Miracle Teams to make it to the Big Game Part 1

---

USC stays on top as Oklahoma moves past Georgia into No. 2 spot

---

NEW YORK -- Southern California is now a no-doubt-about-it No. 1 in the AP Top 25, and there's a new No. 2 as Georgia slipped again. Poll Positions The top five teams in The Associated Press poll: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. For complete AP and USA Today polls, click here. The Trojans' resounding 35-3 victory against Ohio State on Saturday night made USC an overwhelming No. 1 in the media poll. USC received 61 first-place votes and 1,596 points on Sunday. The Trojans had 33 first-place votes last week. Oklahoma moved past Georgia into No. 2. The Bulldogs barely got past South Carolina 14-7 on Saturday and the Sooners notched their third consecutive blowout victory, winning 55-14 at Washington. Georgia is the first preseason No. 1 to drop that far after starting 3-0 since Oklahoma in 1985. The Sooners also fell to No. 3 after winning their first three games. The Bulldogs received two first-place votes this week. No. 4 Florida received the other first-place vote and Missouri moved up a spot to No. 5. Ohio State dropped eight spots to No. 13. No. 6 was LSU, followed by Texas, Wisconsin, Alabama and Auburn. Half the top 10 teams are from the Southeastern Conference. Two Pac-10 teams dropped out of the rankings after losing: California and Arizona State. Clemson moved back into the rankings. The Tigers started the season ranked ninth and fell all the way out after losing their opener 34-10 to Alabama, and returned as No. 23. Florida State also moved into the Top 25 for the first time since the middle of last season. The Seminoles were No. 24. Texas Tech is No. 11, followed by South Florida, Ohio State, BYU and East Carolina, which slipped one spot to No. 15 after squeaking past Tulane 28-24 in its first game as a ranked team since 1999. Penn State was No. 16 and Oregon was 17th, followed by Wake Forest, Kansas and Utah. The final five were West Virginia, Illinois, Clemson, Florida State and Fresno State, which lost 13-10 to Wisconsin.

MLB power rankings By Aram Tolegian

---

1 Cubs 85-50 1 1/13 The good: Aramis Ramirez has been relatively quiet this season, but perhaps his two-homer performance on Saturday means a stretch-run breakout is looming. The bad: Derrek Lee left Saturday's game with back spasms. The good: Aramis Ramirez has been relatively quiet this season, but perhaps his two-homer performance on Saturday means a stretch-run breakout is looming. The bad: Derrek Lee left Saturday's game with back spasms. Lee, like Ramirez, has been good, but not great this year. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 2 Rays 81-51 1 1/24 The good: The Rays have counted on Rocco Baldelli throughout the years only to get burned. But now with Carl Crawford gone and Evan Longoria hurting, Baldelli is actually coming through. The good: The Rays have counted on Rocco Baldelli throughout the years only to get burned. But now with Carl Crawford gone and Evan Longoria hurting, Baldelli is actually coming through. The bad: This should've been an easy upcoming week for the Rays, but the way the Jays are playing, there may not be a more feared team in the East. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 3 Angels 81-52 2 1/12 The good: We're not even to September and K-Rod has 50 saves. Let that be a sign the Halos will be just fine during close games in the postseason. The bad: The Angels rank in the league's bottom half in home runs, but that may not be an accurate indicator of the team's current capability since Mark Teixeira wasn't in the OC while the statistical damage was done. The good: We're not even to September and K-Rod has 50 saves. Let that be a sign the Halos will be just fine during close games in the postseason. The bad: The Angels rank in the league's bottom half in home runs, but that may not be an accurate indicator of the team's current capability since Mark Teixeira wasn't in the OC while the statistical damage was done. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 4 Twins 75-59 - 4/26 The good: We said last week that the Twins' performance vs. the Yanks was a stamp of quality. So what does their showing against the Angels mean? ChiSox beware. The bad: The Twins rank in the league's bottom 10 in home runs. The good: We said last week that the Twins' performance vs. the Yanks was a stamp of quality. So what does their showing against the Angels mean? ChiSox beware. The bad: The Twins rank in the league's bottom 10 in home runs. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 5 Brewers 77-56 - 5/23 The good: Despite a terrible first two months, J.J. Hardy has 20 homers and continues to thrive in the No. 2 hole. Chalk that up to Ned Yost making the switch. The bad: Ryan Braun's lower back issues don't appear to be going away. The good: Despite a terrible first two months, J.J. Hardy has 20 homers and continues to thrive in the No. 2 hole. Chalk that up to Ned Yost making the switch. The bad: Ryan Braun's lower back issues don't appear to be going away. That's an ominous sign for the stretch run and beyond. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 6 Red Sox 77-56 - 1/8 The good: Paul Byrd got his first Boston win last week. Byrd's arrival looks even better now that Josh Beckett is hurting/tingling. The bad: The Red Sox seem to lose their aura of invincibility a little more with each passing week. The good: Paul Byrd got his first Boston win last week. Byrd's arrival looks even better now that Josh Beckett is hurting/tingling. The bad: The Red Sox seem to lose their aura of invincibility a little more with each passing week. It's hard for us to believe this team is better than it was two months ago. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 7 White Sox 76-57 2 5/19 The good: The ChiSox lead the majors in homers and are in the top five in runs scored. The bad: The Twins are peaking at the right time and who knows just how long they can keep this going. The good: The ChiSox lead the majors in homers and are in the top five in runs scored. The bad: The Twins are peaking at the right time and who knows just how long they can keep this going. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 8 Mets 74-60 1 3/20 The good: Ryan Church is back after missing a significant chunk of time due to complications from multiple concussions. The bad: With Church's return, Fernando Tatis has been bumped back into a reserve role. The good: Ryan Church is back after missing a significant chunk of time due to complications from multiple concussions. The bad: With Church's return, Fernando Tatis has been bumped back into a reserve role. We're not sure Tatis isn't the better player. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule 9 Cardinals 74-60 1 4/20 The good: Albert Pujols is giving every indication he'll finish the season with a rush. That's good news because there's no way Ryan Ludwick can be counted on to stay at this pace. The bad: If you're a believer that power pitching is what wins in the postseason, the Cards, who rank near the bottom of the league in Ks,

