Briefly 12/07/03

Baseball

The Mets spent Saturday awaiting an answer from Kazuo Matsui on whether he'll accept the team's offer of a three-year contract for about $20 million, a source told The Associated Press. While the Mets thought they were on the verge of an agreement based on conversations with the shortstop's agent, Matsui hadn't signed off on the deal, a baseball official with knowledge of the negotiations said Saturday on condition of anonymity. The Mets didn't think they were likely to hear an answer until today or Monday, the official said.

Rod Beck will be back with the Padres in 2004, this time as Trevor Hoffman's setup man, after agreeing to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $1.85 million. The 35-year-old Beck considered an offer to become Colorado's closer, but returned to the Padres after they added incentives to their offer.

Colleges

Ted Roof was hired as Duke's football coach Saturday, his five-week audition turning into a full-time job. Duke athletic director Joe Alleva said Roof signed a long-term contract. He was hired over three other candidates, including former Detroit Lions coach Bobby Ross.

Zach Bruney threw four touchdown passes and Jesse Burghardt had two to lead Mount Union to a 56-10 victory over Wheaton in the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs. The Purple Raiders (12-0) have won 54 consecutive games, matching the NCAA record it set from 1996 to 1999. It will be the ninth consecutive year that Mount Union has advanced to the Division III semifinals.

Golf

Jim Furyk carded a 4-under-par 68 to win the PGA Grand Slam by eight strokes Saturday over Mike Weir. U.S. Open champion Furyk pocketed $400,000 of a $1 million purse and snapped Tiger Woods' record string of five straight victories in the exclusive 36-hole event for the winners of this year's four majors. Furyk wound up 9 under on the 7,081-yard Poipu Bay course. Weir, the first Canadian to win a major, closed with a 71 to earn $250,000. PGA champion Shaun Micheel shot a 70 to finish 10 strokes back at 145 and collect $200,000. British Open champion Ben Curtis was another shot behind after a final-round 73 and made $150,000.

Hockey

Red Wings goaltender Curtis Joseph is headed back to minors. Joseph cleared waivers Friday and has been assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's AHL affiliate.

-- From wire reports