BASEBALL

CLEMENS MAY MAKE APPEARANCE AT ASTROS’ CAMP

Roger Clemens might show up at Houston Astros spring training this week for a minor league mini-camp that includes his son, Koby. The mini-camp begins today in Kissimmee and Koby Clemens, a catcher in the Astros’ minor league system, is expected to participate. Minor leaguers could have checked in for the camp yesterday, but neither Koby nor his father arrived before the minor league clubhouse closed at 5 p.m.

RED SOX RE-SIGN FRANCONA FOR THREE YEARS

After managing the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships in four seasons, Terry Francona was rewarded yesterday with a three-year contract extension that runs through 2011. The deal includes club options for 2012 and 2013, which would give him a full decade as manager if the team exercises them. Francona also received something else: a touching e-mail from general manager Theo Epstein as final details were being worked out Saturday night.

HOCKEY

WITH WIN AGAINST CAPITALS, DEVILS FIRST IN EAST

John Madden backhanded a rebound under goalie Brent Johnson’s left leg pad with 50 seconds remaining in overtime, and the Devils moved into the first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2–1 victory yesterday over the Washington Capitals. Martin Brodeur, making his 22nd consecutive start, made 37 saves for the Devils, who have won five straight and seven of eight to move ahead of idle Ottawa in a crowded race for the conference’s top seed.