Fast Break
PRO BASKETBALL
Spurs, fans celebrate 4th title
The San Antonio Spurs’ black and silver was joined by another color Sunday – the gold of the team’s fourth championship trophy in nine seasons.
Lining the banks of San Antonio’s famed River Walk, tens of thousands of fans decked out in the Spurs’ colors waited in the oppressive heat to catch a glimpse of their favorite players and congratulate the team.
“You guys continue to come out and support us,” said Spurs star Tim Duncan, who has been with the team for all of its title wins. “Hopefully we can get another one.”
Famed tenor Placido Domingo sang a mariachi-flavored version of the national anthem and led the crowd in chants of “Go Spurs Go.”
In Cleveland, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, whose team made the NBA finals for the first time in its 37-year history, thanked fans and promised “our time is coming soon” in a full-page newspaper ad Sunday.
SOCCER
Beckham goes out in style
David Beckham was minutes away from a perfect Hollywood ending.
The 32-year-old soccer star-pop icon, who likely played his last professional game in Europe, was taken off the field moments before Real Madrid rallied to win the Spanish league title for the first time in Beckham’s four years with the team.
The England midfielder was replaced in the 66th minute with what appeared to be a recurrence of an ankle injury. But he still managed to limp around the field in celebration – in front of a huge crowd in Madrid that included wife Victoria and friends Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes – after his team beat Mallorca 3-1 to win its 30th league title.
After the game, Beckham did a lap of honor with an England flag draped across his back, soaking in the atmosphere at the famous Santiago Bernabeu stadium for one last time.
PRO WRESTLING
Cromartie enjoys mat victory
Warren Cromartie’s professional wrestling debut was a hit.
The former Montreal Expos outfielder took Tiger Jeet Singh down with a home run chop, pinned him to the mat and celebrated with his trademark cheer of “Banzai!”
Cromartie, who became a fan favorite in Japan when he played for the Yomiuri Giants, teamed with Japan’s Ryoji Sai on Sunday to take on Singh and An Joenosuke in an event called Hustle Aid in Saitama, Japan.
“It was more difficult than I thought,” Cromartie said. “It was a good challenge and it was great to see all those Giants fans in the crowd.”