http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports Philadelphia Inquirer Sports en-us Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551652&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Ex-boxing_champ_Gatti_found_dead_in_Brazil.html SAO PAULO, Brazil - Former boxing champion Arturo Gatti, whose epic trilogy with Micky Ward branded him one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, was found dead early yesterday in a hotel room in the posh seaside resort of Porto de Galihnas. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 3a7f70b9450e0bd04e38e4bf1c5c9b53 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551732&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Despite_bad_bounces__Waiters_a_Philly_court_star.html Dion Waiters' basketball career has been steeped in mystery, a portrait of potential, intrigue, tragedy and second chances. He accepted a basketball scholarship to Syracuse University before he played in his first high school game. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 4f82291c677ec65d52c103290ad1d719 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551702&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Dad_sees_Sanchez_toss_his_no-hitter.html SAN FRANCISCO - Through the frustrations of his struggles and a demotion to the bullpen, Jonathan Sanchez remained steadfast he could be an effective pitcher. His standard phrase, "I just want to pitch." Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 06abcf4665d7c8294596f1cbf69debf5 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551692&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Inside_the_Phillies__Logging_first_half_of_Phils__season.html All winter and through spring training, the baseball world wondered: Will the Phillies be able to repeat as World Series champions? That central question has not yet been resolved, of course, but with a half-season now behind it, the team has answered several others. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 160a7d52e6e3daf515c128aaebb6533d 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551662&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Schmidt_is_the_best_ever__No__seriously__Ever_.html In 2002 I wrote a book called Clearing the Bases, a collection of arguments about various baseball players, one of which was that Mike Schmidt was, quite possibly, the greatest baseball player of all time. That is to say that if all players in baseball history lined up to play against the same competition at the same time and under the same circumstances, there was a very good chance that Schmidt would emerge as the best ever. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT e32e51a1ba3a7b9265f845d2757c16d3 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551632&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_On_Baseball__All-star_time_means_award_time.html The All-Star Game is as much a celebration of the host franchise as it is Major League Baseball's top talent. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT c9f6fc9a5ab57bba9e3a34dfdb306abc 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551667&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Korean_players_are_a_growing_presence_in_LPGA.html BETHLEHEM, Pa. - When Jeong Jang began play on the LPGA Tour in 2000, she had just two people from her homeland of South Korea whom she could call for advice and guidance on coping in an unfamiliar country. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 95b42d58310beac6885616e16d4f8d89 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551687&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Bidens_watch_as_Phillies_rally.html Joe Biden knew it would happen. When Ryan Howard stepped in last night with two on and one out in the ninth inning, representing the tying run, the vice president and his wife, Jill, were sitting behind home plate. As Phillies fans, the Bidens were well aware of the team's ability to come from behind, and they expected Howard to deliver. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 63ead1538cee7c8c64d37dc1a98c947e 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551677&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Cristie_Kerr_takes_2-shot_lead_at_Women_s_Open.html BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Dark clouds rolled in. The wind swirled. The greens developed the consistency of your average kitchen floor. Yet Cristie Kerr kept her composure without too many stumbles in yesterday's third round of the U.S. Women's Open. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT a62a2f69ceb53c743dd99229dfa86c7b 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551727&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Armstrong_stays_in_third_place.html SAINT-GIRONS, France - Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong remained in third place in the Tour de France yesterday after Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez won the eighth stage in a sprint ahead of three other breakaway riders. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 1b38f7a024a7723ae24a6151a13f8d47 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551722&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_You_Talking_to_Me___Talkin__baseball_scorekeeping.html From: Ford, Bob To: Salisbury, James T: Fitzpatrick, Frank Re: 5-4-3 I walked through the concourse during a Phillies game last week, killing time after I had filed my story and waiting for the game to play out. I had my scorebook with me, keeping up with the game while I strolled around. