Morning Jolt: December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 21
Today's must-see content delivered straight to you.
Rip quitting on Pistons, on way out?
The environment in Detroit may be going from bad to worse. Guard Richard Hamilton, a mainstay during the Pistons' run of six consecutive conference finals appearances, is upset with his role on the team and has become a distraction, team sources said. Hamilton's non-participation in Saturday's practice, along with his upset stomach that caused him to miss Sunday's game and complaints about his diminished role have led some in the organization to wonder if Hamilton has quit on the Pistons. "He quit on us," one team source said. (The Detroit News)Comment
Sparano would support Henning return
Though Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano has not seen team owner Stephen Ross in some time, or received assurances about his own job status, the head coach was still willing to go to bat for Dan Henning, who many believe will retire after this season. But if Henning were to get a wild-hair idea about returning in 2011 after his unit finished 31st in the NFL in scoring (where it currently ranks), Sparano sounds like he'd be fine with that. "I think that Dan Henning, for Tony Sparano, has been tremendous," Sparano said, using the often fatal third-person reference to himself in his speech. (The Miami Herald)Comment
Rays owner discouraged by exodus
The 2011 season will likely look very different for the Tampa Bay Rays than the past two. The losses have piled up for the Rays this offseason, with another Saturday as reliever Dan Wheeler signed with the Red Sox. While principal owner Stuart Sternberg is optimistic his team can remain competitive, he also is realistic about the difficulties given the soaring cost of free agents. "It's discouraging," Sternberg said from the Sanderlin Family Center in St. Petersburg, where the Rays staff helped build a playground Saturday. "If guys were available who were really in our price range, we would have a lot more selection." The choices are even more limited because Sternberg is cutting payroll -- "a bunch" -- from the franchise-record $75 million at the end of last season. (St. Petersburg Times)Comment
Must-See Photo
Shaquille O'Neal acknowledges the audience before leading the Boston Pops during a holiday concert at Symphony Hall in Boston on Monday.
Must-See Video
Check out Devin Hester from his college days at Miami, returning a punt for a touchdown against Duke.
Game To Watch
Mavs at Magic, 7 p.m., ET
SI Vault: More Joe Dimaggio
This Day in Sports
- 1951 -- Joe DiMaggio announces his retirement from major league baseball.
- 1959 -- Tom Landry accepted the position of head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Landry led the team to 22 consecutive winning seasons in his 29 years as coach.
- 1975 -- John Riggins becomes the first New York Jets player to gain 1,000 yards.
- 1975 -- In a 14-2 victory, the Buffalo Sabres score eight goals in the third period against the Washington Capitals.
