■ Akira Ogi dies at 70
A Japanese Hall of Famer and revered manager who coached major leaguers Ichiro Suzuki and Hideo Nomo has died of respiratory failure, his former team said. Akira Ogi, most recently manager of the Pacific League's Orix Buffaloes, passed away Thursday at a hospital in his home town of Fukuoka in western Japan, Orix said in a statement. He was 70. Ogi was an infielder for the defunct Nishitetsu Lions in 1954-1967 before starting a successful coaching career. He won the Pacific League championship with the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 1989 and with Orix in 1995 and 1996, going on to clinch the Japan Series in 1996.
■ Auto racing
Toyota ends IRL affiliation
Toyota will end its affiliation with the Indy Racing League a year earlier than planned, leaving Honda as the only engine supplier for the open-wheel series next season. Toyota originally planned to withdraw from the IRL after the 2006 season. Chevrolet left after this season, and the elite Penske Racing team announced last month it would switch from Toyota to Honda, which has committed to remaining at least through 2009. Toyota said Thursday it decided to withdraw a year ahead of schedule to allow the IRL to move to a common engine for all teams next year. Jim Aust, Toyota's vice president of motorsports, said winning the 2003 Indianapolis 500 with Gil de Ferran was Toyota's greatest motorsports accomplishment.
■ Cycling
Armstrong to face trial
Lance Armstrong has been ordered to stand trial in Italy on charges of defaming cyclist Filippo Simeoni. Armstrong's lawyer in Italy, Enrico Nan, said Thursday that the seven-time Tour de France champion was indicted on Wednesday and scheduled to go to trial on March 7. Nan said Armstrong does not face jail time, but he could be fined if found guilty. Armstrong is being investigated for pursuing Simeoni during an early stage breakaway in last year's Tour de France and reportedly threatening him for testifying about doping abuse in the trial of an Italian doctor associated with Armstrong. Simeoni told an Italian court in 2002 that doctor Michele Ferrari advised him to take performance-enhancing drugs. Later, Armstrong reportedly called Simeoni a liar, and the Italian sued the American for libel.
■ Auto racing
Michelin finished with F1
French tire maker Michelin said Wednesday it was pulling out of Formula One after the 2006 season, leaving Japanese-owned Bridgestone as the sport's only tire supplier. The future of Michelin has been in doubt since seven of 10 teams pulled out of the US Grand Prix on June 19 because of concerns over the safety of their Michelin tires. Only six cars ran in that race, all equipped with Bridgestone tires. The FIA, the world governing body of motor racing, and many teams have been pressing for a single tire manufacturer as a money saving measure.
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