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 8d580bcacaae7dfb9c0dcaf3c7fff752 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551717&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Sunday_Sports_Poll.html Who is the NL's best starter in the All-Star Game? 1. Raul Ibanez (when he's healthy) 2. Albert Pujols Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT ecfdbb5c5a4b636ebb84830f3f564a52 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551707&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Seles_enters_tennis_Hall.html NEWPORT, R.I. - Monica Seles is comfortable talking about her on-court stabbing 16 years ago - even on a day of celebration. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT eb0d90fdd20c583fa4b0fd8f06d8f50b 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551712&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Sixers__Speights_has_average_week_in_summer_league.html ORLANDO - For Marreese Speights, this summer league started in domination - 28 points and 11 rebounds. Then, almost as if that one game said what needed to be said, Speights hovered around average, a monster dunk here, a fumbled turnover there. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT a7e89c8ac498b2e69483d389d48d345d 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551697&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Phillies_Notes__Bako_earns_catching_job_with_savvy.html As special assistant to then-general manager Ed Wade in 2004, Charlie Manuel was assigned to scout potential free agents. In that role, he attended a Chicago Cubs game to watch Paul Bako. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 15c82e8208110088de4a01988fd5d943 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551672&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Minor_Leagues___Furmaniak_powers_IronPigs.html ROCHESTER, N.Y. - J.J. Furmaniak's grand slam capped a six-run rally in the sixth inning last night as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs beat the Rochester Red Wings, 7-5, in the International League. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT d780d69a414fb48927553ab753e55f8e 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551682&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_10th_hole__High_risk__no_reward_for_Creamer.html BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Paula Creamer fought throughout the front nine yesterday to keep her golf game together while the wind strengthened and the conditions at Saucon Valley Country Club got tougher during Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT c181ba099aa3edddb3d419958fa30891 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551647&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Sports_in_Brief__Peirsol_sets_world_backstroke_mark.html Aaron Peirsol broke the world record in the 200-meter backstroke during the U.S. national swimming championships last night in Indianapolis. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT eb57f8dcc61d794088d96c6d54b0d6fd 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551657&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Stricker_fires_61__moves_into_2d_in_Ill_.html SILVIS, Ill. - Steve Stricker vaulted into second place in the John Deere Classic, tying a course record and matching the lowest score of his career with a 10-under-par 61 yesterday that left him 3 strokes behind Darron Stiles through two rounds. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 1b72b4ba69805d1df50ed805c5add74a 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551622&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Lilly__Cubs_hold_off_Cardinals__5-2.html CHICAGO - Ted Lilly allowed four hits and a run in eight strong innings to earn his 100th career victory as the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-2, yesterday. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 5136633503e9e816a3889650fa2312d0 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551627&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Martin_scrambles_to_Chicagoland_win.html JOLIET, Ill. - Mark Martin won at Chicagoland Speedway last night, getting a strong jump off a double-file restart with two laps remaining to win the LifeLock.com 400 and his Sprint Series-high fourth race of the season. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 662b4b069392952cab617e4e33d86099 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551637&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Bob_Ford__Bank_on_it__Phillies__bandbox_likely_would_not_faze_Halladay_.html From what we know of Roy Halladay, the starting pitcher/savior being dangled into the trade-deadline waters by Toronto, he did not waste his time sitting idly in the visitors' dugout in Baltimore last night aimlessly watching the fans or the out-of-town scoreboard. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 64d5be181e149d6fa805a41b8d2c6761 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551642&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Baseball_Notes__536th_HR_no_biggie_for_Manny.html Manny Ramirez didn't sound excited about joining Yankees great Mickey Mantle at 15th place on the career home-run list. Ramirez hit his 536th homer Friday night in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 12-8 win over the Brewers in Milwaukee. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 795cdd20cb2f5c57d52f00a4ad0db27f 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167216&44=50551617&32=3796&7=195217&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Finquirer%2Fsports%2F20090712_Angels_rally_past_Yankees_again.html ANAHEIM, Calif. - Mike Napoli hit a go-ahead two-run double off Andy Pettitte during a seven-run fifth inning and added a solo homer in the seventh, leading the Los Angeles Angels over the New York Yankees, 14-8, yesterday. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:01:00 GMT 4506314b2fbf9dc47593ac32c9b1965b 2009-07-12T07:01:00Z