FanFare Saturday 12/21/02

Baseball

Two of the Cardinals' minor-league affiliates have switched cities for next season, the team said Friday. The Class AA team, formerly based in New Haven, Conn., now will play in Kodak, Tenn., as the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League. The Class A team -- formerly in Woodbridge, Va., and known as the Potomac Cannons -- will play in Jupiter, Fla., as the Florida State League's Palm Beach Cardinals. New additions to the Cardinals' farm system include Tom Spencer at Triple-A Memphis, Palm Beach manager Tom Nieto, Palm Beach pitching coach Rich DeLucia and Johnson City pitching coach Al Holland.

The New York Mets agreed in principle with Cliff Floyd on a $26 million, four-year contract. Floyd must pass a physical today to make the deal official.

The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to have filled their vacancy at first base, reaching an understanding with Fred McGriff on the structure of a one-year contract.

Cubs broadcaster Ron Santo, 62, underwent surgery to have his left leg amputated below the knee, WGN-AM radio said.

Catcher Shawn Estes signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, reuniting him with manager Dusty Baker and former pitching coach Dick Pole.

The Philadelphia Phillies got right-hander Kevin Millwood from Atlanta for catcher Johnny Estrada in a cost-cutting deal for the Braves.

Ted Williams' eldest daughter dropped her objections to her siblings' decision to have the Hall of Famer's body frozen at a cryonics lab in Arizona. Bobby-Jo Williams Ferrell relented after Circuit Judge Patricia Thomas agreed to allow a $645,000 trust to be distributed equally among Ferrell, half-brother John-Henry Williams and half-sister Claudia Williams.

The San Francisco Giants signed left-handed pitcher Scott Eyre to a one-year contract and denied to offer contracts to right-handers Manny Aybar and Jay Witasick, lefty Aaron Fultz and infielders Ramon Martinez and Neifi Perez.

Colleges

Western Kentucky completed a remarkable turnaround by winning its first Division I-AA football championship, avenging an early loss by defeating McNeese State 34-14. Jon Frazier ran for two touchdowns and Jeremi Johnson caught a TD pass for Hilltoppers, who were 2-3 after a 38-13 loss to McNeese State on Sept. 28.

Former Alabama assistant coach Ronnie Cottrell has filed a lawsuit claiming he was defamed by university and NCAA officials during an investigation into the Crimson Tide football program.

Washington defensive assistant Bobby Hauck has replaced Joe Glenn as Montana's football coach.

East Carolina hired Florida assistant John Thompson to replace Steve Logan as its head football coach.

Football

The NFL will begin a program to promote diversity in league hiring practices, including modifying a rule to allow assistant coaches on playoff teams to interview for head coaching positions. The new rule to give more opportunities to minority candidates will go into effect immediately, the NFL said.

Hockey

The financially troubled Buffalo Sabres are in jeopardy of folding or leaving the city after this season unless state and local governments help out a pair of prospective buyers, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Motorsports

NASCAR driver Ken Schrader signed with BAM Racing, securing a ride for the next season just before the start of January testing. The 47-year-old Schrader, the 1985 Rookie of the Year in Winston Cup, drove the last three seasons for MB2 Motorsports, which will field cars for Jerry Nadeau in 2003.

Melling Racing suspended operations because it couldn't find a sponsor. The team has been a part of the Winston Cup Series since 1982.

-- From wire reports