Armstrong’s comeback: real deal or whim? MONACO (AP) — This is what retirement ultimately might look like for Lance Armstrong: reminiscing about his Tour de France exploits to an audience of suits and evening dresses who paid $1,000 a plate to hear him and mingling with a couple of princes. No wonder Armstrong got back […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Michelle Kwan will skate before an audience for the first time in three years when she joins world champion Kim Yu-Na in Ice All-Stars 2009 in Seoul, South Korea, in August. The five-time world champion and nine-time U.S. champ has been practicing and working out for most of this year. Her […]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brian France defended NASCAR’s drug testing policy as the toughest in professional sports, despite a federal judge’s ruling that overturned driver Jeremy Mayfield’s suspension. Mayfield was indefinitely suspended May 9 for what NASCAR said was a positive test for methamphetamines. He sued to be reinstated, and a federal judge issued […]

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — A look at Wimbledon on Friday: Weather: Clouds giving way to sun, high of 75 degrees. Attendance: 31,078, a decrease of 192 from the second Friday in 2008. Men’s semifinals: No. 2 Roger Federer beat No. 24 Tommy Haas 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3, No. 6 Andy Roddick beat No. 3 Andy […]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Jackson will return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season, getting a clean bill of health following a record championship season. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September and said on the team’s Web site Friday he got the go-ahead for another season after consulting the team […]

At Tour, Armstrong could finally win French hearts MONACO (AP) — For all of Lance Armstrong’s Tour de France victories, he still hasn’t won the hearts of the French. That may be about to change. “A lot has been made about that relationship between them and myself,” he told The Associated Press by phone this […]

Mariners snap Yankees’ 7-game winning streak, 8-4 MIKE FITZPATRICK,AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Franklin Gutierrez and Russell Branyan homered, leading the Seattle Mariners past CC Sabathia and the Yankees 8-4 on Thursday night to snap New York’s seven-game winning streak. Ichiro Suzuki hit a two-run double that was misplayed by center fielder Melky […]

Braves 5, Phillies 2 Braves complete sweep of Phillies, 5-2 ATLANTA — Matt Diaz drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning double and the Atlanta Braves beat Philadelphia 5-2 to complete their first home sweep of the Phillies in four years. Diaz had his second straight three-hit game to lift the Braves to their […]

Artest going to Lakers HOUSTON (AP) — Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. David Bauman, Artest’s agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be […]

Eds: Cardinals 5, Giants 2; UPDATES with details. Wellemeyer shuts down Giants in 5-2 victory ST. LOUIS —  Todd Wellemeyer rebounded from his shortest start of the season with 7 1-3 solid innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants 5-2. Wellemeyer (7-7) allowed two runs and seven hits in his longest […]