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.
TRACK & FIELD
MONTGOMERY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT IN WAKE OF DOPING BAN Former world 100-meters record holder Tim Montgomery has announced his retirement, one day after receiving a two-year doping ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport according to a report yesterday by Reuters. Montgomery also confirmed he had split up with his partner, Olympic champion Marion Jones.
Montgomery and fellow U.S. sprinter Chryste Gaines were each banned for two years on Tuesday after CAS accepted evidence the two had taken the designer steroid THG that is at the center of the Balco doping scandal.
Montgomery ,30, said he had never knowingly taken a banned substance. He did not test positive for drugs. The Lausanne, Switzerland-based CAS said it had accepted evidence that both athletes told double world sprint champion Kelli White they had been taking THG.
Meanwhile, Montgomery stands to lose a lot more than his world record and medals. His ban also could cost him as much as $1 million. Track and field’s governing body said yesterday it will ask Montgomery to return his prize money and appearances fees since March, 31, 2001, including the $250,000 he earned for setting a world record in the 100 meters in 2002.
FOOTBALL
MARTIN UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY Jets running back Curtis Martin underwent season-ending surgery yesterday on his right knee. The 32-year-old Martin, who won the NFL rushing title last season, was injured against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 but continued to play. He sat out last week’s 26-10 win over Oakland, breaking a streak of 119 straight regular-season games in which he played. The Jets did not announce a timetable for recovery. Martin failed to become the first player in NFL history to start a career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. He finished this season with 735 yards. His career with the team also is up in the air. The Jets are almost certain to ask him to restructure his contract for next season if they want him to return.
BASEBALL
DIAMONDBACKS SWAP VAZQUEZ FOR EL DUQUE Hoping to bolster their starting rotation, the World Series champion White Sox agreed to acquire right-hander Javier Vazquez from Arizona for right-hander Orlando Hernandez, reliever Luis Vizcaino, and minor league outfielder Chris Young, a baseball official said yesterday.
Vazquez filed a formal trade demand November 10, the right of veteran players dealt during multiyear contracts. He went 11-15 with a 4.42 ERA for the Diamondbacks last season and has an 89-93 career record, pitching for the Expos, Yankees, and Diamondbacks. Arizona had until March 15 to trade him or risk having Vazquez become a free agent. He is owed $11.5 million next year and $12.5 million in 2007.
Hernandez, who pitched in relief in the playoffs, was 9-9 last season and has a career record of 70-49, spending most of his time with the Yankees. El Duque is signed for next year, with a base salary of $4,625,000.
REPORT: DODGERS NAB MUELLER TO PLAY THIRD The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly filled the left side of their infield, signing free agent third baseman Bill Mueller, according to a reports last night onESPN.com. Several sources reported Mueller will get a two-year contract, conditional upon his passing a physical exam. Mueller, 34, hit .295 with 10 home runs and 62 RBI for the Boston Red Sox last season. He joins shortstop Rafael Furcal, who signed with the Dodgers last week.
BOXING
VALUEV LOOKS TO BECOME BIGGEST HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP EVER WBA heavy weight champion John Ruiz should have no problem finding challenger Nikolai Valuev – a 7-footer weighing 330 pounds.
“He’s got a head the size of a Volkswagen,” Ruiz said yesterday at a press conference for the bout. “I can’t miss hitting him.”
Dubbed “The Beast from the East,” Valuev is 43-0 and will be the tallest and heaviest champion of all time if he beats Ruiz (42-5-1) on Saturday night. Don King is promoting the fight Saturday, an unlikely prospect a decade ago when Valuev traveled around Russia beating up people for minuscule purses.
“I was a very experienced fighter – all I needed was a good promoter,” Valuev said.
The 32-year-old former basketball player and discus thrower found his promoter two years ago when he twice boxed on the undercard of two fights staged by Wilfried Sauerland in Germany. Valuev’s third-round knockout of Clifford Etienne was followed in October by a disputed decision against Larry Donald, which earned him the title shot. Valuev has a reputation for being mobile for his size, but lacking a big punch despite his 31 knockouts.
– Associated Press