In a wide-ranging interview at Rucker Park, Shaquille O’Neal speaks his mind. by Tzvi Twersky | @ttwersky There is confusion. Depending on whom you speak with, Shaquille O’Neal has either been to Rucker Park two, three or four times. There is certainty. “I never got to play at Rucker,” says O’Neal. “That’s…

BY CHAREAN WILLIAMS cjwilliams@star-telegram.com SAN DIEGO — George Whitfield Jr. pulls the rolling duffel bag out of the back of his 2006 Nissan Xterra. His intern, Carlos Martinez, unloads the bag of tennis racquets, cones, bean bags, flash cards, a blindfold, a broom, a speed ladder and footballs — all of…

By Gordon Edes | ESPNBoston.com Yoon S. Byun/Getty Images Shane Victorino makes a sliding catch along the right-field foul line to rob Jose Reyes on Sunday. BOSTON – Among the reasons the Red Sox want Shane Victorino on the field as much as possible is this: He leads all American League right fielders in…

Collisions are a fact of life for Shane Victorino. (AP) by Alex Speier Mon, 07/01/2013 – 7:48am It is a name that is as pleasing as it is misleading.  The idea of Shane Victorino as the Flyin’ Hawaiian is, of course, irresistible. Based on a half-season of evidence, it also appears wildly…

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving is on his way to the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna.Source: AP KYRIE Irving is coming home. The Melbourne-born NBA superstar will be visiting his place of birth for the first time since his family returned to the USA some 19 years ago. And, he’ll be lending…

By Nick Cafardo  |  GLOBE STAFF      JUNE 22, 2013 ARTICLE COMMENTS SUBSCRIBE GREGORY SHAMUS/GETTY IMAGES Shane Victorino, who played a key role in the four-run fourth inning, welcomes home Jarrod Saltalamacchia (left) and Stephen Drew. DETROIT — Shane Victorino was getting sick and tired of the part-time role he…

The Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving, in just two seasons, has become one of the NBA’s most marketable players. (Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer)   CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Cavaliers point guardKyrie Irving was the first pick in the 2011 NBA draft.  Irving went on to win the Rookie of the Year award. Last season, Irving…