Georgia takes top spot in preseason AP poll for first time

---

NEW YORK -- By the time Georgia was done demolishing Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, it was apparent the Bulldogs were well on their way to being No. 1 -- to start the 2008 college football season. Seeking its first national championship in 28 years, Georgia is on top of The Associated Press preseason Top 25 for the first time. The Bulldogs received 22 first-place votes and 1,528 points from a panel of 65 media members in the poll released Saturday. AP Preseason Poll Top five teams in the AP preseason poll released Saturday: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. "To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said in a telephone interview with the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good." Ohio State, coming off a second consecutive loss in the national championship game but returning 20 starters, is No. 2. The Buckeyes received 21 first-place votes and 1,506 points. No. 3 Southern California, which plays Ohio State in Los Angeles on Sept. 13, received 12 first-place votes. No. 4 Oklahoma had four first-place votes and No. 5 Florida received six first-place votes. Georgia finished last season 11-2 and No. 2 in the country behind Southeastern Conference rival LSU. The Tigers won the national championship in the Superdome in New Orleans on Jan. 7 by beating the Buckeyes. But a week earlier on that same field the Bulldogs ended their season with a seventh straight victory and sent a message about 2008: "Look out!" Rarely translates Georgia faces long odds in its bid to win its first national championship since 1980. Only 10 AP preseason No. 1 teams have gone on to claim the national title: • 2004-Southern Cal • 1999-Florida State • 1993-Florida State • 1985-Oklahoma • 1978-Alabama • 1975-Oklahoma • 1974-Oklahoma • 1956-Oklahoma • 1952-Michigan State • 1951-Tennessee Georgia toyed with high-scoring Hawaii and its Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Colt Brennan in a 41-10 rout, and one glance at the Bulldogs' depth chart, with all those freshmen and sophomores playing major roles, revealed the Bulldogs would be a force this season. The questions started even as Georgia celebrated its big victory on the confetti-covered turf. Richt's job since then has been to keep his team from getting too wrapped up in the hype. "I think it motivates the guys to prepare well, but the big thing is: If you think about a championship way back in January ... that can wear you down," Richt said. "It's our responsibility as coaches to help these guys break it down to one day at a time, one workout at a times, one practice at a time. Just prepare to be in position for the challenge. "If we don't work, we'll have no chance." No. 6 Missouri has its best preseason ranking. The Tigers ended last season No. 4, which was their best showing ever in the final poll. LSU's Tigers will begin defense of their national championship ranked seventh. West Virginia is eighth, Clemson is ninth and No. 10 Auburn gives the SEC four top-10 teams to start the season. With Florida and LSU taking the last two national titles, the SEC could become the first to conference to have three different teams win consecutive national titles. Georgia certainly has the ingredients on the field to make that happen. "We take it one step at a time. All we can do is focus on the smaller picture," receiver Mohamed Massaquoi said. "We can't let ourselves get overwhelmed. It takes away from playing hard and playing smart." The Bulldogs return 16 starters, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, already being touted as a future first-round draft pick, and running back Knowshon Moreno, who became the first Georgia freshman to run for 1,000 yards since Herschel Walker did it while leading the Bulldogs to the national title in 1980. We definitely have our work cut out for us. -- Georgia coach Mark Richt Stafford has been starting since his freshman season, and so far has been more of a caretaker quarterback than a star for the Bulldogs. He completed 56 percent of his passes last season for 2,523 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. The Bulldogs expect more from the 6-foot-3, 237-pound NFL prototype. "I think he's ready to fly," Richt said. "He improved tremendously from his freshman year. "We're all kind of growing together with Matt. This year we ought to see a better performance by him, not only because he's better but because the guys around have improved also." Stafford will, however, be without his left tackle from last season. Trinton Sturdivant, who started every game as a freshman last season, injured his left knee in a preseason scrimmage and is done for the year. On defense, the Bulldogs have a potential All-American in ev

