Broadside Sports

Brian T. Chan, Sports Editor

The Boryc File
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It is in the libero’s convention to serve as the defensive specialist on the volleyball court. Yet, there are instances when the libero is part of the offensive attack, recording an unusual kill. For sophomore libero Katrina Boryc, the spontaneity of her first collegiate kill came as a shock to her.

Boryc is a key source to the women’s volleyball team’s success in the 2009 season. In 92 sets, she has 215 digs and 31 service aces.

George Mason University is currently in the midst of competing in the postseason, which will be their first appearance since the 2007 season.

Boryc, originally from Naperville, Ill., came to Mason after helping her high school volleyball team win a conference championship in her senior year. Whereas certain areas produce very talented athletes in certain sports, volleyball has been known for its dominance in the Chicago area.

“Volleyball is big where I live,” said Boryc. “I started [playing] in fourth grade. I live a couple blocks away from this big volleyball center and everyone in my area – everyone from Chicago – loves volleyball.”

As a member of the Waubonsie Valley Warriors, Boryc engraved her name into the school history books as the first player to have started in her freshman year and earn four varsity letters. Her next move was to play for Head Coach Pat Kendrick, referred to as PK, who at the time accomplished her 400th career win.

“A lot of my decision [to attend Mason] had to do with the coaches, PK especially,” said Boryc. “I just felt like she was a coach you could go and talk to about things, and Dottie [Porch] was also that type of person there – very knowledgeable.”

From there, Boryc decided to attend Mason, where she planned on majoring in nursing.

Most of Boryc’s life revolves around volleyball. Boryc, the youngest of three in her family, joined her two other sisters in playing collegiate volleyball. Sarahanne, the oldest, played with the Appalachian State Mountaineers from 2001-2005. Rachel is currently in her junior year with the Georgia State Panthers.

Despite taking opposite sides of the court, Katrina and Rachel have a close-knit relationship.

“First of all, playing against my sister is just a love battle,” said Boryc. “I played with her all throughout high school, so I was always digging her, but she would [still] get kills on me sometimes.”

Whether it is having the fun rivalry with her sister or playing against the marquee opponents, Boryc contends that her volition is her most unique characteristic.

As a libero, Boryc is the eyes and ears of the court. According to Boryc, “the libero is the one person that can always see the entire court and can always talk to everyone on the court.” Even though freshman libero Koala Matsuoka has recently been anointed as a starter, Boryc is still a key factor to the team’s success.

“It is mostly that we both just want the team to do the best [it] can,” said Boryc. “If [Matsuoka] is doing really well one week, I am going to want her to play because I want our team to progress, or if I am doing really well one week, then I am sure she feels the same way.”

The competitive spirit has been an important part in their healthy relationship.

“I have tried many times, and some people can do it, but it is like you have to do it to the ‘Macarena,’” said Boryc on attempting to pronounce Matsuoka’s full name, Koalaanuheamaikalani.

Last season, Boryc did not record a single kill, but in a match against the Towson Tigers this season, she achieved the rare feat. Not only had it been a shock to the opponents and her own teammates, but it was also a surprise to Boryc.

“[Recording my first kill] was exciting. I was not expecting it at all,” said Boryc. “It came as a shock, but anytime I put a ball over the net, I try to make it as aggressive as I can and not look into giving them an easy ball.”

Boryc currently has 0.01 kills per set this season. It is highly unpredictable when she will register her second career kill, but it is in the nature of the game for spontaneous forces to emerge.

“[If I record a second kill], I would probably do my same old thing, where I get excited and jump up and down,” said Boryc.

Ryan Dempsey. Staff Writer

NCAA Football Top 25
This past weekend featured some major games in college football. Some could determine a team’s placement in bowl games, while others could cost some teams a bowl game appearance. One of the most exciting games was when 11th-ranked Ohio State University (9-2, 6-1) upset tenth ranked University of Iowa (9-2, 5-2), 27-24. Another exciting game came as the University of Stanford (7-3, 6-2) went on the road to defeat ninth-ranked University of Southern California (7-3, 4-3) 55 to 21.

Notably, the University of Southern Florida (6-4, 4-2) defeated 15th-ranked Houston University 37-32, while the University of North Carolina (7-3, 3-3) defeated 14th-ranked University of Miami (FL) (7-3, 4-3) by a score of 33-24.

