Obama Stays Quiet After Downgrade

Decision by Standard & Poor’s to downgrade the U.S. credit rating leaves France as the AAA country most likely to lose its top grade, some investors and economists say.

France is more expensive to insure against default than lower-rated governments including Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Czech Republic, the State of Texas and the U.S.

“France is not, in my view, a AAA country,” said Paul Donovan, London-based deputy head of global economics at UBS AG. “France can’t print its own money, a critical distinction from the U.S. It is not treated as AAA by the markets.”

While all three major credit-rating companies have confirmed France’s top level in recent months, market measures indicate increasing investor skittishness over the country’s vulnerability to the European debt crisis. Euro-region central bank governors will hold emergency talks today over how to protect Spain and Italy and limit fallout from the U.S. cut.

“If Italy and Spain have difficulties, are we sure that, for instance, France can still be considered a ‘core’ country?” said Marco Valli, chief euro-area economist at UniCredit Global ‘Core’ is becoming a narrower group of countries.

President? That's what reporters, and the general public, asked themselves after Standard and Poor's announced a downgrade of U.S. debt Friday night.

It took the White House over 15 hours to comment on the loss of the nation's 'AAA' rating — and it didn't even mention the agency responsible for it.

The statement released by White House Press Secretary Jay Carney instead called for the same thing Obama has sought for and failed to attain for months — a bipartisan compromise on deficit reduction.

As Republican anger flared over the downgrade this weekend, Democrats have been letting the S&P statement, and its critique of those opposed to raising taxes, stand for itself.

"The majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues," the ratings agency wrote, saying that it doubts that the Bush tax cuts will be allowed to expire — which unless offset by further cuts, would sink the nation deeper into debt.

Speaker of the House John Boehner issued a statement highlighting Republican efforts to lower the deficits, criticizing Obama for asking for a "clean" debt limit increase without spending cuts.

"It is my hope this wake-up call will convince Washington Democrats that they can no longer afford to tinker around the edges of our long-term debt problem," he said.

But the White House — and even usually combative congressional Democrats — appear to be taking an extremely cautious approach, unsure of how the public will react to the news.

In Washington the buck always stops in the Oval Office, and President Obama is the first to hold that office to have a downgrade occur under his watch — something his 2012 opponents are slamming him on.

"That rating has endured the great depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. This President has destroyed the credit rating of the United States..." Rep. Michele Bachmann said in a statement.

But firing back at Republicans, despite their role in the crisis, only weakens the administration's position that the downgrade was completely uncalled for.

Indeed, the only signs of life from the White House came as criticism of S&P late Saturday.

In a statement, Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, laid into the agency for going ahead with the downgrade based on political, not numerical, analysis, noting the $2 trillion error caught by Treasury.

The magnitude of their error combined with their willingness to simply change on the spot their lead rationale in the press release once the error was pointed out was breathtaking," he said. "It smacked of an institution starting with a conclusion and shaping any arguments to fit it."

Obama's assertion that S&P is at fault will likely serve him well in the short term, but the nation's underlying fiscal problems (with or without the mathematical error) are incontrovertible, and only getting worse.

Violent Protest Shakes Troubled London District

Many are linking last night's events with the late cancellation of Hackney Carnival today. There are also rumours flying around Twitter of riots planned for Enfield and Edmonton.

There are fears of more violent scenes tonight in Tottenham, with many hoping the forecasted rain might put protesters off. Meanwhile, those living at the scene of last night's riots have spoken out against the destruction. Christian Macani, 22, said:

What does this achieve? They can't get away with this, can they? People really don't think. It's stupid, this. They've achieved absolutely nothing. It's a joke.

The Allied Carpets/Carpetright building was one of the biggest to be set ablaze last night. Harry Wallop questions whether protesters made it a specific target.

Shadow Home Office Minister Shabana Mahmood has called for calm in the community tonight:

This was appalling and unacceptable violence which put people's lives and safety at risk and must not be tolerated.

An independent investigation into the shooting of Mark Duggan had already begun last week, and that is the right way to respond.

Unfortunately a small minority of people bent on violence responded in an unacceptable way. Now further investigations will need to take place to bring those who attacked people and property to justice.

The Home Secretary must ensure the Metropolitan Police have the necessary support and resources to ensure calm is maintained tonight, while maintaining police priorities elsewhere.

And community leaders in Tottenham must be listened to. As David Lammy has said this morning, this violence does not represent the will of the community.

protest over the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man by police on Thursday that started peacefully suddenly turned violent. Several buildings, cars and a double-decker bus were set on fire before order was restored.

The crowd numbering in the hundreds also broke shop windows and looted stores, pushing carts full of stolen goods down the streets of the Tottenham district of north London.

Police are now patrolling the district with concern of more trouble later on Sunday.

The rioting was the worst London has seen in years.

Tottenham, home to a large number of ethnic minorities, has a history of racial tensions.

Police Chief Says Restoring 'Calm' After London Riot

Police in London are in the process of “restoring calm” to an area of the U.K. capital after rioting led to 26 officers being injured and 42 arrests.

