Rehabbing Matt Harvey still wants 'one inning' in 2014: Report

Once again Matt Harvey said he's ready to take the next big step in his rehab and get onto the mound this season — during a game.

The Mets ace — who has been cleared begin throwing from a mound in Port St. Lucie next week for the first time since rehabbing from Tommy John surgery last October, wants a real game stint, according to the N.Y. Post.

It's a song and dance the Mets have heard from Matt Harvey before. But this time, it seems like the team's pitching headliner only wants to tap a couple of steps and hum a few bars.

“Even if it was one inning out of the bullpen, I would be happy,” Harvey said.

Harvey hasn't let go of his dream of throwing in 2014, even after general manager Sandy Alderson put the kibosh on that notion last month.

The right-hander said there are tentative plans for him to pitch in the Mets’ instructional league in September and then appear in the Arizona Fall League.

“If I’m going to pitch in Arizona, what difference does it make if I pitch there or pitch here [for the Mets]?” Harvey said.

But Alderson is likely to play it cautious with the impatient Harvey — who underwent the ligament replacement surgery on Oct. 22 of last year. Normal recovery is 10-14 months before a pitcher returns to the major leagues.

“I’m dying,” Harvey said. “When I start ramping things up and feeling I can throw full throttle and pump it up to mid-90s [mph], which I believe I am doing right now, it’s definitely going to be hard.”

Harvey’s agent, Scott Boras, recently said research on the subject points to waiting until 14-16 months after the surgery for optimal recovery.

The Mets backed off Harvey from his rehab in early June, worried that he was moving too quickly in the process. Alderson later left the open a crack, saying the earliest Harvey could return is Sept. 22 — the 11-month anniversary of his surgery. The Mets conclude the season on Sept. 28.

Harvey has made no apology for his eagerness to return this season — even if the Mets have almost no chance of making the playoffs.

“I miss being out there,” he said. “That’s the fun part. It’s tough to talk about.”

Minor league baseball game delayed by stray opossum (VIDEO)

There was an unusual rundown during a minor league baseball game Wednesday — and the baserunner ending up in a garbage can.

When an opossum appeared during a game between the Quad Cities River Bandits (an Astros affiliate) and the Clinton LumberKings (an affiliate for the Mariners), the grounds crew took over the action on the field as the hideous critter (sorry po-cat lovers) ran up the third base line past the pitcher's mound.

A River Bandits team employee trailed the invader with a garbage can, trapping the animal near third base.

After the employee pumped his fist in triumph, he then raised his hands unsure of what to do next. And in a classic minor league moment, the stadium staff played the “Jeopardy!” theme song over the loudspeakers.

Eventually another employee came along and picked up the opossum by its tail, walking the adventurous animal off the field in the garbage can.

The @QCRiverBandits' game was briefly delayed today when an opossum took the field. Seriously. Photo: @QCBanditPhotog pic.twitter.com/rBlgFnZ8ih
— MiLB.com (@MiLB) July 31, 2014

Play was delayed less than five minutes by the little rascal's adventure. The LumberKings won the game, 6-5.

James Shields blows a bubble bigger than his own head (VIDEO)

Ever wonder why MLB players need all of those buckets of Double Bubble strewn around their dugouts during a game? Here's why:

James Shields shows off his bubble blowing skills Wednesday night by puffing one bigger than his head.

The hard part for the Royals pitcher? Saving it for future chews.

Jordy Mercer's home run obliterates woman's beer (VIDEO)

Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer smacked a two-run homer into the left field stands during Wednesday's game against the Giants. When fans saw it coming, they put on their gloves and reached for the ball. 

But one woman in the front row wasn't ready for the onslaught:

It was bad enough that Mercer's two-run shot gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead but wasting the woman's full cup of beer on a nice San Francisco day? That's unforgivable.

Lingerie football league player celebrates score with beer in end zone (VIDEO)

The Legends Football League — formerly and forever known as the Lingerie Football League — knows what its fans want during a game and that includes bras and panties.

So after Heather “Rockstar” Furr scored a touchdown, she celebrated the six points by sipping a beer that was handed over to her by a fan in the stands.

And, as any NFL fan watching a Sunday game at home knows, it doesn't get any better than knocking down a cold one dressed only in your skivvies.

Furr helped lead the Chicago Bliss to a 32-7 rout over the Green Bay Chill.

Steelers lineman sued for herpes, blames sores on 'zipper malfunction': Report

Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Cam Thomas is being sued for allegedly giving his ex-girlfriend genital herpes and reportedly lying to her about it.

