MLB
– Cardinals’ RHP Chris Carpenter was sharp in Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday, holding the Rangers to two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings, striking out four in the 3-2 win. His only mistake of the night came when he left a ball up to C Mike Napoli, who smashed it opposite field for a two-run homer. Carp had no issues with the elbow, despite a crashing play in the first inning that cut him. Had it not been for a scoring chance in the sixth, which Carp was pulled for OF Allen Craig (who knocked in the eventual game-winning RBI), C.C. could’ve gone further in the game. He now holds a 3.52 ERA in four playoff starts, and he broke a tie with Bob Gibson by picking up his eighth career postseason win with St. Louis. Carpenter will likely start Game 5 in Texas.
– Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres have internally discussed the possibility of trading for Red Sox’ RHP John Lackey. Manager Bud Black was the Lackey’s pitching coach while with the Angels. Center said the Pads would only consider a deal if Boston would agree to eat most of Lackey’s contract–he’s due $15.25M for each of the next three seasons and also will get a $500K bonus if he is traded, putting the total remaining on the deal at $45.85M. Lackey posted a brutal 6.41 ERA over 28 starts this season.
– The Yankees have declined the $4M club option on LHP Damaso Marte, making him eligible for free agency. Marte has missed the last 1 1/2 seasons because of a torn labrum in his left shoulder and had surgery on October 22 last year. The 36-year-old will receive a $250K buyout, completing a 3-year/$12M contract. He made one minor league rehab appearance this year, allowing six runs and six hits in two-thirds of an inning for the Gulf Coast League Yankees against the Tigers on Aug. 25. Marte was 2-6 with two saves and a 6.02 ERA in 76 games with the Yankees.
– Nationals’ 1B Adam LaRoche (shoulder) said the club has not guaranteed him the starting job for 2012. LaRoche, who is coming off a lost season due to a torn labrum that eventually required surgery, is set to make $8M next year and has a mutual $10M option for 2013. The Nats could wait to see how LaRoche recovers from surgery before deciding whether to search the market/bid for 1Bs Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder. LaRoche will resume baseball-related activities in mid-November.
NBA
– Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that there’s been “no indication of progress yet” in Wednesday’s NBA labor meetings. Berger also adds that he continues to hear from sources that “some owners prefer to miss [the] season rather than accept [a] bad deal.” It doesn’t look like Wednesday’s talks will bring anything new.
– ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports that NBA superstars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are among a number of NBA stars planning an overseas world tour from October 30-November 9. Other names participating in the tour include: Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Paul and Carlos Boozer, while Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett may join as well. The tour will make stops in Puerto Rico, London, Macau and Australia.
NFL
– According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Lions and Eagles’ trade involving RBs Ronnie Brown and Jerome Harrison has been voided to due Harrison’s “health issues.” It’s a loss for the Lions, who were desperate for a more dynamic fill-in at halfback for RB Jahvid Best (concussion).
– The Raiders have placed RE Matt Shaughnessy (shoulder) on the IR, ending his season. He hadn’t played since Week 3, but he’s still the team’s best end. The 25-year-old had seven sacks and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 run-stopping defensive end last season. He’s set to make $565K next season.
NHL
– Devils’ G Martin Brodeur (bruised shoulder) will be sidelined for up to 7-10 days, but he will not require surgery. GM Lou Lamoriello said Brodeur’s shoulder is bruised and that he may be able to return sooner than the projected timeframe. Brodeur, 39, injured his shoulder while diving to make a save in the first period of last Thursday’s 2-1 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings. He was replaced in that game by Johan Hedberg, who played the final two periods, the overtime and the shootout, and then played the next game, Saturday in Nashville.
WWE
– According to ProWrestling.net, colleagues of Chris Jericho say he is in talks with WWE officials to return to the organization for a match leading to WrestleMania 28.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was asked if he’ll be returning to WWE television in the near future:
“As best I know I’m done w/ WWE weekly tv. Doing other projects IE Legends Roundtable. Hope to be a part of WWE Network. Selling @ WWEShop.com”
According to WWE sources, Jim Ross is giving serious consideration to writing an autobiography. JR has put off writing his story because he wants it to be a “tell-all” book and doing so may jeopardize future employment opportunities.
– The Rock is featured on the cover of the December 2011 of WWE Magazine and is depicted appearing angry and ready to fight. The magazines teases The Rock might have his sights set on championship gold. The headline reads:
“THE ROCK! IS THE PEOPLE’S CHAMP GUNNIN’ FOR THE GOLD?”
– CM Punk is featured on the promotional poster for WWE’s upcoming TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event. The Straight Edge Superstar is shown holding a WWE style ice cream bar emblazoned with a table, a ladder and a chair.
– “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who underwent surgery on his neck last month, thinks he may be attempting his recovery too soon by attending today’s Legends of Wrestling taping at WWE’s television studios in Stamford, Connecticut. The WWE Hall of Famer wrote on Twitter:
“In Stamford. Pushing things a little to hard. What’s new. Doing round table tonight. I will have respect for everybody, but tell the truth!”
– Hugo Savinovich, color commentator for WWE’s Spanish language television and pay-per-view broadcasts since 1997, announced Wednesday on YouTube that he is parting ways with the organization. Savinovich says organization officials informed him a few days ago that his expiring contract would not be renewed. He thanks Vince McMahon for giving him the opportunity to work for WWE fourteen years ago after he fell hard on drugs. He does not know if he will continue to call wrestling matches, but he does know that he will be writing a book dedicated to spreading the word of God.
– Scott Hall posted a message on Twitter following ESPN’s profile piece tonight thanking fans for their support. He wrote,
“Thank u for all your nice comments & for always pulling for The Bad Guy!”
TNA
– Tara, who is not used to being left off TNA Wrestling’s major events, expressed her disappointment with being left off Bound for Glory. She spoke with SLAM! Magazine:
“It’s the biggest event of the year, and I’ll be honest, I’m not used to not being a participant or at least at Fan Fest. But it is going to be a good show and I wish I was on the card. I know I’m disappointing a lot of fans who are not getting their Tara fix.”
Tara is glad to be paired with Brooke Tessmacher, who she won the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship with in July.
“She is green. I get along with her and we became really good friends. I think they saw that and said, ‘We want to use her more on TV. What better way than to team her with somebody who can teach her a little bit.’ I think it backfired on them, because we’re both a little crazy. When there are people talking to us, it’s hard for us to not goof off and be loud. I think we both have good chemistry with each other. We’re good friends, so it’s nice to work with somebody you like.”
TNA recently appointed Bruce Prichard as Senior Vice President Programming and Talent Relations. She hopes this leads to more television time for herself since she’s been used “twice” on television in the last few months.
“I know him very well. I get along with both Vince Russo and Bruce. I’ll be honest, it doesn’t really matter. I just hope Bruce uses me more. I’ve worked in the last couple of months twice on TV.
“I hope Brooke Tessmacher and myself, we’re tag champs, we won these to defend them, not to be jewelry, not like our earrings, you know what I mean? Not to look good, we want to defend them and wrestle. We thought it would get us more wrestling opportunities. I’m hoping that Bruce considers that.”