Sports Desk

Baseball

Bonds' 756th homer ball lands in Hall, finally

Now branded with an asterisk, the ball Barry Bonds launched for his record 756th home run nearly a year ago landed last night in the Hall of Fame.

The souvenir arrived in Cooperstown, N.Y., after a strange day of back-and-forth statements between its owner, fashion designer Marc Ecko, and the shrine.

"We are very happy to receive the baseball as a donation, and not as a loan," Hall spokesman Brad Horn said. "We look forward to adding this ball to our permanent collections."

Union files grievance over Chacon

The players' association filed a grievance yesterday over the release of pitcher Shawn Chacon, saying the team's decision to terminate his contract was without just cause. Chacon cleared waivers and was released Monday, five days after a physical altercation with Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade in the clubhouse.

"The grievance alleges that he was unlawfully terminated and asked that he be made whole," said Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel.

Basketball

Chris Paul, Hornets nearing extension

Chris Paul's agent plans to travel to New Orleans today with the intention of completing a contract extension that would keep the All-Star and Team USA point guard with the Hornets for an additional three to five years. Lance Young, a senior director of the sports marketing and management company Octagon, said Tuesday that he had spoken to Hornets general manager Jeff Bower by phone and that they were in general agreement on the terms of an extension for Paul, who has one season remaining on his current contract.