The woman known as "Adrienne" claims the 27-year-old Thomas said the "puss-filled bumps on his buttocks and inner thigh" were the result of sweat buildup and that the noticeable sores on his penis came from a zipper accident, in a report filed in San Diego and obtained by TMZ Sports.

Thomas — who started 10 games for Pittsburgh last year — has vehemently denied the allegations through his legal team, who say the woman is only after money.

Either way, this is just TMI about STDs from TMZ.

Adrienne claims she dated Thomas in 2010 when he played for the San Diego Chargers
and that the two would often have unprotected sex.

According to the lawsuit, she had a health check up in December 2010 and the results were all clear.

Then in February 2012 she tested positive for genital herpes.

Adrienne maintains Thomas is the only person that she could have contracted the disease from.

In her suit, Adrienne also claims Thomas was physically abusive during their relationship.

However, she never went to police to file a complaint.

She's suing for sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud through intentional concealment and negligence.

Adrienne is seeking unspecified damages. Thomas said he will fight the claims in court.

Fracking mogul bids over $1 billion for Buffalo Bills: Report

A Pennsylvania fracking mogul bid more than $1 billion for the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday — making it likely the team will attract a record sales price for an NFL team.

It was one of only two known bids — which were due by 5 p.m. Tuesday — for the storied NFL franchise, according to the New York Post.

Terrence Pegula, who owns the NHL Buffalo Sabres, made the record-breaking opening offer. The team was put on the block last spring following the March 25 death of owner Ralph Wilson Jr..

Donald Trump made the other offer but has admitted he probably underbid because he's "not going to do something stupid" to call the team his.

It could not be learned whether other bids were received by banker Morgan Stanley, which is running the auction, said the newspaper.

A controversial group fronted by Jon Bon Jovi that includes Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, owner of the NBA Toronto Raptors and the NHL Maple Leafs, and the Canadian Rogers family, which controls Rogers Communications, was expected to bid.

The Bon Jovi group is expected to try and move the team to Toronto. A move that has made the rocker an unpopular figure in the western New York city.

“Man, f–k Bon Jovi,” legendary Bills receiver Andre Reed, told New York Magazine. “You might as well just take this city, throw it in the river, and let it go down Niagara Falls.”

And, as usual, there were rumored bidders who were eyeing a move to Los Angeles, which has been without an NFL team since 1994.

First-round bids are usually just high enough to pique the interest of a seller and kick off the selling process.

The $1.1 billion sale of the Miami Dolphins in 2008 is the highest price ever paid for an NFL team.

'Caucasians' T-shirt satirizing Cleveland Indians' logo a big seller: Report

A popular item in Canada this summer on Ontario First Nations’ reserves is a T-shirt with the lettering “Caucasians” and an altered version of Chief Wahoo, the grinning, much-derided mascot of the Cleveland Indians team.

The Caucasians' version of the logo shows a big-toothed, blond-haired man with a dollar sign as a headdress below a bat and ball. 

The T-shirt's design — obviously taking a jab at the offensive Native American caricature — has received lots reaction on and outside of the Canadian reserves — where it has become a hot fashion item, according to the Toronto Star.

“People’s reaction has been all positive and they see the humor in it both on and off the reserve,” said Tracy Bomberry who wore one to a pow wow in her community of Six Nations of the Grand River last weekend. She bought the Caucasians T-shirt after reading that Ojibwa singer DJ NDN of A Tribe Called Red was accused of racism for wearing one last month.

Charlie Blackmon's outstanding leaping catch extends game (VIDEO)

Charlie Blackmon made a tremendous game-saving catch to rob Welington Castillo of a sure base hit Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

The incredible 10th inning play not only extended the game and knocked the wind out of the Rockies rightfielder but it had the breathless Cubs fans actually stand up in appreciation of the outstanding play.

The game lingered on for another six innings before the Cubs overcame a three run deficit and beat the Rockies, 4-3, in the wee hours of the morning.

Chinese sports officials make typically oval running track rectangular to save time (PHOTOS)

Sport officials in China have built a rectangular running track because they were concerned they wouldn't get a typically oval one finished in time for a Communist Party inspection.

The squared-off quarter-mile track was constructed as a part of a major refurbishment of a 10,000 square foot stadium in Tonghe County in the north-eastern Heilongjiang province.

With the big-budget project running behind schedule and an inspection by notoriously finicky Communist Party officials imminent, managers made the decision to quite literally cut corners and create a running track with awkward 90-degree bends as they are easier to measure and lay out, reported the Daily Mail.

