Sports briefs 1/29/04

Football

Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, an NFL Hall of Famer and later the athletic director at the University of Wisconsin, died early Wednesday. He was 80. Hirsch died of natural causes at an assisted living facility, according to Wisconsin assistant AD Steve Malchow. He earned his nickname for his running style as a halfback and receiver for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams from 1949-57. His best season was 1951, when he led the NFL with 66 catches, 1,495 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns.

Tennis

Southeast Missouri State University announced Wednesday that Jackson High's Kelly Mitchell signed a letter of intent this week. Mitchell was a two-time state qualifier at Jackson.

Roger Federer and Juan Carlos Ferrero had hard-fought quarterfinal victories Wednesday to set up a semifinal showdown for the world's top ranking at the Australian Open. Federer will become No. 1 for the first time if he beats Ferrero, who needs to win the tournament to regain the top spot that he held for eight weeks last year. Current No. 1 Andy Roddick was upset by Marat Safin in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Safin was to meet defending champion Andre Agassi in a semifinal Thursday.

Golf

Fourteen-year-old golf sensation Michelle Wie accepted an invitation to play in an LPGA tournament scheduled for this summer in the French Alps, organizers of the Evian Masters announced.

Baseball

Ivan Rodriguez and the Detroit Tigers are on the verge of agreeing to a $40 million, four-year contract. Rodriguez reportedly is to be examined today by a doctor and a deal could be announced Friday.

All-Star Melvin Mora agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, avoiding salary arbitration. He was the team's lone representative to the All-Star Game last year.

Todd Zeile returned to the New York Mets on Wednesday, finalizing his $1 million, one-year contract.

n Third baseman Dean Palmer announced his retirement Wednesday. Palmer, 35, has been plagued in recent years by neck and shoulder injuries.

-- From wire reports