SAN DIEGO (AP) — Manny Ramirez returned to the big leagues as only he could. Wearing sunglasses and with his famous dreadlocks in a ponytail, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ slugger apologized to fans and teammates during a news conference Friday afternoon. He refused to answer questions about steroids, laying off them as if they were […]

Johnson’s 2-run double lifts Mariners to 7-6 win BOSTON (AP) — Rob Johnson doubled home two runs in the 11th inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 on Friday night. George Kottaras hit his first major-league homer in the bottom of the 11th for the Red Sox, who tied the game […]

THREE THINGS TO WATCH 1. There were several drivers – Kevin Harvick, A.J. Allmendinger, Elliott Sadler and Reed Sorenson, among others – who enjoyed their best finishes of the season in the Sprint Cup Series’ first event at Daytona back in February. Will those same drivers be factors again? 2. No doubt Dale Earnhardt Jr. […]

Bruins’ Recchi: Likely his last season in NHL BOSTON (AP) — Mark Recchi wants one last chance to be a Stanley Cup champ again. The 41-year-old Recchi, who signed a one-year deal to return to the Bruins on Thursday, said during a conference call Friday that he’ll likely call it quits after next season. “I’m […]

SYLVANIA, Ohio (AP) — With a surprised hop, Laura Diaz tied Sarah Kemp for the second-round lead Friday in the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic. Diaz looked discouraged with the putt halfway to the final hole but then hopped in celebration when the 12-foot birdie try went in, giving her a 4-under 67 and a […]

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 […]