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.

FRIDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Hawks at Celtics, 8 p.m. (ESPN, CSNNE; WEEI-FM)
NBA: Rockets at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. (WSPN)
College basketball: Kent State at Akron, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Tennessee State vs. Belmont, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Loyola Marymount vs. Santa Clara, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: San Diego vs. BYU, 11:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
NHL: Blackhawks at Avalanche, 9 p.m. (NHL Network)
College hockey: Maine at UNH, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
MLB preseason: Twins at Red Sox, 7 p.m. (NESN; WEEI-AM)
World Baseball Classic: Mexico vs. United States, 9 p.m. (MLB Network; WEEI-AM)
World Baseball Classic: Canada vs. Italy, 2:30 p.m. (MLB Network)
World Baseball Classic: Spain vs. Puerto Rico, 5:30 p.m. (MLB Network)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, known as much for his trash-talking ways as for his All-Pro ability, appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday and had some harsh words for panelist Skip Bayless.

Sherman had little interest in responding to Bayless’ questions about his claims that he’s better than Jets standout Darrelle Revis. Instead, Sherman launched a series of insults at the veteran talker.

“Skip, whenever you refer to me, whenever you speak to me, whenever you address me, address me as ‘All-Pro Stanford graduate’ because those are some accomplishments you’ll never — you can aspire to, you’ll never accomplish,” Sherman said.

Added the cornerback: “In my 24 years of life, I’m better at life than you.”

And: “I’m intelligent enough and capable enough to understand that you are an ignorant, pompous, egotistical, cretin. I’m going to crush you on here because I’m tired of hearing about it. … I’m tired of your ignorant pollution.”

♦ A Swiss hockey player was paralyzed during a Nationalliga B playoff game this week. Ronny Keller, a 33-year-old defenseman for Olten, was knocked head-first into the boards by Langenthal forward Stefan Schnyder during overtime of their game.

The Puck Daddy blog has a translated quote from the chief physician at the hospital where Keller was taken: “Following the serious injury of the fourth thoracic vertebra, Ronny Keller will be a permanent paraplegic. There is neither head nor brain injuries.”

♦ Brewers general manager Doug Melvin spent three hours in the emergency room Wednesday night after he was stung by a scorpion inside his condominium at spring training in Phoenix. Melvin reached down with a tissue and attempted to pick up what he thought was a spider when he was stung on his left middle finger.

“My arm started swelling and then the numbness started going up my arm, like when you hit your funny bone. I was wondering if it might go all the way up my arm and go to my heart. I got nervous when it got up to my shoulder, so I went to the emergency room,” Melvin said Thursday, upon returning to work. “They gave me [pain medication] and just watched me for a couple of hours. They said your vision can go blurry from that. It was more an education on it, but my arm is still numb.”

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On March 8, 1988, the Bruins acquired goalie Andy Moog from the Oilers for which two players?

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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.

THURSDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NHL: Bruins at Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (NESN, NHL Network)
NBA: Heat at Bulls, 8 p.m. (TNT)
NBA: Spurs at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
College basketball: Cincinnati at UConn, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Georgia at Arkansas, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Drexel at Delaware, 7 p.m. (NBCSN)
College basketball: La Salle at Temple, 7 p.m. (CBSSN)
College basketball: Penn State at Illinois, 8:15 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
College basketball: Iowa at Nebraska 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Duke at Virginia Tech, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: California at Oregon, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Stanford at Oregon State, 11 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: BYU at Saint Mary’s, 11 p.m. (ESPN2)

AROUND THE WEB:

Darrelle Revis

♦ Two cornerbacks who have given the Patriots headaches are in a Twitter war with each other. Jets veteran Darrelle Revis on Wednesday finally responded to Seahawks second-year player Richard Sherman, who has been tweaking Revis since Super Bowl week.

Sherman, who had an All-Pro season in which he had numerous confrontations with opposing players, including Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, tweeted Wednesday the same kind of line he’s been writing for weeks:

One season u will get 8 picks…. But it won’t happen anytime soon… I did it in my second season… So u have something to chase. Got off my flight to this hilarious convo. So I have 8 picks and 3 ff and a sack. My season stats looking like Revis career stats.

Revis, a four-time Pro Bowler who missed most of 2013 after tearing his ACL, answered with this tweet: I’ve never seen a man before run his mouth so much like a girl. This dude just steady putting my name in his mouth to get notoriety. Sit down young pup and wait your turn.

Sherman quickly responded: Don’t need ya name … Ur name will be irrelevant once u step back on the field bruh. Get ya picks up!

Revis answered back: Child please lol!!! Your still taking baby steps son. Don’t get to a head of yourself.

♦ It might not have the same intensity in American, but the World Baseball Classic is a big deal to some Asian countries. That was made clear Tuesday, when four Taiwanese scouts masqueraded as umpire trainees and sneaked into a South Korean practice game to gather information. The countries are the co-favorites in Pool B for next month’s tournament and will play in the Taiwanese city of Taichung on March 5.

