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June 2008 Archives


Prom queen now football player

4:36 PM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Danilynn Welniak grew up wanting to play football, but there was just no place for her growing up. So when she turned 18 she joined the Dallas Diamonds.

But that's not the whole story. Last year, her first on the local women's professional football team, she also was named prom queen.

Welniak had a big catch to jump start the Diamonds in their 69-3 win over the California Quake in the first round of the playoffs Saturday. They...



Wind nullifies 100-meter record

2:10 PM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

So sprinters can get penalized because of a tailwind?

Never hear that one before, but Tyson Gay is familiar with it now.

His time of 9.68 seconds at the U.S. Olympic trials yesterday doesn't count as a world record, because it was run with the help of a too-strong tailwind.

However, Gay qualified for his first Olympic team.

"It means a lot to me," the 25-year-old said. "I'm glad my body could do it, because now...



Wimbledon: Nadal cruises, despite injury scare

12:02 PM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Second-ranked Rafael Nadal breezed to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in straight sets Monday.

The Spaniard beat Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.

During the second game of the match, Nadal had an injury scare after stumbling.

Extra strapping was attached to Nadal's right leg by his trainer, but he didn't appear to be troubled as he completed the victory in 2 hours, 10 minutes.

...

SMU to play Baylor, TCU and UNT

11:52 AM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The SMU Mustangs will be seeing a lot of their regional rivals in the years to come.

SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini announced future series with Baylor, TCU and North Texas. Navy and Stephen F. Austin also agreed to play the Mustangs.

The Battle for the Iron Skillet will continue between SMU and TCU. Games are scheduled annually through 2017. The two teams have played annual since 1915, except for six seasons. They di...



Wimbledon: Federer, Williams sisters advance

10:12 AM Mon, Jun 30, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The last man to win Wimbledon before Roger Federer won't be winning it this year because he lost to Federer.

Federer beat Lleyton Hewitt of Australia 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 Monday. The Five-time champion advances to the quarterfinals.

On the women's side, both Venus and Serena Williams advanced. Two-time champion Serena topped Bethany Mattekto 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Williams swept past Mattekto...



Drew Pearson one-on-one

10:31 PM Sun, Jun 29, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

As I wrote here a few days ago, Drew Pearson stopped by WFAA to talk with Dale Hansen for Sunday's Sports Special. Get your popcorn ready... wait that's for another Cowboys receiver.

At any rate you can watch the full interview here.

...

Dallas pro football team wins playoff game

6:58 PM Sat, Jun 28, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

No not the Dallas Desperados who lost their arena playoff game Friday night.

Certainly not the Dallas Cowboys who are in the middle of their off-season and haven't won a playoff game in more than a decade.

But the Dallas Diamonds, the women's pro football team that just finished an 8-0 regular season. They destroyed the California Quake 69-3 Saturday afternoon at Pennington Field in Bedford.

It was my first women's foo...



Two local football teams in playoffs this weekend

6:42 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel


It's a month before the Dallas Cowboys begin their training camp, but two local pro football teams are in the playoffs this weekend.

The Dallas Desperados area team just kicked off their game against the New York Dragons at the AAC.

Click here for a preview.

And the 8-0 Dallas Diamonds, a women...



UNT-SMU set football series

4:29 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Get out your 2014 calendar.

UNT and SMU have agreed to play four games from 2014-2017, the series could extend to 2025.

There is an option for eight additional games that would be played from 2018-2025.
North Texas is also scheduled to play six games with Army from 2009-2010 and 2016-2019.

SMU and UNT have played 33 games, including the last two years.

UNT defeated SMU 24-6 in 2006, while SMU prevai...



TCU honors four greats, 1938 national champs

3:24 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

TCU has announced its 2008 TCU Lettermen's Association Hall of Fame Class.

It's the 40th Anniversary of the TCU Lettermen's Association Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are swimmer Becky Brill, Olympic sprinter Beverly McDonald, football lineman W.C. Nix and defensive back Dr. John Richards and the 1938 TCU National Championship football team.

The induction is October 2.

Brill was a nine-time All-American selection...



