Monday, April 4, 2011
CSNChicago.com
Madden cover tournament down to Elite Eight
This year, the lucky NFL-er who will grace the cover of Madden 2012 will be selected by a fan vote. The bracket-style voting has now reached the Elite Eight.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The eight who advanced in last week's round of voting are Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Patriots running back Danny Woodhead, Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, Browns running back Peyton Hillis, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
This week, fans can cast their votes in four head-to-head competitions between players. The winner will be announced during the last week of April. (Pro Football Talk)
The Fridge gets his ring back
A 10-year-old boy from Pittsburgh made William "The Refrigerator" Perry a pretty happy guy.
News
Cliff Forrest used savings to buy The Fridge's Super Bowl XX ring from a sports memorabilia section of a sports bar in New York. Perry has never said whether he has lost, sold or auctioned off the ring to pay for medical expenses.
The boy heard of Perry's money problems and traveled to an autograph-signing in Chicago over the weekend and returned the ring to its owner. (WGN TV)
Quentin AL player of the week
Carlos Quentin has been named the first American League Player of the Week this season. CSNChicago.com's White Sox Insider Brett Ballantini reports that the slugger went 6-11 in three starts over the weekend.
Through three games, Quentin leads the AL in batting average (.545) and is tied for the lead in doubles (three) and RBI (seven). (CSNChicago.com)
Castro shares NL player of the week honor
Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro and Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia were named co-winners of the National League Player of the Week Award. Castro was leading the Majors with a .615 batting average and a .643 on-base percentage through the first three games of the season.
He also lead the NL with a 1.000 slugging percentage and 13 total bases.
This marks the first career NL Player of the Week Award for both Castro and Garcial. (mlb.com)
Rodman elected to HOF
Dennis Rodman is just the latest former Bull to join the ranks of the NBA's legends. The power forward joins the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2011.
Coaches Tex Winter, innovator of the Triangle offense, Stanfords Tara VanDerveer and Philadelphia Universitys Herb Magee were part of the class.
Longtime NBA and ABA star Artis Gilmore, former Portland TrailBlazers center Arvydas Sabonis and Olympic gold medalist Teresa Edwards also will be inducted. They are joined by Harlem Globetrotter Reece Goose Tatum and Boston Celtic Tom Satch Sanders. (AP)
Shaka Smart to stay at VCU
Shaka Smart will be staying in Virginia for a while longer. The Virginia Commonwealth coach signed a new deal with the university after it was reported that he removed his name from consideration for the head-coaching vacancy at North Carolina State.
"I'm extremely grateful for the belief that Dr. (Michael) Rao and (athletics director) Norwood Teague have shown and continue to show in our coaching staff and basketball program," Smart said in a statement issued by the school. (USA Today)