QUICK LINKS: MLB > 13 NFL > 23 NBA > 10 NHL > 6 NASCAR > 29 COLLEGE FOOTBALL > 28 COLLEGE BASKETBALL > 27 RECRUITING > 4 Denver 124, Dallas 110 Streak over Look who’s talking Hit streak for Nats’ Zimmerman ends at 30 Page 16 ROB CARR / AP THURSDAY SEE A DIFFERENT GAME JACK DEMPSEY / AP TALKING BASEBALL MAY 14, 2009 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 296 Erick Dampier and the Mavs were left Chipper Jones scratching their heads as they were “There is a lot to be excited dispatched by the Nuggets. Page 10 about here,” says the reigning N.L. batting champ, who thinks PITTSBURGH 6, WASHINGTON 2 the Braves’ rotation could be Scoreboard something special once Tim NBA Playoffs Hudson returns from injury and top Crosby, Pens deliver prospect Tommy Hanson shows Western Conference semifinals he’s ready for the majors. Page 14 Denver 124, Dallas 110 Capital punishment a Washington whipping (Denver wins series 4-1) NHL Playoffs BY CRAIG CUSTANCE [email protected] Eastern Conference semifinals Game 7s tonight Pittsburgh 6, Washington 2 WASHINGTON—Moments after Pitts- Anaheim at Detroit (Pittsburgh wins series 4-3) burgh’s convincing 6-2 win over the 7 p.m., Versus Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Carolina at Boston 8 p.m., Versus (joined in progress) CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP Conference semifinals, Pittsburgh Baseball Previews, Page 8 American League forwards Max Talbot and Tyler Ken- Q&A Michael Irvin Cleveland 4, Chicago White Sox 0 nedy chatted about the questions they knew would be coming. also was playing hurt. “He had 14 Terrell Owens’ career in Dallas Tampa Bay 8, Baltimore 6 This series, fairly or unfairly, would points in seven games playing against “was a success … I wouldn’t call it N.Y. Yankees 8, Toronto 2 be boiled down to a battle between the their best defensive players all the a major failure or disappointment,” Texas 6, Seattle 5, 11 innings two biggest superstars in hockey: Sid- time,” Boudreau said of his star for- says the former Cowboys receiver— and soon-to-be-reality TV star—in a ney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin. ward. “His play was what it was: Minnesota 14, Detroit 10, 13 innings wide-ranging chat. Page 24 L.A. Angels 8, Boston 4 The conclusion is inevitable. Crosby magnificent.” The others: Oakland 7, Kansas City 2 won the round, and with that, the title Washington defense- MY PROFILE of world’s best player. man Mike Green is a Norris Trophy Aaron Rodgers “We were talking about that before BRUCE BENNETT / AP finalist and had one of the best offen- National League The Packers QB talks about his the media came in,” Talbot said. “You Alex Ovechkin (8) and Sidney Crosby each had eight goals this series, but Crosby’s team came out on top. sive seasons by a defenseman in recent favorite movie Atlanta 8, N.Y. Mets 7, 12 innings look at the way Sid leads and the fire history. But that Green never made it (The Princess Washington 6, San Francisco 3 in his eyes. Ovechkin has it, too, but I goals in the clincher to give him eight because it was me and (Ovechkin),” to the playoffs. He was held without a Bride), why L.A. Dodgers 9, Philadelphia 2 think by winning that Game 7, Sid overall in the series. He was dominant Crosby said. “It was a battle.” goal in the series and finished the he’d love to have President Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 2 won that battle.” in front of the net, with seven of his Alex Ovechkin: Nobody will fault postseason with only one. Pittsburgh’s And Talbot added one more thing. eight goals coming right around the Ovechkin for his team not advancing. Hart Trophy finalist, Evgeni Malkin, Obama’s job (“To Milwaukee 8, Florida 6 learn some of “Which is great for us,” he said smiling. crease. Most importantly, he’s the guy Like Crosby, he had eight goals in the had 10 points against the Capitals. the secrets that the government Houston 15, Colorado 11 who led his team to a series win over a series, including one of Washington’s Chi. Cubs 6, San Diego 4, 8 innings, rain doesn’t tell us” and which Israeli How the stars fared: heated rival. “It feels good just because two in Game 7. Coach Bruce Boudreau model he wouldn’t mind going on Cincinnati 10, Arizona 3 Sidney Crosby: He had a pair of of the way the series went, not just revealed after the game that Ovechkin Sid stole the spotlight, Page 6 a date with. Page 3 ©2009 Speed Channel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Auto Rac Association for Stock Car is a registered trademark of the National NASCAR SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com