BASKETBALL

Anthony Won’t Appeal Suspension

Carmelo Anthony won’t appeal his 15-game suspension for his role in the Knicks brawl last weekend, according to USA Today and ESPN.com reports.

“It is Melo’s desire to focus on the issue at hand, not be a distraction to his team and focus on coming back as the best teammate he can be,” Bill Duffy, CEO of BDA Sports, the agency that represents Anthony, told USA Today in Thursday’s editions. “He’s accepting full responsibility. That’s a mature response.”

Duffy and Anthony’s agent, Calvin Andrews, didn’t return calls from The Associated Press on yesterday.

HOCKEY

Lemieux: Penguins To Explore Relocation

The Pittsburgh Penguins are off the market, and owner Mario Lemieux says the team will look at relocating while it attempts to reach a deal for a new arena.

“It is time to take control of our own destiny,”Hall of Famer Lemieux said in a statement issued by his team yesterday.

The Penguins are free to move when the 2006–07 season ends following a state panel’s rejection Wednesday of a casino company’s offer to build the team a new arena for free.

Lemieux said talks will begin shortly with state and local leaders about a new arena, but added a move outside Pennsylvania is another option.

“Accordingly, starting today, the team is off the market,” Lemieux said, “and we will begin to explore relocation offers in cities outside Pennsylvania.”

BASEBALL

Brewers Make Offer To Suppan

NL championship series MVP Jeff Suppan has been offered a four-year contract by the Milwaukee Brewers.

“We stepped up and felt it was important to be known,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said yesterday in a telephone interview, without revealing terms of Milwaukee’s proposal.

Suppan was brilliant in helping the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Mets before the team went on and swept Detroit in the World Series. He pitched eight shutout innings to win Game 3, then allowed one run over seven innings in Game 7, which the Cardinals won 3–1 on Yadier Molina‘s ninth-inning homer.

Sammy Sosa Begins Training for Return To Major Leagues

Sammy Sosa began training yesterday in hopes of returning to the major leagues.

“I feel like I did when I was a rookie,” Sosa told The Associated Press. “I have a lot of spirit and a desire to return. I think I can play three or four more years in the form I am now.”

Sosa hit the ball out of the park 15 times while training at a field in San Pedro de Macoris that is operated by the Japanese league’s Hiroshima Carp.

Reds Get Conine From Phillies

The Reds acquired Jeff Conine from the Philadelphia Phillies for a pair of minor leaguers yesterday, giving them a right-handed hitter who can share a spot at first base and play the outfield.

The 40-year-old Conine played the outfield and first base with Baltimore and Philadelphia last season, hitting .268 with 10 homers and 66 RBIs. The Phillies acquired him in an August trade.

FOOTBALL

Delhomme Likely Will Miss Another Game

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme missed practice again yesterday with his sprained right thumb, making it likely he’ll miss his third straight game.

Delhomme hasn’t played or practiced since suffering ligament damage in his right thumb on December 4 at Philadelphia. Chris Weinke started in his place in losses to the New York Giants and Pittsburgh, and will probably start again Sunday at Atlanta.

— Associated Press