Welcome to Thursday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING LOCALLY THURSDAY:
MLB: Rays at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Mexican TV reporter Ines Sainz, who was the target of catcalls from Jets players at a practice last season, stopped by New York’s practice Wednesday, accompanied by the team’s public relations director as she stood along the sideline for the 30-minute portion of the workout out to the media. “Today’s visit was business as usual,” PR man Bruce Speight said. “She is welcome anytime.” Sainz previously had downplayed the 2010 incident after the firestorm it created, insisting, “For me, nothing happened. … I never wanted to cause any problems.”

♦ Controversial wide receiver Braylon Edwards filed a $14 million lawsuit against a suburban Detroit establishment, claiming that his name was tarnished by accusations he was directly involved in a fight there in 2010 and it cost him a big contract. Edward, who played for the Jets last season and signed with the 49ers last month, insists he had a $15 million guaranteed contract offer that was rescinded after the incident. He is suing South restaurant and bar in Birmingham and three of its employees for slander, extortion and malicious prosecution.

♦ White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was named meanest player in Major League Baseball in a Sports Illustrated survey of 215 players. Pierzynsky received 29 percent of the vote, ranking him ahead of Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, former Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley and suspended Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Two Red Sox made the list: Kevin Youkilis (10) and Josh Beckett (11). Other names on the list include Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (6), Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (8) and Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (15).

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Sept. 15, 1979, which Red Sox player hit for the cycle (in order, no less) and in the process became the first player to hit for the cycle in both leagues?

Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to Friday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING LOCALLY TODAY:
NBA Preseason: Celtics at Raptors, 7 p.m. (CSNNE, WEEI)

SATURDAY:
NHL: Bruins at Devils, 7 p.m. (NESN)
NBA Preseason: Knicks at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. (CSNNE, WEEI)
MLS: Wizards at Revolution, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY:
NFL: Ravens at Patriots, 1 p.m. (CBS)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Mexican TV reporter Ines Sainz, whose offensive treatment at the hands of the Jets created major controversy last month, said she will not go into NFL locker rooms and instead interview players on the field or sideline. Sainz, who is scheduled to visit the Patriots soon, spoke Thursday at a news conference in Los Angeles. “I’m not going into the locker rooms anymore,” she said. “It’s not a good place right now for me. I don’t want to be in there.”

Sainz toook a month off after the Jets incident, “because I don’t want to be the focus,” she said. “I’m not looking for that kind of publicity. It affects my career and development in the States.” As for criticism that her clothing was inappropriate, she said: “If I dressed properly or not, I have nine years of my career making interviews with top players all around the world and I can’t believe that someone says my outfit is not proper. It’s unfair treatment. I believe the media thought they were going to find a victim but clearly I don’t feel like a victim.”

♦ On the heels of former agent Josh Luchs‘ story in Sports Illustrated in which he accuses a number of players of accepting money before turning pro, agent Jack Bechta writes at National Football Post about experiences he’s had with athletes requesting payouts. He also polls some fellow agents, and the consensus is more than half of the top-rated college football players are receiving benefits in violation of NCAA rules.

♦ With CC Sabathia set to start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series for the Yankees on Friday night, Bob Nightengale at USA Today has an in-depth feature on the pitcher. It includes moments in his life that helped shape him — including his father’s disappearance, re-emergence and death, and a robbery in which Sabathia had a gun pointed at his head.

♦ The Yankees are attempting to stop a woman from publishing love letters she received from a college-age George Steinbrenner. The woman’s son called a team executive a “bully” for the manner in which he handled the situation.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Oct. 15, 1986, the Red Sox completed their comeback against the Angels in the American League Championship Series, taking Game 7 by a score of 8-1. Which pitcher got the win for the Sox?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “That’s over with. I’m not going to get into it. I’ve done enough.” — Wizards coach Flip Saunders, on guard Gilbert Arenas‘ fine for faking an injury; Arenas played Thursday but left after three minutes with a groin injury

STAT OF THE DAY: 9 — Consecutive postseason wins by the Yankees over the Rangers heading into Friday night’s Game 1 of the American League Championship Series

‘NET RESULTS: Brett Favre takes a football to the alleged scene of the crime at Vikings practice.

Lakers enforcer Matt Barnes throws a Kings player into a Lakers cheerleader.

Here’s video from a paratrooper’s helmet of him jumping from a plane and landing on his mark in Michigan Stadium before Saturday’s game.

U.S. women’s soccer star Abby Wambach‘s warmup kick goes awry and hits a guy in the stands.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Roger Clemens

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Barry McGuire turns 75 on Friday.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reprimanded the Jets for unprofessional conduct toward Ines Sainz, the TV Azteca reporter who was at the center of a controversy over athletes and female reporters in the locker room, but the team escaped further punishment. One outcome from the incident is that the NFL will implement a training program for all 32 teams and that Jets owner Woody Johnson will underwrite the program.

