cameras will catch everything.

2. Paul Maurice's team. Not everyone in Raleigh was thrilled when Paul Maurice took over for Peter Laviolette on Dec. 3. But the Hurricanes are winning, with an 8-4-3 record under Maurice. They were 12-11-2 with Laviolette. And goalie Cam Ward is playing extremely well of late.

3. Jamie Langenbrunner back on track. It looked like coach Brent Sutter might have to consider taking Jamie Langenbrunner off the first line with Zach Parise and Travis Zajac. However, the Devils' captain is playing well lately. He has goals in his last two games and has 2-4-6 in his last five games.

Some think it was the defensive line, the clutch play of Eli Manning or the resolve of Tom Coughlin that paved the way for the Giants Super Bowl XLII championship run. Those people would be wrong. Your haikus were the wind beneath the Giants wings during last year's playoffs, as if you didn't know already.

Continue reading "Post your New York Giants playoff haikus" »

Observations, bon mots, and fulminations from Nets 98, Kings 90:

Everyone's telling us that we got to see Yi's post game last night. So that's what it was. We assumed he was just channeling his inner Nevitt.

But hey, whatever works. And to hell with what he does with the ball whenever and wherever he gets it: The real difference in the big kid's game was that he actually played with a professional passion for once, and maintained it from start to finish.

Continue reading "NJ Nets: Game 35 Recap" »

On a day that has seen former New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi back on the Oakland Athletics' radar, Carl Pavano is allegedly generating some buzz on the free-agent market. Continue reading "Cleveland Indians top candidate to sign Carl Pavano, report says" »

They've resisted so far, but now the NHL is considering playing at least one-- and possibly two-- games on Christmas Day.

No games are currently played on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. However, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly revealed that the league has wanted to play games on the holiday for 10 years.

Now, NHL Players' Association executive director Paul Kelly indicated the players are ready to discuss the matter.

Continue reading "NHL considering playing games on Christmas Day" »

Patrik Elias has been credited with an assist on Jamie Langenbrunner's power play goal at 16:20 of the third period against the Ottawa Senators Sunday.

The season stats for Elias are now 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists).

Goalie Kevin Weekes and defenseman Sheldon Brookbank were the only Devils to take part in Tuesday's morning skate. The coaching staff took part and goalie coach Jacques Caron actually grabbed Weekes' blocker and demonstrated some technique while facing some soft shots from John MacLean.

Continue reading "NHL credits Devils' Elias with another assist" »

The Star-Ledger's Dave Hutchinson reported this morning that the New York Jets never talked to former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher about interviewing for a job with the Jets. Did Jets' owner Woody Johnson blow it by not talking to Cowher and going on vacation instead? One columnist thinks so. Continue reading "Owner Woody Johnson cost Jets a bid for Bill Cowher, writer says" »

Similar to the likes of the Philadelphia Phillies' J.C. Romero, the New York Yankees' Sergio Mitre will face a 50-game suspension this season for violation of MLB's drug policy after testing positive for over-the-counter substances. Continue reading "Yankees' minor league pitcher Sergio Mitre suspended for violating MLB's drug policy" »

Bill Cowher said during an interview on WFAN that the Jets never contacted him directly and he would've been willing to speak with owner Woody Johnson had he been available. You can listen to the interview here.

Continue reading "Cowher says he never talked to Jets brass about coaching job" »

The New York Mets want right-hander Derek Lowe, but they aren't willing to up their offer to the ex-Dodger, according to this report on Newsday.com.

Continue reading "Mets won't up offer for Derek Lowe, report says" »

By now you've probably read Mike Garafolo's piece on the New York Giants' focus on Brian Westbrook (and if not, you should). Antonio Pierce made a few remarks regarding the regular season meetings between the Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. But have you seen the rest of the raw quotes? Looks like Pierce won't own up to getting burned the last time these two met. Continue reading "Will the Eagles' offense target Antonio Pierce?" »

Beat writer Mike Garafolo, columnist Steve Politi and Jenny Vrentas give you a first look at the Giants-Eagles playoff game:

Analysis of the Giants - Eagles matchup

NOTEBOOK

Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, Amani Toomer, and James Butler, listen up: There's suddenly more money for the Giants to potentially throw your way in 2009.

And you can thank backup tight end Darcy Johnson for that.

According to NFLPA records, the Giants recently exercised a common practice used by many teams to create more salary-cap room for the upcoming season. Late last month, the team took most of the room on its cap for this season and converted it into a $7.2-million "likely to be earned bonus" for Johnson. At least, that's what its called; the bonus isn't really expected to be earned. And when it's not earned, it becomes a credit on the following season's salary cap.

Continue reading "With help of loophole, Giants create salary cap space" »

Former New York Yankees first baseman/DH Jason Giambi is close to a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics, different news reports say. Continue reading "Former Yankee Jason Giambi close to Athletics reunion, reports say" »

Immaculata center Mark Brazinski verbally committed to play at California next season, according to this Star-Ledger report. Brazinski had verbally committed to play at Rutgers last spring, but changed his mind weeks later.

