Sports briefs 10/30/03

Baseball

Four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux filed for free agency on Wednesday, perhaps signaling the end of his 11-year stint with the Braves. Maddux was the third prominent member of the Braves to file for free agency, following outfielder Gary Sheffield and catcher Javy Lopez. This season, Maddux went 16-11 with a 3.96 ERA, becoming the first pitcher in baseball history to win at least 15 games in 16 consecutive seasons.

Rick Down is out as the Yankees' hitting coach, the first move in what figures to be a tumultuous offseason for a team that came within two wins of the World Series title. Down was told he will not be asked to return next season, a Yankees official said on condition of anonymity.

President Bush signed legislation awarding Congress' highest honor to Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson more than half a century after the former Brooklyn Dodger broke major league baseball's color barrier. Congress voted to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Robinson earlier this month, recognizing his achievements in sports, civil rights and business.

Boxing

Oscar De La Hoya is not through with boxing or Sugar Shane Mosley quite yet. "I'm definitely going to fight again, that's for sure," De La Hoya said. "I will box again. There will definitely be a rematch with Mosley." Six weeks after losing the WBA and WBC 154-pound titles to Mosley, De La Hoya said he wanted a chance to reverse that outcome. He had said before the fight that he would retire if he lost.

Football

Quarterback Brian Griese will start for the second consecutive week for the Dolphins when they play Indianapolis on Sunday. Griese made his season debut against San Diego on Monday night, throwing for 192 yards and three touchdowns in Miami's 26-10 win. "Right now he gives us the best chance to win," coach Dave Wannstedt said.

Bears running back Anthony Thomas says he's fully recovered from a foot injury that sidelined him for two games and he expects to be in the lineup this Sunday. Thomas practiced on Wednesday for the first time since injuring the foot two weeks ago in a 20-13 loss at New Orleans.

Marques Tuiasosopo will start at quarterback for the Raiders on Sunday at Detroit in place of injured Rich Gannon. Gannon, the reigning NFL MVP, was listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury. The Raiders still haven't said how severely the 37-year-old Gannon is hurt. Gannon was injured in the Raiders' 17-10 loss to Kansas City on Oct. 20 and hasn't thrown a pass since.

After watching his team get off to a miserable start without its best player, Falcons coach Dan Reeves wants Michael Vick back on the field now. No way, says Vick, who insists he won't come back until his broken leg is totally healed. And, in the first firm timetable on his return, Vick said he'll probably make his debut Dec. 7 against Carolina -- much longer than the projected recovery period.

-- From wire reports