New York toughens steroid policy for horses

October 15, 2008

New York toughened its steroid policy for racehorses, following the lead of the two other states that hold Triple Crown races. The New York State Racing and Wagering Board said the new rules take effect Jan.1 at all thoroughbred and standardbred tracks in the state. That includes Belmont Park, home of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown. The new rules set limits for steroids that are permitted - stanozolol, boldenone, nandrolone and testosterone. Prompted by the death of the filly Eight Belles at the end of the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky and Maryland moved quickly to institute steroid restrictions.

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• Red Sox's Lowell to have hip surgery, done for year

  October 15, 2008

  Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell is done for the year because of a bad hip. The Most Valuable Player from last year's World Series will have surgery Monday. He was left off Boston's roster for the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays because of the problem. Lowell said before Game 4 of the ALCS that he wanted to have surgery soon so he could be ready for the start of spring training.

• Armstrong expresses doubts about 2009 Tour

  October 15, 2008

  Lance Armstrong has expressed doubts about racing in next year's Tour de France. The American, who agreed Monday to ride in next year's Giro d'Italia, said in an interview published yesterday that he might not go for an eighth Tour de France title after all. "Everyone knows its importance, but the problems that I have with the organizers, journalists and fans could distract me from my mission - focusing the world's attention on the battle against cancer," Armstrong said in Gazzetta dello Sport. Armstrong, 37, announced last month that he is returning to cycling after three years in retirement, and he wants to draw more attention to his global campaign to fight cancer, a disease he survived before winning seven straight Tours.

• Timberwolves' Telfair suspended three games

  October 15, 2008

  Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Sebastian Telfair was suspended for three games after pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon. Telfair was sentenced last month to three years' probation. He was arrested in April 2007 when police found him carrying a loaded gun in his car while he was a member of the Boston Celtics. Telfair had career highs in games started (51), shooting percentage (40) and assists per game (5.9) and averaged 9.3points last year for Minnesota.

• Investigator: Prospect had heart problems

  October 15, 2008

  Alexei Cherepanov had heart problems and probably should not have been allowed to play in a game in which he collapsed and died, a regional investigator suggested. Yulia Zhukova said Cherepanov, who died Monday playing for Avangard Omsk in a Continental Hockey League game outside Moscow, apparently had chronic ischemia - a medical condition in which not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs. Cherepanov's agent, however, said NHL tests showed him to be healthy. Lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov suggested that the first-round draft pick, 19, for the New York Rangers might have died because of negligence on the part of paramedics. Krasheninnikov said there was no ambulance on duty at the Moscow-region arena in which Cherepanov was playing. Vladimir Shalayev, the managing director for the newly formed Russian league, said a preliminary autopsy showed Cherepanov had a "hypertrophied heart."

• Lewis joins track panel to review performance

  October 14, 2008

  Carl Lewis, winner of nine Olympic gold medals, has been selected as a member of USA Track and Field's seven-person audit panel, CEO Doug Logan announced on his blog. The committee will analyze the selection process for the team, coaching and preparation for international competitions. Members will also study the performance of the Beijing team, in particular national relay team preparation and training. The U.S. contingent won 23 medals - the most of any country - but will be remembered more for dropping the baton in both the men's and women's 400-meter preliminaries.

• Bettman: NHL growing despite declining economy

  October 14, 2008

  The NHL is "still in growth mode" despite the economic downturn, commissioner Gary Bettman said yesterday, noting that ticket sales have increased this season. "We're acutely aware of what's going on out there, but it hasn't yet impacted us," Bettman said before attending last night's game between the Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks. "I have no doubt that, over time, if it's long enough and bad enough, it will have some impact, but based on what we're seeing right now, our business seems to be strong." Season-ticket sales are 4 percent higher than a year ago, and single-game tickets were up nearly 13 percent as of a week ago, Bettman noted, calling that data "remarkable - if not startling - numbers." Bettman's comments came on the same day the NBA confirmed it would eliminate about 80 jobs in the United States, the first major American sports league to announce layoffs because of the global economic situation.

• Armstrong says he'll race in Giro d'Italia for 1st time

  October 14, 2008

  Lance Armstrong agreed to ride in next year's Giro d'Italia and suggested the Italian race - not the Tour de France - will be the main target in his comeback season. The American has not competed in the three-week Giro, considered the sport's most prestigious stage race after the Tour. Winning both the Giro and the Tour in the same year after more than three years away from the sport would be an unprecedented challenge for someone of Armstrong's age. Armstrong, 37, announced last month that he is returning to cycling after three years in retirement and hoped to win the Tour for an eighth time. The 100th anniversary edition of the Giro is scheduled for May 9-31. The Tour de France starts July 4.

• In Chicago, Cheruiyot wins first major race

  October 13, 2008

  Kenya's Evans Cheruiyot won his second marathon in two tries, pulling away late from countryman David Mandago before finishing in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 25 seconds to win the Chicago Marathon on a warm morning. A winner at Milan in December, Cheruiyot, 26, grabbed the lead in the 24th mile and was all alone as he crossed the finish line for his first major marathon victory. Mandago clocked in at 2:07:37 in his first major marathon, with fellow Kenyan Timothy Cherigat third at 2:11:39. Russia's Lidiya Grigoryeva, the 2007 Boston Marathon champion, breezed to her second major victory, clocking in at 2:27:17 and finishing more than two minutes ahead of runner-up Alevtina Biktimirova of Russia (2:29:32).