Outside of the glaring rectangle track in the middle, almost everything about the stadium is up to standard — from the the perfectly laid grass in the center of the sports field to the improved seating facilities for spectators.

Despite being the butt of many jokes, some experts have raised concerns about the design, saying the corner turns present a risk of serious injury to athletes.

One complaint is that it could cause career-threatening muscle damage when competitors hastily slow down to make the sharp turns, while another claims it increases the risk of head collisions.

"It’s impossible to run on such a surface," said Zhang Yong, a long distance runner, adding that the track was "an abomination" to his profession.

Coughlin growing frustrated with Giants' No.1 pick Beckham: Report

It's doesn't take much for Tom Coughlin's face to puff up rosy red but, if you really want to see the Giants head coach's head explode, ask him about Odell Beckham Jr.

The Giants have high hopes for their No. 1 pick but haven't seen much of the player out of LSU because he has barely gotten a chance to practice this summer.

And Coughlin is frustrated — if not disappointed at the NFL's 12th overall pick.

"It would be nice to get him back practicing," Coughlin said. "He actually looks pretty good out there. He's moving around, catching the ball, he doesn't favor anything. I'm just hoping it's a real short amount of time."

After a spring which saw the projected No. 3 receiver struggle with hamstring issues, it looks like Beckham is still limited by the nagging injury.

On Sunday, despite the hammy issue, Beckham was in full pads catching punts with the special teams but wasn't running after catching the ball.

"It's more than that," Coughlin said Sunday after practice. "Sure it is. You're trying to put a team together. We saw too much of that in the spring."

"That," in coach-speak, is Beckham standing on the sideline because of a hamstring injury that first popped up during OTAs and keeps him from working more with the quarterbacks.

"It would be nice to get him back practicing," Coughlin said. "He actually looks pretty good out there. He's moving around, catching the ball, he doesn't favor anything. I'm just hoping it's a real short amount of time."

The Giants are one week away from their first preseason game. — the Hall of Fame Game next Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Fortunately, Coughlin believes some progress has been made with his first-round pick — who  is supposed to compete with Jerrel Jernigan for a vacant starting spot.

But no matter how much he or Coughlin want on the field, Beckham is at the mercy of his hamstring and the team trainers.

"They're not going to let him go if he's in danger of hurting himself. That's all there is to it," Coughlin said. "I can stand there all I want, but it's not going to happen. When they think he can go and not risk recurring injury, they'll let him go."

Goalkeeper gets assist for goal off opponent's face (VIDEO)

The only goal of the Polish Ekstraklasa match between Lechia Gdansk and Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala was a bizarre one. 

In the 29th minute, Podbeskidzie goalkeeper Richard Zajac received a routine backpass from one of his defenders and took a moment too long to decide what he wanted to do with it. This allowed Lechia midfielder Maciej Makuszewski to get right in front of him. So the cocky goalkeeper hastily kicked the ball off of Makuszewski's face, causing it to bounce into his own net.

Makuszewski was credited with the easiest goal of his career and Lechia won 1-0. While Zajac turned out to be the only one who didn't save face.

New rule allowed Ryan Howard to score without touching home plate (VIDEO)

Major League Baseball's new rules on home-plate collisions and instant replay allowed Philadelphia's Ryan Howard to pull off a curious play. He scored a run without even touching home plate.

Standing on first base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Howard started running to second when Phillies batter Marlon Byrd hit a pop fly to shallow right field. It should have been an routine out to end the inning, but Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Didi Gregious dropped the ball. With the score tied at 2-2, Howard rounded third base and tried to give Philadelphia the lead. Diamondbacks center fielder Ender Inciarte fielded the ball and threw a laser to catcher Miguel Montero. The throw clearly beat the slow-moving Howard, who tried to step around Montero but was easily tagged out.

But the Phillies began to argue that Montero was illegally blocking the plate. Part of experimental rule 7.13 says, via MLB.com: "The catcher may not block the pathway of a runner attempting to score unless he has possession of the ball. If the catcher blocks the runner before he has the ball, the umpire may call the runner safe."

The umpires reviewed the play and reversed the call. Howard was ruled safe at home, giving the Phillies a 3-2 lead.

Although a reviewed play cannot be challenged, D-Backs manager Kirk Gibson still came out to argue the call to no avail.

Philadelphia went on to win 4-2.

Here's the MLB Hall of Fame ceremony in Lego form (VIDEO)

It doesn't matter at what level you play, but baseball is still a kid's game at heart. And with the MLB Hall of Fame Class of 2014 induction ready to enshrine six legends of the sport, what better way to honor it than with a classic child's toy.

