Santori will sit out after having his hand broken. Alfonso Santori is sidelined from the Chicago Cubs for approximately six weeks with a broken hand. The peculiar injury occurred while Santori was at bat against the Atlanta Braves and was struck on the hand with a pitch. The ball hit Santori as he ducked to avoid being struck in the head. He’s expected to go on the disabled list for six weeks.

Huel Hollins says Tim Donaghy’s allegations aren’t credible. A Black former NBA ref is speaking out, in light of the latest claims by disgraced official Tim Donaghy. Donaghy, who has admitted influencing games through bad officiating, is charged with felonies in connection with a gambling ring he reportedly helped back. Donaghy has alleged this week that refs favored a team in the 2002 NBA post-season and that a player believed to be Houston ’s Yao Ming was targeted for foul calls in unrelated play. Huel Hollins, who officiated from 1975 to 2003, says his ex-colleague has no credibility. But Hollins tells ESPN that he does recall visits from NBA execs, who met with refs before games to talk with them about their officiating. “I didn’t like it at all,” Hollins says. He declined to name individuals during a Thursday telephone interview, saying he didn’t need “any help” calling games. Along with Donaghy, referee Dick Bavetta has been mentioned this week, in connection with questionable officiating.

Shaquille O’Neal says he’ll buy Florida mortgages. Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal hopes to make a difference in the community where he began his NBA career. O’Neal has announced that he’ll give immediate relief to Orlando homeowners facing foreclosure by buying their mortgages and re-selling houses back to them. “I want to come in not to kick them out, but to work with them and save them so they can stay in their homes,” O’Neal tells The Orlando Sentinel newspaper. The player was drafted from college to the Orlando Magic then traded to Los Angeles before joining the Suns. “He’s become a businessman with a conscience,” says lawyer Mark NeJame, who joined Shaq for the announcement at Orlando City Hall . “He’s looking to find out where he can make a significant investment in Orlando – specifically downtown Orlando – but also all over central Florida.

TAGS: chicagocubs, hollins, huel, oneal, Santori, shaquille

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