Saban compares some agents to a ‘pimp’ (AP)
Nick Saban didn’t pull punches Wednesday when discussing the improper contact with athletes by unscrupulous agents, comparing their behavior to that of a “pimp.” The Alabama coach was upset about the rash of recent agent-related incidents that have resulted in NCAA investigations at several Southeastern Conference schools.

Cards beat Phils for eighth straight win (AP)
With the bases loaded, two outs and the game tied in the top of the seventh, Charlie Manuel let his pitcher, Joe Blanton, hit. It was all downhill from there for the sagging Philadelphia Phillies. Rookie Jaime Garcia struck out Blanton on three pitches to end the threat and Matt Holliday hit the go-ahead home run on Blanton’s first pitch in the bottom of the seventh as the St.

Former Yanks, Red Sox manager Houk dies (AP)
Ralph Houk, who guided the powerhouse New York Yankees of the early 1960s to two World Series championships during his 20 years as a big league manager, died Wednesday. He was 90. Houk also skippered the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox in a managerial career that spanned three decades. Red Sox spokesman Dick Bresciani said Houk’s grandson, Scott Slaboden, told the team Houk died at his…

Torre, Kershaw, coach Schaefer suspended (AP)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, manager Joe Torre and bench coach Bob Schaefer were all suspended Wednesday as a result of incidents in the team’s loss to the San Francisco Giants that caused debate about the rules. Bob Watson, vice president in charge of discipline, rules and on-field operations for Major League Baseball, announced the discipline, which included undisclosed fines…

Ravens S Reed could miss first 6 games (AP)
Ravens Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed says he expects to miss the start of the regular season while he recovers from offseason hip surgery. Reed told 105.7 The Fan he expects to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which requires a player to miss the first six games of the season. He said Tuesday his rehab is a slow process.

Heisman Trust undecided on Bush trophy (AP)
Southern California has already sent back its copy of Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy. The Heisman Trust, however, has yet to decide whether it will be asking the former USC star to return the famous bronze statue he won in 2005. The president of the Heisman Trophy Trust, New York-based attorney William J.

Edwards, Keselowski put on probation (AP)
NASCAR docked star Carl Edwards 60 Nationwide Series driver points, fined him $25,000 and placed both Edwards and Brad Keselowski on probation through Dec. 31 following their last-lap antics at Gateway International Raceway.

NHL: Kovalchuk’s deal violated cap (AP)
Ilya Kovalchuk is no closer to figuring out his future than he was when NHL free agency opened three weeks ago. Kovalchuk’s landmark 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils was rejected by the NHL, which ruled that the longest deal in league history violated its salary cap. Where the high-scoring forward — the biggest prize on the free-agent market — will land now is…

Woods’ endorsements down estimated $22M (AP)
Tiger Woods’ estimated endorsements for 2010 are worth $22 million less than last year, according to Sports Illustrated’s annual analysis of the highest-earning American athletes. Woods is still No. 1 on the list, as he has been for the rankings’ seven years. But his estimated total earnings of more than $90 million are down 30 percent from nearly $128 million two years ago.

Ex-Gators OL Pouncey denies taking money (AP)
Former Florida Gators standout Maurkice Pouncey denied allegations Wednesday that he took money from a representative of a sports agent while he was still at the university. “I did not accept $100,000, it is an absolutely ridiculous claim. I have completely cooperated with the investigation and answered any and all questions put to me,” Pouncey said in a statement released through his…