NFL
This past weekend in the NFL, there were games that were exciting, boring and just plain expected. We all knew that the Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) game was going to be one of tough defense and sure will, but I do not think anyone expected the Steelers’ to lack a touchdown the whole game. It was apparent that the Bengals were a better team as they defeated the Steelers 18-12 and remained unbeaten in conference play.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) also had a close game against the New York Jets (4-5), winning by a game-ending field goal for a final score of 24-22. Jacksonville’s running back, Maurice Jones-Drew saw a clear path to the end zone but fought the urge to cross the goal line. Jones-Drew took a knee at the one-yard line to keep the clock running and allowed kicker Josh Scobee to kick the game-winning field goal.

“Sorry to my fantasy owners,” Jones-Drew stated. “I apologize. I had myself today. It was a tough call, but whatever it takes to get the victory, that’s what counts.” Jones-Drew’s restraint showed his devotion to his team over his personal statistics, exemplifying the caliber of his game.

“Smartest play of the game,” said Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. “That’s an MVP play right there.” The Jets have continued to struggle, losing their last three home games, and losing five of their last six.

The play of the week came during the Washington Redskins (3-6) win over the Denver Broncos (6-3) with a final score of 27-17. In the second quarter of the game, the Redskins faced fourth-and-20 at the 35, and the Redskins had already showed a fake by splitting tight end Todd Yoder wide as a receiver in a field-goal formation. Even though the Broncos were aware of the fake, and despite needing 20 yards, the Redskins still decided to run the ball in motion. Kicker Hunter Smith took the snap, rolled right and lobbed the ball deep across the field to fullback Mike Sellers for the touchdown to tie the score at 14.

The importance of the win came later yesterday afternoon, as the two other division teams playing, the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, lost their respective games. The Cowboys’ loss sets up a showdown as the Redskins go to Dallas to play their biggest rivals.

Other notable games were the New Orleans Saints narrowly defeating the Saint Louis Rams, and the Miami Dolphins kicking a last second field goal to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Due to production constraints, later Sunday games are not able to be included.

Cody Norman, Broadside Correspondent

Men’s Cross Country
The George Mason University men’s cross country team competed at the Cavalier Open in Panorama Farms in Earlysville, Va. on Nov. 6 in its final meet before the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship meet. Sophomore Daniel Callan ran his way to a seventh-place finish in the Open, posting a time of 25:24.63. Freshman Philip Blankenship (26:41.50), freshman Andrew Pitts (26:52.25) and sophomore Henry Loehr (26:56.65) all finished in the top 25 in the 8K run.

On Sept. 22, sophomore Everett Hackett was named the CAA Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week after posting a 25:10.50 on his way to a third-place finish at the Lou Onesty Invitational.

Women’s Cross Country
The women’s cross country team finished as the runner-up to the Delaware Blue Hens in the team scoring for the women’s 5K with a total of 65 points. Freshman Rochelle Sceats and sophomore Sandy Castro finished second and third, posting times of 18:26.53 and 18:59.04, respectively. Freshman Laura Sinclair rounded out the top five with a time of 19:08.65.

At the CAA Championships, the Patriots put together 126 points to finish third place in the 6K race. Both Sceats and Sinclair earned All-CAA honors after the event.

Golf
Junior Marshall Tinsley has led the way thus far for the men’s golf team. Tinsley posted a four-under-par 66 and matched George Washington University’s Cole Turner for the low round of the tournament, but finished sixth overall after recording a 79 in round one. Senior Greg Brouse finished ninth overall after recording a team-best score of 75 in the first round.

The Patriots traveled to the Joe Agee Invitational on Oct. 10-11 and finished in fifth place as a team. Brouse led the charge for Mason after posting a 145 in the two rounds, just four shots behind the winner.

On Sept. 30, Tinsley was named CAA Co-Golfer of the Week with UNC-Wilmington senior Derek Wallace after shooting his best two rounds of golf in his career at Mason on the par 72 Rees Jones Course at the Sea Trail Intercollegiate in Sunset Beach, N.C.

Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team finished their season in seventh place in the CAA with an overall record of 10-7-1 and a 5-5-1 record in the conference. Senior midfielder Richard Edgar earned All-CAA honors and was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Team.

