FanFare 12/13/02

Baseball

Todd Walker became Boston's regular second baseman Thursday when he was obtained from the Cincinnati Reds in Theo Epstein's first trade as the general manager of the Red Sox. Walker, only seven months older than the 28-year-old Epstein, replaces Rey Sanchez, who became a free agent after not being offered arbitration. Boston gave up two minor leaguers for Walker, who has a .292 batting average in seven seasons with Minnesota, Colorado and Cincinnati.

The San Diego Padres reacquired infielder Homer Bush, agreeing to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. The Padres picked Bush in the seventh round of the June 1991 draft. He was at Triple-A when he was sent to the New York Yankees as part of the Hideki Irabu deal in 1997.

Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras asked the commissioner's office to declare him a free agent, saying he had established residency in Mexico.

Colleges

Five former University of Missouri athletes will be inducted next month into the school's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, the school said. They are: Ron Coleman, who as a guard on the men's basketball team from 1965-67; Chris Garlich, who played football in 1975-78; Erik McMillan, who played football from 1984-87; Harry Smith, who coached football in 1941 and 1952-66; and Barb Wright, who played softball from 1994 -97 and became the school's first-ever all-America in that sport in 1997.

Penn State's Larry Johnson ran away with the Maxwell and Doak Walker awards during the college football awards show. The senior tailback won the Maxwell as the nation's best all-around player and the Doak Walker as the nation's top running back.

Alabama's coaching search is in a holding pattern, with New Orleans Saints assistant coach Mike Riley reportedly mulling an offer to return to his alma mater. School officials offered the job to Riley on Wednesday, according to The Tuscaloosa News and The Birmingham News.

Nebraska picked Joe Selig as its interim athletic director. Selig will take the position Monday. He replaces Bill Byrne, who accepted the same job at Texas A&M last week.

South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt ended speculation about his future, signing a five-year, $2.8 million extension. Leavitt, who launched South Florida's program in 1996, is 44-22 in six seasons. The Bulls were 9-2 this year, their second in Division I-A, and will enter Conference USA next season.

Football

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss pleaded guilty to two minor traffic charges related to a traffic altercation in September. Two other traffic counts and a marijuana charge were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Moss, who did not appear in court, was ordered to pay $1,200 in fines and sentenced to 30 days in jail by Hennepin County District Judge Mark Wernick.

Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis withdrew as a candidate for the Michigan State coaching job.

Obituary

Dallas Cowboys broadcasting director John Chang died Thursday, one day after having a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 38. Chang joined the club in 1991 as an editor and videographer. He became director of television before the 1993 season and was promoted to director of broadcasting last year.-- From wire reports

Correction

Jacob Priday of Sikeston was chosen for the Class 4 all-state defensive team as a linebacker. His name was omitted from a story in Thursday's edition.

The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.