Reports suggest that former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel will meet with the St. Louis Rams this Thursday to discuss coaching opportunities for next season. Continue reading "Former Giants coach Jim Fassel is a candidate for Rams job" »

According to various reports, the Philadelphia Phillies will be without relief pitcher J.C. Romero for 50 games next season. The MLB suspended him upon learning he tested positive for banned, over-the-counter substances. Continue reading "Phillies' J.C. Romero suspended for 50 games" »

Reports indicate that the New York Yankees' Andy Pettitte has rejected the team's one-year, $10 million offer and has yet to officially say whether he plans to return to baseball next season. Continue reading "Andy Pettitte turns down Yankees' one-year, $10 million offer, report says" »

Left out of the national title game, Colt McCoy and Texas made the most of their trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

McCoy hit Quan Cosby for a 26-yard touchdown with 16 seconds to play, lifting the third-ranked Longhorns to a 24-21 victory over No. 10 Ohio State on Monday night. The dramatic strike capped an 11-play, 78-yard drive that took only 1:42.

Continue reading "Texas beats Ohio State, 24-21, with late score in Fiesta Bowl" »

Pat Burrell went from one World Series team to the other.

The Tampa Bay Rays added a big bat to the middle of their lineup, agreeing Monday on a $16 million, two-year contract with Burrell.

Continue reading "Philadelphia Phillies' Pat Burrell signs with Tampa Bay Rays" »

NOTEBOOK

Devin Harris had just received the opening tip from Brook Lopez, when his right leg started tugging at him again. He knew it was going to be a short night.

But he played 19 minutes of the Nets' 98-90 victory over Sacramento before surrendering to his cranky right hamstring at halftime Monday night.

"Just kind of felt a little twinge," Harris said. "I was pretty much out there on one leg. So I didn't want to risk hurting it more."

Continue reading "Hamstring again keeps New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris out" »

Box score

Newspaper stories:

Without Harris, Nets rally past Kings

Notebook: Hamstring again keeps Harris out

Young plays provide a boost on defense

Notebook: Former Rider star Thompson adjusting to NBA

Blog post

The Sacto Sanctum

Devin Harris was done after only 19 minutes, and the Nets were already coming up a little short in the hero department - down a dozen at the half, outgunned offensively, no clue as to what to do with Kevin Martin, and all this happening in front of a surly crowd.

Turns out, their point guard's departure was just a wakeup call.

It startled Keyon Dooling, who promptly put Martin to sleep after halftime. It jolted Yi Jianlian, who arrived with trumpets blaring in the third period on his way to a career night. It aroused Josh Boone, who spearheaded a defense that held the Kings to 35 points on 33 percent shooting in the second half.

It was an alarm bell for all of them, but especially Vince Carter, who dominated the stage in the fourth quarter and delivered a 98-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Izod Center.

Continue reading "Without Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets rally to beat Kings, 98-90" »

Late Sunday afternoon, minutes after Brian Westbrook had slipped through the arms of Vikings defenders and run 71 yards for a touchdown to clinch the Eagles' playoff victory, many were already predicting doom for the Giants this weekend.

Among the reasons presented as evidence for a coming upset was Westbrook's 203-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Giants last month. But specifically, one player has been mentioned as the reason for Westbrook's 30-yard touchdown run and 40-yard catch-and-run for the game-clinching score.

And that player, who happens to be the Giants' defensive captain, is clearly tired of hearing about how he was "exploited" by Westbrook on those two plays.

Continue reading "Everyone on New York Giants defense will have their eyes on Eagles' Brian Westbrook" »

The Giants' playoff run last year was motivated by their underdog mentality, complete with a chip on their shoulders as large as the mammoth Super Bowl rings they eventually earned.

As the NFC's No. 1 seed this season, that attitude no longer applies for them. But it seems to have worked its way down the Turnpike to their division-neighbor Eagles, who have generated the same kind of postseason momentum as the 2007 Giants by extending a season once left for dead into the second round of the playoffs.

"As long as we can stay fresh and stay motivated and just have a chip on our shoulder, we'll be all right," safety Quintin Mikell said last week. "We're the lowest seed in the playoffs, nobody's giving us anything."

Sound familiar?

Continue reading "Philadelphia Eagles following New York Giants' script from last season" »

"I know it's important. I do. I honestly do. But we talkin' about practice man. What are we talkin' about? Practice? We talkin' about practice man. ... We talkin' about practice. We ain't talkin' about the game."
-- Allen Iverson, 2002.

Allen Iverson famously didn't think he needed the practice. Neither, apparently, does Dainius Zubrus.

Zubrus was given the day off from practice on Saturday, and the next day he scored two goals in the Devils' 4-3 overtime victory over the Ottawa Senators at the Prudential Center.

Monday, Zubrus got the day off from practice again. More "maintenance," as Zubrus put it, to rest some undisclosed bumps, bruises or soreness? Or did tough-guy coach Brent Sutter just figure he didn't want to mess with a good thing?

"We won't get carried away on that one," Sutter said.

Continue reading "New Jersey Devils' Dainius Zubrus looks comfortable with team" »