Looking Back To Wednesday June 17
TOP OVERNIGHT STORIES:
MANNY TO START REHAB (Credit Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, for quotes):
Manny Ramirez is scheduled to return to the field next week for the first time since his May
7 suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. And Manager Joe Torre said Wednesday
that Ramirez's first game will likely be with Inland Empire, the Dodger affiliate in the Single
A California League. "That's what we're thinking about. Just for the convenience of the
whole thing," Torre said. Ramirez would likely return during Inland Empire's three-game
series in Lake Elsinore, June 25-27, then play as many as three games in San Bernardino
beginning June 28. "That's still conversational right now. There's nothing been scheduled,"
Torre said. "We've got to get him back on the field first."
SMOLTZ GOES 4 INNINGS IN REHAB START: John Smoltz has finished his last
scheduled rehab outing before joining the Red Sox, allowing one run in four innings for
Triple-A Pawtucket.
LANNAN LEADS NATS AT YANKEE STADIUM
NEW YORK - Local product John Lannan pitched into the ninth inning in his first
career start at Yankee Stadium, leading the Washington Nationals to a much-needed 3-2
victory over New York on Wednesday night.
Lannan (4-5) allowed two runs and four hits in 8 1/3 innings, hurting one of his
hometown teams for the second time in two weeks. The 6-foot-4 left-hander beat the New
York Mets 7-1 with a four-hitter on June 6.
Johnny Damon hit a leadoff homer in the ninth and Mark Teixeira singled with one out,
sending Lannan to the dugout and the Yankee Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
Mike MacDougal replaced Lannan, a Long Island native who grew up rooting for the
Yankees, and pinch-runner Brett Gardner stole second and third on consecutive pitches
before Alex Rodriguez walked. But MacDougal got Robinson Cano to ground into a gameending double play, pumping his fist after second baseman Anderson Hernandez threw to
first.
It was MacDougal's first save since July 16, 2006, for the Chicago White Sox at Detroit.
Cano fouled off four 2-2 pitches before hitting a tailor-made double-play ball to shortstop.
Cano also homered and Chien-Ming Wang turned in a decent start for the Yankees, who
played without Derek Jeter. The All-Star shortstop sat out with a sore left ankle after
leaving New York's 5-3 victory over Washington on Tuesday night after seven innings.
Jeter went for an MRI before the game and checked out fine. He could be back in the
lineup for Thursday's series finale.
SHEFFIELD HITS HR NO. 507, BUT LOSE TO ORIOLES
BALTIMORE - Matt Wieters hit his first major league home run, Aubrey Huff had a
tiebreaking shot in the seventh inning and the Baltimore Orioles withstood Gary Sheffield's
507th career homer in a 6-4 victory over the Mets on Wednesday night.
Nick Markakis had a career-high tying four hits and scored twice for the Orioles, who
blew leads of 1-0 and 4-2 before pulling away for the final time in the seventh.
With one out, Markakis singled off Pedro Feliciano (2-2) and Huff hit a 2-2 pitch over
the right-field wall, his first homer in 17 games since May 26.
Wieters, the fifth overall pick in the 2007 amateur draft, did not have a homer or an RBI
in his first 13 games after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on May 29. With one swing
of the bat in the second inning, the rookie catcher ended both droughts.
PENNY GETS WIN NO. 100, RED SOX GET SELLOUT NO. 500
BOSTON - Reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia had three hits and three RBIs on
Wednesday night, and the Boston Red Sox celebrated their 500th consecutive sellout with a
6-1 victory over the Florida Marlins.
Brad Penny (6-2) labored through five innings to earn his 100th career victory, and
David Ortiz continued his revival with three runs and a double off the Green Monster that
raised his batting average to .213. Jacoby Ellsbury also reached base three times, including a
homer, and stole a base for the fourth straight game.
Andrew Miller (2-3) gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out six in 5
1/3 innings for Florida.
PUDGE SETS RECORD, MAKES TWO ERRORS IN LOSS
ARLINGTON, Texas - David Murphy hit a game-winning RBI single with one out in
the 10th inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 5-4 Wednesday night, taking
advantage of two throwing errors by Ivan Rodriguez on the day he set the major league
record for games caught.
Rodriguez, who began his career at age 19 in 1991 and played 12 seasons in Texas,
caught his 2,227th game to break Carlton Fisk's record.
