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Sports Briefs: Phelps first swimmer to receive top SI honor
By The Associated Press
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 | No comments posted.
NEW YORK — Michael Phelps achieved another unprecedented feat: the first swimmer honored as Sports Illustrated’s sportsman of the year.
Phelps broke Mark Spitz’s iconic record with eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August and became the winningest Olympian ever with his 14 career victories.
Olympians in other sports have earned the award before in its 54-year history, but never a swimmer. In 1972, the year Spitz won his medals, UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and tennis great Billie Jean King were honored by the magazine.
The 23-year-old Phelps follows a more traditional winner, NFL quarterback Brett Favre. Sports Illustrated Group editor Terry McDonell called the selection of Phelps “the easiest choice I have made.”
BASEBALL
New Mets stadium will keep Citi Field name
NEW YORK — Citi Field will remain the name of the New York Mets’ new ballpark following a government bailout the team believes will help the struggling bank survive its economic crisis.
Citigroup agreed in 2006 to pay the Mets $400 million over 20 years for naming rights to the stadium, scheduled to open next year. Two New York City councilmen said last week that the $800 million ballpark’s name should be changed to Citi/Taxpayer Field.
After Citigroup’s shares lost 60 percent of their value within a week, the government agreed last month to give the company a $20 billion cash injection — following an earlier $25 billion infusion.
Signage for Citi already is visible at the ballpark, which is adjacent to Shea Stadium, and more is to come.
White Sox change spring training home
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox are leaving Tucson, taking with them their balls and bats after the Pima County Board of Supervisors accepted a $5 million buyout.
The team agreed to pay the penalty fee to the county for breaking a lease that bound them to their minor league facility, Tucson Electric Park, through 2012.
The supervisors’ 5-0 vote Tuesday means the White Sox can move in spring 2009 to a new stadium and training facility in Glendale, which the team will share with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are moving to Arizona from their longtime training facility in Vero Beach, Fla.
With the White Sox leaving, only the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies will be training in Tucson next spring.
DOPING
Mosley admits drug use
NEW YORK — “Sugar” Shane Mosley told a grand jury in 2003 that he injected himself with the doping agent EPO as he prepared for a fight against Oscar De La Hoya, according to court transcripts and doping calendars reviewed by the New York Daily News.
The transcript of the boxer’s testimony was part of a BALCO file that was under a protective order before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston decided last Wednesday to allow prosecutors to share thousands of documents with Barry Bonds’ lawyers.
Mosley has acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs but has denied knowing the drugs were banned or illegal. His attorney, Judd Burstein, told the newspaper the testimony is consistent with what his client has said publicly.
“I am very relieved that this grand jury testimony has been released because it confirms that Shane has consistently recounted his dealings with (Victor) Conte from 2003 to today,” Burstein said in a story posted on the paper’s Web site Tuesday night.
AUTO RACING
IRL series will race outside the states
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Racing League’s developmental Firestone Indy Lights series will have 15 races next season, including two in Canada for its first events outside the United States.
The Indy Lights schedule announced Tuesday includes races in Toronto on July 11 and Edmonton on July 26, both on temporary street circuits.
The race at Edmonton City Centre Airport is one of nine on the same day as IndyCar Series races, along with ones at Long Beach, Kansas, Milwaukee, Kentucky, Mid-Ohio, Infineon, Chicagoland and the second race at St. Petersburg, Fla.
The April 4 opener at St. Petersburg, along with Iowa, Watkins Glen, Toronto and the season finale at Homestead-Miami will be held on the day before the companion IndyCar race. The May 22 Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled two days before the Indy 500.
Evernham buys dirt track in North Carolina
MOORESVILLE, N.C. — NASCAR team owner Ray Evernham has bought a small North Carolina dirt track to preserve what he said is a disappearing venue for nourishing up-and-coming drivers.
Evernham announced Tuesday that he acquired the East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley from Ralph and Joanne Nantz, who opened the 3⁄8-mile dirt track in 1990. The sale price was not disclosed.
Evernham said rising property values and land development have closed many dirt tracks, which budding drivers need as a safe, low-cost place to race.
