Blues sign 4th overall pick Pietrangelo (AP)
The St. Louis Blues signed defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, the fourth overall pick in the June draft, on Thursday. The 18-year-old Pietrangelo will get a chance to make the team when training camp begins Sept. 19. "We are excited to have Alex signed as he will be a key component to our youth movement for years to come," team president John Davidson said.
Broncos WR Smith retires (AP)
Broncos receiver Rod Smith broke out a pair of dark, designer shades and his two Super Bowl rings for the occasion, wearing one on each hand. The rings were a reminder of what once was, the shades to hide the tears. Smith stepped into a room full of family, friends and teammates Thursday and announced his NFL career was done.
Gonzalez meets with KC players, all's OK (AP)
Tony Gonzalez held a players-only meeting with his teammates Wednesday to assure them he's not bitter the Kansas City Chiefs failed to trade him to a contender. The nine-time Pro Bowler admitted, however, he first felt "betrayed" that the Chiefs had not made a deal before the NFL trade deadline Tuesday.
More Jamaican dominance in women's 200 (AP)
AP - It was Jamaica Night again at the Bird's Nest, this time with Veronica Campbell-Brown doing the honors, easily winning the 200 meters Thursday to cap the first sweep of all four men's and women's Olympic sprints in 20 years.
Yankees closer Rivera to have shoulder surgery (AP)
AP - Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will have offseason surgery on his sore right shoulder but should be ready to throw by spring training.
Sharks sign Roenick, Pavelski, Boucher (AP)
The San Jose Sharks got off to a head start on their offseason moves, re-signing forwards Joe Pavelski and Jeremy Roenick and backup goaltender Brian Boucher before the start of the free agency period. Pavelski signed a two-year contract Wednesday after posting 19 goals and 21 assists in his second NHL season.
Wozniacki, Fish reach Pilot Pen finals (AP)
Caroline Wozniacki kept up the best month of her career, moving into the finals of the Pilot Pen on Friday with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over seventh-seeded Alize Cornet. The 18-year-old Dane began August by getting her first WTA Tour win in Stockholm, then reached the third round at the Olympics, where she lost to eventual gold medalist Elena Dementieva.
Burrell's homer sends Phillies past Braves, 4-3 (AP)
AP - Pat Burrell hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Braves 4-3 on Thursday night to complete an unprecedented sweep of the nine-game season series in Atlanta.
Chargers WR Chambers doubtful vs. Pats (AP)
Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers was listed as doubtful because of a sprained left ankle and may miss Sunday night's game against the New England Patriots. Chambers sprained his ankle during last Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins and didn't practice this week. He was unsure if he would test the ankle during warmups on Sunday.
Oakland QB: Me and Kiffin are fine (AP)
AP - Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was caught off-guard by a claim by owner Al Davis earlier this week that former head coach Lane Kiffin was against drafting Russell last year.
Torii Hunter, Angels beat Red Sox yet again, 7-5 (AP)
AP - The defending champion Red Sox made easy work of the Angels in last year's playoffs. It's been a much tougher matchup this season.
Singh wins FedEx Cup and $10 million prize (AP)
AP - Vijay Singh has won the FedEx Cup, finishing four rounds at the Tour Championship to clinch the PGA Tour's points race and earn a $10 million bonus.
Johnson helps Caps get by Rangers 3-1 (AP)
Brent Johnson, backup goalie. It's been his job description for the past six years, and there was no indication it would change after the Washington Capitals signed standout Jose Theodore in July. Johnson hasn't quite earned the No. 1 job yet, but he's no longer merely a once-a-week sub. Starting in a third straight game for an inconsistent Theodore, Johnson had 28 saves -- including a pivotal stop...
Phillies clinch NL East with 4-3 win over Nats (AP)
AP - The Fightin' Phils are going back to the playoffs. Just getting there won't be good enough this time. Jimmy Rollins made a sliding stop with the bases loaded to start a game-ending double play, and the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their second consecutive NL East title by holding off the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Saturday.
Federico Luzzi dies of leukemia at 28 (AP)
Federico Luzzi, a former top-100 tennis player, has died of leukemia. He was 28. Luzzi died at a hospital in Arezzo, the Italian Tennis Federation said Saturday. He had been there for a few days after retiring last weekend from an Italian league match citing a high fever. Luzzi reached a career-high ranking of No.
Federer beats Blake in exhibition match (AP)
Roger Federer overcame an ailing back to beat James Blake in a one-set exhibition Tuesday. Federer rallied from 3-1 down to win 7-6, taking the tiebreaker 10-7. His victory came days after a sore back contributed his struggles at the Masters Cup, where he failed to reach the semifinals. John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg also played at the "Showdown of Champions," which included four one-set matches.
Campbell upset he was denied NFL chance (AP)
Caleb Campbell said he was upset when the Army told him he wouldn't be able to play for the Detroit Lions this season. "Oh yeah, I cried, because I wanted a shot," Campbell, a seventh-round draft pick of the Lions, told The Oakland Press of Pontiac for a story published Thursday. The West Point graduate initially was told by the Army he could enter the NFL draft this year.
Redskins QBs sharp in win over Bills (AP)
After two games, the trend is hard to miss. Those Washington Redskins quarterbacks are looking pretty sharp under new coach Jim Zorn. Whether it's Jason Campbell with the starters or Todd Collins with the backups, Washington's quarterbacks are putting up the kinds of numbers they would love to replicate in the regular season.
Davis Cup: Croatia without Cilic (AP)
Marin Cilic has been ruled out of Croatia's Davis Cup World Group playoff against Brazil this weekend because of a facial injury. The 22nd-ranked Cilic is unlikely to be replaced by coach Goran Prpic, meaning the 2005 champion will only have Ivo Karlovic, Mario Ancic and Roko Karanusic on its squad. "The MRI showed that it's a paralysis of a left facial nerve," team doctor Srdjan Matijasevic said...
Carmona, Sheffield, 2 others suspended for brawl (AP)
AP - Cleveland pitcher Fausto Carmona was suspended six games and Detroit slugger Gary Sheffield was penalized four games Monday for their brawl last week.
Nadal-Federer gets best rating since '00 (AP)
The Wimbledon men's final drew in television viewers as the drama built and the match stretched deep into the afternoon in the United States. Rafael Nadal's five-set victory over Roger Federer on NBC on Sunday earned the championship's highest overnight rating in eight years, the network said Monday.