Sports briefs for October 5, 2004

Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2004 | 10:41 a.m.

NASCAR fine puts Earnhardt in second

Scottie Pippen, who was Michael Jordan's right-hand man on the Chicago Bulls teams that won six NBA championships during the 1990s, retired today after a 17-year career.

Pippen, 39, was limited to 23 games last season because of a chronic knee injury that required surgery. A seven-time All-Star, he had one year and $5 million remaining on a two-year deal.

Pippen has said he won't waive the salary, meaning some of the money will count against Chicago's salary cap, or team spending limit.

"This was a very difficult decision for me to retire from playing a game that has been such a great part of my life," Pippen said in a statement.

Pippen, one of the NBA's most tenacious defenders, averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists. In 1996, he was named one of the league's 50 greatest players.

Australian at night

The 2005 Australian Open will feature the first men's Grand Slam final played at night. That championship match -- in the 100th anniversary of the tournament -- will start at 7:30 p.m. local time on Jan. 30.

MAC eyes Toronto bowl

The director of the Motor City Bowl is leading an effort to start the first bowl game to be played outside of the United States since the 1937 Bacardi Bowl in Havana. The game would be played at SkyDome in Toronto and would be affiliated with the Mid-American Conference.

Seattle fires manager

Bob Melvin was fired as manager of the Seattle Mariners.