STEROIDS IN SPORTS

HOUSE COMMITTEE MOVES STEROID BILL ALONG Legislation that would set minimum steroid-testing rules and penalties for the four major U.S. professional sports was rubberstamped yesterday by a House committee.

The Government Reform Committee made no changes before giving its approval to the Clean Sports Act, sponsored by chairman Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican. It’s one of two similar bills on the subject; the Drug Free Sports Act is going through the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The two panels will now consult, and it’s possible they could combine the bills.

Davis said his panel will hold more hearings. It’s had three since March, with witnesses ranging from retired slugger Mark McGwire to the parents of young athletes who committed suicide after using steroids.

Based on the Olympic model, the Clean Sports Act would set drug-testing policy for the NFL, NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball. It calls for a two-year ban for a first offense, a lifetime ban for a second, and mandates five tests per athlete each year.

The Drug Free Sports Act is sponsored by Florida Republican Cliff Stearns, chairman of an Energy and Commerce subcommittee. His bill calls for the same penalties as Davis’s, but it requires two tests each year. Stearns’s bill would give the secretary of commerce authority over sports’ drug-testing policies; Davis’s bill gives oversight to the White House drug czar. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced the Clean Sports Act in the Senate. He and Davis have said they hope to see Congress vote on the legislation this year.

FOOTBALL

WINSLOW CONFIRMS HE WILL MISS 2005 SEASON

Kellen Winslow Jr. apologized to Browns fans yesterday for his reckless use of a motorcycle and confirmed that he will miss the upcoming season because of injuries sustained in the crash.

Winslow tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and suffered unspecified internal injuries on May 1 when he wrecked his high-powered motorcycle while attempting tricks in a secluded parking lot near his home. For the first time since the crash, Winslow confirmed that he will miss his second season as a pro and acknowledged that it was a mistake to take up motorcycle riding.

Because he broke a dangerous activities clause in his contract, the Browns may try to recoup a portion of the $5.05 million in bonuses he has received since signing a six-year, $40 million contract last season.

GOLF

LEONARD TAKES LEAD AT ST. JUDE CLASSIC

Justin Leonard took advantage of his early tee time, shooting an 8-under 62 in unusually calm conditions at TPC at Southwind to take a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the St. Jude Classic.

In the fourth group of the morning, Leonard shot his best round since a 61 in the final round at Colonial in 2003, where he finished second. He birdied his first three holes, six of the opening nine, and finished with eight during his bogey-free round.

After Leonard entered the clubhouse early with a five stroke lead, Kirk Triplett (64) and Davis Love III (65) did their best to catch up during the afternoon. But Triplett parred his final two holes, while Love finished with seven consecutive pars. Jason Bohn birdied his final hole and tied Love with a 65. Matt Gogel and Tom Pernice each shot 66s, while Olin Browne, Paul Goydos, 2001 champion Bob Estes and Hank Kuehne are in a large group at 67. Two-time defending champion David Toms finished with a 68.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

FINAL COACHES’ POLL VOTE WILL BE MADE PUBLIC

The coaches’ college football poll will no longer be a secret: Balloting in the final regular-season poll will be made public for the first time. Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, said yesterday that most coaches did not want to release the votes because of the scrutiny it would bring, but decided to vote for the change to quell any “uncalled-for controversy.” He said there are no circumstances where the group would allow their in-season voting to be made public.

“The in-season polls are just a barometer,” Teaff said. “The final poll that determines the two teams that play in the national championship seems to be the one everyone wants to know about.”

A total of 62 coaches vote in the USA Today/ESPN poll.

CYCLING

BASSO WINS 17TH STAGE OF GIRO D’ITALIA

Ivan Basso won the 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday, and Paolo Savoldelli retained the overall lead. Basso broke away on the final climb to complete the 120.2-mile route from Varazze to Colle Tenda in 5 hours, 15 minutes, 45 seconds. The Italian from Team CSC finished 1:06 ahead of runner-up Jose Rujano Guillen of Venezuela and third-place finisher Gilberto Simoni of Italy.

Savoldelli finished nearly two minutes behind Basso. Overall, Savoldelli – of the Discovery Channel team – leads two-time Giro winner Simoni by 58 seconds and Rujano Guillen by 1:24.The Giro ends Sunday in Milan.

BASKETBALL

COWENS HIRED TO COACH NEW WNBA TEAM NBA

Hall of Famer Dave Cowens was hired yeterday to coach and be the general manager of Chicago’s expansion WNBA team. Cowens, 57, was a seven-time NBA All-Star who also coached in the league. Cowens played 10 of his 11 seasons with Boston, winning the MVP in 1973. In 1996, he was named one of the league’s 50 greatest players. He later coached the Charlotte Hornets (1996-99) and Golden State Warriors (2000-02).

HOCKEY

NHL, UNION WRAP UP WEEK OF ‘PROGRESS’

Progress was reported yesterday for the second straight week in labor talks between the NHL and the players’ association. Both sides issued brief statements but didn’t reveal many details of what was discussed. Players’ association senior director Ted Saskin said he expected NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and union executive director Bob Goodenow to schedule new meetings soon.

“We just completed two days of meetings focused on revenue measurement and reporting issues,” Saskin said. “There is a lot more information to be exchanged between the parties.”

NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly said the sides planned to meet again next week.

– Associated Press