Metropolitan Police officers faced “extreme violence” during the disturbances in Tottenham, in the north of the city, late yesterday in which vehicles and buildings were set on fire, Commander Adrian Hanstock said in a televised press conference today. London Fire Brigade said it received 264 emergency calls from the area during the riots.

Trouble flared after a peaceful protest by relatives and friends of a man shot dead during a police operation in the area last week was “hijacked by troublemakers,” Hanstock said.

“There was no indication that the protest would deteriorate into the levels of criminal and violent disorder that we saw,” Hanstock said. “We believe that certain elements, who were not involved with the vigil, took the opportunity to commit disorder and physically attack police officers, verbally abuse fire brigade personnel and destroy vehicles and buildings.”

He said the death of Mark Duggan, 29, was “regrettable” and will be subject to an independent investigation. “It is absolutely tragic that someone has died, but that does not give a criminal minority the right to destroy businesses and people’s livelihoods and steal from their local community.”

Police are in the process of "restoring calm" to an area of north London after rioting led to 26 officers being injured and 42 arrests.

Metropolitan Police officers faced "extreme violence" during the disturbances in Tottenham late yesterday in which vehicles and building were set on fire, Commander Adrian Hanstock said in a televised press conference today.

The trouble started after a peaceful protest by family and friends of a man shot dead during a police operation in Tottenham last week was "hijacked by troublemakers.

Bronco Shannon Sharpe gives thanks to his family

Deion Sanders' NFL Hall of Fame induction speech was not cocky or arrogant. Sanders took a step back and emotionally told the crowd of 13,000 about the creation of his alter ego, and how he felt he always had to prove himself.

Growing up he saw his mother struggle, and all he wanted to do was provide for her and rise above that. And he was going to do anything he could to ensure that. So all the cockiness, and arrogance, was for his mom.

"I would pre-rehearse the quotes, I would pre-rehearse the sayings because I knew I had the substance," Sanders said. "All the things you thought I was, and all the things I didn't like, I was doing it for my momma."

One of Sharpe's best stories came from his first NFL start with the Broncos. John Elway, now a Hall of Fame member, was his quarterback.

On every play, Sharpe went in motion. Each time he jogged behind Elway, who was taking the snap from center. As Sharpe passed by, Elway would tell him what to do.

"Block the end," Sharpe said, talking out of the side of his mouth to imitate Elway. "Block the end. Run an out pattern. Run the corner."

The Broncos won that game, and Sharpe was standing on the sidelines. Uh oh. He can see Elway walking toward him.

"Instead of being angry and upset with me, he walks up to me and says, 'I think next week we need to learn the plays,' " Sharpe said. Elway, who joined Broncos owner Pat Bowlen on the flight here to attend Sharpe's ceremony, was among those who smiled.

Sharpe saved the final 10 minutes of his speech to talk about his beloved grandma Mary Porter, who died last month at 89 years old. Grandma Mary had raised nine of her own children, yet despite having little means, took a train to Chicago to pick up a 3-month-old Shannon and his older brother and sister to raise them.

He talked about how as a child he would eat raccoon, possum, squirrel and turtle. He talked about how he strived to make sure his kids never had to eat those same meals.

As his grandma Mary lay in her casket last month, Sharpe walked up to her for a final goodbye.

"I asked her, 'Are you proud?' " Sharpe said. "I said, 'Granny, are you proud of your baby? Because everything I've done in my life, I've tried to please you.' "

Children savor dad's day

Sharpe's day started in the AEP breakfast room, which was holding the end of the parade. The Sharpes were the last of the current Hall class scheduled to ride in the parade. The Deacon Jones-Willie Lanier-Bobby Bell group would bring up the rear.

"I want to be right behind you to see if you're going to cry again," Little said.

"Why are you laughing?" Shannon Sharpe shouted back at Little.

"He's so happy he finally gets to be in a car he wasn't pushing," Sterling Sharpe said.

All the while, Shannon Sharpe's children, all college-aged, smiled and shook their heads at the silly banter from these grown men. They were all wearing No. 84 Shannon Sharpe jerseys. There was a grass stain on daughter Kayla's left shoulder.

"These are all game jerseys that my dad wore," Kayla said. "I thought we might get special jerseys. My dad said, 'Those are special.' "

Kiari, Shannon's only son, is studying both biology and business management at Georgia Southern. He's the quiet one. Kayla is studying pre-law at Georgia Southern. She's the funny one. Kaley is attending Florida State with a goal of becoming a medical examiner. She's the independent one.

"This is where all my money is going," Sharpe said, shaking his head in disbelief at Kaley's choice.

"I'll always have a job!" Kaley countered.

"They dead!" Sharpe said. "What difference does it make why they died?"

The day will come, hopefully not any time soon, when Shannon will join his grandmother Mary. Shannon Sharpe the football player, though, will live on forever in the form of a bronze bust. His football career was examined, and it was determined worthy of immortality.