The 51-year-old Evernham won three NASCAR titles as a crew chief with Jeff Gordon. He sold most of his interest in the Gillett-Evernham Motorsports racing team last year and said he plans to retire from the sport’s top level.
Phelps broke Mark Spitz’s iconic record with eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August and became the winningest Olympian ever with his 14 career victories.
Olympians in other sports have earned the award before in its 54-year history, but never a swimmer. In 1972, the year Spitz won his medals, UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and tennis great Billie Jean King were honored by the magazine.
The 23-year-old Phelps follows a more traditional winner, NFL quarterback Brett Favre. Sports Illustrated Group editor Terry McDonell called the selection of Phelps “the easiest choice I have made.”
BASEBALL
New Mets stadium will keep Citi Field name
NEW YORK — Citi Field will remain the name of the New York Mets’ new ballpark following a government bailout the team believes will help the struggling bank survive its economic crisis.
Citigroup agreed in 2006 to pay the Mets $400 million over 20 years for naming rights to the stadium, scheduled to open next year. Two New York City councilmen said last week that the $800 million ballpark’s name should be changed to Citi/Taxpayer Field.
After Citigroup’s shares lost 60 percent of their value within a week, the government agreed last month to give the company a $20 billion cash injection — following an earlier $25 billion infusion.
Signage for Citi already is visible at the ballpark, which is adjacent to Shea Stadium, and more is to come.
White Sox change spring training home
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox are leaving Tucson, taking with them their balls and bats after the Pima County Board of Supervisors accepted a $5 million buyout.
The team agreed to pay the penalty fee to the county for breaking a lease that bound them to their minor league facility, Tucson Electric Park, through 2012.
The supervisors’ 5-0 vote Tuesday means the White Sox can move in spring 2009 to a new stadium and training facility in Glendale, which the team will share with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are moving to Arizona from their longtime training facility in Vero Beach, Fla.
With the White Sox leaving, only the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies will be training in Tucson next spring.
DOPING
Mosley admits drug use
NEW YORK — “Sugar” Shane Mosley told a grand jury in 2003 that he injected himself with the doping agent EPO as he prepared for a fight against Oscar De La Hoya, according to court transcripts and doping calendars reviewed by the New York Daily News.
The transcript of the boxer’s testimony was part of a BALCO file that was under a protective order before U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston decided last Wednesday to allow prosecutors to share thousands of documents with Barry Bonds’ lawyers.
Mosley has acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs but has denied knowing the drugs were banned or illegal. His attorney, Judd Burstein, told the newspaper the testimony is consistent with what his client has said publicly.
“I am very relieved that this grand jury testimony has been released because it confirms that Shane has consistently recounted his dealings with (Victor) Conte from 2003 to today,” Burstein said in a story posted on the paper’s Web site Tuesday night.
AUTO RACING
IRL series will race outside the states
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Racing League’s developmental Firestone Indy Lights series will have 15 races next season, including two in Canada for its first events outside the United States.
The Indy Lights schedule announced Tuesday includes races in Toronto on July 11 and Edmonton on July 26, both on temporary street circuits.
The race at Edmonton City Centre Airport is one of nine on the same day as IndyCar Series races, along with ones at Long Beach, Kansas, Milwaukee, Kentucky, Mid-Ohio, Infineon, Chicagoland and the second race at St. Petersburg, Fla.
The April 4 opener at St. Petersburg, along with Iowa, Watkins Glen, Toronto and the season finale at Homestead-Miami will be held on the day before the companion IndyCar race. The May 22 Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled two days before the Indy 500.
Evernham buys dirt track in North Carolina
MOORESVILLE, N.C. — NASCAR team owner Ray Evernham has bought a small North Carolina dirt track to preserve what he said is a disappearing venue for nourishing up-and-coming drivers.
Evernham announced Tuesday that he acquired the East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley from Ralph and Joanne Nantz, who opened the 3⁄8-mile dirt track in 1990. The sale price was not disclosed.
Evernham said rising property values and land development have closed many dirt tracks, which budding drivers need as a safe, low-cost place to race.
The 51-year-old Evernham won three NASCAR titles as a crew chief with Jeff Gordon. He sold most of his interest in the Gillett-Evernham Motorsports racing team last year and said he plans to retire from the sport’s top level.
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