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Dodgers celebrate Jackie Robinson day
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_jackie_robinson_day"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070416/capt.20d94da19cc5440a8bd20f86474372e1.correction_jackie_robinson_day_baseball_lad102.jpg?x=130&y=86&sig=LB5iY_JloJwq9qbYarz4Ag--" align="left" height="86" width="130" alt="The Los Angeles Dodgers, all wearing No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, line up during the national anthem, before the start of the baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Jackie Robinson Day, Sunday, April 15, 2007, in Los Angeles. Robinson broke major league baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947, with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the sport celebrated the 60th anniversary of his debut throughout the country Sunday, when more than 200 players, managers and coaches wore his number. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)" border="0" /></a>AP - No. 42 was everywhere for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scampering around the bases, knocking hits to all fields, and coming away with an easy victory.</p><br clear="all"/>
Rivera, Yankees stunned by Scutaro, A's
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_ba_ga_su/bba_al_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070415/capt.767e29b83dc746d99ec3722900de6781.yankees_athletics_baseball__oas113.jpg?x=93&y=130&sig=KFTmvChjRXyh5yDoDNLzZg--" align="left" height="130" width="93" alt="New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera walks off the field after giving up a three-run, walk-off home run to Oakland Athletics' Marco Scutaro Sunday, April 15, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" border="0" /></a>AP - Turned out, the most stunning blow was still to come.</p><br clear="all"/>
Pujols pulls out of slump with 2 homers
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_ba_ga_su/bbn_nl_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070415/capt.335dfb91626c4253ac555cd339df7f48.brewers_cardinals_baseball_mojr103.jpg?x=130&y=100&sig=xJDR0ExsjPkFvr130eiGUQ--" align="left" height="100" width="130" alt="St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, center, rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets, left, as the Cardinals' David Eckstein, right, heads for home during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 15, 2007, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)" border="0" /></a>AP - Albert Pujols wasn't concerned about his slow start.</p><br clear="all"/>
Home not a place to be in NHL playoffs
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_nhl_playoffs_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070416/capt.7a7d08bb8c0a47a98dd7640b91d381d5.canucks_stars_hockey_dna210.jpg?x=111&y=130&sig=PdOGbqGqbm9K1HW2TbfAaA--" align="left" height="130" width="111" alt="Vancouver Canucks' Taylorl Pyatt (9) celebrates his game winning overtime goal with Bryan Smolinski (21) against the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of an NHL playoff hockey game in Dallas, Texas, Sunday, April 15, 2007. The Canucks won 2-1. (AP Photo/LM Otero)" border="0" /></a>AP - It didn't pay to be at home for the NHL playoffs this weekend. In eight postseason games, the visitor won seven times. Only the Detroit Red Wings actually had a home-ice advantage, beating Calgary 3-1 Sunday to take a 2-0 series lead.</p><br clear="all"/>
Kobe scores 50, lifts Lakers to playoffs
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_bk_ga_su/bkn_nba_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070416/capt.36425703e6ab456587f99ee040ebdd88.supersonics_lakers_basketball_cagr106.jpg?x=85&y=130&sig=FRyf_iQ6muGSbKLhzpeVDw--" align="left" height="130" width="85" alt="Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game with Seattle Supersonics, Sunday, April 15, 2007 in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 109-98. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)" border="0" /></a>AP - Kobe Bryant carried the Los Angeles Lakers into the playoffs and left the Clippers and Golden State Warriors to fight it out for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.</p><br clear="all"/>
Chiefs guard Will Shields retires
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_shields_retires"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070416/capt.b519b3fe042842f19e2846100001aea1.shields_retires_nyol578.jpg?x=130&y=89&sig=eveANfv5MSk_AmZHoXmoOw--" align="left" height="89" width="130" alt="Former Nebraska All-American and Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowler Will Shields speaks to students on the Girls and Boys Town campus in Omaha, Neb., Thursday, May 6, 2004 in this file photo. The 35-year-old Shields announced his retirement on his web site Sunday after 14 seasons with the Chiefs. He played in a franchise-record 224 games and made his 12th Pro Bowl appearance last season, tying a record at his position. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, file)" border="0" /></a>AP - Kansas City guard Will Shields is retiring after 14 NFL seasons, during which he made a record 12 Pro Bowl appearances and anchored one of the top offensive lines in the league.</p><br clear="all"/>
