Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Sports Briefs: Michael Vick starting prison time early
By The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 | 1 comment(s)
RICHMOND, Va. — Michael Vick got a head start on a possible long prison stretch, surrendering three weeks before he was to be sentenced for his involvement in a bloody dogfighting ring.
The disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback surrendered to U.S. marshals in what his lawyer said was another step in his public repentance.
“From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance,” Billy Martin said in a statement. “Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time.”
Vick pleaded guilty in August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge after his three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities.
Federal sentencing guidelines suggest he could expect to serve a year to 18 months, but Vick, who has admitted bankrolling the Bad Newz Kennels, faces a maximum of five years in prison.
He’s scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10 on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge but worked out a deal “to voluntarily enter custody prior to his sentencing hearing,” according to a court document.
BASEBALL
Yankees keep Rivera
NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera told the New York Yankees he is accepting their $45 million, three-year offer to remain with the only major league team he’s ever pitched for.
The closer, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, gets an average salary more than $4 million above what any other reliever currently makes.
Rivera’s agreement is pending a physical. The Yankees also have a preliminary agreement on a $52.4 million, four-year contract with catcher Jorge Posada and are trying to finish off a record-setting $275 million, 10-year deal with Alex Rodriguez, who won his third AL MVP award.
Angels get Garland from ChiSox
CHICAGO — Gold Glove shortstop Orlando Cabrera was traded by the Los Angeles Angels to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland in a surprising swap of dependable players.
The deal came 12 days after the White Sox re-signed shortstop Juan Uribe to a $4.5 million, one-year contract. Now, he could wind up on the bench or with another team.
The 33-year-old Cabrera batted .301 with eight homers, 86 RBIs and a career-high 101 runs for the AL West champions this season. He also led AL shortstops in fielding percentage (.983) and won his second Gold Glove. The other came in 2001 with the Montreal Expos.
Garland, an 18-game winner in 2005 and 2006, was 10-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts this year. He joins a solid Angels rotation that includes John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Jered Weaver.
Lowell staying in Boston
BOSTON — Mike Lowell and the Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement on a $37.5 million, three-year contract, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.
The third baseman reached career highs this season with a .324 average and 120 RBIs.
Mets ink deal with Castillo
NEW YORK — The Mets completed their deal with Luis Castillo, securing an everyday second baseman.
Castillo passed his physical and finalized a $25 million, four-year contract with the Mets, who acquired him from Minnesota on July 30.
The three-time All-Star batted .296 for New York with 10 stolen bases, 20 RBIs and 37 runs in 50 games. He hit .304 with 18 RBIs and 54 runs in 85 games for the Twins.
Castillo, who had filed for free agency, gets a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $6 million in each of the next four years.
Padres finalize deal with Maddux
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres finalized a $10 million, one-year contract with Greg Maddux, who will return for at least one more season as their No. 3 starter.
Maddux, who turns 42 on April 14, agreed to terms of the deal two weeks earlier.
The right-hander will continue to pad his Hall of Fame credentials, which include 347 wins, four Cy Young Awards and a World Series championship won in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
USC adds rapper to lineup
LOS ANGELES — Lil’ Romeo is headed to Southern California to play basketball.
The teenage hip-hop performer signed a national letter of intent to attend USC on Monday at a news conference held at a posh hotel near Beverly Hills.
Lil’ Romeo, an actor and rapper whose full name is Percy Romeo Miller, is currently a senior guard at Beverly Hills High. He averaged 13.9 points and 5.6 assists last season. His father, hip-hop mogul Master P, had tryouts with two NBA teams in the 1990s.
“This is the most important thing I’ve had to do and hopefully it sends a message to kids across the country that education is more important than money,” Miller said at the news conference. “Getting a college scholarship is more important than winning an American Music Award, and I plan to be the best student-athlete I can be at USC.”
One recruiting service ranks Miller, a 6-0, 170-pounder, among the top 15 prep point guards in the country.
SOCCER
Red Bulls trade league-leading scorer
SECAUCUS, N.J. — The New York Red Bulls traded all-time leading scorer Clint Mathis to the Los Angeles Galaxy, getting a third-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
The trade sends midfielder Mathis, who turns 31 next week, back to the team where he began his pro career in 1998 and unites him with David Beckham.
Mathis, who has 46 caps with the U.S. national team, including the 2002 World Cup, had six goals and two assists in 26 games with the Red Bulls this season.
MLS title game returns to Carson
CARSON, Calif. — Next year’s Major League Soccer championship game is set for Carson, the third time the MLS Cup showdown will be played at the Home Depot Center.
The league’s 13th title game will be on Nov. 23 at the 27,000-seat stadium that serves as the home of both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.
The San Jose Earthquakes beat the Chicago Fire 4-2 in the 2003 championship in Carson, and D.C. United defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in the 2004 title game at the same site.
The disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback surrendered to U.S. marshals in what his lawyer said was another step in his public repentance.
“From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance,” Billy Martin said in a statement. “Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time.”
Vick pleaded guilty in August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge after his three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities.
Federal sentencing guidelines suggest he could expect to serve a year to 18 months, but Vick, who has admitted bankrolling the Bad Newz Kennels, faces a maximum of five years in prison.
He’s scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10 on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge but worked out a deal “to voluntarily enter custody prior to his sentencing hearing,” according to a court document.
BASEBALL
Yankees keep Rivera
NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera told the New York Yankees he is accepting their $45 million, three-year offer to remain with the only major league team he’s ever pitched for.
The closer, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, gets an average salary more than $4 million above what any other reliever currently makes.
Rivera’s agreement is pending a physical. The Yankees also have a preliminary agreement on a $52.4 million, four-year contract with catcher Jorge Posada and are trying to finish off a record-setting $275 million, 10-year deal with Alex Rodriguez, who won his third AL MVP award.
Angels get Garland from ChiSox
CHICAGO — Gold Glove shortstop Orlando Cabrera was traded by the Los Angeles Angels to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland in a surprising swap of dependable players.
The deal came 12 days after the White Sox re-signed shortstop Juan Uribe to a $4.5 million, one-year contract. Now, he could wind up on the bench or with another team.
The 33-year-old Cabrera batted .301 with eight homers, 86 RBIs and a career-high 101 runs for the AL West champions this season. He also led AL shortstops in fielding percentage (.983) and won his second Gold Glove. The other came in 2001 with the Montreal Expos.
Garland, an 18-game winner in 2005 and 2006, was 10-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts this year. He joins a solid Angels rotation that includes John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Jered Weaver.
Lowell staying in Boston
BOSTON — Mike Lowell and the Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement on a $37.5 million, three-year contract, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.
The third baseman reached career highs this season with a .324 average and 120 RBIs.
Mets ink deal with Castillo
NEW YORK — The Mets completed their deal with Luis Castillo, securing an everyday second baseman.
Castillo passed his physical and finalized a $25 million, four-year contract with the Mets, who acquired him from Minnesota on July 30.
The three-time All-Star batted .296 for New York with 10 stolen bases, 20 RBIs and 37 runs in 50 games. He hit .304 with 18 RBIs and 54 runs in 85 games for the Twins.
Castillo, who had filed for free agency, gets a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $6 million in each of the next four years.
Padres finalize deal with Maddux
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres finalized a $10 million, one-year contract with Greg Maddux, who will return for at least one more season as their No. 3 starter.
Maddux, who turns 42 on April 14, agreed to terms of the deal two weeks earlier.
The right-hander will continue to pad his Hall of Fame credentials, which include 347 wins, four Cy Young Awards and a World Series championship won in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
USC adds rapper to lineup
LOS ANGELES — Lil’ Romeo is headed to Southern California to play basketball.
The teenage hip-hop performer signed a national letter of intent to attend USC on Monday at a news conference held at a posh hotel near Beverly Hills.
Lil’ Romeo, an actor and rapper whose full name is Percy Romeo Miller, is currently a senior guard at Beverly Hills High. He averaged 13.9 points and 5.6 assists last season. His father, hip-hop mogul Master P, had tryouts with two NBA teams in the 1990s.
“This is the most important thing I’ve had to do and hopefully it sends a message to kids across the country that education is more important than money,” Miller said at the news conference. “Getting a college scholarship is more important than winning an American Music Award, and I plan to be the best student-athlete I can be at USC.”
One recruiting service ranks Miller, a 6-0, 170-pounder, among the top 15 prep point guards in the country.
SOCCER
Red Bulls trade league-leading scorer
SECAUCUS, N.J. — The New York Red Bulls traded all-time leading scorer Clint Mathis to the Los Angeles Galaxy, getting a third-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
The trade sends midfielder Mathis, who turns 31 next week, back to the team where he began his pro career in 1998 and unites him with David Beckham.
Mathis, who has 46 caps with the U.S. national team, including the 2002 World Cup, had six goals and two assists in 26 games with the Red Bulls this season.
MLS title game returns to Carson
CARSON, Calif. — Next year’s Major League Soccer championship game is set for Carson, the third time the MLS Cup showdown will be played at the Home Depot Center.
The league’s 13th title game will be on Nov. 23 at the 27,000-seat stadium that serves as the home of both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.
The San Jose Earthquakes beat the Chicago Fire 4-2 in the 2003 championship in Carson, and D.C. United defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in the 2004 title game at the same site.
The comments below are from users of theworldlink.com and do not necessarily represent the views of The World or Lee Enterprises. Participation Guidelines
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Not already registered?
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines