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Team USA Still Alive in Baseball Classic
(AP)
 AP - Team USA still has a chance to win the World Baseball Classic thanks to South Korea. Now, it's up to Roger Clemens and his teammates to take advantage of the opportunity.
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Cuba Advances to Baseball Classic Semis
(AP)
 AP - The Cuban relay was perfect and Ivan Rodriguez was cut down at the plate — and now Cuba is safely into the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
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Gretzky's Wife Faces Gambling Subpoena
(AP)
 AP - Wayne Gretzky's wife will be subpoenaed to testify when a grand jury looks at charges in the case involving a betting ring allegedly run an NHL assistant coach, New Jersey's attorney general said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday.
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Air Force Shrugs Off All the Dissing
(AP)
 AP - Hey, at least the Air Force Falcons aren't afraid. And despite being thoroughly trashed by critics, they do indeed feel like they deserve to be in the NCAA tournament.
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Congressman Writes Selig About Steroids
(AP)
 AP - Prompted by an upcoming book about Barry Bonds, a congressman who sponsored legislation calling for tougher drug testing in pro sports wrote a letter Wednesday asking baseball commissioner Bud Selig about his role in policing steroid use from 1998-02.
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Saban: Culpepper 'Thankful' to Be in Miami
(AP)
 AP - Celebratory extravaganzas are normally a ritual when a star athlete comes to a new team.
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NBA Today
(AP)
AP - Minnesota at Golden State, (10:30 p.m. EST). The Timberwolves have lost five in a row.
Braves Reliever Bounces Back From Debut
(AP)
AP - Some pitchers never recover from being on the wrong end of a memorable home run. Ralph Branca wasn't the same after he gave up Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World."
ABC to Broadcast 12 World Cup Games
(AP)
AP - ABC will televise 12 of the 64 games at this year's World Cup, including the final on July 9 and the first-round matchup between the United States and Italy on June 17.
Hockey Today
(AP)
AP - Toronto at Buffalo (7 p.m. EST). The Sabres have won seven straight, matching their best streak of the season.
Free agency fallout
The signings of Drew Brees and Edgerrin James caused major changes to the latest mock draft.
McGinest signs with Browns (AP)
After 12 years in New England, it took Willie McGinest one trip to Cleveland to find his new home. Being reunited with Browns coach Romeo Crennel made his decision easy. McGinest signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Browns on Wednesday. The deal includes $6 million in guarantees and bonuses.
Saban runs show at Culpepper welcoming (AP)
Celebratory extravaganzas are normally a ritual when a star athlete comes to a new team. Nick Saban wanted no such spectacle for Daunte Culpepper. The Miami Dolphins coach managed to sneak his newly acquired 6-foot-4, 260-pound quarterback in and out of town without anyone getting a photo, much less a quote.
Moss' agent busted for crack possession (AP)
An agent for Randy Moss was charged with possession of crack cocaine after police were called to a hotel to investigate a disturbance, authorities said Wednesday. Dante DiTrapano and his wife, Teri, of Charleston, W.Va., were arrested Tuesday at a hotel in St. Petersburg, police said. The hotel's management called police to report a disturbance in couple's room.
Owens finally released by Eagles (AP)
Terrell Owens will torment defenses, make spectacular catches and invent creative touchdown celebrations somewhere next season. T.O.'s future employer can only hope the brash-talking wide receiver doesn't criticize teammates or coaches and disrupt the locker room, too. Owens finally is free to play for any team willing to have him after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.
Seahawks bring back Bernard, Warrick (AP)
Rocky Bernard, Seattle's sought-after defensive tackle, re-signed with the NFC champions on Wednesday. Bernard agreed to a $13 million, three-year contract with a $5.4 million signing bonus, according an assistant for agent Gary Uberstine. Bernard, who had 10 1/2 sacks in the regular season and playoffs after 9 1/2 in his first three seasons combined, earned $656,000 in base salary last season.
Saints QB Brees handles shoulder issue (AP)
Drew Brees patiently fielded repeated questions about his injured throwing shoulder, then smiled when asked whether he was tiring of the subject. "I don't mind talking about it. I've got a big smile on the inside because I know where I'm going to be in about four months," the new Saints quarterback said during his introduction in New Orleans on Wednesday.