Kobe scores 50 to put Lakers in playoffs
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_bk_ga_su/bkn_supersonics_lakers"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070416/capt.64ee0beb7e6b413893d5135e6fc39bae.supersonics_lakers_basketball_cagr102.jpg?x=87&y=130&sig=9cyPeDnhmLpphiGRYIQ_0g--" align="left" height="130" width="87" alt="Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game with Seattle SuperSonics, Sunday, April 15, 2007 in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)" border="0" /></a>AP - Kobe Bryant had the touch, so he kept taking shots.</p><br clear="all"/>
Jackie Robinson's career 60th anniversary celebrated
(Reuters)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070416/sp_nm/baseball_robinson_dc"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20070416/2007_04_15t225610_450x298_us_baseball_robinson.jpg?x=130&y=86&sig=5B7zRP6g1xoYuxsdUBzTzA--" align="left" height="86" width="130" alt="U.S. actress and singer Jennifer Hudson (R) sings the national anthem as Robinson's widow Rachel (C-R behind podium) and Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig listen before the National League baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres in Los Angeles, April 15, 2007. The Dodgers are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League debut with the club, which broke baseball's color barrier. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)" border="0" /></a>Reuters - Major League Baseball on Sunday
marked the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the
color line in baseball with ceremonies in parks around the
country and a special celebration at Dodger Stadium.</p><br clear="all"/>
Barrett lifts Fire to tie with Rapids
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_so_ga_su/soc_mls_fire_rapids"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070416/capt.237149c7f10f428b9e7d4853f77b4463.mls_fire_rapids_soccer_codz103.jpg?x=112&y=130&sig=_m2nDvAlS27smivAcpSsNg--" align="left" height="130" width="112" alt="Colorado Rapids defenseman Ugo Ihemelu, left, reaches in to knock the ball away from Chicago Fire forward Chad Barrett as he drives to the net in the first half of a Major League Soccer game in Commerce City, Colo., on Sunday, April 15, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)" border="0" /></a>AP - Chad Barrett fired a shot through goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul's legs in the 85th minute to give the Chicago Fire a 1-1 tie with the Colorado Rapids on Sunday night in Major League Soccer.</p><br clear="all"/>
Canucks beat Stars in OT, lead series 2-1
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_canucks_stars"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070416/capt.648eab9eee5847af8551f441a064dd2b.canucks_stars_hockey_dna209.jpg?x=124&y=130&sig=SqdH..NBFu0ssAL1DHXbEg--" align="left" height="130" width="124" alt="Vancouver Canucks center Jan Bulis (38) of the Czech Republic celebrates his goal as Dallas Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher (43) looks on during the third period of Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Quarterfinals hockey game in Dallas Sunday, April 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)" border="0" /></a>AP - The Vancouver Canucks have cracked the code. Take the Dallas Stars to overtime and victory eventually will be theirs.</p><br clear="all"/>
Damaged goods?
RB Adrian Peterson's career at Oklahoma was plagued by injuries, a concern for NFL teams and evaluators.
Pro Bowl G Shields announces retirement (AP)
Kansas City guard Will Shields is retiring after 14 NFL seasons, during which he made a record 12 Pro Bowl appearances and anchored one of the top offensive lines in the league. The 35-year-old announced his decision on his Web site -- www.willtosucceed.org -- Sunday. He said the physical requirements of football had become more difficult with each passing day.
'Pacman' says he'll appeal suspension (AP)
Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones said Friday night he will appeal his season-long suspension and thinks NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made him the league's poster boy for disciplining players. Jones has not talked to reporters since the suspension for conduct detrimental to the NFL was announced Tuesday.
Broncos cut five-time Pro Bowl LB Wilson (AP)
Broncos linebacker Al Wilson's heart tells him he can still play football. His neck is a different story. The Broncos released the five-time Pro Bowl player Friday because of a combination of injury and salary cap concerns. Wilson, who injured his neck against Seattle on Dec. 3, was scheduled to make $5.2 million in base salary this season.
Source: Giants reach deal with QB Wright (AP)
Veteran quarterback Anthony Wright has reached an agreement on a two-year contract with the New York Giants, a person within the NFL who requested anonymity Saturday because the deal hadn't been signed. The 31-year-old Wright, who saw limited action with the Cincinnati Bengals last season, worked out for the Giants this week.