• No. 1 Jankovic prevails for third straight week

  October 13, 2008

  Top-ranked Jelena Jankovic won her third title in three weeks, beating Russia's Vera Zvonareva, 6-2, 6-4, in the final of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Jankovic was coming off back-to-back wins at the China Open and the Porsche Grand Prix in Germany. She earned her fourth title of the season and eighth of her career. Igor Kunitsyn won the men's tournament, upsetting fellow Russian Marat Safin for his first ATP Tour title. Kunitsyn, who survived seventh-seeded Safin's 21 aces to win 7-6 (6), 6-7 (4), 6-3, said he had prepared a speech to congratulate his opponent on the victory. ... Philipp Petzschner upset Gael Monfils, 6-4, 6-4, in the BA Tennis Trophy final in Vienna, Austria, for his first ATP Tour title. The 125th-ranked German, who had not advanced beyond the quarterfinals of an ATP event, had to play two qualifying rounds to reach the main draw and became just the third qualifier this season to win an ATP tournament. ... Top-seeded David Nalbandian defeated Robin Soderling, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, in the Stockholm Open final in Sweden for his second tournament victory of the season.

• Ballesteros announces he has brain tumor

  October 13, 2008

  Seve Ballesteros has a brain tumor and will undergo a biopsy tomorrow. The five-time major winner announced the news yesterday in a statement issued by La Paz Hospital in Madrid, Spain. It was unknown whether the tumor was benign or malignant. Ballesteros, 51, was admitted to a hospital for tests after briefly losing consciousness last week. Ballesteros won a record 50 times on the PGA European Tour, won the British Open three times and the Masters twice before retiring last year because of a long history of back pain.

• NBA reaches agreement to create arenas in China

  October 13, 2008

  The NBA has formed a multibillion-dollar joint venture with Anschutz Entertainment Group to design and develop about 12 multipurpose arenas in major Chinese cities for a future affiliated basketball league. NBA commissioner David Stern did not say when the plan would be starting, or where the buildings would be located. The Los Angeles Times reported that the NBA and AEG would equally own arenas that will hold 17,000 spectators, with primary funding coming from the Chinese government and Chinese banks. The project was announced yesterday in a news conference at the AGE-owned O2 Arena in London, where the New Jersey Nets and Miami Heat played a preseason game. AEG president and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke said it could take decades to complete the project. "We think of this over the next 20 years, not the next year or two," he said, adding some would be new arenas and others would be created by renovating existing facilities. Leiweke downplayed the idea that the arenas are being built based on a guarantee of having an NBA-style league in China. But eventually - and Stern didn't offer a timetable - the arenas will house some type of affiliated basketball league, he told the Times.

• USOC delays '09 budget, citing economic crisis

  October 13, 2008

  The economic crisis has forced the U.S. Olympic Committee to delay setting next year's budget while officers consider contingency plans that could include administrative cuts. In the USOC's first board meeting since the Beijing Games, in Orlando, Fla., chief executive Jim Scherr said the 2009 budget will be "very stringent" and "prudent on the expense side," and that cutbacks, if they come, would probably be on the administrative side and not in direct benefits to athletes or sports. The USOC operates on four-year budget cycles, with a new one beginning next year. In the period ending this year, the federation's revenues increased $127 million, to $617 million. The USOC will close 2008 with $103 million in reserve.

• U.S. men roll, advance in World Cup qualifying

  October 12, 2008

  The United States breezed into the final round of World Cup qualifying with unusual ease. DaMarcus Beasley scored a pair of first-half goals, Landon Donovan and Brian Ching padded the lead early in the second, and the Americans routed Cuba, 6-1, at RFK Stadium in Washington. Jozy Altidore and Oguchi Onyewu added goals for the U.S. in the final minutes. With two semifinal-round matches remaining, the Americans (4-0) already have secured a berth in next year's six-nation finals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region.

• Ovechkin's two goals help Capitals prevail

  October 12, 2008

  Alex Ovechkin scored twice, a sprawling Brooks Laich was credited with the go-ahead goal after a replay review and the Washington Capitals came back to beat the visiting Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2. The Capitals raised a banner during a pre-game ceremony to mark last season's Southeast Division title - and then promptly fell behind by two goals. But Ovechkin's first goal - the reigning NHL Most Valuable Player's first point of the season - made it 2-2 early in the second period. Then, with 4:27 left in the third, Alexander Semin brought the puck in and nearly scored himself. Laich, knocked to the ice, somehow got his blade on the puck and tipped it past goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who also was down. Ovechkin sealed the victory with 1 1/2 minutes to go with a slap shot.

• Report: Chiefs' Gonzalez could be dealt by Tuesday

  October 12, 2008

  Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history, will be traded to a contender if the Kansas City Chiefs get the right price. Three people familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity that the nine-time Pro Bowl player could be dealt before Tuesday's trade deadline. Gonzalez, 32, who holds the NFL tight end record for receptions, touchdown catches and receiving yards, enjoys great popularity in Kansas City. But the Chiefs (1-4) are rebuilding. Gonzalez has never won a postseason game. Two people involved in the situation said there had been discussion with the New York Giants but that talks had not been productive.

• V. Klitschko stops Peter to reclaim WBC title

  October 12, 2008

  Vitali Klitschko reclaimed the World Boxing Council belt and fulfilled a self-proclaimed dream to hold a heavyweight title at the same time as his brother, stopping Samuel Peter in Berlin. Peter chose not to come back out after eight rounds. The 37-year-old Ukrainian fighter (36-2, 35 KOs) used his height - 6feet7 - and reach to keep Peter (30-2), a 28-year-old Nigerian-born fighter, crouched and defensive in front of more than 12,000 at the new O2 World Arena. Wladimir Klitschko, widely considered the most talented among the chaotic field of so-called heavyweight champions, holds the International Boxing Federation, International Boxing Organization and World Boxing Organization heavyweight belts - and dealt Peter his only other loss, in September 2005.

• Radio hosts accuse Johnson of faking AIDS

  October 11, 2008

  Magic Johnson criticized a pair of talk show hosts for accusing him of faking AIDS but said he didn't want them to be fired. Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KTLK in Minneapolis made the remarks during Baker's conservative radio show Wednesday. After the former NBA star condemned the statements, the station said it regretted "some offhand remarks" by the pair. "We can't have people out here making false statements and putting out bad information, because this battle is too big when it comes to HIV and AIDS," Johnson told the Associated Press in a telephone interview. Johnson said he hadn't heard from the station. He said he wants the hosts to keep their jobs. "I would rather they educate their audience," he said. Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and then retired from the NBA at 32. Johnson, 49, said his health is "wonderful."

