Baseball
This years ALCS demonstrated the talent of the Chicago White Sox pitching staff. In the five game series, the Chicago rotation pitched four straight complete games. However, this series will be remembered for many controversial calls.
In Game 2, A.J. Pierzynski swung at strike three and home plate umpire Doug Eddings made a fist for a strike three call. But he also ruled that the ball was not caught by the catcher. Eddings did not shout this call, like he should have. As the Angels catcher Josh Paul rolled the ball back to the mound, Pierzynski ran safely to first base. Chicago went on to win the game on a Joe Crede RBI double in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Other controversial calls included one in Game 4 when the Angels argued that there was catchers interference on Pierzynski on a Steve Finley double play ground out. In Game 5, the Angels pitcher tagged Pierzynski on a ground ball with his glove while holding the ball in his other hand.
Joe Torre announced that he wants to remain the New York Yankees manager.
Football
New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi was medically cleared to return to practice. Bruschi had suffered a stroke during the offseason.
Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
The New York Jets pro-bowl center Kevin Mawae will miss the rest of the season with a torn left tricep.
Basketball
Allan Houston retired on Monday when he gave up on a comeback from knee problems. The two-time all-star had been struggling with chronic knee soreness and decided that he couldnt play at full strength anymore. Houston averaged 17.3 points over twelve seasons, the last nine with the New York Knicks. In addition to being a top outside shooter, Houston also donated money to programs that would help the community.
Last Saturday, Jason Collier died at the age of 28 in his home. He had trouble breathing and was rushed to the hospital, but died on the way. The 70 center was drafted by Houston in 2000 in the first round, but did not accomplish much until signing with Atlanta late in the 2003-2004 season. He averaged 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in an average of 14.4 minutes over his 151-game career.
Mike Krzyewski, head coach of Duke Universitys basketball team, was named head coach of the U.S. basketball team at the World Championships in 2006 and the Olympics in Bejing in 2008.
LeBron James spent several nights in a hospital with pleurisy, an inflammation of tissue lining the lungs.
Marcus Banks will miss over a month with a stress fracture in his left leg.
Hockey
Brett Hull retired last week, ending a 20 year career in the NHL. He won several awards throughout his career, including the 1991 Hart Trophy for league MVP. He spent half of his career with St. Louis. Hull is the third highest goal scorer in NHL history with 741 goals. He retired after finding his minutes diminishing for Phoenix this year and he was having trouble keeping up after the year layoff.
