Sports briefs for October 13, 2004

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004 | 9:47 a.m.

Astros planning Caminiti tribute

Houston Astros players say they want to pay tribute to former teammate Ken Caminiti, who died in New York over the weekend.

The tribute is scheduled for Saturday's National League Championship Series game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Team officials tell the Houston Chronicle that details haven't been finalized.

Caminiti failed four drug tests during his probation for a 2002 cocaine possession conviction. He served 189 days in jail and drug treatment programs before his release earlier this month.

Chelios eyes bobsled

Detroit Red Wings defenseman and captain Chris Chelios is taking bobsled lessons from U.S. gold-medal winners Jean Racine and Vonetta Flowers with plans of making the 2006 Greek Olympic team. Chelios, 42, whose parents were born in Greece, said he was contacted by the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation after he said he was interested in learning the sport.

UConn player critical

Connecticut freshman guard A.J. Price remains in critical condition at Hartford (Conn.) Hospital more than a week after having a brain hemorrhage. Family members said was responding to therapy and slowly showing improvement.

Venus a winner

In her first match since losing last month in the fourth round of the U.S. Open, Venus Williams defeated qualifier Alina Jidkova 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.