Sports briefs for February 2, 2004

Monday, Feb. 2, 2004 | 9:30 a.m.

Pudge finally signs contract with Tigers

After weeks of fits and starts, free-agent catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez signed today with the Detroit Tigers for a reported four years and $40 million.

Rodriguez, a former American League all-star with the Texas Rangers, was the MVP of the 2003 National League Championship Series as he led the Florida Marlins into the World Series.

His signing, which was to have been announced later today at a news conference in Detroit, is the latest in a series of high-profile moves the Tigers have made in the offseason coming on the heels of a last-place finish in the American League East. They were 43-119, but won five of their last six games in 2003 to avoid the post-1900 league record for losses.

Kaye wins in Phoenix

Jonathan Kaye won the FBR Open for his second PGA Tour title, shooting a 4-under 67 to beat Chris DiMarco by two strokes. Kaye finished at 18-under 266 and earned $936,000.

Fittipaldi's team wins

A broken suspension piece cost Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and road racing ace Andy Wallace the lead with 15 minutes to go and the team of Andy Pilgrim, Terry Borcheller, Christian Fittipaldi and Forest Barber won the Rolex 24 sports-car endurance race at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Mathis leads Hannover

American Clint Mathis scored in his debut in Germany's top league, leading Hannover to a 3-2 victory against Hamburger SV.

Lady Rebels sweep

The 37th-ranked UNLV women's team improved to 3-0 with a 6-1 victory at home against Weber State. The Lady Rebels take to the road for their next matches, Feb. 13 against No. 2 Stanford and Feb. 14 against No. 3 California.