Inside Look at Soldier Field for Fans at Bears Expo

Fans will get an opportunity to be a part of the tradition and legacy of the Chicago Bears and Soldier Field during the 2008 Bears Expo on June 7-8 at Soldier Field.

Those in attendance will be given a rare chance to view the Bears locker room and the ability to participate in activities on the Soldier Field playing surface like kicking a field goal or running through football drills.

Current Bears players and coaches will be in attendance including the entire 2008 draft class. Alumni players will also be a part of the Expo including members from the last three Bears championship teams (1946, 1963 and 1985) as well as Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and Hall of Fame finalist Richard Dent.

Fans will have a chance to be a part of seminars with general manager Jerry Angelo, coach Lovie Smith, president and CEO Ted Phillips, offensive coordinator Ron Turner, defensive coordinator Bob Babich and special teams coordinator Dave Toub. Other activities include a kids’ interactive area, autograph sessions and the chance to purchase authentic Bears merchandise.

Would a Real White Sox Fan Throw Out the First Pitch at Wrigley?

Yesterday, at Wrigley Field, there was a promotion in which 6000 kids under 13 received a stuffed bear from Build-a-Bear in a Cubs outfit. As part of the promotion, the Build-a-Bear mascot (who knew they had such a thing) was invited onto the field and threw out the first pitch. BTW, the pitch was high and inside.

The person inside in the Build-a-Bear outfit had been up until that point a lifelong, die-hard White Sox fan. Had this been the end of the story, he would have remained as such. Instead, he sent out a group text to several fellow Sox fans, in which with giddy delight, he proudly told us what a great honor this was. After a few smart-ass text responses, a few of us spoke to him on the phone as he continued to try and defend his manhood and his status as a White Sox fan. Unless he can claim today to be under the influence of a dozen or so Old Styles, an White Sox fan intervention may be needed.

The question: Would a real White Sox fan dress up in a mascot costume for his work place, throw out the first pitch at Wrigley and then brag about it to his fellow White Sox fans about what an honor it is? Or would a real White Sox fan try his hardest to wiggle out of it and only do it as a last resort and the whole time, say Our Father's and Hail Marys that none of his fellow White Sox buddies find out?

White Sox Fire 3 Staff Members

The White Sox announced before Friday's game with the San Francisco Giants that they have fired three members of their Latin American scouting staff, including David Wilder, senior director of player personnel. Full-time scout Victor Mateo and part-time scout Domingo Toribio were dismissed for actions in Latin America that were deemed violations of club policy and standards.

The firings followed a two-month investigation by Major League Baseball, the findings of which are now in the hands of federal authorities, limiting what general manager Ken Williams could say. Williams said Wilder was being internally investigated since the start of spring over dealings with the Sox' up-and-coming baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. He described a feeling of betrayal by Wilder, a man Williams hired and considered a close friend.

USC Not Sweating O.J. Charges

Argus reports that USC basketball star O.J. Mayo was alleged to have received thousands in cash and gifts from an agent over the last four years. The school isn't worried. They can investigate all they want but they will never get a jury to convict O.J. in Los Angeles.

American Ninja Challenge

The sun was already hard at work at 9 in the morning as the six finalists of G4's American Ninja Challenge 2 gathered on the Marine training course at SoCal's Camp Pendleton. The contest had lured martial artists, gymnasts and free runners by promising to send the two worthiest contestants to Japan for the 20th running of Ninja Warrior (May 18), the campy obstacle course competition with a cult following and G4's highest ratings. The day began with three head-to-head battles; later, the victors migrated to a nearby parking lot to tackle the deciding Ninja Killer obstacle course. Me? I was there to test my mettle on both courses, as well.

What took place, instead, was a dazzling showcase of total athletic ineptitude. I ate it on half of Pendleton's obstacles and got owned by every Ninja Killer objective. Flip over a bar seven feet off the ground? Right. Hurdle a seven-foot wall? Good one. Shimmy along a 20-foot ledge that's half an inch wide using only my fingertips? See you there. When Rick Seedman, a personal trainer from New York, couldn't climb a 25-foot rope, the Marines berated him. When I couldn't, they offered advice. How lame do you have to be to bring out a soldier's soft side?

My performance was in stark contrast to those of the other competitors, all of whom cleared nearly every task effortlessly. Early on, contestant Ruselis Perry, a martial artist from Colorado Springs, pointed out that the free runners—Ann Arbor's Levi Meeuwenberg and San Francisco's Brian Orosco—had been slammed on the G4 forums before the contest for being "unqualified free runners." Meeuwenberg and Orosco naturally went on to win the Challenge. But they have their work cut out for them in Japan. In the 19 previous runnings of the Ninja Warrior competition, only two of the hundreds of competitors passed all the hurdles. The rest failed triumphantly. Hey, at least I can do that.