On Sunday,  the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown will induct Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas, Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre. Here's how the ceremony might go as imagined by OYO Sportstoys in Lego form.

And yes, that was Bobby Cox kicking dirt on an umpire.

Did Red Sox fan possibly rob David Ortiz of a home run? (VIDEO)

At Saturday's Red Sox-Rays game, a Boston-rooting fan at Tropicana Field potentially took away a home run off the bat of slugger David Ortiz.

Ortiz thought it was out of the old park, but the Sox fan's sno-cone catch seemed to give the ball a little assist over the wall.

So after the umpire review, Big Papi got a double via fan interference instead of a dinger.

Best part was the fan's reaction to the umpire's ruling and attempt to sway the call.

Marlins shortstop catches liner off pitcher's back for out (VIDEO)

This is one play that gives the phrase having your teammate's back new meaning — literally.

In the third inning of Saturday's  Astros-Marlins game, with nobody out and runners at the corners, Miami starter Tom Koehler tossed a 1-2 pitch that Houston DH Chris Carter shot back to the pitcher's mound. Koehler tried to get out of the way, but could only manage to turn his back before being struck by the ball, sending it high into the air.

Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria managed to track the ricocheted ball down and catch it for the unusual out.

Luckily for Koehler, who didn't know what happened on the play, he wasn't injured and actually went on to strike out the next two batters.

"It was kind of weird," Koehler said later. "It kind of just used my back as a ramp to get to Hech. After icing my shoulder, my shoulder was redder than my back. There wasn't even proof that I got hit, which I guess was good."

Good enough to get out of jam.

Volleyball player shunned by own team for being too attractive (VIDEO/PHOTOS)

By Tony Mangia

A teenage Kazakh volleyball player is facing backlash from her teammates because her sexy good looks are distracting fans from the game.

Sabina Altynbekova is playing for Kazakhstan in the Asian Under-19 Championships and her presence on the floor has captivated fans and the media alike.

In a sport already filled with good-looking, statuesque women, the nearly 6-foot stunner now stands heads above the others.

And reportedly not to her fellow V-ballers' liking.

Local media that would normally only write a couple of lines about the women's volleyball competition are devoting lengthy picture features about the 18-year-old, according to the Daily Mail. And YouTube has been bombarded with videos devoted to the long-limbed beauty.

But that sudden move from to center stage has left members of her own team slightly peeved, and now media in her homeland have slammed the obsession with her. 

"Fans just stare at her and they are not following the championship any more," reported Vesti, a respected Kazakh daily paper.

Even her coach, Nurlan Sadikov,  has complained about it.

"It is impossible to work like this, he said. "The crowd behaves like there is only one player at the championship."

The added attention even has the talented player making an appeal to fans to stop.

"I was flattered at first but it's all getting a little bit much," she said. "I want to concentrate on playing volleyball and to be famous for that, not anything else."

Her followers, mostly from China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines, have even had artists honor her with anime fantasies about the sexy Sabina.

Apparently you can't believe everything you heard about Kazakh women from Borat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JquP61SpnE

Rugby star suffers gruesome hand injury during match (GRAPHIC PHOTO)

Nobody ever accused rugby players of being soft, but after Chev Walker suffered a nasty gash to his hand during a match Sunday, The Bradford Bulls star might be labeled tender — tender as in a piece of steak.

That's because Walker's hand looked like a $50 slab of raw filet mignon after posting the gruesome image of the prime cut on his official Twitter account.

For the faint of heart — look away. (GRAPHIC PHOTO)

Well after doing this in the game on Sunday, I thought I was gonna be having an op but just been told doesn't need it pic.twitter.com/jri4BBSSJL
— chev walker (@chevwalker) July 22, 2014

Along with the frightening photo, Walker posted the message: "Well after doing this in the game on Sunday, I thought I was gonna be having an op but just been told doesn't need it."

Posted like a true rugby player.

Walker sustained the bloody injury while attempting a tap tackle in the Bulls' 52-26 Super League match against the Huddersfield Giants.

He was stitched up and, like he said, no operation was necessary.

Former NFL star Jim Brown sues to stop sale of 'stolen' championship ring: Report

Former Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown is suing a New York auction house to block the sale of his 1964 championship ring he won with the Cleveland Browns — one he claims was stolen from him decades ago.

The former Browns great filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court Wednesday seeking a court order for Lelands.com, of Bohemia, NY, and its chairman Josh Evans to return the ring to him, saying it’s “very important” because it’s the only championship he ever won in his Hall of Fame career.