The Surging Twins are within striking distance of the White Sox, who will win the AL Central?

---

Posada and Matsui can both face season ending surgeries! Where does this leave the Yankees?

---

FTF: MLB Power Rankings

---

Beasley takes Round 1 with fellow top draft pick Rose

---

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Michael Beasley stood in the doorway to the gym an hour before gametime, iPod in his left hand, head bobbing slightly as he chatted with new Miami Heat teammate Mario Chalmers. He was the picture of cool. And on the court, his demeanor didn't change much. If Beasley was the tiniest bit anxious about his first pro outing -- one that came against the Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose, the only player selected before him in last month's NBA draft -- he hid the nerves perfectly. Beasley scored 28 points in 23 minutes, lifting Miami past Chicago 94-70 on Monday in the Orlando summer league opener for both teams. It was the ninth-highest scoring performance in Orlando summer league history, and true to his form, Beasley wasn't the least bit impressed. "Could have played better," he said. "Could have got a couple more assists, made a couple extra passes, got a couple more rebounds, could have got a couple stops early on." He was 9-for-21 from the field, with nine rebounds and 19 points in the second half -- matching the total that Bulls forwards Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas managed in the entire game. The Bulls started with Thomas guarding Beasley, switched to put Noah on him midway through the first quarter, and neither had much of an answer. "He's a great player on the pick-and-roll and he's going to be someone who'll be very tough to guard," Noah said. "I mean, I was very impressed. He was very comfortable in everything that he wanted to do and he did a great job." Meanwhile, Rose had some moments, but simply never took over the game offensively the way Beasley did. The guard who spearheaded Memphis' run to the NCAA title game this past season finished with 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting, with four assists and five turnovers -- mostly while being guarded by Chalmers, who hit the big shot as Kansas beat Rose's Tigers in overtime in that national championship game. [+] EnlargeFernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley got their first tastes of the NBA in the Heat's and Bulls' summer league opener. "We didn't win," Rose said, "so I think I played horrible. But tomorrow's a new day." Kasib Powell had 15 points and Chalmers added 11 points and six assists for Miami. Demetris Nichols and Keith Langford both had 13 points for Chicago. Each team plays five games in the six-team, weeklong summer league, which also features entries from Indiana, Orlando, New Jersey and Oklahoma City. Summer league games are really glorified scrimmages, each team dressed in practice gear, with no fans in the bleachers. But Beasley vs. Rose garnered plenty of attention, which Beasley tried to ignore. "You can put the Jolly Green Giant out there," Beasley said. "I'm going to still play, man." Many players from the first game, Indiana-Oklahoma City, stuck around to watch the top two draft picks. A slew of NBA coaches and executives made sure to get good seats around the court before tipoff. Heat forward Dorell Wright, who had just flown home from California, decided to make the 3½-hour drive north to watch the former Kansas State forward he hopes to be teammates with next season. "I like to see the young guys," Wright said. "And he's going to be good." He didn't disappoint. Beasley's first shot was blocked by Thomas -- "I caught a flat, man," Beasley said -- but that was a rare lowlight. He split defenders off the dribble for layups. He rebounded his own missed 3-pointer, turned toward the basket and laid it back in. He switched at the perfect time on some pick-and-rolls, denying Rose the chance to penetrate. "He's a great player," Rose said. "He's a force." Beasley wasn't perfect. He forced some shots, especially early. He picked up three fouls in the opening minutes, and even though players can't foul out in summer league, Heat coach Keith Askins decided to teach the rookie a lesson and sat him for the second quarter. "I'm going to let him play as long as he wants," Askins said, "as long as he stays out of trouble." This much is already clear: With Beasley alongside Dwyane Wade, the Heat expect to be far removed from the 15-win wreck of a season they endured last year. The Bulls couldn't stop him from scoring, and couldn't even stop him from singing during stoppages of play, either. (Yes, they did ask.) "I didn't want to," Beasley said. "I was happy, singing a happy song." After his first pro outing, so were the Heat. "Well, he's a hell of a basketball player," Askins said. "But we already knew that

