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Winnipeg Jets Fans Snatch Up 13,000 Tickets In Minutes as NHL Returns to Manitoba

Get excited Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, because you go your Winnipeg Jets back and they’re ready go.

True North Sports and Entertainment bought the flailing Atlanta Thrashers organization and has moved them to the City of Winnipeg.

The problem was that the commissioner said it would work if the city didn’t support their team and buy at least 13,000 season tickets. The team sold 13,000 tickets in 17 minutes.

Must Read: NHL History: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and the Top 100 Players of All Time

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told ESPN:

While I had no doubt the 'Drive to 13,000' would reach its destination the remarkable speed at which it got there certifies the fans' hunger for NHL hockey and their commitment to True North's initiatives.

This is absolutely amazing to most people, but not me. Since the Jets left Winnipeg in 1996, the city has been fighting tooth and nail to get a franchise back to Manitoba.

The quickness of the ticket sales shows how serious the fans are and how much success to expect from the franchise. I can’t wait for the Jets gear.

Check back for more on the NHL Stanley Cup as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Hockey Page to get your fill of the NHL.

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Shaquille O'Neal Retires as Most Entertaining Player in NBA History

Shaquille O’Neal was one of the biggest athletes to ever grace a NBA court and his presence in the low post was feared for 19 seasons.

Centers across the league can breathe easy knowing that the Shaqtus is hanging up his sneakers and retiring from the NBA.

As usual, the retirement announcement and subsequent party turned into a fun time that saw all of the reporters being joked on and laughed at.

Must Read: NBA Finals 2011: 10 Ways for Miami Heat To Ensure Series Victory over Mavericks

Shaq told the Los Angeles Times:

In light of today, I am retiring all of my nicknames: The Big Aristotle, Shaq-Fu, The Big Shamrock, The Big Cactus, The Diesel and finally, the one and only, original, never to be duplicated or replicated, Superman. So from now on, you guys can call me The Big AARP: Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons.

When Shaq was still playing well, there was no player that I have seen in my lifetime, besides Michael Jordan, who was as dominant at his position.

Shaq was a monster on defense and was almost unstoppable in the low post. As big as his stature was, the man’s pension for having fun and bringing everyone in on his laughter was even bigger.

The NBA will miss all of Shaq’s funny jokes and backhanded comments, but I think there is a seat next to Charles Barkly waiting for Shaq. At least, I hope there is.

Check back for more on the NBA Finals as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Basketball Page to get your fill of the NBA Finals.

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Hayden Walton, Little League Player, Dies After Getting Hit in Chest with Baseball

Hayden Walton was just 13 years old, playing little league baseball like so many other kids his age, when he was struck in the chest with a baseball.

Walton was taken to a Phoenix area hospital where he died Wednesday morning. The boy’s parents were both present at the game and were unable to speak with the media, nor should they have been expected to.

The youngster reportedly went around to square for a bunt when the ball hit him in the chest where a person heart would be. Walton took two steps towards first base before he collapsed on the field.

Must Read: MLB Draft: All-Draft Team for Each Draft from 1990-2005

President and CEO of Little League Baseball and Softball Stephen Keener told AP:

Words cannot adequately express our sorrow on the passing of Hayden. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hayden’s family, all the players and volunteers of the Winslow Little League, his classmates, and his friends, at this difficult time.

There is no sadder news to report than that of a death. That burden weighs even heavier when the victim is a child.

Walton was just a kid playing little league like thousands do every day, when tragedy struck his family. This is the fear of every parent in the world and this is the saddest thing you could ever imagine.

I think I speak for everyone when I send my deepest condolences to the Walton family and the whole entire community.

Check back for more on the MLB regular season as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Baseball Page to get your fill of MLB.

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Alex Rodriguez and Why Trading Rodriguez Would Be Best Move for New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are one of the oldest teams in the league and their core is too old to be legitimate contenders for another title.

The realization then has to be blowing up the team and trying to get as many young talented pieces in return. I think the only player that could draw some serious interest anymore would be Rodriguez.

It still seems like Rodriguez doesn’t get it. His most recent meeting with his cousin has started up all the talk of steroid use again and it all seems so avoidable.

