Kings announce rookie camp roster, schedule | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Kings announced their roster and practice schedule for their annual rookie camp, to be held Sept. 11, 12 and 13 at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo. The camp will end with two rookie games at Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 14 and 15.

On-ice practice sessions Sept. 12 and 13 will be open to the public at no charge but the on-ice practice sessions for Sept. 11 will require a ticket for the Kings Hockey Fest’10.

Among those expected to participate in this year’s rookie camp:

Kyle Clifford– Second-round pick (35th overall) in the 2009 entry draft.

Nicolas Deslauriers– Third-round pick (84th overall) in 2009.

Thomas Hickey– First-round pick (fourth overall) in 2007.

Ray Kaunisto– Signed as an unrestricted free agent (March 31, 2010)

Jake Muzzin– Signed as an unrestricted free agent (Jan. 4, 2010)

Brayden Schenn– First-round pick (fifth overall) in 2009.

Colten Teubert– First-round pick (13th overall) in 2008.

Tyler Toffoli– Second-round pick (47th overall) in 2010.

Jordan Weal– Third-round pick (70th overall) in 2010.

Schedule for the rookie camp (subject to change):

Sat., Sept. 11: On-ice practices from 10-noon; 4-5 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 12:    On-ice practices from 10-noon; 4-5 p.m.   

Mon., Sept 13:   On-ice practices from 10-noon; 4-5 p.m.   

KINGS ROOKIE CAMP ROSTER

(Subject to change):

Forwards:

Riley Brace^

Kyle Clifford

Robert Czarnik

Corey Elkins

Zach Harnden^

Ray Kaunisto

John Kemp^

Dwight King

Brandon Kozun

Andrei Loktionov

Jordan Nolan

Michael Pelech

Brayden Schenn

Tyler Toffoli

Linden Vey

Jordan Weal

Defensemen: 

Nicolas Deslauriers  

Johan Fransson

Samuel Groulx^

Thomas Hickey

Dylan King^

David Kolomatis  

Patrick Mullen 

Jake Muzzin

Colten Teubert

Goaltenders:

Jean-Francois Berube

Martin Jones

Garrett Zemlak^

^ On tryout

The Kings Hockey Fest, condensed to one day this year even though last year's inaugural event seemed to be a success, will take place Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Toyota Sports Center. Tickets cost $15 for season ticket holders and partial plan and group leaders. Tickets for the general public cost $20 can be  purchased by visiting LAKings.com/hockeyfest2010.  The event will feature question-and-answer sessions and autograph sessions with Kings players, coaches, alumni and hockey dignitaries. Kings merchandise will also be available.

Helene Elliott

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Eric Gordon: Team USA is really getting it together | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Eric Gordon, the Clippers' shooting guard and a reserve on Team USA, will be a guest blogger for the Fabulous Forum during the FIBA World Championship tournament. Eric scored six points -- making two of nine shots -- while playing 19 minutes in a 99-77 victory over Slovenia on Sunday. Here are his impressions of the game as well as some other tidbits from the day:

Today was a typical game day. I got up around 10 a.m. and got something to eat with the rest of the team, and then we always have film in the morning around 11 a.m. We go over film of our opponent, going through their plays. Slovenia has good guard play, where they come off the pick and roll looking to shoot. You have to deny that and wear them down defensively.

After film, we go back to our rooms to get ready to catch the bus. We're mostly listeningto music, getting into a zone. There's not a lot of talking at that time. If we get to the arena for an early game, right away we startwarming up. If you play the late game, like we did on Saturday, we have to wait to warm up. We then watch the other teams play before we get ready.

We’ve been having games every day, so it’s kind of hard to get out sight-seeing. Ittakes about 25 minutes to get to the arena from the hotel, so you see quite a lot of the city {Istanbul, Turkey}.It’s pretty nice, similar to Greece. It’s more of a big city, though, with lots of people on thestreets. Our hotel is right by the Mediterranean Sea, overlooking it actually, so you see lots of boats and people moving around.

The team is really getting it going together. My shot was just a littleshort today. I figured out I just needed to shoot it a little further, put a little more on the shot. I’m justtrying go out there and contribute however I can. We're getting better and better defensively, just trying to compete together. I did OK on defense, although you can always be better. As long as we stay consistent with the effort then our execution will be there.

Tomorrow we play Brazil. They kind of play similar to what we do, they like to get up and down the floor. They like a fast-paced game. Coach {Mike Krzyzewski} always talks about how this might be one of the tougher games of the tournament. We have to play good transition defense and create turnovers. Our guard play will be key when they try to advance the ball.

I’ll be ready for the next one. Of course, sometimes you worry about your shot when it's off. But it’s about warming up next time and getting your shot right. It’s a routine each game.

-- Eric Gordon

Photo: U.S. guard Eric Gordon lines up a shot over Slovenia's Bostjan Nachbar during Sunday's 99-77 victory. Credit: Mustafa Ozer / AFP / Getty Images

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U.S. Open: Roger Federer says it's a compliment to be considered faltering | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Reporting from New York --Roger Federeris here at the U.S. Open as not the defending champion for the first time since 2003 and that, combined with the facts that Federer lost in the quarterfinals of both the French Open and Wimbledon and that he is 29 now, it's inevitable: There have been suggestions that Federer's days of winning major tournaments might be over.

This suggestion, Federer said Saturday, is fine by him. If you want to say that Federer is on the downside of his career,"at times I take it as a compliment really. I mean, I was most of the time playing and winning one or two Slams a year and I was on the downslide (Federer won the Australian Open this year). So you really can't take it too serious, really, to be quite honest. You can't win every season 12 tournaments. I spoiled myself by playing so well," Federer said.

"Look, I also had some  problems with myself, obviously going through a period, not uninterrupted. I had mono, I had a lung infection. I've had a bad back. Maybe at times I should have just taken a rest of instead of playing. But I'm not scared of taking losses. I wanted to know where I stand and the only place I could find out is at tournaments."

Federer is seeded second at the Open, which begins Monday, and seems set up in a favorable quarter of the draw where the first seed he might meet is faltering No. 32Lleyton Hewitt,possibly 22nd-seedJuan Carlos Ferreroin the third round, perhaps 13th-seedJurgen Melzerin the fourth round and fifth-seededRobin Soderlingin the quarterfinals. That doesn't seem a taxing road.

-- Diane Pucin

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Angels' Brian Fuentes claimed off waivers and traded to the Minnesota Twins | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Angels closerBrian Fuenteswas claimed off waivers Friday by Minnesota and traded to the Twins for a player to be named later.

Fuentes, who got off to a rocky start this year, turned his season around in the last month.

