Thrift and Shrewd Moves Again Make Rockies Contender in N.L. West

By TYLER KEPNER

Ed Andrieski/Associated Press

General Manager Dan O'Dowd, left, and Manager Jim Tracy helped lead the team to the N.L. wild card last season.

Colorado captured the N.L. wild card in 2009 and is bidding to return to the World Series for the first time since 2007.

Troy Tulowitzki, the Derek Jeter of the Rockies

Why Would the N.C.A.A. Expand Its Tournament? It’s About the Money

By PETE THAMEL and RICHARD SANDOMIR

With a larger television contract a strong possibility, the idea of increasing the number of teams to 96 in the tournament has gained momentum.

Houston’s First Spot in N.C.A.A. in 18 Years
Picking Sites for Women’s Tourney Is a Difficult Task
Mountaineers and Hoyas Are a Step From the Top
N.C.A.A. Tournament Bracket: Men's | Women's

Big East: West Virginia 53, Notre Dame 51

West Virginia’s Wellington Smith, right, stripping Tyrone Nash before the final buzzer.

Mountaineers and Hoyas Are a Step From the Top

By PETE THAMEL

The No. 4-seeded Mountaineers outslugged Notre Dame, 53-51, on Friday, and will play No. 8 Georgetown for the Big East title on Saturday.

Landon Donovan, right, joined Everton on a 10-week loan. Many of the English club's fans would like him to stay.

English Fans Find an Unlikely Love for a Yank

By CHUCK CULPEPPER 3:26 PM ET

When Landon Donovan joined Everton of the Premier League on a 10-week loan, many fans expected a fringe player. Now they want him to stay.

Hisanori Takahashi, who is trying to make the Mets as a reliever or fifth starter, threw three shutout innings in his debut last week.

Star in Japan Is Striving to Stick With Mets

By DAVID WALDSTEIN

As an accomplished pitcher in Japan, Hisanori Takahashi could have stayed there and made more money. Instead, he announced a plan to pitch in the United States before he knew if any teams wanted him.

Beltran Remains Confident in Mets Despite Loss of Key Players

The Russian men's biathlon relay team won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games last month, but in general, Russia was deeply disappointed by the performances of its Olympic athletes.

Its Sports Empire Crumbling, Russia Scrambles

By MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ 3:19 PM ET

A new anxiety is gripping Russia: if its athletes perform as badly as they did in Vancouver, the country could be humiliated at home in Sochi in 2014.

Times Topics: Russia

Before providing security for Rachel Alexandra, Amy Kearns spent 18 months watching over another Horse of the Year, Curlin.

Rachel Alexandra’s Security Guard Is Also Pursuing Ph.D.

By JOE DRAPE

Amy Kearns spends 15 hours a day with Rachel Alexandra as her security guard, and her previous job, for 18 months, was as a bodyguard for Curlin, the 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year.

The Ghanaian Joshua Clottey overcame long odds to reach his bout at Cowboys Stadium against the W.B.O. welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s Challenger Clottey Follows in Footsteps of Warriors

By GREG BISHOP

Instead of defending his title against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao faces Joshua Clottey, who survived poverty and career turmoil to emerge from an unlikely boxing hotbed.

Through six seasons in the major leagues, Curtis Granderson is a.210 hitter against left-handers.

Granderson Sets a Course to Another Side of Hitting

By BEN SHPIGEL

Kevin Long, the Yankees’ hitting coach, began analyzing Curtis Granderson’s batting approach before the Tigers traded him to New York.

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Create a group and invite friends to fill out an interactive N.C.A.A. Tournament bracket when the men's field is announced on Sunday. You can compete with Times readers to win a new Apple iPad.

Men's Bracket | Women's

Sports of The Times

LeBron James sought permission to switch to No. 6 from No. 23 next season.

Jordan’s No. 23 Just Isn’t the Retiring Type

By GEORGE VECSEY

LeBron James’s suggestion that the N.B.A. retire Michael Jordan’s number leaguewide is a nice gesture but a bad idea.

Box Seats

Mark Twain, Baseball Fan, Had an Eye for a Short-Stop

By DARRYL BROCK

In 1874, the author Mark Twain and the Dark Blues baseball team both arrived.

The Author of ‘Red Badge’ Loved the Game More Than His Studies

TV Sports

Reggie Miller is the protagonist in a new ESPN documentary, “Winning Time,” that has its premiere Sunday night.

This Reggie Miller Is the Straw That Stirred the Garden

By RICHARD SANDOMIR

A new ESPN documentary, “Winning Time,” profiles the playoff battles between the Knicks and Pacers during the 1990s.

Video

Surfing's New Wave of Aerialists

Competitive surfing is undergoing a major change as a new breed of young surfers introduce amazing aerial tricks that have only been recognized in recent years.