PORT COLBORNE, Ontario (AP) — Ted “Teeder” Kennedy, who captained the Toronto Maple Leafs to five Stanley Cups during a Hall of Fame career, died Friday. He was 83. He died of congestive heart failure at a nursing home in his hometown of Port Colborne, son Mark Kennedy said. Kennedy spent 14 years in the […]

 CINCINNATI (AP) — The Boston Red Sox tried to boost their infield Friday, reacquiring shortstop Alex Gonzalez and cash from the Cincinnati Reds for minor league infielder Kris Negron. The Red Sox made the trade a week after putting shortstop Jed Lowrie on the 15-day disabled list with an irritated left forearm. Last month, they […]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Vick picked a tough place for a second chance. Philadelphia sports fans, it is said, would boo a cancer patient. They threw snowballs at Santa Claus during a game in 1968. They cheered when the Dallas Cowboys’ Michael Irvin injured his neck and had to be carried off the field in […]

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Jeff Gordon made it clear: Even if his back isn’t 100 percent after a hard crash earlier this week, he’s done talking about it. Speaking at Michigan International Speedway on Friday, Gordon admitted to having a “couple of rough days” after a wreck at Watkins Glen on Monday aggravated his already-ailing […]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A remorseful Michael Vick wants a second chance and vowed to crusade for animal rights with the Philadelphia Eagles — and knows he won’t be easily forgiven by fans. “I’ve done some terrible things, I made a horrible mistake. And now I want to be part of the solution and not the […]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lane Kiffin isn’t concerned that his highly publicized verbal jabs and headline-seeking antics will make things tougher for Tennessee this season. He shrugs off talk of teams such as Florida targeting the Volunteers for especially harsh treatment because of his sharp comments. Gators coach Urban Meyer and the defending national champions […]

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. says NASCAR’s brand of on-track action has fallen flat lately, and the sport’s most popular driver believes changes to Sprint Cup’s new car are needed to spice things up. Speaking before Friday’s practice at Michigan International Speedway, Earnhardt said NASCAR needs an injection of excitement to entice fans […]

 FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — It wasn’t perfect. But for the New England Patriots, it was better than last season. The Patriots opened the preseason with a 27-25 win over the Eagles on Thursday in a performance that was ragged at times — especially in the second half, after the starters were long gone – but […]

 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tom Brady was making his comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles while Michael Vick was getting ready to join them. Brady threw two touchdown passes in his first game since tearing ligaments in his left knee in Week 1 last year, leading the New England Patriots to a 27-25 victory over the Eagles […]

By The Associated Press CLEVELAND – Josh Hamilton is heating up. The timing couldn’t be better for the Texas Rangers. Hamilton had four hits Thursday, including the go-ahead two-run double in the third inning, leading Texas to a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians. The All-Star outfielder hit .486 with a homer and eight RBIs […]