Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

BASEBALL
ORIOLES CUT TIES WITH SOSA, PALMEIRO
The Baltimore Orioles have officially announced that they will not be bringing back outfielder Sammy Sosa or first baseman Rafael Palmeiro. Palmeiro and Sosa have indicated that they would like to return to baseball in 2006. But the prospects of either re-joining the Orioles dwindled dramatically after both suffered through terrible seasons.
Sosa, who turned 37 Saturday, came to the Orioles in a February 2 trade with the Chicago Cubs. After hitting at least 35 homers in each year since 1994, Sosa was expected to provide an immediate offensive boost while batting cleanup. Instead, he hit just .221 with 14 homers and 45 RBI in 102 games.
Palmeiro’s season included collecting his 3,000 career hit in July, and within weeks, being suspended for failing a drug test. Palmeiro, 41, continues to deny he intentionally took steroids, but he has no concrete proof as to why stanozolol was found in his system during a May drug test. Both players are now unrestricted free agents.
SOCCER
GALAXY DOWNS REVOLUTION IN MLS CUP
Guillermo Ramirez nailed a deflected shot from the top of the penalty box past a fallen goaltender and between two would-be defenders in stoppage time of the first overtime, giving the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup yesterday.
Ramirez was the least likely pick to be the game’s scoring star. His ratio of 62 shots and one goal this season was the worst in MLS history, and his one goal came on a penalty kick that hit the post and went in off the goalie’s back.
The Galaxy claimed their second championship in five finals appearances. Both have been 1-0 victories over New England in overtime. The other was in 2002, and this game played out much like that one. There were no goals in regulation, the Revolution went a tremendous stretch without a shot on goal, and there were plenty of yellow cards – 10, double the previous high in league championship history.
GOLF
HOWELL HOLDS OFF WOODS AT HSBC CHAMPIONS
England’s David Howell held off Tiger Woods at the HSBC Champions yesterday in Shanghai, closing with a 4-under 68 for a three-stroke victory. Howell, who began the round with a one-stroke lead over Woods, finished with a 20-under 268 total to claim the $833,300 first-place check in the $5 million event, the richest tournament in Asia. Woods shot a 70.
Howell, a surprising star in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over America last year, extended his lead to four strokes with three birdies on the first five holes and overcame bogeys on nos. 8 and 9 to win his third European tour title.
Woods, also second last week in the Tour Championship in Atlanta, will be in Japan this week for the Dunlop Phoenix and also will play in the PGA Grand Slam, Skins Game and Target World Challenge. England’s Nick Dougherty eagled the par-5 18th for a 69 to tie for third with Australia’s Nick O’Hern (73) at 14 under. Vijay Singh (69) and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (70) finished at 13-under.
– Associated Press