Athletes look to Viagra for boost

2:40 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

In an attempt to get a competitive edge and avoid banned substances, some athletes may be using the little blue pill for a boost in performance. That's performance on the filed, court, ice, track, etc., not in the bedroom.

Read full story here.

...

Drew Pearson interview preview and poll

12:36 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Dallas Cowboys legend Drew Pearson will be Dale Hansen's guest on Sports Special Sunday night at 10:30.

Dale asks Pearson about his upcoming induction into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, how times in the NFL have changed and why the original #88 isn't in the Ring or Honor or Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Preview: Dale asks Drew why he hasn't gotten more support. >> Continue reading: Drew Pearson interview preview and poll



Dallas Stars sign Eriksson to 2-year deal

11:58 AM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From the Associated Press:

The Dallas Stars have signed left wing Loui Eriksson to a two-year contract extension worth $3.2 million.

A statement issued by the Stars on Friday says Eriksson will
earn $1.5 million next season and $1.7 million the season after.

The 22-year-old Swede scored 14 goals and 17 assists for 31
points in 69 games with the Stars this season, all career highs. He
...



Have to wait to buy Adam Jones' house

11:46 AM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Just incase anyone is planning to move to Nashville, you'll have to wait another month to try to buy the former home of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones, some may remember he was once called Pacman.

He defaulted on the terms and conditions of his mortgage with U.S. Bank.

Jones paid $1.5 million for the house in 2006.

The sale, originally scheduled for Friday, is now set for July 28. Just go to the front s...



Federer cruises to fourth round at Wimbledon

10:44 AM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Maybe the rumors of Roger Federer's demise were greatly exaggerated.

The five-time Wimbledon champ advanced to the fourth round with a straight-set win over Marc Gicquel of France.

It took longer than necessary because of a 1-hour, 41-minute rain delay.

But after Federer was broken in the opening game, he rallied for a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over the 53rd-ranked Gicquel.

"Again, difficult conditions, tricky...



Mavs fail to make big splash in draft

9:43 AM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

For all the talk of the Dallas Mavericks wanting to make a big move in the NBA draft, GM Donnie Nelson, owner Mark Cuban and new coach Rick Carlisle stayed with just the 51st pick.

They are, per usual, lauding their pick of 6-6 shooting guard Shan Foster from Vanderbilt. If,at the 51st pick,he ever sees the court for the Mavs, he'll be a good pick. Sure the Mavs brass is saying all the right things now about he was target of theirs, ca...



Euro Cup 2008 Final Set for Sunday on ABC

9:50 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Mat Lande
SPAIN VERSUS GERMANY
If you did not see the World Cup in 2006, you missed the world famous Zidane-Materazzi head butt incident. In my opinion, that was some of the best television I have ever witnessed. France and Italy put forth a world class effort in Berlin, Germany. Although the game certainly ended in controversy, there was no shortage of excitement all the way u...

Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game

7:21 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Joe Trahan

If you're looking for great family fun, make sure you're at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco Saturday. Its the Heroes Celebrity Baseball game and its a great event to bring the kids to. The tailgaiting starts at 2pm, with the homerun derby at 4pm, and the game itself at 6pm.

Here's the best part: the tickets are between $5 and $15 bucs. You can't beat it. You'll get a chance to see a lot a great athletes up close and personal. Mi...



Country's top junior girls volleyball teams in Dallas

4:49 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The USA Junior Olympic Girls Volleyball Championships began in Dallas today. There are 788 teams competing from across the country, including a team from Hawaii.

It's the tournament's first trip to Dallas in a decade.

The 9,000 girls range in age from 12 to 18 and will be at the Dallas Convention Center through July 5.

Watch MoJo's report here.

<...

Texas pitchers go head-to-head in LA

4:49 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Ted Madden

John Danks (Round Rock HS) and Clayton Kershaw (Highland Park HS) started against each other today; Danks for the White Sox and Kershaw for the Dodgers. The game is still going, but both guys are out of the game (Sox lead 2-0 in the 9th). Danks pitched six shutout innings and lowered his ERA to 2.62; Kershaw went four innings, giving up two runs and walking four.

After seven starts, Kershaw still doesn't have a win this season -- he's ...