Big Sean Arrested, Charged In Sexual Assault

Rapper Big Sean is in as much trouble as his name might indicate after he was arrested and charged with sexual assault. Currently on tour with Wiz Khalifa, the performer was at a gig in Lewiston, New York when an unidentified woman alerted authorities she'd been touched, assaulted and unlawfully imprisoned by Big Sean and Willie Hansbro. The pair was later taken by police to the station where they were booked and released on five hundred dollars bail a piece.

According to MTV News, Big Sean has already hired heavyweight criminal attorney Scott E. Lemon who issued a statement iterating his client's innocence. “I am confident, that after further investigation, both men will be vindicated.”

The rapper, born Sean Anderson, was arrested along with Willie Hansbro at approximately 9:50 p.m. ET after the woman issued the complaint. The Finally Famous rapper, who is currently on Khalifa's Rolling Papers Tour, performed Thursday night at Artpark in Lewiston, New York. Big Sean and Hansbro were eventually released on $500 bail each.

The two men, both hailing from Detroit, have been charged with forcible touching, unlawful imprisonment in the second degree and sex abuse in the third degree and will have to appear in court. "Both men were charged with misdemeanors and they both vehemently deny the allegations," Sean's lawyer, Scott E. Lemon, said in a press release issued to MTV News. "I am confident, that after further investigation, both men will be vindicated."

Big Sean has been riding high since his debut album, Finally Famous, hit #3 on the Billboard albums chart this past June. The LP's lead single, "My Last," hit #1 on the Billboard rap chart, and the 23-year old MC earned his first Video Music Awards nomination in the Best New Artist category

Investors to assess U.S. debt downgrade

After the first-ever down grade of the nation's credit rating, the White House says President Barack Obama thinks it's clear Washington "must do better" in tackling the deficit.

The statement from his spokesman, Jay Carney, didn't directly refer to Friday's move by Standard & Poor's to lower its AAA credit rating for the U.S. government. But it said the talks that led to this week's deal on hiking the borrowing limit "took too long" and were "at times too divisive."

The deal mandated $1 trillion in deficit cuts over 10 years, and set up a special committee of Congress find over $1 trillion more. Carney said Obama will press that committee to put the nation's interests over "political and ideological" divides.

The U.S. has lost its coveted triple-A rating, but being relegated to the double-A club doesn’t necessarily herald the beginning of the end.

Wall Street finishes worst week in years, with even a better-than-expected July jobs report failing to bring much cheer.

Reacting to S&P’s first-ever downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, China, the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt, uses a sharply worded statement to tell Washington it no longer can borrow its way out of difficulties.

Cowell hasn't spoken to Cheryl since sacking

Simon Cowell, whose new talent competition debuts this fall, is willing to give into the demands of the pop diva, whom he says "wanted to be involved in the show from day one."


"You can't say no to Mariah," Cowell, 51, tells PEOPLE. "We have to find a role for her. I'm a huge fan of hers – not just as an artist, but as a person, and I love her to death."


But Cowell also says that having Carey on the show poses a slight problem.


"We just can't shut Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger up," he joked. "Add Mariah into the mix as well and you won't even have anyone singing.


Trying to get her to understand what I did, it was never meant to be negative. It was a decision I thought was the right one and I think she is more comfortable in England than I saw her here (in US)," he said.


Cole, who had judged the British version of the show, filmed four episodes of the US version of "X Factor" before she was sacked.


Cowell also admitted his decision to replace Cheryl with Nicole Scherzinger might have been rash.


"Maybe I didn't give her enough time, and you have to be in the moment. I offered her the show, and initially she accepted it. Then it went public that she didn't and had the chance to still come back, but for whatever reason I couldn't get her (on the phone). Unless I spoke to her, there was no way I would have her back," he said.

Perry to evangelicals I'm one of you

Texas Governor Rick Perry may have eyes on the Republican presidential nomination, but today about 20,000 pairs of eyes were focused on him as he addressed a prayer and fasting rally on Saturday in Houston.

Like all of you, I love this country deeply,” said Perry in his opening remarks. "Thank you all for being here – indeed the only thing that you love more is living in Christ.”

“The Response,” as the seven-hour event is being called, is allowing Perry the opportunity to appear in front of the exact audience his potential Republican rivals are seeking to attract – conservative evangelicals who are concerned about the direction of America. Polls find this demographic overwhelmingly votes Republican.

During his remarks, Perry read three portions of Scripture and asked for prayers for President Obama, the nation and the men and women who serve our country. Coming on the heels of Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, an emotional Perry focused his comments on the nation’s economy.

As Perry held court in Houston, for instance, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann were holding multiple campaign events each day in Iowa ahead of next weekend's test vote, a straw poll that is a barometer for a campaign's organizational strength five months before the state's leadoff caucuses. Both have a lot riding on the outcome.

Perry has been talking with potential donors, GOP operatives and party leaders about a possible run. But he has been tightlipped about just when he would announce a decision, though he plans to visit at least one early-voting state _ South Carolina _ over the next week.

He plans to keep what aides say is a long-held commitment to headline a conservative conference in Charleston, S.C., on Aug. 13, as well as meet with activists in the state scheduled to host the South's first primary. The trip will put Perry in touch with voters and activists who would be influential to a Republican primary campaign, much like the Houston event Saturday did.

