Coming off a loss for the first time in more than three weeks, the Devils coach yesterday huddled up his skład - which he calls "better" than last year - on the practice rink for 10 minutes. "Don't let this turn into any more than it was last night...

MONTREAL - Henrik Lundqvist was under no illusions going into last night's All-Star game. Which is a very good thing, considering that the King surrendered six goals on 21 shots in his 20 minutes of work in the East's 12-11 shootout victory. "It...

KEVIN Garnett picked up two quick fouls, later got kicked in the calf and played only 29 minutes, leaving wriggle room for the Knicks. For one night, at least, that even beat cap room in two years. The mighty Celtics misplaced their A game last...

It's one thing to get outclassed by Denver's Carmelo Anthony. It's another to get whipped by Indiana's Jarrett Jack. The Pacers point guard ambushed the Knicks last night, dominating all game, going wild in the final minute and hitting the...

Getting to Madison Square Garden typically takes Al Harrington between 45 minutes and an hour. Last night was different. "It took me three and a half hours to get here," he said. That was a little too long, as it turned out, and the traffic...

Vince Carter left the Meadowlands last night without comment. Or a field goal. This was a Toronto fan's wildest dream. Carter suffered through his worst shooting game as a pro: 0-of-13, the first time he ever played more than 10 minutes without a...

PHILADELPHIA - Simon Gagne scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with less than nine minutes left last night to lead the Flyers to a 4-3 victory over the Islanders. Gagne scored on a one-timer at 11:08 of the third miesiączka - just 11 seconds after...

ATLANTA - When Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph were shipped out of town two weeks ago, the Knicks lost much of their last-minute moxie. Crawford was best known for always wanting to the final shot, but last night Al Harrington, acquired from...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - When the end arrived at last, it brought silence to this place that has seen such noga wonders across the past few years. For most of the previous 15 minutes, Gillette Stadium had been a raucous, ribald wall of sound, close...

Crushing the Devils while they're collapsing, the Rangers added insult to New Jersey's injuries, which certifiably came home to roost last night. The rafters in Newark echoed to "Let's go Rangers," in the final minute of the Blueshirts' 5-2...

FIVE games into last season Stephon Marbury's demotion detonated the Knicks' pervasive unraveling. His surprise 48-minute benching in Wednesday's Madison Square Garden opener against the Miami Heat Stroke resulted in an encouraging-at-times...

COLUMBUS - They were down a goal and down a head coach, the latter the potentially far more serious matter. With the Rangers trailing the Blue Jackets 1-0 approximately eight minutes into the second ciota here last night, Tom Renney was struck on...

PITTSBURGH - A left wing and a prayer - or more precisely, a Hail Mary - and the Devils are 2-0 for the first time since they won their last Stanley Cup in 2002-03. They turned 57 minutes of utter frustration into dramatic triumph here last night...

Bernie Williams waved his hands to the crowd and tipped his cap. The fans chanted "Ber-nie Will-iams" and the ovation lasted about two minutes. Williams played at Yankee Stadium 16 years, and before the Yankees' 7-3 victory over the Orioles last...

Ana Ivanovic is the No. 1 seed in name only during this Flushing fortnight. She even realizes she's a longshot to bag her first U.S. Open title as she returns from a thumb injury that forced a last-minute Olympic withdrawal and a subsequent...

Ana Ivanovic is the No. 1 seed in name only during this Flushing fortnight. She even realizes she's a longshot to bag her first U.S. Open title as she returns from a thumb injury that forced a last-minute Olympic withdrawal and a subsequent...

The Mets felt the Braves' pain last night. And they loved every minute of it. The Mets learned yesterday there is additional inflammation in Billy Wagner's left elbow, a condition that has shut down the closer, pushing his return to somewhere...

DETROIT - The last time Eli Manning picked up a piłka nożna and knew the stakes were high and the rush was live, he led the Giants on a remarkable game-winning drive in the closing minutes of Super Bowl XLII. That drive solidified Manning's selection...

