Morning Jolt: Vikes could turn to Hasselbeck
Wednesday, April 7
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Vikes could turn to Hasselbeck
The music on a game of veteran quarterback musical chairs is winding down, and Minnesota might want to look West. With Donovan McNabb's trade from Philadelphia to Washington eliminating the quarterback as a possibility for the Vikings next season, Minnesota's lone remaining option -- if Brett Favre retires -- would seem to be Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck. The Seahawks under new coach Pete Carroll appear to be rebuilding. Hasselbeck turns 35 in September. Carroll last month traded for Charlie Whitehurst, 27, who had been San Diego's backup QB. It seems likely that Favre, 40, minus training camp, will be back with the Vikings, but with this guy, you still never know. If the Seahawks make Hasselbeck available for the right deal, a trade would be expected either immediately before or after the April 22-24 NFL draft. (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)Comment
Hitless in two games this season, after which he voiced his frustration with pointed criticism, David Ortiz is showing signs of a struggle. He struck out miserably with a man on second and two outs when [Tuesday's] the game was tied, 4-4, in the fifth. Ortiz is going to be a thorn in the side of Terry Francona unless he starts hitting. If we could extract emotion and loyalty from the equation, Ortiz would not have started the opener against CC Sabathia and he would not start tonight against Andy Pettitte. Granted, Ortiz has good lifetime numbers against Pettitte (18 for 49, .367, 1 homer, 10 RBIs) but that was then and this is now. Ortiz can't hit lefties anymore. He says he has nothing to prove. He's wrong. He says he's going to be here next year. Wrong again. We love the Big Fella, but it looks very much like it's over. (Boston Globe)Comment
Doc ready to bring the hate to LeBron
In a piece where he talked about Rasheed Wallace's emotional "hijacks," Celtics head coach Doc Rivers responded in kind to LeBron James' thought that the NBA needs some old-school hate in its matchups. "Well, I like the hatred," Rivers said. "I think that's good. I do think the two teams don't like each other for whatever reason, and I don't ever think that's a bad thing personally. I think that's a good thing." Told that James believes the NBA needs to rekindle the nastiness between teams of '80s and '90s, Rivers said, "I'm all for it. I love it. He's the new leader. I think we should all listen to LeBron if that's what he's saying. I really believe that." The coach then traced the peace on NBA earth back to AAU ball when players become friendly. "It drives me nuts," he said. (Boston Herald)Comment
Must-See Photo
Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings takes home a souvenir from a Bucks fan following the game against the Bulls at the United Center in Chicago. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Must-See Video
Atlanta's Keith Ballard accidentally throws the puck into his own net.
Game To Watch
Spurs at Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET
SI Vault: More Jack Nicklaus
This Day in Sports
- 1963 -- Jack Nicklaus, 23, becomes the youngest golfer to win the Green Jacket at the Masters.
- 1969 -- Ted Williams manages his first game with the Washington Senators, a 8-4 loss to the Yankees.
- 1984 -- Detroit pitcher Jack Morris throws a no-hitter as the Tigers beat the White Sox, 4-0.
- 1989 -- Utah guard John Stockton won his second straight NBA assist title, picking up a total of 1,118 assists, becoming the first NBA player to record consecutive seasons of over 1,000 assists.