Must Read: MLB Draft: All-Draft Team for Each Draft from 1990-2005

Rodriguez told the New York Times:

There’s no rules that are being broken. He stays at his own place, the team is fully aware. He’s not on the team bus, he’s not on team planes, he’s not in the clubhouse, he’s not in the stadiums, so we’re complying with all the rules. Again, one thing I learned a few years ago is my responsibilities, and they’re very clear.

At this point in his career, Rodriguez has to be doing this on purpose because he has to know better than putting himself and his team in this position.

If the Yankees management could do things the right way, they would be smart to move Alex Rodriguez to the highest bidder.

I don’t know what the market would yield for Rodriguez, but a team that feels they are close to a title might be willing to send a David Wright type and maybe some other bright future stars.

Check back for more on the MLB regular season as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Baseball Page to get your fill of MLB.

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Boston Bruins and Goalie Tim Thomas Is Using His Smarts to Help Thwart Canucks

The Boston Bruins may have lost Game 1 in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vancouver Canucks, but there is still hope.

While the Bruins were dominated in several aspects of the game, Boston remained tied until just before overtime. If Vancouver was that much better, then what kept Boston in the game?

Goalie Tim Thomas.

Thomas is using is athleticism and willingness to be anywhere on the ice to stop the puck to not only help the Bruins win, but get under Vancouver’s skin.

Must Read: NHL History: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and the Top 100 Players of All Time

Bruins head coach Claude Julien told the Boston Herald:

Well, that’s his style. I mean, if he gets a chance to challenge, he challenges. The rule is pretty clear. You’re entitled to your ice. If he steps out and he’s got that ice, he’s entitled to it. That’s what he’s done through the whole process. Now, we all know that goaltenders are to be protected. If you’re going to say he’s out of his crease, he’s fair game. That should be the same thing behind the net. I think the league has ruled that the goaltenders need to be protected. If he’s entitled to his ice, and he’s got it, then afterwards I don’t think people are entitled to run over those guys. If (Vancouver goalie Roberto) Luongo comes out of his net, he’s got his ice, it’s his, it belongs to him. The rule to me is pretty clear, so I don’t see any issues there.

While it seems pretty normal to me, Vancouver is taking exception with Thomas leaving his crease and getting into the legs of the Canucks players.

As a Philadelphia Flyers fan, I grew up watching the antics of maniac goaltender Ron Hextall and I can’t help but see a little Hextall in Thomas.

The best way for the Vancouver Canucks to get back at Thomas for his actions is to make him pay for coming that far out of the crease and put the puck behind him in the net.

It’s not the time for teams to start getting whiny. I’m looking at you Vancouver.

Check back for more on the NHL Stanley Cup as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Hockey Page to get your fill of the NHL.

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San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean Could Be Suspended for Comments Directed at Scott Cousins

Scott Cousins has apologized many times for the incident that involved him charging into San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey and his subsequent injury.

It was obvious that Cousins charged at Posey with intent to hit him and dislodge the ball, but to say that there was intent to injure is ridiculous.

Not only is that wrong, but what Giants GM Brain Sabean said about the matter days after the incident took place is 100 times worse than questioning Cousins intent.

Must Read: MLB Draft: All-Draft Team for Each Draft from 1990-2005

Giants general manager Brian Sabean told San Francisco-based KNBR:

If I never hear from Cousins again or he never plays another game in the big leagues, I think we’ll all be happy. He chose to be a hero in my mind, and if that’s his flash of fame, that’s as good as it’s going to get, pal. We’ll have a long memory. Believe me, we’ve talked to (Mike) Matheny about how this game works. You can’t be that out-and-out overly aggressive. I’ll put it as politically as I can state it: There’s no love lost and there shouldn’t be.

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard and it’s worse because it’s a management member calling out a player on a different team. That should be a real no-no for team officials and it should be made clear to Sabean by punishing him with suspension.

It is one thing to talk about your own team or tell your team in private about your feelings on the matter, but to almost willingly incite your fan base to detest this young player is crazy.

If Buster Posey himself ran into another catcher and damaged his leg the way Posey’s had been damaged, I bet Sabean wouldn’t say what he is saying now.

Check back for more on the MLB regular season as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Baseball Page to get your fill of MLB.

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New York Yankees and CY Young Winner Bartolo Colon Salvaged Career with Stem Cells

When most people think of the New York Yankees, they think of a team that tries to pay for their championships.

Now when people think of the New York Yankees, they will think of state-of-the-art, controversial medical procedures. Or not.