Iraq disbands national soccer team

3:43 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From the Associated Press:

BAGHDAD -- It was less than a year ago that Iraqis poured
into the streets in a rare show of unity and celebration after the
national soccer team won the prestigious Asian Cup.

Celebratory gunfire roared across Baghdad and other cities. A
beaming Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki later awarded each team
member a $10,000 bonus and held a homecoming celebration filled



Sharapova out at Wimbledon too

3:25 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From the Associated Press:

Former champion Maria Sharapova was upset in the second round in a
day of big surprises at Wimbledon.

Sharapova was ousted by a 154th-ranked Russian, marking her
earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament since her first full
season on tour in 2003.

Her game littered by double faults and ugly unforced errors, the
third-seeded Sharapova slumped to a 6-2, 6-4 l...



All-State baseball teams announced

2:54 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The Texas All-State baseball teams, as determined by the Texas High School
Baseball Coaches Association, were announced today. Here are the local selections for classes 5A, 4A and 3A.

CLASS 5A

Pitchers:
First team: Ross Stripling, Southlake Carroll; John Flora, Plano West
Third team: Taylor Massey, Weatherford

First base:
Second Team: Will Watson, Southlake Carroll
Third Team: Brett Frost...



Roddick upset in 2nd round at Wimbledon

2:18 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From the Associated Press:

WIMBLEDON, England -- Sixth-seeded Andy Roddick has been
upset in the second round at Wimbledon, losing to Janko Tipsarevic
of Serbia.

Roddick, who lost the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals to Roger
Federer, was beaten 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (4) by 40th-ranked
Tipsarevic, who has never gone past the fourth round at a major.

Roddick reached the semifinals at...



Negro League star loses relics in flood

2:16 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Mother Nature has cost a Negro League star from the 1940s nearly every piece of evidence that he was just as good as any other baseball player.

Art Pennington, 85, lost nearly everything in the massive flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Memorabilia, pictures, you name it. His dog too.

Pennington dreamed of playing in the Major Leagues, but he was simply ahead of his time.

The story is worth the read.

>> Continue reading: Negro League star loses relics in flood



Trouble finds O.J. Simpson... again

2:02 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Football star and the man found liable for their wrongful deaths in civil court of his ex-wife and her friend now says he is only facing kidnapping and armed robbery charges because of who he is.

He says the alleged victims don't want to pursue the case.

Sometimes when you find trouble often, you become a target too.

"How many trials have you ever heard of where both of the victims say they don't want this guy to go to...



Rangers rookie catcher Max-ing out opportunity

10:54 AM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Texas Rangers catcher Max Ramirez isn't really supposed to even be playing in the majors.

After all the Rangers have Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but with Laird on the DL with a strained right hamstring, Ramirez was called up from Double-A Frisco.

So in his first game catching for the Rangers, he hit his first major league home run and handled the pitching staff nicely in a 3-2 win.

His work with the bat s...



SMU swimming coaches headed to Beijing

10:42 AM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Swimming head coaches Steve Collins (women's) and Eddie Sinnott (men's) are both going to the Olympics.

Collins, who has been at SMU for 22 years, will be the head coach of the Slovakian national team for the fourth time, while Sinnott, at SMU for 18 years, will be an assistant team leader for the U.S. team.

Sinnott leaves June 27 for Omaha, Neb. and the U.S. Olympic trials.

There, he will watch the best swimmers in ...



Venus advances to 3rd round at Wimbledon

9:43 AM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Defending Wimbledon champ Venus Williams had to overcome a rash of errors and trouble with her serve to beat British player Anne Keothavong and advance to the third round.

Williams, the seventh-seed, is going for her fifth Wimbledon title.

She beat Keothavong 7-5, 6-2 in 1 hour, 44 minutes on Thursday.

But Williams made 26 unforced errors, mostly in the 69-minute first set. She next faces Maria Jose Martinez ...



No C.J. déjà vu

10:03 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

C.J. Wilson knows how to keep Texas Rangers fans on the edge of their seats.

Wednesday night the closer came in to the bottom of the ninth with a 3-2 lead.

