Big Baby in big trouble

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis had surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken right thumb after fighting with a childhood friend while riding in an SUV less than two days before the season opener.

A police report identified Davis as the victim and said his friend, Shawn Bridgewater, appeared to be intoxicated.

Davis is expected to miss at least six weeks, though the Celtics said he also could be suspended for his behavior.

World Series hasn't been played in sun in 25 years

DETROIT (AP) — Bud Selig wants a throwback game in the World Series - one in daylight.

The sun hasn't shone on baseball's biggest stage since 1984, when Detroit beat the San Diego Padres in Game 5 at Tiger Stadium to win the World Series. There was a single day game three years later, but it was played indoors at Minnesota's Metrodome.

Ever since, the game's signature matchup has been played under the lights, with some flickers of twilight helping illuminate the first inning of West Coast games.

A-Rod, Howard add luster to starry World Series

NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Howard thought about the World Series and his eyes widened.

"Between Yankee Stadium and Philly, it's going to be, I would have to say, probably one of the rowdiest World Series - just between the fans," he said.

Sure will be if Howard and Alex Rodriguez start teeing off in their high-profile slugger showdown.

For the first time in 20 years, the World Series will feature a pair of former major league home run champions when it opens, weather permitting, on Wednesday night.

Rays re-sign OF Gabe Kapler

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Outfielder Gabe Kapler has re-signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The team announced a one-year deal on Tuesday. The 34-year-old Kapler played in 99 games this season, batting .239 with eight homers and 32 RBIs.

Kapler played all three outfield positions for the Rays. He initially signed with Tampa Bay last January and has also played with Detroit, Texas, Colorado, Boston and Milwaukee during parts of 11 major league seasons.

Kapler retired briefly in 2007 to manage Class-A Greenville in Boston's minor league system.

Astros hire Mills as manager

HOUSTON (AP) — Brad Mills is finally getting his chance to run a big-league team.

The 52-year-old Mills was hired by Houston on Tuesday after six seasons as Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston. He'll manage in the majors for the first time, though he's managed a total of 11 seasons in the minors, with affiliates for the Chicago Cubs (1987-92), Colorado Rockies (1993-96) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2002).

Star power abounds as Series nears

NEW YORK (AP) — They boast All-Stars all over the diamond, high-priced players decorated with coveted awards. They come loaded with October experience and shiny rings, expecting to win another World Series.

Impressive team ... these Philadelphia Phillies.

Hardly a bunch of slouches on the other side, either. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees are a model of postseason success, eager to include Alex Rodriguez in a championship celebration.

Andretti defends NASCAR's late caution call

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — John Andretti defended NASCAR's decision not to throw a caution when he couldn't move his disabled car from the finish line at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday.

Andretti crashed on the frontstretch during the next to lap of the race, and NASCAR apparently believed he could move his car out of the way in time for the field to race its way across the finish line. Because he couldn't, the caution wasn't called until the cars were coming out of the final turn and quickly closing in on Andretti.

Survey: College sports in need of financial reform

MIAMI (AP) — College and university athletic departments might have to drop some sports unless reforms such as controlling the cost of coaching contracts are implemented, according to a survey released Monday.

The survey of presidents of schools at major college football's highest level also suggests even the administrators aren't sure how to rein in costs. That's not saying no one will try: A group representing the athletic directors at those schools will present seven presumably cost-cutting proposals to the NCAA in the coming weeks.

McGwire joins Cardinals as hitting coach

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mark McGwire is back in baseball, reunited with Tony La Russa as the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach.

La Russa agreed to return for a 15th year as manager Monday with a one-year contract, the first time he hasn't had a multiyear deal with the team. All of his coaches will return except for Hal McRae, who will be replaced by the former star.

"Mark is passionate about the game, passionate about the Cardinals," chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. "Tony thinks he'll be a great coach, and I think he's got a lot to offer."

Patriots flying high after second consecutive blowout

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Dominant on both sides of the Atlantic, the New England Patriots must remember that football isn't always this easy.

They have time to do that with a bye week.

Facing their second straight winless opponent, the Patriots scored on the fifth play of Sunday's 35-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One week earlier, they beat the Tennessee Titans 59-0. Before the Bucs finally scored, the Patriots had put up 80 consecutive points, the most since Buffalo scored 86 in 1992.

Yankees finally get back to World Series

NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez, welcome to the World Series. The New York Yankees are back in baseball's big event.

The sport's top spenders finally cashed in with their first pennant in six years Sunday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 in Game 6 of the AL championship series behind the savvy pitching of that old October pro, Andy Pettitte.

Hamlin dominates at end to win at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Denny Hamlin didn't need to do anything funny to exact his revenge from Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville Speedway. He just drove right by him.

And then he drove away with ease on three restarts over the final 52 laps, ending the three-time defending series champion's remarkable run of five trips to Victory Lane in the previous six races at the shortest circuit in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series.

Patriots rout Buccaneers 35-7 at Wembley

WEMBLEY, England (AP) — It took a trip across the Atlantic for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to get their first road victory of the season. For the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the change of scenery produced yet another loss.

Brady threw three touchdown passes and had more than 300 yards as the Patriots (5-2) beat the Buccaneers 35-7 at Wembley Stadium on Sunday in the NFL's third regular-season game at the iconic London venue.

