Ohio

At long last, fan favorite Kerry Wood is coming home to Chicago. In fact, he will never leave thanks to GM Jim Hendry who Thursday inked the oft-injured Wood to a lifetime contract with the Cubs worth upwards of $200 million.

The chance to win a championship is usually at the top of every athlete’s list when it comes to choosing with whom to sign during free agency, but the chance to be back with a favorite mascot is rarely cited as a reason. That’s why it was surprising to hear that the biggest reason Cliff Lee signed with the Phillies over the Yankees and Rangers was because their mascot, the Philly Phanatic.

The school is thought to be the first team to exceed the cap since the mid-80s SMU teams, but some have seen this day as inevitable.

Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State are all looking for new homes Saturday evening after the Big Ten announced it was dropping the five schools for their part in the conference getting swept in its New Year's Day bowl games.

Fewer than two weeks after he and four teammates were suspended five games next season for trading Ohio State memorabilia for cash and discounted tattoos, QB Terrelle Pryor immediately sold the 2011 Sugar Bowl MVP trophy he won Tuesday night for a "2011 Sugar Bowl MVP" tattoo at a French Quarter parlor.

After trading for Roberto Alomar in 2003 and again in 2004, the White Sox are reverting to old, reliable means to improve their output at second base. Wednesday afternoon, the White Sox traded for Roberto Alomar on the same day the retired player was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame.

Baby-faced outfielder Tony Campana scored a go-ahead run and later doubled in his first big-league at-bat Tuesday night to drive in what should have been an insurance run against the Reds. Instead, the Cubs blew the lead and the game in spectacular fashion, prompting the rookie to immediately demand a trade.