Sports news briefs for July 5, 2002

Friday, July 5, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.

Cubs fire Don Baylor, promote Iowa's Kimm

The Chicago Cubs fired manager Don Baylor today and promoted Bruce Kimm from triple-A Iowa as interim manager, team spokesman Jesse Navarro said.

Also, assistant general manager Jim Hendry is being promoted to general manager.

The team planned a news conference in Atlanta at 2 p.m. PDT to discuss the moves, Navarro said.

The Cubs lost to the Braves 5-1 Thursday to fall to 34-49, 12 1/2 games out of first place in the NL Central.

Baylor's job had been the subject of intense speculation recently in Chicago. The team had been expected to contend for a pennant, but many of its veteran players are having a poor season.

Chinese planning

to build F1 track

Shanghai is planning to build China's first Formula One track by the 2004 racing season.

German architects have been signed up to design and build the track and F1's owners have promised to include Shanghai on the 2004 tour.

Shanghai's government and state corporations are backing the estimated $400 million construction cost. The stadium would have 50,000 seats.

Design and construction of the project, to be called the Shanghai International Circuit Stadium, will be by Stuttgart-based Tilke Engineers and Architects. The firm has built F1 tracks in Bahrain and Malaysia.

Hudson home crime suspect surrenders

A man surrendered to police in Maitland, Fla., in the shooting death of a 20-year-old during a robbery at the home of Orlando Magic guard Troy Hudson.

Kenthaddeus Taylor, 25, was charged with second-degree murder and attempted home invasion after he told investigators that he was involved in the shooting death Sunday of Carrick Reid, said Lt. Gary Calhoun, a Maitland police spokesman.

Hudson was not at the house during the robbery and shooting.

Accused S. Williams stalker is released

A German man accused of stalking Serena Williams in at least five countries was released from custody following his arrest outside the gates to Wimbledon. Albrecht Stromeyer, 34, was in court charged with breaching the peace and criminal damage following an altercation with police at the All England Club on Wednesday. Stromeyer told police he "loved" Williams "but will never hurt her."

U.S. to play MLS stars

In its first game since the World Cup, the U.S. team will play against Major League Soccer's top players in the MLS All-Star game at Washington's RFK Stadium on Aug. 3.