BASEBALL

EPSTEIN RETURNS AS RED SOX GM Theo Epstein’s new job is the same as his old one: general manager of the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox announced yesterday that Epstein would resume his old duties – nothing more and nothing less than when he left on Halloween.

“While Theo was contemplating returning to the organization in an advisory role,” Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said in a statement, “he and I talked and agreed it was best for the organization if he returned as general manager – a title more appropriate for him because it accurately reflects the role he will play.”

Epstein walked away from his dream job on Halloween after a never-explained internal squabble convinced him he could no longer put his whole heart into the job. After a halfhearted search to replace him, the Red Sox announced on December 12 that Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington, two of Epstein’s former lieutenants, would serve as co-GMs. Hoyer’s new job will be assistant general manager, and Cherington was given the title of vice president of player personnel. Both acknowledged that they knew when they took the GM job that Epstein was expected to return.

ORIOLES GIVE GIBBONS FOUR-YEAR, $21M DEAL Baltimore outfielder Jay Gibbons agreed yesterday to a $21.1 million, four-year contract. Gibbons, who has spent his entire five-year major league career with the Orioles, would have become eligible for free agency after the season. He had asked for $5.3 million in arbitration, and the Orioles had offered $4 million. The 28-year-old batted .277 with 26 homers and 79 RBI in 139 games last season.

CYCLING

2007 TOUR DE FRANCE WILL START IN LONDON The 2007 Tour de France will start in London. It will mark the first time the Tour has started in England, and the third time it has passed through the country. In Paris, race organizers said further details of the start would be announced in London on February 9.The Tour has started outside France before. Previously, the Tour’s “Grand Depart” has been launched from numerous cities and towns outside France, including Liege, Belgium, (2004), Luxembourg (2002, 1989), Dublin, Ireland, (1998), Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, (1996), and Berlin (1987).

– Associated Press