National Sportsman Day

Baseball Update:
The Twins have a couple of contenders to replace Torii Hunter in centerfield, they're just not sure which one it will be.

The Atlanta Braves renewed Jeff Francoeur's contract for a second straight year after the two sides failed to agree on a one year contract by Monday's deadline. Francoeur will likely make $450,000 for 2008 up from $427,000 in 2007. For more Braves news, head over to our new PIMC-Braves Blog.

The Rockies have signed pitcher Brad Hawpe to a three year, $17 million deal with a club option for 2011.

The Reds signed Jerry Hairston, Jr and Corey Patterson to minor league deals.

Brandon Inge is still in Detroit even after he has made it known within the organization that he wants to play third everday and is willing to be traded to do so. Even manager Jim Leyland has backed Inge up, but Brandon has not been moved. But at least he doesn't have to worry about playing catcher, a position he played earlier in his career. Leyland has said he will not force Brandon to do anything he doesn't want to do.

In other manager news, Lou Pinella said the Cubs will be his last managerial job.

The Cubs and Orioles trade talks have once again heated up.

It was a day Noah Lowry will hope to forget after walking nine of the first 12 hitters he faced in the Giants 6-4 loss to the Rangers. He also threw 24 pitchers before a Texas batter took a swing.

Josh Beckett struck out five in the Red Sox "B" game against the Minnesota Twins.

Bobby Crosby was a scratch from the A's lineup after complaining of back spasms.

The Dodgers trip to China will be delayed by a day after the charter company contracted did not receive approval to land in China by its deadline.

Our well wishes go out to Phillies first base coach Davey Lopes who was diagnosed with prostate cancer...Our well wishes also go out to Yankees announcer Bobby Murcer who was resting in a Houston hospital after undergoing a brain biopsy.

Nascar Update:
Overnight ratings for the UAW-Dodge 400 at LVMS were up 12.7% from a year ago.

48 drivers are entered in this weekend's Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Click here for the entry list.

Mike Skinner will temporarilty replace AJ Allmendinger at Red Bull Racing for this weekend's race at Altanta. Now hopefully they put AJ in a Nationwide, Truck Series or Arca car so he get some experience when the time comes that they want him back in the Cup car, otherwise they'll have the same problem.

Rusty Wallace Racing won their appeal on Monday after the three member committee ruled that the cover on the oil tank was securely fastened. RWR was docked 25 owner points and driver points as well as fined $15,000 and had its crew chief Steve Darne suspended for six races.

Speaking of appealing, Robby Gordon is all set for his appeal of a 100 point fined levied on his team following the Daytona 500.

News & Notes: Alex Ovechkin has hit the 50 goal mark for the season after geting a hat trick in the Capitals 10-2 win over the Boston Bruins...Peter Forsberg practiced with his new team the Avalanche but has yet to decide on a return date...Detroit Red Wings Defenseman Jiri Fischer returned to the ice for the first time since collapsing during a game more than two years ago. Fischer played in a charity hockey game with the proceeds going to Fischer's Healthy Hope Foundation...Well that was fast, a week after being named number 1, Tennessee dropped to number 4 with the Tar Heels taking over the top spot...Kansas hammered Texas Tech 109-51...The Uconn women's basketball team took the Big East title after beating Rutgers 66-46...Yao Ming underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. He is expected to be out for the next four months...The NBA may reinstate Chris Anderson who had been banned from the game since 2006 for violating the League's drug policy...After blowing a 21 point lead and losing starter Andrei Kirilenko, the Jazz were able to storm back and beat the Mavs 116-110...The Patriots signed WR Randy Moss to a three year, $27 million deal...The Bengals signed Defensive End Antwan Odom to a five year, $29.5 million contract...After signing Michael Turner the Atlanta Falcons have cut veteran Warrick Dunn...Forsythe Racing will not be a part of the new unified IRL announcing it will close its doors following the Champ Car Series finale the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 20th...Dubai International Capital made a $800 million bid to buy Liverpool and has given American Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Jr. 24 hours to make a decision. Hicks and Gillett bought the team for $431 million in March 2007. I say, take the money and run!

Check this out: Click here to see Cosmopolitan's 2008 Fun Fearless Males.

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate