Knuckler Dickey says WBC role a great privilege

PHOENIX | Many big-name pitchers found reason to say no to the World Baseball Classic. R.A. Dickey was an automatic yes.

MLB to expand blood testing for HGH

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. | Major League Baseball will test for human growth hormone throughout the regular season and increase efforts to detect abnormal levels of testosterone, a decision the NFL used to pressure its players.

Bears beat Arizona 28-13, keep playoff hopes alive

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Of course the defense made the plays that mattered most for Chicago. These are, after all, the Bears.

Bears versus Cardinals could decide fate of both head coaches

TEMPE, Ariz. | They are two teams that got off to fine starts only to see the situations disintegrate.

With QB out, Illinois falls at Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. | Illinois missed starting quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, to be sure. But he doesn't play defense, and that was the area where the Illini struggled mightily against Arizona State.

Selig's contract extended through the 2014 season

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. | Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says he couldn't resist the pleas of team owners for him to stay on the job. His wife Sue has said all along there was no way her husband would walk away from the game.

Original Diamondback recalls franchise evolution

PHOENIX | Jay Bell looked around Chase Field before the All-Star game Tuesday night and recalled how the Arizona franchise had developed after it signed him to a then-stunning five-year, $34 million contract before the Diamondbacks' inaugural 1998 season.

BCS puts pressure on scandalized Fiesta Bowl

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. | Fiesta Bowl officials have been quiet in the aftermath of a scolding from the head of the BCS who wondered if Arizona's scandal-ridden event is worthy of its status as one of the nation's four elite postseason games.

Ramirez homers twice as Cubs top Diamondbacks

PHOENIX | Aramis Ramirez homered twice, Carlos Silva earned his first victory in five starts and the Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Tuesday night to clinch their first road series in 1½ months.

NHL says Ice Edge back in picture in Coyotes sale, no comment on Reinsdorf deal

PHOENIX | The Ice Edge group is back in the picture as a potential buyer for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Pondexter, Taurasi lead Mercury to WNBA title

PHOENIX | The Phoenix Mercury are WNBA champions for the second time in three seasons, leaning on their 'big three' to pull out a 94-86 victory over the tenacious Indiana Fever in the deciding Game 5 Friday night.

Manning carves up Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner have thrown for miles and miles in their NFL careers, yet their paths crossed for only the second time on Sunday night.

Manning carves up Cardinals, Colts win 31-10

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner have thrown for miles and miles in their NFL careers, yet their paths crossed for only the second time on Sunday night.

Manning, Warner face off for only second time

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner took vastly different routes to become two of the most prolific passers the NFL has known, and their paths have almost never crossed.

Davis leads Arizona to 10-0 rout of wild Cubs

PHOENIX | Doug Davis had his second masterful performance in three starts. This one came against the big bats of the Cubs.

Petit went from spot start to almost spotless

PHOENIX | Yusmeiro Petit didn't find out until Monday that he'd be Arizona's starting pitcher on Tuesday night.

Arizona's Johnson beats Cubs again, 2-0

PHOENIX | Randy Johnson improved to 13-0 in 14 career starts against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, outdueling Rich Harden in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2-0 victory.

Nine-year-old interviews players

PHOENIX | The kid reporter got his story on media day at University of Phoenix Stadium. Eli Manning and Plaxico Burress made sure of that.

Hawks extend win streak

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Patrick Lalime had 38 saves, then blocked all three attempts in a shootout to lead the Blackhawks to their fourth consecutive victory, 2-1 over the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday night.

Bulls' struggles continue in desert

PHOENIX | First he faced New York, then he appeared on Oprah, then he flew home to play the Bulls.

NASCAR chief predicts Gordon will move up in Chase

AVONDALE, Ariz. | The man who invented the Chase for the championship is expecting Jeff Gordon to at least gain ground on Jimmie Johnson this week.

3 Indy 500 champs qualify for NASCAR race

AUTO RACING | NEXTEL CUP

Rockies continue surge, win Game 1

PHOENIX | Jeff Francis and the Colorado Rockies rolled right past the Arizona Diamondbacks -- and their rowdy fans.

Sudden turnaround has Wood on road to recovery

MESA, Ariz. | Seven pitches, seven strikes. A fastball that hit 95 mph.

Suns look for more heart in critical Game 2

PHOENIX | The Phoenix Suns have better players. San Antonio has a better team, at least for now.

Stoudemire vs. Duncan a matchup of 2 of NBA's best

PHOENIX | The last time the Phoenix Suns met the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs, Amare Stoudemire was muscular mass of raw talent relying on his natural ability against the wily ways of Tim Duncan.

Defense, believe it or not, helps Phoenix to 3-1 series lead

PHOENIX | Contrary to popular belief, the Phoenix Suns do play defense. No one will confuse them with the Pistons or Spurs, but they are getting better.

NFL DRAFT: Thomas seems obvious choice if he's available for Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. | Early draft picks are as common as sunshine in the desert for the Arizona Cardinals.

Sluggish Suns look to regain energy in final 21 games

PHOENIX | Slim as the chance might be, the Phoenix Suns aren't giving up on catching Dallas for the best record in the NBA. Of bigger concern, though, is their sluggish, uninspired play of late.

Three and out

PRO BASKETBALL | BULLS

Arizona hires Steelers assistant Whisenhunt as new coach

PHOENIX | Ken Whisenhunt helped the Pittsburgh Steelers and their young quarterback win a Super Bowl.

Coach depicted in 'We Are Marshall' says right message comes through

PHOENIX | Thirty-six years later, Jack Lengyel vividly recalls the overwhelming sadness that surrounded him when he arrived at Marshall.

Erickson introduced as new Sun Devils coach

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Comeback kids

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Even on a very bad night, the Bears found a way to stay unbeaten.

Unbeaten Bears could make Leinert's Monday night a long one

PRO FOOTBALL

In latest chapter of a twisted saga, Jones is free to run

Marion Jones' career of triumph and suspicion is back on track. Though she probably won't run again this year, the strongest doping allegations against her are now defunct, and her sights are firmly set on next year's world championships -- and the 2008 Olympics.

Legat becomes first U.S. runner to complete 1,500-5,000 double

INDIANAPOLIS | Two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Legat became the first runner in the history of the U.S. track and field championships to sweep the 1,500 and 5,000 meters, winning the shorter race Sunday night.