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.
BASEBALL
SCHILLING: CLEMENS SHOULD GIVE UP AWARDS IF GUILTY
Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling called on Roger Clemens to give up the four Cy Young Awards he’s won since 1997 if he can’t clear his name from allegations that he used steroids to prolong and enhance his career.
“If he doesn’t do that then there aren’t many options as a fan for me other than to believe his career 192 wins and three Cy Youngs he won prior to 1997 were the end,” Schilling wrote yesterday in his blog, 38pitches.com. “From that point on the numbers were attained through using [performance-enhancing drugs]. Just like I stated about Jose [Canseco], if that is the case with Roger, the four Cy Youngs should go to the rightful winners, and the numbers should go away if he cannot refute the accusations.”
Schilling noted in the 3,200-word posting that he was a fan of the seven-time Cy Young winner who owed much of his success to a stern talking-to he received from Clemens when Schilling was a prospect in the Boston system.
FOOTBALL
FOUR PLEAD NOT GUILTY IN KILLING OF REDSKINS’ TAYLOR
Four suspects accused in the killing of Redskins Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor have filed written not guilty pleas to first-degree felony murder and armed burglary charges.
The filing of a written plea usually means defendants do not appear in person at an arraignment, said Ed Griffith, spokesman for State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. The arraignment hearing in the case is set for Friday.
The four suspects from the Fort Myers area are charged with breaking into Taylor’s Miami home November 26 and shooting him during a confrontation in his bedroom. Taylor, who grew up in this area and played at the University of Miami before being drafted by the Redskins, died the next day at age 24.
MANGINI UNDECIDED AT QB; SAYS CLEMENS WILL START IF HEALTHY
The Jets are still unsure who their starting quarterback will be this weekend at Tennessee.
Coach Eric Mangini said yesterday that he hadn’t yet made a decision on whether it will be Kellen Clemens or Chad Pennington, but said Clemens would start Sunday if he recovers in time from a rib injury and is mentally and physically prepared.
“It’s really health-related,” Mangini said. “We’ve got to see where Kellen is, see what he can do in terms of practice throughout the course of the week, where he is at the end of the week with his ability to function effectively. So, all of that stuff will go into the equation when we are deciding.” Clemens was injured on his first pass against New England last Sunday, when he was hit hard by Richard Seymour and landed directly on his left shoulder. The pass was intercepted by Eugene Wilson and returned for a touchdown.
SENATE GETS INVOLVED IN NFL NETWORK DISPUTE
Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the NFL yesterday threatening to reconsider the league’s antitrust exemption if it doesn’t make games on the NFL Network available to more viewers.
Senator Leahy, a Democrat of Vermont, and Senator Specter, a Republican of Pennsylvania, expressed concern that many fans in their home states will not be able to see games on the channel involving the New England Patriots or the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Leahy is the committee’s chairman, and Specter is its ranking member.
“Now that the NFL is adopting strategies to limit distribution of game programming to their own networks,” they wrote, “Congress may need to reexamine the need and desirability of their continued exemption from the Nation’s antitrust laws.”
OWENS TO JESSICA SIMPSON: BACK OFF OUR QUARTERBACK
Terrell Owens has a message for Jessica Simpson: Stay away.
The 27-year-old singer-actress has become Public Enemy No. 1 among Dallas Cowboys fans because of a link being made between her appearance at Sunday’s game and the poor performance of her new boyfriend, quarterback Tony Romo.
Asked yesterday about the Simpson scenario, Owens playfully chimed in: “Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite — in this locker room or in Texas Stadium.
The Cowboys lost 10–6 to the Philadelphia Eagles
HOCKEY
OKPOSO LEAVES MINNESOTA TO SIGN WITH ISLANDERS
Minnesota sophomore forward Kyle Okposo is leaving college to sign with the Islanders, the school announced yesterday.
Okposo, selected seventh overall in the 2006 draft, is the eighth Gophers player to forgo remaining eligibility to turn pro since the end of the 2005-06 season.
The Islanders have begun negotiations with Okposo on an entry-level contract.
“We’re extremely excited about the possibility of Kyle joining our organization soon,” general manager Garth Snow said. “He’s a great talent, one of the most exciting prospects in the game. Kyle has the dedication and character we want for our franchise.”
BASEKTBALL
PISTONS HAND CELTICS THEIR FIRST HOME LOSS
Chauncey Billups hit two free throws with one-tenth of a second left and the Detroit Pistons handed the Celtics their first home loss of the season, 87–85 last night.
The Celtics (20–3) had matched their best start ever, also achieved by the 1963–64 team that eventually won the NBA title. Boston had won its first 12 home games, its most since a club-record 17 by the 1957–58 squad.