FanFare 7/2/03

Briefly

Baseball

Roberto Alomar was traded by the Mets to the White Sox, ending a disappointing 1 1/2-year stay in New York in which he failed to live up to his elite billing. The White Sox sent New York minor league pitchers Royce Ring and Edwin Almonte and infielder Andrew Salvo.

Mike Lowell won't be leaving his hometown team anytime soon. Florida's third baseman, who grew up in Miami, went to college there at Florida International and whose Cuban roots add to his local popularity, was told by team officials he will not be traded this season.

The Boston Red Sox will now have one closer. Red Sox manager Grady Little said that Byung-Hyun Kim will be moved from the rotation into the closer's role.

Outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds, released last month by the Brewers, signed a minor-league contract with the Giants.

The Rockies placed right-hander Shawn Chacon on the 15-day disabled list and activated right-hander Denny Stark off the 60-day DL. Chacon, the NL leader in wins with 11, has experienced soreness in his pitching elbow in his last three starts.

Basketball

Larry Harris was hired as general manager of the Bucks, two days after the team released Ernie Grunfeld. Harris, formerly Grunfeld's assistant, has spent 12 seasons with the Bucks in the player development departm

As the free-agent negotiating period began, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced a different kind of deal -- a three-year contract extension for Don Nelson to remain as coach. Nelson already was under contract as general manager through 2005-06. Now he'll keep both jobs that long, continuing a double duty he began in the 1997-98 season.

Colleges

Washington athletic director Barbara Hedges rejected suspended football coach Rick Neuheisel's plea to keep his job and said she was terminating his employment. Neuheisel's lawyer, Bob Sulkin, said his client would appeal to another university executive, vice president Norm Arkans. Neuheisel has until Monday to make that final appeal to the university.

The date of the Iowa State-Missouri football game has moved back four weeks to allow the game to be televised on ABC. The game, at Columbia, was originally scheduled for Nov. 1. It will now be played Nov. 29. Kickoff will be at noon. Nov. 29 had been scheduled as an open date for both teams.

Cycling

The United States Postal Service Pro Cycling Team announced its lineup for this weekend's Tour de France, with seven of the eight teammates that helped Lance Armstrong win his fourth consecutive Tour de France last year back again. Armstrong and the United States Postal Service Pro Cycling Team will attempt to make history with a fifth straight Tour title. Joining Armstrong on the start line in Paris Saturday will be Russian Viatcheslav Ekimov, Spaniards Roberto Heras, Manuel Beltran and Jose Luis Rubiera, Americans George Hincapie and Floyd Landis, Pavel Padrnos of the Czech Republic and Colombian Victor Hugo Pena. Beltran, a mid-season addition to the team, replaces Luxembourger Benoit Joachim from last year's Tour roster.

Hockey

Mark Messier had his rights traded from the Rangers to the Sharks for future considerations, the teams announced. The deal was consummated before Tuesday at midnight EDT, when eligible players became free agents.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Jeff Hackett to a two-year contract.

The Avalanche acquired defenseman Karlis Skrastins from the Predators for future considerations. The trade came with Colorado anticipating the loss of defenseman Greg de Vries, an unrestricted free agent.

General manager Glen Sather will again coach the Rangers because he was unable to find a suitable replacement.

Obituary

Gary Lane, a three-year starter at quarterback for Missouri in the 1960s and an NFL referee for 18 seasons, has died. He was 60. Lane died Friday in St. Louis, according to his son-in-law, Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny, who is married to Lane's daughter, Kristin. A cause of death was not disclosed. Lane became the starter for Missouri in 1963 and led the Tigers to a victory in the 1966 Sugar Bowl over Florida and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Steve Spurrier. Lane was a backup for three seasons in the NFL, two with Cleveland and one with the Giants.

Soccer

England captain David Beckham signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid to complete his move from Manchester United.

Verbatim

Steve Rosenbloom, Chicago Tribune: "Government figures revealed America's birthrate fell to a record low last year. Officials attribute it to fewer teen pregnancies, an aging population and an all-consuming interest in video games by NBA players."