Junior midfielder Victor Freeman led the team in most offensive categories by recording 18 points on seven goals and four assists during the 2009 campaign. Senior goalkeeper Sean Kelley recorded a conference leading 82 saves on the year while posting five shutouts. Kelley finished his regular season career at Mason with 332 saves and 30 career shutouts.

Women’s Soccer
Led by first-team All-CAA redshirt junior midfielder Omolyn Davis, the Patriots finished their season with a 14-4-2 overall record and a 6-3-2 conference record, leaving them fourth place in the CAA. Davis led the team with 28 points on 10 goals and eight assists during the season.

Freshman forward Tiana Kallenberger added 26 points with nine goals and eight assists during the team’s successful 2009 campaign. The duo combined to help the Patriots pick up nine more wins than they recorded in a disappointing 2008 season. Kallenberger was named to the All-CAA third team while also being selected to the CAA All-Rookie team. Freshman goalkeeper Katie Frey was also named to the All-Rookie team while posting eight shutouts on the season.

Men’s Tennis
The men’s tennis team attended the Bucknell Invitational in Lewisburg, Pa. on Oct. 3-4 where one of the Patriots’ doubles teams made it to the Championship Match; however, the team came up short and finished as the tournament runner-up.

The team, consisting of sophomore Jorge Osuna and freshman Kevin McMillen, defeated each of their first three opponents before falling to the top-seeded team of Jemersic/Skvarka from FDU 8-5. Both Osuna and McMillen have posted 4-4 records this season in their singles matches while producing a 2-6 overall record in their doubles performances.

Women’s Tennis
The last weekend in September marked the third annual Mason Invitational and included teams from George Washington University, Loyola University, Howard University, Mount St. Mary’s University and Virginia State University.

Prior to the rain, the Mason women won 12 of 17 individual matches. Freshmen Kiersten Pappas and Alison Wingo both went 2-0 as Pappas pushed her record to a perfect 6-0 on the season. Junior Lindsay Gray, senior Meredith Cutchin, junior Aryn Cristman and junior Catherine Crisostomo also posted victories in their singles events.

Volleyball
The women’s volleyball team entered the final match of their 2009 regular season campaign with a 20-8 overall record, a 9-4 record in the CAA and an automatic berth to the CAA Championship, their first since 2007. Junior middle blocker Holly Goode led the team with 165 kills on the season and ranked fourth in the conference in the category.

Junior setter Fernanda Bartels finished second in the CAA with 482 assists on the season, while sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bohman led the entire conference with 69 total blocks.

To my seniors,

First, I have no words to describe how much you mean to me. After three years of having a routine together and seeing each other every day, it’s hard to think that the season will be over soon. It is hard to think that we played our last home game together this past Saturday. I still cannot imagine going on the court without you being there. My definition of George Mason University volleyball includes having Laura Turner, Rebecca Walter and Sam Simmonds as teammates. I do not know what is to come of Mason volleyball without you.

You were the ones who guided me through all my years at Mason so far, on and off the court. Whether I needed a shoulder to cry or had a smile to share, you guys were always there for me. You were my role models, the people I would look up to when I questioned myself. Now, I have to grow up. I have always been the baby, the young one. Now, I have to become the older sister, the responsible one, and play the role you always played for me, which scares me to a certain extent. It scares me to take the responsibility and pressure that you guys have been taking even though I am fascinated by that position.

As a friend, teammate and roommate, I could not be more proud of you three. I was not here for your first year, but I can get a taste of how pleasant, and sometimes painful, your volleyball journey has been.

I know there were times you wanted to quit everything, go back home and forget this entire experience. I also know there were times when you couldn’t imagine yourself doing anything else other than playing volleyball for Mason. I know how much you guys have changed and I know that this change is something to be proud of. Congratulations!

This weekend you concluded a beautiful journey that will leave not only unreachable stats in Mason history, but the friends and memories you have encountered along the way.

So I am here to congratulate and thank you three. I am thankful for being part of your college experience and for having you as teammates. Congratulations for fighting until the end and for overcoming all the challenges crossed your way. Whether it was a physical or emotional challenge, you made it.

