Sports briefs 7/2/04

Baseball

Kerry Wood got a scare when he was hit under the chin by a line drive Thursday while pitching his final simulated game before he hopes to go on a minor league rehab assignment next week. Wood, on the disabled list since May 12 during for a sore triceps muscle, threw a four-inning simulated game to teammates Paul Bako, Jose Macias and Tom Goodwin. Bako hit a hard liner through the middle, and Wood was able to deflect the ball with his glove and slow it down before it clipped him under the chin. He shook it off and continued his outing. If he feels OK today after his 60-pitch workout Thursday, Wood hopes to make a rehab start with Class AAA Iowa on Tuesday and then return to the Cubs' rotation for one start before the All-Star break, probably in St. Louis on July 10 or 11.

George Steinbrenner's interest in Randy Johnson could end up costing him. The commissioner's office said Thursday it was reviewing remarks the New York Yankees owner made about the Arizona ace this week to see if there was any tampering that could result in a fine. Steinbrenner has long admired Johnson, going back to when the Big Unit helped Seattle beat the Yankees in the 1995 AL playoffs. With the July 31 trade deadline approaching and the Yankees possibly looking to add another starting pitcher, Steinbrenner reiterated on radio Wednesday that he liked the Big Unit.

Olympics

The chairman of the United States Olympic Committee said Thursday that while a briefing from federal officials left him feeling optimistic about security at the Athens Games, there is no guarantee that terrorists will not strike. "I don't think there's any country or any national Olympic committee that could give absolute certainty," Peter Ueberroth said following the first meeting of the newly reorganized board of directors.

He said the board was briefed by high-level officials of federal agencies that are working with the Greek government on security issues. "The information I received gave me substantial confidence," he said.

Soccer

Greece jolted the European Championships yet again, beating the Czech Republic 1-0 in overtime Thursday on a header by Traianos Dellas. The Greeks, winless in other major soccer appearances, will play host Portugal in Lisbon on Sunday for the title. This marks the first time in 40 years a Euro final will be staged between two first-time finalists. Greece also downed defending champion France 1-0 in the quarterfinals and Portugal 2-1 in the opener. The Greeks were winless in the 1994 World Cup and the 1980 Euro championship, but they clearly are making the most of this appearance on soccer's international stage.

-- From wire reports