He has a 3.52 earned-run average and 23 saves. Stay tuned for updates.

--Mike DiGiovanna

Photo: Brian Fuentes. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

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Roger Clemens' arraignment date set for Monday | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Pitching legend Roger Clemens will be arraigned on charges of perjury, making false statements and obstruction of Congress on Monday in Washington, D.C.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the arraignment will be heard in Judge Reggie Walton's chambers. The onetime pitching star for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros is expected to post bail and return to Houston late Monday or early Tuesday.

The six-count indictmentissued a week ago by a federal grand jury could lead to a fine of up to $1.5 million and a maximum prison term of 30 years.

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Roger Clemens in 2008. Credit: Matthew Cavanaugh / EPA

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Kathy Goodman: Defense is not enough | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

I walked into Key Arena on Wednesday night thinking aboutthe Sparks’ game against the Seattle Storm last Saturday night. The Sparks had given the Storm a scare— forcinga last-minute shot to fall to keep their perfect home record alive, and nowthere was a part of me that wished we hadn’t played that game. Because then they wouldn’t have known that wewere a different team from earlier in the season — they would not have beenprepared for the team we had become. Butwe did play that game, and they were prepared, and the playoffs were startingWednesday night and there was no undoing what had happened.

Key Arena was jammed with Seattle Storm fans, but I couldn’thelp but notice those wearing Sparks jerseys in the crowd. It’s playoff time in the WNBA, and everyone isshowing their colors.  Everyone countedout the Sparks when we opened the season 3-7 and even more so whenCandaceParkerwent down with her shoulder injury and then whenBetty Lennoxhad kneesurgery. And yet, here we are in the postseasonfor the 11 time in 14 seasons. It was not time to start doubtingnow.

There is an old saw in basketball that defense winschampionships, but we all know that, at the end of the day, offense wins games. Keeping the other team from scoring pointsdoesn’t help you unless you score some. At the end of Wednesday night’s game, ourdefense was not enough. We needed someoffense to go with it. As a result, theStorm came away with the win in the first game of the three-game series, 79-66.

In the first round of both 2008 and 2009, we met Seattle inthe playoffs as the lower-seeded team. In each of 2008 and 2009, we succeeded in eliminating them from playoffcontention and moving on. In the sameway that we were not the same team as we were in June, we knew Seattle thisyear was not the team of the past. Theywere undefeated at home, and we knew it would be tough to steal one in Key forGame 1 of the Conference Semi-Finals. Wewere right.

We did a lot of things right in the game. We had eight steals (to Seattle’s four) and limitedour turnovers to 13 (same as Seattle.) Wedid not foul often, so none of our players were in foul trouble, and we limitedSeattle to 12 free throws for the game (of which they made eight). We got almost twice as many offensiverebounds as the Storm (7-4), but at the end of the day, we couldn’t score.

In order to win a WNBA game, you pretty much need threeplayers in double figures, and to add to the burden, in order to win a playoffWNBA game, you almost always need four players in double figures. We could play all the defense we wanted toduring the game, but we only had three Sparks players scoring in double figures(Tina Thompsonwith 16,Marie Ferdinand-Harriswith 18 andKristi Toliverwith 16.) Otherwise, our shot just wasn’t falling. The Storm had four players in double figures:Lauren Jackson(who shot of 6 of 14 for 17 points),Swin Cash(who scoredalmost all of her 20 points in a steal or break, or in the paint), Camille Little(scoring 11 points on 5 of 8shooting) andJana Vesela, who shot a perfect 4 of 4, including three from beyondthe arc.

The Sparks played some great defense in this game forstretches, but once the Storm got out to an early lead, it seemed like we couldnever quite catch up. The 10-pointdeficit we ended the first quarter with was the 10 points we carried throughto the second and third quarter and, although we got it down to six or sevenpoints at various times during the game, we could never quite dig all the way out ofthat first-quarter 10-point ditch. 

We shot just shy of 41% from the field, while the Storm shotclose to 58%. We had more shot attemptsthan Seattle, but we just couldn’t convert. Theirs seemed to go in; ours rolled off the rim. We had more free throws and made a largerpercentage of them (88.6% versus 66/7%), but the only stat that really mattered wasthe final score, and on that we weren’t even close — 79-66.

The good news is that the Sparks are packing up and ready tohead home for the second game in the three-game series at Staples Center atnoon Saturday. If we can get theStorm away from home, we may have a chance. And if we could make a few more baskets along the way, even better!

-- Kathy Goodman, co-owner of the Sparks

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Question of the day: Which teams are the most overrated and underrated in the AP college football poll? {Updated} | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Reporters from around the Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

{Updated at 12:18 p.m.:

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

Most overrated team in this year's AP poll? Let's start with No.1 Alabama. What other major college team losing nine starters on defense would be annointed in such an overwhelming manner?

I could have accepted Alabama in a closer vote, but the Crimson Tide took 54 first-place votes out of a possible 60. Boise State was also 14-0 last year, did not get a shot at winning the national title and returns more than 20 starters, yet ended up No. 3 with only one first-place vote?

Alabama should be loaded, for sure, but so is Ohio State, which picked up only three first-place votes in opening at No. 2. The Buckeyes return nine offensive starters, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the preseason Heisman favorite, and seven starters on defense. Ohio State also plays eight home games -- including four"paycheck" games against Marshall, Ohio, Eastern Michigan and 1-AA Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Also overrated ... Louisiana State at No. 21.  The Tigers are 17-9 since winning the BCS title in 2007 (with two losses, mind you).

Underrated? That's easy too. How can Navy, coming off a 10-win season and its second win in three years over Notre Dame, garner only 12 points?

And wait a minute: USC opens at No. 14 in the AP, but Stanford doesn't crack the top 25 despite crushing USC last year at the Coliseum? Well, you say USC has a great young QB. Well, he's not better than Stanford's great young QB. You say Stanford lost running back Toby Gerhart. Well, USC lost Pete Carroll and 30 scholarships.

UCLA fans want me to put the Bruins here. Sorry. UCLA, coming off 7-6 and a bowl win over Temple, did not pick up a single point in either the AP or the coaches' poll. And the coaches poll includes five Pac-10 coaches, the former UCLA coach (Bob Toledo) and the Temple coach (Al Golden). These guys must know something.}

Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune

Let’s start at the top: How can Alabama be rated No. 1 after losing 10 of its 11 defensive starters? I know Nick Saban can recruit, but can a program really wave goodbye to that many quality players and remain the nation’s best? That wouldn’t say much for the nation, in my book.

Also overrated: No. 19 Penn State. Minus a legit starting quarterback and still plugging holes in the O-line, I see the Nittany Lions finishing in the bottom half of the Big Ten.

