Sports briefs for January 23, 2004

Friday, Jan. 23, 2004 | 10:10 a.m.

Rose will sign book at Foxwoods casino

A few weeks after admitting he bet on baseball, Pete Rose is going to an eastern Connecticut casino to sign his new book and dine with high-rollers.

The career hits leader is to appear Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., for an invitation-only signing of his book, "My Prison Without Bars," the Day of New London and the Norwich Bulletin reported.

Foxwoods spokesman Bruce MacDonald said Rose has made several paid appearances at Foxwoods and that as many as 300 gamblers have been invited to attend.

"We're getting a strong response," MacDonald said. "Our players are interested in what Pete has to say. I think he'll get a good reception."

Rose admitted in his book, which was released earlier this month, that he bet on baseball games involving the Cincinnati Reds while managing the team in the late 1980s. He applied for reinstatement in 1997, but commissioner Bud Selig hasn't ruled.

In an interview with the Associated Press earlier this month, Rose said he hadn't been to a casino since the October fight between Evander Holyfield and James Toney. Rose said he went to the fight at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas because he is a friend of Toney's.

"That was the only time that I've been to a casino that I wasn't getting paid," Rose said. "I'm not going to fly from New York to Las Vegas or Atlantic City as enjoyment. When I go to Atlantic City, when I go to Las Vegas, it's for corporate appearances."

Counseling for Namath

Joe Namath said he will begin counseling for alcohol abuse a month after a television interview in which he slurred his words and twice told ESPN sideline reporter Suzy Kolber he wanted to kiss her.

Flyers get defenseman

The Philadelphia Flyers acquired defenseman Mattias Timander from the New York Islanders for a seventh-round choice in the 2004 draft.

Lacierva wins by TKO

Jorge Lacierva of Mexico stopped Marinho Gonzalez of Los Angeles in the third round of a scheduled 10-round featherweight fight at the Marriott Hotel in Irvine, Calif.

Jinks gets pro deal

Former UNLV women's standout Constance Jinks signed a professional contract to play for Club Arix Thivas in the Greek league.

American wins slalom

U.S. skier Daron Rahlves won the men's World Cup super giant slalom race today at Kitzbuehel, Austria.