TMZ Sports - Page 50

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras -- a 22-year-old rising star -- died Sunday in a car crash in the Dominican Republic.

According to a rep for the team, Taveras was driving the car -- with his girlfriend on board -- when he lost control and the car went off the road. Oscar's girlfriend also died in the wreck.

Officials are investigating the cause of the wreck -- though local police say rainy conditions may have been a factor.

Oscar's teammate Kolten Wong went to Twitter moments ago and wrote, "Wow! My heart truly hurts to hear the passing of Oscar! I've played with him every year and we truly lost a great person! #RIPOscarTaveras"

Oscar was a rising star in the MLB -- and most recently hit a home run during Game 2 of the NLCS against the SF Giants.

Marshawn Lynch's reported attitude problems haven't been confined to the Seattle Seahawks locker room this season -- he's also been a jerk to fans and media ... and once took a swing at a photog.

One particular incident went down in front of the team hotel in D.C. on October 7th -- the day after the Seahawks beat the Redskins.

After teammates and coaches like Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll had signed autographs and chatted it up with waiting fans on the way to the team bus -- Lynch shut everyone down. No waves, no autographs, nothing.

And it got worse ... when a TMZ Sports photog dared to ask a question about Lynch's Lamborghini ... he snapped on our guy and tried to smack him with his luggage bag.

Lynch eventually got on the bus ... and team officials immediately began apologizing for Marshawn's behavior ... explaining that it's just the way he is.

Two other notes -- the day of the Redskins game ... Marshawn got on the bus by himself 30 minutes before any other teammate boarded. The day after the game, he was the last one on the bus ... again, by himself.

Of course, there are multiple reports that the Seahawks are sick of Marshawn's negative attitude and are looking to get rid of him -- and it's clear, he's just not on the same page as Pete Carroll.

In fact, check out this footage of Pete on October 6th humoring the media ... without incident.

Now, THIS is interesting ...

AFI singer Davey Havoc tells TMZ Sports the Ray Rice Halloween costume that went viral is neither clever nor funny ... but there IS a way to save it.

You gotta listen to Davey's idea -- it's definitely clever ... and if executed correctly, could make a very anti-domestic violence statement.

Jack Elway's ex-girlfriend says she's still traumatized from the violent attack she suffered at the hands of the former college QB ... claiming it was so brutal, she's still in therapy in an effort to move on.

As we previously reported, John Elway's son was arrested for domestic violence in Colorado back in May -- after allegedly attacking his then GF following an argument around 2 A.M.

The GF claimed Elway ripped out her hair and threw her to the ground -- and now TMZ Sports has photos of her injuries ... and it's bad.

Despite the graphic evidence, Elway was able to strike a plea deal in which prosecutors agreed to drop the assault charge against him. Instead, the 25-year-old pled guilty to disturbing the peace and received no jail time.

Rock god Alice Cooper is about to tell you the name of the coolest celebrity he ever golfed with ... and we at TMZ Sports are outright telling you that you'd never guess it in a million years.

Cooper -- a famed golf nut -- was out in NY when we asked him in all his years on the links who's the coolest big star he's ever torched the green with?

Peep at the vid -- the list of possibles is long, with huge names like Micheal Bolton, Justin Timberlake and Samuel L. Jackson all being fanatical golfers ... but if you think it's any of those guys, you're dead wrong.

You knew it would happen ... and last night in Los Angeles we got THAT guy -- you know, the one who dressed up as Adrian Peterson for Halloween and whipped a toy baby with a switch.

It may seem a little over the line ... but you know every costume party this year is gonna have at least one person wearing the purple #28 jersey.

And besides, it's not like he dressed up as Ray Rice!

Oh wait ... someone already did that too.

Al Sharpton thinks Donald Sterling ain't got nothin on UNC -- telling TMZ Sports the academic scandal on Tobacco Road is a much more dangerous than Donald Sterling ever was.

Of course, the University of North Carolina is all over the news after a probe into alleged academic fraud at the university revealed rampant academic fraud ... specifically in the African and Afro-American Studies department that allegedly resulted in higher grades for athletes.

Hilary Duff and her ex Mike Comrie have been separated for almost a year ... which begs the question, why the hell are they still going to parties together and holding hands?!

The "Lizzie McGuire" star and former NHL player hit up the annual Casamigos Halloween bash in Los Angeles Friday night and proudly held hands in front of the paparazzi as they walked inside.

Back in July it seemed they might reconcile ... which means it's possible the couple is back to banging -- or maybe they're just the coolest exes ever.