The most underrated team didn’t even make the top 25: Cincinnati. The Bearcats are first among the “others receiving votes” teams even though they still have the weapons to crack 40 points against half their competition.

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Now playing first base for the Angels: Juan Rivera | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Juan Rivera will become the ninth Angels player to start at first base this season after ManagerMike Sciosciamade the outfielder part of his infield for Monday's game against Tampa Bay at Angel Stadium.

Rivera started taking ground balls at the position Sunday in advance of the move, though he had played there extensively in spring training a few years ago and filled in on an emergency basis for an inning during a game in 2008.

Rivera said through an interpreter that he liked the move, which will allow him to get more playing time after mostly being stuck on the bench since the Angels promoted outfielder Peter Bourjosfrom the minor leagues earlier this month.

Rivera said he would useHowie Kendrick'sfirst baseman's glove. Rivera joins Kendrick,Kendry Morales,Mike Napoli,Robb Quinlan,Paul McAnulty,Michael Ryan,Kevin FrandsenandBrandon Woodas the Angels to start at first base this season. The most players they have used as a starter at any other position besides designated hitter this season is six in left field.

-- Ben Bolch

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Pan Pacific swimming review and the future of Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Tyler Clary | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Michael Phelps, understandably, was not pleased with the way thelast month unfolded.

The post-nationals, post-Pan Pacific verdict? Frustration.

“I really haven’t had too many meets where I’ve gone into a meetand not been satisfied,” he said in the mixed zone to reporters after his finalrace, the medley relay, on Saturday night in Irvine.

“When you don’t have a meet where everything goes your way, it’snot fun. It’s frustrating, annoying. ... If you make decisions, you have to be ableto pay the consequences. I’ve done that. It’s time to change. It’s time tostart moving forward.”

Presumably, this is music to coachBob Bowman’s ears.

“I think I have a clear picture of where he’s at and what we needto do to be ready for the World Championships next summer,” Bowman said. “Prettyclose to what I thought. So it makes me feel like I have a handle on it.”

This is setting up to be a fascinating battle among Phelps,Ryan LochteandTyler Claryin the medley events in the next two years. Lochte, who wonsix gold medals at the Pan Pacs, had a funny quote about Clary, saying:"Man, he’s like never going away."

In fact, Clary is staying put with coachJon UrbanchekinFullerton and won’t be going back to the University of Michigan for his senioryear, Urbanchek said on Sunday.

“He’s not afraid to take on the best,” Urbanchek said. “A lot ofkids would not do it. That is a toughness in him. That’s what I admire themost. He’s not afraid to take onthebest.

“Whatever happens from now on, between now and London, it dependson how much he wants to work. Another thing about Tyler is that he’s probablygoing to be around for four more years. I think he’ll be ready to continue onall the way to Rio. If Michael decides to retire after London, I think Tyler isgoing to be right there with Ryan. I think it’s awesome.”

-- Lisa Dillman

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UCLA center Kai Maiava out for season | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

UCLA centerKai Maiavasuffered a broken left ankle on the third play of the Bruins' scrimmage Saturday night and will be lost for the season.

Maiava, a junior, will have to have surgery on the ankle, possibly to have a screw placed on the bone to help it heal. He started all 12 regular-season games last season.

SeniorRyan Taylorwill move from guard to center, leaving a hole at left guard that will have to be filled.

--Chris Foster

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Angels look overmatched in 7-2 loss to Minnesota Twins | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

So much for momentum. The Angels were smoked by the Minnesota Twins, 7-2, in Target Field on Friday night, making the emotional lift they got from Thursday's players-only meeting in Fenway Park -- and their subsequent 7-2 win over the Red Sox -- look like another false start.

Dan Harenwas rocked for seven runs and 11 hits in seven innings, his most glaring mistake a hanging breaking ball thatJason Kubelcrushed into the upper deck in right field for a three-run home run in the third inning. Kubel's 429-foot shot, his 18th homer of the season, followed a two-out intentional walk toJoe Mauer.

Juan Rivera, who did not play in the previous three games, looked lost in left field, getting a glove on but droppingJim Thome's leadoff triple to left-center in the fourth inning. AfterDelmon Young's run-scoring single, Rivera  lostDanny Valencia's routine fly ball in the overcast, twilight sky, allowing it to drop for a double.

J.J. Hardythen hit a sacrifice fly, andOrlando Hudsonadded a two-out RBI single to cap a three-run rally and give the American League Central-leading Twins a 7-1 lead.

Minnesota left-handerBrian Duensingallowed only one run and seven hits in eight innings, striking out six and walking none, to improve to 7-1 and drop the Angels to 17-22 against left-handed starters this season. They went 37-17 against lefties in 2009.

The Angels dropped a game in the AL West standings to Texas, and they now trail the Rangers by eight games.

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Minneapolis

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Question of the day: Should Texas sanction Antonio Margarito after California turned him down? {Updated} | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Reporters from around Tribune Co. tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they're wrong. Check back throughout the day for updates.

Steve Svekis, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“Hands of Stone” was Roberto Duran’s nickname, but Antonio Margarito was trying to make it his reality in his fight last year against Shane Mosely.

Even if one bought Margarito’s contention that he didn’t know a member of his team had wrapped his hands with plaster inserts -- and that’s a hard sell -- he was the head of his team. He was responsible.

Thankfully, officials confiscated the inserts before the fight, but Margarito must pay the price for apparently trying to make his lethal-weapon hands even more dangerous. 

Any state boxing official considering licensing Margarito should consider the RealSports piece on HBO this week linking head injuries to Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The penalty California’s boxing commission handed down was fair, and other states should follow suit and tell Margarito, “No mas.”

{Updated at 10:32 a.m.

Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

Should Texas sanction Antonio Margarito after California turned him down?

The California State Athletic Commission clearly felt the pressure to continue its hard line against Antonio Margarito, as a state attorney reinforced the point that the boxing world was watching this case for precedent's sake.

The commission’s thinking was you can't reward a guy who was capable of seriously injuring a fighter in a world-title bout with an even richer payday less than two years later.

However, Texas doesn't have such concerns. And with a possible multimillion-dollar event with Margarito matched against Manny Pacquiao that could draw 70,000 to Cowboys Stadium on Nov. 13, expect the Tijuana Tornado to get a license.

At this hour, there is no smoking gun proving Margarito knew about the plaster atop both of his knuckles before he was caught before a welterweight title bout against Shane Mosley last year, which cost him his boxing license. But without that proof, the argument becomes,"Has a sufficient amount of disciplinary time off passed?" 

