LeBron James has been named MVP of the NBA. This is the fourth time the Miami Heat star has been named the league's most valuable player. The only sports writer who did not vote for LeBron was Gary Washburn. James says his priority is still winning championships for the Heat. Take a look:
42 is a new film from Legendary Pictures about the life of Jackie Robinson. Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the first African American to play in Major League Baseball since the 1880s. He started at first base for the Dodgers on April 15, 9147. Robinson had a lifetime batting average of .311 and hit 137 homeruns. He was signed for by general manager Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford). 42 opens in theaters on April 12. Take a look:
Rutgers Coach Berates Players and Throws Balls at Them
Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice has a very aggressive and abusive coaching style. A new video from EPSN's Outside the Lines reveals what he does to athletes at practice. He yells at his players and cusses them out. He pushes them and grabs their jerseys. He also hurls balls at them. It is very unprofessional. It is shocking he has not been fired yet. USA Todayreports that Rice is in serious jeopardy of being fired. Take a look:
April Fool's: Jose Canseco Says He's Getting Married
Major League Baseball slugger Jose Canseco tricked his followers today, April 1st, with a tweet that said he is getting married. Jose said, "I am getting married today."
About a minute later, Jose revealed that his tweet was actually an April Fool's joke. He did manage to trick some of his followers based on the replies.
NMA News Animators Explain Manti Te'o Hoax Girlfriend Story
The animators at NMA News attempt to explain the bizarre and confusing Notre Dame football player Manti Te'o hoax girlfriend story. Manti Te'o either made up a fake girlfriend or he was the victim of a cruel hoax. The bloggers at Deadspin broke the unusual story. Take a look:
Adidas and Major League Soccer have unveiled a new official match ball. The ball, called PRIME, will be the official match ball for the 2013 MLS season. Adidas says the ball features a more aerodynamic construction which provides for increased control and consistent ball movement.
Video Highlighting Norwegian Kicker Havard Rugland's Accuracy Goes Viral
ABC News reports that a video of Norwegian kicker Havard Rugland has viraled. The trick shot video shows Rugland making all kinds of accurate kicks. Rugland has attracted the interest of the New York Jets. You can see the full video, called Kickalicious, here. Take a look:
Austin Rehkow kicked a 67-yard field goal in a high school football game. This is the fourth longest high school field goal ever. There are just three others longer according to Wikipedia. The longest was a 73-yarder in 2006. Here is Rehkow's 67-yard field goal. Take a look:
Derek Jeter fractured his ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). He will be out for three months and will miss the rest of the post-season. It is a major blow for the Yankees. At least he will be back next season and will take the time to recover. Here's what Girardi had to say::
An ESPNstory has more details. Jeter's injury is the result of a previous injury or series of injuries. Jeter also suffered a bone bruise in September and received a cortisone shot so he could keep playing. He was probably hoping to make it to the end of the season and then use the off-time to heal.
The Boston Red Sox have fired manager Bobby Valentine after a dismal 69 wins and 93 losses. The Boston Globereports that this was the worst season for the team since 1965. The Boston Globe also says Valentine was disappointed in being fired, but understood the decision. The team was plagued by injuries this season. Take a look:
The NFL and NFLRA have announced a deal which will end the use of replacement refs. REgular refs will be back on the field starting tomorrow night. Here is a statement from the NFL and NFLRA:
The NFL and NFLRA are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement tonight on an eight-year collective bargaining agreement, subject to ratification by the NFLRA.
"Our officials will be back on the field starting tomorrow night," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We appreciate the commitment of the NFLRA in working through the issues to reach this important agreement."
"Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved taking this proposed CBA to the membership for a ratification vote," said Scott Green, president of the NFLRA. "We are glad to be getting back on the field for this week's games."
People very much hated the replacement refs. A botched call was blamed for ruining the Seattle - Green Bay Monday night game. Take a look:
Roger Clemens to Pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters
Roger Clemens is returning to baseball. The 50-year-old pitcher will play for the Sugar Land Skeeters, a minor league team in Houston. Clemens says, "I'm nowhere near where I would need to be to really compete like I want to. I'm gonna get soar. I'm soar after throwing the other day. I'm 50 years old, so we're just going to go out and have fun with this. Make it fun for the fans. I'm sure I'll get some jazz from the boys at home. They've already started on me." Take a look:
The AP has ranked the top 25 college football teams. USC gets the No. 1 ranking this year. The top 10 are USC, Albama, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, South Carolina and Arkansas. Ohio State is banned from the post-season this year. Take a look:
Felix Hernandez Pitches Perfect Game for the Mariners
Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez has thrown the 23rd perfect game in MLB history. It is the first perfect game in Mariners history. The Seattle Timesreports that Hernandez struck out 12 during his perfect game. Here is a clip of the celebration following the final out. Take a look:
R.A. Dickey talks about his knuckleball pitch with ABC News. Dickey has won 12 games and only lost one so far this year for the New York Mets. His ERA is a very low 2.40. You can find his stats here. Dickey says he pictures a vertical shoe box over the catcher's head. Dickey says he won't give away the complete secret until retires. Take a look:
