FanFare 12/7/02

Briefly

Baseball

Right-hander Jimmy Haynes, who rebounded from a losing season with Milwaukee to go 15-10 for Cincinnati this year, agreed Friday to a $5 million, two-year contract the Reds. The pitcher will get $2.5 million in each of the next two years and has the right to void the contract after next season.

Frank Thomas will stay in Chicago after all, agreeing with the White Sox on a one-year contract with three mutual options. Thomas had tested the free-agent market for the first time in his career after the White Sox invoked a contract clause that allowed them to defer most of his $10 million salary.

John Olerud said the $15.4 million, two-year contract he agreed to with his hometown Seattle Mariners will be his final baseball deal. The 34-year-old first baseman, coming off a $20 million, three-year contract, will be paid $7.7 million in each year of the deal.

Basketball

Mavericks forward Eduardo Najera will miss six to eight weeks after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Najera averaged 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 15 games this season, shooting a team-high 60.2 percent from the field.

Colleges

Danny Hope was hired to replace Roy Kidd as football coach at Eastern Kentucky. Hope, the offensive line coach at Louisville, played for Kidd at EKU from 1977 to '80. Kidd retired after this season.

Art Briles was hired as football coach for the University of Houston. He replaces Dana Dimel, who was fired late last month.

Hockey

The Blues placed goaltender Tom Barrasso on the injured reserve list, retroactive to Tuesday, because of back spasms. The 37-year-old Barrasso injured his back in a game against Calgary on Nov. 29. He did not skate with the team Wednesday or Thursday.

Football

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ray Lucas returned to practice and will back up Jay Fiedler against the Chicago Bears on Monday. Lucas returned to practice for the first time since injuring his shoulder in Sunday's loss to Buffalo.

Tennessee Titans end Jevon Kearse practiced with the defense, but whether he plays against the Indianapolis Colts will be a game-time decision.

Golf

Craig Kamps double-bogeyed the last hole but clung on to a one-stroke lead when he shot a 4-under 68 in the second round of the Volvo Masters of Asia.

Steve Collins shot his second straight 4-under 68 in rainy and windy conditions to take a three-shot lead in the Australian Masters.

Motorsports

Bill Elliott won NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award for the 16th time the National Motorsport Press Association said.

Casey Mears has been picked to replace Jimmy Spencer next year in the No. 41 Target/Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge. -- From wire reports