The answer, as skeptical as most neutral boxing observers are, is yes. So expect Margarito to step into the ring in Texas in November.}

{Updated at 2:03 p.m.

Tim Stephens, Orlando Sentinel

No, but not for the reason you think.

Of course Texas will license Antonio Margarito for a super-bout against Manny Pacquiao. Why? Because boxing needs a little controversy and it needs a big fight. And because there’s clearly some big bucks to be made off a fight that should fill Cowboys Stadium.

But it shouldn’t. And no, not because of any controversy regarding Margarito’s infamous plaster-covered hand wraps, caught before a title fight against Shane Mosley. Margarito has served his punishment for that, even if you don’t believe his contention that he didn’t know about the inserts.

This fight shouldn’t happen because it gets in the way of the real fight everyone wants to see: Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. As long as either of those two great champions have other lucrative options, they can continue to avoid each other.

Margarito versus Pacquiao has intrigue. It has the makings of a good fight. But it’s not an undefeated champion versus a seven-times-in-seven-weight-classes champion.

It’s not the fight boxing should give its fans.}

Photo: Antonio Margarito. Credit: Will Hart / HBO

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UCLA football: Darryl Jackson commits to the Bruins | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Darryl Jackson, a tackle who played at Lakewood Mayfair last fall, said he has signed a grant-in-aid to play at UCLA.

Jackson had signed with SMU but was not admitted even though he was an NCAA qualifier. He returned to Southern California and enrolled at El Camino College.

Jackson, who is 6 feet 7, 290 pounds, has been a constant presence at UCLA the last week and made his decision late Wednesday. He will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.

"UCLA was the best school for me," Jackson said."I have been around there the past couple weeks and have bonded with the coaches and players."

Jackson will gray shirt in January, then go on scholarship in the fall.

-- Chris Foster

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Angels go down quietly ... again ... in 6-0 loss to Red Sox | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Angels' offense continued to sputter in a 6-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park on Tuesday night, a sluggish start to a challenging nine-game stretch against Boston, Minnesota and Tampa Bay.

The Angels, who are winless in eight games against the Red Sox this season and fell back to .500 (60-60) with the loss, went one for eight with runners in scoring position and are now three for 28 (.107) in those situations in their last five games.

Their only hit with runners in scoring position Tuesday night didn't even score a run. It came in the eighth inning, whenHideki Matsuisingled to right with two outs and two on to load the bases.

Erick Aybar, dropped from the second spot to sixth in the 99th lineup ManagerMike Sciosciahas used this season, struck out on three pitches against relieverFelix Doubrontto end the threat. Aybar also grounded to first with the bases loaded to end the sixth inning.

Boston right-handerClay Buchholz, the American League earned-run average leader, blanked the Angels on five hits over seven innings, improving to 14-5 and easily out-pitching Angels aceJered Weaver, who was rocked for six runs and six hits in five innings, his worst start in more than two months.

Weaver (11-8), who had an 0.82 ERA over his last three starts and leads the major leagues in strikeouts, gave up a solo home run to No. 9 hitterDarnell McDonaldin the third inning and a grand slam to No. 8 hitterRyan Kalish, the seventh slam the Angels have allowed this season, in the fourth. Back-to-back doubles byDavid OrtizandVictor Martinezgave Boston a 6-0 lead in the fifth.

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Boston

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Angels' top draft pick Kaleb Cowart speaks his mind | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Saying he was"completely thrilled to become an Angel,"Kaleb Cowarttalked about his decision to sign with the Angels on Monday during a conference call with reporters.

On his reported bonus of $2.3 million, which is about $800,000 more than the amount typically slotted to players who are drafted 18th overall, the third baseman said it was"right where I was looking to go." Cowart said he might use part of his bonus to purchase a Yukon Denali sport utility vehicle.

Regarding reporting to Tempe, Ariz., to play in the rookie Arizona League, Cowart was so ready to get his professional career started that he had asked the Angels if he could play in Monday's game.

Cowart also didn't cower when it came to informing Florida State that he wasn't coming to play for the Seminoles. He even asked his mother and father to leave the room when he made the call.

"When he wanted to say something, he said it," Angels scouting directorEddie Banesaid."He didn't need someone to say it for him. ... I had never seen that. That's a pretty grown-up 18-year-old guy."

Cowart, the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, hit .654 with 11 home runs, 59 runs batted in, 55 runs and 36 stolen bases as a senior for Cook County High in Adel, Ga. PitcherCam Bedrosianand outfielderChevez Clarke, two other Georgia high school players selected in the first round by the Angels, are already playing for the organization's rookie team in Arizona.

Cowart said Bedrosian and Clarke had advised him"they wouldn't change anything and go to school if they could. They would be right there playing in the Arizona League."

Though the Angels signed Cowart with more than half a day to spare before the 9 p.m. PDT deadline, Cowart acknowledged that he was getting nervous."I wanted to get it done," he said,"but if I didn't, I always had Florida State to go to."

-- Ben Bolch

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Kathy Goodman: Every win helps | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The end of the WNBA season is always a little frenetic. Playoff spots are still unsettled for all but one or two teams and it is not enough to follow your own team; you have to keep an eye on everyone else’s schedule as well. 

As the Los Angeles Sparks came in to play the Tulsa Shock on Saturday night, we were finally in a good place -- having beaten Minnesota for a third time this season, we had the tiebreaker over them if necessary -- but we still need every win we can get to be assured a post-season spot.

After our buzzer-beating win against Minnesota on Thursday night, we were still half a game out of the playoffs, but with Washington’s win over Minnesota on Friday night, we were back in fourth place. We needed a win against Tulsa to push us half a game ahead of Minnesota, but we were also watching the score in the New York/Phoenix game to see if Phoenix was going to wrap up the two seed in the West. The playoff picture in the East is even more complicated, since all four spots are up for grabs and only two games separate the top team from fourth place.

As much as we are rooting for other teams to help us, though, at the end of the day, we have to win to advance. We have played Tulsa three times, winning all three times, and Tulsa has been mathematically eliminated from the post-season, but that sometimes makes a team very dangerous. It is easy to look past a team such as Tulsa, since we are on the road and heading home to play Phoenix and Minnesota (again) on Tuesday and Friday. But when a team has nothing to play for but pride, they can often have a good time acting as a spoiler. 