Rodriguez received numerous ovations from the Rangers crowd, and had his first twoerror game since Aug. 26, 2004 and sixth overall in his career. Both miscues led to runs
Also, Omar Vizquel tied Luis Aparicio's for most hits by a player from Venezuela with
his 2,677th, a one-out single in the fifth. He then stole second and advanced to third on
Rodriguez's second error, and scored on Kinsler's sacrifice fly that gave the Rangers a 4-3
lead.
BREWERS WIN IN 11TH FOR SWEEP
CLEVELAND - Slumping J.J. Hardy homered early and drove in the go-ahead run with
a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers completed a three-game sweep of
the Cleveland Indians with a 9-8 victory Wednesday night.
Milwaukee closer Trevor Hoffman blew an 8-4 lead in the ninth, but the NL Central
leaders earned their eighth straight interleague win over Cleveland. Milwaukee also swept
three in 2006 and won the final two of a three-game set in 2001.
Prince Fielder singled with one out in the 11th off Greg Aquino (1-2), who then walked
Corey Hart. The runners advanced on a wild pitch that made the count 1-1 on Mike
Cameron. The Indians intentionally walked Cameron to load the bases before Hardy lifted a
fly to center, scoring Fielder.
Mark DiFelice (4-0) worked 1 1/3 innings for the win. Mitch Stetter struck out two with
two runners on to earn his first career save.
Ryan Garko's three-run double with one out in the ninth tied it at 8. Hoffman, baseball's
career saves leader with 570, blew one for the first time in 17 chances since signing with
Milwaukee as a free agent.
PADRES EXTEND RECORD LOSING STREAK TO 13
SAN DIEGO - Jose Lopez hit a two-run homer and the decisive run scored on an error
as the Seattle Mariners beat San Diego 4-3 on Wednesday night, extending the Padres' major
league-record interleague losing streak to 13.
Garrett Olson and three relievers held San Diego to four hits. The Padres have lost 10
straight games to the Mariners in San Diego, and 16 of 20 overall against Seattle.
San Diego scored for the first time in 23 innings when Kevin Kouzmanoff homered
leading off the second. The Padres loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth before
Kouzmanoff's grounder forced David Eckstein at third.
The Padres have lost five straight overall and 13 of 17.
VIKINGS SAY FUTURE UP TO FAVRE: Vikings owner Zygi Wilf told season ticket
holders on Wednesday night that Brett Favre's future is entirely up to the former MVP. He
told a gathering of season ticket holders that "right now, it's all up to Brett Favre in terms of
where his future is at. I'll just leave it at that."
RYAN LEAF ARRESTED BY CUSTOMS AGENTS UPON RETURN TO U.S. FROM
CANADA: Leaf posted a $45,000 bond on drug and burglary charges out of Texas after
being arrested by customs agents as he returned to the U.S. from Canada.
MLB:
---PEDRO MARTINEZ SAYS CUBS, RAYS INTERESTED (credit The Associated Press
for quotes): Pedro Martinez could be back on a major league mound soon. The right-hander
said on Wednesday that he has had talks with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays and
hopes to sign a contract in the near future. "There's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but
there still isn't anything firm," Martinez told The Associated Press. Martinez, 37, has been
training in his native Dominican Republic in hopes of returning to the majors. His four-year
deal with the New York Mets ended after last season, making Martinez a free agent.
"Chicago and Tampa Bay are the two teams that have shown the most interest and we are
negotiating with them, although I've told my agent not to call me until it's a done deal," he
said.
---JONES, FRANCOUEUR GLAD THEY WON'T FACE SMOLTZ: The Red Sox
announced John Smoltz will start next Thursday in Washingtin, missing Atlanta this
weekend and next. For one, Chipper Jones is glad. Jones said he thought of the film "For
Love of the Game," in which Kevin Costner's character had to face an old friend with a nohitter on the line. "Probably for the first time in my career, I wouldn't want to be that guy
coming up to the plate in that kind of situation," Jones said. Jones has faced Greg Maddux.
He has faced Tom Glavine. But he said it would be harder to face Smoltz. "I was closer with
John," Jones said. "John and I play golf every spring, we've gone fishing. We've done all
sorts of things together over the course of our time together. I always thought in the back of
my mind that John and I would be together until we retire. While we talk smack in the
clubhouse about if we ever faced each other, I think we both realized that that was never
going to happen, so why not talk a little smack about it." Jeff Francoeur, who is close friends
with Smoltz, said: "If he'd been pitching a month or two, it wouldn't have been that big of a
deal," Francoeur said. "But it'd be tough to do that to a guy like him to make his first start
against us. … He doesn't want to pitch against Bobby [Cox]. He doesn't want to pitch
against us."