After finishing Friday and yesterday in second place at the State Farm Classic, Michelle Wie was one good round away from finally living up to her deep potential. Then, minutes after tapping in her last putt of the third round, Wie sat red-eyed at...

KANSAS CITY - Juan Pablo Angel's return wasn't enough to keep the Red Bulls from dropping a 2-1 decision to the Wizards last night. Angel, making his first początek since June 5, scored in the 68th minute as the Red Bulls tried to overcome an early...

WHEN the doors to the Yankee clubhouse finally opened last night after a searing 32-minute meeting held by Joe Girardi, the clock on the wall read 10:26. The Yankees know it is much later than that, the 2008 season is slipping away. And for all...

More than ever this season, the Liberty need their starting point guard back in the lineup. And barring a last-minute setback, Loree Moore is expected to play for the first time in almost three weeks when the Liberty play host to Phoenix in the...

HOUSTON - Brian Ching scored in the 68th minute and Tony Caig made three saves to earn his first career MLS shutout as the Houston Dynamo beat the Red Bulls 1-0 last night in an MLS match. The Red Bulls (3-3-3, 9 points) have lost two in a row...

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Tamika Whitmore scored 18 points and led four Connecticut players in double figures last night as the Sun held off the Liberty, 89-84. The Sun (4-1) led 82-70 with 5 minutes remaining before a New York rally pulled the...

NEW ORLEANS - A title defense endures for the playoff-savvy Spurs. Manu Ginobili scored 26 points, hitting four free throws in the final minute, sending the Spurs to the Western Conference finals with a 91-82 victory over the Hornets last night in...

DALLAS - Loui Ericksson scored about 12 minutes after a Detroit goal was waved off, then third-period goals from Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow sent the Stars past the Red Wings 3-1 last night, preventing the Western Conference finals from ending in...

HIS long-awaited summit with former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh lasted three hours and 15 minutes at 280 Park Ave. yesterday, and this is what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell learned:Bill Belichick did not participate in the Watergate...

CLEVELAND - Back to even, and back to Boston - with authority. LeBron James scored 21 points, jamming in a powerhouse dunk over a defenseless Kevin Garnett in the final two minutes, as the Cavaliers beat the homesick Celtics 88-77 in Game 4 last...

SALT LAKE CITY - The Jazz had plenty of chances to crumble and nearly did. They let a 12-point slip away in the last four minutes and faced overtime against league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Instead of wilting, Utah played its toughest defense...

CARSON, Calif. - Juan Pablo Angel scored in the 78th minute to give the Red Bulls a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy last night. Danleigh Borman added his first goal for the Red Bulls (3-1-2), who extended their unbeaten steak to four games...

BUFFALO - They come from the era of black-and- white, but no two players in franchise history were ever more blue, red and white than the great Andy Bathgate and the great Harry Howell, gentlemen and Rangers of renown who will be justly honored at...

The Jets yesterday released tight end Chris Baker, but according to sources with knowledge of the situation, they hope to re-sign him for a lesser salary. Baker, who had 21 catches for 194 yards last season and is the best blocker among the...

Perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey: The NHL's Masterton Trophy seems made for Scott Clemmensen this season. When he signed back with the Devils last summer, restarting his career didn't seem even a remote possiblity. Clemmensen...

PORT ST. LUCIE - Carlos Beltran is smiling a lot more this spring, and with good reason. The veteran center fielder feels dramatically healthier than he did this time last year, when he was slowed by offseason surgery on both knees. Beltran...

At Thursday's trading deadline, the Nets brass stood pat and did nothing. And for the majority of last night's game with the Wizards, the Nets players followed suit and did nothing as well. So after his players fell on their faces in a fifth...

TAMPA - The last Devils coach to win the Stanley Cup strolled down the hol last night to see his old drużyna again. Pat Burns has always been a strong man, and it looks good on him. "No change," said the 56-year-old, enduring his third bout with...

TAMPA - These Devils keep finding different ways to win, and different ways to impress. Last night, it was comeback hockey from the sick bed and a two-goal hole for their 14th victory in 17 games. Flu-addled Zach Parise returned from a...