Steve Nash's latest injury setback might be the death knell of his NBA career, so says former roundball stud Sidney Wicks, who tells TMZ Sports it's OVER for the Lakers point guard.

Wicks was at LAX when our camera guy asked him what every purple and gold fanatic wants to know ... will the 40-year-old Nash ever lace 'em again after suffering yet another injury to his ailing back?

This vid might be tough to watch if you love you some Nasty Nash -- Sidney who played with the Blazers, Celtics, and Clippers thinks Nash's next team might be the one Sidney is currently on, the old guys squad.

Barry Bonds is a single man again ... no asterisk needed ... because his marriage is officially over, TMZ Sports has learned.

The breakup between Barry and Elizabeth Watson Bonds has been going on for YEARS -- she first filed papers in 2009, then they reconciled ... only to split again in 2010 for good.

Now, after 4 years in the court system, an L.A. County Superior Court judge has signed off on the divorce ... meaning 50-year-old Barry is back on the market.

According to the docs, filed in L.A. and obtained by TMZ Sports, Barry and Elizabeth struck a private deal that presumably covers everything from money to custody of their 5-year-old daughter.

The two were married back in 1998 ... many, many hat sizes ago.

Did Blake Griffin slap a man across the face in a Vegas nightclub? We're talkin' to a big celebrity (like 7-foot tall) who was THERE when the alleged incident went down.

Make sure to check out the brand NEW episode of "TMZ Hollywood Sports" on Reelz -- every weekday at 8pm ET, 5pm PT.

Carmen Electra was ambushed by her ex-husband Dennis Rodman at a Halloween party in Florida last night ... and extra security was called in to keep her safe ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Carmen was co-hosting a private "Fright Night" party in Boca Raton with Jonathan Cheban ... and was surprised when she saw Dennis waiting on the red carpet for her.

We spoke with multiple witnesses who tell us Dennis was NOT invited to the shindig (put on by The Law Offices of Berman and Berman) -- and Carmen was so shocked when she noticed him, that she waited in her limo for roughly 25 minutes while extra security was called in to watch her back.

Once she left the limo, we're told Dennis made a beeline for her ... and professed his love.

If you wanna be successful in the NFL ... YA CAN'T GO PARTYING DURING THE SEASON ... so says ex-NFL running back Thomas Jones.

TJ -- who played 12 seasons and once led the AFC in rushing -- was out in L.A. last night when we asked if it's possible for NFL players to turn up on their off days ... and still ball out on Sunday.

"There's no NFL party time. The game is too hard for that. It's too physical and it's too strenuous," Jones says.

Of course, there are exceptions ... Joe Namath, Lawrence Taylor, Gronk ... but Jones says most athletes have to choose -- party or football.

The Chicago Bulls made a HUUUGE mistake when they traded Olden Polynice for Scottie Pippen back in 1987 ... so says O.P. who claims the team would've won THREE MORE RINGS.

The 49-year-old ex-NBA star was out in L.A. this week and talked about the blockbuster trade from the '87 NBA Draft ... when he was selected by the Bulls as the 8th overall pick -- but was then immediately traded to the Seattle SuperSonics for Pippen.

"We were never SUPPOSED to be traded," Olden tells us ... "If I had played for Chicago, we woulda won more titles."

"And I didn't have migraines early on in my career ... I've never had migraines like Scottie ... so there were a couple of years they really could've beaten Detroit ... and they didn't."

BTW -- Scottie was ranked as one of the 50 greatest players in the history of the NBA ... but Olden says that stat doesn't matter -- he would have been the better man for the Bulls.

In fact, O.P. says had the Bulls kept him -- instead of Pippen -- they would've won at least 3 more titles (9 overall) ... and Michael Jordan "woulda been knockin' on Bill Russell's door."

Dallas Cowboys star Orlando Scandrick isn't just killin' it on the field ... he's killin' it in the bedroom too ... so says his super hot GF Draya Michele.

The "Basketball Wives L.A." star was leaving an event at the Mondrian -- in a super tight, super revealing dress -- when we asked if she takes any credit for the incredible season Orlando is having.
Ya gotta hear what Draya says -- pretty funny.

FYI -- the Cowboys are 5-0 with Scandrick on the field this season ... and he's on track to make the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

Even if he doesn't, it's clear this dude will have no trouble gettin' lei'd.

The Chicago Bears are NOT a lost cause ... despite the fact they've lost 3 out of their last 4 games ... this according to Jay Cutler's wife.

Kristin Cavallari was arriving at an event at the Mondrian Hotel in L.A. last night -- striking pose after pose for photogs -- when she was asked about the struggling Monsters of the Midway.