Ty Wigginton proceeded to get a double to leadoff the inning. Then Wilson got a fly out and strikeout before walking Michael Bourn.

So there it is bottom of the ninth, two outs, winning run on first.

Then Mark Loretta hits a slow roller to third baseman Ra...



Tony Romo fashion designer?

5:17 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Tony Romo jerseys are one thing, but how about shoes and shirts.

The Cowboys quarterback is close to signing a five-year, $10 million deal with Starter.

It would include Romo's own line of clothes and shoes.

His gal-pal Jessica Simpson has her own line, Jessica Style.

...

Woodrow Wilson's Randolph to hit the lottery

4:36 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Ted Madden

Anthony Randolph.jpg
Former Woodrow Wilson star Anthony Randolph is expected to be a lottery pick in Thursday's NBA draft. >> Continue reading: Woodrow Wilson's Randolph to hit the lottery



TCU signs juco forward

2:52 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

New TCU men's basketball coach Jim Christian has signed Dawson Community College forward Gregory Richardson.

The 6-8 forward averaged 7.8 points and 8 rebounds a game. He had a team-high 13 blocked shots and had a 53.9 percent (76-of-141) field goal percentage.

"We are very excited to have Greg join our team," said Christian. "He's a very long, athletic and versatile player as well as a very good student in the classroom. He's...



5A football title games headed to Houston

2:50 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From The Associated Press:

This year's Class 5A state football championships will be held at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

It's the third year of the University Interscholastic League having the title games in Texas' biggest classification at the same site. The first two years were at San Antonio's Alamodome.

UIL officials have said they plan to pursue the same-site format for six years, and they hoped for two-y...



TCU javelin champ named top MWC student-athlete

2:30 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

TCU senior Joe Brown is the 2007-08 Mountain West Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

The honor came Tuesday from the league office.

Brown graduated in May after posting a 3.68 grade point average, while earning an undergraduate degree in marketing and entrepreneurial management.

He was a walk-on to the Horned Frogs' track and field team as a freshman in 2004-05, Brown closed out his collegiate career by winni...



Mavs need to be dealing like Blazers

12:33 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The Dallas Mavericks have the 51st pick in tomorrow's NBA draft, that's near the bottom of the second round. They have no first round pick because of the Jason Kidd trade and have a roster full of old players.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers, according to The Associated Press, have acquired New Orleans first pick (#27) for cash.

Some perspective: The Mavs drafted Josh Howard at 29 in 2003.

The Blazers have a you...



Wimbeldon: Djokovic upset by 75th-ranked Safin

12:05 PM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From the Associated Press:

WIMBLEDON, England -- Novak Djokovic was upset in straight
sets by Marat Safin in the second round at Wimbledon on Wednesday,
ending the Serb's chances of testing his theory about Roger
Federer's vulnerability.
The 75th-ranked Safin won 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Centre Court. It
was a stunning loss for the third-ranked Djokovic, who came to the
All England Club confi...



Rangers bullpen scary, again

9:59 AM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Maybe it's just the same old story: Pitching, pitching, pitching.

For a team that was without its top two batters, the Rangers needed dominance for the bullpen. Instead the got a lost Joaquín Benoit, whose ERA is now 6.10. It was his first appearance in two weeks.

This follows last week's debacles by closer C.J. Wilson who blew a tie game then a save. His ERA is 4.88.

The Rangers have been getting some solid starting ...



Rangers slugger Hamilton's health crucial

9:36 AM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

To steal the old Sportscenter line Josh Hamilton is listed as day-to-day, but then again aren't we all.

Hamilton has been playing at an All-Star and MVP level this season with a .310 average, 19 homers and 76 RBI. He is crucial to the Rangers having any hope to contend for a playoff spot this season.

In Tuesday's game against Houston Hamilton was forced to leave with left knee inflammation. He had arthroscopic surgery on the s...



Pirates make dubious history against Yankees

9:14 AM Wed, Jun 25, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The Pittsburgh Pirates 12-5 win over the visiting Yankees Tuesday was historic.

The Pirates had been the only team in the majors to not beat the Yanks in a regular-season game, losing six in a row in New York in 2005 and 2007.