• Johns Hopkins hangs on for 36-34 football win

  October 11, 2008

  Johns Hopkins raced to a 33-point lead and then held off visiting Dickinson to win, 36-34, at Homewood Field. Andrew Kase rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns for the Blue Jays (4-2, 2-2 Centennial Conference). Pat O'Connor led the Devils (3-3, 2-2) with a school-record 396 all-purpose yards, including 248 receiving, and three touchdown catches. Kase's 1-yard touchdown run and a 69-yard touchdown run by freshman Lyndon O'Connor in the third quarter put the Blue Jays up 33-0. Then the Devils rallied. Ian Mitchell's 58-yard touchdown pass to O'Connor on fourth-and-10 with 1:33 left pulled Dickinson to 36-34, but Mitchell's two-point pass attempt was batted away. The Blue Jays recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock. Hopkins had 477yards of offense.

• Montgomery gets 5 years in heroin case

  October 11, 2008

  Disgraced former Olympic track star Tim Montgomery, once dubbed "the world's fastest man," was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for dealing heroin to an informant. "I was blind. I never had a job in my life," Montgomery told U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Friedman in Norfolk, Va. "I did the wrong thing." Montgomery, 33, will serve the five-year sentence after he completes a 46-month prison term for an unrelated conviction in New York. Under an agreement with the government, he pleaded guilty in July to possession and distribution of more than 100 grams of heroin. He received the minimum term under federal sentencing guidelines. A prosecutor described Montgomery's athletic skills as "super-human" but said he had squandered his talent and the acclaim and money that came with it. Montgomery won an Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter relay at the 2000 Games and a silver in the same event four years earlier. A doping scandal wiped his achievements from the books.

• Witnesses say Harvick, Edwards had scuffle

  October 10, 2008

  Greg Biffle isn't angry with teammate Carl Edwards for starting a 12-car crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Neither is Matt Kenseth. Kevin Harvick? Not quite over it. Witnesses said Edwards and Harvick scuffled yesterday in the Nationwide Series garage at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., after Edwards walked into Harvick's garage stall and the two engaged in a heated argument. Harvick appeared to try to walk away, but, witnesses said, Edwards reached for his shoulder to turn him back around. Harvick then shoved Edwards, who stumbled onto the hood of Harvick's car, and the two had to be separated. Witnesses claimed a member of Harvick's crew had Edwards in a headlock as numerous people tried to separate the two. Harvick was unavailable for comment. Edwards didn't deny the two argued but wouldn't discuss the incident.

• 4th-quarter touchdown lifts No. 21 Wake Forest

  October 10, 2008

  Riley Skinner threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Boldin with 5:28 left to help No.21 Wake Forest beat visiting Clemson, 12-7. Skinner went 22-for-34 for 186yards and led the decisive 15-play, 78-yard drive in the fourth quarter for the Demon Deacons (4-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Wake Forest out-gained Clemson 342-198. Shane Popham - starting in place of injured kicker Sam Swank - had field goals of 22 and 32yards for Wake Forest, and a dominant defense held the Tigers' vaunted ground game to 21 rushing yards on 23carries. Cullen Harper went 15-for-35 for 177yards with an interception for Clemson (3-3, 1-2) in the Tigers' second straight loss. His 10-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Ford with seven seconds left in the third quarter put Clemson up 7-3. Clemson lost running back C.J. Spiller in the second quarter because of a left leg injury.

• Holyfield offered fight with WBA champ Valuev

  October 10, 2008

  Boxing: Evander Holyfield has been offered a fight with World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev in December. Holyfield, a former heavyweight champ who turns 46 this month, has not fought since losing a unanimous decision a year ago to then-World Boxing Organization champion Sultan Ibragimov. The 7-foot, 300-pound Valuev (49-1, 34 KOs) won a unanimous decision over John Ruiz in August to regain the WBA title. A four-time heavyweight champion, Holyfield could become the oldest fighter to win the crown if the fight goes ahead.

• Auburn fires Franklin as offensive coordinator

  October 9, 2008

  Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville fired offensive coordinator Tony Franklin just seven games into his tenure, pulling the plug after the Tigers' rocky attempt to adapt to his spread offense. The 20th-ranked Tigers (4-2) have struggled offensively all season after entering as the favorites to win the Southeastern Conference Western Division. They have dropped SEC games to LSU and Vanderbilt after beating Mississippi State by an unusual score of 3-2. It was not immediately clear who would call plays Saturday against Arkansas. Franklin brought an offense to the Tigers that was a big departure from the more smash-mouth, conservative style Tuberville had long favored. It received an abundance of attention leading up to the season but never clicked. Franklin spent four seasons at Kentucky, serving as offensive coordinator and receivers coach during the 2000 season for an offense that finished second in the country in passing.

• Armstrong cleared for comeback race

  October 9, 2008

  Cycling's governing body is relaxing its rules to allow Lance Armstrong to make his comeback at a road race in Australia in January. The International Cycling Union said yesterday that the seven-time Tour de France champion can compete in the Jan.20-25 Tour Down Under, his first race since coming out of retirement after three years. A strict application of testing rules would not have allowed the Texan, 37, to compete until Feb. 1, 2009, six months after he filed paperwork with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. But the UCI said Armstrong could return early because its drug-testing standards have improved since the rule was drawn up four years ago. Armstrong's comeback is meant to draw attention to his global campaign to fight cancer, a disease he survived before winning seven straight Tours from 1999 to 2005. It is also a defiant stand against critics who doubt he could have achieved those victories without the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Now he is liable to be tested at any time without notice and will have his own biological passport as part of a UCI-backed initiative to monitor possible doping offenses.