“The 1964 NFL Championship ring is very important to Jim Brown, not for its monetary value, but because of what it stands for,” the suit says. “It is a symbol of Jim Brown’s accomplishments as a professional football player on the only professional football team on which he played.

“Winning the NFL Championship in 1964 was almost a culmination of his successes as a football player, and the 1964 Championship ring is a reminder of the great Browns’ team on which Jim Brown played, and of the camaraderie and friendships that he made on the Browns’ team.”

Brown's ring is up for bidding on the reputable auction house's website until Friday, and as of 11 am Wednesday the high bid was $58,948.

The bruising running back led the Browns to a 27-0 victory in the 1964 NFL Championship over the Baltimore Colts.

It is the Cleveland Browns’ last championship season.

He retired a year later at age 30 following the 1966 season and went on to an acting career that included roles in a number of Hollywood films.

Just wondering who had the guts to steal the formidable Brown's ring in the first place?

Umpire's wacky strike three calls feature Gangnam Style and 2 Chainz references (VIDEO)

Baseball players in a New Jersey amateur baseball league get a little added improvisation act every time they strike out — and they don't seem to mind the extra oomph with the punch outs.

The umpire, not content with calling out batters in a traditional manner, punctuates his strike threes with references to 2 Chainz and "Gangnam Style" instead.

Jeff Bendix, a member of the Amateur Baseball Association and the man who shot the video (below) told NJ.com that " Eddie the Ump calls games like that all the time and is generally a fun guy to be around."

While Eddie seems to be a big hit with the 20-team ABA, he still can't top the master — Leslie Nielsen.

Yu Darvish shows off zany batting swings during rain delay (VIDEO)

There was a lot of down time at Yankee Stadium during Wednesday night's extended rain delay after the grounds crew had a hard time covering the infield during a downpour and left the basepaths a little soggy.

Rangers starter Yu Darvish took the extra time to show his teammates some exaggerated batting swings to keep things light during the nearly two-hour wait.

I'm not sure if he is mimicking some of the Yankees' previous at-bats or getting ready to take some cuts as the DH, but his imaginary rips are pretty funny.

The Yankees slogged away with a 2-1victory in the rain-shortened game because the stadium grounds crew had such a difficult time pulling a weighted down tarp across the diamond during the deluge.

That was pretty comical too.

Tyson to present Holyfield during induction into Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame: Report

Mike Tyson will get another chance to chew on the ear of Evander Holyfield when he will present Holyfield at his induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame next month.

Tyson, who famously took a bite of his opponent's ear during a 1997 title fight and was disqualified, is sure to lay on the shtick when his most famous opponent is inducted at the Tropicana on Aug. 9.

Since then, the two former heavyweight champions have put the whole ear-biting incident behind them and even spoofed the infamous moment in a Foot Locker commercial (below), when Tyson brings the ear back to Holyfield.



Holyfield is going in with George Foreman and Roberto Duran — a couple of other real characters from boxing past.

Darts walk-on girl takes elegant tumble during tournament (VIDEO)

Michael van Gerwen moved through to the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay darts in Blackpool with a comfortable win over over Ian White ... Oh who cares.

The real news before the world number one dart thrower took command of his match, walk-on girl Daniella Allfree took a tumble while heading off the stage!

Ms. Allfree was okay and went on to do some more introductory struts. But who knew there was so much beauty involved within the world of darts?

Rays' Joel Peralta may have the mosquito borne virus chikungunya: Report

Tampa Bays relief pitcher Joel Peralta says he's been feeling sick since he went home to the Dominican Republic during the All-Star break and thinks he has been stricken with chikungunya — the mosquito-borne virus spreading over Florida and the Caribbean.

Peralta began feeling sick on Friday after visiting the Dominican Republic where chikungunya is extremely prevalent, reported CBS.

A Rays spokesperson says that Peralta does have flu like symptoms but that he is still undergoing testing to see if it really is the debilitating ailment.

While the virus isn't deadly it can be extremely uncomfortable and causes arthritis-like symptoms such as joint pain that lasts for weeks.

So far in Florida there have been 82 reported cases of chikungunya, according to WTSP.

"To prevent chikungunya, it is vital that Floridians and visitors continue to avoid mosquito bites," said Dr. Jennifer Bencie, DOH-Manatee Administrator.

The Rays hasn't yet announced whether or not Peralta needs to be put on the disabled list or not yet.

It's a good thing Tropicana Field is a domed stadium.

Chase Headley's debut as a Yankee ends with Gatorade shower (VIDEO)

To call Chase Headley's Tuesday anything but extraordinary would would be a gross understatement.

