WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Ticker) — Speedway mogul Bruton Smith plans to have some extensive discussions with top NASCAR executives about changes he thinks the sanctioning body needs to make, according to a report Wednesday on the Winston-Salem Journal’s web site.
Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher will undergo surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee and will miss two to four weeks. The 35-year-old Hatcher, who had his streak of 107 consecutive games recently snapped because the knee was bothering him, said he aggravated the injury lifting weights. “I’ve had problems with it the past 10 years probably,” Hatcher said after the Flyers practiced…
Joe Torre is clearly the leading candidate to become the Los Angeles Dodgers’ next manager, but general manager Ned Colletti said Wednesday that contrary to published reports, a deal hadn’t been struck. Colletti did acknowledge he’s had contact with the former New York Yankees manager, but said Torre might not be the only candidate for the job that became vacant Tuesday when Grady Little resigned.
The St. Louis Cardinals hired John Mozeliak as their new general manager Wednesday, promoting him to replace the fired Walt Jocketty. The 38-year-old Mozeliak had been the Cardinals’ assistant GM for the last five years. He got a three-year contract. The hiring signified a stay-the-course stance for the Cardinals, coming off a disappointing 78-win season a year after winning the World Series.
The last ball from Boston’s 2007 World Series victory might not get back to the Red Sox after all. Jason Varitek caught the final strikeout Sunday night to complete a four-game sweep of Colorado, then tucked the ball in his back pocket as he ran to the mound to celebrate. Varitek said after the game that he’d give the ball to the team, but on Wednesday he said he gave it to closer Jonathan…
Boston’s World Series celebration went into extra innings Wednesday on Beacon Hill. Gov. Deval Patrick and other state officials joined hundreds of fans to again congratulate the Red Sox for their second championship in four years. The rally was the second in as many days for the Red Sox. But instead of closer Jonathan Papelbon wildly dancing through the streets of Boston on Tuesday, the Statehouse…
Mike Cameron, the Padres’ Gold Glove center fielder, was suspended for the first 25 games of next season on Wednesday after testing positive a second time for a banned stimulant. Cameron, who plans to file for free agency, said he believes he took a tainted supplement. “The one thing I wanted to make sure was explained is, no steroids,” Cameron told AM 1090, the Padres’ flagship radio station.
The Chicago White Sox on Wednesday declined club options for 2008 on infielder/outfielder Darin Erstad and left-hander Mike Myers. Erstad’s option was for $3.5 million and Myers’ was for $1.1 million’ Erstad’s one season with the White Sox was marred by injuries. He twice went to the disabled list and ended up batting .248 with four homers and 32 RBIs in 87 games.
Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud practiced as usual Wednesday despite uncertainty about his future. A newspaper and a radio station reported that Stroud is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s steroids and related substances policy. The Florida Times-Union and WJXL-AM in Jacksonville, citing anonymous sources, said Stroud tested positive for banned supplements.
Matt Schaub was still feeling the effects Wednesday of a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit against San Diego, and coach Gary Kubiak said he probably wouldn’t play Sunday against Oakland. Schaub, who has started every game for the Texans since an offseason trade with Atlanta, said his health has improved dramatically since Sunday.
