TMZ Sports - Page 50

Derrick Rose's lawyer says the media had a racist agenda against 3 black defendants in the civil rape case -- but says the mostly white jury was able to see the truth.

The NBA star was all smiles on his way out of court -- and while he barely talked, his attorney, Mark Baute, played the role of mouthpiece and unloaded on reporters.

"The media reporting was biased against the black men," Haute said ... "blatantly obvious."

"We're just very relieved that the system worked. We had a jury of 7 white people and 1 hispanic who exonerated 3 black men. It was fantastic."

But get this ... before they left the courthouse, Rose and his team posed for pictures WITH JURORS!!!

In fact, the two male jurors in the photo (taken by Deadspin's Diana Moskovitz) told the media they were not Rose fans before the trial ... but judging by the pic, they are now.

Former Major League MVP Andre Dawson ain't worried about the Chicago Cubs trailing 2-1 to the Dodgers in the NLCS ... telling TMZ Sports, "this is a team that knows how to respond."

Dawson -- an 8 time All Star during his 21 seasons in the majors -- says he's still confident the Cubbies can win it all this year.

"This team can still most definitely win the World Series this year," The Hawk says.

"They have outstanding starting pitching, their bullpen is top grade and they have great hitting. They can play with anyone offensively, and their bench depth is where it needs to be."

"When you’re down 2-1, you’re not worried. But you’re obviously concerned. Tonight is a must-win game for the Cubs."

Derrick Rose has WON his rape case -- a jury has found the NBA superstar did NOT commit sexual battery against a woman in 2013 ... and will not be liable for damages.

The verdict was just announced in federal court in L.A. -- where Rose and 2 friends have been on trial for the past couple of weeks for allegedly gang raping a woman.

Rose and his 2 friends were found not liable on all 3 claims -- trespassing, sexual battery and battery.

As the verdict was read, the accuser and her legal team appeared somber -- she had her head down as if she was praying.

After each account, Rose's legal team smiled and shook the hands of Derrick and his co-defendants.

All of the defendants looked up with their eyes lit up and smiled.

Moment of truth for NBA superstar Derrick Rose ... the verdict will be read in his civil rape trial in just a few minutes.

Rose is being sued for more than $20 MILLION by a woman who claims the Knicks star and his 2 friends gang raped her in her L.A. apartment back in 2013.

Rose has acknowledged having sex with the woman but insisted it was consensual.

The jury is comprised of 8 people -- 6 women, 2 men.

Racing legend Mario Andretti says he's still a full pedal to the metal Donald Trump supporter -- even though he had dinner with President Obama at the White House Tuesday night.

Andretti appeared on "TMZ Live" and spilled his guts about the State Dinner to honor Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi ... a dinner that included huge stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Chance the Rapper.

So, we had to ask if the Obama event swayed his vote one way or the other -- and he made it very clear he's Team Trump all the way.

He did appear on "Celebrity Apprentice" after all ...

FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE DAY!!!

Holly Robinson Peete says her autistic son, RJ, currently works in the L.A. Dodgers clubhouse ... and it's all thanks to manager Dave Roberts.

"My son has autism," Holly said ... and when Roberts first met RJ, he "treated him just like an amazing kid. Gave him a great job."

RJ is 19 years old -- but when he was a little boy, doctors told Holly he would never talk, have friends, go to school or get a job.

He's done ALL of those things -- thanks to support from incredible people like Dave Roberts.

"He's just the best," Holly said ... "I'm glad he's our manager."

'Basketball Wives' star Jackie Christie says she did NOT refuse to pay for her granddaughter's medical bills after the child was badly burned in a daycare accident ... and says she's more than willing to help.

Jackie's been taking heat ever since her estranged daughter, Takari, set up a GoFundMe page last month to raise $3,000 to help pay for treatment for her 8-month-old daughter.

Takari said she was suffering serious financial hardships and was having a hard time finding the money to get her kid the proper help.

Matt Barnes and Evelyn Lozada reportedly kicked in more than $3,000 each -- but people are mad at Jackie, claiming she should have paid for everything in the first place.

But Jackie tells TMZ Sports ... Takari has cut HER off and never reached out for help in the first place. Had she called, Jackie says she would have been more than willing to fork over a check.