Ministers long have been a valuable constituency in the early nominating campaign, especially in Iowa, where they formed an influential network for 2008 candidate Mike Huckabee's caucus victory, and this year's candidates are trying to make inroads. Bachmann, for one, announced the endorsement of her by 100 Iowa clergy Friday; the tea party favorite meets regularly with pastors when she campaigns in Iowa.

Perry's audience Saturday was filled with people who sang with arms outstretched in prayer _ and wept _ as Christian groups played music on stage. And Perry, himself, huddled on the stage in a prayer circle with several ministers who helped lead the event. It was Perry's idea and was financed by the American Family Association, a Tupelo, Miss.-based group that opposes abortion and gay rights and believes that the First Amendment freedom of religion applies only to Christians.

"We feel that God moved on him to do this. It will be read by the enemy, the political enemy, as a tool to win votes," said Gwen Courkamp of Houston, who plans to vote for Perry if he runs for president.

The governor also earned high marks from attendee Justine Schaefer, who said: "He'd get my vote ... Today really impressed me. He showed that he's sensitive to the Lord's leading to have this."

Critics argued the event _ called The Response _ inappropriately blended politics and religion.

Perry insisted that the event had no political motivation, though he did say during his remarks: "We pray for our nation's leaders, Lord, for parents, for pastors, for the generals, for governors, that you would inspire them in these difficult times."

The other speakers focused primarily on prayer and redemption, though politics seeped in at times, tied to social issue policy. Dozens of people throughout the daylong event decried legalized abortion, while some also condemned gay marriage, although far fewer.

Protesters gathered outside the arena to condemn the event.

"The brand of Christianity being offered today is one of fear, and we want to let people know that God loves everyone, not to be afraid," said Dan DeLeon, a pastor from the United Church of Christ in College Station, who wore his robe in near-100-degree heat.

Rodney Hinds, who drove to Houston from Amarillo, waved a sign at traffic demanding "Pastor Perry Must Resign" and said: "He abused the power of his office by calling this event from his office as governor."

Whether that's true or not, this much is clear: Perry may have laid down a marker on Saturday with social conservatives that would allow him to enter the race as a candidate focused on jobs, but with credibility with values voters.

Tottenham riots: Police not anticipated' extreme violence

Rioters throwing petrol bombs battled police in north London overnight, setting patrol cars, buildings and a double-decker bus on fire in some of the worst disorder seen in the British capital in recent years. About 200 people rained missiles and bottles on riot officers near Tottenham
police station after a protest at the fatal shooting of a man by armed officers earlier in the week turned violent.
Mounted police and riot officers on foot in turn charged the troublemakers, to push them back.


Eight officers were taken to hospital, one with head injuries, as rioters attacked buildings including banks, shops and a supermarket and torched three police cars in the main road near the local police base.


Television pictures showed a blazing bus surrounded by rioters and hooded youths pelting an abandoned police car with rocks and missiles.


While the bulk of the disturbance had been brought under control early on Sunday, pockets of trouble were still erupting nearby.


"These are very distressing scenes for Londoners in general and the local community in particular," said Commander Stephen Watson.


"It's important we emphasise that the safety of the public is of paramount importance to us. Our intention at this time is to bring things to as swift a conclusion as we can. Our absolute aim is to restore normality."


The trouble broke out on Saturday night following a peaceful demonstration over the shooting of 29-year-old Mark Duggan, who was killed after an exchange of gunfire with police on Thursday.


Duggan had been in a taxi when it was stopped by armed officers as part of a pre-planned operation. One policeman escaped unhurt after a bullet struck his radio. Duggan's death is being investigated by the independent police watchdog.


The violence followed a demonstration by members of the community outside Tottenham police station to demand "justice" for the family of Duggan, a father of four, who was shot after police stopped the minicab he was driving in.


The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the incident, which also saw a police officer shot, the bullet reportedly lodging in his police radio and leaving him with minor injuries.


Hanstock said the death was "extremely regrettable". He said it was "absolutely tragic that someone has died, but that does not give a criminal minority the right to destroy businesses and people's livelihoods and steal from their local community".


"There was no indication that the protest would deteriorate into the levels of criminal and violent disorder that we saw," he added.


As soon as the situation became apparent, riot police were deployed and support called in from other forces as officers were "subjected to bottles, petrol bombs and other missiles", he said.


Police had kept a "dignified" presence at the vigil, and there was nothing to indicate it would be "anything other than a peaceful demo", he added.


But community leaders had warned of tensions following Duggan's death. Nims Obunge, a street pastor who was with the Duggan family at the police station protest, said the family and the community needed answers.


"I was here [at the police station] for five hours before this incident kicked off. Someone died on Thursday, a man was shot in our community and the community cried out for justice," he said.


The IPCC, which took over the investigation after the shooting, said it had been in contact with the family. Scotland Yard sources said they were not allowed to communicate with the family because the inquiry was being handled by the IPCC.