After following our last road game through online play-by-play and text messages, I decided I needed to go to see our game in Tulsa live. The Internet is no replacement for live action! The game started fast for the Sparks, and with Tulsa playing the second half of a back-to-back, we had a little advantage in the early going. By the end of the first quarter, the Sparks had shot 70% from the field (with 11 assists on 12 baskets) and led 30-17, setting a Sparks season record for most points in a quarter. The second quarter looked a lot like the first on the Sparks' side of the score sheet -- we shot 50% and had eight assists and no turnovers. Tulsa had started to get their legs under them, though, and ended up playing us closer in the second, shooting over 66%, but we went into the locker room at half-time up by 15. I was happy to watch a game that didn’t look like it was going to have to rely on last-second heroics.

And then there was the second half. Tulsa came out with energy and intensity. They shook off the rust of the first half and played hard and well in the third quarter. Whereas in the first half we had 19 assists and four turnovers total, we had six turnovers in the third quarter alone. Noelle Quinn had scored 11 points in the first half, including shooting three of four from beyond the arc, and Tina Thompson had 17 first-half points, but in the third quarter they each only scored two. Tulsa out-rebounded the Sparks and scored more points in the paint. By the end of the quarter, they had cut our 15-point half-time lead to five points, and it was only an Andrea Riley three-pointer at the end of the quarter that helped push us back up by eight.

The last 10 minutes of the game suddenly became a little more exciting than the first 10 minutes would have promised. Both teams were getting tired and a little sloppy. Our 70% shooting average from the first quarter (although you knew that couldn’t last) dropped to just under 43% in the fourth quarter, and our only saving grace was that Tulsa’s was hovering at about 45%. We let the Shock out-rebound us on both ends of the floor, and our offensive rhythm was disrupted. We played hard at the beginning of the quarter, pushing the lead back up into the double digits, but Tulsa had no intention of going away, playing hard on every possession until, with just over three minutes left, they had again cut our lead to five. We pushed it back up to nine, but three consecutive scoring plays by Ivory Latta suddenly cut the lead to three, with 1:09 left in the game. Although I knew we had just done it to Minnesota, I could not face it if Tulsa beat us on a last-second shot after we led the whole game. The players did not disappoint. As time ran down, the Sparks hit their free-throws, going five of six in the last 50 seconds, and Tulsa did not have enough left. When the final horn sounded, the Sparks had won 92-87.

We have three games left in the regular season, and we are two games out of second place and a half game out of third place. We have our destiny in our own hands, as we play three Western Conference rivals this week: Phoenix, Minnesota and Seattle. The WNBA is always exciting at the end, as everyone jockeys for playoff position. We may not have a game Sunday night, but I will be watching the San Antonio/Minnesota game on NBA-TV and rooting for San Antonio (since they can’t both lose). Every win and every loss counts now, even if it’s not ours.

-- Kathy Goodman, co-owner of the Sparks

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Umpire Joe West gets double dose of Angels' Mike Scioscia | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Mike Sciosciawent 0 for 2 in arguments with home plate umpireJoe Weston Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

Fortunately for the Angels manager, his hitters were a little more productive during a 7-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in whichBobby Wilsonhit two home runs andHideki Matsuicollected his first four-hit game of the season.

But Scioscia didn't make much headway in the third inning afterErick Aybarwas called out on runner's interference or in the fourth whenPeter Bourjoswas hit by a pitch but not awarded first base.

WithBobby Abreualready on second base following a leadoff double in the third, Aybar appeared to reach first base safely when his shoulder knocked third basemanJose Bautista'sthrow out of first basemanLyle Overbay'sglove. But the umpires ruled that Aybar was out because he was running inside the baseline.

Scioscia, who argued with West for a couple of minutes, told reporters after the game that his contention was that if Aybar had beaten the throw then it didn't matter.

An inning later, Bourjos took a pitch off his left shoulder from Toronto starterBrett Cecilbut was not awarded first base because West, according to Scioscia, thought Bourjos"leaned into the ball a little bit and he wouldn't let that happen." Bourjos eventually grounded out to shortstop.

West declined to comment when a reporter appeared at the umpires' dressing room.

--Ben Bolch

Photo: Angels Manager Mike Scioscia argues a call with umpire Joe West during Saturday's game. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Associated Press

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Kathy Goodman: OMG!! | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

I had faculty meetings Thursday morning in preparation for returning to school next week and couldn’t quite figure out how I could get from L.A. to Minnesota after my meetings in time for our 7 p.m. game against the Minnesota Lynx, so I decided to settle in with my computer and watch online.That proved to be a bit difficult.

I have a bad Internet connection at my house, and too many applications running on my computer, making downloading the LiveAccess feed problematic. Instead, as the game started and I was still trying to wrestle my computer into submission, I booted up the WNBA Center Court app on my BlackBerry to at least follow the score while I looked at online alternatives.

Ultimately, I ended up"watching" the game with my BlackBerry, toggling back and forth between the Center Court app and the text messages I was getting from my mother (who was watching the LiveAccess feed in Syracuse) and Penny Toler (who was watching the game live in Minnesota) and keeping an eye on my Internet browser updating the play-by-play in real time on the WNBA website. As the Sparks dug a deep hole in the first half, I might be forgiven for allowing my mind to wander a bit.

I reflected on the huge changes in how I had followed women’s basketball over the last two decades. When I followed the Stanford team in the early'90s, there was virtually no women’s basketball on television at all. You saw a game live or not at all.ESPN2 carried the women’s Final Four back in 1993, but it was not yet part of the basic cable package, so you had to search far and wide to find a sports bar that carried the channel AND was willing to turn on a women’s sporting event, even if a national championship were at stake.

Twenty years later, I was cursing my ISP for not providing an immediate crisp feed over my crummy Internet connection, while at the same time wishing I wasn’t seeing what I was seeing as Minnesota took what seemed like an insurmountable lead in the second quarter. 

As the third quarter wrapped up, we just didn’t seem to be making much headway. We had slowly whittled away at Minnesota’s lead, from 13 at the end of the first quarter, to nine at the half, to six at the end of the third quarter, but we needed a serious run to make this work.

“Watching” the fourth quarter through a combination of Internet play-by-play and text messages from Penny proved to be one of the most suspenseful half-hours of my life.We battled back to get within two, but could never seem to get closer.

Finally, with 1:16 left, we made it a basketball game. DeLisha Milton-Jones hit a three-pointer that gave the us our first lead since the beginning of the first quarter.I was texting my excitement when Lindsay Whalen made a jumper, putting the Lynx back up.Then a shooting foul committed by the Lynx with 40.2 seconds left sent DeLisha to the line. I held my breath while Penny’s text arrived simultaneously with the play-by-play update -- DeLisha missed both free throws, leaving Minnesota up by one.DeLisha then fouled Whalen, sending her to the line for two shots. Again, simultaneous texts (this time from Penny and my mother) and play-by-play update, all reporting that Whalen had missed both of her free throws. 

