AP - Charlie Manuel plans to manage the Philadelphia Phillies against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS despite the death of his mother. The Phillies said that June Manuel died Friday morning. No other information was immediately available.

Reuters - The NBA has been weathering the global financial crisis by cutting the number of pre-season games in Europe this year, Commissioner David Stern told reporters on Friday.

AFP - Germany captain Michael Ballack insisted Friday there is no problem with him and the rest of the German squad after reports claimed he was ostracised following his row with team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

AP - Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness and could miss Monday night's game against the New York Giants.

AP - Ronnie Brown and two Miami Dolphins teammates have been fined$10,000 each by the NFL for excessive celebrating.

AP - Going to a baseball game in Detroit used to mean heading to Michigan and Trumbull, the intersection that became shorthand for Tiger Stadium. Go there today, and all that remains is a small slice of the arena that once drew throngs of fans to see legends like Ty Cobb and Hank Greenberg play.