Julio Lugo has one of Manny Ramirez’s baseball cards hanging by his locker, only there’s something out of place: The slugger is wearing a Cleveland Indians uniform. It’s Ramirez, all right, the same guy now batting cleanup for Boston. He played his first 6 1/2 years for the Indians before signing with the Red Sox in 2000.
If the Yankees plan to keep calling on Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning, they might want to think carefully about who would be handing him the ball. Rivera isn’t happy that Joe Torre could be out as manager in New York and said the team’s decision will be factored into whether he returns. “I don’t feel good about it,” Rivera said Wednesday, two days after the Yankees’ third straight exit in the…
Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery was assigned to Binghamton of the American Hockey League on Thursday for a two-game conditioning stint. Emery, recovering from a left wrist injury that required surgery, will start for Binghamton against Syracuse on Friday night and Hershey on Saturday night. Emery was 33-16-6 last season with a 2.47 goals-against average.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Trent Green returned to South Florida after undergoing tests in Kansas City for a severe concussion, his second in 13 months. Green was encouraged and feels good, coach Cam Cameron said Thursday, but the Dolphins are awaiting additional results from specialists. “We just need to let some time go by here,” Cameron said.
Joey Porter may have changed jersey colors. His tone remains the same. Miami’s outspoken linebacker, who has waged a personal and sometimes profane battle against Browns tight end Kellen Winslow the past two years, renewed their feud earlier this week with more biting words. “He’s a receiver, really,” Porter said.
David Carr threw gingerly on the side, but wasn’t ready to practice. Vinny Testaverde scrambled to learn the playbook and get his 43-year-old body ready. Rookie Matt Moore just tried to keep up. Thursday produced few answers for the Carolina Panthers as they try to figure out who will start at quarterback Sunday against Arizona.
Wind in My Wings rallied to beat Lickety Lemon by a neck Thursday in the $150,000 Jessamine Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Keeneland. Wind in My Wings, ridden by Jamie Theriot, ran 1 1-16 miles on the turf course in 1:45.34 and paid $24.60, $7 and $5 for her first stakes victory. Lickety Lemon returned $3.20 and $2.60, and Jolie Visage paid $8.80 to show.
Washington Wizards center Etan Thomas underwent open heart surgery Thursday at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to repair a leak of the aortic valve, an irregularity discovered during a routine physical before start of training camp. The Wizards were expected to make a statement later Thursday, and the doctor and team president Ernie Grunfeld were expected to comment Friday.
