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.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Minnesota’s Monson Quits After 2–5 Start
Dan Monson resigned as the men’s basketball coach at Minnesota yesterday, one day after the Gophers’ fifth straight defeat left them with their longest losing streak in more than 40 years.
Assistant coach Jim Molinari will take over as interim head coach.
The Gophers fell to 2–5 with a 90–68 home loss to Clemson on Wednesday night. Minnesota’s skid is its worst in nonconference play since a six-game slide during the 1962-63 season.
FOOTBALL
More Surgery For Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday to remove a piece of cartilage that has hampered his recovery from reconstructive surgery a year ago.
The problem was discovered when Culpepper was examined Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.
“Behind his kneecap there was a little piece of articular cartilage that was causing some catching,” coach Nick Saban said. “That’s what was causing the problem.
“That’s why we wanted to get this evaluated. We all feel much better that there’s a solution to what wasn’t a serious issue, but it was an issue that was holding him back some.”
BASEBALL
Red Sox Agree To Contract With Japanese Reliever
The Red Sox agreed to a contract with a Japanese pitcher — no, not that one.
In the midst of negotiations with potential ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox agreed yesterday to a $2.5 million, two-year contract with left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima, a deal that includes a $1.75 million team option for 2009.
The Red Sox also moved closer to signing free agent outfielder J.D. Drew. The sides are in the drafting stages of a $70 million, five-year contract that is likely to announced next week, a person familiar with the talks said on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.
HORSE RACING
Baze Ties Pincay’s Victories Record
Russell Baze inched closer to surpassing Laffit Pincay Jr.’s record of 9,530 victories yesterday, riding one winner in six mounts at Bay Meadows to tie the nearly 7-year-old mark.
“Honest, Laffit, I’m not dragging this out,” a smiling Baze told Pincay,..
Baze has ridden four winners in his last three days of racing. He will try to break the record Friday, with scheduled mounts in seven races at the 72-year-old track where Seabiscuit ran.
— Associated Press