Headley started the day off ready to suit up for the Padres against the Cubs at Wrigley Field when he found out he was acquired by the Yankees and hopped the next plane to New York.

The Bombers' new third baseman wasn't able to get to the Bronx for the start of his new team's game against the Rangers, but he did put on the pinstripes later in the contest — subbing in for Zealous Wheeler in the eighth.

After a round of quick introductory handshakes, and even fewer nondescript at-bats, Headley topped off the long day by lining an RBI single to left to give the Yankees a 2-1 walk-off victory in the 14th inning.

Instantly, talk went from Who's the new guy? to Brian Cashman is a genius! with one swing of the bat.

And, after a game that the Yankees really needed to win, his new teammates expressed their gratitude for the clutch hit by pouring Gatorade — bucket and all — over Headley's ... well ... head.

One could imagine that days just don't get crazier than this.

Miami Hurricanes mascot walks bride down the aisle (VIDEO)

A bride whose father passed away two years before her wedding day found a very special replacement to walk her down the aisle.

Jennifer Sullivan has always been a big fan of the University of Miami Hurricanes, so it was only fitting that the college mascot, Sebastian the Ibis, accompany her when the Florida native wed her fiance Patrick back in March.

In a video that has been shared more than 5,000 times since it was posted on July 17, the 30-year-old bride giggles and beams as her lively friend elicits cheers from the wedding guests

Patrick  told ABC News that since Jennifer's dad Walter died of a heart attack two years ago, she had struggled with the thought of walking down the aisle alone.

"She thought about her mom or a good friend or an uncle, but she thought nobody was going to take the place of her dad and it'd be a sad moment for everyone," he said.

So they came up with the idea to have the mascot for University of Miami Hurricanes — where Jennifer and Patrick met in law school — be the guest of honor.

The choice was extra special since her father was a devout football fan, and the pair had always a shared love of sports. As an added tribute, Sebastian wore a custom jersey that said "Big Walt" - her father's nickname — on the back.

"We'd just told people Sebastian was walking her down the aisle and they didn't know Sebastian was the name of the mascot."

Eli Manning 'a little nervous' about Giants’ new offense: Report

Eli Manning is coming off a one of his worst seasons ever, and you would expect the Giants quarterback to not look anywhere but up after a rock-bottom year.

After finishing 2013 with a career-high 27 interceptions to go with just 18 touchdowns, his fewest since his rookie year, Manning could realistically say it couldn't get any worse.

But Manning admits that learning the system of new coordinator Ben McAdoo could make things tough as he enters training camp after a disappointing 7-9 campaign.

“Yeah, it is different. You come into the season a little nervous; you just don’t have [the same comfort],’’ Manning told the New York Post. “You have a good feel for it, but not to where I want it to be. That’s with repetition and more plays. It’s a different feeling this time of year than in previous years. We’ve still got a lot of work to do and a lot to improve on to get comfortable, myself with my teammates and everything that goes on with being successful in an offense. I know we’ve got a lot of work to do. But we’re excited about that challenge.’’

Manning says his surgically repaired ankle is completely healed and he won't be physically challenged by it. Now he just needs to grasp the new offense well enough that he throws a lot fewer than 27 interceptions, and a lot more than 18 touchdown passes, this year.

“The ankle feels great, 100 percent. Don’t feel it, don’t think about it. It’s not an issue,’’ Manning said. “I’m excited; excited to be in another training camp, get the season kicked off and get back to work. It’s an exciting time. This is what you look forward to.”

Manning also claims he isn’t the slightest bit worried about practicing with his host of new teammates or the retirement of O-line stalwart Chris Snee.

"We’ve got to have a lot of communication, make sure we’re communicating the same thing on our calls and on our checks, changing up cadence," he said about the fresh faces surrounding him. "You throw everything out there that you want to do — you can’t hold things back because you’ve got some new guys."

Derek Jeter opens Manhattan food truck (PHOTO)

There is now an alternative for everyone tired of jumping on the Derek Jeter bandwagon this summer  — namely, the Yankee captain's food truck.

The soon-to-be retired shortstop — who is already making plans for his baseball playing afterlife by becoming a publishing mogul — is now an involved with one of those specialized four-wheeled snack bars that replaced the old roach coaches and have overtaken New York City.

And Jeter claims his Luvo food truck — parked at its Westside Manhattan location— not only promotes healthy eating, it tastes good as well.

Jeter — who is officially listed as the Luvo brand development officer — spent Monday afternoon tending to hungry fans through the truck's window at its Columbus Circle location and served spoonfuls of leftover habits with the plates of food.

