Matt Williams linked to HGH investigation
Former major-leaguers Matt Williams and Ismael Valdez purchased performance-enhancing drugs in 2002 from a Florida anti-aging clinic that was raided in February as part of an investigation by the Albany, N.Y., district attorney into alleged illegal drug sales, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday. Power-hitting outfielder Jose Guillen bought nearly $20,000 worth of steroids and human growth hormone from 2003-05, newspaper said.
Major League Baseball began testing for steroids in 2003. HGH was banned in January 2005.
The Chronicle received details of the players' orders in records from a source the newspaper didn't identify. Those records contained shipping and purchase orders, payment information, Social Security numbers and birthdates, the paper said.
MORE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox finalized an $8 million one-year contract that keeps the star right-hander with the World Series champions next season. The agreement provides for him to make an additional $5 million in bonuses and match his 2007 salary: $3 million in performance bonuses based on innings pitched and $2 million based on weight clauses. Also, David Ortiz had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to participate fully in spring training in February . . . Greg Maddux and the Padres agreed to a $10 million one-year contract. . . . Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman broke a bone in his left wrist while swinging a bat last weekend and is scheduled to have surgery today. . . . The Florida Marlins have agreed to accept the Orange Bowl as a site for a new ballpark if a financial deal can be worked out, acceding to the wishes of county and city officials. . . . Pitcher Paul Byrd, whose admitted use of human growth hormone served as a backdrop to the end of Cleveland's season, had his $7.5 million club option for 2008 picked up by the Indians. . . . Sam Perlozzo returned to the Seattle Mariners as third base coach, completing Manager John McLaren's revamped staff.
Klitschko close to deal
IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko and WBO titleholder Sultan Ibragimov hope to wrap up negotiations this week for a bout to unify two of the four heavyweight world titles. Leon Margules, Ibragimov's promoter and lawyer, told Germany's Die Welt newspaper the fighters expect to sign this week to fight on Feb. 23 in New York.
Henin advances at Sony
Top-ranked Justine Henin began her title defense at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory over Anna Chakvetadze in Madrid, Spain. Maria Sharapova returned from a nearly three-week absence to beat Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 7-5 in the red group. It was the sixth-ranked Russian's first win since Aug. 31. Second-ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova continued to struggle against Ana Ivanovic, who won her third straight over Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.
Preds hold to tryout
The Orlando Predators will hold their final tryout camp of the year at 8 a.m. this Saturday at Thunder Field, adjacent to the Citrus Bowl. There is a $60 registration fee, and participants should wear shorts, a T-shirt and cleats. The coaches are looking at filling all positions, with an emphasis on fullbacks, linebackers and offensive linemen. Meanwhile, the team signed FB Odie Armstrong, DB Dion Byrum and WR Roosevelt Kiser.
No Vegas for Champ Car
The Champ Car's Vegas Grand Prix will not return in 2008. Race officials said they were unable to find a new promoter to replace Phoenix-based DDB Ventures, which hosted the inaugural Las Vegas race last Easter weekend.
"That term 'resignation' is not in our vocabulary."
-- Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan, more or less saying that if interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne wants him out, he'll have to fire him
Number of Gold Gloves for Padres pitcher Greg Maddux, breaking a tie with Baltimore 3B Brooks Robinson and pitcher Jim Kaat for the most Gold Gloves.
Magic Johnson, who helped the Los Angeles Lakers to 5 NBA championships, announces he has tested positive for the AIDS virus and is retiring.
Nebraska fans must really be losing their minds. Big 12 teams are now beating up on them the way they used to pummel their opponents.
Anna Chakvetadze
Big 12 Conference