NHL
– Avalanche’ F Peter Forsberg, after playing in just two games since rejoining the Avs, is expected to announce his retirement. A “After this past weekend I came to the sad conclusion that I was going to have to retire. It was not an easy decision. Believe me, the process I went through was even tougher. Throughout my career I had 25 surgeries and I promised my fiancée Nicole that I would not put my health at risk anymore.” Forsberg attempted to come back this season after being absent from the NHL for nearly three years. He had no points and a minus-four rating in two contest, but was better than the numbers indicate. Forsberg will finish his career with 249 goals and 885 points in 708 career games.
Had it not been for his foot problems, who knows where he’d be. He’s essentially the Ken Griffey Jr. of the NHL. The timing of his decision is bad, as Colorado fans didn’t get a chance to see him play in a home game. If he had decided to stay with the team for one more game, he likely would have been in the lineup for Monday’s game against the Flames. It’s possible that he could’ve done this just to prove to himself that he can still play, but he also many be facing health concerns surrounding his nagging right foot that forced him to retire. We wish Forsberg the best in his retirement.
MLB
– According to B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com, Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak said the deadline for contract talks with 1B Albert Pujols has been pushed back to 12pm ET on Wednesday. Franchise icon Stan Musial is being honored at the White House on Tuesday, so the Cardinals asked to push the deadline back one day, and Pujols obliged. With Pujols reportedly asking for a 10-year deal, the extra day may not matter, as the two sides are reportedly very far apart on contract extension talks.
– In an interview with Joel Sherman of the NY Post, Yankees’ LHP C.C. Sabathia didn’t rule out the possibility that he could opt out of his contract after this season. “Anything is possible in a contract,” said Sabathia. He is entering the third year of his 7-year/$161M contract, but can exercise an opt-out clause after 2011. It may be nothing, but note that Phillies’ LHP Cliff Lee’s $25M annual salary currently trumps Sabathia’s $23M annual salary.
– Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Rangers “still have some potential threads to pull on” to make a deal involving 3B Michael Young. It’s possible nothing will get done before Young arrives to spring training this week, as nothing is imminent. If the Rangers are willing to cover more of the $48M remaining on Young’s contract, he could go just about anywhere. Stay tuned.
– Jays’ 3B Jose Bautista and the club are scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Monday. Last year’s AL home run king filed for $10.5M and was offered $7.6M when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. Bautista is set to become a free agent after this season, but told FOXSports.com via text message on Sunday that he is “still very hopeful” about remaining with the Jays for the long-term.
WWE
– WWE Champion The Miz was recently interviewed by SGVTribune.com. Here are some highlights of what the reigning WWE Champion said about:
Winning The WWE Championship: “(There were) so many emotions that went through my head (when winning the belt). When I first won it, when the 1-2-3 happened, I couldn’t control my excitement, it was just exuding,” he said. “Once I got the title, it kind of went to an ‘oh my god’ moment, it takes your breath away. And when I was up on the second rope, I remember raising the belt going, ‘Oh my god, I’m raising the WWE Championship as the WWE Champion.’ And I felt myself choke up, I felt myself getting teary eyed. And I was like, ‘Wait a second. You can’t do that. You’re the WWE Champion.’
“Then I went out of the ring, (Alex Riley) was there and we both celebrated together. Feeling his excitement made me feel even more excited. So that’s kind of the first three minutes of my WWE Championship (reign).
“Miz Girl”: “(She) made my championship reign, it was great. That’s how pissed off people were of me (winning). Everyone thought I’d be the first person to get the Money in the Bank contract and lose. Everyone thought so, but that didn’t happen.”
Getting a Deal following Tough Enough: “I tried out. Made it. Didn’t win. But impressed the execs enough that they gave me a (development) contract to go to the Deep South (and train). I stopped doing reality shows, took a payout, went there and hoped for the best.”
– Jerry “The King” Lawler’s mother Hazel passed away over the weekend. Lawler’s mother was 90 years old and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for the past 6 years. Her condition had deteriorated dramatically in the past year. Arrangements are being made today at Family Funeral Care in Memphis. Jerry Lawler is en route back to Memphis and will not be at tonight’s RAW from Anaheim, California. Our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Jerry Lawler.
ATP
– Canadian Milos Raonic became the first Canadian to win an ATP Tour title since 1995 after defeating defending-champion Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) in the final of the SAP Open. Raonic, 20, competed in his first career finals and became the youngest winner on tour since Marin Cilic won in New Haven in 2008 at age 19. Raonic was given a Sharks jersey and a bottle of maple syrup, along with the winners check for $92K. He also moves up to No. 59 in the world rankings after he started at No. 156 and jumped to No. 84.
NFL
– Steelers’ MLB James Harrison (lower back) underwent surgery on his lower back on Monday, not his shoulder as was speculated. An NFL.com wire report claimed the surgery was to the right shoulder Harrison injured in the Divisional Round, but his agent confirmed that the operation was to Harrison’s back. Player rep Bill Parise said, “They do not anticipate any difficulties. He’s going to be fine.” He should be fine for training camp.
– Redskins’ SS LaRon Landry (dislocated left wrist) is rehabbing from surgery. Landry suffered the wrist injury in Week 2 but played through it until Week 10 when he went down with an Achilles issue. He had screws inserted in his wrist on February 4 and will be in a cast for 4-6 weeks. He says his Achilles is at 90% after undergoing shockwave therapy and PRP treatments. He should be fine by training camp.
TNA
– Mr. Anderson’s reign as TNA World Heavyweight Champion came to an end tonight at Against All Odds as he lost the title to Jeff Hardy in a Ladder Match. Anderson obtained the belt from Hardy last month at Genesis. The TNA World Heavyweight Champion is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday to face a variety of charges relating to his September 2009 arrest on charges of trafficking in controlled prescription pills and possession of anabolic steroids. A search of his North Carolina residence yielded 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 soma prescription pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, a residual amount of powder cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.
– TNA star “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero recently spoke to The UK Sun newspaper and had this to say about the following topics:
Elijah Burke (WWE) vs. D’Angelo Dinero (TNA): “It all comes down to the promoting of one’s character. That doesn’t just involve the person themselves, but it involves the company, as well, that the individual is wrestling for. That plays a big part in what works and what doesn’t work. You watch the company up north and they will take a character and shove it down your throat. They tell you ‘this is what we want to work so you’re going to cheer or you’re going to boo’. Who remembers Elijah Burke but a diehard fan? Pope has become far more known than Elijah Burke ever was in the three years he was with WWE. What does that say about self-promoting? What does that say about TNA’s promoting?”
Feuding With Samoa Joe: “I want you to keep a close eye on this situation. I’m going to show how it’s going to be THE feud to watch in all of wrestling. You got Pope – I mean, you got POPE – then you got Joe. You got the Samoan Submission Machine, the guy is a monster in the ring, with his aggression and everything. Pope will handle all the juckin’ and jivin’, pimpin’ and the ridin’. Pope will handle all the talking, the charismatic features and abilities that should be applied in the ring. Pope is going to handle all the showboating. Joe’s going to handle the rest. I think it’s going to be a great complement to each other, being that we’re both so different. When we get in the ring, magic is going to happen.”