“When you're younger, I didn't really pay much attention to what I was eating. You look at the fitness and health craze going around, I think people are more aware of what they're putting in their bodies,” said Jeter in the lobby of the Trump International Hotel & Tower — where the truck is parked nearby daily. “We used to send the batboys to the fast food restaurants around the (old Yankee) Stadium and eat right before the games.”

The 40-year-old Jeter said he left his days of eating junk food along with his disdain for healthy alternatives after he tasted his first Luvo dish.

“I was introduced to (Luvo) a while back. If I'm going to be honest with you, when I first heard of it, I was like, ‘C'mon...’ But then once you taste it and get an opportunity to see the nutrition factor, it aligns with everything that I've been about, especially with the (Turn 2) Foundation,” said Jeter, referring to his charitable organization for disadvantaged children. “We're always trying to promote healthy lifestyles.”

Jeets may not be playing any baseball next season, but wouldn't it be fun to see him pulling into the Yankee Stadium parking lot driving one his giant food carts?

Now, in your best Bob Sheppard voice: Now cooking for the New York Yankees, short-order cook Derek Jeter. Number two. Derek Jeter.

Shane Greene adds a few more 'E's to his name (VIDEO)

Shane Greene apparently needs to work on his underarm toss.

Greene had a really rough night on the field during the Yankees' 4-2 loss to the Texas Rangers Monday night after contributing three errors to his 5.2 inning pitching line.

As you can see from this clip below, the Yankee rookie's second 'E' would probably get him benched from your company picnic's Cornhole team:

Things would only get worse after Greene became the first pitcher since 1988 to record three errors in a game but, to his credit or luck, none of those three errors led to a run for the Rangers.

Cardinals induct Shelby Miller into bullpen with 'trust fall' (VIDEO)

The Cardinals moved Shelby Miller to the bullpen this weekend, and before Sunday's game against the Dodgers, the St. Louis relievers officially inducted the right-hander into their group by putting him through the "Fall of Trust."

Trust falls don't always go so well, and Miller's fall got started with a four-foot drop to boot. Luckily, this one seemed to end up all right.

No doubt the new member of the bullpen would have preferred the old tried-and-true hot-foot for his indoctrination.

14 year-old sets national weightlifting record (VIDEO)

A 14-year-old weightlifting phenomenon wowed a national audience once again this weekend by breaking one of USA Weightlifting’s oldest records.

In his third attempt Saturday at the U.S. National Weightlifting Championships in Salt Lake City, C.J. Cummings broke the American men’s clean-and-jerk record for the 62-kilogram (about 137-pounds) division of 152.5 kilograms (about 336 pounds) set in 2002 by LeGrand Sakamaki,  who was then 25. Cummings lifted 153 kilos (337.3 pounds) to his shoulders and then overhead, after he weighed in at 136 pounds.

It's an amazing record for a sport that mostly goes unnoticed in this country.

No lifter Cummings’ age has ever broken a national record in the history of USA Weightlifting. In fact, the South Carolina high school student has broken nearly every weightlifting record he has encountered and has been declared the strongest male his age in the world by international weightlifting officials.

Cumming's coach, Ray Jones, praised the burgeoning star, "Nothing has changed. The bottom line is the same. C.J. has been a gift from God, and he is applying that gift to the best of his ability."

They both now have their sights set on the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Matt Harvey spotted with new model on good arm: Report

Matt Harvey — who already has been seen with an unending stream of super models while going through rehab following Tommy John surgery last year —  was recently spotted at a Manhattan hotspot with another piece of arm candy on his good wing.

The Mets pitcher hit the Meatpacking District nightclub Up & Down, where the hard-throwing righty got cozy with Shannon Rusbuldt, according to Confidenti@l of the NY Daily News.

“After a night of lounging around inside the club, the pair was getting close outside on 14th St.,” one tipster told the gossip site.

The Mets star and the 29-year-old American model reportedly did some snuggling outside before heading their separate ways shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday morning.

Harvey is clearly sticking to his rehabbing program — at least when it comes to his model type.

Rusbuldt is a statuesque blond who closely resembles his ex-girlfriend Anne Vyalitsyna, a Victoria’s Secret regular. Rusbuldt is a New York-based runway and print model who has strutted for designers Giorgio Armani and Tory Burch.

And, hopefully not an omen for Harvey, she has also played a “goddess of death” in the History channel’s “Vikings.”

He underwent surgery to repair a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament in October and has been out (and about) ever since.

“It’s been a long year, a tough year,” he told a reporter last week.

At least now it looks a little better.

