Air travel in Russia concerned Dave King

Longtime NHL coach Dave King was a hockey pioneer, becoming the first Canadian coach in Russia’s Super League. He coached Magnitorgorsk for one season (2005-06), the year following the NHL lockout.

It appealed to his adventurous spirit, and he even wrote a book about it. But there was one particular aspect about the experience he still remembered with unease on the day that a Russian jet crash killed 43 people, many of them prominent hockey players.

“I loved coaching in Russia. It was a great adventure,” King said in a telephone interview from Phoenix on Wednesday. "But the one thing you always worried about was charter flights.”

Commercial flights were not an issue. There was one particular aging propeller-driven plane used on occasion for charters. The players called it Pterodactyl Air, and those flights made everyone nervous, he said.

“Russia is a big country. I remember many times the prop planes would be going to the end of the runway and it seemed like the takeoff taxi would be endless,” said King, who is now a consultant with the Coyotes after several seasons as an assistant with Phoenix.

“Finally, the plane would creep up. The players would joke about it.”

RELATED:

Ducks remember Ruslan Salei, killed in Russian plane crash

Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei among 43 dead in Russian plane crash

Hockey world reacts to Russian plane crash tragedy

Luc Robitaille remembers former Kings teammate Pavol Demitra

--Lisa Dillman

Photo: Dave King during his assistant coaching stint with the Phoenix Coyotes. Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Telegraph audio interview: UFC newby Alistair Overeem sees 50-50 fight between Cain Velasquez v Junior Dos Santos

Alistair Overeem spoke to Telegraph Sport shortly after it was announced that he has signed with the UFC, and will face Brock Lesnar in Las Vegas on Dec 30. He was offered his first fight in the UFC against the winner of Cain Velasquez (UFC heavyweight champion) v Junior Dos Santos, but turned that down as he wanted to get into action sooner.

GAD: A very exciting announcement that you have signed for the UFC. The world over, MMA fans are excited for this. You must be too?

Alistair Overeem: I am as well. My team is excited, the UFC is excited. It's a great development. And yeah what can I say? I'm all pumped up.

GAD: It's come in the week that it's been announced UFC has signed a 7 year deal with the FOX Network, taking the UFC brand on to mainstream television. It must be fantastic to be involved at a time when the heavyweights are being put on the main frame in the sporting world?

AO: Very exciting time. It couldn't have been better timing, and for me it's the logical next step. Not fighting in Strikeforce anymore, Japan was quiet, one of my goals was to become world champion and I already achieved that goal in K1. The UFC has always been regarded as the highest belt out there so for me it's the next step and yeah it's just a great time.

GAD: Have there been talks ongoing for a long time behind the scenes?

AO: There have been talks for the last couple of weeks and of course there was a little beef going on. There were all the differences, over when they could start negotiations. I heard the last couple of weeks there were talks. I didn't really worry about myself but I did worry about my team-mates because of the beef. My future wasn't really a major concern because I have a good record, and I am a world champion. But the deal came and today's the big day.

GAD: When you came into the UFC office [in Las Vegas] was the deal already signed?

AO: It was finalised but not yet signed.

GAD: Ok, so you've come in today and its been finalised. Did you know before today that Brock Lesnar would be the first opponent?

AO: Ummm… well, yeah we wanted to do it. So that would be the first fight.

GAD: It's a great fight for you to start in the UFC against Brock Lesnar who has become a great star in the UFC and who has achieved great things already, but he has holes in his game. I'm sure you feel you must be able to exploit them ?

AO: Definitely. I think Brock is an excellent wrestler but I see myself as better rounded, a better striker, but that's the sport. It can go either way. I'm not sure I would still be standing if Brock hits me clean on the chin.

GAD: But obviously you're not gonna let him?

AO: That's the thing with the sport… it can go either way. The thing with Brock is that he's an unpredictable, strong explosive guy. It's exciting. I'm really excited about it.

GAD: In some ways, you were the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle for the UFC in the heavyweight landscape. Now they have the strongest heavyweight group. Could we now end up – finally – with a European heavyweight champion in the UFC ?

AO: That's quite exciting, right ? And I was even born in England. I have, like, British nationality.

GAD: Where will you go from here? The fight is at the end of the year. Will you go straight into training camp in a couple of weeks?

AO: Well, I'm already keeping my shape up. I've got some sparring partners with me. I'm going to head to Tokyo after this to do a television tour, so there's going to be breaking news there as well. After that I'll be heading back home and then get into my 100% training schedule.

GAD: Did you always feel this would come about ? Did you think 'I'm going to end up in up in the UFC' ?