---LOU PINIELLA SAYS HE'S CONSIDERING LINEUP CHANGES TO SHAKE
CUBS HITTERS OUT OF SLUMP
NFL:
---TONY ROMO REFUTES REPORT OF CONDITIONING TALK WITH GARRETT:
CARROLLTON - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on Wednesday refuted a report
earlier this week that his offseason conditioning work is under scrutiny from offensive
coordinator Jason Garrett. Without citing a source, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported
Garrett had what the newspaper described as a "come-to-Jesus" meeting with Romo in
which Garrett told Romo he needed to get in better shape to avoid another late-season
slump. Romo called the report "silly." "There was no such meeting," Romo said on the final
day of a mandatory three-day minicamp. "We live in a world where it's sensationalized.
When you see something or hear something, you write it. That's completely false."
---RAIDERS QB RUSSELL PLANS PRIVATE PRACTICE WITH RECEIVERS: Raiders
quarterback JaMarcus Russell is arranging a week of practice for any of the team's other
quarterbacks and all the wide receivers and tight ends, at an undisclosed location. Russell
wasn't about to divulge many details. He said he just wants to make sure the quarterbacks
and receivers are on the same page when training camp begins July 30 in Napa. "We're going
to get the receivers and tight ends a week away from everything, just go along by ourselves
and accomplish something that would make us a lot better during the year," Russell said
after Wednesday's practice during organized team activities. "Just work on our own, with
nobody out there but us, get ready for camp, get ready for a new year."
---GIANTS TO WEAR TIMEX LOGOS ON PRACTICE JERSEYS
---(from Wednesday) VIKINGS SAY FUTURE UP TO FAVRE: Vikings owner Zygi Wilf
told season ticket holders on Wednesday night that Brett Favre's future is entirely up to the
former MVP. He told a gathering of season ticket holders that "right now, it's all up to Brett
Favre in terms of where his future is at. I'll just leave it at that."
NBA
---REPORT: WOLVES TALK JEFFERSON-FOR-STOUDEMIRE (credit The Boston
Globe): An NBA executive told the Boston Globe Wednesday that the Minnesota
Timberwolves are working on a deal with the Phoenix Suns that would send former Celtics
forward Al Jefferson and the sixth pick in next week's NBA Draft for All-Star Amare'
Stoudemire. The Suns, who have dangled Stoudemire for some time, found a suitor in
Minnesota, which is in transition. The team announced Wednesday that coach Kevin
McHale has ended his 15-year association with the team. New basketball of operations
David Kahn is looking to take the franchise into another direction.
---SUNS GM KERR TO TALK EXTENSION WITH NASH: Suns General Manager
Steve Kerr will be in New York Thursday to meet with Steve Nash, who lives there in the
summer. Kerr will meet with the point guard and his agent, Bill Duffy, Thursday to discuss a
contract extension and the franchise's plan with the draft a week away, free agency two
weeks away and numerous trade possibilities. "It's more about letting each other know how
we feel," Kerr said. "I can give him some ideas (of a plan), but there's no telling what can
happen." Nash, 35, is entering the final year of his contract, which would pay him
$13,125,000 once a partial team option is exercised. Nash is eligible for a two-year extension
but wants to see how the Suns' off-season moves unfold.
AUTO RACING
---CARL LONG'S 12-RACE SUSPENSION REDUCED TO 8: Sprint Cup driver Carl
Long had his 12-race suspension reduced to eight but his record $200,000 fine remained
after a final appeal to NASCAR Stock Car Racing commissioner Charles Strong. Strong
heard Long's appeal, which was denied two weeks ago by the stock car commission, on
Monday in Chicago. "The simple part of it means NASCAR don"t care who you are or what
your circumstances are," Long told ESPN.com. Long was penalized for having an oversized
engine at Lowe's Motor Speedway last month. He and his wife, car owner DeeDee Long,
were suspended 12 races and docked 200 points. Crew chief Charles Swing was fined
$200,000. All are NASCAR records.
