TMZ Sports - Page 50

The Detroit Tigers don't want a repeat of their devastating 2006 World Series loss, so they made a major change in how they do things -- and that change is eating more chicken.

TMZ spoke with a Tigers clubhouse rep who tells us a chef comes in and cooks for the players every day and the menu is pretty expansive -- we're talkin' hamburgers, jambalaya, Chinese food, eggs, fresh fruit, soup, Kobe sliders, mac and cheese ... the works.

But the biggest item on the menu is chicken and lots of it. The rep says chicken breast is always available for breakfast and there's always a baked chicken for lunch too, as a healthy option.

The rep says the major difference between the Tigers' menu during their failed 2006 Series run and this year ... "more chicken."

Lawrence Taylor celebrated his court victory against a young prostitute cigar style.

The girl, Cristina Fierro -- who was 16 at the time of the incident -- sued Taylor in civil court, claiming the NFL legend had brutalized her into submission in a hotel room back in 2010.

But after a week of testimony, the jury returned a verdict in LT's favor in just 50 minutes. LT -- who shouted "Whoooeee!" as he lit up the stogie, said afterward, "I feel for what she’s gone through. I wasn't a bad person. I could have helped her. I hope the best for her. Now it's time to go back and concentrate on my own broken life."

You'll recall, Taylor was sentenced last year to six years probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute.

Once again, Harvey Levin is desperate for a win ... because he wants everyone in the office to stop making fun of him for his crappy record (3-4) ... and he'll get his chance for redemption in our Week 8 matchup ... Patriots vs. Rams.

For the record, the game is taking place in London this weekend ... which clearly had an impact on Harvey's pick.

"Weather will be a factor ... and New England is closer to London than St. Louis ... and London weather is going to seem mild compared to Frankenstorm ... so on that basis, Patriots have the advantage."

"Secondly, I've already lost by betting against Tom Brady ... and I don't consider myself stupid."

"Third ... the St. Louis Rams have never gelled with me. I liked them when they were the L.A. Rams ... I liked Rosie Grier ... I liked Roman Gabriel ... I also liked the Colleseum, where I saw Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the USA' concert ... Best concert I've ever seen."

President Obama was blindsided by the one question that could change the outcome of the election, turn the course of history ... and bring about world peace, once and for all!! No pressure.

As the world is well aware, Olympian McKayla Maroney isn't impressed by much, but we may have finally found something that she actually does appreciate ... an exotic bird.

While the cheetah exhibit at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay elicited her trademark bored smirk on Thursday, the 16-year-old gold medal winning gymnast showed some positive emotion and appeared generally excited with an African Ground Hornbill perched on her arm.

She's so fowl.

Finally, Michael Phelps broke something that wasn't a world record -- HIS ASS -- taking a nasty spill while crowd surfing in a Vegas nightclub this week ... and TMZ has the footage!

Phelps -- who's STILL in party mode after the London Games -- hit up XS nightclub Monday night, and for some reason thought it would be a good idea to crowd surf inside an inflatable raft.

It was not ... because the 18-time gold medalist barely made it a few feet before toppling backwards onto his ass.

Thankfully, we're told he was okay -- but the video's still awesome. Check it out.

Disgraced LSU football star Tyrann Mathieu -- aka the Honey Badger -- was arrested earlier today on drug-related charges ... this according to the Baton Rouge Police Dept.

According to the police report, cops were called to an apartment around 3:30 PM after an alleged confrontation. When officers arrived to the scene, Honey Badger answered the door ... and cops say they could smell a strong odor of weed.

Honey Badger was with 3 other guys --Jordan Jefferson, Derrick Bryant and Karnell Hatcher -- all former members of the LSU football team. In fact, Jefferson was the starting QB for LSU last season.

Cops say they searched the apartment ... and found a marijuana grinder, digital scale and 10 bags of high grade marijuana. Cops say 7 of the bags were found inside Bryant's booksack.

All four men were taken into custody and arrested.

Honey Badger and Jefferson were charged with simple possession of marijuana. Hatcher was charged with 2nd Offense Simple Possession of Marijuana and Bryant was charged with Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana.

Mark Sanchez and Eva Longoria proved the old adage it's never one person's fault when a couple breaks up -- instead, there are 53 people to blame ... and they all have J-E-T-S on their helmets!

Emanuel Steward -- one of the most famous trainers in the history of boxing -- has died.

Steward was a god in the boxing world -- training superstars like Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns and Wladimir Klitschko. He was also a popular ringside commentator.

According to reports, Steward had recently been hospitalized for a stomach disorder.

Klitschko has released a statement saying, “Boxing has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Emanuel Steward.”

Emanual's sister tells TMZ ...Steward passed away at 2:46pm with his family and chief doctor surrounding him ... noting, "He was at peace and in no pain."

She adds, "I deeply miss my brother but am overjoyed that he willingly went with God this afternoon. Thank you for your prayers and concern."

