Baseball GMs gather in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) — Instead of swaying palm trees, the roar of 747s greeted baseball's general managers as they began gathering for their annual meeting.

They've come to a hotel near O'Hare International Airport to swap stories and perhaps players, and to start discussions with agents.

Donovan, Howard to miss match against Slovakia

 CHICAGO (AP) — Forward Landon Donovan will be among those missing when the United States plays Slovakia in an international friendly on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Galaxy player will instead be with his club team when it faces Houston on Friday in the Major League Soccer playoffs.

United States coach Bob Bradley also bypassed goalkeeper Tim Howard. He instead selected Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann and Troy Perkins on Monday for his 22-man squad. Hahnemann hasn't made an international appearance since October 2007 against Switzerland.

Cohen bows out of Skate America

 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Sasha Cohen's comeback has taken another setback.

The Olympic silver medalist withdrew from Skate America on Monday, saying she is still battling the tendinitis in her right calf that forced her to drop out of last month's Trophee Eric Bompard before the event.

"I have been battling this injury for a while," Cohen said in a release from U.S. Figure Skating. "After meeting with my orthopedic surgeon, it was determined that in order for me to fully recover, I should not compete this week."

Torch meets Great White North

Brady-Moss combo overcomes wildcat

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins had just spent more than 10 minutes marching to a wildcat touchdown when Randy Moss used one stiff-arm to wipe out their lead.

Moss sped to a 71-yard touchdown after grabbing a short pass over the middle and shoving rookie cornerback Vontae Davis out of his way as the New England Patriots tightened their grip on the AFC East with a 27-17 win Sunday.

NASCAR trifecta in reach for Kyle Bush at Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Kyle Busch keeps extending streaks at Texas in search of a NASCAR first.

Busch won his fourth consecutive Nationwide Series race at the 1½-mile, high-banked track Saturday. The dominating victory came a day after he won his fifth truck race in his last five starts in the series.

He will try to complete an unprecedented trifecta Sunday and become the first driver to win all three of NASCAR's national series on the same weekend.

Zero Cup wins for Edwards after 9 last year

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Carl Edwards has found a way to try to mask the frustration of his winless NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

"I've kind of tried to think of it differently," Edwards said. "It's not that we haven't had no wins this season, it's just that we've had nine wins over the last two. That sounds a lot better."

That still doesn't erase that very noticeable zero in 2009.

Celtics cut down Nets

Martin, Gordon know the Chase race is for 2nd

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Mathematically, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon still have a chance to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup title.

The reality with three races left?

"We've still got a great battle going for second in points," Gordon said Friday. "If for some crazy reason those guys had trouble, we've got to make sure we capitalize on them. Our focus right now is winning races, and trying to get to second in points."

Royals shed salary, acquire 2 players

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Trimming salary in a 2-for-1 deal, the Kansas City Royals sent infielder/outfielder Mark Teahen to Chicago for two players Friday and declined options on three others, including last season's top home run hitter.

Kings G Kevin Martin to miss at least 8 weeks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Kings leading scorer Kevin Martin will be sidelined for about two months after deciding to undergo surgery on his injured wrist.

The team said Friday that Martin will have the operation on his left wrist on Monday and is expected to miss at least eight weeks. Martin has a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his wrist.

Martin is averaging 30.6 points a game for the Kings, who have lost four of five games to open the season. Sacramento was an NBA-worst 17-65 last season.

Pacers forward Hansbrough to debut

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough will make his pro debut Friday night against Washington after missing the preseason and four regular-season games with a right shin injury.

Coach Jim O'Brien said the team's first-round pick from North Carolina will be a reserve, and the plan is to play him for about 16 minutes.

Hansbrough led North Carolina to the national championship last season. The Pacers need him because starting power forward Troy Murphy is out with a bruised lower back.

Damon wants to return, will explore other options

NEW YORK (AP) — Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday.

The whole scene made him a little wistful.

"It's good he got to do it in his first year here," Damon said as the energetic Swisher bounced around beside him after the parade finished in the shadow of City Hall. "It took me my fourth and possibly final year. I am so overjoyed because you don't know how many times you get this opportunity."

