In Denver, Lindsay Jones noted survivors of the Aurora, Colo., theater shooting "who were taken to Medical Center of Aurora and remain there since Thursday got a visit Sunday" from several Broncos players. Broncos WR ERIC DECKER, OT RYAN CLADY, G CHRIS KUPER, LB JOE MAYS, TE JACOB TAMME, DE BEN GARLAND and recently retired S BRIAN DAWKINS "met with four survivors and their families." The players also "talked with emergency room and ICU staff, thanking them for their response and care" (DENVERPOST.com, 7/22). Broncos QB PEYTON MANNING on Sunday "called four patients" who were taken to the Medical Center of Aurora after the shooting (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 7/23). Meanwhile, the Rockies "wore black wristbands against the Padres to honor those affected by the tragedy." A moment of silence "was held prior to Friday's first pitch in San Diego." The Rockies also "hung a black jersey in the dugout, with 'We Remember 7-20' to symbolize the victims and their families" (DENVER POST, 7/21).
COOPERSTOWN REPORT: Fox MLB analyst TIM MCCARVER during his induction into the Baseball HOF Saturday said that he "would make a 'significant' contribution to his hometown of Memphis." McCarver said that the money -- "exactly how much was not announced -- will be used to help fund a planned baseball park for inner-city kids." McCarver said that the hope is that parks "such as this one will help rejuvenate interest in the game among black youths." City officials said that the money "hasn't been donated yet ... but is pledged." In Memphis, Jody Callahan notes although the facility "is planned for the Fairgrounds area, exactly where on that complex remains to be decided." The Fairgrounds formerly "hosted Tim McCarver Stadium, which was torn down some years ago" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/23). Meanwhile, actor and Reds fan CHARLIE SHEEN was in Cooperstown Sunday for former MLBer BARRY LARKIN's induction into the Baseball HOF (Albany TIMES UNION, 7/23).
NEW AGENT FOR JACKSON: Nationals P EDWIN JACKSON has left MLB agent SCOTT BORAS and hired The Legacy Agency, GREG GENSKE, president of the baseball division of TLA confirmed today. “Our entire team is excited by this opportunity and confident that our capabilities in both baseball contract negotiations and best in class sports marketing will greatly assist Edwin in achieving his goals throughout his career,” Genske said in an e-mail. Boras did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fox Sports first reported the agent switch over the weekend, citing unnamed sources. Jackson selected TLA agents Genske, BRIAN PETERS and SCOTT PARKER after meeting with other agents, sources said (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal).
AWARD-WINNING: ESPN college basketball analyst BOB KNIGHT will be inducted into the Ohio State Athletics HOF (CLEVELAND.com, 7/20)....ESPN "COLLEGE GAMEDAY" analyst LEE CORSO was the guest of honor as he received the AutoZone Liberty Bowl's 41st annual Distinguished Citizen Award at a dinner in Memphis last night (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/23)....Browns President MIKE HOLMGREN was inducted into the Packers HOF Saturday at the Lambeau Field Atrium (PACKERSNEWS.com, 7/22).
BOOKSHELF: ESPN.com's Roger Bennett noted The Guardian soccer writer DAVID CONN in his new book, "RICHER THAN GOD: MANCHESTER CITY, MODERN FOOTBALL AND GROWING UP," captures the EPL club's "journey from its 1968 championship victory through decades of suffering" to its "startling last-minute title victory on the final day" of the '11-12 season. Bennett wrote, "Expertly intertwining economics, history, soccer and memoir, Conn explores the evolution of English soccer in the Premier League era" (ESPN.com, 7/19).
NAMES: The Salvation Army, the charity sponsoring Super Bowl XLV's major legacy project in Arlington, Texas, has "finally approved plans for Arlington's Youth Education Town." The nearly $2M expansion of the Salvation Army's community center "could start construction in the next couple of months and potentially open" by spring '13 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/23)....Syndicated radio host DAN PATRICK will appear in the film "GROWN UPS 2" dressed as Basketball HOFer LARRY BIRD (THEBIGLEAD.com, 7/20)....Film dir RON HOWARD will drive the pace car at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal presents the Brickyard 400 on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (AP, 7/20)....CHRISTINE MARA, daughter of NFL Giants President & CEO JOHN MARA, married CHRISTOPHER WARD on Friday. Christine Mara is a kindergarten teacher at the Dalton School in N.Y. (N.Y. TIMES, 7/22).
