U.T. Vol Legends coming to Milan

Published Date

Written by Dan Reaves

VICTORy Over APL Basketball Tournament
Classified - Internal use
Victor Edward Kidd is a native of Milan, Tennessee. While growing up in Milan, Victor was very active in the Milan Bulldogs Athletic Program. He graduated from Milan in 1999, leaving his mark on Milan. Victor played football for the 1998 Bulldogs who won the State Championship title, where he was named to the TSSAA All-State team. He was also a star on the basketball court, as well leading his team to many victories while garnering All-State honors on the court. Through Victor’s hard work and dedication he received a scholarship to play football at Cumberland University. While playing for Cumberland, Victor earned freshman All-American, as well as all-conference honors four years in a row. Victor graduated from Cumberland in 2005 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in marketing. And, he is the proud father of Torrion Kidd, who will be 10 years old this June.
Victor was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) on Feb 29, 2012. This is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. There are three phases to beating this cancer: 1) the induction phase, 2) consolidation phase, and 3) maintenance. Victor is currently in the beginning of the consolidation phase of his treatment and he is fighting hard to beat this disease. This phase consists of intensive chemotherapy, mixed with various other drugs used to put this disease into remission. The duration of this treatment will last at least about a year.
We are inviting the Milan and West Tennessee community to support Victor in his battle against APL through prayer and donations to the Victor Kidd Leukemia Fund*. And that’s not all -- Victor’s friends and family are sponsoring the VICTORy Over APL Basketball Tournament on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Milan High School Gymnasium (7060 East Van Hook Street, Milan, Tennessee) from 1 to 5 p.m.
There will be four men’s teams facing off -- the Trenton Alumni Team, Milan Alumni Team, The Truth from Nashville, as well as the UT Vols Legends Team. The two girl’s teams will be the West Tennessee All-Stars vs. Unions Finest from Bradford.
Kicking off the event will be special guest speaker Al Wilson, former UT Vols Captain of the 1998 National Championship Team, 1st round draft pick of Denver Broncos, 5 time Pro-Bowler and 2 time All-Pro from Jackson, Tn.
There will also be a celebrity autograph signing session during the first 45 minutes of the program by former UT Vols and former NFL stars featuring:
Terry Fair of the Detroit Lions; Joey Kent of the Tennessee Titans; BenTalley of the NY Giants and Atlanta Falcons; Chester Ford of the Dallas Cowboys; Tyrone Hines of the Jacksonville Jaguars; Fred White of the San Francisco 49ers; Corey Fleming of the Dallas Cowboys and 49ers; Shazzon Bradley of the Green Bay Packers; and one of UT Vols’ greatest fullbacks, Mose Phillips
VICTORy Over APL Basketball Tournament
Classified - Internal use
Milan High’s own legends will be available as well:
Jeff Smith, tight end for the UT Vols and Washington Redskins; Earnest Fields, one of the greatest UT Vols linebackers and Detroit Lion; Jimmy Robinson of the Buffalo Bills; John Fisher, UT Vols great offensive lineman; Garrett (Pooh Bear) Ferguson, former Mr. Knoxville Body Building champ; and George Kidd III, former Mr. football, UT standout linebacker and proud brother of Victor Kidd
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be available to answer any questions.
*Donations can be sent to The Victor Kidd Leukemia Fund at any Regions Bank. Donations will be tax deductible.
Questions can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
We are asking the community to please come out and support the former Vol greats, Milan greats, and basketball teams as they slam dunk APL for Victor Kidd.

Thunder takes another; Celtics hammer Sixers

Published Date

Written by Dan Reaves

BA's Western Conference semifinals.. And the Boston Celtics have grabbed a two-games-to-one lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a dominant win over Philadelphia.

The Thunder trailed by seven with two minutes left before scoring the last nine points in a 77-75 win over the Lakers. Kevin Durant capped his 22-point night by hitting the go-ahead basket from the baseline with 18 seconds to play. Russell Westbrook added 15 points for the Thunder, who survived a second half in which the two teams combined for just 59 points.

The Lakers failed to score on their last six possessions after Andrew Bynum's hook shot made it 75-68 with 2:09 remaining. Bynum and Kobe Bryant each had 20 points for the Lakers, who host Game 3 on Friday.

Kevin Garnett and the Celtics are back in control of their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series with the 76ers.

Garnett poured in 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Celtics hammered the Sixers 107-91 in Philadelphia. The center scored 13 of Boston's 32 points in the second quarter after the 76ers carried a five-point lead into the period.

Rajon Rondo (RAH'-zhahn RAHN'-doh) finished with 23 points, 14 assists and six rebounds, while Paul Pierce added 24 points and 12 boards to the lopsided win.