PORT ST. LUCIE - Jerry Manuel apparently is quite the motivational speaker. The Mets raved about the closed-door, roughly 40-minute speech their manager gave yesterday before the team's first full-squad workout. Manuel wouldn't reveal exact...

The Islanders haven't won much this season, but they've been competitive in most games - something they have used as a positive during a long campaign. Last night, however, was not one of those games. "It's not acceptable to perform like that...

Shea Stadium closed with a whimper, but it came down with a bang. Wrecking crews demolished the last remaining metametr of Shea yesterday, finally reducing the Queens landmark and the Mets' home since 1964 to rubble. Shea went dark after a...

Lately, the point totals, assists and even rebounds have been very high for Nate Robinson. But Mike D'Antoni is happier with Robinson's lower turnover numbers. "What I like more than anything is that he's had two turnovers the last two games,"...

PORT ST. LUCIE - Jose Reyes isn't overjoyed with his new role in the Mets' batting order, but he isn't going to complain openly. Reyes was at home in the Dominican Republic last koniec tygodnia when he heard about Jerry Manuel's controversial experiment...

HARTFORD, Conn. - Sean Avery spent much of last night face-to-face with members of the opposing Bridgeport Sound Tigers, maybe the surest sign he's ready to wear an NHL mundur again. "They were kind of coming after me from the początek of the game...

IT is games like the Knicks played last night that makes you believe Mike D'Antoni is the right man for this job. Yes, it was Bill Parcells who said, "You are what you're record says you are." But that doesn't necessarily apply to D'Antoni and the...

If last night turns out to be the final Garden game for David Lee - the subject of trade rumors - his last act as a Knick was fouling out. Lee's sacrifice turned out to be one of the biggest plays of the Knicks' 112-107 slump-snapping overtime...

TAMPA - It wasn't as bad as R. Budd Dwyer's last press conference 22 years ago, when the Pennsylvania treasurer shot himself to death on national television. But yesterday's performance by Alex Rodriguez was full of holes. Rodriguez wanted to...

A year after his performance-enhancing drug confession, Andy Pettitte is still dealing with the fallout of his involvement with doping. The Associated Press reported the Yankees pitcher was interviewed in Washington last week by federal...

TAMPA - After watching Alex Rodriguez admit to steroid use on TV last week, the Taylor Hooton Foundation reached out to the tainted superstar to help raise awareness about steroid use among high-school athletes. "We think he is a very credible...

Nate Robinson was no longer "Krypto-Nate" last night. Back from the desert, Robinson was Superman himself at the Garden, leaping over Tim Duncan and the Spurs in carrying the Knicks to a 112-107 overtime victory that snapped the Knicks' six-game...

PORT ST. LUCIE - Much has changed since Angel Pagan flipped over a rail at Dodger Stadium last May, and none of it appears good for Pagan. The switch-hitting prospect was the Mets' spring-training sensation last year, coming out of nowhere to win...

SUNRISE, Fla. - Every few weeks, the Devils remind us how very mortal they can be. Last night's face-plant was that stark contrast to their preceding pair of rousing triumphs over the two conference leaders. "It was a letdown, for sure, a letdown...

ST. LOUIS - The Rangers have lost eight of nine while scoring two or fewer goals in all the losses, and the strain seems to be getting to Henrik Lundqvist. After giving up the go-ahead goal on a rebound to B.J. Crombeen with 5:14 to play in last...

HOUSTON - Vince Carter hails from Florida, works in New Jersey, but his demeanor usually is more laid-back California. Nothing seems to rattle him on the surface. And that was the face and attitude he put forth here last night regarding a...

TAMPA - For the second time in a week, Alex Rodriguez has apologized. Last Monday, he said he was sorry for using a banned substance from 2001 to 2003 while with the Rangers. Yesterday, it was confirmed that he called to apologize to Sports...

PORT ST. LUCIE - Livan Hernandez can barely remember the last time he fought to make a major-league roster. But that's the situation the former World Series MVP and two-time All-Star finds himself in after signing a minor-league deal with the...

