Morning Jolt: Beckett to leave Sox if not highest-paid
Monday, February 22
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Beckett to leave Sox if not highest paid
Red Sox ace Josh Beckett may be mum now, but his contract poses an interesting dilemna for Boston. General manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona are standing on their heads to remind everyone how much they love Beckett. While fans and media are quick to anoint Jon Lester the new ace of the Sox staff (Lester got the ball for Game 1 against the Angels in last season's ALDS), and Lackey was the ace of the Angels, Francona keeps talking about Beckett as the "leader" of Boston's staff. "Leader" won't cut it when it's contract time. Beckett is going to have to be highest-paid, or he is gone. (Boston Globe)Comment
Rolle's academics could hurt draft stock
As a Rhodes Scholar, Myron Rolle brings a unique skill set to the NFL Draft process, but it may be those outlier standards that hurt him on selection day. The thinking, according to ESPN, is that NFL teams want to draft guys who need to play football and want to study nothing more than a playbook -- not guys like Rolle, who wants to become a doctor and enjoys studying the latest developments in stem cell research. (Profootballtalk.com)Comment
Brooks to be coach of the year?
Scott Brooks may need to add space to his personal trophy case if his Thunder keep on winning. But the Thunder's lead man will tell you that's the last thing on his mind. "The last individual award I won was MVP of my college team," Brooks said. "You think I care about individual awards?" Maybe not, but if the Thunder continues its winning ways, Brooks might have to make room on his mantle for the Red Auerbach Trophy. (The Oklahoman)Comment
Must-See Photo
Great Britain's Edward Drake competes during Sunday's super combined in Vancouver. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)
Must-See Video
Two weeks after their beloved Saints took home the Super Bowl title, fans gathered for a New Orleans jazz funeral to put to rest an old nickname that celebrated their team's legendary futility.
Game To Watch
No. 8 West Virginia at Connecticut, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
- West Virginia Mountaineers
- Connecticut Huskies
SI Vault: More Bonnie Blair
This Day in Sports
- 1959 -- Johnny Beauchamp is declared the winner in the inaugural running of the Daytona 500. Three days later, photo evidence reveals that Lee Petty won by three feet and the decision is reversed.
- 1980 -- The U.S. men's hockey team defeats the Soviet Union at the Lake Placid Olympics in one of the most stunning upsets in sports history.
- 1988 -- Bonnie Blair becomes the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic speed-skating gold medal since 1976.