So for all those Yankee haters out there you can now say the Bronx Bombers have lost to every team.

...

Woods has surgery on knee

5:36 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From the Associated Press:

Tiger Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee Tuesday
in Utah to repair a torn ligament, and doctors said it was "highly
unlikely" there would be any long-term effects.

It was the second time in 10 weeks Woods had surgery on his
knee, this time on his anterior cruciate ligament.

"We were confident going into this surgery, and I am pleased
with...



Jordan Spieth preps for Junior British Open

5:36 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Ted Madden

I spent part of the afternoon with Jordan Spieth (pronounced Speeth), a 14-year-old sophomore-to-be at Jesuit. This kid is one of the top junior golfers in the country; it's one thing to read a press release claiming that, and another to actually watch him hit balls with your own eyes. Watch the story here. >> Continue reading: Jordan Spieth preps for Junior British Open



Drew Pearson on Imus, Adam (Pacman) Jones name change

3:44 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Cowboys legend Drew Pearson stopped by WFAA today and had some interesting perspectives on some hot Cowboys topics in an interview with WFAA.com.

He believes Don Imus' story that the shock jock was satirizing the arrests of Cowboys cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones and defending black men and racial stereotypes that led to his arrests.

I think they were maybe taken a little out of context," Pearson said of Imus' comments.
...



Drew Pearson in the house

3:20 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Soon to be Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame inductee Drew Pearson is at WFAA right now talking to Dale Hansen for an upcoming segment on Sports Special Sunday.

Of course the original #88 is not in the Cowboys Ring of Honor or Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dale is asking him about that right now and the business deal that may have doomed Jerry Jones putting him in the ring.

We'll have much more throughout the coming week.

...

TCU assistant new head coach at Mississippi Valley

3:17 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

TCU assistant Sean Woods, a former Kentucky player, is the new head basketball coach at Mississippi Valley State University.

He replaces James Green, who left earlier this year to become the coach at Jacksonville State in Alabama.

Woods was hired by former TCU coach Neil Dougherty in August 2006 as director of basketball operations and was promoted to assistant coach last year.

Before Fort Worth he was an assistant co...



Witten to graduate from Tennessee, 5-years later

2:48 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Emmitt Smith did it at Florida, now Jason Witten is finally earning his degree from Tennesse.

The Dallas Cowboys tight end will get a degree in sports management, more than five years after he left Tennessee to enter the NFL draft.

Witten completed the remaining 25 hours of his studies with the help of the school's Renewing Academic Commitment program.

That program provides former student-athletes help...



TV moves: Strahan to Fox, Melrose to coach TB Lightning

2:19 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Michael Strahan is taking his loquaciousness to FOX NFL Sunday studio, while long-time NHL analyst Barry Melrose is leaving broadcasting to get back into coaching.

Melrose spent the past 12-years on TV. In Tampa he replaces John Tortorella, who was fired June 3, four-years after leading Tampa Bay to its only Stanley Cup championship.

Melrose went a Stanley Cup Finals himself in 1993, his first season coaching in the NHL, with...



Vegas police make arrest in Javon Walker case

2:01 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

From the Associated Press:
LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas police say they've made an arrest in
the robbery and beating case involving NFL player Javon Walker.

Lt. Clint Nichols says one man was charged Tuesday with multiple
felonies including kidnapping and robbery and police are looking
for a second suspect.

He says Walker got into a vehicle with the two men early June 16
before he was found beat...



Roddick advances at Wimbledon

1:54 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Sixth-seeded Andy Roddick beat Eduardo Schwank 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 to advance to the second round at Wimbledon.

The two-time Wimbledon finalist fired 17 aces and did not face a break point Tuesday in his first-round match against 60th-ranked Schwank.

Roddick meets Janko Tipsarevic in the next round.

The other U.S. men in action today: Wayne Odesnik quit with a leg injury giving Jarkko Nieminen of Finland the win. Mardy Fis...



Silver Boot Series resumes tonight with firsts

12:23 PM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The Texas Rangers head to H-Town tonight to resume to battle for the coveted Silver Boot.

At least someone outside New York, Chicago and LA is excited about interleague play.