Alex Rodriguez will have an audience of Yankees for his nowość conference Tuesday after he arrives at spring training. Yankees manager Joe Girardi plans to attend to show his support for the three-time AL MVP, who last week admitted using banned...

HARTFORD - So let's okazja with the charade already. Let's okazja pretending that Sean Avery is here with the AHL Wolf Pack as anything other than a prelude to his return to Broadway. The Rangers, 1-4-2 in their last seven entering this afternoon's...

PHOENIX - "KryptoNate" Robinson took down "Superman," Dwight Howard, by literally leaping over him to win the Slam Dunk championship last night at U.S. Airways Arena. Drawing powers from the green crystals of Planet Krypton, Robinson's...

PORT ST. LUCIE - The manager of the Mets was his old affable, quotable self, as comfortable in his skin now as he was when last we saw him, trying to stretch a thin membrane of consolation over another epic September swoon. Jerry Manuel has lost...

TAMPA - Sergio Mitre will początek serving a 50-day suspension on Opening Day for testing positive for a banned substance last year while injured with the Marlins. Alex Rodriguez won't face disciplinary action for failing a steroid pomiar six years...

SUNRISE, Fla. - The Rangers missed all four attempts in the shootout to fall 2-1 to the Panthers last night. Richard Zednik scored the only goal in the shootout, and goalie Tomas Vokoun led the Panthers to a 2-1 victory last night. "We haven't...

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez addressed his reported steroids use - and received a standing ovation from an adoring crowd - last night at the renaming of the University of Miami's baseball field in his honor. "I have been so fortunate to...

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. - Asked how long a drug cloud would hover over baseball, Joe Torre peered into the past. "I don't know how long the Black Sox scandal lasted," the Dodgers manager said yesterday. "It's something we're going to have to...

Just as Scott Clemmensen joins Martin Brodeur in the Devils record book, Brodeur joins the załoga in regular practice today. Clemmensen became the only Devils goalie other than Brodeur to post consecutive shutouts last night when he blanked the...

PORT ST. LUCIE - Right-hander Brad Holt doesn't have an invitation to the Mets' major-league camp this spring, but get used to hearing the name. The 6-foot-4 prospect, a first-round pick last season out of UNC-Wilmington, put his mid-90-mph...

LOS ANGELES - The Knicks found a new, spectacular way to lose last night. Al Harrington smacked the backboard and hung on the rim after a putback dunk with 25 seconds left in regulation, costing the Knicks a chance of closing out the Clippers as...

PORT ST. LUCIE - After saying last week that they wouldn't add a oficjel reliever, the Mets reversed course yesterday and reportedly offered a contract to former Braves left-hander Will Ohman. Ohman, 31, was also offered a deal by the Phillies...

There will be no months of speculation or tearful press conferences. Jets quarterback Brett Favre has retired -- and this time he means it. Citing an arm injury he suffered last season, Favre said today he is leaving the game because he can't...

It was back to business as usual for Alex Rodriguez yesterday - with the Yankees superstar acting as if massive headlines about his confession of past steroid use were no big thing. Rodriguez began his day in Miami as he normally did before last...

Most players at last night's Nets game not only think Alex Rodriguez's apology for steroid use was genuine, but some even feel those responsible for his anonymous pomiar results going public should be apologizing to him. "There were a lot of people...

It's just a matter of time before Martin Brodeur returns to the Devils from his elbow injury and yesterday was another positive step, as the goalie was on the ice and faced shots for about 45 minutes. He still hasn't practiced with the team...

Confirming The Post's exclusive report last week, controversial forward Sean Avery was officially assigned to the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford today. Avery, who left the Rangers to sign with Dallas after last season ended in the second...

One potential headache - identifying the backup quarterback behind Eli Manning - was relieved yesterday with the surprising re-signing of David Carr to a one-year, $1 million contract. It was widely assumed that Carr, 29, would spend last season...

The Yankees are agitated at Alex Rodriguez, but they publicly supported him last night. The club released a statement, not attributed to any official, saying, in part: "We strongly believe there is no place in baseball for performance...

