■BASEBALL
Dodgers veteran to quit
Jeff Kent the leading home run hitter as a second baseman, was due to formally retire yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers said in a statement on Wednesday. The 40-year-old five-times All-Star will draw the curtain on a 17-year career in the majors, having spent the last four seasons with the Dodgers. Kent, whose 351 career homers as a second baseman are 74 more than Ryne Sandberg, will retire with a .290 career batting average, 1,518 RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage.
■SOCCER
International ends in chaos
Thailand’s King’s Cup match against Lebanon descended into chaos on Wednesday when the Middle East side twice walked off the pitch. Team staff and security guards twice had to enter the field to stop fights triggered by repeated scuffling between Lebanon’s Zakaria Charara and Thai defender Suree Sukha during the hosts’ 2-1 win in Phuket. With 14 minutes remaining, in an apparent case of mistaken identity, Charara struck Surat Sukha in the head in retaliation for his twin brother Suree’s earlier foul. After the ensuing brawl, Lebanon stormed off the field in protest and were told to remain on the sidelines by incensed coach Emile Rustom, who had to be talked into resuming the match by Thai soccer president Worawi Makudi. Five minutes later, Suree escaped a booking by the Thai referee after another vicious tackle on Charara, who started another melee by slapping Suree and captain Datsakorn Thonglao in the face. Lebanon again left the field in protest but returned five minutes later, only for the embattled referee to blow the final whistle prematurely to prevent further brawling.
■FOOTBALL
Cops nab bungling fans
Two bungling Arizona Cardinals fans were arrested for vandalizing the lawn of Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb after leaving police a key clue — a name and address label sticker. Rex Perkins, 37, and Ryan Hanlon, 28, were arrested on Sunday after three “pranks” at the home of McNabb, who lives in a gated community in suburban Phoenix but played for the team that Arizona faced last week in the playoffs. The Cardinals defeated Philadelphia on Sunday to book a trip to their first Super Bowl. McNabb was angered early on Saturday morning when diesel fuel was used to burn the words “Go Cards” “Go Kurt” and “I (heart) AZ” on his lawn. In a prior incident a cardboard box and sign reading “Go Cards” and “Beat Philly” were placed in McNabb’s yard. The box contained a sticker with Perkins’ name and address on it. After police arrived following the lawn burning, McNabb showed them the box and they went to Perkins’ home, where he confessed and named Hanlon as an accomplice.
■FOOTBALL
Group wants test for Vick
An animal treatment watchdog group wants disgraced former NFL star Michael Vick to undergo mental tests before he can be reinstated. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday saying Vick should be checked to see if he is a psychopath before having any chance of a return to the NFL. Vick is serving a prison sentence on conspiracy charges in connection with his financing of a dogfight gambling ring. Evidence in the case showed he killed dogs in such brutal manners as drowning, beating and electrocution.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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