Sports Ground

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Oakland Athletics

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Thu, 6 Sep 2012 03:17:00 -0700

Dan Haren #24 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum on September 5, 2012 in Oakland, California.

Silver Ferns Netball Training Session

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sun, 5 Aug 2012 03:09:00 -0700

Maria Tutaia looks to pass during a Silver Ferns netball training session at Unitec on September 5, 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Russia Hospitality House Sochi Park Opens Ahead Of The Olympic Games

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 22:57:00 -0700

Children play ice hockey at Sochi Park on July 27, 2012 in London, England. The Russia Hospitality House and Sochi Park in Kensington Gardens include picnic zones, performance spaces, sport activities and exhibitions, and hopes to showcase the best of Russian culture when it opens to the public on July 29.

2012 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sun, 1 Jul 2012 01:00:00 -0700

Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) Kennedy Baker practices on the beam before the start of competition on day 4 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials at HP Pavilion on July 1, 2012 in San Jose, California.

Tony Parker: Hurt in Chris Brown-Drake Melee!

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 03:28:00 -0700

Tony Parker of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs was apparently collateral damage in the wild fight between Chris Brown, Drake and their entourages Wednesday.

Eva Longoria's ex suffered a serious eye injury!

Parker was inside club W.i.P in NYC Wednesday when bottles and fists began to fly in a Chris Brown-Drake fight that began as a war of words, but got physical, and ugly.

So ugly, Parker's career was close to being jeopardized.

Parker addressed the media and said he got shards of glass in his eye during the melee. He will recover, but it was VERY close to being VERY bad.

"I was there with a bunch of friends when a fight broke out," the All-Star point guard recalled. "They started to throw bottles about. I got it all."

"My cornea has been touched. I can't do anything for seven days. But I was lucky. The injury won't prevent me from competing the Olympics."

We're glad to hear that and wish the Frenchman a speedy recovery. As for the main instigator? It looks like a gang-sign flashing posse member.

Shawn Johnson, Former Dancing with the Stars Champion, Retires from Gymnastics

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Mon, 4 Jun 2012 03:19:00 -0700

Shawn Johnson has mounted her final set of parallel bars.

The four-time Olympic medalist and 2009 Dancing with the Stars champion announced over the weekend that a knee injury has forced her to retire from the sport she loves, just a few weeks prior to the London Olympics.

"I still have the heart, drive, and desire to compete and help the USA at the London Olympics," Johnson said in a statement. "Unfortunately, it has become obvious that my left knee is not able to sustain the demands of gymnastics any longer. All I can do now is gracefully retire and thank everyone who has believed in me and my journey."

Johnson suffered the injury while skiing in 2010.

Only 20, the athlete says she is unsure what's next - aside from a trip to England to cheer on her teammates - but she's excited for new challenges.

"I'm scared to death to know what the future holds because it's kind of a blinded road I've never thought about, but I'm excited as well. I'm ready to start the journey," Johnson told ESPN.

Chris Andersen Excused From Denver Nuggets Amid Police Investigation For Crimes Against Children

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:06:00 -0700

Denver Nuggets center Chris "Birdman" Andersen has been "excused indefinitely" from the NBA team as officials investigate him for crimes against children.

Authorities searched Andersen's Larkspur, Colo., home Thursday morning and seized property. Andersen, 33, has not been arrested or charged with a crime.

"The Denver Nuggets are aware of media reports involving Chris Andersen. It involves a legal investigation and we await further details," team officials wrote.

The team declined further comment, as did Andersen, who has not played in the team's playoff series against the L.A. Lakers, which is now died at 3-3.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Deborah Sherman said the investigation is open but would not speak on the allegations against Andersen.

"It could include many different things. Right now we're not saying. They literally just got the property this morning," Sherman told reporters Thursday.

The spokesman went on to add, "The Sheriff's Office did contact Mr. Andersen this morning while he was at his house, and he cooperated fully."

With his colorful tattoos, hustle on the court and charitable endeavors, the reserve player has been a fan favorite in Denver area for years now.

Mark Bryant, Andersen's lawyer and confidant, released a statement to The Denver Post calling him an "outstanding member of this community."

