Sun, Jun 07, 2009 page19

• Sports Briefs

  • AGENCIES
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  ■BASEBALL

  La Russa settles suit

  St Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa settled his lawsuit against popular micro-blogging service Twitter out of court on Friday, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported. La Russa told the newspaper that San Francisco-based Twitter had agreed to pay his legal fees and make a donation to the Animal Rescue Foundation, an animal shelter run by the Cardinals manager, the newspaper said. He declined to specify the amount of the donation to the foundation but said: “It’s not going to be too ridiculous.” La Russa sued Twitter in a California court last month after an unidentified person created an account in his name and sent posts that La Russa described as “derogatory and demeaning.”

  ■BASEBALL

  Indians mourn Jacobs

  The Cleveland Indians on Friday mourned the loss of former owner and real estate developer Richard Jacobs, who died earlier in the day aged 84. “Today is a very sad day for the Cleveland Indians organization with the loss of Dick Jacobs,” Cleveland owner Larry Dolan said in a statement. “Dick engineered the renaissance of Cleveland Indians baseball and achieved success at the ownership level that hadn’t been experienced in Cleveland since Bill Veeck in the ‘40s.” Jacobs and his brother David bought the struggling franchise in December 1986, paving the way for a glorious run of success that included two American League Championships (1995 and 1997) and five consecutive Central Division titles from 1995. During the Jacobs era, a front office team was assembled, which transformed the organization’s farm system. A new ballpark in downtown Cleveland became Jacobs Field when it opened in 1994. Jacobs owned the club until 2001.

  ■FOOTBALL

  Colts kicker recovering

  Adam Vinatieri, the Indianapolis Colts kicker whose clutch field goals delivered two Super Bowl triumphs for the New England Patriots, has undergone successful right hip surgery. The Colts announced on Friday that Vinatieri underwent the operation and is expected to be fit for the September opening of the National Football League season, but might not be ready for the start of training camp in August. Vinatieri had been in pain for more than a year with the injury intensifying recently to force the operation. In 13 NFL seasons, Vinatieri has won four Super Bowl titles — three with the Patriots and another with the Colts.

  ■ICE HOCKEY

  Toronto may get new team

  A group seeking a second National Hockey League team for Toronto unveiled details of its pitch on Friday, suggesting about US$900 million in financing is set for a proposed expansion team. The Toronto Maple Leafs play to sold-out crowds every season no matter how woeful or successful the club performs, long sparking talk that the 30-team league should add another team in the Canadian metropolis. Toronto Legacy Group wants to start the club for the 2012-2013 NHL season and play in a proposed 30,000-seat arena, with leader Andrew Lopez saying 25 percent of annual net profits would go to charity. The Maple Leafs’ ownership group is likely to take issue with the notion of another team in the region and the creation of an arena that would dwarf its own complex and leading position in bringing indoor attractions to the city. The Legacy group has no ties to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, the Blackberry magnate who is trying to bring the Phoenix Coyotes to nearby Hamilton. A bankruptcy judge will consider that matter next week.

  ■SOCCER

  Milito has second knee op

  Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito underwent a second arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Friday. The Argentine defender hasn’t played since last year after tearing a knee ligament. Milito first underwent surgery in May last year and wasn’t involved as Barcelona won the Champions League, Spanish league and Copa del Rey this season. The 28-year-old center-back previously injured the same knee eight years ago.

  ■CRICKET

  Kiwis down Scotland

  New Zealand romped to a seven-wicket win over Scotland in a rain-shortened Twenty20 World Cup group D match at the Oval yesterday. The match was reduced to seven overs a side after steady morning rain and Scotland gave the Kiwis some anxious moments while compiling a competitive 89 for four. However, a flurry of sixes in the penultimate over, two from successive balls by Ross Taylor (21 not out) and one from Scott Styris (eight not out), gave the New Zealanders victory with an over to spare. Brendon McCullum, captaining in place of the injured Daniel Vettori, began the pursuit of the 90 New Zealand needed by striking four fours off Calum McLeod as 19 runs in all came off the first over.

  ■GOLF

  Monty to push Olympic bid

  European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie will push golf’s bid for inclusion in the 2016 Olympics. Montgomerie said on Friday he has been asked by Royal and Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson and US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem to help present golf’s case to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC executive board is meeting on June 15 and June 16 in Lausanne, Switzerland, to hear presentations from the seven sports vying for two open spots on the 2016 Olympic program. “Annika Sorenstam is going to speak on behalf of ladies golf and I’m going to speak on behalf of men’s golf, along with Peter Dawson and Tim Finchem,” Montgomerie said. Golf is competing against baseball, softball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens and squash. The IOC will make a final decision in October.

  ■BOXING

  Molina pummels Perez

  Carlos Molina of Mexico, a late replacement for former welterweight champ Carlos Quintana, won a lopsided unanimous decision over American Danny Perez on Friday. Molina was the aggressor from the opening round of the light middleweight bout at Mahi Temple Auditorium. Molina pressured Perez and scored with combinations to the body and left hooks to the head. Two judges scored the fight 119-109 for Molina, and the third also had the Mexican winning 118-110. Molina won his ninth consecutive bout and the minor NABO title.

  ■SOCCER

  Ferrara confirmed as coach

  Juventus have confirmed Ciro Ferrara as their new coach, hiring the club’s former defender on a two-year contract. Ferrara guided the club for the final two matches of the recently concluded Serie A season after Claudio Ranieri was fired. Juventus said in a statement that the choice of Ferrara “fully conforms to the goals and tradition of the club. He’s a man linked to Juventus and its history of success, a young coach who has gained managerial experience within the club and who has an international view of football courtesy of his work within the staff of the national World Cup champion side,” the statement said.
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