Cheap Shots #99.

Again, this is the headline summary/link dump, updated occasionally during the day. If you have links, e-mail’s at the left.

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12:30 AM

Tiger Wins Buick Invitational: Wake me when we get to the Masters. Fourth Buick in a row, 62nd title, and no one really cares until he makes a run at the Grand Slam. [ESPN]

Djokovic, Sharapova Aussie Open Champs: I have to admit to actively rooting against Novak Djokovic — his dozens of bounces between serves and injury time-out manipulation is annoying, but he knows how to exploit inexperienced opponents, and on this stage, that’s what Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was after that first set. Hopefully, that’s not the last we see of Little Ali on the grand stage. As for Maria beating up on Ana Ivanovic, I don’t have anything remarkable to note except for my father’s phone call on Friday night: “They’re both pretty and they play decent tennis, but even Monica Seles herself would say they’re too loud.” [AP]

East Beats West In Atlanta: Right, so hockey is here because football’s pretty much over, but better late than never. West team erases a four goal deficit and then goes ahead 7-6, then Eric Staal and Marc Savard score in the last minutes to give the home East the win. [AP]

Bedard Out Of Baltimore: Good for him, good for baseball, but just another reason for Orioles fans to mutter, “stupid Angelos.” [Seattle Times]

Snyder Talks To Pete Carroll About Redskins Head Coaching Job: I think it probably went like this: they said hello, Pete asked if Snyder would give him complete control, Snyder said no, Pete said no. It probably took all of five minutes. [NFL Network]

Webber, Back By The Bay?: Apparently even Don Nelson wants this to happen, and the veteran is apparently close to putting on the #4 for Golden State again. [ESPN]

I’m Eagerly Awaiting PETA and the Humane Society’s Indignation: There’s a Giants offensive lineman named Greg Ruegamer apparently likes biting the balls off of lambs. [East Valley Tribune via Sports by Brooks]

Reviving the AAFL Name Is At Least Good For Something: That being a very liberal policy regarding VIP passes for its draft, and notes of the event are here. [Snarkastic]

The Sounds of the Court Are Enough, Thank You: We’re at an NBA game, not a concert, thank you. [The Legend of Cecilio Guante]

I Would Totally Crash This Party: Apparently Dan Majerle’s bar in Phoenix is throwing a Super Bowl block party with Digital Underground, Tone Loc, and Young MC — seriously, these were the fellas on MTV when I got addicted to it. True story: Shock G from the Underground was touring with Murs when I saw him live — eventually Murs got him to bust out a verse of the Humpty Dance, and of course, he had the nose and glasses on hand. [RandBall]