AO: I did see the UFC as a place that I was going to end up in. But of course you never know. You could injure yourself, you could get hit by a truck. That is one of the things I have seen in my career, in my experience that a lot of things can change in the fight scene. But I did see it coming. I thought I would end up in the UFC eventually….

GAD: Finally, there's another major heavyweight fight coming up on FOX on November 12 between Cain and Junior. Can you give your analysis on that fight and how you'd pick in that contest?

AO: It's going to be a very exciting fight. Two fighters who are well-rounded, who have excellent striking. They both come from two excellent camps. It could go either way. It's hard to say. They're well rounded, evenly-matched. For me, it's 50/50. I have no gut feeling on who the winner will be.

Angels look to close gap on Texas; Trout discusses minor league award

The Angels have a chance to shave a game off the Texas Rangers' American League West lead Wednesday night. The Rangers lost to Tampa Bay, 5-4, earlier Wednesday, and if the Angels beat the Seattle Mariners Wednesday night, they will be 2 1/2 games back with 19 games to play.

With left-hander Charlie Furbush starting for the Mariners, Mike Trout is back in the lineup, starting in right field, and Peter Bourjos is back at the top of the order, hitting second. The Angels are 18-4 this season in games Trout has started.

Wednesday afternoon, the Angels held a news conference for Trout so the 20-year-old could field questions about being named Baseball America's minor league player of the year. Among the previous awards winners are Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, Joe Mauer, Dwight Gooden and Tim Salmon.

"I read that list today," Trout said. "Jeter is on it, a guy who just got his 3,000^th hit, Salmon got it. It’s just a great honor."

Trout, the 25th overall pick in the 2009 draft, won the award by hitting .326 with a .414 on-base percentage, 82 runs, 11 homers, 13 triples and 33 stolen bases in 91 games for double-A Arkansas, which is currently playing in the Texas League playoffs.

"Coming into the year, my personal goal was to make the playoffs in double A," Trout said. "Now I have a chance to make them in the big leagues. It's definitely a bigger jump."

Trout was called up for the first time July 8 and hit .163 in 14 games during his first stint with the Angels. He was sent back to Arkansas on July 31 and since being recalled for a second time on Aug. 19, Trout is batting .317 (13 for 41) with four homers, 11 runs and eight RBIs in 14 games.

"When I first got called up I was jittery, nervous, trying to do too much," Trout said. "When I was sent down, I realized this is where I wanted to be. I came up, knew what to expect and went with that."

Trout seems more than comfortable in the big leagues now -- he looks like he belongs. The biggest challenge of playing in the major leagues, he said, is "realizing it’s just a game played before more people. You have to take a deep breath a couple of times. That was big thing. My first game I looked up and saw four decks and 40,000 people. It’s a little different than high school."

The Angels lineup: 3B Maicer Izturis, CF Peter Bourjos, 2B Howie Kendrick, DH Torii Hunter, 1B Mark Trumbo, LF Vernon Wells, RF Mike Trout, SS Erick Aybar, C Bobby Wilson, P Jerome Williams.

The Mariners lineup: RF Ichiro Suzuki, SS Brendan Ryan, 2B Dustin Ackley, LF Mike Carp, 1B Justin Smoak, C Miguel Olivo, DH Wily Mo Pena, CF Trayvon Robinson, 3B Alex Liddi, P Charlie Furbush.

--Mike DiGiovanna

U.S. Open: Two Wednesday quarterfinals canceled

Two men's quarterfinals scheduled for Wednesday at the U.S. Open have been officially taken off the schedule.

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic against 20th-seeded Janko Tipsarevic, the all-Serbian quarterfinal, which was to be the second match in Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the match between third-seeded Roger Federer and 11th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, which was to have been the second night match in Arthur Ashe (after Serena Williams versus Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova), have been canceled.

After Tuesday's entire slate was rained out, there also hasn't been a match completed yet on Wednesday. Play started at 12:34 p.m. with defending champion Rafael Nadal trailing Gilles Muller, 3-0, 15-0; Andy Roddick leading David Ferrer, 3-1, and Donald Young ahead of Andy Murray, 2-1.

Roddick and Nadal were unhappy about going out at all this morning. A spokesman for the United States Tennis Assn. said weather forecasts had indicated a two-hour, rain-free window but that the mist that never stopped did not show up on radar.

The drying machines are back out in Arthur Ashe Stadium now but the fans waiting in the stands have umbrellas up.

RELATED:

Play suspended again because of rain

Rain-altered U.S. Open schedule takes players out of comfort zone

Serena Williams moves into U.S. Open quarterfinals

-- Diane Pucin, reporting from New York

Photo: Workers try to dry the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Wednesday. Credit: Mike Groll / Associated Press

Nick Diaz out, Carlos Condit in for UFC 137 main event

 

Nick Diaz has been replaced by Carlos Condit in the main event of UFC 137 at Las Vegas on Oct. 29. The reason? Diaz didn't show up for any of the scheduled news conferences this week to promote the fight, which made UFC President Dana White very unhappy.

