by Jon KrawcznskiAssociated Press Writer MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—While NFL owners and players appear to be inching toward a resolution of the league's long lockout, a group of retired players is clamoring to be more involved in the discussions. The group filed a class-action complaint against the owners and current players in federal court July 4, saying they have been excluded from the mediation sessions taking place in an attempt to end the lockout. Named plaintiffs including Hall of Famers Carl Eller, Franco Harris, Marcus Allen and Paul Krause are asking U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson to put a halt to the mediation she ordered and declare that the current players cannot negotiate on behalf of those who are retired. PLAINTIFF—Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris celebrates after the Steelers' 24-19 win over the New York Jets in the AFC championship Jan. 23. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP)—Chad Ochocinco turned to NASCAR on June 30 in his ongoing search for thrills away from the football field. Ochocinco was strapped in for the ride as Jeff Burton drove his No. 31 car around Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 30. Burton estimated he reached speeds of 150 to 160 miles per hour with Ochocinco. SEARCHING FOR THRILLS—Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeff Burton pose for a photo in victory lane after their high-speed laps in Burton's car at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 30. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
I am sitting here looking out over PNC Park waiting for the game to begin. I have gorged myself with pulled pork (yuk) cold cuts, three cheese polenta and lots and lots of soda, courtesy of my ten dollar “donation” to the press cafeteria. Oh how I long to be independent from “multi-carbs” and smothered pork chops but, hey that is another story too lengthy and complicated to even attempt to expound upon in this limited space. First and foremost, the starting pitcher for the Bucco’s “holiday” game was Paul Maholm who entered the July 4th game with a 3.17 ERA. However before the Pirates batted in the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Houston Astros were leading 3-1 with the help of a Pirates shaky and unsettled infield. The Pirates also assisted Astros pitcher Brett Myers with some questionable base running but by the end of the third inning, the game was tied 3-3. Myers entered the game with a 4.60 ERA. The will of both pitchers at times seemed to be questionable.
(AP)—The NFL lockout has been going on for months, and the NBA lockout could drag on even longer. The word lockout itself is becoming an unwelcome addition to bar room debates across the country. But maybe lockouts aren't such a bad idea after all. Imagine what would happen if we locked out some of these sports figures: DEREK JETER: I understand the need to instinctively bow to the greatness that is Derek Jeter, but even he should be embarrassed to be starting at shortstop for the American League in the All-Star game. Hold a parade for him if you want when he reaches 3,000 hits, but save the starting job for someone really having an All-Star season, like Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers or Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians.
The Homewood Baseball Association in partnership with Homewood Community Sports and the Pittsburgh Pirates RBI program presented community day at Willie Stargell Field on June 25 to revive and further promote baseball in the inner city. The kids got basic skills and tips from Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher James McDonald and they held T-Ball and Little League home run derbies. WATCHFUL EYE—East All Star Team watches their batter hit the ball.
:10 I told ya a couple of times and I’ll tell you again. It just doesn't get any better than “Remember The Titans.” Denzel at his best! :09 Sorry Ladies I am gonna zone you out right here. Here’s your Top 10 sports movies of all time: 1. “When We Were Kings” (Ali vs. Forman), 2. “Remember The Titans” 3. “Raging Bull” 4. “Rocky I” 5. “Enter The Dragon” 6. “Bingo-Long and His Traveling All-Stars” (cause I was in it), 7. “Ali” (Will Smith) 8. “The Longest Yard” (the first one) 9. “Slap Shot” 10. “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. “Note: If you don’t like my list send me yours “Champion Enterprise, 412 Springdale Dr., Suite 33, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235. BILL NEAL
“If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone. You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles. A hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles. You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles.” (Hedy West) The Josh Gibson Foundation announced plans for the Josh Gibson Centennial Negro League Gala recently at a news conference held at the Heinz History Center. AUBREY BRUCE
by Malik Vincent At around 10 p.m. on the evening of June 25, it was reported that two varsity football players at Gateway High School were shot, one fatally, after eating at a local establishment in Durham, N.C. The shooting claimed the life of Darrell Turner Jr., 18, a senior linebacker for the Gators and wounded Thomas Woodson, a junior, and the team’s starting quarterback. DARRELL TURNER JR. and THOMAS WOODSON Police have arrested Gabriel James Gamez, 22, of San Antonio, Texas, as the gunman. A stranger to the two victims, it was reported that he got into an altercation with the two teenagers and drew his gun and fired shots that connected with Turner’s back and Woodson’s leg.
Here are some of the primary reasons that there shouldn’t be any work stoppage in the NFL this or any other year. Can we talk about the domino crash and burn effect on suppliers of the game and the fans? How many hot dogs does the NFL purchase yearly? How many sales of hot dog buns, hamburgers, beer, pretzels, etc. will fall by the wayside if this work interruption continues? A report entitled; ‘Fourth and Long’ by Preston Traverse and Joseph R. Duffy points out serious repercussions of a NFL work stoppage. The report says that, “President Barack Obama famously referred to a potential NFL lockout as being a fight between billionaires and millionaires; however the impending impact could reach far beyond the players and owners. One could equate the NFL situation to the near dissolution of General Motors; which would have not only affected GM employees, but countless organizations spread across its vast supply chain. The major difference is that many firmly believed that GM could disappear, while no one actually expects professional football will not remain an integral part of American culture. Moreover, there is simply too much revenue at stake for this issue to remain unresolved for a lengthy period of time.”
by Stephen Wilson WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—Venus and Serena Williams were eliminated in the fourth round of Wimbledon on Monday, the first time in five years that neither sister will play in the quarterfinals at the All England Club. Defending champion and four-time winner Serena was the first to go, beaten 6-3, 7-6 (6) by Marion Bartoli of France, cutting short the American’s return to Grand Slam tennis after nearly a year out with serious health problems. DEFENDING CHAMP ELIMINATED—Serena Williams returns a shot to France’s Marion Bartoli during their match at at Wimbledon, June 27. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) Older sister and five-time champion Venus was ousted 6-2, 6-3 by Tsvetana Pironkova—the exact same score of the Bulgarian’s win in last year’s quarterfinals. “Definitely not our best day,” Venus said. “I think we both envisioned seeing this day going a little bit different.”
