MLB
– SS Derek Jeter told ESPN New York on Thursday that his recent meeting with Yankees officials “went well.” The free agent shortstop is fully expected to work out a contract extension with the Yanks before winter sets in. This week’s meeting with the club’s brass “set the framework” for what is likely to be a pricey long-term deal. Jeter hit just .270/.340/.370 in 663 at-bats this year, but his status as one of the great all-time Yankees is likely to translate to a serious payout.
– Cardinals’ 1B Albert Pujols was given the 2010 Silver Slugger Award for first base. Pujols was out-produced by Reds first baseman Joey Votto, but the Silver Slugger Award is voted on by MLB coaches and managers, and they obviously don’t take the voting process very seriously. Dan Uggla won at second base, Ryan Zimmerman won for the hot corner, Troy Tulowitzki took shortstop and Ryan Braun, Carlos Gonzalez and Matt Holliday were the outfield recipients. Brian McCann won at catcher and Yovani Gallardo posted a solid 837 OPS in 63 at-bats to win at pitcher.
White Sox’ SS Alexei Ramirez won the 2010 Silver Slugger Award at shortstop. Ramirez hit only .282/.313/.431 with 18 homers and 70 RBI for the White Sox this season, but shortstop isn’t a statistically-pleasing position in the AL. Miguel Cabrera won at first base, Robinson Cano took the award for second, Adrian Beltre got it at third and Jose Bautista, Josh Hamilton and Carl Crawford won in the outfield. Joe Mauer won at catcher and Vladimir Guerrero won at DH.
– 3B Adrian Beltre’s agent Scott Boras said Thursday that the free agent third baseman is already drawing major interest. Boras actually said that he’s never experienced more interest for a client in his entire career as a baseball agent. Beltre posted a terrific .321/.365/.553 batting line, 28 home runs and 102 RBI for the Red Sox this season while playing his usual outstanding defense at the hot corner. He should get several serious offers.
– Marlins’ 2B Dan Uggla told reporters Thursday that he believes a long-term deal can be worked out with the Fish. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reported last week that the Marlins “may seriously consider” trading Uggla this offseason if an extension can’t be worked out. The arbitration-eligible second baseman turned down a4 -year/$48M contract just a few days ago and is presumably looking for a 5-year/$60M deal. If they’re willing to open their wallets, it sounds like an agreement can be reached.
– A source tells Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com that LHP Cliff Lee was “not terribly happy in Texas” and is concerned about how his body would hold up pitching in the Texas heat. Lee, 32, dealt with a back problem during the second half of the season. If this is a legitimate concern, it could give the Yankees an advantage should he receive similar offers.
NFL
– According to the NY Post, ex-Jets sideline reporter Jenn Sterger finally met with the NFL on Thursday to discuss Vikings’ QB Brett Favre’s choicy text and voicemails. The meeting with the NFL was believed to be a necessary precursor to any potential discipline for Favre. It doesn’t look like Sterger wass harrased, as she waited two years to bring it up and statements have arisen indicating that Sterger and her friend had found them funny. Favre probably won’t face any suspension.
– Mike Garofolo of the Newark Star-Ledger predicts Giants’ WR Steve Smith (pectoral strain) to miss “maybe a game or two.” Garofolo said the damage to Smith’s pectoral suffered in Tuesday’s practice “isn’t great but not terrible.” He added that he’s yet to hear anyone connected with the Giants predict that Smith would play Sunday against the Cowboys.
– Jaguars’ DE Aaron Kampman (right knee) will be sent for an MRI after suffering the injury in Thursday practice. It isn’t the same knee Kampman had surgically repaired last season. He’s been a stellar FA signing, playing nearly every snap while providing the Jags’ only consistent pass-rushing threat.
– Bengals’ RT Andre Smith (broken left foot)’s season is in jeopardy after it was discovered that he broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot in Wednesday’s practice. The injury is to the same foot, but not the same bone, that Smith broke last year. He will undergo potentially season-ending surgery. He was finally beginning to shine after beginning the season out of shape, so it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
NBA
– Rockets’ F Yao Ming (strained tendon in left leg) will reportedly miss one week. Yao appears to have dodged any serious injury here.
– Sixers’ G Lou Williams (left AC joint separation) suffered the injury during Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder. The injury was originally called a shoulder contusion, but this is obviously much more severe. There’s no timetable on Williams until we know the grade of the separation. The good news is that the damage is to his left (non-shooting) arm.
– Spurs’ rookie F James Anderson (stress fracture in right foot) is expected to miss 8 weeks. He is scheduled to have a pin inserted into his foot on Tuesday.
TNA
– Lacey Von Erich announced on her Twitter page this evening that she has decided to leave TNA Wrestling.
“I decided to respectfully leave TNA today .. I want to try new things, like be a sports host or something
Love ya’ll!”
She also noted the following on her Facebook page:
“Let’s face it I was no Von Erich in the ring
Von Erich joined the promotion in October 2009 to replace Angelina Love in “The Beautiful People” faction.
WWE
– Former WWE Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man issued the following statement via his webmaster yesterday evening concerning next week’s “Old School” episode of Raw which he had been tentatively scheduled to attend:
“HTM and WWE could not come to terms for the Old School RAW show upcoming. HTM informed WWE yesterday that he no longer had a desire to participate on the event.”
A follow-up message was issued on The Honky Tonk Man’s Facebook account announcing that details concerning his dealings with WWE officials will be posted on his official website, www.honkytonkman.net.
“HTM will tell all on www.honkytonkman.net why he and WWE could not come to terms. A story no one wants to miss. We will expose the behind scenes of the things that really happened with e-mails to prove it. You will get an inside look into the way WWE deals with some people. $350 grand to someone for 2 mins. who never worked in pro wrestling but yet a 4 hr. plane ride in a shitty middle seat to a legend. We will have it all.”