With 21.6 seconds left and down by one, we called a timeout.This is agony for the online follower. What was happening? Was the timeout over? Had play resumed and my computer crashed?

Then Tina Thompson, who had struggled to score all game, shooting just four of 14 up to that point, sank the go-ahead basket with just 4.3 seconds left in the game! Another eternity of dead Internet while the teams huddled for a timeout and I wondered if the game had ended without anyone telling me.All I wanted the play-by-play line to read was one more line:“End of 4^thQuarter.”But instead, it announced that Ticha Penicheiro had been called for a foul on Whalen with 1.1 seconds left.

Whalen, who is a 90% free-throw shooter was not going to miss another two in a row, but I was hoping hard she would miss at least one to give us a chance at overtime.No such luck.Lynx up by one with 1.1 seconds left.

We called a timeout to advance the ball, but we were going to need a BIG shot to make it.Texts were flying in and out as we waited for the timeout to end.And then three things happened at the same time: Text from Penny:“Tina just scored!” Text from my mother:“WOW!!!”Play-by-play refreshed and calmly announced:“Thompson Jump Shot Made.”

I bolted off my couch and jumped around my living room, as I texted Penny and my mother the only thing I am thinking:“OMG!!!”Sparks win 78-77.We needed this game, and we got this game.

I am not taking any chances on the Internet on Saturday, though. I have booked my ticket to Tulsa!

-- Kathy Goodman, co-owner of the Sparks

Photo: Tina Thompson celebrates with teammates after making the winning shot during a game against the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday. Credit: Kyndell Harkness / Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT.

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Erik Morales fighting again Sept. 11 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Mexico'sErik Morales, the last man to defeatManny Pacquiao, will continue his career comeback Sept. 11 in Mexico City against Scotland'sWillie Limond.

The popular Morales (49-6, 34 KOs) will appear at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles to discuss why he's still fighting after a 2007 decision loss toDavid Diazthat was expected to be his last bout. Morales claimed a March decision over welterweightJose Alfaroin Mexico, and is now participating in this pay-per-view ($29.99) card at Monumental Plaza de Toros.

Morales' Los Angeles appearance will be at 1 p.m. at Olvera Street.

-- Lance Pugmire

   

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Former Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez charged with assault after incident with his father-in-law | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The New York Timesis reporting that former Angels closer and current New York Mets relieverFrancisco Rodriguezwas charged with third-degree assault after an incident with his father-in-law at Citi Field in New York.

Rodriguez was arrested and being held at the ballpark early Thursday, police said. His father-in-law was in a hospital.

"There was an incident at the ballpark between Francisco Rodriguez and his family. He was questioned by police and all other questions pertaining to this matter can be addressed to police," Mets spokesmanJayHorwitzsaid.

Rodriguez became highly agitated with reporters who approached him at his locker after the alleged altercation, screaming, "Mind your own ... business!" to a reporter who tried to ask him a question.

-- Houston Mitchell

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Track star Usain Bolt out for season with back injury | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Jamaican track star Usain Bolt will be sidelined the rest of the season due to a back injury, his agent said Tuesday.

Bolt, the world record holder in the 100- and 200-meter races, was examined Monday by a Munich doctor, who found a lower back problem that could cause injury to the runner's hamstring or calf muscles if not treated.

"With a view to his future career, we believe further treatment to loosen his back followed by a period of rest will be in his best interest," Bolt's agent Ricky Simms said in a statement.

Last week Bolt, 23, lost in the 100-meter race to American Tyson Gay in Stockholm, his first loss in the event in more than two years. He was scheduled to compete on the Diamond League circuit in Zurich, Switzerland, and Brussels later this month, with a showdown with Gay and former world-record holder Asafa Powell, who missed the meet in Stockhom, on tap in Brussels.

"I am very disappointed to miss two of the top meetings on the circuit -- Zurich and Brussels -- but trust that it is better for me not to take any risks this year," Bolt said.

He continued saying"2011 and 2012 are very important championship years, and I hope to be back fully fit and healthy," referring to next year's world championships in Daegu, South Korea, and the London Olympics in 2012.

Bolt has been dealing with an Achilles tendon problem as well this season, but an MRI scan revealed it was healed.

-- Chuck Schilken

Reuters contributed to this report.

Photo: Jamaica's Usain Bolt stands after a 100-meter heat Friday in Stockholm. Credit: Maja Suslin / AFP/Getty Images

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Kathy Goodman: A milestone | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

There was a lot at stake in the L.A. Sparks' Sunday gameagainst the San Antonio Silver Stars. A win would put us alone in thirdplace in the West. And Tina Thompson needed only 14 points to break theall-time scoring record in the WNBA.SanAntonio won the game 92-83, but Tina hit her shots and set the record -- and thensome.

I have had season-ticket seats for the Sparks since 1997 and havenot missed very many games in the last 14 years, so I have seen most of themilestones: first basket by Penny Toler, first dunk by Lisa Leslie against theMiami Sol, dunks by Candace Parker in back-to-back games.I have seen the court at Staples Center namedafter Leslie and seen Toler’s jersey retired in the rafters of thearena.On Sunday, we were all counting Thompson’s points.She's averaged about 15points a game for the Sparks this season, so we expected the points sheneeded to become the all-time top scorer would come Sunday.It took about four minutes into the game, butshe let loose a three-pointer that went in easily, and the countdown was on.

Behind the scenes, preparing for these moments is always abit nerve-wracking. We were prepared last Friday in case she scored the 26 shethen needed to break the record -- it would not have been unprecedented for her toscore so many points in a game -- but we all believed Sunday night would be thenight.We talked to the referees to makesure that on the next dead ball after she scored the record-breaking points, they would hold the action for amoment so she could get the ovation she deserved.Our marketing group had designed and loadedgraphics into the Jumbotron and ribbon board to celebrate her effort. Now it was just about waiting and counting.

By the end of the first quarter, with Tina only having threepoints and the Sparks getting killed on the boards, and down by 6, I started towonder if Sunday would be Tina’s night.Since the All-Star break, she has only had two games in which she scoredfewer than 14 points, so I decided to just be patient.

The second quarter of the game was almost a carbon copy ofthe first.The Sparks just couldn’t seemto find the ball after it went up toward the basket. In the entire first half,they had only seven total rebounds to San Antonio’s 20, and it showed in thescore.Their eight second-chance points madeup almost the entire 10-point discrepancy in the score, together with their 60%shooting from three-point range.AndTina had scored only three more points, this time the old-fashioned way, on abasket and free throw.The Sparks weregoing to have to do a better job on the glass and shutting down San Antonio’sthree-point game if they wanted to turn it into a game.