The Bucs, who gave up a home game to play in London, fell to 0-7 and saw their losing streak extended to 11 games overall.

Vonn, Ligety start ski season strongly

SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Lindsey Vonn hasn't missed a beat in her risky switch of ski manufacturers entering an Olympic year. Ted Ligety, meanwhile, has picked up right where he left off before injuring his right knee at the end of last season.

Vonn finished a respectable ninth in her worst event — giant slalom — to open the World Cup season Saturday and Ligety placed second in the men's GS on Sunday behind Swiss veteran Didier Cuche.

Resurgent Lidge strengthens Phillies' bullpen

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brad Lidge was right in the middle of three celebrations this month, getting the last out when the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the division, advanced in the playoffs and won the pennant.

For a guy who temporarily lost his closer's job with a week left in the regular season, that's an impressive turnaround.

Indians hire Manny Acta as manager

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians hired Manny Acta to be their manager, giving him the job about three months after he was fired by the Washington Nationals.

Acta signed a three-year contract with a club option for 2013, Indians spokesman Bart Swain said Sunday. Additional terms were not disclosed.

"I am very excited to become part of the Cleveland Indians family," Acta said. "I look forward to working with this talented group of young men who seem to possess a lot of energy and passion for their work."

Mullen: SEC replay official blew call vs Florida

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen called for disciplinary action against the Southeastern Conference replay official who worked the Bulldogs' 29-19 loss to Florida after a Gators touchdown that might have been a fumble was not overturned.

Mullen said Sunday it's understandable if a field official makes a mistake because of the speed of the game, but the replay official can take his time and should be held accountable.

Bradford intends to enter NFL draft after surgery

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford will have season-ending surgery and expects to enter the NFL draft in April.

The Oklahoma quarterback injured his right, throwing shoulder twice this season, most recently against Texas on Oct. 10.

The school announced Sunday that Dr. James Andrews will perform the operation Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala.

Bradford added that he intends to enter the draft if the recovery goes as anticipated. The rehabilitation time for the surgery is estimated at four to six months.

Tate has 2 TD catches in ND's 20-16 win over BC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame didn't wait until the last-minute to snap its six-game losing streak against Boston College.

Close, though.

Brian Smith picked off a pass by Dave Shinskie with 98 seconds left to seal Notre Dame's 20-16 victory over Boston College on Saturday, the first win for the Fighting Irish over the Eagles since 2000.

Notre Dame's last five games had been decided in the final had come down to the final minute. The Irish (5-2) went 3-2 in those games.

Bruins oust Senators

OTTAWA (AP) — Patrice Bergeron scored the lone shootout goal and the Boston Bruins rallied late for a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.

The Bruins trailed 3-1 with 1:28 remaining in regulation before tying it on goals by Mark Recchi and David Krejci.

Blake Wheeler also scored for the Bruins (5-4-1), while Tim Thomas faced 30 shots to improve to 15-8-0-2 against Ottawa.

Clemson drops Miami in OT

MIAMI — Kyle Parker threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Ford in overtime after Matt Bosher kicked a 22-yard field goal on Miami's overtime possession

On third-and-11, Parker's third TD pass of the night gave the Tigers (4-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) their first win over a ranked opponent in nine games — and dealt Miami's ACC hopes a serious blow. C.J. Spiller had a 90-yard kickoff return and a school-record 310 all-purpose yards for Clemson.

Jacory Harris threw for two touchdowns for Miami (5-2, 2-2), but also threw three interceptions.

Cody blockades Vols

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Mount Cody kept No. 1 Alabama perfect with a pair of super-sized plays.

Terrence Cody, the Crimson Tide's 350-pound nose guard, blocked a 44-yard field-goal attempt on the final play — his second block of the fourth quarter — and 'Bama escaped with a 12-10 victory over rival Tennessee on Saturday.

He muscled the Tide to another win, with pure brute force.

"I didn't really get off the ground," Cody said. "I just reached my arm up. That's how I got it. I knocked (the blocker) back. He was on his back."

Game 6 of ALCS postponed

NEW YORK (AP) — An hour after Game 6 of the AL championship series was postponed, there was Andy Pettitte in a nearly empty Yankee Stadium, drenched in the pouring rain.

With his short hair soaked and sweat shirt dripping, the New York Yankees' pitcher played catch in the outfield and ran light sprints through thick puddles on the warning track before finally grabbing some cover in the dugout.

Admittedly eager, Pettitte will have to wait for his chance to close out the Los Angeles Angels. Game 6 never started Saturday night and was rescheduled for 8:20 p.m. Sunday.

Martinez wouldn't mind facing Yankees again

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pedro Martinez stood on the mound in The House That Ruth Built many times during big games, listening to the taunts, jeers and insults from Yankees fans.

If New York advances to the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Martinez would love to get the ball again at Yankee Stadium, the new $1.5 billion version. He won't be intimidated by the crowd, that's for sure.

Brady improving after season lost to knee injury

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady grimaced as he lay on the ground and grabbed his injured left knee. His season was over minutes after it began.

Barely a year later, his wide smile was clearly visible in the helmet that he bumped against Wes Welker's to celebrate one of his six touchdown passes in the biggest offensive performance in the Patriots' 50-year history.