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 FRIDAY:
MLB: A’s at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI)

SATURDAY:
NHL Playoffs: Bruins at Canucks, 8 p.m. (NBC)
MLB: A’s at Red Sox, 1:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI)
MLS: Revolution at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m. (CSNNE)

SUNDAY:
MLB: A’s at Red Sox, 1:35 p.m. (NESN; WEEI)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ On the heels of the Dodgers’ and Mets’ financial problems, The Los Angeles Times reports that nine of 30 major league teams are carrying debt 10 times more than annual earnings, in violation of MLB rules. The other seven are the Orioles, Cubs, Tigers, Marlins, Phillies, Rangers and Nationals.

♦ Giants general manager Brian Sabean lashed out at Marlins rookie Scott Cousins for running into catcher Buster Posey and knocking him out for the season. “If I never hear from Cousins again or he never plays another game in the big leagues, I think we’ll all be happy,” Sabean said in a radio interview on San Francisco’s KNBR. “He chose to be a hero in my mind, and if that’s his flash of fame, that’s as good as it’s going to get, pal. We’ll have a long memory.” In the Sporting News, Anthony Witrado writes that Sabean is “out of line, tacky and unbelievably immature.”

♦ The Cubs have had a disappointing start to the season. In the Chicago Tribune, Steve Rosenbloom criticizes owner Tom Ricketts as being “clueless” for saying there’s nothing wrong with the team other than injuries.

♦ Major League Baseball is satisfied that Alex Rodriguez‘ cousin, Yuri Sucart, is within his rights to visit the Yankees slugger at the team’s road hotels and has not been violating any restrictions imposed two years ago when he was accused of buying steroids for A-Rod. “There is nothing to investigate,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

♦ Rock star Bono received a lift Tuesday when Oilers center Gilbert Brule saw him hitchhiking in Vancouver. As thanks for the ride, Bono gave Brule and his girlfriend backstage passes to Wednesday’s U2 concert in Edmonton and told the crowd how grateful he was.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On June 3, 1952, the Red Sox acquired Hoot Evers, George Kell, Johnny Lipon and Dizzy Trout from the Tigers in a trade that sent which two well-know Sox (along with three other players) to Detroit?

Read the rest of this entry »

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:
No games scheduled

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Two years ago, during his public confession about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, Yankees star Alex Rodriguez explained that his cousin, Yuri Sucart, purchased steroids for him in the Dominican Republic. Now, Sucart — who was banned by the Yankees from any team-related function or facility — has resurfaced at A-Rod’s side, allegedly accompanying the player on road trips this year and last, according to the New York Daily News.

“We have been in contact with the Yankees about this matter,” Rob Manfred, baseball’s executive VP of labor relations, said Wednesday. “We are looking into it.”

♦ Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson fired back at LeBron James for comments the Heat star made last week denigrating his former teammates for not being clutch players. “I think what it all boils down to if you’re great, you go play great, be great and everybody will realize you’re great. And you wouldn’t have to let it be known that everybody else was less great,” Gibson said. “Great players shouldn’t have to do that.

“So I feel like it’s kind of an admission. He might have needed some help. He might have needed to go somewhere and find someone who is a little greater so maybe he wouldn’t die down in those moments.”

♦ NFL coaches — who this week filed a brief with the court in support of players — are caught in the middle during the lockout. At Forbes magazine, Andrew Brandt examines their conflicted situation.

♦ Having conquered team sports, Nike is moving into action sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing. The New York Times looks at the company’s strategy.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On June 2, 1989, which Blue Jays player hit the only inside-the-park grand slam by an opposing player in Fenway Park history?

Read the rest of this entry »

Charles Colaw

Bob Mantz, international columnist for Bob’s Blitz,  writes that “Arod’s claim of being young, stupid, naive – all blown out of the water. His cousin Yuri was training with Charles Colaw (pictured left) prior to 2004. Doesn’t sound like a bumbling comedy show to us. Yuri knew bodybuilding as Colaw was / is a distinguished trainer and bodybuilder.”

Arod digs deeper: Thursday, November 11, 2004 – Examiner-Enterprise: ‘Fitness training means more than just getting into shape‘ by Trevor Persaud.

Quote, “Clients come to him ranging from college students with absolutely no money, exotic dancers, Hooters girls, doctors, doctors’ wives and CEOs. He’s even worked with Yuri Sucart, the personal manager of baseball great Alex Rodriguez.

Why are all these people coming to Charles Colaw?”
With eight certifications from nationally recognized schools such as the Cooper Institute, Colaw has worked at the popular 24-hour fitness gym in Dallas – which is where he trained Yuri Sucart and worked out with other big names, such as NFL player Tony Dorset, Jr. Sucart, he says, could get him tickets to Rangers games whenever he wanted. While working there, his superiors “wrote me up” for being outspoken about his faith.

Click here to read the rest of Bob’s blog post on A-Rod and his cousin’s connection.