Sports briefs for June 10, 2003

Tuesday, June 10, 2003 | 10:47 a.m.

Spectacular Bid dies of heart attack at 27

Spectacular Bid, a steel gray colt whose drive to win the Triple Crown in 1979 was derailed by an injury caused by a safety pin on the day of the Belmont Stakes, died at 27.

He died of a heart attack Monday at Milfer Farm in upstate New York. The thoroughbred will be buried at the farm in Unadilla, N.Y., 65 miles southeast of Syracuse, according to a spokesman for the farm where he still stood at stud.

The death came two days after Funny Cide failed in a bid to win the Triple Crown.

Spectacular Bid, whose sire was Bold Bidder and dam was Spectacular, was foaled Feb. 17, 1976. He won 26 of 30 career starts.

Beckham plans to nix transfer to Barcelona

David Beckham indicated today he would reject a deal that would send the Manchester United star to Barcelona.

Beckham was upset by the agreement and has no plans to meet with Joan Laporta, who is running for president of the Barcelona club, said the player's management company, SFX.

The English and Spanish teams agreed on the transfer, but the deal was contingent on Laporta winning Sunday's election and Beckham agreeing to contract terms.

Laporta said he would be talking to Beckham as soon as the player returned from the U.S. Beckham is recovering from a broken wrist.

Man who tossed explosive sentenced

A man was sentenced to three years in prison for throwing an explosive device at Jacobs Field during a Cleveland Indians game last year.

Andrew Mendez, 21, of Elyria, Ohio, was convicted April 28 on charges of aggravated arson, assault and three counts of negligent assault by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Burt Griffin.

Prosecutors said Mendez tossed an explosive device from the upper deck of Jacobs Field on June 11, 2002.

Griese finalizes deal to play for Dolphins

Brian Griese followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Miami Dolphins, signing a two-year contract after passing a physical.

The former Denver Broncos starter will earn $530,000 in base salary this season, plus a $1 million signing bonus.