Salah makes the cut
Josh Salah has made it through the stroke play round of the 104th Massachusetts Amateur golf tournament at Tedesco Country Club in Swampscott and is moving on to the match play round.
After 36 holes Salah shot a 146 (73, 73) through Tuesday and Wednesday’s stroke play rounds. He is tied for 22 out of 144 golfers and the top 32 advance to the match play rounds, which will be played on today and Friday.
Salah, a Gloucester native, is coming off of a strong year as he was named the Northeastern Conference Golfer of the Year at Sacred Heart University.
Papelbon speaks
Former Red Sox and current Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon did not mince words when telling reporters at Tuesday’s All Star game what led him to leaving Boston and signing with Philadelphia.
In short, it was the firing of Terry Francona.
”I’d say it closed the door,” Papelbon said. “Not 100 percent, but I wasn’t gonna go there and not know what manager I’d be playing for.”
Papelbon also said he believes Francona was the scapegoat for last year’s September collapse.
The Phillies closer has enjoyed some success in his first season in Philadelphia with 18 saves and a 3.34 ERA through 33 appearances. The Phillies, however, have been an even bigger disappointment than the Red Sox going 37-50 at the All Star break, last in the NL East.
Howard trade talks
It appears that a three team trade between the Nets, Magic and Cavaliers that would send Dwight Howard to Brooklyn is all but dead.
The Nets have apparently moved on and it looks like they will not land the best center in the NBA. But a new team has moved into the chase in the Los Angeles Lakers.
There is a reported three team deal being discussed that would send Howard to LA, Andrew Bynum to Houston and draft picks along with cap friendly and expiring contracts going to Orlando.
Dwight Howard going to the Lakers instantly puts them in the mix for the title in 2013, and they may even rival the Heat as favorites.
-Compiled by Nick Curcuru
