Los Angeles Times: Serena Williams is a little nervous in return to Indian Wells

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

It was all about timing and about Time, the magazine. It was about the act of forgiveness, which Serena Williams, after the years and the memories, said she at last found a reason to offer.

Fourteen years ago, in 2001, Williams, a teenager but already a champion, was booed at Indian Wells, booed in a final by a crowd angry that in the scheduled semifinal two days earlier older sister Venus defaulted moments before the start because of announced knee tendinitis.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times: Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki comes out ahead in the long run

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

She's the Wizard of Woz, the woman who ran the New York City Marathon — "You don't know what the wall is until you hit it," she said — who posed, tastefully, for the recent Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue . . . who once was ranked No. 1 . . . who only Sunday won the Malaysian Open, her 23rd WTA tournament victory,

Caroline Wozniacki, one of the many stars at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, at age 24 has done almost everything. Other than win a Grand Slam tournament.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

S.F. Examiner: Baseball bubble isolates from football foibles

By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz — We’re in a bubble down here, Sesame Street with Saguaro.

The Niners are coming unglued. Bruce Miller arrested? What next? Jim Harbaugh coaching third for the A’s?

Read the full story here.

© 2015 The San Francisco Examiner 

Newsday (N.Y.): Don Mattingly? Just call him Donnie Dodger

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The man who once played near the monuments of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio now walks past the encased jerseys of Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella.

"Yes, I'm very aware of them," Don Mattingly said. "I love seeing the history of the organization."

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday (N.Y.): Can Joe Maddon be the Cubs' savior?

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

MESA, Ariz. — He began with a jolt of Springsteen that was loud enough to be heard over a jet engine and certainly could be heard through the training complex.

Joe Maddon was making a first impression on a Chicago Cubs team that for five straight seasons had finished last in the National League Central.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.