Mets’ Closer K-Rod Done for Season – May Be Out $11.5M

After a highly publicized domestic incident with his girlfriend’s father, it appears that Fransisco Rodriguez – more commonly known as “K-Rod” – is out for the rest of the season after sustaining a torn ligament in the thumb of his throwing hand.

After a 2-game suspension following the attack, Rodriguez returned to the mound Saturday pitching with some discomfort in his throwing hand which he reported to the team on Sunday. The star pitcher underwent an examination at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City where it was discovered he had torn a ligament; no surgery has been scheduled yet.

‘Obviously I’m disappointed, discouraged, frustrated,’ Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. ‘When you get this kind of news it’s … we’ve just been through a lot. We seem to continue to have difficulties keeping things from — having these type of injuries or these type of setbacks. Every year it seems like we get a little something here or there.’

To add insult to K-Rod’s obvious injury is the fact that he may now have to forfeit his contract, or at least the remainder of this season’s contract because the injury occurred during a non-baseball event. According to ESPN.com “Rodriguez is owed $11.5 million in 2011 and has a vesting option for 2012 at $17.5 million that will kick in if he finishes 55 games next season and is healthy as the guaranteed portion of the contract concludes.” It’s rumored that the Mets organization is exploring all of its options.

While the temper flare isn’t the first in Rodriguez’s history with the Mets, nor the first on his rap-sheet, it is the first time that he’s been formally charged since coming to Flushing. During the 2009 season, K-Rod was in several altercations both in and outside of the clubhouse – first with a former executive on a team bus, then again with a bullpen coach and also with Yankees pitcher Bruney during warm-ups last June.

Rodriguez is due back in court for the 3rd degree domestic charge. Because it is considered a “domestic violence” case, the New York District Attorney will have to process this case regardless of whether or not the father-in-law decides to press charges.

Nick Cannon Addresses Pregnancy Rumors

After days of speculation about his wife, Nick Cannon finally took to his Twitter page to address to whispers and “baby bump” watchers:

“If & when my wife is ready to make ANY announcements about private matters she will do it personally. Thanks for being respectful GodBless.”

Rumors began after pictures surfaced of Mimi leaving medical clinics in California and only intensified after she abruptly and unexpectedly dropped out of Tyler Perry’s project “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.” Carey garnered rave reviews in her last Tyler Perry project “Precious” and would have been working with talents like Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Phylicia Rashad and Loretta Devine
on her latest endeavor.

Carey’s longtime rep Cindi Berger gave a rather cryptic comment Thursday to Us Weekly Magazine:

“She is not doing the movie because her doctor advised her not to,” Berger told Us Weekly. She then insisted to us that she could not “comment any further.”

Stay tuned …

Johnson & Johnson Heiress Arrested for Grand Theft

(image: Jezebel.com)

Casey Johnson, heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and daughter of Jets owner Woody Johnson, is under arrest for grand theft after she allegedly stole dozens of pieces of clothing, jewelry and other items from supermodel and friend Jasmine Lennard (pictured above left).

According the The NY Post, Lennard alleged

“that the thief stole jewelry, shoes, 600 pages of a legal document, clothing — even her underwear…

…The thief also left a bizarre calling card — a used vibrator was found in her bed and a wet towel was on the floor.”

The burglary is believed to have happened while Lennard was traveling over the past month and a half. Casey, who has long struggled with drugs and alcohol was arrested at 12:30 this morning and released on $20,000 bond.

Read the full story here

Several Arrested in Europe – Accused of Fixing Soccer Matches

17 people across Germany and Switzerland have been arrested in connection with a gambling ring believed to have fixed more than 200 soccer matches across 9 countries in Europe. Authorities believe that they have only touched the surface of the scandal which includes the bribing of players, officials and trainers. Approximately $1.5 million was recovered in more than 50 raids across the continent. According to The New York Times:

“Among the games under suspicion are three in the Champions League, the prestigious tournament for Europe’s best teams.”

The good news for soccer fans of some of the most elite players and teams is

…the investigation has not uncovered evidence of match fixing in any of the top-flight leagues in England, Spain, Italy or France. The stars of the sport, paid salaries upward of $5 million, are not likely to be susceptible to bribes, officials said. They emphasized that the marquee clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and A.C. Milan so far were not suspected of fixing games.

The scale of corruption is expected to be far bigger than anything previously assumed as the investigation is on-going.

Read the full story here

Oprah Signs Off in 2011

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has announced that her show will come to a close on September 9, 2011, 25 years after its launch.

While many believe that she may move her show to The Oprah Winfrey Network, no decision has been made yet. (WABC-TV NY)

The official announcement is expected to come tomorrow.

The Letter Sent to Oprah's Staff

Read more here

Missing N.C. 5-Year-Old’s Body Found in North Carolina

Image: ABCnews.com

Fayetteville, North Carolina police are reporting to CNN.com that the body of missing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis has been found.

The child was reported missing by her mother on Tuesday, November 9th but investigators believe she was sold into prostitution. Antoinette Davis, the girl’s mother, has been charged with human trafficking and a child abuse offense involving prostitution.

Read the full story here – CNN.com

Carrie Prejean Walks Out on Larry King

Oh Carrie Prejean, the California Pageant board must be so proud of you. Once again, Carrie raised eyebrows and blood pressure during a television interview, this time with Larry King. After King asked her the reason she decided to settle a lawsuit between herself and the pageant board, she insisted that he was being “inappropriate” and then proceeded to remove her mic and earpiece before walking off the set.

Story from: Perez Hilton

Story from PerezHilton

Chewing-Gum Theft on the Rise in Connecticut

It appears the recession has officially affected everyone … now even gum has become too expensive! Connecticut police have reported an increase in chewing-gum theft across one of the wealthiest states in the country. Authorities say the thefts began in March and the criminals intended to sell the gum for drug money.

Read More (Asylum)

Sniper John Allen Muhammad Executed

On a more somber note, John Allen Muhammed 1 of 2 members of the “D.C. Sniper” tragedy was put to death this evening in Virginia. The D.C. area sniper was part of a rampage that killed 10 and injured 7 others.

Read the Full Article: Sniper John Allen Muhammad executed