• Woods' event might move to Philly area

  October 9, 2008

  Tiger Woods could be bringing professional golf back to the Philadelphia area. Members at Aronimink Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia are to vote Wednesday on whether to accept a proposal to host Woods' AT&T National for two years, in 2010 and 2011, while Congressional Country Club in Bethesda undergoes renovation for the 2011 U.S. Open. The vote comes after nearly a year of discussions between Aronimink board members and officials from the tournament and the Tiger Woods Foundation, which benefits from the event. The AT&T National will be played at Congressional in 2009. The greens at the club are to be renovated in 2010, and the U.S. Open will be played there the next year. Aronimink officials were excited about the prospect of hosting Woods' event, which would be the first professional golf in the Philadelphia area since the Senior PGA Championship was played there in 2003.

• Hall of Famer Baylor out as Clippers executive

  October 8, 2008

  Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor is out as vice president of basketball operations with the Los Angeles Clippers, and coach Mike Dunleavy will assume his responsibilities as general manager. Dunleavy said Baylor decided to resign after spending 22 years as an executive with the team. Baylor, 74, became vice president of basketball operations with the Clippers in 1986 after an outstanding 14-year playing career with the Lakers and a brief stint as coach of the New Orleans Jazz. Baylor was named NBA Executive of the Year after the 2005-06 season, but the Clippers have been one of the NBA's least successful franchises over the years. Neil Oshley, the team's director of player personnel, will be elevated to assistant GM.

• Bonds says he's enjoying life away from baseball

  October 8, 2008

  Barry Bonds made a rare public appearance yesterday and said he is enjoying life away from baseball. "I'm happy now that I have more time," Bonds told the crowd at the kickoff event of the Macy's Christmas tree lighting in San Francisco. "I've actually enjoyed myself immensely." Bonds, honorary chair of this year's lighting, did not talk to reporters and left quickly after giving a brief speech during the 30-minute ceremony. Lights adorning the large tree in Union Square are sold to benefit the University of California-San Francisco Children's Hospital palliative care program. Bonds was questioned by a young patient about a comeback. "I had fun," Bonds said. "But I like my freedom."

• Chinese authorities investigating gymnasts

  October 8, 2008

  International gymnastics officials aren't the only ones who want more information on two members of China's 2000 Olympic team. The Chinese Gymnastics Association is doing its own investigation into the ages of Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun, spokeswoman Zhou Qiurui said. New information suggests the two could have been as young as 14 at the Sydney Olympics, where China won the bronze medal. Gymnasts have to be 16 during the Olympic year to compete. Zhou declined to comment further.

• Breeders' Cup horses will face drug testing

  October 8, 2008

  Horses pre-entered in the 14Breeders' Cup races to be run Oct. 24-25 at Santa Anita Park will face drug testing ahead of racing's richest event. Horses will be selected randomly for testing from the pre-entry lists to be released Tuesday, the California Horse Racing Board announced. The testing will specifically target EPO, darbepoetin and other blood-doping agents that are typically administered days or weeks before competition and are not usually detectable in testing traditionally done shortly after the race. Trainers of horses that test positive for anabolic steroids will face a one-year suspension from the event, and three-time violators will be banned for life, according to new rules this year.

• Indiana's Crean says: 'We've paid a price'

  October 7, 2008

  With the possibility of harsher NCAA sanctions looming over the Indiana men's basketball program, coach Tom Crean begins his first season in Bloomington with an unusual plea: Don't damage the program any more than it has been. "We've paid a price, a lot of people have paid the price and it's been a serious price," Crean said. Indiana has already been stripped of three scholarships this season, and the program is returning two players from last season in the aftermath of former coach Kelvin Sampson's high-profile phone-call scandal. The NCAA infractions committee is weighing whether to impose harsher sanctions stemming the scandal.

• Report: AT&T could move to Pa. in 2010, 2011

  October 7, 2008

  The AT&T National, the PGA Tour event hosted by Tiger Woods for the past two years at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, could be played at the Aronimink Golf Club in the Philadelphia suburbs in 2010 and 2011 if its members approve, The Washington Post reported on its Web site. Congressional, which is hosting the tournament in 2009 for the third straight year, will renovate its greens in 2010 before hosting the 2011 U.S. Open and will not be available for Woods' event either year. ... Seve Ballesteros, 51, a winner of three British Opens and two Masters, was admitted to a Spain hospital after feeling dizzy and fainting. He was undergoing diagnostic tests, the hospital said.

• Dislocated toes to end E.J. Henderson's season

  October 7, 2008

  Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve because of dislocated toes on his left foot. Team officials confirmed the move yesterday before the Vikings' game against the New Orleans Saints. They said Henderson (Maryland) traveled to Baltimore and had successful surgery at the Institute for Foot & Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center. Henderson was injured during the Vikings' loss at Tennessee on Sept. 28. He returned to the game, but the severity of the injury became more apparent during the past week.

• New rule would keep U.S. from hosting '18 Cup

  October 7, 2008

  FIFA president Sepp Blatter will propose new World Cup bidding rules that would dash the hopes of the United States to host the 2018 tournament. Blatter said yesterday that he wants to avoid the World Cup staying in the Americas after Brazil stages it in 2014. He said there were enough strong candidates to organize the world's biggest sports event in 2018 that some countries should be spilled over into the 2022 bidding process. The competition will go to Africa for the first time in 2010 when South Africa is the host. ... David Beckham will miss the Los Angeles Galaxy's final road game of the season Oct.18 at Houston because of a mandatory one-game suspension for earning his fifth yellow card, which he received Saturday.