It wasn't another woman that got between Mark Sanchez and Eva Longoria ... it was 52 other men ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the former couple tell us ... they broke up because Mark was impossible for Eva to be around because he was in such a crappy mood over the NY Jets' horrible season.

As one source puts it, "It's hard to maintain a relationship when one person is upset all the time."

FYI -- the Jets are 3-4 and coming off another heartbreaking loss to Tom Brady's Patriots.

Jerry Sandusky cracked a goofy half-smile for the camera when he was transferred to a new correctional facility in Pennsylvania yesterday ... and TMZ has obtained Jerry's brand new mug shot.

The 68-year-old former Penn State football coach was moved from Centre County Jail to the State Correctional Institute at Camp Hill where he'll remain for the next few weeks, until he's placed into a state prison to serve out his 30-60 year sentence for raping several young boys.

Sandusky says he's innocent and the victim of a massive conspiracy. Nobody believes him.

Magic Johnson has been sued by a former employee who claims the NBA legend is SUPER SERIOUS when it comes to snacks ... because he forced her to "regularly squeeze his red vines to make sure they were soft."

The woman behind the lawsuit is 45-year-old Lanita Thomas -- who claims she served as Magic's personal flight attendant on his private jet from 2004 until last month ... when Magic fired her ass.

In her suit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Thomas claims Magic was full of crap when he told her she was let go because she showed up to work 15 minutes late one day.

Thomas claims the real reason Magic wanted her gone is because he wanted a "substantially younger woman" to service him in the air.

In her suit, Thomas admits she WAS 15 minutes late to work one day ... but says it was only because Magic insists on two specific types of turkey meat on his sandwiches ... and she was held up at the deli counter.

She also says Magic was "very particular that all snacks were fresh" ... especially when it came to liquorice.

*Editor's note -- stale Red Vines are delicious*

In addition to wrongful termination, Lanita also claims Magic failed to pay her overtime and provide her with legally required breaks during her work shifts. She's asking for unspecified damages.

NY Jets QB Mark Sanchez has just lost his best wide receiver ... Eva Longoria.

Eva's rep has confirmed ... the two have officially called it quits after several months of dating.

Chalk up another loss for Sanchez (25 years old) -- who already took a beating from the Patriots this weekend.

As for Eva (37 years old) ... at least she won't have to remove any body ink from her body this time.

MLB Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk was arrested for DUI last night in Illinois -- after allegedly driving his truck into the middle of a freakin' corn field ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

According to law enforcement sources, the New Lenox PD received a call about a car in the middle of a corn field around 7:20 PM.

When police arrived, officers say they found Fisk behind the wheel of his F-150 -- which had a flat tire -- and he appeared to be fast asleep. We're told cops also found an open vodka bottle in the vehicle.

Fisk was placed under arrest on the scene on suspicion of DUI -- and taken to a nearby hospital for a check-up. We're told he refused a blood alcohol test. His car was impounded.

Fisk was released this morning.

FYI -- Fisk's arrest comes almost exactly 37 years to the day when he hit the 12th inning home run that won Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. (You've seen the clip ... Fisk waved at the ball to stay fair).

Terrell Owens ... former NFL star ... stands 6'3" ... weighs 224lbs ... was challenged to a 1-on-1 pickup basketball game by a man 22 INCHES smaller ... and LOST!

The epic match-up went down in L.A. recently ... a little person named Mani Love -- who stands 4'5" tall and plays for the Venice Bball League -- saw T.O. in the gym and dared him to meet him on the court.

And considering T.O. has no NFL practice to go to ... he accepted.

The video is pretty great ... T.O. starts off strong and nails a slew of three-pointers, but Mani isn't fazed by his skills -- and continues to hit lay-ups like it's his job.

But one person who was at the game tells us ... Mani pulled off the upset victory with a tie-breaking shot from waayyyyyy downtown ... ending the game 15-14.

After the game, T.O. couldn't have been more gracious in his defeat ... saying, "I loved it. He had me grasping for air a couple of times."

It's Jerry Sandusky's lucky day -- because he just got transferred to a brand new jail ... and today's lunch is hot dogs ... and buns.

A rep for the State Corrections Department in PA tells TMZ, Sandusky was transferred to Camp Hill correctional facility in Lower Allen this morning from the Centre County Jail, where he had remained in custody since his trial.

According to the rep, today's lunch is hot dogs, sauerkraut, and of course ... baked beans.

Sandusky's expected to spend anywhere from 2-4 weeks at Camp Hill before he's transferred to his more permanent home ... state prison.

The convicted child rapist was also issued his jail "blues" today -- the jail outfit consisting of blue pants, a blue shirt, a white undershirt, socks, and tighty-whiteys. It's unclear if he's in the general population or if he's being kept in solitary for his own safety.

But he's not doing too bad -- we're told prisoners at Camp Hill stay in 8'x10' cells ... which is the same size as Conrad Murray's cell in L.A. County ... AFTER Murray got his upgrade.