■ Baseball
NY Yankees sign Pavano
Right-hander Carl Pavano and the New York Yankees finalized their US$39.95 million, four-year contract on Wednesday. Pavano, who turns 29 on Jan. 8, was among the most sought-after free-agent pitchers. He told his agent, Scott Shapiro, on Dec. 11 to work out a contract with the Yankees. "I know the team I'm going to have behind me is going to be competitive every year," Pavano said. He joins holdovers Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown on a rebuilt Yankees rotation. New York also has a preliminary agreement with free agent Jaret Wright and is trying to acquire Randy Johnson from Arizona in a trade that likely would send Javier Vazquez to the Diamondbacks or another team. Pavano was 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA for Florida last season.
■ Tennis
Aussies choose captain
Former Davis Cup player John Alexander was selected Friday as Australia's Fed Cup team for 2005, taking over from Evonne Goolagong Cawley who retired in November after three years. Alexander, the first man since Neale Fraser in 1978 to head the women's team, will be looking to guide the Australian team back into main world group. The team was knocked out of the world group in July after losing a playoff to Thailand. His first matches in charge will be the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I round-robin competition in April.The youngest player to compete in Davis Cup for Australia, Alexander represented Australia in 41 matches from 1968 to 1980 and reached a career high ranking of No. 8 in singles. He has been a television commentator in recent years.
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