Cubs' courtship of 49ers' Kaepernick never had a chance

SANTA CLARA, Calif. | Chicago Cubs scout Sam Hughes watches Colin Kaepernick nowadays and still wonders what the strong-armed NFL quarterback might look like on a pitching mound, as a power arm in the pros.

Jim, John Harbaugh ready for rematch at Super Bowl

SANTA CLARA, Calif. | These days, Jack Harbaugh stays away from game-planning chatter or strategy sessions with his Super Bowl-bound coaching sons. Baltimore's John Harbaugh and little brother Jim of the San Francisco 49ers have been doing this long enough now to no longer need dad's input.

49ers hope extra week allows Smith to return

SANTA CLARA, Calif. | The San Francisco 49ers' defense is that much more stingy with Justin Smith on the field.

49ers win Battle of the Backups with 32-7 blowout

SAN FRANCISCO | Strong-armed fill-in Colin Kaepernick made all the right throws, looking every bit a capable NFL No. 1 quarterback.

Bears Campbell gears up for big stage facing 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO | When Jay Cutler got hurt last November, the Chicago Bears' promising season fell apart fast, with no capable backup behind him.

With London done, Brazil gears up for '16 carnival

LONDON | For all those beach volleyball players who thought Horse Guards Parade transformed itself into the sport's best Olympic venue yet, wait until they hit the sand in Brazil in four years.

Williams sisters win gold again in Olympic doubles

WIMBLEDON, England | Serena Williams relishes her role as copycat little sister. Even if it takes her 12 years.

U.S. sprinter Nellum defies doctors to run again

LONDON | Bryshon Nellum's doctors told him he might never run again.

May-Treanor, Walsh Jennings take next step to gold

LONDON | Red. Blue. Gold.

Japan's Kohei Uchimura chases 1st Olympic gold

LONDON | Kohei Uchimura wows with a combination of flawless execution and flair.

U.S., Russian women set for gymnastics showdown

LONDON | The Americans need Jordyn Wieber to regain her swagger in a hurry if they're going to hold off Russia for Olympic gold.

Beach volleyball players awed by majestic venue

LONDON | From Big Ben to the London Eye. From Nelson's Column to Buckingham Palace. Every view from the Olympic beach volleyball stadium is London in all its majesty.

49ers look like serious player in Manning pursuit

SAN FRANCISCO | Jim Harbaugh coaching Peyton Manning. In the Bay Area, they're beginning to think about the possibility and believe it truly might happen.

Giants need OT to win NFC title game

SAN FRANCISCO | The New York Giants have their own Super Bowl formula: in overtime and on the road.

49ers' Vernon Davis leading the way in many ways

SANTA CLARA, Calif. | With a record-setting day and the winning touchdown in his playoff debut, Vernon Davis left no doubt he is indeed a winner.

UConn's win streak ends at 90 in loss to Stanford

STANFORD, Calif. | Maya Moore and everybody around UConn realized how much this meant to Stanford after several near misses against the mighty Huskies — one in the Final Four, another that cost the Cardinal the 2010 NCAA title.

Jernigan's collegiate career ends in heartbreak

SACRAMENTO, Calif. | Jeanette Pohlen made the biggest play yet to save Stanford's spectacular season, on a night the Cardinal were a far cry from their dominant selves.

Bears picked apart by 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO | Mike Singletary didn't exactly hand it to his old team. That didn't matter -- Jay Cutler handed the desperate San Francisco 49ers a much-needed win. Cutler threw a career-high five interceptions with his last coming in the end zone.

Cutler picked off five times as Bears lose again

SAN FRANCISCO | Mike Singletary didn't exactly hand it to his old team. That didn't matter -- Jay Cutler handed the desperate San Francisco 49ers a much-needed win.

Singletary not focused on facing Bears on Thursday

SAN FRANCISCO | Mike Singletary became a Hall of Fame linebacker with the Bears during a 12-year career spent all with the same club. Photos of Singletary and his Monsters of the Midway brethren still hang in the linebackers meeting room, reminders of the Bears' special 1985 Super Bowl season.

Lansing native helps Chicago win third straight against Giants

SAN FRANCISCO | The San Francisco Giants have played themselves right out of the playoff race.

Ellis' walk-off homer snaps Chicago's winning streak at Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. | So much is made about having momentum before the mighty Yankees come to town.

Ellis' walk-off homer snaps Chicago's winning streak at Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. | So much is made about having momentum before the mighty Yankees come to town.

Lincecum, Giants squash Cubs

SAN FRANCISCO | Tim Lincecum trailed for all of two innings, then held down the Cubs' dangerous lineup.

DeRosa, Lilly help get Cubs back on track

SAN FRANCISCO | Mark DeRosa and Ted Lilly got the Chicago Cubs back on track -- DeRosa with two fine swings and Lilly with another impressive outing.

Swisher delivers as Sox slay Giants

SAN FRANCISCO | Nick Swisher clearly is still popular in these parts -- and he appreciates it.

Buehrle outduels Zito in Sox win

SAN FRANCISCO | Mark Buehrle won a matchup of struggling starters with Barry Zito, pitching into the seventh inning to lead the White Sox to a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night.

Fukudome reaches base 3 different ways, Cubs beat Giants 12-6

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. | Kosuke Fukudome got on base every which way in his first exhibition game for the Chicago Cubs.

What's next for Bonds?

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Zito's foundation honors service members

SAN FRANCISCO | For three seasons, Barry Zito has been doing his part to help the American military.

Sox lose again in Oakland

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Cust homers twice to down Sox

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

After record, Bonds moves on to next step: team photo

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Barry Bonds hits No. 756 to break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Bonds breaks all-time home run record

See a timeline of Barry Bonds' homeruns and view an audio slideshow and photogallery at http://www.nwi.com/sports/bonds07

Bonds ties Aaron's record

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Home run record may bring Bonds neither respect nor adulation

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Bonds on 755: 'The hard part is over right now'

SAN DIEGO | With a short swing, a half stare and an emphatic clap of his hands, Barry Bonds rounded the bases. After so many days and so many tries, he had finally caught Hammerin' Hank.

Bonds' uncharted universe: 755 and beyond

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Marlins keep Bonds at 754

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Bonds hits No. 754, pulls within 1 of Aaron

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Bonds hits 754th home run, pulls within 1 of Aaron's record

SAN FRANCISCO | Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run Friday night, moving within one of tying Hank Aaron's record.

With Bud in attendance, no homer for Bonds on his birthday

SAN FRANCISCO | After months of questions, Bud Selig grabbed a front-row seat for Barry Bonds' chase of history. On the slugger's 43rd birthday, no less.

Cubs fans catch Bonds' 752nd and 753rd home run balls

CHICAGO | Barry Bonds hit his 752nd and 753rd home runs Thursday, ending his worst slump in six years with two of his biggest swings this month -- and Hank Aaron's record is only two away.

Bonds hits 752nd and 753rd home runs

CHICAGO | Barry Bonds hit his 752nd and 753rd home runs Thursday, ending his worst slump in six years with two of his biggest swings this month -- and Hank Aaron's record is only two away.

Bonds held out of starting lineup for 3rd straight day

CHICAGO | Barry Bonds is beat.

Bonds held out of starting lineup for second straight day

CHICAGO | Exactly a week before Barry Bonds' 43rd birthday, the affects of his age started to really show.

Cubs rally to beat Giants

CHICAGO | Two people hit balls over the Wrigley Field fence, and neither was Barry Bonds. The slugger just watched as his team lost another tough one.