I will miss you guys, but I am sure the world out there is waiting for you and everything you have to offer. So make the best of it!

Love from your teammate and friend,
Fernanda

The women’s volleyball team can clinch the third seed with a win tonight against the James Madison Dukes. Mason’s CAA Tournament first round opponent has yet to be determined. Currently, the Delaware Blue Hens sit in second place. The Blue Hens, whom Mason surrendered all six sets to this season, won their past three matches. The current conference leader VCU Rams extended their winning streak to eight games after last night’s win against the Georgia State Panthers. With a new playoff format, Mason reached postseason the hard way, finishing in the top four whereas six teams qualified for last year’s tournament. This season, Mason will be the underdog as the only team in the upcoming tournament to not have appeared in last year’s tournament.

Jerry Holy, Broadside Correspondent

In an exciting atmosphere at the Patriot Center, the men’s basketball team put on a show as they downed the Virginia State Trojans 100-82 in the exhibition game last Thursday. Mason controlled the game from the very beginning with a 3-point jumper from junior guard Cam Long.

Sophomore guard Andre Cornelius led the team with 22 points and sophomore forward Ryan Pearson added 12 points with a 3-point jumper at the end of the first half.

Senior forward Louis Birdsong and Long had 10 points apiece. Sophomore forward Mike Morrison had nine points and two blocks.

The bench players also contributed to the team’s impressive victory. Rising freshman forward Kevin Foster added seven points, one block and a steal.

Junior guard Isaiah Tate showed he could step up as a leader on the floor, scoring six points in the game.

Among the freshmen, forward Luke Hancock had a strong debut on both sides of the floor. Hancock led the team with four steals and eight assists.

Hancock also added seven points from the bench as did freshman guard Sherrod Wright.

“[Hancock] played good for his first game as a Patriot,” said sophomore guard Jimmy Nolan on the freshman forward from Roanoke, Va.

“Hancock played [as] well on defense as he did on offense,” said Long.

“[Cornelius] played great on offense, taking his time and being patient with his shooting,” Nolan said. “Andre was also great on [putting defensive] pressure on the opposing team.”

With the six freshmen players on the 2009-10 men’s basketball squad, they were able to show that they could step up to the challenge.

“I was really surprised by the freshmen players. They were calm and ready to play,” said Long.

“The freshmen players played well while under pressure for their first game,” said Birdsong.

Mason led the Trojans at the end of the first half, 48-36. In the second half, Mason showed that the potential in this year’s squad will be a force to be reckoned with as they put up 52 points in the second half.

“In my first three years playing with Mason, we have made it to the conference championships, and I would like to keep the tradition up with this season,” said Birdsong. “We can play well against any team once we are all on the same page.”

Mason will play against last year’s Final Four participant, the Villanova Wildcats, in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 19.

“A run like the one we had in 2006 is possible as long as we believe in ourselves,” said Nolan.

The men are back in action Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. as they host the Liberty Flames as a part of the season-opening doubleheader with the women’s basketball team taking on the Norfolk State Spartans at 5 p.m.

Yasin Jama, Staff Writer

The 2009 NFL season has been a tremendous start for some teams and a disastrous start for others. Unlike last season, there are more bad teams than recent years.

There are five 1-win teams in the league and still one winless team. There are also three teams with only two wins so far. Here are the surprises and disappointments for the 2009 season:

Surprises

New Orleans Saints:
The Saints are one of two undefeated teams in the NFL at the season midpoint. They are averaging nearly 40 points a game. Quarterback Drew Brees has so far been the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, throwing touchdowns to five different receivers and anchoring an offense that is number one in the league.

Add to that an improved defense led by new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the Saints could possibly be the team to beat in the NFC.

Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts have a new head coach and offensive coordinator. However, that has not changed the chemistry of the team.

Led by future-Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, the Colts are off to a 6-0 start for the third time in five years. The Colts are fourth in the league in scoring, but they find ways to win in almost every aspect.

Last week against the 49ers, the Colts’ offense struggled. Manning overthrew most of his receivers and did not throw a touchdown.

The offense came together in the fourth quarter when running back Joseph Addai threw a touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne. The Colts are bound to make another Super Bowl run.

