Stringer family plans to sue Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The family of the late Korey Stringer plans to file a $100 million wrongful-death lawsuit against the Minnesota Vikings, claiming the team was negligent in the events that led to the death of the Pro Bowl tackle.
Calling the conduct of Vikings owner Red McCombs "unconscionable," family attorney Stanley M. Chesley said at a news conference that the suit would be filed at the conclusion of the Vikings' season.
Stringer died Aug. 1 in training camp due to complications from heat stroke. He was 27.
Complete details of the lawsuit were not disclosed, but agent James Gould claimed that the Vikings exhibited disregard for Stringer's safety and were indifferent to the family following Stringer's death.
Stringer's death sent shockwaves throughout the NFL, which had never had a death related to heat stroke.
After going through a morning workout in 90-degree temperatures on July 31, Stringer experienced the symptoms of heat stroke, including weakness and rapid breathing, and was taken by ambulance to Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital.
The 6-4, 335-pound Stringer was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital and had a temperature of over 108 degrees. He developed multi-organ system failure and never regained consciousness before being pronounced dead.
Suit threatened over Twins folding
ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch has threatened to sue Major League Baseball over antitrust violations if owners go ahead with plans to shut doen the Minnesota Twins.
Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., said he plans to introduce legislation to revoke baseball's antitrust exemption. Wellstone said he would ask President Bush, a former owner of the Texas Rangers, to support the measure.
Baseball owners met this week and voted to reduce the number of Major League teams by two to eliminate money-losing franchises. Though no franchises were immediately designated, speculation centered on the Twins, Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins.
Minnesota lawmakers have been balking for years at requests from Twins owner Carl Pohlad to fund a new stadium and efforts by Pohlad to sell the team repeatedly have failed.
Legislation is pending in the Minnesota Senate that would provide $300 million for an open-air stadium. The Twins would be required to put up half the cost, some coming from private sources. The rest would come from a $100 million state loan, $40 million from Metropolitan Council revenue bonds and $10 million in sales tax breaks on building materials.
Mets not interested in Rocker
NEW YORK. Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The New York Mets apparently have no interest in controversial relief pitcher John Rocker though his name did come up during an organizational session this week.
The Record of Hackensack, N.J., reported Wednesday that the Mets were considering a trade with Cleveland for Rocker, a talented but troubled closer. Thursday the Record reported, however, that the Mets had "quickly dismissed" the idea of going after Rocker.
The thought of his being ona New York team was, at the least, intriguing. Rocker, then with Atlanta, alienated many New Yorkers with racially insensitive comments in Sports Illustrated two years ago.
Traded this past season to the Indians, Rocker distanced himself from the teammates and there were more reports of confrontations. Further, too many ineffective stints on the mound cost him his closer's job.
Csrter reportedly joining Vikings
BRISTOL, Conn., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Former Pro Bowl cornerback Dale Carter apparently has found a home with the Minnesota Vikings. ESPN reported that the troubled Carter would complete a deal with the Vikings Thursday, just two days after being reinstated by the NFL following a 19-month suspension.
According to ESPN, the 31-year-old Carter has agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract that will be prorated over the balance of the season, with Carter receiving $29,411 for every game he is on the roster.
A Vikings spokeswoman would not confirm the signing.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Carter was suspended by the league last spring for repeat violations of the substance abuse policy. Carter and agent Mitch Frankel insisted that the player had not tested positive but instead missed a scheduled screening, which was viewed by the league as the equivalent of a positive test.
Second-seeded Nagyova advances
PATTAYA CITY, Thailand, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Second seed Henrieta Nagyova of Slovakia advanced to the quarterfinals but sixth seed Ai Sugiyama of Japan was a second-round loser at the $110,000 Volvo Women's Open tennis event Thursday.
Nagyova had little trouble with Zsofia Gubacsi, coasting past her Hungarian opponent, 6-2, 6-0. Nagyova advances to play qualifier Liezel Huber of South Africa, who defeated Sugiyama, 7-5, 6-2.
Eighth seed Rossana Neffa-de los Rios of Paraguay defeated Wynne Prakusya of Indonesia, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). Rossana Neffa-de los Rios advances to a quarterfinal meeting with Su-Wei Hsieh of Tapei, who outlasted the Ukraine's Julia Vakulenko, 7-5, 1-6, 6-2.
Pacheco defends flyweight title
SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Irene Pacheco of Colombia defends his IBF flyweight title Friday night against local favorite Mike Trejo.
The undefeated Pacheco (25-0, 19 KOs) captured the then-vacant 112-pound strap by posting a ninth-round stoppage of countryman Luis Cox. He has made three successful title defenses but was lucky to retain his 112-pound title in his last fight.
In November 2000, Pacheco posted a highly debatable majority decision over South African Masibulele Makepula in Las Vegas.
Chancellor to coach US World team
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Van Chancellor, who guided the Houston Comets to four straight WNBA titles, was named coach of the 2002 United States women's world basketball championship team Thursday.
The U.S. squad will be made up of WNBA players and the roster will be unveiled at a later date. The 14th FIBA World Championship for Women will be contested between 16 countries from Sept. 14-25 in China.
Chancellor will be looking to guide the Americans to their second consecutive title, having triumphed at the 1998 tournament.
