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.

HOCKEY
BRUINS SEND THEIR CAPTAIN THORNTON OUT WEST The struggling Boston Bruins traded captain Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night in exchange for three players.
The Bruins get forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart for Thornton, who signed a three-year, $20 million contract with Boston in August and was once thought to be the future of the franchise.
“He is a leader who scores points and makes other players around him better,” San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement on the team’s Web site. “To get a player of this caliber, you have to give up something to get something. You would make this trade last month, this month or next year. It follows our philosophy of making our team better for this year and next year.”
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Thornton, a three-time All-Star, had been the key to the Bruins’ offense. He scored more than 20 goals in each of his last five NHL seasons, including two with 30 or more. In 2003-04, he led the team in scoring with 23 goals and 50 assists.
BASEBALL
BONDS TO PLAY FOR AMERICA IN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC Barry Bonds told the players’ association he plans to play for the United States in next year’s inaugural World Baseball Classic.
“There are details that still need to be addressed before Barry can play,” Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, said in an e-mail.
Bonds missed almost all of last season because of a knee injury. “Barry’s rehab will not be an issue,” Borris said.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
SPARTANS HOLD OFF YELLOW JACKETS Michigan State survived a scare against Georgia Tech. What the Spartans did not escape was the wrath of their coach. The Yellow Jackets’ Zam Fredrick hit the rim on a shot from about 30 feet as time expired, and No. 13 Michigan State held on for an 88-86 victory Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Spartans (4-2) led the entire game, but the Yellow Jackets (2-2) never let the home team get comfortable because they shot 52 percent and made 10 3-pointers.
“We don’t want to guard anybody,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “That’s going to change. If you don’t check, you don’t win championships. We’re trying to invent a new brand, and I’m not buying.”
Paul Davis scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half for the Spartans, but his two missed free throws with 4.3 seconds left allowed Fredrick to get off a 3-pointer that would’ve given the young Yellow Jackets a huge win.
BASKETBALL
KARL SUSPENDED FOR CRITICIZING OFFICIALS George Karl has never been shy about sharing his candid opinions and as a result, he has often found himself lighter in the wallet. This time, he also got suspended without pay. The league came down hard on Karl for publicly criticizing officials after the Nuggets’ 101-92 loss to New Jersey. Karl began his two-game suspension with Wednesday night’s Nuggets-Hornets game in Denver. He also will sit out Denver’s game at Phoenix on Friday night. – Associated Press