Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Sports briefs for December 15, 2004

Rodman to play for ABA's Long Beach team

Seven-time NBA rebounding champion Dennis Rodman signed Tuesday to play two games in January with the Long Beach Jam of the American Basketball Association after being granted his release by the league's Orange County Crush.

Rodman will play homes games Jan. 23 against Utah and Jan. 28 against Tijuana.

He played the first two minutes of Orange County's 124-123 victory against Las Vegas last Thursday, several days after injuring his right hamstring in practice and a day before undergoing knee surgery.

Rodman then requested to be released by the Crush because of its problems in finding a permanent home court, his agent Darren Prince said.

Tribe signs Hernandez

Cleveland has added an infielder and brought back their closer, but their pursuit of a starting pitcher has not gone according to plan. Infielder Jose Hernandez's $1.8 million, one-year contract was finalized Tuesday, giving Cleveland a free swinger with decent power who started at four positions last season with Los Angeles. The Indians agreed to a deal with closer Bob Wickman last month and made a trade at the winter meetings, acquiring left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes from Pittsburgh for outfielder Matt Lawton.

Neagle is owed $19 million under the $51 million, five-year deal agreed to in December 2000. Colorado terminated the agreement Dec. 6, three days after the oft-injured pitcher was cited for solicitation.

Jockey Sellers retires

Jockey Shane Sellers, at the forefront of a push for better health insurance for riders, retired Tuesday, ending a career that included more than 4,000 victories and about $130 million in purses. Sellers, 38, who rode his first winner as a teenager, said he wasn't willing to jeopardize his family's future if he's seriously injured in a spill.

Pitt considers Texan

Houston Texans secondary coach Jon Hoke has emerged as an early candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy at the University of Pittsburgh. Hoke has been contacted by the school, although no interview has been scheduled, a source said. Hoke was unavailable for comment Tuesday. Pittsburgh is seeking a replacement for Walt Harris, who will leave after eight seasons to become Stanford's head coach. Harris will remain with the Panthers until after their Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl meeting with Utah. Pittsburgh is also reportedly interested in former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt, who played with the Panthers from 1970-73 and was an assistant for four seasons, including the 1976 championship season.

Cooney won't run

Gerry Cooney has taken himself out of the running to be New Jersey's next boxing commissioner. The former heavyweight would rather continue with his speaking engagements and his work with his group that helps ex-fighters get on with their lives.

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