The Sixers were outscored 61-33 over the second and third quarters after scoring 33 in the first period. They were led by Thaddeus Young's 22 points off the bench.

Game 4 is Friday in Philadelphia.

NBA-EXEC OF YEAR

Bird continues to shine

NEW YORK (AP) — Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird is the NBA's Executive of the Year. He's the first person to win that award, plus the league's MVP and Coach of the Year honors.

Bird received 88 points and 12 first-place votes from a panel of his fellow team executives. San Antonio's R.C. Buford was second with 56 points.

NBA-LAKERS FINES

Lakers' Ebanks, Bynum fined by NBA

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Lakers forward Devin Ebanks and center Andrew Bynum for separate violations during the team's Game-1 loss to Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals on Monday. Ebanks was fined $25,000 for his actions before and after his ejection. He was thrown out for saying something to an official in getting a technical foul, then ripped off his jersey as he walked back toward the locker room.

Bynum was penalized $15,000 for not making himself available to the media following the Lakers' practice on Tuesday.

NHL-PLAYOFFS

Devils even series with Rangers

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Rangers coach John Tortorella (tohr-tah-REH'-luh) was not happy with his team following a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, which evened the series at two games apiece. He was asked six questions during the postgame news conference and spent less than 14 seconds answering them. His quick meeting with the press came after he benched his top scorer, Marion Gaborik (GAB'-uh-rihk) for part of the third period.

David Clarkson's tip-in at 2:31 of the final period was the difference as the Devils grabbed home-ice advantage from the Blueshirts. Second-period goals by Marc Staal and Chris Kreider put the Rangers up 2-1 before Ryan Carter knotted the score with 1:51 left in the period. Clarkson won it with his third goal of the postseason.

Martin Brodeur (broh-DOOR') was outstanding following Clarkson's game-winner, making eight of his 23 saves in the final period.

Ilya Kovalchuk (KOH'-vul-chuhk) also scored and Bryce Salvador had two assists for the Devils, who host Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.

NHL-COYOTES

Hanzal Suspended

NEW YORK (AP) — The Phoenix Coyotes will be without forward Martin Hanzal for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

He's been suspended for the game because of his hit on Dustin Brown in the third period of last night's 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Hanzal was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding, one period after teammate Shane Doan received a boarding penalty and a game misconduct. The Kings have outscored the Coyotes 8-2 in taking a two-games-to-none lead in the series.

MLB-SCHEDULE

Rays, O's win

UNDATED (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles remain tied for the AL East lead after both won Wednesday night.

The Orioles managed to pull out a 4-3 win at Kansas City on Adam Jones' solo homer with one out in the top of the 15th. Jones was 0-for-6 before going deep against Nate Adcock, sending the Birds to their second straight win.

The Rays put an end to Boston's five-game winning streak as Jeremy Hellickson allowed a run over six innings of Tampa Bay's 2-1 triumph over the Red Sox. Luke Scott had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly to help the Rays improve to 24-14.

The game took a back seat after Tampa Bay second baseman Will Rhymes was hit by a pitch near his left elbow. While standing at first base he gestured that he wanted to come out of the game, took a couple of steps and collapsed into the arms of first base coach George Hendrick. Trainers worked on Rhymes in the coach's box before he was assisted to a utility cart and left the field.

The Rays said Rhymes briefly fainted, but that he is fine.

In other American League action, Yu Darvish is 6-1 after allowing a run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings of the Rangers' 4-1 verdict over Oakland. Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer while Texas was scoring four times in the fourth inning.

Edwin Encarnacion ripped a three-run homer and J.P. Arencibia added a two-run shot as the Blue Jays blasted the Yankees 8-1. Jose Bautista and Kelly Johnson also homered for the Jays, who rocked Hiroki Kuroda (hih-ROH'-kee kuh-ROH'-duh) for seven runs and eight hits in five innings.

Ubaldo Jimenez (oo-BAHL'-doh hih-MEHN'-ehz) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings as Cleveland won its third in a row, 9-3 over Seattle. Travis Hafner homered and had three RBIs, Shin-Soo Choo had three hits and the Indians banged out a season-high five doubles.

Jamey Carroll supplied a go-ahead, two-run double as Minnesota won a wild one in Detroit, 11-7. Brian Dozier (DOH'-zhur) hit a three-run homer, Trevor Plouffe added a two-run homer and the Twins took advantage of four Tigers errors in the first three innings.

Albert Pujols smacked a go-ahead, three-run homer and Vernon Wells hit a two-run blast to power the Angels past the White Sox 7-2. The home runs came a day after hitting coach Mickey Hatcher was fired and replaced by Jim Eppard.

