<h4>Up, and over </h4>
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal leaps over the Houston Astros' Miguel Tejada while throwing to first base to complete a double play during Thursday's game in Houston.
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks’ real-life mascot has been grounded.
“Spirit,” the hawk who delayed the team’s playoff loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night by flying around Philips Arena instead of returning to his handler, won’t take flight when the playoff series returns to Atlanta next week.
The Hawks said Thursday night the mascot will “be involved in our game night activities” but team spokesman Arthur Triche said the bird will no longer be allowed to fly around the arena.
Players watched as the bird was perched atop the scoreboard at tip-off, refusing to go to his handler.
The bird then swooped around the arena, finally causing play to be halted until he returned to his handler.
Frank Robinson promoted
NEW YORK – Frank Robinson was appointed special assistant to the commissioner Thursday, a new role for the Hall of Famer who’s spent more than a half-century in baseball.
The 73-year-old Robinson is the only player to win Most Valuable Player awards in both leagues.
The former outfielder also has been a major league manager and assistant general manager and an executive in the commissioner’s office.
“Besides being one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Frank has served the game admirably in many different capacities,” commissioner Bud Selig said.
“He has an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge that I will put to use on a regular basis and on a myriad of baseball issues.”
Robinson was the special adviser to the executive vice president of baseball operations over the past two years. He was in charge of disciplinary cases from 2000-02.
Robinson is seventh on the career home run list with 586. He won the Triple Crown with Baltimore in 1966, and also played for Cincinnati, the Dodgers, Angels and Cleveland.
He managed Cleveland, San Francisco, Baltimore and Montreal, and guided the Expos’ franchise when it moved to Washington.
The Associated Press
Obama welcomes Gators
WASHINGTON – President Obama welcomed the Florida Gators to the White House and congratulated them on winning a second national championship in football in three years.
Obama on Thursday joked with the 115 players crammed on risers in the East Room while praising them and their coaches. Being a champion doesn’t end when the clock runs out, the president said, noting that that the team volunteers 400 hours each year.
Obama said strong leadership formed a team that plays hard and works in the community.
“I want to congratulate everybody who makes this program run – from the assistants to the trainers, from the students to the ticket takers,” he said. “All of you should be very, very proud.”
In a moment of levity, Obama said he still supports a national playoff system instead of the bowl system. But the president also said he’s confident the Gators could have defeated any team out there.
The top-ranked Gators beat the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners, 24-14, in the BCS title game in January.
The Associated Press
Russell is No. 1 seed
Mike Russell of La Paloma Country Club and Brandon Smith of Ventana Canyon are seeded first and second in the annual Southwest Section Southern Chapter pro match play tournament, which will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at The Stone Canyon Club.
Russell will play No. 16 Tom Tatum (Randolph) on the first day and Smith will vie with No. 15 Jim Kirwan (Saddlebrooke). Rounds will be 18 holes each day.
Other pairings: Josh Wilks (3), The Gallery, vs. Brent Newcomb (14), Stone Canyon; Dean Vomacka (4), Stone Canyon, vs. Don Littrell (13), Skyline; Chris Dompier (5), Skyline, vs. Preston Otte, Heritage Highlands, (12); Brian Coltrin (6), Heritage Highlands vs. Rich Elias, Torres Blancas, (11), Dave Simm, Ventana Canyon, (7) vs. Andrew Cochran (10) Golf Club at Vistoso; and Glen Griffith (8), Tucson Golf Schools, vs. Steve Hughes (9), Sun City Vistoso.
Citizen Staff Report
QUOTABLE
'Have some mercy will ya? It's bad enough I had to watch this. Now you're going to make me look at the stat sheet?'
GREGG POPOVICH,
Spurs coach, joking as someone offered him the stats sheet after the team's Game 3 loss to Dallas on Thursday night.
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SPORTS SOUND-OFF
Trainer’s lifesaving actions praised
Re: Trainer saves football player’s life
• What an encouraging story when, as of late, so many stories have been about the unfortunate deaths of high school student athletes resulting from inadequate care or the absence of a certified athletic trainer.
KDETWILER
• Very heartwarming story. Deana, your quick response saved this kid’s life. Wow! Way to go.
NICKI69
• Add me to the list of people who were impressed by this great story, impressed not only by the content but the excellent writing.
XFLBRET
Re: UA basketball
• It looks like the ingredients are coming together for a winning season and another visit to the NCAA Tournament.
Soon it will be up to the coaches to combine all the talent into a team. Looks like Livengood picked the right man to lead the coaching. I was sure wrong about that move but I admit it and hope for a great season.
COLETOY48
• Having this coach is so much better than the drama Pitino would have brought. Good start, coach Miller.
CRITICALTHINKER