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■ BASEBALL

Pitcher Johnny Podres dies

Johnny Podres, who pitched the Brooklyn Dodgers to their only World Series title with a seventh-game gem over arch-rival New York Yankees in 1955, died on Sunday at age 75. A hospital spokesman confirmed the passing of Podres, who was only 23 when he hurled an eight-hit 2-0 shutout in the 1955 World Series decider over the Yankees, the Bronx-based rivals who won five prior Series over Brooklyn. But after southpaw Podres made the Dodgers the first team to win a World Series after dropping the first two games, the joy was short-lived. Just two years later, the Dodgers would move to Los Angeles. Podres also pitched for San Diego and Detroit.

■ BASEBALL

Cameron finalizes contract

Suspended outfielder Mike Cameron and the Milwaukee Brewers finalized a US$7 million, one-year contract on Monday. The sides reached an agreement Friday that was subject to 35-year-old Cameron passing a physical. "Mike has a rare combination of defense, power and baserunning along with the ability to work the count," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "He is also a leader in the clubhouse." A three-time Gold Glove winner, Cameron hit .242 with 21 home runs and 78 RBIs last season for the San Diego Padres.

■ BASKETBALL

Mourning's future in doubt

Alonzo Mourning's NBA future was cast further in doubt on Monday after the Miami Heat posted then removed a story on their Web site saying he was calling it quits. Mourning had said before the season this would be his last but the campaign came to a premature end on Dec. 19 when he tore the patella tendon and quadriceps tendon in his right knee. The injury came as Mourning ran down the court and landed under the rim to position himself to block a shot in the first quarter of an eventual 117-111 Miami overtime loss to Atlanta.

■ BASKETBALL

Nuggets quiet on Nene

The Denver Nuggets remained silent on Monday on the medical condition that has sidelined Nene. Coach George Karl indicated they are preparing to be without him for some time. The Brazilian forward took an indefinite leave of absence on Friday. "I was hurt and saddened by the news," Karl said without elaborating. "Now the support and strength of the team to give to him is important." Nene, who is averaging 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds, missed 22 games earlier this season after undergoing left thumb surgery. The Nuggets, citing privacy laws, have gone along with Nene's decision to remain quiet on his condition. "He's a very private person. He's a very quiet person," Karl said before Monday's game against Charlotte.

■ CYCLING

Man convicted over death

An Italian man was convicted on Monday over the cocaine death of former Tour de France champion Marco Pantani and sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison, the Italian news agency ANSA said. Four people were arrested for allegedly selling drugs to the 34-year-old Italian cyclist, who died in February 2004 in a hotel room in the Adriatic resort town of Rimini. Three of the four had entered plea bargains in the case and have already served their sentences. Fabio Carlino was convicted in a separate trial of unintentionally causing death as a consequence of drug dealing, ANSA reported late Monday. Police have said that the defendants were identified by monitoring telephone conversations.

■ SOCCER

Bangura avoids deportation

Watford midfielder Al Bangura has won his fight to avoid deportation from Britain after a government work permit hearing found in his favor on Monday. Bangura was desperate to avoid being deported to his native Sierra Leone, where he feared his life would be in danger from a witchcraft cult. The 19-year-old fled the west African country when he was 15 because he feared his father's links to a voodoo sect would put his life in danger. Bangura's appeal to stay in Britain had been rejected but he was given the chance to apply for a work permit and his plea was successful. He came to Britain after first making his way from Sierra Leone to Guinea, helped by a Frenchman who he thought wanted to help his career. When he arrived in London, two men tried to rape him, and he said he only realized then that he had fallen victim to a people trafficker.

■ FORMULA ONE

Piquet Jr in Renault debut

Rookie driver Nelson Piquet Jr made his Renault debut on Monday, a day before teammate and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso marks his return to the French team. Piquet Jr, who drove in Renault's 2007 car, went around in one minute, 21.595 seconds to finish with the ninth-fastest lap time at the 4.423km Circuito de Jerez in Spain. The nine F1 teams got off to a slow start following morning rain. Alonso, who won back-to-back world championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006, returns for the first time since leaving McLaren after a turbulent season. Alonso's former teammate, Lewis Hamilton, was expected to test for McLaren yesterday. Ferrari dominated the first of three days of testing at Jerez, with drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa finishing 1-2. Raikkonen, the defending world champion, had a best time of 1:19.845 from 59 laps in his Ferrari F2008.

■ TENNIS

Kuerten set to retire: source

Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten was yesterday to announce that this would be his last year on the world tour. Kuerten will play only a few tournaments this year before ending his career, a person with knowledge of the announcement said on Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement hadn't been made yet. The 31-year-old Kuerten said on his official Web site that he was to announce his plans for the 2008 season in a press conference yesterday. Ranked 679th by the ATP tour, Kuerten was expected to play in the Brazil Open next month, and his farewell tournament could happen in Roland Garros, where he won the French Open in 1997, 2000 and 2001.

■ SOCCER

Morales complains to FIFA

Bolivian President Evo Morales on Monday accused FIFA of killing off soccer in high-altitude nations by making an adaptation period obligatory for matches played higher than 2,500m. "[It's a] way of cutting up the world ... a death sentence for the universality of soccer," Morales told the TVB television network. Bolivian Football Federation president Carols Chavez said on Friday that world soccer's governing body had set periods of adaptation for matches played at altitude, but FIFA have yet to officially confirm this. For matches above 2,750m, a period of adaptation of a week is obligatory and above 3,000m the rule will be not to play the match, except with a period of acclimatization of at least two weeks, Chavez said. The Bolivan capital La Paz is situated at 3,600m.