Sports briefs for January 19, 2005

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

Clemens seeking $22 million contract

After winning his seventh Cy Young Award, Roger Clemens has asked the Houston Astros for $22 million in salary arbitration, easily topping the previous high of $18.5 million by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in 2001.

Clemens, who still hasn't decided whether to pitch this year or retire, was offered $13.5 million by the Astros, who lured him out of retirement last offseason with a chance to pitch for his hometown team.

The $8.5 million difference was exactly double the previous record spread, set by the Yankees and Jeter.

If he decides to play, Clemens could have the highest salary for a pitcher in a season, topping the $17.5 million made last year by Boston's Pedro Martinez. Randy Johnson has the top salary among pitchers next year, calculated at $16.5 million, including a prorated share of the $1 million personal-services contract he signed with Arizona before he was traded to the New York Yankees.

Clemens, 42, left the Yankees after the 2003 season and intended to retire. But after former teammate Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros, Clemens was persuaded to sign with his hometown club.

He took an undermarket deal that guaranteed him $5 million, of which $3.5 million was deferred without interest until July 1, 2006. Clemens earned an additional $1,825,000 in bonuses based on his selection to the NL All-Star team and Houston's home attendance, which was more than 3.3 million, including the postseason.

Clemens had a remarkable season, going 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 218 strikeouts. As he did last winter, he says he is leaning toward retirement but hasn't ruled out playing.

"As I've said all along, we're going to wait patiently for his answer," said Astros general manager Tim Purpura. "Having Roger Clemens here is very important to the team, the city and the fans. It would be great to have Roger on board."

The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided a salary arbitration hearing with relief pitcher Greg Gagne when he agreed to a two-year, $19 million deal.

American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana asked the Minnesota Twins for a raise to $6.8 million in salary arbitration. The Twins offered $5 million.

Crowton finds work

Former BYU coach Gary Crowton joined Oregon coach Mike Bellotti's staff as offensive coordinator.

A jury in Hackensack, N.J., awarded $60 million to the family of a girl paralyzed in a car wreck caused by a drunken football fan headed home from a game at Giants Stadium in 1999.

Hopkins gets fight

Undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, who turned 40 on Saturday, agreed to try for his 19th successful title defense Feb. 19 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles against Howard Eastmann (40-1, 34 KOs), the WBC's second-ranked contender behind Felix Trinidad.

Adidas pays $351 million

Adidas-Solomon, the world's second-largest sporting good maker, agreed to pay $351 million to FIFA, soccer's ruling body, to sponsor the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments.

IRL team adds driver

Czech driver Tomas Enge was hired to ride full time on the IRL circuit for Panther Racing.