Thanks to Neil Janowitz

Two Notre Dame Defenders Named to Nagurski Watch List

University of Notre Dame safety David Bruton and linebacker Maurice Crum Jr. have both been named to the watch list for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America announced Monday. They are two of 88 players selected to the watch list of the Nagurski Trophy that is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football.

Bruton is coming off a breakthrough season in 2007 in which he ranked third on the team with 85 tackles and is the team's leading returning tackler in 2008. Voted a 2008 team captain by his teammates at the conclusion of spring practices, Bruton started 11 of 12 games appeared last season and led the team with three interceptions while adding one sack, 5.5 tackles for loss, three passes broken up, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Crum was named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the second straight year and was named a team captain for another season. Crum becomes the 17th two-time captain in the football program's storied history. He is coming off a season that saw him record 84 tackles adding 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, four passes broken up, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Crum has 241 career tackles and needs 54 stops to enter Notre Dame's top-10 list for career tackles. He has started all 37 games over the last three seasons and holds the team's longest active streak for consecutive games played and started.

The FWAA All-America Committee selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner from the association's 11-man All-America defensive team in November. The watch list was developed by the FWAA All-America committee with the help of the schools and conferences. The Charlotte Touchdown Club will hold the 2008 banquet on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte. For the eighth straight season, the FWAA will also pick a Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week beginning with games on Aug. 30 and running through the middle of November. And a Bronko Nagurski Legends Award winner will also be selected from the FWAA's 1967 All-America team. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been presented since 1993 and is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29 and a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s.

Little League Player Benched Because Mother Failed to Work Concession Stand

A 7-year-old Massachusetts boy was benched during his Little League baseball game because his mother failed to show up to work the league's concession stand, and the mother isn't happy about it.

Jodi Hooper of Freetown said she was unable to fulfill her obligation at the concession stand because she couldn't get time off from work, according to MyFOXBoston.

Dave Brouillette, head of the Freetown Youth Athletic Association, told MyFOXBoston that the concession revenues are necessary to fund the league's programs and that he has to enforce the rules, which require parents show up for their assigned concession stand shifts or risk suspensions for their children.

Brouillette told the station that he wasn't able to see his own son play because he had to cover the concession stand shift for Hooper, according to MyFOXBoston.

Hooper told MyFOXBoston that she believed she could make up the assignment at another time if she missed one.

Judgement Day Preview

WWE Champion Triple H vs. Randy Orton in a Steel Cage Match

Like a pair of runaway tractor trailers mowing down barriers toward a head-on collision, Triple H and Randy Orton have trampled over obstacles for months to finally clash in a WWE Championship Steel Cage Match at the crossroads of Judgment Day.

The Game leveraged his smarts and stamina at Backlash to roll through the gauntlet of JBL, John Cena and Randy Orton during a vicious WWE Championship Fatal Four Way Match to capture his 12th World Championship.

The following night, the Legend Killer could scarcely wait to confront the man who took from him that which he holds most dear—the WWE Championship. Orton invoked his rematch clause in the hopes of regaining the title before his waist had a chance to grow cold.

Alas, before the main event match could reach a conclusion, an irate William Regal pulled the plug on the audio and video; the Raw General Manager was incensed after Mr. Kennedy ruined his King of the Ring coronation ceremony. Before he wrecked the match ending, however, Regal did manage to arrange the rematch between the rivals inside a 15-foot high steel entrapment.

Despite the inconclusive finale to their WWE Championship Match on Raw, Triple H will nonetheless carry the title into Judgment Day. As he and Orton travel the highway toward their next rematch, who among the two will emerge as the WWE Champion, and who will emerge as roadkill?

WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison vs. ECW Champion Kane & CM Punk

ECW Champion Kane & Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk will take on WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison for the tag titles at Judgment Day.

During a locker room interview with Lena Yada, the ECW Champion and Mr. Money in the Bank issued a challenge to Miz & Morrison. The tandem's challenge came about after their victory over Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely on the 100th episode of ECW on Sci Fi.

The Big Red Machine looks to add tag team gold to his already accessorized waist at Judgment Day, but can Punk set aside temptations of trying to win the ECW Title? Instead of setting his sights on the WWE Tag Team Titles, the Straightedge Superstar can choose to exercise his briefcase clause – earned during WrestleMania XXIV's Money in the Bank Lader Match – to obtain an ECW Championship opportunity if he so desires.

Since earning the WWE Tag Team Titles from Matt Hardy & Montel Vontavious Porter last November, The Miz & John Morrison have protected their coveted gold in challenges from members of both the ECW and SmackDown rosters. Will their streak of success finally run out, or will they prove that they can overcome the combined might of an ECW Champion and potential title holder? We'll find out at Judgment Day.

