Mauer near-unanimous pick as American League MVP
NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Mauer sat behind a table on a podium in a conference room at the Metrodome when Justin Morneau shouted out the last question of the day. "Are you finally going to buy dinner now?" Morneau said to his teammate from the audience, one MVP to another. Mauer became only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, finishing first in a near-unanimous vote Monday.
Titans beat Texas 20-17
HOUSTON (AP) — Rob Bironas kicked a 53-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining and the Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texans 20-17 for their fourth straight victory after an 0-6 start. The Texans (5-5) had a chance to tie it, but Kris Brown's 49-yard attempt with 1 second remaining was wide left. It was his second miss of the game and the second straight game he's missed a chance to send the Texans to overtime.
Kansas still No. 1 in AP poll; Syracuse No. 10
Syracuse was so impressive in the 2K Sports Classic that it made one of the best entrances ever into The Associated Press' college basketball poll. The Orange, who beat California and North Carolina by an average of 19 points in winning the tournament at Madison Square Garden, went from unranked to No. 10 on Monday, the third-best jump-in in poll history.
Florida's Meyer: Notre Dame not a coaching option
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Standing behind the same podium where quarterback Tim Tebow delivered his now-famous promise 14 months and 21 wins ago, coach Urban Meyer vowed Monday to be at Florida "as long as they'll have me." With rumors swirling about Charlie Weis' future at Notre Dame, Meyer squashed any potential speculation about leaving Gainesville for South Bend, Ind.
Germans restore 1936 high jump record
NEW YORK (AP) — Gretel Bergmann matched a German high jump record on June 30, 1936. Two weeks later, the 5 feet, 3 inches she jumped in Stuttgart, Germany, was all but obliterated and she was kicked off the team.
Roloson stops 58 shots as Isles beat Leafs
TORONTO (AP) — It's been 18 years since an NHL goalie made as many saves as Dwayne Roloson did Monday night. The 40-year-old Roloson turned aside 58 shots to help the New York Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Josh Bailey's goal at 4:18 of overtime. The last goalie to reach that total was Ron Tugnutt, who stopped 70 shots for the Quebec Nordiques at Boston on March 21, 1991, according to STATS.
Whisenhunt optimistic Warner may play this week
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt says he had a long talk with Kurt Warner on the flight home, and the quarterback was "very upbeat and alert" following a blow to the head in Sunday's' victory over St. Louis. Still, Warner's availability to practice this week or play Sunday at Tennessee will depend on how he does in the mandatory "baseline test" of his cognitive functions. Whisenhunt says the test probably will be administered on Tuesday.
NFL, union approve about half team neurologists
WASHINGTON (AP) — The NFL and its players union have approved independent doctors to evaluate head injuries for about half of the league's 32 teams as part of a new program. The NFL Players Association medical director, Dr. Thom Mayer, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday that "the quality of people brought forward has been first rate" and none of the doctors proposed by teams has been rejected so far.
Packers, Redskins hardest hit by injuries
The playoff chase has gotten much more difficult for the Packers after they lost two key defensive players to season-ending injuries. Cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman will have knee surgery after suffering major injuries Sunday. Both were hurt on separate plays in the second half of a victory over San Francisco, apparently damaging their left knees. Coach Mike McCarthy would not confirm specific details of either injury.
San Diego State cracks Top 25; UConn still No. 1
San Diego State cracked the AP women's basketball Top 25 for the first time in 14 years, while Connecticut remained a unanimous No. 1 for the 18th consecutive poll. The Aztecs are ranked No. 23 but will have to prove themselves quickly to stay in the Top 25 with games this week against No. 5 Notre Dame and No. 20 Oklahoma at the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands.
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