David Murphy is one. Nolan Ryan is another. It's a game of firsts for both.

For the legendary pitcher, it's his first return to Houston since leaving the Astros to become president of the Rangers.

"It's a different perspective than any ...



Two former Horned Frogs going to Olympics

11:43 AM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Former TCU Horned Frogs Virgil Hodge and Delwayne Delaney placed first overall in both the 100 and 200 meters for women and men, respectively, at the St. Kitts National Track & Field Championship and Olympic Qualifier this weekend.

Hodge will represent St. Kitts in both events in Beijing. She ran the 100 meters in 11.39 seconds to place first overall. In the 200 meters, the six-time All-American crossed the finish line in 22.87 second...



Looking for an edge?

11:01 AM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Check out Ted Madden's story on how athletes of all ages are working, yes working, not taking anything they shouldn't be, to improve their burst of speed.

Click to read story.

Watch Ted Madden's report.

...

Venus begins Wimbledon title defense

9:57 AM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Venus Williams, a four-time Wimbledon winner, opened her title defense today on Centre Court against the 197th-ranked player in the world. After a slow start, the seventh-seeded American bested British wild card Naomi Cavaday 7-6, 6-1.

Americans Andy Roddick and James Blake also play today. Eighth-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat American Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

2004 champ Maria Sharapova won her match today too. M...



Imus hard to believe

9:23 AM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Maybe, just maybe if Don Imus hadn't called the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy headed hoes" we would believe he was trying to "make a sarcastic point" about Adam (no longer wants to be called Pacman) Jones.

But Imus' history shows he isn't believable. He has a record of making comments that are at least insensitive and at worst blatantly racist.

So now he's either proving he is racist, is stupid or is senile. N...



Imus asks 'what color is' Pacman Jones?

5:32 PM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Don Imus has done it again.

Proving he just doesn't get it, the shock jock on his radio show decided to bring up suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones and asked, "What color is he?"

Then when sportscaster Warner Wolf told him Jones is "African-American," Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."

You would have thought Imus would have learned his lesson after being fired from previous radio and TV j...



Benson forced to get breathalyzer in car

2:51 PM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Former UT running back Cedric Benson will have to do something that should make the roads safer for everyone: Get a breathalyzer in his car.

He was cut by the Bears after being charged with boating while intoxicated then driving while intoxicated, both in the Austin area over the past three months.

He was also a disappointment on the field, rushing for 1,593 yards after being the fourth overall pick in 2005.

>> Continue reading: Benson forced to get breathalyzer in car



Kidd, Bosh among 12 on Olympic team

2:28 PM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Dallas Maverick Jason Kidd and Dallas native Chris Bosh are on the U.S. Olympic basketball team.

With the Dallasites are NBA MVP Kobe Bryant, going to his first Olympics, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Tayshaun Prince, Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Michael Redd and Deron Williams.

The dozen will take a U.S. Olympic basketball to Beijing in August. They'll look to win gold after a third-place showing in...



Former UTA Mavs filling up Major Leagues

2:15 PM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Seven. That's how many former UT-Arlington baseball players are coaching or playing in Major League Baseball this season.

It's a pretty impressive group. Troy Hillman, long considered a Rangers managerial candidate, is manager of the Kansas City Royals. His bench coach, Dave Owen, was the first Mavericks player to reach the Major Leagues in 1983 with the Chicago Cubs. Steve Foster is the bullpen coach for the Florida Marlins.


Three Horned Frogs preseason All-Americans

11:19 AM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Three TCU football players have been named honorable-mention preseason All-Americans by The Sporting News.

Linebacker Jason Phillips, safety Stephen Hodge and center Blake Schlueter received the honor.

Phillips was also mentioned as a candidate for the Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top linebacker. Hodge was named a candidate for the Thorpe Award, given to the outstanding defensive back in the country.

Phillips, H...



No more Pacman

10:30 AM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

So apparently the oft-troubled (and at present suspended for the regular season) cornerback we've know as Pacman Jones no longer wishes to go by the childhood nickname his mother gave him.

He explained how the got the nickname to The Sporting News: "When I was a baby, I'd usually go to the bottle like a Pac-Man machine, so my mom called me that, and it stuck with me."

