homecoming, sort of

Baseball: Odds makers are putting their money on the Rays to win the World Series...Speaking of the Rays, over 13 million people tuned in to see Tampa beat the Red Sox and clinch a spot in the Series....The Cardinals have bought out Mark Mulder's option ending his tenure with the club...The Dodgers declined a $5.5 million option on shortstop Angel Berroa...The Cubs have given GM Jim Hendry a four year extension...Curtis Granderson will visit China as a Major League Baseball ambassador...Finally, Congrats to Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum on being named Sporting News Pitchers of the Year.

Basketball: Jazz guard Deron Williams will be out for at least two weeks with a sprained ankle...Meanwhile Clippers guard Baron Davis could be healthy enough to play opening night...The Boston Celtics have dropped Darius Miles...Dwight Howard notched 29 points and 11 rebounds as the Magic beat the Hawks, 109-103.

College Football: Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow thinks Texas QB Colt McCoy is a front runner for this year's Heisman...Former Virginia Tech QB Marcus Vick has pleaded guilty to DUI and other charges. Watch out Marcus, because the popo are on your tail!

Football: The Pats pounded the Broncos, 41-7...New England placed RB Laurence Maroney on IR...The 49ers fired coach Mike Nolan a week earlier than previously reported. He'll be replaced by Mike Singletary...Jets personal seat licenses are up to $65,ooo in an online auction. There are a lot of things I could do with $65K, buying Jets season tickets would not be part of that equation...Is the Chief's Larry Johnson trying to be Pacman 2.0?



Hockey: Mike Modano scored the game winner for the Stars as they edged the Rangers, 2-1...Evgeni Malkin's goal in round five gave the Penguins a 2-1 victory over the Bruins...The Canadiens picked up their fifth straight win after beating the Panthers, 3-1...A broken finger will keep Devils center Bobby Holik out for three to four weeks...The NHL is thinking about adding a second franchise in Toronto. Isn't that a little bit of overkill?
(photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Nascar: Cale Yarborough's three straight Cup titles could be matched very soon. However, Yarborough won it over a 36 race season and not a 10 race shoot-out, because let's be honest, Jimmie Johnson would only have one championship if the old format exsisted. And yes, I'm still bitter about this crappy Chase!...Tony Stewart's time with Joe Gibbs Racing is winding down. I'm hoping for tears at Homestead.

Best of the Rest: ProElite has closed its doors...Tiger Woods returned to Torrey Pines as a caddie. I hope he got a good tip.

Check this out: I know every Tuesday I always make this plea, but please, please, please, please, check out Privileged on the CW at 9 PM/est. Honestly, what else is on! Click here if you've missed any episodes.