That exactly what former Cy Young Award winner and husky pitcher Bartolo Colon will be known for as he salvages his thought to be over career with the Yankees this season.

In the offseason, Colon had a procedure that saw doctors take stem cells from him bone marrow and injected it into the damaged areas of his arm.

Must Read: MLB Draft: All-Draft Team for Each Draft from 1990-2005

The New York Times is Reporting:

There are differing views from medical professionals about the efficacy of the type of procedure Colon received. Some doctors think it produces positive results, but others do not think there is any definitive evidence to show that it will benefit a condition like Colon’s. Colon has refused to talk about the matter. The Yankees have said they had not known of Colon’s medical treatment and informed baseball once they found out. Since the disclosure, the Yankees have seemingly not played much of a role in exploring the procedure further.

While I do not understand all the medical jargon involved, I do see the amazing results this season and I wonder why we’re not all using stem cells to get better.

Colon missed over a year and a half of baseball with various arm injuries, but the Yankees took a shot on him after they saw new life in his arm.

This season, the stem cell procedure has allowed the Yankees and Colon to enjoy his 3-3 record with an amazing 3.26 ERA. If he holds up this pace, it could be one of the wildest stories in MLB this season.

Check back for more on the MLB regular season as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Baseball Page to get your fill of MLB.

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Carey Hart and Rocker Wife Pink Welcome a Baby Girl

Carey Hart has conquered every ramp and track that the people of motocross have put in front of him, and now he is a dad.

The motorcycle madman and his rocker wife Pink had their first child, a daughter, and it will have to be seen how much it calms both of them down.

While Pink is a wild rocker, Hart puts his life on the line regularly as a dirt bike rider and it will have to be seen whether or not Hart can walk away from the sport.

Must Read: The Top 20 Worst Excuses in Sports History

Pink said on her twitter:

We are ecstatic to welcome our new beautiful healthy happy baby girl, Willow Sage Hart. She's gorgeous, just like her daddy.

I think this is great news for the family, but I think its terrible news for fans of motocross and dirt bike racing across the world.

Hart is one of the best riders in the history of the sport and the smart thing for him to do is tone it down now. That will hurt the sport in the long run, but I think he should worry about his family and do what he can for the sport without risking his safety.

Check back for more on the Swagger as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Swagger Page to get your fill of the Swag.

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Scott Cousins: Get off Cousin’s Back, He Was Trying to Stay with Marlins

When Florida Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins decided to try to dislodge the ball from San Francisco Giants catcher Bust Posey’s glove by running into him at home plate, there was no true malicious intent.

The play at the plate is one of the most exciting parts of baseball and as much as people don’t want to hear it, it has been part of the game for years.

Don’t forget, Posey put himself in front of the plate and if he had the opportunity, Posey would take a run at a catcher if it meant a run for his team.

Must Read: MLB Draft: All-Draft Team for Each Draft from 1990-2005

Cousins said to NBC:

I hope and believe that Mr. Sabean’s comments were made in the heat of the moment and are based more on his fondness for Buster Posey than on any animosity towards me. This situation is still an open wound for many, including myself. As I have stated previously, nobody outside of Buster feels worse about his injury than I do.

When the Giants GM Sabean said that if ‘Cousins never played in the league again people would be fine with it’, he was way out of bounds. Cousins resides in San Francisco during the offseason and it seems like the GM was trying to incite a riot.

Cousins didn’t do anything that any person trying to make a MLB team wouldn’t do, and if you go to YouTube and search for home plate collisions you will see hundreds of incidents that were identical minus Posey’s freak accident.

Check back for more on the MLB regular season as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Baseball Page to get your fill of MLB.

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Boston Bruins and Zdeno Chara Will Be Key for Bruins Success Against Vancouver

When the Boston Bruins square off for Game 2 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vancouver Canucks, they will be trying to get even in with the Canucks.

In one of the hardest fought games in Stanley Cup Finals history, the Canucks beat the Bruins 1-0 to take a 1-0 series advantage and the emotional advantage.

If Boston wants to have another chance to win like they had in Game 2, they need Tim Thomas to stand on his head and they need veteran defender Zdeno Chara to stop the Sedin twins.

Must Read: NHL History: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and the Top 100 Players of All Time

Vancouver forward Chris Higgins told Fox News:

He's just a physically imposing figure out there. You get the puck and you see him and sometimes you can't see the rest of the rink because he's that big. He's turned himself into a hell of a defenseman. His skill set has really, really improved and obviously he's got an amazing shot so he presents a big challenge for us.