• Shock tops Silver Stars for 3rd title in six years

  October 6, 2008

  The Detroit Shock won its third WNBA title in six seasons yesterday, beating the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars, 76-60, in Game 3. Detroit swept the league's best regular-season team, winning the clincher at Eastern Michigan University's Convocation Center, a 9,000-plus-seat venue forced upon them because of a scheduling conflict. Katie Smith, who scored a team-high 18 points and hit a key three-pointer during a decisive fourth-quarter run, was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player. Leading 49-45 after three quarters, the Shock went on a 13-2 run, capped by Smith's high-arching three-pointer that made it 62-47. She won the league championship less than two months after she and her U.S. teammates took Olympic gold in Beijing. Detroit became the second team in league history to win a third title. Only the Houston Comets, who won the first four (1997-2000), have more. Los Angeles (2001, 2002) is the only other team with more than one. A year earlier, the Shock let the 2007 title slip away, losing it at The Palace to the Phoenix Mercury.

• Rangers pull off sweep of Lightning in Europe

  October 6, 2008

  Wade Redden had a goal and an assist for the New York Rangers, who rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1, in Prague, Czech Republic, sweeping their two-game, season-opening series in Europe. Redden, a defenseman who signed a six-year, $39million free-agent deal with the Rangers during the summer, tied it with a power-play goal 3:47 into the second period when he blasted a shot past goalie Olie Kolzig off a pass from Markus Naslund. Scott Gomez scored into an empty net 12:12 into the second period after Rangers wing Aaron Voros deflected a shot by Redden.

• Simpson jurors: We didn't trust witnesses

  October 6, 2008

  Jurors who convicted O.J. Simpson of armed robbery and kidnapping said that they did not trust witness testimony and instead relied on recordings and other documented evidence to convict the former football star. It might have been a waste for prosecutors to give plea deals to several Simpson co-defendants in exchange for their testimony because the jury did not rely on it, foreman Paul Connelly said. Seven members of the 12-person jury agreed to the extraordinary news conference two nights after the verdict was announced in Las Vegas because they said they were being hounded by reporters. They answered questions for an hour in the same courtroom where Simpson, 61, and Clarence "C.J." Stewart were convicted of robbing two memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a hotel room. Earlier in the day, Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said he will continue to pursue a request for Simpson to be released on bond pending appeal. Simpson will be held at Clark County (Nev.) Detention Center until his Dec.5 sentencing.

• Lawyer wants Simpson free pending appeal

  October 6, 2008

  O.J. Simpson is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety and is focusing on a motion for new trial in Las Vegas and a bid for appellate reversal of his conviction for kidnapping and robbery, his lawyer said. Attorney Yale Galanter said he will continue to pursue a request for Simpson, 61, to be released on bond pending appeal. Simpson will be held in Clark County (Nev.) Detention Center until his Dec. 5 sentencing, then is expected to be transferred to state prison. Because of the seriousness of the charges, it is likely that Simpson, the Hall of Fame running back, would remain in jail during his appeal.

• Rookie Johnson beats Allenby for 1st PGA title

  October 6, 2008

  Rookie Dustin Johnson won the PGA Turning Stone Resort Championship, shooting a 3-under-par 69 to beat Robert Allenby by one shot in Verona, N.Y. Johnson won his first tour title by making an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole to edge the veteran Australian, who was seeking his fifth victory and first since 2001. Allenby's 12-foot putt for birdie to tie stopped inches short of the hole. Johnson won $1.08 million to jump from 128th on the money list into the top100.

• Armstrong, Tour head have war of words

  October 5, 2008

  Lance Armstrong says the Tour de France organizer's new president is being pretentious by claiming that the seven-time champion has "embarrassed" cycling's premier race. Jean-Etienne Amaury told French sports newspaper L'Equipe, "We can't say that he has not embarrassed the Tour de France, as he has had a quite a complicated history with it." The comment astounded Armstrong. "I've stated clearly, my main objective in 2009 is to bring about global awareness of a disease that kills 8million people annually worldwide. Nobody ever said that I need the Tour de France in order to try and achieve this," he said in a statement. "It comes down to an issue of distraction - while I love the event and France's people, I cannot accept this sort of grandstanding which distracts from the Livestrong message that is urgently needed, and being sought out, in many other places around the world." Amaury, 32, became president of the Amaury Sport Organization last week, replacing Patrice Clerc, who was known for his hard line against doping. Amaury insisted the fight against doping remains a top priority. Said Armstrong: "The last time I checked I won the tour seven straight years and was never once found to be guilty of doping despite seven years of intense scrutiny."

• Bengals activate Henry; Boldin out indefinitely

  October 5, 2008

  Wide receiver Chris Henry was activated, setting up a possible matchup with Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, a former college teammate who has been in even more trouble. The Bengals released running back Kenny Watson to open a roster spot for Henry. Henry was released by the Bengals (0-4) after his fifth arrest in the offseason. Owner Mike Brown took him back over the objections of coach Marvin Lewis, who had no interest in the troubled receiver. Henry missed the first four games of the season because of his latest suspension for violating the NFL's conduct policy.

• Kvapil wins pole for Amp Energy 500

  October 5, 2008

  Travis Kvapil won the pole for today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway to show Yates Racing is on an upswing after several lean years, and Dale Earnhardt Inc. had a strong day to counter rumblings the team is in trouble. Kvapil turned a lap at 187.364 mph in his Yates Racing Ford to edge Casey Mears' lap of 187.295 in a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. DEI's Aric Almirola was third, Regan Smith was fourth, Paul Menard was fifth and Martin Truex Jr. was 10th. Carl Edwards was the highest-qualifying Chase driver and will start 12th.

• Peppers Pride sets mark with 17th straight win

  October 5, 2008

  With the three-length victory in a six-furlong allowance race at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., New Mexico thoroughbred Peppers Pride put herself into the record books. The 5-year-old mare has won 17 times in as many starts during four racing seasons, setting a modern North American record. Peppers Pride crossed the line in 1:10.20. Peppers Pride had shared the mark of 16 straight victories with Triple Crown winner Citation, two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams. Peppers Pride has career winnings of more than $867,000.