SOCCER
---FC BARCELONA WILL PLAY IN SF'S CANDLESTICK PARK AUG. 8
SOSA
---CONGRESS TO LOOK INTO SOSA TESTIMONY FROM 2005 HEARING:
Investigators for the Congressional committee that Sammy Sosa appeared before in 2005 are
looking into whether he was truthful when he testified that he never used illegal
performance-enhancing drugs. "The Oversight and Government Reform Committee always
takes seriously suggestions that a witness misled the committee while testifying under oath,"
Edolphus Towns, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, said in a statement. "Investigators will begin a review of this matter and, upon
learning the results, I will determine appropriate next steps." It is not clear if the committee
will want to pursue the matter or refer it to the Justice Department, as it did with Roger
Clemens.
---SOSA QUOTES FROM HEARING (sot has been cut): At the hearing in 2005, Sosa
testified that "everything" he had heard "about steroids and human growth hormones is that
they are bad for you, even lethal" and that he "would never put anything dangerous like that"
in his body. "To be clear," he added, "I have never taken illegal performance-enhancing
drugs. I have never injected myself or had anyone inject me with anything."
---NOTE: Please take care to use the exact wording Sosa used when testifying -- "illegal
performance-enhancing drugs" -- as each word could potentially be dissected by the
committee or the justice department if perjury charges are considered.
---Related: NO COMMENT FROM MLBPA: Greg Bouris, Director of
Communications for the MLBPA says the MLBPA has NO COMMENT on the Sosa
reports.
---BLUE JAYS ACE, CLOSER ON DL: Roy Halladay, 10-1 with a 2.51 ERA, exited his
start on Friday after throwing just two pitches in the fourth inning against the Marlins. The
right-hander will be eligible to be activated from the DL by June 28, and he hopes to be
ready by then. Left-hander Scott Downs is also being placed on the DL on Thursday with a
sprained big left toe. He left Tuesday night's game after stumbling out of the batter's box.
---MICKELSON TO TAKE TIME OFF AFTER U.S. OPEN: Phil Mickelson's streak of
61 straight major championships will likely come to an end after this week's U.S. Open as his
wife, Amy, will begin treatment for breast cancer July 1. Appearing at Bethpage Black on
Wednesday morning for the first time since a practice round last week, Mickelson said he
would "most likely'' not play next month's British Open at Turnberry. He also mentioned
Amy would like to have the US Open trophy in her hospital room.
---KEVIN McHALE OUT AS TIMBERWOLVES COACH
---McHALE SAID HE WAS WILLING TO RETURN, BUT WASN'T GIVEN OFFER
(CREDIT St. Paul Pioneer press): "I was willing to come back, but they never offered me a
contract," McHale said. "They told me last week they were going in a different direction. I
said I think you're making a mistake, but that's up to you guys." McHale said a strong reason
why he wanted to return to coach was the Wolves' players. "The players kept on saying, 'Hey,
Kevin, we need you back, c'mon, come back and coach, work with us, we got this thing
going,' " McHale said. "I talked to them last night; they were all very upset. But I said it's not
my decision." McHale spoke with Wolves players Tuesday night after learning he wouldn't
be retained. McHale asked Kahn during several meetings if he wanted to talk about a new
contract for him. "There was never an offer made," McHale said. "I told him it was his
decision. There's really nothing you can say at that point."
---THOUSANDS OF LAKERS FANS ARRIVE EARLY FOR PARADE; COLISEUM
FILLED TO CAPACITY: Tens of thousands of jubilant Los Angeles Lakers fans
converged on downtown Wednesday, creating a tidal wave of purple and gold as they arrived
to celebrate the franchise's 15th NBA title with a parade and rally paid for by the city's
movers and shakers. The 95,000-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the parade
was to end and the rally was to begin around noon, was filled to capacity more than an hour
before the parade kicked off.
NBA:
---REPORT: WADE ACCEPTS OBAMA'S INVITATION TO VISIT WHITE HOUSE
(Credit South Florida Sun-Sentinel): Two Chicago guys with a common interest are
scheduled to meet for the first time Friday. President Barack Obama has invited Miami Heat
star Dwyane Wade to Washington. Wade has agreed to participate in a day-long event in
honor of Father's Day, and focusing on male mentorship. After flying in from Chicago,
where he is hosting a youth basketball camp, Wade will check in at the White House, and
then travel to area community organizations to speak with young men from the Washington
D.C. area about how they can achieve their aspirations. Then he will return to the White
House for a town-hall meeting with the President, community leaders and other prominent
young fathers. The day will conclude with a barbecue, during which Wade will again speak to
high school students about his experiences. It isn't clear whether Wade and Obama will get
to spend any time together on the White House basketball court.