Brooks officially no longer a Saint (AP)
Aaron Brooks was cut Wednesday, the same day the Saints introduced Drew Brees as their new starting quarterback. Brooks' stay in New Orleans was effectively over after he endured his worst season in 2005, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 17 interceptions before being benched with three games remaining in the season.
Crying wolf
The unhappy leader of the Timberwolves' pack sure doesn't sound like he wants to lead in Minnesota anymore.
Carmelo lifts Nuggets over Pacers (AP)
George Karl figured there was only one option when the Denver Nuggets needed a last-second shot Wednesday night -- Carmelo Anthony. With Anthony playing the way he has in March, why consider anyone else? So Karl did the obvious thing after calling timeout with 18.6 seconds left. He called for Anthony to isolate himself on the right side and back away from a defender.
Nuggets leave Indiana with new injuries (AP)
Marcus Camby's left hand was so sore Wednesday night, a reporter had to open the locker room door for him. Earl Boykins looked even worse, grimacing as he walked through the Conseco Fieldhouse hallways. Denver left Indiana with a 101-99 victory -- but it came with a cost. Boykins, a backup point guard, apparently banged his hand in the fourth quarter.
Suns' 3-point barrage routs Clippers (AP)
The Phoenix Suns are running away with the Pacific Division again, and are lighting up the scoreboard in the process. Steve Nash was 9-of-11 from the floor and had 25 points and 12 assists before sitting out the fourth quarter Wednesday night while the Suns completed a 126-95 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers, their nearest division foe.
Mavs take top spot in West, beat Rockets (AP)
Down four players, the Dallas Mavericks still had enough to handle the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points and 11 rebounds, Jason Terry added 19 points, and the injury-depleted Mavericks beat the Rockets 95-81. Dallas won for the fifth time in six games, despite playing without Josh Howard (strained hamstring), Devin Harris (strained thigh), Adrian Griffin (strained...
Pistons hit 10 3-pointers, beat Raptors (AP)
As the Detroit Pistons gear up for the playoffs, a few role players are showing they can be significant options on offense, too. Tayshaun Prince scored 21 points, and Antonio McDyess added 16 while playing almost all of the fourth quarter, leading the Pistons to a 105-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Blazers score five in 4th, lose to Nets (AP)
The New Jersey Nets relied on their defense to win one of their ugliest games of the season. Vince Carter scored 26 points and the Nets held the Portland Trail Blazers to a team record-low five points in the fourth quarter of a 78-65 victory Wednesday night. The five points was the second lowest in a fourth quarter since the 24-second shot clock was instituted for the 1954-55 season.
Kobe, Lakers hand Wolves 6th loss in row (AP)
Kobe Bryant pulled out another victory for the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch. It wouldn't have been possible without Lamar Odom's contributions before that. Bryant scored 25 points, including a pair of layups in heavy traffic during the final 35 seconds, leading the Lakers to a 92-89 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Bickering Knicks edge Hawks in double OT (AP)
Knicks coach Larry Brown warned Stephon Marbury and the rest of the New York starters before the game: The guys who play best will play the most. After New York gave up 34 points in the third quarter, Brown went with his reserves for the rest of the game and the Knicks responded with a 121-117 double-overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Arenas scores 34 as Wizards top Bobcats (AP)
The Washington Wizards are 3-1 against the Charlotte Bobcats -- and probably glad to be done playing one of the league's worst teams. Gilbert Arenas scored 34 points as the Wizards swept a home-and-home series with Charlotte in a grinding 107-99 victory Tuesday night. Antawn Jamison scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Washington, his 32nd double-double of the season.
Power rankings
A record number of trades went down Thursday, but will any shift the balance of power in the NHL?
Gretzky's wife will be called to testify (AP)
Wayne Gretzky's wife will be subpoenaed to testify when a grand jury looks at charges in the case involving a betting ring allegedly run an NHL assistant coach, New Jersey's attorney general said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday. In her first major interview since being sworn in as attorney general six weeks ago, Zulima Farber said that Janet Jones would be called to testify...
Esche, Flyers blank Panthers 4-0 (AP)
This time the Philadelphia Flyers took care of things early against the Florida Panthers. Robert Esche made 27 saves to get his first shutout of the season, leading the Flyers to a 4-0 win over the Panthers on Wednesday night. Simon Gagne, Petr Nedved, R.J. Umberger and Jeff Carter scored for the Flyers.
