Sports FanFare 8/13/02

Baseball

Former All-Star catcher Darrell Porter had cocaine in his system when he died, according to autopsy results released Monday.

Porter, 50, had a level of cocaine in his system "typical of someone who uses (cocaine) recreationally," Jackson County medical examiner Dr. Thomas Young said.

Young would not be more specific, saying measurements of cocaine in the body after death can be unreliable and can vary depending on where blood is drawn. It was unclear when Porter took the drug.

Cubs first baseman Fred McGriff left Monday night's game against the Houston Astros in the fifth inning with a bruised right shin. McGriff was hit in the second inning by Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt. He stayed in the game, leaving after striking out in the fourth.

Mike Sweeney, the leading hitter in the majors with a .355 average before going on the disabled list with a lower back and left hip strain, will be activated today by the Royals.

The Blue Jays placed first baseman Carlos Delgado on the disabled list Sunday with a sore back. He's been on the disabled list one other time since being called up in 1993.

Basketball

According to a report in The Chicago Tribune the newspaper reported that USA Basketball has privately approached Michael Jordan about joining the team as it prepares to open training camp Friday in San Francisco. The team is participating in next week's FIBA World Basketball championships. Committee insiders told the Tribune they believe it is a long shot that Jordan would be interested in playing. But they approached MJ with the thought that his participation could lead to a possible appearance in the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece.

The Trail Blazers signed free agent guard Jeff McInnis to a three-year contract. Terms were not released.

Colleges

Lawyers asked a judge to keep the NCAA from sidelining Olympic moguls skier Jeremy Bloom, who wants to play football at Colorado while pursuing modeling and acting careers.

Bloom is seeking an injunction that would allow him to play for Buffaloes as a wide receiver while his lawsuit against the NCAA progresses. A decision by Boulder County District Judge Daniel Hale was expected today.

Bloom, 20, could have played with Colorado last year but put off college to compete in the Salt Lake Olympics, where he placed ninth in freestyle.

Hockey

Oilers defenseman Jason Smith was awarded a one-year,$2.3-million contract in arbitration, raising his salary nearly $800,000 over last season.

Motorsports

Actor Jason Priestley faces weeks of healing and rehabilitation but is expected to fully recover from head and spinal injuries sustained in a high-speed crash during practice for an auto race. Less than 24 hours after his car slammed into the Kentucky Speedway wall at about 180 mph, the former "Beverly Hills, 90210" television heartthrob was alert, moving his arms and legs and communicating with doctors and visitors.

Swimming

Michael Phelps shattered the American record in the 200-meter individual medley on the opening day of the U.S. National Swimming Championships. Phelps finished in 1 minute, 58.68 seconds.

-- From wire reports