Cold Cuts

Last week cornerback Ray Mickens (below), the second-longest-serving member of the Jets, with nine years of service, urged the team to offer a deal to free agent Ty Law. They took his advice, signing Law. And to free up that roster space? Well, they released Mickens--and gave Law his number 24. It was just the latest in a long list of cruel cuts.

August 2005

Alison Mahay, the wife of Rangers reliever Ron Mahay, was courteous enough to induce labor so she could give birth to the couple's third child on an off day. Three days later the team designated the proud papa for assignment.

June 2005

Approximately three hours after longtime Scottish soccer manager Alex Smith found out he was to be honored by Queen Elizabeth as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his service to the game, he was fired by Ross County.

March 2005

Outfielder Alex Sanchez gave the Tigers a rare feel-good moment when he was reunited with his mother, who fled from Cuba 11 years after last seeing her son. "Other than my two boys and my wife, this is the best thing to happen to me," Sanchez (left) said. Five days later Detroit cut him.

February 2003

Wesley Walls, an original Carolina Panther who had played in a team-record five Pro Bowls, celebrated his 37th birthday on the 26th. His gift from the team: a pink slip. The tight end was cut after seven seasons.

April 2000

After finishing treatment for multiple myeloma and receiving medical clearance to return to the bench for the conference finals, Flyers coach Roger Neilson was told by G.M. Bobby Clarke that his services were no longer required. "The Neilson situation--Roger got cancer--that wasn't our fault," said Clarke. "We didn't tell him to go get cancer."

December 1997

Following the 1997 season, USC athletic director Mike Garrett fired football coach John Robinson (right) by leaving a message on his answering machine.

December 1976

Happy Holidays! Billy Reay was informed he was out as Blackhawks coach after more than 13 years on the job when a note was slipped under his apartment door three days before Christmas--prompting his successor, Bill White, to say, "After hearing that, I'm taking my door off its hinges."

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REUTERS/CORBIS (DELI MAN)

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ELISE AMENDOLA/AP (SANCHEZ)

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RAY STUBBLEBINE/REUTERS (MICKENS)

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PETER READ MILLER (ROBINSON)