AP - Mickey Vernon, a two-time American League batting champion with the Washington Senators and seven-time All-Star first baseman during a 20-year career in the major leagues, has died. He was 90. -- read full article
AP - Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt had offseason shoulder surgery, not for a sports injury but because of a tussle with a raccoon. -- read full article
AP - Troy Brown retired Thursday after 15 seasons with the New England Patriots in which he set a team record for most receptions. -- read full article
AP - Brett Favre walked with only a slight limp Thursday as the New York Jets quarterback continued to recover from a twisted left ankle. -- read full article
AFP - Top seed David Ferrer was dumped out of the China Open by world number 92 Dudi Sela Thursday as home favourite Zheng Jie cruised through to the quarter-finals.
AP - Former Nebraska running back Thunder Collins was arrested Wednesday, nearly 24 hours after a shooting left one person dead and another seriously wounded, police have confirmed. Collins is in police custody and faces murder charges, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said.
AFP - Rafael van der Vaart endeared himself to the Real Madrid fans with a hat-trick as the champions crushed Sporting Gijon 7-1 on Wednesday to go second in the table.
AP - The Tampa Bay Rays will have to wait at least another day to celebrate their first AL East title and pop open the 200 bottles of champagne waiting for them in the clubhouse Wednesday night.
AP - It's still training camp, not boot camp. But the NBA's referees are reporting to a general and he seems the perfect fit for the officials seeking a strong leader to guide them through the toughest times their profession has ever endured.
AP - A yearlong ankle injury could not keep Plaxico Burress out of the New York Giants' lineup last season. The lack of a telephone call this week apparently is going to cost him a game and more than $235,000.