"I believe in Chris. I would ask the citizens of Colorado to give Chris his due," Bryant wrote. "Like every one of us, he is presumed innocent. At the end of the day, I am confident it will be shown that he did nothing wrong."

In Colorado, Internet crimes against children can include exchanging pornographic images of kids to using chat rooms to lure children for sexual purposes.

Frequently in these types of investigations, police seize computers, data-storage devices and other electronics. It is unclear if that happened here.

Proving who used a seized device can be tricky if multiple people had access to it. Reports say - a 30-year-old woman - may live at the Larkspur home.

Andersen has been under investigation since February, when a California law enforcement agency tipped off Douglas County investigators.

North Melbourne Kangaroos Training Session

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Wed, 9 May 2012 02:48:00 -0700

Brent Harvey looks on during a North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL training session at Aegis Park on May 9, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.

FIVB Beach Volleyball Beijing Grand Slam

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Tue, 8 May 2012 03:05:00 -0700

Dancer girls dancers perform at the 2012 Swatch FIVB World Tour Beijing Grand Slam in Chaoyang Park on May 9, 2012 in Beijing, China.

Artistic Gymnastics NHK Trophy

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Thu, 3 May 2012 03:15:00 -0700

Rie Tanaka of Japan performs her balance beam routine during day one of the 51st Artistic Gymnastics NHK Trophy at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on May 4, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan.

Giants come back, down A's 4-2

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Mon, 2 Apr 2012 23:03:00 -0700

The San Francisco Giants used a three-run seventh inning to rally for a 4-2 win over the Oakland A’s in their return to AT&T Park Monday.

Player of the Game: Melky Cabrera went 3-for-4 with the Giants’ first and last runs scored of the game. He hit a solo home run that barely cleared the left-field wall to get the Giants on the board in the sixth inning, then capped a three-run rally in the seventh inning with an RBI single. Cabrera, acquired in an offseason trade with the Kansas City Royals for Jonathan Sanchez, is now batting .359 this spring and is tied for the team lead with four home runs.

Play of the Game: Cabrera’s lone hitless at-bat should’ve been a single to right field, but A’s second baseman Jemile Weeks thought differently, ranging to his left and diving to stop the ball just past the infield dirt and throwing out Cabrera by a half-step to end the bottom of the third inning.

Turning Point: Down 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Giants mounted a three-run rally. After Ryan Theriot walked and Nate Schierholtz was hit by a pitch, Emmanuel Burris placed a perfect bunt down the third base line. A’s third baseman Josh Donaldson charged it, bare-handed the ball but his throw to Weeks covering first base was wide and dribbled off his glove into right field to score Theriot and tie the game. Angel Pagan’s fielder’s choice scored Schierholtz and after a Pagan steal, Cabrera singled to give the Giants a 4-2 lead that they would not relinquish.

Notable: Brandon Belt has reached base safely via hit or walk in each of the Giants’ last eight games. During that span, Belt is batting .500 (13-for-26 with 3 walks) after going 2-for-3 Monday against the A’s.

Head scratcher: In the bottom of the fourth inning, Aubrey Huff drilled a ball off the right field wall. Huff made an aggressive turn around first and A’s right fielder Josh Reddick appeared to have Huff caught in no-man’s land. But Huff stayed still, Reddick threw behind him to first and Huff advanced to second safely. Moments later, Belt singled to right field, where Reddick came up firing to throw out a beleaguered Aubrey Huff at home plate.

Up next: The Giants and A’s are back at it again Tuesday, this time in Oakland. Tyson Ross is scheduled to start for the home team, while the new $100 million man, Matt Cain, will take the bump for San Francisco.

Read more: Giants come back, down A's 4-2
Tune to Sports Net Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area for more on this story

PFC CSKA Moskva v FC Lokomotiv Moskva

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:31:00 -0700

Pontus Wernbloom (R) of PFC CSKA Moscow battles for the ball with Dmitri Torbinski of FC Lokomotiv Moscow during the Russian Football League Championship match between PFC CSKA Moscow and FC Lokomotiv Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium on March 24, 2012 in Moscow, Russia.

Warwick Draper Portrait Session

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:29:00 -0700

Australian Canoe Slalom athlete Warwick Draper poses during a portrait session at Albert Park Lake on March 22, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.

