Sports briefs 12/10/03

Baseball

The Anaheim Angels took one of the top pitchers off the free-agent market on Tuesday, agreeing to a four-year contract with Bartolo Colon. Anaheim had offered a deal worth about $48 million, four-year contract, one baseball official familiar with the negotiations had said Monday. Colon was only 15-13 with a 3.87 ERA this year, but he's coveted for his durability and consistency. He's a 20-game winner who has reached double-digit victories in six straight seasons.

The Kansas City Royals added a pair of free agents, agreeing to a $5 million, two-year contract with reliever Scott Sullivan and a $1 million, one-year deal with outfielder Matt Stairs. And Kansas City isn't done, yet. Benito Santiago and the Royals were close to agreement on a $4.3 million, two-year contract. A nine-year veteran, Sullivan, 32, was a combined 6-0 with a 3.66 ERA for Cincinnati and the Chicago White Sox last season. Stairs, 35, batted .292 for Pittsburgh last season with 20 homers and 57 RBIs.

Former San Francisco Giants closer Tim Worrell agreed to a $5.5 million, two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Worrell, 36, was 4-4 with a 2.87 ERA and 38 saves in 45 chances for the NL West champion Giants last year. He took over as San Francisco's closer after three-time All-Star Robb Nen had season-ending shoulder surgery in May.

Eddie Guardado and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a contract that guarantees the closer $13 million over three years. Guardado, who had 41 saves in 45 chances for Minnesota last season, became the first player to agree to a deal among the 25 offered arbitration Sunday by their former clubs. Guardado, 33, had been with the Twins since 1993.

John Thomson agreed to a two-year contract with Atlanta, two days after the Braves parted with longtime ace Greg Maddux. Thomson was 13-14 with a 4.85 ERA last season with the Texas Rangers, establishing career highs in wins, starts (35), innings pitched (217), strikeouts (136) and complete games (three). In his final 18 starts, he was 9-5 with a 3.89 ERA.

The San Diego Padres strengthened their bullpen when Japanese right-hander Akinori Otsuka agreed to a two-year deal worth just under $2 million. Otsuka, 31, converted 17 of 18 save opportunities with the Chunichi Dragons last year and has 132 career saves.

Basketball

The judge in the Kobe Bryant case rejected a prosecution motion to seal all court filings related to evidence in the high-profile sexual assault case. Instead, state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle said, attorneys can file motions about Bryant and his accuser that leave sensitive details to be filed separately under seal.

Hockey

The Detroit Red Wings recalled Curtis Joseph from Grand Rapids of the AHL, less than a week after they sent the veteran goaltender to the minors for the second time this season. Joseph is back with the Red Wings, who have been trying to trade him for months, because Dominik Hasek will be out through the week after aggravating a groin injury against Los Angeles on Monday.

Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios will miss three to four weeks with a sprained right knee and was placed on injured reserve. Chelios was hurt when he was checked by Los Angeles' Mike Cammalleri in Detroit's 3-2 overtime win Monday. The Red Wings also put Steve Thomas on injured reserve Tuesday because he is expected to be out five to six weeks with an injured left knee. Thomas is scheduled to have surgery Thursday.

Miscellaneous

Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon and Kansas City Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil were honored by Sporting News on Tuesday with the Sportsman of the Year award. McKeon, 73, became the oldest manager in baseball history to lead a team to a World Series title, after a remarkable midseason turnaround. Vermeil was chosen on the strength of Kansas City's start this season. The Chiefs (11-2) clinched a playoff berth Sunday despite a 45-27 loss at Denver.

Soccer

The president of the Perugia soccer team finally has decided on the woman he wants to become the first female player in Italy's top league: Birgit Prinz, who helped lead Germany to a Women's World Cup title. Prinz is one of three finalists for FIFA's World Player of the Year award. Before this season, Gaucci signed Saadi Gadhafi, son of the Libyan leader. Gadhafi had never before played in a league outside Libya and currently is suspended for a drug offense. Previously, Gaucci was interested in signing a Swedish woman, although Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson rejected his offers.

Track and field

Pole vaulter Chase Shealy was barred from competition for two years after testing positive for amphetamine during a competition. Shealy, 18, of Cayce, S.C., tested positive at the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 21, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Tuesday. He had taken a prescription medication that contained amphetamine, the agency said.

Area digest

Connell cards hole in one at Dalhousie Golf Club

Dalhousie Golf Club director of golf Jack Connell carded a hole in one Sunday at his home course, the ninth of his career.

Connell used a 5-iron to ace No. 5, a 155-yard par 3. Witnesses to the shot were Cord Dombrowski, Kevin Ford, Mark McDowell and Neil Prater.

-- From staff, wire reports