Rose 'very happy' landing with Bulls; Paxson to begin talks with Deng, Gordon

---

CHICAGO -- His name and face were all over the arena, and a highlight video showed Derrick Rose's best college and high school moments. He hit jumpers. He threw down vicious dunks. He twisted his body like a contortionist while flipping in layups and left a long line of defenders staring helplessly. Bulls GM John Paxson, left, and new head coach Vinny Del hope Derrick Rose can provide leadership for a young Bulls team. The Chicago Bulls hope the trend continues after taking Rose, who grew up on the city's South Side, with the No. 1 pick in last week's draft even though they continue to preach patience. "We can't sit up here and throw the weight of the world on him," general manager John Paxson said at Rose's introductory news conference Monday. Instead, they threw a No. 1 jersey on him, giving him a uniform number to match his draft spot and his position. They also placed his namesake flower on each chair. Whether the point guard who led Memphis to a record 38 wins and the NCAA championship game can help the Bulls blossom following a dismal 33-49 season remains to be seen. "This is still a team game," Paxson said. "We think Derrick's got tremendous qualities that will serve him well for the next 10 or 15 years." Those qualities led the Bulls to take him over Michael Beasley. Instead of the high-scoring forward from Kansas State, they picked a dynamic floor leader who averaged 14.9 points and 4.7 assists in his lone season at Memphis and who also happened to grow up in the rough Englewood neighborhood a few miles from the United Center. Rose said there were "a lot of distractions, kids wanting to go out a lot." He chose to ignore those distractions and tag along with his older brothers, spending long days playing at Murray Park until his mom would call him home. That set him on a course that led to stardom at Chicago's Simeon Career Academy and Memphis, where he had the Tigers in position to win the championship until he missed one of two free throws with 10.8 seconds left in regulation. The Jayhawks' Mario Chalmers then hit the tying 3-pointer and Kansas won in overtime. Rose's new basketball home features six championship banners hanging from the rafters, along with Michael Jordan's and Scottie Pippen's retired numbers. He's old enough to remember the end of that era and this strange habit his brother Dwayne had. "I remember when they were playing Utah when I was a little kid, every time Jordan got the ball in his hands my older brother Dwayne used to turn off the TV and everybody used to get mad at him," Rose said. He's not sure why his brother did that. All he knew was joining the Bulls is a "a dream come true" and that he's "very happy" they picked him. To that, a grinning Paxson said, "Better be." This was a day for the Bulls to celebrate, to smile. But they still have important issues to address involving Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. The team's top two scorers last season, both are restricted free agents after turning down five-year extensions worth more than $50 million last fall and resolving their situations is Paxson's top priority. Few teams have the cap space to sign them. Even so, Paxson doesn't expect it to be a quick process. "I'd like to think it'll happen fast, but it probably won't," Paxson said. "We're going to have dialogue this week with them and their agents, and it's important that we get this process started. They'll know where we stand. We'll know where they stand." With Rose's arrival, the Bulls figure to have a crowded backcourt. Incumbent point guard Kirk Hinrich could play shooting guard, although that would put him in a crunch for minutes with Gordon, Larry Hughes and Thabo Sefolosha. A trade would seem to be in order, and Hinrich would be a logical candidate since the five-year, $47.5-million extension he signed before the 2006-07 season is not as lucrative as the five-year, $60-million deal Hughes got from Cleveland in 2005. Whether they make a deal or not, Paxson vowed the Bulls will be better next season. He expects young players such as Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah to improve, and he envisions Rose becoming the floor leader Chicago lacked. He'll have to adapt to new coach Vinny Del system, which will rely on the pick-and-roll and a fast tempo, and he'll have to handle the pressures that come with being the No. 1 pick and playing in his hometown. "I want pressure," Rose said. "When you have pressure, that lets you know you're doing something right."