Twins get SS Hardy, Brewers get OF Gomez

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.

The Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins on Friday for speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Hardy winds up with the Twins' All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer, a teammate on the U.S. national teams in 2000 and 2003. The two still chat regularly when they see each other, and Hardy said the move could help him move on from a forgettable season.

Pro Bowler Ty Law, Broncos agree to terms

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos.

Kevin Poston, Law's agent, confirmed the news Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. The agreement came after Denver's media availability and a Broncos spokesman said the team had no comment.

Law is expected to sign the deal Saturday, pending the passing of his physical. He may even make it out to practice as the Broncos (6-1) prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

Garnett is fully moved on from Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kevin Garnett's old home doesn't feel like home anymore.

On his most recent return to Target Center — he led Boston to a 92-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night — Garnett was cheered wildly by the crowd, just like in the old days.

He delivered an all-around performance that was critical to victory, just like in the old days.

Marlins trade Hermida traded to Red Sox

MIAMI (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have acquired outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for left-handers Jose Alvarez and Hunter Jones.

Hermida was the Marlins' first-round draft pick in 2002 but has yet to fulfill his projected potential. He hit .259 this year with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. He's a career .265 hitter with 57 homers.

Alvarez went 9-4 in Class A this year with a 2.26 ERA in 12 starts and 14 relief appearances. The 20-year-old Venezuelan has a 3.21 ERA in four minor league seasons.

WS notes: Steinbrenner wins 7th

NEW YORK (AP) — Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees said throughout the postseason they wanted to win another title for George Steinbrenner.

The frail owner wasn't around when New York beat Philadelphia 7-3 on Wednesday night to win the World Series, but there's no doubt the outcome brought a smile to his face.

It was the 79-year-old Steinbrenner's seventh crown since he bought the team in 1973 and first since turning over the day-to-day operation of the team to his son, Hal, last November. Hal Steinbrenner was expected to accept the championship trophy.

Celts put muzzle on 'Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 11 rebounds in his third game back in Minnesota since he was traded in 2007, helping the Boston Celtics remain undefeated with a 92-90 victory over the Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

Rajon Rondo scored 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter for the Celtics (6-0), who join the Denver Nuggets as the only two teams in the league without a loss.

Girardi under the microscope

NEW YORK (AP) — When Joe Girardi left the dugout every few minutes to switch relievers against the Angels, some wondered whether he was getting paid per pitching change.

When he left slumping Nick Swisher in the lineup, he was criticized. When he put in a pinch runner for Alex Rodriguez, his judgment was questioned. Now, his decision to go with a three-man rotation in the World Series is hotly debated.

In a sport filled with second-guessing, no one is analyzed more than the manager of the New York Yankees. Especially the manager who succeeded Joe Torre.

Bode Miller still aiming for overall title

SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Bode Miller believes he still has what it takes to win the overall World Cup title, even though he just started skiing again after a seven-month layoff.

"I think I always have a chance. I'm one of the few guys who skis all the events pretty well and I think that automatically gives me a chance," Miller said Thursday at an event for his ski company leading to the start of the World Cup season.

Patriots' DL Wright may get larger role

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mike Wright's playing time increased after the New England Patriots traded star defensive end Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders a week before the season.

It's due to grow again now that the player who moved into Seymour's spot, Jarvis Green, is recovering from knee surgery.

"It's tough to lose any player on the defense," Wright said Tuesday, "but we're going to let Jarvis handle his business and we're going to take care of what we can on the field."

Brady starts rolling when November begins

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Seven games into his comeback season, a healthy Tom Brady has the New England Patriots where he wants them — on top of the AFC East.

And now it's November, time for him to really get rolling.

Yankees win 27th title

NEW YORK (AP) — Paint the town in pinstripes! Nearly a decade after their dynasty ended on a blooper in the desert, the New York Yankees are baseball's best again.

Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs, Andy Pettitte won on short rest and New York beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 on Wednesday night, finally seizing that elusive 27th title. It was the team's first since winning three straight from 1998-2000.

Celtics shell 76ers