Read the full report here.

Welcome to Friday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:
MLB: Blue Jays at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN, WEEI)

SATURDAY:
MLB: Blue Jays at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN, WEEI)
MLS: Revolution at Rapids, 9 p.m. (CSNNE)

SUNDAY:
MLB: Blue Jays at Red Sox, 1:35 p.m. (NESN, WEEI)
NFL: Patriots at Jets, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ In Wednesday night’s Yankees-Rays game, Derek Jeter gave an Oscar-worthy performance faking injury after a pitch hit his bat and not his arm as he indicated. At USA Today, Mike Lopresti continues the debate about whether Jeter is a cheater or a gamer. In the New York Post, Mike Vaccaro writes that it wouldn’t have been that big a deal if Jeter hadn’t oversold the call and accepted medical treatment. For what it’s worth, Rays manager Joe Maddon, who was ejected arguing the incident, later called it “a heady play.”

♦ Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock writes that Redskins running back Clinton Portis should not have had to apologize for his comments about the Jets-Ines Sainz controversy. David Haugh in the Chicago Tribune writes that Sainz is a poor example of women covering sports.

♦ Former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley weighed in on the Frank and Jamie McCourt controversy, suggesting that the team would be better off with new ownership. “The current Dodger ownership has lost all credibility throughout the city,” O’Malley told The Los Angeles Times.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Sept. 17, 1953, which Red Sox pitcher broke a 45-year-old American League record by appearing in his 67th game of the season?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I can sum it up like this: The Patriots hate the Jets, but I still think the Indianapolis Colts [are] the bigger rivalry. The simple fact is: The Patriots respect the Colts, the Patriots hate the Jets.” — NBC Sports NFL analyst and former Patriot Rodney Harrison, on Thursday’s Dale & Holley show

STAT OF THE DAY: 30 — Arrests of players during the tenure of Urban Meyer as University of Florida football coach

‘NET RESULTS: Austrian tennis player Daniel Koellerer adds to his controversial legacy when he takes a dive after apparently being brushed by his opponent’s racket.

Nice soccer goal by Germany’s Thomas Muller.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Ellis Kinder

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Jimmie Rodgers turns 77 Saturday.

Welcome to Thursday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:
No local games scheduled

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Jets receiver Braylon Edwards was the subject of some critical comments from Joe Namath after New York’s Monday night loss to the Ravens. The former quarterback said Edwards “can’t catch the ball … or rarely does. He has as many drops as he does catches.” On Wednesday, Edwards responded. While he said he respected the Jets legend, Edwards was not pleased, saying: “Tell him next time he’s here, stop by my locker and tell me that.”

♦ In the Philadelphia Inquirer, Ashley Fox writes that reporter Ines Sainz “brought the Jets’ behavior on herself” and explains how women should act in the locker room, recounting her own run-in with members of the Eagles. Meanwhile, Jets coach Rex Ryan said he volunteered to talk to the NFL about the situation.

♦ In Los Angeles Times Magazine, Baxter Holmes writes about the downfall of the USC football and blames the program’s arrogance.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Sept. 16, 1965, which Red Sox pitcher threw a no-hitter to beat the Indians, 2-0? Bonus question: Which future Red Sox pitcher was the hard-luck loser for Cleveland?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “By law, women must be granted the same rights to perform their jobs as men. Please remember that women reporters are professionals and should be treated as such.” — The NFL, in a memo to teams in the aftermath of the Jets controversy

STAT OF THE DAY: 2.48 — Clay Buchholz‘ ERA, second-best in the American League, after Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Mariners

‘NET RESULTS: A high school football player — University of Kentucky-bound Ashley Lowery — has one of the best leaps over a defender ever. And he scores a touchdown on the play.

From the Canadian Football League, a defensive player recovers a fumble, only to drop the ball while running into the end zone and watch the other team recover it.

St. Louis Cardinals players Adam Wainwright and Skip Schumaker perform a strange pregame ritual in the dugout.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Dave Morehead, who beat Luis Tiant

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Betty Kelly of Martha & the Vandellas is 66 today.

The bizarre story of the alleged harassment of Azteca TV reporter Ines Sainz took a new twist on Tuesday. The NFL is looking into some comments that Redskins running back Clinton Portis made on the Mike Wise Show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington.

When Portis was asked if he was familiar with the Sainz situation with the Jets, the veteran running back said he wasn’t, but did say, “You put a woman and you give her a choice of 53 athletes, somebody got to be appealing to her.” Portis later said, “Somebody got to spark her interest, or she’s gonna want somebody. I don’t know what kind of woman won’t, if you get to go and look at 53 men’s packages.”

Click here for more on this story from The Washington Post, including the complete audio of Portis’ comments.

