Sports briefs 1/30/04

Baseball

The $430 million sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers from News Corp. to Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt was unanimously approved Thursday by baseball owners. The price is the second-highest for a baseball team, trailing only the $660 million paid for the Boston Red Sox two years ago.

Jose Mesa, who lost his closer's job with the Phillies late last season after struggling to retire batters with men on base, agreed Thursday to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

College

Louisville coach Rick Pitino returned and resumed his coaching duties Thursday after a two-day medical leave. Pitino, 51, underwent tests at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday and Wednesday to determine the cause of a "urological pain" that's persisted in his left side for months.

Utah basketball coach Rick Majerus , who has a history of heart problems, spent Wednesday in a California hospital after suffering chest pains and plans to retire at the end of the season. Majerus, 55, was released from a hospital in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Wednesday night. He may coach the team again if his health allows. If he doesn't, he'll finish with a career record of 422-147 in 20 seasons, going 323-95 since taking over the Utes in 1989. Assistant Kerry Rupp will coach the Utes in the interim, starting with Saturday's home game against state-rival BYU.

Kansas women's basketball coach Marian Washington said she is taking a medical leave of absence, effective immediately. Washington, who did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding her leave, is in her 31st year at Kansas, with a 559-356 record. She will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame later this year.

A prosecutor claims sex parties have been used to lure football recruits to the University of Colorado and police may have helped cover up problems that include the alleged rapes of three women. In testimony given for a civil rights lawsuit against the school, Boulder County District Attorney Mary Keenan said the athletic department resisted demands to halt the parties. A campus police officer said one recruit told him sex was part of "what you get when you come to Colorado."

Golf

Scott Verplank, never known for distance off the tee, had no problem with the newly lengthened course at the FBR Open. Verplank solved the TPC of Scottsdale's puzzles with an 8-under 63 Thursday to lead the former Phoenix Open by one stroke over late-charging Phil Mickelson. Mickelson, four days removed from his victory at the Bob Hope, had six of his eight birdies after the turn and carded a 64.

Hockey

Rangers star Eric Lindros traveled to Montreal on Thursday to be examined after sustaining the eighth concussion of his career. Lindros was to be checked by Dr. Karen Johnston, a neurological specialist. Lindros was injured Wednesday night in New York's 2-1 loss to Washington when he took a hard hit from Jason Doig in the second period.

Tennis

Defending champion Andre Agassi was beaten in the Australian Open semifinals, losing to Marat Safin in five sets. Agassi, bidding for his ninth Grand Slam title, fell 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6), 5-7, 1-6, 6-3 to an opponent who ousted top-ranked Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals. Safin next meets the winner of second-seeded Roger Federer and Juan Carlos Ferrero, a showdown for the No. 1 ranking. Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters will play for the women's No. 1 spot. Henin-Hardenne downed No. 32 Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia 6-2, 6-2, and Clijsters eliminated No. 22 Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, 6-2, 7-6 (2).

-- From wire reports