Osgood helps Red Wings extend win streak (AP)
Chris Osgood is getting accustomed to a new role this season and Nicklas Lidstrom is just doing what he's done for much of his career. Osgood made 25 saves and Lidstrom had three assists to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-1 on Wednesday night. Henrik Zetterberg, Mathieu Schneider and Kris Draper scored for the Red Wings, who have won four straight and six of seven.
Islanders lose D Zhitnik for season (AP)
Islanders defenseman Alexei Zhitnik is out for the season with a broken left ankle, leaving New York without one of its players as it chases a playoff spot. The Islanders' fourth straight win, a 6-1 victory at New Jersey on Tuesday night, was costly with Zhitnik and forward Arron Asham (ankle sprain) both going down.
Calder, Khabibulin power Blackhawks (AP)
The Chicago Blackhawks and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin both got their timing back in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night. Kyle Calder broke a tie with a third-period goal and Khabibulin made 33 saves -- including stopping a second-period penalty shot -- as Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak.
Blues G Sanford out for the season (AP)
St. Louis Blues goaltender Curtis Sanford will miss the rest of the season with a sprained ligament in his left knee. The Blues recalled goalie Reinhard Divis from Peoria of the American Hockey League. Divis and Patrick Lalime are expected to split duty, the team said Wednesday. The 26-year-old Sanford sprained his knee Monday during a collision with Nikolai Zherdev during a 3-2 win over Columbus.
Hurricanes get team-record 44th win (AP)
Doug Weight is starting to look comfortable with his new team, and that's a welcome sight for the NHL-leading Carolina Hurricanes. Weight scored two goals and had an assist to help the Hurricanes set franchise records for victories, home wins and points in a season with a 5-3 victory over the slumping New York Rangers 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Alfredsson's late goal lifts Senators (AP)
Whatever his intentions, Daniel Alfredsson reverted to white stick tape late in the game and he was able to sneak his blade onto the ice in the right place at the worst possible moment for John Grahame and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Alfredsson scored with 7 seconds left in the third period to give the Ottawa Senators a 4-3 victory over the Lightning on Tuesday night.
Predators' Vokoun beats Canucks 5-0 (AP)
Tomas Vokoun and Nashville Predators made it look easy against the slumping Vancouver Canucks. Vokoun made 31 saves for his third shutout of the season and Dan Hamhuis and Scott Hartnell each had a goal and an assist in the Predators' 5-0 victory over Vancouver on Tuesday night. "It's a big win for us," Vokoun said.
NASCAR tip sheet
The Hendrick teams are flying high, but most of the Dodge bunch is just driving slowly.
Lester trying to become first black in 20 years to qualify for NASCAR's top series (AP)
Bill Lester couldn't stand sitting behind a desk.
American makes Formula One debut, but series still lags far behind NASCAR for U.S. attention (AP)
Half a world away from Jimmie Johnson's last-lap NASCAR victory in Las Vegas, another California native was making racing history without any fanfare. Scott Speed became the first American since 1993 to compete in a Formula One race, finishing a respectable 13th in the Bahrain Grand Prix. But did anyone even notice?
Johnson passes Kenseth for last-lap victory (AP)
So far this season, Jimmie Johnson is doing just about everything right.
Johnson wins NASCAR Nextel UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 (SportsTicker)
Engine, tires make a bad day for Newman (AP)
A day that started badly for Ryan Newman quickly got worse in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400.
Team France wins inaugural A1 Grand Prix season title (AP)
MONTEREY, Calif. (AP)-- Team France, with 22-year-old Nicolas Lapierre behind the wheel, finished second to Team Mexico in the 30-minute Sprint race Sunday to wrap up the championship in the inaugural season of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations. Mexico's 20-year-old Salvador Duran made it a doubleheader sweep for his team in the Main race, benefiting from a mechanical failure that knocked France out of...
Kahne wins Busch Series Sam's Town 300 (SportsTicker)
Five spectators hospitalized after rally crash (AP)
Five spectators were hospitalized Sunday, three with serious injuries, after being struck by a rally car which took a wrong turn and rolled. A Motorsport New Zealand spokesman said the spectators were watching a Targa Club Rally stage at Waiuku, southwest of Auckland, when the accident occurred. "He had made a mistake," Motorsport New Zealand president Stephen Kennedy told National Radio.
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