Over to the National League, where David Freese (freez) went 3-for-4 with the tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning as St. Louis outlasted San Francisco 4-1. Pinch-hitter Skip Schumaker (SHO'-mah-kur) added a two-run double and winning pitcher Jaime Garcia allowed one run while fanning nine over 7 1-3 innings.

Giancarlo Stanton belted a two-run homer and made a big defensive play to possibly save two runs in Miami's 8-4 romp over Atlanta. Austin Kearns and Emilio Bonifacio each had two hits and drove in two runs help the Marlins improve to 12-3 this month and climb three games over .500 for the first time this season.

Adam Laroche homered before his three-run double broke open Washington's 7-4 triumph over Pittsburgh. Gio Gonzalez fanned 10 over seven innings to take over the NL strikeout lead with 60, four more than teammate Stephen Strasburg.

Chase Headley homered, doubled and had three RBIs as San Diego doubled up Los Angeles 4-2, sending Chris Capuano to his first loss in six decisions. Clayton Richard ended his personal five-game losing streak by combining with two relievers on a five-hitter.

Todd Frazier homered twice and pinch-hitter Jay Bruce drove in the tiebreaking run with a sacrifice fly in a four-run eighth that lifted Cincinnati past the New York Mets 6-3. Reds starter Mike Leake got a no-decision but lowered his ERA to 6.21 by limiting the Mets to one earned run in six innings.

Jamie Moyer worked into the seventh inning and also drove in a pair of runs with an infield single to lead Colorado's 6-1 win over Arizona. Moyer allowed one earned run and six hits in winning for the first time since April 17.

The Phillies scored seven times in their last two at-bats en route to a 9-2 rout of the Chicago Cubs. Carlos Ruiz hit a solo homer to break a 2-2 tie in the eighth, one inning before Hector Luna launched his first career grand slam.

Carlos Lee went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in Houston's 8-3 pounding of Milwaukee, ending the Astros' four-game skid. Bud Norris improved to 4-1 by holding the Brewers to a run and four hits while striking out a season-high nine in seven innings.

MLB-2013 ALL STAR GAME

Mets to host next year's midsummer classic

UNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball has finally announced that the 2013 All-Star game will be hosted by the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 16.

MLB decided at least four years ago that the Mets would host the game at the ballpark, which opened in 2009, but held off an announcement until it reached agreements with the city and agencies for All-Star services and related events.

The Mets last hosted the All-Stars in 1964, the year Shea Stadium opened. The game was last played in New York in 2008, the final season of the old Yankee Stadium.

Also around the majors, Toronto third baseman Brett Lawrie has received a four-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his altercation with umpire Bill Miller during last night's loss to Tampa Bay. Lawrie slammed his helmet to the ground before it bounced up and hit Miller, prompting the suspension. Lawrie appealed and can continue to play until there is a hearing.

Minnesota's Justin Morneau batted fifth and went 1-for-5 for the Twins Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers after coming off the disabled list earlier in the day. Morneau played first base after telling Twins manager Ron Gardenhire he wanted to play there, rather than be the designated hitter.

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed starting pitcher Vance Worley on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, hours after he was supposed to start in Chicago. Left-hander Joe Savery has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Worley's roster spot after recording a 4.50 ERA in eight games for the Phillies earlier this season.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland says closer Jose Valverde is day to day with a strained lower back. Joaquin Benoit (BEHN'-wah) would probably be the primary candidate to close games, although Leyland says it could depend on the situation.

CLEMENS-TRIAL

McNamee being grilled by Clemens' defense team

WASHINGTON (AP) — Roger Clemens' former trainer was back on the stand at the pitcher's perjury trial in Washington for more cross-examination.

Brian McNamee (MAK'-nuh-mee) concedes that the first time Clemens asked for help with a "booty shot," the pitcher did not specifically use the word "steroids." McNamee says he assumed Clemens was referring to steroids when asking for the shot while pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998. He says he was under the impression Clemens was already doing steroids.

McNamee says he had no physical evidence, but he referenced a conversation he overheard Clemens have with slugger Jose Canseco (kan-SAY'-koh), but could not provide specifics. Clemens' request for help came less than a month before the date on which McNamee says he gave Clemens his first injection.

HORSE RACING-PREAKNESS

Bodemeister the early favorite

BALTIMORE (AP) — Bodemeister (BOH'-dee-my-stur) has been made the 8-5 morning line favorite for Saturday's Preakness. The Bob Baffert-trained colt set the pace in the Kentucky Derby before being overtaken in the stretch by I'll Have Another, who beat Bodemeister by 1¼ lengths. I'll Have Another is the second-favorite at 5-2 in the 11-horse field entered today.

