Morning Jolt: Paul 'wants out' of New Orleans
Thursday, July 22
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Paul 'wants out' of New Orleans
Dell Demps is rather appropriately in the Hornets nest. All [Demps had to do] is persuade Chris Paul to stay in New Orleans -- an uphill battle that begins now. When Paul was quoted a few weeks ago as saying he'd be open to a trade if the Hornets aren't committed to building a championship team, it was only a small hint as to the size of the chasm that exists between the franchise and its cornerstone player. Paul, in fact, has put into motion an aggressive exit strategy that will accelerate in the coming weeks, and his clear intention is to be traded before the start of the 2010-11 season, a person with direct knowledge of his plans told CBSSports.com Wednesday. "He wants out," said the person, who has been briefed on Paul's strategy but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. (CBSSports.com)Comment
Phils asking too much for Werth?
Might the price on Jayson Werth be too high? Baseball officials with knowledge of the Phillies' thinking say that if the Phils can't land a top pitcher, such as [Roy] Oswalt or [Dan] Haren, they may not add a pitcher at all. Either way, however, the Phils continue to look to move Werth, who will be a free agent at season's end. ... The Rays, Angels and White Sox are among the teams that could have interest in Werth. (The Rays' interest is actually well known.) All three of those clubs have had scouts at this series in St. Louis. The Red Sox, Giants and Padres are also clubs interested in Werth. An official from one of those clubs has let it be known that the Phils are seeking a very high price for Werth. (CSNPhilly.com)Comment
Prince Fielder wasn't, then he was in the White Sox sights. Is the market really that volatile, that it can flip 180 degrees in one day? ... [It will be] up to Chicago GM Kenny Williams, an aggressive wheeler and dealer, to put together a package that would make the Brewers' Doug Melvin pull the trigger before the July 31 deadline. Otherwise, Melvin is inclined to wait for the off-season to move Fielder. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Comment
Must-See Photo
The World Cup may be over, but America can still continue its love affair with international soccer. With the Red Sox on the road, Fenway Park hosted Sporting Lisbon and Glasgow Celtic on Wednesday. (AP)
Must-See Video
Note to surfers: You don't need an ocean if you've got a tarp.
Game To Watch
Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 2:15 p.m. ET
- Philadelphia Phillies
- St Louis Cardinals
SI Vault: More Reds
This Day in Sports
- 1926 -- Cincinnati's Curt Walker hits two triples in one inning.
- 1963 -- Sonny Liston KOs Floyd Patterson in one for heavyweight title.
- 1967 -- Braves use a record five pitchers in the ninth inning.
- 1990 -- Greg LeMond wins his third and final Tour de France.
- 1994 -- O.J. Simpson pleads "absolutely 100 percent not guilty" to murder charges.
- 2007 -- Tulsa Drillers' first base coach Mike Coolbaugh is killed instantly when struck in the head by a line drive.