The IPCC confirmed that the first time the Duggan family had been taken to identify his body or see it to pay their respects had been on Saturday afternoon, some 36 hours after his death.


"The fact is that someone was killed in our community and the family came over here to say: 'Give us answers as to why this happened,'" Obunge said.


"They didn't get the answers they wanted. Why was this family not supported? They did not receive the proper support. They stood outside here for five hours waiting for acknowledgement."


On Sunday morning, a section of Tottenham High Road, where the trouble started at about 8.30pm, was cordoned off and a line of police officers stood facing the crowd of locals that had gathered.


The local MP, David Lammy, said "a community that was already hurting has now had the heart ripped out of it". The community had been "smashed" by "mindless, mindless people", he said, adding that many "were not from Tottenham" but had come from miles away to loot and join in the violence.


There were questions concerning the policing, he said, and over how a legitimate, peaceful protest had been able to escalate.


The London mayor, Boris Johnson, said he was "appalled at the scenes of violence and destruction in Tottenham".


The deputy mayor for policing in London, Kit Malthouse, told Sky News that officers had coped "with the cards they were played very well" and insisted they had been adequately prepared.


"Nobody predicted the level of violence, arson and looting that was going to take place," he said. "Nobody thought that the protest would necessarily degenerate into that kind of activity, and there is no reason why they should have done.


"The critical thing is ... were we able to mobilise forces fast enough to deal with what did arise? We did get a significant number of officers out there to deal with it in good time."


Senior political figures were united in their condemnation. The home secretary, Theresa May, said: "I condemn utterly the violence in Tottenham last night." She paid tribute to officers "who put themselves in harm's way".


Residents said they had been driven from their homes and had lost everything. Stuart Radose had to flee his flat above a Carpetright shop in Tottenham High Road as fire ravaged the building.


"We've gone back this morning and it's a complete shell," he told Sky News. "Everything we had is gone. It's just mad. So many people have lost everything. It's just crazy. It looks like it's the second world war. It looks like the Blitz where we were living.

Freddy García

Freddy Antonio García born October 6, 1976 in Caracas, Venezuela, nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees. During his major league career, he pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox. García throws a fastball that can get into the 90s and a hard slider. He also throws a two-seamer, a curve, a splitter and occasionally uses a changeup. Garcia's best year was in 2001 in which he led the American League in innings pitched and ERA. He made the All-Star team in 2001 and 2002. In 2005, he was a member of the World Series winning Chicago White Sox and started the series winning game 4.


Major League Baseball career,Seattle Mariners
Originally signed by the Houston Astros as a non-draft amateur free agent in 1993, García was acquired by Seattle in 1998, along with Carlos Guillén and John Halama in the trade that sent Randy Johnson to the Astros.
During García's rookie season, he pitched 201 innings, compiling a 17-8 record with 170 strikeouts and a 4.07 ERA in 33 starts. After going 9-5 in his second season, he went on to win 18, 16, 12, 13, and 14 games over the course of the next five seasons. Garcia was the American League pitcher on the mound when the 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was called after 11 innings, and ended as a 7-7 tie. The other pitcher was Vicente Padilla of the Philadelphia Phillies.
At the July 31 trading deadline in 2004, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Mike Morse, Miguel Olivo, and Jeremy Reed.


Chicago White Sox
Garcia was the starting pitcher in the championship clinching Game 4 of the 2005 World Series for the Chicago White Sox, going 7 scoreless innings.
Garcia experienced a bit of controversy at the beginning of the 2006 season when he tested positive for marijuana during the World Baseball Classic.
In 2006, he surpassed 1200 strikeouts for his career. In eight post-season games, he was 5-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 48 innings. Also during 2006, on April 29, García recorded his 103rd career win in a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, surpassing former White Sox left-hander Wilson Alvarez as the Venezuelan native with most career wins in Major League history. He finished the season 17-9 with a 4.53 ERA.


Philadelphia Phillies
In December 2006, Garcia was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for prospects Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez.While Phillies fans eagerly anticipated Garcia's 2007 season, he failed to live up to expectations. He hid a shoulder injury for the first several months of the season and was finally placed on the disabled list (DL) in June. Garcia made 11 starts before being placed on the DL and earned one win.


Detroit Tigers
In August 2008, García signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. In his first 2 minor league starts with the Tigers he pitched 5 innings, gave up no runs, and struck out 5. In his Tigers debut in late September, García, with a limited pitch count, threw 5 scoreless innings to get the win.


New York Mets
In January 2009, García agreed to a minor league deal with the New York Mets. He was released from the Mets on April 28, 2009 because of two bad starts with the Triple-A farm team, Buffalo Bisons. He was released without having appeared on the club's regular season roster.


Second stint with the Chicago White Sox
On June 8, 2009, the Chicago White Sox signed Garcia to a minor league contract. Garcia started on August 18 against the Kansas City Royals for the first time with the White Sox since 2006. In his first game back with the White Sox, Garcia went 4.1 IP allowing 5 ER in a losing effort. Garcia finished the 2009 season with a 3-4 record and a 4.34 ERA. On October 5, 2009, the Chicago White Sox exercised their 2010 option on Garcia, adding that the 34-year-old made a $1 million base salary, plus a possible $2 million in incentives.