The Sparks came out of halftime ready to play. MarieFerdinand-Harris and Tina took turns scoring, cutting into thelead.Halfway through the third quarter camethe moment the entire arena was waiting for.Tina made two free throws, putting her within two of breaking the scoring record,and then she came down court on the next possession, putting up a wide-openjumper and down it went.The Staples Centercrows leaped to their feet cheering. Not only had she broken the all-time scoring recordin the WNBA, but on her next trip down the court, she drained a three to getthe Sparks within one point.San Antoniohad to call a timeout, and we didn’t need to worry about creating time for anovation for Tina.

Unfortunately, that would be the last thing we had to cheerabout in Staples Center on Sunday.The Sparksnever got closer than that one point, and though they made a run of it in thelast couple of minutes of the fourth quarter, San Antonio's second-chancepoints and three-point shooting were just too much.The season is far from over, however.The Sparks still have three home games leftin the regular season and two games against Minnesota, our competition forthe last playoff spot.It was great tobe able to celebrate Tina’s career milestone, and now I am lookingforward to celebrating more milestones before this season is over.

-- Kathy Goodman, co-owner of the Sparks

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Anderson Silva Stuns Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

In the months leading up his UFC middleweight title fight with Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen directed an unending barrage of insults at the champion. At UFC 117 in Oakland, Sonnen backed up every bit of his bluster for four and a half championship rounds.

Then he got caught.

The challenger Sonnen dominated the vast majority of the five round championship fight. He surprisingly got the best of the standup at the beginning of the first round, then utilized his wrestling to control and punish the longtime UFC champion.

Aside from a flurry at the beginning of the fourth round, Silva had no answers for Sonnen. Sonnen appeared a few minutes away from a dominating championship victory in the fifth round when the fight quickly turned.

Silva quickly took control of Sonnen's arm and wrapped his legs around Sonnen's neck. Silva proceeded to wrap up a tight triangle choke while simultaneously cranking an armbar. Sonnen dove backwards to try to escape the holds but Silva applied greater pressure and Sonnen was forced to tap.

"I'm devastated," Sonnen acknowledged at the post-fight press conference."The better guy wins ever time. He won. He's the better guy."

Silva for his part was gracious in victory.

"I really don't have anything against Chael," Silva said."Outside the ring what he said is in the past. I don't hold any grudges."

Silva, however, did point to an injury as a cause for his generally unimpressive performance. Silva said that he suffered a rib injury training with Japanese judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii prior to the fight and that a doctor told him not to take the fight with Sonnen.

UFC president Dana White was non-committal about where the UFC middleweight division goes from here. Vitor Belfort could receive the next title shot against Silva or the UFC could potentially rematch Silva and Sonnen.

"Fighting Anderson Silva's a lot like eating Chinese food," Sonnen remarked."Twenty minutes after I'm done I'm going to want to do it again."

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Five France soccer players face disciplinary hearing for actions during World Cup | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The French Football Federation announced Friday that five players from France's World Cup soccer team will face a disciplinary hearing for their part in Les Bleus' epic meltdown in South Africa.

Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home from during the World Cup after a profane verbal attack on then-coach Raymond Domenech, is one of the players facing the hearing. So is former team captain Patrice Evra,who was benchedfor the team's final World Cup match against South Africa and was viewed as a leader of the player rebellion against Domenech and the French soccer federation over the expulsion of Anelka.

Eric Abidal, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan are the other players facing the disciplinary hearing, which is sure to provide even more intrigue in what has already beena very interesting year, to say the least, for France's soccer team.

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Franck Ribery, left, and Patrice Evra during a World Cup training session June 21. Credit: Patrick Hertzog / Agence France-Presse

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Don King expects ringside guest Saturday: Floyd Mayweather Jr. | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Boxing took another crazy turn Thursday, as an unexpected man emerged to possibly resuscitate the twice-failed talks to stage aFloyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiaomega-fight:

Don King.

Yes, the big-haired, legendary promoter blamed for so many of boxing's ills has struck up a close friendship with Mayweather, feting him with a $500 lobster tail at a Boca Raton, Fla., restaurant last week, and reinforcing to the 41-0 fighter the kudos King believes he deserves to hear.

"Whatever Floyd wants, he gets," King told The Times on Thursday, adding he expected Mayweather to join him in St. Louis on Friday for the weigh-in of Saturday's junior-welterweight title fight between King fighterDevon AlexanderandAndriy Kotelnik, and to sit ringside with King in front of HBO cameras on Saturday.

"I'm just telling Floyd what he is, a bad sucker."

Pacquiao has already moved past the second round of failed talks with Mayweather to schedule a Nov. 13 super-welterweight fight againstAntonio Margarito, but if the mega-bout is ever going to occur, someone with the brashness and confidence of King might be the only man who can make it happen.

That's the opinion coming from Pacquiao's promoter,Bob Arum.

"King's the most persuasive guy I've ever met," Arum said."With enough time, he'll get this kid {Mayweather} to come over. Don's no fool. He knows how to make a fight."

Arum and King were once bitter rivals, but Arum has now come to dislike Golden Boy Promotions Chief ExecutiveRichard Schaefer, an advisor to Mayweather in negotiating recent fights. The first stage of talks with Pacquiao imploded when Mayweather's team insisted on random drug testing.

"If King were ever involved, it would give a real impetus to make this fight happen," Arum said."All those little details that have stopped us before, King doesn't give {a thing} about. All he cares about is the end result, making the most money possible."

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For Melanie Oudin, success is tougher the second time around | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

IfMelanie Oudinis to re-create the success she had at the 2009 U.S. Open, when she arrived unseeded and 17 years old and left as a quarterfinalist who had charmed tennis viewers around the world  with her competitive, fist-pumping brand of tennis, Oudin is going to have to re-create magic.

While she bristles if it is suggested she is going through a sophomore slump, Oudin suffered another decisive loss Wednesday, dropping her second-round Mercury Insurance Open match to second-seededSamantha Stosur,6-4, 6-4. Oudin had pulled out a first-round win late Tuesday night, beating  qualifierJamie Hampton6-3, 6-4. Last week at Stanford, Oudin was soundly beaten by eventual championVictoria Azarenka, 6-3, 6-1 in the second round.

Other winners Wednesday were seventh-seededShahar Peerof Israel, who eliminatedYaroslava Shvedova, 7-5, 6-4, and fourth-seededAgnieszka Radwanska,who trounced former world No. 1Dinara Safina, 6-1, 6-3.

Oudin was relentlessly optimistic after Wednesday's loss, though. Her glass-is-half-full view is that she wants to peak at the U.S. Open, so maybe it's just as well she is not playing well now."Maybe it's a good thing I'm not playing absolutely wonderful right now," she said.