Jackie also says she's given Takari a ton of money over the years and she should be more than able to cover a $3,000 bill. She feels Takari went public with the money plea to try to embarrass Jackie.

"Bad Girls Club" star Camilla Poindexter is PISSED at Donald Penn's wife -- claiming the accusation she tried to get "hush money" from the NFL star to stay quiet about their love child is a downright LIE.

Seems the feud between Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan is over -- because the two hugged it out in NYC Tuesday night ... after a cold war that nearly killed their friendship.

Barkley has been very open about how his friendship with MJ fell apart over criticisms he made about the NBA legend to the media.

Long story short ... Barkley had said Jordan was doing a bad job as the chairman of the Charlotte Hornets and MJ took it personally and stopped talking to him. He talked about the rift with Graham Bensinger earlier this year.

But last night in NYC, the two superstars came together ... and it was all documented by Kenny Smith.

Turns out, Barkley and Smith were at the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame ceremony -- and after the event, MJ came over to congratulate the "Inside the NBA" stars.

They hugged, they smiled and it seems like things are water under the bridge.

Think the Dodgers were stoked to take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS Tuesday night??? HELL YEAH!!

Check out Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner in the locker room after beating up on the Cubs last night ... they're pretty excited.

It was pitch perfect on the field and in the stands Tuesday night ... with Rebel Wilson joining a bunch of big stars at Dodger Stadium to watch the Blue Crew annihilate the Cubbies!

Magic Johnson, Andy Garcia, Eric Stonestreet, Arsenio Hall, Dennis Haysbert and more were all in attendance as the Dodgers blanked CHI in a dominating 6-0 victory.

Lindsey Vonn put her full athleticism on display Tuesday night ... proving she can still bowl like a champ -- even in stilettos.

Vonn celebrated her 32nd bday last night with some help from racing legend Lewis Hamilton ... who met Vonn at a high-end bowling alley where they hit the lanes all night long.

The two have been friends for a while -- and while there have been rumors about them dating, neither side ever confirmed a relationship.

In fact, last night Vonn only referred to Hamilton as her "fast friend."

Check out the video ... Vonn looked like she had a blast and couldn't wait to show off her new Jimmy Choos.

Happy bday!

The bookies in Vegas already have their odds set for Wednesday night's 3rd and final presidential debate -- and Donald Trump's the clear favorite ... when it comes to interrupting.

TMZ has a full list of debate prop bets, and they range from whether Trump will say "drug test" to whether Hillary will say "Billy Bush." Check out 10 scenarios you can bet on or against ... if you're looking to make a quick buck off their talking points.

-- Who will be the first to interrupt the other ... DT: -300; HC: +200

-- Will DT and HC shake hands before debate begins ... Yes: -120; No: -120

-- How many times will DT say "tremendous" ... Over 8.5: -110; Under 8.5: -130

-- How many times will Trump say "rig" or "rigged" ... Over 4.5: +100; Under 4.5: -140

-- Will either candidate say "liar" ... Yes: -210; No: +160

-- Will Trump say "drug test" ... Yes: +325; No: -450

-- Will Clinton say "Billy Bush" ... Yes: +400; No: -600

-- Will Trump say "Bill Clinton" ... Yes: -565; No: +375

-- Will Trump say "Crooked Hillary" ... Yes: +260; No: -380

-- Will Trump say "I was wrong" ... Yes: +400; No: -600

There will be NO EIGHTH CHILD for Johnny Damon ... 'cause the ex-MLB star says he just got snipped for the second time ... after his first vasectomy didn't quite hold up.

52-year-old Bernard Hopkins is jumping back into the ring one last time ... and it's really ONE LAST according to his boss, Oscar De La Hoya ... who says he's making BH promise to hang 'em up FOREVER.

Oscar joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show and announced Hopkins' final fight to the world ... a brawl with 27-year-old knockout artist Joe Smith Jr. set to go down on December 17th.

Question is ... is it REALLY over? Hopkins has been known to beat the hell out of guys half his age ... take some time off ... then beat the hell out of guys half his age again.

De La Hoya says this it it ... telling the crew "I'm having him sign some kind of proclamation saying it's his last fight, at 52 years old, this should be the last fight for him."

Lindsey Vonn is like a fine wine ... she gets better with age -- and Tuesday she turns 32!