Sports briefs for February 16, 2004

Monday, Feb. 16, 2004 | 10:59 a.m.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the hiring of Paul DePodesta as the team's new general manager.

DePodesta, 31, has been a top assistant to Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane since joining the Athletics in 1998.

DePodesta's hiring came three days after Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt's purchase of the franchise received final approval from Major League Baseball.

DePodesta replaces Dan Evans, who was in the final year of a three-year contract. Evans interviewed for the job along with other candidates, including Philadelphia Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro.

DePodesta becomes the second-youngest general manager in baseball behind Boston's Theo Epstein, 29.

Roddick wins Siebel

No. 3-ranked Andy Roddick won his first singles title of 2004 with a 7-6 (13), 6-4 victory against Mardy Fish in the Siebel Open final at San Jose, Calif.

Shot putter positive

U.S. shot put champion Kevin Toth was identified today by the U.S. Olympic Committee as having testing positive for steroids at a meet in June at Stanford. Toth, whose throw of 74 feet, 4 1/2 inches in April was the best in the sport in 13 years, also tested positive at a meet in July. He faces a two-year ban from the sport.

Lady Rebels fall

UNLV (3-7) saw its losing streak reach four in a 3-1 loss to Wisconsin (2-3) at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park in Henderson in the finale of the 15-team UNLV Softball Classic.

Birkdale gets Open

The 2008 British Open was awarded today to Royal Birkdale in northwest England.