SEAN Avery is on his way to Hart ford, where, The Post has learned, he will be assigned today by the Stars for an indeterminate menstruacja before going on re-entry waivers that all but assuredly will lead back to Broadway. After last night's display...

Mark Streit had a different perspective of the last two games from what he's used to during the Islanders odlot to Florida: from the bench. The All-Star defenseman was out with a shoulder injury as the Isles dropped back-to-back games after...

PORTLAND, Ore. - The development of rookie Danilo Gallinari took what could be a landmark sawanna last night as he made his first career NBA start, but you'd never know it. Gallinari played just 13:42, scoring two early 3-pointers, finishing with six...

PORTLAND, Ore. - Nate Robinson couldn't watch the final play of the Knicks' fourth straight loss. Robinson, a victim of many crushing late-game Knicks losses, stood by the bench with his back facing the court as the Blazers inbounded to Brandon...

Jose Canseco's attorney told The Post last night that not only does the Alex Rodriguez steroid report act as "substantial confirmation" of Canseco's past claims - but that there are going to be future revelations regarding Rodriguez and others...

They are 0-3-1 in their last four while being outscored by an aggregate 19-5. Their once firm hold on a playoff spot has become tenuous. The Rangers, in other words, are in a crisis. Except that's not how coach Tom Renney perceives the situation...

THE Yankees finally go from Money Ball to playing ball as spring training begins this week at Steinbrenner Field. Thus begins a new chapter of Yankee Years. Everyone knows the numbers from last year, 89 wins, and śpiąca królewna playoff games. That's why the...

The schedule threw the Nets a five-game stretch that could make weaker men curl into a fetal position and pull their own heads off. Especially considering their last five games from hell segment. "I don't even think I remember," said Devin Harris...

They opened the season's longest homestand dreadfully last night, but by the time it's done a week from today, the Devils are expected to have Martin Brodeur back in practice, The Post has learned. Digging a three-goal hole to lose for the...

DALLAS - For the Rangers, the defense rested. The Stars scored their most goals since the franchise moved from Minnesota in 1993, crushing the Rangers last night, 10-2. Nikolai Zherdev had both goals for the Rangers, 0-3-1 in their last four...

THE last week of February, that's when you should expect to see Sean Avery in a Rangers uniform, assuming all goes well in the rehabilitation and waiver processes designed to bring the winger back home to the only NHL city in which he can play...

We already know of Mark Messier's desire to return to the Rangers in a czoło office or coaching position. The captain went on record in The Post early last month declaring his willingness to contribute to the organization in whatever way asked. So...

The NBA ruled it was not so "LeMazing." In a bizarre press release yesterday from the league, the NBA changed history and took away LeBron James' triple-double against the Knicks. The league beancounters concluded his second-to-last rebound of...

ATLANTA - The Thrashers' power play provided excellent scoring opportunities for the Devils. Kevin Weekes made 31 saves, the Devils scored three goals in the first 12 minutes and recovered from their only loss in three weeks to beat the Thrashers...

SUNRISE, Fla. - It was good while it lasted. Richard Zednik's highlights-reel goal in the second miesiączkowanie led the surging Panthers to a 3-2 victory, snapping the Islanders' season-high, four-game winning streak last night. "He's a guy that has...

First in the Atlantic in points, last in the entire NHL - by a lot - in power play chances. The Devils say they are paying for playing like men. "We don't dive," Colin White said. "Our forwards try to battle through everything." The Devils...

After Kobe Bryant got the fawning adoration of the Garden crowd and a building-record 61 points on Monday, he said jokingly that Cleveland's LeBron James would get a quadruple-double last night. It almost happened. James didn't break Bryant's new...

THE Knicks didn't beat the Cavaliers last night, but at least they accomplished something meaningful - they won the Garden back. Unlike Monday night, when the home crowd cheered Kobe Bryant as if it were the Staples Center, it was in full throat...

WASHINGTON - Face it, somebody had to get fired or traded if the Nets lost this one. True, the Nets are a few rungs away from "dynasty," but the collection of Wizards they met last night looked even further away from "NCAA competitive."...

