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.

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BASEBALL


REPORTS: METS LAND LO DUCA FOR MINOR LEAGUER The Florida Marlins fire sale continues, and for the second time in two weeks, the Mets arew getting in on the action.According to various reports late last night, the Mets have acquired All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca from Florida in exchange for minor league right-hander Gaby Hernandez.


Lo Duca, a 33-year-old native of Brooklyn, has made the NL All-Star team in each of the last three seasons and is regarded as one of baseball’s top offensive catchers as well as an excellent handler of pitching staffs and a clubhouse leader. Despite nagging injuries, Lo Duca batted .283 with six home runs and 57 RBI in his first full season with the Marlins (he was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2004 trading deadline.) In major league seasons, Lo Duca .285 career batting average with 66 homers and 363 RBI.


Lo Duca, who will replace future hall of famer Mike Piazza in the Mets’ lineup next season, is owed $6.25 million in each of the next two seasons, which would be paid by the Mets. Florida would remain responsible for the final $1 million of his signing bonus, which is due to be paid November 30, 2008.


FURCAL AGREES TO DEAL WITH DODGERS Shortstop Rafael Furcal and the Los Angeles Dodgers have reached preliminary agreement on a $39 million, threeyear contract, his agent said yesterday.


Los Angeles beat out Atlanta and Chicago Cubs for Furcal, who had spent his entire six-year career with the Braves. Furcal will receive $9 million next year, with $5 million of that to be called a signing bonus. He gets $13 million in cash in each of the following two seasons, and there is a final $4 million payment in January 2009.


A switch hitter, Furcal batted .284 last season with 12 homers, 58 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 46 steals in 56 attempts. He is a proven leadoff hitter and exceptional fielder known for his strong throwing arm. He committed only 15 errors last season.


COLLEGE BASKETBALL


DUKE SQUEAKS PAST VIRGINIA TECH ON MIRACLE SHOT Sean Dockery made a heave from about 40 feet with less than a second left, giving the top-ranked Blue Devils an improbable 77-75 victory over Virginia Tech last night in the ACC opener for both teams.The frantic finish denied the Hokies a stunning upset after they rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final 4 1/2 minutes.Coleman Collins capped the comeback by tipping in a miss by Zabian Dowdell, and after conferring with TV replays, the referees put 1.6 seconds back on the clock for the Blue Devils (7-0).


In other top 25 action last night, Arron Afflalo scored 20 points and keyed a second-half rally with Cedric Bozeman that helped no. 16 UCLA beat Coppin State 69-57 yesterday.The Bruins (6-1) needed another comeback to put away an inferior opponent. Last Tuesday night, they blew a 19-point lead and trailed by one before closing out Albany 73-65.


And in Louisville, Ky,. Taquan Dean made six 3-pointers and scored 24 points as no. 7 Louisville (3-0) overcame a sluggish first half to pull away from Arkansas State 67-55 at the Colonial Classic.


– Associated Press

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

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.


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