Daily Jolt: Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 4, 2012

Tuesday, September 4

Today's must-see content delivered straight to you.

And, now, Dwight Howard has giving Lakers fans some lines between which to read. After mentioning on Twitter that he would like to work out with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, [Howard] took the first step towards that plan by sitting down with the Hall of Fame center Monday afternoon. "Just sat down with @kaj33," Howard tweeted after the meeting. "Man God is so good. Was in tears. What a blessing. This is like a dream come true. Go Lakers." Howard then tweeted a picture of the two of them together with the caption, "Me and @kaj33 together. For many years to come." The "many years to come" will surely come as music to the ears of Lakers fans worried that Howard might leave after this season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. (ESPN Los Angeles)Comment

Mathews alone among optimists?

For the first time since breaking his clavicle on Aug. 9, Ryan Mathews was back -- well, sort of. It doesn't mean his right shoulder is ready to take contact. It doesn't mean he will start the season, his goal all along. But [Mathews] took a positive step at Monday's practice, running routes and catching passes out of the backfield during individual drills. He did not participate during the team session and has yet to be cleared for contact. ... All indications have been Mathews will miss the start of the season, but his confidence hasn't wavered. The Chargers open their season Sept. 10 against the Raiders. They're carrying three backups, Ronnie Brown, Curtis Brinkley and Jackie Battle, on their original 53-man roster. "I'm very hopeful," Mathews said. (U-T San Diego)Comment

Secret of White Sox success? Mustaches

Of course, rediscovering their knack for hitting in the clutch had something to do with Chicago's regaining of first place in the AL Central on Monday, but the club had some fun along the way. From mustaches to Hector Santiago's first major league start, a new look didn't hurt the White Sox's bid to change their fortunes. ... After getting swept in Detroit over the weekend and posting 1-6 record on their recent trip, several Sox players took batting practice with the knowledge they could snap a first-place tie with the Tigers with a victory. And some of them trimmed their facial hair after the sweep by the Tigers at the suggestion of Kevin Youkilis, several players said. (Chicago Tribune)Comment

Must-See Photo

Monday night lights: Quarterback Logan Thomas leads the Virginia Tech Hokies into Lane Stadium before their game against Georgia Tech. The Hokies prevailed 20-17 in overtime. (Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Must-See Video

Sports activist Matt Liston is circulating a petition to ask the Chicago Cubs to give another plate appearance to Adam Greenberg, the only player in Major League history to have his career ended by the first pitch he faced. Greenberg was hit in the head on July 9, 2005 and the effects of his concussion lingered for years.

Game To Watch

Yankees at Rays, 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN -- The diving Bombers' AL East lead is down to one game

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