Cincinnati Bengals:
Quarterback Carson Palmer has been plagued with injuries for the past couple of seasons. Palmer’s last healthy season was in 2005, the last time the Bengals made the playoffs.

Now, Palmer is finally healthy, and the Bengals are poised to clinch its first playoff berth since then. With Palmer at the helm, the Bengals are a better team as a whole.

Their five wins came against three divisional opponents, including road victories against the Browns and the Ravens.

They even won their home game against the Steelers. Should Palmer stay healthy, the Bengals could be playing in January.

Denver Broncos:
The Broncos are also a surprising 6-1 team that faced heavy criticism for their part on trading Jay Cutler in the off- season, but winning football games cures all the negative publicity, and Denver fans have a reason to be very optimistic.

Denver’s defense, which ranked last in 2008, is now number one in the league, including being ranked second in points allowed.

Kyle Orton is so far the comeback player of the season in Denver. However, in Denver’s final nine games, five of them will be at home.

They will face teams like Pittsburgh, New York Giants, Indianapolis, San Diego and Philadelphia. We will then find out whether Denver can keep its lead in the AFC West.

Disappointments

Cleveland Browns:
The Browns thought they had a new era in the making with Head Coach Eric Mangini and General Manager George Kokhis.

However, the Browns are 1-7 and have questions in every position, and the fan base is starting to voice their opinion.

Owner Randy Lerner did mention this week that big changes are coming for next season.

Kokhis has been let go by the organization, and whether Mangini keep his job beyond this season is still to be determined.

Washington Redskins:
While the Rams, Lions, Chiefs and Buccaneers have reasons for their bad starts due to their team rebuilding, the Washington Redskins do not have that excuse.

After starting the season with six straight games against winless teams, the Redskins lost three of them, and in the games they won, they scored fewer than 17 points.

The offense is ineffective in every position. The Redskins are 2-5 and fans are putting the blame on Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, who hired Jim Zorn to be the head coach and brought in some new, high-priced players as well.

Also, the Redskins have one of the toughest second-half season schedules in the league.

Therefore, the Redskins, who spent nearly $200 million on free agents in the offseason, could end the regular season with only two or three more victories.

Fernanda Bartels, Staff Writer

This year is the Colonial Athletic Association’s 25th anniversary.

Inspired by the CAA’s milestone and my upcoming 21st birthday, I decided to look into some numbers and interesting facts of international volleyball at George Mason University.

I am celebrating 21 years of life; Pat Kendrick, our head coach, is celebrating her 25th season at Mason.
Kendrick is the longest-tenured coach in the conference.

She also ranks 44th among active head coaches with 405 career victories.

Along with Kendrick, the Mason women’s volleyball program is symbol of tradition in the CAA.

The name Mason Volleyball carries history and success. The Patriots have won seven CAA championships with only the William & Mary Tribe holding more titles.

The Patriots played in 11 championship games. It is interesting to see that Mason hosted the championship four times, but never won a championship title on their home court.

The odds are against us winning a championship match on our home court. Of course, hosting the championship would be amazing, but nothing would be better than winning the tournament.

As part of the anniversary celebration, the CAA selected a 25th anniversary team. Mason had six of its volleyball athletes honored by the CAA.

An interesting observation: four of the six Mason players honored are international students.
Virag Domokos from Hungary, Olga Matejickova from the Czech Republic, Aline Pereira from Brazil and Jesica Umansky from Argentina are the four international athletes that made history at Mason.

Because I am from Brazil, it is important to me that Mason’s history of international players has succeeded at the collegiate level.

It inspires me to succeed and reminds me that if someone else has done it, I can also do it too.
Besides me, we have three other international students on the team. Motivated by these top-four international players, we are trying to make our history.

Now that we have seen the numbers from the past, it is time to look at the present. We are leading the CAA with a .231 attack percentage, and 230 blocks.

We are second in assists and kills in the conference. The numbers have been working in our favor.
Backed up with a rich history in the sport, we will be able to build our own history with our numbers.

Ari Sinay, Broadside Correspondent

Freshman outside hitter Ran Yin of the George Mason University women’s volleyball team has traveled long distances to play the game she loves.

Yin, an only child, has lived in Beijing, China her whole life with her parents, YanJun and ChangXin Yin.
Traveling to Mason to play volleyball and to receive an education is Yin’s first time leaving China and her life behind.

