■ Baseball
Taiwan star joins Mariners
Chen Yung-chi (陳鏞基), a middle infielder from Taiwan, agreed on Thursday to a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. Chen, 20, is the second Taiwanese player to sign with the Mariners, following Wu Chao-kuan (武昭關). Chen was the youngest member of the Taiwan team which qualified for the 2004 Olympics. Chen was also selected as an all-star shortstop for his play in Taipei's NBC World Series Championship title in Wichita, Kansas, hitting .405 with 11 RBIs and 17 hits.
PHOTO: REUTERS
■ Soccer
Van Nistelrooy signs deal
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has signed a contract which will keep him at Manchester United until June 30, 2008, the club said on Thursday. No financial details were immediately available for the deal, which follows manager Alex Ferguson's agreement on Wednesday to sign a one-year rolling contract from June 2005. Van Nistelrooy, one of the top scorers in the premier league with 14 goals so far this season, joined the English champions for ?19 million ($34.46 million) in 2001.
■ Soccer
Leeds players cut wages
Leeds United players have agreed a wage deferral of more than 20 percent to help the club in its bid to survive until the end of the season, players' union chief Gordon Taylor said on Thursday. Leeds, who are ?80 million (US$145.7 million) in debt, had have been given until 5pm yesterday to secure funds and are facing financial administration if they fail. The premier league club said later it was seeking an extension of its "standstill arrangements" with creditors until the end of the season. The Leeds players, some of whom earn more than ?50,000 pounds a week, are the first from a top division club in England to agree to wage deferrals.
■ Cricket
Autographed bats stolen
Australian cricket authorities appealed to the public yesterday for help in catching thieves who stole a batch of prized autographed cricket bats. The 43 stolen bats were signed by Australian and international sides from matches dating back a decade, including the 1999 World Cup won by Australia, Cricket Australia said. Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the theft of the bats from a Melbourne storage facility was discovered in August and police had failed to track down the culprits. "We understand the police have several leads in their investigation, which has been progressing since August last year, but we are appealing to members of the public to come forward."
■ Soccer
Best on drink-drive charge
Former Manchester United great George Best was arrested for drink driving early yesterday, police said. "He's been charged with driving while over the alcohol limit. He will be appearing at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Monday," a police spokeswoman said. She said the arrest took place shortly after midnight in Merton in London. Best, 57, one of the most gifted forwards to play the game and part of the Manchester United side which won the 1968 European Cup, has attracted controversy due to alcohol problems in recent years. He underwent a liver transplant after years of alcohol abuse. Last month he spent Christmas night in jail over an alleged assault but was freed without charge.
■ Soccer
Gazza crashes car
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has walked away unhurt after crashing his car into a parked van, police said yesterday. A Northumbria police spokeswoman said 36-year-old "Gazza" swerved to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle and crunched his car into the back of a delivery truck. The accident happened on Thursday afternoon near his home in Tyne and Wear, northeast England. Newspapers showed pictures of Gascoigne's black BMW, its front end completely demolished. "I just ran into the back of the van. I'm fine but I am a bit shaken up," he told The Sun newspaper.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely