Recently retired Cubs C DAVID ROSS is co-writing a book with longtime SI Associate Editor DON YAEGER. Titled “TEAMMATE: MY LIFE IN BASEBALL,” the book will be published by Hachette Books on May 9, 2017. The story will be "framed around Game 7 of the World Series, the dramatic finale of Ross’ career" (FOXSPORTS.com, 12/14).
GIVING BACK: The Redskins Charitable Foundation have partnered with DC Public Schools and the American Diabetes Association to "launch a new youth health and wellness program." The two-week program is "intended to help seventh-grade students in the development of fitness plans" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/15)....The Golden Heart Fund -- a program designed to help former 49ers players "not just financially but also with their physical and mental health" -- was unveiled yesterday. 49ers Owners JOHN and DENISE YORK, as well as former team owner and Pro Football HOFer EDDIE DEBARTOLO JR., have pledged $1M to the fund (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 12/15).
POWER PLAYERS: Just over a year after DC lost out on hosting the '24 Games, bid group Chair & CEO RUSS RAMSEY and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder, Chair & CEO TED LEONSIS have “corralled 17 local executives to fund a new organization, called the Greater Washington Partnership, aimed at advancing the economy for the area from Baltimore to Richmond.” Among the founding board members is Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO KEVIN PLANK (WASHINGTON POST, 12/15).
NAMES: A source said that outgoing PGA Tour Commissioner TIM FINCHEM was "offered a membership to Augusta National Golf Club as part of his sendoff" (GOLF.com, 12/14)....Among those in attendance at last night's Boston premiere of MARK WAHLBERG’s “PATRIOTS DAY” film were former MLBer DAVID ORTIZ and Red Sox Owner JOHN HENRY (BOSTON HERALD, 12/15)....Rangers 3B JOEY GALLO “recently switched representation” to agent SCOTT BORAS. Gallo said, “Scott has a lot of resources that can help a young player. Especially guys in a situation like I am now, in between Triple-A and the major-league level.” Boras had Gallo “consult with a nutritionist and a sports psychologist” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/15)....The Univ. of Maryland will “unveil a banner" honoring former men’s basketball coach LEFTY DRIESELL before a Feb. 11 game against Ohio State at Xfinity Center. The decoration comes 30 years after Driesell “coached his final game in College Park” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/15)....U.S. Swimmer RYAN LOCHTE and fiancee KAYLA RAE REID yesterday announced that they are “going to be parents” (PAGESIX.com, 12/14)….Buccaneers QB JAMEIS WINSTON has “settled a dispute involving two federal lawsuits with a woman who accused him of rape” (N.Y. TIMES, 12/15).