Early forecast predicts Buckeyes, Bulldogs in title game

---

The heat of June dragging you down? Wondering what cool bowl matchups might happen in December and January? Well, here's a very early look at what the 2008 bowl season could bring. 2008-09 Bowl Projections Bowl (Matchup) Projection FedEx BCS National Championship Game (BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2) Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Tostitos Fiesta (BCS vs. BCS) Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars Allstate Sugar (BCS vs. BCS) Auburn Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders FedEx Orange (BCS vs. BCS) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers Rose Bowl presented by Citi (BCS vs. BCS) USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers GMAC (C-USA vs. MAC) Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Central Michigan Chippewas International (Big East vs. MAC) Louisville Cardinals vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks AutoZone Liberty (C-USA vs. SEC) Houston Cougars vs. Ole Miss Rebels AT&T Cotton (Big 12 vs. SEC) Texas Longhorns vs. LSU Tigers Konica Minolta Gator (ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame) Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Capital One (SEC vs. Big Ten) Florida Gators vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Outback (Big Ten vs. SEC) Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Tennessee Volunteers Chick-fil-A (SEC vs. ACC) Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Insight (Big 12 vs. Big Ten) Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers Gaylord Hotels Music City (ACC vs. SEC) Miami Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Brut Sun (Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame) Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas A&M Aggies Bell Helicopter Armed Forces (Mountain West vs. C-USA) TCU Horned Frogs vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles Pacific Life Holiday (Pac-10 vs. Big 12) Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers Texas (Big 12 vs. C-USA) Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCF Knights Roady's Humanitarian (WAC vs. ACC) Boise State Broncos vs. Maryland Terrapins Valero Alamo (Big Ten vs. Big 12) Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks Papajohns.com (Big East vs. SEC) Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats PetroSun Independence (SEC vs. Big 12) Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Emerald (Pac-10 vs. ACC) California Golden Bears vs. Boston College Eagles Champs Sports (ACC vs. Big Ten) Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines Meineke Car Care (Big East vs. ACC) Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Motor City (MAC vs. Big Ten) Ball State Cardinals vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Sheraton Hawaii (WAC vs. Pac-10) Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UCLA Bruins San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia (Mountain West vs. Pac-10) Air Force Falcons vs. Arizona Wildcats R + L Carriers New Orleans (C-USA vs. Sun Belt) East Carolina Pirates vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Congressional (ACC vs. Navy) Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Navy Midshipmen Pioneer Las Vegas (Mountain West vs. Pac-10) Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks St. Petersburg (Big East vs. C-USA) USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers New Mexico (WAC vs. Mountain West) Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos

How big was the Cubs sweeping the White Sox???

---

MLB power rankings as of June 22nd 2008

---

Do you agree?