New York Yankees
On January 31, 2011, García agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees worth $1.5 million. On March 25, 2011, the Yankees announced that García would be added to the major league starting rotation.

Barry Sanders

Barry David Sanders, born July 16, 1968 is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Sanders is best known for being one of the most prolific and elusive running backs of all time, and left the game just short of the all-time rushing record. Sanders is a member of the college and professional football halls of fame; in 2010, the NFL Network series The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players named him in the top 20 players of all time (and the associated fan poll ranked him fourth best of all time).

Early years

A Wichita, Kansas native, Sanders attended Wichita North High School. Sanders did not play running back until the fourth game of his senior year in 1985. He rushed for 1,322 yards in the final seven games of the season, which earned him all-state honors. He was, however, overlooked by most college recruiters because of his 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) size. He chose Oklahoma State after finally getting accepted by the college.

College career

Sanders played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1986 to 1988, and wore the number 21. During his first two years, he backed up All-American Thurman Thomas. In 1987 he led the nation in kickoff return yards. Thomas moved on to the NFL, and Sanders became the starter for his junior year.

In 1988, in what has been called the greatest season in college football history, Sanders led the nation by averaging 7.6 yards per carry and over 200 yards per game, including rushing for over 300 yards in four games. He set college football season records with 2,628 yards rushing, 3,248 total yards, 234 points, 39 touchdowns, of which 37 were rushing (also a record), 5 consecutive 200 yard games, scored at least 2 touchdowns in 11 consecutive games, and 9 times he scored at least 3 touchdowns. Sanders also ran for 222 yards and scored 5 touchdowns in his three quarters of action in the Holiday Bowl - a game that was not included with his season statistics. Sanders won the Heisman Trophy as the season's most outstanding player. He then chose to leave Oklahoma State before his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Personal life

Barry currently resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, and is married to the former Lauren Campbell, currently a news anchor on a local news station, and the couple have three children together. Sanders also has a son, Barry James Sanders from a previous relationship, who is currently a notable high school football prospect. As a freshman in 2008, Sanders' son ran for 742 yards and twelve touchdowns while helping Heritage Hall School to the 2008 Oklahoma 2A state title, and he was the only sophomore on the 2009 Tulsa World all-state team.

Professional career

The Detroit Lions selected Sanders with their 1st-round (3rd overall) pick in the 1989 draft, thanks to the endorsement of then-coach Wayne Fontes. The Lions' management considered drafting another Sanders, cornerback Deion Sanders, but Fontes convinced them to draft Barry instead. He was offered the number 20, which had been worn by former Lions' greats Lem Barney and Billy Sims; Sims was known as one of the league's best running backs in the early 1980s.

Though there were concerns about his size, it turned out these concerns were mostly unfounded. Sanders was far too quick for defenders to hit solidly on a consistent basis, and too strong to bring down with arm tackles. Though short at 5'8", his playing weight was 203 lb (91 kg) and Sanders had a large portion of this weight in his exceptionally large and muscular legs, which provided him with a very low center of mass; his weight was also the same as Walter Payton and only slightly under the NFL average for a back. Further, Sanders was able to dazzle onlookers at an ESPN slam dunk contest by jamming comfortably from a flat footed position demonstrating his other defining characteristic: explosiveness. His agility and quick acceleration combined with his low center of mass made him very difficult to bring down.

In contrast to many of the star players of his era, Sanders was also noted for his on-field humility. Despite his flashy playing style, Sanders was rarely seen celebrating after the whistle was blown. Instead, he preferred to hand the ball to a referee or congratulate his teammates. But perhaps no other player in NFL history has ever electrified a crowd every time he touched the ball like Sanders, who played all 10 of his NFL seasons in Detroit. Lions fans remember fondly the thunderous "Barry! Barry!" chants that roared in the Pontiac Silverdome in the 1990s.

In his rookie year in 1989, Sanders missed training camp due to a contract dispute. Despite that, he ran for 18 yards on his first carry, and scored a touchdown on his fourth. He finished the season second in the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns after declining to go back into the regular season finale just 10 yards shy of the rushing title (later won by Christian Okoye), and won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Barry was the featured running back on the Lion teams that made the playoffs five times during the 1990s (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1997). He was a member of the 1991 and 1993 squads that won the NFC Central division title; the 1991 team won 12 regular season games (a franchise record).

In 1994, Sanders rushed for 1,883 yards, on a 5.7 yards per carry average. He also totaled 283 receiving yards, which gave him a combined 2,166 yards from scrimmage for the season. He was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year. In 1995, Sanders posted 1,500 yards rushing with 398 receiving yards, beating his rushing total alone of the '94 season. In 1996, Sanders rushed for 1,553 yards with a career-low 147 receiving yards. Sanders' greatest season came in 1997 (see below), when he rushed for a career-high 2,053 yards.

