Around the World of Sports - NFL, MLB, NASCAR, Tennis, Golf, MLS

NFL

While everyone is telling Bears fan Mark Pavelka how lucky he is, I wonder if he realizes how long he will be paying for this one?   Colleen Pavelka, nine months pregnant and due today, decided to take her doctor up on the offer to have labor induced Friday, so she didn’t risk going into labor during the playoff game on Sunday, to which her husband had tickets.  This is one that she will forever be able to pull up when she needs her husband to do something.  Trust me on this one.

Bill Parcells announced his retirement from coaching today, after four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.  Parcells, ends a career that featured three Super Bowl appearances and two championships, although not with the Cowboys.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen confirmed Saturday night that the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to name Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin as their new head coach.  A formal announcement from the team is expected later today.

Apparently, Michael Vick was NOT carrying marijuana, or any other illegal substance, in his water bottle at the Miami International Airport.  Or so said a league source to ESPN on Sunday.  The police, however, still say “there’s no official word” on analysis of the substance of whether charges will be filed.  Guess we’ll have to wait and see on this one.

MLB

Bud Selig’s announcement to step down as baseball commissioner when his contract expires in 2009 is apparently serious this time.  Honest.  Well, probably. If it SHOULD be for real this time, a number of names have been thrown out as possibilities, including Andy MacPhail, former president of the Chicago Cubs; George Mitchell, politician and diplomat.  (But, he’s older than Selig, so I don’t think so); Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB’s executive vice president of baseball operations and even, dare I say it, former Texas Rangers owner George W. Bush.  Actually, Bush wanted to be commissioner before he even ran for governor of Texas. 

Chase Utley has agreed to an $85 million, seven-year contract as a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies

As reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago native Cliff Floyd is close to agreement on a one-year contract which will bring him back home, and into the fold with the Chicago Cubs.  A decision is expected this week.

NASCAR

Apparently, responding to the negative comments made by his stepmother Teresa Earnhardt was the right move for Dale Earnhardt Jr.  She stated she was “absolutely” committed to keeping Junior behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevy and is willing to discuss a larger role at Dale Earnhardt Inc. as part of the ongoing contract negotiations.

Race to the Chase field expanding to 12?  It’s possible.  As reported by ESPN.com’s Dave Newton, a source close to NASCAR said the governing body is finalizing a plan that will allow the top 12 in points in the 10-race playoff with no provision for how many points a driver is from the lead.

TENNIS

Australian Open Quarter Final Matches

Women’s

Nicole Vaidisova (CZE)       vs.       Lucie Safarove (CZE)

Serena Williams (USA)        vs.       Shahar Peer (ISR)

Men’s

Mardy Fish (USA)                 vs.       Andy Roddick (USA)

Roger Federer (SUI) vs.       Tommy Robredo

GOLF

Charley Hoffman won his first PGA Tour title by defeating John Rollins at the first playoff hole in the Bob Hope Desert…err…Chrysler Classic.  Two time Hope Winner Phil Mickelson had a truly bad day, hitting three balls into the water with on three holes.  He finished with a 78 tied for 45^th at 7 under with two double bogeys, five bogeys and three birdies.

SOCCER

David Vanole, the starting goalkeeper for the US at the 1988 Olympics and who helped the US qualify for the 1990 World Cup collapsed last at dinner last Monday and later died at the age of 43.  He was on a ski vacation in Salt Lake City with his family, including his wife Kerry Tatlock, the NBA’s senior director of global marketing partnerships.