• Report: No evidence NBA refs are breaking law

  October 3, 2008

  A review of the NBA's officiating program found no evidence of illegal activity by any referee other than Tim Donaghy, though it recommended significant changes for monitoring gambling and game integrity. The report, compiled over 14 months by former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz, called for the creation of a "culture of compliance" and closer monitoring of games for suspicious activity. Commissioner David Stern ordered the investigation last year after former referee Donaghy was charged with betting on games he officiated and providing inside information to gambling associates to win their bets.

• Castroneves indicted on tax fraud charges

  October 3, 2008

  Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 2007 Dancing with the Stars champion Helio Castroneves was indicted on tax evasion and tax fraud charges, accused of using offshore accounts to hide millions of dollars in income from the Internal Revenue Service. Castroneves, 33, is charged with conspiracy and six counts of tax evasion for purportedly failing to report to the IRS about $5.5 million in income between 1999 and 2004, according to court documents. Each count carries a maximum five-year prison sentence. Castroneves could not be reached to comment.

• McCoy, Pitt upset No. 10 South Florida

  October 3, 2008

  LeSean McCoy ran for two touchdowns and Bill Stull threw for one as visiting Pittsburgh upset No.10 South Florida, 26-21, last night. The Panthers (4-1, 2-0 Big East) have won two of the past three games against South Florida (5-1, 0-1) in Tampa. Stull finished 16-for-27 for 228 yards. Bulls quarterback Matt Grothe was 11-for-20 for 129 yards and rushed for a touchdown.

• Mets GM Minaya hints at roster changes

  October 3, 2008

  Omar Minaya is staying as general manager of the New York Mets. Jerry Manuel is likely to remain as manager. Players, however, could be on the move. "When we bring in personnel into New York, into this environment, are they able to handle the pressures that go with it? Those things do have to be considered," Minaya said yesterday, when his new contract that runs through 2012 was officially announced. Minaya became general manager in 2004. His new deal includes club options covering 2013 and 2014. Minaya also said Manuel is the only candidate for manager. Manuel took over on an interim basis when Willie Randolph was fired June 17. New York was 34-35 when Manuel took over, and it finished at 89-73.

• Bills' Evans gets 4-year extension

  October 3, 2008

  Wide receiver Lee Evans signed a four-year contract extension worth $37.25 million in a deal that prevents the Buffalo Bills star from becoming a free agent after this season. Evans, who is guaranteed to make $18.25million in the new deal that runs through 2012, earned a significant raise over the base salary of $2.25 million he'll make this season, the final year of the rookie contract he signed after the Bills selected him 13th overall in the 2004 draft. This season, he is off to the hottest start of his career with 14 catches, a team-leading 332 receiving yards and one touchdown.

• Cardinals' Boldin has fractured sinus

  October 2, 2008

  Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin has a fractured sinus as a result of what he called the worst hit he has received in his football career. He doesn't know how long he will be sidelined, but when he returns, there will be no change in his trademark tough, aggressive style, he said yesterday. "For me it was just a part of football," Boldin said. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended New York Jets safety Eric Smith for one game and fined him $50,000 for the helmet-to-helmet hit on Boldin in the end zone during the waning seconds of the Jets' victory over the visiting Cardinals on Sunday. "You never know somebody's intentions," Boldin said, "but I didn't think it was intentional."

• Mets' Santana has knee surgery

  October 2, 2008

  New York Mets ace Johan Santana had arthroscopic surgery on torn cartilage in his left knee and is expected to be ready for spring training. The injury was revealed in a magnetic resonance imaging Tuesday. It was a bit of a surprise because Santana pitched a three-hit shutout on short rest Saturday against the Florida Marlins. Santana was brilliant in his first season with the Mets, going 16-7 with a major league-best 2.53 ERA and 206strikeouts in 234 1/3 innings.

• S. Williams drops match, will lose No. 1 ranking

  October 2, 2008

  Serena Williams' game collapsed in Stuttgart, Germany, after she swept the first set, leading to a 0-6, 6-1, 6-4 loss to China's Li Na that will cost her the No. 1 ranking. By dropping the second-round match at the Porsche Grand Prix, Williams will be overtaken by Jelena Jankovic in Monday's new rankings, the WTA said. Williams rolled through the first set and appeared headed for an easy victory. "I started making a lot of errors and I just gave it to her," she said.

• No. 6 Penn State tunes out buzz

  October 1, 2008

  There's a different vibe around unbeaten Penn State this week. The talk about off-field troubles has disappeared. Coach Joe Paterno's right leg is still sore, but he has proved it won't keep him from pacing the sideline. The "Spread HD" offense is humming along so well, fans are getting used to scores in the 30s and 40s. No, this week, the blue-and-white faithful are talking up No.6 Penn State's chances in the Big Ten and, possibly, in the national title race. "I just say, 'Hey, we got Purdue this week,'" Paterno said about his message to his players. Paterno knows the host Boilermakers (2-2) will have designs Saturday on derailing the Nittany Lions (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten).

• Performers announced for Phelps celebration

  October 1, 2008

  Organizers of a celebration honoring swimmer Michael Phelps say the Naval Academy Concert Band, the Morgan State University Choir and local bands will perform at the event this weekend. The celebration is planned for Saturday at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Organizers announced that the local bands include big-band funk orchestra Chopteeth, a cappella group Reverb and The Players Band, a ska group formed in Baltimore. Access Hollywood's Billy Bush will host the event. Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, will be honored with a parade in Towson before the evening program. The events will also pay tribute to two other Maryland swimmers: Olympian Katie Hoff and Paralympic champion Jessica Long.

• Yankees GM Cashman agrees to 3-year contract

  October 1, 2008

  Brian Cashman is staying on as general manager of the New York Yankees, agreeing yesterday to a three-year contract that runs through 2011. The Yankees missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 1993. Cashman took over as GM in 1997, and his current deal was set to expire at the end of October.

