Returned
To the field with a two-tackle, five-assist performance for the Patriots, Tedy Bruschi (above). The linebacker, 32, suffered a minor stroke last February, three days after he played in the Pro Bowl. Following heart surgery, Bruschi announced he would sit out the 2005 season. But he continued to attend meetings, and he recovered faster than expected. He was cleared to resume practicing on Oct. 16, and he started for the Patriots on Sunday night in a 21-16 win over Buffalo. "I'm back to doing what I love," said Bruschi. "Sometimes you've just got to pick yourself off the ground and get back to living your life. That's all I was trying to do."
Accused
By five farmhands of attacking them with machetes, dousing them with gasoline and setting them on fire at his mother's house southwest of Caracas, Venezuela, Phillies relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina. The incident occurred in the early-morning hours of Oct. 16 when a dispute broke out over a missing firearm. "Under confusing circumstances, five workers were injured, one of them suffering back burns and on the right arm," local investigators said in a statement. Urbina, 31, has not been charged with a crime and has said he was sleeping at the time of the attacks. (The farmhands claim Urbina was one of several men who attacked them.) "I have nothing to do with that," Urbina said.
Injured
In a five-car accident in Aurora, Colo., Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell. The 12-year vet, who appeared as a reserve guard in Denver's first seven games, was driving to a team meeting when his 1994 Chevrolet Caprice was struck by two others that had collided and veered into oncoming traffic. Carswell suffered a ruptured diaphragm and had internal bleeding in his chest. He underwent surgery and as of Monday had been upgraded from critical to fair condition. Officer Anthony Guzman said, "In no shape or form was [Carswell] the one that caused the accident."
Won
By former major league manager Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines, the Japan Series. With the Marines' four-game sweep of the Hanshin Tigers, Valentine became the first foreign manager to win the title in Japan since 1974. Valentine's name has surfaced in connection with the Devil Rays' and Dodgers' managerial vacancies, but the Marines are eager to keep him in Japan, where he also managed in 1995 and is wildly popular. The Marines reportedly offered him a new three-year deal worth more than $8.6 million. Whether he returns to the U.S. or not, Valentine (above) would like to manage against major league competition. "[This is] as good a team as I've ever managed," said Valentine. "I'd put them up against the winner of the World Series, and I know we'd win at least a couple of games."
Named
As president of CBS News, Sean McManus, 50, who has run the network's sports division since 1996. Under his watch CBS regained rights to the NFL in 1998 and recently negotiated an 11-year deal for the rights to the NCAA men's basketball tournament. McManus's elevation to news president--he will continue to run CBS Sports--is not unprecedented. In 1977 ABC gave Roone Arledge, then president of ABC Sports, control of its news division. Arledge was the boss of McManus's father, sportscaster Jim McKay. Last week McManus recalled being in the control room as Arledge steered ABC's coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympics. "I'd like to think that some of his genius rubbed off on me," McManus said.
Announced
That he will not return as general manager of the Boston Red Sox, Theo Epstein. The 31-year-old Yale grad who grew up blocks from Fenway Park turned down Boston's three-year, $4.5 million offer on Monday after a monthlong negotiation. Epstein, who was paid $350,000 a year under his recently expired deal, became involved in an apparent power struggle with Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, who has always taken an active role in baseball decisions. Lucchino first hired Epstein (right) in 1992 as a summer intern with the Baltimore Orioles. In 2002 Lucchino hired him as an assistant G.M. in Boston, and eight months later he made Epstein baseball's youngest G.M. In his three years as general manager, Boston was 288-198 and won its first World Series title in 86 years.
Fired
As Dodgers G.M., Paul DePodesta. Another of baseball's young crop of general managers, DePodesta took over in L.A. before the 2004 season at age 31. The team went 93-69 in his first year, but after he shook up the roster, the 2005 Dodgers went 71-91, their second-worst record since moving to California in 1958.
Invited
Into the locker room by Nottingham Forest manager Gary Megson to berate his players, two fans who voiced their displeasure during a 3-0 road loss. As Megson was walking off the pitch at halftime on Oct. 22, the men, who had traveled 150 miles to Yeovil for the English soccer match, let off some steam. "We told him it was unacceptable," said John Emener, 31. "And he said, 'I completely agree with you. Would you like to tell the players for yourselves?'" After the game Megson made good on his promise, allowing Emener and Andrew Peel to speak their minds. "It was important for the players to understand what the supporters are thinking and why they were getting upset," said Megson. "They didn't rant and rave--they were very eloquent and sensible."
Outed
Herself, WNBA superstar Sheryl Swoopes. The 34-year-old Houston Comets forward, who won her third MVP award in September, was divorced from her husband, Eric Jackson, in 1999, following the birth of their son, Jordan. Around that time she began seeing her partner, Alisa (Scotty) Scott, then a Comets assistant. Besides revealing that she is gay, Swoopes--who has an endorsement deal with Nike--said she will represent Olivia, a cruise line company that caters to lesbians and is also endorsed by Martina Navratilova. Of her decision to go public, Swoopes (left, with Scott) told PEOPLE, "I'm ready to do this and see what happens. I've never been happier in my life."
Go Figure
3
Touchdown passes thrown this season by Jets quarterbacks.
3
Touchdown passes thrown this season by Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
212
Consecutive starts by Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre through Sunday's game against the Bengals.
12
Number of starting QBs the Bengals used during Favre's streak, which began on Sept. 27, 1992.
10
Length of the new contract, in years, signed by Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis; the deal, reportedly worth between $30 million and $40 million, replaces the six-year deal worth nearly $12 million he signed when he was hired in December.
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DAMIAN STROHMEYER (BRUSCHI)
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STR/AFP/GETTY IMAGES (VALENTINE)
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LOUIS DELUCA/THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS (SWOOPES & SCOTT)
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EZRA SHAW/GETTY IMAGES (EPSTEIN)