The four men were discovered after they started timing the delivery of the pitchers.

“We had our suspicions because there seemed to be too many people in the umpires’ room,” a Korea Baseball Organization official said. “They kept saying they were umpire trainees. But we later learned that they were really scouts and we ejected them from the stadium [in the fourth inning].”

A KBO official said the Taiwanese pro baseball governing body apologized via e-mail, saying the scouts did not have approval to go to the game and that there will be “proper punishment for their improper behavior.”

♦ The Oscar Pistorius case took an odd turn Wednesday when it was revealed that lead police investigator Hilton Botha faces attempted murder charges, leading to calls for him to be removed. Botha and two other police officers allegedly fired at a minibus they were trying to stop in 2011, and they are due in court in May to face seven counts of attempted murder.

Botha testified Wednesday in the Pistorius case, admitting that the Olympian’s claims how the shooting of his girlfriend took place did not contradict what police had discovered.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On Feb. 21, 1982, which Bruins goalie recorded his only career shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Flyers in Philadelphia?

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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.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
College football: National championship, Notre Dame vs. Alabama, 8 p.m. (ESPN; WEEI-AM)
NBA: Celtics at Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (CSNNE; WEEI-FM)
NBA: Cavaliers at Bulls, 8 p.m. (WGN)
College basketball: Notre Dame at Cincinnati, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Indiana at Penn State, 7 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

AROUND THE WEB:

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman receives a smack from Washington lineman Trent Williams following their game Sunday. (Fox)

♦ The Seahawks rallied from a 14-0 deficit for a 24-14 victory over the Redskins on Sunday, and loud-mouthed Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman continued his brash ways after the game ended. Sherman, who gave Patriots quarterback Tom Brady an earful following their game in Seattle on Oct. 14, didn’t get away unscathed this time, as Washington lineman Trent Williams shoved his hand in Sherman’s face and smacked him away.

According to Sherman, Williams initiated the confrontation. “He came up and tapped me, ‘What’s up now? I’ll swing on you,” Sherman told USA Today, saying that he responded: “Swing!”

Added Sherman: “He told me he was going to swing, and he swung. That’s what he did, and that’s that. He thought I was going to be scared. I’m not scared.”

Sherman acknowledged that his chirping must be getting to opponents.

“I guess so,” he said. “You know, the playoffs, everybody gets a little frustrated. You lose, your season’s over. I guess you can call it frustration. But you never want to be involved in that. I wasn’t looking for anything. I was trying to shake hands. That’s how it happens sometimes.”

Williams admitted he might have overreacted. “Just high emotions, man,” he said. “I let them get the best of me. It’s nobody’s fault but mine. I’ve got to calm down a little bit.”

Later in the evening, Sherman and Williams worked things out via Twitter.

Tweeted Sherman: Received a very classy text from @TrentW71. Great player! This is an emotional game no ill will either way. Have a great Pro Bowl! Well deserved.

♦ The Rockets and first-round draft pick Royce White continued their dispute Sunday when the team suspended the forward for “refusing to provide services” required by his contract.

White will not be paid during his suspension, although Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said the team continues to try to work out an agreement with White, who refused an assignment to Houston’s D-League affiliate a week ago.

White, who has been critical of the team’s efforts to help with his anxiety disorder, continued to voice his displeasure via Twitter.

Wrote White: Threats, Fines, Suspension won’t deter me. I won’t accept illogical health decisions, I will keep asking for safety & health. #BeWell @dmorey.

♦ A former NFL draft pick who played in the Canadian Football League in 2012 died over the weekend while participating in a flag football tournament in Miami. Wide receiver Chandler Williams, 27, was a seventh-round draft pick out of Florida International in 2007. He was on the practice squads of the Vikings in 2007, the Dolphins in 2008 and the Chiefs from 2009-11.

Williams also was a member of the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League. He caught 83 passes for 996 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

Said Storm president Derrick Brooks: “We are shocked and saddened.”

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Jan. 7, 1991, who was named to succeed Rod Rust as coach of the Patriots?

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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.

FRIDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Nuggets at Mavericks, 8:30 p.m. (NBATV)
College basketball: Providence at Brown, 7 p.m. (NBCSN)
College basketball: Baylor at Gonzaga, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Jacksonville at Indiana, 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
College basketball: Missouri at UCLA, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)
College football: Independence Bowl, Ohio vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
College football: Russell Athletic Bowl, Rutgers vs Virginia Tech, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College football: Meineke Car Care Bowl, Minnesota vs. Texas Tech, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ A couple of Boston sports antagonists were in the news Thursday, one receiving a suspension and the other escaping punishment on an apparent technicality.

The NBA suspended Heat guard Dwyane Wade one game for his kick to the groin area of Bobcats guard Ramon Sessions during Wednesday night’s game in Charlotte. Wade, who in the past has been accused of dirty play by Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, flailed his left leg upon being fouled, but he continues to insist it was an accident.