Error leads to extra $3M for Westbrook (AP)
Brian Westbrook received an extra $3 million from the Philadelphia Eagles in an accounting error. The star running back intends to pay the team back after getting his roster bonus twice. However, the Eagles filed a grievance with the NFL against Westbrook because the money hasn't been repaid yet, a team spokesman said Saturday.
Colts backup QB Sorgi inks 1-year tender (AP)
Colts backup quarterback Jim Sorgi has signed an $850,000 one-year tender to stay with Indianapolis. The team announced the deal to keep its backup to Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning on Friday. Sorgi was a restricted free agent. In three seasons, he has played in 10 games -- mostly in mop-up duty. He's completed 59-of-90 passes for 619 yards, thrown five touchdowns and one interception.
Browns' Heiden inks four-year extension (AP)
Tight end Steve Heiden signed a four-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Heiden is an eight-year veteran and entering his sixth season with the Browns. He had 36 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns last season as the No. 2 tight end behind Kellen Winslow Jr. The 6-foot-5, 267-pounder caught a career-high 43 passes for 401 yards and three TDs in 2005.
Coaches in question
The NBA coaching carousel could be in for quite a whirl with so many uncertain situations, including three playoff-bound teams.
Bryant's 50 get Lakers into playoffs (AP)
Kobe Bryant had the touch, so he kept taking shots. Bryant finished with 50 points on 18-of-25 shooting Sunday night to carry the Lakers to a 109-98 victory over Seattle that clinched a playoff spot for Los Angeles. "We feel much better. We needed this type of win," Bryant said after the Lakers won for just the third time in 11 games.
Duncan ejected as Spurs lose in Dallas (AP)
There's no such thing as a meaningless game when the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs play. Although their meeting Sunday had little bearing on the playoff picture, the Western Conference powers played a tense, emotional game that saw bodies flying, emotions overheating, Tim Duncan getting ejected and the Mavericks beating the Spurs 91-86 Sunday to end San Antonio's six-game winning streak.
Magic end four-year playoff drought (AP)
-- The Orlando Magic haven't dealt with the pressure of the postseason in four years and it showed in Sunday's 88-86 win over Boston. The Magic clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with Indiana's 111-107 loss to New Jersey and their win over Boston, but it was far from a confidence-building victory.
Raptors win, clinch third seed in East (AP)
The Toronto Raptors set three goals before the season: make the playoffs, win the Atlantic Division and get home-court advantage in the first round. Chris Bosh and company went 3-for-3. Bosh scored 23 points and the Raptors earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 107-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday night.
Nets eliminate Pacers from playoff race (AP)
Bostjan Nachbar's outside shooting kept the New Jersey Nets in the race for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs -- and helped knock the Pacers out of the postseason race. Nachbar, a reserve forward, scored 25 points and shot 6-for-6 from 3-point range to help the Nets beat Indiana 111-107 on Sunday.
Warriors move alone into eighth place (AP)
Under an airbrushed trucker's hat and thick shades, Baron Davis was ready to party after his Warriors' superb Sunday on both ends of the Golden State. Yet the evening's celebration was strictly for Davis' 28th birthday. He knows the Warriors' 12-year playoff drought won't end without three more days of hard work -- even after the Los Angeles Clippers handed him quite a gift.
Kings deal blow to Clips' playoff hopes (AP)
Ron Artest and Elton Brand became quite chummy during their two seasons as teammates with the Chicago Bulls. So the Sacramento Kings forward had decidedly mixed feelings after doing so much damage to the Los Angeles Clippers' playoff hopes. Artest had a career-high 10 assists, leading the Kings to a 105-100 victory over the fading Clippers on Sunday.
Bulls roll past depleted Wizards 101-68 (AP)
Even before the playoffs start, the Chicago Bulls are focused, motivated by a goal they set before the season: 50 wins. Well, 49 down, one to go. Ben Gordon scored 30 points, Chicago held Washington to 34 percent shooting, and the Bulls beat the depleted Wizards 101-68 on Sunday for a third consecutive victory.
