Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes.
The whole scene made him a little wistful.
"It's good he got to do it in his first year here," Damon said as the energetic Swisher bounced around beside him after the parade finished in the shadow of City Hall. "It took me my fourth and possibly final year. I am so overjoyed because you don't know how many times you get this opportunity."
Damon helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and played one more season in Boston before bolting for a $52 million, four-year contract with New York. That deal is up now and the parade is over, leaving the outfielder's future as one of the major questions facing the champs heading into the offseason.
"I think that's just the reality of our game," slugger Alex Rodriguez said. "You hope obviously as many guys come back as possible."
Pro baseball: Ramirez to return to Dodgers next season
Manny Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season.
The team said that the slugger exercised his $20 million contract option for 2010. His agent Scott Boras informed general manager Ned Colletti of the decision, which Ramirez had until this month to make.
He could have exercised an out clause in the two-year, $45 million deal he signed in March.
Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs in 104 regular season games.
More pro baseball: Twins trade for SS Hardy, Brewers receive OF Gomez
The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.
The Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez.
Hardy winds up with the Twins' All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer, a teammate on the U.S. national teams in 2000 and 2003. The two still chat regularly when they see each other, and Hardy said the move could help him move on from a forgettable season.
Pro football: Former Patriot Law, Broncos agree to terms
Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos.
Kevin Poston, Law's agent, confirmed the news in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
The agreement came after Denver's media availability and a Broncos spokesman said the team had no comment.
Law is expected to sign the deal today, pending the passing of his physical. He may even make it out to practice as the Broncos (6-1) prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.
More pro football: Colts put CB Jackson, S Sanders on IR
The injury bug is still haunting the Indianapolis Colts.
Cornerback Marlin Jackson and strong safety Bob Sanders were lost for the season F as the team placed them on injured reserve.
Jackson, who missed the second half of the 2008 season after injuring his right knee during practice, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee during a non-contact drill Wednesday.
He had been rehabbing the knee after he was hurt against Seattle on Oct. 4.
Sanders, a two-time Pro Bowler, tore his left bicep against the 49ers last weekend and will need surgery.
Pro basketball: LeBron says no timetable for free agency decision
LeBron James thinks his present is too good to spend time worrying about his future.
James said he has no timetable for deciding what he will do next summer. The NBA's MVP said it will be his first time getting to be an unrestricted free agent, so he's not going to rush any decision.
Nor will he even consider it for a while. Not with the Cavaliers on the short list of legitimate contenders to win a title this season.
"For me, honestly, I think this season is going to be really good and I feel like our team is set to where we can play really deep into the playoffs and possibly contend for the NBA championship," James said. "So mainly that's the main thing that I'm focused on now."
More pro basketball: Hornets owner Shinn says he has prostate cancer
New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn said he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but remains healthy and is optimistic that he will conquer the disease.
"My wife, Denise, and I remain strong in our faith and will maintain a positive attitude as I battle this with intense fervor and drive," Shinn said in a release issued by the Hornets.
A businessman from Kannapolis, N.C., the 68-year-old Shinn has been the owner of the team since he received an expansion franchise in Charlotte, N.C., in 1988.
More pro basketball: Bulls Thomas breaks arm, out 4-6 weeks
Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas broke his left forearm during a weight training session and will have surgery. He could miss 4-6 weeks.
In four games this season, the fourth-year player from LSU is averaging eight points and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
Auto racing: Gordon earns first pole of season to keep streak alive
Jeff Gordon is suddenly having all kind of success at Texas Motor Speedway, a track where he had never won until earlier this season. Gordon captured his first pole of the season, waiting until the third-to-last race to extend his streak of 17 consecutive seasons with a pole, with a qualifying lap of 191.117 mph yesterday at the 11âÑ2-mile, high-banked Texas track.
Only David Pearson and Richard Petty have longer streaks than Gordon of seasons with a pole. Pearson went 20 consecutive seasons (1963-82) and Petty had 18 (1960-77).
College softball: Reports say three North Dakota students drowned
Authorities say preliminary autopsy results show drowning as the cause of death for three North Dakota college softball players found dead inside a sport utility vehicle that sunk in a rural farm pond.
Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said that two of the women's bodies were found in the SUV's rear cargo area and one was found in the middle of the vehicle.
The bodies of 22-year-old Kyrstin Gemar of San Diego, Calif.; 20-year-old Afton Williamson of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; and 21-year-old Ashley Neufeld, of Brandon, Manitoba, were found Tuesday.