Coming off a loss for the first time in more than three weeks, the Devils coach yesterday huddled up his skład - which he calls "better" than last year - on the practice rink for 10 minutes. "Don't let this turn into any more than it was last night...

IF the Rangers are not exactly in a mid-life crisis, they are at a mid-season crossroads, that's for sure. And so is Tom Renney, who yesterday put his players through 30 minutes of grueling sprints, crossover skating drills and rink-width laps to...

The Islanders head out on the road winners of four straight, but their newfound good health didn't last long. Defensemen Thomas Pock and Mark Streit both missed practice yesterday. Pock will be out for four weeks with a hand injury, while Streit...

A half hour of slothful practice this afternoon accounted for 30 minutes more than Tom Renney could bear. So the head coach of the Rangers stopped the workout and proceeded to punish his players with a final half-hour of sprints, crossover skating...

A-Fraud? Not in Johnny Damon's book. "All I know is, A-Rod is such a great teammate," the Yankee center fielder said last night at the 29th annual Thurman Munson Awards in Manhattan - on the same day former Bomber manager Joe Torre was in town...

They've had only four longer winning streaks in their history, but that gave the Devils no solace. They were baffled and annoyed by the way their run of eight straight victories ended last night. "Is it something you expect? No. I'm still trying...

Knicks executive Allan Houston looked in awe after watching Kobe Bryant's 61-point epic Garden performance last night. Houston, who once scored 53 vs. Bryant at Staples Center, told The Post, "Unbelievable. It's one of the greatest performances...

Kobe Bryant felt a different vibe than usual while lifting weights in the fitness room at the Lakers' hotel yesterday morning before his team's Garden showdown last night against the Knicks. "This morning in the workout room, people aren't...

WITH Andrew Bynum out indefi nitely due to torn ligaments in his right knee, Phil Jackson, suspecting Kobe Bryant's offense - a consensual 61 points last night against the Knicks - will take care of itself, is pushing Bryant to set a defensive...

IF this is supposed to be "Dream Week," wake me up when it's over. If the remaining games against the Cavaliers and Celtics are as demoralizing as last night's 126-117 loss to the Lakers, then the Knicks' version of "Dream Week" is going to be a...

Trenton Hassell was a big reason why the Nets broke their three-game losing streak Saturday with an 85-83 victory over the 76ers in Philadelphia. The backup forward, averaging 15.8 minutes, played 31 big minutes and was a defensive catalyst...

If the Islanders aren't careful, they might play themselves out of a chance for the first pick in the draft and miss out on the John Tavares sweepstakes. They won their third straight last night, the second time this season they've accomplished...

PHILADELPHIA - Vince Carter and Derrick Stafford met again last night. Stafford officiated a Nets game for the first time since the New Year's Eve game in Detroit in which Carter was ejected amid a wave of controversy. Carter charged that...

Joe Torre insisted last night that his Yankees legacy hasn't been tarnished and that he didn't ruin anything by co-writing the controversial book "The Yankee Years." "I did not burn any bridges," the former Yankees manager said in an interview...

INDIANAPOLIS - Dwyane Wade acknowledged last night "it's not crazy" to speculate that he and LeBron James could tag-team their way to the Big Apple as free agents in 2010. Wade, following the Heat's loss to the Pacers, told The Post he and James...

Josh Bailey has had quite an introduction into the NHL. He's seen the skład that drafted him last year ravaged by injuries as the Islanders have sunk to the bottom of the standings. And he has heard rumors the franchise will be uprooted to Kansas...

Team president Rod Thorn admits that on draft night last June, the brass went into the war room believing the Nets would draft Jerryd Bayless at No. 10. There was a chance, he felt, they would come out of it with Lopez. Robin Lopez. Not Brook...

THE LAST time we saw Chase Wright, home runs were soaring over his head at Fenway Park. Four in a row. Those blasts on April 22, 2007, by Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek came over the span of just 10 pitches. That experience...