Welcome to Tuesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:
MLB: Red Sox at Mariners, 10:10 p.m. (NESN, WEEI)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Columnist Jay Mariotti is being charged with seven misdemeanors in connection with an incident involving his girlfriend last month. The writer, suspended by AOL FanHouse after his arrest, will be arraigned Friday in a Los Angeles courtroom on two counts of domestic violence with injury, two counts of domestic violence, one count of grand theft, one count of false imprisonment and one count of vandalism for allegedly taking his girlfriend’s purse. Mariotti’s lawyer, Debra Wong Yang, said Mariotti’s girlfriend was “extremely intoxicated that night and abusive toward Mr. Mariotti.”

♦ The reporter at the center of the Jets’ harassment investigation, Mexican television personality Ines Sainz, said she spoke with the NFL and, “It will be up to them to decide whether or not there will be consequences.” Sainz attended Monday night’s game between the Jets and Ravens but was not seen in the locker room afterward. Following their loss to the Ravens, the Jets acknowledged the investigation but otherwise deferred comment. At AOL FanHouse, Kevin Blackistone writes that one good thing that came out of this story was how quickly and seriously the team and league took the matter, unlike 20 years ago when the Patriots dragged their feet on the Lisa Olson situation.

♦ With the Jets and Giants failing to fill the seats for their openers at the New Meadowlands Stadium, Harvey Araton in The New York Times writes about fans’ preference for the couch.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Sept. 14, 2002, which Red Sox pitcher won his 20th game of the season, in the process becoming the first player to save 20 games one year and win 20 the following year?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Just a whole different take from everybody. Really, it’s been a good attitude this year. That’s what we’ve got to continue.” — Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, discussing the difference from last year’s team to this year’s during his appearance on Monday’s Dennis & Callahan show

STAT OF THE DAY: $3 million — The amount of the fine against the Devils, plus the loss of two draft picks, for the team’s signing of Ilya Kovalchuk that circumvented the league’s salary cap

‘NET RESULTS: A Titans cheerleader is eaten by a mascot.

Chad Ochocinco messes with a television reporter giving a report from Gillette Stadium.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Derek Lowe

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na is 63 Tuesday.

Welcome to Monday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:
MLB: Red Sox at Mariners, 10:10 p.m. (NESN, WEEI)

AROUND THE WEB:

Mexican reporter Ines Sainz tweeted this photo of herself and wrote that this outfit is similar to what she was wearing at Jets practice Saturday, when she was allegedly harassed by the team.

♦ Jets coach Rex Ryan, assistant coach Dennis Thurman and some players are being investigated for inappropriate behavior toward a female reporter who was at the team’s practice Saturday. Ines Sainz of Mexico’s TV Azteca was at practice to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez when Thurman and others allegedly overthrew passes during drills so the balls would land near her. After practice, when Sainz entered the locker room, several players reportedly hooted and hollered. Sainz later tweeted in Spanish that she was “dying of embarrassment.” Jets management said that the issue was addressed during a team meeting, and the NFL is looking into it. Meanwhile, another report indicates the league is investigating Ryan and assistant coach Marty Schottenheimer for allegedly overseeing Sanchez’ offseason workouts in California. In the New York Daily News, Gary Myers writes about the unwanted attention as the Jets prepare to open their season with a Monday night game against the Ravens.

♦ A motivated U.S. squad won the world championship in Istanbul behind Kevin Durant‘s MVP effort, proving the doubters wrong.

♦ Angels manager Mike Scioscia supports expanding baseball’s postseason but suggests trimming the regular season by four games in order to allow time without extending the World Series into November.

♦ Women’s Professional Soccer will not replace outgoing commissioner Tonya Antonucci, with team owners set to play a larger role in running the struggling league.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Sept. 13, 1946, the Red Sox clinched the American League pennant with a 1-0 victory over Indians. Who scored the lone run on an inside-the-park home run?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m not saying that I’m not appreciated here, but this is the last year of my contract and there hasn’t been anything discussed, there has not been anything said, not a letter, nothing. I’m not saying that I want to stay here, but I love playing here. If the future of my job lets me go to another team, then that what’s it gonna be. Right now I have a contract with the New England Patriots, I’m going to play my last year out and do it to the best of my ability.” — Patriots receiver Randy Moss, following Sunday’s 38-24 victory over the Benglas

STAT OF THE DAY: 231 — Rushing yards for Texans running back Arian Foster in Houston’s 34-24 victory over the Colts on Sunday, the second most ever in an NFL opener

‘NET RESULTS: Fantastic finish to a high school football game, with an 80-yard touchdown to win the game on the final play.

A soccer goalie makes a save on a penalty kick, but he neglects to make sure the ball is out of harm’s way, and it rolls in for a goal while he is celebrating.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Ted Williams, with the only inside-the-park home run of his career

SOOTHING SOUNDS: David Clayton-Thomas, lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, is 69 Monday.