■BASEBALL
Dodgers veteran to quit
Jeff Kent the leading home run hitter as a second baseman, was due to formally retire yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers said in a statement on Wednesday. The 40-year-old five-times All-Star will draw the curtain on a 17-year career in the majors, having spent the last four seasons with the Dodgers. Kent, whose 351 career homers as a second baseman are 74 more than Ryne Sandberg, will retire with a .290 career batting average, 1,518 RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage.
■SOCCER
International ends in chaos
Thailand’s King’s Cup match against Lebanon descended into chaos on Wednesday when the Middle East side twice walked off the pitch. Team staff and security guards twice had to enter the field to stop fights triggered by repeated scuffling between Lebanon’s Zakaria Charara and Thai defender Suree Sukha during the hosts’ 2-1 win in Phuket. With 14 minutes remaining, in an apparent case of mistaken identity, Charara struck Surat Sukha in the head in retaliation for his twin brother Suree’s earlier foul. After the ensuing brawl, Lebanon stormed off the field in protest and were told to remain on the sidelines by incensed coach Emile Rustom, who had to be talked into resuming the match by Thai soccer president Worawi Makudi. Five minutes later, Suree escaped a booking by the Thai referee after another vicious tackle on Charara, who started another melee by slapping Suree and captain Datsakorn Thonglao in the face. Lebanon again left the field in protest but returned five minutes later, only for the embattled referee to blow the final whistle prematurely to prevent further brawling.
■FOOTBALL
Cops nab bungling fans
Two bungling Arizona Cardinals fans were arrested for vandalizing the lawn of Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb after leaving police a key clue — a name and address label sticker. Rex Perkins, 37, and Ryan Hanlon, 28, were arrested on Sunday after three “pranks” at the home of McNabb, who lives in a gated community in suburban Phoenix but played for the team that Arizona faced last week in the playoffs. The Cardinals defeated Philadelphia on Sunday to book a trip to their first Super Bowl. McNabb was angered early on Saturday morning when diesel fuel was used to burn the words “Go Cards” “Go Kurt” and “I (heart) AZ” on his lawn. In a prior incident a cardboard box and sign reading “Go Cards” and “Beat Philly” were placed in McNabb’s yard. The box contained a sticker with Perkins’ name and address on it. After police arrived following the lawn burning, McNabb showed them the box and they went to Perkins’ home, where he confessed and named Hanlon as an accomplice.
■FOOTBALL
Group wants test for Vick
An animal treatment watchdog group wants disgraced former NFL star Michael Vick to undergo mental tests before he can be reinstated. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday saying Vick should be checked to see if he is a psychopath before having any chance of a return to the NFL. Vick is serving a prison sentence on conspiracy charges in connection with his financing of a dogfight gambling ring. Evidence in the case showed he killed dogs in such brutal manners as drowning, beating and electrocution.
Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen yesterday exited at the BWF World Tour Finals in China, losing in the semi-finals to China’s world No. 1 Shi Yuqi. Shi, who was named the BWF Men’s Singles Player of the Year, had a 9-4 record against Chou going into the match. He extended that record to 9-5 with a 21-14, 21-18 victory. Chou advanced to the men’s singles semi-finals on Friday by upsetting top-seeded Anders Antonsen of Denmark in a must-win match at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium. The 16-21, 21-18, 21-15 victory saw Chou secure his second semi-finals appearance at the tournament, despite his relatively older
‘REMARKABLE’: Gaelic football is a traditional Irish sport that blends the skills of soccer and rugby, and hurling is an ancient sport played with a wooden stick and ‘sliotar’ The Taiwan Celts Gaelic Football Club marked a milestone achievement at the Asian Gaelic Games in Bangkok on Nov. 23 and 24, with two sides advancing to the knockout stages and competing at hurling for the first time. The event brought together 68 teams from 16 clubs across Asia, with more than 800 players in men’s and women’s tournaments. Gaelic football is a traditional Irish team sport that blends the skills of soccer, rugby union and basketball. Hurling is an ancient Irish sport played with a wooden stick, called a hurley, and a small ball, or sliotar. The Taiwan Celts’ women’s team reached
India’s chess star Gukesh Dommaraju returned to a hero’s welcome in his home city yesterday after becoming the youngest world champion aged only 18. Hundreds of fans crowded the arrivals area of Chennai International Airport, cheering alongside banks of television cameras as Gukesh made his way out of the airport after victory in taking the World Chess Championship title. “It means a lot to bring back the trophy to India,” Gukesh told reporters, with garlands of flowers draped around his neck, brandishing the glittering trophy in his hand. “I can see the support and what it means to India, I
LIVERPOOL WIN: The 50th Champions League goal by Mohamed Salah helped the leaders of the Premier League to keep their perfect record intact Real Madrid’s big stars on Tuesday turned on the style to revive the Spanish giant’s faltering UEFA Champions League title defense. Galacticos Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all scored in a thrilling 3-2 win against Serie A leaders Atalanta BC. However, Madrid still had to ride their luck as Mateo Retegui fired over from in front of goal in stoppage-time when handed a golden chance to level the game. It was only Madrid’s third win in the competition’s revamped league phase and leaves the 15-time champions in the unseeded playoff positions in 18th place. “It’s a very important win. Not everyone wins
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