See a Different Game Tune In Today OFF THE FIELD A quick look at the best sports on TV LeBron gives — all times Eastern Akron props NBA Celtics at Magic in Nike ad 7 p.m., ESPN The Ohio hometown of LeBron James is ing, Inc. Dwight Howard was disappointed that he didn’t touch the ball more pleased with the latest shout-out from in Game 5, a game in which Orlando blew a 14-point, fourth-quarter the NBA star. lead. Yes, he’s not the best free-throw shooter in the world, but he has a point. If Kevin Garnett isn’t patrolling the middle, Howard should be In a new Nike commercial, a puppet taking Kendrick Perkins to school. And even if Howard misses his share version of LeBron teases another depict- of free throws, there will come a time where Boston’s bigs run out of ing James’ rival, Kobe Bryant. The LeBron fouls. puppet claps his familiar clouds of chalk — Roger Kuznia into the air and says: “Woo! Chosen One, NHL baby! Ohio ... Akron, Ohio, baby! Come on, Kobe, let’s go down the highway!” Ducks at Red Wings Mayor Don Plusquellic says you can’t put 7 p.m., Versus a price tag on what James does for Akron Much like the remarkable Capitals-Penguins series, this physical, well- and what he means to the Northeast Ohio played matchup will be decided in a Game 7. As much as you’d think city and its residents. the Red Wings have the edge with this game being played at Joe Louis Arena, the fact that they’ve been pushed this far says a lot about the strength and resilience of a very talented Anaheim team. Quick hits — Roger Kuznia A woman arrested last week at Dallas GENERAL Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki’s house has been transferred to another Texas county Survivor: Tocantins to face a theft charge. 8 p.m. ET, CBS U.S.gymnast Shawn Johnson, trying to Eddie George ran hard and took plenty of hits in his career as a NFL become the fifth athlete to win the com- running back, but his wife is also showing millions of viewers that she’s petition, is the only remaining sports a gritty competitor. Inspired by an Exile Island visit from the former Titans and Ohio State great in last week’s episode, Taj Johnson-George celebrity on season eight of ABC’s Danc- is among the final five castaways vying for a spot in Sunday’s season ing With the Stars after Professional Bull finale and the million-dollar prize. Riding president Ty Murray was elimi- — Vinnie Iyer nated, SportsBusiness Daily reported. VH1 has confirmed that Buffalo- area filming for a reality TV show star- GUIDE 3 p.m. NHL ring Bills receiver Terrell Owens will begin GOLF TGC—PGA Tour, Texas 7 p.m. Sunday, a day before the team opens 10 a.m. Open, first round, at Versus—Playoffs, San Antonio minicamp, The Associated Press TGC—European PGA conference semifinals, reported. The series, which will chroni- Tour, Irish Open, first NBA Game 7, Anaheim at round, at Baltray, 7 p.m. Detroit cle Owens’ day-to-day life, is set to pre- Ireland ESPN—Playoffs, miere in July. conference semifinals, 9:30 p.m. (approx.) LOVE SHAQ, a reality series on A&E 1 p.m. Game 6, Boston at Versus—Playoffs, confer- starring Suns center Shaquille O’Neal and Orlando TGC—Nationwide ence semifinals, Game his family, will debut next season, accord- Tour, BMW Charity 9:30 p.m. 7, Carolina at Boston ing to the cable channel, the South Florida Watch the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race for your Pro-Am, first round, at ESPN—Playoffs, confer- (joined in progress) chance to win $25,000! Go to SPEEDtv.com for details. Spartanburg, S.C. ence semifinals, Game 6, Sun-Sentinel reported on its website. L.A. Lakers at Houston — SportsBusiness Daily, sportsbusinessdaily.com SPORTING NEWS TODAY www.sportingnews.com My Profile THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009 3 SINCE YOU ASKED ... You have questions, we have answers THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL DAILY SPORTS NEWSPAPER TO: Sporting News Today Aaron Rodgers FROM: Sam Green, Boothwyn, Pa. Packers quarterback (What you won’t find on Facebook … even if you are approved as a friend) CHAIRMAN & CEO . .Ray Shaw While looking at the PRESIDENT . Whitney Shaw Dolphins’ draft recap I saw PUBLISHER . .Ed Baker that they got a talented and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF . .Jeff D’Alessio speedy QB in Pat White. While White will probably be Born: Dec. 2, 1983, in Chico, Calif. MANAGING EDITOR . .Paul Kasko a third-stringer, I think he will Alma mater: Cal CREATIVE DIRECTOR . Keith Wood be good with their offensive What’s on TV: SportsCenter, The Office, Summer VP, GENERAL MANAGER, ONLINE .