White said Diaz was supposed to board a flight from Northern California to Canada on Monday, but missed both the original flight and a rescheduled flight.

"I told him after the first flight that he had to be on the next one, and he said, 'Yup, OK, no problem,' " White said.

White said he booked a Tuesday morning flight for Diaz, but Diaz missed that, too, and failed to respond to White's phone calls.

Diaz, the Strikeforce welterweight champion, flirted with the idea of becoming a boxer against former title contender Jeff Lacy earlier this year. White swooped in and offered him the St-Pierre fight on Halloween weekend in Las Vegas.

White said he was aware of Diaz's past admissions of heavy marijuana use as a tactic to battle attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

As they struck the St-Pierre deal, White said he told Diaz, "You have to promote this fight fight for me, and not do this," not specifying what 'this' was. "He looked me right in the eye," White said, "and said, 'You got my word.' "

White said after awaking this morning and dropping off his children at school in Las Vegas, he surmised, "Who says this kid's going to show up for the ... fight."

He decided to scratch Diaz and insert Condit. White said Diaz might be cut from the UFC lineup.

What's running through Diaz's mind?

"Who knows," White said. "I honestly can't answer that question. Big fight, big stage. He was going to make crazy money. I like the guy. I don't want him to not be himself. But I don't know what I'm going to do with him."

White said St-Pierre has told him Condit might be a tougher fight because he does more than stand up.

RELATED:

Nick Diaz says smoking marijuana is part of his plan

Brock Lesnar returns to the octagon on Dec. 30

--Lance Pugmire

Photo: Nick Diaz. Credit: Strikeforce.

Did Sam Rice reveal a World Series secret in a letter opened after his death?

BASEBALL URBAN LEGEND: Did a Hall of Famer reveal a 50-year-old World Series secret in a letter opened after his death?

On Oct. 13, 1974, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Sam Rice passed away at the age of 84. His death came almost exactly 49 years after Game Three of the 1925 World Series (October 10, 1925). In that game, Rice made one of the most famous catches in World Series history.

It was also one of the most controversial catches. The controversy surrounded whether Rice ACTUALLY made the catch. Since the play involved Rice being out of everyone's field of vision for at least ten seconds, only Rice knew the answer for sure. Rice always actively avoided telling people the truth (not even his own wife and children), and legend had it that Rice had written a letter for the Baseball Hall of Fame containing the truth that was not to be opened until his death.

Well, two weeks after Rice died, there was no such letter.

Cliff Kachline, the official historian of the Baseball Hall of Fame, said "That Sam Rice letter has been a rumor for a long time, but we never had any solid evidence there was one." Was there a letter?

Read on to find out!

Week 1 in Fantasy Football: Favorable Matchups

Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football team. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).

Do you have a start/sit question for Week 1? This season, we will be taking your questions on Twitter rather than in the comments section below. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.

A big welcome back to fantasy football fans everywhere and to our faithful readers from seasons past. In case you’re just joining us this season, this is the weekly post in which we highlight some players who are not automatic starts, players who are not named Andre Johnson or Aaron Rodgers, who have a chance to succeed based on their matchups for the week. The players you’ll find in these posts will coincide with our weekly rankings and will help explain why certain players are ranked where they are.

Week 1 is always the toughest week to measure; we don’t know how this season’s defenses will fare. We can only assume some of last year’s units will continue to struggle in certain areas given their preseason performances and off-season happenings. When in doubt, start the team you drafted!

Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups

Favorable

Rex Grossman vs. Giants – This defense, particularly the secondary, has suffered major losses during the off-season. The Giants also allowed Grossman to rack up 336 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in Week 17 last season.

Kerry Collins vs. Houston – Collins will get last season’s most favorable quarterback matchup as well as the best receiving corps of his career, now that the Colts have said Peyton Manning is out. Can his shaky offensive line buy the notoriously immobile Collins enough time, and just how open will the playbook be for him?

Eli Manning vs. Washington – This matchup is a friendly one for Manning (third best in 2010), who will be hoping to quickly erase a poor preseason. However, he has averaged just 13.3 fantasy points over his last three games against the Redskins.

Matt Hasselbeck vs. Jacksonville – The Jaguars’ defense allowed the seventh-most points to quarterbacks last year, and they haven’t shown us anything this preseason to make us believe they will be tougher to throw on in 2011.

