FanFare 10/2/02

Baseball

Baseball players and owners signed off on their new labor contract Tuesday, approving a memorandum that outlines the agreement that avoided a strike. Union head Donald Fehr and Rob Manfred, the owners' top labor lawyer, signed the "memorandum of understanding" separately at their offices. Just before the start of the playoffs, they sent the signed copies to each other by messenger.

Right-hander Woody Williams, bothered by a sore muscle in his side, was left off the Cardinals' roster for their playoff series against the Diamondbacks. Williams tentatively was scheduled to start Game 3 Saturday in St. Louis, but he experienced soreness after throwing just a dozen pitches in a workout at Bank One Ballpark on Monday.

Dodgers outfielder Brian Jordan underwent successful surgery on his left knee and is expected to be fully recovered by the time spring training opens.

Basketball

Knicks center Kurt Thomas was ordered to stay away from his wife and home at his arraignment on charges he assaulted her during an argument over a laptop computer. Thomas did not enter a plea to charges of third-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor.

Gary Payton was a no-show as the SuperSonics opened training camp. Payton didn't attend a morning workout, and he was not on hand at the start of another practice Tuesday night. He skipped Monday's media day after calling coach Nate McMillan to say he planned to report for practice.

Colleges

Iowa basketball player Pierre Pierce pleaded innocent to a sexual assault charge and was suspended from the team pending the case's outcome, police and university officials said. Pierce, 19, of Westmont, Ill., surrendered at the Iowa City Police Department at 4 a.m. and was charged with third-degree sexual assault, Sgt. Troy Kelsay said.

Hockey

The Avalanche traded forwards Chris Drury and Stephane Yelle to the Calgary Flames for defenseman Derek Morris in a five-player deal. Colorado also got forwards Dean McAmmond and Jeff Shantz.

Hartland de Montarville Molson, former head of the family brewing dynasty and longtime owner of the Montreal Canadiens, has died at 95. A statement issued Monday by Molson Inc. announced the death but did not give a date. Molson also was a Canadian senator, but he is best known for his association with the hockey team. He was president of the Canadiens from 1957 to 1968. Before his tenure, however, he helped the team acquire future Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau.

Miscellaneous

Olympic gold medalist and Emmy Award winner Donna de Varona dropped her $50 million discrimination suit against ABC Sports and is rejoining the network. She will work as a commentator and reporter and will help ABC in its dealings with the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee.

Obituary

Ed McGah Jr., a limited partner in the Oakland Raiders' ownership group for five decades and former roommate of Ted Williams, died Monday on his 81st birthday. Along with his father E.J. McGah, a founder of the Raiders who died in 1983, McGah Jr. was an original partner in the franchise.

-- From wire reports