For the Record
Broken
While he was celebrating a walk-off 10th-inning grand slam that capped a 5--1 win over the Mariners, the left ankle of Angels first baseman Kendry Morales. The 26-year-old rising star, who finished fifth in AL MVP voting last season, was leaping onto a crowded home plate (top) after his game-winner last Saturday when he slipped and landed awkwardly. Morales, who immediately collapsed and could be seen grimacing while his teammates cavorted around him (above), was later placed on the 15-day DL and is expected to take at least three months to recover. The next day second baseman Howie Kendrick poled a walk-off three-run homer, but at management's behest the revelry was more muted: Kendrick touched home without a leap while his cheering teammates stood a safe distance away.
Died
At age 74 after a decadelong battle with prostate cancer, actor Dennis Hopper, who in 1987 was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the town drunk turned assistant basketball coach, Wilbur (Shooter) Flatch, in Hoosiers. That movie, which ranked No. 6 on SI's list of the 50 Greatest Sports Movies of All Time (Aug. 4, 2003), saw Hopper's character kick the bottle, if only temporarily, to lead Hickory High to a midseason win sparked by a deathless huddle speech that included the iconic line, "We're gonna run the picket fence at 'em!" The part also helped Hopper break out of his bad-boy image: "It was the first time in my career," he told the American Film Institute, "that little kids came up to me and called me Coach."
Approved
By UEFA, the governing body of European club soccer, a measure intended to rein in spending. Last Thursday UEFA announced that starting in 2012 it would limit participation in its two biggest tournaments, the Champions League and Europa League, to those teams that could break even financially. In implementing the closest regulation the continent has seen to a salary cap, UEFA president Michel Platini called the move "the start of an important journey for European football's club finances as we begin to put stability and economic sense back into football."
Designated
For assignment by the Tigers, pitcher Dontrelle Willis, who finished second in the NL Cy Young voting in 2005, when he won a career-high 22 games for the Marlins. Still only 28, the lefty has battled control problems (as well as an anxiety disorder, which landed him on the DL in '09) and won just two games in 24 appearances over two-plus years with Detroit. Moving in and out of the Tigers' rotation, he even got sent to Class A Lakeland twice. The latest move is the last, declared Detroit G.M. Dave Dombrowski, who indicated that he'd trade Willis, but that he wouldn't keep him in the organization. The fall has been precipitous for Willis, who got out of the box in a big way with Florida, earning 2003 NL Rookie of the Year honors after winning 14 games and performing strongly in the Marlins' World Series win over the Yankees.
Died
At age 90 of complications from a cerebral hemorrhage, illustrator Donald Moss, who crafted 11 SI covers, the most of any artist. A Marine in World War II, Moss, who worked in an array of styles ranging from pointillism to Pop Art (above, from 1974), caught on at SI in 1954, the magazine's first year, and landed his first cover a decade later. Named Sport Artist of the Year in '85 by the U.S. Sports Academy, Moss also designed the official poster for Super Bowl XII, in '78, and the cartoon raccoon mascot, Roni, for the '80 Winter Olympics. A devoted skier and tennis player, Moss colored himself "impressed by athletes who give everything to their sport." Added Moss, "I admire their intensity, their ability to please others and to make a good living at the same time. I like to think that I do the same."
Accused
By the NCAA of eight major rules violations, among them improper cellphone contact and impermissable benefits given to recruits, the Connecticut men's basketball program, including its coach of 24 years, Jim Calhoun. Last Friday, on the same day the school announced the resignations of an assistant coach and its director of basketball operations (both of whom were implicated in the inappropriate recruiting of former player Nate Miles, who never suited up for the Huskies), the NCAA released the findings of a public 15-month investigation. "[This] is not exactly, certainly anywhere near the high point of my career," said Calhoun, who led the school to two national titles before being cited for a general failure to "promote an atmosphere of compliance." UConn, which in 2009--10 endured 16 losses—the most in 23 years—and found recruiting hampered during the investigation, will get a chance to respond to the allegations in October, when the program could face a loss of scholarships, though a postseason ban is unlikely.
Go Figure
14
Outs, out of 17 total, that were strikeouts during Tigers righty Max Scherzer's start on Sunday against the A's. Scherzer allowed no runs, two hits and walked four before being pulled after 113 pitches in Detroit's 10--2 win.
93
Age of Ivor Powell, believed to be the world's oldest soccer coach, when he retired from his post at England's Bath University last week.
38
Years since the Rangers and the Islanders had made a trade before the May 25 deal that sent defenseman Jyri Niemi to the Blueshirts for a sixth-round draft pick.
20
Seconds to be permitted between pitches before a ball is called at the 2010 SEC baseball tournament when there are no runners on base.
7
Coaches who have won the NBA championship in the past 23 seasons, a number guaranteed not to change with a past winner, the Lakers' Phil Jackson or the Celtics' Doc Rivers, hoisting the 2010 Larry O'Brien Trophy. In that span, baseball has had 15 World Series--winning managers and the NFL 17 Super Bowl--champion coaches.
THEY SAID IT
Donald David
Attorney for Allstar Capital, which has been trying to collect on a $570,000 loan to Eddy Curry, referring to documents detailing the $17,000 per month that the Knicks' center (left) claims he pays to relatives and dependents (to whom he says he's also given several of his 12 luxury cars):
"MR. CURRY APPEARS TO HAVE TAKEN IT UPON HIMSELF TO SUPPORT EVERY PERSON NAMED CURRY ON THE EAST COAST."
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MARK J. TERRILL/AP (MORALES JUMPING)
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HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES (MORALES INJURED)
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DONALD MOSS (SI COVER)
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FERNANDO MEDINA/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (CURRY)