Friday, July 16, 2010

Sports report for 7-17-10

I am away this weekend, and therefore sports won't be aired on the station. Have no fear, most of what I was going to report is here. I guess we should get started on the week's top sports stories.

This past week was baseball's all-star week. Monday, was the Home Run Derby and the Boston Red Sox "Big Papi" David Ortiz won. Tuesday, the annual American versus
National League game took place. The National League had not won an all-star game since 1996 and after 14 years, it came to an end. The National League 3, American League 1. The Atlanta Braves' Brian McCann was named MVP of the game. Ichiro Suzuki was the lone player from Seattle taking place. Former Mariner Cliff Lee, who was traded to the Texas Rangers pitched in the game.

Sad news from New York. Longtime Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner passed away Tuesday. Steinbrenner was not afraid to spend "big money" on big time players. Steinbrenner won 7 World Series Pennants since taking over the team in 1973. His sons currently own the team.

From the NBA and the Trail Blazers: This week, the Blazers signed Utah Jazz free agent guard Wesley Matthews to an offer sheet. Matthews was a restricted free agent, which meant the Jazz had 7 days starting the 12th to match Portland's offer. The Jazz informed Matthews and his agent, they would not match the contract and therefore, will become a member of the Blazers. The Jazz optioned to sign former Golden State Warriors Guard Raja Bell instead. The Blazers search for a General Manager continues. Thursday, the team interviewed Oklahoma City Assistant GM Rich Cho Thursday. Team President Larry Miller told reporters, "he hopes to have a GM hired by next week." Former Cleveland GM Danny Ferry and former Miami GM, Randy Pfund have interviewed. Miller also could interview at least one more possible candidate as well. Remember last season, the Blazers had signed Orlando Magic free agent Forward
Hedo Turkoglu and at the last moment, was signed to a better off by the Toronto Raptors? Well, Turkoglu now has a new team and city to call home. The Raptors traded him to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Guard Leandro Barbosa. Turkoglu thought he would like being in and playing for Toronto since it was closest to his home country of Turkey. Hope you like the Suns Turkoglu. Finally, Blazers Center Juwan Howard is about to sign a free agent deal to join Lebron James and his Miami Heat. Howard will be missed in Portland.