1997 season

Sanders' greatest season came in 1997. After a start in which he gained 53 yards on 25 carries in the first two games of the season, Sanders ran off an NFL record 14 consecutive 100 yard games, including two 200 yard performances, en route to rushing for 2,053 yards. In reaching the 2,000 yard plateau, he became only the third player to do so in a single season and the first since O. J. Simpson to rush for 2,000 yards in a span of 14 consecutive games. He was the first running back to rush for 1,500 yards in five seasons and the only one to do it four consecutive years. At the end of the season, Sanders shared the Associated Press's NFL Most Valuable Player Award with Green Bay QB Brett Favre.

Week Team Carries Yards Average

1 ATL 15 33 2.2

2 TB 10 20 2.0

3 at CHI 19 161 8.5

4 at NO 18 113 6.3

5 GB 28 139 5.0

6 at BUF 25 107 4.3

7 at TB 24 215 9.0

8 NYG 24 105 4.4

9 at GB 23 105 4.6

10 at WAS 15 105 7.0

11 MIN 19 108 5.7

12 IND 24 216 9.0

13 CHI 19 167 8.8

14 at MIA 30 137 4.6

15 at MIN 19 138 7.3

16 NYJ 23 184 8.0

1997 TOTAL 335 2,053 6.1

Retirement

Sanders stunned many when he announced he was quitting pro football. His retirement was made public by faxing a letter to the Wichita Eagle, his hometown newspaper in July 1999.

He left football healthy, having gained 15,269 rushing yards, 2,921 receiving yards, and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing and 10 receiving). He retired within a one-season striking distance of Walter Payton's career rushing mark of 16,726 yards. Only Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith have rushed for more yards than Sanders.

Sanders' retirement came somewhat unexpectedly and was a matter of controversy. Two years beforehand, Sanders had renewed his contract with the Lions for $35.4 million over six years with an $11 million signing bonus. When he retired with several years left on his contract, the Lions demanded that he return $7.3 million of the bonus. Sanders refused, and the Lions sued and eventually won a judgment against him. On February 15, 2000, arbitrator Sam Kagel ruled that Sanders was in default of his bonus agreement and owed $5.5 million plus interest over the next three years.

Several years after retirement, and repeated refusals to discuss the abruptness of it, Sanders finally admitted that the culture of losing in the Lions' organization was too much to deal with even though he said that he could still play. He explained that it robbed him of his competitive spirit, and he saw no reason to believe things were going to improve. Although Detroit had made the playoffs the season prior to his retirement (losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-10 on the road in a 1998 NFC Wild Card game), Detroit drafted quarterback Charlie Batch in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. It became apparent that Batch would become Detroit's full time starter the next season, and Sanders seemed unwilling to embrace yet another change in the Lions' seemingly endless carousel of quarterbacks and offensive philosophies. He had also gone on record to criticize Detroit's front office (most notably Chuck Schmidt) for releasing Pro Bowl center Kevin Glover for salary cap reasons. Glover was an underrated player and close friend of Sanders in Detroit. He stated there were tears in his eyes as the Lions lost in the playoffs to Tampa in 1998, because he knew in his heart he was never going to play another game for Detroit. "I sobbed for 3 months," Sanders said.

There was widespread speculation that Sanders' retirement was a calculated move on his behalf to orchestrate a trade to a more legitimate contender. The Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins were both considered among the front runners in the negotiations. Detroit was either unable to find an attractive enough offer, or unwilling to negotiate altogether with other teams. It had been a long standing practice for the Detroit Lions to not accommodate players' requests for trades.

Career highlights,Collegiate

He set 34 NCAA records

He holds the national college single-season rushing record with 2,628 rushing yards in 1988.

In 1988, Sanders won the Heisman Trophy while attending Oklahoma State University.

In 2008, Sanders was ranked #2 in ESPN's list of the Top 25 Greatest College Football Players Ever.

Professional

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (November 2008)

In the 1989 NFL draft, he was selected in the 1st round (3rd overall) by the Detroit Lions.

As a receiver, Sanders had 352 receptions for 2,921 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Detroit Lions.

Sanders led the NFL in rushing yards four times. 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997.

Most Seasons, 1,100 or More Yards Rushing (10) tied with Walter Payton

Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,100 or More Yards Rushing (10)

Most Seasons, 1,300 or More Yards Rushing (9) tied with Walter Payton

Most Seasons, 1,400 or More Yards Rushing (7)

Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,400 or More Yards Rushing (5) tied with Emmitt Smith, 1991–1995

Most Seasons, 1,500 or More Yards Rushing (5)

Most Consecutive Seasons, 1,500 or More Yards Rushing (4)

In 1997, he set an NFL record by rushing for at least 100 yards in 14 consecutive games and became only the third player to reach 2,000 yards in a single season. He shared the NFL MVP award with Brett Favre.

During the final 14 games of the 1997 season Sanders rushed for exactly 2000 yards on 310 carries (6.5 yd./carry), a figure which bears comparison with O.J. Simpson's 14-game mark of 2003 yards on 332 carries (6.0 yd./carry).

Each of his 10 years from 1989 through 1998 he was first- or second-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl.

