BASEBALL

YANKEES MOVE CLOSER TO DEAL WITH JOHNSON

Randy Johnson and the Yankees moved closer to an agreement yesterday on a two-year contract extension that would allow New York to complete its tentative trade for the Big Unit. The two parties are discussing a two-year deal worth about $32 million, as well as whether to restructure the final season of Johnson’s current contract. The five-time Cy Young Award winner has a $16 million salary in 2005, of which $6 million is deferred.

Arizona’s tentative trade with New York calls for the Diamondbacks to receive Javier Vazquez, Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro, and $9 million. Johnson, who has a no-trade clause, has until Friday to agree to an extension. If he waives the clause, all players would have to pass physicals for the trade to be finalized.

In other Yankees news, New York made an offer to re-sign Ruben Sierra. The designated hitter and outfielder, who made $1 million last season, faces a Saturday midnight deadline to stay with the Yankees.

FOOTBALL

MANNING, ROETHLISBERGER WIN AP OFFENSIVE AWARDS

Peyton Manning was a runaway winner of the Associated Press 2004 NFL Offensive Player of the Year – as if there were any doubt. The Indianapolis Colts’ star quarterback broke Dan Marino’s 20-year-old record with 49 touchdown passes, and his passer rating of 121.1 shattered Steve Young’s mark of 112.8 set in 1994. Manning threw only 10 interceptions and led the Colts to the AFC South title with a 12-4 record.

Also yesterday, Ben Roethlisberger unanimously won the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The first quarterback to win the honor since its inception in 1957, Roethlisberger was 13-0 as a rookie starter.

49ERS FIRE ERICKSON, DONAHUE

The San Francisco 49ers fired coach Dennis Erickson and dismissed general manager Terry Donahue yesterday, three days after the once-proud franchise finished the season at 2-14, the NFL’s worst record. Erickson went 9-23 in two seasons as Steve Mariucci’s successor, never reaching the postseason. He is 40-56 in six seasons as a head coach in San Francisco and Seattle.

Donahue, the longtime UCLA coach, was the hand-picked successor to Bill Walsh, who returned to the team five years ago to rebuild from a similar funk. Since taking over from Walsh in 2001, Donahue has been criticized for mediocre drafts and unorthodox strategies, from his difficult salary cap relief plan to his reliance on unusual player evaluation methods.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

OHIO STATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TO RETIRE

Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger is retiring after a decade featuring some of the Buckeyes’ greatest victories and biggest embarrassments. Geiger, 65, has 17 months left on his contract and will stay on until June 2006 as a fund-raiser and consultant.

After leading Ohio State to the national title as a freshman, Maurice Clarett was suspended for lying to investigators during an NCAA probe of allegations that he received improper benefits from a family friend. Last month, the school imposed a one-year postseason tournament ban on its men’s basketball team over an alleged $6,000 payment to a recruit by former coach Jim O’Brien.

FLORIDA’S CROWDER LEADS PARADE TO NFL

Florida linebacker Channing Crowder, Louisville running back Eric Shelton, West Virginia cornerback and return specialist Adam “Pac Man” Jones, and Maryland defensive end Shawne Merriman all announced their plans yesterday to enter the 2005 NFL draft. All but Crowder had one year of eligibility remaining; Crowder had two.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

SYRACUSE TOPS ST. JOHN’S

Hakim Warrick scored 22 points and Gerry McNamara added 19 for no. 6 Syracuse, which had one of its best shooting games of the season in a 79-65 victory over the Red Storm last night. While the Orange (14-1) opened conference play with their 36th consecutive win over an intrastate opponent, no. 10 Connecticut and no. 16 Pittsburgh both lost last night.

Syracuse has yet to play a game out of New York state this season, the only loss coming to no. 7 Oklahoma State at Madison Square Garden in the JimmyV Classic. Next up is Seton Hall at home on Saturday.

The Big East’s two other ranked teams split. no. 25 Boston College won at Connecticut, while no. 21 West Virginia lost at Villanova. Pittsburgh lost at home to Georgetown.

– Associated Press