Undertaker vs. Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship

At Judgment Day, Undertaker and Edge continue their ongoing battle for the World Heavyweight Championship. In recent months, both Superstars have claimed ownership of the prestigious gold. But now with the title vacant, it's time for one man to step forward and assert himself as the rightful champion.

The history between the two goes way back, and both men know each other all too well.

Most recently, in front of a sold-out Citrus Bowl at WrestleMania XXIV, Undertaker defeated Edge to not only become the new World Heavyweight Champion, but also boost his phenomenal WrestleMania streak to 16-0.

To take out the Rated-R Superstar on The Grandest Stage of Them All, The Deadman employed a suffocating submission hold that forced the Ultimate Opportunist to tap out. Ever since 'Mania, The Phenom has used this same devastating hold to vanquish and bloody an array of opponents – including Edge once again at Backlash. But, Edge’s fiancée and SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero deemed The Deadman’s hold to be an illegal chokehold and stripped him of the World Heavyweight Title on the May 2 edition of Friday Night SmackDown. The decision prompted a swift and emotional reaction from our fans.

With the title vacant, the GM declared The Deadman would have the opportunity to regain the gold in a World Heavyweight title match at Judgment Day. But first, to determine who his challenger would be, Guerrero set up a series of five Championship Chase matches on the May 9 edition of SmackDown, culminating that same night in an Over-the-Top-Rope Challenge. In the end, as a last-minute entrant, Edge found a way to win and earn a ticket to Judgment Day.

At Judgment Day, will The Deadman unleash hell to get back what Guerrero took away? Or, will the Ultimate Opportunist find a way to use his close relationship with his fiancée to bring the title back to “the family”?

Women's Champion Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix vs. Melina (Triple Threat)

Women’s Champion Mickie James will defend her title against both Beth Phoenix and Melina in a Triple Threat Match at Judgment Day.

Melina and The Glamazon have been after Mickie’s title since she earned it when she pinned Beth on Raw. Neither one has found a way to stop the Women’s Champion, though. In fact, their common desire to hold the Divas’ top prize has caused a lack of success on their part.

One week prior to the night the match was made, Melina allegedly accidentally hit Beth with a boot. Tensions between the two Divas only escalated afterward, as The Glamazon abandoned Melina when they teamed up to take on Mickie & Maria on Raw. The ensuing confrontation in the locker room led to an all-out brawl that required three people to break it up.

Beth and Melina have not been able to work together toward a common goal, to date. It’s clear that it will be every Diva for herself when Mickie aims to continue her recent run of success and retain her gold at Judgment Day.

John Cena vs. JBL

JBL has never been shy about carrying a grudge. The media maven continues his vengeful ways, claiming he was robbed by John Cena last month during their Fatal Four Way Elimination Match at Backlash. As a result of the perceived larceny, JBL goaded Raw General Manager William Regal into arranging a match between him and Cena at Judgment Day.

The clash of these two intense adversaries is certain to provide enough spark to rekindle the legendary rivalry that dates back to their WWE Title Match at WrestleMania 21. Cena defeated then-champion JBL in that memorable bout to capture his very first taste of WWE Championship gold, and their rivalry continued for three months until “The Champ” was drafted to Raw in June 2005.

While Cena has maintained a low-profile in the wake of Backlash, JBL has been laying his relentless brand of hurt on opponents such as Robbie McAllister and DH Smith, sending a message to his opponent. It’s a message for which Cena is certain to have a response. Come Judgment Day, whose message will resonate loudest?

Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels

Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho will face Shawn Michaels at Judgment Day in a one-on-one contest.

Tensions have been building between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho over the past few weeks, as HBK has had to defend his Backlash victory over Batista to a suspicious Y2J – who was the referee in that match. At Judgment Day, Michaels will have a chance to prove himself even further when he battles the Highlight Reel host in the ring.

Jericho claims that Michaels never injured his knee at Backlash – and that he played possum to get the win – but HBK continues to stand by his claims of legitimate pain. Jericho has gone so far as handing out the “Best Acting Award” to Michaels on an episode of the Highlight Reel.

Michaels has been the recipient of harsh criticism since he retired Ric Flair at WrestleMania XXIV, but no critic has been more outspoken than Jericho. At Judgment Day, the two will look to settle their dispute in the ring – and whether he is 100 percent or not, Michaels will undoubtedly give it his all to show the type of competitor he is. Y2J, however, is out to prove that HBK is faking his injuries, and the Intercontinental Champion always has a few tricks up his sleeve as well.

Is HBK legitimately injured heading into this encounter with the Intercontinental Champion, or has Chris Jericho been right all along about Michaels feigning the pain? Either way, each man will have the opportunity to prove themselves at Judgment Day.