NFL-SAINTS-ARBITRATION

Arguments heard in Saints hearing

NEW YORK (AP) — Arbitrator Shyam Das has finished hearing arguments from NFL and players' union lawyers on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') can discipline players for actions that occurred before the league's current labor agreement was signed last August.

The two-hour hearing was prompted by a grievance filed by the union after Goodell suspended four current and former New Orleans Saints players in connection with the league's bounty investigation.

Suspended players Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita (foo-JEE'-tuh) attended the hearing.

Das has not said when he would rule.

SANDUSKY-TRIAL

Sandusky renewing effort

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Jerry Sandusky again is asking a judge to throw out the child sexual abuse charges against him. The former Penn State assistant football coach argues that some counts are too vague to defend and others involve alleged victims whose identities have not been determined.

Sandusky's trial is scheduled to get under way in less than three weeks, although the judge has yet to rule on a separate motion from Sandusky asking for a delay.

TENNIS-ITALIAN OPEN

Azarenka withdraws...Federer and Nadal cruise

ROME (AP) — Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from the Italian Open because of a right shoulder injury. The reigning Australian Open champ has won four titles this year and made her decision to withdraw after routing Shahar Peer 6-1, 6-2 in the second round. The Italian Open is the last major warm-up for the French Open, which begins May 27.

Other winners on the women's side today were Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska (ahg-nee-ESH'-kuh rahd-VAHN'-skuh). Caroline Wozniacki (wohz-nee-AK'-ee) and Marion Bartoli were upset victims.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were straight-set winners in their opening matches.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

TOP DRAFT PICKS FACE OFF THURSDAY IN JACKSON Jackson’s Danny Hultzen faces off against Mobile’s Trevor Bauer in game one

Published Date

Written by Dan Reaves

JACKSON, TENN. (MAY 16, 2012) – The Generals open a five-game series on Thursday night at Pringles Park against the Mobile BayBears, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. Jackson fans will get to see one of the most highly anticipated pitching matchups in minor league baseball this season. Generals’ lefty Danny Hultzen (3-3, 1.91), last year’s No. 2 overall pick in the MLB draft by the Mariners will face off image005.jpg@01CD3349.28D29150" align="right" height="138" hspace="12" width="244">against Mobile’s Trevor Bauer (7-1, 1.68), the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft by the Diamondbacks.

The Generals lead the Southern League North Division by a ½ game over Huntsville and are 23-17 on the season. Mobile has the best record in the Southern League, 24-16 and lead the South Division by five games.

Hultzen is rated by MLB.com as the Mariners top prospect and Bauer is rated also by MLB.com as the Diamondbacks top prospect.

“It's rare to have a matchup of two of the best pitching prospects in the game facing each other, although with Jackson's rotation this year it was bound to happen at some point,” said Baseball America writer Ben Badler. “Bauer should be in the mix for a major league strikeout crown one day. Hultzen's a bit of a different animal, but these are two of the best pitching prospects in baseball and both of them should be on the fast track to the big leagues.”

Bauer, out of UCLA, ranks first in the Southern League in ERA (1.68), first in wins (7), first in strikeouts (60) and second in innings pitched (48.1). Hultzen, out of Virginia, ranks first in the league in opponents batting average (.134), third in ERA (1.91) and fifth in WHIP (1.06).

Bauer received a $3.4 million signing bonus and signed a major league contract worth $4.5 million. Bauer won the Golden Spikes Award which is Collegiate Baseball's National Player of the Year and was the Pac-10 Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2011. Bauer went 13-2 with a 1.25 ERA and a NCAA-best 203 strikeouts in 16 starts for the UCLA Bruins.

Hultzen received a five-year major league deal that guaranteed him $8.5 million and a $6.35 million signing bonus. Hultzen was a unanimous First-Team All-American at Virginia in 2011 and a Capital One First Team Academic All-American (carries 3.37 GPA; history major). Hultzen was a first-team All-ACC honoree and ACC Pitcher of the Year (second straight Pitcher of Year award). Hultzen was a finalist for the 2011 Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy and John Olerud Two-Way Player Award. He ranked fifth nationally in ERA (1.37) and led the ACC in strikeouts (165), which was second nationally. Hultzen also batted .320 during the 2011 season at Virginia.

The game can be heard on NewsTalk 101.5 FM, jacksongeneralsbaseball.com and the all new Generals TuneIn Radio Station.

Tickets for Generals home games can be purchased at the Generals Box Office at Pringles Park, online at www.jacksongeneralsbaseball.com or by calling 731.988.5299.

Be sure to check out the Generals on Facebook at facebook.com/jacksongenerals, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/jacksongenerals. Also, download the Generals’ iPhone or Android app for free to keep the Generals at your fingertips at all times.

Generals Drop Finale 10-8 Generals return home just 1/2 game in North Division standings

Published Date

Written by Dan Reaves