LITTLE ROCK — Stretch run fun, games for Detroit
The Detroit Tigers, clinging to a three-game American League Central division lead over the Minnesota Twins, insist they're not nervous, and, according to Detroit News columnist John Niyo, they've got the toy trucks and cocktail dresses to prove it.
Before Thursday's game and the start of a 10-day road trip - first stop Minnesota - Justin Verlander was busy charging the battery on his new electronic racing machine.
"I think we've done a great job here of not letting it get too intense - for anybody," Verlander told Niyo. "I mean, you see us having some fun with some toys, and we're having fun playing baseball.
And the more you can keep your mind off the race, the more it's just doing what you've done all year."
With that in mind, there was some levity in the Tigers clubhouse even after Thursday's 9-2 loss to the last-place Royals. Hanging in the rookies' lockers were their veteran selected costumes for the trip to Minneapolis: a couple Teletubbies, a Scooby Doo costume and some very girlie outfits, including a special treat for 20-year-old rookie pitcher Rick Porcello - a slinky, sequined purple dress.
Don't judge the Tigers' veterans too harshly. It was educational.
According to Niyo, Thursday was the first time Porcello had heard the term "flapper".
Hingis gets heave-ho
The British public doesn't care much for Martina Hingis' dancing skills.
The five-time Grand Slam tournament winner on Saturday became the first celebrity lobbedout of Strictly Come Dancing, the new BBC reality talent show.
After coming in the bottom two when phone votes were added to the judges' score, Hingis and partner Matthew Cutler lost a dance-off against policeman turned-crimeshow-host Rav Wilding and his partner Aliona Vilani.
"It was a great experience, I learned so much," she said.
"Maybe I'll come back for a few more lessons to London."
Hingis, 28, who retired from tennis after getting a two-year ban in 2007 for testing positive for cocaine, despite declaring her innocence, said last month she hoped to put the controversy behind her and saw competing on Strictly as a "new challenge".
"I want people to see a different side to me than the person running round the tennis court," said Hingis, who lives in Switzerland.
Good question Michigan ran for 380 yards in a45-17 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday, its best rushing total since romping for 392 against Houston in 2003.
"We had the intention of throwing a little bit more," Coach Rich Rodriguez said.
"But why would you when you don't have to?" Fan backlash
Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel chided Buckeyes fans last week, saying he felt bad about how "miserable" they were after losing to Southern California.
Before Ohio State beat Toledo 38-0 in Cleveland, a sign on a scarlet-and-gray bus parked near Cleveland Browns Stadium listed the six consecutive top-10 teams that have beaten the Buckeyes since 2006.
Next to the list was written, "Miserable OSU fans."Quote of the day
"Pinch me. I am sure I'm sleeping. I am sure I am dreaming." Batesville's Mark Martin after winning the first race in NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup championship
Sports, Pages 14 on 09/21/2009