Arkansas trademarks famous “Woo Pig Sooie!” Hog Call: Report

The famous Hog Call chanted by fans of the sports teams of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks is now a registered trademark owned by the school.

Not a song or a slogan mind you, but the cheer Wooo, Pig! Sooie! that is accompanied by raised arms and wriggling fingers at stadiums during Hogs' games.

Forbes.com reported late this past week that, earlier this month, the United States Trademark and Patent Office “granted registration of the [Hog Call] sensory mark to the school's Board of Trustees.

The university filed for the trademark in July of 2013, according to the business site. And, as part of its case, UA submitted a video (below) of Razorbacks legendary football coach Frank Broyles leading fans in a Hog Call.

It’s believed that the trademark for the Hog Call is the first collegiate cheer to be registered.

The school stated in a release that UA sought a trademark in an effort to stop those “seeking to exploit the mark commercially.”

This way they can hog it for themselves.

Teddy wins Presidents Race with head bizarrely wrapped in tinfoil (VIDEO)

President Teddy scared a lot of fans Sunday after he showed up with his head completely wrapped in tinfoil for Sunday's President Race at Nationals Park. The makeshift "space helmet" was apparently some freaky tribute to the 45th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing — or an attempt at making the world's largest ball of foil.

But either way, it didn't hinder old Teddy from winning the race.

Too bad it wasn't Mr. Potato Head. But then, there probably wouldn't be enough chives and sour cream for everyone.

Yankees don't sign Mariano Rivera's son: Report

The Yankees announced Saturday that draft pick Mariano Rivera Jr., the son of their retired legendary closer, did not sign a contract before Friday's deadline.

The team had selected Rivera Jr., a righthander from Iona College, in the 29th round of the June amateur draft. Rivera Jr. has decided he will return to school for his junior year.

The Yankees did sign 27 of the 38 other players they took in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

"He just wanted to continue where he's at currently," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "It's not something that he wants to pursue just yet. I think Mariano and the family feel like some more seasoning in the college ranks will benefit him more."

As a sophomore, Rivera Jr. was 2-6 with a 5.40 ERA in 13 games. He struck out 50 in 70 innings.

"He wasn't a courtesy draft," Cashman said about the storybook family connection. "We would have signed him if he had the interest in starting his pro career now."

Tour de France cyclist uses fan's camper for bathroom break (VIDEO)

Sometimes nature calls when you are least prepared for it to come-a-knocking.

That's what happened to Tour de France cyclist Arnaud Demare early in Saturday's Stage 14 in the Alps when he had some urgent business to take care of.

Only the Frenchman didn't settle for the traditional "natural break" as it is called in cycling — by going on the side of the road using the surrounding flora. Instead Demare pulled up to a fan watching on the side of the road in his camper to see if he could use de toilette for what his crew called an emergency.

We can only hope the gracious host had a can of Eau de Lysol handy.

Jackie Bradley Jr. throws a baseball over the outfield wall ... from home plate (VIDEO)

Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is known as an excellent fielder but wanted to show everyone that he has a pretty good arm as well.

During Saturdays' batting practice, the Boston centerfielder took a short hop behind home plate and threw a ball over the Fenway Park center-field wall just to prove it.

That's a heave of about 400 feet from the plate as the crow flies — or as a Big Papi home run sails.

Don't believe it? Well check out the video below:

Cardinals fan drops full beer from balcony onto women below (VIDEO)

A Cardinals fan unintentionally drops his full beer from a balcony and gives a couple of unsuspecting women below a frothy King of Beers shower during Saturday's game.

The good news. He's at Busch Stadium so there's plenty more brew where that came from.

Tennis player uses chair to hug it out with taller opponent at Claro Open (VIDEO)

Instead of going straight to the net for the customary handshake, after a loss to Ivo Karlovic at the Claro Open Colombia in Bogota, 5'9" Dudi Sela instead took a tiny detour to grab a chair from the sidelines in order to give his much taller opponent a hug.

Sela had the sense of mind and even higher sense of humor to stand on the chair and hug it out with the 6'10" Karlovic after Thursday's one-hour and 40-minute match.

“After I won, I was going to the net to have a handshake and then I look at him and he’s going back to get a chair,” said Karlovic. “I didn’t know what he was going to do and then he arrives and he gives me a hug, which was unbelievable and hilarious. Obviously he needed a hug, so I hugged him back.

“He’s a really nice guy and I like him a lot. It was funny.”

Sela, who lost to the towering Croat for a second straight week and sixth time overall in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, was pleased with his effort and called it an opportune time to give Karlovic the unexpected hug on court.

And he's a bigger man for it.