Green gets 76ers by lackluster Pistons (AP)
The Detroit Pistons didn't win a basketball game Sunday night. They did, however, accomplish the one thing they most wanted to do: They stayed healthy. In a game that saw little-used reserve Amir Johnson lead the team in minutes, the Pistons lost a lackluster 102-91 decision to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Playoff observations
Pyatt lifts Canucks by Stars early in OT (AP)
The Vancouver Canucks have cracked the code. Take the Dallas Stars to overtime and victory eventually will be theirs. Taylor Pyatt scored on a one-timer from the left circle 7:47 into the extra period Sunday night, giving the Canucks a 2-1 victory Sunday night and a 2-1 lead in this first-round Western Conference series.
Red Wings take 2-0 lead on Flames (AP)
The Calgary Flames dug a hole early with penalties and Detroit kept them in it. Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom scored within the first 4 minutes Sunday and Detroit went on to beat Calgary 3-1, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round series. Calgary had five penalties -- two of which led to Lidstrom's goal -- in the first 8:13 of the game.
Senators F Eaves removed on stretcher (AP)
Ottawa Senators forward Patrick Eaves was taken off the ice on a stretcher after being leveled by Colby Armstrong midway through the second period of Sunday's playoff game against Pittsburgh. Eaves was carrying the puck around the net in the Pittsburgh end with Penguins defenseman Josef Melichar tugging at him when Armstrong came from the opposite direction and put a shoulder hit on him.
Ducks one win away from second round (AP)
All seven games between the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild this season have been decided by one goal. The Ducks sure have the edge, though, after using a dominant, smothering defense and superior special teams to take a 3-0 lead over the Wild in this Western Conference quarterfinal. Andy McDonald scored early, Rob Niedermayer scored late, and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 19 shots to lead Anaheim...
Tempers running high for Preds, Sharks (AP)
Perhaps the tempers are so short because the stakes are so high in San Jose's playoff series with Nashville. Both the Sharks and the Predators just completed the best regular season in franchise history. The clubs won 51 games apiece, more than anybody except league-leading Buffalo, and finished three points apart in the tough Western Conference.
Rangers back home looking to end series (AP)
It's been a decade since the New York Rangers won a playoff series. Not surprisingly, they're all fired up about returning to Madison Square Garden with a chance to finish off the Atlanta Thrashers. "I get goose bumps just thinking about how loud it's going to be," New York's Sean Avery said. "We don't want to let our fans down.
Isles not saying much on Yashin benching (AP)
Now that Rick DiPietro has returned to the ice, the biggest question surrounding the New York Islanders is why captain Alexei Yashin saw so little of it. Fresh off a split of the opening two games in Buffalo of the first-round playoff series against the Sabres, the underdog Islanders returned to their home practice rink Sunday and tried to figure out how to take control of the best-of-seven...
Devils try to forget loss to Lightning (AP)
One thing never changes about the NHL playoffs. Teams that dwell on missed opportunities following a loss only hinder their chances of rebounding in the next game. So when New Jersey takes the ice Monday night for Game 3 of its first-round Eastern Conference series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Devils goalie Martin Brodeur says he and his teammates need to have short memories.
NHL suspends Predators' Radulov one game (AP)
The NHL on Saturday suspended Predators forward Alexander Radulov for one game for a hitting-from-behind incident involving Sharks forward Steve Bernier in Nashville's first-round series with San Jose. Radulov will miss Game 3 of the Western Conference series Monday at San Jose. He will be eligible to return for Game 4, on Wednesday at San Jose.
Texas Observations
Burton becomes first repeat winner at Texas (AP)
When Jeff Burton won for the first time in the inaugural race in Texas, he was a young driver still trying to prove himself.
Earnhardt hops in Kyle Busch's car for final nine laps (AP)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't seem to mind that Kyle Busch rear-ended him and essentially ruined his chance to win the Samsung 500 on Sunday.
Montoya, Stewart feud could be brewing (PA SportsTicker)
FORT WORTH, Texas (Ticker) - When Juan Pablo Montoya joined NASCAR, he realized he would have his share of run-ins with the proven stars of the sport.
Burton passes Kenseth on final lap, wins Samsung 500 (PA SportsTicker)
Bourdais captures Champ-car Long Beach Grand Prix (AFP)
Bourdais grabs Champ-car pole (AFP)
Canada's Tracy injured in Champ Car practice crash (AFP)
Canadian Paul Tracy was hospitalized with a fractured vertebrae after a crash in practice Saturday for the Champ Car Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Race drivers admit to superstitions (PA SportsTicker)
FORT WORTH, Texas (Ticker) - Race drivers are probably the most superstitious competitors in sports.
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