Robert Altman, one of Hollywood’s top directors, died last night in Los Angeles. He was born in Kansas City in 1925, went to Rockhurst High School, attended junior college at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, piloted B-24s in WWII, and studied engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia before joining with a friend making industrial training films in KC. His first feature film, “The Delinquents,” came out in 1957. For the next several years he directed episodes of several TV shows including “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “Bonanza.” His big break came when more than 15 other directors refused to take on a movie about a Korean War military hospital unit called M*A*S*H (his son wrote the lyrics for the theme, “Suicide is Painless”). Altman detested the television series based on the movie. He also directed numerous other films and was nominated 5 times for an Oscar as best director(tying with Alfred Hitchcock, King Vidor, Clarence Brown, and Martin Scorsese for most best-director nominations without winning), for M*A*S*H, Nashville, The Player, Short Cuts, and Gosford Park. He also was nominated as a producer for Nashville. He never won but got an honorary Oscar for career achievement last spring. His last movie came out last summer–A Prairie Home Companion. With this story is an excerpt from an interview Altman did with the BBC’s Christopher Cook on April 2, 1990. For additional excerpts fromt he interview, please go to www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/audiointerviews/profilepages/altmanr1.shtml

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame has announced its enshrinement class for 2007. There are 15 individuals and one school’s team’s record-breaking era. The 16 inductees will be honored during a ceremony on Sunday, February 11 at the University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield, Mo.

The 2007 inductees include Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member Bruce Sutter, St. Louis Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty, former Kansas City Chiefs running back Curtis McClinton, former Major Leaguer Jim Eisenreich, Sportscaster Jay Randolph, Sr, former NFL star Pat Leahy, softball and baseball player Erma M. Bergmann “Bergie,” former Missouri baseball coach Gene McArtor, high school official Ron Zetcher, former Missouri football player Russ Sloan, Drury University swimming coach Brian Reynolds, high school football coach Doug Potts, high school basketball and golf coach Bill Ross, former long distance runner Mark Curp, major league baseball scorekeeper Lou Adamie “Mr. Scoreboard,” and the 1941-48 Missouri Valley College football teams.

You can visit the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame website for information on each inductee.

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Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Website

Leonard Little has been a valuable part of the Rams defense since he was drafted by the franchise in 1998. He has been a part of the Super Bowl years, as well as the super low years. He has seen players and coaches come and go. Little has played through it all. He ranks second in team history with 71 sacks. Sunday, Little was rewarded for his efforts and signed to a three-year extension. Details were not released, but the deal is for somewhere around $19 million.

Both parties have been working on an extension for Little since the end of last season, but small details kept them from making a deal earlier. By signing Little now, the Rams do not have to use the franchise tag on him, and will save more than $8 million of the salary cap in doing so.

If no deal was done by season’s end, Little was prepared for free agency. He was open to leaving St. Louis and understood the nature of the business. But there are veterans on the roster that Little feels a bit attached to.

“…Guys like Corey Chavous, he came here because of me, somewhat. He said he’s always wanted to play with me. So I did it for those guys that still want me around.”

Just hours after signing the deal, Little recorded his 10th sack of the season, five tackles, one forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Unfortunately, the Rams offense could not score and lost to Carolina 15-0.

Little hopes this is his last deal, and does not see himself playing beyond 2009.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore wants his team to compete, even if that means against each other. Looks like last year’s starter behind the plate will have some company this season.

Veteran catcher Jason LaRue was acquired by the Royals in a trade with Reds. Kansas City will receive a minor-league player to be determined. LaRue will compete with John Buck as the team’s starting catcher.

“It’s all about competition,” said Moore. “Both guys are very talented. And because of the competition, I think both guys will have very good years.”

The Royals will pick up less than half of LaRue’s salary for 2006. He was selected by the Reds in 1995 and has been in Cincinnati ever since. LaRue started for the Reds from 2001-05, but lost his starting job last season after undergoing surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The veteran catcher enjoyed arguably his best season in 2005 when he batted .260 with 14 home runs and a career-high 60 RBI.