Morning Jolt: Jaguars, Saints candidates for Canadian relocation
Thursday, May 5
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Jags or Saints moving to Canada?
While sports fans in Winnipeg wonder about an NHL franchise relocating, it seems fans in Toronto can wonder about an NFL franchise coming to town. Toronto councillor Doug Ford says he was told last week by NFL Canada that Toronto is "right up there on the list" of cities awaiting NFL teams. "They have to take care of the problem in Los Angeles first," said the candid Ford, who is the brother of Toronto mayor Rob Ford. "Two teams are kind of in play here: Jacksonville's number one; New Orleans is the other. So there's two teams. Once they take care of Los Angeles, we're going to fly over to New York, set up a meeting with [NFL commissioner Roger] Goodell and give him our pitch." One problem, Mr. Councillor. The city lacks an NFL-ready venue, according to Goodell. (The Score)Comment
Rubio may join 'Wolves this year
Will Ricky Rubio ever agree to play for Minnesota? Here's why he just might be ready to make the move to the NBA -- and thus to the Wolves, who own his league rights for as long as he continues to play professionally without sitting out an entire season -- now: His playing time and development has regressed rather than developed playing for a veteran-filled, championship-caliber team in his hometown. A provision in the NBA's soon-to-expire labor agreement with players allows him to sign under the current rookie scale by May 31 rather than gamble on what a new Collective Bargaining Agreement might look like for rookies, whenever they might be hammered out. That new CBA could take some time. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)Comment
Not much has been easy in the Philly bullpen this season. A month of games has created bullpen upheaval for these Phillies. Some of it was made necessary because of injuries, namely to closer Jose Contreras. But although the relievers have pitched the fewest innings of any National League bullpen, 28 games was enough to redefine roles. Wednesday brought more change. Lefthander J.C. Romero was activated from the disabled list and righthander David Herndon was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley. ... [Herndon], in 102/3 innings this season, he had a 9.28 ERA and walked seven batters. "He's fighting himself right now," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "He hasn't had very good presence on the mound." (Philadelphia Inquirer)Comment
Must-See Photo
Manchester United's Rafael gets tangled up with Schalke's Sergio Escudero and Kyriakos Papadopoulos during the sides' UEFA Champions League semifinal match. Man U won 4-1 (AFP/Getty Images).
Must-See Video
From Jeff Teague's lane-splitting layup to Tyson Chandler's monster jam, re-live the top five plays from a wild Wednesday night in the NBA playoffs.
Game To Watch
The Predators look to even the series at 2-2 against the Canucks (8:30 p.m. ET, Bridgestone Arena)
- Vancouver Canucks
- Nashville Predators
SI Vault: More Yankees
This Day in Sports
- 1995 -- The Magic beat the Celtics in the last basketball game at the Boston Garden.
- 1981 -- The Mets beat the Yankees, 4-1, in the 16th and final Mayor's Trophy Game.
- 1978 -- Cincinnati's Pete Rose becomes the 14th player to collect 3,000 career hits.
- 1962 -- Angels pitcher Bo Belinksy no-hits the Orioles.
- 1935 -- Jesse Owens sets the long-jump record a 26' 8"
- 1922 -- Construction begins on Yankee Stadium.