---EX-NBA REFEREE TIM DONAGHY RELEASED FROM PRISON TO HALFWAY
HOUSE
MLB:
---SMOLTZ GOES 4 INNINGS IN REHAB START: John Smoltz has finished his last
scheduled rehab outing before joining the Red Sox, allowing one run in four innings for
Triple-A Pawtucket.
NOTE: SLUG 'Smoltz Rehab" on Pathfire NOW
---A-ROD GREETS FANS AT MONUMENT PARK: Alex Rodriguez met with about 50
lucky fans Tuesday, spending about 15 minutes in Monument Park before last night's game
at Yankee Stadium, posing for pictures, shaking hands and signing autographs for those who
timed their visit just right.
---COACHES NAMED FOR ALL-STAR GAME: AL manager Joe Maddon has appointed
Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman and Seattle Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu as
the A.L. coaches. Maddon's Tampa Bay coaches - Tom Foley (third base), Steve Henderson
(hitting), former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star and 1982 World Series Champion George
Hendrick (first base), Jim Hickey (pitching), Dave Martinez (bench) and Bobby Ramos
(bullpen) - will comprise his staff. NL manager Charlie Manuel has named Tony La Russa
and Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Joe Torre as the NL coaches. Manuel's Philadelphia staff Mick Billmeyer (bullpen), Rich Dubee (pitching), Davey Lopes (first base), Pete Mackanin
(bench), Sam Perlozzo (third base) and Milt Thompson (hitting) - will assist with batting
practice and other field duties.
---KONERKO WANTS MORE INFO BEFORE BELIEVING REPORT ON SOSA
POSITIVE TEST: Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko wants more evidence. In
Konerko's mind, there are "only two ways this becomes a story." "Put your name behind it,"
Konerko said before Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. "Put your face out there
and tell people who you are. Or, Sammy's going to admit to it and that's what happened in
the Alex Rodriguez thing."
---TERRY FRANCONA SAYS DICE-K TO STAY IN ROTATION (CREDIT WEEI for
quotes): "My first thought was that if we tell him that we're putting him in long relief that's
probably not going to build his confidence a whole lot," Francona said. With John Smoltz
set to make his season debut next Thursday and the Red Sox going with a temporary sixman rotation, Daisuke Matsuzaka said he understands it is imperative that he starts pitching
better soon. "It has been hard, but I know I cannot be in this situation," Matsuzaka said
Tuesday night in a conversation with Japanese reporters, according to a report on
WEEI.com. "I have to bring my [stuff] back as quickly as I can. I really want to pitch for the
team to win, with focusing on my details [of pitching]."
---RED SOX CELEBRATE 500th STRAIGHT SELLOUT AT FENWAY
NFL:
---VIKINGS SAY FUTURE UP TO FAVRE: Vikings owner Zygi Wilf told season ticket
holders on Wednesday night that Brett Favre's future is entirely up to the former MVP. He
told a gathering of season ticket holders that "right now, it's all up to Brett Favre in terms of
where his future is at. I'll just leave it at that."
---BUCS ROOKIE QB JOSH FREEMAN STILL IN CONSIDERATION: The Bucs are
re-evaluating their plans at quarterback and will consider starting rookie Josh Freeman if he
continues to progress in training camp. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson said "it's not out of
the question,' that Freeman takes the path of the Falcons' Matt Ryan and the Ravens' Joe
Flacco and starts as a rookie.
---TEXANS K KRIS BROWN SIGNS FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION, WORTH $10M
WITH $2.5M GUARANTEED
---RAIDERS WR DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY INJURES HAMSTRING
---RYAN LEAF ARRESTED BY CUSTOMS AGENTS UPON RETURN TO U.S.
FROM CANADA: Leaf posted a $45,000 bond on drug and burglary charges out of Texas
after being arrested by customs agents as he returned to the U.S. from Canada.
TENNIS:
---RAFAEL NADAL AND DINARA SAFINA SEEDED NO. 1 FOR WIMBLEDON.