Still to come Wednesday night is top-seededJelena JankovicagainstAlisa Kleybanova, andLindsay DavenportandLiezel Huber,who won the doubles last week at Stanford, against another pair of Americans,Jill CraybasandShenay Perry.

-- Diane Pucin

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USC football: Pat Haden sends letter to fans, flowers to female coaches and staff | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Pat Haden, USC's new athletic director, started his first official day on the jobby posting a letter to"The Trojan Family" on the school's website.

"During the period of our NCAA probation we won't wake up each morning with a'woe is me' attitude as a result of the sanctions," wrote Haden, who succeededMike Garrett."I have failed if I cannot create a positive, upbeat environment that cultivates success in spite of the sanctions." 

Haden also sent flowers to USC's female coaches and administrative assistants.

Haden's first day coincided withUSC football players reporting for the start of training camp. The Trojans and CoachLane Kiffinbegin the season Sept. 2 at Hawaii.

--Gary Klein

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Question of the day: Is one ethnic group in baseball favored over another? {Updated} | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Reporters from the Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic in light of recentcomments by Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen, who said Asian players are treated better than Latinos. Check back throughout the day for more responses and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times
Guillen made a good point about Japanese players generally getting translators and Latino players generally not getting them, but Guillen overlooked the fact that most teams offer English lessons to Spanish-speaking prospects as they come through academies in the Dominican Republic and rookie ball in the United States. In contrast, Japanese players usually come to the major leagues after long careers in their homeland.

This is the more relevant point: It's not easy for anyone to speak to the media in a second language, and it's entirely understandable for a foreign player -- from Japan, the Dominican Republic or elsewhere -- to shun interviews without the shield of a translator rather than risk being misunderstood or caricatured. But those who master a second language can go far in the game -- as Guillen did by learning English and Angels Manager Mike Scioscia did by learning Spanish.

Steve Gould, The Baltimore Sun

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen’s comments Sunday weren’t just on the money, they were sorely needed.

When Guillen questioned why Asian major leaguers are afforded interpreters while Latino players are not, you couldn’t help but say, “Yeah, what’s the deal?”

You can argue that Spanish and English are a lot more similar than, say, Japanese and English, but that’s missing the point. It’s not a language issue; it’s an equality issue. And something is clearly awry.

One has to wonder how much of the disparity stems from the fact that Asian players, particularly Japanese players, are usually established stars in their home countries before they make the jump to the majors, and thus are better catered to, whereas Latino players tend to be younger, less heralded and often come from poorer backgrounds.

Whatever the causes, Guillen’s message was loud and clear. No interpretation necessary.

{Updated at 9:20 a.m.:

Bill Kline, The Morning Call
Consciously or not, pro baseball is unfair to Latinos. Japanese players, for example, are treated better because they are older and more accomplished when they arrive in America and go directly to the perk-packed majors or high minor leagues.

In contrast, most Latinos start in the low minors, facing language and cultural barriers. And there’s the rub. Professional baseball in effect preys on young Latinos, signing them to inexpensive minor league contracts at tender ages of 16-18. Many of these teenagers are thrown into unforgiving U.S. waters and must learn to swim in a hurry. Without a lifejacket. And, as Ozzie Guillen says, without a lifeguard.

Some Latinos climb onto the luxury liner known as Major League Baseball. But many others sink. Guillen believes Latinos would have a better chance if they had more support. He is right. Throw a lifeline to these kids.}

Photo: White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen argues a call on July 24. Credit: Dino Vournas / Associated Press

Steve Gould

The Baltimore Sun

 

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen’s comments Sunday weren’t just on the money, they were sorely needed.

 

When Guillen questioned why Asian major leaguers are afforded interpreters while Latino players aren’t, you couldn’t help but say, “Yeah, what’s the deal?”

 

You can argue that Spanish and English are a lot more similar than, say, Japanese and English, but that’s missing the point. It’s not a language issue; it’s an equality issue. And something is clearly awry.

 

One has to wonder how much of the disparity stems from the fact that Asian players, particularly Japanese ones, are usually established stars in their home countries before they make the jump to the majors, and thus are better catered to, whereas Latino players tend to be younger, less heralded and often come from poorer backgrounds.

 

Whatever the causes, Guillen’s message was loud and clear. No interpretation necessary.

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Jon Jones shows he's ready for more with win at UFC San Diego event | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Jon Jonescontinued to show his potential as a future Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight champion Sunday when he dominated 39-year-oldVladimir Matyushenkoin the"UFC on Versus 2" main event at the San Diego Sports Arena.

Jones scored a technical knockout of El Segundo's Matyushenko at 1:52 of the first round, mounting him and pummeling him with left elbows and forcing the referee to stop the bout.

Jones improves to 11-1 and clearly is ready for a shot at one of the UFC's elite fighters in the rich light-heavyweight division, a group that includes championMauricio"Shogun" Rua,Lyoto Machida,Quinton"Rampage" JacksonandRashad Evans.

"My goal is to become one of the best in the world," Jones said."I hope {the UFC} kicks it up with me."

Also Sunday,Yushin Okami(26-5) gained a split-decision victory overMark Munoz(8-2);Jake Ellenbergerwon by third-round stoppage overJohn Howardin a welterweight fight; andTakanori Gomiknocked out lightweightTyson Griffinin the first round -- Griffin's first loss by stoppage.

-- Lance Pugmire

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No free tennis ticket for Serena Williams? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Serena Williams,winner of the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, was busy updating her Twitter account Saturday afternoon and apparently she is not happy with the folks at theFarmers Classicmen's event going on at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

Williams, who had come out earlier in the week and took pictures withJames Blakebefore she flew to Florida to sell herclothing and jewelry lineon the Home Shopping Network, was back in Los Angeles Saturday. On Twitter she made two posts about being unhappy she did not get a free ticket to Saturday's semifinals.

Williams posted,"Omg! the@farmersclassic tennis tournament in LA is charging me $100 a ticket...After I plugged them!!! Lol ill send a bill for my plug!" And apparently Serena decided to attend the X Games instead though whether she got in free was not made clear.

After she posted to her account,"What to do? Maybe x games?? Who's going?? Maybe ill see u??" she also posted a photo from the X Games.

The X Games better watch out. Maybe they'll get a bill for her promotional efforts too?

Farmers Classic tournament directorBob Kramerdeclined to comment on whether Serena asked for a free ticket and was denied. Friday night Serena's sister,Venus,was on the grounds to autograph copies of her book"Born To Win."

-- Diane Pucin

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