But now he is shunning the nickname saying it's got a bad c...



Federer beats old doubles partner to open Wimbledon

10:12 AM Mon, Jun 23, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Thanks for the memories.

Roger Federer beat his former doubles partner, Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia, to start his bid for a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title.

Federer cruised to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win.

It's the same dominance he has shown all season on grass. He has not dropped a service game on grass this season and extended his winning streak on grass to 60 matches.

Of course the real test will be if he faces Raf...



C.J. redeems himself

3:32 PM Sun, Jun 22, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Rangers closer C.J. Wilson actually did what he gets paid to do... save a baseball game.

Against the Washington Nationals Sunday, Wilson came in in the ninth to a 5-3 game and allowed just one hit and got a double-play for a one-two-three inning.

In his last two appearances, he failed to deliver. A loss and no decision and what should have been a blown save while giving up five runs. His ERA swelled to 5.04.

Manger Ro...



Rangers meet with former owner, President Bush

4:12 PM Sat, Jun 21, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

bushrangers.jpg

On the teams first trip to Washington, D.C. since leaving as the Senators in 1971, the Texas Rangers got to meet with the ...



The Problem with Predictions

5:51 PM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Ted Madden

This thought crossed my mind yesterday as I was listening to the radio -- the problem with predictions is that it causes the prognosticator to root for his prediction to come true, rather than what he might normally root for (that makes sense, doesn't it?). For example, if I would have predicted that the Rangers would lose 96 games this year, and if I had done it boldly and on a large enough stage, then I would have a hard time pulling for the...



Mavs new coach has new appreciation for Dirk

4:36 PM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

New Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is back from visiting Dirk Nowitzki in Germany and he has a new appreciation for how the forward learned basketball.

One nugget: A linoleum basketball court.

Full story from Dallas Mavericks website.

...

TCU football player marrying T.D. Jakes daughter

4:08 PM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

TCU linebacker Robert Henson is marrying Sarah Jakes, normally something like that wouldn't be big news. But Jakes is the daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes, the pastor at the mega-church The Potter's House.

They're set to marry Saturday and some notables are invited: Dr. Phil McGraw, actor/director Tyler Perry, former Dallas Cowboys Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders, and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.

Not a bad guest list....



Pat Summerall in hospital

12:05 PM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Legendary sportscaster Pat Summerall is in the hospital.

News 8 has confirmed that was Summerall was hospitalized this week. His condition, we're told, is not life-threatening.

The 78-year old football play-by play broadcaster had a liver transplant in 2004.

This health condition is apparently not related to that transplant.

Family has been reluctant to talk about the reasons for Summerall's hospitaliz...



SMU coach June Jones going to Samoa for camp

10:14 AM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Normally coaches host football camps for local kids, but new SMU coach June Jones is going the extra mile -- nearly 6,000 miles, actually -- to host a camp in American Samoa.

The former Hawaii coach is heading to Pago Pago, American Samoa for the inaugural June Jones American Samoa Football Academy June 26-29.

He'll teach high school junior varsity and varsity football players and their coaches.

Jones just got done h...



Woman involved in Pacman brawl found dead

9:43 AM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The latest twist in the Pacman Jones saga via an Associated Press story:

A New York woman involved in a Las Vegas brawl that police say was incited by NFL player Adam "Pacman" Jones has been found dead.
Police say 26-year-old Sadia Morrison was found last week behind a building in the Bronx, with injuries consistent with a fall.
The medical examiner will determine her cause of death.
Morrison pleaded no co...



Old Senators going back to Washington

9:10 AM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

For the first time since the then Washington Senators left for Arlington in 1971, the Texas Rangers are going to the nation's capitol.

The Rangers begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals tonight.

Of course the Rangers aren't the only former Senators who still play in MLB. The now Minnesota Twins left Washington a decade before the new Senators made the move the Texas.

And the current team in Washin...



Rangers closing woes

5:10 PM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The past two games have been tough for Rangers closer C.J. Wilson.