Audi FIS World Cup - Men's Slalom

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:19:00 -0700

Andre Myhrer of Sweden wins the last race and the Overall World Cup Slalom title on March 18, 2012 in Schladming, Austria.

2012 Algarve Cup - Algarve Women's Football Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Fri, 2 Mar 2012 23:46:00 -0800

Katrine Veje of Denmark poses during a UEFA photocall on March 3, 2012 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:10:00 -0800

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland celebrates with the trophy after defeating Julia Goerges of Germany in the final during day six of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on February 25, 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Audi FIS World Cup - Women's Downhill

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:33:00 -0800

Lindsey Vonn of the USA takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Downhill on January 28, 2012 in St.Moritz, Switzerland.

Celebrities Attend Magic Millions Race-Day

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:54:00 -0800

American model and actress Brooklyn Decker poses at the VIP marquee on Magic Millions Race-day at the Gold Coast Turf Club on January 14, 2012 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers burst past Carmelo Anthony,

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sun, 1 Jan 2012 03:12:00 -0800

A Los Angeles Laker girl performs during a break in the action of a game against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on December 29, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

US Citta di Palermo v AC Siena - Tim Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:26:00 -0800

Josip Ilicic (R) of Palermo celebrates after scoring the first equalizing goal during the Tim Cup match between US Citta di Palermo and AC Siena at Stadio Renzo Barbera on December 13, 2011 in Palermo, Italy.

Omega Dubai Ladies Masters

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:19:00 -0800

Casandra Kirkland of France during the pro-am competition for the 2011 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on the Majilis Course at the Emirates Golf Club on December 13, 2011 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

America's Cup World Series

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:30:00 -0800

Team China and Artemis Racing Battle for position in the final stretch during the America's Cup World Series, San Diego Match

Racing Championship Fleet Race on November 20, 2011 at San Diego Bay in San Diego, California

A's select OF Mitchell from Sacramento

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:20:00 -0800

Outfielder Jermaine Mitchell was selected from Triple-A on Friday, bringing the A's 40-man roster to 39 players.

Mitchell began the 2011 campaign in Double-A before being promoted on July 3 to Triple-A Sacramento. He hit .355 in Double-A and finished the season at .302 in Triple-A for a combined .332 average, 29 doubles, 16 triples, 15 home runs, 78 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 130 games.

Mitchell tied for third in all of minor league baseball in triples, tied for fourth in hits (178), ranked fifth in walks and on-base percentage, tied for sixth in runs and tied for eighth in total bases (284). Originally selected by the A’s in the fifth round in 2006, he is a .286 career hitter with a .386 on-base percentage and 129 stolen bases in 645 games over six minor league seasons.

Additionally, the A's outrighted right-handed pitcher Evan Scribner and outfielder Cedric Hunter to Sacramento.

Scribner was claimed off waivers from San Diego Oct. 25 after posting a 7.07 ERA in 10 appearances. The 26-year-old spent the balance of the season with Triple-A Tucson, where he was 2-3 with 10 saves and a 4.71 ERA in 28 games.

Hunter was also claimed off waivers from the Padres Oct. 25. He was on San Diego’s Opening Day roster and made his big-league debut in 2011, going 1-for-4 with a walk in six games before being optioned to Tucson April 9. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter spent the remainder of the season with Tucson, batting .255 with two home runs and 33 RBI in 81 games. He was placed on the disabled list July 17 with a strained right groin, missing the remainder of the season.

Read more: A's select OF Mitchell from Sacramento
Tune to SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area for more on this story

Lorena Ochoa Invitational Presented

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:56:00 -0800

Michelle Wie of the United States hits a shot from the rough during the third round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational Presented by

Banamex and Jalisco It Happens Within You held at Guadalajara Country Club on November 12, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Women Volleyball - Serbia v France

noreply@blogger.com (Olle Mattsson) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:43:00 -0700

Jovana Brakocevic (R) of Serbia goes up for a spike between Anna Rybaczewski (L), Jelena Lozancic (C) and Helene Schleck (R) of France during the women's Volleyball European Championship match between Serbia and France on September 24, 2011 in Belgrade, Serbia.