TMZ Sports - Page 50

The baseball legend died in his home in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife Nita at his side.

Killebrew was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December.

He announced in a press release last week that he was stopping treatment for the disease -- which had "progressed beyond [his] doctors’ expectation of cure."

TMZ obtained a lawsuit ... which claims Robitaille and his wife stopped paying the mortgage on their Santa Monica, CA home.

According to the suit, Robitaille took a $975,000 loan out on the house in October 2009, but stopped making the monthly payments in December 2010.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' star safety posted his sentiment about the event on his personal website saying "I decided to finish what I started and walked that stage [Friday] not only because it was very important to me personally, but because I want to emphasize the importance of education, and that nothing should supersede it."

He continued with "I truly love football ... but it's certainly not a replacement for an education."

SSM, aka Sergio Flores, became an Internet phenomenon by performing George Michael's "Careless Whisper" in various public places -- and yesterday it was Ron Ron's turn to feel the pain.

Checkout Ron's reaction to the crazy scene ... it's fair to say he's not a fan.

Ochocinco recently joked on Twitter that he would take up bull riding during the possible NFL lockout. And the COO of the Professional Bull Riders made him an offer -- if he could last 8 seconds on a bull named Deja Blu, he'd win a new truck and get to rename the bull.

Boogaard, who had a reputation as a tough player, missed the last 52 games of the regular season after suffering a concussion and shoulder injury, but it's too early to know if that had anything to do with his death.

The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine cause of death.

Tuck went down to Tuscaloosa a few days ago to aid in a relief effort spearheaded by the World Vision organization and JP Morgan Chase.

Besides helping to distribute 750 hygiene kits -- made up of basic toiletries like toothbrushes and soap -- Tuck also personally donated $25k to the relief effort.

Brock suffers from a digestive disease called diverticulitis -- which causes extreme stomach pain.

Brock released a statement saying, "I'm not retiring ... I believe there's a solution to every problem, I just gotta find the right solution ... I love this sport."

Brock insists the symptoms aren't as serious as last time, but he couldn't train for his fight against Junior dos Santos at UFC 131 on June 11.

Lesnar was hospitalized back in 2009 due to his medical condition -- and had to reschedule his fight against Shane Carwin. Lesnar whooped Carwin's ass when they fought a few months later.

Lesnar is currently being treated at the famous Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

According to reports, hotel employees discovered Hawks' body around 9:30 AM after he missed a wake up call. The sports anchor was in Atlanta covering the Bulls-Hawks playoff series for NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

The cause of death is still unknown -- but the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office has launched an investigation.

The 35-year-old boxer told People.com, "We had a great time together, but it's not that easy to manage a relationship between two continents."

Hayden adds, "Even though we've decided splitting up is best for both of us, we have an amazing amount of love and respect for each other and remain very close friends."

The couple had been together for 2 years.

Of course, the year was 1996 ... and Dennis had just signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls reportedly worth $9 million.

Now, 15 years later ... Rodman busted out a few singles again last night to celebrate his 50th birthday at the Headquarters Gentleman's Club in NYC.

On his way in to the party, Rodman also gave us a hint about the outfit he's planning to wear for his upcoming induction into the NBA Hall of Fame ... an outfit that may include a circus clown, midget and a drag queen.

TMZ broke the story -- Mask's sister filed a lawsuit against TapouT ... claiming co-founders Punkass and Skyskrape (that's what they go by) jacked Mask's ashes and put them in dozens of glass vials -- which they gave away at a public memorial service in 2009.

But SkySkrape (pictured above left) just posted a Twitter message saying, "All you that are twittering me sayin we 'stole' Charles and were 'selling his ashes' need to f**king shut up!"

He continued, "He's my best friend and if you think I would do something so stupid and low life-ish, then you don't know anything about me or dan! C'mon y'all!"

Punkass (pictured above right) also dropped a tweet -- saying, "Sad s**t! Relatives who hadnt talked to Charles in 10 years now comin out to get money! Not his Ashes! Anyway his ashes belong to his kids!"

The man at the center of the controversy is Charles "Mask" Lewis -- who was killed by a drunk driver back in 2009. Mask was cremated at the request of his sister Carla ... who had executive power over Mask's remains.

After Mask's death, Carla claims she was approached by the co-founders of TapouT -- men calling themselves Skyscrape and Punkass -- who wanted to "borrow" Mask's ashes and urn for a public memorial service.

In a lawsuit filed in San Bernardino County, CA -- Carla says she agreed, but demanded the two men return Mask's remains immediately following the service.

Here's where things get CRAZY -- Carla says when she arrived to the memorial service, she noticed "various booths and tables" set up around the cathedral ... one of which contained, "a large shoebox-size box containing several miniature vials that were on display."

Carla says the vendor informed her, "each of the vials contained a small amount of the cremated remains of Mask, and were reserved for, and to be given to, 'special people' whose names were on a printed list."

Carla believes somewhere between 50 to 100 vials were either "sold, given away, donated or otherwise distributed to several unknown persons."

Not only is Carla PISSED about the vials ... she claims TapouT still has possession of the urn and the remainder of Mask's ashes ... and the company refuses to return them.

Panini America, which claims to have exclusive licensing rights to all things Kobe, alleges the owner of The Art of the Game -- a kiosk inside Staples Center -- is not only illegally selling Kobe merchandise, it's claiming that The Art of the Game is audacious enough to sell merchandise with forged Kobe signatures.

One item sticks in Panini's craw -- a poster featuring Kobe and L.A. Clippers sensation Blake Griffin -- with forged signatures. Panini claims The Art of the Game is hocking the poster by claiming the signatures are authentic.

Panini wants a judge to shut down the alleged scam -- plus tons of damages.

TMZ spoke with the Illinois State's Attorney ... who told us there was not enough evidence to prove the fighter committed a battery when he allegedly shoved another man into a female bystander at the Trails End Bar and Grill in Taylor Springs, IL.

The horse's trainer Graham Motion tells TMZ, now that Animal Kingdom is a champion -- he'll start daily saltwater spa treatments to help aid muscle recovery after the race.

The 25-minute process includes submerging the horse up to its knees in cold saltwater -- and Graham insists ... it feels wonderful ... for the horse anyway.

But that's not all -- Graham says AK's bed is getting a makeover too ... telling us, the entire stable will be packed with "a lot more straw for a very cushy bed" to maximize comfort before AK's next big race.