Manny Ramirez taking “serious offers.” An agent for baseball star Manny Ramirez says the player is accepting bids after the L.A. Dodgers general manager laid out his latest offer. The recently traded Ramirez helped the Dodgers to a successful season, and GM Ned Colletti proposed a two-year, $45 million contract to bring him back. But Scott Boras says Ramirez won’t bite unless L.A. sweetens the deal. “On behalf of Manny Ramirez, we will, for the first time, begin accepting serious financial offers on Friday,” Boras said Thursday. Reports suggest that the Dodgers may guarantee Ramirez a third year and an increase in their offer, though Colletti said the initial proposal could be withdrawn. Ramirez, 36, ended a tumultuous career in Boston before joining L.A. this year.

Sacramento’s Reggie Theus must pay $25,000. Retired NBA player Reggie Theus knows that athletes are penalized big bucks for dissing refs. But it’s in his Sacramento coaching capacity that Theus will have to cough up $25,000 after critical comments this week. The Kings will also pay $25,000 as a team after Theus called it “ridiculous” that Detroit shot 36 free throws to Sacramento’s 17. The criticism came following the Pistons 100-92 win against the Kings. The fines were announced on Thursday.

Bengals receiver says Donavan McNabb influenced him. Following an off-season that found him criticizing the organization that hired him, a NFL player thanks an opponent for showing the way. The former Chad Johnson, who legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco, says Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb helped him see the light. McNabb reminded Ocho Cinco that many would choose to trade places with the Bengals star, who wanted out of his contract. “Donovan was a big influence,” Ocho Cinco tells The Philadelphia Inquirer. “(He) really is one of the reasons why I really turned myself around and looked at my situation as more of a positive … thinking about all the people that would love to play this game, you know?” Calling McNabb a close friend, Ocho Cinco says they talk often. Even with team losses, Ocho Cinco says, he’s keeping focused.

TAGS: Chad Johnson, Donvan McNabb, Manny Ramirez, Ocho Cinco, offers, Reggie Theus, Sacramento

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