AP - Mike Babcock's new contract allows the oldest of his three children to graduate from the same high school she's attending. And if all goes well with the Detroit Red Wings over the next three years, Babcock's younger two kids likely will get the same opportunity.

AFP - Deflated Switzerland boss Jakob Kuhn has vowed the Euro 2008 party will continue in his country despite the co-hosts' heartbreaking exit from the tournament.

AP - With one powerful crack of the bat, Dan Uggla sent the Florida Marlins to a second straight win over the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

AP - If Tim Donaghy's latest allegations are true, Kobe Bryant won his last championship with the help of an NBA conspiracy. And Scot Pollard is still ringless because some guys in suits determined it would be that way.

AP - Dan Uggla hit a game-ending grand slam with one out in the ninth inning and the Florida Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 Wednesday for their second win in as many nights against the NL East leaders.

AP - Milton Bradley stormed out of the Texas Rangers clubhouse after an 11-5 victory Wednesday night over Kansas City and bounded up four flights of stairs looking for Royals television announcer Ryan Lefebvre.

AP - Maybe the NBA finals should book an appointment with one of Southern California's finest plastic surgeons.

AP - The "June Gloom" so typical of summer in San Diego gave way to sunshine on the eve of the U.S. Open, filling the blue sky with fighter jets from Miramar that until Wednesday could only be heard in the fog. But that isn't the biggest buzz at Torrey Pines.

AP - A costly win for the Chicago Cubs.

AFP - Rafael Nadal won his first singles match since destroying Roger Federer in the French Open final as the Spaniard advanced to the third round at Queen's Club on Wednesday.

AP - Mike Babcock helped bring the Stanley Cup back to Detroit.

AFP - Portugal's play-maker Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second-half goal to all but book his side's place in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals in a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic here on Wednesday.

Reuters - Decorating the playing fields at Major League Baseball (MLB) parks has become high art with groundskeepers using mowers and hoses to painstakingly fashion elaborate logos and patterns in the grass.