COLLEGES:
---USC SEARCH DOESN'T INCLUDE DIXON ANYMORE (Credit ESPN.com's Andy
Katz): USC's search to replace Tim Floyd has moved on beyond Pitt's Jamie Dixon and is
now, for the time being, focused on coaches who have professional ties, multiple sources
with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com. Multiple sources confirmed that the
Trojans made an attempt to woo Dixon, a native of Los Angeles, but the discussion was
surface in nature because Dixon wasn't going to move from Pitt. Multiple sources told
ESPN.com that USC athletic director Mike Garrett is now looking at coaches who have an
NBA affiliation in their background, much like when he hired Henry Bibby, Rick Majerus
and Tim Floyd, or more recently with women's coach Michael Cooper. Multiple sources said
that through an intermediary USC made an inquiry about current ESPN/ABC analyst Jeff
Van Gundy but were rebuffed. According to sources, the Trojans are doing background
checks on Reggie Theus, P.J. Carlesimo and Jim Boylen.
---TIM TEBOW AND REST OF FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAM WILL BEGIN
PROGRAM IN WHICH THEY WILL RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH
GAINESVILLE POLICE OFFICERS.
---USC CORNERBACK C.C. WHITLOCK FOUND NOT GUILTY ON
TRESPASSING CHARGE: Whitlock said he planned to meet with USC coach Steve
Spurrier and Athletics Director Eric Hyman Wednesday and hoped to be reinstated to the
team by next week.
---ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TO RETURN TO PRIME TIME: The ACC football
championship game, which will be played at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium for a second
straight year, returns to prime time with an 8 p.m. kickoff on ESPN on Dec. 5.
---ALABAMA TO APPEAL RULING IN TEXTBOOK CASE: Statement from Dr.
Robert E. Witt, President: "The University of Alabama will appeal the sanctions announced
on June 11 by the NCAA Committee on Infractions regarding violations of the NCAA's
policies on textbooks for student-athletes."
---UCLA HOOPS F DREW GORDON SUFFERS PARTIALLY TORN PATELLAR
TENDON
---BYU HOOPS COACH DAVE ROSE DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC
NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOR CANCER
NHL:
---SENATORS GM BRYAN MURRAY SAYS COACH CORY CLOUSTON
'DEVASTATED' BY DANY HEATLEY'S TRADE DEMAND.
AUTOS:
---GM TO REDUCE SUPPORT IN SPRINT CUP SERIES
OLYMPICS:
---CHICAGO, 3 OTHER CITIES MAKES FORMAL BID FOR 2016 OLYMPICS: The
four cities bidding for the 2016 Olympics took their case directly to the voters Wednesday,
stressing the support of their government leaders and promising financial security for their
multi-billion-dollar projects. Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro made formal
presentations to members of the International Olympic Committee ahead of the final vote in
Copenhagen on Oct. 2.
---PHELPS GETS NEW ENDORSEMENT DEAL: The 14-time Olympic gold medalwinning swimmer has a multiyear
deal with H2O Audio, a San Diego-based maker of waterproof headphones and accessories.
It is his first new deal since his suspension ended in May.
---USAIN BOLT WINS 100 METERS AT GOLDEN SPIKE MEET IN 9.77
HORSES:
---RACHEL ALEXANDRA TO RUN IN MOTHER GOOSE STAKES AT BELMONT
PARK JUNE 27
SOCCER:
---DROGBA SUSPENDED FOUR MATCHES: The Chelsea striker was banned for his
outburst toward the referee after his team was eliminated in the Champions League
semifinals. UEFA said Wednesday that Drogba's ban was six matches, with the last two
deferred over a probationary period of two years. European soccer's governing body also
suspended defender Jose Bosingwa three matches for making offensive comments about
Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
---NORTH KOREA QUALIFIES FOR WORLD CUP, FIRST SINCE 1966: A scoreless
draw in Saudi Arabia sends North Korea to its 2nd-ever World Cup, and 1st since
1966. Saudi Arabia finishes 2nd in Group B and advances to the playoff vs Bahrain. The
winner of that will play New Zealand for a World Cup berth.
MISC:
---HIGH SCHOOL PITCHERS IN IOWA THROW PERFECT GAME, NO-HITTER
IN DOUBLE HEADER: Norwalk High pitchers Matt Dermody and Kole Klocko nearly
pulled off a perfect doubleheader. Dermody, a senior, struck out all 18 batters he faced in a
six-inning perfect game Monday night. Klocko, a junior, closed the doubleheader against
South Tama High with a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 10 while issuing just one walk.
---JURY ORDERS 45 YEARS FOR MEL HALL: The former major league outfielder was
sentenced after being convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl he coached on an elite basketball
team. He must serve about 22½ years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.