A-Rod reportedly tested positive for steroids

NEW YORK — As Barry Bonds prepares to defend his name, the slugger who may eventually surpass him as the all-time home run leader has become ensnared by the Steroids Era: Alex Rodriguez.

Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids during his MVP season with Texas in 2003, Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site Saturday.

The New York Yankees star has long denied using performance-enhancing drugs. He declined to discuss the tests when approached by SI on Thursday at a gym in Miami.

"You'll have to talk to the union," he said.

Major League Baseball and the players' union issued statements Saturday, refusing to confirm or deny the report, citing player confidentiality.

An e-mail from The Associated Press to Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, was not immediately returned. The Yankees and Rangers declined comment.

The SI revelations come at a time when baseball's focus on drugs has concerned Bonds and the legal maneuvering leading to the start of his trial March 2. The government is trying to prove Bonds lied when he told a grand jury he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.

A three-time AL MVP, Rodriguez has hit 553 career homers. At age 33, the All-Star third baseman is the highest-paid player in baseball and regarded by many as the most likely to break Bonds' record of 762.

Balić vs. Karabatić

Kobe Bryant Does it Again - Lakers 126, Knicks 117

NEW YORK (AP) — Kobe Bryant broke the current Madison Square Garden record with 61 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers looked plenty potent without Andrew Bynum in a 126-117 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night.

Bryant teased and pleased a sold-out crowd that took turns booing him and saluting him with ``MVP!'' chants during an electrifying performance. He passed Michael Jordan's opponent record of 55 points at the present building, known as ``Garden IV,'' when he hit three free throws with 3:56 remaining, then bettered Bernard King's mark of 60, set on Christmas Day 1984, with two more foul shots with 2:33 to play.

Bryant, who also finished with the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, left to a loud ovation after the 24th 50-point game of his career. It was also his fifth 40-point game here.

Steelers-Cardinals Super Bowl the second best ever

NEW YORK — An estimated 95.4 million people watched the Pittsburgh-Arizona Super Bowl, making it second only to last year's game as the most popular ever.
Steelers prevailed over the Cardinals, 27-23
NBC was blessed with a thrilling finish, and viewership peaked late in the fourth quarter, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The 2008 game between the Giants and the Patriots had a similar come-from-behind, last-minute score for the victory. Two big markets and the novelty of a team trying to go 19-0 kicked the 2008 game to an audience of 97.4 million.

The only program other than a Super Bowl to top Sunday night's game in U.S. television history was the finale of the "M-A-S-H" series in 1983.

Roger Federer crying - Australian Open 2009 Final

Jennifer Hudson Singing National Anthem: Super Bowl

One-on-One with Tony Dungy

NBC TODAY Show
Excerpt|03:27|
Feb. 1: A Steelers victory would make Mike Tomlin just the second African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl. NBC’s Ann Curry sits down with the first, former Indianapolis Coach...

Super Bowl Boosts Tampa Economy

Phelps acknowledges photo showing him smoking pot

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Olympic great Michael Phelps has acknowledged ``regrettable'' behavior and ``bad judgment'' after a photo in a British newspaper showed him smoking marijuana.
In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.

Phelps said: ``I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.''

Rafael Nadal defeats Roger Federer to win Australian Open! Nadal Wins Australian Open! 1 minute ago

Rafael Nadal Beats Roger Federer- after five hour 14 minute set yesterday,Nadal takes the final from Federer-( 8th major final lost to Nadal).


SPORTS UPDATE: 8:28am

Rafael Nadal thwarted tennis history on Sunday while opening a new chapter of his own.

Nadal won his sixth Grand Slam tournament and first in Melbourne, keeping Roger Federer from winning a record-tying 14th major with a five-set triumph at Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal beat Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 in a 4 hour, 45 minute match lasting well past midnight into a simmering Monday morning in the southwest Australian metropolis.

Federer, who fell Nadal for the third straight time in a Grand Slam final after French Open and Wimbledon last year, turned in a routine service game to open the fifth set.

But Nadal responded with four straight wins before Federer served out at love to make it 4-2 en route to taking the championship.

Nadal & Federer at the Australian Open 2009 Final Award - So Impressive !!!

Super Bowl Commercial Spot- Will Ferrell stars "Land Of The Lost"

Former heavyweight champ Johansson dies at 76

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — Ingemar Johansson, the Swede who stunned the boxing world by knocking out Floyd Patterson to win the heavyweight title in 1959, has died. He was 76.

Johansson died Friday at a nursing home in Kungsbacka on the Swedish west coast, his daughter Maria Gregner said Saturday.

Johansson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia more than 10 years ago when he lived in Stockholm.

Known as ``Ingo'' to Swedes, Johansson knocked out Patterson in the third round at New York's Yankee Stadium on June 26, 1959, to win the heavyweight title. He floored the American seven times before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight 2:03 into the round.