The response was a surprising, "No response." That's what Brent Sutter said to the rumble that this could be his last season as Devils coach. Sutter is believed to have next season remaining on a lucrative contract, but the question is out there...

They're making magic, these Devils. They wove drama, improbability and heroics into their eighth straight victory last night, ending a losing streak in thrilling. "We've got a good feeling going. We feel it's only a matter of time before we're...

ATLANTA - Joe Johnson found his shot, and the Hawks found a way to beat the Nets. Johnson scored 29 points to shake his January slump as the Hawks won the matchup of high-scoring backcourts and beat the Nets 105-88 last night. Johnson's...

When the Nets dealt eight-time All-Star Jason Kidd to the Mavericks for a package including Devin Harris last year, who'd have guessed that, of the two point guards, Harris would make this year's All-Star Game? But that's what has happened, as...

BOSTON - It sounded an alarm, a two-goal lead blown in the third, but last night's comeback on the East's leaders drowned that out, resonating to the resilience of these Devils. "To feel like you belong with the top teams, you have to beat the...

Pedro Martinez's mapa is to pitch in the World Baseball Classic and reveal what he can still offer a major league drużyna in 2009, The Post has learned. Martinez is a free agent, but if the legendary ace doesn't have a drużyna by spring training, the...

PITTSBURGH - It was a long night for the Rangers - and Henrik Lundqvist. Petr Sykora and Kris Letang each had two goals, and Sidney Crosby got back into action with a goal and two assists in the Penguins' 6-2 victory over the Rangers last night...

Stop the presses! The Knicks are in playoff position. The Knicks eased into a tie with Milwaukee for the eighth place last night, moving past the Nets and drilling the Hawks with a second-half splurge that gave them a 112-104 victory and earned...

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - Yankees captain Derek Jeter knew it was coming. His reaction to Joe Torre's new book? "I thought that was going to be the first question," Jeter said last night at his Turn 2 Foundation dinner. "To be quite honest with...

Mets general manager Omar Minaya says the club is interested in signing pitcher Pedro Martinez to a new contract. The Mets' four-year, $53 million deal with Martinez expired after last season. During his days in New York, Martinez's performance...

Ask a receiver or running back about David Tyree's helmet catch in last year's Super Bowl and they smile. Widely. Ask defenders at this year's game and they shake their heads and shudder. Tyree's sensational reception late in last February's...

LYNN, Mass. - Authorities said yesterday they have found 27 Giants Super Bowl rings, valued at more than $170,000, stolen last June from a Massachusetts jewelry manufacturer. The Essex District Attorney's office said investigators found the rings...

The money mattered to Andy Pettitte. But not enough. Earlier this offseason, the Yankees offered the veteran left-hander a $10 million contract for 2009 - $6 million less than he earned last year, and also quite a bit less than they had already...

OKLAHOMA CITY - There are better ways to end a road odlot than what the Nets did here last night. Like maybe board the wrong plane and fly to balmy Siberia. Not even a 24-1 streak by the Nets' three rookies and two guys who rarely play during a...

Grief-stricken Eddy Curry missed last night's game and was expected to take a leave of absence, according to a source. He likely will soon fly to Chicago to see his 3-year-old son after the shooting death of the boy's mother. Curry is still out...

The Rangers have had trouble scoring and winning consistently, but things could be worse. It could be last year. Or the year before. In both of the previous two seasons, the Rangers had to scramble in the second half just to make the playoffs. As...

Maybe Robinson Cano's 2008 struggles were the best thing to happen to the 26-year-old second baseman. Cano's bat heated up with the weather again last season, but not enough after he hit a woeful .151 in April. He ended the season at a pedestrian ...

MONTREAL - Henrik Lundqvist was under no illusions going into last night's All-Star game. Which is a very good thing, considering that the King surrendered six goals on 21 shots in his 20 minutes of work in the East's 12-11 shootout victory. "It...

TAMPA, Fla. - Jets coach Rex Ryan reportedly added two more coaches to his staff. Ryan hired Henry Ellard as his new wide receivers coach, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported yesterday. Ellard, who coached the Rams receivers for the last eight...