Wait till this year: 10 reasons Cubs could go all the way

---

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Chicago Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol plopped down on the billowy leather recliner in the visitors' clubhouse, leaned back in one of those "ahhhhh" moments … and then fell head over heels backward. Reliever Scott Eyre, talking on his cell, let Marmol struggle for a few seconds, leaned the phone to the side and said, "Hold on a second. Marmol just fell over." And then he helped drag Marmol from the recliner. On the opposite side of the clubhouse a handful of Cubs, as well as general manager Jim Hendry and team chairman Crane Kenney, watched as LSU mounted a ninth-inning rally against Rice in the College World Series. Hendry is a close friend of LSU coach Paul Mainieri. [+] EnlargeAP Photo/Nam Y. Huh Kerry Wood's career looked close to the end, but now he's closing out Cubs victories. Just before the game-winning, bases-clearing double that won the game for LSU, closer Kerry Wood sprinted back toward the players lounge. That's where shortstop Ryan Theriot, an LSU alum, was watching -- and dying -- with every pitch. After the LSU rally, Wood walked back into the clubhouse with a smile as wide as the on-deck circle. "When the guy hit the ball, I turned the TV off," he said, laughing. Kids. This is what happens when you have the best record in baseball. Or maybe this is part of the reason why the Cubs have the best record in baseball. Anyway, if you're worried about the Cubs' doing an '07 New York Mets this season, don't. I know: Carlos Zambrano and his right shoulder have a Friday appointment with an MRI machine. And Alfonso Soriano is already on the DL. And Reed Johnson's back is barking. And Jim Edmonds left Wednesday night's game with a sore foot. And the Cubs were just swept out of Florida by the Rays. But it's time for Cubs followers to take deep, calming breaths. It's going to be OK. Probably. I'm not saying team officials are already preparing the parade route through The Loop, but there are reasons -- 10 of them, to be exact -- to think the Cubs can still keep holding hands with their favorite letter: W. 1. The NL Central Pittsburgh, Houston and Cincinnati already trail the Cubs by double digits. Milwaukee can hit, but do you trust the Brewers' pitching staff and defense? I don't. St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan is a genius, but unless he can heal Albert Pujols' injured left calf, the Cardinals eventually will be wheat toast. 2. Circle of Friendship Yeah, they're 18 games over .500, which helps, but the Cubs sure act as if they like each other. "The mark of a good team is when something goes wrong, someone else is there to pick you up," Theriot said. This applies to everyone but Marmol. They just let Marmol lie there. But you get Theriot's point. The Cubs' clubhouse hasn't always been the happiest place on earth. "I think we all are genuinely pulling for each other and care for each other," Theriot said. 3. The Great Switch Kerry Wood went from starter (when he could actually lift his right arm) to closer. Ryan Dempster went from closer to starter. No offseason move has had more of an impact on the Cubs' success. Dempster is 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA. Wood has 18 saves. "We felt [Wood] was made for this job," said Hendry, who compared him to a Goose Gossage-type of closer. "Putting Demp in the rotation and putting Woody at the back end kind of made everything flow a little easier," first baseman Derrek Lee said. "Now you can go to [Bob] Howry in the seventh, Marmol in the eighth and Woody in the ninth. That's like lights out. So you're making the game like a six-inning game now. It's been kind of fun to watch. We get a lead going into those innings and we feel like we're going to win it." 4. The Fukudome Effect You can make the argument that right fielder Kosuke Fukudome is the best free-agent signing by the Cubs in a long time -- at least, during Hendry's nearly seven-year tenure. Fukudome is like your first beer; he's an acquired taste. The more you watch him, the more you understand why he matters so much to this team. [+] EnlargeJonathan Daniel/Getty Images The Cubs outbid a number of clubs for Kosuke Fukudome, and so far the investment is paying off. He didn't come cheap ($12 million per), and he doesn't hit for much power. But gone are the days of the Jacque Jones 16-hopper throw to second base. Fukudome plays Wrigley Field's confusing right-field winds and wall angles as if he grew up on ivy and brick. Plus, he's a left-handed hitter in a predominantly right-handed lineup. Plus, he gets on base, takes pitches, hits to all fields, and can bat almost anywhere in the order (he was moved to leadoff Wednesday, and will stay there until Soriano's return). And best of all, he hasn't told any boring Chunichi Dragons stories. 5. Depth

Did Tiger Woods prove himself as the Best Athlete in the World This weekend as he limped around the Golf Course?

---

Bonds, Gibbons, Logan remain on sidelines

---

Harvey, Groves expected to juice Jags' rush

---

LT makes wish come true.

