Word on the Street: Great football Icon Al Davis dies at home in Oakland

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011
CSNChicago.com

R.I.P Al Davis

Great Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis died at his home in Oakland, age 82. Davis was and still is very influential on the game of football. He started as a college coach then moved up to owner and managing general partner of the Raiders. It was never a doubt that Davis knew football. He showed great judgment especially early in his career. Raiders were led to the second Super Bowl in January 1968.(ProFootball Talk)

Overseas offers are looking a bit rough

Although the trend for NBA players is to go overseas, this is a bad time to be wondering if those spots are a good idea. What happens when overseas presents a whole set of different problems? Magic player Earl Clark has decided to play in China and depart from his team. The move could have been logical or personal. Then New Jersey Nets Deron Williams with a journal entry to ESPN made it seem like the transition was smooth. The NBA players' trend is looking like more trouble than it's worth.(ProBasketball Talk)

White Sox have permission to speak with Parent

Chicago White Sox have finally been granted permission to speak with Phillies' minor-league manager Mark Parent. This conversation with Parent will be about offering him a job on their major league coaching staff. Parent guided Single A Lakewook to the South Atlantic League championship in 2010 and led Double A Reading to a 74-68 record and a playoff berth in 2011.(Southside Sox)

Word on the Street: '85 Bears honored at White House

Friday, Oct. 9, 2011
CSNChicago.com

'85 Bears honored at the White House

The Super Bowl winning Bears were saluted today by President Barack Obama, a quarter century after their big win. The team would have been honored by President Reagan if not for the tragic explosion on the space shuttle Challenger. It was no time to celebrate and the Bears never made it to the White House until Obama's two year plan came to life to have his hometown team at the country's capital. (ChicagoTribune)

Calipari, Rose paid to dismiss lawsuit

Derrick Rose and former Memphis coach John Calipari agreed in 2010 to pay $100,000 to dismiss a potential lawsuit that stemmed from the Tigers' 07-08 season. The NCAA vacated victories from the season, ruling Memphis used an ineligible player.

The two paid the sum after some ticket holders threatened to sue, arguing their season tickets were devalued because of the NCAA punishment. In addition Rose will make donations to Memphis' scholarship fund before 2015. (ChicagoTribune)

Squirrel causes uprising at Busch Stadium

Rally monkeys sure sound like old news after the Cardinals encountered some disturbing visits from their very own rally squirrel. That's right, this little guy has outsmarted the peanut butter and all seven traps, resulting in what Busch Stadium refers to as a 'public safety crisis' after he ran across the field in Wednesday's game.

The squirrel's behavior is being monitored by multiple groundskeepers. He was most recently caught burying a peanut in the outfield and covering it back up with grass. He seems to be pretty advanced for his kind, perhaps we should give him a glove and see what he can do. (HardballTalk)

Nova diagnosed with strain

After only two innings, Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova was pulled from last night's game due to tightness in his forearm. Today the team announced he has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 flexor strain. The injury is expected to heal on its own over the winter. (HardballTalk)

Jagr gets point 1,600

Jaromir Jagr left fans wondering about the results of his return after a three-year leave from the NHL. He did not waste any time on the ice, earning his 1,600 point within the first period of the Flyers season opener against the Bruins. Jagr became the nineth NHL player in history to reach the 1,600 point mark. (ProHockeyTalk)

Word on the Street: Meriweather is fined by the NFL

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011
CSNChicago.com

Meriweather is fined $20,000

Bears safety Brandon Meriweather has been fined again by the NFL, this time for $20,000. Meriweather was fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Sunday against the Panthers. The last time he was fined was during his career with the Patriots for $50,000; which was reduced to $40,000. That fine was also for a helmet-to-helmet hit.(ProFootball Talk)

The NBA full season could be saved

David Stern said if there isn't a deal between the NBA owners and players by Monday then the first two weeks of the regular season will be canceled. That is a tight schedule since there will be no meetings until Sunday. The owners want to do a 50/50 revenue split, the players are asking for no less than 52. Each side is going to have to give a little more to make the deal happen.(ProBasketball Talk)

Guillen keeps most Marlins' staff

Bench coach Joey Cora went with former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to Marlins', meaning former Marlins' bench coach Brandon Hyde lost his job to Cora. And first base coach Perry Hill won't be coming back due to knee injury. However, the hitting coach Eduardo Perez and pitching coach Randy St. Claire are going to stay for the 2012 season along with many others.(Hardball Talk)

Bolland and Smith will miss Blackhawks opener

Friday is the first game of the regular season for the Blackhawks and Dave Bolland and Ben Smith will not be able to attend the game. Bolland with an upper-body injury is hoping to play in the home opener against the Stars on Saturday. Blackhawks will play seven defensemen Friday night against the Stars.(CSN Chicago)

TCU offered to be apart of Big 12

Texas Christian University has been offered a spot with Big 12. The Big 12 lost Nebraska and Colorado over the summer and will lose Texas A&M to SEC next  year. The Rose Bowl champions have already agreed to leave Mountain West Conference after this season for the Big East. The Big East may lose Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the ACC.(Chicago Tribune)

Word on the Street: Hester awarded 10th NFC title

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011
CSNChicago.com

Hester named Special Teams Player of the Week

An 11th career punt return touchdown has broken an NFL record and resulted in Bears’ Devin Hester’s 10th Special Teams Player of the Week award. No other returner has earned the NFC award as many times as Hester has, setting yet another record for the league. His totaled 142 return yards helped elevate the Bears to their 34-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers. (ChicagoTribune)

Noah keeps his shooting skills sharp

Just in case there isn’t an NBA season, Bulls’ Joakim Noah is focusing on a new sport to reflect his athletic ability. Noah has been at the University of Florida focusing on his workouts and perfecting his beer pong talents. TMZ reported his off-season fun, adding the center’s natural ability to sink a different kind of shot. (ProBasketballTalk)

Cutler makes appearance for Cavallari

All of the back and forth Twitter rumors concerning Bears’ Jay Cutler and reality star Kristin Cavallari have led fans to believe they are indeed working things out. Those of you who are Dancing with the Stars fans witnessed Cutler’s attendance at this week’s performance, which proved to be bad luck as Cavallari was sent to pack her bags. However, the Bears seem perform better when the two are together, so hopefully JayCav will bring some good vibes to Soldier Field. (ChicagoTribune)

Mets clear out coaches

The Mets have announced that bench coach Ken Oberkfell, third base coach Chip Hale, first base coach Mookie Wilson, and bullpen coach Jon Debus won’t be with the club for the 2012 season. It has not yet been said if they will be reassigned or gone for good. (HardballTalk)

La Russa fined for unprofessional comments

After making inappropriate in-game remarks about the umpiring in Monday’s game, Tony La Russa has accepted the MLB’s undisclosed fine without argument. The Cardinal’s manager stated he “crossed the line” and deserves his punishment. Although the Game 2 victory may have made accepting the fine easier for La Russa, he is given credit for taking the high road and apologizing. (HardballTalk)