Saturday FanFare 6-14-03

Briefly

Baseball

Right-handed reliever Ryan Wagner agreed to a $1.4 million bonus Friday with the Reds, who think the first-round draft pick could be in the majors before the end of the season. Wagner, a sophomore at the University of Houston, was the 14th overall pick in the June 3 draft. He went 6-5 with a 1.93 ERA in 79.1 innings with 15 saves and a school-record 148 strikeouts. He'll start at Double-A Chattanooga with high expectations.

The Cubs gave first-round draft pick Ryan Harvey a $2.4 million signing bonus. Harvey, a high school player from Dunedin, Fla., was the sixth overall pick in the June 3 draft. He hit .463 with 10 extra-base hits and 14 RBIs.

Sammy Sosa did not accompany the Chicago Cubs to Toronto for their three-game series against the Blue Jays. Cubs manager Dusty Baker said Sosa will be able to get more work done in Chicago than on the road, where teams are only allowed 40 minutes to hit on the field.

Ralph Nelson has resigned as vice president of umpires in the commissioner's office. Nelson's resignation was confirmed by Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president of labor relations. Manfred said Nelson resigned for personal reasons.

Colleges

Lawyers for University of Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel said he will fight to save his job. Washington athletic director Barbara Hedges announced Thursday that she was firing Neuheisel for gambling on the past two NCAA basketball tournaments and for initially being dishonest with NCAA investigators about his involvement. Neuheisel maintains he didn't realize he was breaking NCAA rules by gambling in a pool with friends and neighbors.

Southern University second baseman Rickie Weeks won the Dick Howser Award as the nation's best college baseball player. The All-American led the nation in hitting the last two seasons with averages of .495 and .479, respectively.

Football

Augmenting their experience and depth at quarterback with training camp only five weeks away, the Packers have agreed to terms with former Bengal Akili Smith as a free agent, general manager/coach Mike Sherman announced.

Running back Thomas Jones was traded by Arizona to Tampa Bay, marking the departure of another of the Cardinals' numerous draft disappointments. Arizona got second-year wide receiver Marquise Walker in return.

Golf

Annika Sorenstam didn't need a practice round to recognize a swamped golf course. Seeking her third win in a row on tour, Sorenstam shot a 1-under-par 71 and was three shots behind leader Minny Yeo after the opening round of the rain-delayed Giant Eagle LPGA Classic.

Motorsports

Four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon reached a divorce settlement that guarantees his former wife at least $15.3 million. Brooke Gordon waived alimony and will get the money from the sale of two properties, including the couple's oceanfront home in Highland Beach, according to court documents.

Tennis

Andre Agassi is No. 1 again, much to his own surprise. Agassi beat Belgian Xavier Malisse, 6-4, 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the $960,000 Stella Artois and regained the No. 1 ranking when top seed Lleyton Hewitt of Australia was knocked off by France's Sebastien Grosjean, 6-3, 6-4.