• Armstrong seeks OK to race in Australia

  September 30, 2008

  Lance Armstrong said yesterday he's hoping cycling authorities will grant him an exemption and allow him to ride in January's Tour Down Under in Australia. "It's my hope that I get down there," Armstrong said about the race from Jan. 20 to 25. "We'll respect whatever decision they come down with." The International Cycling Union requires riders coming out of retirement to be in the sport's anti-doping program for six months before racing. Armstrong filed paperwork Aug. 1 with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and said he has already been drug-tested - in late August. The UCI has said it will make a decision this week.

• West Virginia's White to play against Rutgers

  September 30, 2008

  Pat White has a bruised thumb, but West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said his quarterback will play Saturday in the Big East opener against Rutgers. White went to the sideline after being tackled in the third quarter of a 27-3 win over Marshall on Saturday. White said after the game that he could have continued to play if needed. With the Mountaineers well ahead, backup Jarrett Brown replaced White.

• Report: Blackhawks put Khabibulin on waivers

  September 30, 2008

  The Chicago Blackhawks put goalie Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers, a person within the league told the Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the move. Khabibulin is entering the final season of a four-year, $27 million contract. The Blackhawks signed free agent goalie Cristobal Huet to a four-year, $22.5 million deal in July, giving them two top goaltenders.

• Yankees' Rivera set for shoulder surgery

  September 30, 2008

  New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will have offseason surgery on his sore right shoulder but should be ready to throw by spring training. Manager Joe Girardi said yesterday that the procedure will shave down calcification of the AC joint on the top of Rivera's shoulder. The surgery hasn't been scheduled, but Girardi said it doesn't appear to be a serious injury and there is no structural damage. "From what I've learned, he's had it the whole year. Has it progressively gotten worse over the course of the year? I don't necessarily think so," Girardi said. "I think he just feels more comfortable having it done and then not have to deal with it next year." Rivera, 38, was often called upon to pitch more than one inning this season because of the Yankees' struggling bullpen, but Girardi said that wasn't a factor in the sore shoulder. Rivera finished with 39 saves, and his 1.40ERA was his best since 2005.

• Ethiopian breaks own world marathon mark

  September 29, 2008

  Haile Gebrselassie smashed his marathon world record by 27 seconds, winning the Berlin Marathon in a city where he has had so much success. Gebrselassie, 35, of Ethiopia, took advantage of excellent conditions on a flat course to finish in 2hours, 3minutes, 59seconds. Despite an ailing calf, he shattered the mark he set in Berlin last year and became the first man to win this race three times. Gebrselassie thanked the crowd of about 1 million for helping him set his 26th world record. Gebrselassie first ran in Berlin in 2006 and clocked 2:05:56 before breaking the world record last year. In three years, he has improved nearly two minutes on his time. "Berlin is my lucky city," Gebrselassie said. In the women's race, Irina Mikitenko of Germany won in 2:19:19. She improved her personal best by more than four minutes to record the seventh-fastest time for a woman.

• Villegas captures Tour; Singh takes FedEx Cup

  September 29, 2008

  Camilo Villegas overcame a five-shot deficit to win the Tour Championship in Atlanta, closing with a 4-under-par 66 and beating Sergio Garcia on the first playoff hole with a two-putt par. Villegas had gone 85starts on the PGA Tour without winning, but yesterday was his second victory in a row. The 26-year-old Colombian wound up second in the FedEx Cup standings behind Vijay Singh, who only had to complete the Tour Championship to capture the $10 million prize. Villegas, who should move to No. 6 in the world ranking, earned $1.26 million for winning the Tour Championship and $3 million in bonus money for his second-place finish in the FedEx Cup.

• Hammon's 35 points lift Silver Stars to Finals

  September 29, 2008

  Becky Hammon scored 35points, making four free throws in the final 36 seconds, and the host San Antonio Silver Stars advanced to their first WNBA Finals with a 76-72 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks in Game3 of the Western Conference finals. The Sparks led 72-67 with 1:57 left, but Hammon tied it on a three-pointer with 1:03 left. Hammon shot 10-for-18, including 6-for-8 from three-point range, and made all nine foul shots.

• After shakeup, Oklahoma finds itself atop AP poll

  September 29, 2008

  Oklahoma sits atop the Associated Press Top 25 after the first upset-filled weekend of the college football season gave the media poll a powerful shake yesterday. Alabama rose to No.2 after a surprising 41-30 pounding of host Georgia. Previously top-ranked Southern California lost at Oregon State to set the tone for a weekend that brought back memories of the topsy-turvy 2007 season. On Saturday, two more top-five teams fell. Florida was stunned at home by Mississippi, 31-30. Georgia, which started the season No.1, was down 31 points by halftime to Alabama and never recovered. Overall, nine ranked teams lost, six to unranked foes. Oklahoma is No. 1 for the 96th time in the history of the AP poll, breaking a tie with Notre Dame for the most ever. The last time the Sooners were No.1 was 2003, when they were atop the polls all season before losing the Big12 title game to Kansas State. Alabama's impressive performance jumped the Tide six spots. Alabama hasn't been ranked this high since it was No.2 for the first eight polls of the 1993 season. LSU is No.3, moving up two spots. No.4 Missouri and No.5 Texas also moved up two places and left the top five under the control of the Big 12 (three teams) and Southeastern Conference (two). Penn State moved up six spots to No. 6 after its 38-24 victory against Illinois.

• Report: Padgett commits orally to Maryland

  September 28, 2008

  James Padgett, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward from Brooklyn, N.Y., has committed orally to play basketball at Maryland, according to the Terrapin Times. He chose the Terps over a number of schools, including West Virginia and Tennessee. Padgett plays at Abraham Lincoln High School, the same school that produced guards Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair. DON MARKUS

• Giants' Lowry to have elbow surgery

  September 28, 2008

  San Francisco Giants left-hander Noah Lowry will undergo arthroscopic surgery Tuesday on the back of his elbow to remove bone spurs. Lowry, 27, has spent the entire season rehabilitating from a March 7 operation to repair a rare nerve problem in his forearm called exertional compartment syndrome. The Giants will still head into the offseason with Lowry in their plans to be part of the rotation come 2009 barring further setbacks. He led the Giants with 14 wins last season.