Over his professional football career, he rushed for at least 100 yards in 76 games, just short of Walter Payton's 77 games and Emmitt Smith's 78 games.

NFL record 25 games in which Sanders rushed for 150 yards or more. Brown is second with 22 games.

NFL record 46 games in which Sanders had 150 yards from scrimmage or more. Walter Payton is second with 45.

15 career touchdown runs of 50 yards or more, most in NFL history. Brown is second with 12.

At the time of his retirement, Sanders' 15,269 career rushing yards placed him second behind Walter Payton's 16,726 yards. At Sanders' then-current yearly yardage pace, he would have eclipsed Payton within one or two years. Payton died from liver cancer at age 45 just months after Sanders' sudden retirement.

If Sanders had gained an additional 31 yards over the course of his 153 games, he would have been only the 2nd NFL runner to average 100 yards per game. (See Jim Brown)

His 18,190 career yards from scrimmage place him fourth on the all-time list.

In 1999, he was ranked number 12 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, making him the highest-ranking Lions player and the third highest ranked running back, behind Jim Brown and Walter Payton.

On January 31, 2004, he was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On August 8, 2004, he was inducted to the Hall of Fame along with Bob Brown, Carl Eller, and John Elway.

Along with Gale Sayers, Sanders is one of the only members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to be inducted while still in his 30's.

On November 25, 2004, his jersey number #20 was retired before the Lions' annual Thanksgiving Day game. (It should be noted that the number was shared with former running back Billy Sims and Hall of Fame defensive back Lem Barney, who also attended the event.)

Sanders also holds the NFL record for the most carries for negative yardage. According to the SI Book of Football, these numbers totaled 336 carries for -952 Yards.

Yankees look to Freddy Garcia to salvage series against Red Sox

They are hot, so hot they are slicing into prevailing wisdom. They are hot, so hot they left Fenway Park late Friday night in sole possession of first place in the American League East for the first time since before the All-Star break.

With 110 games behind them, the Yankees and the Red Sox began their 52-game race to October.

Formula, which has worked against most of the American League, hasn’t done much for him against the Boston Red Sox. Still, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he’s confident that Garcia’s arsenal will hold up tonight in the deciding game of this three-game set.

“This is a lineup that can hit anyone, that’s the bottom line,” Girardi said Saturday, before the Red Sox beat the Yankees 10-4 to even the series. “ They have an outstanding lineup, and Freddy’s been pretty consistent for us, and those were two of his starts that weren’t as good as his other ones. But I have a lot of confidence in what Freddy can do for us.”

Garcia has enjoyed a career renaissance with the Yankees. Signed to a minor league deal in the days leading up to spring training, Garcia is 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA. But in three appearances against the Red Sox, including two starts, Garcia is 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA. He has allowed the Sox to hit .344.

Sanders humbled among football greats

Sharpe, Sanders, and Faulk join the likes of Mike Ditka, Steve Young, Dan Marino, Michael Irvin, Terry Bradshaw, and Howie Long as Hall Famers working Sunday mornings. Rod Woodson recently left this group to take a job with the Raiders.

In the years to come you may see other studio analysts like Michael Strahan, Warren Sapp, and Bill Cowher joining the select fraternity within the fraternity.

Being on the west coast where a night out will often mitigate the need for a pre game show starting at 9am, I don't really have a strong take on any of the trio of new entries.

Who has a long term career in the industry and who could you see fizzling out? Should Marshall Faulk worry about an anti running back conspiracy as Emmitt Smith, Jerome Bettis (not inducted just yet), and Marcus Allen were quickly shown the door after brief stints.

Given there are now four channels utilizing similar formats, how about some innovation instead of imitation for a change.

Sanders said he was deserving of the Top 10 and, when pinned down in an interview by the NFL Network, said No. 4 was his rightful place on the list behind Jerry Rice, Jim Brown and Lawrence Taylor.

But this weekend, Sanders showed a much deeper appreciation for the players and the greatness that preceded him to Canton.

Sayers could match the explosiveness of Sanders with the ball under his arm. Warfield was as graceful at his craft as Sanders with a fluidity at warp speed. Brown was every bit the bump-and-run corner as Sanders. It was Brown who invented that style of coverage in the 1960s, giving Sanders a template for perfection.

Barney was to the NFL in the 1960s what Sanders was in the 1990s with his combination of pass coverage and kick-return skills, plus the flair at which he did both. Except that Barney performed in Detroit, not San Francisco or Dallas.

Renfro went to more Pro Bowls (10) than Sanders at as many different positions (two), and Irvin is one of the few players in NFL history to play the game as loudly and with as much swagger as Sanders.

There also are more productive ballhawks in Canton (Dick "Night Train" Lane) than Sanders, faster players (Bob Hayes), more physical corners (Mel Blount) and better athletes (Jim Thorpe). Jack Christiansen was a more prolific punt returner and Sayers a more dynamic kickoff returner.

Deion’s tickets to Canton were his skills in coverage and the ability to translate touches into touchdowns. His recovery speed was legendary, giving him the ability to lock down any receiver on any route.