Yin started playing volleyball at the age of 12 when her middle school primary teacher suggested the sport to her.

“I used to play Chinese traditional music, but that was boring and I didn’t enjoy it, so I listened to my teacher and started to play volleyball,” said Yin.

The rest was history. Yin blossomed into a standout on the court and by the time she finished her career playing for her high school Beijing 101 team, which boasted an undefeated record and a top 10 placing in China, Yin was a highly talented commodity.

Yin’s abilities on the court also propelled her into international competition as she competed in the 2004 young Olympic games in Australia against countries like Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia.

“As a team, our results weren’t so good, but I had an amazing time traveling and it was a good experience for me and my game,” said Yin.

At this point, one of Yin’s former coaches, Sean Rong Liu, had been coaching at the University of Maryland and was well-known with many coaches and teams around the collegiate sphere.

Liu suggested to Yin to contact Mason and express her interest in playing overseas.

“I e-mailed back and forth with [Head Coach Pat Kendrick], and we took it from there,” said Yin.
For the first time in her life, Yin would travel outside of the country to America and begin a journey like none other.

“Coming here was very exciting for me – America is so nice. I like the people and my teammates. Being international, it’s hard to find people, but I was able to find some international friends here as well as [to] stay in touch with my friends back home,” said Yin.

By joining the women’s volleyball team at Mason, Yin became the newest addition to the growing international flare already in place.

Australian seniors Rebecca Walter and Sam Simmonds and Fernanda Bartels, a junior from Brazil, have paved the way for an easy transition for Yin.

“I like to talk to my teammates, especially Bec, Fernanda and Sammy and their situations as internationals. They have gone through the same sort of thing and after talking with them, I feel better,” said Yin.

This past weekend, Yin was in action as the team swept the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks on Friday night and the Georgia State Panthers on Saturday night where the Patriots sported their pink jerseys in honor of the Dig Pink fund to raise awareness for breast cancer.

The Patriots improved their record to 19-7 and 8-3 in conference play with the victories.

During the weekend, Yin recorded seven kills and 11 digs, helping her team to two key victories en route to the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.

The team leapfrogged the William & Mary Tribe for third place in the conference after accomplishing the weekend sweep.

“I feel sometimes I can play well and sometimes [I] play bad, but now it is time to focus on doing well and playing my best for the team, with CAAs coming up. I feel very proud to be a Patriot and represent Mason,” said Yin.

Coming from the Far East, Yin is already making her impact on and off the court as the newest edition to the women’s volleyball team.

Ryan Dempsey,  Staff Writer

NFL
On Thursday, Indianapolis Colts starting cornerback Marlin Jackson confirmed Thursday that he has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

This is the second straight year that Jackson has suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

The injury for Jackson is worse than it is for his team since he is scheduled to be a free agent at the conclusion of this season, and unless he can prove to be healthy, he will be cut from the team.

For the Colts, things continued to spiral downward as the team learned that cornerback Bob Sanders needs surgery to repair his injured elbow which will end his season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN in a televised report.

MLB
After the New York Yankees won the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui was named the Most Valuable Player in the World Series after a record-setting performance in the decisive Game 6.

Matsui had a .615 batting average in the series, including three home runs and eight RBIs.

Matsui drove in six of the Yankees’ seven runs in Game 6, the most by any player in a World Series clincher and becoming the first Japanese native to win World Series MVP.

Also, Matsui is only the second designated hitter to win World Series MVP after Paul Molitor, who won MVP honors with the Blue Jays in 1993.

Five other players previously shared the record of five RBIs in a World Series clincher.

In other MLB news, teams wasted no time to begin trades.

The Boston Red Sox have made the first official trade in baseball by acquiring 25-year-old outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for pitchers Jose Alvarez and Hunter Jones.

NBA
One of the hot rumors being spread around the NBA is Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James possibly being traded to the New York Knicks.

In other NBA news, many key players are suddenly being placed on the injured list. According to Fanhouse.com, Sacramento Kings point guard Kevin Martin is out indefinitely with a fractured navicular bone.

In addition, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered two losses as Pau Gasol, who has yet to play a game this season, and Andrew Bynum, are both out with injuries.