• Garcia takes 3-shot lead at Tour Championship

  September 28, 2008

  Sergio Garcia enjoyed an amazing turnaround yesterday against Anthony Kim at the PGA Tour Championship, and it had nothing to do with the Ryder Cup. Garcia shot a 3-under-par 67 to go from a three-shot deficit on the front nine to a three-shot lead through 54 holes in Atlanta, leaving him poised to become only the third player to capture The Players Championship and the Tour Championship in the same year. Garcia was at 8-under 202 and will play in the final pairing today with Phil Mickelson (69). Six days after Kim hammered Garcia in the leadoff singles match at the Ryder Cup, the 23-year-old American looked as if he would get the best of Garcia again with six straight one-putt greens. But Kim hit only four fairways, and his wildness caught up with him. Kim shot a 72 and was three shots behind.

• Curlin wins in N.Y. to top $10 million mark

  September 28, 2008

  Curlin became the first horse in North America to top $10 million in career earnings, winning the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at sloppy Belmont Park in New York. The $450,000 winner's purse pushed Curlin's bankroll to $10,246,800. Cigar's previous mark of $9,999,815 had stood for 12 years. Curlin beat Wanderin Boy by three-quarters of a length with Merchant Marine third. The winning time was 2 minutes, 1.93 seconds for the 1� miles. Curlin paid $2.80, $2.10 and $2.10. Wanderin Boy returned $4.20 and $3.70. Merchant Marine paid $5.70 to show.

• Kim leads Garcia at Tour Championship

  September 27, 2008

  Anthony Kim shot a 1-under-par 69 to take a two-shot lead over Sergio Garcia (65) in the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Phil Mickelson ran off five birdies over the last seven holes for a 68 that put him three shots back in the PGA event.

• Colts' Sanders has knee surgery

  September 27, 2008

  Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders, already out with a sprained right ankle, has had arthroscopic surgery on a knee. The NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season injured his ankle Sept. 14 at Minnesota and was initially expected to miss four to six weeks. Colts owner Jim Irsay said the recovery period for the sprain would likely be longer than that for the knee, so the surgery was scheduled during his absence. The team has not said which knee was operated on or the nature of the ailment.

• No tears found in Bedard's shoulder

  September 27, 2008

  Surgery on the left shoulder of Seattle Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard revealed no tears in the labrum or rotator cuff. Dr.Lewis Yocum removed a cyst from Bedard's pitching shoulder and performed minor cutting away of tissue on the labrum.The former Oriole said last week that he believed there was a tear. Recovery time typically is six months. He was 6-4 this year with a 3.67 ERA.

• Montoya loses pole for technical violation

  September 27, 2008

  Less than an hour after Juan Pablo Montoya celebrated his first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole, it was taken away from him because of a technical violation. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Montoya's fast lap in Kansas City, Kan., was disqualified because a post-qualifying inspection discovered his rear shock absorbers exceeded the maximum gas pressure allowed. That moved two-time reigning Cup champion Jimmie Johnson up to the pole, with Montoya's No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge moved to 42nd in the 43-car field for tomorrow's Camping World RV 400.

• Maryland Million gets 152 pre-entries

  September 27, 2008

  The Maryland Million, a card of 12 races scheduled for next Saturday at Laurel Park and featuring the offspring of Maryland sires, drew 152 horses as pre-entries. The Maryland Million includes the $300,000 Maryland Million Classic that could draw defending champion Evil Storm as well as multiple-stakes winners Five Steps and Cuba. The first post time is 12:15p.m. The post-position draw for the Maryland Million is Wednesday. Hall of Fame riders Pat Day, Angel Cordero and Laffit Pincay will sign autographs from noon to 4p.m on race day. BILL ORDINE

• A. Kim up four strokes at Tour Championship

  September 26, 2008

  Anthony Kim shot a 6-under-par 64 to take a four-shot lead over Masters champion Trevor Immelman, Ryder Cup teammate Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els after the first round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Vijay Singh, who has only to complete all four rounds to capture the PGA's FedEx Cup, was 3-over.

• Favre takes part in Jets' practice

  September 26, 2008

  New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre took part in warm-up jogs and threw with no noticeable discomfort stemming from his injured ankle in the half-hour of practice the media were allowed to watch. He twisted his left ankle Monday night in New York's loss at San Diego. He has started 256 straight regular-season games, and neither he nor coach Eric Mangini has seemed concerned the streak was in jeopardy as the Jets play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

• Oregon State stuns No. 1 USC, 27-21

  September 26, 2008

  Freshman Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns and host Oregon State built an early lead and held on for a 27-21 upset victory over top-ranked Southern California last night. The Beavers (2-2, 1-1 Pacific-10) also upset USC (2-1, 0-1) at Reser Stadium in 2006. This time, Oregon State took a 21-0 lead in the first half, then capitalized on a late turnover. Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez's pass was intercepted by safety Greg Laybourn on the USC 30-yard line with less than three minutes to play. Laybourn ran the ball back 28 yards to put Oregon State on the 2, and Rodgers ran 2 yards to make it 27-14.

• Blue Jays, Gaston OK two-year extension

  September 26, 2008

  Cito Gaston signed a two-year contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto has a 49-36 record since Gaston replaced John Gibbons on June20. The Blue Jays are 84-75 overall. "It's something that, from Day One, J.P. and I talked about," Gaston said, referring to general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "We talked about coming back for one year, but two years is great." Gaston, 64, managed the Blue Jays from 1989 to 1997 and led the team to four playoff appearances and two World Series titles.