Wednesday he comes into a tie game and gives up three runs then Thursday afternoon he enters a 4-2 game and gives up a run before being pulled (two charged to him). Jamey Wright then gave up a run. Luck for them Ian Kinsler and Michael Young came through with a double and game-winning hit, respectively.

There aren't a lot of options for the Rangers. In the off...



Rangers win on Young bullet

4:10 PM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Michael Young knows how to break out of a slump, batting just one for his last 32, Young came up with an out in the top of the ninth and Ian Kinsler on second and drilled a low drive to right that was enough for the speedy Kinsler to score.

Rangers win 5-4, after relievers C.J. Wilson and Jamey Wright couldn't close out the top of the ninth. Guess what... Rangers are at .500 again. Let me know if you've heard that before.

...

Tied in bottom of 9th

4:02 PM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Jamey Wright couldn't save it either, giving up a sac fly that scored a run, but both he and struggling closer C.J. Wilson might need to thank Ian Kinsler, who just hit a lead off double to start the Rangers half of the ninth.

...

C.J. Wilson pulled from 9th inning save chance

3:57 PM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Sporting a newly shaved head, Rangers closer C.J. Wilson was pulled with one out in the ninth inning after coming in with 4-2 lead.

Here is how his inning went:
Walks Mark Teixeira
Strikeout of Kelly Johnson
Double by Greg Norton
Ground ball by Jeff Francoeur, bounces off the fielding attempt by Wilson, scores Tex, now one run lead with runners on first and third.

Jamey Wright called in from the bullpen...



Cowboys cancel final mini-camp practice

12:17 PM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Blame the weather, at least that's what the Dallas Cowboys are doing.

The team canceled the last practice of the mandatory three-day mini-camp Thursday because of weather.

It was scheduled to only be a one-hour practice. Instead, the team will have some family time and a team meal.

Also cancelled is the coach Wade Phillips' media conference and open locker room player interview session.

...

Cowboys mini-camp down to one practice

11:12 AM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

The Cowboys end their three-day mini-camp with a one-hour afternoon practice today.

For an mini-camp, it has been somewhat eventful. No Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn or Ken Hamlin; Owens with a last-minute personal family matter and Hamlin and Glenn in contract disputes.

On the field, young receivers Miles Austin and Sam Hurd have looked good and have gotten increased time.

On defense, Pacman Jones has been working with...



C.J. Wilson painful as closer

10:48 AM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Maybe C.J. Wilson just isn't ready to be a major league closer.

Coming in to a tie game last night, he proceeded to blow the 2-2 game, in a 5-2 Rangers loss that again puts them below .500.

It almost looks like he can't control himself. He has to make the play. Instead of letting catcher Gerald Laird field a bunt up the first base line he tried to make the play spin and throw the runner out, rather than let Laird make the pla...



TCU adds top player from Detroit

10:40 AM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Guard Kavon Rose has signed with the TCU men's basketball team; it's the second time he's signed with a college. He had signed a letter of intent to play at Oregon State, but was released from that after hiring of head coach Craig Robinson at OSU.

Full release from TCU:

TCU head men's basketball coach Jim Christian announced on Tuesday (June 17) that Detroit standout Kavon Rose (Detroit, Mich./Finney H.S.) has joined the Horn...



Cowboys cut five players

9:53 AM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

No shocking cuts here, but the Cowboys must reduce their roster to 79 by training camp and the signing of their rookies.

The five players cut are wide receiver Joe West, offensive tackle Brandon Hale, linebacker Alain Karatepeyan and cornerbacks Justin Phinisee and Jerron Wishom.

The Cowboys made the cuts two days and four workouts into their mandatory three-day mini-camp, which concludes this afternoon.

The 79 player...



Mini-camp day 2 review

6:26 PM Wed, Jun 18, 2008 |
Aaron Chimbel

Day 2 at Cowboys mini-camp was less eventful than day 1, but it almost had to be.

Still no T.O., Ken Hamlin or Terry Glenn.

For those who were actually on the field, Pacman Jones is splitting time with incumbent starting cornerback Anthony Henry, while Henry, as coach Phillips promised, is getting a look inside lining up against tight ends in some packages.

Henry did make a nice play to break up a pass intended for tig...