BASEBALL

BONDS: STEROIDS SCANDAL IS ‘OLD STUFF’

Barry Bonds angrily sidestepped questions about his role in baseball’s steroid scandal upon his arrival at spring training yesterday, pronouncing himself weary but ready to begin his pursuit of Hank Aaron’s career home run record.

In the 40-year-old Bonds’s first public comments since his grand jury testimony was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle and reported in December, he had nothing to say about it, citing legal constrictions. But he had harsh words for the press and fans still consumed by the circumstances of his record-setting home run binge.

“You guys are, like, rerunning stories,” Bonds said to the huge group of reporters in attendance. “This is old stuff. It’s like watching ‘Sanford and Son.’ … Are you guys jealous, upset, disappointed, what?”

The Giants slugger, who is 52 homers shy of Aaron’s 755, was asked whether he thinks using steroids is cheating.

“I don’t know what cheating is,” he said. “I don’t believe steroids can help your eye-hand coordination, technically hit a baseball. I just don’t believe it. That’s my opinion.”

SELIG APPROVES PARTIAL SALE OF D-BACKS

After six months of investigation and deliberation, Commissioner Bud Selig has given his approval to former agent Jeff Moorad becoming a part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Moorad would not say how much money would be involved, but it is significant enough to make him the fifth general partner in the team’s majority ownership group. Moorad, whose former clients include Diamondbacks star Luis Gonzalez, will oversee operation of the franchise as general partner.

FOOTBALL

SEAHAWKS SIGN HASSELBECK, FRANCHISE ALEXANDER

The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to a six-year deal and named running back Shaun Alexander their franchise player yesterday, ensuring that their three top offensive players are under their control. In addition, general manager Bob Ferguson resigned as part of an executive house-cleaning.

Terms of Hasselbeck’s deal were not immediately available. The franchise designation for Alexander – who came within one yard of the NFL rushing title last season – prevents him from becoming a free agent, grants him a one-year contract worth about $6.3 million, and gives the team until March 16 to try to reach a long-term deal. Free agency begins March 2.

Also yesterday, the Colts tagged running back Edgerrin James their franchise player; the Patriots did the same for kicker Adam Vinatieri; Jacksonville franchised safety Donovin Darius for the third straight season; linebacker Julian Peterson was designated the 49ers’ franchise player for the second straight season; and Oakland gave wide receiver Jerry Porter the franchise tag.

JETS’ RUNNING BACKS COACH JOINS 49ERS

Jets running backs coach Bishop Harris left the team yesterday, ending a four-year stint in which he was best known for nearly coming to blows with coach Herman Edwards during the Jets’ 20-17 playoff victory over San Diego. Harris was en route to the 49ers, and is expected to be their running backs coach. Assistant Dick Curl will take over for Harris. Curl had his share of problems last season in time-management situations, after he was given the job to help Edwards with the clock.

REPORTS: BLEDSOE TO SIGN WITH COWBOYS

Drew Bledsoe was released by the Buffalo Bills yesterday and within hours, according to several reports, agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Bledsoe’s reunion with coach Bill Parcells, who drafted the quarterback no. 1 overall and guided him to the Super Bowl in New England, was first reported by Dallas-Fort Worth television station KTVT and later by ESPN.com, The Dallas Morning News, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The Bills announced plans to release Bledsoe last week and the Cowboys were prepared with an offer right away. Bledsoe was ready for it, too, even saying last week that “Dallas is intriguing for obvious reasons.”

SOCCER

BAYERN TOPS ARSENAL AS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESUMES

Claudio Pizarro scored two goals to help Bayern Munich beat Arsenal 3-1 in their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg match yesterday. Pizarro scored once in each half and Hasan Salihamidzic added another after the break, but a goal in the 88th minute by Kolo Abib Toure gave Arsenal some hope of advancing to the quarterfinals. Arsenal can go through with a 2-0 win at home on March 9.

Also yesterday, Ivan Helguera’s 31st-minute goal earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium; Liverpool beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on goals from Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise, and Dietmar Hamann; and PSV Eindhoven beat last season’s runner-up Monaco, 1-0.

HOCKEY

GRETZKY ALLOWED TO LEAD TEAM CANADA AT WORLDS

Wayne Gretzky can take charge of Team Canada if he wants after the NHL decided yesterday it would not interfere with league personnel wanting to get involved in the April 30-May 15 world hockey championship.

Gretzky, the managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes and architect of Team Canada’s 2004 World Cup-winning team, has yet to confirm his participation in the world championship. Should Gretzky resume his executive director job, he’s expected to ask Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and Canucks assistant GM Steve Tambellini to join his staff. Canada is expected to fill its roster with the best NHL players available, and will hold a training camp in April.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

COWBOYS UPSET BY CORNHUSKERS

Joe McCray scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead Nebraska to a 74-67 upset of no. 4 Oklahoma State last night. The victory was the Cornhuskers’ first in 20 games against Top 10 opponents. The Cowboys (20-4, 10-3) fell into a tie with no. 8 Kansas for first place in the Big 12.

In other top 25 action last night, no. 2 North Carolina beat N.C.State,81-71,and LSU knocked off no.16 Alabama,61-59.

– Associated Press