---

Eight-year-old Chandler Palmerton was tired from the jetlag of an impromptu trip to San Diego and feeling weak due to his medical condition, but his first sight of his favorite NFL player brought an ear-to-ear smile to his face that continues to show up every time LaDainian Tomlinson’s name is mentioned around him. “Every time we bring it up, he smiles really big,” said Len Palmerton, Chandler’s father. “Just mentioning LT’s name brings a big smile. He’s talked about our trip with family. He’s kind of weak, but it always makes him smile.” Chandler Palmerton is battling an ependymoma, a brain tumor that can cause back pain, numbness in the limbs and blurred vision among other painful symptoms. In hopes of lifting his spirits, Palmerton’s family contacted the Chargers through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and quickly arranged a trip to San Diego. Through the “Madden” video game series, Chandler has developed an admiration for Tomlinson, and he requested to meet the reigning two-time NFL rushing champion. Tomlinson was more than cooperative, and the trip came together in just a couple of days. “We pretty much found out the day of our flight that we were going out there,” Len Palmerton said. “His condition, it can be a rapid-growing tumor. It’s gotten worse. They wanted him to be able to enjoy the experience before it gets worse than it is. We’re very appreciative of all that the Chargers and Make-A-Wish did.” Chandler arrived at Chargers Park with his parents and little brother last Thursday. Shortly after signing a contract to play for the Bolts, Chandler made his way to the locker room to find his locker. Players such as Kris Dielman and Philip Rivers stopped by to spend some time with Chandler, but the biggest smile came when LT arrived moments later. The conversation quickly turned to video games. “He told me he loved to play with me on Madden,” Tomlinson said. “It was one of the best things because it brought a smile to his face. To hear about something he enjoys doing felt good for me. Then it feels like we’re connected some way because he plays with me on Madden.” Chandler spent several minutes in Tomlinson’s locker as LT autographed several items for his new friend. They then made their way out to the practice field where Chandler was by Tomlinson’s side as LT worked out with his teammates through the Chargers’ offseason conditioning program. While the experience was special, it was also a little difficult for Chandler. “Up until the time of his tumor, he really excelled at football,” Len Palmerton said. “He’s not old enough to play tackle yet, but the two flag football teams he’s played for won back-to-back championships in their league. He was one of the stars of their team. He got a little aggravated watching those guys (workout). It’s his dream to do that one day and he’s been down because he hasn’t been able to run around.” When the Chargers moved from their speed drills into the weight room, Chandler followed and enjoyed a chat with Antonio Gates. He spent a little more time with Tomlinson before Chandler became physically drained and called it an early day. “He was supposed to watch the whole workout but he really didn’t feel good,” Tomlinson said. “Nobody can understand what he’s going through but him. I was just happy that he was able to come hang out with me for a little while. It was special for me to meet him.” Chandler spent Friday at the San Diego Zoo with his family before returning home with quite a collection of memories. The Palmertons live roughly an hour from Cincinnati in Georgetown, Kentucky, where the Bengals hold training camp. After a day at Chargers Park, those tigers may change their stripes. “I’m more of a Bengals fan, but meeting a lot of those guys, I’m becoming a big Chargers fan,” Len Palmerton said. “All of those guys were super nice. Everybody was sincere and didn’t act like they were above the experience. They went out of their way to make it special for Chandler. They could have easily just said hi and left it at that, but they stuck around and spent some time with him. They were unbelievable.” The Palmertons were especially impressed with Tomlinson and his generosity. “He’s so down to earth,” Len Palmerton said. “You can tell he’s had a good upbringing. Here’s a guy that makes tons of money, has been an MVP and had so much success. He’s not just a star, he’s the superstar. You can tell when someone is just going along and when that’s really who they are. He was as good of a guy as I’ve met. Chandler wasn’t saying a whole lot but LT kept talking to him and trying to perk him up.” Tomlinson was humbled to have an opportunity to be part of such a special day. “Any time you’re around a situation like that, you always appreciate the situation that you have,” Tomlinson said. “This is just a kid. You question why stuff like this happens and it doesn’t make much sense. The only thing I can do is try to m

MLB power rankings April 24

---

White sox world series champs 2008! u cant go wrong with thome, cabraira,swisher, konerko,and the rest of the best team in baseball. sox all the way!!!!!!!!

---

white sox 2008 world series champs

Tigers?

---

2 many superstars to win?