Unfavorable

Joe Flacco vs. Pittsburgh – Flacco had a rough outing the last time he faced the Steelers (fifth-worst quarterback matchup in 2010), totaling just 125 passing yards, 1 TD and 1 interception in last season’s divisional playoff round.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Kansas City – The Chiefs were pretty tough on quarterbacks last season (12th-worst matchup), and their young secondary, featuring the star cornerback Brandon Flowers, only figures to get better.

Jay Cutler vs. Atlanta – There wasn’t a lot to get excited about  regarding  the Bears’ passing game this preseason, and Atlanta’s improving defense may keep things that way for at least another week.

Sam Bradford vs. Philadelphia – Bradford goes up against the scary threesome of Samuel, Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie, with only the rookie tight end Kendricks as an established target.

Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups

Favorable

DeAngelo Williams vs. Arizona – The Cardinals’ 3-4 defense struggled against the run in 2010 (second-best RB matchup), and the running game is still this offense’s best asset.

Jahvid Best vs. Tampa Bay — Best has a chance to get off on the right foot (pun intended) as the Buccaneers allowed 20 fantasy points a game to the position on average last season.

Beanie Wells vs. Carolina – Panthers rookies Sione Fua and Terrell McClain will be forced to play extensively because of injuries on the defensive line, and that can’t be a good thing considering the team’s struggles against the run last year (sixth-best RB matchup).

Knowshon Moreno vs. Oakland – Moreno lighted up last year’s ninth-best running back matchup for 21 fantasy points in Week 7, and he should see plenty of touches with  the run-heavy coach John Fox calling the shots.

Unfavorable

Felix Jones vs. Jets – One of this preseason’s brightest stars faces a stiff Week 1 challenge on the road against the second-worst running back matchup from 2010.

LeGarrette Blount vs. Detroit – Blount’s straight-ahead style and questionable offensive line might not hold up against the Lions’ nasty defensive line.

Mark Ingram vs. Green Bay – Limited carries in a committee with Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles against one of the better run-stopping units in the game (fourth-worst RB matchup in 2010) isn’t a recipe for fantasy success. He’ll probably have to score a touchdown to make him worth the start, something the Packers allowed running backs to do just six times last year.

Ryan Grant vs. New Orleans – He’ll be in a 50-50 timeshare with James Starks against an improved Saints defense.

Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups

Mario Manningham vs. Washington – The Redskins’ secondary (fifth-best matchup in 2010) struggled to contain Manningham when he was the Giants’ WR1 option in last year’s final regular-season game (4 receptions, 101 yards, 1 touchdown).

DeSean Jackson vs. St. Louis – Last season’s 10th-best WR matchup could have an even tougher time slowing down Jackson on artificial turf.

Santonio Holmes vs. Dallas – Despite the Jets’ preseason struggles in the passing game, Sanchez connected well with Holmes, and that rapport could carry straight into Week 1 if the Dallas secondary hasn’t improved (best WR matchup in 2010).

Kenny Britt vs. Jacksonville – Britt hasn’t seen much preseason action because of a hamstring injury, but it might not matter going up against one of the most generous secondaries in the league (23 fantasy points allowed per game in 2010).

Unfavorable

Percy Harvin vs. San Diego — The Chargers allowed the second-fewest points to receivers last season, and there’s no reason to think this unit won’t be a formidable one again in 2011.

Steve Johnson vs. Kansas City — Johnson should be seeing plenty of the shutdown cornerback Brandon Flowers at Arrowhead on Sunday.

Marques Colston vs. Green Bay — You’ll want to start Colston as long as he’s healthy, but he’ll have his work cut out for him Thursday night as Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson front one of the best secondaries in football.

Dwayne Bowe vs. Buffalo — With his quarterback Matt Cassel nursing bad ribs and the weak Buffalo run defense on deck, the Chiefs could opt to run the ball all day.

Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups

Favorable

Lance Kendricks vs. Philadelphia – Sam Bradford’s favorite target this preseason gets 2010’s best fantasy tight end matchup.

Jared Cook vs. Jacksonville – The popular sleeper has a good chance at early success; the Jaguars had a hard time stopping tight ends in 2010 (third-best TE matchup).

Unfavorable

Zach Miller vs. San Francisco – The 49ers were the toughest tight end matchup in 2010, and we’re not sure how Miller will be used yet.

Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups

Favorable

Arizona vs. Carolina, Kansas City vs. Buffalo, San Francisco vs. Seattle, Cleveland vs. Cincinnati

Unfavorable

Chicago vs. Atlanta, New Orleans vs. Green Bay, Jets vs. Dallas, Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh

Do you have a start/sit question for Week 1? This season, we will be taking your questions on Twitter rather than in the comments section below. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.