Tweeted Wade Thursday: I’m far from being a dirty player, + my intent was never 2 kick Ramon Sessions. I just reacted to the contact that I got from him. More than anything, I think of my boys watchin me be4 retaliating 2ward any player.

Sessions didn’t buy Wade’s explanation, saying after the game: “I thought he did it on purpose.”

Meanwhile, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman tweeted two words Thursday in reference to his appeal of a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy: I won.

Sherman had claimed that there were issues with the collection of his urine sample on Sept. 17 that involved a leaky cup.

“I know what the truth is and anybody else who knows anything knows what the truth is. The truth has been told today,” Sherman told reporters. “People can say what they want, there are always naysayers. I have great teammates and great coaches and great fans and that’s all I care about.”

Sherman — who famously taunted Tom Brady after Seattle’s 24-23 victory over the Patriots on Oct. 14 — received support and criticism following his announcement. Apparently, New England fans touched a nerve, as Sherman later tweeted: Pats fans enjoy ur day .

♦ Tim Tebow once again was bypassed by Jets coach Rex Ryan, as Mark Sanchez was tabbed to start Sunday’s season finale against the Bills when Greg McElroy was ruled out due to post-concussion issues.

“I’m going to start Mark Sanchez,” Ryan said Thursday. “The reason I’m starting Mark is we have two practices and one walk-through to get ready for Buffalo. Mark has had success earlier in the season against Buffalo. He’s very familiar with them. That’s the reason I’m going with Mark.”

McElroy suffered his concussion in Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Chargers. He was sacked 11 times but did not acknowledge his condition to the coaches until Thursday morning. A “stunned” Ryan then called Sanchez and Tebow together to announce his plans.

“Obviously, Tim’s not happy with that as you’d expect,” Ryan said.

Said Tebow: “I understand. I told coach I definitely understand. Obviously, you’re a competitor, you want to play, but I understood his decision. I just let him know, just like always, I’ll do whatever I can to help the team.”

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Dec. 28, 1963, which Red Sox infielder was named Comeback Player of the Year?

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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.

MONDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NFL: Panthers at Eagles, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN; WEEI-FM)
NBA: Knicks at Nets, 7 p.m. (TNT)
College basketball: Chicago State at Notre Dame, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: San Jose State at Kansas, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)

AROUND THE WEB:

Fireman Ed Anzalone remains a Jets fan but wants to drop out of the spotlight. (NBC)

♦ “Fireman Ed” Anzalone, the diehard Jets fan who leads the J-E-T-S chants from his seat at MetLife Stadium, announced Sunday that he will no longer be a cheerleader for the team. Anzalone, in a guest column for New York Metro, explained that he left Thursday’s 49-19 embarrassment against the Patriots before halftime not because it was a rout but because of confrontations with fellow Jets fans that have grown more frequent.

Wrote Anzalone:

We have had much worse teams than this and I never left before. I pride myself in that, because I am not a quitter.

I decided to leave Thursday because the confrontations with other Jets fans have become more common, even though most Jets fans are fantastic.

This is an indication of how society has lost and is continuing to lose respect for one another. The stadium has become divided because of the quarterback controversy as well. The fact that I chose to wear a Mark Sanchez jersey this year and that fans think I am on the payroll — which is an outright lie — have made these confrontations more frequent. Whether it’s in the stands, the bathroom or the parking lot, these confrontations are happening on a consistent basis.

Although I can “hold my own,” I do not want to lose my temper and make a stupid mistake. I have a responsibility to the families and kids that enjoy the game and Fireman Ed.

I have enjoyed my time in chanting the greatest chant in all of sports. I have enjoyed meeting all the wonderful Jets fans around the world and look forward to the day we all can raise the Lombardi Trophy as one and celebrate a world championship down the Canyon of Heroes!

I will always love the Jets because they are in my heart, and I will attend games as usual, just not as Fireman Ed. God bless and, as always, let’s go Jets!

♦ Seahawks starting cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman — who Patriots fans remember for his taunting of Tom Brady after their game last month — face four-game suspensions for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing substances (reportedly for taking Adderall). Both players are appealing.

The news comes at an especially bad time for the Seahawks, who fell to 6-5 with Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins in Miami and are in danger of losing their hold on a playoff spot.

Sherman called the Patriots offense “gimmick, hurry-up stuff” and got in Brady’s face as the quarterback walked off the field following New England’s 24-23 loss on Oct. 14 in Seattle.

♦ Leigh Steinberg, who once was the nation’s premier sports agent, has a column in Forbes magazine in which he takes a look at the NHL lockout. Steinberg notes the lack of an uproar over hockey’s work stoppage and wonders if anyone will care about the league’s disappearing act if it continues.

Writes Steinberg: Every time hockey gains in popularity and geographical reach in this country, a harmful negotiating process comes along to stunt its growth by keeping the games from being played.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Nov. 26, 1962, the Red Sox traded reigning American League batting champion Pete Runnels to the Houston Colt .45′s for which player?

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