Did I mention that Chara is 6’10”? Chara is the Shaq of the NHL and there has never been a bigger skater in the leagues history.

Don’t take that as to mean uncoordinated or oafish because Chara is one of the most dominant defenders the league has ever seen.

Chara can shut down the league’s best forwards and his expansive wingspan and size keeps him in front of almost everyone. The Bruins need him to continue his dominance if they have any chance of winning against the Canucks in Vancouver.

Check back for more on the NHL Stanley Cup as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Hockey Page to get your fill of the NHL.

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New York Yankees and Why Alex Rodriguez Is More Trouble Than He Is Worth

The New York Yankees franchise is steeped with over a hundred years of amazing history, but there are some serious issues.

The team is centered on several ageing superstars and now one of the, Alex Rodriguez, seems to be completely missing the message.

Rodriguez was spotted meeting with his cousin Yuri Sucart in a hotel. Sucart was the cousin that Rodriguez claimed got him PEDs during the time he was using steroids to boost performance.

Must Read: MLB Draft: All-Draft Team for Each Draft from 1990-2005

Rodriguez told the New York Post:

There are no rules being broken, he stays at his own place. He is not on the team bus, plane or clubhouse. We are complying with the rules. I am being very clear, I understand my responsibility. I love all my family very much and I am very clear where I stand today.

If Rodriguez was smart, which he obviously is not, he wouldn’t meet this cousin in public places if he did not want the notoriously tough New York media asking a million questions about the PED controversy.

To me this seems like a lazy thing for A-Rod to do and it almost seems like he is thumbing his nose at both MLB and the Yankees.

If I was a New York Yankees fan, I would be worried that it would be a while before we could legitimately contend for a title.

Check back for more on the MLB regular season as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Baseball Page to get your fill of MLB.

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NBA Finals 2011 and Dirk Nowitzki’s Shooting Will Be Key for Game 3

The NBA Finals are in full swing and the series is all locked up at one game apiece and heading to Dallas for the next three games.

As much as I don’t like the 2-3-2 series idea (two games in Miami, three in Dallas and last two in Miami), it could be one of the biggest factors in getting Dallas to beat the Miami Heat.

With that said, if the Dallas Mavericks have any chance of beating the Miami Heat they will need their sniper Nowitzki hitting shots left and right.

Must Read: NBA Finals 2011: 10 Ways for Miami Heat To Ensure Series Victory over Mavericks

Nowitzki told Yahoo! Sports:

I think in this league you have to play til the end. Especially, it’s the finals. You can be down 20. You have to keep plugging. You never know what’s going to happen in this league. And we kept on fighting.

If anyone knows about quitting before the end, it would be Nowitzki. Not only did Nowitzki watch a 2-0 lead in the 2006 finals disappear, but he watched first hand as the Miami Heat gave up on Game 2 of the Finals this year.

Everyone on the court knows that Nowitzki is the best pure scorer of the two teams playing, but the Mavericks need him to carry the team and shoot them to a 2-1 series lead.

Check back for more on the NBA Finals as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Basketball Page to get your fill of the NBA Finals.

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Rafael Nadal and Will Nadal Use Clay Court Advantage to Take Down Roger Federer?

While most weekends of the year, tennis is one of the last things we get to talk about in the sports world because the hype around the sport just isn’t there.

With that said, there are certain times of the year when tennis is brought back to the forefront of our lexicon and this weekend is one of those times.

The French Open at Roland Garros is one of the most prestigious of all the tennis majors and the clay courts there have been ruled by the world’s No. 1 tennis player Rafael Nadal.

Must Read: French Open 2011: The 10 Craziest Trick Shots in Tennis History

Nadal told Fox News:

Doubts are part of life and so they're part of sport too. We all have them, but now compared to a week ago it's totally different. What's never changed is my desire to play tennis and to be in the top spots of the rankings and to win these types of matches.

Nadal knows the courts of Roland Garros better than anyone, but if there is one player that can strike fear in Nadal’s heart, it’s Federer.

This will be one of the best tennis matches you will ever see and it is on the biggest stage. Even if you don’t follow tennis or have any real interest in the sport, this should be the one match you watch.

Check back for more on the French Open as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Tennis Page to get your fill of the French Open.